"H-Hold on. This is all so sudden, I don't think I understand." Tsumugi choked out.

"A-Are you saying the one who is putting us through all of this… is Tsumugi?" Kaede asked.

"N-No...it has to be...some kind of mistake." Tsumugi cried out.

"Don't you think that's kinda impossible. Tsumugi's just a cosplayer." Himiko stated.

"Y-Yeah! I'm just a plain cosplayer! There's no way I could be capable of doing something like killing or being a mastermind!" Tsumugi quickly agreed.

"But you're the only one who went to do something during the end of the time limit. You said it yourself that you 'went to the bathroom.'" I refuted. "Everyone else has an alibi. You're the only one who doesn't."

"B-But...it's impossible!" Tsumugi desperately said. "It's all just a coincidence…"

"Tsumugi, you need to either give us an explanation or a rebuttal." Shuichi said. "The evidence and the discussion we have had are pointing to you as the culprit."

"B-B-But…" Tsumugi stuttered.

"How do we know that anything Rin said is reliable?" Maki asked.

"Huh?" Both me and Tsumugi looked stunned by Maki's sudden objection.

"You said you brought a knife to the library. Do you happen to mean the knife that was used to kill Kirumi?" She asked.

"If that's the same knife, then Rin could be lying." Ryoma said.

"Why are you doubting Rin?" Keebo asked. "His plan and statements thus far have been very logical and well thought out."

"But someone still fuckin' died!" Miu said. "That white hair fucker was already suspicious before, but he's way more suspicious now!"

"The fact that he's now accusing someone like Tsumugi is also bizarre." Kiyo said. "While it's true that Tsumugi left during the last few moments of the time limit, she was going to the bathroom. Rin's own testimony proves that she was there when he went to find her."

"Perhaps Rin's real plan was to kill Kirumi and escape!" Angie suggested. "Nyahaha! Atua sees the truth, but he's sleeping right now."

"What a petty ass god!" Miu exclaimed.

"No way! Rin wouldn't do that!" Kaito said. "He's my sidekick! I trust him!"

"We were all willing to believe his statements earlier." Rantaro said. "He's right. Tsumugi is suspicious for leaving the dining hall during that time. No one else was alone or unaccounted for, except for Kirumi, the victim."

"Rinny doesn't sound like he's lying either." Kokichi added. "But that could be a lie, since I'm a liar."

"This is a problem. We're not going to go anywhere at this rate." Ryoma sighed.

"Yeah. We split. Right down middle." Gonta said.

"Woah woah woah! Did you say 'split'?" Monokuma asked. "Fantastic! I have just the thing for this! The Ultimate Academy proudly presents our morphenomenal trial grounds!"

"...Morphenonmenal trial grounds?" Maki asked.

"The trial grounds are going to morph!? Seriously!? I toooootally want to see that!" Kokichi exclaimed with starry eyes. Before we could say anything else, Monokuma pulled out a key and inserted it into a slot in his throne. Our podiums began to glow and rose into the air with us still on them. The podiums were then sectioned off into two groups. The monitor in the room now had the phrase 'Is Tsumugi the Culprit?' on it. The group that was put in the left side believed that Tsumugi was innocent. The group was made up of Maki, Himiko, Angie, Tsumugi, Kiyo, Miu, Ryoma, Gonta. The group on the right believed Tsumugi was the culprit. The group was made up of me, Shuichi, Kaede, Kokichi, Keebo, Kaito, Tenko, and Rantaro.

"Scrum debate...START!" Monokuma shouted. Before I could do anything, Tsumugi's podium moved forward as she started the debate.

"Why are you accusing me? It's plainly impossible that I'm the culprit!" Tsumugi cried out. Rantaro sighed and his podium moved to counter the statement.

"You were the only one to leave the group they were in, meaning you could be the culprit." He stated. Kiyo was next as his podium moved.

"Tsumugi has an alibi. Miu and I are witnesses." Shuichi moved to counter that statement next.

"But Tsumugi left to go to the bathroom, meaning she doesn't have a proper alibi." Miu then pointed to Tsumugi as she gave her two-cents.

"Plain Jane wasn't gone for long enough to to shit!" I sighed as I moved to give a rebuttal.

"She didn't have to be gone for long. We haven't explained the finer details of how Kiruni died, but I believe this murder wouldn't have taken long to pull off." Maki pointed at me with a stern look.

"Rin said he had a knife on him, and the others saw it. That knife was the murder weapon, right?" Kaito slammed his fist into the podium as he argued.

"Rin tossed the knife when we entered the library! Not only that, but there was a second knife missing!"

