ACT 2: NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE

Chapter 6: Trial (part 1)

Day 9

Tartarus Keep

7:00

Trial Ground

And so we found ourselves in the same place as before: an oval chamber where sixteen stands were placed in front of a throne which Monokuma would reside upon. Only this time, we were down by another two persons. Where Kazuki and Ashley had once stood during the previous trial, only pictures of their face being crudely crossed out remained, serving a constant reminder of what was at stake here. At least they got to take part in one trial before going down; Akihiko never stood a chance and never saw it coming. However, given the pressure and distress associated with these class trials, perhaps it was lucky for the Ultimate Librarian that he never had to experience them.

The second trial was even more stressful than the first. For once, we were now aware of how severe and horrific the impending execution would be for the murderer should they be found guilty. There was also the fact the investigation and trial this time took place so early in the morning, which went against our normal life habits. Even Minako and Hokuto who must have biological clocks different from the rest were visibly tired and spent.

"So, uhm..." Minako began. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Why? Weren't you here the last time?" asked Monokuma, annoyed. "Don't tell me you have already forgotten."

"I... think so. Sorry," Minako apologized. "Ashley-chan helped me through the last time." Her eyes watered at the mentioning of her deceased friend.

Monokuma puffed his chest as he proclaimed, "Perhaps it would do well to refresh your memory a bit. As your kind and generous Overlord, I couldn't keep my beloved subjects in the dark, could I? So here's the instruction again. Listen carefully. One of you has..."

"Cut it out, Monokuma," Rin interrupted. "We are not taking heed of any more of your nonsense."

"No," Kai protested. "A thousand nos to that."

"Just get to the trial already," Hokuto complained. "I want to get this over with and get to sleep."

"Come on," Eliza joined in. "You must have your brain the size of a pea to have missed that the first time."

"What am I hearing?" Monokuma clutched his belly laughing. "You guys can't wait to see the execution I have in store for the blackened this time, can you? Well, okie dookie, let's go."

It wasn't the execution we wanted to see, but the pre-trial tension was simply off the roof, just like the few minutes before a major exam. In fact, a student would be far more fidgety right before an exam than during it. The sooner we were able to relieve ourselves from the burden of grim anticipation, the better.

"Ah...eh..." Minako once again looked visibly perplexed by the vehement rejection from her classmates against Monokuma repeating the rule (in monotone, no less). Telling Monokuma not to explain the trial procedure was a tradeoff: on one hand, we didn't have to lose our morale by listening to his needless rambling, but on the other, the Ultimate Herbalist might provide us with important insights which would not be the case if she was confused the whole time.

In the end, Yume and I helped refresh her memory of what the trial was about. I hoped we wouldn't have to do it the next time if there would ever be a third trial. I was worried about Minako at this point. Without Ashley and without Akihiko, someone needed to look after her. I understood she survived all by herself in a jungle for months, but this environment was as alien to her natural surroundings as much as she was a pariah when it came to social cues and understandings. Minako was a tiger for sure, but even a tiger would find itself vulnerable when lost in a big city.

"And what about you, Inori?" I asked the Ultimate Patient. As I recalled, she fainted right after seeing the execution of Kazuki during the last trial. "Are you fine with this? This is going probably going to take an hour or so, just standing and talking. Can you take it?"

"I think I am more used to this now," Inori replied timidly. "Thanks,... for being considerate."

"Don't exhaust yourself," said Minako encouragingly. "Mother Earth loves all her followers as long as they believe, regardless of the size or importance of their contributions."

"No one is skipping on trial," said Rin firmly. "Monokuma forbids it. Besides, we still require autopsy information on Ashley's body and her account of her activities during the gassing if we are to make progress."

"Then let's get it on," Monokuma boomed. "I hope you will one day appreciate the things I for you guys to have such a wonderful trial."

Truth Bullet list.

#1

Cause of death

There is an 80% chance Ashley died from brain trauma. However, as she didn't die instantly, Eliza or someone else was able to put her out of her misery.

#2

Head blow

Applies only if the 80% possibility is correct. There are several ways this injury could have been inflicted and not all would lead to condemnation of another of our classmates.

#3

Letter N badge

This badge found in the library was attached to some sort of fabric before it was removed. According to Hokuto, the gold that made it was real. There is blood splattered on the side of the badge facing up when I found it, but not on the other side.

#4

Dungeon burglar

Someone came to the dungeon and caused a mess in there during the gas attack. Several jewelry items were taken out.

#5

Kai's flats

We can now confirm that Kai's shoes were used by someone else during the gassing. There is dirt inside the shoes. The soles of the flats have sustained damage.

#6

Fitzgerald's trenchcoat

Fitzgerald disposed of his trenchcoat during the gassing and stuffed it into the washing machine. The trenchcoat is damaged by an unknown blue chemical that proved to be corrosive on cotton.

#7

Despair Gas

The gas used by Monokuma as motivation for the second murder is a modified version of the fear gas. It causes the person to lose control of their actions in addition to experiencing hallucinations. It can also trigger the brain of a recently rendered unconscious person, causing the body to move on its own without them even being aware of it. Item will be brought to class trial for further examination.

#8

Inu's chemical vials

The Ultimate Chemist two several of his vials containing chemicals during the struggle. One, containing Inurium, was drunk by El Viento. Another contained H2O2.

#9

Crumbled armor

The suit of armor next to the gallery wasn't brought down by a struggle. Someone directly did something to it, intentional or not.

#10

Bloodied helmet

The noseguard of the helmet is covered in blood. All other pieces of the armor are unstained. Given the previous Truth Bullet, this could have been the murder weapon.

#11

Bloodied scissors

These scissors belonging to Hijiri were found in the hallway soaked in blood. The blood on the blade indicates they were used aggressively.

#12

Smashed table

The table was smashed with great force, likely the result of something huge being dropped on it. There is no indication of what object was used to have caused it.

#13

Ashley's contraption

The trap used on El Viento earlier was reactivated during the gassing. It caught someone and help them upside down. Whoever it caught didn't stay there for long, as they were able to cut their way out. The position of the rope suggests the dropping of this person did not result in the smashed table in the previous Truth Bullet. What was used to cutting the rope wasn't clear.

