Danganronpa: Shuri's School

Chapter 24: Third Class Trial

We all took our places at the Courtroom, and Monokuma started things off by reminding us of the rules. Part of me realized that this was almost feeling...normal to me, and this realization shocked me deep inside. This courtroom proceeding wasn't normal. Students killing one another in this...school...wasn't normal. Was I becoming desensitized to this?

I closed my eyes and shook my head quickly. This was no time to lose my nerve. Desensitized or not, our lives were still at stake. I could deal with this feeling later; for now, I needed to focus!

To be honest, I was too lost in these thoughts to hear what Monokuma was saying to us, but I really didn't care anymore. I just wanted this nightmare to be over with, so we could all leave.

As I expected, Kokichi started things off.

"So, Maki, how did little Miss Murder Girl manage to kill Ibuki? Huh?"

Maki's eyes...I almost swore they turned solid black for a moment, but that could've been a figment of my imagination. She didn't say a word, though; she just glared malevolently at Kokichi. She made no response; however, Peko responded to Kokichi.

"Maki could not have killed Ibuki. She was with me, in the Dojo, watching me practice my katana strikes. Afterwards, we discussed various sword techniques, though Maki seemed less interested in the topic than I."

Akane spoke up next. "And ya better believe Peko, too! I passed Peko and Maki as I left the Dojo, after I finished beatin' the crap outta those bags!"

Maki looked over at Akane, still saying nothing, but nodding towards her, seemingly in agreement.

I decided to speak next. "Ok, so we can rule out Peko, Maki, and Akane, for they're all vouching for each other. I can also vouch for Nagito not being the killer, for me and him were speaking to each other in the Courtyard. Monokuma even came out to interrupt us..." I thought for a moment, then decided to go for it. "Didn't you, Monokuma?"

Monokuma turned to face me. "Hey, I'm not part of this Class Trial! I only pass judgment!"

Nagito responded, "But you DID see us there, didn't you?"

Monokuma growled, seemingly annoyed. "Ok, fine, you're both right. Nagito and Shurinku were both in the Courtyard from 12:30am until around 1am."

Byakuya nodded slightly. "Ok so that removes Peko, Maki, Akane, Nagito, and Shurinku from the list of suspects. May I also remove myself, and Kirumi, as well? Kirumi was assisting me in the library, with something."

Kokichi replied, "Oh? With what? Care to share with us?"

Byakuya glared at Kokichi. "We were discussing a few books together. The name of the books does not matter to this trial."

Kirumi nodded. "Yes, this is correct. Byakuya and I were in the library together that night. We left around 1:30am, after arriving just after the Lights Out message. Neither of us left the Library during that time."

I nodded. "So that leaves Kokichi, Hina, or Soda..."

Kokichi started grinning, and I had a gut feeling I wasn't like what he was about to say.

"It had to be Hina! Hina totally smashed poor Ibuki's head in!"

Hina's eyes shot wide open. "What?! It wasn't me! There's no way I could-"

Kokichi leaned forward, grinning more. "Don't lie to a liar, Hina. You killed Ibuki, and I know how you did it!"

Hina looked both shocked and scared, but Akane was the one to respond to Kokichi.

"You're wrong, Kokichi. My gut tells me it couldn't have been Hina, and I'm not just sayin' that because she's my friend!"

I carefully considered the situation, wondering if I should play my trump card now, or save it for a better time. I decided that, if I didn't play it now, the group may vote Hina guilty, but I was sure she wasn't the culprit.