A/N:
SkyNote: Prepare for trouble-
SDNote: And make it double.
SkyNote: K, joke's over. :'3
SDNote: Nah, one more time for emphasis.
Code(r)Note: What am I doing here again? (I didn't even write that, but that works. -Actual Coder)
Chapter IX: Double Trouble
"Akuma... You murdered someone?" I barely recognize the voice as Mutsuko's, if only because it sounds as shocked as I feel.
"Akuma..." She looks really upset, and drops the rope. "Would never..." Her voice trails off.
I'm torn. On one hand, it's hard to deny that Akuma has what she's holding, and it's even harder to defend her when it's highly possible she very likely could have killed someone.
But on the other...this was Akuma.
I turn to look at Mutsuko. "Let me handle this."
Her gaze, when it meets mine, is cold and hard. "Do what you will." She picks up the rope, and examines it while I turn to my self-proclaimed younger sister. "Akuma?"
Investigation Start!
Ayumu: Do you mind telling me what happened, Akuma?
Akuma: ...Akuma went out early... And saw a rope tied to the railings on that side.
Ayumu: She's pointing to the railings.
Ayumu: Go on?
Akuma: When Akuma looked over the railings, she could only see some really dark hair... So Akuma tried pulling on it, but...
Akuma: It snapped... And Akuma heard a faint "plop".
Ayumu: ...So let me get this straight.
Ayumu: Someone is clearly dead, but you don't know who it is.
Akuma: Unfortunately…Akuma's sorry she couldn't get a closer look.
Ayumu: That's okay.
Ayumu: My hand buzzed. It's probably what I think it is.
Truth Bullet Added!
Account: Akuma Ankoku
Akuma found a dark-haired corpse dangling from the railing of the Dawn Rider at 5.50am. In her attempts to pull it up, however, the rope snapped, causing the corpse to fall into the water...which is when Mutsuko and I come into the picture.
Well damn. Now we don't even know who it is.
Akuma goes to glance over the railings, as if she could see the corpse floating on the water. I too go over to look, but there was nothing.
Looks like my conversation with her is over - for now.
"Here," without a second word, Mutsuko tosses the rope to me, before walking off.
I flip the cord within my fingers. Looks and feels like your average 'Titty Typhoon'-grade rope used-
Okay, now where the hell did that thought come from?! Urgh, memory, y u so random?
Truth Bullet Added!
Rope
If Akuma is to be believed, this rope had been holding a dead student. It's highly durable and pretty much unscathed...so how did it snap anyways?
Just who could the dead student be? There's just too many people with dark hair, and no one on this ship seems like a likely target-
...Well, Nicol was injured. I guess I wouldn't be too surprised if someone decided to take advantage of that.
Should I check up on him? Or perhaps I should stay with Akuma instead-
Halfway through my train of thought, the 'bell' signaled yet another announcement that threw said train off its tracks.
"Have fun investigating the death of a second student. Perhaps there's a third one coming."
Oh son of a-
I hear a sharp intake of breath, before I realise that it's me. A vibration travelling up my arm alerts me to a new message, and I open the fuschia interface.
NEW! [Message from: HIYORI SAGAECCHI]
...If this is a dream, somebody kick me. Why is there yet another name I don't recognize?!
"Niichan... It says to meet at Kyoya-nii's room..."
"Kyoya?" I question, and check the message. Sure enough, it reads:
'Corpse of Kyoya Akita, SHSL Illusionist found. Meet at his room.'
...Okay then.
Another message pops up, this time, from Nicol.
NEW! [Message from: NICOL DI AVANTIA]
'There were two announcements. Who was the first corpse, and where were they found?'
I type in a quick reply. 'Name unknown, corpse appears to have been dropped overboard. Appears to have been a dark-haired victim - hopefully, it's Shiori.'
I don't have to look at my interface to hear the outraged yell from the other end of the boat. Shutting it off, I look at Akuma. "Shall we?"
She nods, a determined, though fearful, expression on her face. "Let's go, Ayumu-niichan!"
Location: Stateroom, Kyoya Akita
"Yumi's missing." is the statement that greets us as Akuma and I enter the stateroom. Walls of dark yellow and simple black furniture fill the room - well, and the rest of the class.
Such Hufflepuff-ness.
A quick headcount reveals three missing from our midst - Kyoya, Yumi and Nicol. I presume Nicol to still be-
Before I can go monologuing any further, I duck to avoid a wicked right hook, courtesy of the asshole- I mean, poet.
"It was a joke!" I quickly defend myself, though my tone probably betrays my amusement. Judging by the anger on his face, yep, it did.
Though, it's worth remembering that the Poet throws a pretty good punch.
Truth Bullet Added!
