(See the end of the chapter for more notes .)

In any case! The killer revealed! Was it who you thought it was? Time to find out!

Well, uh, again, this took longer than expected. That's what happens when you have five assignments due in the same week... and you have to work at a school at the same time.

Chapter Text

[OST: Living to the Fullest]

[Select Daisuke Akutagawa]

Minami: I figured it all out!

[OST: None]

Minami: [Serious] Washio... you're absolutely sure about that CD?

It was definitely a CD by Sayaka Maizono?

Washio: [Eyes averted] Um... y-yes... that's right...

Minami: [Betrayed] ...I'm so sorry, Washio...

[Looking down slightly] The reason I knew who the artist was...

[Serious] ...is because of something that happened this morning, while we were all having breakfast.

Hagino: [Eyes wide, covering mouth] ...Oh. Oh, no...

Chiba: [Looking down dejectedly] ...

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] What...? U-uh... what's so bad...?

Minami: [Looking down slightly] This morning... um... this morning...

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] Hurry up and tell us already!

[OST: DISTRUST]

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...I think that classmate Minami is referring to my music survey.

Urayama: [Raised eyebrow] Music survey...?

Tamura: [Angry] Yeah, music survey! Ya don't remember cuz ya walked out like a fuckin' dick before it happened!

[Flash back to the Cafeteria in greyscale.]

Akutagawa: [Shouting] Sayaka Maizono! Ibuki Mioda! Lee Seul-Ki!

[Pointing passionately] Out of these three musicians, which is your favourite!?

Chiba: [Exasperated] ...

Hagino: [Disbelieving] ...

Minami: ...That's it?

Akutagawa: [Hands on hips, confident grin] Indeed, that is it! I need a music recommendation!

[Flash to the same scene.]

Akutagawa: [Smiling] And you, classmate Washio?

Washio: [Blushing smile] A-ah... I, um... I like Maizono...

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Of course! Maizono!

The survey is complete! Thank you, classmates!

[Flash back to Courtroom.]

Akutagawa: [Arms crossed] Classmate Minami's implication is that, since I found that classmate Washio's favourite artist was Maizono...

...and since classmate Washio found a CD of Sayaka Maizono around the time of the murder...

[Confident grin] ...that I'm linked to the murder. Is that right?

Minami: [Serious] ...Yes, it is.

Washio: [Shaking head] ...No, no, that's, um... no, that can't be...!

Akutagawa: It's alright, classmate Washio! I can fully recognise and understand classmate Minami's reasoning!

[Posing passionately] Not to mention, with the extra time that you spent looking through the CDs in the Music Room, my alibi is not on solid ground!

Takanashi: [Stunned] ...That's a good point...!

Okazaki: [Head tilted] Like, I never even thought about that!

Minami: [Confused] Is he... deliberately making himself look worse?

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Akutagawa: [Arms folded] However! By themselves, these two proofs are not much to go on!

[Confident grin] If you wish to find me guilty of this horrible crime, you are all going to have to work a lot harder!

Noguchi: [Smirk] You're actually encouraging us to find you guilty? Clearly you're more meatheaded than I thought.

Washio: [Tearing up] I... no, this, um... this isn't...!

Minami: [Betrayed] ...

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...Classmate Minami!

Minami: [Surprised] H-huh? Sorry?

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] If you wish to convince others of your opinion, you'll need a lot more conviction than that!

Minami: But I...

Akutagawa: [Arms akimbo, hands balled in fists] No buts and no excuses, classmates! Let's go! Give it your all, and we will find the true blackened!

[Pointing passionately] The first order of business will be finding the method the killer used to get onto the Stage!

Minami: [Confused] I... I don't believe it...

Even though I just accused him of murder, he's still totally confident...

In fact, he's pretty much leading the trial!

Akutagawa... what are you trying to do?

NONSTOP DEBATE!

