This was going to be fun.

At this point one isn’t even surprised by the trials, though there was the fact that both Daisy and Yoon-ji were absent. That was a bit startling, but it just meant there wasn’t anyone to ask stuff to. Or maybe she would answer over the PA.

Not the questions that needed to cross his mind right now. That should be the fact he did put off thinking of how he was going to handle these at all. Should have done it earlier, but here he was. Having done none of that.

Writing was going to be difficult getting the attention off, and the same with signing.

He kind of let out an awkward sigh as he walked to his podium. He was next to Sahar, but there was only so much he could do. Still… Still not the most creative of problem solvers.

Of course there was also the immediate reaction that he had expected from someone. Maybe not from Minnie, but he had expected it. Made it a lot less startling when someone did speak up and start yelling. Not that he couldn’t get why, but it was still painful.

He did stay silent, not attempting to even offer a note in the case as people began the mastermind trial. At least they were doing this instead of what they had done last time. No he wasn’t mad at them, but that doesn’t mean he’s not anxious about the entire affair. This would focus them on the Mastermind things, and apparently there was little to solve for the murder. Which… Taking into account what they said that did make sense. He wouldn’t have thought of it, but hindsight can change a lot right?

Dimming the lightning and all of this… Manabu was anxious about all this anyway it wasn’t like this would make things better. Though, that probably was the goal. Hopefully . Least he shouldn’t have as much of a problem as he might have in a darker situation. 

He reaches in his pocket and actually pulls out a flashlight, not something one expects to just have around but it was something he had been holding on for quite a while. Plus with the lights dimmed down it would be good for getting the attention of people… Since speaking up was out of the choices of things he could do.

He scribbles down a note, that’s all he can think to do. There was probably other options but this was all he could think of. When he holds it up he does use the flashlight a bit to get people’s attention- the note isn’t in his normal smallish handwriting though. Compensating for distance.

[Explain the explosives.]

Not hugely tactful, but that was all he really could add to the argument. He didn’t want to show much in the terms of emotions because he frankly had no idea what to do about that, but he was also trying to get something. Anything that he could use.

He did kind of hope someone else knew about them though, was he alone in this piece? 

At this point, it was expected to hear Daisy’s voice ring out from the PA system. Much to your surprise, it was a voice unrecognizable, yet familiar. It was Reality, speaking over the PA system. What did they have to say?

“Ah. Well. Good job investigating. I’m proud of all of you. You know the drill, off to the lovely trial room to meet our fates… Together! I’m quite sure that all of you will find this killer!”

As swiftly as it was broadcast was released, it was cut off. No repetitions. The order was clear. Time for everyone to do what they’ve done four times before: Head to the trial room and find the one responsible for all these deaths. There was no way to pinpoint where that broadcast came from, but it could be expected that it was from where Daisy was broadcasting? All in all, all those who have survived so far were instructed to repeat history for the fifth time.

And so you go, down the stairs and into the trial room you’ve become so acquainted with. The posters now vary among three topics- films like I Am, Greenfingers, and Entrapments, among others. You settle into your podium, but can’t help to notice the absence of two women- where are Daisy and Yoon Ji?

The announcement on the PA wasn’t expected, especially after the silence from the Motive. Manabu had been anxious about it all, not simply because he was a pretty easy target now but because something was going to happen. It was like a guy feeling, not that he could have figured out how bad it would actually end out.

Even though the action means little now to him, he covers his mouth as he realizes what has happened here.

Three bodies. Three of them.

Everyone’s reacting so loudly, honestly even he has to move to press the headphones to his ears. As a comfort or as a way to drown out everyone’s despair? Both were true honestly, because he didn’t want to hear it all. 

Of course, glancing at ANGEL’s wound, his hands finally moved from his headphones to his still bandaged neck. No… Why would someone choose that. He felt a shiver, he was obviously upset about all of the bodies- there were three people dead. But that set him off more. After a moment his arms fell back to his sides, having little idea what to do with them. 

Taking a step back he kind of had a moment to take it in.

Tsutomu, Takumi and the girl he had never talked to where dead. 

He didn’t even know how to handle this all, he was upset that much he got but he couldn’t figure it out and it was starting to bug him more than anything.

It wasn’t like he could even do anything to help anyone, there wasn’t a sound he could make that would be anything. All he could do was try to get things, to try and help out solve what he could.

Victims: ANGEL, Takumi Oshiro, Tsutomu Otsuka

Location of Bodies: Theatre Lobby

Causes of Death: ANGEL- Exsanguination

Takumi- Asphyxiation 

Tsutomu- Exsanguination

Time of Discovery: 1:03am

Time of Death: ANGEL- 12:32am

Takumi- 12:38am

It’s another late night. Maybe the motive has you up, worrying what’s become of those you saw on your films. Perhaps you’re asleep, trying your hardest not to think about it. Out of sight, out of mind, maybe? However, the crackling of the PA system wakes you up. It’s… Daisy’s voice. She sounds tired, and her voice is dry, almost like she hasn’t had anything to drink in a long time.

