Chapter 3A-The Cold Shoulder
TRIAL
Fuuko's POV
Freezing them to death. What a crude and cruel technique. I wasn't even going to bother offering an additional motive. No, that would be unnecessary in this moment.
Kiyo was gone; he was in the Hot Zone, hoping to strike up a deal with them. He was content to play into Kenta's game. I had urged him to fight back, but he had refused; the Despair Fragments had to be collected, for the good of mankind.
Did he just have an axe to grind? Or was he serious? I know the last member of Ultimate Despair was our target; I knew the Future Foundation very well might mass execute the last class of Hope's Peak if we didn't find them first. But nothing could justify this...
I was in the mysterious sixth area. The fifth area was actually mundane and dismissable. This area, though, had three major points of interest.
The first was the simulations center, where the students had been forced into a series of disturbing games. Created using the same experimental technology used in the infamous Island Killing Trip, there were pods linked up to a huge program that monitored vitals, did systems checks, maintained their functionality, and had several back up programs to ensure that most psychological damage and memories could be reversed to an extent.
Unfortunately, overloading the system as they did while being in contact with Shinji and his emotion-affecting patterns had circumvented that system. They had kept their memories, something Izuru had not expected. It probably led to his downfall.
The second project involved experimentation in mass communications. Could we enhance visual and audio media to the extent where it could rewire and influence people from the inside? The proposed usage for this project was, of course, to rehabilitate serial criminals and to help enhance learning growth amongst children in the hopes of "creating" talent, a way that involved much less damage to the mind than the experiment performed on Hajime Hinata.
That project was likely used by Junko Enoshima to spread despair across the world. Perhaps she even used this facility herself at one point; which would explain why the last remnant chose to operate here independently rather than surrender to Future Foundation. If that was the case, then is this place Junko's last back up plan?
That was the fear and trepidation that motivated Kiyo so strongly. That this was Junko's "ace in the hole". Considering the last project here, I now understood why.
When Kiyo, Takuro, and the others in my group first arrived here, the security systems activated. The member of Despair had pre-recorded messages, warning us of the system that Ultimate Despair built when this was their primary base. Despite that warning, fourteen of our twenty-two person unit died in the first assault.
Eventually, it was down to Kiyo, Takuro, and I. We made it inside, but one last turret activated. Takuro had died saving Kiyo and I. Before the turret could open fire on us, Misery deactivated it. She explained how she survived; the member of Despair had spared her to watch over the comatose students.
Then I found the footage. She tried to keep me from it, probably because I told her who I was. After seeing it, I must have fallen into Despair myself. I had Kiyo set up the simulations, and we forced them through several of them. I wanted to break the bastard who had attacked her, and my suspect had been Shinji.
He never broke. In all of those many games, he always chose to die to save his friends, in more ways than I could count. I was tempted to leave him brain dead multiple times, but after learning of the last member of Despair's research, I had to find out if it was possible.
Izuru came after about a year of this. Kenta came with him for reasons of his own accord, and together we agreed on this experiment. I had detached myself from them; I was full of rage, and sadness, and allowed myself to be swayed.
Now Izuru was Hajime again, four innocents were dead, Kenta had revealed himself as the bastard that made Junko the way she was, and the only person left I could trust, Misery, never spoke. She just stared at me from afar as I conversed with her, that orange eye looking at me with such sorrow.
Did she pity me? Hate me? She never stopped my simulations, but she clearly had disapproved. So why?
Oh, right, got off track there. The last project was being worked on by some of the more technologically inclined members of Despair. Perhaps the most controversial device created by human hands, it was the third project here, and the highlight of the researchers here.
The experimental device could use a combination of warp technology, moving every atom of an individual at lightning speeds to other locations powered by nuclear fission combined with a machine that could artificially generate wormholes that could be opened and closed at will.
In the most simple sense, it was a time machine. Of course, it wasn't ready to be used; as the project lay unfinished. More than that, it was never given the go ahead by the school due to the theoretical implications it would have. One could destroy the universe by using it, or at the very least, create multiple universes by intervening.
What had been finished to coincide with it was an inter-dimensional transporter, which could also, in theory, allow one to return to the future point in said created universes. If multiverse theory was wrong, or the numbers were off by even the tiniest fraction, the traveler would be doomed, and years of research lost.
If Ultimate Despair had gained power over that technology, well...
"Hey, whatcha thinking about?" Monokuma asked me, annoying me, "Don't ignore me!"
I shoved him away, "Leave me be. Where's Misery?"
Monokuma sighed, "Fine, fine. She's in the sims room by herself. Make sure not to take too long. I have a feeling someone's gonna die soon."
Creepy bastard. Without thanking him, I left him for my destination.
With haste, I traveled to the simulation room. I opened up the door inside, and found myself in that room again. Twenty empty pods, of which eighteen were filled when we arrived. One accomplice, one evil monster warped by Junko, and sixteen innocents.
