#despaircarnival

The set is quiet, there is a moment of darkness before multicoloured lights turn on, shining on Yami. She stands there with a confident smile on her face. The place she’s standing it, its where Minori died. Holes open up in the wall, and the cameras began to fire their shots. Unlike last time, she manages to dodge them all until they shut off.

She laughs as Monobear then drags her off to tie her to a rocket. Wait, doesn’t this seem similar to a certain pyrotechnic?

Before there is a chance to think about it, she’s fired up into the air, screaming the whole way. Before the fireworks go off, she manages to untie herself, falling down onto a stage below with a large thud.

Yami waves excitedly at the crowd of monobears, until one points a gun at her. ‘Pop!’ A little flag only appears unlike when it happened to Kenji. She bows as she exits the stage, only to climb up onto another platform.

A tank raises out of the ground, two sharks swimming around in it. If you look close enough, you can see blood on their teeth from a recent kill. Oh no - are those the same who devoured Mayu? They are. The platform Yami stands on, folds up, causing her to fall into the water below with a splash! Seconds after she falls in, the glass shatters, causing the water and sharks to spill out.

Yami then smiles as she is finally lead to a large wooden cross. A monobear doesn’t even wait for her to be ready, nailing her hands and feet to the religious symbol. A flashing sign appears above it reading "HIT THE BULLSEYE."

Suddenly, she’s spinning! The cross spins around and around, a crowd of monobears holding tools a mortician would use. They throw them at Yami, ultimately missing each time. The objects evolve from simple tools to weapons such as swords and axes until the bullseye is hit - a knife stabs through her heart. The cross stops spinning and all the bears cheer, only to get crushed by falling gravestones.

Monobear: "Hey there bastards! How're you all doing? Good? I hope so! Because it's time to commence the trial of GERMAIN TOSHIKO NOW!"

Takano Makiri: "Poor Germain... That sweet boy."

Kumagai Mayu: "Germain... He seemed so gentle.."

Zacharie Morison: "Yeah, hes dead now"

Shizuko Takahashi: "....I th-think we all know that al-already..."

Kumagai Mayu: "I'm aware of that, thank ya."

Yami Michiko: "It's quite obvious."

Takano Makiri: "Well, does anyone have any ideas on who might of done it? Did anyone find anything weird?"

Yami Michiko: "Hmmm. From what I saw, his room was quite a mess, wasn't it~?"

Kumagai Mayu: "Uh... Well, all I know is the skates belonged to Germain himself, I think. He won them at one of the stalls I'm hangin' around. But that's no help at all..."

Takano Makiri: "There was some weird black poweder on the ground. Was that his too?"

Yami Michiko: "Actually, I had a suspicion that the skates were the weapon."

Shizuko Takahashi: "It w-was gunpowder, right? I th-think that's what the file said."

Takano Makiri: "Who would have gunpowder?"

Yami Michiko: "Why is there even gunpowder here?"

Kumagai Mayu: "What was it even... Used for?"

Seiko: "Was anything with gunpowder given as a prize?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "M-maybe....it was on one of th-the people who work with fire?"

Takano Makiri: "That would be the fire preformer and the pyrotechnic, right?"

Zacharie Morison: "Damn someone just dropped a buncha gunpowder?"

Yami Michiko: "That's clumsy."

Ai: "My work mainly has to due with fuel. Not with gunpowder."

Kumagai Mayu: "I don't think anyone won gunpowder.. I was hangin' round the games stalls for ages and the closest prize I saw is sparklers, which isn't really close at all..."

Aria Rumiko: "U-Um... C-Can we maybe go over the evidence a bit? I-It could possibly lead us to something... Before we make wild accusations...”

Shizuko Takahashi: "Y-yeah, that might be the b-best idea..."

Aria Rumiko: "W-Where did the roller skates come from? D-Does anyone have an explanation?"

Yami Michiko: "Apparently he owned them."

Takano Makiri: "Mayu-chan already explained that... Pleae pay attention."

Aria Rumiko: "D-Did she? S-Sorry... I wasn't paying a-attention... My head's kind of... In the clouds right now..."

Takano Makiri: "This is bad time to day dream..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "Hm? D-did someone say d-daydream?"

Aria Rumiko: "I-I'm so sorry!"

Takano Makiri: "The gunpowder on the other hand..."

Aria Rumiko: "D-Do we know what was used to hit Germain in the head?"

Yami Michiko: "Like I stated earlier. I suspect it was the rollerskates."

