Chapter Two IV: Investigation

It was him, our leader, our friend… Taishi. He laid dead under a waterproof sheet his blood dripping from the clinic bed and his lifeless hand dangling down. Why won't he move?

"GAAHHHHHH!" Hanabi screamed. "H-how could someone do this… to… him…" she sniffled.

"Bastard!" Kohaku growled.

"Please…" Hiro gazed emotionlessly at the lifeless body and he couldn't stretch any more words out.

"This… trauma… it's already brought us to-g-gether…" Naomi said staring blankly at Taishi.

Huh?

"There is a killer hiding in one of us," Kazuki said suspiciously looking at each of us. "Let's grieve later. Justice comes first."

The clinic doors banged open with strong force. Shiki shielded himself behind the group from the horrific reality. His eyes slowly drew to Taishi's cold body.

"No. This sh-shouldn't have happened," he declared, staring into the depths of the floor.

Sumiko sauntered behind. She peeked above the group but immediately withdrew and covered her teary eyes.

"I'm s-s-sorry," she whispered.

"Upuhuhuhu," Monokuma appeared his voice like a harmonious flute, but of course it was irritating.

Why must that bear appear at a time like this!?

"You're so inappropriate," Akatsuki chastised.

"Hmm? Am I not allowed to celebrate? You were all cheering moments ago. Don't tell me the party has finished…" He gasped, hiding his cynical smile behind his paws.

"You function like nothing I've witnessed in my life," Kazuki snapped. His fists were tightly clenched.

"This is not my fault," The bear growled in defence. "One of you lot have killed him of course," he added in certainty.

But how could anyone do that? He is the nicest guy here…

"I'm tired of that sardonic expression," Kazuki uttered. "Hand us over the Monokuma file," he demanded already lending out his hand. "As soon as we've cleared this up, we'll come after you!"

"That's certainly on the cards after you killed my sister!" Shiki joined Kazuki in their promise to the bear.

"I don't respond well to continuous accusation," the bear grunted. "Shortly we'll all get cosy in the class trial and I can finally get a break and watch you all accuse each other in the air of cold despair!"

"Git outta of 'ere," Kohaku snarled.

"This party really did end with a BANG! AHAHAHAHA!" He hysterically laughed and disappeared from the clinic.

"*sniff*… *sniff*" Hanabi was completely speechless, but poured a waterfall of tears. She rushed out the clinic.

"I see that worthless girl won't offer much to the investigation," Lione remarked entering the room

"Show some dignity, she just lost the person she cares most about!" I snapped.

"What a disgusting sight. At least my mask will prevent me from inhaling this foul smell," he added insensitively.

"You ugly ogre…" Shiki quietly criticised. I could see him bite tongue, attempting to hold back.

"Just because I am not shedding any tears that does not make me the villain here," Lione countered.

"If you have any respect for the dead… I suggest you leave," Shiki suggested firmly, his words alone nearly forcing Lione out.

"I have important areas to explore anyway, hmph!" Lione left with his insensitive attitude.

"Now let's not waste time, let's find out who killed Taishi!" Kazuki vowed.

Everyone scattered across the ship and the investigation started.

I guess this is where the investigation starts then… all over again…

When will it end?

INVESTIGATION START!

Location: Deck 7 | Clinic | Students: Rei, Hiro and Naomi

[1] |||| Monokuma File #2 |||| (Added to truth bullets)

==Victim==

Hyoudou Taishi

==Time of death==

11:05pm

==Body whereabouts==

Clinic bed

==Cause of death==

Asphyxia

==Other==

Victim has a slit on throat and vomited sick

It suddenly occurred to me!

JIN: Rei, didn't you mention Damiko was supposedly resting in here?

REI: … I did.

REI: Unless she recovered.

REI: However considering her condition- well, according to Monokuma, she should still be in here… unless…

REI: She was transported to her room.

JIN: Either way, it seems a little weird.

REI: Why are you bothered anyway?

REI: Just don't waste my time. I'm going to investigate instead of blabbering on about irrelevant issues.

Well it is still weird… where would she be?

And who is going to do the autopsy now she's gone.

HIRO: Given the circumstances, I can see that you are shaking, but you seem deep in thought Jin.

JIN: Didn't Damiko perform the autopsy in the last investigation?

HIRO: Correct.

JIN: So… who else is skilled within body examination?

HIRO: Well considering everyone fled the murder scene, besides myself, you and Naomi I suggest one of us should volunteer.

