The school day went by slowly as usual and Masaru had a feeling that Matsuyama was avoiding him. He would see the columnist around the school but when he saw Masaru, he would give a tight smile then make an excuse to leave.

Masaru told himself it was nothing and hated how the tightness in his chest told him otherwise. He'd seen Toma around as well but the bird keeper did not seem hostile or bothered by what happened.

When Masaru went to bring his own clothes to the laundry room he saw Matsuyama doing the same along with Arata beside him.

"Oh hey, Masaru!" Arata waved and Matsuyama flinched.

Masaru did not greet them back and sat his clothes down at the farthest washer from them. Matsuyama removed his clothes from the dryer and prepared to make his exit but Masaru rushed over to stop him which startled the columnist.

"Is something wrong?" Matsuyama asked.

Masaru but his lip, not wanting to admit his wrongs but had no choice. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Matsuyama set his basket down, "I already know your suspicions are valid and mean no harm."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

Matsuyama tilted his head. "But I'm not?"

"Should I leave?" Arata asked, looking between them.

Masaru sighed and looked to the side. "Look I'm doing this so you don't die." He continued when Matsuyama still looked confused. "If you continue moping like this then you'll be vulnerable to possibly getting killed. So I'm apologizing so you don't feel that way and you can focus."

Matsuyama stared at him for a bit before bursting with laughter. "You really came to that conclusion just so you wouldn't have to admit you apologized because you felt bad?"

Masaru's ears turned red. "No."

"I accept the apology but I told you it was fine," Matsuyama said then pat his shoulder, "just so you know, you don't have to hide your true feelings like that."

"Do you want to die?"

"You better leave him alone, Matsu," Arata spoke then scurried out of the laundry room before something bad happened.

Matsuyama laughed again and went on his way and Masaru continued washing his clothes.

So far, everyone seemed to have forgotten about the motive. Valini and Herb busied themselves together in the library while Seto came and went to Winona's room with a yoga mat. Kaneko was still letting Pinku roam around with Nao by her side while Arata and Umeda played another game of volleyball in the gym.

Masaru spent time with Mizuno and Toma from time to time but before he knew it, it was already nighttime again.

....

"It is now 7am!" Monokuma's voice filtered through the monitor, "get ready for another beautiful day!"

Masaru was up and out of his bed in seconds. He put on his coat as he noticed the book under his bed peeking out at him. He picked it up figuring there was no more use for it since most of everything was blacked out. He didn't know how he could possibly—

Masaru's eyes widened as he remembered the magnifying glass on his desk and rushed over to it. He held the book under the light on his desk and used the glass to look closer. It was a bit better to see but he still couldn't make out full sentences. He racked his brain if he could use anything found in this school to remove the sharpie before he stood from his desk.
He didn't know why hadn't thought of this sooner.

Masaru grabbed his things and left his dorm preparing to ask all of the girls about nail polish. He stepped out into the empty hallway and the first door he knocked on was Kaneko's. He could have went to Mizuno first but he figured she wasn't the type to wear polish especially since she's a hiker. He knocked a couple of times but there was no answer. However, he could hear a faint hiss from behind the door.

"What are you doing?"

Masaru turned around to see Nao standing there with her arms crossed.

"She's a late sleeper so don't bother her," Nao told him.

Masaru's eyes drifted down to her red polished nails. "I'm assuming you have nail polish, am I correct?"

Nao narrowed her eyes. "Why? I'm not sharing with you."

"That also means you would have nail polish remover."

"And?"

"Let me borrow it."

Nao pretended to think about it. "Why should I? You wouldn't help me with my thing so why would I help you with yours?"

"Your thing involves murder which may or may not guarantee our freedom. My thing gives us a sure way to figuring out more about the person behind this."

"Are you going to tell me what it is?"

"No."

Nao tapped her chin. "Fine. But you have to do something for me first."

Masaru waited, already growing annoyed.

"Go fetch me breakfast from the dining hall. I don't like wasting my time going there."

"That's it?" Masaru asked and Nao nodded.

Masaru huffed and made his way to the dining hall. When he arrived he saw Mizuno and Toma sitting at a table.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for Matsuyama to come and feed us," Mizuno yawned, "we just got here."

"You can't cook for yourself?"

"I can try," Toma offered but Masaru and Mizuno both immediately declined.

Mizuno then stood up, tired of waiting. "I'll just go do it myself I guess. Don't expect me to make some for you guys too."

Mizuno walked off towards the kitchen and Masaru turned to Toma. He supposed he should apologize like he did to Matsuyama but before he could, a loud scream rung out from the back.

