Refrain

Discovery

The next day, everyone was gathered in the cafeteria for morning breakfast, as per usual. This time though, there were less polite greetings and idle chatter between the students. They opted to stay silent as Akamatsu checked for everyone's attendance.

"Shirogane-san, Harukawa-san, Momota-kun... Where's-" As she was listing off students, she was about to say something else, but remembered last second. "Er, alright, that's everyone." She sat down, looking sheepish.

Without another word, they began digging into the food Toujou had prepared for them. They stiffly stabbed their forks into their plates, shoving it into their mouths, not caring how messy it looked. They mechanically chewed and swallowed, not looking up from their food in fear of making eye contact with someone. The atmosphere was so tense, you could cut with a knife.

Being the only one who couldn't eat, Kiibo was feeling especially awkward. He could do nothing but stare enviously at everyone as they ate. None of them really noticed, seeing as how they were more focused on not saying anything.

Kiibo sighed and tried to look elsewhere. Now that the hellish trial was over, their worries should have disappeared; but if anything, it only created more problems. An air of distrust, for example, upon learning that at least one of them was capable of murder. That person was gone now, but who knew how many more potential murderers were still lingering in their group? Kiibo sighed again. He wanted to trust his classmates.

And for the most part, he did. Some would call him naive for placing his trust in people who could turn on them at any second, but it was still good to get along. If he was to place his trust in them, maybe it would also persuade them not to resort to murder.

This way of thinking does have its flaws though...

He fixed his gaze on Ouma, who was sitting a few chairs down. He was still reeling from their encounter last night, but the other teen seemed just fine. Actually, he looked almost amused as he was observing his eating classmates. A tiny smirk made its way onto his face, and he pursed his lips. Oh no, is he about to say something?

"You know, if Kiiboy could eat, he'd probably be doing it like everyone here right now."

They turned to look at Ouma, some with annoyed expressions, and some who were surprised at how easily he had said that, despite how tense it was. The supreme leader let out his signature laugh, "Nishishi, what? It's true. You guys are so robotic, I could literally flick one of my boogers into your food and you'd still be eating."

Against his better judgment, Kiibo replied to his former comment. "Ouma-kun, if I could eat, I would eat like a person! I've seen how humans normally eat, I would be more than capable of doing it!" Realizing what the other boy had just called him, he trailed off. "Also, please don't call me that..."

"Oh yeah, I've been calling you Kiiboard up until now, haven't I?" He crossed his arms, "Well, I decided to change it. Kiiboy sounds a lot better. Don't you guys agree?"

Momota grumbled, "I don't care what you call him, but can it wait 'till later? Some of us are trying to eat here."

"Can't believe I'm agreeing with him, but yeah! Shut the hell up, ya fuckin' grape!" Iruma piped up, "And besides, I'd love to eat like a robot if it means understandin' Kiibo better..." She turned towards Kiibo with a rather lewd expression. He smiled nervously at her.

"If I'm a grape, then you're a robot fucker..." Ouma muttered under his breath. It was still loud enough for everyone to hear though.

Iruma looked baffled, "E-Excuse me?!"

"Enough! I don't want any fighting or arguing happening right now!" Akamatsu yelled out. She had her fingers pressed to her temple, rubbing it in, perhaps, an attempt to calm down. "Especially after yesterday..." Her expression turned somber.