A/N: Here's Chapter Three of "The Naegis' Secret Diary!", covering the first half of Episode Two of Future Arc. Please read, review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: The Naegis' Secret Diary!
Chapter Three: Hang the Witch! Part One
"So Kiki…" Tsumugi asked as they sat on Kiki's bed. "Did you ever ask your dad about why he honored Sakakura after he beat him up so much?"
"I did, and…"
*Knock Knock*
"Come in!" Makoto looked up and smiled as his daughter walked into his office before he greeted "Ah, Kiki, it's good to see you." As she closed the door, he guessed "I'm assuming you have questions about the diary we gave you?"
Kiki nodded as she sat down at the chair across from his desk and confirmed "I just finished up to Yukizome's death last night."
Makoto nodded grimly, recalling the horror he felt when he and the others saw Chisa's corpse.
He shook the thought away and asked "So, what did you want to ask me about what you read so far?"
"Well…it's about Sakakura…" Makoto raised an eyebrow in surprise as his daughter asked "Why did you name one of the facilities after him? He was among the first to accuse you of treason, of betraying the Future Foundation. He beat you to a pulp, Dad, before you could even testify about what happened. So why…why would you honor someone like that?"
To her surprise, Makoto merely chuckled, shaking his head as he mused "And here I thought it would involve something much more traumatic." He sighed and explained to her with a smile "Kiki, you'll understand why I honored his memory once you get further in the book. For now, just know that he did redeem himself for his…roughness."
"…Okay Dad…Headmaster…"
Makoto chuckled "It's okay, you can still call me Dad in these walls. Headmaster or no, I am still your father."
*Ring*
"Alright, that's the bell. You should go get to class, young lady."
"Right." Kiki nodded as she stood up and told him "See you later, Dad."
Makoto smiled as she took off and closed the door, leaving him alone with his paperwork.
"Ah, so if we read more, we'll get to see what Sakakura did to make him worthy of being remembered in your father's eyes?" Kiki nodded, causing Tsumugi to exclaim "Well, let's keep reading then."
"Alright, alright…" Kiki giggled as she opened the book and began to read. "We were all still reeling from the revelation of Chisa Yukizome's death when…"
"Alright, guess I'd better explain the rules of this killing game, so listen up!" Monokuma's voice echoed in their ears as the screen turned black before the words "MONOKUMA HUNTER INSERT COIN" appeared in big white text.
It then turned to a white screen showing pixelated avatars of the game's unwilling participants.
"Rule Number One: The all-important time limit." An image of their metal bracelets appeared on the screen as Monokuma explained "When the clock runs out on those nifty li'l arm bangles, boys and girls, each one of you will be injected with a powerful dose of Good Night Irene."
I see…so we only have limited time windows to act during each phase… Kyoko realized.
"Rule Number Two: The Attacker. While everyone else is catchin' dem z's, he or she will be wide-awake and ready to stir things up. Once on the prowl, the Attacker will be given an interval good for killing exactly one person."
So, Monokuma just told us that there's a traitor in our midst…just like Mukuro Ikusaba was… Kyoko thought as she watched the animation of a blackened killing Chisa's avatar.
"Yep. 'Cause if you haven't figured it out yet, there's a traitor." Monokuma confirmed Kyoko's suspicion. "And if you want the Future Foundation to have a future, you're gonna have ta do somethin' about it! Heck, why not gang up on someone you don't like and pray they're the Attacker?"
Kyoko narrowed her eyes as she saw the other avatars gang up on Makoto's avatar, realizing Monokuma just cashed in on the prior circumstances by giving everyone else a reason to pin the blame on Makoto…
"If nap time comes and goes and by some miracle no one's been killed, you win the game!"
Kyoko narrowed her eyes as she watched the other avatars cheer in victory before the screen changed to darkness and Monokuma appeared once more.
