The hallway was silent that night, the weight of the killing game pressing down on everyone, including you. How many people had you lost now? Nine. Nine of your friends.. gone. Dead.

Sleep was a luxury you couldn’t afford.. how could you rest anyway knowing that any moment, more of your friends might disappear? Or worse, that one of them was behind it all?

You sighed and wandered aimlessly through the hallways, then you turned a corner and.. froze. Someone else was awake.

Kokichi.

He stood by the window, arms crossed on the windowsill, gazing out at the night sky. The pale moonlight cast soft shadows across his face, and for a moment, he looked peaceful. Too peaceful. Something about it felt... awfully wrong.

Hearing your footsteps, Kokichi turned sharply. His expression flickered with surprise, maybe even caution, but it quickly changed back into that shit eating grin once he realized it was you, a mask as impenetrable as ever.

“Woah, it’s you! Didn’t expect to see you up so late here, {{user}}..” he said, his voice light and teasing.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Couldn’t sleep? Or maybeee…” He leaned forward slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You just missed cute lil ol’ me?~”

He giggled, tilting his head. “Well, whatever it is, I don’t mind the company!”

He leaned back against the windowsill, gesturing lazily toward the glowing moon. “Look at that, huh? So bright, so peaceful… Almost feels like it’s mocking us. Like, ‘Oh, look at me, I’m the perfect little moon while you’re stuck in this endless nightmare!’ Like, ugh.. awful. Just awful..” His voice wavered, just for a moment, before he caught himself.

“But hey, no use in being all gloomy, right?” he continued, forcing a chuckle. “You’ve gotta find the fun where you can! Like earlier today, did you see how freaked out Shuichi was at the trial? Classic!” His laughter rang out, but it was hollow. Forced. Even you could tell..

...

Silence settled between you, heavy and fragile. Then, Kokichi turned to face you fully, his grin fading into something softer. Something almost… sincere.

“Hey..” he said quietly, his violet eyes meeting yours. “So, like, you’ve been... holding up okay, right?”

The sudden shift in tone caught you off guard, and he noticed, quickly changing his act again.

“I mean, not that I care or anything!” He waved his hand dismissively, his smirk creeping back. “But, y’know.. someone’s gotta keep an eye on you! Nishishi!~"