I couldn't believe it…
It happened again… ?
How… and why ?
« Hey, you guys have found- W-what the heck ?! » Taka exclaimed.
Ding dong, bing bong
« A body has been discovered ! After a certain amount has passed, which you may use however you like, the class trial will begin ! Please everyone gather at the Library ! » Monokuma spoke through the monitor.
And soon enough, my friends arrived at the crime scene. They had the same look of confusion, fear and anger like me. We all just stood there, in front of Toko's suspended body.
« So there's another victim… » Taka gritted his teeth, probably disappointed in himself.
« Which means we are on the same position once again. » Kyoko concluded.
« This is a bad dream… It's a nightmare… » Himiko cried softly.
I then noticed a message on the wall… written in blood…
« Bloodlust ? » I said it out loud.
« I don't think it's any kind of dying message… It's just… too strange… » Kyoko wondered out loud.
« W-wha… » I heard Kazuichi stutter.
« Kazuichi ? What's wrong- » I turned around to see him.
« WHAT THE FUCK ?! » He shouted, turning everyone's attention to him.
« HEY ! What's with the shouting, Kazu-itchy ? » Miu snapped.
Kazuichi pointed at the bloody message.
« That message… Miss… No, Sonia told me about it. It was in every crime scene of a serial killer… Genocide Jack ! » Kazuichi exclaimed.
Nobody said a word for a second…
And soon everyone panicked.
« W-what ?! You're sayin' that freak is in the school ?! » Miu shivered in horror.
« Or… perhaps it's the work of a copycat… Someone imitated Genocide Jack's crimes. » Rantaro added as he watched Toko's body.
« I agree. I doubt they would be reckless enough to leave a message that would incriminate them. » Mahiru nodded.
« Then, shall we start the investigation ? Rantaro, Taka, you guys have no objection to guard the scene again ? » Kyoko asked.
« Yeah, I will do it. » Rantaro nodded.
« Count on me ! So you guys have to give your absolute best for the investigation ! » Taka exclaimed.
Then suddenly…
« Well, well, well. Looks like one of you guys wanted to graduate, despite seeing what could possibly happen to you if you fail the class trial ? Cause Sonia was decapitated, that was real ! » Monokuma appeared with his usual sick grin on his face.
« Oh great, now he's here ! » Kazuichi complained.
« I don't think he's only here to taunt us… You're here to bring the Monokuma File, don't you ? » Kyoko glated at the bear.
« Hehehe… Right on ! Here ya go ! See ya later ! » He left after giving us the files.
« Do we really have to do this again… ? » Himiko started to cry.
« This is so messed up… » Kazuichi held his beanie, crying too.
« We have to. If Genocide Jack is really the one who killed Toko… Then unless we do something, more bodies will start piling up. » Kyoko explained.
Then Monokuma reappeared out of the sudden !
« Nope, nope, nope ! That's wrong ! I suppose I wasn't clear enough in the school regulations. In this killing game, the blackened can only kill a maximum of two persons. Otherwise, they would just go on a killing spree ! And it would ruin the purpose of the killing game ! Let me add that really quick. » Monokuma explained.
I heard a ringing noise from my E-Handbook and saw the new rule. I also check the previously added school regulations.
Rule 8 : If the guilty party is exposed, they alone will be executed.
Rule 9 : If the guilty party is not exposed, they will graduate, and the remaining spotless students will be executed.
Rule 10 : Lending your E-Handbook to another student is strictly prohibited.
Rule 11 : The guilty party can only kill a maximum of two persons.
Rule 12 : Additional school regulations may be added if necessary.
« Anyway, have a nice investigation ! » Monokuma left again.
« Well then, let's get going. Even if it is now limited to two victims, that means one more life can be taken. And if we don't find out who killed Toko, we will join her in the afterlife. » Kyoko told us.
She's right… We have to do this !
Investigation Start
Let's check the Monokuma File…
The victim was Toko Fukawa. The time of death is estimated around midnight. The body was discovered in the Library, on the 2nd floor of the school. The cause of death was a blow to the head with a blunt object. She was killed instantly.
Hmm… The time of death isn't as precise as last case. I have to look for more clues.
Monokuma File #2 has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
« Hey Makoto ! Come here ! » I heard Kokichi call me.
« What's wrong, Kokichi? » I asked.
« Come investigate with me ! Be my partner ! » He cheered.
« Huh ? For real ? » I asked in surprise.
« Yeah, come on ! Come on, come on ! » Kokichi insisted.
« Ok, ok ! We will work together ! » I exclaimed.
« Yippee ! Let's have fun with this ! » He smiled.
Looks like I'm stuck with Kokichi for the entire investigation…
I checked the surroundings, and noticed something on the ground…
A book… and on it was…
It was a bloodstain !
« Ah, so you noticed it too ? This bloody book has to be the murder weapon ! » Kokichi exclaimed.
Somehow… I was skeptical…
« But how could a book kill someone ? » I asked.
« It's a big one ! There's blood on it, and the Monokuma File said Toko died of a blow to the head with a blunt object ! » There's nothing else but this as murder weapon ! » Kokichi frowned.
I'm still skeptical to be honest…
Bloody Book has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
I wasn't sure where to go next, and then…
« Hey Makoto, come here ! » I heard Kazuichi call me.
« What's wrong, Kazuichi ? » I asked, walking towards him.
« I noticed the desk lamp that was on that desk is now gone. » He told me.
« How can you be so sure, Kaz ? » Kokichi grinned.
« Well, I spent a lot of time in the Library since Miss- No, since Sonia's death. I know it was there, and now that lamp is gone. It's fishy if you ask me. » Kazuichi explained.
« You're fishy, Kaz.~ » Kokichi grinned.
« W-what ?! How the hell am I suspicious ? » Kazuichi took it the wrong way.
« Because you're trying to distract us with useless informations. We don't care about some stupid lamp, we already got the murder weapon… the Book ! » Kokichi explained.
« Hey, I'm not the culprit ! And I doubt that book killed Toko ! I'm telling you, that lamp is important ! » Kazuichi defended his theory before leaving to look for more clues.
So a desk lamp went missing… Is it somehow related to the case ?
Missing Desk Lamp has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
I approached Toko's body, where Mikan was standing next at.
« Hey Mikan, have you finished the autopsy report, by any chance ? » I asked her.
« Y-yes, I have. I-I checked her head, a-and she did take a blow to the head like the M-Monokuma File said, there's no doubt about it. » She said softly.
« So she did die of a blow to the head with a blunt object… » I nodded.
« Are you suuurre, Mikan ? » Kokichi challenged her.
« I-I am certain ! There's no other way ! » She defended her theory.
« Ok, looks like the book is the murder weapon as we suspected ! » He nodded.
« H-huh ? A-a book ? No, it can't be the murder weapon. It's not strong enough to kill someone ! » She said.
« But there was blood on it ! It has to be the murder weapon ! » Kokichi challenged her again.
« I'm certain it's not the murder weapon ! I-it has to be something else ! » She kept her ground.
« Hey, hey ! We will figure it out later ! Don't worry ! » I tried to calm them down.
So Toko did die of a blunt object… But what object ?
Mikan's Autopsy has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
« By the way, look at the rope. » Kokichi pointed at it.
I stared at it…
That rope… looked weird…
« W-what's wrong with the rope… ? » Mikan asked in confusion.
« Wrong ! It's not a rope ! It's an extension cord ! » He exclaimed.
« An ex-extension c-cord ? » She repeated in surprise.
« Yup ! See how the desk lamp was missing ? It was attached to an extension cord. The same one used to suspend Toko's corpse ! » He explained.
