Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Usami detected a questionable train of thought between the Ultimate Cook and the Ultimate Princess, the AI quickly headed over to discover a strange sight. To be specific, Usami was faced with two entities that weren't detected within the system.

"Nom," Despite her eyes focused on her Funplane, the female leaned close to her seatmate and took a big bite of the sweet bread.

"..." The male seemed not to notice, having one hand scribbling down something to dissect the Millennium Prize Problems.

"What's going on here?!" Usami cried, summoning her wand and thinking what to do. The mystery guests sat inside the restaurant of Hotel Mirai, which two of the participants label a romantic date! Usami focused on a more problematic issue at hand. These two visitors wore the uniforms of the different courses within Hope's Peak Academy. One of them belonged to the reserve course department of Hope's Peak Academy which encountered a tragic fate. The other wore the main course uniform of the same school, but held a similar appearance to her sibling unit!

"Stay back from my wonderful students, you two!" Usami waved her wand before the two outsiders, taking a step back when the male stared back. "Please don't harm them!"

"Usami! Do not be rude to the guests!" Sonia Nevermind commanded, having spent the time gossiping with Hanamura Teruteru to guess the identity and relationship of the unknown students. "They were here before we arrived, so we must give them common courtesy!"

"That's right. It's not every day we see love in the air, and to share a healthy snack is like an indirect kiss!" The Ultimate Cook was equally invested in the affair as the Ultimate Princess.

"B-but! This isn't right," Usami doesn't know who these people are, but they could ruin the entire system if any of the participants remember the past! Tragically, her wand failed to recognize their presence. 'What are they? Who are they? What if they ruin this heart-throbbing school trip?! I can't let that happen. This is my duty as a responsible teacher to protect my students!'

"I guess we've reached the introduction phase of the game," The ultimate spoke, finally looking away from her game console. Usami felt her panic rise as the system recognized the data output of the anomaly. [Nanami Chiaki, the deceased Ultimate Gamer]. Hair flowing past her shoulder, the female foreigner tilted her head. "Hello. Are you the admin?"

"She's the teacher," The ??? corrected, taking a bite of the sweet bun mimicking the texture and flavor of the famous bakery - Hansel & Gretel. Having short spiky hair with an ahoge, the male spent several minutes studying the frightened rabbit beforehand. "You don't mind if we stay here for a while? We got bored in the afterlife theatre."

"We can consider this our honeymoon," Chiaki smiled, making the brunette turn to face her with wide eyes. "It'll be fun."

"We're not married yet," ??? pointed out.

"We could be," Chiaki pouted. "Who's stopping us?"

"Of course, you can stay with us. The more, the merrier." Sonia answered in Usami's stead, feeling a tug of familiarity when speaking with these two. "But may we know your names?"

"Indeed. I don't mind whipping up a dish to spice up young love," Teruteru smiled, already planning a menu at the top of his head.

"Stop! STOP STOP! You two must come with me right now!" Usami demanded, unsure what to consider these two. "Please?"

"Ok..." Chiaki stood up first, stretching her arms before tugging her lover's arm. Thankfully, the two visitors trailed behind Usami, which makes the rabbit regret not teleporting to another area. Then again, Pekoyama Peko and Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko already found her existence suspicious. She must be a good teacher for her lovable students!

"Were you able to solve any of the puzzles?" Chiaki asked, ignoring the intense stares at the Ultimate Swordswoman, Ultimate Yakuza, and the other- "Hey! Look! She looks so cute, right?"

"Don't be a narcissist. You know you're cute in any version," The male chuckled, confirming Usami's fears. Sending a report to Alter Ego, Usami continued to head out of the hotel to speak with these two in private. She's thinking of using the abandoned building next to the hotel because no one would ever go there!

"I guess everyone is here," ??? now registered as Hinata Hajime remarked, holding hands with Chiaki as they followed behind the rabbit. They are now outside the hotel, catching the attention of Koizumi Mahiru. "Maybe it was a bad idea to skip the beginning?"

"Hm... Would that matter?" Chiaki pointed out, relying on the other as she focused on her Funplane. "They don't remember, so we can be whoever we want to be."

[UNKNOWN ERROR] Usami received feedback, but the diagnosis gave zero input. Not alive or dead, they are literal ghosts! This is extremely serious!

"We're not alone, Usami." Chiaki made Usami return to the present, seeing Komaeda Nagito bothering Kamukura Izuru. That's no good at all! Of all the students, these two were the most volatile participants in the virtual reality. Chiaki whispered, "I think they look good together."

"No, we are not turning this friendship game into an R-18 genre," Hajime denied, and the blunt description caused both ultimates to stare in their direction. "I changed my mind. I guess we can make them hug and stuff."

"Hug and kiss, let's-" Chiaki agreed, but Usami waved her wand to mute the voices behind her.

"..." Usami turned to see Hajime and Chiaki facing each other, debating who wears the pants in that theoretical relationship. Usami faced her confused and suspicious students.

"Please ignore them! They're not supposed to be here! Bye!" Usami reassured the most volatile participants of the virtual reality program, dragging Hajime and Chiaki to enter the Old Building. Opening the door, Usami ushered the two inside before entering the room. She locked the door, ready to interrogate these aliens.

*CLICK*

"Alright! Who are you two supposed to be?!" Usami asked, trying to look intimidating. Sadly, the action didn't work.

"I'm Nanami Chiaki and this is my love, Hinata Hajime," Chiaki confirmed the facts registered based on her voice, smiling at the rabbit. "I hope you can accommodate us. We plan on staying here for a while because purgatory is boring."

"We could have reincarnated, but Chiaki wanted to observe her classmates." Hajime shrugged, but his words didn't make any sense. "So I guess we're NPCs until the system ends."

"That's right! We can do that. I've played lots of games, so we can perform the roles well." Chiaki saved her game, keeping her game console and giving Usami a thumbs up. "I saw the child version of me, so we should change our names too."

"An alias?" Hajime wondered. "I was thinking we'll just stay away from the group as much as we can."

"But code names are essential to avoid confusion," Chiaki explained with her finger raised. "I can be 7 and you can be 8!"

"Alright. We're going for this, huh?" Hajime gave up but was smiling at his partner.

"Uhm... I was hoping you two can stay here for a while?" Usami pleaded, strangely unable to communicate with Alter Ego in the past hour. Something seemed off, but Usami couldn't point her paws on it.

"Yeah. We can do that too..." Chiaki pulled her hoodie, looking down in disappointment. However, her eyes quickly lit up, and faced Hajime. "Let's grab some games in the MonoMono Machine before total house arrest."

"We'll have to transverse to the beach and collect the virtual coins," Hajime cupped his chin, staring at the door. "But let's do that tonight to avoid making Usami's life miserable."

"If you're searching for games, I'll just give you some with my abilities! Tada!" Usami waved her wand, amazing the duo with her administrative authority. 'I guess they're students too in their own right. I'm confused...'

"Woah! Thanks, Usami!" Chiaki bowed her head before checking the items on the ground.

"You should rally your students about now. Class 77-B isn't exactly the most obedient of students," Hajime hinted, but Usami read all about them in the database. He's right, but she believes in the kindness of everyone's hearts! Hajime turned away, walking towards Chiaki who sat on the floor. "Chiaki. Stand up. The floor's dusty."

"Meh..." Chiaki shrugged it off, intensely reading the limited games offered to play the Funbox.

"Oh dear... I hope everything will be okay..." Usami fiddled with her wand, deciding to trust the two young adults and walk out of the hotel. She noticed the Ultimate Lucky student and Ultimate Hope still staring in her direction, so she locked the door just to be safe.

"What are you two doing there? Have you met all of your wonderful classmates yet?" Usami asked, stunned when both males ignored her. She wasn't even sure why Izuru started speed walking, and Nagito ran after him. Usami called out, "You two! Come back and answer your teacher's question!"

Chapter Text

After a couple of arrangements to make their grand entrance all the more despairing, Monokuma has successfully overthrown and converted the system to their liking. The majority of these memory-loss students seemed about ready to faint from excitement, unaware of what delicious horrors were to follow in their new lives in this fresh hell-

"Agent 8. I think I know why Usami is a rabbit," A female outsider intruded on their monologue and leisurely observations of their new student. "If written a different way, the word rabbit can mean to provide advice or aid."

"Please tell me the last game you played isn't about spies..." A male outsider standing beside the girl sighed an existence that is inside and outside the system simultaneously.

"No such thing as too much gameplay!" ??? seemed to be registered with the name [Original Nanami Chiaki] in Usami's data registry, which caused a series of errors in Monokuma's logic.

"Do you think Monokuma is a bear because the mastermind wanted to lower the student's guards?" On the other hand, ??? speaking right now is labeled [Deceased Hinata Hajime]. The anomaly excited Monokuma- No. The virus known as Enoshima Junko truly wanted to interact with these two.

"I think he's cute," Chiaki/7 pointed out, hiding behind the trees. Funnily, these two liked to banter and focus on each other. "Monokuma as in Monochrome bear. It's a straight explanation to stop all character development and focus solely on the plot."

"You sure Monokuma is a guy? I thought he was a girl. What pronouns are we going to use?" Hajime/8 pointed out, and that opened a new can of spoiled beans. AI!Junko only remembers the fall of Hope's Peak Academy, the first few months of chaos before the original version of herself started replicating her thoughts into a program. These people must have witnessed the Killing game of Class 78 because no one should immediately associate Monokuma with the goddess of Ultimate Despair that easily. "Whatever. Monokuma isn't just Monokuma! That's all I know."

"More reasons why you should be a psych major," Chiaki/7 nodded but realized a couple of students went over to their side. Some of the ultimates resisted the penalized fatigue to interact with this lovestruck duo. "Ops. Were we loud? Don't tell Usami that we escaped the hotel. She's still thinking about what role we'll play in this vacation trip."

"Does that mean I'm the bad cop? What am I going to do with the bribe money?" Hajime/8 cupped his chin. Monokuma started to waddle toward the meddling duo, mildly annoyed that the male Outsider had offered bags of coins. "Huh. They now have bear designs on them."

"It's okay. Since they spent their stamina finding us, we have to compensate them accordingly. Uhm... But I hope the others will have found enough coins for everyone to collect the stuff in the gachapon," Chiaki/7 implicitly tells Monokuma to replenish the stolen goods and use these as potential rewards. It wouldn't do well if the students failed to purchase essential items to start their murder plots. "50 Monocoins has to be enough as a starter pack."

"Who exactly are you two?" The AI mimic was brave enough to face her original, so Monokuma hoped these two would fight to the death to uncover who should remain. How nauseatingly despairing!

"And are you affiliated with any of these mascots?" Togami Byakuya, or should Monokuma dub as the Ultimate Imposter, demanded while Hajime/8 handed the slightly dazed students beginner packs to gambling. Each coin gives one item from the MonoMono machine, so that's a decent amount to start the next day.

"Hmm... We're like NPCs- Wait. Guests should be the right term for our character design. You can call me 7, and the love of my life 8," Chiaki/7 failed to express and contain her excitement, facing past friends. "I suggest you insert the coin one at a time to get all the items inside the gachapon. The odds of getting a new item are a lot better thanks to stuffing all the coins inside."

"Stop. You two aren't making sense. How are you NPCs? Those clothes you're wearing are definitely from our school, aren't they?" Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko rests his hand against the tree, somewhat monitored by Pekoyama Peko standing behind him. The Ultimate Yakuza surprisingly accepted the bribe due to the familiarity between the visitors. "Natsumi! My sister's in your department, right? How is she?!"

"She's fine-" Hajime/8 was about to answer, but noticed Komaeda Nagito refusing to accept his bag. "Don't make me knock you out with this coin bag!"

"Pfft!" Chiaki/7 resisted the urge to laugh. "Violence is not the answer, love!"

"Oh, it might be with this prick..." Hajime/8 muttered under his breath.

"Urgh... I understand 7's presence if she's an Ultimate, but why is a talentless person here as well?" Nagito was forced to accept the bag of Hajime/8. "No. It's best to discover your name and talent first. Surely, you two are just messing around."

"Talent isn't everything though," Chiaki/7 tilted her head.

"Jokes on you. I'm definitely from the reserve course," Hajime/8 humored, much to Nagito's chagrin. "Why not treat us both as stepping stones for whatever you're obsessed about? Is it hope or despair today? I wasn't paying attention."

"Despair? Why would I-" Nagito got shoved by Fuyuhiko.

"Fuck off, Komaeda. Both of you! I don't care who you guys are, but you better answer me!" Fuyuhiko growled, completely going bonkers for absolutely no reason! Monokuma could use this attitude as a motive. "How's my sister?!"

"Why aren't you people heading back to your cottages?!" Monokuma ordered, crossing their arms angrily as the most inconsiderate person, Kamukura Izuru, gave them a condescending look. "It's almost curfew! Don't make me turn you all into fish food!"

"Don't worry about it, Kuzuryu. Your sister's fine," Hajime/8 gave something that contradicted the data. Monokuma faced the anomaly, who was holding hands with the original gamer. "Last time I saw her, she was resisting the urge to strangle Sato because-"

"Alright, you bothersome liars! This headmaster has enough of your nonsense!" Monokuma snapped their fingers and the Monobeasts started moving towards the... [ERROR] Monokuma frowned when the sentinels failed to perceive the threat.

"Maybe this is a spoiler warning? I guess we should return to the Old building now. Come on," Chiaki/7 lightly nudged Hajime/8's shoulder, losing interest in everything.

"Is it a spoiler if the world doesn't give a damn about the talentless nobodies?" Hajime/8 stabbed the main issue of this virtual simulation. It relies on present data collected within the Future Foundation database and the memories of the participants. Anything beyond that would be treated as ambiguous half-truths.

"If it's part of the lore of the main characters, then it's a spoiler..." Chiaki/7 explained while activating her Funplane. "No matter how minor the role, they have a purpose in this killing game."

"I see. Then we're walking spoilers?" Hajime/8 wondered, realizing Chiaki/7 looped her arm around his.

"Not sure? We can be Chekov's guns," Chiaki/7 implied potential interference with the killing game. "Or are we Schrödinger's cats? I guess we can check if there's a cat headband somewhere."

"I always thought of myself as a hedgehog," Hajime/8 shrugged. "Or am I a chestnut? You can be the strawberry."

"I guess they're neither on Usami nor Monokuma's side. However, they know what's happening outside..." The Ultimate Imposter weighed the coins in their hands, realizing these two young adults were strangely childish in their own right.

