Your POV:

    My eyes met with Shuichi's. Yeah the evidence did point to him. He apparently had the receiver, yet why don't I think he did it. If I just think it's him, I could put all of the blame not to him, and it could finally close the festering wound in my heart. Everyone was going about, trying to get an answer from Shuichi, but he still wasn't talking.
    'Maybe he's being silent because he knows something we don't...' I thought.
    I looked at Shuichi with questionable eyes. Kaede told everyone that Shuichi was on lookout with her in the classroom. That didn't mean that was the case for the whole time, which was revealed. It was by none other than Maki who asked if they were on lookout the *whole* time. Shuichi apparently went to check the basement. I didn't see him though.
    "How is it possible that he killed Rantaro? I didn't see him in the library!" I exclaimed, "If Shuichi killed Rantaro, I would've seen him in the basement!"
    "That's not the only thing!" Kaede exclaimed, "the security alarm didn't ring until after Shuichi returned to the classroom."
    I looked at Kaede, fully supporting her. It was too out of whack for Shuichi to be the killer. Even if I want to find Rantaro's killer, it can wait until I help prove Shuichi innocent. Kaede explained that the alarm only rang when Rantaro moved the bookcase. Shuichi would be proved innocent because he was there when the alarm rang.
    "By the way... I wanna confirm one thing with you both. That is... if (y/n) knows too. I mean she has helped you a lot," Kokichi explained, "who set the security sensor on the bookcase? It was Shuichi, right?"
    "Huh?" Kaede asked.
    I'm pretty sure that meant Shuichi did set up the security sensor. I couldn't confirm that until Kaede said it.
    "Y-Yeah... Shuichi was the one who set up the security sensor... What about it?" Kaede explained nervously.
    "Did you actually check for yourself if the sensor was set on the bookcase, Kaede?" Kokichi asked.
    "No, I didn't check..." Kaede replied nervously.
    "Did it ever occur to you that Shuichi could have lied about setting the sensor? Hmmm?" Kokichi asked happily.
    "A...A lie...?" Kaede asked.
    Shuichi continued to stay silent as everyone started to make assumptions about him. Kokichi told everyone that Shuichi could've pretended to place the security sensor on the bookcase and held on to it the whole time, hiding it from Kaede. Kokichi then told us that Shuichi could've triggered the security sensor when he met up with Kaede, creating the impression that someone triggered the alarm.
    Everyone started to believe what Kokichi was saying. I still had my doubts though. It was almost like Kokichi was trying to pin it all on Shuichi. It weirded me out slightly. Shuichi still stayed silent despite what Kokichi was saying about him. I knew exactly what the flaw in Kokichi's argument was. Rantaro's picture was taken when he moved the bookcase. That's proof that the security sensor was there. I have to prove Kokichi wrong, and chance is... Kaede knows this flaw too. Kaede and I could work together to prove Shuichi innocent. I won't give up.
    "The security sensor was armed, but... the moving bookcase wasn't what triggered it," Kokichi said.
    That was where the flaw was. I had no idea it would pop up as the first thing that would fly out of his mouth.
    "No that's wrong!" I exclaimed.
    Kokichi looked at me in shock. A mischievous smile appeared on his face after that. It was like he was mocking me.
    "How would you know I'm wrong, (y/n)?" Kokichi asked, "you never witnessed Kaede and Shuichi setting up those cameras."
    "I may not have been there while they were setting up the cameras, but I do know that those pictures of Rantaro couldn't have been taken without that security sensor. If the sensor wasn't there, there would be no pictures of Rantaro opening the hidden door," I replied with a little too much attitude.
    "(y/n) is right Kokichi. If the security sensor wasn't placed, then we wouldn't have been able to take that picture," Kaede replied.
    "Oh, that? Psh, easy to explain. Well, you see..." Kokichi explained, seeming slightly lost, "Uhhh, I guess you're right. Sorry, I didn't think that far ahead."
    "You're giving up that easily!?" Tenko asked in shock.
    "Yeaaah, I mean, whatevs. I made a mistake! Big deal!" Kokichi exclaimed in response.
    I considered that a victory for Kaede and I. Shuichi couldn't have been the culprit if that was the case. Ryoma told us that the sensor could've been on the bookcase, but Shuichi could've turned the recover off. It could've been a possibility. I never even  saw Shuichi go into the library though. It was probably because I was dazed most of the strategy meeting. I had to do something about this, but I was lost. Kaede is the only one who can refute this. Shuichi will be voted the culprit if she doesn't refute it. Even if she *lies*, it'll put Shuichi in the clear. She's got this.
    "Let's go over the case one more time," Kokichi said.
    "We don't need to! Shuichi didn't kill Rantaro!" I exclaimed in response.
    "The security sensor was placed on the moving bookcase... Shuichi also had the receiver..."
    "I'll turn this lie into the truth!" Kaede exclaimed, no one really hearing the lie part.
    I looked into Kaede's eyes. She had a nervous look to them. That most likely meant she was lying about it. She had to lie to get the truth across. That lie could reveal the truth. My only concern is Kokichi being able to spot that lie. Kokichi is a liar himself, so he knows how to spot a lie. The best thing I can do is play along.
