AnonChan1: MUCH more difficult than the first, and I'm pretty proud of how it came out! Taiyo was pretty confident about his fridge theory... Minori doesn't change, whatever situation he's in, but what can that mean for the future? I mean, lies can be good if told for the right purpose... Right...? You have no idea how much time and effort went into coming up with that voice recorder idea... I'm done with heavy thinking for a while... I'm looking forward to starting the cool-down chapters in Chapter 3! Thanks for the review!

liammarklh88 - She did indeed! Honestly, I really wanted to implement the scrum debate, and that seemed like a suitable scenario! Very interesting theories, as always! Thanks for the review!

Jeptwin - Yes, very true! I guess we'll see! Thanks for the review!


Sakiko: What, are you just going to give up?

Satoshi: …!

Sakiko: I can tell what you're thinking, so cut it out.

Shoji: Sakiko, what are you-

Sakiko: -Just because you can't think of anything, you're going to guarantee your loss? Is that really how things are going to go?

Mariella: But it's impossible… There would have been no way for our theory to work…

Sakiko: Bullshit! Just because you can't figure something out, it doesn't mean it's impossible!

Sakiko, what are you doing…?

It's so unlike you to try and motivate us…

Sakiko: After all the shit you speak about working together, this sure is pathetic – how disappointing, to think that you would all give in to the killer!

Satoshi: What? No, there's no way that would happen!

She's right…

She's right about everything…

Just because we reached a dead end, we began to lose all hope…

We were actually beginning to think we would lose…

Satoshi: …

Shin: …?

Shoji: … Hey?

Satoshi: She's right, after everything we talked about, there's no turning back – just because we can't work it out, it doesn't mean we were wrong!

Minori: Heh, interesting.

Shiho: Y-Yeah! We just need to think about it a little more!

Kagura: Perhaps the culprit knew this would happen from the start – they probably set up some sort of trick, leading us to this conclusion.

Shin: If that's true, then we were probably right all along.

It looks like everyone's beginning to get back on track…

Sakiko… Thanks…

Satoshi: Okay, let's figure this out!


- REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN: AKILINA PAJARI -

- "That can't be right!" -


Akilina: There's no explanation to the freezer incident – everyone was with us, remember?

Satoshi: A… Aki, wait a second!

Akilina: I know you mean well, but I can't just sit back and let everyone reach the wrong conclusion!


DEBATE: BEGIN!

Akilina: If everyone was in the cafeteria…

Akilina: That means no one could have been in the freezer!

Akilina: There are just too many holes...

Akilina: It would have been impossible, just like we said!

COUNTER ARGUMENT!

Satoshi: You can't say it's impossible without any evidence!

Satoshi: It's just like Kagura said…

Satoshi: The killer could have just set this up just to fool us!

Akilina: In that case, what about this?

Akilina: No one knew about anyone going to the freezer...

Akilina: Meaning they could have been in there for days…

Akilina: They wouldn't have been able to last!

"ALLOW ME TO CUT THROUGH THOSE WORDS!"

Used Truth Bullet: Refrigerator


Satoshi: Actually, they would have been able to last – the refrigerators could have provided them with whatever they needed to survive.

Akilina: Huh?

Mariella: Wait, that's right! I never thought about that!

Minori: That's true, they could have gotten whatever they needed from the refrigerator.

Taiyo: Hold on, wouldn't everything be frozen?

Kagura: If they consumed the right foods, that shouldn't matter.

Mika: If it was only for a couple of days, they could have just survived on ice cream, alone.

Shiho: Yeah, they could have also used popsicles to get their fluids.

Shin: Let's not forget about the vegetables – if the killer were able to thaw them out, they should have been ready to eat.

Miya: That may have been why the temperature was raised so high.

Shoji: It's definitely possible, at least.

Akilina: Well, if that's what you all think...

Satoshi: Yeah, and as for your claim about who was in the freezer…

Akilina: It was a trick, right? If that's what you think, then I'll gladly follow suit!

Satoshi: Aki...

Shoji: Awesome, that's what I like to hear!

Kagura: Yes, while it may seem unlikely, we just need to push forward.

Akilina: Sorry… I just couldn't bare the thought of everyone reaching the wrong answer…

Shin: Water under the bridge, let's just try to work this thing out!

