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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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[ Listen, he's kind of got his own desperate edge going on here.

Ouma's heart feels like it's beating too hard and too fast, and he thinks that Shuichi really chose the wrong time to do this, but he's also not surprised they've arrived to this point. Ouma exhales, rough and long, clenching his hands tighter as he wills the buzzing in his head to settle down long enough for him to figure out how to deal with this.

-- And then he's going to release his grip on Shuichi's jacket, just so that he can make a grab for the collar of his oxford instead, intending to pull Shuichi's face closer to his to make Shuichi look at him. If Shuichi's gonna pull this, he can at least do that much, Ouma thinks. ]

Seriously? For a detective you can be so dumb...

[ Ouma starts, still sounding breathy but his tone is at least laced with something lower and more genuine -- and slightly irritated, but that's a given. ]

If I weren't serious...do you think I would've even let you do this...?

[ God, he's so hard, and everything is awful.

Still, he manages to be stubborn with this, as flustered as he is right now, yanking a little tighter with his grip to make A Point. ]

So...you better be serious too, Saihara-chan.

[ And seriously get him off. ]

[Shuichi looks a little like he'd like to crawl into a hole somewhere and die, even while pinning a dude down and kinda semi-intentionally edging him, so Ouma suddenly yanking at him like that is a bit of a shock to the system. It has the desired effect, though, Shuichi meeting Ouma's gaze with wide eyes if just for a moment before glancing away, and then back again like he can't decide how much he wants to cling to that avoidance. He settles somewhere in the middle, head angled down but looking up at Ouma through his long lashes.

Just...oh. Um.

There's a hell of a pause, Shuichi running through Ouma's words and his tone and expression and every other little detail at a rapid pace, uneasy and searching still for any hint of dishonesty but finding none. Just....fuck, there are still plenty of unanswered questions there -- why go for it in the first place if he wasn't sure if it was mutually serious and he actually cared about that? That does imply that he cares, right? -- but Shuichi is running into one big brick wall here, one that has him frozen in place awkwardly hunched over Ouma.]

...R-really? [Yes, he really is dense enough that despite all evidence and his own suspicions, he's still surprised and a little disbelieving.] So...I mean, by that you mean you...

[He trails off, mouth working soundlessly for a moment as he aims for extra clarity and falls short in his anxious awe. He is very pink right now. And...god, it's not even like he really knows how he feels, just that he does like spending time with Ouma and he wants to know more about him and he felt awful last night and early this morning, wading in the uncertainty and flippancy of what had seemed like a meaningless one-time thing. "Serious" probably wasn't the word he should have used, what if Ouma means something else by that, he should have...shit is he serious? By whatever definition of that they're using? Is it selfish to be holding off on figuring that out until he knows what's going on in Ouma's head?

There's a lot rushing through his head right now and, unfortunately, none of it is really conducive to remembering what he was doing and getting back to taking care of his poor tormented partner here. Sorry, Ouma, he really isn't trying to be awful right now, he's just a little overwhelmed.]

[ There's a loud, frustrated groan from Ouma, and he kind of wishes he could bury his face in something right now. If he had more of his bearings about him, he might try to push Shuichi over or something, but he's really in no position for that.

What is he supposed to say here? That he likes Shuichi? That he wants to fuck Shuichi? Both of those options in sincerity are just too embarrassing, and who knows how Shuichi would take it, anyway. He would like to think that Shuichi's finally getting it, but here he is with an orgasm denial when he just wanted to have fun with the boy he kind of really has a pathetic crush on right now. But this isn't fun...!! Why is he like this, why did he have to get interested in the overthinking boy with the complicated emotions. Goddamn.

He lets go of Shuichi's collar with a heavy sigh at this point, feeling almost boneless and still all too stimulated to keep up with his usual assertive way of dealing with things. ]

Saihara-chan, please just...pay attention to me...

[ Now it's his turn to sound desperate, but it's not like that's anything really new considering his status right now. ]

[There's a second or two where he's just surprised to be released and a little frustrated by the lack of an answer. But his brain catches up with his emotions a second later and, oh, right, he has been kinda leaving Ouma hanging here, huh...]

Ah...sorry...

