Utter silence.
This was the only response Tsumugi could give after all that had transpired.
"Say something." I demanded.
I waited for a response from her but she didn't say a thing.
"Say anything." I demanded once again.
Still no reply.
After a few moments of dead silence, Monokuma decided to take charge. "It seems our dearly accused is a bit tongue tied. In that case, let's take it away, my adorable children!"
"Oh, we're doing this for reals?" Monotaro questioned. "Well then, looks like the-"
"Looks like the debate's finished, so that means it's Voting Time!" Monophanie finished for the red bear.
"Alright, you bastards! Press the button in front of you to cast your vote!" Monosuke continued.
Monokid raised his guitar in excitement. "And make sure y'all vote, cause refusin' to vote is grounds for termination!"
"AT-LAST." Monodam spoke. "THE-HEART-RACING-EXCITEMENT-AS-THE-BLACKENED-AND-THE-SPOTLESS-FINALLY-FACE-OFF."
All the robotic bears raised their paws in excitement. "It's... VOTING TI-"
"HENSHIN!"
Zetsubo no joo!
Suddenly, with that shout, Tsumugi was engulfed in light blinding almost all of us but I knew what was happening. Tsumugi had fully remembered her true self and has activated her Battle Gem.
When the light faded, the cosplayer now had strawberry blonde hair tied in pigtails dressed in a black cardigan, a black-and-white tie, a red miniskirt, and mid-sized black boots with platform heels and red laces. Her signature weapon, a broadsword was attached to her back.
"Hey, are you sure about this?" She spoke.
"Oh?" Monokuma's attention was grabbed.
"Wh-Who the hell is this?!" Kaito asked.
"A-And what happened to Tsumugi?" Kaede questioned further.
"That... is Tsumugi's Xenoblade Transformation." I said simply.
"Xenoblade Transformation?" Kirumi repeated.
"The Battle Gems' primary power." I explained. "It changes the user's appearance and their abilities reach their full potential."
The others seemed to understand where I was coming from what they know about the Battle Gems.
"Well?" Tsumugi spoke again. "Are you able to handle what will come afterwards, if they vote for me?"
The black-and-white bear returned the gaze at her now light blue eyes. There was a brief moment of silence between the two before he finally responded.
"Let me ask you something." Monokuma began. "Do you know what makes a killing game great?"
Though the bear presented a question, he didn't give any time for there to be a response as he continued. "It's not just about the murders, the trials, or even the punishments. I could care less about the blood... the depravity... all of that is merely par for the course. Do you want to know what truly makes a Killing Game great; the thing that really tickles my fur when watching one? It's the anticipation of the unknown."
"The unknown?" The now strawberry blonde-haired girl questioned.
"Sometimes, things don't always go according to plan, as you of all people should know." Monokuma explained. "And in this delicate situation, it could very well spell the difference between life or death. That goes for the participants, but the same goes for me as well. And in this moment, every single person standing in this room is anxiously waiting for what comes next, because once I give the word to start the vote, we'll all receive a one-way ticket into the unknown."
I listened intently at Monokuma's little monologue. Not just me, but the rest of us didn't have it in them to interrupt him either. They had every right to ask questions, to make any sort of remark, but no. We all stood there listening to the twisted bear's words, trying to understand their meaning.
"Does my reasoning satisfy you?" Monokuma asked Tsumugi. "I am fully capable of handling this killing game, if that's what you're worried about."
The pig-tailed girl took in Monokuma's words and gave herself a moment to think.
"...Of course that's what I'm worried about…" She spoke. "After all, I... I…"
In a flash of light, she changed back into the familiar cosplayer.
"I LOOOOOOVE THIS KILLING GAME!" Tsumugi cried out in joy.
"T-Tsumugi?!" Kaede cried out her name as she noticed a key difference.
Me and the others noticed it too. Tsumugi's eyes were no longer soft teal but they were the same light blue as her transformation, and from what I remember with. I realized that we were looking at the real Tsumugi Shirogane.
"Wh-What was with that transformation just now?!" Kaito questioned.
"Now, now." The cosplayer raised both her hands in dismissal. "You'll all get a chance to ask your questions, but only after we finish with the proceedings!"
"Puhuhuhu!" Monokuma laughed. "You're right! I think this trial has been delayed long enough!"
"PUHUHUHU!" Tsumugi returned the laugh. "Exactly! Who will be chosen as the blackened? Will you make the right choice, or the dreadfully wrong one? IT'SSSSSS VOTING TIIIIIIIME!"
In an instant, all the screens attached to everyone's podiums turned on simultaneously. There, it presented us with a choice of who we thought the blackened of this case was.