SHSL Poet, Shiori
Is an asshole, is black-haired, and is unfortunately very good at beating the shit out of people. Should probably invest in some defense opportunities - use Ryota as a human shield?
"Quit it, both of you." A quiet yet firm voice speaks, and I turn to glance at the speaker.
Speak of the devil, it's Ryota. Maybe I was saying that out loud.
"Kyoya's dead, Yumi probably is and judging by that announcement, this may turn out to be a mass murder." He begins, an uncharacteristically severe look on his face. "Even if you didn't like either of them, I ask of you all to help solve the mystery of their murder. And this means no internal fighting." This last was said with a glance at both myself and the Asshole, and I nod. Couldn't care less what Shiori did.
"I suggest we split up, for mobility's sake-" He begins, only to have Kiyoko raise a hand. "If I may speak- would it not be safer to travel in a large group?"
"Aika does not wish to investigate," Illa states, and I realize for the first time that his position blocks the sight of Kyoya's corpse from the Songstress. "We will check on Nicol." Right, she can't stand the sight of blood.
Ryota nods once in assent. "Kiyoko, mobility is more important should the murderer attempt to strike in this period."
The Living Doll doesn't look convinced, but nods anyway. "Very well then. I shall defer to your tactical judgement."
I walk over to the corpse, ignoring the muttered discussions breaking out among the class. Can't say I knew him all that well - if anything, I know more about him than myself - but honestly… not a very nice way to go, judging by the look of his corpse.
Come to think of it, who found him again…?
A Hiyori Saga-ecchi, I believe-
SLAP!
That marks the second time this morning I've been slapped for running my mouth. And this time, it's by Felicity of all people.
"That's not how you pronounce my name." Her words were unusually harsh - well, harsher than usual at least, and boy, is she glaring daggers at me. What did I do now?
"It's pronounced Sa-ge-chi, or have you lost all language ability as well?" Well, it's a question, but it really sounds more like a heated statement to me.
Yeesh. No wonder people default to Felicity instead. It's simply too much of a mouthful. Wonder why she doesn't try just 'Hiyori' instead, though.
Kaede clears his throat awkwardly. "I suppose we should get going?" is the question, and without further ado, Aika rushes out from the room, closely followed by Illa. Thanks for not leaving a goodbye, I guess. The rest of the class follow in small groups, with Ryota shooting me a meaningful look as he leaves the dark yellow stateroom.
So. I'm stuck in a room with Hiyori, Shiori and one dead Kyoya. I'm starting to think that Kyoya will prove to be better company than either of them - at least he won't attempt to kill me.
Well, more like 'can't', but, close enough.
Considering my options, though, I'm definitely not talking to Shiori, and Kyoya sure can't reply to me, so… aw, what the heck. Let's just get on with it.
Investigation Start!
Ayumu: So, Hiyori-
Hiyori: It's Felicity. Don't make me repeat myself.
Ayumu: Meh, fine, Felicity, what are we looking at here?
Felicity: I should have thought that was obvious. There's a corpse.
Ayumu: ...How did you know there was a corpse there, then?
Felicity: And pray tell, why should I answer your question?
Felicity: Before you ask, no, I do not care about what you think, and if I choose not to say, I won't say anything. So no, I am not a nice person.
Ayumu: Because, in all honesty, regardless of whether you're a nice person or not, unless we find out who killed Kyoya, you're going down with me and everyone else but the murderer.
Felicity: And what if I am the murderer? All the more sense it'd make for me not to say anything, wouldn't it?
Ayumu: You triggered Kyoya's Body Discovery Announcement.
Felicity: And how do you know that murderers can't trigger the announcement- wait. No.
Felicity: Fine, so I did trigger the Announcement. That doesn't actually give a reason as to why I should tell you, however.
Ayumu: Hmm...Maybe I should change approaches. Doesn't seem like I'm getting anywhere with her right now.
Ayumu: Okay, then, if you aren't going to tell me why you came here first thing in the morning, I guess we'll just have to move on for now.
Ayumu: Besides, we'll find out why during the Class Trial anyways. If I can't force a confession out of you here, I'll just have to wait. But by all means, let's move on.
Felicity: Hmph. Go ahead if you wish. Doesn't mean that I'll say anything, though.
Ayumu: Alright. Do we have a Monokuma File on Kyoya?
Ayumu: A Monokuma File? Where did that come from, and who's Monokuma?
Felicity: …Unfortunately, it would seem that your powers of observation are very much non-existent. Does it look as though we have a Monokuma here?
Ayumu: Er-
Felicity: And besides, those things are given to everyone at the same time. If you've not gotten it, there's no way the rest of us would have one.
Felicity: So unless you're planning on guarding this corpse, I'd suggest you leave.
