Chapter 3: Best-Laid Schemes, Part VII (Class Trial)
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Yukiharu: So what? Dozens of people around the world are right-handed, so what makes you special?
Kaiji: What makes it special, is that we've established... the killer is left-handed.
Yukiharu: But this is just his word. For all we know, he could-
Kaori: Say no more. Remember when we found him?
Yukiharu: Yeah...
Umiko: Excuse me... what did you find Souta with?
Ayane: Oh?
Kaori: We found Souta with...
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Clean Scissors
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Kaori: ...A pair of clean scissors.
Yukiharu: What the fuck does that prove, Kaori?
Daigo: Which hand was he holding them in? I can't remember...
Kaori: (My eye for details will save us... He was holding them...)
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(Multiple Choice)
1. In his left hand.
2. In his right hand.
3. In his mouth.
Answer: In his right hand.
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Kaori: I know! I know! He was holding them in his right hand!
Kaiji: ...Just about to say that...
Monokuma: Wow Kaori, you always get to say the solutions before Kaiji over there! Do you feel any happier knowing that you're making him a bigger laughingstock every time you do so?
Kaori: As a matter of fact, no.
Monokuma: Enough with trivial name-calling, now let's get back to business!
Ayane: (sigh) Thanks for that. Anyways, we've still got a major problem with Souta's situation.
Hirou: And that is...?
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Ayane: He was seen with what appeared to be the murder weapon.
Kaiji: Kozue's wounds can be traced back to a pair of scissors...
Yukiharu: Bingo! We got him! End of story!
Hirou: Don't be so hasty, Yukiharu! We-
Yukiharu: There wasn't even anything else in there!
TRUTH NEEDLE: Bloody Scissors
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: Are you serious? There was a pair of bloody scissors as well!
Kaiji: And Daigo ruled out any way of quickly cleansing Kozue's blood off them on such short notice, so...
Madoka: Hmph. I found the murder weapon before all of you idiots. Ain't that a shame?
Daigo: Yeah, it is. Knowing you-
Madoka: Oh, come on, you suicidal blockhead. Sooner or later, you'll have to rely on me to crack the case.
Kaiji: Shut up, Madoka! I can handle this myself!
Madoka: No you can't, you worthless little prick.
Kaiji: (sigh) Why, why, why...
Madoka: See? This is what Kaiji truly is. A sniveling wannabe pretending to be such a great man.
Yukiharu: Don't you dare say things like that!
Madoka: Hmm?
Yukiharu: Kaiji is... He is...
Madoka: Can't get the words out? Like just how did that pair of scissors end up in that plush toy, anyway?
Yukiharu: ...Damn. You got me.
Madoka: Prove me wrong, Kaori. I already know you've got the answer.
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Toolkits and Sewing Kits
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Kaori: All boys were given a toolkit...
Daigo: Yes...
Kaori: And all girls were given a sewing kit.
Ayane: That is true, Kaori. Anything to add?
Kaori: Yes. More specifically, the scissors were most likely not originally in the plush.
Monokuma: Spot on! I solemnly swear that none of the doll room's contents initially contained any illicit material of any sorts. And Monokuma never lies. Sure, he leaves out information, but he never ever lies!
Daigo: Yeah, right...
Ayane: And besides, there's still room for doubt.
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Hirou: The doll room had all sorts of sewing equipment.
Luka: Needles, threads, yarn, all sorts!
Ayane: So it is possible that they could have been used instead.
Yukiharu: Shuffle a few things here and there, and nobody would ever know!
Umiko: Co-could that be the case...?
TRUTH NEEDLE: Doll Room's State
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: Nothing aside from the scissors or the plush was moved around in the doll room while we were investigating.
Madoka: Was there, can confirm.
Daigo: Stop trying to rub salt into our wounds...
Madoka: I'm a con artist for a living, Daigo. I had to develop some sort of wit to get by.
Kaori: So then, only a sewing kit could have been used to hide the murder weapon!
Luka: Ha! Gotcha' there!
Kaori: Wh-what do you mean?!
