Ouma's POV:

I could hear my heart pounding as the letter was read out to me.

Why...? How could I have allowed that to happen, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHEN ONE OF MY OWN FRIENDS WAS HURT SO WHY-

"Ouma please calm down" Saihara quickly told me, his voice was gentle and soft as I balled my hands into fists, I could feel my fingernails digging into my skin and even drawing in some blood as Saihara seemed held me, I didn't reach back as I felt my own bitter resentment flood through my body, those words her words rang in my head.

"Ouma...Ouma I'm sorry you had to hear about that..." Saihara told me, "but...Ouma this isn't your fault ok? So just...calm down, we'll sort this out...look I know you might hate hearing this, no I know you hate having to hear this but even if all these people were like family...they probably did hide things from you. Because I'm sure you hid things from them right? To protect them, the only difference between that and any other friendship is unfortunately for this case to possibly be revealed...we have to go digging" Saihara admitted.

"And some of the things we find won't be pretty, just know I'm here for you every step of the way alright? Don't do anything rash either just...we can and we will get you through this" he promised, I nodded a sense of numbness inside of me despite his unearned kindness.

Because Riko had to suffer alone.

No all of DICE might have been suffering alone, so not only did I allow them to fall and get killed by that sadistic freak all those years ago, but I also didn't even notice them as they suffered...what kind of leader is that? Other than someone who never deserved that title in the first place?

I'm vile.

Saihara for his credit seemed to realize I wasn't in the mood for talking as he helped me out of the attic and with a few words of gratitude towards Riko's mother he helped me get home, I could hear the overcast of thunder and the soft sounds of crickets as he helped me find my way home.

Saihara paused right before he got ready to knock on the door, "remember...remember what I said ok?" he practically begged. I nodded half-heartedly and that seemed to be good enough for him as he finally knocked on the door and barely a second later the door opened.

"OH THANK YOU ATUA YOU CAME BACK! Mom thought you got kidnapped or something she didn't think you had a social life and she was ready to tear me apart limb by limb because she thought I abandoned you!" Kiibo cried out.

"I TOLD YOU SAIHARA WAS HIS FRIEND!" he quickly called back inside the house as I felt myself growing embarrassed as Saihara laughed a little, "I'll let you go now..." he told me before he walked away.

Quickly Kiibo shut the door as I already started to head to the guest room, I was tired and I didn't really want to answer a million questions on what I did today that Kiibo always seemed to have-

"Did Saihara confess to you?" Kiibo asked and I froze. "What...?" I asked and was surprised by my own lack of stuttering, "oh no did I accidentally assume things?" Kiibo asked horrified, I shook my head, "he..he did..." I assured him hesitantly.

"Phew...well you two are a nice couple, Akamatsu was telling me yesterday how she shipped you guys-" Kiibo started but I quickly shook my head over and over, 'I didn't say yes' I signed.

"Uh..." Kiibo mumbled, "you said no?" he asked for confirmation and I nodded.

"Oh that's...why not? Do you not like him that way?" Kiibo asked, I paused unsure of how to answer when I didn't even really know myself. I shrugged and made a so-so hand.

"Do you not even know why?" Kiibo asked. "Not...not ready...I g-guess..." I eventually told him, "that's understandable..." Kiibo said, but I heard a slight hint of pain in his voice, "I was like that too...with Otome. Never ready, confessing feeling and not knowing what the response will be is terrifying..." he told me.

'I told him I needed him to wait, I don't know the first thing about relationships, or if I truly like him, and I don't think I'm even ready for a relationship in the first place' I admitted, knowing Kiibo probably didn't even understand half of what I signed.

"Not ready...? Yeah...don't think anyone ever is ready for one of those honestly...Saihara's a good guy though so if you decide never to do it I'm sure he'll understand...but hey just saying...don't wait too long to give him an answer if you will or not..." Kiibo advised, I raised an eyebrow before I heard a slight sniffle.

"Because...you might not have as much time as you thought you did. Don't rush it, just...make sure you know what you might be risking by waiting too long..." Kiibo told me. I hesitated to say anything, "sorry I'm not a good person to give relationship advice, ask Momota or Haruakwa they've been together since middle school so....they should be better at this..." Kiibo quickly started fumbling as I heard him start to walk away in a panic.

"Thanks.." I called out. Kiibo stopped walking and we sat there in awkward silence, "I just...think I would have gotten more time with Otome...maybe you wouldn't have been the only survivor of DICE...if I had the chance to tell her sooner knowing what I know now..." he said with regret.

"I'm sorry...I said too much..." he finally said as he walked up the stairs and I sighed not knowing what to do.

He might not be around forever...

...

...

So...what do I do then?