Takano Makiri: "There isn't another apparent weapon, unless they beat him to death with their hands or feet."

Kumagai Mayu: "Where could the powder have come from? I don't think it was a prize, so someone must've either brought it with them, or possibly found it somewhere... Is there anythin' at all in the carnival that it could be taken from? Probably not..."

Seiko: "We'll the people who have gunpowder possible didn't lock their tents."

Zacharie Morison: "Yeah but what could that help ifin someone stole it?"

Yami Michiko: "Hmm."

Kumagai Mayu: "Ah, of course, that could also bw true. But I thought last trial we all agreed ta? Never mind. I must've  overlooked that possibility."

Yami Michiko: "I feel as if the gunpowder was a third wheel~"

Shizuko Takahashi: "A r-red herring, maybe?"

Kumagai Mayu: "Ta throw us off? Yeah, maybe."

Yami Michiko: "The skates were used to kill him, but the gunpowder is an odd thing, isn't it?"

Aria Rumiko: "It makes sense that it might be a red herring... The gunpowder... It's just out of place..."

Yami Michiko: "I would suggest it may have been stuck to someone's clothing, but that is a little off."

Zacharie Morison twirls his cane absentmindedly

Takano Makiri: "Either that or they were framing someone."

Shizuko Takahashi: ".....like last time....."

Kumagai Mayu: ".."

Aria Rumiko sighs

Yami Michiko: "What is it with you people and framing others?"

Aria Rumiko: "I-It's a basic method t-to try and get away with murder..."

Kumagai Mayu: "They wanna go home."

Yami Michiko: "So does everyone else."

Yami Michiko: "If they end up winning though, what happens to us?"

Ai Hasako: "Well, look at the past losers."

Shizuko Takahashi: "H-how about we get back on t-topic?"

Yami Michiko: "Fine."

Kumagai Mayu: "Ah, yeah, sorry!"

Aria Rumiko: "Wh-What other evidence c-can we discuss...?"

Yami Michiko: "Did anyone find any other evidence?"

Ai Hasako: "I thought it would be more fun to not do an investigation."

Yami Michiko: "Wow."

Takano Makiri: "How is that fun?!"

Aria Rumiko: "Hasako-san... W-Why wouldn't you want to investigate... Uuu... Our lives are on the line here..."

Ai Hasako: "It makes it harder for me. If we go complaining about what I do, we will never finish this trial."

Aria Rumiko: "I... I investigated as much as I could b-but I didn't find much..."

Kumagai Mayu: "I seem ta remember there was a blood trail in his tent where he was dragged.. And uh, some kind of... Footprints? Outside, that is. Unfortunately that's about all I found."

Shizuko Takahashi: "Th-there was a blood t-trail going to Retumi-kun's t-tent..."

Aria Rumiko: "H-Huh?"

Kumagai Mayu: "Yes, it seemed that was where the bloody footprints led.."

Yami Michiko: "Did anyone go into their tent~?"

Seiko: "Those weren't mine!"

Aria Rumiko: "C-Can we prove they weren't Seiko's?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "W-we could check if the sh-shoe pattern in the blood matches his, maybe...?"

Kumagai Mayu: "It does seem a little too obvious... Then again, it would've been difficult to clean up that blood... Shall we compare shoes? Only- I don't quite remember the shape of the prints, I'm sorry..."

Aria Rumiko: "P-Perhaps somebody took a picture of the prints? Did anyone? I-It would help us compare..."

Seiko: "Were they leading out of the tent or in?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "I th-think into."

Aria Rumiko: "Into it if I remember c-correctly..."

Seiko: "But wouldn't footprints leave the tent too? Unless they cleaned their shoes or took them on inside."

Aria Rumiko: "T-Then it's obvious the shoes were cleaned while inside..."

Ai Hasako: "With what?"

Takano Makiri: "Did anyone look in the tent?"

Zacharie Morison: "I didn't"

Kumagai Mayu: "I did- not for long, though. And uh-  Seiko, there was a letter in there addressed to ya.. It wasn't opened, I thought it might be important?"

Aria Rumiko: "I... I don't know..."

Seiko: "Did…. you read it?"

Aria Rumiko: "W-What did it say?"

Kumagai Mayu: "I didn't read it- It's stupid, I know, but I felt I didn't have the right ta do that without permission. I have it here, though. S-should I read it now?"

 Seiko: "Don't bother, it only talks about the car crash."

