The next day Byakuya made Toko stop talking at all, and during a 5-second secret conversation with Kyouko, I found out that the 17th student was called Ikusaba Mukuro, the Ultimate Despair.
If that's the case, I don't even want to think about what would happen should we meet her.
Her name sounds creepy enough to kill all of us by just snapping her fingers.

Never mind that, however.

We started exploring the new area, and at first, everything was normal with a huge tint of weird from all the drawings on the blackboards...
But there was another room that was a complete mess...Covered in blood.
It made me feel uneasy in ways that nothing grotesque before ever did.

Me: Um...
Byakuya: Smells awful, doesn't it?
Me: And I thought it was just Fukawa...
Byakuya: *amused breath* I wonder which smells worse.
Me: I...Think her...
Byakuya: You seem uncharacteristically uneasy. For a Forensics Doctor, it's weird, isn't it?
Me: Uhm...I have a strange feeling about this place. There's something that's bothering me about this room...But it's not like I can explain it or anything...Erhm...
Byakuya: You usually have correct hunches nonetheless. Maybe this room is important, somehow.
Me: Think so?
Byakuya: *shrugs* Living around you made me believe in idiocies such as 'Feelings' and 'Hunches'. In a place like this, anything can be possible, after all.
Me: I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much.
Byakuya: Take it however you want to.
Me: *sighs* This smell of death and despair...My brother would hate what's become of this Academy of Hope. He loved this place so much...
Byakuya: Doubt he'd ever want to step here again.
Me: Do you think this is Monokuma's doing again...?
Monokuma: Oh, so it's MY fault again!?
Me: Kyaah! Where the hell did you come from?! HELL?!
Monokuma: Maaaaybe~? It's rather cozy there! But never mind that, this blaming never ends! Time after time you try to blame it all on me!!
Me: Fine, if YOU didn't do it, what the hell happened here to make it look like a War took place?!
Monokuma: Um, let me give you a hint. I didn't do anything to this classroom. I didn't even clean it up. I left it just the way it was!
Me: R-Really...?
Monokuma: That wasn't even a crummy RPG-style hint. It was the real deal! Nevertheless, so much blood is not a pretty thing, is it. But, you know, even in the outside world, people die every day... So it's not such a big deal! Let's be positive and keep on going!! You're the Ultimate Forensics Doctor, this should be nothing for you!

After Monokuma left, I could feel a bead of sweat dropping from my forehead, and I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
On the floor, countless of silhouettes were drawn to show where corpses were found and in what position, the walls were full with blood splatters and bloody hand-prints.
If this wasn't Monokuma's doing...
What the hell happened at Hope's Peak?!

I and Byakuya went around to the other places and got to a very Japanese-y looking place that seemed incredibly out of place, seeing that there were archery practice targets, fake Sakura trees and Samurai armors.
Despite everything going on, I could only look up and stare in wonder at the gorgeous pink petals slowly falling to the ground.

Byakuya: Don't tell me you've never seen Sakura trees before.
Me: Well...Would that come as a huge surprise?
Byakuya: You are Japanese.
Me: A Japanese girl who was home-schooled, barely ever left the house and on top of that, went overseas to study, hence why I changed my name...You know, sometimes I miss my old name. Ever since I changed it, it feels like there is something that keeps me away from my origins...As if I'm not myself anymore.
Byakuya: Why are you telling me this?
Me: ... I don't know. Forget it, it's not relevant to the investigation anyway. Let's go back to finding important stuff, if we can.
Byakuya: What was your name?
Me: What, now you're curious?
Byakuya: If you started saying something, it's only polite to continue, isn't it?
Me: You interrupted me, so I see no point in continuing if the receptor isn't interested in anything I talk, as long as it benefits him.
Byakuya: That is...Not true.
Me: Isn't it? Then perhaps you should find your words better next time you decide you open your mouth, don't you think?

He only glared at me, but I ignored him, sighing and hanging my head, extending my hands, catching a few pink petals in my head.

