bakerstreet | dialogue prompt!

[All things considered, Kokichi is having a good time. A large part of him wants to just giggle like an absolute fool as he and Shuichi rock around on these swings in tandem, but he's in the middle of a bit right now so instead he's all sniffles and melodramatic pouting.]

Eh? What? If you're gonna ask for more chocolate now, it's too late!

[He doubts it's actually that. But he has no idea what Shuichi might actually be thinking, and that's pretty exciting too.]

[ He shouldn't even be feeling the need to bother with that, and yet. ]

Ah, no. It's not about the chocolates. Can you tell me what else you've been carrying in your pocket?

[ If the way he's re-evaluating everything is correct, there should be an item that could potentially have muffled the sound of a rustling bag of candy while they ran, to at least the extent where he wouldn't notice it if he was too busy being worried about pursuit. He supposes it would be possible... Ouma is pretty nimble, and if it had been either wrapped up in something or at least stuck in place due to lack of room... Then, maybe. ]

[Either he's getting bored of the weepy act, or he's just curious where Shuichi is going with this. Regardless, the tears instantly vanish and Kokichi leans forward in his swing seat to peer at Shuichi bemusedly.]

Just my phone and dorm key. Oh, and a live grenade. Why?

[One of those is probably a lie.]

[ ...Yeah. That just sounds like something Ouma would say. But if he felt the need to add something weird, then the other two might be true. And neither of those could provide what he was looking for... If anything, wouldn't it just have made the rattling worse? Damn it, why does nothing about Ouma ever fall into place?

He's so absorbed in his thoughts, he barely even notices the intrusion on his personal space. ]

I'm just... surprised you could move so quietly with all that.

[ If roundabout guessing will get him nowhere, might as well ask the source. ]

Well, I am the Ultimate Supreme Leader. Of course I'm good at being sneaky! I could run with a whole bag of priceless gems and not make a sound!

[His hands spread wide theatrically, before he leans further forward, one hand changing course to abruptly poke Shuichi right between his furrowed eyebrows.]

But it seems like Saihara-chan is thinking awfully hard about some pointless things. You're gonna ruin your pretty face with wrinkles if you keep doing that!

Ah...!

[ There's nothing dignified about the way he yelps, moving quickly to cover his forehead with one hand. The only saving grace is maybe that he isn't... very loud, by nature. His shoulders draw back on reflex, attempting to put some measure of distance back between himself and Ouma. ]

...You're the one who wanted me to try harder.

[ To figure him out, that is, which gives away that he has been completely and hopelessly absorbed in just that, but he's a little too distressed to notice right now. ]

[He snickers, settling back into his seat.]

Try harder where it matters!

[And how is he supposed to determine that when you're like this, Kokichi?? smh

But he innocently kicks his legs, fumbling with his soda to finally break into that.]

I mean, what's it matter what I've got in my pockets? If you need something, just ask! If it's Saihara-chan, I might even tell the truth!

[ Something about those words... ticks him off. Sure, Ouma's right. They ended up on a bunch of tangents, and even after all the questions he asked, he's not sure where they got. But is that process really so meaningless, like the other implies? ]

I think it does matter. Maybe not to you, but it wasn't pointless to me, Ouma-kun.

[ There's a tinge of reproach under that, hidden in the way he won't avert his gaze. ]

And you did tell the truth. I might not know how you did it yet, but you've been carrying these with you the whole time.

[ And for some reason just wanted him to think he'd shoplifted. Who even does that? ...Well, that's a pointless question, since he obviously has someone right in front of him who very much did. And who's obviously unamused now, when he's no longer following that line of thought.

Ouma wanted him to try? Well, there he has it. He's no longer playing this game. ]

[Ooh. Saihara-chan's getting all serious. It's kind of exciting, actually. Kokichi gives him a curious look, a smile already halfway onto his face.]

Oh, is that what you've been trying to figure out all this time? The great Ultimate Detective is really working so hard to solve such a little mystery?

[Is that even really the truth that Shuichi's deduced?

Well...does it even matter? Who cares if he actually shoplifted a bag of candy worth less than $5? The truth isn't really the point. What matters is that Shuichi has been thinking about him so much. Shuichi might be looking pretty unhappy right now, but Kokichi seems pretty delighted.]

