SHSL Blacksmith

name: Stella Illjes

zodiac: aries, taurus, gemini, cancer, leo, virgo, libra, scorpio, sagittarius, capricorn, aquarius, pisces

myers-briggs: istj, isfj, infj, intj, istp, isfp, infp, intp, estp, esfp, enfp, enfj, esfj, estj, esfj, enfj, entj, entp

the four temperaments: melancholic, phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine

enneagram: type one, type two, type three, type four, type five, type six, type seven, type eight, type nine

When Feliks shouted, the blacksmith turned her head his way, though she did not flinch in any way when he glared at her. Quite the opposite actually - she glared back daggers at him.

“Oh, screw ya, big guy. Ya think he gets away unscathed while insulting everyone? If ya dish out, y’ have t’ take it in as well, unless y'are a spineless lil’ coward. Wouldn’t surprise me in his case, che.”

Stella crossed her arms before her chest, not in the least imitated by the woodsman. Her anger only flared more up when he had the nerve to ask for his prize.

“Y’ fuckin’ scumbag. God, can’t believe I ever was fond o’ ya. Probably didn’t even meant yer fuckin’ words back at that trial. Bastard.”

She knew no chill, please free Feliks.

Stella groaned when she heard Hyun-min. Really? Was she really hearing that? She just glanced at them shortly, feeling still pretty much riled up at that point.

“Sorry, but ’m not the person t’ simply ignore such assholes. ‘Cause that pizza fucker over there won’t stop if we’re just playin’ it nice.”

[TW: Lot of swearing]

Stella didn’t return to her podium and instead, stayed by Skye’s side. He might have wanted for her to focus on the trial, but she might as well do it from her current position out, right? Either way, this trial just got more intense with each passing minute. She tried her best to keep track of everything that was happening - from the exchange between Yuki and Feliks, Hyun-min’s explanation, Nanami’s outburst…

And then, Yuki said something to Masato which send her to tears.

Masato Maeda, the usually strong-headed girl who knew how to keep her composure, her friend, was crying.

You’ve done it now.

The blacksmith felt how her anger was boiling up again, thirsting to punch something - or more like someone - with all her might. Her hands curled into tight fists, teeth gritting harshly. How dare this disgusting bastard bring up the past from everyone? How dare he mock them?

Miyako told him to back off. Heck, even Skye and Mikio talked back to him, of all people. It actually surprised her on both accounts - Skye trying to argue with Yuki and Mikio actually becoming angry.

Despite the rage that she felt, Stella willed herself to smile at Skye again, whispering something to him, before facing Yuki again - and this time with a furious look on her face. Honestly, she would have loved to go up to him and stare him down (well, rather up, given she was smaller than him), but she’d rather go to Masato instead.

Her eye was locked at Yuki all the time as she made her way to Masato, crouching down besides the debater as she hovered her hand over her back.

“We’ve got yer back, Mae. Don’t listen t’ that piece of shit.”

Now to actually yell at a certain pizza delivery person.

“Y’ know what? Fuck ya, y’ disgustin’ bastard! God, y'are so petty ‘n fuckin’ weak t’ resort t’ such underhanded tactics, no wonder ya kept lyin’ like the lil’ coward y'are! Hah, that’s really all ya can do now, can’t ya? Fuckin’ sour loser. Con-fuckin’-gratulations, 'cause y'are ultimate 'n absolute fuckin’ trash!”

With that, she flipped him off, but she wasn’t done, oh no.

“Be fuckin’ glad that I can’t touch ya or else, I woulda have beaten ya t’ a fuckin’ bloody pulp by now. And trust me, I’ve held myself back fer so long, I wouldn’t bat an eye t’ break yer ugly fuckin’ face w’ my fists. Better motherfuckin’ prepare yerself, 'cause as soon as we’re out here, y'are gonna get a close, good look at m’ fists.”

Downright threatening are we, huh? Sorry Skye, but seeing how Yuki treated people just sent her over the edge. So much for not pissing anyone off.

“And t’ everyone who paid attention - seen the lil’ interaction that garbage 'n Feliks had? I think that just proves our point even more. After all, since when would they have any time t’ get friendly, what with one o’ them fuckin’ dead? And look, no matter how much y’ say that he doesn’t seem t’ be the type o’ that, lemme remind y'all how we thought that 'bout the culprits.”

