Danganflipa: Chapter 6 - Braving the Waters (Class Trial)

Previous: Chapter 6 - Braving the Waters (Deadly Life)

Next: Epilogue - The First Ray of Freedom

Welcome back to Danganflipa, my fanmade Danganronpa/Papa Louie series! Last time, the five surviving students explored the sixth floor of the academy, and using the Neo World Program, investigated The Lost Case of Flip's Peak Academy. Everyone involved in the case is anonymous, although sixteen out of eighteen of them are Cooper and his classmates. In this final class trial, they must find out who Mystery is, who The Killer is, and find out the truth about the killing game. Cooper also found out his true talent before the trial began, but we'll find out what it is in this trial. The final class trial. Let's end this! Click here for the list of Truth Bullets.

Day #15: Class Trial Former

Monokuma: I suppose I don't need to begin this class trial with my usual introduction, since it's gonna work differently. But here's how this is going to work. You're going to need to find out who The Killer is, and vote for whodunnit!

Clover: But that sounds exactly the same as the other trials.

Monokuma: Yes, but this time... the blackened may be dead.

Cooper: What do we do then? Do we still vote for that person, if they're dead?

Monokuma: Definitely!

Ninjoy: And... what if The Killer is still alive?

Monokuma: Duh! You vote for them, and then they'll get executed for murder!

Cooper: That doesn't seem fair... I bet those rules will change once we find out who Mystery really is, if they were still alive when this killing game began.

Ninjoy: Before we begin, I feel like we need to go over what we know.

Wylan B: Yeah... since Ninjoy and I don't know everything about the case. It'll be like a warmup.

Clover: That sounds fine. Alright, let's do this!

Nonstop Debate #1

Ninjoy: The victim is Mystery.

Ninjoy: Although we don't know who they are...

Ninjoy: ...we do know that they attempted murder at one point.

Allan: They were a former Reserve Course student...

Allan: ...who got expelled because of that attempted murder.

Wylan B: But then the tables turned on them, and they got killed... (present "Sweetheart's Account")

Wylan B: And now here we are.

Clover: What's worse, we don't know anything about their personality!

Clover: The same goes for both The Killer and Salem.

Clover: But don't give up! We'll figure this all out!

Cooper: (presents "Sweetheart's Account") NO, THAT'S WRONG!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: Wylan B, I understand that that was an honest mistake. But we need to get rid of the habit of using the word, "killed."

Wylan B: Killed... stabbed... injured... what's the difference?

Allan: ...I have quite a few things to say to that, but...

Wylan B: Okay, I get it. Mystery's still alive, and they weren't killed by The Killer.

Ninjoy: But you can't say that for certain, can you?

Wylan B: Huh?

Ninjoy: Mystery could still be dead.

Cooper: Ninjoy, what are you talking about? Mystery is dead!

Ninjoy: I'll give you that Mystery was still alive when they were kidnapped. But don't forget that they had just gotten stabbed in the back. After that, Mystery could have died due to blood loss.

Clover: That's insane, no matter how you look at it! If Mystery died from blood loss, then they would've already been dead, right?

Ninjoy: ...

Allan: That came out of nowhere. What's wrong, Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: ...Don't worry about it. I just feel uneasy about this whole situation.

Allan: Hey, if it'll help us, you should tell us about it.

Ninjoy: What part of the words, "don't worry about it," don't you understand? I'm fine. Let's discuss something else.

Cooper: ...What's up with her? Does Ninjoy know something about this case?

Wylan B: Well, what should we talk about?

Ninjoy: Let's discuss the NPCs. I grow tired of referring to them as "they" all the time.

Allan: Same here. I say we do just that.

Cooper: I'm good with that.

Ninjoy: Great.

Allan: But don't think that you've escaped my suspicion, Ninjoy. I'll keep in mind how you changed the subject.

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: So, which NPC should we discuss first?

Clover: Definitely not Mystery, The Killer, or Salem. We need someone with personality.

Allan: Which is anyone else, basically.

Wylan B: Did you guys know if any of the NPCs were a boy or a girl? That'd help.

Cooper: Yes. Actually, we know of two. Allan?

Allan: (looking at e-Handbook) Only Danger and Dude told us their gender, and they're both girls.

Wylan B: Why didn't you ask the other NPCs for their gender?

Cooper: The NPCs were likely programmed to refer to themselves as "they." And if we asked them directly, the Virtual World would probably make their words impossible to understand.

Clover: The only reason we know Danger and Dude's genders is because of certain things that they said.

(FLASHBACK)

Danger: Yeah, I'm a dangerous gal.

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

(FLASHBACK)

Dude: Well, expose them sooner or later! I believe in you guys!

Cooper: Thanks, Dude.

Dude: That's Dudette.

Cooper: Oh, Dude's a girl...

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Clover: Well, Danger said "gal," and Dude said "dudette." If you think of names to call girls, gal and dudette are pretty uncommon, so it must have gone unchecked by the Virtual World.

Wylan B: None of this makes any sense, but I believe you.

Ninjoy: Was there anything else that could help us determine the genders of the NPCs?

Clover: No, sorry. Don't think so.

Cooper: Hold it, Clover. There actually was something that could help.

Clover: Really? Was there?

Cooper: Yeah, of course. It was... (presents "NPC Nicknames") I GOT IT! According to Allan's list of NPCs, there was one thing that both Dude and Danger had in common.

Clover: ...They were both girls?

Cooper: Well, yeah... but what I'm referring to is the hall that their dorms were on.

Clover: Were they both on the same hall?

Allan: You don't remember anything from the Virtual World, do you?

Clover: Hey, I'm trying to forget everything that happened in there! It was all too extra.

Cooper: ...To be specific, both Dude and Dudette's dorms were on A Hall.

Ninjoy: Ah, I see where you're going with this. Mind if I take it from here?

Cooper: By all means.

Ninjoy: So far, we have gathered two facts. One, the gender of the NPCs. And two, the hall their dorms are on. Use logic and put those two facts together, and you get... the halls must be separated by gender.

Allan: R-Really?

Cooper: Yeah, Ninjoy's got it. It only makes sense. Dorm rooms would have to be separated by gender, or else what kind of school would Flip's Peak be? The thought crossed my mind that one side of the halls were boys and the other girls, but...

Allan: Dude and Danger were on opposite sides of A Hall, weren't they?

Cooper: Yes! That leaves us with only one conclusion. A Hall is for girls, and B Hall is for boys.

Wylan B: Epic! That helps us a bunch!

Allan: That makes the girls... Dude, Wizard, Nutjob, Gamer, Perky, Nature, Danger, and Sweetheart. And the guys are... Idiot, Chilly, Nice Guy, Aloha, Famous Guy, Sport, Fresh, and The Killer.

Ninjoy: So The Killer is male!

Cooper: That's true. But I'm afraid we can't look at The Killer just yet.

Wylan B: Why not? Because he doesn't have a personality?

Cooper: Well, I'm sure he has a personality. We just don't know what it is.

Wylan B: R-Right.

Clover: So, are we going to start naming these NPCs now?

Ninjoy: Definitely. Let's begin with the boys.

Cooper: Ah, wait, Ninjoy. Maybe we shouldn't begin with the boys.

Ninjoy: ...Why not?

Allan: Yeah, it's only logical to discuss B Hall first. After all, that's where The Killer is!

Cooper: But as far as we know, The Killer has no personality. We know all of the personalities of those on A Hall.

Allan: So let's say we find out every girl NPC. Then what? We go right back to the boys, accomplishing nothing!

Cooper: That's not true. There are few pieces of evidence that connects male NPCs with female NPCs. It's hard to explain it right now, but trust me. Discussing the girls first will benefit us in the end.

Allan: ...Sure, I'll trust you. You fine with that, Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: As long as this mess gets resolved, I'm good with anything.

Cooper: Excellent. Now, let's begin with the female students that had... more unique personalities.

Clover: You mean like Xandra? She was weird.

Cooper: Yeah, just like Xandra. Now let's think. Xandra talked in a grandiose manner, and said that she had powers. There's only one person who fits that description, and that is...

Nutjob
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Sweetheart
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Wizard
(continues below)

Cooper: ...Wizard. She's the obvious choice.

Wylan B: Speaking of powers, did Xandra really have all the powers she said she had?

Cooper: X-Wand, yes. Teleportation... probably not.

Wylan B: Oh. That would've been cool to see.

Allan: And now Xandra's dead. Let's move on to another girl.

Clover: Utah had one of the best personalities out all of us! Let's talk about her next.

Cooper: Utah. She was very upbeat and crazy, and made random comments frequently. She was light-minded at times, but we all still loved her. So who could have been Utah?

Sweetheart
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Nutjob
(continues below)

Nature
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Utah must have been Nutjob.

Clover: Really? I was thinking that Tohru was Nutjob...

Cooper: Think back to when we met Nutjob. She was spouting nonsense about how me, you, and Allan were the three little pigs hiding from the big bad wolf, and then she started calling for help. Who else but Utah could have done something so random?

Clover: You have a point... *sniff*

Ninjoy: Don't get emotional, Clover. Stay strong.

Clover: ...O-Okay.

Ninjoy: Now that Tohru has been brought up, why don't we discuss her next?

Cooper: Tohru was a free-spirited girl, who definitely had her quirks. She made a lot of references to video games, and was a geek to the core. Who could Tohru be?

Dude
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Sweetheart
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Gamer
(continues below)

Cooper: ...Gamer. That's who Tohru was.

Allan: Tohru was Gamer? If you're just choosing based on her talent, don't forget that Tohru's not the Ultimate Gamer. She's the Ultimate Youtuber.

Cooper: I remember Tohru saying that her Youtube channel wasn't just for fashion and cosplay. Her other main focus was video games.

Allan: Ah, that's right. I had forgotten all about what Tohru said about her Youtube career.

Clover: It's a shame she had to be killed... just for the sake of killing. No, you know what? It's more than a shame! It's a tragedy! It just makes me want to end this game as soon as possible so I can live for everyone who died!

Cooper: ...Well said, Clover.

Ninjoy: I couldn't have said it better myself.

Clover: Aw, thanks guys. For the next person, why don't we do... Elle?

Cooper: When I first met Elle, she was extremely shy, and she was cautious of anyone who might have been a mean person. But she had a kind, irreplaceable heart. Elle was...

Sweetheart
(continues below)

Nature
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Perky
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Elle had to have been Sweetheart.

Wylan B: So that means that Elle was the one who recognized Mystery?

Ninjoy: Apparently. None of us would have known Mystery that well, but someone as perceptive as Elle would have recognized Mystery right away. As expected of the Ultimate Scientist.

Cooper: The four people we have left are Scooter, Akari, Clover, and Ninjoy.

Allan: Let's go ahead and get Scooter and Akari out of the way. That way, we'll have an easier time finding out who Clover and Ninjoy are, since we have them right here.

Cooper: Not a bad idea, Allan. Scooter was my first true friend I made here at Flip's Peak. She was a really chill girl, and a great person. She wasn't afraid to become friends with anyone, and accepted people for who they are. Which NPC could have had Scooter's personality?

Sweetheart
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Dude
(continues below)

Nature
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Scooter was Dude, or Dudette, as she preferred to be called.

Ninjoy: What makes you think that?

Cooper: We know that Dude organized the class picnic that was supposed to be held the day after Mystery's stabbing. To be honest, I had Dude narrowed down to either Scooter or Akari, and I felt like Scooter would be more likely to organize a picnic.

Clover: Yeah, I understand that. As nice as Akari was, I can't see her helping out with a picnic at all.

Wylan B: Same here. It's just that... she just doesn't seem like that kind of girl. She didn't help out with Utah's luau, did she?

Cooper: I don't think she did... so that makes Scooter Dude.

Clover: And Akari?

Nature
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Perky
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Danger
(continues below)

Cooper: Akari had to have been Danger. She was really hardcore when we met her, and she said that she's had a dangerous past.

Ninjoy: I would imagine that the Ultimate Biker would have a dangerous past.

Clover: And now that just leaves me and Ninjoy.

Wylan B: The last two girl NPCs were Perky and Nature, right?

Cooper: ...Something's off...

Clover: Well, it only makes sense for me to be Perky. I do have golden ears after all.

Allan: Okay, you're Perky. But that would make Ninjoy Nature.

Cooper: Nature was a strange case. As soon as I met her, I just knew that I've never met her before.

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: But Nature's personality and Ninjoy's personality... they're totally different!

Wylan B: Unless Ninjoy had some sort of hippie phase before the killing game or whatever, and grew out of it after she witnessed her first murder?

Clover: That's impossible! Wait... no, that's impossible! No matter how you think about it, Ninjoy couldn't have been Nature!

Allan: So then how do we explain this?

Cooper: ...We don't.

Allan: What?

Cooper: Because we already have explained it.

Allan: ...You're gonna have to be more specific.

Cooper: We're looking for a logical reason to explain how Nature and Ninjoy could be the same person. But if we can't find a logical explanation, then what we're trying to prove stays false.

Wylan B: So you don't mean...?

Cooper: That's exactly what I mean. Ninjoy was not a part of our class before the killing game!

Clover: A-Are you serious?! Ninjoy...?

Ninjoy: ...

Allan: Ninjoy, you've got some explaining to do! What do you know about all this?

Ninjoy: ...

Allan: Grr... she won't budge!

Wylan B: Please, Ninjoy! Say something!

Ninjoy: (shaking) ...

Cooper: Looks like we struck a nerve, but... why?

...

Cooper: ...or... what if...

...

Cooper: Of course! That explains this situation! I think I know why Ninjoy is quiet!

Allan: Tell us what you think.

Cooper: Ninjoy wasn't our classmate before the killing game. But we also know that all of us, yes, all sixteen of us are involved in The Lost Case of Flip's Peak Academy. So where does Ninjoy fit in?

Ninjoy: ...N-...

Cooper: H-Huh?

Ninjoy: ...............N-No...

Cooper: *sigh* This explains why Ninjoy is being quiet. If she wasn't a student, then she must have been...! (presents "Mystery") I GOT IT! Ninjoy... are you Mystery?

Ninjoy: ...!

Wylan B: Ninjoy... Mystery? Is that a serious question?

Allan: Ninjoy, did you know about this? And you didn't say anything?

Cooper: That's right. Ninjoy is the Reserve Course student that Monokuma has been talking about. She lied about her talent, the Ultimate Thief, and she's the one who tried to murder Ms. Owari!

Ninjoy: No, that's...

Cooper: N-Nin...

Ninjoy: NO! He's wrong!

Wylan B: N-Ninjoy! You're... insane...

Ninjoy: I'm not Mystery! I swear it! I... I...

Cooper: Calm down...! Just explain to us-

Ninjoy: No, that's where you're wrong! YOU need to explain to me why I have to be Mystery!

Cooper: I-I've never seen this side of Ninjoy before... there's no doubt that she's Mystery, but now I just need solid proof. But... what?

Panic Talk Action

Ninjoy: This isn't how it's supposed to end! No, that's wrong! You're wasting our precious time! It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie...! Don't expect to get away with this! The path you're on isn't the one to the truth! I'm not Mystery! You've got the wrong idea, Cooper!

Ninjoy: Process of elimination means nothing. What physical proof do you have that I'm Mystery?!

STAB - WOUND - ON - BACK

Cooper: THIS SHOULD PROVE IT!

Ninjoy: A-Ah! No...

Cooper: Mystery's wound was very deep. Even though she survived the stabbing, it would take some time to heal. I would say probably a few months would be enough time-

Monokuma: Actually, it takes about six weeks for a stab wound to heal.

Cooper: ...Right. And even though those six weeks have surely passed, the wound can't be completely erased. If she's really Mystery, then there should be a scar on her back!

Ninjoy: Stop.

Allan: Ninjoy...?

Ninjoy: I'll explain everything.

Cooper: Alright. Let's hear it.

Ninjoy: *sigh* You're all right. I'm Mystery. I'm a Reserve Course student, and I'm not the Ultimate Thief.

