Yup! [He grins, leaning forward with his hands on his hips a little.] I mean, unless it's distracting you...? This is a lot of skin you're getting to see right now~
[She groans, putting both hands on his shoulders and pushing him back. It is kind of distracting, honestly!! Is he even wearing underwear under that weird strip??]
Let's just grab some tea and take it with us... I'll get it, don't worry.
[She's not taking no for an answer! Marching right up to the counter to place her order and waiting expectantly for Kokichi to do the same, hand poised on her earring to make sure she'll be able to pay before he can.]
Awww, but I'm the one who invited you on the date!
[Still, he follows after her, ordering something sickeningly sweet, with extra sugar, whipped cream, the works. If she's paying, why not treat himself?]
She fights back the urge to roll her eyes and just shrugs at Kokichi's choice. Do you really think she pays attention to how much things like this cost? She doesn't, at all. Really she and Shuichi should just have a joint bank account.]
[They're breaking in somewhere?! Her eyes go round with surprise and concern, and she only barely remembers to lower her voice to a hiss and not yell that out to the whole restaurant.]
Oma-kun...! You didn't tell me it was something illegal!!
Relaaaax Akamatsu-chan! This is nothing compared to the kind of heists I've already committed here. Like I said, you're with me. I won't let anything bad happen to you, and I didn't mean that just for the bdsm part. No one's gonna get caught or in trouble, we're just going to have a lot of fun!
[He's got you. Giving her a dazzling smile for reassurance, he grabs her drink and hands it to her when it's done, waiting on his to finish up.]
Please. Like anything will happen to me either. First of all, if anything happens to me, then that's breaking my promise because they'll blame you as well. Either viewing you as my partner in crime, or naming you as an accessory to it.
[He takes his own drink next, eyes lighting up at the whipped cream and syrup drizzled over the top of it, happily opening up a straw and slipping it into the sweet beverage. And then he faces her again.]
Second of all, you're talking to a master thief. If I told you about some of the heists I'd performed before, you wouldn't be worried about anything. Of course, I'd have to kill you if you knew about any of that, so I can't actually say anything, but you know how that goes~ Evil leader and all. Ready?
[I don't buy the "evil leader" part as much anymore...]
Alright, I'll trust you. Maybe it'll be fun!!
[Now she's extra-glad she changed out of that other outfit, because if they're really going to be sneaking around somewhere, it's better to dress normally, right? Then again, on this station... maybe Kokichi is the one who's dressed to blend in.]
Let's go!
[She takes a step toward the door, then realizes she still doesn't know exactly where they're going. You lead the way, Kokichi!]
[He takes the lead, stepping out and holding the door open for her. Once they're both outside, he takes a sip from his drink and heads to the right, expecting Kaede to follow.]
Just follow me, and don't question anything I do, alright? If I say you are something, that's what you are. Just play along, like you did before! It'll be easier this time, you won't have to say anything except maybe a hello or two.
[Definitely for better! Just you wait! The playing along part makes itself pretty obvious pretty quick. It's only a little ways down the road that they turn, as if to enter a large building, only to be stopped at the door by a security guard. He doesn't look especially suspicious of Kokichi, but Kaede gets a strange look. The leader fiddles with his earring, bringing up what looks like a hologram of an ID card. Supposedly his, as an employee of this company.]
Heeyyy Butch-chan, wild stuff going on in the dome, right? Just look at this outfit I got earlier! You don't think the higher ups will care if I wear it today, do you?
[The two make idle chat before the guard brings up Kaede, and Kokichi offers a natural, friendly smile, free hand moving to rest on her back.]
She's an intern! Don't worry, I've got the okay for this. She's here for IT stuff, she's a whiz with musical equipment. She doesn't have a badge yet but she'll have it by tomorrow, I just wanted to show her around early! Akamatsu-chan, why don't you introduce yourself?
[Does Kokichi work here...? No, there's no way he has a real job, right...? She hums uncertainly to herself and tries to make herself look as unobtrusive as possible. Maybe the guard will just forget about he-- Oh.]
[The guard seems to accept this easily enough, clearly trusting Kokichi and going to shake her hand before returning to his position.]
We won't soak up any more of your time, or ours! Nice chattin' with you today. Say hi to your wife for me, yeah?