Aria Rumiko: "I-If that's the case... R-Read it anyways. I-I'm sorry.... B-But we have to make sure y-you're telling the truth...."

Shizuko Takahashi: "I-if it's the motive letter th-then that shouldn't be neccesary..."

Yami Michiko suddenly looks very uncomfortable

Kumagai Mayu: "Oh, it's one of those motives. I'm so sorry, I didn't realise! Uh... C-can someone else read it? I'm sorry, I don't feel I should..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "W-well....I'm only guessing, ehe..."

Yami Michiko: "I'll p-pass on reading it."

Aria Rumiko: "I-Is something wrong, Michiko-san?"

Seiko: "It's  that not fun to read. Heh…"

Zacharie Morison: "Can I?"

Kumagai Mayu: "If it really is, we should leave it... They were targeted to be painful, and hurting people won't help us..."

Seiko stares at the ground

Takano Makiri: "But all of our lives are at risk..."

Aria Rumiko: "U-Unfortunately, Kumagai-san... E-Even if it is... W-we have to make sure..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Uh, well... Just check if it is a motive. If it is, don't read it all out loud, 'Kay?"

Seiko: "Aren't they all motives? I would never kill because of this. It's too much disrespect to him..."

Aria Rumiko sighs

Takano Makiri : "It's probably a motive. Do you confirm it's yours?"

Yami Michiko: "It has his name on it, doesn't it?"

Aria Rumiko: "C-Can I ask why Ms. Michiko suddenly started acting... Strange when the note was mentioned?"

Takano Makiri: "Prehaps she doesn't like mentioning the motive? It was painful for all of us."

Kumagai Mayu: "Maybe because her motive upset her? I felt a little tense at that moment, too."

Zacharie Morison: "I know that motive hit home hard for me, maybe she just doesnt wanna talk bout it"

Yami Michiko: "Can we not talk about this."

Aria Rumiko: "I-I guess.... B-But this is Yami we're talking about... S-She's never been known to act so... Y'know...."

Yami Michiko: "T-Teehe.. I just don't like the subject of c-car crashes. There is no need to suspect me at all."

Takano Makiri: "When were car crashes brought up...?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "......of c-course..."

Kumagai Mayu: "O-oh. Sorry, Yami."

Yami Michiko: "Don't worry. You didn't know."

Aria Rumiko: "I... I s-suppose..."

Seiko: "Who does like talking about car crashes.. they're horrible… unfortunate..."

Yami Michiko: "Agreed."

Kumagai Mayu: "A-ah... Shall we change the subject?"

Yami Michiko: "Please."

Ai Hasako: "Michiko, what did you do with your motive letter?"

Yami Michiko: "I ripped it into tiny pieces of paper so that no one including myself would ever have to read it again."

Seiko rubs the back of his head "Could I have my motive letter.. please."

Takano Makiri: "Retumi-san, did you already know what would be on the letter?"

Ai Hasako: "Hmp, that concludes a suspicion I had."

Kumagai Mayu: "Of course... Here..."

Seiko: "Um…  technically no… I had a feeling."

Takano Makiri: "Is it something really bad?"

Seiko: "What suspicion?"

Ai Hasako: "The motive letter motivated someone to kill someone else to make sure their scar stayed a secret."

Yami Michiko: "Did you suspect me for a moment then?"

Zacharie Morison: "I know I really liked this motive"

Yami Michiko laughs

Shizuko Takahashi: "....i think it's safe to r-rule you out as a s-supect, then..."

Yami Michiko: "If you actually suspected me, I think I'll have to reconsider my trust in you. I thought I told you~ I don't wish death upon people, and I don't kill people."

Aria Rumiko: "..."

Takano Makiri: "None of us want to kill people, but it keeps happening."

Monobear yawns.

Monobear: "You all are too calm!! Where's the fear? The excitement?"

Seiko: "Of course theres fear! Someones dead!"

Zacharie Morison: "There's other feelings too!"

Kumagai Mayu: "Um... Does anyone know what Germain himself's motive was? It probably isn't important, I just thought maybe... Like last time, the victim's motive could be important?"

Monobear: "You all have several liars among you, and you are just dismissing things without a second glance!"

Monobear: "How bo~ring~"

Ai Hasako: "I'd have to agree with the bear."

Seiko: "You know he's just getting us to turn on each other!"

Zacharie Morison: "Don't agree with the bear!"

