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

With all that out of the way, the chapter! The class trial continues, with Ultimate Despair revealed, and the students grasping at straws. Will they find Matsuoka's killer in time? Find out, right now, by reading the chapter, which you clicked on!

Life has been especially crazy for me right now. Exams, travel, Danganronpa 3 news, trying to get a job, and a whole bunch of other issues. However, I can provide two pieces of good news: I'm on holidays right now; and I have adjusted to uni life, and know when I have time to write. So! I'm intending this chapter to be a return to a more consistent posting schedule. I am so, so sorry that I slipped for so long, and I can only hope that this chapter can make up for that absence - at least, in part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-x2Il9QXuA The Raz is not deeeeeeeeeeeead! I'm so glad the Raz is not dead!

Chapter Text

[OST: Iso no Kaori no Dead End]

Tamura: [Stunned] I... I still don't fuckin' believe this!

[Gritting teeth] Ya mean ta tell me that outta everyone here, that Ultimate Despair guy's...

Enoshima: [Smug smile] That's right. I am, and always have been, Ultimate Despair.

Noguchi: [Angry] But... why?

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] The why is simple. I love my cousin more than anything else in this miserable world.

Chiba: [Sweating] And... by "cousin", you mean... Junko Enoshima?

Enoshima: [Smug smile] The one and only, of course.

[Enigmatic smile] Think about her actions for a moment. Really think about them.

[Arms either side, grinning] She is the single most important human being that there has ever been. And do you know why?

It's not because of her actions. It's because she was entirely honest about her aims.

Hagino: [Face grown pale, scared] Do we... want to know what you mean by "honest"...?

Enoshima: [Smug smile] All of the great leaders in history have had messages which contradict their human natures.

[Nostalgic] Jesus Christ spread a message of love, but threw the traders from temples and cursed trees to die.

Gandhi expressed feelings of tolerance, but was deeply racist.

[Enigmatic smile] And so on. This is true of every great leader except one - my beautiful cousin.

She alone recognised the flawed nature of the world, and accepted the violence of her human nature.

[Baring teeth] So she didn't try to change the world with love. She just decided to burn it all down, in the name of misery and despair.

It's... poetic, almost. Beautiful.

[Grinning, drooling slightly] As beautiful as her.

Mai: [Horrified] E-ew... EEEEEEEEEEEEW! You're messed up! Your whole idea is messed up!

Enoshima: [Enigmatic smile] People are always resistant to the future...

Akutagawa: [Passionately pointing] Enough about your motive! Tell us now! How did you sneak around as Ultimate Despair?

Enoshima: [Neutral] Oh, that part was simple. I've had the costume since day one.

[Enigmatic smile] As soon as we got access to the second floor - and the broken lockers, I knew I could begin.

First, Monokuma ensured someone would be able to get photographic evidence of me.

Chiba: [Sweating, looking down] That's why... he gave me that camera... and that stupid chestnut...

Noguchi: [Arms crossed, raised eyebrow] Chestnut?

Chiba: [Wincing, looking away] It makes you... do weird things.

Minami: [Irritated] Like try and sneak a photo of the girls while they were having their bath...

Takanashi: [Aghast, glasses slipping] You tried to get a nude shot of us!?

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Takanashi: [Shouting meekly] You... you... PERVERT!

Okazaki: [Freaking out] Like, no way! I was, like, totally done with that kind of thing!

Hagino: [Shocked] This was caused by a chestnut? How... vile!

Tamura: [Enraged] Ya fuckin'... fuckin'... fuckin' shit fuckin' dick!

Akutagawa: [Forcing smile, sweating] Classmates! I want to confirm that I had absolutely no knowledge of the nude photo plan!

[OST: Iso no Kaori no Dead End]

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] Hah hah... see how quickly they turn on you, Chiba?

[Smug smile] They really do hate you... you knew that, right?

Chiba: Eyes squeezed shut, head down] ...

Minami: [Wincing] Crap... I'm sorry, Chiba...

[Thinking] Moving on. You got one of us to photograph you. Then what?

Enoshima: [Neutral] Then I stole the pool cue, levered open Fujihara's locker, and stuffed the costume in there.

[Chuckling softly] It was so easy, really... you people are truly hopeless.

Okazaki: [On the verge of tears] And, then, like, you tried to, like, kill me...!