Ayumu: Tch. Looks like I'm not going to be able to glean much from her. Better come back next time when there's someone else I'll be able to work with.
Ayumu: For now, I'll leave Kyoya's body to the two of them. Felicity's already innocent, and asshole or not, I don't think Shiori would have killed him.
Truth Bullet Added!
Account: Hiyori Sagaecchi
As disagreeable as she usually is, Felicity has been cleared of Kyoya's murder. What she has failed to deny was that she was the one who found his body - and though she won't tell me why, I'm pretty sure we'll get to that soon enough.
Also, who's Monokuma, why does he have a file on Kyoya, and why can't I remember any of this?
"I suppose I ought to thank you for reminding me of that thing, Ayumu Umemoto."
I turn. Standing at the doorway is our dear - not really - host, Mikaze, and in her hands is an ID. The administrator ID, I'd wager.
"Though I should mention that Monokuma has been obsolete for quite some time now - from now on, all future autopsy reports are renamed Student Files." She remarks. "Of course, it's not as though you're getting all the available information - as usual, it's written in a format with the appropriate information left out to give the murderer or murderers a fighting chance."
"And naturally, that goes to say that we probably shouldn't trust anything you say," Shiori mutters, and her gaze flicks over to him for the fraction of a second. But she leaves without another word, and shortly after, I feel yet another vibration traveling up my arm.
The Student File, I presume, Specifically, the Student File for Kyoya.
Truth Bullet Added!
Monokuma
So apparently, it's obsolete and has been for some time. This kind of says a lot, I guess…
Still, translating it results in 'Stuff-Bear'. I don't get it, but I guess I'm not supposed to.
Truth Bullet Added!
Student File #2: Kyoya Akita, SHSL Illusionist
Victim: Kyoya Akita
Age: 17
Time of Death: 3:14am
Cause of Death: [REDACTED]
Location of Corpse: Yellow Stateroom
...Hmm. Looks like-
"Can we go now?" Ryota walks into the room, a hint of a frown on his face. "Did Mikaze threaten to do anything just now?"
"Nothing yet." I shrug. "Why, did she threaten you?"
He shakes his head, but it's Akuma who answers - from the outside, no less. "She said that if we didn't stop blocking the hallway, she'd land us in the medic wing permanently. Ayumu-niichan, she's a meanie."
Thank you, Akuma. As if I couldn't figure that one out myself.
"Illa and Aika will be our communication facilitators. Since the rest have gone to the other side of the ship, it leaves us to check the staterooms for clues," Ryota states, a little too tonelessly.
"All the staterooms? Or just the people you suspect?" I inquire. "Because I don't think some people will be very happy about you just barging into their rooms to look for evidence. Just ask Tweedledum and Tweedle-idiot behind me."
"HEY!"
Ryota laughs as I duck behind him, watching as the door appears right before the angry Poet rushes out, and for good measure pushing my back against it to prevent it from breaking down on me. It probably isn't going to, but then again, it never hurts to err on the side of caution, yeah?
Probably gonna have to watch out, though. Might have accidentally insulted Felicity along with him - I swear I was talking about Kyoya though.
"Let's just go and check everyone's staterooms while we're at it, and see if we can find anything else," he decides, as we move away from the still-banging door. "Ah, but of course, as guys, we're not entering the staterooms of our female compatriots. Akuma, will you be fine doing that yourself?"
"Akuma is more than okay with that!" is her grin, even as she vanishes behind a pink door.
Her head peeks back out later, sheepish. "Oops, Akuma forgot that this was her room."
Ryota and I laugh, but to my credit, I don't fall through a door that phases out of existence as I lean against it for support. Ryota, on the other hand, does, and a muffled crash is heard. Just as with Akuma, he too exits the room, looking rather embarrassed. "Right. This is my room, so…"
I make no effort to hide the smirk. At least I don't think I have the capacity to fall into my room anytime soon.
Then the door I'm leaning on gives way, and I crash-land into a room.
Well. Not my room, see? This room's walls are painted a garish black. Pity the person who sleeps here, being in such a gloomy room. Give me fuschia any day.
Then I remember that this room must belong to Nicol.
"Well, I guess you picked a good room to go in." Ryota says as he steps over me. "I always wondered what was in an Agent's room."
"Let's find out, I guess." I state, and begin a methodical search of the surroundings.
Investigation Start!
Ayumu: So, any clue as to what we're supposed to be looking for?
Ryota: Actually... no. But honestly, I'm surprised you went with that bullshit of mine.
Ayumu: Bullshit? I actually thought it was an okay idea...
Ryota: Well, it's complete and utter bullshit, and it's also something I thought of right at that very moment when I suggested it.
Ryota: I just needed the class to split up.
