A/N: I'M BACK BABY! *looks at calendar* *looks at last date I posted* ...I can explain-oh who am I kidding, I got writer's block again, and I got distracted. Really, there's no excuse for delaying the final part of the trial for over half a year on my end. Apologies for that, but hopefully, the finished product is worth it. I actually started and restarted this chapter several times because I had so much trouble figuring out how to go from where I last left off, but now? I feel like I got something good here, and I hope y'all feel the same after reading it. Speaking of, time to respond to some of your reviews!
MythGirl Writes: I was actually debating on whether or not to make the chapter a cliffhanger, since I was under the assumption that it wouldn't take that long to finish this trial... *looks at five digit word count* I made the right call in hindsight. Glad to hear you've been enjoying the case! Here's hoping that the finisher goes off without a hitch!
A Random Role Player: Thanks for the kind words! Characters kinda make or break a Fangan, given that the cast is one of the defining factors of what makes this franchise so memorable, so I'm glad that you're able to enjoy the folks I've been writing! Also, glad ya liked the implementation of those Truth Cards, my guy! There's always at least one bit of the trial that gets a bit off-topic, so hey, why not have one in my trial! Danganronpa's not always doom and gloom... okay it's like 75% depression and sadness but still-
NostalgiaSucker96: It ain't Danganronpa unless your first guess is off the mark. ...unless it's Leon. Poor guy kinda was doomed from the start with the meme number, wasn't he? And eyup! Actually, my mindset when making Yoshino was basically a mix of Junko's obsession with despair and the concept of Akane being a possible beta rival for Hajime. I thought it'd be interesting to have an antagonist that isn't necessarily opposed ideologically like Shuichi VS Kokichi or Makoto VS Byakuya, but rather by being hedonistically obsessed with the thrill of being in a killing game.
Antra: While I don't Umineko(I have heard good things about it though), I gotta say that's a pretty damn accurate description, as my comment above has already gone in detail about. It makes for a fun time, especially since Yoshino is honestly one of my favorites so far.
Fusion II: First off, that 'girlboss and malewife' bit made me choke because damnit, that's actually pretty accurate all things considered. Second of all, don't feel bad that you're late! I'm always late in posting, and yet somehow I still have folks who read my work! Seriously though, reading reviews is always great for me, no matter when or how they arrive, and yours are no different, my dude.
Before we get into things, we've got one last mechanic to introduce in this trial! It's the one you've all been waiting for! The Argument Armament! Honestly, the Argument Armament is probably my favorite interpretation of the final clash between the Protag and Blackened. I dunno, something about it being framed as an epic very different from normal Argument Armament. Due to the obvious lack of a rhythm game, we can't have it be the usual, exactly. Sooo, instead, I decided to Frankenstein the Argument Armament with two other mini games, the Argument Demolition and the Hangman's Gambi-
WAIT!
HOLD ON!
DON'T CLICK AWAY, PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU!
...
*ahem*
Like I was saying, the Argument Armament in this story is a mixture of the Argument Demolition and the Hangman's Gambit. More specifically, it's essentially a 'Final Battle' for the Argument Demolition, involving Kasumi trying to shoot down the Blackened's panicked arguments in rapid succession, with her Truth Hammers being replaced with the classic Truth Bullets during this final showdown. As she does so, each bullet she fires returns several letters, which will be collected with each successive shot. At the end of the battle, the letters will all be gathered and unscrambled, revealing the true answer of the Argument Armament.
I won't provide an example here, but I hope that the actual showing is straightforward enough that it's not necessary. As one final note, thank you to all of the folks who submitted calls for the FTEs! I now have four different votes. Max got the most, so he's obviously gonna be one of the next ones, and then I'll use a wheel to decide who should be after.
Kasumi: Achiko Samegawa. Based on what we know of the case, you're the only one I can think of as the culprit.
(At my accusation, the room went so quiet, you couldn't hear anything but the low hum of the lights above us. The normally arrogant and flippant Achiko's face had gone pale as she looked back at me in shock.)
Achiko: ...haha! Hah! Hah! O-okay, you really caught me off guard there for a second, Kasumi! Y-you almost had the wonderful me thinking that you were claiming I was the culprit! Now, now, let's be serious.
Kasumi: I'm dead serious, Achiko. One by one, we've eliminated all of the likeliest suspects for the murder.
Fumio couldn't have written down Max's name in blood, because he died instantly, as Kira's autopsy showed us.
Max couldn't have written his own name either, because he can't write in kanji, as his Monopass proves to us.
I proved my own innocence given that Yoshino slipped laxatives in my food, and Margot can further back up my testimony.
Neither Aiya nor Shuei could have been the killers since they discovered Fumio's corpse with Yoshino.
Furthermore, Yoshino has no sign of injury despite the blood found at the scene, while we know the Blackened is the only one who bled at the crime scene.
And Margot was preoccupied with eating chocolate in the kitchen at the time of the murder, as shown by the chocolate wrappers.
Kasumi: The only one that remains as a possibility... is you.
Yoshino: Well now... So this is the conclusion you've reached? I must say, I wasn't expecting you to throw out a conviction so early...
Margot: Achiko...? But why? She doesn't seem to have any obvious ties to the crime, does she?
Max: But then again...
Max: Wait... please... please wait!
Achiko: Why should we?! The corpse stops here, buddy! Look down at the floor, and you'll see your own name written in blood! I'd say that's pretty solid evidence that you're the killer!
Max: Recalling to the beginning of the investigation, she was the primary accuser to try and convict me... Perhaps she simply wanted to divert the attention as far away from her as possible.
Achiko: What, you're basing a conviction off of that? I hate to break it to you, but a mistake, even from the wonderful me, isn't evidence! Especially since I have an airtight alibi! Or did you forget, Kasumi?
Akio: An alibi? Seriously? And here I thought nobody had an alibi going into this. Now everyone does now.
Achiko: You better believe it! Take a look at these bad boys!
(With a dramatic flourish, Achiko pulled out... her Monopass? Like before, a holographic image appeared out from it, revealing a picture of Achiko herself smiling at the camera as she held up a peace sign As she scrolled through picture after picture, she gave me a smug smile.)
Achiko: Hm? Oh, that. I ended up banging my head on a pinball machine earlier when I was in my room, taking selfies with my Monopass. The camera function covers my angles gorgeously, as expected for the wonderful me! It was around 6:45 PM when it happened. Stupid floor making me look bad... It's been bothering me for most of the evening, honestly.
Achiko: Did you forget about these, Kasumi? Like I said, I was busy in my room for the whole day taking photos of the wonderful me. Since I was busy preparing the album of my own greatness, I couldn't have been the one to kill Fumio!
Aiya: Huh. That's gotta be the first time someone's proven their innocence via selfie.
Monokuma: You know what, I think that is! Gimme a sec, I gotta go through some old cases...
(At once, Monokuma's red eye turned green as numbers and figures ran over his eyepiece at mind-boggling speeds. Was this really a priority...? Just as I finished thinking that, his eye went back to the usual red, and he raised his hands in the air, clapping loudly.)
Monokuma: Well whaddya know! That is the first time someone's used their own selfie as evidence in a Class Trial! Nicely done, kids!
"Achiko's Account" Truth Card was updated.
Keiko: Tch. So all that drama was for nothing, was it, Kasumi? Now we're back at square one.
Margot: But then... who else is there to pick from? We've gotten through most of the alibis at this point, and everyone who could have been suspect has been proven innocent. What are we supposed to do now?
(Damnit, I forgot about those photos... But I was sure it had to be Achiko. There has to be something missing from this whole situation, something that I didn't think about yet...)
Keep Pressing(YES)
Choose Another Blackened
Kasumi: Achiko.
Achiko: Hm? Is that an apology I hear? Are you ready to admit you messed up in accusing the wonderful me of murder?
Kasumi: Actually, I'm ready to do the opposite of that.
Achiko: Hu-wha?! What, you still want to keep pursuing this little lie of yours? Why are you wasting the time of everyone here?! More importantly, why are you wasting the time of the wonderful me?! Do I need to show you the photos again?!
