Investigation 1-3: For the Ones Who Couldn't Say Goodbye

Etsuko and I go to the best place for Sachiko since there is no known clinic. It says there is one in the rules so I assume its somewhere we have not explored or with the other men. Somebody is dead yet we have not checked all the rooms. Guess that is something to do at a later date. Everything is moving fast so it would be good to have a break after all of this is said and done.

We decide on the break down. She is placed on a makeshift bed made out of the bean bag chairs. Her breathing has returned to normal but it would still be good to keep an eye on her.

"I'm gonna stay with her but you owe me big time, Shiro! Since clearly I'm the only one here that knows how to make her not die. Gotta make sure she's able to attend trial. Monokuma is a dick so he will force her," Etsuko tells me. She keeps in check with Sachiko's vitals.

"What is it, Etsuko?" I ask her. Although there is no logical reason to be worried...actually there is, because this is Etsuko. Etsuko is a lose canon and I have no idea how she has become the Ultimate Psychologist. There are so many other people more qualified than her, probably because they are less, well, crazy.

"You help me with my Pop Psychology! Become my partner in crime!" Etsuko proclaims. Becoming allied with Etsuko might not seem like it at first, but it is a good decision. It is the best way to understand Etsuko and keep her in line.

"Alright." This may be just as bad as making a deal with the devil but controlling Etsuko could be an important key of surviving this Killing Game and defeating the mastermind.

"Be...safe..." Sachiko says. Etsuko lightly bonks her on the head.

"You work on getting better. I'm not having another one of you die in a way I can't analyze."

"I will be taking my leave then." Checking one last time to make sure that they are safe and sound, I see that Etsuko is actually keeping up her end of the deal, although she is clearly bored and disappointed. There is something I should check up on. The other men and Yuuki since I have only seen Himura in the course of this investigation.

Going outside, I go to the door again to see that it is closed. That strikes me as odd so I go to check it out. Monokuma appears right in front of me. He does not even have to talk or do anything for me to know that its bad news. The smile is more than a warning.

"Yeah, yeah, you're thinking 'where are the boys' and stuff, right? That's what chapter two is for. So the boys and Yuuki have been given a break this trial. Because I'm not insane enough to introduce characters during the trial. No, no, no, I got something else up my sleeve, don't you worry my precious loyal viewers." I am about to question Monokuma for more details but he disappears.

"So that's why? Figures." Looking behind me, I see that Asuka is now with Natsuki. Emilynn, Ichiko, Mizore, and Himura must be in the gym or investigating somewhere else. There must be more evidence but I have not been paying that much attention. Perhaps I should do that more, getting in my head too much could cause my demise.

"Oh, perhaps we should g-go back." Natsuki looks up to Asuka. She is currently using the voice that makes her sound like an older man.

"What were you doing out here?" I question the both of them.

"The both of us were investigating the passageways more," Asuka answers. "We spent all that time on nothing. No Truth Bullets or anything." She sighs. "Well, good seeing you, Shiro." The two of them begin to head back. But it is interesting to learn that they could not find anything. Is it because the passageways truly had nothing to do with this murder? If this murder was planned before the blackout, then there would be no way the killer could factor them into their plan. But there is still the chance that it was a spur of the moment, that somebody found a perfect time to strike. After all, the murder seems to be really sloppy.

Looking at my notebook, I see whether or not I have accidentally missed something.

Truth Bullet #11-The Words of the Yokai

Sachiko Isobe went to summon a yokai with Etsuko Abe and Shiro Amari. It is unknown what type she summoned.

The yokai did not last for long. He had something to say, however. The words were...

"We should go...All of you are in danger. The accident is not what you think it is. I..."

Truth Bullet #12-The Rope

Emilynn McKay remembered that the rope was not stored with all the sports equipment. Its unknown where the killer could have gotten it from.

Truth Bullet #13-Emilynn's Photo

Emilynn McKay has taken photos of the crime scene. She has revealed that she secretly took photos from before the incident.

