Time to back to my slow updates again.

CLASS TRIAL END

"Upupu…looks like you guys…are correct! The cruel killer of Ainosuke Nakamura is none other than Kikoi Shicho! Oh man, to think you guys almost voted wrong…"

There is nothing but silence, until Noriko finally cracks. "Kikoi, why did you go? Why didn't you just stay down there?"

Kikoi hugs herself. "Because…I wanted to protect everyone…even from becoming a murderer. I thought that…maybe I could talk him down. But…it didn't go as planned."

Isamu almost chokes on his breath. "Are you saying you were that stupid to think you could talk down someone who was planning to murder?"

She flinches but doesn't speak up. Someone else does, however.

"Her other option was to stay by the door and risk being enclosed in a small space with someone with murderous intent, if Ainosuke decided to go down. He could have still had that pocketknife with him, remember?" Shinri points out. "Not to mention, it's not fair to compare a to murder-driven teenager to an experienced serial killer. For all we know, talking it out may just have helped prevent a murder."

Mizuki nods. "Shinri has a good point. If she hadn't gone up, she'd possibly end up on the receiving end of a pocketknife. If she hadn't gone in the first place, we would have been on trial for Yoru's murder. Basically, the moment Ainosuke decided to kill, he doomed everyone."

Yuyami scratches his head. "Speaking off, where the hell did the pocketknife get to? You'd think he'd keep it on him for threatening peeps."

Kikoi looks at the ground. "I took it with me…after I threw him off."

Homura blinks. "Hold up, did you say 'throw' him off?"

She doesn't answer. But something clicks in my mind. "Kikoi, did you…accidentally flip him off the rooftop?"

"…He suddenly attacked me, and I got scared. So, I acted on reflex. I didn't even realize what I was doing until I heard a 'yelp' and a clang…and then it was already too late."

"His arm must have hit the railing when you flipped him. That's why it's so bruised." Hanako mutters in terror.

Kikoi's tears haven't stopped and she isn't making any attempt to hide them. "I'm so sorry everyone…I wanted to protect you, but I only ended up killing someone. I'm such an idiot."

Yoru immediately rushes forward. "No, don't say that! You saved my life! If you hadn't prevented me from going up…"

"But I should have confessed much earlier instead of making everyone go through this! I'm a coward!"

Ekorin immediately shushes her. "You were scared…I'd be too in your situation. Besides, we figured it out anyways. There is nothing to apologize for."

Yuyami tries to laugh. "Yeah, and we learnt a lot about ourselves today. Like how Yurika is surprisingly good at solving mysteries with weird theories."

"…You're not gonna let the window thing go, are you?"

"Nope."

Figures…Hope I don't get a reputation for this.

Tomoe crosses his arms. "Why the fuck did Ainosuke decide it was a good idea to kill someone though?"

"It must have something to do with the motive." Toshiya muses.

I guess we might never know…

"I am glad you guys asked!"

…Or Monokuma will just tell us.

The black-and-white bear makes himself comfortable on his throne. "Listen up children, because it's story-time! Once upon a time, there was a boy with no love in his life. The only love he saw was that outside. Naturally, because it was such a strange concept to him, he became intrigued. One thing let to another, and he became a renowned matchmaker. But unfortunately, he could never find love himself. Not that no one was interested in him, far from it. But strange enough, he could never harbour the feelings others had for each other. It frustrated him. "Why can't I find love like everyone else? I'm a matchmaker, why can't I find a perfect match for myself? Am I broken?" It didn't help that in his work, he was constantly surrounded by people who kept asking him when he was going to have a girlfriend. All of those cropped up feeling, oh they need an outlet. And things got out of hand when he went to a club one night…"

This isn't going well…

"A girl around his age decided he was cute and flirted with him. Alcohol became involved and he was invited to the girl's home…oh, the horror! The hormones! The wish to be like everyone else! The alcohol! And just as the girl was opting out…"

A chill goes down my spine. And looking at the other girls, I can see they agree with me.