Kasumi: Humor me, "oh wonderful you". I'm not satisfied with the answers here, so I'm gonna pursue this investigation for as long as I damn well please. So bring it on, Achiko! I'm gonna bust down that alibi whether you like it or not!
(It's the beginning of the end, Kasumi... No chance to back down now. There's gotta be some kind of hole in Achiko's testimony, and I'm going to find it and smash it through!)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Shiya's Account
-Stains in the Laundry Room
Achiko: Seriously, how much do I have to repeat this? It's obvious I can't be the killer, isn't it?! (I mean, she's got a point here.)
Achiko: (Hard to get more solid proof than literal photographic evidence...) I mean, I showed you all the photos of the wonderful me, so my alibi is airtight! (Maybe the photos are faked?)
Achiko: (I don't think Achiko's smart enough to do edits like that.) In other words, there's no point in trying to keep going, the killer is definitely someone else! (Plus, the most tech we have is the Monopasses.)
Keiko: I have to agree with the pinball idiot on this one. (Tch. What a drag... Looks like we've just been led on a wild goose chase by Kasumi.) After all, there's no contradictory evidence to her alibi, is there? (Seems pretty open and shut on this one.)
Yoshino: Maybe there is, maybe there isn't... I guess it's up to Kasumi to make that choice, isn't it? (STOP BEING VAGUE, DAMNIT, AND JUST TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON!)
[Statement Select:]
-"I showed you all the photos of the wonderful me"
-"After all, there's no contradictory evidence to her alibi, is there?"(YES)
-"I guess it's up to Kasumi to make that choice, isn't it?"
[Truth Card Select]
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Shiya's Account(YES)
-Stains in the Laundry Room
Kasumi: No, that's wrong!
[BREAK]
Kasumi: There it is... I've found a contradiction!
Achiko: Wha-?! What do you mean there's a hole in the wonderful me's testimony?!
Kasumi: While your photos seem to tell one story, I have a witness who has an entirely different testimony on where you were when Fumio was murdered. Tell 'em, Shiya!
Shiya: Hm? I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. *puff* What did you say, sweetie~?
(While her words said one thing, that smug shit-eating grin she gave me told an entirely different story. I grit my teeth as I mentally thanked Aiya for standing between the two of us so I wouldn't go and strangle the gunslinger mid-trial.)
Kasumi: Ugh... Shiya. Could you please explain the other half of your testimony? The one you told me happened after you saw Max?
Ryuunosuke: What? A second half of the testimony?! Why didn't you mention this earlier, you blithering idiot?! We could have avoided most of this trial altogether if you just learned to focus for once!
Shiya: Ohhhhh... that testimony... *puff* Well, why didn't you say so, sweetie~? All you had to do was ask me!
(I did ask you, you pedantic little-! Ugh, whatever, just give us the testimony, you idiot.)
(Well, I didn't see much, admittedly. All I was doing was heading back to the cafeteria at around 6:50 PM. See, I left my babies there while I was busy eating, so I decided to go and grab them. After all, it might be a bit of a problem if I left them all alone out in the open, wouldn't it?)
Keiko: Any idiot could have told you that! How does the Ultimate Gunslinger of all people even leave carry their own pistols lying around for others to take?! That should be Gun Safety 101!
Shiya: What can I say? We all have our off days. Anyways, back to the story.
(Luckily, no one saw them, or if they did, no one was dumb enough to take them from me, given that they were right where I left them. After that, I walked back to the dorms, hoping to maybe catch a few Z's. But on the way there... Who else do I see but Achiko Samegawa, the pretty little Pinball Wizard herself, all in a tizzy. Oddly enough, her hair was down and damp like she just got out of the shower, and her ballcap was balled up in her fists. Naturally, like the Good Samaritan I am, I chose to try and comfort her in her time of need.)
Shiya: Well hello there, little miss. What's gotten you all hot and bothered now!
(The look she ended up giving me was rather interesting. Instead of falling to my charms or being annoyed like little Kasumi over there, she looked... afraid. Like she just got caught sneaking out where she wasn't supposed to. A rather curious thing for a girl like her, considering her attitude.)
Achiko: Gah! S-Shiya! What are you doing here?! A-after all, if you weren't talking to the wonderful me, you could've startled someone!
Shiya: Oh, nothing much, just heading back to my dorm room. If you're interested, I could take you back there...
Achiko: Ugh! As if! Someone like the wonderful me has much better things to do than hang around you all day!
(And with that, she headed straight to her room and shut the door behind her. Thinking nothing of it, I just went back to bed. At least, that's what I was planning until the Body Discovery woke me up. Such a shame...)
Keiko: 6:50 PM... If Shiya's telling the truth, then Achiko definitely could have been at the scene of the crime when Fumio was killed!
Achiko: Well obviously I wasn't! If you didn't remember, I have photos proving I was in my room at the scene of the crime! Shiya just needs to get her eyes checked, because she's definitely seeing things.
(Shiya's eyes narrowed at that as she stared down Achiko in anger, one hand reaching for her holster.)
Shiya: My eyes are perfectly fine, Achiko. Nothing and no one escapes my sight. Ever.
Yuuto: Except for your own guns, apparently.
BLAM!
Yuuto: FUCKING CHRIST!
(The moment Yuuto finished his sentence, a bullet hole had appeared in his podium, the Ultimate Gunslinger casually holstering her pistol as she sent him a glare as deadly as her own shots.)
Ochiyo: Shiya, what is wrong with you?! Are you seriously going to risk execution over a simple comment?!
Shiya: Oh please, if I wanted to kill him, I woulda aimed between his eyes and be done with it.
Akio: Okay... okay... We're getting off topic. Now we have contradictory testimonies... what are we gonna do with them?
Kira: Well obviously, both testimonies can't be right. One of them has to have a flaw. We simply have to pick both of them apart in order to find out which one doesn't hold up to scrutiny. When we find the one that doesn't line up, then we know who's the liar here.
Achiko: HAH! Tilt!
[DEMOLITION IMMINENT]
Truth Hammers:
-Fumio's Hand
-Shiya's Account
-Stains in the Laundry Room
-Achiko's Account
-Hachiro's Account
(Achiko's look of frustration was replaced by her usual look of complete and utter confidence. However, unlike her usual smug look, this was more... hungry. Competitive even. Somehow, I now felt as if I was an unlucky pinball machine primed and ready for Achiko to take the high score yet again as the Ultimate Pinball Wizard audibly began cracking her knuckles.)
Achiko: So, all I have to do to prove my innocence is tear down that false testimony? This'll be easy! I just hope that you won't go crying to your mommy when I show just how full of shit these accusations of are, Kasumi! Oh wait...
(I gripped my podium tighter at the faux-pitying look Achiko gave me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ochiyo glaring daggers at Achiko for her comment, and more than a few others gave Achiko looks of contempt.)
Ochiyo: Achiko, you went too far with that, and you know it!
Achiko: Oh, please. If she can't handle a little trash talk, then she shouldn't have opened her mouth in the first place! This is the big leagues, baby, and I play to win!
(Nearby, Monokuma was watching us both with renewed interest, grinning ear to ear as he began to fan himself.)
Monokuma: Whoo! I do declare, I can just feel the tension rising in this one! The sniping! The below the belt punches! Talk about one sizzler of a first trial! Upupupupu! Now this is more like it!
(I took in a breath, before focusing on Achiko and Achiko alone.)
Kasumi: Achiko... I am going to enjoy knocking you off of your goddamned high horse, believe me.
[BREAK THROUGH YOUR OPPONENT'S LOGIC]
[BEGIN]
Achiko: So Shiya says she saw the wonderful me in the hallway a few minutes after Fumio's death. So what?
Achiko: In case you hadn't noticed, I have photographic evidence that I couldn't have been there at the time she says she saw me!
Achiko: Either Shiya saw someone else, or she's outright lying to us about seeing me! Either way, she's obviously full of it!
Achiko: And, unlike the wonderful me, Shiya has no proof to back up her claim of seeing me at the time of the murder!
Achiko: Now do you intend to apologize for this mistake, Kasumi?!