#14

Fitzgerald's gun

The revolver was found in the main hall. One chamber still had a bullet case while another was filled with some sort of white powder.

#15

Flour on Ashley's body

Traces of flour was found on the victim's body. Ashley could have only come across this during the gassing.

#16

Bloodied bottle shards

Apart from the pile where Kai danced on barefooted, several blood-soaked shards were found next to the door. The bottle was broken upon being tossed, injuring someone else.

Class Trial Begins!

"So where do we even begin?" asked Kai.

"You might have told me otherwise, but I still say Eliza is the one most suspicious around here," Hokuto proclaimed. "As soon as the gas dissipated, I saw her snacking on the remains of Ashley like a hyena. Why not question her first?"

"Snacking? Hyena?" Hijiri said in disgust. "Such inelegant choices of words."

"His terminology aside, I agree with Hokuto," said Amelda. "We should start with Eliza's testimony."

"Fine, then," said Eliza.

"Wait, Eliza," Tatsuya warned. "Are you c-c-comfortable with this? Weren't you p-p-perturbed by what happened there?"

"I am not comfortable at all," Eliza admitted. "But I will prove my innocence to this son of a bitch, even if that's the last thing I do. I don't want to die. And I don't want you guys to die for making the wrong decision."

Fitzgerald clapped his hands. "That's the spirit. Yamakazi, let's compare your narrative to hers. Remember, be frank, and every detail counts. If you notice something in the background, it could very well be another one of us in our delusion."

"But don't dwell on details too much," Rin advised. "Opinions and reflections about your worst fear should be kept at a minimum. We only wish to know what you saw, not why you saw them."

Eliza's account

I found myself at a convention fare in my hometown. I always go there whenever I could. There were people there or shadows of them. I couldn't see their faces but could hear their voices. Only this time, everyone was jeering at me. They call me a failure and accuse me of causing more trouble than help thanks to my works.

So I ran. I ran as hard as I could. I ran into things because I wasn't thinking much else. All around me, I saw my inventions, all my hard works being smashed to pieces by angry people. I cried out, telling them to stop. They didn't listen and tossed a cog at me. I dodged it, but it hit someone else, causing them to bleed. Everyone blamed me for the injury, that if I had not put the cog in the machine or if I had not evaded, that person would have not been injured.

Then it got to me: the hunger. I crave food whenever I am in distress. I needed to eat so badly. I wasn't able to take it anymore. All I saw was a giant walking marshmallow. I jumped at it without hesitation. And the rest, well, you guys already know. Damn it, I will never touch marshmallow ever again.

Hokuto's account

I was in a crypt, you know, inside one of those Egyptian pyramids where they buried the pharaohs. I was surrounded by gold and jewelry of unimaginable quantities. For a moment, it was like a dream come true. I wanted them all, so I started placing them inside my pockets as many as I could, carefully choosing which piece I saw worth more than others relative to their bulk.

As it turned out, the place was cursed. I lit a match and saw a rotting mummy emerge from a hidden door inside a wall and come at me in an attempt to punish me for my brazen looting. Though it must have died thousands of years ago, its uncovered flesh was still decaying and filled with maggots. The red eyes stared at me with nothing but malice. It would have succeeded, if not for another of its kind getting in its way. Seeing an opening, I took out a small golden plate I plundered earlier and threw it. It hit the first mummy and knocked one of its arms straight off.

I fled but the light went out. I couldn't see where I was going. I hit a wall or something. Then the whole place came down on me. I thought I was a goner then. I woke up after who knows how long and found myself alive and under a collapsed bookshelf and its spilled contents. Though it turned out all the treasures I found were nothing more than inexpensive miscellaneous items, I was glad to be alive. As I got myself out of the pile of mess, my relief was cut short when I saw what Eliza had been doing.

"That must have been pretty rough," Inori remarked. "I feel sorry for you two."

"And I feel proud of you both," said El Viento emphatically. "I must admit, when Fitzgerald here said we would all have to expose our darkest fear to others, I doubted even my own courage to do so."

Hijiri merely scoffed. "Perhaps there is merit in being a simpleton. You don't need to worry too much about people's perceptions of you once you know the truth."

"Said someone who tried to kill Amelda over there," Rin grunted. "As if you, of all people around here, care much about people's perceptions."

(Hijiri flushed at my Rin's sudden and aggressive comment.)

"Let's delve into the actual content of their testimonies," said Kai. "I don't know about this. It sounds almost like reading from a fairy tale here."

"How surreal," Minako commented. "But whatever happened, dead people don't come back to go scaring and chasing living people."

"Then how do even k-k-know if one of them was lying?" asked Tatsuya. "They both were in the l-l-library during the murder, and yet we cannot possibly r-r-reconcile their accounts."

"I don't think so," Amelda refuted.

Accounts Reconciliation.

Which parts of Eliza and Hokuto's accounts fit together?

A. Eliza saw Ashley as Egyptian cuisine.

B. Eliza collapsed the bookcase onto Hokuto.

C. Hokuto attacked his imaginary enemy with a throwing item.

D. Hokuto knocked Eliza's arm off.

"This account will balance all books."

"Good spotting," Fitzgerald commented.

Rin nodded. "I see. And we also have this to back it up."

Rin used Truth Bullet #3: Letter N badge

Hokuto's eyes widened. "Really? Of all the junk I could have thrown, I chose the one actually made of gold?"

"What if it was the thing those undead creatures were after you for?" El Viento suggested. "And when you returned it, they simply let you go?"

"Let's not needlessly delve further into the hallucinations," Fitzgerald advised. "However, I believe we now have convincing evidence to put Piket forward as the prime suspect."

Eliza was taken back by the sudden accusation from the Ultimate Private Detective. "You haven't gotten anything on me yet. How does Hokuto's account condemn me?"

"Not his account, but yours," said Fitzgerald. "You dug your own grave by revealing an important fact about the state of Wiltarow before you chomped down on her like a juicy KFC chicken leg."