"Tsumugi not on pictures from cameras. That mean she no went to library." Gonta argued.

"We've already discussed the possibility that perhaps the culprit, being the mastermind, knew how to avoid detection from the cameras." Kaede argued.

"But Tsumugi was found in the bathroom. She couldn't have gone to the library and made her way back to the restroom that quickly or without bumping into you guys." Ryoma then said.

"Rinny already said that there's most likely other hidden passageways that connect to the hidden room in the library. Tsumugi might have gone to the restroom to go through one of those passages to quickly kill and get back." Kokichi then said. At that point, the other side didn't seem to have any more arguments, and the podiums returned to their regular spots on the ground.

"We've discussed it now, and it's highly possible that Tsumugi is the culprit with what we know. We need to actually hear Tsumugi's testimony and defense now." Keebo declared.

"I-I'm telling you! It's just a coincidence!" Tsumugi cried out.

"Then tell us why it's not you!" I yelled, getting frustrated at this point.

"B-But…" Tsumugi trailed off.

"I don't want to accuse you! I would rather believe that the mastermind is hiding somewhere else! I don't want to believe one of us here wanted to cause all of this pain and suffering!" I said, desperation dripping from my words. "So please… give me evidence that you're innocent! But if you can't, then we have to believe that the person who killed Kirumi and trapped us in this death game...is you."

"I...I…" Tsumugi couldn't speak. She just looked terrified that she was being accused of something so vile. It hurt me to keep pressuring her like this, but I had to. To make sure we all survive, and that the game ends. Meanwhile, Monokuma was just giggling to himself, trying to hold back his laughter. Even his cubs looked put off by his behaviour.

"Don't you have...anything to say about these accusations?" Shuichi asked her.

"A-Anything to say…? E-Even if you keep saying all that stuff… I still don't get it…" Tsumugi clutched her shoulders even tighter than before as fear enveloped her. "Hey, let's stop this already! You're mistaken!" She then cried out. "C-Cuz we're friends, right!? Weren't we going to work together to escape this killing game?" Before she could try to guilt trip us even more, I cut her off in defiance.

"This is a class trial." I loudly stated.

"Ah…!"

"No one wanted to play this killing game. But we're forced to play. We have to participate in this trial. So we're here, fighting for our survival and for justice! It's the only way that we could...that I could…" I trailed off as something from the far corners of my mind began to step a bit out of the shadows. I pushed the thought down. I don't have time to remember. I need to focus on Tsumugi. "So please, Tsumugi, refute. Give me a rebuttal. Help us prove that you aren't the mastermind."

"Go ahead Tsumugi. Tell us. From what we've discussed, are there any flaws in Rin and our reasoning?" Keebo asked.

"F-Flaws…? There are a bunch of flaws…all over it."

"Then explain." Maki demanded.

"Go on. Explain it to us." Kaede pleaded.

"I-It's just...plainly obvious it isn't me!" Tsumugi cried.

"Why?" I asked sternly.

"B-Because… because…"

"You don't have a rebuttal, do you?" I said sadly. "You're the blackened. You have to be the mastermind, right Tsumu-?"

"No, that's wrong!" A new different voice yelled at me. Everyone, especially me, stared at the new person who had suddenly and randomly appeared. I blinked in disbelief. Tsumugi, in one swift motion, had been completely replaced by someone else. It was another girl who had blonde hair and green eyes and wore a fancy grey and turquoise/aquamarine dress. She looked like an idol, or a model, and she was pointing at me in a very similar pose to what I was doing with a defiant look. Something about this person...was familiar. Scarily familiar.

"What...is this…?" Shuichi asked.

"W-Who is this?" Kaede exclaimed. The newcomer, with one quick twirl, switched back into Tsumugi, who now looked a lot more calm and collected.

"Oh right. None of you would know who she is." Tsumugi sighed. "Even Rin, who was one of her best friends, can't remember who she is."

"One of her best friends?" I repeated. Tsumugi then switched with the other familiar looking girl, who clasped her hands together and smiled at us.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Asuka Wade. I'm the Ultimate Singer. It's nice to meet you all!"

"Ultimate Singer?" Rantaro questioned.

"..." I froze when I heard her name. Asuka Wada. My body began to tremble. It was a mixture of confusion, fear, and anger. "...What do you think you're doing?" I asked with a calm anger.

"Hmm? I'm just introducing myself to your new friends." The person called 'Asuka' answered.

"No! What are you doing! Tsumugi!" I screamed. Tsumugi then reappeared with a smile.

