"Welcome!" The shrill voice of a Mono-teacher announced, I recognized his voice as the one who announced the motive, "to the trial room, here we will debate who's innocent and who is guilty!" As they said this we were crowded out of the elevator and to our podiums. The room was just as the broadcasts showed, large and intimidating, the podiums were evenly spaced and polished. As a grim reminder of what happened there was a picture frame on a stand, Grant's face was portrayed as bland and static as they could make it. I found that our group was one short of fully completing the circle, giving us a incomplete and unprecedented look.
Next I took note of those around me, Yuzuru on my right and M to my left, and Yukihiro straight across,"So since this is the first trial I will go over the rules and how this will go!" The Mono-Teacher raised his hand dramatically and a large screen lowered, turning on to reveal a familiar mechanical bear on the screen, drinking a blue martini before noticing us.
"Thrills, Chills, and Kills!" The Monokuma bear yelled, switching to a new sprite position, "oh that's right, it's me, the one the only Monokuma! And I'm no fake!"
"What do you mean the real thing?" Yukihiro yelled in horror.
"That's impossible, Junko Enoshima is dead," Kojiro said, looking the monitor down, "there's no way you're her!"
"Oh but I am, I mean in a sense," Monokuma's still image changed to a angry one, its claws outstretched, "I'm a AI, stupid! I mean, this song and dance has been done already, so it's possible for me to be here."
"I knew it you're the mastermind, aren't you!" Haruna yelled.
"Put some of your deduction skills to work and look at me," Monokuma grumbled, "I'm stuck in this monitor, these guys got me locked up in some secure server. I can't do anything," the bear gained a gloomy look, mushrooms sprouting from its head, "how despairing." I honestly didn't know whether to believe Monokuma or not, was that thing actually trapped?
"Are you really Junko Enoshima," Akira asked her voice demanding.
"No, I just said I'm a AI, a poorly done one at that," Monokuma admitted, "if anything I'm a AI based off the original Monokuma, so I'm no ultimate analyst," the sprite changed again, this time to a moving image of the bear dancing seductively, "but don't worry there is some ultimate model charm left!"
"But if you're not the mastermind, then who is?" Danny asked, that aggravated Monokuma.
"Why does everyone always ask that!" Monokuma's angry sprite came back, cartoonish steam coming off the head, "I'm just here to rule over the class trials while the N.E.E.T. of a mastermind is hiding away, and leaving these brainwashed duds to do their dirty work," I noticed that none of the Mono-teachers responded to that jab, were they actually brainwashed? or just loyal followers? Actually there's not much difference between the two, is there?
"That aside, we should continue to the trial," Yuzuru cut in, "the anticipation is killing me!"
"Yuzuru's right," Evan agreed, but before leaving he asked, "anyways, what is your position here?"
"Geez, real killjoys aren't you," Monokuma said, "I'm here to do what I do best, judge! I have full reign on security cameras and audio in this school to make the correct judgement, while the real mastermind is away."
"Why can't the Mono-teachers do it?" I asked, wouldn't that be easier?
"No more questions!" Monokuma yelled, "we have a trial to do, get cracking already!"
Everyone went silent, unsure how to start before a demanding voice took control of the room, "First and foremost we should go over what we are certain," Evan said, "such as the Monokuma File."
"Well the victim was Grant Kingsmen, and the cause of death was a blow to the head, and blood loss from thin repeated stab wounds," Yuzuru stated confidently. It looks like Yuzuru and Evan were going to be the driving force of this trial.
"The murder took place in the storage room," Haruna continued, "and there is a blood trail leading out of the room."
"There is a thick chain lying on the body," Kojiro finished.
"Very good. There are few things I want to focus on in the file," Evan said, bringing everyone's attention back to him, "specifically the part that states that the blood in the room is not all from Grant."
"Yes, I remember that," Yukihiro said, "so you believe someone else has been killed?"
"No way! Everyone but Grant is present," Alan interjected, "the Monokuma File must be lying!" As soon as Alan said that something began to bug me, the Monokuma File would have no reason to lie or just say useless information. There must be more to that statement, I thought back on key moments when suddenly I made a connection.
