Wakako had always been a troublesome individual at times. Airheaded, more than a little ditzy at times, and her odd obsession with Azuma and the Killing Game being not unlike reality television...she had caused plenty of us, myself included, to roll our eyes at her more than once.
But as time went on, we saw different sides to her - sensitive sides. She had been through more than she had let on to us. She was smarter than we gave her credit for, more sensible than she'd appeared.
She'd helped my team win the Game Show, to keep the 'advantage' out of Yoshihiki's hands, and she'd paid a price for it.
She'd helped cheer Miyumi up after losing Ms. Shortcake.
She'd befriended Ichiro, and been a source of comfort and encouragement for him.
She wasn't just a pretty face.
But in the end…
Like Shizuko...she would never again grace the TVs of adoring fans anymore.
*ding dong dong ding*
Monokuma: A body has been discovered! Now then, after a certain amount of time has passed, the Class Trial will begin!
[Track: watch?v=56JN4D_rgdk]
I heard someone gagging. Turning, I saw that Miyumi had run to a nearby corner and was currently throwing up whatever little contents she had left in her stomach onto the floor.
Hanako: [shocked] ...Oh my God…
Ichiro: [distressed] …No…
Mordecai: [shocked] She's...
Azuma: [distressed] ...Wakako…
Hanako: [angry] Damn it! Not again!
That was when we heard footsteps running toward us, as Yoshihiki burst into the room, panting and out of breath.
Yoshihiki: [shocked] What happened? I heard the Body Announcement, I-
His sentence trailed off as he peered into the Torture Chamber and saw Wakako's body lying inside, limp and slumped over in her chair.
Yoshihiki: [shocked] Wh-What…? No...w-what happened…?
Azuma turned to him with sad eyes and sighed, looking away.
Yoshihiki: [shocked] This...this is…
Hanako: [angry] ...She's dead.
Monokuma: You're damn right she is!
Monokuma had arrived as well, and now perched atop the nearest table, looking at Wakako's body with interest.
Monokuma: Finally, you know! Wakako always had quite a mouth on her, and she may have been easy on the eyes and good to look at, but she really wasn't a whole lot more than that...
Ichiro: [sad] …
Miyumi: [accusatory] Wh-What are you saying this for? Can't you have a little more respect for her? She's d-dead!
Monokuma: [rests one paw behind his head] Respect for the dead? Hah! That's a good one.
Ichiro: [angry] You...Wakako was more than just that! She was our friend! Y-Yeah...she was a handful at times...but you don't get to talk badly about her! This is your doing!
Monokuma: [confused] My doing? My doing that she was electrocuted right in front of your eyes? I don't think so!
Miyumi: [distressed] H-How horrible!
Mordecai: [accusatory] But you're the one that did this...aren't you?
Monokuma: [confused] Me? [annoyed] Seriously, Mordecai, it's been four cases! Four! How have you still not gotten it into your thick skull that the only people committing murders here are you lot, and not me?
Hanako: [annoyed] You're joking. The kidnappings, these Chambers, that video! ...You're saying one of us...set all that up?
Monokuma: [excited] Of course! I'm not going to give anything away...but this is definitely one of your handiwork, as usual! Which means we're going to have another Class Trial!
No...not again…
One of us...is a killer...again?
One of us...wore that dastardly costume...filmed those videos...kidnapped Wakako from her Throne...kidnapped Hanako and Miyumi from two dark rooms...set up the Torture Chambers...and orchestrated Wakako's electrocution.
One of us...did all that?
It can't be...it's got to be some sort of sick joke…
Someone in the group...set up this sick game?
Mordecai: [angry] I refuse to believe that! No way one of us did this!
Monokuma: [rests one paw behind his head] Deny it all you want, Mouldecai! That name's starting to grow on me, by the way. Just like a fresh, green mould…
Samira: [in tears] No…
Miyumi: [in tears] Why…
Monokuma: [giggling] How fitting, isn't it? That the girl who shines so brightly in the spotlight ends up dying before a live audience? Truly, she was eliminated from the Killing Game with a bang! I'm sure she wouldn't have had it any other way!
I could see Ichiro seething with anger, his fists shaking by his side.
Monokuma: Anyway, it's time for your fourth investigation! Presenting...the Monokuma File!
I barely reacted as Monokuma shoved his accursed files into our hands.
Monokuma: I'll make another announcement when it's time for the Class Trial! Do your best to investigate Wakako's murder as best as you can! I've got to say...this killer really went all out on the elaborate schemes. Upupupu!
Samira: [angry] Raaarrrggghhh!
Monokuma laughed and ducked out of the way as Samira hurled the Monokuma File at him. He ran off into the distance as Samira seethed with anger, her fists clenched and shaking by her sides.
Miyumi: [in tears] Poor Wakako…
I couldn't stand to look at Wakako for too long.
She's just sitting there...limp...cold...lifeless.
I almost expected her to get up and start cussing us out like she normally did. Hands on her hips, her typical snarky expression on her face...but always never afraid to say what was on her mind. She was a wacky soul...but she had a kind heart, deep down.
Samira: [angry] Damn it...fuck this…
She stormed away from Wakako's body, her shoulders shaking as she swiped at the tears on her face.
Miyumi: [distressed] Samira...c-c-calm down…
Samira: [accusatory] Calm down? How do you expect me to calm down? I could've saved her! I could've saved her and I failed! Ngh...and...and she…
Samira couldn't bring herself to look at Wakako's body again and looked away again, gritting her teeth.
Samira: [in tears] Ngh…
Azuma: [sad] It's not your fault, Samira. Don't blame yourself.
Samira: [angry] Oh, trust me. It's not me that I blame. ...It's this filthy, fucking killer.
Mordecai: [worried] That's right. It's...the killer's…
Yoshihiki: [worried] Well, who is it, then? I mean...is it really one of us in this room?
Hanako: [annoyed] You do realize that would make you the prime suspect, right?
Yoshihiki: [shocked] Me?
Samira: [angry] Yeah...you.
Yoshihiki seemed stunned as the others turned to him, and he backed up a little, holding his hands up as if to pacify them.
Yoshihiki: [nervous] Whoa, easy there...I didn't do any of this shit. Are you kidding me? Who sets up a bunch of torture chambers and electrifies their victim like that?
Samira: [angry] It doesn't matter. You were missing the whole morning!
Hanako: [annoyed] And you weren't around last night either.
Ichiro: [accusatory] ...Where the hell were you?
Mordecai: [distressed] Yoshihiki, did you...set all this up?
Miyumi: [as Nico] Are you...really the culprit?
Yoshihiki: [angry] What? No! Of course not! Jeez...you guys suspected me in that very first case too! Why are you suspecting me again?
Samira: [angry] This time, we have good reason.
Azuma: [annoyed] Guys, stop.
The others fell silent.
Azuma: [annoyed] All these accusations aren't helping anyone right now. We're...we're not going to make things right by Wakako by standing around and arguing pointlessly. [sad] We...we need to investigate. We may not have a lot of time. When we find more evidence, it might...it might help us understand who went to all the trouble of doing this...only then can we pinpoint the right culprit.
Ichiro: [annoyed] Hmph. Azuma's right.
Samira: [annoyed] Ichiro, you too?
Ichiro: [worried] Trust me, Samira, I don't like letting Yoshihiki off the hook like this. But...we need to make sure we get the right person behind all this. That's...what Wakako would want.
Hanako sighed.
Hanako: Very well. We should spread out and start investigating...again.
Miyumi: [in tears] Not again…
Mordecai: [disappointed] How could we have let this continue…
I can't believe it…
Four times now…
Four times...we'd been forced to investigate the deaths of our friends…
Azuma: [sad] Hanako, Miyumi - the two of you should rest. The both of you almost died. You need to rest, and get medical attention.
It was only then that I realized the two of them were sporting injuries to the head. Blood was sticking to Miyumi's hair, and I spotted blood peeking out from beneath the rim of Hanako's hat. Azuma gently brushed some of Miyumi's hair aside to take a look at her wound and Miyumi winced.
Azuma: [worried] That looks serious. Did the kidnapper do that to you?
Hanako: [annoyed] To knock us out? Yeah.
Mordecai: [worried] I brought a medkit with me. Here.
Miyumi: [worried] B-But...shouldn't we help you investigate?
Azuma: You won't be of any help if you collapse during the investigation. Go sit down somewhere, and rest - patch yourselves up. You can investigate when you're feeling better.
Hanako: [uncomfortable] Yeah...that's probably good advice. I want to help, but...I can't deny my head is pounding. I can help patch Miyumi and myself up - the rest of you shouldn't waste any time investigating because of us. We don't know how much time Monokuma's going to let us have.
Miyumi: [worried] Well...okay.
The two girls took their leave.
Yoshihiki: [playful] Phew, thanks Azuma, my man...you really saved my hide earlier. Samira looked like she was about to give me a black eye…
Azuma: [annoyed] Yeah, well...there's still the Trial. If the evidence does indeed point to you as the culprit...I'll let the accusations fly then.
