Fifth Class Trial

Once again, we all took our places around the Courtroom table. As if I needed any reminder of why I was here, Kyoko's death placard now stood directly to my left, rather than Kyoko herself. The Ultimate Detective, one of our strongest allies in these Class Trials, was now gone. I, myself, could have been killed as well, but as much as I hated to admit it, that was not the important part of this Trial.

Hiyoko, Toko/Jack Syo, Sakura, and myself were the only remaining girls. Rantaro, Korekiyo, and Rantaro were the last three guys standing. One of us killed Kyoko, and now, it was time to figure it out.

But before anyone could speak, Monorakun addressed us first.

"Before we answer the question of who reunited Kyoko with her loving, doting father, I must inform you of something. A changing of the stakes, if you will."

No one responded, though I could read the same question in everyone's eyes.

Monorakun continued. "Obviously, if you're wrong here, you all die and the Blackened walks free. However...If you flush out the Blackened, I'm not opening up the stairs to the Roof to everyone. That seems pointless to me, unless you all want to jump to your deaths together."

Several of us shook our heads silently, but still, no one spoke.

"Instead, I will hold a Graduation ceremony for ALL remaining students, tomorrow at 6pm. No exceptions, no tricks, no nonsense. You will all graduate, then you will get out of my school. Deal?"

"Hell yeah! These three guys just don't cut it for me, if ya know what I mean!" Jack Syo loudly exclaimed.

"I, too, accept your terms," Sakura agreed.

"I have no reason to object to this, either," I responded, as well.

"Great! Not that you had a choice anyway, but glad to see we're in agreement here. Now, the final Class Trial awaits. Who killed Kyoko? Get to it!" Monorakun announced, then sat back in his chair.

A thought crossed my mind. "Should we not also look into who drugged me unconscious, as well?"

Monorakun scoffed. "You're still alive, aren't you? Yeah? Then who gives a shit."

I was insulted, but Rantaro spoke up quickly. "Shishano has a point. Her attack, and Kyoko's murder, could be tied together."

So, ignoring Monorakun, we decided to examine the events of my attack first.

I recalled the events of my attack; working out alone, the lights going out, fighting with an unseen attacker, being knocked to the ground, and being rendered unconscious with something strapped to my face.

"Honestly, I can't imagine having to endure something like that, fighting for your life in the dark, when you can't see who you're fighting against," Rantaro commented, in awe.

Jack, however, scoffed. "You actually had your weapons knocked out of BOTH hands? Amateur!"

I smiled at Jack. "A pity we have no time for tea, Jack. At least it would help you keep your comments to yourself."

"Enough, you two," Sakura interjected. "Whoever attacked you must either be skilled in combat, or very familiar with you. Do you have any ideas who it could have been, Shishano?"

I thought to myself for a moment. "Whoever it was, they were definitely taller than me, which does not narrow it down much at all. If I had to guess, and I mean no disrespect to anyone here, but I would guess either Nekomaru, Korekiyo, or Sakura. Jack would have been far too noisy. Hiyoko and Toko could not have overpowered me like I was. Rantaro..." I thought a bit harder on Rantaro, then shook my head. "Rantaro seems like a dark horse in my attack. I cannot fully rule him out, but I have a hard time believing he attacked me, either."

Rantaro seemed disappointed in my assessment of him, almost hurt by my words. Sakura's face was grim, as was Nekomaru. Korekiyo's face was unreadable, due to the mask covering half his face, but that was nothing unusual.

Nekomaru spoke up next. "Speaking of Shishano's attack, we should probably bring up that glass syringe now, shouldn't we, Rantaro?"

Rantaro's eyes lit up. "Ah! Yeah, yes we should!" Rantaro then produce the glass syringe I had handed to Nekomaru. "I was able to test the contents in the Chemistry Room, and determine its contents."

Korekiyo tilted his head. "And what did you find within?"

"Sulfuric acid," Rantaro replied. "I reasoned it must have been put in an all-glass syringe like this because it would corrode a regular syringe, which contains metal. However, sulfuric acid does not react with glass at all." He then tapped on the side of the glass needle, away from the point. "Even the injection needle itself is glass, albeit not the kind of glass you would find in anything you would drink out of. This appears to have been specially made for people allergic to materials contained within regular syringes..."

Rantaro then shrugged. "I guess. I'll be honest, I've never seen one of these syringes before. That last part was just an educated guess."

Hiyoko's eyes went wide. "So, wait, someone wanted to drug Shishano unconscious, then inject her with Sulfuric Acid? Wouldn't that kill her?"

Jack, who had been silent up to this point, started cackling again. "Kyahahaha! We'll make a serial killer out of you yet, Lil' Twinkie!"

Hiyoko visibly recoiled at Jack. "Ewwww! Gross! Don't call me one of those Western fried fatty monstrosities!"

Meanwhile, I was silently processing all of this. Turn the lights out, subdue me, use Nitrous Oxide to render me unconscious...then inject Sulfuric Acid into my body to kill me? And then, I presumed, remove the Nitrous Oxide mask from my corpse to look like I injected it myself, as a suicide.

