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

With that said, please enjoy!

This was a pain to write - not because of the mystery (though that certainly didn't help matters) but because I'm astronomically busy at this time in my life. Updates are definitely slowing down from now on.

Part Two of the class trial is here!

Chapter Text

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Okazaki: [Panicking] Like... WHAAAAAAT!?

Chiba: [Exasperated] You... you've gotta be kidding!

Minami: [Surprised] Oh God... your arm, Muramoto...!

Junpei: [Startled] Y-you mean... someone attacked you? With that h-hammer?

Muramoto: [Rubbing forearm] Indeed. T'was quite painful, as you can imagine.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] You're... going to be OK, right?

Muramoto: I have shrugged off wounds of far more severity. Fret not, Miss Takanashi.

[Arms crossed] Though of course, t'will be some time before I can draw a bow again.

Minami: [Sweating] H-how is he being so calm about this?

Hagino: [Concerned] Why didn't you say something before, Muramoto?

Muramoto: In what way?

Matsuoka: [Sighing] If you'd just told us you were injured at the morning meeting...

Muramoto: I was waiting for all my fellows to make their entrance.

This way, I would be able to confront my attacker head-on.

Alas, due to Miss Degawa's vile slaying, t'was not to be.

Noguchi: [Smirk] I'm genuinely impressed. Very cunning, Muramoto.

But you've just proved your guilt. As Minami said, the hammer must have been used on the killer.

Muramoto: Hold your tongue, fiend. I am not yet through my explanation.

NONSTOP DEBATE!

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

Truth Bullets: Hammer, Handwritten Note, Washio's Testimony, Bloodstain on Floor

Muramoto: Undoubtedly you question my innocence following such a revelation.

However, I believe I was wounded before Degawa was murdered .

Urayama: [Arms folded] Do you have any proof?

Muramoto: As of yet, no. However...

I intend to provide my anecdote. I'm sure someone can corroborate my version.

Fujihara: [Exasperated] Nobody's stopping you, you know...

Muramoto: The fact of the matter is, I was ambushed outside the Medical Room .

[Rubbing forearm] That infernal claw hammer pierced into my forearm. So distracted was I by my agony, I could not see my assailant's face.

Tamura: [Angry] 'Course ya fuckin' couldn't! That'd make things too easy on us!

Muramoto: If I may continue...

Once I registered I was under attack, I sought refuge in the Medical Room.

Chiba: [Frowning] This is sounding fishy...

Mai: [Head tilted] Yeah... I mean, no offense, Yoto, but...

I don't think there's a reason you were even in the Green Hallway to begin with!

Akutagawa: [Posing] On top of that! There's no reason for your attacker to give up!

Muramoto: Think what you want. I merely speak the truth.

Minami: [Thinking] Hmm... Muramoto's been pretty trustworthy so far...

I don't think he'd reveal this unless he really didn't do it.

Now, how do I go about proving that to everyone else?

Answer: E2, S5

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Explaining] Actually, Mai... I think there's a pretty good reason for Muramoto to be in the Green Hallway.

Mai: [Excited] Really? What is it, Hanni? Tell me tell me tell me!

Noguchi: [Irritated] For God's sake, do it. Before we all go deaf.

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Neutral] Well... Okazaki found this note in the Cafeteria.

Muramoto: [Looking away] ...She found it, hm?

Matsuoka: [Intrigued] A note? What's it say?

Minami: [Thinking] It says...

"We need to talk re. the hostages. I have a plan. Meet me outside the Medical Room tonight."

[Serious] And it's signed by Degawa.

Junpei: [Surprised] Y-you're kidding! So... the reason Muramoto was in the Green Hallway was...

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Because Degawa asked him to go there. Yes, this makes sense.

Muramoto: [Arms crossed] She slipped the note into my coat pocket yesterday.

From memory, t'was at the evensong meeting, as we all make bunk.

So I waited til all others had left the Cafeteria before abandoning the note there.

Following this, I advanced to the Green Hallway, where I was assaulted.

Minami: [Thinking] So... Given that, I think...

We all know who it was that attacked Muramoto.

Muramoto: [Eyes shut] Indeed. Though I did not see their face...

[Eyes open] I am sure it could be none other than Miss Degawa herself.

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Fujihara: [Pointing] Hold on for just one moment!

So Degawa tried to kill you? I think you're lying!

Minami: [Confused] You do?

Urayama: [Irritated] Why? The theory makes perfect sense!

Fujihara: [Explaining] Listen, I just want to make absolutely sure.

I mean, we just proved that the killer was the one who got wounded, right?

[Thinking] So Muramoto's story sounds a little fishy - no offense.

Muramoto: None taken.

Fujihara: I say we just check over this one more time.

[Smiling nervously] I mean... our lives are on the line, right?

