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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. ]

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As if I would need to do something that explicit just to get a rise out of you. Yeah sure, maybe I like that look on your face... So what?

[ There it is. Some kind of admittance to messing with him in the process. Granted, he's not exactly apologizing for it.

But there is something he needs to clarify, although he won't do so directly because that just isn't his style.

It's the way Shuichi's talking right now that makes him wonder, especially when considered with some of his behavior the night before in general -- Ouma's too good at reading people to miss it. ]

...I bet you're thinking I screwed around with you last night for that reason too, right? Don't insult me. My lies have standards, y'know.

[ He's not going around fucking everyone to get a rise out of them, okay!! And thank god for that. ]

[He should have expected bickering with Ouma would be like this, but it's just so aggravating to have every point so carelessly cut down, before he can even say then himself in some cases. Of course it would be like this, Ouma always seems at least five steps ahead of everyone else in every situation and he's always got some sharp comment at the ready. He might as well be talking to a wall for all the effect his words seem to have.

Ouma is exhausting to deal with on the best of days. Shuichi just can't do it right now.]

Fine. Whatever. It's my fault, then.

[The fight just kinda...visibles goes out of him. He straightens up a little out of Ouma's space, but the slump to his shoulders is pure weariness. He drops his gaze to the floor between them, eyebrows knitting together in consternation.]

I should have known better than to give you this kind of ammunition. I should have known you couldn't be sensitive about this one thing.

[That's maybe a little harsher than he'd like to be, but fuck it. He's upset, and he's tired.]

[ The last thing Shuichi says kind of stings, but Ouma's also still super frustrated right now. He kind of wonders why, because he could easily walk away and leave this be, but...he doesn't want to, for whatever reason. He finds himself abhorring how invested in all of this he really is.

Ouma scoffs, kicking the toe of his shoe against the door in the midst of his own irritation. ]

You really think I wanna hear a half-assed lie like that? You give up way too easily.

[ Granted, part of Ouma's problem is not knowing when to quit, so.

Ouma tries meeting Shuichi's eyes, ducking his head slightly because Shuichi's staring at the floor right now. His own countenance bears vexation as he searches Shuichi's expression. ]

So what, are you saying you regret it now?

[He can hear the frustration there -- Ouma's really not trying to hide it -- but fuck if he can make sense of it. What does Ouma have to be annoyed about here? Shuichi peeks up at him just enough to shoot him a vaguely disbelieving look.]

Do you want me to fight you?

[Hell, that would be believeable at this point. Ouma does seem to go out of his way to wind people up. Maybe he really is just looking for some conflict here and Shuichi being his normal self isn't satisfying. Ouma is trying to catch his gaze but he avoids it, frowning uncertainly.]

...I don't know. It feels like you want me to.

[At least one of them can just be honest here.]

[ Why is this his life right now!!! He should be worrying about the killing game and potentially devising some course of action against the defectors, but here he is, unable to leave Shuichi alone. Shuichi's supposed to be the one who can't stop thinking about him, but Ouma's annoyed to know that he can't get Shuichi off his mind himself -- in spite of the fact that he would even cheerily proclaim this out loud to Shuichi without even blinking.

But it's somehow different to seriously acknowledge it to himself...

There's a part of him that's screaming to just push Shuichi away and settle it, but he also doesn't want their games to end. God. He forces a tight smile in response to Shuichi's words (even though he's clearly not happy at all), dealing with this the only way he really knows how. ]

Yup, I totally want you to beat me up and avoid me like the plague! In fact, I came over just to make sure you realized your fatal mistake in playing games with an evil leader like me!

[ Ouma backs off the door frame, just so he can throw his arms out like he's delivering some grand statement here. ]

I'm glad you figured it out, Saihara-chan.

You know that's not what I meant.

[Please, in what universe does anyone think of "Shuichi" and "fight" and immediately jump to a physical altercation?

He almost wants to just scold Ouma for continuing to dick around when he's being serious, but what would the point be? This is just what Ouma is like. He doesn't seem capable of communicating in any straightforward manner. If he's spouting such obvious nonsense, then that means it's not true, which would mean...Ouma isn't just looking to pick a fight. Which is...something. Shuichi guesses, but he sure as hell can't tell what the other boy is after, then.

Sigh.]

If you aren't just trying to upset me, then why do you have to be so...