Ayumu: What is this, Scooby Doo?
Ayumu: ...For that matter, what's a Scooby Doo?
Ryota: Well, at least now I'm about a hundred percent sure you're not faking amnesia. Nobody makes references they can't remember.
Ryota: But anyways, I needed us to make like a banana and split purely because it's unclear if there's one or two murderers. The general rule is that each murderer can only kill two victims, and if there's two murderers and both are alive…
Ryota: Well, you get my drift, surely?
Ayumu: Sort of. I'm still kinda iffy on this whole Mutual Killing Game shtick - pardon me if I don't understand stuff right away.
Ryota: No need to be concerned about that. At least, if the class is in groups and another murder occurs, we can begin to point fingers.
Ryota: That is, given that the same murderers are committing the crimes. After all... It was said to expect another corpse soon.
Ayumu: Well, you're the tactician here, and I'm the amnesiac. Who do you have an eye on?
Ryota: I do believe I can't actually pluck out my eyeballs and put them on anyone. So no, I don't have eyes on anyone, I guess.
Ayumu: Ha-ha. Very funny. You get my drift, surely?
Ryota: I daresay I do. For now, let's get back to work, shall we?
Ayumu: That doesn't exactly answer my question...
Ryota: Right-o! Let's get back to work.
Ayumu: Dodging the question? Hnn...I wonder.
Truth Bullet Added!
Account: Ryota Sugiyama
Either he doesn't have a clear suspect in mind, or I'm the suspect now. Reminds me of a certain Izumi Mizushima - whoever that is.
I wonder why I know so many weird people. Must have been a side effect of being an inventor.
Anyway, this room is rather bare. Aside from the black walls, the furniture are in various shades of grey - upwards of about fifty shades of it. While I'm examining the content of the desk drawers that are all empty - seriously, even I have possessions in those, why does he not have anything - Ryota just flops on the bed.
"Are you seriously going to sleep?" I question, but he shushes me, before motioning for me to come closer.
If he's inviting me to sleep with him, I'm afraid I'll have to give him a hard no. Even with amnesia, I'm pretty sure Ryota's not my type.
"Just get over here, dammit," he rolls his eyes. "I think there's something in that corner, but I can only see it from a certain angle. I want to make sure I'm not hallucinating or anything."
I raise an eyebrow, but walk over accordingly. Nicol's four-poster bed is surprisingly comfortable, but I don't dwell on that as I attempt to see what Ryota's trying to make me see.
In the curtain hanging from the frame, there seems to be an extra flap cut into the thick velvet. Huh.
"So, I'm not hallucinating, am I?" The Tactician asks smugly, pulling himself into a sitting position and leaning against the headrest. "Go get it out, I guess, while I check the bedside drawers."
Ten bucks says he falls asleep while I'm doing it.
The flap wasn't exactly the easiest thing to open, if only because it was only visible from that one angle. If you weren't lying on the bed, it was impossible to differentiate it from the rest of the curtain, but if you were on the bed, it was out of arm's reach.
Wait.
It's out of reach only because I'm on the wrong side of the bed.
"Scoot over, Ryota." I mutter, and unceremoniously push him off the bed after hearing a gentle snore.
He doesn't even wake up when he hits the floor. Must be nice to be able to sleep so deeply.
Now that I was finally on the right side - quite literally - I could reach the flap just by reaching out a hand. Well, it makes sense. Nicol wasn't that tall after all, so surely he didn't have too far of a reach either, by proxy?
Back to the contents of that flap. Inside it was a single small leather-bound book. Should I read it, or no?
==Choice Time!==
Read the book?
[...Is it his diary or something?] [It might be important to Nicol - I'll ask him first]
I stick it in my vest pocket and look around. Ryota's still asleep, so...I guess I'll leave or something? Hopefully, Akuma's having more luck than we have-
"Where are you going?"
Nevermind.
I turn to look at Ryota, who's playing with a gun in his hands, as well as an average-sized metallic box. Wait, a gun?
I think I have one of those on my desk- Waitwaitwait, where the heck did he-
"It was in one of the bedside drawers," he casually informs me. "There are also what I presume to be bullets, but as you can probably tell, I don't actually know how to load one of these." He points the gun at the wall, though. "It's just pulling the trigger, right?"
'click'
"Never mind." He scoops up the gun magazines from the drawer. "We should probably pass these to Nicol in case he needs to defend himself."
I nod. "What's that last one, though?"
He shrugs. "I can't open it. It's locked."
I shake my head. "Well, it's locked for some reason. I think we'll just leave it like that until we can find the key. Or a lockpick."
"You could just invent one."
This gives me pause. I am the Super Highschool Level Inventor - I should be able to make one.
Eh. Probably later.