"And what do you think you're all doing?! Don't just trust these strangers! They could kill you," Monokuma didn't think these people would form a group and all walk toward their common area.

"I doubt a reserve course student can kill us," The Ultimate Lucky student made a fine point, but this is serious! Monokuma themselves have no idea of the objective of these guys either. They're like viruses too, but worse. Ghost data? Cache? The possibility of these entities being none of the above is the most despairing answer out of all.

"Who the hell is Sato?" Fuyuhiko asked Hajime/8, still trying to force a memory recollection.

"Koizumi's secret lover? I don't know the exact details because a certain someone is clingy," Hajime/8 tried to face the Yakuza, but the Ultimate Imposter stood between them.

"Does your talent involve games, 7?" Nagito asked, trying to lean close but AI!Chiaki and the Ultimate Hope stood between the lucky student and Chiaki/7. "Perhaps you're an alumni sent to monitor us?"

"No. I got in because of Haji-8," Chiaki/7 implicitly alluded that the code name is based on their real names.

"How?" Izuru asked for answers that hint he knew more than what everyone on the island understood, so Monokuma used their magic to separate the two anomalies from the group. AI!Junko does like luring her BF into a despairing situation. Information can be one's salvation and damnation. That might be the first motive for these people!

*Poof*

"Caught you," Hajime/8 caught Chiaki/7 before the latter fell to the ground, but the gamer continued to play her game with rapt attention. The monobeasts weren't paying attention to the duo. They are like ghosts! Hajime/8 muttered, "A warning would be nice before you do that, Monokuma."

"Don't talk back to your principal! And you guys! Quick dillydallying and get back to your cottages!" Monokuma ordered the participants, turning their heads just in time to see Hajime/8 still carrying Chiaki/7 like a bride. "Jeez! Am I going to be a chaperone for you two?"

"Have we ever made love before?" Chiaki/7 wondered, eyes still focused on her game. She's completely tuned out for the day, returning to her comfort activity that drains even more energy. "We cuddled and took care of several Tamagotchi children to witness all the different forms. Does that count?"

"Sometimes, you make me question how I'm so in love with you," Hajime/8 sighed in exasperation, resignation, and affection, which made Monokuma believe this guy to be a simp. The brunette resumed walking, almost as if he'd done this before.

"You're both making me sick with this lovey-dovey aura!" Monokuma scratched their back, unable to maim these lovebirds in any way. When attempting to teleport the duo once more, the action itself became inapplicable. There goes any private conversation. Monokuma hadn't fully taken over the system just yet. Alter ego is being pretty persistent at the moment. "Just because you're party crashers doesn't mean you can ignore my rules, you hear me?! And don't even think about helping these guys without my consent!"

"Rest easy. We're here to do dates and have fun," Chiaki/7 replied, moving her feet as Hajime/8 kept walking.

"If you let us, we can spend time in the other islands," Hajime/8 negotiated. A tempting offer to ignore these two and continue the game as planned. "But maybe Usami won't like that."

"I'm sure my little sister won't mind," Monokuma can just bully that baby if she disagrees with their plan. 'Maybe I can use them...?'

Chapter Text

"This is no good at all~!" Usami, now registered in the database with the name Monomi, cried after spawning once more into the island. Unfortunately, a virus infiltrated the system, but that explains why Usami had difficulties contacting Alter Ego. "A killing game is the exact opposite of love and friendship!"

"Don't worry. I miss your old design too," Chiaki crouched down as the two ghost entities attempted to fix the broken wand lying on the floor. "No good. One of the pieces is missing so we can't tape it back together."

"I think this is some sort of symbolism that you've lost your authority," Hajime frowned, fiddling with the duct tape purchased from the Rocketpunch Market. Indeed, something seems to be missing to prevent the data from coagulating into a singular form. Usami knew the virus calling themselves Monokuma might steal her authority, but why did that meanie change her form and make her his little sister?! Hajime muttered, "You have to defeat the Monobeast the hard way. We could try to interfere, but that might cause more glitches."

"Thank you, but I can do this because deep down... I'm still Magical Miracle Girl ★ Usami!" Monomi raised her nub in the air.

"If you don't want us to play along with Monokuma's roleplay, what are we allowed to do?" Chiaki wondered, leaning against her partner after realizing the futility of fixing the magic wand. "After all, you don't want anyone to realize Hajime and I can't die."

"You two can... Hmm~" Monomi thought hard, rubbing her head. She lit up, realizing these two aren't governed by Monokuma's rules. "I know! You two can help me clean Monokuma's influence!"

...

"God damn it. I knew immortality had a downside," Hajime clutched his hand, looking away. "I should start searching for a way to get us out of here."

"Don't be such a downer. We agree to your terms, but only because the exercise can help evolve our pets!" Chiaki followed the nature of her talent, loving the idea that they received a glitched e-Handbook to bestow the duo a Tamgotchi. "Six unique pets, right? We need an excuse to get those steps."

"I'm so happy you are willing to help! While you two help clean the island, I will do my best to terminate those pesky beasts!" Monomi will also need to disclose this news to her students after they all wake up. Hopefully, they will find gathering resources to create items very enjoyable. She will give them fun prizes like... Trip tickets! They can spend it with friends and gather Hope Fragments with each other. Love love!

"Let me get this straight. We wander around the island cleaning garbage while Usami terminates the stray beasts loitering around?" Hajime crossed his arms, recalling Usami showing the digital map with a ton of red dots. Monokuma has filled the island with monobeasts to monitor and supervise everyone, and it's up to everyone's lovable plushie teacher Usami to defeat the threat! Hajime sighed for the umpteenth time, "I have a bad feeling about this."

"But if it can help our friends, why not?" Chiaki beamed, resting her head against her friend's shoulder. "Everything is fun when I'm with you, Hajime."

"Don't just toss those words carelessly," Hajime looked away, trying to find something to avoid the embarrassment. "Let's review the rules of the two teachers within the island. I'm sure everyone else is checking these things out."

"Half of our friends would be asleep at this time, but I agree. Just because we're not under the rules doesn't mean we should break the rules. That would tempt the others to follow our footsteps," Chiaki fiddled with her e-handbook but saw only a bunch of glitched and censored words.

"You have a fine point. Come close and I will show you," Monomi could have asked her sister to come over and teach these two, but Monokuma is watching and trying to take over the entire system. Pulling out a wooden stick as a medium to her powers, Monomi waved her wand in a circular motion. "Tada!"

"Woah..." Both students stared at the hologram, staring at the rules within the modified school trip.

Rule #1: Extreme violence is prohibited on this island. Please live peaceful and relaxing lives with your fellow students.
Rule #2: Be considerate of each other and work together to obtain Hope Fragments.
Rule #3: Littering is not allowed. Let us coexist with this island's bountiful nature in "mutual prosperity".
Rule #4: The lead teacher cannot directly interfere with the students. An exception to this rule is made if any student violates a rule.

---

Rule #5: Once a murder takes place, a class trial will begin shortly thereafter. Participation is mandatory for all surviving students.
Rule #6: If the blackened is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed.
Rule #7: If the blackened is not exposed, the remaining students will be executed.
Rule #8: As a reward, the surviving blackened will be forgiven of their crime and allowed to leave the island.
Rule #9: The Body Discovery Announcement will play as soon as three or more people discover a body for the first time.
Rule #10: Destroying any property of this island without permission is expressly prohibited. This includes surveillance cameras and monitors.
Rule #11: You are free to investigate this island at your own discretion. Your actions in this regard are not limited.
Rule #12: The blackened may only kill a maximum of two people during any single "killing game."

*Additional School Trip Rules may be added at the headmaster's discretion.

"I'm guessing Rules 1 to 4 were made by the creator of this program?" Hajime watched Chiaki touch the holographic screen. "Rule 1 is the only problematic one for our trigger-happy friends. They don't seem to be the type to litter. Oh. If we tie in Rule 3 and 10, then that ties in with the idea."

"If you told them that gathering Hope's Fragment would help solve the mystery of their stay on this island, they would do so in a heartbeat," Chiaki sighed, well-acquainted with her classmates to know their antics. "I think the reason why Rules 5 to 8 are accepted is because they tie in with Rule 1 with justifiable reasons."

"Like a fucking moral lesson?" Hajime squinted, raising his hand to change the sequence of the rules.

"Language!" Monomi scolded.

"That's right. If you disobey the rules, there are penalties imposed on the student. All Monokuma has to do is tweak the settings and make the penalty into an execution," Chiaki remarked, adjusting the rules.

Rule #1: Extreme violence is prohibited on this island. Please live peaceful and relaxing lives with your fellow students.

Rule #12: The blackened may only kill a maximum of two people during any single "killing game".
Rule #9: The Body Discovery Announcement will play as soon as three or more people discover a body for the first time.
Rule #5: Once a murder takes place, a class trial will begin shortly thereafter. Participation is mandatory for all surviving students.

Rule #6: If the blackened is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed.
Rule #7: If the blackened is not exposed, the remaining students will be executed.

Rule #8: As a reward, the surviving blackened will be forgiven of their crime and allowed to leave the island.

Rule #4: The lead teacher cannot directly interfere with the students. An exception to this rule is made if any student violates a rule.

Rule #3: Littering is not allowed. Let us coexist with this island's bountiful nature in "mutual prosperity".

Rule #10: Destroying any property of this island without permission is expressly prohibited. This includes surveillance cameras and monitors.

[OPTIONAL]

Rule #2: Be considerate of each other and work together to obtain Hope Fragments.

Rule #11: You are free to investigate this island at your own discretion. Your actions in this regard are not limited.

*Additional School Trip Rules may be added at the headmaster's discretion.

"Rule 4 gives you and Monokuma the ability to enforce the rules, right?" Hajime tilted his head. "That explains why most of the monobeasts are by the bridges. Look at Rule 11."

"If there are no students within the specific islands, then there's no issue having the monobeasts loiter on the unoccupied areas," Chiaki glanced at Monomi. "Don't overwork yourself, okay?"

"I have to..." Monomi read the rules a handful of times, and nothing about these new guidelines worked to the system's advantage. If she were to analyze the first broadcasted Killing game, Monokuma would eventually hand down motives to make her beloved students kill each other. "I just wanted everyone to get along..."

"Don't cry. This isn't your fault. It's the one who introduced Monokuma," Chiaki moved over to rub Monomi's back. "A virus maybe? Maybe it's that Kamukura person who introduced the funky bear."

"Or Komaeda?" Hajime rests his face against his knees, crouching down and staring at the rules. "Towa city is the most advanced city in Japan, and Komaeda stayed there for quite a while. Maybe that Towa girl gave him something? I'm not sure. Komaeda is usually dangerous when he's motivated."

"Just because Komaeda-kun is sketchy doesn't mean he'll place a Monokuma AI inside the system... Maybe?" Chiaki thought to herself, pulling away to sit beside Hajime again. "Let's ship another pair. I don't think I want those two to become masterminds and accomplices."

"If they keep being together, who are we to stop the quirky ship?" Hajime pondered. "Random note. Would our presence trigger Rule 9 because the discovery requires three or more people?"

"Maybe? I don't know~" Chiaki yawned, checking the time. "These rules are so loose. I can see trouble up ahead."

Chapter Text

Monokuma starts adjusting the rest of the boring fixtures within this island to liken their image as well as placing a countdown to cut the time of this dumb rehab attempt of the Future Foundation. It's only a matter of time before that person comes along.

"Today, I've learned despair is poop," An extremely offensive statement was thrown in the sea of data. "Too much poop equals death."

"Oh?" Monokuma stared down to see the two foreigners picking up trash along the beach. To be specific, Hajime is spearing the monocrabs while the original Chiaki keeps walking with her head against the palm tree.

"On the other hand, hope can be achieved through the sacrifice of physical gifts..." The deceased gamer kept walking, having tricked the system with her body movement. Based on her progress with that Tamagotchi ripoff, Chiaki has evolved her pet to Shitimi before killing it to start from scratch. "It takes two thousand steps to reincarnate the dead, but a hundred steps for the living to poop. This isn't a good life lesson."

"Speaking of lessons, I thought we agreed to clean the beach?! Why are you walking in the same place?" Hajime complained, sweating from the heat as he stabbed Monokuma's creations. Unlike the female, this prickly tsundere only got to evolve his chibimi into a cocoon form. He's halfway to the thousand-step mark to reach the final evolution.

"Wait. I want my Snakemi to poo first before heading there," Chiaki delayed her assistance, focused intently on the minigame. Monokuma returned their gaze towards the students who were all entering the restaurant to have their breakfast. It seems one of them is heading towards the beach, crying like a pathetic loser.

"Did you know each evolution gives us prizes, Hajime?" Chiaki went over to Hajime's side, showing the bag of monocoins. Despite being perceived as a NEET by the community, the Former Ultimate Gamer had walked more than seven thousand steps to receive the prizes in an hour. "You need to walk two thousand steps to receive these prizes, Hajime. Don't forget okay?"

"Whatever. I already collected all the items in the gachapon... Unless there's a secret prize?" Hajime waved the dead horseshoe Monocrab before stuffing it in the trash bag. "I think we're halfway done with the beach, so I guess we can slack off?"

"Here. You can have the coconut juice for your effort," Chiaki offered her prize, feeling a little guilty for slacking off. "We should also get some sunscreen in the market. I don't want us to turn red and painful."

"Chiaki... Nothing in this reality can hurt us. That also includes the sun," Hajime reminded, accepting the half-broken coconut. "I'm sweating because we're actively interfering with the system. It's the most this program can do to influence our data."

"We can eat but not poop dilemma?" Chiaki twisted the cap, sipping her Ramune bottle. "Does that mean we're hope because we can't poop?"

"You played too much tamgotchi for today!" Hajime scolded, tying up the trash bag and adjusting the multi-tool trash picker into its original and harmless form.

*THUD!*

"Who's that?" Hajime pondered, staring at the distance. "Souda? Why is he crying?"

"Good timing. I have tissues for him to use!" Chiaki held out two boxes of tissue, making Hajime facepalm. Monokuma could also see the approaching Ultimate Photographer reaching their area, returning their gaze to the duo staring at the sniveling mechanic.

"W-who are you guys?! A-are you guys the traitors?!" The Ultimate Mechanic was lying flat on his stomach, tears, and snot dripping from his face.

"No. We're support NPCs!" Chiaki cheered, offering tissue. "Now wipe those tears away with these things."

