As I stood in the trial room, I couldn't help but start shaking. I knew who the culprit was, and could expose him whenever I wanted. But did I want to? Itsuki was my friend, and no matter what he did, I didn't want to betray him. But if he gets away, someone innocent will die.

"Alright, let's get on with this! Aimi Hoshiko was murdered, begin!" Chou exclaimed.

"I'd like to narrow this down quickly. Where was everyone an hour ago?" Toki asked the group.

"I was sorting through the medical supplies." Tomi said.

"In my room..." Mai mumbled.

"I was in my room too." I spoke up. It felt wrong to say, though technically I wasn't lying.

"I was with Jikkō, Satchiko, and Katashi." Kazuki stated, still appearing distraught.

"I was in the dining room..." Nise muttered.

"I was in my room." Itsuki said. Liar.

"Alright. Five suspects." Jikkō let out a small sigh. "That doesn't make things much easier."

"There were bloody footprints leading from the crime scene to Akira's room." Tomi pointed out casually. "I'd say that's pretty suspicious."

"I know, I think we all saw them." Mai replied, her voice lacking emotion. "But it's a little too obvious, unless Akira's just that stupid."

"I-I'm not..." I spoke up carefully. "I didn't do it..."

"You seem the most suspicious now, but let's not jump to conclusions." Toki said, then turned her attention away from me. "Satchiko, did you find anything?"

"N-no, not really..." Satchiko stuttered, looking towards the ground. "There wasn't much else in the r-room, but it didn't look like there was a struggle..."

"She died instantly, I guess." Katashi added. "With a wound like that, she wouldn't live long."

"Right... that's obvious." Toki nodded. "Nise, how about you? Did you find anything, or will you be useless as usual?"

"Um... I-I... I noticed... Takahashi-kun's been acting w-weird..." Nise said quietly.

"Weird?" Itsuki tilted his head. "How so?"

"J-just... um... different... like a d-different person..." Nise replied, her voice shaky.

Chou let out a small giggle, and all eyes were on her. She looked around at everyone with an amused expression. "Don't mind me, I just find it funny you haven't figured out his little secret yet. I can't believe only one of you knows! It's so obvious!"

"His secret?" Toki muttered thoughtfully. "I see..."

I looked to Itsuki, and noticed his expression went blank, before he looked around in confusion. After a few seconds, his eyes widened, before looking to me. "Akira-chan... I'm sorry..."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" Kazuki butted in. "Do you know something?"

"I... well..." Itsuki sighed, and before he could speak again, Tomi cut him off.

"I think he did it." The white haired boy stated. "I found some blood in his bathroom, plus he's acting weird, so there."

"R-really?" Nise gasped. "B-but... he's so nice!"

"It wasn't him." I said quickly, then took in a deep breath. "I mean... it kinda... kinda was... but not..."

"What're you talking about?" Toki narrowed her eye.

"I got this, Akira-chan." Itsuki gave me a small, sad smile. "I did it. I killed Hoshiko."

"How could you?" Kazuki demanded, "What did she ever do to deserve that?!"

"Nothing... it was completely my fault. I'm so sorry... I got Akira to help me clean things up, I forced her, it wasn't her choice, this is all on me." Itsuki looked to the floor, and I felt knives digging into my heart.

"Th-that's wrong!" I couldn't help but shout. "It wasn't your fault, Itsuki! Eiichi did it, you know that!"

"Eiichi? Who's that?" Katashi asked, looking rightfully confused.

"One of my... other personalities..." Itsuki said quietly. "He gets upset... has nervous breakdowns... Hoshiko was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." He sighed once again. "My other personality, Tatsuya, tried to cover it up... he really wanted to get out. But none of that matters, I still did it, so let's get on with the punishment..."

"No!" I exclaimed. "This... this isn't fair! Ch-Chou-chan, please, please don't kill him, he didn't know what he was doing! He had no control!" I pleaded, tears obscuring my vision.

Chou only grinned. "Just because you're my favourite doesn't mean I'll spare your friends, Akira. Rules are rules! But I'll at least punish the right one." She turned her attention to Itsuki. "Well c'mon, let him have control. I know you can do it."

"I'll take the punishment myself. I don't want him to suffer..." Itsuki responded.

Chou tilted her head. "This freak took control of your body and committed murder, but you don't want him to suffer? I'll never understand you." She twirled a strand of her platinum blonde hair. "Have it your way, I guess. Suffer for no reason."

Before anyone could say more, I jumped off my stand, running over to Itsuki and throwing my arms around him. My tears were now flowing freely as I hugged him tight, and he wrapped his arms around me in return, running a hand through my hair in a comforting manner.

"Th-this isn't fair... this isn't f-fair!" I sobbed into his shoulder. "Y-you can't leave me too..."

"Shh, I know, I know." Itsuki spoke softly. "You've been an amazing friend, Akira... thank you. I'm so sorry for leaving like this..."

"I-it's not your fault..." I held on tighter, knowing that as soon as I let go, he would be gone forever. "I-I'll miss you..."

"I'll miss you too..." Itsuki slowly pulled away, then with one last smile, he turned towards Chou, who had been standing behind him, waiting. She actually waited this time?

"I don't have all day, let's get this started!" Chou exclaimed, before dragging my friend away. All I could do was watch.

~*~

Chou forcefully pushed Itsuki down, making sure his neck lined up with the curve in the wood, before fastening the top over him, trapping him in place. The large metal blade of the guillotine glinted, and all I could do was stare on in horror.

Chou was smiling the whole time, obviously excited about this medieval contraption. Not giving Itsuki a chance to say anything, she pulled the lever.

I wished I had looked away.