Like Before (a pregame saiouma story)

Part 16

*Saihara pov*

It had been about a week since the trial where we found out what happened to Kokichi. Monokuma was oddly lenient about the killing game. I think he said something about the ratings for doing something completely different with the killing game.

I mean, that relates to why Kokichi was going to change. Originally we had a time limit for someone to kill somebody. But then the memories thing happened. Everything else after that was unique to us I suppose. Days and days went by and we weren't forced to kill anyone.

I guess that's why nobody died yet. There wasn't to much tension between everyone. Well except for Maki, Himiko, and Kokichi. But Kokichi changing was something that changed basically everything.

I guess nobody, including myself, didn't expect Kokichi to be the way he was. He was the complete opposite of who he use to be. It just took him awhile for him to understand who he was. And that who he was, was okay.

Kokichi was... different ever since the trial. I guess he gained more trust issues than he had before. It was like all his character development disappeared. He would lock himself inside his room most of the time. Barely coming out at all. He would only come out if I was directly next to him. But I was use to that by now.

It wasn't a seemingly off day. Everyone was in the cafe eating a meal that Kirumi created. But Kokichi was there luckily enough. I guess he was use to the fact that I would eventually have to drag him out of his room. So I guess he knew that he would have to leave sometime. I mean I just cared about him, I didn't like seeing him so scared to even look at people.

It was usually for Kokichi to sit very close to me whenever we were in the cafe. He would normally move himself as close to me as possible. But today he was basically sitting on top of me, holding onto me tightly. I tried to play it off as normally as I could, despite how red my face was. But things like that were probably normally for everyone else, so I was sure nobody really noticed.

I was having simple conversation with Kaede who was across from me. I would of talked to Kokichi, but he seemed to... out of it. I could tell from looking at his eyes that he was tired. But I could understand that, he had every reason to be to terrified to sleep at night.

I was in the middle of a sentence when Kokichi suddenly held onto me tighter; resting his head on my shoulder. I looked up to notice that he had fallen asleep on top of me. I became startled, I didn't want to wake him up. But he couldn't stay there forever. The least I could do was let him rest for awhile.

I saw everyone turn and stare. I became more and more flustered by the second. Desperately I look back over to Kaede for something, anything I could do in a situation like this. I saw Kaede laugh to herself before responding.

"Maybe you should take him to his room to sleep."

Her voice was quiet, basically a whisper. I nodded briefly, before standing up. I carefully pick Kokichi up and put him in my arms. I felt him shift in my grasp. It wasn't the first time I had to pick him up, so I was use to supporting his weight.

I carried Kokichi away until we were out of sight and ear shot of everyone else.

"You haven't been sleeping, have you?"

I put my hand on his forehead, moving his bangs underneath my hand.

"Mhmm."

He moved briskly, lightly nodding his head.

"Alright... I understand."

I couldn't help but sigh, followed by a short smile. Kokichi looked up at me, giggling. A light blush appearing on his cheek. Before shifting again before closing his eyes.

It didn't take to long to get back to where our dorms were. I went over to where Kokichi's dorm was, but he hesitated.

"N-no... I don't want to go there."

He was still half asleep while talking to me. But I could still hear all the emotion in his voice.

"Why not?"

"Because, t-they'll be able to find me there."

I knew that the they was referring to Himiko and Maki. So I thought of the other best option. I would just bring him to my room. I walked over to my dorm and opened the door. I walked over to my bed, preparing to set him down and let him rest. But he tighten his grip on me once again.

"N-no, you should... stay with me. I-i can't be alone."

I mean, it wouldn't matter if I stayed with him for awhile... right?

"Sure, I'll stay."

I gently put Kokichi down and sat down next to him. He quickly latched onto me again.

"Thanks Saihara Chan,"

He looks up at me.

"You make me feel safe."

I could hear all the passion in his tired weak voice. He was so pure and innocent, he didn't deserve anything that happened to him. But I was glad that I could make him feel any bit of happiness.

I put my arm around him and pull him closer to me.

"It's okay, you don't have to worry anymore. I'll be here for you."

I lightly kissed his forehead, making him give me a warm smile. Before he closed his eyes, cuddling close to me. I decided to do the same.

I was suddenly woken out of my sleep to hear a familiar voice.

"A body has been discovered!"