TRUTH BULLET: Resistance
"That's wrong!" I shout, cutting Alan off, he looks shocked at my outburst, "Or well, most of it is. You're right when you say no one else was killed, but when I observed the body I noticed slash marks along Grant's forearms, you can only gain wounds like that protecting yourself," I say, but my rebuttal wasn't good enough, as Alan just came back stronger.
"So Grant put up resistance, but that doesn't tell us anything," Alan shot back, "the blood's still all Grant's."
"No, Sanyu brings up a good point," Evan says, "resistance means a fight... I feel that should bridge us nicely over to the autopsy report, what condition was the body in?"
"Besides what was stated by the file," Kojiro thought for a second, "the stab wounds were violent and choppy, I'd say the killer had a personal vendetta."
"The killer and victim were close, cases like this commonly happen between friends or lovers," Evan explained, this must be experience from the courtroom.
"From my inspection of the body I noticed that Grant's clothes were disheveled," Kenta said, "the pockets were turned out and the shirt was half untucked, it looked like someone had done a search on the body."
"I saw that too, it was probably the killer?" Kojiro responded.
"I don't think so," Kenta said, "but maybe it was..."
"There was the stab wounds and the head trauma, but we also found acid burns on the body," M informed, bringing the focus back, "the acid burns came from Alan's chains, so anyone who's touched them would be burned as well."
"From Alan's chains?" Yuzuru asked, "Alan did you know your chains had poison on them?"
"What, yeah of course I did," Alan replied nonchalant, "heck, I even made it."
"Then that's it!" Kojiro shouted, "Alan's the killer, he just admitted it."
"Alan has showed us how little he cares about people dying, it wouldn't be unbelievable if he is the murder" Kenta said, "I heard him say he didn't care that Grant was dead."
Alan gave an exaggerated yawn, "Wow, Super Highschool Level detective, did you come up with that all on your own," the tone was condensing as all hell, "besides, I keep the poison on it 24/7, the killer just had to get it off the self."
"That's interesting information, but how can we be certain it was actually you who made the poison?" Yuzuru asked, "Forgive me if I'm being prestigious, but you were just a reserve course student."
There was a hushed 'ooooh' and eyes were jumping between the two, "And what does it matter if I did or didn't make the poison," Alan ground his teeth together.
"It means a lot, for example if you did make it then you would know how to avoid it, thus leaving no trace behind," Yuzuru took a confident stance, "but the crime scene was very poorly done, only a novice with poison would leave that mess behind, so you are lying about your knowledge to cover your mistakes."
"But I saw Alan with a chemistry book, and he seemed to show understanding in it," I vouched, and for a second Yuzuru looked disappointed.
"That is merely a book, he could have picked it up out of simple boredom rather than interest," Yuzuru replied.
"You just won't believe anything, will you!" Alan snarled, "I'm starting to think you're the real killer."
"Then give me proof," Yuzuru cut back, "because so far you've done nothing for your innocence!"
"Enough!" Evan shouted, "The murder happened in the storage room, where the chains were easily accessible by the killer," his glare settled the room, "to both kill and frame."
"That doesn't mean we shouldn't keep it in mind," Yoshiki replied in a calm tone, "even if it doesn't make sense, why would he use his signature if he's trying to stay hidden,"
"Alan could easily kill someone, it's obvious that he doesn't care about anyone," Yuzuru was angry, and it looked like he didn't want to let go, "he used the chains to kill Grant, no doubt about it."
"But that can't be," I retorted, striking through Yuzuru's accusation, "because it wasn't the killer who used the chains but Grant!"
"How do you know?" Danny asked, unsure.
TRUTH BULLET: Strange Acid Burns on Hands
"Both of Grant's palms are burned by the acid, the only way he could have gotten his hands to look like that is by grabbing the weapon," I explained.
"But why would he have grabbed the chains anyways?" Yukihiro asked.
"To fight back!" I replied, "He has cuts showing resistance, and burn marks from holding the chains, and the Monokuma File states that not all of the blood in the room is Grant's."
"Grant took the weapon and fought back, injuring the killer!" Yukihiro concluded, finishing the picture excitedly.
"How can you be sure with just that?" M asked, "it's plausible, but I need more evidence to be sure."
"Then fingerprint trail we found could be your evidence," James declared suddenly, "it came from killer trying to support themselves on the wall."
"Fingerprint trail, where was this?" Akira asked.
"It was on the wall, it leads from the laundry room to the bathroom," James said.