[He hurriedly releases Ouma's wrist where's he's got it pinned. It's not like there's any point in ensuring Ouma follows the rules at this point. He's already gotten an answer, sort of. One he definitely wants more expansion on, but...this is probably pretty cruel, if Ouma's resorting to begging.

It shouldn't be embarrassing just getting back to it after just a few minutes, particularly with Ouma underneath him so far beyond any concept of shame, but give him a break. He was in The Zone before and broke out of it pretty abruptly. His hand sliding back over from Ouma's hip to his cock is tentative at first, but after a moment he shakes his head like it can shake off the frankly ridiculous hesitation and strokes him with some proper pressure.

And after a beat, he ducks down with shoulders hunched to press an apologetic kiss to Ouma's cheek. It's almost certainly not what's wanted right now, but it helps the faintest bit with his own guilt.]

[ Oh god. There's a wave of relief that washes over Ouma when he seems to have gotten Shuichi's attention back to the task at hand. It may not even be as good as before, but it doesn't really even matter to Ouma because he's already edging here. He moves his now freed hands to Shuichi's shoulders, settling them there as he rocks his hips again almost immediately in response with a shaky sigh.

He feels a shiver run up along the back of his neck again with the returned stimulation, and his body seems to respond to it all too warmly and all too openly. He's not even going to think about that mess Shuichi interrupted him for, nope -- or well, he's trying not to. Luckily, it's easy when Shuichi is actually stroking his dick again.

When he feels Shuichi's lips against his cheek though, it all slips back into his attention. Probably because the gesture is so gentle and considerate compared to everything up until now. It's embarrassing, but it's so Shuichi.

Ouma shifts one of his hands up to hold Shuichi's head in place as he turns his face just enough that he can catch Shuichi's lips with his own, initiating a proper, deeper kiss in its place. Because he wants one. ]

[He'd never thought a kiss alone could be so comforting, but it's so immensely soothing to his most immediate fears when Ouma kisses him like that despite everything. Surely he couldn't be too upset or hate him if he's doing that, right? Shuichi sighs through his nose, a bit of tension leaking out of his frame and loosening his movements, and he leans into it.

Getting back into the swing of his previous tactics is harder. That was fueled by such an objective purpose and right now he's not even sure what happens after this, no goal to focus on beyond actually getting Ouma off. It doesn't help that that slight sense of relief he'd love to latch onto and ride out is a lot more conducive to sweet, sappy gestures than the rough treatment Ouma seems to like most. Even knowing it's very much wanted, it's hard to reconcile that fact with the disparity between apologizing one moment and causing pain the next. He's just really not in the right headspace for that shit right now.

But he does try, his strokes becoming a little firmer and his free hand coming up to cup the side of Ouma's face and tug at whatever strands of hair are closest to his fingers. He doesn't know what happens next, if they'll be able to talk properly or if Ouma will flee immediately or get revenge or what, but he can at least try to finish this as best he can.]

[ At least it doesn't take much at this point for Ouma -- just that little extra thoroughness to his strokes, the added sensation of having his hair lightly pulled on -- it's really enough to get him back to where he was. His hips roll up with urgency, and his own fingers tangle in the back of Shuichi's hair as he tenses. There's kind of a pathetic moan, and he exhales loudly through his nose as he seemingly starts to break off from kissing Shuichi.

Although his lips only brush lower over Shuichi's, and he ends up biting down on Shuichi's lower lip and gripping the other's hair tighter as he comes hard, entire body shuddering against Shuichi's in the process as he brokenly whines in his throat.

Everything still feels way too hot as he rides out his orgasm, and his head is definitely going to take a second to clear -- still, he's pretty quick about releasing Shuichi and slumping back against the mattress, breathing heavily as he slowly begins the process of regaining himself.

Good god. Ironically, he thinks it was better this time -- so much more intense and so much more satisfying upon actually coming that he might've even somewhat appreciated it. Not that he's going to admit as much, and he's still kind of pissy. Maybe. Just give him a second, he's not fully here again just yet. ]

[Shuichi can't really see like this, but the sounds Ouma makes as he comes are pretty evocative on their own, as is the feeling of Ouma shuddering against him. It's almost dizzying, even without ever having been touched. That slight stab of pain as Ouma bites him and pulls on his hair cuts through it all in sharp contrast, at once distracting and also oddly grounding.