Yoshihiki's absence the whole morning...definitely seems suspicious.
But it doesn't mean he has to be the culprit. One of us did all this. But who?
I slowly approached Wakako's chamber.
This was different. It had been bad enough finding four bodies before, of victims killed. But now...we'd watched her get electrocuted right before our very eyes. It was almost like...an execution.
Like the three killers we'd seen die at Monokuma's hands…
We'd watched the very moment Wakako's vibrant life was snuffed out.
Azuma: [sad] …
Umeko: Azuma...are you going to be okay?
Azuma: [sad] Y-Yeah...I'm fine. I just...I need a minute.
He looked away, and I could tell he was trying not to show me how broken up he was. When he thought I wasn't looking, I caught him wiping a hand across his eyes.
Wakako had always bugged him with her flirting. She had been clingy and infatuated with him...but ever since their date, Azuma had been a little more relaxed around her company.
And though he may not have admitted it...it was obvious that he had grown to care for her...that he had come to know her more beyond the shallow persona she put up of herself for everyone else.
He must have been one of the few people she had let in to see her true self.
Wakako...really trusted Azuma.
Even though he didn't like her romantically, he had obviously grown to like and care for her as a person, and saw a vulnerable side to her that she only revealed to a few people.
Azuma: [sad] She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to die like that.
Umeko: No one does…
[[flashback]]
Wakako: [distressed] No...I can't die here! Azuma, you've got to get me out!
[[end: flashback :end]]
Umeko: It's...not your fault, Azuma. You know that, right?
Azuma: [sad] ...Yeah. I know, but I just...I wished I could've saved her.
Umeko: ...I know…
Azuma: [in tears] Damn it…
He brushed at his face even more furiously, looking upset more at himself than anything.
Azuma: [angry] She didn't deserve this…
Umeko: Hey...I'll do my best to help you get to the bottom of this. Okay? Whoever did this…
I don't want to believe it was one of us again.
I want more than anything to just believe this was Monokuma's doing - someone we could all get together and hate - a villain we could fight as a team.
But while he is the one behind the Killing Game as a whole...I know he isn't lying.
He has no reason to.
This...is one of us again.
Another member of our group...has decided to try to kill to escape.
And whoever it was…
I don't want to accuse another one of my friends.
Why...why do I have to do this...yet again…?
Umeko: I'll help you. I promise.
Azuma: [sad] ...Thank you, Umeko.
Azuma had helped me solve Kenji's murder. Kenji had been someone I'd liked and cared for.
Now that Wakako was dead...it was only right I do the same, and be there for him.
Azuma knelt down by Wakako's body, and gripped her hand in his.
Azuma: [sad] …
He looked like he wanted to say something. Rest in peace, perhaps? But evidently, he decided against it. Looking away morosely, he got back to his feet, and squared his shoulders.
Azuma: Alright. Let's get to work.
[[INVESTIGATION: START]]
[Track: watch?v=gCfpmW6s37U]
Monokuma File 04:
The fifth victim is Wakako Noguchi, the SHSL Reality TV Star. Estimated time of death is around 12 in the afternoon. The scene of the crime where the victim's body was discovered was in the Torture Chambers in the Basement. The cause of death was electrocution. There was also a wound found on the side of the victim's head, as well as a cut on the victim's left arm. There were no traces of drugs or other chemicals used.
Electrocution…
A wound on the side of her head...and a cut on her arm…
What happened to Wakako…?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Monokuma File #4]
[Inspect: Wakako's Body]
Umeko: Sorry, Wakako…
Azuma: [sad] We should...look at the wounds the Monokuma File mentioned. Also, her restraints.
I saw that there was indeed a small cut on her left arm.
What could have caused this? Was she grazed? Was it a knife? Did she get in a struggle with her kidnapper?
Azuma peered at the side of her head, and gently shifted a bit of her hair out of the way.
Azuma: Yup. She's...got a wound here. It...looks like she was hit on the side of the head with something hard.
Umeko: Perhaps she was knocked out, so the killer could place her in her chamber.
Azuma: [worried] I suppose that's most likely.
I checked Wakako's restraints next.
Umeko: The restraints on her electric chair look pretty similar to the restraints that kept her in the Ultimate Throne.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Except these ones have a bunch of needles and wires attached to them…[sad] For the...electrocution…
Umeko: It...must be the same for all three chairs.
Azuma: [thoughtful] And the wires are hooked up to that machine...so there's no doubt then. Wakako's electrocution really was linked to the puzzle, and not some external source.
Umeko: So the game the Phantom made us play...that really was the cause of death…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Torture Chambers]
[Talk to: Ichiro]
Umeko: Ichiro...how are you holding up?
Ichiro: [annoyed] How do you think I'm holding up? We're having another stupid trial. I don't know about you, but I'm not looking forward to having a fourth one in a row. They may be easy for you two to handle, but I hit my limit on the very first one.
Azuma: [worried] Nothing about this is easy for us either, Ichiro. These are our friends we're talking about here.
Ichiro flinched.
Ichiro: [worried] I know that. I...I just...I just hate...this feeling of powerlessness. It just feels that no matter what we do...things always end up like this.
Umeko: ...We're going to make this the last time, then. You'll see.
Ichiro didn't look convinced.
Ichiro: [annoyed] Sure, Wakako could be vain and shallow and downright idiotic at times but…[disappointed] she wasn't all bad.
It's funny that, in a way...Ichiro was the closest thing Wakako had to an actual confidant out here, besides that camera she always used for her 'confessionals'. I think...her death is affecting him more than he's truly letting on.
Ichiro: [annoyed] Damn it...I can't believe that just happened. To die like that? It's...gruesome. It's not fair.
Umeko: Hey, you uh...neither of you ever told us what it was that she'd helped you with.
Ichiro: Hm?
Umeko: The favor she did for you, after...after you helped her with her date.
Azuma: [sad] ...
Ichiro: [disappointed] …
Umeko: Is...is that going to be important, at all, moving forward…?
Ichiro: [annoyed] ...No. Just forget about it.
Umeko: But-
Ichiro: [annoyed] Drop it, Umeko. It's not important.
Well, that didn't sate my curiosity at all. If anything…
Ichiro: [sad] I'm sorry, Umeko. Could I...just...have a moment alone?
Umeko: Yeah...of course.
[Talk to: Yoshihiki]
Yoshihiki: [disappointed] Man...it's such a shame. She was quite the beauty...the world's lost an attractive girl, and the men out there will surely mourn her loss.
Samira: [angry] Could you not take everything so flippantly? [accusatory] She just died in front of us and you don't seem to have any remorse over it!
Yoshihiki: [annoyed] I was being serious! [playful] She was really attractive…[annoyed] Besides, you know my motto. ...No use crying over spilt milk. What's happened has happened: she's dead. There's no point to crying over that. And I never witnessed it myself, so...forgive me if I'm not too broken up over it.
Umeko: How...how can you say something like that?
Yoshihiki: I've been saying stuff like that this whole time. Deal with it, Umeko. That's the kind of person I am, and there's no changing that.
Is that the truth, or…?
Azuma: [annoyed] Yoshihiki.
Yoshihiki: [playful] Yeah?
Azuma: [annoyed] None of us could find you the whole morning. And you weren't present when Wakako died. Where have you been?
Yoshihiki: [laughing] I knew the discussion would eventually come to centre around this. Oh well... [playful] I was in my room the whole time. After what happened yesterday, I went to bed early.
Azuma: [annoyed] And this morning? I knocked at your door and you didn't-
Yoshihiki: [playful] Oh, there's an explanation for that! You see, I was fast asleep. I woke up last night when the portraits started screaming again. I couldn't get to sleep with them making so much noise, so I decided to go get something to drink from the kitchen. After that, I went back to my room and tried to go back to sleep. But I couldn't. I ended up tossing and turning for hours and only fell back asleep early in the morning. That's why I couldn't wake up when you knocked. The next thing I know, when I awake, the Body Discovery Announcement's playing…
Azuma: [angry] ...You're lying.
Yoshihiki: [confused] Huh? I am?
Azuma: [angry] I broke down your door today, Yoshihiki. You weren't in your room.
Yoshihiki: [annoyed] …
Umeko: Tell us the truth, Yoshihiki. Where were-
Yoshihiki: [laughing] Oh, th-there's an explanation for that too! Obviously! You see, like I said, because I woke up in the middle of the night thanks to those stupid portraits, I was suuuper tired. So when I returned to my room from the kitchen, I was so tired, I didn't really look where I was going. I must've accidentally stumbled into Wakako's room instead, and slept in her bed! I probably didn't realize my mistake, and since she was in the Ballroom, her room was empty, and I simply mistook her room for mine! That's why I wasn't in my room when you entered it. I was knocked out from how tired I was, snoring away in Wakako's room instead. See?
