Brats & Brains (Shuichi x Kokichi)

12 - Killing Game Busters

~ Shuichi

Everyone—including me—lets out a horrified gasp; Gonta? The killer? There's no way a kind and gentle man like Gonta would kill anyone—he can't even hurt a fly. Is Kokichi just trying to spice up the case like he always does? During the last trial, he claimed to be the killer—though, he did that to expose the true killer. As much as I care for him and cherish him and his company, I'll never understand the thoughts that fly through his mind during these trials. How could anyone be entertained by a killing game?

"I don't believe you!" Kaito yelps. "Gonta couldn't have killed Miu!"

"I agree," Tsumugi says, furrowing her brow angrily. "You must've killed her, Kokichi!" I've never seen her angry before, yet now, her face is as red as a tomato and there's an irritated tone in her gentle voice. You know things are bad when a girl like her is upset.

"Say that all you want, but I'm telling the truth," Kokichi says.

I glance over at Gonta, who's sweating intensely with a confused expression on his face. I can't fathom the thought of him killing anyone, nor can I fathom the thought of Kokichi killing anyone. But... do I really know either of them? This case is making me question how much I really know Kokichi.

"Gonta... no remember this virtual world..." Gonta says, still stunned.

"Because it was Kokichi who did it!" Kaito shouts.

"It couldn't have been Kokichi," K1-B0 says. "If he touched Miu, he would've become frozen due to his programming."

"See?" Kokichi sings sinisterly. "It wasn't me! It was Gonta!"

"I still don't believe you!" Himiko squeals.

"Tell 'em, Gonta!" Kokichi says, wearing an encouraging smile. His smiles alone have several different personalities. "Tell them how you killed Miu!"

The confusion on Gonta's face is only growing stronger. "But... Gonta really not know what happen!"

Fury fills Kokichi's big eyes and he groans in a frustrated tone. "Oh my God, I'm so sick of hearing you say you don't know! HOW ARE YOU THIS FUCKING STUPID?"

"Kokichi!" I gasp. "You need to knock it off!"

Kokichi shoots his furious glare towards me, and I feel a stabbing pain in my heart. Never did I think his cold glare would ever freeze me in place, yet here we are... I don't recognize him when he looks at me like that.

"HE'S THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOCK IT OFF! HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID!" Kokichi screeches, his bellows echoing throughout the room and shooting into my ears like bullets. "GONTA KILLED MIU!"

"Can't we just vote for Kokichi already?" Himiko gripes. "We all know it's him."

"IT'S GONTA!" Kokichi shrieks.

Everyone continues to argue—at unbearably high volumes, might I add—as I think of every possible reason as to why Gonta doesn't remember the virtual world, because with all the evidence we've gathered and shared... it's starting to point towards Gonta, which breaks my heart. Not just because such a kind and gentle soul committed murder, but because that would mean Kokichi really did manipulate him.

As the arguing continues, I think to myself—how does Gonta not even remember even going to the virtual world? Could it be... what I think it is...?

"Hey, Gonta?" I ask, the arguing screeching to a halt. Everyone's eyes are now glued on me.

"Yes... Shuichi?" Gonta says through tears.

"When you plugged the wires into your headset... which wire did you put in which port?" I ask him cautiously. This may be the answer to every burning question that's been floating around the courtroom during this trial.