bakerstreet | dialogue prompt!

[ Yes, he knows he should be ignoring that. Yes, he's going to answer anyway. The repeat experience. ]

That's... pushing it, but I did promise I'd go with you. If we end up separated, it kind of misses the point.

[ To be honest, he already expected he wouldn't be able to type this with any privacy, so it's fine. He holds the phone evenly in the middle, not really making a secret out of what's currently on his screen. His recent conversation with Harukawa has nothing interesting anyway, just something about homework.

Though... this does leave the question of how much he should mention in the text or not. Glancing at the other beside him for a second, he almost hesitates before typing. ]

Sorry. I ran into Ouma-kun earlier and we got a little held up.
You guys can go ahead without me.

[ There. He didn't omit the name or lie about his company. ]

[A dramatic sigh, and Kokichi sags heavily against Shuichi's arm.]

Wow, way to take all the romance out of it...

[He's clearly goofing around. Right? Right?

(Frankly, between Kokichi's compulsive lying and Shuichi's low self-esteem, it'll be a miracle if Shuichi ever actually puts two and two together.)

It's kind of disappointing to have Shuichi just shut him down like that, if he were being honest. But Shuichi is ditching the other two musketeers for him. Kokichi had sort of expected Shuichi to just bring everyone together and sigh over whatever clashing occurred as a result. So he can deal.]

[ Under normal circumstances, he might have done exactly that... but for one thing, he doesn't want the other two to wait too long, and secondly... This is kind of part of the promise he made to Ouma too, or at least of him trying to keep it. Even Saihara doesn't know if he could explain it in full, but it just... didn't feel like the kind of situation where he should be straying from the terms by including more people.

(He's so close... and yet so far.)

And it might just be the lingering influence of the unusual day together they just had, coupled with the conversation that just ended earlier, but... ]

What...?

[ He can't shake the feeling that, despite the obvious bullshit nature of the comment itself, something about Ouma does reflect some kind of disappointment. ]

What would you have wanted me to say?

[ He finds himself asking before he can think better about it and shut his mouth. ]

[That's a dangerous question, Shuichi. Kokichi makes a show of thinking it over, expression so thoughtful it wraps back around to being completely unbelievable.]

Hmm...

[And then, in an exaggerated mimicry of Shuichi's voice and tone:]

"Of course I don't want to be away from you, my beloved Ouma-kun. Every second apart is torture!"

[This is punctuated with some theatrical gesturing as he leans heavily into Shuichi. Clearly, he also deserves the title of Ultimate Actor.]

We're... not in a movie, Ouma-kun.

[ Not to mention, that's exactly the kind of story he's never been able to get into. When it gets that dramatic on the emotional front, it actually... ends up not feeling believable at all. The only way he can even imagine hearing it in real life is as one of Ouma's obvious lies meant to mess with someone -- and one he wouldn't be trying very hard for, at that.

And yet, he finds himself glancing away as he thinks, trying to ignore having to acknowledge how close to him the other is. They're almost at the train station by now anyway, so Ouma should have to let go of him soon, at least for a bit.

And yet, before that can happen... ]

Besides, would it... even make you happy to hear something as theatrical as that?

[Booooo. Kokichi pouts at him for a moment, disappointed in the lack of response – not even a hint of a smile? – before sighing just as dramatically.]

Maybe you're a sadsack, but I'd sure get a laugh out of hearing something like that.

[Which is to say, he certainly wouldn't be taking it seriously. But then again, he didn't really intend for Shuichi to either. Even if there was a kernel of truth buried in it. That's the secret to a good lie, isn't it? A bit of honesty in every falsehood.]

[ Is it even a phrase intended to make someone laugh in the first place?? Ouma, please. ]

That... just means people are even less likely to say it to you.

[ But the truth is, it's himself he's more frustrated at than any of his companion's antics. If he'd just had a better grasp of the situation, he probably... could have said something better. But like this, he just missed his timing, and with the conversation going in the current direction, there's no way he can do that now. ]

Ah. Do you have a pass...?

