(3rd Person's POV)

CLASS TRIAL...RESUME!

Taka: Ngh...ngraah...! I have no idea what's going on anymore...! Could such a heinous villain really be innocent!?

Mondo: But...the body really was suspended, right? And nobody but the police knew about that...

Hina: Yeah! That's why we figured it had to be the real deal and not some copycat killer or whatever!

Makoto's mind clicked together as he got an answer. There's only one person who could've known and copied all the Genocide Jack cases...

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SELECT SOMEONE: PICK YOUR SUSPECT!

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...

...

Chosen: Byakuya Togami

"HERE'S MY ANSWER!"

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Makoto: Togami...it's possible you could have found out, isn't it? You'd have no problem gaining access to classified government documents or internal police records. Plus, you'd already looking through the Genocide Jack file before this all happened, hadn't you?

Byakuya: ...

The progeny had nothing to say to that, though the students were understandably surprised.

Hifumi: A-Are you saying...Mr. Togami did it?

Byakuya: ...

Celeste: Then the reason he pushed the theory of Genocide Jack being the killer so hard was because he wanted to pin the crime on her!

Genocide Jill: So he rearranged the scene to disguise it and make it look like I'd put my stamp on it...! The adorable glasses man was behind it all!? Ahh, I'm on fire!

Taka: ...Well, Togami!? What's your response!?

Bykauya: I see... So now the suspicion falls on me. Then I must ask...when would you two say I began acting suspicious? Surely you must have an answer...

Makoto: Hmm, looking back and thinking about it now, the way you were acting right before we discovered the body was a little strange...

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"And the locker rooms... They're suspicious. Very suspicious, indeed. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Huh? Suspicious...?"

"It seems nobody's searched the locker rooms. Let's start with the girls locker room..."

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Makoto: You wanted to go to the girls locker room right away, right? But since you're a guy...

Byakuya: I should have naturally thought of the boys locker room first. Is that what you want to say?

He looked at Makoto as if he was an idiot.

Byakuya: The victim was Fujisaki. A girl. Hence why I said we should check the girls locker room.

Hifumi: Nothing strange about that, I'd say!

Sora: Actually, there is something very strange about that!

Byakuya: Okay then, what's so strange about it? Go ahead, Shirayuki. Share with the rest of the class.

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NONSTOP DEBATE: MAKE YOUR ARGUEMENT!

Hina: So Naegi, you said Togami was acting kinda weird before we found the body... But he was acting weird...how?

Hifumi: If you're presented with the opportunity to check out the girls locker room, you absolutely take it...! That's a natural reaction for any guy!

Byakuya: The victim was Fujisaki, who was a girl. So of course I would suggest we check the girls locker room first. There was no time for pointless distractions. What's so strange about that?

Hifumi: I wish you'd taken me with you...

Sora's New Arguement: Before We Found The Body

"I DOUBT THAT!"

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Sora: You wanna know what's so strange about that? It's 'cuz, up until we found the body, we'd have no idea who the victim was. So that claim of yours doesn't add up!

Byakuya: I see...That's a good answer, I must admit. Interesting. Very interesting, indeed! But your reasoning is still too weak!

Sora: Hm?

Byakuya: What's wrong? Is that it? Surely you've got more than that. Go ahead, show us...

Sora cocked an eyebrow at this. What with the attitude? It's like...he doesn't even care. She made a good point that could easily put suspicion onto him, but he's acting like it has absolutely nothing to do with him...!

Byakuya: What's the matter? You're not finished already, are you? There must be more to it...

Sora: I-I would...like to think there is...

Kyoko: There is more to it. Think about it. We just talked about the differences between this case and past Genocide Jack incidents. The proof you're looking for is hidden in there...

Byakuya: ...Oh? Proof that I'm the culprit, you mean?

Kyoko: ...

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NONSTOP DEBATE: MAKE YOUR ARGUEMENT!

Genocide Jill: What, the difference between the cases? You want me to explain it again!? When I want to kill, I use my very own special scissors! And I use those same scissors to arrange the body!

Celeste: But...Fujisaki was suspended with... It was some kind of rope, was it not?

Taka: That's right! It absolutely was!

Hifumi: Then there must be something very fishy indeed about that rope...!

Mondo: Hey, Togami! Where'd you get it from, huh?

Byakuya: I'd never seen that rope before in my life... Obviously somebody else must have had it hidden away somewhere.

Makoto's Truth Bullet: Library Desk Lamp

"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"

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Makoto: Actually, I'm pretty sure you have seen it before. Because you see, that rope--or should I say...that extension cord?

Hifumi: What!? An extension cord!?

Makoto: Togami--you've used the extension cord in the library more than once, haven't you? And the same extension cord that was in the library all this time...went missing after the murder! And there's no way someone who uses that extension cord as much as you do wouldn't discover that fact!

Taka: Then Togami must be the one who took the extension cord! I can't imagine any other possibility!

Byakuya: ...That's really what you think? Then your conclusion is something like this...? I killed Fujisaki in the girls locker room, then hung her up and wrote that bloody message. I intentionally made it look like Genocide Jack was behind it. Is that about right?