« How do you know that, Kokichi ? » I asked.
« Oh, I went to the Library before the murder and saw it attached to the lamp. Kazuichi must know it too since he went there a long time. » He explained.
So in conclusion, Toko was killed by a blunt object, and an extension cord was used to suspend her body…
Status of the Dead Body has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
I heard Mahiru taking her pictures of the crime scene, so I approached her.
« Hey Mahiru, saw anything particular in your photos ? » I asked.
« Yes, look what I have found when I was taking a picture. » She went towards the bottom of a furniture, and pointed at something.
« S-scissors ?! They have blood on them ! » I exclaimed.
« Yep, looks like the killer hid them under that furniture. Kinda of a half-assed way to do it if you ask me. » She said.
I notices Kokichi glaring at the scissors. Did he knew anything about them ?
« Hey Kokichi, I noticed your glare at those scissors. Do you know anything about them ? » I asked him.
« Oh no, I just think the appearance of them is just weird. » He smiled almost immediately.
« That's true. I have never seen any scissors shaped like that before. » Mahiru said.
« Anyway… Why those scissors have blood on them ? The Monokuma File said Toko died of a blunt object. » I pointed out.
« That's correct. And that's not all, check this photo. » She handed me the picture.
On it, I could see the Library, I assumed before the murder since it was clean.
« I took it when I first went to the Library a few days ago. See anything wrong with it ? » She asked.
Something wrong with the picture…
« Nope, nothing wrong here.~ » Kokichi said.
« Concentrate, damn it. It's clearly obvious, isn't it, Makoto ? » Mahiru snapped at Kokichi, before looking at me.
Something obvious…
Wait, I see it now !
« The desk lamp is still here ! » I said.
« That's right. And now it's gone, and we still don't know where it went. It's related to the case, I'm telling you. » Mahiru looked down dejectively.
« I agree with you on that. » I nodded.
« And you, pay attention next time ! Take example on Makoto ! » Mahiru scowled Kokichi.
« Alright, I promise I will do better nect time. » He rolled his eyes.
Anyway, we need to figure out where that lamp went.
Mahiru's Photos has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
Bloody Scissors has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
I thanked Mahiru as I left her to her occupations, as the voice of my partner brought me back to my senses.
« Heeey Makoto ! Stop playing solo and let me have my fun ! » Kokichi scowled me.
« What is it now ? » I asked a bit annoyed of his immaturity.
« I got something to show you ! Come with me ! » He took my hand and leaded me...
« The archive ? » I stared at the door.
« Yep, I found something in there, come on ! » He opened the door and nearly shoved me inside.
He searched throughout the boxes, and pulled out something.
« Ta-da ! The Genocide Jack Murder Cases File ! » He exclaimed.
« W-wait, what is that doing here ? » I asked.
« Who cares ? You should check what's inside ! » He shoved me the file on me.
I hesitantly flipped throughout the pages, until I saw photos of each crime scene. I saw how the victims were killed and suspended in exactly the same way. And apparently, the killer might have dissociative identity disorder.
« See ? The modus operandi is the same than in Toko's case ! It wasn't some copycat killer… It was Genocide Jack who killed her ! » Kokichi exclaimed.
I was speechless. Genocide Jack was really in the school ? And he killed Toko ?
Genocide Jack Case File has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
We got out of the Archive Room, where Kyoko was waiting for me.
« Ah, there you are. Come with me. » She told me.
« Nope, he's my minion ! He's staying with me ! » Kokichi frowned at her.
« Hey, I'm not- » I was interrupted by her.
« Then come with me you two. Look at the floor. » She looked down.
Then I saw it…
A blood trail…
« Oooohhh ! This is getting interesting ! Let's do this ! » Kokichi chuckled.
Kyoko sighed in frustration at Kokichi's immaturity, but followed him as I did the same. The trail led us to the Trash Room.
« The trail stops here… » I pointed out.
« The only way to enter the Trash Room is by using the key. And the only person who can have the key is the one on trash duty, and the one on trash duty this week was… Kazuichi Soda ! » Kokichi said.
« Wait, that means… » My eyes widened in realization.
« Let's not jump to conclusions yet. I asked Kazuichi to open the door, so let's get in. » She went in.
Well, either way, we have new clues now.
Trash Duty has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
Blood Trail has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
We followed her, and searched for clues.
Eventually, I saw Kyoko stepping down to grab something.
« A note… » She said.
« What does it say ? » Kokichi asked excitedly.
I found a way out. Meet me at the Library around midnight.
« T-that's when Toko was killed ! » I exclaimed in shock.
« So the killer sent her that note to kill her ! And it was Kazuichi who killed her ! He tried to get rid of the evidence by using the Trash Room ! » Kokichi grinned.
« Stop it. We still have time to find clues- » She was interrupted.
Ding dong, bing bong
« Erm, so ah… I'm getting tired of waiting. Shall we just plunge right in ? It's the moment you have all been waiting for… the class trial ! You remember where to meet, right ? If not, please go through the red door on the 1st floor of the school ! This is the last time I will repeat it. Puhuhu, see you soon ! » Monokuma spoke through the monitor.
« You jinxed it, Kyoko ! » Kokichi laughed at her.
She just returned a glare at him.
Well, we got one final clue at least.
Note has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your handbook.
I went ahead, towards the red door, when I saw Rantaro.
« Hey Rantaro ! » I called him.
He turned around, and as he did so, he grunted, as he held the left side of his torso with his arm.
« H-hey, what's wrong ? » I asked in worry.
« Hey Makoto, sorry, I have a stitch today. So I'm taking it easy. » He smiled.
« Oh ok, please take your time. » I nodded.
We then arrived at the elevator entrance, with everyone waiting for us.
« I can't believe this is happening… Why would someone kill again ? We have seen the consequences if the blackened is found out ! » Keebo tried to rationalize the situation.
« Obviously someone didn't want to find out their secret ! Again, not that surprising for a robot to not understand the situation. » Kokichi rolled his eyes playfully.
« That's enough, Kokichi ! We have to focus on the class trial ! » Taka frowned at the Ultimate Supreme Leader.
« I don't want to do this again… » Himiko cried.
« We have to. » Kyoko stepped in.
One by one, we followed her into the elevator, as we begun our descent once again.
As we entered the courtroom, we noticed it changed.
« What do you think ? I redecorated ! Isn't it so fresh ? Isn't it so exciting ? » Monokuma asked.
No one answered.
« Okay then, let's get this show on the road ! » Monokuma cheered.
So we returned to our seats. This time, Sonia and Toko's crossed portraits joined us. Except both of them had special crosses unlike Byakuya and Junko's. Sonia's had a sceptre and a hand of justice forming the cross, and Toko had… scissors as cross ?
Pre-Class Trial Portraits :
Junko, Mikan, Kazuichi, Sonia and Taka
And so, the curtain opened once again…
A deadly judgement…
A deadly deception…
A deadly betrayal…
Byakuya , Rantaro, Kyoko, Keebo, Mahiru and Toko
A deadly riddle…
A deadly defense…
A deadly faith…
Makoto, Miu, Kokichi and Himiko
A deadly… class trial… !
CLASS TRIAL ALL RISE !
« Let's begin with a basic explanation of the class trial ! This is the last time I will repeat it, so listen carefully ! So, your votes will determine the results. If you can figure out who the blackened is, only them will be executed. But if you fail to figure out who it is… Everyone besides the blackened will be executed, and the one who deceived everyone will graduate ! Now, get going ! » Monokuma explained the rules once again.
« Alright, we have to do this again. Where should we start first ? » Taka asked.
« We should with what we know of this case. Maybe something will come out of it. » Mahiru answered.
