It appears this is still a thing I'm willing to commit to.
Contains V3 Spoilers.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Danganronpa, nor anything associated with it. Well except this story I suppose, Oh and that sketch of Togami I made a little while back.
Shuichi's words echoed around the trial grounds. A small part of him noting that it may have been the most conviction he had shown since this whole Mastermind tangent started.
Behind him the screens flickered, the live comments that had been flooding in previously from the so called audience paused, before continuing in earnest, everybody gushing over the 'latest plot twist'.
Keebo too seemed to almost, pardon any robophobia, buffer, locking almost entirely in place, the only exception being a piece of his metallic 'hair' that was instead moving erratically. This only lasted a few seconds however, before he abruptly shifted, turning to face the detective, his eyes requesting him to continue.
Himiko looked up, lifting her magicia- mage hat, ignoring the tears that had begun to soak into it, looking far more responsive than a moment prior.
The pained grimace on Maki's face froze, her head turning in his direction and the white knuckle grip she had made on her podium loosened, the wood no longer creaking under her grasp.
At the far back of the courtroom Monokuma appeared to stumble in place, causing him to start juggling the gavel he had been carelessly waving for a brief time, before it fell, creating a brief clatter in the otherwise silent area. With a deep sigh he followed its movement, before uttering a brief curse and leaping off his throne to retrieve it.
Shuichi saw none of this though, his focus was solely on the occupant of the stand opposite him. The Mastermind seemed stunned, the taunt they had been preparing stopped, caught in their throat.
With a flash Shuichi was again looking across at 'Junko the 53rd' who was now sporting a crown. "I beg your pardon peasant? I don't recall giving you a chance to interrupt!"
This attitude only lasted a moment more before the crown suddenly became a troop of mushrooms, of all things.
"At the very least you could have used your catchphrase correctly."
"Tsumugi."
"Who? You could at least use my name when I'm like this. Otherwise it's just depressing…"
Ignoring the fakes' ramblings Shuichi continued, "Tsumugi, you contradicted your earlier testimony."
"Huh, I did? I'm so sorry I'm not any good in situations like this…" It was a small, soft spoken girl who responded, unshed tears in her eyes. "You mean from earlier in this trial?"
"No. I'm talking about something that occurred much earlier. But before that…" Preparing himself mentally for his request he continued, "Could you cosplay as Kaede for me?"
Finally having clambered back onto his perch Monokuma was the first to react with a vicious grin. "Oh? Are you missing your girlfriend that much? Are all those Love Keys going to your head?"
He tried to dispel the blush he knew he was showing, but judging by the confused glance he received from Himiko and Keebo and the slight glare he was given from Maki he was sure he was failing. I really don't need those thoughts right now!
Dispelling any thoughts of the building next to the casino from his mind, he continued, "Ah, no nothing like that. This is actually a very important question."
"Well I..." Now speaking as a tightly wound male in a pristine white uniform the Mastermind tried again, "Well, of course I could, I'm the Ultimate Cosplayer! But… I mean… There are strict rules-"
"So are you saying you wouldn't be able to cosplay as her? What about Himiko? Or Maki?"
Shuichi has only meant them as an example but judging from the way Maki's glower was now reaching levels he really didn't want to be on the end of he decided it was probably best not to bring her up as an example again.
Yet another flash receded to reveal a blond with an arrogant sneer that fell just short of reaching the same levels of smugness it managed to convey before, "What are you talking about? Is this some kind of loaded question?"
"Just answer it, now." It was Maki who spoke next, thankfully shifting the target of her glare away from him.
"Well… I suppose that I could. But it's impossible because, as you can see, I am without the time and resources to create a costume."
"No, that's wrong!"
Ignoring the sigh and muttered "Not again…" from the Mastermind, Shuichi continued.
"We have everything we need right here. You could easily attempt a cosplay of any of the four of us. All it would take is for one of us to-"
"Expose yourself in front of our lovely audience here? Great plan detective, this will really give a boost to the viewers!" Monokuma chimes in with a cackle before turning, seemingly at random before continuing to speak. "Be sure to vote in our poll of which character you'd want to see that much more of!"
"Shuichi, you're saying you want one of us to-"
"Ah, yes Keebo." He admitted, "Unfortunately the dorms building was heavily damaged earlier, and so the only garments we can use are the ones here. So I realise it's a lot to ask but-"
"No."
"I'm don't really want to do something like that until I've managed to turn my whole body invisible…"
"It would be a bit difficult to properly dismantle and reassemble me again…"
Ah... I was kind of expecting being shut down, but why do I now feel like Tenko's portrait is trying to burn me alive…?
"Um, that's OK everyone. I can do it…"
Avoiding eye contact with everyone Shuichi was quick to unbutton his uniform. It was swiftly folded and clutched to his now bare chest.
With his ordeal half over and with a blush rivalling the colour of Himiko's hair, he returned his focus back to his surroundings. It was likely because of this embarrassment that it took a little too much time to realise his podium had shifted into a new position. The centre of the trial grounds.
