Select someone!
Yurika
Shinri
Hanako
Yoru
Toshiya
Homura
Masato
Rea
Tomoe
Ainosuke (dead)
Yuyami
Isamu
Kikoi
Noriko
Mizuki
Ekorin
"IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN YOU!"
"There is only one person who could have set all of this up…and it's the one person who is no longer with us."
Shinri must have inhaled air at the wrong moment, because he doubles over from coughing. The others have similar reactions. Some, like Hanako, are just blinking owlishly, taking in the new info, others, like Isamu, are just staring at me with an open mouth. And then there is Homura.
"Um, what the fuck? Last time I checked, dude was as dead as a fucking dodo."
However, I'm not about to have my theory brought into question again. "This entire time, we have been thinking the perpetrator of this trap and the culprit are the same person. But if you start thinking about them as two different individuals, things suddenly get a whole lot more interesting. For example, you get the possibility that Ainosuke may have been the one to set up that trap!"
…Looking at their faces, I can tell there is another debate coming.
NON-STOP DEBATE!
-
Bullet: Glitter pen
-
Tomoe: What the fuck?
Tomoe: We just got some crazy-ass theory from you…
Tomoe: And now you're saying Ainosuke came up with it?
Noriko: There is no way Ainosuke is the perpetrator.
Noriko: It just can't.
Noriko: He couldn't even have written that note!
Yuyami: Yeah, no guy would ever write something that girly.
Rea: It's fascinating, really…
Rea: …just how blind bias can make you.
"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"
At this point, no one is surprised by my sudden shouts anymore, so I just immediately debunk her argument. "I have physical proof that Ainosuke was the one to write that note. See how the paper is written with pink ink?"
Without waiting for their answers, I pull up the picture from my E-Book. "You can see right here…that Ainosuke has a pen with pink ink! Obviously, he had to be the one to write that note."
Noriko looks more than offended. "That proves nothing! It could be a coincidence!"
I can't help but snort loudly. "Yeah, he just so happens to have brought a pen with pink ink for no reason during the night that someone was lured to their supposed death with a note that has been written in pink ink. Yup, totally legit."
"If Ainosuke truly wrote that note, it would make perfect sense for him to be involved in the other preparations. A letter telling someone to head for the rooftop perfectly aligns with a trap that was specifically designed to be used on the rooftop." Toshiya continues. "It's not a bad idea to consider the fact that multiple people have been involved in this. It could be that his plan was found out and someone decided to eliminate him before he could do it to someone else."
I nod. I don't like to admit it either, but we must accept it to go on. "So, with this evidence, I'm pretty sure we can conclude- "
"I'LL CRITICIZE YOUR LOGIC!"
Wha- what the fuck!? Shinri!?
I instinctively take a step aside. Shinri is glaring at me with fire in his eyes. "You can't just go and decide that on a whim! Have you any idea how much impact carelessness will have? Here, I'll prove your theory wrong!"
Crap! Lame shout or not, Shinri has a strong voice, compelling arguments and a talent for swaying people to his side. If I don't destroy his argument, everyone will end up against me! I won't let that happen!
REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN
-
Blade: List of bought items
-
Shinri: You need to stop 'proving' your/ theories with just one piece of evidence!
Shinri: There are a hundred ways/ that pen could have gotten there.
Shinri: He could have/ held onto it for the killer…
Shinri: Or have it planted on/ him by the culprit!
Advance!
You're right that my ideas are based on one piece of evidence. :Yurika
But that doesn't mean my ideas shouldn't be given any thought. :Yurika
Shinri: That just proves/ my point!
Shinri: There is no other evidence/ that he was the one to make that trap!
Shinri: If you really are so certain he made/ that trap…
Shinri: Where is the/ other evidence?
Shinri: Are there traces of/ wood snippers on his clothes?
Shinri: Did anyone see him sneaking/ around with something sharp?
Shinri: HELL, THERE IS NO PROVE THAT HE OR ANYONE/ ELSE COULD HAVE SHARPENED THOSE STAKES!
"I'LL CUT THROUGH YOUR ARGUMENT!"
I give him a small smile. "You're right. I don't have proof that Ainosuke was the one to cut the brooms."
He triumphally grins at everyone. "See? I was right! She-"
"But Hanako does."
His grin falters as everyone first looks at me, then at Hanako.
"What?"
Isamu is equally confused, just like others.
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"Don't say 'what' too!" Isamu hisses at Hanako, who looks confused at me. "I'm serious! What?"
It takes every inch of my body not to sigh loudly. "The paper? The list? That you gathered?"
A light goes on in her head, I can almost see it. With a grin, she reaches in her bra and pulls out the paper. "That's right! I almost forgot about this!"
"You forgot something in your bra?" Yuyami snickers. "You sure there isn't anything else in there you lost?"
"Nah, just this awesome list of everything bought at the Kumachrome shop!" Hanako laughs. It most certainly gets everyone's attention.
"Now that is unexpectedly helpful. If something sharp was bought at the Kumachrome store, we may be closer to the truth than we thought. Looks like you do have some brains in there." Mizuki muses. Hanako glares and huffs in response.
"You better believe this pink-haired brainiac just saved the day! That'll teach you all not to underestimate my genius mind!"
"Just read the damn list." Isamu urges. Hanako rolls her eyes. "Sure, sure. Now, let's see…"
Her eyes go over the list, taking in every word. To my surprise, it's much longer than I expected. Just how much time did she spend making this?
