Ouma's POV:

Bringing the scarf closer to my face I wandered through the streets, the bitter taste of the pills I swallowed still in my mouth.

Maybe I should get some panta...

Truth be told, I didn't know where I was really going. I didn't know why I had even got out of bed today. I don't know why I keep continuing to try and solve this case when the moment I find my findings...when I show what I know to him...

I'll just make him cry.

But...I held the crumbled up letter closer to my chest, there are things...there are people more important...

Dear Phantom Thief,

Must I admit I am quite disappointed by your lack of will to see your goons, I thought they meant something of value to you.

Of course if they really are just meat shields or tools to you, I apologize for this misunderstanding.

I'm feeling generous however, so I will provide you with a clue- for a price. Consider this my final offer and an incentive.

In one month all masks will drop.

In one month, if you fail to reveal yourself to me your friends will die.

I am awaiting our encounter.

Ace

Only a single month...and who knows if that means by next month today or the beginning of November...

DICE...

I held my head up high as I knocked on a familiar door, it clicked open hesitantly.

"No Miu that installment is- Ouma?" Kiibo asked shocked. I grinned and waved hello.

♤~♡~◇~♧

"Wow I didn't know you were coming today! I'm so glad you wanted to hang out- AH! Don't step on that- It's Miu's bondage invention..." Kiibo quickly called as I navigated the house.

Why is every house I go to a wreck? Mine is about to become spotless.

"So how are things with you? You and Saihara missed our reunion for the past few years, Momota seemed upset" Kiibo told me as he gestured for me to sit on the couch as he went to grab something from the next room.

"Obviously the two were too busy fucking up and down the halls~" Iruma joked from down the stairs.

"MIU!" Kiibo called out, he almost seemed like he was blushing...wait a second...

Kiibo came back with tea for me, since when could you blush?

"Huh? Oh Miu has been helping me to install more human features, like blushing, we're still working out crying because my system nearly was shotfired last time...wait...why are you using a notepad to talk?" He asked confused.

Damn- think of something...can I lie...?....No.

I developed a condition.

I told him hesitantly, "oh? Hope you get better soon!" He told me. I nodded in slight thanks, "hmm your text mentioned needing help with something?" He asked.

Yeah can you look at this and tell me what you think it is?

I pulled out a photo that had been included with the letter, showing some kind of club.

"WOAH- how did you get this?!" Kiibo asked shocked, "what does the rat have?!" Iruma called emerging from her lab covered in oil smears.

"He got the leak! Oh I have to call Akamatsu she's going to lose her mind!" Kiibo called excited as he ran to grab his phone.

I just sat completely confused.

"Shrimp dick, don't tell me you and Shyhara have never heard of this new band?" She asked.

A band?

"Yeah so this weird group emerged like a year ago, they got these weird masks like uh what's that American thing...oh! Mardi Gra! Mixed with that cheesy K-POP stuff. It's interesting" she told me.

"But their in person concerts are hidden with photos and randomly distributed leaks" she told me as she pointed to what I thought was a weird smudge on the photo.

"See that? That's a mark showing that's a confirmed location for the concert- DAMN I never got to see these punks live before! Thank you dwarf!" She called excited.

Wait...DICE...the prankster group DICE- THE PHANTOM THIEFS DICE...have been held captive...as a band?

....

And here I thought I was the weird one.

♤~♡~◇~♧

Saihara's POV:

"How was your day Ko?" I asked as I contemplated whether or not dinner was...well...edible.

It was very charred.
I nearly called the fire department.

He shrugged making a so and so gester as he also poked at his food with one of his chopsticks.

"So what did you make...it's a new recipe isn't it?" I asked hesitantly trying to-oh my Atua it moved....

'Sushi' he told me. I glanced at him and the plate as he still poked at it. "So...how do you feel about us ordering take out-"

Kokichi nodded eagerly as he grabbed our plate and tossed it out of the window taking a sigh of relief.

"Sorry Ko..." I told him regretfully, 'you just saved our lives don't be sorry' he told me smiling.

My heart rate dropped as I continued to smile contently.

I had learned what smiles were genuine..what have I done...?

I forced myself to focus on him as he headed to the kitchen and out our embarassingly long list of take out menus, he carried himself tall and proud like the old days.

He seemed stronger.
Then why...?

So let's hide from the truth instead~

Oh shoot my phone. I quickly picked up my phone only to see an unknown number on the screen as I answered the call, "hello?"

...

...

...

I dropped the phone as I couldn't help but sob my eyes out.