“This is what happens when you over exert yourself.”
extremely exhausted starters. //
there’s one, big lesson rantaro has learned quickly since he’s arrived at university: even the strongest of minds can be overcome with exhaustion ─ even those who think “ it’ll never happen to me! ” can become a victim, overestimating how much they can take on in a single, or sometimes even a few, nights. it was only a matter of time before rantaro experienced it personally.
it takes a few moments to register the words being spoken to him. actually, it takes a few moments to register anything at all. it’s not long before he’s piecing together what happened. he remembers kokichi announcing that he’d be heading to the student store and would be back soon ─ specifically, he mentioned that he wouldn’t be taking his room key since rantaro was studying and could let him back into the room. rantaro had been the one to offer it despite being told numerous times that he looked like he would pass out at any moment. “ i’ll be fine, ouma-kun. don’t worry. ” he had insisted and, oh, how wrong he’d been. at first, he’s not quite sure how his roommate got back in but he quickly recalls the other’s lock picking skills. he’d warned kokichi not to do it again but he’s quick to realize that it was the only option, considering he was asleep and unable to hear the knocking on the door.
a firm hand on his shoulder is what ends up rousing him back to consciousness. slowly, his head raises from his desk. papers scattered about, jostled and scattered from when he leaned forward and slipped into a surprise nap. there’s a book on the floor, presumably knocked over by rantaro’s own elbow. a cup of water sits dangerously close to the edge of his desk, threatening to spill over at any moment. the notes he’d been in the middle of taking had eventually become incoherent scribbles and his laptop had numerous tabs open from where his hand had fallen against the keyboard. overall ─ a huge mess.
“ this is what happens when you over exert yourself ~. ” kokichi’s usual, sing - songy voice fills the room. but it’s not taunting and, in fact, perhaps there’s a touch of concern there . . ? rantaro isn’t sure. everything’s still a haze. he’s quite for a few moments, rubbing sleep away from his eyes. apparently, he’s moving too slow, apparent as kokichi leans down to collect the book that had fallen to the ground. finally, he’s able to collect himself.
“ no, no ─ don’t trouble yourself, please. ” he insists, “ you’re right. i must not have realized how tired i was. ” as if his body is agreeing with him, a yawn escapes the boy. he accepts his book from kokichi, feeling both guilty and embarrassed.
“ guess your lock-picking skill do come in handy. ” he admits wearily, “ i’ll … stop for the night. ” finally, he moves from his desk, moving straight for his bed. “ sorry for the trouble, ouma-kun. and thanks. you get some rest, too. ”
it takes all of a few minutes before he finally drifts into, apparently, well - needed sleep.
