*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

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"

Chapter 36: String Theory: Act Three

3:24 P.M Day Nine

Basement Floor

Trial Room

"Well kiddos here we are once again. I don't know about you, but I never get tired of this rush." Monokuma chortled as his beady gaze swept around the room. "You know how it goes at this point. Find the blackened or you bite the dust. Alteneratively you can always sacrifice one of your own if you cannot reach a consensus. After all innocent people are put on death row all the time." The bear snickered. "Anyways without further ado let the Third Trial begin!"

"Heh before we all get into the thick of it, anyone wonder what's going on with Kokichi? Dude's been quiet this entire time. He never shuts up. It's giving me the willies." Hagakure grimaced as he gestured over at the short statured boy, who's lower face was obscured by a mask.

"Now that you mention it, it is sort of odd that we haven't heard anything from him." Hifumi mused as she adjusted his glasses.

A look of mischief crossed Ouma's eyes as suddenly lowered his mask, to reveal a grotesque sight. His lips were badly discolored as threads were stitched through his lips, effectively sealing his mouth shut.

"W-What the fuck is up with that shit!" Akane yelled as she jabbed a finger at the boy.

"Kekeke I must own up to my participation in this matter. As you all know Kokichi does enjoy stretching the truth. Needless to say he wasn't a fan of this motive. He approached me with this proposition and I agreed to assist him." Korekiyo mused.

"That's so freaky ass shit. Uh and how the hell does he plan to eat or drink anything?" Miu asked as she cringed at the sight of the boy, before adverting her gaze.

"Suffice it to say, Ouma believed a murder would happen long before his life was in peril. Alas we weren't afforded enough time to undo the procedure. So he shall be more of an observer in this trial." The Anthropologist mused.

Mikan shivers slightly as she peeked up at the supreme leader. "I-I'd be willing to help. So there's no infections and to minimize any scarring."

Togami sighed. "While it is a relief to be spared his blithering commentary, it does make him rather suspicious. However I suppose we cannot probe him directly at the moment."

"Well now that we've gotten that matter out of the way, we should focus our attention back on this case. We've wasted enough time already." Kyoko said in a stern tone.

Kaito frowned as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess at least we don't have to debate the murder weapon right?"

"Indeed I believe there can be little doubt of what caused Miss Mioda's demise." Keebo said with a sad expression.

Hiyoko huffed as she folded her arms. "So where do we start then?"

The Ultimate Cosplayer tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Mm perhaps we should examine what happened yesterday first?" She suggested.

"I believe that is a wise decision. Since it seems the same type of weapon was used, it's very likely our culprit is the same one who injured Iruma." Sonia said as she peered over at the inventor.

Miu rubbed her bandaged head a moment. "Shit I didn't realize at the time it was that big of a deal. You think some fucker did this on purpose or did I just get really damn unlucky?"

Byakuya sighed slightly. "I cannot discern why you of all people would be attacked. I can verify from our search, that the Shot-Put ball was undoubtedly taken from the Gym's storage area. We discovered a number of them stuffed into a gym bag." *TRUTH BULLET*

"Who even cares? How does that have anything to do with why Ibuki is dead?" Kuwata scowled as his hands were still planted on his podium.

"Leon I know you're hurting, but we're trying to do everything we can to bring Mioda's killer to justice." Sayaka offered with a sad expression.

"Indeed we will not stop until the truth is uncovered!" Kiyotaka exclaimed as his fist slammed against the podium. "With Togami's discovery we can surmise our culprit most certainly acquired the murder weapon there." *TRUTH BULLET*

"Unfortunately all of us have been in and out of the Gym multiple times. I don't know if there's a way to figure out who might have taken something from that room." Nanami offered softly.

"Since that is undoubtedly true, perhaps we should place our attention else where?" Gundham suggested as his heterochromatic gaze shifted around the gather students. "Do we possess any other clues?"

Ryoma frowned as he shoved his hands into his jacket. "Well as I said before, I received a note this morning. Telling me to arrive at the Theater at 2:15 or someone would be hurt. After what happened to Iruma last night, I was wary about testing this person." He said as he pulled crumpled piece paper out, before setting on his podium.

