A/N: How many f#cking times did I forget to save this file when editing it? Especially for the Scrum Debate section? Oy gevalt, I'm such a moron... Anyways, welcome back to the Class Trial! Sorry it took over... okay a lot of months between chapters, but I was busy between exams, college, Christmas, college again, and job applications. But I'm back baby, and feeling better than ever! ...I hope. A bunch of you were kind enough to leave your thoughts on this chapter, so let's get right into the biznezz and respond to your reviews, y'all!
MythGirlWrites: Yeah, Yoshino was always meant to be a bit of a red herring for this trial. Glad to see I fooled at least some of you! As for the 'test'? Well, you'll see soon enough what they meant.
TigerTrainerXD: I'm just going to nip this one in the bud right now. No, the Despair Disease from Danganronpa 2 will not be showing up. While it's a neat idea in concept, I feel like using it, especially this early in the Killing Game, would be a bit of a cop-out. Here, our murders are all natural, no mind-altering required!
A Random Role Player: Yeah, writing the White Noise parts were honestly really fun, and I can't wait to insert more of it in later Non-Stop Debates. I'm glad to see you enjoyed the little spins on the ball I did for this trial. It's hard to make a trial feel wholly original, but I'm glad I was able to take at least one person by surprise with this!
avoidtheshaft: It's honestly a blast to write trials like these, even with the headache that comes from figuring out how to fit every little piece in the puzzle. It's like solving the mystery in reverse! As for Kira and Aiya? Don't worry, they're not going to die just yet... or will they?
MaMcMu: Funny thing about that. Surging Tides I feel like needs an overhaul before I continue going with it. When I first wrote the chapters, they were largely stream of consciousness, without having a solid idea of where things would eventually go. Because of this, I'm going to rewrite the first few chapters, now that I feel like I have a decent framework to write them with. It'll come back eventually, just not for a while. Sorry about that!
NostalgiaSucker96: I'm glad someone caught the Ace Attorney reference! That's one of my favorite jokes in the franchise, so I needed to find a way to work it into my story. Also yeah, a lot of her initial personality was based off of Cammy Meele and Chiaki Nanami. Of course, now comes the real Yoshino. I'm glad the trial's coming along nicely for ya, my friend! It's always fun to see folks try and figure out how the story's gonna go.
Fusion Anon: Hah! I admit I do have a ship or two planned for Kasumi, but Yoshino's not one of them. She's perfectly happy with her relationship with Shuei, and vice-versa. Still, I'm glad some folks were caught off guard from Yoshino being the rival! I'm glad the red herrings in the form of Keiko and Ryuunosuke worked! Also, correction, Fumio didn't pull a Sayaka on Kasumi. At least, not quite.
Fusion Anon II: Welcome to the story, pally! I gotta say... wow, you're certainly on a right track for this story, but I won't say to what extent. As for specifics, yeah, Monokuma explicitly let the prisoners keep their weaponry. After all, if they use them against him, they're just going to die, and if they use them on each other, hey, more dead people. It's a win-win for Monokuma! And yep, Keiko is probably one of the biggest snarkers in the cast, rivaled only by the likes of Ryuunosuke and Kasumi. Finally, unfortunately, I can't open that link to your predictions. If ya have another way to send it over, it'd be great to see what ya had to say!
There's only going to be one new mechanic that turns up in this chapter, and one of my favorites that makes its return from V3, is the Scrum Debate. It's always a fun show to see two teams go head to head in a clash of logic, so I figured I'd bring that over from one of my favorite Danganronpa titles. So, you may be wondering, how am I gonna transfer over a mechanic like that to written text? Well, I'll tell you! Unfortunately, because how FFNet works, for some reason, I can't align text to the right of the screen, meaning I can't really show off the two sides opposing each other properly. However, I have found a workaround. Each Scrum Debate, like usual, will have the cast split up into half. Each team member will be given at least one statement to provide evidence against the opposing side, and will rebut each statement with their own until each statement has been answered. To provide another example like before:
[SPLIT OPINION]
"What Will We Eat For Lunch?"
Tacos VS Pizza
Kasumi: This is stupid.
Monokuma: Welcome to my life.
Nerd-Bot: I WAS HUNGRY WHEN I CAME UP WITH THIS SCRUM DEBATE, SUE ME!
[DEBATE SCRUM START]
[Team Tacos]
-Ochiyo
-Shiya
-Achiko
-Kira
-Hachiro
-Margot
-Yoshino
-Ryuunosuke
[Team Pizza]
-Akio
-Max
-Shuei
-Aiya
-Yuuto
-Keiko
-Fumio
-Kasumi
Achiko: Tacos have less calories right? The wonderful me has to look out for her figure! I can't eat something as fattening as pizza!
"Fumio!"
Fumio: Speaking as someone who works in the food industry, trust me when I say when calories aren't always the thing you should be looking out for.
I'm not writing out the entire Scrum Debate itself, because that's just silly and also a waste of time, but in essence, each member of the opposing side will say their piece, and it's up to Kasumi's side to in turn counter with the appropriate selection to rebut the argument. When all have said their piece, Kasumi and the others will fire off their response in the form of the Full Counter(not the one from Seven Deadly Sins), shattering the opposing argument to pieces in full. Thankfully, that's the only new mechanic that will be showing up for this chapter.
One final thing of note before we continue, I notice that just about everyone voted for Max to be the next FTE, I plan on doing two or three at a time for each non-Trial chapter, so if possible, could I have some suggestions for other characters? We already have one vote for Akio, but still, it'd be nice to have other ideas thrown into the mix. I'd like to have each character to have at least one FTE before they die.
Now, with that out of the way, let's get on with the show!
[CLASS TRIAL: RESUME]
(Everyone in the room was frozen stock-still as all eyes were focused on Yoshino Rei, the Ultimate Racer. The tanned girl's laughter slowly began to die down to a small giggle, and she let out a satisfied sigh. That smug, psychopathic smile still remained on the girl's face, and she casually leaned down to rest her elbows, cupping her chin in her hands as she gave me a hungry look.)
Yoshino: Ah, what's wrong, Miss Card Shark? Or perhaps I should call you Kasumi now? You looked so confident and proud of yourself just a few moments ago! Where'd that bravery of yours go now? After all, you've managed to figure out the facts behind this case, and far faster than I had anticipated, to boot! You should be proud that you managed to accomplish that much!
Ochiyo: The facts... So, you're admitting it? You were behind Fumio's death?
(Giving off a casual giggle, the racer put her hands behind her back, smiling without a single care in the world.)
Yoshino: That'd be right! Granted, I couldn't have done it without the help from my dear Shuei, but yes, I fully admit to being the mastermind behind this murder plot. After all...
