Chapter 27: Duplicity: Act Two
11:15 A.M Day Eleven
Underground
Sewers
The Ultimate Dominatrix began to stir as the sound of splashing roused her attention. As her eyelids fluttered open, she registered pressure on her lap. Slowly, she raised her head to see that Haruto's head was still nestled there.
Much to her chagrin she had dozed off. 'How reckless can you be, Tiana? If someone had attacked, you both would have been defenseless,' she mentally chastised herself before she heard yet another splash.
Her attention shifted to the waterworks on either side them and the pipes that bled into the water itself. She bit back a scream as she registered a pair of black, predatorial eyes that stared back at her. About ten feet away lay a large alligator; its head snapped slightly at her sudden movement.
Tiana shakily thumbed for her whip that was still fixed to her side before her free hand pressed against Haruto's mouth. She gently shook him, trying her best to not make any excessive motions.
The boy's eyes fluttered open. Once the pupils spotted the expression on her face, they quickly moved around, as if searching for its cause.
Without breathing, the blonde shifted the boy's head towards the large reptile that continued to stare at them intently. "Haru, we have to be very careful. If we make any sudden movements it may just encourage her to strike. I think our best bet is to move back very slowly and not turn our backs on her," she said in a hushed voice as her gaze never left the reptile.
With his mouth still covered, he nodded slowly. He then carefully reached for Tiana's shoulder to pull himself up.
Tiana methodically helped herself and Haruto to a standing position, her shoulders tensing as the large critter began to stir. Its long tail wormed back and forth as its claws dug into the walkway, pulling itself up. Its maw snapped open as it aggressively pressed forward. "It's too late. She's not going to back off easily, Haru get ready to run," she said as she squeezed the whip in her hand tightly.
"I'm already on that," he replied before grabbing her hand and sprinting away. Tiana easily managed to match his pace afterwards.
The pair made it about fifteen feet before they registered the clamoring claws and something heavy shuffling behind them. The next to no light made navigating difficult and after about hundred feet, Haruto tripped over a slick spot causing him and Tiana to tumble into a heap upon the walkway. They were now completely at the mercy of the wild creature.
The pair only just barely managed to scramble out of the way as the animal's jaw slammed shut from an attempted bite. As soon as its mouth closed, sounds of movement picked up from behind the alligator. Before it could react a pair of arms tightly wound themselves around its closed maw. Kaizoku wrestled with the creature as it thrashed its head, trying to get free.
"K-Kaizoku!" Tiana let out a panicked cry as she quickly bolted to her feet, helping the Parental Figure in the process. She felt her arms tremble as she watched the beast thrash wildly, trying to buck the Sailor off. "Haru, we have to help him. No… I have to do something. I can't just let everyone else keep saving the day. I-I won't stand by anymore, not when our friends are risking everything and dying," she said as her voice became more confident. She cracked her whip through the air. "Haru, do you trust me?"
The crack of the whip briefly startled him, but he spoke seconds later. "Yes, Tia. I trust you." He said it with complete sincerity while he looked right in her eyes. He then stepped back, ready for what might come next.
A fleeting smile spread across the girl's face as she focused her attention back on the gator. She pulled the whip behind her shoulder before extending it once more with a loud crack. The long whip snared around the creature's maw before she pulled it taught and released the instrument before she could be tossed by its strength. With its maw secured, it continued to thrash, though it seemed more intent on removing the obstruction than attacking at the moment.
"Kaizoku, it's now or never! Her jaw will make short work of it!" Tiana yelled as she fished out her phone and switched on the flashlight.
The Sailor nodded as he quickly let go of the alligator and scrambled to his feet. "Nice work, lass, now let's get moving!" Kaizoku shouted as he sprinted towards the others.
"You take the lead! We'll follow you," Haruto said. He let the other two pass by before dashing with them. "Have you found any of the others, Kaizoku?"
"Not since I left Soo at the entrance. After we found it, I wanted to go look for the rest of the group, but he didn't. We argued for a bit and he decided to stay behind," the Sailor explained, glancing back over his shoulder.
Tiana frowned as she adjusted the hold on her phone. "He probably wasn't in any shape to be trekking through this sewer. God, I just hope the others are alright. If alligators are down here, there's no telling what else there is."