"Then what is it?" Eliza hissed.

"You do know, Fitzgerald?" asked Inori.

"Come on, tell us already," Hokuto implored.

Fitzgerald feigned disappointment. "Oh, so you haven't figured it out? Must I spoonfeed you everything?"

"I'm not sure I like your attitude or your unappetizing choice of words," Hijiri chimed in. "Still, I think I get where you are coming from."

Hangman's Gambit.

What was the giant marshmallow doing before getting eaten by Eliza?

_._._._._._._

A

_.A._._._._._

I

_.A._._.I._._

L

_.A.L._.I._._

K

_.A.L.K.I._._

N

_.A.L.K.I.N._

G

_.A.L.K.I.N.G

W

W.A.L.K.I.N.G

"There is not a speck of imperfection in my performance."

Fitzgerald nodded, pleased. "Correct. Piket told us she saw a walking marshmallow, rather than one conveniently lying on the floor."

"Does marshmallow walk?" Minako asked. "I know they are tasty but... do they actually...?"

"Of course not," Amelda replied. "Eliza was only seeing things."

"But that does confirm one thing," said Rin, "that Ashley was probably alive when Eliza attacked her."

"Otherwise she wouldn't h-h-have been walking," Tatsuya noted. "That sounds plausible."

"So the marshmallow did walk?" asked Inu, looking rather confused.

"Answer us, Eliza," El Viento pressed. "Did the marshmallow really walk?"

(Amelda facepalmed over the absurdity of the situation. Never had he thought the answering of such a lunatic question would determine their fate.)

Non-stop Debate.

"So what did I tell you?" said Hokuto, feeling self-vindicated. "Eliza is the culprit all along."

"Hey. What is up with you accusing me?" Eliza retorted.

"But didn't you openly state the marshmallow was walking?" Kai pointed out. "Doesn't it imply Ashley was still alive when you fell upon her?"

"I did," Eliza claimed. "But she didn't put up any resistance whatsoever. A normal living person would have done so, right?"

"That's certainly true," said Rin. "Ashley's body was literally torn apart, but Eliza didn't seem to have taken even a scratch outside some strained fingers which were obviously the result of digging into the victim's chest."

"Eliza certainly doesn't have the profile of someone who could ever win a fistfight, let alone defeat and kill someone in hand-to-hand combat so flawlessly," said El Viento.

"What if Eliza had the element of surprise?" Hokuto proposed. "What if Ashley wasn't paying attention to her surrounding?"

"Maybe Ashley saw Eliza as her worst fear and was paralyzed by it," Inori suggested.

"Eliza could have used the Tigeress Pounce technique," said Minako. "It's super effective in catching animals and even humans off-guarded."

Amelda: I give an unqualified opinion to your statement.

Amelda used Truth Bullet #1: Cause of death.

"There is a good reason to believe in Eliza's claim that Ashley didn't fight back when attacked," Amelda stated. "And it has to do with the cause of death we have determined to be most likely."

"I see," said Inori. "Ashley might not have died immediately from such trauma, but the blow would have undoubtedly put her into a state where she wouldn't have been able to react."

"That would have made her easy prey," El Viento agreed.

Hokuto was far from convinced. "Well, I don't see it at all. It only proves she attacked a defenseless woman. How does that absolve Eliza?"

"Getting torn apart and eaten doesn't sound like a credible cause of death, don't you think?" Amelda articulated. "Using only hands and teeth, Eliza would have taken some time to kill Ashley that way. How can we be sure the trauma had not ended Ashley's life before that?"

"That's such a horrible way to die," said Inu. "I... I don't want to think about it anymore."

"If there are multiple p-p-potentially life-ending injuries several different people, how are we supposed to p-p-pin down the conviction to a s-s-single person then?" asked Tatsuya.

"So the whole trial is nulled then?" Kai suggested. "As per Monokuma's rule number 7, only one blackened is allowed at any point in time."

Fitzgerald called out. "Hey, Monokuma, just asking. If the victim is killed by injuries accumulated by multiple other people, can you always tell which one is fatal?"

"An interesting question," Monokuma admitted, putting his paw beneath his chin. "To be honest, I have not thought about that either."

"So is that it?" asked Yume. "You are letting us go this time?"

Inori was hopeful. "So... no one is getting executed? Can we go back now?"

Monokuma laughed raucously. "Nonsense. I never said I could not identify the fatal blow in this case. In fact, I know with certainty which injury caused the death of that trickster. Which means I am also 100% certain who the sole blackened is."

"Worth a shot," Kai muttered.

"There's no easy way out of this trial," Amelda continued. "But perhaps it is best to think about it more thoroughly before we accuse Eliza."

Hokuto, however, shouted in rejection of the claim.

"I will not let you bury my argument so easily!"

Dueling Logics.

Amelda Douglas Mason vs Hokuto Yamakazi

"Are you still not satisfied, Hokuto?" asked Amelda sarcastically.

"No," Hokuto responded with vehemence. "Stop beating around the bushes. Eliza is the killer, plain and simple.

The Truth Bullet only says it is eighty percent certain Ashley died from brain damage.

But the fact remains Eliza came into contact last with the victim."

Counter!

"We can't be sure just yet that Eliza is the killer," Amelda responded. "There are other evidence and accounts we should look into.

Eighty percent is a hefty figure. If your life is determined by pure chance, would you prefer it to twenty percent?

Eliza came into contact last, but we are not sure whether she is the only person to come to contact."

Counter!

"Your theory about multiple possible causes of deaths doesn't make any sense," Hokuto persisted, becoming more desperate. "Even Monokuma said so.

Besides, Eliza could have just smashed Ashley's skull open.

She did so with her bare hands."

Counter!

"He never denies the theory," Amelda calmly refuted. "He only said he knew the true cause of death out of the ones we knew potentially could be.

There wasn't anything in the library that could have caused such injury.

Doing so with cause severe damage to her own hands. We all have confirmed she emerged without a scratch."

Duel ends!

Winner: Amelda Douglas Mason!