TRUTH BULLET: Bloody Fingerprints on Wall
"So the killer's hurt," Kojiro says, "that is something we all agree on?" There was a unanimous agreement in reply.
"Yes and he left a pretty low trail fingerprint trail," I say to the room.
"And to support yourself you must balance your weight on your side, or in this case your hands, and to do that you must keep your hands at least equal height with your shoulder," Evan implied.
"Wait, are you saying that the culprit is short" I asked, remembering how low down the trail was.
"Yuzuru, you're like four feet tall," Haruna laughed, "maybe it was you!" Yuzuru's face turned red with anger.
"I'm exactly 5 feet, you know," Yuzuru corrected, standing as tall as he can.
"So it's someone short and they are wearing gloves... I think that fits Yuzuru quite well!" Kenta accused, bringing all eyes on the new suspect. Kenta was correct, Yuzuru was wearing lace trimmed, cloth gloves, but I honestly no clue if those were new additions or not.
"But I have always worn these, surely you must have noticed," Yuzuru replied in defense, "or are you just too stupid to remember anything."
"What!" Kenta bristled in anger.
"Why does it matter if he's wearing gloves?" Haruna asked quietly, leaning closer to M on her left.
"The poison on the chains would have burned the killer too if he touched them," M whispered helpfully, "so the killer may be wearing gloves."
Haruna nodded before joining back in, "but a lot of us are wearing gloves."
"That's right!" Yuzuru agreed, "and you have no way of knowing if these gloves are new or if I have previous injuries, so this clue isn't valid yet."
"In a way he's right," Alan begrudgingly added, "the poison reacts faster to blood and open air, if the killer has kept their hands covered and away from open wounds then it shouldn't have reacted yet."
"Then what about old blood," Yukihiro asked, earning questioning stares, "I-I mean would it react to Grant's blood?"
"If the killer got the blood off themselves fast enough then probably not," Alan said nonchalantly, "if they didn't they would be covered in burns."
"Well the killer did change clothes," Danny mentioned.
"How can you be sure of that." Akira asked, she'd been quiet for awhile now.
TRUTH BULLET: Missing Clothes
"In the laundry room we found that some of the towels and clothes were missing," Danny said, "that's the best reason we could come up with."
"I remember you mentioning that," I said, "but no one here is wearing anything different, and Grant's clothes were the same too."
Yoshiki spoke up too, "And we haven't found the clothes eather."
"When Sanyu and I went to the incinerator we found it already on, and burning cloth, that's most likely the missing clothing," Veliah explained.
"But why burn the clothes anyways," I wondered before remembering what Veliah said, "maybe the killer wore the clothes before killing and just changed back into their old ones!"
"That's plausible, but then this would have to have been premeditated," Evan said, "and I doubt that."
"And the fingerprint trail led right to the bathroom too," James added, "they could have washed off there."
"That's also where we found the sharp object," Evan reminded.
"You mean the other murder weapon?" Danny asked.
TRUTH BULLET: Silver Scissors in Baths
"Yeah, I found silver scissors," I replied. Evan presented the item to the room, then gestured for me to continue, "it was under a stool, it looked like it had just dropped between the cracks."
"That could connect a few things," Danny said, "did it look like someone had just taken a bath, or had just used the water?"
"Yeah, it was hot and humid," James answer, "and water was all over the floor, I almost slipped a few times!"
"So the culprit could have taken a bath or something to wash the blood away," Danny reasoned, "perhaps he even dropped the weapon in his clean up."
"Our killer was gone for quite a bit," Yukihiro said, "and left a messy trail."
"So we've gathered all our clues then?" Yuzuru asked.
"No, this could be nothing but I still feel the need to bring up the log-out book," Akira said.
"Huh, Why that?" Yuzuru said skeptically.
TRUTH BULLET: Log-out Book
"Because unless this killing was premeditated, then the killer must have signed out," Akira replied, "this could also tie into the clothes mystery too."
"Do you have the book on you right now?" Alan asked. Akira then pulled out the notebook and passed it down the line.
Pg 3
Alan- restrooms- Alan
Evan- baths- Evan
Yoshiki- restrooms- Yoshiki
Akira- storage- Akira
yuzuru- restrooms- yuzuru
Veliah- restrooms- Veliah
/
Grant- storage-
alan- storage-
Veliah/Sanyu- incinerator-
"Alan signed out right after Grant and never signed back in," Kenta pointed out the text.