[ADVANCE!]
Kasumi: It's not a mistake. Shiya has no ulterior motive to lie about seeing you, so what would be the point of framing you for Fumio's murder? As it stands, you're the prime suspect for Fumio's death, Achiko. Unless of course, you can prove that you weren't there.
Achiko: Evidence?! I've been giving you the evidence this whole time! You're just too stupid to listen to me!
Achiko: I have photographic proof! I was in my room during the murder! I'm the one who's telling the truth this whole time!
Achiko: Are you an idiot or something?! How loud do I have to yell to get it through your thick skull, you moron?!
Achiko: I'm 100% right on this, Shiya's either seeing things or she's lying to all of our faces!
Achiko: So just shut your damn trap and accept that you're a goddamn loser already!
[Statement Select:]
-"Shiya has no proof to back up her claim of seeing me at the time of the murder!"(YES)
[Truth Hammer Select:]
-Fumio's Hand
-Shiya's Account
-Stains in the Laundry Room(YES)
-Achiko's Account
-Hachiro's Account
Kasumi: I'LL SHATTER YOUR ARGUMENT TO PIECES!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: Sorry, Achiko, but you've got that wrong. I can back up Shiya's argument with evidence. It's your photos that need a reexamining here.
Achiko: Gh! N-no way! You're bluffing here! My alibi is watertight!
Kasumi: Funny you mention water, Achiko, because that's exactly what can back up Shiya's testimony.
(Taking out my Monopass again, I displayed the images of the stains that I had slipped on in the laundry room earlier, swiping through the photos I had taken after the fact.)
Kasumi: I ended up finding these stains in the laundry room during my investigation. Blood, water, and bleach, all of them were there, sprayed haphazardly on the floor like someone was in a rush.
Kasumi: C'mon... there's gotta be something heeeeEAAAAAAH!
THUD!
(Grumbling to myself and ignoring the giggling I heard behind me, I got back to my feet, before grimacing. What did I even slip on? I squatted down, and to my surprise there was a puddle of liquid right where I'd stepped. Looking back up, it was clear that it was a puddle of bleach, judging by the jug that was hastily turned over next to the sink. There were also scattered droplets of water and what seemed to be blood.)
Kasumi: Someone was in a rush to clean up their clothes today... better file that one away for later.
Kasumi: And like Margot mentioned earlier, on the way back from getting those pills for me, she smelled a faint hint of bleach in the air.
(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.)
Kasumi: And now we have Shiya telling us she saw you in the halls with your hair down and wet.
Shiya: Oh that? Well, at around 6:50 PM, I realized that I'd left my babies in the dining hall. On my way back from the dorms, I ended up meeting Samegawa. Though there was something strange about her this time...
Kasumi: Something strange? Like what?
Shiya: Her hat, of course. Samegawa's hair was down, like she had just taken a shower, and her hat balled up in her fist.
Kasumi: Three different witnesses. Three different Testimonies. Three references to bleach and water. In other words, there's more than enough to back up Shiya's testimony of seeing you. Unless of course... somehow three different people somehow separately were able to make up the exact same story.
Achiko: That's... You...! Who cares about that crap?! It's still nothing resembling evidence, dickweed!
Hachiro: No... But it is certainly enough to make you a suspect. Especially since you have no other people able to corroborate your alibi.
Achiko: Yeah, so?! I don't need anyone to back me up! I have a perfect alibi! Unless Kasumi can pull more bullshit out of her ass with all those laxatives!
(I could feel my body try and resist the urge to grab something at throw it at the pinball star's face at that remark. At Achiko's words, a small, tired smile came over Yoshino's face as she leaned forward on her podium, giving Achiko a knowing look.)
Yoshino: Oh, how boring... Is that really the best defense you can offer right now?
Achiko: B-boring?! Who the fuck are you, calling the wonderful me boring?!
Yoshino: Even a child could think up a better counterargument to that, let alone an Ultimate. It should take no trouble for someone like Kasumi to think up something given how suspicious you've been acting today. Right, Kasumi?
(Suspicious? Wait, she's right... There is something suspicious we haven't talked about until now... It came by so fast and flew so under the radar, I didn't even really think of it until now...)
( Shiya's Account / Bloody Message / Stains in the Laundry Room )
[Truth Card Select:]
-Shiya's Account(YES)
-Bloody Message
-Stains in the Laundry Room
Kasumi: I'll raise you this!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: If you want some more evidence, than I'd be happy to oblige you, Achiko. For my next trick, how about we use your own testimony against you?
Achiko: Wha…?! My own testimony?! Okay, now I know you're just grasping at straws here! My testimony is the thing contradicting Shiya's bad eyesight in the first place!
Kasumi: Oh, not really. It only dismissed part of her testimony. See, there was something else you mentioned earlier this morning while we were in the kitchen that helps incriminate you further as the killer Achiko. Don't you remember? In the kitchen?
Achiko: Little... erm... Big Miss Project Runway's not letting me into the kitchen! I've had a headache for ages now, and I need painkillers! She's just being a big jerk about it!
Kasumi: You were complaining that you had a headache from hitting your head on one of your pinball machines in your room. While that alibi certainly would be easy to brush off, I think I have a different theory now.
Margot: A headache…? Ah! Wait a minute, weren't we all talking about the killer being wounded by Fumio?
Achiko: Ngh! W-wait…! Th-that's just a coincidence!
Max: And with that tifter atop her brow she walks around with, she could easily mask a wound like that without any of us questioning it. Especially with Monokuma's newest rule.
Achiko: Hey, I said wait, damnit! Don't just ignore the wonderful me!
Keiko: Hmph. So Achiko really is the prime suspect now is she?
Akio: That seems to be the case now… No one else has a solid enough connection to this case.
Achiko: I… Said…
Achiko: LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(Achiko's scream was downright deafening, grinding the discussion to the halt as everyone was forced to cover their ears from the sheer volume. If nothing else, she certainly gained everyone's attention as they looked towards the Pinball Wizard in surprise. Even Monokuma seemed to be taken aback, judging by the shocked expression on his face and the fact that his paws were covering his likely now-ringing ears. Well, it's good to see that even the Mastermind got hurt by that, if nothing else...)
Achiko: If you're all done spewing out stupid theories! Then I have my own rebuttals to make! So just shut the fuck up and let me speak!
(Angrily, she pointed a finger at me, her body shaking in sheer anger as she looked at me with a glare strong enough to kill if she willed it hard enough, and judging by her words, she was willing as hard as she can.)
Achiko: I am done letting you and your stupid bullshit theories try and steer this conversation, Kasumi! You have no evidence, just a bunch of stupid, made-up testimonies that you're just trying to cobble together as if they're facts! If you're so confident that you're right, then where's the proof that I'd be anywhere near the laundry room?! Where's the proof I'd even know how to write Max's name if even Max himself doesn't know how to write it?! How can I even be in two places at once, if Shiya saw me while I was also in my room taking photos?! If you're just going to toss out crap bullshit theories instead of actual evidence, then instead of wasting everyone's oxygen, just do us all a favor and kill yourself now!
Yuuto: Christ, and people complain about my anger issues...
Keiko: Still... the annoying banshee-like screeching or no, she has a point here. All we're basing this off of is several witness testimonies. While the data certainly shows a trend to her being the most likely suspect now.
Achiko: Exactly! Listen to the nerd speak! She's the only one here with her head screwed on straight!
(At that remark, Keiko flashed Achiko an annoyed glance, getting the pinball wizard to shut up almost immediately.)
Keiko: Be. That. As. It. May. You're still the prime suspect of this case, meaning that you're going to have to prove your own innocence here, not just try and flounder around screaming at everyone.
(Shit... Achiko's definitely pushing back as hard as she can. The Ultimate Pinball Wizard was drawn in an explosive rage as she pointed an accusatory finger at me, teeth grit and eyebrows furrowed in sheer vitriol. But still, Keiko's right... all I've been doing is connecting testimonies together. If I'm gonna make anything stick here, than I'm going to need actual evidence to use against her... I just hope the cards are in my favor, or else, things might be over before they even begin...)