[Ugh, he can't even find the right word for it. "Mean" sounds like he's a grade-schooler compaining about a playground bully. "Cruel" seems too overtly malicious -- maybe Ouma's fucking with him on purpose, maybe he doesn't even realize how his actions affect others, but it all still feels more like Ouma just thinks it's funny to tease people than that he's specifically trying to hurt them. Him. Fuck.

Groaning, he shakes his head, slumping a little against the doorframe.]

I told you I hadn't ever...done anything like that before. You could at least try to be nice about it.

[Instead of, y'know, making his first time feel like a weird one night stand and then teasing him about it the next day. He's sensitive, Aubrey.]

[ Here it is, a rare moment where Ouma shuts his mouth and falls silent without someone punching him in the face for it to happen. His expression is unreadable as he processes Shuichi's words, wondering how to handle this... He doesn't want to ruin this, and he does kind of pity Shuichi in a "why can't this guy be less sensitive, he's totally perfect and the most fun lying to otherwise" way. Not to mention Ouma's only gone and gotten himself more attached after...last night...but y'know.

Ouma sighs, looking to the side to avoid eye contact himself now as he finally responds, trying to sound thoughtful about it. ]

Hmm... I guess I forgot how to handle virgins. I'm like, super rusty with this kind of thing!

[ He crosses his arms again, although he seems more relaxed about it this time. ]

But I don't want our relationship to end, Saihara-chan. Nobody else here gets me like you do... And I'm not lying about that, either.

[ "Relationship" is a vague word, but Ouma's far from the type to provide a hard clarification on anything. The ambiguity of it is perfect for him, actually.

...

There's another moment of silence from him, and then he breaks it unceremoniously: ]

...Bleeeh, I can't believe you've sucked all the fun out of my lies, today.

[Ouma continues to be super blunt, especially given anyone could come by in the place like this. Shuichi certainly goes a little pink at that shameless description. He doesn't think he could call that "being sensitive" by any means.

And yet.

It's not an apology or anything of the sort, but it still feels like...something maybe in the same family as one. Any kind of directness or promises of sincerity are rare coming from Ouma, and for all that Ouma is a self-proclaimed liar, he's always seemed truthful about the latter in the time they've known each other. Leaning heavily against the doorframe -- which conveniently lets him hide almost half his face behind it, yay -- he gives Ouma a long, searching look like he's trying to piece together what he can from the scattered information he's been given, intentionally or otherwise.

Shuichi bites at the inside of his lips for a moment before finally dropping that hard stare. He doesn't want to be completely naive, trusting in that not-apology and leaving himself open to more of the same bullshit. But...]

...Just...go easy on me on this one subject, okay? That's all.

[He's too nice. Hell, he's basically giving Ouma permission to carry on with his normal nonsense and teasing in every other aspect of their relationship. Maybe this isn't the sort of thing he should be aiming for a compromise on, but somehow he doubts he or anyone else could really change Ouma. Asking for anything more is pointless.]

[ Hm... It's kind of reassuring that Shuichi doesn't ultimately ask anything impossible or downright annoying for him, so there's at least that. He supposes he can be satisfied with this. He definitely feels more at ease with this, even if there's still a detail that's bugging him.

Nonetheless, Ouma looks back at Shuichi finally with a grin, his tone perking up once again. ]

Yeah, sure! Whateeever you want! ...Ah, but I just wanna check one thing so I know for sure, 'kay?

[ He says the latter like he's suddenly remembered something, and he'll move to lean back in the doorway (and consequently Shuichi's personal space) again. Presumably for subtlety's sake, since his voice drops to something more low and serious when he speaks again. ]

...Should I be forgetting about last night completely?

[Shuichi edges further into his room just a little as Ouma goes right back to testing the boundaries of his personal bubbles. Whatever spell had let him stand his ground a few minutes ago seems to be broken now.

Or maybe it's just that what Ouma's asking has his face flushing and his shoulders hunching slightly with embarassment. Lord. He's willing to believe that that's a show of good will, that Ouma might really mean it and was giving him an out to pretend the whole thing never happened, which is...a nice gesture. maybe. He thinks. But he instantly knows his answer, and it's kinda mortifying enough that Ouma might as well just be teasing him some more.]

That's...not what I'm asking.

[He doesn't really know what exactly to call this..."relationship", as Ouma put it. But he's pretty sure pretending it didn't happen at all would only be more depressing. Wasn't Ouma being so careless about it what bothered him in the first place? He can't make it as a big a deal for Ouma as it is for him, but forgetting the whole thing isn't the answer the that.

