Another Monday update. But it's fine. I'm just glad to have gotten through this chapter. It was fecking annoying to edit.
Please point out any spelling errors. I checked over this one like 5 times. Took double as long to edit.
Anyway, the mystery is afoot!
When they entered the gym, or rather, after Kokichi had dragged him to it, Kaito blinked in surprise when he saw Miu and Kiibo actually investigating, and not messing around.
Kiibo was peering closely at the floor of the gym, looking over every inch of it, while Miu was shifting through the back stage area.
"Kiiboy! Any luck?" Kokichi called out rudely.
Kiibo jumped up and whirled around.
"My name is Kiibo. Not Kiiboy." He complained.
He sighed and then smiled at them.
"And yes. I found a clue. With my amazing vision." He boasted.
"You mean your trashy robot eyes?" Kokichi countered.
Kiibo frowned.
"My eyes are very capable cameras! I have a high-quality optical zoom of up to 15 megapixels." He boasted again.
Kokichi yawned.
"I don't understand a single thing that you just said. And if your eyes are cameras…doesn't that make you less human?" He said pointedly.
Kiibo froze and gasped.
Kaito frowned. He was sick and tired of wasting time.
"Can you two please stop bickering?" He yelled angrily.
Kiibo flinched while Kokichi glared childishly at him.
"Uwah. Momota-chan is so meaaaaan!" Kokichi whined.
"Yeah, well, just stop messing with Kiibo." Kaito said. He took a deep breath and reined himself in. "I'm sorry for yelling."
"Apology accepted. I understand your pain. Saihara-kun was my friend. He and Akamatsu-san…they accepted me for what I am and for what I want to be." Kiibo sobered up.
He looked like he wanted to cry.
"What did you find?" Kaito asked hurriedly.
He didn't want to get caught up in Kiibo's sadness. He could mourn Shuichi properly later.
"I uh- I found some blood." Kiibo revealed.
Kaito stared at him with wide eyes.
Even Kokichi calmed down and looked at Kiibo with rapt interest.
"It's backstage. We found it underneath the window. Iruma-san wanted me to look for more on the floor, while she looked around back there. This way." Kiibo said.
He led them to Miu.
She was poking around the damp staircase, studying it intently.
"Oi! Iruma-chan isn't investigating! She's trying to work out Yumeno-chan's magic trick!" Kokichi suddenly shouted, pointing at her accusingly.
Miu looked up and blushed angrily.
"N-no you little shit, I'm looking for blood." She ardently defended herself.
"Whatever. Just show us the blood." Kokichi said.
Miu pointed at the back wall.
Kokichi ran ahead excitedly, only to stiffen in disappoint when he saw what was there.
It was a tiny amount; a few dry, crusty, droplets.
Someone had drawn a circle around them in pencil. Without it, you wouldn't have even seen them.
"I drew the circle!" Miu declared proudly.
"Are you sure that's even blood?" Kaito questioned.
Miu harrumphed.
"Yeah. What else could it be? Dried feces?" She said.
"It's blood. I checked it. They're mixed in with coarse hairs of some kind and a few black threads." Kiibo said quickly, before anyone could respond to Miu's asinine joke.
"Hairs?" Kaito pressed.
"They're light brown. They're very stiff and pointed." Kiibo said.
"Heh. Guess what else is stiff and pointed." Miu teased.
"Shut up Iruma-san." Kokichi snapped, glaring at her. He sounded genuinely angry, almost venomous.
Miu wilted, looking more openly upset than simply taken aback.
"The black threads…could they be from Shuichi's uniform?" Kaito said, ignoring both of them.
"I'll need to compare them, but I'm pretty sure they are. They're a sort of blue-black. Saihara-kun's uniform was a similar colour." Kiibo estimated.
[Truth bullet added: Bloodstains in the gym]
"Anything else?" Kaito said. He wanted to move on.
"Nothing." Kiibo said.
Kaito turned to leave, only to stop when Kokichi abruptly yelled.
"What?" Kaito said impatiently, glaring at his partner.
"I need to ask Iruma-chan something." Kokichi said.
"Yes?" Miu muttered.
"What were you doing last night?" Kokichi asked.
