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“You of all people should know.” Kyoko looked straight into Byakuyas eyes. It was a different look than she usually had and it sent chills down his spine. Cold and arrogant. Her eyes were frozen like ice but underneath was an intense flame. There was not one single doubt in the heirs mind. She was hiding something.
“What? Me?” He had a really bad feeling about this. Her attitude was completely different from all previous trials. It was almost as abrupt as what happened with Celeste. Ever since the beginning of the trial she had been trying to pin the blame on Makoto.
“She means you have her key..” Makoto provided. No! You idiot don’t fall for her trap! Yet the fool looked as if this didn't damn him and put him back as the main suspect. Really, Byakuya thought, You couldn't have a single ounce of self preservation could you?!
“See it was impossible for me to go back to my room.” She smirked arrogantly daring him to counter. And she knew he couldn't. Knew he had no argument against her claim. The key felt unbearably heavy in his pocket.
Damnit! Byakuya nearly swore out loud. Frustration coursing through his veins. So did how did you do it?!
“Well, times up!” Monokuma interrupted.
“What?! What do you mean times up?!” Someone shouted. The panic started to rise in the courtroom as everyone shared confused glances.
“I mean I’m bored so hurry up and cast your votes for the blackened!” The bear roared angrily. Acting like the TV soap he was watching was on its tenth season and the main couple still wasn't together after years of baiting. And definitely not like he was asking them to bet their very lives on a half baked answer with no solid evidence and hardly any circumstantial for that matter!
“But this never happened before?!” Shouted Asahina In disbelief voicing what everyone else was thinking.
“Yeah, well, this time we waited forever for someone to come back to start the trial! Anyway enough excuses! Time to vote!” The bear yelled effectively ending the trial. Panic took hold as everyone cast their votes in a hurry. Byakuya only had one option in his head at this point and quickly put it in.
“The votes are in! You all selected Makoto Naegi!” Cold dread froze Byakuya to his core as Monokuma announced the results. He looked over to Makoto and watched the other boy panic. Those imbeciles! They’ve killed us all! “You got it! Makoto Naegi is the blackened!”
What..? The world seemed to slow down. A loud ringing, the kind that typically means you're losing your hearing, -which, can't be the reason he's always taken special care of his ears because, 'Only a fool would ruin his own hearing and the Togami are not fools, Byakuya.'- stopped any thoughts from forming. “What?! But I didn’t?!” Makoto yelled frantically fear written on his face.
“I’m sorry Makoto.. This is all my fault..” Kirigiris voice cut sharp through the paralyzing static in Byakuyas head.
I see.. “I see! So that’s what’s going on!” Rage filled Byakuya, grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. So, the mastermind can bend and twist the rules, hm? It was foolish of us to not consider the possibility. To think they wouldn’t lie and cheat. Haven’t they already proven how terrible they are?! Of course the game wasn’t fair. It was never fair to begin with! This whole trial.. This whole trial is-
“It’s punishment time!” The evil bear roared with laughter as a collar came down, like every trial before, and wrapped itself around its helpless victim. Makoto screaming as he was dragged away with unadulterated terror on his face. Byakuya felt sick. He always did. But somehow this was different. Stronger. More numbing. And he felt Makotos terror sink into his bones.
*The ultimate Lucky student’s punishment. After school lessons!*
Makoto was seated at a desk on a conveyor belt as Monokuma was pointing at a blackboard. They were heading to a garbage compressor. The giant metal shaking the entire stage with each merciless slam.
Makoto glanced back turning purple at what was causing his entire desk to jump. He was going to be crushed. Crushed like garbage. Crushed like a grape. His small fragile body would be reduced to nothing but a splatter on a conveyor belt. For something he didn’t do. Makoto clenched his fists glaring forwards even now refusing to play the game. Makoto Naegi the only one who had got Byakuya togami to lower his guard. Because honestly the idiot was always too naive. Byakuya watched as Makoto tried to control his trembling body best he could. Every slam makes him visibly flinch. believing in everyone even as his friends were killing each other. Byakuyas fingernails dug into his skin harshly. Makoto closed his eyes as the metal block raised in preparation to end his life. Byakuya felt his eyes to start to burn. Not letting tears start to form on pure habit. Even believing in me who had made it quite clear I wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone. Byakuya hadn’t realized it but somehow with all of the annoying visits and talks Byakuya had grown quite fond of him.
Haha.. I guess this is what I get for letting my guard down. I made a friend. For the first time in my life. Opened up to someone. During a damn killing game no less. And it’s more then that I-
Everyone stood silent as Makoto was moved under the giant slab of metal. Time seemed to slow down then, everyone waiting for the moment Makoto Naegis life came to an end as well as yet another gruesome trial and execution. Byakuya wondered how long it would be until the next one without Makoto there to try and unite everyone.
And then something impossible happened. A miracle. Maybe a final act from Makotos so called talent of ultimate luck. Byakuya had thought Makoto being forced to play this killing game in the first place had shown that his talent was nonsense. More suitable to be called ultimate bad luck. But in this moment and even far into the future Byakuya couldn’t think of any other explanation for what happened.
Alter Ego, who everyone presumed was destroyed, was on the monitor which had previously had a stupid Monokuma head graphic displayed. And the compressor ceased operations.
Byakuya watched stunned. He couldn’t help the undeniable hope that started filling him. Makoto seemed to realize the compressor was taking to long and fearfully looked up. Only after Byakuya had let the hope fester did he realize the glaring problem.
The conveyor belt was still moving. Makoto plummeted to god knows where still seated in his desk.
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