Me: My brother's crush and best friend, Chisa...We somehow became friends through him, when her and their other friend, Juzo, would come over...Chisa knew I couldn't really leave the house, so one day she came to me and gifted me a small Sakura tree branch, full with little pink flowers. She...She said they were small and fragile like myself, but once they bloom, everyone can see how beautiful and meaningful they are. Tsk...Chisa...Please, Gods, if there are any, make sure Kyousuke take care of her...If she were to die...*shakes head* I don't even want to imagine...
Byakuya: ...I'm sure they're fine. You keep boasting how your brother is so cool and whatever...If he could put up with you, then he's doing more than fine out there.
Me: *chuckles* You have a talent for saying double-edged compliments, I swear.
Byakuya: Are you going to tell me your name now?
Me: *smirks* Maybe I will...Later, that is.

The next place was some kind of Botanical Garden, and the basic stuff was that the huge flower was the #1 no-touch thing and that the sprinkles started every day at 7:30 A.M.
Great.
We explored the shed a bit before going back to the Cafeteria to see what the others gathered.

Me: It seems everyone is here.
Hiro: That said, there's just the six of us now... That's as many people as a volleyball team...
Hina:Hey! What's up with that depressing tone of voice!? Try thinking positively! Even if another one of us dies, we can still make a basketball team, right?!
Me: That's...Intense...
Hiro: That sure is a negative way of being positive...
Hina: ...We don't have time to feel depressed, though. We must do our best. For our dead friends' sake, too.
Byakuya: Are you done licking each other's wounds? I want to start our information exchange...
Naegi: Hey, Togami-kun... I think Fukawa-san wants to say something...
Byakuya: And why are you telling me this?
Naegi: Don't you remember how you sealed her mouth...?
Byakuya: Oh. I forgot all about it.
Me: *laughs* I can't say I'm surprised!
Hiro: There's a limit to not caring, you know!
Byakuya: Fukawa, if you want to open that smelly mouth of yours, you may.
Toko: I...I am honoured, Byakuya-sama...I...I will keep my smelly mouth in check, s...so don't worry...
Hiro: Ahaha! You're in good shape, Fukawa-chi!
Toko:L...Leave me alone... And don't interrupt my important conversation with Byakuya-sama...!
Naegi: ...So, did you find anything?
Toko: I found something interesting... in one of the classrooms on the fifth floor... T...This thing...
Me: ...A knife?!
Hina: It's huge! It's like something Rambo would use!
Byakuya: A survival knife, huh?
Naegi: But... why was it in a classroom...?
Toko: D...Don't ask me... I have no clue...
Hiro: Hey, you aren't planning to do anything devious to us with that knife, are you...?!
Toko: I...I just brought it here...! It was too dangerous just leaving it there...!
Hiro: It's even more dangerous in the hands of a serial killer like you, 'right?!
Toko: D...Don't you dare compare me to her! We're nothing alike!
Hina: Hey, much more importantly...What are we going to do with this knife?
Hiro: We can't let Fukawa-chi keep it, that's for sure. I have no clue where to put it, though.
Toko: I...It's not like I want it, anyway...!
Naegi: Yeah... It's a problem...
Kyouko: Let's just have Raven-chan keep it.
Me: *raises eyebrow* Are you all okay with that?
Hiro: Yeah, Ray-chi is perfect!
Naegi: I think that's for the best.
Hina: That's that, then!
Me: I never realised you all trust me so much with a knife. Very well, I will have it for safe-keeping, as a token of our friendship and unbreakable bond.
Byakuya: Just be happy everyone trusts you that much. Go ahead, take it.
Me: Right.
Toko: Tsk. Here, take it, Black..
Me: Thanks.

Kyouko...I don't know for sure what you're planning...But don't do anything reckless.

