ShuichixKokichi‼️

Chapter Seven

Kokichi's POV

I don't like the rain. It's cold, annoying, and makes me feel so so dirty. Rain drops hit hard against hard ground, colored even more grey than this dull town.
I've always tried playing with the other kids. They didn't like me however, because I didn't have a momma and daddy like the rest of them. I'll admit, most of the stuff they have continuously said to me hurts, but I've never ever stopped trying no matter what I was told. I'm not hit or abused or anything like that, I was simply born and given up to an orphanage.
But I didn't like the orphanage.
I've been away from that place for a little over eight months now. I'm hungry, cold, but I'm okay with it. The harshness of the streets has made me cold, timid, but in a way understanding of all kinds of circumstances.
Today I started lying.
It was weird and unnatural. I had simply wanted a loaf of bread from the local dollar store on the block corner and was...desperate. I don't like lying, I was taught to always tell the truth. And yet, I'm sitting here, eating bread slice after bread slice, poorly sheltered from the pouring rain by the overlapping roof of an alleyway. The whole loaf should be enough to keep me full for the evening.
...
I heard laughing not too far from here. Laughter of multiple children, and splashing and yelling. They were maniacs. They were fucking awesome.
Four kids ran around wild in the rain with thick coats and boots, hoods up to avoid getting too terribly wet. I peeked around the corner and watched curiously.
"C'mon, c'mon, splash it now! Aw no, not that puddle! It's much dirtier than these ones over here!"
"Don't be picky. Splashing is splashing! It's fun."
"My momma said to only be out for about fifteen minutes, she doesn't want me to catch a cold."
"Um, what a wuss."
They conversed so oddly. Bickering but still having fun. I've always been too shy to present myself to too many kids, but the times that I have I've never gotten kind comments. Everyone here is local, they know each other, so they know me. They know I don't have parents, so I can't pretend. I fiddled with the almost empty bag of bread and puffed up my cheeks full of air, then huffed it out in a disappointed sigh.
"...him right over there, yeah him, is he staring at us?"
I panicked. They see me! They know me! I don't want to do this again, please. Please. I-
"Why are you watching us? I don't think you should be."
I turned my attention to the kid who now stood in front of me. He was my height, he had almost orange hair, most of it covered by his hood.
"Hey, you don't have to be very nice, that's the one who ran away from the orphanage. He doesn't have parents."
I backed away from them and looked down. People's ideals must be very twisted if their children speak like this.
"What do you have? Can you share?"
My bag was snagged away from me and I let out a yelp, reaching for my bread. My food. I lied for that!
"This won't fill you, so don't worry about eating the rest. I want it."
Hot tears built up in my eyes, and with every sniffle coming from my nose, they threatened to spill. My hands were clenched so hard into fists that my fingernails dug into my skin.
"Please give it back."
"Well, I don't wanna, orphan! You don't have anyone else to share with, so we'll finish it!"
I shouldn't have tried again. I lunged for my bread and I was instantly kicked to the ground. The wind was knocked out of me instantly.
"Don't lie, you don't need this. If only your momma would have taught you not to be so quiet. Speak your mind! And don't be a stalker."
For some reason, the other three kids laughed at this. All I could do was cry.
They were walking away with my food.
No no, please. Please...
I'm sorry?
-
"Whew! I'm soo sorryy! I had to use the bathroom!"
Every student looked at me. The professor shot me a nasty glare. He's such a party pooper!
"Ouma, I have told you time and time again not to disturb when you come in late. The least you could do is not disrupt the class's lectures."
I stuck my tongue out and pranced to my seat. Our classroom was like one of those common college rooms; big chalk board at the front with a pull down screen to present videos, and bleacher like desks that went higher and higher. But ours was smaller. I was somewhere in the middle to the left. The lecture was nearly almost over, then our free time! I don't know if I'll see Shumai today though, I haven't paid any attention to my other toys. For some reason, I don't even care.
"That concludes today's discussion. Bring your notes in tomorrow, we'll be doing a count to make sure every one of you has all the papers you need. If not, you know to check the site for the sources to catch up. Slacking is not tolerated."
Uh, yeah it is. Why am I here then? Duh.