Takano Makiri : "Well we need to turn on one of us or all die..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "But...we c-can't exactly completely trust each other when one of u-us is a murderer..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Seiko... Can I glance at the letter? I won't read it all, I just need ta make sure what it is, that's all. I-I'm sorry..."

Aria Rumiko: "P-Please, Seiko... S-So we... Can rule you out as t-the culprit..."

Seiko: "It's…  just as painful as anyone else's… aren't there other ways to prove it wasn't me?"

Aria Rumiko: "N-No..."

Aria Rumiko: "P... Please.... Retumi-kun..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Just let me check it. I don't have ta look at it in depth, if it is a motive..."

Seiko: "Please don't it's… painful to hear."

Yami Michiko covers her ears. Ain't listening to this

Aria Rumiko frowns, a clear look of nervousness on her face.

Takano Makiri : Takano Makiri  leans toward Retumi to listen.

Aria Rumiko: "P-Please..."

Dear Seiko Retumi,

It started when you were three. You were screaming because you were hungry, and your father couldn't take it anymore. The first one was holding your little hand over the stove. The burns weren't that severe and healed completely. No matter how many times he apologized, he never meant it. The second time he figured to do it somewhere less visible. The second time he heated one of the kitchen knives over the stove. This scar is on the upper left side of your back. This burn stayed, where no neighbors saw, and he realized you had stopped speaking against him and crying. So as time went on he got more creative. Irons, silverware, anything that would leave a print. Anything that would satisfy him.

Kumagai Mayu: "O-oh!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Th-that's...."

Kumagai Mayu: "I am... So sorry, Seiko!"

Zacharie Morison: "Oh man thats cool!"

Yami Michiko: "Disgusting."

Aria Rumiko: "No.... No... S-Seiko.... I'm... I'M SORRY!"

Monobear: "Now I ask myself, 'what does that have to do with an auto accident'..."

Not Seiko: "It…."

*Kumagai shudders and looks like she might cry*

Takano Makiri : "I'm so sorry, Retumi-san. I didn't think it would be like that..."

Aria Rumiko: "N-Ngh..."

Aria Rumiko: "I-In.... *sniff* any case... D-Does this prove Seiko's innocence?"

Seiko: "I suppose… it doesn't."

Kumagai Mayu: "I shouldn't have taken it! It was yours!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "It only...reinforces s-suspicions..."

Yami Michiko: "So you lied?"

Kumagai Mayu: "W-wait... What is.. Then why..."

Yami Michiko: "You don't fucking joke about those sorts of things you idiot."

Seiko: "Wait… I well…"

Seiko: "It was't a joke. I would never JOKE about these things. They are not jokes."

Aria Rumiko: "S-Seiko Retumi... D-Did you kill Germain?"

Kumagai Mayu: "S-Seiko?"

 Aria Rumiko: "..."

Seiko: "No!"

Seiko: "I barely even knew him! How could I?!"

Takano Makiri : "It's easier to kill strangers."

Ai Hasako: "Wouldn't that make it easier?"

Zacharie Morison: "Easily!"

Aria Rumiko: "N-Not knowing somebody... Doesn't make a difference..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Nnnghhh..." *shudders again*

Seiko: "Nothing should make killing easy!"

Zacharie Morison: "You would be surprised!"

Yami Michiko laughs

Takano Makiri : "Self defense, does... Years of hate too..."

Aria Rumiko: "I... I don't know any more..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "M-maybe we should g-go over all the evidence b-before making a-any decisions."

Seiko: "What I said my letter was… has nothing do  with whether i killed Germain or not."

(The culprit of this round then had to leave, so we stopped for this day, and continued the next day.)

-BREAK-

Monobear: "Hey there everyone! You ready for Round Two?!"

Takano Makiri : "Mrrr..."

Monobear: "Now to recap: You found gunpowder on the ground, thinking it was a red herring, and then found a blood trail leading to Retumi's tent! In there, you found an unopened motive letter behind his bed, perhaps even other things, and then in trial you learned that he lied straight through his teeth to hide the motive! Who knows how much he'd been lying! But is Seiko the true culprit? Or did someone frame him? Who knows! Let us find out in Part Two!"

Takano Makiri : "I think maybe we should start thinking about who would have gunpowder. We should investigate them too."

Shizuko Takahashi: "Hasako-san al-already said she doesn't use g-gunpowder, so that would only l-leave Spledida-san."

Kumagai Mayu: "Maybe the pyrotechnician would? Ellie, right?"