"Huh why such a specific time? And well after the concert had already begun." Shuichi rested his chin against his hand as his brow furrowed in thought.

"Hoshi may I see the note you received?" Kyoko asked as her gaze flickered over to boy.

"Sure kid. Knock yourself out." he said as he effortlessly tossed the balled up paper towards her.

Kiri caught it quite easily, as she nodded her head towards him. "Thank you."

"Perhaps it was a means of casting suspicion upon Hoshi. To have him arrive just as the crime as the crime took place." Oogami suggested.

Shuichi eyes widened. "I think you're on to something. I discovered a piece of piano wire that was attached to the handle of the door. What if it was used a trigger to spring the trap on the stage?" *TRUTH BULLET*

"Now hold on a second. There's no way something like that wouldn't have been seen by one of us." Kazuichi spoke up.

"Actually you couldn't be more mistaken." Celestia spoke up as her eyes fixated on the mechanic.

*TRUTH REBUTTAL*

"Woah how am I wrong? Piano wire isn't invisible you know? Surely one of us would have seen it earlier. We spent a few hours preparing this morning. In fact Komaeda was still backstage on a ladder, making sure everything was ready just before the concert started. There couldn't have been a wire on the door like that." The Mechanic exclaimed.

"While I cannot attest for what Nagito did or did not see, you are being deceived by such a simple trick. Think back a moment darling, when you arrived earlier this morning. The door to the theater was already wide open was it not?"

Souda paused briefly. "Yeah actually it was, but that still doesn't change anything does it?"

A sigh escaped the Gambler. "It does actually. If the wire was affixed to the handle and the door was entirely open it would have been hidden from sight. I'm assuming the wiring ran above us and towards the rigging above the stage itself."

"Nice try but even if that were true, the door to the theater was shut by Gonta. Even with glasses I'm sure the big guy would have seen something like that." Kazuichi countered.

"Ah yes but he didn't because the lights were dimmed before Gonta closed the door. With the only lighting being centered on the stage, it's very likely he would have seen it."

The Mechanic's expression failed. "Uh well I guess when you put it like that it does make some sense."

*END REBUTTAL*

Angie offered a thoughtful look as she peered over at the inventor. "Does that mean Iruma falls under suspicion? Did she dim the lights to hide her own work?"

"Oh go fuck yourself and Atua you flat chested harpy!" Miu growled through her teeth.

She received a dark look from the other blonde.

"Angie doesn't mind insults about her, but you will refrain from insulting the almighty Atua. She still isn't convinced of your innocence." she huffed.

"And what you think the chick conked herself over the head? We've already been over this shit. No way that chick knew she'd survive that attack yesterday. Don't be such a nutjob." Owada grumbled.

"Yo brah not cool! Angie is just spit-balling. No need to get so bent out of shape yah?" Hiro said with a troubled expression.

"Please no fight! Miss Iruma was just following instructions. Whole production had a guide to follow." Gonta spoke up.

"A guide? What the heck are you going on about?" Owada asked with a confused expression.

Kazuichi smacked himself in the face. "Duh how did I forget that? Gonta is right though we basically had a program guide. It covered the staging of the instruments, how to handle the lights and sound. Though I think it was the band themselves that came up with it right?" he said as his gaze shifted between Sayaka,Leon, and Kaede." *TRUTH BULLET*

Maizono nodded her head numbly. "Yeah it was Leon's idea, but we all worked on it together. It retrospect it seemed like a great idea, a way to keep things organized. We never expected it to end up like this."

Togami adjusted his glasses. "I see well that does shed some light on things. In order to assure the culprit wouldn't be discovered, would they not need to assure that things went in a particular direction. This guide would keep things in a neat order. Meaning that it is very likely that one of those who worked on the program itself is the guilty party."

"Well it couldn't have been Kuwata right? Dude's only got one good arm at the moment. That kind of stuff couldn't be done by a one armed man?" Kaito asked as he peered between the trio.