In the empty kitchen, Yoshino rifled through the pantry, before taking out a few small bottles of laxatives and stuffing them down her jumpsuit.
Yoshino: I was the one who took the laxatives early in the morning while everyone was still asleep.
Yoshino grinned as she held up the letter that Shuei had written up for her, before casually slipping it into Fumio's apron pocket when he was distracted.
Yoshino: I was the one who told Shuei to write the letter to get Mister Barista to come to the library.
Just outside the library, Yoshino poured several bottles' worth of laxatives onto Kasumi's meal, before closing the bag shut and walking inside, her face completely calm as she began talking to Kasumi.
Yoshino: I was the one who drugged Miss Card Shark's food.
Yoshino: And of course, I was the one who worked to cover up the murder and blame it on our dear Mister Drummer! Ehahahahahaha!
(Letting out another deranged giggle, the Ultimate Racer spread her arms wide, utterly reveling in the disgusted and horrified looks she recieved.)
Yuuto: What... what the actual fuck, lady?!
Akio: This... Was this the kind of person you were this entire time, Yoshino? Was everything before this just an act?
Yoshino: Ehahahahaha... Well, I guess you could say that. Though, if I'm being perfectly honest, the better way to phrase it is that I'm finally getting invested in this Killing Game since it started. I couldn't help being so bored with nothing truly interesting going on...
(Bored... So then...! Taking a breath, I looked back up at the still-smiling Yoshino.)
Kasumi: Yoshino. Before we end things off here... do you mind if I ask you another question?
Yoshino: I suppose you may. Though I don't really see the point it at all. After all, you said so yourself that you were assured that I was the culprit, am I not correct? Nevertheless, I guess I'll humor you. After all, I haven't been this entertained in a long time.
Kasumi: When we talked last night, there was something you and Shuei were talking about earlier. It's been nagging at me for a while, so I figured I might as well ask you about it now.
Yoshino: ...very well, it seems like we're in agreement, Shuei?
Shuei: Quite. This game seems to be filled with mostly bit parts and background characters, from my observations. However, the few standout characters seem to be worthy of being considered 'protagonists'.
Yoshino: Hm... Izzat so? Yeah, things definitely won't be boring in our stay here.
Kasumi: A few hours ago... you and Shuei were talking about a 'game' of some sorts. If I had to make a guess, you were talking about the Killing Game itself. You and Shuei... you've planned this for a long time. Ever since we've gotten here, I'd even say.
Yoshino: Hm? I wasn't aware that you recalled that much. Then again, you are full of surprises today, aren't you, Kasumi? Why do you bring this up at all, however? I'd rather you get to the point of it all now.
Kasumi: Alright, fine then.
SLAM!
(I pounded my fist on the podium, glaring at Yoshino angrily, all pretense of putting up a calm front forgotten.)
Kasumi: What was the point of all of this, Yoshino?!
(The racer had the nerve to raise an eyebrow at me at my outburst, as if I was the one who was out of line here.)
Yoshino: I'm sorry? I don't believe I quite understand your question, Kasumi.
Kasumi: All this talk about 'investment', 'entertainment', 'games'... It just doesn't make sense to me. None of it makes any sense at all! This whole plan of yours... was it seriously just for some sick game you wanted to make us play?!
Yoshino: ...
Kasumi: Tell me, Yoshino, I'm begging you. Tell me you had a good reason for doing this. I just... There had to be a reason why you killed Fumio. I don't care what it was. You wanted to see your family, you were afraid that someone would kill you first, something, anything! You have to have an explanation for this!
Yoshino: ...
Kasumi: Come on... answer me, damn you!
Yoshino: ...do you truly think that I needed a tragedy to make me do this?
Kasumi: H-huh?
Yoshino: It's a genuine question, Kasumi. You seem to be convinced that I needed some sort of tragic break of the mind or some sordid history that I had to hide from you all in order to have done this. Why is that?
(The question Yoshino gave me was not one of malice or cruelty. Rather, it was one that seemed to be coming from a source of genuine curiousity. Strangely enough, that only made me tense myself up more. Everything she's saying now, her words, her posture, her eyes, I could read none of it. Yoshino seemed to be nothing more than one big blind spot to me now, even moreso than Shuei. I grit my teeth, keeping silent as I tapped my fingers on the podium as I waited for her to continue.)
Yoshino: Not going to answer me? Fine then. I guess the purpose here is for me to answer your question, not the other way around. To that I say... I was bored.
Kasumi: !
Akio: Bored...? Did you say that you were bored?
Yoshino: Yes, that would appear to be what I just said, Mister Priest. Tell me, do you have something in your ears, or did you just mishear me just then?
Ryuunosuke: No. No, I refuse. I refuse to believe that you thought out, and then committed this crime for so little purpose besides your own meaningless satisfaction.
Yoshino: Meaningless?
(At that, the corners of Yoshino's mouth turned up ever so slightly higher as she raised her hands, letting out a sharp laugh.)
Yoshino: Meaningless?! Ehahahahahahaha! Surely, you must be joking! Mister Samurai, tell me, have you always had that stick up your ass, or is it merely a recent development since arriving in this prison?!
Ryuunosuke: Wh-what?! How dare you-
Yoshino: Let me spell it out for you. For all of you. Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. I could tell even from a cursory glance that the majority of you would rather avoid playing Monokuma's Killing Game if you could. Yes... most of you would be content to merely be bit players, acting out your lives in this prison until the end of days rather than let the bear have his way and let the Killing Game begin. But tell me... where would the fun be in that?! What enjoyment is there just wasting your lives away in this wretched place?!
(Yoshino brought her arms around herself as she hugged her own body tight, her eyes wide as she continued her inane ramblings, practically vibrating with energy as she hung off every word that dripped off of her lips.)
Yoshino: Just think about how much fun this trial has been for us! The horror at realizing that one of our own is a killer... The rage as we endlessly prattle on in an attempt to find the Blackened among us... The blood pumping through your veins as you realize your very life depends on what you say or don't say...
(At every word she spoke, Yoshino hugged her body tighter and tighter, and her eyes gained a disturbing glaze to them as she let out a practically orgasmic sigh as she indulged in her terrifying fantasies. This... this was the true Yoshino. Gone was the taciturn and calculating woman from before. In her place was this deranged psychopath who only sought to satisfy her own adrenaline-fueled madness.)
Yoshino: This adrenaline... This ecstasy... Don't any of you understand?! This is what it means to truly live! This is why Fumio Hojo had to die!
(Every single pair of eyes was fixated on Yoshino, the insane speech the racer gave leaving all of us stunned. Some, like Yuuto, Keiko, and Ryuunosuke, held expressions of disgust and contempt. Others, like Kira and Hachiro, trembled with barely-contained fury. Others still like Max and Achiko, looked completely and utterly horrified at the words they heard spewing out from Yoshino's mouth.)
