bakerstreet | dialogue prompt!

— 01. "It's four in the morning. What are you doing?"
— 02. "Wait. I've heard that sound before."
— 03. "That is... literally illegal. You're describing something illegal."
— 04. "I'm fine, let me see your arm."
— 05. "It's too dark, I can't see anything."

( or feel free to reverse prompt with one of your choice! )

Whaaat, really? I had no idea!

[He's not even trying to be convincing. But he does pause in whatever he was about to do with that can of spray-paint.]

[ He's... absolutely not buying that. But he also feels like a fool for falling for this in the first place. Dammit. There's no way Ouma was even going to do what he said he would... right? It was probably just a lie.

Except, he can never read him enough to be sure. ]

Ouma-kun, just... give me that. You're going to get us both into trouble.

Sure thing!

[Cheerfully – ominously – he does as asked for once, handing over the can with a bright smile. See? He can be cooperative.]

[–And then after a beat, he makes a shocked expression and raises his voice loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.]

Saihara-chan!! What are you doing with that?

[ Hello?? Oh, how he wishes he could take back the very, very short-lived moment of relief he experienced when the item changed hands, right before he's forced to freeze up in a panic. ]

Wh-What...? I wasn't-- I'm not doing anything!

[ But he really should have known better. What's more important right now is the heads that start turning around them, which tells him Ouma got exactly what he wanted -- as usual. There are people looking... already bad enough by itself, but then someone moves at the other end of the street, shouting something from the terrace of a cafe. It doesn't take much deduction to guess it has to be the owner of the car they were standing by.

By this point, even Saihara's at his limit. ]

Ah... seriously!? Ouma-kun, this is taking it too far!

[ But they can sort out his frustration and the million complaints he has about this later (except we all know he'll give up by then). With how things are going, he doesn't have much choice except to grab the other boy's hand, tugging him quickly into the nearest alley. The emptiest one of them, at least, where they can both start breaking into a run. ]

[ pours one out for shuichi's pristine criminal record

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Detective is right on the money. It sure does seem like this is exactly what Kokichi wanted, if the broad grin he's now wearing is any indication. He's not entirely sure what he was expecting, though – for Shuichi to freeze up and try pleading his innocence to the car owner, maybe. So it's a surprise when Shuichi both makes a run for it and drags him along as well.

But he does love it when Shuichi surprises him.

It's a bit counterproductive to stealth, but his laughter as Shuichi drags him along is loud and bright. As they turn the corner, he puts on the speed and takes the lead – he is the one used to this shit, after all. A dead sprint down the alley, then he pulls the other boy into a sharp turn out the opposite end, ducking into the doorway of a convenience store.]

[ He... does have to give Ouma at least that much credit, the second half of their hasty escape certainly feels smoother than the frantic start Saihara gave them. In all honesty, even he isn't sure why he bothered to grab him too; no one could have told him it wasn't well deserved if he'd just... left him there, after what just happened. But it still felt wrong.

Somewhere partway through catching his breath, he realizes they're still holding hands. Time to just... awkwardly extract his own. ]

...I'm not going to help you next time. This wouldn't have happened if I just turned you in.

[ He's allowed to say at least that -- and speaking of convenience store, the most convenient thing about it is actually that it has a trash can right by the entrance, so he hurries to get rid of the spray paint there. Yes, he did continue to hold onto it the whole way, he's too law-abiding to just... toss it on the street. ]

But... I guess most people wouldn't follow us this far. We didn't... actually do anything.

[ He presumes after seeing the car intact and stainless, whoever the man had been would most likely... have given up and gone back to what he was doing before. Except self-doubt might as well be his middle name, so it's almost like he's saying this more to reassure himself than for Ouma's benefit. At least, if the wary glance he casts back outside is any indicator. ]

[Definitely not disappointed about Shuichi letting go of him, nope. Not at all.]

Pretty bold of you to assume I even needed your help. I do this all the time!

[He does snicker over Shuichi throwing the can away all properly. What a good boy.

