Chapter Two-Dying for Aesthetics, Deadly Life

-Shizue's POV-

Soft. I felt something soft and plump against the back of my neck. I opened my eyes to see Mayu smiling down at me, "Oh, you're awake! Thank goodness!" We were seated on the floor of the cafe lounge, which I was thankful for. The tile floor was quite comfortable compared to the uneven, rocky ground outside.

I wiped my eyes for a bit before trying to sit up. Mayu had been sitting cross-legged with my head in her lap, brushing my hair, waiting for me to awaken. I sat up, my legs quivering, "Wh-what happened? Was I dreaming?"

"Afraid not," Akihiko answered me, a grim look on his face as he knelt down to look me in my eyes, "Takeshi's actually dead. I investigated up above, and confirmed something. That cord he was hung with was plugged in. You were the one who tried to pull him up, yes?"

I nodded, "I was headed up the walkway at around... 7:15? I saw him hanging and panicked. I sprinted up to try and save him, but the cord snapped..."

"When that happened," Akihiko gently explained, "The cord must have shocked you pretty badly. Maybe you didn't notice, what with the adrenaline pumping in your veins. It's understandable. You passed out about fifteen minutes ago."

Mayu furthered the conversation, "Aki and I carried you to the lounge, to rest. Granberia and Koneko volunteered to watch the body this time."

Akihiko grimaced, "Again... Dammit!" He clenched his fist until it looked painful, "Why can't we resist this temptation? Why do we end up killing our friends!?"

I finally got to my feet and responded, "I'm sorry, Akihiko. I know it hurts you to see this..."

Akihiko muttered to himself, "I hate this feeling of powerlessness."

"Akihiko," Mayu spoke up, taking a more motherly approach, "I understand. You're confused. Scared. Feeling betrayed. This is normal. Just know you have my support. I will do anything to see the killer to justice; this I promise you."

Aki just shook his head, "An empty promise; it means nothing."

Mayu stepped back before folding her arms, "Takeshi was a nuisance, but murder...? I wonder if the killer is regretful right now. Did they do it out of resentment or something more sinister...?"

"What does it matter!? Whoever did it is a filthy murderer!" Aki was unexpectedly abrasive, probably still dredging up hurt feelings over Emiko's death, "Whatever reasons they have, it's selfish bullshit!"

"That I can agree on," Mayu smiled a bit, "However, holding grudges will do you no good. The people they used to be deserve better."

Akihiko shrugged it off, "Shizue, I'm glad you're alright. Whoever set that trap up intended to kill you. I guarantee that when I find the culprit, they'll never see the light of day again."

I didn't know what to say to that. Someone had legitimately tried to kill me, though not me, personally. I had been worried after the last trial, and this only made my anxiety grow. This is what my sister wanted to happen, right? For me to die rather than come back a disgrace?

Akihiko took my silence as a cue for him to leave, "Don't forget to check your handbook. Second Monokuma file came in. We all need to do our best."

"Yeah..." I trailed off.

I was feeling sick to my stomach, the painful thoughts pouring from the darkness inside me. After what had happened with Shinji, what with my suicide attempt, I had begun taking medications. Emiko had closely monitored me to ensure I had no allergic or negative reactions, and they had made me feel better. But this wasn't just depression or anxiety; it was despair.

Like a darkness coating my skin, seeking to weigh me down, to destroy my motivations, my hopes, my reason for being. Everything became slow, monotonous, torturous. This concerned me, the darkness in my heart.

Mayu noticed my discomfort, and quickly intervened, "We must have hope for the future, Shizue."

I couldn't control myself anymore, and I thrust myself into her chest, crying, "Mayu... Why!? Why do we have to go through this!? I just want to go home!" Sobbing into her, I slowly fell to my knees, unable to hold back.

Mayu held me close, running her hand through my hair, "Shizue, you're so... Gentle, so kind. I know it's a struggle just to get by in this sick game, but I want you to remember this one thing. No matter what, I believe in you. I love you, Shizue. Much like the little sister I never got to have."

"Mayu... You..." I could barely believe what she had just told me, and it was taking a while to sink in.

"No matter what happens, remember that," She patted me on the head and urged me to stand up, which I obliged her, "We have to solve this murder, understood? For our fallen comrades, and for our future."

I nodded, sniffling a bit, "Do you have any idea who it might be...?"

Mayu shook her head, "I have yet to investigate or read the file myself. Shinji has also neglected to show himself, so I've decided to check in on his cottage."

"Can I do it...? I saw him just this morning, at around 6:45. At the lounge, ironically." I admitted.

