Chapter 35: String Theory: Act Two
2:14 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Hallway
Aoi and 'Junko' had just crossed the threshold into the hallway, when all of the sudden the music from within the theater came to an abrupt ending.
The pair were met by Ryoma who was just on the other side of the door.
The boy looked rather alarmed, as suddenly a series of screams could be heard from back within the Theater.
"O-Oh god what's going on?" Aoi groaned as she fought to keep herself from heaving.
Before either of them could offer a response the speakers along the corridor flitted to life.
"Ahem well I gotta say you kids know how to put on a show. This bear was really really pleased. Bahaha you know the rules. Investigation and then trial! Oh and don't forget loose lips sink ships." Monokuma guffawed loudly, as the speakers abruptly shut off.
"It would seem we have an answer." Hoshi frowned as he adjusted his beanie.
Mukuro set her jaw as she placed her hand upon the small of the swimmer's back. "Come on Hina. Let's get you to the bathroom, then we can sort out everything else."
The girl who was on the verge of losing her breakfast, could only meekly nod her head. "Y-Yeah alright." she rasped as she covered her mouth.
The Ultimate Soldier's expression hardened, as she urged the girl forward.
"Hey short stuff make sure someone doesn't get the wrong impression by us leaving. I'm not in the mood to deal with some stupid accusation." Junko called out as she ushered the swimmer down the hall.
"Heh because anyone listens to what I have to say." he chuckled mirthlessly as he shoved his hands into his jacket, before he reached for the door and flung it open.
2:16 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Theater
Stage
Maizono's eyes were hollow as she stared at the smears of pink that covered both her and Leon. She felt her legs trembling as the collapsed to her knees as she stared at the body that lay slumped on the floor.
Monokuma's words had almost fallen on deaf ears. Why? Why had someone taken away what was suppose to be such a bright moment? And why her?
"N-No this can't be happening! This is all wrong, fuck open your eyes!" Leon screamed as he was now knelt down and vigorously shaking the still form of one Ibuki Mioda.
For someone who was normally so full of life and energy, it was such a stark contrast. The back of her head had been completely caved in.
She lay face first collapse atop her guitar that was now also soaked in blood.
Behind her rested a shot-put ball soaked in blood, it was suspended via a wire that seemed to come from the rigging above the stage. *TRUTH BULLET*
Kaede's haunted expression slowly settled in one of determination as she weakly pushed herself up.
She blinked back a few tears in her eyes, as she hesitantly stepped forward. "Leon I'm so sorry."
The red head snapped his gaze up as he stared darkly at her. "You're sorry? This is all your fault. She would still be here if not for you!"
The Pianist bowed her head. "I wanted to reach everyone with our music. I never wanted this to happen. I-I didn't know this woul-"
"Fuck your damn apologies." Kuwata growled as he slowly lifted Mioda up, before settling cradling her head in his lap.
He ignored the blood that continued to soak him. "Nothing you can say or do will bring her back. You're the one to blame for us being here in the first place, I wish it had been you."
Kaede felt her throat catch, as tears began to collect at the corner of her eyes.
The exchange was broken as a few of the others had begun to approach the stage.
Regardless of how it happened, the circumstances remained the same.
They had to investigate and they couldn't afford to waste any time.
It was about at this time that the Handbooks began to reflect the grisly murder.
Monokuma Case File #3
Victim : Ibuki Mioda
"The victim suffered a single blunt force wound to the back of the head."
"Cause of Death is due to the trauma suffered from the impact against her skull and brain.."
"The time of death is exactly 2:14 P.M
"The body was discovered in the Theater at exactly 2:14 P.M"
2:22 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Girl's Bathroom
"Ungh what does it say?" Aoi asked weakly as she lay hunched over a toilet. "Who was it?"
The Ultimate Soldier frowned as she patted the girl's back with one hand, as she examined the handbook. "It was Mioda. Somehow someone pulled off a murder in front of almost all of us."
A shiver rocked the swimmer's body, as another wave of Nausea overtook her.
"I guess someone must have been pretty desperate to hide the truth." The blonde frowned as she stared down at the swimmer. "Hey you feeling a bit better now?"
Hina slowly pried herself upward, as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "No but I think my stomach is alright at least.." she murmured softly as she weakly rose to her feet.
"I can't believe this keeps happening Junko. When is this ever going to be over?" she bowed her head sadly. "I just want us all leave together. Why does any of this have to happen?"