But it's obvious that one of them doesn't do this all the time. The nervous looks back toward the street just scream "I did something wrong", so Kokichi takes pity on him and grabs him by the cuff to drag him further into the store, fully out of sight. The helpfulness of the gesture is disguised by a big show of dramatic sighing.]

But wow, Saihara-chan sure ran fast! I think you nearly tore my arm from the socket. It seriously hurts, y'know!

[His free hand rubs pointedly at the joint of his shoulder and arm.]

[ ...Says the guy currently using it to drag him around, while he isn't even resisting because Ouma has a weird way to make his life spiral out of control every time. It has to be just another lie -- he knows this, and yet. ]

It's... not like I had any better choice!

[ There it is, the reflex to get defensive and make excuses for it anyway still kicks in. Sighing quietly to himself, Saihara directs his attention towards the shelves they're now passing by, which... only tell him they're in the aisle for cup noodles and other instant foods. Not very useful, but... on the off-chance that Ouma isn't lying and his arm does hurt...

He can't just leave it like that, after all. ]

Ah... If we go a couple of rows to the left, we might be able to find a cold pack. I mean, for your shoulder...

[It's very much a lie, but Shuichi is so nice that Kokichi doesn't even wanna admit to it now. He groans, dramatic as ever.]

That's so boring. I hate using cold packs, anyway. They make my hands cold!

[Yes, that would be the point of a cold pack.

He turns them in that direction anyway, and if it happens to lead them past the drink coolers, well... Clearly, it was meant to be. Kokichi casts the wall of drinks a pitifully longing glance and sighs loudly.]

If you really wanna make me feel better, then you should just buy me a soda instead!

[Only this guy could frame someone for a petty crime and then somehow turn it around into them doing something for him.]

[ ...Really?

That's what he wants to say to all this, but he's aware that it wouldn't help much. No amount of common sense ever does when it comes to Ouma, although... now that he looks at the drinks lined up side by side past the glass, he might actually have an idea. Fine. If this is how the other wants to handle things, then maybe there is something similar Saihara can do. ]

...Okay. I suppose I did make you run... But it's only going to be one can, alright? We're even after that.

[ After all, if he doesn't protest at all and accepts right away, he might end up looking like the suspicious one. Although he gets the feeling that, despite his best efforts, Ouma might still be able to tell there's something off. He doesn't think about it though; look, he's not the one doing anything bad here, so give him a break. ]

It's... this one, right?

[ He points out a specific purple set of canned drinks, somewhere towards the middle of the row of coolers. He can't help it, he's seen Ouma with similar items enough times by now, and having a good memory is kind of... an important skill for a detective. ]

[There's a part of him that's naturally paranoid, one that thinks it is a little odd that Shuichi's giving in so easily. But that part is temporarily overridden by the part that is absolutely delighted Shuichi knows his favorite soda. He grins, practically bouncing on his toes.]

Ew, who'd drink that crap?

[...Does he even need to say it? He does so almost immediately, leaning around Shuichi to peer at the cooler.]

But that's a lie. Actually, it's super creepy that you know which one I was gonna pick. Has Saihara-chan been secretly stalking me or something?

What...?

[ Failed step one: not falling for another obvious bs comment. He almost drops the soda he'd just grabbed from the shelf, only managing to catch it at the last second with both his hands. ~~This will be fun to open later.~~ The door slams back shut in both of their faces with a rather loud noise, and Saihara doesn't have it in him to look around and discover how much attention that drew. Damn it. It's at times like these that he kind of misses his hat. ]

What kind of question is that? Of course I'm not! It's just...

[ There has to be some kind of logical explanation he can conjure up; something that doesn't imply in any way that he pays some kind of special mind to the other. Even if he does, it wouldn't be for that kind of reason. ]

...you had a bunch of them with you the time we were both on cleaning duty in the yard. Remember?

[ There. That settles it, though... He may have managed to talk his way out of that one, but it's possible he just dug his grave even deeper in other ways. So much for not paying too much attention to Ouma. ]

[Cue obnoxious horse laughter at Shuichi's fumbling. It's very endearing. The fumbling, that is, not the awful laugh.]

