As I stood in the trial room, my mind was numb. We were far into the fifth trial, but I didn't feel like we were getting anywhere near discovering Satchiko's murderer. Something felt off about the whole thing, though I was still too emotional to know what. Satchiko was a close friend of mine, so I just wanted to get this over with and find the killer.

"Jikkō, it was you, wasn't it?" Katashi suddenly asked, giving the assassin an accusing glare. "You're the only one without an alibi!"

Jikkō was silent for a moment, before offering a thoughtful nod. "You're right, but I'm not the killer. As I said, I was in my room."

"You can't prove that though..." Willow said, tilting her head. "If it's not you, who did it? The rest of us were with someone."

"This really is peculiar... I don't know." Jikkō replied. "I know you probably don't believe me, but I didn't kill Satchiko. I wouldn't, she was a good person...."

"I believe you." I spoke up without thinking, and all eyes turned towards me. "I... I trust you, Jikkō... I know you wouldn't kill her."

"But she's the only one that could've!" Katashi retorted, "And she's killed people before, who says she wouldn't do it again?"

"I left that life behind. I swore to never kill again." Jikkō said, staring down at the ground. "But I don't expect you to believe me. Fine, if you really think I did it, vote for me and see if you're right."

"Jikkō...!" I couldn't believe that everyone was okay with this, but then again, she was the only suspect.

"Thanks for believing in me, Kazuki." Jikkō said, and I could tell by her eye that she was smiling.

"Then let's get to the voting!" Monokuma exclaimed.

I shouldn't have been as shocked as I was when the vote was correct, but I was speechless. I knew Jikkō wouldn't kill Satchiko, something was seriously wrong, but there was nothing I could do. Despite my pleas, yet another one of my friends was executed.

~*~

A few days had passed, and Michio had gathered everyone in the warehouse. I assumed he had found something about the mastermind, and I was eager to know what. After a few minutes of standing in silence, Michio spoke.

"I think... Satchiko might be alive." He said quietly.

"Wait, what?" I asked, surprised at his statement. "How?"

"That body we investigated... it wasn't hers." Michio replied, looking down at the floor. "My sister has a birthmark on her left arm, and when we were investigating the body, I saw it...."

"That doesn't make any sense!" Mai exclaimed, "Your sister wasn't even here, how could it be her?"

Michio shrugged. "I dunno, but I know what I saw. That wasn't Satchiko... it was Mika."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner? You were quiet at the trial too." Katashi asked.

"My twin sister just died, you really think I was stable enough to talk about it?" Michio retorted, shaking his head. "I don't know what happened to Satchiko or where she might be... but I can guess."

"Don't tell me you think...?" I trailed off, knowing what he was about to say.

Michio gave me a sympathetic look. "Sorry Kazuki, I knew you were close to her... but it's really strange her death was faked, and we didn't have any solid proof in the trial...."

"Wait, are you saying Jikkō really was innocent?!" Katashi exclaimed, "But... she was executed!"

"I think that's what the mastermind wanted. She was really smart and basically our leader, if anyone was going to discover who they are, it was her." Michio said with a frown. "But getting rid of her was the mastermind's biggest mistake."

"I knew she wouldn't do it..." I muttered, feeling worse than before. I was already missing Jikkō, but knowing she was wrongfully executed too....

"You think Satchiko's the mastermind, don't you?" Willow asked.

Michio nodded. "Yes... it just makes sense."

"No! She's not!" Katashi exclaimed, "She was my best friend, she wouldn't do that!"

"I was friends with her too..." Michio replied. "But I'm just thinking logically."

"Upupupu~"

We all looked to the door as Satchiko walked inside. Instead of her cat hoodie, she had on a Monokuma one, and there was a crazed look in her eyes. I couldn't believe it, this had to mean Michio was right.

"Looks like you got me! Oh well, I was gonna reveal myself soon anyways, but I wanted it to be a surprise!" Satchiko whined, then shook her head and giggled. "Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have used someone's sister. My bad~."

"Satchiko..." Katashi muttered in shock. "You're alive... a-and, the... the mastermind?"

"Bingo!" Satchiko exclaimed. "This game was a lot of fun, but looks like it's gotta end soon. That's too bad."

"Why Mika?" Michio asked quietly. "Why did you... kill her?"

"Whelp, for one, it was easy. She was already working for me." Satchiko replied with a shrug. "Two, she was my height and weight so that was perfect, and three, it caused your despair, Michi~!"

"Don't call me that." Michio snapped. "You bitch... I want you dead!"

"Then I'll give ya a chance to kill me, if you can figure out all the mysteries of this place." Satchiko replied with a grin. "You'll have one hour to investigate, then we'll hold a class trial. Sound good?"

"One hour?!" Mai exclaimed, "We can't find anything in just an hour!"

"Doesn't everyone enjoy a challenge?" Satchiko asked, tilting her head. "You better get looking, the clock is ticking~. This time, I won't lose so easily."

I couldn't even process what was happening before we were thrown into another investigation. Needless to say, I had lost all hope for us. Satchiko had made it impossible to succeed.