Chapter Text
The room in question was mostly silent as Gonta approached. There were a few words whispered here and there, which told anyone who could catch them that someone was awake inside. However, it was just as likely to be Kokichi talking as Shuichi. Kiibo had mentioned that the purple-haired one had made his way into the other’s room as soon as he was able, and rarely left. The likely presence of Kokichi didn’t worry Gonta. What did worry him was how in the two weeks since he and the others woke up, Shuichi was the only one they had yet to see or even hear of being outside his room. “Gentleman not let friend be stuck in room” Gonta thought to himself as he knocked and called through the door “Excuse Gonta, Saihara. Are you awakened yet? Can Gonta enter room?”
There was a pause in the noise of the room, and a voice that definitely was not Shuichi’s answered “No! Go away!” Next thing Gonta knew, the voice let out a loud "OW" and things went silent for a few more moments. Eventually the voice returned, whining out "Fiiiiine, Shumai says you can come in"
“Ok, Gonta coming in.” He slowly opened the door and peeked his head in, spotting Kokichi sitting grumpily on the bed next to a large lump under the blanket. “Um… where Saihara? Gonta think he heard him”
A stream of tears started to fall from Kokichi’s eyes, “Oh Gonta didn’t you hear the news,” sniff , “After coming out of the game he turned into a pile of blankets! He’s super embarrassed about his new blanket life.” The tears soon turned to very loud, and very fake sobs.
“OH NO! THAT TERRIBLE!”
“It’s just the worsttttt!”
A rather feminine-sounding groan could be heard from the pile of blankets, a pale hand emerging to smack Kokichi on the thigh. This was followed by the same hand signing “Cut it out already.”
Kokichi whimpered, “Aw but it’s fun to mess with Gonta.”
The only response was a signed “Rude” before the hand waved in Gonta’s general direction.
Seeing what he assumed to be Shuichi, Gonta smiled wide and waved back. “Hello, Saihara. How you feel?”
The hand shook in a ‘so-so’ motion in response to Gonta’s question. He then signed “Been better. You?”
“Gonta lose lots of strength while in game. Good thing guards here to protect everyone. All friends here too, though K1-B0 hiding like you. Others say he… vurtooal?”
There’s a pause, like Shuichi was unsure how to respond, before the hand spelled out ‘virtual’ in the air. A sound that could be a huff of laughter came from underneath the blanket pile. “Guess Iruma gets to build him a body after all.”
He nodded. “Iruma talk all the time about it. Says it will be ‘Spec-fuckin-tacular’. Does that mean good?” When Kokichi just broke out in laughter and rolled off the bed, Gonta continued “Ah, more bad Iruma”
The purple haired boy’s voice sounded out from behind the bed where he fell, “No no thats fucking wonderful, oh god I hope she’s gives him a dick so my question can finally be answered.” He wheezed out.
Another groan answered Kokichi’s comment, and finally a head poked out from under the blanket, along with the other hand. “Don’t mind him, Gonta, he’s just being himself.”
“Ok. Why no talking? Is it silent time and Gonta not know?”
Shuichi’s expression twisted into something difficult to recognize. He shook his head. “I just… don’t like how my voice sounds”, he responded. “Got used to how it sounded in game.”
“Gonta not understand. Others sound same as at school, why Saihara different? Though Momotas don’t like talking about baby so something must have happened leaving school.” He looked down in thought, rubbing his chin.
At the reminder of the baby, Shuichi’s expression changed into something more like guilt. “Those weren’t our real bodies, Gonta. The baby… only existed there. That’s probably why they don’t like talking about it.”
“Not… real? Then why Gonta hear Akamatsu in her room talk like Monokuma there? Did he come with?”
Kokichi huffed and climbed back onto the bed, “No, she’s just a crazy bitch and is probably in looooove with that dumb bear.”
That earned Shuichi fully emerging from his blanket cocoon to reach over and smack Kokichi on the arm, looking none too thrilled. He immediately realized what he’d done and quickly hid as much of himself as he could, though the damage had been done.
