Danganronpa: Shuri's School

Chapter 20: Truth and Lies, Intertwined

The next morning, I headed to the Monoku-Machine and swiped my E-Handbook twice. I got a pale blue arrowhead that seemed to shimmer in the light, and a book called "Maiq, the Ultimate Liar". Part of me still wondered why I continued to get stuff from this thing, but then again, others seem to be happy with the stuff I find, so maybe it DOES help...somewhat...maybe?

Oh well, what's done is done, and there was still more work to do today. I had to figure out why Kokichi seemed so fascinated with the fountain, and what he was obviously up to. I had a gut feeling that Nagito was involved too, but I didn't want to approach him unless I had solid proof.

I went to the Dining Hall and had breakfast. Mixed berry pancakes with blueberry syrup, and a glass of orange juice. As usual, Kirumi's breakfast was always really good, and I put my plate away in the kitchen, where Ibuki volunteered herself to do dishes. Peko decided to join her in dish duty, concerned that leaving Ibuki alone would be a bad idea. I still felt bad for Ibuki, who was still worried about who voted her as the culprit, but I didn't feel this was a proper time to address this.

Instead, I headed out to the courtyard, and sure enough, Kokichi showed up a few minutes later. I decided it would be better if I got this over with, quickly.

"Kokichi, you got a moment?" I gestured towards the big round table, then walked over and sat down, my back to the corner.

Kokichi, seemingly carefree, put both hands behind his head and grinned widely. "Nee-heehee! It's a little strange that you would want to talk to me, Shuri. Why, we haven't talked since yesterday morning!"

I shut my eyes and shook my head. "Ummm, we never spoke yesterday morning. What do you-" Kokichi cut me off. "Kidding! Nee-heehee! That was a lie."

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. Questioning him, without losing my cool, was gonna be harder than I thought. "Anyway, have you noticed anything...out of place lately?"

Kokichi looked at me, an amused grin spreading across his face. "Out of place? Why, this whole place is out of place, wouldn't you say? Especially that fountain..." Kokichi began staring at the fountain again.

"Yeah, I've seen you staring at that fountain a few times. Do you think it serves some other purpose? Maybe a hint to the true mastermind?"

"Oh, I've already figured out the mastermind. The one behind the bear." Kokichi suddenly looked disinterested, but something flickered behind his eyes.

I suspended my disbelief. "Oh, really now?" I asked, dripping as much "I don't believe you" into the 3 words as I could muster. "And who may that just happen to be?"

Kokichi started grinning, and I already had a feeling his next words would be completely bogus.

"Why, it's a medusa man! I saw him disappear under the fountain after the Trial was over!"

I blinked a few times, knowing he was lying, but for some reason finding myself processing his words. "A...medusa...man. Really. That was the best you could come up with, Kokichi?"

Kokichi shrugged. "Well, I am a liar. Maybe it's the medusa man, maybe it's me. After all, I am the Ultimate Supreme Leader! Maybe I trapped everyone here with you all, and am living amongst you as the evil human Monokuma! Nee-heehee!"

Ok, so NOW he was saying he, HIMSELF, could be the mastermind, instead of this medusa man. I knew he was just messing with me at this point, and that I would likely not get much else useful out of him for a while, so I decided now would be a good time to take my leave.

I looked away from Kokichi, staring off into the distance while keeping him within my line of sight. "I...think I've had enough of this conversation for now. But before I go, I found this, and it IMMEDIATELY made me think of you!" I handed him the book "Maiq, the Ultimate Liar".