Danganronpa Midnight: Lantern Lament (Fanganronpa)

Chapter 1 - Class Trial 1

"Before we begin, let me explain the basic rules of the class trial!" Monokuma spoke, announcing the start of our first trial. "You all will discuss the case and try to figure out who the killer is! Once time has run out or you're confident you know who it is, a vote will be cast. Your votes will determine the results! If you can figure out who the blackened is then only they will receive punishment. But if you pick the wrong person...then I'll punish everyone besides the blackened! And the person who managed to kill and deceive you all will be able to leave the camping grounds! Now, does that make sense or do you want me to ram it into your brains?"

"I think we get it..." Yuna nervously laughed.

"It's not that hard. We just solve the case." I added.

"Indeed! I'm glad we're all on the same page! This will make our discussion easier." Hidemi sighed in relief.

"Perfect! Now...Get started. I'm already clinging to the edge of my seat!" Monokuma laughed as we all glanced at each other.

"So...How exactly are we supposed to start this?" Finn wondered, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, I've got no clue at all."

"If only Shimura was here...I bet he'd solve this in no time!" Akihiro exclaimed, but crossed his arms and wistfully looked away. "Oh well. In the meantime, I suppose you guys can handle it."

"H-Hey!" Tatsuo called him out. "You have to contribute. Your life is on the line too, you know."

"All of our lives are! So how about we stop rambling over useless conversation and get started! There's no use in stalling." Kairi instructed.

"Right. Kairi makes a good point." Hidemi nodded. "We should start by-"

"By calling out and accusing those most suspicious!" Yukari interrupted her by pointing directly at Shunsuke. "You!"

"Hm?"

"It's gotta be you! Your tacky aesthetic screams 'I'm a killer!'" She gave her terrible reasoning. "I'm voting Shunsuke."

"Are we all confident? Then it's voting-"

"N-No!" Hidemi cut Monokuma off. "We are not confident in that...accusation. And I use that term lightly. You can't suspect Shunsuke just because of his clothes."

"Whatever! Watch me be right." Yukari rolled her eyes.

Shunsuke dramatically turned his head to the side and played with the right side of his hair that hung over his shoulder. "Me? Kill him? A preposterous thought!"

"Mhm! Shunsuke would never stoop so low and k-kill!" Kokoro posed alongside him, flashing a grin while protecting him.

"H-How about we just get started...?" Kenjiro suggested.

"Why of course! I want to see how this trial plays out after all." Ryoko smirked.

"Is...Is that all you're thinking about? A fun trial?" Shouko asked and she shrugged.

"Why not? I hope to be entertained." She giggled. "I wonder how this will go..."

While everyone else was bickering over trivial stuff and anything other than the case, my eyes lingered on Satoshi, who had still not said a word.

What is he thinking about...?

I shook my head and yelled to get everyone's attention. "Shut up!"

"Huh? Chiyo?"

"You're all arguing over stuff that has nothing to do with the murder! Do you all want to get killed or something?" I placed my hands on my hips.

"Oooh. Taking charge. I like it." Ryoko grinned at my stance. "I wonder where this initiative comes from."