Eventually, she stops at one line. She seems to read it over and over again as her face pales. "Oh…you guys may not like this."
"What's it say?" Masato asks.
"…Let's just say, Yurika's theory suddenly got a lot more substance…"
"Does…does that mean it's true?" Yoru asks with a small voice. "Ainosuke really tried to kill me?"
The runner swallows and continues. "It says everything right here. Yesternight, just before night-time, Ainosuke bought a pocketknife, superglue and the two grappling guns. Spend a lot of money on it too, as if he was saving it…"
My chest tightens. I actually hoped I was wrong. That there was a different outcome. Because, now I have to imagine creepy but sweet Ainosuke being driven to murder and failing.
"Well, that does it." Toshiya says. "As hard as it is, we have no other choice but to accept the facts. Ainosuke was the only one who had the time, chance and materials to set this up. But we cannot dwell on this. We need to figure out who thwarted his plans and how."
"Seems pretty simple to me." Homura smirks. "Yoru said he bumped into someone. That someone must have run to the rooftop and pushed Ainosuke over."
Ekorin lightly strokes her hair. "Then, who was it? Who pushed Yoru aside?"
Rea chuckles. "It's a one in five chance. Just pick a patroller. Anyone wanna gamble with me?"
Noriko steps back and presses a hand to her chest. "Excuse me!?"
The strategist rolls her eyes. "If any of the others tried to kill him, don't you think they would have been seen at some point? Wake up. If anyone killed Aino, it would have been one of you five. Stop lying to yourself. Unless you are our killer and you are just acting sympathetic to gain our trust and win brownie points."
She wants to argue back, I can see it in her eyes. But her strength seems to have left her body. All she can do is angrily wipe away her tears.
"I'm not…"
To my surprise, Tomoe sticks up for her. "Yoru managed to sneak past us though. Why couldn't anyone else have?"
"Yoru didn't succeed completely, or do you have a hole in your brain?" Rea sneers at him. "Or are you saying you all were incompetent enough to fail at the one job you had? Go on, I'm listening."
…Bitch. Though I have to admit, if there is anyone who could have done this, it would be one of those five...but to find out who…
NON-STOP DEBATE!
-
Bullet: Noriko's account
-
Noriko: None of us did it…no one…
Noriko: Why do you not understand!?
Isamu: Maybe it's because you don't have any proof to back your claim?
Hanako: Hey Mizuki, now it's time for alibi's, like you wanted at the beginning of this trial!
Mizuki: …I guess…
Hanako: I'll go first!
Hanako: I never went into the dormitory after 11.00 pm.
Tomoe: Same thing to me.
Kikoi: I-I…had…t-the…
Masato: While we were guarding the area around the dormitory…
Masato: …Nothing special happened.
Masato: And I stuck the whole time to my route!
Homura: Damn. How will we find out who is lying?
"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"
My hands clamp around the railing as I look straight at Masato. "What are you saying? According to Noriko's testament, not only did you bump into Yuyami and made sure he went back to his room, but you also crashed into something during the night. You even said you went back to your room to change."
-Flashback-
Masato nods. "And then we would regroup two times during the night, to report on everything that happened. I ran into a trashcan at one point, so I missed the second meeting while I was changing."
-Flashback-
The marine biologist frowns. "Alright, so I forgot I knocked over a trashcan and went back to change. Sue me. What's so wrong about it? Did you want me to walk the rest of my patrol in dirty, stinking clothes?"
"No, but it did give you two, no, three chances to bump into Yoru that night." I say. He stares back at me.
"Are you accusing me?"
My fingernails drill into my palms. "No, I'm breaking through the contradictions. You said you never went off your route. Noriko's testimony just disproves that. Either you really forgot…or you are lying."
Masato seems irritated. "Okay, sure, I forgot. And? None of what you just said paints me as a potential suspect."
Yuyami nods. "Yeah, I can confirm the part about me. We walked to my room together and I even got him to stay a while. I have energy drinks in my rooms, so I thought it would help. Kikoi was staying near the stairs, waiting for him, so he eventually left with an extra for his girlfriend-"
"K-Kikoi is not my girlfriend!" Masato denies a little too quick for my liking.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Any case, he went out of the dormitory, I know cuz I watched him leave before returning to my room. Not entirely sure what time that was, but I went to sleep at 1.00 am, so it should have been before that."
-
New bullet: Yuyami's account
-
"But there is still a timeframe in which he could have bumped into Yoru, so he is still suspicious." Mizuki points out, to the annoyance of the fisher boy.
"Oh come on! Yurika makes some weird theory and everyone believes her, but I even have someone to back me up and nobody believes me?"
"Yurika's theories, embarrassingly enough, ended up having tons of proof. You only have the word of a guy who can't even give a solid alibi for you." Isamu remarks.
Masato grips the railing a little tighter, as his next words seemed to be spewed up like poison. "What kind of alibi does Toshiya have for being at the scene of crime before anyone else?"
Toshiya blinks in surprise as the people around him stare at him. "Huh? But I thought we had already resolved-"
Shinri cuts him off. "It's not like we ever got proof that the sound you heard was real. You're still suspicious!"
Isamu nods. "I agree, you being there at the scene of crime is still something that cannot be ignored."
