I feel kinda bad killing off someone already, but someone had to be the victim :(

Hopefully it's not too confusing, but just to clarify the investigation is done in a game style where you would walk around, and the "=== Person/object" denotes what Kuroda is interacting with.

I'm aiming for 2-3 Free Time events for all the characters over the course of the story, so after the trial is complete I will be doing a bonus chapter containing the Free Times of the characters who have died.


Day 4: START

"Good morning, you bastards! It's 7 am in the morning! Time to wake up!"

"Let's all strive to do our best today!"

Kuroda woke up, a feeling of dread already hanging over him as soon as he looked at the clock. Hardly surprising, considering what was scheduled for the day.

Quickly getting ready, he was one of the first students in the cafeteria. Striking up polite conversation with Saito, they ate breakfast together as other students slowly trickled into the room.

Their conversation lasted for a while, but eventually started to trail off as it became harder to ignore time edging closer to the 48 hour mark.

After a few last awkward attempts to generate discussion they gave up on talking altogether, and waited in silence.

...

...


"48 hours was up... 20 minutes ago." Tomoe said, looking at the clock in the cafeteria. "I guess it's not happening."

"So it was all just a trick? I knew it!" Aurora said, visibly relieved. "I've gotten so tense, I need to do something! Hey Shunari, I'll race you around this floor!"

"This is indeed a cause for celebration!" Izanagi agreed. "I will go gather everyone."

"Who're you gonna get? Monokuma?" Daisuki said, absently playing around with his food. "Everyone's here..."

Izanagi gave him a confused look. "I don't know what you're talking about... Yoshikawa, please pay more attention to your environment!" He reprimanded. "There are only 14 of us here!"

Suddenly, the room's atmosphere grew cold as Izanagi's words sunk in. Surprisingly, it was Rei who voiced what everybody was thinking.

"T-There are two people missing..." She said, looking terrified. "W-What if s-something happened..?"

"Don't be like that, Rei... I-I'm sure they've just overslept." Aurora explained nervously. "Why don't we go wake them up?"

He tried to believe what Aurora said, but Kuroda felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as they all headed back to the dormitories. The more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed the missing students had simply overslept... After all, who could sleep in on a day like this?

Arriving outside of the students' doors, in an unspoken agreement the class split into half, each half clustering outside one of the doors.

The one standing closest to the door in his group, Kuroda quickly pressed the call button. "Hey! Are you in there!? Answer me!"

After a few tense moments, the door opened slightly and a deathly pale, terrified looking Kioshi peeked out from inside.

"Kuroda?" He asked cautiously. "What's going on?" The hunter looked past him, and seemed to relax a little upon seeing the others behind him.

Kuroda heaved a sigh of relief. "How come you're still in your room? We thought something had happened to you."

"Something did happen to me." Kioshi replied shakily, and the dread that had dissipated moments before returned in full force. "Someone tried to-"

He was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream coming from the corridor, followed by a bone-chilling announcement that crackled from the PA system.

"A body has been discovered!"

"Following a brief period of investigation, we will commence our school trial!"

Conversation forgotten, they rushed out into the corridor again. Rei had fallen to her knees, staring in horror at whatever was inside the wide open door in front of her.

A few seconds later, and Kuroda was able to see the terrible sight for himself.

A body, lying almost peacefully on the bed of the room. If it were not for the thin, bright red line around their throat, he might have mistaken them for being asleep.

"So." Hisoka spoke into the dead silence. "It has happened."

With so much happening, Kuroda's mind scrambled to process the events that had gone down.

A student had been killed. His classmate had been killed.

Takahashi Haruna... was dead.

"Upupu... That's right! Someone took a stab - or should I say strangle? - at trying to graduate, so our scheduled graduation is cancelled!" Monokuma popped up out of nowhere, speaking with barely contained glee. "Excellent work! This will certainly be an interesting trial!"

"Trial? What trial?" Shunari asked.

"Recall when I first explained this all to you bastards!" Monokuma instructed. "I mentioned a 'battle of wits'! Well, this is it! A Super High School Level Trial!"

"A trial, you say..." Akemi repeated. "Where we attempt to catch the killer?"

"Yup!" He said cheerfully. "Dear Haru's death cannot go unavenged, so it's up to you bastards to pick someone to punish!"

