Another week. Another chapter!
I was very tired when I finished editing this, please tell me if I've made any mistakes!
I loved writing this!
Kirumi: Hoshi-kun, no one has accused you of anything.
[Ryoma takes the candy cigarette out of his mouth and chuckles dryly.]
Ryoma: I'm the last person who would've murdered Saihara.
Kirumi: [She narrows her eyes at him] Can you prove that?
Ryoma: Easily. However, I'd rather not waste everyone's time. [He looks at Kokichi.] Right, Ouma?
Kokichi: I know that you didn't murder Saihara-chan. [He laughs darkly.] But I don't know if I can convince the others, so, you'll have to do it!
[Ryoma sighs.]
Ryoma: Monokuma…can you please play my motive video?
[Monokuma puts a paw to his chin.]
Monokuma: Sure. But are you sure that you want that? You'll be giving away your motive for murder!
Ryoma [Unamused expression] You gave us our motive videos. So, you knew that my video wouldn't have made me murder anyone. In fact, it would've made me into a victim.
Monokuma: [Faking embarrassment] S-so? I like murder. [He perks up] All right everyone! Who wants to see Hoshi's motive video?
[The Kubs cheer.]
[Monokuma presses a button. A TV screen appears above his throne. It flickers to life]
Monokuma (on screen): All right! Back by popular demand, it's time for the motive video! Who is the most important person in *your* life? And now, without further ado…
[The screen changes to an "Under Construction" page. Monokuma pops up. He's wearing a yellow construction hat. He frowns and then bows.]
Monokuma (on screen): This message is for Ryoma Hoshi, the Ultimate Tennis Pro…
Monokuma (on screen): Unfortunately, there is no one in the world who is important to you! I'm so sorry. Really, I am. You have my deepest sympathies.
[The Monokuma on screen raises his head.]
Monokuma (on screen): Sorry, sorry, sorry!
[The screen shuts off and disappears into the ceiling.]
[The room briefly descends into an uncomfortable silence.]
Tsumugi: [Apologetically] H-hoshi-kun, th-that's horrible.
Korekiyo: You had a motive to die, rather than a motive to live.
Kaito: [He sighs tiredly] There's no way you would've murdered Shuichi…
Ryoma: [Quietly] I wished I'd died instead of him.
Tenko: That's a horrible thing to say.
Ryoma: Is it? Saihara was far more useful than I am, and he had a lot to live for.
Kaito: [Angrily] Shut up! You don't know what he wanted! He's dead! You're not-
Kokichi: [Mockingly] Momota-chan, take a deep breath. Don't freak out. We need to get through this trial.
Kaito: [Breathing deeply] Y-yeah. Sorry everyone.
[He smiles at Kokichi gratefully.]
[Kokichi ignores him.]
Ryoma: I didn't mean to upset you Momota. You lost a dear friend.
Kaito: I understand. I shouldn't have lashed out at you.
Kirumi: [Coldly] Hoshi-kun, how did you get your motive video?
Ryoma: ...I'm not at liberty to discuss that.
Kaito: [Panicking] Th-that's not relevant.
Kirumi: [She glares at him] Isn't it? It's obvious that Hoshi-kun swapped videos with someone. Saihara-kun could've died because of that.
Kaito: …
Gonta: [Lost expression] Who swapped videos with Hoshi-kun?
Angie: [Cheerfully] Kirumi is right! it must be relevant.
Tenko: [Nervous Expression] Why are you so happy?
Angie: [Even more cheerfully] Atua told me to be!
Himiko: [She smiles] Nyeh. Atua makes me happy.
Kirumi: If Hoshi-kun won't reveal who he swapped videos with, then we've reached a dead end. We can't catch the Blackened.
[Kokichi looks down and takes a deep breath.
This is it.
He has to reveal that Maki and Ryoma swapped videos, or the trial will stall. It will destroy his alliance with Kaito.
He bites his cheek.
He knows that Maki is hiding something. He is very suspicious of her.
No way is she the "Ultimate Child Caregiver". That isn't her real talent. But…why do I feel so bad? This is a goddamn killing game. I need to do this! He decides.]
[PRESENT EVIDENCE]
Kokichi: I can prove that Hoshi-chan swapped videos with-
Maki: [Bluntly] It was me. I swapped videos with Hoshi.
[Kokichi blinks. He wasn't expecting that.
Maki Harukawa has surprised him. He hates that.]