HIRO: It is an important part of the procedure after all.

JIN: Well, Naomi's a funeral director right, she'd be a better candidate then both myself and you.

I looked at her, but her face resembled something I haven't seen before. She was grinning, holding the air as if it was an object and staring blankly at Taishi's body.

I looked at Hiro searching for something appropriate to say regarding her strange behaviour.

HIRO: She must be in shock.

HIRO: I propose you should look for clues while I'll perform the autopsy.

He said that with so much confidence. I guess he's willing to give anything a try.

JIN: Are you sure?

JIN: Will you be alright with Naomi, just in case she loses control?

HIRO: Don't worry, I am an empathic and therefore know how to handle irrational behaviours.

KOHAKU: Hold on!

Kohaku's voice cut through our conversation.

Was she eavesdropping the whole time?

KOHAKU: While she's in that petrified state you could tamper with the crime scene, you low life rat.

JIN: I-I'm pretty sure he wouldn't Kohaku.

KOHAKU: Well you were pretty damn sure there was no accomplice in Tanken's murder and yet they were!

KOHAKU: I ain't gonna let any funny business get in the way of this investigation!

Wow she sounds committed.

HIRO: It is okay Jin, I will feel safer within Kohaku's company.

HIRO: Come back here after investigating, I hope to prove to be useful and find out some clues.

JIN: Okay.

But before I leave I should investigate the crime scene thoroughly.

Hmm? There is a medication blister pack on the floor… it may have fallen out the cabinet.

I closely inspected the blister pack to find 16 puncture holes… All of them have gone…

Didn't Damiko compromise a list of medications while she was cleaning out?

It took me a while but I counted each medication, one by one, twice to ensure I didn't make a numerical error. I then asked Kohaku to count them as well.

We were both confident that the empty blister pack did in fact have 16 tablets in them when Damiko counted them a couple of days ago.

Could these missing tablets be related to the case?

[2] |||| Empty Medication Blister Pack |||| (Added to truth bullets)

I've also got to take into consideration that Damiko drugged me. It seems suspicious how she's vanished from the room she was supposedly resting in which is the room Taishi was killed in.

[3] |||| Personal Witness Account |||| (Added to truth bullets)

The fridge, it's open a fraction!

I looked in the fridge and I noticed a list taped on the inside of the door. The list consisted of medication that was stored inside. Once again it was Damiko's handwriting.

Where is she?

I got to stay focused…

As I went through the list I could confirm that everything was inside, apart from the packets of blood donations.

What the heck!? Who would donate any blood? Is it our blood?

Nevertheless, this is crucial findings.

[4] |||| Missing Blood Packets |||| (Added to truth bullets)

KOHAKU: Look in the bin in the far corner of the room!

She pointed at a bin with a muddy coloured fluid inside.

Eewww! Is that Taishi's vomit?

KOHAKU: Remember when the dude ran up here after taking a bite out of Sumiko's poisonous cake?

This is beginning to sound like a Snow White tale…

JIN: I remember yeah.

KOHAKU: Dip your finger in the mixture and see if you can taste any cake.

WHAT!?

JIN: Are you friggin' mad?!

JIN: You do it.

KOHAKU: I'm on duty to make sure this 'Hiro' doesn't tamper with the crime scene.

What a lame excuse.

I didn't taste, but I did lower my head to take a closer inspection.

JIN: I'm confident that is from the chocolate cake, but there is no blood.

JIN: Taishi must have been sick before his throat was slit then.

HIRO: I can also confirm it is definitely Taishi's vomit.

HIRO: If you look on the collar of Taishi's shirt the vomit is notably the same from what is in the bin.

So that is definitely Taishi's vomit then.

[5] |||| Victim's Vomit |||| (Added to truth bullets)

I was hesitant but I had to take a closer look at Taishi.

This is unreal… I still can't believe our friend was dead. He was everybody's friend so who could possible do this to him? What reason would anyone have?

I couldn't get emotional. This has turned into an investigation now.

I took one heavy gulp and inspected the bed trying not to capture Taishi's lifeless body in my sight.

Covering the victim's body up is a sign of respect to ensure the victim's privacy is considered. So why would the victim cover it up?

I could predict that the blood was lukewarm as it continued to leak from the throat. This explained why the floor had a puddle of blood and why the mattress was stained, but the pillow Taishi was lying on. It had a large smudge of blood.

JIN: Hiro, I know you haven't performed an autopsy but I am curious whether Taishi is bleeding from behind the head.

