They sighed, rubbing the back of their neck nervously. "I don't
knowww- I'm just scared of all of them, Niwa." Keiki admitted.
"Although I may seem so amazing and brilliant and brave-" They
flashed a quick grin, "I can't stand being with them. They could
kill me at any moment- they're not like us, Niwa. They don't
care."
"I hope they do care, though. Maybe they're not showing it..."
Niwa released a tough breath. "You're right, Keiki," he said
quietly. "As always. I'm- yes, we should eat. We can go together.
We'll protect each other from the horrible people out there."
People like Hisoka.
He hugged himself tighter.
"Pancakes. We'll get pancakes."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
Koda tilted her head the slightest amount, unsure if they saw a sad
waver in Suko's expression. "Um, don't murder." Koda paused.
"Pleeeeaaaaseee?" I don't actually want Hisoka dead; I just
dislike him. Does Suko feel the same way?
"I know," Suko murmured. "Don't curse anyone else." Their eyes
glazed over. The words were unfamiliar- they slipped off Suko's
rough voice and thudded to the ground, the usual float lost on
them.
It was not like Suko to be overdramatic.
Comedically, yes. But when sadness came, they-
"Femi blamed me for killing him, Koda."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"But you didn't." Koda sighed. "Kowai did. And you aren't Kowai."
Koda looked at her feet with a rather wounded look. Kowai..
Making someone feel bad over something that they never did. I never
expected that of her. Koda hissed under her breath. She's
gone now. Dead and gone.
"You lost her." Suko lifted their gaze briefly to meet hers, then
it fell down. "Because Femi and Amano died, you lost your Kowai.
And even now, you sit here comforting me- when I'm already dead.
With Femi and Kowai dead."
They trembled, clutching at their arms.
"I belong here. Ever since that day, I've belonged here."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
Koda whined slightly. She pressed her forehead into the palm of her
own hand and breathed deeply for a moment. "It's not your fault."
Koda repeated, firmer. "It's not." She mumbled.
"Koda, no!" Suko yelped. They caught her arms, and gently tugged
them away from her face. "It's okay. Suko doesn't blame you!" They
gave her a half-smile, eyes watering. "See? I don't blame Koda one
eensy bit! She did nothing wrong. She's not to blame for what-"
they faltered. "Kowai...did."
They crumbled a bit, pulling back from her.
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
Koda bit her lip, silent now. She again pressed her forehead into
her palm, sighing. "Yes. Kowai's fault." Koda growled. "Not yours."
Koda took her hand off her head, murmuring something about a
headache.
"Go to your room, then," Suko whispered. Their teary eyes never
left Koda's face. "Go. I won't follow you."
"You don't need to do that." Hisoka was standing in the doorway,
arms crossed across his chest. "No need to split up over one little
headache." He angled his chin slightly, pointing at Suko. Wad he
trying to tell Koda something?
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
Hisoka nodded, his piercing eyes an inpenetrable wall. They never
left Koda. "Well then. Shall we eat? After you undoubtedly make a
safe sandwich?" Hisoka smirked at Suko.
The tension shattered. Suko stuck out their tongue. "Pffft. Did you
really thibk my murder attempts would be so unsubtle?" Glancing at
Koda, they hissed loudly, "Don't tell him!"
"I heard that." Hisoka's smirk grew mischevious. "I suppose if no
holds are barred, I can use my 'special skills' on you, my good
foe."
Suko paled. "What do you mean?" Hisoka turned his back on them and
left the room. "Hey!" They whipped to Koda. "What does he
mean?"
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
The four settled in the cafeteria and into their usual patterns.
Suko was delightedly recounting some story from their childhood and
Hisoka was scoffing at it.
As Suko described the ventures of their childhood "bestie", Hisoka
met Koda's eyes.
Then he turned to Majikaruman. "How would you like to work on a
project with me this afternoon?"
Suko gasped. "A project? Dontchu mean a date-???!"
Hisoka's face became redder than his hair. "Of course not. Don't be
ridiculous."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature