Chapter Text
Kokichi looked like hell.
Part of him found that analogy slightly amusing but he was too shattered to give a crap. It had been a few days since he slept properly and he was mad and pissed off at the world.
He grumbled as he drank a can of energy drink, trying to wake himself up for work. He didn't like having to drink it to be awake for his job, but anything beat the horrible, bitter taste of coffee. Besides, if he chugged the energy drink, that got rid of the hollow feeling since his heart would be beating super fast to make up for it. That was a win in his book.
Kokichi was still worried about Shuichi, but he was trying to double down on his hate and irritation. He didn't want to care, he wanted a kind lie instead. But every time he closed his eyes and saw that look of betrayal Shuichi had made, it made everything else that much harder.
Kokichi growled as he leaned by the tills, 'I love annoying people, but that look was different. I really hurt him… but I don't care! I'm heartless and don't care about demons!'
A family soon came to the till and the dad had to clear his throat before Kokichi realised where he was. He didn't care about the filthy look he gave him as he put everything through. The kid looked happy to be going home with their bear and Kokichi did his best to plaster the best customer service smile he could given his mood, "Have a wonderful day!"
As he finished the transaction and went back to moping, Sakura soon came over. She had a stern but mildly concerned look on her features, "Ouma-kun, you can't growl near guests."
Kokichi was about to snap back, but didn't want to get in trouble with his boss, so he sighed and bit his tongue, "Yeah, sorry."
Sakura looked at the clock then before nodding to herself, heading back to a different part of the store, presumably to restock some of the shelves.
An hour later, Kokichi closed and locked the doors, then went to sort out getting the store back in order for the next day. As he started, Sakura poked her head out from the staff room with a smile, "Ouma-kun, could you join me out back for a bit?"
Kokichi deflated then nodded, thinking he was about to get told off for his attitude. When he entered the back however, Sakura had a couple of chairs ready and a small cup with steam coming off it, "I made tea. Don't worry, you're not in trouble, I just wanted to talk."
The smaller man blinked before taking the cup and sitting down, slightly suspicious about what was going on. Sakura joined him and looked at her employee with a soft expression, "I've never seen you look so down. I thought I'd offer you an ear if you require it. I know I'm your boss so you don't have to disclose anything you're not comfortable with, but if there's anything I can do, be it accommodating you at work or just listening, I'd like to help. You're a good person Ouma-kun, and I know how hard you work even if you lie to me about it."
Kokichi was shocked, but wasn't entirely surprised. Sakura had always been perceptive, and knew plenty about mental discipline. He knew she helped run the Oogami dojo, but worked at Make-A-Ted to help raise money to help with the upkeep. Maybe she was just the person he needed to talk to. Talking with Maki or Kaito wouldn't work after all, especially since Maki would probably yell at him again. He needed someone who wouldn't be biassed. A neutral party.
He took a slow, deep breath then plastered on a fake smile as he gathered his thoughts, "I don't need you to mother me, Oogami-chan, but I suppose I can tell you some things since you really did try to be respectful there. Don't get used to this."
Sakura simply nodded as Kokichi took a small sip of his tea. The calming taste of peach made his smile more sincere. Sakura remembered he liked more fruity teas than green tea. She definitely was a boss that at least tried to help her workers, "I… I think I really hurt someone who I saw as a friend. They originally had ulterior motives to being my friend and I knew that, but after a while I think we both started to actually enjoy each other's company. But I got curious and went behind their back, to try and find out what they had been planning, and I genuinely hurt them."
Kokichi paused as he looked at Sakura who closed her eyes in thought, "I see. Well, it's fine to be curious, especially if this was someone you used to be wary of, but if you really do feel bad and want to mend the friendship, you're gonna have to find them and apologise, in person. If they're a good friend, they'll apologise too for their original ulterior motives. I know you of all people will be able to tell if they're lying."
The muscular woman then smiled softly, "I've gotten into arguments with my best friend too, but we do reconcile after some space. It's never easy, but it's worth it. It's human nature to let pride get in the way, but it's also human to not be perfect."
Kokichi took another sip of his tea and nodded. While Shuichi wasn't actually human, he knew what Sakura was trying to do. He needed to talk to the snake demon and find out more. He needed answers.
He soon gulped the rest of his tea down, "Thanks Oogami-chan. Now then, let's half arse this close so we can get going!"
Sakura sighed, "There you go, lying again. You must be in a better mood at least."
She took Kokichi's cup and smiled once more, "You ever need to talk though, don’t hesitate to let me know. I'll lend an ear."
Kokichi took the cup back then went to the sink to wash it, "Yeah, yeah, now come on. No slacking off!"
After a fairly good close, Kokichi walked back with some light now behind his eyes. Sure his problems weren't all magically fixed, but Sakura had used pure logic. He did need to actually talk to Shuichi about what happened.
'Now for the hard part though, actually finding where that snake slithered off too.' Kokichi pondered as he made his way back to the flat, 'I know he hasn't been watching me, I would have felt it. He's not great at sneaking about after all.'
However, as Kokichi entered the building and climbed up the stairs to his door, he noticed a flash of blue on his doormat. Kokichi's eyes widened as he saw a little blue snake with very faint writing waiting for him, their tail curled neatly and respectfully.
All the emotions went through Kokichi all at once. Joy he was back, sadness at what he did and anger for having given him a hard time sleeping.
But all he managed to do was run up as the snake lifted its head curiously, pointing to the doorknob. Kokichi quickly unlocked the door and went inside, the snake following behind. The second the door was closed, Shuichi shifted to his demon form, a dejected look on his face. Kokichi looked at those bright yellow eyes as Shuichi locked gazes with him and finally spoke.
"I'm sssorry. Ssorry for how I acted. It wass an overreaction on my part," The demon admitted, bowing his head in an apology.
Kokichi could tell he was being sincere and folded his arms across his chest, "Oh it was an overreaction."
Shuichi flinched slightly and looked at Kokichi once more. The human sighed then dropped his arms as he looked away, "But I'm at fault too. I shouldn't have gone behind your back."
The snake demon leaned up, "True, but I did the wrong thing first. I know it'ss sstrange for a demon to apologisse, but I've never been like mossst demonss anyway."
Kokichi saw Shuichi gulp before straightening up and looking at him in the eyes, his face turning serious as all the normal insecurities and anxiety seemed to disappear, "I won't lie to you, I do sstill need your sssoul, but I won't usse anymore backhanded trickss to get it. I don't exsspect you to trust me, becaussse who would trusst a demon trying to take their ssoul right? But… I ssstill enjoy sspending time with you. Demonss like me don't really have many friendsss, and desspite our ssituation, I do sssee you as a friend, so I won't abusse that trust."
Kokichi was shocked at what he was hearing before letting one small chuckle slip, "Wow, a demon calling me friend. Maybe Momota-chan was right, I must be a demon king."
Shuichi looked confused as Kokichi placed his hands on his hips, "I can't promise you I won't stop trying to find out the truth of why you need my soul specifically, but I too won't use underhanded tactics. Honest truth. I often say a kind lie is better than the ugly truth, but in this case I want to find the confusing truth."
The human took a step out of the entrance into the living room, past Shuichi, "This is obviously some big game of chess where I am one of the pieces being moved by some mastermind, but I refuse to just be a pawn in their sick game. You clearly don't want to be doing this and are just another pawn working under some pretty shitty demons. You are simply trying to not die, I can relate since I don't want to die also. So, I'll try and help you find some loopholes so you don't have to do this. It's a win-win for both of us. I've always screwed with the system even when I was a teen, so while this is demon stuff and I don't have a clue where to even start, I will come out on top. And, along the way, I'll get you out of your situation."
Kokichi flashed Shuichi a truly genuine grin, "Nishishi, You're not all bad after all, Saihara-chan. Whatever Maki-roll thinks about you I know isn't true. So why don't you stay here."
Shuichi looked legitimately confused, "Wait, you want me to keep ssstaying here even though my tail iss healed?"
"Yeah! Having a roommate isn't so bad, especially one that definitely isn't boring!" Kokichi declared as he stepped very close to Shuichi, his face morphing into a sly grin, "Besides, someone still owes me money after all. I'll help you with your human form, but once you get a job, half your earnings go into the upkeep of this apartment and bills. Do we have a deal?"
Kokichi offered the demon his hand. Shuichi couldn't help but laugh at that one, "A human making a deal and the demon having to agree to their termss? Normally it'ss the other way around."
The snake demon took Kokichi's hand and shook it, "You have my word."
Kokichi let out his signature laugh before suddenly giving the snake demon a huge hug. Kokichi didn't look up at his face, but could hear the small squeak he made and knew that Shuichi's face was probably bright red, "Still fun to mess with you, Nishishi."
Shuichi just covered his face with a clawed hand, "What have I gotten mysself into."
Kokichi let go then poked Shuichi's cheek, "Okay, snake form now. We're going to go celebrate and I need you to be small."
The demon looked very confused but complied with the request, becoming a blue racer snake again. Kokichi carefully picked him up with zero fear as he carefully lifted him up to his neck, "I need you to hide under my scarf. I'm gonna show you a human store and let you choose any apple you want."
Shuichi's eyes somehow lit up and the snake quickly went around Kokichi's neck, coiling softly. Kokichi did originally tense up a little as his scales brushed his neck, but he also had to hold back a small giggle due to how lightly Shuichi was moving. It was more ticklish than scary. Shuichi's coils were very loose so it didn't restrict his breathing at all.
He did still feel Shuichi's head poke out just under his chin and Kokichi smiled, "Make sure you don't stick out too much, especially when other humans are around."
He felt a small flick against his chin, which he assumed was Shuichi's tongue flicking against him as a way to answer his request to show he'd heard. Kokichi then opened the front door and headed back out.
As they walked he could feel Shuichi move around his neck now and then to just look at his surroundings. Whenever Kokichi walked past a person, he felt Shuichi duck. He had to stifle his giggles every time because it was just amusing.
They soon entered the supermarket where Kokichi went and grabbed a basket and headed straight to the fruits section. The second Shuichi saw the sign he tried to come out, making Kokichi have to softly tap his head, "Ah, no."
Soon they reached the apple section though. Shuichi started to wiggle happily, ticking Kokichi's neck slightly, but also poking back out again. Kokichi swore he saw Shuichi's eyes sparkle, and had to quickly cover him as he whisper yelled, "Saihara-chan!"
The human just sighed as he picked up an apple and held it up to his scarf, Shuichi slithering back into position, sniffing it. Shuichi then shook his head as he rejected the apple, headbutting it away as Kokichi laughed, "Not good enough? Okay."
Kokichi then picked up another apple and held it up. He waited a few seconds before having to quickly pull the apple away as Shuichi tried to swallow it whole, "Saihara-chan, please. Show restraint."
There was a small brief tug of war, but Shuichi lost as Kokichi quickly grabbed a few apples and put it into a bag before placing it in his basket.
He rolled his eyes but laughed, "My, usually you're very level headed and logical, but when apples enter the equation you go feral."
Shuichi covered his face with his tail before hiding back under the scarf in embarrassment. The human just laughed as he walked to a different section of the store, stopping to pick up a small sandbag before detouring to the pet section. He picked up a large pet dish and smiled, "Perfect."
Shuichi carefully poked his nose out and sniffed as he got curious. Kokichi just giggled as he held the bowl up, "It's a little surprise. You'll see when we get back."
He then took his little snake pal with him around to a few more sections as he bought himself some food and toilet items he needed before heading to the check out. Shuichi ducked down when he saw more humans and Kokichi just waited in line until he arrived at the front, quickly placed his items down and paid, doing his best to subtly show Shuichi what he had to do.
Kokichi bagged everything up and soon exited, waiting until no one was near him to speak, "And that's how you do grocery shopping, Saihara-chan."
He felt some movement as something flicked his neck, followed by some gentle nuzzles. Kokichi let out a small laugh and the nuzzles stopped, before coming back again. Kokichi laughed harder, "Hey, I'm ticklish."
Shuichi still kept doing it though, watching as Kokichi had to use all his mental fortitude to hold himself back from falling into hysterics.
As soon as they returned to the flat, Kokichi carefully unwrapped Shuichi from his neck and held him up, looking at the guilty party, "You're very naughty you are, but I suppose I have to forgive you. You demons are very tricky."
Shuichi just stuck his tongue out in reply before wiggling out of his hold and slithering down Kokichi’s body to the floor. As soon as he touched the carpet, he switched back to his demon form and stretched his arms, causing a few joints to crack, “Ssorry, I jussst got curiouss as ssoon ass you ssstarted laughing.”
Kokichi looked at Shuichi’s tail and sure enough he could see the faint writing that said, ‘Kokichi Ouma has a ticklish neck.’
It irked Kokichi to have a weakness of his proudly displayed for any demon to see, so he decided it was time for some payback. Kokichi lunged forward and went for Shuichi’s tummy. The snake was so caught off guard he didn't have time to react as Kokichi tickled the human looking stomach he had. Shuichi let out a huge laugh as he flopped onto the floor. Kokichi just went with him as he grinned, “You forget Saihara-chan, I’m naughty as well, Nishishi!”
Shuichi’s tail just waved erratically, trying not to knock things over in his attempt to slither away, but Kokichi just pinned him as best he could, still tickling the demon. Shuichi was laughing so hard he was struggling to breathe, “Okay, hahaha! I, hahaha, conccede!”
He kept tickling for a few seconds more, making a tiny note that Shuichi’s stomach was incredibly well toned from moving his tail, before stopping and pulling an apple out of his bag, “Okay, okay, here is a peace offering.”
Shuichi got his breath back and as soon as he saw the apple, his eyes dilated and he looked like the biggest dork, his slitted eyes making his whole eye look black. Like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. He took the apple and started to munch.
While Shuichi was distracted, Kokichi went to the tank in the corner and quietly set up the sand bath, putting the bowl in the corner away from his water bowl so he wouldn’t accidentally drink any sand particles.
Soon, Shuichi slithered over and looked at the item in confusion as Kokichi smiled, “It’s a little house warming gift! This is the only thing you don’t have to pay me back for.”
“What do I do with it?” The snake asked, tilting his head curiously.
Kokichi just beamed with joy, putting his arms behind his head, “You have a little crawl in it, you burrow, you do whatever you want.”
Scanning the item, Shuichi inspected it for a few more seconds before switching back to his snake form and slithering in. He flicked his tongue around the item before crawling into the sand. Kokichi giggled as the creature’s head completely disappeared, but he could still faintly see where he was going by the movement of the sand. After a minute or two, a head poked out with a little pile of sand resting in a heap on top.
Quickly reaching for his phone, Kokichi took a few pictures before Shuichi went back to burrowing. The plum haired male softly grinned to himself as he looked at the photos before leaning next to the tank, “You’re gonna have to work for my soul you know, I don't get tempted.”
Shuichi poked back out of the sand upon hearing that, another heap of sand on his head as he flicked his tongue and wiggled his head in curiosity at Kokichi. That only made him chortle slightly, “I told you already that the cute look won’t work on me, serpent boy.”
Shuichi just tilted his head so the sand fell off as he turned his attention to the water bowl, going to take a drink. Kokichi decided then to leave him alone as he went to put the rest of the groceries away.
After about an hour of playing with his new item, Shuichi finally emerged from the snake tank and reverted to his demon form, making sure not to spray sand around the room as he did. Kokichi just smirked as he paused the TV, “Finally back with reality?”
Shuichi knew it was just Kokichi teasing, and just smiled as he sat down next to him, “I love it! Thank you, I’ll take good care of it.”
Inspecting the carpet, Kokichi nodded, “That’s great, and if you do make a mess I expect you to clean it up. Any sand on the floor you better vacuum.”
Kokichi then folded his arms as he looked serious, “Tomorrow, your human training begins. We gotta get you walking on two legs and controlling that hiss of yours. Hissing slightly will be fine since some humans have a lisp, but we need to tone it down so you can work in human society.”
Shuichi couldn’t help but pout at that one, “I can’t control it, but I shall try my bessst. I will ssstill try and claim your ssoul too though.”
That made Kokichi pause for a second. Shuichi expected for Kokichi to continue since he was only mildly teasing but the sudden pause had Shuichi hesitating and looking at Kokichi curiously, “Hey, you okay?”