[Kaito stares at Maki with wide eyes. He opens and then closes his mouth. He's speechless.]
Kirumi: Harukawa-san, are you telling the truth?
Maki: Yes. I have no reason to lie.
Kirumi: Then you are now our main suspect.
Kaito: [He glares at her.] Why? She told us herself!
Kirumi: Maybe she's trying to trick us?
Maki: No, I'm not. Hoshi and I swapped videos this morning, not last night.
[She nods at Ryoma.]
[He nods back.]
Ryoma: I can confirm that. Last night, sometime after eleven, I went to Harukawa's lab and talked to her. We agreed to swap videos the next morning. Therefore, it has no bearing on Saihara's death.
Kirumi: So, Harukawa-san was alone in her lab late last night? That's very suspicious.
Kaito: [Furiously] Harukawa is being honest with us. What's wrong with you Tojo-san?
Kirumi: [Coldly] I don't know what you're doing, but I'm trying to catch Saihara-kun's killer. Harukawa-san has no alibi for the time that Saihara-kun was likely murdered. And she was alone!
Kokichi: [He smirks at her.] Oh, that's low, coming from you Tojo-chan.
[She glares at him.
Still smirking, he narrows his eyes at her.
She coughs and looks away.]
Miu: [She frowns at Maki.] Tojo is right. Harukawa has no alibi!
Tsumugi: She could've easily murdered Saihara-kun. She had plenty of time!
Korekiyo: Harukawa-san has to prove her own innocence.
Kiibo: [Uncertain Expression] I don't like this. It doesn't feel right. But…
Kaito: [He frowns.] Guys, Harukawa didn't do it!
Kirumi: Do you have any proof of her innocence?
[Kaito sighs.
He gives Kokichi a pleading look.]
[Kokichi refuses to meet his gaze.]
Maki: Tojo, do you have any proof of my guilt?
Kirumi: [She shrugs lightly] Not really. We don't even have a solid time of death for Saihara-kun. We only know that he died late last night, sometime past eleven…the time that you were alone in your lab.
[She smirks. It's that dainty little smirk of hers that signals that she is very pleased with herself.]
Kirumi: But I'm sure that I can find some…and you haven't argued against me. You still have to prove your innocence.
Maki: Very well.
[Kokichi smiles brightly. He looks at Kaito and then at Maki, gauging their reactions to Kirumi's challenge.
Kaito seems lost, while Maki is doing her best to be a blank slate.
Kokichi recalls Kaito asking him to compromise.
He has to make a choice.]
[NONSTOP DEBATE: MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT]
Maki: I stayed in my lab until ten to one. Aside from Hoshi, I didn't see anyone else.
Kirumi: So, no one else can support your alibi?
Ryoma: Tojo, I'm sure that Harukawa didn't do it. When I knocked on her door, she even refused to leave her lab. She was adamant about staying inside.
Kirumi: That means that she has something to hide. Maybe it's something worth killing over.
Maki: As I said, I didn't see anyone else. That includes Saihara.
[Kokichi takes a shallow breath.
He's made his choice. He hopes that it's the right one.
He grins insultingly at Maki.]
Kokchi: Uwah! I can't believe that Harukawa-chan didn't notice me!
[BREAK]
Maki: [Flatly] What?
[Kokichi smiles sheepishly at everyone, baring his teeth.]
Kokichi: Harukawa wasn't alone last night. Well, not completely.
[He pauses for impact.]
Kokichi: I didn't want to reveal this…because I agree with you Tojo-chan, Harukawa-chan is sooooooo suspicious. I was soooooo suspicious of her last night, that I even checked on her in the middle of the night! It was almost one in the morning. I saw her leave her lab and go downstairs. It was sooooo boring!
[Kaito flinches. His jaw drops.]
Maki: …
Tenko: [Frustrated expression] Ouma-san. why didn't you mention this earlier?
Kirumi: [Irritated expression.] Because he's lying.
Kokichi: [Nonchalantly] Nope. I'm being honest. I just love messing with you guys!
Maki: [She sighs] He's telling the truth. Last night, when I went to bed, I had a feeling that someone was watching me. Ouma got the better of me.
Kokichi: [He cocks his head] You see! And why would I lie to protect Harukawa-chan? I don't even like her.
Kiibo: That's a good point.
Kirumi: [Determined expression] She still had plenty of time to murder Saihara-kun! She could've killed him and then returned to her lab, before Kokichi saw her leave!
