The Loudspeakers then gave out our 'Autopsy Report'.
"Contestant Ceáser Balad. Status: Deceased. Time of his death: 11:45 PM. Cause of his death: Blood Loss Caused by a Fatal Stab Wound. Based on these facts, you may collect alibis and prepare for his...trial." Was the information given out by the Loudspeaker, before shutting off. I hurried to write down the file information, while everyone else looked among themselves and ate.
"...So, does anyone have an alibi for that time?" Mia spoke up, looking around for anyone to speak up and share their account. Once I saw no one start, I decided to speak up.
……… After some time, I couldn't tell you how long, my mind came back to me, and I slowly woke up, gaining by bearings and surroundings again, getting a sense of deja vu."Look, who decided to wake up." This was my warm welcome, given by none other than Mia. Once my vision had fully returned, I noticed the layout of the room we were in.It was a circular, empty room, large enough to fit all of us comfort
I held up a page of the note book, with notes on when we found the body written on it."Please recall the moment we found Ceáser's body. Firstly, remember how we entered his room?""... Through the door?" Mia thought out loud."Ah, I see!"Liam shouted out, "The door was unlocked!""Exactly. On all other days, the door was locked, with a note explaining that Ceáser was being punished in there. However, the
"I think you might've just solved this case." I said, ready to end this."I did?!" Urkstin responded, shocked at the claim."H-he did?!" Jinju questioned, along with everyone else. I could see Jinju getting more and more upset, so I tried my best to hurry along."Jinju, you said that you heard a struggle going on in the cafeteria?" I questioned."Y-Y-YES!"He screamed out.
"You may now point to who you think is the culprit, in 3, 2, 1!" As soon as the countdown ended, everyone reluctantly pointed to Jinju, including himself. After a short while, the Loudspeaker continued."...Congratulations! You all voted for the correct culprit, Jinju Hatsuda! Mr. Hatsuda, do you have anything else you want to say?" Jinju shook his head, and a laugh came out of the Loudspeaker."Alright then! I hope you're all ready, because it's punishment time!""What?" We all collectively asked, as even Jinju looked up in question. But
……The taste is… bitter. Maybe more sugar?… Almost there, maybe just a little more cream and-! Perfect! The taste is just what I like most, so within seconds, I'm drinking as much as I can, desperate to keep the wonderful taste in my mouth."Hey, hey! Alright Aka sweetie, calm down!" My immersive drinking is interrupted by a laughing voice, "Geez, you're chugging that down so fast! You like it?"
"Attention all contestants." Poppy was interrupted by the booming voice over the Loudspeakers, instantly shutting us all up out of fear. "I have come to announce that the gate next to the Cell Block, and the one in the cell block is now unlocked, and you may now explore those areas. Enjoy yourselves." Was all they said, before the Loudspeakers shut off. We were left in silence for a second, before someone spoke up."There was a gate in the cell block?!" Poppy exclaimed."I...I had no idea that there was one either." Mia said, genuinely surprised at herself.
. . .After some intense thinking, my thoughts landed on Urkstin, who didn't seem to fit in the library setting with the few also in there. Or at least that was the explanation my brain came up with, as a way to stay as far away from the showers as possible. So I did a complete one-eighty and headed back to the library, where the reading group was still hanging out."Ah, welcome back hun. You seem indecisive today." Risa remarked, leaning on the back or her hand."I've got nothing better to do." I responded, pulling up a chair and sitting
. . .As I ate, my choice started to land more and more on Mia, who hadn't entered the cafeteria at all. I felt bad for her, and even through all of the bitchiness, I could feel an actual person down there in her heart. So I picked myself up, told Urkstin where I was heading, and made my way to the Library once more.Once inside, I noticed that Mia was reading a new book, and had started a small pile next to her. She didn't seem to notice me though, so I took a deep breath and approached."You've got quite the collection building up." I s
With that, we all exited the cafeteria, with me leading the way as usual. Most of the team followed, while people like chefs and most of the cleaning crew stayed behind to clean up everything so that no evidence would be left behind. Amber was the only exception, following us as I needed her to clean up specific areas.As we neared the crossroads for the different hallways, I made sure to inquire about something important to her.“Yo, Amber, you made sure you guys cleaned all of thefingerprints
…The hallways were finally silent.The only thing I could hear were my own footsteps, as I made my way through his familiar prison, on my way to the cafeteria.I was trying to keep my composure, walking in stride, and proper composition, but occasionally a small snicker or bounce escaped me as I neared the room closer and closer, thinking back on everything that had happened. Turning the corner, I could see the door to the cafeteria, and felt my excitement growing exponentially.&n
“...Congratulations!” The Loudspeaker called out in celebration,“You voted incorrectly!”… …
“I think that I might have theone piece of evidencewe need to convictour culprit.” I responded, feeling a sudden boost in confidence as the words started to form in my head, and the face of a culprit started to come into view. All we needed was one more push, and I had it.“Please do tell then.” Liam allowed, sounding a bit worried and excited at th
“Are you saying that she…sacrificed herselfto let us progress?” Urkstin questioned, seeming to get increasingly upset at the idea. Personally I was feeling the same way, but for a much different reason.“That… would explain why the handwriting does not match.” Liam responded, solemnly. Everyone seemed to be getting on board with the idea, which just infuriated me more, to the point where I couldn’t hold back.“B
“That means that it must be one of the two who were out during that period, which would beyou two.” Liam spoke, pointing at bothMia and Akira.… …… …Once again, the room fell silent, with a new ominous aura looming ove
“However, this also brings with ittroubling news.” Liam spoke, readying himself for this next phase of the trial.“Troubling? How so?” Akira asked. I most likely knew where Liam was going with this, but let him speak in his own words first.“Well, the more uplifting news is that we now have a
"Akira and I discovered somethin’ a bitstrange.”“Strange how so?” Liam prompted me to answer, while Akira sat back and let me explain away.“Well, this might sound a little gross, but I noticed somethin’ strange inside of Aka’s mouth, so I had Akira put a finger in there to find out what it was.” I explained, getting some varied looks from everyone in the room.
"I was looking for aweapon.” Mia responded, getting some questionable glares from her answer as to why she went towards the bathrooms, “Alongside that, I saw Natsumi heading down the bathrooms’ hallway at10:15 PM, so I followed her at10:20 PMand after seeing her in the bathrooms, got myself a weapon from ther