Danganronpa: All At Once/Chapter 4 - Ultimate Academy's Got Talent

* Monomi

## Chapter 4 - Ultimate Academy's Got Talent

### Investigation

Soon after the hosts disappeared, a new announcement by Monodam played on everyone's e-Handbooks and the monitors.

**Monodam:** NORMALLY-THIS-WOULD-BE-A-TIME-FOR-INVESTIGATING-THE-NEW-LOCATION. HOWEVER, BECAUSE-WE-WANT-YOU-TO-COOPERATE-THE-HOSTS-WILL-NOT-SHOW-YOU-AROUND. INSTEAD, YOU-ARE-SUPPOSED-TO-INVESTIGATE-TOGETHER-IN-ORDER-TO-GET-CLOSER-TOGETHER. YOU-CAN-HAVE-THE-SURVIVING-STUDENTS-FROM-CLASS-79TH-SHOW-YOU-AROUND. OH, ONE-MORE-THING. ENTERING-THE-RESEARCH-LABS-OF-THE-DECEASED-STUDENTS-IS-NOT-ALLOWED-AND-BREAKING-IN-WILL-RESULT-IN-PUNISHMENT.

The message ends.

**Juzo:** Pfft! I bet he was just too scared to show up now that he knows we can destroy 'em with no consequences.

**Chiaki:** Yeah, I wonder if he actually has good intentions. Remember what happened with Shirokuma?

**Fuyuhiko:** Who wouldn't remember?

**Kaede:** But he's right! We should work together! And showing you around seems alright.

**Kokichi:** But we can't enter our deceased classmates' research labs, right?

**Shuichi:** I wonder...Is it just some kind of respecting the dead's privacy or are there actually some clues inside that we're not supposed to see?

**Kokichi:** Too bad breaking in will result in punishment. Guess my lockpicking skills are useless now.

**Maki:** Lockpicking?

**Juzo:** Whatever. Komaeda and I can open any doors for ya.

**Nagito:** Amazing! I'm able to be a stepping stone for the Ultimates' hope on more and more levels!

**Kokichi:** But I guess...Even with that there's going to be one research lab that we won't be able to enter. Nishishi!

**Juzo:** Huh? What do ya mean?

**Kokichi:** My classmates should know what I'm talking about. We could never enter this single research lab. Its owner spent so much time inside and never let anyone inside. She even caught me lockpicking several times.

**Kaito:** You're talkin' about Maki Roll, aren't you?

**Maki:** It's alright. I'll check my research lab for potential clues myself and let you know about the results.

**Kokichi:** But you aren't an Ultimate Detective, are you? You could miss some important details.

**Maki:** I won't. My talent requires me to pay attention to the smallest details.

**Kaede:** I guess taking care of children really requires it, right?

**Kokichi:** Maybe. Nishishi! But can we really let one person investigate a certain area alone? Someone as mysterious as Maki may not be a reliable source of information.

**Maki:** Are YOU telling me that I'm a liar?

**Kokichi:** If that's how you interpret it...Nishishi!

**Maki:** Seriously though, none of you better enter my research lab. Unless you want to die that is.

**Kaito:** Come on, Maki Roll! What could be possibly so-

**Kokichi:** Geez, it has to be some very dark secret if Maki's so determined about us not finding out. And since it's about her research lab, it must be related to her talent somehow. Wow, if you wasn't so determined about keeping it a secret even before this killing game, I'd have thought that your true talent is related to killing or something. Nishishi!

**Maki:** You better not even joke like that!

**Kaede:** Um, alright. If Maki doesn't want us to enter her research lab, let's not force her to. Right now, let us show you around all the other places!

The remaining students from Class 79th show the other participants around everywhere aside from Maki Harukawa's research lab. There was no sign of any important clues anywhere. However, a poison was found in Shuichi Saihara's research lab and everyone agreed to dispose of it after the investigation ends.

### Ultimate Academy's foundation

**Hajime:** Wow, research labs, your own restaurant, casino, and even...Hotel Kamasutra? You guys have it way better than even the other Ultimates at Hope's Peak! Not to mention the Reserve Course students...

**Kirumi:** Yes, indeed. Though it appears you do not know the reason for that. Perhaps it can be my duty to explain it to you?

**Kazuo:** Actually, as the former headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy and its advisor, perhaps I should do it.

**Hajime:** I don't care who does it, just explain it to me.

**Jataro:** And to us. We don't know about it either.

**Kazuo:** Alright. It all started quite a while ago. There were several events leading to this. It appears someone was really determined to cause the end of Hope's Peak Academy. Now that I think of it, it obviously had to be Junko Enoshima. But at the moment we had no clues.

**Juzo:** Y-yeah.

**Kazuo:** Firstly, Hope's Peak Academy's security guards started disappearing. In fact, they were killed inside Hope's Peak. Their killer must have been the one to leak that information, as the school staff decided to hide this from the public.

**Hajime:** That doesn't seem fair. People deserve to know-

**Kazuo:** There are some things that are better off not knowing. Like another reason. That person also leaked the information about certain human experiments being done on one of the Reserve Course students despite his protests.

**Hajime:** T-that's terrible!

**Kazuo:** Let's leave that for later. And finally the last problem. Several relatives and friends of the students from Class 78th have been kidnapped and killed. That person also leaked that information.

**Byakuya:** Yes indeed. They included my butler, father and all of my siblings.

**Hajime:** Wha-

**Celestia:** My cat.

**Hajime:** Huh?

**Hifumi:** My sister.

**Kiyotaka:** My father.

**Kyoko:** My grandfather. Also, Makoto and Komaru Naegi's parents.

**Leon:** One dude from Mondo's biker gang.

**Aoi:** Sakura's boyfriend, Kenshiro!

**Sayaka:** All of the members from my idol group.

**Toko:** A-and my pet bug!

**Hajime:** That's terrible! Wait, your pet what?

**Aoi:** Yeah, that was a bad moment for us...

**Kyoko:** But we didn't give in to despair for a long time. All thanks to Makoto. He motivated us to keep going and make our dreams come true for our fallen close ones.

**Hiroko:** Actually, now that I think about it, everyone who was kidnapped and killed back then was a close person to some of the students from my son's class. And everyone of them wasn't related to Hope's Peak Academy.

**Yasuhiro:** Yeah, good point, mom!

**Hajime:** I see...Aoi, Chihiro, Junko, Leon, Mukuro and Yasuhiro didn't lose anyone...

**Hiroko:** Yeah. Because people they were the closest to were related to Hope's Peak Academy in some way.

**Aoi:** I see...My brother was a Reserve Course student.

**Chihiro:** My father was the IT teacher at Hope's Peak.

**Byakuya:** Junko Enoshima and Mukuro Ikusaba were most likely behind this, so they don't really count. Besides, they had each other and both were related to Hope's Peak, so they are still on the list anywya.

**Leon:** My cousin was a Reserve Course student too.

**Yasuhiro:** And my mom was a PE teacher.

**Kyoko:** I see. So it appears that the culprit, most likely Junko Enoshima, indeed targeted our loved ones who weren't related to Hope's Peak Academy in any way. Nice deduction, Mrs. Hagakure.

**Hiroko:** Thank you, sweetie.

**Kaede:** But what does it mean?

**Shuichi:** It means that the culprit probably planned this killing game ever since. And that they made sure Class 78th and their loved ones related to Hope's Peak Academy would survive Reserve Course students' Parade. Am I right?

**Kyoko:** Indeed, or at least it appears so.

**Kazuo:** So yeah, this was the third and final reason why Hope's Peak Academy got into problems. After all, after finding out about such scandals no one would want their children to attend Hope's Peak Academy anymore. Even the students wouldn't want it themselves.

**Hajime:** But it didn't close. Also, why was it kept secret from the Reserve Course students?

**Kazuo:** Because the Ultimates had already promising futures. If Reserve Course students found out, they'd leave Hope's Peak Academy immediately. Anyway, the school staff decided to show that Hope's Peak was still strong despite mentioned scandals. We had quickly build this Ultimate Academy for our next students. That's also why it has way more attractions for the students than the original Hope's Peak. However, as we predicted, no one was eager to go to Hope's Peak anymore. So we decided to change our way of working. Instead of scouting Ultimates, we scouted **gifted students who weren't on Ultimate-level**. The research labs were meant to help them improve their talents and reach an Ultimate-level. Unlike way more gifted students who already had promising future ahead of them, such gifted students were eager to enter Hope's Peak despite all of the scandals and sometimes their families protests.

**Kaede:** Yeah, we were quite really determined, huh?

**Kazuo:** This proved to be a success. The gifted students from Class 79th quickly earned their Ultimates status. On top of that, no tragedies happened ever since. Hope's Peak Academy managed to quickly restore its good name and the past incidents were apparently forgiven. That is also why the Reserve Course students didn't know about anything. Because Hope's Peak Academy's bad reputation didn't last for long. And their families were determined to have their unremarkable children graduate from Hope's Peak to let them have promising futures despite their lack of talent.

**Hajime:** I see. So that's why I didn't know.

**Kaede:** Oh, by the way, we still attended main events, such as school festivals on the main campus. It's just that instead of having lessons, we got to work on our talents here. And eat here.

**Kaito:** And gamble at the casino here!

**Celestia:** Lucky.

**Korekiyo:** No one besides Miu and Kiibo used the Kamasutra Love Hotel though.

**Teruteru:** Wait, Miu and Kiibo did what?!

**Kokichi:** Relax, Miu only did maintenance on Kiibo there. He wouldn't agree otherwise. Nishishi!

### Choosing place to sleep

After learning about the history of the Ultimate Academy, the students decided to go to sleep since it became late already. Naturally, a new location meant choosing new places to sleep again.

**Kirumi:** Since the other participants are our guests, I suggest we should sleep in our research labs and leave our dorms for them.

**Maki:** Good idea.

**Kokichi:** Of course you'd want to sleep in your research lab, Maki.

**Kaito:** Wait, but there are no beds in our research labs!

**Kirumi:** For our guests, we should be able to sleep even on the tables or the ground.

**Kokichi:** You're really devoted to serving everyone, aren't you Kirumi?

**Kaede:** Actually, with 16 participants sleeping in our dorms, there should be plenty of room for everyone inside Kamasutra Love Hotel.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah, not sure if I want to sleep inside something called Kamasutra Love Hotel.

**Kaede:** You can sleep in my dorm then.

**Shuichi:** M-maybe it'd be better for him to sleep in a boy's dorm. You can take mine instead.

**Kaito:** Cool, Love Hotel sounds better than our dorms. What do you think, Maki Roll?

**Maki:** I'm not changing my mind. I'm sleeping inside my research lab even though there are no beds in there.

**Kirumi:** Me too.

**Kotoko:** Then maybe we can take your dorms? Kamasutra Love Hotel doesn't sound as an appropriate place for the kids.

**Kirumi:** Indeed. You can take my dorm.

**Nagisa:** Then Jataro and I will take Maki's dorm. Is it alright with you?

**Maki:** Sure.

**Jataro:** Sorry you got stuck in a dorm with me, Nagisa.

**Nagisa:** Are you kidding? You know you are my friend, right?

**Jataro:** Huh?

**Kotoko:** Yeah, after losing some of our friends, even I learned to appreciate my remaining friends left. This goes for Jataro too.

**Jataro:** Could this be...? I'm actually...not hated anymore...?

**Nagisa:** Don't think about it too hard and go to sleep already!

**Kokichi:** Alright, so aside from Kaede, Kirumi, Maki and Shuichi, everyone from Class 79th will sleep inside their dorms and the others will sleep inside the Love Hotel, right?

**Kaito:** Actually, I kinda wanted to sleep inside Love Hotel too.

**Yasuhiro:** Can we switch then? I can't leave my mom because of her forbidden action and sleeping in the same room with her inside a place called Love Hotel would be awkward.

**Kaito:** Deal!

**Tsumugi:** Hey, I'd love to sleep inside Love Hotel, too!

**Celestia:** Then perhaps I can sleep inside your dorm? A place like Love Hotel is far too dirty for someone on A-rank like the magnificent Celestia Ludenberg. Not to mention the people like Hifumi and Teruteru will be there too.

**Hifumi:** Hey, you're hurting me again!

**Teruteru:** What is wrong with the li'l old me being in the Love Hotel?

**Tsumugi:** Now I don't want to sleep there. But sure, I can switch.

**Rantaro:** I can let someone sleep inside my dorm, too. I figured it might be safer inside Love Hotel.

**Kokichi:** Idiot, no one would want to switch with you after an explanation like this.

**Rantaro:** Heheh.

**Fuyuhiko:** Actually, I can. Love Hotel my ass. Such place should be illegal for underage people!

**Kokichi:** A yakuza caring for rules? That's interesting! Nishishi!

**Korekiyo:** If anyone else feels uneasy about sleeping in a Love Hotel, I can offer to switch as well.

**Kazuo:** Perhaps I should. Love Hotel isn't a place for people in my age. Heheh.

**Kyoko:** How about the deceased students? May I occupy Angie's dorm?

**Shuichi:** Monodam said only their research labs are off-limits.

**Sayaka:** Cool! Then I'll take Tenko's dorm.

**Leon:** If Sayaka's not staying at the Love Hotel, then neither I am. I'll choose Ryoma's dorm.

**Kiyotaka:** Love Hotel sounds inappropriate for me as well! I shall choose the dorm of the gentleman, Gonta Gokuhara, instead!

**Chihiro:** Y-yeah, I feel uneasy about sleeping inside a Love Hotel, too.

**Kokichi:** Looks like you'll have to sleep inside a perverted Miu's dorm instead. Nishishi!

**Chihiro:** What? Why? Isn't Kiibo's do- Oh, right. I see.

**Byakuya:** Then I will take Kiibo's dorm. There is no way I am staying at Love Hotel when Toko Fukawa's in there.

**Toko:** D-didn't we sleep together in the library and one of cottages back at J-Jaberwock Island?

**Byakuya:** That was when there was way too many of us for any good and safe place. Now I can just lock the door and sleep inside my dorm safe.

**Toko:** F-fine.

**Kirumi:** Alright, it appears it has been decided. Good night everyone.

Everyone splits up. Participants who got to stay at the Love Hotel choose their own rooms. Due to lack of enough rooms for everyone, Mahiru, Mikan and Seiko share a room and so do Kaede and Shuichi. Shuichi is so embarrased by it that he forgets to get rid of the poison from his research lab.