[NON-STOP DEBATE]
Truth Deck:
-Fumio's Hand
-Messy Pantry
-Stains in the Laundry Room
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Destroyed Bust
Achiko: (Hmph. Let's see if you really have a proper counterargument...) Let's start with the obvious part here. (Alright, so long as you don't scream in our ears again like last time...)
Achiko: The killer was in the library, same as Max, during the time of the murder, right? (Yeah, that's long since been established.)
Achiko: (Your point being?) Well, I had no reason to be in there! (Wait, seriously?!)
Achiko: My shift was after Kasumi's, who was supposed to be guarding the phone booth! (Shit, she's right...)
Shiya: Then how do you explain me seeing you in the hallways? (Yeah, Shiya's argument can be backed up, can't it?) It's not like you can exist in two places simultaneously. (Now I wish one of us was the Ultimate Quantum Physicist...)
Shiya: Unless, of course, you're hiding a pair of cat ears under that hat. (That's a surprisingly civilized joke for Shiya...) In which case, I'd love to take a look at the top of your head, my little catgirl. (Aaaaand there it is.)
Kira: If you think anyone would fall for an obvious trick like that, you need to get your head checked... (Trick? What trick?)
Achiko: (Idiot, if she takes off her hat, then we can see if she got conked in the head!) I friggin' told you, get your vision checked, Four-Eyes! (...oh wow, I didn't even think of that.)
Achiko: You were seeing things, because there's no way I'd be in the library unless it was for my shift! (I mean, yeah, for someone with a talent that requires near-perfect eyesight, needing glasses seems like a bit of a problem-BLAM! EEEK!)
[Statement Select:]
-"Well, I had no reason to be in there!."(YES)
-"It's not like you can exist in two places simultaneously."
[Truth Card Select:]
-Fumio's Hand
-Messy Pantry
-Stains in the Laundry Room
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper(YES)
-Destroyed Bust
Kasumi: No, that's wrong!
[BREAK!]
Kasumi: Achiko, did you already forget about something?
Achiko: Forget? The hell are you talking about, the wonderful me forgets nothing!
Kasumi: Once again, you've got that wrong, Achiko. There's an important piece of even that can explain exactly why you'd be at the library if it wasn't your shift. Remember Hachiro's testimony?
Achiko: About the letter Yoshino and Shuei used to trick Fumio? Yeah, so what? We already established what it was for, why are you bringing it up to accuse the wonderful me?!
Kasumi: Because... Hachiro didn't see Shuei make just one letter.
Hachiro: 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.
Hachiro: That's right... I did in fact see two letters being prepared by Shuei and given to Yoshino. Are you suggesting that Achiko was the one who received the second letter?
Achiko: No friggin' way! I never got anything like that! And even if there is a second letter, how the hell can you just arbitrarily connect that to me?! Again, you're just connecting a bunch of random testimonies together! Do you think you can convince anyone of this crap without giving us evidence?!
Kasumi: Oh, I have plenty of evidence for you, Achiko. While I was in the laundry room investigating, I found these.
(I flashed my Monopass once again, and on the screen shone the pieces of scrap paper I found in the trash can.)
Ryuunosuke: Are those... scraps of paper? What does a pile of garbage have to do with this case?
Kira: Loathe as I am to agree with him, Ryuunosuke has a point. I fail to see the reason why you would show something like this to us, Kasumi.
Shuei: Normally, the both of you would be right. In any normal trial, they'd mean absolutely nothing. In the case of this trial however... Recall that the killer received a letter much like Fumio did. And if I were a killer, I'd want to dispose of the evidence as quickly as possible...
Ochiyo: Ah! Then, if Achiko stopped by the laundry room to wash off her blood like Kasumi's saying she did...!
Akio: Then she'd also have the chance to dispose of the letter if she was the Blackened!
Achiko: Ngh! S-so?! You can't convict me on a pile of scrap paper! It's just a pile of useless torn-up junk! We can't prove that it's the same kind of paper as the letter by Shuei and Yoshino, right?! Journals like his are a dime a dozen!
Yoshino: Oh, but we can. You see, Shuei's notebook is a custom birthday present from me to him. There's very few like it, so if we can match this piece of paper to the paper in the trash can...
(Reaching into her jumpsuit, Yoshino pulled out a piece of paper stained with blood. Was that... Fumio's letter?! Before I could say anything, she walked forward to the middle of the courtroom, ignoring Monokuma's annoyed protests, and held it up next to my Monopass's hologram. A perfect match. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Achiko flinch on instinct at the gesture as Yoshino flashed her a knowing smile.)
Yoshino: Well, well, well, it's almost one to one, isn't it? How about that... Anything to say as a rebuttal, Miss Pinball Wizard?
Achiko: I...! You...! You goddamn piece of shit!
Ochiyo: So the second letter was found in the laundry room, and it just so happens that near that same laundry room, Margot and Kasumi smell bleach and find blood and stains, meaning that the killer likely tried to clean blood off of their clothes in a panic. On top of that, when Shiya found you in the hallways, she noticed your hair was down and wet.
Max: Then the only conclusion we can reach at this point in time is that your lack of innocence is growing more and more likely as the trial goes on, isn't it Achiko? Unless, of course, you're choosing to claim that this all one big coincidence?
Achiko: Shut up...! Shut up, shut up, shut up! This still doesn't prove anything yet, you hear me?!
(I could see Achiko's confident facade begin to crack as she began to panic. I didn't even connect her specifically to the crime with the paper and she's already starting to sweat. Good... That means it'll be easier to try and pick at her defenses as the trial goes on... I just hope that Monokuma's patience can last a bit longer, or else it might be too late for me to even tear down those walls of hers...)
Achiko: So... so you managed to find some pieces of junk paper in the laundry room. So what?! Still doesn't connect me to this crime!
Yoshino: Funny, that. That line of defense seems to be going quite poorly for you now, isn't it? Upwards of four testimonies pointing towards you as being near the scene where not only there were bloodstains found, but also scraps of the letter the killer was given.
Shuei: On top of that, the only piece of evidence serving as your savior from condemnation are those photos, given how you've got no evidence of your own to refute Miss Ahiru's claims. I'd say that we've been doing a fine job finding connections to this crime.
Achiko: Ngh... Shut up, shut up, shutupshutupshutupshutup! Will you shut up and listen to me?! That doesn't matter! None of that matters! All that matters is that I have evidence and she doesn't! Do you hear me, Kasumi?! You might have everyone else fooled with these bullshit accusations, but I don't!
Kasumi: Fine then. You want proof, then step right up so I can blast the last bits of your argument to pieces! It's time to end this, once and for all!
(As those words left my mouth, it was as if all sound, all sight, all outside interference had vanished. This was it. The final push to condemn the Blackened. It was just between me and Achiko now. Everyone else seemed to melt away into nothing, and the world around us began to reform. The black and white trial floor was replaced with a shining dance floor, colors alternating as a fast-paced rhythm filled the air. Above, a shining disco ball shone, and under it was Achiko, dressed in a dramatically different outfit. A pair of shades was perched on her forehead as she gave me an arrogant smile, two sets of balls hovering above both of her hands. Her jacket had grown longer, reaching her now-platform heels, and her white skirt seemed to change colors in time with the rhythm. Around her waist shone a gleaming silver belt buckle with the initials A.S.)
Achiko: You wanna see what your destruction looks like?! Here it is in human form! Live from Japan, it's Achiko Samegawa, here to bring the house down and knock your damn lights out!
(I looked down at my hand, and in my mind, I could see six bullets being loaded into a revolver. Just like a duel in the Old West, huh? Fine. She draws her piece, I draw mine. It's time to end this with one final showdown.)
[ARGUMENT ARMAMENT - START]
[Truth Bullets]
-Fumio's Hand
-Hachiro's Account
-Stains in the Laundry Room
-Torn-Up Shreds of Paper
-Destroyed Bust
-?
[Ready...? DRAW!]
Achiko: Shut up, shut up, shut up!
Achiko: You seriously want to keep on pressing this stupid theory of yours?!