Keiko: You... you monster! You sick... depraved... batshit insane monster!
Achiko: Th-they really locked us up with a sicko like this?! I want my lawyer! Or the army! Something! Just get me as far away from this freak of nature as possible!
Yoshino: Ehahahahahahaha! Judge me! Condemn me! Do whatever the hell you want! I've had quite the rush playing this game, so either way, live or die, I leave this room satisfied!
(It took everything I had to prevent myself from breaking my own teeth from biting down too hard. Was this even possible? Could someone this awful really exist in the world...? I felt my whole body vibrate as I tried to steady my breathing. Who cares. Who even cares at this point. All that matters is this ends now. I raised my hand, before attempting to signal towards Monokuma to end this.)
Kira: You've dug your own grave...
(Every single one of us paused as Kira's voice suddenly cut in like a scalpel, shutting up the chaotic chatter of the courtroom almost immediately. The Ultimate Thanatologist casually straightened his crusty, blood-stained tie, before continuing, his dull eyes filled with complete and utter certainty.)
Kira: I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid we simply can't let the trial end now. Not at this juncture.
Yuuto: Oh come on! When are these damn surprise twists gonna stop fucking happening so we can end this trial?!
Yoshino: Oh my, now this is an interesting development. I never expected anyone to start siding with me after the confession I just gave.
Kira: Forgive the crude words, but like hell I'd side with a psychopathic narcissist like you after the stunt you pulled, Yoshino. No, the simple fact of the matter is, we can't let this Class Trial end so quickly. There's far too many loose ends that we've yet to unravel, and I have a sinking feeling that you're all too aware of them, Yoshino.
Yoshino: Whatever do you mean, Mister Thanatologist? I can't say anything comes to mind. After all, Kasumi's accusations were all accurate, from what I remember.
(The way Yoshino leaned forward, grinning like a maniac... it made my blood run cold. Has she seriously been hiding this part of her from us this whole time...?)
Kira: While conducting my autopsy, I found several pieces of evidence that don't match up at all with what has been presented as the 'facts' of this trial.
Ochiyo: Wait a second... Kasumi, didn't we find something like that while we were searching around the prison for clues?
(We did...? What in the world could she be talking about? Did anything really weird stand out in the library when we were investigating?)
( Torn-Up Shreds of Paper / Torn-Up Shreds of Paper / Messy Pantry )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Bloodstains Near Phone Booth(YES)
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Messy Pantry
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: The... the bloodstains. He's talking about the bloodstains.
Ochiyo: Wait... that's right!
Keiko: Bloodstains...? But you told us just a few minutes ago that Fumio had no open wounds on his body, what do you mean there's bloodstains?!
Ochiyo: I know it sounds impossible, but it's true. While checking the broken railing on the second floor, Kasumi and I found several bloodstains near the phone booth. It couldn't possibly be anything else.
Kasumi: The smell and the color were both unmistakably the same as the 'message' written down next to Fumio's body. Kira, you also said you found some bloodstains on Fumio's shirt when you checked out his body, right?
Kira: Yes, thank you for that outburst... There was something else strange that we found while I was performing my autopsy. Rather, three somethings.
Kasumi: Three somethings?
Kira: Indeed. First off, despite my analysis corroborating Monokuma's own in that there were no external wounds, there were a few patches of blood found on Fumio's shirt. Not to mention, as you've no doubt already noticed, the message allegedly written by Fumio left some blood on his pointer finger. While I have no doubts that the message was faked, the blood was most definitely not.
Kira: Ah, good to see your memory's returning to you now, Miss Ahiru. You're right in that there were an odd series of bloodstains all over Fumio's chest area.
(Pulling out his Monopass, Kira scrolled through the various pieces of evidence, before selecting the one he needed. In an instant, an image of Fumio's corpse hung in the air for all of us to see. True enough, there were a handful splotches of blood on Fumio's clothes, the two largest ones centered around his chest.)
Kira: As you can see here, there are several bloodstains covering Fumio's clothing in this photo. If I had to make a wager, these were the handprints of the real Blackened, though unfortunately, we can hardly match these smudges to anyone here. And as seen from Ochiyo and Kasumi's own investigative work, even more bloodstains were found around the area of the phone booth, near where Fumio was almost certainly pushed off.
Margot: Then... if Fumio wasn't bleeding when he died... where did the blood come from?
(A low chuckle came from Yoshino's throat at that. I turned my head towards the tanned girl, that deranged smirk that seemed to be permanantly plastered on her face since the trial had began leering towards me.)
Yoshino: Ehahahahahaha... isn't it obvious? If the blood couldn't have come from the victim... then the only other possible option is that the killer was the one bleeding.
Kasumi: But... then that means-
Yoshino: -that I'm not the Blackened in this case, correct! I was wondering when you'd figure that part out.
(Almost immediately, the room erupted into chaos. Voices erupted over each other one by one, and it grew to such a fever pitch that I could barely hear myself think. Accusations were flung across the room, screams of panic filled the air, and at the center of it all was Yoshino, perfectly happy to witness the perfect storm of madness that she had chosen to stir up for her own amusement.)
Kasumi: Ngh... grr...
SLAM!
Kasumi: EVERYONE, JUST SHUT THE HELL UP FOR A SECOND!
(Thankfully, it seemed slamming my hand down on my podium was effective enough to get everyone's attention and get everyone else to shut up. I turned my gaze towards Yoshino, who seemed to be outright reveling in the chaos that had arisen from her words, flashing me a not-so-innocent smile.)
Kasumi: Alright. Yoshino.
Yoshino: Yes, Kasumi?
Kasumi: Explain.
Yoshino: Isn't it clear? As Mister Thanatologist was so nice to explain for us, the killer was bleeding when they killed Mister Barista, most likely due to Mister Barista choosing to fight back, or even strike first. And, as you can very clearly tell from my appearance, there's not a trace of blood on me. Simple enough, is it not?
Max: Just a moment! What if you are merely being duplicitous? After all, there were fifteen minutes between the passing of the bartender's life and the uncovering of his demise! Surely, you could have just dressed your own wounds in that interval!
Yoshino: Going to accuse me of hiding an injury, are we, Mister Drummer? Well, allow me to nip that little path right in the bud here and now.
(Before anyone could say a word, Yoshino raised a hand to the zipper on the front of her jumpsuit. With one long tug, she pulled it all the way down to her navel. Pulling down the top half of her uniform, she stood in front of all of us, her torso bare except for a sports bra as she showed off her surprisingly muscular body. True to her words, there was not even a single trace of a wound or blood on her person at all.)
Shiya: *whistles* I must say, darling, you're far more well-built than I would've assumed from someone who seemingly naps all day. Or was that just an act as well?
