A/N: Yo! How's it going everybody? Sorry that this chapter was delayed for so long. Didn't mean to spend an entire month between the investigation and the Class Trial, but I got hit with a bit of writers' block this November. I'm glad to say it's been broken down now, though! Glad folks are liking the aesthetic change I gave to this Fangan, it's something I was worried if it'd be a bit too dorky, but it seems like my fears were unfounded this time around! That's always good to hear! Now then, let's address some viewer reviews, shall we?
MythGirl Writes: That reminds me, I need to read Deadly Virtues, Heavenly Sins... I paused after finishing the prologue. Note to self, after finishing this chapter, binge that story. Also yeah, despite being a bunch of criminals, I guess our gang of inmates is a bit less dysfunctional than your normal group of students. Granted, it helps that most of them have already gone through trials before already! Thankfully, we also have a natural-born leader in the ranks of this killing game, so everything's at least a little more organized than normal.
A Random Role Player: Haha! I'm glad that people are already enjoying the soundtrack that I've set up for this story! It took me a while to pick out everything, but I think I'm content with my choices so far. Trust me, I love Max too. I didn't forget your request for his FTE if he survives this trial, so you may see more of him soon! Also, thanks for catching that little error I made with the kitchen scene. Don't know how I missed that...
Fusion Anon: Eyyyy! Nice to see you here, Fusion! I'll be honest, I had no idea that this case was so similar to Ace Attorney's second case until you pointed it out. Whoops. So much for originality. Guess that case must've been subconsciously influencing me when I was writing this! Also, I like your take on who the culprit is. You're the only one to think about the psychology of the potential killers in your theory so far, so that's pretty neat!
NostalgiaSucker96: I was actually going less 'NC' and more 'Monty Python' for that bit, honestly. Also, I think you mixed up Kira and Akio in this chapter. Kira's the one that performed the autopsy, given his Thanatology talent. Glad you enjoyed the Investigation Period though! It was a bit of a challenge writing this up to keep a balance between keeping the dialogue entertaining and making sure to keep the hints vague enough to have people keep asking questions.
TigerTrainerXD: Welcome, new reader!
All y'all predictions seem pretty interesting so far in terms of whodunit, and I can't wait to see your reactions as more information is presented this chapter!
But before we get into the trial itself, it's time to explain some more format stuff, first off with the Non-Stop Debate and Argument Demolition mechanics! While I explained the details like the Truth Cards and Hammers, this is more about how it will function in a practical sense. Before each Non-Stop Debate starts, Kasumi will have a portion of her Truth Cards pulled out from her deck to use as counters to any statements. In each Debate, there will be at least one bolded statement that can be selected. Kasumi will then select the statement, before selecting a matching Truth Card to refute or confirm the statement. For example:
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
-Monokuma's Greatest Hits
-Man's Nut
Ryuunosuke: What was that awful noise last night?
Hachiro: That horrible wailing that scars your very soul... reminds me of the days when the government dogs would torture us viciously...
Akio: No doubt about it... That noise...
Akio: It had to be the victim's death wails!
Margot: D-death wails?! You mean they lived through... a-all that?
Margot: I-I think I'm g-gonna th-throw up...
(Such an awful noise... What could have caused such a terrible sound that woke everyone up in the dead of night?)
[Statement Select:]
-"It had to be the victim's death wails!"(YES)
[Truth Card Select:]
-Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
-Monokuma's Greatest Hits(YES)
-Man's Nut
Kasumi: NO, THAT'S WRONG!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: What if that awful noise... was Monokuma's Greatest Hits? That's on everyone's Monopass, right? The noise could have been coming from someone's Monopass!
Keiko: Someone actually decided to listen to that awful drivel?
Monokuma: Wow, just shatter a bear's self-confidence, will ya?
In some Non-Stop Debates, there will be White Noise showing up in the form of parenthetical statements in front of or behind every statement made in the argument. These are more filler bits for y'all to laugh at during the trial. Argument Demolition will function basically the same way, except with the [ADVANCE!] mechanic and the fact that debates are one-on-one there.
The second mechanic that will be showing up will be the multiple choice questions. This is a relatively simpler mechanic, and it'll also be popping up in later Free Time Events. Multiple choice questions will go pretty much like this:
Kasumi: What is Monokuma's Favorite Food?
( People / Honey / Fish )
[Answer Select:]
-People
-Honey
-Fish(YES)
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Monokuma's favorite food... it has to be fish, right?!
Monokuma: Upupupu! I'm so glad you remembered, Kasumi! We're such good friends, aren't we?
Kasumi: Don't make this weird, Monokuma.
That's all the mechanics that will appear in this chapter for now! Wow, that went on for a long time, didn't it? Sorry about that, folks! Now, on with the show!
(As Ochiyo said, we were the last two to arrive at the Trial Grounds. The courtroom was a massively grand area, with clean, polished white marble floors and red velvet curtains hanging off of large mahogany pillars lined the walls. Bright stadium lights shone down at us, as if this were nothing more than a grand spectacle for some sick audience. A lavish throne sat at the far back of the room, where our 'esteemed' Vice-Warden sat. Curiously, it seemed that he decided to remove his uniform in favor of sitting on the throne completely bare. The major feature of the room, however, was the center. Sixteen podiums, made of the same material as Monokuma's chair, faced each other in a circle.)
Monokuma: Well, well, well! Looks like the gang's all here! Minus one cadaver, that is! But don't worry, our lost Barista Boy is with us in spirit... and on that handily marked standee!
(It was true. Sitting at one of the podiums was a sign bearing Fumio's face on it. However, it was grayed-out, covered with some blood-colored steam lines that were haphazardly doodled on there, most likely by our 'esteemed' Vice-Warden himself.)
Monokuma: I think I perfectly captured his likeness, don't you? At least, I did the best I could! He died so fast, I don't think he even had any likeness to capture! Puhahahahahaha!
Margot: H-how horrid... He hasn't even been dead a day, and you're treating him like... like a bug that was swatted!
Monokuma: Sorry, Tamara Hilfiger, but if you wanted any empathy here, you shoulda thought about that before getting arrested! Besides, it wouldn't have been fair to poor, sweet Fumio if we left him out of the fun just because he's dead would it?
Hachiro: Bastard... have you no respect for the recently departed?!
Monokuma: Hmmm... lemme think about that... Nope! Not one bit! Now move it to your designated podiums, inmates! I ain't got all day!
(Not wanting to draw the psychotic bear's ire, we all walked over towards our designated podiums. To my right was Aiya, the normally chatty girl dead quiet as she looked around nervously. To my left was Ryuunosuke, the samurai's face blank as a slate, the only thing betraying his emotions being a single bead of sweat that dripped down the side of his face.)
[TRIAL: ALL RISE]
Monokuma: Before we begin, allow me to explain the basics of the Class Trial! During the Class Trial, all of you are going to debate over who you think is the true culprit of this crime, the Blackened. When you come to an agreement or if I get bored after seeing you get nowhere, all of you are going to vote for the Blackened. If you guess correctly, then the Blackened gets dragged off to their despairfully wonderful execution! If you guess wrong? Then the rest of the students get axed, and the Blackened officially gets discharged of Hope's Bastion Rehabilitation Facility! No strings attached!
