Danganronpa: Painful Truth

Time to Relax

They returned several moments later with a smug smile. Kokichi trailed behind them, looking sleepy and irritable. He yawned, rubbing his purple eyes as he climbed into one of the stools surrounding the island. Even if he hadn't heard what he did, Kaito could have easily guessed that Kokichi hadn't slept well.

"Shigeri, you never answered my question," he grumbled. "Since when is it okay for you to come into my room and wake me up?"

"Since you started sleepin' later than me, asshole," they retorted. "I'm the lazy bum around here, ain't no reason I should be havin' to wake anyone up."

"Well I'm the leader, I sleep as late as I want," he snapped.

"Sure," Shigeri snickered, messing up his hair. "Whatever you say. Even the space cadet woke up before you did. How's that make you feel?"

"Hey!" Kaito demanded. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kokichi grinned at him suddenly, as though he had just noticed him. "Hey! It's Kaito!" he greeted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How's my favorite assho-uh, astronaut, doing today?"

"Hey now, that ain't funny." Shigeri threw a piece of cereal at Kokichi. "Everyone knows I'm your favorite asshole."

Kaito couldn't help but laugh. Even though it had been a couple of days since their escape, it was still strange to see Kokichi this way. The devious, sinister figure that had once attacked him with an Exisal and held him hostage was now sitting across from him in a bright kitchen, pouting sleepily while being teased by his best friend. Just as Gonta had said, the killing game had brought out the worst in all of them.

He returned the bright grin. Even if Kokichi and Shigeri wanted to be sarcastic and insincere, that just wasn't his style. "Mornin' dude! How'd ya sleep?"

His grin seemed to become even wider somehow. "Like a baby, of course! My plan went perfectly, after all! This is the time that even an Ultimate Supreme Leader should get to relax! Nee-hee-hee!"

Shigeri sniffed the air curiously. "Hey, Astro Boy, you smell that? Startin' to smell like bullshit in here."

"Must be you!" Kokichi assured them. "What did I tell you about showering, Shigeri?"

"Come on, man, how many times do I gotta tell ya?" Kaito shook his head. "Ya don't gotta lie about stuff like that! Not to your friends!"

"Step up your fuckin' game, Space Cadet, you think I ain't tried that shit already?" Shigeri yawned and rolled their eyes. "Amateur."

Kokichi narrowed his eyes, but before he could ask any questions, Teruteru served them brunch. The chef stayed until they all tried the food and gave their opinions, then he returned to the kitchen with a flourish.

"Alright, what are you guys planning?" Kokichi demanded, nibbling a potato wedge. "Nosy idiots talking behind my back makes me nervous."

"Planning? Us? No way." Shigeri snorted. "I'm way too lazy and he's way too dumb. There's no way we could be plannin' shit."

"Don't call me dumb!" Kaito raged, his mouth full.

Kokichi looked far from convinced. "Then what's going on here? Why are you two all buddy-buddy all of a sudden?"

"Hey now, don't get all jealous on me, kiddo," they smirked. "Just thought I'd invite Astro Boy to hang with us today. No big deal."

"Well, lucky for me, I've got no time to hang out with you losers today!" He took a bite of his burger, grinning widely once again.

"Oh yeah?" Shigeri raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Whaddya got goin' on? Hot date? Gonna work your magic on the little witch girl? Maybe get the pretty boy detective to chase ya around a little?"

Kaito snickered, but Kokichi scowled. "No, idiot, I have to finish planning the ne-mmf!" He sputtered and coughed as a potato wedge was shoved into his mouth.

"No." Shigeri shook their head as they readied another starchy fried weapon. "You ain't plannin' shit. We just tore that place a new asshole two days ago. Today, your bitch ass is gonna relax."

"But we still ha--"

"Seriously, shut the fuck up," they insisted. "I saw your dumbass notebook in your bed. Bet that's why ya slept so late, right? Makin' plans when you shoulda been asleep? Again, asshole?"

Kokichi sighed. "Fine, you got me," he relented, to Kaito's surprise. "That's what it means to be a Supreme Leader. My job is never done, you know?"

"Whatever," Shigeri yawned, clearing their plate. "Hurry up, losers, we got shit to do."

"I don't remember putting you in charge," Kokichi grumbled.

"Well, here's how I see it. When we got serious shit to do, you're the boss, because you're good at that shit," Shigeri reasoned. "But it's time to relax, and I'm the best at that shit." They pointed at themself proudly. "So today, I'm the boss, and what I say goes. And I say we're goin' to Shinji's house to kick Kaito's ass at video games."

Kaito shoveled the rest of his food into his mouth with determination. "Like hell you will! I'm Kaito Momota! No video game can compare to the vast, uncharted territories of open space!"

"That's the spirit," Shigeri grinned. "Shinji's got a pretty cool flight sim we can play, I'll have braggin' rights forever if I beat your ass at that."

Kaito shook his head as they brought their plates to the sink. He was still getting used to the harsh and insincere way the two friends interacted, but he was willing to follow Shigeri's lead. They obviously knew more about Kokichi than anyone.

He spared a glance back toward the island. Kokichi continued to pick at his food, looking tired and frustrated.

"He appreciates it," Shigeri muttered. "He just doesn't know it."

"Why's he actin' so casual?" Kaito grimaced. "I get that he's a liar and everything, but after wakin' up like that...are we just gonna let the guy act like nothin' happened?"

"Of course not, dumbass, weren't you listenin', we're gonna go play video games." They picked their nose. "Trust me. It's gonna be just like your little trainin' thing, but less boring."