"You bastards will need to gather some evidence, of course, so you have an opportunity to do so now!" The bear continued. "Upupu... I hope you bastards become familiar with this process quickly, because it's going to happen every time a murder occurs!"

"Hold up! Why do we have to do this investigation bullshit!?" Saito objected. "This is all your fault! Haruna is dead because of you!"

"My fault? How is it my fault!?" Monokuma replied angrily. "One of you bastards committed this murder, not me! I can guarantee that!"

"You put us here. You did this." She shot back, glaring angrily. "I'm done playing along with your fucking games. I won't participate in a trial."

The bear slowly slunk towards Saito, and for a moment Kuroda thought he was about to pounce on her. Instead, he put his paws on his hips and started talking again.

"I really shouldn't be tolerating this kind of sass, but I'll make an exception this time!" Monokuma scolded. "One of your bastard classmates thinks they're smarter than you, Saito! Surely someone competitive like you can't ignore a challenge like that?"

His little speech seemed to have some kind of effect on the violinist, as she fell silent with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Upupu... I thought you'd see it my way. Now, get to work! There's a time limit on the investigation phase!" He continued, changing the subject. "Because this is your first time, I'll even point out the first piece of evidence!"

Suddenly, all of the student's IDs beeped. Turning it on, Kuroda noticed that an email had arrived from Monokuma.

"You bastards have a doctor among you, but I've decided to be consistent in the case he dies at any point!" The bear explained. "So I've sent you the Monokuma File - you'll find it contains some information about the victim!"

"Alright, that's it for me! The rest is up to you bastards!" He finished. "Upupu... Enjoy your investigation!"

As abruptly as he had arrived, Monokuma was gone once again.

Immediately, Hisoka turned to leave the room. "I wish to investigate alone. Please don't come looking for me."

"Y-You're going to start investigating already...?" Rei asked. "Do... Do we really have to do this...?"

"We have no choice." He replied simply. "The alternative is allowing the culprit to get away with this murder."

"You could at least tell us where you're going..." Shunari said.

"I will be checking the other rooms." Hisoka said. "The murder seems to have occurred here, but we need to be sure that there isn't other evidence lying around." Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.

"Oi, don't run off...!" The runner called out, but Hisoka was already gone. "If we're trying to catch a killer, shouldn't we be working together?"

"We should leave him for the time being." Izanagi said firmly. "Our investigation will be more efficient if we split up."

"So I guess I'm stuck examining the body, then." Takao sighed. "Even with the file, I might be able to find something."

"If you need an assistant, I am happy to help you." Akemi immediately volunteered herself, but Takao shook his head.

"This is a one man job, unfortunately. Perhaps you could try and find the murder weapon?" The astronomer looked a little disappointed, but went with Takao's suggestion anyway. After a moment of thought, she wandered out of the room after Hisoka.

"I will remain here." Izanagi piped up, standing over by the body almost protectively. "The culprit may try to tamper with the crime scene, so I will stand guard."

"So what if you're the killer, then?" Daisuki interjected. "Then you get to mess with the crime scene..."

"I would do no such thing, Yoshikawa!" He replied angrily. "If you don't believe me, you are welcome to keep watch too."

The graffiti artist shrugged. "Why not? I don't like the sound of investigating anyway."

"It seems I'll have an audience." Takao muttered to himself, producing surgical gloves from his pockets and putting them on. "Very well, but I'll need you to stand back a bit. A doctor needs his space..."

Reluctantly, Izanagi stepped away from Haruna.

"Thank you... Sorry to bother you, but could you get me a blade? I'll need to cut her wide open." Takao asked thoughtfully. "Don't be squeamish, now. I thought you would have seen blood and guts in the prisons." He added, seeing Izanagi's look of disapproval.

"T-That is an entirely different matter, Matsuda!" He stammered. "I am used to seeing the blood of criminals, not my classmates...!"

Rolling his eyes at the warden, Daisuki wandered off to find what Takao asked for while the doctor himself had a little laugh at the warden's discomfort.

"Who said she's not a criminal?" He countered. "Surely you heard the rumours..."

"... There was no conviction." Izanagi replied swiftly. "I have faith in the justice system."

