A/N: Here's Chapter Five Deadly Life Part Three. So…who do you guys think killed Kiki? Let me know in your reviews, and enjoy!

Danganronpa 4: Next Generation Killing!

Chapter Five: United We Stand, Divided We Fall!

Deadly Life Part Three: Shuichi Pays His Last Respects!

Monokuma?!

Shuichi blinked, shaking his head as he wondered if he was hallucinating. But surely enough, Monokuma stood no more than a meter or two away, seemingly having a conversation with Kirumi and Keebo.

"So, we have your word?" Keebo asked, causing Shuichi to tilt his head in confusion.

"Fine, fine, I'll grant your silly request. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some last minute preparations to do."

With that, Monokuma turned and waddled up the stairs, his red eye passing Shuichi's glance. The young detective resisted the urge to shiver as the sadistic bear continued up and disappeared from view. Furrowing his brow, Shuichi walked away from the stairs and towards his two fellow survivors.

"Oh, Shuichi!" Keebo exclaimed, whirling around along with Kirumi to face the blue-haired boy.

"Ah…what were you guys just talking to Monokuma about?"

"Allow me to explain." Kirumi offered in response to Shuichi's inquiry. "We were simply requesting to Monokuma that we be allowed to transport Kiki's body out of the school after the trial."

Keebo nodded. "You've noticed by now how none of the bodies remain after we returned from the trials, right?"

Shuichi's eyes widened in realization. "Ah, that's right. All the crime scenes were since cleaned up!"

"Yes…we didn't want Monokuma to take Kiki Kami knows where, so we were pleading with him to not disturb Kiki's remains. He agreed, but only after he made us do…humiliating things. He even made Kirumi lick his feet!"

"What?!"

Shuichi's eyes widened in shock as Kirumi blushed in embarrassment. "Kiki has done so much for us over these past weeks. The least we can do for her is ensure her next of kin can give her a proper funeral so she can rest in peace. And if I must debase myself to do that…then as a maid, I am prepared to do so."

Shuichi nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Kirumi. You too, Keebo. I'm sure Kiki's spirit will appreciate what you've done for her…ah, I did have a question though, Kirumi. It's about this morning."

Kirumi furrowed her brow in confusion, but nevertheless nodded in assent. "Ask, and I shall answer to the best of my ability, Shuichi."

"Well…when we were all having breakfast…did you clean any dishes before we went to search for Kiki?"

"…No, I was going to wait until after Kiki had come and eaten with us before washing the dishes. What does this have to do with Kiki's murder, though?"

"Ah, well…I found some dishes that seemed freshly washed, and I was wondering if you did them this morning."

Cocking her head, Kirumi responded "I understand your reasoning, but I haven't washed anything today."

Shuichi nodded. "Alright, thanks, Kirumi. This was a great help." Shuichi pursed his lips, wondering, but if Kirumi didn't wash that spatula…then who did? And why did they do it? Did they cook with it, or was it used for something else?

*Ding Dong Bing Bong*

The three of them turned to the nearest monitor, scowling at the bear whose cruel game stole Kiki's life. It wasn't long until his maliciously joyful voice echoed in their ears.

"Puhuhuhu…It's about that time. That's right! It's time for the class trial, where hope and despair meet head-on! Please proceed for the last time to the elevator on the 5th Floor, and head to the trial grounds. Everyone needs to be there, got it!? Anyone who's absent will be swiftly and permanently punished! Ah-hahahahaha! I wonder what kinda despair awaits you this time?"

"So…it's time…" Kirumi sighed, her shoulders appearing to sag with heaviness.

"Let's…get this over with…" Keebo somberly suggested before he followed Kirumi to the stairs.

They had barely climbed the first step when they turned around. Their brows furrowed at seeing Shuichi completely still by Kiki's corpse.

"Uh, Shuichi?" A confused Keebo beckoned "The trial's going to start soon. We need to rendezvous at the meeting point."

Shuichi nodded. "You guys go ahead, I'll catch up." He turned towards Kiki's body, explaining, "There's…something I need to do before I go."

