Danganronpa: Shuri's School

Chapter 17: Second Class Trial

We all took our places around the table, facing each other. Monokuma, as usual, sat on a judge's chair above us all, and between Mikan and Hina.

"Alright, everyone, you've done this once before, so you should all know the rules. One of you offed poor K1-B0. Your job is to figure out whodunit. Get it right, and I'll open the third floor for you tomorrow morning! Get it wrong, and I'll open the front door for the Blackened following the trial, while the rest of you die! A-hahahahaha!"

I looked over at Soda, who looked very troubled. But before he could speak, Nagito spoke up first.

"Guys, I know this is hard for all of us. Keebo was a friend to everyone, even a nobody piece of scum like me. But just remember, the deeper and darker our despair, the higher and brighter the hope that shines for us all!"

Kokichi's eyes lit up. "Woooowww! What an inspiring speech there, Nagito! Thanks for sharing it with us!" Kokichi nodded approvingly, then looked at Byakuya. "You liked it too, didn't you? Right, right?"

Byakuya looked back at Kokichi, disgusted. "Do I look like I'm fluent in shit-for-brains? That "speech", if you can loosely call it that, was just a waste of our time, which is steadily ticking away. Now, can we get this trial started?"

Kirumi nodded in agreement. "Yes, shall we? I believe we should start by confirming some details about this death."

I agreed with Kirumi. "Yeah. First, let's confirm the place of death. According to Ibuki, Keebo died in the Jam Room, when she tested out Keebo's new speaker function."

Miu spat out, "Yeah, where she KILLED him!"

Ibuki shot back, "I did NOT kill Keebo! You-"

I interrupted the two of them. "Hey guys, we can go back and forth all night, but we don't have time for that. Let's see what the evidence says about Keebo, alright?"

Miu muttered something under her breath. Ibuki went silent, still glaring at Miu.

I resumed. "Ok, so the body was found in the Jam Room, according to Ibuki. Has anyone found any evidence to contradict this, or can we accept this as fact?"

Byakuya responded, "I find it very likely Keebo died where we found him. It would be difficult for Ibuki, or Miu, to move him alone. Obviously, the two wouldn't have worked together, and it doesn't make any sense for Ibuki to cover for Miu, or vice versa. I say Keebo died where he was found."

Kirumi, Hina, Akane, and Soda all agreed, and no one provided evidence stating otherwise.

"And according to the Monokuma File, the cause of death was partially due to the speaker function. Soda, who worked on the speaker function?"

Soda nervously replied, "Me and Miu worked on it together, at Ibuki's request."

I nodded, already knowing the answer to that question, but wanting to hear Soda say it. "Did Ibuki request anything special with this speaker modification?"

Soda thought for a moment, then replied, "Only that the speaker be really loud, and be incapable of blowing out. Other than that, no."

"So you and Miu worked on the speaker for Ibuki, who had no part of building anything. Did you ever see any evidence of sabotage while you were working on it with Miu?"

Soda shook his head. "No. I checked everything after we finished, and even Keebo himself said everything seemed to be functioning properly, as far as he could tell without testing it."

Byakuya spoke next. "So, Kazuichi, what exactly happened after you finished the speaker function on Keebo?"

"Well..." Soda looked nervous again. "Miu said she needed to do some maintenance on Keebo, and I was hungry, so I went to the Dining Room. I never saw him again after I left Keebo's room."