Gonta’s eyes were locked onto Shuichi, a look of confusion on his face. “Why Saihara hiding pillows under shirt? Is Ouma stealing them from you?”
“I am in fact, the most infamous pillow snatcher the world has ever seen, so yes! I am being so very very evil and stealing the god fucking awful hospital pillows from Shumai, he learned very quickly to hide them while I’m around.” Kokichi snickered.
“Ohh ok… wait no, stealing wrong and not gentlemanly. Ouma needs to stop”
“Neverrrr.” He cackled.
“Not nice, Ouma. What if Saihara not like having pillows in shirt?” He went over to the bed and picked Kokichi up. “Now apologize so he not have to hide”
Yelping at the sudden change in position, Kokichi squirmed against Gonta’s hold. “No, I’m an evil little bastard man and I will not apologize for something as little as pillow thieving!”
Unbidden, Shuichi started to giggle at the sight. He tried to cover his mouth with his hands, but his laughter was still audible. It definitely sounded different from his voice in the Killing Game. It came out more high pitched, and a lot lighter than any sound he’d made before. He looked mortified at.. Something, but couldn’t seem to make the sounds stop while watching the pair of them.
“Oh, Saihara have cute laugh. Gonta sad he never hear it before”
“That’s cuz you’re dry and not funny enough to ever make Shumai laugh.” Kokichi pouted, resigning himself to just being suspended halfway up off the bed.
“Oh… Gonta sorry. Will try better now.”
Shuichi’s laughter faded slowly, and he signed “Can’t resist getting yourself in trouble, can you dearest?”
Chuckling, Kokichi answered, “I believe you know me well enough to answer that yourself my beloved.” He smirked.
A short ding from Gonta’s pocket interrupted the conversation. Shifting Kokichi to one hand, Gonta pulled out a phone and checked it. “Oh, small light box says Akamatsu wants to know if Gonta found you, Saihara.” He placed Kokichi back onto the bed and took a minute to type something into the phone.
“It’s called a phone, dipshit.” Kokichi mumbled.
Shuichi rolled his eyes and held his arms out towards Kokichi, making a noise that wasn't quite a demand, but something close. He signed with the hand closest to Gonta, “So how have you been adjusting to being here, Gonta?”
The purple boy smiled, complying with the unspoken order, he wrapped his arms tightly around Shuichi and snuggled close.
“Family different than Gonta remembers.” A soft smile formed as he looked to the door. “But they good family. Say they want help me speak gooder”
“Better” Shuichi corrected without thinking. “They want to help you speak better." He smiled fondly at both Gonta and Kokichi. “That’s good, though. That they want to help you.”
He nodded excitedly. “Plus Gonta find out brother not hit by car, he just run into one on skateboard.” He pulled out his phone and showed a picture of Jiro posing on Gonta’s hospital bed with him, the boy’s leg in a cast. “Jiro is a good kid...” As he said that, an unfamiliar look crossed Gonta’s face, a level of intelligence in his eyes beyond what the others knew of him.
Shuichi tilted his head slightly, watching Gonta. “I can’t wait to meet him, then ” he signed with a soft smile.
That broke Gonta out of his odd state and he ruffled Shuichi’s hair. “Gonta happy to introduce when Saihara leaves room. But Gonta need to go now, lunch with mom.”
Shuichi’s smile brightened when Gonta ruffled his hair. It’s longer, and fluffier than it was in the game but still, the gesture made him happy. “Alright. See you later?"
“Yes. Gonta’s room not far, but Gonta ok talking with phone too” He waved to Shuichi and Kokichi then left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Secretly Mothman: Gonta just leave Saihara’s room, he ok
Outnumbered By Sisters: Oh good!
Sunshine Girl: Aha how wonderful!
Sunshine Girl: Did Saisai say why he’s been hiding away and avoiding us all?
Secretly Mothman: Um. Saihara not say much. Gonta thinks maybe his throat not working
Outnumbered By Sisters: Hmmm that’s odd, it’s been two weeks now, maybe his throat wasn’t too good before the game?
Needs To Sleep: Hm. Akamatsu, did Saihara inform you of any prior throat issues when you visited him?