    Kaede told everyone that she had the receiver. That was a very convincing lie. Everyone or mostly everyone believed it. Some people thought t was crazy if she tried to lie for Shuichi. Kiyo made a creepy comment that I paid no mind to. Shuichi showed emotion to what everyone assumed Kaede was doing. He wasn't really speaking, but he showed shocked reactions on his features.
That thing that worried me soon happened. Kokichi told everyone that Kaede was lying. He was being truthful about that, but this lie was one to serve a good purpose.
"Well, What do you guys think? To believe or not to believe Kaede!" Kokichi exclaimed.
"Umm...I do wanna believe Kaede, but Shuichi does seem pretty suspicious," Tenko replied, "he has been strangely quiet for a while now... which is classic degenerate male behavior."
"Nyeh... I agree," Himiko stated tiredly.
"Shuichi is the only person here who's suspicious," Maki stated bluntly.
"Do we all agree that Poo-ichi did it?" Miu asked happily, "then let's just vote already!"
"No Shuichi couldn't have done it! I never saw him in the library!" I exclaimed, "I would've seen him if he went in there!"
"(y/n) is right. It's too soon to determine the culprit," Keebo stated.
"Umm...I agree. I sort of can't believe that Shuichi is the culprit," Tsumugi explained.
"Yeah, this ain't right!" Kaito exclaimed.
"I agree!" Angie exclaimed, "but I don't know if Atua agrees. Cuz right now, it's His naptime."
"This is quite troublesome... It seems our opinions are on opposite ends," Kirumi explained.
"How we supposed to decide? We're split right down middle..." Gonta said.
"Hold on! Split!? Did you just say split!?" Monokuma asked, "you did! I heard it! I heard it with my belly button microphone!"
"So wait, your ears don't do anything!?" Tenko exclaimed I shock.
"The Ultimate Academy is proud to present its very own morphenomenal trial grounds!" Monokuma exclaimed.
"...Morphenomenal trial grounds?" Maki asked.
"The trial grounds are gonna morph? Seriously!? I tooootally wanna see that!!!" Kokichi exclaimed.
"You seem a bit too excited for whatever the meaning of *morphenomenal trial grounds* is," I replied bluntly.
Whatever was going to happen, I don't think it will be good. For all I know, the trial grounds could be made into a death trap with many bombs. This was going to be quite an adventure. This was obviously something that only happened when everyone was evenly split. I know for a fact I'm on Kaede's side. I have to help prove Shuichi innocent. Even if it kills me. I will not back down.
Monokuma took a key and put it into the dial of a machine he made appear. He twisted the key, many colors appearing where the key was after it was twisted. I knew there were colors there from how they lit his monochromatic fur. His throne started to rise in the air. I had no idea what was going on.
Suddenly, I felt the stand I was in rise from the ground. It not only happened with mine, but it also happened with everyone else's. I clutched the stand with my life, being slightly scared and alarmed by the sudden change in altitude. Everyone's stands went in a spiral form heading up.
Suddenly, everyone was divided into two groups. They were split, and we faced each other for some sort of debate scrum. There was the group that thinks Shuichi is the culprit, and there is a group of people who don't think Shuichi is the culprit. I was a part of the group where Shuichi wasn't the culprit. I was stationed next to Kaede. I looked at her and smiled. I knew I could help her with this. I can't give up. Monokuma was at the end of the row, obviously observing this. I sighed lightly. I have to do this.
"You hid what you know about the camera intervals Shuichi," Kiyo explained.
I had to get the people who had the specific evidence for the topics at hand. Gonta had the intervals.
"Gonta!" Kaede and I shouted.
"But Miu silent about intervals too..." Gonta replied.
"Unlike Shuichi, I actually have an airtight alibi!" Miu exclaimed in response.
Kaito knew about how Kaede covered Shuichi's alibi.
"Kaito!" I shouted.
"Kaede backed up Shuichi's alibi, didn't she?" Kaito asked.
"How do we know that Shuichi couldn't have went to the library?" Tenko asked.
This one was me. I had this statement.
"(y/n)!" Kaede exclaimed.
"I never saw Shuichi when I was in the library. Even if he wasn't there, I would've passed by him along the way," I replied.
"Shuichi and Kaede weren't together the whole time weren't they?" Maki asked.
Kirumi had the information for the receiver.
"Kirumi!" Kaede exclaimed.
"Both of them were together when the receiver went off," Kirumi explained.
"If Shuichi had the receiver, it could've been disguised," Ryoma explained.
Keebo had the contradiction for Ryoma's statement.
"Keebo!" I shouted.
"Kaede is the one who actually had the receiver!" Keebo exclaimed.
"But that's Kaede's lie, isn't it?" Kokichi asked.
I turned to the person who knew if this was a lie or not. It was Kaede. The power is hers to use her lie for the greater good, or to cover something up. I'm going to trust her.
"Kaede!" I exclaimed.
"We'll know whether or not it's a lie when we talk this through!" Kaede replied.
"This is our answer!" everyone on my team yelled.
That was the end of this debate. Everyone's podiums returned to their normal spots. I sighed in relief when this happened. I was basically kissing the floor. It was agreed now. Shuichi is not the culprit. The only issue is that we have no people left to suspect. Well... there's only one left.
"Hey (y/n).." Kaede stated, "I wanted to thank you for constantly sticking up for me and believing me."
"Hey it's no problem," I replied nervously, "I mean we are a team right. We are supposed to help everyone. And I believe Shuichi is innocent too."
