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

CHAPTER 3-9: Farewell and Reuniting

"Andddd, you are correct again! A- MAZ- ING! That's the 3rd correct verdict in a row!" Monokuma cheered in excitement.

Despite the accomplishment, Ranmaru couldn't bring himself to feel good. He was upset. He was upset at Kiyo, sure, but not just him. The entire case against him was circumstantial, yet only 4 others believed him. Could he really not be trusted that much? Did the others think that little of him?

"Well, it looks like this is all over." Keebo sighed with relief.

"No. Not yet. I haven't... heard his answer." Himiko interrupted. "Kiyo... Why? Why did you kill Angie and Tenko?"

"Yeah! You no need to kill them both, no matter what motive he have!" Gonta added.

"Did your motive have something to do with the resurrected transfer student? Even if it did, though, how did that trigger a murder??" Tsumugi asked carefully, still by her podium and staring at Korekiyo with caution.

"Kehehehe... the resurrection trial had nothing to do with it." Korekiyo admitted. "Because we're friends, I'll tell you. I never once believed in the ritual. I would never kill anyone over such a silly thing."

"So it had nothing to do with the ritual? Then... why!?" Himiko asked, getting more and more agitated as he went on.

"You see... there is... someone that I love... from the bottom of my heart... someone so dear... someone I long for. I love her with all my heart. And she loves me with all her heart. Yes, we vowed an endless love to each other, forever bound by fate. None can come between us. We are bound by an intense love... no matter what anyone says."

Taking a pause to breathe, Miu quickly interjected, slamming her hand down. "You're braggin' about your perfect love life!? Fuck you! Some of us aren't that lucky!!" She yelled in argument.

"That's why you killed Angie and Tenko? But why did you need to kill both?" Himiko persisted.

"Kehehe.. if you asked if I did it to escape this place, my answer would be... 'No,'" Korekiyo began. "Because I have no need to escape this place... the one I love.. is inside."

"Who is this fucking person you love, huh!? Just tell us already and stop side stepping! You owe us this after all you did." Ranmaru yelled out, breaking the confusion and glaring to Korekiyo, who merely continued to monologue.

"When I say inside.. I don't mean inside the academy. I mean... inside me. Yes, the one I love lives inside me. My dearest sister! Yes, it isn't that difficult. My sister is my lover." Korekiyo exclaimed. As he continued describing his passion, Ranmaru cried heavily on the outside. The incest absolutely disgusted him, especially coming from someone like Korekiyo. Eventually, he chose to reluctantly tune in and continue listening to Korekiyo.

"That is why.. for my beloved sister.. I had.."

"You had to escape?" Kaito answered quietly.

"No, not at all. I had to kill for her." Korekiyo answered instead.

"Sister was very sickly, in and out of the hospital since she was young. Because of that, she didn't have many friends.. she seemed oh so very lonely.. Even if I could be her little brother and lover.. I couldn't be her friend. So.. I thought I'd find her some friends. Friends for my dear deceased sister. You see, now that my sister is a ghost, shouldn't her friends be ghosts too!? I've killed many! Nearly a hundred! They were all wonderful people, worthy of being Sister's friends!"

"D- deceased!? Worthy!? What the hell are you going on about..!?" Ranmaru gasped impulsively. As the others also shared their surprise, more and more began making sense, more specifically, the feminine face underneath the mask.