Just One More Time

3 - Magical Mistakes

Shuichi rubbed circles on Yumeno's back as she cried, the two alone in her dorm. She hadn't been the same since Yonaga's execution a few days prior. "Why did she do it?"

"It was what she thought she had to do for Atua," Shuichi explained.

"I know... Nyeh, I didn't want to see her die again!" Yumeno cried, weeping into her hands. Shuichi shuffled closer to the mage, pulling her into a tight, protective hug. "No, no I said I wouldn't cry anymore!" She shouted, slipping out of Shuichi's embrace and jumping to her feet. "I'm strong, I'm going to get through this!" 

"That's the spirit!" Shuichi smiled. She's so inspiring, can I be as strong as her?

"Yonaga isn't the same one that I befriended in the first game. I'm not crying over a stranger," Yumeno huffed, her hands on his hips with her chest puffed out in pride. "Come on Saihara, let's go to the dining room!" She grabbed the detective's hand and marched out of the dorm. The two travelled to the dining room, faces hurting from their smiles as they entered to see their friends eating, all but one.

"Amami isn't here again?" Shuichi asked the room, most of his fellow Ultimates turning to stare at him.

"No, haven't seen him today either," Akamatsu mumbled to her breakfast.

"It's the third day now, he's been missing for too long," Kiibo exclaimed.

"Why doesn't someone check on him? He might have shut himself in his room after the class trial," Tojo suggested whilst cleaning up after everyone.

"That's not how a man should behave!" Momota shouted, the group ignoring his outburst.

"I'll go, Ouma, could you come with me?" Shuichi asked, pointing at the small liar.

"Awe, I love you too my beloved detective! Let's go!" Ouma cheered, jumping up from his seat and rushing over to the detective.

"I just need you to pick the lock to Amami's room in case he doesn't answer," Shuichi explained, the two men leaving the dining hall.

"Why wouldn't he respond?" The grin on Ouma's face told Shuichi that the purplette knew the answer already. "Surely we should have a third person here, just in case?"

"It's a killing game, we can't rule out anything. We could get a third person but we've already left. If we find Amami dead, one of us can just run and get the others." The two continued in silence towards the dorms, Shuichi's heart beating faster and faster as he realised he might be about to discover a dead body. Ringing Amami's doorbell, Shuichi and Ouma waited for an answer they never received. Ouma reached forward and repeatedly pressed the doorbell whilst giggling. Shuichi was sure that he'd go insane from the tune if they could hear inside the soundproof dorms. "Stop, he would've answered by now if he were inside." 

"Or if he were alive,~" Ouma teased with an evil smirk. The supreme leader reached into his pants pocket and pulled out two small pins, crouching down to the doorknob as he started picking the lock. He has the same skills as before, Shirogane was right about our character codes being recycled. Is that why Chabashira is always obsessed with Yumeno? "Behold! Amami's room!"

Ouma swung open the door to the dim room, no hint of life anywhere to be seen from the doorway. "Hey wait, be careful and don't touch anything, it could be evidence," Shuichi glared at Ouma, gripping his wrist to stop him from entering the room. The Ultimate Supreme Leader rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Whatever you say Mr Detective!" 

"Don't call me that," Shuichi mumbled, letting Ouma enter the dorm room. Shuichi followed suit, analysing the walls and furniture for any hint of Amami's whereabouts. "He's not here..."