The Soldier swallowed a moment, before she reached out and lightly curled an arm around Aoi for a brief moment. "I'm not even half as good at this as Naegi, but we will get out of here. So chin up Donuts, we need to catch up with the others."
A faint smile crossed the swimmer's face as she stopped at the sink. "Yeah you're right. I bet Maizono and everyone on stage is really shaken up. I can't be feeling sorry for myself right now."
"Shall we then?" Junko chuckled at the girl's renewed vigor.
"Let's do it!" Asahina said with a nod as she and the other girl strode towards the exit.
2:25 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Theater (Stage)
"Uh I don't know if you really need me this time." Mikan murmured quietly as her gaze was settled upon the floor.
Nanami offered a thin smile as she lightly draped an arm around her friend's shoulder. "Maybe we should join the others?"
Hajime offered a sympathetic smile. "She's their probably right Kiri. I think there's little doubt of the cause of death."
The Lavender haired girl's eyes flickered over to Kuwata who still sat with a dazed expression, Mioda lifeless form still propped against him. "I suppose that's very true. Do whatever you want." she said sharply, as her jaw tensed ever so slightly. "If you'll excuse me I should probably continue my investigation." she abruptly as she wordlessly began to stalk past Leon and behind the stage itself.
"Kiri wait a second!" Hajime called out as he jogged to catch up with her.
"I know none of us are alright at the moment, but I don't think I've ever seen you so shaken. You're usually more composed then this." The boy mused as he fell into stride along side of her.
The girl stopped abruptly as she turned to fully face him. "If I truly was some sort of investigator as I presumed, I shouldn't have missed such obvious signs. Mioda is dead because I couldn't piece things together."
"Kiri you can't put that on yourself. How could you have possibly known?" Hajime's brow furrowed slightly.
The girl folded her arms as her eyes met his. "I recognized the attempt on Iruma's life. I should have come forward and announced what I'd discovered. Most of them assume it was just an accident. If I had just for once opened my mouth and warned the others, perhaps this could have been averted. Instead a girl is dead because of my pride, because I thought I would be able to see another trap and shut it down. I suppose a part of me didn't want to take a way from this moment of leisure either. This is why emotion should never effect my judgement." She scowled slightly as she rubbed her forehead.
Hinata was quiet a moment. "Kyoko it doesn't matter if you're some prodigy or not, you're still human. Maybe you should have said something, but there's no guarantee the others would have canceled this show nor is certain this would have been avoided."
Kirigiri offered a faint sigh as she shook her head. "It's irrelevant now anyways I suppose. I'm sorry for being short with all of you, I just need to keep perspective. What I really need is to focus on this case."
"Alright then so where do we start?" Hajime asked.
Kyoko closed her eyes a moment. "The Shot-Put ball was suspended by a wire, let's find out where it goes."
2:31 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Dressing Room
Maizono furiously scrubbed her clothes with a towel, trying to remove the pink splotches of blood that still stained her. "There's just so much. Why won't it all come out Naegi?!" She cried as buried her face against her hands, as her shoulders began to tremble.
Naegi offered a pained smile as he approached her.
He slowly knelt down, before he pulled the girl into a one armed embrace. "Just let it out. I'm here for you." he said as he gently patted her back.
The blue haired beauty sniffed, before she sat up and fiercely wrapped her arms around him.
Maizono buried her face against the crook of his neck. "Why does this keep happening to us? We just wanted to bring everyone together. Ibuki deserved so much better than that." she mumbled.
"I know how you feel, none of this is fair. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared, because I am. Though you guys all of you are the reason why I don't give up. I don't know what I would do if I lost someone precious to me." Naegi said quietly.
"I can't even imagine how Leon must feel right now. He and Ibuki were inseparable, they hit it off almost immediately. I just can't see why anyone would want to hurt Mioda." her voice was stained as she slowly peeked up to look at the boy.
Makoto offered a sad smile. "I don't know either, but I wasn't as close to her as you were. I know this is a terrible time to ask, but did anything strange happen before all of this? Anything out of the ordinary?"
The Idol was quiet a moment. "Well Mioda and Kaede told me about what happened with Miu. They thought it was just a freak accident. Maybe in reality none of us wanted to believe something like this would happen again."
"I heard a little bit about it, if I'm not mistaken it was with the same object right?" Naegi asked softly.
Maizono offered a faint nod. "I think so, I'm sure Kiri and Saihara know more though. They investigated it."
