"Of course, I won't deny I have selfish reasons. I'm afraid of what becoming Lord of Mysteries would entail... afraid of losing my humanity and becoming someone I don't recognize. In that sense, I'm just a coward, not as brave as Mr. Bethel." Klein said, pausing to look at Will. "So, I'm sorry, Will. I don't know what our relationship was in the original fate, but I can guess a little. I'm afraid you won't get to be my angel investor. That said, Mr. Bethel is a good person. If you have any needs, I can ask Mr. Lucifer to arrange a meeting for you."
Will stared at Klein for a moment before exclaiming, "You! I get why you were destined to be a great existence. No wonder I was supposed to invest in you in that fate… we're kind of alike!"
"Huh?" Klein blinked, confused by Will's words.
Will didn't elaborate. He wasn't about to tell this guy that, despite their different personalities, they shared a certain outlook... neither was driven by a thirst for power. For them, some things mattered far more than gaining strength.
Instead, Will pulled a square piece of paper from his pocket, deftly folding it into an origami crane with a flick of his fingers.
"Here!" Will handed the crane to Klein.
"Uh, thanks?" Klein took it, utterly baffled about its purpose.
"This little thing can bring you a bit of luck. It might not do much for you, but it's better than nothing. Plus, I can track you through it, and if you ever need me, you can reach me with it." Will explained.
Klein paused, looking at the crane in his hand before glancing at Will hesitantly. "But…"
"No buts." Will cut him off. "You may not become that existence, but you'll probably end up an angel, right? Consider this my early investment in a future ally!" He hopped off the chair, craning his neck to look up at Klein. "Got any ice cream?"
"Yeah, since Lil' Amon and I both have a sweet tooth, Mr. Azik made an mystical icebox… er, anyway, we've got some." Klein said, nodding. He started to explain the icebox but gave up when he realized it was too complicated.
"Good. I want three." Will said, holding up three fingers.
"But you're so small... won't three upset your stomach?" Klein said instinctively, only realizing afterward that the "child" before him was an angel.
Surely an angel wouldn't get sick from ice cream, right?
…
As it turned out, a Snake of Mercury wouldn't get sick from eating too much ice cream, but Lil' Amon would catch a fever from it.
"I get the logic, but why would an angel get a fever from eating too much ice cream?" Alaric, disguised as Jack, asked, watching Lil' Amon's flushed face as he swallowed a fever-reducing pill. He took a damp towel from Klein and placed it on Amon's forehead for physical cooling.
"Maybe because Amon sealed Lil' Amon's physical condition to that of a normal human to experience an authentic human life?" Klein suggested, equally puzzled about why an angel would fall ill. Looking at the listless Lil' Amon on the bed, he felt a pang of regret.
He should've stopped Lil' Amon from eating ice cream with Will.
Even if Amon was a trickster, Klein's conscience couldn't ignore a sick child.
"It's my fault. I didn't realize this Amon's condition was so unique." Will said, standing by the bed with a hint of remorse.
"Can't we just use a reset to fix it?" Alaric asked, turning to Will.
"His state is peculiar. If I used a reset on him, it'd likely trigger a chain reaction... like reverting him to his adult form. Is that what you want?" Will said, shaking his head.
Alaric and Klein exchanged a glance. Klein looked tempted, but Alaric didn't hesitate. "Nah, let's not. A naughty kid needs to learn a lesson. After this, I bet Lil' Amon won't binge on ice cream again."
If it were anyone else, Alaric might've considered it, but Amon? Hah!
Alaric wasn't about to go soft on Amon. He was far too mischievous.
"But…" Klein hesitated, seeing how pitiful Lil' Amon looked.
Alaric gave him a cold look. "Amon came here to experience human life. Getting sick is part of that. Since he set Lil' Amon's body to a human standard, he clearly wanted the full experience. Interrupting that now might do more harm than good."
Klein froze, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint it. Strangely, he found himself persuaded.
Jack's logic did sound solid.
"It's just a fever. You're acting like he's on his deathbed." Medici said, entering with a glass of warm water, barely restraining an eye-roll. He approached the bed and lightly tapped Lil' Amon's cheek. "Still awake?"
"…Red Mommy?" Lil' Amon opened his eyes, his gaze hazy with a touch of grievance. "I feel awful."
Medici looked at him, falling oddly silent for a second before scoffing. "Awful? Good. You ate eight ice creams in one go. You're lucky you didn't drop dead."
"But… ice cream's so good." Lil' Amon mumbled, both aggrieved and stubborn.
"Keep that up, and it'll be the death of you." Medici said, rolling his eyes again. He propped up Amon's back and held the glass to his lips. "Drink some warm water, then sleep. It's not a bad fever. You'll be fine by morning."
"…Okay." Lil' Amon complied, sipping the water obediently.
"Someone can stay to keep an eye on him. No need for everyone to crowd the room like you're proving a point." Medici said, glaring at the others.
"I'll stay." Azik said, raising his hand as he studied the medicine instructions.
"Fine. Everyone else, out." Medici decided, his tone final.
Faced with the "dad-mom's" commanding presence, no one dared object. They all filed out of Lil' Amon's room quietly.
As for Lucifer? Sorry, Lucifer was out on business.
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.