Tsumugi held a finger up to the robot, adjusting her glasses.
"I don't need to change your mind. All I need is for a majority to be on my side. We're all in this together; so it shouldn't be up to just one person."
"Very well. I presume the same goes for my argument, too?"
"Yes."
The robot nodded, calming down. The gun on his right arm recessed and reverted itself, showing his hand, "I've already made my point. There's no better time to break in."
No one knows what's behind that door better than I do. So all I have to do is make them think they'll get punished for entering...
"On the contrary, " Tsumugi took a deep breath, and released it, "If we break in, then the Mastermind will have access to everything in their hideout. Which means that everyone could get instantly punished for breaking a rule. That the students can't enter blocked off areas."
Keebo threw his hands up in the air almost immediately, "Have you not been listening? Monokuma is inactive. He's been inactive this entire day. We will not get punished for breaking down that door."
"You don't know that for sure. Maybe he's just hiding from us. If no one saw him today, then it's likely that he's behind that door. He could just be waiting for us to mess up..."
"I highly doubt that. Knowing Monokuma, and taking into account his behavior yesterday, I would have expected a new motive by now. However, one has not shown up. Thus, he is most likely disabled."
Tsumugi took another breath and stood her ground. Keebo was right, but she wouldn't let this stop her. There's a lot more where that came from...
"Even so, what if there's a control panel in there? The Mastermind could run up to the control panel and reactivate Monokuma, thus allowing the bear to kill everyone. It's a risk I'm not willing to take."
"But-"
Just as the robot was about to respond, Kokichi slinked out of his group and stood next to him, his wry smile matching his tone.
"But that's just speculation, isn't it?"
"Well... It's just speculation that we won't get punished, too."
Keebo countered, not waiting for Kokichi to respond, "It's not speculation, it's a logical conclusion based on facts. If that's your only argument, then I'm afraid it's not a very good one"
Despite his words, a few students shuffled in place, intently watching Tsumugi. It'd seem like she had a few followers... Although the robot was right, she wasn't done yet.
"Well, there's also the fact that if we blow open the hideout, the Mastermind will have an easier time getting into their hideout. They don't have to sneak around in order to enter."
Gonta nodded, "Oh! Gonta understands..."
However, Miu scowled, "No shit, sherlock! Of course the Mastermind will have an easier time if there's a freakin' hole in the wall! What does that even mean?"
"Currently, the Mastermind has to make use of the secret passage in order to get inside. They have to be careful not to be spotted by the others. If we decide to break open the wall, then they won't need to go through those motions. They'll just enter like the rest of us, without any suspicion at all."
Shuichi contemplated the girl's argument, "We'd lose evidence that could help us figure out the Mastermind..."
Keebo responded quickly, a hint of aggression in his voice, throwing fingers at the two of them, "Shuichi, might I remind you that Rantaro surely knows who the Mastermind is. If we break in, we can ask him. All other evidence won't matter. And for you, Tsumugi, your argument is solely based on the fact that the Mastermind currently has a difficult time entering their hideout. Is that even logical?"
Not entirely, she thought, But for this argument, yes. Yes it is. It has to be...
"Yes. What if everyone was watching them too intently that they couldn't slip away? Keep in mind that we searched in groups today for a reason - so the Mastermind couldn't get away unnoticed."
Kaede agreed, "That's true..."
Tsumugi smiled at that. One by one, she'd convince all of them...
Yet, a devilish grin appeared on Kokichi's face. Tsumugi was starting to get tired of him...
"But not at night. Someone could've easily snuck out. We all slept in our own dorms."
Keebo concurred, "In retrospect, that wasn't such a great decision."
"I know! We totally should've had sleepovers! I was gonna sleep with Shuichi!"
"Guh-"
Shuichi hid himself in his hat, his face turning a deep shade of red. Kaede, noticing this, decided to change the subject.
"So the Mastermind could've visited their hideout at night?"
I did visit my hideout at night. But I need to come up with a reason why I couldn't have done so...
