Striking with facts so cowardly—Enoshima really is evil. When did she even figure it out?
And this isn't even an embarrassing "memory" or a past I'm desperate to hide, right? She must really want to mess with me.
"Wh-what…!"
"H-how…?"
"How… how do you know about that…?!"
The kids—including Naegi, who wet the bed until fifth grade—let out cries.
Most of them just look a little flustered or embarrassed, but Oowada's face freezes in shock for an instant before he wrestles it back under control. Well, his sheet probably mentions the trauma of letting his brother die—no wonder.
Still, isn't this a chance to learn dirt that never showed up in the original…? No, now isn't the time for that.
With the motive videos I at least tried to stop them, but this time, if no one kills within twenty-four hours, the fact that I know the Killing Game's secret will be revealed to everyone.
Should I just share with everyone the intel I gave Kirigiri? I immediately realize that would be stupid.
Kirigiri can detect lies, and my words awakened her talent as the Ultimate Detective, so she trusted me, but the other kids don't have that ability.
If I blurt out that a high-school girl destroyed the world with no proof, who would buy it? It would only spread confusion.
And to keep Enoshima from catching on to my game knowledge, I should share information only with someone as sharp and trustworthy as Kirigiri.
But does such a person even exist…? In the end all I have is big sis Kirigiri. Heh, Kirigiri onee-san…
Anyway, even if the envelope I'm holding gets shown to the others, I'll need an excuse they can accept.
"Well? You don't want anyone finding out, right? Right?"
Monokuma whispers temptingly, and Naegi shouts back.
"Sure, it's a secret I'd rather keep, but even so…
We're not going to kill someone over something this small!"
True—nobody's going to murder just because his bed-wetting got exposed.
"…"
But what about the biker who's been silent over there?
"Indeed! Utterly ridiculous! No one would commit murder over something so trivial!!"
"Th-that can't be…"
Crestfallen, Monokuma starts muttering.
"But memories are an important keyword connecting you to the outside world…"
He lifts his head, looks straight at me, and says meaningfully,
"Sometimes there are truths you'd do anything to keep hidden…"
He's clearly talking to me, yet Oowada beside me flinches. A guilty conscience, maybe?
"By the way, I've opened up the second floor to give you a larger killing space, so take a look around! Laters!"
And with that, Monokuma vanishes.
"That was shocking, but… kinda anticlimactic? Having your secret exposed is embarrassing, sure, but it's not a motive for murder, right…?"
"Everyone… I have a great idea! Let's just confess all our secrets right here!!"
Can't have that. I still haven't come up with a decent excuse. Then again, Ishimaru's ideas usually get ignored anyway.
"Fine, I'll go first! My shameful past is—!"
"N-no one wants to hear about your stupid past…!"
"What!?"
Fukawa's blunt shot leaves Ishimaru flustered and hurt. Even for him, spilling his dirty laundry takes courage; having it dismissed as "stupid" must sting.
"No…! I… I don't want to say it…!"
But I understand Fukawa. Her secret is that she's the serial killer Genocider Sho. Who would volunteer that now?
"I… it's not that I hate it, it's just impossible for me."
Yeah, who could live with the name "Yasuhiro Taeko"? If my surname matched Hagakure's given name, I wouldn't reveal it either.
"I… I'm sorry… I can't say it now… b-but someday I'll find the courage!"
Fujisaki's secret is probably that he's a cross-dressing boy. In the original, he tells Oowada in chapter two and says he wants to overcome the complex.
Well, Oowada kills him out of envy at that courage—but with me around, that won't happen.
"Well, can't be helped…"
Even the slightly wounded Ishimaru nods. Good—I bought time to think. Now then…
"Um… excuse me…"
Suddenly Maizono cuts in. What? Of course this didn't happen in the original—Maizono died in chapter one and we're on chapter two's motive.
"Hoo… I'm… not running anymore…"
"What's gotten into you, Maizono?"
Naegi asks, worried by her sudden behavior.
Maizono looks at him, breathes deep, shuts her eyes tight, and shouts,
"I… I've always liked you, Naegi!"
"…Huh?"
Silence falls.
The sudden confession leaves everyone stunned. I'm a bit shocked myself—why now?
"The sheet I got says, 'Maizono has loved Naegi since middle school.' And… it's true."
"…!"
"But… the way I am now… I don't deserve to love you."
She glances at me—at the scar on my face—then, after a breath, looks back to Naegi.
"I never even thought of fighting despair; I only wanted to rely on you. And if you'd been with me yesterday, I probably would have… used you…"
"That's not your fault! Anyone would do the same in this situation…!"
"You're still so kind, Naegi. But you don't have to excuse me. I lost control yesterday and nearly killed someone, even though everyone else was hurting just as much—maybe more."
"…"
"You must hate me…? But after yesterday I swore I'd stop giving up and keep moving forward, for the people who trust and care about me."
"Maizono…"
"So… until I become someone worthy of you, will you wait for me?"
"Yeah… for as long—"
"For as long as it takes? You really are kind, Naegi."
"Ah—how'd you know what I was going to say?!"
"Fufu, I'm an ESP-er, remember?"
What did I just see? It's sugary enough to rot my teeth. I feel like whistling.
The others look just as embarrassed; Fukawa trembles while scribbling in her notebook.
I hear a small sigh. Kirigiri is watching them with a relieved smile—she must have judged Maizono trustworthy now.
Anyway, that warm little scene is over, so it's about time to—
"Ahem, ahem. It'll all come out in twenty-four hours if no one kills anyone, so what's the holdup? I'm just going to say mine now."
Why is Kuwata Leon piping up…?
"See, my cousin's in love with me. At first all I felt was annoyance because her attachment was nuts, so I kept my distance. But watching her keep trying no matter how hard I pushed her away… before I knew it I started to treasure her.