"Well, if that's how you want to see it. I was just trying to make you feel better for when the blood starts gushing." Takao said, shrugging.

Daisuki soon returned, carrying a large pocket knife which he handed to the doctor. "Not scissors, but it's sharp. It should do the job."

Thanking the graffiti artist, Takao crouched down next to Haruna's body, and was poised to begin cutting when Izanagi suddenly burst out again. "Wait, please! Surely there is a better method of examination..."

"Hmhmhm... Just when I was starting to think you weren't going to speak up." The doctor chuckled, stashing the knife in his coat pocket. "I was just kidding, Izanagi. If you think that's how I'm going to examine the body, you've been watching too much TV."

"Matsuda! Now is not the time to be joking around!" Izanagi reprimanded, although he did sound a little relieved.

"It's not my fault you're such an easy target."

As the two men bantered Kuroda realised the other students had wandered off to conduct their own investigation, leaving him alone wondering what he should do.

Deciding a look at the Monokuma File would be a good place to start, he was about to start reading it when Miharu walked up to him.

"Kuroda... You're investigating, right?" She said, skipping straight past pleasantries.

"Yeah, of course... What of it?" She crossed and uncrossed her arms at his question, something that Kuroda might have interpreted as a nervous gesture if it were not for her completely flat expression.

"...I will help you." The trivia champion said after a short pause.

"Er... Thanks, I guess." He replied, taken by surprise. What kind of help that entailed, Kuroda had no idea. "So... are you going to be my assistant or something?"

"No... As I'm sure you recall, I have a photographic memory." She explained. "As you go around collecting evidence, I will memorise what we learn."

"Oh, so you'll be like a living evidence list." He said thoughtfully. "Thanks, Miharu. That's going to be useful."

"There is a catch... This will be my first time memorising and ordering memories in this manner." Miharu warned. "I will need to concentrate, so please do not interrupt me."

"Alright." Deciding it was better to ask before they got started, he posed her a question. "Hey, just so we're clear... What constitutes interrupting you?"

"Just try not to talk to me." She replied. "I'll handle the rest."


===INVESTIGATION START!===

-Haruna's Room-

=== Monokuma File

KURODA: Alright then. I suppose the first piece of evidence is the Monokuma File...

KURODA: It seems to contain the approximate time and cause of death.

EVIDENCE: Monokuma File received!

Victim: Takahashi Haruna. Time of death: Close to 10 PM. Cause of death: Strangulation.

KURODA: That's not super helpful...

MIHARU: Takao is examining the body. Maybe he'll know more.

=== Takao

KURODA: (Takao is examining Haruna's body... Let's see what he has to say.)

KURODA: Have you found anything unusual about the body?

TAKAO: It's too early to say... I only just started my examination.

TAKAO: You are welcome to touch the body yourself, if you want.

KURODA: I think I'll pass, thanks...

TAKAO: Suit yourself... But if you're not going to, I would appreciate it if you could give me some space.

TAKAO: I need to concentrate if I want to finish before the trial begins.

MIHARU: Hey... What's that, on the ground?

TAKAO: It's her room key. I found it in her pocket...

=== Key

KURODA: (This key... Like Takao said, the nametag says it belongs to Haruna.)

KURODA: Huh? There's a scratch on the nametag... Right where it's connected to the keyring.

KURODA: She wasn't the careless type. I wonder how this got damaged.

EVIDENCE: Haruna's Key received!

Haruna's room key is scratched.

KURODA: (There's nothing else of interest around the body.)

KURODA: (I should investigate elsewhere...)

=== Erika

ERIKA: Running around investigating, I see.

ERIKA: Heh heh. It's quite entertaining to watch.

KURODA: Have you found anything out?

ERIKA: No. Investigation is not really my cup of tea...

ERIKA: There is something I've noticed, though. Share what you've found with me and maybe I'll tell you what it is.

KURODA: We're still gathering evidence. I'll tell you about it when we get to the trial.

ERIKA: ... I suppose that is an acceptable trade. I will share my own observation, so please listen carefully.

ERIKA: Look around. Nothing is out of order... I hate to pass judgement on people, but I don't believe Haruna was particularly preoccupied with cleanliness.

ERIKA: And yet, this room has been thoroughly cleaned.

KURODA: (She's right... This place is spotless...)

