"Kokichi, there's no blood on it. Did…did the blackened use it to kill Kiibo?" Kaito muttered.

"Yup." Kokichi said, picking up the bat and swinging it around.

"But why are there so many scratches on it?"

"Momota-chan, you saw how busted Kiibo's head was."

Kaito paled. "Do you think the blackened knew about Kiibo's recording capabilities?"

Kokichi shrugged and swung the bat again.

"Or maybe Kiibo was just in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Kaito guessed.

"You're finally getting it." Kokichi winked at him.

"So…the bat, where did it come from?" Ryoma said.

"The second storage room." Kaito answered.

"Just like the bucket…Shinguuji was right."

"Obviously." Kokichi snarked.

"Obvious to you."

"That's because, according to Momota-chan, I'm the smartest person here."

"He was just appealing to your ego."

"Or maybe he just wants to bone me."

"No, I don't." Kaito said, glaring at his partner.

"Oh yes, you do. You- Oww!" Kokichi rubbed his arm. Ryoma had suddenly pinched him. "What the fuck, Hoshi-chan?"

"Stop messing with Momota and tell is about the bat." Ryoma said, stepping back.

"Yeah Kokichi. Get on with it." Kaito added, deepening his glare.

"Fine. Fine. You guys are no fun." Kokichi waved them off. "The scratches are very deep, meaning the blackened put a lot of force into their swings. And they hit Kiibo- "He counted the scratches. "-about four times."

"So, they must be very physically fit."

"Not necessarily. Kiibo wasn't that strong. Anyone could've pummelled his head in."

"But Gonta…how did they overpower him?" Kaito frowned

"Don't worry, Momota-chan. We'll figure it out." Kokichi said, dropping the bat.

"We will." Kaito vowed. "C'mon, let's look around."

[Truth Bullet Added: Baseball Bat]

All three of them kneeled and started shifting through the mess.

"Most of the papers are blank." Ryoma said.

"This one isn't" Kaito said, holding up a sheet. It was covered in complex mathematical equations.

"Ah. Part of Iruma-chan's plans for that machine." Kokichi said, glancing at the metal cube in the centre of the room.

"The VR machine." Kaito muttered, clamping a hand over his mouth when he realised that he had said.

"VR machine?" Ryoma questioned.

"It's okay Momota-chan. I was going to tell everyone about it in the trial anyway." Kokichi said.

"What's this all about?" Ryoma pressed.

"Hoshi-chan, it's why Iruma-chan looks like an ugly old hag- what she was working so hard on. She was going to hook up our brains to this "VR Machine" and do something to us."

"Ah. Sounds suspicious."

"Yup. She told Momota-chan and he told me."

"You were keeping it a secret…"

"Double yup! We didn't want anyone to panic. Neither of us knew what the fuck a "VR Machine" was."

"I understand. You thought that she was planning a murder."

"We knew that she was planning a murder. Didn't we, Momota-chan?"

"The motive was meant for her. She wanted to escape with Kiibo."

Ryoma paused, pursing his lips. "Maybe…maybe, she didn't give up."

"Hoshi-chan?"

"I think Iruma murdered Gonta. She got desperate- she couldn't finish the machine on time, so she came up with a new plan and killed him. Someone else killed Kiibo."

"That's…" Kaito trailed off. He couldn't believe it. That Ryoma, of all people, was making such a big assumption.

"You think Gonta and Kiibo were murdered at the same time, by two different people?" Kokichi said.

"Yes."

"…"

"You don't agree?"

"It's a good assumption. I'll give you that."

"So, you don't agree." Ryoma laughed. "What do you think, Momota?"

"I have no fucking clue who's right." Kaito said quickly.

"That's why I like you, Momota-chan." Kokichi chuckled "You have no idea how to lie. You're so easy to read."

"You're the opposite. You have no idea how to be honest."

"Lying is just too much fun."

Ryoma tilted his head. "You two just love to bicker, don't you?"

"I love annoying Momota-chan." Kokichi smirked.

"And I hate it." Kaito said, also smirking.

"I don't believe that." Ryoma said.

"Yeah..." Kaito blushed, looking for a distraction.

He spotted a scrunched-up piece of paper a few meters away.

That's odd. None of the other papers are like that…

Hurrying over, he picked it up and smoothed it out.

It was covered in blocky capital letters. The same sentences repeated over and over again. Some of them were crossed out, or incomplete.

It's the same writing as the note we found in Gonta's pocket. And…it's practice. He realised, as he re-joined his companions.

"Momota-chan, can I take a look?" Kokichi said.

Kaito handed the paper to him.

Kokichi read it, clicked his tongue, then showed it to Ryoma.

"The killer was practicing their handwriting…they didn't want the note in Gonta's pocket to be traced back to them."

"Seems so."