Max: I have an inquiry, if I may be allowed.
Monokuma: Speak up, Yankee. Just don't try to trip over your own tongue as always! Upupupupu!
(Max visibly flinched at the remark, but carried on.)
Max: How can we unequivocally be confident that you have not been the one who has dispatched of Fumio?
Monokuma: That? Ugh, didn't you read your rulebook? I even bothered to translate the whole thing in English for you!
Max: M-my apologies... I-I do not recall looking upon anything relatable to this situation...
Monokuma: Idiot, idiot, idiot! No wonder drummers are always considered the dumb ones in bands! But fine. I'll repeat this once, and only once. If you'll check your Monopods, you'll find in Monokuma's Rulebook, it's right there in black, white, and red! Rule #10: Monokuma will never directly participate in a murder. In other words, my paws are squeaky-clean, inmates! One of your naughty children was the one to kill the coffee dork, got it?!
Aiya: So it's true... one of us really did decide to kill someone, didn't they?
Keiko: It would seem so. It appears that the desperation overwhelmed one of us in the end. But who?
(Once more, unease came across all our faces as we began eyeing each other suspiciously. Who indeed?)
Monokuma: Upupupu! I see the dread and despair is setting in quite nicely! I think this is as good a time as any! Court is now in session, folks! It's game time!
(Pulling out a gavel from god-knows-where, Monokuma raised the hammer high, before slamming it down on the the stand before him.)
BANG!
Yuuto: Damn, that's loud... So I take it that means 'go', huh? So where the hell do we even start to solve a murder? God knows I don't got any fucking idea.
Shiya: 'Where do we start?' You're kidding, right? I figured that was obvious.
Ryuunosuke: Obvious, hm? And what groundbreaking analysis has a slothful fool like you given us? Last I checked, you spent most of the time smoking that damned pipe of yours rather than actually helping anyone.
Shiya: Hmm hmm hmm~ Isn't it obvious? I'm of course talking about the dying message left by our poor deceased friend.
Aiya: Oh, yeah, right...! Fumio left us a dying message telling everyone his killer! This trial stuff's easier than I thought, huh?
Max: B-but that sanguine telegram was very clearly a falsehood!
Achiko: Yeah, right! Of course you would say that!
Max: For it is the truth!
Shiya: By all means. *puff* Prove me wrong. I know you can't.
Ochiyo: Yeah, I figured we'd open off with this part... Alright, troops, er, gang. Let's figure out this mystery first.
(Shiya and the others seem pretty dead-set on the killer being Max... but there's definitely a glaring hole in that idea. Time to find it and break through!)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Kira's Autopsy
-Bloody Message
-Gravel Chips(?)
Shiya: The case against Max is simple. In the minutes before he died, Fumio wrote his killer's name in his own blood.
Shiya: The name written down was 'Max'.
Achiko: So Max has gotta be the killer then!
Yoshino: Hmm... so you're saying we should start the vote now, based on something as simple as that?
Max: O-of course not!
Shiya: Sorry, but the evidence is clear for this case, my little drummer. Now let's end this so I can get a proper dinner, hm?
(Yeah, something's definitely not adding up about that message written in blood. Now I gotta figure out what.)
[Statement Select:]
-"In the minutes before he died, Fumio wrote his killer's name in his own blood."(YES)
[Truth Card Select:]
-Kira's Autopsy(YES)
-Bloody Message
-Gravel Chips(?)
Kasumi: NO, THAT'S WRONG!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Sorry, Shiya, but your dinner's gonna have to wait. It's outright impossible for that message to have been written by Fumio.
Shiya: Hmm. you have a pretty face, but maybe quit trying to be an amateur detective, sweetie. *puff* The message clearly was written out by Fumio's side in his own blood. Max. It seems fairly obvious that the victim was able to write down the message before he was fully dead, isn't it?
Kasumi: No, it isn't, 'sweetie'. Kira did his own investigation of the body while everyone else was searching for clues. Care to tell us what your findings said, Mister Watanabe?
Kira: Gladly. Simply put, due to the torsion of his neck and the angle his head was found at discovery, Fumio's neck was snapped at the exact moment he was hit with such a sudden blow, killing him instantly. In other words, he couldn't have written the message, because he would have been dead before he could even have dipped his finger in any blood.
Margot: Wait... so you're saying that Max was framed?
Max: I have been trying to proclaim that since this farce of a tribunal had begun!
Akio: At least we cleared up that mess as early as we could.
Hachiro: But if the message wasn't written by the victim... then who wrote it?
Yoshino: Hey, get your foot off the gas pedal.
[DEMOLITION IMMINENT]
Truth Hammers:
-Monokuma File #1
-Fumio's Hand
-Kira's Autopsy
-Bloody Message
-Max's Monopass
Kasumi: Huh?
(Yoshino stood up straight, cracking her back audibly as she stared across the podiums towards me, though that same sleepy look was in her eyes as always. Letting out a bored yawn, she lazily scratched the back of her head, before continuing.)
Yoshino: Don't you all think that you're skipping past this little detail a bit too fast? There's still a hole or two that needs to be addressed before we move onto something new...
Achiko: Aren't you the Ultimate Racer? I woulda thought going fast would be, like, your whole thing.
Yoshino: *yawn* What can I say? I like to take things slow from time to time... Anyways, sure, we proved that Mister Barista couldn't have written the message himself, but that does not clear Mister Drummer of this crime, does it?
Max: Are you daft, woman?! Naturally, it does! What use have I of accusing myself of homicide?!
(The Ultimate Racer gave Max a tired grin at that, before cracking her knuckles loudly.)
Yoshino: The fact of the matter is, while we know that Mister Barista didn't write down the killer's name, Mister Drummer himself could still have been the killer. After taking out his victim, he could have simply written his own name in the blood. When we realized that Mister Barista didn't write it himself, Mister Drummer could lay low during the trial, with most of the suspicion off of him. It's a simple a trick as that.
Yuuto: Oh please, do you really think that dumbass could think up a plan that clever?
Max: Hey! I am currently positioned in this very room!
Yuuto: Yeah? Who said I gave a shit?!
Yoshino: Appearances can be deceiving, Mister Bed Tester. I would have thought that you of all people would keep that in mind, no?
Yuuto: Ngah!
Yoshino: So, Miss Card Shark... do you have any possible counterarguments to present to me?
(Yoshino's got a point, actually... it would be a smart move to set yourself up in order to thwart suspicion later... but Yuuto's right. I don't think Max is the type to think up a plan that complex. So how am I going to point that out?)
[BREAK THROUGH YOUR OPPONENT'S LOGIC]
[BEGIN]
Yoshino: While we've cleared the possibility of Mister Barista being unable to write out the message...
Yoshino: That doesn't clear Mister Drummer of guilt.
Yoshino: It would be a simple matter for him to frame himself as the killer from the beginning by writing down his own name in Mister Barista's blood...
Yoshino: Afterwards, he could have slipped away, in an entirely different place upon the time the body was discovered.