"It's a shame he wouldn't remember much of that night, but just enough to realize what kind of horrible thing he had done to her. So, he did what every cowardly guy would do: make a run for it. Unfortunately, it just so happened the father was a private detective…and not happy with what happened. Soon enough, he was arrested and placed in custody, where he would wait until he would go to trial. To his surprise, the girl visited him. He felt awful and guilty and after hearing his case would be classified to the public, he decided to better himself. He would go through rehabilitation and prove to her how much he learnt from her mistake. But then the vile and monstrous Monokuma announced his crimes would go public. He had already ruined so much, he couldn't let the poor girl's reputation be ruined as well…"

Kikoi swallows. "S-so that's why he said…"

Isamu turns to look at her. "What? You talked to him?"

She hesitates, but then nods. "Before he attacked me…"

-Flashback—

Kikoi opened the door to the rooftop, not entirely sure who to expect. She didn't expect seeing Ainosuke there. "You? But why?"

Ainosuke seemed obviously caught off guard, but he kept on an innocent smile. "Kikoi, why are you here? I thought the dormitory was your route?"

She wouldn't fall for his lies. "I know you're planning to kill Yoru. I saw the note."

"I'm afraid…"

Kikoi had always been uncomfortable with speaking, but this time, she would stand her ground. "The note said to specifically come to this place around this time. A place where the two of you would be all alone. The perfect place to commit a murder. But Yoru won't come. I blocked off the entrance."

Ainosuke stiffened at her words. Kikoi's eyes softened. "Ainosuke, you don't have to do this. There are other ways. Please, don't make a mistake and offer up someone's life. We can find another-."

"No."

"Huh?"

"I-I need to do this…I have to do this! I can't let the world know what I did! What she has been through!"

"Aino-"

"Stop it! I need to get out! I need to properly apologize to her! I already fucked up her life, I can't let the rest of the world blame her for my mistakes! I need to set things right again! And if that means killing someone here to do it…"

His hand slipped in his pocket and his took out the pocketknife. Kikoi's eyes widened as he clicked open the knife.

"THEN I GLADLY WILL!"

He stormed at her, swinging his knife. Before she knew what was happening, she ducked under his arm, jumping into a roll. He missed, only cutting air. He turned around, wild fury in his eyes. He stormed at her again, this time aiming to stab her. But Kikoi's reflexes were faster. Her immediate reaction was to grab and twist his arm. His knife clattered to the ground. Her foot slid out…

…

…CLANG! "Ah!"

Her hands let go. She watched as Ainosuke disappeared over the railing. Her hand shot out to him, her upper body tried to follow him…but she only grabbed air. She was only truly snapped out of her trance when she heard a loud crash. As she realized what happened, she immediately fumbled in her jacket, not even realizing her glasses were falling out. She turned on the flashlight…and recoiled when she saw him.

If his eyes were open, he would have stared right at her. Blood was gushing from his back, dripping on the ground below.

She stepped back, terror flooding her veins as crashed to the ground. For a few moment, the only sound on that rooftop were her sobs and sorry's.

Eventually, she stood up, knowing that staying there wouldn't do her any good. She grabbed the flashlight and the pocketknife and headed downstairs. She had to tell someone. And she knew exactly who.

-Flashback—

Yuyami winches. "Damn. I feel lucky I only fell onto a table."

Mizuki sniffs loudly. "He got what he deserved. He made stupid mistakes and he faced the consequences."

Ekorin hugs herself. "I didn't think a guy like him would have done such a thing…"

"But he clearly wanted to change. It's not fair to hold that against him." Noriko argues.

"That doesn't erase what he has done!" Hanako responds, her tone uncharacteristically cold.

Tomoe frowns. "But he clearly made efforts to pay for what he has done. Most guys I know would just brag about it."

"Yeah, like deciding to kill someone for it is much better." Homura drawls.