EVIDENCE: State of the Room received!

Haruna's room has been thoroughly cleaned.

MIHARU: There doesn't seem to be anything else to look at here... Is the investigation over?

ERIKA: Oh, no. There is still plenty for you two to do.

ERIKA: Investigate anything else you think might be related to the murder, and talk to the others.

ERIKA: They do not possess my superior intellect, but they may have something for you all the same.

KURODA: (I'll need to talk to Kioshi... I bet what happened to him is related to this, somehow.)

KURODA: (I should also talk to anyone else I meet on the way.)

=== Izanagi

IZANAGI: Do not worry. I've dealt with prisoners trying to do stuff behind my back, so I can handle anything the culprit might try to pull.

KURODA: That's good to hear... Are you planning to do some investigation as well?

IZANAGI: I would like to, but guarding the crime scene takes priority. Leaving such an important task to someone else would be unacceptable!

IZANAGI: I will have to rely on others to do the investigation... Are you capable, Hayashi?

IZANAGI: I notice you have recruited Kato to help you, which is a good sign!

KURODA: Well, we seem to be doing okay so far... this is my first time doing a murder investigation.

IZANAGI: This is not at all ideal... but I think I will have to trust you.

IZANAGI: You must do your best, Hayashi! I am counting on you to collect all the necessary evidence.

=== Daisuki

DAISUKI: Guard the crime scene... I guess I just gotta stand here...

DAISUKI: Yo, Kuroda! Do anything funny and I'll snap you in half.

KURODA: I-I wasn't planning to...

MIHARU: You look bored already. Did you really not want to investigate?

DAISUKI: I'll be all right, thanks. This isn't exactly exciting, but I'm in my comfort zone here.

DAISUKI: Graffiti and beating people up is pretty much all I'm good at. I'll leave the thinking to you guys.

KURODA: (How kind...)

DAISUKI: But anyway, you should get investigating. You're on the clock...

DAISUKI: Once you figure out who did it, come tell me and I'll deal with them!

-Corridor-

=== Haruna's Door

KURODA: (It's the door to Haruna's room.)

KURODA: Huh? What's with the nameplate...

KURODA: The screws holding it in place look a bit battered.

EVIDENCE: Nameplates received!

The nameplate above Haruna's door has been tampered with.

KURODA: You were there for the body discovery... Did anyone touch this?

MIHARU: No... Aurora was the only who touched the door when she opened it.

KURODA: She forced it open? I thought we couldn't break into rooms...

MIHARU: No, it was unlocked.

MIHARU: I can't say for sure, but I think she may have known about it... We should ask her.

KURODA: (Hmm... Was it really unlocked? I should take a closer look.)

=== Lock

KURODA: (What's this..?)

KURODA: (The lock... It's been broken beyond repair.)

EVIDENCE: Doors received!

The lock on Haruna's door is broken.

KURODA: Miharu, look... the lock on the door is busted.

KURODA: The door wasn't unlocked. It just seems that way, because the lock doesn't work.

EVIDENCE: Broken Locks received!

The broken locks are completely nonfunctional.

MIHARU: Kuroda... that shouldn't be possible.

KURODA: Huh?

MIHARU: "Breaking into locked rooms is forbidden." The new rule Monokuma added...

EVIDENCE: Rule #7 received!

The added rule states 'Breaking into locked rooms is forbidden'.

MIHARU: Breaking into rooms is forbidden, yet the culprit broke into Haruna's room.

KURODA: In other words, someone broke the seventh rule...

KURODA: Maybe Monokuma let the culprit get away with it because they committed the murder?

MONOKUMA: No! Absolutely not!

KURODA: Gah! When did you get here?

MONOKUMA: Don't ask such meaningless questions! I have something very important to tell you, so listen up!

MONOKUMA: As your headmaster, I take breaking the rules very seriously. If anyone steps out of line, I will punish them harshly! No exceptions!

MONOKUMA: So far, I haven't been forced to lay down the law just yet... No rules have been broken, I can guarantee you that!

KURODA: He's gone... I guess we'll have to take his word for it.

MIHARU: Is that really a good idea? The simplest solution to this is that he is lying to us.

KURODA: It's possible he's lying, but I don't see why he would.