HIRO: It is not mentioned within the Monokuma File, however…

He slowly lifted the back of Taishi's head but there was not wound, cut or anything peculiar.

So what is this smudgy blood stain on the pillow then?

[6] |||| Smudgy Blood Stain on Pillow |||| (Added to truth bullets)

I suppose I should investigate other areas of the ship while waiting for the autopsy results. I reckon they'll be a while as well…

Location: Deck 7 | Hallway | Students: Akatsuki

In the hallway on deck 7 I noticed a cake crumb trail leading from the clinic to the elevator doors.

JIN (whispering): Only Taishi had some cake though…

AKATSUKI: Look closer at the cake and you should be able to answer that mystery.

She must of overheard me.

I looked closer and it was dry.

AKATSUKI: Surely if the cake came from Taishi it would appear moist since it wasn't long ago since he came up here.

JIN: You're right. But I can't remember anybody else having cake…

JIN: It must have fallen off his clothes or hands.

AKATSUKI: Well then they'd be some crumbs in the dining hall and most likely in the elevator.

AKATSUKI: Anyway, I shall leave you to fit the pieces in the puzzle.

AKATSUKI: I would investigate this deck further, there is much more to find.

Akatsuki then left the scene.

[7] |||| Cake Crumbs |||| (Added to truth bullets)

More evidence on this floor… I best check the other rooms then which are the Children's nursery, library and art gallery.

ADINA: Here, Jin, The Amazing Adina is certain that she has found a clue!

I located Adina standing outside the Children's Nursery.

Huh what clues could be in here?

Location: Deck 7 | Children's Nursery | Students: Adina

I looked inside and saw nothing out of the ordinary apart from a box of crayons scattered on the floor as if someone had rushed through them and not put them back.

JIN: Are these crayons the clue?

ADINA: Find the red crayon!

So I did, and amongst the crayons they were several red ones. However one of them stood out from the rest.

JIN: Is that… blood on it?

ADINA: The Amazing Adina would like to confirm that is indeed blood.

ADINA: But… Taishi's blood? That would seem uncertain.

JIN: Unless the killer somehow transported Taishi's blood onto the crayon.

Taking a closer inspection I could identify bloody fingerprints on the paper wrapped around the red wax crayon.

[8] |||| Blood on Red Crayon |||| (Added to truth bullets)

But this doesn't make sense… well not yet anyway…

JIN: Have you noticed anything else out of the ordinary in here Adina?

ADINA: My report findings are negative.

ADINA: Nothing else to investigate in here.

Why does she respond like a robotic personal assistant every time I ask her something?

Anyway, I best thoroughly check the other rooms as well.

Location: Deck 7 | Art Gallery | Students: Hanabi

The art gallery barely contained anything which would be useful towards the investigation, but what I did find was Hanabi.

She went to Taishi just before he was killed, maybe she saw something!

She gazed at a darkly pastel art piece as if she was being warped into it.

JIN: Hanabi are you okay?

HANABI: Neeeyhhh!

She jumped from just my softly toned voice.

JIN: I d-didn't mean to make you jump…

This must be hard for her, considering she was very close to Taishi.

HANABI: Don't be sorry, I need to snap out of this state *sniffle*

HANABI: I need to be strong for Taishi right?

HANABI: I owe him that since he didn't pretend I was non-existent after I was accused of accompanying Aiko in the last murder.

She bravely smudged away the tears from her eyes with her long jumper sleeve and convinced she was strong by facing me with a brass face.

JIN: I think now all Taishi wants is for you to be safe.

HANABI: I can only feel safe when the person who committed this crime is executed for what they have done.

Unlike her normal kitten-like behaviour she suddenly leaped into the skin of a lioness. Her determination was noticeable in her bold face and eyes of steel proved she wanted justice.

JIN: Wasn't you on your way up to see Taishi?

HANABI: I wish I did, I may have been able to prevent the murder.

HANABI: However, I made a diversion to the laundry room hoping to find some clothes since the ones he was wearing were possibly going to be covered in sick after he ate Sumiko's cake.

JIN: Did you see anyone or anything suspicious?

HANABI: N-no… nothing.

HANABI: As soon as I heard the body announcement I got scared and made my way to the dining room to be with the rest of the group *sniffle*

HANABI: No… I must stay strong!

Naomi seemed too distraught to talk. The only other possible culprits are Lione, Damiko, Sumiko and Shiki. They were only people that were missing. The rest of us all have solid alibies. Which of them could it be?