(Ignoring Shiya's comment, Yoshino casually zipped back up her jumpsuit, flashing me a grin as she did so. Once more, she returned to her relaxed position, eyeing me like a cat would a mouse.)
Yoshino: So, Kasumi, I trust that this silences any other possible objections to my guilt?
Kasumi: I... I...
(Damnit... damnit! This was the only option I could think of for the murderer! Now that's out of the question too... what the hell am I supposed to do now?!)
Ryuunosuke: Your wayward path ends here.
(The Ultimate Samurai had a glare fixed straight towards me as he tapped a finger on the stand in front of him impatiently.)
Ryuunosuke: This is all just a waste of our time. Who cares about an insignificant set of bloodstains? We have a confession from the killer, and as the rat had already stated, she's the most obvious pick.
Keiko: Insignificant-have you lost it?! If there's blood at the crime scene, then of course that's significant! This turns the entire trial on its head!
Hachiro: But Yoshino was the only one who had the means, motive, and opportunity to do so!
Shuei: Not true. If you recall, most, if not all of us have no alibi for Mister Barista's murder at the time of death aside from Kasumi herself.
Achiko: Well, was anyone else in the library at that time? If they were, then someone would've said something!
Kasumi: Considering Yoshino's motive, I wouldn't put it past her to just neglect to tell us about anyone else being in the library.
Yuuto: Damnit! We're just talking in circles now! Half of us want this damn circus to end, and the other half keeps jabbering on about new shit!
Monokuma: Upupupupupu! Well, well, well! Looks like we've got quite the Split Opinion here, don't we? Convict Yoshino now and risk certain death? Or keep going with the trial and risk wasting my time... I guess there's only one real way for this crossroads to come to an end! Back by popular demand, it's everyone's faaaaavorite Trial mechanic! The morphenomenal trial grounds!
Max: Morpho... Merphen... Mephisto... Pardon me, could you replicate that turn of phrase?
Monokuma: It's the morphenomenal trial grounds! Whenever there's a split in the decisions, there's only one way to break the tie! Trial by combat! Buuuut there's no fun in making you all kill each other gladiator-style, especially with monsters like Ochiyo and Akio around to mess up the curve, so instead we're going to fight with words! Please keep your arms and legs inside your designated areas while the trial grounds proceed to do their thing. If ya gotta hurl, please do it off the side of the podium. And most importantly? Hold onto your butts, kiddos, because you're about to see some serious shit!
(Before anyone could interject, a strange mechanical panel popped out from the throne where Monokuma sat, appearing right in front of the vice-warden's face. Grinning to himself mischeviously, the bear pulled out a strange blue key, before jamming it straight inside and twisting. Almost immediately, I felt the ground beneath me begin to shake ominously. Judging from the expressions on everyone else's faces, it wasn't just me, either. Suddenly, the podium rocketed upwards, and it was only the fact that I managed to grab onto the stand that I didn't fall off. I turned to look down at the ground beneath me and immediately was thankful that I did... That drop would almost certainly be fatal if I fell. I looked around the room, and apparently, everyone else managed to make it up here too, even the Fumio picture. Oddly enough, we were seemingly split evenly into two factions, each side facing each other from across the room.)
[SPLIT OPINION]
"Should We Vote Now?"
"Vote for Yoshino!" VS "Keep the Trial Going!"
Margot: I don't think I can handle this right nowwwww!
Yuuto: Wha-wha-what the fuck?! What the hell is this shit?!
Monokuma: Upupupu! What's wrong, little manlet? I thought you of all people would love to feel taller for once!
Yuuto: What?! Why you son of a bitch, I'm gonna-
Monokuma: Aaaaaanyways, ignoring Short King over there, as I told you before, these are the morphenomenal trial grounds, activated whenever there's an even split in the convictions of the convicts here! It's up to these two sides to battle it out in a battle of wills, and whoever manages to come out on top is the victor!
(So this is war, is it? Fine then. I may be pissed off at Yoshino... but with what I've seen, there's no way she could possibly be the killer in this case. Let's just hope we're able to prove that to the others in this Scrum Debate.)
[DEBATE SCRUM START]
[Team "Vote for Yoshino!"]
-Akio
-Max
-Hachiro
-Ryuunosuke
-Margot
-Aiya
-Achiko
-Shiya
[Team "Keep the Trial Going!"]
-Ochiyo("Lack of Wounds")
-Yuuto("Led Astray")
-Yoshino("Yoshino's Admission")
-Shuei("Lack of Alibis")
-Keiko("Trial Consequences")
-Kira("Strange Bloodstains")
-Kasumi("Unexplained Evidence"/"Yoshino's Omissions")
-Fumio[Deceased]
[BEGIN]
Ryuunosuke: The damnable racer already admitted to her plot, what else is there to uncover?
"Yoshino!"
Yoshino: All I admitted to was that I was the one who set up the murders. I never once claimed that I killed Mister Barista.
Achiko: Yeah right, like we'd believe something like that from you! It's already obvious that Yoshino's the killer so let's get on with it!
"Yuuto!"
Yuuto: We already fucked up and assumed the wrong person was guilty twice now! Like hell I'm voting now if 52-Bitchass is telling us there's loose ends!
Shiya: *puff* So what? We still have a decent amount of evidence suggesting that Yoshino killed Fumio.
"I'll handle this one!"
Kasumi: Sure, we've got a lot of evidence pointing towards Yoshino, but we've still got a lot of evidence that hasn't been explained.
Max: What authentication could possibly be required from us? Surely, Kira's appraisal was enough for this farcical court to adjourn.
"Kira!"
Kira: I'm flattered at your faith in my work, Max, but some details, such as the unexplained bloodstains, have yet to be answered.
Aiya: Yoshino could have just run to the nearest bathroom or the fountain and washed off the blood! That way, she'd be able to hide any injuries!
"Ochiyo!"
Ochiyo: Yoshino all but stripped naked for us just a few minutes ago, Aiya. There were no wounds on her body at all, not even a trace of blood. Yoshino can't have been the killer if she wasn't bleeding at all.
Hachiro: I say we go with our instincts! This prison ill needs a monster like her running around! There's no downside to getting rid of a monster like her!
"Keiko!"
Keiko: Did you already forget about the consequences if we end up getting the wrong person guilty, you stupid fop?! We can't afford to lock in an answer unless we're absolutely certain! Our lives are on the line here!
Akio: But doesn't Yoshino have the perfect motive and lack of alibi for this case? Who else could possibly have been able to do this?
"Shuei!"
Shuei: Almost none of us have any proper alibis. My dear Yoshino's clearly not the only possible suspect for this case, as would be obvious to anyone who has been paying attention.