Toma jumped up at the sound of Mizuno's voice and Masaru followed after him towards the kitchen. When they arrived they both saw Mizuno frozen in place staring at something on the ground near the refrigerator. Toma came up next to her and his expression matched hers as Masaru stepped closer.

Masaru finally looked down at what they were staring at and saw the body before them lying face up.

The body of Kaneko Yanagi, the Ultimate Snake Charmer.

"This can't be happening," Mizuno whispered, feeling light headed.

Ding Dong!

"Ahem! A body has been discovered! Now then, after a certain amount of time has passed, a class trial will take place!"

Anything about breakfast or nail polish remover had been long forgotten and Masaru guided Mizuno away from the scene.

"This is horrible," Toma said softly.

Soon enough, the rest of the students rushed into the dining hall.

"Please don't tell me that was what I think it was," Arata said, looking sick to his stomach.

"What happened?" Matsuyama asked and Mizuno pointed a shaking finger to the kitchen.

Everyone gathered around and everyone's face turned pale.

"Not again," Valini said, turning away from Kaneko's body and Herb hugged her.

"Whoever did this is sick," Seto hissed.

Masaru glanced over at Nao who hadn't said a word and silently walked away from the kitchen and out of the dining hall.

"Well, it's about time!"

Masaru looked down at Monokuma who had popped up in the middle of them.

"Time to investigate!" The bear told them, "look to your monopads for the victim file!"

"Let me ask you something," Priscilla said to Monokuma, "since we're still going to be having a class trial, does that mean Kaneko wasn't the traitor?"

"Of course she wasn't!" Monokuma laughed, "as if I'd let my little traitor get killed anyways! You kids are so gullible!"

Umeda was simmering by now. "So, some idiot really fell into this stupid trap?"

"It appears so," Masaru said then took out his monopad, "if the scene is too gruesome for you or if you're not going to help investigate then you should leave." When no one moved he nodded his approval. "It seems like we'll have more help this time."

"I still feel sick to my stomach but I'm going to do the best I can," Winona said, "I was too shocked last time but I want to do better."

"Yes," Herb agreed, "I believe I can be of help this time too."

"We're gonna catch this killer," Arata said, pumped up.

Matsuyama smiled at his classmates determination. "That's the spirit."

Masaru was glad as well and turned on his monopad to look at the victim file.

Victim: Kaneko Yanagi- The Ultimate Snake Charmer.

Cause of Death: blunt force to the back of the head.

The victim's body was found in the kitchen of the dining hall lying face up.

Estimated time of death is 6:59am.

No other injuries were detected and no chemicals such as poison were present.

"She died at 6:59am?" Valini questioned.

"That's like right before the morning announcement," Umeda noted.

"And it's recent," Herb added.

Masaru put away the file then went to inspect the actual crime scene. There were multiple things that stood out but he focused on the bloody pan first. The pan laid next to Kaneko's body on the ground and near the rack where more pans hung.

Bloody pan.

"That has to be the murder weapon," Mizuno concluded.

"What's this?"

Masaru turned around and saw Matsuyama inspecting a light blue bottle that was broken on the floor also next to Kaneko. He stepped closer to it and saw that the bottle actually had a skull on it.

Winona gasped. "Is that poison?"

Toma bent down to sniff it then backed away, repulsed. "Smells like it."

"But the victim file said there was no poison detected," Priscilla pointed out, "why is there poison present if the death was caused by blunt force?"

Broken poison bottle.

Masaru turned his attention to the also broken mug next to it where dark liquid was spilt.

"Looks like coffee," Matsuyama said.

Broken mug with dark liquid.

"The murder was taken place in the morning again," Valini brought up, "so the culprit has  to be someone who wakes up early."

"Need I remind you, Asya was not a morning person last case," Priscilla said.

"Yeah," Arata agreed, "it could really be anybody."

Masaru observed Kaneko's body more and saw that her right hand was closed in a fist but the other wasn't. He gently pried her fingers open and saw two small red bow hairpins. With a sigh, he took them, having an idea of who they were for.

Masaru then let his eyes drift back over to the blood stained pan. "This murder may have not been as planned out like Asya's was."

"How so?" Herb asked.

"If the culprit intended to kill, wouldn't it make more sense to hide the pan or at least set it down after doing so?" Masaru continued, "it almost looks like someone dropped it in a panic after realizing what they've done."

"He's got a point," Mizuno said, "but wouldn't dropping a pan make a noise?"

"Yeah, the morning people would have heard it," Valini agreed.

"We can figure that out later," Matsuyama spoke then continued to inspect the kitchen like everyone else.

While the others did that, Masaru decided to go to that one place that he should also inspect. As he left the dining hall he heard someone call his name and run after him. Masaru turned to see Seto stop before him, panting like he'd just ran a marathon.