Akilina: Yeah, okay!

Eiji: Speaking of refrigerators, aren't you all curious as to how the killer managed to move one in front of the entrance?

Shoji: Actually, it's been on my mind for a while, those things are ridiculously hard to move.

Shiho: They did look really heavy...

Mariella: Should that be next topic? If we can work that out, it could lead to something more.

Taiyo: Let's do it! Whoever did this better watch their back!


NON-STOP DEBATE

Taiyo: See! The fridge was involved, after all!

Taiyo: You all said I was wrong about that!

Minori: No, we said that stupid theory of yours was wrong…

Minori: No one said anything about the fridge…

Eiji: The refrigerator was far too heavy for a single person…

Eiji: I witnessed it first hand…

Eiji: It took both Shoji and Taiyo to push it over.

Mika: Oh, I get it…

Mika: Are you saying that they could have had an accomplice?

Shoji: I don't know about that...

Shoji: But one person couldn't have done this…

Shoji: They wouldn't have been able to move the fridge.

"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"

Used Truth Bullet: Catacombs Dolly


Satoshi: Actually, there may have been a way for one person for move it, after all.

Shoji: Whoa, no kidding? You're full of surprises, man!

Minori: Satoshi, what do you have in mind?

Satoshi: Taiyo found a dolly in the catacombs earlier, it was while he was chasing after the culprit.

Taiyo: Yeah, they probably put it there to trip me over...

You still believe that?

Miya: I suppose it's a good thing you ran in there, otherwise we never would have found it.

Shin: Hey, you might be right about that. Good call!

Taiyo: Seriously? In that case, you better thank me for saving your lives, after this!

...

Satoshi: Anyway, he walked back into the freezer soon after, carrying a dolly behind him – it's possible that it was used to move the fridge, prior to being dumped afterwards.

Akilina: Right, it wouldn't have been too difficult to move if they used the dolly.

Satoshi: This also leads to some new possible suspects – if the dolly was dumped inside of the catacombs, it means the culprit is likely one the few who went inside.

Mika: Really? Why?

Mariella: Yeah, couldn't anybody have just dumped the dolly in there?

The reason why...

This should prove my theory to be correct...


HANGMAN'S GAMBIT

C O L D D R A F T

"THAT MUST BE IT!"


Satoshi: Upon first entering the catacombs, we noticed something pretty strange.


FLASHBACK


"I have to say." Shoji brought up. "Are any of you feeling chilly, or is is just me?"

"You too?" Aki responded. "I thought it was just me."

"It is quite cold, down here." Miya agreed. "It's surprising, considering how warm it is outside."

I then noticed Minori head over to a wall on our left, knocking on it a few times.

"Hey, Minori?" I questioned his actions. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." He responded, bluntly. "This wall just seemed hollow, is all..."


FLASHBACK: END


Shiho: There was a hollow wall with a draft?

Satoshi: Yeah, but we never considered where exactly it was coming from – now we know it was the freezer.

Miya: So that same hollow wall inside the catacombs was the same one the culprit used to escape...

Satoshi: That's right, which would mean they already knew about what was on the other side.

Shoji: Which was why you though the killer was someone who was with us at the time.

Mariella: Sakiko? Shin? Do you two even know about the catacombs?

Shin: Yeah, don't worry about that – we were already filled in.

Sakiko: He's right, sounded like some creepy shit.

Mika: Haaaaaa! That's totally an understatement!

Minori: That aside, if we were to take those who went into the catacombs, wouldn't that leave us with nine suspects?

Akilina: Now all we need to do is figure out which one did it.

Kagura: Certainly, but how you propose we do that?

Eiji: By now, we may have enough information to figure out when he died – if we can work that out, we may be able to deduce the killer.

Taiyo: Sounds good, all we need to do is figure out where they were at the time!

The day he was killed…

We should have enough information to figure it out…

I just need to think…


LOGIC DIVE!

When did Taiyo talk with the killer?

(Yesterday Lunchtime) (Yesterday Evening) (Yesterday Morning)

When did Kazumi fall victim to paralysis?

(After the Catacombs) (Before the Catacombs) (During the Catacombs)

When did Kazumi die?

