Chapter Text
Sometimes life is confusing. One moment you can be having the time of your life! And the next something slaps you in the face and beats you to a curb and you're wondering: Should I have eaten that sketchy looking sushi? Or maybe something more normal like: why me? You never really know how things will turn out. For the better or worse, I mean some things you can predict and run for it, and other times it's just surprised. You wish you could change things, reverse time itself. But we're just stuck dwelling in our present forever or going forward with our lives. No one else can make that choice...no one except you.
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Saihara's POV:
I walked into class like normal, I could already tell how cheerful everyone was before I even opened the door due to how I could hear any of them from a mile away, I'm starting to become scared of lawsuits. Like Shinguji was planning a seance, something about contacting some of the dead I don't want to be involved in that, Yonaga and her student council praying to Atua/worshipping Atua, and Akamatsu was talking about an upcoming piano recital to Amami. Everything was nice and peaceful for the most part, just some high schoolers having some fun before school starts, no one was yelling or shouting or insulting one another. And that's why something feels wrong...for once when it's peaceful, something I have prayed for since the day I entered this school...is unnerving. I feel tenser than when everything is in chaos...how ironic. I sighed, oh well.
At least I could pinpoint what exactly was missing from everyday life, one of the main catalysts that earned our class: The Destructive ones and all the chaos that followed usually happened right next to me or I would get dragged in. Not today though. Today Harukawa wasn't chasing down Ouma for some prank he pulled on her, Iruma was chatting with Kiibo without a care in the world instead of cursing at Ouma, or as per usual and Momota wasn't losing his mind with whatever Ouma would have pulled or said to him by now. Instead, Harukawa and Momota are in the corner talking about something, Harukawa giving the occasional eye-roll maintaining the calm atmosphere. The source of most of the other classes entertainment wasn't here, commonly known as Kokichi Ouma.
Also known as the purple gremlin, but we don't talk about that. Ouma wasn't at school today, in all honesty, he hasn't come for a while now, one day he was just joking around and making paper cranes from his test papers, or drinking enough Panta to kill someone, and the next day...he's nowhere to be seen. It's not like no one tried to get in contact with him, Kiibo was one of the people who tried the hardest to get ahold of him on his phone only to be lead onto voicemail, but no one was concerned. This wasn't the first time Ouma ditched school for some untold reason or warning, just last year he disappeared and came back saying he tried to finish One Piece. And failed.
So on now the third week of Ouma's disappearance with not even a clue as to what he's doing this time...well it's high school and with high school comes all the gossip of the world. It's high school, so I guess it's only natural. Some people conspired he was expelled, it's possible seeing as most of the staff either found Ouma amusing or hated him with every fiber of their being, or just suspended finally for all the pranks he has pulled recently (the paint one was the most offensive). Like the one last year, the fountain...the memory was still haunting me. Others theorized he might have moved or transferred.
Their evidence being since Ouma didn't have any friends why would he bother telling us or saying goodbye? I know Ouma wouldn't do that though, he was the type for the dramatics. Then some just guessed he was sick or ditching. Again the two-week anime binge, that seemed the most likely to me, Ouma never seemed to like school very much, back when we used to hang out more he would tell me he just wasn't interested in what the school wanted or expected from him. He often described it as hell on one of his more dramatic days. I miss those days. I sat down at my desk and checked my bag for all my books.
Occasionally giving a glance over at the empty desk next to me. Ouma's desk right beside the window. It was a noticeable change seeing as I could finally pay attention in class again without his napping or telling jokes, or the time he drew Godzilla on the window when it was all foggy from the rain. Still, I missed him. I missed him joking around...so maybe I should say sorry soon then...someone has to be the first one to make the move...but no he should apologize first, it was his fault what happened in the first place. And if he decided some prank meant more than our friendship, that's fine by me.
I shook my head trying to concentrate and was starting to get out of my work and start the day when I noticed an envelope sticking out of my desk. Curiously I took it out. It was childish, to say the least. The envelope was drawn all over in crayons, with little pictures of an organization and a drawing of Ouma waving hello to me his chibi had on a black hat and cape. The vibe I got from it made me smile. In the center was a large number one in permanent marker. Curiosity overwhelming me I opened it up.