*thud!*

"What the hell was that?" Hajime tripped on a coconut, dropping his garbage bag and glaring at the offending item.

"A coconut?" Chiaki blinked as Souda Kazuichi wiped his tears with the tissue. "Be careful next time."

"Wait. Is that for real?" Kazuichi gasped, perking up because of a stupid coconut. The teenager crawled to hold this item like a treasure, thoughts filled about this theoretical vacation based on a magazine he read some time ago. "People drink coconut juice when they're on vacation!"

"I mean... I guess?" Hajime squinted while Chiaki helped him stand.

"But how am I gonna break it open?" Kazuichi fiddled with the coconut, eventually glancing at these two. "H-hey... If you're really on my side, do you know how to break this open?"

...

"A sword?" Hajime showed his hands, giving an awkward smile. "How should I know? This is also my first time on a tropical island."

"There must be a tool specifically meant to open coconuts. We just have to find it," Chiaki pointed her hand towards the sky, confident that such a specialized tool exists on the map. "But I think Owari-san is strong enough to crack that thing open, I think?"

"Huh? She is?" Kazuichi blinked, recalling the Ultimate Gymnast. "I guess she's a better option than Pekoyama..."

"SOU-DA!" A very angry voice made all three students turn to Koizumi Mahiru. Hands placed on her hips, the redhead glared at the mechanic. "What the hell are you doing out here?!"

"Crying-" Chiaki explained, but Hajime covered her mouth to preserve the dignity of their colleague.

"Eh? Who are you two supposed to be?" Mahiru glanced at the duo, quickly recalling the conversation of some of her colleagues. "Oh. You must be the guests? You do look like the older sister of Nanami-chan."

"I get that a lot," Chiaki nodded, watching the photographer grab the leg of the stunned mechanic. "Right now, my lover and I are cleaning the mess around this island. You guys can help if you want?"

"Maybe later? If you can, please visit the restaurant to meet everyone," Mahiru spoke in a friendly tone contrasting her action of dragging the shocked mechanic. As expected, Mahiru's voice turned low as she narrowed her gaze at the coconut-hugging mechanic. "And you! We were supposed to meet in the restaurant! Stop wasting everyone's time!"

"Aaaah! Let go! It burns!" Kazuichi screamed as Mahiru managed to drag the former at an absurdly fast pace. Hajime picked up the trash bag while Chiaki listened to the two bickering. Kazuichi yelled, struggling to still hold onto his coconut. "Stop it! You're gonna tear a hole in my back!"

"It's so filthy! Do you even wash this thing?!" Mahiru complained, still dragging the hesitant coward. Hajime and Chiaki turn to each other.

"Should we check on them?" Hajime pondered, checking his e-Handbook on the state of his Tamagotchi. "Oh. I got Shitimi."

"You need to offer material possession to increase hope," Chiaki reminded. "But do two thousand steps first to get the prize."

"I don't need to be a perfectionist on virtual pets, Chiaki..." Hajime pursed his lips.

"Do it for the coins," Chiaki checked her Tamagotchi. "Also, Shitimi poops a lot. Be careful."

"Oh god, why..." Hajime sighed, eventually walking behind Chiaki as the gamer followed the noisy students.

"Pupupu~" Monokuma can't wait for these people to start pointing fingers.

...

Monokuma slowly blinked, unable to believe the power of these two anomalies. While the original Chiaki treated this reality as a game, Hajime had some level of authority over these ultimates despite being a dumb normie. Heck! These two combined calmed down the panicking students like kindergarten teachers towards brats!

'Is it reflex memory?' Monokuma reviewed the memories of Class 77-B. The Remnants of Despair have some repressed memories that need a bit of unknotting, unraveling them will take several hours.

"Hey. Why are you being mean to Usami?" Chiaki puffed her cheek, glaring at Byakuya(?). "She's doing her best for a bunny."

"Am I wrong?" Byakuya Twogami crossed his arms, watching the bunny retreat out of the room. "There's no use talking with a scared and useless creature."

"Um... I agree with Nana-san. I feel a bit sorry for her..." Sonia placed a hand over her chest, eyes lowered.

"I still think you two are suspicious," Nagito made an offhand remark towards Hajime, making the brunette stare at the guy. "Appearing from nowhere, you two must be trying to get our guards down."

"We're literally ████, Komaeda." Hajime paused, realizing his words were bleeped out. "Oh. What other word is censored?"

"8. Let's go. We need to comfort Usami-san," Chiaki tugged Hajime, dragging the brunette with her to find the weeping crybaby.

"You know what? This is fine!" Monokuma can still fulfill their plans even with some nuisances. Since those two are a couple, their patterns and behavior are as predictable as any other human in this measly program.

Chapter Text

"You two are a natural in helping everyone gather Hope Fragments~" Monomi spun like a ballerina, happy that her sister invited her to a girl-exclusive party. It's been several hours since Monokuma released a motive to incite murder, so Monomi is glad that her students chose to cooperate than play along.

"If we don't, they'll skip the secret events..." Chiaki explained, staring at the latest feature of their e-Handbook after becoming Monomi/Monokuma's assistants. The omnipotent Monomi diagnosis, where they can monitor everyone's affection towards each other! The main goal is to gather hope fragments, which can only be procured through positive interaction.

"Should we be relieved or worried that Kamukura took over the gathering and cleaning minigame?" Hajime crossed his arms, scanning the area. It's the second day, and they've garnered enough hospitality among the students with presents and events. "On one hand, everyone has grown to trust Kamukura in his ability to perform perfectly. However, the team-building activity lost purpose."

"Free Trip Tickets for everyone," Chiaki tapped on the avatar of her friends, checking the bond points each person had with the other. "Now. How are we going to make Tsumiki-san and Saionji-san friends again?"

"I'll deal with those two if you can handle Komaeda and Kamukura," Hajime offered, staring at the bond level of two specific ultimates. "I have a better offer. I'll do everyone but Komaeda, Kamukura, and Togami. Those three are smart and antisocial for some reason. I just know they'll be hard cookies."

"Didn't Komaeda become social with other people because of you? All you have to do is repeat the miracle," Chiaki held both her hands together, facing Hajime with a twinkle in her eyes. "How about you deal with everyone except for Kamukura-kun and Togami-kun?"

"I spent an entire semester on that guy, so don't start with me." Hajime booped Chiaki's nose, recalling something. "Right. Komaeda is currently cleaning the dusty building. He must be done by now, so should we check on him?"

"We could. We could," Chiaki nodded, following Hajime and allowing Monomi to join. "How's the beast cleansing?"

"I'm almost done! Just taking a break," Monomi couldn't tell these two she kept repeating the battle to get better weapons and armor. Right now, she's equipped with a witch's broom, a French twist ribbon, and a premium diaper. Fortunately, her students only noticed her fancy ribbon.

"The boss must be strong... You think you can ask Kamukura-kun to fight with you?" Chiaki suggested, being the first between the two to trust the ultimate hope of helping everyone.

"Let's not. That guy needs the most therapy sessions next to Komaeda," Hajime denied, waving his hand when the Ultimate Musician yelled a greeting at them. Like Kazuichi, Mioda Ibuki learned to trust the duo after stumbling across the coconut party to witness the Ultimate Swordswoman cut down the coconut perfectly. Hajime continued once the musician dragged the confused nurse with her, "Actually, who doesn't need therapy in this island?"

"They'll be fine," Chiaki hugged Hajime's arm, changing the subject. "I wonder what Hanamura-kun is cooking? He said his cooking will knock us out of this world."

"Whatever is available. Seafood, meat, and everything hearty and healthy..." Hajime checked the sky outside, taking note of the time. "The party Togami promised will start at 10 PM, right?"

"That's his way of preventing the murder," Chiaki explained, having listened to Sonia about the explanation. "I think Nidai-kun and Sonia-san wanted to help, but Togami-kun refused all of them."

"He is the 'Ultimate Affluent Progeny,' so paranoia must be a constant to ensure his survival," Hajime noticed Mahiru chatting with Saionji Hiyoko, Sonia, the AI!Chiaki, Tanaka Gundham, and Kazuichi. "Where are the others?"

"Pekoyama-san mentioned Kuzuryu-kun might not attend. It's his yakuza senses," Chiaki kept an eye on her friends, mostly the AI version of her. Monomi hoped the original Chiaki wouldn't mind her sibling.

"7 and 8. Great timing," Togami suddenly appeared in front of the entrance, causing the three to take a step back. "I've heard from Pekoyama that Kuzuryu has no plans on entering the venue. Kamukura also refused to participate in this event, so please keep an eye on those two."

"Kuzuryu and Kamukura? Sure." Hajime agreed, having befriended the ultimate yesterday.

"Let's bring Kuzuryu-kun and Kamukura-kun together for a bonfire song," Chiaki suggested, holding the stick Monomi first used in fighting against those wretched beasts. "I hope the market has marshmallows and graham crackers."

"We can bribe them with coins?" Hajime got some of the rewards for earnestly taking care of his pets.

"I guess we can catch fish too. Fried fish and s'mores?" Chiaki wasn't paying attention, thinking of what to do for tonight's solo party.

"Do as you please, but make sure to keep an eye on them at all times," Byakuya emphasized yet again. Hajime and Chiaki nodded before heading off, leaving Monomi facing the scion. "And you."

"I can help too!" Monomi pointed at herself, wanting to ensure nothing ever had happened to her students. She knows deep down, that her student truly intends to protect everyone. "You can trust your lovable teacher!"

"Indeed. You'll be standing outside the door to ensure no one enters the venue," Byakuya glowered at the mascot, eyes slightly softening when Monomi started to shed tears. "Not even Monokuma, understand? We can't risk anything."

"I know..." Monomi ducked her head, strangely disappointed by the responsibility. She also expected that answer, but she wanted to witness her students have fun.

"I'll keep watch with Monomi too," Someone vouched, and Monomi looked up to see her sibling. AI!Chiaki walked alongside the students, ready to enter the party to start the fun. "If that's okay with you?"

"Not an issue," The Ultimate Imposter agreed to the arrangement taking a step back and adjusting his gloves. "Please form a line and allow me to check whether you have anything dangerous in your possessions!"

Chapter Text

"Not even a teensy bit?" Monokuma asked, holding a slab of salmon. They were currently by the beach, sitting on the sand with a handful of students to consume s'mores, fried fish, and Jabba Hot Pot. After all, Monokuma detected an unequal ratio of 3 males and 1 female hanging out past curfew, so they had to chaperone the damsel in distress. 'If only they had plans on killing someone. A bear could only dream~'

"It's too early to ask for hints, Monokuma..." Chiaki spoke with her mouth full of s'mores, sitting beside Hajime, who was using the bonfire to read Izuru's notes.

"I'm sure the group will discover the truth along the way," Hajime turned to the next page. Based on the database, this guy was a candidate for the Hope Cultivation Project but dropped halfway.

"Why do you act like you understand when you're part of the reserve course?" Monokuma reviewed the data and saw no reports about any survivors from the reserve course department. Hajime has to be lying, but Monokuma tweaked the second motive just to be safe. "Act the part and be jealous of the talented! Squirm in misery at your powerlessness!"

"Maybe later? I'm busy trying to memorize all the recipes," Hajime muttered, playing along but also dismissing them!

"Stop entertaining the bear. It's not worth the effort," Fuyuhiko finally spoke, already finished eating his portion of the Jabba Hot Pot. Apparently, Chiaki convinced Izuru to share the secret to recover full stamina through a single dish. That explained why the group spent thirty minutes wandering along the beach to collect the ingredients.

"You're going to regret those words, pipsqueak. I'm the headmaster for a reason, ya know?" Monokuma should've turned away once they witnessed Izuru using the Collapsible Fishing Rod. However, Monokuma had nothing on their schedule. They bullied Monomi more than three times today, and the fourth time would be when someone dies of maximum despair.

"Who you calling pipsqueak?! You're a fucking bear!" Fuyuhiko pointed his spoon at the mascot. "A bear with an ego."

"I'm not saying you're wrong to think Monokuma is a narcissist, but there's no use getting mad at them..." Hajime returned the notepad, glancing at Chiaki fiddling with a camera. "Monokuma. You sure you want to waste your time with us?"

"You should be honored to have your headmaster watch over you all!" Monokuma revealed their claws, but no one in the area expressed fear. Hajime looked away from the yakuza giving the I-told-you-so look. "Kids these days... No wonder humanity is doomed."

"That makes you sound old..." Hajime changed the topic, turning to the silent party member. "Would the recipe work if we substitute the Jabbacrabs for Monocrabs?"

"No. The taste of Monocrabs is bitter despite all modifications and alterations," Izuru prodded the fire, patiently waiting for the murder about to unfold at around 11 PM to 12 AM. The Hot Pot requires three main ingredients: three Jabbacrabs, two Jabbasquids, and two seaweeds. Switching the primary ingredient won't be salvaged by the salt.

"Did... Did you eat one?" Fuyuhiko didn't expect Mr. Perfectionist to attempt something crazy. However, Monokuma knows Izuru is that type of guy.

"Better to try than having never done it at all," Chiaki nodded, having too much useless memories of playing crappy games in her head. "Like eating Hot pot alongside s'mores."

"No one told you to do that though-" Hajime paused, eyes turning to Monokuma just in time for the system to recognize that several students discovered a dead body.

[15/16 students remain in Jabberwocky Island]

"Goodness gracious! Our first murder has finally taken place!" Monokuma blushed at the thought, but Chiaki and Fuyuhiko both stood up to glare at them.

"That can't be right! Togami-kun had a foolproof plan!" Chiaki argued, but Monokuma needed to hurry up and meet with the shocked students. Monokuma ran off before vanishing, still keeping an ear on the conversation.

"All of that for nothing?" Fuyuhiko asked, confirming his paranoia. "Tsk. What an idiot."

"Regardless, we may as well assist the investigation..." Izuru eventually stood up, and dumped the empty plates and utensils towards the stunned brunette. "Deal with the mess."

"All my respect for you vanished in the blink of an eye..." Hajime grumbled but accepted the trash. "Fine."

"Come on! Let's figure out what happened," Chiaki urged, tugging the duo forward.

