bakerstreet | dialogue prompt!

[Immediately seizing on that opening to distract from his current disastrous state. He gasps dramatically, looking up at Shuichi with a mix of shock and awe.]

Ah...you could tell? Is Saihara-chan secretly the Ultimate Psychic?? Quick, tell me what I'm thinking!

[There we go. A solid redirect, and some insight into what
Shuichi is thinking. He's pretty proud of himself.]

[ It's... not an outright refusal, though. Does that mean Ouma might be willing to talk to him about it if he says the right thing? He thought about it quite a bit while he was still in the building on his own, and there were a few avenues he'd explored with regards to what his companion might have tried to do. Mostly, he just thought he might have been tested due to lack of actual trust.

But... wait. It feels too convenient, and nothing ever is with the other, at least not without a catch. ]

...No. I don't want to assume anymore. I want you to actually talk to me for once.

[ With a sigh, it's like he's really given up and his fullest honest thoughts just spill out on their own. ]

It doesn't exactly... feel nice for me either when I start to doubt you. Because... we're not quite strangers, Ouma-kun. I can't just make myself not care.

[Damn. So close.

The smile shrinks a bit and he eyes Shuichi thoughtfully. What is he supposed to take from that? Is this the moment where Shuichi gets tired of him if he doesn't act more straightforward, or the opposite? Maybe he gives the game up now and then Shuichi gets bored because there's no more walking mystery to puzzle over endlessly.

For all that he's a meek disaster, Shuichi's pretty brave. He can look someone in the eye and ask for the truth. What does it say about Kokichi that he just wants to avoid it?]

You don't think I've been talking to you all along? Everything I say is pointless, is that it?

[It might seem like a dodge, but there's just a hint less to it than normal. Less...exaggerated? Dramatic? The smile is still there, but it just feels different, somehow.

Maybe he's never straightforward, but he's still always said things for a reason. And he's always like Shuichi because Shuichi actually tries to figure out what that reason is. Does the meaning matter less if one has to work harder to find it?]

No... That's not the case either. I know that much.

[ At least the fact that he doesn't need to hesitate in the slightest before answering here should speak volumes. But... he still doesn't know how exactly to word his issue. It's like they're back to square one. ...Except they aren't, are they? He can tell that there's something different -- that maybe, just maybe, Ouma might be taking this seriously in his own way too.

And it's not like Saihara's asking him to lay out every card on the table, in order, in plain sight. He knows he's not gonna get that, it wouldn't be Ouma anymore if he did and he'd worry that someone replaced him. It's just... ]

But... is that really alright with you? You can say what you want, but I doubt you're so heartless that you don't feel anything.

[ And, damn it, neither is he?? Though he leaves that part out. ]

If it's something important to you and I get it wrong... you're the one who'll end up getting hurt.

[This is beginning to feel extremely Real. Too Real for a stroll down a crowded street. Kokichi's grin is icy, solid and slippery, his returned stare equally icicle sharp. His bright, easy tone seems so out of place in comparison.]

Wow, no one's ever accused me of being sensitive before. You really think I'd get my feewings hurt that easy?

[Of course not. He's the Ultimate Supreme Leader, he'd never let something so twee get to him. He's above it all, feelings are for chumps, etc etc.]

Besides, that doesn't seem very fair. You want me to spill all my deepest feelings, but I still don't know how Saihara-chan feels at all!

[It's...not a lie. Not entirely, anyway. From a pragmatic standpoint, Shuichi isn't too hard to read. Shuichi's pretty plain and simple. It's obvious enough that he struggles with low self-esteem and he's so painfully sincere sometimes that it makes Kokichi uncomfortable on his behalf. Even now, he stupidly worries about the feelings of a guy who's been fucking with him all evening. If this was just some rando classmate restricted to the shallowest of interactions, Kokichi would dance circles around him without a second thought.

But the truth is that Shuichi's most complicated than anyone really gives him credit for. He's defied Kokichi's expectations more than once. He's interesting and clever and genuine and despite himself, Kokichi does care what's going in beneath the surface. At times it feels like the most important thing in the world, so critical he's afraid to get it wrong. Even his best guesses don't feel secure enough to take any real risks. It's easier and safer to just play around where it won't matter if he gets something wrong.

If he knew how Shuichi felt about anything for sure, maybe he'd feel secure enough to push the boundaries of that comfort zone.]

W-Wait. That's not-- I don't--

[ He doesn't... what, exactly? Under that type of scrutiny, it's easy for someone like him to feel a bit like squirming -- maybe even like freeing himself from that hold so he can take some distance. It's also impossible to mask it from his body language completely but... what matters is that, in the end, he doesn't.

