The Cherubic of Kokichi Ouma // Pregame Saiouma Halloween Special 2022

5 - Memory

It's been a few hours since... that incident. My memory of it is kind of hazy, but I can still feel the anger, pain, and feelings of guilt and loss strongly. I don't know what to do. My parents are dead now... and I killed them.

Their bodies are still in the house with me. What do I do with them? Should I leave them here or hide them? Do I turn myself in? What would Shuichi think about this? Will someone come looking for them...?

Well, that's probably unlikely... my parents don't have friends. They hated everyone, including each other. Because of that, I'm glad they're gone. The world is now free from their negativity.

...No.

I'm still here. I'm the living product of their miserable lives.

...I've changed clothes and washed all traces of blood off of my body. I decide to drag the bodies into the basement and focus on cleaning for now. I'll make sure there isn't a trace of agony in this house. Nobody will be here to see it, of course, but I don't want to eat in a kitchen full of blood and guts.

I spend the night cleaning. I wipe down every surface thoroughly, and the house looks brand new by the time I'm finished. It's refreshing and it helps ease my thoughts.. but not completely.

Maybe I should go for a walk. Nature might clear my mind, I suggest to myself. I grab my coat, keys, and my mom's purse (just in case I feel like buying something nice) and head out the door. I'm immediately greeted by a cool breeze and a bright autumn moon, accompanied by the soft swaying of colorful trees and plants. It brings a smile to my face, but it doesn't last long. The breeze gets stronger and turns into a dancing wind, which sends shivers down my body. I try to ignore it as I start down the sidewalk and into town.

It's only 8 p.m., so there are still a lot of people out. Students and adults alike are hanging out with their friends, working, or simply admiring the world's beauty. I wonder if anyone here is experiencing something similar to me... I doubt it.

I find myself at the front doors of the city's mall, where I recognize many familiar faces from school. Without realizing it, my hands start to shake and my blood runs cold. What if some of my bullies are here? No teacher can stop them from hurting me here...

But then I remember: I have an advantage. Something I hesitantly slipped into Mom's purse... just in case.

I'll be okay.

I confidently stride through the doors and begin browsing. There are many stores I've always wanted to shop in, but I've never gotten the chance. My parents never let me go here, and when they did, we went to boring furniture stores and things like that. But this time, I can do what I want. I can get clothes, figures, makeup... anything I want! When was the last time I bought something I wanted...?

Time flies by fast. I visit every store that catches my eye, walking out with tons of new items just for me! I can't say that I've ever been spoiled, but it does feel really good to treat myself! That feeling alone is almost enough to take my mind off of school and Kaito and my parents...

But I can still feel the guilt lingering in the back of my mind. I can't escape it. It's useless to even try, isn't it?

The horrible, intrusive thoughts catch up to me. The events of the night replay aggressively in my head, reminding me of the uncomfortable feeling of blood running down my hands. I don't know why I did it. I shouldn't have. I'm insane. Insane and scared... of myself, and for everyone around me. They don't know they're breathing the same air as a murderer. It's awful-

"Kokichi? Is that you?"

I shriek in surprise, dropping a bag of plushies on the floor. I look up to see Shuichi, who bears a concerned expression on his face.