"Kekeke my thoughts precisely. Mm well as it stands we have two suspects do we not? One of which was very nearly a blackened in the last trial and another who mysteriously vanished after the crime only to return wearing a different set of clothes. Though as I recall Kaede you were the only one on stage without a speck of blood on you. This is very curious indeed." Korekiyo mused as his gold gaze fixated on her.

The Pianist bowed her head. "I know what you're trying to say, and I even know how it looks. However I left because I needed to vent and be alone for a few minutes. I wasn't destroying evidence if that's what you're suggesting. I thought the world of Mioda and I certainly would hurt her."

Sayaka offered a sad smile. "I believe Kaede and I don't have any evidence on my own behalf. I'm sorry but I don't have anything else to offer." she murmured.

Leon's mouth pulled in a fine line. "I would never do anything like that to Ibuki. She was crazy, eccentric, and full of life. We talked about what we would do together after we left this place. She is the last person I would ever hurt." he said as he clenched his jaw.

Yamada looked between the group, before clutching his head. "Oh I believe all of them, but someone has to be lying right?"

"So feelings are sufficient for evidence now? How absurd. We cannot allow such frivolous things distract us from the obvious truth."

"Master Togami even if what you say is true, we still have no concrete proof tying any one of them to the crime." Kirumi offered in a calm demeanor.

"Well there must be an inconsistency somewhere. It's impossible for everyone to be an innocent party." Twogami mused as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Indeed there must be something we haven't discovered yet. Perhaps we should focus on this trap Shuichi discovered? If it was indeed a trap someone must have been the catalyst." Ishimaru exclaimed.

"Hm if memory serves both Asahina and Junko took their leave right before Mioda's death." Celestia said softly as her ruby gaze flickered around the room.

"W-what are you saying?" Hina stammered softly.

"I believe she is insinuating that you or Junko may have served as the trigger for the crime itself." Nagito stated calmly.

Mukuro felt unsettled, but she slowly nodded her head. "Even if that is possibly true, what difference does it make? We weren't the ones who set this trap."

Naegi had to swallow the bile that as beginning to rise in his throat. "The question we haven't been able to answer is why someone would target Mioda or better yet be able to assure the trap would work at all. Unless they left it chance."

"B-But that would be insanity! Why would anyone take such a risk? To plan all of this and just hope it worked?" Togami countered.

Makoto swallowed deeply to push down the sick feeling in his stomach. "They might be more willing to take a chance, if they felt like luck was on their side." he said as his gaze locked with Nagito. "Am I right about that Nagito?"

"Naegi you have such a low opinion of me that you'd think me capable of such a thing?" Nagito asked quietly.

Makoto clenched his fists together. "I want to trust all of my friends, but there's definitely writing on the wall that I have to acknowledge. Kazuichi mentioned that he saw you on the ladder a short time before the show. To anyone else you could have simply been checking something seemingly innocent, however in truth you could have been staging all of this." he paused as he looked around the room.

"Look you and I are the only people who could allow luck to factor into a crime like this. However our talents are very different. Mine is fleeting and often hard to see, but yours is anything but subtle. You knew that when the time was right it would find it's target. So leave Hina and Junko out of this. Fess up already. You're the one really behind this aren't you?"

Nagito smiled slightly. "So you place more faith in them than me? I consider you a friend Naegi. I hope you realize that regardless of what you think I did."

Kaede eyes widened as she looked between the two boys. "Nagito there has to be some mistake. Just tell us what happened."

Togami cleared his throat. "Let us assume for one moment that Nagito is the one who is behind this. He certainly did have access to everything that was required as well as testimony that puts him at the scene of where the weapon was rigged. I'd say it's a fairly straightforward affair."

Komaeda let out a long sigh as he crossed his arms.

"I really don't like getting this involved. In all honesty I wanted all of you to solve this. However this trial cannot go on forever, and you all haven't even begun to close in on the truth." Nagito stated earning shocked looks from everyone in the room.

"What are you saying Nagito?" Hajime asked cautiously as he stared at the other boy.

"Mm perhaps he has some sort of defense in mind?" Kiyo mused as his gaze settled on the white haired teen.

