My Friends Will Keep Me Honest || Saiouma

An Epilogue Titled 'Hope'

"Took ya' long enough to wake up, ya' little shit!" Miu laughed as he sat down beside her at the dining-room table. "Usually you're up way earlier, but you were sleeping like a damn log out there! Wasn't he, Kiibo? I mean, I know you've only been here a few days, but I'll have you know that it's weird he was out there." She turned her attention back to him, "So... Why do ya' keep sleeping out there anyway? If Momota's snoring is bothering you, I can try to fix the—"

Kokichi laughed after taking a bite of his breakfast, "It's not Momota-chan, trust me, I'd make sure to complain about it plenty if it was. I told you before, it's just nice to have a change of scenery!"

The blonde scoffed, "Yeah right, only if that 'change of scenery' involves snogging Sai—"

"Hey, Kiiboy!" He grinned wide and interrupted the inventor before she could make her usual accusations. "Let's have a couple rounds of chess later, okay? I'm feeling pretty lucky today, so you better make sure to focus!"

The robot nodded affirmatively, "Of course, Ouma-kun! I am always prepared to further advance my knowledge!"

Most of the others had gathered at the dinner table, enjoying a big breakfast meal made by Kirumi, but when Kokichi looked around to figure out just who all was there, he realised that Shuichi was the only one not there. Kokichi hoped he was sleeping well; he probably wasn't used to staying up that late, especially two nights in a row.

Knowing Kirumi, she probably would make sure there was plenty enough food to heat up for Shuichi when the man eventually stumbled in looking for his usual mug of coffee.

Kokichi finished his breakfast last since he had been the last one to get there, but Miu and Kiibo had waited around for him, busy in a conversation about possibilities for Kiibo to have the ability to taste and digest food. ("See, I want you to taste it, but having to take shits every time you eat is not a likeable human function, y'know, so if I can figure out some way for that to be used for something... Otherwise, you're just gonna be a shitting robot, hah!")

The three of them ended up standing up to head for Miu's lab where the inventor planned on having them help her with more designs and ideas for the issue of Kiibo's hypothetical digestive system. As they were leaving, though, that's when Shuichi finally entered the room, still wearing his striped pyjamas and a tired look.

Kokichi only gave a teasing smile and small wave as they passed by each other. Shuichi returned the wave with a soft smile of his own before heading to the kitchen island to get his usual coffee.

When the three of them made it out of the dining area, Miu gave Kokichi an odd look, "Seriously? You just waved at him? You don't want to go talk to him or something?" She made it sound like he had straight up ignored the man instead of only giving a brief greeting.

He just shrugged, not really understanding what Miu's issue was. "I'll end up talking to him eventually. Aren't we going to go work on designs right now? I think that's a little bit more important than small talk, y'know."

Miu looked surprised, and Kokichi finally realised why that was. She was surprised that Kokichi was choosing to spend time with her and Kiibo. Of course, that was her biggest fear, wasn't it? The fear that people would leave her, choose others over her. Well, fortunately (or possibly, unfortunately) for her, Kokichi liked her company, so she wasn't ever getting rid of him completely.

After spending an hour or so going over designs and ideas for Kiibo, Miu decided on a few she would want to try making, drawing out some parts that she would need and handing the list to Kokichi.

"If you aren't sure if it's the same thing, just grab it anyway 'cause I'm sure I can find a use for most anything even if you grab some stuff that isn't what I'm looking for."