Clover: So you've been lying to us ever since the beginning of the killing game?

Ninjoy: Yes... and I deeply apologize. There was a reason why I lied about having an Ultimate talent.

Cooper: And what was that?

Ninjoy: Because it's what I deserve!

Cooper: You... deserve it?

Ninjoy: Before I was even affiliated with Flip's Peak, I wanted to join the Main Course.

Wylan B: What did you want your talent to be?

Ninjoy: ...I'd rather not say.

Cooper: What if I can tell you? Will you tell me if I'm right?

Ninjoy: ...!

Cooper: Staying silent won't stop me from finding the truth. I had better start thinking.

...

Cooper: The only thing we knew about Mystery before we figured out her identity was... she tried to kill Akane Owari, the former Ultimate Gymnast. That's what got her expelled from the Reserve Course, and she returned for unknown reasons. So... assuming Ninjoy's goals for doing what she did, there's only one talent she could have wanted.

Hangman's Gambit #1

U-L-T-I-M-A-T-E   G-Y-M-N-A-S-T

ULTIMATE GYMNAST

Cooper: NOW I UNDERSTAND! Ninjoy, you wanted to be the Ultimate Gymnast, didn't you?

Ninjoy: Th-That is...

Allan: Judging from her reaction, looks like you hit a bullseye, Cooper.

Ninjoy: And what proof do you have for that? You can't just make up a guess and expect us to accept it as the truth!

Cooper: Lucky for you, I actually do have evidence.

Ninjoy: What?

Cooper: My evidence is... (presents "Mystery's Attempted Murder") I GOT IT! If Mystery attempted murder, then that means that you attempted murder, Ninjoy.

Ninjoy: Well, yes... I did try to murder Akane Owari! But, my relation to her doesn't make me the Ultimate Gymnast!

Cooper: But have we considered your motive for doing so?

Ninjoy: Huh...?

Cooper: During the Lost Case of Flip's Peak Academy, Akane Owari was still the Ultimate Gymnast. But along with that title, she was also a member of the Council of Ultimates; the five main survivors of the Killing School Trip.

Wylan B: Wait, so Akane was still the Ultimate Gymnast, even when she was in the Council of Ultimates?

Cooper: Yes. And if that's the talent that Ninjoy wanted, then her only option was for Akane Owari to die.

Ninjoy: ...!

Cooper: Isn't that right, Ninjoy? You tried to kill Akane Owari so you could take her title as the Ultimate Gymnast.

Monokuma: (starts slow clapping) What a tense moment! Ninjoy's true motives have finally been revealed. How do you feel about this, J-

Ninjoy: Y-You're correct...! And I just want to apologize again...

Clover: You should be apologizing! The Ninjoy we've come to know up until now... she may as well be a lie!

Ninjoy: ...Isn't that tragic...

Clover: What was that? You don't even feel guilty?!

Ninjoy: I don't know what to feel...

Clover: UGH! I'm done with this. Let's keep discussing the case.

Allan: What should we talk about?

Cooper: Now would be a good time to find out who the male NPCs are, right?

Allan: (shoots Ninjoy a cold glare) Unless Ninjoy can just tell us now and save us the trouble.

Ninjoy: That's quite enough. I told you my reasons for lying. And although I would like to help with this, I don't remember everything from that day.

Cooper: Besides, Ninjoy wasn't in our class back then. She wouldn't have known who we were anyway.

Clover: That's not the case with The Killer, right? Surely she can remember who attacked her, right?

Ninjoy: I am sorry, but...

Clover: Agh... I'm getting sick of this trial already.

Monokuma: I'm glad to hear that!

Clover: G-Go drown in a glass of milk, you jerk!

Wylan B: "Go drown in a glass of milk...?"

Clover: I was calling him a Creameo, obviously.

Cooper: We're getting off topic. Which male NPC should we discuss first?

Ninjoy: Were there any male NPCs that connected to female NPCs in some way?

Nonstop Debate #2

Ninjoy: Did a female NPC connect to a male NPC in any way?

Wylan B: Connect? You mean like, kissing or something?

Ninjoy: That's not what I mean. I meant...

Ninjoy: Were there any interactions between a boy and a girl?

Allan: Dude, or Scooter organized the picnic.

Ninjoy: But that won't give us information about the males.

Clover: I remember that Fresh got knocked out by The Killer!

Ninjoy: But it's been confirmed that The Killer is male.

Ninjoy: Besides, there isn't a girl that connects to that situation. (present "Perky's Account")

Wylan B: I guess the meeting between you and The Killer doesn't count?

Ninjoy: Of course not. I didn't know The Killer then.

Cooper: (presents "Perky's Account") NO, THAT'S WRONG!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: Actually, Ninjoy, there is a girl that connects to the meeting between The Killer and Fresh.

Ninjoy: Oh. Have I forgotten something?

Clover: Yeah. And you're looking at her!

Ninjoy: It was you...? So that means that Perky...

Cooper: Yes. Clover was the one who asked Fresh to check the Reserve Course building. So if we want to find out who Fresh is, we can use Clover's character as a reference.

Clover: What does that mean?

Cooper: Clover, who were your closest friends here?

Clover: Well, let's see... Utah, Elle...

Cooper: I meant male friends.

Clover: My bad. I became good friends with Deano, and Timm, and Wylan B... and I guess you, Cooper.

Cooper: You guess?

Clover: I'm talking about the Halloween Banquet, and the whole mess with the Pairing System. We got paired up, remember?

Cooper: Oh, yeah. I remember. But that doesn't mean that I want to keep remembering the Halloween Banquet. It brings back too many memories of Tohru, and Timm, and Utah, and Akari's bloody costume, and the ballerina music box, and Despair Spice, and.... AGH! Focus, Cooper. This isn't the time! So according to what Clover said, our three candidates for Fresh are Deano, Timm, and Wylan B.

Wylan B: Well, obviously, I'm Fresh.

Clover and Allan: You're not Fresh.

Wylan B: Aw... how did you figure that out?

Clover: Well, for one, you don't wear glasses.

Wylan B: Fresh wears glasses?

Clover: Yeah. Check over your evidence lately?

Cooper: If Fresh wears glasses, then he must be...

Wylan B
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Deano
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Timm
(continues below)

Cooper: Fresh had to be Timm. He's the only male student... scratch that. He's the only person here who wore glasses, even including the female students.

Ninjoy: Yes, that's what I was thinking. Timm was asked to check the Reserve Course building for Clover, and was knocked out by The Killer.

Wylan B: Hold up! Where did we get the whole "Fresh wears glasses" thing from?

Allan: ...Are you serious?

Cooper: You don't have to explain, Allan. That's the best thing about evidence; sometimes it does it for you.

Allan: Alright, then let's hear the evidence talk.

Cooper: Sure thing. (presents "Fresh's Account") I GOT IT! We got hit by bad luck this time, because when you think about it, we would have known the identity of The Killer if Clover asked anyone else but Timm.

Clover: Really? Why is that my fault?

Cooper: It's not your fault. It's simply bad luck. Timm was the worst choice to go check the Reserve Course building out because he wears glasses. And he told us that he didn't wear his glasses when he checked. That's why he couldn't see who The Killer was.

Wylan B: Okay, I get it! And if someone else went, then they could tell us who The Killer is. So yeah, bad luck can go fall down the Abyss and die.

Allan: Amen!

Cooper: Uh, guys... standing right here.

Wylan B: Oh... bad choice of words. My bad, bro.

Cooper: Uh-huh... anyway, let's move on to another male student.

Clover: Are we still doing the thing where we pick the most unique ones?

Cooper: That would help, so yes.

Clover: Alright, well... Deano was pretty distinct from all of us here.

Cooper: I didn't say it out loud, but I'm not surprised she's the one who brought up Deano.

Ninjoy: Deano's actually one of the easiest NPCs to deduce. As such, I don't feel like being labeled a Captain Obvious by revealing the answer... I'm sure most of you know it by now.

Cooper: She's right, I sure know who Deano is.

Aloha
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Nice Guy
(continues below)

Idiot
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: He had such a kind personality... Nice Guy's the only one who fits.

Allan: Haha, Captain Obvious!

Wylan B: Back off, you jerk!

Allan: ...

Wylan B: Let's hear it... who are you, then, Allan?

Ninjoy: We saved Clover and I last for the girls... let's do the same for you three.

Wylan B: Fine... that perfectly good comeback went to waste.

Clover: ...How about Gremmie next?

Chilly
(continues below)

Aloha
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

The Killer
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: When you keep in mind that Chilly's from Calypso Island, and that they're a male, then Gremmie's the only one who fits.

Clover: So Gremmie's Chilly? Makes sense, I guess.

Wylan B: What makes you say that?

Clover: Gremmie's the only male student here who lived on Calypso Island?

Wylan B: Wait, I thought Alberto and Chuck were from there.

Monokuma: Actually, that's wrong! Alberto lives in Burgerburgh, and Chuck's from Tastyville! Alberto just works in Calypso Island, and whatever island vibe Chuck gave off was F-A-K-E.

Ninjoy: ...Well, that settles it then. Gremmie's Chilly. It also makes sense when you consider that Chilly hated bloodshed.

Allan: It's weird, isn't it? Before we found out who he really was in Akari's trial, we thought he was straight up crazy for bloodshed!

Cooper: That was all just a farce... I want to feel bad for him, but then I remember all the horrible things he's done... Monokuma, you ruined his life!

Monokuma: Enh, I've done worse.

Clover: H-How can you do WORSE?!

Monokuma: I've ruined more than one life. Now that's worse.

Clover: Ugh... dunk. Yourself. In. Milk.

Wylan B: You need to find some new comebacks, Clover.

Cooper: Next person, before we get off-topic.

Allan: Maybe we should try Alberto next.

Sport
(continues below)

Aloha
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Famous Guy
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Alberto had to have been Sport.

Clover: Okay, I can see why you'd say that, but I want to hear your reasoning.

Cooper: It's because of Yoo Sports. That's my main reason.

Wylan B: That's pretty weak reasoning, Cooper. Anyone could be playing a video game. Heck, that could've been you, for all you know!

Cooper: Sport enjoys soccer. And Alberto's the Ultimate Soccer Star...? Connect the dots for me, please.

Wylan B: Don't worry, dots connected.

Cooper: Plus, Alberto's study center includes a virtual reality soccer set. That's how we know that Alberto liked video games.

Ninjoy: So it's decided. Alberto was Sport. Next, let's discuss our final deceased male... Chuck.

Wylan B: Wait a minute...

Ninjoy: What is it, Wolfgang?

Wylan B: I-It's Wilbert... WAIT THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!

Clover: *snicker*

Allan: *snicker*

Ninjoy: Quiet down, you're being very immature. Wylan B, tell me what's on your mind.

Wylan B: I've been thinking about who I could be... and I've noticed that Chuck and I almost have the exact same personality!

Cooper: He's right... out of all of us, Wylan B and Chuck had the most in common. So how can we tell the two apart?

Allan: Do you have an idea on who you are, or who Chuck is?

Wylan B: I'm thinking either Famous Guy or Idiot...

Allan: Okay, Wylan B's Idiot, and Chuck's Famous Guy.

Wylan B: Have a heart... Chuck's more likely to be Idiot.

Cooper: Wait, Wylan B. Allan could be right.

Allan: Really? I was joking.

Cooper: There was one thing that separates Famous Guy from Idiot. What was it?

Idiot has high standards
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Famous Guy has high standards
(continues below)

Idiot isn't famous
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Famous Guy showed to have high standards. When we interrogated him, he complained about having a good night's sleep, but eventually accepted our request to talk to him, saying that "he had time."

Clover: Honestly, what a snooty jerk! Wylan B's too much of a sweetheart to be a snooty jerk.

Wylan B: Thanks, Clover.

Clover: (shoots him a thumbs up) You're not allowed to get any ideas about this.

Wylan B: Of course not. Haha!

Allan: I'll take this. In short, Chuck is Famous Guy, and Wylan B's Idiot.

Wylan B: Glad that's out of the way... wait...

Clover: Hahaha! Wylan B, you're an idiot! Embrace it!

Wylan B: Embrace being perky, then, Clover.

Clover: I do, every day!

Allan: Y'all are too cute together. Not as cute as Utylan and Cleano, though.

Cooper: So... the ships between Clover and Deano, and Wylan B and Utah, then?

Clover: Cl-Cleano...?! Sounds like some cheap ripoff bleach.

Wylan B: H-He said it... s-someone FINALLY used the word Utylan...! And I didn't have to ask them or anything! YESSS!

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: Something the matter, Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: ...That leaves Aloha and The Killer.

Allan: ...!

Cooper: ...Allan and I both looked at each other. One of us is The Killer. I know exactly who it is, though. But I had better not tell them what I know until we come to a dead end.

Clover: That doesn't make sense! The Killer has no personality, so all we can go off of is Aloha. But his personality doesn't match Allan's, or Cooper's!

Wylan B: Allan, do you know something about this?

Allan: Of course not.

Wylan B: How about you, Cooper...

Cooper: ...No, I don't know anything about Aloha. I'm going to have to lie about what I know until the time is right. But that wasn't a lie.

Ninjoy: All we know about Aloha is that he escaped the school with Nature to find the kidnapped students. Nature isn't in our class now, but Aloha was. He must have somehow found us, and then all of us were forced into a killing game?

Clover: How will we figure this out? This is a dead end...

Cooper: A dead end...? ...No it's not. It can't be a dead end.

Clover: Cooper?

Cooper: How did this murder happen? What's with all of this random evidence lying on the ground? How did Ninjoy get inside the Main Course building if she was expelled from the school? There's all these questions to ask. This isn't a dead end.

Wylan B: But... we need to figure out who The Killer is!

Cooper: Why?

Wylan B: Wh-Why?

Cooper: What will we do once we find out who The Killer is? Execute them? No! We can't do that! 

Wylan B: We can't...?

Cooper: Because they never killed anybody! Ninjoy, the victim, is standing here today! Alive! Alive, with a scar on her back, but alive! So what can we do to end this trial! How can this trial be resolved?! The trial, and this... this... bloody killing game?!

...

Cooper: Bloody... I never use that word... Gremmie must have rubbed off on me. If we don't know what to do, then all we can do is try everything.

Ninjoy: Try everything?

Cooper: Answer all questions, is what I mean. Why was this killing game started? What's the deal with my talent, and Allan's past? Why don't we know anything about Salem de Adly? And those photos from the Izuru Collage... why are they there?! What's the story behind the Revival from the back of the Lost Case of Flip's Peak Academy's book cover? Why is the Killing School Transfer in the works?! And... and... why Gremmie?

...

Cooper: Wylan B, Clover, Allan, Ninjoy... please. Help me find the truth. That way, we can all escape this school. I need every one of you alive.

Wylan B: ...

Clover: ...

Allan: ...

Ninjoy: ...

Wylan B: ...I'm in. I'm with you, buddy. No matter what!

Clover: Count me in, too.

Allan: Ditto.

Ninjoy: Allow me to assist you. This game has weighed down my soul long enough. Let's discover the truth together.

Cooper: Thank you guys.

Ninjoy: Why don't we discuss one of the strangest parts of this case first? Namely, the strange occurrences at the Reserve Course building.

Clover: Strange occurrences?

Cooper: What Ninjoy means is probably this. (presents "Broken Reserve Course Window") I GOT IT! The broken window on the fourth floor of the Reserve Course building.

Wylan B: Ever since I saw that, I thought it seemed a bit unnatural.

Allan: Same here. Maybe we should discuss why it was there.

Nonstop Debate #3

Allan: We have no idea why the window was broken.

Allan: Are we to assume that The Killer was behind this?

Wylan B: Or it could've been Salem de Adly.

Clover: In the fourth trial, we had a similar situation like this...

Clover: A bow was thrown through a window.

Clover: What if it was for quick transportation of an object?