[OST: Discussion -HEAT UP- (2nd mix)]

Truth Bullets: Monokuma File, Urayama's Testimony, Muramoto's Injuries, Blood Spatter, Rope, Washio's Testimony

Akutagawa: [Serious] As we all know, classmate Matsuoka asked for classmate Muramoto to stand guard!

This, of course, raises an obvious question! How did the blackened enter the Stage while this watch was underway?

Mai: [Thinking] Well, if I was a super sneaky killer, I would hide in the dark until Kenka showed up!

[Cheerful] Nobody would see me, because nobody would be looking there!

Hagino: [Sighing] No, I'm afraid that doesn't work, Mai...

Everyone here has an alibi for before the murder.

Tamura: [Scowling]Uh, hello? Didja forgeddabout statue boy?

[Fired up] He still won't tell us where the fuck he's been!

Urayama: [Dry smile] I'm sorry, but have you been paying attention at all?

[Serious] My whereabouts are irrelevant. Get over it.

Okazaki: [Head tilted] So, like, what if they just, like, snuck in while Muramoto and Washio were, like, talking?

Muramoto: [Eyes closed] That could be the case... my memories are still partially obscured in fog...

Takanashi: [Biting brush] And they couldn't have gone in after Muramoto was knocked out... I think.

Enoshima: [Cruel smile] Well, now, you all seem to be in a tizzy.

[Nostalgic smile] If it helps you, I didn't see anyone else at the crime scene.

Noguchi: [Irritated] Hmph! Idiots, all of you.

It's plain to see that the killer simply went Backstage, and moved onto the Stage from there.

Tamura: [Hand on chin in thought] Nah, that isn't it!

I did a full sweep of that place, an' I can tell ya that there's no way ta get from Backstage ta the Stage!

[Angry] All ya can go from Backstage is onto that Catwalk thing, an' it's way too fuckin' high for anyone ta get down an' back up!

Chiba: [Exasperated] ...So we're stuck again.

Minami: [Thinking] Are we really stuck?

I can't help but thinking that there's something we can use to figure this out...

Maybe I need to think about the evidence in a different way.

Answer: E5, S9

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Minami: [Determined] No, Tamura. There was definitely a way to get onto the Stage from the Catwalk!

Tamura: [Fired up] Hey, are ya sayin' I did a bad job lookin' around?

Minami: [Worried] N-no, I didn't mean--

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] I spent fuckin' ages up there, ya know!

Hagino: [Shouting] Tamura, I think Minami should at least have the chance to speak!

Tamura: [Surprised] ...Right, sorry 'bout that...

Minami: [Surprised] I don't think I've seen Hagino get that upset before...

Talk about patience of a saint.

[Awkward smile] It's, uh... it's fine. Anyway...

[Thinking] The Catwalk has a whole lot of sandbags hanging from it, right?

Okazaki: [Sad] Like, I could definitely have, like, told you that...

Minami: [Explaining] My point is, they can all be raised and lowered by ropes.

What if someone was to climb down to the Stage on a rope?

Muramoto: [Nodding slightly] Indeed, that seems to be a viable route.

T'would merely take a strong upper body to carry oneself down the rope to the Stage...

Noguchi: [Irritated] And climb back up, as well. Hmph. It was so obvious.

Chiba: [Bored] ...Explains the hanging, too.

[Shrug] Enoshima could have tied up Matsuoka's body with the rope on the ground level...

...then raised it to the upper level using the control panel Backstage.

Enoshima: [Nostalgic smile] Guilty as charged. That's exactly what I did.

In fact, I believe that Monokuma himself said so in the investigation, no?

[Flash back to a greyscale version of Backstage.]

Monokuma: [White side] It was used recently. As in, "after the murder" recently.

[Flash back to the Courtroom.]

Minami: [Serious] How about it, Akutagawa? Does that explain how you could have gotten to the Stage while Muramoto was on guard?

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Indeed, it does! Not to mention, of course, that several of you saw me use the rope in such a manner myself!