I shared this theory with the remaining six, who more or less seemed to agree that this could have been the idea behind my attempted murder.

"Which brings up the next, more important question. What happened after Shishano was rendered unconscious? Why was her murder not carried out, as the Blackened had supposedly planned?" Korekiyo asked.

We all went silent, thinking. Only one idea made any sense to me.

"Kyoko," I spoke up. "She happened upon the scene. It's the only way any of this makes sense."

"But how? How could she have known about your murder plot? Blind chance? Luck?" Rantaro asked.

"And even if she knew you were going to die, why would she go out of her way to save YOU? She didn't have to do anything, and look what it got her!" Hiyoko added, irking me greatly.

"Your callous comment aside, Hiyoko, you're right. Kyoko did not have to save me. Yet, she did. As for why, and how she knew...I don't know. Do any of you know?"

Everyone shook their heads no. No one here kn-

"Wrong answer!" Monorakun interjected loudly, glaring at Jack.

Jack pulled her scissors out. "Stop trying to steal our spotlight, you stupid raccoon! Are you trying to say I knew something? I'm not the type to risk my life for some girl! Also, I'm very particular about my weapons, you know, and syringes? OUT! Nothing but my trusty scissors for me!"

Monorakun, meanwhile had his front paw under his chin, in an "Are you finished yet?" pose. "Not you, specifically. Toko. Her testimony has not yet been heard by anyone, and I insist on running a fair trial here. Your final votes are your own, but I will not be accused of suppressing evidence in this Courtroom!"

Suddenly, a black, grainy cloud shot up in Jack's face. Jack started waving at the cloud and coughing, but even from here, I could smell what it was.

Black pepper.

Jack finally succumbed to Monorakun's plot, and sneezed, reverting to Toko, as the pepper cloud subsided.

"Huh? W-why are we in h-h-here?" Toko asked, looking around.

Her eyes then settled on Kyoko's death placard, and her eyes grew wide.

"No...NO! W-why her? Dammit!" Toko grabbed her head in frustration.

Sakura spoke calmly to Toko. "Toko, we know about Shishano's attack and attempted murder. We are certain Kyoko stopped it, or interfered in some way, but we do not yet know how. Monorakun claims you know vital information on this topic. Could you share anything you know with us, to avenge Kyoko's death?"

Toko stared long at Kyoko's death placard, next to me, then swallowed hard and started speaking.

"Y-yeah. Kyoko was one of t-the only people who c-c-cared about me, even when I shov-v-ved her away. She would tell m-m-me things, knowing that Jack and I didn't share m-memories. Anyway, she told me s-someone was planning to m-m-murder Shishano soon, and would turn out the l-lights first to do so. She didn't kn-know where, though."

I felt my heart freeze in my chest. "What? Why me?"

After a few moments of silence, Korekiyo replied, "Well, as the Ultimate Mortician, you've seen more than your share of dead bodies, and your testimonies and observations have been useful to us all, to your credit. Perhaps this person felt threatened by you, in some way, and wanted to take you off the board?"

Rantaro nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense, when you put it that way."

Sakura and Nekomaru concurred. Hiyoko, meanwhile, glared at me, but said nothing.

Toko continued. "Kyoko would spend a lot of t-time around the Shop Room, the Library, and t-the Chem-m-mistry Room. She said she rarely spoke to anyone except me, Rantaro, and Shishano, unless approached first. When she m-mentioned the plot against Shishano, Kyoko sounded like it w-would be soon, and that sh-she would have to act fast to stop it."

"Did she mention who would be Shishano's attacker, Toko?" Sakura asked.

Toko shook her head. "N-no. She never said."

"Useless. All this talk for nothing!" Hiyoko shouted out at Toko. "So Kyoko knew Shishano was about to die, but never said who was gonna kill her. Now, can I have the last five minutes of my life back, you stupid four-eyed stinky troll?"

"Y-you're one to talk, with your g-gutter mouth! I bet y-you wipe your m-mouth with toilet paper because you t-t-talk so much crap!" Toko shot back at Hiyoko.

Nekomaru interrupted the two bickering girls, and got them to stop arguing amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Rantaro picked up where Toko left off.

"So Kyoko was trying to stave off a murder attempt on Shishano, it sounds like. While we may not know how Kyoko knew about this plot, it's enough to know that she did. Now, was there any evidence that she fought with her killer?"

Both Sakura and I nodded. "Yes, there is evidence on Kyoko's body that she fought back against her attacker. She has injuries on her elbow and her knee, suggesting she struck someone or something. In addition, she had bruises on her stomach," I stated.

"I concur," Sakura agreed with me. "Kyoko definitely got into a fight with someone when she was killed."

Korekiyo spoke up next. "So she fought back against her attacker, but succumbed to her injuries. Most unfortunate, indeed. Yet, the most important question remains: Who killed Kyoko Kirigiri? Does any evidence point to a suspect? A Blackened, if you will?"

I felt my lungs freeze. In my gut, I knew where this was going.