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Seems a good choice to me.

Akutagawa: [Pointing] Indeed! I believe we must debate on this once more!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

[OST: Discussion -B SIDE-]

Truth Bullets: Handwritten Note, Bloody Towel, Washio's Testimony, Bloodstain on Bed

Fujihara: [Thinking] I'm still not sure that Degawa tried to kill Muramoto.

Noguchi: [Irritated] Honestly, how asinine can you be?

Hagino: [Serious] Fujihara, if you recall...

...the hammer was found in Degawa's room following the murder.

Mai: [Head tilted] Yeah, that's right! I don't get what the problem is, Hira!

Fujihara: [Smiling] You're all right. The hammer was definitely there after the murder.

[Pointing] But there's no way to prove that it was there BEFORE the murder, too!

Akutagawa: [Taken aback] That's... that's true!

Washio: [Eyes averted] Um... he, uh, has a point...

Chiba: [Thinking] What about the note Muramoto was given?

Fujihara: [Grinning] It could easily have been planted there after the fact - you know, false evidence!

[Slamming fist into palm] All you'd need is someone who can copy Degawa's writing , and boom!

Takanashi: [Biting brush] ...H-hey!

Why are you all looking at me like that!?

Minami: [Thinking] On the surface, Fujihara's theory is pretty sound...

But I know that there's a flaw in there somewhere!

Answer: E4, S3

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Serious] Fujihara... we investigated together. I'm surprised you forgot this...

[Determined] ...but there's definitely something which proves the hammer was in Degawa's room before the murder.

Fujihara: [Exasperated] H-hey... Don't say it like that... Makes me sound like a failure...

Noguchi: [Smirk] You are.

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] The fuck d'ya just say, bird boy?

Matsuoka: [Exasperated] ...Tell us before a fight breaks out, please, Minami.

Minami: [Surprised] Oh, right! Well...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Thinking] It's this bloodstain - the one on Degawa's bed.

Fujihara: [Confused] Huh? That little thing? What about it?

Minami: [Explaining] Think about it. It kinda looks like something was dropped onto the bed.

Something bloody.

Tamura: [Grinning] Oh, I getcha! The hammer! You're sayin' that Degawa dropped the hammer in the bed!

Chiba: [Smiling half-heartedly] It would explain the blood, I guess.

Matsuoka: [Thinking] Hmm...

Fujihara: [Sighing] Damn. So much for that theory...

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Not quite.

Minami: [Surprised] Matsuoka?

Matsuoka: It may not be my theory originally, Minami...

[Grinning cockily] ...but I see a flaw in your rebuttal!

[Pointing] You should know how much it devalues your argument!

REBUTTAL SHOWDOWN!

[OST: Rebuttal -CROSS SWORD-]

Truth Bullets: Bloodstain on Bed, Hammer, Bloodstain on Floor

Matsuoka: There's a pretty big flaw in your argument, Minami.

Minami: Which is?

Matsuoka: [Thinking] You claim that the blood on the bed proves Degawa attacked Muramoto with the hammer.

That's all well and good.

Minami: ...Then why are you arguing with me?

Matsuoka: [Grinning cockily] Because there's no way to prove whose blood it is!

Minami: ...Ah.

Matsuoka: [Serious] For all we know, it's Degawa's own blood.

Minami: B-but... what about the hammer? That's what caused the bloodstain!

Matsuoka: [Shrugging] I'll concede that the hammer was most likely dropped there...

[Pointing] ...but there's nothing that shows that it was dropped there before Degawa was killed!

Minami: Damn it! He's got a really good point!

Think, Minami, think! There's got to be something to prove my argument!

Answer: E2, S2

Minami: I'll cut that claim to pieces!

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Determined] Sorry, Matsuoka. But I can prove the hammer was dropped there before the murder.

Matsuoka: [Serious] How so?

Minami: Simple. With the hammer itself.

Akutagawa: [Pointing] I don't follow! Minami! Explain now!

Minami: [Thinking] It's not so much the hammer that's important...

...it's where we found it.

Noguchi: [Arms crossed] We found it in Degawa's room, correct?

Minami: Right. We found it...

[Confident smile] ...on the floor.

Matsuoka: [Shaken] ...Oh.

Fujihara: [Scratching back of neck] I don't quite get it. What do you mean, Minami?

Minami: [Thinking] Matsuoka admitted that the hammer had been on the bed at some point, leaving the blood.

[Explaining] But there would be no reason for a killer to move it again after putting it down.

[Pointing] So it must have been placed there before the murder!

Matsuoka: [Smiling coyly] ...Got me. Well played, Minami.

Urayama: [Arms crossed] I take it we all agree that Degawa attacked Muramoto, then?

Muramoto: I am glad we have reached this conclusion.

Takanashi: [Surprised] Wait!

...

