Chapter Text
- So… what now? – Kokichi Oma asked uncertainly.
The trial courtroom was drowned in heavy silence, broken only by nervous breaths. Tsumugi Shirogane, the Ultimate Cosplayer and mastermind behind the game, had just been executed for the murder of Rantaro Amami. The students never even learned Rantaro’s true talent - something he himself hadn’t known. The class trial had been long and complicated; for most of it, Kaede Akamatsu, the Ultimate Pianist, was the prime suspect. There was even a moment when Kaede herself was convinced she was the killer. Her blind determination to discover who had trapped them in this nightmare pushed her toward murder—hoping to unmask the mastermind.
But during the investigation, Shuichi Saihara discovered a single, small clue that saved his beloved’s life - a long, blue strand of hair. Trivial, perhaps, but effective. Tsumugi was devastated that she had been defeated in her own game so early, brought down by such carelessness. Overcome with despair, which she cherished as a devoted follower of Junko Enoshima, she met her end.
Her execution was cruel: every character she had cosplayed materialized and buried her under a mountain of costumes, props, and accessories. She literally drowned beneath the weight of them all. The students watched in horror as Monokuma and the Monokubs struggled to pull her out of the endless tide of fabric and objects - only to be swallowed up along with her. When it was over, a trapdoor opened beneath the pile, and Tsumugi’s body, along with the Monokuma and Monokubs, fell into the abyss.
- I-is that it? – Tenko Chabashira stammered, horrified.
- Looks like it - Kaito Momota replied, his tone surprisingly calm.
- Meh - Kokichi shrugged, glancing at his nails - They could’ve done better. After all, we just defeated the Mastermind.
- Do you even hear yourself?! - K1-B0 shouted - We just watched our classmate die! Just moments ago, Tsumugi was as lost and scared as the rest of us! And now? She drowned! Crushed under clothes! And you’re not affected at all?!
- Honestly? - Kokichi bared his teeth in a sinister grin - Not even a little.
Himiko Yumeno, still shaken by the events, shuddered at Kokichi’s words. She knew that, as the Ultimate Supreme Leader, he had probably seen death before - but his tone, his complete lack of empathy, terrified her.
- Nyeh… -she whimpered unconsciously, quickly covering her mouth. Kokichi turned toward her, arms crossed, his violet gaze scanning the small magician from head to toe.
- Got something to add, little red witch?
- M-me? N-no…
- HEY! Tenko shouted, storming toward him - DON’T YOU DARE TALK TO HIMIKO LIKE THAT, YOU DEGENERATE!
She lunged for him, but at the last moment Maki Harukawa grabbed her by the collar.
- Calm down - Maki whispered darkly. The Ultimate Aikido Master froze in place. Her razor-sharp voice alone was enough to make Tenko panic.
- Oh man - Kokichi sighed, then chuckled - and here I thought it was getting fun for a second. Nyehehehe.
- Maki Roll is right! - Kaito chimed in. Maki narrowed her eyes dangerously at him - Tsumugi’s dead, sure, but what matters is—we’re alive!
- Really? That’s the smartest thing you could say? - Kokichi snorted with laughter and Kaito glared back.
- Shut it, Kokichi.
- Too bad we can’t say the same for Rantaro… - Kaede murmured sadly. Shuichi put an arm around her shoulders, uncertain but trying to comfort her - M-maybe I could’ve stopped it. If not for my stupid plan to expose the Mastermind, Rantaro might still be here…
- Quit whining, you idiot! - Miu Iruma suddenly shouted, finally breaking her silence - We’ve got bigger problems than your moral crisis! If we really took down the Mastermind, then why the hell are we still trapped in this goddamn trial room?! Why isn’t anything happening?! - the Ultimate Inventor screamed, waving her arms furiously.
- I never thought I’d agree with Miu, but she’s right,” Korekiyo Shinguji added - We should check if anything has changed outside.
The group began searching for an exit until they discovered a strange “emergency” door. They rushed up the stairs, back onto the academy’s courtyard. The situation remained the same - the towering walls still stood firm, not a single crack in sight.
- Damn it! - Kaito roared, slamming his fist against the dome that separated them from the outside world - Ow! - he waved his hand in pain as the others gathered around.
- Idiot - Maki muttered, though a shy, almost cute smile flickered across her face.
- HEY, MAKI ROLL, DON’T CALL ME THAT!
- Nhehehe, for once I agree with Maki Roll! - Kokichi chimed in cheerfully, clasping his hands behind his head.
- Shut up. You don’t get to call me that - Maki replied sharply. If her tone could kill, Kokichi would already be dead.
- Buuu… - he pouted in mock sadness - Maki’s so mean to me! Himiko, quick, turn her into a frog or some other reptile!
- Nyeh? W-why me again? - Himiko stammered nervously. Kokichi’s attention on her was starting to make her uneasy.
- Because I don’t see any other magicians around, my dear. Unless… all your spells and tricks are just lies, and you’re actually useless - he teased with satisfaction.
- W-what?! Th-that’s not true! I really am a magician!
- Prove it! - Kokichi shouted, clearly enjoying himself more and more. - If you’re a real witch, then DESTROY THESE FUCKING WALLS AND SET US FREE! - His violet eyes blazed as he yelled. Himiko stared at him in terror, tears welling in her eyes. Even Tenko hesitated to react, shaken by his sudden outburst.
“W-why is he being like this to me…?” Himiko thought, but no sound escaped her lips.
- Kokichi, stop attacking Himiko - Shuichi’s calm, firm voice cut in. For reasons unknown, Kokichi respected the Ultimate Detective more than most, taking his words seriously.
- Ugh, you guys have no sense of humor - Kokichi scoffed, rolling his eyes - of course I wouldn’t hurt my favorite little mage - he winked at Himiko, but she didn’t react. His earlier rage had left her shaken.
- Hey! Stop messing with her, you degenerate! - Tenko snapped, stepping protectively in front of Himiko.
- I-it’s okay, Tenko, you don’t have to—
- Can we focus on something important for once? - Maki cut in again, her gaze shifting to Kaede and Shuichi, who stood close together - you two—any ideas how to deal with this?
Shuichi glanced at Kaede, then at the group, and cleared his throat.
- For now… no - he admitted quietly. The others exchanged anxious, fearful looks.
- But hey!” Kaede forced a nervous smile - we’re alive, and at least for the moment - we’re safe. Look! - She pointed toward the machine the Monokubs once operated - even the Exisals aren’t working! That means we can finally start planning our escape. The academy is huge, but together, we’ll find a way out.
- You’re right, Kaede - Shuichi agreed, cheeks flushed. Her presence always left him flustered, but also gave him courage. Kokichi rolled his eyes at the bashful detective - m-maybe not today, after everything that’s happened… but tomorrow, we’ll start searching. Who’s in?
- Do we have another choice, virgin boy? - Miu sneered, flipping her blonde hair off her shoulder.
- W-well… n-not really - Shuichi stammered - so… I think we should all rest today. What matters is—we’re alive and together. We’ll get through this.
- That’s a great idea, Shuichi! - Kaito cheered - my sidekick always knows what to say! Tomorrow after breakfast, we’ll meet up and plan our escape from this cursed place! - he raised a triumphant fist.
- Atua will surely guide us - Angie Yonaga added, folding her hands in ritual prayer.
- I’ll prepare dinner. Let’s all meet in the dining hall in three hours - Kirumi Tojo offered. The students nodded and scattered throughout the academy.