Hanako looks like she's about to explode. "Really? You're still going after him like that even after everything!?"
"What are you guys, blind? We are interrogating Masato here, not Toshiya!" Mizuki yells at them in annoyance.
"And? That doesn't give him a free pass." Noriko scowls. "If we are going to suspect anyone, we should take everyone into consideration."
"Wow, favoritism much? Terribly sorry we're not part of your super-special patrol group." Yuyami drawls sarcastically.
Tomoe rolls his eyes. "And yet you guys insist on going after the patrol. Don't be hypocrites."
"Guys! Please stop! Don't fight! We won't solve a thing like this!" Yoru shouts. Masato glares at him.
"And yet you're perfectly fine with accusing me, are you? Kikoi, we-"
But to my surprise, Kikoi shakes her head. "No. I'm so, so, sorry. But I know Toshiya is not our guy. And thus, if it means reaching the truth, I will oppose you."
"Jesus fuck, this is starting to annoy me. You guys are pretty much split in the middle of this shit! Just get to a conclusion already!" Homura yells impatiently.
I want about to try again and shoot down everyone's arguments, but then, Monokuma barges into our discussion.
"NOW HOLD ON!"
Huh? What does he want?
"What? Did I say something-"
Homura couldn't even finish her sentence as Monokuma talks right over her.
"My, my, you guys sure seem to be split about this issue. Luckily for you, I have exactly what you guys need! I present: The Morphing Trial Grounds!"
Mizuki raises a wary eyebrow. "Morphing Trial Grounds?"
Rea practically squeals. "No way, these stands can do something else than look antique and boring? And here I thought the trial room was nothing more but a badly-designed excuse to raise tension while throwing in some aesthetics!"
…In any case, I need to convince everyone that Toshiya isn't the culprit. I don't care how much arguing it's going to take, I will reach the truth!
Kumachrome pulls a lever next to him and from underneath the throne, metal rises up. Monokuma takes out a pretty key and puts it in what I guess is a keyhole. The moment he twists, colored lights spring all over the metal. One by one, the stands light up.
Whoa!
I almost yell in surprise when my stand suddenly moves, raising towards the sky. I anxiously hold tight onto the railing as we rise higher and higher. Then, I stop, and I look up to see Masato, Shinri, Isamu, Tomoe, Noriko and Rea standing on the opposite of me. I look to my side and see Hanako, Yuyami, Mizuki, Yoru and Kikoi lined up next to me. I look down and see Toshiya and Homura still on the ground.
"Yo, what the fuck? Why did my stand not fucking move up there!? That's fucking awesome as shit!"
"You and Toshiya didn't take an active side. As such, you're excluded from the debate."
Toshiya? But why…no, it doesn't matter if he believes in himself or not. I won't yield. If he won't prove to those idiots he is innocent, I will!
With a deep breath, I ready myself on the stand…and stare ignorance in its face!
SCRUM DEBATE START!
Shinri: Toshiya has no solid alibi!
"Mizuki!"
Masato has no solid alibi either, and is much more suspicious: Mizuki
Isamu: Toshiya's presence at the crime scene is too blatant to ignore.
"Hanako!"
Masato was early at the crime scene too, I saw it with my own eyes!: Hanako
Tomoe: He could have made up the sound and killed him.
"Yoru!"
Ainosuke died during the night, so Toshiya couldn't have killed him!: Yoru
Noriko: Toshiya could have still found a way, he is smart enough to avoid us.
"Yuyami!"
Doesn't matter if he's smart, it's kind of impossible to get past you guys: Yuyami
Masato: Toshiya has to be the culprit, there is no one else who can!
"Kikoi!"
Yes, someone else can be the culprit, if we stop letting bias cloud our judgement!: Kikoi
Rea: If we continue on, the truth will become more and more painful. Are you sure you want that?
"My turn!"
I don't care if the truth becomes painful, because otherwise we will all die!: Yurika
"THIS IS OUR ANSWER!"
And with that, the debate is over. While Masato is still furious and Noriko is still holding firmly onto her standpoint, Shinri, Tomoe and Isamu seem to have given up on proving us wrong. Seeing the debate is over, Monokuma takes the key back out and the stands lower to the ground.
Sweet, sweet ground never leave me!
Shinri secures himself next to me and sighes. "I guess you've made your point. Even if Toshiya doesn't have proof for his appearance at the scene of crime, he isn't likely to have killed him. Seems I was right about him being a red herring."
Isamu still doesn't seem over it. "But why was he unconscious when we arrived? That still doesn't make any sense."
Toshiya coughs in embarrassment. "I…didn't want to tell, but I guess I have no choice now. The truth is…I have hemophobia. A…pretty extreme version of it. If I see blood, even a little bit, I will faint on the spot. It was the reason I was unqualified to become a detective."
Mizuki studies him intently. "Any proof to back up your claim? Any medical forms?"
Toshiya winces. "I…have no idea where my medical id got to, if the guards were here I could ask for them…"
"Yo Kumachrome, care to help out?" Homura glances at the bear.
Rea rolls her eyes. "Tsk, why do it the long and boring way when you can do this?"
Before any of us can even begin to stop her, she rips out a pin from…somewhere…and stabs her hand with it. Blood trickles down her hand and drips onto her stand. Toshiya's eyes go wide as his body starts shaking uncontrollably. His breathing becomes slowly but surely heavier, but he seems unable to rip his eyes away from her hand. Then, he freezes, and he falls backwards. A loud thud sounds through the courtroom.