"All of my memories keep you near... In silent moments, imagine you'd be here," I heard someone (likely Misery) singing to herself. I headed towards the singing and opened a door to an open sky way, "All of my memories keep you near, the silent whispers, the silent tears..."
As she finished the song or so I presumed, I clapped, "Nice vocals, girl. I was looking for you."
Misery didn't seem surprised by my arrival, looking over slowly, that same forlorn, almost dead inside expression, "Tojiko Sakyubasu. What do you want?"
"My name is Fuuko," I vehemently denied my past, "That girl... She's gone. She was innocent, unlike me."
"Hmph," Misery replied, "Shinju did say things about your chuuni attitude."
What? "You know my sister?"
Misery shook her head, "Are you stupid? I was forced to comply with Ultimate Despair. How could I forget the accomplice I saw every day? Only my memory of the actual member was taken."
"I think you're lying. I think you do know," I accused her, "Why else would Kenta keep you around!?"
"I know how this place works far better than he ever could," Misery dryly replied, "Don't insult me. And even if I did know who the member of Despair was, you'd think I'd hide it!? I'd just... Watch everyone I care about die!?"
I folded my arms, "How do you even know them!?"
Misery sighed, "I was their classmate once upon a time..." she spoke in a cryptic tone, "Please understand... Kenta is the boss here. We are just his tools. Stay out of his way and don't raise hell."
"Misery, if I don't do something-"
"I am aware what will become of your sister," she cut me off, "There is nothing you can do."
I clenched my fists. I was angry, not just at her, but at myself, "If you really cared... You'd save them! Just who are you, Misery!?"
She stood up from her seat and walked towards me, never taking her eye off me, "I'm what's left. A shadow," She walked by me before adding, "I was never meant to be."
With that, she opened the door behind us and walked through it, not saying another word. Who was she!? A nineteenth student? But the school always gathered them in even numbers... Unless! The Ultimate Cadaver! Could that be it!?
A shadow, though? What's left? What did all of that mean!? Why didn't anything she say make sense!?
That was awhile ago. Since then, I had watched over the seven people I'd been charged with. Despite my best efforts, a killing, a double killing, even, had still occurred. I awaited them in the stands, unable to say anything to the evil bear Monokuma. Misery had also decided to join me, though she just observed from behind.
The door to the elevator dinged and slided open. Out of the five elevator came the five survivors. Shinji led the way, with Shinju and Koneko walking hand in hand. Behind them came Daisuke. Trailing at the back of the pack was Nari, who looked both traumatized and confused.
This would be a memorable trial, if anything. I wish it could have been prevented.
Shinji's POV
Seven stands awaited us. From the center and going clockwise, the order was; Daisuke, Shinju, myself, Koneko, a placard with Takumi's face on it, Nari?, and a placard with another Nari's face on it. Great. No clues there. God dang it, Monokuma.
We all got up to our respective podium, and I looked around at the others. Damn it. I didn't want to accuse anyone here of having done it. But what else could I do!?
"Now then, let's begin with a simple explanation of the class trial. During the class trial, you will present your arguments for 'whodunnit.' If you vote correctly, then only the blackened will receive punishment. But if you pick the wrong person..." Monokuma stretched the last word out for emphasis, "I'll punish everyone *besides* the blackened, and that person will earn the right to leave this resort!"
"We get it already, you stupid bear," Daisuke replied with anger, "We have bigger problems. Like who that girl is!"
Nari normally would have shouted back, but she muttered weakly, "Do I look off to you? It's me... Nari. Though I guess you wish it was actually Shizue standing here instead... right?"
Daisuke shook his head, "Then why is Shizue dressed like you!? And who killed her!?"
"How should I know!? I've been unconscious since I last met her!"
Shinju interrupted, "Daisuke, quiet. Nari, calmly explain what you remember."
Nari scratched her own head, "It was dinner time, and Shizue invited me over. I came into her room, and she asked me to help her fix the creases in her uniform. Then I... don't remember any more."
"Likely story," Daisuke spat his response back at her, "Bullshit. You're the one who wanted out! You were the one who killed Takumi and Shizue!"
"Then why does she look like me!?" Nari shot back, "And what proof do you have I did these things!?"
"Enough," I cut them both off, "Shut it. We'll tackle this bit by bit. Starting with Takumi..." I looked over at his placard, "The attempted murderer."
Daisuke glared at me, "The fuck are you on about!? I was with Takumi the whole time we were here! Never once did he-"
Koneko interjected, "You yourself said yesterday you weren't together."
"I... I didn't mean I didn't know anything about where he was! I saw him... before the alarm!" Daisuke rambled back.
"That's wrong! Your account to me says otherwise!" He turned his attention to me, "You said you saw Nari outside Shizue's room, but you never mentioned Takumi before! So either you're lying to protect him now, or you lied to me then. In which case, I'd have to accuse you."