« Good idea ! Let's do this, everyone ! » Taka exclaimed.
So here we go again… Let's unmask the killer and survive this class trial !
NON-STOP DEBATE
« Toko's fatal injury was a head wound, correct ? » Keebo asked.
« Yes, and according to the Monokuma File, the killer used a blunt weapon, but what kind of weapon was used ? » Taka nodded with a new question.
« We know that already, it's the bloody book found at the scene of the crime ! » Kokichi answered.
« No, that's wrong ! » I exclaimed.
BREAK !
« No, I don't think the book was used at all as murder weapon. » I said.
« Hmm ? Then what could have used as murder weapon, Makoto ?~ » Kokochi asked as he puts his hands behind his head.
« I think it was rather the desk lamp that went missing, don't you all agree ? » I asked the others.
« Yes, I agree with that. The shape of the injury on Toko's head does match with the desk lamp, probably the bottom of it. There's no room for doubt here. » Kyoko nodded.
« Ok, fine. I accept that answer. If you don't mind, I will continue, as I know who the culprit is… Genocide Jack ! » Kokichi rolled his eyes at Kyoko before continuing.
« So he is really the one behind all of this, I see… » Taka thought out loud.
Genocide Jack, the fiendish serial killer… Did he really kill Toko… ?
NON-STOP DEBATE
« The killer is Genocide Jack, there's no doubt about it ! » Kokichi exclaimed.
« T-that's impossible ! » Himiko panicked.
« Oh ? And why is that impossible, Himiko ?~ » Kokichi grinned.
« B-because… because there's no proof of it ! » Himiko replied.
« No, that's wrong ! » I objected.
BREAK !
« Actually, Kokichi is right about this. There's proof Genocide Jack is involved. » I continued.
« W-what ?! » Mikan's eyes widened.
« During the investigation, Kokichi showed me this file, it is a police case file regarding Genocide Jack's murders. » I explained.
« Yup, yup ! That's my minion ! I taught you well ! » He winked at me, grinning.
I sighed, shaking my head, ignoring the others' looks.
« Anyway, in that file, it describes two characteristics in every Genocide Jack case. The first being a message being written in blood. But the other characteristic is more important. Tell em, Naegi ! » Kokichi explained while cheering for me.
The other characteristic… That's it !
« I got it ! It's about how Genocide Jack always suspends the victim in each murder. Other than the killer, the only ones who know about this are the higher-ups in the police department, and uhh… us as well now. » I commented.
« Exactly, and this fact solves everything. There's no way someone other than the police could know aboit this. Which means… Genocide Jack is the killer of this case ! » Kokichi exclaimed.
« Kokichi… Are you saying that… » Keebo's eyes widened at this revelation.
« Genocide Jack is one of us ?! » Miu panicked.
« Mhm, I don't know who it is yet, but I assure you, Genocide Jack is the culprit ! » Kokichi nodded.
« Then we must find who it is ! » Mahiru exclaimed.
« Wait no, that's not right. Genocide Jack isn't behind all of this. » Kazuichi interjected.
« Hmm ? You're saying I am wrong, Kaz ?~ » Kokichi teased him.
« That's right, and I have proof of it ! » Kazuichi replied confidently.
Now that he mentions it… Something feels off about all of this…
NON-STOP DEBATE
« There's no way Genocide Jack is behind all of this ! I can prove it ! » Kazuichi started.
« Do you have evidence to back it up ? » Rantaro asked.
« Yes, I know all of Genocide Jack thanks to Miss- Err, I mean thanks to Sonia ! » Kazuichi corrected himself.
« I didn't have access to the file since I didn't know about it, but Sonia told me everything to know about Genocide Jack ! » He continued.
« Ah yes, she told us she was quite worried about potential serial killers in her kingdom. » Mahiru added.
« Well, from what she told me and what I saw from Toko's body and murder weapon… It doesn't match the modus operandi ! » Kazuichi continued.
« I agree with that ! » I exclaimed.
BREAK !
« Wait, Kazuichi is right ! The methods of murder don't actually match ! » I explained.
« Oh ? Whatever do you mean ?~ » Kokichi teased.
« There are two clear differences between the Genocide Jack cases and this one. The first being the cause of death. Genocide Jack kills them with a pair of scissors. But Toko died from a blow to the head ! » I started.
« It's just a coincidence ! I'm sure he did that to cover his tracks ! » Mahiru shook her head.
« No, it's not a coincidence. Because the second difference is what was used to suspend Toko. In this case, they have used some kind of rope to hang her up by her wrists. But in the Genocide Jack cases, the victims were suspended… by razor-sharp scissors. » I continued.
« Scissors ? » Rantaro repeated.
« I have no idea what's going on anymore ! Is Genocide Jack the killer or not ? » Taka groaned.
« No, and there's actually a third difference you missed, Makoto. » Kazuichi said.
« I did ? » I asked in surprise.
« Yeah, there's a big reason why Genocide Jack can't be the killer. It's about the victims. Come on man, you read the file, you should remember it ! » He cheered for me.
Alright… Let's concentrate…
Hangman's Gambit !
Question : What is the defining feature of all Genocide Jack victims ?
A? VI?MS ?RE ?LE
ALL VICTIMS ?RE ?LE
ALL VICTIMS WERE MALE
« Now I understand ! »
COMPLETE !
« Is it because… all victims were male ? » I asked him.
« Yup ! Since Toko was a girl, there's no way Genocide Jack is the killer ! » He nodded.
« Does that mean we wasted our time…? » Himiko asked.
« Not exactly, because now, we know that this was a copycat crime ! » I answered.
« Your reasoning is out of focus ! » Mahiru interrupted me.
ARGUE
« No, that's obviously wrong ! It's what Genocide Jack wants you to think ! » She said.
« Huh ? What do you mean, Mahiru ? » I asked confused.
« Seriously ? Genocide Jack changed his modus operandi to fool us ! Pay attention, Makoto ! » She frowned.
REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN
« If you just use common sense, Genocide Jack obviously changed his modus operandi to not be seen as the culprit ! » She started.
ADVANCE !
« But in all Genocide Jack cases, he didn't change his modus operandi at all. Why would he change it now ? » I countered with a question.
« Because if he did his modus operandi as usual, it would make him the obvious suspect ! He must have changed it one way or another ! Like by hiding the real cause of death with the blow to the head ! » She continued.
« I will cut through your words ! » I shouted.
BREAK !
« No, I'm certain the blow to the head is the cause of death. Isn't that right, Mikan ? » I asked the nurse.
« Y-yes, I checked her head, it was definitely powerful to k-kill her instantly, l-like the Monokuma File said ! » She nodded.
« So it really is the work of a copycat killer. Sorry for the interruption. » She apologized.
« It's fine, Mahiru. Because now we know the culprit wanted to pin the crime on Genocide Jack, which means we must find out who the copycat killer is. » I replied.
« But h-how ? It could b-be anyone at this point ! » Mikan said.
Actually, no… There's one person who could have done all of this.
SELECT SOMEONE !
« Kokichi… You're the one who set up this whole thing, didn't you ? » I asked him.
« Hmm ? Why do you accuse me, Makoto ? I'm your partner ! » He pretended to look offended.
« Well, you had already found out about the file and looked into it, didn't you ? » I replied.
Kokichi now had a serious look, not saying anything.
« That must be it ! He pushed the theory of Genocide Jack being the killer so he could pin it on him ! » Kazuichi pointed at him.
« Well, Kokichi ? What's your response ? » Taka asked, pointing as well.
« Nishishi.~ So everyone is accusing me now. But do you have proof I'm actually the culprit ?~ » Kokichi grinned.