Still, he was hardly asking for all of Ouma's feelings. That's a ridiculous accusation, he knows all too well how difficult it would be for just about anyone in the world to be that open. Even his loudest, most daring friends still have things that they hide beneath, guarding them carefully to avoid getting hurt or embarrassed, or looking weak in some way that might even be subjective in their minds. That's... simply how people are.

What in the world does Ouma even think he's asking? ...That's what he'd wanted to say at first, but as he stops himself and pauses the way he has, he only ends up taking a deep breath. It's true that... he can't well ask for honesty if he isn't offering any himself. He's aware of that.

It does feel unwise, but... ]

What... do you want to know?

[He was being facetious, of course. But it's funny that Shuichi takes him so seriously.

And in a way, this is just as precarious. The sort of question one chooses to ask can say a lot about what they consider important, and Shuichi might be sharp enough to pick up on that. There's plenty he'd like to hear Shuichi's honest, unfiltered thoughts about, but does he necessarily want Shuichi to know that he wants to know?

The arm hooked around Shuichi's slides down so he can grab the other's hand instead, swinging their hands between them childishly. How To Distract Someone From The Fact That You Are Holding Hands: Kokichi Edition.]

Well... [That doesn't sound ominous at all.] You totally trust me, right? Soooo tell me something you haven't told anyone else before!

[This works. Easy enough to pass off as his standard boundary-pushing, with the potential to be pretty revealing.

(And maybe a small part of him likes the idea of knowing something about Shuichi that no one else does.)]

[ He's not as successfully distracted as Ouma thinks. Darting quickly, his eyes cast a stray glance to their two linked hands, as if trying to say on purpose he's noticed. He has, but he's... either too spineless to pull himself free, or he just... actually doesn't mind. Mostly to be honest, it's a mixture of both.

The constant movement feels distracting though, so after a second of thought, he subtly tugs Ouma closer to actually walk by his side. if they're going to have a conversation, he can't focus if the other won't let his hand sit still. ]

That's... a really broad topic.

[ Something -- he assumes related to his feelings -- that he hasn't shared with anyone else. Not with Momota-kun... not with Akamatsu-san... At first glance, one might feel like it's difficult to find such a topic, but the truth is... it's not at all. And he's certain the reverse would have to be true for them as well. People hide and protect their emotions all the time.

It takes him a little, but eventually, a thought does seem to occur. Something that's neither disproportionately trivial, nor so important that it would be too much. ]

Ah... I've ignored a few messages from my parents before? When I was younger, I even... um, deleted some and pretended I never got them.

[ It wasn't really out of anger or maliciousness... he thinks? He just didn't know what to say and doing that had felt easier in many ways. But his tone of voice should more or less convey that, so he doesn't really add any details for now; would Ouma even care if he over-explained? He just said to tell him something, not to write an essay on the topic. This should have met his requirements. ]

[Careful, Shuichi. You'll make him BSOD again. He manages to keep his shit together for the moment as Shuichi pulls him closer, mostly because he won't be able to pay attention to any spilled secrets if he totally shuts down.

All things considered, it's a pretty mild secret. But Kokichi of course reacts like Shuichi just dropped a bombshell on him.]

Whaaat?!

[The shock is clearly exaggerated, a smile slipping through the mask. To be honest, it's not like he's trying all that hard to be believable.]

But Saihara-chan's such a boy scout! You're telling me you've secretly been a rebellious teen all along?

[The words and the way he tugs gently on Shuichi's arm certainly seem to suggest he's open to details.]

[ Is it... really that interesting or exciting as a topic? No, of course it's not, this is just Ouma being Ouma. Still, in the context it kind of makes him smile too. Maybe the other is right in some ways -- maybe talking about something isn't as difficult if they can change its tone just a little. ]

No... I wouldn't say that. It's just...

[ ...Alright. He can't really describe it without at least one more detail about the situation, so Ouma's getting that. But only one. ]

They're often abroad, so we rarely talk. Whenever they did send me something, it was just... difficult to think about a response.

[ In other words, he's a coward and he just often gave up. Look, he was little, leave him alone. ]

But... ah, my uncle figured out I was lying after a while anyway, so that was the end of that.

[Two details. The uncle was new information too. And Kokichi is absolutely eating up every detail he can.]

So even the honest Mr. Detective lies sometimes, huh? I bet no one would even believe me if I told them!

[Because it's about Shuichi, or because he's the one saying it? Could go either way, really.

Still. It's a pretty mundane secret, yet it warms him in a way. Because Shuichi is sharing it with him alone? It seems insignificant on the surface, but if he really hasn't told anyone else...does that relationship with his parents maybe bother Shuichi more than he'd say? It certainly sounds like he's downplaying it, but parental shit is pretty formative, isn't it?