Daisuke angrily argued back, "So you're really gonna betray me, bro!? You really think I did it!?"
I stared back at him, "Koneko was with Shinju. They have alibis. And if I didn't do it, it's either you, her," I pointed to Nari, "or the girl that died. Any ideas for that?"
"Fine, I get it," Daisuke pulled back, "We're really low on suspects right now. So what do you want me to do, huh!?"
"Let me make my point," I answered confidently, "Takumi's frostbite was a result of messing with the ice cream. You were there for it. How could he have warmed his hand up? The only thing that could be hot here are those heated bags."
Daisuke thought on that point, "I mean.. Yeah, I guess."
Shinju added to my argument, "There was a sleeping bag in the freezer. With Takumi's handbook in it. So we can assume he went into the freezer. He got into the sleeping bag with his handbook, and he camped out there. But why?"
"Maybe he wanted to just warm up," Daisuke offered.
I handed him the paper I found, "This was in his wastebasket, scrunched up and hidden inside. Look through the marks and read that for me. Inviting someone to the freezer at about 4:30 AM. And when did the murders occur?"
"This isn't conclusive," Daisuke rebuttaled, "So what if that's what this says! It could be planted!"
I shook my head, "With Shinju's initials in the corner, that's the same paper Shinju gave him. The only paper he HAD. And without his handbook, they couldn't plant it."
Daisuke responded in vain, "Then they used it to get inside his room!"
"Who? Say Takumi wasn't inviting someone to the freezer. How would they have even found him? And why was he there to begin with at such a time if this isn't true!?" I argued back.
Daisuke's expression darkened as he crumpled up the paper and slammed his fist onto his podium, "Damnit, bro! You had ONE job..."
"He always had one job," Shinju reminded him, "And when did he do it?"
"Eye would be on him messing this up, if I had seen it happen with my own eyes," I bitterly added, "So he invited someone there, hid in the sleeping bag, and attacked them when they arrived. The second victim's corpse has a wound on the shoulder, presumably from his kitchen knife."
"So he invited Nari and attacked her when she came in?" Koneko tried to piece this together, "Or did he invite Shizue?"
I shook my head, "My money is on Nari, since he'd consider her the easier option. He even said he'd die for us to escape, so this might have been him trying to save us... But he fucked up. And now, we're here."
Shinju concluded, "So how is the killer involved?"
"That's the problem," I moaned, "I checked Nari's room. Inside, her computer had a program last opened at 4:29 AM. Then the computer was put to sleep. Nari went to meet Takumi, and Takumi attacked her."
Nari opined, "This is really weird, hearing you guys talking about me doing stuff I couldn't have done."
"How do you think I feel?" I shot back.
Koneko brought up another topic, "So in theory, let's say the Nari that died is her. She visited Takumi, was attacked, ran from him. Then he was killed by the killer, and the killer axed her, too?"
"This presents a problem," I reminded them, "I found a rag covered in chloroform in Nari's trash can. It was definitely used to knock someone out. So the Nari that was killed... couldn't have been drugged."
Nari chimed in, "Meaning I was the one drugged. Get it?"
Daisuke asked, "Her message said she was being followed, and she was killed before finishing it, right?"
"It's not Shinju's paper, which is odd," Koneko observed, "Shizue, Shinju, and Takumi all had access to it."
I agreed with that, "Takumi was dead by that time. Unless he hung her up and then killed himself, but then he'd have left a fake note. So we can safely assume this note is either Nari's... Or Monokuma's."
Monokuma perked up at hearing that, "Excuse me!? I didn't do anythin-"
"Don't lie. You exchanged Sakura's final note with another. It's a possibility. Now quiet down," I shot him down immediately.
"Damn it, but you are right," Monokuma chuckled, "Good job remembering that one, Shinji."
I glared back at him, "Don't patronize me, bear. I'll end you."
Shinju looked up at her sister, "Fuuko, do you know? Can you help!?"
Fuuko looked back at Misery, who said nothing, "Well, I don't know if I can. I wasn't watching you guys like last time. So I don't know who did it..."
Daisuke sighed, "Useless again, eh, Sakura?"
Fuuko added, "I knew Takumi was intent on killing someone, though. I watched him plant the note. Right under Nari's door. That's all I can offer."
I shook my head, "Okay, so let's presume Nari here, or Shizue if it is her masquerading, isn't the killer. She was drugged, so it makes sense, right?"
The others nodded, "Yeah, we can follow that line for a bit," Koneko replied, ears still fluttering in the cold, crisp air.
"Then one of us four killed the girl," I said, still confused myself. Who did I lose? I couldn't even grasp the despair I felt about this trial yet, "That's impossible, though. The door was barricaded. Nari's message said she didn't have her handbook."
Nari held out hers and turned it on, displaying her name, "I woke up with it in Shizue's room."
I asked, "Is hers, too?"
Nari nodded, "Yeah, Shizue's was next to mine."