Luka: For all we know, it could have been you who did it! After all, you're the Ultimate Weaver. You're skilled at sewing things up.
Kaori: Th-that's impossible! After all, I found the body...
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(Multiple Choice)
1. First.
2. Second.
3. Third.
Answer: Third.
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Kaori: Third, do you hear me?
Ayane: Have you forgotten, Luka? She went off alone, found Kozue, and the body discovery announcement went off.
Hirou: You could clearly connect the dots from there.
Yukiharu: Or should I say, do the math.
Luka: Oops. Silly me~
Madoka: And hey. We know that a sewing kit was used.
Kaori: What do you mean by that...?
Madoka: Anybody could have used it. Even a boy. Souta isn't out of the woods just yet.
Daigo: Never thought that a boy could pick up an errant sewing kit and use it...
Ayane: But it is not an impossible feat.
Daigo: Guess you're right there.
Souta: I beg your pardon?! We were just about to narrow down the suspect list and now you're making a mountain out of a molehill!
Kaiji: We'll... go with the simpler solution...
Hirou: Maybe. (sniff) Maybe.
Ayane: But we must consider alternative scenarios as well!
Monokuma: That's right! I guess there's two sides to every story, as they say! Why not pit them both up against each other?
Umiko: Uh... what do you-
Monokuma: Shut up! Talk! Now!
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(Debate Scrum)
Question: Is the culprit male or female?
Player Side: Kaori, Hirou, Souta, Umiko, Kaiji (They're a girl!)
Enemy Side: Madoka, Daigo, Ayane, Luka, Yukiharu (They're a boy!)
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Ayane: Sewing equipment had to be used to hide the murder weapon...
Answer #1: Untouched
Kaori: But all of it in the doll room was left untouched!
Daigo: That leaves only one option that could have been used...
Answer #2: Sewing Kit
Umiko: A... a sewing kit, perhaps?
Yukiharu: Give me a break! Boys could have used them all the same!
Answer #3: Girls
Kaiji: Only girls were initially given a sewing kit, remember?
Luka: But what does that prove? He could have easily picked one up!
Answer #4: Unusual
Hirou: But it would be unusual - and suspicious - for a boy to have a girl's sewing kit.
Madoka: It's still plausible, though...
Answer #5: Convenience
Souta: But it would be far more convenient for a girl to have used it!
Full Counter!
BREAK!
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Kaori: Let me spell it out to you all: it would have been far easier, and less suspicious, for a girl to have been using a sewing kit. Have I made myself clear?
Daigo; (shrugs) Well, I guess so.
Ayane: It appears that we're looking for a female killer, then.
Kaiji: A left-handed female, to be more specific.
Luka: That narrows it down quite a lot...
Souta: How ironic that you're the one to point it out!
Kaori: What the-?!
Souta: Now that you've proven me innocent, I'll tell you everything I know! You wouldn't listen, and you've got us all into such a fine mess!
Madoka: Just spit it out already.
Souta: I saw the culprit hide the murder weapon! In fact, I think I saw them hunched over Kozue's body as well!
Daigo: So then why didn't you say anything? You could have saved us a lot of trouble.
Souta: ...I just couldn't believe that she could do such a vile thing...
Madoka: Who was it? Souta, do you copy?
Souta: It... it was... of all people... Luka.
Kaori: (Luka... a killer?!)
Souta: I clearly remember her mint green clothes in that doll room. Why not ask her?
Luka: I-I had nothing to do with it, I swear!
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(Make an Accusation!)
Answer: Luka Aikuchi
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Kaori: Luka... is it true that you killed Kozue?
Luka: What?! No way! Do you honestly think someone as dainty and weak as me could kill another girl?
Monokuma: I've heard this one far too many times. Oh, I clearly remember one particularly gruesome case about some guitarist who killed around 60 people behind everyone's backs!
Daigo: Re-really?!
Monokuma: Yes, although I only heard about it second-hand. Truth be told, it's becoming some sort of cliche, ha! And- oh, I'll shut up now. After all, I'm not allowed to solve it for you!
Luka: In fact, there's no way I could have done it according to some customs, rituals or what'cha call it!