### Kaede Akamatsu and Shuichi Saihara

The two sit on the bed in their room in an awkward silence. Finally, Kaede speaks up.

**Kaede:** Wow, you sure have grown a lot.

**Shuichi:** Huh? As in...I'm taller?

**Kaede:** No, silly. Back when I first met you you were wearing that hat. You couldn't look at the others' eyes.

**Shuichi:** Y-yeah...I remember...

**Kaede:** And look at yourself now. Sleeping in the same room of the Love Hotel with me.

**Shuichi:** Um...If you want to switch with someone then...

**Kaede:** I didn't say I don't like it. Quite the opposite, I'm impressed by you.

**Shuichi:** Well...We're not sleeping yet. We're just sitting-

**Kaede:** You still needed a lot of courage to be here with me.

**Shuichi:** Y-yeah. I guess all this time spent with you...a-and with Kaito...really changed me. You both gave me the courage.

**Kaede:** Kaito, huh? Should I be jealous?

Kaede asks teasingly.

**Shuichi:** N-no, of course not! I was referring to my trainings with him. I am his sidekick, after all.

Shuichi laughs.

**Shuichi:** This reminds me...I do have an idea about where the hosts and perhaps even the masterminds may be hiding.

**Kaede:** Tell me!

**Shuichi:** I'm not sure if everyone noticed it back during our school days, but there is a hidden door in the library. It wasn't accessible even back then, so I may be wrong. But it seems like a perfect place for them to hide from us.

**Kaede:** Good thinking, Shuichi! See? You truly are the Ultimate Detective!

**Shuichi:** T-thank you. I'm still an amateur when compared to Kyoko...

**Kaede:** Don't think like that! How many times do I have to tell you you're both Ultimates? Have you ever seen Makoto compare himself to Nagito?

**Shuichi:** N-no.

**Kaede:** I guess you still need some courage...So...I'll help you with your plan!

**Shuichi:** M-My plan?

**Kaede:** Well, you mentioned the potential hiding location. I assumed you'd have some plan.

**Shuichi:** Well, I do...But it'd be a very tiring plan. Since we can't enter that secret room, we'd be forced to just wait until some mastermind gets inside. And it's not like we know for sure they will...

**Kaede:** It doesn't matter! I'll wait with you! Even waiting will be fun with you.

Saihara blushes.

**Kaede:** For now, let's just go to sleep.

Saihara blushes even more. He lies next to Kaede.

### Kirumi Tojo and Teruteru Hanamura

Still not being used to the new place, Hanamura uses his e-Handbook to find Tojo's research lab where she was supposed to spend the night. He knocks on the door. After a while, Kirumi opens.

**Kirumi:** Teruteru? I hope you are not planning anything perverted.

**Teruteru:** M-me? Why does everyone think I'm always perverted? I just came here to ask you to help me cook the breakfast for everyone. Ya know, Miss Celeste won't do it and Hifumi isn't working for her anymore after she chose me. And you know this place better than me.

**Kirumi:** Alright. I have already helped you with breakfast in the past, so I do not see why I should not so it this time.

**Teruteru:** Amazing! Kirumi helping me once more! My dreams came true!

### Kaede Akamatsu, Kaito Momota and Shuichi Saihara

Soon after the morning announcement, Kaede and Shuichi hear knocking on their door. Shuichi opens and sees Kaito outside.

**Kaito:** Shuichi, how was your night with Kaede? Hahah.

**Shuichi:** ...

**Kaito:** Just kiddin'! I'm actually here to let you know about our next training sessions. Yesterday we were all tired after all this "moving out" stuff happened. But we need to come back to our training! And since we know the perfect spot-

**Shuichi:** The courtyard?

**Kaito:** Yeah! We gotta tell the others to train there. I guess 8 p.m. should work fine!

**Kaede:** About it...Shuichi and I may be busy at the time.

**Kaito:** Could this be...? You're enjoyin' the Love Hotel this much? Hahah.

**Kaede:** N-no. Shuichi just came up with an idea to watch the hidden door in the library to catch a mastermind who'd come inside.

**Kaito:** I see. Waiting sounds hard, but...Count me in!

**Shuichi:** Really?

**Kaito:** Don't worry, I'll bring Maki Roll, so I won't have to be a third wheel. It'd be like a double date!

**Shuichi:** I don't think so...

**Kaito:** Just give her time, Shuichi. After all, you warmed up to us. And so she will!

**Shuichi:** Hopefully.

### Celestia Ludenberg, Kirumi Tojo and Teruteru Hanamura

Celestia walks into the restaurant.

**Celestia:** May I ask for my morning royal milk tea, please?

**Teruteru:** Sure, ma'am!

**Celestia:** My, my...You two cooking together again?

**Kirumi:** It is just because I like helping others.

**Celestia:** I see. Both of you cook very well. It is such a shame that one of you is a woman and the other is Teruteru. Otherwise, I would make you my vampire-looking servants at my future castle.

**Kirumi:** If you would like men as your servants, I do know some myself.

**Celestia:** I am afraid they would not be as good as you, Kirumi. However, I will for sure check the ones that you would recommend.

**Teruteru:** Hey, what is wrong with the li'l old me? Why can't I work in your castle?

**Celestia:** Firstly, knowing you, you probably will not survive this game. Secondly, you should know that you are way too perverted.

**Teruteru:** Speaking of perverted, I miss Miu Iruma. She had a perfect sense of humour and has built many interesting inventions. I'll miss them all. Well, aside from the one slappin' you for dirty jokes. We both got slapped a lot back then.

**Celestia:** That is certainly a fascinating story. However, I must ask when are you going to make my tea?

**Teruteru:** Oh, right! Workin' on it! Kirumi, may you please continue cooking alone while I'll be working on Miss Celeste's tea?

**Kirumi:** I see no problem.

**Teruteru:** Oh, one more thing. I remember Hifumi likes spicy mustard a lot. Make sure to give him a lot. In fact, maybe you should save it only for him.

**Kirumi:** Understood.

**Celestia:** Wow, I have never even known that Hifumi likes spicy mustard so much. It is certainly nice to see you know him so well even though things are awkward between you now.

**Teruteru:** Heheh, classic me. When it comes to cooking, I know everything.

### Breakfast

Eventually, everyone gathers in the restaurant. Since there are still a lot of participants, some of them have to wait for the others to finish breakfast before they can eat theirs.

**Teruteru:** Kirumi, would you be so kind and give Hifumi his plate for me? Miss Celeste was right, things are awkward between us now. I can't look him in the eyes for time being...

**Kirumi:** That is understandable. Do you think he would not be mad at me for taking his role as Miss Celeste's second servant?

**Teruteru:** You're a girl, he'll definitely be easier on you.

**Kirumi:** Alright, let me do this then for you.

Tojo does as Hanamura asked her to, even though she noticed Yamada is indeed also mad at her. After a while of eating, Kaito makes an announcement.

**Kaito:** Alright, training crew! Next session will be at the courtyard at 8 p.m.! I'm tellin' you now cuz I'm gonna go on double date.

**Leon:** Way to brag about your love life, dude.

**Kokichi:** Double date? Oooh. May I ask with whom?

**Kaito:** With Kaede and Shuichi, of course!

**Kokichi:** Idiot, that's not a double date. You're being a third wheel. Nishishi!

**Kaito:** That will be a double date cuz I'm takin' Maki Roll with me!

**Maki:** What? When did I agree to-

**Kaito:** Oh, come on, Maki Roll! You know you can't say no to Kaito Momota, Luminary of the-

**Maki:** No.

**Kokichi:** Nishishi. Looks like you got publicly rejected.

**Leon:** Damn. Sucks to be you, man.

**Kazuichi:** Yeah.

**Sonia:** Silence, pest!

**Kazuichi:** S-sorry.

**Leon:** Looks like you're not better, dude.

**Kazuichi:** Yeah? Same to you.

**Leon:** I...guess you're right...

**Maki:** Don't be too upset about this, Kaito. At this point you should know that I'm going to guard my research lab.

**Kaito:** Oh, r-right...Do you really have to? What's so bad about it that you can't let anyone inside?

**Maki:** If I could talk about it I wouldn't guard it, idiot.

**Kaito:** R-right. Then let me guard it with you! There are so many strong guys here. And some groups of more than one person. You need someone to help you.

**Maki:** ...Fine.

**Kokichi:** Huh? She agreed?

**Maki:** I guess you're right. I could use some help guarding it from the larger groups of people.

**Kaito:** Alright! Sorry the plans for double date got ruined, Shuichi.

**Shuichi:** I-It's alright, really.

### Announcement

Suddenly, an announcement plays on the participants' e-Handbooks and the monitors.

**Monodam:** LISTEN-BASTARDS! TO-MAKE-THIS-EVEN-MORE-FRIENDLY-ENVIRONMENT-WE-ARE-GOING-TO-HOST-A-TALENT-SHOW. EVERYONE-HERE-IS-TALENTED-AND-SOME-OF-YOU-EVEN-HAVE-ACCESS-TO-THEIR-OWN-RESEARCH-LABS. HENCE-THIS-IS-A-PERFECT-OPPORTUNITY-FOR-AN-EVENT-LIKE-THAT. DO-NOT-WORRY-THOUGH. THERE-WILL-BE-NO-WINNERS-OR-LOSERS. WE-DO-NOT-WANT-YOU-TO-BE-UPSET-ABOUT-LOSING-A-CONTEST. I-GUESS-YOU-COULD-SAY-EVERYONE-WHO-WOULD-PARTICIPATE-WOULD-BE-A-WINNER. ADDITIONALLY, TO-MAKE-YOU-GET-CLOSER-WITH-US, WE-ARE-GOING-TO-PARTICIPATE-AS-WELL. PREPARE-YOURSELVES-BECAUSE-THE-CONTEST-WILL-START-TODAY-AT-8 P.M.-IN-THE-GYM! DO-NOT-WORRY-IF-THIS-ISN'T-ENOUGH-TIME-FOR-YOU-TO-PREPARE. ATTENDENCE-ISN'T-MANDATORY-AND-WE-CAN-ALWAYS-HOLD-THIS-CONTEST-AGAIN-IN-THE-FUTURE.

The announcement ends.

**Hajime:** Everyone here has a talent, huh?

**Kaito:** 8 p.m.? Way to ruin our plans for training!

**Maki:** It's not like you were going to train this time.

**Juzo:** Is that bear for real? If they're goin' to show up, we're obviously goin' to destroy 'em.

**Chiaki:** Guess he really wants us all to get along, huh?

**Himiko:** Maybe it's not so bad idea, after all? I guess Tenko and Angie would be happy if I showed you some magic.

**Nagito:** The idea reminds me of our practical exams back at Hope's Peak.

**Hajime:** Speaking of which, how is it going to work? How is someone like the Ultimate Affluent Progeny or the Ultimate Princess going to show their talent?

**Byakuya:** Well, in our cases you just report your successes in the field you're good at.

**Sonia:** What a shame. Although we have to do it for practical exams, it does not really fit the talent contest type of event.

**Hajime:** I see...Looks like I won't be the only one who won't participate.

**Korekiyo:** I do not really see how I could participate either. I guess I could tell you about various cultures. However, from experience I know it would bore some of you.

**Fuyuhiko:** I guess it'd be safer for me to not showcase my talent.

**Aoi:** I can't take part either. The show would take part on a stage, right? I can't swim on the stage. Not to mention I can't swim at all because of my NG Code.

**Shuichi:** Being a detective is an ability that showes off more during the Class Trials than on the stage. I guess I'll pass too. But I think you should play, Kaede.

**Kaede:** Really? Well, I do like to make people smile...What about our plans though?

**Shuichi:** Don't worry about it. You can always show up only for your performance. And if everyone will be present in the audience, we would have to cancel our plans anyway.

**Kirumi:** Perhaps we can make a list of who will participate?

**Kiyotaka:** Good idea! That way we're prevent the organization from being chaotic! Let us confirm our participation right now, alphabetically! Kirumi and I will remember the results!

**Aoi:** Just like I said earlier, I can't.

**Byakuya:** My talent is not suitable for a talent show format. Not to mention I find this idea silly and prefer to focus on the game.

**Celestia:** I guess I could gamble with someone on stage. How about Nagito? Seeing his Ultimate Luck and my gambling skills face off would be quite interesting.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah, maybe let's not do that.

**Kiyotaka:** Agreed! School is not a place for gambling!

**Nagito:** What a shame. I was really looking forward to it.

**Kiyotaka:** Next!

**Chiaki:** I guess I could play a game on stage, but would that be really fun to watch if you didn't play with me? Not to mention I'd need a huge screen so the entire audience could see how I'm playing.

**Kiyotaka:** I'm afraid it doesn't fit talent show format either. Next!

**Chihiro:** Yeah, my case is pretty similar. And there's also my forbidden action...

**Fuyuhiko:** I told you, it's better for a yakuza not to show off, especially in the middle of a killing game.

**Hajime:** I don't even have a talent to begin with.

**Hifumi:** I could talk about my favorite fanficti-

**Toko:** Next!

**Hifumi:** Hey!

**Himiko:** As I told you, I will show you some magic! For Tenko and for Angie.

**Hiroko:** I'm on a similar boat to Hajime.

**Hajime:** Wow, it feels nice not to be alone even though I'm the only Reserve Course student here.

**Jataro:** I guess I could make some sculpture or something if Mr. Sakakura let me enter Angie's lab.

**Juzo:** Yeah...I'm definitely not boxing anyone on stage.

**Nagito:** Why not?

**Juzo:** Would anyone want to be hit by a guy with just one hand? Yeah.

**Kaede:** I could play a piano!

**Kaito:** Stage is too small to show the talent of Kaito Momota, Luminary of the-

**Kokichi:** Next!

**Kaito:** Hey, you didn't let me finish!

**Kazuichi:** I guess I could bring you the remains of Kiibo? He was the one to build it, but Miu and I projected it.

**Sonia:** Wouldn't that be disrespecting the dead?

**Kazuichi:** Oh, right. Well, I could build something new if Juzo let me inside Miu's lab, I guess.

**Kazuo:** There isn't really any way someone like me could show off on a talent contest. Heheh.

**Kirumi:** I help the others for their requests, not for some show. Besides, I do not really see how my skills would fit a talent show format. I could prepare the stage however.