For a few seconds, I'm frozen in my spot. But then, my legs move and, in an instant, I'm at his side.
"Toshiya!"
My voice sounds foreign. I grab his shoulders, anything to wake him up. Suddenly, someone harshly shoves me aside. Voices go through my head, but none of them catch on. Until Mizuki speaks.
"…It's true. His reaction is valid. Toshiya does have indeed hemophobia."
I look up and see her crouching next to Toshiya, examining her. She looks back at me. "Terribly sorry for pushing you aside, but I needed room to check. He'll be alright, but he might take a while before he wakes up. In the meantime, we should treat Rea's injury." She doesn't seem truly sorry, but I don't care. I'm happy the only person I somewhat trust here is okay.
"Yes, please, cover it. Oh god, I didn't think you'd actually be so stupid to…" Shinri doesn't even finish his sentence as he covers his mouth.
"Well, you wanted proof, here you have it. Happy?" From Rea's voice, I can tell just how indifferent she is about it. As if just straight up stabbing herself isn't such a big deal. It makes me wonder just how fucked up in the head she is.
Ekorin takes a handkerchief from her pocket and hurries over to Rea, fussing over her injury. She wraps it around her hand and secures it. "Don't worry about returning it to me. I have plenty."
I get up from the ground and walk back to my stand. I see Tomoe helping Mizuki gently laying Toshiya down in a more comfortable way. It seems I am not going to get any help from him for the rest of the trial. Damn it…just when I proved your innocence, you just had to faint on me. Guess I have to do the rest myself as well.
"In any case, I think we can all agree now that Toshiya is innocent. If he was the culprit, he wouldn't go to the crime scene, where he would be knocked unconscious." I say.
Isamu sighs loudly. "I suppose it is hard to argue with…this."
He then turns to Masato, looking directly into his eyes. "So, Masato, shall we begin exploring your alibi?"
Masato at this point looks like he's going to freak out at any moment. "What? Why?"
Tomoe grunts. "Because Hanako brought up a good point during our debate. I clearly saw you walking with Kikoi to the gym, but next time I see you, which isn't even much later, you're sprinting back to the school on your own. Thought you'd have forgotten something, but it's really suspicious that you're the second person to discover the body."
Huh…now that's interesting…
"Well, I did forget something! I-I forgot I accidentally dropped a pin in the cafeteria, so I went back. But then I heard something from behind the school and saw Toshiya lying next to Ainosuke. I have nothing to do with this!"
…He is lying. I can hear it in his voice. But if I don't choose my words carefully, we'll keep going in circles. Looks like I have to be very careful about this. Maybe I need to use someone else's words for this…
NON-STOP DEBATE!
-
Absorbed bullet: Trashcans near the school
-
Masato: I didn't kill Ainosuke!
Masato: I just wanted to find my pin!
Yuyami: Hate to say it, but that sounds very unbelievable.
Tomoe: Fucking liar. Just admit you did it!
Masato: I'm not lying! I'm telling the truth!
Rea: Even about the rest of the night?
Rea: Yuyami's testimony, your crash-in with the trashcans near the school? You going back to change?
Masato: Yes! Because none of it even remotely ties me to this crime!
"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"
I never thought I would even come to day I agree with Rea so soon. And I hope the next time isn't anytime soon.
"Rea just said something really interesting. Apparently, the trashcans are located near the school, but you clearly said your route wasn't anywhere near the school building. How come you crashed into them?"
The fisherman is practically sweating at this point. "…I went to the toilet and when I came back, I crashed into them. Happy?"
"Oh Yurika, I'm honored you're using my argument for your theories. But you've got to be a little more thorough when it comes to mindgames." Rea drawls, before turning to Noriko. "Say, Black Swan, when did you hear the sound that supposedly came from Merman?"
Noriko is a bit put off by the nickname, but then decided to answer anyways. "…Somewhere around midnight. And…Ainosuke, Kikoi and Masato were missing for the 2.00 pm meeting."
Hanako can barely contain her grin as she turns to Masato and strokes her chin. "Hmmm…"
Isamu looks proud as he concludes the crime. "So, after Yuyami bumps into Masato, he escorts him back to his room. When he leaves, he bumps into Yoru, who drops his note. Masato, realizing someone is trying to kill him, decides to intervene and heads for the rooftop, where he meets Ainosuke. After what I presume is a struggle, Masato manages to push Ainosuke off the roof, into his trap. Masato runs back down, reassures everyone what they heard was just him running into trashcans and runs to his room, either to fix any injuries or clothing damage, or just to cope with the fact he murdered someone. Case closed."
"Good job team!" Shinri flashes a smile at everyone, especially me.
Homura cheers. "Looks like we ain't dying tonight!"
"But Masato will." Ekorin points out. The mood immediately dampens from her words, until Kikoi of all people speaks up.
"Masato…please, I beg of you. Don't…don't do this. Please tell them the truth." Tears are already threatening to leak from her eyes. "Let me…"
But Masato shakes his head with a small smile. "I couldn't."
Thirteen pair of eyes focus on him as he takes a deep breath and sighs. "You guys…are right. I am the killer of Ainosuke." He says with a mournful smile.