He's doing it again... Byakuya looked at Makoto with no signs of nervousness. He's totally calm and unconcerned. As if he's not even involved.

Wait...not even involved...?

Byakuya: What's wrong? I asked you if you think that's what happened.

Mondo: Hell yes, that's what happened! So that's it, right? Togami's the killer!

Genocide Jill: I don't disagree with not disagreeing!

Taka: He kept calling this a game, right? So he'd be totally willing to do something like this to "win"!

Sora: ...Hey, hold on a sec. I think we should discuss this a bit more...

Some of the students looked at Sora as if she had three heads.

Hiro: Huh? Do we really need to? We've already decided who did it.

Makoto: I...I agree with Shirayuki. There's something that's been bothering me...

Byakuya: Is that right? And what, pray tell, is still bothering you? I killed her in the girls locker room, then disguised my crime. Specifically, I dressed it up to make it look like it was the work of a homicidal psychopath. What about all that "bothers" you?

Makoto's eyes lit up with realization. What Byakuya said...it concerned him.

---

-Genocide Jack's presence

-The extension cord

-The scene of the crime

"I GOT IT!"

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Makoto: You say you killed Fujisaki in the girls locker room, right? But are you sure about that? Isn't it possible that the murder took place somewhere else?

Byakuya sneered at Makoto, his expression screaming disappointment.

Byakuya: How disappointing... What kind of question is that? Even in the world of disappointments, this is a true letdown. She was found dead in the girls locker room. There is absolutely no question about that. How could the scene of the crime have been anywhere else?

Makoto: Well...I think it's entirely possible that she was killed somewhere else, then carried there later along with the rest of the murder scene!

Byakuya: The...rest of the murder scene? That was awfully specific. Please tell me you have a reason for saying all of that.

Makoto: I believe I do...

Sora looked surprised. Did Makoto just...catch Byakuya off-guard?

Taka: Hey, don't just move on without permission! What do you mean she was killed somewhere else!?

Byakuya: Come on, Naegi! If there's any chance the murder took place somewhere else, let's see the proof! And you, Shirayuki! You're free to show us it as well!

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PRESENT KEY ITEMS: SHOW YOUR PROOF!

Sora's Truth Bullet: Two Locker Room Posters

"EASY PEASY."

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Sora: I guess the proof could be the posters in each locker room.

Byakuya: Your proof...is some posters?

Sora: Now, now. Hear me out on this one. The poster in the girl's locker room was a nice picture of a supermodel with big boobs. But...why would the girls locker room have a poster like that?

Genocide Jill: I bet those massive jugs of hers were totally fake! Kyeehahaha!

Sora: ...Anyway, the boys locker room had a poster of some sort of boy band. Again, not what you'd expect from a boys locker room.

Celeste: So you're saying that maybe the posters were switched?

Sora: Yeah. Buuut, there's one other thing about the locker rooms that strange. Right Ogami?

Sakura: You're referring to my protein coffee, aren't you?

Hifumi: ...Protein coffee?

Sakura: While I was in the girls locker room earlier, I spilled some protein coffee on the carpet. But I noticed that after the murder, the stain had been totally scrubbed away.

Sora shook her head. No. It's not that the stain was scrubbed away... It was moved...

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PRESENT KEY ITEMS: SHOW YOUR PROOF!

Sora's Truth Bullet: Boys Locker Room Carpet

"EASY PEASY."

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Sora: Well... I don't think that the stain was scrubbed away. I found a similar stain on the carpet in the boys locker room!

Sakura: That's...definitely the stain from my protein coffee!

Celeste: Then...does that mean that the carpets were switched, too? But...why would anyone do that?

Sora: To move the murder scene from one locker room to another... It's not exactly impossible...

Taka: What!?

Makoto: So Shirayuki, what you're saying is, in order to completely swap the scene of the crime the bloodstained poster and carpet were moved along with the dead body? And by doing this, the killer was able to change the entire room where the murder took place?

Sora: That's the long and short of it, I guess...

Celeste: I can certainly follow your reasoning, but...why would the culprit bother doing that?

Makoto: Huh?

Celeste: Why would they go through all that trouble of switching the scene of the crime? Actually, an even bigger question... If the murder did take place in the boys locker room then how did Fujisaki get in the boys locker room in the first place?

Makoto: Ah...!

Sora: Crap...

Celeste: To get into the locker rooms, you have to swipe you e-Handbook across the card reader device. But Fujisaki's handbook should have only allowed her access to the girls locker room. She had no way to get into the boys locker room to begin with.

Hiro: No, she DID have a way! And I can tell you what it was!

Celeste: I highly doubt that.

Hiro: Shut up! I'm telling you, I know how she could have done it!

Is he right...? Could Chihiro really have gotten into the boys locker room somehow?

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NONSTOP DEBATE: MAKE YOUR ARGUEMENT!

Celeste: Is it really possible? Could Fujisaki really have gotten into the boys locker room somehow?

