Danganronpa: Dead or Alive

📍Chapter 26: All Roads Lead To Rome📍

After many many MANY attempts and pleads, Mizuki and Monokitty managed to convince Monokuma to let Jiro rest up and recover from his captivity.

It was going to be a nightmare in trying to investigate this crime when their main detective could barely function.

They gave Jiro food and water, which he practically inhaled in seconds. After which, he promptly passed out with his head on the dining table.

Gin and Guren were in charge of making sure that no one messed with the crime scene.

-

A few hours later, Jiro stirred from his sleep. He blinked open his eyes and saw that Mizuki was sitting next to him.

"Where..."

"Hm? Oh, you're awake. Do you remember what happened?" She asked.

Taking a moment to search through his memories, he pulled together his thoughts.

"Ah...Ryo-kun...." he murmured.

Mizuki sighed sadly and nodded.

"So we have to start investigating as soon as possible, cause I doubt Monokuma is gonna give us anymore time then he's already given us." She explained.

"A-Ah....alright. Let me just...!" Jiro attempted to stand but fell when his legs didn't give him enough support.

Lucky, he landed against Mizuki, but he face planted in her chest.

"Enjoying yourself?" She asked, smiling.

"Gaahh!" He pushed himself away from the girl.

He immediately started wobbling, so Mizuki lent him her shoulder.

"T-thanks..." he murmured, his ears burning bright red.

-

"Coming down!" Mizuki called from above. She began to descend the spiral staircase that was located behind the bookcase.

"Be careful. Is Kinoshita-san with you?" Gin called up to her.

"Yeah he's here, but he's still kinda dazed so don't be too hard on him." She responded, finally reaching the bottom.

Jiro came down next, appearing to have a death grip on the banister. Once he reached the bottom, Mizuki helped him stand back up.

"Alright...where's...Ryo-kun's body...?" He asked.

Guren motioned towards the lifeless boy. Mizuki proceeded to help Jiro over to him.

"Hm...I don't even remember when he showed up. I just saw him across from me, trying to talk to me a few times that I came in and out of consciousness." Jiro said.

"Have you determined his cause of death?" Guren asked, approaching.

"Well....it's obvious that he died of blood loss. Someone cut his throat. I don't see any other visible wounds." Jiro said. "Have you checked the Monokuma Files?"

"Everyone checked. There isn't a Monokuma File for this one I'm afraid." Gin said, leaning against the wall.

"There isn't? Why not?" Jiro asked.

"Nobody knows. Even the bear wouldn't explain himself." Guren answered.

With the help of Mizuki, Jiro was able to kneel down next to Ryo. He placed his finger on a certain point on the boys neck, checking something. He took a long look at Ryo's face.

"Mizuki, can you tell me what you saw and heard when you entered again?" He asked.

"Oh, sure. First, I heard the sound of chains moving. When I entered, I saw you first, then Ryo-kun. His head was down, so I assumed he was unconscious, and ran to help you." She explained.