"But why trash Iruma's papers…unless…she did it? To deflect suspicion from herself?"

"Hoshi-chan, that the stupidest idea I've ever heard."

"She was very tired. She might not have been thinking clearly."

Kokichi scowled at him and opened his mouth.

Kaito coughed loudly. "Hey, you two- this whole thing is one big confusing mess. Don't get caught up on one clue. We still have plenty of evidence to collect."

He still didn't think Miu was guilty. But someone was trying really, really hard to frame her. And Ryoma was falling for it. Because he couldn't accept the idea that anyone else had murdered Gonta.

"Momota-chan is right…for once." Kokichi said.

"He's a skilled negotiator. That's for sure." Ryoma said, smiling wryly.

"I just don't want to waste time arguing." Kaito mumbled. "Where do you want to go next, Kokichi?"

"I don't want to leave yet. I need to figure out the murder that Iruma-chan was planning. So, gather all the papers and sort them into piles."

"If it'll help you solve the case..." Ryoma huffed.

[Truth Bullet Added: Practice Scribbles]

They did as Kokichi said. Then he sat down and sped through the papers.

It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for.

"Aha! Found Iruma-chan's notes! She was very careless to leave this lying around!" Kokichi crowed, holding up a sheaf of papers.

"What do they say?" Ryoma said.

"It doesn't say anything about a murder, only that she was planning an "experiment" of some kind." Kokichi explained. "Lemme see…. she wanted "to persuade us all to enter a virtual world, to escape the killing game"."

"Sounds suspicious…" Kaito said.

"Yeah, if I didn't know better, I'd say that she was planning to upload our brains into that cube so she could have us at her mercy."

"Well, I never would have agreed to her plan anyway." Kaito shook his head. "I'm too suspicious of everyone now. Thanks to you."

"You're welcome. And neither would have I. I thought Iruma-chan was suspicious from the get-go." Kokichi said "Anyway, Iruma-chan's handwriting is pretty illegible. She can't write for shit."

"So, you don't think she wrote that note to Gonta?" Ryoma said.

"Yes. But I'm not going to argue about it. As Momota-chan said, we need to gather the rest of the evidence. We can air our suspicions in the trial."

"Can't argue with that."

[Truth Bullet Added: Miu's notes]

"Right. It's time for us to tackle the storage room." Kokichi said.

"I have a feeling that we don't have much time left." Kaito murmured.

"We have enough."

They returned to the storage room.

Tsumugi, Himiko, and Tenko were still sifting through the boxes, while Miu was standing over Kiibo's body, staring at it forlornly.

"Let's talk to Iruma first." Kaito said. He was still worried about her- even if she had been planning a murder.

"Talk to her on your own. Hoshi-chan and I need to talk to Shirogane-chan." Kokichi said, grabbing Ryoma's sleeve.

"W-what? Ouma!" Ryoma yanked his arm back.

"Hoshi-chan, follow me." Kokichi demanded.

"Fine. Just don't touch me." Ryoma grunted.

The two of them left. Kokichi hailed Tsumugi, who blinked at him nervously.

Kaito took a deep breath and approached Miu.

"Iruma?"

"Momota." Miu sighed. "The file was right. Aside from his head, nothing else in Kiibo's body is damaged."

"So, if Monokuma gives back his memory chip- "

"I can easily fix him. I'll just need to make him a new head. Which shouldn't be that difficult." Miu muttered, crossing her arms and hugging herself.

"Iruma, do you want to talk about things? Somewhere quiet. Without Kokichi." Kaito said softly.

"Yes- "

"Momota-chan, stop flirting with Iruma-chan and get over here!" Kokichi yelled.

"One second!" Kaito glared at him, then turned back to Miu. "Iruma, when we searched the computer lab, we discovered what you were planning. But even so, I'll do my best to help you."

"Momota…" Miu said, eyes falling to the ground.

"Iruma?"

She shook her head, refusing to meet this gaze.

"Okay. Well…we'll talk after Kokichi's finished investigating." He nodded at her briskly and went over to Kokichi and Ryoma, who were talking to Tsumugi.

"Ah Momota-kun!" Tsumugi perked up. "I have something exciting to tell you! Chabashira-chan and Yumeno-chan will tell you about the clue we found, but I- "

"Shirogane-chan thinks she saw the murderer." Kokichi interrupted with a smirk.

"Umm, I said maybe. And I think I saw Kiibo's murderer, not Gonta's." Tsumugi said.

"Where did you see them?" Kaito asked.

"Well, it was about five past one. I was sitting in a classroom on the second floor. I wanted to be alone." Tsumugi jabbered. "When I went to get my lunch, I saw someone in the corridor. I paused in the doorway. I didn't want them to see me." She swallowed. "I…I had been crying. It was embarrassing- "

"Did you see who it was?"