Kaiji: (sigh) This is the part where you confront her with some evidence. Do you remember that article we found in the phone booth?
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Newspaper Article
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Kaori: This article about a Kuchisake-onna, perhaps?
Kaiji: Yes. Kozue's murder fit the bill: a pair of scissors were used to commit it. Just like the victims of this serial killer-
Luka: Geez! It could be anyone! It could even be somebody completely outside the school we're in! So-
Kaiji: We know who the Kuchisake-onna is. Not her name, but her gender.
Yukiharu: Hey. Do you remember Masao?
Masao? Ah yes, Masao Mifune - the kendo team captain who gave his life, in vain, to try and stop Monokuma.
Yukiharu: More specifically... you remember him talking to everyone with honorifics? If I remember correctly...
Kaiji: "-onna" is a honorific.
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(Multiple Choice)
1. A gender-neutral one.
2. A masculine one.
3. A feminine one.
Answer: A feminine one.
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Kaori: A feminine one, to more specific.
Kaiji: I was going to say that, Kaori. STOP STEALING MY LIMELIGHT!
Kaori: Are you really that desperate?!
Kaiji: You never give me a chance to solve it by myself!
Kaori: They need somebody to guide them!
Kaiji: And I'm right there! Why are they turning to you?! WHY?!
Luka: Hehehehe, united we stand, divided we fall-
Kaori: Look, we need to co-operate! Luka's just mocked us!
Kaiji: Fi-fine then! Have it your way!
Kaori: Luka, you do know that the Kuchisake-onna is called that because she's a woman?
Luka: Yes...?
Kaori: And that's in accordance to us looking for a female killer in this case. It could be you.
Luka: How do you know that?
Kaori: (Let me think... Luka's dental practice was located in Osaka, if I remember correctly...)
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Aikuchi Dental's Location
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Kaori: Yes, your family lives in Osaka. They operate a dental practice there, am I right?
Luka: You're right, but that doesn't mean that I did it!
Kaori: But it is a strike against you. The Kuchisake-onna was said to operate in Osaka, after all...
Yukiharu: We might have to consider the possibility that you're no ordinary thug...
Luka: That's impossible!
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(Rebuttal Showdown: Vs. Luka Aikuchi)
Luka: Just because Souta said it doesn't mean I did it!
Kaori: But it's quite clear now that-
Luka: You're wrong, Kaori! Please reconsider Souta!
Kaori: Look, only a girl could have done this!
Luka: And it wasn't me! Never, ever, would I kill someone!
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TRUTH BLADE: Luka's Case
Luka: When Kozue was... (cut) ...planning her pool party... (cut) ...I just felt like... (cut) ...I had to join in!
ADVANCE!
Kaori: Have you ever been inside the crime scene?
Luka: Maybe, perhaps...? (cut) But it was long before... (cut) ...the murder happened, for sure! (cut) Never left anything behind! (cut)
Kaori: Allow me to cut through those words.
BREAK!
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Kaori: We found your treasured retainer case at the crime scene. There's no way you weren't there some time before she died.
Luka: You... still have it?! Give it me back! Give it me!
Ayane: I'm sorry, but this is evidence. Kaori, open it and see what you find.
I took the small case that Luka once held out of my pocket. And I opened it to see an awful sight.
Several human molars, all cleaned and having been kept neatly inside that case.
Luka's Collection of Teeth has been added to the Truth Needles.
Ayane: Kaori, what did she have?
She had explaining to do, for sure.
Kaori: Luka... why did you keep people's teeth in this case?
Luka pulled down her surgical mask in response, revealing her own mouth for the very first time. I could notice the faint scars visible on both of her cheeks.
Luka: ...I beg your pardon?
Kaori: Luka... answer us. Why did you keep a collection of human teeth?
A disturbing silence filled the air, before Luka began to chuckle.
Luka: Tee hee hee hee hee...
She continued giggling.
Luka: Aah, hee hee hee hee hah hah...
And then... then...
Luka: BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAH!
She laughed. Laughed as if she was a demon incarnate.
Hirou: What on earth?!
Ayane: (gasp) Is this real?