Tamura: [Surprised] H-hey, yeah! Right after Okazaki nearly got whacked!

[Flash back to Akutagawa pulling himself up one of the sandbag ropes as the others cheer him on.]

Mai: Yeah! Go get 'em, tiger!

[Flash back to Courtroom.]

Akutagawa: [Arms crossed, grin] Correct, classmate Tamura! Well done!

Tamura: [Bashful] Heh heh... aw, it was nothin'!

Minami: [Serious] ...He's still encouraging us...

Akutagawa... why are you cheering us on? Don't you understand what happens if we vote for you...?

Washio: [Tearing up] B-but... u-uh... a-ah...

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] Ah, this is truly wonderful.

Is there something wrong, Washio? Feeling alright?

Washio: [In tears] I... I...

Enoshima: [Cruel smile] I think I hear the sound of a cholesterol-filled heart breaking.

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] Monster! You will not speak to classmate Washio in such a manner!

Enoshima: [Neutral] Oh... I'm the monster, am I? And the blackened isn't?

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...I never said that.

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Thinking] So... what left is there to figure out?

[Explaining] I mean, as far as I can tell, there's just one big question left.

Hagino: [Frowning] Yes... the question which has plagued us since the beginning of this trial.

Muramoto: [Neutral] I assume t'is the instrument of murder to which you refer?

Minami: [Determined] Exactly.

Tamura: [Hand on chin in thought] I thought we all agreed only the rope coulda done it?

Urayama: [Frustrated] Have you been paying attention at all this trial? We dismissed that ages ago!

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] Then... if it isn't the rope...

[Biting brush] ...it must be something else at the scene of the crime... right?

Noguchi: [Looking away] Hmph. Not necessarily.

Hagino: [Serious] Would you care to explain?

Noguchi: [Smug smile] It could easily be something that was at the crime scene, but isn't now.

Minami: [Thinking] That's true... maybe we should think about it from that point of view.

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Excellent thinking skills, classmates! I know you can all find the killer!

Minami: Okay, so... something that was at the crime scene, but isn't now...

If I think about this from a different perspective, then I can think this through with a bit of logic!

LOGIC DIVE!

[OST: DIVE DRIVE]

What is currently at the scene of the crime that could be the murder weapon?

A. Rope B. Nothing C. Bloody Pool Cue

What was at the scene of the crime at the time of the murder?

A. Bloody Pool Cue B. Rope C. The killer

What aspect of Matsuoka's body indicates the murder weapon?

A. Wide bruises on neck B. Hanging from the ceiling C. Names carved in chest

Therefore, where is the murder weapon right now?

A. Courtroom B. Stage C. Backstage

Answer: BCAA

Minami: I've pieced it together!

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Minami: [Thinking] If we think about what was at the crime scene at the time of the murder, but isn't there now...

[Explaining] ...the only thing that comes to mind is the blackened themselves.

Mai: [Cheerful] Well, duh! I mean, somebody had to be there to do it!

Minami: [Awkward smile] Not... quite what I'm getting at, Mai...

Mai: [Covering mouth] Oops! Sorry! I'll be quiet, I promise!

Takanashi: [Shy smile] Don't make promises you can't keep, Mai...

Mai: [Sly grin] Hey! Umi! That was pretty cheeky!

Noguchi: [Glare] Can we reschedule the banter and work out the murder, please?

Minami: [Explaining] Thanks... so, uh, the killer was there, but obviously isn't now.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Ah, I see. They must have the murder weapon in their possession now, then.

Okazaki: [Confused] But, like, Fujihara tried the same thing, right?

[Head tilted] So, like, you'd think that, like, a murderer would be smarter than that, right?

Noguchi: [Smirk] For once, the airhead has a point.

Mai: [Mock anger] Now who's bantering?

Minami: [Awkward smile] Guys, please...