"What am I doing? I'm just cosplaying."

"C-Cosplaying!?" I exclaimed. Tsumugi then began to twirl around again, switching into a new person. This one had short pink hair, blue eyes, and wore patched up clothes, along with wearing a belt that was holding sewing equipment.

"Yeah! This is just cosplay!" The girl said. She then snapped, which caused the large monitors in the trial grounds to lower and turn on, revealing an image of the new person and their name and talent. Ayaka Ayanokouji, the Ultimate Tailor. 'Ayaka' then switched to another person. This one was a boy in a military uniform. Osamu Date, Ultimate Historian.

"But it's not just any cosplay. This is a perfect replication of the characters." 'Osamu' said. He then switched to a dark skin boy who was wearing a track uniform. Kenta Kasura, Ultimate Athlete."Check this out! The voice is even exactly the same!" 'Kenta' said. Kenta then switched back into Tsumugi, who now had crazy sharp blue eyes that seemed to glow. "This is the true talent of the Ultimate Cosplayer." She said happily as a little drool rolled down her mouth. She then struck a proud pose and gave a wide smile to us. "I can perfectly reproduce a number of characters, and actually become them!"

"A...number of characters?" Kaito asked.

"Who...are these people that she's cosplaying as?" Ryoma asked.

"I've never heard of any of them, even though they're apparently Ultimates." Shuichi said, sweat dripping from his face.

"Wait! How can she cosplay as those Ultimates?" Kaede asked. "She said so earlier. That Asuka girl is one of Rin's friends, right? But Tsumugi gets cospox whenever she cosplays as real people!"

"Ah, you remember! Yes, that's exactly right." Tsumugi said before switching into a short red haired girl who was wearing shutter shades and a tie dye shirt. Nobu Hosaka, Ultimate Trust Builder. "If that's the case...what does this mean?" 'Nobu' asked.

"...What?" I managed to ask in all my shock.

"If what I said was the truth, then what does that mean for me and all of Rin's friends?" I looked at 'Nobu' for a bit, about to demand that she explain, but then it hit me. My mouth gaped as my eyes widened in absolute dread and horror. No… That's not… THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE! I opened my mouth to scream out a demand, an explanation, however, 'Nobu' never let me finish. "Oh, well nevermind that! That's not important right now! That's something for you and Rin to figure out later!"

'Nobu' switched to another person, a large man wearing a doctor's outfit. Daisuke Omura, Ultimate Surgeon. "For now, we should focus on Kirumi Tojo's murder." 'Daisuke' said. "Tsumugi by herself cannot properly defend herself, so it is up to us characters to help her through cosplay." 'Daisuke' then switched to a boy who wore a trench coat and scarf. Takumi Mistugi, Ultimate Psychologist. "You all don't have a proper case against Tsumugi. You're all basing your accusations on assumptions, not evidence."

'Takumi' switched to a boy who wore a formal outfit casually, wearing a white button up shirt that was only half tucked in and a loose tie. Kenji Amachi, Ultimate Logical Thinker. "You claim Rin's theories and statements are all logical, but he's just spewing out lies to blame Tsumugi. There's no need to believe him." 'Kenji' then switched to a blonde girl who was wearing mechanical contraptions on her left arm. Yuna Tamura, Ultimate Inventor. "After all, Rin is a murderer. He killed me. Why should you believe him?"

"What!?" I screamed.

"Murderer!?" Kaede exclaimed.

"Yeah. I remember it like it was yesterday." 'Yuna' said with a smile. "He gutted me like a fish and sacrificed everyone else to escape and survive!"

"Killed and sacrificed everyone to escape and survive?" Maki repeated.

"That makes it sound like-."

"NO!" I screamed, interrupting Kokichi. "You're lying! I know you are! I would never kill anyone! All these people, what you said before about cospox, it's all a lie!" I could feel my face getting red with fury as I screamed.

"Is it a lie? Do you really believe that?" 'Yuna' asked after switching into a different person. I say someone different, but this person made me worry even more. "Oh right. It must be really weird to see yourself like this." 'Rin' said to me. What the fuck!? This Rin wasn't wearing what I was wearing. He was wearing that formal outfit that was in my closet, though he was wearing the coat over his shoulders without putting his arms through the sleeves. "But it's all true. I mean, you're getting so angry because you're starting to remember right?"

"NO!" I yelled, grabbing my hair with my hand as I did. "It's all lies! You're just trying to distract me from the case!" 'Rin' switched into 'Asuka' again and smiled at me.

