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[ Welcome to hell! Welcome to hell!
Which is to say, welcome to the morning after Ouma and Shuichi's game went a little further than it probably should have. Ouma had ended up killing even more time in the tacky love hotel by giving it another, more thorough investigative sweep -- not that he found anything particularly useful, but it's good to know the layout of the place and what exactly can all be found in there item-wise. Who knows what might end up being useful or relevant in this mutual killing game fiasco. Although he lowkey hopes some of the shit he found never ends up being relevant -- but knowing Miu, it's possible.
So Ouma's a little sleep deprived, between staying out that much later and...the general exhaustion...plus his inability to stop thinking about it. Even though he'll act like he slept like an absolute baby, 'cause he's a liar. He's even dragged himself to the cafeteria for breakfast, because that's how utterly unaffected he is. Plus, he is hungry.
Thankfully (but also annoyingly, because now he's gotta go see what they're up to right now), most of the ~*~student council~*~ of Angie's, aka the brainwashed idiots, aren't really around right now. That leaves...Korekiyo, Maki, Miu, and Kaito. What a wack group. Although one of the others might show up later...or altogether, since they're teaming up. No Shuichi either, which is interesting.
But not unsurprising, he supposes.
He doubts anything would've happened to him, but there's a paranoid part of him that kind of wonders.
He's almost considering just nabbing some snacks and taking them up to his room right now, because this is pretty uninteresting!! No fights breaking out or anything. Plus, the meal quality around here has really taken a nosedive since Kirumi's death. Oh, well...
The Monokubs will probably show up to say something inane, so he should stick around. ]
Which is to say, welcome to the morning after Ouma and Shuichi's game went a little further than it probably should have. Ouma had ended up killing even more time in the tacky love hotel by giving it another, more thorough investigative sweep -- not that he found anything particularly useful, but it's good to know the layout of the place and what exactly can all be found in there item-wise. Who knows what might end up being useful or relevant in this mutual killing game fiasco. Although he lowkey hopes some of the shit he found never ends up being relevant -- but knowing Miu, it's possible.
So Ouma's a little sleep deprived, between staying out that much later and...the general exhaustion...plus his inability to stop thinking about it. Even though he'll act like he slept like an absolute baby, 'cause he's a liar. He's even dragged himself to the cafeteria for breakfast, because that's how utterly unaffected he is. Plus, he is hungry.
Thankfully (but also annoyingly, because now he's gotta go see what they're up to right now), most of the ~*~student council~*~ of Angie's, aka the brainwashed idiots, aren't really around right now. That leaves...Korekiyo, Maki, Miu, and Kaito. What a wack group. Although one of the others might show up later...or altogether, since they're teaming up. No Shuichi either, which is interesting.
But not unsurprising, he supposes.
He doubts anything would've happened to him, but there's a paranoid part of him that kind of wonders.
He's almost considering just nabbing some snacks and taking them up to his room right now, because this is pretty uninteresting!! No fights breaking out or anything. Plus, the meal quality around here has really taken a nosedive since Kirumi's death. Oh, well...
The Monokubs will probably show up to say something inane, so he should stick around. ]
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Which is to say, it is the night and subsequent events following Korekiyo's trial for his orchestrated double-murder and following punishment. Three more of them are dead now, and Himiko (along with everyone else) has had a pretty good cry tonight. At least now Himiko is sleeping instead of crying, and Gonta's in the midst of carrying her to her room while everyone else is gearing up to return to theirs. If he were feeling more up to it, Ouma might be pseudo-salty or something about the fact that Gonta is carrying Himiko to her room instead of carrying him, since Gonta usually is gullibly at Ouma's beck and call and Ouma's the one with the concussion right now --
But oh yeah, he's been ignoring that since the trial started. Thankfully his hair is already a mess, because Ouma's lackluster job of rinsing everything off and slapping a bandaid over the head injury is at least obscured by said hair. There's probably still some blood matted in there, but it's not obvious to the eye -- it's fucking obvious to Ouma though, because he's noticed if he moves too fast or gets too excited (like during the trial) he becomes lightheaded all over again. He can't think of anything that might've been worse than passing out in the middle of a class trial, so he's glad he was able to persevere that long.
Still, he doesn't feel that great, so while everyone else is still high on emotions and having a bonding Moment, Ouma only finds himself eager to dismiss himself from the group as his steps become increasingly less steady. It's not uncommon for him to ditch the conglomerate anyway, so... ]
Weeell, I think I've had enough craziness for one night! Hopefully Monokuma really did kill Shinguji-chan's soul too... Y'know, so he doesn't come back to haunt anyone. Serial killers sure are scary!!