Yukiharu: The fuck...?!
And with sunken eyes, an almost demonic voice, and a twisted grin on her face, she subsequently announced:
Luka: Ehehehehehe... you've figured me out like an open book, haven't you all? It's true - I am the Kuchisake-onna.
Hirou: Stay frosty, everyone.
Yukiharu: For all we know, she could be all bark and no bite. Just some wannabe trying to act tough.
Souta: There's no doubt... that she is for real...
Kaori: (Right. I need to link Luka to the Kuchisake-onna...)
Luka: Yes, I am a killer at heart. That does not mean I killed Kozue, though. Something doesn't add up... can you tell what it is?
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(Non-Stop Debate)
Luka: The Kuchisake-onna has a modus operandi, you know.
Kaiji: Yes, according to the newspaper article about her...
Hirou: She... extracts the teeth from her victims...
Luka: Do you see what's wrong with Kozue's body?
Daigo: There must be a tooth missing from her mouth.
TRUTH NEEDLE: Kozue's Body
Kaori: No, that's wrong!
BREAK!
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Kaori: No teeth had been taken out of Kozue's mouth when we saw her body-
Luka: Exactly. No way I could have done it with anyone seeing me-
Souta: Aha! I think I may have distracted her!
Kaori: Look Luka, you may not have been able to take out Kozue's tooth as a memento because...
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(Multiple Choice)
1. Souta distracted you.
2. Kozue distracted you.
3. Masao distracted you.
Answer: Souta distracted you.
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Kaori: You were spotted by somebody else - somebody who made sure you couldn't extract it!
Luka: Who are you talking about?!
Kaori: Souta!
Souta: Yes! I clearly saw Luka hunched over her body. I didn't assume the worst until later... much later...
Luka: Souta... that stupid little monkey. He saw me and nearly ruined everything. A shame his mind was rather weak.
Souta: Don't. Please, I've seen too much.
Kaori: And besides, the Kuchisake-onna took the teeth of her victims, as the newspaper article said.
Monokuma: Yes, yes, what's up with those serial killers and having to follow their traditions? Genocide Jill, Sparkling Justice, and now the Kuchisake-onna. Sounds rather stupid, if you ask me - after all, why would you want to incriminate yourself?
Ayane: Because they're too prideful to now follow it. I've met a few in my career and-
Monokuma: I've heard enough, I rest my case.
Luka: In regards to the one you hold in your hand, Kaori...
Kaori: Yes...?
Luka: I swear my case doesn't contain the only traces of those filthy animals.
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(Select Truth Needle)
TRUTH NEEDLE: Luka's Collection of Teeth
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Kaori: Yes it does.
Luka: You... saw it...?
Kaori: Of course I did.
Luka: ...How. Dare. You.
Kaori: ...
Daigo: What the...?
Luka: (quietly) You snooped around in the wrong place, Kaori Hotaru.
Kaori: Luka... I can't believe you could be capable of doing such things...
Luka: Neither did Souta. For shame. If only you could conclusively prove that I was indeed Kozue's killer...
Kaori: Otherwise-
Luka: Everyone who knows the real me dies here! All of you will be silenced. Forever. And nobody outside would ever know what went off in here...
Kaori: Yes, they will. We'll prove it...
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(Argument Armament: Vs. Luka Aikuchi)
Oh, really? - D
There is still - S
Room for doubt. - W
Do you understand that? - A
You're just - W
Throwing accusations - A
Around without - W
Any support at all. - S
You still haven't - D
Proven that - S
I was the one - A
Who killed Kozue... - D
Can't you just listen to me?! - WASDWASDWASD
Yes, I am a killer! - SSS
That doesn't mean - AAA
I killed her! - WWW
Not at all! - DDD
It was another person, you hear me?! - WASDWASDWASD
Final Blow!
Luka: Why would Kozue even let me in?
W- HER
A- YOU
S- TRUST
D- ABUSED
Answer: YOU ABUSED HER TRUST
Kaori: Got it!
BREAK!
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Kaori: You abused her trust. That's all I have to say.
Souta: ...That's the case...
