Fanganronpa: Epigone

Chapter Four- Disguised Truths III (Class Trial)

"I thought he was in the kitchen," Priscilla was the first to speak breathlessly.

"No!"

Masaru's head snapped towards Umeda who was taking staggering steps towards the body of his friend.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."

Winona reached out to place a hand on his back but Umeda forcefully pushed her away and Seto had to catch her.

"Watch it," Seto hissed.

Priscilla stepped closer as well to inspect the body but Umeda held his hands out again.

"Get away from him!"

"Umeda—" Toma tried to reason with him but the guy was out of it.

Umeda mumbled incoherently but a few words could be made out. "First Shoji and now..."

"Like I said," Nao said quietly to herself but looked on the verge of tears herself, "this will never end."

"Are you crying?"

Masaru looked over at Priscilla and realized the question was directed at him. He reached up to his own face and felt streams of water falling from his eyes without his permission.

"I'm not," Masaru stated and wiped his obvious tears.

Mizuno sniffed and her voice was hoarse. "Who did this?"

Umeda whirled around with accusatory fire in his eyes.

"One of you."

Winona shook her head. "But—"

"As far as I'm concerned, you're all murderers," Umeda said with full malice.

"You can't just accuse us all like that," Nao scoffed, "for all we know, you could be the killer and you're putting on an act."

Umeda jumped to his feet and charged towards Nao but Seto held him back.

"Look at me," Seto ordered and when Umeda kept thrashing, the masquerader slapped him.

Umeda stood still for a second as his cheek stung and Seto held the guy's shoulders.

"We get it. This is your friend- our friend. But taking it out on us is not going to help him now."

Masaru walked over to Umeda as well. "Pull yourself together. We need to start investigating."

Umeda's eyes burrowed into Masaru's. "This is Matsuyama we're talking about." He then looked at the other students. "The one who fed us every day and we never even gave him the thanks he deserved. He was the closest thing to a leader we had and now he's..."

The game room fell silent and everyone was consumed in grief whether they wanted to be or not.

"Are you all done crying now?"

Masaru looked down to see Monokuma appear and Umeda instantly stormed towards the bear but once again, Seto held his arm firmly.

"Hey, at least I gave y'all time to mourn!" Monokuma defended himself, "anyways, I'm sure you know the drill so review the victim file and get ready for another thrilling class trial!" The bear then disappeared.

Priscilla went towards Matsuyama's body again where Umeda bent down next to but Masaru stopped her.

"Give him time," Masaru told her, "let him do this."

Priscilla understood and took out her mono pad to read the victim file instead while Masaru did the same.

Victim: Matsuyama Michio- The Ultimate Columnist.