"I agree with Mason," Fitzgerald spoke out. "Let's not jump the gun. Besides, we vote for Eliza as the culprit now, the trial would be over in twenty minutes."

"The sooner it ends, the better," Yume admitted. "Still, I wouldn't condemn a friend so quickly."

Eliza was jubilant. "Good one, Amelda. Take that, Hokuto. You have anything more to say?"

"Fine," Hokuto conceded. "Have it your way."

"So, what's now?" asked Kai. "Whose accounts will we listen to next?"

"I will," Inu volunteered. "I... really don't want to talk about it, but seeing how Hokuto and Eliza were able to tell us their stories, I... suppose I should do the same."

"Fire away, then," Rin encouraged.

"We know Fitzgerald and El Viento came into contact with Inu's chemicals," Amelda added. "Perhaps you two should share your narratives as well."

"Why, of course," Fitzgerald giggled. "I have nothing to hide. And even if it means my end, so be it."

"In the beginning, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to overcome the humiliation of telling you guys my experience," said El Viento. "But seeing how you all are able to overcome, I am truly inspired. Right, let's get it on. I shall not hide my shame any longer."

"If anything, I hope to learn a bit more about you guys after this," said Rin. "You know, the more we know each other, the most trust among us, the less likely someone will act so foolishly as Kazuki did."

"As if you take people's feelings into account," Hijiri scoffed.

"Only criminals like you have to fear that," Rin admonished.

"There is truth in the first statement by Rin," said Yume. "But I can't agree with the second."

"So the second is also true?" asked Hijiri venomously.

"I am not obliged to answer that," Yume replied evenly.

"Enough, all three of you," Amelda warned. "Let's pay attention to what Inu, Fitzgerald, and El Viento have to say."

Inu's account

I found myself back to the place where I wouldn't want to be in for the next thousand years: my... own house. More specifically, the drug lab in the basement where... my parents forced me to work in as a child.

I saw him, my father, looking haggard and worn as I remembered. He said he was disappointed that I left him, that I... testified against him in court which led to him being arrested. He threatened me. I... I could not stand it anymore. I only knew one way of defending myself, so I grabbed one of the chemical tubes and threw it at him.

I suppose doing so took more strength than I imagined. So I slipped and fell. I didn't see what happened to my father. He vanished when I got up. Several of my chemical tubes fell out. As I tried to collect them, my... mother appeared, even though I knew she... committed suicide right after being indicted along with my father.

She too lashed out at me, blaming me for what happened. She said she needed to discipline me like she always did when I was young. I resisted... but failed. I swear, she had kung-fu or something. I was knocked out. And when I awoke, the who ordeal was thankfully over with me still standing.

Fitzgerald's Account

Never thought the day where I would be the one being interrogated and forced to spill information I would normally be embarrassed by, but perhaps a change in position can make things more refreshing. So here goes.

After on the run for three years, I was finally captured by the gangster mob that swore to make me beg I was never born. One of the thugs, a humongous one, held me by the ankle and dangle me upside down, while the head of the family, Cordell Chevilla taunted and mocked me. I couldn't blame him, though. After all, I was the one who ruined his criminal business many times in the past.

Oh, though it was a hallucination, I will never forget the face he made when I pulled out the revolver I concealed under my jacket and shot him. I then shot the thug restraining me as well in the face. As I fell to the floor, I saw Cordell Chevilla was running away. For a fat bastard who was also wounded, he was surprisingly fast. I pursued.

I lost Cordell Chevilla at some point. That was when I saw... Agent Mikolevski. She still had that shit-eating grin on her face. For a moment there, I lost control of myself because she was supposed to be dead and I was the one who killed her in the first place. Well, it didn't matter because I shot her again and she fell, most likely dead for good this time. Her blood splattered on my coat.

I fled the scene into a nearby factory and disposed of the coat inside an incinerator. When I went out, two things I saw: a wolf devouring the body of a young girl, while her boyfriend fled in fear. I do no recall the scene, but I felt strangely repelled by it as if I had experienced something similar before as part of the memory that was erased. As I was lost in thought, a bottle flew into me and hitting me in the head. I heard the sound of an angry mob approaching. I knew my time here was up, so I was on the run once more, until the gas finally stopped having effects.

El Viento's Account

I was in the wrestling ring. And opposing me was none other than my greatest rival La Pantera. Calling me unworthy of my title, she challenged me to a one-on-one table deathmatch with the condition that the loser must retire and reveal the face to the audience. Her insults felt like snake bites on my heart.

I had my honor to defend and a score to settle, and so I entered the ring with her. I thought victory was mine for sure, but my opponent gained an advantage over me with her unnatural strength. She ultimately pinned me onto a table, shattering it beneath my weight. I lost.

Forced to forfeit my title and my mask, I had nothing left. So I fled. Eventually, I came across a tube of cyanide, just what I needed to put an end to my shame. I drank and closed my eyes, waiting for death to claim me.

"Now that is a lot to take in," Hokuto remarked.

(Amelda presented the revolver he recovered from the main hall earlier, much to the shock of his classmates.)

"Explain yourself, Fitzgerald," Amelda demanded.

"Wait," Rin hollered. "WAIT A MINUTE! Fitzgerald has been carrying a gun?"

"He has that the whole time?" asked Yume incredulously.

Eliza was outraged. "Are you fucking serious?"

"Hah," Fitzgerald smiled awkwardly. "So the cat's out of the bag."

"Oh, don't think you can talk your way out of this," Rin barked furiously. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"None of you ever asked," Fitzgerald replied.

"That's not the point," said Hijiri. "Your story is quite suspicious, isn't it? You said you shot three people."

Fitzgerald nodded. "I notice that as well, even though I only remember having one bullet in my gun."

Amelda shot a baleful glare at the Ultimate Private Detective. "You shouldn't be having any bullet in the first place. You gave them all to me, remember?"

"Amelda, you knew as well?" demanded Rin. "And you almost let him get away with it?"

"He wanted to keep it a secret," Amelda tried to explain. "I... I trusted him."