Toko: T...That's all I have to report...
Byakuya: Hey, Fukawa.
Toko: Ah...! Is it about my smelly mouth!? I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry for having a smelly mouth I'm sorry for having a smelly mouth I'm sorry for having a smelly mouth...
Byakuya: ...That was a fine report. Good job.
Me: *whistles* Now I've seen them all.
Toko: Eh...? Eh...? Eh...? A compliment... from Byakuya-sama...?
Hina: Way to go, Fukawa-chan!
Toko: Uuuuuuuuu...!! I...It's a dream... It must be a dream...!! Ha ha... To think, I'd have such a dream...! Aha... ahahahahaha...! How dirty I am...! Take that, Black! I'm getting ahead of you in Favour Ranking! Ahaha... dirty... real dirty...! Wait... stop... aha... hee... hya... hahaha!
Me: *facepalm* I give up...
Hiro: Lately, just looking at Fukawa-chi makes me shiver.
Me: Ignore her. What do you have to report, Hiro?
Hiro: There's a lush garden on the fifth floor, 'right? I found several interesting things over there. There's a humongous plant and a chicken coop. And also, how d'ya call it... A shed.
Me: Monokuma called that flower a Monokuma flower. It's dangerous if you touch it, so we'd better be careful.
Hiro: Death by being eaten. And it's nothing like those plants that come out of pipes! I think those sprinklers are also there just to keep it growing.
Naegi: Those sprinklers are activated automatically every morning at 7:30...
Hiro: I'll keep that in mind! I don't want to catch a cold!
Hina: You'll be fine! They say idiots never catch colds!
Hiro: Of course! It's because idiots can't get wet!!
Hina: No... You're thinking of ghosts... Y'know, I'm getting a little worried. Do you know what 10+10 is, Hagakure?
Hiro: Hey, hey! Even if you say I'm an idiot, there are limits! I did repeat a grade 3 times, so I can at least solve that kind of problem! Here, let me show you... Um... Huh...? Can you remind me what the question was?
Me: You must be fucking kidding me...
Naegi: There were some chickens in that coop, weren't there?
Hiro: Exactly five of them!
Hina: Oh, I love chickens! Let's all raise them together, and then make us some fried chicken! Oh, but yakitori might also be good... That sure is a problem! Ah! We should eat them rare! I mean, we can have them as fresh as we want!!
Hiro: We'll just get food poisoning...
Naegi: So, did you see it too? That pickaxe...
Byakuya: ...Was there anything special about it?
Naegi: There's a pickaxe in the shed at the garden...And the words "Crazy Diamonds" are carved on its handle. I'm sure I heard those words somewhere before... Does anyone remember...?
Me: "Crazy Diamonds"...? Th-That was written on Mondo-kun's jacket! On his back, remember?!
Naegi: But why are the same words on a pickaxe?
Hiro: Maybe Oowada-chi sneaked into that garden and carved it himself?
Me: Hagakure...Shut up, my neurons want to divorce...
Hina: Maybe Monokuma confiscated a pickaxe that Oowada brought with him to this school?
Naegi:...Whatever the case may be, I'm worried. That pickaxe seems to be connected to Oowada-kun somehow...
Me: I'm not so sure...
Hiro: ...By the way, the thing that caught my attention in that shed isn't the pickaxe.
Naegi: ...Eh? It wasn't?
Hiro: It's the lawn mower. I think we can call for help using that thing...
Hina: How do you call for help with a lawn mower?
Hiro: Don't you know anything? We make a crop circle! We make a crop circle with the lawn mower!! That will get their attention, for sure!
Hina: Hey, Hagakure. When did you get that way? I don't remember you acting like that when we got here...
Hiro: My character wasn't yet well established back then.
Hina: I give up as well...
Me: *exasperated sigh* Kyouko, please, you're the only one I trust to speak sense.
Kyouko: I'm worried about the biology lab... It's the only room on the fifth floor that's locked.
Hina: A biology lab, huh? I wonder what's in there...?
Hiro: Based on what we experienced so far, it's probably some kind of a freaky creature. A gigantic last boss type.
Hina: But... this isn't an action game...
Byakuya: Whatever is in there, now's not the time to worry about it. Worrying won't get us any closer to opening that room, so we might as well not waste our mental strength. We must make effective use of the tiny amount of brain power we share among us.
Hina: I don't like the metaphor, but I guess you're right.
Byakuya: It wasn't a metaphor.
Me: Right, right. Hina, anything interesting?
Hina: I checked all the windows in the fifth floor. That was Sakura-chan's job before. But, it was useless, as expected. Every one of them has a metal plate bolted to it...
Me: ...So there's no exit on the fifth floor. Basically, there's no stairway to Heaven, so no further floor above us. We finally have a complete picture of this school. All that's left to do now is solve its mystery...
Hiro: That won't be easy...
Hina: Even if it isn't, we must do it!!
Naegi: That's right. It's just like Asahina-san says. We'll make it... If we work together, we can work it out!
Byakuya: By the way, did everybody see it? The strange classroom on the fifth floor... No, I wouldn't call it "strange"...It smells of blood and entrails... There are many human-shaped white lines on the floor...It was much more gruesome than anything we encountered until now...
Me: That's enough graphic information for these guys, Byakuya. Basically, even for someone who has experience in this field, a tragedy like nothing else happened there. It wasn't JUST a crime. It was FAR worse.
Byakuya: The smell was overwhelming. A murder crime scene is nothing next to it. It was like the smell of every conceivable human fluid condensed together.
Hiro: I...I'm glad I didn't go into that classroom... I feel like throwing up just hearing about it...
Me: Damn it, Byakuya! Have some mercy!
Hiro: But, really, what happened in there?
Kyouko: Could it be..."The Worst, Most Despair-inducing Incident in the History of Mankind"...?
Byakuya: ...It seems you and I think alike. That's right. It's conceivable the deaths in that classroom are exactly what that incident one year ago was all about.
Me: I think you're both right and wrong about this. Think about it. Humanity went to through not one, but TWO World Wars. Why would a bunch of kids killing each other be named THE WORST incident in the History of Mankind? Don't you think there is something far worse about this? A secret so hard to believe, something SO bad...I don't even want to think what that could mean.
Kyouko: I see...I think you're on to something.
Me: I wish that was wrong, with all my heart, but this situation we're stuck in tells me otherwise. On the other hand, I DO think that "The Worst, Most Despair-inducing Incident in the History of Mankind" was related to the mass slaughter of Hope's Peak Academy students. And if that's true...
Byakuya: That incident was also the reason Hope's Peak Academy had to close down?
Me: Maybe...But not only. Hope's Peak Academy was Japan's Pride. This could have been covered up somehow. No...I think...Gods, please make me be wrong, but I think this somehow influenced the whole country in bad ways.
Hiro: It all makes sense, but... that would be the worst.
Hina: It wouldn't just be the worst... It would be the ultimate worst...