The Ultimate Luck frowned. "So I wonder what last night was all about? If it was an accident does it mean the killer was trying to kill Miu or was just practice for today?" *TRUTH BULLET*
2:40 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Theater
Shuichi rubbed the back of his neck as his gaze shifted to the Ultimate Pianist who stood a few feet away. "Kaede are you alright?" his voice was strained as he regarded her closely.
The blonde's hair was now damp and she was now wearing her normal attire. "No I don't think I can be after that. I'm sorry for disappearing like that, but after what happened to Mioda, how Leon acted I just needed some space." she bit her lower lip as she shook her head.
"I didn't even get any blood on me, I was the only one. Still I just needed a shower, a chance to scream as loud as I wanted to." Kaede said, before she took a deep breath.
"Did you find anything Shui? Anything we can use to nail the bastard who did this?" She asked as she peered over at the dark haired boy.
The Ultimate Detective offered her a sympathetic smile. "Yeah I think I definitely found something. Kiri and I agreed that it was for the best if we conduct separate investigations. She's spent most of her time on the stage and I've been investigating the surrounding area." he paused a moment as he reached into his pocket, before fishing out a spool of wire.
"I found this attached to the handle of the theater's door. On the inside to be specific. I bet this looks familiar doesn't it?" Shuichi asked as his brow furrowed slightly. *TRUTH BULLET*
"More Piano Wire?" Kaede questioned.
"Exactly which leads me to believe that it was somehow used in conjunction with the Shot-Put Ball." Shuichi said as he rested his hand on his chin.
The blonde frowned. "But if that's really true, then how did no one notice the wire in the first place? It's not exactly inconspicuous."
"Actually that's easier to explain than the rest of this. From what I've gathered the door to the Theater was already standing open earlier in the morning. No doubt anyone who saw it would assume it was merely in preparation for today's show. Though if the wire was already there it would be hard to see it from the opposite side. The door itself was shut right after the lights were dimmed. This single fact would made it easier to hide it's existence." The boy mused. *TRUTH BULLET*
"If what you're saying is true, the killer didn't just do any of this impulsively it was all planned." Kaede said as her eyes widened slightly.
Shuichi nodded. "Yeah I think you're definitely right. I overheard the others going over alibis. They made a good point too, most likely our suspect is one of the people who had some knowledge of the production."
The Pianist. "You know that includes me right?"
Saihara shook his head. "Maybe but I have faith in you. I know you'd never do anything to hurt one of your friends."
The blonde's expression softened slightly, as she reached and gently touched his arm. "You really trust me that much?"
"Of course I do. I'd still be that same boy with a hat pulled down over my head if not for you. You gave me the strength I needed. Even if the evidence said otherwise, I would exhaust everything to prove your innocence." Shuichi admitted with shy smile.
Kaede felt her face heat up at his admission. "Heh you really have changed. Thank you Shui." she mumurred as she leaned up gently pressed her mouth against his cheek, before pulling back.
Both of the teens immediately adverted their gazes. "We should probably catch up with the others now." The Pianist murmured awkwardly.
The Detective pressed a hand against his cheek as a soft smile graced his face. "Yeah that's probably a good idea. I'm right behind you Kaede." 'Always'
2:52 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Theater
The majority of the student body was seated within a few rows of the Theater.
Those of which who weren't investigating anyways.
Kokichi sat next to Korekiyo, both of the boys wearing similar masks.
"I know it's the last thing we wish to discuss right now, but we must establish everyone's alibis while we can." Sonia said with a solemn expression, as she laced her hands together.
"Tch what's there to freaking discuss? I mean all of us were freaking here when some jackhole killed her right?" Owada grumbled as he folded his arms.
"Mondo I understand how you feel, but that is not entirely true. I did note a few of our comrades were missing." Kiyotaka said with a frown. "Namely Miss Harukawa, Miss Ludenberg, Miss Fukawa, and Hoshi whom arrived moments after the incident occurred."
"Not to be an asshole, but that shit is a little bit suspicious if you ask me. You weren't here when the show began, but you show up right as it happens?" Kaito said as eyed the shorter boy who was seated next to Chiaki and his sister.
"We're only here to establish alibis. You don't have to treat him like that Momota." The Gamer offered him a slight frown.
"Hey woah don't get mad at me, last thing I need to do is upset someone else close to Mikan. I'm just saying it's a little odd is all." The Astronaut chuckled halfheartedly.
