Vol. 1 Chapter 3 - Swimming in thoughts... and in the pool

It was 1 A.M., a time when most people would be asleep. But not Kokichi. This mischievous guy was deep in thought, his expression unusually serious. Despite his usual unfiltered speech and ever-present grin, he was truly pondering something important.

In his dorm, Kokichi stood before a board covered with notes and arrows, all pointing to a central word: "Something."

"Something, something... What is this something... Something," he muttered.

That morning, Kokichi had noted the impracticality of free items given the generous monthly points students received. He theorized that if such items existed, it could mean the monthly points might be as low as minimum wage. However, Kokichi concluded that the school wouldn't randomly change the monthly points; there had to be a basis for their system. So he spent an entire week thinking through about this... What he calls it, the 'Mystery-Solving' fun.

"Raaaaagh..." Kokichi groaned, grabbing his purple locks. It was a habit of his when he couldn't reach a conclusion, something he never showed anyone. Normally, he projected the image of a confident guy.

"I have a few theories, but that's all they are... theories. Man, I probably should've asked people what class they were from instead of playing on my console..." he muttered to himself.

Well, that explains why he took an entire week; he mostly procrastinated.

Kokichi did suspect a pattern in the graduation ceremony regarding the classes and made a mental note to ask students which class they were from. Confirming this pattern would have been immensely helpful, and he had even jotted it down as a sub-note on his board. But he decided to act a little lax instead.

"What if I ask my seniors?" Kokichi wondered aloud.

"Maybe they have something to tell. Or even the teachers? Though, I doubt Hoshinomiya-sensei would be serious or give me any answers," Kokichi mused. "The idea of asking seniors seems more promising, even if I might not get any answers."

He suddenly had another thought. "What if there's a deeper pattern?" He glanced at the sub-note on his board. "What if the seniors' classes follow the same pattern?"

He started adding more notes near the sub-note. Originally, the sub-note was a list numbered from 1 (the best) to 4 (the worst). Since he only knew his own class, he wrote "Class 1-B" in the number 2 spot. He planned to fill out the rest by asking other classes. And once he had data for the first years, he would continue with the second and third years. Only then would he be able to confirm his theory and identify the actual pattern.

Kokichi's face lit up with a gleeful smile. "Aaaand if I confirm this theory, and if it's just as I expected... I WOULD BE ABLE TO PERFECTLY PINPOINT THE BASIS OF THE MONTHLY POINTS! I WOULD DISCERN WHAT'S INFLUENCING THEM, YES!"

His exhaustion seemed to vanish abruptly as he experienced a moment of clarity. He began to consider that the class rankings might adhere to a specific pattern. For argument's sake, he assumed Class D represented the lowest tier and Class A the highest. By verifying this hypothesis through the standings of upperclassmen, he could map out how their class positions corresponded with their accrued monthly points. This alignment would suggest a correlation between their behavior at school and the points they accumulated. Ultimately, this would lead him to a significant conclusion: the conduct and performance of students within the school system were the principal determinants of their point totals.

But the excitement was short-lived. Kokichi's energy, drained from hours of intense thought, finally caught up with him. As the implications of his theory settled in his mind, he felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue. His head grew heavy, and his body felt as though it was giving out.

With a weary sigh, Kokichi slumped forward, his face resting against the board. The endless notes and diagrams, now a blur, seemed to mock him as he succumbed to exhaustion. In moments, he was sprawled out on the floor, the once-vibrant light in his eyes dimmed to a soft flicker of sleep.

As he lay there, cocooned in a tangle of purple locks and scattered notes, Kokichi drifted into a deep slumber, the mysteries of the monthly points temporarily forgotten in his well-earned rest.

The next morning, Kokichi surprisingly woke up on time. Or perhaps it wasn't so surprising, given his tendency to sleep less than most. As he groggily sat up, the events of the previous night came rushing back. He glanced around the dorm room, noting the disheveled state of the floor and the scattered notes that now seemed almost comical in their disarray.

Rubbing his eyes, Kokichi stretched and shook off the remnants of sleep. Despite the few hours of rest he had managed, his mind was already buzzing with renewed energy. The theories he had been working on the night before were still fresh in his thoughts, and he felt a renewed sense of determination.

With a yawn, Kokichi rose from the floor, tidied up his notes, and prepared to continue his investigation. Today, he would follow through with his plan—asking students about their classes, gathering data, and perhaps even approaching his seniors. The excitement of potentially uncovering the truth behind the monthly points spurred him on, his exhaustion now replaced by a vibrant enthusiasm.

