Fanganronpa: Epigone

Chapter Two- Judge of Justice III (Class Trial)

The school day went by slowly as usual and Masaru had a feeling that Matsuyama was avoiding him. He would see the columnist around the school but when he saw Masaru, he would give a tight smile then make an excuse to leave.

Masaru told himself it was nothing and hated how the tightness in his chest told him otherwise. He'd seen Toma around as well but the bird keeper did not seem hostile or bothered by what happened.

When Masaru went to bring his own clothes to the laundry room he saw Matsuyama doing the same along with Arata beside him.

"Oh hey, Masaru!" Arata waved and Matsuyama flinched.

Masaru did not greet them back and sat his clothes down at the farthest washer from them. Matsuyama removed his clothes from the dryer and prepared to make his exit but Masaru rushed over to stop him which startled the columnist.

"Is something wrong?" Matsuyama asked.

Masaru but his lip, not wanting to admit his wrongs but had no choice. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Matsuyama set his basket down, "I already know your suspicions are valid and mean no harm."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

Matsuyama tilted his head. "But I'm not?"

"Should I leave?" Arata asked, looking between them.

Masaru sighed and looked to the side. "Look I'm doing this so you don't die." He continued when Matsuyama still looked confused. "If you continue moping like this then you'll be vulnerable to possibly getting killed. So I'm apologizing so you don't feel that way and you can focus."

Matsuyama stared at him for a bit before bursting with laughter. "You really came to that conclusion just so you wouldn't have to admit you apologized because you felt bad?"

Masaru's ears turned red. "No."

"I accept the apology but I told you it was fine," Matsuyama said then pat his shoulder, "just so you know, you don't have to hide your true feelings like that."

"Do you want to die?"

"You better leave him alone, Matsu," Arata spoke then scurried out of the laundry room before something bad happened.

Matsuyama laughed again and went on his way and Masaru continued washing his clothes.

So far, everyone seemed to have forgotten about the motive. Valini and Herb busied themselves together in the library while Seto came and went to Winona's room with a yoga mat. Kaneko was still letting Pinku roam around with Nao by her side while Arata and Umeda played another game of volleyball in the gym.

Masaru spent time with Mizuno and Toma from time to time but before he knew it, it was already nighttime again.

....

"It is now 7am!" Monokuma's voice filtered through the monitor, "get ready for another beautiful day!"

Masaru was up and out of his bed in seconds. He put on his coat as he noticed the book under his bed peeking out at him. He picked it up figuring there was no more use for it since most of everything was blacked out. He didn't know how he could possibly—

Masaru's eyes widened as he remembered the magnifying glass on his desk and rushed over to it. He held the book under the light on his desk and used the glass to look closer. It was a bit better to see but he still couldn't make out full sentences. He racked his brain if he could use anything found in this school to remove the sharpie before he stood from his desk.
He didn't know why hadn't thought of this sooner.