KURODA: If he truly wants someone to graduate fairly, he has no reason to give the culprit an advantage.

MIHARU: Still... his words cause a direct contradiction. Is Monokuma wrong, or is it the evidence we've collected?

KURODA: I... I don't know. There has to be some other explanation...

MIHARU: For now, let's move on... I don't think we have time to speculate. Deductions can wait until the trial.

KURODA: Alright...

=== Shunari

SHUNARI: ...

KURODA: Shunari?

SHUNARI: Hey, Kuroda. How's your investigation going?

KURODA: Pretty well... I think. How about you? Have you found anything?

SHUNARI: Oh, no... I'm not investigating any more.

SHUNARI: I didn't know what to do, so I gave up after a few minutes. I've never been good with this investigation stuff anyway.

SHUNARI: I was just remembering the last time I saw her... We were playing poker together.

KURODA: Oh yeah, yesterday's game... Who else was playing?

MIHARU: Other than Shunari and Haruna... the players were Aurora, Kioshi, Takao and Saito.

EVIDENCE: Shunari's Testimony received!

Haruna played a poker game the on night of the murder with Shunari, Aurora, Kioshi, Takao and Saito.

MIHARU: I don't really see how that's relevant... Why are you making me remember this?

KURODA: Er... Let's just cover our bases, okay? You never know.

MIHARU: ...

SHUNARI: Sounds like you guys are getting into it. Good luck with your investigation!

=== Kioshi

KIOSHI: ... Did you want something?

KURODA: I was wondering if you could tell us about what happened last night.

KIOSHI: ... Alright. It was just after night time started.

KIOSHI: I was about to start getting ready for bed, but then I heard a strange noise coming through my door.

KIOSHI: I realised they were trying to break in, so I barricaded the door.

KIOSHI: I got ready to defend myself if the barricade broke... but they gave up after a few minutes.

MIHARU: You're quite lucky you were awake. You could have easily been the victim instead of Haruna.

KIOSHI: ... I am, aren't I? Not that it's much comfort to Haruna...

EVIDENCE: Kioshi's Testimony received!

Someone tried to break into Kioshi's room during Night Time.

KURODA: Do you have any idea who the person trying to break in might have been?

KIOSHI: No, I don't... They never actually opened the door, so I didn't see them.

KIOSHI: I'm sorry... I'm not being very helpful, am I?

KURODA: I don't think anyone can blame you...

=== Aurora

AURORA: Hello, you two. You want something?

KURODA: Can I ask you about discovering the body?

AURORA: There's not a whole lot to say... As soon as I saw her I knew she was dead.

AURORA: Rei noticed second, I think. She was the one who screamed.

KURODA: I want to know about before that... Miharu said you were the one who opened the door to Haruna's room.

KURODA: It would be normal for her room to be locked, right? So how come you knew it was unlocked?

AURORA: ...

AURORA: I... don't know, actually. She wasn't answering when we rang, so I just thought to try the door...

AURORA: And it worked, too! Turns out I have good instincts!

KURODA: I... see.

KURODA: (I don't know whether to believe her... It's a flimsy reason, but she seems so sincere...)

AURORA: Anyway, I want to check out Haruna's room again. I'll see you guys at the trial.

MIHARU: Look, Kuroda... She dropped something.

=== Object on ground

KURODA: Hey, it's her room key.

KURODA: ...Huh? It has a scratch on the nameplate, near the keyring...

EVIDENCE: Aurora's Key received!

Aurora's room key is scratched.

KURODA: Odd. Wait here, I'll give it back to-

MIHARU: No.

KURODA: ...What?

MIHARU: This is an investigation... We should do some investigating, don't you think?

KURODA: Miharu...! We can't go into her room!

MIHARU: Think about it... Look at how the rooms are ordered.

KURODA: How they're ordered...?

KURODA: Well, Kioshi's room is on the left, then Aurora's, then Haruna's...

KURODA: ...Oh.

MIHARU: Yes... Her room lies between someone who was attacked, and someone who was killed. Do you really still think it's not worth a look?

KURODA: Fine, fine. Let's go check it out.

=== Aurora's Door

KURODA: (Aurora's door... Unlike Haruna's room, the lock seems to be working.)

MIHARU: The nameplate... The screws on it are also damaged.