Yoshino: At the moment we discovered the ruse...
Yoshino: All suspicions would be diverted from him from that point, and he would get away with murder.
[ADVANCE!]
Kasumi: That theory doesn't make any sense, though. We already know that Max is, quite frankly, terrible at Japanese. He even said so himself that he can't even read kanji. So it's impossible for that to have been written by him!
Yoshino: I see... So that's your argument, is it? Fine then.
Yoshino: I'll admit to the point of Mister Drummer's grasp on Japanese being tenuous at best...
Yoshino: But what about his Monopass?
Yoshino: Our Monopasses are all programmed to show our names upon activation.
Yoshino: It would be a simple matter for Mister Drummer to turn on his Monopass, and then see his name.
Yoshino: Then, he could write it down in Mister Barista's blood.
(No, that can't be right... Max couldn't have seen what his name looks like on his Monopass, I know that. But how can I prove that to everybody else?)
[Statement Select:]
-"his Monopass"(YES)
[Truth Hammer Select:]
-Monokuma File #1
-Fumio's Hand
-Kira's Autopsy
-Bloody Message
-Max's Monopass(YES)
Kasumi: I'LL SHATTER YOUR ARGUMENT TO PIECES!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: Sorry, Yoshino, but that argument simply isn't possible either.
Yoshino: Oh really? Then tell us, Miss Card Shark. I wanna see what you have to say to rebut my arguments.
Kasumi: Gladly. Remember what Monokuma said at the beginning of the trial?
Max: How can we unequivocally be confident that you have not been the one who has dispatched of Fumio?
Monokuma: That? Ugh, didn't you read your rulebook? I even bothered to translate the whole thing in English for you!
Kasumi: Monokuma said it himself: he translated Max's Monopad into English beforehand. Max can't read Japanese at all, so Monokuma gave him a Monopass written entirely in his own language! Including his name!
Monokuma: Upupupupu! That's right! Ain't I such a nice Vice-Warden?
Aiya: So if that's true, then that means...
Hachiro: Max couldn't possibly have known what his name looks like in the proper kanji!
Ryuunosuke: Well, insect? Care to prove your innocence right now?
Max: But of course, my good man!
(The Ultimate Drummer pulled out his Monopad, holding it up for all of us to see. Turning it on, symbols that I didn't recognize flickered onto the screen.)
Max: Behold, my nomenclature presented in obsidian and marble!
Achiko: Uh... you mean, 'black and white', right?
Max: Most likely! As Kasumi has informed you, my cognizance of your dialect is quite insufficient!
Achiko: You don't have to sound so proud about that, y'know!
Akio: Either way, I can definitely verify the translation there. That's Max's name, written in English, plain as day.
Yoshino: Well played, Miss Card Shark. I guess I can concede to that. You may proceed with the trial.
(Thank god I cleared that whole mess up. I turned my gaze back to Yoshino, who was drumming her fingers on the trial podium. The Ultimate Racer just stood there, eyeing me strangely, before a smile slowly made its way onto her face. Why do I have a feeling that she didn't believe her own theory either? The way I see it, she just threw out that idea for the hell of it. Either way, that question's been solved... now we have to actually figure out who was the actual killer... and I have a feeling that's gonna be a lot harder.)
Shuei: Interesting... very interesting... how our story has taken quite the interesting turn. So we have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the percussionist is innocent of any and all accusations laid out against him... so where does the story go from here, then, hm?
Ochiyo: We have no other choice but to keep going with the trial with what little we know.
Shuei: Indeed. Now we have at least one suspect out of the picture, that's for certain... But that still leaves us with fourteen others, does it not?
(I looked around the room, staring at the rest of the potential suspects among us, everyone else doing the same as we looked around nervously. Fourteen of us, all potential suspects for murder... How the hell are we going to narrow this down at all?!)
Kira: *ahem* If I may... now that we've gone and proven the innocence of our primary suspect, perhaps we should move away from the subject of who killed Hojo, and onto the topic of how he was killed.
Shiya: How he was killed? Doesn't the Monokuma File tell us how that happened?
Kira: Not quite. While the file does detail what ultimately killed Hojo in this instance, we still need to discuss the murder weapon. In my analysis, sadly, nothing of the sort came up.
(A murder weapon, huh? I think I remember seeing something like that during the investigation.)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Missing Bust
-Bloodstains near Phone Booth
-Broken Railing
Kira: Both the Monokuma File and my own autopsy ended up with the same results: Fumio Hojo died from a single clean snap of his neck.
Hachiro: Ah, a neck snap! I'm familiar with that maneuver!
Hachiro: So the killer simply grabbed Fumio by his head and twisted, killing him in one clean strike!
Keiko: Is that an admission of guilt, then?
Keiko: You said so yourself that you're quite familiar with the technique needed to do so, after all.
Hachiro: Yeah!
Hachiro: ...wait, NONONONO-!
(Something in that discussion didn't sound right to me... What really killed Fumio?)
[Statement Select:]
-"grabbed Fumio by his head and twisted"(YES)
[Truth Card Select:]
-Missing Bust
-Bloodstains near Phone Booth
-Broken Railing(YES)
Kasumi: NO, THAT'S WRONG!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Sorry, Hachiro. That's an interesting theory, but I think you're a bit off on that.
Hachiro: Ye gods! So you're telling me that you also think I killed Fumio?! For shame! And just after you worked so hard to prove Max's innocence!
Kasumi: Wha-NO! I'm talking about the murder weapon! Here, I think I took a photo with my Monopass-WHOA!
(As I fiddled with my Monopass, suddenly a bright light shone from out of the top of the device, and a hologram of the broken banister appeared in front of me, flickering in the air. Judging by the look of surprise on everyone else's faces, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who wasn't expecting this to happen.)
Kasumi: What the-?!
Monokuma: Upupupupu! You like it? This is the latest in Class Trial technology, courtesy of yours truly! Now everyone can see just what's been going on in this murder mystery!
(That's... unexpected. Still, it helps my case, so I'm not complaining. Shaking my head, I pointed towards the pieces of snapped wood on display.)
Kasumi: Anyways, see this broken railing? This was on the second floor of the library. Don't any of you think it's weird that this just so happens to have been broken at the same time and place where Fumio's body was?
Aiya: So, you're suggesting that Max was pushed off from the second floor?
Kira: Hmm... interesting theory. That would explain the lack of any open wounds found on the body, alongside the bruising on the chest and back area. A fall from that height, especially if he fell on his head, would likely fit in line with the idea that he died from a breaking of his neck. A sudden stop and twist of his head would most assuredly kill him nearly instantly.
Yuuto: But wait, ain't the railing supposed to prevent people from fallin' off? Could it really have broken that easy?
Ochiyo: Definitely. I tested it out myself when I was investigating with Kasumi. That railing was fragile enough to be snapped over my knee. If someone wanted to, they could definitely have broken it if they pushed Fumio hard enough.
Achiko: So we know the murder 'weapon' in this case was being pushed off the banister... but so what? We still don't have any leads on a possible killer.
Margot: Y-yeah... that is a problem, isn't it?