[ Back at it again with the bad timing and bad jokes -- Ouma gives a small wave (even though he knows with his comments nobody's going to miss his presence, anyway) as he starts his process of impromptu ditching. ]
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And murders aside, the group remaining is such a mess he doesn't even know what to do. He couldn't say anything to console Himiko, or help carry her back like Gonta can. He has no words to keep up morale like Kaito probably might have -- almost no words left at all, so drained of them by his once-again starring role in the trial. He's barely keeping himself together, honestly, and it's only the reluctance to burden the others with his own emotional breakdown that's propping him up right now.
And of course, Ouma doesn't stay quiet long enough to let Shuichi forget about that whole mess either. Their whole...whatever it is, impossible for him to ignore yet apparently not giving Ouma any trouble at all. What progress Shuichi felt like he'd made in understanding seemed to slip back a few steps when he woke up after their last encounter to find Ouma missing.
He should have done something earlier, when they found Ouma covered in blood before the trial. The shock and horror certainly hadn't helped on top of the clusterfuck of other awful emotions he'd been trying to work through, and at least Ouma had revealed the joke before he'd done anything completely humiliating. But that had been real blood and a real injury, and there had been a real wobble in Ouma's steps as he wandered off. Shuichi should have stopped him, should have made sure he was alright or that someone else looked after him. But everything was too overwhelming, and the pressure of the investigation and its time limit was too much, and Maki's complete lack of concern had made speaking up too intimidating, and Ouma had brushed them off himself, hadn't he?
(That last one was definitely a poor excuse. If there's anything Shuichi is sure of, it's that Ouma would never be so straightforward as to ask for help if he was hurt.)
But now Ouma's just wandering off alone again. His blunt and careless manner gets a variety of reactions from the others -- a lot of exasperation, a glare from Maki, a sincere goodnight from Gonta -- but Shuichi just feels the guilt he'd been tramping down the whole trial come rushing back in like a wave.]
H-hold on...
[He manages to make the words happen despite the doubtful looks from the others. And with an apologetic glance shot their way, he follows after Ouma. There's probably no point in trying to make him stay with the group, not when it would almost certainly guaranteed he'd just deflect any concern in front of them.]
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Ouma blinks, not expecting as much, stopping in his stride if only to look back (still keeping the lackadaisical demeanor about him) to just make sure that Shuichi did indeed call after him and he's not hallucinating this or whatever. But sure enough, Shuichi's stride has increased to catch up with Ouma, and Ouma feels his heart skip a beat as he's unable to decide whether the even wants this or not. He does probably, but...it sure is something to have Shuichi follow after him rather than stick with the others, especially with emotions this high. But maybe he wants to ask something or whatever -- he is the detective here, after all.
Ouma puts on a bright grin at Shuichi, both for the audience in question's sake as well as his own. ]
Huuuh? Did you need something from me, Saihara-chan?
[ Ouma thinks it's kind of funny, the level that their relationship itself has become imbedded in lies -- the necessity to speak with such obviously fake airs when talking to Shuichi with other people present.
Although they certainly don't seem to be following after Shuichi, and they definitely won't follow after Ouma, so...he can already see the others dispersing following their break-off from the group. Thank god. ]
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The smile fades as he looks back to Ouma, though. Whether that's because he feels bad or because Ouma usually seems to go out of his way to make his life harder, well...]
I just...wanted to make sure you were okay. You looked a little unsteady on your feet earlier, and there was a lot of blood...
[Saying it only makes him feel guiltier, and he wilts a little, gaze dropping to his feet.]
...I should have made sure back then, there just wasn't time, and...I mean, I'm sorry.
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Well of all the things Ouma expected from Shuichi right now, a genuine apology for not making sure Ouma, of all people, was okay is...not among them. Ouma blinks for a second, slightly dumbfounded by this. He's already established this whole messed up outlook that doubts other people actually caring about him, thereby making it easier to step into the role of being hated, which is convenient, albeit lonely. This is something he will die before admitting, however. But he's also really fucking good at being able to discern when the other is lying to him or not, and Shuichi is being far too sincere and good like he almost always is, and Ouma feels like he could implode on the spot right now dealing with this.
It doesn't help that his head actually is spinning a bit from how dizzy he feels, as one does when they crack open their head and bleed out a fair amount. He can't tell if he's starting to break a sweat from his current physical condition or from Shuichi laying this on him so earnestly. Probably both. Fuck.