"Perhaps that trust should be reevaluated," El Viento remarked grimly.

"Both of you have been acting very irresponsibly," said Rin. "And I had faith in you as well. I felt betrayed by this."

"I thought if I had all the bullets, he couldn't use his gun anyway," said Amelda. "Fitzgerald, I wasn't expecting you to have an extra stash."

"He doesn't," Hokuto confessed. "I... I made some for him. With Inu's help. And Ashley's as well."

"Eeeep!" Inu shrieked at the implication.

"Sorry, buddy," Hokuto apologized, giving the small fellow a reassuring smile. "We can't hide from the truth anymore."

"Hokuto, h-h-how c-c-could you?" stuttered Tatsuya.

"Yeah, I think I owe you an apology as well," Hokuto said as he scratched the back of his head.

"Why did you feel the need to make more?" Amelda pressed.

"You saw what happened back then, didn't you?" Fitzgerald replied, his face more serious. "Kazuhiko was the one to bite the dust last time, but I was Ishikawa's intended target. He correctly deduced how invaluable my contribution to the trial would have been. Some of you here might be thinking the same. That is why I found myself in need of some means of self-defense."

"Fitzgerald-kun, I understand you felt insecure," said Minako sympathetically. "But you should have told everyone."

Fitzgerald sighed. "You wouldn't understand. Besides, Amelda, Hokuto, Ashley, and Inu all knew I had the gun. I only intend to injure the would-be murderer without killing them. If anybody is shot dead, wouldn't that simply automatically make me the biggest suspect around here?"

"I see," said Yume. "You were going vigilante on it? I understand your good intention. However, I don't think I should suppose your method."

Amelda was frustrated. "That doesn't make any sense. Why didn't you just tell me to give you back?"

(Fitzgerald gave a deep sigh and weaved his air with his fingers.)

"I already entrusted too much onto you," said Fitzgerald frankly. "You will not be able to keep it a secret if I did tell you. I was afraid you would foolishly allow conscience and royalty to the whole group to get the better of you."

"You think my conscience and commitment to others a bad thing?" Amelda complained.

"In the long run, yes," Fitzgerald answered. "That's why I had Hokuto and Inu for the job. They were quite dandy, all things considered."

"Thanks," said Hokuto, grinning. "Unlike some person here who only likes to tinker stuff."

"Hey!" Eliza bawled. "We are on the verge of accusing you of being an accomplice to Fitzgerald's crime. Can you act more guilty and less condescending?"

"His crime is only in concealing his firearm," Hijiri corrected. "We should not allow that to distract us from solving the crime of Ashley's murder."

"Or is it?" Rin propounded. "Remember his story. Remember all the times he shot someone. Should we add gunshot to the list of potential causes of death?"

"That wouldn't be necessary," said Fitzgerald. "Now that I have recollected my memory, I have every reason to believe it cannot be what ended Wiltarow."

"And I have every reason to not believe in you anymore," El Viento objected.

"We should talk this through," Inori suggested. "That said, I want to think the gun is only red herring."

"We will see about that," said Kai. "Unlike you, I won't put my money on a hypocrite, even if I do owe you for treating my feet back then."

"It seems we are quite split on the subject," Yume remarked. "How about we take turns discussing it?"

"Good idea," Amelda agreed. "Let's hear everybody's thoughts on this."

A House Divided.

Can gunshots be added as a possible cause of death?

Yes: Amelda, Rin, El Viento, Minako, Kai, Eliza.

No: Fitzgerald, Hokuto, Inu, Tatsuya, Inori, Yume, Hijiri.

"Having such a weapon gives you a considerable advantage, Fitzgerald," Amelda began.

"You are implying I have any intention of playing the Killing Game," said Fitzgerald.

Counter!

"Even if you didn't have, the gas compelled you," Rin insisted.

"It's not his fault," Inori pointed out. "All of us were affected."

Counter!

"Fitzgerald shot three people," Kai claimed. "That's what he said."

"That is not possible," Hokuto argued. "We only made one bullet. Amelda still has the rest."

Counter!

"How do we trust you, Hokuto?" Eliza barked. "You just don't want to be seen as an accomplice."

"The accomplice gets nothing from the successful murder/trial, only the blackened," Inu explained.

Counter!

"Well, one bullet is enough," said El Viento.

"But there is no bullet in the body," Hijiri replied.

Counter!

"Maybe it penetrated her?" Minako suggested.

"We could not find the b-b-bullet anywhere, nor any b-b-bullet hole," said Tatsuya.

Counter!

"Maybe you didn't look for it hard enough, Rin claimed.

"We also weren't able to find the... blood trail leading to Ashley's body," Yume intervened. "If she were shot, she should have been bleeding out before Eliza fell on her."

Counter!

A House Divided No More!

Conclusion: No, a gunshot wound cannot be the cause of death!

Fitzgerald, Hokuto, Inu, Tatsuya, Inori, Yume, Hijiri exclaimed in unison: "This is our answer!"

"Now that's what I call a good example of public debate," Fitzgerald chuckled. "Well done, everyone, including those condemning me."

"Stop messing around," Rin admonished.

"There is one final piece of evidence suggesting I wasn't the killer," Fitzgerald indicated. "You should have come up with it by now."

"I think I know this one," said Yume.

Brainstorm.

What evidence indicates Fitzgerald was aware of his innocence all along?

A. Fitgerald never lost his gun.

B. The crafted bullet couldn't be fired.

C. Fitzgerald's alibi is backed by Hokuto.

D. Inori couldn't find any gunshot wound on Ashley.

"Don't worry. My miracle will deliver us from this evil!"

"So it just a ploy all this time?" Amelda sighed. "You dropped the gun on purpose at the crime scene and expected us to find it."

Fitzgerald nodded, smirking. "It is a powerful piece of evidence. If I had not, the whole trial would have been derailed. When I realized I had actually used the gun and could not keep it a secret from you anymore, I knew I had to come clean sooner or later. But I wouldn't do so without adding a little twist to it."

"You could have just told us from the start without having us on this merry-go-round," El Viento stated.