He can almost get why Ouma's so into that shit. Almost.

It's over too soon for him to really dwell much on any of it. Shuichi's left still on his knees on the bed over Ouma's debauched form, still fully dressed but for the jacket Ouma was tugging open, and mostly clear-headed if he doesn't let himself stare too much at Ouma all boneless and flushed and breathing heavily, or think too much about the fact that he is kinda half hard himself.]

...Better?

[There's a large part of him that wants to fuss more directly -- brush the long bangs out of Ouma's face, pull him close while he comes down from that high, hold him so he can't run off the moment he's recovered. But Shuichi's all too aware that he might have crossed a line while just doing as he pleased, and he's hesitant to push his luck.

So he keeps his hands to himself, awkwardly sitting back on his heels and trying not to think, lest he fuel the rising anxieties all wondering what now?]

[ Much better -- it feels as though all the tension in his body is gone now, and it's even hard for him to be as irritated as he was before, but. Of course he's not going to let Shuichi know any of this. Nope.

At least he feels comfortable enough to speak again, even if he's still marginally working on regulating his breathing again. Everything's coming back to him, and he blinks up at Shuichi almost lazily beneath his eyelashes for a few seconds before decidedly gathering some energy again. He moves his arm up to grab at Shuichi's jacket at the shoulder, probably half tugging it off when he tries pulling Shuichi down closer to him again -- he notices the awkward distance Shuichi is creating, and he's just not having that. ]

And to think...I was gonna be reeeally nice to you tonight...

[ He mutters the words thoughtfully, almost more to himself than Shuichi, but it's clear that he only bothered saying them so Shuichi can be left thinking about what that even means...

Ouma could bring his other hand up and just force it, but he's still feeling his post-orgasm languidness and kind of wants to boss Shuichi around anyway, so. ]

Kiss me again.

[Nice as that expression is, Shuichi can't tell at all what might be going through Ouma's head at this point. He has some theories, sure, but none of them are very optimistic. He half expects to get smacked or something, so he isn't surprised when Ouma grabs him but he does flinch a little.

But no punishment for his bullshit comes, just Ouma's soft voice and typically ambiguous words. Shuichi peeks at him through those thick, dark eyeslashes, seemingly teetering between nervous uncertainty and faint amusement.]

I don't think we have the same definition of "nice"...

[Just given how Ouma had been acting, how he went about things last night..."nice" to him probably meant something sexual. Which, admittedly, doesn't sound bad, just...even if something like that is good in its own way, it's not what he wanted, and he can't help but think Ouma would have never said anything at all along those lines if Shuichi hadn't pressed the issue.

Or. Y'know. Stroked the issue. Given the issue a hella handjob. Whatever.

But kissing is a good sign, probably. Shuichi goes a little pink, somehow looking a little surprised despite everything, but he nods a little.]

Ah...sure.

[And before last night, that same command would have had him blushing furiously and stammering in disbelief. That's growth right there.

It isn't smooth by any means, of course, but he props himself up on the arm Ouma hasn't caught with a hand set on the mattress on the other side of Ouma's head, boxing him in, and leans down to kiss him. He can't even begin to guess how Ouma wants it right now, deep or rough or what, so he keeps it soft and chaste, a welcome contrast (in his own opinion) from the direct, intense manner he'd kind of exhausted himself emotionally with.]

[ In his current state, the tamer way that Shuichi is kissing him is actually quite welcome -- although there's not much Ouma can think of off the top of his head in terms of Shuichi kissing him that he wouldn't be welcome to. Ouma tilts his head slightly into it, sighing in a satisfactory way through his nose as his hands heedlessly move to finish what he'd started earlier with undoing Shuichi's jacket.

Whenever he's finished that is when he'll break off from kissing Shuichi, pushing lightly against Shuichi's chest with the flat palm of one of his hands as he uses the other to tug the jacket itself more off Shuichi's shoulders again, making it pretty clear what he wants (and can't quite do himself with Shuichi boxing him in like this).

Ouma looks Shuichi directly in the eye before he speaks again, finally able to hold a completely even (and potentially stern) tone again, even if his voice is far from being loud right now. ]

Did you want to finish that conversation you started, too?

