When we got to the warehouse, the Monokubs were waiting for us. "Oooh, you came." Monophanie said happily.
"Sure did. I came to see you toots. Dehehe… You're as lovely as always." Monosuke answered for us.
"Oh Monosuke, you're such a flirt. May I join you for a-."
"We don't have time for stupid skits, so can we just get to the point?" I asked.
"T-Take these…!" Monotaro, who for some reason was completely beat up and bruised, walked up to me with 3 envelopes. "It's...all the photos. They're...separated in envelopes for each camera. Use them...to take that bastard down! I-It's all up to...you...now…!" Monotaro then fell over and promptly stated "dead". The other Monokubs don't even acknowledge Monotaro's "death" and drag his body away as they continue the stupid skit from earlier.
"We should wait till everyone gets here." Kaito suggested. I nodded and began to wait with him.
We were the first ones there, so we talked a bit while waiting for everyone. "Hey, look at that." I said as I pointed to what I saw. There besides one of the shelves of random things was a box of shot put balls.
"Guess this is where the person who almost killed you got the shot." Kaito said.
"Hey Kaito, do you know how many shot puts there were here before all of this?" I asked.
"No, I never really came in here." Kaito said.
"Alright." I took another glance at the box "Each shot is the same size and shape, so with that in mind...I think there are two missing." I said.
"Two? Then where's the other one?" Kaito asked.
"Who knows?" I shrugged.
Truth Bullet Obtained: Missing Shot Put Ball
Before we could discuss more, everyone came rushing into the Warehouse. "Rin! Kaito! Are those the developed photos!?" Keebo asked frantically.
"The culprit should be in those photos, right?" Tsumugi asked.
"Nee-heehee… How exciting. I wanna see the dumb look on the culprit's face." Kokichi smirked.
"Finally, we'll find out who the mastermind is!" Kaede said determinedly.
"Alright! Let's take a look!" Kaito exclaimed.
"Let's start with the front entrance photos first." I said as I pulled out the photos from the labeled envelopes. There were 6 photos taken in total. The first picture was of Kaede, Shuichi, Kaito, Tenko, and Rantaro rushing into the library.
"This is...when we arrived at the library after the receiver went off. So it took a picture then…" Kaede trailed off as she looked at it.
"That's a pretty bad picture of me… but don't focus on it too much, okay?" Tenko asked us.
"Rest assured, we do not care." Kiyo commented.
"Let's go to the next photo." Rantaro said. I showed the next image. It was of me sprinting out of the library in a panic with the others chasing after me worriedly.
"This is right after Monokuma told us that someone was dead." I said.
"So you all left together then." Ryoma said.
"Next one then." Kaito said. I showed the 3rd image. It was of Me, Kaede, Shuichi, and Rantaro entering the library again.
"This is right before we discovered the body." Rantaro said.
"Let's see the next one." Shuichi suggested. I pulled out the 4th photo. It was of Kaito, Tenko, Gonta, Angie, Maki, and Himiko entering the library.
"This is when we followed Kaito and Tenko into the library and discovered the body ourselves. This is pointless. Next." Maki said. I showed the 5th image, which was Miu, Kiyo, Kokichi, Ryoma, Tsumugi, and Keebo entering the library.
"This is after the body discovery announcement played and we all rushed to the library." Tsumugi said.
"Everyone in the picture, including me, was on our way to the basement. I guess we got there a bit late." Ryoma said.
"These are all pictures of before and after discovering the body!" Kaito said disappointedly.
"There is one more photo of the front entrance, correct?" Keebo asked.
"Yeah." I pulled out the final photo, but it was just a close up of Shuichi. "Shuichi?"
"Ah, sorry...it looks like I tripped one of the sensors when I was removing the cameras." He replied.
"Kh! What are you saying!?" Miu gasped.
"Umm… this picture doesn't seem to have any clues that will help us either…" Tsumugi stated.
"That's all the photos of the front entrance." I said as I put them back in the envelope.
Truth Bullet Obtained: Front Entrance Photos
"Neither Kirumi nor anyone else who could be the culprit are in the photos…" Keebo said.
"Did they both enter through the back door, then?" Ryoma asked.
"Let's take a look then." Rantaro said.