"How are you that out of breath?" Masaru commented.

Seto rolled his eyes. "My athletic ability is not important right now. I have to tell you something."

Masaru sighed and heard him out.

"I was in the hallway just before the morning announcement," Seto explained, "I do yoga with Winona in her room during mornings from time to time. We had just finished so I was going to get a towel from the laundry room. When I was going back to my room from there, the announcement went off. If Kaneko died just a minute before that then wouldn't I have heard the pan falling just as Mizuno said?"

Masaru was actually surprised the guy provided him with something useful.

"Alright," Masaru said, "I'll take that into account."

Seto's Account

Masaru resumed his walk and soon entered the mono machine room. A second later, Monokuma popped up from behind the desk again.

"What can I do for you today—"

"Open the log," Masaru interrupted.

"Can you say please?"

"Open. The log."

Monokuma shivered then disappeared before coming back with the log screen. Masaru took it and looked at the last transactions.

Yesterday- used at 9:12pm

Yesterday- used at 9:15pm

"Thank you," Masaru said dryly then left just as quick as he came.

Mono machine log.

As he prepared to return to the dining hall, he saw a scene in the hallway unfold in front of him.

"Oh my gosh," Nao whimpered as she reached a shaking hand out to touch Pinku's head.

Kaneko's room door was open and the snake had slithered out and surrounded Nao's leg playfully.

Nao finally managed to pet the snake's head and the snake hissed happily from the touch.

"Good girl," she said softly, "how am I supposed to tell this thing her mommy isn't coming back home?"

Masaru walked closer to them and when Nao spotted him, her face flushed.

"I'll kill you if you tell anyone about this," she snapped.

Masaru looked down at the snake. "What are you doing?"

"I asked Monokuma to open the door so the snake can come out," Nao said, "she has the right to know what happened to Kaneko."

"You think it knows what you're saying?"

"Kaneko always said she could speak with Pinku."

"Well, she was a snake charmer."

Nao crossed her arms. "How hard can it be?"

Masaru shrugged then reached into his pocket and pulled out the two red bow pins he took from Kaneko's hand.

"I think these were meant for you."

Nao tilted her head but still accepted them.

"Kaneko had them on her person," Masaru explained, "she doesn't seem like the type to wear something like that and you do wear a lot of red. Considering you two were close, she was probably planning to give them to you."

Nao stared down at the clips in silence then put them in her black hair.

"They're so tacky," she spoke then sniffed and Masaru pretended not to see the tears in her eyes.

Ding Dong!

"Now then, it's time for the long awaited class trial!" Monokuma's voice rang through, "you already know where to go! See you soon!"

"Are you going to bring the snake?" Masaru asked, hoping she wouldn't.

"Of course," Nao said, strongly then narrowed her eyes, "don't you think Pinku has the right to find out who murdered her owner?"

"Let's go then," Masaru said and took the lead while Nao struggled to get the snake on her shoulders.

Masaru entered the elevator where the other students were waiting with Nao right behind him.

"How are you not scared of that thing?" Umeda asked Nao after seeing the snake attached to her.

"Oh, don't be such a crybaby," Nao answered nonchalantly as if she weren't freaking out two seconds before.

"We need to focus on finding the culprit, alright?" Mizuno told everyone, "no funny business."

The elevator then started to descend and the next thing they knew, they were back inside the trial room, taking their places.

Class Trial Begin!

Monokuma: I will provide a brief explanation of the trial-

Masaru Yamaguchi: We know how it works.

Monokuma: Fine, fine! Get to it then if you're so smart!

Priscilla Azumi: I think we should start with the time Kaneko died.

Valini Bhatt: Right before the morning announcement!

Masaru Yamaguchi: But the question is why was she even in the kitchen so early in the first place.

Arata Hisao: Maybe she got hungry?

Nao Nakayama: Not a chance. Kaneko is a late sleeper and won't get up even if you drag her out of bed.

Herb Sowle: So, something made her get up that early. Just like Asya?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Exactly.

Winona Masuya: Then what was it?

No one had an answer.

Umeda Susumu: You know, there's a possibility someone could have just asked her to meet them there.

Toma Nikolaev: What do you mean?

Umeda Susumu: What if the culprit wrote a note telling her to meet them in the kitchen this morning?

Matsuyama Michio: I don't know about that. When would they have wrote it?

Mizuno Okimoto: It could have been last night.

Masaru Yamaguchi: If that were the case, we would have found a note at the crime scene.

Arata Hisao: Maybe we missed it?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Impossible.

Priscilla Azumi: I want to bring our attention to something out of place we found at the scene.

Winona Masuya: Out of place?