Chapter Text

Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko didn't expect this female Outsider to be strong enough to drag both of them, but something about this person felt familiar. Like when he talked with the male Outsider about his sister, Fuyuhiko found himself lowering his guard and trusting the words of this entity. The Ultimate Yakuza tried fishing more information from 8 yesterday, but the brunette's words were censored by a peculiar noise. When 8 invited him to an impromptu bonfire party, Fuyuhiko relented out of pity and wound up learning how to make Hot pot-

"What the hell is this?" Fuyuhiko didn't expect a tablet to be thrown at him, catching the item before it stabbed his eye.

"It says Monokuma file," 7 muttered, finally letting go of his arm to look between him and Izuru. It seemed 7 and 8 didn't receive anything, which made sense because Monomi said they were guests. "Maybe they should integrate the report with your e-Handbook?"

"No. I'm pretty sure the e-handbook already has enough data stored inside it..." 8 caught up fairly easily since they started strolling towards the venue. Fuyuhiko tapped the tablet, staring at the victim of tonight's murder. It's just as he expected. [Togami Byakuya] Fuyuhiko tapped the next page, reading the location, time, and manner of death. "Tamagotchi, Usami diagnosis, island map, cottage access, and identification purposes."

"Oh. It also shows the class' collective evidence gathering for the trial," 7 leaned close, skimming the details Fuyuhiko tapped on the screen. "The only issue we have is whether the details of the evidence are true or false."

"If we follow that logic, then even Monokuma's autopsy report could be wrong..." 8 sighed. "Good thing we have Tsumiki to deal with the corpse."

"Hn. Let's focus on what we have. I can see a knife and Night-Vision Goggles next to his body," 7 pointed out, and Fuyuhiko wondered why these two were crowding over him and not Izuru. "I guess the neon green paint could be important to commit the murder. You think a blackout happened?"

"Most likely," Fuyuhiko barely met his classmates, but Peko guaranteed some of them were capable individuals. Glancing up, Fuyuhiko could see they reached their destination. All they have to do is turn left to reach the abandoned hotel building.

"Did you notice the bloodstains on the body?" 7 asked 8, finally moving away from Fuyuhiko to converse with her lover. "How can someone stab a person hiding under the table ten times without alerting anyone?"

"You saying the knife is a fakeout?" 8 retorted. "Or is it a weapon Togami wanted to use against the killer?"

"One or the other," 7 nodded, and they finally encountered Chiaki and Gundham standing outside the building. "Now that I think about it, why did Kamukura-kun take his time when he could utilize his Ultimate Runner skill?"

"No reason to expend effort on a simple case," Izuru brushed off everything like nothing matters-

"Peko?" Fuyuhiko turned his head, surprised to see the swordswoman rushing out of the building. She was wobbling out and covered in sweat.

"She has a stomach ache," 8 remarked, noting Fuyuhiko ready to rush over to ask what happened.

"Oh! We have a tissue for you to give her if the water isn't working," 7 pulled out a box of tissue, which Fuyuhiko smacked away. "Aw..."

"You don't just give a guy tissue. You need to wrap in it a gift wrapper-ack!" 8 winced when Fuyuhiko elbowed his ribs. "It's been so long since I felt pain."

"What are you two doing?" Izuru went over to converse with Chiaki and Gundham. Both ultimates were crawling along the ground, staring at the fences of the building very carefully.

"I think you can go check on Peko if you want," 7 spoke for the second time. "We'll just annoy Kamukura-kun."

"Pekoyama will be by the hotel lobby, the bathroom." 8 crossed his arms. "If I'm right?"

"You don't need to tell me twice," Fuyuhiko shrugged these two off, running after to check on Peko.

...

As Natsumi's friend suspected, Peko was taking number two inside one of the cubicles. Fuyuhiko was about to take a step back and wait outside until he heard her voice.

"Y-young master?" Peko asked, and Fuyuhiko returned to face the cubicle. "I-I apologize for the my incompetence."

"I doubt you had a hand on this, Peko..." Fuyuhiko trusted his childhood friend and knew all her tricks. However, the yakuza boss could already imagine suspicion pointed at her for being absent during the investigation. "Was there something wrong? What happened?"

"Before the party began, I volunteered to guard the case filled with confiscated items in the office. However, I had experienced terrible stomach cramps after finishing a plate of Hanamura's food," Peko explained, which made the yakuza check his e-handbook. "Inevitably, I was forced to leave the office and use the bathroom. I was still in the bathroom when the blackout happened, only emerging from my place once someone reset the circuit breaker to head over to the main hall and discover Togami's murder."

"You were the only one there, right?" Fuyuhiko asked, thinking of the murder weapon. If he were the killer, he wouldn't leave the murder weapon. 'Knowing that perfectionist, Togami would limit the number of available weapons within the building. That means the murder weapon would either be in that case or the kitchen...?!'

"You think Hanamura dosed laxative in your food?" Fuyuhiko asked because no one had yet to find the murder weapon. 'Something sharp that stabbed Togami multiple times.'

*Ding dong Bing bong*

"I am unsure..." Peko finally opened the door, trudging over to the sink to wash her face. Monokuma's voice echoed everywhere, alerting everyone to head to the central island of Jabberwock Island. Fuyuhiko visited that place before meeting with 8 and 7, so he knew the impossibility of a mountain suddenly appearing, much less carved with Monokuma's face. "Will you go?"

"I might as well. This is so stupid," Fuyuhiko read the rules, which was why he refused to go close to anyone. 'If we play along, we'll only execute another. The cycle fucking repeats.'

"Very well. Let's go," Peko fixed her clothes, trying to look presentable.

"No. You go first. I'll follow," Fuyuhiko didn't want anyone to link him with Peko. He knew how people saw him, so he rather let Peko stay away and clear her name as soon as possible. 'I guess I'm also a potential killer because I'm outside the building, huh?'

'But if we don't find the killer, we'll all get executed, right?' Fuyuhiko grimaced, finally walking out of the room minutes after Peko left him. The blonde walked over to the destination, reviewing the situation in his head. 'What the hell happened to force us into this dumbass situation?'

"And where were you while we were investigating?" The noisy redhead scolded him, her hands placed around her hips as she furrowed her eyebrows.

"What do you think, dumbass? If I didn't want to enter the party, what makes you think I'd want to be there to investigate the murder?" Fuyuhiko crossed his arms, observing Sonia and Nagito hold the woman. 'What the hell did I do to her? She's always bugging me. Does she have a thing with Natsumi? Hell. Do I look like I care about my sister's beef against you?'

"Koizumi-san! Please calm down!" Nagito pleaded, and Fuyuhiko found the albino suspicious.

'I can't trust anyone...' Fuyuhiko recalled this guy being the one who cleaned the building, so Nagito had to know the layout of the venue before everyone else. 'But if we guess the blackened incorrectly, we're all fucked.'

"Tanaka-kun is here," 7 announced, making Fuyuhiko turn his head to see the duo still stuck on the know-it-all critic. "He found his earring."

"Maybe we need to gift Kamukura to have him tie his hair?" 8 pondered, cupping his chin. "Nevermind. Do you have any recommendations?"

"I have found this Kitten Hairclip! Shall I place it on him?" Sonia pulled out, and Fuyuhiko looked away as 7 and 8 grabbed the ultimate by the arms.

'How is that relevant?' Fuyuhiko doesn't care, but he can't question the priorities of these guys. 'I'm no better than the rest of them.'

"Huh?" Fuyuhiko squinted when the mountain suddenly opened its mouth, revealing an escalator. It eventually landed on the sand, making everyone react to it like a bunch of shocked kids. Fuyuhiko merely stared at the contraption, observing everyone's reaction to see if the murderer had any sense of guilt for whatever fucked up thing they'd committed.

'Komaeda is a suspect for knowing the layout. Hanamura is another suspect for working in the kitchen,' Fuyuhiko waited for everyone to climb on the elevator, scanning the crowd. 'Kamukura and I were by the beach, and Peko got stomach cramps. I'm still not sure if Hanamura laced something on the food. That guy's a natural pervert.'

'Everyone else who attended the party is a suspect,' Fuyuhiko wasn't sure if he could trust the evidence gathered by the group. Fuyuhiko stepped on the escalator, eventually staring at Akane's back. Entering the Monokuma mountain's mouth, Fuyuhiko turned around to stare at the familiar barriers of a manual elevator. 'If there's a liar in the midst of the team, then I'll have to question everything to weed it out.'

Chapter Text

"Uhm... Why are you standing beside me?" Koizumi Mahiru wondered, feeling pressured when 7 stood beside her. The Ultimate Photographer was already stressed enough that she had to gather the evidence, but a lot of the females on this island trusted her with their accounts.

"Kamukura-kun got mad at us," 7 bowed her head, and Mahiru checked the reason. The so-called Ultimate Hope is wearing a cute kitty hairclip, allowing everyone to see his eyes better.

"H-he does look mad," Mahiru pursed her lips but remembered this person also chose not to attend the party. "Wait. Where were you two, by the way?"

"By the beach with Kuzuryu-kun and Kamukura-kun," 7 explained, tilting her head. "Don't worry. We have evidence to present their innocence."

"Hey! No off-screen defenses! Go find the seat your name is written on!" Monokuma ranted, making them move toward their places. Mahiru recalled the victim of the murder, regretting her actions for treating him harshly. After reading the letter in Byakuya's cottage, Mahiru knew without a doubt that all the ultimate wanted was to keep them safe from harm.

'But he really should have relied on others...' Mahiru recalled the ultimate facedown on the floor, blood dripping from his front when Mikan and Akane flipped him over. As much as Mahiru didn't want to suspect anyone for such a heinous crime, the truth had to be unveiled. She can't back down from this trial. 'To survive, we have to find the blackened!'
 

TRIAL

 
"Let's begin with a simple explanation of the class trial. During the trial, you will present your arguments for who the killer is, debate about stuff, and vote for the blackened," Monokuma sat on a fancy chair with Monomi dangling in ropes. "If you vote correctly, only the blackened receive punishment. If you pick the wrong person, I'll punish everyone besides the blackened. That person also earns the right to leave this island!"

"Before I forget, the guests can't vote, but they'll also die if the answer is wrong," Monokuma shrugged, resting his paws on the armchair.
 
"How the hell is that fair?!" 8 complained, standing beside Mikan for some reason. The nurse seems extra meek because of the brunette's presence. "What if they-?"

"I have absolute faith in our friends!" 7 interrupted the peeved brunette. "We'll do it! Let's get out of this island together!"

"That's the spirit!" Monokuma liked the response of the female. "I can't wait to see someone stab you in the back for that innocence!"

"B-but the penalty is too cruel!" Monomi whimpered, tears falling from her eyes. Mahiru felt bad for the mascot, but Monomi refused to tell them everything. "No one deserves such fate!"

"How about saying something productive for once? Someone died and these kids are in a life or death situation, ya know?" Monokuma told Monomi off, pointing forward. "You, with the cloud hair. Any questions?"

"Is there truly a killer among us?" Nagito asked once more, but Monokuma only repeated himself. There is a killer among them.

"Puhuhu~ Don't worry. This class trial is gonna be 100 percent fair," Monokuma chuckled, covering his mouth. "I'm the type who hates favoritism and prejudice... Well, my hate for Monomi tops that."

"You hate me that much?!" Monomi cried, swinging and unable to escape.

"Let's begin!" Monokuma ignored her, merely raising his hand. "Chop chop! You got a killer to find!"

"How about we just settle this with our fists?!" Akane cracked her knuckles because everyone else was confused about how to start.

"Hey! Weren't you listening to Monokuma?" Kazuichi asked, almost biting his nails in fear.

"D-do we talk about the body?" Mikan muttered, looking at Nagito. However, the albino wasn't responding.

"I truly do not wish to doubt my friends..." Sonia clasped her hands together, looking down.

"Whatever. I'll do it," Fuyuhiko stepped up, raising his hand. "Togami got killed in the dining hall, so everyone there is a suspect."

"And where were you at the time of the incident?" Nekomaru inquired, being the one who took note of everyone at the time of the party.

"Elsewhere. This murder has nothing to do with me," Fuyuhiko gave a broad excuse.

"We can answer that," 7 raised her hand, and everyone received a new update from the evidence list. Mahiru reviewed the time-stamped photos, seeing the four and even Monokuma loiter around the beach. "Around 10 PM, we met Togami-kun by the party venue entrance and received orders to find and watch over Kuzuruyu-kun and Kamukura-kun. That's how we spent most of our time by the beach starting a bonfire."

"Although the latest photo was taken around 11:20, the travel time from the Beach to Hotel Mirai would be half an hour," 8 placed one hand on his hips. "Let's focus on what happened inside the building."

'I guess they couldn't be part of this mess...' Mahiru presumed, staring at the timestamp and the distance coverage.

"Which part do we start? Ibuki got lots and none to say," Ibuki grabbed the rail, rocking against it.

"Why don't we talk about the most pressing issue?" Nagito asked while Mahiru reviewed the photos in her camera minutes before the blackout.

"Huh?" Teruteru has been stuck in denial for way too long. It's starting to bother her.

"The location of the body," Nagito started a topic. "Isn't it strange to find the body underneath the table?"

"Hm... Let's start with that mystery then," Chiaki nodded, and half of the students checked their e-Handbook.

"The body was found underneath the table at the very back of the dining room," Gundham supplied, arms crossed and in deep thought.

"Maybe the killer moved the body there after stabbing him?" Kazuichi continued, but that didn't make sense.

"Why?" Hiyoko found the thought unreasonable. "Mr. Ham hands are huge and heavy. We'd know for sure if someone moved him."

"Someone's probably holding it out on us? Strong and fast enough to carry the guy!" Akane theorized.

"Like a dog burying a bone?!" Ibuki gasped, but Fuyuhiko shook his head at her words.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think there are any blood stains other than the place underneath the table," Sonia negated that idea, using the photo taken when the body was first discovered. "Togami-san cannot be moved after he was killed with the amount of blood dripping from his body."

"A-ack! If Sonia-san says so, then it must be true." Kazuichi gave up.

"Backing down so easily?" Hiyoko shook her head. "How pathetic. It must be hard being a simp."

"Shut up! At least I'm trying," Kazuichi was on the verge of tears. What a hopeless guy.

"Then, why was Byakuya-chan under the table?" Ibuki pondered.

"That's where he died based on the bloodstains," Peko stated, possibly familiar with the types of blades as a swordswoman. However, Mahiru couldn't input Mikan's autopsy report in the records. Mikan herself has to narrate her understanding.

"That doesn't make sense!" Nekomaru declared. "Why would he hide under there?"

"To surprise us? He might be a jokester deep down," Akane chuckled, but Mahiru felt the gymnast was mistaking someone from another again.