Wow, you have such a good memory! It's true. Saihara-chan knows me so well!

[Kokichi decides to be merciful and leave it at that. Or maybe that statement itself is a lowkey form of teasing, since...it sure does make it sound like Shuichi pays lots of attention to him. Which he apparently does. Kokichi's not getting excited about that or anything, no sir.

Either way, he sticks close as he leads the way to the register, leaning casually against a display while he waits for Shuichi to pay. Yeah, he really is just gonna let him take care of it.]

I was totally gonna have you killed for dragging me around and almost getting me in trouble, but I guess I'll let you off with just this.

[ It's not like Saihara expected much else; the whole concept of buying something for someone kind of... already implied that. Somehow though, on the way to the checkout (because they are absolutely going to use self-checkout instead of talk to an actual person), he manages to procure a second can for himself. It's just some kind of milk tea, he doesn't even get the time to register the details that well, what with someone kind of rushing everything along.

Still, there should be nothing suspicious about that; they were both running the whole way here, and it's not a lie that he could use a drink too. Even if the main purpose of buying it is actually as a backup for his plan. ]

Ah... Do you really get to say that? You're the one who got me into trouble...

[ Kind of bizarre to think that he's used to hearing things like that by now. And they're in the middle of a semi-crowded convenience store anyway, with just as many people outside; even if that ridiculous reason had made any sense, Ouma wouldn't kill him here of all places. ]

Let's just... go. I think I saw something like a small park across the street. There has to be somewhere we can sit.

[Yup, nothing weird about that. He pays attention too – and Shuichi does like tea.]

Ehh? You're blaming me? But I'm a model citizen!

[ sure jan

Kokichi is all about invading that personal bubble, leaning in close while Shuichi is paying like he's just gotta see everything going on, even this mundane shit.]

But despite these awful accusations... Sure! I'd love to go to the park with Saihara-chan!

[Of course, he says it all with the same exaggerated tone that makes it hard to tell which parts are lies. Maybe all of it? After all, why would he ever wanna spend time with Shuichi? Gross.]

[ Model citizens don't buy spray paint and then try to use it on expensive-looking cars... Or at least, pretend they're going to and then frame someone else for no reason. They definitely don't do that either.

But he's too tired to keep arguing, and-- ]

O...Ouma-kun!?

[ If gravity wasn't a thing he might have just gone all the way to the ceiling with the way he jumps. What the heck!? He was just done paying and stuffing the receipt into the recyclable bag that now houses their drinks, and then suddenly there's a puff of air from someone literally breathing down his neck, and the other boy's voice right in his ear. A couple of staggering steps are quick to carry him away, while he rubs at the collar of his coat with his only free hand.

It's a miracle he hasn't dropped the bag, in all honesty. ]

I get you don't trust me, but do you have to stick so close? I'm... not going to run away with a soda I don't even really drink.

[Kokichi snickers, but quickly plasters on a hurt look, a hand clutched to his chest like he is just so wounded.]

Why would I think that? I trust Saihara-chan more than anyone!

[But Shuichi is in such a hurry to get away from him... Kokichi backpedals, slapping on a smile as he trails after the other boy toward the door.]

That's a lie, of course. You're definitely trying to steal the drink you paid for, aren't you?

[That's...not even stealing, though. Unless that's the point he's indirectly trying to make...?]

[ Which one even is it? Damn it, he's still recovering from the sudden shock of finding Ouma that close, he's in no state to be trying to discern what part of that is true or not. Knowing the other, maybe both are just lies. ]

I don't think that matches the definition of stealing...

[ He's tired.

The fresh air outside helps a little however, and so does the excuse of having to look for the place he'd suggested a minute ago. "Something like a small park" turns out to have been the most accurate description he could have given; sure, there are a couple of benches and some trees but mostly... ]

Ah... I guess it's more of a playground. But it does look like we can sit there.