"…What could be more important than Kiki's trial?"

Kirumi pursed her lips before her eyes widened in realization. "I see…you wish to pay your last respects before you go, correct?"

Seeing Shuichi nod, Keebo questioned "Is this really the best time for that? I don't wish to be insensitive, but you heard Monokuma's announcement. Why risk being late and getting punished when we can all grieve for her when we're out of here?"

"Please!" Shuichi pleaded with the young robot. "I won't be long, I promise. This is just…something I need to do alone…"

Keebo opened his mouth but closed it as he felt Kirumi gently tug on his arm. "Keebo, he wants to say something to her that's meant for her ears and her ears alone. Let us give him some privacy so he can say what he needs to say."

Keebo grimaced but sighed in defeat. "…I'm not sure I understand…but alright. Kirumi and I can cover for you with the others until you finish."

Shuichi smiled gratefully. "Thanks, you guys. I promise I'll keep this brief."

Kirumi nodded, then wordlessly turned and continued her climb up the stairs. Keebo's eyes softened in sympathy before he too turned and followed the young maid. Now alone on the 1st Floor, Shuichi sighed, turning his gaze on Kiki's corpse.

Her body had been turned so that she was lying on her back, blood pooling underneath her head. Her eyes were closed, her lips frozen in a permanent grimace as her arms laid at her side. There was almost a sense of serenity to her composition, though this only served to remind Shuichi that she'd never beautify the world with her presence again.

Shuichi took a deep breath and tepidly approached his deceased friend and confidant. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he finally let out the sorrow and anguish that he'd been holding at bay during the investigation through his soft cries.

"I'm…I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you, Kiki. It's not fair…not fair that you had to die for all of us to get out of here. And I'm…I'm sorry I never got to tell you what I tried to say last night. If only…if only I insisted on talking that night, if only I tried to stay with you last night…maybe I could have kept you alive. All I can do now is hope you'll be able to hear me…"

Shuichi's tears sprinkled down on Kiki's body, coating her with his sorrow and remorse. As much as he wished his tears would magically revive the friend he lost, deep down he knew that there was no bringing her back from the grave. Instead, he would have to settle with making his confessions to her lingering spirit.

"I…I admired you…when we were faced with Kaede's guilt…I looked away. When Ace murdered Snake, I ran away. But you…you had so much strength. You rose to the challenge and worked hard to help us survive the Class Trials, even though I should have as the trained detective. You were the detective I always wanted to be…and for that…I couldn't help but look up to you."

Shuichi wiped his tears on his sleeve. As he thought about the trials and tribulations ahead, he couldn't help but quake with fear, no longer needing to put on a brave face for the others.

"Honestly…I'm scared, Kiki. I don't know how we'll be able to survive this without you…I can only hope that you've taught me enough that I can stand up and find the truth in your stead…"

Shuichi trailed off, a brief glimmer catching his eye as his tears fell on Kiki's clenched fist. His brow furrowed with curiosity, causing him to kneel by her side and gently grasp her fingers with his own. To his surprise, they easily gave way upon pulling them apart.

"That's strange, rigor mortis should have set in by now…what…?" Shuichi's eyes widened at a small piece of glimmering jewelry in her palm. "A…a ring…? What was Kiki doing with a ring?!"

His eyes lingered on the accessory in her hand, gently picking it up with two fingers. He turned it every which way he could, the cogs in his brain turning as he tried to decipher where the ring had come from.

"I don't recall Kiki ever wearing a ring…so it must belong to someone else. But who…and why did she have it…?"

Shaking the thought from his head, he slid it in his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he removed his hat from his head and slid one hand underneath Kiki's head. He rested the hat reverently on Kiki's head before lowering it to the floor again. Upon standing up and dusting off his pants, he stared at her corpse one last time.

"I told you before that I couldn't take off my hat until I could say with confidence that I wouldn't be afraid of searching for the truth. I promise now that I won't run away from the truth. I promise, I'm going to find out the truth of who killed you…and expose them as the blackened. So…I'll give you my hat as collateral…as proof of my resolve."