Kokichi went out of his dorm and immediately noticed the lively chatter of students around him. Amidst the buzz, he spotted a small group of students who seemed particularly ecstatic.

"Man, today is the best day ever!"

"This school is the best!"

"I didn't even sleep last night!"

"Swimming class is today! I can't wait for it and the girls!"

Ah, so that's what it was—basic perverseness. Not surprising, but still impressive to admit out loud.

"Heeeeeeeey guyyyys!" Kokichi butted in, his voice cheerful and slightly mischievous. "I couldn't help but overhear your excitement. Swimming class, huh? Sounds like a loooooooooot of fun!"

The students turned to him, a mix of surprise and curiosity on their faces. Kokichi suddenly recognized them as the group of people who didn't even bother to listen in the graduation ceremony.

"Yeah! It's going to be awesome!" one of them replied enthusiastically. "We've been looking forward to it all week!"

"Totally!" another chimed in. "It's a great way to start the day. And the girls..."

Kokichi grinned. "Sounds like you all have a great day ahead. Can I ask which class you guys are from?"

The group exchanged glances before one of them spoke up. "We're from Class 1-D."

Kokichi nodded, making a mental note. "Thanks for the info! Enjoy your swimming class. I'll catch you later."

With that, Kokichi turned away, already thinking about how this new piece of information fit into his growing theory.

Kokichi entered the elevator, his thoughts interrupted when the doors slid open and Ichinose stepped in.

"Oh, Ouma-Kun, you're here too!" she said with a bright smile.

"Yeah, isn't this totally cool!" Kokichi replied with a forced enthusiasm that didn't quite reach his eyes. He hoped his tone would convey just how little he cared, but Ichinose seemed oblivious.

"Yeah! Also, haven't you heard? We'll be swimming today!"

"That's so coooool too!" Kokichi said, trying to match her excitement even though he actually dreaded swimming. The activity always left him exhausted, and his frail build didn't help his performance.

Ichinose looked curious and friendly. "So, how's your morning been so far?"

"Pretty great, actually," Kokichi lied smoothly. "Just been working on some exciting stuff, after all, I am the leader of a super evil secret organization. You know how it is."

"Oh, that's good to hear!" Ichinose responded cheerfully. "I hope it's not too stressful. It's important to balance work with some fun, right?"

"Absolutely!" Kokichi said, nodding vigorously.

As the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Ichinose gave him a warm smile. "Well, I hope you enjoy the swimming class!"

"Thanks, Ichinose-Chan!" Kokichi replied with a fake grin. As she exited, Kokichi let out a silent sigh. He was glad to escape the conversation, though he knew he had to face swimming later. He waited a few seconds for them to have a noticeable distance, and then followed her to class.

Timeskip

Apparently, Kokichi did not perform so greatly. In fact, he was probably the worst swimmer in his class. His lackluster performance did not go unnoticed, and the P.E. teacher, clearly unimpressed, asked him to take afternoon classes to improve his skills.

Now, in the afternoon session, Kokichi was alone in the pool with the teacher, trying his hardest to swim while maintaining his usual playful demeanor. He laughed and made sarcastic comments, aiming them at the increasingly irritated teacher.

"Come on, Mr. Instructor! Is that the best you got?" Kokichi shouted, floundering in the water but still managing to keep a grin on his face. "I thought you were supposed to teach, not just stand there looking angry!"

The teacher's patience was wearing thin. "Ouma, if you spent half as much time practicing as you do making jokes, you might actually improve," he snapped.

"But where's the fun in that?" Kokichi retorted, barely keeping himself afloat. "Besides, I thought we were here to have a good time! Lighten up a bit, will you?"

The teacher clenched his jaw, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "Ouma, this is serious. You need to learn how to swim properly. This isn't a game."

"Oh, come ooooooon! Where's your sense of humor?" Kokichi grinned, splashing water towards the edge of the pool. "You look like you could use a good laugh."

"Enough, Ouma!" the teacher barked. "If you don't start taking this seriously, you'll be here every afternoon for the rest of the term."

Kokichi sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. I'll try harder. But seriously, lighten up a little. Life's too short to be so grumpy! Nee-hee-hee!"

The teacher took a deep breath, clearly struggling to remain calm. "One more chance, Ouma. Focus and swim properly."

Kokichi nodded, trying to suppress a smirk.

Kokichi then turned his focus towards the teacher. "Hey, Sensei!"