EVIDENCE: Nameplates updated!

The nameplates above Haruna and Aurora's doors have been tampered with.

KURODA: That makes two... Has someone been messing with all the nameplates?

MIHARU: Who knows... More importantly, why would they need to be handled?

MIHARU: Of course, they could have always been like that. This is my first time over this side of the dormitory.

KURODA: ... Seriously?

MIHARU: Our rooms are down the other end. I had no reason to come down here.

KURODA: You weren't even curious whose rooms were over here?

MIHARU: Nope.

KURODA: ...

MIHARU: Don't give me that look. Hurry up and open Aurora's room before someone sees us.

-Aurora's Room-

KURODA: ...Remind me why we're breaking into her room again.

MIHARU: Weren't you the one who wanted to cover all our bases?

MIHARU: You can lock the door if you really don't want anyone walking in.

KURODA: If someone saw us, that would be even harder to explain!

KURODA: Let's just get this over with.

MIHARU: Well, there doesn't seem to be anything unusual...

MIHARU: I'll check the bathroom. You look around here.

=== Trashcan

KURODA: (Something had been thrown into the trashcan...)

KURODA: (It's a roll of fishing line.)

KURODA: (It's been used... why is it here?)

MIHARU: There's nothing unusual in the bathroom... did you find anything?

KURODA: Here, look at this... It was thrown into the trashcan.

EVIDENCE: Fishing Wire received!

There is a roll of fishing line hidden in Aurora's room. Some of it has been used.

MIHARU: That line around Haruna's neck... Could it have been caused by...?

KURODA: It's too early to say. We should wait and see what Takao says...

KURODA: At any rate, there's nothing left to see here.

-Corridor-

=== Kioshi's Door

KURODA: (It's Kioshi's door.)

KURODA: He certainly wasn't lying when he said someone tried to get in. They've managed to break the lock.

EVIDENCE: Doors updated!

The locks on Haruna and Kioshi's doors are broken.

MIHARU: Ah, the nameplate...

KURODA: (She's right... same as the other two, the screws have scratches on them.)

EVIDENCE: Nameplates updated!

The nameplates above Haruna, Aurora and Kioshi's doors have been tampered with.

KURODA: So, Kioshi's door makes three... Should we just check everyone's doors?

MIHARU: I already checked. It's only these three.

KURODA: Oh. Well, that saves us some time...

KURODA: Hey! What the hell are you doing, Miharu?

MIHARU: I'm going to check out his room, of course.

KURODA: But the culprit didn't even go inside. What would there be in there?

MIHARU: Well, we won't know unless we find out.

MIHARU: This is a murder investigation. It's hardly the time to be concerned about privacy.

KURODA: ...

-Kioshi's Room-

KURODA: I can't believe we're doing this again... I feel like a burglar.

MIHARU: Is now really the time? I'll go check out his bathroom...

=== Furniture

KURODA: (The stuff in his room is in total disarray... It's a real mess.)

KURODA: (Chairs, desks... It's all piled up near the door.)

MIHARU: I didn't find anything in the bathroom... What about you?

KURODA: No, there's nothing out of place...

KURODA: The room is a mess, but it's not weird considering he was barricading the door.

MIHARU: The murder announcement happened so soon after you found him, I guess he didn't have time to clean up.

KURODA: That settles it... there's nothing suspicious in here. Can we leave, before he walks in on us?

-Corridor-

=== Saito

KURODA: Are you investigating, Saito?

SAITO: ... Yes.

SAITO: Don't give me that look... It's not like I want to investigate.

SAITO: But if the killer thinks they can beat me, they are dead wrong. I'll show them...!

MIHARU: ...You know, what Monokuma said was blatant manipulation. You're playing right into his hands.

SAITO: Of course I know that... It's beside the point, though.

SAITO: The gauntlet has been thrown down! I won't let the killer get away.

KURODA: (She doesn't even care...)

KURODA: I think we've talked to everyone in the area... Maybe Takao is done by now?

-Haruna's Room-

=== Takao

TAKAO: There you are, Kuroda. I've finished my examination of the body.

TAKAO: Like the file said, she was strangled with some kind of thread. The imprint left behind is very thin, so it's likely that the murder weapon is quite short.

