『 ♧ Escape Artist ♧ 』『 RANMARU KAGEYAMA × DANGANRONPA V3 』

CHAPTER 1-8: Brutal Conclusion.

3RD PERSON POV:

"Kaede is the culprit."

The entire courtroom burst onto disbelief at Shuichi's claim. Ranmaru, however, knew that he wasn't lying. He had realised it once Shuichi pointed out the camera flash. Thankfully, due to his spying, he knew only Kaede had the chance to turn on the flash. As everyone tried to refute the answer, all eyes quickly fell on Kaede. However, instead of agreeing, she randomly burst out laughing.

"Pft..ahahahaha! Just kidding!" She laughed innocently. "Huh? Did you guys really think I'm the culprit? Psh, come on, guys! Like I could! I never met up with Rantaro. I never had the chance to kill him!"

"Y-yes... no way that kaede is culprit..." Gonta sighed happily.

"Geez, of course not! Do you even think I'm strong enough to throw that shot? My fingers are only strong enough to play the piano!" Kaede said.

"Hold on. Who said you had to be in the library to kill Rantaro??" Ranmaru refuted.

"Hm? Ranmaru, you still actually think I'm the killer???"

Ranmaru sighed and nodded to her with a smirk. "Pretty sure. I mean, nobody could've entered the library. Plus, I may have figured out a way you could've killed him while being with Shuichi."

"But still, that accusation is wrong!" Kaede said before her voice became serious as she looked across the courtroom. "Right, Shuichi? No matter how you look at it, I couldn't have killed Rantaro with that shot."

"No, I'm not joking around. Kaede definitely killed Rantaro, " Shuichi stated.

"It seems as though Shuichi is serious after all..." Korekiyo said as he stared at Shuichi in surprise. Everyone else replied with similar reactions, but Ranmaru simply scoffed and folded his arms.

"Weak... I thought you all were open to possibilities, I guess not when it comes to kaede.." Ranmaru said under his breath. 'Oh well.. if we don't pursue Shuichi's claim, we will most likely die.'

"Well, Shuichi, why don't you tell me, then? How did I kill Rantaro with that shot?" Kaede asked with a content smile. It struck Ranmaru as odd. Normally, someone would say that with a provocative tone, but she was different. Instead, she said it with kindness... as if she wanted him to find out.

"How Kaede killed Rantaro with the shot put ball.." Shuichi started. "...Should become clear when we deduce where she used it."

"Wh-Where she used it..? What does that mean?" Keebo inquired nervously. Everyone else listened as Shuichi began to theorise.

"But wait.. I have an alibi! I was in the classroom standing watch with shuichi!" Kaede started. Ranmaru quickly spoke up and pointed his finger to her

"Not so fast, Kaede.. that isn't concrete proof." Ranmaru refuted. "It especially doesn't help you with this theory I have.."

"Nyeh, Is now the time to be coming up with theories..?" Himiko asked.

"It is if it helps prove how Kaede could've killed Rantaro from the classroom." He stated.

"Wh- what!? What degenerate thought process is that!?" Tenko asked aggressively. Ranmaru simply ignored her and continued speaking.

"Simple. There is a way to transport the shot put ball from the Classroom on the first floor to the library: she rolled it." Ranmaru smirked as he looked to a smiling kaede. "By rolling the shot put ball through the classroom vent, It would eventually reach the Library through the connecting vent."

"Yes, that's exactly how Kaede could've rolled it." Shuichi said as he solemnly smiled to Ranmaru, who simply closed his eyes and listened to the group.