I... I thought we were, like, friends...

Enoshima: [Cruel smile] We were never friends, whore. I targeted you for one reason only.

You were desperate enough to fall for anyone who claimed he didn't care about your body, or your depraved dancing.

Okazaki: [Crying] ...

Urayama: [Dry stare] Wasn't your beloved cousin a fashion model? As in, someone supposed to wear skimpy outfits and show off their body?

Enoshima: [Spiteful glare] ...It was fine when she did it. She was, after all, perfect.

Washio: [Wringing hands] And you, um... you've been, ah... controlling Monokuma...?

Enoshima: [Baring teeth] Hah! I wish I was that brilliant.

[Dismissive] No... I have as little clue as to the mastermind as the rest of you.

[Grinning, drooling slightly] Whoever they are, though... I love them so much.

Minami: [Wincing, looking away slightly] I... I feel ill...

[OST: None]

Enoshima: [Enigmatic smile] Well then... any more questions, children?

Takanashi: [Gasping] ...Wait! Everyone!

Mai: [Head tilted] Umi? What's up?

Takanashi: [Biting brush] I... don't mean to be rude, but this is a little important...

Chiba: [Frowning] ...What could be more important than this...?

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Takanashi: [Shouting meekly] The class trial!

Okazaki: [Shocked] ...Like, the trial! I totally forgot!

Akutagawa: [Sweating] Here we were, questioning classmate Enoshima...

...and we completely forgot to continue the inquiry into classmate Matsuoka's murder!

Enoshima: [Smug smile] Oops. Did we all realise our little mistake?

[Baring teeth] I wonder how much time you've wasted, asking me questions.

[Looking away] Monokuma? Would you be so gracious as to remind us of what happens if we run out of time?

Monokuma: With pleasure! Upupupu!

Of course, you all know the answer! Everyone gets executed! Won't that be fun?

Urayama: [Scowling] Damn it! This was your plan all along, wasn't it?

Mess around with the crime scene enough to be discovered, so that we all get distracted and fail the trial?

Enoshima: [Dismissive] More or less. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed you didn't figure it out sooner.

[Staring, smiling eerily] And I'm especially disappointed that you didn't figure it out... Minami.

Minami: [Taken aback] M-me?

Enoshima: [Neutral] Yes... I thought so much better of you.

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] Awright, you're gonna shut the fuck up before ya gotta brag through a broken jaw!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Hagino: [Serious] Let's get back on track, everyone. We need to think about what we don't know.

Mai: [Rubbing temples, concentrating] But how do we think about what we don't know? Ooooooh, this is so hard!

Noguchi: [Smirk] Isn't it obvious? We retrace our steps.

Honestly, of all the idiotic questions...

Urayama: [Dry smile] I couldn't agree more.

Tamura: [Scowling] The fuck d'ya call this, stereo assholes?

Minami: [Awkward smile] Well, I hope I'm not an asshole for agreeing...

[Neutral] If we go over everything we've already learned, we should be able to see what we've missed.

[Sweating] ...I hope.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Very well. A review of sorts, then...

[Concerned] We know that Matsuoka didn't commit suicide, for one.

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] Then... we also know that Enoshima carved his chest while he was on the stage...

Enoshima: [Smug smile] It was so... thrilling to do so, you know.

[Grinning, drooling slightly] The feeling of metal cutting into flesh...

Mai: [Clutching stomach, turning green] Urgh... you're making me even more sick...

Akutagawa: [Hand on chin, frowning] But, we were unable to find whether classmate Matsuoka's wounds were inflicted before or after his death...

Minami: [Thinking] Hmm... is there really no way to figure that out...?

...Wait... I got it!

[Explaining] Everyone! I think I know when those wounds were inflicted!

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] Um... really?

Minami: [Grinning confidently] Yeah! It's a pretty simple way to figure it out, too!

Noguchi: [Irritated] ...Well, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us!

Minami: [Awkward smile] Huh? Oh, right... sorry...

[Thinking] When you think about it, there's no way that the wounds could have been inflicted while Matsuoka was alive.

Urayama: [Raised eyebrow] Is that so? Why?

Minami: [Explaining] It's because...

WHY DO THE WOUNDS ON MATSUOKA'S BODY HAVE TO BE INFLICTED AFTER HIS DEATH?