But, if that's the case...
How come not one of us knew that such a huge incident happened...?
Did they really cover the entire thing up...?
No, I doubt it...It'd be impossible...
But then...
Maybe the Mastermind truly did something to us to make us forget stuff?
Kyouko mentioned something along the lines of "What did you do to my body" at the end of the last Class Trial.
Does that mean that she's also on board with this theory of mine, after all?
Well...
That makes me feel more at ease, I guess.

Byakuya: ...Well, then. I think we're done with our information exchange.
Hiro:...So, what are we going to do now?
Byakuya: Hmmm...From this day forward, you will all follow my leadership. But before that, there's one thing I want explained.
Hiro: Honestly, if you get more high and mighty, you'd hit the ceiling!
Hina: So... what is it you want explained?
Byakuya: Kyouko Kirigiri's identity...
Me: I beg your pardon?
Hina: K...Kirigiri-chan's identity...? Kirigiri-chan is Kirigiri-chan, isn't she?
Byakuya: ...But who is that Kyouko Kirigiri? There's a reason why each and every one of us was chosen to attend Hope's Peak Academy. Asahina is a "Ultimate Swimmer"... Hagakure is a "Ultimate Fortune Teller"... Even Naegi is the "Ultimate Lucky"...But what about Kirigiri...? Does anyone here know her specialty?
Me: Drop it, will ya?! Leave her alone! She's the only one so far who ever helped in all this mess! Everyone else was completely useless, and now you're trying to turn on her, just like you did with Sakura?!
Hina: Now that you mention it...Kirigiri-chan... doesn't really like talking about herself.
Byakuya: It isn't a matter of liking or disliking. It is a matter of trust. How can we trust anyone who isn't even willing to make it clear who they really are? I don't want those dark feelings of distrust to stir us up again. Kirigiri, tell us.
Me: Kirigiri Kyouko has been my friend since before this mess started! If I have no reason to distrust her, then neither should you!
Kyouko: It's fine, Raven. The truth is, I can't.
Toko: Huh?! Why won't you talk?!
Kyouko: I didn't say I "won't". I said I "can't".
Hiro: W...What do you mean...?
Kyouko: I don't remember...My memory is gone.
Hina: Your memory is gone...? You don't mean...?! Is that what they call "amnesia"?
Byakuya: Now's not a good time to start developing a sense of humor. Amnesia isn't even all that funny.
Toko: Y...You just want to hide the truth from us, don't you...?
Kyouko: I knew that would happen. I knew you wouldn't believe me...That's why I didn't say anything. But I don't mind. The truth always comes out, sooner or later.
Byakuya: ...So you insist on not speaking, do you? In that case, I can't let you do as you please.
Kyouko: What are you going to do? Torture it out of me?
Me: Hey, what the hell is going on here?!
Byakuya: I will not succumb to such barbaric methods. It's just that...I must limit your actions somehow. We can't have you doing who knows what in secret.
Kyouko: Limit my actions...?
Byakuya: Give me your key. The key to your room!
Me: And who the hell made you the leader here, Togami Byakuya?! Who do you think you are, ordering everyone around as you please? If you take away the key to her room, then she's as good as dead, because of that damned rule!
The key to her room...? But, without that key...!
Byakuya: I suggest you shut up and stop the sentimentalism. What I'm doing is for the good of our group and our survivability. If that's not to her liking, she can just start talking. It's very simple. She always has the option of telling us about herself.
Naegi: Wait... That sounds like a threat...
Kyouko: Don't bother with him, Raven. He's the type that once he has his mind fixed in one direction, nothing can sway him, that's how closed-minded he is....Fine. Have it your way.
Byakuya: So, you're finally going to talk.