Taka: Ah! I've got it! She must have hacked her e-Handbook! She was the Ultimate Programmer, after all. I'm sure that would've been no problem for her!

Hiro: No, I don't think that's it... She used the thing that was in the main hall!

Hifumi: Huh? What thing?

Hiro: I'm talkin' about Kuwata's handbook, of course! If she had that, she could get into the boys locker room no problem!

Makoto's Truth Bullet: Broken E-Handbook

"NO, THAT'S WRONG!"

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Makoto: No, I don't think Fujisaki used Kuwata's handbook.

Hiro: Why not!?

Makoto: Because Kuwata's handbook was broken.

Hiro: Oh! Well then yeah, I guess that'd be pretty impossible, huh?

Sora faceplamed as she let out a rough sigh. For the love of...

Sakura: I am struck silent by how quickly you gave up...

Celeste: Plus, isn't there a regulation against using someone else's handbook?

Byakuya: Actually, the rule states that loaning your handbook is prohibited. It says nothing about borrowing one. In other words, you could borrow a dead person's handbook all you want, and you'd be safe.

Monokuma: Yup yup yup! Hit the nail square on the noggin!

Byakuya: Of course, if it were broken, that wouldn't make any sense anyway...

Taka: So then, she must have hacker hers like I said! She used her Ultimate Programmer skills and--!

But Monokuma cut Taka off.

Monokuma: Bzzt! You can't fix an E-Handbook. The instant you open one up, a security buzzer starts blaring!

Sakura: So if she didn't use Kuwata's handbook, and she didn't modify her own handbook...

Hifumi: Maybe Mr. Naegi's and Ms. Shirayuki's initial assumption is just...wrong?

Hina: It seems like there's no way she coulda got into the boys locker room, so I guess so...

Taka: Okay then, I vote for Togami!

Sora: ...

The blonde folded her arms as she tapped her feet as if she was deep in thought. Is this it? Chihiro was killed in the girls locker room, and Byakuya's the one who did it? Is that really what happened? But...she doesn't know what she could do to prove otherwise...

However, a certain enigmatic woman's voice cut through all the confusion.

Kyoko: ...Hold on a second. I agree with you, though. I think you're on the right track.

Mondo: What the--? You finally decide to open your mouth, and that's what you've got to say? There's no way she could get in the boys locker room, right!? So--!

Kyoko: Why are you so sure she couldn't get in? There still one other way she could have gained access.

Mondo: ...What!?

Taka: What are you talking about!? What other way is there!?

Kyoko: Well, to explain that, why don't we take a little break from the trial? I'd like you all to come see something.

Monokuma: Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait! Just what do you think you're doing!?

Kyoko: Don't worry. This'll make the whole trial more exciting. I'm sure that thought must please you?

Monokuma: Huh? It'll make things more exciting? Well, alright then! I declare an official class trial recess!

Hina: Huh? For real?

Monokuma: Now then, what is it you wanna show us? It better not be boring, or I'll be VERY unhappy...!

Kyoko: Oh, I have no doubt it'll meet your lofty expectations. So, shall we go?

Before Sora even knew what was happening, the class trial had been put on hold... The students headed off, with Kyoko in the lead. And where she took them was...

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Makoto: ...The girls locker room?

Taka: We've already searched this place top to bottom! What are you trying to pull, missy!?

Kyoko: I'd like you to examine the victim's body, one more time. Be sure to examine the entire body very carefully. Take your time.

Hifumi: Examine her...carefully? Like, using our hands? Nowaynowaynowaynoway!

Taka: It's...probably best if I don't run my hands all over a girl's dead body...

Hiro: I-It's not that I'm creeped out or anything. It's just...based on religious grounds, ya know...?

After seeing most of the boys understandably refuse touching Chihiro's body, Sakura stepped up.

Sakura: ...Very well. I'll do it.

Hina: B-But you're a girl. You shouldn't have to touch a dead body. Just let one of the boys do it...

Sakura: No, it's okay. I think Fujisaki would rather have a girl examine her. So just leave this to me...

Hina: S-Sakura...

Genocide Jill: What is this, some kind of secret girl-on-girl action!? Is that what you two are about!?

Hina: That's not it at all! Stop screwin' around!

Sakura: Okay, here I go... I'm sorry, Fujisaki. Please excuse the intrusion...

Putting her hands together in a brief prayer, Sakura then began to quietly examine her body.

Kyoko: Be sure to check her entire body, and I believe we will solve this particular mystery.

Sakura: Her entire body...? I know you say that, but...

The martial artist then stopped cold when she examined Chihiro's body below the waist.

Sakura: What--? This is... What does this m--? Huaaaaaaahhh!

Sora: (Tilts her head) What's wrong?

Sakura: Not possible... It's not possible!

Sakura's eyes were staring wildly at Chihiro's lifeless form. Her massive frame trembled.

"This...this girl is...!"

"Is what!?"

"...is a boy!"

....

....

....

....

....

....

"WHAT?!"

Class Trial #2: On Hold

To be continued...?