Umeko: Is any of that true? Can anyone corroborate your story?
Yoshihiki: Hmm. Guess not. [playful] Unless you want to ask Cecelia's portraits, it looks like you'll just have to take me at my word.
Azuma: [annoyed] I was still very loud, knocking on your door, both yesterday and this morning. You're telling me you slept through that, both times, even in Wakako's room?
Yoshihiki: [playful] I'm a heavy sleeper.
Something's obviously fishy about his account. It's all too much of a coincidence. He got up in the middle of the night and accidentally slept in Wakako's room? I'm willing to bet he's lying about more than one thing in his 'account'. But how can I prove it…?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Yoshihiki's Account]
Azuma: [worried] Hey...you're hurt.
Yoshihiki: [shocked] Hm?
Azuma grabbed Yoshihiki's right hand, and lifted it up. He'd tied a small strip of green fabric around his hand, and it was seeped with a bit of blood.
Azuma: How'd you hurt your hand? And what is this fabric?
Yoshihiki: [nervous] I-It's nothing! I just...fell down when running to the Basement after the Body Discovery Announcement. I grabbed the first piece of cloth I could find and bandaged my hand. That's all.
Umeko: You...fell. That's your story.
Yoshihiki: [disappointed] Man, you guys have real trust issues. I told you I fell down, so I fell down! That's all there is to it!
...Right.
Azuma: [worried] And what's this on the back of your head?
Azuma moved to touch Yoshihiki's hair but the smaller boy was quick to scamper out of Azuma's reach.
Yoshihiki: [annoyed] It's nothing! Jeez, stop being so touchy-feely, Azuma! I don't need your paws all over me.
Azuma: [annoyed] Is that so? Why are you so defensive, Yoshihiki?
Yoshihiki: [annoyed] It's nothing, I told you! [playful] So just leave it! Go do your investigating or something, I don't know…
He hurried away with a huff. I turned to Azuma.
Umeko: What else did you notice?
Azuma: [thoughtful] It looked to me like he had a bump on the back of his head. But I can't be sure.
This definitely means something. But what…?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Yoshihiki's Injury]
[Talk to: Samira]
Samira: [distressed] Fuck this…
Azuma: [worried] Samira...are you okay?
Samira: [angry] No, I'm not okay, Azuma. I could've saved her. I let her die. It's my fault she's dead!
Umeko: Samira, you can't blame yourself for this. You did everything you could.
Samira: [distressed] Had I done the puzzle in time...she might've...she…
Samira grimaced and punched the table, her eyes watering up.
Samira: [angry] I'll live with this regret for the rest of my life.
Azuma: [sad] If it's...not too difficult...can you tell us about the puzzle you had to solve?
Samira: [sad] ...What about it?
Azuma: What was it a puzzle of?
Umeko: We all got the same thing, didn't we?
Samira: I suppose. It was a puzzle of Cecelia's portrait, right? I couldn't solve it...I knew I was rotten at puzzles to begin with. [distressed] Never thought it'd one day cost someone their life...fucking hell. How's anyone supposed to solve a 50-piece puzzle like that in under three minutes anyway?
Umeko: Fifty pieces?
Azuma: Something wrong?
Umeko: I'm...pretty certain there weren't that many pieces for me.
Samira: [annoyed] Hm?
Umeko: Are you just exaggerating, Samira?
Samira: [worried] No...I got a headstart on my puzzle before both you and Ichiro, remember? I spent the longest time studying my puzzle. I'm positive there was at least fifty pieces.
Umeko: I never counted mine, but I'm quite certain I didn't have fifty pieces in my puzzle.
Samira: [annoyed] What…? What does that mean?
Azuma: [thoughtful] Is there a way to turn the computers back on so we can check?
Samira: [worried] Well...whatever. I told you what I saw, and I'm sure there was at least fifty. What about Ichiro? Did he go through the same thing?
Azuma: I...guess it wouldn't hurt to ask him.
[Talk to: Ichiro]
Ichiro: [annoyed] Is something the matter?
Azuma: We just wanted to ask...do you remember how many pieces were in your puzzle?
Ichiro: [confused] In my puzzle? I don't know...maybe fifteen?
Umeko: What? Only fifteen?
Ichiro: [confused] Yeah. Why? ...Did you have more than that?
Umeko: I know I had at least thirty. There's no way there were only fifteen pieces in my puzzle.
Azuma: [worried] Are you sure, Umeko?
Umeko: Positive.
Ichiro: [annoyed] What are you saying? Someone tampered with the puzzles?
Umeko: I'm not clear on what this could mean yet, but...this has to be a clue about...something.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Jigsaw Puzzles]
[Move to: Security Room]
The security room was right next door to the Torture Chambers. Mordecai was studying the monitors, peering at one of them in particular, looking suspicious.
[Inspect: Camcorder]
Azuma: [shocked] Is that…?
I picked up the familiar-looking camera from the table.
Umeko: Yeah. It's her camcorder. You know...the camera Wakako used to record all her confessionals on.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I wasn't aware she'd even had it on her. The killer must've left it here. Do you...think there might be a clue on it?
Umeko: What, like that she recorded herself on it or something?
Azuma: [worried] Or maybe she managed to record the very moment of her kidnapping. It's a slim chance, but...let's check it out.
I turned the camera on, and navigated to the saved videos. They were all labelled as Confessionals, and I clicked the most recent one.
[CG] Wakako's Last Confessional [CG]
It was Wakako in the ballroom. From the camera angle, it looked like she had propped the camera up in one of her restrained hands. She smiled a little shakily at the camera.
Wakako: Hey! Welp...I've officially been stuck in this stupid ballroom for more than a day, at least. I think I've lost count. But I do know that I'm totally sick of this place and this chair! It's soooo uncomfortable. And I've had to...eww...you know...do my business here. I can't believe this...the only way I'm managing not to lose my mind here is by pretending this is all for some dumb reality show. Watch as the amazing Wakako Noguchi sits in a chair for days on end! Fascinating stuff...blegh. It's a good thing I thought to ask Ichiro to bring me my camcorder! I'd lose my mind without this thing to entertain myself with!
She beamed proudly.
Wakako: And I've got even better news! I've been working on trying to free myself these past few days, and I managed to pry off a hairclip from my head earlier. I've never picked a lock before...but I've got nothing but time on my hands right now. The last hour or so, I've been steadily trying to pry the lock for the restraints on my wrists, and I think I'm almost-
She stopped short, and I watched as she looked up and let out a tiny shriek.
Wakako: Eeeek!
Her eyes went wide, and she jumped in her seat.
She turned the camera around as quickly as she could, spinning it on one hand, and I caught a brief glimpse of Cecelia's ghost fading away.
Wakako: Oh fuck! I saw her! I fucking saw her!
Wakako's hands were shaking as she turned the camera back on her, her face white and pale.
Wakako: Th-That's my first time seeing her! Fuck...fuck, I didn't think I'd actually see her...sh-she...what do I-
Abruptly, she turned her head to the left of the screen. Her eyes widened with surprise.
Wakako: Y-You? What are you doing here?
And then, the video ended.
[CG] End [CG]
Umeko: What? Th-That's it?
I played the confessional before that, but it was another generic confessional long before Wakako had been trapped in her throne.
Umeko: What...does this mean?
Azuma: [thoughtful] I don't know...but there's definitely something fishy about that video. Wakako saw Cecelia...and Wakako...must've also seen her kidnapper come into the room. That video must've been filmed last night, before she was taken from the Ballroom.
Umeko: And the ghost? Wakako...said she saw her.
Azuma: [worried] Yeah. That is...worrying. You're...not thinking about that silly, stupid rhyme that Monokuma told us was Cecelia's 'curse' or whatever, are you?
[[flashback]]
Young and innocent, I was unjustly slain
Now I haunt these halls in vain
And so I warn all those who dare
Walk these halls, you'd best beware
For the last person that I see
Shall be the one claimed by me
[[end: flashback :end]]
The last person Cecelia sees...will wind up dead.
Wakako...would've been the last person Cecelia saw before...before she…
Oh, for goodness' sakes. I can't believe I'm seriously buying into this spooky curse mumbo-jumbo! It's just another one of Monokuma's tricks! I shouldn't put so much stock into a nonsensical nursery rhyme...
Umeko: There was another thing. Wakako...she was picking the locks to her cuffs?
Azuma: [thoughtful] Those restraints around her wrists were the only thing keeping her strapped to the Throne. Theoretically, it's possible she could've used a hairclip to pick it, but…
Umeko: Do you think she managed it?
Azuma: [thoughtful] I don't know. But...we should check the Ballroom later to find out.
Umeko: That's right. We...never did get to investigate the Ballroom.
We'd been on our way to the Girls' Locker Room to check on Wakako when that video first played for us, telling us that she had been locked up in the Basement…
This video...it's a recording of her last moments last night, possibly before her abduction. What...could it mean?