Ninjoy: Perhaps it was used as some sort of diversion.

Wylan B: Or, what if it was broken as an escape plan for Salem? What if he went inside the Reserve Course building?

Allan: Again, don't forget The Killer. They could've used that as an escape. (present "The Killer")

Cooper: (presents "The Killer) NO, THAT'S WRONG!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: No, Allan. The Killer didn't escape from the Reserve Course building by using the window.

Allan: Then explain.

Cooper: Remember that The Killer was still a student of Flip's Peak Academy. Why would they need to escape? After all, where would they escape to if the academy provided dorms for them?

Allan: He could have tried to escape the academy to flee the crime scene!

Ninjoy: Then why bother with trying to tamper with the evidence?

Allan: Tamper? What are you talking about?

Cooper: I've got this one, Ninjoy. What Ninjoy's referring to is this. (presents "Monokuma File #6") I GOT IT! The Killer tried to clean the blood off of the body.

Clover: Just asking, but... what was the point of doing that? It wouldn't change the fact that Mystery was dead! Er... make that unconscious.

Cooper: It wouldn't change the fact, no, but it certainly would hide the fact.

Clover: Ah-! That's right! And if anyone saw the body later, they'd think that Mystery was still asleep!

Wylan B: But what about the wet clothes?

Clover: Mystery looked like she fell asleep in the grass. Flip's Peak could have a sprinkler system set up in their lawn.

Allan: A sprinkler system?

Clover: Yeah, that's what I said. What, you don't believe me? Hey Monokuma, does Flip's Peak have a sprinkler system?

Monokuma: We make sure that the plants outside of this academy get their fair share of water. Our motto is, "Green, not Clean!" Wait, that's not right... "The World's Greenest Thumb?" "More Like Flip's Green Academy...?" Ah, who cares. Can't remember!

Clover: Well, okay then. Flip's Peak has a sprinkler system. Satisfied, Allan?

Allan: Mystery's body was nearly soaked in water. Sprinklers would make her body wet, yes, but it looked like a large amount of water was dumped on her.

Wylan B: You think so, too? So The Killer just got a bucket of water or something and poured it on Mystery?

Cooper: No. They didn't need to go to such measures. There was a much easier way. (presents "Garden Hose") I GOT IT! There was a nearby garden hose. The Killer should have used that.

Wylan B: Right. I mean, I expected something like this to happen again.

Clover: Have something slip your mind, you mean?

Wylan B: Yeah, I'm really sorry, Cooper. Don't mean to drag you guys down.

Cooper: Don't worry about it, Wylan B. You're doing just fine.

Ninjoy: Now let's return to our discussion of the broken window. If The Killer didn't break it, then who did?

Wylan B: I thought I mentioned Salem de Adly breaking it. What about that?

Ninjoy: Not likely. His goal was to kidnap you guys, so why bother with breaking a Reserve Course window if his goal was in the Main Course?

Wylan B: Ah... good point.

Allan: Then what was the point of breaking that window?

Cooper: ...I think I know. But first, we need to talk about how the window was broken.

Clover: Meaning what?

Cooper: Meaning... that we need to talk about what broke the window. That was... (presents "Garden Stone") I GOT IT! The stone from the garden was used to break the window.

Clover: So... someone threw the stone through the window?

Cooper: My theory is that The Killer actually was the person to break it. But no... not exactly. If my theory is correct, then The Killer broke the window from the top of the Reserve Course building.

Ninjoy: On the roof? How could The Killer throw the stone from the roof to a window on the side of the building? That seems impossible.

Cooper: It is.

Ninjoy: Oh?

Cooper: Throwing it to the window, that is. However, The Killer used a certain item to let the stone crash into the window. (presents "Rope") I GOT IT! What The Killer did was use the rope to let the stone break the window. All they had to do was tie it around the stone, then throw the stone off the roof. I don't know how they got it to hit a window, but it somehow worked.

Wylan B: LET'S WRAP THIS UP!

ARGUE

Wylan B: Okay, let's do this again.

Cooper: What? You're... rebutting against me again? D-Do I need to get into a rap battle again or something?

Wylan B: No... this situation is too important for music right now. I'm going to try to change your mind the old-fashioned way. Without notes, and without rhythms! I'm going for the TKO!

Rebuttal Showdown #1

Wylan B: That's a clever theory, Cooper.

Wylan B: But once you think about it, it doesn't add up!

Wylan B: Throwing a stone off the roof does nothing!

Wylan B: And how did they know that they were going to hit a window?

Wylan B: Plus, throwing the stone off the roof wouldn't make the stone swing back!

Wylan B: Why? Because you'd need to hold onto the rope! (present "Binoculars")

Wylan B: So your theory is bogus. Can't we just say that Salem broke it?

Cooper: (presents "Binoculars") ALLOW ME TO CUT THROUGH THOSE WORDS!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: The rope was found tied to the binocular stand when you told me about the roof, right? So you wouldn't need to told the rope to let the stone swing back. You just need to drop the stone from the roof and let it swing. The rope being tied to the binoculars can support its weight.

Ninjoy: In other words, it's supposed to work like a pendulum?

Cooper: Exactly.

Wylan B: Wha-? How could I...?

Cooper: And what's more, The Killer couldn't hav-

Wylan B: I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!

ARGUE

Wylan B: I wasn't finished talking!

Cooper: W-Wylan B...?

Wylan B: So what? Your whole theory doesn't work, anyways! Binocular stand or no binocular stand.

Rebuttal Showdown #2

Wylan B: I'll accept that the binoculars were necessary...

Wylan B: ...for this whole window-breaking contraption to be completed.

Wylan B: But just because I forgot about it...

Wylan B: ...doesn't mean that you can classify your theory as true!

Wylan B: Let me tell you why it's wrong.

Wylan B: The stone was very smooth, and round.

Wylan B: Tying a rope to it sounds like it does nothing.

Wylan B: When relying on the rope alone... (present "Masking Tape")

Wylan B: ...the stone would fall right out of the rope's knot!

Wylan B: It wouldn't even have time to swing back and hit a window!

Cooper: (presents "Masking Tape") ALLOW ME TO CUT THROUGH THOSE WORDS!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: I hope that this convinces you that my theory is correct. The stone was wrapped in masking tape when we found it. The Killer must have already known that the rope alone wouldn't hold the stone on the trip to the window.

Wylan B: Oh... shoot. I screwed up bad, didn't I? (slaps forehead)

Allan: Don't bring yourself down anymore, Wylan B. You're trying, and I'll give you credit for that.

Wylan B: Uh... Allan? Are you in there?

Allan: What? So a guy can't have a change of heart every now and then?

Wylan B: But Cooper, I think I understand. The Killer used masking tape to secure the rope to the stone.

Ninjoy: Sounds accurate. But the tape must have loosened because of the drop's force, and thanks to momentum, it threw the stone into the window.

Allan: That's genius!

Clover: I'll accept that theory. So The Killer dropped a stone from the roof to break a window. Why? Cuz he felt like it?

Cooper: I hope not, otherwise we'd be dealing with some crazy madman. But no, there was a reason to break a window. What's more, the window needed to be broken in the Reserve Course.

Clover: Huh? Guess they didn't feel like it, then.

Allan: What makes you so sure about that, Cooper?

Cooper: Here's what I think. The point of breaking the window was...

To enter the building
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

To use as a distraction
(continues below)

To attack a Reserve Course student
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: How could The Killer know that the stone would hit a window? He could have broken a window in any other fashion, but he chose some complex pendulum method to do it.

Wylan B: Couldn't he have just done up to the window, then threw the stone through it?

Cooper: Unfortunately, no. Then he would get caught.

Clover: So that's why The Killer broke the window from the roof!

Ninjoy: What's your point, exactly? He still didn't need to break the window.

Cooper: But he was using it as a distraction.

Allan: A distraction? From what?

Cooper: I think I know... but it's just a theory, of course.

Allan: Oy... you and your theories.

Cooper: Just listen, please. First, let me make clear who The Killer was aiming to distract. (presents "Council of Ultimates") I GOT IT! The Killer was trying to get the attention of the Council of Ultimates.

Wylan B: You mean the survivors of the Killing School Trip, right? Hamilton, Angel, Felix, Sophia, and Kanye, right?

Allan: (has a disgusted face) ...

Clover: Uh... when did you ever hear us say the word, "Kanye?"

Wylan B: Their names were just so-

Clover: No, no, I genuinely want to hear this. What made you think that his name was Kanye?!

Wylan B: Their names were so hard to remember! So I changed them into English! Is that so wrong?

Allan: Considering that one of those hard-to-remember names, Sonia, was already in English, then yes. It is "so wrong."

Wylan B: Well.

Ninjoy: What did the Council of Ultimates have to do with anything? Were they in the way of something?

Cooper: Yes. The Killer needed to dispose of some evidence, and the Council of Ultimate's presence prevented him from doing so.

Clover: What do you mean by "disposing of evidence?"

Cooper: I mean... (presents "Surveillance Cameras") I GOT IT! The security cameras were the evidence that needed to be disposed of. Actually, that was bad wording on my part. It wasn't the cameras that needed to be disposed of; rather, it was their footage.

Allan: Namely, the footage of The Killer stabbing Mystery!

Cooper: And the Council of Ultimates wouldn't allow The Killer to barge into the security room, so they needed to be distracted elsewhere.

Ninjoy: That's why the window was broken; to get the Council of Ultimates to come over and see what had happened.

Clover: And while they were by the window examining the scene, The Killer slipped back into the Main Course building to delete the footage! That's foolproof!

Allan: But where did he get the supplies?

Cooper: Huh? From the Main Course, obviously.

Allan: Where, exactly? The rope and the masking tape couldn't have just appeared from thin air.

Wylan B: Well, the rope could have come from the gym, and the tape could have come from the art room.

Clover: Why would the rope come from the gym?

Wylan B: The gym is where the auditorium is. And I'm sure there's some spare rope backstage.

Clover: Okay, that makes sense. But wait... if The Killer went to the gym and the art room to get the stuff, how did they get inside? Wouldn't the doors be locked?

Ninjoy: The time of death was 9:20 p.m. I don't know when curfew is for students at Flip's Peak, but if everyone was in their dorm rooms, then it should have been close. So yeah, the doors should have been locked.

Cooper: All you need to do is unlock them. Simple as that.

Allan: But with what? I didn't see any keys laying around.

Cooper: I was thinking about something else, actually. Not a key, but this. (presents "Hair Pin") I GOT IT! I thought it was strange that a hair pin was present on the floor in the Virtual World. So it must have been important, right? I believe that The Killer used this hair pin to unlock any door he wanted.

Clover: Guys wear hair pins?

Cooper: Ninjoy was the victim of this case. I'm sure that she was wearing one at the time, so The Killer just stole one from her.

Ninjoy: (looks at Cooper and Allan) Whichever one of you is The Killer, thanks for that by the way.

Cooper: So Allan, The Killer could have unlocked the doors to the gym and art room using the hair pin.

Wylan B: But they couldn't have unlocked the door to the janitor's closet.

Cooper: Huh?

Clover: What does a janitor's closet have to do with anything?

Wylan B: I mean, that's where the trash can came from. The one that Mystery's body was in? Ring a bell?

Allan: Wait, go back to the janitor's closet door. Why can't we open it?

Wylan B: It doesn't open by key... to open it, you need a number code.

Cooper: Wh-What?!

Allan: Wylan B, you idiot! Why didn't you tell us sooner?

Wylan B: I just forgot about it, I'm really sorry... there's no need to get mad or anything, bro.

Allan: H-How could you forget to... Ninjoy, you didn't say anything either!

Ninjoy: ...It merely slipped my mind. I'm... super sorry.

Cooper: Huh.

Ninjoy: What? You said "huh."

Cooper: Oh, it's just that... you're not usually one to say the word "super."

Ninjoy: ... (blushes)

Cooper: That's kind of weird... wonder what's up with her.

Wylan B: But The Killer somehow got access to the trash can inside the janitor's closet. How, though?

Clover: They would have needed the code, but I don't remember seeing one.

Ninjoy: Neither do I...

Cooper: ...Hey, Wylan B. Do you know how many numbers are in that code?

Wylan B: I thought it was five or something. Why?

Cooper: I think I know exactly what the code is. In fact, it's right here in my evidence. (presents "BITS") I GOT IT! That's it! The notecard on Headmaster Hinata's office floor that read, "BITS!" The code is BITS!

Allan: ...

Ninjoy: ...

Clover: ...

Wylan B: So, uh, is anyone gonna say anything or respond or anything?

Monokuma: Haha, nope!

Allan: Where do I even begin...? Wylan B CLEARLY stated that the code consists of numbers, and NOT letters!

Cooper: Take another look at this notecard. I opened my e-Handbook and pulled out a picture of the notecard. Here. Notice anything weird about it?

Clover: The handwriting is pretty sloppy... are we sure that Headmaster Hinata wrote it?

Allan: He's Japanese, right? He could still be trying to learn how to write proper English.

Cooper: That's not it at all. Because these letters, "BITS," aren't letters at all. In fact, they're numbers!

Ninjoy: Numbers? ...Hold on, that looks like a 1 and a 3...!

Cooper: That's right. The code was accidentally written to look like the word "BITS," but the code is actually... 13175!

Wylan B: 13175?

Clover: 13175...?

Monokuma: 11037?

Ninjoy: Stop saying random numbers, Monokuma. The removal of your existence would not affect me in the slightest.

Wylan B: Awesome quote, Ninjoy! Can I get that on a t-shirt?

Ninjoy: Wylan B... not the time.

Wylan B: Right.

Allan: ...I don't see it. I still see BITS.

Cooper: Think of it like this. The B is made out of a 1 and a 3 that were written close together. The number 1 and the letter I are constantly confused, so that one's easy. The T and the 7 looks quite similar, and the same can be said about the S and the 5. Therefore, the notecard doesn't read BITS, but rather, 13175!

Allan: Ah... that's it! You're a genius, Cooper.

Cooper: No I'm not...

Ninjoy: Can we assume that The Killer found this card, and dropped it on the floor as he went to unlock the janitor's closet?

Cooper: Yes. The surveillance cameras weren't the only reason why The Killer needed the Council of Ultimates gone. He needed them gone to find the janitor's closet code!

Allan: So that wraps up the mystery of how The Killer prepared for his murder... or attempted murder, that is. Any objections before we give up?

Cooper: Are we really about to give up? Is it time to admit that I'm hiding something? ...No, this can't be happening. I need time to pre-

Clover: So, Ninjoy was expelled from Flip's Peak, huh?

Allan: Yeah... we've already established that.

Clover: Yet she ended up in the Main Course for some reason. Don't you think that's weird?

Cooper: I never thought of that...!

Ninjoy: Well, from what I remember, I was knocked out, and then I woke up in that trash can. I got out... and that's all I remember.

Wylan B: Someone like Ninjoy couldn't have been able to even get inside one of the building. Not even the Reserve Course building. So how did she get inside?

Cooper: This is something that needs to be addressed. Let's put our heads together, guys.

Nonstop Debate #4

Ninjoy: How could I have entered the Main Course building?

Allan: Are you certain you don't remember anything?

Ninjoy: Yes, I am quite certain. After I woke up in that trash can...

Ninjoy: ...Everything else just seems like a blurry haze. Can't recall any of it.

Wylan B: Did you sneak in? You are a thief, after all. Or so you say...

Ninjoy: E-Even so, I don't think that's right.

Clover: Were there any open doors?

Ninjoy: Nothing, Clover. Sorry.

Clover: I'm sure an open door wouldn't be that farfetched.

Clover: What if someone forgot to close it?

Clover: Or something prevented the door from closing? (present "Sport's Account")

Clover: Like the Gorilla Glue from Akari's case!

Allan: Uh... doubtful. We need more ideas, people!

Cooper: (presents "Sport's Account") I AGREE WITH THAT!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: That's it, Clover! Something prevented the door from being shut!