Mayu walked over to the sign-in sheet, "Ah, yes, says it right here. He also came in at 2:35 in the morning. Interesting..." Mayu opened up her handbook, "According to this, Takeshi's time of death was 3:05 A.M. Shinji might have seen something."

With new resolve, I nodded, "I'll go talk to him. What will you do?"

Mayu pondered that for a second, "Haven't decided yet. I'll do some recon where the crime took place. Make sure to mark down that sheet, though. Shinji might be a key witness."

Mayu walked out, and I opened my handbook to the newest Monokuma File.

The victim's body was discovered hanging over the courtyard stairway between the first and second area. His time of death is at approximately 3:05 AM. An extension cord was firmly wrapped around his neck as he hung thirty feet from the ground. The body has a neck wound indicating he had been cut, and there are bruises from the cord. However, there is no evidence he struggled after being hung.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Monokuma File 2# has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

I looked over the sign-in sheet to the lounge. Shinji Kizami, entered at 2:35 AM and left at 2:45. That does place him close to the time of the murder. He also signed in again at 6:40, just before I met him at 6:45. It says he left at 7:00, which means he must have still been in here when I was getting Kenji and Hanako's attention. Why didn't he come then?

Obtained Truth Bullet! Sign-in Sheet has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

With what little evidence I had, I couldn't discern a motive. Would someone have really gone so far as to kill Takeshi over a personal grudge? I knew I had to talk to Shinji to glean some information, but I had a bad feeling. Almost as if I'd be better off not talking with him about it.

I shook off the anxiety starting to overtake me, and I breathed deeply as I headed towards Shinji's cottage.

I saw the door was firmly closed shut. I knocked once, twice, three times, and he opened the door, lighting up the second he saw me, "Shizue, how are you?"

"Shinji!" I perked up when I saw him too and jumped into his arms, holding him close. He kissed me on my forehead and gave me that trusty smile, "I had to come talk to you. I... I found the body. You heard the announcement, right?"

Shinji's smile instantly faded, and he looked away, "...I'm not getting involved this time."

His sudden attitude confused me, "Shinji, I need your help. The lounge sheet says you signed in this morning. Since the murder happened twenty minutes later, I thought that-"

"I didn't see anything. I don't even know who the victim is. I don't care who died, or how," Shinji was really acting out of line right now, "I don't care about him."

"Takeshi is dead, Shinji!" I yelled back at him, trying to force the conversation onto the topic at hand.

Shinji rolled his eye at me, "Not surprising. Bet he deserved it."

"What?" I asked, not believing what I was hearing.

Shinji scratched under his nose, "I don't feel like discussing this, alright? I'm not going on another witch hunt. Yoshikazu... He..."

I reached out and grabbed his hand, "Don't blame yourself. You saved all of us, Shinji!"

Shinji's expression lightened a little, but only for a moment, "At the cost of a friend," he was certainly not very honest about these feelings before, "I can't just brush that off like some of the others can."

A loud smack was the only noise in what felt like the longest moment ever spent between us.

Neither of us expected my reaction to be so quick, so full of anger. I slowly pulled my hand back and noticed the red mark on his cheek. Instead of apologizing, I vented, "You're not special!"

Shinji seemed taken aback, and he stepped away from me, "Shizue..."

Even with how hurt he looked, this had to be said, "Every one of us voted for him! Every one of us helped kill him, damnit! You don't get to put extra blame on yourself! What, so it fits your narrative?"

He remained silent, wincing a bit.

I shook my head, trying to get a grasp on myself. "'I'm not worth anything, I'll throw my life away because that's all I'm good for.' Shut the hell up!" My fists were clenched, and I was shaking. Rage, sadness, all of it swelled inside of me, "Enough of this self-pitying bullshit! Are you going to man up!? Or are you going to be the same loser Jun was going to dump!?"

Shinji cringed at that one, "I just-"

"What, sorry again? Sorry doesn't fix our issues!" I yelled over him, "If you actually loved me, loved the others, you'd treat yourself better! Not this pretentious self-deprecation! You're just a hypocrite! Telling me to live happy and not doing it yourself..." I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him closer to me. I noticed several cuts and bruises on his side, dried but not yet washed. I didn't think on that for now.

"Shizue!" Shinji didn't struggle, but he spoke my name with a mixture of fear and surprise.

I finally regained a hold of my senses and let him down. I stepped back, barely able to process what I had just done, what I'd just said. I looked up to him, and he just stood there, as if in a trance, "Shinji, I-"

Shinji leaned up against the opened door, struggling to stay upright, "Spunky, aren't you?" He laughed a bit, completely dismissing my outburst at first, "You're not... wrong. I know that I have expectations to live up to, from you guys and myself. I want to make you happy, and I can't do that as I am."