[Biting brush] There's still one more question to be answered, I mean.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Oh? What is it, Takanashi?

Mai: [Excited] Yeah! Umi's gonna give us a super question!

Takanashi: [Smiling shyly] Um... thanks, Mai...

It's a small question, I mean, but...

Junpei: [Agitated] J-just say it already!

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Alright...

...

Why did Degawa give up?

Minami: [Confused] ...What?

Takanashi: [Fiddling with hair] I mean, she had Muramoto on the ropes, right?

Why did she give up?

Okazaki: [Sweating] Like... you don't mean...?

Muramoto: I did not kill Miss Degawa, if that is what you aim at.

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] Then why did she stop trying to kill you?

Minami: [Thinking] ...

...I think I know why.

Washio: [Looking away] You, um... you really do, huh...

Minami: [Smiling awkwardly] Yes, I do! It's... it's right on the tip of my tongue!

[Sweating] Come on! Why do I have to do all the hard work in this trial?

[Thinking] OK, let me see... Why would Degawa give up?

HANGMAN'S GAMBIT!

[OST: ANAGRAM.NET]

Why would Degawa give up on killing Muramoto?

D W G N O I O S M

Answer: MOOD SWING

Minami: Everything's falling into place!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Tamura: [Grinning] Yo, Minami! Ya figure it out?

Minami: [Neutral] Yes, I have. The reason Degawa didn't murder Muramoto...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Confident smile] ...is her personality.

Muramoto: ...Ah, I believe I understand.

Mai: [Waving hand in the air] Lost over here! Can someone please tell me?

Minami: [Explaining] One of Degawa's most notable traits was that she had pretty wild mood swings.

Chiba: [Nodding] That's right. I had that big fight with her...

...and she seemed really cut up about it afterwards.

Hagino: Yes, I remember her apologising in the morning meeting.

[Cut to a greyscale flashback of Degawa in the Cafeteria.]

Degawa: [Sheepish] I need t'apologise to y'all.

I ain't really been nice this whole time, an' I didn't want yer ta think that I was jus' some mean bitch.

So I'm sorry, OK?

[Back to Courtroom. The camera focuses on Degawa's picture.]

Minami: [Offscreen] She must have had a change of heart...

...realised what she was doing was wrong...

...and gone back to her room.

Muramoto: [Eyes shut] ...Truly tragic...

Okazaki: [Wringing hands] Well, like, anyway...

...we know why she ran away now, right?

Urayama: [Arms crossed] Yes, we do. But I still have some questions myself.

Namely, about the hammer.

Akutagawa: [Posing] Go ahead, classmate Urayama!

Urayama: It isn't much, I admit...

...but I want to know who took it from the Incinerator Room.

Chiba: [Shrugging] Not too tricky. I mean, it has to have been Degawa, right?

Mai: [Cheerful] Right! That's super right!

I mean, she was the only one here who was planning to kill someone, right?

[OST: None]

Noguchi: [Smirk] Hah! You poor naive fool.

Muramoto: [Staring] What now, fiend? You wish to confess your crimes?

Noguchi: Oh, it's fairly obvious that I've been planning murder.

But there's still one other person here who had intent.

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Noguchi: [Smirk] Right, Minami?

Minami: [Surprised] H-huh?

He's... he's not!

[Smiling awkwardly] You're kidding, right, Noguchi?

Noguchi: [Smirk] You'd like the others to think that, wouldn't you?

[Cruel grin] But I was there when you stole the knife from the Kitchen.

Matsuoka: [Stunned, sweating] W-what?

Junpei: [Shocked] Y-you're kidding! Minami stole a knife!?

Hagino: [Incredulous] Minami... is this true?

Minami: [Smiling awkwardly] N-no! Of course it's not true!

Washio: [Eyes shut, tense] Minami... um, you should probably stop lying...

Minami: [Surprised] W-Washio?

Washio: [Eyes averted] After you were, um, acting so strange yesterday...

...I, uh, I followed you to the Kitchen and hid...

I saw you, um... talking with Noguchi...

And I saw you take the knife...

Minami: [Waving hands] N-no! Wait! Hang on!

Washio: [Reluctantly looking up] You, um... you hid it in the chips packet...

Okazaki: [Wringing hands] Y-you mean, like, when she gave me that lemonade, she was...

[Panicking] NO WAAAAAAAY!

Fujihara: [Eyes shut] Minami... Now that we know all this...

[Serious] I don't think we can trust your theories anymore...

Minami: [Desperate, sweating] Wait a minute! Guys! Please just listen to me!

Urayama: [Asking] Given that she clearly had intent to kill...

...do you think that Minami did it?

[OST: None]

Muramoto: [Enraged] All of you, be silent!

Chiba: [Shaken] ...

Mai: [Stunned] ...