"Well, the o-o-outcome is the same, isn't it?" said Tatsuya. "We reached the same c-c-conclusion anyway."

"His poor attitude aside, Fitzgerald-san is one who knows what he's doing," Hijiri added.

"Okay, you got us," Amelda conceded. "But we still need to know who you shot at."

"Just because you are off the hook, for now, doesn't mean you are innocent," said El Viento.

"Let's keep on discussing then," Kai suggested.

Non-stop debate.

"Fitzgerald, you shot three times, didn't you?" Minako asked. "But you said you had only one bullet."

"Perhaps the gas m-m-made him believe he shot someone with the g-g-gun in his hand, even if it is empty," replied Tatsuya.

"There is truth in that," Amelda confirmed. "However, we still need to determine where the true bullet went."

"The godfather, the made man, and the secret agent," Rin listed out. "Which one do you think got shot for real?"

"What Fitzgerald saw could be deceiving," Inu suggested. "We should focus on what occurred to him."

Hokuto nodded affirmatively. "I agree. The made man is the obvious choice. Fitzgerald said he was only freed after he shot him. Who among us could have the strength and height to do so?"

"El Viento," Eliza pointed out.

El Viento was taken back. "Me?"

"You mention a struggle against your archrival, didn't you?" Rin pressed. "Did you perform any move that mirrored what happened to Fitzgerald back then?"

"No, I don't think I had the chance to do so," El Viento denied. "As I said, I was overwhelmed quickly. Ahhh, how shameful just to admit it."

"Think back harder," Hokuto urged. "Recall the details of your match."

Amelda shook his head. "If El Viento did get shot by Fitzgerald, how is she still here with no injury?"

"Return that faulty argument at once."

Tatsuya used Truth Bullet #13: Ashley's contraption.

Hokuto lightened. "Hey, you finally came up with a catchphrase."

"Well done," Amelda commended.

"I must admit," said Monokuma, looking pleased as usual. "It's an improvement over the last trial."

Tatsuya blushed. "Thanks. I p-p-practiced saying that a lot."

Eliza slammed her palm into her forehead in anguish. "Oh come on, you boys are so obsessed with all the insignificant details."

"Anyway, the r-r-reason it could not have been El Viento was because of this c-c-contraption," Tatsuya explained.

"You meant the one Ashley hung me with," said El Viento. "That one was a blast. Wait, did Fitzgerald get lucky this time?"

"Lucky?" asked Kai in disbelief.

"Oh yes, being hung upside down is surprisingly relaxing," Minako approved. "And with more blood flow to your brain, you can focus much better."

"Hmm. Maybe I should try that sometimes," Yume mused.

"Oh yes, I would be glad to help," Minako happily encouraged.

"I'm not sure if there is any scientific proof for that," said Inori skeptically.

Fitzgerald smirked. "I see. So that's what happened to me then. I thought so as much."

"But the contraption could not have been activated simply by something stepping their foot in the right place," Hokuto raised. "Someone else has to be there to tie the ropes. Otherwise, the pranked victim would have fallen back down."

"So who among us dropped the trap onto Fitzgerald and put him in a rather embarrassing situation?" asked Hijiri.

"Whoever did it probably have been the same person be whoever he saw as Cordell Chevilla as well," Amelda indicated.

"As far as I am concerned, only two persons could have known about the inner working of the device," said Rin. "One of them can be safely discarded because they were confirmed elsewhere. Which leaves only one."

Brainstorm.

Who trapped Fitzgerald?

A. Hokuto.

B. Tatsuya.

C. Rin.

D. Ashley

"The truth is safe in my custody."

"Only Ashley and Hokuto knew about how it worked," Rin went on. "The contraption is actually quite complicated. As for Hokuto, given your previous claim as well as Eliza's testimony about you being in the library the whole time, I don't think you could have done it."

"Which left Ashley the Pranking Queen herself," El Viento agreed.

Amelda scoffed. "That girl's always up to no good."

"I think it's charming," Minako countered. "It's not like she wishes harm to anyone. Most of the time."

"So we now know that Ashley was one of the persons Fitzgerald shot," said Kai. "But no bullet was fired at her."

"Are we sure about that?" asked Rin.

Non-stop debate.

"Now that I about it, I feel something doesn't add up," Rin expressed.

"What is it?" asked Hokuto.

"Why did Fitzgerald have the bullet in the second case instead of the first?" Rin questioned. "If you had only one bullet in the cylinder with six holes, Fitzgerald, would you not have the correct chamber aligned with the barrel so you can fire without having to spin the cylinder?"

"That's what I thought as well," Fitzgerald confirmed. "I am always well-prepared."

"Fitzgerald, what you saw aside, did you feel anything when firing your gun?" Amelda asked.

Fitzgerald put a finger on his chin. "Now that you mentioned it, I did feel the force of the first and second shots, but not the third."

"This means you shot something after all at Ashley," Kai asserted.

"I already told you, there is one bullet only," Hokuto repeated.

"Maybe he fired something else?" Minako suggested. "Something that was in the cylinder but he failed to notice. Something that only caused the sound and the feeling, but produced no deadly projectile."

"That's a diamond-hard argument you've got there."

Hokuto used Truth Bullet #14: Fitzgerald's gun.

"The state of the gun implies two things were fired from it," said Hokuto. "One was the bullet. And the other left some white powder in the chamber."

"Wait, I think I know what it is," Inori started.

Inori used Truth Bullet #15: Flour on Ashley's body

"Fitzgerald fired flour?" asked Kai.

Inori nodded affirmatively. "While I was performing the autopsy, I found specks of flour on fragments of her clothes that weren't stained with blood. I took note of it because there wasn't any in the library."

"So it was a fake bullet after all?" asked El Viento.

"Exactly," Inu confirmed. "And I think I know who was... responsible for it."

Brainstorm.

Who put the fake bullet into Fitzgerald's gun?

A. Hokuto.

B. Tatsuya.

C. Rin.

D. Ashley

"I have the formula right this time."

Amelda grimaced. "Her again? Why am I not surprised?"