[Thinking] If I'm right about the weapon, it's not something they could leave in their rooms.

[Gesturing] Akutagawa... in your investigation of the body, you said something about bruises?

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Indeed I did! Listen well, classmates!

[Pointing passionately] The bruises around classmate Matsuoka's neck were too wide to have been caused by the rope!

Minami: [Thinking] But, what about, say...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Confident grin] ...someone's hands?

Tamura: [Surprised] Wait, hold the fuck up! Are ya sayin' that the blackened just straight-up fuckin' choked 'em out?

You'd have ta be one beefy motherfucker ta do somethin' like that!

Urayama: [Dry smile] And, luckily for us, we happen to have one such "beefy motherfucker" in the Courtroom today.

Chiba: [Frowning] ...Akutagawa, could you have choked him to death with your bare hands...?

...I mean... are you really that strong?

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...

Yes, I am that strong.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Then... are you confessing?

Akutagawa: I--

Washio: N-no! Stop!

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Washio: [In tears] Th-this isn't f-funny anymore...! I... I, uh, I...

[Crying, angry] I won't let you b-bully Akutagawa like this...! N-not when, um... when there's so much we don't, ah... don't know...!

Akutagawa: [Stunned] C-classmate Washio...?

Washio: A-Akutagawa has done so much for everyone... he, uh, he's been so wonderful...!

[In tears] You... you can't do this...! N-not after, um... after everything he's done...!

Akutagawa: [Remorseful] ...

Washio: I... I mean, w-we don't even, um... know where Urayama was the whole time...!

Urayama: [Dry stare] For the thousandth time, it's irrelevant. Especially now.

Washio: [Crying, angry] Th-then... why would, uh, why would Akutagawa d-do it?

Okazaki: [Head tilted] You mean, like, what's the motive?

Hagino: [Serious] At this late stage in the trial, and with everything we've proven, I'm not really sure the motive matters anymore.

After all, we have indeed constructed a perfectly valid series of events. With Akutagawa's help, no less.

[Looking down] I'm sorry, Washio, but...

Washio: [In tears] No! Y-you can't do this... you can't...!

[Crying, angry] W-we need a motive! W-we can't, um... we can't move on without th-the motive...!

Noguchi: [Exasperated] ...So we're finding the motive then.

Akutagawa: [Serious] Classmate Washio, I--

Washio: [In tears] N-no, Akutagawa...

Y-you, um, you've done so much for me... I... I have to, uh... help...!

Akutagawa: ...

Chiba: [Bored] ...Okay. Let's go, then.

Tamura: [Worried, grimacing] Fuck, can't we just skip this one?

Muramoto: [Eyes closed] No... t'would not be just for us to falter ere we reach a conclusion.

Minami: [Thinking] The motive for Akutagawa to kill Matsuoka... it's definitely going to be hard to work it out...

But... Washio is refusing to budge...

[Determined] I guess I have no choice!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

[OST: Discussion -HOPE VS DESPAIR- (2nd mix)]

Truth Bullets: Muramoto's Injuries, Matsuoka's ElectroID, Junpei's Testimony, Urayama's Testimony, Blood Spatter, Bloody Pool Cue

Washio: [In tears] If you, um... if you don't find the motive...

...we... ah, we can't move on...!

Hagino: [Serious] Very well. Does anyone have any ideas?

Tamura: [Hand on chin in thought] Okay, I got one! What if the killer got jealous of Matsuoka?

Mai: [Confused] Who would be jealous of Kenka, though? He didn't really have anything super cool...

Tamura: [Dejected] Really? Aw, I'm so fuckin' bad at this...

Noguchi: [Neutral] You're overlooking the simplest possibility: what if the motive was, in fact, the motive itself?

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] You mean... that Monokuma Aptitude Test?

Noguchi: [Smirk] Exactly. I believe the murder had to do with that.

Muramoto: [Hand on chin] ...No, I am not so certain.