Tired and Out of Tune: I...actually haven’t seen him yet
Deaf AF: doesn’t his younger sister have hearing issues? Maybe he also does and so just doesn’t talk?
Kaito’s Lap Cat: He seemed to hear fine in the game though
Super Siri: True, granted it was also not his real body, as we discovered.
Kaito’s Lap Cat: Didn’t stop Kai’s heart problem from affecting him there
Needs To Take A Break: Gonta, did you see Saihara? Did anything seem off about his appearance? Aside from the lack of speaking.
Secretly Mothman: Sorry, Gonta Not see much of Saihara. He hiding under blanket most of visit, though he came out briefly. Gonta saw he was hiding pillows in shirt.
You are NOT The Father: ...pillows?
Needs To Take A Break: ...interesting.
Deaf AF: …….under his shirt? Are you sure they were pillows?
Secretly Mothman: Gonta sure. Asked and Saihara said he was hiding them from Ouma. Ouma apparently great pillow thief and Saihara needed to protect his pillows
Kaito’s Lap Cat: Ok, buddy, ok…
Super Siri: …...Well I do hope he comes out soon, in any case.
Sunshine Girl: Indeed indeed, even Sleepy Yumeno has left her room a few times
Outnumbered By Sisters: Solis, I hope you’ve been remembering to give her some space while she recovers. She isn’t as quick to her feet as you.
Sunshine Girl: It is ok, Rany. I have been on my best behavior :)
Deaf AF: Define ‘best’.
Sunshine Girl: Nyahaha
Sunshine Girl: No
Needs To Take A Break: So you’ve seen her? How is she?
Deaf AF: Have you guys not…?
Needs To Take A Break: Her parents are…. Hesitant to permit us near her.
Needs To Sleep: More so myself. They would be more willing to allow Kirumi to visit our Little Mage if she simply chose to forsake me.
Needs To Take A Break: The reasoning of which is utterly ridiculous and I will not stand for it. The circumstances were not yours to control. It is cruel to refuse to allow you entry for something you cannot help.
Needs To Sleep: Even so, I would rather Himiko got to spend time with you than be kept locked away, my love.
Tired and Out of Tune: Hold on, is this about the “murders” that you didn’t actually commit?
Needs To Take A Break: if only it were so. I could make any number of cases for why that should not bar him from seeing her.
Needs To Take A Break: That said, I suppose you have a point. I still dislike it greatly, but I must admit to that.
Needs To Sleep: The reason for Himiko’s parents standing firmly between myself and her has to do with my… the man who helped give me form.
Needs To Sleep: As it turns out, he is a convicted mass murderer of children along with… certain urges I don’t wish to speak of.
Deaf AF: but you don’t choose your biological parents...?? Nor control their actions???
Tired and Out of Tune: Yea!! And just cause your dad is a lost cause doesn’t mean you share Any of his urges, whatever that means
Needs To Sleep: I appreciate all the support, my friends. However, considering how fiercely protective the pair are of Little Himiko, it seems unlikely I will ever be allowed to interact with her again.
Deaf AF: and how many rants has Tojo been on about that?
Needs To Take A Break: Too many. On that note, I believe at this point all of you have more than earned the right to use my name.
The Gayest Gay to Ever Gay: You sure, Tojo?
Needs To Take A Break: I am indeed.
Deaf AF: ...Rantaro, please control the small gremlins. I realize I’m the same size as them but I do not appreciate being sat on.
Outnumbered By Sisters: I’ll get right on it once I’m not covered in brats
Deaf AF: How the hell did you ever deal with this many siblings?
Outnumbered By Sisters: A whole lot of patience and coffee
Needs To Take A Break: Sounds tiring.
Kaito’s Lap Cat: I’ll say. Good luck with that
Outnumbered By Sisters: Thanks :D I love em all dearly so it’s tiring, but worth it.
Needs To Sleep: Well if you do ever find yourself requiring assistance or a break, you may come to us.