"So Alan followed Grant, that sounds pretty planned out," Kojiro said, "so he disguised himself, killed Grant, disposed of the outfit and washed up!"
"But the killer was rushed to clean things up," Evan added, "that's why he dropped so many things, but even then you still need time, so the murder must have happened soon after Grant left.
"And I never wrote that," Alan defended, "also if I was going to murder someone, I would not outright state it!"
"Haven't you noticed, look closely," M helped along, "his handwriting is different, when you sign your name you're pretty consistent."
Veliah now had the book, looking it over, "Alan capitalized his name on the first sign in, but it's all lower case on the second, plus the penmanship being different."
"So you're saying someone wrote his name in to make it look like he left and killed Grant," Kenta asked, "Alan's being framed."
"The writing for Alan's name is the same as Yuzuru's," Evan pointed out, "another prominent suspect."
"It's another red herring, if I was going to forge a name wouldn't I try a little harder, I think the most suspicious is the erased name," Yuzuru said calmly, bringing attention to the spot, the line was a smeared mess of pencil lead, like someone had used a bad eraser, "it's right before Grant signed out."
"So who was it?" James asked. The room was silent, no one coming forward, "So then that must be the killer if they won't even defend themselves."
Erased spot (analyze)
"Actually I have a theory about that," I look at the screen with the imprisoned bear AI, "Monokuma do three people have to find the body for the announcement to go off?"
"Yep, that's right! Kept that rule from the other game," the bear cackled.
"Two others saw the body before me," I explain, "because the second I saw Grant's corpse the announcement went off."
"Are you sure it wasn't Veliah and Danny?" Akira asks, "I saw them both with you before everyone else showed up."
"No, he's right," Veilah vouches, "I only saw the bloody prints and Sanyu kindly volunteered to check- I stayed away because I get queasy at the smell of blood."
"Good job, Sanyu!" Danny gave a thumbs up at my chivalrous deed, "and I only came because Veliah told us, honestly she made it sound like it was Sanyu who was dead, so I came running and the announcement went off before I even got there."
"So two people had seen the body and haven't admitted to it yet," Yoshiki said.
I nod in assurance at the conclusion, "Yes, and I think one of the people who saw the body is the one who erased their name."
"The reason the erased name won't come forward isn't because they are scared of becoming a culprit, but because they would have to explain their actions," Evan said "I have reasons to believe that the erased name is the one who looted the body."
"But the killer could have signed out and when forging the names, signed themselves back in to throw off suspicion." M threw out there.
"Yeah, the handwriting is the same for Yuzuru and Alan," Akira supplied, "but one difference is that Yuzuru was also signed back in."
"Alibis!" Danny reminded, "We haven't done alibis!"
"Oh, I totally forgot," I said sheepishly, "But how will we do those, we were all trying to distract ourselves and all of us were too tired to really remember things clearly."
"I have one, and we don't have to remember anything for it," Kojiro hinted, then he pulled out a pony bead key chain, "our project should count as an alibi, the killer would never had enough time to have made one." And so everyone who attended the group started fishing their pockets for their creation.
"Got mine! Here it is," everyone around me spoke and I took note of who was brandishing their creation. Kojiro of course, Yukihiro, yoshiki, Haruna... It seemed everyone had one-even Alan- but Yuzuru was the only one without one.
"I-I lost mine," he retorted quickly.
"I don't remember Yuzuru being in the group," Kojiro recounted, "and I personally helped everyone, and not once did I see you."
"Yuzuru is now the biggest suspect we have," Evan affirmed, "was there any reason for him to have met with Grant?"
"I-I did say Yuzuru should try and change his image... And to ask a friend how to do it," I mentioned. Suddenly Akira lets out a gasp then went quiet.
"Is something wrong Akira?" I ask concerned.
"I did over hear Yuzuru say he wanted to change something," Akira said, "and Grant mentioned trying out the clothes in the laundry room, that must be why Yuzuru was already wearing the clothing when he killed."
"Don't go assuming I'm the killer yet," Yuzuru yelled, "I can still prove my innocence!"