Noguchi: [Irritated] Hmph. Then what's your theory?

Muramoto: [Neutral] I believe that the incident has some root in Mr. Matsuoka's sibling.

Chiba: [Frown] You mean... Matsuoka's brother, the murderer?

Hagino: [Thinking] Are you really sure the killer knew that...?

Muramoto: [Arms folded] Perhaps. As mentioned, I am not certain.

Okazaki: [Sad] Like, we're so close...

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] You have almost found it, classmates! Persist just a little longer!

Minami: [Thinking] A motive for Akutagawa to kill...

He almost never thinks about himself. I don't think it would be a selfish motive...

[Determined] I have to think about this, just a little more!

Answer: E2, S4

Minami: I agree!

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Minami: [Neutral] Noguchi... it's just as you said.

The motive is, well, the motive Monokuma gave us.

Noguchi: [Smug smile] Hmph. I knew I was right. I always am.

Okazaki: [Thinking] But, like, ninety per cent of the time, everyone, like, proves you wrong...

Noguchi: [Scowl] Do you think you're funny? Because you are absolutely not.

Hagino: [Disbelieving] Let's move on, shall we?

[Serious] Minami. How are you sure that the Monokuma Aptitude Test is the motive?

Minami: [Thinking] Take a look at the results on Matsuoka's ElectroID.

[Gesturing] According to Monokuma... he was the most likely of all of us to kill.

Mai: [Stunned] WHAAAAAAAAAT? Kenka? No way!

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] Who knew he had it in him... heheh.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] So, then... Akutagawa's motive is... protecting us from the most likely to kill...?

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...If I am the blackened, then yes. My motive would be that.

Washio: [In tears] A-ah... b-but... uh, um, I, uh...

Enoshima: [Cruel smile] Oh, bless. The land whale looks like she's about to start blubbering more than usual.

Washio: I, I, I, uh, um, ah, I...

Okazaki: [Sad] Washio... do you, like, need a minute, or...

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Washio: [Crying, angry] Th-the CD!

Chiba: [Stunned] The CD?

Washio: [Nervous] Th-the one that made you all accuse Akutagawa...!

[Wiping tears] Why is it there? I-it must be a f-frame job...!

[Wringing hands] Y-yeah, it's, um... a f-frame job... The r-real killer is setting h-him up...!

[In tears] D-Daisuke wouldn't do this... he... u-uh... he wouldn't...!

S-someone, uh, um, must be setting him up...!

[Crying, angry] Y-you're all, um... all being misled...! B-b-by the r-real killer...!

I, um... I just, uh... I just know it...

It...

[Shouting] It isn't Daisuke!

Mai: [Stunned] Ts-Tsushi?

Washio: [Crying, angry] You're wrong! It... it can't, um... It can't be him!

Akutagawa: [Remorseful] ...Washio...

Washio: [In tears] I... I, um, I still believe in you, Daisuke... I'll always... um, I'll always believe in you!

They... they won't find you guilty... they won't!

Minami: [Taken aback] She's not calming down any time soon...!

[Thinking] I have to try and break through to her, and show why the CD was important.

Maybe then... she can accept the truth...

[Determined] Washio... I'm sorry I have to do this, but I have no choice!

PANIC TALK ACTION!

[OST: P.T.A.]

Washio: You're all wrong!

Daisuke would never do that!

U-uh... no!

Please... ah, please stop...!

Someone... please... help me prove he's innocent...!

H-he'll die if he d-did it!

I need him... please, um... I need him!

Y-you're going to k-kill him!

Washio: Just because the CD is m-my favourite, d-doesn't mean it's important... Daisuke can't have used it for anything!

DISTRACT

|

|

|

YOU ------------------------------- USED

|

|

|

TO

Answer: ESNW

Minami: This will finish it!

[OST: Iso no Kaori no Dead End]

Minami: [Serious] Washio... there's a reason that CD is your favourite artist's.