And even if it's a sore spot, he still made Shuichi smile a teeeensy bit. That totally counts as a win.]

But those are some pretty crappy parents, huh? They're missing out! I could never leave Saihara-chan alone for so long.

...Thanks?

[ Help, what else is he even supposed to say? The idea of Ouma as a parental figure is so far-fetched he can't even laugh about it, and besides there's no way that wasn't a lie in the first place. Still, maybe there's something genuine in that word as well; he might not be thanking Ouma for the false promise not to leave him if Saihara had been his son (actually, he never wants to have to conceptualize that again in his life), but... maybe he's grateful to him for listening anyway.

Even if it's self-conscious hour near immediately after. ]

Sorry it... wasn't anything that ground-breaking. I don't think I'm very interesting, but...

[ Time to direct this conversation back to what the point of it was in the first place. ]

It's not like I mind talking to you, Ouma-kun. I wasn't lying about that.

[Well, that's how you definitely know Shuichi has some kind of complex over his parents. Kokichi's trying to be gay over here and Shuichi instead takes it in some weird pseudo-parental way.

Ah well. Not like Kokichi wasn't gonna backpedal on that anyway.]

Jeez, don't thank me. That was totally a lie! I'm a super busy person, y'know. You should instead be grateful that I'm spending my valuable time with you!

[Yes, very valuable time that would have otherwise been spent pranking some rando or whatever. Super important.

He gives an insistent tug on Shuichi's arm, his other hand gesturing vaguely. The street is kinda too crowded for him being his usual grandiose self, but ehhh, who cares if he accidentally smacks a passerby.]

Which means you're not allowed to talk like that! It's an insult to me personally, y'know? As if I'd ever waste my precious time on anything boring.

[ It's fine. They're still holding hands, so if anything that just means Saihara might have to repeatedly tug him back every time he goes too far and seems to be getting in someone's way. By this point, he's forgotten to even question what they're doing like this in the first place, he's just accepting it as it is.

Still, that turns his head a little, as he side-eyes Ouma with a measure of curiosity. ]

Ah... are you lying on purpose to cheer me up?

[ See? Isn't this much better than the time Ouma tried by mentioning Kaede instead and his attempt went right over Saihara's head thanks to that? Sometimes, being a little bit less roundabout can do wonders, too. ]

[Only for Kokichi is lying ever considered being less roundabout.]

Ehh? Does Saihara-chan need cheering up?

[It's not a no. But of course, Kokichi won't just admit to it, so let's go with this instead.]

[ Honestly, he's been learning a lot from this conversation alone -- and reconsidering a lot of things through it, too. But if anything, it's not that there isn't a way to compromise what he said with how Ouma answered. He's pretty sure of that now. ]

...No, not anymore.

[ He's honest about that. Not that he isn't grateful, but he's embarrassed himself enough as it is. And... it's not about to get any better. ]

Alright. I think I get it, and maybe you were right. I won't make you promise me anything you don't want to. But... that means you can't stop me from promising something myself instead, either. So, ah...

[ By this point, he's not even looking anymore; that's his limit, his head turns away and his gaze drifts to the street around them. Maybe most people would do that when they're lying instead but... if anything, for Saihara it's quite a tell of the opposite. ]

I promise... Even if I end up being wrong at first, I won't give up like I did anymore. I'll keep trying as long as... you're still talking to me.

[Fuck. Here comes the BSOD again.

It's easier to focus again this time, though. Shuichi's hand in his is warm. A passerby lightly bumps into him. He still has to remember to put one foot in front of the other. He's good he can do this. Just.

Goddamn, Shuichi. Don't do this to his poor lil gay heart.

As soon as he's got his head on straight again, he's looking hard at Shuichi, like he's half expecting to see some sign of insincerity there. But Shuichi can't even look at him, and that's...well. Very reminiscent of the classic Saihara who hid behind that hat all the time.

God, Kokichi is totally gonna explode.

But he still needs to react, and he's frankly giddy enough that he doesn't care too much about playing coy. Fuck it, isn't that the advantage of being the boy who cried wolf? Even when he's not lying, people will assume he is anyway.

So he squeezes Shuichi's and and strays away again, and the next time he's tugged back, Kokichi springs back like a yo-yo and collides into Shuichi. His free arm wraps immediately around the other boy and it turns into a stumbling hug-slash-cling that threatens to send then crashing into other pedestrians.]

Reeeaaally? Really really? Be careful, Saihara-chan, I'll hold you to that!

[Way to make that sound incredibly dangerous.]