I didn't hesitate to choose the person who I knew was the true murderer of Rantaro Amami. Once I made my choice, the screen declared an announcement as it seemed everyone else had made their decision as well.
"Puhuhuhu." Monokuma laughed. "It seems everybody made their vote. Let's see the results."
Another screen lowered itself into the trial room for all of us to see. The screen lit up to display the results of the voting and showed a unanimous vote for Tsumugi Shirogane.
Suddenly, the screen changed to display the verdict, and to most of our relief, the screen displayed a flashing image of Tsumugi's face, confirming once and for all that she was the true culprit.
…
Class Trial - ALL RISE
…
Monokuma instructed us that they were free to remove themselves from their podiums. All of us placed themselves in various positions around the trial room, as if to create a more casual atmosphere after all that had transpired.
"Well well well, looks like you guys got it right!" The headmaster declared. "The killer of Rantaro Amami, the Ultimate hehBlehBLEH, is Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Cosplayer!"
Rather than say anything, Tsumugi chose to glace upwards at nowhere in particular with her index finger raised.
Monokuma could only chuckle at the blue-haired girl's nonchalant response. "Y'know, as an added bonus on completing your very first class trial, I'll say this as well: The mastermind that you guys are so eager to find... is also Tsumugi Shirogane!"
"Tsumugi..." I muttered. "I remember now... you're one of the five traitors."
"I'm aware, I've never thought we would encounter each other again after the war." The cosplayer admitted as she gazed at me. "With the effect of the Flashback Lights gone because of you, I can finish what me and the others began because of you!"
"Sharla... You know her?" Kaede asked in confusion.
"I knew this would happen." I said to myself before facing the others. "The Tsumugi you now see before you is no longer the Ultimate Cosplayer you came to know."
"What..?" Maki muttered.
"In other words..." I continued. "You're looking at the real Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Seamstress and the Disciple of Speed."
"You mean Tsumugi's talent was a lie?!" Kaito asked.
"That's right." I answered.
"No way..." Gonta muttered.
Seeing our silence, Monokuma thought no one had any other questions that could be answered by the seamstress.
Just as he was about to declare the beginning of the blackened's punishment, he noticed a hand slowly raising from within our group.
"I have a question." Kokichi finally said.
"Oh?" Tsumugi observed. "This should be interesting."
The supreme leader shrugged in response. "Well, it's sort of a question-sort of an observation kind of thing. It's just, I couldn't help but notice... you really love this killing game, don't you, Tsumugi?"
"Of course I do!" The blue-haired girl said almost obsessively as if to further emphasize her point.
"Was that all you wanted to say?" Kaede questioned.
The supreme leader ignored the pianist and continued on. "I mean, you really really REALLY love this killing game, right?"
"Yes, of course!" The faux cosplayer continued to smile.
"And that's why you confessed to the crime back then, right?" Kokichi asked. "Y'know, when Monokuma was doing his final countdown?"
Tsumugi's joyful smile slowly started to fade as she was trying to determine where the purple-haired boy was going with his questions. Nevertheless, the seamstress saw no outright concerns in answering.
"Well, yes." She responded. "That is why I chose to do that in the end."
Kokichi laughed in relief. "Of course that's why you chose to do that! You had to make sure the killing game continued, riiiight?"
And like a flip of a switch, Tsumugi's smile returned. "Y-Yes! I needed to make sure the killing game continued!"
"I understand completely!" The supreme leader shouted in joy. "You worked hard to prepare this killing game for us to participate in, it would've sucked if the game had to end so prematurely."
"Yes! Yes!" The faux cosplayer started to shout in complete euphoria. "I couldn't let the killing game end on the first murder! Not when there was so much potential that could be explored!"
"Yeah! Yeah!" The supreme leader did his best to match the blue-haired girl's enthusiasm. "Games are no fun if they end too soon! You would do anything to continue this killing game, even if it meant your own life!"
The seamstress laughed in triumph. "Exactly! I'm so glad you understand me, Kokichi!"
Kokichi returned the laugh. "Of course I understand you! I understand everything now!"
But slowly his laughter started to die down. "Well... there's actually one thing I don't understand. I'm wondering if you can help me out with this, Tsumugi?"
"Of course, Kokichi, what is it you want to know?"
The supreme leader smiled. "Why did you decide to frame Kaede for Rantaro's murder?"
Tsumugi's smile complete vanished from her face. "Huh?"
The purple-haired boy turned away from the girl and addressed a different person. "Actually, I have a better question for Monokuma!"
The twisted bear in question, ever so curious, decided to take the bait. "Go on."
"What would've happened had we voted for Kaede like we all initially planned?"
"What would've happened, you say?" Monokuma repeated the question that was asked of him.
