Fujiko

Kana's kinda latched onto me since she found Joanie, and that makes sense, considering she was apparently scared out of her mind that I might've gotten hurt, too. It's a tiny bit strange being on the other end of the dynamic, though. She was always good about actively trying to spend time with me, but I was definitely more of the pursuer before. Monterio comforted her as soon as the Body Discovery Announcement rang out, but after that, it was like he remembered that he's mad at her. Even so, I'm glad to have a chance to investigate with her, so we can talk.

I grab her hands and give them a squeeze. But she quirks an eyebrow when I start to inspect her nails. The polish is a little chipped. "Okie dokie! I have a lead! Aren't you proud of me?" I smile.

"Yes, I am! Where are we going? I'll be an awesome sleuth," she resolves, tightening her hair buns.

"My favorite place in this whole dang building!"

"Really? There's a lead in the beautician's?"

"I think! There's totally something fishy happening in there. I gotcha, sweetie! I'm gonna be a smart cookie!" I revel in the fact that all of the butterflies are gone. Is she still beautiful? Of course. But I can walk in a room with her in it and not automatically become a stuttering, blushing mess now! I march confidently toward the beautician's, trying to summon up enough courage for the both of us.

I really did love Joanie. I don't know if she was as big a fan of me as I was of her, but she motivated me a lot and helped me to make bold choices. If Azumi is the Team Mom, and Tozen is the Team Dad, Joanie was like a cool auntie. I may not know a whole lot, and I may be a tiny bit dyslexic, and I may be a total ditz when it comes to cooking, but for each one of my friends who has to suffer, I wanna find out what happened for their sake!

"Tada!" I reveal, doing jazz-hands over a big ol' bottle of nail polish remover. "This was not where I left it last night! Only a few people here paint their nails: you, me, Ren, and Azumi. And neither of those two came here yesterday. I would know! I was in here from dawn till nighttime, except for meals. You came in, but I left right away, so I needed to make sure you didn't remove old polish."

TRUTH BULLET: NAIL POLISH REMOVER

"So... someone came in here tonight and moved a bottle of nail polish remover? What would they have needed THAT for? Did they like, try to paint their nails with Joanie's blood or something gross like that?"

"Ick! Don't say things like that! It's probably not for that reason!" I flinch. "Something else weird happened, but I can't guarantee that this one is NEARLY as recent."

"Okay, hit me with the facts, Fujiko!"

"So I was checking the lipgloss section earlier this morning, and for some reason, there was a tube of super glue in one of the spots. Now, I didn't really pay too much attention to the lip glosses before, cause I kinda just found a few that look gorgeous on me and stuck with those. But I wanted to try something new and find a holo gloss, and BAM! Super glue! I dunno how long it's been there, but it's mega strange, right?"

"I guess that puts a whole 'nother level to the phrase, 'my lips are sealed,' right?" She winks and nudges me gently.

"You have some very creepy thoughts!" I exclaim.

She gasps. "Can you do special effects makeup?! Like horror-type stuff?!"

"It's not my specialty, but I could probably hook you up with something cool!"

"HELL YEAH!!!" she exclaims. I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

TRUTH BULLET: FUJIKO'S ACCOUNT

"While we're in here, we may as well look for any other suspicious circumstances." She cracks her knuckles and tenses her shoulders. Gosh, without the crush filter, she's kind of scary! I still love her though! Just platonically now.

I take the clothing section while she goes to examine the vanities, accessories, and makeup, just to see if I glossed over anything (no pun intended). She quickly calls me over yet again.

"Hey, so there are these like... slick plastic hairdresser capes, and I used them for pretty much everyone on my side of the schism, cause everybody's gone without haircuts for so long. Point is though... for some reason, these are super wet, and I don't know why."

TRUTH BULLETS: CAPES

We keep searching for a while, and then, finding nothing new, I decide to pull her slightly out of camera's view for a talk. "Kana, you already apologized, but I need to say sorry, too! I really should've talked to you guys first. This all got totally blown out of proportion just cause... I was scared. I didn't wanna lose you guys, or tear the two of you apart. Honestly, it might've worked out better if I had said something. Now you guys are fighting, and I just barely got you back, and... I'm sorry. I still think hypnosis was a good plan, but not before discussing it."

