closed ✯ you know who this is for.

[uncapped]

[ Death was not a new concept to the person known as the Super High School Level Detective. The idea of being dead wasn't either, given the fact that he had a "memory" - he knew better now that the truth was revealed about the Flashback Lights - of telling himself that he wanted to die; a feeling that now made him sick to his stomach. But never in his dreams did he think that not only would death come to him swiftly, it would also give him a reward for dying, too.

"You are now a god," they told him. "Go and find your vessel."

That raised many questions as a skeptic of the occult. Hell, he didn't exactly believe in Atua, either. He was of course warned that once he found the vessel, he'd be able to see their memories, their life stories. He would also have to give them a name; one different from the name that they had while they were alive.

The idea that he would be able to see every last bit of their life made his skin crawl. It was intruding on something that he dared not tread, an impolite gesture. Even if he knew that if he retorted with that, they would just simply argue that a god had the right. After all, they were a god.

He doesn't know what to expect for a vessel. Honestly, Saihara thinks that perhaps the first spirit he'll find is one that is unfamiliar to him.

But naturally, he doesn't have the luck as his eyes find a familiar face. One whose expression he hadn't seen in what feels like ages. It's not like the wax model of her that Angie made and Shinguji stabbed to create a locked room murder. There's something about her that's full of life - in a way, given that she was dead, that she was a spirit - but then he suddenly freezes up.

Because he knows that if she's a wandering spirit like this, she won't recall a single thing. Not about the Killing Life in that school, Monokuma, or even him. The idea twists in his chest to the point where it's almost painful. But if she is a roaming spirit, he has to get to her before anybody - or anything - does, so he starts to run, his feet moving faster with each step he takes.

Eventually, he reaches her -- he's slightly out of breath, but it's not enough to slow him down too much. He's done evening training just for this, he supposes. The idea of seeing her again makes his mind reel, but at the same time, he tells himself that it's probably for the best that he pretends that he doesn't know her. To play the role of a stranger, instead of a former friend.

He knows who she is. And who she decided to become. ]

Ah, excuse me...

[ The words are tight in his throat, but he manages to speak irregardless. It hurts so much just to even form words for her. This was not the way they were supposed to meet again. In fact, they shouldn't have met a second time at all. Not after she died. Even if he wished for it so much, from the bottom of his heart.

But he knew full well that the dead could not be resurrected. In a way, this is confirming his thoughts. ]

You're on your own, aren't you?

[ It's awkward, the way he says it. But he tries to exude an aura of confidence as he straightens himself out, although he knows it won't work for him very well. He's trying. ]