Broken poison bottle.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I'm assuming you're referring to the broken bottle of poison we found.

Nao Nakayama: Where would the culprit even get something like that from?

Winona Masuya: I don't think any of the available rooms would carry such a thing.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I think you're both mistaken. I don't think the poison was in the culprit's possession.

Nao Nakayama: Of course it was. That's how Kaneko died, isn't it?

Bloody pan.

Priscilla Azumi: The victim file clearly states that Kaneko died from blunt force trauma and the blood stained pan that was on the kitchen's floor is the obvious weapon.

Priscilla Azumi: Did you even read the file?

Nao Nakayama: ... Of course I did, I just... forgot.

Shoji Isao: You didn't even help us investigate. Just admit you didn't read it.

Masaru Yamaguchi: That's not important right now.

Herb Sowle: If the poison didn't belong to the culprit then where did it come from?

Masaru Yamaguchi: That's simple.

Masaru Yamaguchi: It belonged to Kaneko.

The trial room fell silent.

Nao Nakayama: That doesn't make any sense, why would Kaneko have poison on her?

Arata Hisao: And where did she get it from?

Mono machine log

Masaru Yamaguchi: I believe she may have gotten it from the mono machine room.

Arata Hisao: What do you mean?

Matsuyama Michio: Right, you told us that the mono machines were giving out strange items.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Items that could be used for murder.

Valini Bhatt: What?!

Nao Nakayama: But how can you be so sure Kaneko used that machine?

Masaru Yamaguchi: During the investigation I went to go inspect the mono machine room. There's a log that shows the transactions of the people who used it but not their names.

Masaru Yamaguchi: There were two transactions at 9:12pm and 9:15pm. Now did anybody else use the mono machine around that time?

No one said a word.

Masaru Yamaguchi: That means it could only be Kaneko who used it. Once for the poison and once for those bow pins in your hair, Nao. The order in which she received them doesn't matter.

Seto Hamasaki: Well, that makes sense. I didn't say anything back then but I did find it weird when one of the machines gave me a whole switchblade.

Monokuma: That's right! I added a few extra things in there to aid you in today's motive! I'm so glad someone put it to good use!

Monokuma: Or well, at least tried to puhuhuhu.

Masaru Yamaguchi: ...

Masaru Yamaguchi: What was that?

Monokuma: ... huh?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Are you confirming that Kaneko took the poison with an indeed intent to kill?

Monokuma: What?! I didn't say that—

Masaru Yamaguchi: Thanks for clearing that up.

Monokuma: Grhh!!!

Priscilla Azumi: So, Kaneko got up early which was unlike her with an intent to kill just like Asya.

Winona Masuya: But... but why?

Masaru Yamaguchi: To save us, of course.

Umeda Susumu: Save us?

Toma Nikolaev: Oh, she must have been trying to catch the traitor.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Exactly. If she were able to catch and kill the traitor then we would all have escaped. She wanted to give us all our freedom back. Now that sounds like Kaneko.

Nao Nakayama: Yes... yes it does.

Herb Sowle: But how would she have found the traitor in the first place?

Arata Hisao: Yeah, did she have an idea of who it could be?

Masaru had thought about that factor for some time now but the conclusion he came to was too stupid for him to say out loud.

Mizuno Okimoto: Maybe she overheard the traitor talking to Monokuma or something?

Masaru Yamaguchi: No.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I think... I think she may have trusted in her snake to find the traitor.

Again, the trial room was thrown into silence.

Shoji Isao: Excuse me?

Seto Hamasaki: No offense, but that is a crazy assumption.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I thought nothing of it at the time but the last few times I saw Kaneko, she was letting Pinku roam the halls. She had never done that before and claimed it was so the snake could wander around.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Perhaps she was trusting her snake to sniff out the evil. Nao, you said so yourself that Kaneko claimed she could speak with Pinku.

Nao Nakayama: Yeah but that was just crazy talk.

Matsuyama Michio: She is a snake charmer though. Maybe she really could communicate with her pet.

Arata Hisao: If that's true then is the culprit we're looking for also the traitor?

Umeda Susumu: It has to be. They got rid of Kaneko before she could expose them.

Winona Masuya: But who did she think it was?

Masaru thought back on his encounters with Kaneko and Pinku in the halls.

Pinku happily flickered her tongue at Masaru then slithered on to Toma's door next. The snake stopped then perked up, raising half of its body off of the floor.

Masaru knew if he disclosed that information then everyone's suspicions would be solely on Toma but he knew the bird keeper didn't do it. He had no proof but he just knew. He decided to keep this information to himself so that the others would stay on track.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I am not sure.

Mizuno Okimoto: That's okay but I want to talk about the murder weapon more. You said that the culprit most likely dropped it in a panic after what they've done.