12:43 P.M Day Eleven
Underground
Sewers (Maintenance Building)
Laris tilted her head slightly as she saw Shiho beginning to stir. She offered a weary smile and leaned against a dusty cabinet. "Sleep well? I'd bid you good morning, but it's already past noon. I'm just pleased we found this place before stopping this morning."
"Mmh. Thanks, Lari. Wait, really? Didn't think I'd sleep for that long," the Runner muttered as she got up off the ground. She started stretching each of her limbs before looking towards where she'd heard the Knight. "Wait, were you able to get any sleep?"
"I probably could have, but I wouldn't be much of a stalwart knight if I abandoned my post," Laris mused with a thoughtful expression. "You know, you are the first friend I'd made in a long time. I wasn't upset about your betrayal, I was upset at the thought of someone hurting you. No matter what anyone says, you're precious to me," she said before stifling a yawn.
"Lari... please, you've been one of my first friends I've had well... ever, my age at least. I'm glad you would look after me like that, but not if it's hazardous to you," Shiho explained as she placed a hand on Laris' shoulder.
A mirthless chuckle escaped the Knight. "Shiho, I've always put something or someone before myself. The only time I ever chose myself was when I was forced to escape Novoselic. A skong can't change its spots so easily. Enough of my baggage, though. What about you? Am I merely reading into things, or do I detect some connection between you, Kaizoku, and Naruhiko?"
Shiho's cheeks reddened and she pulled her hand back. "W-What? I mean, they're both great but... why are you asking me about this right now?"
"...I'm not familiar with what most teenager girls do, but I think it is typical for friends to discuss boys or girls they like. It's far better than discussing other subjects, right? Guessing by how red your face is, I'm onto something, aren't I?" Laris chuckled as she shifted to rest her chin against her knee.
Shiho took a deep breath to try and calm down. "Well, you're not wrong about them... and yeah, this is the kind of stuff girls do, at least to my knowledge. It's just that I don't know if now is the right time for it..."
The Ultimate Knight offered a teasing smile. "Fine, I'll let it go. I didn't meant to upset you… I know this may sound harsh, but it would be in our best interest to remain here until the motive expires. We have no idea where are are, and if we go wandering around, we only invite danger. We have no idea how the others might be handling this motive. I just hope our friends will do the same."
"I knew my ears were burning..." a familiar voice said as the door to the small building was flung open.
Laris tensed, grasping the hilt of her sword a moment before she saw Chloe standing with Seikatsu right behind her. A look of relief filled the Knight's eyes as she rose to her feet. "Oh thank god, you're both alright. You're the first people we've seen since we were separated."
The Femme Fatale offered a playful smirk as she strode forward and embraced the Knight with a tight hug, followed by a tender peck on the lips. "Oui, we could say the same thing, love. The only life we've seen has come in the form of alligators. It makes one wonder what Kurokuma intended for us in the first place."
"Hmm, I can't help but wonder... Were the alligators added after the motive started, or did Yoshi lead us to avoid them?" Seikatsu asked as she seemed to be letting her mind wander. "Oh, my apologies. It warms this old heart to see that you two are unharmed."
"I think we all would enjoy a hot shower and some food, but I believe we're otherwise alright," Laris responded as she rubbed her weary eyes. "...I was just telling Shiho that I think we are better served to lay low. It may not be the most ideal situation, but once the motive expires, we can move without fearing what may come."
Chloe offered a somber nod. "While I'm not too concerned with my own well-being, and I don't have many who could be used against me, I'm inclined to agree. This is a good place to lay low till it's over and the lights are back on."
The Runner fidgeted slightly. "Are you sure you're comfortable sharing the same space with a traitor? What Kurokuma said was true. I may have had my reasons, but I did sell us out."
"We are defined by our mistakes as well as our successes. It is clear to my eyes that you weren't happily working with our captor. If they had leverage on you, it means they could have done the same to most of us. Given the right motivation, even the most noble soul can become complicit," Seikatsu mused.
A sigh escaped the Fashion Designer. "Everyone will handle this differently, Shiho. Regardless of the circumstances, some will hang onto that resentment. However, it's what you do going forward that matters. In time, perhaps that distrust will mend, though it's difficult to say. No two of us are alike."
1:37 P.M Day Eleven
Underground
Sewer (Corridor)
A mechanical groaning sound filled the long tunnel as the walls converged closer and closer together. It was clear they would not stop until they had crushed the trio within.