"N-no. I only caught a glimpse of them. But they were heading upstairs. Afterwards, I waited in the classroom for a few more minutes, in case they came back. But they didn't. So, I went downstairs and went to the cafeteria. Korekiyo-kun was there. I was so nervous. I didn't feel like eating anything. So, I left and went to the library. I wanted to be alone again."

[Truth Bullet Added: Tsumugi's account]

"Thank you Shirogane." Kaito smiled at her softly. "Why were you crying? Are you alright?"

"I was just feeling down. But I'm fine now, Momota-kun." Tsumugi returned his smile. "And I- I really feel sorry for Yumeno-san and Iruma-san at the moment."

"So do I."

"We'll catch the blackened, and then we'll help them- "

"Thanks for the info, Tsumugi-chan, but we really don't have time to stand around and chat." Kokichi butted in.

"Oh. Okay. I just- I've been keeping an eye on Iruma. I don't think she's tried anything."

"I didn't expect her to."

Ryoma frowned, curling his lip.

"Hoshi-kun, what's wrong?" Tsumugi said.

"Nothing…it's just, we found some stuff in the computer lab."

"What did you find?"

"Some pretty incriminating stuff…"

"Hoshi-chan." Kokichi warned.

Ryoma clammed up. But it was too late.

"Incriminating stuff…Do you think Iruma-san killed Gonta!?" Tsumugi exclaimed loudly.

Everyone heard her. Himiko and Tenko both glared at Miu, making her flinch and turn away.

"Shirogane!" Kaito said.

"S-sorry. I'll…I'll go stand in the corner- "Tsumugi pointed at the other side of the room. "-and not bother anyone else" She trotted away.

Ryoma rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry Momota, Ouma. I didn't mean to mention that to her. I don't know what came over me. It's just…I didn't expect to lose two friends today."

"Same Hoshi. I miss both of them." Kaito said.

Though I miss Gonta more. He thought, immediately feeling guilty.

"It wasn't your fault, Hoshi-chan. It was Shirogane-chan's. She has no social skills whatsoever." Kokichi sneered.

"Neither do you. Your social skills are pretty terrible." Kaito said, giving him a pointed look.

"Let's talk to Chabashira-chan and Yumeno-chan. I hope they've found something useful."

The two girls were waiting for them by a large pile of boxes.

Himiko leapt up excitedly. "We found a *very* important clue."

"Well, Yumeno-san found it." Tenko said.

"No. We found it together." Himiko insisted.

"Okay." Tenko blushed.

"What did you- "Kaito started, then gagged. The sweaty smell was back. And it was far stronger than before.

"Momota?" Himiko said.

"Sorry to be so blunt, but something- someone stinks. And it's not Iruma." He said, looking around the group. His eyes settled on Ryoma. "Hoshi, did you have a shower after playing tennis?"

"Of course, I did, Momota. I'm not a barbarian." Ryoma countered, then sniffed. "But you're right. Someone does stink."

"I noticed it ages ago, but I thought it was Iruma. She's always smelt like a pig." Kokichi snarked.

"It's not her. But it's..." Ryoma glanced between Himiko and Tenko.

Himiko frowned and shook her head, while Tenko sighed and stepped forward.

"It's me."

"Chabashira-chan, how dare you sully our nostrils with your filth!" Kokichi declared, pointing at her dramatically.

"It wasn't on purpose!" Tenko snapped. "I got to the dorms a few minutes past one, and went to my room and had a really, really, long shower. I had just run laps around the school. You guys saw me…right?"

"We did." Kaito said.

"Then you know that I worked up a sweat. Well, I had my shower, and went to have a rest, but as soon as I lay down, the body discovery announcement played. I umm…I panicked, put on my old sticky clothing, and ran to find Yumeno-san. I thought something might've happened to her."

"Chabashira…" Himiko reached out and squeezed her hand. "You didn't have to worry about me."

"Yes, I did! Yumeno-san- a body had just been discovered!"

"…good point."

"Anyway- "Tenko shook her head. "I apologise for the smell. If it's really a bother, I can go and have another shower and- "

"No." Kokichi said bluntly. "I don't want anyone to leave this floor. And that includes your stinky ass Chabashira-chan."

"Ouma, she's only going to have a shower. I can go with her- "Himiko argued.

"No, Yumeno-san. Ouma is right. I'll stay here." Tenko said.

"Good. Also, Momota-chan and I have almost finished our investigation." Kokichi said.

"We have?" Kaito frowned.

"Yes. We have." Kokichi elbowed him.

"Ah. I see. Yes, we're almost done." Kaito nodded.

"We just need to finish investigating this room. Sooooo, show us what you found!"

"Here is the clue we found!" Himiko bent down and retrieved an object from a long box.

It was a scorched extension cable. Someone had taken apart the power strip, exposing the wires within.