A. Because they would be extremely painful

B. Because of the way the blood fell

C. Because of the weapon used

D. Because I said so

Answer: A

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Explaining] ...because an injury like that would have been extremely painful.

Matsuoka would have been writhing and screaming in pain if he was still alive.

Akutagawa: [Broad grin] ...Ah! I see!

Either classmate Matsuoka's struggling would have prevented the message from being written legibly...

Chiba: [Shrugging] ...Or his screaming would have alerted everyone to what was going on.

Tamura: [Fired up] Awright! We finally figured somethin' out without fuckin' up!

Enoshima: [Smug smile] I could have told you that, you know. You didn't have to guess it.

Hagino: [Frowning] You could have, yes. But I very much doubt you would.

Enoshima: [Chuckling softly] Touche...

Washio: [Eyes averted] Minami's, um... Minami's right, I think...

Especially since, uh... since Muramoto and I would have, ah... been really close to the, um... the... um...

Minami: [Awkward smile] ...The murder.

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] Y-yeah... so...

We would have, um... heard it...

[OST: None]

Muramoto: [Rubbing head] The... murder?

Hagino: [Concerned] Muramoto? Are you okay?

Muramoto: I... I believe I am...

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Muramoto: [Arms folded] ...I believe I am feeling of sound enough mind to discuss the incident.

Mai: [Cheerful] Yaaaaay! Yoto's back!

Akutagawa: [Broad grin] Classmate Muramoto! You've recovered from your injuries?

Muramoto: [Eyes closed] For the most part, I believe.

[Neutral] Mr. Noguchi. I must offer my humblest apologies.

Noguchi: [Raised eyebrow] ...Why is that?

Muramoto: [Eyes closed] I was convinced that the devil in our midst was none other than you.

[Arms folded, staring] Now I see, of course, that there is one far worse than you could ever hope to be.

Noguchi: [Smirk] ...Hmph. Everyone makes mistakes. Except me, of course.

Enoshima: [Grinning, arms either side] Devil? I'm flattered, really...

Muramoto: [Neutral] In any event, I will attempt to recall every detail of today's affairs.

[Eyes closed] The first noteworthy matter I can remember... t'is that Mr. Matsuoka came to me for protection.

Tamura: [Surprised] Say fuckin' what now?

Muramoto: [Neutral] Before our standard meeting, he informed me that he had received a suspicious missive that morning.

He intended to confront its writer on the Stage - the area which had been specified in the message.

[Arms folded] To that end, he requested I stand guard outside, so as to determine his killer, should such an event occur.

Minami: [Taken aback] Matsuoka... knew he was going to be attacked?

[On the verge of tears] I... I don't know what to think about this...

[Determined] ...G-get a hold of yourself, Minami! You can worry about that later!

Chiba: [Hand on chin] So... what happened next?

Muramoto: [Neutral] Most of my guard was without incident.

At one point, Miss Washio came to converse with me. This I distinctly recall.

Washio: [Raising hand Um... yes, I can, uh... I can confirm that, too...

Akutagawa: [Broad grin] Ah, I remember this! Classmate Washio needed to take a break from her personal training.

[Flexing, grinning] I recommended she try to strike up conversation with another classmate, so as to improve her social skills!

[Pointing passionately] I am happy to report that she was more willing than usual to talk with others!

Washio: [Startled] Stop... stop embarrassing me...!

Muramoto: [Neutral] We had a minor discussion, the specifics of which I am regrettably unable to report.

In any event, Washio concluded the conversation out of concern that she would be late back to her training.

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, grinning proudly] She was not! Classmate Washio was very well motivated to return to the training session!

Washio: [Blushing, smiling a little] ...Hehe...

Minami: [Thinking] So, um... those things aside, is there anything else you can remember?

Muramoto: [Eyes closed, head bowed slightly] ...

[Neutral] ...Only one thing remains in my mind.

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] Care to share it?

Muramoto: After our conversation, I saw Miss Washio enter a room. However...

[OST: Class Trial Future Edition]

Muramoto: [Arms folded] I do not believe it was the entrance to the Gym.

Okazaki: [Confused] L-like... what? I thought that, like, she went straight back to the, like, Gym...

Mai: [Head tilted] But, then... where did Tsushi go?

Chiba: [Shrugging] ...We could just ask her, you know...

Washio: [Startled] I... nowhere!