And...what clues can be derived from this?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Wakako's Last Confessional]
Umeko: It looks like there's another video here…
In the folder of videos, there was another video right after Wakako's final confessional. However, it was grayed-out and I couldn't click on it earlier. The word "DELETED" was written underneath it.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I figured. The killer wouldn't have left this camera here if it had all the answers.
Umeko: Do you think whatever was on this deleted video might have a clue on the killer's identity?
Azuma: It's possible. But none of us here have the technical ability to find a way to retrieve the deleted footage.
Monokuma: I can help with that!
Monokuma appeared, and jumped up onto the table next to us.
Azuma: [shocked] You? You would do that?
Monokuma: Of course! I can run that camcorder through my computer and retrieve any footage deleted from it, just like one of them computer-hacker-whizzes on TV! But it'd take some time…
Umeko: How long?
Monokuma: A few hours, at least!
Azuma: [thoughtful] So not in time for the trial...well, Umeko? It's your call.
I thought it over.
Umeko: Well...can we still use the camcorder during the trial?
Monokuma: As evidence? Absolutely! I can even play back the videos for you if you need to! I just need the camcorder itself to hook it into my computer!
Umeko: Then take it.
I tossed it over to him.
Monokuma: Good choice! I'll get back to you when I've retrieved the footage!
Why does this feel like I'm making a deal with the devil? Still...who knows what could be on that deleted footage? Whatever it is...it might be important. It was important enough to get deleted, so...
[Talk to: Mordecai]
Umeko: Mordecai? Is something the matter?
Mordecai: [shocked] Oh, Umeko!
Azuma: [worried] You were studying the monitors earlier too, weren't you? Did you notice anything wrong?
Mordecai: [worried] Well...I was just looking at this. Check it out.
He pointed at the particular screen he'd been staring at, and Azuma and I went to take a look at it too.
[Track: watch?v=8ZP8Sw2DiP0]
[CG] Security Footage of the Ballroom [CG]
The monitor was showing live feed of the ballroom.
The video was a little choppy, but there was something unmistakably fishy about what we were seeing.
Azuma: What? What is that?
On screen, we could see that there was a large object near the Throne. The screen was too blurry, and we couldn't make out whatever it was.
Umeko: Whatever that thing is...it looks like it's positioned right where Wakako's throne is. And look…
I pointed past the strange object at the Locker Room Door on the left of the stage.
Umeko: That's the door to the Girls' Locker Room. It's open.
Azuma: So I was right. The door in the Boys' Locker Room was closed, which means the Girls' Door wasn't.
Umeko: Let's go to the Ballroom later and investigate the scene. It might have clues as to what took place when Wakako was kidnapped...and we can find out what that object is.
Azuma: Um...I don't know if I'll be able to follow you in there.
Umeko: Why not?
Azuma: The Locker Rooms have alarm sensors, right? They don't allow members of the opposite sex to walk into the respective locker rooms, or it'd sound an alarm that'd wake the whole house up.
Umeko: I guess so, but...the controls for both doors are on Wakako's throne anyway. I'll use them to let you in from the Boys' side.
Azuma: Okay...good thinking.
[CG] End [CG]
Mordecai: [thoughtful] These security monitors certainly are impressive...choppy as the feed may be, they show the whole house from every angle! Every room! It's amazing!
Azuma: [shocked] They even show the bedrooms. At...least they don't show the bathrooms, right?
If Wakako was here...she'd probably have made a comment on that.
Something about getting to spy on Azuma in the baths, or something…
...I can't believe I'm actually going to miss her silly flirting.
Mordecai: [thoughtful] Even though I'm angry we were tricked by Monokuma about the 'secret' of the house...there's no denying that a Security Room like this would've been a great asset in helping to plan a murder.
Azuma: I'm sure that's what he was planning when he told us all to work hard to uncover his so-called 'secret'.
This Security Room...who's to say our current culprit didn't, in fact, use this room?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Security Room]
[Track: watch?v=gCfpmW6s37U]
[Inspect: Computer]
Azuma began tapping away at the computer that had been left for us on the table.
Umeko: What are you doing?
Azuma: This computer was here before we arrived. It had the message from Monokuma on it. But maybe it has more…
Azuma's fingers were a blur, flying across the keyboard. Suddenly, he pulled up another file on screen.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I found something…
Umeko: What is it?
Azuma: [thoughtful] It's… [shocked] Huh?
Umeko: What?
Azuma: [uncomfortable] This...here. See for yourself…
He turned the computer to face me. I looked down at the screen and flinched.
[CG] Ghostly Images [CG]
It was Cecelia.
Countless pictures of her, in various scary poses, reaching out at me across the screen, howling with bloody eyes, cackling, and more.
Umeko: What the…
Azuma: It's not just pictures.
He tapped a couple keys, and brought up a video on screen.
Ghost: [giggling] Teeheehee...heeheeheee…
Now, Cecelia was giggling on camera, floating across the screen in front of a black background.
Umeko: What the heck is all this?
Azuma: Someone was...recording the ghost?
Umeko: Images and videos of Cecelia…
Azuma: These images and video files are linked to a weird program too. Look…
He brought the program up on screen, and it was…
Umeko: Huh? A map?
The program showed a map of the mansion. There were various red dots all over the map. For instance, I spotted a red dot in each of our bedrooms, a red dot in the second floor hallway, a red dot in the Lounge…
Umeko: What do these dots mean?
Azuma moved the mouse cursor and tapped on one of the dots in the Basement.
From outside, we heard a distant familiar wailing.
Mordecai: What was that?
Azuma: Mordecai, can you go take a look?
[CG] End [CG]
Mordecai left the room, and quickly returned.
Mordecai: [shocked] The ghost! I saw her for the first time! She was REAL!
Azuma: [happy] Heh. On the contrary, I think we just proved she's not.
Mordecai: [distressed] What do you mean? I just saw her with my own two eyes! [accusatory] Do you doubt my word? A true warrior never lies!
Azuma: [nervous] Um...never mind. We'll explain later.
This strange program and those images and videos...that at least wraps up one mystery.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Program with Ghostly Images]
Azuma: [thoughtful] That's not all I found on this computer.
Umeko: You have more?
Azuma: There's another video that doesn't belong with those images. Check it out.
Azuma tapped a couple more keys and brought up one more video.
The Phantom: …
Umeko: It's the Phantom?
Azuma: [thoughtful] Yeah...it looks like it's a video of him.
Umeko: Is it…
Azuma started the video.
[CG] The Phantom's Video [CG]
Masked Figure: HALT! Stop right there!
This...this is...
Masked Figure: [snide] Heh heh heh! Simpletons! Look at you all! Like chickens, running around with your heads cut off. No doubt you wonder who I am...but never mind that! That...is not the important question right now.
[CG] End [CG]
Azuma paused the video.
Azuma: Seem familiar to you?
Umeko: Yeah. That's...what he said to us earlier this morning.
Azuma: There's more too.
He cut forward a couple times and let me listen to a few excerpts from the rest of the video.
The Phantom: A game...that will determine the fates of your fellow classmates, who you see before you. As you can see...a few of your friends have been strapped into the following Torture Chambers. Their lives...now rest in your hands.
The Phantom: Whether they live or die...that decision is up to you.
The Phantom: Game over…
Umeko: This…
This video is everything that we saw of the Phantom on the monitors today...then...that means…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: The Phantom's Videos]
Azuma: There's one last thing.
Umeko: What is it?
Azuma: [thoughtful] It looks like another program…
Umeko: What program?
Azuma: Here, look.
Settings
TC #1: Set to [ELEMENTARY]
TC #2: Set to [MEDIUM]
TC #3: Set to [ADVANCED]
*The settings have been changed. Restore to Defaults?
Umeko: Elementary...Advanced...what is this program?
Azuma: [thoughtful] This, the ghostly images, and Monokuma's message are the only three files on this computer. So it can't just be here for no reason. It has to be important, somehow.
Umeko: What is it related to? What do you think TC stands for?
Azuma: Perhaps we'll figure it out later?
Azuma's right. This wouldn't be here without reason. But what's it for? I feel like I should know this…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Unknown Settings]
[Inspect: Pile of Clothes]
Umeko: Huh? Hey, Azuma, look! There's something in the corner of the room.
I hadn't noticed it before, bundled up in the corner in the shadows, obscured from view. Now, I bent over and pulled it out.
Azuma: [shocked] What? This...this is…
I stared down at the familiar mask of the Phantom grinning up at me.
Umeko: Right. It's...the Phantom's costume.
Azuma grabbed the Phantom's hooded outfit and gloves.
Azuma: They're...all here.
Umeko: So whoever wore that costume...left it behind in this room. Is there any clue on the clothing that might tell us who wore it?
Azuma turned the clothes over in his hands.
Azuma: Not that I can tell at one glance…and we don't have the time or the equipment to scour it for things like tiny hairs or skin samples…but hang on.