"You just had to lean on the wall, didn't you?" Sigmund groaned as he quickly hobbled forward upon his single leg. "I've been hopping on one leg this entire time and I was managing just fine."
The Journalist offered a venomous look in return as he continued jogging forward with Dolly a few strides behind him. "And how exactly was I supposed to know this sewer was booby trapped?"
"Th-This isn't helping!" Dolly sputtered between heavy breaths as she kicked her legs as hard as her tiny frame would allow. "I-I really don't know how much longer I can do this. I'm so out of shape..."
"Tch, what a pain in my ass!" Lachlan growled as he fell back a moment before unceremoniously hoisting her up bridal-style.
The Paralympic Athlete lunged toward the dim light that revealed the end of the corridor. "We've got fifty feet at most, so push yourself harder. Otherwise, you'll be thinner in a few moments. No dieting required."
"I'm sorry I'm so useless. Thank you," the Ventriloquist murmured as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Lachlan rolled his eyes. "If you wanna thank me, make sure your counterpart is quiet for a change. She gives me a freaking headache."
Dolly shook her head. "I can't help what comes out of Becky's mouth. I just hope she's alright. This is the longest we've been apart."
"She can't be any worse off than we are," the boy snarked back as he pressed through the pain in his legs before lurching forward. The walls slammed shut behind him, tearing his jacket in the process. "Great, this was my favorite outfit too."
"Better your outfit than your life, wouldn't you say?" Sigmund asked as he raised a single brow.
The Ultimate Investigative Journalist offered an exaggerated sigh. "Yeah, I guess, though we're still no closer to finding our way out of this mess. I haven't seen a single one of those marks Nagito supposedly left, which means we could be anywhere."
"Uh, what time is it anyways? Didn't the bear say it would end after 48 hours?" Dolly asked as she wormed her way out of the boy's arms before brushing herself off.
Sigmund shook his head. "It's just been a little over twelve hours at this point, meaning we've got a long time left."
"...I get the feeling it won't go that long," Lachlan mused quietly.
The Ventriloquist eyed him curiously. "You think someone is gonna snap?"
The Journalist offered a muted nod. "If they haven't already. Using someone else as leverage is a perfect way to turn anyone into a killer."
2:08 P.M Day Eleven
Underground
Sewer Entrance
"Heyo, are you sure this is the right way? I'm pretty sure this tunnel is the same as the rest," Naruhiko mused as he laced his hands behind his head.
"This is why you're in the back while Annabelle and I are doing the hard work. Stick to making good music and let us be the brain power," the Ultimate Shogi Player said, deadpanning before gesturing at scratches on the nearby wall. "If you'll recall, Yoshikuma mentioned leaving marks to keep track of where he'd been. Eventually, those marks should lead back to the entrance."
Annabelle nodded as she held her phone up to the walls. "We've been following them for a while now, there shouldn't be too much more."
The Punk Musician smiled slightly. "Ya know, I'd feel a lot better if we'd run into anyone else. Shit, I hope they're alright. It just makes me wanna throttle that bear till his stuffing comes out..."
"Considering what happened that first day when Laris tried to stage a cou'p, I wouldn't suggest it. Like it or not, we're going to win by beating them at the game. If we cheat we're only going to pay the price. What happened with Nagito being killed and us being trapped down here, it just shows that for better or worse, we have to play this sick game until its conclusion," Tomoko mused thoughtfully.
"Yeah... looks like it's gonna be a hard road, but we just have to keep pushing forward!" Annabelle cheered. "Hey wait, look up ahead! I see a light!"
A rare smile spread across Tomoko's lips. "You're right, and that's definitely sunlight. See, Naruhiko? You should be thanking us. Otherwise, you'd have spent an eternity down here."
"Hah, I'll do a lot more than thank you if you want! I've never been so happy to see..." The Musician trailed off as the group neared the large ladder only to realize something was dangling from the metal bars.
The faint tendrils of sunlight illuminated a horrible sight. Hanging by his neck via a rope was none other than Soo Yeong. His mouth hung agape and his visible skin was horribly discolored. His one visible eye was bloodshot and glazed over. He was very much dead, and from the looks of it, had been for a long time.
A chiming sound echoed throughout the many tunnels and corridors as the lights began to flicker on, banishing the darkness. A series of glowing neon arrows appeared upon the wall that pointed towards the entrance.