Korekiyo: Kukuku. I see your point, but Ouma-kun's admission supports Harukawa-san's story. She's probably telling the truth.
Angie: Kokichi has convinced me of Maki's innocence. She didn't murder Shuichi!
Kirumi: [She grits her teeth] Very well. But it means that Ouma-kun is now under suspicion. He could still be lying to us.
Kokichi: [He grins maniacally] Goody! I admitted at the start of the trial that I murdered Saihara-chan! It took you guys sooooo long to catch up to me!
[Kaito takes a deep breath and pulls himself together]
Kaito: [He rolls his eyes] Ignore Ouma's "confession". It's clear that he didn't murder Shuichi. Remember, he's been helping us this whole trial. He's just being a little shit.
[Kokichi glares childishly at Kaito.
Kaito doesn't falter and glares right back at him.
Good job Momota-chan. Well done for playing along. Kokichi muses.
Kaito owes him big.]
Miu: Momota's right. Ouma is just a fucking prankster.
Gonta: Gonta agrees. Insect Meet and Greet was one big trick. Ouma is a liar.
Angie: [She smiles brightly] I also believe that Kokichi didn't murder Shuichi. He cared about-
Kiibo: [He winces] Wait! Doesn't this mean that we're back at square one?
Kaito: [Passionately] No, it doesn't! We've gone over the immediate evidence and we have a good idea of what went down in Yumeno's lab! It's time to discuss our alibis! We can narrow down Shuichi's time of death!
Kokichi: [Jokingly] We've eliminated Harukawa-chan, Hoshi-chan, and myself…but we haven't eliminated you from suspicion Momota-chan! You were alone all night, hiding in various bathrooms!
Tenko: Eww! Momota-san, you're such a pervert!
Momota: [Flustered expression] N-no I'm not. Q-quit messing with me Ouma. You know I didn't murder Shuichi.
Kokichi: Pretty much, but only because you're a weakling who wouldn't hurt a fly.
[Kaito scowls lightly at him, but remains silent.]
Kokichi: [He clears his throat and looks at the others.] We've gotta focus on the people who don't have alibis for past eleven. Sooooo, Iruma-chan, Tojo-chan, and Gonta, it's time for you to argue for your innocence! Chop chop!
[He glares comically at them]
[Kirumi gives him a withering look.]
[Gonta blushes fiercely. He is too flustered to speak.]
[Miu also blushes, but she quickly pulls herself together.]
Miu: [Angrily] What the fuck Ouma? Where the fuck did that come from?
Kokichi: [Accusingly] All three of you are on the chopping block! Iruma-chan, you were the last one to go to bed, Tojo-chan, you told me yourself that you were out after eleven, and Gonta…after last night's bug fest, I'm afraid of you!
Gonta: [Panicked expression] Gonta would never hurt Saihara-kun! Never!
Kirumi: [Bluntly] This is stupid. I didn't do it.
Miu: [Disbelievingly] You're really gonna accuse me?
[They start arguing.
Their voices blur together into a loud, annoying, crescendo.]
[Kokichi resists the urge to yell at them. They're giving him a massive headache]
[MASS PANIC DEBATE: MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT]
Gonta: Gonta not commit crime!
Himiko: Nyeh. Ouma has a point though. You're very scary. You're so big and strong.
Gonta: No! Gonta not scary. Gonta is gentlemen. Would never hurt Saihara-kun. Never stab Saihara-kun!
Angie: Atua knows that.
Himiko: Nyeh. Atua is so wise.
Tenko: Yumeno-san!
[Kokichi quickly tunes them out. They're not important.]
Kirumi: We're wasting time.
Kaito: Tojo, why did you slip up this morning?
[Kokichi hones in on him.]
Tsumugi: Tojo-san slipped up?
Kaito: She did. Just before Shuichi's body was found.
Kirumi: I was just tired. I'm sorry that you had to witness that.
Kaito: Bullshit. You're the Ultimate Maid. You don't slip up for nothing.
Kirumi: I don't have time for this…
[Kokichi sighs and moves on. There's no point in confronting her openly. They need to corner her.]
Miu: I was in the courtyard all evening. I didn't have a chance to murder Shuichi-poo.
Korekiyo: Kukuku. Did anyone see you?
Miu: N-no.
Kiibo: Iruma-san, why are you so nervous?
Iruma: I didn't do anything. Saihara probably died before midnight anyway
Kiibo: I'm not doubting you.
Miu: Good.