"As long as you try, that will be enough," I assured him, "That's all we can ask of you."

He didn't respond for a while, but eventually, he did, "There are some parts of me that I can't change," he ran a hand over his eye patch, "That's what I always used to think... But I hope that... With you all here, I can. I just need time."

I nodded, "Yeah, it's a start just to admit it, I think."

"Being easy on me, now? Sometimes tough love is necessary," Shinji smirked at me, a little wink to add to his mischievous grin.

"How'd you get those cuts?" I directly asked about his wounds, concerned for his well-being.

Shinji looked away a bit, "Oh, these on my stomach? ...I got them from Fuuko. Just didn't care for them like the rest." Smells like bullshit.

I decided not to press him on that. I'd ask Mayu; she was the one who gave him the medical attention, so she would know if he did or not, "Alright, if you're sure. So did you see anything this morning?"

Shinji scratched his head, "Not particularly. Woke up with insomnia, noticed I was alone, headed to get a drink and came back. I thought the buddy schedule was supposed to be followed at all times, but my buddy wasn't around."

"Who was it?" I asked, but his noncommittal shrug answered that, "I suppose I'll get the schedule from Mayu when I see her."

Shinji didn't look me in the eye for a moment, "If that's all, I'll just go back to bed for now."

I thought about it, "Shinji, when you beat Takeshi in Akihiko's tournament, you made him tell you his talent, yeah?"

He hesitated for a moment, "Yes, he told me. Ultimate Survivor. Apparently, he'd get caught up in tragedies and always ended up the only survivor. Hence why he pushed us away. Guess his talent was worthless here, eh?"

"Shinji, are you really making jokes about this right now?"

"I tried, you know?" he turned to me, a pained look on his face, "To get him to open up, to... End the cycle. My power could counter his, so I thought..." he just sighs in exasperation and resignation, "It was never enough."

Without anything else I could think of to ask him, I turned to leave, "Shinji, don't beat yourself up over it. I'll come back and talk to you if I need you again, Shinji."

Shinji patted me on the head and reassured me with a smile, "Go get 'em, tiger. I know you can solve this in my stead."

I could feel my cheeks burning as I nodded to him and hugged him, before waving goodbye and trudging off towards the second area.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Shinji's Wounds has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Shinji's Account has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Takeshi's Talent has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

I had to talk to Mayu, check Takeshi's body to confirm the cause of death, investigate the cable to find out where it was plugged in, and check the area near the bear trap. Which should I do first?

After deliberating for a moment or two, I eventually decided to find Mayu first, since I assumed Shinji's wounds were the least important thing about this case, and could be dismissed casually.

Walking up to the second area, I noticed the cord running inside the storage warehouse. I casually walked inside and found it still plugged in, even now. The cords used were from the stage, the ones moves previously.

Whoever used this wire seemed to have done so last minute, as it wasn't even fully plugged in, and the cord was strewn about as if tossed inside with no thought given.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Stage Cord has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Making my way towards the stage, I observed the area. The cord ran underneath the stage; likely why Nico and Akihiko didn't move it along with the others. Why did they bother with this, though?

Then I noticed the blood stains near the stage next to the picnic table. They were subtle, but noticeable. The dried blood was in blotches but didn't trail, likely a stab wound. I thought back to Shinji's wounds.

Could he have fought with someone?

Obtained Truth Bullet! Bloodstains has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Akihiko walked up to me, "Glad you're here, want you to identify something with me," He said, motioning for me to follow him. He was standing in the bushes next to the sliced cord.

I slowly trudged over, and he pulled a knife with blood on it from the brush. The blade had a dragon on one side; it was Shinji's, no doubt about it. The dried blood on it was likely related to the blood stains by the arena.

"Akihiko, I found blood stains by the stage," I explained, "Not a steady drip, but blotches. Stabbing might be why."

Akihiko walked over to Takeshi's body, the cord no longer around his neck, "The only wound he's got is a cut neck. Doesn't bleed too much once the recipient dies. Severed an artery and killed him quick."

I rechecked my Monokuma File, "Doesn't say cause of death, so I think the neck wound is what did it. Monokuma loves misinforming us!"

Monokuma appeared, jumping in front of me, seemingly out of nowhere "I take offense to that! I don't misinform! I just inform not the whole truth!" He then disappeared from sight as fast as he had arrived.

Nico casually strolled up to us, readjusting his glasses. He was still surprisingly taller than me, only to those who didn't know him off camera. Even then, I was startled by his ability to look down at me from such a distance as seven inches or so. He smirked, "That pretty much confirms it. So Takeshi's neck was cut, and he was hanged later. The way it was done, the killer intended to hide the obvious wound with the cord, and Monokuma supported that with his file."