Mizuno Okimoto: I don't want to accuse the morning people but at least one of them had to have heard the sound of the pan falling.

Shoji Isao: Aren't you also a morning person? When the rest of us got to the crime scene you, Toma and Masaru were already there.

Mizuno Okimoto: Yeah but that was way after the morning announcement. Was no one near the dining hall when the murder took place or even in the hallways?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Actually there was.

Seto's Account.

Seto Hamasaki: Right, I already told Masaru about this but after doing yoga with Winona in her room—

Umeda Susumu: Why were you in a girl's room?

Winona Masuya: It wasn't like that!

Seto Hamasaki: How about we shut up and let me finish, yeah?

Seto Hamasaki: I went to the laundry room to get a towel and as I was heading back to my dorm I heard the morning announcement. I was still in the hallway at the time and if Kaneko died a minute before that then I would have for sure heard the pan falling.

Priscilla Azumi: But you didn't.

Seto Hamasaki: Exactly. After the announcement I went back to my dorm like I said.

Nao Nakayama: He could be lying, you know.

Seto Hamasaki: And why would I do that?

Shoji Isao: I don't know, maybe you're the killer?

Winona Masuya: He wouldn't do that. There wouldn't have been enough time for him to do something like that anyways because he was with me half the morning.

Valini Bhatt: Then why didn't he hear the pan being dropped?

Masaru was actually unsure about that as well but someone else spoke up for him.

Matsuyama Michio: I think I may have an idea.

Matsuyama Michio: Maybe Seto didn't hear the clang of the pan because the morning announcement drowned it out.

Shoji Isao: What?

Matsuyama Michio: We know that Kaneko died at 6:59am and if the culprit dropped the pan in shock a minute after then the sound of it hitting the ground could have very well been drowned out by the announcement.

Valini Bhatt: Wow, how lucky can you be?

Herb Sowle: She's right. If the culprit dropped the pan at the wrong time Seto would have heard it and rushed over, catching the culprit in the act.

Priscilla Azumi: Well, that solves that mystery.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Why didn't I think of that?

Matsuyama Michio: You don't have to do everything yourself, we're here to help, you know.

Valini Bhatt: Alright, who are the other morning people then?

Priscilla Azumi: From what I've gathered, Winona, Seto, Arata, and Toma get up the earliest I believe. Masaru, Mizuno, and Toma also get up somewhat early as well.

Priscilla Azumi: Matsuyama usually wakes up in advance to make breakfast but he did not this time, am I correct?

Nao Nakayama: Why weren't you up as usual, huh Matsuyama?

Matsuyama Michio: Like you said, I always make breakfast for everyone but I decided to sleep in this time. I'm not going to cater to you guys every morning.

Umeda Susumu: Yeah, he's not your salve.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Nao was also up this morning too, even before me.

Nao Nakayama: So?

Masaru Yamaguchi: I'm just stating to the facts.

Valini Bhatt: Alright, early birds, state your alibis!

Seto Hamasaki: I already told you mine.

Toma Nikolaev: Like I said, I wake up early to feed my birds. That does not involve me leaving my room. Afterwards I sit and read until morning announcement.

Winona Masuya: What I do doesn't involve me leaving my room either. I set up the yoga mats for Seto and I and when we are done I freshen up in my dorm bathroom afterwards.

Arata Hisao: Well, I won't lie, I do leave my room to go to the gym. I set up the volleyball net by myself and do sets. Practice, you know. After I'm done I take the net back down and go shower in my dorm.

Nao Nakayama: And you didn't go get water during this practice?

Arata Hisao: Ha! I'm an ultimate volleyball player, I have my own water bottle. I can show you if you want.

Mizuno Okimoto: Well, I woke up to the morning announcement and got ready for the day. After that I went to the dining hall as usual and met Toma there.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I suppose I have to say my side of things as well.

Priscilla Azumi: You are correct.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I woke up to the morning announcement as well but I didn't leave my dorm right away; I had my own matters to attend to. Afterwards, when I did leave I ran into Nao before eventually going to the dining hall.

Nao Nakayama: I have no particular reason for being up that early.

Umeda Susumu: Well, that's not suspicious.

Priscilla Azumi: Can you elaborate?

Nao Nakayama: No.

Nao Nakayama: Are you starting to suspect me? Masaru was the one standing at Kaneko's door when I ran into him.

Everyone's eyes were now on him.

Valini Bhatt: Why were you at the victim's door?

Masaru Yamaguchi: I needed to ask her something but she didn't answer.

Shoji Isao: Yeah, because she was already dead. What were you trying to ask her?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Nao, already knows.

