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

Anyway! The Class Trial! Intrigue, murder, accusations and, uh... concussions await!

I'm sorry for the gap between updates. Call me boring, but I think getting used to uni life is a wee bit more important than writing fan fiction. Either way, now that I have a routine down-pat for my classes, I can get back into the swing of things, and hopefully be a bit more regular with updates.

Chapter Text

LET THE CLASS TRIAL BEGIN!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

[We fade in to a Courtroom, decked out with fluorescent green and yellow tiles forming a chessboard pattern. The walls are a sickly lime green, and purple curtains line the top of the walls. Monokuma sits atop a dark red velvet throne, which almost resembles an extravagant high chair for a child. The surviving students stand behind polished wood witness stands.]

Monokuma: Welcome, one and all, to the Courtroom!

Urayama: [Raised eyebrow] ...We know it's the Courtroom. We've been here before.

Monokuma: Have you really? Hmm... my memory isn't what it used to be...

Tamura: [Scratching head] Ya sure we been here before? This doesn't look like the way I remember it...

Takanashi: [Smiling sheepishly] I'm... pretty sure it's just because of the new decor...

Noguchi: [Serious] Are we going to stand around discussing the wallpaper all day, or are we going to talk about the murder?

Akutagawa: [Arms akimbo, determined] Of course, we must find the foul perpetrator behind the death of classmate Matsuoka!

Okazaki: [Pouting] But, like, how are we gonna do that?

Muramoto's, like, totally out of it, for one...

Muramoto: [Dazed, clutching forehead] My name is Ken Kokyo, I live down in Tokyo...

Okazaki: [Worried] ...So, like, we don't have any witnesses, or any things like that, right?

Hagino: [Serious] Well... that's not strictly true.

We do have the Monokuma File... and it was one of the most important tools we had last time.

Mai: [Distressed] So, we're just gonna jump straight to the body? That's super unfun, you guys...

Can't we talk about... kitty cats, or something else that's nicer first?

Urayama: [Dry stare] We don't have the time... and I hardly think "kitty cats" are relevant.

Mai: [Forcing a smile] You never know! Maybe the blackened is a kitty cat!

Junpei: [Sighing] ...L-let's just get started...

Minami: [Looking away] Ugh... being back in this room brings back the worst memories...

Like what happens at the end if we succeed...

[Eyes squeezed shut] ...and what happens at the end if we fail...!

[Determined] ...If I think like that, I'll never be able to concentrate on the trial! I've got to give it everything I've got!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

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

Truth Bullets: Monokuma File, Piece of Pool Cue, Chiba's Testimony, Muramoto's Injuries

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] First order of business! The body of our classmate!

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] Um... the Monokuma File says, uh... Matsuoka was... asphyxiated...

Hagino: [Sighing] What a truly awful way to die...

Urayama: [Serious] The point isn't how horrible the death was. The point is...

[In thought] ...how did he end up asphyxiating?

Tamura: [Smug grin] Well, I dunno about what ya all think, but I reckon it was the rope that did it!

[Fired up] Just lash it 'round the poor bastard's neck an' choke 'em!

Takanashi: [Smiling sheepishly] That much seems obvious...

[Biting brush] ...But, how did the rope get around his neck to begin with?

Mai: [Dismal] Well, I really didn't wanna say it...

...but maybe he, you know...

...did it himself?

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] I-it isn't a nice thought, but...

...I mean, he was p-pretty out of it over the last few days...

Hagino: [Frowning] Suicide? ...I suppose it could be true...

Minami: [Hand on chin] Could it be true? Could Matsuoka have killed himself?

[Neutral] ...No. I'm sure I have evidence to disprove that. I must!

Answer: E3, S3

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Hand on chin] Sorry, Mai, but I don't think that Matsuoka committed suicide.

Mai: [Head tilted] Really? How can you be sure, though?

Minami: [Explaining] Well, I was told by...

Chiba: [Looking down dejectedly] ...

Urayama: [Raised eyebrow] ...By who?

Minami: [Looking away] ...By someone who I would rather not say the name of...

[Neutral] ...that the knot around Matsuoka's neck is not a noose.

Chiba: [Bored] ...And if it isn't a noose, then it isn't suicide.

