Danganronpa: Poisoned Hope (Fanganronpa)

Chapter 5 - Class Trial 3, Closing Argument

Our podiums descended back down to their original positions after our debate. We had concluded that Kei didn't kill Mei, although it is possible he could've planned to.

"So...Kei didn't kill Mei?" Reina repeated making sure it was right.

"Yes. That's what we've been saying this whole time!" Arashi replied.

Toshiro scoffed. "I find it hard to believe that bastard is innocent."

"But he is. You gotta believe that otherwise, we can't continue to trial." Ryuto tried to convince him.

"Ryuto's right. If you guys still refuse to accept that, then this trial will be at a standstill and we'll get punished." I added.

"Well..." Mizuki considered it for a second before nodding enthusiastically. "If that's what Ku wants then it's what she gets! I guess that emo didn't kill the traitor after all."

"But you can't deny that he wasn't planning to kill her." Reina pointed out. "He did have a knife."

"True. It's not impossible. And Kei did say he was planning to do something..." I paused. "...If he did have a knife and wanted to meet her...then it does sound like he was planning to murder Mei. I can't deny that."

Ryuto sighed. "He told me he was going to try and survive. Why would he try and kill Mei then? It's not like he had a motive."

"You still believe in him? Ha." Reina laughed.

"Before he abruptly left...Kei said something along the lines of 'You guys will stop thinking the worse of me for no apparent reason.' Taking into consideration everything that happened beforehand...I think his motive was to stop the time limit." I concluded.

"Wha...?" Mizuki looked puzzled. "Oh! You mean the whole time limit to kill Pancakes?"

"Yes. Kei planned to stop that time limit by murdering Mei."

"So he was gonna show us that he's not so bad...by killing Mei?!?" Arashi exclaimed. "That's just going to make him look worse! Was he an idiot?"

"Not in the slightest. Kei thinks everything ahead. I believe that he wanted to kill Mei so he could keep us alive while he got executed." I explained.

"He...wanted to do that? Even though he knew he was going to get executed?" Ryuto repeated.

"If only he did do that. It would've been a win for everyone." Toshiro responded. "We wouldn't have to die or see any more of him and he would get executed just like he wanted last trial."

"Maybe the asshole wasn't so bad after all..." Mizuki wondered, before laughing frantically. "Kyahaha! Nope! He still sucked."

"How can you say that?" Ryuto spoke up. "Kei tried to save us and still got murdered."

"Shut up already, you're being an idiot." Toshiro stopped Ryuto. "That guy was a fucking dick. He tried to kill us all, remember? He's no angel or saint, so stop protecting him like he is."

"Did you already forget that he tried to save us last night? He still died trying to protect us and you're still treating him like...like shit!"

"He was too late. Didn't Kuro say Kei planned every step ahead? Well, that's obviously a lie. Someone killed that traitor before him, so his plan failed."

"But Kei still tried! Why can't you understand that?" Ryuto continued.

"Just because he planned to do one good thing doesn't change the fact that he was an asshole that wanted to kill us all to stop this game. He didn't even consider our lives." Shiro replied, not interested in listening to Ryuto's arguments.