Danganronpa: Melancholic Mayhem

Chapter 3 Part 3: The Knowing, and the Keeping

I stared away from the letter. This felt... wrong... for some reason. Was it really okay if I checked out this letter? I took a big gulp, sucking up the fear that I was facing. I had to look at it. It didn't matter if Yamazaki had been on my side before. If this revealed anything about a way out, then he'd have to get hurt in the process.

I began to open the envelope. Had Yamazaki ever been on my side in the first place? I shook my head, losing the thought, as I pulled the note out from inside. I adjusted my glasses, placing the envelope down on the table. I began scanning the page, ready to reveal as much as I could.

Discussion: Yamazaki Kazuki Examination
To [redacted do to confidential information],

After doing a scan over medical records, we have found that Yamazaki Kazuki may have a rare disease that will not be mentioned in this letter. We will do a deeper dive into personal history, but if found to be true, and found to be a disease that is hard to manage, we may have to find a replacement. Having an extremely diseased participant in a killing game could be an interesting concept, but that decision will have to come down to you. Expecting your decision within the week.

Deliver response to [redacted do to confidential information]

I stared at the letter for another moment, running the information back in my head. Yamazaki was sick? With what? Does this mean that there really is a mastermind? Who sent the letter? And... what did this reveal about how we got here?

I sighed, placing the letter back inside of the envelope, and turned to the file I had left on the desk. I took a deep breath, picking the file up off of the table. I opened it up, a coin falling out of the file. I paused, before picking up up and putting it into a small pocket on the side of my skirt, that could probably only hold coins anyway. I looked back to the file. Something immediately caught my eye, as I stared at the paper. Part of it had been ripped out, specifically where you'd expect a photo of the suspect. I tried not to think of it, as I began to search through the words on the page.

Hano Yoshiko: Court Case File 1

Hano Yoshiko has been found guilty of taking the lives of 217 people, with about 59 having been implied to have been done by Hano Yoshiko. This mass genocide doesn't seem to be pointed towards any sort of group, only being found to have the victims be over the age of 13 and under the age of 35. The only link to some of the murder is a bloody star drawn somewhere in the room with the body, usually done with the blood of the victim.

Sentence was described at the trial was a decision. Either the death penalty, or go through the rehabilitation program Yuutsumi Academy wanted to test out. If the program failed, then Hano Yoshiko would be placed in solitary confinement for the rest of her life. Hano Yoshiko took the rehabilitation program route, and will be starting at the beginning of the next semester.

I stopped to think for a moment. How did this information relate to our current situation? I knew that the letter about Yamazaki would definitely be something that could connect to the killing game, but what does Hano Yoshiko's court case have to do with anything in this killing game?

I looked up to the clock, my eyes going wide. It was already 1:56. Quickly, I picked up the letter along with the file, and raced out of the room. I wandered back over to the cafeteria, placing my hand on the door.

"I guess we're not so different after all." Someone said, stopping me from opening the door. I looked over to see Yamazaki next to me, a smirk on his face. My eyes went wide, as he pulled a file out of his pocket, and slightly shook it in his hand. I felt my heart begin to pound rapidly, as I left my eyes on the file.

"You... won't... tell anyone... right?" I asked. Yamazaki smirked, stuffing it back into his pocket. He walked into the room, ignoring my question. I took a small sigh, and followed him into the room.