    With that said, everyone started to believe in Shuichi, being happy about believing him. The only issue about this is the fact that we have no more to discuss. Kaede was trying to get a conversation topic to help us find the culprit. Kaede then focused the attention onto Shuichi. We both knew what was going on, but since Kaede was closer to Shuichi, she should say this.
    She confronted Shuichi about staying silent for a while. She made it obvious that she knew Shuichi was scared to face the truth. She then told him to face the truth, no matter what type of truth it is.
    "The picture..." Shuichi muttered quietly.
    "...Picture?" Kirumi asked.
    "The picture from the camera aimed at the hidden door, just before the murder," Shuichi explained, "I always thought it was suspicious... The way Rantaro was acting..."
    "Hm? What's suspicious?" Angie asked.
    "If you look at the picture, it looks like Rantaro is trying to remove the camera... But that must mean he noticed the camera we set up," Shuichi explained.
    "That's true. But when did he notice that?" Tenko asked.
    "I believe it was when the camera took its first picture," Shuichi replied.
    Shuichi showed everyone the photo of Rantaro moving the bookcase.
    "At that moment, something made him notice the camera. (y/n) I think you know what it is," Shuichi replied.
   All eyes were on me at this point. I thought back to the beginning of the scene. I saw a white flash as I discovered Rantaro's body. Is the camera flash the thing that got Rantaro to notice? I didn't notice it before because I was so shocked, but now I think that the flash was on deliberately.
    "The flash was on... when I discovered Rantaro's body, I noticed the camera flash," I explained.
    Shuichi nodded at me, signifying I was right. He then showed everyone the pictures of him taking down the cameras. This proved my saying correct. The brightness was different in those photos.
    This brought more thought to my mind. The camera was obviously placed there for an objective. The flash wasn't just on for show. There was another thought too. None of us knew about the cameras Shuichi and Kaede set. There was only one person who could've done this murder. It was the only person who could've set the flash on that camera... it was Kaede.
    I found myself scared to say anything about it. I wanted to find the killer so badly... but if it's actually Kaede... then I would cry even more. Kaede would never do something like this. Not unless she was trying to save us. That means she must've targeted the mastermind... if she is in fact the killer.
    Kaede's statements carried more conviction which proved it more. She then stated that she knew the culprit. She gestured Shuichi to say it.
    "...Kaede's the culprit," Shuichi stated.
    Sweat rolled down my face, as I clenched the fabric of my sleeve. I looked towards the floor slightly. This felt awful. I didn't want to convict my friend.
    "I'm guessing by your reaction, you figured that out as well, (y/n)?" Shuichi asked with soft eyes.
    "Y-Yeah... I did figure it out. I don't want to convict Kaede. She's my friend... but she was the only one who could've set up the camera that way.." I replied nervously.
    Everyone seemed very shocked about this. Everyone was trying to ask Kaede if it was true. Kaede was staying silent though. It was like how Shuichi acted for most of the trial.
    "Pft...ahahahaha! Just kidding!" Kaede exclaimed.
    "Just kidding?" Ryoma asked.
    "Huh? Did you guys really think I'm the culprit?" Kaede asked, "psh, come on guys! Like I could!"
    I felt like Kaede was trying to put on some sort of act. Her change in behavior freaked out mostly everyone in the room, including me. Beads of sweat started to roll down my face.
    "When Rantaro was murdered, I was in the classroom with Shuichi, remember?" Kaede asked, "after that, we went to the library and that's the first time I even saw his body. Plus, I never met up with Rantaro. I never had a chance to kill him."
    "Y-Yes... No way Kaede could be culprit..." Gonta replied.
    "Geez, of course not! Do you think I'm ever strong enough to throw the shot? My hands are only strong enough to play piano!" Kaede exclaimed happily.
    "Then accusing you of being the culprit is..." Maki muttered.
    "Yup, it's wrong. Shuichi's just joking around. He wanted to lighten up the mood. Right, Shuichi?" Kaede asked, "no matter how you look at it, I couldn't have killed Rantaro with that shot."
     After what Kaede said, I knew what she was trying to do. She wanted Shuichi to contradict her. She wanted him to prove her wrong. She wanted him to be more confident in himself. I understood it fully. I couldn't do anything to contradict the statements because I wasn't there. There's only so much observation could do. It was all up to Shuichi.
    Shuichi then explained that something was needed for Kaede to use the shot put ball. That wasn't revealed yet. Shuichi can't give up.
    "I have an alibi," Kaede explained, "when Rantaro was killed... I was in the classroom, standing watch with Shuichi."
    "Kaede never saw Rantaro... then how she kill him!?" Gonta asked.
    "It's important to establish where the culprit used the shot... We know that it was in the library," Kaede replied.
    "No that's wrong!" Shuichi yelled.
    Shuichi revealed that the shot wasn't used in the library. Kaede used the vent from the classroom to roll the shot put ball. I wondered how it could be possible though. There would have to be some sort of pathway from the vent to the area Rantaro was killed. It was confusing to me on by that regard. That was a question mostly everyone was thinking about. Sure there were a few weird topics brought up. Himiko wanted the shot put ball to be magical. Shuichi knew better though.