Noguchi: What makes you so sure about that?

Chiba: ...Nooses close when weight is applied to them. It's why they're used for hanging.

To tie a knot, that isn't a noose, so hard that you asphyxiate... would be pretty hard.

[Looking down dejectedly] To do it while you're bleeding from cuts to the chest? That's just impossible.

Hagino: [Sympathetic] ...How do you know this?

Chiba: [Shrugging] Trapeze acts. I know a lot of knots.

Minami: [Guilty] I'm sorry I put you in the spotlight like that, Chiba...

Chiba: [Neutral] ...Anyway. It wasn't a noose, so it wasn't suicide. That's how I see it.

Tamura: [Scratching head] Okay, so we got that one outta the way...

...but at the same time, now we got another point ta argue, don't we?

Takanashi: [Confused] ...Another point?

Tamura: [Irritated] Isn't it obvious? I'm talkin' 'bout those big slashes all over Matsuoka's chest!

NONSTOP DEBATE!

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

Truth Bullets: Bloody Pool Cue, Monokuma File, Muramoto's Injuries, Unusual Knife, Matsuoka's Body

Tamura: [Pointing] Okay, so lemme get some stuff figured out!

[Scowling] It wasn't suicide, right, we all got that...

[Scratching head] ...but what's the deal with all the fuckin' cuts on Matsuoka's chest!?

Hagino: [Frowning] Hmm... indeed...

Noguchi: [Neutral] I think it's obvious that Ultimate Despair made those marks.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] R-right... I g-guess that's right...

Urayama: [In thought] But, then... there's another part to this question.

Is there a way to tell whether the cuts were made before the death or after?

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, frowning] Hm! I saw no such evidence in my overview of the body!

Takanashi: [Thinking] Well... the blood spatter is a little unusual...

[Biting brush] ...but, um... sorry, I really don't know what it means...

Chiba: [Shrugging] ...We could be looking at this wrong. Maybe it isn't about proving the time of the cuts.

Okazaki: [Thinking] Uh, so, like... hmm...

[Excited] Oh, I know! Like, maybe there's a way to figure out from where the blood got on the stage?

Noguchi: [Smirk] Takanashi said it herself, airhead. The blood spatter doesn't help at all in determining the location.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] ...I'm sorry, everyone...

Mai: [Smiling sheepishly] Hey, it's okay, Umi... you'll get it next time!

Tamura: [Stunned] Whaddaya "next time"!?

Washio: [Wringing hands] ...This, um... is a little, uh, tricky...

Minami: [Hand on chin] Hmm... it looks like I have two plans of attack here...

Should I try and figure out the time of the blood falling, or the location from which it fell...?

I gotta decide quickly!

Answer: E5, S6

Minami: I agree!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Hand on chin] There's definitely something to prove exactly how that blood got on the stage.

Okazaki: [Beaming] Like, really? Finally! I get something right!

Urayama: [Dry stare] Don't count your chickens. The rest of us still need to hear this solution.

Okazaki: [Pouting] You're just, like, jealous because you didn't help!

Minami: [Awkward smile] Okay, enough, already... Let me say my idea, at least...!

Noguchi: [Neutral] The floor is yours.

Minami: [Hand on chin] So, as Takanashi said, the blood spatter could mean a number of things...

Takanashi: [Biting brush] ...Sorry... I know I'm not very helpful...

Mai: [Excited] No, no, you're doing super!

Minami: [Exasperated] ...Do I get to finish my thought or not?

...Anyway, like I was saying...

[Hand on chin] The blood spatter isn't very helpful.

[OST: Class Trial Strange Edition]

Minami: [Confident smile] But the blood on Matsuoka's chest... that's helpful.

Junpei: [Confused] M-mind explaining?

Minami: [Hand on chin] So, the blood is dripping down his chest from the wounds, naturally...

...I mean, that's what we'd expect, right?

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, grinning] Correct! A hanging body leads to the blood dripping downwards!

Minami: [Gesturing] Okay. But, then... what about the blood that's falling to either side of the wound - down the sides of his torso?

Hagino: [Surprised] Ah? Hmm...

[Thinking] Well, certainly, the blood didn't defy gravity to wrap around his chest...

Washio: [Eyes averted] But, um... in that case...