A moment elapsed before a chortle could be heard. "Bahaha! Well, sewer rats, it's been fun, though it looks like one of ya has bit it. You know how this works by now. Follow the handy dandy arrows back to the entrance, and conduct your investigation. I wouldn't dawdle about, though. I'm not giving you losers any extra time, so get the lead out!"
The Investigator paled as she stared in shock at the body. "Doctor Moon..." She closed her eyes when she felt her shoulders start to shake. She then took a few deep, calming breaths before turning to face the others. "I think I'm gonna get started now. You guys should take the others somewhere else above ground. Just mind the body as you climb."
"Jesus Christ..." Naruhiko clenched his fists at his side as he stared at the dangling body with a look of horror.
Tomoko eyed the boy before shifting her attention back to Annabelle. "I think I'll stay to help you with the investigation, though I'm afraid we'll have to cut Soo Yeong down before any of us can properly climb up. Naruhiko, now isn't the time to stand around gawking in shock. We have a job to do."
The Punk Musician offered a somber nod in response. "Right, of course. If it helps find the asshole who did this, I'm game."
2:42 P.M Day Eleven
Underground
Sewer Entrance
Tomoko looked down at the case file with a scrutinizing stare. "He's been dead for almost twelve hours. Which means it was only a couple of hours after we were separated, when he was murdered."
"Kuma Kuma Land Case File #4
"Victim #1: Soo Yeong
"Cause of death was a broken neck"
"The time of death was approximately 3:12 A.M "
"The body was discovered at the entrance of the Sewer at 2:14 P.M by Tomoko, Annabelle, and Naruhiko. Considering that fact, alibis will be a very important aspect in this trial. Especially since so many of us ended up in smaller groups. Though for now, we have to decide on something. Was this a murder or a suicide?" Tomoko mused as she glanced over at the Investigator. "Annabelle, what do you think? Can you decide based on the injuries?"
The Investigator looked up from the body with a thoughtful expression. "I can't really tell. He's definitely got rope burns around his neck. However, I haven't found anything else, so I don't think he was attacked." TRUTH BULLET
Haruto had been staring at Soo for a while, as if he couldn't comprehend what had happened to the late Plastic Surgeon, but he snapped out of it as soon as he heard the child's voice. "Is there any way I can help out, Anna?"
"Considering you're not trained to perform autopsies or investigate crime scenes, you'd be best served letting us handle it," Lachlan said in a blunt manner before rolling his jaw. "...Though I suppose you could take a look at this suicide note," he said as he pressed the crinkled paper into the boy's hands. "Unfortunately, I don't have anything I can use to compare it to Soo's handwriting, but see if you can make out anything."
The Parental Figure carefully examined the contents of the note. He traced his finger under each and every letter. After reading the whole thing to himself, he calmly wiped away the few tears he couldn't hold back. "This is a left-handed person's writing." TRUTH BULLET
"You managed to discern that with just a simple glance?" Tomoko asked with a hint of surprise in her tone.
"I've taught a lot of children how to write, and some of them were left-handed. Look at these letters, here," he said as he pointed to a specific part of the note. "They would look different if they were made by a right hand. Its positioning would affect the angle of the pen's tip."
The Journalist raised a brow. "I stand corrected, that's actually astute of you. Unfortunately, in this case, it doesn't answer the question of whether it's suicide or murder. From my understanding, Soo Yeong was ambidextrous, which means he could have used his right or left hand." TRUTH BULLET
"So we can't rule out a suicide just yet, but we should be able to remove a few potential killers," Annabelle said before her eyes lit up in realization. "Oh yeah, along with the note, we found the pen too. It looks pretty busted. I wonder what caused it? Doctor Moon was only hanging a few inches off the ground before we cut him down, so it couldn't be from falling." TRUTH BULLETS
Tomoko's brow furrowed slightly as she examined the rope. "Come to think of it, I believe the rope around his neck was part of a climbing set found in the Sport's Shop. Since a lot of our supplies were scattered when we were separated, that doesn't narrow anyone down in particular, but it is important to note." TRUTH BULLET
"Speaking of things worth noting, Tomo, it seems the good doctor lost one of his gloves," Lachlan said as he gestured at the fallen garment that lay several feet away. "I'm not sure it alone proves anything, but it is strange." TRUTH BULLET "If this is a suicide, it will be an open-and-shut case. However, if we're wrong, then we'll be forced into another game of life and death. I'm not sure we'll be as fortunate a second time..."