"Ok. Seems like only 2 pictures were taken of the back entrance." I said as I pulled out the photos. The 1st photo was of me entering the library, a cautious and nervous expression painted on my face.
"Rin!?" Kaede said with a shocked tone.
"Well yeah. I was in the library before you all entered, remember." I said.
"A-Anyway, let's move on to the next one! Maybe it'll show the mastermind!" Kaede said as I showed the last photo. It was another close up of Shuichi. "Huh!?"
"Ah...sorry...me again. This is from when I was removing the camera..." Shuichi responded.
"Nyeeeh… What an attention hog!" Himiko said.
"Not like he could have helped it. He had to remove the cameras, after all." Rantaro said with a chuckle.
"That's all for the rear entrance." I said as I put them away.
Truth Bullet Obtained: Rear Entrance Photos
"Huh? Culprit not in rear entrance photos either?" Gonta asked.
"Kirumi isn't either." I said with a dark tone.
"Wh-What does that mean? They're not in either the front or rear entrance pictures…" Tenko asked nervously.
"...Yeah. That's pretty odd. Why isn't there an image of the mastermind entering?" Kaede asked with an extremely distraught expression. She turned to Shuichi with a desperate look. "Hey Shuichi, don't you think that's weird?" Shuichi didn't answer as he thought about the photos.
"Let's take a look at the pictures from the hidden door camera. Maybe they'll tell us something…"
"O-Oh yeah." Kaede said, still not looking any better. "Rin was the one who opened the door first, but maybe there's an image of the mastermind opening the hidden door."
"...There are 2 photos for the hidden door camera." I said as I took them out. The 1st one was of me opening the door.
"That's when I opened the door and set off the receiver." I said.
"...Ah!" Shuichi gasped as he looked at the picture.
"What's wrong Shuichi?" Kaito asked.
"...Nothing. Nevermind me." Shuichi said with a grimace as he hid his eyes with his hat.
"Let us see the last picture taken by the camera." Kiyo said.
"Yeah." I said as I showed them the final image. It was of me again, but this time I was up close to the camera, reaching out for it with an annoyed and confused look.
"What!?" Kaede asked.
"It's Rin again, but what are you doing?" Kaito asked.
"It looks like you're reaching out for the camera. You noticed it?" Tenko asked me.
"..." I didn't answer at first, but sighed and gave them a response. "As I said before, I turned off the sensor on that camera after I first opened the bookcase because the camera was annoying."
"Then this photo occurred right before you turned off the sensor." Kiyo said.
"The camera takes a picture whenever the bookcase is opened. That's what triggers the sensor, correct? But then why did this picture get taken? The bookcase was already opened." Keebo asked.
"Who cares about that! What about the culprit and Kirumi!? They aren't in any of the photos!" Tenko exclaimed.
"Why…? Why are both of them in none of the pictures?" Kaede asked.
"..." I didn't answer, but I couldn't help but think that my suspicions were right. So that means…
Truth Bullet Obtained: Hidden Door Photos
"That's all the photos." I said, putting the last 2 away.
"So we gained no new clues… and we still don't know who the culprit is." Maki sighed.
"It's just as Rin predicted." Rantaro added.
"Hah-haha! What a fuckin' waste!" Miu cackled.
"Did she really develop all the photos? Maybe she got rid of the ones that showed the culprit?" Tenko suggested, to which Monophanie appeared to argue against.
"Hmph! How rude. I developed all the film that I was given. I swear to my almighty Daddy that I did. Those are all the photos from the hidden cameras, so relax and get to deducing." Monophanie then left, causing the others to panic.
"These are seriously all the pictures? You gotta be kidding me! The culprit's not in any of 'em!" Kaito exclaimed. "If the culprit or victim never went to the library, then how'd Kirumi die there!?"
"Nyeeeh… so this must be what they call a perfect crime." Himiko moaned.
"Perfect Crime?" Kaede asked.
"Aw maaaaan, I've only been slacking off cuz I thought those photos would reveal the culprit!" Kokichi moaned.
"You should have helped us investigate! Gonta, weren't you with him?" Tenko asked.
"Yes, and Kokichi help Gonta understand more about case, but Kokichi only answered Gonta's questions." Gonta explained. While they were talking, Kaede was shivering a bit and clutching her shoulders.
