Kaede's POV
I fell to the ground breath escaping my lungs. I looked over at Rantaro and saw him sitting there holding his head in his hands...but his eyes were red...filling up with blood. Pain erupted through my neck and my body felt weak. I reached out to Shuichi. "Shu...ichi..." I gasped seeing him turn around right before my vision went dark. Why did this happen? Who did this? Was one of them trying to set us up?! Maybe I should be more worried about what knocked me out. I can't really feel anything which makes sense since someone knocked me out...was it Rantaro? 

I don't think he would do that...he did mention something about meeting up with someone at the mall...he didn't say who or why. I said I trusted him, to an extent...I need to stay positive! I'm sure whatever this is will be explained soon enough.

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How long has it been? How long have I been out? I'm not sure...um...I hope Shuichi and Kokichi made it out alright. I know Kokichi cares about Shuichi more than anything, so I'm sure they made it...away from whatever attacked me...was I attacked? Who would have attacked me? Ok Kaede, you shouldn't overthink this...

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I know that Shuichi is happy with Kokichi. A lot of people think I have a crush on him or we used to be together, but that's not true. He has liked Kokichi, wait, loved Kokichi forever. I have always been the one teasing him and even worked together with Rantaro and Tsumugi to try and get them together. 

When they finally got together I was so happy for them, like a big sister congratulating her younger brother. 

I see all of my friends as my family. Shuichi and Kokichi are like my little brothers. Kokichi was always pranking others and playing around while Shuichi was chasing him around to make sure he didn't set anything on fire. They balance each other out very well in my opinion. I think this because, Shuichi has a hard time letting himself relax and letting himself have fun so him being with Kokichi, who is a fun-loving, energetic, and supportive boyfriend, has made Shuichi happier overall.

Rantaro is like my older brother, always taking care of me and making sure I'm ok. Sometimes I worry that he is not noticing his own needs because he is always so worried about everyone else...he is so caring, but maybe that's why this happened...

I'm not sure, I trust him...even if he has a lot of secrets...who doesn't? Even I have my secrets, past and present mistakes or trauma that I keep to myself. I think out of any of us Kokichi probably keeps the most to himself...Shuichi sometimes tries to keep things to himself and he does with most of the things that have happened to him in his past...but eventually he will break down, even if no one is there to comfort him he will just cry for hours...I was really happy to find out that Kokichi was so supportive of him and has always listened to him no matter what was going on.

I sighed...I can't believe we have already lost so many people...Gonta, Angie, Kiyo, and Kaito...does Maki even know? She must be heartbroken. Kaito and she were always together and he was helping her be able to forgive herself for her past...I'm worried about her...I'm so worried about all of us...Why did this happen? I would do anything to stop it...take my life, my pride, and my honor if it means my friends can be safe...

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"Kaede!" I heard a sound. I couldn't really tell where it was coming from, or who was trying to talk to me...my eyes didn't want to open...my body felt so numb...but I had to move. If I'm still alive I have to be strong for my friends...my family!

"Kaede!!" My eyes shot open and I quickly sat up. There was soon a pounding in my head because of the quick motion...and my neck hurt like hell! But I'm alive! I can still do this!!

"Ghn..." I groaned putting my hand to my head trying to massage the spot that was erupting with pain. "Kaede, you're finally awake!" I looked up and saw Rantaro? "Rantaro?" I asked confused. I looked around the room and it was not a room I had ever been in before...I was in a bed with purple sheets while Rantaro was sitting in a blue chair beside my bed.

"Are you feeling alright? Do you need some water?" He asked offering me a bottle of water. I looked up at him confused...I thought he was infected? Was that just my imagination? "Rantaro, I-" He cut me off, putting a hand to my lips. "This is real Kaede, this isn't a dream. I was infected when we walked into the mall and someone came and gave me an antidote as well as you...that's why we both passed out before Kokichi and Shuichi left..." He whispered taking my hand in his. What the hell?! Antidote?! Since when has there been an antidote?! 

Thoughts were swarming around my head making me feel dizzy. "Sorry, this is a lot to take in at once..." I nodded looking over at him grabbing the bottled water from him. I downed the bottle in a brief moment before gasping for air. "How long have you known about this?" I have wanted to ask him so many questions for such a long time...he is always saying suspicious things...like he knows more than he is telling me he knows...

"Sorry, Kaede I didn't mean to make you think I was keeping things from you...but I have known for about a week or so...I didn't know it would work until it was used on me..." He gave me a sad smile making me frown. "It's alright Rantaro, we made it this far! So we need to stay positive! Now we can go and find all of our friends!!" I pulled him into a hug which he quickly returned. "I love how you can still be so positive even though this is basically hell on Earth..." "Don't be so pessimistic! At least now we can be able to find the rest of our friends now...and we can all be safe." 

Safe...I wanted more than anything for everyone to be safe...please let this be the end of all of this. "She's awake...that's good. I'm glad to see the antidote worked on you Rantaro." Someone else entered the room. What the? I turned around to see someone I thought I wouldn't have seen.

"Maki?!" 

-Sorry for being so dead over the past few days...I promise I will write more! Thanks for reading!-

-ShuichiOuma010-