Kikoi slaps her hands for her mouth as she silently begins to cry. But no one is focused on her anymore. Deep from within, curiosity stirs with me. Why did he do it?
"Why?" Noriko almost chokes out. "Why would you do this?"
"Because…I didn't want him to hurt anyone. And…he wouldn't back down. I had no other choice. I intended to tell you guys about it this morning, but then Monokuma explained the rest of the killing game and I became scared. I'm sorry."
Yoru almost seems to burst into tears. "You…you should have just let me go. Then you wouldn't have to…"
Masato flashes him a sad smile. "Don't say that after all the trouble I went through to protect you. Did you know how hard it was to find the keys to the door to the rooftop?"
Huh? What is he saying?
It doesn't cheer him up, but he nods. It seems Masato confession took everyone's breath away. But Rea only smiles and leans on her stand. "So, that's it? We all came to a conclusion?"
"I think we have." Mizuki simply states.
"Damn it, dude." Homura grumbles. "You fucked up for yourself."
Masato laughs, but it's empty. "I guess I did."
Rea sighs loudly. "Aw man, and here I hoped the game would continue on. Oh well, I had fun while it lasted."
…Is it really over? Masato's confession checks out, but I still feel like we're missing puzzle pieces. Why did Masato decide to go back to the body this morning? It kind of fucked him over in the end. Is it just stupidity, or there more to it? And what he just said right now…
Still thinking it over, I absentmindedly put my hands in the pocket of my pants. I just fumble around, until something sharp stings me.
"Ow!"
Ekorin and Shinri jump at my sudden shout. "Hey, you okay?" He asks.
"Yeah, just, touched something sharp…"
My hand closes around the sharp object and I take it out of my pocket. When I open my palm, a tiny shard of glass rests there. "Glass…"
My mind rushes back to the glass and plastic I found near the body. Is it possible…
"Hey, Homura, can you examine one last thing for me?" I ask, desperate to keep my voice steady. The punk looks at me with an interested and surprised expression. "More glass? Sure, bring it over here, makes me feel useful here."
Careful not to trip over Toshiya's unconscious body, I walk over to Homura and hand her the tiny piece of glass. She brings it to her face, turning it around between her fingers. "It's so fucking tiny…but this is not the first time I've seen glass like this. My best guess is that…it comes from a pair of glasses."
Shinri raises his hands. "Not mine, I'm very careful with them. Haven't broken them for years."
Kikoi raises an eyebrow. "You have multiple?"
He huffs. "Yeah, the one I wear now and a spare. But the spare is in my room and unbroken."
"Yurika, where did you find it?" Mizuki ask. I take another deep breath.
"Just near Ainosuke's body. There were multiple shards, but I only took one. I guess someone must have dropped a pair of glasses there. And I'm pretty sure it's not from one of the guards. I don't know how Monokuma disposed of them, but I'm pretty sure he would thoroughly clean the scene."
Tomoe clicks with his tongue. "You sure about that?"
"Hey, hey, hey! I have you know I am one very tidy and neatly bear, you know! To do something so sloppy as to litter on the grass is too OOC for me! Rika's right, the glass came from one of you delinquents!" Monokuma objects, flailing his stubby arms around.
Yuyami scratches his head. "But Shinri's the only one with glasses…are you telling me he did it?"
…No…
NON-STOP DEBATE!
-
Bullet: Piece of black plastic
-
Hanako: Wait, hold up, didn't Masato already confess?
Masato: Yes, I have. I have no idea why we're discussing this.
Homura: Well, my fucking eyes say this glass is from some glasses.
Homura: And if they aren't from Shinri, who are they from?
Yuyami: Could it all have been one red herring?
Shinri: I don't know why those are there, but they aren't from me!
Isamu: Still, it's very suspicious…
Isamu: Are you sure you don't have proof?
"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"
I quickly show Shinri the photo before Isamu can even try to shut down my argument. "If the glass is from a pair of glasses, then this piece of black plastic must be from the frame. Do you recognize it?"
He shakes his head. "Like I said, not mine. My glasses have thin rims and this plastic must be from thick rims."
Isamu frowns at him. "How can we trust your words?"
"Because he told me he can't see without his glasses." I interrupt.
-Flashback-
"I don't know what to do in this situation. It's like…walking without glasses to me. Everything is blurry, it's hard to focus and it's making me dizzy. It's…insane."
-Flashback-
Shinri nods. "I can proof it by taking my glasses off, but I'd prefer it if you guys would take my word for it. I need those glasses to see. And if we go by the fact that the only time I could have dropped them was during the murder, how the hell could I have gotten back if I constantly wear them to see? I would have bumped into the first patroller. Hell, I probably wouldn't have even made it that far."
Then…that means I'm right. And if I'm right…than that means…
Masato's laugh is shaky but manages to cut off the debate anyways. "Oh, come on guys, I already confessed. What more do you want from me? Look, I know you guys want to make sure no turn is left unturned, but…I have already accepted the fact I'm going to die. The glass is probably nothing more than a coincidence. I know this is hard, but we have to accept the facts. It's time to end this."
What…do I do? Should I…call him out? Or should I just go along?
…No, I have gotten so far, I need to finish this! Masato is right, it's time to end this!
"Hold up Masato. Before we do that, I need to ask you something."
The fisherman blinks in surprise, but then smiles. "Anything you want."
"What happened to the pole?"
"Pole?"