"...Kaede, are you okay?" Shuichi asked.
"Why…? Why aren't they in the pictures?" Kaede asked. "If the mastermind was in the pictures, that would have solved everything… So...why the hell-!?"
"K-Kaede!"
Ding dong, bing bong.
Monokuma appeared on the monitors and cheered. "Alright! It's time for what you've been waiting for: the class trial! Please assemble in front of the Shrine of Judgement in the courtyard! Remember that red door surrounded by plants? It's just on the other side. From there, you'll be escorted to a delightful class trial! Puhuhuhuhu! See you all there!" The monitors then shut off.
"T-Time already…!?" Gonta exclaimed.
"We're gonna have to continue this at the class trial it seems." Rantaro sighed.
"I don't want to go..." Tsumugi said after her own sigh.
"Me neither...what a pain..." Himiko agreed.
"Hah-haha! What, ya scared!? An NPC like you has nothin' to be scared of." Miu said.
"I-It'll be fine… I just… feel like my back is against a wall." Kaede said. "We just have to expose the mastermind in this class trial!"
"Agreed. They're the culprit after all." I stated.
"Yeah! So when we find them, then everything, even this killing game, will come to an end!" Kaede added.
"Yes, that's right." Keebo said.
"Let's find the mastermind! And if it's a man, let's beat him to death!" Tenko said.
"Isn't beating them to death going a bit far?" Ryoma asked.
"They're going to die anyway. The punishment for getting found is execution." I said. "Still, we're going to find them. To avenge Kirumi, to end this game, and to survive." Everyone agreed with me as we followed Monokuma's instructions and walked towards the courtyard. When we all got there, we stood around waiting for more instructions.
"So this is the Shrine of Judgement." Kaito exclaims.
"Careful, everyone! If bad things happen, get behind Gonta!" Gonta stated.
"Then gimme a piggy back ride!" Angie shouted as she attempted to climb the Mountain Man Gonta. "C'mon, carry me."
"Omigod, your so fucking annoying!" Miu huffed. "So are we doin' the class trial here or what?"
"No. Monokuma made it sound like we'd be guided somewhere from here." Ryoma said.
"But he's not here. I wonder what's going to happen." Rantaro said.
"By the way, Rin. Are those Kirumi's gloves?" Shuichi asked.
"Yeah… Kaito said I should have them. They're actually really nice." I said, looking at the gloves. "I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but I can't help but feel responsible for what happened. Perhaps things would be different if I was smarter or knew more about the situation, but there's no helping that now. I need to focus to protect those remaining. I have to…"
"...This must be hard for you Rin." Kaede said softly.
"It's hard for everyone. Seeing anyone die just after seeing them alive a few moments ago is difficult to swallow." I said. "But...it's weird. For some reason, I feel-." I'm interrupted when the buff Monokuma statue starts to shake. "Wh-What!?" The buff Monokuma statue breaks the jar it was holding and sinks into the fountain. The waterfall behind it parts, revealing an elevator door. From there, a bridge is created across the fountain, giving us a way to the elevator.
"Is this...an elevator?" Kaede asked, still shocked from what had just happened.
"Does he want us to board it?" Keebo asked.
"I don't wanna… I don't do scary rides." Himoko said as she hid her face with her witch hat.
"I...don't want to get on it either." Tsumugi said, clutching her shoulders.
"Stay behind, then. Though I'm sure that'll just be worse for you in the end." Maki bluntly stated.
"Yeah, that's true… I know…" Tsumugi answered, still not comfortable with the idea.
"We don't have much of a choice. We have to do this to survive, so let's not keep those bears waiting." Rantaro calmly said.
"There's probably nowhere we can run anyway because of the End Wall, so we might as well." Ryoma added.
"It'll be fine… Let's all work together." Kaede said reassuringly. "Remember our promise? We're gonna escape this place and become good friends afterwards, so let's do it! I'm sure we'll be alright! Because...we make such an incredible team."
"Your boundless optimism is truly something to behold." I chuckled.
"Heh, I wouldn't be able to call myself a man if I was still scared after hearing a girl say that." Kaito said while rubbing the back of his head. He then put his fists together in a fierce and determined manner. "Bring it! I'll show them how I, Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars, live!"