Akihiko just shook his head, "I took this from Shinji before the talent show. He forgot about it and left. This was in my pile of deadly instruments, I know it!" Aki walked over to the picnic table furthest from the stage, where other such implements were, "A Swiss Army Knife, some nail clippers, things like that. Potentially harmful."

"So somebody took it from here, obviously," I said to myself, "But who? Was it Takeshi...? Or did Shinji come back for it?"

Obtained Truth Bullet! Shinji's Knife was added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Takeshi's Cause of Death was added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Updated Truth Bullet! Monokuma File 2# has been updated in the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

I still had to talk to Mayu and possibly confront Shinji on his actual whereabouts last night, but my brain finally started turning. Sometimes the people I cosplayed left... residual effects. From Yuno and Momiji, I had this intense feeling to protect him, but Naoto's deduction skills had begun to form the only possible suspect, and the outlook was grim.

Heading over to the bear trap, I picked it up and quickly discovered an interesting clue. Not only was the price label still on it, the receipt was crumpled up in between the tape and the actual bottom of the trap.

This, along with the state of the cord, clearly pointed to the killer rushing to set up the crime scene, and the incredibly sloppy performance was grating. This would be much easier to solve than the last one. But wasn't it a bit shoddy?

Who would kill someone knowing the rules and be so... blatant about it? Unless the killer was, for example, Takumi, it was too... amateurish. Did Shinji actually do it, or was this another framing?

Obtained Truth Bullet! Bear Trap was added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Nico walked up behind me, scaring me, "Ah, I'm sorry!"

After realizing who it was, I managed to stop myself from screaming again, "Oh, Nico. Hey, want to help me find Mayu? I need her help."

"Sure thing, Shizue. We are BFF's," he chuckled, "'Sides, I trust you."

"Because you care about me or because you know I couldn't have done it?" I teased him a little.

Nico triumphantly smiled back, "I care, of course. The second doesn't hurt, though."

Rolling my eyes, the two of us eventually tracked Mayu down to the lounge, where she, Kenji, and Takumi were having a discussion.

"I was with my partner as I agreed," Takumi explained, "I hate Takeshi, but killing him? Too much of a hassle."

Kenji nodded, "I can confirm. Adachi was engaging in reconnaissance with me until around midnight, on the lookout for dirty murderers. After ensuring our safety, we retired to our quarters."

Mayu folded her arms, "Then that's enough. This narrows the list even further."

"What are you doing?" Nico stepped ahead of me, "Interrogating people already?"

Mayu handed Nico the paper for the Buddy System, "As per instruction by Satoshi, I am interviewing each duo. Someone snuck out to kill Takeshi this morning. Testimony from the partners is imperative."

It clicked, "So whoever's partner was unaccounted for is the killer?"

Kenji's eyes went wide, "What, you suspected us!?"

"I was confirming my own suspicions," Mayu retorted, "Granberia and Shinji were assigned together, but Granberia was with Shinju to keep her spirit up. Nari was Takeshi's partner, and she was clearly not around to protect him. Or..."

Nico added, "So Nari and Shinji are our only two suspects, hm?"

"What!?" Nari exclaimed, having walked in on us.

Kenji just sighed as loudly as possible, as if dying inside, "Here we go..."

Nari ignored him, a blessing in disguise, as she walked towards Nico, "Excuse you. Why am I a suspect?"

Nico calmly replied with no fear in his voice, "You were meant to be with Takeshi last night. Where were you?"

"What, that buddy system? Like I care. I'm not spending time with Takeshi after he threatened Shinju... I don't think I could control myself if I did," Nari honestly admitted.

"And now he's dead," Nico dryly addressed his own suspicions, "Do you see why we have a right to suspect you?"

She seemed offended by this, "Nico, do you... Do you really think I'd kill him?"

Kenji interjected with his usual attitude, "Obviously. I mean, you're an abusive, whiny, uptight bitch. Maybe you're not the killer, I don't know. Wouldn't kill me if it was, though."

Wow. A bit too honest, don't you think?

Now this is normally where Nari would beat Kenji up and he'd bemoan his bad taste in jokes. But that didn't happen this time.

Nari didn't answer, just turning her back to us and stepping away. Right before she exited the room, she responded, "Whatever. Think what you want." she looked back, giving Mayu and I a pained look, "I guess some things can't change."

Mayu handed me the buddy system papers she always held a copy of, "If you could... Hold onto these for the trial. I'm going to speak with her."