    "The shot that fell from the vent... how did it strike Rantaro's head from that distance?" Kiyo asked.
    "Yeah! That's impossible!" Tenko shouted.
    "There had to have been some sort of path from the vent, right?" I asked.
    "I agree!" Shuichi exclaimed.
    "It's just like (y/n) said. The shot rolled on top of the bookcase and fell on Rantaro's head," Shuichi replied.
    Even if I was right about that, someone had to prove that. Shuichi pointed at Miu, who supposedly had a floor plan of the library. The cocky Miu obviously complained about having to show it. She told us that we owed her one for this. What was on the floor plan was shocking. I wasn't expecting that o was right. The books stacked on the top shelf from the vent formed a path like stairs. The shot would've still had momentum. The shot would've traveled along the bookcase and to Rantaro. There were opened encyclopedias that lead to where Rantaro was killed. The stacked books also concealed the shot put ball that fell from the vent. Kaede created a Rube Goldberg machine to kill Rantaro.
There was only one thing that concerned me was the noise. How did Rantaro not hear it? I think I know the reason why. It was probably because of that horrid music video that played an hour before the time limit expired. That probably won't be mentioned until later.
    Shuichi revealed that Kaede rolled the shot through the vent after the receiver went off. It made sense. Kaede ran out after Shuichi, according to the detective himself. Everyone soon had questions after that, including Kaito. He didn't believe that Kaede could do it. Gonta agreed as well. I had a feeling this has to do with the noise.
    "Don't work Kaede! I'll clear your name!" Kaito shouted.
    I'm pretty sure I can join Shuichi on this one. If this is about what I think it is, then I hold the cards here. This will most likely solidify everything. I can't stand the thought of Kaede as the blackened. I have to though. For everyone's sake. For Rantaro's sake. I can't give up. I won't give up.
    "I refuse to believe that Kaede is the culprit!" Kaito announced, "I still have my doubts!"
    'Of course you do... that's why we are debating...' I thought.
    "What kinda doubts?" Himiko asked.
    "Doubts about the noise, of course!" Kaito announced in response, "the library shoulda been quiet, right?"
    There it was. It was about the noise. I could counter this. Hopefully Shuichi agrees with me.
    "No, that's wrong!" Shuichi and I exclaimed.
    That caught Shuichi off guard. He looked very surprised and nervous about me yelling out with him.
    "Why did you agree with me?" Shuichi asked.
    "Because you're right about why Rantaro couldn't have heard the shot rolling," I replied.
    "How would you know that?" Shuichi asked in response.
    "Because of that horrid video Monokuma played about an hour before the time limit ended. It was very loud. I was in the library. It was very loud. Rantaro wouldn't have been able to hear the shot," I replied.
    "I think (y/n) is upstaging the Ultimate Detective!" Kokichi exclaimed.
    "No I'm not. I can agree with someone. By all means, Shuichi is the one cracking this case. I'm just moral support," I replied.
    Everyone soon came into terms with what was proven. Everyone was staring to make comments about how Kaede planned all of this right before Shuichi's eyes. I knew that was true, but as I thought before. Kaede wouldn't just kill someone. She must've targeted the mastermind.
    Soon, Shuichi discussed that Kaede got the shot put ball from the warehouse. She carried the shot put ball in her backpack with a spare vest. I honestly felt upset about these events. Shuichi even discussed the fact about her true motive.
    Kaede got into a panicked rant about the fact. Shuichi and I both knew that she wanted to kill the mastermind. We both stated that as the fact. We truly believed in Kaede. She was amazing. My eyes started filling with tears. I felt truly upset about this. She saved us from the time limit as well. Shuichi broke down because he felt at fault for his detective work being wrong. I cried a little bit. For everyone.
    "You tried to save us Kaede. I respect you... yeah I am upset about it... but I'll get through it..." I explained.
    After I said that, Kaede requested Shuichi to end the story. He did so accordingly. He mentioned everything from where Kaede got the shot put ball, to how she felt in the very end. Just hearing that made my eyes water even more. It's very hard to believe that Kaede would kill someone... but it was the truth we all had to face.
    Everyone talked about Kaede, and so did I. We all mentioned how nice she was and how she tried to save us all. It was murder, sure but... she did it in an attempt to save our lives. Kaede was even crying. Shuichi still wondered why Kaede thought of everyone over herself. It's just her character.
    "I'm... sorry..." Kaede muttered.
    "Stop, stop, stop! At least save it for the end of the trial! Sheesh!" Monokuma yelled.
    "Looks like the debate is finished, so that means it's Voting Time!" Monotaro exclaimed.
    "Alright you bastards! Press the button in front of you to cast your vote!" Monophanie exclaimed.
    "And make sure y'all vote, cuz refusin' to vote is grounds for termination," Monosuke explained.
    "At last! The heart-racing excitement as the blackened and the spotless finally face off..." Monokuma explained.
    "It's... VOTING TIME!" all of the Mono bears yelled.