"Don't you mean 'die'?" Kokichi chirps innocently.
"Don't say something all ominous like that!" Kaito yelled, now sweating a bit.
"Nggaaah! We've come so far already! We just gotta do it… SO LET'S DO IT!" Tenko shouted as she attacked the air to pump herself up.
"We have no choice… We can't turn back now." Shuichi affirms. With everyone now determined to see this through, we each entered the elevator. As I entered, that strange feeling I had before appeared again. It appeared when I first woke up here, and when Monokuma appeared, and when the time limit was announced, and now it's here again. Why? Is there a reason, or is it just my brain playing tricks on me? Either way, I don't have the privilege to worry about it now. I have something more pressing to focus on other than myself. Once the last person had entered, the doors closed, and we began to descend. I was near the front, beside Kaito and Keebo. The shaking of the room, which was actually an elevator, just made the feeling I was having even stronger.
"Whoaaa! That's super cool. It's actually an elevator." Kokichi exclaimed.
"E-Even so...this elevator is going pretty far down…" Tenko said nervously. Kiyo just chuckled to himself.
"Kehehe...we're falling… I wonder how far we will plummet…" He said softly and quietly.
"Nyeeeeh… I suddenly have to go to the bathroom real bad." Himiko said.
"By all means, go ahead." Keebo said without hesitation.
"Of course! A robot wouldn't understand how inappropriate that is!" Kokichi said loudly.
"Oh, that reminds me. Keebo…" I said in a whisper while leaning in closer to the robot. "Can you tell me more about what happened at the dorms? Kaito mentioned how you told him no one had left the dormitory."
"Yes, that is correct. I stationed myself outside my room and kept watch. Nothing happened during that time. No one tried to leave or enter, but I suppose there are a few things to mention." He whispered.
"Really?"
"Yes. First, while I said no one tried to enter or leave, someone did exit their room. Kokichi left his room, and when he saw me, he messed with me for a while before returning to his room."
"Why did he leave his room anyway?"
"When I asked him, he said, and I quote, 'an evil supreme leader can't just do nothing during this situation, since it's so boring waiting for something to occur by itself'. He then started to repeatedly say robophobic things to me while laughing. When I then told him to stop and go back to his room, he gave me an amused look before agreeing and returning to his room."
"Is that so…? What happened after that?"
"Immediately after he left, Kaito and Tenko came in and asked me if anyone was in the dorms. The three of us then searched the dorms and outside the dorms together. Ryoma and Kokichi, who were in their rooms, didn't leave during that time. After we finished searching, Kaito and Tenko went back inside the academy, and I went back to my station in front of my door until the body discovery announcement played. Ryoma and Kokichi exited their rooms and we all went to the library together, running into Kiyo and Miu along the way."
"I see. Thank you. That helps a lot." I told Keebo with a smile.
Truth Bullet Updated: Everyone's Alibi
"So Rin… was your plan a success?" Keebo asked. "I know what happened with Kirumi is disheartening, but did you at least do what you needed to do?" I frowned and sighed before responding with a sad tone.
"Part of it was a success. The other part of the plan didn't exactly work out the way I wanted, but the plan still worked. Even with this class trial, I'll end this game by the end of the day."
"...I hope you are right." Keebo said. "I just wish I could have helped more."
"On the contrary, with your help, and even hers, my trap was successful. I know exactly who to aim for. All I gotta do is prove it." I said. Keebo looked at me with confusion.
"Wait…her? And the way you're talking… Do you know who-?" Before he could finish, the elevator doors opened and revealed the trial grounds. The large room had a blue metallic tint, and in the middle of it was a circle of 17 podiums, each looking like a witness stand, each on a slightly raised circular platform. There were metal fences surrounding the edges of the room, and there were multiple pinkish stained glass windows surrounding the room as well. In a corner of the room, overlooking the podiums, was a raised platform with a large table on it, and on the table were 5 podiums and one large throne. As we exited the elevator, the Monokubs stood at the 5 podiums on the table and welcomed us.
"Welcome to the class trial!" The Monokubs greeted.
"Oh boy! The class trial is finally starting! Finally, a game that actually feels like a game!" Monotaro cheered.