Glorious Tech Goddess: Just dont send any small brats my way, I dont want them messing up any of the shit Im working on
Outnumbered By Sisters: Thanks Shinguji <3, also heard on that Iruma, they’re good kids but curiosity does get the better of them especially Emi and Reiko haha
Needs To Sleep: ...They sound like lovely kids, Amami
Kaito’s Lap Cat: Yea…
Deaf AF: why do they like me so much, leave the introverted raisin alone please.
Outnumbered By Sisters: Probably because you’re so very cool and amazing and funny and wonderful? But honestly my aether it’s most likely because we’re dating and they want to get to know you better 💚
Outnumbered By Sisters: If they’re bothering you that much though i’ll see what i can do to get them to back off, sorry about them lovie
Sunshine Girl: Booo, why do they avoid me then? :’(
Outnumbered By Sisters: ….I, don’t know. Lemme wrangle one of them and ask brb
Deaf AF: you have energy and aren’t bothered by the overwhelming amount of noise?
Sunshine Girl: Right? It confuses Angie
Sleepy Kitty is online
Sleepy Kitty: ….interesting name choice, thank you Kiibo
Super Siri: You’re Welcome :D
Tired and Out of Tune: Cute name, Shu
Sleepy Kitty: Thanks Kaede
You Are NOT The Father: Yo! Shuichi! Feeling better?
Sleepy Kitty: Hi Kaito. Yeah, a bit.
Sleepy Kitty: That name is uh… something
You Are NOT The Father: Blame your gremlin.
Kaito’s Lap Cat is offline
Sleepy Kitty: ……….Maki no.
Tired and Out of Tune: Glad some things haven’t changed
You Are NOT The Father: ...this is why I don’t talk
Cuddly Puppy is online
Cuddly Puppy: cause youre boring question mark
You Are NOT The Father: no, asshole
Sleepy Kitty: ……….yep I’m out.
Tired and Out of Tune: same
Tired and Out of Tune is offline
Needs To Take A Break: That has to be a new record.
Sleepy Kitty: Can we please go longer than 5 seconds without being at each other's throats?
Glorious Tech Goddess: This group of fuckin virgins? Not for a goddamn second
Sleepy Kitty: …...unfortunately
Deaf AF: ….here we go with the virgin calling others virgins again. :)
Sunshine Girl: Ooop, that no longer applies to me Nyahaha!
Outnumbered By Sisters: Solis :) shush
Sunshine Girl: Oki Doki, Rany :)
Deaf AF: wait, now that we’re out… I think that applies to you again, lumine.
Sunshine Girl: Nope :)
Outnumbered By Sisters: ehe
Deaf AF: <3
Sunshine Girl: <3 <3 <3
Sleepy Kitty: ….this again…?
Needs to Sleep: Just make sure to use protection, you three.
Sunshine Girl: Don’t worry, Masky. Mama Yoko brought some
Cuddly Puppy: yall are groooosssss
You Are NOT The Father: says the one that hasn't left their boyfriend's hospital room in two weeks. Attachment issues much?
Sleepy Kitty: Kaito….
You Are NOT The Father: am I wrong.
Super Siri: I think we all have attachment issues with our significant others at this point in time.
You Are NOT The Father: point, but not all of us are purposely picking at sensitive issues.
Cuddly Puppy: Maybe once the fucking staff let me go back to fully purple I’ll be a little nicer and stop taking it out on you fucks. :) I can’t deal with this bullshit anymore
Cuddly Puppy: the chaos fuels me and yallre so very easy to rile up its fun
Sleepy Kitty: ...you realize you literally could have just asked my uncle when he was here today , right?
Sunshine Girl: So you’re the one that screamed that first day!
Cuddly Puppy: a h
Healing Fangirl: If you’d like, I could see if Mr Naegi can grab some of my hair dyes
Cuddly Puppy: you will be spared in the coming revolutions
Sleepy Kitty: uh-huh.
Cuddly Puppy: dont uhhuh me mistar
Cuddly Puppy: i still have your pillows
Sleepy Kitty: o h n o n o t t h e p i l l o w s
Secretly Mothman: Should Gonta go make Ouma return them?
Sleepy Kitty: No, it’s alright Gonta. Thank you though.