I thought I loved her like a precious relative, but when I saw her kidnapped in the motive video my heart dropped. If my sheet says 'Kuwata Leon is in love with his cousin,' I can't deny it. That's my story."
Leon finishes with a relieved look. Two love stories in a row—too much for a lifelong bachelor like me. Anyway, with Leon done…
"Hold it! While we're at it, I'll say mine too! Better to take the bullet first!"
"Hmm… it's embarrassing, but better to spill it now than spend twenty-four hours worrying…"
"Sheesh, such a pain. Guess I'll just close my eyes and blurt it out now, yeah?"
"This too is a trial! Only those who face and admit their past sins can attain true enlightenment…!"
"Everyone… splendid resolve! If you're all stepping up, this man can't lag behind! Now, hear the story I couldn't finish earlier…!"
Spurred by Maizono and Leon, Asahina, Naegi, Hagakure, Yamada, and Ishimaru jump in, and an impromptu confession session begins.
Asahina admits, blushing, that she once ate thirty donuts alone, got a stomachache, and missed a swim meet. Naegi sheepishly confesses the bed-wetting until fifth grade.
Hagakure brags that he bought a fake crystal ball for 100,000 won and sold it for a million—only to learn it was actually a genuine 200-million-won artifact. Incredible in every way.
Yamada's tale was so creepy I erased it from memory; I can feel my sanity ticking down even now. Ishimaru, trembling, confesses that he once arrived at middle school three seconds late because of a fever.
Inspired, Fujisaki musters the courage to come out as a cross-dressing boy. The others are surprised, but after hearing his heartfelt resolve, they cheer him on.
Oogami Sakura says her most embarrassing memory is losing a fight with a bear at seven. She trained for two years and won the rematch at nine.
At this point I'm scared to imagine how strong Sakura is now.
"Wh-what's with you guys suddenly getting so honest…! I could never—Achoo!"
Fukawa swore she'd never talk, but one sneeze flips her into Genocider Sho—and she spills everything.
"Hellooo! The Ultimate Murderous Fiend, Genocider Sho, is here! Though my real name, Fukawa Toko, suuuucks!"
"G-Genocider Sho? The serial killer?!"
"So what if I've got two personalities? So what if one's a killer? Overlook a little flaw or two! Kya-hahaha!"
"What a pitiful farce… I'm going to investigate the second floor…"
"Fwoooooh! Byakuya-samaaa! Long time no seeee? Wait, is that a marriage contract you're holding?!"
"Wh-what…?"
Byakuya tries to walk off, but Sho snatches the file she mistakes for a marriage license.
"Byakuya Togami believed in ghosts until he was nine and slept with the lights on? Ohhh my, gap moe overload!"
Squealing with delight, Sho lunges at the trembling Byakuya, but Sakura subdues her. How did Enoshima dig up that fact?
Also, Sho's memories don't seem wiped; I might get intel from her later.
"So… who's next?"
Now only five of us remain: Celeste, Kirigiri, Oowada, Ikusaba, and me.
Their secrets won't come easily. Celeste isn't the honest type, and Oowada's truth is traumatic enough to drive him to murder—he'll need time.
Ikusaba has been strangely quiet, which is even more suspicious. As Enoshima's right hand, she may have new orders—gotta watch her.
Why is Kirigiri so silent? She looks worried. Maybe it's something about her father. Enoshima sure loves poking at trauma.
"You lot over there. Still refuse to reveal your secrets? Very well—then I must regard you as potential criminals from now on."
"T-Togami, isn't that a bit harsh…?"
"What's harsh about it? Most have talked; that means the odds of a killer coming from those five in twenty-four hours are high. Must I spell it out for you plebeians?"
Byakuya glares at us. His own dirt was exposed; no wonder he's angry we keep silent. Him getting proactive is a bad sign…
"Therefore, you five will be separated from us for the time being."
"…!"
"We'll investigate the second floor. You lot stay on the first and kill each other for all I care. The stairs will be watched, so don't even try sneaking up."
"Wh-who says…"
Ikusaba protests, but Sho darts to Byakuya's side and threatens her.
"Haaaa!? You dare object to our Byakuya-sama??? Hm? Have we met before???"
Ikusaba falters, then retreats with an icy face. Sho may have sensed her true identity.
For now Sho's focused on Byakuya, but Ikusaba's murderous glare worries me.
"Byakuya-samaa~! I drove off the nasty intruder! Aren't I great?!"
"Hmph."
Damn—it looks like Byakuya sees Sho's usefulness and plans to exploit it.
"I agree as well. Given our situation, clarity is essential…"
Damn, even Sakura sides with him. Resistance will be tough—and without her I can't watch Ikusaba. Was that their aim?
"For the next twenty-four hours you stay on the first floor, we stay on the second. At night we swap floors. I refuse to sleep near potential criminals."
"B-but the rules forbid sleeping outside the dorms… that's too harsh…"
"Then reveal your secrets. I have no reason to cater to people advertising their intent to kill."
Naegi tries to argue, but Byakuya is firm. His words are harsh yet not wrong, and the others seem to agree.
"But then they'll be in danger at night—"
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"…Huh?"
"This is that kind of game. As long as I'm safe, I don't care what happens to anyone else."
"But—!"
Maizono tries to protest, but Byakuya steamrolls her.
"I'm tired of listening. I'm heading upstairs. Anyone not among those five may follow. If you'd rather not, stay with the potential killers."
With that, Byakuya heads up with Sho guarding him.
The others apologize for suspecting us but say they need to investigate and that Byakuya has a point, so please endure just twenty-four hours, then leave.
And so Big Sister Kirigiri and I are lumped into the same death group as the mastermind, the chapter-two killer, and the chapter-three killer.