(Yesterday Morning) (Catacombs Evening) (Catacombs Night)

"I SEE!"


Satoshi: If we go by everything we know, he must have died the night after the catacombs incident.

Minori: Yeah, agreed.

Mariella: Really? Right after? How did you come to that conclusion?

Satoshi: Let's go over it slowly, since there's a lot to remember – the killer was already in Kazumi's room by yesterday lunchtime, meaning he must have already passed.

Akilina: Due to the dried blood stain, right?

Miya: Probably so, since it appeared to be more than a day old.

Satoshi: Exactly, we also need to consider the paralysis, since that would have played a vital role – the killer probably waited until the paralysis kicked in, before making their move.

Eiji: That would have been the evening of the catacombs incident, twenty-four hours after he first contracted the virus.

Satoshi: That's right, but if you remember, all of us were together that evening, meaning the murder must have happened later on.

Mariella: Yeah, that's the only thing that makes sense…

Shin: The murder likely took place right after the meeting, with the killer proceeding to drag the body towards the freezer.

Taiyo: Which was when they set everything up, with the bomb and stuff.

Kagura: Speaking of which, where did the killer even get the bomb?

Shoji: Yeah… Where did they get the bomb?

Mika: Maybe they used one of the labs to make an explosive?

Akilina: I don't think that's likely…

Where did the killer get the bomb?

I know this, surely…


NON-STOP DEBATE

Kagura: The explosion was quite powerful…

Kagura: They couldn't have got it from just anywhere…

Miya: I wonder if it's possible...

Miya: Could they have got it from Monokuma?

Monokuma: Nah, this is all on the killer!

Monokuma: I didn't interfere at all!

Shin: I can't see something like that…

Shin: … being placed out in the open…

Shin: It must have been hidden somewhere…

Shiho: If we consider the places we've already been to…

Shiho: Maybe they got it from the fun house?

"SHIHO, I AGREE WITH THAT!"

Used Truth Bullet: Minori's Account


Satoshi: Shiho's right, the bomb was from the fun house!

Mika: The fun house? How do you know that?

Satoshi: Minori was the one who originally found it, that's how.

Akilina: M-Minori?

Taiyo: Hey, bastard! What were you doing with a bomb?

Minori: Take it easy, it's not like I was one who used it.

Miya: You say that, but…

Satoshi: Don't worry, he's telling the truth – the bombs were confiscated from him, as soon as someone found out.

Shoji: In that case, who was the one who found out?

Minori: It was Kazumi. He caught me leaving the building, and wouldn't let me leave the area.

Mariella: He caught you carrying a bomb?

Minori: Before you ask, he took the whole thing from me, and took it to his room – he said he didn't feel comfortable with me carrying around something so dangerous.

Akilina: I don't blame him, he did the right thing.

Taiyo: You're definitely not lying to us, are you?

Minori: Of course not, what good would that do?

Mika: Sorry, but everything you say sounds super unconvincing.

Satoshi: Wait a minute, he's definitely not lying about this – there's solid evidence that can back him up.

Sakiko: Go ahead, we're waiting.

The thing that proves he isn't lying…

I just have to tell them that...


What proves that Minori isn't lying?

- (It happened before the murder took place) -

- (We found something in the trash) -

- (He has no reason to mislead us) -

"I SEE!"


Satoshi: While investigating Kazumi's room earlier, we came across the bomb's packaging in the trash – why would it be there, if he never took it back with him?

Mika: Hmmm… True...

Akilina: I know what you're trying to say, but wasn't he the first person to head over to his room?

Satoshi: …!

Minori: ...

Kagura: That's a good point, he was the first to leave the freezer, earlier – if you think about it, he could have just dumped the packaging in the trash, once he arrived.

Shoji: That actually makes a frightening amount of sense!

Eiji: Minori, do you have anything do say?

Minori: …

Mariella: Take that as a no…

Taiyo: Wait? Is he the killer?

Shin: It's far too early to say that, there are still some things we need to go over.

Akilina: It does make him a prime suspect, though.

Everyone's starting to suspect Minori…

Although, that was kind of inevitable…

Regardless, I have to convince everyone otherwise!