"Yuzuru, I can't help but notice something about your hands," Alan said suddenly, "that this whole time they've been curled oddly," Yuzuru's eyes narrowed in suspicion and anger, "For just a reserve course I do know my poison well, and one symptom of the burns is extreme pain at the slightest of movements."
"And why does that matte-" Yuzuru was cut off by Alan.
"Yuzuru, I want you to move your hand," Alan's eyes searched every move he made, "and take off the gloves." Yuzuru's eyes went wide and his hands shook, but still he grit his teeth and opened them fully, tentatively he tried to remove the glove before hissing in pain when the glove seemed to stick.
"The gloves melted to his skin," M blankly observed, while a few others tried not to gag.
Teary-eyed, Yuzuru nodded, "you're right, I did it."
"Let's go over the events to make sure before we vote," I then begin to summarize the events of the murder, "first Yuzuru goes to the laundry room to change his clothes, and update his image. Then he went to the storage room where he was going to talk to Grant in private, but Grant instead insults Yuzuru, causing Yuzuru to try and kill him. The attack soon turns into a fight between the two, leading to Yuzuru being injured and both gaining the poison burns. Disoriented by what happened Yuzuru poorly tries to cover his act by changing back into his old clothes and washing up in the baths- around this time should be where the erased name comes in to discover the corpse and loot the body. Next Yuzuru went into the incinerator to burn the leftover evidence. And lastly he gets the idea to frame Alan by tampering with the log-out book."
"That's right," Yuzuru admitted solemnly, "you left out a few details, but overall that's what happened."
"Looking back on it, you didn't plan things out to well did you," Evan observed.
"Yeah, I was going off of adrenaline to get things done," Yuzuru said, "I figured I could come up with a good cover story later."
"You mean you came up with all of that on the spot?" Kenta tone was impressed.
"Debating is my strongest skill," Yuzuru crossed his arms, looking down on us, "I can assure you right now had my opponent not been the ultimate lawyer, you would never have suspected me."
"Yuzuru, you certainly are an ultimate debater, it was a honor to go against you," Evan said all formal, the lawyer was coming out of his high of almost being pushed to the max.
"But why did you kill him?" Haruna's asked.
"Fine, the reason I killed him was because he was a jerk," Yuzuru said stiffly, "he insulted me on something he shouldn't have even touched."
"What did he say? Was it really that bad?"
"I went to ask him some advice and he told me I was gross and immoral," Yuzuru voice trailed off as he explained, "he ridiculed something I trusted to him, and then even had the guts to insult my friend!"
"That's terrible, but so is killing someone," Yoshiki scolded.
"I'm gay!" Yuzuru shouted suddenly, everyone went silent, waiting to see where this leads, "I told him and he insulted me, and I got angry, a-" Yuzuru sniffled,"and he was dead, and I don't know," Yuzuru sobbed, "everyone always made fun of me back then so I got mad, angrier than I ever been, but I didn't mean to kill him." I felt bad just letting him cry while I was standing right next to him, so of course I had to say something.
"It's ok, Yuzuru, we know you wouldn't kill someone unless it got really bad."
"Ok! It's voting time," Monokuma proclaimed, and everyone choose their answer, "that's right, Yuzuru Taoka is the blackened!"
"Thanks Sanyu, thanks for stickin' with me even when it turned out I killed someone," Yuzuru went to shake my hand then remembered the pain it would cause and moved it back, "haaa... I might as well tell you, I think you're cute, and I like you," Yuzuru confessed shyly, "good night- I mean- bye Sanyu," With that Yuzuru was dragged down the execution tunnel, waving as he went.
"Yuzuru had a crush on me?" I whispered slowly, I honestly didn't know how to feel, I hadn't had anyone like me before. We also barely knew each other, maybe with more time, but that's not going to happen now. Honestly I felt a little guilty, if I had noticed I could have prevented this...
"It's not your fault," Akira said, coming up behind me, "it was up to Yuzuru to tell you, not for you to discover," what she said did make me feel better, but not by much. I look at the bracelet Yuzuru gave me, it felt like months ago, but in truth only a day or two had passed since he gave it, and now he was about to die. The Mono-teachers came up behind us, and corralled us to a dark open space.