Clover: Seriously? Educated guesses for life, baby!

Cooper: O-Okay... well, the door I'm referring to is the Main Course door on the bridge.

Ninjoy: And you're saying that something prevented that door from closing? What was it?

Cooper: Timm. The Killer knocked him out on the bridge and had to carry him back to his dorm. The Killer wouldn't have an extra hand to get to the door, so it would have been left open!

Allan: And... how do you know that The Killer wouldn't have had an extra hand?

Cooper: Alberto, or Sport, testified to us that he saw The Killer carrying Timm to his dorm.

Allan: Yeah, but how do you know that he wasn't dragged or anything? The Killer would have an extra hand there.

Cooper: If he was dragged to his room, he wouldn't have been seen by Alberto. But if Timm was being carried on The Killer's back, then he would have been in Alberto's range of sight.

Wylan B: So you're saying that because The Killer didn't have an extra hand, the door was left open, and Ninjoy used that door to enter the Main Course building?

Cooper: Yeah... why? You sound like you don't believe me.

Wylan B: Well, I don't. It's way too implausible. The door that The Killer would have left open was on the bridge! How could Ninjoy have gotten to the bridge when she was on the ground?

Clover: Yeah, can you explain that, Cooper? She couldn't go through either building, so how did she get up to the bridge?

Cooper: I've been thinking about this one. It's not impossible, though. Ninjoy, are you sure that you don't remember anything about that night?

Ninjoy: No... I become weary of hearing that question every two seconds or so...

Cooper: F-Forgive me... just making sure. So, about how Ninjoy could have gotten to the bridge...

Nonstop Debate #5

Wylan B: Let's think, everyone. Ninjoy found another way to get to the bridge.

Wylan B: Last time... Ninjoy couldn't have gone through one of the buildings?

Allan: No way. She would have been caught.

Allan: And don't even try to bring up that "sneaking in" crap. We've already ruled that out as false.

Clover: I know this sounds crazy, but...

Clover: Did The Killer have any relation to Salem at all?

Allan: Wh-What gave you that idea?

Clover: Salem used a helicopter to kidnap us... and a helicopter is a good way to get to the bridge.

Ninjoy: If I didn't have any relation to Salem, which I'm quite sure that I didn't...

Ninjoy: What if I just climbed the building?

Allan: Yeah? You and what tool? (present "Bloody FPA Knife")

Allan: This is my take on it... the Virtual World is illegitimate!

Allan: So why should we trust anything from that thing in the first place?

Cooper: (presents "Bloody FPA Knife") NO, THAT'S WRONG!

BREAK!!!

Cooper: I'm grossed out just thinking about this... but Ninjoy did have a tool.

Allan: Seriously? You're making things up.

Cooper: No, it's not Ninjoy's tool... it's actually The Killer's.

Allan: He gave her a tool?

Cooper: You could say that... Ninjoy climbed the building with the knife that she was stabbed with!

Clover: E-Eww! She took the knife out of her back and climbed a building with it?! How far will you go to get revenge, Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: Who said I was getting revenge?

Clover: Huh? Isn't that why you wanted to get back into the Main Course building? To get revenge on The Killer for stabbing you?

Ninjoy: No, I wouldn't think so... I'm not the kind of girl to take revenge.

Cooper: Ninjoy... why did you return to Flip's Peak Academy after your expulsion?

Ninjoy: ...I wanted to... redeem myself.

Cooper: Redeem?

Ninjoy: I wanted to meet with the Council of Ultimates to talk about considering to invite me to Flip's Peak as the Ultimate Thief.

Allan: You just randomly showed up? You never emailed them or anything?

Ninjoy: No, I did send them a letter. If you would like me to, I can tell you what it said. I know it by heart.

Cooper: Well, sure. Go ahead.

Ninjoy: *ahem*

...

...

...

Ninjoy: Dear Council of Ultimates, I humbly request for your ears. I know what I have done in the past, but I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. I just wish to take some time out of your day to discuss something with you. I've been cheating myself to success ever since I joined the Reserve Course. Success is the only thing I desire... I would only like to appeal to the five of you, in hopes that I may become a true Ultimate. And if I do become the Ultimate Thief, I promise to represent Flip's Peak to the fullest extent.

Cooper: ...Oh my gosh...

Ninjoy: I wanted to speak with them so that they would consider me to join the Ultimates. But then I was attacked...

Allan: Do you know why?

Ninjoy: No... maybe it's because I was a criminal for attempting to murder Akane... but I was still attacked. When I woke up, I was in pain, but I still needed to meet with the Council of Ultimates. My dream of success demanded it. So I pulled the knife lodged in my back out, and after noticing the cracked door on the bridge, used the knife to climb the building.

Clover: B-But taking a weapon out of your skin is really dangerous! You could have bled to death!

Ninjoy: I survived. Besides, going to speak with the Council of Ultimates was worth the pain.

Cooper: After hearing her honest confession, I shuddered, thinking about how it would feel to pull a knife out of your back.

Ninjoy: But I never did go to speak with them... Salem kidnapped me, thinking that I was an Ultimate. And when I woke up with everyone here... I almost immediately noticed the scar on my back. And that's when it clicked... everything I remember now about that day had returned to my memories. But... I was selfish and greedy, so I called myself the Ultimate Thief.

Wylan B: N-Ninjoy, you didn't need to-

Ninjoy: What difference did it make anyway? It's not like my false talent would have been of any importance to anyone, and besides... even though I was a thief, I was definitely not a true Ultimate. Self-pride and confidence were two of the things I needed in that situation.

Cooper: The room went silent, yet again. I was thinking... is it time? I waited. When nobody responded, I waited some more. Then I had decided.

...

Cooper: Hey, everyone? I have something I need to say.

Allan: Okay, let's hear it.

Cooper: I ask that you pay attention to what I am about to say, very carefully. The four faces in front of me were intrigued in what I was about to say, but they were also fearful. ...The truth is... I know who The Killer is.

Wylan B: Wh-What?! Why did you wait until now?

Cooper: You're going to have to trust my motives.

Wylan B: ...

Cooper: Please... listen to me. I want you to figure it out for yourselves. Let me just give you the starting push. There is one piece of evidence that can easily let you know who The Killer is. (presents "Picnic Groups") I GOT IT! The groups that Scooter set up for the picnic that was planned to be the day after the stabbing. That's the evidence.

Ninjoy: What's so important about it?

Cooper: Please, look at The Killer in this list. The Killer was originally a part of the Cleaning Crew, but then he quit due to boredom, and eventually joined the unofficial "Nothing" Crew.

Clover: We knew that already. So... what's new?

Cooper: Think about The Killer's actions. Why would he do that? Which one of us would do that?

Ninjoy: ...!

Cooper: You've figured it out, haven't you, Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: Cooper, you're... Aloha, aren't you?

Cooper: ...And Allan? (presents "The Killer") I GOT IT! Allan... is The Killer.

Allan: H-Hold up! I'm not The Killer!

Cooper: Allan...

Allan: I swear! I wouldn't kill anyone! I know that I helped Gremmie with his suicide plan, but keep in mind about the "suicide" part! I did it for the right reason!

Ninjoy: Allan... you stabbed me, didn't you?

Allan: No, no... no, I... *sigh* I can't put up an argument, can I? I don't remember anything about Flip's Peak, but there's no way to protect myself now...

Cooper: Allan, you're the only person out of the two of us who would quit on a group job like that. You never helped out with Utah's luau; but I did. That makes you The Killer.

Allan: And... that makes you Aloha, right, Cooper?

Cooper: ...

Allan: C-Cooper?

Cooper: A-Ah, sorry. Just got lost in thought.

Allan: What were you thinking, exactly?

Cooper: Let's go over this case. One last time, to close this book for good. Then we can discuss... more important things.

Ninjoy: More important... things?

Cooper: ...Here's everything that happened in this case.

Closing Argument

Cooper: This case occured before the killing game began. It happened just before we were kidnapped by Salem de Adly, at Flip's Peak Academy. And it turns out that all of us played a role in this case. In the Virtual World, there were eighteen avatars. Sixteen of them represented all of us, with the other two being Salem de Adly, and an unknown student. After analyzing their dialogue and their actions, we finally figured out which avatar is which. So let's go back to before this stabbing occured. Our class, consisting of sixteen avatars, planned a picnic at the area between the Main Course and Reserve Course buildings. The other two avatars, a former Reserve Course student, and Salem de Adly, were not present at the time, because they appeared later. There were four groups to set up for the picnic. The first gruop was the Food Crew, which consisted of Tohru, Scooter, Wylan B, and Alberto. The second group was the Cleaning Crew. That was Elle, Timm, Deano, and Utah. The third group was the Shopping Crew, which was Nature, Chuck, Clover, and me. And finally, the fourth group was the Nothing Crew, which consisted of Gremmie, Xandra, Akari, and the assailant. Our culprit was originally part of the Cleaning Crew, but they left after getting bored with cleaning, and joined the Nothing Crew. At least this gave them a general idea of the picnic area. Then, nighttime came, and everyone went to sleep in their dorms. Somehow, the culprit noticed that a former Reserve Course student who got expelled for attempting to murder Akane Owari had trespassed onto Flip's Peak property. After using the process of elimination, and using the mysterious wound on their back, we deducted that the victim of this case is Ninjoy. The culprit threatened them to leave, but it seems like Ninjoy didn't care, as she was attacked anyways. The culprit stabbed her in the back with his knife, and she fell. However, Ninjoy was still alive, but in an unconscious state. Thinking she was dead, the culprit tried to cover up his crime. His first order of business was to hide the body. They moved Ninjoy to the grass, washed the blood off the body with a nearby hose, and then washed the concrete to clean any blood. Next, the culprit thought of a clever way to get a trash bag from the janitor's closet to hide the body. He left to go get his supplies, but what he didn't realize is that he had left the hose on just enough to let out a tiny stream of water. Using Ninjoy's hair pin, the killer got a rope from the gymnasium, and masking tape from the art room. He brought his supplies over to the Reserve Course building, grabbed a stone from the garden, and went to the roof. He had tied the rope to the stone, and tied the rope's other end to the pair of binoculars. Next, the culprit took the stone, attached it to the rope using masking tape, and threw it off the building. The rope caught the stone and it started swinging towards the Reserve Course building. The stone broke through one of the windows, and the impact made the masking tape peel off of the stone. It also made the tape and stone fall down to the ground, as well as some broken glass shards. This caused the Reserve Course students, as well as the Council of Ultimates, to investigate the scene. The culprit waited until all five members had gone to investigate, then ran back to the Main Course by using the bridge. However, something happened that the culprit hadn't planned for. Clover had also heard the noise thanks to her musical talent. Scared to go check it out, she asked Timm to check for her. Timm didn't have his glasses at the time, so his vision was very blurry. He met up with the culprit on the bridge, but was knocked out at the last second. Since his only objective was to "kill" Ninjoy, he couldn't kill Timm, so he had to bring Timm back to his dorm room. He saw that Timm got a text from Clover, and using Timm's thumbprint, the culprit was able to convince Clover that everything was okay. When the culprit brought Timm back to his dorm, he was unable to close the door. Soon enough, Timm was returned to his room. But Alberto saw everyone that passed by his door: Clover, Clover and Timm, our culprit carrying Timm, and the culprit again. Since Mr. Hinata's office was now empty, the culprit searched through his desk for the janitor's closet code. We originally thought that the code was "BITS," but after examination of the note and the keypad, we discovered that they are not letters, but numbers. It actually reads "13175." The culprit used this code to steal a garbage can, put a trash bag in it, brought it outside, and put Ninjoy's body in it. The culprit's job was complete, and he returned to his dorm room for the night. Ninjoy regained consciousness, and had to find a way to get inside, since she figured that the school may have already known that she was there. She pulled the knife out of her back, and began to climb the Main Course building. Ninjoy reached the bridge, and since the door was cracked open, they got inside quickly. But she had accidentally walked into the dorm hall of our class. That was the worst thing to do, as Salem de Adly had just broken into the building to kidnap us. Elle ran out of her dorm in fear, and saw Ninjoy getting choked by Salem. She was next, and eventually the rest of us were choked to unconsciousness by Salem. And we were all taken away, even the culprit, so that the preparation of the American School Life could commence. But after discovering which avatar was which, considering which avatar was in what group, and investigating the mystery of the victim, Ninjoy, we have finally found our culprit. We've been careful not to use the word, "killer," as our victim is still with us today! And so is our assailant. This is the truth of the Lost Case of Flip's Peak Academy... isn't it, Allan, the Ultimate Hockey Player?

Allan: Seriously dude... I'm still trying to process this.

Ninjoy: Allan, don't feel bad. I'm willing to forgive you.

Allan: I just... I don't even know why I tried to kill you!

Clover: A-Allan, I'm sure you just wanted to protect us from her... you know, because she tried to kill Akane?

Allan: I don't know... it's like I keep telling myself over and over, "I'm The Killer, I'm The Killer."

Cooper: Hey, Allan?

Allan: What?

Cooper: Being The Killer, and stabbing Ninjoy... was this the terrible thing that Monokuma said that you did?

Allan: ...It's gotta be.

Monokuma: I can't believe it, that's right! The terrible thing that Allan did before this killing game... was killing Ninjoy!

Ninjoy: Allan didn't kill me.

Monokuma: He didn't know that at the time, remember? So you might as well have been dead!

Allan: J-Jeez... my heart just skipped a beat...

Ninjoy: I know that you still need some time to think this over, but I just want to let you know that I forgive you, Allan.

Allan: ...

Cooper: So... if he's The Killer, then that means that...

Wylan B: You're Aloha, isn't that the name you said?

Cooper: ...

Wylan B: Hey... what's up with you? Cat got your tongue?

Cooper: ...

Clover: H-Hey, talk to us, Cooper!

Cooper: ...No. I'm not Aloha.

Ninjoy: Then... who are you?

Cooper: ...M-Monokuma...?

Clover: What are you asking him for...?! What's going on...?

Cooper: Okay, just go ahead and say it. You can accept what's coming. I... haven't been completely honest with you all.

Allan: What does that mean? What did you lie about?

Cooper: I didn't lie, I just held a secret... but technically, that's still not being honest. The secret I've been hiding from you all is... I was the person Gremmie wanted to talk to in the video.

Ninjoy: ...!

Clover: C-Cooper! What did he tell you?

Cooper: H-He told me about... my talent...

Wylan B: Your talent?! You finally found out? What is it?

Cooper: ...My talent...

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: ...M-My talent... i-is... I took one last breath before I revealed the truth. But just then... Monokuma seemed to freeze, and he fell forward off of his grand throne.

Papa Louie: M-Monokuma?

Ninjoy: What's wrong with him? (runs over to him and picks him up) Did he malfunction?

Allan: It looks like he's completely shut down...

Clover: Was this supposed to happen?

Wylan B: G-Guys, does anybody else feel a chill...?

Cooper: I certainly did. But the chills only multiplied as the chandelier's lights turned off and the room went midnight black.

???: Oh, is now the best time to appear? Thank goodness, I mean... I was getting so tired of waiting. Seriously, you don't even know how bored I was. Then again, boredom isn't so bad.

Cooper: H-Huh? Who are you? I couldn't see a thing, not even myself. And the voice... sounded like it surrounded my entire body. I couldn't tell where it was coming from. The only thing I could do is continue to listen to the girl's monologue.

???: I mean, come on now. Boredom just means that something better is gonna come later. And I'll admit, it's a bit fun waiting. You don't know what's going to happen. Like Forrest Gump's mama always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates." Maybe something verrry special is waiting for me. But I don't mind waiting.

Cooper: Suddenly, the lights turned on, and we all jumped and yelped.

???: Besides, who am I to spoil a SURPRISE?!?!

Cooper: We all huddled in towards each other at the blood-curdling sight in front of us. On every second mirror, which were actually screens, an animation of a teenage girl with blonde pigtails was smiling devilishly.