Daisuke smirked, "So let me ask; is it possible Nari drugged Shizue, dressed her up as herself, met Takumi and killed him, then killed Shizue to form her alibi, and faked the note herself?"
Nari took offense to that, "Fuck you, bro! I'd never murder Shizue! I loved her! With all my heart and soul and body, I... loved her."
"I'm not going to believe that just because you cry a little," Daisuke coldly replied, "Just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't kill them!"
"Hey, Daisuke, can you stop?" Koneko asked, "Please, this arguing isn't moving anything forward."
Daisuke grunted in annoyance, "This bitch killed her lover, that's the only option!"
Nari's eyes glossed over as she looked up at him, "So is this about Yoshikazu betraying you and leaving you to die?"
"What did you-"
"Or are you taking the fact you killed him with your vote just like the rest of us to selfishly live on out on us?" Nari asked, still glaring at him, "Which mistake are you trying to force on me right now, hm?"
Daisuke tried to jump over his podium, but Koneko swatted him back down to the floor, "Lay off."
"He just insulted the man who tried to fucking save her life! I'll kill that cunt myself!" Daisuke jumped up and tried again to lunge at her. Koneko held him back, and he turned on her, pushing her to the floor, "I won't allow it!"
I moved to intervene, but found there was no need to.
Koneko grabbed his back leg and twisted it, a crack resounding.
Daisuke crumpled to the floor, howling in pain and agony. Koneko stood back at her podium, depressed even more now than before, "Nari, no more outbursts. Daisuke, no more attempted murder. I will not tolerate this any further."
Daisuke got up on his good foot and stumbled into the podium, holding himself up with it, "Gah... Crazy bitch..."
Back at my podium, I glanced up at Monokuma, who smiled down on us as if he wasn't involved, "I like this," he began eating popcorn from a tub he pulled out from behind his throne.
I spoke up, "Daisuke... Seriously? What happened to my best friend who thought rationally? Why are you so hung up on this? So angry, so... different? You've been quick to act, but ever since the second trial, you've been so explosive..."
"I found my sister," Daisuke sorely responded, "In that maze... I investigated... I found her. What was left of her... And I was told... the mastermind behind her death, Ultimate Despair... Was responsible for this murder, too."
"What?! Why didn't you say anything!?" I yelled back at him.
Daisuke cried out, "I couldn't! I found it... The night Takeshi died. I felt as if, had I mentioned it, I'd have been accused," He spread his arms, "I mean... I almost got killed by those dogs in there, too. I hoped, prayed I'd find a way out... But instead..."
Shinju tried to comfort him, "Daisuke... You should have told us. We could have comforted you..."
"I also could have alerted the bastard I wanted to kill," he responded, "I will find Ultimate Despair, and I will kill them. Whoever among us it is..."
"Even me?" I asked him.
Daisuke didn't answer, but his hesitation told me everything I needed to know.
"Fine..." I responded, taking my sweatshirt off as I felt constrained in it, "Seems as if you broke the bro code first."
Nari interrupted us, "Enough. Daisuke... I'm sorry for your loss. Even if you don't believe me or hate me, I am. But we have to focus on finding the killer. Or all of us will be killed."
Daisuke didn't respond to her, standing there with his fractured leg wallowing in his own despair.
Monokuma chuckled, "Yep, the second motive for him was her life! Too bad he burned it up! Maybe if I'd have offered it to him, he might have killed first!"
Koneko addressed our main problem, "So let's say it was Daisuke, myself, or Shinji. I can account for Shinju, so her alibi is solid. Mine isn't, because I awoke before her and could have committed the murders. How did they escape Nari's room?"
Shinju paused, "With the front blocked off by a dresser, there's no way they used that entrance. But there's no other way out."
"Wrong!" I declared, "The ventilation shafts can be used to move between our rooms, and even into the freezer, the lab, and the hallway. It's how the cold air was dispersed so thinly but so consistently amongst our areas."
Nari thought about it, "Aren't the shafts screwed on?"
Daisuke's eyes lightened up, "Wait, Shinju! Didn't the lab have tools!? What kind of screw do they use?"
I interceded her, "Flat head. The only screwdriver with a flat head from the toolkit that fits the screws on the vents was in Takumi's room. His room had the vent open."
"So someone-" Nari began.
"Impossible," I rejected the idea immediately, "Locked in Takumi's room. Without his handbook, there's no way to unlock the vents. And with Nari's vent untouched and closed off, there's no way they rescrewed it on after they left."
Daisuke thought on it, "But if they left the room-"
"The door was still blockaded, and they'd have to break in. Defeats the purpose of leaving that way. We have to assume they never left," I answered confidently.
"Well... Then who could have-"
Monokuma, who was gone from the chair, appeared on our screens in his chair, sipping a martini as he announced, "A body has been discovered! Now, after a certain amount of time has passed, a class trial will begin!"