Hachiro: Hold on a second... I think I understand! I know how we can sort out who the Blackened is for this murder!
Ochiyo: You do? Well, then tell us, Hachiro! Don't leave us waiting in suspense!
Hachiro: The murder took place in the library, correct? So we just have to figure out who could have been near the library at the time of the murder! It's simple! Alright, everyone! Give out your alibis!
Achiko: I was in my room for most of the night, taking photos of the wonderful me! After all, it's best to keep memories of one's own greatness saved to last forever, no?
Shiya: After eating dinner, I decided to go to my room and take a nap. The murder happened while I was asleep.
Ryuunosuke: I was in my room, meditating, if you must know.
(Everyone apparently was in their room for most of the evening? Are you kidding me? Does no one seriously not have a solid alibi for themselves among this entire group?!)
Yuuto: Well, I left the library after I handed my shift over to Kasumi-
(The bed tester stopped mid-sentence, realization coming over his face.)
Yuuto: ...wait just a fuckmothering minute.
Akio: Huh? What's wrong, Yuuto?
Yuuto: I GET IT NOW! IT HAS TO BE YOU, YOU BITCH!
(Angrily, he turned around, pointing his finger towards... me. ...wait, me?! True enough, Yuuto's angered glare was now solely focused on me as he pointed an accusatory finger at me.)
Kasumi: Wait, why the hell am I now the prime suspect?!
Yuuto: Don't give me that shit, damnit! You were the one supposed to be guarding the phone booth at the time of the murder! The evening shift is all yours! That's what we all agreed on when we set up those stupid guard shifts yesterday! Ain't it funny how you haven't said a thing about the murder, even though you were the one who was supposed to be at the second floor for most of the evening?!
Kasumi: Err... ehehehe... I can explain?
Ryuunosuke: Now that you say that, that is quite suspicious, the one guard supposed to be on duty rather convieniently not saying a word despite the murder taking place at the exact time and place she was supposed to be guarding.
(Now everyone else's eyes were on me, staring in suspicion as I attempted to form a potential counterargument to the accusations that were being thrown at me.)
Kasumi: Indeed! Verily! I say... ergo!
(Excellent counterargument, brain.)
Aiya: Wait a minute... Those aren't rebuttals! Those are just random words!
Kasumi: Ah, um, th-that's, uh...
(I had a bad feeling that the trial would get to this point eventually... Goddamnit, do I really have to explain my alibi for the murder? I really, really, really don't want to have to do this!)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Shiya's Account
-Kasumi and Margot's Account
-Yoshino and Shuei's Account
Yuuto: The murder took place at 6:45 PM. During that time, it's Kasumi's shift to guard the telephone booth!
Yuuto: She was the only person that should've been at the phone booth.
Ryuunosuke: In other words. She had the perfect opportunity to commit the crime.
Margot: A-actually, I think she was preoccupied at the time.
Ryuunosuke: Preoccupied? Hmph, do you have any proof to back that claim?
Ryuunosuke: As it stands, only Kasumi should have been in the library at the time of the murder.
[Statement Select:]
-"The murder took place at 6:45 PM."
-"I think she was preoccupied at the time."(YES)
-"only the rat should have been in the library at the time of the murder."
[Truth Card Select:]
-Shiya's Account
-Kasumi and Margot's Account(YES)
-Yoshino and Shuei's Account
Kasumi: I'D BET ON THAT!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Margot's right. I was nowhere near the library at the time of the murder. And she can actually back up my alibi.
Kira: Hm? And what kind of alibi would that be? After all, you seemed quite eager to stand guard at the phone booth when the chance came. Why would you suddenly abandon your post?
Kasumi: ...
Akio: Kasumi?
Kasumi: ...
Yoshino: Well, Miss Card Shark? We're waiting for your alibi.
Kasumi: ...
(Even though my eyes were squeezed as tightly shut as I could possibly make them, I knew for a fact that my face was burning bright red from embarassment. Oh, God, Buddha, whatever sort of higher power that was at work in this stupid universe, why do you enjoy making me suffer so much all the time?)
Yuuto: I knew it! She doesn't have an alibi-
Kasumi: I was taking a shit.
Achiko: ...huh?
Kasumi: I was taking. A shit.
Max: ...beg pardon?
Kasumi: For god's sake, please don't make me say it a third time! It's humiliating enough to say it once as it is!
Yuuto: Let me get this straight... The reason why you abandoned your post... and why you didn't witness anything about the murder... was because you were taking a fucking dump?! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Who the hell would believe a stupid story like that?!
Margot: U-um... Actually, she's telling the truth here.
Yuuto: ...what.
Margot: I-I actually ran into Kasumi at the girl's bathroom when she was doing... um... that.
Margot: Umm... why were you in such a rush, anyways?
Kasumi: Sorrystomach'skillingme,Igottago,youmightnotwannabeinhereforafewminutes!
Margot: Sh-she seemed to be suffering from a pretty bad stomachache when we met. Kasumi practically b-bulldozed past me when she entered the bathroom. Judging from how badly she was moaning, it seemed like it would have put her out of commission for a long time...
Shiya: "Moaning", huh? My, my~
Kasumi: If you finish that sentence, you're gonna end up as the next victim, Shiya.
Shiya: ...you're no fun.
Ryuunosuke: Well fine then. Though how long was the rat in the restroom, then? You still haven't established a proper time frame to prove her innocence, you know.
Margot: W-well, if I remember correctly... I ran into her at 6:30 PM... and she was still there at around 7:00 PM when I got her the stomach medications.
Keiko: A whole half hour?! Are you kidding me?! Are you seriously trying to get us to believe that she was in the bathroom that whole time?! Stomachache or not, it's highly improbable that someone could have been in the bathroom for that long!
Yoshino: Improbable... but not impossible. After all, there's one clear testimony that will prove Miss Fashion Designer's claims.
Ochiyo: Someone's testimony? I don't remember hearing anyone else besides Margot mention seeing Kasumi at the time of the murder, though...
Shuei: Well, then, Ahiru? Don't keep us all in suspense. Give us the evidence that will absolve you of your own guilt. Don't disappoint us.
(Evidence? I don't have any evidence or testimony like that, do I? What are they talking about? What could be used to prove that I was in the bathroom for so long?)
( Missing Laxatives / Messy Pantry / Gravel Chips(?) )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Missing Laxatives(YES)
-Messy Pantry
-Gravel Chips(?)
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: I think I know what they're talking about... You guys are suggesting that the missing laxatives from the pantry are the reason why I was stuck in the bathroom for so long, aren't you?
Aiya: Laxatives? Oh yeah... Fumio was laughing about that a while back this morning, wasn't he?
Fumio: Y'see... What was missing... *snrk* was a couple of bottles of laxatives.
Keiko: Fumio asked just about everyone when he had the chance about those missing laxatives. From what I recall, no one was willing to admit to taking them. Probably because of how hard he was laughing when he asked everyone.
Ryuunosuke: Hmph. Obviously. Not many people would be so keen on admitting that they took something so vulgar as laxatives out loud. Much less to a loudmouth such as the barista.