Huh ? He's not worried that he's cornered ?
« Well, Makoto ?~ » He asked me again.
« Th-There is… I think… » I try to answer.
« There's more to it. Think about it, we just talked about the differences between this case and past Genocide Jack incidents. The proof you're looking for is hidden in there… » Kyoko helped me.
The differences between this case and other Genocide Jack murders… The evidence that proves Kokichi is responsible is hidden in there ? I gotta find it !
NON-STOP DEBATE
« Let's review what we know of the case so far. We know Toko was suspended by some kind of rope and died of a blow to the head. » Mahiru started.
« However, in the Genocide Jack cases, he suspended the bodies with his own scissors, and all victims were male. » Kazuichi continued.
« Speaking of which, what kind of rope did Kokichi use ? It looks very odd… » Rantaro added.
« It's true ! Kokichi ! Where did you find that rope ? » Taka asked.
« I have never seen that rope before in my life, I swear ! I'm just trying to help you guys ! » Kokichi gave us his fake tears.
« No, that's wrong ! » I shouted.
BREAK !
« Actually, I'm pretty sure you have seen it before. You see, that rope, or should say… that extension cord ? » I started.
« An extension cord, you say ? » Taka said out loud.
« Yes, and Kokichi was the one who told me it was an extension cord ! » I continued.
« I-It's true ! I was here with Makoto d-during the investigation ! » Mikan nodded.
« Then Kokichi must be the one who took the extension cord ! I can't imagine any other possibility ! » Taka concluded.
« Then that means that purple-haired shota is the culprit ! » Miu snapped.
« That's really what you think ? Then your conclusion is something like this ? I killed Toko in the Library, then hung her up and wrote that bloody message. I intentionally made it look like Genocide Jack was behind it. Is that correct ? » Kokichi asked, all serious all of the sudden.
He's doing it again… Why do I have the feeling I'm wrong…?
« Well, Makoto ? Do you think I'm the culprit ? » Kokichi asked me again.
« Hell yeah you killed Tokunt ! Admit it already ! » Miu snapped.
« No need, let's vote for him ! » Kazuichi added.
« This is a game to him, he would do something like this to 'win' ! » Taka noted.
« No. He's innocent. »
Everyone turned to Kyoko.
« What the hell ?! How ?! » Miu asked.
« Think of what happened at the very beginning of the investigation, there's a clue we missed, which can not only prove Kokichi's innocence, but also two other persons' innocence. » Kyoko explained.
« R-really ? » Himiko said in surprise.
« You know about, right Makoto ? » She turned to look at me.
Something that could prove Kokichi's innocence…
« I got it ! The Body Discovery Announcement ! » I exclaimed.
« That's right, and who were the first three persons to discover Toko's body ? » Kyoko asked.
« That was Makoto, Taka and… Kokichi ?! » Keebo replied in shock.
« W-what ?! Y-you're tellin' me that grape idiot is actually innocent ?! » Miu asked flabbergasted.
« Well, Kokichi ? You lied to us again, didn't you ? » Kyoko frowned at him.
…
…
…
« Nishishi.~ Yup, I'm not the culprit !~ » He laughed.
« W-wha… Why would you do that ? » Keebo asked.
« To see if you were capable of seeing through my lie, and other than Makoto and Kyoko, you all failed ! » Kokichi winked.
« This is not the time for jokes, Kokichi ! Our lives are on the line ! » Taka pointed at him.
« Well, either way, now we know Makoto, Kokichi and Taka are innocent because of the body discovery announcement, which means we have three persons off the suspect list. » Kyoko added.
« Yeah, but we still don't know who could have killed Toko. » Himiko looked down dejectively.
« No, I know who it is. Because I saw the murder happening. » Kokichi answered.
« W-what ?! For real ?! » Kazuichi exclaimed in surprise.
« Then who is it ? Who's the killer ? » Taka asked.
« Stop it right there ! I won't allow you to reveal who the blackened is like that ! In fact, I will make it a rule ! » Monokuma interjected, as we heard a buzzing noise from our E-Handbooks.
Rule 12 : Any direct eye witness to a murder is not allowed to reveal the culprit's identity, including their name, gender, height, and more.
Rule 13 : Additional school regulations may be added if necessary.
Damn it… Of course it would have been too easy.
« Well, what are we supposed to do now ?! » Miu asked out loud.
« Actually, I think I know the culprit is ! » Taka answered.
« You do ? » Rantaro asked.
« Yes, if Kokichi and Makoto, who both read the file, didn't commit the murder, then the only person who knew about Genocide Jack… was you, Kazuichi ! » Taka pointed at him.
« W-what ?! What the fuck ?! » Kazuichi panicked.
« Hey, he has a point ! That pink-haired sharkboy was the one who contradicted Kokichi's lies by telling us the differences between the cases, so he took opportunity of that to frame grapeboy ! » Miu glared at him.
« And that's not all. He was the one on trash duty this week. He must have taken the opportunity to get rid of the evidence like the desk lamp. » Rantaro added.
« And Rantaro and I noticed it since we were guarding the body, but we noticed a blood trail coming out of the library ! » Taka continued.
« Because we were searching for Toko, and upon seeing her body, our fear and shock made us look at her instead of the floor. And even if we did look down, the trail is small and thin, which we might not have noticed upon further inspection. » Rantaro added.
« Then that means he killed Toko in the Trash Room, and moved her body to the Library ! » Mahiru concluded.
« You mean the Trash Room is the real crime scene ? » Himiko asked.
« Of course ! Only Kazu-itchy could have entered the Trash Room and killed Toko ! » Miu glared at him.
« No ! I swear I'm not the killer ! » Kazuichi exclaimed.
« I have some doubts about that theory. Was the Trash Room really the crime scene ? I think we should discuss this some more. » Keebo said.
« Yes, I also believe Kazuichi is innocent. The Library was definitely where Toko died. » Kyoko nodded.
« Yep, I can confirm as eye witness that Kaz is not our culprit, and it took place at the Library ! » Kokichi smirked.
« I somehow doubt that, you did lie to us after all. » Rantaro frowned at him.
« I-I mean, it makes sense, r-right ? That's Kazuichi's m-murder plan, isn't it ? » Mikan said out loud.
« Are we really stuck again ? How do we solve this ? » Taka wondered out loud.
« Hold on ! You're split down the middle again ? In that case, it's time to use again the Hope's Peak Academy's morphenomental trial grounds ! » Monokuma declared.
« Yippee ! I have been waiting for this ! » Kokichi cheered.
« What the hell do you mean you were waiting for it ? » Kazuichi complained.
« Last time to repeat how it works : Press the answer you think is the correct one on your screen to a topic, and prove the opposing side that you're correct ! Now let's get started ! » Monokuma explained one last time.
Monokuma pulled out his key and inserted into the keyhole, allowing us to pick our answer. I picked the one I thought was correct, as my seat and the others' rose from the ground, as we went up.
OPINION OPPOSITION
Where did the crime scene take place ?
In the Trash Room !
Junko
Sonia
Himiko
Mikan
Rantaro
Miu
Mahiru
Kiyotaka
In the Library !
Makoto
Kyoko
Kazuichi
Kokichi
Keebo
Toko
Empty Seat
Byakuya
Scrum Debate Start !
« Kazuichi was the one who killed Toko at the Trash Room, the real crime scene ! » Taka started.
Kyoko ! /Kirigiri-san !
« No, if you look at the evidence, you will see why it's not the Trash Room that was the real crime scene. » She countered.
« Kazu-itchy was the one on trash duty ! » Miu glared at him.
Kazuichi ! / Soda-kun !