But that's why you're my favorite! I like playing with Saihara-chan the most. No one else is nearly as good at keeping up with me.

[ He can't really tell anymore, to be honest. Like most things with Ouma, it ends at a point where even if this is what he thinks on the matter, it's no less true that he can't say for certain, without a single trace of a doubt, he was right. It's always one single step too short.

It's... frustrating. But what surprises him the most about it is he doesn't hate it. ]

I... don't know if I'd say I've been keeping up.

[ He feels exhausted, if anything. And not just from running around after almost getting pinned with a petty crime plan that wasn't his in the first place. At long last, he seems to remember the chocolate he still has in his hand, finally working to pull it free from the wrapper. If he eats this, he might as well just admit Ouma's won but... well, maybe that's the real part that doesn't matter after all. He's supposed to be Ouma's "favorite" because of that very "keeping up" thing he didn't do. Because of that, he might not be able to tell how much of that was true, but... ]

But even if that's a lie... you look pretty happy about it. You're the one who said if I wanted something I should just ask, but I think I could say the same to you.

[ You know, like for example... If Ouma just wanted to hang out with him, he could have said so like a normal person. Not that Saihara expects he ever will. ]

Sheesh, you should be more confident! What would Akamatsu-chan say?

[Y'know. Kaede, who is definitely very much alive in this happy lil non-murder AU.

Besides, even when Shuichi is wrong, he's still trying, isn't he? That already puts him ahead of everyone else. When one makes it so difficult for others to get to know them, it means a lot when someone doesn't give up. That determination to solve the mystery is just as valuable as finding the right answer.]

But if I can really ask aaaanything, then...

[He makes it sound so ominous. Kokichi leans towards Shuichi a bit, the swing creaking and swaying just slightly.]

...Were you really concerned about my diet?

[ He's in the middle of eating his chocolate by that point, and it sure is a miracle from the universe that he doesn't choke on it when a certain name comes up. What does she have to do with any of this? He wasn't prepared. There's nothing graceful about the way that bite goes down, and he has to re-calibrate for a moment, but.

Sorry Ouma, someone's as dense as he's smart in this house and just totally missed your attempt at encouraging him. ]

Ah. Is there... anyone who wouldn't be?

[ He can't help but shoot a curious glance of his own Ouma's way at that question.

Well. Actually there might be many people who aren't worried about it, but that's because it's Ouma and not because it shouldn't be a cause for concern, as a general rule. But he has enough delicacy to at least keep that to himself. ]

Maybe you could have been lying about that too, but... It's not exactly the picture of a perfect diet.

Weeeelllll, there's an obvious solution to that, right? At least for right now, anyway.

[What could it be? C'mon, Mr. Detective, surely you can figure this one out. Grinning, he turns his kicking into proper swinging, enjoying himself while Shuichi tries to work out this very simple mystery.]

[ ...

Yeah like, every single brain cell he has is just yelling at him not to fall into that one. ]

Hold on. I only said I was worried about it. I didn't say anything about trying to fix it.

[Look at that backbone. We were beginning to think Shuichi didn't have one.]

Eh?

[He stops kicking, the seat swinging in gradually smaller arcs as he gives Shuichi a shocked look.]

How does that make sense? You care enough to worry, but not enough to help...?

I-I mean...

[ Hold on, he has to think about this. Even if it's just part of Ouma's dramatics, that does have a point. But that's precisely why... it has a counter point too. ]

It just... doesn't seem like the kind of problem someone else can do much about. Not if you aren't trying... And you have no intention of fixing it for yourself, do you, Ouma-kun?

[ So much for not getting dragged into it. ]

[It was nice while it lasted.]

Huh? But I'm talking about going to fix it right now! You're just overcomplicating things, as usual.

[Coming from the master of overcomplicated bullshit.]

That's not what I'm--

[ There it is. Saihara's natural defensiveness has been successfully activated. He could probably say something about how it doesn't count when you have an ulterior motive that... isn't fixing the problem, but he kind of lacks the heart to. ]

...Okay. You just want me to go to the dining hall with you, right?

[ How unwise can it be. ]

[Instantly, Kokichi brightens and hops off the swing to his feet.]

Of course I'll join you for dinner, Saihara-chan!

