Chapter Text
“You are all incorrect! Kokichi Oma was *not* the blackened. The real killer who murdered Miu Iruma was Gonta Gokuhara, the Ultimate Entomologist.” The bear said in its sickeningly high pitched voice as it announced that the spotless had lost and were all going to die.
“N-no, I don’t believe it…Gonta would never-“ Kaito stammered in complete disbelief, he’d insisted the whole trial that Gonta was innocent and look where it led him. Kokichi had to hand it to him, the man stuck with his gut until the very end.
The ‘killing game busters’ plan had worked, Kokichi had successfully tricked everyone into thinking he was the killer, and now he and everyone else would be executed, leaving Gonta to handle the horrors of the outside world. Alone.
“Nishishi~ I told you all it was Gonta and you didn’t believe me, and now you’re all going to die like fools!” Kokichi grinned widely, menacingly, in a way he’d practiced many times to get it just right, determined to take his facade to the grave. “All according to plan, right Gonta?” Oma realised he was going to die in some horrible way, but it’s alright, at least this game would finally be over, he was planning on killing himself for the sake of ending the game anyway so he’d long prepared himself for death.
Didn’t stop him from being a little scared though…but like hell he would be dying without a smile, even if it was fake.
“Y-you little-“ Maki sneered, looking about ready to slam Kokichi into the nearest wall and choke the life out of him once and for all when Monokuma interrupted.
“As the spotless have failed to guess the correct blackened you will all be executed, *except for one person of the blackened’s choosing*.” Everybody all exchanged confused looks, since when was that a rule?
“When was it in the rules that blackened’s can select somebody to not be executed?” Shuichi spoke up, seemingly just as lost as everybody else - not even Oma knew that rule existed and he’d helped plan the murder!
“Oh yeah, I may or may not have had a little chat with Gonta and added in an extra motive in there to encourage him not to turn himself in, isn’t that right Gonta?” It made sense logistically, the trial would be no fun if the killer just admitted to their crimes out of guilt.
Gonta was dead silent, looking at his feet, a grim expression on his face; he clearly hated having done this, knowing his friends were gonna die but felt it’d be worth it for them not to feel the despair of seeing the outside world…yet a part of him couldn’t handle being entirely alone out there, especially when he felt too stupid to possibly aid in saving the destroyed world or even uncover how it all went wrong.
Kokichi was stunned, wasn’t the entire point of their plan a mercy kill? And now Gonta was going to spare someone!?
“Gonta you…you idiot! Weren’t we supposed to mercy kill them? Avoid them having to face the outside world!? Why didn’t you tell me?” He was enraged, he felt betrayed, Gonta didn’t only keep vital information from him but that information actively ruined what they were trying to accomplish.
“So, who’s it gonna be?” That damn bear chirped, asking the question so casually as if he was asking Gonta what was for dinner.
“Gonta chooses Kokichi.” He said bluntly and with no hesitation, as if he’d made the decision long before having been asked.
All Kokichi can ask is why him?! He could’ve saved Shuichi, Himiko, hell Kaito likely deserved it the most after he defended Gonta to the literal grave! So why him? All he’s thrown at Gonta are lies, taunts and bullshit? Before he could ponder on it further, Monokuma had already decided it was time to end this game once and for all.
“Alrighty then! With that settled, let’s give it everything we got, it’s punishment time!!” The bear cackled, the realisation that he was gonna have to watch his classmates be executed washing over Oma all at once. He looked around expecting hatred to be thrown his way but instead all he saw was fear, even the usually brave Kaito was reduced to stuttering to himself.
“N-no…” Oma had always expected Kaito to be the type with elaborate last words offering support to the others or even just a middle finger to Momokuma but in this moment how could he? They’d lost, there were no classmates to inspire and Monokuma was going to get the bloodshed he wanted. Had Gonta - and to an extent him - even won this killing game? Or by playing by its rules had whatever mastermind behind this succeeded in their plan for entertainment, sick thrills or whatever the fuck they wanted out of this?! The thought made his blood run cold.
As Kaito was dragged away, Oma couldn’t help but notice the horror in his eyes, it wasn’t a fear of death, but something deeper that cut into his very soul. Betrayal. Kokichi and him had clearly come from very different backgrounds, he’d told Kaito as such, and his had taught him that honesty and trust would do him good, so why had someone he believed in with his entire heart sentenced him to death?