[He waves, gesturing for Kaede to follow. The secretaries greet him by name as they enter and he treats him to the same courtesy, giving them just a quick, "she's an intern of mine," when they ask who his cute friend is. Janet and Alex give her a friendly hello without question, but don't take up their time like Butch as he continues leading the way to the elevators. Once inside, he hits the door close button, his confident demeanor slipping to something much more giddy. Like a kid on Christmas.]
Oh my god they totally bought it! I love how easy it is to fool people.
[Kaede gets a couple of gentle punches to the arm - nothing to hurt, but he's full of excited energy. Then he pulls a keycard out of his shirt, swiping it through a card reader on the elevator wall and hitting one of the higher numbers on the touchscreen floor selection.]
[It's still surprising, getting punched in the arm! And she's still wildly thrown off balance, even if it is surprisingly easy to just go along with Kokichi's lead. And kind of exciting, too, because it's not like they're hurting anyone with this deception!]
Y-yeah, it's kind of fun! But what are we doing here, you know I can't fix equipment for real...
W-wait, how do you know all these people, anyway?!
Oh don't worry, you're not here to fix equipment! The only equipment you need to worry about is your piano, I'll handle the rest.
[Meaning...there is equipment involved? But at that, he messes with his communicator, bringing up the hologram of his badge from before. It's extremely convincing, listing him as a manager.]
Well Akamatsu-chan, I've been pretending to be part of their company for two weeks or so! And on my "breaks" I'd spend time getting buddy buddy with them, so they wouldn't be suspicious of me when I eventually brought you along. They're convinced I'm a transfer from another company. As for what we're doing here, you'll find out soon enough!
[Very soon, as they're quickly approaching the floor he'd selected.]
Okay, this next part is the real sneaky part. Literally. There shouldn't be anyone on this floor, since the employees went out on a vacation to celebrate one of their latest successes, but we still need to make sure to be quiet. I don't actually have access to it, I just pilfered a keycard off someone yesterday. So just walk as quietly as you can and stay behind me, alright?
Two weeks... you've been planning this for a long time, huh?
[Whatever "this" is, that he needs her piano for. She's still not entirely sure what Kokichi would need to spend two weeks getting people at this company to trust him for... maybe her piano is needed for an unlock code to a door? It is a music company, after all. Maybe that's some weird futuristic space-lock.]
Huh? O-oh... okay. I'll try.
[Luckily her boots aren't heeled, and they don't make much more noise than sneakers would as she sticks close behind him, suddenly nervous. It's one thing to bluff past people, but now they're really going somewhere they're not supposed to go!!]
[Nothing like that, Kaede. He'd appreciate your imagination making him look way cooler than he actually is right now, but it's a much simpler answer. As promised, once the elevator stops and the doors open, he crouches low and starts sneaking out, sticking to the closest wall and listening carefully to their surroundings. When he reaches the first corner, he glances around it and just watches for a few beats.
If Kaede takes a look around, she'll notice the rooms ahead of them all have large windows, blocked off by shutters, and the doors have red lights above them. All off, of course, indicating that they really are the only ones up there.
He glances back a few times at Kaede to make sure she's with him, and after he's sure it's safe, he continues leading her forward. He skips the first couple rooms before stopping in front of one studio in the middle. Reaching into his top, he pulls out a set of thin needles - yeah he's just been keeping all these small things in there - and starts to pick the lock carefully. Soon enough they're able to slip in, the leader locking the door again behind them before turning around to face Kaede with a broad grin.]
Tell me what this room is. I bet you can figure out.
[If she's ever been to a recording studio, it should be easy enough to recognize, even if the equipment is certainly much farther ahead than what they've ever used.]
[This is absolutely a floor for recording music. She's almost afraid to hope as she follows along behind him; she's not quite as quiet as he is, but she's doing her best. Maybe it's just for radio shows and he just wants her there while he messes with them...? Surely he can't have told her to bring her piano so she could record music, right...?
Her eyes widen at the lockpicking tools, because what the heck he shouldn't have things like that!! Even when he lets her in and closes the door behind them, she's a little tentative to step forward, looking around as if expecting something to jump out from behind the equipment to startle her. Would Kokichi go this far for a simple prank? Probably.]
It's... a recording studio... is it really okay for us to be here, Oma-kun?
[In spite of herself, she takes a few more steps forward, eyes flicking over the equipment as if to evaluate it.]
Nope. [He pops the 'p' as he says it, grin still firmly in place. No, it's not okay, but that's not stopping him from pushing her further into the room.]
