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

This chapter! The reveal of the true identity of the enigmatic Ultimate Despair! Did you guess it? Read on to find out!

Thank you for being so tolerant and patient while waiting for this chapter. I sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, hope you enjoy.

And I sat down and that mental block disappeared.

Until recently, when I realised... "No matter what I write, no matter how bad I think it is, it's better than letting my readers down by not going on."

So I took a break. I should have posted a comment explaining so, but I didn't. To be frank, I felt pretty miserable.

At some point over the past six weeks, I totally lost my confidence in my writing. I don't know exactly what happened, or why... but I felt like no matter how much I worked on this, it was never going to be good enough.

I think I ought to explain why this chapter took so long.

Chapter Text

[OST: Living to the Fullest]

[Select Junpei Enoshima]

Minami: I've figured it all out!

[OST: None]

Minami: [Thinking] Junpei... today, you told me what you thought the reasons were behind Matsuoka getting reclusive.

Junpei: [Taken aback] I... d-did? Uh... y-yeah, that's right...

[Awkward smile, scratching hair] I-it's because he wanted to, you know, be in c-control of everything, and he couldn't.

[Dejected] P-plus, there's the motive... b-but I bet that got to everyone...

Minami: [Frowning] Not to mention what happened to his brother.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] Y-yeah... not to mention that...

Hagino: [Confused] ...Not to mention what, sorry?

Junpei: [Nervous] Y-you know... his brother.

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Junpei: [Frowning] The murderer.

Tamura: [Stunned] M-murderer!?

Okazaki: [Freaking out] L-like, Matsuoka had a brother... who was a murderer?

Junpei: [Awkward smile] ...Yeah? Don't you guys all remem...

[Faltering smile] ...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Grinning confidently] ...Gotcha.

[Explaining] The night we saw Ultimate Despair for the first time...

Matsuoka was about to tell me that something had happened with his brother.

[Gesturing] But, he never got around to telling me exactly what it was.

Junpei: [Confused] ...S-so, he told me and not you. What's the b-big deal, huh...?

Minami: [Serious] That's not true, Junpei.

[Explaining] Matsuoka said he would tell me, and only me.

But he never did. So, tell me, Junpei...

[Pointing] ...how did you know that Matsuoka's brother was a murderer?

Junpei: [Nervous] I... I...

[Defensive] ...I just remember hearing that, okay? I just do! I don't know why none of you do!

Noguchi: [Raised eyebrow] You really think that excuse is going to work?

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Takanashi: [Sighing] No... he could remember it...

Chiba: ...How?

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] Do you remember... when we first saw Monokuma?

None of us had any idea what he was...

[Biting brush] ...except Junpei.

[Flash back to a greyscale version of the Foyer.]

Junpei: [Scared] I-it's the thing that started it...

The thing that started the first School Life of Mutual Killing...

[Another flash, but the same scene.]

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] A-and it was there... In the Worst, Most Despair-Inducing Incident in the History of Mankind...

[Pointing, terrified] That thing caused it!

[Back to Courtroom.]

Akutagawa: [Hands balled in fists, dismayed] C-classmate Takanashi is indeed correct...

[Pointing passionately] For some reason, the same memory loss that all of us seem to have suffered is not entirely shared by classmate Junpei!

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] So, then... it could be that at some point before we all ended up in Mono-Tower, Junpei learned that a certain jeweler had a murderous brother.

[Dry stare] By itself, it's not exactly an indictment, is it?

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] A-ah... that's, um, that's right... I remember...

[Eyes averted] So, um... in that case, ah... maybe, uh, he... isn't Ultimate Despair...?

Tamura: [Hitting own head] Fuckin' hell damn... I knew it was too easy ta be true! Stupid, Tamura, fuckin' stupid!

Muramoto: [Grinning stupidly] Stuuuuuuuuuuupid. Like my head. Head is stupid!

[Wincing, holding head] ...Oww...

Minami: [Exasperated] ...Great. Not only is my theory gone, but Muramoto's lost it totally...

[OST: None]

Junpei: [Grateful smile] Th-thank you, everyone...

[Slight smirk] ...I'm glad that at least some of you are being reasonable.

W-we need to redouble our efforts on f-finding the murderer... right, Minami?

Minami: [Wincing] O-ouch... I have a feeling that's cost me some credibility...

But I was so sure that Junpei is Ultimate Despair... Am I wrong about this?

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Hagino: [Serious] If I might interrupt, I have a suggestion.

Ultimate Despair's garbs were found draped over Matsuoka's body. From this, we can be sure that they discovered the body after the crime.