"I back his words," said Hijiri. "A trickster like that should not have been trusted in the first place."

"I just noticed when we were working on crafting a bullet, Ashley did... act rather strangely," said Inu, remembering. "I thought she put something else there, but she convinced me otherwise. I... didn't want to doubt her."

"Maybe I gave her too much credit," Fitzgerald admitted. "She could have prevented me from saving myself or someone else at a crucial moment by doing so."

"Or she could have prevented you from murdering someone," said Rin sternly, "which, in this case, is plausible, don't you think?"

"That Ashley," said El Viento with an air of nostalgia. "She was a blessing in disguise. I will miss her."

"Yeah, I will miss her too," said Minako.

"So let's get this straight," said Kai. "Ashley hung Fitzgerald's ankle by the contraption. He shot her with flour, shot him free from the rope with the real bullet, pursued her, lost her, and shot whoever he hallucinated as the Slavic agent with the empty gun. Did I miss anything?"

"No," said Fitzgerald, looking smug. "That's one way of summarizing it."

"Then it seems we've reached a dead-end with this line of discussion," Amelda stated. "Fitzgerald said he lost Cordell Chevilla during his pursuit."

"Then perhaps we should... have a look at El Viento's and my accounts," Inu suggested.

"Good idea," Kai chirped.

Accounts Reconciliations.

Which parts of Inu, El Viento, and Fitzgerald's accounts fit together?

A. Fitzgerald was Inu's father.

B. El Viento was Inu's mother.

C. Fitzgerald pinned El Viento onto the table.

D. El Viento committed suicide with Inu's potion.

E. El Viento was Cordell Chevilla.

F. Inu was Mikolevski.

"I never miss a beat."

"Bizzare to think, but it seems we are reconstructing the crime scene here," Rin admitted. "More details than I expected, but less than I would have liked."

"El Viento drank what she believed to be cyanide," Kai pointed out, "but it turned out to be... wait, what is it again, Inurium?"

Kai used Truth Bullet #8: Inu's chemical vials.

"You mean iridium?" Eliza suggested.

"No. It's... something I made and gave a name for myself," Inu claimed. "It's a terrible name, I know."

"Is it poisonous?" asked Minako.

Inu shook his head. "Not quite. It can lead to drowsiness and blood clog inside your body. But I have... administered the antidote to El Viento. She'll be fine. I...I promise."

"Anyway, it makes sense that there was a squabble between Fitzgerald and Inu," Hokuto moved on. "Inu said he slipped and fell after throwing the tube, which Fitzgerald could have seen as Mikolevski dropping after being shot, even if the gun was empty at that point."

"And we also have this to back up his claim," said Eliza.

Eliza used Truth Bullet #6: Fitzgerald's trenchcoat.

"Right," said Amelda. "The jacket containing chemical stain was found inside the washing machine, which Fitzgerald probably imagined as the incinerator."

"It appears Fitzgerald-san's account is coming together nicely as a scarf made up finely-weaved threads," said Hijri. "If he had been to the laundry room, then he must have entered the library. Which means the part where he said a wolf was devouring the corpse of his father..."

"He was referring to what was happening between Eliza and Ashley," Yume finished.

"But who did he see his mother as?" Inori asked.

"Probably whoever Hokuto attacked with the throwing badge," Amelda replied. "Hokuto said he severed the mummy's arm in his hallucination, and in Fitzgerald's hallucination, his mummy was clutching a bloody arm. We do not know for sure who it is at the moment, though all who have given their account seem unlikely."

"Jokes aside, it seems there is no more loose end to my account," said Fitzgerald. "The identity of this person who I did not interact with will change little. Inu's and El Viento's, on the other hand, do not yet provide a sound basis for a conclusion."

"Then we should listen to more accounts," Kai proposed, "especially from those who were in the main hall during the gassing."

"Tatsuya and Hijiri, you two are next," Rin recommended. "I know from the evidence that you must have come across each other at some point. Let us hear your story."

(Both of them shivered nervously.)

Tatsuya was jumpier than usual. "Is it n-n-necessary? I don't think I w-w-want to."

Hijiri backed down. "I... would also like to pass. How about we listen to someone else's account instead?"

"Nonsense," Eliza hollered. "Both of you. Speak out."

"How disappointing you are indulging in such short-term gain," said El Viento, her face twisted into scorn. "Our lives are on the line here. A little embarrassment won't kill you - failing to find the culprit will."

"What's the matter, Hijiri?" asked Hokuto derisively. "Too posh to tell your worst fear to these simpletons?"

"Now is not the time to back down," Amelda declared. "Five of us have successfully conquered our fear. You must do the same, or we are all doomed."

"Yeah. We are all friends here," said Yume, trying to put some vigor into the two. "Each of us has our flaws and by admitting them, we may grow closer to each other."

"Alright, I'll t-t-try," Tatsuya agreed.

"Good luck," Inu wished. "It's hard but... I know it can be done."

"What I am about to say may disappoint someone here," Hijri said in a resigned manner. "For that reason, I am still averse to it."

"Then maybe we should think of something else," Minako chimed in.

"Don't defend her, Minako," Amelda scolded. "As for you, Hijiri, I think I know what you are about to say. Just say it. I promise I won't think badly of you simply for what you saw in your hallucination."

"Oh,... Well,..." Hijiri stammered.

"What is she about to say?" asked Yume.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Amelda hissed.

"She's not telling," said Yume.

"Ah, I think I get where you're coming from, Mason," Fitzgerald noted.

"Wait, is it about the incident between the two of you earlier?" Inori blurted.

"That's right," said Rin. "Hijiri tried to kill Amelda, who turned the table and tried to kill her instead, only to fail thanks to Monokuma's interference. I wouldn't be surprised if Amelda turns up to be Hijiri's worst fear."

"Mother Earth blesses you, Monokuma," Minako prayed. "It would have been horrific had two murders happened then at once."

"Why, you're welcome, my ever-so-lovely subject," Monokuma replied, blushing if that was possible for a mechanical creature.

"Let's not give him too much credit," said Hokuto.