Akio: If someone somehow snuck in laxatives in Kasumi's meal at some point during the day... then they could totally have been able to sneak into the library without her as a witness!
Hachiro: Wait... but if what you're saying is true, then the killer had to have prepared the laxatives before Kasumi took her night shift... Are you suggesting that someone had been planning to kill this whole time, and we didn't even know about it?!
Ochiyo: Yeah, that seems to be the only option that makes any sense, but... then when could anyone have spiked Kasumi's food? I'm no medical expert, but aren't laxatives supposed to take several days to kick in? But Fumio told everyone that they went missing just this morning. How could Kasumi be feeling the effects now?
Monokuma: Upupupupu! I can answer that!
(Everyone turned to look up at Monokuma in surprise. I almost forgot he was there, given how unusually quiet he was being for the most part. It's a shame he had to ruin it for everyone by raising his stupid squeaky voice again. Reaching behind his back, the bear pulled out a small bottle. Upon the bottle's label was a single name: 'Monomono Movement: for all your despairful day-to-day dumps!' I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the slogan. Charming. Just like him.)
Monokuma: Y'see, normal laxatives just work sooooooo slooooooow these days! I'm a bear who's time is precious, so spending it waiting for something like a laxative to kick in was just too boring! I wasn't content with the usual namby-pamby wimp's laxatives that other brands make, so I decided to whip up my own concoction for use in the prison! This little baby mixes up all the best parts of the leading value brand into one super typhoon of an ultra-laxative that works mega fast! Faster than any other laxative out there!
Kasumi: Urp... Can you please stop saying 'laxative' over and over? Ugh... Oh god... I think I feel my stomach pain coming back...
Monokuma: Upupupu! I can see that they worked just as I intended, huh? Aaaaanyways, as I was saying, to answer the War Machine over there, due to my genius work in developing Monomono Movement, where normal laxatives would take hours, or even days to kick in, my patented Monomono Movement works in... dun dun dun! Just fifteen minutes!
Aiya: F-fifteen minutes?! But that's way too short a timeframe to be healthy for a normal human body!
Monokuma: Hey, listen! I never said it was anything like 'healthy' or 'safe for human consumption'! All I said was that it works fast! Oh yeah, on a side note, Kasumi, if you ever get out of this place, you might want to go see a doctor about those laxatives... Upupupupu!
(Great... now on top of everything else, I have to worry about my stomach being irreparably damaged thanks to the bastard who snuck that stuff into my food.)
"Missing Laxatives" Truth Card was updated.
Kira: Regardless of Kasumi's imminent health concerns, that gives us a reasonable enough timeframe for the time when Kasumi had to have ingested the laxatives. It had to have been within fifteen minutes of 6:30 PM.
Shiya: So who could have had the chance to mess with our sweet little Card Shark's dinner without her noticing? *puff* I don't think any of us could possibly have gotten anything into her food without her or Fumio knowing about it, right?
Shuei: The plot thickens...
[DEMOLITION IMMINENT]
Truth Hammers:
-Achiko's Headache
-Kasumi and Margot's Account
-Yoshino and Shuei's Account
-Shiya's Account
-Hachiro's Account
(Shuei casually adjusted his glasses, before tenting his fingers together in thought.)
Shuei: I see... this little issue is easy enough for me to unravel. I'm almost disappointed in its simplicity.
Keiko: If it's so simple for you to solve, then please, stop with your meaningless jibbering and get on with it!
Max: Yes! Get on with it!
Shuei: This little prank could only have been done by one person and one person only. That is, the one who slipped the drugs into Miss Ahiru's drink was none other than the victim himself, Fumio Hojo.
Akio: Wha... WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!
Aiya: But, but, butbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbut! That's impossible, isn't it? Fumio's the victim, not the killer! There's no way he would have poisoned Kasumi!
Margot: Y-yeah! He seemed to be perfectly well-adjusted to living in the prison, didn't he? Always l-laughing and joking...
Shuei: Perhaps Mister Hojo decided to break the mold of his set character archetype. Perhaps he was simply waiting for the perfect opportunity to commit a murder, and it merely backfired on him.
Ochiyo: That can't be right. That argument just doesn't make any sense, Shuei. Fumio... Fumio wasn't that kind of guy who would do something like that!
Shuei: How a boringly cliche line, Miss Kaiga... I expected better from you. But to answer a cliche with a cliche... Can you say you ever truly knew what he was thinking at all times? After all, we all know that he had the biggest motive to escape this place.
Fumio: Calm down?! What the hell do you mean calm down?! My sister's being held hostage by this damn bear! She could be sick! Injured! God knows what else!
Shuei: The classic tale of a brother who is willing to fight any battle or commit any sin so long as his siblings are safe and happy. He may have been calm and happy on the outside, but as we know, people can simply hide their true nature under a mask. A reality that our friend Miss Ahiru is no doubt familiar with.
(Reality? Is that the kind of place we're in now? Am I in another world where everyone is so willing to sell others up the river for their own sakes? I tightened my grip on my podium. But... I was so close to making friends, wasn't I?)
Ochiyo: Like I said, I want to care about you. Kasumi. No matter what happened before with you or your family, you are going to be loved here. That's a promise.
(That's right... This place... it's a place where I can trust people. Where people will love me. Fumio... he was my friend. If nothing else, that was the truth.)
Kasumi: No... No, I reject that reality, Shuei! Fumio can't have been the one to have done this to me, and I'm going to prove it here and now!
Shuei: Oh? Is that a challenge, then? Very well then, I'll accept your offer of combat. Come now, Miss Ahiru. You dueled my dear Yoshino in combat. Will you do me the courtesy of giving me a battle of your own? I can't wait to see just what kind of story you have to weave for me...
[BREAK THROUGH YOUR OPPONENT'S LOGIC]
[BEGIN]
Shuei: Look back through the process that had to be taken in order to have fed you those laxatives.
Shuei: First, they had to take the laxatives from the pantry, which would have been monitored by Fumio.
Shuei: Then, they had to have somehow slipped the laxatives into your meal, something Fumio could have done easily during cooking.
Shuei: Thirdly, they would have had to get you to eat said meal, and we all observed you ravenously consuming Fumio's food before.
Shuei: In every instance, Fumio is the one key person who could have done all three steps!
Shuei: Therefore, the one who poisoned you was none other than Fumio Hojo!
[ADVANCE!]
Kasumi: Anyone could have taken the laxatives from the pantry. Fumio simply took stock of everything! There was no lock on the door where we kept the medications! I helped Fumio with sorting the medication, so I can prove it myself!
Shuei: Hmph. So you've proven that the first step could have been done by another...
Shuei: But what about steps two and three?
Shuei: Fumio is the only one who could have slipped the laxatives in your meal.
Shuei: For no one else could have even touched your food.
Shuei: And no one else was seen using the kitchen all day besides Fumio Hojo.
Shuei: Now do you understand?
[Statement Select:]
-"For no one else could have even touched your food."(YES)
[Truth Hammer Select:]
-Achiko's Headache
-Kasumi and Margot's Account
-Yoshino and Shuei's Account(YES)
-Shiya's Account
-Hachiro's Account
Kasumi: I'LL SHATTER YOUR ARGUMENT TO PIECES!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: No, Shuei. You're wrong. There was another person besides Fumio could have slipped the laxatives into my food somehow. And I think you and I both know who could have done it.