Margot: B-but, the only people in the library after Kasumi left were Yoshino and Shuei, weren't they? There were no other people seen in the library!
"This one's mine!"
Kasumi: Yoshino's already made it clear that her only motive for masterminding this whole murder was that she just wanted to see what would happen. Yoshino could easily just have not told us about seeing anyone else in the library!
[FULL COUNTER]
Team "Keep the Trial Going!": This is our answer!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: As much as I hate to say it... as much as I'd love for this trial to just end... we can't. We can't just sentence Yoshino to death even if this was all her fault. We have to keep this trial going, and tie up all these loose ends in the case, or everyone will end up dying.
Achiko: But... but...
Yoshino: She's right, you know. I'm not the Blackened in this case, so no matter how badly you want to see me die, if you do, you'll just drag yourselves down to Hell with me. And there's no fun in that, is there?
Ryuunosuke: Tch. Fine. Do what you wish, rat. But when it's found out at the end that the psychotic narcoleptic was the culprit, you'll get no sympathy from me.
Monokuma: Upupupupu! What a rush! We should use this feature more often!
(I'm glad someone enjoyed that circus... With another twist of his key, Monokuma lowered the podiums back down onto the ground, and several of us let out deep breaths. Finally, stable ground again... Something tells me if one of us fell from the podiums, that would only make Monokuma happier.)
Akio: So... if Yoshino isn't the killer... then who is? She was the only lead we had, and that just turned out to be a red herring.
Margot: Wait... I've got it! There's an easy way of figuring out the Blackened!
Kasumi: Wait, really? That fast? How did you figure that out?
Margot: All we need to do is do what Yoshino did! We all have to strip!
(The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. All eyes were on the Ultimate Fashion Designer, who blinked in confusion at the exhasperated stares we all gave her.)
Max: ...EXCUSE ME?!
Margot: W... was it something I said?
Shiya: ...wow, I didn't take you for that kind of girl, dearie. Well, if you insist~
Shuei: I must say, I was not expecting the shy and demure Shrinking Violet to turn out to be a pervert...
Margot: P-p-p-pervert?! What are you talking about-?! W-w-w-w-wait, no, I didn't mean it like that!
(The seamstress's face was now as red as a tomato as she pressed it into her hands as she let out an embarassed high-pitched whine. Poor girl... I felt kinda sorry for her, with how everyone was giving her weird looks.)
Margot: I-I-I mean that Yoshino w-w-was able to prove her innocence by st-stripping, right? If one of us is injured, it'll show if... we're... naked.
Hachiro: Ohhhhhhh... that makes sense.
Keiko: Do... do we really have to do this?
Hachiro: For the good of the many... I suppose I'm content with showing everyone my underwear...
Shiya: Well now! A little eye candy for me? Today seems to be my lucky day.
Max: I... I really wish that we wouldn't have to perform this humiliating act... Surely... surely there must be something else we can do...
Yuuto: What's wrong, Little Dumbass Boy? Afraid to show the ladies your 'drumstick'?
Max: I-I beg your pardon?!
Ochiyo: Alright then! Ladies and gentlemen, you heard the girl! Take off your-
Monokuma: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! HELL NO!
(Monokuma was really riled up now, baring his teeth in anger as he wildly slashed at the air with his claws. I don't think I've seen him this mad before.)
Monokuma: I refuse! I refuse to allow you all to go through with this ridiculous plan! One, if I did, the author would have to bump up the age rating of this story all the way to M! Two, ain't nobody wanna see your naked bodies! And most importantly! Three, that's way too easy of a method to figure out this trial! Where's the elegance, where's the intrigue?! You can't just brute force your way through a trial like this!
Akio: What?! Why not?!
Monokuma: Because I said so, damnit! You idiots are not going to spoil the fun for everyone else like this, got it?! That's it, I'm putting in a new rule right here, right now!
DING!
(Just as the bear said that, all of our Monopasses went off. I didn't even need to look down at mine to know that he'd just made our Class Trial a lot harder...)
Monokuma Rule #14: Nudity is not welcome in a prison environment! You can only take off your clothes in permissible areas like the courtyard, your rooms, locker rooms, etc.
Margot: O-oh... I should've figured that would be too easy...
Ochiyo: Don't be too hard on yourself, Margot. That was a good idea. Monokuma just decided to butt in like he always does.
Kira: Good idea or no, the fact of the matter is, we now have to start all over with this trial. We've eliminated three potential suspects: Max, Kasumi, and Yoshino.
Yoshino: We've eliminated five, actually.
Yuuto: Five? What the hell do you mean five?!
Yoshino: Don't you remember the rules set by Monokuma? Check your Monopasses again. Rule #5: A body discovery announcement will occur when three or more students discover a body. And of course, I presume that if you're the Blackened, you can't 'discover' the body. We've already established that I can't have been the Blackened, yes? So that would make the other two people who discovered the body with me guiltless as well.
Ryuunosuke: And you were going to bring up this little detail when, exactly?
Yoshino: I was merely waiting for the subject to come up. You can't fault me for wanting to stick to the matters at hand, can you, Mister Samurai?
Ryuunosuke: Tch!
(Yoshino's right... assuming that she's telling the truth in her testimony, then we know that the two people who discovered the body with Yoshino are innocent too... Who were those people again?)
( Ochiyo and Aiya / Aiya and Shuei / Shuei and Ochiyo )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Ochiyo and Aiya
-Aiya and Shuei(YES)
-Shuei and Ochiyo
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: So you're saying that the other two people we can officially strike from the list of potential suspects are Aiya and Shuei, right? After all, according to your own testimony, Shuei was with you when you found Fumio's corpse, and after that, when Aiya was brought over towards the body, the Body Discovery Announcement went off immediately after.
Yoshino: Correct, Kasumi! Well done! As the rules say, it is required for three people to set off the Body Discovery announcement after a murder has occurred. I, Shuei, and Miss Delivery Girl make three, and the Body Discovery Announcement was set off when we found Mister Barista's corpse. Not only does that corroborate my alibi as an innocent, but now we have two more people we can safely say that are innocent as well. To think, that I've already done more work to help narrow down our list of suspects than most of the others combined. Interesting, no?
Keiko: So we've brought our suspect list down from thirteen to ten now. That still leaves far too large a margin for error for us to try to select a guilty party here. I suggest we use the new evidence brought up by Kira in order to narrow down our list of suspects further.
Akio: Right... the bloodstains from earlier. Well, unfortunately, thanks to Monokuma, we can't exactly go and check everybody's bodies for evidence of a wound... So how else can we really figure out who was bloodied at the crime scene?
