Part 14: Watch the Throne

MUSIC: Rise and Shine, Ursine!



Wahhhh! Daddy got turned into a pile of scrap metal!

Th-This is Monodam's fault, somehow!

...



I'm not sure what's going on, but... Monokuma's in pieces.

S-Serves him right! He got just what he deserved!

Do not celebrate just yet. I'm certain he has a spare that will appear momentarily.



What?



...that we must cherish life because we're like snowflakes—unique in every way.

If only one existed, then does this mean Monokuma is dead?

Poor Daddy! Let's at least bury him with full honors!



While we're at it...we should toss in some carrots and potatoes, too.

Ooh, maybe add some leftover curry, too? Y'know, the sweet kind—my favorite!

You'll want an extra-large side of rice too, right?

Now that we're the new headmasters, we gotta eat more so we can get stronger.

NO MUSIC





MUSIC: Nightmare in the Locker



Hmm... Everything's a complete mess now. But if there's no final boss...

...then that means this killing game is cancelled!

Huh!? Cancelled!?



Ah-haha, don't be such a worrywart! Everything's definitely over now! With the mastermind gone, continuing this game is pretty much impossible.



Yay! We did it! Nyahahaha!

So we're not in danger anymore?

Oh, so do we just wait here for the shuttle bus to pick us up, or...?



Kaede, quit being a buzzkill! Everyone's still annoyed about what you did yesterday!

B-But I didn't mean it like tha—

Or...is there still something you would have us do, Kaede?



...Quiet. We know it's impossible.

...

S-Sorry...

Whatevs, looks like we're done here. Phew, what a relief.

...

NO MUSIC



I decided to return to my room.

MUSIC: Heartless Journey



I don't know why, but once I went inside my room...

...I just started crying uncontrollably.

H—Huh? Why?











I quickly wiped my tears and opened the door...





Oh, Shuichi... Um...what do you mean? I'm not sad, if that's what you're wondering.

Kaede...it's not your fault.

Huh?



It was a trap to get us to *think* we could work together, then crush our hopes.

I-I know that, but...l just wanted to escape with everyone.

...

B-But it's alright now... Everything is over, right...?



What? You believe in me?



NO MUSIC

The library? What's gotten into Shuichi all of a sudden?

MUSIC: Beautiful Lie





It even comes with my pink vest...





I-I'd like to talk to you in the library. Will you come with me, please?







I am waiting until someone in need of my service approaches me.

Huh? So you're just waiting?



As I have said...my only desire is to fulfill the desires of others. Until we escape, I intend to serve everyone. If either of you have a request to make of me, please do not hesitate to ask.



Ah, I think I'm okay too...

I see...

The Ultimate Maid is so impressive... She's so thorough...





Lot of people outside today.





What's the matter, Gonta? Searching for something?

There no bugs here after all...

Oh yeah, you did mention that before.

Gonta trying to understand why...

Ah, that's right. Of course the Ultimate Entomologist would notice that.

Gonta have no idea, but...



So Gonta go search even more!





Why don'tcha pick up some rubbers over at the warehouse!? Better safe than sorry!

Wha—!? W-We don't need those!

What? You must be a real fuckin' skank to let dudes unload inside you! By day you're fingerin' the piano keys, but at night the dudes are fingerin' you, eh!?



Heeeee!

I-It was a joke... I was just tryin' to lighten the mood a little...

Let's ignore her, Kaede... We have to focus.

Right, we need to head to the library.



Hah-haha! A hat-wearin' perv and a fuckin' skank! You two are so made for each other!

...





In any event, it means this situation is over... I can go home and spend time with Sister.

Oh, you have a sister, Kiyo? I bet she's worried about you.

But that's probably true of everyone's family... Including mine...



I need to get back to my parents and friends, too!





Huh? What's just like you said?

Sometimes you gotta be a little reckless to make your dreams a reality!

Huh? What are you talking about?

Huh? What do you mean? It's thanks to me we defeated Monokuma, right?



Ah, Kaito... To be honest, what you did was really dangerous...

W-Well, I was a little nervous. Just a little.