El Viento turned her attention to the Ultimate Geisha. "How bad can it be, Hijiri? Now that we are all aware of your worst fear, why not take us into the details?"

"Fine," Hijiri surrendered. "I'll tell you. But please promise me, no overreaction."

"I swear in the name of the one true maker," said Amelda solemnly.

Tatsuya's Account

I was standing in front of a house and I suddenly r-r-remembered I had a delivery to make there - chicken salad and miso soup, fifteen minutes or free. I checked my watch and saw I had t-t-two minutes left.

A huge truck was r-r-running at me at full speed. I jumped s-s-sideways to avoid it, splaying both my knees in the process. Had I been hit, it would have been g-g-game over.

Then I saw the dogs. T-t-three of them. They were as fierce as I could have imagined that they might as well have been a trio of h-h-hellhounds. Two of them were e-e-engaged in a vicious fight. The third saw me and attacked. I tried to fend it off, not wanting to miss the delivery. I was overpowered. I thrashed and scream and c-c-cursed while it bit me wherever it could land its jaws on. I thought I would die. I passed out.

When I came to, the gassing was over and I found myself on my own bed. I was covered in cuts, but I survived. El Viento took me there. So, yeah, thanks for that.

Hijiri's Account

I came face to face with Michiko Tanashi-sama, the proprietress of the okiya I work for and the only person that ever truly loved me. Yet, she angrily disowned me. She pointed out I had stained the Geisha's honor by having an affair with a customer. I confessed and tried to explain to her that I needed the money so badly, but she wouldn't relent.

No matter what I said, no matter how much I begged and pleaded, it was of no use. Tanashi-sama left me. At that moment, all my hopes and dreams were shattered like glass. I could no longer control my thoughts and action. So I took the scissor and went after her.

Though it was not her that I found, I came across someone else who I was equally repulsed by - Okamu Naruhime. He was a common guest whom Tanashi-san had requested that I personally serve with utter care, the son of a wealthy business magnate who was also her close friend. He was a sexual predator who constantly harassed me. But now that I owed nothing "oka-san", I saw no reason to hold back. As he was distracted, I came at him, slashing and stabbing life my life depended on it. He put up a struggle, but my skills proved too much, and only I emerged alive from the kombat.

As I retreated from the scene, away from his body, I ran into... Amelda. He was... as horrifying as I could have imagined, wearing a blank face and drenched in blood. I attacked him, but just like last time, he got the upper hand and disarmed me. I ran away was not pursued.

I could not remember what I saw next, but when I came to, I was hiding inside the storage room.

And thus, my story ends.

"Amelda isn't horrifying," Yume defended. "He's an ally of justice."

Rin snorted. "Then, of course, a criminal like her would see him so."

Hijiri shrilled, her voice high all of a sudden. "Neither of you was there when it happened."

"If I had been there, I would have given you a taste of my mind," El Viento replied threateningly.

Amelda tried to ease the tension. "What happened had already happened. Yes, she did try to kill me, but I did the same to her when I had the chance. I understand it's not the kind of experience you can move on from quickly."

"You seem to have moved on just fine, Amelda, despite it being a near-death thing and all," Hokuto noted. "From what I see, you don't seem to hold her responsible anymore, do you?"

"I was already no stranger to death before the Killing Game began," said Amelda. "I already told this to some of you. And while I still hold her responsible for what happened, I think it is best not to dwell on the past too much."

"Right," Eliza agreed. "That's what you told me earlier as well."

"Hijiri already received her share of punishment for her wrong-doing," said Minako. "We should all give her a chance. Mother Earth is merciful to all those who repent.

"Eh, guys," Kai said, waving her hand for attention. "Maybe we should stop the trial a bit. Inori here is not looking quite well."

"Please ignore me and carry on," said Inori despite sweating profusely. "I am fine."

"No chance of that happening," Rin refuted. "I swore to protect you all, whether you like it or not. Hey Overlord Monokuma, can we have a fifteen-minute break?"

"Since you have all been such enthusiastic subjects, and I have been loving your discussions so far, I suppose it is fine to cut you some slack," Monokuma consented.

Class Trial Suspended!

As we took our break, Minako and Rin came to check out on Inori who nearly collapsed. The Ultimate Patient made to the end of the previous trial, but the circumstances here were far more endearing thanks to the elaborate accounts repleted with vivid imaginations of their owners that we had to discuss and dissect. There was also the fact this trial was taking place early in the morning and probably none of us had a good sleep last night with the murder just happening. Hokuto went to grab her some water while Minako produced some herbal medicine for Inori's migraine.

Meanwhile, I reflected on the case we had here, particularly on its implications on myself. As Hijiri presented her narrative, I felt guilty for putting her in such a state. Uncannily familiar with being under the influence of Despair Gas, I remembered not being able to control my action back then as the rage suddenly overtook my mind and body the instant I was injured. I did something I now regretted fully, yet the others seemed to believe my actions were justified.

Did it make me the bad guy if I choose to withhold information while everyone in this class mistrust and berated her?

Judging from Fitzgerald's not letting me know about the new bullet he had, perhaps the Ultimate Private Detective had some inkling about what really occurred that night. Though he was adamant that he trusted me above all others here, I wondered how long I could keep it up, or how long he could keep up with the act.

I wondered how long, in this Killing Game, would it take for me to revert to the monster back then.

Author's Notes: And here it is, the first part of the second trial you all have been waiting for. This is my favorite part to write because I am able to put every character into a setting where they will discuss with one another.

This trial has several new mechanics, including Rebuttal Showdown (referred to as Dueling Logic) and Scrum Debate (referred to as A House Divided). Unique to the trial is the part where the characters tell the rest about what happened to them when they were under the effect of fear gas, presented in separate segments. Much like before, I want the trial to be as inclusive as possible rather than having the main protagonist and a few other important characters figuring it all out. Due to the outrageous nature of the murder, don't be surprised (too much) by how ridiculous some of the arguments are.

I hope you enjoy it so far. I am also following a number of SYOC stories in this fandom. Wish me luck.

Cheers!