Sunshine Girl: Oh Shushu, I just saw you out and about. Glad you remembered how to walk!
Cuddly Puppy: um no hes still with me question mark question mark question mark
Sunshine Girl: Huh? But Angie just saw him being dragged off by mini Matsu… though he did look small and girly…
Sleepy Kitty: ..I haven’t really left this room yet…?
Sleepy Kitty: oh! You might have seen my sister???
Sunshine Girl: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that makes sense. Silly Angie
Glorious Tech Goddess: Is she as much of a nerdy virgin as you, Pooichi?
Sleepy Kitty: She’s eight, Iruma
Glorious Tech Goddess: Annnnnnnnd thats my cue to shut the fuck up
Super Siri: “mini Matsu”?
Sunshine Girl: Yup yup!
Super Siri: ….Akamatsu has a twin… was it her, maybe?
Sunshine Girl: Oh no no, thats Desaturated Matsu. Mini Matsu is Matsu’s cousin
The Gayest Gay to Ever Gay: Oh yea, I remember her. She judo flipped me a few days ago
Needs To Take A Break: someone flipped Chabashira? Impressive.
The Gayest Gay to Ever Gay: Yea, her form was great. Though I’m also not in my best shape so it was probably easier than usual
Sleepy Kitty: I didn’t know Kaede had a cousin… that’s what I get for keeping to myself, I guess.
Outnumbered By Sisters: Yea, man. But take your time, man. We all recover at our own pace
Outnumbered By Sisters: As evidenced by Tenko already hitting the gym
Super Siri: Are you sure that’s wise? Have your doctors cleared you for strenuous activity?
You Are NOT The Father: ….relaaax, Kiibo. It’s not like she’s back to making out with Kaede around every corner again.
Outnumbered By Sisters: ...damn man. I’ll come to your funeral
Deaf AF: oh please we were all thinking it
The Gayest Gay to Ever Gay: My Matsu is dead.
The Gayest Gay to Ever Gay is offline
Sleepy Kitty: ….
Super Siri: ….you both just couldn’t resist, could you.
Deaf AF: That was set up perfectly. If Momota didn’t I would have.
Cuddly Puppy: geeeeeez that was soooooo weak
Cuddly Puppy: i mean she didnt even threaten to kill either of you
Cuddly Puppy: yawwwn
Sleepy Kitty: threatening to kill is more Maki’s thing. Judo flips are Tenko’s.
Cuddly Puppy: hmm good point period i should get back to bugging her :D
Cuddly Puppy: maybe ill ask her what she was gonna name her brat nyehehehe
You Are NOT The Father: How about no.
Sleepy Kitty: Dearest. What if that was us, and Kaito kept poking at me.
Cuddly Puppy: ….I won’t do it, Momota.
You Are NOT The Father: wow, some empathy. Amazing.
Sleepy Kitty: Thank you, Kokichi. <3
Cuddly Puppy: that was a low blow i hate you <3
Sleepy Kitty: I love you too.
Needs To Sleep: Hm.
Sleepy Kitty: ?
Needs To Sleep: Oh, don’t mind me. Just a random thought.
Sleepy Kitty: alright, if you say so.
Super Siri: I’m confused…
Cuddly Puppy: oh no what a disaster call the kfc colonel
Super Siri: ...why….. Actually I don’t want to know.
Super Siri: but… Shuichi and Kokichi are both male? How would they end up in a similar situation to Kaito and Maki?
Sleepy Kitty: Oh. Uh. I wasn’t.. Being literal.
Needs To Sleep: He was likely just expressing empathy by imagining himself and Ouma in a similarly dispairful scenario.
Super Siri: Oh. I see. That makes sense.
Outnumbered By Sisters: Hello, friends of my brother.
Sunshine Girl: Hi hi, sister of Rany!
Deaf AF: how did you get your hands on his tablet and do we need to rescue him?
Super Siri: Hello! :)
Outnumbered By Sisters: Big brother told me to keep this tablet safe while he investigated some odd thuds in the hallway. And Hello, Super Siri.