But now we know the universe is watching! That bear got the cosmic justice he deserved! The universe is always on the side of those who push the limits and never give up!

U-Um, I guess?

Anyway, Monokuma's gone now thanks to me! All we gotta do is escape!

...





Huh!? Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?

You don't think this is over, do you? Your attitude earlier gave it away.

...



Ah, I-I'm not trying to take anyone's side...

You guys are free to do whatever you want, just leave the rest of us out of it.



...She's kind of...unpleasant, isn't she?

...





I don't think a bus is gonna come. This whole place is surrounded by a caged wall.

Oh yeah...

Umm, it's just that...it's customary to come back from a con by bus.

I travel by bus even in summer and winter. The bus driver sings sea shanties for me.



Disclaimer: Results not typical.

What is she talking about?

Never mind...it's just plain unimportant... Well, anyway... Since this wall's so big, I wonder how the bus would even get in here.

Would a bus really be able to get here?



Since this wall's so big, I wonder how anyone would get in here to rescue us.







I was hoping I could learn more about magic from Himiko! I definitely wanna incorporate magic into Neo-Aikido! Please tell me, Himiko! What sort of training do you usually do!?



Then I'll massage your back so you won't get tired!

I wouldn't mind if you rested your head on my lap either.

Stop it. That's weird...



Let me know when you get tired! I'll carry you, Himiko!

I said that's weird... Leave me alone...





What's the matter, Himiko!? We're not done talking yet, are we!?





No, nothing's wrong...

...Hey, Rantaro. You said there's someone behind all this, right? That Monokuma is just a puppet.

I did say that. But you know what? It's just a hunch.

I sure wouldn't complain if that's how it all turned out, though.



And away he goes...

...







Okay, got it...

Shuichi looked relieved and smiled...

NO MUSIC

Like a great detective, he began to explain in exacting detail.

NEW MUSIC: Living in a Lazy Parallel World

This library has books scattered everywhere. Even books lying on top of the bookcases. But, take a look at this bookcase. It's the only one in the library with no books on top.



Also, you can see that the floor in front of the bookcase has noticeable markings.



I noticed the markings the first time I came here with you. This morning, I came back to investigate. That's when I found this...

He then walked over to the bookcase, placed his hands between the gap—





AUDIO: The Bookcase Have Started to Move

KAEDE: Whoa, it moved!?

SHUICHI: It swings open... Look, there's a door behind it...

A door...?





That's why I wanted you to come here with me. There's something unique about this door. Take a closer look.





Just like Monokuma!

Hey, do you think this door is connected to Monokuma somehow?

I think it might. But I don't know anything for sure.



You can't?

But the very fact this door is here makes me consider...a certain possibility.



Huh? Cooperating with Monokuma?

W-Wait a minute! What do you mean by that!?

It's only a hypothesis right now, but... consider this. Why *would* there be a hidden door here?

If it were solely for Monokuma's use, he wouldn't need to hide it. He could just have the Monokubs or the Exisals protect it and keep it in plain sight.

However...I can think of one reason that the door would be hidden.



Maybe, but...I can't believe someone in our group could be working with Monokuma...

I can't believe it either. That's why...to confirm my suspicions... I decided to set a little trap on this card reader.



Of course, I was careful to make sure the dust wouldn't come loose accidentally. And I don't think the person swiping their card would notice or care about a little dust.

So if we see dust on the floor, it means one of us used this door, right?

Well...as I mentioned before, this is just a hypothesis. I have no evidence yet...

But...if it is true...



...

...Anyway, that's what I had to tell you. Of course, I don't expect you to believe me.

I just...wanted to tell you. No matter what.

Y-Yeah...

Well, let's head back. We shouldn't stay here too long.



MUSIC: Beautiful Lie



Y-Yeah, I understand...









MUSIC: Rise and Shine, Ursine!



... ...



MUSIC: Darkness Time



The other Monokubs aren't here to bury Monokuma?



One of us is cooperating with Monokuma... It's just so hard to believe. But Shuichi trusts me... That's why he told me, right? Then...maybe I should believe it...

...

Next time, the other shoe drops.