Nagito offered a pleasant smile as held out his arms. "The assumption that I was involved was correct. I did in fact mess with the wiring above the stage."

Almost everyone in the room went quiet for a moment.

Naegi found himself starring unable to respond as he tried to comprehend the situation. 'Why does he seem so relaxed? What am I missing?'

Asahina felt a horrible sensation settle in her stomach as stared at the boy. "W-Why Nagito?"

The white haired teen's smile widened immensely as his expression became more manic. "I did it for all my friends."

"Nagito what are you saying? How could this help any of us?" Shuichi asked as he stared in disbelief at the boy.

Kaede was speechless as felt her breathing becoming uneven. Nagito was one of her friends, how could he ever do something so heinous?

"Why you ask? That will become readily apparent in due time." Komaeda mused.

"You crazy son of a bitch! How can you be so calm after killing that chick?!" Mondo roared.

Komaeda's eyes flickered over to the biker. "I'm not sure I know what you're suggesting."

"You fucking piece of shit! He's talking about the fucking girl you killed asshole!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

Nagito slowly ticked his head the side. "Let me ask you something. If I put a gun in front of you, but you're the one who picks it up and shoots someone. Are you the killer or am I?"

"What is that even suppose to mean you degenerate?!" Tenko eyes narrowed dangerously.

"He would be the murderer in that situation. However this is different. The intent to kill was yours by staging this." Chiaki said quietly from her podium.

"Is it now? You're all the most talented in the world! Wake up the rules outside do not apply here. In order to conquer despair, you have to understand the rules. I was not the one who planned this murder, however I did discover it and I will admit to meddling. Though all of it was for you. " Nagito said in an almost fanatic manner.

"Oh my god." Kyoko breathed out loud in a rare show of emotion as she clutched at the podium. "Nagito you didn't." she said though it was clear, she didn't believe her own words.

"As I said everything I do is for all of you. You all have become complacent, in order to go forward towards hope, there is only one solution. " Nagito explained.

"Solution? What are you even suggesting?" Shirogane asked as she stared wide eyed at the white haired teen.

"O-Ok I think I-I've had enough of the crazy guy! H-How bout we just call it a wrap here and vote for him?" Kazuichi suggested as he avoided Nagito's gaze.

Naegi stared at Kirigiri for a moment, as he slowly shook his head as it slowly hit him what she meant.

"K-Kazuichi we can't do that, even if we should." Naegi said with a pained voice.

"Why the hell not?" Togami asked as he stared over at Makoto.

"Because Togami in the killing game the rules aren't the same as our laws. Nagito may have been the culprit, or as he maintains he may have simply tampered with someone else's trap. However in this game the person who directly caused Mioda's death became the killer instead." Kyoko said in a hollow tone.

"OH HO I KNEW THIS WAS GOING to be GREAT!" Monokuma roared in laughter as he leaned back into his throne. "Give that girl a prize, she's absolutely right! Your buddy Nagito here turned someone into murderer without you even knowing it!"

"N-No that's so cruel." Fujisaki sniffled.

"That's fucking bullshit. How the shit is that fair at all?" Iruma scowled as she glared at the two toned bear.

"Fair? Who said anything about fair?!" The bear chortled loudly.

Togami even seemed disturbed as he glared at Nagito.

"Explain your actions. Why in the world would you do something that doesn't benefit you? Now that we know even if you're not the killer...you gain nothing."

Nagito smiled softly. "It's not about what I gain. This is for all of you. As Monokuma said, to reach further points into Hope's Peak requires more trials. This of course requires more murders to occur. At first I had believe hope could prevail without this, however I see now that the only way forward is to face despair head on."

Peko's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't entirely buy your story. No if you really didn't care why tamper with the trap in the first place?"

"It's because of Kaede wasn't it?" Hajime asked suddenly drawing attention to himself.

"Me? What do you mean?" The Pianist asked in shaky breath as her gaze slowly flitted away from Komaeda.

