Danganronpa: Boiling Point

Chapter 19: Second Class Trial

We solemnly took our places at the table, with a new placard where Himiko stood last Trial. Fourteen students stood at the table now, one of which may have killed Himiko, unless we can show that her show malfunctioned in some way.

Kyoko spoke up. "Alright, we've all done this once before, so we know the rules. We have to correctly guess who killed Himiko, or everyone except their murderer dies."

Rantaro responded, "But what if no one killed Himiko, like what happened with poor Ryoma?"

Kyoko quickly replied, "There is a chance something could have gone wrong with the Magic Show, but if not, then we have a Blackened on our hands to flush out."

I nodded in agreement, not that my consent was necessary.

Kyoko continued on. "Anyway, I feel our two main focal points should be the two glass boxes themselves, and the results of Shishano's search of Himiko. Which should we start with first?"

Rantaro looked over at me. "I wonder what Shishano found in her search of Himiko's body. Care to share?"

I nodded. "I found no evidence of foul play, but I did find some small evidence of bruising on her hands, elbows, and knees, consistent with striking an object with force. Furthermore, I saw no injection marks anywhere on her body, and no other signs of foul play. Thus, my conclusion is that Himiko was fully conscious within the glass box, was actively fighting to escape, and ended up drowning."

Kyoko nodded. "I see. Is there any reason to doubt her claims, Nekomaru? Fuyuhiko?"

Fuyuhiko grimaced. "The crazy bitch even took off Himiko's tights to look at her legs. I'm sure she didn't miss a thing, if she went THAT far!"

Korekiyo chuckled. "A very thorough search, indeed. Even I would not have thought to have taken those measures."

I shrugged. "With my profession, dealing with clothing on bodies is very natural to me. Indeed, I used to have to dress bodies for funerals, so this was-"

Fuyuhiko interrupted me. "Ok, look, we get it, alright? So she drowned in there, confirmed. Now, the big question is, HOW did that weirdo bitch drown in there?"

Korekiyo and Gundham exchanged glances. Gundham then spoke.

"I suppose it is our time to take the grand stage then, is it not, Korekiyo? To dispel the smoke and mirrors, and unite forces to uncover the blasphemy committed upon the stage! Fuhahaha!"

Korekiyo, taking Gundham's ramblings in stride, merely nodded. "Kehehe...Indeed, let us unravel the mysteries of these events, together, and see what beauty arises from its darkest depths."

Fuyuhiko spoke up again. "Can you two quit rambling and say something fuckin' useful now?!"

"Yeah, g-good luck with that," Toko sarcastically retorted.

Korekiyo snickered, seemingly to himself. "As you wish, Fuyuhiko."

Kyoko continued. "Korekiyo, Gundham, can you two shed any light on the preparations made for this escape act?"

Korekiyo scoffed. "Certainly, there isn't much of a mystery there. Two glass boxes, one filled with water, connected with a siphoning device. This device allows two-way transference of water, from one box to the other. I can say, with certainly, that the device did not malfunction during the act."

Mondo responded to Korekiyo's info. "Yeah, that's right. I probably know more about mechanical stuff than anyone else here. I made the siphoning device, like Korekiyo said, but that's it. That chick didn't even ask me to be in her act, and that was fine by me."