"Rule Number Three: Forbidden Actions. Take another look at those bangles. Trust me on this, you'll be glad ya did. Note that each of you has a specific thing you're not allowed to do at any time. Performing said thing will trigger a lethal injection of poison faster than you can say I can't even. For example, let's pretend I'm forbidden to laugh. Nyohohohohooo! Ai-chi-wawa!"
The others watched ass a jingle echoed from Monokuma's bangle, causing him to howl in pain as his body turned purple and he exploded. Only his head remained functional as it landed with a resounding clash.
I see…this limits what we can do during the time limits… Kyoko realized, musing I should probably look at mine so I don't walk into any traps early in the game…
"So we all clear on the rules? Good. Oh, and uh, don't get cute and try to rip those bangles off. That's another surefire way of getting' yourself poisoned. Have fun! Mind those forbidden Actions and suss out the Attacker before you all die one by one!"
In other words, the bangles are required if we want to have any hope to survive. An instrument of death masquerading as a key to life… She mused.
"Wh…what is he even talking about?" Hina stammered in nervous fear.
Now would be a good time to check my forbidden action… Kyoko thought as she raised her wrist to her eyes and tapped her thumb against the bangle. Wha…this…this is… Kyoko couldn't prevent her eyes from widening in shock at the red text on the bangle as she gasped My forbidden action…it's…
"Silly me."
Monokuma's voice diverted her attention as she and the others stared at the screen, now showing a rebuilt Monokuma.
"Something else I forgot to mention. The festivities are being recorded for broadcast to an adoring public the world over. That's right. You meat-bags are a hot-ticket item. Oh. Beg your pardon, did I say meat-bags?" The screen turned black, showing Monokuma's jagged red eye as his voice echoed "I meant survivors." The screen faded to a close-up of his face as he continued "Brilliant and talented survivors."
"So it's exactly like last time." Makoto growled before a slight beeping diverted their attention.
Miaya Gekkogahara rolled towards the screen, which had now changed to a full view of Monokuma again, as she typed furiously on her keyboard.
An avatar of an angry white rabbit appeared on her own monitor as it growled "I demand to know who's pulling your strings, puppet!"
This can't end well… Kyoko thought Considering how well Usami's confrontation with Monokuma went in the Neo World Program, I can only see a repeat of history.
"Who the heck is that?" A confused Hina asked, causing Kyoko to turn to her friend in surprise. "You don't know? She's one of the top developers for the Neo World Program."
"Wait…you mean that's Miss Gekkogahara?" Hina exclaimed "The girl so painfully shy she only ever talks to people through her avatar?" causing Kyoko to nod.
"Uh, ma'am?" Makoto softly interjected "I really wouldn't…"
"I will not sit back and allow the Future Foundation to be hacked by the likes of you!" Usami announced as she twirled in place.
As the others stared with befuddlement at Usami, Monokuma finally roused and wondered "Hm? Somebody talkin'? don't believe I've had the pleasure. Oh, honey. We gotta do somethin' about that getup. Ta-dah!"
Usami yelped as Monokuma disappeared from his screen and snuck up behind her.
"What's going on?" Usami shrieked as the two began to tussle. "My protocols are being overridden! How is this possible?!"
"Can it, cutie pie! Stop whining and do as big brother says!"
"Are you trying to suggest we're related?"
Yep…this is just gonna be a rehash of Jabberwock Island… Makoto and Kyoko thought as they watched the brawl play out.
As they predicted, Usami was defeated, changed into a half pink, half white rabbit in a diaper.
He turned her into Monomi again… They deadpanned as Monokuma wiped the sweat off his forehead
"There we are!" He exclaimed as he got on one knee and gestured to Monomi. "Now you've got style!"
"I…I look awful!"
"Right…" Monokuma replied as he left Miaya's screen and climbed back up into his own. "So try not to embarrass the Future Foundation, and best o' luck!" Everyone turned to face Monokuma as he said "I'll be keepin' an eye on ya the whole time. Nyohohohoho! Buh-bye now!"