At once, Miu tensed. She blushed a deep crimson and started playing with her hair.
"I was h-hiding from Gonta. I-In the courtyard." She whimpered.
Kaito blinked.
She was the girl in her underwear. He realised, becoming a bit flustered.
"Can you tell us what you saw? It might be important." He beckoned.
"S-sure. I ah- um." Miu stuttered, unable to speak properly.
Kokichi opened his mouth, presumably to say something dirty, but stopped when Kaito gave him a pointed look.
"Take a deep breath, Iruma. Please pull yourself together." Kaito beseeched the Ultimate Inventor.
Miu gave him a long look, then she nodded.
Breathing deeply in and out, she slowly managed to regain her composure.
"I saw a lot. I was, umm- outside for most of the night. I didn't know when the big oaf would return. So, I did my best to avoid him. I only realised afterwards, that I had been out for several hours." She said.
"Did you see anyone return to the dorms?" Kaito said softly.
"Yes. Lots of people. First, there was a group; Saihara, Shiorgane, Shinguji, Yonaga, Yumeno, Chabashira and Kiibo. They all returned at the same time." Miu said.
"The Meet and Greet group." Kokichi supplied.
"Don't interrupt me." Miu retorted sharply. She was still upset at him.
"Next came this little shit- "She thumbed at Kokichi. "-and the big oaf. A minute later, you went to bed Momota. I waited a few minutes, just to be sure the oaf wouldn't come back, then tried to enter the dorms. However, I stopped when I saw someone else approach the building. I'm pretty sure it was Hoshi. Afterwards, I didn't take any chances and finally went to bed. I looked at the clock, it was a few minutes past midnight." She finished.
[Truth bullet added: Miu's account]
"You didn't see Harukawa?" Kaito said.
"Harukawa-chan was all alone all evening…" Kokichi trailed off. His tone was indifferent.
"Thank you, Iruma." Kaito hurriedly thanked her and turned to his partner (not sidekick).
"Next area Ouma?" He said.
Kokichi looked up at the windows and cocked his head.
"The pool." He said.
Kaito nodded.
They left the gym quickly and walked to the pool in silence.
Both of them were too lost in their thoughts to talk.
Kaito was thinking about Maki and her lack of an alibi.
She couldn't be Shuichi's murderer.
No fucking way. She ain't a killer. He thought as they entered the pool.
They found Tsumugi and Korekiyo investigating the area.
They were at opposite ends of the room; Tsumugi was searching the deck chairs near the door, while Korekiyo was studying the pool itself.
Tsumugi approached them with a hopeful smile.
"We found some blood and a rope, but not much else." She revealed timidly.
"More blood?" Kaito muttered.
"You found some?" Tsumugi asked.
"Kiibo and Iruma did in the gym. Not much." Kaito answered.
"We didn't find much here as well." Tsumugi admitted. "Just a few streaks mixed in with some weird hairs and black fibres."
"How are the hairs weird?" Kokichi piped up.
Tsumugi bit her lip.
"Well, I think that they come from a wig. I umm…I've made several wigs for cosplay and the hairs in the blood are similar to the fake hair I use to make them." She explained.
"Huh. Interesting." Kokichi deadpanned.
He skipped away towards Korekiyo.
Tsumugi widened her eyes.
"Doesn't he want to see the blood?" She said.
"It's fine. He's like that. Show them to me." Kaito requested.
The streaks of blood were close to the door.
They were also dry, but they were larger than the droplets in the gym, and they had far more hairs and fibres.
And, to Kaito's untrained eye, they seemed more vivid. A darker brown.
He didn't know the significance of it.
[Truth Bullet added: Bloodstains in the pool]
"Keep searching Tsumugi." Kaito encouraged, managing a small smile.
Tsumugi beamed and nodded.
Kaito finally joined Kokichi, who was busy pestering Korekiyo.
"For the last time, the answer is no." Korekiyo snapped.
"What?" Kaito questioned as he walked up to them.
"He keeps asking me if I murdered Saihara-kun. He's being very annoying." Korekiyo said.
"I was just killing time until Momota-chan got here." Kokichi shrugged.