The killer... Akutagawa... was trying to distract you.

Washio: [Wringing hands] N-nng...

Minami: [Thinking] If you saw any old CD on the ground, you might notice it, but pass it by.

[Explaining] Seeing a Maizono CD in the hallway, though... that would definitely catch your eye.

Washio: [Tearing up] U-uh, maybe, b-but, um...!

Hagino: [Serious] So... you saw the CD and returned it to the Music Room, correct?

Washio: Y-yes, but...

Chiba: [Hand on chin] And... it was poking out from under the door to go Backstage, right?

Washio: [In tears] B-b-but...

Akutagawa: [Serious] If I happened to be Backstage, I would see classmate Washio remove it from under the crack in the door.

From there, I could open the door a crack, to tell when she went into the Music Room.

And while she was there, slip back into the Gym unnoticed.

Classmate Minami... that's your theory, isn't it?

Minami: [Determined] ...Yes. It is.

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] It's an excellent theory. I see no faults in it.

Washio: [Crying, angry] N-no! There... there has to be a fault... There has to be...!

[In tears] U-uh... Daisuke... p-please tell them the, um... the faults...!

Enoshima: [Cruel smile] When are you just going to accept it, you cow?

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] Okay, that's it, you're gettin' a broken fuckin' jaw, shithead!

[OST: None]

Hagino: [Shouting] Enough!

[Eyes watering] That's... that's enough, please...

Enough arguing for one day... just... stop.

Washio: I... I... D-Daisuke...

Akutagawa: [Serious] ...Classmate Minami.

Minami: ...Yeah?

Akutagawa: With all of your intellectual power, I order you to explain the entire case, from start to finish.

[Arms akimbo, grinning confidently] Prove beyond any doubts that I am the killer, so that we can finally end this trial!

[Pointing passionately] Get motivated, classmate Minami! Prove my guilt!

Minami: [Determined] ...For you, Akutagawa.

I'll take everything from the top, and find you guilty. Just as you want it!

CLOSING STATEMENT!

[OST: Climax Reasoning]

1. Ultimate Despair attacks Muramoto

2. The Blackened and Washio leave the Gym

3. The Tea Ceremony begins

4. Muramoto stands guard as Matsuoka enters the Stage

5. The Blackened climbs on a rope

6. Ultimate Despair carves Matsuoka's body

7. The Blackened slips Backstage as Washio and Muramoto talk

8. The Blackened grabs a knife

9. Washio spots a CD

10. The Blackened chokes Matsuoka

11. Ultimate Despair raises the body with the Control Panel

12. Washio enters the Music Room with a CD

13. A CD poking out from under a door

14. Monokuma appears at the Tea Ceremony

Answer: 4-3-2-7-13-5-9-14-12-1-6-11

[OST: Climax Return]

[The events play out, in jagged manga style, as Minami describes each of them.]

Minami: Okay, I think I have the whole scenario worked out.

Before we start, we have to look at where all the major players were.

The victim, Matsuoka, was in the Stage, with Muramoto standing guard.

The blackened was in the Gym with Washio...

...and Junpei Enoshima - that is, Ultimate Despair - was in the Karesansui with most of the others.

Just after Hagino's Tea Ceremony started, the blackened, under the pretense of taking a break, convinced Washio to leave the Gym with them.

They then encouraged her to talk with Muramoto... I'm guessing as a way to boost her confidence.

While they talked, the blackened took their opportunity, and slipped Backstage.

As they did so, they left a particular CD poking out from underneath the door - one filled with Sayaka Maizono songs.

From there, the blackened climbed to the Catwalk.

Then, counting on their exceptional fitness, they quickly dropped down to the Stage via the ropes that hang up the sandbags.

Once there, they ran into Matsuoka and throttled the life out of them!

Hagino: Is it truly necessary to be this graphic...?

Minami: H-hey, I'm just trying to go into detail...!