"Wait, before you go..." I almost forgot, "Did Shinji have cuts other than his eye from Fuuko?"

Mayu's eyebrows lifted, "What? No, none that I recall seeing. I checked him over thoroughly."

I shook my head, "No worries, just curious. I'll see you later, Mayu."

Mayu left us, with just Kenji, Takumi, Nico, and I. Nico looked over the buddy system copy he had, "Shizue and Mayu. Kenji and Takumi. Kibou and Hanako. Koneko and Shinju. Akihiko and Daisuke. Satoshi and I. Shinji and Granberia, and Nari and Takeshi. Check marks for everyone but Satoshi, myself, Shinji, and Nari. Better go tell Satoshi."

Kenji stopped him, "Hey, did I really go too far?"

Nico glared at him, "What do you think?"

Takumi walked to the door and grudgingly looked back, "Wow, Kenji. You have no idea how to talk to girls, do you?"

Kenji clenched his hands at that one, "Are you kidding me right now!? He said that to me!?"

Ignoring him for now, I strolled out of the lounge and headed towards Shinji's cottage, the new evidence in hand.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Buddy System Schedule was added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Passing by Yoshikazu's cottage, I remembered Fuuko's recent outbursts. Now would be a good time to confront her. I walked over to the cottage and opened it up. Stepping inside, Fuuko looked over to me from her bed, "Another one? Though I assume you're not here to chat..."

"Another one? Did someone else visit you?" I asked, curious.

Fuuko sat back on the bed, hands folded on her lap, "Does it matter? She just needed to talk..."

She, huh? Perhaps...

"I just came to check up on you, ensure you're safe. If Shinji is so determined to keep you alive and well, I'll abide his wishes," I honestly admitted, "But if you ever hurt him again, I will kill you."

Fuuko nodded as if barely there, "Understood... I know my place now. I have to live, for Shinju."

I left her to her own devices and shut and locked the door behind me, the extra keys I had... Snatched from Shinji earlier.

With these keys, I opened the door to Takeshi's cottage. I was desperate for clues, anything that would point to some other possibility. His room was barren, except for a pencil and a neat letter on his desk. The lamp's bulb had burnt out, and the floor was dirty. Takeshi had gotten crumbs everywhere due to taking his food in here.

I picked up the letter, and noticed how detailed his writing was. In full cursive, it was signed from Takeshi Kurosawa. I flipped it over in my hands before undoing the seal with great care not to tear it, opening the letter. Inside was a single note, written in the same fancy way the name was placed on it.

After reading it, I felt an even thicker lump in my throat. The despair was growing, and all I had left to do was talk to Shinji.

Obtained Truth Bullet! Takeshi's Letter was added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.

Knock, knock. I was careful not to hit the door too hard this time, now that I wasn't in an excited rush.

The door opened, and Shinji stepped out, "Again, Shizue? Is something the matter?"

"We need to talk," I spoke with my quieter, more serious tone, "Granberia was meant to be your buddy last night. She was with Shinju."

"Yeah, so?" Shinji didn't get what I was implying.

I explained, "You have no alibi, then, unlike the others. This strongly suggests you might be the killer. And with the other evidence I've found, it all points... to you."

Shinji's eye went wide for a moment before he sighed, "Is that how it is? I'm the suspect again, huh?"

I reached out for him, "Shinji, please. Tell me I'm wrong."

Shinji didn't answer me for the longest time, instead remaining in silence with me. We stood there for an eternity.

Finally, he spoke, "I have to tell you-"

*Ding, dong, bing, bong*

Monokuma appeared on every monitor across the entire resort, "I'm bored, guys. I think it's time for death! Everyone, to the stage area! On the double! Everyone is sick of waiting!"

Shinji stopped mid-sentence and shrugged, "Too late for that..."

"Shinji, are you-" Shinji didn't waste time, planting a kiss directly on my cheek, "Shinji?"

He held out his hand, and I grabbed it, squeezing it to make sure he was really there, and he confidently stated, "Just trust me, and everything will be fine."

When we arrived at the stage, everyone else was there.

Daisuke perked up, "Shinji, thank God. Haven't seen you in a while, man. Thought something must have happened to you."

Granberia walked over to him and tugged on his shirt, "No hiding."

Shinji smiled as he patted Granberia on the head as he often did, "No worries, Granberia. I'm still here."

With all fifteen of us standing on the elevator, it began to descend into the depths of this resort. Once again, we were in a high-pitched battle between life and death, hope or despair. This time it was my responsibility to keep us safe.

Looking around at the others, I made a solemn pledge to solve the case, no matter how costly I felt it would be.