[Sad] We have very little evidence that seems to make sense...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Hagino: [Determined look] ...but Ultimate Despair could probably answer the questions we need answered.

Minami has made an accusation, and it's the only accusation we will ever get to make.

[Hands clasped in prayer] Even if it turns out to be wrong... we must pursue it! It's our only chance!

Junpei: [Taken aback]...Y-you guys aren't going to listen to th-this garbage, right...?

[Biting thumbnail] W-we just came up with an explanation for h-how I knew that fact about Matsuoka's b-brother...!

We really don't n-need to go any further, do we?

Mai: [Hand in the air, excited] I agree!

Junpei: [Awkward smile] S-see? Mai agrees with me.

Mai: [Pointing] ...With Shono!

Junpei: [Confused] W-what...?

Mai: [Stroking chin] This murder is super hard to figure out, and Ultimate Despair could be the only help we get!

Noguchi: [Looking away] As much as I hate to admit it... they're right.

We're flying blind here... and we need to follow all leads.

Junpei: [Getting frustrated] Th-this is crazy...! Y-you guys are really accusing me!?

Tamura: [Smug grin] Hah! Looks like I weren't so stupid after all that! I told ya it was right!

Minami: [Exasperated] No, you didn't...

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, looking down] Pursuing the case in such a manner, rather than aiming directly for the killer...

I am not so sure about how rewarding this will be, given the risk...

[Flexing, grinning] ...Very well! Let us hunt down the truth in this way! Get pumped, classmates!

[OST: None]

Junpei: [Angry] Y-you're all turning on me, huh!?

F-fine! I g-guess I have to prove you w-wrong, then!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

[OST: Discussion -BREAK- (2nd ver)]

Truth Bullets: Partygoers' Shoes, Fujihara's Locker, CDs, Urayama's Testimony, Bloody Pool Cue, Piece of Pool Cue

Junpei: [Taken aback] I'm s-seriously stunned you all accused me...

Th-think about it! Th-there's no way I could have done it!

Noguchi: [Smirk] We'll need a bit more than that, you know...

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] O-okay... I've g-got something you c-can't argue with!

[Pointing] A-and that is, m-my clothes!

Takanashi: [Confused] Clothes...?

Junpei: [Explaining]Think about it!

Th-there really isn't anywhere that I c-could have hidden those Ultimate Despair clothes!

[Biting thumbnail]I w-was at the tea ceremony for almost the entire day, remember?

S-someone definitely would have noticed!

Mai: [Mock anger] Hold on! We aren't super stupid! Only semi-stupid!

[Scratching head] You could've just worn all those ugly clothes under your normal stuff, right?

Urayama: [Eyes closed, in thought] No... that Ultimate Despair cloak is too bulky.

It wouldn't fit under his normal clothes.

Akutagawa: [Broad grin] Then it is a simple solution, classmates!

I left that cloak on the catwalk last night! Classmate Enoshima could have simply picked it up!

Tamura: [Sighing] Nah, that ain't gonna cut it...

It wasn't there when I checked this mornin'...

Junpei: [Slight smirk] I-isn't there a legal term for this? "Absence of evidence"?

S-since none of you can explain how I c-could have hidden those clothes...

[Pointing] ...th-then maybe you should bite the bullet and move on!

Washio: [In tears] Maybe... um, maybe we were wrong after all...

Minami: [Thinking] Junpei has a pretty solid argument...

...but maybe we're overlooking somewhere that could have held the clothes...

Answer: E2, S2

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Junpei: [Nervous] W-what? What's wrong with what I said?

Minami: [Serious] There's definitely a place you could have hidden those clothes. A place nobody could possibly check.

[Gesturing] So, girls... you all remember the locker room in the bathhouse, right?

Noguchi: [Raised eyebrow] You say that as if boys can't have a bath either...

Mai: [Poking tongue out] Duh! She's asking us because of the group bath we did, you silly!

Hagino: [Nostalgic smile] Ah, the group bath... it was so very relaxing...

Chiba: [Sweating a little] ...I definitely wouldn't know a thing about that group bath.

Akutagawa: [Flexing, grinning] Bathing? Hah! Why wash off your MANLY aroma?

Minami: [Awkward smile] Moving swiftly along...

[Explaining] Two of the lockers in that room are broken shut, right?

Okazaki: [Head tilted in thought] Like, right... one for Fujihara and one for Degawa, right?

Minami: [Neutral] Exactly. And nobody can open them.

[Thinking] So, where else would you hide the Ultimate Despair clothes?

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] Y-you think I hid them in one of the l-lockers...?

[Nervous] Th...