[It's really pretty clear what Ouma's going for here, and Shuichi's not sure what to make of that, but he complies easily enough, shifting to one arm and then the other to shrug the jacket off his arms. Even as act as innocent as just taking his blazer off, something he does every night when training with Kaito, feels weirdly intimate and indecent like this.

He doesn't want to pull away, though. This moment feels too dangerously transient, like Ouma might just take off on him the moment he's given the space to do so.]

Y-yeah.

[Is being asked that in the first place promising? Is Ouma going to turn around and deny him immediately? Who fucking knows at this point. He looks a little on edge even as he says it, a little hopeful but too wary of all the ways Ouma could jerk him around right now.]

[ It's pretty clear Ouma's getting his bearings back at this point, because he suddenly smiles brightly at Shuichi's response, his tone even carrying a certain level of energy in it again. ]

I'm fine with that!

[ Although some of that playfulness immediately dissipates when he follows up that statement: ]

But I'm only going to talk to you if you get on your back.

[ He's still sounding pretty carefree though for someone who just dealt with...all that mess... He's still smiling at Shuichi, anyway. ]

[Okay, that shit? That is the opposite of comforting, coming from Ouma. The cheerful, playful manner is his default mask and Shuichi very much doesn't like not knowing where Ouma might be going with this, unable to read anything in that beyond an ominous feeling that might just been his own paranoia.

He frowns slightly, visibly unsure.]

Promise?

[But he does sit up before even waiting for an answer, with only a brief moment of hesitation. Because he's a decent person and he wants to trust Ouma won't immediately go "just kidding!" and flee the room.

Please don't make him regret doing so.

Conscientiously, he picks up his jacket and sets it aside so it won't wrinkle beneath him, and he lays down besides Ouma. Not quite flat on his back, still just a little propped up so he can better see what Ouma's up to.]

Yeah, promise! I'm not lying about that, either.

[ Ouma assures, because there isn't anything here to be suspicious of clearly.

But it's whatever, because Shuichi is doing what he wanted, and Ouma will take the opportunity to roll over on top of Shuichi once he can, effectively changing their positions. It's kind of déjà vu, but Ouma will settle his weight onto his hands on either side of Shuichi's upper torso, using his knees to prop his lower half up as he adjusts himself comfortably over Shuichi while leaving space between them. ]

...Oh, but I'm going to do whatever I want while we're talking. That's fair, right?

[ Ouma asks, sitting up on his knees that are straddling Shuichi at this point enough that he can move his hands to start undoing the buttons on Shuichi's oxford, beginning with his collar. ]

[It's not entirely unexpected, but Shuichi still reddens as Ouma climbs on top of him, as if this is any more embarrassing and intimate than what he was doing not even ten minutes ago, or what they were doing last night. Ouma promised, and this is certainly a position with a lot of promise. Of what, exactly, Shuichi can't say, and he's not sure if he's going to like it or not.

But hey, he's getting what he asked for, isn't he? How can he complain?

He can only hold Oumams intense gaze for so long, though, and after a few moments his gaze drops to almost absently watch Ouma working at his shirt buttons. He doesn't even know what he should be doing with his own hands. Is he allowed to do anything? Tentatively, they lower to the outside of Ouma's knees, fingering the seams of his pants like he's half afraid he'll be smacked away or something.]

Y-yeah, that's...fair.

[He really can't argue that. It'd be hypocritical to even try, no matter how much that kind of tactic was necessary to get one of them talking and isn't for the other.]

[ Ouma's still working on Shuichi's shirt as Shuichi is apparently contemplating all this, and he doesn't do anything about Shuichi's hands on his knees, either. When he finishes unbuttoning Shuichi's shirt, he does decidedly brush his fingers down along the front of his newly bare chest -- it's brief though, and comes across more like he was examining or sampling something since he retracts them right after. ]

Sooo where did you want to start, Saihara-chan? I'll let you direct the conversation, at least...

[ He claims, his attention currently directed toward digging in his own pant pockets at this point, like he's searching for something. ]

[Shuichi shivers at the touch, however brief. He still can't begin to guess where this is going, especially when Ouma starts digging in his pockets for something. Uneasily, Shuichi twists his fingers in the fabric of Ouma's pants. He can't bring himself to make eye contact if he has to say this, not when he's already exposed like this. His gaze hovers somewhere between them, mostly on Ouma's hands as if faintly dreading whatever might come out of there.]