"Yes, the one we discussed at the beginning. Mizuki mentioned it was gone, no one's found it, and its purpose was still unclear."
"Well…I brought it with me as a defense weapon. I used to knock Ainosuke off the roof. I left it on the roof. You probably all missed it."
I nod at his words. "I see…and, didn't you say you locked the door to the rooftop with the keys you found? Where did you get them?"
Masato bites his lips, choosing his words carefully before answering. "In the storage room. It was buried under some stuff, so Mizuki and Ekorin probably didn't know about it."
"And both of these statements are the truth, are they?"
He frowns at me. "Yes. Why are you asking me all this?"
I can't help smirking. He fell right into my trap. "I just thought it was funny…considering the door to the rooftop doesn't have a lock."
He flinches from my words and Yoru chimes in. "That's right! Now that I think about it, I never saw a keyhole in the door! How can you unlock a door when there is no lock to begin with?"
Hanako blinks. "But you said the door was locked. So how did that happen?"
Masato struggles to find an answer. "Well…I…uh…"
I know the answer. It's…
-
Bullet: Pole
-
"The true killer used the pole to block the door! It opens from the inside, so if you firmly place the pole between the handle and the wall, you can block it. That's why Yoru couldn't open it."
Masato laughs nervously. "H-haha, yeah, that's right. I used the pole for that! See, nothing wrong after all…"
Shinri won't have any of it however. "Then why didn't you claim so in the first place? If you are the culprit, you certainly would remember such a thing. You even made up a story for the key that never existed."
The trial room erupts into murmurs, but Rea catches my eye. "You finally realized, have you? The true culprit in this case. The only one who had the chance to do it, who could have defeated Ainosuke and who dropped the glasses."
…She is right. I know. I-I don't want to call out that person. But…I have to do it. For them…and for myself.
Select someone!
Yurika
Shinri
Hanako
Yoru
Toshiya
Homura
Masato
Rea
Tomoe
Ainosuke (dead)
Yuyami
Isamu
Kikoi
Noriko
Mizuki
Ekorin
"IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN YOU!"
"Everyone! Shut the fuck up!" I yell as loud as I can. All eyes turn to me. I ball my fists. "The person who really killed Ainosuke…is Kikoi."
Kikoi pales considerably. "I-I…"
"Don't deny it. You're the only who Masato would go so far for to protect. So far…he would mess with the crime scene and pin the blame on himself. All just to save you."
"Mess…with the crime scene?" Ekorin repeats.
"Ah, you mean the sound Toshiya heard, don't you?" Rea playfully says. "I had been wondering about that. Could it be that instead of making the sound that was heard during the night, Masato made a sound during the day?"
"Sound? What kind of sound?" Yuyami asks.
"Hm, maybe the sound of the body crashing onto the ground? Theoretically, it could be that instead of Ainosuke immediately dropping to the ground, the window and the ropes were strong enough to keep him in the air." Shinri mumbles loud enough for everyone to hear.
"And then during the day, he untied the ropes from the hooks and hid them. That's what made the second sound." Isamu continues his train of thought.
"Hold up you guys!" Noriko suddenly shouts. "We're talking about Kikoi here! The shy girl who wouldn't hurt a fly."
Homura winches. "I…wouldn't say that. She hurt me pretty badly when I was facing off Monokuma."
Yuyami agrees. "Yeah, I'm not forgetting her flip anytime soon."
Kikoi herself seems on the point of breaking down. I hate to do this, but someone must be the one to-
"YOUR THEORY HOLDS NO WATER!"
Masato's sudden shout surprises me. Fire is in his eyes as he glares at me. "Liar! You're just trying to make this harder for me, don't you! I was the one who killed Ainosuke!"
He is delusional! If I want to break through with him, I need to destroy his counterargument.
REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN
-
Blade: Hanako's account
-
Masato: I was the one/ who killed Ainosuke!
Masato: So what if I messed /up on one little detail?
Masato: That doesn't make/ all the other evidence invalid!
Masato: Making the jump from me/ to Kikoi is too far!
Masato: So stop ganging/ up on her!
Advance!
A lot of the evidence that points to you can also be applied to Kikoi :Yurika
And you wouldn't have made such a mistake if you were the true killer :Yurika
Masato: Still, that doesn't/ change anything!
Masato: I'm not an accomplish, I am/ a murderer!
Masato: I couldn't have been/ the one to mess up the crime scene this morning!
Masato: I wouldn't have had/ the chance to do so!
"I'LL CUT THROUGH YOUR ARGUMENT!"
"You did have a chance to do so. When you went out this morning, probably to get to the crime scene before anyone else did, you ran into Hanako, who was standing guard. After the morning announcement, you went with her, Homura and Toshiya to the cafeteria. There, you excused yourself to go to the toilet. I bet that was the moment when you could run to the rooftop and undo the knots. And that's when Toshiya heard the sound." I explain to him.
Hanako lightens up in recognition. "Yeah, that's right! I was wondering where you had gone off to, but I just thought you were still peeing. Should have seen that as suspicious, considering guys don't take that long to pee…"
Isamu quickly takes over the conversation, flushing red. "Well, that does leave quite the window of time open."
Tomoe nods. "And I'm betting when everyone split up to search for those two, you took your chance to mess up the crime scene even further. That's why you were running so hard. Bet you didn't get many chances though, Hanako and Yurika were right on your tail."