But it's ours for the whole day, since nobody's going to know we're here! It's sound proof, the door is locked, the shutters are down, and I'm not turning on the recording light. There's no reason to check since the employees are all gone. It's all ours, Akamatsu-chan! Come on, come on, go set up your piano! You'll only get to record a few songs if you drag your feet the whole time!
[It's not a prank, or if it is he is super super dedicated to it. He gestures one more time before moving to sit at the controls of all the machinery, turning things on as if he knows what he's doing. Maybe there was another reason he spent two weeks here...]
[Her jaw drops, and she just looks flabbergasted for a second as Kokichi starts setting things up. This is...!]
W-wait, so you're saying... you spent two weeks getting to know people here, figuring out how to break into a recording booth, all so... I could play piano?
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No! C'mon, let's go.
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Nishishi! [There's no fight as he's pushed back, Kokichi turning and leading the way out of bathroom and into the restaurant proper.]
Wanna get something to eat and drink for later? Or are you impatient and want to see the surprise sooner rather than later?
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[She's not taking no for an answer! Marching right up to the counter to place her order and waiting expectantly for Kokichi to do the same, hand poised on her earring to make sure she'll be able to pay before he can.]
Then you can show me the surprise.
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[Still, he follows after her, ordering something sickeningly sweet, with extra sugar, whipped cream, the works. If she's paying, why not treat himself?]
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She fights back the urge to roll her eyes and just shrugs at Kokichi's choice. Do you really think she pays attention to how much things like this cost? She doesn't, at all. Really she and Shuichi should just have a joint bank account.]
So it's in the business district, right...?
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[That's it! No other hints! So if you can't guess from that, you'll just have to wait and see when they get there.]
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[They're breaking in somewhere?! Her eyes go round with surprise and concern, and she only barely remembers to lower her voice to a hiss and not yell that out to the whole restaurant.]
Oma-kun...! You didn't tell me it was something illegal!!
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[He's got you. Giving her a dazzling smile for reassurance, he grabs her drink and hands it to her when it's done, waiting on his to finish up.]
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If you say so... Ah, but I don't want anything happening to you, either!
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[He takes his own drink next, eyes lighting up at the whipped cream and syrup drizzled over the top of it, happily opening up a straw and slipping it into the sweet beverage. And then he faces her again.]
Second of all, you're talking to a master thief. If I told you about some of the heists I'd performed before, you wouldn't be worried about anything. Of course, I'd have to kill you if you knew about any of that, so I can't actually say anything, but you know how that goes~ Evil leader and all. Ready?
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[I don't buy the "evil leader" part as much anymore...]
Alright, I'll trust you. Maybe it'll be fun!!
[Now she's extra-glad she changed out of that other outfit, because if they're really going to be sneaking around somewhere, it's better to dress normally, right? Then again, on this station... maybe Kokichi is the one who's dressed to blend in.]
Let's go!
[She takes a step toward the door, then realizes she still doesn't know exactly where they're going. You lead the way, Kokichi!]
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[He takes the lead, stepping out and holding the door open for her. Once they're both outside, he takes a sip from his drink and heads to the right, expecting Kaede to follow.]
Just follow me, and don't question anything I do, alright? If I say you are something, that's what you are. Just play along, like you did before! It'll be easier this time, you won't have to say anything except maybe a hello or two.
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[Just... play along. Okay, she can do this!! She's deciding to trust Kokichi, for better or worse.
Hopefully for better.]
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Heeyyy Butch-chan, wild stuff going on in the dome, right? Just look at this outfit I got earlier! You don't think the higher ups will care if I wear it today, do you?
[The two make idle chat before the guard brings up Kaede, and Kokichi offers a natural, friendly smile, free hand moving to rest on her back.]
She's an intern! Don't worry, I've got the okay for this. She's here for IT stuff, she's a whiz with musical equipment. She doesn't have a badge yet but she'll have it by tomorrow, I just wanted to show her around early! Akamatsu-chan, why don't you introduce yourself?
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O-oh! Um, that's me! Kaede Akamatsu, ace technician!
[She offers a bright smile and holds out her hand for a handshake, trying to draw on some of Kokichi's confidence to make a believable lie.]
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We won't soak up any more of your time, or ours! Nice chattin' with you today. Say hi to your wife for me, yeah?