Shuichi glanced up at the ceiling, a blond-haired pianist flashing in his mind. He held back his tears at the memory of his former beloved.

"Kaede…promise me you'll take care of Kiki, won't you? I'm sorry to ask this of you…but I can't reach her anymore. And…let her know I'm sorry I couldn't protect her…"

Before he could cry again, Shuichi turned around and fled up the flight of stairs. Spectral eyes watched as the young detective's feet left determined earthquakes on each of the steps.

The twins were brought to tears by Shuichi's confession, while their parents couldn't help but smile proudly at their former student.

"That was…so beautiful…!" Kiri sniffled.

"I…I always knew he was right for her…!" Koto cried.

Even Maki couldn't hold back a small smile at the scene that played on the TV. "He really is dedicated to solving the mystery of her death, isn't he?"

"Indeed." Kyoko nodded. "This goes beyond a detective's mere duty to seek out the truth. This case has become personal for him, just like it is for us. That's what's giving him the strength to overcome his fear of the truth and push forward. He and the others are the only ones that can deliver justice for Kiki, so he's determined not to let her down."

Makoto nodded before he glanced at his eldest son. He frowned with his brow furrowed at Mokubo's intense stare.

"What is it, Moku? You're staring rather strongly at that screen." Mokubo narrowed his eyes for a moment before they widened in realization. "Son, what's wrong?" Makoto prodded. "Did you realize something?"

Everyone stared expectantly at the boy, causing him to bite his lip anxiously. Fidgeting in place, he admitted "…Maybe…but I'm not completely sure yet…"

Kyoko's brow furrowed; the ex-detective couldn't deny she was curious about her son's deduction. Nevertheless, she nodded understandingly, recalling how she never showed her hand to anyone during her own participation in Class Trials, not even to Makoto. Trusting in her son's judgment, she gestured towards the screen.

"I see…let's watch then and see if your realization is true, whatever it is."

"Shuichi?!" The others exclaimed, seeing the now hatless detective approach.

"You're late…" Sokyu muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and tapping his foot against the floor. "We've been waiting, I'll have you know."

"Forget about that…" Ryoma shook his head. "More importantly…what happened to your hat?"

"Did Kiki's death cause you to undergo a costume change?" Tsumugi inquired curiously, tilting her head.

"Ah, well…I figured it'd just get in the way…and besides…" Shuichi clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes. "I made a promise to Kiki and Kaede that I wouldn't run away from the truth…so I decided to stop hiding beneath my hat."

"H…How beautiful…! What an amazing burst of character development!"

Everyone sweatdropped at Tsumugi's sniffles before Kirumi turned to Shuichi. She cleared her throat and asked, "Did you say what you needed to Kiki?"

Shuchi nodded, though his lips still tugged into a grimace. "I'm not sure it was enough, but yeah, I said everything I could think of at the moment."

Gonta nodded solemnly. "Guess we have to go down the elevator now, huh?"

Nodding, Shuichi stepped into the circle, right in the middle of the small crowd. As if on cue, the familiar metal walls rose, encasing them in the elevator. As the rumbling of the gears echoed in their ears, the platform began to descend, beginning their lonely, albeit brief descent into hell for the last time.

This elevator used to feel claustrophobic…but now it feels…empty… Shuichi mused, hanging his head. Especially without…her…the last time we were in this elevator together, she was mad at me…we promised we'd patch things up…but she died before we could rebuild our friendship… Shuichi gritted his teeth in frustrated anger. …And I'll never forgive myself for that…

*Ding*

It took the rest of the elevator ride for Shuichi to rein in his bubbling anger and guilt. When the ding echoed in his ears and the walls retracted, Shuichi stepped out with the others into the courtroom. The group collectively narrowed their eyes at Monokuma, who sat expectantly on his throne.

"Puhuhu…to think so few of you are left…you guys really need to be more careful with your lives!" He crowed, causing Tsumugi to point at him.

"You're the reason why there's so few of us left! Everyone who died would still be alive if it wasn't for you!"