I checked my handbook. Eight AM. "What was that!?"
Monokuma appeared back in his chair, "Someone in the other group got the stones to murder! Their trial will be coming in a while, so we don't have forever to argue, understood?"
Damn it. Now we had time limits!? Who was the killer? Was Nari or Shizue dead? And why did the killer do it!?
CLASS TRIAL
SUSPEND
Monokuma, Misery, and Fuuko appeared together in a room, "Exciting, isn't this!? I love a good mystery!"
Misery said nothing, looking deep into the camera with her one eye unbandaged.
Fuuko just glared at Monokuma in silence.
Monokuma sighed, "Alright, fine. I just hope the second victim in this case can tutor me on some killer cosplay, am I right!?"
CLASS TRIAL
CONTINUE
Shinju, Nari, Daisuke, Koneko, and I were still at our podiums, sweat running down each of our faces. A murder had occurred in the hot zone, and we still had a killer to find.
Monokuma returned to his chair, elated, "I'm so excited! So guys, come on, chop chop! The trial is going on now."
"We know!" Daisuke yelled at him.
I thought on what was said, "Daisuke... Who told you the Despair remnant killed our victims?"
Daisuke pointed up to Monokuma, "He said so. He cracked the code."
Monokuma smiled as he held a glass container. Inside were three fragments of pure black, the Despair fragments, "I've been monitoring you guys, and I've identified three suspects. Moreover, they didn't commit the murders this time. Just... influenced it."
"So the person who killed Takumi and Shizue... or Nari?" I asked.
"Someone other than Ultimate Despair," he answered, "Not one of the three suspects, anyways."
I cursed to myself, "Enough about that. Let's focus on the issue here. Is the second victim actually Shizue or Nari?"
Nari argued, "If I was Shizue, why would I fake being me unless I killed them?"
"That's the issue," I answered, "We'd have to vote Shizue, not you. So in theory, you could be Nari tricking us to kill Shizue."
Nari objected, "No way! I'd... What would I gain!?"
Daisuke shrugged, "Life. Maybe you care more for yourself than us. Hell, maybe you meant to get caught."
Koneko frowned, "Nari wouldn't do that."
"How do you know that?" Daisuke responded.
I agreed with Koneko, "The fact is, I know for a fact Nari and Shizue both would never kill Takumi unless they were forced to."
Shinju's eyes shifted to Nari, "Say it was self-defense. Or an accident. Takumi attacks her and impales himself on the damned hook."
"But she would have had to move the hook," I countered.
"What if the Despair member did? Seems likely. And if it wasn't, Monokuma might have done it, too," Shinju glared at the bear.
Monokuma snickered, "Sounds like something I'd do."
Koneko folded her arms under her chest, a frown on her face, "Okay, so... Let's pretend Kuma or the traitor did it. Takumi accidentally impales himself on it, and Monokuma blames it on Nari... or Shizue... Then what?"
That's when I realized the truth. The depressing truth, "She... died for us."
"What are you on about?" Daisuke asked, scratching his head, "Speak more plainly!"
I decided to summarize the events as I saw them, "The locked room and the lack of any other exit means the killer had to be inside the room. The only option IS the second victim. They killed themselves after they ended their own life, and Monokuma, the bastard that he is, switched out their dying note because it would have ruled this case pointless."
Monokuma smirked, "Who, me? Would I pull the same trick twice?"
"Yes," I said without hesitation, "You sick fuck."
Nari nodded, "So... I'm innocent, right? If Shizue was pretending to be me, she'd just get us all executed, right? Why would she do that?"
Shinju asked, "I'd normally just agree, but..."
Koneko chimed in, "Nari, I trust you and Shizue implicitly, but... Say Shizue was the member of Despair. She could get all of us axed with this plan. Right? So by playing Nari, you could be killing us all."
Nari seemed surprised by that accusation, "How could Shizue be in Despair!?"
"She tried to kill herself earlier, remember?" I reprimanded her, "Seems like she could have succumbed to it to me, though I'm loath to say it."
Daisuke nodded, "So if Shizue is alive, she's the bastard trying to get us killed, and we need to vote Nari. If Shizue is in fact dead, we have to vote her."
Koneko frowned, curling her tail around her, "They smell the same. And any memories Nari would have, Shizue has to have as well. If we asked Nari about Shizue's, well, she either doesn't know..."
Shinju added, "Or would just say she can't. An interesting and damning trap we may have fallen into."
That was when I felt a lump form in my throat. That motherfucker planned this. They used Shizue's talent to try and Nagito us. God damn it!
I slammed my fist into the podium, "No, I'm not doing it. Shizue isn't a member of Despair. I believe in her. I'd rather die believing in her."
Koneko frowned, "Shizue... If she bet on Shinji voting for her, she might have bet on me doing it, too. I'd never want to vote a guilty verdict on Nari, and she would know that..."