"Oh please. Why do you think the time limit motive made you panic so much? Doesn't this explain that reaction?" 'Asuka' switched to a dark skin girl who wore a black and white checkered dress and chess piece glass earrings. Naomi Chisaka, Ultimate Chess Player. "You killed one of your friends, let the others die for your survival, and then let it happen all over again. Again and again and again. You're truly a horrible person, aren't you?"

'Naomi' then switched to a nervous looking girl with purple hair and a starry-like dress. Sora Kiyomizu, Ultimate Natural Beauty. "H-H-How c-could you d-do that to us? I-I th-thought we were f-f-f-friends…" At that moment, something snapped in me. How dare she use her face and voice like that. But before I could get angry, my head began to drown all my senses with immense pain. My head felt like it was being crushed. Different parts of my entire body began to ache like old wounds. It was like I was being shot or being stabbed or both. Then I realized what was happening. I was remembering. Not all of it, but within this single moment, I was instantly recalling the worst memories I had seemingly forgotten. Pain, suffering, crying, loss, death, mistakes, regrets. So many regrets. I clutched my head.

"Stop it…" I pleaded to myself. "I don't… I don't want to remember this… it's not true… It can't be…!" My mind didn't listen to my pleas as I was forced to remember all of the terrors and deaths I've seen. It happened all at once. I didn't even get the chance to understand it all or brace for how horrible it was. It didn't care if it made sense to me, or if I retained the information the memories held. I screamed. It's just as I thought. I'm responsible for so much despair, pain, and death. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"


Shuichi and the others watched in horror as their friend, Rin, screamed in agony and fell to his knees. Rin began to clutch his head, tears now overflowing from his eyes, and began to mutter to himself desperately. "Stop it...stop it...it's a lie. It's all lies. I didn't kill anyone." He muttered. "I didn't do it. I didn't do it. Why is no one believing me? I didn't-!"

"Rin!" Kaito immediately crouched down next to Rin and started to make sure he was ok. "Calm down! Nothing's wrong! You didn't kill anyone!" Rin didn't seem to hear him, as he continued to mutter and cry as he clutched his head in pain.

"Tsumugi!" Kaede shouted at the person who Tsumugi was cosplaying as. "Why? Why did you do that!?"

"I didn't do anything." 'Sora' had switched to another girl, one who was wearing a blue dress and a large white ribbon. Makoto Haruta, Ultimate Fairytale Writer. "I just said what was true." 'Makoto' then switched to another girl who wore a black dress and a pink scarf with letters on it. Yasu Hirakawa, Ultimate Translator. "...If he cannot accept what has happened, then that is his own fault."

"That's hardly fair." Ryoma said. "He doesn't have any memories. Being suddenly told he killed his friends and let them die without knowing the reason or getting an explanation and not even knowing if that's true or not, of course he would break down, especially in a place like this."

"You should apologize to Atua. He does not like hurtful lies told to confuse potential devotees." Angie said with a scary expression. "If you repent, then perhaps Atua will lessen the punishment."

"How boring…" Kokichi said with an unamused look. It was hard to tell, but it looked like he was upset. "Is this your strategy? Spouting lies or truths or whatever that is to cause Rin to go into a panic attack?"

"Wait. That's why you said all of that?" Shuichi asked. "You did it just so Rin wouldn't be able to accuse you and question you?"

"...That hardly matters now." 'Yasu' then swapped with a short boy that looked like a punk and wore a cap sideways. Ryuunosuke Hiroshima, Ultimate Parkourist. "How 'bout we talk about the damn murder!? You all think Tsumugi did it, right!? Well now that us characters are on the scene, we'll definitely prove you all wrong!"

"You're the fuckin' one who's been stalling shit!" Miu yelled. 'Ryuunosuke' then changed into a tall boy who was wearing a white suit and top hat. Yuuki Michizoe, Ultimate Magician.

"No matter. The truth will come to light soon. With our power, you'll all see the truth of this case! It will be like magic!"

"Nyeeeh… that's my line…" Himiko groaned. 'Yuuki' then changed into a girl who was wearing a denim jacket and jeans. Masuyo Otaka, Ultimate Entrepreneur.

"You all think that Tsumugi Shirogane is the culprit and mastermind; However, it's completely impossible for that to be true!" 'Masuyo' then changed back into 'Nobu' again. "You all really should trust Tsumugi more! She's not lying! I mean, Kirumi died in the library, and Tsumugi went to the bathroom. It is impossible for someone like Tsumugi to have committed this crime. Not to mention how you haven't even suspected people who definitely could have committed this crime." 'Nobu' then changed into 'Kenji' "If you cannot clear the other suspects of suspicion, then you shouldn't accuse Tsumugi of being the culprit. Innocent until proven guilty, right?"