With that, the screen finally faded to Monokuma's red eye before Juzo kicked it in frustration.
"Screw you! Damn son of a…"
A quiet beeping sound interrupted Juzo's cussing as Monomi begged "C…can s…s…someone turn me back to how I was, please?"
The others ignored her cries as the Great Gozu wondered "Who's behind this?"
"'S like a banquet for a small fry." Daisaku mused
Ryota and Kazuo hummed in disappointment before Seiko glared and growled "The Remnants of Despair will pay for this. Mark my words."
Koichi Kizakura tipped his fedora and remarked "Dear of dear. Well this is a fine mess we're in."
Thanks for stating the obvious, Kizakura. Kyoko deadpanned as Ruruka turned to feed Sonosuke a candy.
"Stop. Maybe later." He rebuffed before Makoto interjected.
"Hey, look. This is Monokuma's MO. He wants to tear us apart." Kyosuke stared suspiciously at the former luckster as he pleaded "We have to work together."
To Makoto and Kyoko's surprise, Kyosuke replied "I couldn't agree more." While Juzo glared at Makoto over his shoulder and Kyoko glared suspiciously at Kyosuke, the vice-chairman continued "The Future Foundation will persevere. We will face the enemy as one. Undivided."
Why do I have the feeling that you and Makoto's ideas of cooperation are completely different? Kyoko thought suspiciously as a tense silence covered the room.
"So it wasn't the kind of class trial killing games like we learned about in middle school, but something else entirely…"
Kiki nodded and agreed "Yeah, though no less deadly, unfortunately…timers, bangles that inject sedatives and poison, forbidden actions…"
"Ah, that reminds me…" Tsumugi wondered "What was your mother's forbidden action anyway? It had to be something really bad to make someone as composed as her react with shock and horror."
"I don't know, Tsumugi, but I have a feeling we'll find out further in the book." Though knowing my mom, it probably had something to do with my dad…
"Well, I guess we'll find out if we keep reading. Hopefully they were able to keep that fragile peace of cooperation."
I doubt it, but let's hope so… Kiki nodded as she turned the page and read "After your father and Munakata agreed to work together, everyone spread out, unsure exactly of what to do. As Gekkogahara typed furiously on her keyboard…"
"Oh nooo…" Monomi depressingly groaned as Juzo and the Great Gozu inspected Chisa's corpse, which had been moved from the chandelier.
"Why her?" Juzo spat and stood up, questioning "Out of everyone here, why did she have to die?"
Juzo's question went unanswered as the Great Gozu took off his jacket and reverently placed it over Chisa. Seiko seemed ready to break down while Kyoko knelt in front of the door and rubbed the wood curiously.
This door…it…
"I can't connect to the internet now!" Monomi groaned, diverting Kyoko's attention from her discovery. "And my cell phone's completely useless! I might be able to get us back online, but it's gonna take a while!"
"Wow, you think we'd have a better firewall here." Hina commented as she walked over to Miaya. "No offense, I'm just sayin'."
Steam erupted from Monomi's ears as she exclaimed "For your information, we are more than prepared for an attack from outside! I never dreamed we'd need to be on guard against an inside job!"
"An inside job?" Hina wondered. "So it's true." She reluctantly voiced as she turned around to see all the participants staring suspiciously at each other. "One of us standing in this room right now really is a traitor."
"There's no other viable explanation." Monomi reluctantly confirmed.
"Best I can tell, nobody's stalking the hallways." Daisaku's voice echoed from outside before the doors opened. "All the elevators and windows have been sealed." He announced as he walked in and closed the doors.
"Just as I thought. There's no escaping." Kazuo concluded.
"That settles it." Juzo stood up and declared "We have to find out who the Attacker is and kill them."
"Wait!" Makoto stood up and objected "There's no need to kill anyone. Once we've learned their identity, we can just restrain them, right?"