[ Once the stoplight in front of them changes and they can cross the street, at least. ]

[Shockingly, Kokichi looks even more excited by the idea of a playground than he did by the park.]

I guess that's alright.

[He sounds more put-out than he looks, which says plenty.

While they wait for the light, Kokichi catches the edge of Shuichi's plastic bag and rifles through it for his soda. He emerges victorious just in time for the light to change and immediately grabs Shuichi's wrist to drag him across impatiently.

It's just chilly enough that there aren't many people hanging around outside, let alone kids in the playground. There are benches, but Kokichi instead makes a bee-line for the swings and hops into one of the seats.]

[ And this is... exactly why he bought a second drink. He figured that might happen. ]

W-Wait... Ouma-kun!

[ The sudden start is a little surprising since, you know, like most normal people Saihara crosses the street by walking. He hadn't expected to just be jogging behind the other boy for no reason. Although after the couple of awkward first steps, in which he by miracle manages not to trip, he has to admit it feels kind of... fun. ]

You sure don't look like someone who's only settling.

[ Called out -- but it might be the first time the slightest trace of a smile has crossed Saihara's features since this whole thing began. Exhaling a pent-up breath from all the adrenaline that's now finally starting to leave his body, he moves around the swing Ouma has decided to occupy.

While he does so, the rustling sounds of the bag being fiddled with can be heard -- which could be just him trying to get his own drink out, but... by the end of the motion, it's actually rolled around the can into a wrapper of some sort. There, that should prevent any of the condensed water on the metallic surface from getting out. Once he has it that way, he's careful in stepping closer, before pressing the cold object against Ouma's shoulder; the one he'd complained about, of course. ]

There. Does that feel any better...?

[While Shuichi fusses with his drink or whatever it is he's doing, Kokichi's settling into the swing, tugging his sleeves over his hands to protect them from the chill coating the metal swing chains. His legs kick where they dangle just above the ground, a hair too short to make contact.

And then suddenly there's a press of something cold against him. His coat eats up the worst of it, but he still stiffens, looking back to Shuichi with a startled look before he fully processes the situation.

Ah.]

...Wow, did you actually believe I was hurt? Of course that was a lie!

[Just gotta shove Shuichi's kindness right back in his face, instead of just...y'know, acting like a normal person.

But he grins brightly anyway, oddly pleased.]

Saihara-chan is pretty nice, huh? Even if he's super gullible.

I'm not... that gullible.

[ It's a weak argument considering the entirety of today is something that just happened, but... he's also not trying very hard to make it. Maybe he's just getting better at reading Ouma, but the comment doesn't really bother him to be honest. ]

I couldn't be certain if it was a lie or not. You don't exactly... make that easy to guess, Ouma-kun.

[ But it's not like he hadn't thought about it at all, or accepted it without trace of a doubt. It's just, if his two options were to err on the side of being a decent human being or on the side of potentially not caring he's hurt someone, of course he'd pick the first.

But what's more frustrating is that his retort wasn't a criticism either. As much as he doesn't like to admit it, when he's trying to figure out Ouma's lies, he can't help but want to do it. Before he knows it, he gets drawn in and the rest of the world seems to fade for a bit. Holding back another tired sigh (did he seriously just think that?) he just lets himself drop into the next swing over, adjacent to the one Ouma's in. Whatever. He doesn't regret the choice he made, so he has nothing to hide. ]

[Most people wouldn't bother being decent where Kokichi is concerned. Maybe that's why he likes pestering Shuichi the most. One of the reasons, anyway.]

Of course I'm not gonna make it easy! You just gotta try harder if you really wanna see through my lies.

[There's an out hidden in there – if Shuichi doesn't want to, he doesn't have to bother. But it's strangely exhilarating to think that maybe he tries so hard because he does want to understand.

Humming contently, Kokichi shoves his hands in his pockets to protect them from the cold. Something crinkles softly inside one of them – he may have swiped something from that display while Shuichi was busy paying.]

Buuut I guess that kindness still deserves a reward. Want a kiss?

shuichi saihara | new danganronpa v3

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