"...Just as the prophecy foretold!" Monokid muttered with a weird look.
"Listen up-from here on, things are gonna get so violent you'll wish you could turn back." Monosuke stated cockily.
"Th-That's not true… There won't be any...gory or violent scenes… I'm positive…" Monophanie cried. We ignored them, as usual, and took a look at the area.
"This is an authentic replica of a courtroom." Keebo pointed out, though a bit uncomfortable.
"Hmph, what bad taste…" Ryoma grunted.
"How utterly despicable. What a sham." I spat out angrily, but I wasn't sure why I was angry with this room. The way it looked and twisted a courtroom, a place where justice was supposed to be delivered, and the way it was giving me the same feeling from the elevator ride...it just...pissed me off.
"Why are you making us do this? Is this fun for you?" Kaede asked with a mixture of anger and fear. Monokuma then appeared on the throne and smiled at us.
"Of course! Putting strangers in life-or-death scenarios is the best entertainment!" He said.
"You are seriously the worst!" Tenko yelled.
"Puhuhu… Worst or not, those who have fun are the real winners in this world!" Monokuma laughed. "It doesn't matter what terrible things you do or are done to you, as long as you're having fun!"
"Wow, this is so sickening it's almost refreshing." Kokichi said with a laugh. "So, how do we get this game going?"
"There are podiums over there. Please stand behind the one with your name on it." Monokuma answered. Following his instructions, we each walked up to the podium that had our names on it. I grimaced at mine. It was a sick joke. Kaito was to my right, and to my left… was not a person, but a stand with a portrait on it. It was a portrait of Kirumi, but it had a 'X' on her face. The 'X' itself was made of two brooms. It made me sick to look at it. And the way the podiums are positioned, it made it easy to see anyone else here. It made it easier to give people questioning looks and made sure no one could hide even the slightest subtle motions from the others. So this is the pressure the class trial brings.
I take a deep breath. So now it begins. I think back to the crime scene. The victim is Kirumi Tojo, the Ultimate Maid. She always strived to serve us, making sure to help out with every little thing and fulfill any and all requests we gave her. A person as kind as her...was killed. And it was one of us who murdered her. One of us is the mastermind of this game, forcing us to kill to survive and escape. Suspicion and doubt already plague us, and we're desperate to find them. I won't let them get away. I may have failed once, but this time, I won't stop until I find them. Just one more person needs to die to end this. So let's begin this trial. Whether it's reality or fiction, whether it's nothing more than a dream to hope for salvation, I'm going to end this game. Right here. Right now.
Truth Bullets
1. Monokuma File 1: The victim is Kirumi Tojo, the Ultimate Maid. The victim's body was discovered in the library. The estimated time of death is 10:07 p.m. The victim was stabbed multiple times, approximately 13 times, in the chest and torso region, resulting in death. No other injuries or outside chemicals were detected.
2. State of Body: Kirumi's body appears to have not been tampered with. The pool of blood she is sitting in does not look disturbed and there appear to be no drag marks in the library.
3. Maki's Account: Maki said that the large wound in Kirumi's chest would be fatal by itself and most likely cause instant death. The smaller wounds also appear to be more sporadic and shallow then the deeper chest wound.
4. Promotional Video BGM: The promotional video and background music that Monokuma played to encourage everyone to start the killing game. It was on full volume until the time limit ended.
5. Kirumi's Belongings: Kirumi's personal belongings. She only had a key to her dorm room, her Monopad, a note, and a spare pair of gloves.
6. Note to Kirumi: A note found with Kirumi's belongings that she had on her. The note is written in Latin, Russian, French, and Chinese, making it almost impossible to fully read. Kaito's testimony states that the Russian parts of the note say something about someone wanting Kirumi to do something.
8. Bloodied Knife: Most likely the murder weapon, as there is nothing else that could be the weapon at the crime scene and the weapon matches up with the wounds. It is the same type and size of knife Rin had when he first entered the library.
9. Shot Put Ball: A shot put ball that Rin claimed to have almost killed him. He said it fell from the top of one of the bookcases, but missed him by a foot.
10. Receiver on Shuichi: The security alarm's receiver. A sensor was placed on the moving bookcase, so in case someone moved the bookcase, it would notify Shuichi.