Shuei: What? But that's impossible. As I stated already, no one else had mentioned having access to the kitchen at any time before the murder, did they? How could they have possibly managed to taint your meal if they didn't have access to the kitchen today, Miss Ahiru?
Kasumi: No, they didn't. But that doesn't matter. Because the one who poisoned my food didn't need to have access to the kitchen in order to mess with my food.
Yoshino: Hungry, are we, Miss Card Shark?
Kasumi: Yeah... I was planning on meeting up with Fumio before my shift started. I wanted to get something to eat before I took watch, but I guess that's a bust.
Yoshino: Is that so? Well, I guess you're going to be happy now then. Because this is for you!
Yoshino: Mister Barista told me that he was worried when you didn't show up earlier, so he asked me to deliver this package for you.
Kasumi: I didn't really give it much thought at the time, given that I was so hungry... But Yoshino was the one to deliver my dinner tonight.
(At the mention of her name, the Ultimate Racer perked up, the sleepiness fading slowly from her eyes yet again as she turned to me in surprise.)
Yoshino: ...excuse me? What do I have to do with this murder?
Kasumi: Unfortunately, I don't know what you have to do with Fumio's death... but whatever the why you did it, the fact is that you're the only one who fits the how of this murder. Since Fumio asked you to deliver the food to me, you had the perfect opportunity to mess with my food. After all, there was no way I would have been able to notice the tampering if the food masked the taste of the laxatives.
Shuei: You... how dare you accuse my dear Yoshino of doing something so vile! On what possible grounds do you have to make your claim?!
Kasumi: I laid it all out for you, Shuei. Try to argue as much as you want. This is the answer I'm standing by for this trial.
Ochiyo: Kasumi... this is a very serious accusation you're making right now, you know that? If you're right, then Yoshino is now our prime suspect for Fumio's murder. Are you positive that Yoshino's the one that dumped laxatives in your food?
Kasumi: I have no doubt in my mind. Yoshino Rei is the one who tampered with my food, and by extension, Yoshino Rei is the one who killed Fumio Hojo.
(At once, the courtroom erupted into intense whispering as everyone began talking over each other at once at my words. I guess it makes sense. After all, I basically accused Yoshino of murder. If that wouldn't turn some heads, I don't think anything would.)
Shuei: You... you... Bastard! I'm going to-
Yoshino: Enough, Shuei.
Kasumi: !
(The Ultimate Racer lost any and all signs of sleepiness in her expression as she stood up straight. The tired grin she normally had on her face was replaced with a tight-lipped frown. Her eyes were narrowed coldly as she slammed a hand onto her trial podium, staring directly into my own with a bone-chilling calm.)
Yoshino: I thank you for standing up for me, Shuei. As always, your words are comforting to me, no matter the situation. But your defense isn't needed anymore.
Yuuto: What the hell?! So what, are you admitting to being the fucking killer?!
Yoshino: Hardly, Mister Bed Tester. I'm just saying that I can defend myself well enough on my own. After all, I am the one who Miss Card Shark is levying her accusations towards, no? Then it only makes sense if I am the one to defend myself against said accusations.
Kasumi: Defend yourself? How? I already said-
Yoshino: Your words mean little, Miss Card Shark. You've presented a theory. Nothing more. I was listening intently throughout your verbal duel with Shuei, and while the way you spoke was quite convincing to everyone, you neglected to present one important factor... Evidence.
Ochiyo: Evidence?
Yoshino: All you've done is prove I could have tampered with your food, Miss Card Shark. Yet, you have no evidence of my ties with the murder. After all, you never truly gave a solid defense of Mister Barista. All you did was defend him by virtue of his character. No evidence that he couldn't have been a murderer who simply had the misfortune to end up a victim. No evidence that I was the one who killed Mister Barista. In other words, your bluster up to this point has been empty words.
Kasumi: No, that's wrong! It has to be you who did it, Yoshino! We have no other options!
Yoshino: Do we, Miss Card Shark? Or are you simply too in denial to see what's in front of your face? I suppose it is understandable. After all, you did seem quite close to Mister Barista before he died.
Kasumi: I... I...
(At Yoshino's words, everyone else turned back towards me, waiting expectantly for me to provide a retort of any form against her logic. I began wracking my brain for any answers to Yoshino's challenge, but the oppressive aura that hung around the room was suffocating, and no matter what I did, I couldn't pick out any answer to Yoshino's words.)
Yoshino: At a loss for words, aren't you? It would appear that I've hit the nail on the head. So, unless you can step forth with any proof to tie me to this murder, let's move on from this little detour of ours, shall we?
Ochiyo: You're stepping out of line, soldier!
Yoshino: Hm?
Ochiyo: You seem awfully insistent on beating down this argument as hard as possible, Yoshino. Why don't you let us hear Kasumi out?
Yoshino: I believe I already explained why it's impossible, Miss Former Drill Sergeant. I see no point in wasting time is all.
Ochiyo: If it's impossible, then why won't you let Kasumi make her case instead of shutting her down? Why are you so afraid of her exploring this case?
Yoshino: Afraid...?
(The Ultimate Racer's lips pulled back to reveal a menacing snarl, her arm grasping her shoulder tightly as she bared her teeth angrily at Ochiyo.)
Yoshino: I fear nothing, Miss Drill Sergeant. I've faced down death at every turn in my career. You would be wise to remember that, lest I teach you that myself.
(Despite Yoshino's venomous words, the former drill sergeant didn't flinch even for a moment at the sight, keeping a stern face as she continued on with her offense.)
Ochiyo: Then prove your innocence, Yoshino, and we'll back off. You don't get to dodge the questions. You either man up and let this interrogation happen, or stand by and admit your own guilt. Is that understood?
Yoshino: Kh!
Ochiyo: I said... Is that understood, Yoshino.
Yoshino: ...fine then. It changes nothing.
(It appeared even with the sudden shift in her personality, not even Yoshino was willing to challenge Ochiyo's words. Ochiyo turned, giving her determined gaze towards me now.)
Ochiyo: Kasumi.
Kasumi: Wh-huh?
Ochiyo: I'm going to ask you this again, and I want you to stand up straight and mean it this time.
(What I saw before with Ryuunosuke... it was nothing compared to what Ochiyo was like now. Every sentence, every movement of her body, all of it had me hanging off of every word she spoke, waiting for her orders. Was this what it meant to be the Ultimate Drill Sergeant?)
Ochiyo: I'm trusting you to help close this case for good. I want you, no, I need you to be willing to step up to the plate. I know that you're made of sterner stuff than this, Kasumi. If you think you're right, then stand by your convictions instead of letting people like Yoshino push you around. So I ask of you. Do you genuinely believe in what you're saying, or don't you?
I Believe(YES)
I'm Unsure
Kasumi: ...yes. I know I'm right.
Ochiyo: Louder, Kasumi!
Kasumi: Yes, I believe, ma'am!
Ochiyo: Good. Now prove it for the rest of us!