[He waves, gesturing for Kaede to follow. The secretaries greet him by name as they enter and he treats him to the same courtesy, giving them just a quick, "she's an intern of mine," when they ask who his cute friend is. Janet and Alex give her a friendly hello without question, but don't take up their time like Butch as he continues leading the way to the elevators. Once inside, he hits the door close button, his confident demeanor slipping to something much more giddy. Like a kid on Christmas.]
Oh my god they totally bought it! I love how easy it is to fool people.
[Kaede gets a couple of gentle punches to the arm - nothing to hurt, but he's full of excited energy. Then he pulls a keycard out of his shirt, swiping it through a card reader on the elevator wall and hitting one of the higher numbers on the touchscreen floor selection.]
That was perfect, great job!
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[It's still surprising, getting punched in the arm! And she's still wildly thrown off balance, even if it is surprisingly easy to just go along with Kokichi's lead. And kind of exciting, too, because it's not like they're hurting anyone with this deception!]
Y-yeah, it's kind of fun! But what are we doing here, you know I can't fix equipment for real...
W-wait, how do you know all these people, anyway?!
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[Meaning...there is equipment involved? But at that, he messes with his communicator, bringing up the hologram of his badge from before. It's extremely convincing, listing him as a manager.]
Well Akamatsu-chan, I've been pretending to be part of their company for two weeks or so! And on my "breaks" I'd spend time getting buddy buddy with them, so they wouldn't be suspicious of me when I eventually brought you along. They're convinced I'm a transfer from another company. As for what we're doing here, you'll find out soon enough!
[Very soon, as they're quickly approaching the floor he'd selected.]
Okay, this next part is the real sneaky part. Literally. There shouldn't be anyone on this floor, since the employees went out on a vacation to celebrate one of their latest successes, but we still need to make sure to be quiet. I don't actually have access to it, I just pilfered a keycard off someone yesterday. So just walk as quietly as you can and stay behind me, alright?
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[Whatever "this" is, that he needs her piano for. She's still not entirely sure what Kokichi would need to spend two weeks getting people at this company to trust him for... maybe her piano is needed for an unlock code to a door? It is a music company, after all. Maybe that's some weird futuristic space-lock.]
Huh? O-oh... okay. I'll try.
[Luckily her boots aren't heeled, and they don't make much more noise than sneakers would as she sticks close behind him, suddenly nervous. It's one thing to bluff past people, but now they're really going somewhere they're not supposed to go!!]
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If Kaede takes a look around, she'll notice the rooms ahead of them all have large windows, blocked off by shutters, and the doors have red lights above them. All off, of course, indicating that they really are the only ones up there.
He glances back a few times at Kaede to make sure she's with him, and after he's sure it's safe, he continues leading her forward. He skips the first couple rooms before stopping in front of one studio in the middle. Reaching into his top, he pulls out a set of thin needles - yeah he's just been keeping all these small things in there - and starts to pick the lock carefully. Soon enough they're able to slip in, the leader locking the door again behind them before turning around to face Kaede with a broad grin.]
Tell me what this room is. I bet you can figure out.
[If she's ever been to a recording studio, it should be easy enough to recognize, even if the equipment is certainly much farther ahead than what they've ever used.]
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Her eyes widen at the lockpicking tools, because what the heck he shouldn't have things like that!! Even when he lets her in and closes the door behind them, she's a little tentative to step forward, looking around as if expecting something to jump out from behind the equipment to startle her. Would Kokichi go this far for a simple prank? Probably.]
It's... a recording studio... is it really okay for us to be here, Oma-kun?
[In spite of herself, she takes a few more steps forward, eyes flicking over the equipment as if to evaluate it.]
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But it's ours for the whole day, since nobody's going to know we're here! It's sound proof, the door is locked, the shutters are down, and I'm not turning on the recording light. There's no reason to check since the employees are all gone. It's all ours, Akamatsu-chan! Come on, come on, go set up your piano! You'll only get to record a few songs if you drag your feet the whole time!
[It's not a prank, or if it is he is super super dedicated to it. He gestures one more time before moving to sit at the controls of all the machinery, turning things on as if he knows what he's doing. Maybe there was another reason he spent two weeks here...]
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...Eh?!
[Her jaw drops, and she just looks flabbergasted for a second as Kokichi starts setting things up. This is...!]
W-wait, so you're saying... you spent two weeks getting to know people here, figuring out how to break into a recording booth, all so... I could play piano?
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Thank you, Oma-kun!!
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