NON-STOP DEBATE

Eiji: A very good point has been brought up…

Eiji: Minori could have disposed of the packaging…

Eiji: Immediately after entering Kazumi's room.

Minori: That's not what happened…

Minori: You really need to think things through.

Shin: There's something I want to clear up…

Shin: When discussing the bomb…

Shin: Satoshi used the word "bombs" earlier…

Shin: Almost implying that there was more than one, is that right?

Kagura: I noticed that too, but brushed it off.

Kagura: Wasn't there only one bomb?

"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"

Used Truth Bullet: Fun-Fun Bomb Packaging


Satoshi: Actually, there were actually two bombs – here, take a look at the packaging.

Miya: Oh, there are two slots available.

Shoji: Yeah, whatever was in this thing definitely came in a pair.

Mariella: Wait, then what happened to the other bomb?

Mika: Maybe they just didn't want to use it, and threw it away?

Sakiko: That would way too convenient, and can't be the case.

Taiyo: Minori! What did you do with the second bomb? You better speak up!

Minori: … Why are you asking me?

Sakiko: It looks like people are getting confused – why don't you help them?

Satoshi: … Help them?

Sakiko: You still have a piece of evidence that's linked to all this, something that could help you out.

Something linked to the bomb…

There's only one thing it could be…


Used Truth Bullet: Disposed Remote

"I SEE!"


Satoshi: You're talking about that remote you found, right?

Sakiko: Heh, good thinking.

Akilina: Wait, a remote? Do you mean the one connected to the bomb?

Shin: There's a remote connected to the bomb?

Akilina: Yeah, it said so on the box – apparently, the bombs can only be detonated via remote.

Shiho: Then the culprit must have used it to cause the explosion…

Satoshi: That's right, though whatever happened to the second bomb still remains a mystery.

Sakiko: No, it doesn't.

Satoshi: …!

Sakiko: You have all the information, you just need to figure it out – how did the killer set all this up?

I don't understand, why is she asking me all these questions?

Isn't it still too early…?

It would have been impossible for someone to be in the freezer…

There's no way to figure out the mystery behind the second bomb…

No… Never mind that… If she really has that much faith in me, then…

Then I will see this through...!


OUTLAW RUNNER

Where did Sakiko find the remote?

(Closest Refrigerator) (Furthest Refrigerator) (The Catacombs)

Could the killer have locked themselves in the freezer?

(They could have) (They couldn't have)

When did the killer escape the freezer?

(The night of the murder) (They didn't escape) (After we arrived)

What happened to the second bomb?

(It is hidden somewhere) (It already detonated) (It was disposed of)

"I SEE!"


Satoshi: That's it… We were all falling into the killer's hands, this whole time!

Shoji: Whoa, slow down! What do you mean?

Satoshi: The reason why we were so confused, was because we assumed the killer had locked themselves in the freezer – we never considered they could have left, right after committing the murder!

Mariella: They left after committing the murder? How would they have done that?

Taiyo: Yeah, didn't the explosion happen when we arrived?

Satoshi: That was just a distraction, the bomb that caused the hole in the wall probably happened that same night – the one we heard this morning was none other than a ploy to confuse us!

Shin: You mean that explosion we heard was just a decoy?

Akilina: That would explain why everyone was in the dining hall – the killer had already escaped!

Minori: Huh. Seems like this development has solved most of our questions.

Eiji: So, the killer used the first bomb to escape, then the second to cover it up? Honestly, that's extremely clever.

Sakiko: I also came across the remote from earlier, it was thrown atop one of the refrigerators.

Kagura: That's odd, what was it doing there?

Sakiko: The killer must have threw it up there while we were distracted – they would have had to move fast, so probably just used the closest thing they could find.

Shoji: Those things are pretty tall; it wasn't a bad idea.

Shin: This is big, we may have just cracked the case.

Mariella: No kidding, now all we need to do is put the pieces together.

Miya: In that case, why don't we go back to the murder weapon?

Taiyo: Yeah, we still don't know how he died...

Minori: Just to get it out there, it wasn't the fridge.

Taiyo: Y… You're just trying to make me mad...!

He'll never let him forget about that…

The murder weapon, let's see if we can work this out...


Next chapter will wrap everything up, and we can finally move onto Chapter 3!