Although votes began to pour in, some were withholding theirs for the Louloudia mastermind. Stella furrowed her eyebrows - guess it was expected that not everything would go smoothly, huh? Well, guess they had to clarify where exactly the formular was even found and point how that it’s pretty suspicious how most of it was unreadable-

Stella would have, if Skye hadn’t chose this moment to intervene.

Alone his panicked voice made her tense up. Instantly turning her attention to the video game developer, her heart sank when he saw how distraught he looked like. Sure, she hadn’t really shouted or anything, but she probably did piss off at least Tsubaki with her words. Yep, Stella felt definitely bad now and she would kick herself, but… honestly, no need to injure herself even after death - or whatever it was now.

Damn everything if she wouldn’t be by his side now.

Leaving her podium as soon as Skye sank to the ground, she hurried over to crouch down besides him. Okay, so she got that they couldn’t actually touch each other in the trial room, but she could at least… attempt to make it look like it? It’s the thoughts that count, right?

“’S okay, Skye… ’M sorry.”

Alright, now to actually try to help him out here. She hovered her hands over his shoulder as if she was gently squeezing it, before gently whispering to him.

“Take deep breaths, ‘kay? Just focus on that now.”

A girl she has never seen was crying, Masato brought in the fact that Feliks was close to the Monomi bots, then said woodsman was trying to deny all accusations, only to lose his composure upon hearing the name Artemis… Nevermind the wounds Feliks had, which more than proved that he was involved in the last murder case. She had alreadz suspected him, due to the fact that he wore black clothings, but… for what reason?

“… Sorry, bud, but there’s really no way t’ talk yer way outta this. All the evidence points t’ ya, so ya shoulda save yer breath ‘bout defendin’ yerself. Unless ya have really good proof.”

Because she would not fall for this kind of thing anymore.

It already happened before, leading to several mistrials… It wouldn’t happen again.

“… Normally, I woulda ask ya why ya did it, but I guess y'are either gonna say it after the votes are in or… just keep silent 'bout it.”

Stella didn’t hesitate to put her two votes in, then crossing her arms before her chest.

At last, the first mastermind was revealed to everyone - Yuki Nakahara, the SHSL Pizza Delivery Person. Honestly, she was surprised that he didn’t put up much of a fight against the accusations, but then again, he seemed to be incredibly done with this whole game by now. Besides, with all the evidence and deductions that were made, he was the most sensible choice for the Ifaisteio mastermind. So really, there was no reason for any more talk, right?

As Yuki and Masato were starting to get involved in a heated debate, the blacksmith sighed as she scratched her head. She understood Masato’s impatience, but they still needed to single out Louloudia’s mastermind.

“I know I’m one t’ talk, but be patient, Mae. If we get both masterminds, they’re gonna have t’ spill the beans anyway. Until then, let’s just focus on the evidence, okay? Don’t let ‘im get t’ ya.”

Fortunately, Hyun-min was already on the case and she couldn’t help but smile - if anyone should reveal the Louloudia mastermind, it was him.

Soon enough, Feliks was named as the other mastermind.

[TW: Suicide mention at the last spoken paragraph]

Stella blinked when Haru was speaking to her. Wait a minute, she got the wrong person here! better clarify it, though she might as well answer it too.

“Uh, Mae was the one t’ bring all the names up actually, but I guess ’s a bit hard t’ keep up with everthin’… Anyway, ’s like ya said - they’re just in the same position as Hyun-min, fer example. And sure, we’re goin’ t’ uncover the identity o’ both masterminds very soon…”

The next person to speak up was Miyako… and with the mastermind clue she left behind, no less. The blacksmith nodded at her friend with a small smile, already knowing the content of the piece of paper all too well. Hell, she had been cracking her head about this one for quite some time…

“Maybe I shoulda clarify a bit more. As Miyan said, it was the prize fer gettin’ away w’ murder after the second case. A bit after the third trial, however, Yuki actually gave me t’ clue along w’ some teabags, though they told me t’ not read it until the time was right. Have t’ admit that I only looked at it after the fifth trial.”

She didn’t want to bore them with the reasonings as to why it happened to late, because lord knows that they didn’t need more information that wasn’t relevant to the matter at hand.