(Ochiyo's right. I let my guard down, and Yoshino got into my head... I'm better than this, I know it. Fine. Time to remove the kid gloves and start playing for real. Bring it on, Yoshino. I'm not going to chicken out again. Whether you like it or not, I'm going to reveal the truth of this case!)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Missing Bust
-Shiya's Account
-Hachiro's Account
-Kira's Autopsy
Yoshino: (It's true...)I see no point in keeping this argument going. I have nothing to hide in this case.(Nothing seems out of the ordinary for her...)
Ochiyo: It's one thing to say it, Yoshino. You haven't proved your innocence at all yet. (Yeah! Guilty until proven innocent!)
Yoshino: (Is it not supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?) What is there to prove? (Wrong country, Max.) As it stands, Miss Card Shark has no evidence tying me to this murder.
Yoshino: No witnesses, no disproving of my alibi, no items to prove I had anything to do with this. (That doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about court proceedings to argue it.)
Kira: And what about the fact that you had the perfect opportunity to slip the laxatives into her drink. (That's disgusting.)
Yoshino: Purely circumstantial, Mister Thanatologist. (Yeah, Kasumi's just a liar!) As Shuei already told everyone before, the one to poison Miss Card Shark could easily been the victim, Mister Barista. (If he was the killer, he really fucking sucked...)
Yoshino: (That was fun!) Now then, shall we move on? (Who's up for Chinese food?)
[Statement Select:]
-"No witnesses, no disproving of my alibi, no items to prove I had anything to do with this."(YES)
-"the one to poison Miss Card Shark could easily been the victim, Mister Barista."
[Truth Card Select:]
-Missing Bust
-Shiya's Account
-Hachiro's Account(YES)
-Kira's Autopsy
Kasumi: NO, THAT'S WRONG!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: There... there's the opening I needed.
Yoshino: Opening?
Kasumi: There was a piece of evidence that I was willing to dismiss when I first got it, but now I see that it perfectly explains the connection you have to this murder. And Hachiro can explain exactly why it's so important to this trial.
Hachiro: Me...? Ah! You mean-
Kasumi: Anyways, did Hachiro have any good information to give?
Ochiyo: Uh... kinda? According to Hachiro, while he doesn't have an alibi for the time of the murders, he insisted he had information that would be crucial for the murder. He actually saw Shuei and Yoshino in the dining hall earlier, doing 'something infernal and suspicious', according to him.
Kasumi: I asked Ochiyo about this earlier, after I interviewed Shiya for her testimony. According to her, you claim to have information that would be important in order to solve this murder. I believe the words she used were 'crucial'. Well, Hachiro? Time to put your money where your mouth is. Give us all the details.
Hachiro: Ahahaha! Very well! If it will help us to live another day, then far be it from me to hold back my words! Allow me to explain in full the horrors I have witnessed!
(The time was 12:30 PM. I had just finished making a sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, if you must know. It was honestly surprising how much variety Monokuma had provided us with. The smorgasbord of meals we had available was admittedly impressive. If he wasn't such a sinister oppressor, or if he hadn't likely taken the food from people that truly needed it, I-)
Kasumi: Focus on the testimony, Hachiro.
Hachiro: Ah, right. My apologies. It appears I got sidetracked. *ahem* As I was saying!
(After finishing my meal, I put away the rest of my utensils, and noticed something out of the corner of my eye. It was Shuei and Yoshino, gossiping amongst each other. At first I thought nothing of it. After all, the two are together and they are in love. What does it matter to me if they decide to express their romance publicly. However, I noticed something strange when I looked towards them. Moritaka was writing in that journal of his, and Rei seemed to be orating to him what he should be writing. After a few minutes, Shuei tore off two pages from the journal, before handing them off to Yoshino. In exchange, she planted a kiss on the cheek of her boyfriend, before walking off. Curious about the strange gesture., I approached Shuei.)
Hachiro: Shuei! How are you doing this afternoon, my good man?
Shuei: Ah, the incendiary revolutionary. It's always a pleasure to see you. To what do I owe this pleasure?
Hachiro: Well, I saw you two lovebirds talking it out amongst each other earlier, and I couldn't help but be curious. What is it exactly that you were working on earlier with your dear Yoshino? It appears that she quite liked whatever you wrote down.
Shuei: Ah, that? Well, it just so happens that those were some love poems between my beloved and I. I may be the Ultimate Mangaka, but he has talents in other forms of writing.
Hachiro: I don't doubt it, my good man. If it's possible, could I see this poetry? You know, I'm somewhat of a poet myself. It'd be interesting to see a fellow scholar's writing. Perhap we could swap tips, even? I could even give you some tips in order to help... ignite the fires of passion in her heart.
(Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Shuei begin to push back his notebook ever so slightly. An act that was definitely more than a tad bit suspicious.)
Shuei: Apologies, but these letters are for my beloved Yoshino and Yoshino only, Hachiro. I'd prefer if no one else dares to read or hear these poems but her.
Hachiro: Ah! My mistake! I apologize for my rudeness. If that's all, then I might as well take my leave!
(I walked out of the dining hall, but not before sneaking one final glance at the man, who had returned to his writing.)
Hachiro: And that's my testimony.
"Hachiro's Account" Truth Card has been updated.
Aiya: That's it...? Just a little bit of love letters between the two?
Akio: I'm sorry, Hachiro, Kasumi. But that just doesn't seem like it ties into anything regarding Fumio's murder.
Max: And I found no 'horrors' within that testimonial!
Yuuto: So, what, was that whole thing just one big fuckin' detour that we didn't need?!
Hachiro: Nonsense! This was clearly a suspicious and furtive act that needed to be addressed! I mean, for one thing, who writes a love poem for their girlfriend, with said girlfriend telling you what to write down in said love poem! There's no romance of any sort if you write like that!
Shuei: Who are you to dictate what is and isn't romance, you uneducated plebeian? Perhaps the liar here is you, for pretending to be a poet!
Hachiro: Wha-HOW DARE YOU, MY GOOD MAN?! I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT MY POETRY HAS STIRRED THE HEARTS OF MANY IN JAPAN TO JOIN MY CAUSE!
Ochiyo: More importantly, that doesn't seem like it's enough evidence to cast suspicion on Yoshino, Kasumi.
Kasumi: No, there's something important that this testimony reveals for us! One big thing that ties everything together!
Yoshino: Please, Miss Card Shark. Stop embarrassing yourself. You're clearly grasping at straws to find any real evidence of my guilt.
Kasumi: You're right about one thing, Yoshino! I've got real evidence, and I've got it right here!
( Yoshino and Shuei's Account / Shiya's Account / Kira's Autopsy )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Yoshino and Shuei's Account
-Shiya's Account(YES)
-Kira's Autopsy
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: The major factor that proves this testimony leads to your guilt is someone else's testimony. Shiya's Testimony, to be exact.
Shiya: Who, me?
Kasumi: Yep. Good news, Shiya. For once in your life, you're actually going to be useful!
Shiya: Oh, why thank you, sweetie! You're too kind. ...hey!