A reason the Mastermind couldn't have left their dorm room... A reason they couldn't go outside...
Keebo insisted, "Yes! That's what I'm saying. This entire timeline fits perfectly into place if the Mastermind did-"
That's it.
The idea flashed into Tsumugi's head like a bolt of lightning, her eyes widening. She held her breath for a few seconds as she processed it.
They couldn't go outside if there was a witness.
"No, that's wrong!"
Tsumugi yelled at the robot, countering his statement with a pointed finger. Everyone practically jumped, being caught off guard.
"The Mastermind couldn't have visited their hideout at night! Because if they did, then Kaito would've seen them. He was training at night, right outside the dormitory."
She turned towards the spaceman, who slowly nodded in agreement, giving her a thumbs-up in approval.
"That's right! I was doing my nightly training routine, fifty situps and fifty pushups! Tsumugi joined me, and we trained together. There was no way anyone could've left from the Dorms."
Kaito looked at Maki, shaking his head, "Maki Roll, you should've joined us, too! It was fun!"
The girl rolled her eyes in response, "Ugh..."
Tsumugi chuckled a bit. She forgot the last time she had this much fun.
This feeling, the thrill and tension of pushing yourself to uncover a solution... I've never felt so alive in my life... I'm finally able to release my restraints, and truly play Danganronpa to its fullest. After all, this is the reason I continued the series...
Am I finally like you, Makoto Naegi?
"Even then...", Keebo continued, "You two weren't there all night, were you?"
Kaito shrunk back a bit, but did answer, "You know what, you're right... I had to sleep, so we both went inside after an hour or so..."
Another voice, Korekiyo's, joined the fray, "So the Mastermind could've still accessed their hideout at night after you two finished, and they'd remain unnoticed."
Tsumugi smirked. She felt like her favorite attorney with all this bluffing.
"Yes - but then, they would've been awfully tired afterwards. Waking up in the middle of the night to visit their hideout... We'd obviously have noticed if anyone hadn't gotten a full night's sleep - we were searching in groups the entire day."
That seemed to have done it. The room fell silent, as everyone looked at each other and muttered. Keebo stood there, taken aback by her statement, eyes widening.
The robot gasped, "That... That can't be right! I fail to believe that! I know that the Mastermind entered their hideout at night!"
"Well, do you have proof?"
"Actually, yes I do. I have solid evidence that supports my claim."
"Well, let's hear it!"
"There are three things that changed between yesterday and today that are clear indicators that some switch was toggled inside that hideout. The first is that there was no morning announcement. The second is that we haven't seen Monokuma all day, and he has failed to give us another motive."
Tsumugi couldn't help herself, "We already discussed that the first two could simply be a trap. Monokuma could've just hidden himself and decided not to make an announcement in the morning."
Keebo glared at her, almost ignoring her response, "The third reason - is that my inner voice was turned off."
Everyone's eyes fell onto the robot, waiting for an explanation. Including Tsumugi's.
"There was a voice inside my head that told me things, important things. It gave me caution and skepticism. It was almost as if it knew the right thing to do. That voice gave me a strong feeling that Rantaro wasn't the Mastermind, and you all agreed with me - including you, Tsumugi. This happened last night; I already explained this.
"However, as I told Miu earlier, I can't hear that voice anymore. It's gone, it's almost like it was turned off. I have a strong feeling the Mastermind decided to do this, so I wouldn't turn against them. I know the voice is on our side, since it was turned off when I needed it the most."
All of what he said was true. She did turn audience participation off. But as far as evidence went, it was Keebo's word against hers. She just had to remind everyone of that fact, and provide the stronger argument. His evidence was purely subjective; to the others, he could just as easily be lying to them. All Tsumugi had to do was prove that something, anything in Keebo's testimony was illogical... And then she'd win this debate. But the question was, what...
Argh! I'm so close, I can almost taste it! Just this one, last counter... Time to logic dive!