“Actually Miyan, thanks t’ other clues we’ve found, ’m pretty sure that it actually means a foreign nation. Don’t worry, ’s gonna be brought up soon ‘nough. Oh yeah and as fer the aliases… Mae already mentioned it, but on one of the PCs in the office, there were profiles o’ all o’ us… Real name, real talent 'n a few more facts. Well, actually, Kazu’s file is missin’, but I still dunno the reason as t’ why. Before any o’ ya jump t’ conclusions - nope, Kazu’s not the mastermind.”

Honestly, she didn’t want for any false accusiations to happen, just because she wasn’t explaining herself well enough.

“Well, we’re still not completely sure 'bout the killer o’ Nui, but yeah, it certainly implies that their talent musta have been useless in the mastermind’s eyes. Anyway, they’re rather full o’ themselves… and seemed to be annoyed by the whole killing game t’ begin with.”

Time to skim through more pages, it is.

“I say that 'cause we found 'nother log alongside the files on that computer… written by the Ifaisteio mastermind.”

Prepare for another onslaught of words.

“I really hope someone has been makin’ copies o’ them, 'cause couldn’t do them m'self… Anyway, guess ’m just goin’ ahead and read them out, eh?”

In order to not make this post any longer, here’s the link for the logs. Pretend Stella just read them out.

“There’s several things I’d like t’ point out. First o’ all, in the very first log, the mastermind referred to someone as their comrade… Probably the mastermind from Louloudia. Now, that in and itself wouldn’t catch yer eyes immediately, but remember the other mastermind clue? W’ the flags 'n whatnot? It just undermines the point more that the masterminds are not from Japan. There’s also another formular that makes it even more obvious, but ’s better t’ present it later on, 'cause… well, it practically tells us who Louloudia’s mastermind is.”

Well, that was a daring announcement.

“But I disgress, back t’ the logs. It shoulda go also without sayin’ that all the people mentioned in it are certainly not the one responsible fer all o’ this. Therefore, Micky, Mae 'n Troy can be taken outta the pool o’ suspects. Same goes fer Yuhi 'n Nui as well, 'cause they died before the note could be even made.”

Already going ahead and reducing the numbers of suspects, huh?

“Okay, so before I dive into a certain log, let’s remember the last one. It’s 'bout some strange readings regarding the volcano, so we can be sure ’s been written before the damn mountain actually exploded on us. Afterwards, there are no logs anymore and I find that… rather interestin’. Why stop here, o’ all times? Sure, it said that it woulda be suspicious, but… I get the feelin’ as if they simply couldn’t write more anymore… Maybe they ended up dyin’ before the merge happened?”

Please bear with me, I’m just throwing out more clues before I have to go to sleep and probably wake up to a mountain of more posts.

“Also, it states that their comrade can use a translator t’ disguise their messages… which means that the Louloudia mastermind needs t’ know at least another language aside from japanese… and probably english too.”

Now I really want some sprites here.

“With that done, let’s focus on the sixth log, where it states that the mastermind’s brother is dead. T’ be more precise… suicide. I think I shoulda leave the rest t’ Mae fer explainin’, 'cause she’s the one who actually knows more 'bout that than I do.”

Well, this discussion was incredibly short-lived.

Not that Stella thought that it would take them too long to get the necessary mastermind votes in, but it still happened rather quickly. She wasn’t surprised though - who wouldn’t jump on the chance to finally get their hands on the ones who initiated this whole ordeal to begin with? It was only natural.

Though there was also something else that got her attention.

Haruo.

Stella felt a pang in her chest when she heard him. He sounded so… defeated. The complete opposite of his usual behaviour and she was not happy about it.

Glancing over his way, her expression softened as she truly took in his state. The absence of his hat and coat, her ring that he was carrying around with him now, the dark bags underneath his eyes…

It just reminded her again how much she wanted to punch herself for her recklessness. One day, it just had to come and bite her back, huh? Curses.

“Haruo…”

She didn’t expect for him to answer - the last days where she tried to talk to him told her as much. Still, she couldn’t help but speak some reassuring words to him.

“… Y'are goin’ t’ get home, I promise. Soon, this shitty mutual killin’ game is over and ya can get outta here. I won’t disappoint you this time, yeah? Trust me, big bro.”

Although she offered him a smile, it was a rather strained one. Even if she wanted to tell him that they would all leave this place, as long as they weren’t completely sure about that, there was no sense in promising something that wouldn’t turn out to be the truth.