[Wringing hands] I, um... I didn't go anywhere...

Akutagawa: [Disconcerted] ...

Washio: [Tearing up] ...I...

[Eyes averted] ...Okay, maybe, uh, I did...

Minami: [Stunned] But... you told me you went straight back to the Gym!

Washio: [Tearing up] I... I...

[Crying, wiping eyes] ...I lied... I'm... sorry...!

Takanashi: [Covering mouth, shocked] Oh, wow...

Enoshima: [Smug smile] Hah! Even the most seemingly-innocent of you has darkness in her heart.

Tamura: [Sweating] But... why would ya lie!? I don't fuckin' get it!

Washio: [Wringing hands] It, uh... it wasn't important at all, so I... I...

[Crying, wiping eyes] ...I'm sorry...! I'm so sorry...!

Akutagawa: [Looking down] ...

Hagino: [Concerned] Are you alright, Akutagawa?

Akutagawa: ...Yes, I...

[Neutral] ...I am just... a little shocked. I will be fine.

Noguchi: [Glare] So, where did you actually go?

Washio: [Eyes averted] The, um... the Music Room...

Okazaki: [Confused] ...Like, why would you ever go there?

That, like, doesn't make any sense...

Chiba: [Bored] Maybe this is worth discussing some more...

Akutagawa: [Eyes closed, head down] ...

Mai: [Sad] ...Uh, Daiwa? You okay?

Usually this is where you give a big motivational speech or something...

Akutagawa: [Neutral] ...Yes, of course. Ahem!

[Pointing passionately] Classmates! Let us pursue the investigation into the Music Room, and get closer to the truth behind the terrible killer of classmate Matsuoka!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

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

Truth Bullets: Rope, Urayama's Testimony, CDs, Okazaki's Testimony, Partygoers' Shoes, Matsuoka's ElectroID

Chiba: [Looking away slightly] So, I guess we can get the obvious guess out of the way...

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] And that is...?

Urayama: [Dry smile] Use your brain. It's that dear little Washio is the murderer.

Akutagawa: [Enraged] Impossible! I refuse to even consider that as a possibility!

Urayama: [Dry stare] Think it through, though. She may have slipped into the Music Room to conceal some evidence.

[Fiddling with hair] Nobody would think to look there, seeing as nobody really goes there anyway.

Washio: [On the verge of tears] Ah... I... no, I...!

Tamura: [Scowling] Get fucked, ya statue shit!

Urayama: [Dry smile] Ooh, insults from the girl with more muscles than brain cells. I'm shaking in my boots.

Hagino: [Sighing] Everyone just calm down a little...

Okazaki: [Shouting] Like, for all we know, you're the killer, Urayama!

[Pouting] And, like, um... Washio, like, had to meet you in the Music Room, or something!

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] Oh, really? On what grounds would you say that?

Muramoto: [Rubbing head] I am not too confident on the details of the sordid affair, so I may be incorrect. Regardless...

[Neutral] ... Mr. Urayama has yet to reveal his location for the duration of the killing , correct?

Enoshima: [Enigmatic smile] Ah, you're all fighting... how wonderful.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Can we please try and avoid giving Enoshima any satisfaction in this...?

Mai: [Head tilted] Sooooooo... what if we're missing the big solution cuz it's right in front of our big noses?

Noguchi: [Arms folded, looking away slightly] Which would be?

Mai: [Smiling] That whatever Tsushi was doing really IS unimportant?

Noguchi: [Smirk] Oh, please... is this really an option worth considering?

[Pointing] It must be important - otherwise she wouldn't have tried to conceal it.

Mai: [Sad] Well... I guess so...

Minami: [Sweating] This is quickly turning into the blame game...

Everyone's just insulting everyone else at this point...

[Determined] I have to try and get everyone to focus by finding the truth!

Answer: E3, S6

Minami: I agree!

[OST: None]

Noguchi: [Frowning] Wait... what?

You... you really think that it was totally unimportant?

Minami: [Exasperated] Ooh boy, they're gonna LOVE me for this answer...

[Neutral] ...Yes, I do.

Chiba: [Shrugging] ...You know, Minami, usually when you shout out in the middle of a debate, you actually say something that helps us.

Minami: [Awkward smile] I know.

Okazaki: [Pouting] Except, like, this time, you, like, want us to totally forget this whole, like, debate...?