The Reserve Course student frowned. "I just kept thinking to myself, why target someone who was moving constantly. If it were Nagito's murder then as Makoto suggested it makes sense he could use his luck as a factor. However if Nagito is telling the truth about tampering with something already in place, maybe he affected who the victim would be?" *TRUTH BULLET*

A mirthless chuckle escaped the white haired teen. "To be talentless you are surprisingly remarkable. Yes I did change the outcome as you say."

Kaede felt her breath catch as she folded her arms around her body. "Mioda is dead because of me?" 'Why Nagito. Why would you let this happen at all? and why save me?'

Kirumi frowned as she pursed her lips. "I see so the original target was the only one who was stationary in the first place."

Nagito let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Again while this is all interesting, it is irrelevant. The fact is neither I or the person who staged this in the first place are directly responsible for Ibuki's death. The person who opened the door was the one who set the trap in motion. Their action is what brought about Ibuki's death."

Asahina felt her breathing became erratic, as she folded her arms around her body in a feeble means to comfort herself.

"I-It was me." she said in a choked sob as tears slowly spilled down her cheeks.

"N-No Asahina." Sakura choked out as she felt herself closing to breaking as well, as she stared at the terrified swimmer who was now openly sobbing.

"This can't be true." Sayaka breathed out loud as she felt her whole body going numb.

Mukuro felt her own shoulders shaking, but in a mixture of sadness and fury as she glared balefully at Nagito.

She was going to kill him. It would almost be worth being executed, just savor the sensation of her hands around his sadistic fucking throat.

Hajime clenched the podium he was resting against as he looked around at his own close friends. What if Nagito had done this to them? How could he even begin to cope with that.

"Monokuma there has to be something, anything you can do. This isn't justice, he abused the system!" Hajime growled as he jabbed his finger towards Nagito.

The dual toned bear shrugged indifferently. "Who said anything about justice? These are my rules, and Nagito didn't do anything wrong. So if little Asahina did off someone knowingly or otherwise, she's gonna have a fabulous punishment waiting for her if she's picked as a blackened." Monokuma laughed loudly.

Naegi suddenly felt as if he was going to throw up. "No God Hina! There's no way. There has to be something we missed." he cried loudly.

Makoto he felt his heart break at the sight of the sobbing girl, he'd become so attached to. He felt his legs moving faster than his brain as he suddenly left his podium, before running over as he pulled the sobbing girl into a deep embrace. He threw his arms around her waist, as he pulled her protectively against his chest.

"W-we're gonna figure something out okay? I-It's not gonna end like this. I-I promised you that." Makoto whispered to her as her pained and terrified blue eyes settled on him as she continued shake against him.

"I-I did it Naegi! D-don't you understand? It's because of me she's dead. I-I killed her!" she cried out as her hands clenched at the boy's hoodie as she buried her face against his chest.

A heavy weight had fallen over most of the room, most were unable to speak at the moment as Asahina's sobs filled the large chamber.

"Because of her sacrifice and through surviving the despair of her death, it will only make our hope that much stronger in the end." Nagito said with a manic expression.

Kaede clenched her teeth together. "JUST SHUT UP! Stop saying these horrible things Nagito. I can't believe this who you really are."

"It's so s-sick." Toko stammered as she fidgeted with her hands.

"I-It's so t-terribly cruel"Mikan sniffed as she felt tears stinging her own eyes.

"Fucking bastard." Mondo growled as he gritted his teeth together.

"I figured you all would resent me for not simply stopping the trap. That is fine. As I said even if I should only serve as your stepping stone, it will be worth it. Hope in this place requires sacrifice. I had a feeling my worthless talent would be of some use. " Nagito mused.

Kyoko glared at the white haired teen. "You knowingly allowed something like this to happen. You wanted this outcome all along."

"Of course. The strongest hope can only emerge from facing the darkest despair." He stated as he stared at Naegi who was still holding Asahina in his arms as the other lucky student stared back at him with a look of fury in his eyes.

Suddenly without warning Oogami had moved away from her podium, as she stalked towards Nagito with a murderous look in her eyes.

"AHEM! Order in the court! And here's a new rule to boot. Attacking your fellow classmates inside a trial is strictly forbidden and will result in punishment!" Monokuma exclaimed with a wide grin as he stared over at the Ogre.