In that moment, not only had Gonta betrayed him, but his very core beliefs had as well.
Kokichi wakes up with a start, gasping and eyes widening as he jolts upwards, the sun trickling its way in through the blinds as he groans.
This again? How many times is he gonna dream about that damn trial, it doesn’t even matter anymore, what’s done is done…
Good morning Kokichi - or more accurately - Kai Baker! Yep, after him and Gonta both graduated from the Ultimate academy Team Danganronpa was eager to scrub the 53rd season from all public memory as the ending was considered a total flop. All that building tension having amounted to an unsatisfying conclusion, them being quick to give them both fresh new identities and ship them off to another country, giving them both a sum of money and a cover story.
All this has led to where Kokichi is now, living in a one bedroom apartment - as Gonta insisted on it to save money - with ‘Arthur Alder’, yeah, ain’t no way he’s *ever* calling him that.
Kokichi decided to get off his ass and check his emails to see if any of the job applications he’d filled out had been accepted…
Rejected. Rejected. Rejected. Fuck off! He’s applied to hundreds of jobs yet *nothing* - Welcome to the job market buddy! While Gonta had quickly managed to score a job as a waiter and was saving up money for when their ‘prize funds’ ran out, the only thing the former supreme leader had managed to pile up were rejection letters.
Despite the fruitless nature of it all, Kokichi wastes his morning applying to 7 more future rejection letters before flopping down on his bed like a starfish and staring at the ceiling for a few minutes before looking at the time, 12pm. It’s gonna be ages until Gonta comes back from work.
Kokichi finds himself suffering from terminal boredom, wishing to be able to find anything to do besides sit around like a bum all day waiting for Gonta to return but with his luck it seems like he won’t be contributing any time soon, maybe it’s karma for being such an asshole during the killing game. Beginning to consider alternative ways to make money; they have nothing to sell, investing was too risky and Kokichi specialised in was pranks, schemes and petty crimes-
Wait, there’s an idea~
What if he just became a pickpocket? It killed two birds with one stone; getting extra money and a way to kill time before Gonta gets home. It might’ve been immoral and idiotic but good decisions aren’t really Oma’s specialty considering how he got here, are they?
Before he can consider the potential consequences of his actions, Oma puts on the most inconspicuous thing he can think of and hops on the bus to go to town, soon left wondering who’d be an easy target to steal a wallet of, he may be no stranger to stealing from large retailers but he’d never stolen from an individual before.
His head turns towards the crowd, most of the potential candidates either big enough that if they caught him there’s a chance he might not make it back to Gonta in one piece and those he could fight being literal children who not only would likely have fuck all on them but also…it’d just feel a bit *too* far.
That’s when Kokichi spots his perfect target, an old woman with her purse bulging out of her too-tight pocket, it was a surprise she hadn’t been pickpocketed already with how easy this was gonna be.
Kokichi weaves through the crowd until you’re right behind her and in a packed enough space people sort of melted together in a big human pile before snaking your hand over towards her pocket and grabbing the purse, stuffing it in his hoodie pocket quickly before soon weaving your way out of the crowd away from the scene of the crime.
Purse acquired! Now time to see if there’s anything actually in there, and to his shock he found £30.00 of cold hard cash.
“Hell yeah!” Kokichi muttered under his breath, not having felt this accomplished since before having moved in with Gonta. It’s not much money but a filthy crook like him will take it, Kokichi was tempted to use the credit card but knowing that’d only increase his chances of getting caught he decided he’d simply bring the purse to the apartment and find a way to dispose of it later.
There is one small issue however, Gonta. Telling him is objectively a bad idea, Kokichi doubting he’ll snitch but having a feeling he won’t exactly be happy either and will likely try to stop him from continuing such ungentlemanly activities which would be…less than ideal. Not like he needed to know, he could always just hide the wallet until there was an opportunity to get rid of it, preferably by burning it so nobody could discover it and trace the theft to him, deciding he’d think about that later as he headed on the bus home, eager to escape the consequences of his actions.