Ryoma sighed. "I wish I could say I have a good excuse, but anything I say will probably get twisted. Look I received a note this morning telling me that if I didn't show up at 2:15 that someone was going to get hurt. So I kept my distance this morning from everyone and tried to follow the instructions. Load of good it did that poor girl. Shit I should have just said something when I had the chance." *TRUTH BULLET*
"Y-You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure you did everything you could." Mikan murmured softly.
Hagakure tousled his stubble. "Eh sounds like a half baked story to me. How do we know he's not just making it up to cover his ass?"
Peko pinched the bridge of her nose. "You really are a moron. Monokuma explicitly stated that following a death the truth serum would cease. However it is highly unlikely it has worked it's way out of our systems. He still couldn't lie to you if he wanted to."
"Angie doesn't think that tone is appropriate, but she does concede your point." The Artist frowned slightly.
"Look if we agree that the serum is still possibly acting upon us we can verify that Ryoma story is most likely true. Since we are forbidden form directly asking the murder's identity we need to do as Miss Nevermind suggested and narrow down our suspects." Twogami mused.
Yamada cleared his throat as he adjusted his glasses slightly. "Uh but how do we um do that? Most of us were here right?"
"Indeed though not all of us were visible in the audience, then of course as it was already mentioned those who never attended." Oogami mused.
"Heh this is simple then! It has to be one of those people." Hiyoko exclaimed.
"So Harukawa,Fukawa, and I are suspects simply because we elected to not join in the festivities?" Celestia asked as her vision flitted around the room.
"I-I swear I didn't do anything!" Fukawa yelled as she nervously looked at the people around her.
Korekiyo offered a mirthless chuckle. "My that's certainly a cliché way of garnering suspicion. In any case I believe Saionji is wrong, instead of looking at those whom were not present, I think we should look at those who were more intimately familiar with their surroundings."
"Ah a very insightful observation. The perpetrator would have had to be quite familiar with this production." Gundham mused.
Tsumugi tapped her chin. "Oh so that's what you mean. I suppose someone would have to be pretty familiar with stage and their surroundings. It looks like that makeshift weapon fell from above the stage." *TRUTH BULLET*
A sigh escaped the Ultimate Child Care Giver. "Look it's this simple, we figure out everyone who had knowledge and access to the stage. They also would have had to be aware of positioning of the band."
"I do believe I can assist. Though my memory is painfully average, I believe I can account for everyone who has been a part of the production. Gonta and Sakura helped move several of the heavier instruments and set pieces into place. Miss Tojo spent several hours cleaning the Theater and the adjacent rooms. Miu,Kazuichi, and I all assisted with the amps and lighting. During the performance Miu was in charge of the lightning while Kazuichi was backstage handling the curtains and the sound mixer. Then of course there was both Junko and Tsumugi who helped dress and style the band. Then of course finally there was Ibuki,Leon,Kaede, and Sayaka. I believe that should be everyone." Keebo stated.
"Shit that's still a lot of fucking people. Eleven people if you don't include Mioda. God damn that's still a lot." Fuyuhiko growled.
"Are we sure that's the only suspects? I mean if little Ryoma was accused what about those two!" Hiyoko said as she jabbed a finger at Asahina & Mukuro.
"I'm sure they both have a good reason! I'll remind you that the only people around here who've killed anyone so far is men." Tenko scowled as she folded her arms.
The Ultimate Soldier. "So look before all of you start in on us, Hina got sick and was making a beeline to the bathroom. I was just going to make sure she was alright. If you don't believe me you can always check my shoe."
The Swimmer looked mortified. "Junko I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry." she murmured as she looked embarrassed as well as mortified.
"Heh no biggie I was just joking about my shoe." The blonde chuckled.
Celestia quirked an eyebrow as she regarded the exchange. "So perhaps we should follow those who had the most knowledge of the area. I believe Fuyuhiko said there were eleven individuals who fit that criteria."
Nagito nodded his head in agreement. "Ah yes I suppose it would be the best place to start. It is very unlikely an outside party would have been capable of doing this. Surely they would drawn more suspicion if they were seen in the Theater at some point."
Akane popped her knuckles. "So let's knock some skulls and get this shit on the road. Heh we can solve this shit, before the bear even calls us. I mean it has to be someone who wasn't with the rest of us during the show right?"