[Kokichi sighs. Miu is such a fucking idiot. She just contradicted her own testimony.
As for Kirumi…they'll deal with her after dealing with Miu.]
Kokichi: Iruma-chan, you're lying.
[BREAK]
Kokcihi: Your own account proves that Shuichi died after midnight.
[Miu freezes up and blushes fiercely]
Kokichi: [Mockingly] During the "Insect Meet and Greet", you were alone in the courtyard all evening…in your underwear. You saw everyone enter the dorms. You went to bed last, and you didn't see Saihara-chan leave. So, unless you're lying to us, Saihara-chan didn't leave his room until after midnight.
Gonta: [He blushes a deep red.] Gonta remembers seeing Miu…in undressed state. All evening. The last time was after eleven.
Miu: A-and? I'm allowed to strip down and walk around in my underwear. There's no law against it. You probably enjoyed it, you pervert. You-
Kaito: [Determined expression] So, Shuichi died after midnight? Who doesn't have an alibi for then?
Korekiyo: Well, technically none of us. But- [He stares at Miu with abject disgust] some of us are more suspicious than others.
Tsumugi: [She nods steadily.] Can we rule anyone else out?
[QUESTION-Who else can be ruled out?]
Kokichi: Gonta. I can support Iruma-chan's testimony. I entered the dorms with him. She didn't see him leave. I was joking about him anyway. Gonta isn't scary, he's a big softie. He ain't no murderer.
[Gonta nods and calms down.]
Gonta: Gonta tell you he not hurt Saihara-kun.
Kaito: [Aggressively] That just leaves you, Iruma…and you, Tojo. You didn't return to the dorms.
Kirumi: …
Kokichi: Yup! Tojo-chan and Iruma-chan are now our top suspects! Right, you two, time to start fighting! So, undress!
[Miu blushes even more deeply.]
[Kirumi frowns stormily at him.]
Tsumugi: [Panicked expression] Why do they need to undress?
Kaito: [Seriously] Ouma is just messing with us. Iruma and Tojo need to argue for their innocence. Especially as-
Miu: H-hold on! I'm being more truthful than that bitch! [She points shakily at Kirumi.] G-gonta saw me in my underwear, and I supported your alibis! I didn't lie about Shuichi-poo!
Kokichi: I guess you're right! Well Tojo-chan, the burden of proof is on-
Kirumi: [Annoyed expression] That's quite enough Ouma-kun!
[REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN]
Kokichi: [He pouts at her.] Enough of what?
Kirumi: You know what I mean! Iruma-san has to be the blackened!
[She glares at Iruma desperately.]
[Iruma squeaks and looks away.]
Kokcihi: Woah, woah! Someone's nervous. Do you have any definitive proof that she is the blackened?
Kirumi: [Furiously] I can find some. I have to. We've ruled out everyone else.
[All of a sudden, she seems very desperate. She's radiating nervousness. It's very unlike her.]
[Kokichi broadens his smile into a sneer.
Something's wrong. The whole Class Trial feels wrong.
She has to be guilty. There's no one else. He thinks.
He presses onward. It's time to corner her.
He knows he can tie her to Shuichi's murder.]
Kokichi: Admit it, you have nothing on Iruma-chan! Gonta saw her! You can't prove shit!
Kirumi: Iruma-san could easily be lying to us!
[She takes a deep breath and steels herself.]
Kirumi: She could've gotten dressed, lured Saihara-kun to Yumeno-san's lab, and then killed him. [She points at Miu.] We've ruled out everyone else! It has to be her!
[Everyone is staring at them. They don't want to interfere.]
Kokichi: Earth to Tojo-chan. Iruma's testimony has been corroborated by other people. She's more truthful than you are.
Kirumi: You really believe her word over mine!
[She angrily punches her podium.]
Kirumi: I've been nothing but honest with you! I have no motive! There's nothing tying me to Saihara-kun's murder. Nothing!
Kokichi: That's where you're wrong. The black cloth connects you to Saihara-chan's death!
[CUT]
Kokichi: [Cockily] Beforehand, I didn't know where it'd had come from. But just now, when you punched your podium, I realised how similar your gloves are to the black cloth we found with Saihara-chan's body. All we need to do is compare them, and we can link you to the crime!
[That's a lie. He realised the significance of Kirumi's gloves a long time ago.]
[Kirumi tenses. She gives him a blank look.]
Kokichi: As for your word against Iruma-chan's…well, I can prove that you've lied to us!