"Aww, are you mad just because your fearless leader kicked the bucket?" Monokuma taunted, causing Shuichi to growl quietly. "Don't blame me, I'm not the one who killed her! Kiki Naegi's dead 'cause someone else decided she needed to go so they could escape! That's all there is to it! I had nothing whatsoever to do with her death."

"T-that's-"

"Calm down, Tsumugi." Kirumi sighed. "He just wants to get under your skin so you can't think clearly."

"Yeah, Kiki would want us to stay calm." Gonta agreed. "That's what Gonta thinks, anyway."

"Alright, enough chitchat." Monokuma ordered. "This is the last Class Trial, so get to your podiums already. Let Kiki's death be your motivation for ending this Killing School Semester with a bang!"

"You sure like to hear yourself talk…" Ryoma muttered as Sokyu sighed.

"Whatever, let's just get this over with."

"Agreed…let's put an end to this so we can get out of here and bring Kiki's body to her family."

Shuichi nodded solemnly as he walked up to his podium. Gripping the rail with a vice, he tilted his head up, looking past his shoulder to see Kiki's portrait. The girl's soft smile was stained by the image of a four-leaved clover and a magnifying glass crossed over her face in the shape of an X. Shuichi furrowed his brow in confusion but shook the thought from his mind as memories of the young girl he had grown to admire took its place.

Kiki Naegi…a girl who couldn't even remember her own last name. She wanted desperately to know who she was…and yet, despite that, she tried her hardest to stay strong and keep us alive. She was the kind of person who valued promises, who always put others' needs ahead of her own. We relied on her for strength when we had nothing left. She was loved…loved by all of us…she was our hope! And despite that…

Shuichi forced himself to look away from Kiki's portrait. His eyes narrowed, gazing with a laser like focus at the other survivors.

…Despite the fact that we all loved her, one of us decided to snuff out her hope. One of us decided that their escape was worth killing her. Such a selfish monster…I'll never forgive them for it! I'll never forgive them for slaughtering such a kind and gentle soul in cold blood! I swear, I won't run away anymore! I'll fulfill my promise to her and Kaede here and now! No matter who it is, I'll find the truth of who murdered Kiki, and expose them as the blackened. That's my duty as a detective…and as Kiki's friend!

A fire blazed in Shuichi's eyes, finally igniting from the smoldering spark that had been fed over the past several weeks. The young detective had finally come into his own, a true detective who wouldn't be afraid of searching for the truth any longer…even if the price had been far too high.

Time for our final Class Trial!

"…He's mocking us…" Kyoko seethed, clenching her teeth as she growled.

Makoto wrapped a comforting arm around his wife despite sharing her anger at Monokuma's visual taunt. Kyoko took a deep breath, letting out her excess anger as she relaxed in her husband's embrace.

"You'd better avenge our sister, Shuichi!" Koto and Kiri demanded, shaking their fists at the TV screen.

"He will…" Despite the serious frown on Makoto's face, his voice radiated with faith and hope. "I believe in Shuichi to find Kiki's killer."

"…That sounds like something Kaito would say…" Maki muttered, a small smile tugging at her lips. "In another life…he and Shuichi might have made good friends…"

"Indeed…" Kyoko nodded, resting her chin atop her folded hands. "Regardless, this will be Shuichi's true test as a detective. If he can put everything his uncle and I have taught him into practice, then he'll be able to escape with the others and bring Kiki home. If not…"

"…It's all over…" Mokubo finished under his breath.

In a rare instance of spirituality, the logical boy clasped his hands in prayer. Not because he necessarily believed that prayer would boost Shuichi's chances of victory, but because he needed to settle his worried heart and believe in Shuichi. Makoto rested a gentle, reassuring hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Startled, Mokubo looked up to his father, who smiled and nodded in understanding assurance.

"…Arigatou…Father…"

Mokubo took a deep breath as he and his family returned their gazes to the television. Together, the family hoped that Shuichi wouldn't let them down.

Good luck, Shuichi!