[ For the trains, he means. It's a change of topic, but they're just turning into the station access-way, which means they'll be at the checkpoint in front of the platform soon. And he doesn't actually know how the other got here, or if he really came by train or not. It's the most conventional solution but... this is Ouma. ]

[Ouch. Harsh, Shuichi.

~~But honestly? Fair.~~]

Nope! I get around exclusively in my organization's supercar. My minions dropped me off today. In fact, they're probably idling around somewhere wondering where I am.

[Despite saying this, he keeps walking straight toward the checkpoint. And when they reach it, he simply...pulls out a thin wallet to scan his pass like everyone else.]

[ Right... he doesn't even need to call that one out, it does it well enough for itself.

They have to part for a second to get through, however, which gives him a moment of respite. Taking a deep breath as soon as Ouma's off his arm, he pauses right outside to re-center his thoughts. It lets him notice a few things -- mainly... wait, a wallet? That means Ouma uses a classic, regular pass for some reason. He supposes... it's true that they're more disposable, and probably more difficult to trace. Is he actually worried about being followed or tracked?

For his part, Saihara only runs his phone over the scanner like the majority of the people around them, to connect it with the app that has his info. Also, secondly... ]

...I guess I was right after all. You were still carrying other things in your pocket, too.

[ The wallet wasn't mentioned in the contents of "just my phone and dorm key" (and a grenade that he's still ignoring, on principle) from earlier. He's pretty much the Ultimate Overthinker, of course he'd remember that.

Sigh.

Maybe... he did lose his chance to say something, but that doesn't mean he can't act instead. It might be only after the world's longest pause, during which he feels like his heart might be trying to hammer its way out of his chest, but... he does reach out. It's with a firm enough momentum, that when he takes Ouma's hand again and then tugs him through the crowd, there's no mistaking who did it first. ]

[In his defense – though it's admittedly a pretty shitty defense – if he'd mentioned the wallet, then he wouldn't have been able to talk Shuichi into buying him dinner by saying he forgot it. Y'know, if he'd managed to get them to a restaurant or something. But since they're heading to the dining hall, there's no point in maintaining that lie.

And of course, Kokichi doesn't look at all ashamed to have been caught. He just gives Shuichi a surprised look as they head for the train.]

You just believed me? But I tell you all the time, don't I? I'm a liar.

[Well. He is right. You were warned.

There's a hint of a self-satisfied smile on his face, but that's about the moment when Shuichi suddenly grabs his hand again, and so the smile falters. His face shutters into a carefully blank expression, the one he defaults to defensively when he can't manage something more suited to his needs. So it's probably for the best that they've got the distraction of maneuvering through a crowd, huh?]

[ Yes. Ouma did tell him that countless times. ]

I didn't believe you. I just didn't have proof until now.

[ That might be a little insensitive to say, but... it's something the other should know already, just like Saihara should have known about his lying. He simply isn't the type to decide something in full until there's evidence to support it, or to otherwise prove the contrary.

Though... he falters the next moment, as he makes the mistake of glancing back.

Damn it, it's difficult not to overthink that expression. Did he misread something and go too far...? Should he let go? It does admittedly feel different when he's the one who grabbed Ouma's hand instead of the opposite. But... if he did let go right now, they risk getting separated in the busy back and forth of the station. It would have been one thing if they'd started off walking without the handhold, and another entirely to just change that now.

In the end, he compromises to only slowing down, making an effort to match pace with the other as much as he can while they head to the platform. ]

Ouma-kun...?

[ He ends up probing with just that. His name, although the slightest trace of worry still slips through, in the uncertain tone. ]

[His moment of internal meltdown doesn't last long, fortunately for Shuichi. Or maybe unfortunately? It's probably just as confusing when Kokichi catches his eye as he glances back and, after a brief moment, quickly adopts a wide grin.]

Jeez, Saihara-chan really can't ignore even the dumbest, most insignificant of mysteries! No wonder you bother with me so much.