"Mhmm." Kokichi nodded his head. "Had we all voted for Kaede to be the blackened instead of Tsumugi... what would've happened next?"
"I-Isn't it obvious…?" The black-and-white bear stuttered for a brief second.
Noticing this, me and Kaede took a step closer at the conversing headmaster and student, curiosity ever-so increasing.
"Not really." The supreme leader answered the bear. "I wouldn't be asking, otherwise."
Monokuma, who seemed to be growing more and more fidgety, looked back and forth at Tsumugi and the rest of us whose eyes were now all fixated on him.
"It's not that hard, Mr. Headmaster." Kokichi snarked. "Just say who would've died and who would've lived."
"Well, if you guys voted for Kaede…" Monokuma began. "Then she would've... uh no wait, uh, Tsumugi... no actually everyone else would've…"
Seeing the bear stumble over his words must've gave Kaede a terrifying realization. She slowly walked toward Monokuma, with only one question on her mind.
"Wait." The pianist said. "If everyone had voted for me, and we never found out that Tsumugi was the actual murderer... would you have executed me after all that?"
"That's what I was thinking with the way you're acting." I admitted as I walked forward as well.
"W-What?!" Monokuma became incredulous. "Of course not! If you were voted as the blackened, then I would've executed everyone EXCEPT Tsumugi!"
"Is that right?" Kokichi asked.
"Of course that's right!" Monotaro butted into the conversation.
"What, you think this game's bein' run by a bunch of unprofessionals?" Monosuke added.
"That is right." Monophanie said. "We here, in this academy, take great pride in following the rules to ensure a safe and fair killing ga-"
"So why did you frame Kaede for Rantaro's murder?" Kokichi immediately asked Tsumugi.
"AW SON OF A BITCH!" Monokid could only yell.
The seamstress in question could only smirk at the supreme leader. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"
"Well, I mean, your options for excuses are easily refutable." Kokichi said as he gave her an innocent smile. "For instance, had you said you did it so you could have an easier way to 'graduate' from the class trial as the blackened…"
"...Then why didn't you just take the First Blood Perk when you had the chance?" Shuichi stepped in and finished Kokichi's thought.
The supreme leader smiled at the detective. "Heyyyyy, not bad, Shuichi. Maybe you and I ARE on some magical wavelength."
"I knew it!" Himiko exclaimed.
"There's also the fact that she's so passionate about this killing game." Kirumi also pointed out. "I find it doubtful that she would risk ending the game so early even if she went through such lengths to start it in the first place."
"Touché." Tsumugi responded.
"So then…" Gonta began. "The reason Tsumugi frame Kaede for murder…"
"It seems our suspicions were well warranted." Kiyo said as his expression turned dark. "Monokuma and Tsumugi were indeed willing to break the rules of the killing game and had planned for Kaede to be executed."
At that moment, I growled as I got close to Tsumugi. She's gone too far for me!
"I can't believe it…" Kaede muttered. "This would've been for nothing. Rantaro's death... this class trial... It would've been all for nothing."
"But that didn't happen!" Monokuma happily stated. "You guys managed to solve the crime and find the TRUE murderer! So technically no rules were broken at all!"
Kokichi shook his head. "Nope, the implication is damning enough. You were willing to break the rules of the killing game, that much is clear."
The accusations were starting to take a toll on the robotic bear as he grew more agitated. "Oh yeah? Fine! You're right, I'm willing to break a few rules of this killing game, so what? I'm the goddamn headmaster of this academy! What exactly are you gonna do about it?!"
The supreme leader shrugged his shoulders. "Guess I'll die."
"H-Huh?" Kaede replied.
"Aww, giving up already?" Monokuma taunted.
"Not exactly." The small purple-haired boy said. "I'm just refusing to play."
"Refusing to play?" Tsumugi echoed.
Kokichi sighed. "Y'know, I was willing to go along with this killing game... I really was. I mean, it's kinda fucked up, but I appreciated how much thought went into it. Now that I know the rules are pretty much nonexistent, there's really no point in playing. Why would I play a game that's rigged from the start?"
And from his words, the rest of the students were starting to see the supreme leader's point. I lifted my gaze so I could see both Tsumugi and Monokuma, staying silent as I did so.
"Hey, yeah!" Tenko shouted. "If you were willing to break one rule, who's to say you're not willing to break more of them!?"
"Then what's even the fucking point of playing this game?!" Miu exclaimed. "I thought we were supposed get a fair chance of escaping!"
"T-There is a fair chance for some of you to escape!" Tsumugi said, slowly becoming more flustered.
"Is there?" Maki asked. "For all we know, there might not even get to be two survivors cause you'll probably just kill them too, when it's all said and done."