Kokichi seemed to be having an internal conflict for a moment but soon he piped up, looking Shuichi straight in the eyes, “Look, I have to ask, why do you want to make me a demon in particular?”
Shuichi blinked in bewilderment as Kokichi continued, “Even during our fight I was wondering this. Aren’t I already marked for Hell anyway? I’m not exactly a saint, so what do you need to claim my soul?”
Shuichi put a clawed hand to his chin as he mulled the thought over, “Hmmm, I don’t think you are? I don’t actually know. If I’m being completely transssparent with you, I can’t tell you everything, but what I can sssay iss that I jusst know that the Lord I sserve sssaid I have to be the one to claim it. Me ssspecifically. He made that cryssstal clear when I went to visssit him.”
“Huh...” Kokichi replied, looking up at the ceiling as he swung his feet, “Weird. But yeah, this soul isn’t going down easy! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get some rest for my sewing job tomorrow.”
Shuichi knew that was a lie, it wasn’t that late after all, so before Kokichi walked away he softly took his hand. He didn’t force him to stay but the touch made Kokichi freeze then sit back down. Shuichi waited for a second, contemplating his next words, before he continued, “I know thisss is confussssing to you and very sscary, ssso pleasse ask me anything you need to. I’ll do my bessst to answer in a way ssso neither of uss get into trouble. I know my word probably doesssn’t mean much, but I do want to help.”
The blank face on Kokichi’s features slowly turned into deep thought as he closed his eyes, “Then, being completely honest for once, what do you mean by not marked for Hell? Didn’t I do something to be damned and now I have to die? I mean, I’ve committed petty crimes, I’ve stolen, I’ve lied. I’ve hurt people. Aren’t I a despicable human? I’m evil and deserve all this?!”
Shuichi saw Kokichi’s breathing pick up as he started to ramble. He knew this feeling all too well as he saw Kokichi potentially having what looked like the start of a panic attack. Shuichi did what he knew helped him and slowly drew circles on Kokichi’s palm, as he put his tail over his legs so Kokichi had something to hold. Kokichi’s eyes went wide in surprise as Shuichi drew a picture of an apple in his palm, “That’sss not how it worksss, Ouma-kun,” he started, keeping his voice calm and collected, “Ssome humanss aren’t evil but ssstill go to Hell for a variety of reasssonss. Heaven can be a bit… picky… Sssometimes it hass to do with the ccircumssstancess of the death, assuming they are a revised sssoul. It’sss not bad person equalsss demon. That isss in mosst casses, but in casesss like thiss where a demon hasss to tempt sssomeone, it’sss to get a claim on the sssoul. It jussst meanss when you eat an apple that when you die you’re tied to me. The apple won’t kill you.”
He then released Kokichi’s hand, seeing that he’s gotten his breathing under control, “However, my applesss are addictive. If you were to eat three of them you would become my mind sslave and do anything I ordered you to do.”
Kokichi glared at Shuichi, pouting as he did, “You are not gaining the ability to mind control me.”
Shuichi couldn’t help but laugh as he removed his tail off Kokichi, “I promissse, I would never do that. I jusst need your sssoul. Oncce I have a claim on that, I’ll be all good.”
After a few seconds of silence Kokichi sighed as he brushed his hair out of his eyes, “I can’t say I’m still not curious why it has to be me specifically, but I’m happy with the info you’ve given me. You really were telling the truth before when you said you weren’t gonna use backhanded tricks. Mayhaps I can find some loop-holes too with this information.”
Shuichi laughed nervously, still unsure if he’d said too much, but all that disappeared when Kokichi gave him a hug. He was just happy Kokichi couldn’t see his face as his cheeks slowly tinted pink. He put his arms around Kokichi as the human smiled, “Stop worrying so much you lizard dork. It’s bad for your health. Plus, being tricked by me panicking? Pfff, I was obviously acting. You fell for a stupid lie once again, Nishishi.”
He just chuckled, not bothering to call Kokichi out on his lie, “Yeah, I am pretty gullible aren’t I? Now come on, let’sss continue watching that show you pausssed.”
Kokichi laughed as he pulled out of the hug, quickly explaining the anime show he’s been watching so Shuichi was up to speed.