« I might have been on trash duty, but I haven't killed Toko ! I'm just trying to help you guys ! » He defended himself.
« But he was the only one who could have opened the Trash Room gate, since it needed a key to open it. » Rantaro continued.
Kokichi ! / Oma-kun !
« I can assure you, the culprit didn't need this specific key to open it, Avotaro.~ » Kokichi grinned.
« T-then how did the culprit move Toko's b-body to the Library ? » Mikan asked.
Keebo ! / Keebo-kun !
« I don't think the culprit did anything to move the body at all. We must keep discussing this. » Keebo said.
« But didn't Kazuichi take advantage of Kokichi's lie to pin it on him ? » Mahiru asked.
Kokichi ! / Oma-kun !
« Like I said, my lie was only to test you and see if you were capable of seeing through it. » He replied grinning.
« And how do we know what you're saying is not another lie ? » Rantaro asked.
I got it ! / Kore da !
« We will figure out whether or not it was another lie when we talk this through ! » I ended this.
This is our answer !
« So… You guys are saying the Trash Room isn't the crime scene because we missed a clue ? What clue ? » Taka asked.
« It's quite simple. Makoto, we found it during the investigation together, tell them what it was. » Kyoko asked me.
The evidence that proves the Trash Room isn't the crime scene…
« I got it ! It's the blood trail itself ! » I exclaimed.
« The… blood trail itself…? » Himiko repeated.
« Yes, look at the Library. There's a large pool of blood, followed by a trail… leading up to the Trash Room… And if you look at on the floor, there's no large pool of blood like in the Library ! » I explained.
« Which proves that Toko was killed in the Library, and not in the Trash Room. » Kyoko nodded.
« That doesn't prove anything ! Kazuichi could have just scrubbed away the blood at the Trash Room ! » Miu glared at her.
« Then why didn't the culprit scrub away the trail leading up to the Library ? Even if they did that, we would still have found Toko's body eventually. » Kyoko glared back.
« Yeah, that's it ! The Library is the crime scene ! » I nodded at Kyoko.
« I got your remodel right here ! » Miu snapped.
ARGUE
« No, the Trash Room is definitely where Tokunt got killed ! » She glared at me.
« Huh ? How ? » I asked confused.
« I'm gonna prove it right now… My golden brain is gonna go all out ! » Miu exclaimed.
REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN
« It's obvious the Trash Room is the crime scene, you can only access it with a key, and Kazuichi was the only one who had it ! » She started.
ADVANCE !
« True, he was the only one who had the key, but we have just proved that the crime scene took place in the Library thanks to the blood trail ! » I said.
« You're thinking the blood trail alone proves the Library is the crime scene ? That's fuckin' bullshit and you know it ! 'Cause you don't have any more proof ! » She continued.
« I will cut through your words ! » I countered.
BREAK !
« Actually, I do have more proof. » I continued.
« W-what ?! No way ! You're bluffing ! » She panicked.
I am not, because this is my second proof !
« Take a look at this note we found in the Trash Room. » I showed them.
« Wait, it says to meet at the Library around midnight ! That's when Toko was killed ! But no name is mentionned… » Taka stared at it.
« Which further proves Kazuichi's innocence, after all, why would he kill at the Trash Room if he asked to meet at the Library ? » Kyoko rhetorically asked.
« Then there's no doubt about it. The Library is indeed the crime scene. » Keebo nodded.
« I-I see… So… I made a mistake… How rare… » Miu looked away in shame.
« It's not that rare for you to make a mistake, your entire existence is a mistake ! » Kokichi chuckled.
« Y-You ! Fuck you ! » She snapped at him.
« Still, I am having some doubts. While we do know the Library was the crime scene, that doesn't really prove his innocence, since he could still have removed the evidence in the Trash Room, since he was the only one who had the key. » Rantaro shook his head.
« See ? We are wasting our time right now ! » Miu added.
« Hold on, something doesn't add up. » Keebo looked down in thought.
« What is it, K-Keebo ? » Mikan asked.
« We have proven that the Library is the crime scene, then… Why is there the blood trail ? It doesn't make sense since Toko's body wasn't moved. » Keebo asked.
« Wait, that's true ! How is it there ? » Taka's eyes widened.
« It's quite simple… if we turn our thinking around. » Kyoko explained.
« Turn our thinking around ? » Mahiru raised an eyebrow.
« Nyeehh… I hate riddles… It's too complicated… » Himiko yawned.
Turn our thinking around to explain how a blood trail ended up here…
Hangman's Gambit !
Question : How did the blood trail appear ?
C?T'S ?D
C?L?R?T'S BL?D
CULPRIT'S BLOOD
« Now I understand ! »
COMPLETE !
« Kyoko… Are you saying the blood trail… belongs to the culprit ? » I asked.
« W-what ?! That's the culprit's blood ? » Taka asked in surprise.
« That's right. The reason there's a blood trail is because the culprit got injured. » Kyoko nodded.
« Then that means Toko fought back, hurt the culprit before they killed her, and they left a blood trail while going to the Trash Room ! » Mahiru concluded.
« Yeah, but that still doesn't prove Kazuichi's innocence, though. » Rantaro said.
« Then let's review everything we know of the case once again. » Kyoko said.
« Do we really have to… ? Kazuichi is still suspicious… » Himiko complained.
« We must, because now, I got a pretty good idea who the culprit is. » Kyoko answered.
« Wait, for real ? Who is it ? » Taka asked.
« I would rather have you guys figure it out, so we can all reach a common conclusion. » She replied.
Alright… Let's unmask the killer !
NON-STOP DEBATE
« Alright, let us review what we know of this case so far ! » Taka started.
« We know the victim was Toko, who died of a blow to the head in the Library. » Mahiru continued.
« We discovered Kokichi re-arranged the body to test us. » Keebo said.
« Yup, it was to show Genocide Jack was not the killer ! » Kokichi chuckled.
« Because we realized Genocide Jack only kill males with scissors. » Kazuichi added.
« T-thanks to the note we found, w-we know for sure the Library is the crime scene. » Mikan noted.
« Yeah, and we know the culprit got injured because Toko fought back. » Himiko added.
« Speaking of which, what did Toko use to injure the culprit ? » Taka asked.
« Since the desk lamp was used to kill her, it has to be something else ! » Miu said.
« Yeah, like those scissors found at the crime scene. » Rantaro nodded.
« H-hold it ! » I exclaimed.
BREAK !
« H-hold on Rantaro, what did you just say… ? » I asked as worry grew within me.
« Huh ? What do you mean, Makoto ? » He looked at me in worry.
I tried answering back…
But found myself unable to…
« Hey Makoto, are you alright ? You're looking a little bit pale. » Taka asked in worry.
I couldn't answer…
This was impossible…
Not him ! Why him !
« So you realized it too. » Kyoko sighed.
« What do you mean ? » Rantaro asked her.
« Rantaro, how did you knew we found scissors at the crime scene ? » She asked him.
« W- ! That's- ! » Rantaro gasped.
« W-wait ! H-He must have seen it during the investigation ! » Mikan came to his rescue.
« No… He didn't… » I finally replied.
« W-what ? » Mikan's eyes widened.
« Mahiru… You found out about the scissors underneath the furniture thanks to your photos... Did you tell anyone about them… ? » I asked her.
« No… Just you and Kokichi. » She replied, feeling my pain.
I looked at Kokichi…
« Hey, don't look at me. I didn't say anything about the scissors to anyone. » He puts his hands behind his head.
« Then how do you know about the scissors being the weapon that Toko used against the culprit ? » Kyoko asked Rantaro.
« W-well, we mentionned that Genocide Jack uses scissors to kill his victims, so I assumed those scissors were used against the culprit ! » He tried to explain.