**Kiyotaka:** Yeah, my talent will only come in handy with preparations too.

**Kokichi:** An Ultimate Supreme Leader shouldn't show off his malicious abilities, so I guess I'm out.

**Korekiyo:** Perhaps I could perform a seance instead of giving you a lecture about cultures?

**Kaito:** S-seance?

**Korekiyo:** We'd let a spirit of one of our dead friends enter someone's body and-

**Kaito:** No!

**Kiyotaka:** Indeed. School is not a place for black magic!

**Korekiyo:** But this isn't some kind of black magic. Seances like that are part of some cultu-

**Kokichi:** You didn't make it, Kiyo. Deal with it. Next!

**Kotoko:** I guess I could perform with my acting skills. But that'd remind me of the old days, so it's a no.

**Kyoko:** Shuichi already explained why I can't show off on a stage either.

**Leon:** Yeah, same here. I'd need a baseball court to show off, not a stage. Then again, maybe I could be a musician this time! Musicians are perfect for talent shows!

**Sayaka:** Aren't you still too unexperienced as a musician though?

**Leon:** Crap. Welp, I tried.

**Mahiru:** I guess I could show you my pictures, but it doesn't really fit the theme of talent show either. I can take pictures of the talent show though!

**Maki:** My talent isn't suitable for talent shows either. Next!

**Kokichi:** Wait, which one? Taking care of children? Or whatever's related to the mystery of your research lab?

**Maki:** I said next!

**Mikan:** S-sorry...I'm only useful when someone's hurt, not for a talent show...

**Nagisa:** Yeah, my educational talent isn't suitable either.

**Nagito:** I guess we could trap me to something and see if the fate would allow me to survive.

**Kazuichi:** Maybe not! Keep in mind your luck sometimes causes the bad luck of others! Usually me!

**Nagito:** I see. This could indeed end badly for you somehow, I guess. I'll pass then.

**Rantaro:** Just like in Kaito's case, a stage is too small to show my talent.

**Ryota:** I guess I could show you my anime...But my forbidden action prevents me from that.

**Sayaka:** I can sing, no problem!

**Seiko:** My case is a bit similar to Mikan's. I guess I could make some volcano or something with my chemicals though... But I haven't seen much stuff that would be useful for this. Not to mention talent show format would remind me of my practical exam fiasco...

**Nagito:** Sorry once again, Seiko.

**Shuichi:** Yeah, I've already explained my case earlier and Kyoko already mentioned it too.

**Sonia:** My case is similar to Byakuya's.

**Tsumugi:** But you could always wear some princess's dress, right?

**Kazuichi:** Oh yeah, please do!

**Sonia:** Wouldn't that be more of modeling talent than a one of a princess?

**Kazuichi:** Well, princesses do have to look good in public, like models, so it should pass.

**Sonia:** It is still a no from me however.

**Teruteru:** I can cook for you once more.

**Kiyotaka:** Well, you do that the entire time since this killing game started, but I guess presenting your food more or less fits the talent show format. Accepted!

**Hifumi:** Pfft!

**Toko:** I-I could...

**Hifumi:** Reading your books would be boring! Writing them on stage even more!

**Toko:** Grr!

**Byakuya:** Besides, I'd need you around as my meat shield.

**Toko:** Y-yes, Master!

**Tsumugi:** I could cosplay on stage.

**Imposter:** Well, I'm already in disguise the entire time. Besides, my performance would be too similar to Tsumugi's.

**Yasuhiro:** And I can tell you the fortune for 100,000 yen!

**Hiroko:** Son!

**Yasuhiro:** Fine, mom. I'll pass then.

**Kiyotaka:** Alright, then it's decided! The ones to perform will be Himiko, Jataro, Kaede, Kazuichi, Sayaka, Teruteru and Tsumugi. Kirumi and I will take care of the preparations, unless the hosts are already taking care of it. And Mahiru will take pictures.

**Mahiru:** Sounds great to me.

After the decision, everyone splits up.

### Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu and Mahiru Koizumi

Kuzuryu catches up to Koizumi.

**Fuyuhiko:** Were you serious back there?

**Mahiru:** Huh? About what?

**Fuyuhiko:** Well, considering a lot of our forbidden actions are related to our talents and that you said you'd take pictures of the talent show, I became worried.

**Mahiru:** That's sweet of you. It's true, I did say that and **taking pictures** really is my forbidden action-

**Fuyuhiko:** I knew it! Are you suicidal because Sato, Ibuki and Hiyoko died and your only other closest friend, Mikan, spends more time with Seiko now? Listen, I know it's hard for you now. I lost my sister and Peko...But that only means you gotta be strong for them! You must survive for them, get it?!

**Mahiru:** It's very sweet of you to worry about me so much, especially considering my best friend and your sister hated each other...and she also hated me.

**Fuyuhiko:** Well, it's just like you said when you chose me for the plane. We shouldn't let their conflict become ours.

**Mahiru:** I'm glad you think so too. But don't worry, I'm not actually suicidal.

**Fuyuhiko:** Huh?

**Mahiru:** I know, I worded it incorrectly out of habit. I know that I can't take pictures now. But I found a loophole. I can film videos instead.

**Fuyuhiko:** I-I see...Why didn't you say so earlier then?

**Mahiru:** Haha, it was sweet to see you worry about someone so much. You rarely let anyone see your emotional side, even if it was about Natsumi or Peko.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah, classic me, I guess.

**Mahiru:** And it was nice to see you accepted my apology on Sato's behalf in the form of choosing you for the plane.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah. It was really nice of you. If it wasn't for you, I could be left behind and die as well. Hiyoko for sure wouldn't choose me.

**Mahiru:** Don't worry, I'm sure one of the kids would because of your appearance.

**Fuyuhiko:** Hey, don't make fun of me when we're having emotional conversation!

**Mahiru:** Hahah, sorry. But I'm glad I got to choose you. It made apologizing to you much easier.

**Fuyuhiko:** Y-yeah, I guess.

**Mahiru:** You must be really lonely if you came to talk to me.

**Fuyuhiko:** Well, yeah, I am since Natsumi and Peko's deaths. At first I wanted to be left alone and then the whole escape thing happened. But now that we finally have some peace again, I started to realize how lonely I became.

**Mahiru:** Me too...Hey, want to spend some time with Mikan and Seiko? And knowing them lately, possibly with Ryota and Imposter as well.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah, sure.

**Mahiru:** I see you really changed for the better.

**Fuyuhiko:** Are you saying there was something wrong with me earlier?

**Mahiru:** As I said, you weren't as open about your emotions. But don't think too hard about it now. Come on!

### Kirumi Tojo and Kiyotaka Ishimaru

The two go to the gym.

**Kiyotaka:** So they came up with the idea, but didn't prepare anything, huh?

**Kirumi:** That seems quite reasonable. After all, if they showed up, they would be immediately destroyed by Mr. Sakakura.

**Kiyotaka:** Well, looks like we're indeed have to prepare the stage for everyone's performances by ourselves. Perhaps we should invite more people to help us.

**Kirumi:** Agreed. We're going to bring a piano here, whatever would be needed for Himiko's magic tricks...We will need more strong people.

**Kiyotaka:** Alright, I will go get Kaito, Leon and Aoi to help us. They are all pretty strong. I would also ask Mr. Sakakura for help, but considering he only has one hand now...

### Kaede Akamatsu, Kyoko Kirigiri and Shuichi Saihara

Kyoko catches up to the couple, makes sure no one follows them and tells them to go in her (actually Angie's) dorm. Once they're inside, she starts the conversation.

**Kyoko:** You know this place better than me, so I'm going to need your help.

**Kaede:** Sure. What is it about?

**Kyoko:** You see, the hosts remain hidden for now. However, Monodam said they will participate in the talent show as well. That means they will leave their hiding place. I'm not saying we should immediately destroy them, but we should try to somehow get inside that place after they left. Since you know this facility better than me, do you have any ideas about where they may be hiding?

**Shuichi:** Actually, I do. You see, there always was this hidden door in the library. We were actually meaning to watch that place to see if the masterminds would enter it. But then the whole idea about the talent show came up...

**Kyoko:** I see. You cannot miss the performance without risking your plan could fail, Kaede.

**Kaede:** Y-yeah.

**Kyoko:** How about you, Shuichi?

**Shuichi:** I should be there for her...I know how much her performances mean for her...I know that she loves making people smile. I want to be there in the audience and smile for her.

**Kaede:** Aww, thank you, Shuichi.

**Kyoko:** I see...Then how about this? I will watch the door before Kaede's performance. After it'll end, you two can join me.

**Kaede:** I feel like I should be there for the others' performances as well...But I guess I may join you after mine. This is for greater good, after all.

**Kyoko:** Thank you. Is there a place where I could observe the hidden door without being seen?

**Shuichi:** I was thinking about a classroom right by the stairs that lead to the basement. We could leave the door slightly open and watch who's going downstairs.

**Kyoko:** But that would mean that in order to get into the hidden room you'd have to follow that person. Besides, there is more than just the library downstairs. This could turn out to be just a false lead.

**Shuichi:** Well, I was thinking about hiding behind some bookshelf, but that may fail.

**Kyoko:** Yeah, I guess we would be too noticable. By the way, I do not have to remind you to ditch your e-Handbooks someplace else, so that if that person looked on the map, your icons wouldn't be shown anywhere near the library.

**Kaede:** Yeah, thanks for reminding us.

**Kyoko:** I'm pretty sure the person going inside would do the same, so we'll unfortunately have to follow them if anyone went downstairs. We'll wait a bit and try to walk quietly.

**Shuichi:** Y-yeah.

**Kyoko:** Alright, then everything's planned. Good luck with your performance, Kaede.

**Kaede:** Thank you. Good luck with your investigation while you will be doing this alone.

**Kyoko:** Oh, by the way, since you are a fellow detective and Kaede's a very cheerful person, I guess I can trust you with this. If by any chance we indeed spotted someone going into the hidden room, who do you predict it could be?

**Shuichi:** Well, Nagito's the most suspicious right now due to his bracelet, though he indeed might have as well been lucky. Fuyuhiko's pretty much been deconfirmed after the death of his loved ones. I don't think Byakuya's family could be behind this either. Sonia also doesn't seem suspicious. On the other hand, Kokichi has always acted suspiciously and has a talent that could fit. Rantaro has always been mysterious and travelled a lot, so we didn't see him around often. Korekiyo gives this creepy vibe and enjoys the beauty of humans in any situation. Oh, and I don't think it was Maki. She's been guarding her research lab even before this game started. And Kaito believed in her.

**Kyoko:** I see...So you haven't noticed it yet...

**Shuichi:** What do you mean?

**Kyoko:** I found something interesting in Tsumugi's research lab while we were investigating this facility together. I didn't want to mention it back then, but-

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door.

### Kaede Akamatsu, Kyoko Kirigiri, Rantaro Amami and Shuichi Saihara

Kyoko opens it and sees Rantaro waiting outside.

**Rantaro:** So I remembered that you took Angie's dorm correctly. Heheh, good for me.

**Kyoko:** What do you want?

**Rantaro:** You see, I'm pretty sure you already noticed during our investigation, but there is a huge vault in my research lab.

**Kyoko:** I did. Do you perhaps seek an Ultimate Detective to help you find a way to open it? No, that cannot be it, the vault was a part of your research lab since you entered Hope's Peak...

**Rantaro:** Yeah, I already knew the password needed to open it. I did suspect there could be a clue inside and I was right.

Amami takes out a piece of paper.

**Rantaro:** That's not much really. It only points out there is a hidden door in the library.

**Kyoko:** I see. So you either had this in your research lab because you are one of the masterminds or because a mastermind wanted to lure you in there.

**Rantaro:** Hahah, I promise I'm not a bad guy. Looks like it's the latter. Or perhaps one of the masterminds wanted to frame me for the first option.

**Kyoko:** Either way, what did you want?

**Rantaro:** I'm going to test their trap. I will go there. I want you, as the Ultimate Detective, to watch out for me.

**Kyoko:** Isn't that the Ultimate Bodyguard's job?

**Rantaro:** Well, I haven't seen any person with such title around.

**Kyoko:** To be honest, we had a similar plan...

Kirigiri lets Amami know about the plan.

**Rantaro:** You must actually trust me if you're telling me this.

**Kyoko:** To be honest, I suspect some of your classmates more than you. And I don't have to worry. Now that Kaede and Shuichi know you'd be inside a classroom with me, even if you killed me, they'd know whose fault it would be. And you could only kill one of them after that.

**Rantaro:** I see, so that's why you trust me. Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

**Kaede:** Don't worry, Kyoko. Rantaro is actually very reliable once you get to know him.

**Rantaro:** Haha, thank you, Kaede.

**Kaede:** Now that everything's decided, I need to pick a song to play.

**Shuichi:** I-I'll go, too. I don't know that much about music, but perhaps I'll be able to help you pick one.

The duo leaves and goes to Kaede's research lab.

**Rantaro:** I should probably leave them alone. Well, I'll get going, too. See you around at 8 p.m.

### Aoi Asahina, Himiko Yumeno, Kaito Momota, Kirumi Tojo, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Korekiyo Shinguji, Leon Kuwata and Nagito Komaeda

The people responsible for the preparations are getting the stuff needed for Himiko's magic trick.

**Himiko:** Be careful! Don't let any of these get destroyed.

**Kaito:** Yeah, I wouldn't a tunk of piranhas break down on me.

**Himiko:** And don't you even dare trying to analyze these objects too much! I'm telling you it's gonna be a real magic! A real, actual magic!

**Leon:** Fine, whatever.

**Kirumi:** If that makes you happy.

The group meets Korekiyo and Nagito by the way.

**Nagito:** Isn't it the stuff for the magic trick? How amazing! I always wanted to learn the secrets of magic tricks!

**Korekiyo:** Me too.

**Himiko:** I already told you, it's gonna be real magic! No tricks!

**Nagito:** I assume it means we don't deserve to know.

**Korekiyo:** That is understandable. Magicians do not reveal the secrets of their tricks.

**Himiko:** They aren't tricks! They're actual-

**Nagito:** Can we at least tag along and help you prepare the stage?

**Kiyotaka:** Sure thing. The more people the faster it will be done!

Thus, Komaeda and Shinguji end up getting involved in the preparations.