Time almost slowed to a halt as Tsumugi closed her eyes, synchronizing with her body. Her breathing became slow and calculated; she could almost feel the oxygen flowing through her veins and into her brain, enhancing her comprehension. She began plunging into the depths of her mind for the one lie that'd stop Keebo's argument in its tracks...
Let's see... This voice that he's saying helps him... Why couldn't it have been disabled by the Mastermind?.. Keebo is saying that the Mastermind did this to protect themselves so they wouldn't be found out... The Mastermind went to their hideout at nighttime to do so... But I already proved that they couldn't have done that...
Keep it together, Tsumugi... The fact that Keebo is stating is that he has such an inner voice... So I have to prove that this voice doesn't, or shouldn't, exist... But why wouldn't it exist? Why wouldn't he have a voice that helps him survive the Killing Game, one that's so dangerous to the Mastermind that they would-
That's it.
"Allow me to cut through those words!"
Tsumugi grinned as she pointed towards Keebo, feeling as if a gust of wind was at her back, threatening to topple anyone in her path. The robot jumped, and although he did shy away for a second, it was moreso due to surprise.
"... What?"
Despite everyone's confusion, Tsumugi continued to explain herself, "Keebo, you're saying that this voice helps you, right?"
"Yes."
"And the Mastermind supposedly turned it off."
"Yes."
"Because it's too dangerous."
"That is correct. What are you getting at?"
"If what you're saying is true, and your inner voice really was dangerous to the Mastermind, then why would they let you hear it at all?"
Her statement echoed throughout the library, resounding past the tables, the books, and even the students. Tsumugi looked at them one by one - and it seemed they all had the same revelation. No one dared break the silence until Keebo responded.
The robot was at a loss for words. He was frozen in place, his fingers fidgeting quickly in the hopes that they'd spark some static current to spur an idea. But nothing came.
"Um..."
His eyes flickered left and right at the crowd, turning towards them. Almost expecting someone to back him up. Yet even Kokichi, who was agreeing with him, couldn't do more than show a sly smile. Desperation sounded from the robot, as he pointed at Tsumugi, breathing heavily.
"I know what I feel! I'm not lying about my inner voice, I assure you! Why won't you believe me? We need to break down that door!"
Kaede walked up to him, and placed a soft hand on his shoulder. Keebo turned towards the girl, still agitated.
"We know. Keebo, we believe you... but maybe that voice... isn't what you think it is. There's no reason to be rash. We should do more investigating."
As she said that, Kaede turned towards Shuichi, who gave her a stiff nod.
She then addressed the students, "So it's settled, then? We'll investigate more tomorrow?"
Tsumugi let out a breath she was unintentionally holding in as everyone looked at each other, seeming to agree with Kaede's assessment.
Did she... Did she do it? Did she win? If everyone went to sleep, then she'd be able to use the Blackout light on them tomorrow morning. And then she could take Rantaro and simply waltz out of the academy.
The girl let out a light smile. She was so happy that she'd let her old self go, that she didn't give in to Keebo. That argument was refreshing for her, honestly the most fun she's had in a long time... She had no regrets...
Or did she...
It seemed that one student wasn't acting like any of the rest. The little gremlin walked up to Tsumugi, a devilish grin on his face. He stopped a foot away from her, staring upwards, with swirling eyes of despair.
"Orrr... Maybe we have our Mastermind right here..."
Tsumugi's eyes widened. However, she wasn't scared anymore. She'd fight his accusation any way she could...
"Tsumugi's been acting really strange. She completely changed once Keebo said he wanted to break into the hideout, and she turned you all against him for her own reasons."
"Wh-what? Kokichi, I want to protect everyone. That's why I don't want anyone breaking a rule and getting killed. Isn't that a good enough reason?"
"Or, that could be a lie. And believe me, I know lies."
Trying to drown out Kokichi's sinister presence, Tsumugi looked at the others. They sided with her before; they're more likely to do it again...
"I'm not the Mastermind! Do you guys actually believe him?"