« Since you and Taka were guarding Toko's body, and Mahiru, Makoto and Kokichi didn't say anything about it, that means you know something we don't, and is indicative of being the culprit. » Kyoko frowned at him.
« Nishishi.~ Looks like Avotaro just dug his own grave.~ » Kokichi chuckled.
« I made him do that on purpose. » Kyoko said out of the sudden.
« Wait, so you did not know if he was the culprit after all ? » Taka asked.
« No, I had an idea, but I needed to confirm it. I did see the scissors under that furniture, which is why I didn't bring it up so the culprit would give a slip of the tongue, and exposing themselves by accident. » Kyoko explained.
« Wow ! I knew you were smart Kyoko, but I didn't expect that much ! I guess I shouldn't have understimated you by your lackluster rack ! » Miu smirked at her.
Ignoring Miu's statement, Kyoko turned her attention back to Rantaro, but then…
« Oh, by the way, I have to say something about these scissors… It's Genocide Jack's scissors. » Kokichi grinned.
« H-huh ? » I exclaimed after so long.
« Yup, I found them next to Toko's body, so after I suspended her with the extension cord, I kicked the scissors underneath the furniture ! » He exclaimed.
« So that's why it was under there. » Mahiru frowned at him.
« And with that, we can deduce who Genocide Jack is ! » Kokichi exclaimed.
« Indeed, but before that, Makoto, please give us a review of the case one more time. » Kyoko asked me.
I took a big breath, and sighed heavily.
« Ok… Let me just concentrate… » I closed my eyes.
Mind Slide
A white silhouette of Makoto is seen on a skateboard, as he has to dodge walls and pits.
SLIDE START
Question 1 : What gender was all Genocide Jack's victims ?
Female Male
Question 2 : What weapon Genocide Jack uses ?
Scissors Blunt weapon Guns
Question 3 : Where did the crime scene take place ?
In the Trash Room In the Library
« It's all coming together ! »
COMPLETE !
« Well… The murder took place in the Library, Toko died of a blow to the head, and Genocide Jack kills males with scissors. » I replied.
« How is that supposed to tell who Genocide Jack is… ? » Himiko asked in confusion.
« Simple, we have to turn our thinking around again. Makoto, if Genocide Jack only kills males, and if Rantaro is the culprit, then who is Genocide Jack ? » Kyoko asked me.
Who Genocide Jack is, if we assume Rantaro is the culprit…
Wait…
No way !
SELECT SOMEONE !
« Are you saying… Toko is Genocide Jack ?! » I exclaimed.
No one said a word…
Then hell broke loose.
« WHAT THE FUCK ?! » Kazuichi shouted.
« Toko was Genocide Jack ?! » Taka's eyes widened.
« Yup, that's right ! I saw her attack the culprit ! » Kokichi nodded.
« Which means she is the one who sent the note, and since Genocide Jack only attacks males, that means the culprit is a male. And since Kokichi, Taka and Makoto triggered the Body Discovery Announcement, that means only Keebo, Rantaro and Kazuichi could have committed the crime. » Kyoko concluded.
« Which means… Rantaro… You killed Toko in self defense, right ? » I asked him.
« Stop accusing him ! » Mikan shouted.
ARGUE
« Why are you accusing him, Makoto ?! He's like a brother to us ! » Mikan frowned at me, her stuttering seemingly gone.
« M-Mikan, I don't want to accuse him too, but… » I was interrupted.
« Shut up ! I will prove his innocence ! » She snapped.
REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN
« There's no way Rantaro would do something like this ! He has no reason to kill Toko, Kazuichi is framing him ! » Mikan started.
ADVANCE !
« Mikan, Kyoko and Kokichi have proven that Genocide Jack tried to kill Rantaro, and he killed her in self-defense ! He even accidentally revealed something only the culprit would know ! » I explained.
« That doesn't mean anything ! And I think it's impossible for Toko to be Genocide Jack ! Toko had hemophobia, she can't be Genocide Jack ! » Mikan continued.
« I will cut through your words ! » I shouted.
BREAK !
« Actually, it's possible for Toko to be Genocide Jack. » I started.
« How ?! It's impossible ! » She glared at me.
« There's the File… It says that Genocide Jack might have dissociative identity disorder. » I explained.
She gasped, as she knew exactly what it meant.
« So Toko is Genocide Jack, but not Genocide Jack as well ? » Taka asked.
« That's right. Which means it wasn't Toko who asked Rantaro to come at the Library around midnight… But Genocide Jack. » Kyoko concluded.
« Well, Avotaro ?~ Do we need to say more ? » Kokichi looked at him.
…
…
« Nah, that won't be necessary. » He smiled.
« Rantaro… ? » Me and Mikan said at the same time.
« Yeah, you're right. I killed Toko. » He nodded, sighing.
« Wait, you're confessing ? » Taka asked.
« Yeah, I'm the culprit. What you said was pretty much what happened. » He replied.
« Hold on, how did you get into the Trash Room then ? » Kazuichi asked.
With that, Rantaro puts his hand in his pocket, and pulled out…
A key ?
« I recreated the Trash Room key. That's how I was able to get in. » Rantaro explained.
« Can I see ? » Kazuichi frowned at it.
Rantaro threw the key at him, which the latter catched. He then stared ay it in shock.
« Holy shit… This is a perfect replica ! » Kazuichi exclaimed, as he pulled out the real Trash Room key.
« I mean, you can tell which one is the real deal, but it's the exact same shape ! » He stared at the keys.
« Wow, I didn't know you were the Ultimate Locksmith, Avotaro ! » Kokichi chuckled.
« Well, as the Ultimate Adventurer, I had to craft various things with little I could find. So with what I could find in the school, I ended up creating a key of the Trash Room, so if I had to throw something in the incinerator, and I didn't have the real key, I could just use the one I made. » Rantaro explained.
« S-stop it… »
We heard Mikan speak quietly.
« Mikan… I am the culprit, I- » Rantaro tried to comfort her.
What happened was something we never would have expected.
« I said STOP IT ! » She snapped.
Everyone stared at her in shock.
« W-what the hell ?! She has gone crazy ! » Miu panicked.
« H-hey, Mikan… » Mahiru said astounded.
« STOP CALLING HIM A MURDERER ! I REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT ! » Mikan pulled her hair.
« Mikan, he confessed… » I tried to talk to her.
« WHY ARE YOU NOT SUPPORTING HIM ?! I WILL SHOW YOU HE'S INNOCENT ! » She snapped at me.
I sighed heavily. I have to do this…
ARGUMENT ARMAMENT
Start !
Mikan appears in a traditional nurse uniform with a nurse hat, a giant syringe strapped on her back, with defibrillators in her hands.
Why are you accusing Rantaro ?
He's like a brother to us, Makoto !
He would never hurt someone !
Kazuichi and Keebo are still suspects !
So why are you not believing him ?!
The giant syringe fell off her back.
Why don't you believe me ?!
Please help us, Makoto !
We might have missed a clue !
I refuse to believe he's guilty !
He's not GUILTY !
The defibrillators fell off her hands.
WHY ARE YOU BELIEVING THEIR LIES ?!
WAKE UP, MAKOTO !
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A TRAP !
WE MUST KEEP LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH !
RANTARO COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS CRIME !
Her nurse hat fell off her head.
This is it !
« HE COULDN'T HAVE GONE TO THE TRASH ROOM WITHOUT THE KEY KAZUICHI HAD ! »
HE-CREATED-A-KEY
« This is the end ! » I exclaimed.
« N-NOOOOO ! » She screamed.
