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Shuichi couldn't help but punch the wall of his dorm. Chastising himself for being dumb, an idiot, and many other self-deprecating things. Why did he ask that? Why did he ask Keebo if he can feel love? He takes everything seriously. So of course he'd be offended that he asked. But his poor choice of words made it worse. Instead of asking if he could feel love, he should've asked if he liked anyone romantically. Then perhaps Keebo wouldn't have misinterpreted his words. Thinking that he was implying that he couldn't feel love as a robot.
He should've thought it through more, but his nervousness got the best of him. That, combined with his accidental robophobic comments from days prior, caused Keebo to become really angry. Accusing him of being robophobic the whole time. Shuichi wanted to say something, anything to correct the situation. But he was weak. So like a coward, he ran. Unable to keep Keebo's gaze. It just reminded him of that first case. The hate in the criminal's eyes as he was arrested. It didn't help that the last class trial was similar to that case. He just wished he could take back what he said to Keebo. With a choked sob, he curled up into a ball and cried.
The next two days were agony. Even with Maki's support, he's never felt so alone. Not only was Kaito mad, but so was Keebo. Both refusing to talk or look him in the eyes. It hurt, just like Kaede's death. He couldn't handle this anymore. He hasn't eaten or slept in the past two days. He's tried to act like his normal self, but he couldn't. It was like his life lost meaning. He was nothing but a weak detective that was only good at solving cases, and breaking his friends hearts. He couldn't take it anymore. Solving cases was easy, but he wasn't good at creating them. Plus, he doesn't want to get his friends killed.
Taking one last look at his dorm, he sighed and left. Leaving the dormitories and headed towards his research lab. On the way there, he heard a familiar voice. "You're wearing your hat?" It was Maki. Turning to her, he tried to act casual. "Yeah, I just felt like wearing it." He explained to her. Making sure to look her in the eyes. Maki's cold gaze searched his eyes, looking for something. It's a good thing he developed a bit of a poker face over the last few trials. "Well, alright. Where are you headed?" Maki asked. "Just to my research lab. There was something I wanna check." Shuichi said.
Maki stared for a moment before nodding. "I see. Well, I'll see you later." She said before walking away. Shuichi waved while internally sighing. Glad he was able to keep his "cool". So, he continued making his way to his research lab. Upon arriving there, he sighed and looked around the room. Maki said she got a bad feeling from it, but he found it comfortable in an odd way. Removing his hat, he grabbed the rope, letter, and his room key that layed underneath it. Putting his hat back on, he placed the letter and key on the table. With a sad smile, he tired the rope. A single tear falling down his cheek. "I'm sorry everyone..."
.
.
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"I'm sorry Kaede..."
At breakfast, Keebo watched the others eat. A hint of envy as he wished he could eat as well. But something was off, Shuichi wasn't here. While he was still a bit angry, he couldn't help but be worried. Yet, his inner voice is telling him to stay put in the dining hall. But he didn't want to stay. He wanted to go look for Shuichi. Still, he can't disobey his inner voice. So he tried a different approach. "Hey, has anyone seen Shuichi?" He asked. The remaining survivors shook their heads. "Last I saw him was yesterday. He was heading to his research lab." Maki explained to which Keebo nodded in response.
"I see. Do you think he was researching something?" He asked. "It's possible. He did say he wanted to check something." She said. "Then perhaps we should check on him. He seems like the type who would get caught up in researching through the night." Tsumugi suggested, to which everyone agreed. So, after breakfast, everyone walked upstairs to the Ultimate Detective lab. Keebo, however, had an uneasy feeling. Like something was wrong. Yet his inner voice was more curious. Some more concerned about Kaito due to his condition. But he dismissed them. Focusing on the task on hand.
Upon reaching the lab, Maki knocked on the door before waiting for a response. After a moment of silence, Tsumugi spoke up. "Shuichi, are you still in there?" She asked. Once again, silence. A bit of unease falling among the group. "Maybe he went back to his room?" Himiko suggested. "Well, may as well check inside." Kaito said before opening the door. But when the door opened, they froze. Shuichi...was hanging from the ceiling. His body lifeless as it hanged there. Keebo could feel his inner voice going crazy, but he couldn't hear any of their words. All he could hear was deathly silence. He didn't even hear the body discovery announcement.
If he had a heart, he was pretty sure it would've stopped. Shuichi...was gone? It couldn't be. He had to be dreaming, it was all a nightmare. But he knew it wasn't, he's not even sure if he could dream. The only "dream" he had was when he asked Shuichi if he could hold his hand. But he couldn't deny what was in front of him. Shuichi was dead, and they had to investigate. Even when Kokichi joined them, he didn't pay attention to any insults thrown his way. He still couldn't believe it, but the truth was before his eyes. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't.
If he knew this would happen, he would've apologized sooner. He wanted to take back his words he said to Shuichi. That he wasn't robophobic, that he was sorry for getting angry, that he...loved him. All at once, he became overwhelmed with regret, loneliness, misery, and despair. Of course, some immediately started suspecting Kokichi since he's been "missing". But Keebo is 100% sure it was a suicide. Nothing linked this to the gremlin. Still, Keebo was determined to prove it to everyone. So he investigated like never before, analyzing everything logically.
"Why is this letter blank?" Maki said as she held it up. The letter that was on the table was indeed blank. Which was odd. "Hm, must not be important." Kokichi said, which was ignored by everyone. But Keebo had an idea. Taking the key to Shuichi's room, he turned to Maki. "Maki, may I have that letter?" He asked politely. To which Maki nodded and handed it to him. "Thank you." He said. "What are you gonna do with it?" Kaito asks. "I've just got a feeling." Keebo says before leaving the lab. Leaving the others in confusion.