"Three votes Shizue would be enough to get us executed," Daisuke completed her line of reasoning, "This case was designed to perfectly divide us three to two. If even one of us lowers our guns, we're at a fifty-fifty chance of winning."
Shinju further complicated the matter, "Vote for... Shizue or Nari? I... Nari," Shinju shook her head, "No, I... I'd rather vote myself then either of them. Without any proof, I..."
Nari argued, "Vote Shizue, then. Believe in us both."
"But what if that gets us killed?" Shinju motioned to Koneko, Daisuke, and I, "Do I really trust Shizue enough to risk their lives!?"
Was there any way for me to confirm whose identity was whose? I struggled with that doubt in my mind as much as I could.
I prayed with my hands together in the vain hope that it could somehow instill in me some divine answer from beyond. Of course, nothing came to mind.
Monokuma surveyed each of our defeated expressions before he asked, "Anything left to debate? Can I run the vote? Or do you guys need some more time? For the record, now would be the time for your brains to ring a bell about information, y'know?"
Daisuke cursed under his breath, "Once again, I'm useless. I'm never useful in these damn trials... Even now!"
Shinju bent over her podium and held her head in her hands, "Nothing... I can't think of anything either... Shizue's talent makes this impossible! Only what she wears needs to be the same. Otherwise, they're the same!"
Oh.
I looked up after a few moments and announced, "I know who died."
"What!?" The other four shouted in unison, like a barbershop quartet.
I slid the newest ring off of my finger, "This here. Only ten in existence, each specially crafted. In fact, I even had certain metals and gemstones embedded inside. So they all weigh ever so slightly differently. Not that I'd notice. But Shizue's talent only affects her body and mind. Not this ring."
Nari reached down to her own ring, "Mine is 'to the rival romantic'... I remember because of how embarrassing it was."
I handed Shizue's ring to Shinju, "My sensual sweetheart. I get it now. The case went down like this...
Takumi created a plan to murder. He took a sleeping bag into the freezer with a weapon, the kitchen knife. He wrote a message to Nari, but made a mistake and tossed a copy away. It wouldn't matter; he had to throw away trash properly, and his room was locked. He took his handbook with him; he had to.
Somehow, Shizue intercepted the message and formulated her own plan. She probably didn't want to kill Takumi, but simply to see his intents. If he tried to kill her, she would expose him. She went to the lab, used the chloroform we hid together and knocked Nari out in her own room. She moved Nari to her own room. Then she switched clothes, and became Nari. She talked to Daisuke to cement her own alibi, and to place Nari in her room at that time, as 'Shizue'. She returned to her own room with the evidence she had done so, rag in the trash and empty bottle in the bathroom.
She used Nari's computer to give us a time in case she did get killed. She left and met Takumi in the freezer, and he tried to kill her. Takumi screwed it up and got himself impaled. He said before he was willing to die for us, so I imagine he chose Nari after our own recent fights. Maybe he liked her the least. He would then have outed himself.
Monokuma must have known this, so he moved the hooks. Takumi gets into an accident, and Monokuma gets to make a trial for Shizue instead. Shizue writes a note, barricades the room as evidence that she had to have been the killer, and hung herself. She didn't live long after.
Monokuma snuck in, probably through the vents himself, or another route. He switched the letters to further trick us, since a simple trial would be a bore. Then he lied to me about where the 'real' surprise would be to throw me off from his real ruse. Nari woke up outside of her room with no memories of these events, and Monokuma had augmented this trial to fit his own selfish wants. Well, am I right?"
Monokuma chuckled, "Good observations, Shinji. You remind me of Makoto. Hajime, too. Not trusting me, you learned so fast! I actually have Shizue's letter, but I'll give it to you after the vote."
None of us had any more to say, each of our expressions one of worry, of loss, of hope and despair in equal measure. A slot machine flashed and spun, eventually landing on a little picture of Shizue. Coins flew out as if we had won a jackpot, but all we had earned was a hole in our hearts.
Monokuma smiled broadly, "So, the person responsible for killing Takumi Adachi... is in fact Shizue Koga! She is also, of course, the second victim in this case. Great job, guys! Now it's punishment time!"
"Punishment time? The killer is dead," Daisuke shouted in anger, having had enough.
Monokuma ignored him, pulling out his gavel and slamming it onto that big red button of evil, "Considering who she is, I'll make it special!"
On the screen appeared an interesting title. Nari Kawasaki's Execution, the Final Lesson!
Shizue's body, still dressed up as Nari, and having been cleaned of those blood spots, was being controlled like a marionette. A giant Monokuma from above had her angrily smack a chalkboard that depicted, of all things, insemination. I recognized this; it was from Makoto's almost execution. Except Nari was teaching a stuffed doll of Makoto as it slowly inched its way down the conveyor belt.
I felt the urge to run over, to intervene, but Daisuke held me back, "Shinji... I'm here."