Then, Monomi declare the first Mastermind Trial to be in session.

Immediately afterwards, Masato and Hyun-min started to present their clues. Stella kept quiet for the time being, simply playing with the ring that was hanging around her neck.

When there was a a short break between all the talking, Stella quietly spoke up:“… Elapsum semel non ipse possit Iuppiter reprehendere.”

Why the fuck are you talking in latin, Stella.

“… Fer anyone curious, it basically translates into “Not even Jupiter can find a lost opportunity”. Kinda fittin’ fer what we’re ‘bout to do now, eh? After all, who knows if we’re goin’ t’ have another chance like this. Fer all we know, Monotrash ‘n Usatrash coulda be already workin’ on somethin’ that woulda make us invisible t’ y'all again, so… we gotta take the opportunity now. Let’s work together and show 'em what we’re made off!“

Alright, this was actually really cheesy and Stella couldn’t help but chuckle at herself. Well, this could have gone a lot worse, but somehow, it lifted her own spirits.

Though now, back to business, huh?

"Actually, 'bout the profiles pertainin’ t’ survivors of the other mutual killing games… I actually sorta know one o’ 'em. Dunno how that’s gonna help, but I made a pair o’ swords 'n an helmet fer Kazumi Morino, the SHSL Sengoku Enthusiast once. How long was that ago… One or two years? Eh, again, dunno if that’s gonna help w’ anythin’, but I figured it woulda be better t’ at least mention it.”

She scratched the back of her head as she sighed. God, there was so much to talk about, where do they even start?

“Actually, ’m not t’ sure if the survivin’ kids woulda approve of 'nother game. I mostly get this vibe 'cause of some logs we’ve found.”

Stella is picking out a notebook - or more like the copy of her notebook - out and begins to browse through them.

“Ah, here it is. So, this log here was intercepted by… whoever the hell is concerned 'bout Astral Cabal. From what has been said in there, ’m pretty sure that one o’ the people there is Jasmine Hayes, the Electrical Engineer. T’ summarize it shortly - apparently, they got reports from the Monokumas at some point. Somehow, I believe that mighta have been before we all woke up without any recollections of how we ended up in our bases. Remember what Monotrash said at the beginnin’? That we’ve already spent time here? I get the feelin’ it mighta have been stemmin’ from that.”

Clearing her throat, she contined on to at least cover this single log.

“Either way, they wanted t’ access some kinda power to shut somethin’ down, to which the other person replied that enough has been lost already. Get the feelin’ she’s talkin’ 'bout all victims o’ the previous mutual killing games. Anyway, the next interestin’ phrase is "follow the Monokumas out to us or not. Think they will?” Either that was also before the game or… well, when the volcano erupted. Both possibilities seem plausible at that point. Regardless o’ that, in the event if we wouldn’t follow the Monokumas, they wanted t’ breach it themselves. There’s also talk 'bout how the dead woulda be safe… And at the end, it states that “everyone left in a week”. With that, the log is over.“

Somehow, it wasn’t surprising to see the blacksmith among the trial participants. Although she’d been completely quiet in the last session, things were different now - for one, she was dead. It was still weird to stand among the living kids despite what happened to her, but she couldn’t let this get to her. After all, Stella knew exactly what was going to happen, so there was no way in hell that she’d ever miss this opportunity now.

Masato was on point as always, though it was surprising to see how Tsubaki was against a Mastermind Trial. In all honesty, it just served to annoy the blacksmith more, though she did feel a bit bad when the normally upbeat girl was on the verge of tears.

“… Mae, ya shouldn’t have announced her talent like this. People have reasons why they hide what they do and it won’t help us solvin’ the damn case. Still, can’t believe how many people actually went by fake names…”

The last part was mumbled, but she simply sighed and shook her head, before looking over to Tsubaki, a frown appearing on her face now.

“Okay, first o’ all, don’t ya think y'are a lil’ too late t’ suddenly complain ‘bout not helpin’ t’ solve any cases? Sorry ta steal yer thunder, but solvin’ all these cases had nothin’ t’ do with bein’ fuckin’ funky or bein’ fuckin’ mysterious. We solved them 'cause we had t’. 'Cause we couldn’t let the murderer get away fer murdering a classmate o’ ours. Deal with it.”