Anyway... once they had killed Matsuoka, the blackened scaled back up the rope and hurried back to the Backstage area.

They kept a close watch on the Sayaka Maizono CD they had left poking from under the door, using it as a sort of timer.

Sure enough, Washio - whose favourite artist is Maizono - spotted the CD and picked it up.

This gave the blackened their chance to look out and watch her return it to the Music Room.

As she did so, they slipped out and returned to the Gym, their workout partner being none the wiser.

Now, we've fully explained the actual murder itself...

...but there's still a bit more to this crime, isn't there?

Once the killing had happened, and the blackened had retreated...

...Monokuma appeared at the Tea Ceremony.

At the time, we all thought it was his usual brand of annoyance...

...but in actual fact, it was a signal to Enoshima to get moving.

He used the stolen pool cue to access the Ultimate Despair costume...

...and, wearing it, he attacked Muramoto with one of the snapped pieces of the cue!

He then headed into the Stage unimpeded, with one goal in mind - disrupt the crime scene by any means necessary.

He carved that awful message into Matsuoka's chest, raised him to the Catwalk with the control panel...

...and hung the Ultimate Despair clothes off his shoulder, to confuse us and halt our progress in the trial.

But, back on the topic of the blackened...

[The image changes to the Blackened and Minami, against a vibrant blue background, facing off against each other. The Blackened is sweating and their eyes are squeezed shut, but they seem almost serene. Minami looks determined at first, but a second glance suggests that she is remorseful.]

Minami: It would take someone with a great deal of athleticism to climb up and down that rope.

Not to mention, that person would also have to have known Washio's favourite singer...

...and Washio would have to trust them enough for them to be able to boost her confidence and get her to talk to Muramoto.

[The words, "WORKOUT OVER", appear in dark red lettering as the Blackened cross-fades into Akutagawa, in an identical pose.]

[OST: None]

Minami: Daisuke Akutagawa... It could only be you!

[Fade to black.]

[Fade in to Courtroom.]

Minami: [Betrayed] So, Akutagawa... how did I go?

Akutagawa: [Teary smile] ...Flawless. One hundred per cent correct.

Chiba: [Looking down dejectedly] ...So... that's what really happened?

Akutagawa: Aside from perhaps one or two details, absolutely.

[Confident grin] Classmates! You have all determined the truth today!

My only regret is that I could not have been so helpful in explaining Ultimate Despair's actions!

Enoshima: [Nostalgic smile] Yes, well... that was the point, wasn't it?

And speaking of points, I imagine there are several very sharp ones in your immediate future.

Washio: [In tears] B-b-b...

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] Oh, good, the whale is crying again. Hopefully that should keep it alive out of water a bit longer.

[OST: Re: Welcome to Despair Academy]

Akutagawa: [Teary smile] ...Washio. It's alright.

I did all of this knowing there would only be one outcome.

Washio: [Shaking head] N-no... no...!

Monokuma: Well then! Everyone's looking pretty miserable, which I guess means you found the blackened!

Use the buttons on the podium to vote for the blackened!

For your sake, I hope you get it right! Upupupu!

Okazaki: [Sad] L-like... I don't wanna vote...

Washio, like... she needs you, Akutagawa... I can't...

Urayama: [Dry stare] We found the truth. Don't you get it? We vote, or we die.

And I would absolutely see him die over myself.

Hagino: [Bitter glare] Urayama... it is more complicated than that...

Washio: [Inconsolable] P-please don't vote...

Monokuma: Hell-oooooooooo? The threat of death not good enough to get your asses into gear?

Come on, you bastards! Vote!

[OST: None]

Akutagawa: [Arms folded] Classmates! I have committed the worst kind of act imaginable!

I am a murderer! I should be punished!

[Pointing passionately] Now... put all of your energy into those fingers, and vote for me! Let's get motivated!

Minami: [Betrayed] Akutagawa... I'm so sorry.

[Fade to black.]