Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit Hole, Part VI (Class Trial)
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Ren: What the hell are you even talking about? Explain why Mugen's e-Handbook ended up in your room, huh?! HUH?!
Daigo: Sorry buddy, but... I swear you put it there.
Ren: No, you went to Mugen's room, bashed his brains in, took his e-Handbook, you're making yourself look guilty.
Ayane: And if he is, then shame on him for framing himself, because that would be what would get him convicted.
Ren: ...Thanks a lot.
Ayane: Emphasis on the word "if".
Madoka: We're clearly not getting anywhere, aren't we?
Daigo: Look, Ren, weren't we friends? Why are you throwing me under the bus?!
Ren: You killed him!
Daigo: I didn't! You did!
Kaori: (Time I got the truth of both of them...) Settle down, everyone. Let me figure it out.
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Kaiji: I would expect everyone to be asleep at night...
Yura: Because proper sleep schedules are a thing, duh.
Masao: Nobody here is showing signs of being tired...
Ayane: And everything is dark at night, so I would advise against going out.
Kozue: So I swear everybody was asleep at night!
TRUTH NEEDLE: Daigo and Ren's Conversation
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: They've gave themselves away. Daigo and Ren were still awake at the time Mugen was killed.
Ayane: Which makes Mr. Bushida and Mr. Kurusu our only two viable suspects.
Haruhi: Of course, only one of them can be the killer...
Yura: Any further proof that somebody was wandering around at night, Kaori?
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Coffee Cups
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Kaori: Yura, I do have evidence. The coffee cups we found in the mess hall's bin.
Yura: Geez, who would drink so much caffeine in the middle of the night? Stunts your growth, makes you act crazy... not like I would ever do that, dummy.
Daigo: Not me, for sure.
Ren: And definitely not me!
Kaiji: A "he said, he said" situation that we can't prove...
Umiko: Umm... umm... we could flip a coin.
Monokuma: Hmm... a 50-50 chance of getting your man. Pity I don't conveniently have a coin available to flip right here, right now!
Madoka: And what were you planning? Heads we vote for Daigo, tails we vote for Ren?
Monokuma: Something like that. But I'm a cheap bastard, so keep talking. Maybe then you'll get a risk-free culprit!
Kaori: We're still on the right path, remember.
Hirou: That's right. If we keep calm, then we'll find out who did it.
Masao: And then justice for Kojima-kun will be served!
Madoka: I don't think so...
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Hirou: Alright, so we've got two suspects remaining.
Luka: If we prove that one of them's innocent, then the other one's guilty as sin!
Ren: Theft is one thing. Murder is another!
Umiko: So, if Daigo killed Mugen, then...
Yukiharu: Wouldn't Ren have been in bed?
TRUTH NEEDLE: Papier-mâché Head
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: It would be quite difficult to sleep with a papier-mâché head in the same bed as you.
Luka: That's right! Say, you accidently brushed against it while trying to shuffle around in your sleep to get more comfy?
Kozue: Yeah, would get a little awkward. Rather rough, you say?
Yukiharu: You know what else's rough? A brick!
Haruhi: If it was meant to be a joke, then I'm not laughing.
Yukiharu: Damn it.
Kaiji: Wait... you mentioned the brick, didn't you? Mugen was killed by a brick, remember?
Kaori: I do.
Kaiji: And where did it come from?
Kaori: Right, I need to remember...
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(Hangman's Gambit)
JHVWF
BARYK
GLDNP
LKGST
Answer: WALL
BREAK!
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Kaori: I've got it!
Kaiji: (sigh) Always before me, huh?
Masao: If I hear you wallow in your own misery again, then-
Kaiji: I understand, Masao. She figured it out before me.
Kaori: ...Anyway, as I was saying, it came from the brick wall we found earlier.
Luka: Really?
Ren: Yeah, the blocked-off entrance, I remember that.
Daigo: So, the murder weapon came from there?
Kaori: Most likely. In fact, I saw somebody take a brick out of it.
Hirou: You did?
Yura: Then tell us! You're the one carrying us to victory, so don't you dare let us down!
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(Multiple Choice)
1. Ren.
2. Daigo.
3. Mugen.
Answer: Ren.