"Ooh, the old horror movie cliché where everyone dies in the end!" Angie exclaimed.
"S-So, you're saying it's all pointless, then?" Kaito questioned. "It doesn't matter what we do, because those two are just going to screw things up for us!"
"Now, now let's not make any dangerous assumptions, here!" Monokuma said, doing his best to calm the situation. "I'm still willing to follow the rules of the killing game. For instance, since you all successfully caught Rantaro's murderer, the rules say that there's some retribution to be called for!"
"Ah yes!" Tsumugi said excitedly. "The punishment!"
"Punishment?" Kaede repeated to herself.
"Don't worry, everyone, seeing the blackened get punished will make you all feel a lot better!" The seamstress continued.
"But the blackened..." Ryoma muttered. "Isn't that you?"
"So?" The blue-haired girl replied. "Sure, I framed Kaede on the chance I'd get to continue this killing game as the secret mastermind, but I'm still willing to die for this game if the situation calls for it."
"You are one crazy psycho bitch…" Miu stated under her breath.
"And speaking of 'die'." Monokuma spoke. "I've prepared a special punishment for Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Seamstress, the faux Ultimate Cosplayer and the Disciple of Speed!"
Tsumugi gasped in excitement as her face began to flush red in pleasure. "Ah! Here it comes... the best part of the class trials!"
"W-Wait, dammit!" Kaito shouted. "There's still so much you need to answer for!"
"Good luck, everyone!" Tsumugi called out to us. "I hope you all have a joyous and wonderful killing game!"
And with the seamstress's final words, Monokuma held his stomach in boisterous laughter. "Let's give it everything we've got! It's...PUNISHMENT-"
"NO!" Me and Kaede shouted at the top of our lungs.
Our yell reverberated around the trial room, managing to stop even Monokuma in his tracks.
The bear was not amused being interrupted. "Well that was certainly loud and annoying. Got something you want to say, you two?"
"You can't execute Tsumugi alone." I told him directly to his face.
Tsumugi looked at me, matching Monokuma's unamused state.
"Oh really?" The robotic headmaster questioned. "And why not?"
"You and Tsumugi both broke the rules of this killing game…" Kaede started.
"I think we established that quite clearly." Monokuma said sarcastically. "That's why I'm executing Tsumugi!"
"The execution is what the both of you want!" The pianist countered. "That is NOT a punishment!"
"Hey, I'm just following the rules of the killing game from here on, toots!" The twisted bear argued. "Isn't that what you've all been yelling at me about?"
"Not until you've paid a price that satisfies everyone here!" I shouted.
Monokuma scoffed. "OK, you two, I'll play along. What? Would you prefer the both of us being executed instead of me just executing Tsumugi Shirogane?"
Me and Kaede looked at each other and our expressions turned serious. It was most likely the most serious the others had seen us.
"Yes." The two of us simply said in unison.
Both of them gave us a pause.
The others looked surprised by our confirmation.
"I beg your pardon?" Monokuma finally replied.
"You heard us." Kaede said. "Both of you must be executed for what you've done."
The pianist turned her head at the laughter coming from the seamstress.
"Even now, you're still expressing that self-righteous attitude that I absolutely despise." Tsumugi said as she approached Kaede.
The pianist said nothing as the faux cosplayer inched herself closer and closer until the two were face-to-face staring each other down.
"You think by having both of us executed, that will make up for all you've done?" The blue-haired girl asked.
Again, Kaede continued to stay silent, only giving her opponent a stern gaze as the seamstress turned to face me.
"Or... do think that by some miracle." She continued on. "The truth about the killing game will be revealed? Is that why you want Monokuma to be executed along with me?"
"Are you afraid that might actually happen?" I responded back at the faux cosplayer.
The blue-haired girl furrowed her brow. "You realize I don't care either way what happens to me, right? If I live, then I'll get to witness my beloved killing game for that much longer. If I die, then I'll die knowing that the killing game has proceeded as intended. You can't win with these options."
"We don't care." I replied. "These are our terms."
"Puhuhuhuhuhu!" Monokuma laughed. "'Terms'? Terms for what? You talk as if you have all the power in this matchup! Why the hell should I even listen to you in the first place?"
Kaede shrugged her shoulders. "Guess we'll choose death, as well."
Tsumugi nearly stepped back in surprise, but managed to quickly recover from it while giving us a mocking smile, "Do you think your life is valuable to us, or something? Just because I want this killing game to continue, doesn't mean it's enough that you're able to use your own life as a bargaining tool. This game can go on even if it loses two extra students."
"What about three?" Shuichi suddenly said.
"Sh-Shuichi?" The seamstress stuttered as she looked at the boy.
"Shuichi…" Kaede muttered.