[Angry] ...that's crazy talk! You're talking crazy, crazy!

And how am I supposed to have opened this locker?

Minami: [Awkward smile] ...It doesn't really matter... Fujihara's locker is wide open.

Junpei: Meaning what?

Takanashi: [Confused] ...That someone... opened it?

Junpei: [Accusatory] A-and? Monokuma opened off-limit areas for the l-last murder, r-right...?

Chiba: [Shrugging] ...Unfortunately, he has a point.

[Hand on chin] ...Opening that locker would take a lot of force...

[Bored] ...and he's not the kind to have powerful muscles.

Tamura: [Smug grin] Heh heh... he ain't strong like me, ya mean!

Mai: [Shocked] Are you TRYING to get in trouble, Reira!?

Tamura: [Panicking] ...Aw, fuck! I take it back!

[Confused] But, uh... yeah, how's a scrawny guy like Junpei supposed ta open that thing?

Minami: [Thinking] It's simple. All he would need is something to amplify his force.

Muramoto: [Confused, rubbing head] The force... do I use it? I...

...I'm feeling dizzy...

Mai: [Hollering] Hang in there, Yoto! We'll be done super quick, 'kay?

Minami: [Neutral] ...Anyway.

[Pointing] There just so happens to be something that could have amplified Junpei's force at the scene of the crime!

HANGMAN'S GAMBIT!

[OST: ANAGRAM.NET]

What could have been used to amplify Junpei's force?

L C E O P O U

Answer: POOL CUE

Minami: Everything's falling into place!

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Minami: [Explaining] That pool cue we found in two separate places...

That could have been used as a lever, couldn't it?

Tamura: [Scratching head] Lever? I don't get it...

Noguchi: [Irritated] Idiot... a lever.

If you were to wedge that pool cue in the door of the locker, you could probably lever it open.

Minami: [Grinning confidently] And I can prove that the pool cue is what was used, as well.

Junpei: [Nervous] ...C-can you, now...?

Minami: [Thinking] If you take a look at the locker door closely...

...there's a lot of tiny wood shavings on it.

[Explaining] Plus, part of that broken pool cue has a tiny groove cut into it...

Mai: [Excited] Oooooooooooooooooooh! I get it!

[Cheerful] So the groove is from when the pool cue was used to lever open the locker! That's how it happened!

Hagino: [Thinking] Hmm... surely something like that would make a great deal of noise.

Metal slamming into metal, of course.

Okazaki: [Worried] ...Metal slamming into, like... metal...?

I... like, I heard something like that while I was, like, in the bath...

Akutagawa: [Surprised] Incredible! Then classmate Okazaki's corroboration confirms it!

[Pointing passionately] Truly, this must be what happened!

Muramoto: [Trying to assume neutral pose] ...Then... I don't know what that means...

[Rubbing head] Then... rabbits?

Mai: [Concerned] Yoto?

Hagino: [Gentle smile] ...I think he's recovering... slowly.

Urayama: [Dry smile] Really? Shame. I was starting to like those random announcements.

Chiba: [Bored] ...Back on topic.

If Okazaki heard metal hitting metal...

Tamura: [Smug grin] Then that means it's dead on, right? Junpei musta used that pool cue ta open the lockers!

Washio: [Surprised] A-ah! And... um, the other piece of the pool cue...

[Reluctantly looking up] ...the, uh, the one with the, um, blood...

[Focus on Muramoto, rubbing his head.]

Takanashi: That must be how Muramoto was wounded!

...I mean, it's a heavy, blunt piece of wood, so...

Okazaki: [Worried] ...

Noguchi: [Smirk] So, then. All we need is a confession, isn't it?

[OST: None]

Minami: [Serious] How about it, Junpei? Ready to give up the ghost?

Junpei: [Looking down] ...

...I --

Okazaki: Like, no way!

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Minami: [Surprised] O-Okazaki?

Okazaki: [Angry] Nope! Like, not true! There is, like, no way that Junpei could ever be Ultimate Despair!

Tamura: [Enraged] Aw, come the fuck on! He was just about ta fuckin' say it!

Noguchi: [Irritated] Of all the useless things, airhead...

We just nullified his only argument. He's out of options, and about to admit it.

Okazaki: [Pouting] L-like, that's just because he needs more time to think...

Chiba: [Confused] Why do you... care so much?

Okazaki: [Worried] L-like, because...

[Sad] ...because he, like, helped me with the show!

Minami: [Confused] The... show?

Okazaki: Junpei, like, helped set up the lights and set...

[Explaining] He, like, didn't even do it because of my act... He, like, did it because...