11. Moving Bookcase: One of the bookcases in the far left end of the library. After it's been moved, it automatically shuts itself to its original place when a certain amount of time passes.
12. Card Reader Dust: The dust Shuichi planted in the hidden door's card reader. When it was checked during investigation, the dust was left exactly the way it was originally set up.
13. Stacked Books: Library books that could not fit in the bookcases, and were instead stacked on top of them. Nothing has changed since Shuichi and Kaede placed the hidden cameras. The books Kaede stacked in front of the vent were left exactly the way they were.
14. Sliding Door: A sliding door in the A/V Room that leads to the hallway. The door was poorly made, and only opens wide enough to slip an arm through. It would have been difficult for a person to enter and exit through it. It is faced straight to the library's rear entrance.
15. Classroom Vent: Connected to the library vent. Both Kaede and Shuichi were on watch until the security alarm went off. It was not possible for anyone to sneak into the library by going through the vent.
16. Everyone's Alibi: Kaede and Shuichi were together before the time limit ended, though Shuichi left for a bit during that time. When the receiver went off, they ran to the library. Kaito, Tenko, Rin, Rantaro, Himiko, Gonta, Angie, and Maki were in the game room before the time limit ended. Gonta locked himself in the AV Room, and Rin left during this time. After waiting a bit, Kaito, Tenko, and Rantaro left to go find him and ran into Kaede and Shuichi outside the library. They went inside the library and found Rin. The group spoke until the time limit ended and Monokuma hinted at a dead body. The group then split up to find the victim, with Kaito and Tenko going to the dorms, Kaede to the second floor, Shuichi to the warehouse, Rantaro to the gym, and Rin to the dining hall. Kiyo, Kirumi, Miu, and Tsumugi were in the dining hall before the time limit ended. Tsumugi briefly went to the bathroom during this time. Kirumi also left during this time, leaving Kiyo and Miu together in the dining hall, which Rin saw. Rin also saw Tsumugi in the girl's bathroom when he went to check on her. Keebo, Kokichi, and Ryoma were in the dormitory. Keebo was standing watch outside his room and saw no one leave or enter before he spoke to Kokichi for a bit. Right after talking to Kokichi, Kaito and Tenko came to check the dorms. Keebo then helped Kaito and Tenko investigate the dorms before they went back to the academy. Rantaro, Rin, Kaede, and Shuichi grouped back up together and went back to the library, discovering the body. Kaito, Tenko, and the others from the game room then went to the library together. After the body discovery announcement, the three in the dining hall and the three in the dorms ran into each other and went to the library together.
17. Missing Knife: There were two knives missing in the dining hall. One was the one Rin took, but the other was a knife that had the same size and shape to the one Rin took. It was missing during the entirety of the investigation.
18. Bleach Smell in Girl's Bathroom: Inside the girl's bathroom was a strong stench of bleach and cleaning products, most likely caused by the items in the supply closet in the bathroom.
19. Missing Shot Put Ball: There were two shot put balls missing in the warehouse. 1 was found in the library. The other has yet to be found.
20. Front Entrance Photos: There were 6 photos taken by the front entrance camera. The first image showed Kaede, Shuichi, Tenko, Kaito, and Rantaro running into the library after running into each other outside the library due to the receiver going off. The second showed that group, along with Rin, running out of the library after Monokuma hinted at a dead body. The third showed Rin, Kaede, Shuichi, and Rantaro entering the library before discovering the body. The fourth showed Kaito, Tenko, Gonta, Himiko, Maki, and Angie entering the library after the body was discovered. The fifth showed Miu, Kiyo, Kokichi, Keebo, Tsumugi, and Ryoma entering the library after the body discovery announcement was played. The sixth showed Shuichi removing the camera for the investigation.
21. Rear Entrance Photos: There were 2 photos taken by the rear entrance camera. The first showed Rin entering the library before he moved the bookcase. He was looking at the camera and waving, showing he knew where it was. The second showed Shuichi removing the camera for the investigation.
22. Hidden Door Photos: There were 2 photos taken by the hidden door camera. The first showed Rin opening the moving bookcase while looking at the camera. The second showed Rin reaching out to the camera before turning off the sensor.