"Mm perhaps." Kirumi mused as she lightly tapped her chin. "Following that logic it would have to be someone who was familiar with the production and also was not with the rest of us. I believe that in itself does narrow things down a bit."
Kazuichi's mouth fell open. "Woah now hold on. I don't like the idea of being on some shortlist. I was just doing the sound mix by the stage."
"You seem pretty damn nervous. You sure you don't have something to say?!" Owada growled as he narrowed his eyes.
"Dude I'm being suspected for murder, hell yeah I'm nervous!" Kazuichi exclaimed.
"Mondo I appreciate your fervor, but be mindful of Monokuma's newest rule for this motive. Be careful with your questions. In any case Kazuichi wasn't the only one out of sight. As memory serves so was Iruma who was working the lights and Komaeda who was handling the curtain itself." Twogami offered.
Nagito laced his hands together as he suddenly spoke up. "I cannot speak for Miu, but I certainly didn't kill anyone. I believe for the time being my word will have to suffice."
Celestia offered a thin smile. "Considering it's only been such a short time, yes I suppose you couldn't state your innocence if it weren't true."
Fuyuhiko snorted. "Whatever then it leaves that fucking bitch as the culprit. She took off with Togami and Fujisaki. Let's force a confession out of her and end this shit."
"Gonta no thinks Miss Iruma would do something like this. Gonta wants to believe she isn't culprit." The Entomologist spoke up.
"And kids never want to stop believing in Santa Claus. It doesn't make it anymore real Gonta. You can't be so trusting all the time." Fukawa frowned slightly.
"I-I agree with Gonta actually. Last night Miu had suffered a similar injury with the same kind of instrument. Fujisaki found her laying in the prop room unconscious." Mikan said quietly as she felt several gazes on her.
Hiyoko huffed. "So what pigshit? Maybe she conked herself last night to herself an alibi for today."
The Nurse seemed to wilt under the dancer's response. "I-I'm sorry Saionji. Please forgive me."
Nanami's eyes narrowed as she reached out and gently squeezed Mikan's hand in a reassuring gesture. "Don't you dare dismiss Miki like that. Come on Miki tell them I'm right. Iruma couldn't have done this to herself."
Tsumiki lifted her chin slightly. "W-Well it's just that if Miu did that to herself she could have easily killed herself in the process. She was just lucky it didn't do more damage. The blow could have been fatal."
"There's something else too." A voice called out as Shuichi walked up alongside Kaede. "The lights were shut off when Fujisaki found Miu. She described them being turned on, since should couldn't lie about that, it means that someone shut them off after the fact."
Akane scratched the back of her head. "Well shit. What does that mean then? They were the only ones who weren't with us that knew about everything right?"
The Ultimate Pianist cleared her throat. "Unfortunately I think it's not that simple. Shuichi found something really important. A trap was set ahead of time, meaning that any of us, even someone sitting in the crowd could have been the culprit."
3:03 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Gym (Storage Room)
"So why the fuck are we in this shitty place? And what's was the big idea dragging us here in the first damn place?" Iruma grumbled as she crossed her arms.
Byakuya scowled as he peered over his shoulder. "Do you ever cease your inane banter? I simply wished to confirm something."
"Uh does this have anything to do with what happened yesterday to Miu?" Fujisaki asked hesitantly.
"Hmph yes I suppose you could say that. Why you didn't announce your attack sooner is beyond me though." The Heir mused as his gaze flickered around the room.
"Listen jackass I had my melon bashed and I wasn't thinking straight. Besides we just assumed it was a damn accident." The Inventor gritted her teeth slightly.
Togami shook his head. "It's a pointless measure to discuss it now. Clearly you were very wrong. Though the reason why we're here should be readily apparent soon." he mused as he continued to sift through the room, before pausing near a gym bag that was already unzipped. He bent low for a moment, before pulling out a shot-put ball from the bag as he held it up. "Hn it would seem my theory was right."
Chihiro blinked. "Oh I see what you're saying. Whoever was behind this, must have found those in here. In retrospect it makes more sense then to find them in the Theater's Prop Room." *TRUTH BULLET*
"Indeed there can be little doubt the culprit retrieved their weapon from this very place." Togami mused.
The Ultimate Inventor frowned. "So anyone who's been in and out of the Gym is a fucking suspect right? Load of damn good that will do anyone. We've all been in here at some point."
"Perhaps however if we combine it with any other relevant clues it might shed a light on our culprit." The Heir offered a thin smirk.