[Sad] ...because we're, like, friends...

[Angry] And... and friends don't, like, try and drop weights on your head!

Or, like, screw around with murder scenes!

[On the verge of tears] He... like, he wouldn't...

Minami: [Sympathetic] She... doesn't believe he could do it...

To be honest, it's hard for me to believe, too...

But it's the only option that makes sense...

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Junpei: [Slight smirk] ...The show.

Akutagawa: [Sweating] Wh-where's this smile coming from...?

Junpei: [Neutral] Maybe... you all f-forgot, but...

...I was attacked b-by Ultimate Despair in that show, remember?

Mai: [Stunned] ...Aaaah! He's right!

[Flash back to a greyscale version of the Central Lounge.]

Junpei: [Teeth gritted, sweating] H-he must have s-sabotaged the sandbag before the show...

And he kn-knocked me out cold... I c-couldn't stop him...

[Back to Courtroom.]

Junpei: [Neutral] I was knocked out cold when Ultimate Despair a-arrived...

Okazaki: [Hopeful] L-like, that's right! See? Like, I told you!

Like, if Junpei was unconscious when the weight, like, nearly hit me, then, like, he can't also be Ultimate Despair!

Noguchi: [Scowling] The only thing we have proving Junpei was unconscious is his word!

Junpei: ...Then where's the proof I wasn't?

[Smug smile] Go on, Noguchi... put your money where your mouth is.

Noguchi: [Stunned] ...!

Minami: [Uneasy] Wh-what is this feeling I'm getting from Junpei...?

He's so... self-assured right now...

[Determined] But I'm sure I can find proof he's lying! I know I can!

I just need to find a connection!

LOGIC DIVE!

[OST: DIVE DRIVE]

Who was provably wounded by Ultimate Despair?

A. Junpei B. Matsuoka C. Muramoto

What proves that that person was wounded by Ultimate Despair?

A. Injuries B. A calling card C. Testimony

Therefore, what piece of proof is missing?

A. Injuries B. A calling card C. Testimony

Answer: CAA

Minami: I've pieced it together!

Junpei: [Neutral] Have you, now...?

Minami: [Gesturing] Muramoto...

Muramoto: [Wincing, rubbing head] ...Hello?

Minami: [Sympathetic] You were beaten up pretty badly...

In fact, you were knocked out and got a concussion.

Muramoto: [Confused] ...I... think so...?

...Maybe...

Minami: [Thinking] Actually, we know for a fact it happened.

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Grinning confidently] We can see your injuries.

Washio: [Stunned] Ah...! I, um... I get it...!

Tamura: [Sighing] I, uh... I don't get it...

Can someone fill me in?

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] Classmate Muramoto's injuries are consistent with being knocked unconscious!

[Arms crossed, grinning] Scarring on the head, a little bleeding, concussion...

Minami: [Thinking] Things that Junpei, despite his claim of being beaten up by Ultimate Despair...

[Determined] ...lacks.

Junpei: [Neutral] ...

Hagino: [Looking upwards] Indeed... if Junpei were truly attacked, he should have had injuries similar to Muramoto's.

[Concerned] And yet... he was perfectly fine...

Okazaki: [On the verge of tears] I...

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Okazaki: [Angry] I don't believe it!

No! No no no no no!

Minami: [Surprised] H-huh!? Okazaki... there's nothing left to argue!

Okazaki: [Pointing angrily, about to cry] Yes there is! You're, like, wrong!

J-Junpei couldn't, like, do that! He's... like, a friend!

[On the verge of tears] A friend who, like, didn't even care that my show was just a cabaret act! He just, like, wanted to help!

[Pointing angrily, about to cry] I... I'll prove you wrong!

Minami: [Sympathetic] She's really upset by this...

[Determined] Unfortunately... all I can do is shut her down!

REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN!

[OST: Rebuttal -CROSS SWORD-]

Truth Bullets: Partygoer's Shoes, Broken Pool Cue, Akutagawa's Testimony

Okazaki: [Pointing angrily, about to cry] Like, if you think about it...

...there's, like, totally no way Junpei opened the locker!

Minami: [Gesturing] ...But, Okazaki, you heard it happen. You told me you heard a loud bang.

It has to have been the metal locker door hitting metal.

Okazaki: [Angry] Y-yeah... but, like, there's no way Junpei did it, I mean!

Minami: [Determined] We proved he could be Ultimate Despair, though!

Okazaki: [Pointing angrily] But, l-like, it's not enough!

[Desperate] I mean, like, there's nothing that says he was the one in the bathhouse at all!