The students instantly exchanged nervous glances, everyone clearly distraught by the mention of the Mastermind. The suspicion falling on one of their own... They knew it was a possibility, but didn't want to consider it. Almost as if they wanted to live in a fiction in which there was no Mastermind...
Which Tsumugi would unwittingly give them. But she couldn't out herself now. She had to wait. Only a few more hours...
The first person to speak up was Himiko, her voice shaky and weak, "W-well, no, but..."
"Yeah, you tell'em, Himiko, the degenerate's bluffing! It's all they're good for..."
"But as much as I hate the little dickwad, he does have a point..."
The crowd expressed similar notions, their voices slowly picking up until they became constant. Tsumugi looked around, not knowing which conversation to join. But even if she did want to, Kokichi was standing directly in front of her, a smirk plastered on his face.
It wasn't long before someone's voice rose above the rest. It was that of Keebo.
"Well, we'd know who the Mastermind is, if you all would let me into the hideout. I too am suspicious of Tsumugi, but I will not come to a decision when the answer can be discovered easily."
Kokichi smiled, turning around and walking up to the robot, "That's the spirit! Just walk up to that door, and blast it down!"
However, that prompted an objection from Kaede, "Hey! We already agreed to not do that! Don't let Kokichi trick you."
Tsumugi joined in. They couldn't break down that door. She already won. Why wouldn't they just give up already...
"Yeah! We're all a team, and teams work together!"
Kokichi let out an obnoxious sigh, waltzing away from Keebo.
"Ugh, fine..."
The robot could only shrug, throwing his arms in the air.
"You're right. I guess I have no choice, then..."
Keebo looked calm, but strangely tense. If robots could even be tense... His arms hung at his sides rigidly, as if there was some unseeable evil existing among them. There was something in his voice as well, an unease that told Tsumugi that the situation wasn't fully resolved yet... She watched the robot like a hawk as he stood in place, his eyes darting side to side at the other students. It wasn't until Keebo slowly balled his right hand into a fist that Tsumugi knew what he was up to. Her heart instantly dropped as if she was on a mile-high roller coaster.
Keebo swiftly turned around, transforming into his battle gear, a gun mechanizing over his right arm. Jetpacks reformed from his back, and instantly, the robot became a destructive force. He aimed the gun at the door and began charging the beam.
"Keebo, no!"
Kaede threw a hand out to the robot, and immediately ran towards him, but Shuichi's arm jolted in front of her, halting her in her tracks. Kaede's hair fell over her shoulders as she grabbed the boy's arm.
Quick! Think! You need to stop him!
Tsumugi began breathing rapidly. What could she do... She was perhaps the weakest one here... But maybe...
"Gonta, stop him!"
The hulk was startled from Keebo's sudden transformation, even moreso that Tsumugi called out his name. After taking a second to process her request, Gonta stiffly nodded and shoved his way towards the robot. Standing behind him, Gonta wrapped his arms around Keebo in an attempt to lower the gun. However, Keebo struggled as best he could, giving Gonta a difficult time.
"G-Gonta! What a...re you doing?"
"Tsumugi says everyone on same team. Keebo need to listen to group."
Gonta gripped harder, and Keebo's arm began to lower. Tsumugi and the others watched in anticipation. Himiko, Kaede, Shuichi, Kokichi, and a few others decided to take a few steps back and hide behind the smaller, half-height bookcases. Keebo's gun was almost fully charged, however Gonta's strength was unmatchable. The man almost had the robot in a bear hug, with Keebo's gun pointing downwards near the foot of the door, and inching away by the second. Tsumugi held her breath - it seemed like they'd won.
Yet, if there's one thing she learned in these fifty Killing Games, it's that hope never loses so easily. Knowing there wasn't another chance, Keebo began yelling, tapping into power from an almost unseeable energy force. In one swift motion, he pulled his gun-arm upwards, aiming it at the door. The robot released the gun's charge, sending a blast of yellow-white energy hurtling towards the Mastermind door. Tsumugi's heart fell yet again... It seemed this roller-coaster of a game wasn't over yet...