"You hold onto this thing, then," Ryota tosses it to me almost carelessly, and I rush to catch it.
Shrugging, I stuff the box in my pocket. "Now what?"
"Simple. We search other rooms."
I groan. This was going to be a long morning, and I haven't even had breakfast yet. This is just perfect.
I wonder how the others are doing?
"I'm hungryyyyy-" a whining is heard from the Paranormal Investigator, even as she flopped onto the deck for the nth time… I doubt that's helping her hunger for some reason
"Kumiko is in the kitchens, Rin." Pale pink hair is tied up into a slightly wild ponytail - obviously, Kiyoko didn't have time to do her makeup properly. "Please, do try to hold on a little longer? None of us have eaten breakfast. Speaking of which, the kitchen's missing quite a few knives, according to Kumiko…"
Truth Bullet Added!
Kitchen Knives
According to Kumiko, the kitchen is missing multiple knives. I wonder where they've gone, or who took them…?
Lost in thought, I try not to pay any attention to the two of them until a firm hand grabbing onto my shoulder prevents me from walking forward any further. "If I may point out, Kaede…" Dirk's voice trails off, before he clears his throat. "You're headed on a straight collision course with the Storage Room door."
…I planned on opening it first, I swear. Well, sort of. Not important, okay?
"This is where we part ways," states Mutsuko, who leaves without a backward glance. Dirk shoots me an apologetic look and chases after her, but I can't shake off the feeling that something's not right here.
Okay but, who am I kidding, nothing on this ship feels right.
"Shall we proceed?" Kiyoko asks, but before I reply, Rin has already barged into the Storage Room.
"Well, so much for that idea," I shrug, before glancing at Kiyoko. "Ladies first?"
She chuckles, hiding it behind a hand gracefully - as expected of the Living Doll. "You're only saying that because Rin already went in, are you not?"
"Pretty much."
"Well, if you insist." She walks in, and I follow. Rin's already searching through boxes - somehow, after the removal of the Paladin's corpse, this place now has plenty of boxes, each containing various types of cargo.
"I don't suppose we're looking for pillows?" Rin asks, tossing a whole bunch of them aside and causing feathers to fly. I notice a signature on the side of the boxes of pillows, and it reads 'Elliot Bond', whoever that is. I'm suddenly wondering if he's a spy or something.
"Well, if it seems likely that Kyoya was smothered to... Well, death..." Kiyoko says hesitantly, and I shake my head. "I think not. He was nailed down - probably bled out from the multiple entry wounds."
"Well, if his cause of death was redacted..." Rin mused, and I have a feeling I know what's coming next-
"A ghost killed him!"
My palm almost instantly makes contact with my face. "It wasn't a ghost, Rin!"
"There's varying lengths of rope here in this box," states Kiyoko - ignoring that 'theory', with what seems like a hint of uncertainty. Not too sure if this entire room is even important, but okay. "I don't suppose anyone needs cleaning supplies, though?"
Truth Bullet Added!
Storage Room
There's now plenty of day-to-day items, now that the corpse of the SHSL Paladin is - well, gone. Among the stash of items in boxes include fluffy pillows that seem very capable of smothering someone to death, cleaning supplies and a few weird objects like rope.
There aren't any nails to be found anywhere, though, nor spare knives.
Even as Rin sorts through the rest of the boxes - more like makes a mess under the pretense of sorting, I take a stand by the side. Watching her work was probably a better idea than trying to help and instead causing an even bigger mess. Rin seems like someone I should be giving space...
I kick the ground by my feet out of habit.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Clink!
"Huh?" I stop. One of those sounds was not like the other.
I look down. My foot brushes against something metallic and disc-like. Raising a brow, I bend down to get a closer look.
It's some sort of of...well, disc. It's small and shiny, with a hole in the middle, and a string tied around it. As I pick the thread up, it causes the disc to sway from left to right. Periodically, in fact, almost as if it was…
A pendulum?
Truth Bullet Added!
Pendulum
It's a small disc attached to the string, and it moves in perfect simple harmonic motion, as if it was a pendulum. What is its importance? Hell if I know.
I slip it into my pocket, but just as I do so, out of the corner of my gaze, I catch a glimpse of Kiyoko hurriedly closing her interface. It's invisible to me - the screen, that is - but the movement is so familiar that I identified it without a second thought.
It is her weird expression that gives me cause for concern, however.
"Kiyoko?" Evidently, Rin too has noticed, for she immediately ceases and walks over to the other. "Is everything okay?"
She shakes her head. "We should… get to Kyoya's Room. I'll let Felicity explain."
Without another word, we follow her out in the direction of the staterooms. Gotta say, her behavior is raising a few red flags.