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Kaori: Ren was the person I saw.
Daigo: And what's so important about that?
Kaori: That means that he was the last known person in possession of the murder weapon before Mugen was killed.
Madoka: Eh...? So you're saying that he did it?
Kozue: ...
Kaori: There is only one conclusion I can draw from this...
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(Make an Accusation!)
Answer: Ren Kurusu
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Kaori: Ren Kurusu! I accuse you of the murder of Mugen Kojima!
Ren: ...What the hell are you saying, again?
Madoka: And did you really have to be so over-the-top about it?
Kaori: ...Now that you say it, I think not.
Madoka: Yeah? Do you have anything proving that he did it?
Kaori: Give Daigo a moment to explain.
Daigo: Yeah, thanks for that, Ms. Hotaru.
Kaori: You're welcome.
Daigo: Okay then... at around quarter past 10 in the night, I heard some knocking at my door which woke me up. It was Ren, and he wanted to go in, for some reason. We had a little chat, then I went back to sleep, and the next thing I knew, Mugen's e-Handbook was under my pillow and Mugen... he...
Madoka: It's Daigo. One of our prime suspects. For all we know, he could be shifting blame and trying to tie up loose ends.
Kaori: But something adds up with what he's saying.
Ren: And what?!
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(Multiple Choice)
1. Mugen's place of death.
2. Mugen's cause of death.
3. Mugen's time of death.
Answer: Mugen's time of death.
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Kaori: And that is Mugen's time of death according to the Monokuma File.
Masao: Right then, what's so important about it?
Kaiji: He died at 10:10 pm. And if Daigo is to be trusted, then he was woken up by Ren 5 minutes afterwards.
Hirou: Then that means that Ren must have been awake... at the time Mugen was killed!
Umiko: (gasp) For real?!
Hirou: Unfortunately, yes.
Ren: Grr...
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Souta: Now I'm wondering... why?
Yukiharu: Waking up in the middle of the night is stupid! You're not getting your rest!
Hirou: But the cover of night is an ideal time for a crime, don't you think?
Ayane: That is true. Many criminals that end up facing me in court... commit their crimes at night.
Ren: I swear I was the one who got woken up!
TRUTH NEEDLE: Daigo's Account
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: Ren, according to Daigo, you have a habit of sleeping through the evening and waking up at night.
Ren: So?
Ayane: Quick question, everyone: have any of you ever seen Ren in the hallways during what I presume is evening time?
Souta: ...No, I haven't.
Kozue: Nope.
Daigo: Nuh-uh.
Madoka: Well, I have...
Kaiji: Really?
Umiko: I swear I did, once or twice...
Yukiharu: Listen, kid. Gotta admit; all this seems like hearsay, huh?
Luka: And so are your arguments!
Yukiharu: Geez, Luka. You don't think there's any such thing as doubt?
Monokuma: Doubt, you say? Looks like we've got a house divided by doubt!
Kaori: Huh?
Monokuma: You know what they say. United we stand, divided we fall? Well, I've got just the social experiment for that! Split the group into two sides, have them argue with each other, get nowhere, pass the popcorn, watch the fireworks, call it a day, then feel ripped off after the culprit walks away.
Kaiji: Why did you say that?
Monokuma: It's like paying for a third-hand book with 6 chapters and finding every chapter but the first ripped out. Wouldn't you get mad as well?
Kaiji: ...Sir-
Monokuma: A little less conversation, a bit more action please, you bastards! ...By "action", I mean "heated conversation", but you get my point. Begin!
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(Debate Scrum)
Question: Was Ren awake during the evening of Mugen's murder?
Player Side: Kaori, Daigo, Ayane, Souta, Kozue, Kaiji, Luka, Hirou (No, he wasn't!)
Enemy Side: Madoka, Ren, Yura, Masao, Umiko, Yukiharu, Haruhi (Yes, he was!)
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Haruhi: Everybody was off by themselves, so it wouldn't be surprising for someone to be absent.
Answer #1: Absence
Ayane: But in this situation, it's best to treat any unexplained vanishings as potential murders.
Masao: But then, why would nobody be concerned about Kurusu-kun being missing?