[The smile doesn't waver an inch, even saying something like that. It's just true, isn't it? Most of their classmates are quick to dismiss him when he gets annoying or aggravating. Only Shuichi consistently not only tolerates his nonsense, but even seeks it out sometimes.]

[ That's... probably not wrong. Time and again, he keeps getting drawn into whatever little games his companion feels like playing with him. Even now, he might be doing exactly what Ouma wanted; for all Saihara knows, he could have only pretended to make that expression he thought he saw, just to see the kind of face he'd make in response. It wouldn't be the first time Ouma's goal was just to fluster him with something.

But... they've already been over this. If his choices are between going on a wild-goose chase and just wasting his time, or being actually wrong in a hurtful way... Even if that means he's just falling for obvious bait... ]

It's... not insignificant to me.

[ He'd still rather actually know.

Glancing over at the digital display, where the timer seems to show that the train will arrive in two minutes, he takes the chance to draw in a deep breath as he mulls this over. And then stops them both by the wall, in a relatively more quiet spot, before fully committing to the point he was trying to make. Even at the risk of getting laughed at. ]

You're not insignificant, Ouma-kun.

[Jesus christ, Shuichi. How does one just say these things???

But settled in to wait, Kokichi doesn't have the luxury of a moment to compose himself. He simply steels his current expression, smile fixed in place so it doesn't give way to anything embarrassing and real and vulnerable, like a fucking blush or something.

It's not the hardest thing ever. A part of him really does want to smile at Shuichi's painful, sweet sincerity.

And he does laugh. But it doesn't sound mean-spirited, at least.]

You should be more careful. If you keep talking like that, I might just fall for you!

[As if he hasn't already.

But he says it in his normal manner, teasing and light and easy to brush off as a joke. Just...testing the waters. It's Schrodinger's Lie. Whether or not he's just fucking around can be decided by the reaction it gets.]

[ ...Yeah, that's not the kind of laugh he expected. It gives him a moment of false security, just enough for a breath of relief to build up -- which he promptly almost chokes on at the words that follow. ]

Wh-What...?

[ Maybe Ouma was able to keep the color from his face, but Saihara doesn't prove half as fortunate. He doesn't even know why it's affecting him this much; not like it usually doesn't, but this feels somewhat... off. Ouma's teased him with worse before (and it's not like it doesn't get him every time, but anyway) so why... choose now of all times to downgrade it? Is it just because the context fits better?

Damn it, there goes his composure or any coherent thoughts he had. ]

Do you have to mess with me right now? I was trying to tell you something important.

[ Sure, maybe his choice of place or time to get into it wasn't the best but... Ouma could at least take One Second to consider it. ]

[Kokichi pouts as if actually offended.]

Ehh? But I was telling you something important, too!

[How cruel Shuichi is to so easily dismiss him...! Totally fair, though. Still, he has no idea what to make of that reaction. Is this just Shuichi being hard to gauge, as he sometimes is? Or is Kokichi just caught in analysis paralysis, hesitant to settle on any one theory for fear of being wrong?

He can't help but notice that Shuichi hasn't let go of his hand yet, though. Even though they're no longer in immediate danger of being separated. That sure is a thing.]

Buuut that's a lie. I guess I can take pity on Saihara-chan for...hmm, let's say...until the trains arrives?

[That's...not a lot of time. But it's in his nature to make a game of everything. Besides, maybe a time limit will motivate Shuichi to stop beating around the bush. Kokichi grins, bouncing on his toes with barely restrained enthusiasm.]

Ok, you have less than two minutes to make your case! I won't say a word!

Huh...!? U-Um...

[ That really is too short notice, so of course the first thing it makes him do is freeze up, and then nervously grasp the hand in his own a bit tighter. He hadn't actually expected Ouma to give him the chance to say anything, much less to rush him into some arbitrary time limit and make it sound like it's now or never. Damn it. He's really, really bad at this.

A whole bunch of seconds tick past, merciless on the digital counter. But if he doesn't at least try, he'll probably feel guilty or frustrated later that he still couldn't do it. ]

A-Alright... I mean, I obviously... won't say anything as embellished as your joke.