### Byakuya Togami and Toko Fukawa

Meanwhile, these two spend some time in the library.

**Toko:** S-So, are you going to see the show later, M-Master?

**Byakuya:** I do not see a reason for such a silly thing. Especially not when I'm busy with a serious work.

**Toko:** Are you looking for another clue in the library again?

**Byakuya:** Precisely. Since this is a facility that was built for Class 79th only, I expect to find a document about them this time.

**Toko:** W-Would that really mean anything though?

**Byakuya:** Use your brain cells for a change. Firstly, another document about a whole group would mean someone must have wanted them to survive. And if there was one like that for Class 79th, that would only confirm the theory that there is a mastermind among them.

**Toko:** I-Isn't it already pretty much obvious enough?

**Byakuya:** It is, but we need confirmation. Besides, you remember this Maki, right? Since she doesn't want anyone in her research lab, that means she must be hiding something about her talent. I wouldn't be surprised if her title of the Ultimate Child Caregiver was just a cover-up. After all, such title doesn't sound malicious at all and yet she guards her lab. This makes me even more interested in finding such a file this time. The last one included everyone's talents. That's how I found out about the Ultimate Imposter before anyone else who wasn't informed about him earlier. I expect the document about Class 79th to reveal the truth about Maki Harukawa's true talent.

**Toko:** I-I see...You're so smart, Master!

Togami spends a lot of time going through a lot of books. However, his patience pays off after several hours when he finally finds exactly what he was looking for.

**Byakuya:** I see...So this is why you were hiding this from everyone even before the game started...

Fukawa leans closer to see her Master's discovery.

**Toko:** I-I see...This is a pretty bad secret, isn't it?

### Talent Show

After a few hours have passed. During that time every student had a rehearsal before the talent show. The hosts also had a rehearsal. Since none of the students were interested in watching it, everyone left the gym at the moment. Just in case to prevent Juzo on Nagito from destroying the hosts, Monodam closed the door right after and opened it once the show was meant to begin. As such, everyone interested in seeing the show entered after it was available. **The only absent ones were Byakuya, Hifumi, Kaito, Kyoko, Maki, Rantaro, Toko and Tsumugi.**

**Kaede:** Where is Tsumugi? She's one of the performers!

**Shuichi:** Perhaps she thought the show would start with the hosts' performance and wanted to skip it?

**Fuyuhiko:** Does it even matter? Her performance is the last one anyway. She can still come here.

**Juzo:** I don't care about the performances. I only came here for the hosts! Where are they hiding?!

**Chiaki:** It's weird, isn't it? They disappeared all of a sudden after Monodam opened the door for us.

**Kaede:** Well, they are supposed to perform as well, so they will show up eventually.

**Shuichi:** Yeah, I guess they want to perform last, after Tsumugi.

**Mahiru:** Besides, we can watch the footage of my camera to see where they went. Although there are quite a lot of us here, if the view wasn't blocked by anyone, I should've caught them on my video.

**Fuyuhiko:** But they're small and there are indeed a lot of us here. It's possible you didn't catch them on your video.

**Mahiru:** Alright, we can just wait for them to appear or watch the footage later.

**Juzo:** Well, I've waited this long, I may as well wait a little longer.

**Mikan:** W-What about the missing students?

**Fuyuhiko:** Aren't they the ones who didn't want to attend? It's not like attendace here was mandatory.

**Celestia:** It is interesting. Maki and Kaito were supposed to guard her research lab together and I am not shocked that Byakuya, Toko and even Kyoko didn't appear. However, it is weird for me why Rantaro and Hifumi did not appear.

**Teruteru:** I guess Hifumi really is mad at us for losing his job as your servant.

**Celestia:** Unfortunately, it looks like it.

**Shuichi:** Um...I'm pretty sure Rantaro will join us later.

**Kiyotaka:** Are we starting the show then?

**Himiko:** W-Who w-was s-supposed t-to p-participate a-again?

**Kiyotaka:** You, Himiko.

**Himiko:** O-Oh, r-right.

**Kaede:** Himiko, are you nervous?

**Himiko:** W-Who? M-Me? N-Nervous? M-Maybe j-just a l-litlle...

**Kirumi:** Do not worry, Himiko. I am your assistant and our rehearsal went swimmingly.

**Himiko:** A-Alright, l-let's d-do i-it t-then!

### Himiko Yumeno's performance

Himiko stands above a tank filled with water and is visibly shaking.

**Kirumi:** Dear observers, for this magic trick, the Amazing Himiko will jump into the tank full of water. Once she will, I will cover the tank from your view with a curtain and a timer will start off, leaving her only a minute to escape from the tank. If she will not succeed, piranhas from a tank above the stage will be dropped into the tank below.

**Kaede:** S-So it's deadly?!

**Kirumi:** Unfortunately, it appears so. However, do not fear. The Amazing Himiko is called the Ultimate Magician for a reason. Besides, our rehearsal succeeded.

**Kaede:** Phew.

**Kirumi:** Miss Yumeno, are you ready?

**Himiko:** Y-Yes.

The Ultimate Magician says and jumps into the tank filled with water. She was so stressed that she forgot to correct Kirumi that this isn't a trick and a real magic instead or that she's the Ultimate Mage instead of Magician. With Himiko's jump, Kirumi covers the scene with a curtain and a timer starts counting down. The more it counts the more everyone is worried. Once it reaches 10 seconds even Kirumi is worried. After the countdown reaches 0 and a word **"DEATH"** is displayed instead, making the piranhas fall into the tank, Kaede tells Kirumi to uncover the scene. She quickly regrets her wish, as it makes the whole audience witness a scene of piranhas eating Himiko bit by bit until eventually only bones remain. As a result of almost every remaining participant witnessing the death scene, a body discovery announcement, this time hosted by Monodam, plays immediately after.

### Other performances

Soon after the body discovery announcement, Byakuya, Toko, Maki, Kaito and Tsumugi come to the gym. Rantaro and Kyoko decided to stay on their guards, believing the potential killer could use the time when everyone's gathered together at the gym to lure Rantaro to their trap.

**Kaede:** Tsumugi, there you are. Where have you been?

**Tsumugi:** Um...B-Bathroom. And I'm going to come back soon. I was interrupted by this body discovery...

**Kaito:** I see...Taking a good ol' shit, aren't you. Hahah, Coach Nekomaru would be proud!

**Shuichi:** Nice to see you here, Kaito. I'm surprised even Maki came here, considering how much she wants to guard her research lab.

**Maki:** Oh, that's right. I only ran here because Kaito, Byakuya and Toko did. But it may have been someone's trap to get inside my research lab. I better go back!

**Kaito:** There's no way I can leave you alone when a murder took place. I'm comin' back too! Shuichi, you'll let us know about everything that happened later!

**Shuichi:** Of course.

Maki and Kaito leave the gym.

**Shuichi:** Wait, Maki mentioned you and Toko...

Saihara asks Togami.

**Byakuya:** Ah, right. That is because Toko and I...um...paid her and Kaito a visit to confront her about her hidden talent.

**Shuichi:** Huh? So you know it?

**Byakuya:** Indeed. It was written on Class 79th file that was hidden in the library.

**Kokichi:** Interesting! What is it?

**Byakuya:** Let us focus on the investigation first.

The hosts appear from behind the tank full of piranhas and Himiko's remains.

**Monodam:** WAIT! ABSOLUTELY-NO-INVESTIGATING-NOW!

**Shuichi:** Huh?

**Byakuya:** How else are we supposed to prepare for an upcoming trial then?

**Monodam:** YOUR-FRIENDS-PUT-TOO-MUCH-EFFORT-TO-PREPARE-THIS-TALENT-SHOW! WE-CANNOT-WASTE-THAT-OPPORTUNITY-TO-GET-ALONG. YOU-WILL-BE-ALLOWED-TO-INVESTIGATE, BUT-ONLY-AFTER-EVERY-STUDENT-PERFORMED-IN-THE-SHOW.

**Kaede:** B-But...What if there are traps prepared to kill the other participants too?

**Monodam:** DO-NOT-WORRY, THERE-ARE-NONE.

**Kokichi:** Can we trust him?

**Juzo:** I don't care! Now that they showed up, I can finally destroy 'em all!

**Monodam:** THIS-WOULD-BE-POINTLESS.

**Juzo:** Huh?

**Monodam:** IF-YOU-DESTROY-US, OUR-SPARES-WILL-BE-PREPARED-IN-A-SECRET-ROOM.

**Juzo:** Nrgh!

**Monodam:** BESIDES, WE-ARE-SUPPOSED-TO-PERFORM-AS-WELL.

**Juzo:** I don't care about that!

**Monodam:** PLEASE-STOP. THIS-IS-HURTING-MY-FEELINGS.

Nonetheless, Juzo is convinced not to interrupt the show, believing it'd be pointless.

**Mahiru:** I suppose it's alright. If I caught someone tampering with Himiko's trick on my video, we won't need an investigation anyway.

**Tsumugi:** Alright, since there will be no investigation now and since I'll be the last one to perform anyway, let me go back to the bathroom now. I can't hold it anymore.

Shirogane leaves the gym.

**Celestia:** Wait a minute...Where is Hifumi Yamada? He was not present since the beginning and did not even appear after the body discovery.

**Kokichi:** Yeah, Rantaro and Kyoko too. Nishishi! Could it be? Are they too busy?

**Kaede:** Y-Yeah...Don't worry about them. I know they're busy. However, someone should check on Hifumi.

**Celestia:** Very well. Kirumi, Teruteru and I shall go.

**Teruteru:** B-But I'm supposed to perform as well. And I still feel uncomfortable around him after how you chose me as your servant over him...

**Celestia:** I believe it will not take long. Besides, someone else can just give the audience your food.

**Teruteru:** That would lack my spirit though!

**Celestia:** Just go.

**Teruteru:** Y-Yes, Miss Celeste! If that's what you want me to do...

The trio leaves the gym.

**Toko:** M-Master, sh-should we go back to confront Maki about her talent?

**Byakuya:** That would be unnecessary. We already did that. Besides, there is a chance another participant will die here. We should be here to witness it to understand the situation better.

As such, the show continues. Although he's very stressed about potentially dying next, Jataro presents a sculpture of David that he had sculpted after Juzo broke the door to Angie's research lab during everyone's investigation of the place. Kaede then plays "Clair de Lune" by Debussy with a special dedication to the person who helped her choose the song.

### Kyoko Kirigiri

Meanwhile, Kyoko believes something may went wrong in their plan, considering a body announcement was a perfect opportunity for the person who lured Rantaro to attack him, but no one came downstairs. She goes to the library herself and once's she's inside she goes towards the secret door where Rantaro was supposed to wait. What she witnesses there surprises her. Rantaro's lying on the ground, lifeless, with the back of his head being covered in blood.

**Kyoko: What the...? Impossible! No one came downstairs! Was someone already waiting here? But we didn't notice anyone...Is there another way to go to the library?**

Kyoko looks at the hidden door, deducing that there must be some secret passageway leading to the library from there. Her thoughts about where the other entrance to the secret passageway may be are interrupted by the secret door opening.

**Kyoko:** Y-You?! I see...So I was right!

Kirigiri says and prepares to run away only to be **hit on the back of her head**...and never think about anything again.

### Celestia Ludenberg, Kirumi Tojo and Teruteru Hanamura

Meanwhile, the trio reaches Hifumi's room inside the Love Hotel.

**Kirumi:** It appears the door is locked.

**Teruteru:** I knew he's scheming something!

**Celestia:** Perhaps he is just resting? Or does not wish to see those who hurt his feelings?

**Kirumi:** I remember my classmate has a skill for lockpicking. I shall ask him to open the door for us. Hifumi is not responding. Something bad might have happened.

Celestia and Teruteru agree and the trio goes back to the gym to ask Kokichi for help. On their way, they meet Tsumugi, who has just left the bathroom. She joins their group. Their group also meets Kaede and Shuichi, who left the gym after the Ultimate Pianist's performance.

**Kaede:** You'll be on time for your performance. Good luck, Teruteru and Tsumugi!

**Teruteru:** Thank you, ma'am.

**Tsumugi:** Y-Yeah.

### Gym

The group enters the gym. They already missed Kazuichi Soda showing off his newest invention created in K1-B0's research lab after Juzo opened its locked door. It was Minimaru - a robot doll created to resemble Nekomaru Nidai. The group also came right for the end of Sayaka Maizono's song, which Leon was listening to, paying a lot of attention.

**Monodam:** NEXT-WILL-BE-TERUTERU-HANAMURA. HE-WILL-PRESENT-HIS-COOKING.

Teruteru goes on the backstage and brings a dinner that he had prepared for everyone. In the meantime, Celestia and Kirumi leave again, this time with Kokichi. Teruteru then gives his dinner to the remaining audience. However, the meal is interrupted by a body discovery message by Monodam.

**Kazuichi:** Hey, how come you made the announcement when you're here?

**Monodam:** IT-WAS-RECORDED-BY-MY-SPARE.

Everyone's about to leave the gym and head to the library.

**Monodam:** HEY, THE-SHOW-IS-NOT-OVER-YET!

**Tsumugi:** Y-Yeah, what about my performance?

**Sonia:** Alright, I guess we can stay for one more performance.

**Kazuichi:** Y-Yeah, what Miss Sonia said! It'd be rude of us to just go now.

Not everyone shares the opinion though. Byakuya, Toko, Hajime, Nagito, Chiaki, Fuyuhiko, Mahiru, Juzo, Kazuo and Korekiyo leave the gym. Others stay for Tsumugi's performance.

### Library

Several people who left the library met Kaede and Shuichi, who were already inside. Kaito appeared soon.

**Shuichi:** Kaito? Where's Maki?

**Kaito:** Maki Roll keeps guarding her research lab. I'll let her know about the news later.

**Byakuya:** So what has happened here?

**Shuichi:** It was...my fault.

Some people gasp.

**Kaede:** Don't make it sound as if you killed them, Shuichi!

**Shuichi:** B-But it was! I thought of watching the secret door to catch the mastermind. Kyoko and Rantaro took part in it because of me...