Kokichi leaned his head from behind the detective "Hi there. It's me, Kokichi, who already offered his life earlier rather than play this unfair game."
The faux cosplayer looked at the two new students who were willing to sacrifice themselves and looked back at me as I looked back at her with a confident smirk.
"Four people isn't enough to stop this!" The disciple shot back angrily.
"Five." Ryoma stepped forward.
A sweat started to form from the blue-haired girl's forehead.
"It's already been a pain getting this far." Himiko said. "Maybe it's better to just give up right now."
"Fuck it!" Miu yelled. "If there's no point in trying to survive, then we might as well rip that bandage off early!"
"Ah, excellent!" Angie said happily. "I already prayed on everyone's behalf to Atua, so He shall be most pleased to meet you all!"
"If this is what everyone truly desires, then of course I am also willing to offer my life." Kirumi complied.
"I suppose this isn't the worse outcome…" Keebo said reluctantly. "At least we'll die together as friends."
"Agreed." Kiyo said. "I am truly moved at the camaraderie I'm witnessing. If this is indeed my last moments on this earth, I am satisfied that I got to see humanity's true beauty."
"G-Guys, c'mon." Tsumugi said nervously. "Life is precious, y'know? You shouldn't be so willing to throw it all away for nothing…"
Maki approached the seamstress and gave her a dark glare, "I'd rather die seeing a frown on your face than living on seeing you die with a smile."
The blue-haired girl gulped.
"Wait guys." Kaito interrupted. "She's got a point. We can't just accept death so easily."
"See?!" Tsumugi nearly jumped up in excitement at the astronaut's response. "Kaito gets it! He's willing to continue this game as long as it means he gets a chance to live!"
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Who said anything about playing this game? I'm talking about one last stand against Monokuma!"
"W-What?" The faux cosplayer questioned.
"You heard me!" The astronaut exclaimed as he pumped up his fists. "Sure it's a lesser chance of survival, but at least I'll go out fighting rather than dying the way you want me to!"
"Gonta will fight too!" The entomologist proudly declared. "Gonta will use massive body to protect as many friends as he can!"
"I'll show you dumb robots that my Neo-Aikido is not to be taken lightly." Tenko said as she prepared a fighting stance.
"Well, you heard them, Monokuma!" I exclaimed. "This is our answer!"
Monokuma kept silent at this turn of events happening before him.
Tsumugi, however, was less stoic. "N-No... this can't… you all have to..."
"What's wrong, Monokuma?" Kokichi mocked. "You were gonna do this before, weren't you?"
"Yeah c'mon!" Kaito shouted. "Just bring out the Exisals or whatever, and let us fight!"
The Monokubs, as well, observed the scene with a slight hint of nervousness emanating from them.
"Woof..." Monotaro breathed out. "This is looking bad…"
"Oh c'mon." Monosuke scoffed. "They're just bluffin'. No way they want to die so easily!"
"B-But if you're wrong, that means this room's gonna be filled with everyone's blood real soon!" Monophanie warned.
"Wait, if everyone dies and this game's over…" Monokid said. "What the hell happens to us?!"
Monodam paused before speaking. "...EARLY-RETIREMENT..."
At this point, everyone started talking over each other, demanding for Monokuma to end this killing game by any means necessary.
"C'MON!" Kokichi shouted with a big smile on his face. "Just do it, coward! Kill us, already!"
"Yeah!" Miu shouted as well. "At this rate, I'll die from suspense before you kill me with an Exisal!"
Tsumugi was at a loss for words. She had lost complete control over the situation and now whatever happened next was up to Monokuma to decide.
"Well, Monokuma?" I once again addressed the headmaster.
"So I just have to submit and be executed with Tsumugi?" The black-and-white bear finally spoke.
The others ceased their bickering at Monokuma and took in what he had just said.
I didn't respond as I waited for Monokuma to continue speaking.
"That... Those were yours and Kaede's terms, were they not?" Monokuma asked me.
I looked back at the others before nodding in confirmation.
"Yes..." I responded. "Those are our terms."
Monokuma looked down before taking a deep breath and slowly raised his head back up. "...Very well. I... submit."
All five of the Monokubs flinched back in terror.
"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-" Monotaro stuttered.
"BLRBLRBLRBLRBLRB!" Monophanie threw up.
"WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!" Monokid exclaimed.
"Y-You can't be serious?!" Monosuke said in disbelief.
"BUT-WHY-FATHER?" Monodam could only ask.
"Because I have abused my power as headmaster of this academy." Monokuma explained. "In my quest to organize a successful killing game, I was willing to break the rules. That shouldn't be something a leader does…"
"But Daddy!" Monophanie exclaimed. "The best leaders are the ones who abuse their power!"
