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Kaito had done it, after much back and forth and trying to decide the absolute perfect moment he finally got the courage to ask his long-time friend and even longer-time crush Maki out on a date. And to his delighted surprise, she accepted, Kaito completely over the moon. Until Maki’s next sentence.
“So, where are we going?”
Kaito frowned, stroking his goatee as he tried to quickly think of a proper place for a first date. He was so focused on just getting to this part Kaito had no idea what to do next.
“Ummm, good question Maki-roll… I’ll be right back!” Kaito quickly said, dashing off as Maki shook her head.
“That idiot, of course, he didn’t have this all planned out,” still despite her supposed annoyance Maki couldn’t help but smile as she watched Kaito runoff. Likely to find Shuichi.
~~~
Kaito had taken Maki aside during lunch to confess his feeling for her outside, meaning Shuichi was back in Hope Peak’s cafeteria, eating his lunch with Kaede and Kokichi when Kaito scrambled back onto the scene.
“How’d it go?” Kaede asked, clasping her hands in excitement as Kaito stopped by their table. “Did she yes?”
“Yeah, but umm slight problem. I completely forgot to think of a date for us to even go on,” Katio admitted sheepishly, the entire table groaning in response.
“Classic Kaito,” Shuichi said with a sigh.
“Come on, please you guys gotta help me! Any ideas?” Kaito said, ready to beg for anything suitable so he could go back outside and tell Maki.
“Weeeelll, I’m gonna be working at a Haunted House this weekend, maybe you should take Maki there~” Koichi offered, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“A haunted house…” Kaito repeated, starting to sweat at the idea. “I um, I’m not so sure, seems kinda cheesy for a first date.”
“Oh, are you scared~” Kokichi teased with a grin. “I figured you wouldn’t be man enough.”
“I’m plenty man enough!” Kaito countered, his anger distracting him from his possible fear.
“Then you should take her there!”
“Fine, I will!” And with that Kaito stormed out, Kaede watching him go with a worried look in her eye.
“This sounds like it’s going to be a disaster,” she said, to which Shuichi shook his head.
“Nah, everything's going to be just fine,” he reassured her.
~~~
When Kaito returned to the outside Maki was still there waiting for him, standing under the cherry blossom tree with the petals falling around her. It was like a scene out of a romance book, perfect!
“Alright, I got everything set Maki-roll. We’re going to a haunted house this weekend!” Kaito said, standing there proudly as Maki stared at him.
“A haunted house? Are you sure about that, Kaito?”
“Yep! It’s gonna be a blast! Now let’s get back before we gotta head to class,” with that said Kaito grabbed Maki’s hand and rushed them back inside, not noticing Maki’s silent chuckle as he did.
~~~
With the weekend came the time for the date, Kaito almost bouncing with excitement as they waited in line to get their tickets. It was a chilly spring night, Kaito happily giving Maki his coat as they waited outside.
“Now remember Maki-roll if you ever get scared feel free to hold my hand,” Kaito said, giving her a wink to which Maki rolled her eyes.
“I’ll keep it in mind, the same goes for you.”
“Hah, me get scared? As if Kaito Mamota could ever get scared of just some cheesy haunted house!” Their tickets bought the two made their way to the entrance, Kaito gulping as he heard the fake ghost moans, jumping a bit when someone screamed.
“You sure you’d going to be ok?” Maki asked. “We can always just go get something to eat.”
“Nah, we’re already here, let’s go!” Stepping up first, Kaito plunged them both into the darkness.
~~~
From Maki’s perspective, the haunted house was extremely cheesy and predictable. She could guess when every actor was going to jump from behind a corner or from inside a closet, could very easily tell that the blood and gore were fake, and could tell from the smell it was likely made of strawberry syrup. No, she’d never be scared by such theatrics. But Kaito had insisted and she knew how Kaito got when his mind was set on something.
From Kaito’s perspective, however, the haunted house was absolutely terrifying. The most terrified he had been in his life! Every time an actor in costume jumped Kaito shrieked, clinging to Maki for dear life which she truly didn’t mind too much. Then all the gore and blood… Sure Maki reassured him it was fake and probably made of strawberry syrup, but how could she truly know that? Maybe some blood just smelled like strawberries! But still, Maki seemed to be having a good time and Kaito still had the lead to try and keep some semblance of manliness up. They were almost out, and once they were out they’d go get some dinner.
Just one last bit and…
Buzzing, a loud buzzing and rev could be heard, Kaito immediately grabbed Maki’s hand and gave it a squeeze out of terror.
“Whose there?” Kaito questioned, hearing a snickering laugh that almost sounded familiar except Kaito was too distracted by the sound coming closer and…
A ghost came screaming in holding a chainsaw!
“RUN!” Kaito shrieked, ready to bolt and drag Maki out of there, except she tugged at his arm, stopping Kaito in his tracks as she scoffed and approached the ghost. “MAKI NO!”
“Kaito…” Maki started, reaching out her free hand to tug the sheet off the small ghost. “It’s just Kokichi.”
“Kokichi’s a ghost!”
“Nishisi~” Kokichi laughed, Maki then moving to shut off his chainsaw.
“What are doing here?” Maki asked.
“I told Kaito I was working here, that’s how he got the idea, I’m the final scare~ I did a pretty good job huh!” Kokichi said, taking the sheet and placing it back on himself. “Now you lovebirds go shoo, I gotta get ready for the next set of people.”
Maki took the lead and tugged Kaito out of the haunted house, turning to him and crossing her arms. “You picked this place based on Kokichi’s suggestion? Knowing he’s working here?”
“Y-yeah,” Kaito admitted. “Probably not a good idea in hindsight.”
“I’ll say… but,” Maki said, giving Kaito’s hand a squeeze. “I had fun.”
“Really? Yes!” Pumping a fist, Kaito then took the lead, the couple walking hand in hand as they made their way to get something to eat. In Kaito’s mind, the date was perfect, and in Maki’s mind, the plan had gone off swimmingly.
~~~
The weekend was done and school back Maki waved to Shuichi as she entered their homeroom class, they usually were the first ones there and it was the perfect time for her to talk to him.
“How was the date?” Shuichi asked casually, Maki giving him a soft smile as she sat down at the desk in front of him.
“It was fine, we had a good time… Didn’t expect you’d use Kokichi to bait Kaito though.”
“Well you just asked for me to assure he’d hold your hand, and when Kokichi mentioned his new job the puzzle pieces just went into place.”
“So it did, thanks for your help Shuichi.”
“Anytime Maki, anytime. Just don’t know if I can help orchestrate your guys' first kiss.”
“I’ll handle that on my own,” Maki said, turning to face the board as she began to think just how she could pull that off without Kaito finding it. Maybe she could go to Kaede. For help this time.