Part 72: Chapter 3 Deadly Life, Part 5

: ...

: Kyoko! And...!

: Phew! Man, I have have had the WORST day!

: ... Hiro...?

: I found Hiro. He was jammed into the pool room locker. It looked like he was fast asleep, so I kicked him and woke him up.

: I still can't believe you kicked me! You coulda been a little more gentle about it. Like, I dunno, caress my face or somethin'!

: ...That's creepy.

: Anyway... Kyoko, where have you been all this time? You just disappeared all of a sudden, without a trace...

: There was something I had to check up on.

: What do you mean...?

: Never mind.

: I *can't* never mind...!

: Never. Mind. More importantly...
She says that, but...does she have any idea? Does she know people think she might be spying for the mastermind?

: First of all...Hiro, you need to explain to us why you're dressed like that.

: Oh, uh, well...I mean... I have no idea. One second I was asleep, don't even know how that happened, then I woke up, and then I was here...

: I don't care. Do something about that costume. It pains me just to look at you.

: Well, um... I dunno what's up with this thing, but I can't actually get it off...! A little help?

: Why would you make something that you can't take off by yourself?

: I didn't make the stupid friggin' thing!

: There's a clasp on the back that's keeping you from getting it off.

: It looks pretty sturdy. I don't think you can get it off on your own. We don't really have a choice. Let's help him.
it took everyone's help, but slowly we were able to get Hiro out of the suit. It took a few minutes, but eventually we got all the pieces off.

: Whew! Free at last!

: Isn't it kinda weird how perfectly the suit fits Hiro...?

: More to the point, nobody but Hiro would be able to wear that costume.

: Wait, what? H-Hold on a sec!

: Don't bother trying to act innocent. The blueprints were in your room, as well.

: In other words, it is obvious to everyone that you made this costume.

: That's true. I saw the blueprints myself.

: Yeah...me too...

: Then it's obvious... The one who put this costume on and went around attacking everyone was Hiro!

: Shall we tie him up and gag him?

: Good idea! We wouldn't want him killing anyone else...

: T-Tie me up!?

: H-Hold on, guys. I think that's going a little far...

: He may be a suspect, but he deserves fair treatment.

: Yeah! I mean...attacking? Blueprints? I have no idea what you guys are talking about!

: You can't talk your way out of this. It's been decided... You killed them!

: What? Killed who!? I have no idea what you're talking about! There must be a fake Hiro running around!

: You're the only one who can wear this costume. So who else could possibly be the costumed attacker!?

: How do you know I'm the only one!? Maybe you should try it on yourself before you convict me!

: Fine! If you're gonna be a jerk about it, I will!
Without missing a beat, Hina started putting on the Robo Justice costume.

: Ahh! See, look! See how loose it is? I mean, come on... I'm blind as a bat in here! Can't see my feet at all. I'm surprised you got anywhere in this thing!

: I'm telling you, it wasn't me!

: And not to mention--! You totally can't bend at the waist! Seems like a pretty obvious oversight...

: That's not a very nice thing to say!

: ...Hmm?

: Er, I mean--it's not like I made it! I just got caught up in the moment...

: Well, either way...now we know for sure, right? I mean, it seems pretty clear that nobody but Hiro coulda fit into this dumb costume!
In a huff, Hina took the suit back off again.

: Well? Now you're all out of excuses.

: N-No, see...it's cuz you're a girl! If it was another guy, then...

: Makoto, go ahead.

: O-Okay...
Against my will, I picked up the pieces off the floor and tried putting them on.

: It's no good... The arms are too long. There's no way I can wear this...

: See!? I told you it was impossible!

: You are absolutely right. It seems this costume was made to fit Hiro's body exactly.

: Th-Then...there's another costume! They must have one that looks the same, but...but fits them!

: If you insist on this line of defense, then show us some evidence.

: Evidence...?

: You claim there is another suit, yes? Then you must find it and show it to us.

: Wh-What the heck!?

: Who cares!? Hiro's the only one without an alibi during this whole thing anyway! Which is how we know it was him!

: I mean...is that really true? I have no idea what's been happening... Could someone, like...tell me?

: U-Umm...if you don't tell me what's going on, how am I supposed to understand? I think I've figured out that...someone's been killed, right? Hey, Makoto...who was it?

: W-Well... Two people were killed. Taka and Hifumi...

: What!? TWO people!?

: Why are you freaking out? You did it.

: I did not!

: Wait, hold on... If those two are the ones that were killed...

: That's it! I know who did it!

: You may as well tell us, then.

: Taka and Hifumi were fighting over Alter Ego, right?

: Which means! Alter Ego and/or Chihiro must have done it!

: I love Hiro's accusation right there because the voice clip that plays during it says "I'm at least 30% right!" Oh, Hiro...

: I see... That's unfortunate.

: Huh? Unfortunate...?

: Stop trying to trick us! Just admit that you did it, okay!?

: I-I'm telling you, you got it all wrong!

: Ah, I know! That note!

: Note...?

: Last night, someone slipped a
weird note under my door. And here's what it said... "I found a hole maybe we can use to escape. Monokuma can't find out, so don't tell anyone else for now. Let's meet in the
rec room at 1 a.m."

: But the last thing I remember is going to the rec room, then for some reason I fell asleep... The real killer probably drugged me or something!

: ...Not a chance.

: No, hold on. He could be onto something. The nurse's office did have chemicals that could do that...

: Wh...Really?

: I told you. Someone's trying to set me up... A secret passage--a chance to escape... Someone wrote all that to trick me!

: Even if that's true, you must be one dumb fish to bit every piece of bait that floats in front of you.

: Well after being trapped here so long, even if you know it's a lie, you gotta check, right?

: Gyaho! They preyed on my desire to get out of here! They deceived me!

: I still don't buy it...

: Well you SHOULD buy it!

: Okay...then show us that note!

: With pleasure! I have it right here in my..um, pocket... ...

: Looks like I lost it...

: Yeah, sure...

: P-P-Please, ya gotta believe me! I wouldn't hurt a fly!

: As I said before, if you want us to believe you, you must produce evidence. Can you show us the note? I have no particular issue with what you claim, but if you want us to believe you, give us a reason.

: Wh-What the heck!? For serious!

: Now then, shall we resume our investigation? There's no time to waste before the class trial begins.

: Why do we need to keep investigating? We already know who did it...

: Why...? Why did you kill them? Tell us, Hiro...!

: No... It's like I said...!

: Was it really to get the money Monokuma offered us? Yeah, that must be it... You must be totally broke and that's why...!

: W-Wait! That's a false accusation! Someone, help me!

: Just be thankful we haven't bound and gagged you!

: If you have time to yell and carry on, you have time to search for your evidence. Right?

: Ah! You're right! I need to look for the second suit and that note! Feet don't fail me now! *leaves, running*

: I guess I'd better get back to guard duty... I was gonna ask Toko--er, Genocide Jack to switch with me... But if she and Sakura got into a fight, we'd have a catastrophe on our hands. Well, bye... *leaves*
One by one, everyone peeled away.

: Makoto, do you have a second?

: Huh?

: I want you to help me with the investigation.

: It looks like I got a late start on this one, so I need to make up some ground.

: ...Sure, I don't mind helping. But can you promise me something? Later, when we have time...will you tell me
why you disappeared?

: No.
To reject me so simply...

: Anyway, I need your help. You don't mind, do you?

: ...O-Okay.

: Thanks. Now then, shall we...?