But Masato doesn't budge. "N-no, this can't be…it can't…she can't be…I'll prove it!"
…I'm sorry…
NON-STOP DEBATE!
-
Bullet: Yuyami's account
-
Masato: She can't be the killer.
Masato: She can't…
Isamu: What's your evidence?
Masato: S-she…couldn't have bumped into Yoru.
Masato: S-so she couldn't have known where to go…
Masato: Please…believe me…
Masato: Just vote me already!
"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"
"I'm so sorry Masato…but your own words contradict your statement. You said you and Kikoi were patrolling the dorms. Yuyami said he bumped into you and got escorted back before 1 am. It's very much possible Kikoi ran into Yoru while you were distracted with him."
He barely reacts to my words. At this point, tears are streaming down his face. But I don't plan on letting tears break my stance. "In fact, Yuyami said he saw you walking out. If he didn't see Kikoi with you, then I'm pretty sure she was already gone by the time you left."
"Heh, didn't think I'd actually get my chance to be useful for once." Yuyami laughs.
"Kikoi…can't be it…"
Rea rolls her eyes. "Jeez, you're starting to sound like a broken record. Bring some actual arguments to the table or step down. You're just leading us down in boring circles."
For a moment, he freezes up, but then, his resolves had become twice as strong. "The glass! You said they were from a pair of glasses, but Kikoi doesn't wear glasses! Otherwise you would have seen them! Therefor, she couldn't be the killer!"
Homura snorts. "Hate to break it to ya, but contacts exist. Hell, I'm wearing color contacts right now. Who's to say she isn't?"
"Because if so, why didn't her box fall out instead of her glasses!? Why would she bring glasses with her anyways!? Don't you think you would have seen her messing with her eyes at some point?! Don't you think she'd have a lazy day and wear her glasses here? Wouldn't any of you have figured that out before?"
There is a moment of silence as possibilities run through my head. I'm almost about to say something when-
"Reading glasses."
I look to my right to see Toshiya leaning weakly against the stand. "Kikoi wears reading glasses. When Noriko was handing out the patrol route last night, she made you read it. When we were passing down Yoru's note, she was holding it at an armlengths distance, as opposed to just reading it normally. And if she bumped into Yoru and his note dropped to the floor, she would have had enough distance to read the two most important words. And if she lost her glasses, she may not have immediately noticed it."
"Glad to see you up and standing." Ekorin quips. Toshiya smiles weakly at her. "The amount of blood wasn't so bad this time."
But this information seems to have shut up Masato. I look at Kikoi. She is crying, trying to get words out but failing, sending her into a slight panic.
"Kikoi. Please, confirm this. End it. I know you can do this. I believe in you."
"LIAR!"
My attention is suddenly pulled away by Masato, who is looking far more enraged than ever. His determination to win is so great, it makes him feel like a boss in a video game.
"LIARS, ALL OF YOU! KIKOI DIDN'T DO IT! SHE IS INNOCENT!"
"With all due respect, but I think-"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He yells at Isamu. "ARE YOU ALL BLIND!? KIKOI. DIDN'T. DO IT! YOU SAID SHE HAD TO BE WEARING GLASSES, BUT IF THAT'S SO, THEN WHERE ARE THEY!? YOU ARE ALL JUST LIARS AND MONSTERS TRYING TO HURT HER! BUT I WILL PROTECT HER!"
…Looks like he is too far gone to be brought down with any kind of reasoning. But, I need to break through with him. If I can't find a way to bring him to his senses, we can't continue on. For the sake of everyone here…I will fight you!
PANIC TALK ACTION!
"Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!" "Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!" "Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!" "Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!" "Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!" "Kikoi is innocent!" "Why aren't you getting that!?" "I am the real murderer!" "Vote me up already!" "I am a monster!" "Just let me protect her!"
"If her glasses were on the crime scene, then why can't be find them!?"
BECAUSE YOU HAVE THEM!
He screams, and it's over.
"It's true, we can't find the actual glasses. But the glass proves they must have been there at one point. The only logical conclusion is that you have them, either in your huge pockets or in your room. So, if Kikoi is really innocent, I'm sure you don't mind a body- and room search, do you?"
Masato only stutters as he breaks down on the spot. Tomoe cracks his knuckles and begins to step towards him, but Rea steps in, shaking her head.
"N-no…I refuse to believe it…I can't…"
"MASATO STOP IT!"
All eyes turn to Kikoi, who despite her tears, is finally looking calm and confident enough to speak up for herself. "That's enough Masato. I'm very touched you want to protect me…but…it's over. So, please, instead of protecting me, give me the chance to be my own hero."
She shaky smile she gives us is full of sadness, but courage as well. "Everyone, I am the true killer in this case. I killed Ainosuke…because I wanted to protect everyone. I guess that didn't go so well. I was in tears after I realized what I had done, so I told the one person I could fully trust with this information: Masato. I didn't know he would go to such lengths to cover up my crime, and if it weren't for my cowardly silence, I would have spoken up much earlier. I'm sorry I caused you all this trouble."
She bows, and it feels like all the pieces finally connect. Only Masato is still gripping the stand, repeating words over and over. Noticing this, Kikoi turns to me.
"Hey, Yurika, you have been the one to get us this far. Can you do me a favor and…summarize the case? To make sure there is no more hole in the story left and we can finally put this behind us."