Wylan B: D-D-D-D-Don't... do that! You scared the bejeezus out of me!

Ninjoy: U-Um... who is this girl?

???: Who, me? Why... I'm Junko Enoshima! Ultimate Fashionista, Ultimate Despair, and... the reason you all are here today.

Day #15: Class Trial Latter

Cooper: After finally processing the situation, we noticed that the once golden and white courtroom was now blood red. Blood red... and black. What other two colors are so despair-inducing? But this... this girl who claims to be Junko Enoshima... why is she here?

Ninjoy: Y-You're Junko...? Junko Enoshima?

Allan: You mean... you're that chick who started this whole despair nonsense?

Ninjoy: You're the mastermind of the first killing game!

Wylan B: That's her?! What is she doing here?!

Junko: ...Hm? Clover's not going to say anything?

Clover: ...

Junko: Guess she's in shock. Oh well, who wouldn't? After all, I'm so beautiful, I make people speechless all the time!

Clover: ...H-Help...

Cooper: We all ran to Clover's side to huddle up together. Junko was in front of our faces everywhere we looked, Monokuma was shut down, and Papa Louie was mortified.

Papa Louie: Junko...

Junko: Oh, it's... hey. Don't I know you from somewhere?

Papa Louie: Wh-What do you mean...?

Junko: Oh, wait wait wait wait wait. You masterminded one of my killing games, didn't you?

Ninjoy: Wh-WHAT?! He masterminded a-?

Junko: No, no, that may have been someone else. You just have such an uncanny resemblance to him. It's almost... too uncanny.

Papa Louie: ...

Junko: As for the rest of you, hello!

Cooper: The mirrors showed Junko putting a crown on her head, and her hands on her hips.

Junko: (switches to queen Junko) We are so delighted to make your acquaintance, yes we are! You must be the survivors of the Killing School Life.

Wylan B: W-Wait a minute... why are you wearing a crown?

Allan: It's like she changed personalities...

Junko: Your observation skills are on point, Allan! We change our personality all the time. You have no idea how bored we get of ourselves.

Cooper: Junko... Enoshima...

Junko: That would be us.

Cooper: ...is dead. So who are you?

Ninjoy: He's right. How are you talking to us if you were executed in the Japanese Killing School Life?

Cooper: If what Gremmie told me and Akari was true, then you should be dead!

Junko: (switches to edgy Junko) Sure, I'm dead. Let's go with that.

Wylan B: S-Stop acting like that! Are you dead or not?

Junko: Yeah, I'm dead. Did you not hear me, or what? I don't like raising my voice. (switches to punk rock Junko) Haha, that was a lie! I can't do anything but raise my voice!

Clover: ...Y-You're... disgusting...

Junko: And as for that freaking good point you mentioned earlier, yes! I'm dead! (switches to teacher Junko) Does everybody know what an A.I. is?

Cooper: It felt so unnatural for one to switch personalities this frequently, but I accepted it. I expected even more personality switches along the road. An A.I... is...

Anti-Idiocy
Junko: Haha, aw man... if that was a thing, I'd sure lend some to Wylan B, am I right?
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Adobe Illustrator
Junko: Um, copyright much?
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Artificial Intelligence
(continues below)

Cooper: A.I. stands for "artificial intelligence," right? So then...

Junko: Yes. The Junko Enoshima you see standing before you is not a recording. I am an AI program, created and inspired from the real Junko Enoshima.

Clover: Just like Alter Ego from the Hunt...

Junko: No, actually, I'm nothing like Alter Ego. He was created by a good person. I was created by horrible, disgusting people.

Wylan B: Horrible, disgusting people? So, you're self-created or something?

Junko: Remnants of Despair created me after my previous model was destroyed. Specifically eight Remnants. Their expertise in technology was exceptional. (switches to peaceful Junko) The name of their group is called the Vipers, named after the beautiful snake species. Not to mention their snake-like personalities. That name only fit too well.

Ninjoy: That's not important! What are you doing here?

Junko: (switches to cutesy Junko) Oh, little old me? I'm just here to deliver a message! Or... would Cooper like to do the honors?

Cooper: Wait, are you talking about... my talent?

Allan: Cooper, tell us! What's your talent?

Junko: Here, I'll give you a hint. Cooper, you're not exactly a student of Flip's Peak Academy.

Cooper: H-Hold on! What did you just-

Junko: And although you're not one of their students, you still have a talent! Surprise!

Cooper: I-I know what it is... but can I say it now?

Clover: Cooper, you can tell us...

Wylan B: Yeah! This is something we've all been waiting for!

Allan: Even you. You've waited since the beginning of this killing game to find out what it was.

Ninjoy: Cooper. Do what you think is right.

Cooper: I took a deep breath, honestly expecting another distraction like last time I was about to reveal my true talent.

...

Junko: (switches to game show host Junko) Aaaaand... anyday now, sunshine! We're all eagerly waiting to hear your final answer!

Cooper: Th-The truth is... I-I'm not... the Ultimate Lucky Student...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Cooper: ...I'm... I'm......... I'm the Ultimate... K-Kidnapper...

...

...

...

Cooper: Yep, I had just admitted it. You all heard me right. I'm the Ultimate Kidnapper.

Ninjoy: ...In other words, you're...

Allan: Salem de Adly?!

Clover: You're joking! I-I can't accept this!

Cooper: ...

Wylan B: So you're Salem de Adly? Like, you're a hundred percent sure?

Cooper: If what Gremmie said was true, then yes. I'm Salem de Adly. In other words... the mastermind of this killing game.

Allan: You... you kidnapped all of us from our dorm rooms to put us in the killing game!

Clover: I'm going to have to hear a reason for this, like seriously... why would somebody like Cooper ever do that?!

Cooper: ...I don't know. Gremmie never said.

Clover: For all we know, Gremmie could have been lying in that video!

Ninjoy: No. Gremmie was telling the truth.

Wylan B: But how do you know? You weren't the one with the special video! Unless... you know something we don't, Ninjoy.

Ninjoy: I don't. I do know this, however. Gremmie wouldn't go through all of the trouble to set up the videos. With the fingerprint lock, and the demand to watch them in secret... besides, we've learned that Gremmie didn't have bad intentions. He really was a good person who just wanted to save his family from Monokuma. So that's why Gremmie was telling the truth. Cooper really is Salem de Adly.

Wylan B: I-I'm going to need some explaining here... so is Cooper just a fake name, or is Salem just a-

Ninjoy: But it doesn't matter if Gremmie was telling the truth or not. He is mistaken.

Clover: M-Mistaken? You have evidence to prove that, right? Please... please say yes.

Ninjoy: Yes, I do have evidence. My evidence... is that man over there!

Cooper: My heart froze over once I saw Ninjoy's finger pointing at Papa Louie in his cage.

Papa Louie: N-Nin... joy...?

Ninjoy: Yeah, that's right. I'm Ninjoy. Now call me by my real name.

Allan: What?! You're going to be this open about your real identity?!

Papa Louie: ...

Ninjoy: See? This man is not Papa Louie.

Wylan B: He's an imposter, then?

Junko: (switches to depressed Junko) Ugh... can you give me some room to talk? Not that I want to, but...

Clover: Shut up! You're extra!

Junko: ...

Clover: Ninjoy, does Papa Louie know what your real name is?

Ninjoy: ...Yes. The real Papa Louie does. AKA, not him.

Papa Louie: ...

Junko: ...

Wylan B: What's with those two...? They've been staring at each other ever since Ninjoy said something.

Papa Louie: ...

Junko: ...

Papa Louie: ...!

Junko: Ah, I know why you seem so familiar.

Cooper: What...?

Junko: Here, let me open that cage for you.

Allan: R-Really?

Cooper: Silence filled the room as we waited for the dull creak of the cage open. Papa Louie hopped down and stood in front of us with pain in his eyes.

Clover: P-Papa Louie!!!

Cooper: Save for Ninjoy, we all ran over to hug the man, after being freed from his cage. Two weeks he was stuck in there, and possibly even longer... but we hugged him. But... but... he wasn't hugging back.

Papa Louie: ...

Junko: (switches to Monokuma Junko) Puhuhu... reveal your facade now, sir, or else I'm going to have to punish you!

Papa Louie: ...My facade?

Junko: Ten... nine... eight...

Papa Louie: ...You're serious.

Junko: Seven... sixfivefour... three...

Papa Louie: Fine. You win, Junko.

Ninjoy: ...I knew it.

Cooper: Papa Louie took off his chef hat to reveal not a bald head, but a head covered with short brown hair. And then... he pulled off his fake mustache.

???: ...

Ninjoy: Now, tell us your real name.

???: ...

Ninjoy: T-Tonight, please! TELL US NOW!

Cooper: ...I've never heard Ninjoy snap at anyone like that before.

???: M-My name...

Ninjoy: ...!

???: My name... is.........Hajime Hinata. I'm the Hero.

Cooper: Y-You...

Allan: You're... Hajime? The Hero?

Clover: You're the headmaster of Flip's Peak Academy?!

Ninjoy: ...Wait, you're... not...

Hajime: I know how it may seem, but I can promise you that I'm a trustworthy person, and that I'm here to protect you.

Junko: (switches to punk rock Junko) THAT'S why you looked familiar! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! You're really Hajime Hinata, that Reserve Course good-for-nothing who defeated my previous AI! (switches to cowgirl Junko) And how rude that was! Y'all should be learning a little something called respect!

Hajime: Let me tell you what I know... unless Ninjoy wants to go first.

Ninjoy: ...No. I'll save that for later. I just don't think I'm ready to say it yet.

Cooper: ...Go ahead, Mr. Hinata. I want to hear everything you know.

Hajime: Hajime is fine... Mr. Hinata just makes me feel old. After the other participants of the Killing School Trip and I ended the war of despair, I moved to America to found Flip's Peak Academy along with four of my friends. We became the Council of Ultimates. Soon after the school finished preparation and began to function smoothly, we got word that a killing game was planned to be set in America.

Clover: What did you do?

Hajime: Using information from our source, I discovered that Papa Louie was to be captured, and to be used as a way to give the students food, as well as be the main aspect of one of the motives.

Cooper: That motive... was kill until Papa Louie dies, or we all starve to death.

Ninjoy: But... what did you do with the real Papa Louie?!

Hajime: I'm getting there, please be patient. After meeting up with Papa Louie... I discovered that I am actually his twin.

Ninjoy: H-Hang on... did you say "twin?!"

Wylan B: That doesn't add up... he's Italian and you're Japanese!

Hajime: It's not that hard to figure out. Our mother was Japanese, and our father was Italian. I was put up for adoption when I was two weeks old, and a woman from Japan adopted me and named me Hajime Hinata.

Clover: Seriously! That's so interesting... what's your real name?

Junko: It's Wilbert.

Wylan B: H-HEY!

Junko: (switches to nerdy lisp Junko) Juuusht kidding! Jusht trying to lighten up the mood a little bit! Sho... let'sh shtop talking about Hajime's shtupid life shtory and let'sh get to the intereshting partsh, like Shalem de Adly!

Clover: Stop that! You're "sherioushly" getting on my nerves!

Junko: Then my work here ish done!

Clover: Boy, I'd sure hope so...

Hajime: Anyway... ever since I learned that Papa Louie was to be kidnapped for this killing game, I switched places with him. He taught me how to cook, and I taught him how to run Flip's Peak in my place.

Allan: The old switcheroo, huh?

Hajime: Even though I'm Japanese and he's Italian, we both look quite similar. Ninjoy found out that I'm not actually Papa Louie last night, but I'm glad that my disguise held up for that long.

Ninjoy: So... you're not really the mastermind, Hajime?

Hajime: No. From what I understand, Cooper is definitely the mastermind.

Cooper: N-No...

Ninjoy: So where is Papa Louie right now?

Hajime: He should be with the Council of Ultimates in the Finale bunker...

Allan: Finale bunker?

Hajime: I guess I should formally introduce myself. My name is Hajime Hinata, the founder of the Finale. Do you all know what the Future Foundation is?

Clover: My parents told me about it when I was in elementary school, but I didn't understand what it was...

Hajime: It's an organization created by the survivors of despair to help end the Tragedy. But of course, that's in Japan. That's why I created the Finale: the American Future Foundation.

Wylan B: Why is it called the Finale?

Hajime: We want to put an end to the despair that is going on outside of this world. That's why I swapped places with Papa Louie. Not just to protect him from the killing game, but to learn the motives of the mastermind, Cooper.

Cooper: Hey, Junko... tell us about the Tragedy.

Junko: Oh, seriously? This is my favorite part! Ahem... ahem ahem ahem... AHEEEEMMM!!!

Clover: Can you hurry up and get your throat cleared faster? That would help.

Junko: I don't like you.

Clover: Oh ho ho, the feeling's way over mutual.

Junko: Anyways... The Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event In Human History. That name ring a bell?

Cooper: ...I've heard that before...

Junko: It was pretty much anarchy out there when The Tragedy happened. Everyone resorted to violence, because of their random anti-talent movement, or whatever. I really don't want to talk about it.

Ninjoy: Isn't that convenient? Junko Enoshima, you tell us everything you know!

Junko: I'll tell you most things that I know. Deal?

Ninjoy: ...Continue.

Junko: Well, I could explain every little detail, but just know that The Tragedy's over.

Cooper: That's not true.

Junko: Oh?

Cooper: If there's no Tragedy outside... then what did Monokuma show us that one time?!

(FLASHBACK)

Cooper: Huh? Suddenly, the monitors turned on, and displayed a sickening image. The roads had infinite cracks, the grass was burnt, nearby building were on fire, the sky was crimson, blood was splattered on the camera, and bodies lined the ground.

Clover: Ah... AHH!! B-Blood! P-People are dying...

Cooper: N-No... Suddenly, a girl with her hair burnt out ran up to the camera, picked it up, and we could see her distorted expression of fear and pain.

???: I-Is somebody watching this?! Please... HELP ME!

Cooper: P-P...P...

???: AAAAAAHHH!!!

Cooper: She dodged a bloody knife from the side and fell over. The monitor turned off in an instant. We were left in total silence.

...

Cooper: ...P-Pru...dence...?

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Cooper: My friend was attacked on-screen, and... and that can't be normal! Nothing about that video was normal! That had to have been during The Tragedy!

Junko: You're mistaken. Do any of you remember The Tragedy during your childhoods?

Allan: O-Of course not...

Junko: The Tragedy happened such a long time ago. What's happening right now? This is pretty much the Tragedy's revival.

Ninjoy: So... there's actually two incidents? The Tragedy... and the...

Cooper: The Revival. That's what this incident is called, right?

Junko: (switches to hippie Junko) Yes... the major event occuring outside is the Revival.

Wylan B: Cooper, how did you know? Did Gremmie tell you?

Cooper: No... he didn't... I just remembered seeing that name on the back of that book cover... the one about The Lost Case!

Clover: Now that you mention it, I remember too! So the Tragedy is still going on? For how long?

Ninjoy: I distinctly remember Hajime telling us that we were captured four years ago. Was that when it started?

Allan: No, the day we were captured was the day of The Lost Case... could they have been the same day?

Cooper: ...Can I ask something?

Junko: Yes. I have all the answers you need.

Cooper: Why am I Salem?

Junko: Oh, I know that one!

Cooper: I-Is it something I want to know...?

Junko: (switches to despair Junko) You survived Gremmie's trial. And this was one of the truths he was preparing you for. So you are the only one who can answer that question.

Cooper: Y-Yeah... go ahead and tell me.

Junko: Cooper... Salem is your alter ego.

Allan: H-Hang on... alter ego?!

Clover: As in... he has an alternate personality?!

Junko: Yeah, Salem's just another boring personality. No biggie.

Wylan B: ...

Cooper: I was just as shocked as Wylan B... completely speechless. Probably just like him, I was immediately reminded of Utah...

Junko: And you wanna know the best part? You became Salem by complete chance!

Cooper: H-How...?!