Entering Kyoya's room once more, I glance around - everything looks roughly the same, while Felicity is still slightly hunched over the body, trying to do...something.
I give Kiyoko a questioning look, but she merely shakes her head.
"Urgh." I hear, and Felicity looks up. "You're here. At least you lot are better people to talk to than the dumbass Inventor."
Ha, shots fired, I think.
Ayumu's grinning face briefly registers in my mind before Rin asks the next question. "So, what's wrong?"
Her sardonic grin immediately drops into a frown. She gestures at the corpse of our dead associate. "Well, I can't do shit - whatever the murderer did to his body, he's stuck to the table. I can't remove him to even do a proper autopsy - all I can say is that he's been dead quite some time, because his blood's completely dried out."
Truth Bullet Added!
Felicity's Autopsy
Felicity says the body's blood is completely dry. Considering how it takes a bit of time for that, we can assume he's been dead for a while.
Oh, did I mention he's also stuck to the table?
Damn. I think someone else would probably be able to glean more info, but of the people who are pretty good with forensics, Charles is...well, the only other option is in the antichamber, healing up. I doubt Nicol is in any form to help…
It's quiet out here, but I suppose I don't really mind. No-one has of yet questioned why I'm able to send messages while supposedly in the antichamber that blocks all reception, but then again, they've probably figured out that I'm not in there any longer.
That's good. It'll save me the trouble of explaining, and I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now.
Then again, I never do.
Hearing two sets of slow footfalls approaching from the other end of this long corridor, I let out a quiet sigh. It was going to be a long day - or night. I don't know. I lost count after being stuck in endless sleep cycles.
It's probably day though.
"Wait, why are you-" It's Illa. That accent is very distinctive, and by obvious conclusion, the informed guess would be that the person accompanying him right now would be Aika. And as usual, my guess is on the spot.
"Didn't feel like being cooped up for another day," is my curt reply, even as I make to step past him. He places a hand on my shoulder, presumably meant to hold me back with minimal force, but unfortunately, it's the wrong shoulder.
A wince escapes, even though I try to hold it back. Damn it.
'You're still not recovered, you can't leave,' Aika signs, a look of worry on her face, and I resist the urge to push them aside. The fact that one arm mostly out of commission isn't going to help my case.
"I'm alright." It's a definite statement, even though it's a lie. Then again, the end justifies the means.
Illa gives me a disbelieving look. "You just winced when I placed a hand on your shoulder, and you say that you're fine?"
Pushing past him, I make no reply. There's no time to argue - I just feel a pressing need to utilise this time to investigate, and quickly. But I freeze when Aika hugs me tightly from the back. She's not saying anything - she can't say anything - but her desperation is evident from her actions.
I'm torn.
I don't wish to ignore her, yet I cannot stand the fact that time is just ticking away - and I can't even use it properly. It's also at this time that I realise that the Songstress' hands were trembling, and almost immediately, I place my hands over hers without much thought - it just felt natural to do so. There's not much of a size difference, but it's immediately obvious that her hands are freezing cold.
Fear, perhaps?
Illa clears his throat, but I don't let go. It's not as if he could do anything to me, even if I am still injured.
"I'll stay." I state quietly, but decide to add a clause to change the uncharacteristic behaviour. "But only if you both tell me what went on in that gathering in the Illusionist's stateroom."
The Illusionist.
It would be easier to think of him as merely a talent, rather than a person. To better solve this case impassively, it was a necessity.
"Well, as I'm sure you know, Hiyori is actually Felicity." Illa finally gives up on staring daggers at me, and instead moves to sit down with his back against a wall. Aika's hands slip out of mine as she walks over to sit on his lap, and the momentary loss of warmth somehow brings pain, yet it's not the physical kind.
"Go on." I take a seat opposite them, back leaning against the wall. Hopefully, there was new information.
I watch as Aika signs about the last ones to gather, and the lack of Yumi's attendance.
"So, Yumi and Kyoya. Two dead, and at least one murderer roaming this ship." I frown, but erase it soon after. "What were the two of you doing last night, and can you vouch for anyone else's alibi?"
"Kumiko, Aika and I were in the Mess Hall until twelve. We were helping her clean up, and once we were done, all three of us broke up outside our rooms.
'He speaks the truth.'
I frown again. "Did you hear or see anything weird early this morning, then? No offense to you, Illa, of course."
"None taken, and no." He replies, "Aika?"
'Well, I did hear the sound of something dropping outside my stateroom early this morning - it must have been poor Yumi's body. I heard it around 5.50 or so.'
Hmm...Perhaps someone else's account might substantiate that. For now, I'll key it in, I note, before turning to my bracelet to key it in - before realising that it had already automatically been recorded.
Sigh.
Truth Bullet Added!