Achiko: Just do everyone a favor and die already!
Achiko: You're wasting everyone else's time, and it's pissing me off!
Achiko: Just shut up and admit you've lost already!
Achiko: Even if I was in the library, I couldn't have written Max's name! If he couldn't know what his name looked like, how could I?!
[Truth Bullet Select:]
-(F)umi(o)'s (H)(a)nd
[FIRE!]
Kasumi: Fumio had everyone's names written on his hand when he met all of us. It'd be easy to find Max's name if you could read kanji!
(As I spoke, a bullet flew out from my outstretched hand, blasting right above Achiko. At once, the gleaming dance floor dimmed and the disco ball above her head vanished. As the distractions vanished, I could see Achiko's expression tense up as I pressed forward. No more glitz and glamour to hide her now...)
[Letters Gathered: F, O, H, A]
Achiko: I said shut it, jackass!
Achiko: Listen to me! Just listen to me already!
Achiko: I'm the only one with evidence here, not you!
Achiko: No one else is buying your hastily-made theories, okay?!
Achiko: Why not Shuei or Margot, huh?! They've got just as good an alibi as I do!
Achiko: The killer was injured, right?! Well I have no blood on me and my clothes are completely dry!
[Truth Bullet Select:]
-S(t)ain(s) in the Laun(d)ry Ro(o)m
[FIRE!]
Kasumi: You could've easily cleaned up your blood in the laundry room, as those stains show. Furthermore, everyone here has an identical set of clothes in their closet, meaning it'd be easy to swap wet clothing with a new set!
(Another rebuttal, another shot fired, this one blasting the pinballs in her hands away. The pair of sunglasses on her head soon followed after, leaving nothing to hide behind. Achiko began to move faster as her eyes narrowed in a mix of anger and panic, desperately trying to keep some semblance of control at this point.)
[Letters Gathered: T, S, D, O]
Achiko: Will you just shut up and listen for once?!
Achiko: Just give up and lose gracefully, you're embarrassing yourself!
Achiko: Why are you so damn set on pinning me as the culprit?!
Achiko: I didn't do anything to you, so why do you still keep on harassing the wonderful me?!
Achiko: Just shut up and know your place, scrub!
Achiko: Besides, I already told you, I had no reason to be in the library! Why would I go there if it wasn't my shift?!
[Truth Bullet Select:]
-(T)orn-Up Shr(e)ds (o)f Pa(p)er
[FIRE!]
Kasumi: Simple. We've already established that Yoshino had a second letter to give, a letter that she could have easily given to you.
(Another bullet flew out from the chamber, hitting Achiko directly in her chest this time. Her jacket was now shreds of fabric in the wind, and the light in her skirt faded away. Achiko was backed into a corner now, her eyes wide as she stared me down, her breathing growing heavier. This was it. The last push forward I needed before we ended this little duel once and for all!)
[Letters Gathered: T, E, O, P]
Achiko: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UPPPPPPPPP!
Achiko: WILL YOU JUST OPEN YOUR DAMN EARS AND LISTEN TO ME?!
Achiko: I'M THE ONE WITH THE EVIDENCE! I'M THE ONE WITH THE PROOF!
Achiko: ALL YOU'VE BEEN DOING IS SPOUTING OUT THEORIES AND GUESSES!
Achiko: If you won't play the damn game right then you shouldn't play it at all!
[FINAL SHOT]
Achiko: How can you even say that I was in the library if the photos prove I was in my room?!
FOHA TS DOTEOP
DATE OF PHOTOS
[FIRE!]
Kasumi: THIS SHOWDOWN ENDS HERE!
(With a spin of my revolver, I aimed it right between Achiko's eyes. Tensing, I squeezed the trigger, and fired, the final bullet taking its place dead-center in Achiko's forehead. At once, the world around us shattered, and there Achiko stood, stiff as a board as she realized the same thing I did: I won.)
Kasumi: I was wondering myself how you were able to convince everyone that you were able to be in your room at the time of the murder, despite the testimonies pointing to the opposite... But the way you did it seems pretty obvious in hindsight, Achiko.
Achiko: O-obvious...?! Wha-?! What the hell are you talking about?! Stop trying to make yourself seem smart, damnit, we all know you're bluffing!
Kasumi: Am I? If I am, then you'd be perfectly fine letting us take a look at your Monopass, Achiko.
Achiko: Ah...? Ahhh! HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
Yuuto: Her Monopass? What the hell does that have to do with anything?
Kasumi: Simple. Most, if not all cameras these days let the user check the exact date and time the photo was taken.
Monokuma: Yup-yup! I can confirm this myself! These Monopasses are state-of-the-art! Of course they'd have as basic of a function as showing the time a photo was taken! Aren't you inmates glad that I chose to be so generous to you guys?
Yoshino: Well then, that answers that. If we look at the dates and times of the photos...
Max: Then we can ascertain if Achiko's alibi holds up to scrutiny!
Margot: And... if it doesn't, then we can confirm she could have been in the library when Fumio was killed!
Achiko: W-wait...! H-hold on a second! Listen to me-!
Ochiyo: Well, Achiko? Are you going to show us the photos? Or do we have to take it by force?
Achiko: I...! I...! I...!
(Nervously, Achiko hugged her Monopass close to her chest like a security blanket, eyes wide and breathing heavily as she looked around the trial in a terrified panic. However, Hachiro was able to easily take it from her, before holding it up. With the simple press of a button, the photo was displayed for all to see, and on the screen in the top middle was the date and time of the picture.)
Photo Taken: Today, 6:55 PM
Aiya: 6:55 PM...! That lines up perfectly with Shiya's testimony!
Akio: On top of that, it would give Achiko plenty of time to cover her tracks after Fumio's death. A full ten minutes to leave the library, wash up at the laundry room, and get a spare change of clothes... It's certainly doable!
Ryuunosuke: Unless, of course, you have another alibi to offer up to us. But if you do, you preening peacock, you better have a means of backing up said alibi, with either hard evidence or witnesses to help corroborate your alibi. Because at this point, you have no excuses to save you if you end up empty-handed.
Achiko: N-no, wait...! Listen to me...! I-it's not my fault! I swear! I-it's not my fault! It's not my fault! It's not my fault! It's not my fault! ITSNOTMYFAULTITSNOTMYFAULTITSNOTMYFAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLTTTTTTTT!
(With one last terrified scream, Achiko all but collapsed, her head against her podium as she curled her arms up, unable to look anyone in the eyes. Faintly, the sound of sobbing could be heard as her body shook. Gone was the arrogant and proud visage of Achiko Samegawa, the Ultimate Pinball Wizard. All that was left was Achiko Samegawa, a high schooler terrified for her life. At that, more than a few of us sobered up, the adrenaline from the trial fading away into dawning horror. Every single one of us had been in Achiko's position at this point. More than anyone... we all knew what it was like to face judgement and come out guilty.)
Achiko: It's not my fault... It's not...
Ochiyo: Achiko... ... Kasumi? I... I don't think she can say anything at this point. Please... Can you end this?
(I gave Achiko one last look, before letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.)
Kasumi: ...yeah. Yeah, I'll end this.
[CLOSING ARGUMENT: START!]
Let's take this case from the top, and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt who the Blackened is here...
For the past few days, Yoshino and Shuei were conspiring together in order to kickstart the Killing Game for their own reasons. To this end, they wrote up two letters. One for the victim, Fumio Hojo, and one for the Blackened themselves. These letters were meant to lure both of them to the library, ensuring a confrontation.
In order to ensure this confrontation would happen, they had to eliminate a potential witness. That is, the guard stationed to watch over the motive Monokuma gave us. In this case, that would be me. To make sure that I would be out of the picture, Yoshino tainted the dinner that Fumio prepared for me with laxatives.
While I rushed out from my post, the Blackened and Fumio would arrive at the library, and a confrontation followed soon after. At some point, Fumio had grabbed one of the stone busts Monokuma had set up, and bashed the Blackened on the head with it. However, the hit wasn't enough to kill the Blackened, but merely wound them, causing their blood to splatter everywhere. In retaliation, the Blackened pushed Fumio back, causing bloodstains to appear on Fumio's clothes.