Takano Makiri : "Agreed. Spledida-san, did you bring gunpowder with you?"

Ellie: "Eh...? Well I mean...yeah!! I always have gunpowder on me!!!"

Kumagai Mayu: "Could somebody have taken it from ya? Did ya maybe leave your tent unlocked?"

Ellie: "Hmmm...Well, I didn't have my belt that night, if that's what ya meant!! That's where I keep all my pyrotechnic stuff!!!"

Kumagai Mayu: "Ah! There was a belt in Seiko's tent!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Wh-where did you last have i-it?"

Ellie: "Uuuuuh...I don't remember! But eh, what did the belt in his tent look like, huh?"

Kumagai Mayu: "It had... Well, I don't know any technical terms so this is a useless description, but it had things hangin' off it. Some looked like they were missin'. Uh... They looked kinda professional things?"

Ai Hasako: "Studs? I'm not sure how much a belt would actually help. Unless there was a struggle, of course."

Takano Makiri : "If he stole the belt, he could have planted the gunpowder."

Shizuko Takahashi: "Or...maybe the k-killer put it th-there after walking to his t-tent. Their shoes w-were bloody and l-left a trail, and they p-put the belt there to make it l-look like he stole it.....maybe?"

Takano Makiri : "Maybe..."

Kumagai Mayu: "I don't think Seiko did it... It's too obvious, like the last one... Surely he would have moved the belt, to hide it?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Yeah, i think h-he's innocent."

Takano Makiri : "Maybe the pyrotechnic, then? If she accidentally spilled some, and then did that to cover up her trail."

Shizuko Takahashi: "E-either way, it looks like s-someone's being framed again....uuu..."

Kumagai Mayu: ".."

Takano Makiri : "Of course, that's what people do."

Ai Hasako: "Well, we have to figure out a suspect. It'd either be Spledida or Retumi, as far as we know. The blood tracks do seem a bit weird, though."

Shizuko Takahashi: "It was p-probably from the blood that c-came from Toshiko-kun's wound."

Zach: "What a delicious turn of events."

Takano Makiri : "Delicious? Odd phrasing..."

Kumagai Mayu: "...Delicious?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Delicious...th-that's..."

Zach: "I could use mouthwaterin' ifn you like that better"

Takano Makiri : "Why would murder make you hungry?"

Kumagai Mayu: "... I am gonna ignore that. So, Ellie, what was your belt like? As in, what was on it?"

Zach: "Not really hungry just a- hey lets finish this trial before gettin into my adjictive choice!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Can you t-tell us if the pouches were cloth too?"

Ellie: "Hmmm...? It was white with a buncha pockets on it! Didn't have much sticking out, but it had used and unused matches in it, gunpowder, tiny firecrackers, stuff like that!!!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "W-were the pockets c-cloth? If they were...th-then maybe they got snagged and ripped and sp-spilled out the gunpowder, and left the f-fabric there!"

Ellie: "Eh...I had little rags in there too..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Sounds like the one I saw. So either... Somebody stole it, or... Yeah. Did ya wear it around, or leave it anywhere it coulda been stolen?"

Ellie: "...I usually got it on me!! Sometimes I leave it lying around when I don't like wearin' it for too long..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "And you're s-sure you don't remember when you lost it?"

Ellie: "Nooooooope...don't remember at all!!!"

Takano Makiri : "Ellie-san, are you certian. Because at the moment you are the most suspicous..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Sorry ta keep pesterin' ya, Ellie, but when is the last time ya actually remember havin' it?"

Ellie: "Sometime before that night, I guess..."

Kumagai Mayu: ".." *she rubs the bridge of her nose in frustration*

Takano Makiri : "Damn it, can't you be clearer?!"

Ellie: "!!! C-calm down...!!! I dunno when!!! I lost it the night before he died, okay!?"

Takano Makiri : "Do you have anything to prove you were not the killer?"

Ellie: "Hmmm...? Well...no, but does that other guy that had my belt have anythin' to prove it ain't him...?"

Takano Makiri : "If it was him, why wouldn't he just leave the belt there?"

Ellie: "I dunno, I ain't the one who did it, I dunno how a killers mind works."

Takano Makiri : "It would be easy for him leave it there. Why would he go back to his tent? And there were rags in the belt. Why would he not use the rags inside the tent?"

Ellie: "Maybe he didn't know about 'em? There's a lotta pockets! I keep everythin' pretty orgagnized, believe it or not!"