Ninjoy: Wait! Explain this! How did Cooper just randomly get an evil personality?

Cooper: ...

Hangman's Gambit #2

D-E-S-P-A-I-R   S-P-I-C-E

DESPAIR SPICE

Cooper: NOW I UNDERSTAND! I was given Despair Spice, wasn't I? That's... that's how I'm Salem...

Junko: (switches to Monokuma Junko) Puhuhu... you're correct! You were just some random dude that took some special Despair Spice! And that's how you became Salem de Adly. You were an important factor in starting the Revival, and you were the person who kidnapped everyone to take to the killing game!

Cooper: ...! N-No! I-I started... the Revival...?

Ninjoy: ...

Allan: ...

Clover: ...

Wylan B: ...

Hajime: E-Everyone, you shouldn't...

Cooper: Shouldn't what?! I want to hear you say it! I stormed over and thrust a finger onto Hajime's chest. I couldn't see his expression; it was clouded by tears.

Ninjoy: C-Cooper! Get away from him!

Cooper: I just found out that I'm the cause of all this mess! And what, you expect me to be... to be... what?! CALM?! AT A TIME LIKE THIS?! FORGET IT!!!

Hajime: Cooper...

Cooper: Don't even try to empathise with me! I returned to my podium without the slightest feeling of guilt. Everyone looked at me weird, but I feel like I deserve to have lashed out. All this is just too perfect! How did I just randomly take some Despair Spice? And how... what did you mean by "special"?

Junko: (switches to edgy Junko) Okay, I can see that you're angry. Chill, will you? I'll tell you. So, you remember that person flying the helicopter in the Virtual World?

Cooper: The person flying that helicopter... they were with the Salem NPC...

Junko: They're the true mastermind of this whole situation. Think of it as... a double ventriloquism. They controlled you, while you controlled Gremmie. Cool, huh?

Ninjoy: What did they do?

Junko: They were the one to slip you some Despair Spice!

Cooper: How? Why me...? How did they find-?

Junko: Can't say anything about them. But about this Despair Spice... it was genetically engineered to act as a hypnotism weapon.

Cooper: A hypnotism weapon?

Junko: You know, like... when I snap, you'll talk in Spanish for the next two minutes? This time, a certain trigger word unleashed your inner Salem!

Allan: I-Inner Salem?! You're kidding... so this stupid hypnotism Despair Spice is the true cause of the Revival?!

Clover: What's his trigger word?

Junko: Well, I mean, I could tell you what it is... but then I'd awaken Salem, and he'd most likely kill you all. Just saying, I mean, I totally saved your lives right now.

Clover: H-Hajime... you don't know it, do you?

Hajime: No, but... even if I did, Junko's right. I'd never awaken Salem now.

Cooper: This... this is impossible...

Ninjoy: I know... but...

Cooper: But what? I don't want to hear it...

Ninjoy: But... Junko said something strange earlier.

Junko: Wuzzat?

Ninjoy: You said that Salem kidnapped us to bring us to the killing game... but we're in Flip's Peak Academy! And we were kidnapped from Flip's Peak as well! So how does that work?!

Junko: ...You really haven't figured it out by now?

Ninjoy: H-How could I?

Junko: Oh... so you fell for Gremmie's lie after all.

Allan: Wh-What lie?

Junko: The lie regarding Flip's Peak's renovation. That lie.

Ninjoy: The renovation... was a lie? So... that means that...

Cooper: S-Seriously?! I... I figured it out...

Ninjoy: Me too... it means that this isn't Flip's Peak at all!

Wylan B: We're not in Flip's Peak?! Th-That's wrong! We ARE in Flip's Peak!

Clover: Gremmie wasn't lying! The place got renovated! Right, Hajime?

Hajime: ...

Clover: H-Hajime...?

Hajime: Gremmie wasn't lying. He just believed a lie that Monokuma created.

Cooper: If this isn't Flip's Peak... then where are we?

Allan: Are we still in America?

Junko: (switches to teacher Junko) Technically, we aren't on any of the seven continents.

Clover: How is that possible?!

Wylan B: We're not, like, in outer space or anything, are we?

Junko: No. You're overthinking this, Wylan B. You're all inside a Flip's Peak decoy...

...

Junko: ...at the bottom of the ocean.

Ninjoy: At the bottom... of the ocean.

Junko: (switches to cutesy Junko) I know, right? Did you guys see any exotic fish down here?

Wylan B: I-It's not like we can see the water from inside here! Wait... what am I saying? Like I believe this psycho!

Cooper: ...No... Junko's telling the truth. We're underwater.

Allan: Can you prove that?

The water-surrounded elevator
(continues below)

The lack of internet
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Our drinking water
Allan: ...That doesn't sound right in the slightest.
Cooper: Crap, that's not right! I better try again and get it right this time so I won't make a fool of myself again.

Cooper: Yeah, I can prove it. The elevator is our proof!

Clover: The elevator? You don't mean the water around the elevator, do you?

Cooper: That's exactly what I mean. The water that we can see through the glass elevator... is pure ocean water!

Wylan B: How do you know that for sure?

Cooper: I remember seeing a small fish in the water one time.

Ninjoy: What's more, there's more evidence of us being underwater.

Allan: And that would be...?

Ninjoy: Fountain Hall. Normally, you'd gather water to bring to Flip's Peak just to complete Fountain Hall. But if we're underwater, there's no need. All you'd have to do is use some of the ocean water for the fountains.

Hajime: That's just what you did, right, Junko?

Junko: Who, me? I didn't build any of this. Stop putting the blame on me, you meanie-weenies!

Hajime: Oh... that's right.

Cooper: I built this place... didn't I?

Junko: Yeah! Totally. You and your partner built this entire place underwater, styled after the real Flip's Peak Academy! Then, after you two kidnapped everyone, you brought them here! You trapped those fifteen students here, along with yourself! Of course, your partner turned you back into regular old Cooper before leaving.

Cooper: O-Of course I did...

Ninjoy: Cooper... don't be so hard on yourself.

Cooper: ...

Ninjoy: Hajime, you told us that we were captured four years ago.

Hajime: That I did.

Ninjoy: So what did we do for those four years?

Hajime: ...If only I knew... my memory of those four years were apparently erased as well.

Ninjoy: Junko... what did we do?

Junko: (switches to queen Junko) We are shocked at your utter stupidity! Why are you asking us? You've already seen pictures of it, haven't you?

Cooper: ...Pictures...? Could it be? You're talking about... the Izuru Collage!

Hajime: I-Izuru...

Ninjoy: The Izuru feature on the third floor, correct? In the mall-like setting.

(FLASHBACK)

Akari: Look around some more, it's a collage!

Cooper: A collage? Of what?

Akari: Ugh... I'm sick of this guy already. It's Izuru Kamukura.

Cooper: A collage... of Izuru?

Akari: Wh-WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

Cooper: Don't be surprised... you said it first.

Akari: Not that... look a little closer! These pictures... I'm in them!

Cooper: ...And so am I! And Ninjoy, and Gremmie, and Scooter, and Wylan B, and Chuck, and Utah... it's all of us!

Akari: But... that's impossible! We never knew each other before the killing game!

Cooper: Our memories erased... but when we all woke up, that was our first day of school, wasn't it? Wasn't it?

Akari: D-Don't ask me!

Cooper: But still... we don't look very happy.

Akari: Whoa... it's just like those old war photographs where nobody smiles.

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Cooper: It included pictures of us, but in the shape of Izuru Kamukura. And in those pictures... we never smiled. We looked depressed. So... we were stuck here for four years? Is that what you're suggesting, Junko?

Junko: But where would you even be stuck?

Cooper: ...I know a place.

Wylan B: Really? Where?!

Cooper: Only I would know. Because I was stuck there for two full days.

Allan: Th-The Abyss...! That's where we were trapped for four years?!

Junko: Correctamondo!

Wylan B: It's correcta"mundo", not correcta"mondo"!

Junko: Let me tell you a story from your prison days at the Abyss. It'll reveal some pretty interesting stuff, okay? Open your ears!

(FLASHBACK)

Utah: Ugh! I can't stand another minute of this!

Alberto: Tell me about it... it's my own fault for applying for a stupid school like this!

Clover: G-Guys, it's not your fault... it's whoever trapped us down here.

Cooper: She's right... we had better find out soon enough!

Junko: But little did Cooper know that he was the cause of all this. Puhuhu... how despairing!

Timm: This is the worst...

Monokuma: A little boredom never killed anybody! Just eat your meal and hush!

Allan: Tch... are you serious? You call this brown slop on a plastic blue tray... a meal? That's rich.

Elle: It's disgusting...

Deano: I'm not one to be picky about my meals, but... I have to agree. I promise, I will get to the bottom of this once I find out who caused all this.

Chuck: How tasteless... I shouldn't be here...

Scooter: It's not usually like me to be in such low spirits...

Akari: I know, right? I'm just trying to make the best out of this, but... I just can't.

Wylan B: Get me out of here! I can't take this anymore!

Ninjoy: (grabs Wylan B's shoulders) Please, Wylan... calm yourself.

Wylan B: I-It's Wylan B...! LET ME GO!

Xandra: ...It is wise to listen to Ninjoy. She seems to have the coolest head out of us few. If we don't want to resort to insanity... we need a leader figure in the group.

Tohru: Yeah... I agree.

Gremmie: ...Okay, I'm done.

Cooper: Gremmie, what are you-?

Gremmie: I said I'm done. I want out.

Junko: Keep in mind that Gremmie's just an ordinary student here. He doesn't know anything about the killing game.

Gremmie: I'm going to kill this son of a bear and get us out!

Monokuma: E-Excuse me?!

Gremmie: Somebody throw me a fork!

Cooper: Nobody did... Gremmie had lost it.

Gremmie: I said, throw me a fork, dang it! I'm trying to get us all out of here!

Cooper: We stayed still. He ended up reaching over to the table, and knocked a tray over trying to grab a fork. He began stabbing and scraping Monokuma with it as he held him up against the wall.

Monokuma: Y-You...! This is wrong...!

Gremmie: You... had better let us out!

Monokuma: HRAGH!

Gremmie: -Agh...!

Cooper: Monokuma's hand turned into a metal collar and wrapped its way around Gremmie's neck. Monokuma hopped to the ground, and ran towards the elevator that never worked for us. Gremmie was dragged with him.

Gremmie: G-Guys... help me! P-Please, I can't-!

Tohru: G-Gremmie! I'm coming!

Cooper: Me, Ninjoy, Tohru, and Allan all ended up running after Gremmie as he was pulled into the elevator. But we were too late. Gremmie laid unconscious in the elevator as the doors closed. I kneeled down and banged on the door as tears formed in my eyes. G-Gremmie's... h-he's... help...

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Cooper: ...

Ninjoy: ...

Junko: He got a good scolding by Monokuma after that, let me tell you. He told Gremmie about his plan for the killing game, and that's when he was recruited as Monokuma's mole.

Allan: S-So... the reason why Gremmie was forced to play the mastermind... was because he was trying to save us?!

Clover: That's horrible! He shouldn't have... h-he didn't need to...

Hajime: Allan... can I say something? Before this gets any more extreme... this needs to be said.

Allan: What could possibly be important enough to interrupt something like this...?

Hajime: It's... about your motive for stabbing Ninjoy.

Ninjoy: What...?

Allan: W-Wasn't it just... wanting to protect Flip's Peak from outsiders?

Hajime: That's... part of the whole story. Allan, you may not remember it... but you were a member of Finale.

Allan: F-Finale...?

Cooper: You really didn't remember?

Allan: Y-You didn't remember Salem!

Hajime: Allan, we wanted to recruit a Flip's Peak student to Finale in case an event such as the Tragedy or Finale should break out.

Allan: So... I tried to kill Ninjoy because I was a member of Finale?

Hajime: We ordered you to. Me, and the other four Council of Ultimates are the leaders of Finale. To protect Flip's Peak, we wanted you to kill Ninjoy and remove any traces that she was there. Granted, you failed your mission, but... you did loyally finish it at the same time.

Junko: Okay, is that it?

Allan: What are you talking about?

Junko: I guess everything's been explained, so let me go ahead and tell you what graduation's gonna be like.

Cooper: Graduation?

Ninjoy: All of us are going to escape... aren't we?

Junko: (switches to Monokuma Junko) Puhuhu... puhuhuhu... PAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! Oh man, you should already know! Not all of you are escaping!

Wylan B: M-Monokuma was serious?

Clover: C-Cooper... is he gonna...?!

Cooper: Gremmie told me this... in order for everyone else to escape... one person needs to be executed.

Clover: ...

Ninjoy: ...

Allan: ...

Wylan B: ...

Hajime: ...If it means that the five of you will escape, then I'll volunteer to be executed.

Cooper: No, Hajime. Let me!

Allan: C-Cooper...!

Clover: Don't... say that...

Wylan B: You're kidding!

Ninjoy: STOP! Don't do it, Cooper!

Cooper: Ninjoy...?

Ninjoy: I... I can't let you die!

Cooper: ...

Ninjoy: ...

Hajime: Cooper, please. Let me die in your place.

Cooper: No. I need to die. Gremmie told me that I needed to.

Ninjoy: Don't listen to Gremmie! Listen to your heart, Cooper!

Cooper: ...My heart is a wicked thing.

Ninjoy: ...!

Cooper: Why should I listen to it at all? From now on, I only listen to reason. Everyone, let me die for you all! You all need to escape!

Ninjoy: No! You need to escape with us! I'll be... executed...

Clover: Cooper, please! Rethink this!

Wylan B: We need you with us out there!

Allan: Salem or not, you survived with us for the past two weeks, and we're not going to throw another life away like that!

Ninjoy: Our best option... we need to stay down here for the rest of our lives! We have food and water... and most importantly, each other! Cooper... don't sacrifice yourself for us!

Cooper: We need to end the Tragedy. We need to end the Killing School Revival. Please, Ninjoy... listen to me!

Junko: It's like... you're split.

Cooper: Sp-Split...?

Wylan B: O-Oh no... you're not going to hold...?!

Cooper: Yes! We have to hold a Debate Scrum! If it will convince you all to vote for me as the blackened, then we need to do it!

Ninjoy: ...Fine. I accept to holding a Debate Scrum. But ONLY as a chance to convince you to stay down here with all of us!

Cooper and Ninjoy: I know what's best! You have to believe me!

Cooper: ...!

Ninjoy: ...!

Junko: Puhuhu! Hold onto your podiums, kids! We're blasting off... in five! Four! Three! Two! One point five! One point one zero three seven! One!

Debate Scrum

Cooper: Our podiums lifted for the final time. Our final Debate Scrum. I need to convince them to vote for me. It's the only option that's for the better. We passed through the courtroom of red and black, and of death... and we entered the Debate Scrum room. The illuminated blocks were turned off, and we could barely see. The light of the chandelier below us was our only light source, as well as the lights from our podium tablets. The question on my tablet was, "Should we vote for Cooper?" I picked yes. Ninjoy, Wylan B, Allan, and Clover... all picked no. It was me against them. I have to win! There's no other option!

Junko: Your final Debate Scrum begins... now!

Side Lunar: Cooper, Scooter, Elle, Deano, Timm, Utah, Xandra, Gremmie

Side Solar: Ninjoy, Allan, Clover, Wylan B, Alberto, Tohru, Chuck, Akari

Ninjoy: Please reconsider this! We can't let you die!

Allan: You're our friend, and we can't allow you to just sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason!

Clover: You can't do this! You don't understand how we feel!

Wylan B: It's like Ninjoy said! We can stay down here so everyone lives!

Cooper: It's going to be hard, but... I'll try my best to change their minds!

Ninjoy: Please reconsider this! We can't let you die!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Allan: You're our friend, and we can't allow you to just sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Clover: You can't do this! You don't understand how we feel!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Wylan B: It's like Ninjoy said! We can stay down here so everyone lives!

Cooper: We can't stay down here! I need you all to go to the surface to end the Revival!