"Ouma, what did I tell you—"

"I'm serious this time, Sensei." Kokichi swam up to the edge of the pool, got out, but left his legs in the water. His frail and lacking muscle stature made him look like a kid, especially with his height. He smirked with intent, clearly enjoying the interaction.

"I'm not up for games."

The teacher sighed, clearly skeptical. "Alright, what is it?"

"You see, earlier today, while I was being the best swimmer in class, you said, and I quote: 'You'll need this for summer.'"

"So? Swimming is a life-saving capability, you know?" the teacher replied, folding his arms.

Kokichi looked at his hand, as if inspecting it for something more interesting. "I won't deny that indeed. But you said specifically, 'for summer.'"

He then held his hands out, emphasizing his next point. "So... let's hypothetically say... that for summer, swimming will be important. But what does school consider important for students? Well, I would definitely know, and you too, Sensei. An exam, of course."

The teacher's expression hardened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he quickly masked it. "That's for you to find out."

Kokichi's smirk widened as he stood up. "Oh, come on, Sensei. Can't you give me a little hint?"

The teacher shook his head, unwavering. "No hints, Ouma. Focus on your swimming."

But Kokichi wasn't done yet. "Hmm, let's see. An exam that requires swimming... in the summer... It must be something big, right?" He feigned boredom, looking at his nails as if he was losing interest. "Like, a survival test or something? Or maybe... a competition?"

The teacher's eye twitched slightly. "Ouma, you really need to focus on your practice."

"Sure, sure," Kokichi said, waving a hand dismissively. "But you know, Sensei, it would be really helpful to know what kind of test we're preparing for. Maybe then I could take it more seriously."

The teacher exhaled sharply, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "Ouma, just get back in the water."

Kokichi leaned back, resting his elbows on the pool's edge. "Oh, I get it now. It's a secret because it's supposed to be a surprise. A big summer surprise that involves swimming. But don't worry, Sensei, I'll keep it under wraps. Your secret is safe with me."

With a final, exaggerated wink, Kokichi slipped back into the water, his mind already racing ahead.

After finishing the afternoon lessons, the coach finally let Kokichi go. Although his swimming skills were still lacking, they were now passable. He quickly put on his red blazer and headed outside, eager to escape the day's challenges.

To his surprise, he saw Honami Ichinose waiting for him with a concerned look. As he approached, she stepped forward.

"Oh, Ichinose-Chan!" Kokichi greeted with a mischievous grin. "What's the matter? Lost your way to the cafeteria? That's so saaaad..."

"I was actually worried about you," Honami said, her brow furrowed. "I heard you had to stay for extra swimming lessons. Are you okay? You seemed really tired."

Kokichi feigned a look of exaggerated concern. "Oh, me? Just a bit of extra training. I'm practically a pro now," he said, waving off her concern with a playful grin. "I must admit, the coach might have underestimated my swimming prowess. I was just... showing off my super awesome style, fitting for a leader of evil."

Ichinose looked at him skeptically, still smiling, but clearly not buying into his act. "Really? It seemed like you were having a tough time."

Kokichi shrugged dramatically. "Tough time? Pfft, just part of the grand performance. The coach was practically in tears from the sheer brilliance of my swimming technique."

Honami chuckled, though she still seemed concerned. "Okay, Ouma-Kun... But seriously, if you ever need to talk or need help with something, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here for you!" Her smile was warm, almost blinding in its sincerity.

Kokichi wondered to himself, "What's up with her? Stop being so nice, we don't know each other that well..." He pondered her motives, trying to figure out what she was really after.

Seeing an opportunity, Kokichi's smirk widened. "Oh, I might just take you up on that. After all, an awesome person like me can always use a bit of support. Want to grab a bite to eat together? I could use some company to celebrate my newfound aquatic skills."

Ichinose's expression softened, and she nodded. "Sure, let's go."

As they walked towards the cafeteria, Kokichi kept up his playful and exaggerated stories about his swimming "heroics," making sure to keep Ichinose engaged. He tried his best to make her uncomfortable with his over-the-top exaggerations and a touch of his signature insanity, but she remained unfazed and genuinely kind.

Kokichi's mind was already spinning with a new silly plan. If she was going to be this nice, he might as well take advantage of it. He subtly guided the conversation towards the topic of meals, hinting at the high cost of his "celebratory feast."

By the time they reached a café, Kokichi had managed to weave his requests into the conversation, making it clear that he would greatly appreciate if Ichinose could cover the cost of their meal. He kept his tone light and his smile wide, hoping her kindness would extend to paying for both meals. At the end, he was spilling crocodile tears, which apparently was too much for the girl's heart.