Because of the weakness of the guardrails, the impact was able to break the railing with ease, sending both Fumio and the stone bust falling from the second floor to the first. With this, two things followed as a result. The first was that Fumio Hojo's neck was snapped, instantly killing him upon impact. The second was that the stone bust shattered into several pieces, scattering around the first floor.
Likely realizing the consequences of this murder, the Blackened quickly set up their alibi. Using Fumio's hand, which had the names of everyone here written down, they wrote down Max's name in her own blood, framing Max as the killer. Because of Max's struggles with speaking Japanese, they assumed he wouldn't defend himself that well in a trial.
Their crime covered up, the Blackened quickly ran back to the nearest room to cover their tracks, in this case, the laundry room. In there, they were able to clean up their wounds and the bloodstains on their clothes. However, unbeknownst to the Blackened, the smell of bleach and the stains in the laundry room, coupled with Shiya seeing them in the halls would come back to condemn them.
After that, they hastily made their way back to their room, where they would take several photos that would serve as an alibi if anyone decided to ask them where they were during the time of the murder. Then, when the Body Discovery Announcement came on, they were able to join with the rest of us, and aimed to accuse Max of the murder.
You did your best to cover this up, but you didn't fool me!
Achiko Samegawa, the Ultimate Pinball Wizard... You're the one who killed Fumio!
[CLOSING ARGUMENT: END]
Ochiyo: ...Achiko? Do you have anything to say? Anything at all...?
(The Pinball Wizard didn't even bother to respond, merely opting to hiccup out a few more tearful apologies.)
Achiko: P-please... It's not my fault...
Max: You slew Fumio, and then attempted to affix the Blackened title on not only myself, but several others, knowing full well the consequences of your actions should you succeed! I'd surmise that plenty is 'your fault' here!
Aiya: Why... Please, Achiko... Why did you do this?
Monokuma: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! All questions will be answered when the trial is over! Because right now... It's voting time, inmates! On your podiums, you all have the option to pick out the Blackened! Make triple sure that you vote here, because anyone who doesn't will be executed. So, will you make the right choice? Or the dreadfully wrong one?!
(The icons appeared on our podiums, each one with the same pixellated portraits that were on our dorm rooms. I looked down at the one for Achiko, my finger shaking as it hovered over it. This is real... I'm going to send Achiko to her own death. I wordlessly pressed the button, not willing to look her in the eyes as I did so.)
Monokuma: Everyone locked in their answers?! Good! Let's see the results for this trial!
(On the screen above Monokuma, the image of a giant slot machine flared. Another Monokuma on screen pulled the lever, and it began to rapidly cycle through all our faces one by one, before ultimately settling on three images of Achiko. The machine lit up like Las Vegas, sending hundreds of Monokuma tokens spilling out. The word GUILTY flashing in rainbow colors above.)
Monokuma: Well, well, well, well, well! Looks like all of you inmates made the right call! Yup-yup! The killer of Fumio Hojo, the Ultimate Barista, is none other than Achiko Samegawa! Congratulations, inmates!
(However, despite Monokuma's joyful tone, very few of us felt like celebrating. Instead, the realization of Achiko's impending death sentence hung over our heads like a guillotine.)
Ryuunosuke: Tch... Are you proud of yourself, you damn peacock?! Look at what you've done, you've doomed yourself to execution, and for what?! Well?! Out with it!
Akio: Please... Achiko. I know what's going to happen next, but for your own sake, if not Fumio's... why? Why did you do this?
Achiko: I... I didn't mean to... It just happened so fast.
(I got a letter last night... It was hanging on my door when I got to my room. It was apparently from Margot. She wanted to meet up with me. Said that I'd make a wonderful model, and she'd like to talk to me about it in the library. I... When I got it, I was too happy with the idea of being chosen as a model for the Ultimate Fashion Designer, but looking back, it was stupid of me to follow a letter to a random location at night, but I... I didn't think it mattered then since Kasumi would've been in the library to see us if anything happened. So I went to the library at 6:40 PM like it said, and waited there for a while...)
Achiko: Geez... where the hell is that damned designer?! I've been waiting for several minutes, and the wonderful me does not like to wait!
Fumio: THERE YOU ARE!
Achiko: Huh?!
CRACK!
(It came out of nowhere. One moment, I was just waiting by the phone booth, expecting to meet up with Margot, and then... All I felt was pain. It was Fumio. He looked... almost angry at me, and in his hands was that bust. But it seemed like I wasn't the one he wanted to hurt.)
Fumio: W-wait... Achiko?! What are you doing here-
(He seemed confused. As if he was expecting someone else to show up. He seemed to lower his arms after that. Maybe he even was gonna help me after realizing that I wasn't the person he was looking for, but...)
Achiko: G-GET AWAY FROM ME!
(I just acted on instinct after that... I thought he was gonna kill me! I thought I was gonna die! So... So I pushed him.)
Fumio: Oh my god, I'm so-AGH!
SNAP!
Fumio: ACHIKO-!
THUD!
Achiko: F-Fumio?! Fumio! Damnit, no, no, no! What the fuck, what the fuck?!
Achiko: I didn't want to kill him... But if I didn't cover it up afterwards, I was gonna die! It's not my fault! If it was anyone's fault, it was Yoshino's and Shuei's! So why... why do I have to die for this?! It's not fair!
Keiko: Isn't it? Even if you were set up by Shuei and Yoshino's scheming it was still ultimately you who killed Fumio, wasn't it? No matter how you look at it, Fumio's death was by your hands and your hands alone.
Shiya: Not to mention, you seemed awfully eager to try and wash your hands clean of this crime, little miss. Passing the buck to the little drummer boy over there...
Hachiro: That's right... You may have been merely the middleman here, but nonetheless, you were part of the reason why Fumio Hojo died! That is inexcusable! No matter your excuses, this is unforgivable-
SLAM!
Kasumi: SHUT UP!
(My hand moved on instinct, slamming against the podium as I gave Hachiro a glare. When had my breathing gotten so heavy...?)
Achiko: Kasumi...?
Kasumi: 'Unforgivable?' Who the hell are you to judge her, Hachiro? You don't get to toss around a word like that so lightly. In case you forgot, we're all criminals here. So you don't get to judge another person's crime as unforgivable! The only one who gets to make that call is Fumio, and he's dead!
Hachiro: Have you forgotten that she killed Fumio?! Weren't you his friend?! I thought you would be the most angered of all here!
Kasumi: Of course I'm angry! Fumio didn't deserve to die in this damn game! None of us do! But... I don't have the right to condemn Achiko for his death.
(Out of the corner of my eye, I gave that damn bear a look. Still smiling through everything, aren't you...?)
Kasumi: None of us do.
Akio: ...she's right. We all did terrible things to end up here, didn't we? We've hurt, betrayed, and killed people to get where we are now. That doesn't mean we have to pretend that what's going on here is just.
Max: I... I suppose that's right... Lord knows I may have ended up in the same position she now stands. Any of us could, really.
Monokuma: Upupupupu! Well that's a nice sentiment all of you have... But have you forgotten? You don't get to make the call on if the Blackened deserves to die or not. I do.
Achiko: W-wait-! Hold on a second! P-please, it was an accident! I-I didn't do anything wrong! It wasn't even my plan! If anyone deserves to die, it's Yoshino! Not me!
Monokuma: Sorry, slick! But in case you've forgotten, accessory to murder isn't a punishable crime! The only shit that matters is if you were the one to do the deed! Since Fumio died by your hand, it's only fair that you die by mine! A life for a life and all that!
Ochiyo: Fair?! Who are you to talk about fair?! You're the reason why we're stuck here to begin with! You're the reason why we're being made to kill each other! You're the last one to speak about fairness here!
Monokuma: Upupupupu! See, that's the funny thing when you're one of the wardens. Right and wrong, good and evil, all of it is written by me! So like it or not, I AM THE LAW!
Achiko: Please...! Please, listen to me! I don't wanna die! It's not my fault! It's not my fault! S-so please! Have mercy!