Kokichi sighs as he walks through the front door, wondering if this was how Gonta felt when coming home every day. Oma was honestly surprised Gonta managed to hold down a job as a waiter, not because he thought he was too stupid - even if he could be a bit of a dumbass at times - but because he had assumed his large size would’ve been troublesome. Y’know, he can be a bit shit at special awareness at the best of times, it’s a miracle he hasn’t knocked over a customer's food…or a small child, the very thought causing him to giggle.
“Nishishi~ oh the money I’d pay to see *that* happen, it’d be hilarious!” Kokichi giggles to himself as he goes to him and Gonta’s bedroom, looking for a suitable place to hide the wallet.
Leave it to Gonta to insist on getting a one bedroom apartment to save money then not allow Kokichi to sleep on the couch as it’s ‘ungentlemanly’, leaving them both to share a bed. Sure, he could kick the big guy to the couch but considering how tall Gonta was that was just asking for back problems. He wasn’t a total sadist, even if he wanted people to believe he was.
There is also a part of Kokichi that likes being wrapped in Gonta’s arms every night but he shoves that part of himself deep down, not wishing to acknowledge it.
After a few minutes of consideration, he decides to shove the wallet under the bed, not thinking Gonta would have any reason to go rummaging under there considering they’d not put anything there before. Kokchi puts the physical cash away with Gonta’s wages, doubting he’ll complain about - or even notice - an 30 extra quid there.
With nothing else left to occupy himself, Kokichi mindlessly scrolls on his phone for god knows how long on the couch until he hears the door handle jiggle, immediately perking up as he turned to see Gonta standing at the door with his moss green hair tied up in a messy ponytail and wearing his work uniform, having a tired smile on his face.
“Welcome home Gonta~!” He chirps, having not had any company all day, “anything exciting happen?” Kokichi asks, moving to turn towards Gonta, sitting cross-legged as his hands lightly tap against his knees.
“Not really…today was a bit busy but Gonta didn’t mind too much.” It was clear that as much as Gonta was grateful for the stability of having a job, he dearly missed taking care of bugs, exploring nature and taking in the simplicity of life without a killing game or job to distract him; unfortunately as much as Arthur had all of Gonta’s same high biology grades, he lacked the accomplishments attached to his name that would’ve allowed him to enter the field of entomology. Despite this however the man seemed weirdly content with the situation, seeming to enjoy a domestic life with Kokichi even if the circumstances that got them there were terrible, Oma almost envying how he managed to stay so optimistic.
Gonta took off his apron, undoing his ponytail as he moved closer to the smaller male. “How was Kokichi’s day? You remember to eat?” It only now occurred to Oma that he had forgotten to eat all day, what a silly goose. Between the killing game, the job struggle and general monotony of his new life, Kokichi found himself clinging to something he could control and that growl in his stomach was not only a decision of his own but a good way to save money too! So is it really that bad?
“Yeah, totally, why would I not have?” He lied, “geez Gonta you’re such a worrywart.”
The man puts his hands up in a placating manner, not wanting to feel like he was accusing his friend of anything, even if he was right. “Sorry! Gonta just worry sometimes, Gonta usually doesn’t see any food gone from the fridge when he comes home.”
Well he’s got him there.
“Whatever - all this talk of food is making me hungry - let’s make dinner!” Smooth change of subject, and way to prevent himself from getting cranky because god he’s hungry.
“Oh yes! What was Kokichi thinking?” Gonta smiles, having been easily fooled by Kokichi’s diversion, thinking that maybe he was eating afterall.
“Maybe pasta? I mean we did buy that jar of sauce.” Oma suggests, he’d been craving pasta and if he was gonna survive off one meal a day that meal better be filling enough he won’t wanna kill a man by noon the next day.
“Sounds good, we also have some tinned vegetables as well we could add.” Poor sweet Gonta trying to make a healthy suggestion. How dare he. Doesn’t he know the former supreme leader of evil won’t allow for his food to be poisoned like this!
“Hell no. It’ll make it grosssss!” Oma could only imagine what a pain it’d be to pick all the veg out of the pasta, knowing he’d definitely gag if he tried to eat those slimy things.
“Kokichi, you can’t just not eat any vegetables - they’re good for you!” Gonta cried, he knew Kokichi was picky but hadn’t lived with him long enough to know the full extent of it yet, left to his own devices he’d happily eat nothing but plain white rice and grape Panta but alas Gonta was here to prevent him from doing what he wanted.