"There are others here who could be suspects?" Tenko asked. 'Kenji' changed into 'Asuka' and pointed to Keebo with a determined glare.

"Keebo's obviously suspicious!" 'Asuka' declared.

"Me!?" Keebo asked, putting up his hands in a defensive motion.

"You say that you were keeping watch over the dorms like Rin asked you, but you actually went to the library to kill." 'Asuka' then went back to being 'Yasu'. "...I've seen a lot of rogue robots on my travels, so I should have expected that you would have attacked a human for self preservation."

"That's robophobic!" Keebo shouted. "I would never hurt anyone whether I was a robot or not! And I was keeping watch at the dorms. Rin asked me to do that, and I trusted him." 'Yasu' then turned into 'Yuuki' once more.

"But that's a lie, right? I didn't know robots could do that. What's next? A robot with a sense of humor?" 'Yuuki' asked playfully.

"I make for a great one-man comedy act, thank you very much!" Keebo argued. 'Yuuki' then swapped to 'Daisuke' before putting a finger on his chin.

"Either way, you're highly suspicious. Way more than Tsumugi." 'Daisuke' reiterated. Shuichi looked at 'Daisuke', or more accurately, Tsumugi cosplaying as all these people with a doubtful look.

"...Fine then." He said.

"Huh? What was that punk?" 'Daisuke' turned into 'Ryuunosuke' before he turned to Shuchi, cracking his knuckles as he did. "Speak up or I'll beat it out of ya!"

"I'll prove to you that you're the only one who could have done this." Shuichi said as he pulled his hat up a bit and glared at 'Ryu'. "This strategy of yours isn't going to work. Rin might not be able to accuse you anymore, but I'll be the one to condemn you for your crime!" 'Ryu' chuckled before switching to 'Kenta'.

"Then by all means, try. I love a good challenge after all. This will be fun!" Shuichi took a deep breath. He has to make sure everyone understands who the real culprit is. He's the only one who can properly do it now. 'Kenta' swapped back to 'Asuka' and began to argue. "You all are accusing Tsumugi as the culprit, but Keebo is way more suspicious." 'Asuka' then swapped into 'Masuyo'. "Keebo could have lied about his alibi and easily gone to the library to kill Kirumi Tojo."

"I did no such thing!" Keebo said defensively.

"Kee-boy didn't appear in any of the photos other than the one where we entered after the body discovery, right? Doesn't that clear him of suspicion?" Kokichi asked while giving a mischievous grin. 'Masuyo' changed into 'Nobu'.

"That's not a problem. Miu can explain why, I'm sure." 'Nobu' said.

"How does this involve Miu?" Kiyo asked. "We already established she was at the dining hall during the crime."

"But she hasn't mentioned an important detail about the cameras, though." 'Nobu' said before swapping back to 'Ayaka'. "She's hiding a very important detail about the hidden cameras she made!"

"I-I"m not hiding anything!" Miu stuttered. Shuichi thought for a moment and snapped his fingers.

"Wait. Are you talking about the 30 second intervals of the cameras?"

"Intervals?" Kaede asked, completely stunned. Miu then face palmed.

"Oh that! Knew I was forgetting something!" Miu said.

"Wait, what are you and Shuichi talking about?" Kaito asked.

"After the cameras take a photo, it takes 30 seconds before another photo can be taken." Miu explained. "That's 'cause I modified the cameras to reroll the film automatically!"

"You never told me about any intervals!" Kaede yelled angrily.

"Eeeeeek!" Miu shrieked fearfully. "B-But, I told your little beta boy toy about it…"

"Sh-Shuichi?" Kaede turned to Shuichi with a dumbfounded look.

"Ah...sorry. I must have forgotten to mention that detail."

"How could you forget something like that?" Kaede asked.

"I didn't think it would affect the plan. I-I didn't realize it would matter… I guess I just forgot to mention it… I'm really sorry…" Shuichi replied. 'Ayaka' switched to 'Takumi' and began to laugh evilly.

"Hehehe… 'I forgot'. That's so pitiful it makes me want to die." 'Takumi' cackled before swapping with 'Rin'. Shuichi shuttered looking at this fake while the real Rin was still having a panic attack. "So, now that we know that after each photo, anyone could have walked past a camera without getting their picture taken. That's plenty of time to get in, kill, and escape."

"That might also explain why Kirumi isn't on any of the cameras." Maki said.