Monokuma: Now, let's give it everything we've got!
Achiko: D-don't ignore me! Hey, listen to me, damnit!
Monokuma: IIIIIIIIIIT'S PUNISHMENT TIME!
Achiko: LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
GAME OVER
ACHIKO SAMEGAWA HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY.
TIME FOR THE PUNISHMENT!
(Cackling madly, Monokuma pulled a gavel from behind his back as a giant red button rose up in front of him. Grinning widely, the vice-warden leaped up into the air, spinning like a top, before slamming the gavel down hard. A panel in one of the walls opened up, and a collar with a chain attached to it suddenly shot out, latching itself to Achiko's neck. Before any of us could even react to what was happening, the Ultimate Pinball Wizard was pulled back violently like a fish on a hook, her bead necklace hitting the ground with a violent clattering as she was whisked off. The panel shut as Achiko's body was dragged into the darkness, and almost immediately afterwards a series of monitors lowered in the middle of the trial stage, showing Achiko herself. Desperately she struggled against the chain around her neck, pulling and tugging at it. All the while, she was being slammed and pulled into the walls around her, causing visible streaks of blood to show up. The worst was yet to come, though, as another door opened, and Achiko slammed back-first into the inside. Groggily, she made it to her feet, holding her head in pain-)
CLICK!
(-and a Monokuma suddenly shut the door in front of her. Slowly, we all realized that Achiko was now trapped in a giant ball. It was clear so we could see inside... and Achiko could see out. Another Monokuma grinned widely as it strolled up to... a pinball machine? Achiko looked back to see a massive steel spring waiting for her, and a look of horror came over her face. The Monokuma reached into its pockets, to pull out a quarter...)
SHUNK!
(And the execution began.)
The Captive Ball Jackpot
K-CHUNK!
(Almost immediately, the spring shot out, launching the ball forward and sending Achiko slamming into the walls of her prison, bruising her forehead and knocking her hat off. As the ball rolled on, she attempted to steady herself, but the constant movement made it near-impossible to do so. As the ball rolled further down, lights began to shine down on Achiko as it became readily apparent that she was now stuck in a massive pinball machine, being directly controlled by the machine operated by the Monokuma. A flipper struck the ball, causing Achiko to fall flat on her face, breaking her nose as she shot up into the machine. Like lightning, she was sent hurtling up, down, and all around, each consecutive strike bruising her body further as she desperately tried to gain some sense of control, but to no avail. The lights, the sounds, the impacts, all of it served to dizzy Achiko further as Monokuma only laughed like a psychopath, watching with glee as the pinball wizard writhed in pain.)
DING!
(As Achiko's body hit a bumper, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle, causing her to let out a scream no one could hear.)
VRRR!
(The ball spun at high speeds, making Achiko slip and slam her head against the walls of the sphere, no doubt giving her a concussion.)
BEEP!
(By this point, the pinball was already streaked with blood, Achiko breathing heavily as she lay there, barely able to stand. As she began to roll down, her eyes widened. The ball was headed straight down to the drain. To survival. Immediately, Achiko slammed her body forward, sending the ball hurtling down to the middle of the machine, a desperate smile appearing on her face as she began to roll further down. Hope shone for the briefest moment on her face-)
THUD!
WARNING: TILT
(And it was ripped away without a second thought as Monokuma shoved the pinball machine, angling the ball back to the flippers. Achiko didn't even have time to realize what had happened before she was sent rocketing back up the machine once more, moving twice as fast as she was already moving. The ball was all but a blur now, the only sign of it was the splatters of blood continuing to appear on the ball as Achiko was sent flying up, down, all around by the force of the machine, numbers and lights flashing as the noise intensified further and further, drowning out everything else out. Eventually though, the game finally came to a merciful end as the ball fell down right between the paddles, the Monokuma unable to tilt the machine anymore.)
TOO BAD!
INSERT QUARTER TO CONTINUE PLAYING.
(Achiko's prison slowly rolled down back where it had came from. The ball was now coated completely by Achiko's own blood, with no one able to see inside. Fuming, the Monokuma operating the machine kicked the pinball in frustration, and the door clicked open. All that we could see on the monitor was Achiko's blood-soaked arm laying down slack as it twitched, before finally going still as the monitor shut off.)
(All of us could only watch, stunned silent at the sheer brutality of the execution. My hands were gripping the podium tight enough to make my knuckles turn white. I could almost hear Achiko's screaming... No, that's not right, the screaming is-)
Max: Ahhh...! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Akio: May almighty God have mercy on you, and having forgiven your sins, lead you to eternal life. Amen. May the almighty and merciful Lord-
Aiya: Th-that's what you call an execution?! I thought that you meant that she was going to be hung, or put in an electric chair or a guillotine! Not... not that!
Monokuma: Puhahahahahaha! Who cares how I killed her? All that matters is that justice was served today! Besides, aren't all of you glad that I got rid of a killer in your midst? I mean, if you think about it, you should be thanking me!
Keiko: Why...? Why are you doing this?! I get that all of us are criminals, but this seems more than excessive, especially since we're all minors! That wasn't even a fucking execution, that was flat-out torture!
Monokuma: Oh, potato, potahto, if ya don't wanna do the time, then don't do the crime! It's your guys's fault for being caught in the first place! Now you get to reap what ya sow! 'sides, I'm being merciful if ya think about it! Three square meals a day, a large open area for you guys to walk around and interact with each other! Most inmates would kill to be in your positions!
Kira: Most inmates also wouldn't have to deal with the threat of 'kill or be killed' hanging over their heads, in case you've forgotten. Don't try and sugarcoat this, this Killing Game of yours is the product of pure sadism, nothing more and nothing less.
Monokuma: Maybe it is, maybe it isn't! Either way... not like you can do anything to stop me, now can you?
(At that, all of us went quiet. Despite what we wanted to say, the bear was right. None of us could do anything about this now. We were all trapped here, and we all knew it.)
Monokuma: Upupupupu... That's the spirit, let the despair sink in, kiddos, because it's gonna be a loooooooong sentence for you all. That is, unless you wanna try and go for another murder. We know how well this one went! Upupupupupupu! Now then, inmates, it's been fun, but don't you think it's time for all of you to head to bed? The elevator's a-waitin' kids!
(Silently, several of us began to shuffle towards the elevator, giving each other uneasy glances as we did so. I made a move to walk out too-)
CHK!
(I looked down to see Achiko's necklace laying down on the ground. That's right... it fell off when she was dragged to her execution. I bent down to pick it up, looking it over as it shone in the trial room lights.)
Achiko: Well, consider it your lucky day! You've managed to encounter the Goddess of Pinball herself! Perhaps you should consider bowing before the wonderful me!
Achiko: I… Said… LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Achiko: Please...! Please, listen to me! I don't wanna die! It's not my fault! It's not my fault! S-so please! Have mercy!
(Achiko... I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to talk with you. That's all you wanted, wasn't it? Someone to hear you out...? I can't make up for it now, but the least I can do is remember you. I put on the necklace before walking towards the others. The whole elevator was dead silent as we looked at each other, knowing the exact same thing. Any one of us could end up killing each other. Any one of us could end up like Fumio and Achiko. All that needed to be answered was who would be next.)
K-SHUNG!
(The floor came to a sudden stop, and one by one, we all went our separate ways. None of us were in the mood to talk to each other or even look each other in the eyes. I made my way to the nearest bathroom, and turned on the sink, splashing my face with water. That damn execution... I'm pretty sure it's gonna be seared into my memory...)
Yoshino: I have to admit, Kasumi, that was quite the excellent performance!
(I froze as Yoshino's voice cut in through my thoughts. I looked up to see the Ultimate Racer standing behind me in the mirror, a wide grin on her face as she clapped her hands together.)
Kasumi: What the hell do you want, Yoshino? I'm not in the mood for any your crazy ramblings after what you pulled.
Yoshino: Ah, there it is again, the hostility. The anger. That's exactly what I was hoping for during this game... Guess your hopes for a peaceful life in prison didn't turn out like you hoped, hm~?