Nao Nakayama: Right... the nail polish remover.

Matsuyama Michio: Nail polish remover?

Seto Hamasaki: Ugh, we're getting no where with this.

Mizuno Okimoto: Alright, let's start over. Kaneko used the mono machine yesterday which gave her poison and must be when she started formulating her plan. She got up early in the morning to kill whoever she thought was the traitor but the traitor killed her first.

Winona Masuya: How did the traitor even know what she was up to?

Herb Sowle: Maybe the traitor saw her sneaking into the dining hall?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Why do you guys keep saying traitor?

Mizuno Okimoto: Huh?

Shoji Isao: Are you not paying attention? We've already established that's who the culprit is.

Masaru Yamaguchi: That was only a possibility. And besides, if the traitor knew what Kaneko was up to then I don't think they would've been so careless with the crime scene.

Mizuno Okimoto: Careless?

Masaru Yamaguchi: The traitor would be more precise with their murder since they don't want anyone figuring out who they are. They would have at least cleaned the pan and hung it back up. That would have made it harder for us to figure out what was used as the murder weapon.

Matsuyama Michio: He's right. We already know the pan was dropped in a panic and the murder was unplanned. The traitor would have been way more careful.

Arata Hisao: So, we're back to square one.

Priscilla Azumi: Not exactly, there's still something we haven't discussed yet.

Valini Bhatt: Something we haven't discussed?

Broken mug with dark liquid.

Masaru Yamaguchi: You're referring to the broken mug we found next to Kaneko's body.

Matsuyama Michio: Yeah, there was a dark liquid that was spilt.

Mizuno Okimoto: Oh! That must have been what Kaneko was planning to mix the poison with!

Priscilla Azumi: That means there's a strong possibility that someone could have walked in on her doing just that.

Umeda Susumu: I mean I would've been a little freaked if I saw someone mixing poison in someone's drink.

Priscilla Azumi: And that may be exactly what the culprit was thinking as well. Kaneko was most likely killed because the culprit thought she was the traitor.

Valini Bhatt: If Kaneko was caught then why didn't she explain what she was doing?

Shoji Isao: How would you explain that you're planning to kill someone?

Valini Bhatt: If it's the traitor then who cares.

Matsuyama Michio: A life is a life no matter what.

Nao Nakayama: That's nice and all but I think it's either Seto or Arata.

Seto Hamasaki: Huh?

Arata Hisao: Why me?!

Nao Nakayama: You two were the only ones outside of your dorms at the time.

Seto Hamasaki: So were you. Arata and I actually have alibis but you won't even tell us why you were out.

Nao Nakayama: No one can vouch for you two.

Arata Hisao: No one can vouch for you either.

Shoji Isao: This is going to take all day. I'm tired.

Monokuma: What's that? You're ready to vote?

Masaru Yamaguchi: No one said anything about voting.

Umeda Susumu: Let's face it, we're stuck.

Matsuyama Michio: There has to be something we're missing.

Valini Bhatt: Should we go over everything again?

Winona Masuya: We know that Kaneko was trying to kill the traitor which is why she got up so early.

Herb Sowle: Yes, she planned to use the bottle of poison the mono machine gave her.

Arata Hisao: She then mixed the poison with tea which she planned on giving to who she thought was the traitor.

Seto Hamasaki: But if it wasn't the traitor who killed her then someone else walked in on her in the midst of her plan.

Mizuno Okimoto: That person was then misled to believe that Kaneko was the traitor based on her actions and so they killed her before she could kill them!

Toma Nikolaev: Then the culprit must have fled the scene before anyone saw them and went back to their dorm.

Masaru Yamaguchi: ....

Priscilla Azumi: Did you catch that?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Yes. I did.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Arata, how did you know that the liquid Kaneko used to stir the poison with was tea?

Arata Hisao: ... What?

Arata Hisao: We already established that too... right?

Priscilla Azumi: We stated that there was a dark liquid that was split. We didn't know what it exactly was though.

Priscilla Azumi: However, the way you said it made it seem like you knew exactly what you were talking about.

Umeda Susumu: What are you guys saying?

Shoji Isao: Look, Arata may be an idiot but he's not a murderer.

Arata Hisao: Yeah! I already said I never went to the dining hall!

Masaru Yamaguchi: You say you have your own water bottle but you would also have to fill it up at some point, right? It's not like we have access to drinking water in our dorms.

Arata Hisao: Well, I... I filled it up the night before—

Masaru Yamaguchi: How much water does an athlete consume? I'm sure during your practice you would have downed at least half the thing to need to fill it up again this morning.

Seto Hamasaki: Why are you cornering him? He probably just made a guess that it was tea.