"How do you even know about the intervals?" Shuichi asked. "Miu only told me about it when I went to get the cameras she made. We should have been the only ones who knew. So how do you know?" 'Rin' changed into 'Makoto'.

"Don't go assuming that it's because Tsumugi is the mastermind! She overheard it, that's all." 'Makoto' then swapped to 'Osamu'. "This opens up many possibilities! Shuichi, who knew about the intervals, could have taken advantage of them to kill Kirumi, or perhaps Keebo accidentally used the camera intervals to his advantage and killed Kirumi himself!"

"No. That's not possible." Shuichi said. 'Osamu' switched to 'Nobu'.

"Hmm? Why not? Are you saying I'm lying? How mean…" 'Nobu' pouted. She then changed into 'Kenji'. "Then tell me, why can't you or Keebo be the culprit? Your false logic should be interesting to hear before I show you the real truth of the case."

"Keebo and I have an alibi for the crime." Shuichi said.

"What?" 'Kenji' gaped.

"While the crime was occuring, Keebo was in the dorms, talking to Kokichi."

"Shumai is right! Kee-boy here was acting weird, just standing outside his room, so I decided to mess with him."

"I still do not appreciate your sense of humor." Keebo sighed.

"As for me, I was in the warehouse." Shuichi said. "Rin saw me go there, and since he was checking the dining hall, which is close to the warehouse entrance, he would have noticed me if I tried to sneak past him to go to the library."

"Then perhaps Rin himself is the culprit." 'Kenji', who had changed into 'Takumi', suggested. "He had the time and opportunity, right? He also took the knife that was the murder weapon." 'Takumi' changed into 'Yuna' and pointed at Rin. "He's a cold blooded killer, so I wouldn't doubt that he would do something like that!"

"Stop calling him that!" Kaede yelled.

"But it's the truth!" 'Yuna' cried out.

"What a pain… I feel bad for Rin." Himiko said while pulling down her hat, trying to hide her annoyed expression.

"Even if Rin is a degenerate male, he doesn't seem like the type of degenerate to hurt his friends!" Tenko defended Rin.

"The fact that Rin was trying to prevent a murder shows his true character." Rantaro said while giving 'Yuna' a dark look. "I'm still alive thanks to him. I mean, I was the original target the mastermind wanted dead, right? You must be upset about that." 'Yuna' swapped to 'Sora' and started to cry and hide her face in terror.

"I-I-I-It's n-not like that!" She cried. "T-T-Tsumugi is not the c-culprit. No one as plain and boring as Tsumugi could do that…" 'Sora' then changed into 'Masuyo'. "She's not a criminal! If it's a killer you're looking for, there's Ryoma and Rin, and I'm sure there are other despicable mongrels here!"

"Don't go changin' the subject, you cosplaying freak!" Miu yelled. 'Masuyo' changed to 'Naomi' and sighed.

"Fine… but Rin is still suspicious. I mean, he had the murder weapon, didn't he?"

"He wasn't the only one to have a knife!" Kaito spoke up angrily. "There was another knife missing! Rin said it was the same size and shape of the knife that he took!"

"...Then where's the second knife then?" 'Naomi' who had changed to 'Yasu' asked.

"The real culprit probably disposed of the second knife. To frame Rin." Shuichi replied.

"...You can't prove that, can you?" 'Yasu' asked. She then changed to 'Kenta'. "What a joke of a detective. No wonder you're not confident in yourself. Making baseless assumptions isn't very becoming of you." 'Kenta' then changed back into 'Asuka'. "Do you have any proof that the culprit disposed of a possible second knife at the scene?" Shuichi thought for a moment before coming up with an idea.

"I can't prove for certain that the culprit did dispose of the second knife, but I can prove they were planning to do that with something else."

"What?"

"The second knife wasn't the only thing that was missing. I remember Kaito saying how Rin said that there were two shot put balls missing. Rin believed that the mastermind was going to attempt to kill whoever was caught in Kaede's trap if the trap failed. With that in mind, that means the mastermind grabbed another shot put ball and was planning to use that to kill. That would make it look like Kaede's trap was a success, and all the culprit would have to do is switch the shot put balls. They probably did the same thing with the knives."

"That's just a theory." 'Asuka' changed into 'Sora' again. "Y-You can't actually prove that!"

"But that would explain the missing knife and shot put ball. If I had to guess, they're in the hidden room that only the mastermind can enter. That would make it impossible for us to discover them!" Shuichi said.

"R-Rin is still a suspect!" 'Sora' changed into 'Ryuunosuke'. "He could have lured Kirumi to the library and killed her there still!"