[Angry] After all, he was, like, totally at that tea party thing the whole time, right?

Minami: [Pointing] No, that's not true! He left halfway through!

Okazaki: [Desperate] E-even, like, despite that... you still forgot something!

[Angry] Like, there's nothing saying he was the one who, like, put on the costume!

[On the verge of tears] Unless you can, like, prove that he left to, like, put on the costume at all...

[Pointing angrily] ...then, like, you've got no argument!

Minami: [Wincing] ...Ugh! She has a point...

[Thinking] I'm sure now that Junpei left early to grab the costume...

...but how do I prove it to Okazaki?

Answer: E1, S2

Minami: I'll cut that claim to pieces!

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Determined] I'm sorry, Okazaki... but I can prove that Junpei left specifically to wear that costume!

Okazaki: [On the verge of tears] ...Like, no way, Jose! I don't believe you!

Minami: [Serious] Yes way, Jose! I'll show you!

Junpei...

Junpei: [Neutral] ...Yes?

Minami: [Gesturing] Can we see your shoes?

Junpei: ...

Okazaki: [Confused] Sh-shoes? What do shoes have to do with it?

Hagino: [Stunned] Ah! Of course!

[Serious] When I investigated after the murder, I found eight pairs of shoes outside the karesansui... one for each person at the party...

But, in that case...

Minami: [Thinking] Right. It means Junpei forgot his shoes.

[Explaining] Well, actually... he didn't forget them.

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Minami: He just knew that there was another pair waiting for him.

Chiba: [Bored] ...You mean Ultimate Despair's massive height...

...is the result of platform shoes?

Tamura: [Doubtful] Hold on! If that was true, wouldn't Junpei look a fuckton taller right now?

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] Not necessarily.

If you were to just look at him as he is, in his normal clothes, you might not notice the difference...

[Flash back to the photo of Ultimate Despair.]

Urayama: ...but together with the mask and hood, the intimidation factor would make him look even taller.

[Back to Courtroom.]

Minami: [Grinning confidently] Exactly. And since, I'm guessing, Junpei still has those shoes on...

[OST: None]

Minami: [Pointing] All we have to do is ask him to show us his shoes, and we can prove this once and for all!

Junpei: [Neutral] ...

...

[Looking away]...Monokuma?

Monokuma: Eh? You talkin' to me? Cuz I don't see anybear else here!

Oh... yeah, I think now's a good time.

I mean, everyone already knows by now, so why keep it the worst-kept secret ever? Upupu!

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

[Junpei's hair and shoulders become more angular, and his face is darkened somewhat, from now on.]

Junpei: [Smug smile] ...Finally.

Finally I can drop this pathetic act.

Okazaki: [On the verge of tears] L-like, J-Junpei?

Junpei: [Dismissive] Don't call me that, whore. None of you call me that anymore.

Okazaki: [Crying] N-nn...

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] Ya better apologise for that, ya motherfucker!

Junpei: [Enigmatic smile] I don't think I will, actually. She deserves it.

[Nostalgic] Junpei... it was never the name I wanted to use...

[Cruel smile] So meaningless. So devoid of power. Of intimidation.

Minami: [Sweating] So... it's true, then...

Junpei: [Gentle smile] Yes... it is.

I am an agent of Monokuma. I have been working against you all.

Hagino: [Distressed] B-but... why?

Junpei: [Arms either side, grinning] Might makes right. And Monokuma is the most powerful force on the planet.

Noguchi: [Deeply concerned, looking down] M-might makes... right...

Akutagawa: [Sweating, grimacing] Th-the power of Monokuma? Classmate Enoshima... what do you mean...?

Junpei: [Neutral] You see... nothing mattered before Monokuma, and nothing will matter when he is gone.

[Cruel smile] For this soul-crushing, nihilistic reason, I betrayed you all.

How does that make you feel? Hurt? Angry?

[Baring teeth] ...Despairing?

Okazaki: [Crying] ...You, like, tried to kill me?

Junpei: [Cruel smile] And I would again.

I would kill any one of you. All of you. For fun.

The only thing that stops me is that Monokuma forbids it.

Monokuma: Aw, shucks... You're making me blush!

[OST: None]

Junpei: [Dismissive] But I'm getting ahead of myself. I think I should give an introduction.

For the real me.

Washio: [In tears] U-um... then who, ah... are you...?

[OST: Iso no Kaori no Dead End]

Enoshima: [Smug smile] My name is Junpei Enoshima. My preferred name is Enoshima.

My talent is Ultimate Lucky Student. My preferred talent...

[Cruel smile] ...is Ultimate Despair.