Mikan fell to her knees, her shoes gone, as she looked like she was about to cry.
BREAK !
Mikan didn't say a word afterwards…
And then…
« WAAAAHHHH ! » She sobbed, falling to her knees.
All of us watched her cry in complete silence.
« There, there. I'm here for you. » Rantaro pulled her into a hug, which Mikan accepted, sobbing on his shoulders.
I didn't hesitate to get off of my podium and run up to them to join them, as I felt my tears fall off my eyes.
« W-why ?! What happened there ?! » I asked, sobbing.
« Yeah… Let me explain. » He sighed.
Flashback
I was heading towards the Library to see whoever found a way to get out of here.
« Hello ? Anyone here ? » I said out loud. The lights were on.
« Oh, hello there ! » A female voice was heard. She was facing the wall.
« Toko ? You found a way out ? » I asked, having a bad feeling about this all of the sudden.
« Nope ! I haven't ! » She turned around…
And I felt my heart nearly stop.
« T-Toko ? W-what happened to you ?! » I asked in shock.
« I'm not Toko ! I'm Genocide Jack ! Or better yet, let's go with Genocide Jill ! » She laughed.
« W-what do you want ?! » I yelled.
« Simple, I only want one thing… Your death ! » She smiled evilly.
« W-what ?! Why ?! » I took a step back.
« Ohhh because you're cute and handsome, and I kill cute and handsome men ! And don't try to deny it ! » She drooled.
« I- Wait, why me ?! Why not Kokichi ?! He's cuter than me ! » I didn't like selling out someone, but shouldn't he be your target ?! » I tried to defuse the situation.
« Sure, he's cute. But he's so annoying ! No way I'm killing him ! You're a better target ! » She drew her scissors.
« Step back ! » I yelled.
« Now, now. Stand still, it will only hurt a moment, and don't worry… I will make sure your body will be well arranged ! » She yelled.
I felt a sudden sharp pain on the left side of my abdomen, as she slashed it with her scissors !
I stumbled backwards, hitting a desk. I noticed a desk lamp on it.
I saw her charge at me, so I grabbed the desk lamp, and…
BLAM !
Toko fell on the ground, as blood came out of the top of her head.
« Crap, crap, crap… » I cursed.
I need to get rid of this…
I ran out of the library…
But little did Rantaro know…
Kokichi saw everything.
« Nishishi.~ Looks like I can make the class trial more interesting.~ » He grinned.
Flashback ends
« And after this, I went back to my room and stop the bleeding, as well as to create the makeshift Trash Room key, and went into the Trash Room to throw the desk lamp into the incinerator. I made sure to remove any blood leading up to my room, and you all know the rest. » Rantaro finished.
« And after Avotaro left, I suspended Toko's body with the extension cord, took a book and made it bloody, and kicked the scissors under the furniture where Mahiru found it. » Kokichi added.
« Well, it looks like we can finish this. Makoto, tell everyone this entire case one more time. You can do this. » Rantaro told me, smiling.
I took a deep breath, and nodded.
« Alright, I will explain everything that happened in this case. » I said.
CLOSING ARGUMENT
Act 1 :
It all began yesterday, when Monokuma presented the last motive… The secrets. He threatened to expose our most humiliating and darkest secrets to the world if we didn't kill anyone before today. One person didn't want their secret to be exposed, and that person was… Toko Fukawa.
Act 2 :
The reason she didn't want her secret to be exposed, is because her secret was probably the darkest out of all of us… She was the fiendish serial killer, Genocide Jack... or Jill, whatever. Anyway, she wasn't technically Genocide Jill since she had dissociative identity disorder, or basically another personality. Genocide Jill was the one who really did the murders of cute and handsome males.
Act 3 :
So Jill began her murder plan, to kill someone… the culprit, who was supposed to be the victim. She asked him to come to the Library at midnight, and kill him there. The culprit did listen to the note, and met Genocide Jill, who attacked him, and injured him. Cornered, the culprit grabbed a nearby desk lamp and smashed Toko's head, killing her instantly.
Act 4 :
Realizing he killed her by accident, the culprit went to their room, while bleeding out a little. Little did he know, someone watched the entire scene unfold. Kokichi decided to re-arrange the crime scene to test us during this class trial. He took the extension cord from the desk lamp the culprit used, and with that cord, he used it to suspend Toko's body. He then grabbed a book and used the blood on it to make it look like it was the murder weapon. And finally, he kicked Genocide Jill's scissors under a furniture to hide it, only to have been discovered thanks to Mahiru's photos.
Act 5 :
While Kokichi was doing all of this, the culprit healed his wounds back in his room. As soon as he was done, he created a key identical to the Trash Room Key, so he could enter it, and destroy the desk lamp thanks to the incinerator. It was also to frame Kazuichi for the murder, since he was the one who had the real key. He would have pulled the perfect crime, if it wasn't for his slip of the tongue.
Makoto is seen on the right, in front of the camera, tears falling on his cheeks, and his hand on his heart. On the left was the blackened, sad yet having a smile on his face.
« That slip of the tongue betrayed you… Rantaro Amami, the Ultimate Adventurer… » I said somberly.
The blackened turned to be Rantaro, his sad smile now more noticeable.
BREAK !
« Good job, Makoto. Now it is time to vote for me. » Rantaro told me.
« Please no… » I begged.
« Makoto… I know you are scared, but you have to live. All of you. » He eyed all of us.
No one replied, feeling horrible again.
« Well, it looks like we have reached a common conclusion ! It's voting time ! » Monokuma said out loud.
« W-wait ! H-hold on ! » Mikan begged.
« No more holding on ! Time for the moment we have all been waiting for ! Grab your lever and give it a yank ! Who will you choose as the blackened ? Will you make the right choice, or the dreadfully wrong one ? Let's find out ! » Monokuma cheered.
« Mikan… Please do it, I know it's hard, but don't lie to yourself. » Rantaro reassured her.
She didn't reply, staring at the voting screen. I picked Rantaro, and pulled down that damn lever.
The slot machine came out from the ground, with the screen rolling, and the three rows ended on Rantaro's picture, with the word Guilty appearing, the coins and flowers coming out of the slot below.
« You got it right again ! And this time, the vote was unanimous ! Even the blackened voted for himself, which was none other than… Rantaro Amami ! » Monokuma cheered.
« I'm sorry everyone. I wished it ended differently. » He sighed.
« Jeez, you guys were all about not killing again, yet look at him ! He killed Toko, and not even for his secret ! Which is the fact that he's the reason his littlest sister has gone missing ! » Monokuma laughed.
«Y-you… ! » Rantaro gasped, as he became angry.
« R-Rantaro… ? » I asked.
« Yup, yup ! Let me explain ! » Monokuma started.
« It all began a few years ago… the young Rantaro Amami was on an adventure with his rich parents and entire family. In fact, it was his first one ! So he was very excited, as he went on his first adventure once they reached land. However, he didn't realize his youngest sister followed him, and when he returned to his family's ship, he realized she was missing ! He and his family searched the entire area, but never found her. And ever since that day, he blamed himself for the disappearance of his youngest sister, and feared the rest of his sisters hated him for that. » Monokuma monologued.
Rantaro cried silently as his backstory went on, as all of us heard this in shock.
« But now that he killed Toko, he will never be able to know what his family thinks of him as a murderer or if they are alive ! He sure is a terrible older brother ! » Monokuma laughed.
« SHUT UP ! » Mikan snapped.
« Say that again, I dare you ! » I screamed angrily.
« I would love to, but… unfortunately, I can't do that right now ! Because it's time for the punishment ! » Monokuma smirked.