Azuma turned the costume inside-out, and picked a suspicious strand of thread off of the inner layer.
Umeko: What is that?
Azuma: [thoughtful] It's...a pink thread.
Azuma held the pink thread up to the light between his index finger and thumb.
Azuma: It's no hair sample, but it's a clue, at least. I wonder how it got in here?
Umeko: Where do you think the Phantom even got this costume to begin with?
Azuma: Was this costume in any of the Locker Rooms?
Umeko: I'm pretty sure we would've noticed something like that…
Azuma: [thoughtful] Then...perhaps...this costume came from the Security Room itself.
Umeko: This costume was found in here? But...why here?
Azuma: Perhaps Monokuma left that costume in here for a reason.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: The Phantom's Costume]
Azuma: Hang on...there's something else in the costume's pocket…
He felt around inside, and drew out two things - a pair of goggles and a small keycard.
Umeko: What are those?
Azuma: [thoughtful] Hm. These goggles…
He fiddled with them for a bit.
Azuma: As I suspected. They're night vision goggles. I've used plenty before in my missions. I can recognize them anywhere.
Umeko: And the keycard? What's it for?
Azuma turned it over in his hands, studying it.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Hmm...the label on it reads 'General Access'.
Umeko: Does it open a specific door then?
Azuma: I guess we'll keep it with us and find out.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: General Access Keycard]
[Inspect: Bloody Bat]
Umeko: Hey...what's this?
I picked up a bat from near where the costume had been stashed. There was dried blood at the end of it.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Blood…
Umeko: You and Mordecai carried the bats from the Challenge Arena over here to try and get Wakako's chamber open, right? Is this one of yours?
Azuma: No, we left our bats still in the Torture Chamber room. But you bring up something that I almost forgot. When we ran out earlier to look for items to help break down the door, we ran into each of the Challenge Arena rooms to get them. We each got a bat from the Blue and Green Rooms, but I'd initially ran into the Red Rooms since, you know, it was my team's rooms.
Umeko: Yeah?
Azuma: [thoughtful] The bat in the first Red Room was already missing.
Umeko: Does that mean...this bloody bat is it?
Azuma: It must be.
Umeko: So whoever wielded this bat took it from the Red Room…
Azuma: And the only people who should've had access to the Red Rooms are the Red Team - that's me, Yoshihiki...and Wakako.
The noose around Yoshihiki's neck is really tightening...
Umeko: Whose blood is this then…?
Azuma: Well, has anyone been injured? With this much blood, it seems likely the bat caused some significant bruise or wound…
Umeko: We should ask the three who were kidnapped.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Bloody Bat]
[Move to: Basement]
Azuma and I stepped out of the Security Room and found ourselves back on the other side of the basement. Before us were the three sets of colored rooms in the Challenge Arena.
Umeko: Azuma, you said you made it from one side of the basement to the other through the Red Rooms, right?
Azuma: That's correct.
Umeko: But how? I thought the whole point of the puzzles was that we had to complete them to be able to make it across here.
Azuma: [thoughtful] That's been puzzling me too. But all three Red Doors were unlocked and I was able to walk through the rooms easily.
Umeko: Perhaps we ought to check something…
[Inspect: Green Door]
I walked up to the Green Door.
Azuma: [confused] Umeko? What are you doing? You're not part of the Green Team, are you?
Umeko: No, I'm not. But…
I gave the doorknob a turn and pulled the door open. It swung open with ease and I stepped inside.
Azuma: Huh. That was easy.
Umeko: Azuma, can you go check the Blue Door? Does it open for you?
Azuma tested it out.
Azuma: Yeah, the doors are unlocked for the Blue Rooms too. [thoughtful] But this is strange...didn't Monokuma say the doors would be locked until we completed the puzzles in each room?
Umeko: I'm starting to think there are more loopholes to these rooms than we previously thought.
Azuma: [shocked] What do you mean by that?
Umeko: Monokuma told us the puzzles in each room would only activate once three people stepped through the front door, and that both doors locked after a puzzle was activated, and only unlocked when it was finished. But he never once said we could only go through the same doors that corresponded with our team colors…
Azuma: And he never said the doors would stay locked with deactivated puzzles. Is that what you're saying?
Umeko: There had to be a way for the culprit to have gotten past these rooms before the rest of us, to be able to strap Wakako into her chamber. This might be the key to solving that mystery.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Azuma's Account]
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Challenge Arena Rules]
[Talk to: Hanako and Miyumi]
Hanako was sitting on the floor with Miyumi, wrapping a bandage around her own head. Miyumi's head was already bandaged, the red seeping out from underneath the white wrappings.
Miyumi: [nervous] You sure you don't need help?
Hanako: Like I said, don't worry about me. You're the one who needs to rest, you look really pale.
Azuma: Hey. Are you two feeling okay?
Hanako: Just about.
Miyumi whimpered.
Miyumi: [nervous] Was Monokuma really watching us from this Security room?
Azuma: [thoughtful] I feel like this room was meant for one of us to use to plot a murder, more than for Monokuma, but it's always possible…
Miyumi: [distressed] Ugh...that's terrible! They were monitoring us? [as Dr. Creeper] Invasion of privacy...is delightfully creepy.
Have I ever mentioned how weird Miyumi's Dr. Creeper doll is? Although Ms. Shortcake and Nico aren't all that much better…
Azuma: Well, how are you holding up, Miyumi? Are you okay?
Miyumi: [worried] I'm fine, Azuma. I...I think I'm just lucky to be unharmed. I'm...sorry I've always been so emotional, even now. [sad] I'm of no use to the group. I never help out during the investigations…
Umeko: Don't feel bad, Miyumi. That's not your fault. You're just...not used to this kind of thing.
Miyumi: [nervous] And you guys are?
Azuma: Well, maybe I am. Not sure about Umeko or the others…
Miyumi: [disappointed] That's the thing. I feel like I'm always too weak and fragile that I never contribute. You guys, like the both of you, or Hanako, you're all always much more reliable than me. I feel bad that I never help.
Umeko: Miyumi…
Miyumi: [worried] So I've d-decided...I'll do my best to investigate this time around! I...I want to contribute, and help us all get past this! It's...what Taro would want. And Wakako…
Miyumi...really wants to change, to stop being as scared and vulnerable as she used to be…
It's admirable that she wants to try, but...I don't know if she'll be of much help anyway…
[Talk to: Miyumi]
Umeko: Miyumi, we wanted to ask you a question.
Miyumi: [nervous] S-Sure. I'll try to be of as much help as I can.
Umeko: What happened when you were kidnapped from your team's Dark Room?
Miyumi: [nervous] What do you mean?
Azuma: [thoughtful] What do you remember about how it happened?
Miyumi: [thoughtful] Well...it was obviously dark in there. I couldn't see much of what was happening around me. [nervous] And...I was scared of the dark. I was just...kinda stumbling around, fumbling near the walls, when I heard something.
Azuma: [shocked] You heard something?
Miyumi: [worried] Yes. A voice.
[[flashback]]
Miyumi, Samira and Mordecai are stumbling around in the darkness.
Samira: Stupid fucking Challenge...that's the fifth time I've stubbed my toe!
Mordecai: This darkness is no match for me! Now, if we simply adopt the ancient echolocation techniques used by the Hirbamji monks of southern Tanzkasta, we might be able to pinpoint the exact locations of our-
Miyumi: Do you guys...hear that?
There it was, faint but unrecognizable.
Wakako: Help! Somebody, help me! He's going to kill me!
Samira: That's…!
Miyumi: It's Wakako! Wakako, Wakako! It's me, Miyumi!
Mordecai: Miyumi, wait!
[[end: flashback :end]]
Miyumi: [worried] I ran forward, towards the source of the voice. I was still running my hand along the wall, when suddenly, I...I thought I felt the wall give way…
Azuma: [shocked] You felt the wall...give way?
Miyumi: [nervous] I remember crying out in surprise, then I felt someone's hands grip me. They pulled me forward, and threw me to the floor. I tried to scream, but something hit me on the back of the head, and the next thing I knew...I was passed out, and awoke in my chamber.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Interesting…
Miyumi was knocked out…and she heard the same voice that me, Ichiro and Hanako heard when Hanako was kidnapped.
Does that mean they were kidnapped around the same time?
And what does she mean by the wall giving way?
I was hoping Miyumi's account would give me answers, but it only left me with even more questions.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Miyumi's Account]
[Talk to: Hanako]
Azuma: How are you holding up, Hanako?
Hanako: [annoyed] I'll live, I suppose.
Hanako looked lost in thought.
Umeko: What's wrong?
Hanako: [annoyed] ...I just can't believe it.
Umeko: Believe what?
Hanako: [annoyed] That I let this happen.
Azuma: Hanako…?