"Stop fooling around Ouma. Now Shinguji, Shirogane said that you found a rope?" Kaito said.
"Yes. It's over there." Korekiyo said, indicating the space under the window. "I think someone left it there by mistake."
Kaito looked at it.
The rope was quite long. It had been carelessly tossed by the pool.
"That's it?" Kokichi said, sounding bored.
"That's all." Korekiyo said sagely.
[Truth bullet added: Rope next to the pool]
They left Korekiyo and went outside.
Kaito had a feeling that they didn't have much time left.
"There's only one place left Momota-chan; Hoshi-chan's lab. Oh, and we also need to question Harukawa-chan. Then we're done." Kokichi informed him.
Kaito remembered something.
"I already asked Maki about last night. She said that she only talked to Hoshi. She didn't see anyone else." He said quickly.
"Still, I would like to talk to her. Try to catch her off guard." Kokichi said lazily.
"Why?" Kaito pressed.
They started walking towards the front entrance of the school.
"Because Harukawa-san is hiding something." Kokichi revealed.
"Huh? I mean, she was alone all night, but-" Kaito mumbled.
"So were you. And you definitely didn't murder Saihara-chan." Kokichi pointed out. His tone was purposefully whimsical, but Kaito could tell that he was being deathly serious.
"I was hiding in bathrooms, avoiding Gonta! Th-that doesn't matter. Harukawa didn't do it" Kaito declared.
"You're so naïve and trusting Momota-chan. You should learn to doubt people more. It's healthy." Kokichi advised, giving him another mocking grin.
"No way. I trust her-." Kaito refused.
"Momota-chan, the sooner you wake up and start thinking critically about things- and by that, I mean doubting people and trying to spot their lies, the better you'll do in this killing game. And you need to put aside some of your blind faith. We have a class trial coming up, in less than an hour." Kokichi stated plainly, staring at him with polite calmness. His tone wasn't unkind.
It was such a stark contrast to his usual mood that Kaito was speechless for a few moments, then he bristled and clenched his hands into fists.
The little shit was appealing to him, asking him for help.
Kokichi had to be lying.
And yet…he was right.
Kaito took a deep breath.
If he had to compromise, then Kokichi had to as well.
"Fine. We'll question Harukawa again, but I want you to discount her as a suspect. She didn't kill Shuichi. There's no point in suspecting her." He said.
"Why? Give me a logical reason." Kokichi pressed.
"The same reason I don't suspect you. It just doesn't make any goddamn sense. You- as much as you boast that the killing game is fun and you enjoy it- wouldn't have killed Shuichi. Especially after the insect meet and greet. You spent all that time messing with him, just to kill him? No." Kaito rambled, tensing up. Kokichi had put him on the spot.
"And it's the same for Harukawa-chan?" Kokichi said listlessly, the barest hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Kind of. Except that she's the opposite of you. She's too calm and collected. She wouldn't fall for Monokuma's motive." Kaito explained.
"Huh." Kokichi said minutely. "Momota-chan is stupider than I thought…so close yet so far"
His expression was even blander than before, almost as if he was carefully curtailing it.
Kaito couldn't read him at all, but he didn't care.
Kokichi's everchanging attitude had made his anger flare up again.
"Let's just finish investigating. I only teamed up with you because I thought you cared about Shuichi. After the class trial, we're done. You're such a prick." He railed.
He walked away, heading for the main entrance of the school.
Kokichi bounded up to him a moment later.
"You finally caught on. I am a prick. Nishishi." He joked.
He was back to his annoyingly goofy self, pretending as if nothing had happened between them.
Kaito ignored him completely.
It was difficult, but he managed it by focusing on Shuichi.
His dead friend needed him. He had to investigate his death and avenge him.
Kokichi's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly rallied around.
They walked the rest of the way to Ryoma's lab in silence. It was tenser than before.
Ryoma and Kirumi were investigating the lab together.
Ryoma was studying the net closely, while Kirumi was peering at the floor underneath it.
"Find anything?" Kaito called out.
Ryoma greeted them with a depressed grimace.
"Someone re-tied this net and there's blood next to it, several dry streaks. That's it." He divulged.