Sakura cocked her fist back as she stopped in front of Nagito. "Very well I'll accept that. It will be worth it to remove someone who'd hurt someone as innocent as Asahina!" She yelled loudly.

She prepared to strike only to feel a massive hand rest on her shoulder, as Gonta stood there with a pained expression.

"Please Miss Oogami don't do it. Gonta no think Miss Asahina would want anything to happen to her friend." The Entomologist murmured.

"Let go Gonta or I'll make you." Sakura warned with a malevolent glare.

Nagito remained standing there unflinching, next to two largest people in the room.

"S-Sakura p-please d-don't! I-I never w-wanted to hurt anyone. P-Please don't do this. I w-want you to k-keep going for me." Asahina sniffled as she had pulled away from Naegi's chest as her eyes still glistened with tears.

Sakura felt her chest rise and fall repeatedly. "Only for you Asahina darling. Only for you." she offered as her voice cracked slightly. She turned back to glare at Nagito. "This isn't over. I will make you suffer."

"Then I welcome you to use me as your outlet." he smiled faintly.

"So what the fuck do we do now?" Akane asked her own expression was solemn.

"It's clear. Our objective hasn't changed. We have to vote." Peko said calmly.

"I refuse. I will not vote for her. I don't care what anyone says. I made her a promise...and I'm not going to back down." Naegi said with an unflinching look in his eyes.

"Makoto I understand what you must be feeling man! Dude we've lost so many people already. But if we don't vote her guilty we all die." Kazuichi said as he pulled his hat down a bit to obscure his face.

Tenko cleared her throat as she looked on the verge of tears. "We're not upset with you Makoto. You're a good and decent man."

"We just don't have a fucking choice do we?" Iruma scowled as she offered a dark stare at Monokuma. "Shame we can't vote for the god damn bear."

"There's always a choice if you know where to look. We have a chance to do something we didn't before." Nagito said with a thin smile.

*AN*

Funky Rooster

Hey thank you so much for taking the chance to type out such a thoughtful review. I try to make sure every scene fits together as far as the time stamps are involved, however this time I may have been off slightly in regards to how much time would have elapsed between these scenes. I'll just be honest it isn't some grand twist, it was just an error on my part.

As for as Kazuichi not seeing someone moving behind the stage in my head I imagined he was working both on the stage and behind it. Meaning someone could have potentially slipped in and out unseen. It is a rather large area after all. Anyways I really appreciate you for bringing this up and I hope it doesn't keep you from enjoying the chapter as a whole! =)

Aquirs-Chan

Oooh I'm glad you mentioned that. I've had plants to incorporate that at some point. You have my word!

darknessking6

Heh I always love when folks dissect everything as they try to narrow down their suspects. It's one of the most rewarding parts about writing this kind of fic.

heroicdragon584

My dear bloodthirsty dragon. I'll keep you sated I'm sure =)

Zephyrius29

I like to think that everyone handles stress differently and Kuwata has been prove to be somewhat of a hothead.

Gatekeeper JPG

I'm really glad you appreciate the name for this arc. I always try to come up with something that in someway connects to case in question. I was especially happy with this one =)

Also I just have to say that I love all of your theories. I can't comment quiet yet, but you're definitely on the right track with some of it.

Bumblingbeees

Don't you hate that feeling in your gut when your on the edge of your seat trying to determine if one of your favorites is gonna bite it?

Shiny Oshawott King

What you said you wanted another cookie?! Here you go!

JCW18

Hey kudos to you man! You definitely were spot on with some of your deductions. I really appreciate the eye to detail =)

Wintersmith23

If you feel that it's a super glaring spoiler don't hesitate to pm me. I do appreciate you for asking though!

King-Dorado

Not necessarily. Not if someone else actually pulled the trigger.

doomqwer

Hey sorry about that Doom! I hope I didn't strike a chord with you. *BAD DUM TISS* Sorry. It's too early for those kind of puns. *coughs*

1995hzq

There are some elements that may return, however I'm trying to balance new and old elements from my previous fic. I don't want everything to be so predictable.