...

...

...

Cooper: THIS IS MY ANSWER!

Wylan B: I... I finally understand. As hard as it is, we have to accept it. Cooper's been an amazing pal along the way, and... I trust him. I'll fight with him from now on!

Debate Scrum - Part 2

(Wylan B has joined your side!)

Side Lunar: Cooper, Wylan B, Scooter, Elle, Timm, Utah, Xandra, Gremmie

Side Solar: Ninjoy, Allan, Clover, Deano, Alberto, Tohru, Chuck, Akari

Ninjoy: Please reconsider this! We can't let you die!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Allan: You're our friend, and we can't allow you to just sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Clover: You can't do this! You don't understand how we feel!

Wylan B: We do understand how you feel! We've suffered painful deaths already!

Clover: It's like Ninjoy said! We can stay down here so everyone lives!

Cooper: We can't stay down here! I need you all to go to the surface to end the Revival!

...

...

...

Cooper and Wylan B: THIS IS OUR ANSWER!

Clover: It feels wrong... but now I feel like I understand Cooper. If it's for the better future, then Cooper needs to be sacrificed! I feel like a monster saying it, but it's for the good of the world! I'll stand by Cooper's side from now on!

Debate Scrum - Part 3

(Clover has joined your side!)

Side Lunar: Cooper, Wylan B, Clover, Scooter, Elle, Timm, Utah, Gremmie

Side Solar: Ninjoy, Allan, Xandra, Deano, Alberto, Tohru, Chuck, Akari

Ninjoy: Please reconsider this! We can't let you die!

Cooper: ...Crap! I can't think of a way to rebut this!

Allan: You're our friend, and we can't allow you to just sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason!

Clover: It's not a stupid reason! It's for the good of the world! We have to do our part to help save it!

Allan: You can't do this! You don't understand how we feel!

Wylan B: We do understand how you feel! We've suffered painful deaths already!

Allan: It's like Ninjoy said! We can stay down here so everyone lives!

Cooper: We can't stay down here! I need you all to go to the surface to end the Revival!

...

...

...

Cooper, Wylan B, Clover: THIS IS OUR ANSWER!

Allan: I've been foolish for too long. I need to start thinking about priorities. Cooper's giving us this chance, and we can't miss it! And when he dies... I'll carry him with me!

Debate Scrum - Part 4

(Allan has joined your side!)

Side Lunar: Cooper, Wylan B, Clover, Allan, Scooter, Timm, Utah, Gremmie

Side Solar: Ninjoy, Elle, Xandra, Deano, Alberto, Tohru, Chuck, Akari

Ninjoy: Please reconsider this! I can't let you die!

Allan: Everybody dies eventually. But we won't let Cooper die in vain! I can promise you that!

Ninjoy: You're my friend, and I can't allow you to just sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason!

Clover: It's not a stupid reason! It's for the good of the world! We have to do our part to help save it!

Ninjoy: You can't do this! You don't understand how I feel!

Wylan B: We do understand how you feel! We've suffered painful deaths already!

Ninjoy: It's like I said! We can stay down here so everyone lives!

Cooper: We can't stay down here! I need you all to go to the surface to end the Revival!

...

...

...

Cooper, Wylan B, Clover, Allan: THIS IS OUR ANSWER!

...

...

...

Ninjoy: Wh-Who am I?

???: I'm you...

Ninjoy: A-Are you...?!

???: I'm the you who's been wanting to come out since day one. And you have to trust me. You need to stop masking your emotions. You have to show the world who you are. You need to show the world who you. You need to show the world who-

Ninjoy: STOP!

Debate Scrum - Grand Finale

Side Lunar: Joy

Side Solar: Ninjoy

Ninjoy: We brought each other through the killing game. How can I just accept his death like that?

Ninjoy: Isn't staying here a better solution? Someone else can end the Revival...

Ninjoy: It isn't his fault that he's Salem, so he shouldn't have to die...

Ninjoy: I want him to stay alive! I need him here with me!

Ninjoy: I'm not going to tell the world who I am! I'm... I'm a coward...

Joy: I knew it... she's defiant. But I need to show her hope... I'm not backing down now! I'm doing this for you, Ninjoy, and for Cooper! Let's end this! This... this class trial... this killing game... and this persona!

Ninjoy: We brought each other through the killing game. How can I just accept his death like that?

Joy: Carry him with you. You'll never forget him or his sacrifice.

Ninjoy: Isn't staying here a better solution? Someone else can end the Revival...

Joy: Pushing the struggle to a better future on someone else isn't hope... this is something that needs to be done! You can do this for everyone!

Ninjoy: It isn't his fault that he's Salem, so he shouldn't have to die...

Joy: But that just shows you how generous and selfless he is. He's willing to die... for you, Ninjoy. Don't let that sacrifice go to waste!

Ninjoy: I want him to stay alive! I need him here with me!

Joy: If you love someone, let them go. But never forget him.

Ninjoy: I'm not going to tell the world who I am! I'm... I'm a coward...

Joy: You're no coward, Joy! You are a strong young woman who can do anything! You have the map... now follow it to hope!

Ninjoy: ...

Joy: THIS IS MY ANSWER!

BREAK!!!

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: So? Everyone's really okay with this?

Allan: Yes.

Clover: It's going to be hard, but... if it's for a good cause, then...

Wylan B: Yeah, I'll be okay with this... I-I just can't believe that you have to...

Cooper: ...Ninjoy? What about you?

Ninjoy: ...

Cooper: N-Ninjoy?

Ninjoy: ...I've stayed silent for too long. If these are the last moments that I'm going to spend with Cooper, then this is something that he needs to know. ...No. Don't call me Ninjoy.

Clover: H-Huh?

Ninjoy: I'm ready to tell you guys who I really am. My real name is Joy.

Cooper: Joy... That's really your real name?

Joy: Y-Yeah... I heard everyone gasp as I untied my mask and dropped it onto the floor by my feet. No more lies. From now on, I'm taking over.

Wylan B: Wh-Whoa...

Clover: Joy, you're... really pretty!

Joy: Thanks, Clover. I can't believe it... it almost feels wrong to act like this. I'm... free! I can finally live on as Joy!

Hajime: ...So you really are Joy.

Joy: H-Hajime? ...Oh, that's right. You said that you're his twin brother, right?

Hajime: That's right.

Joy: So... that makes you... my second uncle...?

Allan: H-Hang on! How does that make him your second uncle?

Cooper: ...!

Joy: Did you figure it out too, Cooper?

Cooper: Yeah... you're Papa Louie's niece, aren't you?

Joy: Yeah, that's right.

Clover: J-Jeez... my mind is just... beyond blown right now! Papa Louie is your uncle?! That's amazing!

Wylan B: That must feel awesome being related to the most popular chef in America, right?

Joy: Not necessarily... I shrugged that conversation off as I turned to Hajime. I-Is it safe to call him Uncle Hajime now?

Hajime: I'm so glad to finally get to see you.

Joy: Me too. Can I call you...?

Hajime: Ha ha ha... call me anything you'd like.

Joy: Okay... Uncle Hajime. We stared at each other... and then we embraced. I hugged him as tight as I could, and he did the same. I didn't want to let go. It felt like an eternity before we did... and then we just looked at each other.

Hajime: ...

Joy: W-Wow... I can actually see a bit of Uncle Louie in your face.

Hajime: Really? You think so?

Joy: You've even got his eyes!

Hajime: ...H-His eyes? No... I don't.

Junko: Take them out! Take them out!

Joy: T-Take what out? As I turned back to face Uncle Hajime, he stuck two fingers towards his eyes. He's not going to... pull them out, is he?

Hajime: ...There.

Joy: H-Huh? He had taken out two contacts that make your eyes look a different color. And then I saw what his true eye color was. Or rather, his eye colors. One was green... and the other was red. Wh-What happened to your eye?!

Hajime: It's just a memento from my Izuru days... I'm kind of glad it's here. I kind of like it.

Junko: Okay, is this stupid family reunion over?! Let's get this overwith.

Cooper: I agree. Junko, you have to execute me!

Junko: Yes! Finally! Let's get to the punishment ti-

Allan: We're... finally escaping, guys!

Junko: ...Hold on.

Clover: Cooper, when we leave, we won't forget you!

Junko: Hold... on... one second... hmmm...

Wylan B: I'm sure going to miss you, bro.

Cooper: I'm going to miss you too, Wylan B. I'll miss every one of you.

Junko: STOP THIS!

Joy: Her scream echoed throughout the room. The echo was horrid... she was beginning to crack.

Junko: Y-You're not supposed to be enjoying this! You're supposed to be sad about your friend dying! This killing game is supposed to end in DESPAIR!

Joy: Says who? You're powerless here.

Junko: That's not true! I'm the one who has complete control over the door to the escape pods!

Allan: Escape pods?

Junko: We're underwater, remember? There's five escape pods that are set up behind a hidden door in this academy. If I don't get the ending that I want, then that hidden door will remain hidden, and it will remain closed!

Joy: I don't get it... what are we supposed to do to leave? The killing game has to end with an execution! And even if you get an execution... then you still might not let us escape?!

Junko: (switches to teacher Junko) Exactly. There's nothing you can do as long as you can accept the death.

Wylan B: Wh-Who says I can accept the d-death? I'm... gonna cry...

Junko: Nice try, but faking it isn't going to work.

Cooper: Junko, this isn't fair. If nobody escapes after an execution, then this killing game won't end properly!

Junko: Of course it will. I'm changing the rules.

Allan: What rule are you adding?!

Junko: This is how the killing game is going to end. Rule #22! The final class trial of this killing game will result in everyone's death, or nobody's death. Either way, nobody is going to escape this killing game!

Clover: (crying) Wh-What...?!

Hajime: You have no right to change the rules, Junko Enoshima. You are not the mastermind, Cooper is. Now that Monokuma is down, Cooper's the only person who is able to change the rules of the killing game.

Cooper: H-He's right! I'm going to change the rules RIGHT NOW! R-Rule #22... Junko Enoshima has to-

Junko: No, Cooper isn't the mastermind. Salem is.

Cooper: B-But I am Salem! I have to be able to change the rules!

Junko: You're Salem, but you aren't right now! And I could say the word that triggers you to turn into Salem thanks to that special Despair Spice, but I don't have to.

Joy: Wh-Why not?!

Junko: Why exactly would I do that? If Salem's here, then I wouldn't have the highest authority! That's the perks of having the true mastermind to be just an alternate personality!

Cooper: I-Impossible...

Junko: So, yeah. I can do whatever I want. Because... (switches to Monokuma Junko) I'm Monokuma! Puhuhu!

Clover: That doesn't give you power! You're just pretending to be Monokuma!

Junko: But I pretty much invented him, you know? So, in a way, I have power over Monokuma! So... let me change the rules. Either you all die, or you all stay trapped in this decoy school for all of eternity!

Cooper: H-How do we...?

Wylan B: Ninjoy, what do we...?

Joy: It's Joy.

Wylan B: S-Sorry... I'm just so used to calling you Ninjoy that I... ah, what's the use...

Allan: We seriously can't do anything to escape this school?

Cooper: Not unless Junko decides otherwise...

Junko: Finally! THIS is the despair I was waiting for!

Cooper: Hajime... even you don't know the word to turn me into Salem?

Hajime: I'm sorry, but I already told you. I don't know the trigger word. But even if I did, it's too dangerous to summon Salem now. Chances are that he'd kill all of us just for the fun of it.

Clover: Salem sounds like a really s-sick dude...

Hajime: He really is...

Clover: And... we can't execute anyone, or else Junko will have the rest of us executed... right?

Allan: That's right... it's pointless to even try to sacrifice ourselves.

Wylan B: So... our only option is to just live down here forever, isn't it?

Cooper: Yeah, I guess so...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Joy: What is WRONG with you all?!

Cooper: Joy...?!

Joy: I actually miss him saying "N-Ninjoy?!" It just feels so familiar to me... but I can't wish for that now. I've left Ninjoy behind. Where is your hope, everyone?

Junko: What?! Don't say that word! That word doesn't belong in Flip's Peak Academy anymore!

Joy: And I'm here to change that. Everyone, please! We need to think of another way around this! We can't just give up!

Hajime: That's the spirit, Joy! You remind me of him, you know.

Joy: Him?

Hajime: Makoto Naegi. The most hopeful person I've ever met in my life.

Joy: B-But... you get that from just that one sentence?

Hajime: No. I've watched you play this killing game. The things you've said, the actions you've taken, the hope you've spread... you really are like Makoto.

Cooper: Hey, Joy?

Joy: Cooper?

Cooper: Remember when we talked about changing your title to the Ultimate Guardian?

(FLASHBACK)

Ninjoy: Ninjoy, the new Ultimate Guardian? Haha, I quite like the ring to that.

Allan: It suits you, I gotta say.

Wylan B: Yeah, you should keep it! As your new Ultimate title, that is.

Clover: I like it. It's kinda like a memoir of Xandra. Even though what she did was wrong, she did it for the future of the other Ultimates. So, what do you think?

Ninjoy: No, I'm still the Ultimate Thief. Ultimate Guardian isn't my new talent, but it's my new goal. I promise to protect you all.

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Joy: Y-Yeah... but I declined it. Even though I would've wanted to keep that title as a memoir of Xandra, it would have been disrespectful to take her Ultimate title like that.

Cooper: Well, I have a better idea. You wanted to be an Ultimate so badly, so you've finally earned it!

Joy: Wh-What are you talking about?

Cooper: Ninjoy, you're the Ultimate Hope! That's what I'm saying!

Joy: U-Ultimate Hope?

Hajime: That was Makoto's talent after the killing game... and Izuru's as well. But I must say, the Ultimate Hope does suit you as well, Joy. Welcome to the Ultimates.

Joy: R-Really?! You mean it?

Wylan B: I really like it, too.

Clover: Congratulations, Joy!

Allan: So in other words, you're just the Ultimate Lucky Student who didn't go through a lottery and actually got a talent for their personality? Pretty much?

Clover: A-Allan! I'm about to smack you in the face for that!

Allan: Chill. I was joking.

Clover: G-Good. So was I, actually. Haha!

Allan: I guess what I'm trying to say is that... we're all proud of you, Joy. And we're proud and honored that we get to call you by your real name. To Joy, everyone.

Cooper, Allan, Wylan B, Clover, Hajime: To Joy!

Junko: UGGGGH! No! No no no no no NO! There's too much positivity and hope in this room! It's making me SICK!

Joy: Come on, everyone. Let's put our heads together and find a way out of this! We're all going to escape together, whether Junko likes it or not!

Cooper: If we're going to find a way out of this, we need to focus on Junko's rules. Maybe we can find a loophole.

Clover: The rule that... either we all die or none of us die?

Wylan B: Th-There's no loophole...! We have to stay down here!

Cooper: Hey, don't lose hope so easily. Junko... can I go check the Virtual World one more time?

Junko: Um, of course not! You can't investigate once you start a class trial!

Hajime: That's not true. You let them go take the Zodiath test in Elle's trial. Why can't Cooper go investigate some more?

Junko: I'm not giving you any chances to take me down! I'm in charge for the rest of your pathetic lives, and I can't allow anyone trying to stop me!

Cooper: Ugh, fine. Can I at least use the bathroom?

Junko: You had better go straight to the bathroom.

Cooper: I promise, I will. I won't be long.

Joy: Cooper hopped backwards as he went to the elevator. Guess he really needed to go... unless...! Wait! He's actually going to investigate, isn't he? I need to stall for him!

Wylan B: She won't let any of us escape?

Joy: Not unless we feel true despair, no...

Clover: But it's not like we're hoping for Cooper to die! We're just preparing ourselves for him to die. Of course I'm going to be sad!

Joy: E-Exactly. I stuttered, trying to keep the conversation flowing to waste time. So why can't Cooper die, Junko?

Junko: One death you can't handle is all it takes to escape!

Joy: We can't handle Cooper's death if he dies! What are you talking about?!