"Gamblin' with your Ultimate Luck there, big shot?" Juzo spat "You'd just slip outta the ropes while we were all sleepin'. Yeah, I don't think so."
I knew this would happen… Kyoko thought as she narrowed her eyes at Juzo.
"Yes, well, apart from Naegi, the idea of confining any of us to this room would seem meaningless." Kazuo stated.
"C'mon, 'fess up already!" Juzo demanded as he stomped over to Makoto and grabbed him roughly by the shoulder. His fist clenched around the lapel of Makoto's jacket as the former boxer accused "You're with the Remnants of Despair. This has your stink all over it."
Makoto forced himself to stay calm as he tried to reason "Calm down for a sec! Please, you've gotta listen to me!"
"And why would I do that?" Juzo denied.
Because we can't have a fair deduction, or a fair trial, without hearing everyone out. Kyoko deadpanned.
"Sorry, you're not gonna weasel your way outta this one. I'm not as easy to manipulate as Junko Enoshima."
Enoshima was the manipulator, not Makoto. Kyoko corrected in her mind, though Hina was unable to keep her thoughts to herself.
Gasping in horror, her eyes narrowed in anger as she clenched her fists and exclaimed "If you're implying what I think you are, you're an idiot!"
"What?!" Juzo nearly bellowed as he walked towards Hina, causing her to flinch in fear before her eyes softened and she averted her gaze.
"The strawberry seed only shows its face three times." Daisaku warned "Whatever you're about to do, please don't."
"I second that." Ryota reluctantly steeled his courage and approached Juzo, diverting his attention as the former animator pleaded "Violence is never the answer. Plus, she's a girl."
I know you meant nothing misogynistic by that remark, Mitarai, but I'd try to find a different way to get your point across if I were you… Kyoko mentally cautioned, relieved as Juzo grit his teeth and released Makoto.
Their relief was short-lived however as Juzo walked up to Ryota and grabbed him by the shoulder, grinning as he taunted "Hate to break it to you, Gandhi. But when you're knee-deep in a war zone, it's anything goes."
Ryota gasped in pain as Juzo kneed him in the stomach, though whatever shock the other participants felt was quickly eclipsed by the familiar, horrifying tone that echoed in the room. Daisaku immediately clenched his heart and groaned as Juzo shoved Ryota, who was thankfully caught by Hina's grip.
"Man the hell up. This ain't the place for diplomacy." Juzo lectured "If we could get by on feel-good platitudes, we'd be outta here by now!"
If Juzo had anything more to say, it was cut off by a shaking grip on his shoulder. He turned his head, cvausing his eyes to widen as he saw Daisaku gritting his teeth. The division leader's left eye was bleeding as the left side of his face turned a sickly purple. With one final yelp, he fell backwards and collapsed on his side.
"MOVE!" Seiko yelled as she ran up to him, pushing Juzo aside as she took out a medicine bottle and ppured a green concoction down Daisaku's open mouth. But even after a few seconds, Daisaku didn't move at all, causing Seiko to gasp in horror "It's too late. I couldn't save him."
As Seiko bowed her head and the Great Gozu rested his hand over his heart, everyone e3lse stared down in horror at Daisaku's corpse.
"Ew. What just happened?" Ruruka wretched, wondering "Was he attacked?"
"Not attacked." Kyoko knelt down and grabbed Daisaku's wrist, holding up his bangle for everyone to see as she informed them "It was this. Witnessing violence by participants." So this is what happens to those who violate their forbidden actions…a poison so deadly even modern medicine can't do as much as stall for time…
Juzo's eyes widened in shock as the others lowered their gazes, absorbing what just happened.
"Juzo, what have you done?" The Great Gozu scolded.
A moment of silence passed before the former boxer mused "Oh, I get it. That's gonna be how they pick us off."
"E…Everyone, keep your heads!" Monomi pleaded "We have the means to prevent this from happening again. First, we need to consult the bangles and confirm our specific forbidden actions!"