2:57 P.M Day Eleven
Resort District
First Floor (Lobby)
"Jesus, that smell is never gonna fade!" Becky exclaimed as she waved her hand in front of her face. "Can't Dolls and I just go take a shower?"
Tiana offered a slightly miffed expression. "Absolutely not. I'm sure all of us feel the same way, but we have much more pressing matters. Since it took us so long to get out of the sewers, who knows how much more time we have. We need to use this time to establish where everyone was since we were separated last night."
"I don't meant to point fingers, but shouldn't we be looking at the person who betrayed us in the first place?" Dolly asked quietly as she gazed over at the Runner.
Shiho bit the inside of her cheek. "While it's true that I fed Kurokuma information, I would never intentionally hurt anyone."
"You may say that, but do you have any proof of it? It probably comes as no surprise that we won't take your word at face value," Sigmund responded bluntly.
The Ultimate Knight offered an irritable expression. "As a matter of fact, I can speak on her behalf. Whatever her other transgressions may be, she and I were together the entire time. I stayed up all night, and I can assure you that she went nowhere. We were alone until Chloe and Seikatsu found us earlier this afternoon." TRUTH BULLET
"Yes, I can attest to that personally. Seikatsu and I were forced together. We too saw no one until we discovered Shiho and Laris in a small maintenance building. We didn't exactly have a chance to slip off and commit murder even if we wanted to," the Fashion Designer said. TRUTH BULLET
"Yes, and even if we had been given the chance, neither of us have anyone who could have been used as a hostage. Suffice it to say, there was no motivation for either of us to strike," Seikatsu added in a monotone manner.
Naruhiko groaned as he stretched wildly onto a large couch. "Heh, well I guess since the other two aren't here, I'll go next. I was with Tomoko and the squirt the entire time. If it wasn't for them, we'd never have found our way back to the entrance in the first place. We were the ones who found Soo Yeong after all," he said with a frown. TRUTH BULLET
"Seems even without much time, we are fortunate that most of us ended up with someone to serve as an alibi. Haruto and I were in the same situation. We were together all night, though I'm not afraid to admit that if it weren't for Kaizoku, we'd both in the belly of a gator right now," Tiana mused as she crossed her legs. TRUTH BULLET
Chloe raised a single brow. "So then, Kaizoku showed up later, I take it?"
The Sailor sighed. "Aye, I found both Haruto and Tiana in a bad situation. I did what I could and we managed to subdue the creature long enough to escape."
The Dominatrix eyed the boy a moment as if fighting with indecision, but she finally cleared her throat. "Kaizoku, after we narrowly avoided death, you mentioned that you were with Soo Yeong. Can you tell the others what you told us?"
Kaizoku nodded solemnly. "Heh, I'm basically stepping onto the plank admitting this, but I was indeed with Soo Yeong. I'd managed to hold on to him during the flush. After wandering around for a bit, we eventually found the entrance. I left him there so I could look for the rest of you. The poor lad didn't want to keep walking around down there, so he stayed behind." TRUTH BULLET
"Yeesh, that doesn't do you any favors at all, Captain Hook! That makes you one of the last to see him alive. How do we know you didn't just off him and then come up with the idea of playing innocent?" Becky asked with a suspicious look.
"Just because he had contact with Soo Yeong, it doesn't mean we should so easily assign blame to the Captain. For all we know, this is very much a suicide. From my understanding, Soo Yeong was not in a good headspace. Even if it is a murder, we still have others without a proper alibi, correct?" Laris asked.
Dolly nodded her head weakly. "That's true. Lachlan, Sigmund, and I were all alone. I bumped into Sigmund first, shortly before four in the morning, and then we ran into Lachlan about thirty minutes later." TRUTH BULLET
"Then since the death took place right after three in the morning, any one of you could also be a potential suspect. In fact, to my understanding, there are only four of us without proper alibis. Dolly, Sigmund, Lachlan, and Kaizoku. If nothing else, it leaves us with a sparse group going into the trial," Chloe mused. TRUTH BULLET
3:05 P.M Day Eleven
Amusement Park District
Entrance to the Resort
The Ultimate Forensic Investigator brushed some matted hair out of her face. She paused near the entrance of the district before offering Haruto a pained expression. "Doctor Moon went through so much in such a short time. Losing Churi, taking Utano's life, having to mutilate himself, and now this. I-I'm beginning to wonder if everything we're doing is pointless. Maybe… that's what he realized, too. If he did take his life, maybe it's because he gave up."