“S-Stop, just- I have to announce it, just l-let me tell them… U-Um, everyone… There’s been another death.. P-Please, go down to the l-lobby. I… I won’t meet you there this time. J-Just investigate and go to the trial room when I m-make an announcement. Please.”

She really doesn’t sound good, but that’s the least of your concerns. Hurrying out, you head down to the lobby. Of course, you expect one body.

You don’t expect three.

The first body you see is ANGEL’s. Lying on the ground like a ragdoll, her eyes are wide open, expression permanently frozen into one of shock. A thick wound in her neck seeps blood, a harsh contrast to the paleness of her skin. It’s telling that her corpse is somehow the least unsettling of the three.

Not far from ANGEL lies Takumi Oshiro. He’s lying in a mess of blood, a considerable amount splashed over his sprawled out corpse upon the theatre floor. You can’t tell if there’s anything wrong with his expression or face… Namely because Daisy’s dakimakura pillow has been left over top of him, clouding out his expression. A bloodied knife lies not far from his body.

Farthest from the other two and followed by a trail of blood is Tsutomu Otsuka. They look limp, almost like they tried to drag themself away from the other two before expiring on the floor. Their face almost bears a sad expression, but at the same time, they look resigned to their fate. The blood following them seems to be coming from two wounds in their chest and stomach.

You wanted your important people back, yes… But it looks like whoever killed these three wanted them back even more. ANGEL, Takumi, and Tsutomu seemed to have been taken down in somebody’s bid for their loved ones.

Even so, you can’t help but feel that perhaps this was overkill (literally).

Saki was barely sleeping for this motive. Along with her silence, she found the hallways just as quiet. She found herself unable to sleep with pure worry over the motive. However…

The silence would soon be broken.

Taking one step towards the lobby, she felt something was wrong. It was just a small feeling that she couldn’t put her finger on but it was there. She paused before quelling the shaking of her hands.

“N… No…”

A stumble, and she was closer to the sight she saw and before long, her voice filled the theatre.

If only… but it’s too late now. There’s no changing what happened during the trial, or because of it. But… they want to say something anyway. It’s burning inside of them, trying to get out. Tsutomu lowers the hand holding the necklace for a moment, and meets Manabu’s eyes.

“You know, I… was scared, during that trial when you brought up the note and the mole. I don’t blame you for it, I would have done the same thing in your position, I think anyone would. Sharing information is probably the only thing that will get us out of here. It’s just… I felt…”

At first their voice is steady, calm and even despite the occasional pause. But as they continue it starts to waver.

“It’s terrible. I never asked for this. It’s not like the mastermind gave me a choice. I didn’t even tell him anything, and I wasn’t going to. But somehow just by calling me his mole… it makes me feel partially responsible for everything that’s happened. I think some of the others feel that way too, even if they haven’t said it. I think… that might be why Asa-san did what they did. Because of me. Because I was their friend and they thought I’d betrayed them…”

Not that it totally wasn’t expected, but he didn’t think it would. Somehow, it’s a bit unclear to him but he tries to think about other things. Not that it was good to avoid it. 

Though, he did shrink back a bit as Tsutomu met his eyes, honestly it was still something to be uncomfortable with. Something about it felt intimidating, but at least they said something after that. Okay, he could  kinda hold it together. Didn’t have to worry about stammering up a response. At least in the same way as before. 

Pay attention Manabu come on. 

But as he did listen to what they had to say, 

And honestly he had no idea how to reply to that. Not just because it was sudden, but because he didn’t have a reply. Yes, he felt people didn’t like that he had shared the information about the mole now but it was the best option wasn’t it?

There was really only one thing that had come to mind, wasn’t exactly... Much to offer back after hearing all of that but writing something long-winded would just end horribly for his hands honestly.

[You don’t have to be sorry.]

[It could have been any of us, that’s was the scare right?]

He shakes his head as he turns it around, You don’t have to apologize to him, he blames himself much more than he could blame anyone aside from like Daisy. Why would he blame himself as much, well just a habit of his after all.

Not like he had even wanted it to be himself, lord no. He would have wished almost anything that it couldn’t have been him after all. After all, he was kind of a completely differant person in the sense of his identity. What was he supposed to call himself now? 

But, he couldn’t do anything to change it. And if he hadn’t gotten it then who else would have? It would be awful either way.

Glancing over at the response when he holds it up, Tsutomu scans it and nods.

“Yeah, that’s a good point.” They look back to the necklace with obvious disgust.

An unlikely one, but his only idea.

He shrugs at their question, seeing little reason to force himself to get out something in writing there. Do what you will Tsutomu, Manabu has no advice there. When would he have experience in dealing with actual human body parts. 

Hopefully, he would never have that experience. Unless this counts.

In any case, Tsutomu would likely offer to help Manabu carry some of his sweet loot if they weren’t too distracted being mildly horrified by their own. Why is this happening. Why this. Why.

“…Do you think I should just… leave it here…?”