"That's not possible." Shuichi said with no hesitation. "He has witnesses. He was seen by Kiyo and Miu when he went to check on them. You said it yourself that he also entered the girl's bathroom to check up on you. Kaede, Rantaro, and I saw him right after that before we all went to the library together. He had no chance to go to the library."

"You let your guard down!" 'Ryuunosuke' changed into 'Kenta' and shouted. "You're right! Rin was in the bathroom at that time. In fact, he saw Tsumugi in the bathroom himself! There's no way she could have gone to the library to kill Kirumi!"

"We already told you that the possibility of other hidden passageways exists." Shuichi said. "You could have used them to quickly go to the library, kill, and then quickly come back. That other passageway must be in the girl's bathroom!"

"You don't have any proof of that!" 'Kenta' said loudly.

"I do." Everyone turned to see Rin was the one who responded. He was shaking a bit as he stood. He was extremely pale, covered in a cold sweat, and his eyes looked empty, almost dead now, and extremely tired. Despite this, he still looked at Tsumugi with this tired, but furious look. "I was searching for that possible second entrance, but I didn't find it. However, I found a clue that hints towards its existence in the girl's bathroom."

"Th-That's not possible!" Tsumugi, now back to herself, shouted.

"It is. Kaito was there with me. He actually pointed it out for me." Rin continued in his soft, almost emotionless voice.

"Are you talking about that bleach smell?" Kaito asked.

"Bleach?" Shuichi asked.

"When we were investigating the girl's bathroom, there was a very strong smell of bleach and cleaning products. We found a supply closet in the bathroom that had those chemicals and supplies. The smell was also stronger there." Rin explained.

"Th-That doesn't mean anything!" Tsumugi cried out.

"No. It suggests something that changes the entirety of this case." Rin said. Shuichi thought for a moment before his eyes widened with realization.

"We've been thinking about this case all wrong!" He exclaimed. "We've been saying Kirumi died in the library, but it's possible that she was killed in the girl's bathroom!"

"In the bathroom!?" Tenko cried out.

"Then the smell of bleach was from the culprit cleaning up the blood that would have been there." Maki said.

"But why would Kirumi go to the restroom at that time? Wasn't she watching everyone in the dining hall for Rin?" Angie asked.

"It's probably because Tsumugi left to go to the bathroom." Rin said. "She most likely wanted to make sure Tsumugi had an alibi in case something happened, or perhaps when she left, she began to suspect Tsumugi since I told her to make sure no one left. Either way, she probably followed after her."

"If Tsumugi is the mastermind and went through another hidden passageway to get to the hidden room in the library, that means when Kirumi entered the bathroom, no one would have been there." Shuichi explained.

"That means she would have realized Tsumugi was the mastermind!" Kaede yelped.

"Then reason Kirumi killed even after time limit…" Gonta began to say.

"It was to hide the fact that Tsumugi was the mastermind." Maki finished, glaring at Tsumugi.

"W-Wait! That's not possible!" Tsumugi said. "Kirumi was sitting in a pool of her own blood! There was no sign that she was moved! It's impossible for her to die elsewhere!"

"That's also not true." Rin said. "It's possible that you were able to move her body without leaving any evidence that it had been moved."

"You're talking about the stab wounds, right?" Shuichi asked.

"Yes. I asked Maki about them, and what she said confirmed my theory." Rin began to explain. "If you look closely, there's one wound that's larger and deeper than the others. This one is also a wound that would cause instant death. I believe Tsumugi stabbed Kirumi here when they were in the bathroom, killing Kirumi instantly. She then dragged Kirumi's body through the hidden passageway in the bathroom to get to the library. There is also a high chance that there are things like extra outfits in that room, since the mastermind was planning to kill if necessary, so she could have used those extra outfits in there to suppress Kirumi's bleeding wound and change into a clean outfit after moving the body. Once she set up the body in the library, she stabbed Kirumi even more to create new bleeding wounds to create a pool of blood, making us think that she was killed in the library."

"Th-That's…" Tsumugi trailed off.

"What's wrong? Your costume changes are less frequent now." Kokichi asked.

"Y-You're wrong! I-I'm not the culprit! Rin's just setting me up!" Tsumugi said desperately.

"...Fine. If you won't admit it, then I'll make it so that you have no choice but to admit it!" Shuichi said determinedly. "I'll go over everything and prove to you that this is the only way this could have happened!" Shuichi then took a deep breath, and then he began to speak.

