The short girl sat up straight, staring through us with blank, expressionless blue eyes. A bandage was held on with medical tape under her left eye, while similar bandages were wrapped around her arms. Strands of her strawberry blonde hair were sticking out at odd angles, and she was lacking the hoodie she usually wore. Even though she was right in front of me, I couldn't believe it.

Satchiko was alive.

My first reaction was to be overjoyed, but when the logical side of things kicked in, I became troubled. Why was her death faked? Whose body was that? Why did she look so beaten up? Why was Satchiko watching the security cameras? Michio had mentioned having an assistant, but... he couldn't mean....

"You're alive..." Was all I managed to say.

Satchiko stared blankly ahead for a few more moments, before giving a simple nod. She turned back around, typing something on the keyboard in front of her. I stepped closer, seeing that on the desk in front of her was also a microphone. I looked up at the screen, seeing that Monokuma had just appeared in one of the camera views, in front of Michio.

Satchiko pulled the microphone closer to her, and on her face a slightly demented smile formed. "Oh mister mastermind, we have a bit of a problem! Better get on down here, upupu~!"

I couldn't hold back a small gasp. There was so much I wanted to say, but the words just wouldn't form. I was glad when Jikkō spoke for me.

"You're working with him?" Jikkō asked, and Satchiko turned back around, her expression falling blank once more. All she did was nod.

I couldn't believe it, this couldn't be right. She was the one investigating Michio the most, that couldn't have been an act....

The door behind us suddenly opened, and I whipped around to see Michio entering the room. The mastermind let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Really, Satchiko, pay more attention. You should've seen them coming."

Satchiko nodded. "Sorry, I'll do better." She said, almost robotic-like.

Michio then looked to me and Jikkō. "I knew you'd figure out at some point. I guess it can't be helped."

"What did you do to her?" Jikkō asked, poison in her voice.

"What do you mean?" Michio replied in a slight teasing tone. "Well, whatever, there's nothing else for you to see here, so run along. And Satchiko, don't get distracted."

"I won't." Satchiko responded, turning back to the screen.

Not having any other choice, Jikkō and I exited the room.

What happened to her?