    "Now, now, there's no need for that...." a familiar voice said.

    My eyes widened slightly as I recognized that voice. It couldn't be...
    'He's.... supposed to be....' I thought.
    I looked over to the entrance of the trial room, a person standing there bright as day. He had his hands in his pockets as if he were alive for the whole trial. The same outfit, somehow clean from bloodstains. His green hair was as vibrant as ever, showing no sign of his skull being cracked. His eyes looked bright as day, showing no signs of being dull. Rantaro Amami was there, alive and well.
    Monokuma was looking shocked about it. Droplets of sweat were obvious on the bear's fur. Everyone in the trial room was wide eyed and shocked about it. They couldn't say a word, so I said the first thing.
    "Am I dreaming..?" I asked quietly.
    Tears appeared in my eyes as I clutched my dress. All of the emotions I felt were for nothing. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. My crying for once was not from sadness. It was from joy and relief.
    I left my stand and ran to Rantaro.
(Haha... ran to Rantaro)
Tears flew out of my eyes as I made my way towards him. I jumped onto him, wrapping my arms around him. The momentum of me hugging him caused us both to fall into the ground.
    "(y/n), why are you so relived to see me?" Rantaro asked.
    "Well...you died..." I replied nervously.

Finally the big reveal! Rantaro is alive! ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!
Lol. This is something that the people who won spoilers know. I gave this away. Rantaro is staying alive. I hope you enjoy how I tell this story!

I would personally like to thank TheMeltingGirl for creating the image I used for this chapters heading. She made a counter sprite for reader. I love it so much! Thank you!

Now let's change up the prompt!
Please note that this prompt is going to last a month. I decided every Danganronpa chapter, I will host a big fanart competition. The prizes are the same.

1st place gets a special chapter in my oneshot book, a spoiler, fanart of their choice, and their fanart gets used into my story with an honorable mention.

2nd place gets a spoiler, fanart of their choice, and their fanart gets used into my story with an honorable mention.

3rd place gets a drawing of their choice, and their art will be used in my story with an honorable mention.

The runner ups/ honorable mentions will have their art used in my story I choose to, and an honorable mention.

Prompt 8: "What is your prediction for Chapter 2?"

I wish you luck on this! I'll update next week!- CRUSIFIXdroid