"Hey. You can keep a secret," she leans in, more like an expectation than a question.

"Yes?"

"Monterio and I are faking it. We made up. Not only did we make up, but we're an actual couple now! I can't tell you why we're still pretending, but shush!" Her beam is so obvious that I nearly topple over.

I squeal in delight, throwing my arms around her. "Eee!! I can't believe it! That's so amazing! You have to spill all the tea. Don't miss a single drop!"

"Yeah, it is. And I will. But first thing's first. We gotta win victory for Joanie. Otherwise, we won't have another day to celebrate it."

"We can do this! I KNOW we can! I know it's bad to say this, but... this is our third time through. We're getting good at sussing people out!"

"I just wish the consequences weren't so severe..."

"C'mon, Kana. Victory for Joanie. We can mourn when it's all over, okay?"

"Agh, as much as I hate to admit it, I definitely need to cry a bit more. But you're right. That can wait. Victory for Joanie!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gou

Wakumi is not well. And I don't really know how to fix it. And I'm on guard duty again. And that's okay, because I signed myself up for it. But I signed up for it partially because I wanted to take care of Wakumi, and I should've known better, because she doesn't DO comfort. So I'm somehow anxious and bored and sad all at once, and it's not a good day. And I have no delusions of being the one suffering the most. I just want this to end, but there's no end in sight, so we just gotta keep plucking along.

"I'm sorry."

"Fer what? Ye weren't the one ta send 'er ta Davy Jones's locker. And if ye ARE, ye'd be wise ta ne'er open yer yapper again." Her voice is low, scratchy, and I think it's the first time she's stopped yelling this whole time. It's almost scarier this way.

"I swear, I didn't. I just know that it's hard losing people you care about. I can shut up now; I know this isn't your sort of thing, so I can just let you brood. But we don't deserve the pain we're having to deal with. Granted, I don't know everything about everyone, but I feel like everyone's already had to grapple with a lot of heavy stuff, even before a motherfucking death game."

"Ugh, laddie, go back ta how ye were before. Give me a crummy pep talk about hope n' shit. At least then, I can call ye a lily-livered loser. Ye're too soft ta yell at me, so at least gimme somethin' ta insult YE with."

"U-Um, okay! I got it! Wakumi, you can't give up! You're a motherfucking badass pirate, and we're totally gonna avenge Joanie and claim hope as our own! You can wear it like a badge of honor on your coat if... no, WHEN we win!"

"What, d'ye got fluff in yer ears?! Ginny's blown down and ye're ramblin' on about hope, ye lily-livered loser?!" she snaps fiercely. Her visible eye flashes with rage.

"W-Well, at least I'm not an inflexible hardass!" She stares, wide-eyed, like I took her by surprise. "...Was that okay? I don't insult people very often."

"HA! Ye gave it yer best shot, so I ain't gonna lay into ye TOO deep, but ye're obviously a knave n' a rookie." She slaps me hard on the back, and then casts another glance at poor Joanie, as if paranoid (or maybe even hopeful) that she'll just stand up and start criticizing her.

For a while, we continue to play guard dogs, until, at one point, I get a tap on the shoulder. "Hmm? What's up?"

"Tagging out. Go investigate," Monterio offers, getting straight to the point.

I look at Wakumi. "What? Ye don't need my permission. If ye wanna go searchin', now's yer chance, me heartie." She briefly uncrosses her arms and gestures for me to go.

"HELL YEAH! I FINALLY GET TO HELP! Thank you so much!" I enthuse, unable to contain myself.

"I hope you don't mind taking me along," Chimon points out, giving a half-hearted smirk.

"The more the merrier! I wouldn't want to go alone, anyway! Where do you think we should go?"

"Well... I guess maybe the Warehouse? It was a helpful enough place to check last time," he notes.