[ That was really too much. But... he's going to trust Ouma on this one. He has to have known from the start, that's why he was even able to say it in the first place. Even Ouma wouldn't joke with that if it were actually serious... would he? The truth is, he has no guarantee. ]

It's just... even so, that doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with you. There may be circumstances that led to it, and yes, I wrote those in my text to Harukawa-san. But... I'm still doing this because I wanted to. You, ah... realize that, right?

[ Because, frankly, he doesn't know that. The more he and Ouma talked, the less certain he was it had gotten through whatsoever.

Too bad that it took him around a minute, though. And now the train is pretty much coming in. ]

[True to his word (shockingly), Kokichi keeps his mouth shut the whole time.

Really, it's not that hard. He's curious what Shuichi has to say that's so important, after all. And he won't let Shuichi catch him off guard with this one – his expression is carefully controlled the whole time, unreadable but apparently content enough judging by the slight smile. Not blank enough to inspire concern (again, ugh), but very deliberately revealing nothing.

There's a brief pause after Shuichi finishes where Kokichi just stares at him, silent. It lasts just long enough that it's probably starting to get uncomfortable. But that's when the train rolls in, and Kokichi signs heavily as if relieved.]

Phew! I thought I was gonna die for a second there! I can't go too long without saying anything or I'll die, y'know. I really risked my life for you!

[That's a lie, but that one goes without saying.

Immediately, he joins the surge of people moving towards the open train doors, dragging Shuichi along with him with a firm grip. Wouldn't want to get separated, right? He just chatters right on over the noise of the crowd, seemingly oblivious to Shuichi's stress.]

But jeez, you sure wasted that precious time I gave you! Almost two whole minutes and you ask me something like that?

[ What...? ]

Something like that...?

[ It somehow doesn't match. Of course, his first impulse hearing that is to get discouraged -- it sounds like Ouma didn't care at all, and everything was just him overthinking from the start. But then what's with the pause at the start? Was that some kind of dramatic effect done on purpose as well...? What about the one from before it, then?

He runs over everything in his mind as they almost get swept into the crowd, guided into the train by the inertia of everyone's movement. They won't be lucky enough to find seats when it's like this, so he only pulls Ouma towards the nearest corner that appears to have space. ]

What exactly do you mean? I prefaced it enough that you should have already known what I'd talk about.

[ So is it truly so surprising that it ended up being this? What kind of game is Ouma playing at? ]

If it really didn't matter to you, it's true that there isn't much I can do about that.

[ Except make a mental note to never talk about it again, he supposes. It's... unfortunately, not even a possibility he hadn't been ready for to begin with. He can't read his companion well enough to have decided if he'd care or not beforehand. But he can't help the way his eyes narrow, peering at Ouma with a directness he usually lacks, that feels almost scrutinizing. ]

But... you also could just have stopped me first.

[The train car is filling up fast. It's that early evening hour when many people are getting out of work and packing themselves in for the ride home, which means Kokichi has to squeeze in close with Shuichi. He definitely doesn't mind. Though Shuichi seems frustrated at the moment, so maybe he does.

Maybe Kokichi should go a teensy bit easier on him.]

Well, you're asking if I realized. It's pretty insulting, honestly! Bold of you to suggest there's anything I don't know.

[Did he know? Well, if that one's a lie, he's not admitting to it.

He's a little too loud, if he has to make up for the fact that he doesn't have the room to gesture grandly. It gets him some annoyed looks from the other passengers nearest to them, so he leans in even closer to Shuichi, voice dropping low.]

Besides, I know I've told you my time is suuuper valuable. Do you really think I'd waste it on someone who doesn't even want me around? I'm not so nice that I'd grace someone with my presence if they aren't even gonna appreciate it!

[That's...maybe a lie? He obviously spends a lot of time pestering classmates who'd clearly rather not deal with him. But then again, that's during school hours.]