Matsuyama Michio: Yeah, I even said at some point that it looked like coffee during the investigation.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Yes, you said that's what it looked like. Arata said it with too much confidence for me to let it slide.

Valini Bhatt: Well? Did you do it Arata?

Arata Hisao: ...

Arata Hisao: Of course not! I could never kill someone like that!

Nao Nakayama: If it really is you, I'll have Pinku swallow you whole.

Arata Hisao: !!!

Masaru Yamaguchi: Since you won't admit it, I'll go over everything I believe happened.

It all started when Kaneko began to let Pinku roam the hallways. At first it looked to be an innocent action but soon they realized it was so her snake could sniff out the traitor because she trusted Pinku. She may have not had a murder plan yet in mind but when she used the mono machine yesterday and was given the poison, everything changed. By that time, Kaneko already had an idea of who the traitor could be and planned to get up extra early tomorrow to take matters into her own hands.

The next day came, and she woke a little earlier before the other morning people. She went to the kitchen with the poison on her so she could prepare to serve it to the traitor.
Almost immediately after, the morning people woke to do their usual routines which included the culprit. The culprit always goes to the gym to practice and claims to have their own water bottle. But at some point the culprit must have been low on water so they went to the kitchen to refill it. In doing so, the culprit accidentally stumbled upon Kaneko stirring the poison into a cup of tea. The killer most likely asked Kaneko what they were doing and she probably responded with 'making tea' but it wouldn't have been hard for the culprit to spot the poison bottle and think differently.

This led the killer into thinking Kaneko was the bad guy and made a move before she could. They grabbed the pan from the wall and hit her over the head causing her to fall and drop both the mug and bottle of poison.
The killer stood in shock from what they've done for a moment before dropping the pan exactly as the morning announcement went off which drowned out the sound. That is why Seto who was in the hallway didn't hear it at the time. The culprit then fled the dining hall as fast as they could to go back to their dorm making sure no one saw them in the process.

Masaru Yamaguchi: You're the only one, Arata Hisao, the Ultimate Volleyball Player!

Nao Nakayama: So, it really was you.

Arata Hisao: ...

Arata Hisao: That's an interesting theory...

Arata Hisao: But that doesn't mean it was me!

Valini Bhatt: Geez, are you still denying it?

Toma Nikolaev: To be honest, it still could possibly be either of the morning people. They all have alibis but no one can really prove that for them.

Umeda Susumu: Yeah, everyone was doing their own thing. Well, except for Winona and Seto who were together but even they split up afterwards.

Mizuno Okimoto: And it could still very well be Nao since she's still refusing to tell us why she was up so early.

Nao Nakayama: Fine! Since you want to know so bad, I woke up early because I wanted to join you all in the dining hall for breakfast.

Mizuno Okimoto: What?

Masaru saw Nao's face turn red from embarrassment.

Nao Nakayama: But I chickened out at the last second which is why I told Masaru to bring me breakfast.

Mizuno Okimoto: Oh...

Toma Nikolaev: You can join us anytime.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Can we get back on topic?

Matsuyama Michio: They still have a point, Masaru. No offense, but there is still a possibility that Seto lied about being in the hallways at the time even if Winona says he actually was.

Arata Hisao: See! She could be his accomplice!

Winona Masuya: I'm not, I swear!

Seto Hamasaki: What's wrong with you, man? I stood up for you.

Masaru sighed at his classmate's sudden incompetence although he knew they would not want to admit it. He didn't want to admit it himself but Arata was a good guy. I bit dumb but someone you'd love to hang out with. But he couldn't let everyone else die over someone else's mistake.

Masaru Yamaguchi: Very well then, Arata I have a question for you.

Arata Hisao: What is it?

Masaru Yamaguchi: Earlier in the trial you said so yourself that at the end of your routine you take back down the volleyball net you set up and go back to your dorm and shower, right?

Arata Hisao: Yeah, so what?

Masaru Yamaguchi: If I am right about you being the culprit then that means you really did flee from the kitchen and back to your dorm out of panic. That would also mean that the volleyball net in the gym should still be up.

Arata Hisao: !?

Masaru Yamaguchi: But if I'm wrong then the net would be put away and that would prove your innocence. Should we all take a break to go the gym?

Matsuyama Michio: If that will prove if Arata is the killer or not then we should.

Arata Hisao: ...

Priscilla Azumi: I see no reason why not.

Arata Hisao: ...

Valini Bhatt: Then let's go!

Arata Hisao: ...

Umeda Susumu: Arata, say something!

Monokuma: Hey, there's no reason for us to leave the courtroom! I can pull up the gym monitor feed right now—

Arata Hisao: I admit it.

Monokuma: Huuuhhh!?!?!?