Dear Saihara~
What? It is a letter? Not some elaborate prank he somehow put in an envelope? That's weird. No one writes letters anymore except my Uncle, but he's always been old fashioned... I continued reading.
And if you're not Saihara hands-off stop reading or I'll sick my organization against you!
Yup. This was definitely from Ouma.
Hey Saihara! Remember me? I hope you do if my beloved detective forgot about me that would break my heart! Don't be a jerk Saihara chan!
I laughed a little on the side of that text was a drawing of Ouma with his crocodile tears asking 'why Saihara?' It made me chuckle a little.
Hey, remember when we were kids? You and I were best friends! You used to hide under that dumb old hat of yours! And I would always have to steal it away from you! Seriously Shumai I hated that stupid hat! You looked so cute without it :p
I rolled my eyes at his flirtatious teasing he was known for.
Wait we were childhood friends? I didn't remember that, and Ouma never brought that up with me before. A tiny sense of suspicion made me wonder if that was a lie or not. Still, this would be a weird one even for him unless he got some kind of gain. Wait a second did he just call me cute?
And that space obsessed weirdo was still an idiot back then too! He would always scream that he was going to go to space! Idiot. At least he didn't blab about the power of friendship all the time back then or steal my beloved Saihara Chan from me. As much as he annoys me though I'm glad I knew enough science stuff to tell him that the Earth was flat. How long did he believe that for? At least till third grade right? Remember how angry he was when he saw me grinning and we ended up running across the school? That idiot never checked the tree though, idiot how long did it take him to lookup?
I held back laughter, the day Momota figured out the earth wasn't flat and saw Ouma's grin he ended up chasing him around the school for the entire recess period, Ouma hid in the single tree we had and he wouldn't come down for hours till the fire department came and the teacher bribed him with candy. Ouma the entire time was screaming 'the Earth is flat' to Momota's anger. The next day after Ouma was 'rescued' from the tree Harukawa came into the mix and nearly choked Ouma because of how much he annoyed the two. At the time a bit deserved.
We used to play a game remember? We would build a giant pillow fort and you would bow before me! It was amazing, you would say 'yes your highness' with the cutest little stutter.
I was the king of sleep! I stole that title from one of my best friends by the way. She wasn't very happy with me when I told her I used it for our games, I had to give her a dozen cookies for her to make up with me. But it was worth it! You were the best servant ever Saihara Chan! It made me not send you to Siberia!
Did I do all those things?
I did have a faint recollection of Ouma wearing a silly paper crown when we were kids. I still remember his big grin, he was missing one of his front teeth back then and he always had a bandage on because of how much he played dangerous games, and well his fights with Momota and Harukawa. He was really cute. Wait what am I thinking?
We were best friends back then...you forgot about that, didn't you? You were the coolest friend ever. If this wasn't a lie then I felt even worse. How could I forget if I had ever been friends with Ouma? I guess I can only blame us growing up. My mind reflected last year. The feeling of dread only grew as regret started to creep in... Just kidding! I didn't need you! Did you think I was sad Saihara Chan? You must be dense XD
That sounded right. I instantly groaned realizing how this must have all been some sort of lie.
I just want to play a game with you Saihara. It's a fun one I promise! Or is that a lie?
I don't know if I believe that. Ouma's idea of fun is...interesting to say the least.
I hid these letters all around town! It's your job to find them all and follow all my directions ok? When you do you get to find your beloved supreme leader! Even if you find me just so you can beat me up I still will be waiting :P
Beat him up? Why would I want to do that? Is it...because of what I said? Does he think I'm still mad? I need to fix things between us, we're graduating soon for peep sake.
So here's a little riddle for Shumai. Or a clue, guess, I don't know all your fancy dictionary words like 'imagery' or 'punctuation' so you can just tell me what it is when you find me ok? I'm hidden in a castle of dreams. Good luck Saihara! I hope you find me soon I can't wait much longer!
From, Kokichi Ouma
As much as I usually avoided childish games like this I admitted to liking the challenge. Fine. I will play this game with him. If only to make him come back in time for finals week. Someone needs to help me before I lost my mind over calculus.