Takano Makiri : "If he found the gunpowder, he could have found the rags."

Ai Hasako: "Why would he have the belt, again?"

Ellie: "Eeeeeh details, details!! It ain't hard ta miss 'em!!! They stick ta the side of the belt or whatevah"

Kumagai Mayu: "Ellie right now ya have ta be the main suspect. If ya can just try and remember more clearly...? I don't wanna suspect ya. Just please- be clearer when ya speak! All our lives are at stake!"

Ellie: "I lost it, I dunno what else ya want from me...it ain't hard ta take a belt from me!! I would lose my head if it weren't attached ta my shoulders!! Framin' me...simple thing ta do!"

Ai Hasako: "And you would leave your door open, too?"

Ellie: "...Possibly, ya"

Ai Hasako: "And you possibly left it open the night he was murdered, too?"

Takano Makiri : "Damn it Ellie! Lock your tent! EVERYONE LOCK YOUR FUCKING TENTS!"

Kumagai Mayu: "I thought we all promised not ta do that. It's for all our safety!"

Ellie: "STOP FUCKIN' YELLIN' AT ME!!!" U-uh...yeah...I don't always lock my tent...didn't think it would matter..."

Zach: "AH please dont yell"

Kumagai Mayu: "It did last trial..."

Ai Hasako: "Why wouldn't he return the belt back to your tent if it was unlocked?"

Ellie: "...I dunno!!! Ask him or somethin'...I dunno nothin'!!"

Takano Makiri : "Sorry... I'll be quieter... I just want everyone to be safe..."

Ai Hasako: "Are you lying?"

Ellie: "Why would I lie, huh? I'm pretty bad at lyin', no point in lyin'"

Zach: "Well you ain't a truther from the sounds a it"

Takano Makiri : "People lie to save their own asses."

Ai Hasako: "It already seems like you're cracking under pressure, anyways."

Ellie: "...Crackin'? I never...cracked..."

Ai Hasako: "You haven't done a very good job at keeping a cool head. You're so /forgetful/ after all. How much of this is a front to throw off suspicion?"

Ellie: "Well, if it was a front ta do that, it don't seem ta be workin' very well, huh? I ain't lyin' and I'm just naturally forgetful...I dunno what else ya want me ta say..."

Takano Makiri : "Give us a reason not to believe you are the killer. You seem like a sweet girl. I wouldn't want to see you are a bad person..."

Ellie: "Eeeeeh...? 'Course I'm sweet~!!! I wouldn't kill someone for...what was the motive again?...I forgot!! Hehe..."

Kumagai Mayu: "It's probably a false lead, as we said they probably cleaned it off, but- maybe someone still has some traces of blood left on the bottom of their shoes? That is, if the crime was hurried... But they could have stepped in it durin' the investigation... Forget it. I'm sorry, I can't think of anythin'. I just- don't wanna believe any of us- never mind."

Ai Hasako: "The motive of scars. Was there bloody footsteps leading out of the victim's tent?"

Ellie: "...Scars...?"

Ai Hasako: "Emotional scars, physical scars. It would have been revealed in a few days, anyways."

Kumagai Mayu: "Physical and mental scars, yes. Surely you can't have forgotten? They were so painful."

Takano Makiri : "Ellie-san, may I ask about your scars?"

Ellie: "Eh? I don't got no...scars...?"

Kumagai Mayu: "What was in your envelope, then?"

Takano Makiri : "No burns? I would think you have those."

Ellie: "...I'm careful when I work..."

Takano Makiri : "Ellie-san, you have some scars. Everyone does. Don't lie."

Ellie: "...Do ya care 'bout what they are exactly? How they got there and everythin'? Or just if I've gottem?"

Takano Makiri : "I just want to know. How easily you will admit them tells me whether you would kill for them or not."

Ellie: "I've got a few burn scars on my arms...well I mean, more than a few...eh, whatevah...do ya need...t-ta know anythin' else?!?"

Takano Makiri : "I need to know more."

Ai Hasako: "How careful are you with your work, again?"

Ellie: "I'm very careful at work!!! I didn't...y-ya don't need ta know more!!!"

Kumagai Mayu: "Ellie, it is not just your life at stake here, but all of ours."

Kumagai Mayu: "I am so sorry, but we need ta know more"

Ellie: "I.TOLD.YA....augh!!! Just shaddup, all of ya!!! I DIDN'T DO IT I DIDN'T DO IT I DIDN'T DO IT!!!"