"Maybe he panicked and dove down the table during the blackout?" Teruteru gave a better explanation, scratching his chin in deep thought.

"That's not how anyone would act during a blackout, especially a guy like him!" Nekomaru denied Teruteru's claim.

"Maybe it's because of the knife we found?" Mahiru finally spoke up, realizing some of her classmates didn't want to participate. "I'm talking about the knife under the table."

"Oh? You mean the knife that screams I'm the murder weapon?!" Ibuki leaned forward, raising her hand in a semi-salute posture.

"He was particularly sensitive to the presence of danger," Gundham confirmed but suddenly became dramatic halfway through his sentence. "Such claims fall under the realm of possibility... However! How would he notice the blade underneath?!"

"That's right. Knowing him, he'd confiscate the weapon immediately!" Nekomaru bashed his hand against the rail.

"Maybe he saw it right at that moment...?" Chiaki tilted her head. "Like he saw someone getting close to the table to grab something..?"

"Not possible." Peko refuted.

"You seem pretty confident, Pekoyama," Nekomaru stated, staring at the stoic swordswoman.

"Of course, how can anyone see in the dark during the blackout?" Peko explained. "If the killer acted during the blackout, I doubt Togami saw the killer as well."

"It was super pitch black," Ibuki supported.

"I couldn't even see my food when it happened," Akane added to the mix. "Man. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it."

"No, that's wrong! Togami can see in the dark with a set of Night-vision goggles found under the table," Mahiru remembered the photo taken of the crime scene. "He must have been the one to use it."

"Mr. Pig hands kept it in his favorite black case, so all he has to do is pull it out." Hiyoko covered her mouth with her sleeve. "Mahiru-nee did find a black container for the goggles inside that case."

"So~ We can assume Byakuya-chan pulled it out from his case during the blackout and searched for the killer!" Ibuki concluded with a smile. "We're so smart! Ibuki's head is picking up the pace!"

"That sounds correct," Sonia was one of the few who stood by when they scrutinized the murder scene. "But that begs the question of how the killer saw Togami-san and killed him?"

"What if the knife was also from Togami-kun?" Teruteru suggested. "If there were night-vision goggles inside that case, it wouldn't be weird for a knife to be in there, too!"

"No, that would be weird..." Chiaki tilted her head, which made the chef back up.

"Really? My bad. At times like this, I'd rather fantasize about tonight's main dish," Teruteru gave a weird chuckle, which Hiyoko disliked.

"Eww! Can you stop being a pervert?!" Hiyoko placed her hands over her head, shaking it vehemently. "And why would Mr. Ham hands bring his own murder weapon? If he's the only one who can see in the dark with the goggles, the killer should be the one dead under the table."

"Hiyoko-chan is right. It is strange... If you all can take a look at the crime scene, you can see a piece of duct tape dangling underneath the table," Mahiru tapped her Monokuma file on the rail of her respective defendant box. "I believe the knife was previously hidden using that tape."

"Oh... We did see the duct tape there..." Mikan echoed.

"Hmm... Togami might be thorough, but even he couldn't notice a weapon taped to the underside of the table..." Nekomaru noticed something off, but Peko interrupted him before he could blurt it out. "Then, it's settled. We just have to figure out who entered the venue before the party!"

"Before we tackle that question, why was Togami acting paranoid in the first place?" Peko rubbed her elbow. "Based on the contents of his duralumin case... Not only did he bring a self-defense kit, but he had night-vision goggles inside the case, too. What motivated him to prepare this party?"

"That's true! He went above and beyond being cautious," Nekomaru agreed on the topic. "Confiscation of dangerous items and intense body checks by the entrance, something must have been bothering him."

"Togami-kun probably knew someone was planning to commit a murder tonight," Nagito thought carefully but without much conviction.

"Are you saying he predicted the murder!?" Gundham gasped, "Was he also in possession of the All-Seeing Eye...?"

"What do you think, Koizumi-san?" Nagito threw back the question at her. Mahiru frowned, curious and suspicious as to why Nagito wouldn't present the Murder threat note they found together in Byakuya's cottage.

"Can you guys check the evidence titled Murder Threat? That's what Komaeda and I found in Togami's cottage," Mahiru already stated additional detail on the evidence, but her classmates might be busy with other things. "Someone sent this to Togami, possibly threatening him."

"Eh? Should we check which of our handwritings match?" Mikan asked. "To uhm... Find the person who threatened Togami-san?"

"That's not going to work. All the killer has to do is make his handwriting even uglier than this crap," Fuyuhiko shook his head.

"Oh. S-sorry for wasting our time," Mikan ducked her head.

"Maybe Monokuma wrote the dumb, threatening letter?" Hiyoko chuckled, but the bear immediately denied it. Monokuma and Monomi are arguing again, so Peko interrupts the duo.

"It doesn't matter who wrote it yet... As long as we established that Byakuya became paranoid because of this threatening letter," Peko looked away from her e-Handbook.

"That letter must also be why he threw a party," Nagito concluded. "By gathering everyone in one place, he tried to create a situation where everyone could keep tabs on each other and put the writer of the letter in a situation where they couldn't act."

"The letter might've still been a prank..." Teruteru proposed, and Mahiru is starting to consider Teruteru a suspect. What person would write a threat as a form of a prank after yesterday's events?!

"As long as he was determined not to let any of us die, he couldn't take that risk..." Nagito crossed his arms. "His strong sense of responsibility made him believe the letter was legitimate."

"Tch! He should've still told us!" Nekomaru clenched his hand.

"We would have panicked if he told us," Nagito established.

"That is why he kept his distance, delegating roles he could not accomplish alone..." Sonia supplied.

"I see... His strong sense of responsibility as our leader was his undoing..." Peko muttered, closing her eyes.

"So who the hell wrote the letter?!" Akane is itching to punch people again. "Show yourself!"

"If they were willing to come forward, they wouldn't be able to murder in the first place..." Hiyoko stuck her lips out like a duck, hands hiding behind her back.

"Uhm... Pardon me. I hope you don't mind," Sonia spoke. "Can I ask something?"

"Of course, you can, Sonia-san!" Kazuichi smiled.

"About the night-vision goggles, if Togami-san used that to see in the dark, then how did the killer move around the dining hall during the blackout?" Sonia asked.

"The tape and the knife were marked with glow-in-the-dark paint, so all the killer had to do is lift the tablecloth to grab the items," 7 spoke up, yawning. "That means the culprit planned the blackout and had early access to the venue."

"If we figure out who set up the blackout, we get our killer." Hiyoko smiled. Mahiru just wished the killer had no accomplice. Wait. What motive would the accomplice have to help the killer?
 
"That seals it! The killer is whoever was in the office with the circuit breaker..." Kazuichi pointed at the swordswoman. "It's her, Pekoyama Peko!"

Chapter Text

"Was this island not big enough for two glasses-wearers!?" Ibuki's exclamation made Fuyuhiko wish he wasn't standing beside this woman.

"I am not the killer," Peko denied, which is obvious.

'First, I gotta figure out how exactly the guy died. The bloodstain doesn't seem to spill beyond the table area...' Fuyuhiko relied on the photos and the map Mahiru made concerning the venue. It wasn't like the yakuza heir entered the building. Based on the diagram, Peko's location would give her easy access to the bathroom. The only issue is whether someone noticed the bathroom being occupied.

"Eh. She's not the killer then," Akane accepted the statement, and Fuyuhiko almost crossed her out from the list until he remembered how fast this woman could go. Then again, Akane doesn't seem to be the type to use a blade.

"What if she's lying?!" Kazuichi cried out. Fuyuhiko wasn't sure about the mechanic's innocence, but the blackout had to be within this ultimate's expertise.

"I checked the office, and I don't think Peko would be able to reach the circuit breaker.." Mikan flinched when Kazuichi turned to her direction.

"I-I don't care about a technicality like that! Peko probably tripped the breaker and caused the blackout!" Kazuichi stated, and Fuyuhiko changed his mind. Not all mechanics are smart, and this guy isn't showing the intelligence fit to kill Byakuya. "She could've caused the blackout at any time!"

"T-that's impossible..." Peko hesitated to tell the truth. Fuyuhiko opened his mouth but realized he shouldn't interfere. Peko added, carefully crafting her words. "I wasn't in the office... Even before the blackout."

"Weren't you supposed to be guarding the confiscated items?" Nekomaru pointed at the ashamed female. Fuyuhiko clenched his fists, resisting the urge to retaliate.

"Sorry..." Peko apologized wholeheartedly.

"Nidai. Didn't you say someone was occupying the bathroom before you? You might as well have guarded that place before giving up altogether," 8 spoke before everyone could pry open Peko's weak statement, cupping his chin. "Wouldn't you agree Pekoyama might be that person?"

"You think the mystery guy occupying the bathroom is Pekoyama?" Nekomaru crossed his arms, scrutinizing Peko's reaction. "Hmm... It fits. The bathroom was occupied shortly after the party started, only freed after we discovered Togami's body."
 
"I still think she's the culprit," Kazuichi frowned. Pekoyama looked almost embarrassed at her alibi. Fuyuhiko wondered how he'd ask about the laxative theory, or was it all a coincidence?

"Souda... If she locked herself in the bathroom for that long, there's no doubt... It's shit!" Nekomaru's voice echoed across the trial room, which was very humiliating. " She took a dump! Nature called her from the get-go!"

"Can we stop talking about this and move on?" Pekoyama pleaded, trying to preserve her dignity. Fuyuhiko is starting to feel secondhand embarrassment.

"Gahahaha! It's okay! I understand completely how you feel!" Nekomaru laughed, which made her feel even worse. "Don't worry, the smell wasn't that strong! I used the bathroom right after you so that you can trust me!"

"Y-You know what? I'm starting to believe her," Kazuichi noticed Peko's reaction, not wanting to be in her position. "It must be rough."

"But did you get food poisoning or something?" Hiyoko covered her mouth, catching Fuyuhiko's attention. "Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

"I am unsure. As soon as I stepped into the office, I felt this sudden rush of pain in my stomach..." Peko repeated whatever she told him, which was why neither Fuyuhiko nor Peko had anything useful to disclose concerning the culprit. "Because of that, I was unable to leave the bathroom... Including when the blackout occurred."

"Who else tried the food at the party?" Fuyuhiko inquired, glancing toward Teruteru. "Did the killer lace laxative on the food?"

"L-laxative?" Mikan gasped. "I-I didn't think of checking the food."

"Based on Koizumi's picture, eating too much of that food could cause you to visit the bathroom regardless..." 8 explained away, but Fuyuhiko needed to be sure.

"Don't you think the killer could've dosed it in her food, tripping the breaker as soon as she left?" Fuyuhiko stated a scenario because no one had yet to explain away the blackout. "It's a great way to shift the blame."

"I-I wouldn't do anything like that!" Teruteru denied it, but the guy was sweating bullets. "Laxatives would ruin the taste! I swear!"

"I tasted all the food and I’m as healthy as a bull!" Akane placed a hand on her hip, confident on her claim. "I should've grabbed some before coming here."

"Owari-san isn't the type to lie... She does have a huge appetite," 7 agreed, but Fuyuhiko wanted to know why the hell Teruteru was sweating so hard. It's like those times when Fuyuhiko threatened his enemies. "That's that."

"Like I said, th-the dishes are innocent! Don't go making weird accusations!" Teruteru is stuttering, so the answer must be close. If Fuyuhiko had his way, he'd torture the guy for answers!

"...I apologize for causing a scene," Peko apologized again, and Fuyuhiko felt bad.

"Don't apologize. It’s Kuzuryu who should apologize for coming up with the idea.." Mahiru reassured them in a way that ruined his credibility.

"You wanna fight?!" Fuyuhiko raised his fist because his question was legitimate. What sort of coincidence led Peko to the bathroom in such an important event?

"Cease this bickering at once!" Sonia demanded, but Fuyuhiko still noticed the chef beside the princess sweating. Teruteru was either the accomplice or the killer. Fuyuhiko just needed something to tie that bastard to the crime.

'Wait a fucking moment.' Fuyuhiko realized they were royally fucked, staring at the description of the corpse. It's too general. Stabbed ten times with a blade, but the knife beside the corpse couldn't be the murder weapon. Well, if it was the murder weapon, the suspect should be covered in blood and everyone would have identified the person. 'Shit. I guess we're going for a trial and error, huh?'

"T-Trashy skank!?" Mikan exclaimed, surprised and offended by whatever the pipsqueak dancer uttered. Fuyuhiko doesn't care about those two. He checked his e-handbook, browsing the evidence.

"Who tripped the breaker and how did they do it?" Hiyoko asked everyone, acting all cocky despite not having a single idea in her head. Fuyuhiko sighed, ignoring the comment of his seatmate. Ibuki is hopeless.

"Maybe they used a remote control?" Kazuichi offered, but Fuyuhiko took the statement with a grain of salt. This mechanic had been spouting random accusations for a while now.

"Maybe they messed with the breaker?" Mikan held her hands like a prayer.

"Mess up?" Sonia discovered something. "You are implying they tempered with the power supply and transmitters?"

"Maybe too much power was used that led to the outage?" 8 amended the two statements, which fit with the state of the rooms photographed by Mahiru. "The three clothes irons were plugged and the AC seems to have a timer on it."

"Wouldn't that mean the killer went to the storage room to plug the irons?" Nekomaru asked. "That would also mean everyone who was in the dining hall when the blackout occurred can't be a suspect!"

"Not really..." 7 tilted her head. "To trip the breaker, you need to max out the energy usage of the building. The blackout happened at exactly 11:30, right? That's the same time set on the AC. This feels pretty premeditated to me."

"I see... When the timers activated the air conditioners, the breaker was tripped and caused a blackout," Nekomaru nodded, eventually scratching the back of his head. "I understand! Indubitably!"

'And we're back to square one,' Fuyuhiko wouldn't be allowed to head out, would he? How the hell is he going to investigate the body? Is he going to die because of this dumb plot?!

"If we are to believe in that logic, then even if Pekoyama-san was in the office, the blackout would happen regardless! Indubitably!" Sonia chirped and Fuyuhiko allowed the group to be glad they solved the blackout mystery.

"Regarding the energy usage, they probably asked Monokuma about it." Chiaki turned to face Monokuma, who just chose to segue. Fuyuhiko kept thinking about the circumstances. He wasn't sure what it was, but something bugged him. Damn it. Peko is feeling guilty again because of her duty.