"Sorry, my cubs, but the public has spoken. When it comes to killing games, one must be prepared to pay the price. Even if that one is a coordinator such as myself."
"B-B-B-But, who's going to be the headmaster of the academy if you're going away?!" Monotaro asked.
"I think you mean 'headmasters'!" The black-and-white bear excitedly exclaimed.
"Huh?" The red bear questioned. "Y-You mean..?"
Slowly, Monokuma's expression became one of somber pride. "I'm placing my wish on the five of you. From here on out, you Monokubs are in charge of this academy."
The pupils from behind Monosuke's glasses widened. "W-We're in charge..?"
"Shiiiiit!" Monokid exclaimed. "I know I should be pumped for this... but... but... SHIIIIIIIIT!"
"Monokid's right, Daddy!" Monophanie said with tears in her eyes. "We can't accept this role if it means we have to lose you!"
"Enough!" Monokuma shouted. "I raised you cubs to be much stronger than that!"
The rest of the Monokubs proceeded to form tears in their eyes as well.
"B-But... Pops…" Monosuke sobbed.
The father of the Monokubs looked down on the floor once again, on verge of tears himself. "Promise me... promise me that you'll all do your best... to make this a fun and fair killing game."
"D-Daddy!" Monophanie cried.
"FATHERRRRR!" Monotaro shouted in despair.
From the rest of us that were witnessing this scene unfold, one student who was about to face certain death was engaged in the moment as well and had tears streaming down her face.
"M-Monokumaaaaa!" Tsumugi cried. "At... At least we'll go down togetheeeeerrrrr!"
"I don't know what the big deal is…" Ryoma said nonchalantly. "I doubt this will be the last we'll see of him."
"Alright!" Monokuma said as he composed himself. "As newly appointed headmasters of this academy, you have a job you need to do!"
Monotaro sniffled. "...Yes... Father…"
"C'mon, now!" He encouraged. "This will be the first and last time I get to see you cubs do this, so let's make this a good one for everyone here!"
"R-Right, Daddy-o!" Monokid yelled, amping himself up.
Monokuma turned to us. "Especially YOU, Kaede. I want you to see this nice and clearly now…"
The pianist must've felt herself shiver at Monokuma's ominous tone. Whatever were to happen in a few moments, I had a feeling she wouldn't like it.
"Now then..." Monotaro began. "Let's get started..."
"We have..." Monophanie hesitated before continuing. "...A very special... punishment... prepared for the Ultimate Seamstress... faux Ultimate Cosplayer... and the Disciple of Speed... Tsumugi Shirogane... and the Ultimate Despair Headmaster-"
"AND ULTIMATE DADDY!" Monokid added in.
"...Monokuma…" Monosuke finished.
"M-Monokuma..." Tsumugi whimpered.
"Sharla, your special hope can undo the Flashback Lights' effects and restore the traitors' true memories. Don't think you've won just yet!" The bear said to me.
"Right... It restored my memories... It can restore the others' too..." The seamstress muttered. "So promise me, you'll find the real mastermind."
"OK... I promise." I obliged.
"Don't let her down!" Monokuma exclaimed.
"LET'S-GIVE-IT-EVERYTHING-WE-GOT!" Monodam declared.
"It's... PUNISHMENT TIIIME!" All five of the Monokubs cried out.
"I believe in you!" The Disciple shouted. "So... please, believe in yourself... OK? It's a promise."
From atop the judge's seat in the trial room stood the Monokubs. They each gave each other a short nod to prepare themselves for their first duty as headmasters of the academy. Monotaro proceeded to grab a gavel and smash it upon a giant red button.
Suddenly, the screens from within the room turned on and displayed a moving image showing pixelated versions of the Monokubs dragging away Tsumugi and Monokuma with the message:
GAME OVER
Tsumugi and Monokuma have been found guilty.
Time for the punishment!
With the screen quickly turning off, all of us prepared ourselves for what we were about to witness. Tsumugi and Monokuma, though trying to stay calm, were also sweating for what is about to occur.
And in the blink of an eye, two collars attached to ropes gripped themselves around Tsumugi's neck and the area where Monokuma's neck would be and dragged them out of the room. They tried to grab the collars in an desperate attempt to get out of them...
...but they knew it was futile.
The screen once again turned on to display what appeared to be a title card, as if the execution needed that extra bit of glamour.
What the title card displayed was:
Tsumugi and Monokuma's Grand Finale
Ultimate Seamstress and Ultimate Despair Headmaster Tsumugi Shirogane and Monokuma's Execution: Executed
Tsumugi and Monokuma found themselves within an abandoned city. They walked around the empty streets as they was seemingly alone. Just then, from an alleyway they heard a noise. They cautiously turned their heads to the source of what they heard. They readied themselves for whatever was to jump out at them from within that alleyway with Tsumugi transforming and gripping her broadsword.