I think she means with 'us' herself and Masato. But…how can I refuse such a request?
I nod, and her smile is heartbreaking. I let the events play out through my head, until…
"HERE IS EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED!"
"Last night, to combat our paranoia over Monokuma's motive, Noriko created a patrol group to make we'd sleep safely. Five people volunteered to join her, but one had far more sinister motives…
During the night, Ainosuke convinced Hanako be more relaxed over her route, so he could have the hallway to himself, so he wouldn't be interrupted. Inside the storage room, he made two wooden stakes out of the brooms with a pocketknife he bought from the Kumachrome shop. When he was done, he snuck to the classroom. There, he swapped the ropes that held up the broken window for longer ropes he had tied to two grappling guns, which he had bought too.
And now for the tricky part…he shot the two hooks up the roof, where they got stuck. Once he was certain they were secure, he glued the wooden stakes the window. After he was done, all he had to do was run to the rooftop and wait for his victim to come…
Around midnight, Yoru went outside his room to head for the rooftop. He had found a note in his room, summoning him there. Unfortunately, he happened to run into someone and temporarily blind by the flashlight, he dropped the note. That person, noticing what it said, realized what was about to happen. Needing to protect him, they ran ahead before Yoru could get up.
They soon reach the school building, but without a lock, that person was forced to steal a pole from the storage room to block the entrance. They locked themselves inside the staircase, but determined to keep any murders from happening, they ascended.
Both must have been surprised when they saw each other on the rooftop. That person did not expect Ainosuke to be there and he did not expect for someone other than his intended victim to show. After that, a struggle most likely occurred. I don't know who initiated it. But the end result is the same. During the struggle, Ainosuke was driven to the edge of the rooftop…and fell down, right into his trap.
That person, shocked at what happened, felt the need to talk about it with someone. That someone was the person they trusted the most: Masato. But after hearing it, Masato decided to ensure they couldn't be pinpointed as the murderer. So, that morning, he untied the ropes that held up the body and stole a pair of glasses from the crime scene, knowing it would be tied to them. And there is only one person who he would protect…one person who could have been involved like this.
KIKOI SHICHO, THE EVIDENCE POINTS TO YOU!"
I'm slightly shaking, but I still point my finger at her. Slowly, I lower my hand. "That should be everything. Unless someone has found a hole or more evidence to discuss?"
It's silent. But then, people shake their heads. "I have nothing to add." Isamu simply says.
"You did a great job making everything clear." Hanako compliments me.
"I think we all have come to our conclusion." Mizuki says. Her words haven't even fully left her mouth when Monokuma interrupts again.
"Well then! If everyone is finally done arguing, let's get to the voting time! Everyone, please use the screen in front of you to vote for someone. And make triple sure you vote for someone, because those who don't might risk angering me…"
"Fucking hell…" Yuyami swears. "We are not even given a choice here."
Noriko's words are barely hearable. "I'm so sorry Kikoi…"
I hang my head low, unable to bear all of the pressure and painfulness for much longer. Suddenly, I see that a slice of wood on my stand slides away to reveal a touchscreen. Sixteen names are plastered on it, one being greyed out.
"Just press the name of the guilty party. Don't take too long." Kumachrome grumbles.
It's hard, knowing I'm going to sent someone to their death, but I press Kikoi's name anyways. As I look up, I see Masato standing with a small smile. "I…won't…"
But before I can start to realize what he means, Kikoi jumps over her stand, rushes to Masato's and touches his screen. He gives out a gasp of heartbreak, looking at her confused. But Kikoi seems more determined than ever.
"I won't let you die for me."
And at last, he finally breaks. His sobs echo through the courtroom. He isn't the only one.
"Ugh, leave the sentimental stuff for after the trial, will ya!?" Monokuma yells. "Whatever, I can't stay mad when all the results are in! The spotless face against the blackened! Who will win? Who will lose? Will you make the right choice, or the dreadfully wrong one? Now, let's see who you guys chose!"
The television screen is lowered again, but this time, it's to display a roulette with sixteen sides, each with a different colour. Like before, Ainosuke's name is greyed out. The roulette starts spinning…and spinning…until it lands on one face.
Kikoi's.
Confetti flies, but there is nothing to celebrate.
CLASS TRIAL END
A few words about this trial: First of all, now that I look in my document manager and see the words count, I'm surprised the trial isn't longer, because it took a good chuck of my chapter. I expected to have three chapters for the trial, but I guess I just have long chapters. Hell, I even went back and edited out some things because I thought things would drag on for too long otherwise, hench the Connecting Clues minigame, which I wanted to use to wrap up some loose ends all at once. I'm not sure if this minigame will return in the future.
Second of all, I'm not entirely proud of how this played out. I feel I took too many liberties with physics to make this trial believable and too complicated for people to figure it out. The formatting itself, I love. I really wanted to implimend the minigames into the story as much as possible, like many others. I couldn't fit in all minigames, oh course, so I went for the ones that played out the most smoothly in regards to the writing.
However, I'm not entirely disappointed. For my first trial, I think I did pretty well. The largest difficulties I had with this trial was playing out the mystery in a way that made sense but didn't reveal too much at once, and giving the characters enough screen time while keeping it interesting to read. I hope I managed that to accomplish that. I think future trials will go smoother for me, because I now have experience writing them and because there will be less characters to focus on...