Oh, no...
BOOOOOM
A deafening sound echoed around them as the blast collided with the door, instantly blowing it wide open. It practically melted the surrounding metal, shredding it like paper, plowing through the door and digging into the ground. The energy ball then exploded, sending steel bits and pieces flying everywhere. Books fell off the shelves, pelting the students, who were instinctively ducking for cover.
Tsumugi stood her ground as the force of the shockwave threatened to knock her over, throwing a hand in front of her face to guard her eyes from excess debris. Thankfully, Gonta's massive body shielded her from the worst of the blast. The others weren't that lucky, toppling to the ground as if they were whisked away by a strong ocean current. Afterwards, she peered through her fingers and saw Gonta fall backwards like a statue, with a thump quieter than expected. Tsumugi barely came out with a scratch, but she could only imagine what happened to him...
Her ears rang in the relative silence that ensued. Smoke billowed from the door due to the explosion, rising up and filling the room with soot. Everyone began coughing, including Tsumugi, as they naturally inhaled it. Even with glasses, she had to turn away and squint. She waved her left arm in front of her face in a vain attempt to clear some of the smoke, but Keebo had a better idea.
The robot was almost untouched from the explosion, considering he was built to destroy things. The soot that covered his body had no effect on him. Using his jetpack and wings, he spun around rapidly, whirring like a fan. His motions ventilated the area, circulating the smoke and cleaning the air enough for the students to breathe normally. Tsumugi's coughing eventually subsided, but her good condition was an outlier.
Covered in books, the students who were exposed to the blast continued hacking. One by one, they slowly shoved the books aside and stood up, grasping the wall for leverage. Miu was the first to rise, throwing a finger at Keebo, still coughing up a storm.
"Keebo- cough -what the fu- cough -ck? My throat bur- cough -ns like hell!"
Kaito joined in, and the others expressed a similar sentiment.
"Cough cough -Keebo, why did- cough -you do that?"
From behind the smaller bookcase, Kaede stood up. Her condition was like Tsumugi's; the half-height bookcase protected her and a few others from the explosion. Keebo turned to face her just as she began yelling.
"Cough- Keebo! That was dangerous! You could have killed us! If you were going to disobey what we decided on, at least give us time to take cover! Just look at what you did to poor Gonta..."
She rushed to the man's side, who was covered in soot. His glasses were fogged and off-center, and he was breathing slowly, heavily. Gonta lethargically rolled to his side and pushed himself up to a sitting position on wobbling arms.
"Gonta... cough is fine... cough... Gonta strong..."
Kaede glared at Keebo, who shouted back at the girl, "If I did that, I would've been stopped! It was the only way!"
The robot then glanced at each of them quickly, gauging their reactions. He held his palms out in a standoffish manner.
"You guys just have to trust me on this, ok?"
Tsumugi took a deep breath, still a bit shaken up by the explosion. It looked like they would investigate the Mastermind's hideout, anyways... Even though she just won an argument to prevent them from doing that... No matter what she did, it seemed that everything was going wrong... Even if it was unintentional, there was always someone, just waiting there to ruin her plan...
But she made a choice. The choice that she'd fight till the very end. She wouldn't back down from this next challenge, and she'd continue to face them until she was victorious. Tsumugi stood tall and grinned as she stared directly at Keebo, her sapphire eyes a cold fire. She may have lost this battle, but she'd have the upper hand from now on.
Because she was no longer alone. He was closer than ever before.
With the smoke finally clearing, the robot turned away from Tsumugi and focused his attention on the newly formed hideout entrance, not even bothering to take notice of the students' conditions. He looked over his shoulder and spoke, almost as if directed towards the girl.
"Let's end this Killing Game, right now."
Keebo took his first steps forward, his metal feet clanging in the silence. He put his hand against the bookcase and peered inside the room. And immediately, one thing stood out.
Sitting on the couch in the center of the room was Rantaro Amami, grinning awkwardly back at everyone. He raised a hand and waved.
"Hey..."