“But they’re yucky!” Kokichi whines, at what point was Gonta essentially his dad? He not only provided all the money in the house but was now trying to coax him into eating healthy, the size difference between them both definitely not helping.
He *really* needs to get a job.
Gonta puts his hand to his chin, trying to come up with a compromise, remembering how he saw Kokichi eating a vegetable soup once, wondering if it was the texture that was the problem, his eyes lighting up as he came up with a solution.
“How about we blend them after they’re cooked and mix them into the sauce, you’ll barely be able to notice they’re there.” Kokichi considered it for a moment, he’d never tried something like that before but it was worth a shot, even just to give Gonta a sense of accomplishment.
“Fine. But if it’s terrible and I starve it’s all your fault~” Kokichi teased, grinning in an attempt to cover for the fact he was 18 and yet still couldn’t handle having a whole vegetable in his food.
He’s surprised Gonta still insists on having the same dinners at this point, maybe is it to save money? Oma sees no other reason he’d put up with his pickiness otherwise. He did come from a rich-ass traditional family though so maybe sitting together and sharing a meal is just normal to him.
Kokichi and Gonta both make some pasta, surprisingly for two inexperienced idiots they’ve never caused any fires. Yet.
Afterwards they both sit on the couch, eating the pasta and watching tv, it’s surprisingly really good, the sauce being nice and smooth with Kokichi unable to feel any gross chunks of peas or carrots that’d ruin the texture. Just the way he likes it.
“See, told you you’d like it.” Gonta smiled sweetly as he watched Kokichi eat, too sweetly. The kind of smile someone who spent their day robbing an old lady doesn’t deserve.
“Whatever, hunger is probably just making me desperate.” He says dismissively, planning to keep sweeping his fucked up relationship with food under the rug and just hope it gets better. It won’t.
The tv is mostly just background noise, with the two boys paying little attention to it, it just being some show about orange people doing whatever on an island. Typical reality tv bullshit.
Despite having not done much all day, Kokichi feels himself growing drowsy after an hour of sitting there, and it’s only 8:00pm! Dare he say the killing game was better - as horrible as it was - sure his life is no longer under threat but this apartment felt like a prison, he wanted to go out and do something, even if it was just a trip to a park, an arcade, hell even robbing an old lady was the most thrill he’d had since moving here! He liked being around Gonta more but things still felt so awkward from what happened, them having not really made much attempt to unpack it.
Kokichi leans his head onto Gonta’s shoulder, him immediately noticing the audible sigh that escaped Oma’s lips.
“Kokichi tired?” Gonta asks, wrapping his muscular arm around the boy's shoulder, sensing something was off.
“Nah, just bored, don’t really have shit to do.” Kokichi replies bluntly.
“Gonta knows Kokichi is upset about not being able to find a job but it’s alright, we’ll do just fine with Gonta’s income alone and Gonta’s sure you’ll find somewhere eventually.” He looks at Kokichi sympathetically, a little confused as to how an idiot like him scored a job while Kokichi - someone he knew to be incredibly intelligent despite his mischievous behaviour - was struggling. Must just be luck, he supposed.
“Easy for you to say - I’ve applied to hundreds of places and all of them rejected me! I mean who *wouldn’t* want me?” He had high grades but that might be the problem considering so many places rejected him for being ‘overqualified’, whatever that means…
“Hey, it may be hard now but it’ll get better okay?”
Kokichi grumbles, he gets Gonta is trying to help but those words are pretty shallow when he’s been rejected so many times, even resorting to pickpocketing just to feel like he’s contributed.
“Wanna go out to the balcony for a bit, even just to get some fresh air?” Gonta asks, sensing that his attempt at comfort wasn’t helping much.
“Sure I guess.” Oma replies, figuring it can’t exactly hurt. Better than this trashy tv anyways.
Gonta gets up to slide open the balcony door, the breeze making its way in as Kokichi trails behind him, their feet cool against the concrete as they lean against the railing. The autumn air is crisp, much colder than back in Japan, but neither Kokichi nor Gonta entirely mind as they listen to birds chirping and the faint hum of traffic.
