Kaede Can't Communicate

4

"Ouma-kun, come with me for a second." Shuichi dragged Kokichi by his scarf, and hid behind the classroom door leaving Kaede inside. "Why did you say no to being her friend? You know you do talk a lot!"

"I do wish to talk to her, Saihara-chan, although........this is a long story......but since you're sooooo close to me, fine, I'll tell you."

"Are you sure this isn't a lie, though?"

"So you don't trust me? WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! YOU'RE SO MEAN!"

"Alright, alright, fine! Just tell me what happened already!"

"Basically, like the others......I met her before back in second grade.......but she was the only one who I have trouble communicating with. She wouldn't respond to whatever prank I pulled, and ignored everything I said. I don't say I hate her, but meh......she's a bit boring......OR IS IT THAT I'M NOT FUNNY ENOUGH? TELL ME, SHUMAI!!!"

"N-No, I don't think that's the case. Akamatsu-san wasn't ignoring you, just talk to her and you'll see."

"But I've already tried......and nope! It didn't work!"

"Fine, if that's the case, then try walking home with her today."

 "You're trying to convince me? Oh......so you like her....don't you?"

"I-It's not like that! We've just met! A-And besides, she's in trouble and just wants to have friends and speak with them. I'm just trying to help!"

"Alright, alright, if you say so......but on one condition! We're friends, after all, aren't we? So stop calling me by my last name! This is a rule made by the Ultimate Supreme Leader himself!" Kokichi's face then turned into a small, mischievous, grin. "Also, remember that time in middle school? When you were in your emo phase and literally confessed to someone only to get rejected? That was amusing!"

"Y-You! We're not discussing that!" Shuichi said, feeling embarrassed. He had attended the same middle school with Kokichi, and as Kokichi stuck with him most of the time, he knew everything which had happened in Shuichi's emo phase.

~~~~~~~

"Well, I guess we should go, Akamatsu-chan!" 

The plan was going well.....so far. Shuichi had been keeping an eye on them from afar, just in case something went wrong. 

"When I said we can't be friends, that was a lie." Kokichi said. "Anyways......remember meeting me before?"

"This is.......really awkward, isn't it?" Shuichi thought, before sending a text to Kokichi.

You: Are you okay?

Kokichi: Shumai......that's it I gave up :(

"So even Kokichi is having trouble! I have to do something, or else!" 

But before Shuichi can do anything, a gang of delinquents rushed over to the scene.

"Found you, Kokichi!" 

"Hm? Isn't it the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader, Mondo Owada? I see you've brought some accomplices this time!"

"You moved without saying a word to me!"

"So, what do you need?"

Mondo grabbed Kokichi's arm, almost managing to lift him up. "I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. YOU THINK YOU'D GET AWAY FROM ME THAT EASILY AFTER THAT PRANK YOU PULLED? NEVER!"

Mondo raised a fist in an attempt to punch Kokichi, unaware that something had fallen out of his jacket.

"Well....now, Mondo, no need to be so harsh......it's just a light prank after......all?"

Kaede noticed the fallen item, picked it up and tried returning it to Mondo. Kokichi noticed her figure behind him, and instantly understood her intention.

"Huh.....this is, my house key?" Mondo said.

"You........key........ocket....." Kaede started to stutter again.

"W-Was that some sort of threat?!" Mondo started to shiver. "M-Maybe she said, 'You better let go of him, or I'll steal your key, and send you flying like a rocket!'"

Kaede's stare made it seem even more threatening. 

"You see, that's why you don't mess with my organization, you'll regret it!" Kokichi lied.

Mondo dropped Kokichi after hearing this, afraid that he'll send more people from his organization after him, then retreated with his gang in a hurry.

What was Kaede trying to say? "Your key fell out of your pocket."

~~~~~~~

"Seems the situation is clear now, Akamatsu-chan! I think Mondo's just misunderstood your sentence." Kokichi said. "I'm alright, just a few bruises here and there, though I get those a lot. And, I- Fine- I'll be your friend........IT'S JUST TO CONVINCE SHUMAI THOUGH DON'T GET ME WRONG!"

"That last part was most probably a lie. Wasn't it, Kokichi? The rest of it surprisingly sounded genuine."

"Awww........you're getting really good at detecting my lies, Saihara-chan! Anyways, let's head home!" Kokichi ran off, leaving Kaede and Shuichi behind.

"Guess you've got your second friend." Shuichi said. Kaede smiled. If she hadn't met Shuichi, this wouldn't have happened, would it?

A/N: New chapter, finally! I know this thing is short but eh, whatever. So firstly I changed the scene with Mondo. In the original, the delinquent was supposed to think that Najimi is a girl and wanted to propose to them, but since that seems out of character for Mondo, seems really weird, and also Kokichi isn't a girl in this AU, instead I changed that Kokichi pulled a prank on him and he got mad.

Also, I'm sorry if I got Kokichi out of character. Going by his canon personality he keeps lying and bending the truth, making it hard for him to trust others let alone make friends, so I feel like the ending seems kinda rushed. (Idk how to write it, I just followed the manga storyline)