[ Yeah... that's a bit too close for comfort, actually. Squirming backwards and away from Ouma, he tries to press himself as tightly against the wall of the train car as he can, gripping the handrail above their heads with what force he can muster at that awkward angle. Unfortunately, that also means he's just used up the last bit of space he had left to retreat. But he'll think about that later. ]

...Alright. So you already knew.

[ Let's be nice and pretend he buys that, since it least it helps him finally see where the other was going with this. In a way... it's not as if Saihara doesn't understand. He's not a stranger to the impulse of hiding insecurities like those, of always having to know things in advance if he can; he just wouldn't say he could go half as far for that image as Ouma, though. But... with how many people he knows that hate Ouma or just don't trust him, he can see it.

Damn it. Thinking about it that way makes it difficult to be harsh. ]

But you aren't saying it's just a minor thing after all.

[ In all honesty, even if that was something he'd been ready for... it still makes him slowly exhale in relief that it wasn't the case. And maybe, just maybe, he's daring to think that his words might have done the same in the end. ]

So even if I got to make the choice again... I'd still tell you. Because there's only so far you can get with assuming all by yourself. It's still different when you get to hear it from someone else.

Aww, that's so sweet of you. Saihara-chan sure cares a lot about my emotional well-being!

[The train begins moving with a lurch and Kokichi rocks unsteadily with the motion. But hey, it's not his fault the handrail wasn't designed with shrimps like him in mind.

So he just grabs onto Shuichi's arm instead. Shuichi won't mind, right? Since he's sooo nice and concerned about Kokichi and all that.]

But isn't it possible you're just projecting? You're assuming I'm worried about the possibility that I'm wrong, but maybe all this just comes back to your worries.

[Half a lie. Of course he likes the validation of knowing for sure what Shuichi is feeling. But...well, it sure does sound like the kind of thing Shuichi would stress over.]

Saihara-chan does seem like the type to stress about that kind of thing. Well? Are you sure you're not just wishing that you could hear something from someone else?

[ He doesn't... mind. Not precisely, but it does feel like his actual mind just goes blank for a long few seconds, struggling to process and not shut down. It's just... really close. And after the series of conversations they had, complete with Ouma's teasing and everything, it just makes it difficult to think about anything else at the same time. That sort of contact... feels warm.

It takes him a moment -- longer than it should -- to be able to process the rest. ]

Ah, s-sorry...

[ It helps that a stranger moves past, brushing against them in the process of trying to get to a different car. ]

It's true that it's something I'd want to know. So I can see where you're coming from, but... I wasn't fishing, if that's what you thought. You don't need to... tell me anything in return.

[ Is that really what Ouma suspected him of...? It's not that he isn't curious, don't get him wrong. But... he's honest about that; this conversation was never about him, so it doesn't matter if it ends without finding out. ]

[Kokichi's stare at Shuichi is piercing and unrelenting. He can't help it. Even as Shuichi is more or less spilling his guts, the little tells are just as enlightening. He wants to make sure he catches every odd pause, every thoughtful look.

(And, y'know. Maybe Shuichi just has a nice face. No big deal.)

And hey, look at that. They are awfully close, huh? It makes it very easy for Kokichi to lean in and peer up at Shuichi so he can't easily hide behind his stupid emo bangs or anything.]

I did tell you, though. Multiple times, even! Didn't you believe me? Or is Mr. Detective just losing his touch?

[Maybe someone just needs to read between the lines more.]

[ As if he hasn't been trying, hello? ]

You told me...?

[ By this point, he's not even trying to hide anymore. He's too busy trying to find any distance to take at all, not that there's much to speak of inside the crowded car. How in the world does Ouma even expect him to think like this...!? They're at the point if he gets any closer, a single wrong move from the train could just--

What is he thinking about? Help.

Thankfully, at the very last moment before he loses his mind, he runs into something that might just work. Both to figure out (or well, at least confirm) what the other is talking about, and to give him a moment of break. ]

Ah... Ouma-kun? How did you write my name in your phone?

[ He'd messed with the one in Saihara's contacts, but there's no reason he'd have to do that to his own... right? ]

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