Sleepy Kitty: odd thuds…? I hope everything is alright…
Outnumbered By Sisters: Me too. There was also a muffled voice passing by and a sudden shout so Adelaine went with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pointless. Everything looked so pointless through Kaede’s eyes right now, the blonde not needing a mirror to know how pale and lifeless her grey eyes must’ve appeared at that moment. She knew full well she should be finding someone to talk to, not wandering around at night. Yet wander she did, eyes locking onto anything caught in the faint moonlight coming through windows.
“Cmon, you off-key ball of depression, do something fun and despairful before I dieeee of boredom!” The shrill voice of Monokuma, despite only being in her head, seemed to come from the plush bear she was carrying around. To be honest, Kaede wasn’t sure how it had made it into her room or why she even kept the constant reminder of her fall into despair.
“I’m not walking around to entertain you, I just can’t sleep. If you’re so bored, why don’t you shut up so I can sleep?”
The bear’s cackle sent chills down her spine and a brief grin onto her face. “Oh Cmon buddy, why you gotta treat me, your bestest buddy, so coldly? We had so many good times, like the time you killed my Kubs or the time you almost got to smash open the Rat. OH OH, can’t forget how much more relaxed you felt every time my special song bounced around that empty head of yours''. As soon as he mentioned it, the Killing Song began growing louder in her head.
“GHHH shut up you worthless bear! Don’t make me tear you to shreds and light it all on fire!” Kaede leaned against a wall and groaned loudly, her eyes beginning to swirl as she glared down at the plush bear in her hands.
“Do it, it’ll be fun and destructive. Even if it’s pointless trying to shut Me up.” Monokuma cackled and Kaede swore she could hear it echoing in the empty hallway.
Tears began to well up in her eyes as she started slamming the plush bear against the wall, each hit resulting in a laugh from them both. As Kaede’s brain slipped further into the haze, she even started punching Monokuma and imagining others in his place. That nurse who always missed her vein when taking her blood, the cafeteria worker who bugged her about needing to eat more, her mother asking about piano, and of course Kokichi. He was her favorite to punch. Through it all, however, her tears never stopped and soon she couldn’t even see the bear she was hitting or any of the faces she was punching. Despite her blindness, she kept punching and slamming, not caring about the pain in her hand and heart.
“Kaede?”
The quiet voice didn’t register for Kaede, her head filled by the Killing Song and Monokuma’s laughter. What did register was a hand on her shoulder, causing her to spin around and start hitting whatever had touched her. It felt different than the plush bear, but her eyes were still blinded by tears, her limited sight only showing her a large dark blue blur with a splash of green at the top. Something about that green seemed very familiar but her mind was too scrambled to remember and her arm was moving on its own, hitting the blur repeatedly.
“Ghh, Kaede please!” Rantaro took another harsh breath as Kaede landed a hit to his cheek. “Wake up, Kaede. It’s ok.” Nothing was getting through to the girl and her grip on him was too strong for the boy to wiggle free, leaving him in the perfect position for the attack to continue. Seeing her arm pull back for another punch, Rantaro tensed up. Luckily it turned out to be unnecessary as a pair of arms wrapped around Kaede and pulled her away, the long and wavy brown hair of his rescuer revealing them to be Adelaine.
“Miss Akamatsu!” Adelaine hissed into Kaede’s ear, “Come now, whatever you’re seeing isn’t real.”
Pulled away from her target and left unable to attack anything due to the tight hold she was in, Kaede finally managed to crawl her way out of her head and see again. The sight of Rantaro sitting against the wall and rubbing his bloody cheek blew away the rest of Kaede’s daze, though it also caused her to start crying again.
“Ran... oh god, Ran, I’m sorry”
"It's fine, Kaede. Most of this isn't my blood." Seeing Kaede's confused expression, he stood up with a groan and pulled Kaede’s hand into view, blood dripping from her busted-up knuckles "Deep breaths, Kaede. Just take deep breaths"
Kaede’s tears started falling again, the salty liquid mixing with the drops of blood on the floor. “I’m… he’s in my head. Monokuma’s still here, I didn’t escape.”