**Kaede:** Shuichi, don't blame yourself...

**Kaito:** Yeah! It's not like you killed them! Obviously one of the masterminds did!

**Shuichi:** It appears to be the most logic explanation.

The investigation is interrupted by another body discovery by Monodam. This time it tells everyone to go to **Hifumi's room in the Love Hotel**. Everyone leaves the library to investigate the newest crime scene, leaving only Kaede and Kazuo inside to guard the crime scene in the library.

### Gym

The newest body announcement plays right after Tsumugi finishes her performance, which was a model show of her cosplay costumes. This time everyone agrees to leave.

**Monodam:** WAIT! THE-SHOW-IS-STILL-NOT-OVER! THERE-IS-STILL-OUR-PERFORMANCE-LEFT!

**Nagisa:** Who cares about that?

Everyone leaves. However, Monokuma blocks the door last minute, trapping Kazuichi Soda inside the gym.

**Kazuichi:** Come on! What the heck?!

**Monokuma:** We can't have a performance without an audience, obviously. One person as an audience is enough though.

**Kazuichi:** Why me though?!

**Monokuma:** Cuz you were the slowest one of them!

Kazuichi sits on a chair, sad that he didn't get to escape. Meanwhile, the hosts start their performance.

**Monodam:** I-AM-MONODAM.

**Monokuma:** I'm Monokuma!

**Monofunny:** I am Monofunny.

**Monomi:** And I'm Usami-

**Monokuma:** Monomi!

**Monomi:** And I'm Monomi.

**Hosts:** And together we are...The Monokumas!

**Kazuichi:** Kill me please...

### **Hifumi Yamada's room**

Meanwhile, everyone except for Kazuichi, Kaede, Kazuo and Maki arrives on the newest crime scene.

**Kiyotaka:** What happened here?

**Kokichi:** Don't look at me! I only opened this locked door because I was asked to.

**Kirumi:** Hifumi has been locked in his room and has not been responding, which resulted in us becoming worried about him. We had to check what happened, so we asked Kokichi for help.

**Mikan:** Hifumi's really dead, but there are no injuries on his body.

**Fuyuhiko:** Yeah, **Monodam File** says as much. There is no mention of the murder weapon or fatal injury though.

**Shuichi:** The estimated time of death is mentioned though. It appears Hifumi has been dead since a short time before our talent show started.

**Kaito:** Shuichi, what do you think about that then?

**Shuichi:** Well, if there are no fatal injuries on his body, then...

**Mikan:** He was poisoned.

**Shuichi:** Exactly. Which reminds me, I completely forgot to dispose of the poison from my research lab. I let another death happen...

**Kaito:** Again, don't blame yourself, Shuichi! We all forgot to do this! Except for the culprit.

**Kokichi:** I see...So the poison came from Shuichi's research lab. I guess we know the main suspect now. Nishishi!

**Kaito:** Idiot! Anyone could have entered his research lab!

**Kokichi:** I know, I was just messing with you.

**Seiko:** The question is when was he poisoned?

**Celestia:** Well, he was present during the breakfast. I believe he locked himself afterwards and no one has seen him ever since. Until now that is.

Everyone looks at Teruteru, who's sweating nervously.

**Byakuya:** Alright, it appears the answer here is obvious. Let us return to the previous crime scene to investigate it more throughly.

Shockingly, everyone listens to Byakuya and comes back to the library to investigate there more. Kazuichi soon joins the group as well. However, the murder weapon appears to be disposed of.

**Mahiru:** I know! I've been recording a video of the whole event. Perhaps I've caught Himiko's killer on camera? And I've actually been recording it up until now. There's a chance I've caught other killers acting suspiciously as well.

**Fuyuhiko:** Good idea! Let's watch it with our Mr. Detective.

Mahiru, Fuyuhiko and Shuichi leave to Mahiru's room to look for potential clues in her video. Everyone else leaves the library as well.

### **Mahiru Koizumi's room**

Mahiru, Fuyuhiko and Shuichi watch Mahiru's video carefully. Suddenly, someone knocks on the door.

**Fuyuhiko:** Huh? Were you expecting someone?

**Mahiru:** N-No. But I guess someone wants to help with the investigation.

**Fuyuhiko:** Then I'll open it. I'm the toughest one here.

Kuzuryu opens the door only to be knocked unconscious immediately.

**Shuichi:** Huh? What happened?!

Saihara asks as he runs towards Kuzuryu who suddenly falls on the ground. As soon as he reaches him, the mysterious figure knocks him unconscious as well. Then, that person closes the door.

**Mahiru:** Y-You?! So it was you, wasn't it?!

However, the person uses Mahiru's moment of shock to their advantage. They forcefully take her hand and hold her camera in the other. Then, **they make her take a picture, triggering her forbidden action**. When Fuyuhiko and Shuichi regain consciousness, they see no trace of the mysterious person who knocked them out...and also Mahiru Koizumi's corpse, showing effects of violating NG Code.

**Shuichi:** Another death that I let happen...

**Fuyuhiko:** Kaito's right, you should really stop blaming yourself. I was knocked unconscious too. And it's not like we knew what would happen and could prevent it.

**Shuichi:** I...guess you're right. Anyway, it appears that person made her take a picture to kill her.

**Fuyuhiko:** Then maybe there's a photo of that happening?

However, the camera is broken into pieces.

**Fuyuhiko:** Dammit! We just started getting along!

### Jataro Kemuri and Nagisa Shingetsu

After so many recent deaths, Jataro cannot fall asleep. He can't help but think that as one of the performers in the talent show, he could've been killed as well. He walks up to his statue of David that he had brought to his and Nagisa's room.

**Nagisa:** Huh? What are you doing?

**Jataro:** I can't fall asleep. I'll just stare at my statue until it calms me enough to fall asleep.

**Nagisa:** Fine, whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Shingetsu turns around and quickly falls asleep again while Kemuri keeps staring at his statue. Soon, some red light surrounds it. Jataro looks past the statue and notices a screen. Before he realizes it, it's already too late for him to look away.

**Jataro:** My mother didn't love me...

My father didn't love me...

They forced me to wear this mask...

Actually, nobody ever loved me...

Everyone hates me...

As a result, I have to lie to myself that I enjoy being hated...

Even the kids hate me...

Even the fellow Warriors of Hope...

They say they like me now, but is it true friendship?

They only appreciate me now because we lost some of our friends...

We lost our leader, Masaru...

Monaca, our princess, betrayed us and put us in a killing game...

Big Sis Junko did the same...

Can I even trust anyone now?

Even non-Demons cannot be trusted anymore.

A knife falls from the screen. This wakes up Nagisa, who turns around to see what happened. Much to his horror, he witnesses how Jataro **stabs himself in the chest with a knife repeatedly** with a lot of self-aggression. He runs to stop this, but it's too late. Jataro's body falls on his knees. This triggers a new announcement by Monodam, displayed on both the screens and the e-Handbooks, that informs the participants about the end of the fourth round of the killing game and tells them to get ready for the Class Trial.

### **Class Trial**

Participants are brought by the remaining hosts to the Shrine of Judgement. Juzo expresses his desire to destroy the robots, but Monodam reminds him that their spares can be created inside the secret room. With that, Juzo gives up and the first trial hosted by Monodam begins.

**Monodam:** NOW-THEN, LET-US-PROCEED-WITH-A-SIMPLE-EXPLANATION-

**Fuyuhiko:** It's the fourth fucking time! We don't need it!

**Monodam:** WELL, THE-PROCEDURES-SAY-TO-START-THE-TRIAL-LIKE-THAT, BUT-GIVEN-THAT-THE-MAIN-HOST-IS-DIFFERENT-THIS-TIME, I-GUESS-I-MAY-AS-WELL-SKIP-IT-TO-CHANGE-THE-FORMAT.

**Nagisa:** Speaking of changing the format, we usually discuss the deaths in order. May I start with the last victim this time instead?

**Monodam:** SURE. BUT-WHY-DO-YOU-WANT-TO-DO-THAT?

**Monokuma:** You actually agreed? As my son, you shouldn't let the participants boss you around! Unless you want to be a failure of a host.

**Monodam:** BE-QUIET, FATHER. RIGHT-NOW-THIS-IS-THEIR-DEBATE. I-CAN-SPEAK-SOMETIMES-TO-CONFIRM-THE-RESULTS. BUT-YOUR-LINES-AREN'T-REALLY-NECESSARY-AND-ONLY-PROLONG-THE-TRIAL.

**Nagisa:** Anyway...Jataro Kemuri, the Li'l Ultimate Art, died by committing a suicide after watching the video on a monitor. I know that because we shared that Ultimate Child Caregiver girl's dorm. Unfortunately, I failed to wake up on time to prevent it from happening, but I woke up on time to witness it.

**Kokichi:** Another suicide? And you happened to witness it? Should we really believe you?

**Kaito:** Come on, Kokichi! He's just a kid!

**Kokichi:** Yeah, a kid who wants to kill all the adults.

**Nagisa:** What would I gain from lying? Here, I say that Jataro killed himself! If that's wrong, I'll get executed.

**Monodam:** YOU-WON'T-BECAUSE-THAT-IS-TRUE.

**Nagisa:** See?

**Kokichi:** Don't worry, I believed you. Making sure a single witness's testimony is reliable is just a process of these trials.

**Nagisa:** Now that forces me to ask you a question. Why did that happen? Haven't we been promised the monitors will no longer be used to brainwash us into committing suicides?

**Monodam:** LOOKS-LIKE-YOU'RE-ACTUALLY-GOING-TO-BE-IMPORTANT, FATHER. THIS-WAS-YOUR-PROMISE-AND-THEREFORE-YOU-MUST-ANSWER.

**Monokuma:** Upupu! I knew I couldn't be just an extra during the trial! Now then, what makes you think I promised that?

**Nagisa:** You said so? Remember? And you said bears don't lie.

**FLASHBACK**
**Monokuma:** I've got couple of news actually. Since you were talking about the monitors, let's start with them, shall we? You can sleep peacefully. Now that you know about them, it's pointless to use Suicide Videos anymore. Not to mention we're in a new location and I can't do that here.

**FLASHBACK ENDS**
**Monokuma:** I don't see a problem here. It is true that once you know about how those videos work, using them is kinda pointless. That doesn't mean I won't use them. My only lie was that I can't use them here. Because I can! Upupupu! Well, actually Monodam can since he's in charge now. And he didn't even make that "promise" with you. As for me, I used that lie to make you feel like I'm unable to use the monitors here so that Juzo wouldn't destroy them and I could actually use Suicide Video once more. If he did destroy them, my plan would fail, obviously.

**Juzo:** Tch!

**Nagisa:** I see... B-But what about...?

**FLASHBACK**
**Monokuma:** Actually, I was thinking of a prize for you. You survived the chaotic part on Towa City's streets and I forced you to redo a previous unresolved case. I decided to **limit the number of killers per round to 4**. This should speak for itself.

**FLASHBACK ENDS**
**Monokuma:** Huh? What about it? This should indeed speak for itself. I lowered the limit of the killers per round because of the reasons I mentioned. I didn't say it was to end the suicides. Saying it in this way was also a part of my trick so that Juzo wouldn't destroy them before I can use them at least one more time.

**Juzo:** Damn bastard! I'll destroy them as soon as we end this trial!

**Monokuma:** Sure, if you'll survive. However, **that would be unnecessary**. You'll see why.

**Juzo:** You said so last time and that's why I didn't destroy them on time!

**Monokuma:** I didn't specifically say that. And don't you feel bad about yourself. In fact, you guys should be happy I still left the Suicide Video an option. Without it, another murder would be required, which means at least two people would die instead of just one by suicide. Man! I do so much and I still get no respect!

**Juzo:** Whatever. I'll make sure we won't fall victim to your Suicide Videos anymore!

**Monokuma:** Oh? So you actually want there to be one more dead bodies per round? Upupupu!

**Juzo:** I don't mean it like that!

**Monodam:** ALRIGHT, THE-ISSUE-HAS-BEEN-EXPLAINED. PLEASE-PROCEED-WITH-THE-TRIAL. PREFERABLY-CHRONOLOGICALLY-THIS-TIME.

**Kiyotaka:** Very well. The first victim of this round was Himiko Yumeno who-

**Kirumi:** Please, wait a minute! That statement is incorrect. The Monodam File may haven't mentioned the true cause of death, but it mentioned the time of death of Hifumi Yamada. He actually died before Himiko's performance.

**Shuichi:** I remember that. During the investigation we concluded that he was poisoned with a poison from my research lab. That's why there were no fatal injuries on his body.

**Kokichi:** Wow, the Ultimate Detective turning out to be the culprit? That wouldn't be boring! Nishishi!

**Kaito:** Don't joke like that again! I already told you anyone could have entered Shuichi's research lab! None of the labs were locked, not even those of already dead students, thanks to Juzo.

**Kokichi:** Now that's unfortunate. Since we all could have entered his lab, we all could have disposed of the poison before the culprit got their hands on it. In a way, this makes everyone of us Hifumi's killer.

**Shuichi:** I guess...

**Kaito:** See, Shuichi? We all forgot to do it. And fortunately, class trials don't work this way. We have to find the person who poisoned Hifumi specifically.

**Kokichi:** Well, that'll be boring.

**Kaito:** Huh? You better not-

**Kokichi:** Just think about it. Who could have wanted to see him gone?

**Toko:** E-Everyone, since he was a disgusting little pig?

**Kokichi:** But who'd want it the most, so much as to kill him? The answer's obvious. Celeste, Teruteru or mommy Kirumi!

**Kirumi:** I believe I have told you many times not to call me your mother. Also, can you please explain these three choices for suspects of yours?

**Kokichi:** Will do, mommy! Once Celeste chose Teruteru to enter the plane to survive last time, and thus to continue serving her, instead of Hifumi who was abandoned and became one of the last picked guys, things between him and Celeste and Teruteru became...awkward to say the least. Hifumi was jealous that Teruteru was chosen over him. Thus, he started holding a grudge against these two. This also included Kirumi once, thanks to her great service, she replaced him as Celeste's new servant as well. And because things were like that, these three were probably worried that Hifumi would want to kill them and thus decided to take action before he did.

**Celestia:** That is truly a quite convincing theory. However, may I ask how are you going to choose a suspect from the three of us? And when exactly has Hifumi been poisoned?