Despite his heartrate turning into something erratic, Ouma responds with a short laugh before throwing a candid, toothy grin at Shuichi only seconds after processing that (even though it somehow feels like he was unresponding like an idiot for way longer). ]
Oh, that? It was totally a lie!! I was actually in tip-top form all along.
[ How many lies can he just layer up here. ]
But yeah, you're the worst! Taking my super helpful clue I risked my safety on and kicking me to the side... I'm gonna cry a whole lot of ugly tears like Yumeno-chan if you don't make it up to me!
[ Nevermind the fact that he accidentally smashed his face stepping through the floorboards and actually made no conscious decision regarding that whole fiasco. ]
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The grin Ouma gives him should be reassuring. Maybe it would be on anyone else. But the only thing he's absolutely sure about regarding Ouma -- aside from a few more personal details he's deduced -- is that Ouma is never so straightforward about anything. Saying he was fine with one breath and then playing up his own "suffering" the next certainly fits the bill. None of it is very comforting.
Drawing a breath, he tries to make himself relax. Ouma's acting like his usual self, cheery and lying and immediately going for the guilt trip, so he probably doesn't hate him. Right?]
...What did you have in mind?
[Ouma always has something in mind. Sometimes it feels like he's always (and unfairly) twenty steps ahead of the rest of them in every regard.]
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Still, there's also the fact that Shuichi is flat-out letting him pick whatever he wants here (even though he already knows Shuichi won't do anything outrageous). Ouma shifts his weight onto the foot further behind him to keep his knees steady, tossing his hands back behind his head to give off his usual aloof appearance -- although he's definitely grabbing at the back of his head almost tightly with those hands in an effort to ignore the impending nausea here. ]
Oh, you're gonna let me choose? What if I wanted you to stab your stomach or something in penance--?
[ He can't not banter at all, because that would just make things look worse (plus he wants to banter anyway, even though he doesn't feel too hot).
But he probably shouldn't let this drag on?? ]
Hmmm, how about I come up with a fun game for us after breakfast tomorrow? Then I'll totally forgive you!
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Okay.
[Blindly agreeing to any of Ouma's shenanigans feels a little foolish. But he doesn't think Ouma would do anything to really hurt him, probably, and it helps assuage his guilt, so that's a problem for future Shuichi.
But forgiveness is only part of what he wanted here, and with that out of the way he leans in a little, eyebrows knitting together with concern.]
...Are you sure you're alright? Did anyone help you patch up that cut before the trial?
[His eyes flick up to Ouma's forehead, but he can't tell where any bandages might be beneath the mess of bangs hanging in Ouma's face, let alone where the injury itself was.]
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... Except, no, now Shuichi is leaning in closer and asking more questions.
Stop that.
Ouma huffs almost defensively, but it comes out a little heavily -- almost as though the exhaustion can be heard escaping in a moment's show of weakness that's supposed to be a show of disgruntlement. Fantastic. The dizziness only increases by the second.
Ouma bites his lip and lifts his palm up, as if he's about to push Shuichi back away from him or something. He absolutely doesn't want Shuichi seeing his messy half-assed rinse job and bandaid work he'd done before the trial. It is, in moments like these, that he's thankful for his plethora of excess hair -- not that moments like these happen often (or at all), mind you, but it's proven surprisingly good at hiding that wound.
His palm kind of moves unsteadily in midair, like he's forgotten what he's doing with it or has lost the energy to push Shuichi away. He really just wants to lie down right now, and he's not even thinking about it when his hand ultimately ends up grasping at the front of Shuichi's shirt. It's a desperate gesture, but Shuichi is the only steady form near him, and his breathing is only becoming more strained.
... Geez.
What was Shuichi's question again...?
His vision's getting spotty, and he's looking at nothing in particular along the ground. Maybe he'll see Gonta's bugs at this rate. ]
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Ouma-kun?!
[Automatically, his hands come up to catch Ouma's shoulders. A part of him can't help but doubt, even as he ducks to try looking at Ouma's face, but a bigger part is quick to shush it. This just feels wrong, off somehow from Ouma's standard shenanigans. It's hard to say what exactly is off -- the lack of overdramatic obvious acting, maybe, Ouma lies generally aren't subtle -- but whatever it is, Shuichi's instincts are screaming at him.