I just...needed to know if you were just fooling around or not. I don't think I could do this anymore if you were...

[It's probably something he should have been firm about before it ever became a thing. But in his defense, it was hardly something he expected to ever happen to him before what happened last night. He'd been too surprised and overwhelmed (and after a while, definitely not thinking straight) to think it through, and it was obviously too late to take a step back and establish any rules once they were done and Ouma was kicking him out like a shitty one-night stand.

God, it's emarrassing just thinking it, let alone saying it out loud. But he can't shy away from just the words after he literally had his hand on Ouma's dick. Shuichi swallows, trying to banish the feeling of dryness in his mouth, and forces himself to continue. At least one of them can be forthcoming and honest here.]

I told you that I hadn't...done anything like this before. I wasn't sure what to expect, or...or what I wanted. But I didn't like how things ended last night.

[Forthcoming and honest, even if it makes him kind of wants to just crawl under the bed and die.]

[ God, it's so jarring -- Shuichi is so hopelessly honest compared to him, and Ouma can't help but to pause in what he's doing for a second to blink down at him and his answer. Hearing that he didn't like how things ended, especially, seems to strike a chord with Ouma.

It's not like Ouma liked it himself, but he never expected a mutual feeling out of it or anything. If that's what this even is...he doesn't think Shuichi regrets it at this point, hopefully, but maybe Shuichi's looking for a reason not to regret it. Is that how this is? Ouma sort of thinks anyone should inherently regret interacting with him, but...he simultaneously wants Shuichi to keep interacting with him. A lot.

Ouma tilts his head at Shuichi, pulling out something in a smaller, personal bottle that seems custom designed to be discreet -- it says "Monokuma Silk" on it though, so take that as you will. ]

I mean, I'm definitely fooling around. There's a whooole different game going on, and I'm not even paying attention to it right now! All because I like Saihara-chan a little too much...

[ Ouma admits, waving the bottle in front of Shuichi's face. ]

I found this in that room last night, by the way.

[He's hopeful for a moment, that brief look of surprise that crosses Ouma's face maybe meaning so much. So of course, he deflates a little when Ouma decides to do his normal shit and beat around the bush, only half saying what Shuichi thinks he might actually mean here. For just a second, the disappointed expression on Shuichi's face overpowers the self-consciousness, and he can actually meet Ouma's eyes enough to direct that look his way.]

You know that's not what I mean.

[It's not that he thinks he can change Ouma. Or even that he should, really. Would Ouma even be the same person if you took away the lying and pranks and constant misdirection? Even suggesting he quit all of that seems wrong, somehow.

But even knowing all that, he still can't help but feel a little frustrated that Ouma has to give him a hard time about this, of all things. Hell, Shuichi probably would have just taken Ouma's claims of fooling around the worst way possible if it weren't so directly contradictory to what he'd say just a few minutes ago. Sure Ouma must know by now that his shitty self-esteem will override even logic where this matter is concerned?

Shuichi sighs, trying not to let himself be distracted by that little bottle or what he assumes it might be meant for.]

Don't say you're just messing around if you... [What? God, fuck, he doesn't even know how to say this. Sometimes he wishes he could be half as bold as Ouma.] ...if you mean something by it. I just...want to understand, okay?

Yeah?

[ Ouma questions, almost like he's starting to challenge Shuichi.

All of this is a very difficult subject to deal with, especially with any semblance of straightforwardness, which is why Ouma's glad he decided to do so while multitasking. Ouma pops the cap open on the bottle while he continues talking, pouring viscous liquid directly onto his fingers. ]

And what are you gonna do once you fully understand? Once you get it? ...Do you see where I'm coming from?

[ Their relationship has been so much of Shuichi striving to figure him out, to dig into what he's really trying to say -- it's almost uncomfortable to think about whether or not Shuichi would lose interest if he got the answers he's looking for.

Is Shuichi serious? Ouma doesn't know that, either. He wants him to be, but the line between clinical and emotional interest is somewhat obscure. ]

[Shuichi thinks he maybe sees. But only maybe, because what he's picking up from that sounds too lonely, too distrusting. Not that Ouma doesn't have crazy trust issues as far as he can tell, just...