Hanako: [annoyed] I'm the one in charge now. Wakako's death...that's on me. I should've done more to prevent it. ...I could've done more. I'm the one responsible for all of you, and I let this happen.
Umeko: Hanako, you can't blame yourself for this. Yes, you're the leader, but it's not your fault this happened. No one expects you to single-handedly watch over the entire group.
Hanako: [annoyed] Still...with what happened the other day with Yoshihiki…
I caught her giving Azuma a reproachful look and hurriedly looking away.
Hanako: [disappointed] Now this...a murder on my watch...and I couldn't stop it. ...I've failed as your leader.
Azuma: [worried] Hanako, seriously. You can't blame yourself for this. It was hard enough back when both you and Eizo had to take charge of the group together. Now that you're on your own...that load's only gotten heavier. We don't blame you for this.
Hanako: [disappointed] ...But you certainly blame me for what I did yesterday.
Azuma: [shocked] What, about Yoshihiki?
This has really been bothering Hanako more than she's been letting on…
She must really feel like she lost a lot of respect with her actions yesterday, especially with Azuma and Mordecai…
Hanako: Never mind. ...Now's not the time to make this about me. We still have a Trial to get through.
Umeko: Right...So Hanako, what have you found?
Hanako: [thoughtful] I've just been doing some thinking…
Azuma: What about?
Hanako: When we saw that video of the Phantom this morning, Wakako had already been kidnapped, right?
Azuma: Presumably.
Hanako: [thoughtful] In that case, that would have to mean the Phantom was able to kidnap Wakako and get her to this end of the basement AND into the Torture Chambers before we were even able to make it past the Dark Room. How do you think they were able to do that?
Umeko: That's what me and Azuma were just puzzling over. To be able to get to this end of the Basement, the Phantom would've needed to find a way to get from one side of the Basement to the other, and past the Challenge Arena on their own, in secret.
Hanako: [thoughtful] They would also have had to have been able to solve the Final Puzzle on their own.
Azuma: You mean the keypad?
Hanako: Yeah.
Azuma: [thoughtful] It seems the Phantom was thinking two steps ahead of the rest of us…
Umeko: Hanako, could you tell us more about what happened when you were abducted from the Dark Room?
Hanako: I'll try, but I don't remember much, nor did I get a glimpse of my attacker. All I know is that while we were in there, and I went looking for Wakako, I felt someone hit me on the back of the head. Just like that, and I felt myself fading away. When I next woke up...I was in my Torture Chamber.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I see...so it's just like Miyumi.
Umeko: But how was the Killer able to get into the two Dark Rooms to begin with?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Layout of Challenge Arena]
[Move to: Blue Room]
The Blue Room was lit up now, and I could see everything clearly, including the table where Ichiro and I had been, puzzling out the final riddle.
[Inspect: Cecelia's Portraits]
Now that the lights were on, I could see Cecelia's portraits in the room with full clarity.
They were the same as the portraits left all over the house. Cecelia, staring out of the pictures in her usual dress and tiara...
Azuma: [thoughtful] Miyumi said she felt the wall give way, didn't she? I wonder…
Azuma ran his hand over the edge of the portrait.
Umeko: What are you…?
Azuma: Heh. I just thought maybe it was a secret passage. Those things totally exist in haunted houses.
He paused, then slowly raised a fist and tapped the portrait. It sounded hollow.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Hmm...and maybe they do.
Umeko: What are you doing now?
Azuma: [thoughtful] If I'm right about this...then there might be a way to open it from this side. Here, do you see anything suspicious about the portrait that might stick out?
Umeko: Um...maybe it's the…
1. Dress
2. Tiara
3. Cecelia's face
…
…
…
…
...
…
…
…
…
…
2. Tiara
Umeko: Try the tiara.
Azuma: [confused] The tiara? ...Why?
Painted atop Cecelia's head was her multicolored tiara. I'd never taken much notice of it before, but now I was beginning to notice something fishy about it.
Umeko: Look at the colors on that tiara. It's red...blue...and green.
Azuma frowned. Slowly, he raised his arm and held his bracelet up to the tiara. There was a soft click, and Azuma was able to push the portrait forward, as it swung open like a door, revealing a hole in the wall behind it.
Azuma: Bingo.
Umeko: You were right. It really was a secret passage.
Azuma: And our bracelets must be the key.
Umeko: The tiara in the portrait...it had all three team colors on it. It was an electronic sensor the whole time and we never realized it.
Azuma peered into the hole.
Azuma: It leads out into the Red Team's Dark Room. This must be how the kidnapper got Miyumi and Hanako. There must be a similar portrait on the Green Team's side as well.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Secret Portrait Shortcuts]
[Move to: Red Room]
We stepped into the Red Room. It was an exact replica of the Blue and Green Rooms, except now completely in red.
[Inspect: Bloody Bucket]
Azuma: [thoughtful] Look here.
Hidden in a corner of the red room was a small red bucket. It was almost inconspicuous, hidden, camouflaged against the red backdrop.
Peering inside, I saw that there were faint red stains on the inside.
Umeko: What...is this? Is...that blood?
Azuma: [uncomfortable] Yeesh. Maybe? Whatever red substance was in this bucket has clearly been poured out or used up, because the stains are sticky but drying fast. [thoughtful] I wonder what this bucket's doing here? This wasn't in your room, was it, Umeko?
Umeko: No. No bloody bucket, or blue bucket, for that matter. Strange…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Bloody Bucket]
[Move to: Upstairs]
[Move to: Girls' Locker Room]
Umeko: Right. The ballroom's just through here. There has to be some clues there about the person that kidnapped Hanako.
I pressed my hand to the door and it slid open. I took a step over the threshold and turned around to see Azuma hesitating.
Umeko: What's the matter? Come on in!
Azuma: [nervous] The alarm sensors, remember? They don't let boys go into the Girls' Locker Room and vice versa.
[[flashback]]
Hanako pressed her hand to the sensor and the door to the Locker Room swung open.
Hanako: Come on, Umeko.
Yoshihiki: [shocked] Wait up! I wanna see what's-
As soon as Yoshihiki put a foot over the threshold to try and follow us into the Girls' Locker Room, there was a sudden loud blaring of noise as an alarm sounded.
Yoshihiki: [scared] Ahh!
He stumbled backwards and fell on his behind. The alarm stopped as soon as he was out of range of the doorway.
[[end: flashback: end]]
Umeko: Maybe...that won't happen this time?
Azuma: [uncomfortable] You think?
Azuma took one bold step forward and instantly, the alarms began blaring. He hurriedly stumbled back.
Azuma: [nervous] See? I shouldn't.
Umeko: But aren't you going to help me investigate?
Azuma: Go see if you can open the door on the Boys' side. After all, the door controls should be on the Ultimate Throne, right?
Umeko: R-Right. I suppose I'll head on up ahead for now.
First things first, I should try to use the Door Controls on the Throne and let Azuma in…
[Move to: Ballroom]
Umeko: Wh-What the?
The first thing I saw upon entering the Ballroom was the 'strange object' that Azuma, Mordecai and I had noticed earlier on the security feeds.
It was a large anchor - more specifically, the large anchor that had been hanging up on the wall in the second floor hallway.
[[flashback]]
Whoa. What is this?
There was a large, heavy anchor hanging on the wall opposite the large portrait. It seemed like an odd design choice for this creepy manor.
[[end: flashback: end]]
What's the anchor doing here? Shouldn't it be upstairs?
The anchor had been impaled into the Ultimate Throne. One end of the heavy anchor had gone right through the metal chair and was spiked into it. The anchor was attached to a rope, and the rope was tied to one of the ceiling girders.
Umeko: What is this?
Who tied the anchor up like this? Why's it stuck in the Throne?
I cautiously approached the anchor, and tugged experimentally on the ropes hooking it up to the ceiling. It held strong.
Someone must have went to a lot of effort to hook the anchor up to the ceiling like this, but how did it end up impaled in the Throne this way? What on Earth happened in the Ballroom last night?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Anchor and Ropes]
[Inspect: Ultimate Throne]
The Ultimate Throne - our 'advantage' in the Ultimate Gameshow and Wakako's prison.
Now, it sat, with the giant anchor sticking out of it, poking out like a sore thumb.
I checked the restraints on the Throne. Both restraints had been released. I noticed a hairpin was stuck into one of them.
This must be Wakako's hairpin…
I moved on to the controls on the armrest. There was the button for the Locker Room doors on either side of the stage to open. Right now, only the Girls' Locker Room door was open, and the Boys' was closed.
When one door is open, the other stays closed...that's what Monokuma said. And only Wakako can control the doors with these buttons…
I pressed the button to open the door on the Boys' Side.
Nothing happened.
Umeko: Hm?
I pressed it again, but the door didn't open.
Umeko: That's odd.
I pressed a couple of the other buttons, but nothing else happened. It was like the entire Throne had been deactivated.
Umeko: Is the power out?