Kirigiri-san walked up to Togami-kun without saying a word. And then...
She gave him her key.

Byakuya: Don't tell me...! Why are you so stubborn...? If you don't talk...
Kyouko: Even if I wanted to, I can't. I wasn't lying before.
Hina: I...I think she may be telling the truth... Maybe she really does have amnesia...
Hiro: Yeah, it's not impossible, 'right? I mean, this is a place where the the worst possible things happen all the time, isn't it? Amnesia isn't the weirdest thing we've seen here...
Kyouko: ...A place where the worst possible things happen? Are you sure that's the case...? Can you really say everything about life here is bad?
Me: Ah...!
Kyouko: *smiles* I think... I said too much.

Kirigiri-chan turned her back to us, and stepped out of the cafeteria without saying another word.

Byakuya: ...Where do you intend to go?
Kyouko: Don't worry. I won't do anything that would inconvenience you.

Those were her last words, before she left the room, making me burn with rage.

They left the cafeteria in a sudden dead quiet, with just the sound of the shutting doors ringing in our ears...

Hiro: W...What's up with her...?
Hina: I...I think we went too far... We shouldn't have taken her key...
Toko: S...She deserved it...! S...She must be the type who gets all excited when people say nasty stuff about her...? The worse people say, the more excited she gets...
Me: Fukawa. Shut up. You're still too loud. I can hear you breathing and your heart thumping. Quiet. Now. Before I use that knife to hack you to pieces, just like Genocider tried before...
Hiro: Are you asking her to die? Not that I don't understand how you feel!
Byakuya: And why are YOU angry?
Me: This is the Sakura's problem all over again...You just all gang up on someone just because some intimidating idiot and his horny lackey say so. You're all just pathetic. She's the only one who can get us the hell out of here, and you signed her death sentence. But fine, be that way, see how much I care about you and your stupidity.
Toko: D-Don't talk like that about Byakuya-sama, you dirty sow!
Me: I WILL TALK HOWEVER THE HELL I WANT ABOUT ANY AND EACH OF YOU, IF I WANT TO! You are all a bunch of senseless cretins with an IQ lower than your shoe-size! THAT'S ALL YOU ARE! Togami, you want to kill Kyouko just because she lost her memories? FINE! Be that way! But if she's going down, so am I!
Byakuya: What the hell are you talking about?! I have no reason to doubt you, since you're not acting all secretive and you remember stuff from your past!
Me: As if that's what matters! Here, take this, and don't even think about speaking to me again!
Byakuya: W-Wait-

Pissed off beyond measures, I throw my room's key at him then get out of there, following Kyouko in her search of the truth.
She's the only one who can get us out of here and I'm going to make sure NOTHING is going to get in her way.

N O T H I N G

That night, I and Kyouko managed to use Naegi as a decoy so we could sneak and see if our theory - that the Mastermind can't operate Monokuma and the cameras at the same time - is true or not.
Everything is risky, of course, but by now, risky is the last thing we care about.