There is no way I can possibly reveal my forbidden action…least of all with Makoto present… Kyoko thought as she stole a glance at her employee.
Thankfully, she didn't even need to object, as Ruruka did the job for her, exclaiming "If you think I'll share my Achilles Heel with you people, you're sorely mistaken! Some of us clearly can't be trusted!"
Seiko glanced away in regret as Kyoko stood up and remarked "Fair point. That of course, and for all we know, revealing our forbidden action may just be someone's forbidden action."
Kyoko…is that your forbidden action? Or…is it something else entirely…? Makoto couldn't help but wonder.
"Yes. But even so…" The Great Gozu trailed off as silence once again ruled the room, nobody sure how to proceed.
"We need to decide on a course of action." Munakata decided, breaking the silence and getting everyone's attention. "Evidently there's no means of putting a stop to the game itself. So we'll find the attacker. No doubt each of us has already picked out a favorite. And since time is short, I say we put it to a vote. Everyone, point to the person you believe to be responsible."
In other words, you're going to pin the blame on Makoto without a single second of investigation… Kyoko deduced as she narrowed her eyes at her superior.
A few seconds passed where nobody raised their hands, too stunned to think, until Koichi pointed at Miaya, shocking Monomi.
"What? W…W…Why would you suspect me?!"
Koichi shrugged "Meh. Call it a hunch."
Hina gasped as Juzo, Ruruka, and Sonosuke all pointed their fingers at Makoto, who impressively stood unflinching at the result.
I knew this would happen… Kyoko mentally sighed.
Thankfully, unlike Sayaka's trial, Hina instantly jumped to his defense , exclaiming "Whoa! Now hold on a second!"
Everyone else ignored her cries as Kyosuke announced "It's decided. Makoto Naegi." Makoto narrowed his eyes as the vice-chairman demanded "What lines are you willing to cross to stand on the side of hope? How badly do you want to see despair vanquished? Show us. Do the honorable thing and commit suicide."
Makoto gasped, his eyes widening in fear as he absorbed Kyosuke's demand.
Suicide…have you lost your mind, Munakata? Kyoko thought as she narrowed her eyes at him. Without even a pretense of investigation or trial…you want Makoto to kill himself?!
"Su…su…SUICIDE?!" Kiki nearly shrieked as her hands began to shake with shock.
"It does seem pretty unfair." Tsumugi commented "At least in Chrono Trigger, your main character had the pretense of a trial. Here they just condemned him without even trying to search for the truth."
"Why…why did they hate my dad so much…?" Kiki continued as her hands continued to shake. "He's done nothing but good since he woke up in the first killing game, and they have the gall to accuse him of starting something he already survived? It doesn't make sense…!"
"Kiki, calm down." Tsumugi soothed as she held onto Kiki's hands, urging "Take a depe breath, alright?"
Kiki nodded and took a deep breath, focusing on her best friend's hands resting over her own.
"Sorry, Tsumugi, I'm okay now."
"I understand why you were so upset…" She nodded as she removed her hands "…but obviously he didn't accept Munakata's demand, or you wouldn't be here."
Kiki nodded and took a deep breath as she reluctantly decided "Let's…let's find out…" She gently turned the page and continued "Everyone stared at your father with mixtures of surprise and expectation. It was your Aunt Hina who broke the silence by exclaiming…"
"You expect Naegi to kill himself? Just like that? This is insane! Thre's not enough evidence to point the finger at anyone!"
"I assume you have an alternative." Munakata argued "Or should we be content to wait for the Attacker's next move?"
"Well, no, but…"
"Be fair!" Ryota argued "What if he's not the one responsible?"
"Then we keep voting. Sooner or later we'll get it right. A desperate measure, perhaps, but effective nonetheless. Good for weeding out traitors."
You would condemn multiple innocent lives to essentially a lottery of life and death?! Kyoko thought incredulously as she heard Kyosuke's solution.