The Parental Figure's calm demeanor began to crack, but it was still in place. He quickly kneeled down to Annabelle's level and looked her in the eye. "I can't deny that that's possible... but we won't know for sure until the trial. I wish I could've made up to him for my mistakes... there was something I really wanted to tell him, too... that'll never happen now." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before placing a firm hand on her shoulder. When they opened, they were fierce with determination. "Even so, nothing we've done has been pointless."
"You sound really sure, maybe the most certain you've ever been," the child mused with a strained smile. "...I know it petty, but I can't stop thinking this is my fault. I was the one the who encouraged Doctor Moon to go with Churi that night. If I hadn't done that, Utano may not have snapped in the first place. If Doctor Moon did take his own life, then that's three lives I inadvertently ruined. All the stuff my mothers taught me… none of it prepared me for this. H-How can you ever be ready for something like this?" she asked as her voice cracked slightly.
"...In all honesty, you can't. There are some things in life that people can never predict, no matter how much they try." Haruto chose his words very carefully. "There was a woman who was much worse than Utano. She did something... very cruel. I knew she was unhinged, I did all I could to deal with her, but I was not ready for what she did... and yet, I still blame myself for it." He wiped away some fresh tears. "That was what I wanted to share with Soo. I don't want to go into detail. I'm just using my experience as an example."
Annabelle reached up with her little hand before wiping away some of the errant tears. "I guess it doesn't matter how old or young you are. Everyone has something they blame themselves for," she said before offering the older boy a weak grin. "I bet deep down, Doctor Moon knew how you felt. He was just hurting, ya know? But if there is a place you go after all of this, I'd like to hope that he's at peace."
Haruto responded with a smile of his own. "I hope so too, Anna..." He then took his hand off her shoulder. "Thank you for supporting me, but I promised you that I would return the favor, and now feels like the right time. If you don't feel comfortable sharing anything, I'll understand. I didn't didn't tell you all of my past, after all, but you look shaken up... Do you still think what we've been doing is pointless?"
"I-I'm not really sure. I wanna say no, but I'm just so tired. I just wonder how many friends we have to say goodbye to, until it's finally over," the girl admitted as she let her shoulders slump.
The boy got on both of his knees and spread his arms wide open. "Would you like a hug?"
"...Kay, but don't think I'm a baby because of this! I just really wanna hug is all," the girl said, clearly embarrassed, as she took a half step forward and threw her arms around the teen. "You know what, Haruto?"
"That's fine. It's normal to want a hug." He wrapped his arms around her. Not too tight, and not too loose. Perfectly snug. "What's on your mind?"
A tiny giggle escaped her lips as she crinkled her nose. "You stink."
"So do you, bud," he said with a chuckle.
She playfully poked him in the side. "Kay, so let's get to the bottom of this trial, alright? Then you can have Tiana scrub your back and make kissy faces with you!"
Haruto returned the gesture by tickling her. His smile was brighter than before. "After the trial, why don't we both take showers? After that, I'll do I what want, and you do what you want. Sound good?"
A squeak escaped the child as she wiggled away from his fingers. "Fine, fine! J-Just stop! You win!" she sputtered. "I give up!"
The boy released her and got back on his feet. Then he affectionately tousled her hair. "I love you, Anna. You and everyone here are like family to me." He put his hand over his chest. "And Tiana may be more than that... I think that's what this strange, new feeling in me means."
Annabelle huffed as she folded her arms. "You're a mess sometimes, Uncle Haruto, but I guess I can see what Tiana sees in you. You've got a big heart, but you're such a big dummy."
"You're right. Truth be told, my heart is what keeps me going," he said.
Before the girl could muster another response, a chiming sound echoed across the park, followed by Mizukuma's voice. "This is a real bother, but I've been left to babysit you all for this case. If you'd make your way to the trial room, I'd like to get this show on the road. That is all," the voice faded quickly into silence, leaving the pair to their thoughts once more.