Takano Makiri : "Ellie-san, calm down!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "C-can you prove you d-didn't?"

Ellie: "I TOLD YA I DIDN'T!!! W-who would kill over s-stupid burn scars, huh!?!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "....the m-motive was more than j-just physical ones..."

Takano Makiri : "You, from the sound of this."

Ai Hasako: "Hmp, it doesn't look good for you, Splendida. We could just vote now, you know."

Monobear: "Did someeeeone say voting time??"

Ellie: "Spledida, first of all"

Shizuko Takahashi: "As m-much as I hate to d-do this again....it l-looks like it is..."

Ellie: "If ya gotta vote me, at least get my name right, huh?"

Kumagai Mayu: "I don't want- I mean- p-please say somethin' ta prove your innocence... I don't want it ta be ya ... "

Ai Hasako: "But it just sounds so splendid. Especially when I win."

Kumagai Mayu: "nobody wins."

Ellie: "...don't...make jokes at a time like this huh...after all...'our lives are at stake'..."

Zach mutters 'steak'

Kumagai Mayu: "There are no winners, only losers. We're all still stuck here, with the killin' goin' on."

Shizuko Takahashi: Shizuko Takahashi shudders

Ai Hasako: "I see it like this: Spledida is a loser at either choice we make. We get it wrong, we all die. We get it right, she dies."

Ellie: "...get off your high horse, huh? No fun in figurin' out a murder when ya don't even know how it went down~"

Kumagai Mayu: ".. Ellie-san..." *sighs quietly*

Ai Hasako: "I only care about winning, which makes the rest of us live. Why don't you tell us what was the murder weapon, then?"

Ellie: "Pair a rollerskates, wasn't that obvious? A winner like ya should always know the answers...never know when they'll get ya a prize of two~"

Ai Hasako: "Or the skates were put in the pool of blood, and the body leaned against the bed."

Ellie: "Augh, no, skates were the weapon, hun..."

Ai Hasako: "How do you know?"

Ellie: "...Are ya serious...?"

Ai Hasako: "Yes, tell me how this person was killed."

Ellie: "Germain, or whatevah his name was...got bashed in the head a buncha times with rollerskates...then was moved so he'd lean against the bed...ain't too hard ta figure out..."

Ai Hasako: "But why move him? What purpose would that help?"

Ellie: "...Maybe...there was some guilt...leavin' someone ya brutally murdered on the floor like that… Maybe...t-they didn't mean ta kill 'em in the first place..."

Shizuko Takahashi: "S-such a drastic drop in c-confidence in your answ-wers..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Ohh..." *she murmurs unhappily, eyes dropping*

Ai Hasako: "So, would you feel guilty about it?"

Ellie: "...'Course I would...they didn't...do anythin'...I...I didn't...m-m-mean to..."

Ai Hasako: "I think that answers all of my questions. Should we vote, now?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "H-how about we just r-recap everything, first?"

Shizuko Takahashi: "So there's n-no doubt, that is."

Ellie: "...Do ya want me ta explain everythin' or somethin'? I can tell ya everythin'...not like I care a-anymore..."

Ai Hasako: "That would help."

Ellie: "Alrightie, well...I was talkin' ta Germain before he died that night...went ta talk ta him in his tent...no harm done, huh? Well...we brought up somethin'...I would rather forget...parents...I was upset and he...he tried ta comfort me...? I think that's what that was, anyway...he reached for my arms and...w-well...physical and emotional scars were kinda a thing I've been dealin' with...I panicked as he went towards me...and I grabbed the first thing I saw...pair of rollerskates...bashed him on the noggin' a few times too many...and I...I felt s-s-so bad...he didn't...mean ta do anythin' bad...s-so I tried ta move him on t-the bed...but...I wasn't strong enough...then i hid my belt in Seiko's room and went ta my own..."

Kumagai Mayu: "E-Ellie... I am so sorry!"

Zach: "Oh my god"

Shizuko Takahashi: "Th-that's....awful..."

Ai Hasako: "Well, we have a confession and we can vote. And to you, Spledida, better luck next time. And don't feel guilty, you could have won."

Takano Makiri : "I'm sorry it ended up like that..."

Monobear: "Now it's time to vote! Get votin'!"

Ai Hasako: "Spledida."

Takano Makiri : "Ai-san! This isn't a game! Don't treat it like one. ...But I vote for Ellie, I am sorry..."