And Tsutomu had also every right to be freaked out by that, it was a necklace of human teeth. That’s not something that one would ever expect to find in their lifetime. Unless maybe they were someone very scary, but even then that’s pretty messed up. Manabu takes a second to register what Tsutomu asks him before responding. The necklace is incredibly disturbing to him anyways.

He thinks on the question for a moment, would it be a good idea to simply leave it there? Honestly, he was thinking not. He tried to pull out the notebook and write something, this wasn’t exactly something he could get across in gestures sadly. Not that his handwriting didn’t suffer from it.

[Wouldn’t just freak someone else out then?]

Was it legible, one can hope so. But leaving the thing wouldn’t end well for whoever found it, might think it’s from someone here at worst and just scream at best. 

Watching as he receives his items, Tsutomu’s eyebrows raise at the sight of the pug t-shirt, they’re pretty sure they know someone who’d want that. And it’s the same person Manabu’s likely thinking of. 

“Not bad. Seems like you have some luck with this thing… the briefcase is a little odd, but at least you didn’t get anything gross.”

Correctly ascertaining when he moves out of the way that it’s their turn now, Tsutomu steps over to the machine and uses three of their coins, as planned. Their own prizes emerge, a Beginner’s Magic Kit which looks previously used and well-loved, they feel pretty confident in thinking it probably belongs to Kouta. Looks like they’ll need to talk to him again soon. The next item is… a Puglock Tee- a t-shirt with a pug dressed like Sherlock Holmes.

“Pfft, I can’t believe we both got pug shirts. How many of these things are in there?” Tsutomu can’t help laughing a little. Well, at least this should make their adorable girlfriend happy.

The third item is-

Necklace of Teeth: Holy shit. These are real human teeth made into some sort of weird surfer-looking necklace. Not the best conversational piece for a dinner party.

“…Uh.”

Even Manabu would have to laugh if someone used those to describe him. He was anything but that, but he was glad at least his acting was good enough. 

While he’s kind of collecting the objects into some way of carrying, he needed to have his hands free after all. They were just about his only communication aside from expressions and gesturing. That wasn’t going to get him very far, but it had gotten him somewhere in this encounter with them at least. 

His items were kind of bizarre, but he didn’t glance over to the objects until they commented on the pug shirt. Really, how many of those things were in the machine? It was getting ridiculous, least Renee would be happy. 

At least the game system could fit in his pocket; the doll, T-Shirt and briefcase could at least go on his arms. Maybe, The mun hasn’t seen a briefcase in a long time and has never carried one. 

But their silence on the last item did draw his attention, and boy did it deserve that. Manabu kind of stares for a second, what was happening. He looks at Tsutomu incredibly confused. Where did it come from. Who’s where they. And why where they here of all places. 

Stepping aside, Tsutomu nods in return to his response and gestures towards the UFO Machine.

He shrugs, nodding to them. It was a bit more of a bowing nod, but hey he didn’t want to write. It was good they caught the meaning of the gesture, he grins. Thanks Tsutomu, for some reason its nice to get across strange meanings such as that. 

Oh it was going to be fun to write after he gets a bunch of items wasn’t it?

But, he steps over to the machine and puts in the 4 coins... And well these were some interesting items. 

A T-Shirt with a pug on it- he actually knew who that would belong to- a briefcase, a portable gaming system, and a plushie of someone clearly from an anime.

What a haul indeed. 

Maybe this would be easier for him if they tried to stick to yes or no questions as much as possible?

“Um, did… you come in to spend some coins too?”

Probably for the best, he had had enough of depressing conversations. That was what everyone seemed to have on their minds, and he would actually be lying if he said he wasn’t one to be thinking there either. It felt weird. 

He was pretty grateful for the simple question, to which of course he nodded. He holds up four fingers, got four coins he’s planning on spending too. Who knows what he can get from these. Probably something awful with his luck, but the last time he tried it wasn’t that bad.

Since he had only about half the time as the others, he didn’t exactly realize the motive had been coming up immediately. He’d caught on after a bit, but he did kind of actually forget. 

But hen he realizes, he’s just as anxious as ever. What on earth was it going to be this time… The last one had been confusing at best, and he was trying to figure out how it had ended in that death but… Well it had been finished. And was now a few days behind them all. 

That was a bit chilling to say the least, right?

And finding the tape in his room, well- he would have to find out what it was. It was supposed to be something for each person, he could guess anyways. There was little chance it was just for one or two people at most. He had to know, curiosity was getting him into way more than he would have wanted. 

Boy did he regret that.

Manabu left the theater with a almost blank expression. Not that he wasn’t freaked out- no if anything it was blank so that he wouldn’t freak out horribly.

No.

He really doesn’t want to think about that, and he knows that the people behind this would absolutely do it. And that part scares him, not her. No… She hadn’t crossed his mind in such a while, and to be reminded in this awful way. He reaches up and scratches at his forehead, how was he supposed to handle this. 

What were any of them supposed to be doing about this. Killing someone? More like the worst choice imaginable, but then again. 

No, he was just thinking a lot.