Answer #2: Concern
Kozue: Because it's common knowledge, so there was nothing to be concerned about!
Umiko: But-but the brick in the wall... wouldn't that be suspicious?
Answer #3: Night
Hirou: It was taken out of the wall in the middle of the night, not the evening.
Yukiharu: What about the box?! Saw Ren in the dorm hallway in the early evening and the next thing I knew, it was broke into!
Answer #4: Locked
Kaiji: The box was still locked when I last checked it in the evening... It could have only happened at night...
Madoka: But then why would Ren be out of his dorm room?
Answer #5: Entering
Kaori: Because he was entering it in order to sleep!
Full Counter!
BREAK!
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Ren: Ugh!
Kaori: And besides that, Ren...
Ren: What?
Kaori: We have ample proof of your nighttime escapades. I saw you take the brick out of the wall.
Ren: It's your word alone. Try convincing everyone else here.
Kaori: All of us noticed it. And eventually it was used to kill Mugen.
Ren: Who's to say that I didn't hand it over to somebody else, say Daigo, and they used it? Like Kozue: she's a whiz at throwing stuff! What do you expect from an Ultimate Volleyball Player?
Kozue: Don't think so.
Daigo: You kept your distance from everyone else, buddy.
Kaori: That's true. Ren has been aloof and distrusting of almost everyone else here. It would be unusual for him to hand over something as dangerous as a brick to somebody who could kill with it, right?
Ren: You... you...
Kaori: Ren, you're most likely the culprit. Give yourself up now.
Ren: ...But if I was, then I would have taken advantage of Mugen's gullibility.
Umiko: Huh?
Ren: Don't you remember that scanner bullshit Monokuma's enacting on us?!
Monokuma: I wouldn't compare this most wonderful system to animal dung if I were in your shoes. I see it as a flawed, but necessary security measure! Upupupu~
Ren: SHUT UP!
Monokuma: Remember the rules, Mr. Kurusu?
Ren: I've had it with your rules!
Monokuma: Pfft. Consider this your first and final warning.
Ren: Thanks, you monochrome bastard.
Luka: Excuse me... but what was you going to say again?
Ren: You need your own e-Handbook to open your own door, whether it would be from the inside or the outside! Mugen must have known I was out for his blood, and must have let me in regardless!
Kaori: One small problem with your explanation, Ren.
Ren: And what the hell is it, Kaori?!
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(Multiple Choice)
1. Mugen's body.
2. Mugen's staff.
3. Mugen's robes.
Answer: Mugen's body.
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Kaori: And it's Mugen's body.
Luka: Looked pretty strange to me, no denying that.
Souta: Ditto. Strange minds do think alike.
Luka: Tee-hee, that's true!
Kozue: Okay then, listen to what she has to say everyone! 'Cause this is a make or break scenario!
Kaori: Right then. Mugen's body was slumped over in bed. It would be extremely awkward for him to open the door, see his killer, and then go back to bed so that he can get hit on the head.
Kaiji: My theory... is that the culprit broke into Mugen's dorm room, just like how they did with the box.
Kaori: And we have something that they could have easily used...
Ren: ...
Haruhi: Something wrong with you?
Umiko: Umm...
Ren: ...Grr...
Masao: Stay back. Don't aggravate him further. Think. Defuse the situation. Maybe then we'll-
Daigo: Are you okay, Ren? I know you most likely killed a guy, but...
Ren: I'M NOT THE CULPRIT! WHY ARE YOU THINKING THAT, HUH?! HUH?!
Yukiharu: Looks like he's freaking out.
Daigo: Oh no...
Kaori: (Ren has gone completely irrational... He's at the end of his rope for sure... This is my shot at proving his guilt...)
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(Argument Armament: Vs. Ren Kurusu)
Just because - S
I was out - A
At nighttime... - W
Doesn't mean - D
That I am - S
The culprit! - W
Why the hell - W
Do you think - D
Daigo's innocent?! - A
I didn't kill Mugen! - A
So why are you - S
Going after me? - D
IT'S ALL BULLSHIT! - WASDWASDWASD
You can't just - AAA
Expect them to believe - SSS
That it wasn't him! - DDD
He was there as well! - WWW
Do you have any idea what you're doing? - WASDWASDWASD
Final Blow!