...uh, how did the blood, um, you know... get there?

Minami: [Arms crossed] Simple. At the time those wounds were made...

[OST: Class Trial Solar Edition]

Minami: [Confident smile] ...Matsuoka was lying on his back.

Junpei: [Stunned] ...N-no way! You can r-really tell that!?

Okazaki: [In awe] Wow... like, how come I didn't think of that?

Noguchi: [Smirk] Because you're an airhead. It's simple, if you think about it.

[Neutral] There is a large pool of blood on the stage, correct? More so than if the body was cut while hanging up at the catwalk.

This, in conjunction with the blood's flow across Matsuoka's chest...

[Smirk] ...it's child's play, really.

Tamura: [Irritated] If it's really oh so fuckin' easy, how come ya didn't say anythin' 'bout it!?

Noguchi: [Cruel grin] It's no fun if I do all the work, of course.

Minami: [Irritated] So instead, you leave it all to be done by me... thanks a lot.

[OST: When You Wish For Execution...]

Chiba: [Looking away dejectedly] ...We haven't really made any progress at all.

Akutagawa: [Confused] Eh? But, we've been talking at some length now...

What makes you say such a thing, classmate Chiba?

Chiba: [Staring despairingly] Think about it. All we know for sure right now is that Matsuoka was wounded on the stage.

That doesn't help at all.

It doesn't tell us the time of death. It doesn't tell us whether he was wounded before or after the murder.

It doesn't lead us any closer to the truth.

[Looking away dejectedly]This whole trial is hopeless. We should just give up...

Tamura: [Stunned] Hey! What gives with the sudden negativity, anyway?

Chiba: ...Just speaking my mind.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] ...

[OST: Class Trial Turbulent Edition]

Junpei: [Darkened expression] Th-that sounds like something Ultimate Despair would say...

Hagino: [Shocked] J-Junpei! To say something like that... it's completely unsubstantiated!

Junpei: [Angry] Why's that? He's been acting t-totally weird for the last few days!

He's c-creepy... and he always says s-such disturbing stuff...!

Chiba: [Bored] ...You're accusing me...?

Junpei: [Gathering courage] ...Y-yeah! I am!

Chiba, you are Ultimate Despair!

Chiba: [Looking away dejectedly] ...

Minami: [Shocked] Oh, crap...! Chiba's not going to argue against it!

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] A-am I totally alone in th-thinking this way?

[Gathering courage] C-come on, guys! It's obvious!

Okazaki: [Looking away] ...Well...

...he, like, has been acting really weird lately...

Mai: [Dismal] ...Ooh... this isn't fun at all... in fact, it's the worst thing ever...

...But... I think, maybe... you're just maybe right...

Urayama: There it is, then. We all agree?

[Dry smile] Chiba is Ultimate Despair.

Hagino: [Begging] Ch-Chiba! Are you just going to accept these allegations!?

Chiba: ...

Junpei: [Determined] Th-then it's settled! Ch-Chiba's the man in the mask!

[Angry] A-and he probably killed Matsuoka, too!

[OST: None]

Minami: You've got that wrong!

[Determined] Chiba... even if you aren't willing to deny those attacks...

...I am!

Muramoto: [Dazed, clutching forehead] See? Minami's a puppy! She barks! Woof woof!

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Minami: [Awkward smile] ...Uh, thanks, Muramoto... good job.

Muramoto: [Smiling stupidly, clutching forehead] Heeheehee. Helping.

Urayama: [Serious] ...So, Minami... you really think that Chiba's innocent?

Innocent of being Ultimate Despair? Innocent of murdering Matsuoka?

Minami: [Neutral] ...Well, he can't be guilty of both, that's for sure.

Tamura: [Taken aback] Gwuh? Ya sure?

[Grinning] I mean, don't get me wrong, Chiba's a standout guy, ya know...

[Scowling] ...but, if he is Ultimate Despair, that means he's a fuckin' psycho! An' ya think he's not gonna kill someone?

Minami: [Hand on chin] ...If he is Ultimate Despair...

...then, I don't think he can.

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] ...Um, I don't like to, uh, accuse, or anything, but...

...that is, um, a big statement...

[Wringing hands] So, ah... you have proof, I guess, um, right...?

