Danganronpa: Song Of Despair

Chapter 5: Investigation

"W-why... Satchiko! N-no!" Katashi yelled, running to the body and kneeling next to it. He looked at her face, but quickly turned away. I didn't blame him, that's where the killer struck... and they weren't merciful. Her skull was bashed into a bloody mess.

Monokuma came and handed out the Monokuma Files, but unlike usual he said nothing and quickly left. It was strange, but we had more important things to think about.

I couldn't stop staring ahead at the body, but I didn't want to get any closer. From afar, it already looked bad enough.

I flinched, feeling a hand on my shoulder. I quickly looked up to meet Jikkō's gaze. She was giving me a consoling look, and did something I never expected her to do.

The assassin lowered her bandana, uncovering her face- although keeping her eye covered. Her features were soft and delicate looking, giving off an innocent look. If I didn't personally know her, I'd never suspect her of anything. It was the perfect face for what she did.

Her lips curved into a small, sad smile as she looked at me. "Don't worry about it, we'll find who did this. I'll investigate the body, you don't need to go near it."

I slowly nodded. "Thanks, Jikkō...."

"Well, we don't have time to waste." Jikkō responded, pulling the bandana back up and approaching Satchiko's body.

I stood up, looking at the Monokuma file. That's when I realized my hands were shaking. I couldn't be like this, I had to focus, I had to find Satchiko's killer. I could grieve later.

Satchiko had died at some time last night. It was annoying that it didn't state an actual time, but something else was definitely off. If she died last night, and went missing a few days ago... plus, the file made sure to point out the warehouse was in fact the original crime scene. I'll have some questions for the trial....

I began looking around the warehouse for anything that could help. On one of the walls was a large blood splatter, and the thought of Satchiko's face being slammed into it repeatedly... I cringed, quickly taking a step back. I should still keep a lookout for anything else that could be a murder weapon. Seeing the wound would help, but I decided it would be better to leave that to Jikkō.

I walked to the other side of the room, and spotted a baseball bat laying in the corner. It appeared to be thrown there, tossed aside, and was covered in blood. I didn't have time to really look at it before Michio approached me.

"I was gonna go check out her room, care to join me?" He asked, seeming eerily calm, but by now I wasn't surprised. I didn't think I've seen him shaken.

"Yeah..." I responded, and together we left the warehouse, leaving the girls- and Katashi- behind.

Once we were out of earshot, Michio spoke up. "By now we're just dropping like flies, aren't we...."

I was hesitant, but nodded. "Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a break, but... I'm sure if we just stay together we'll find a safe way out."

Michio gave me a small smile. "Even now that there's only six of us left, you're still holding onto hope. I always liked that about you, Kazuki." He paused for a moment, his expression growing dark. "I'd really miss you if you died."

I was slightly shocked at his statement, but shook my head. "That's not going to happen. We're gonna get out of here together."

"I seriously doubt that... but thanks." The guitar player replied.

We had arrived at the hotel, and going up to Satchiko's room, it was unlocked like last time. I opened the door and walked inside, actually looking around unlike last time when I was in a rush. I don't know how I had missed this last time, but there was an entire wall covered in multicolour sticky notes. Written on them were confusing jumbles of words. I didn't understand most of it... but Satchiko definitely knew a lot.

She did this to him.

He was kind.

The school year of despair.

Ruined. Destroyed.

I know the mastermind. Their name is-

I reached up to move a sticky note blocking the next word, but before I could the monitors turned on.

"Time's up! Let's get to the class trial!"