TAKAO: But there's no guarantee, of course. All I can say for sure is that the murder weapon was only wrapped around Haruna's throat once.

KURODA: About the murder weapon... Could it have been something like fishing line?

TAKAO: Yes... Something like that. Fishing line is certainly strong enough to do the deed.

TAKAO: I don't know where you would obtain something like that, though. Akemi told me she didn't find any kind of threads in her search.

KURODA: I see... Did you find anything else?

TAKAO: A couple of other things; her body has multiple small cuts and bruises all over it. It seems to suggest she put up some kind of fight before she was killed.

MIHARU: She was a soccer player, remember... could they have been sport related injuries?

TAKAO: I thought of that, but it's unlikely. They are very recent. Unless you are unbelievably clumsy, you can't sustain that kind of damage from sitting and playing poker.

EVIDENCE: Signs of a Struggle received!

Cuts and bruises on the body suggest there was some kind of struggle.

TAKAO: Which relates to my other finding... The body was covered in bruises, but there were some especially heavy ones localised around the neck.

KURODA: But, that line around her neck... Wasn't she strangled with some kind of thread?

TAKAO: Examining the dead is not my specialty, so I can't tell you if the injuries were inflicted post mortem or not.

TAKAO: However, there is no doubt. Haruna has been strangled twice.

EVIDENCE: Takao's Testimony received!

Bruising on the neck suggests Haruna was strangled twice.

KURODA: (Twice...?)

KURODA: Why would you strangle someone twice...?

TAKAO: Things like that don't happen randomly... There is a reason for it.

TAKAO: Once we figure it out, I'm sure it will help us catch the culprit. However, that discussion should probably wait until the trial.

KURODA: I guess you're right...


"Alright, you bastards! Investigation time is over, so please head to the elevator on the first floor!" Monokuma voice resounded throughout the building. With little else to do, Kuroda did was as he was told and he walked together with Miharu towards their destination.

Once all the students had gathered outside the elevator, Monokuma popped out.

"Everyone here? Good!" He made a gesture, and the elevator doors slid open. He beckoned the students inside, and once everyone was inside the lift the doors closed again.

"Ooh, I can bear-ly contain my excitement!" The bear exclaimed, waving them goodbye from behind the doors as the elevator started to move. "I'll see you bastards down there!"

As the elevator descended in silence, Kuroda looked around at the student's faces. He saw expressions of confusion, apprehension and fear, and he wondered who was putting on an act.

One among them was a murderer.

Reaching a stop, the elevator doors slid open to reveal the courtroom - a circular room furnished with 16 stands labelled with the student's names arranged in a ring. Monokuma was already waiting for them, perched on a chair outside the circle.

Taking a deep breath, Kuroda stepped out of the elevator.

The trial was about to begin.


EVIDENCE LIST:

(1): Monokuma File

Victim: Takahashi Haruna. Time of Death: Close to 10 PM. Cause of Death: Strangulation.

(2): Haruna's Key

Haruna's room key is scratched.

(3): State of the Room

Haruna's room has been thoroughly cleaned.

(4): Nameplates

The nameplates above Haruna, Aurora and Kioshi's doors have been tampered with.

(5): Doors

The locks on Haruna and Kioshi's doors are broken.

(6): Broken Locks

The broken locks are completely nonfunctional.

(7): Rule #7

The added rule states 'Breaking into locked rooms is forbidden'.

(8): Shunari's Testimony

Haruna played a poker game on the night of the murder with Shunari, Aurora, Kioshi, Takao and Saito.

(9): Kioshi's Testimony

Someone tried to break into Kioshi's room during Night Time.

(10): Aurora's Key

Aurora's room key is scratched.

(11): Fishing Wire

There is a roll of fishing line hidden in Aurora's room. Some of it has been used.

(12): Signs of a Struggle

Cuts and bruises on the body suggest there was some kind of struggle.

(13): Takao's Testimony

Bruising on the neck suggests Haruna was strangled twice.

Above is the full evidence list... I'll move it to the trial chapter once I post it up. Speaking of the trial, I'm not as far into it as I had hoped, but I figured you guys had waited long enough :P (at least at this point the evidence is unlikely to change. On the off chance it does, I will let you guys know.)

Next Chapter: Trial One! Get ready! Any speculation as to who the killer might be?