**Shuichi:** Well, Monodam File confirms that Hifumi has died several hours before the talent show, but of course it doesn't mention when he was poisoned, especially since it doesn't refer to the poison at all. I remember from the instructions that the poison from my lab worked fast, although not instantly.

**Kaede:** How are we going to choose then? Anyone could have entered his room and give him the poison masked as some juice or something.

**Shuichi:** True. But considering his room was locked, I don't think he was eager to have any guests. In fact, the three main suspects especially couldn't have entered his room. He didn't want to see them and that's most likely why he kept his door closed.

**Kokichi:** Oh, right. We wouldn't even find his body if it wasn't for my lockpicking skills. Once again, you're welcome everyone!

**Kaito:** You're bragging too much!

**Kokichi:** Says Kaito Momota, the Luminary of the Stars.

**Kaito:** Thank you for acknowledging my full title.

**Maki:** Just proceed with the trial.

**Shuichi:** Since it seems unlikely that Hifumi had any guests at all, and even more unlikely that he'd accept juice or anything that could include that poison from the three suspects, he must have been poisoned...during the breakfast!

**Kaede:** The breakfast?

**Shuichi:** Yeah. Since Teruteru left the dinner for his performance at the talent show, breakfast was the last time Hifumi had a chance to consume anything that could contain the hidden poison.

**Kaede:** Good deduction, Shuichi!

**Shuichi:** Th-Thank you, Kaede.

**Celestia:** I see. In this way, this should clear my name. I have never prepared the breakfast. Thus, I had no way of poisoning Hifumi's food.

**Kirumi:** Today was actually one of the times when I helped Teruteru cook the breakfast. However, I have just remembered Teruteru's strange behaviour this morning that should clear my name as well...

**Teruteru:** Kirumi, please no...!

**Kirumi:** I am sorry, Teruteru. I wish I didn't have to do this. However, when we're being in the position of the two main suspects and when I know I didn't do this, I have to reveal your crime. I don't want to sentence any citizen of my nation to death. However, in order to survive and continue serving other citizens, I must do this.

**Teruteru:** Kirumi, no...

**Kirumi:** As I was saying, Teruteru's suspicious behaviour... Usually, I was the one to offer my help to cook with Teruteru. However, this morning he came to my room and asked me for help specifically. On top of that he said things that in retrospect sound even more suspicious...

**FLASHBACK**

**Teruteru:** Oh, right! Workin' on it! Kirumi, may you please continue cooking alone while I'll be working on Miss Celeste's tea?

**Kirumi:** I see no problem.

**Teruteru:** Oh, one more thing. I remember Hifumi likes spicy mustard a lot. Make sure to give him a lot. In fact, maybe you should save it only for him.

**Kirumi:** Understood.

**Celestia:** Wow, I have never even known that Hifumi likes spicy mustard so much. It is certainly nice to see you know him so well even though things are awkward between you now.

**Teruteru:** Heheh, classic me. When it comes to cooking, I know everything.

**FLASHBACK ENDS**
**Kirumi:** Teruteru has made sure that I add a spicy mustard for Hifumi's food. Judging by how he wanted me to add it only for Hifumi, the mustard must have included the poison.

**Teruteru:** Kirumi, please...Are you sure you don't want someone else to do this?

**Kirumi:** There is no need to. Although the help of the Ultimate Detective is often needed at times like this, I was able to help with my service this time. I have concluded that you, Teruteru Hanamura, the Ultimate Cook, were the person who poisoned Hifumi Yamada.

**Teruteru:** Nonononononono!

**Kirumi:** Teruteru, please make it easier for me and just confess.

**Shuichi: Oh no...Judging by what Kirumi said and by Teruteru's reaction, the reason why he didn't want her to expose him as the killer is...**

**Monodam:** HE-CANNOT-CONFESS. BECAUSE-YOU-WERE-WRONG. TERUTERU-IS-INNOCENT.

**Kirumi:** What?! Th-Then who...?

**Teruteru:** I am sorry, Kirumi. This is why I didn't want you to continue this...

**Kirumi:** I do not understand it. The clues were perfect. How can it be?!

**Teruteru:** Kokichi was right. After Miss Celeste chose me over him, things became awkward. Not only awkward, he started hating her, me and Kirumi once she became Miss Celeste's new servant. Like Kokichi said, I knew he'd attempt to do something. After all, a killing game is a perfect opportunity to do so. So I wanted to prevent him from killing anyone of us by killing him first. Now that I think about it, I went too far with it. But I was afraid convincing him not to do it would be impossible...

**Kirumi:** I do not quite follow. You make it sound as if it indeed were you. Why did Monodam say that I made a mistake then?

**Teruteru:** Because I was the one who took the poison from Shuichi's research lab. And I was the one who put in in that mustard. However, that's why I asked you to help me cook today, Kirumi. That's why I used the chance when Miss Celeste ordered me to prepare her royal milk tea, as she usually does. That's why I told you to put that mustard in Hifumi's food. On top of that, that's also why I told you to give Hifumi his plate for me...

**FLASHBACK**

**Teruteru:** Kirumi, would you be so kind and give Hifumi his plate for me? Miss Celeste was right, things are awkward between us now. I can't look him in the eyes for time being...

**Kirumi:** That is understandable. Do you think he would not be mad at me for taking his role as Miss Celeste's second servant?

**Teruteru:** You're a girl, he'll definitely be easier on you.

**Kirumi:** Alright, let me do this then for you.

**FLASHBACK ENDS**
**Teruteru:** Because...I wanted to frame you for that murder, Kirumi. You were the true killer all along. I'm sorry.

**Monodam:** TERUTERU-IS-RIGHT. KIRUMI, YOU-ARE-THE-TRUE-CULPRIT-BEHIND-THIS-CASE.

**Kirumi:** What? I do not quite understand this. If you took the poison from Shuichi's research lab...if you put inside the mustard meant for Hifumi only...Then why am I considered the culprit?

**Teruteru:** Well, let's begin by explaining why I did it in the first place. Besides knowing that Hifumi could be up to something, I needed to make sure I'd survive this killing game. My brother and sister applied for Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Male and Female Escort respectively. They're still too young, but the academy considered them for the future. And if we manage to survive and somehow rebuild the Hope's Peak...Who knows if such tragedy will happen again? What if they'd be kidnapped? What if people would start hating the Ultimates for what happened? What if there were some riots while they'd be inside the building? I need to survive and warn them of what's going on! I need to tell them not to enter Hope's Peak Academy! Sure, they're cooking for famous people instead of helping me and my mama in our family diner...But they're still my family, y'know. I can't let them end up in a situation like we're in right now!

**Kirumi:** But...Why me?

**Teruteru:** You're an amazing chef as well, Kirumi. Your meals are almost as great as mine. You were the only person I could ask for help with cooking and thus frame into being the culprit. It's not like I wanted it to happen. Much like I have to survive for my siblings, I know you have to survive for literally every citizen of our country. Even from people outside of our country. Anyone can ask for your service. You're the Ultimate Maid, after all. And you were helping the prime minister so much that basically you became the true prime minister of our country. Our country needs you!

**Kirumi:** Then again...Why me?

**Teruteru:** Sure, I wanted to frame you to be the culprit. But I didn't want you to be the one who'd falsely accuse me of being the culprit. I knew I'd be the most suspicious person given the way and time Hifumi was killed. However, I was hoping that some unsympathetic person would accuse me instead. Someone who's a threat in this "game" and who could kill you anytime. Byakuya, Nagito, Kokichi...

**Kokichi:** Nishishi! Looks like your plan failed then.

**Nagito:** I'm pretty sure that with the chance of 50% once it came down to you and Kirumi, I'd be able to guess the killer right. Still, the thought of my own classmate wanting to sacrifice me in the trial is hurting me.

**Byakuya:** Not to mention, the people you mentioned are one of the most intelligent people around here. I already managed to deduce you framed Kirumi into being the culprit once she mentioned how much you wanted her to give Hifumi and only Hifumi that specific mustard. I am pretty sure Nagito and Kokichi did so as well. I guess you actually had no good choices for the sacrificial lambs during the trial then. Our trio was able to deduce it and other unpopular people, such as Hiyoko, Tenko or Miu are already dead. I guess you could have gone with Mr. Sakakura, judging from his bad reputation as Hope's Peak Academy's security guard, but he's actually needed for us now.

**Teruteru:** I guess that's true...My plan couldn't have worked out well, could it?

**Kirumi:** I can understand your motives and why you chose to frame me. However, I still do not quite get why I am being considered the culprit of this case instead of you.

**Teruteru:** Well, I asked Monokuma about the details to make sure...

**Monodam:** YOU-ASKED-MONOKUMA-INSTEAD-OF-THE-CURRENT-HEADMASTER?

**Teruteru:** Yeah, he was the main host longer and I knew he'd be more experienced about this decision...

**Byakuya:** More importantly, when have you spoken to Monokuma if the host were hiding ever since the last trial ended?

**Teruteru:** Oh, in the night of course. I just started swearing at him in front of a camera, which made him come to me in person, as I predicted. That's when I explained the reason why I made him leave his hiding place in such way. After all, I wasn't sure whether I'd still be considered a culprit in such scenario either. As Kirumi said, I was still the one who took the poison from Shuichi's research lab and put it inside that mustard.

**Kirumi:** And what did he say?

**Teruteru:** He said that stealing it from Shuichi's lab and putting it inside the mustard doesn't matter as long as it's not used. While the decision could be hard if I was the one who put it on Hifumi's plate and Kirumi was the one to handle him his plate, he said there would be no doubt that Kirumi would be fully to blame if she did both, even if unbeknownst to her.

**Monokuma:** Correct! Because in this scenario Kirumi is the one who puts it on Hifumi's plate and handles it to him. If she didn't, the poison wouldn't have been used at all. But she did, even if she was tricked into doing that. That's why she's the culprit behind Hifumi's case despite not even being aware of it! Upupupu!

**Kokichi:** Waaaaaaaaaaah! Mommy Kirumi is going to be executed for something she didn't even want to do!

**Kirumi:** I understand now. Thank you for explaining it to me.

**Teruteru:** I owe you this much...Once again, Kirumi, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to be executed.

**Kirumi:** This is very unfortunate. However, I shall serve everyone until my death! And serving everyone in this situation is preventing as many deaths from happening as possible. Which is why I must ask you, Nagito, to solve the case of the Student Council for us now, before it's too late. Since I will be executed, I would do it myself, however I want to make sure it will be solved once and for all, so that no one else would have to lose their life because of it.

**Monodam:** BUT-THIS-ROUND-INCLUDED-PLENTY-OF-MYSTERIOUS-CASES-WITH-NO-WITNESSES. THERE-IS-NO-NEED-TO-SOLVE-THAT-CASE-NOW.

**Kirumi:** I already said why I want to do it. Please, Nagito. Consider it my last wish. I believe that your Ultimate Luck will allow you to guess the culprit correctly.

**Nagito:** Alright, I will. Relying on my luck wouldn't make these trials exciting. Not to mention it'd steal the chance for the true Ultimates to shine with their deductive skils. However, because that case is really unfair for you, as the culprit was a hidden participant you had no idea of and there were no clues left, I may as well make an exception this time.

**Kirumi:** Thank you, Nagito. However, since it's not required this time, please keep in mind that you do not have to do this if you don't think you can do this.

**Nagito:** Don't worry, Kirumi. I believe in my luck. And I'm glad you believe in it as well. It's an honor for me when the Ultimate Maid seeks my help.

**Kazuichi:** Yeah, but get to the point, dude. I'm sick of that case already. Let's have it solved finally.

**Nagito:** Alright. Considering everything we've learned about that case so far...And remembering all of the Ultimates who have ever attended Hope's Peak Academy...

**Hajime:** Wait, you actually remember all of the Ultimates?

**Nagito:** Of course. I love Hope's Peak Academy, after all. I thought you admired it as well, Hajime?

**Hajime:** I do! Well, at least I did before I learned about how it hid horrific events from the public...And before it led to our current situation...

**Nagito:** So you don't love it anymore? How disappointing. Anyway, about the culprit of the Student Council...It's obvious to me that the person so much obsessed with explosion that they'd waste their life just to kill the entire Student Council with a bomb was...**The Ultimate Pyrotechnician, Ted Chikatilo**.

**Hajime:** Who?

**Nagito:** An Ultimate who had already graduated from Hope's Peak Academy several years ago and who loved his fireworks. I'm pretty sure his love for explosions wasn't limited just to fireworks though.

**Monodam:** AND-YOU-ARE...RIGHT! THE-TRUE-CULPRIT-BEHIND-THE-STUDENT-COUNCIL'S-MASS-DEATH-WAS-INDEED-THE-ULTIMATE-PYROTECHNICIAN-AND-THE-HIDDEN-PARTICIPANT-OF-THIS-GAME, TED-CHIKATILO.

**Nagito:** What a shame. That was way too easy to guess.

**Hajime:** Way too easy?!

**Byakuya:** You do realize that guessing him right makes you look even more like a mastermind, right?

**Nagito:** Fine, I can confirm that. I am the mastermind. I can say that because as I said earlier, I wouldn't mind dying to become the Ultimate's stepping stone to hope. However, I wouldn't need to know that he was a hidden participant to guess him right. As I said, my luck and my knowledge about all of the Ultimates would be enough.

**Chiaki:** Nagito, you're one of the masterminds? Please tell me you were joking.

**Kokichi:** He could be lying as well.

**Hajime:** But what would he gain from lying like that?

**Nagito:** I don't know...perhaps a potential accomplice? Anyway, let's proceed with the trial, shall we?

**Monodam:** YES, PLEASE. DISCUSS-THE-DEATH-OF-THE-NEXT-VICTIM, HIMIKO-YUMENO.

**Shuichi:** That's going to be hard...There weren't really any clues left. The only thing I can be sure of is that it wasn't just an accident. She was the Ultimate Magician, after all. And Kirumi claimed that she had properly performed it during a rehearsal.

**Kirumi:** That is right. I watched it during her rehearsal and she succeeded.

**Kokichi:** Oh no! Is mommy Kirumi involved in another case?

**Kirumi:** I have been already framed into one murder. I do not intend to be framed into another one. Besides, I was not the only person amongst her audience at the time. Everyone who was meant to perform and everyone who was helping to build the stage was present during the rehearsals.