None of us could do anything. We were forced to watch as Monokuma reveled in our defeat even more so as Shizue's body, the desk and the chalk board were ruthlessly and brutally crushed into paste on the floor, the pink mess splattering the entire belt and landing on us as well. Koneko and Nari screamed in horror, Shinju fainted, and Daisuke kept me from doing the same, holding me up by my shoulder.
Monokuma jumped down, "Extreeeeme! Remember Nari, if you kill someone... Teach them well!"
With that, he led us back to the Cold Zone, and at the end, the door was open. The five of us ran through it, fearful he'd lock us in again. Behind us, the door remained open, and we came to another small area. The gate to Area Four was closed, but there was a lounge for us to sit. Atop the table was a letter, and I flew towards that table with every bit of speed.
Before I could reach it, Kenta stepped through the gate, a smile on his face, "Excellent performance, Shinji. That pesky ring ruined my grand plans... I'll factor that into the next trial, of course."
I felt my rage boiling, but I held it. Behind me, Koneko was dressing Daisuke's leg wound, and Nari was holding Shinju, trying her damnedest not to cry all over her.
Fuuko and Misery walked up behind me, and I addressed them, "Misery... Fuuko. Obviously, I intend to spare you again. More to the point... You warned Shizue, didn't you? Of Takumi's intents."
Fuuko reluctantly bobbed her head, "Yes, I... I believed that out of all of you, she could prevent this from happening. But Monokuma interfered enough to thwart my aid..."
Kenta bellowed, "Interfering is against the rules, Fuuko! I should kill you now!"
I stepped in between the two, "Hey, I choose to spare her. Again."
"Then I'll just take her back and use her again," Kenta proclaimed, "She is my ally, after all."
Shaking my head, I denied him, "She was and is my responsibility. Break the rules, and I'll punish you."
Kenta laughed uproariously, as if he just opened the gates of hell to see the Devil only to insult him with this attitude of his, "You stand no match against me, boy! I'm better than you!"
I reached into my pocket with my left hand, feeling Mayu's ring on my index finger, where I'd placed it last night after cleaning them, "Mayu... Help me pull a Mirai Nikki!" I let go of the object I had grabbed, a sharp dart. Instead of a dart board, however, my target was Kenta.
The dart pierced his left eye before he could react, blood splattering everywhere. He screamed in agony, cursing me.
I addressed Monokuma, "If he breaks the rules like this, it ruins your game, right?"
Monokuma thought on that, "True..." Monokuma quickly launched towards Kenta with his claws, striking him right in his weak spot; the metal armlet on his right arm. The gauntlet cracked into pieces and shattered from Monokuma's blow.
Kenta grabbed his head and fell to his knees in agonizing pain. Monokuma explained, "That armlet of his gave him the power. He should have reserves, but not enough to run amok. Kenta, if you disobey me..." Monokuma unsheathed his claws, "I'll finish you. Now stop cheating. Nay, you're the boss for area four. So I decree."
"If you think you can demand anything of me..." Kenta growled back at him, blood leaking from his face, "I will-"
Monokuma clawed through his chest, knocking him back, "Try me, bitch!"
Kenta collapsed under the stress, and Monokuma grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up, "I'll get him healed. He's your next boss. Good luck; you'll need it."
Did Monokuma just help me? Did that really work? No, no, Monokuma just hated Kenta, too. That was what I told myself anyways.
With them gone, I felt something on my shoulder. Fuuko held me close, crying, "I... He was... You protected me... He scared me... Threatened me... Beat me..."
I held her in my arms, running my hand through her hair, calming her with my voice, "It's okay, Tojiko. I forgive you... I'll protect you now, okay? I owe you that much... So please, stay strong for me."
I looked up at Misery, who for the briefest of moments I felt smiled at me. Before I could even process that though, her face was that same miserable expression, "Thank you for standing up to Kenta today. I will bid you farewell. Fuuko... Stay safe with them. Please."
Misery patted her head as she walked off and the gate to Area 4 opened up for her. It closed shortly thereafter, and I noticed the trial room was now in session. Hot Zone had to suffer through one, too, didn't they?
Koneko walked over, "Shinji... We're waiting for you guys. We thought you should read it for us."
I nodded, and I led Fuuko by the hand to the table. She sat across from me, and I gingerly opened up the letter. Inside it was paper just like Shinju's, confirming that Shizue had access to it, not Monokuma.
The letter read as such...
"Dear readers... Hey guys, it's Shizue. I know that you're reading this after the trial. As you already know... I'm dead. Takumi is, too. This would be my final memoir, my goodbye. So for each of you, and the others, I have to pass on my final thoughts. To each of you."
"I'll skip over the first seven messages," I told the others, "They need to hear this for themselves."
The others nodded, and so I continued.
"Now, for the Cold Zone survivors. Takumi did talk to me when he attacked. Said he'd been motivated to die for Shinji. His only way to repent for his earlier actions, he said. I don't know if he came up with that or not, but it broke my heart. He nearly killed me, but I tripped into him. That hook...