A loud dinging sounded throughout the room over the intercom, signaling that classes were over. I ran to floor level and laughed, running into plenty of people on the way to the door.
My dorm was the next floor up. The stairs were an easy obstacle, and I soon arrived at the door. It was cracked open, so I simply barged in and began throwing my stuff into my bed and collecting what I needed for today. It was only my key.
I met Rantaro's gaze and smiled.
"Guacamole Amami! What's new? What are you doing today?"
He raised a brow and shook his head, but could not hide the smile of amusement from me.
"I'm going out with Kiyo and Chabashira today. Chabashira told us she needs some help with shopping, and Kiyo happened to need things from the store she's wanting to go to, and I just wanted to tag along."
I nodded and started to head to the door.
"Kay, sounds good! I'll be hanging out with emo today, so wish me some good luck!"
And before Rantaro could speak anymore, I was out the door.
The cafeteria was a little more empty today. It'd be easier to find Shumai.
But it wasn't. He wasn't even in here! I pouted, leaving the cafeteria and heading back tot he dormitory area. I figured he might be in his room since he wasn't in the cafeteria, I don't see why he'd be outside. I didn't make it very far to the stairs before being pulled back by someone. I was slammed onto a wall and heard a door shut. I already knew what this was about.
"Okay Ouma, it's been a several months. You've had time, now I want what you negotiated with me."
I snickered, putting my finger close to my lips.
"A storage closet? Interesting choice. Didn't even notice it was here."
I let out a sigh. It was hard to keep up this act when I was honestly scared shitless.
"Okay, okay, ya got me. I'll have your shit by Friday Pekoyama. Tell your weird kink master that he can cool his jets."
Pekoyama didn't seem satisfied. She pulled out a lighter and a cigarette pack, pulling a tobacco stick out and putting the pack away in her pocket. She lit it. I couldn't hide my shaking anymore at this point, it knew what this was.
"Kuzuryu said that this might teach you."
She ripped away my scarf and put the cigarette against the skin right above my collarbone.
"Jesus fuck! Okay, I'll have it seriously this time, shit! Shit!"
She dragged it across my delicate skin swiftly then threw it down to the floor, stomping it out. She nodded, turning out the light in the closet before she stomped out of the small room, slamming the door shut. I slid down the wall, breathless, picking my scarf up from the floor and wrapping it back around my neck.
I always wore this thing. I never went anywhere without it, though I wish I could. I would take it off fairly often if it wasn't for that. It was my own fault for digging my own lie so deep.
I spent a good twenty minutes on the cold floor. Crying, ripping at my hair, mumbling nonsense to myself. It didn't help that tight spaces made me nervous.
"I don't want to..."
I sighed. Okay! That was enough! I felt much better. Not really, but I had to tell myself that. I ignored the burning pain that erupted around my whole neck and half of my chest and exited the small closet and walked up the stairs. Though I had lost my motivation to keep on my usual behavior, it didn't keep me away from my goal. I was going to see Shuichi Saihara today and nothing would stop me!
I never felt so nervous to be standing at a door. My hands shook weirdly and became uncomfortably clammy. I raised my hand to the door and knocked. Lightly this time, I didn't feel very up to being annoying right now. And almost immediately the door swung open. Shuichi stood there, looking a tad tired, but wore a welcoming smile.
"Oh, Ouma-kun, I had no idea you were coming by. Come in."
He stepped away from the door and I walked in happily, shutting the door closed with my foot.
"You lied to me Saihara-Chan! You told me you were going to change around this time!"
"O-oh, sorry,"
"You can change in front of me!"
"WHA- what!? No!"
"Neheeheee! That was a lie."
He didn't respond to that, so I went to his room and sat on his bed. He followed, but sat on the floor. The bed was fairly small, so I guess it would be awkward smushed together just to sit on it.
"You changed your normal style today."
I looked at my own clothing once he had pointed it out. If that's what he considered different for me then I don't care I suppose. I was just wearing a grey tank top, ripped jeans, and my scarf. No big deal.
"Hm? Oh, this is nothing! I have a cape and everything that I could wear!"
This is how I wanted to spend my free time, I decided. I'd find Saihara-Chan and we'd talk just like this.
Maybe I can pretend he's my friend. Maybe I'll buy that.
As long as he doesn't mind.

—

ÆÑGŠT. Angst. I love it, you love it, it's beauty in the eyes of the beholder. Gave a bit of a flashback at the beginning to set the mood! See you next chapter :)