"Resetting the breaker in that darkness would've been impossible," Nagito's cheerful disposition made him very suspicious. Fuyuhiko understood Ibuki's airheadedness, but Nagito took the cake and ran with it. Fucking weirdo.

"I'm starting to worry we may never actually find them," Hiyoko joked, which was no laughing matter. Fuyuhiko ain't gonna die here! 8 even told him Natsumi's waiting back home for his return, and god forbid his sister started nagging him.

"It's all right. You don't have to worry!" Nagito's words made Fuyuhiko turn to the weirdo. He wasn't the only one. A lot of them stared at the lucky student. "The killer can't defeat symbols of hope like you guys!"

"Ha?" Fuyuhiko was also sure he wasn't the only one with their mouths open at the audacity of this prick! He is also an ultimate. 'What the fuck, Komaeda?!'

"Huh? What’s wrong?" Nagito blinked and Fuyuhiko searched for someone to smack some sense with this guy. He turned to Izuru, who babysat the superior-inferior complex guy since the beginning.

"..." Izuru is fiddling with the hairclip of Sonia. Guess he has no plans of helping them.

"Komaeda... I've been wondering for a while... Why do you think the culprit can't be one of us?" Mahiru asked, and Fuyuhiko could already imagine the photographer shaking Nagito's shoulder for answers.

"Did I say that? Oh well," Nagito waved her off, and Fuyuhiko felt bad for the redhead. "Let’s go back to discussing the incident."

"Now that we found out how the blackout occurred, the question is who caused it, right?" Nagito asked. "Anybody could've hidden and set the timers for the air conditioners, setting up the irons in the storage room could've been done before Byakuya set foot in the old building. Any one of us is capable of that."

"Should I punch him?" 8 muttered, and Fuyuhiko resisted the urge to support Natsumi's friend. Sometimes, violence is the answer.

"You telling us we haven't made any progress?" Hiyoko also looked ready to throttle the albino. Would Monokuma penalize them for hurting their classmate during a class trial? Violence and extreme violence are two different things.

"But we've argued for so long..." Sonia frowned.

"Komaeda, cut it out," Mahiru ordered, getting mad.

"Unfortunately, it's the truth..." Nagito smiled. "Despite the discussion, there's not even one clue that leads to the killer."

"Maybe that's because there's no way any of us could be the killer," Nagito is smiling like a madman. Fuyuhiko knew this guy was out to kill them! "Anyway... I have an idea about what we all should do at this point. Instead of surviving by doubting others, isn't it better to get killed for believing in others?"

"Are you saying we should all just give up and die!?" Ibuki gasped. "No way! Ibuki has much to live for!"

"What better alternative do we have?" Nagito raised his hands, trying to act innocent. Fuyuhiko hates those types of people. "We don't have to find out who the killer is! I don't want to doubt my friends!"

"I... I don't want to do this either..." Teruteru is still the number one suspect.

"M-me too..." Mikan is starting to shed tears.

"We're all friends...aren't we?" Nagito asked, convincing those around him somehow. "Friends wouldn't kill each other-"

"Komaeda. Can you shut the fuck up for a second? No one needs that Bullshit right now," 8 sighed, and Fuyuhiko swore he felt the temperature drop. Maybe that's why Natsumi befriended the guy. The brunette started the conversation once more. "You guys can piece the side plot in your spare time, so let's focus on who killed Togami for real."

"What are you talking about? Isn't that what we've been doing in the first place?" Mahiru grimaced, but Fuyuhiko had a good feeling the male uncovered something.

"Trying to act smart, reserve course? Know your place..." Nagito agreed, but 8 was unfazed.

"I know that look! No spoilers! We can't rush the plot!" 7 pouted, holding her hands close to her chest. "We can't skip any part! One at a time. Let's first solve the culprit that made Togami crawl under the table first!"

"We're going to waste time. One testimony is all it takes to bring us back to the correct route," The words of the brunette made Fuyuhiko turn to the stunned nurse. That's right. The Ultimate Nurse must know how to perform an autopsy. What did she figure out?

"Nonono. Everyone needs to know what happened in the dining room during the blackout," 7 raised her finger, to which Fuyuhiko agreed. They could always ask Mikan afterward.

"Ha..." 8 sighed again, ignoring Nagito's blank gaze while standing close to Mikan.

"S-sorry..." Mikan clutched her Monokuma file, unsure what to do.

...

"Let's review the layout drawn by Koizumi-san. The culprit must have something to reach the table with ease to lift the tablecloth and grab the knife," 7 smiled, taking a step forward to stand beside Mahiru. "Togami-kun has night vision, but what about the culprit?"

"The tabletop lamp!" Mahiru declared, and Fuyuhiko stared at the picture to see the weird squiggly- Fuck. Nagito is the closest guy to that description. "The culprit used the tabletop lamp to move in the darkness!"

"There's no way someone could've used the lamp without electricity," Gundham retorted but quickly drew the same conclusion. "I see! Kuhahaha! The cord connected to the outlet directed the culprit straight to the table!"

"If we're relying on the map... Wouldn't the killer be Komaeda-san?!" Sonia looked at the albino. Fuyuhiko fucking knew it! There are only three people on his top list, the pervert, the fanatic, and well... the other guy is dead. "Should we still need to listen to Tsumiki-san's report by this point?"

"Since the only person near the power cord was Komaeda, then he has to have been the one who killed Togami!" Nekomaru roared. "Fess up! Why did you do it?!"

"Why would I do such a thing?" Nagito defended, and Fuyuhiko was now conflicted. Based on what happened, then Nagito fits the bill. However, what did Natsumi's friend discover? "S-Seriously, that's all just a coincidence!"

"Could it be... that Komaeda-san set himself up for cleaning duty so he could place the knife?" Sonia pondered. "Komaeda-san did prepare the drawing to pick this morning..."

"If it was just one coincidence, it'd be fine... But when it's one right after another..." Chiaki muttered, tilting her head. Huh? Fuyuhiko realized Chiaki and 7 tended to tilt their head way too much. They even have the same hobby of playing games. Maybe they are sisters? Chiaki clutched the strap of her bag, "I don't know if you're the killer or not, but... You're pretty suspicious right now, Komaeda-kun?"

"Was your strange speech earlier part of your plan? You want us to get killed?!" Nekomaru cracked his knuckles, which reminded Fuyuhiko of Akane. Those two must be friends.

"Come on, asshole. Was it you who killed Togami?" Fuyuhiko asked, but he had a bad feeling this prick wasn't going to tell them anything. "Or was it someone else?!"

...

...

...

"Did we break him?" Fuyuhiko muttered to himself when Nagito suddenly started laughing. He glanced around at his classmates, still fishing out the likely suspect. 'If I'm right, then the culprit is Hanamura. That guy has been acting suspicious the entire time.'

"There he goes again," 8 rolled his eyes, and it's almost nostalgic.

"You're all correct! It was all my doing!" Nagito smiled, and Fuyuhiko swore 8 acted as if this wouldn't be the first time Nagito snapped before them. The albino raised his hands in the air, eyes swirling and rambling about whatever they discussed.

'He's gone nuts...' Fuyuhiko dozed off but still picked up whatever Nagito talked about. It felt like a fucking nightmare. 'Damn. The longer Komaeda talks, the more I want to vote this guy off the island-'

'Shit. Did I say that out loud?' Fuyuhiko didn't mean it, but his inner self really wanted to haul Nagito off a cliff.

"PLEASE WAIT!" Mikan yelled out before Monokuma relented to their demands, but she got stage fright because of the gaze focused on her. "U-Um, um...um... Ugh... Never mind..."

"Nope. You have to tell them," 8 spoke, fiddling with his e-Handbook.

"What the fuck did you learn?" Fuyuhiko asked, and Mikan stepped back to press against 8.

"Well... How should I say this? I... I don't think Komaeda-san is the killer," Mikan fidgeted her hands. Fuyuhiko rests a hand on the defendant's table, waiting for anything relevant. If he ain't the killer, tell him something no one knows because right now... Nagito is the obvious target!

"What are you saying? He confessed to the crime, hasn't he?" Teruteru asked with wide eyes.

"The murder weapon couldn't be the knife," Mikan continued. "Based on the entry wounds on Togami-san's body, the actual weapon should be roughly five millimeters in diameter... The murder weapon couldn't have been the knife!"

'Five millimeters?' Fuyuhiko frowned, trying to recall a weapon that matched up. "If you screwed up with the autopsy, I'll sell your fuckin' rear overseas, you hear?"

"I don't want to go overseas!" Mikan cried, hugging 8's arm now.

"I see. That's why you said those words," 7 smiled. "However, now that we know Komaeda-kun failed his murder plot, he must surely know what happened to Togami-kun."

"Who knows?" Nagito shrugged, and Fuyuhiko checked his colleagues to confirm they, too, were getting tired of this BS. "Nobody can see in the dark except for Togami-kun..."

Chapter Text

"I understand," Nagito smiled, seemingly happy in both instances. Despite hearing all of the things Nagito uttered, Mahiru still couldn't understand why he thought this was the best way to help anyone! "As long as we can't prove the knife is the murder weapon, I'm innocent."

"Hm..." Peko skimmed the evidence list. "We know for sure you brought the knife as the item was unaccounted for in the Kitchen Equipment List."

"Even if there's an offset chance you aren't the killer, you almost got us killed by letting us vote for you!" Kazuichi pointed at Nagito.

"I'm merely relying on Tsumiki-san's word," Nagito smiled, looking at the nurse.

"Sorry..." Mikan whispered, but she had nothing to be sorry about! She had no reason to lie, so all they needed to do was uncover the truth.

'But if Komaeda won't talk about what happened in the dark, how are we going to uncover what happened to Togami?' Mahiru scanned her classmates who kept trying to make Nagito talk. Nagito wasn't budging, making them go in circles- Mahiru stared at Ibuki. 'That's it!'

"Mioda-chan! You heard everything that happened during the blackout, right?" Mahiru listened to the musician's words at the start of the investigation. Seeing the clueless look on Ibuki's face, Mahiru added. "The talk we had on who said what during the blackout?"

"Oh~ You mean that talk... Good thing Ibuki wrote it down!" Ibuki cleared her throat and surprised everyone when she managed to mimic their voices with a certain Ibuki charm. Mahiru stared at Ibuki's testimony in her e-Handbook, slightly annoyed that Monokuma left some details out until repeated during the trial. It's almost as if Monokuma wanted them to die!

"Impressive! I expected no less from the Ultimate Musician!" Nagito praised, but Mahiru realized this testimony got them nowhere. Her classmates also noticed the issue before them, so she needed to find another lead.

"He... shoved you out?" Teruteru repeated Nagito's confession. Byakuya saved Nagito, and that was something extremely reasonable for the guy to do however, that brings her back to square one.

"We've spent all this time talking back and forth for nothing?!" Nekomaru groaned, clutching his head. Mahiru scrolled along her e-handbook, searching for something. Anything! Nagito also isn't helping. It's distracting.

'But he is not the killer,' Mahiru has to remind herself of this. 'Togami foiled his plot, so Komaeda might be aware of the culprit.'

"Even if a different weapon was used, it doesn't clear Komaeda's innocence!" Gundam is still glaring at the albino.

"I mean... I don't think Komaeda-san is the killer because..." Mikan is starting to get used to talking, willing to speak unless someone talks her down. "Komaeda-san is... He looks pretty clean."

"Nobody's ever complimented me on my appearance before!" Nagito misunderstands the remark. "Not even my own mother!"

"Ehh? I meant the bloodstains. Togami-san bled a lot and it was everywhere in the crime scene," Mikan explained, which made sense. Mahiru even saw the bloodstain on the inside of the tablecloth... Huh?

"So? He coulda used something to block the blood!" Akane waved her hand, closing one eye.

"Other than the clothes irons, Koizumi-san found a bloody tablecloth stuffed in the hamper within the storage room," 7 explained the possibility. "However, no one was by the storage room at the time... Or was there?"

"The tablecloth is too big for someone to take along to the dining hall. Even if they tried to hide it, Owari-chan would smell the blood..." Mahiru glanced at 7.

"Would she?" Hiyoko wondered to herself, glancing at the bottomless pit. "Wasn't she focused on the food?"

"Wearing a tablecloth to go under the table and grab the knife in a blackout to stab someone? No one fits that description," Nagito muttered. "If it's impossible for someone like me, wouldn't it be impossible for you guys, too?"

"Maybe...the killer didn't necessarily stab Byakuya under the table?" Chiaki pulled up her hoodie, staring down in thought. "The place where Byakuya got stabbed and the place where the killer did the stabbing... did it happen in the same area?"

"I don't understand at all!" Ibuki glanced at Nagito and Fuyuhiko, but neither male responded. Mahiru stared at the crime scene, reviewing the layout of the building. Chiaki is trying to tell them something, but the gamer herself hasn't fully explored the area either. Not a lot of them explored the building!

"Hm... There's no mistake the murder occurred under the table," Gundham frowned while Mahiru was searching for the answer. "Is there another way to commit the heinous act?"

"The crawlspace!" Mahiru remembered the tidbit because of Gundham. "If you guys can remember, the old building's floor is full of gaps. The carpet was supposed to cover that, but it didn't reach all the way to the table and the edges of the room."

"Makes sense. If someone pushed a sharp weapon through one of those gaps, they could have stabbed Togami..." Peko agreed with her claim. "Stabbing Togami ten times... It seems possible that the killer guessed the general location of their victim."

"B-but Togami-san was stabbed between the throat and abdominal region, so the killer must have some means of seeing things," Mikan seemed to have calmed down, holding the Monokuma file to hide her face and speak with 8 about whatever. Mahiru almost wished 7 didn't tell 8 off because standing in the Spotlight wasn't a good feeling.

"Tsumiki-san is right, but we first need to learn how the killer managed to get under the floorboards..." Nagito scanned the group, mildly disappointed at them all.

"Tanaka-kun might have some idea. He was searching for something when we checked your group," 7 shifted the light towards the Ultimate Animal Breeder.

"Are you referring to the Hell Hound Earring?" Gundham raised an eyebrow.

"I'm glad you found them, Tanaka-san." Sonia smiled, having also checked on Gundham while the latter searched for some means to grab his accessory. "But how did you fit your hand pass through the gaps? Did you use your familiars?"

