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

CHAPTER 2-8: Kirumi Tojo

1ST PERSON POV:

"There is one more thing I still need to confirm... but Kirumi is the prime suspect."

As shuichi accused Kirumi, I simply stood at my podium with my arms crossed. Kirumi sent a quick look in my direction, clearly distressed on the inside, but I only returned with a bored look instead.

'This is your fault for not being able to stay out of suspicion. I did all I had to, so why should I help you now?'

She looked surprised and ready to scream in my face, but I knew I was right. Throughout the hours we've been mindlessly discussing, boring details, she couldn't stop showing signals of suspicion, such as constantly asking about Kokichi seeing the videos. She should've known he would've caught on, so she's to blame. Not me. Although, I wonder if they'll be able to catch her without the black fabric? Maybe I should help them?

"Is this true, Kirumi?" Keebo asked.

"I can't believe you would suspect me..." She said. "If that is the case, then I will have to deny it. I will not let you make the wrong choice."

"I, of course, am not the culprit." She said.

"But you don't have an alibi for nighttime, do you?" Korekiyo asked.

"An alibi for nighttime?" She repeated. "I believe Ranmaru gives me a solid alibi."

"..."

"But that's only till 1am, not to mention you seem likely to know how to work all the advanced mechanisms used in this trial." Maki stated.

"Those mechanisms could've been done by anyone." She answered. Before she could continue, Shuichi spoke up.

"No, that's wrong. You're the only person who could've done this, Kirumi. Well, the preparations in any case." Shuichi accused.

"... before the culprit could put the body into the tank, several steps needed to be taken. For example, tying the rope to the window and placing the partition in the tank. And the only person in the gym alone before nighttime was you, Kirumi." He explained.

"Nyeh, but she was only in there for like, five minutes." Himiko pointed out.

"Five minutes wouldn't be enough time for the whole murder, but it'd be more than enough time to set it up." He retorted.

"And what about my alibi with Ranmaru?" Kirumi persisted.

"You could've already done the preparations before you met up with him near nighttime. Then you separated at 1 a.m., which would be more than enough time to commit the murder."

Despite the facts, Kirumi wouldn't let it go. Both of them began to argue back and forth while I simply sat back and watched Shuichi constantly retort her claims, silencing her with the scuff marks on the window frame being caused by the rope. After that, she stayed silent. Until, she began to ramble on about how she had to protect 'everyone', although she didn't seem to be talking about us.

"Hey, Kirumi... who is this everyone you're talking about?" Kaito asked. It seems I wasn't the only one who caught onto that. Slip of the tongue, Kirumi. Even If she denied it, I could tell she was lying through her teeth. Sadly, the others didn't.

"Shuichi, please reconsider suspecting me as the culprit.." She finished her plead. Sadly, the one person she wished to persuade wasn't persuaded.

"There is. I have proof that you're the culprit." Shuichi admitted. "If it was indeed Kirumi who moved the body with the makeshift ropeway, then the final clue falls into place... then the final clue falls into place."

"The final clue..? And what is that, Shuichi..?" I asked as Kirumi pleaded and argued.

Here we go...