"Excuse me," a voice said.

Kyoko Kirigiri was mildly startled, but she didn't show it. Just because people didn't usually approach her in the dining hall doesn't mean she wasn't ready for it. She turned from the serving platter where she had just procured her dessert to see Makoto Naegi, the so-called Ultimate Lucky Student of the 78th class. His own tray was empty.

"That piece of chocolate ice cream cake... " he said, glancing at the dessert on her tray. He looked her in the eyes and concluded, "See, the thing is... I need that."

She felt annoyed at how presumptuous he was to say such a thing. "'Need' seems like a strong choice of words," Kyoko noted.

"It is," he admitted. "But it's a real, genuine need. See, I'm having a really bad day, and I always rely on the chocolate ice cream cake from the dining hall to make things seem better." He gestured towards the empty platter beside them. "That's the last piece."

"I noticed," Kyoko said. She felt some modicum of sympathy for him, causing her annoyance to melt into amusement. "Tell me: Do you know why the chocolate is so good?"

Makoto shrugged his shoulders. "Because... it's chocolate?"

"This isn't just any chocolate," she informed him. "It's made using Chauo chocolate imported from Italy. Hope's Peak doesn't do anything halfway, you know."

"Okay..." Makoto said, unsure of where this was going.

"And I happen to also enjoy a slice of this chocolate ice cream cake whenever I have a particularly difficult day," Kyoko said, a tiny smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

"Really?" he said in surprise. "That's quite a coincidence."

She gave him a single nod of acknowledgment.

"Wait," Makoto said, suddenly realizing. "Is this your way of saying you're not giving it to me?"

"Very astute of you," Kyoko said, stifling her amusement. She turned on the heel of her boots and started to leave, allowing herself to crack a smile as she went.

From behind her, Makoto reached out and grabbed the sleeve of her purple jacket. "Hold up!" he said.

Kyoko sighed and spun back to face him. "What else could you possibly need to say?" Her amusement was waning rapidly.

He let go and, with an awkwardly pleading smile, Makoto suggested, "How about we go halvsies on it?"

She gave him a withering look of disbelief. "'Halvsies'? Are you 10 years old?"

When he responded, he spoke quickly: "Look, I got into this school on the luck of the draw. I've always had this weird, random luck, it's kinda made me superstitious, and the next day after I have some of that chocolate ice cream cake is always a way better day." He swallowed before continuing, "Like waaay better. I-I just need a couple bites, okay? Maybe then I can lock that improvement in!"

Kyoko blinked twice. "I see," she muttered.

"You do?!" Makoto said, shocked. "I mean, that's great, because I'm-"

"You feel desperate," Kyoko observed coolly, "And you're losing your grip on reality as a result."

"I... no?" Makoto said. After a moment's thought, he winced. "God, maybe," he admitted, hanging his head. "Mmph. Probably."

And in that moment, Kyoko Kirigiri burst into giggles. It was a higher pitch than a her natural voice, and a very uncommon sound. Those in the nearby vicinity all turned to check if it was really her. Makoto Naegi looked up at her, utterly nonplussed.

When she was finished, she said, "I'll tell you what: You can sit with me while I eat this and tell me what made your day so bad. I might even be inclined to share a few details about my day as well. And in the end, if you're lucky, perhaps I'll carve off a little bit of the ice cream cake for you." She paused. "Just for making me laugh after a difficult day, of course."

"O-of course!" Makoto said, perking up immediately.

Kyoko let herself smile a little once again. In truth, the laugh was what she needed.