Kaito frowned, instantly recalling Gonta's burnt foot and the water underneath his body…

He felt sick.

Gonta was electrocuted. What a terrible way to die...I'm going to catch his killer and make them pay! He vowed silently.

"Thank you, Yumeno-chan. This is a very important clue." Kokichi's voice brought him back to reality.

"Okay. But I don't understand- why did the blackened need it? What part did it play in the murders?" Himiko said, furrowing her brow.

"We'll discuss it in the trial." Kaito seethed.

"Momota?" Tenko said.

"Momota-chan's fine. He's just impatient. He wants justice for Gonta and Kiibo." Kokichi answered for him.

"Yeah…let's move on."

[Truth Bullet Added: Scorched extension cable]

"Did you find anything else?" Kokichi asked.

"No." Himiko said.

"That's okay. I wasn't expecting you to." Kokichi chirruped.

"You didn't?" Himiko raised an eyebrow.

"Yup!" Kokichi nodded. "Now, Yumeno-chan, please tell me what you did this morning."

"Okay. After breakfast, Chabashira and I went to my lab. I showed her a new trick…actually, several. It probably took an hour and a bit. After that, Chabashira left to do her workout. No one came to check on me until Chabashira returned at one o'clock."

She paused to take a breath.

"As soon as she came in, the lights flickered. I was worried, but Tenko told me to calm down. She said it was just the lighting acting up-"

"Back at the monastery, the lights were always blinking. The fuse was constantly tripping because the wiring was so old. I thought it was the same thing." Tenko explained. "Sorry for interrupting Yumeno-san."

"It's okay." Himiko said. "Chabashira was only with me for a minute. She said she desperately needed to take a shower. And well…you know why. So, she left. A few minutes later, I realised I needed the bathroom…. I went and did my business. When I came back, Shinguuji was heading for the stairs. We said hi to one another. Then I returned to my lab to practice some more, but I was interrupted by the body discovery announcement. I rushed upstairs…and well, you guys know the rest."

[Truth Bullet Added: Himiko's account]

"Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. Thank you." Kokichi said.

"Do you need anything else?" Tenko asked.

"No." Kokichi said, before addressing Ryoma. "Hoshi-chan, please stay with Chabashira-chan and Yumeno-chan. I need to do some investigating with Momota-chan."

"All right." Ryoma shrugged.

"C'mon Momota-chan." Kokichi took his arm.

"Kokichi, what are you- "

"This."

Kokichi dragged him over to the folding chair.

"The blackened propped it against the door, to create a makeshift barrier." He kneeled and picked up the fishing line. "They tied this around a leg, put the chair under the doorknob, shut the door, and then cut the string on the other side. It's a "locked room mystery"."

"But Shinguuji's lab was locked as well." Kaito murmured.

"Yeah." Kokichi grinned at him.

Kaito frowned. "Kokichi, is this really what you wanted to talk about?"

"Momota-chan, I'm just trying to get you to relax."

"I am relaxed."

"No. You're not." Kokichi's grin evened out into one of his wide, genuine, smiles. "Momota-chan, you don't have to worry about anything. I'll handle the trial."

"I know. But I- I can't let you deal with this all alone."

"Momota-chan, you're not. I'm doing the heavy thinking, but you have a way more difficult task; keeping everyone in line and making sure that they listen to me. That's something I can't do…because of my "poor social skills"." Kokichi chuckled softly.

"But I want to be more helpful. I mean- help you figure out things and solve the murders." Kaito huffed. It almost sounded like whining. "I know I'm not as smart as you, but I want to try."

"Momota-chan…"

"I know I can do it. Like the rooms- the blackened must've committed the murders and then locked them…" He scrunched up his eyes. "…so, that we couldn't figure out who died first."

"Yes Momota-chan." Kokichi said seriously. "It's all smoke and mirrors. To trick us into believing a certain chain of events."

"Okay. So, now I need to figure out why."

Kokichi laughed. "Momota-chan, leave that to me. All you have to do is be your handsome, inspirational, self, all right?"

Kaito relaxed. "All right. What's next?"

[Truth Bullet Added: Folding chair]

"We're almost out of time. You should talk to Iruma-chan now."

"What will you do?"

"I need to check something." Kokichi hesitated. "Search these boxes for a specific clue."

"What clue?"

"Momota-chan…it's a bit of a stretch. I'm not sure if I'll find it. And if I do…I'd rather keep it to myself for now."

"Okay. I trust you."

Kokichi blinked. "You're not going to object?"

"No." Kaito smiled. "Just ask me if you need any help."

"I don't need your help." Kokichi smirked. "Now go and talk to Iruma-chan before it's too late."

They nodded at each other and separated.

Kokichi went over to Tsumugi and asked her a question, making her frown, while Kaito signalled Miu to join him outside.

She bit her lip and glanced around the room, before nodding and leaving with him.