"Then what do you want? For him to let the timer pass and have the whole world know about it? Do you know how many people would ignore the context behind it and start calling her a whore? Give him a break!" Shinri yells. "What he did was awful but it's not like he got many choices here!"

Rea chuckles. "Then in a way, this scenario played out in the best way possible. The guy is dead, the crime will forever be silent and someone who wants to sacrifice herself for others gets to act out on that. I don't know what you guys are complaining about."

In a way, she is right. And I hate it. But right now, Rea doesn't matter. Hell, Ainosuke doesn't matter either. Because Masato has just taken Kikoi in his arms.

"You shouldn't have done it. You should have let me."

But she refuses to cave in. "If you got everyone to vote wrong, everyone would have died, not just you. I'm touched you are willing to sacrifice yourself for me…but did you consider the lives of the others? Did you consider that I don't want everyone dead because of this?"

He bites his lips. "I…"

"Aww, how touching. It's kind of unfair how everyone gets to know Ainosuke's dirty deeds, while you just get the play the innocent couple." Monokuma drawls. "So, let's reflect on your crimes, shall we? Ahem, the felony that Masato and Kikoi committed is: attempted murder!"

Isamu's glare is colder than ever as he directs it at Masato. "So this wasn't even the first time you were involved with murder."

Masato wants to say something, but Monokuma shuts him up. "Hey, I wasn't done talking yet! Let's give this crime a bit of backstory, shall we? Once there was a boy and a girl, living together as the best of friends. The girl, a shy person and the boy, who just left his village to explore the world. They lived at the girl's house. One day, the parents left to travel and left them in the hands of caretaker and trainers. After all, the girl needed to keep her body athletic! One of them was a personal trainer. One who liked to get…touchy."

Another chill is sent up my spine and I can feel where this is going.

"Despite the girl's attempts to tell him off, he continued. And it got worse…and worse…and worse. The girl didn't want to call her parents from out of the country, but it inevitably became unbearable for her. So, one day, she confided in her friend. The boy was furious. He attempted to threaten the trainer, but all he got was a beating. She tried to get him fired, but no one would believe her. And thus, they made up a plan one day. The girl invited him to the aquarium one day, where the boy was taking an internship. They got behind the scenes, managed to get all witnesses away…and pushed him into the shark tank."

There is a gasp, but I don't bother to check who it's from.

"Unfortunately, the workers quickly caught on what was happening and saved him before he could be eaten. The trainer sued though and the two got arrested for attempted murder. All while the trainer went free…"

"Fucking hell…" Homura mutters.

"Eaten by sharks. Now that is one way to die." Rea grins.

"It's always the horrendous people who go free." Hanako frowns. "It's unfair."

"Weren't you just saying…" Isamu tries, before realizing that arguing with Hanako isn't that good of an idea.

"No one would do anything…I had to get rid of him before he would…" Masato begins.

"No, there were other ways we could have solved this. He was awful but that doesn't excuse our actions…" Kikoi cries. "In the end…I'm just a filthy murderer."

And she continues to cry, Masato holding her, while the rest of us are left to process all of these grey motives.

"Well…this is getting pretty boring. If you guys are done discussing murders and crimes and shifting the blame to each other like playing hot potato, then it's finally time for the moment I've been waiting for: the execution!"

I feel like I've been struck by lightning. "Wait! This wasn't an intentional murder! You can't execute her for that!"

"The highest crime she could have committed was involuntary manslaughter, that does not warrant a death sentence!" Isamu speaks up to my surprise.

"It does in this place! Doesn't matter if murder was your intention, if you kill, you are a blackened!" Monokuma grins. "And you all know the rules…"

"Fuck the rules! I'm not letting you kill her!" Homura screams, running up to stand in front of Kikoi, Hanako at her side. Tomoe quickly acts as well, shielding them from sight with his body as he stares Monokuma down.

"I will protect them."

But Monokuma merely chuckles. "Aww, how sweet of you to defend a murderer. But, as much as I'd like to punish you, there is only one candidate deserving of death."

