The Mastermind's Lies | Mastermind Shuichi AU | EXTENDED

Chapter 32 - Revelation: Just the beginning.

NARRATOR POV

The camera flashed for a few seconds, before showing Shuichi, back turned, sitting cross-legged on the tiled floor.

He had both of his arms either side of him, placed on his left hand was a overly-familiar, green, circular light.

Placed on his right hand, was an unfamiliar, sqaure-shaped, red light.

Judging by how Shuichi had his hat on, they deduced that this scene happened in the duration of the now famous first round.

It was quiet for a few moments, almost matching the silence they all held while watching the screen.

"Hey... Uh.. What are you doing?" The four survivors instantly recognising the voice.

"T-that voice...!" Himiko stuttered.

"Motherkuma..." Maki said in disgust.

Everyone's head's turned to look at Himiko and Maki, but instantly snapped back to the screen when they heard Shuichi speak.

"I'm about to make a choice that will determine every action made in this killing game," He started.

"Huh? Whaddaya' mean?" Motherkuma interrupted, confused, just like everyone else who was watching this.

"Hope and despair... Past and future... Truth and lies... Each against the other until one of the two becomes objective. But there isn't a true answer to any. Just choices made by the people who side with each."

"The question is... Which do I choose...?"

"I'm not following ya'..."

A thin silence then followed, but Shuichi sat up straight and gently held the two flashback lights in each hand. Then lifting his left and then right arm in sync with what he was saying.

"To fabricate the truth...."

"Or erase a lie..."

The whole scene was somewhat hypnotic... His soothing, calm voice and the way he moved his arms to his words. It was like a show.

But the reality came crashing down again, and a indescribable feeling of guilt and sadness overwhelmed their stomach's. How could they not see what Shuichi was going through? What absolutely sick and twisted things Team Danganronpa was making Shuichi do for their own entertainment.

Shuichi then lowered his head, his hair delicately falling around his neck and hanging mid-air.

"Depending on that choice however, will lead to unseen and potentially dangerous consequences..."

"But given the irony, there is only one choice for me..."

After another few seconds of stillness, Shuichi stood up. Still not facing the camera however. His hands suddenly turned to fists, flashback light in both hands, both hands were shaking noticeably.

Shuichi stood unmoving, having his hands shake for a few more seconds before immediately letting them drop by his side's. His hands then relaxed and went to back before, gently holding each.

Shuichi then abruptly loosened his right hand, letting the red flashback light fall to the floor with a CLANK soon after.

Some immediately picked up on how Shuichi dropped the flashback light. It was like he dropped it in defeat..? But why...? What was the purpose of the red flashback light?

Silence.

Utter silence.

"Hey... I-isn't that a blackout light...?"