"We found blood in Yumeno's lab. The others found blood in the gym and the pool. Does it have any coarse hairs or black fibres?" Kaito asked.
"Yes. Both." Ryoma said.
"I looked at them. I believe the fibres are from Shuichi's uniform." Kirumi said helpfully.
"Kiibo thought the same thing. What about the hairs?" Kaito said.
Kirumi fingered her chin. She was thinking deeply.
"I'm not sure about them. They're coarse and rather pointed. I don't think they're human, but I can't be certain." She noted.
"Shirogane said that they were fake hairs." Kaito revealed.
"That sounds about right." Kirumi agreed.
[Truth bullet added: Blood in Ryoma's lab]
"Oh, Tojo, are you feeling better?" Kaito said, remembering Kirumi's slip up.
Kirumi stared at him blankly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She stated.
She's probably just being professional and doesn't want anyone to know about it. Kaito thought.
He bit his lip.
He wanted to trust her, but unlike Maki, something about Kirumi was off. It had been off since that morning.
"Mom, what were you doing last night?" Kokichi suddenly cut in.
"I was on my own from eight to nine, setting up the gym for Yumeno-sans performance. You know where I was from nine to ten. After that, I decided to search the school. I was worried about everyone. I didn't find anything untoward. Even in Yumeno-sans lab." Kirumi explained honestly.
She looked at Ryoma intently.
He stared back lazily, unperturbed by her gaze.
"However, I did see Hoshi-kun approach Harukawa-sans lab sometime after eleven. I don't know if they discussed anything, but in hindsight, it is suspicious." She said carefully.
[Truth bullet added: Kirumi's account]
Ryoma laughed bitterly.
"We talked about our motive videos." He said.
Kaito's heart skipped a beat.
Harukawa didn't mention that. She…she must've have had a good reason. He thought desperately.
He ignored the smug look Kokichi sent him.
Kokichi turned back to Ryoma.
"Did you swap them?" He asked brightly.
"Yes. This morning." Ryoma said blandly. "Although, you'll need to ask her about her video. I'm not revealing what was in it. And I'm not revealing what was in mine."
"D'aww. Come on Hoshi-chan." Kokichi complained.
"Nope." Ryoma denied.
[Truth bullet added: Swapped motives]
"Thank you. We'll ask Harukawa about it. Can you tell us about the net?" Kaito moved on.
"The knots are different from the ones I use." Ryoma said.
"So, someone took it down and then put it back up. Any idea when?" Kaito stated.
"Late last night." Ryoma said. "I was in here just before eight.p.m."
[Truth bullet added: Tennis net]
"Anything else?" Kaito asked.
Kirumi shook her head. Ryoma just shrugged.
"Thank you, Hoshi and Tojo. Ouma, Let's talk to Harukawa before we run out of time." Kaito said neutrally.
He didn't look at Kokichi and left the room before the smaller boy could even open his mouth.
He walked down the corridor in long strides, not caring if he left Kokichi behind.
Kokichi caught up to him just as he reached Harukawa's lab and frowned at him as he knocked on the door.
Maki came out quickly.
She seemed unsurprised by their presence.
"What do you want?" She asked listlessly.
"Did you kill Saihara-chan?" Kokichi shouted before Kaito could say anything.
Kaito guessed it was payback.
"No." Maki said. "And I don't know who did."
"Don't pay any attention to him, Harukawa. I told him what you told me, but he still wanted to interview you himself. Just in case you left anything out." Kaito said quickly.
"I didn't." Maki stated.
"C'mon Harukawa-chan. Pleeeasseeee give us a statement. A proper statement." Kokichi whined.
Maki glared stormily at him.
It was a look that could kill.
It made Kaito flinch a little bit, and it wasn't even directed at him.
In contrast, Kokichi met Maki's cold gaze with silly calmness and beamed at her.
Maki sighed and lowered her eyes.
"Fine. I'll tell you what I did last evening." She said evenly.
Then she paused.
"Did Hoshi tell you about our swap?" She said.
"No. What swap?" Kokichi pressed.
"Yes, he did. Just ignore Ouma." Kaito said.
"I was hoping that you'd tell us yourself." He added.
Kokichi pouted and crossed his arms, faking upsetness.