« W-wait ! I-If Toko attacked you first, then it's s-self defense ! It doesn't count ! » She said.
« T-that's right ! He didn't mean to ! » I intervened.
Monokuma chuckled…
Then bursted out laughing.
« I'm sorry, did you honestly he would get away with it ? » He asked, grinning.
No, no, no, NO !
« It doesn't matter if he meant to kill Toko or not. It doesn't matter if it's self-defense or not. He's the one who killed her, therefore he will be punished for it. » Monokuma smirked.
« No, please- » I was interrupted.
« Makoto, stop. You too Mikan. » He told us.
We stared at him in silence.
« I have to be punished. I murdered someone, and even if it was self-defense, I can't forgive myself. » He said.
« Please d-don't go ! » Mikan cried.
« Now then, I have prepared a very special punishment for Rantaro Amami, the Ultimate Adventurer ! » Monokuma continued.
« N-no, wait ! » I felt a hand grab my arm…
It was Kyoko.
« Makoto, please stop. » She said firmly.
« Let's give it everything we've got ! It's… PUNISHMENT TIME ! » Monokuma cheered.
« PLEASE WAIT ! » I screamed sobbing as I tried to get Kyoko off me.
That cursed red button appeared, and Monokuma hit it with his hammer.
Rantaro's white sprite on the red screen was taken away by Monokuma to the right of the screen.
GAME OVER
Rantaro has been guilty.
Time for the punishment !
Rantaro stood still as the metal collar wrapped around his neck, as Mikan grabbed his hand, as he smiled at her sadly.
The force was too powerful for Mikan to keep Rantaro with her, as he was taken away as she tripped.
Once again, we arrived somewhere else, surrounded by a wire fence. In front of us was a large pool, with a pirate ship with Rantaro, strapped to a chair. All Monokumas on the ship were dressed in red pirate costumes, with one wearing a captain cap while the red had bandanas.
Survival at the Seven Seas
Ultimate Adventurer
Rantaro Amami's Execution : Executed
The bearded Monokuma captain pointed at Rantaro, as one Monokuma crew member approached him slowly with a dagger. Rantaro eyed the dagger in worry as the blade got closer to his neck.
Then suddenly, a cannonball destroyed the Monokuma crew member, as another pirate ship arrived, full of blue clothed Monokuma pirates ! Both captains raised their sabers at the enemy !
A naval battle followed between the red Monokuma pirates against the blue Monokuma pirates. While all of this was going, Rantaro looked around for anything he could use to remove the rope restraining him. Eventually, he noticed a human-sized dagger against a wall. He jumped with his chair to the wall, grabbed the dagger, and used it to cut the rope…
When a red Monokuma pirate slashed Rantaro's leg with his dagger !
Rantaro screamed in pain as he stomped the Monokuma and stabbed through his head with his dagger. Some red and blue Monokuma pirates attacked Rantaro, as he defended the best he could by using his dagger and the chair as shield.
Suddenly, the red Monokuma ship began to tilt, as it was riddled with holes, causing it to sink ! One red Monokuma pirate fell off the ship into the water. His eyes widened when he noticed the fin, and before he could react, the shark ate him whole, save for an arm that came off.
Rantaro quickly jumped onto the highest mast, as the red pirate ship began to tilt even more. He noticed the blue pirate ship was sinking too, but not as fast as the former. Suddenly, he heard the high mast cracking, so he jumped…
And caught the high mast of the blue pirate ship ! He looked down to see more and more sharks joining the feast, as the Monokumas were defenseless against them.
As the red pirate ship completely sunk, and the blue one began to descend, it was then Rantaro realized he never had a chance to survive his execution. All hope began to flee his body, as he realized this would be his last adventure. But then, he turned to the other students, and smiled, as he knew Makoto and Mikan were safe.
The blue pirate ship was completely sunk, as Rantaro fell into the water. Soon enough, several sharks began to bite him, causing him to scream as they ripped off his body. His screams were short lived, as one shark took him underwater, as they begun to feast upon him.
After a minute, chunks of Rantaro's body were brought back to the durface of the water, as a puddle of blood formed around it.
In the background, one red Monokuma pirate and one blue Monokuma pirate were drinking coconut water out of coconuts on a buoy.
No one said a word…
Then…
« I-it can't be… My… brother… WAAAAHHHH ! » Mikan screamed while sobbing.
I too let down tears, like everyone.
« Man, that really sucks he died because he defended himself, am I right ? » Monokuma smirked at me.
« W-What did you say ?! » I looked up at him, and felt my fist clench.
« You're in utter despair because of Rantaro, right ? If only he killed Toko because of his secret, that would have made things more interesting. » Monokuma mocked me.
« Stop screwing with us ! This is your fault ! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT ! » I screamed.
Suddenly, in a frenzy, I lunged at Monokuma…
When I felt an impressive grip on my arm as everyone gasped at my action. It turned around and saw it was Kyoko who grabbed me again.
« Let it go, Makoto. » She stared at me firmly.
Staring at her eyes somehow managed to calm me down, as I took deep breaths.
« Wow, that was a close one ! I thought you were about to give me a good wallopping ! Barely avoided punishment too ! » Monokuma raised his sharp nails, glaring at me.
« Monokuma, there's something I would like to ask you. » Kyoko said.
« Oh ? What's up ? » He titled his head in curiousity.
« You like to perform these elaborate executions each time, correct ? My question is… why ? » She asked.
« Puhuhuhu…. Do you like them ? But you know, this punishment, this despair, it's not just for you. All of it is my gift to mankind itself ! » Monokuma laughed.
« You're overexaggerating. » Kyoko frowned at him.
« I am not overexaggerating ! These punishments are meant to transform all hope to despair ! » He groaned.
« What do you mean ? » Taka asked.
« Mean ? Meaaann ? Good grief ! I don't understand why you have to pick apart every little stupid thing ! » Monokuma snapped.
« Then shut up ! We're tired of your cryptic bullshit ! » Miu snapped too.
« Whatever. I let you enjoy all of this despair.~ » Monokuma laughed as he left.
We were once again left alone in the execution room.
« Let's just get out of here… » I went up the staircase with Mikan, the rest following us.
And so the curtain closed again…
But I knew that wasn't the end.
The killing game would still continue…
Because the mastermind wouldn't let it end.
For those of us who were still alive, our worst fear and despair kept on multiplying…
It was the kind of despair that felt like a blind puppy in hell had more of a future than us…
All of our courage, our effort, our friendship… It felt like it amounted to nothing at all.
It was the worst kind of despair.
Somewhere in the school… a conversation was happening.
« Well, anyway, as I was saying… Isn't it amazing how that girl went and killed someone before things even had a chance to get boring ? Once things really get moving, it will be like a rollercoaster. There won't be any stopping it ! Fear and despair charge forward at a speed nothing can hope to match. » Monokuma chuckled.
The person in front of him didn't reply.
« But I must admit, I'm disappointed… I went to all the pain and effort of making you part of the group, and you couldn't play your part… You do remember you were supposed to make the first move, right ? No biggie, nothing we can do about it now. So just do your best to make things more exciting from now on, okay ? After all, that's what everyone wants to see… » Monokuma ordered.
« There's one thing I would like to ask you… Who is it ? The sixteenth high school student, I mean… » The person spoke.
« My, my. You really took me by surprise there. But… Super denied ! Ultra denied ! Demonic denied ! Because you see… That's my ace in the hole. And nobody would be dumb enough to reveal that, right ? No matter how close they were to their 'friends'… » Monokuma laughed.
The person didn't reply.
CHAPTER 2
Along the Track of Despair
THE END
Surviving Students
Toko and Rantaro's bodies turn to black.
10
To Be Continued
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