I've never seen anyone so passionate about defending someone, but here I am, witnessing everyone shouting in protest.

"Don't kill her, please!" Yoru cries.

"Stop it!" Noriko adds, at the point of falling to her knees.

"That's it, I'm punching you in the face!" Hanako yells. But just as she is about to take a step forward…

"Everyone, stop!"

We all freeze and turn to look at Kikoi, barely standing straight. "Please, don't sacrifice yourself for me. I know it's unfair but facing Monokuma isn't going to change his judgement. I've already accepted my fate…so I only want you to accept it as well."

Masato's voice breaks as he calls to her. "Kikoi…"

Despite her clear fear, she chuckles. "I'm so selfish…but please, hear my final wish. I couldn't keep my promise of protecting everyone. So please, keep it in my stead. Protect each other. Make sure this will never have to happen again. And…never lose sight of what is right."

Her words strike a chord with me. With everyone. But I cannot bring out a word. I can only nod. But she seems satisfied with the answer anyways.

"Kikoi…"

She turns back to him. "Masato…I'm sorry everything turned out like this. I wish I could revert time to make this never happened. To stop you…both times."

Monokuma cuts through the final conversation as he cheerfully raises his arms. "Now, I've have prepared a very special punishment for Kikoi Shicho, the Ultimate Stuntwoman!"

But the two pay him no mind. Masato holds her even closer as tears stream down his face. "I don't want you to go. I can't let you go. I need you with me. So please, stay with me. Stay with me…"

"Masato…I-I…"

"Let's give it everything we got! It's PUNISHMENT TIME!"

"STAY WITH MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

GAME OVER

Kikoi Shicho has been found guilty

Time for the punishment!

The room is silent, everyone waiting for whatever will happen. Masato holds onto Kikoi, she presses herself against his chest, fearful of leaving him. The rattling of chains is heard too late, as a metal collar on a chain shoots out and clamps itself around her neck. With one firm pull, she is ripped away. They reach out for each other, but their fingers don't even touch as she is pulled into another room.

When the chain finally lets her go, she slowly stands up to see herself on a giant treadmill, walls keeping her from jumping off. Blades, arrow holes, pendulum blades, everything you'd find in a boobytrap filled corridor appears on the path before her. There is a noise behind her and as she turns around, she sees there is an army of Monokumas behind her, dressed like savages and wielding primal weapons.

The message is simple. Run…and survive. The machines spring to life, the tread begins moving, the Monokumas start running. It's now or never. Kikoi takes a deep breath, letting all her knowledge from her action movie come back to her…and throws off her jacket.

I will live!

Take four, action!

She starts running and its clear she's in her element. With an almost majestic jump, she launches herself between two incoming buzz saws, leaving them to cut through air. Spears shoot out, but she is faster. Flamethrowers only serve to make her look even cooler. With a confident smile, Kikoi looks ahead at the bright light at the end.

Her foot gets briefly stuck behind a spear and it's enough to throw her off balance. Before she can start to recollect herself, the traps punish her for her overconfidence. Arrows are fired and latch into her arm and leg. Spikes shoot out, piercing one of her feet. A pendulum blade strikes one of her shoulders. She bites down, but she is visibly in pain. With gritting teeth, she moves forward, towards the light. Suddenly, a person appears, its silhouette showing baggy pants and rainboots.

Realizing who it is, Kikoi is stunned for a moment, but then the determined fire in her eyes returns with a vengeance. With a mighty pull, she rips one of the arrows out of her leg and starts sprinting. The pain and the wounds aren't enough to hold her back, neither is the increasing speed of the tread or the traps. She jumps, she dodges, she rolls, she even blocks as she comes closer and closer. With one last jump, she finally reaches for Masa-

…

…

…

She freezes in place.

The body hanging on a chain by the neck isn't Masato, despite the identical looking clothes he is dressed in. But despite his face being obscured, it's easy to tell who it is from the pink streak in his black hair.