Just before leaving the gallery, something seemed off. The gallery how I knew it was vibrant from every possible viewpoint, however, as I looked towards the left side of the room before making my exit paintings were missing. In fact a long A-2 size piece of paper was pinned across using the supplies from the children's nursery.

Taking closer inspection, I immediately gulped and without a second's thought removed the pin, tugged the corner and tore it loose.

JIN: UWAHH!

HANABI: EEEEEEEEEEGGGGGK!

In the middle of a large white canvas was, 'Taishi', written with a fluid resembling blood. However Taishi's name was struck out with a line and if it was blood, as I began to believe, why was it dry?

It wasn't too long before Taishi was killed, so it shouldn't be crusty and dry like this.

HANABI: I… d-don't understand.

JIN: Either do I, but to leave a message like that means we're dealing with a psychopath.

[9] |||| Killer's Message |||| (Added to truth bullets)

A fewer decks down, in the dining hall, tension fuelled the air as I heard to heavy bickering tones clashing together. Their voices collided like the clanging of swords and when I saw them both it didn't look like I could get a word in edgeways.

Location: Deck 3 | Dining Hall | Students: Lione, Shiki and Sumiko

LIONE: Don't accuse me when you lack evidence you piece of scum!

SHIKI: Sumiko told me you were refused into the party because you weren't prepared to remove that mask from your face!

SHIKI: You therefore had perfect reason to take out your anger by killing the person the party was planned for!

LIONE: Bullshit! How can you possibly draw a conclusion from your imaginary understandings of what happened?

LIONE: Some psychic you are!

LIONE: Is that really your talent! Or is the super high-school nut-job hiding beneath that fake title?

SHIKI: Since we're on the topic of hiding. Why dontcha reveal your true face!?

LIONE: Cut the crap and stay on the subject!

LIONE: You accuse me when you were also missing at the time of that lousy student's death!

SHIKI: I have an alibi don't I Sumiko?

SUMIKO: Um… me? Th-that's right. I was with Shiki.

Wait a minute… that's a little weird.

JIN: Sumiko, I thought you went straight up to see how Taishi was doing?

SUMIKO: Err…um… I was but obviously I bumped into Shiki and had to confront him on why he didn't help with the party preparations.

SHIKI: She's still a bit shaken about what happened. Trust me, Sumiko was with me in the library.

It does make sense; after all, they did enter the crime scene at the same time after the body discovery announcement.

[10] |||| Sumiko's & Shiki's Alibi |||| (Added to truth bullets)

Well that's narrowed it down by half… Lione has no alibi and neither does Damiko…

KAZUKI: What is all the commotion down here?

KAZUKI: I hope that our time during this investigation has been spent wisely.

SUMIKO: As a matter of fact I have found this while opening Taishi's birthday cards and presents.

JIN: Taishi's just died! How could you be so thoughtless?

SUMIKO: Well it is a good job I did do! I found this…

She revealed a birthday card with a message inside which was definitely not a birthday greeting.

It read…

'Meet me on Deck 7, Library.'

It was a simple message and that was all…

Maybe the killer was waiting for him?

But, Taishi didn't open this card and only went to deck 7 because he was sick.

However this evidence is still useful.

[11] |||| Taishi's Birthday Card |||| (Added to truth bullets)

KAZUKI: This could point to several different possibilities.

KAZUKI: Let's wait until the class trial to discuss this.

SHIKI: Well there is somewhere I need to go before this investigation finishes.

SHIKI: Sumiko, are you coming?

SUMIKO: Um… totally, yeah.

She seems nervous and why are they tagging along with each other all of a sudden?

LIONE: I've heard enough bullshit. I'm outta 'ere.

The three of them left the dining hall.

It's hard to believe that we were actually partying moments ago, how could we be so stupid and turn a blind eye to the situation?!

KAZUKI: Jin, I'd like to show you all something I found in the library regarding the message in the art gallery.

KAZUKI: I assume you have seen that.

I nodded my head taking a grim flashback to the killer message I found.

KAZUKI: Apparently the message we found is like a signature from a well-known serial killer, 'Cutthroat Cain'.

KAZUKI: Like the name suggests, 'Cutthroat Cain' will slash his victims across the neck, however he does this in a precise way which results in the victim drowning or choking in their own blood.

KAZUKI: It's method that usually camouflages the real cause of death and looks as if the victim has died from blood loss.