With that out of the way, I decide to head back to the gym. I see that Asuka and Natsuki are working together examining all the other possible rooms for evidence again. It is unfair that we are not allowed enough time to examine each one thoroughly. There could have been evidence that showed whether or not this murder was truly premeditated.

I open the door to see what I expected to for leaving this group of people alone together. Etsuko would be proud. It is pure chaos.

Emilynn is still taking pictures while Mizore and Himura are talking about something, all of them talking over each other and creating a racket. Ichiko is by herself, trying to continue her own investigation.

"Ducks are not evil, I tell you-" Himura pouts like a child. I cannot believe he is eighteen.

"Ducks are sin!" I never want to hear somebody bring up ducks or umbrellas after we get out of here. Emilynn has a sly grin on her face.

"You three, we have to investigate. We can save this for later," I scold them. While most of the time I would not mind, most of them are children, or the least childish, so it could be expected for them to act like this, but right now our lives are in the line. They must be trying to run away from the reality of their situation.

"Fine, dad," Emilynn groans as she exits the room. Perhaps she is taking photos of outside the room? Or slacking off. Both of them are possible with her. Now there are four of us left. I cannot think of other ways to find evidence so this might be the best time to use our heads.

"Let's meet up together."

"You really are our dad," Himura replies. Mizore and Himura come up to me but Ichiko decides to stay where she is. She is making sure that her papers do not get stained by the blood.

"We have to think about this..." There is something that is bothering me. Out of all of these possible weapons, which one is the murder weapon?

"Where did the rope come from?" Himura asks. Mizore begins to nod her head. Should have been more quick.

"Emilynn's photos give us a hundred percent possibility that it was not with the other equipment," Mizore answers, oddly serious. She must now be finally in the correct mood to investigate.

Truth Bullet #14-The Rope

Although there is rope in the gym, it is a different kind of rope than the one used at the scene of the crime. It is currently unknown where this came from.

"Well, isn't that interesting?" Emilynn jumps onto my shoulders, surprising me. I drop on the floor with Emilynn still on my shoulders. She gets off and both of us get on our feet again.

"Please don't ever do that to me," Himura comments, cringing.

"We should talk about the murder weapon," I state bluntly. For some reason, I feel that we do not have that much time left. There is no reason why not to be this forward.

Mizore starts looking over the equipment on the ground. Ichiko is now interested and joins with her, the two of them making a surprise team.

"I guess we should discuss something else while they're doing that," Himura awkwardly laughs. That is best, since we still have enough people alive to divide tasks. It would be productive of us to stand here and do nothing as the girls did all the work.

"We should discuss shoe size!" Emilynn chuckles. Himura and I glare at her. "Fine, fine, we should talk about how to get out of here."

"How does that have to do with the investigation in hand?" I ask her.

"Let's say we somehow defeat the mastermind because we found their weak spot was clearly labeled on their back or something. But then what? We're in the middle of space, the place nobody can hear us scream." Although it has nothing to do with our current investigation, Emilynn makes a good point. None of us have experience with this kind of thing.

"Oh, don't you know?" Himura tilts his head. Both of us meet him with silence. "There's an escape pod that can be accessed with a code."

"I am going to guess there is a catch if none of you have escaped," I respond. In these games, nothing is ever simple.

"Um, you can only get the code if you kill someone. Even the mastermind doesn't know it. And...only one of us can leave with that method," Himura responds. That is troubling news but I am sure there is some other way to get out of here. If we somehow get rid of the mastermind and end the game, then we would still have some time to figure it out. Panicking about a hopeless situation would only cause our current state to become worse. Strong emotions are what supposedly caused this death after all.

"We found it!"

"Can you please speak quieter?" Ichiko covers her ears. Could not blame her, Mizore shouted into them. "Anyway, um, we did figure out the most likely culprit."