Annabelle frowned. "Mizukuma, huh? That's kind of strange. I figured Kurokuma would be running the show again." TRUTH BULLET
"Because the murder happened in the sewers, rather than Waterworld, right?" Haruto looked at the fountain, then towards the Resort District. "Wait, was the entrance in the park fountain or the hotel's? I kinda lost track, after everything that's happened."
Annabelle frowned. "It was definitely in the Amusement Park, though it still is strange. We should keep that in mind. It could be nothing or it could mean something major."
"I'm positive you're onto something," he said before taking hold of her hand. "You're a brilliant investigator, after all, now let's go. Better not keep the bear waiting."
Kuma Kuma Land Case File #4
Victim #1: Soo Yeong
"Cause of death is a broken neck"
"The time of death was approximately 3:12 A.M "
"The body was discovered at the entrance of the Sewer at 2:14 P.M by Tomoko,Annabelle, and Naruhiko
TRUTH BULLETS
Body suspended by the ladder
Rope from the Sport's Shop
Chloe/Seikatsu's Alibi
Rope Burns around the victim's neck
Naruhiko/Tomoko/Annabelle's Alibi
Suicide Note
Tiana/Haruto's Alibi
Apparently handwriting from a left handed individual
Kaizoku's Testimony
Discarded glove
Dolly's Testimony
Busted Pen
Shiho's Alibi
4 Possible Suspects
13 Survivors Remain
OMAKE
The camera turned on to show Tiana and Haruto, both dressed very nicely. They were on the beach, music playing in the background. "Hello, everyone, I'm Tiana Blake," Tiana greeted.
Haruto smiled at the camera. "I'm Haruto Shinta."
"And this is the Post Game Talk Show," the couple introduced.
"It feels so good to be back hosting this show," Haruto stated.
Tiana nodded. "And as you all can see, we're hosting from a different location."
"That's because Kokichi and Nagito tied the knot today!" Haruto cheered. "And unlike the last reception, we're going to get an interview with the happy couple."
Tiana cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure that's such a good idea? I think Kokichi might pass out from suddenly being put on the spot like that."
Sierra and Mirielle walked onto the screen, a small glare on the younger's face. "If we don't get a chance to catch the bouquet because of you, Haru, then there will be hell to pay."
"It's just a bouquet," Haruto argued. When the two girls' glares deepened, the blue-haired man hid behind Tiana. "Alright, alright, we won't interview the happy couple until after the honeymoon."
"Can you two stop intimidating my boyfriend now?" Tiana requested.
Mirielle chuckled, gently pulling Sierra away. "Sorry about that. What my darling wants, she gets." The two girls walked away, and Haruto moved back to Tiana's side.
"How about we find someone else to interview?" Haruto suggested, smiling once again. Tiana glanced around before her eyes landed on someone, a bright smile appearing on her face. She then grabbed
Haruto by the hand and pulled him away, the camera following them.
Tiana stopped right by Mallory and Ren, who were sitting at a table. "Mallory, you're here!"
The younger girl glanced up Tiana and smiled. "Hi, Tia! Hi, Haru! How are you doing?"
"We should be asking you that," Haruto argued, wrapping the girl in a hug. "Even when we were helping Patrick with wedding plans, we didn't see you."
"Thank God there's no bar here," Tiana muttered.
"Holy fuck, is that Mal?!" Yukiko exclaimed. A small rumbling could be heard as the entire cast of "Sea of Tranquility" ran over to Mallory and Ren's table.
Natalie pulled the smaller girl out of Haruto's arms and squeezed her in a tight hug. "We've missed you so much!"
"We thought you weren't going to be here," Miyaki stated.
Mikhail nodded. "That's what Patrick and Otto told us, at least."
"Well, I wasn't going to initially," Mallory admitted. "But after my last appointment, the doctors said that I would be okay."
René's eyes widened. "Wait…does that mean…"
Mallory giggled, her smile growing. "As of three days ago, I'm leukemia free!"
Everyone stared at the red-haired girl with wide eyes. After a few seconds, Dylan joined Natalie in hugging the girl. "That's amazing!"
"What's amazing?" Nagito inquired, walking over to the group. Kokichi was trailing behind him. Upon seeing the camera, he ducked behind Nagito's back. Nagito's eyes widened upon seeing Mallory.
"Mallory, you're here?!"
"Hi, Nagito, Hi, Kokichi," Mallory chirped. "Both of you look so lovely."