The alleyway was completely empty, however.
They lowered their guard and sighed breaths of relief, only to turn around to find a mob of Monokumas all lined up and staring at them. Normally the former headmaster would've been glad to join them in their mob mentality to raid, pillage, or whatever their goal was. Monokuma had a suspicion that the army of bears weren't gathered for that.
No... they were after him and Tsumugi and they couldn't fight them.
They ran away from the army as fast as they could.
They knew what this was, so why were they trying to run? They thought they could escape this execution.
Suddenly, a small explosion went off in front of them. They looked up to see that there were Monokumas dressed in military gear throwing bombs directly at them.
The fleeing bear and seamstress looked back to see the Monokumas slowly catch up to them as well. Merely running was not going to work in this situation. They saw one of the buildings in the city was open and hastily ran inside. Luckily the building's entrance was lockable so they proceeded to confine themselves from within it. With the murderous army locked out from his location, Tsumugi took this moment to take in her surroundings. They appeared to be in a hospital. How they would get out of this situation, they had no idea, but at least they were able to take some time to assess their current predicament.
That time was cut short as a giant Monokuma head with small arms and feet crashed into the room from the ceiling. Monokuma and Tsumugi, gazing at their new opponent, took a step back before finally running from the creature and into the hospital's hallway. The giant Monokuma gave chase by rolling itself in an attempt to crush the former headmaster and faux cosplayer.
Once again, they ran as fast as they could, but the seemingly endless straight hallways of the hospital weren't helping. Like an action scene in an adventure movie, they was running out of options as this giant boulder-like automaton was closing in on them. What worked once could prove to be beneficial for a second time as they dove into one of the rooms in the hallway, narrowly avoiding the 'Ball Monokuma'. They both breathed in and out heavily, but their moment of peace would be cut short once again.
From within the closet of the room, popped out another Monokuma. Its appearance, however, was completely disfigured and indistinct of its original model. It moved around on all fours with it's elongated limbs, one of it's eyes was bulging out from its head, and it sported a creepy toothy grin that was different from the sharp smiling chompers that the usual Monokuma models would have.
Tsumugi and Monokuma shrieked in fear and immediately ran into another room from across the hallway. They immediately locked the door and found themselves in a completely empty room.
They weren't alone either.
Two of Monokuma's darling children were present in the room with him: Monodam and Monokid. Both were holding a device, what appeared to be megaphones, in each of their paws.
They took aim at their father and the Disciple of Speed and fired.
Each shot that came from the megaphones cause extreme pain to them, and each of them wasn't the same kind of pain. One shot paralyzed them where they stood, another caused them to burst into flames, one even made them do a dance. The former headmaster pleaded to his cubs with his eyes to just end it already. In any other circumstance, they would've been happy to oblige, but this time wasn't it.
It was time for the grand finale.
The ceiling opened up and another pair of collars attached themselves to Tsumugi and Monokuma, dragging them away to a completely different location.
After what seemed to be an eternity, Tsumugi and Monokuma were finally lowered onto some solid ground. The room they seemed to be in was dark, and their footing seemed unstable. What was much more worrying to the bear and seamstress however, was the fact that the collars were still attached to them. They looked to their sides to see two more of Monokuma's kids, Monophanie and Monosuke, were both gripping a rope. Upon closer inspection, they realized the rope were the ones that were attached to their collars. The two cubs pulled on the rope and made Tsumugi and Monokuma stand on the very tiptoes of their feet. It was then Tsumugi and Monokuma got a clear view of what they were standing on: a set of giant piano keys.
The lights of the room turned on to reveal a giant auditorium filled with Monokumas. Monokuma himself and Tsumugi were set upon a stage with a giant piano, whose cover was protruding with giant spikes.
In front of the stage, on his own little platform, stood Monotaro dressed in his finest tuxedo. He needed to look his best for both the audience, the Disciple of Speed and his father because this would be the performance of a lifetime... literally.
Monotaro began conducting and the other two Monokubs, operating the rope as if it was like a pulley system, guided their father and the faux cosplayer's flailing bodies from one key to the next. The tune they were attempting to perform was 'Flea Waltz', albeit quite poorly due to their unorthodox method of playing the piano. The melody began slow, but gradually increased in speed as Monokuma and Tsumugi struggled from their position, desperately trying to get the collars off. The song continued on, faster than it originally started as if someone hit fast forward on the remote until the tune was completely unrecognizable. Monotaro conducted as fast as he could. He conducted faster and faster and faster and faster until the performance finally came to an end.