I can't use the Throne to open the door for the Boys' Locker Room anymore…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Ultimate Throne]
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Sliding Door System]
[Move to: Girls' Locker Room]
[Talk to: Azuma]
Azuma: [shocked] Umeko? What's wrong? Didn't you open the door for me on the Boys' side?
I quickly summed up what I'd found, and how the Throne had been impaled by the anchor, and that the door on the Boys' side was no longer operational.
Azuma: [thoughtful] That's odd…
Umeko: More importantly...how are you going to come in and investigate?
Azuma: I've actually had an idea come to me while you were inside.
Umeko: Yeah?
Azuma: There's a button to close this door from inside the Locker Room, right?
I checked. Inside the locker room, there was the second handprint sensor, for closing and opening the Locker Room door from the inside.
Umeko: Yep.
Azuma: Can you close the door from your end? I want to test something.
I did as he asked, and pressed my hand to the sensor from the inside. The door to the Girls' Locker Room slid shut.
A few moments later, it opened, and Azuma stepped inside. The alarm blared for a bit but Azuma tapped the keycard to the sensor on the other side, and it stopped.
Umeko: Azuma? How did you…
Azuma held up something small and rectangular.
Azuma: It's the General Access keycard. I pressed it to the sensor from the outside and it works. This keycard must be able to allow a person to enter and exit a Locker Room of the opposite gender's.
Umeko: So that's what the keycard is for…
And the killer had it...
Azuma: [thoughtful] It doesn't deactivate the alarm though...not unless used again on the other side. So it'd still make a bit of noise when you go through if you're not the right gender.
Umeko: Regardless, this is an important clue.
Azuma: Alright. We should investigate this place as much as possible before the Trial begins.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Locker Room Door Sensors]
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Locker Room Alarm System]
[Inspect: Torn Green Dress]
Umeko: Hey, Azuma. Look.
One of the green dresses on the nearest clothes rack had been ripped a little.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Strange. It looks like someone tore a piece of cloth off this dress. Has it always been like this?
Umeko: No...I'm pretty sure this wasn't torn before.
Does this mean what I think it means?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Torn Green Dress]
[Inspect: Bent Clothes Hanger]
Beneath the air vent in the locker room was what appeared to be a clothes hanger. At least, that's what it used to be. The hanger, which must have been taken from the rack, had been crudely bent out of shape. Now, it had been bent and remodeled into the shape of a hook.
Azuma: [thoughtful] Heh. Someone's been mistreating this poor clothes hanger.
Umeko: Why would someone see the need to bend a clothes hanger like this?
Azuma: [thoughtful] Well, clearly, someone had a reason to do it. The only question is, what for?
More evidence...and no answers regarding them. I'll just add this to the list then...
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Bent Clothes Hanger]
[Move to: Ballroom]
Azuma: [shocked] Whoa…
Azuma was in shock too, staring at the large anchor impaled into the Throne.
Umeko: Who do you think would've set this up? And for what purpose?
Azuma: [worried] I don't know, but...something definitely happened in here last night. The Phantom must've been cooking up a convoluted plan to free Wakako from her throne and abduct her.
Umeko: How did the Killer get in here?
Azuma glanced at the Girls' Locker Room door, wide open. Meanwhile, the Boys' Locker Room door was still shut, as it had been since this morning.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I wonder…
Umeko: It looks like we're going to have to settle the identity of the kidnapper in the Trial.
[Inspect: Jewel]
Umeko: I've found something. Look at this…
I picked up a stray jewel from off the floor and held it up for Azuma to inspect.
Azuma: [shocked] What is that, a gem or...jewel of some kind? What's this doing on the floor of the Ballroom?
Umeko: Where do you think this came from? Did any of the girls have any kind of jewelry like this?
Azuma: I doubt Samira or Hanako owned this. Miyumi...she may be wearing an extravagant gown but it's not bedazzled. [sad] And...I'm pretty sure Wakako didn't own any piece of jewelry with a jewel like this.
Umeko: I know I certainly don't. Do you think this came off of one of the dresses from the locker room?
But when we checked, the jewel didn't match any of the fancy dresses or gowns.
What's this jewel then? Why is it here? I keep getting more clues but so little concrete answers…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Jewel]
[Inspect: Wooden Lattice Board]
Azuma: [thoughtful] And what's this?
It was a wooden lattice board, lying discarded on the floor.
Umeko: I think I remember seeing something like this in the storeroom, on the second floor.
Azuma: What's it doing here then?
Umeko: Clearly, the kidnapper brought it down here for a reason.
But what?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Wooden Lattice Board]
[Move to: Girls' Locker Room]
Azuma and I left the Ballroom.
Azuma: I think there are a couple places left we should investigate.
Umeko: Where'd you want to go?
Azuma: I wanted to go check out the Boys' Locker Room.
Umeko: Huh? But…
Azuma: I know the sliding door leading into the Ballroom isn't open on the Boys' side. But maybe there are still clues there...clues I may have overlooked when I was there earlier this morning. You can enter with me using the General Access keycard.
Umeko: Okay, sure. Then...what's the second area you wanted to explore?
Azuma: We should check Wakako's room. Not just for clues, since she was the victim, but also to see if we can confirm or contradict Yoshihiki's testimony.
That's right...Yoshihiki said he spent the night in Wakako's room...we need to see if that's really the truth or not…
Umeko: Alright, let's go then.
[Move to: Boys' Locker Room]
When we got to the Boys' Locker Room, Azuma went in first, and I followed soon after, using the keycard. Inside, Azuma tried again, in a futile effort, to move the sliding door open, although it, of course, did not budge one bit.
Azuma: [disappointed] Hopeless. The door really is going to stay shut, I suppose.
Umeko: It doesn't matter. Let's look for clues the killer may have left on this side.
[Inspect: Blood Drops]
Umeko: Look!
There were a few droplets of blood on the floor, some in a corner of the room, some near the sliding door itself, and some by the door to the Locker Room.
Azuma: [shocked] How strange...it seems someone was attacked here. I never really paid attention to it this morning in my haste to get to Wakako.
Umeko: The blood's dry. This must've happened last night.
Who was hurt here? Well...there are two people with noticeable injuries...and there's at least one weapon we know of that could have caused this…
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Blood Droplets]
[Inspect: Bloody Knife]
Azuma: [thoughtful] Ah...here it is.
Azuma gingerly picked up a knife by the hilt, from underneath one of the lockers. There was a bit of dried blood on the sharp blade.
Umeko: Is that…
Azuma: It's one of the knives in the first room of the Challenge Arena. I'd noticed the knife had gone from the Red Room too, and here it is.
Umeko: So that's a bat and a knife, both from the first Red Room…
Azuma: And people with injuries, and blood on the floor…
Umeko: It's looking even more likely that a certain someone's got a big involvement in this case.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I wonder what happened in this room with this knife…
Umeko: It looks like we'll have to find that out during the Trial.
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Bloody Knife]
[Move to: Second Floor]
We headed up to the second floor, on our way to Wakako's room. On the wall where the anchor used to be, I pointed out that it was now missing.
Azuma: [thoughtful] So the anchor in the ballroom...it was taken from here.
Umeko: But why? Why did the killer carry the heavy anchor from here all the way to the Ballroom? What was the purpose for hooking it up to the ceiling, and impaling it into the Throne the way that he did? I don't see the meaning behind it.
Azuma: [thoughtful] I'm not too sure about that either, but maybe the truth will come to light later.
[Inspect: Cecelia's Portraits]
There were more of Cecelia's portraits hanging on the walls of the hallway. Azuma and I both tried our bracelets on them, but this time, they didn't open.
Azuma: I guess not all of them lead to secret passageways...
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Cecelia's Portraits]
[Move to: Wakako's Room]
I didn't know what I was expecting when I entered Wakako's room. Some kind of clear sign that Yoshihiki was lying, perhaps? But when we entered, it looked like any ordinary room.
The bed wasn't made, but that could just have been Wakako being too lazy to make it the morning she was trapped in the Ultimate Throne. It didn't prove Yoshihiki was telling the truth or lying either way.
Azuma: [worried] I guess this lead was a bust. Still...at least we checked.
[Move to: Wakako's Bathroom]
Azuma: [uncomfortable] Um...Umeko? What...are you doing?
Umeko: I just...wanted to check for clues in Wakako's bathroom. Is...there something wrong?
Azuma: Uh...not really, I guess, no. Heh. It seems silly to be hesitating to enter a girl's bathroom, given the circumstances, but...yeah, never mind. Go on, I'll be right behind you.
I stepped into Wakako's bathroom, Azuma behind me.
It looked much the same as mine. Same floor tiles, same soaps and shampoo, same towels…
Umeko: Huh, check this out.
I crouched down by Wakako's sink. Beneath it, where the pipes were, I noticed a faint red stain beneath them, drying on the walls. Azuma bent down to examine the stains with me.
Azuma: [shocked] What is that…? Not...blood?