Account: Aika 'Hibiki' Kobayashi
At around 5.50am, Aika heard the sound of something dropping from outside her stateroom. But if the staterooms are soundproof, how did this occurrence come about?
She definitely does not come across as someone likely to murder, but then again, no-one should be trusted. Just in case.
"This place is absolutely in the clear."
"No shit." I mutter under my breath. Mutsuko seems like she's really good at pointing out the obvious - a skill in very much demand nowadays. Especially since people on this ship seem to lack observational skills; perhaps their eyes are all simply just for show.
"Dirk?"
"Yeah, yeah, nothing here!" I reply, almost a little too hurriedly and good-naturedly. I gotta be careful - sooner or later, she'll probably catch on.
A pause makes me think I've blown it, but she closes something, and I sigh in relief.
"Well, I guess we should just move on, then." I hear a more weary sigh from her, but it soon turns into a sharp intake of breath. "What are you-"
"A delivery of a corpse was called for." comes the blank statement from a voice I recognise as Mikaze's. Turning around, when I hear a quiet dull thud, I realise that she had dropped a soaking, bloated corpse on the floor.
And oh, did I mention that she was also dripping wet?
Investigation Start!
Dirk: I wasn't aware you were a deliverywoman.
Mikaze: I'm not.
Mikaze: If you couldn't determine the murderer because of the lack of investigation, it'd be too easy a win for the murderer. It's my job to try and even up the odds - that is, of course, assuming that I feel like it.
Dirk: Aren't you supposed to be reveling in Despair or something? When did you like playing fair?
Mikaze: Don't tar me with the same brush as those fools. I usually play fair unless there's something to be gained or unless I really don't feel like it.
Mikaze: If you would like me to start tipping the balance of power here, I could always just throw this corpse back into the sea.
Dirk: ...On second thought.
Dirk: I assume this is Yumi's corpse, then? I don't believe anyone's thrown over Kyoya's body - especially since it's still nailed to his desk upstairs.
Mikaze: Identify it yourself; you're getting no information from me. The file will only be given after correct identification and successful convincing of the class of the victim's identity.
Mikaze: Besides, you shouldn't ask so many questions, given your talent. Leave that to people with talents similar to mine.
Dirk: Hmph. You'd be surprised at what us carnies might know. I doubt you've ever had to deal with Todd Dunham.
Mikaze: I know not of who this person is, and I cannot be bothered to check. But I'm positive that your talents will be put to better use in another field.
Mikaze: Farewell.
Dirk: Tch. Why does everyone look down on a ringleader? I'll have to find a way to get under her skin soon enough.
Dirk: For now, I should identify this body. Obviously, it's supposed to be Yumi's…
Dirk: But you can never be too sure now. If anything, it might even be Todd's - hopefully, someone tried to throw him down from an airship or something.
Truth Bullet Added!
Account: Tokihiko Mikaze
For a Despair, she sure has a thing about playing fair - at least most of the time. For now, it would seem as though she's levelling the playing field between the innocents and the blackened, but who knows how long that'll last.
"Ugh. I've worked with oversalinated skin before, but this...This is just disgusting."
Mutsuko attempts to peel away one of the layers of clothing, but it ends up tearing off a strip of skin along with it - revealing white skin that really shouldn't be there, eugh.
She looks away. "Well, I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing. I can't do anything when the body is this compromised."
"And I doubt I'll be of any help - if you, a scientist, can't do anything, I as a ringleader sure can't either." I reply with a slight acknowledging nod, but seriously, why don't we have any medical personnel?
The only times I've had to deal with a corpse are those of the people who've died in freak circus accidents, and none of them were bloated. Burned, mauled, broken neck, one guy sliced to pieces by the safety net - but we didn't have any aquatic acts.
"Is identification possible?" I question, and Mutsuko frowns. "Well, if anyone knows her clothing color, maybe."
A thought crosses to the front of my mind. "Well, if she's Yumi, she'd be wearing her bracelet, right?"
She stares at me with a look of incredulity on her face, before holding up both of the corpse's arms. Nothing. Damn.
Well, guess we'll just have to wait for now - maybe someone else has a better idea…?
"I'll text Illa and Aika." She states, and I shrug.
"There's a second corpse, but there's no definite identification that it's Yumi's."
"Should we tell Ayumu and the rest?"
"I should think not. If we were to tell everyone, they would be too distracted by an extra case."
"Then will Kaede's team do?"
"...Is this because I used Ayumu's name specifically?"
"Definitely not."
"Seems like it, however."
'ahem'
"...just message Kaede about the corpse then."
Returning to Kyoya's room was much safer now that Ms. Pimp Slap and Asshole had left.
Well, after Ryota decided to distract them, at least. Thank the lord for small blessings - and Kumiko's breakfast.