Kikoi's eyes fill with tears as she looks at the corpse behind the glass that separates the two of them. She looks at her hands, the same hands that ended his life. Her body can't take it anymore. Her legs give out beneath her and she buries her head in her hands as she silently mourns…

All of the sudden, a metal collar binds her arms to her chest and the chain pulls her back again. She screams as she is dragged away from the body, right back to the start. Her body slams into a wall and her head falls back onto its edge. Another metal collar secures her neck in place. She blinks in confusion, tugging helplessly at the restrains.

A black beam comes falling down, and Kikoi screams loudly as she realizes what's happening. It's all useless though. The beam crashes onto her head, crushing it like a watermelon. Her body twitches for a few moments, before it comes still.

The camera pulls away from the giant film clipboard, stained with blood, as the end credits roll. Kikoi's last performance, ironically starring the stuntwoman as the main character in the last moments of her life.

Despite my stomach feeling like it's not going to last, I can't tear my eyes away from the screen. Kikoi's lifeless body…looks even more alien than Ainosuke's death. It's probably because now, I saw her life being taken with my own two eyes, as opposed to just seeing the body.

Yoru screams loudly and it feels like a spell is broken. Shouts and cries of horror sounds through the group, one more intense than the other. A thud near me confirms Toshiya has fainted, again.

"Wh-what?" Mizuki croaks, her hands going up to her mouth. The sheer brutality of this…execution finally broke her cold stance.

"Oh my god, what the fuck! No, seriously, what the fuck! This is so fucked up! Why would anyone think of this!?" Homura yells, fear mixing with the strong swear words.

"Oh fuck…" Shinri mutters, before diving behind his stand.

"Don't you dare fucking puke." Kumachrome growls. "Because I'm the one who will have to clean it up."

His brother is much more excited. "Woohoo! Extreme! Ah, this feels so great, so exhilarating, I'm totally pumped up for the next murder!"

Hanako rushes over to Shinri and pats his back as he empties the content of his stomach on the floor. Yuyami screams loudly as he rushes to the elevator doors. "The fuck!? This isn't funny! Let me out of here!"

Isamu, paler than ever, seems to shake. "S-so, this is what happens when…"

"Yup, yup! This is what happens when you fail. You get executed. So, I'd advise you to keep this in mind for the next murder. Wouldn't want this to happen to ya, do ya?" Monokuma chuckles darkly.

Noriko has none of it. "Then why did you show her Ainosuke's dead body before killing her? Or use a film clipboard in general? Why do such unnecessary things when you just could have electrocuted her with an electric chair? Or use the gallows to hang her if you're so cruel?"

Monokuma tilts his head like a curious bird. "Unnecessary? No, no, you have it completely wrong. This method of execution is necessary…"

His slashed eye glows a sinister red.

"…When you want to give someone the most despair-filled death they could have."

Noriko steps back, eyes wide in fear. "T-that's so awful!"

"So, is that really your motivation for doing all of this?" Rea asks. "Just despair? Man, and here I thought you had much more complex motives. Boring. Oh well, psychos are pretty fun while they last, so, I'm not complaining."

"Hmm, ignoring that comment about my motives, I think I'm starting to like you. You're a smart cookie and very entertaining."

Rea giggles. "It seems we are on even grounds then."

Ekorin steps back as she looks in bewilderment at Rea. "You are an horrific person. Do you have no respect for the deceased?"

Rea merely shrugs. "The dead are dead, and no tears are going to bring them back. I don't see any reason to care. Especially since the game is far from over."

Tomoe cracks his knuckles. "That's enough of you today. It's time you shut up and let the rest mourn in peace."

The strategist sighs. "Fine, fine, I will keep quiet. It may not change things, but if it makes you feel better, feel free to ignore me."

She walks away to take a better look at the throne Monokuma is seated in.

"Ki…KIKOOOOOOOOIIIIIIII!"