"Its the shot put ball! The weapon only used by the most foul of creatures!" Once again, I look to see if they are correct with the Truth Bullets.

Truth Bullet #15-The Most Likely Weapon

Ichiko Miyashita and Mizore Kurushima theorize that, out of all the sports equipment, that the shot put ball was the murder weapon.

"Anything else that can be figured out?" Himura scratches the back of his neck.

"Wait, um, how do I say this? There's something bothering me," Ichiko starts. "So, like, compared to other first cases, something seems missing. But I can't, um, you know, put my finger on it." Her eyes widen when there is a new piece of evidence that shows up.

Truth Bullet #16-Ichiko's Observation

Ichiko Miyashita notes that, compared to usual first cases, something about this death seems odd. She is not sure what.

"Show me your ways, Ichiko-senpai!" Emilynn goes up to Ichiko and touches her on the shoulder. Ichiko does not respond to the touch, just staring at her.

"Wait, aren't we in the same class?" Ichiko has a point. Out of everybody here, only I classify as a senpai, especially since Hope's Peak started mixing ages with their second school.

"Is there anything else we should discuss? Before we start investigating by ourselves again?" Asuka enters the room with Natsuki. After them is Etsuko and Sachiko, who looks better but still clearly needs some rest.

"I'm pretty sure he arms were broken post-death and shit." Etsuko lays us with what seems to be important information. "Using the science of bullshit, I've figured it out!"

Truth Bullet #17-Mei's Broken Bones

Etsuko Abe makes the observation that Mei Yamazaki's arms were broken after her death.

"Oh and-" Before Etsuko can say anymore, Monokuma appears out of nowhere and places a cloth over her mouth. Etsuko tries to fight against it but eventually gives in, dropping to the floor.

"That's enough out of you! As for the rest of my students...goodnight~" I, and many other people from the group, are about to ask Monokuma what he means, until I hear something.

I should have known Monokuma would use something as underhanded as gas. Moving fast, I try to cover my mouth with my shirt, but it is too late.

Waking up, my eyes feel heavy. I open them with much effort. What meets my sight surprises me, as it is as beautiful as it is terrifying.

A trial room with eighteen seats, one of them being occupied of a black-and-white photo of Mei smiling with a pink X painted over it. The paint itself is not dry, currently still dripping onto the podium.

What strikes me as beautiful however is the clear glass that is used that must be dangerous. One misstep could lead to all of us dying. Surrounding them is space. A clear void of darkness except for the occasional star that could be seen in the distance.

"Welcome to the first Class Trial! Today is to find out the truth behind the cruel, unfortunate death of the Ultimate E-Sports Gamer, Mei Yamazaki!"

SURPRISE! I wanted to do something different for Valentine's Day. And then I'm like...wait, nobody will see this coming. ;) So this is your gift for Valentine's Day. Me finally giving DiOS the love and respect it deserves. Its finally getting off hiatus! Praise the lord! There's actually a God!

Req's Rec: Paradise Above, Inferno Below by The Outsiders Realm

QOTC: Which one of the male characters are you most excited to be introduced to?

Reviews~ (you better not break this comment section Tobi XD)

SanityRequiem-I WAS GOING INSANE OKAY

Sparkquill-Thanks. :D I'm happy to be part of the community with you too~

TheUnkindledHunter-Hello. :D This is legit the best thing I've ever read. Himura is trying to keep his sanity with all this talk about evil ducks. Sachiko needs all the love in the world. Good luck~ Thanks so much.

TheRoseShadow21-Questions I'm not answering right now because I'm evil. Thanks so much.

tobi-is-an-artist-too-This is mood for every story I read. Because I forget to review everything. Shiro just wants everybody to act more normal. Too bad this is the DiOS cast. Asuka is the mom while Shiro is the dad. We must protect the cinnamon roll knowing what happened to the last one...*looks at Naoko*...must protect. Etsuko just really like messing with Himura. Let's see if anybody can catch the killer~