KAZUKI: However, this is where the Monokuma file comes in handy.

KAZUKI: It explains black and bold that the victim died from asphyxia.

JIN: So that alone is a clue highlighting this could be the work from that serial killer.

Is he really hiding amongst us?

JIN: Did it mention in the book his appearances, the weapon he uses.

KAZUKI: It did in fact describe the killer precisely.

KAZUKI: The killer hides behind a random mask and never reveals his face, not under any circumstance. His fashion sense is also peculiar and he is said to tailor his own clothes. He also uses a knife in every killing and he's repeatedly mentioned in the media due to the amount of killings he's achieved at such a young age.

KAZUKI: Does this remind you of anyone?

From the minute Kazuki mentioned mask, the first person that came to my head was Lione. I also remembered Adina mention that he bluntly refused to remove the mask in order to get into the party.

Could he really be the killer?

JIN: Okay thanks for offering me that information.

[12] |||| 'Cutthroat Cain' Case |||| (Added to truth bullets)

I still can't believe that a serial killer that has caused a moral panic in the real world maybe hiding amongst us?

Anyway, I need to go back to Hiro and hope for some autopsy results.

When I reached Deck 7, Akatsuki approached me holding a blooded note in her hand.

Location: Deck 7 | Hallway | Students: Akatsuki

JIN: Are you okay?

AKATSUKI: Of course I am.

JIN: Well what is that your holding?

AKATSUKI: If you went about your investigation more wisely you would have found this yourself.

AKATSUKI: I found a suicide note in Taishi's cabin.

She has a habit of going into the rooms of the dead.

JIN: W-wait… A suicide note…

AKATSUKI: Yes, even written with the red crayon that was found with blooded fingerprints.

JIN: That's absurd!

Taishi… kill himself?

JIN: He took on the role of a leader here, he wouldn't just kill himself!

AKATSUKI: I'm not denying that. I just think you should take a note of it considering Taishi was definitely the one who wrote it.

AKATSUKI: Who else could have done?

AKATSUKI: Nobody else could access his room-

AKATSUKI: Unless… they had his card key.

[13] |||| Taishi's suicide note |||| (Added to truth bullets)

Location: Deck 7 | Clinic | Students: Akatsuki, Hiro, Kohaku, Naomi and Rei

We both rushed into the clinic and asked Hiro to check whether Taishi has his card key on him or not. After a thorough check it was confirmed that Taishi did have his card key.

AKATSUKI: Has anyone been close in contact to the victim?

HIRO: Upon hearing the body announcement the only person to have been closely in contact with Taishi is me.

AKATSUKI: Unless, the killer was creeping around on this deck between the time they killed Taishi and the before they entered after hearing the body discovery announcement.

JIN: I'm just getting more confused.

REI: Well one of us was having a soak in the Jacuzzi during all this mayhem.

JIN: How do you know that?

REI: The water in the Jacuzzi was pretty hot when I checked the temperature.

JIN: Could that have been Damiko then?

REI: Who knows?

REI: I haven't come across while investigating.

Me neither…

[14] |||| Temperature of Jacuzzi |||| (Added to truth bullets)

JIN: Hiro, have you had any luck with the autopsy?

He shook his head silently and took a quick glance at Taishi as if he was apologizing to him.

HIRO: I tried my absolute best but I couldn't identify the cause of asphyxia.

HIRO: But obviously our friend was killed by his airwaves being blocked.

JIN: Well I'm confident you tried your best.

*ding dong ding dong*

MONOKUMA: Time to stop sniffing around the clues. It's time for the claaaaass trial!

He shouted that out as if he had been containing that excitement for hours.

MONOKUMA: What conspiracy theories have we unravelled?

MONOKUMA: What clues have we mustered up?

MONOKUMA: And where do our suspicions lie?

MONOKUMA: Take the elevator in the store room on deck 1.

MONOKUMA: I will be sitting on the edge of my seat eagerly waiting for the next battle royal!

REI: Heh… We'll all start blaming each other shortly as if friendship never existed, Nayahaha.

HIRO: Friendship is what we need to get through this investigation. That was what Taishi would say.

REI: Blabeddy-blah-blah, let's meet the others at the elevator to the court room.

AKATSUKI: Are you ready Jin?

I was never ready, but in this case I had to be.

We all gathered at the store room not engaging in conversation or even with eye contact. The atmosphere was silent but paranoia lingered over us.

Who could have possibly killed Taishi?

To be continued…