"None of them would have fit," Gundham impliedly confessed his hamsters to being fat- The male laughed, "Kehehe... Just a bit longer and I would have reduced everything, including that building, to ashes..."

"I guess no one had the tools to grab the earrings at the time," 7 tilted her head. "But you're wearing your accessory now. That must mean you discovered something. Can you tell us?"

"Huh? Could it be!?" Teruteru was surprised for some reason. Does he also know the truth about the crawlspace?

"So... Gundham learned how to get under the floorboards because of necessity," Peko looked away from the stunned cook beside her, observing the pleased animal breeder.

"It's understandable that only fools view the world through the eyes of glass..." Gundham chuckled, suddenly striking a pose and revealing his hamsters. "But I am different! With the power of my Four Dark Devas of Destruction, it is of no concern! Tremble before the Supreme Overlord of Ice!"

"Why am I standing beside this guy?! It's so embarrassing!" Hiyoko clutched her head, hoping he'd stop talking. "Just tell us already and stop being weird!"

"Fearful? As I expected... Very well! I shall tell you all! The answer was in the storage room!" Gundham announced after all his hamsters ran up to hide once more in his scarf. "One of my Four Dark Devas of Destruction... Mirage Golden Hawk, Jum-P, has seen beyond the chaos! There lies a secret passage of doom leading to the underground beneath the large assortment of boxes..."

"After securing a lighter from the supermarket, I threw caution to the wind and ventured below the floorboards," Gundham's explanation finally explained why Mahiru saw the existence of a lighter pop out and vanish during the investigation. It seemed Monokuma was also filtering the evidence to ensure no one placed the wrong item involuntarily. Wait. Could the killer also add false evidence voluntarily into their record?! "As a result of that lonesome battle, I was able to recover the Hell Hound Earring with my own two hands!"

"Fuhaha! Tremble with fear, fools! Behold my power!" Gundham ended his speech in such a grandiose manner. Mahiru should treat Hiyoko later for tolerating the guy.

"Anyway, we established the means for the killer to go under the floorboards from the storage room." Peko took the important parts. "It's not that far to move from the storage room to the dining hall."

"If they passed through the storage room, I understand why the tablecloth was put there." Nekomaru stared at his e-Handbook. Mahiru checked her map as well, but that would make Teruteru the likely culprit with his location. Well, her general estimate with the time frame of her photos.

"The killer lurked under the floorboards during the party and when the lights went off... They started stabbing!" Ibuki is sensationalized with all the information they have thus far.

"Are we sure though?" Teruteru pondered, "If they snuck under the crawlspace, that would mean they had to leave the party, right?"

"Are you saying the killer isn't in the party?" Hiyoko squinted at the cook. "I mean, the blackout did make it hard to go around. Maybe, they just waited under the floorboards? Pfft! That's just like a cockroach."

"Who wasn't at the party again? I can't keep track of stuff," Akane admitted her lack of attention.

"I didn't participate, but... I was guarding the entrance, remember? Monomi over there can be my witness... right?" Chiaki glanced at the dangling rabbit.

"Yes, this Monomi over here is your witness." Monomi nodded.

"I believe there's no need to discuss this matter further, but I was unable to leave the bathroom at the time..." Peko's eyes shifted towards Fuyuhiko. However, Mahiru knew a pair of lovebirds covered his excuse... Right?

"I was in the kitchen at the start, but Togami-kun asked me to go to the dining hall after cooking..." Teruteru quipped.

"Unless you could prove there is a secret passage to go under the floorboards from the outside, we can consider Kamukura a suspect," 8 threw Izuru off the bus. "After all, his talent is everything."

"He ran like the speed of light?" Fuyuhiko asked, dubious of the claim.

"Doubt. Unless he's working with Monokuma, Kamukura-kun would have to break Rule 10 to create an opening to enter the building," 7 defended Izuru, and Mahiru checked the rules. A building is considered property to a general extent. There didn't seem to be any explosion or broken entry while she explored the building with Nagito.

"How bothersome. It's been confirmed by a handful of students that it is impossible to go under the floorboards from the outside," Izuru finally spoke, pocketing the clip. "There is only one entry for the abandoned building and that is being guarded by Nanami-san and Monomi."

"If that is the case, then someone within the building went under the floorboards through the storage room during the party," Sonia tilted her head. "Perhaps during the blackout, the killer transversed out of the dining hall?"

"If someone disappeared during the blackout, no one would've noticed, I think?" Chiaki agreed.

"But walking down that dark hallway to the storage room is like trying to make eggs benedict without any eggs!" Teruteru exclaimed, so Mahiru needed to check the item list again.

"He's right..." Kazuichi scratched his cheek, closing his eyes. "I couldn't even see the office in that darkness, and that room was much closer than the dining hall..."

"It was super dark, y'know?" Ibuki scratched her head. "There's no way you'd be able to find your way to the storage room... Wait. Wouldn't the floorboard also be dark? How did the killer navigate there?"

"It appears...we're getting close to the final stage..." Nagito foreshadowed as if he knew the culprit. Mahiru isn't the only one who noticed his irregularity. Fuyuhiko and Peko are starting to judge the albino too. "Who is more superior, the killer or the innocent?"

"Nana-?" 8 raised his hand as if to point at Nagito's craziness, but 7 shook her head. The brunette clutched his hand into a fist, closing his eyes and looking away. It must be hard being lovers with a gamer-?

'Where did that thought come from? Whatever. I should focus,' Mahiru shook her head, reviewing the evidence. Her classmates are theorizing how the culprit navigated through the darkness.

"What if they used a light? Not that farfetched, right?" Akane pulled out from the realm of common sense.

"But where could they have found a light? Didn't Byakuya-chan take note of everything?" Ibuki threw back the question.

"What if... the killer used my camera?" Mahiru remembered her missing camera, suddenly seeing her precious item not on her being after Monokuma reset the circuit breaker. "I know it sounds silly, but if the killer could have used its flash to see down the hallway."

"Then... the reason your camera was on the table when the lights came back is because the killer used it?" Mikan repeated. "But when did they take it?"

"Tsumiki-san has a point. How did no one notice someone snatching your camera?" Kazuichi asked.

"Same reason stuff goes missing in crowded places...It’s easy to lose track of things when a bunch is happening." Nekomaru scratched his nose. "Not to mention, the party was cut short by the blackout. The killer could have left the hall under the cover of darkness."

"That wouldn't make sense then." Hiyoko interrupted. "Wouldn't anyone have seen the flash if the cockroach used Mahiru-nee's camera?"

"Then it behooves the killer to leave the hall in advance..." Gundham surmised. "Our killer must be closest to the door."

"Unfortunately, you’ve failed to account for a certain someone," Nagito raised his hand to point at his head, albeit tapping his temple. "Souda-kun said the hall was too dark to see the office. Utilizing the camera will contradict his testimony. If a light were shining in such a dark hallway, then Souda-kun would have seen it. After all, he was walking near the hallway, right?"

"H-hey. I'm not the killer you know..." Kazuichi stuttered, suddenly realizing a couple of his classmates were staring at him.

"Perhaps they used these fire doors I've recently discovered?" Sonia clapped her hands. "The killer may have used the flash once they passed these barriers and turned around the corner. Souda-kun would not be able to witness anything amiss in the moment."

"As expected of Sonia-san! That completely makes sense!" Kazuichi nodded while Nagito looked at Sonia in wonder. Mahiru hypothesized Sonia was actually checking the material of the doors, angling herself, and determining the line of sight.

"Komaeda. I've been meaning to ask, but you've been putting a lot of resistance for someone who isn't the killer," Peko crossed her arms, finding his actions peculiar. "Tell us. Who are you working with?"

"You don’t have to speak in such a scary voice," Nagito raised his hands again, smiling. "And I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Bastard! Quit wasting our time and say something useful!" Fuyuhiko threatened.

"You guys ready to decide on the culprit? We've struck midnight!" Monokuma checked the time. "How many more plot twists do you plan on having?"

"Hold on, demonic bear. There is still something we need to discuss," Gundham scanned his classmates. "If the killer indeed took the camera to enact the murder, they would need to leave the hall before the blackout and transverse underground. I do not recall seeing anyone leave at that point."

"Hmph. I was itching for the bathroom, but I didn't go until after the blackout..." Nekomaru picked at his ear. "Owari was eating like no tomorrow. Saionji was drinking and chatting with Mioda while Sonia, Souda, and Tanaka were chatting. Togami was standing guard and Tsumiki got into an accident."

'He must be recalling the past with my photos,' Mahiru checked her party photos. "I was taking photos and Komaeda was preparing his own thing."

"I was in the bathroom while Nanami and Monomi guarded the entrance," Peko started crossing the list of suspects with them. "Kuzuryu and Kamukura were by the beach so that only leaves us with Hanamura."

'That's right. My photos don't have anything with Hanamura,' Mahiru slowly looked at the cook combing his hair. As much as she doesn't want to do it, she needs to do it. Mahiru pointed at Teruteru. "Hanamura. It was you, wasn't it?"

"Huh?" Teruteru kept his comb, staring at Mahiru. "Huh!? What!? Moi?!"

"It fits, doesn't it? We don't see you in any of the photos Mahiru took minutes before the blackout..." Hiyoko covered her mouth. "You said you were with us, right? That meant you were by the entrance being a creep!"

"Is there truly no other source of light?" Peko pondered. "Is Koizumi-san's camera the only way?"

"It seems so. Togami threw a ton of items into the duralumin case..." Mahiru checked the list of items for each case, and she crossed out Gundham since he honestly acted proud for finding the crawlspace. 'Does that mean Monokuma knows who the murderer is before us?'

"But, how was he able to take the camera?" Nagito asked, grinning. "You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. None of you know how to release the camera, right? How was Hanamura-kun supposed to know how to take Koizumi-san's camera without her knowing?"

'That's right. I told no one how to take my camera, no one...' Mahiru found herself at a dead end.

"Komaeda is right. I'm not sure how Koizumi lost her camera but, there is another portable light in the venue. Go check the kitchen list equipment one more time," 8 disclosed, and Mahiru scanned the list and found nothing suspicious-?!

"The portable stove?" 7 tapped on her e-Handbook. "Isn't that big?"

"It is, but a portable stove is a bigger version of a lighter..." 8 crossed his arms. "Now. Let's interrogate Hanamura since the stove is kept in the kitchen. If Komaeda won't say anything, let's talk with the most likely culprit."

"That's it?! That's the only reason you're accusing me?! Because of a stove?!" Teruteru asked, but Mahiru couldn't deny a portable stove to fit the bill. If they only had a picture of Teruteru, then he could prove his innocence. Teruteru started to sweat, "Isn't that drastic? You're too cruel! I thought we had something special!"

"Well, someone needs to sleep on time..." 8 glared at 7, who looked away.

"Sorry. He's like that..." 7 yawned. Mahiru still doesn't know who touched her camera, but maybe she forgot, after all. Is this another series of coincidences influenced by luck?

"B-but!" Teruteru had nothing to say.

"Ah...Teruteru... That attitude is so not like yours. For the Ultimate Cook to get so upset..." Nagito covered half of his face. "If you fall to aspersions like this, who will be there to support the future of the culinary arts?"

Chapter Text

'Let's review the facts before locking in,' Fuyuhiko watched as Teruteru got a pep talk from Nagito.

Fuyuhiko and Izuru were by the beach, eventually bothered by Monokuma.
Chiaki stood at the entrance with Monomi to prevent anyone from getting in.
Peko was supposedly in the office but needed to go to the bathroom.
Byakuya is dead because he saved the suicidal Nagito.
Hiyoko, Sonia, Akane, Nekomaru, Ibuki, Mikan, Mahiru, and Gundham were in the dining hall during and after the blackout.
Kazuichi went out during the blackout to check the circuit breaker.
Teruteru was called by Byakuya during the party and stood closest to the entrance and out the camera's line of sight.

'The ones closest to the entrance would be Koizumi, Souda, and Hanamura...' Fuyuhiko frowned, checking the layout. 'If the entrance of the crawlspace is by the storage room, then Hanamura would have time to investigate that place right beside the kitchen area.'

"All that remains in the darkness is a strange liquid shining in the darkness..." Gundham theorized how the killer managed to locate Byakuya in the dark. "And that is the culprit's downfall! Utilizing this strange liquid, the culprit struck his prey as soon as Togami grabbed the stained knife!"

'Best to believe the guy. I haven't been in that place,' Fuyuhiko let those guys talk about the paint job, reviewing the kitchen equipment list. Fuyuhiko wouldn't be surprised if Teruteru lied about being in the dining hall. The kitchen is beside the storage room, so he could've easily gone in and out. 'If Teruteru is the killer, then the weapon has to be in the kitchen, right?'

"Can I ask everyone a question instead?" Komaeda troublemaker Nagito spoke, making the righteous Mahiru scold the guy in annoyance. Fuyuhiko ignored the conversation because all this talking was useless once they uncovered the murder weapon.

"Sounds likely. Hanamura shouting from under the floor would make us think he was in the dining hall." Peko is also on board with the idea of Teruteru being the killer. Fuyuhiko stared at the Monokuma file and then at the evidence list. He's seen a ton of murder. Why the hell is he having difficulty with this?!

"What're y'all even sayin' anymore!? I'm tellin' ya I was in dat dere dinin' hall durin' da blackou'!" Teruteru is mad with a distinct accent Fuyuhiko swore he heard somewhere. Countryside? Fuyuhiko continued to focus on the list of sharp objects found in the building.

'20 sets of utensils consist of forks, spoons, and knives. 20 wine glasses to match the silverware. 5 iron skewers, 3 frying pans, and a portable oven-' Fuyuhiko reread the list. 'There's a missing iron skewer? The case is good as closed. No wonder someone wants this trial to end. It's thin, sharp, and light. That fits the bill.'

"Let’s say Teruteru did leave the hall to kill Byakuya... For his alibi, he would want to return before the lights were restored, correct?" Peko spoke, still talking about the case. Fuyuhiko might as well listen to them. "What if Teruteru was halfway down the hallway when the lights turned back on, and we failed to discover his presence due to a certain incident?"

"Which one, Mikan-chan falling or Byakuya-chan dying?" Ibuki thought to herself.

"Hm... With that presumption, do we agree that Hanamura-san left to the kitchen to hide the murder weapon after the body announcement?" Sonia tapped her lips in thought. "Indeed. Shall we start searching for the murder weapon?"

"Komaeda-kun! Say something!" Teruteru asked for the assistance of the lucky student, who failed to die.