Kaori: Kozue saw the best in everyone. With your cheerful façade, you deliberately got her to open the door for you, then brutally killed her to sate your very own bloodlust.
Luka: Excuse me?
Kaori: And besides, Souta saw you over the body. Souta saw you hide the murder weapon. Souta witnessed everything.
Souta: I really wish I hadn't now...
Ayane: Don't worry. If it wasn't for you, then we wouldn't have found out about Luka-
Souta: But you were oh so willing to throw me under the bus!
Ayane: You was right, we were wrong. I'm sorry.
Souta: (sigh) Thank you!
Ayane: And Luka. Do you have anything to say in your defense?
Luka: ...
Daigo: Guess we've got her.
Yukiharu: Yeah! Thank god we did, because what she's apparently done... ew.
Umiko: Th-that's... understating is...
Kaori: Well, looks like we've said everything we needed to say, so...
Daigo: So what?
Kaori: Let's go back through everything, one step at a time, okay?
Daigo: Okay then.
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(Closing Argument)
(Act 1)
Kaori: After Masao's death attempting to strike back against Monokuma, Kozue locked herself in the girls' changing room, believing that she was at fault for it. Some time afterwards, the culprit approached her, apparently to check on her wellbeing. Kozue, having calmed down a bit and trusting her eventual killer, pushed aside the bench that kept her inside and let them in. This proved to be a tragic mistake.
(Act 2)
Kaori: Once inside, the killer instantly attacked Kozue, stabbing her multiple times until she died from sheer blood loss. They then were about to take out one of her teeth according to their modus operandi... until Souta stumbled onto the crime scene. Assuming the worst, the culprit ran away to get rid of the murder weapon, and Souta chased after them - accidently stepping in Kozue's blood on the way out.
(Act 3)
Kaori: Souta managed to confront the culprit in the doll room, hiding the murder weapon in a plush toy with their sewing kit. He couldn't believe what, or who to be more specific he was seeing, and was frozen in fear like a deer in the headlights. The killer took advantage of his state; they thrust a pair of scissors into his hand and then walked away, leaving him behind and accomplishing their impromptu frame job...
...
Kaori: ...Is that it, Luka Aikuchi, the Ultimate Dentist?
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Luka just stood there, staring at me with malice in her eyes.
Umiko: ...She's scaring me.
Hirou: I understand-
Luka: You got me, haven't you? Congratulations. Ehehehehe...
She then burst into maniacal laughter. A laughter that sent shivers down our spines and chills through the air... although Yukiharu still managed to maintain his composure.
Yukiharu: Yeah, right. We made sure that you'll never kill another person ever again!
Luka: But it's too late now. Kozue's gone. Masao's gone as well. Shame I didn't get to kill him as well...
Daigo: Enough is enough, Luka! We've got you fair and square!
Monokuma: And believe me, they're practically gearing up to vote! Will it be for you?
Luka: (sigh) I suppose so...
Madoka: Good. Sure, I lied, I cheated, I stole, but I never stooped so low as to kill people.
Indeed. For all of her faults, Madoka was innocent of this crime.
Madoka: Just kill her already. World will be done a massive favour.
Ayane: Yes. Such a vile killer who we trusted as a friend... it's probably for the better.
Daigo: For the better...? She's a victim of Monokuma as well!
Yukiharu: She's a fucking serial killer, Daigo! Ayane probably sent many people to death row as a prosecutor-
Ayane: That is correct.
Daigo: So, if that's the case... then where do we go from here?
Yukiharu: ISN'T IT SO BLATANTLY OBVIOUS?!
Luka: Well, if you don't vote for me, then I'll probably-
Yukiharu: Shut up! It's time we got rid of her!
Monokuma: Yes, because time's up! Now all you need to do is to cast your vote on who do you think is guilty of murder! Tick... tock...
Daigo: Right...
Monokuma: TICK! Everybody's voted now! Now then, let's see if it truly was the most obvious suspect in this room...
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VOTE FOR THE CULPRIT!
Vote: Luka Aikuchi
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Chapter 3: Best-Laid Schemes, Part VII, End
10 Remain