He frowns, eyebrows puling together as he looks up at Ouma with something like incredulous worry.]

What are you afraid I'd do?

[Frustrated, he gives a little tug at Ouma's pantlegs and shakes his head, dropping it back against the mattress with a hard exhale like he's trying to keep his cool here. The look he shoots the little bottle in Ouma's hand is almost resentful.]

I don't get it. Because you won't let me. I'm trying to, but you just...you're trying to distract me, right? You'll fool around with me but you won't talk to me? How am I supposed to take that?

[ As easy as it is to spin Shuichi's words around and spin his own words around and keep things vague, keep things distracted, or even lie about the situation in general, it's hard for Ouma to deal with Shuichi practically imploring him for something substantial here. It causes Ouma's heartrate to pick up slightly, just because this is something that's particularly uneasy and awkward for him -- something he tries to avoid, considering appearing uneasy or awkward isn't exactly a depiction of himself he enjoys putting out there.

Ouma exhales slowly, actually pausing in whatever he's doing at this point, slumping back slightly on his knees as he regards Shuichi with a bit of fatigue in his expression, like he's recalled something unpleasant. A few seconds that seem far longer than they actually are pass by as he considers his words, and his voice is completely even and serious when he ends up responding: ]

...Ditch me.

[ Whether he's answering the first question or the last question, it's unclear -- maybe it's purposefully like that, up to Shuichi's interpretation. ]

Ouma-kun...

[For a moment Shuichi just blinks up at him, stunned to get a real answer and unable to find any satisfaction in it. Not when Ouma looks and sounds so defeated, tired and assuming the worst to an extent usually only Shuichi himself manages.

But after that moment he sits up as best he can, using one arm to support himself. It's kind of against the rules Ouma's laid down, but he's not displacing Ouma from his spot so maybe it's only half-cheating? But he'll take that risk right now. He needs to communicate this as clearly as possible -- he owes Ouma that much in exchange for his honesty. And he can't do that laying passively on his back.

Heedless of the liquid Ouma's poured over his fingers, Shuichi catches that hand with his own free hand and leans in as much as he can, making sure to catch and hold Ouma's gaze. This isn't the time for shyness or hesitation.]

I'm not going to abandon you, no matter what I learn about you.

[That much should be believeable, shouldn't it? He's still friends with Maki. He didn't hate Kaede or Kirumi for what they'd done, no matter how much he disagreed with it. He grips Ouma's hand tight, grimacing only slightly at the slickness that had his fingers almost slipping entirely out of place.]

I don't really...know how I feel yet. [He does color a little to say it, maybe embarassment or maybe shame over his own indecisiveness when he wishes he could give Ouma an immediate comforting truth. But...] And I don't want to say anything I don't mean with absolute certainty. I don't want to risk lying to you about something like this, even by accident. But I can't figure anything out if you won't let me be your friend first.

[ Ouma might've pointed it out if he weren't so immediately stunned by what Shuichi does next. He looks surprised as Shuichi takes his hand (especially with what's on it -- really, Shuichi...), and his face feels a little warmer at the gesture coming out of left field for him. Ouma simultaneously wants to avoid Shuichi's gaze as much as he doesn't -- but a feeling like he might just miss something if he does in combination with how serious Shuichi is right now keeps him fixated.

He doesn't even know how to process Shuichi's words for a good silent few seconds -- at least, until he does, and he smiles a bit sardonically. ]

I'd totally catch it if you lied to me, anyway... 'Cause you suck at it.

[ It's only for a moment, but Ouma squeezes back at Shuichi's hand faintly before straightening himself, his smile becoming more distinct and a little more pep returning to his tone when he speaks again. ]

...But yeah! I wanna be friends with Saihara-chan.

[ Despite everything they've been doing together coupled with Shuichi's multiple attempts here to reach out to Ouma on some more genuine level, it's hard for Ouma to believe anyone would be legitimately interested in making friends with him in return. Of course Ouma's interested -- so is this Shuichi saying they can be friends?? Maybe?? Are there conditions to this?? Ouma's thinking a bit too hard about everything Shuichi's just said now. ]

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