Junko: I know that I'm being complicated. It just makes me so happy to see everybody driven to insanity. So yeah, I'll abandon reason. This killing game is for the pleasure of the Ultimate Despairs, anyways.

Joy: Th-This girl is such a... monster...

Allan: Joy...

Joy: Yeah, Allan?

Allan: You know the saying, "don't hate the players, hate the game?"

Joy: Y-Yeah, I know that saying. But what does that have to do-

Allan: This time, the saying's a bit different. "Don't hate the game... hate the gamemaker."

Joy: ...And then everything clicked. Why are we sitting here trying to end the game when we can try to end the mastermind?! Junko... you're dead.

Junko: Ohoho, is that so?

Joy: Yes. I pulled out my switchblade knife as memories of the fifth class trial flooded my head. Using the handle of the knife, I walked up to a mirror and smashed the digital screen. Junko disappeared completely from that mirror.

Junko: H-Hey! You can't do that! You can only break objects with intent to murder!

Joy: I shot her a suggestive grin. That's exactly what I'm trying to do.

Clover: G-Go, Joy! Keep breaking the mirrors!

Joy: Junko Enoshima, this killing game is over! And so are you! I broke three more mirrors with Junko on them, and on the other mirrors where she was visible, she looked hurt.

Junko: D-Death is coming... I can't believe it!

Joy: Everybody! Help me break the mirrors! Clover took her drumsticks and held them backwards, in order to hit the mirrors with the end of it like a spear.

Clover: Let's do this, guys!

Joy: Wylan B took off his Wildberry Derp gold chain and was poised to use it as a weapon.

Wylan B: Who gives a crap about this thing anymore?! If it's gonna help us escape, then I'm willing to break this necklace!

Joy: Uncle Hajime and Allan did the unthinkable. They rolled up their sleeves. Y-You're going to punch the mirrors with your bare hands?!

Allan: So what if it hurts...? A little pain is worth living!

Hajime: I'm not afraid either. I have some boxing experience from being Izuru. Now it's time to give Junko another taste of her own medicine.

Joy: And we continued breaking the mirrors until there were only three left. Junko looked like she was enjoying this, but she was obviously in pain.

Junko: Y-You can't destroy me... I'm the only one who can open the secret door to the escape pods, you know!

Allan: We can figure it out on our own. We don't need you. (breaks the right mirror) We never needed you in the first place.

Junko: Breaking Flip's Peak property is strictly against the rules. According to the rules, a-all of you should be punished!

Hajime: Nice try. (breaks the left mirror) But you've already confirmed that this is just a decoy Flip's Peak. It's not true Flip's Peak property.

Joy: It's funny, even. You're not even good enough to use the real Flip's Peak as the setting for your killing game. Isn't that right, Junko?

Junko: Grr... hrghhh...

Clover: It's all you, Joy! Finish her off!

Joy: I held the handle of my switchblade knife up high. Oh, am I going to enjoy this! My hand shook, but I was ready to do it.

Junko: AGH! You're such a thorn in my side, Ninjoy! You'll never win!

Joy: (smirks) Only one of those statements is true. And it's not Ninjoy... my name is Joy!!! I thrusted the knife down as Junko screamed with both anger and delight. But... the monitor turned off in front of us.

Hajime: W-Wait, what?

Joy: All monitors that had Junko on them were now broken, and she was nowhere in sight. But the mirrors we broke were just every other mirror. The mirrors that we didn't break... fuzzed with static.

???: I-Is somebody here?

Wylan B: H-Hey, that voice sounds familiar!

???: I-It's you guys!

Joy: I looked at the mirrors to see a familiar face forming in front of us. It's... Alter Ego!

Alter Ego: I never knew that I'd be of any help, especially after the Hunt...

Clover: A-Alter Ego! You're still here!

Wylan B: I'll be honest, I missed you!

Allan: It's a computer program. Calm down, chainless.

Joy: I got a text on my e-Handbook.

COOPER: Did u guys see that?

NINJOY: Yeah, I did. Alter Ego?

COOPER: I found him on Gremmie's laptop as one of the programs. He was able to send himself to the courtroom to delete Junko Enoshima's AI. Cool, right?

NINJOY: Osm. Ur amazing, Cooper

COOPER: I just can't believe that Junko didn't even suspect me

NINJOY: Well, come on down. AE should be able to open the secret door now!

COOPER: AE?

NINJOY: Alter Ego, duh

COOPER: O yeah, lol. Srry. I'm on my way down.

Cooper has logged out.

Ninjoy changed her name to "Joy."

Joy has logged out.

Joy: I took my e-Handbook, and smashed it to the ground. I stomped my foot on it for effect. It was now in pieces. Good riddance. Junko, nor her crummy e-Handbook rules have any control over us now! And then... the three of them broke their e-Handbooks in the same fashion. With the throwing and stomping and all.

Wylan B: We're free...!

Clover: Now let's wait for Cooper to get back so we can all escape together!

Alter Ego: ...A-Actually...

Joy: What? What is it?

Alter Ego: I-I'd rather not say just yet... just wait for Cooper.

Day #15: Post Trial

Joy: We all waited patiently for Cooper to return from the fifth floor. Eventually, he showed up with a smile from ear to ear.

Allan: What took you so long, Cooper?

Cooper: I-I actually had to use the bathroom...

Joy: We all shared a friendly laugh together.

Wylan B: I just... can't believe that we're finally...

Clover: I know, right? We're finally leaving this dump!

Hajime: ...

Joy: What, Uncle Hajime?

Hajime: I fear for the thing that Alter Ego is about to say.

Joy: Huh?

Alter Ego: C-Can I say it now? All six of you are here...

Cooper: Yeah. Go ahead and say it.

Alter Ego: Junko wasn't lying when she gave her first rule.

Allan: First rule? What was her second rule?

Cooper: The rule that all of us die or none of us die.

Joy: So the first rule... was that one of us needed to die. And we decided that... Cooper had to... wait. You're not lying...?

Clover: H-Hold on! Then that means that he has to actually...?!

Alter Ego: I-I'm very sorry to have to break this to you. There are only... five escape pods. Meaning that one of you needs to be left behind.

Joy: ...What?! Left behind...?

Hajime: So... not executed, but just abandoned, right?

Alter Ego: Yes...

Wylan B: We can't just fit two people to one pod?

Alter Ego: The pods are very cramped... only one person can fit in each one.

Clover: And the pods can't return back here to pick the last person up?

Alter Ego: I'm afraid not. Once the pods take off, ocean water will flood Flip's Peak, and the person who was left behind will drown.

Cooper: Wh-Whoa...

Alter Ego: I'm very... very sorry.

Joy: We stood in silence. Looking at each other. Waiting for an answer. Lingering on the thought. Worrying for the future. There's no way around it. One of our friends would have to drown in the ocean in order for the rest of us to survive. Should I sacrifice myself...?

Hajime: I sacrifice myself.

Joy: U-Uncle Hajime...!

Cooper: No, I can't let you. I need to be left behind.

Joy: Cooper! (tears up)

Clover: We're back to this?! Cooper, please! You need to come with us!

Cooper: No. You don't understand. I need to stay down here. And what's more, I need to be executed.

Wylan B: Wh-What sense does that make?!

Allan: Y-Yeah! You're just like Junko, if you want to be executed!

Cooper: I'm nothing like Junko.

Allan: Y-You're lying! You just-

Joy: That's just your denial talking, Allan. Cooper is definitely nothing like Junko, and... I'll trust him.

Cooper: Really?

Joy: Really. I'm sorry to have to...

Hajime: And you'll... you really do want to be executed?

Cooper: ...It's Gremmie's wish that I be executed.

Joy: Okay, whoa. Whoa. You shouldn't be executed just because Gremmie told you to!

Clover: Just because he's dead gives him no right to rule your life like that!

Cooper: You really don't understand what he told me. This execution is going to have a beneficial effect. Trust me.

Joy: H-How can an execution have a beneficial effect? That's a lie!

Cooper: You won't understand after the execution. But you will soon. I promise, Joy.

Joy: C-Cooper! We hugged... but I didn't think. We embraced for too long... but knowing that Cooper's about to die... no amount of time is too long anymore, as long as its with him. A-Am I ready to lose him?

Cooper: Guys... I'm ready. So, bring it in. Okay?

Music

Joy: Cooper motioned for them to join our final group hug. Clover joined with teary eyes. Wylan B joined with a wimpering smile. Allan joined with eyes devoid of any happiness. Hajime joined with pure sympathy. And then... my tears began to flow like a waterfall.

Cooper: I love you all, okay? I'm proud of you all.

Joy: C-Cooper! P-Please don't leave! You HAVE to come with us!

Cooper: Joy, you can't understand why I need to stay down here. Do you trust me?

Joy: *sniff* H-Huh?

Cooper: Do you trust me?

Joy: ...I trust you, but... I don't think I'm ready...

Cooper: I know what's going to happen... but I feel like I'm ready, too.

Joy: The group hug sustained for a few more minutes as Cooper continued to speak.

Cooper: Wylan B... you've grown so much. You came here as a person with a big head who thought he could do anything, and now you've changed into a strong young man. You're unafraid of criticism or negative feedback anymore. You're free to be yourself now.

Wylan B: Cooper... you're a bro, you know that?

Cooper: Yeah... thanks. Clover... I've really come to respect you ever since you spilled your soul to Deano. And you've never lost your trust in him, even today.

Clover: C-Cooper... I'm gonna miss you!

Cooper: I'm going to miss you too, Clover. And Allan... would you say that you've grown throughout this killing game?

Allan: Definitely. Why do you ask?

Cooper: You entered as a determined athlete, and that's how you leave. But you kept a golden heart for the entirety of the game. I just wanted to hear your thoughts.

Allan: Cooper, you're a good man. I'll sure miss you.

Cooper: Hajime Hinata... I got that name right, right?

Hajime: Haha, yes. It's Hinata.

Cooper: Okay. Thank you so much for providing me and my classmates with food for the past two weeks. Even when your life was in danger, your priority was to protect us by putting food on our table. And that's a price that I never be able to repay now.

Hajime: Cooper... you won't be forgotten.

Cooper: And Joy...

Joy: ...

Cooper: ...I only have one thing to tell you.

Joy: ...Yes?

Cooper: Lean in.

Joy: Huh? Cooper whispered something in my ear, private from the others. I nodded... and then I finally understood. So that's why you want to be executed...?

Cooper: Do you trust me now?

Joy: Cooper nodded for me, and then I nodded with him. Y-Yes... are you ready to do it now?

Cooper: Yeah... I want you all to watch this. This execution not only symbolizes my sacrifice, but it will also symbolize the victory of ending this killing game, and the victory of hope! Do you all understand?

Wylan B: Yeah...

Clover: Y-Yeah...

Allan: Yeah.

Hajime: Yes.

Joy: ...

Cooper: Joy...

Joy: Yeah, I'm ready. I'll be watching, Cooper. And... I'm so sorry.

Cooper: Don't be.

Joy: ...

Cooper: Gremmie said that this execution was set up for me ever since the very beginning, so all I have to do is step on my podium and it'll lift me to my execution. You all ready for this?

Joy: We all nodded with teary eyes.

Cooper: Now then, let's begin the final punishment time! Actually, no. Let's call this execution not a "punishment," but a "victory!"

Joy: Cooper waved to us as he stepped on his podium. We all waved back, and my arm was beginning to feel weak.

Cooper: Don't just hope for a better future. Believe in a better future. Because that better future... is all of you.

Day #15: Execution

GAME OVER

COOPER HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY

TIME FOR THE VICTORY!

~xxx~

THE DEVIL'S LUCK

Joy: Cooper seemed to shake as the podium lifted him up to a hole in the ceiling. His smile was still there, but... it just felt weird. I didn't want to watch, but I promised that I'd be watching. Before the monitors showed color, we heard four disgusting fleshy noises. The monitors at the top of the room showed Cooper's face. His eyes were darting everywhere, but he wasn't scared. The camera slowly backed up to show Cooper on a giant casino wheel. His hands and feet were pinned to the wheel using knives. He turned his head as far as he could to see the words on each option on the wheel. There were amounts of green spaces with dollar signs on them, red spaces with BANKRUPT on them, and only one golden space with nothing on it. A timer beside the wheel began to count down from three seconds. At zero, the wheel started to spin. Cooper became dizzy as he spun around and around on the wheel. His eyes were closed shut, and his cheeks turned a disgusting shade of green. The spinner eventually slowed down and landed on a green dollar sign space. Cooper was sideways, and he could easily see the coins falling from above him. They hit his face, his hips, and his legs. His face definitely told us that they stung hard. The wheel was spun once more, but even faster than before. Cooper was at the verge of screaming. The spinner began to slow down and landed on a red BANKRUPT space. A large vacuum above him was turned on, and began to pull the air towards it. Cooper was upside down, but the vacuum forced him to lean forward all while staying pinned to the wheel. His hair almost covered his face, and the bottom of his shirt was pulled up enough to overlap his pants! But the main purpose of the vacuum was to suck up all the coins. They hit the back of his head, and again, his arms and legs. Once the coins were all gone, the spinner spun one more time. It was spinning as fast as it could, and Cooper couldn't help but scream as the spinner did nothing but get faster. His brain felt like it was in ruin, and his blood felt like it was running in a bubbling stream. A cold, bubbling stream. The spinner did eventually have mercy and slowed down, and... I knew it, but I didn't want to admit it. The third spin landed on the golden space with no words. Suddenly, Cooper, who was hanging upright, looked up. A giant, solid block of gold was above him. He looked at the camera, with no expression. He wanted to wave, but he couldn't. He wanted to smile, but he couldn't. He wanted to blink, but he couldn't. He desperately wanted to escape now... but he couldn't. The block of solid gold fell down and crushed Cooper along with the spinner. Blood was splattered onto the bottom of the gold block, and onto the camera. It faded to black, and I had to accept what I just saw... Cooper was dead. Leaving... five of us.

Name	Talent	Status	Fate	Cause of Death
Cooper	Ultimate Lucky Student Ultimate Kidnapper	Deceased	Executed by himself in The Devil's Luck	Crushed by solid gold
Joy	Former Reserve Course Student Ultimate Hope	Alive	TBA	N/A
Wylan B	Ultimate Rapper	Alive	TBA	N/A
Akari	Ultimate Biker	Deceased	Killed by Gremmie	Died from hypothermia
Alberto	Ultimate Soccer Star	Deceased	Executed by Monokuma in GOOOOOAL!!!	Cut all over body by wires
Xandra	Ultimate Guardian	Deceased	Executed by Monokuma in Sword of Damocles	Impaled through the skull with a sword
Allan	Ultimate Hockey Player	Alive	TBA	N/A
Utah	Ultimate Tour Guide	Deceased	Executed by Monokuma in Beat the Heat	Crushed by a metal robot
Timm	Ultimate Competitive Dancer	Deceased	Killed by Utah	Bludgeoned with a ceramic pot
Elle	Ultimate Scientist	Deceased	Killed by Deano	Triggered an allergic reaction from rubbing alcohol
Chuck	Ultimate Model	Deceased	Killed by Xandra	Stabbed in the chest with an arrow
Clover	Ultimate Percussionist	Alive	TBA	N/A
Deano	Ultimate Gondolier	Deceased	Executed by Monokuma in Deano's Wet & Wild Canal Ride!	Fell to death on sharp rocks
Scooter	Ultimate Skateboarder	Deceased	Killed by Alberto	Sliced in face with switchblade knife
Gremmie	Ultimate Surfer	Deceased	Executed by Monokuma in Mono Loa	Burned in an active volcano
Tohru	Ultimate Youtuber	Deceased	Killed by Utah	Strangled with rope

Danganflipa: Epilogue - The First Ray of Freedom will be coming soon, and will mark the end of Danganflipa. But this story is far from over...

We have the survivors of the Killing School Life! Vote for your favorite survivor below.