Thankfully, Kazuo finally agreed with her, objecting "Munakata, you can't be serious!"
"Oh, I'm quite serious, sir." Kyosuke argued "The Remnants of Despair must be eliminated at any cost." He turned to Makoto, who narrowed his eyes as the vice-chairman continued "Naegi understands that. Better than most, I'd wager. When our backs are against the wall, cooperation is essential."
It appears my reservations about your intentions to cooperate were well-founded… Kyoko thought in disappointment.
"You agree, don't you?" Makoto gasped as Kyosuke narrowed his eyes and accused "Or maybe you're torn."
This is bad, I need to get him out of danger… Kyoko thought as she glanced at Makoto's shocked face, then to a fire extinguisher encased in glass on the wall adjacent to her. Wait… She realized as the gears in her head began to turn.
"Y…you're asking me to…?" Makoto stammered before Juzo declared "If you won't, then I will!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock as Juzo pulled out a Swiss Army Knife and charged at Makoto.
I have to act now, or Makoto will…what?
Kyoko suppressed her sigh of relief as Juzo's charge was stopped by The Great Gozu's hand wrapped around the blade.
Juzo glared at his colleague as he declared "That's enough!"
His eyes glowed red as he effortlessly bent the blade, causing it to break and shatter Juzo's composure.
"Hope won't come in the form of a comrade's death!"
"A noble sentiment." Kyosuke stated with a slight taunt as he pulled out his own katana. "But you seem to have conveniently forgotten countless comrades have already fallen at the hands of the enemy. Unless we want their sacrifice to be meaningless, we have to fight fire with fire."
NOW! Kyoko thought as she pulled the glass door open and removed the fire extinguisher.
She then aimed at the floor and squeezed the nozzle, causing a mist to cover the room, causing everyone to cough in surprise. In his panic, Makoto glanced at Kyoko, causing his eyes to widen as he spotted the fire extinguisher in her hand.
No time, RUN, MAKOTO! Kyoko thought as she shook her head.
Thankfully her escape plan was aided by Hina, who walked up to Makoto and urged "Let's go."
Juzo grit his teeth as he just barely spotted the two of them running away from the room.
No! She thought as she saw Juzo try to run after them. I'm a skilled martial artist, but I can't stand up against…huh?
Juzo yelped as she saw Juzo being forced back, falling on his ass as Munakata walked in front of his stunned friend.
"Do not get in our way." He threatened as the Great Gozu revealed himself, getting into a battle stance and growling as his eyes glowed red.
Gozu…thank you… Kyoko thought gratefully as Juzo growled and sat up.
"Guess someone's itchin' for a fight!"
Juzo didn't even get the chance to get up however, as Miaya tased him from behind, causing him to collapse once more.
Makoto…be safe… Kyoko prayed as she took cover, watching as the battle played out before her very eyes.
"Well…that certainly escalated." Tsumugi stated.
"Thanks for stating the obvious, Tsumugi." Kiki rolled her eyes as she sighed "I'm just glad Mom bought Dad the diversion he needed to escape. I just hope she was able to escape too without too much trouble."
"Well, it seems like it was mainly Sakakura and Munakata who instigated violence." Tsumugi pointed out. "As long as they had their hands occupied by the other division leaders, I don't think your mom would have had too much trouble slipping away." Kiki nodded, accepting that answer as Tsumugi asked "So, should we continue reading?"
Kiki shook her head and replaced the bookmark, deciding "No, I think I've had quite enough excitement for one night. I need to head to bed and get some sleep."
"Okay, guess we'll pick up again tomorrow." Tsumugi agreed as she swung her legs over the bed and stood up. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Kiki."
"Yeah, sweet dreams, Tsumugi." Kiki returned as she smiled at her friend before Tsumugi turned around and walked out the door.
Kiki sighed and placed the diary on her bedside table before she crawled under the blankets. With a heavy yawn, she closed her eyes and fell into a much more peaceful sleep.