Climax Recreation

ACT 1

"The case began after the time limit motive was added. The fear of us all dying caused everyone to panic. People began to split up into different groups and make plans to try and deal with the situation. The mastermind knew this, and was looking forward to seeing how the motive would convince one of us to kill. Then the mastermind found out about Kaede's plan. They knew she was planning to kill someone, and how that someone was most likely going to be Rantaro, who also knew about the hidden door. However, the mastermind didn't want to chance Kaede's plan failing. If it failed, that would mean that no one would die and that the time limit would end, revealing that it was all a bluff. The mastermind wanted to avoid that at all cost, so they took a shot put ball, one just like the one Kaede was going to use, and waited for the right time."

ACT 2

"Soon, the day the time limit was going to end came, and Kaede's plan was set in motion. During this time, the mastermind was in the dining hall with 3 other people, Kiyo, Miu, and the victim, Kirumi. The mastermind knew that they had to make sure that Kaede's plan had to work, so they excused themselves to go to the bathroom. There, they used a hidden passageway to make their way to the hidden room in the library and waited to see what would happen with Kaede's plan. They were doing this by most likely using the hidden cameras that Rin believed existed. While watching everything unfold, the mastermind must have been surprised to see not Rantaro, but Rin enter the library. The mastermind knew Rin was planning something, but Rin coming to the library would still be fine if he got caught in the trap. Unfortunately for the mastermind, Rin had come up with a trap that they were stuck in."

ACT 3

"Rin had made sure that everyone was with someone else and had an alibi, making the mastermind the only person alone during this time. He also knew what the mastermind was planning to kill if Kaede's trap failed, which is why he brought a knife with him, so he could fight the mastermind. Rin willingly walked into Kaede's trap knowing this, all for the purpose of trapping the mastermind. Rin moved the bookcase, triggering the sensor that alerted me and Kaede. Once I ran out of the classroom, Kaede rolled her shot put ball down the vent. The shot rolled through the vent until it made its way to the library. There, it fell onto the pathway of stacked books Kaede made and rolled towards the end of the bookcase. Meanwhile, Rin had been lured to the hidden camera Kaede set up because of the camera flash. Now in the pathway of the weapon, the shot rolled off the bookcase and fell towards Rin's head. Fortunately, Rin saw it coming and moved out of the way. The trap was also flawed, as the path was not aligned perfectly to the hidden camera. With these two things, Kaede's trap failed."

ACT 4

"Rin knew the mastermind was going to strike at any moment, so he got out his knife and prepared himself, but the mastermind never came. The mastermind knew he had a knife, which is why they also brought a knife with them, just in case, but they didn't want to risk being discovered or dying themselves, so they made their way back to the girl's bathroom. They weren't expecting one thing. Kirumi was in the bathroom when the mastermind returned. Kirumi was asked to keep an eye on everyone in the dining hall, so she most likely followed the mastermind to the bathroom, unknowingly uncovering their true identity. Left with no other choice, the mastermind took out their knife and stabbed Kirumi in the heart, killing her instantly. The mastermind then dragged Kirumi's body to the hidden room in the library, using some of their extra outfits as a way to suppress the bleeding. In the library, me, Rin, and the others had just rushed out of the library, since Monokuma hinted at someone being dead. After we left, the mastermind opened the hidden door and dragged Kirumi into the library."

ACT 5

"After leaning her against one of the bookcases, the mastermind stabbed Kirumi multiple times, causing blood to pool, making it seem as if she had been killed in the library. The mastermind then re-entered the hidden door, the bookcase closing behind them. They quickly changed their outfit and made their way back to the girl's bathroom. Once there, they quickly cleaned the blood in the bathroom using the cleaning supplies that were in the supply closet. They made it just in time, because after they finished, Rin rushed into the bathroom to make sure they were ok. After seeing the mastermind, who at this point was only seen as a friend, Rin met back up with us and we ran back to the library. Once we entered, we found Kirumi's body. We probably wouldn't have figured out who the culprit, the mastermind, was if it weren't for Rin's plan."

Shuichi then pulled his hat up a bit as he turned to Tsumugi and pointed defiantly with a righteous fury. "The mastermind, the one who forced us into this game and wanted us to kill each other, and the one who killed Kirumi… it's you isn't it. Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Cosplayer! You're the mastermind of this killing game!" Shuichi summarized as he pointed to Tsumugi.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself after all of that?" Rin asked. Tsumugi looked stunned. She wore an expressionless look as she took it all in. She then closed her eyes and adjusted her glasses. Once she did, she opened her eyes and gave Rin an evil, hate-filled glare.

"This is all your fault, you goddamn amnesiac…"