I didn't hate Takumi, not even now, when I have to end my own life over him. He was a buffoon, and downright idiotic at times, but... He loved Shinji and Shinju, more than either could ever know. He went on a date with her for more than just to feel her up; he felt it was his only chance to ever feel like... she could have loved him back.
He confessed this to me before he killed me, since he never intended to tell the others. He wanted to spare your feelings. I thought I should give his side of the story.
Daisuke. I know what you did, what you found. It must hurt you so, so much. But know this; When I condemned Mayu to death, I never felt worse in my life. Even if she had been evil, even if she had been the cause of all of our suffering, I cried myself to sleep every night we stayed in this zone. Please, don't obsess over revenge. Try to find it in your heart to forgive them... Before you become a Blackened yourself.
If you consider Shinji and Shinju to be like siblings to you, then live, for them. Please abide my one request of you... For me, for Yoshikazu, for Mayumi, please. We'd want you to live."
Daisuke turned away from us, holding his head in his hands, not verbalizing a response. I continued.
"Koneko, our dear, precious cinnamon roll. Offering yourself to die... Very brave, but I refuse. The others love you, much more so than me. Maybe not Shinji, but Nari for sure. But that's okay; you deserve to be loved. It makes up for all that time you were treated wrong. What Kenta did to you was horrible.
But now you have some of the greatest people in the world to love, whom love you back. Kenta gave you despair, but now it's blossomed into hope. Please, Koneko, live on for them, for me. Don't ever become a part of this game; I know you intend never to give in without me asking, but I felt the need to say it anyways... I love you, Koneko. You were my dear younger sister in many ways..."
Koneko struggled not to cry, to no avail, "Shizue... I never..." she wiped her tears away, "I loved you, too! Why...? Why didn't you come to us!?"
Daisuke spoke in between exasperated breaths, his voice cracking as he struggled to maintain his stalwart demeanor, "She lived up to Mayu's legacy, you know? Dying to save her beloved ones. Shizue must have really admired her..."
"Nari, whom I died to save. Takumi chose you mostly because he knew what you wanted. To save the ones you loved. Just like him. I'm sure he'd not be too upset at this result. That being said, I died to save you. Now two killers have done that, huh?
Nari. You've been through a lot, so when Fuuko warned me... I couldn't let you die. Shinji gave me a reason to live, Mayu gave me values to die for, and I chose to protect you. Mayu would have done the same.
Some may see this as a fool's errand or that I should have found an alternate way out. But there was none; When I wore Mayu's ring, I guess you could say she rubbed off onto me. So Nari, listen. Let go of the past. You deserve to be happy, so please. Live with the others. Enjoy every precious moment; otherwise, I won't be too happy."
I had to shake my head not to cry, "Damn it..."
Nari finally spoke up, "She loved us all so much... And we let this happen..."
"Shinju. I thought you'd shape up after our talks. Get that chin up, be yourself again. Shinji would appreciate a little more aggressive handling, you know? Jokes aside, you know everything I'd want to say to you. But I'll say it again.
You helped push me to be courageous. I would never have... Cosplayed with Shinji without your influence. So I thank you, though I did steal your man! :P But seriously... The times I spent with you, with everyone... It justified all the times I wanted to die. And you are responsible for that. Stay strong. Keep Shinji in line, and never forget the girl whose life you saved."
Shinju nodded as she held Nari close to her, "I... I will, Shizue."
Fuck me, but this was depressing to read. Closure was good, but it still crushed my soul to read this. And now I was at the climax.
"Shinji... I request you to wear my ring next to Mayu's and yours. That way, we can live on in you. If what I experienced taught me anything, you might be able to harness our talents through them. I hope my talent can save you in the future. Nothing would make me happier...
What can I say to you that would surprise you? Oh, but you know me too well. I was your sensual sweetheart. My love for you was pure, just like for everyone else. I didn't ask much from you, except to demand to be treated with respect. Don't let Monokuma, or anyone else ever take advantage of you again. Have a backbone for me, or else. Yuno might make a return.
The Ultimate Arbiter, the Saccharine Manwhore, and the man who gave me hope... I know you can't promise me that you'll survive, or save everyone else. I'm not that optimistic.
Just know that if you die, I'll be waiting at the gates of Heaven. And with Mayu... we'll welcome you all to join us... okay?" Tears had stained the page right here, "So whether it's in this life or the next, I love you. You, Shinji. Not your talent, not who I think you are, but you. Just like you loved me...
Goodbye to everyone... With love from the bottom of my heart, Shizue Koga, the Ultimate Cosplayer..."
Author's Note: Next chapter's gonna take a while. At least until I get out of the fetal position and stop crying. This trial hurt me so much to do... I hope it sucked for you, too. F*ck, man... My birthday's tomorrow and shit. Why did I do this to myself!? ;-;