Keiko: Instead of the 'whodunit' of this case, it would be more prudent to discover the 'howdunit' of the trial. Even without being as knowledgable as Kira is about the anatomy of a human body, I know that if there was no weapon involved, there wouldn't be nearly as much blood as he found there, isn't that right?
Kira: An astute assumption. Not to mention, if our victim struck the Blackened with their bare hands and feet, they would almost definitely be striking out at the face region. Given no one here's sporting any black eyes or broken noses, it's clear that avenue is simply out of the question.
Keiko: So there you have it. There must have been a weapon used at the crime scene that struck the killer with enough force to make them bleed.
Ochiyo: A weapon...? But Kasumi and I didn't find anything like that during our investigation, though.
(Ochiyo's right, we didn't really find anything that could've been considered a weapon when we were checking around the prison. At least, I don't think I did... Maybe the others noticed something that I didn't during the investigation...)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Missing Bust
-Messy Pantry
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
Keiko: Given the circumstances, it's almost certain that a weapon was used during this murder case. (I thought the weapon was gravity.)
Ochiyo: (Pay attention, we're talking about the weapon used on the killer.) But Kasumi and I didn't find anything that could really be considered a weapon in the library... (The killer's the victim?!) And we didn't see anything weird when we looked around the prison, either. (Ugh... You're an idiot.)
Ryuunosuke: Of course you didn't. (Oh here comes Mister Big Shot talking shit.) Any killer would have the sense of mind to try and hide their weapon after using it. (Hate to admit it, but he's got a point...)
Kira: So the question is... What kind of weapon was used? And how did they store it away so easily? (Ehahaha... are you sure you've got the right mindset for this, Mister Thanatologist?)
Keiko: (Damnit, Yoshino, stop being creepy!) Unfortunately, given the circumstances, we can't exactly figure out what weapon was used. (I refuse.)
Max: (All this talk is making my brain hurt!) It appears this discussion's merely circumnavigated itself... (What doesn't make your brain hurt, dumbass...)
(Max is right. As it is, we're just going to keep talking in circles here. There has to be something from this conversation that can be used to get us on the right track...)
[Statement Select:]
-"But Kasumi and I didn't find anything that could really be considered a weapon..."(YES)
-"And how did they store it away so easily?"
-"we can't exactly figure out what weapon was used."
[Truth Card Select]
-Missing Bust(YES)
-Messy Pantry
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
Kasumi: No, that's wrong!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Ochiyo's right, we didn't find anything that could be considered a weapon.
Ochiyo: Wait, I'm confused, did I get that right, or wrong?
Kasumi: It's simple, what we didn't find is exactly what we need to figure out what is the weapon.
Max: ...apologies, but am I not the solitary person who is undergoing disorientation at this point in time?
Shiya: No, I'm just as lost as you are, dear. I think I've smoked too much today.
Kasumi: Alright, alright, let me try rephrasing this. A few days ago, before the motive was revealed, I met up with Yoshino after hearing a loud noise on the second floor. When I went upstairs to investigate, it turned out that she had dropped something on her own foot and broke a few toes.
Hachiro: Aha! Clever! Yet another ruse from Yoshino to get us to not suspect her for her villainous activity!
(At that, a small blush appeared on Yoshino's face as she awkwardly scratched the side of her cheek, looking away in embarrassment.)
Yoshino: No... no, that one was just an unfortunate mishap. I wanted to get a better look at the statue and I accidentally knocked it over.
Achiko: What?! She outright admitted she was just being a klutz?!
Shuei: My dear Yoshino, I do worry about you sometimes...
(I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at that. It would almost be sweet to see them worry over each other like that if they both weren't complete sociopaths...)
Kasumi: That's besides the point here, everyone. What's important isn't the fact that Yoshino dropped something on her foot, it's what Yoshino dropped on her foot. A stone bust.
Yuuto: A bust? Oh yeah... there were those three creepy statues on the second floor, weren't there?
Kasumi: One of those statues was missing when Ochiyo and I were checking the second floor, while the other two were still remaining.
Ryuunosuke: So you're claiming that the statue was taken by the victim and used to bludgeon the killer in self-defense, are you? An interesting suggestion. While those statues are undoubtedly heavy, I could see one managing to swing it around with some effort.
Margot: W-wait, then if the stone bust was what was used against the killer, where is it now?
Kasumi: Huh?
Margot: W-well... I'm just saying. Those busts seemed pretty big, a-and pretty heavy. I don't know how the killer could've moved it around so easily without being caught, as well as have the time to dress the wounds they had...
Shiya: She does have a point, sweetie. Lugging around a big rock like that can't be easy. So how did they get rid of it without being caught?
(That's... a really good question, actually. How did the killer hide such a heavy statue in the first place?)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Messy Pantry
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Gravel Chips(?)
Achiko: C'mon, this one's easy! (It is?!) After killing Max with the bust... The killer obviously just hid it in their room!
Yoshino: That's impossible. (And what do you know? You dropped the damn thing on your foot!) That bust is far too heavy to drag around, especially from between the library and their dorm rooms within only fifteen minutes to spare.
Yoshino: I should know. I did drop it on my foot, after all. (Oh... that's actually a good point)
Yuuto: Maybe the killer hid it in the library, then? (That makes sense!) I mean, that place is massive, they could've found someplace to hide it, right?
Akio: That can't be right either. Max and I checked that library from top to bottom. We didn't find anything like a creepy statue. (Indubitably!)
Keiko: This is just getting ridiculous! (This whole trial is ridiculous, the hell you talkin' about?) It has to be hidden somewhere, the bust couldn't have just disappeared!
[Statement Select:]
-"The killer obviously just hid it in their room!"
-"the killer hid it in the library"
-"the bust couldn't have just disappeared!"(YES)
[Truth Card Select]
-Messy Pantry
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Gravel Chips(?)(YES)
Kasumi: No, that's wrong!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: Actually... maybe it did disappear.
Keiko: What?! You can't seriously be suggesting that one of us somehow has the magical ability to make a stone statue disappear! Have you finally lost your mind?!
Kira: No, no, she's got a point.
Keiko: ...you have got to be joking.
Margot: W-well... Kasumi has had the tendency to make stunning leaps in logic make sense, so... something that weird-sounding probably makes sense in her head, right?
(...should I take that as an insult or a compliment? I can't really tell. Either way, that's not the point here.)
Kasumi: When performing his autopsy, Kira and the others ended up finding something weird at the crime scene. Akio, Do you mind showing everyone else what you showed us?
Akio: What I showed you...? Oh yeah, that!
(Letting out a grunt, the burly priest stuffed a hand into his pocket, before pulling out the chunks of rock and dust he'd found at the crime scene, holding it out for everyone to see.)
Shiya: Wait just a minute... is that gravel?
Akio: Yeah, that's right. When Max and I were combing the crime scene for clues, there was a bunch of rocks in the area for some reason. The biggest chunk was the size of my fist I think.