With a scream, Masato barges into the execution room and heads straight for Kikoi's body. Tomoe swears and sprints after him. The rest of us follow like sheep.

Masato crashes down in front of Kikoi, clutching her legs and crying out her name as if it will magically bring her back. It doesn't and the only thing it accomplishes is that I now have to see her mangled body from up close.

Yuyami gently tries to tug Masato away. "Shh, come on, you're stronger than this…"

Homura groans. "Fucking hell…what are we gonna do?"

Isamu doesn't meet her eyes. "Let him be until he has calmed down enough. Then we'll take him to his room."

"I seriously doubt leaving him alone is a great idea." Mizuki objects. "We should have one of the boys staying with him in case he tries something dangerous."

Yoru speaks up with a shaky voice. "T-then I will!"

Yuyami winches. "Doubts it's a good idea to room with the guy whose girlfriend got killed protecting you. Might shift the blame onto you. That's why I'll pass for tonight too. And Toshiya. Maybe when Shinri's stomach calmed down he is willing to stay with him? Or Tomoe? Or Isamu?"

"Pass." Isamu says far too quickly.

Ekorin is shaking on her legs. "I don't think I'm lasting for much longer. Shall we make our leave?"

But leaving right now feel wrong to me, as if we're rushing this. "No, let's…let's wait for a little while until we're all over the shock."

Noriko anxiously plays with the blue cap on her head. "R-right, Tomoe, when we're done here, can you ask Shinri if he is willing to stay with Masato? And if not, do you mind taking his place?"

Tomoe sighs loudly, but nods anyways.

"Hold up." I call to Tomoe. He turns around. "Can you also pick up Toshiya's body and place him in his room? I don't think he is going to be waking up anytime soon."

"Sure, sure." He grumbles.

A few people leave the execution room with him, but I can't force my legs to move. I feel hollow inside, as if my insides have been scooped out, leaving me with nothing. Is…this what it feels like to lose someone you care about? I can't help but wonder.

Knowing my stomach wouldn't be able to see Kikoi's body again, I divert my attention to the rather impressively made execution room itself. How did he manage to set everything up so perfectly?

A spot of black catches my eye. When I come closer, I realize it's Kikoi's leather jacket. It's a bit torn up around the edge, but it looks otherwise in perfect condition. I can't convince myself to leave it there and pick it up. Maybe I should give this to Masato later…

When I turn back, I see Yuyami and Noriko carefully guiding Masato away from the body and back to the others.

…Maybe after he's calmed down a bit.

Silently, I follow the others, the jacket wrapped up like a bundle in my arms. I see people look at it, but everyone apparently decides not to question it.

The ride back up feels claustrophobic. The only sounds are Masato's sobs of sorrow. My legs feel heavy. I want to go back to my room and sleep.

When we finally arrive, everyone seems to have the same idea as me. Tomoe has an unconscious Toshiya on his back and an arm around Masato. Looks like Shinri passed as well.

Without a word, I open the door to my dorm. When the lock clicks in place, I sigh deeply and sink to my knees.

How did I get dragged into this? What did I ever do to deserve this? Damn…I guess that in the end, I did do a lot better than I was expecting. And I did manage to survive. But poor Kikoi…

Despite not wanting to move an inch, I'm not sleep-deprived enough to rest on the floor. And thus, with all the necessary effort, I haul myself towards my bed. As I roll into the sheets, the jacket ends up around me. I carefully take it off.

As I trace my fingers over the leather texture, tears drip onto it. My frustrations, my fear, my confusion, it's all melting together in one huge chunk of emotions.

Why? Why do I have to play a game like this? Why is everyone trapped in this thing? Who is doing this? Why did they have to kill Kikoi? Why did they have to trick Ainosuke into murder? It can't be just despair, can it? And, if despair is their only motivation…

My hands are shaking as I lift my head towards the security camera.

…Then what will be their next move?

Chapter 1:

The Crow Cries When the Swan Stops Singing

Surviving Students: 14/16

END