Scintilla

26) Overwhelm and Overpower

The walk to the trial grounds is as horrible as it always is. The deaths that occurred beforehand may have been shocking, but this one has impacted everyone in a cruel way. The group you walk along is much smaller than it was a few days ago.

So many of your classmates gone.

How can another friend be dying after the trial? Is it really fair to lose four people in just a few hours?

The elevator creaks, making you wonder how many times it's been used. The sides are rusting slightly, and the way it shakes when stopping makes you question how old it is. It has to be safe considering you're all allowed to use it, but that doesn't make it any less concerning.

When the doors open and the trial grounds are revealed your eyes instantly find themselves planted on the portraits of your classmates. Kaito's has a rocket ship painted around his face, as if he's looking out the window. Kirumi has two lines forming an x, on the end of both sticks is a hairy looking part which makes them look like brooms. Ryoma has tennis rackets over his face.

As you all find your respective podiums you can't help but blame yourself for the fact that you're here again. If only you had've fought back against your attacker then none of this would have happened. Kaito, Kirumi and Ryoma wouldn't be dead. It's all your fault. You always do everything wrong.

I'm not enough.
I never have been.
Why am I just now realising my worth will never increase?

You pinch yourself.

It's strange being lower than the podium for once. You have to lean to the side and crane your neck to see your classmates now, instead of being able to see them clearly.

"Let's get this started!" Monokuma announces, "Your trial of life and death begins again!"

"We've always started talking about the murder weapon, so we may as well start there again," Tsumugi shrugs, holding one arm and looking rather distant.

"We know Kirumi and Ryoma were both strangled, so they were likely killed by the same thing," you state, folding your arms.

"Do you have any idea what exactly it was?" Rantaro asks, raising his hand to his chin.

"Well, I'm not certain but it may have been the IV cord from... my um..." you screw up your nose, not only because you dont want to talk about that but also wishing you had 't inadvertently caused this whole scenario.

"Yeah yeah, your personal hospital room," Kokichi lazily gestures with his hand, "get over yourself,"

"She said nothing denoting the fact that she's proud of having her own medical room!" Tenko refutes, pointing at Kokichi with both fingers, an angry expression on her face.

"That's not... really helping my situation..." you shift uncomfortably.

The room seems to shift for a split second. You blink and wince as your a shooting pain spirals into your head.

"Oh, sorry," Tenko quickly apoligises and drops her arms to her side, "You know... I can't help but feel like I shouldn't be here right now."

"Huh?" Kaede scrunches her eyebrows, rubbing her head, "What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know really," Tenko presses her fingers together, "it's not important anyway,"

"No no, I understand what you mean!" Kaede shakes her head in bewilderment, "It started for me in trial 1..."

"That's strange, same here," Rantaro hums and places his hands on his hips.

"Wh-what does that have to do with anything?!" Tsumugi exclaims angrily at no one in particular.