Keiko: A bunch of rocks at the crime scene... and a missing stone bust... I understand now. You're suggesting that these broken rock pieces are from that stone statue, aren't you, Kasumi?
Kasumi: I haven't a doubt in my mind that they're one and the same. It's the only explanation that we've got for that missing statue head and the sudden appearance of these rocks.
Achiko: Wait, how can we be sure? I mean, those rocks could be from anything, couldn't they?
Kira: Unless one of us decided to start an impromptu construction project in the library, that's highly doubtful. As it stands, the only plausible explanation for the stone flecks being in the library is if they were broken.
Yuuto: Wait, so how the heck did the damned thing break? It's solid rock, isn't it?
Ryuunosuke: The distance between the first and second floor was fairly high... it wouldn't be too out of the question to suggest that it shattered upon impact with the ground. That would also explain why there were far larger chunks amongst the shattered pieces. Be it whether it fell at the same time as the barista did or was dropped afterwards to dispose of evidence, it's within the realm of possibility for it to have broken from the fall.
Monokuma: HOOOOOOOLD ON A SECOND!
(Several of us flinched as Monokuma's ever-shrill voice cut in. Damnit, my eardrums again...)
Monokuma: Are you saying that one of you broke and shattered one of the three sacred figureheads of the Killing Game?!
Kasumi: 'Three Sacred Figureheads'...?
Monokuma: Don't you know?! Those are the three great guardians who watch over those who run Killing Games! And you broke them to pieces! Those are priceless artifacts you destroyed! You... you... damned inmates...
(Monokuma's body began to shake violently as the white half of his face suddenly turned a burning red.)
Margot: I-Is he gonna explode again?!
Akio: HIT THE DECK!
Achiko: SOMEONE PROTECT THE WONDERFUL ME!
(Suddenly, Monokuma's face turned back to normal, and he was positively glowing as he grinned dopily at us.)
Monokuma: Boy, howdy, I'm sure glad you broke that trashy little bauble! I always hated those statues anyways! Upupupupupupu!
Yuuto: DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'RE GONNA GO NUCLEAR AND THEN SWITCH YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DROP OF A HAT, YOU FUCKHEAD!
Keiko: Look who's talking...
Monokuma: In fact, I'm so happy, that I think I'll just do this!
(Reaching under the judge's bench, Monokuma pulled out the other two statues. Grinning maniacally, the bear reached behind him, revealing a mallet bigger than even he was. With a 'Puhuhuhu!' and a mighty swing...)
SMASH!
(The statues were reduced to nothing but chunks, exactly the same type of chunks that Akio had held in his hand.)
Max: My word, do you all behold what I behold?
Ryuunosuke: Yes, we all see it, fool. It would appear that the rat's theory of the statue being shattered to pieces is correct, judging from the shattered pieces left behind by Monokuma's display.
['Gravel Chips(?)' and 'Missing Bust' have been replaced with 'Destroyed Bust']
Keiko: Well, that answers that, then... but where do we go from here?
Kasumi: Huh?
Keiko: Yes, we've answered the question of what those rocks were and the source of the blood... but what good does that do us? After all, none of us have any flecks of rock or open wounds on our bodies, so this evidence can't be used to pinpoint another suspect. This investigation of ours was little more than a pointless detour!
Kira: You call investigating a series of unexplained bloodstains and finding a key part of the case 'pointless'? And here I thought you called yourself a statistical analyst.
Keiko: Part of the job is knowing when data is or isn't serviceable to my needs. And at this moment in time, all we've done is confirm what has already been established. That being, the killer was wounded at some point, and that Yoshino can't be the killer. We need actual progress!
(As I looked around the room, I could see everyone else begin to mutter amongst themselves. Damnit, she's right... We didn't make any progress with that section at all... But we still don't have anything suggesting a strong lead towards the killer. I need to keep this conversation going, or else Monokuma might decide to cut things short. Sorry guys, but I think I'm gonna have to throw you under the bus... But who would be the easiest one to do it for?)
[Select a Suspect:]
-Kasumi Ahiru: Ultimate Card Shark
-Ryuunosuke Harada: Ultimate Samurai
-Ochiyo Kaiga: Ultimate Drill Sergeant
-Fumio Hojo: Ultimate Barista[DECEASED]
-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(YES)
-Shuei Moritaka: Ultimate Mangaka
-Yuuto Odayaka: Ultimate Bed Tester
-Shiya Shikibane: Ultimate Gunslinger
-Aiya Aoyama: Ultimate Delivery Girl
Kasumi: I'll call your bluff!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: There's been something I've had on my mind for a while ever since we started the investigation, and I think now's the perfect time for me to ask...
Yoshino: Oh? And what would that be?
Kasumi: One of the alibis presented doesn't seem to add up when looked closely. Margot, care to explain?
Margot: H-huh?! Me?!
(At that, a clamor of voices rose up from the group, a new vitality injected into the conversation.)
Max: Margot? Inconcievable!
Hachiro: This girl?! She couldn't even hurt a fly, much less murder someone in cold blood!
Shiya: Seems to me that you're just grasping at straws, sweetie.
Ochiyo: K-Kasumi, are you serious? Earlier in the trial, you were confident in backing up Margot's alibi, what changed?
Kasumi: Like I said, Ochiyo. I remembered something important about Margot's alibi that was suspicious.
Margot: I-it was around 6:30 PM when we ran into each other in the bathroom and you asked me to get those stomachache gummies. It took me almost half an hour to find the right ones, since Fumio wasn't in the kitchen. When I got back, it was 7:00 PM, and that's when the Body Discovery Announcement went off.
Ochiyo: It took you half an hour to find just one package of stomachache relievers?
Margot: I-I got lost! Honest!
Kasumi: How in the hell does one person take almost half an hour to find one box of stomachache medication? That pantry isn't that big that you could get lost in it. At most, it should've taken you under half that time. You're hiding something from me, Margot. I don't know what it is, but it's clear you were lying to me back then.
Ryuunosuke: Well now. Is the rat's tale true, little spineless seamstress?
Margot: W-well... yes, it is true that I took a while finding Kasumi her medicine, but I promise! I didn't kill Fumio! I swear!
Keiko: Promise or no promise, this evidence very clearly pins you as the current most obvious suspect among the group. You better have a solid alibi, or it's your neck on the line.
Margot: O-okay... I understand...
(Sorry to throw you under the bus here, Margot. I admit that I don't really believe or want to believe that it's possible for her to be the killer in this case, especially considering she helped me out... but we have to keep the conversation going... Maybe something will pop up during her defense...)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Messy Pantry
-Bloodstains Near Phone Booth
-Kira's Autopsy
Margot: (Well, she doesn't seem the murdering sort...) I-I didn't kill Fumio! I promise! (We thought the same thing about Yoshino, didn't we?)