Monobear: "Two!"

Shizuko Takahashi: "....S-sorry....Spledida-san..."

Monobear: "Three!"

 Kumagai Mayu: "Nobody can win! Unless we all get out, safe-- but I am so sorry, Ellie... I vote for you..."

Monobear: "Fooourr!!"

Zach: "Sorry, Ellie, baby! You should learn ta kill better next time!

Monobear: "Five!"

Monobear: "NOW TIME TO COMMENCE THE EXECUTION OF ELLIE SPLEDIDA!"

GOING OUT WITH A BANG.

  Millions of shining stars lit up the night sky almost as if to show their excitement for such an occasion. The scene was set on a tall hill aligned with fireworks waiting to be set off, and at the very top was none other than Ellie herself, strapped onto the largest firework known to mankind. As the camera quickly pans out, Monobear suddenly pops into frame at the very bottom of the hill with a Fourth of July hat sitting on his head. By now, we see that there’s a long piece of rope that connects to the large firework at the very top, and Monobear is clearly interested by it. Taking out a lighter, he begins to burn one end up the rope until it falls out of his hands and begin climbing the hill as a fairly fast pace.

  The camera moves back to where Ellie is at the top of the hill. At first, all we can see is the light of the flame getting closer with a side/back-shot of the firework, but once it is at a deadly distance, the camera turns to the girl’s face as she stares up into the sky….. With a sweet smile plastered on her lips.

  And then

  She’s off!

  The rocket lets out a loud hiss moments before launching into the air. Even though there was an enormous amount of sparks trailing behind her (along with a bunch of mini-fireworks), nothing could beat the shining smile Ellie had in her face just seconds before the explosion.

There was a loud explosion, followed by a bunch of mini ones, and while all the other fireworks popped and showed off their extravagant colors in the background, the screen was filled with the faces of the murderer and victim that the large firework had created. While the two images continued to sink down in the sky, the camera zooms out one more time to the bottom of the hill where a bunch of Monobears were sitting on blankets, enjoying the light show above.

Zach covers his ears "God damn it!"

Kamary holds her arms. "I'm sorry for pushing you, Ellie-san. I'm sorry." She began to cry.

Kumagai Mayu: "I-I- I'M SORRY, ELLIE!" The voices in Kumagai's head are louder than ever before, screaming about how much of a failure she has been. "I broke my promise. I said I'd get us all out. I barely even tried!!!" she covers her ears to block out the mocking laughter, murmuring 'shut up, shut up!'

Zach: "Wasted... all gone..."

Ai Hasako: "Hmp, I'll take Spledida's card in the morning, maybe put off a few fire works for her." She muttered, before taking a bow. "I'll be in my tent, if any of you need me."

Kamary as soon as she noticed Mayu's tears, she skittered over to her friend and wrapped her in a hug. "Oh no, sweetie! This isn't your fault."

Shizuko Takahashi: "...g-goodnight, everyone."

Shizuko Takahashi walks out of the tent

Zach: "Man, I can smell the burn flesh from here, thats pretty bad"

Kumagai Mayu: "Takano?" The voices fled at the sound of a familiar one, one she knew was real. "T-thank you..." She hugged her tightly, then whispered very quietly so only she could hear. "Will ya make them stop? They won't stop- I can't make them stop remindin' me..."

Kamary: "Oh no, sweetie. That's survivor's guilt." Takano wasn't sure on that one, but she would try to help her friend. She stroked Kumagai's hair. She whispered softly in returned. "I can't make them stop, but I'll stay with you until they do, okay?"

Zach: "Okay i'm gonna... just find my own way out... you two have your moment..."

Kumagai Mayu: "Mm'kay." She clung to the taller girl like a small child, worn out yet again. But she couldn't stop worrying if she was breaking- or broken. A broken girl couldn't fix anything. "Thank ya. They go away a little when I can hear ya. I guess it's 'cause I trust ya. Please stay with me." She began to murmur sleepily, still sounding a little tearful. "Nobody here is a bad person, though. 'Cept Monobear..."

Kamary: "Can we please stay with in my tent with me tonight? I... I don't think either of us should be alone." Takano gestured for them to leave so they could talk privately.

Kumagai Mayu: "Y-yes. I think that would be best. I don't want ta leave ya alone... And I also don't wanna be alone... I trust ya. I can tell ya anythin' right?" She sighed a little, then attempted a smile. "And... Ya can tell me anythin'. At all."