Hanging in the middle of the stage were Tsumugi's detransformed and Monokuma's lifeless bodies. Despite those circumstances, however, the audience of Monokumas applauded the performance. They threw bouquets and other lavish awards at the hanging figures. Monotaro, as well as the other four Monokubs, gave a bow of appreciation to the audience as the curtain fell... and so did the spiked cover of the piano…
...crushing Tsumugi and Monokuma's bodies and breaking Tsumugi's Battle Gem to pieces.
The Monokubs returned to the trial room in an emotional wreck.
"Fatherrrrrr." Monotaro whimpered.
"C-C'mon... guys... we can't... cry like this…" Monokid said in between sobs.
"At least... the worst part's over." Monosuke said. "But we can't falter... not now!"
"He's right, brothers!" Monophanie said raising her paws in the air. "We mustn't let our Daddy's wish die in vain!"
"That's right!" Monotaro exclaimed. "Father would want something else to die, instead."
Monosuke nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It's our duty as the new headmasters of this academy to ensure a successful…"
"FUN!" Monotaro added.
"EXCITING!" Monophanie added.
"SEXY!" Monokid added.
"AND-FAIR-KILLING GAME!" Monodam finished.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Monotaro shouted excitedly. "Let's become the best headmasters that Father would be proud of!"
"Yeah!" The Monokubs cheered in unison. "SO LONG, BEAR WELL!"
And with that declaration, the five bears left the room.
I stared in disbelief to what I just witnessed. The others also had similar shocked expressions on their faces.
"Th-The way they died at the end…" Kaede spoke as she fell to her knees. "That…"
"It looks like the frame-up was planned this whole time." I muttered. "And that last part was supposed to be your execution, Kaede."
"Sharla..." The pianist whimpered.
"It's going to be OK. It's over. Let's head back up the elevator." I advised.
We all headed back up the elevator and exited the Shrine of Judgement. It had already become night.
"Yo, why the long faces?" A female voice asked.
We looked to see two girls in front of us. They also had a height difference. One of them was 5'2" and the other was 5'8".
The shorter girl has short black hair with dark pink streaks in it, with a long piece down the left side. She also has a thin strand of hair coming out of a bass clef hair clip. She wears a pink gradient into black stockings, thick black bracelets on her wrists, a white completely sleeveless crop top that looks rippled, a black skirt with pink vines around it with pink lace at the bottom, a black sleeveless spiked jacket with golden buttons, a golden lapel pin, and a pink strawberry with a black fork in it and the words 'STRAWBERRY THIEVES' on the back, a black leather belt with a silver buckle, a black choker with silver spikes, and black boots with a sliver center, dark pink laces and musical notes on the sides. She has amber eyes, thick black eyebrows, black painted fingernails, silver helix and lobe earrings on her ears and black lipstick.
The taller girl has dark, shiny tyrian purple hair styled into four large spirals. Her eyes are light pink. She also wears a rose in the right side of her hair and her nails were painted pink. She wears what looks like an seifuku with a orchid purple skirt that reached her knees, and a orchid purple scarf around her chest with a pink mini ribbon attached to it. She also wears a grey fur coat reaching below her knees over it with a gold lapel pin with the logo of a familiar school, Akademi High School, attached to it, white knee-high socks with pink stripes and sakura petal forming a flower near the top of each leg, silver shoes with black soles and red roses on them, and a black choker with a red rose on it around her neck.
"Are you two Ultimate students too?" Kaede asked.
"Oh yeah! I'm Miyuji 'Shan' Shibakoya, the Ultimate Vocalist! Nice to meet ya!" The short girl, Miyuji exclaimed.
"Introductions are clearly needed." The tall girl snarked. "I am Tokuko Kitagawa, the Ultimate Actress. The girl who will become the biggest name on the acting scene in all of Japan!"
"A vocalist and an actress, huh? Those both sound like cool talents!" Kaede exclaimed.
Later, I walked into Kaede's research lab and both the pianist and Shuichi were there.
"You promised you would play it, right Kaede?" I asked.
"Yeah, after everything that's happened we all need time to calm down." The blonde-haired girl replied.
"Yeah..." Shuichi said simply.
Then, Kaede started to play 'Clair de Lune'. Like she mentioned, it calmed my heart.
With Miyuji and Tokuko here and Tsumugi, Rantaro, and Monokuma gone... I wonder how things will play out now. I thought to myself.
…
End of Chapter 1: Her Class Trial, Our Class Trial
Surviving Members: 17
Present Obtained: Disciple Broadsword - Proof that you cleared Chapter 1. A memento of Tsumugi. It was her weapon of choice during the Killing Titan War.