The next day and night were full of interesting discoveries, and even worse, Naegi got attacked by a mysterious person that we thought could only be this Ikusaba Mukuro.
I mean...Who else could it be?
By why this ridiculous disguise? It's not like anyone knows how she looks like, so there's nothing to fear if she just goes into hiding again, right?
But...What is we DO know how she looks like?

As we got out of the 2nd floor, we found out that there was a body discovery announcement that we had no idea about, so we quickly went to take a brief look at the corpse before getting to the usual Class Trial room, where everyone was acting frantic because we weren't there.

Kyouko: ...If you're looking for us, we're here.
Me: 'Sup. We're here, see?
Naegi: K...Kirigiri-san...!! Raven!
Hina: Kirigiri-chan! Raven-chan! Are you alive?!
Hiro: N...No... T...That's a ghost for sure...!!
Me: Stupid as usual.
Monokuma: Quiet down, quiet down. We have the school trial ahead of us! We can have plenty of fun over there!
Byakuya: There isn't a penalty for being late, is there?
Me: ...We made it. No school rules have been violated. Isn't that so, Monokuma?
Monokuma: She's shifty, that Raven-san. Real shifty...You're really pissing me off! No, there aren't any penalties. I'm sure you'll come to regret it soon, though...I'm going to make you regret it... Anyways, go into the elevator! Now! I'm going up ahead!
Me: Did you hear that, Kyouko...? You don't think...?
Kyouko: *nods* It seems that way.
Me: Tsk. This is bad...
Hina: So you weren't dead after all!!
Kyouko: Of course we weren't...
Hina: Thank god! I was really worried!
Byakuya: ...The fact she's alive isn't necessarily something we should be happy about.
Me: I would suggest you stop the hostilities now, while you still can.
Byakuya: Is that a threat?!
Me: No. It's just a piece of advice. No go to the Elevator before Monokuma starts getting weird ideas.
Byakuya: ...Let's go. We'll discuss it at the school trial.

Byakuya stepped into the elevator without taking another look at us, being followed by Fukawa, Hina and Hagakure. Only Naegi remained behind, eager to question us.

Naegi: Kirigiri-san. There's something I want to ask you before we go in...Where were you until now? You must have used that key and hid somewhere...?
Kyouko: We were investigating the second floor of the dormitory building.
Naegi: The second floor... of the dorms?
Kyouko: There are no cameras or monitors over there. We could act freely without Monokuma watching. But, on the other hand, we also never heard the announcement. I didn't even know you discovered a body.
Naegi: ...When did you find out?
Me: Just now. We came back to the first floor after we finished investigating and heard the trial announcement. We had to make a quick detour to take a look at the crime scene. We couldn't just come in without knowing anything, right?
Naegi: And that's why you were late...
Kyouko: I'm sorry for keeping you waiting...
Naegi: So, if that's where you were all along...Was that key you stole the key to the dorms' second floor?
Me: Not quite, strictly speaking. ...It's "Monokuma's secret tool". A key that can open any door in this school.
Naegi: Huh...?!
Hina: Hey, what are you doing, you three?! If we don't hurry, Monokuma's gonna be angry!
Kyouko: ...Naegi-kun, I'll tell you all about it after we're done with this trial.
Me: For now, we should concentrate on surviving it...I guess...
Kyouko: It will probably be the greatest crucial moment for me so far...
Me: I don't want to think about it.
Naegi: Well, then. We should go...

Ignoring his concerned face, we stepped into the elevator, letting the doors close behind us as we went to the Class Trial room, ready for another hell-trial.

No one spoke. We all just stood there in the dim light...
We stood there, not saying a word.

Monokuma: Well, well, well. I've been waiting for this moment. It's been a long time since we've all been here... We don't need preliminary jokes and scene setting anymore, do we?|
Me: Shut up and let's get this started already. You're being a pain.
Monokuma: *sulks* S-So hostile...Let's start straight away!

And then, the curtain opened for the fifth time...
On a courtroom of life and death...
Mutual deception of life and death...
Betrayals of life and death...
Puzzle solving of life and death...
Vindications of life and death...
Trust of life and death...

                                                        A School Trial of...

                        ...Life and Death...