Ren: How the hell could I have even got into his room?!
W- YMOUS
A- BOOK
S- ANON
D- E-HAND
Answer: ANONYMOUS E-HANDBOOK
Kaori: Got it!
BREAK!
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Kaori: Ren, explain the e-Handbook of that girl nobody here knows about. Which could open any of the dorm rooms.
Ren: What, the one under the coffee machine?
Kaori: Yes.
Ren: Well, ugh... uh...
Kaori: And besides, Mugen's corpse was positioned in a way that makes it heavily unlikely that he got out of bed.
Ayane: That is true.
Kaori: This means that he couldn't have used his own e-Handbook to open the door for anybody else.
Daigo: So that means...
Kaori: And who was the one who had access to a surefire way to get into Mugen's room? Say, an e-Handbook that doesn't belong to anyone in this room?
Ren: ...Gah...eh...
Kaiji: We've caught you red-handed. Maybe I am not so worthless after all...
Ren: ...True. It's all over now. As an escape artist, I was second to none. But as a murderer... you have me beat.
Kaiji: ...Good.
Daigo: Thanks for saving us all, Kaori. But, I feel a bit down after everything.
Madoka: Yes. You're so-called "friend" was planning on throwing you under the bus to save himself. For shame.
Kaori: Enough is enough. Let's go back through everything, one step at a time. Right?
Daigo: Right.
Kaori: Okay then...
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(Closing Argument)
(Act 1)
Kaori: The story starts with Monokuma issuing the first motive for murder: the locked box containing something he claimed will drive anybody to murder. That night, the culprit went to work attempting to unblock the entrance hall, but their curiosity got the better of them. After taking out one brick, they subsequently retrieved their lockpicks, and opened the box in the gymnasium. Inside was the diary incriminating Mugen, and they read through it. It was at that point that the culprit decided that... Mugen would have to die.
(Act 2)
Kaori: They kept the brick they had managed to dislodge with them, and throughout the next day acted as though nothing was wrong; all while waiting for a chance to enact their plan. At some point, they must have told Daigo about what they had discovered in the diary, and that explains the argument Daigo had with Mugen. At night, the culprit acted: they went to the mess hall, and found the e-Handbook under the coffee machine. With it, they opened Mugen's door, brick in hand... and before he could react, threw it straight at his head.
(Act 3)
Kaori: Once Mugen was dead, the culprit wrote a false message incriminating Daigo in his blood, and swiped his e-Handbook before leaving the scene. They then woke up Daigo, and convinced him to let them into his dorm room, where they planted Mugen's e-Handbook. Afterwards, they returned to the mess hall, replacing the e-Handbook of this girl we don't know, and in order to make it seem as though Daigo was trying to stay awake, consumed as much coffee as they could. They stayed up until the next morning, when we discovered Mugen's body...
...
Kaori: ...Isn't that right, Ren Kurusu, the Ultimate Inmate?
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Monokuma: So, looks like we've reached a consensus, haven't we?
Kaiji: Yes we have, sir.
Monokuma: Let me look at my watch a bit... and just in time, as well! Now vote! Vote now! Vote for who among you shall go down for the crime! Who will die for the crime!
Ren: Wait a second... I'm gonna die?!
Monokuma: Unless they decide at the last moment, then yeah. You're gonna die. Toodles!
Ren: Th-that's not fair! I'm too young to die! Wh-what about that tennis player who killed the mafia, huh? He got the death penalty, and he was old enough! Wh-why?!
Madoka: Ah yes, going down kicking and screaming like a child. What a petty fate for a petty murderer.
Ayane: I'm sorry, but this is the most likely conclusion, Ren Kurusu. And according to what Monokuma thinks, it's what you deserve.
Yura: You killed Mugen, so he's going to kill you. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life. That's what they say.
Luka: I've heard something like that.
Ren: ...
Daigo: Didn't have to end this way...
Monokuma: Enough with the sappy silence! Now do what you must!
Ren: (sigh) So this is it, huh? Might as well get it over with.
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VOTE FOR THE CULPRIT!
Vote: Ren Kurusu
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Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit Hole, Part VI, End
15 Remain