Maybe it's a good thing Miu isn't here. I don't want to imagine what she would have said about this turn of events...
He tried to glare at Monokuma, who was no doubt the cause of this development, with as much heat as he could. Unfortunately as it was all currently rather rapidly spreading from his face and down his neck it came up a bit short.
Daring a glance at his fellow survivors he was somewhat relieved to see that they had all turned away each of the sporting a flush of colour on their cheeks as well.
Well at least I know they're suffering with me…
"Well Tsumugi?"
It appeared that Tsumugi had taken the distraction as a reason to change up her appearance again as when he turned his gaze across the room he came face to face with someone who appeared to be some kind of chef complete with apron and hat.
"Well, normally I'd never be one to turn down a little bit of exhibitionism, but are you sure this is the right time?"
"Stop stalling. Now."
"Grah!" It seemed Maki's words finally spurred the Mastermind into action. With a nervous sweat and a shaking hand they reached out towards Shuichi, taking the articles of clothing in his possession. Seeing everyone's eyes upon them they threw a desperate look over their shoulder towards the two toned bear, who was watching the proceedings with a cautious eye.
"Don't look at me, this is your mess! As a cosplayer shouldn't you know that you reap what you sew?"
With a final grimace in Shuichi's direction a flash of light enveloped the room once again, both brighter and longer than those that had occurred previously.
Between Keebo's flashlight function and this continued assault I wouldn't be surprised if I go blind soon...
Blinking to remove the dark spots that had formed over his vision Shuichi opened his eyes to see… himself.
"I-I'm… Shuichi Saihara. T-they call me the Ultimate D-detective, but I'm really still in training… I d-don't have the credentials to call myself a detective yet. I really am quite pathetic..."
Shuichi couldn't help the small wince that formed in response to his doppelgangers' words. Though he hated to admit it, this interpretation was a little too accurate to life. I guess this was to be expected after my antagonizing but I still can't help but feel-
"I thought you were the Ultimate Cosplayer. Is that really the best you can do?"
Huh, Maki?
"Shuichi doesn't act like that at all. He's far more confident in himself!"
Keebo?
"Nyeh, I think that even I could do a better job than that…"
Himiko?
"You guys… really mean that? It may not be the case now but at the beginning of this killing game-"
"A certain idiot once told me there was no use dwelling on the past. It's who we are now that matters." Maki said, speaking with a genuine smile.
"I concur. It doesn't matter if you felt like this before, as your friends we're all proud of how far you've come since then." Keebo continued, his finger pointed towards the detective.
"Yeah, we never would have got this far without you Shuichi! So don't go saying it's all a pain now." Himiko finished with an unusually stern expression on her face.
"I… N-no you're right." The shame that had be building inside him seemed to slip away, instead replaced with contentment, "Thank you everyone. For everything."
With their pieces said the group turned their attention back to Tsumugi who had been strangely quiet throughout this moment. The reason why was clear once they saw her.
"Nyeh? Did Tsumugi conjure some colour change magic while we were talking?" Himiko asked.
It appeared that the fake Shuichi's body had broken out in a fierce and ugly rash. The person themselves seemed to be forcing themselves not to scratch at the inflamed pink skin.
Keebo was the first to figure it out.
"Ah! This reaction, could it be cospox?
"Yes I believe so." Shuichi replied with satisfaction.
"You mean of all the things Tsumugi has claimed, cospox is a genuine condition she suffers from?" Maki questioned disbelievingly.
"Hold on! Didn't Tsumugi say that this would only happen if she was in disguise?"
"That's right Himiko. Or to put it more specifically, cospox would occur in the case that Tsumugi tries to cosplay as a non-fictional character."
"Ah!" A startled look passed over the face of the person in question. In addition it seemed they had finally lost the battle to avoid scratching themselves as a trio of thin red lines had been created on their left cheek.
"B-but that would mean…" Himiko dared to hope.
"That the claim Tsumugi had made, that we ourselves are fictional characters, was a lie." Shuichi concluded.
Monokuma was the only one to respond, wearing a vicious grin.
"Puhuhuhuhu… Seems things really are getting more exciting. I wonder just what's going to happen next…"
Y'ello again everyone, thanks for stopping by!
I think i'll break it off here for now. I've got the next 500 words written out so far but I didn't want to include it here, partially as I haven't reached a good cut off point yet and also because, as I said previously, I'm not sure this'll be too long a fic. I don't want to blow all of it in one chapter!
(Seriously though what was I thinking? You know what? I'll make my first ever fanfiction based around the opportunities I saw in trial 6. I can see no problems here! I mean sure the whole thing will take place in one location and include a character whose main gimmick is pretending to be any of the other 30+ characters in the franchise, what could possibly go wrong?)
Once again thanks for reading. I don't want to make any promises I can't keep but the next chapter could potentially be out this weekend. At the latest it'll be this time next week. Maybe.
Drop a review if you have the time, I'd love to know what you really think of everything that's happening and any criticism you have. I want this to be as good as I can make it so I'd really appreciate your thoughts!
Until next time!