"Perfect! Maybe we can find stuff related to Joanie's staff! Wanna race?" I ask, already running in place.

"Down two flights of stairs and then a rope ladder?"

"Sure! Why not? Since we only have a limited amount of time to search, going fast is a good option, right?"

"You just feel way too excited and want to run. But I won't get in the way of that. Even though I'll totally lose, you're on!" We charge downstairs, throwing caution to the wind as we dash. I even get a little too risky and take the opportunity to slide down the banister, which of course ends up with me face planting. "A-Are you okay?! That looked like it really hurt!" Chimon asks, concern plastered all over his expression as he takes a second to breathe.

I spring up, undaunted. "Never better, buddy! Since you stopped for me, I'll give you a five second head start!"

"You still wanna race?!" he gasps, bewildered.

"Five... four..."

"ACK! I'm going!" Even with that advantage, I absolutely demolish him. "No fair... you're... an actual athlete. I... have the body of a prepubescent boy... and P.E. is the most exercise I get," he pants. He even starts to whimper.

"Hey, hey. You can cut it out with that. We already think you're cute, there's no need to push it. Besides! Even if you're tired, I can bet you had fun anyway. And you did great!" I smile.

Though he still looks exhausted, his distraught expression turns into one of mild confusion. "Everyone here is cool... but you guys are... kind of weird!"

"Why? Just cause we don't baby you?"

"That's not it. You all are just constantly taking me by surprise, and I don't know how to feel about it!"

"You know what would be a surprise? If we found nothing. Let's get to scoping out the area!" Very quickly, I find a bucket tucked away in a corner. "The bottom and sides look wet. Kinda sudsy, too! YES! Yes, I found a clue on purpose!"

TRUTH BULLET: SOAPY BUCKET

"Wanna find another?" Chimon asks, tilting his hat up with a bright smile. He points to a container.

"WAHOO! I'M HELLA USEFUL!" I rush over to the plastic container. It's full of markers. "I'm on the case! A master detective!" I rustle through the markers until I find one without a cap. "It's all dried out. How irresponsible."

"Why is THAT your reaction?! I seriously don't get you at all!"

TRUTH BULLET: CAPLESS MARKER

"Alright! Just call me Shin'ichi Kudo!"

"I don't understand your references."

"You're too young, you spring chicken," I sigh.

"YOU'RE LITERALLY TWO YEARS OLDER THAN ME!"

I cackle playfully. Ah, this is great. I'm contributing to the case and getting a good laugh. I'll have to thank Monterio again later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wakumi

I lost me most interestin' playmate, n' then the second place one bailed ta go help win us the trial. N' that's cool n' all, but I'm bored outta me wits. And bein' bored means I'm just forced ta dwell on me feelings. Disgustin'.

Monterio gives me a stoic glance, e'er unphased by the vast majority o' what goes on 'round here. I purse me lips, tryin' ta decide if I really wann do what I'm thinkin' of. Eh. The laddie's only any fun when 'e's angry, n' I don't wanna think anymore. So I shove 'im into the pool. He gasps and splutters, taken by surprise, but then just hops outta the water and doesn't even SAY anything! "What ARE YE?!"

Soppin' wet n' not makin' any effort ta go change into dry clothes, 'e shrugs with no more than slight annoyance. I give 'im a slap upside the head, grunting furiously. "You're just... Kana, but less predictable. And in a way, that makes you predictable."

"AM NOT, YE BILGE-SUCKIN' SCALLYWAG!" I stomp on 'is foot. 'E grimaces and takes a sharp breath, but still doesn't raise 'is voice.

"Jeez, you do not go easy on a guy."

"FUCKIN' YELL AT ME, GODDAMMIT!"

"That won't help. Nothing we do can bring her back. You just need to lay it all out there, so... just go for it."

'E winces in anticipation, just like 'e oughta, cause I'm 'bout ta fuckin' keelhaul 'im. I climb into the pool meself, avoidin' the blood, and I yank 'im in by 'is vest. Me mind goes blank, and 'fore I know it, we're both suddenly back on the cold tile.

