The Loveliest of Lies (Oumota)

The Blood Part 1

When they entered the gym- or rather after Kokichi had dragged him to it- Kaito was surprised to see Miu and Kiibo actually investigating, and not messing around.

Kiibo was peering closely at the floor of the gym, looking over every inch of it, while Miu was shifting through the back stage area.

"Kiiboy! Any luck?" Kokichi called out rudely.

Kiibo jumped up and whirled around.

"My name is Kiibo. Not Kiiboy." He complained.

He sighed and then smiled at them.

"And yes. I found a clue. With my amazing vision." He boasted.

"You mean your trashy robot eyes?" Kokichi countered.

Kiibo frowned.

"My eyes are very capable cameras! I have a high-quality optical zoom of up to 15 megapixels." He boasted again.

Kokichi yawned.

"I don't understand a single thing that you just said. And if your eyes are cameras...doesn't that make you less human?" He said pointedly.

Kiibo froze and gasped.

Kaito frowned. He was sick and tired of wasting time.

"Can you two please stop bickering?" He yelled angrily.

Kiibo flinched while Kokichi glared childishly at him.

"Uwah. Momota-chan is so meaaaaan!" Kokichi whined.

"Yeah, well, just stop messing with Kiibo." Kaito said, then he took a deep breath and reined himself in. "I'm sorry for yelling."

"Apology accepted. I understand your pain. Saihara-kun was my friend. He and Akamatsu-san...they accepted me for what I am and for what I want to be." Kiibo sobered up.

He looked like he wanted to cry.

"What did you find?" Kaito asked hurriedly.

He didn't want to get caught up in Kiibo's sadness. He could mourn Shuichi properly later.

"I uh- I found some blood." Kiibo revealed.

Kaito stared at him with wide eyes.

Even Kokichi calmed down and looked at Kiibo with rapt interest.

"It's backstage. We found it on the wall under the window. Iruma-san wanted me to look for more on the floor, while she looked around back there. This way." Kiibo said.

He led them to Miu.

She was poking around the still wet staircase, studying it intently.

"Oi! Iruma-chan isn't investigating! She's trying to work out Yumeno-chan's magic trick!" Kokichi suddenly shouted, pointing at her accusingly.

Miu looked up and blushed angrily.

"N-no you little shit, I'm looking for blood. Kiibo found some here." She ardently defended herself.

"Whatever. Just show us the blood." Kokichi said.

Miu pointed at the back wall.

Kokichi ran ahead excitedly, only to stiffen in disappoint when he saw what was there.

It was a tiny amount; a few dry, crusty, droplets.

You couldn't even see it unless it was pointed out. Someone had drawn a circle around it in pencil.