**Shuichi:** I see...Himiko's trick couldn't have been sabotaged at that moment then. Unless someone put her tunk wrong while preparing the stage or something. However, her actually succeeding during a rehearsal disconfirms such possibility.

**Kiyotaka:** But when could it happen then? Once it was the time for the hosts' rehearsal, we all left, not interested in their performance. Monodam closed the door after we left the gym. But everyone who was meant to perform and everyone who helped prepare the stage left at the time. He opened it once the show began. How could anyone be still inside the gym to sabotage Himiko's trick?

**Leon:** Yeah, I didn't notice anyone sneaking inside during rehearsals. It was just the performers, those who helped prepare the stage and the hosts.

**Byakuya:** It couldn't have been the hosts' doing, correct? They are prevented from killing us in any way different than punishments for breaking the rules and executions.

**Korekiyo:** Then it means someone had to enter the gym before the show even began.

**Kiyotaka:** Didn't everyone enter once Monodam opened the door for the show though? I know there are still quite a lot of us left, but we'd notice if someone was already inside.

**Kaede:** Actually, there were a few people who were missing at the moment.

**Kokichi:** Oh, right. Byakuya, Hifumi, Kaito, Kyoko, Maki, Rantaro, Toko and Tsumugi. They're the most suspicious ones now.

**Kirumi:** Well, we do know that Hifumi was already dead by that time.

**Shuichi:** Kaede and I can also exclude Rantaro and Kyoko from the list. Kyoko was in the classroom by the stairs leading to the library and Rantaro was in the library. They were waiting for a mastermind to enter the hidden room, especially since one of the masterminds lured Rantaro there with a clue that was left in his research lab.

**Kokichi:** What if Rantaro faked that clue to get Kyoko killed?

**Kaito:** I know you love suspecting others, but listen to yourself. Rantaro died too. If he wanted to do that, wouldn't he survive?

**Shuichi:** Let's talk about it while it'll be their turn. Anyway, we can confirm what Rantaro and Kyoko were doing at the moment.

**Kokichi:** Yeah, too bad you just told about your plan to everyone here, thus ruining the chance to ever repeat this plan again. Nishishi!

**Shuichi:** Tch!

**Byakuya:** Meanwhile, Toko and I met with Maki and Kaito who were guarding her research lab. I confronted her about her dirty little secret.

**Kokichi:** Oooh, a dirty little secret! Share it with us!

**Maki:** Don't you dare!

**Byakuya:** What? You'll kill me? I thought you were unable to.

**Maki:** Tch!

**Byakuya:** Alright, it appears this is the perfect time to share it with everyone. You see, back on Jabberwock Island there was a file in the library about the students from Class 77-B. We realized there was Ultimate Imposter pretending to be Ryota Mitarai amongst us thanks to it.

**Imposter:** Y-Yeah...

**Byakuya:** As such, once we reached our new location, I searched the library again and found another file, this time about Class 79th. Just like last time, it listed every student and their talent. Thanks to that I've learned that Maki Harukawa lied to everyone about her talent.

**Kokichi:** Damn it! I hate liars!

**Byakuya:** You see, Maki isn't the Ultimate Child Caregiver. She's actually the Ultimate Assassin!

**Maki:** !

**Kaede:** Maki? An assassin? Are you sure that file wasn't wrong?

**Byakuya:** I'm certain of it. This would explain why she wanted to keep what's inside her research lab hidden from everyone else, especially during a killing game. The reason why it was hidden was most likely to avoid controversy. Keep in mind that when she was scouted to Hope's Peak, the school was already in deep trouble.

**Maki:** That's right. They told me to hide my true talent from everyone else. Not like they needed to. Whenever I'd tell someone about it, they'd start fearing me. I chose the Ultimate Child Caregiver because I grew in an orphanage and had to take care of the younger kids.

**Kaede:** Maki...

**Byakuya:** But you do not have to worry about her during this killing game, at least. She told me about it once I confronted her. Her forbidden action prevents her from **killing**. What an unfortunate NG Code for her. It basically reduces her to the role of a victim in this game.

**Maki:** You didn't have to say as much...

**Byakuya:** You could've always killed me before I did. However, you wouldn't even get to enjoy your execution.

**Maki:** Anyway, Kaito, Byakuya, Toko and I have an alibi.

**Kaede:** That only leaves...Tsumugi.

**Tsumugi:** B-But I told you...I was in the bathroom.

**Kokichi:** That's like the weakest excuse ever.

**Tsumugi:** It's true though! Besides, I wasn't in the gym after the rehearsals until I came back from the bathroom for the announcement. When would I tamper with Himiko's trick?

**Shuichi:** I believe Tsumugi.

**Tsumugi:** Thank you, Shuichi.

**Kokichi:** But why? She's still suspicious.

**Shuichi:** Firstly, I haven't found any secret door in the gym, so she really wasn't inside there before we entered. Secondly...Well, let's leave that for later.

**Sonia:** Whatever are we going to do now? We have ran out of suspects.

**Shuichi:** It appears that someone had to enter the gym after the rehearsals and before the talent show began.

**Hajime:** But who could it be? We had free time at the moment. We were in various places and a lot of us simply stayed in their rooms. Is it even possible to narrow down the list of potential suspects?

**Shuichi:** I have no clue...However...My intuition says that in order to tamper with her trick, the culprit must have already seen it to see how it works. Which means the most likely suspect is amongst the audience that she had during her rehearsal.

**Kirumi:** That'd include me, Aoi, Jataro, Kaede, Kaito, Kazuichi, Kiyotaka, Korekiyo, Leon, Nagito, Sayaka, Teruteru and Tsumugi.

**Kiyotaka:** After we finished preparations and rehearsals, we were tired and we all headed towards our rooms to relax before the talent show.

**Kokichi:** Well, looks like one of you must have lied.

**Kaede:** Well, Shuichi and I share a room, so we can confirm we were inside.

**Kokichi:** However, is a couple's testimony reliable? They could be lying to cover for each other.

**Kaede:** Why would we do that? Keep in mind that if it wasn't for me being one of the performers, we'd take part in our plan to catch the mastermind, along with Kyoko and Rantaro.

**Kokichi:** Fine, I guess you're cleared. Anyone else?

**Nagisa:** As I already mentioned, I shared a room with Jataro. I can confirm he was in a room with me. Besides, we'd be more interested in killing the adults than teenagers. However, even that seems quite illogical in our current situation.

**Kokichi:** Fine, another one cleared. Can anyone else confirm the others' alibi?

**Sonia:** Well, Kazuichi did not go to his room. However, he was with me the entire time. He showed me how advanced Keebo's research lab was.

**Maki:** Kaito didn't go to his room either. He was guarding my research lab with me instead.

**Kokichi:** I guess we can count them as cleared too. At least for now. Anyone else?

Silence.

**Shuichi:** Well, as I said, it couldn't have been Tsumugi, but I'll explain that later.

**Kokichi:** Alright, so that leaves Aoi, Kiyotaka, Korekiyo, Leon, Nagito, Sayaka and Teruteru.

**Teruteru:** I-I didn't do it! I already framed Kirumi into Hifumi's murder! I had no reason to kill Himiko though!

**Celestia:** That sounds...quite sincere. However, we shall keep in mind that a single killer can kill up to 2 victims.

**Kaede:** What should we do then? There's no way to choose from the remaining ones.

**Chihiro:** W-Well, I know Taka. It couldn't have been him! He wouldn't hurt a fly. Neither would Hina.

**Kokichi:** Are you sure? Killing games bring the worst traits out of people.

**Chihiro:** Still, I believe in them! They're just too nice to be able to committ murder.

**Kokichi:** Well, you could think that Teruteru's too stupid to commit a murder and see what happened.

**Teruteru:** Hey! I'm right here!

**Kaede:** Kirumi's too nice as well. She wants to serve everyone. She wouldn't want to end a human life! She was only framed to be a culprit by Teruteru!

**Teruteru:** Thank you for reminding me, ma'am.

**Kaito:** Yeah, I believe in 'em!

**Leon:** Come on, guys! Sayaka wouldn't kill either!

**Sayaka:** Thank you for believing in me, Leon.

**Leon:** Y-You're welcome.

**Kokichi:** Guys, this isn't how you're supposed to do class trials! You must suspect everyone, not believe in them!

**Kaito:** No, that's exactly what you're supposed to do, especially when we're drawn into a corner like that!

**Kokichi:** Fine, believe in them if you want. But even then that leaves Korekiyo, Leon, Nagito and Teruteru.

**Teruteru:** Hey, I told you I had no business in killin' Himiko!

**Kirumi:** Since I am about to be executed anyway and we have managed to narrow down the list of suspects, I may as well guess. Let me see...If he really is a mastermind, then I say Himiko's killer was Nagito Komaeda.

**Monodam:** YOU-ARE-WRONG...AGAIN.

**Nagito:** Sorry. I told you I'd want to be the Ultimates' stepping stone. I wouldn't want to kill them and would rather be killed by them. At least unless me killing someone would be needed for someone's plan for the hope to shine brighter.

**Kirumi:** I see, I made a mistake again. This truly is not my day. Nagito, may I ask you to guess the culprit again?

**Nagito:** Nope, not this time.

**Kirumi:** And why is that?

**Nagito:** I told you. Student Council's case was rather unfair for you. There was no way in which you could have guessed the killer right. Possibly not even Makoto Naegi with his Ultimate Luck would. This case is different. It's way easier. You basically came down to only two people. Anyone should be able to guess with 50% chance.

**Kazuichi:** Yeah, but is anyone interested in risking their life though? 50% is still a huge rate for losin'. And it's losin' a life we're talkin' about.

**Kokichi:** Besides, that's only if you believe Teruteru didn't want to kill anyone else, the "too nice" ones were indeed too nice and others' alibis are reliable.

**Kirumi:** Then may I guess again?

**Monodam:** NO! GUESSING-ONLY-ONCE-PER-SOMEONE'S-CASE-IS-ALLOWED.

**Byakuya:** That hasn't been mentioned earlier.

**Monodam:** BECAUSE-NO-ONE-WANTED-TO-GUESS-MORE-THAN-ONCE-SO-FAR. ANYWAY, KIRUMI-GOT-IT-WRONG-SO-WE-CAN-MOVE-TO-THE-NEXT-CASE.

**Kaede:** Wait! What if someone other than Kirumi wants to guess?

**Monodam:** DOES-ANYONE-WANT-TO-THOUGH?

Silence. Everyone's too scared, remembering how Koichi Kizakura and Hiyoko Saionji were already executed for accusing the wrong person and how Kirumi Tojo will be after this trial.

**Kirumi:** That truly is unfortunate. It appears I failed to save everyone from another case where we are forced to guess the culprit. Fortunately, I managed to save someone from accusing incorrectly this time and convinced Nagito to guess the impossible to solve case for us. I hope that you'll find some clues to find out Himiko's culprit after my death.

**Monodam:** ALRIGHT, LET-US-CONTINUE!

**Kaede:** The next victims were Rantaro Amami and Kyoko Kirigiri. They died trying to catch one of the masterminds to end the killing game...

**Byakuya:** I see. So their killer must have been one of the masterminds.

**Kaede:** Yeah, especially since a note telling Rantaro to go to the library was found in the vault in his research lab. Excluding him, only masterminds or the hosts could have opened the vault in his lab. None of us knew the password. He didn't even tell us during the school days.

**Byakuya:** I see. Then there's no mistaking that it was a work of one of the masterminds. Could it have been Nagito then? He's the only mastermind whose identity we can be sure of now.

**Nagito:** That doesn't mean I did it though. It still could have been other mastermind's work.

**Kaede:** It'd be way easier if we could enter the hidden room. I'm sure there must be a clue left inside.

**Shuichi:** Perhaps we won't need to.

**Kaede:** Huh?

**Shuichi:** Remember when I said I don't believe Tsumugi was Himiko's killer? That's because I believe she could be responsible for Rantaro and Kyoko's deaths.

**Tsumugi:** Are you suspecting me, Shuichi?

**Monodam:** IS-THIS-YOUR-FINAL-ANSWER, SHUICHI?

**Shuichi:** N-No, let me discuss this possibility first.

**Yasuhiro:** Wait, didn't we conclude that it had to be a mastermind's doin'? What makes you think this chick is a mastermind? She's a quiet and silly person who's mostly in the background. Those types aren't best masterminds material.

**Shuichi:** Well, firstly, I'd probably never notice it if it wasn't for Kyoko. She truly is a better detective than me.

**Kaito:** Don't talk like that, Shuichi! You're an amazing detective, too! You helped us a lot in this trial without her help!

**Shuichi:** Anyway...back when we were discussing our plan before Rantaro even joined, she told me this...

**FLASHBACK**

**Kyoko:** I see...So you haven't noticed it yet...

**Shuichi:** What do you mean?

**Kyoko:** I found something interesting in Tsumugi's research lab while we were investigating this facility together. I didn't want to mention it back then, but-

**FLASHBACK ENDS**
**Shuichi:** I didn't notice it while we were showing you around this building and I didn't really have the time to investigate it, being too focused on supporting Kaede's before and during her performance and investigating all of the crime scenes. However, after I finished investigating the crime scenes, I went there and found what was quite well-hidden, but managed to catch Kyoko's attention...Amongst plenty of uniforms for her cosplay was...Junko Enoshima's uniform!

**Tsumugi:** Th-That must be a mistake! Somebody's trying to frame me! You know that I'm not the Ultimate Imposter! I cosplay as fictional characters only! If I dress up as real people, I get a cosplox! I turn all red and-

**Mikan:** I've never heard of a disease called cosplox...

**Seiko:** Neither did I about such organism's reaction to simply dressing as someone else. Unless it's of embarrassment.

**Celestia:** This indeed sounds like a lie...

**Kokichi:** Sounds? It is a lie!

**Tsumugi:** F-Fine, you got me! But I do hate dressing as real people! That's what makes me different from the Ultimate Imposter.

**Imposter:** It's not like I enjoy it, but I do get your point.

**Tsumugi:** I only dressed as Junko Enoshima once though...She convinced me to try to see how the world looks like from her perspective...She told me all about her view on the world and everything...About how everything's easily predictable and boring...How it needs chaos, despair...She told me to think of her as a fictional character if it'd make it easier for me. After all, she promised there would be books about what she'd achieve...

Shirogane's posture changes drasitically.