"Is it safe, Ayumu-niichan?"
"I...think so."
Akuma and I nodded, before I swiped my hand against the dark yellow door. We entered as quickly as we could, before sparking the door back shut.
I feel a slight tug on the back of my vest. "Can Akuma search the room?" Right, I'd forgotten that Akuma too was queasy around blood.
"Go ahead. I'll search the corpse then." I state, before proceeding to do just that.
Investigation Start!
Kyoya must have died a horrific death, I muse even as I pull out a knife from his corpse. It seems familiar, though I don't know why? There's blood all over the blade, but surprisingly, only a small area around his corpse is bloody. Surely the human body has more blood than that?
The many silver circles embedded throughout his body draw my attention - I initially think that they're part of his costume, until I try to move his body to gauge out the real extent of his blood splatter.
...Stuck?
I shift his body from side to side, and find that it's rooted to the desk pretty bad. Did someone glue his front to it or something? Or maybe it has to do with the silver circles I just mentioned?
I tap one of the circles to feel that it's metallic in substance. Can I… pull it out?
Well, no harm in trying, I guess.
I dig into the cold flesh of my once-classmate, and attempt to extricate whatever it is. Surprisingly, it doesn't come out as easily as I thought it would.
"Akuma, could you come over and give me a hand?" I call, intrigued by what the foreign intrusion is.
She responds by putting both of her small arms around my waist. "Got it! Let's pull!"
With a heave, the two of us begin the struggle, and I can just feel the contents of my stomach start to shift.
Holy shit. Where the hell did Akuma learn to grab? I gotta get me some lessons-
With a tumble, we fall to the floor as the thing comes loose.
And as you all watching at home might have guessed by now, we fell very awkwardly.
I land face first in Akuma's lack of chest, and am not surprised by the turn of events. Honestly, Kami-sama, do you really hate me that much?
I scramble to get off, highly embarrassed, hoping to put as much distance between myself as I can before Akuma freaks out, slaps me, kicks me where the sun doesn't shine, etc.
What I don't expect is for my hands to find something soft, and I fall back down again. Luckily, this time, it is her legs that catch my fall.
WHAP!
...Nevermind. There goes the rest of the brain cells I just got back.
"Bakayumu-niichan really is a lolicon after all..."
I begin to protest, but get something shoved in my face. "Akuma's going to go away now; see you at breakfast, maybe?"
The door closes before I get a chance to react and take whatever it is off my face.
Le sigh...Well, I guess I'll see what this is.
...It seems to be a- wait, is this what I think it is?!
Oh ahoge, get it off me!
With a very unmanly shriek, I toss the bra halfway across the room, where it settles down on Kyoya's face, masking his eternally-dead expression with an embroidered blue balconette.
...Do I even want to know why I know that term? Good lord, I hope I have an older sister or mother that taught me that.
In any case, the nonstop vibrations running through my right arm cause me to glance at it for the first time since I entered the room. The list of new truth bullets cause me to gasp - when did I find out all of this?
Truth Bullet Added!
Bra
An average-sized bra with an average cup size. It's blue, embroidered and lace, though - and it's a balconette. Not even going to question why I know so much.
Who's is it, though, is the main question at hand. And, of course, why it's in Kyoya's room.
Truth Bullet Added!
Nails
They're pretty large, and they were - still are - nailing Kyoya's corpse to his desk. Pun not intended. It took both mine and Akuma's combined strength to pull just one out, and it's already blood-coloured - Kyoya's blood, most likely.
Truth Bullet Added!
Corpse: Kyoya Akita
There's just a small area around the corpse that's covered in blood - it doesn't even spill over. He's been stabbed with multiple knives that seem vaguely familiar, but I can't place where - there's also plenty of nails stuck in him that look like decor, but they're not.
Truth Bullet Added!
SHSL Physiologist, Akuma
With a cup size of barely an A, much like the first letters of her name and surname, Akuma is practically flat. Then again, she's a 12-year-old girl- Wait.
I attempt to erase the truth bullet before realizing that there's no delete button on this thing.
Goddamn it. At least I don't think anyone will get the liberty of seeing it - especially since I'm sure as hell not sharing that.
Perhaps I should be going now. I think I've exhausted this room for clues. But now what?
"Three hours are up. All students are to proceed to the trial room immediately."
...Aw come on, I haven't even gotten breakfast yet.
Sighing, I walk out, and turn to go to the trial room. Hopefully, my 'friends' will have found something more substantial.
...Friends.
Two are dead, one or more of them killed them, and I'm no closer to finding out who I am.
*sigh* C'est la vie. Time to mess this up as badly as the last one.
A/N: You guys can expect a nice fucked up trial. No kidding. Bai.