3:12 P.M Day Nine
First Floor
Theater (Stage)
"There's just something that bugs me about this. If this was a trap that was set ahead of time. How did they hit Mioda?" Naegi asked as he glanced around the few gathered on the stage.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean Makoto." Shuichi said as he stared puzzled at the other boy.
"Wait he's right! Of all of us, hitting Mioda should have been the hardest. Even though we rehearsed everything and even blocked out the stage Mioda couldn't stand still. She was always moving back and forth during her performance." Kaede exclaimed. *TRUTH BULLET*
"That's insane though right? if someone were going to be targeted it would make more sense to target anyone else, we weren't moving nearly as much. I mean Kaede you were in the same spot the entire time. So why did they go after Mioda? Was she even the their target?" Sayaka asked with a confused expression on her face. *TRUTH BULLET*
Kyoko who stood a few feet away gently tapped her chin. "You raise an excellent point. It's hard to confirm at the moment, but discovering the reason for why Mioda was targeted may shed some light on everything else. I did make note of a ladder backstage it was within reach of where the wiring was attached. As for why someone left it there it seems a bit strange." *TRUTH BULLET*
Saihara's brow furrowed. "It does seem odd that the culprit wouldn't have moved the ladder to avoid discovery of the wiring above." He mused just as the speakers churned to life once more.
*DING DING*
"And with that it's time to call to order the Third Classroom Trial! Let's get this show on the road! " Monokuma snickered boisterously over the loudspeaker, before silence once more prevailed throughout most of the school.
*TRUTH BULLETS*
-Piano Wire
-Location of Shot-Put Balls
-Intended Target?
-Knowledge of the Production
-Ryoma's Account
-Wire on Door handle
-Miu's Attack
-Moving Target?
-Backstage Ladder
-Junko & Asahina's Accounts
*AN*
McdrilaX
Thanks for the review and yeah if certain things play out that way I'll try to treat it better than before.
Luckenhaft
I always love your commentary man! Please never change it always puts a smile on my face.
lolrus555
I love how paranoid I've made everyone. Also I love having red herrings mixed in so you never know when something is a clue or a mislead.
Shiny Oshawott King
Hey you were right about the victim for sure!
The Deity With Two Faces
Hey I totally get it. Not everyone has the same tastes when it comes to characters. I like to think that Iruma deep down has a good heart beneath all of that vulgar crude demeanor. That she's just incapable of expressing that or being vulnerable save when she's being yelled at. It's why I like her and Fuji because he's so damn patient and endearing that he's slowly worming his way into her heart. But yeah I know where you're coming from. There are some fan favorites that I CANNOT stand. I won't name any names, but I just don't understand the appeal. However I accepted a long time ago that all of us have different tastes haha.
heroicdragon584
It was none other than Ibuki! And you got it big guy :D
Dinodude8000
Yeah I have to ruin things with some brutal murder =(
Gatekeeper JPG
One of my favorite things about Ouma is he is a character you don't truly understand till well after the fact. Doesn't help that under most circumstances that he spouts nothing but lies.
Trygve11
It was indeed Ibuki. Sorry for being that guy =(
1995hzq
When I thought about it I realized this was the same guy who plotted his own death to throw off the Mastermind. Nothing seems too far off the reservation when it comes to Ouma
Zephyrius29
Hey I hear where you're coming from. I would say though that this Kirumi is a bit different because unlike in V3 she's not quite as professionally detached. She does have history with three of these individuals, and from a narrative point I like it because it presents things that could potentially compromise her normally professional demeanor.
SuperedX
Haha I totally understand what you mean. It's how I feel when I'm reading a fic like this and praying my favorite is alright.
JCW18
Hey glad you're enjoying Sayaka's arc. I'm trying to have her plot from the anime/game still present, but with her survival she has to come to terms with that so she can move on.
darknessking6
Whelp it was an Ibuki Special...from a certain point of view *coughs*
doomqwer
Yeah I wanted there to be a bit of fluff and to show that even some of our more noble characters aren't always agreeable, because that would be boring :p
Invisible Prince
Overkill? This is the guy who planned his own death just to screw over the mastermind? I don't think Ouma really has any limits haha. And the Kami was a slip. I meant to just type God as it's the Japanese word for it.
Wrookie01
Ooooh and it's about to get really interesting *cackles maniacally*
Aquirs-Chan
Aww but I want you to talk to me! =(