“Do you still feel like this was the best choice?” Oma says suddenly, looking out into the vast, foggy sky that they’d only been able to view through a dome back in the academy.
“What was the best choice?” Gonta turns to Kokichi, the boy surprisingly unable to read whether the taller man was legitimately asking or just avoiding the question.
“y’know…choosing to save me instead of…literally anybody else.” Gonta visibly tensed at the question, his brow furrowing.
“Well, Gonta wishes he hadn’t killed Miu in the first place but once Monokuma told him about being able to save you, Gonta felt like he couldn’t just not choose you.” He sighs, warm breath leaving a small cloud in front of him. “We planned everything together, it’d be unfair for Gonta to just leave you to die after all that.”
“I suppose that makes sense, why did you choose to live with me though? I’m not exactly roommate material by most people’s standards.” Kokichi wasn’t stupid, he knew he was difficult, loud, annoying and worst of all a compulsive liar, all traits that people would often avoid at all cost, especially when thinking of someone to live with.
Gonta looks down, blush faintly tinting his cheeks, so subtle Kokichi couldn’t see it in the dim light.
“Because you’ll be the only person out here to ever know the real me.”
Full sentence in first person? Kokichi knew Gonta had to do that for his job but he’d usually switch back to third person when around him…he must be serious.
“Gonta’s coworkers are nice but he can’t be their friend, not when he’d have to be called a fake name and tell fake stories, Gonta has no idea how you do it. You make lying look so easy.” Ironically, Kokichi hadn’t had to lie about his identity much since he got out of the killing game outside the few job interviews he got as he hasn’t been interacting with enough people, honestly unsure if he’d even bother making friends considering how bad he was at it.
“Makes sense, you’re a naturally honest person, lying doesn’t suit you like it does me.” Sometimes Kokichi wonders if his original self before Team Danganronpa planted all those fake memories in his head was also a liar, or if his compulsive lying habit was artificially created.
Oma doubts he’ll ever know considering the Kokichi Oma he was before the killing game has pretty much been wiped from existence, only his physical body remaining under the name Kai Baker.
Despite the cold air hitting his skin, Kokichi still feels sleepy, to think he used to be an insomniac, it’s like Gonta spooning him cured it or something - unless he counts the frequent nightmares that interrupt him throughout the night.
“ughhh, how am I tired!? It’s not even late.” The smaller boy groans, resting his head in his arms, he feels like an old man going to bed this early!
“It is pretty late.” Gonta looks up, as if the sky were somehow telling him what time it was, the season might’ve caused it to get darker earlier but by no standards was this late.
“Maybe it is to you because you’re someone who wakes up at 6:00am and enjoys the morning like a total weirdo!” Kokichi exclaims before his face falters, voice softening with it. “Besides, it feels like I barely get to see you on weekdays cuz’ we go to bed so early…” Kokichi scratches at his arms lightly, refusing to look Gonta in the eye.
“Hey, don’t worry about it, don’t force yourself to stay awake for Gonta’s sake.” Gonta says as he opens his arms in offering of a hug, Kokichi hesitantly accepts, tucking his head under his roommate's chin.
“Gonta is worried though…is Kokichi *sure* he has been eating enough? Kokichi seems less energetic than he used to be.” For someone so clueless he was incredibly perceptive, it almost scared Kokichi with how easily Gonta could get a read on him, if he doubted his intelligence less Oma is sure he’d be called out on his lies a lot more than he is.
“Yes, I’m eating enough Gonta.” Kokichi says dismissively, like the big fat liar he is.
“If Kokichi says so…” He squeezes Kokichi a little tighter, as to say ‘Gonta knows you’re lying but will drop it until you feel like telling him’, Oma knowing Gonta has called his bluff but not really caring as long as his roommate shuts up and allows him to continue self-destructing.
“Let’s just go to bed.” Kokichi states, feeling as if this conversation has gotten too uncomfortable for his liking, he’s not a good liar when exhausted anyways.
“Alright.” Gonta says, holding onto Kokichi for a few more moments before finally letting go.
The duo brush their teeth together before getting changed and crawling into bed, Kokichi curling up and allowing Gonta to wrap his arms around him, it’s been so many months now that he no longer questions why he does it.
Perhaps he’s touch starved? Or maybe…
He knows deep down that it’s exactly what they both need.