Kasumi: You... People aren't puppets for you to string along however you want! Why did you trick Achiko and Fumio into getting each other killed?! Why-
Yoshino: "Why didn't you die instead of them?" Is that what you were going to say, Kasumi?
Kasumi: ...!
(Yoshino leaned in close, a sick smile coming over her face as she looked me over, cupping my chin in her hand.)
Yoshino: For one whose talent requires a mastery of lying, your emotions are all too easy to read. It's almost cute... Honestly, though, don't try and say you're any better than I am. After all... You were the one who condemned Miss Pinball Wizard to death, weren't you?
Kasumi: Wh-what?! Shut up, I'm nothing like you!
Yoshino: Are you sure about that? I could see it in your eyes during the trial. The intrigue of solving a mystery. The fear of an imminent demise hanging over your head at all times. The panic rising as the trial descended into chaos. The rush you felt when you got to live another day. It's the same emotions I felt during the trial. Weren't they fun? Fufufu... Perhaps you even got a sense of pleasure from the whole thing-GH!
(In an instant, my hand shot forward, gripping around the Ultimate Racer's neck like a vise. Forcefully, I slammed Yoshino into one of the mirrors, cracking it as I raised my other hand up to wrap around her throat. Yoshino's eyes widened as I leaned in. Guess even she didn't see this coming.)
Kasumi: Shut. Up. Just shut the hell up already!
(A feeling of complete and utter rage overtook me as I stared into this heartless girl's eyes. I wanted to squeeze the life out of her. I wanted to break her neck like Fumio did when he fell. I wanted to hurt her as badly as Achiko felt when she was killed by Monokuma.)
Kasumi: Is this what you fucking wanted, Yoshino?! Did you want to know what it was like during that trial?! Did you want to know what it was like to live in my damn shoes, Yoshino?! Did you want to sit here as I fucking break your damn neck?! Well now you know!
Yoshino: Hee...!
Kasumi: ...?!
Yoshino: Ehahahahahahahaha!
(Suddenly, the bathroom filled with the sound of insane laughter. I looked down to see Yoshino, gripping my arms, giving me a wide grin as she stared up at me with glee.)
Yoshino: Hahahaha... Well isn't this something? Are you sure you want to commit another murder so soon after the first? Are you so sure you wish to follow the same route as Miss Pinball Wizard?
Kasumi: Shut up! Just shut up already!
Yoshino: Go on. Kill me. Make things interesting around here, I don't mind...
Kasumi: You have no idea… no idea how easy this would be for me.
Yoshino: That's it… you can feel it can't you? The adrenaline flowing through you? Kill… kill… and kill some more, you gotta realize, adrenaline is all you need to feel alive! After all, that heart-wrenching goodbye you had to go through, the rush you felt… it's enough to make you want more, isn't it? Just like me… so kill me and get that rush, Kasumi. Because without it… you might as well be dead.
(Despite myself, her words began worming their way into my head, reminding me of the consequences of being caught. The dead-eyed stare in Fumio's face as he lay down, never to move again. The look of terror and fear on Achiko's face as she was dragged off to her slow and cruel death. Slowly, my grip on Yoshino's neck began to loosen, reason slowly beginning to take over anger. And then I saw it in her eyes once again. The complete lack of any fear, even in the face of death. ...this is what she wants, isn't it? All I'm doing is playing in her hands.)
Kasumi: ...no.
Yoshino: Hm?
Kasumi: You might get your kicks from this… sick game. But I won't.
(Slowly, I let go of her neck, before shoving her away, resting my shaky hands on the bathroom sink, as I had to force myself to resist the urge to shudder at the thought of giving into my anger. God, I really did just nearly kill her, didn't I? Yoshino simply stood back up, rubbing her neck and coughing a bit after she dusted off her jumpsuit.)
Yoshino: Well that was fun. I dare say that was kind of exciting, you sure know how to show a girl a good time, Kasumi… I hope we can meet again sometime, here… or in the trial room~
Kasumi: Get out. Just get the hell out.
Yoshino: Hmm... Very well, I've had my fun for now. Goodnight, Kasumi. I'll be seeing you in the morning.
(With those last words, Yoshino left the bathroom with a wave and a smile, leaving me alone once more as I looked back into the cracked mirror. After a few minutes, I managed to calm myself down. I left the bedroom, taking in several breaths as I did so. Thankfully, it seemed no one was nearby it to see me leave. Guess everyone decided to head to bed. Maybe I should do the same...?)
Move to the Library(YES)
Move to Dorm Rooms
(Maybe I should go stop by the library first... Back where this whole mess started.)
(As I walked into the library, the first thing I noticed was that Fumio's body was gone. Guess that not even Monokuma is enough of a bastard to leave someone's corpse lying out, especially since we finished the trial... I looked up to see that the banister on the second floor was also fixed. It was as if Fumio never died... Unconsciously, I found myself reaching up to the bead necklace around my neck. Fumio... Achiko... I promise. I won't forget either of you.)
BRIIIING!
Kasumi: Huh?
(Was that a phone? But the only phone here is... The motive. I tightened my grip on the necklace as I looked up at the phone booth, grimacing as I remembered the mocking message Monokuma had given to me when I last was there. But... The booth only had prerecorded messages, didn't it? Why would there be ringing? Against all my better judgement, I decided to walk up the stairs, the ringing only getting louder as I climbed up. Reaching out, I reached into the booth, before picking up the phone and pressing it to my ear.)
Kasumi: Hello...?
?: Hello? Can you hear me?
Kasumi: Yes, I-
?: I don't know what I'm even doing here. The damn bear just told me to record this message for someone.
(So this is a prerecording... But who the hell is on the other end? I can tell that it's probably a girl's voice, probably younger than me but I've never heard this person before in my life. Why would Monokuma have this person speak to me?)
Anri: My name is Anri Shimizu. I was told this message was going to Miss Kasumi Ahiru, the Ultimate Card Shark. I've never met you in my life, but... apparently you're my aunt.
(The damn phone nearly fell out of my hands at those words. They replayed over and over in my head, but all the same I couldn't comprehend what I was hearing.)
Kasumi: I... A-Aunt?! I have a niece?!
(How-?! How the hell do I have a niece?! That's impossible! It had to be impossible...)
Monokuma: Upupupupupu! Well, well, well! Isn't this a surprise! I bet you thought you were the last member of your family, didn't you? Well, lucky you, turns out you're the proud aunt of one Anri Shimizu! Who knows, maybe if you're able to escape, you can connect with her and finally get that family you've always wanted! That is, if she even wants you... So long, bear-well!
Kasumi: Shit! Wait, hold on-!
CLICK!
(The soft hum of the dial tone was all I got in response. It seemed that this phone booth made its last call for now.)
Kasumi: MOTHERF-
SLAM!
(Goddamnit... So I do have someone outside waiting for me?! Why the fuck is Monokuma telling me now of all times?! This, Fumio's death, Achiko's execution, Yoshino and Shuei's 'game'... too much was swirling in my head at once now, and I could already feel my head begin to ache. Reluctantly, I stepped out of the phone booth, before walking down the stairs to head to my room to hopefully sleep the night off... Despite myself though, I couldn't help but give the booth one last glance as I left. Anri Shimizu, is it...? I guess I'll have to keep that name in mind when I get out of here.)
[CHAPTER 1]
[DAY OF THE DESPAIR]
[END]
[SURVIVOR COUNT: 14]
A/N: And so ends the first trial. Not gonna lie, I feel bad for Achiko after writing this. Poor girl just wanted some attention, and she dies second without a single Free Time Event. I mean, it's thematically appropriate, but yeesh. I'm thinking later down the line I'll release a few chapters showing the deceased's FTE's, and I think Achiko's gonna be first if I do it. Anyways, how did you all enjoy this first chapter? I knew it took longer than any reasonable chapter should, but I'd like to think that the actual content is good enough to semi-make up for it. Hoping Chapter 2 gets out faster though... This first case was fairly basic but I'm hoping to ramp things up for the next one! See you then, and until next time, have a good one, y'all!