Kasumi: Call back to the account that you gave me when we talked in the laundry room. What did you remember seeing at 6:15 PM?
Shiya: 6:15 PM, hm? At that time... I was walking down the halls because I was hungry. I was hoping that I would get another meal from the lovely Fumio. After all, he seemed to be so dependable with his cooking. At least, that's what I thought. When I was about to turn the corner to enter the dining hall, I saw the victim, Fumio Hojo, barging down the halls. I was about to ask when I could expect my dinner, but he just rudely pushed me aside and ran faster down the halls. That was the last time I saw him before he died.
Shuei: What, so the perverted gunslinger was the last one to see the victim before death. What of it? I still don't see how this ties into Yoshino's so-called guilt or Hachiro's own testimony. That is, unless this is a detour about how running in the halls is not welcome in a school environment, Miss Ahiru.
Kasumi: Trust me, I'm getting to that part, Shuei. Just wait. Now, Shiya, tell me, did you see anything out of the ordinary when you saw Fumio running through the halls?
Shiya: Oh? Let me recall... ... Ah. I see. So that's your game, is it, sweetie?
(I allowed myself a small grin as Shiya made her realization. Jackpot.)
Shiya: As a matter of fact, I did see something odd within Fumio's hands when we met in the hallway. He was holding a piece of paper, crumpled up in his hands as he stormed down the hall. I didn't think much of it at first, but...
Max: A parchment? ...ah! Kasumi, are you perhaps suggesting-?
Kasumi: Yes. A letter that Shuei handed off to Yoshino... and a piece of paper that was seen in the victim's hand before he died? It's easy to connect the dots here. It also explains why Fumio was found in the library, and why I was given food poisoning. It was all so one person could commit murder. Isn't that right... Yoshino Rei?
Shuei: You...! That's just a coincidence! You have no way of proving that scrap of paper is the same one that I gave to Yoshino!
Ochiyo: Oh, do we?
Shuei: Hm?!
Ochiyo: I believe all we need to prove if Yoshino is innocent or not is a pen and Shuei's notebook.
Yoshino: Sh-shuei's notebook?
Ochiyo: It's a simple enough test. Find the part in Shuei's notebook where the pages were torn out, and then use a pen to find out what was written on the page beforehand.
Achiko: Wait, what if Shuei already wrote something down on the next page? Wouldn't the notes be all obscured?
Kasumi: If that's the case, then it's a simple task of finding out where Yoshino put those letters of hers. After all, if it's just love poetry, then she'll have no problem taking them out and showing them to the rest of them, right?
Yoshino: That's... you...!
Kasumi: Well then, Yoshino? It's your call. Either comply with the investigation and let us start taking matters into our own hands, or confess your guilt to Fumio's murder. There's thirteen of us, and only one of you. We're going to get our answers either way.
Yoshino: Ngh... gh...
Kasumi: Call or fold, Yoshino? What's it gonna be, Yoshino?
(Yoshino bent over, grasping at her chest as she grit her teeth angrily, staring me down with barely masked contempt. I couldn't help but smile. Finally, after so much dodging and lying from her, she's finally cornered. No escaping from this one, Yoshino. I raised my fist, before bringing it down hard on the podium.)
SLAM!
Kasumi: What's it gonna fucking be?!
Yoshino: You... Kasumi...! KASUMIIIIII!
(With that final, primal shout, Yoshino slumped over, pressing her head against the trial podium, her body gone completely still. The rest of us stood stock-still, caught off guard by the sudden and terrifying burst of emotion.)
Ochiyo: ...so it's true. Yoshino was the one behind this murder case, wasn't she?
Aiya: Why...? Why did you do this, Yoshino?! Why would you do this to one of our friends?!
Yuuto: Who gives a fuck 'why' at this point?! Let's just put this bitch out of our misery, damnit! Let's get to voting!
(Yuuto's right. It doesn't matter at this point. We proved Yoshino's guilt. She was the one who poisoned me. She was the one who killed Fumio. She was the one behind all of this heartbreak and misery. So...)
...
(So why don't I feel like things have ended yet?)
CLAP... CLAP... CLAP...
Yoshino: Ehahahahahaha...
(A small chorus of laughter, almost impossible to hear to the naked ear, slowly floated up through the air, coupled by the soft sound of applause. I raised my head to see Yoshino, still hunched over, her body shaking as she slowly clapped. Standing a few podiums over, Shuei was beaming widely, a far cry from the concerned and fearful expression he held a few minutes ago. Just what the hell is going on here?!)
Kira: What... in god's name?
Margot: Is she... laughing?
Yoshino: Ehahahahahaha... Hehahahahaha!
(As the laughter grew louder and laughter, Shuei turned to me, giving me an utterly pleased grin that still somehow bored into my soul. Raising his hands, he too began to applaud, his face a look of disturbing calm.)
Shuei: Congratulations, Kasumi Ahiru. You've passed the test. I knew you had it in you.
Yoshino: Hehahahahaha! Ehehahahahahahaha! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
(Yoshino stood up to her full height, revealing an utterly manic grin on her face. Gone was the perpetual look of boredom and tiredness in her eyes. Instead she held an expression of complete and utter glee, her smile wide and her eyes filled with a terrifying glow of joy. I could feel a hitch in my breath and I instinctively stepped back as Yoshino continued to howl with utterly insane laughter.)
Yoshino: Well done, well done indeed, Miss Card Shark! I must admit, I had my doubts about you when we first started this little game of ours, but you proved me wrong!
(They say that the eyes were the window to the soul. That you can tell what a man's thinking if you look straight into his eyes. I followed that same belief in my time as a Card Shark, and I saw what some people truly were in the process. When I looked into Yoshino's eyes, I saw... nothing. No regrets. No fear. Nothing. All I saw within her eyes was complete and utter euphoria.)
(And somehow I knew...)
(This was only the beginning of the madness that was to come.)
[CLASS TRIAL: SUSPENDED]
A/N: So ends part one of our trial! We've proven Max and Kasumi as innocent, and now we've cornered a new suspect: Yoshino Rei. The seemingly sleepy Ultimate has now revealed her true nature to the cast, and it is monstrous. But is the Ultimate Racer truly the culprit of this case? Or is there even more hiding underneath this murder?
Starting clockwise, here's the position of our characters within the Trial Room:
Kasumi Ahiru: Ultimate Card Shark(Back to Monokuma)
Ryuunosuke Harada: Ultimate Samurai
Ochiyo Kaiga: Ultimate Drill Sergeant
Fumio Hojo: Ultimate Barista
Akio Saishi: Ultimate Priest
Keiko Tokei: Ultimate Statistical Analyst
Kira Watanabe: Ultimate Thanatologist
Max Grohl: Ultimate Drummer
Yoshino Rei: Ultimate Racer
Hachiro Katsuo: Ultimate Revolutionary
Achiko Samegawa: Ultimate Pinball Wizard
Margot Sanders: Ultimate Fashion Designer
Shuei Moritaka: Ultimate Mangaka
Yuuto Odayaka: Ultimate Bed Tester
Shiya Shikibane: Ultimate Gunslinger
Aiya Aoyama: Ultimate Delivery Girl