Umeko: [uncomfortable] If it really is blood, it seems like there was only a little of it spilled here. I wonder how it got here…?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: State of Wakako's Room]
Azuma and I left Wakako's room and made our way back downstairs.
Umeko: Now what? I don't know where else to investigate.
Azuma: Perhaps we should meet up with the others, see if they've found anything else.
As we entered the living room, although I didn't notice it immediately, I got the strangest feeling that something about the room was...off.
Something had changed since the last time we'd passed through here, barely ten minutes ago. It took me a few seconds for me to put my finger on it.
Umeko: Hey Azuma...was the fireplace lit up when we were in here just now?
The fireplace beneath Cecelia's portrait now had a small fire going inside. Azuma frowned.
Azuma: [confused] I...don't recall?
Umeko: I could've sworn there was no fire a few minutes ago.
Azuma: Maybe someone came up here and started one?
Umeko: For no reason?
Azuma: [thoughtful] You're right. It seems odd...
Grabbing the nearby fireplace poker, Azuma prodded at the fire, and sifted a few burnt scraps out of the ashes. We bent down close to inspect them.
The burnt scraps were small and the writing on it was almost unintelligible, but Azuma and I were able to pick out a couple salvageable scraps of paper.
Umeko: This paper is so charred, I can...barely make out anything on it. Did someone try to burn this?
Azuma smoothened the note out, and we all put our heads together to read it.
Burned Notes:
...ller respon...for my own d…
...ntom to kidn…ko and...
...iki's attempt on her lif…
...st difficul...the highest cha…ival...
...ote me the bla…
...out of the hous...
Azuma: [shocked] What...is this…?
Umeko: I'm...not sure. But...from the little that I can read on it...it's…
Azuma [worried]: ...Very suspicious. Yes. Whatever this is...it's definitely a clue. But...why was it in the fire? Did...did someone throw it in here? And...who wrote it?
[TRUTH BULLET OBTAINED: Burned Note]
*ding dong bing bong*
The monitor on the wall came to life, and there was Monokuma again, looking positively gleeful.
Monokuma: Iiiiiit's that special time again! Time for...the Trial to begiiiiiin! Oh, boy! I'm so excited! Everyone, head to the front door! It's time to leave this boring old dunghole behind, and go to the Trial Room!
The screen turned off.
Azuma: [worried] ...You ready?
Umeko: Yes. ...I just wish I wasn't.
Azuma: [sad] ...I know.
We didn't need to say anymore. We both knew what the other was feeling. He gave me a comforting squeeze on the shoulder, and I accepted it gratefully.
He must be hurting a lot more than I am right now...but he's still putting my feelings over his own…
[Move to: Entrance Hall]
Everyone else was already there by the time we arrived.
Hanako had her arms folded, looking cross. Mordecai was pacing up and down, restless. Samira was leaning against the wall, looking at her feet, troubled. Ichiro and Miyumi were there too, neither of them looking particularly happy. Everyone was in a bad mood. Everyone, except…
Yoshihiki: [playful] Now that you two lovebirds have joined us, I guess the posse's all here. Monokuma! Shall we get going?
Monokuma: Monokuma appears! Welp. Get ready, ladies and gentlemen! It's the moment you've all been waiting for! I'm opening the front door! Say goodbye to this house, you guys! Like it or not, you won't be coming back after this trial, one way or another!
Samira: [annoyed] Good. Good riddance.
Miyumi: [sad] I'll j-just be glad to leave…[scared] I j-just had a thought! W-Will Wakako's ghost...haunt this place with Cecelia now…?
Monokuma: Ooh, ya know, I hadn't considered that. I guess, you're right! She shall! I mean, they both died here, after all, and it is a haunted house…
Hanako: [annoyed] Stop saying that. It's not.
Miyumi: [sad] Poor Wakako...and she hated this house so much...n-now, she's...st-stuck here…? Forever?
Hanako: [disappointed] She's not...oh, never mind.
With a mechanical whirr, the front door swung open, and for the first time in days, we caught a glimpse of daylight and the outside world.
Mordecai: [uncomfortable] Ngh...to obtain freedom after such a long imprisonment...this liberation...it...is...revitalizing!
Ichiro: [bored] What's the point...we're still stuck in the stupid village. Talk about liberation when we get out of the whole village, for good, and maybe then I'll celebrate. [annoyed] ...Not that anyone should be in any mood for celebrating right now...
Monokuma: Alright, that's enough chatter out of you lot! Come on down to the Amphitheatre, at once! Let's get this bad boy started!
Monokuma pranced away.
[Move to: Amphitheatre]
There were only eight of us now.
Eight…
How did we start this twisted game with twice our current number? Now, we've been reduced to half...and after tonight...it'll be less…
After all our promises to not let Monokuma manipulate us...after we promised each other, trial after trial, that it would be our last one…
Here we are again.
It never ends.
It never ends...
[Talk to: Hanako]
Hanako: [annoyed] Wakako may have been flirtatious and idiotic at times, but as the days went on...I guess I got used to it. She comforted Miyumi, and was a friend to Ichiro. [disappointed] She really wasn't as useless as I thought…
[Talk to: Ichiro]
Ichiro: [sad] We all know Wakako wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. She could be whiny, rude and obnoxious. ...But she...she was a...a friend to me...and I...I don't have many. Whoever killed her…[annoyed] is going to pay for it.
[Talk to: Miyumi]
Miyumi: [distressed] J-J-Just th-thinking of...h-how Wakako died like th-that...r-right in front of us! [uncomfortable] Mmph...I don't want to think about it anymore! That image will be seared in my brain forever. How...how could anyone be so cruel?
[Talk to: Samira]
Samira: [sad] ...I...I could've saved her...if I'd...just been a little bit faster… [distressed] Damn it...why?
[Talk to: Yoshihiki]
Yoshihiki: [thoughtful] Man, I don't know who to accuse here...the person who strapped Wakako into that chair, or Samira for fucking it up and getting her electrocuted. [laughing] Isn't it kinda ironic that Wakako was trapped in one chair a couple days ago, and then dies, trapped in another one? Are chairs, like, her kryptonite or something?
[Talk to: Mordecai]
Mordecai: [sad] Seeing Wakako thrashing about in that horrible chamber...it was a truly devastating sight. I...I do not know if I will ever be able to fully erase that scene from my memory. [accusatory] We owe it to Wakako to do our best and apprehend her killer! [distressed] Which...is Yoshihiki, right? He...was the only one absent when we were trying to save the girls, correct? That...must be a clear sign of guilt…
[Talk to: Azuma]
Azuma: [sad] Wakako...wasn't perfect. Yes, she was really clingy and...was almost a little obsessed with me. But...deep down, she was a good person...a kind, sweet girl with insecurities like everyone else, no matter how confidently she tried to act. I've seen other sides to her that she didn't like to show to others. She was innocent in all this. We have to make things right and give her death meaning.
The entrance to the Trial Room appeared as it had the last couple of times. The others moved forward to head back down, and I hesitated on the first step.
I should be experienced at this now...and yet...I'm tired.
So supremely tired of having to go through this again…
The mourning...the trauma...the distrust and suspicion and paranoia towards my fellow classmates…
It's awful. It's horrible.
But six other people here are innocent.
Six people just want to get out of this Trial alive and see Wakako's killer be punished.
And only one person wants to get away from this place scot-free.
For the sake of those six innocent people...I have to find the killer.
To avenge Wakako...to keep us alive another day...and to stop another killer.
To prove again that killing to escape is not an option.
We have to work together, again. We can make something good come out of this. We have to…
Gritting my teeth, I followed the others back down into the depths.
We have to…
Surviving Students: 8
[DEAD] Eizo - SHSL Commander [DEAD]
Mordecai - SHSL Marksman
Ichiro - SHSL Botanist
Azuma - SHSL Spy
[DEAD] Taro - SHSL Bookworm [DEAD]
[DEAD] Nagatomo - SHSL Thief [DEAD]
[DEAD] Kenji - SHSL Skateboarder [DEAD]
Yoshihiki - SHSL Prankster
Umeko - SHSL "Amnesiac"
Hanako - SHSL Band Leader
Miyumi - SHSL Ventriloquist
[DEAD] Shizuko - SHSL Actress [DEAD]
[DEAD] Kaori - SHSL Dog Whisperer [DEAD]
Samira - SHSL Street Artist
[DEAD] Fukumi - SHSL Daredevil [DEAD]
[DEAD] Wakako - SHSL Reality TV Star [DEAD]
Notes:
In addition to the fanart last chapter, we also have a TvTropes page now! Thanks to AO3 users tounge1992 for creating it, and Shadow_Flare for working on it! If any of you guys want to contribute to the page too, you're more than welcome to do so! :)
TvTropes: (once again, link doesn't work on Fanfiction. Sorry! Search up "TVTropes Fanganronpa Village of Despair" and it'll probably come up)