His jaw goes tight and he adjusts his grip, one hand dropping to support Ouma under the elbow. He hesitates for just a moment before bringing his other hand up to gingerly lift Ouma's bangs so he can peek at the haphazard patch job.]
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His response is breathy, and a little annoyed. ...With Shuichi? With himself? Who knows. Not that it ultimately holds much weight at all when he simultaneously sounds so unwell. ]
Well...this is awkward...
[ He's barely even registering Shuichi's hand near his forehead, inspecting his wound area. Shuichi supporting him with his grip at least keeps him from toppling over, but Ouma also instinctively feels the need to lean even more into Shuichi -- maybe he could just sleep on Shuichi. He kind of wants to.
Although he also realizes it's not "sleep" as much as it is "blacking out" that his body wants right now. Maybe he can hold out until he gets back to his room, although he grimly realizes he's not going to be able to even do that without Shuichi's help now. ]
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You're...I mean, you shouldn't have even been participating in that trial, you...!
[He trails off, distraught and all too aware that it's making him babble. And there's no point to it anyway. Just talking about it here won't help.
Even with a few days of "training" with Kaito under his belt, he really doesn't think he's strong enough to carry Ouma. And he can't go fetch Gonta or anyone without leaving Ouma alone, not that he thinks that would be appreciated anyway. The fact that Ouma's still trying to play this off -- that he was toughing it out the whole trial -- suggests he doesn't want anyone to see him like this.
He didn't want Shuichi seeing him like this, either. That stings a little to think about.]
Just...hold on, okay? You can lean on me...
[That much support is about all he can offer, but at least it's something. Shuichi carefully repositions himself beside Ouma, keeping a grip on him the whole way to keep him steady.]
...You want to go back to your room, right?
[It's not like there's really anywhere better to take him, anyway. No hospital or infirmary or particularly medically-savvy classmates. It's a little horrifying to think that there might be nothing he can do if this is a real emergency, but he can't be distracted by those kind of thoughts right now.]
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Mmm... Yeah.
[ As much as he wants to (and by god does he want to), he can't exactly bring himself to make a cocky response to that dumb and obvious question. Ouma sighs shakily, slinging his arm around Shuichi to leverage his own weight well enough that he can actually walk here. Inelegantly and unsteadily, but at least he can use his own two feet with Shuichi helping to support him.
It's definitely a little embarrassing, but he also catches himself being a little grateful that Shuichi is helping him out here. Although he supposes Shuichi is going to bug him about this, now...especially since he's already brought up that he shouldn't have been in that trial. Which Ouma knows is ridiculous, since they can't exactly phone it out on these trials. And Ouma needs to be in them, because he doesn't trust anyone else in this place as far as he can throw them.
And given Ouma's physical strength, that isn't far. At all. At best, he can maybe surprise push them an inch or two forward by suddenly throwing his own weight on them.
Still...if he had to rank someone a little higher on the "trustworthy?" list, it would be Shuichi. ]
... Thanks.
[ He mutters quietly, not really thinking about it as he gives in a little and just lets Shuichi take the brunt of his weight. At least he doesn't weight much. ]
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Actually, scratch that, that's not a productive train of thought either. Better to just worrying about getting them back to the dorms.
He kinda...really hopes everyone's gotten back to the dorms already and went into their rooms for the night. As much as handling this situation alone is extremely worrying, and as much as he wishes the others would be a little more concerned about Ouma, he doesn't know what he'd say to anyone they bumped into.
At least it's not a far walk, and Ouma is cooperating (if slowly and unsteadily). It doesn't take too long to get back to the dorms, and mercifully, everything seems empty and quiet out in the lobby area.]
Do you think you can make it up the stairs?
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... That, and it also seems like a legitimate struggle to get up the stairs right now, even with assistance. He kind of hates this! Ouma brings a hand to his forehead, trying to will the fever going on there to calm the fuck down.
Ouma eventually drags said hand down his face, sighing quietly. ]
... Dunno.
[ He doesn't want to suggest it himself, but he's lowkey hoping Shuichi might offer an alternative here.
The kind that doesn't involve his own room. ]
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Do you want to rest here for a few minutes? Or...
[He sounds uncertain even just saying it. The longer they linger out here, the higher the chances that someone comes out of their room for some reason and seeing. Which he doubts Ouma wants.]
...Or...would you rather just go in my room?
[He grimaces, glancing away. God, he hopes that doesn't make it sound like he's just trying to get Ouma into his room at a vulnerable moment. It sounds awful to his own ears, always assuming the worst, but what else can he do? Options are a little bit limited, here.]