At the trial, it was a bit of a back and forth between blaming Kokichi, and Kokichi denying any involvement. To which nobody believed. Keebo tried to get everyone's attention, but the amount of yelling completely overshadowed his voice. It probably didn't help that he was pretty soft spoken. So, to get everyone's attention, he lit up his eyes. "Hey, that's too bright!" Himiko complained as she rubbed her eyes. "My apologies. I was trying to get everyone's attention." Keebo explained. "What is it?" Maki asked, looking ready to kill Kokichi. "I believe that Kokichi isn't the culprit." Keebo started, but was immediately interrupted.
"What are you talking about?! Of course Kokichi is the culprit!" Kaito exclaimed. "Oh, you're going to believe me? I could be lying~" Kokichi said in his usual playful voice. "No, you're not lying. And I have proof." Keebo said as he held up the blank letter. "How is that evidence?" Tsumugi asks. "Well, it may be blank, but if you use this..." Keebo said as he held up a flashlight. Turning it on and shining it on the paper, it revealed hidden numbers. "Is that a black light flashlight?" Kokichi said with childish excitement. "Yes. And the numbers were written with invisible ink." Keebo said
"But, what do numbers have to do with the case?" Himiko asked. "Well, it's actually written in binary code. Shuichi once told me he learned binary while working with his uncle. He taught me it as well, but it took a while to translate." Keebo explained. "So what does it say?" Kaito asked. Keebo took a breath before reading the whole thing.
"Kokichi isn't the culprit, no one killed me. I did it. I tried my best to remain strong, but I couldn't. After losing so many friends, and accidentally hurting others, I couldn't handle it anymore. It just became too much. No matter how much I wish I was strong, I know I never will be. I'll always be the timid detective afraid of revealing the truth. I know this will make me seem like a coward, but at least I could accept that part of me. I did want to fulfill Kaede's wish, I truly did. But now I'm passing that wish onto the rest of you. Make it out of here for the rest of us. So I know our deaths won't be in vain. I care for you all. You were all my dear friends." - Shuichi
As Keebo finished reading the letter, he could see the sadness in their eyes. And even though Kokichi was smiling, Keebo could see the tiny tear that he tried to hide. "So...it truly was a suicide." Himiko said quietly. "I had a feeling, but I didn't want to believe it." Kaito said quietly. Keebo could understand their feelings, he didn't want to believe it either. Perhaps that's why everyone was so quick to pin the blame on Kokichi. No one wanted it to be a suicide. And with the unpredictability of the killing game, it can be easy to conclude that it was faked. This must be what Shuichi felt.
Being afraid of facing the truth. Everyone likely knew it was a suicide, but they were afraid to face that truth. Wanting to deny it. But they couldn't any longer. After the votes, Monokuma ranted about how boring this trial was. Being so disappointed. And for once, Kokichi didn't agree.
As Keebo sat in his lab, he stared at the letter in his hands. He found it in Shuichi's room when he searched it. And it was addressed to him. It seemed different compared to the other letter. Opening it carefully, he read through it carefully.
"Dear Keebo,
I'm sure you're wondering why I wrote this letter for you. Well, the answer is that I'm not good with words. And I worried about hurting you more than I already have. I wanted to apologize for my question. I didn't mean to imply that I thought you were unable to feel love as a robot. I was just nervous about what I truly wanted to tell you. In truth, I love you Keebo. You're very kind, enthusiastic, and downright adorable. I enjoy your company, and I always feel bad whenever I accidentally make a robophobic comment. I'm also sure you can tell I'm quite passive. Rarely getting angry or violent. But whenever Kokichi or anyone else mentions that you are just an emotionless robot, I get very angry. I just wanted to scream and tell them they're wrong. It was a strange feeling. You're not an emotionless robot, you're much more than that. Just because you are made out of mechanical parts, doesn't make you any less human than the rest of us. I don't care if you're a robot or not, I love you just the way you are. In my eyes, you're beautiful. Just like the moon in the sky. While I may be gone, I'll be watching over you like the moon in the sky. I love you Keebo. You'll always be in my heart, even if you don't feel the same. Also, for that robot business, I think you'd make a great detective or lawyer." - Shuichi ♡
Keebo wanted to cry, but he couldn't. This letter overwhelmed his processor. He was happy, sad, touched, and many other things. Shuichi loved him, that's why he asked if he could feel love. Keebo felt like an idiot for assuming that he was being robophobic. Standing up, he walked to the window. Looking up at the moon, a strange warmth formed in his chest plate. But it was a nice warmth. "I love you too Shuichi. When I get out of here, I'll become a detective. But not for me, for you." Keebo whispered as he placed his hand on the window.
Bonus:
They weren't real. They were just fictional characters for entertainment? And he was the audience's camera? And those inner voices were just them making suggestions? Keebo honestly didn't know what to think. Everything was just a lie. And it seemed like Kokichi was somehow able to figure it out. Well, a talented liar can see through one. "But there is one thing neither I, the audience, or managers expected." Tsumugi said. "And what's that?" Maki asked quietly. Still looking lost after being told her memories and feelings were a lie. "That Shuichi and Keebo went off script." She said.
"Off script?" Himiko questioned. Keebo wanted to know too. "Yes. They were never scripted to fall in love with each other!" Tsumugi exclaimed with an unsettling smile. "Huh?!" Keebo froze. So, the feelings he and Shuichi had were genuine? That made Keebo a bit happy despite the situation. "Oh, the audience loved it! A love that ended in tragedy! It was so beautiful and perfect for ratings!" Tsumugi giggled.
'She's still toying with us. Shuichi, I promise to help everyone. Show the audience that we're not some fictional characters. That we're real. That the pain, happiness, and love we felt were real. I'll prove to them all that we're going to end these killing games once and for all! Please lend me your strength.' Keebo promised in his mind.