Harsh.

“And don’t think we don’t wanna solve the damn case. Lord knows that enough people got away with it, especially those who showed absolutely no regret for what they’ve done.”

Two cents for anyone who can guess who she meant by that.

“Hell, I wanna solve this case as well - and while we’re at it, find out who the actual fuck shot me in the chest, but we have bigger fish t’ fry. But as long as we wait fer the last mastermind votes t’ come in, we should make use t’ at least discuss the murder a lil’. Just t’ throw it out right now - all y’ need t’ do is look for anyone who is injured or has some black fabric damaged, than ya most likely got yer killer. I hope some o’ ya did some room searches, 'cause I couldn’t really make them this time 'round.”

Stella crossed her arms before her chest, looking incredibly pissed as of now. Well, guess getting killed would still make you sour, regardless of what state you had been beforehand…

When Skye entered the scene, she glanced his way, flashing him a small smile, before going back into business - one could say it’s better for her to be pissed than… empty like she used to be.

“Alright, so, the culprit made a mess in a bunch o’ places - kitchen, cafeteria, control room, infirmary 'n the unisex bathroom. Let’s go over the infirmary first, 'cause it will make it clear why the culprit is most likely injured 'sides fer other factors. A roll o’ gauze bandaging is missin’ and some alcohol 'n medical tape had been used. Given how I didn’t find any o’ this in the public spaces, it either means that someone is still wearing some bandages or hid them away in a room. Alright, next t’ the cafeteria, I guess. Tables 'n chairs had been thrown over all over the place 'n even the microwave wasn’t spared. Inside o’ it. I found some o’ Ryo’s hair along with smeared blood inside the walls. ’S likely that the culprit shoved his head in there at one point, but given there’s no water or anythin’, doubt ’s the murder weapon. If anythin’ was, than the TV itself in combination w’ the water.”

I’m so sorry that she’s talking so much again, dear god.

“Alright, who wants t’ continue?”

Victim: Stella Illjes Location of Body: Control Room Cause of Death: Ballistic Trauma Time of Death: █:██ █M

The victim is Stella Illjes. The time of death was around █:██ █M. The body is located in the Control Room. Stella’s cause of death seems to be of ballistic trauma as is evident with the bullet wound in her chest. She is slumped against the panels which all seem to have been meddled with recently.

[THIS DEATH IS NOT TO BE INVESTIGATED.]

“Oh, sis, you sound even crazier than I do. You act like I’m doing this at emotional gunpoint.”

He gave her a big smile and scooted past her to put the tray on the bed. Nothing too fancy, just some cereal and one piece of toast, but it was enough for him. Hopefully it would be enough for Stella. Of course she’d be fine with it, she was one of the best people here. Now if only she’d treat herself as such. 

“Can’t I just come vist my baby sister? The day is so young and I wish to enjoy it with you before it grows old, dies, and leaves us with nothing but darkness and the void it left with us~”

Stella’s room felt comfortable to him. Almost as much of a home as his room was. Maybe even more so since Haruo never felt comfortable in his room with Jam Jam there. Besides, home was where your heart and family was! Haruo’s little sister was here and his heart, along with the rest of his internal organs, were nestled comfortably inside the walking sack of flesh that was his temporary prison. 

The hat maker pulled up a chair and sat parallel from a spot on the bed. 

“No, ’s not what I meant... Sorry.”

Stella didn’t seem to want to explain it, though - probably for the best, really. There was already enough negativity going on, no need to expand on it even more; or drag Haruo down with her. He didn’t deserve this, so she needed to pull herself together at least a little bit.

“I’m glad y’are here... really am. Dunno what I woulda do otherwise.”

This sounded uplifting didn’t it? Hah.

Damnit Stella, what are you even trying to achieve, you really can’t do anything right-

“Yeah, ‘s... ‘s really t’ bad we’re not in the same room anymore... Maybe I can talk w’ Miyako t’ let ya sleep here w’ us instead there...”

Just thinking how a certain person could sneak up on Haruo and harm him made her blood boil. If she didn’t feel so incredibly drained, she would go up and-

... And what? Kill him? And then get killed herself? Thus, leaving Haruo behind? That wouldn’t be fair to him... or to those who were waiting back at home for her.

Still, it was difficult to keep herself together.