Chapter Text
6:30 AM. You woke up early every morning despite loving to sleep simply due to your need to be early for classes. You were kind of a good person in that regard. On your way out the door and heading for the bus, you felt the chills of late fall hit your skin. The trees around you were growing barren and soon enough October would be over.
You pressed the buzzer sitting squarely next to the front doors of the school to let those at the front desk know you were outside. Staff was just about arriving to work and there was still 10 or so minutes until they were supposed to let students in. Thankfully for you the people at the front desk were kind enough to let you in, especially considering the weather.
You walked through the halls and around the building till you found yourself at the cafeteria. On your way getting there though you could've sworn you heard another student, bouncing around the halls and laughing. You tried to follow the noise that echoed in the otherwise silent building. But to no avail.
The cafeteria was nice and quiet. You put on your earbuds and played a track on your phone. You were the only goth guy at your high school and while not being able to share interests with many of your peers did get you down at times, you got through it. Time passed and eventually the school was bustling with students. And even sooner it was time to head to class. As someone in your last year of high school, most of your classes these days were electives. All of which you greatly enjoyed. Except for english which was your first class. It was fairly boring but you had a good grade and got work down quickly so no harm.
Your first period classroom was fairly bland. Typical school fair, creme-white walls, motivational posters scattering the room and a class schedule on the whiteboard. Your seat was near the back by the door. Prime real estate for being able to leave as early as possible. You often left a minute or two early simply because you didn't like waiting around. Today in class everyone was working on an essay that would be due in a few days. But you, along with a few other classmates had already finished it. So instead you listened to music and grabbed out a tablet of yours and began drawing. Your teacher walked up to you, oh god, would she be giving you busy work?
“Hello (Reader).” You take one earbud out. “Done with your classwork I see?”
“Uh- Yeah. I’m just working on some personal stuff..” You slowly press the power button on your tablet so she can’t see exactly what you were working on. “Is there an issue?”
“Hmm? No. But I would like to speak to you. Ideally in the hallway so we don’t bother any of my students.” You got up out of your desk and met your teacher in the hallway. “I’m really impressed with your grades (Reader), and your ability to work fast without losing any quality. Which is why, if you feel capable, I want to offer you the ability to start tutoring other students. I could give you extra credit for it.”
Extra credit did sound promising. A cushion is still a cushion even if you don't technically need it. “I’ll do it! Is there anyone in mind for me to work with?”
“There certainly is. I have a student who is really far behind on his work. Even though classes just started a little over a month ago. Come by during lunch, I’m having him stay during then. The two of you can make plans from there.” Your teacher didn’t exactly tell you who it was so for now it was a surprise. You went to your other classes and once lunch hit you headed back to english.
You walked through the front doors of the classroom and there was your teacher, perched on her desk, and the other student. The look of him kind of set you back, there weren't many students on campus other than you that had dark purple hair, so you guess this is one of them. He was wearing pretty much the same uniform that you were, dark grey. But he had bright colorful band aids and stickers all over his face. Cut wounds too, as if he had been in a fight. As if he had been in many fights, because some of them looked fresh and some of them looked old. But that didn't click to you because he was so small, so meak, so weird looking. Perhaps he’s being bullied? Maybe there’s some sort of emotional torment preventing him from being successful in school? You sat down at the table with him.
“Kokichi, this is your tutor, say hello.” Your teacher broke the ice for the two of you. You looked over to him and he just stayed silent. So did you. “Maybe you two will be able to talk easier if I’m not in the room, I’ll be in the next classroom over, so if you need anything, just call.” Your eyes trailed on your teacher as she walked out the door and closed it behind her.
You looked back to Kokichi and before you could say anything he said, “Sup fag.” In a forced, overly cutesy high pitched tone. This isn't how he actually talks. He’s trying to be annoying. But… does he know? No.. there's no way. You're very good at hiding it. It has to be a coincidence.
“What did you just call me?” You said, unamused.
“You can’t just walk around like that without going unclocked. That eyeliner in your bags? And I’ve seen the way you dress outside of school.”
“I don't know what you mean by that.. This isn't eyeliner, I'm just tired.” You lied as you pulled at your eyes.
“Right, right. Keep telling yourself that..” He snickered and leaned back in his seat.
“And what do you mean, ‘outside of school’? I’ve never met you before?”
“That doesn't mean I don't know who you are, I know who everyone is.”
You sighed. “So, how much shit exactly do you have to work on?”
“Oh me? I’m completely caught up. All A’s too. It’s because I’m so smart. The real reason she wants you looking after me is because I’m the head of a gang at our school. Or maybe a cult leader is more accurate? Either way, I’m pure evil!”
“Cult leader?!” You drew back in exasperation. “You can't be serious..”
“I’m completely serious, all the time.” He looked up at you and gave an evil little smile. “So while we’re here, wanna play a game with me?”
“What kind of game?” You were a little suspicious of all this, and almost on the edge of your seat.
“It’s called Poisoned Apple.” He said confidently. “We both have to drink ‘Poison’ and whoever lasts the longest wins!” He pulled out two water bottles with slightly yellowed liquid inside. You sniffed it. It smelled like cider.
“What the fuck is this?”
“It’s alcohol, obviously. Now come on, drink it!”
“Uhhh.. Ok.” You took a very small sip, while he took a slightly larger one. You never drank while at school. “Wooo! Ok I’m done! I didn't last long did I? I guess that means I lose! Whoops!”
“Are you sure you're just not faking it so that I get to win?”
“What no! I really did lose.”
“Hmmm.. Ok. Give me your phone!”
“WHAT?”
“The penalty for losing is that I get to take your phone.” You grabbed it out, looked at it, and before you could react he snatched it from your hands. He was doing… something? With it, but you couldn't tell what. Then he threw it back at you. “Thanks. See you on Friday.”
He left and then you left a little afterwards. You were kind of in a daze, which couldn't have had anything to do with the alcohol because of how little of it you drank. And really, you couldn't be sure it was actual alcohol. But you were definitely stunned. So you left and went on your way. Friday, he said see you on Friday but he didn’t say when. Weird.