Ah, hey...!

[ Quite predictably, he loses balance from the unforeseen twist, stumbling right along just like Ouma wanted. They really are getting in other people's way now, as several passersby have to stop and work hard to maneuver around them; and being the one on the side of the footway that's closer to the actual street doesn't help either. If they keep going like this, the other pedestrians will soon be the least of their worries.

So, doing just about the only thing he can, he places his own free hand onto Ouma's shoulder and turns himself around, making sure that they stumble towards the building at the other end instead. Once they're by the wall, Saihara's back pressed into the glass of a window case from a store, they're at least a bit less in the way. And it's... in the corner enough that they probably won't be noticed or chased off any time soon.

That said, he's still pretty much got Ouma in his arms by this point. Which means he has little choice but to look at him. ]

You're... going to do that by pushing us both in front of a car?

[ It's... not a genuine reproach in the end, because part of him knows. Regardless of what the other might be saying, it just means... he was right, wasn't he? That must have been what Ouma wanted to hear from him, too.

...Why is that one the thought that ends up making his heart skip a beat? ]

[Kokichi snickers against Shuichi's first, perfectly content with how this situation has turned out. As it turns out, if you wanna get a guy's attention, sometimes you just gotta nearly push him into traffic.]

I did tell you to be careful! I'm a dangerous person, after all.

[He doesn't usually mean that in the "menace to pedestrians and cause of car accidents" kinda way, but hey, he's adaptable.]

You're more dangerous to yourself than to anything else right now.

[ Called out, but still. Given how Saihara is, he can't help but wonder why Ouma even did this in the first place. What does he stand to gain from pushing him around for no visible reason? The only things he can think of are kind of...

Well. He supposes he won't know if he doesn't say it. ]

Let's see... You either wanted me to stop talking, or... you wanted to stay here for a bit?

[ Or both. ]

[ shuichi you dumb bitch he wanted to hug you ]

Oh, yeah! I was super jazzed to hang out in this creepy alcove for a bit!

[The smile he flashes up Shuichi is perfectly sweet and innocent, which is how you know he's full of shit. Reluctantly, he peels himself off Shuichi and drags him by the hand to continue down the street.]

Buuut that's a lie. I'm starving! I can't believe you would keep me from dinner like this. I'm gonna waste away to nothing...!

[ Yeah, have you seen his self-esteem? It's gonna take him a while to get to that level of assumption. ]

...I thought you said you usually don't even have dinner.

[ Part of him knows how useless it is to be pointing that out when it's probably only going to bring him more nonsense in reply, but then. He's just built this way, he always has to bring logic into it.

...Damn it. He's just getting completely drawn into Ouma's pace again. ]

Ah... Do you even know what kind of food you want to eat? The dining hall can get pretty crowded, so it's better to think about that beforehand.

[Drawn into Kokichi's pace both figuratively and literally. He's got them moving down the street at an energetic clip, careless of how it might disrupt the standard sidewalk traffic.]

You remembered that? I guess you really do pay attention when I talk.

[He doesn't sound unhappy about that, though.

Buuut that means Shuichi probably also hasn't forgotten his meal of chocolate and soda, so he probably can't convince him to go for anything sweet, huh? Pity. Kokichi hums thoughtfully, though it's anyone's guess whether he's really considering it or just bullshitting an answer.]

I thiiink...I want some gourmet ramen!

[ Well... He doesn't know about gourmet exactly, but given that at least half of the food on display tends to be made by students with related talents who just want to practice or gauge response to their new recipes, it's probably not unrealistic to think they might find some. ]

Alright. I'll try to get something similar, so we don't have to wait in two different queues.

[ He doesn't mind. It's not that much of a big deal even if he does end up changing his eating habits for one day. Sorry Ouma, it sounds like you might have to commit to your bullshit now. ]

Come to think of it, I should probably...

[ He lets that trail off with a thoughtful hum, while he pulls back on the other's hand to slow him down a little. In the meantime, he fishes his phone from his pocket again. He probably should be texting Harukawa just in case, to make sure she and Momota aren't waiting for him or something. ]

[The benefits of a school for Ultimates: the food is usually pretty top-notch.]

Saihara-chan doesn't wanna be apart from me for even a second, huh?

[That's fine, though. He can occasionally eat things other than sweets. And Shuichi will get to see him eating a proper meal, so there won't be any complaints.

But if Shuichi's gonna ignore him for a second like this, then of course he's gonna be a nosy bitch. Kokichi leans against Shuichi's side as they walk, trying to sneak a peek at his phone.]

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oops

go to sleep!!!!

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tl;dr gay

as they deserve

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speaking of gay

oh fuck

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