"I guess you should give up now..." Even Nagito has a limit, much to Fuyihiko's relief. "It's lonely watching someone I admire reach the limits of their hope. It kind of feels like a broken dream..."

"I've finally reached Pigmi," 7 didn't mean to say it aloud, but Fuyuhiko swore everyone heard it. They also witnessed a bag of monocoins, a Cod Roe Baguette, and a Cloth Wrap Backpack fall from nowhere. Offering the cloth wrap backpack, 7 asked Hiyoko. "You want it?"

"It is cute... Sure! Thanks, big sis," Hiyoko accepted the token. Fuyuhiko looked at Peko, who was listening to Monomi translate whatever accent Teruteru used. According to Monomi, Teruteru wanted them to find the murder weapon. It's a missing iron skewer, but Fuyuhiko sees no reason to find the murder weapon. They got their culprit. Why can't they vote him off?

"How the hell should we know where you hid the skewer?!" Akane cracked her knuckle, which also made sense. This class trial is looking fairer than the entire judicial system of Japan!

"Hanamura might have hidden the murder weapon when he entered the hall slightly late?" Mahiru theorized. "Since Peko-chan has no reason to lie that she's the first to use the bathroom, Hanamura could only be late because he hid the missing skewer to use as a weapon."

"What if the bastard dumped the skewer on the island?" Fuyuhiko doesn't give a damn. Everyone knows Teruteru is the culprit. 'Why are we delaying this shit?!'

"This school trip has a no littering rule. If he had violated it, the island siren would be ringing nonstop," Monomi denied his statement. It's also a useful hint in case anyone hears the island siren ring nonstop.

"Monomi and I never saw anyone enter and leave the old building during and after the discovery of Togami-kun's body," Chiaki pointed out. "It must still be in the building."

"It's in the kitchen then!" Hiyoko fiddled with her gift, finding it cute. "Is it in the trashcan?"

"No. Don't ask me why, okay?! I wasn't sure what else to do!" Kazuichi answered and immediately defended his actions.

"Hanamura. Be straight with us," Nekomaru placed both hands on his waist. Well, shit. The fact that Monokuma wasn't interfering with the trial is because the bear wants them to figure out everything in the case. Teruteru is rambling again, but Fuyuhiko is staring at a wall. It's a thin metal stick inside a building he didn't even check. He's fucked. He got nothing!

...

"Meat on the bone..." 8 mumbled, exasperated and utterly defeated at the fact he had to be the one to state it.

"Hidden inside the food?" 7 translated. "Sounds about right. Hanamura-kun is the Ultimate Cook, so if he cleaned the murder weapon, he could simply stick it in as an aesthetic design."

"Please don't say it that way," Mahiru begged because it sounded wrong. "But I agree. The skewer has to be in the meat dish kept in the kitchen!"

"You talking about the tasty meat?! I shoulda eaten it before coming here!" Akane's eyes sparkled, drooling at the idea of food. Fuyuhiko had no idea where this was going. "The meat in the kitchen has the steel skewer, right? Monokuma! Where the hell are you?! Bring it here! I'm starving!"

"Right. You checked the kitchen for food, huh?" Nekomaru glanced at Akane, who was looking around. "Where is Monokuma?"

"Wait now hold on a second! Time out! Time out!" Teruteru cried, messing up his pompadour.

*BZZZT!*

"I'm... right here!" Monokume held the large meat. Holy crap. It is big. Fuyuhiko ignored the growls of the hungry gymnast, watching the bear compliment the food. Teruteru is screaming.

"Tada! What do you guys think?!" Monokuma waved the murder weapon, returning to his throne. It has a unique handle similar to the appearance of a bone. Fuyuhiko looked away, not realizing he was tense all this time. He barely did anything, but he's utterly exhausted.

"As expected of Teruteru! Such a fantastic weapon from the Ultimate Chef!" Nagito must be a natural at shoving salt on wounds, praising the soon-to-be-dead cook.

"Y-Y-You're wrong...! You're all wrong!" I'm not the killer... I'm not the kind of person!" Teruteru is now undergoing denial. It's painful to look at. Nagito also failed to understand to let the guy rant. Even someone as sleepy and calm as Chiaki got mad at Nagito. "Shoulda neva wasted mah cookin' on you 'ngrates!"

'What happens if we don't all vote for the correct killer?' Fuyuhiko checked the rules. 'Majority rule, huh? Do we die if it's a tie? Fucking Monokuma. What the hell is your motive?'

"This is the end..." Peko confirmed after Teruteru started crying.

"Putting that aside, let's move along to the nerve-wracking voting time!" Monokuma declared, and Fuyuhiko watched as they were given a lever with a list of names. "Please pull the lever in front of you and cast your vote!"

"Wh-Why does this have to happen...!?" Monomi cried, but Fuyuhiko ain't going to die because of this guy!

[BLACKENED: HANAMURA TERUTERU]

"Bing Bong! Correct!" Monokuma cheered amidst Teruteru foaming and crying from whatever he'd done.

"Out of all the people on this island, it had to be a ponce like him to kill Togami," Fuyuhiko couldn't believe it.

"Hanamura... Why did you kill him?" Nekomaru asked, and he might be the next leader of the group. Fuyuhiko wouldn't know. He's the Ultimate Manager, right? Managers tend to lead people. All for sure, Fuyuhiko won't do it. He refused to get involved with these people.

"I... was only trying to save you guys... I was only trying to stop Komaeda from murdering one of you!" Teruteru cried, and Fuyuhiko could see that... Nagito almost got them killed by a misunderstanding. "I-I was cooking all day for the party, a-and I heard Komaeda laughing!"

"Sounds like a horror movie!" Ibuki gasped, and she might be right. Nagito might try to kill them someday.

"He said he planned to kill someone! He told me he wouldn't give up trying! Spouting hope and such! He's nuts!" Teruteru summarized whatever they've learned in today's trial. Nagito needs therapy, and Monomi ain't a good therapist.

'Suicidal thinking,' Fuyuhiko looked away as Nagito rambled, not wanting to deal with this guy. He wasn't even sure of the current state of the Kuzuryu clan to deal with this guy. 'Possible rough childhood, fucked up environment, and crappy series of luck...'

"I did tell Hanamura-kun about the secret passage I found while cleaning," Nagito is shifting straight to the willing accomplice of the murder list. Fuyuhiko thought for sure that Peko would be the only one with that level of dedication. "I warned him not to fall there, so he has to know about it!"

"Maybe... Byakuya was trying to protect Nagito?" Chiaki offered, which was also obvious. Fuyuhiko knew the guy's mindset. If he wanted to achieve something, he would. That's what being a leader of an organization is all about. Fuyuhiko wondered if Nagito was worth the sacrifice.

"Did you know Byakuya wanted to protect you, so you set him up to fail?" Peko glared at the threat, assessing the threat. Nagito denied, honestly wanting to die or be a stepping stone to hope BS.

"... I don't care if I die, so you should just focus on escaping this island..." Nagito's words echoed in his head.

'Escape the island...' Fuyuhiko wanted to leave this hellhole too, but Natsumi's friend advised him to stay alive. Natsumi wanted him to take a break after all the fucked-up stuff that happened. He wasn't sure what 8 meant because of the censorship, but he felt like he could trust the guy. 'I'll tell Peko about that later. Pretty sure she sees Natsumi like her baby sister.'

"S-Shut up already! I'm gonna go crazy just listening to you!" Kazuichi waved his fist with tears in his eyes.

"Monokuma. Can't we just kill him off with Hanamura?" Fuyuhiko asked, turning towards the bear.

"Kill, he says. Aren't high school students violent these days!" Monokuma chuckled but refused his request. "Sorry, but the person who's gonna die is Hanamura Teruteru!"

"Huh?" Teruteru took a step back.

"Puhuhu, I told you all at the beginning!" Monokuma blushed. "If the blackened killer loses, a fun punishment awaits them! It doesn't matter if it's an accident, self-defense, or intentional. A murder is still a murder! If you kill someone, that's murder!"

'What?' Fuyuhiko reviewed what Monokuma said. Monokuma and Teruteru are talking, but Fuyuhiko is thinking about future killings. Nagito's going to do something again, and whatever motives are presented would start another complex crime. However, Fuyuhiko knew he would be part of the list of potential victims. Of course, he's going to fight back but... 'Why include self-defense? Why add accidents into the mix?'

"So you did believe what Monokuma said..." Peko shook her head in disbelief, but she seemed to relate with the cook. Fuyuhiko needed to talk to her later.

"I don't! That's why I want to go home!" Teruteru trembled, sensing his demise. He's crying out about his family, mostly his mother. Teruteru begged, "I wanted to make sure that I still have a place to call home!"

'Home...' Fuyuhiko couldn't ignore the guy's concerns. It's a valid concern, but did he have to kill Byakuya?

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry everyone!" Teruteru apologized for everything. "I didn't mean to sacrifice any of you."

"As far as motives to kill are concerned, wanting to see your mom is boooooooooooooring..." Monokuma is depressed, bowing his head in disappointment. "If there's no point in basking in the afterglow, let's hurry up and begin the punishment!"

"You can- OW?!" Monomi managed to free herself, only to get punched and smashed against the wall.

"Ignore her. You ready?!" Monokuma looked at Teruteru.

"H-Hold on a sec..." Teruteru stuttered. "Wait. Monokuma!"

"I've prepared a special punishment for Teruteru Hanamura, the Ultimate Cook!" Monokuma cackled.

"P-Please... Tell me at least... What happened to the Hanamura Diner... What happened to Mama?" Teruteru begged for answers.

Chapter Text

'Horrible,' Mahiru covered her mouth, unable to look away from the screen before them. A large claw zooms past them to grab Teruteru's neck, dragging Teruteru to an island with a volcano. She wasn't sure where the island was exactly, but Monokuma must've known Teruteru disliked deep-fried food. Hearing Teruteru's screams of agony pierced their area, watching their friend burn alive after being dropped in lava.

"I see. Monokuma is a robot with spare bodies," 7 spoke while Mahiru tried not to vomit. A lot of her classmates are either crying, screaming, or silently mourning. Mahiru wasn't sure how to feel. This isn't what they signed up for when they enrolled in Hope's Peak Academy!

"Will you give them their memories back, Monokuma?" 8 asked after a couple of her classmates cursed at the damned bear. "When you mentioned the motive, you promised to return their school memories."

"Oh yeah, I did promise to return your memories after the killing began..." Monokuma laughed and everyone stared at the sadistic bear. Covering his mouth, Monokuma laughed while Monomi sweat bullets. "But I never told you guys that I'd tell you right away."

"Ha?!" Fuyuhiko might pop a vein with his rage. "What the hell is the point of listening to your motives then? All Hanamura wanted was to learn about his mother and the restaurant, and you turned him into fucking tempura!"

"Shorty is right! That's not fair!" Akane called out, but Monokuma didn't care at all.

"Who you calling shorty?!" Fuyuhiko glared at the gymnast.

"Of course, I'll keep my promise to return your memories someday.." Monokuma waved his hands and suddenly ran off to who knows where while cackling. "Bwah-hahahahaha!"

"I-I uhm... Excuse me! I have something important to do!" Monomi scampered away. Mahiru was even about to trust Monomi, but it seemed the mascot also didn't want them to remember their school memories...

"They both ran away!" Ibuki gasped, and Mahiru simply gave up. They're never going to get answers at this rate. "What do we do now?!"

...

"Ready to head to bed?" 8 spoke, making Mahiru turn to the duo. 7 is playing games again while 8 is poking her shoulder.

"You two... Don't you want to know what's going on?" Mahiru asked, toying with her camera. All of her friends are talking about the injustice, and Nagito's riling them again. The large screen is still showing the deep-fried Teruteru, and nothing's going right today.

"I do. Memories are important, but I don't think we should worry about it..." 7 explained. "We're here because of a vacation, right? Let's have fun and try to ignore Monokuma's motives."

"To be honest, I don't think Monokuma can answer Hanamura's question," 8 theorized, crossing his arms. "He's asking about the restaurant and his mother, which relates to the future. Monokuma only knows what they can get. It's doomed from the start."

"Unless he escaped the island," Mahiru spoke the only alternative left. "But why wouldn't he give us our memories back?"

"Maybe there's a valid reason?" 7 kept her Funplane, glancing at Nagito. The albino just told their friends to kill him. "If this is Komaeda-kun now, imagine if he received his memories?"

"Not like we're saying you're all crazy, but the outside world ....." 8's words became static.

"Hey, can I punch him? I just won't be satisfied till I punch him!" Akane is readying her fists, physically being held back by Nekomaru.

"Koizumi-san. Let's meet our friends," 7 smiled, tugging her to go closer to the group. "Player two. Grab Kamukura-kun."

"He looks like he's enjoying the view," 8 pointed at Izuru still observing the screen.

"No. Teamwork is dreamwork!" 7 explained, and 8 flipped a metaphysical table before walking towards the ultimate. Mahiru and 7 continued walking towards their group just in time to hear Sonia's speech.

"What do we have to work hard at?" Fuyuhiko inquired, possibly seeing the weakness in her speech.

"I do not know, but we must do our best!" Sonia smiled, and Mahiru elbowed 8 who almost laughed.

"Deserved," 7 chuckled while 8 clutched his ribs.

"Jeez, I don't get you at all," Fuyuhiko sighed, "Are you some kind of moron?"

"Don't insult Sonia-san!" Kazuichi stepped forward, only to step back when Fuyuhiko glared at him. "She's higher than you in authority!"

"And?" Fuyuhiko doesn't give a damn, and that's why Mahiru knew she wouldn't get along with the guy. He's like a loose cannon and refuses to play along.

"It's fine if you don't know. What matters is that you hold on to the feeling that you have to do your best." Chiaki comforted. "Let's make sure a killing like this never happens again."

"She's so cute-ack!" 7 cooed, and Mahiru bonked her head. "B-but I'm older than you!"

"Then act like it," Mahiru clicked her tongue, staring at the two supposed alumni.

"Now that I think about it, Koizumi is the youngest in the class- Not again!" 8 fell once again after Mahiru elbowed him the second time. Because of these two, she barely replied to her classmate's reactions!

"Let's work together and leave this island," Peko agreed, turning away to face the elevator.

"Indeed! We must first leave here... and get some rest," Sonia tried to be the leader, but her skills were way different from Byakuya's. "Let us never come back here!"

[14/16 students remain in Jabberwocky Island]