[PRESENT EVIDENCE]
Kokichi: You omitted something from your own testimony. Earlier, when you went on the warpath against Hoshi-chan and Harukawa-chan…you failed to mention that you yourself had witnessed their chat last night, and that they hadn't swapped videos.
[Ryoma stares pointedly at her.]
[Maki crosses her arms and glares at her.]
[Kaito gasps.]
[Everyone else stares at her.]
Kokichi: [He smirks at her] If I was a more cynical person, I'd say that you were purposefully omitting what you had witnessed so you could cast suspicion on them…. and hide your own involvement in Saihara-chan's death.
Ryoma: I'd completely forgotten about that. In hindsight, it is suspicious. She was laying into us, when she could've easily cleared us from suspicion herself.
Kirumi: [Very quietly] You've got it all wrong. It's not like that. I…I had to be sure of Harukawa-san's innocence.
Kokichi: Oh! I forgot to mention, but Tojo-san was also stalling for time all evening. She distracted me for an hour, from ten to eleven. [He chuckles lightly.] You guys, I think she was planning a murder!
Kaito: [Tersely] You didn't tell me about that…it doesn't matter. Is Tojo-san the blackened? Did she murder Shuichi?
Korekiyo: It seems so. We've narrowed it down to her. She lied to us, and Ouma-kun is right about her glove.
Tsumugi: [She swallows.] A-are we really sure that it's Tojo-san?
Kokichi: Well, she isn't defending herself! Maybe she's so full of guilt that she's ready to confess!
[Kirumi glares at him again. Her eyes are full of hatred.]
[Kokichi sticks his tongue out at her.]
[Kirumi sighs and looks at the floor. She seems utterly crestfallen.]
[Kokichi frowns, dropping his façade. Something is definitely wrong.]
Gonta; [Sadly] Mum killed Saihara-kun?
Himiko: Nyeh. I thought she cared about us.
Miu: I think she's guilty! She tried to pin the blame on me! Let's vote for her!
Monokuma: [He cocks his head] Hmm. All right. I'm up for voting! But boy oh boy was this class trial boring! It was only half as long as usual!
Kaito: One second. [He sheds a few tears and then glares at Kirumi.] I should've known that it was you. I was suspicious of you all morning, ever since you slipped up. But I lied to myself and gave you the benefit of the doubt. I told myself that you couldn't have murdered Shuichi. It's so obvious now, you slipped up because you were tired. You'd stayed up all night cleaning up after your crime.
Kirumi: [Frustrated expression] No. It's not that. I-
Kaito: [Quietly] I've heard enough. Guys, let's vote for her. There's no point in dragging this out any further. I want to see her pay for killing Shuichi.
[Kokichi beams at him and nods excitedly.
This feels so wrong. He thinks.]
Kokichi: Eyup! Let's condemn Tojo-chan to her painful execution and avenge Saihara-chan!
Kiibo: Are you guys sure?
Miu: I am!
Kirumi: Wait! You're all making a big mistake!
[She looks desperately around the room, trying to find an ally. Everyone ignores her.]
[Except him.]
[Kokichi takes a deep breath and meets her gaze head on. He finally understands what his instincts have been trying to tell him.]
[Kirumi blinks wildly and then frowns softly at him. After a few moments, she bites her lip and gives him a pleading look. She's desperate. She has no one else to turn to. She motions to Shuichi's empty podium and shakes her head profusely.]
[He slowly nods at her, signalling that he understands what she is trying to convey, and that he supports her.]
Monokuma: Well, if no one's gonna take Tojo's side, then let's wrap this up-
Kirumi: [Exasperated expression.] I admit it, I attacked Saihara-kun. But I didn't kill him.
[Everyone flinches.]
[Kaito glowers at her, refusing to believe her.]
[Kirumi takes a deep breath.]
Kirumi: I'll tell you everything. But I can give you some immediate proof.
[She quickly unbuttons her dress and then pulls up her shirt, exposing her lower stomach to the class.
Her right side is heavily bandaged.
She slowly undoes the bindings, revealing a fairy large stab wound.]
Kirumi: [Quietly] Saihara-kun stabbed me.
[TRIAL INTERMISSION]
Howzat?
Did I getcha? Did I blow your goddamn minds? Bamboozle you? Fooled you all!?
Yes! Kirumi DID NOT KILL Shuichi!
Also, a tease for the next chapter: watch?v=32GWbQt_Zn4