Noguchi: [Cold glare] ...What are you doing, samurai? Have you got a crush on her or something?

Muramoto: [Eyes shut, arms folded] ...Miss Minami afforded me the chance to defend myself.

Furthermore, she aimed to prove that I was not blackened.

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Muramoto: [Staring] These do not sound the actions of a killer to me.

Minami: [In tears] M-Muramoto...

Muramoto: At least let us debate the matter. Miss Minami deserves that much, at least.

Hagino: [Serious] ...I agree.

We cannot risk all our lives on a hunch. We need to talk this through.

Junpei: [Determined] Y-yeah! If not for Minami...

...then for our own lives!

Minami: [Wiping eyes] ...Thank you... everyone...

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] Then it is settled! The next matter of debate shall be classmate Minami's guilt!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

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

Truth Bullets: Chiba's Testimony, Degawa's ElectroID, Bloodstain on Door, Washio's Testimony, Cabinets

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Alright. Let's review the evidence against Minami which we have.

Urayama: For starters, her room is in the same hallway as Degawa's.

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] That's not strong enough evidence. I mean...

... Muramoto was in the Green Hallway too that night , and that's just people we know about.

Muramoto: Indeed. You cannot condemn Miss Minami on evidence so flimsy.

Noguchi: [Smirk] How about this, then? The knife she stole from the Kitchen.

[Pointing] That clearly shows she had intent to murder.

Matsuoka: [Resting hand on chin] That's true... But she didn't end up using the knife.

Urayama: [Arms crossed] It doesn't matter. The fact that she had one shows she was willing to kill.

Mai: [Mock anger] But then why would Hanni use the hammer? That doesn't make sense, Suma!

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] M-maybe it was more convenient to use the hammer...

Tamura: [Scratching head] I guess. I mean, think 'bout it.

[Explaining] What's easier: stabbin' someone in the right place ta kill 'em, or just smackin' 'em on the head?

Fujihara: [Hand on chin in thought] And for a motive, she said she was worried about her brother...

Okazaki: [Looking down] Like, from where I'm standing...

...it sounds pretty, like, solid against Minami...

Minami: [Sweating, terrified] This is... unbearable! They all really think I did it!

I've never been so terrified in my life...

I have to prove them wrong! I have to clear my name!

Answer: E4, S6

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Looking away] Sorry, Junpei, but...

[Pointing] ...there's no way it'd be more convenient for me to use the hammer!

Noguchi: What makes you so sure?

Minami: That's easy to explain.

[Thinking] Think about where the hammer was before it was stolen.

Washio: [Reluctantly looking up] U-um... it was in the, uh, Incinerator Room...

Urayama: So?

Minami: [Explaining] Chiba's really the only person who goes to the Incinerator Room. It's the least visited place on the floor.

[Thinking] So... if I already had the hammer, why would I risk getting caught...

[Pointing] ...stealing a knife from the Kitchen, which almost everyone visits daily?

Chiba: [Shrugging] I guess that doesn't make sense, huh...

Muramoto: [Arms crossed] Indeed. T'would be of little value to you.

Fujihara: [Scratching neck] So... that's it, huh? We've all given up on her being the killer?

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Noguchi: [Cold glare] Not yet. There's still one small detail we need to address.

Namely, why didn't you say anything this morning?

Minami: [Confused] ...Huh?

Matsuoka: [Serious] What do you mean?

Noguchi: [Smirk] This morning, you were in prime position to see the blood in the Green Hallway.

But you never said a thing about it. It was Chiba who screamed and alerted us.

Hagino: [Covering mouth, gasping] Indeed, this is true...!

Chiba: [Shaken] Y-yeah, that's right! I... I woke up, looked around and there it was!

Takanashi: [Biting brush] But... Minami didn't say anything about it...

Noguchi: [Smirk] See my point?

[Pointing] Unless you were the killer, there's no reason you wouldn't mention the blood!

[OST: None]

Minami: [Surprised] ...What did you... just say?

Noguchi: [Smirking] Playing deaf won't save your miserable skin.

[Arms crossed, grinning cruelly] I said that if you weren't the blackened, there would be no reason for you to not mention the blood.

Okazaki: [Nervous] He... like, he has a point...

Minami: [Thinking] ...

"If you weren't the blackened..."

Mai: [Nervous] Hanni? You're not... going to say you did it, are you?

Minami: [Neutral] ...No.

[OST: Living to the Fullest]

Minami: [Serious] But I know who did.

Fujihara: [Surprised] W-what? You seriously know who the blackened is?

Akutagawa: [Sweating] Do not leave us in suspense, classmate Minami!

Tamura: [Furious] Who is it? Who's the fucker that killed Degawa!?

Minami: [Thinking] Now that I'm thinking about it from a new angle...

[Determined] ...there's only one person it could be!