Minami: [Determined] I better make this count...

I know I have something to prove Chiba couldn't be both Ultimate Despair and the killer...

In fact, I think everyone does!

What proves Chiba's innocence?

A. Monokuma File

B. Rules of Mono-Tower

C. Student Profiles

D. Virtual Pet

Answer: B

Minami: [Explaining] Can everyone please take a look at the Rules of Mono-Tower on their ElectroID?

Hagino: [Knowing smile] ...Of course.

Tamura: [Scratching head] Wait, I don't get it.

Noguchi: [Smirk] A rare occurrence for you.

Tamura: [Irritated] Shuddup, bird boy! I'm not talkin' ta you!

[Grinning dumbly] Uh... which rule are we lookin' at again?

Minami: Rule 7.

Takanashi: [Thinking] "Rule 7: Any individuals working for Monokuma are forbidden from deliberately taking the life of another student."

[Biting brush] ...Is that right?

Minami: [Serious] Yeah... so, do you guys see my point?

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] ...I see! If Chiba is Ultimate Despair, then he, by Monokuma's rules, cannot be the killer!

Urayama: [Questioning] Do we have any way to prove that Ultimate Despair followed the rules, though? This is an amoral monster we're talking about here.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] I... I think that M-Monokuma's orders would be important to them...

[Dejected] ...I thought I was r-right... about Chiba b-being the killer...

Chiba: ...Yeah.

Noguchi: [Serious] Still doesn't help us, though. Even if Chiba isn't the killer, he could still be Ultimate Despair...

...and vice versa. Nothing's stopping him from being the killer, and not Ultimate Despair.

Okazaki: [Worried] Can we, like, not gang up on Chiba...?

Chiba: [Confused] ...Since when do you care about me?

Okazaki: [Pouting] Like, since always!

Mai: [Frowning] I wanna move on... but Ultimate Despair is important, right...?

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Extracurricular Lesson]

Monokuma: Hey! You bastards nearly done?

...No way! You're still stuck on that Ultimate Despair bit?

If you were smarter, this reveal wouldn't have been dragged out into eternity!

[OST: Tropical Despair]

Monokuma: Okay, how about this? You get one guess as to who it is, and then you have to move on!

Hagino: [Stressed] But... Ultimate Despair is an integral element of this case...!

Monokuma: Too bad, so sad!

The most fun I have in these trials is pushing the big red button at the end, and I'm getting bored waiting for that sweet, sweet climax!

One guess!

Tamura: [Scowling] Damn it...! One fuckin' guess!?

Akutagawa: [Sweating] How are we going to do this...!?

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Ugh... this is impossible...!

Minami: [Desperate] Crap, crap, crap...! We gotta get this, and fast!

Think, Minami, think! Right back to the beginning!

To that night when Chiba showed us that photo!

[Flash back to a greyscale version of the Green Hallway.]

Matsuoka: [Serious] ...Alright... I'll tell you, and only you. I trust you.

The truth is...

...you see, my brother --

[The sound of a door slamming open is heard.]

Matsuoka: [Confused] The hell is...

Chiba: [Panicking] I... I need to hide...!

[There is a bright flash as the flashback jumps ahead.]

Chiba: [Terrified] It was tall - taller than Akutagawa and Muramoto, even!

It... it just stood there, like it was waiting...

Then, as I was watching it... it looked at me!

I got the photo and ran here as fast as I could...!

[There is a bright flash as the scene returns to the Courtroom.]

[OST: None]

Minami: [Dawning] ...That's it! I think I got it!

[Serious] ...Everyone... I think I know who it is.

Urayama: [Dry stare] ...You do, do you...?

Chiba: [Bored] ...Hmm.

Washio: [In tears] ...This is, um... this is tense... I don't... I'm scared...!

Akutagawa: [Sweating] Everything will be alright, classmate Washio! I promise!

Tamura: [Enraged] ...So? Who the fuck is it already!? Don't leave us hangin'!

[OST: Living to the Fullest]

Minami: [Determined] There's really only one person it could be...

Based on my memories... and the evidence I've collected...

...one person has done something that wouldn't be possible unless they had Monokuma's help!

And that person... they must be Ultimate Despair!