[That is...not what was being asked, exactly. Or at least clearly not how it was being asked. But whatever. Details.]

[ It's fine. After how today's been going, this is the least of his Ouma-related problems. He doesn't even have the strength to argue anymore. ]

Ah, but... I need to stop by somewhere first.

[ As he pulls himself up as well, he seems to remember; probably whatever it is he was doing before he ran into the other. Quickly, he pulls his phone out from his pocket, then seems relieved after checking the time on screen. ]

Given the nature of the place, they might not let you in... So you might end up having to wait for me a bit. Is that alright with you?

[ They wouldn't let him in, but apparently they'd allow Saihara. He doesn't realize it yet, but that's probably a bad choice of dilemma to place in front of Ouma. ]

[Kokichi practically bounces on his toes waiting for Shuichi to get up, hands casually clasped behind his back. Is he excited by the prospect of getting dinner with Mr. Detective? No, what gave you that idea?]

Hmm? Yeah, I guess I can give you a few minutes. You better not make me wait for too long, though!

[He sounds perfectly content, lighthearted as normal. In his head, though, he's rapidly running through the possibilities. A place he wouldn't be allowed but Shuichi would? He has some theories, at least. And while the very idea of being excluded irks him a little, now he's extra curious to see what Shuichi was up to before Kokichi sidetracked him.]

[ At least that shouldn't be too difficult; before he knows it, he's giving Ouma a brief smile, just like he would with any other friend. ]

Okay. I promise.

[ Retrieving his still unopened drink from the swing, he sets them both on course, leaving the playground behind at a casual pace. The place he's looking for isn't far, since of course that's why he was already in the area, but they'll still have to walk a few minutes through the nearby shopping district to reach it. Thanks to that, he makes sure to stay closer to Ouma than he normally would, since they're about to pass through the crowd. ]

It's just something related to my midterm project. Ah... actually, shouldn't you be working on yours?

[ Since you know, we're pretty much in the Ultimate Talent Development Plan by now, and Hope's Peak emphasizes individual talents instead of regular studies. They probably all get at least one personalized test. What kind of assignment would the "Ultimate Supreme Leader" even have...? He has to admit he's a little curious. ]

[Kokichi keeps up a peppy pace beside Shuichi, clearly in no need of the sugar and caffeine he was sipping at. It's nice to just go for a walk with a friend for once. He doesn't do that often. Granted, he doesn't do much to endear himself to others and make friends in the first place.]

Did you forget? I'm the Ultimate Supreme Leader! It only makes sense that I'd have minions hard at work taking care of that sort of thing for me. Lucky you, right? Since it means I have more free time to spend with Saihara-chan.

[As they walk, he's whittling down his list of potential destinations, considering a mental map of the area and what direction they seem to be heading in. And if it's related to the midterm project, then...]

Are we heading to the police station, by any chance?

[ He should have known he'd get that kind of answer; but if it was something just minions alone could accomplish, how would that measure Ouma himself in the first place...? Wouldn't he have to at least do something to direct his underlings? Saihara can't help but remain a little skeptical about it.

The next question, though, just takes him by surprise. ]

Huh...? No... it's not the station. Although it makes sense why you'd think that.

[ Is Ouma... actually trying to guess? That puts them in reverse roles from the usual, and it's a little unexpected. But Saihara already knows it for an unfair game; Ouma could probably try the whole evening and not get it right at this rate. There's no immediately apparent clue as to where they're going, because it's... ]

I'm just checking out a location as reference point for the one I've been working with. It's a little difficult to map the case in my mind if I've never been to a place like that before...

[Kokichi snickers, shrugging with a dramatic flourish.]

And here I thought you might be leading me right to prison. I mean, it'd be pretty clever for the Ultimate Detective to get a villain like me locked up for his midterm project.

[Would Shuichi actually do that? Nah, he doubts it. But it would be pretty exciting. He'd have fun escaping a trap like that.

Kokichi doesn't even seem to mind that he was wrong – even if it is a rare occurrence. Only losers get all bent out of shape about that kind of thing. He just leans forward as they walk, peering up at Shuichi's face like it'd give away additional information.]

So what kind of a case is it? It's no fun if you're all hush-hush about the details.

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