Kokichi peeked at the younger girl. "Th-Thank you, Mallory."
"Anyways, we came over here to announce that I'm about to throw the bouquet," Nagito announced.
Mallory gasped, her eyes sparkling. "I'm going to try and catch it."
"Good luck, Mal, but we're not going down without a fight," Sierra responded.
"I am getting that bouquet!" Laris cheered.
Chloe was standing nearby, clapping her hands excitedly. "You can do it, Laris! I believe in you!"
"I think Kaizoku and I will be fine without a bundle of flowers," Kanade interjected. Kaizoku was holding onto her hand.
"I would have to agree," Alexander responded, wrapping his arm around Akeno's shoulders.
Churi giggled, cuddling Soo closer to her. "I already got the bouquet at Sonia and Gundam's wedding."
Tiana glanced over at Haruto before chuckling. "Should I give it a shot?" Haruto nodded. Tiana joined the others as Nagito walked over to the buffet table. After a few seconds, he tossed the bouquet into
the air. Excited screams filled the air before being replaced by delighted gasps. Tiana turned around to face the camera, the bouquet in her arms. She looked stunned. "I actually caught it."
Annabelle ran over to Tiana, Kitai trailing behind her. "Tia! Tia! If you caught the flowers, does that mean you and Haru are gonna get married?"
"Does it?" Kitai asked, giving the blonde woman puppy dog eyes. Before Tiana could respond, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to face Haruto.
"Haru, is everything alright?" Tiana inquired.
Haruto chuckled. "That is really going to depend on how this goes. I was going to wait to ask this, especially since we're at someone else's wedding, but Nagito and Kokichi said I could go ahead and ask if I
wanted and you did just catch the bouquet."
Tiana cocked an eyebrow. "Haru, what're you going on about?"
"Well…there's something I've been wanting to ask you for the past year now," Haruto admitted, reaching into his pants' pocket. As Haruto pulled out a small black box, he got down on one knee. Tiana threw a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. "Tiana Blake, will you marry me?"
Tiana threw the bouquet into the air before throwing herself into Haruto's arms. "You never had to ask, you fluffy-haired fool. You just had to show me the ring, and I would've said yes." When Tiana pulled back from the hug, tears could be seen running down her face. Despite that, she was smiling brightly.
"Since you two are probably wanting to celebrate, can I end the show?" Mallory requested. Tiana nodded before pulling Haruto in for a kiss. Mallory turned to face the camera, smiling brightly. "Thank you all for watching and for sending such kind messages while I was recovering. And thank you all for showing so much support to my cast mates. This has been the Post Game Talk Show, and we'll see you all after the next episode. Good bye!"
*AN* As always I'd like to thank our betas, and Petty/Fee5H for helping with these scenes. You guys rock! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review thanks!
Review Section:
YAmomo
Wow, I have to say that's one wild theory. It's definitely the first of it's kind for sure. Hah, glad you caught up though =) Hope you enjoy where it goes!
Natsukumo1000
Oooh good choice of band by the way!
The Kobold Necromancer
Yeah I have to say Tomoko/Annabelle's interaction in the previous chapter was one of my favorites.
NSPunny
I always love reading everyone's interpretation and predictions. It makes every chapter exciting for me =)
pokemansuperallstar
Yeah I wanted to come back to Maddie eventually, I just needed a good chance. It seemed like a good time in my head.
doomqwer
I can't believe we're arguing over science in this series of all things. Though I will point out that if the landmass is large enough then it doesn't need to be that high. Terminal velocity for a person is achieved at 1500 ft. Let's just say this island is at 20,000 ft well below Mt. Everest, that's still nearly 4 miles above sea level. More than enough achieve terminal velocity. If we say this entire landmass is around 30-50 miles in diameter it would be an extinction or at least near extinction level event. Also if the individuals had been acclimated to the levels which are well below Everest, then it's more than feasible they'd have plenty of oxygen.
The Celestial Sky Dragon
I'm not going to pretend like I have any idea what you're talking about haha. I do like these kind of chapters though, it gives us a lot of room to delve more into the characters!
bellatrixshine
I just keep stringing that along don't I? I'm just evil like that!
BirblordAlmighty
Itchy fingers? Of course not!
MudkipOfDespair
Eh everything is inspired by something else these days lol