Margot: I mean, yes, I admit that I took a longer time than I should have... (Half an hour is a lot more than 'a longer time')
Margot: (Well, she did go to the restroom earlier, right?) B-but the reason why I got so sidetracked earlier... is because I got distracted. (Maybe she needed to relieve herself.)
Ochiyo: (If you catch my drift...) Distracted? What could get you distracted for half an hour? (I am going to slap you in your goddamned teeth.)
Margot: W-well... I hadn't eaten dinner yet... (I can sympathize.) so I decided to eat while I was in the pantry.
Margot: (You've got to be joking.) And before I knew it... I'd lost track of time. (That is... the dumbest excuse I've ever heard.)
[Statement Select:]
-"I admit that I took a longer time than I should have..."
-"...is because I got distracted."
-"...so I decided to eat while I was in the pantry."(YES)
[Truth Card Select]
-Messy Pantry(YES)
-Bloodstains Near Phone Booth
-Kira's Autopsy
Kasumi: I'D BET ON THAT!
[BREAK]
(I resisted my every impulse to slam my head against the trial podium as I let out a long-suffering sigh. God, this trial's giving me a splitting headache...)
Kasumi: God... damnit.
Ochiyo: Kasumi? Is something the matter?
Hachiro: Aha! It appears that Kasumi has once again found the hole in your testimony, Margot! Go on, Kasumi, tell us all where the lie is to be found so we can discover the truth of these events!
Kasumi: Her alibi checks out.
Hachiro: ...what.
Kasumi: Margot's alibi... actually checks out. Earlier, I was investigating the kitchen with Margot, Achiko, and Ochiyo. While there, I found something weird in the pantry. A bunch of wrappers for chocolate bars were scattered on the floor. I didn't really pay much attention to it earlier but... it makes sense. Not to mention, there's something else that was bothering me earlier.
(As I pulled out the box from my pocket, I felt something else in my hands. Ugh. Why is the box sticky?! Brushing aside my disgust, I shook the packet of gummies in front of the two of them. That seemed to satisfy Ochiyo's curiosity, much to Margot's relief.)
Kasumi: When I had the packet of stomachache medicine, it was sticky, for some reason. Taking into account the chocolate wrappers in the pantry, it's probably from the chocolate stains that were on Margot's hands after having her little snack.
Max: C... chocolate bars? So she was merely idling her time consuming confectionary treats during that long period of time...?
Margot: Yes... I admit it. I was eating in the pantry during the time of the murder.
Hachiro: Margot, how could you?! Eating chocolate before your meal? That's just a perfect way to spoil your actual dinner! For shame!
Achiko: That's the part you're upset about?
Margot: I... I'm sorry, Kasumi. I just was so hungry, I ended up forgetting about helping you and your stomach issues and... and... I messed up bad. This is all my fault...
Kasumi: *sigh* I'm over it by this point, Margot. It's fine... I'm too tired to care at this point.
(Plus, after she made me wait half an hour for those damn stomach pills, I gotta admit, it was nice seeing Margot squirm a bit in the hot seat for a while.)
Ryuunosuke: Well now, little rat. It seems that your random accussation merely got us nowhere. As expected from a con artist like you.
Kasumi: Actually, Ryuunosuke. I got exactly what I wanted out from this little investigation. Margot was one of two suspects I had in mind, and now that I'm positive she's innocent, we can do some more digging. Starting with that testimony of hers.
Margot: Testimony? Wait, is there something wrong with what I said?
Kasumi: No, Margot. Like I said before, your story seems to check out. But still, there's definitely some things that I'd like for you to expand on, if you could.
Margot: Expand? What are you talking about?
Kasumi: So far, all your testimony's been going on about is what happened while you were in the pantry. While we've cleared up your alibi, there's parts of it that need a little... clarity, if you will. Namely, what happened before and after you had your little 'snack.'
Margot: Before and after...? ...ah! Now that you mention it, I just remembered something!
(When I was about to enter the bathroom to hand you that medicine... I remembered smelling something odd in the bathroom. It smelled like... bleach. Even though it was a small trace, I recognized it. I have a history of having to clean up clothing stains for my projects, you see... It was as if someone was trying to clean up a stain or something, because even though there were no signs of bleach in the hallway, I could still smell a lingering scent in the air.)
Shuei: Bleach, you say? Interesting... if memory serves, there are no such cleaning supplies in the men's restroom, so I highly doubt that there are any in the women's restroom either. So what would the source of that stench be, exactly?
(The smell of bleach, huh? That actually sounds familiar... Where else was bleach used, if not the bathrooms?)
( Destroyed Bust / Stains in the Laundry Room / Missing Bottles of Laxatives )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Destroyed Bust
-Stains in the Laundry Room(YES)
-Missing Bottles of Laxatives
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: In the laundry room, just across from the bathroom, there were puddles of bleach all around the floor, coupled with some blood and water, which explains the smell. However, both Margot and I were outside the bathrooms before the murder happened, and neither of us smelled anything resembling bleach back then. If what Margot smelled was right, then those puddles had to have come after the murder.
Yoshino: Well now... it would appear that our killer realized that their clothing was covered in blood, and as a result, attempted to clean it off with bleach. Judging from the fact that you apparently didn't find any clothes in the laundry or the trash, it appears they managed to get the blood out from their clothes before the blood settled in.
Kira: So the killer had to have been near the laundry room near the time of the murder... Do we have anyone that fits that profile?
Kasumi: Without a doubt. I think it's time that we start to end this case once and for all and point to the real Blackened for this case.
Shuei: Oh? The 'real' Blackened? Very well then, Miss Ahiru. Which of the group standing before you is the true culprit behind the death of Fumio Hojo? I can assure you, we await your answer with great anticipation.
(The real culprit... You've managed to hide beneath suspicion for most of this trial, but there's no longer a doubt in my mind. With the evidence we have and the testimonies I've listened to, there's no question! It has to be you!)
[Select a Suspect:]
-Kasumi Ahiru: Ultimate Card Shark
-Ryuunosuke Harada: Ultimate Samurai
-Ochiyo Kaiga: Ultimate Drill Sergeant
-Fumio Hojo: Ultimate Barista[DECEASED]
-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
Kasumi: It's time to up the ante!
[BREAK]
A/N: And so ends part two of the trial! We're getting ready to hit the end of the case, but the culprit still has yet to be nailed down for good. I would've preferred to make this chapter longer, but it's also already reached 11k words now and I didn't feel comfortable making you wait even longer for the next section to be up. Still, hopefully this is able to tide you over until we finish things off for the final chapter! Enjoy!