"What happened?"

He coughs weakly. "I should not have told you to get it all out at once. I had to wrestle you out or you would've seriously killed me."

"Allllllrighty guys! Your investigation time is up! It's time to get started on the brilliant and heart-racing class trial! Please report to Meeting Room A as soon as possible! And by that, I mean immediately! We'll use force if necessary! See you soon, my friends!"

I stand up, feelin' like I have me sea legs again. 'E just stares up at the ceilin'. I begrudgingly offer me hand, n' 'e takes it, wide-eyed. "Sorry fer... almost feedin' ye ta the fishes. Lost me wits. Better now."

'Fore leavin' the room, I stare at 'er again. I take out me second eyepatch n' set it next ta 'er, takin' all the evidence we need. N' when the Mononiu come in, I can't force meself ta say goodbye, so we just leave.

It takes us longer than anyone else ta make it ta the meetin' room. Makes sense; everyone else was downstairs, and the laddie has a wee bit o' a gimp from me violence. I don't like realizin' that I have a problem.

Kana, sandwiched 'tween two drenched n' dog-tired guards, promptly freaks out, as does most o' the group. "What the FUCK happened?!" she shouts.

Neither o' us say anythin' fer a few beats, n' then Monterio quietly mumbles, "We took a spontaneous dip."

"A-Are you okay?!" Tozen asks from me other side.

"Now that's a question, ain't it?" I scoff in response.

"Accident or on purpose?" Haruto pipes up nervously.

"Both," I answer instantly.

"I shouldn't have let. I'm sorry," Gou apologizes, guilt written' all o'er 'is face.

"You're fine, let's just get started," Monterio dismisses.

"I like your can-do attitude, mister! Why don't we take a little trip?" Monokuma beams.

I take off me hat just in time fer the cold metal ta clasp round me hands n' ankles. We plunge e'er deeper, like me heart is gonna escape through me throat as we fall. Me wet braids lap around n' hit me face, but I don't even give a shit anymore. The lights blare ta life. The place looks a wee bit different. Instead o' lookin' like a camp cabin, it's oriented more like a mess hall. The Monoinu units are even made ta look like li'l chefs. It's friggin crude, n' I don't like it. We're down ta eleven. And soon we'll be ten, cause I ain't acceptin' any possibility o' failure.

"That just never gets any easier, does it?" Chimon asks, tremblin'.

"Speak for yourself. I'm starting to develop a taste for the rush," Ren grins, crackin' 'is knuckles.

"Now then, let's begin with a simple explanation of the class trial! During the class trial, you will present your arguments for who the killer is, and vote for 'whodunnit.' If you vote correctly, then only the Blackened will receive punishment. But if you pick the wrong person... I'll punish everyone BESIDES the Blackened, and that person will earn the right to rejoin the rest of society!" Monokuma rambles. "This time, you didn't even need me to provide a motive to kill! My campers are growing up to be just like me! How wonderful!"

"Shut up! We will NEVER be like you!" Gou yells out.

"Are you sure about that?" 'e mocks, swingin' one leg o'er the other condescendingly. Me fury starts ta boil o'er again, n' I'm suddenly glad I release some o' it earlier. Otherwise I may have tried ta cut Monokuma ta the brisket and wound up blown down meself.

"Zip it. Just do what ye gotta do so we can avenge Ginny."

I hated 'er guts from the moment she opened 'er mouth. We were rivals n' I wanted nothin' more than ta rile 'er up and make 'er angry. But fer some reason, we just kept fuckin' talkin'. I'm not one fer sentimental shit. But what I know is that she was the type o' person who'd never give up on even the lowliest pond scum just cause other people treated 'er well. She broke the promise; I banned 'er from dyin', and she broke the goddamn promise. I'll find the person who did 'er in n' make 'em pay tenfold, I swear ta fuck. I know she'd probably want me ta give 'em some fuckin' mercy or flowery bullshit like that, but I don't work that way. Me anger sustains me, and I can't give it up yet.