The Spider's Bedtime Story
Yuzuru is snatched by eight long mechanical legs onto a beautifully decorated bed, its quilts and wood decorated with the delicacy of a spider's thin web, Lace draped around Yuzuru like a funeral parlor designed by a mourning widow. Tragically, the beauty was broken by Yuzuru quickly being spun around, becoming wrapped entirely by a white sheet, and tied to the mattresses. Then with a sudden jerk, the bed was started down a cover belt leading to a large crusher. It's stomping rhythm, seem to shake the building with anticipation. Along the sides were the Monokumas, softly jeering and singing slurs in time with the reverberations. All the while Yuzuru had been squirming for freedom from the cocoon, finally he managed to free his head with a gasp, just to see the block right over him. Crushed with a large splat of blood. The Monokumas' voices start to die down, bemoaning the moth who had flown into the spider's web hidden by the bright lights just behind.
It was a horrible thing to witness in person, my pity for the original kids put through this only heightened. I looked around trying to distract myself by seeing others reactions. It varied from tears to fear to nothing, and once the act was done we all were allowed to leave the area. Back in the trial room was the announcer Mono-teacher distributing keys.
"These are your dorm keys, once you get back you're welcome to sleep to your heart's content," he yelled, tossing the keys at random to everyone. Not wanting to lose my key, I instead go up to him to receive it, Veliah joining me.
"I can't help but notice you're different than the other Mono-teachers," Veliah said, "you speak with more clarity and intention."
The Mono-teacher's expression was unreadable due to the mascot head, "How I act doesn't matter so long as I serve the real mastermind." Veliah 'tsks' at the answer as she swiped her key and left.
"Every one of you guys keep mentioning the 'real mastermind' what does that mean?" I ask, the announcer Mono-teacher leaned closer.
"I can't say, besides I'm not going to be around much longer anyways," The announcer Mono-teacher laughed quietly, "because I've been found out, and now the 'real mastermind' is set to neutralize me." Ok? I avoid eye contact and quickly leave, when I find my room everyone else is already getting into bed.
For some odd reason I can't help but say, "Good night everyone..."
"Night Sanyu," I hear a mumbled reply behind me.
I checked around my new room, observing the decor or rather lack of. This room was not the one I woke up in, as the bathroom door didn't jam and actually did have a lock on it, this must have been one of the girls. It didn't matter what room I got, I'm to tired to even care. Flopping I got ready to sleep when "ow!" I jerked my head up after feeling something rigid and sharp stab me from the pillow. I pick it up only to see nothing under it, so I began to pat the thing over, wincing when I felt it jab me again, It was inside the pillow. Taking off the pillow case I fiddled with the thing until I found a weakly stitched up hole and stuck my hand in and pulling out a key? (An oddly shaped one too, it had a monokuma head on the end) taking it I went to the bathroom door finding that the key fit. Maybe it was a extra room key? Going outside, I locked the door behind me, and used the new key, luckily I was right. The original owner of this room must have had a back up key incase they ever lost theirs, and the Mono-teachers must have missed it because it was hidden. I looked at the bracelet Yuzuru gave me, the bareness of it getting to me, I untie it and slip the new key on. This way I won't lose it, and I get a stylish bracelet. Going back in I flopped on the bed, absent of sharp objects, I quickly fell asleep.
Masayuki Hisakawa (M)- alive
Yukihiro Yamika- alive
Akira Nishihara- alive
Haruna takahashi- alive
Veliah Kazeto- alive
Yoshiki Kaiza- alive
Alan Wikly- alive
Sanyu Mochida- alive
Yuzuru Taoka- deceased- Beta Reader!
Kenta Yuuta- alive
James Guzman- alive
Evan Halen- alive
Danny Walker- alive
Kojiro Ryuhisa- alive
Grant Kingsmen- deceased- Me!
Merry... Crisis... Well case 1 is done! But that doesn't mean it should be forgotten, I will be making call backs 'til the very end! Also, if you don't like the Monokuma AI, then don't worry it only shows up for trials, it's mostly there to direct in some Divine intervention way! Oh and when your character dies I will credit you as the creator, I just think it would be a fun little nod at you guys! (But that doesn't matter yet since Yuzuru and grant were made by me and my Beta Reader (who is my sister)... Lol)
Beta Notes: my son's dead guys and so am i rest in pepperonis yuzuru
I have a question for you guys: if you had to put a song to your character for their execution, what would it be?