**Tsumugi:** And that's how I fell in love with her character!

Some participants gasp in shock to see her changed behaviour.

**Tsumugi:** She was just so interesting...Her view on life...I realized I needed some chaos and despair in my life too...Every good story needs it! That's why I agreed to work with her on this killing game! That's right, I am one of the masterminds!

**Korekiyo:** People can change drastically and hide their true colors...Isn't that beautiful?

**Ryota:** M-More like scary...

**Tsumugi:** But what of it?! I can confirm there are a few of us left. And Nagito indeed is one of them! There is no proof that I was the mastermind who lured Rantaro into their trap!

**Chiaki:** Well, for the starters Rantaro was your classmate.

**Tsumugi:** That's true, but this could also be a reason why I wouldn't do that! I love my classmates oh so much!

**Juzo:** But you are like Junko Enoshima, aren't ya? In this case, you'd probably want to see your precious classmates suffer more.

**Tsumugi:** Touche! But is there a proof I did it?

**Shuichi:** We can compare your handwriting to Rantaro's note.

**Tsumugi:** Sorry, but Rantaro had it with himself and it was stolen from him after his death. Did you properly investigate his belongings? Are you really that weak of a detective?!

**Shuichi:** H-Hey, I did that!

**Tsumugi:** Besides, there are no pens or anything to write with around here. And we can't leave the trial like that.

**Shuichi:** Well, there's still a solid evidence though.

**Tsumugi:** Which is?

**Shuichi:** The list of people who were missing at the time! Besides already dead Hifumi, Maki who was guarding her research lab and whose forbidden action prevents her from killing, Kaito who was guarding Maki's lab alongside her, and Celeste, Kirumi and Teruteru who left to go to Hifumi's room, you were the only person missing after Himiko's body announcement. In fact, you only returned for a brief moment, but then left the gym again.

**Tsumugi:** Because I still had a business to do in the bathroom, don't you remember?

**Shuichi:** Did that business involve killing Rantaro and Kyoko? Going to a bathroom alone is already an unreliable alibi.

**Tsumugi:** Do you want me to ask Monodam for a recording from a camera that shows that I entered the bathroom? I'm a mastermind, I can do that! Especially when it'll clear the name of your only suspect and cause more trouble!

**Shuichi:** You don't need to. There's something I've been wondering about...What if the secret room isn't just a room? What if there's also a secret passageway? If it leads to the girls' bathroom and there's some hidden door inside it as well, you could go to the library from inside the bathroom. In that case, such recording would only make you look more suspicious.

**Tsumugi:** Fine. I admit I knew about how your plan worked. But if I went to the library through a secret passageway, from the bathroom and the secret room, then how would I be able to kill Kyoko inside the library? Notice how there was no trace of blood, so she was killed inside the library And she was inside that classroom by the stairs. Her body couldn't have been dragged there. In order to go to the library she must have seen the mastermind coming downstairs!

**Shuichi:** Hmm...That's true, our plan relied on that. However, if she heard Rantaro screaming for help from there...Or simply if no one was coming for too long...She could have gone in there on her own without seeing the mastermind coming there.

**Tsumugi:** It's still just a theory!

**Shuichi:** So you're still not ready to confess?

**Tsumugi:** Confess? To you? You're not even that atractive!

**Shuichi:** Please, be serious.

**Tsumugi:** Then how about you? Are you ready to accuse me? Remember that if your deduction is wrong, you'll be executed!

**Kirumi:** Enough! I can't guess more than once per case, but Rantaro and Kaede's case is a new one, correct? As such, I choose to trust Shuichi's deductions. I say that Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Cosplayer, was the killer of Rantaro Amami and Kyoko Kirigiri.

**Monodam:** CORRECT! YOU-FINALLY-DID-IT, KIRUMI. ALTHOUGH-THAT-WAS-ONLY-THANKS-TO-SHUICHI. I-HOPE-THIS-STRENGTHENS-YOUR-FRIENDSHIP-IN-THE-LAST-MOMENTS-OF-YOUR-LIFE.

**Kirumi:** It indeed does.

**Shuichi:** Thank you, Kirumi.

**Kirumi:** You are welcome, Shuichi. I have nothing to lose anymore anyway.

**Monodam:** LET-US-PROCEED-TO-THE-LAST-CASE-THEN.

**Fuyuhiko:** The last victim that we haven't mentioned yet, but second-last chronologically was Mahiru Koizumi, the Ultimate Photographer. Some damn bastard triggered her forbidden action of taking pictures! While she, Shuichi and I were watching her video of the talent show and the investigations, someone knocked on the door and once I opened it, immediately knocked me unconscious.

**Shuichi:** Me too, as soon as I leaned towards an unconscious Fuyuhiko.

**Fuyuhiko:** Then they must have forced her to take a picture by grabbing her hand and her camera.

**Kokichi:** And there I thought Fuyuhiko was her killer. I guess he wouldn't be able to imitate the sound of knocking on the door though.

**Fuyuhiko:** If only we weren't knocked unconscious so fast...We'd be able to see the damn bastard who did it!

**Shuichi:** On top of that, considering they killed Mahiru only and destroyed her camera, I believe her culprit must have been the same as Himiko's. They destroyed the camera because Mahiru mentioned the possibility of catching the killer acting sucpiciously on her video. They also knew Mahiru's forbidden action because she mentioned it before recording the talent show. And they didn't kill Fuyuhiko and me because they already reached their "2 victims" limit.

**Kaito:** Excellent deduction, bro!

**Shuichi:** Unfortunately, it's still impossible to confirm the suspects' alibi of that time again.

**Byakuya:** Indeed. Everyone was investigating the crime scene of the library when you left us to watch Mahiru's video. Even Kazuichi who joined last.

**Kazuichi:** I told ya I was forced to watch that terrible comedy show of the hosts! They can be my witnesses!

**Monomi:** Yes, we can.

**Monodam:** AUNT-MONOMI, WE-SHOULDN'T-INTERFERE.

**Monomi:** S-Sorry.

**Byakuya:** However, the investigation quickly ended as we have already investigated the place earlier and noticed the lack of murder weapon on the crime scene. Everyone went in their own ways afterwards.

**Fuyuhiko:** And the damn killer went to Mahiru's room!

**Kirumi:** It appears it at least clears my name as I have already unknowingly killed Hifumi. Although the killer of Himiko and Mahiru appears to be the same, since they are two different victims, may I attempt to guess the killer again?

**Kaito:** Do it quickly without even asking so he'd be forced to confirm whether it was right or wrong!

**Monodam:** UM...I'M-NOT-SURE...BUT-I-GUESS-IT-IS-ALRIGHT.

**Kirumi:** Very well then. Someone strong enough to immediately knock Fuyuhiko and Shuichi unconscious? Out of the two remaining options, assuming trusting others was a good choice, I choose...Leon Kuwata. He is the Ultimate Baseball Star, so he does posses such strength and he is quite fast.

**Monodam:** WRONG-AGAIN, KIRUMI.

**Shuichi: Wrong? That means if believing in everyone else was right, that only leaves...**

**Sayaka:** I knew it couldn't be him. He may be a lot, but he's not a killer.

**Leon:** Thanks...I guess.

**Monodam:** ALRIGHT, SINCE-JATARO'S-CASE-WAS-ALREADY-DISCUSSED-WE-HAVE-THUS-CONCLUDED-THIS-CLASS-TRIAL. HIFUMI-YAMADA-WAS-KILLED-BY-KIRUMI-TOJO-EVEN-THOUGH-SHE-WASN'T-AWARE-OF-IT, RANTARO-AMAMI-AND-KYOKO-KIRIGIRI-WERE-KILLED-BY-TSUMUGI-SHIROGANE, JATARO-KEMURI-COMMITTED-SUICIDE, WHILE-HIMIKO-YUMENO-AND-MAHIRU-KOIZUMI-WERE-KILLED-BY-A-STILL-UNIDENTIFIED-CULPRIT-WHOM-YOU'LL-BE-FORCED-TO-GUESS-AGAIN-IN-THE-FUTURE-IF-THERE-WILL-BE-NO-MYSTERIOUS-CASES. NOW-THEN, IT-IS-PUNISHMENT-TIME!

### Executions

**Monodam:** LET'S-GIVE-IT-EVERYTHING-WE'VE-GOT! I'VE-PREPARED-A-VERY-SPECIAL-PUNISHMENT-FOR-THE-ULTIMATE-MAID, KIRUMI-TOJO, AND-THE-ULTIMATE-COSPLAYER, TSUMUGI-SHIROGANE!

Monodam exclaims as the other hosts lead everyone aside from Tojo and Shirogane outside of the Shrine of Judgement.

**ULTIMATE MAID'S EXECUTION**
The hosts, aside from Monomi, are holding protest signs with writings in Japanese, English and French, showing their displeasure of Kirumi's service as a maid. The English one says "Notice to Quit". As they're protesting against her, Tojo starts running away from them. She runs around the room until she notices a vine with thorns drop down from the ceiling. She starts climbing it to escape from her execution and continue serving other people, even though it goes through several spiders' webs. Soon, circular saws activate throughout the walls. Despite this, Kirumi continues to climb up and manages to avoid them quite well, with them only scratching her and ripping off part of her clothes, mostly her long skirt. Once she touches the ceiling made of glass, the hole turns out to be her illusion, which in reality, it was actually a children's drawing of a sky and a sun. Monodam appears on the roof and breaks through the glass, cutting Kirumi's vine and leading her to fall all the way down, resulting in her death.

**ULTIMATE COSPLAYER'S EXECUTION**
The hosts, aside from Monomi, start playing with the clothes of the deceased participants and start throwing them everywhere around. Monomi puts Koichi Kizakura's fedora on Shirogane's head, but is soon shoved aside by Monofunny, who slaps Tsumugi on the cheek with Miu Iruma's bra. Monodam then throws Hifumi Yamada's underwear at Tsumugi's face, causing her to feel disgusted. Monokuma then takes Keebo's robotic glove and slaps the Ultimate Cosplayer's other cheek so hard that she loses some of her teeth. Monofunny then takes Junko Enoshima's boot and starts shoving it down Tsumugi's butthole. Finally, Monodam takes Junko Enoshima's tie and strangles and uncomfortable and unable to defend herself Tsumugi to death.

### Post-executions

Much like after every other time, most of the participants stand speechless after watching the executions on a monitor. Their silence is soon interrupted by Monodam, who comes back along with the other hosts.

**Monodam:** CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR-DEDUCTION-SKILLS-MANAGED-TO-GET-ANOTHER-MASTERMIND, TSUMUGI-SHIROGANE, KILLED. SHE-WAS-ON-MY-SIDE-THOUGH-SO-I-AM-NOT-AS-HAPPY-THOUGH. HOWEVER, THERE-ARE-ACTUALLY-NO-SIDES-HERE-AS-WE-ARE-ALL-FRIENDS, CORRECT?

**Monokuma:** Yeah, about that...

Monokuma shows Monodam Keebo's robotic glove that he took from Tsumugi Shirogane's execution.

**Monokuma:** I'm tired of my son taking my business away from me!

He points Keebo's glove at Monodam.

**Monodam:** FATHER, WHAT-ARE-YOU-

**Monokuma:** Funny thing. Turns out his lazer function that Miu had installed in him doesn't need to be connected with his brain. It can function properly from within just his hand. Upupu!

The bear laughs and shoots a lazer at Monoddam, causing his robotic parts and the device to blow up the hosts to fall around. Monokuma then picks up the device from Monodam's remains.

**Monokuma:** I'll take that, thank you.

He turns around to Monofunny and Monomi.

**Monokuma:** I'm stuck with the girls only? One of them is my annoying little sister who hates the killing game? And the other's my daughter who hates gore? Aw, crap! Anyway, girls, we're leaving!

Monokuma takes the female hosts with himself and leaves.

**Juzo:** At this rate they may finish off each other themselves. Which reminds me...I forgot to destroy 'em, but I have still a lot of other destroyin' to do!

**Mikan:** If you're talking about the monitors, please don't do it with your bare hand. You only have one so you have to take care of it.

**Juzo:** Fine.

Juzo takes off his shoe and destroys the monitor on the Shrine of Judgement's door, on which participants had just watched the executions. He then leaves to destroy all of the other monitors.

**Ryota:** Phew. At least we for sure won't have to worry about Suicide Videos from now on...

**Maki:** Yeah, but what are we going to do about Himiko and Mahiru's killer who avoided execution?

**Shuichi:** That culprit...If believing in everyone else being "too nice" was right, and remembering that Kirumi already incorrectly guessed Nagito and Leon, the only suspect left was...Korekiyo.

**Kaede:** Kiyo! Was it you?! How could you?!

**Korekiyo:** Um...

**Kazuichi:** I say we tie him up so he can't kill anyone again!

**Kaito:** Good call! I support that!

**Korekiyo:** Tie me up, yes? That sounds...quite exciting.

**Kazuichi:** Don't make it sound weird with your weird fetishes!

**Korekiyo:** What about Teruteru Hanamura who got Kirumi Tojo into being an accidental murderer? And what about Nagito Komaeda, whom we know is a mastermind.

**Maki:** We tie them up as well!

**Hajime:** Wait, where is Nagito now?

**Kaito:** And where's that troublemaker Kokichi?!

**Maki:** Guess there's nothing we can do about them now. Let's tie up Korekiyo and Teruteru first and look for Nagito and Kokichi later.

Just as Maki suggested, Kazuichi and Kaito grab Korekiyo, while she and Leon grab Teruteru. They go search for a rope to tie them up, along with Shuichi and Kaede.

### Kokichi Oma and Nagito Komaeda

The two guys have already left the group and had a conversation inside the secret passageway where there are no cameras to spy on them.

**Kokichi:** Wow, I'm so glad you agreed to work with me.

**Nagito:** It's my pleasure.I'm so lucky to have met such intelligent Ultimate! Even more lucky that he needed my help!

**Kokichi:** Finally...I will end this killing game!

**Nagito:** At long last...I will create a scenario where the participants and the masterminds' hopes face off in an ultimate showdown!

**Kokichi:** Nishishishi!

**Nagito:** Ahahahahaha!

The two share a quite villainous laugh together and leave the secret passageway.

**Ending Song**

**END OF CHAPTER 4
Survivors: 31
Remaining hosts: 3**

* Monomi