Arata Hisao: It was me. I killed Kaneko.

The trial room's tension grew incredibly thick.

Nao Nakayama: You're a monster.

Arata Hisao: You're right... I am.

Matsuyama Michio: Don't say that, it was a mistake, right?

Monokuma: Hold on there! We need to vote before you guys go any further!

The same lever from last time appeared in front of Masaru and he pulled it. A second later, the wheel on the board spun until it landed on a chibi picture of Arata with confetti.

Monokuma: Correct! The one who killed Kaneko Yanagi, the Ultimate Snake Charmer was indeed, Arata Hisao, the Ultimate Volleyball player!

Monokuma hit a button on his small thrown and a monitor came down from the ceiling which showed the video feed from the gym. Just like Masaru thought, the volleyball net was still up and placed in the center of the floor with the ball laying to its side.

Umeda Susumu: I can't believe it.

Shoji Isao: That's just crazy.

Mizuno Okimoto: Why did you do it?

Arata Hisao: It's just like Masaru said. I went to the kitchen to refill my water bottle and I saw Kaneko in there. I thought it was weird since she never wakes up that early but she said she was making tea to put her back to sleep.

Arata Hisao: But then I saw the poison bottle and my mind started spinning. I thought she was the traitor and was trying to get rid of someone because she was called out by Monokuma. That's why I did what I did. I thought afterwards we would all be free but then the body announcement went off...

Masaru watched tears begin to fall from Arata's face but he quickly wiped them away.

Arata Hisao: I didn't know she was just trying to help us. If I had let her explain more we could have worked together or something. I really am stupid, huh....

Winona Masuya: Don't say that. You didn't know.

Nao Nakayama: Still, murder is murder. Stop trying to defend him!

Arata Hisao: She's right. There's no reason to defend a murderer.

Arata looked to Nao with acceptance in his eyes.

Arata Hisao: You can let Pinku devour me now. It's okay.

Nao Nakayama: ....

Nao Nakayama: I wasn't really going to do it, you idiot...

Arata Hisao: Well, either way I'm going to die, right?

Masaru Yamaguchi: You know, if you hadn't made that slip up we might have not figured out who the culprit was.

Masaru didn't expect Arata to smile at him.

Arata Hisao: I guess I was useful somehow.

Priscilla Azumi: Did you know who Kaneko thought the traitor was?

Arata Hisao: No, I don't.

Masaru Yamaguchi: I do.

Masaru Yamaguchi: She thought it was Toma.

Toma Nikolaev: Me?

Matsuyama Michio: I thought you were unsure of who it could be?

Masaru Yamaguchi: I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want everyone wasting thirty minutes on discussing if he was the culprit or not.

Masaru Yamaguchi: When Kaneko was letting Pinku roam around in the halls, I saw the snake stop at Toma's door.

Monokuma: That's right! She thought her pet had found the traitor but instead all her snake found was a tasty treat!

Toma looked sick: My birds...

Umeda Susumu: This is all sorts of messed up.

Monokuma: I know, isn't it great? It's almost the time you've been waiting for...

Herb Sowle: He didn't know what Kaneko was trying to do, Monokuma. This isn't fair.

Monokuma: Rules are rules! Now then, I've prepared a very special punishment for Arata Hisao the Ultimate Volleyball Player!

Arata Hisao: Hey guys...

Arata Hisao: Don't make the same stupid mistakes Kaneko and I did. I don't care what the next motive is! You all have to get out of here!

Monokuma: Let's give it everything we've got!

Matsuyama Michio: Monokuma don't you touch him!

Arata looked back to Nao but especially to the snake around her shoulders.

Arata Hisao: I'm sorry, Pinku.

Monokuma: It's... PUNISHMENT TIMEEE!!!!

Arata Hisao has been found guilty.
Time for the punishment!

Arata Hisao Execution:
Haikyu!!

Arata stood on a court with a volleyball net between him and a Monokuma that was on the other side. A loud whistle was blown before the Monokuma jumped up and spiked a ball over the net. Arata saw that the volleyball actually had tiny spikes on it but hit it anyways. The spikes pierced his skin drawing tiny droplets of blood that felt like pinches. Once the ball went back over the net, another Monokuma appeared on his opponent's side and Arata's eyes widened.

Arata did his best to keep up with the ball as more Monokuma's appeared on the other side of the net while the spikes dug deeper into his skin. There were about ten Monokumas on the other side by now when he went to hit the ball but missed and the ball instead hit the floor. Once it made impact, a loud buzzer went off and the court floor beneath Arata opened up and he plummeted to his death while the Monokuma team cheered for their win.

Chapter Two- Judge of Justice
[END]