Besides. Even if it was a one-time thing and makes whatever friendship they might have a little awkward, he doesn't want to forget what Ouma was like last night. Maybe that makes him a creep, but he can admit that much at least just to himself. How can he cling to that memory and tell Ouma to forget the whole thing?]

[ Ouma's grin widens almost immediately at Shuichi's answer, and he'll push himself back out of Shuichi's personal space almost as abruptly as he had entered it. He claps his hands together lightly, as if establishing some kind of satisfaction or resolution he's feeling. ]

...O-kay! Then I'll let my beloved Saihara-chan get some rest so he doesn't end up looking like a hideous zombie!

[ Ouma's about to turn around and everything, but he stops halfway in his tracks to tack on one last thing. ]

Oh, but only if you make up for that terrible lie from earlier...

[This is clearly just more nonsense from the nonsense goblin. Given how eager he is to do as was just suggested and get some sleep, he'd be justified in being annoyed and closing the door in Ouma's face at this point. Or at least just rolling his eyes and pointing out how bullshit that demand is.

But curiosity is definitely a fatal flaw of his. Maybe he just feels compelled to give Ouma a chance after that sorta-compromise, who knows.]

How?

[He, uh, still remembers very clearly the last time Ouma was bargaining with him over something ridiculous. Last night. And how all that turned out.

Yeah, he can't help the way his face reddens, eyebrows drawing together and hand coming up to cover his mouth because he knows he must be making some kind of weird expression just thinking of it.]

[ Ouma almost laughs at the face Shuichi gives him right now, but he refrains -- if only because Shuichi is humoring him in spite of how much wringing Ouma's done on him so far today. So that's something.

He lifts an index finger up, like he's making a point. ]

It's actually the one you told at breakfast... Y'know, about watching a movie together.

[ ......Okay, it's ridiculous. But at least it's harmless?

Ouma puts on a fake show of being extra sad about this as he explains. ]

It's just soooo unfair to make that up, 'cause I've never been invited to do something like that at all! What a cruel lie to tell, Saihara-chan...

[It's so innocent and harmless and wildly opposite of where his brain had been going (completely against his will, definitely) that he can't even do anything to hide the surprised expression that crosses his face.]

You want to watch a movie together?

[Or. Is it about being invited in the first place? Shuichi isn't really surprised to hear that, given how Ouma usually acts -- fuck, he doesn't even wonder if it might just be a lie, he's so unsurprised -- but it is kind of sad. Despite Ouma obviously playing it up for dramatic effect, even. Maybe the other boy really just doesn't know how to deal with people normally and acts out for attention because he feels left out and it's all an unfortunate, tragic cycle.

Or maybe Shuichi is overthinking it and Ouma's just looking for an excuse to goof around. Still, after a long moment just looking at Ouma, he rephrases that.]

...Do you want to watch a movie with me later, Ouma-kun?

[ Ouma seems to bounce back really quickly as soon as Shuichi asks him that, not even bothering to hide the pleased look on his face. ]

I mean, I'd have to check my schedule...

[ Bitch what schedule. ]

...But I should prooobably be available whenever you want! Since I'm not running my organization right now, I've got loads of free time.

[ Please spend time with his lonely ass. ]

Just don't turn my lie into a truth, okay? Let's pick something interesting to watch!

[Jeeze, Ouma really can't just come out and say anything directly. But he seems happy, and it's kind of satisfying to have gotten something so right after the how the last 24 hours have gone. Sure, Ouma kinda handed him that one on a silver platter, but give him a break, he's tired and willing to take what victories he can get.

Leaning against the door, he manages a nod and a weary smile. God, Ouma has really put him through the wringer today.]

Then I'll come find you after I've gotten some sleep.

[Unless you want him dozing off on you mid-movie.]

[ While the situation pleases Ouma himself, Ouma also finds that he's kind of happy about the fact that Shuichi seems more at ease with him. It's stupid, because he absolutely loves playing it off like he doesn't give a fuck whenever someone's pissed with him, but it's a different vibe entirely to have Shuichi less patient with him than normal. Less fun, maybe?

He prefers being able to have fun with Shuichi instead, he thinks. ]

Okie-dokie! I'll be around.

[ Y'know. Killing-game willing, anyway.

Not that he's too paranoid about that right now, because he's going to be holing himself up in his own room for a while, anyway.

He'll offer Shuichi a small wave before finally leaving the poor, sleep-deprived kid be and heading for the dormitory stairs that are nearby. Goodnight, sweet detective... ]

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