Maki nodded.
"I understand your caution. So, I'll confirm it, Hoshi and I swapped videos. But it's unrelated to Saihara's murder. We swapped them this morning." She said.
"I'm sure it is. We just want your statement." Kaito assured her.
She huffed lightly.
"Whatever. Anyways, I was alone all evening. Sometime after eleven, Hoshi knocked on my door and asked for his motive video. I didn't want to swap with him then, because it was so late. So, I told him to visit me the next morning, before breakfast." She outlined.
"Did you leave your research lab at all?" Kaito said.
"Yes. I went to bed at around ten to one. I didn't see or hear anything. I woke up at six thirty- I'm used to getting little sleep- got some food and went back to my lab. Hoshi came soon afterwards and we swapped videos. That's it." She said.
[Truth bullet added: Maki's account]
"What was in Hoshi-chan's motive video?" Kokichi chirruped.
"That's private. Hoshi should tell you himself." Maki deflected effortlessly.
Suddenly, the speakers came on.
"Alright everyone! It's time for what you've all been waiting for- the class trial!" Monokuma announced breezily.
"Please assemble in front of the Shrine of Judgement in the courtyard. It's the red door surrounded by plants on the far side. From there, you'll be escorted to a delightful class trial. Uphuhuhu."
Kaito took a deep breath.
He wasn't ready, but he had no choice. He had to do this.
Kokichi whooped.
"Yay! It's my favourite time of the week again!" He yelled.
Kaito gave him a look of abject disgust. He couldn't believe that the other boy actually revelled in the death and despair around them. Especially as it centred on Shuichi this time.
"It's been less than a week since our last trial." Maki pointed out.
"It doesn't matter. Let's just get going." Kaito said with a sigh.
Together, the three of them made their way to the Shrine of Judgement.
Outside the shrine, Tenko was waiting for them.
"I just wanted to tell you about this morning, in case it's relevant to Saihara-san's murder." She mumbled.
"Go ahead." Kaito said.
"I was with Yumeno-san and Yonaga-san all morning. We had an early breakfast at eight, then we went straight to the gym. At the last moment, before people started arriving, Yumeno-san and I checked her lab. Just to check if we had left anything behind. I'm pretty sure the curtains were drawn. That's it." Tenko explained.
[Truth bullet added: Tenko's account]
She hurried into the shrine.
Before they went after her, Kokichi grabbed Kaito's right elbow and stopped him.
"Harukawa-chan, I need to speak to Momota-chan quickly. Alone." He said seriously.
He was projecting an eerie calmness.
It made Kaito pause. He didn't tear his arm away.
Maki raised an eyebrow and looked at Kaito.
"It's fine Harukawa." Kaito said.
She nodded and went ahead.
Kokichi let go of his arm.
"What is it, Ouma?" Kaito asked exasperatedly. He was expecting another joke.
Instead, Ouma surprised him.
"I want you to follow my lead in the class trial. If our classmates start arguing among themselves and pointing fingers, I'll need your help to keep them in line." He said gravely.
"I'll do it if you discredit Harukawa as a suspect. She didn't murder Shuichi." Kaito offered.
"I can't do that. We can't be sure of her innocence." Kokichi countered.
"Bullshit. Look- I'm willing to follow your lead and help you- but you gotta compromise with me a little. Harukawadidn't do it. Otherwise, you're right…one of our classmates murdered Shuichi. I-I'm willing to go against my standards and help you accuse them." Kaito forced the words out.
For some reason, he was thinking about Kirumi again. Something about her was really bothering him.
Kokichi laughed cheerfully, but there was a bitter edge to it.
"You drive a hard bargain." He stated.
He flashed Kaito a warped smile.
Kaito swallowed and took a step back.
"Come on, everyone's waiting. Let's get going before Monokuma yells at us." Kokichi suddenly said.
He ran into the shrine. He didn't look back.
"Ouma! You didn't give me a straight answer." Kaito shouted after him.
He shook his head and hurried into the building.
Kokichi was insufferable, but he was his best shot at finding Shuich's killer.
If he didn't trust in him, then the Blackened would get away. And then they would all die.
Howzat?
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