Minami: [Wincing] I know.

Hagino: [Concerned] ...Do you need some more time to think of something else?

Minami: [Exasperated] What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?

[Neutral] ...No, I'm okay. I can prove that it's irrelevant.

Urayama: [Fiddling with hair] This better be good.

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Thinking] Mai... remember before, you told me about those CDs?

Mai: [Head tilted] CDs?

[Shouting] ...Oooooooooooooooh... THOSE CDs!

Akutagawa: [Confused] Which CDs?

Mai: [Cheerful] Those CDs! Like I said!

Minami: [Thinking] Mai told me before that...

...she noticed that a few of the CDs in the Music Room had been rearranged a little.

Noguchi: [Scowling] ...You're joking.

Washio: [Eyes averted] Ah... no, that's, um...

[Looking up reluctantly] ...She's right...

I went into the Music Room, uh... to look at the CDs...

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Urayama: [Dry stare] ...So we're going to die, then.

Tamura: [Hitting own head] ...God fuckin' dammit! We've just been wastin' even more fuckin' time! Fuck!

Chiba: [Bored] This trial is like an endless loop of the universe hating us.

Muramoto: [Eyes closed] At least there was no nefarious intent behind Miss Washio's actions...

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Hagino: [Serious] If I might ask, Washio, why did you decide to look at the CDs?

Washio: [Startled] Oh, I, uh...

[Looking up reluctantly] I saw one on the, um... on the ground in the Hallway, so I, uh...

I went to put it back in the, ah... in the right place...

Hagino: [Confused] On the ground?

Washio: [Eyes averted] Um, yeah...

[Flash to a greyscale image of Washio in the Central Lounge. A small square CD case is poking out from under the door that leads Backstage. Washio is looking at it with interest and confusion.]

Washio: It was sort of, uh... poking out from, um... from under the door Backstage...

I thought that maybe, um, someone had left it there after the, uh... the cabaret show...

So I, um... took it back to the Music Room...

[Flash back to the Courtroom.]

[OST: None]

Minami: [Thinking] ...I don't know exactly what, but...

There's something about this that seems really, REALLY suspicious...

...If I'm on the right track, then this whole trial might just be solved...

[Neutral] Washio... mind if I ask about the CD a bit more?

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] Um... I don't, uh, see why, but, um... okay...?

Noguchi: [Eyes narrowed] Where are you going with this?

Minami: [Awkward smile] Don't worry... it's just one question.

I mean, it's not like it isn't worth a try, right?

Noguchi: [Looking away] ...Hmph!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Thinking] I think I know the artist who sang on the CD. Can I try and guess it?

Hagino: [Hand on chin, frowning] You can really guess that...?

Tamura: [Grinning] Man, Minami, what are ya, some kinda music genius type girl?

Minami: [Determined] If I'm right about who is on the CD...

...then this whole trial might start falling into place!

HANGMAN'S GAMBIT!

[OST: ANAGRAM.NET]

Who is the singer on the CD Washio picked up?

M A N S Y O K A A Z I A O

Answer: SAYAKA MAIZONO

Minami: Everything's falling into place!

[OST: None]

Minami: [Gesturing] That singer... it wouldn't happen to have been Sayaka Maizono, would it?

Washio: [Startled] Ah...! Yeah, um... actually, ah, it was...

Mai: [In awe] Wow! Hanni is like, super psychic or something!

Hagino: [Surprised] How on earth could you have guessed such a thing, Minami?

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

Somehow, with that one question, I feel like I've gone from knowing absolutely nothing about this murder...

...to being able to work out the whole thing...!

[Eyes closed] If I'm right... I don't think anyone will be happy with the results, but...

[Determined] ...I have to at least try...!

...I think...

[OST: Living To The Fullest]

Minami: ...I know who the blackened is.

Urayama: [Stunned] E-excuse me?

Chiba: [Sweating] From that one question... you figured out the killer? This has to be a joke...

Akutagawa: [Neutral] ...I think we should listen to classmate Minami's idea.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Well... we're totally out of other options...

Noguchi: [Smirk] Alright, then, Minami.

Since you're apparently intent on taking this whole trial over...

...let's hear what you've got.

[Glare] Who is the blackened?

Minami: [Thinking] Based on what we just heard...

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

ACCUSE A SUSPECT!