Sakura nodded slowly. "The weapons themselves do point to one person, in particular."

She then looked over at me, before speaking. "Shishano Kantoku."

I looked around the room in shock, despite knowing this would happen. Rantaro's eyes went wide, as did Nekomaru's. Korekiyo's expression was hard to read, due to his mask, but he seemed surprised as well. Sakura's face was...strangely blank.

Toko looked at me with contempt. "How c-c-could you kill Kyoko? She was your friend!"

Hiyoko, on the other hand, started laughing. "Are you all fucking stupid? You think this little short shit could take out Kyoko, by herself? Kyoko would wipe the floor with her like a mop!"

I knew I needed to speak, to say something. I drew a deep breath, exhaled, then spoke. "I did not kill Kyoko Kirigiri. I was attacked myself, remember? I was rendered unconscious with Nitrous Oxide, even. How could I murder another, while forcibly passed out myself?"

Korekiyo chuckled. "Kehehehehe...what if we have the order of events switched? What if you attacked, and killed, Kyoko Kirigiri first, and then intentionally rendered yourself unconscious with Nitrous Oxide, to cover up your own murder?"

My blood went cold. While this would be a very clever way to commit a murder, I did not do this.

"Furthermore, Shishano, I couldn't help but notice your shoes are different," Nekomaru pointed out. "Your heels are flats now. Is it because your shoes have hidden blades in them?"

Everyone looked at me. Seeing no point in lying, there was only one way I could reply.

"Yes. Those heel blades are mine. I took them out when the power went out, and tried to fight back against my attacker in the dark. However, I had both of them knocked out of my hands in the dark, and was then knocked to the ground before rendered unconscious."

"A likely story," Rantaro replied. "It makes sense to me."

"Your s-story is as thin as your body. Nobody's gonna bel-l-lieve that!" Toko had total disgust in her voice.

"Your glasses need cleaned there, Miss Shit Sherlock!" Hiyoko shouted at Toko.

Korekiyo stroked his chin, seemingly in thought, then agreed with Toko. "Sometimes, the simplest solution is closest to the correct one. If the blades are yours, then it seems most likely that you killed Kyoko."

Nekomaru, meanwhile, had a look of confusion on his face. "Shishano killing Kyoko with her own blades..." He shook his head. "Something seems...wrong about this."

Sakura, meanwhile, glanced over at Nekomaru. She was...

Smiling?

"You are right to doubt this claim, Nekomaru. For it is impossible."

Everyone looked at Sakura, surprised.

"Impossible, you say?" Korekiyo asked. "How so? They ARE Shishano's blades, after all."

"The angle of attack. If you look at the E-Handbook, you will see that Kyoko Kirigiri is five foot six inches. Shishano Kantoku, however, is only four foot nine inches. Thus, Kyoko Kirigiri is nine inches taller than Shishano. For Shishano to strike downward on someone nine inches taller than her, with no signs of Kyoko crouching or otherwise not standing when attacked, is impossible for Shishano."

Sakura continued. "Furthermore, from my experience in combat, I can safely wager that Kyoko's attacker is someone between six foot, and six foot four inches tall. This would rule out everyone here, with the exception of myself, Nekomaru, or Korekiyo."

"From what I saw of the body, I think you're right, even if it makes me look suspicious, Sakura. The handles were angled upwards, so someone taller than Kyoko had to have stabbed her. I don't think Rantaro would be tall enough, either, so yeah, that leaves the three of us, doesn't it, Korekiyo? Sakura?" Nekomaru commented, a fire seeming to light behind his eyes.

"Kehehehehe...So it would seem. So, assuming this information is correct, we should next look to see which of us three could have done this heinous deed."

Sakura suddenly lowered her head, her white hair nearly covering her face as she shook her head sadly, yet she was...

Smiling again? But why?

"Unfortunately for you, Korekiyo, Nekomaru and I were sparring together in the Dojo together," Sakura calmly stated. "So, you see, we are each other's alibis."

"So, you see, Korekiyo? It may have taken us extra innings, but that leaves the Blackened to be you, and you alone!" Nekomaru bellowed, pointing at Korekiyo. "Shishano's too short to inflict these injuries, and of the three that could have, two of us were with one another. So that...leaves...you!!"

Everyone looked over at Korekiyo, who merely chuckles to himself.

"Kehehehehe...So it ends. And, just to put the nail in my own coffin, allow me to do this."

Korekiyo pulled down his mask, revealing a busted, puffy lip. "Kyoko, indeed, did put up a truly worthy fight. She died honorably for Sister, and soon, I shall see Sister soon, too."

Hiyoko had a look of incredulity on her face. "What the hell are you rambling about, Mr. Mummy? Did Kyoko knock some sense outta you?"

"Kehehehe...What a foul child, to address me in such a way. Yet, I shall answer your question anyway. I did not kill Kyoko merely to escape this place. Indeed, despite my initial target being Shishano, Kyoko's death was a win/win for me. If you voted incorrectly, then Sister would get more friends. If you voted correctly, then I would be reunited with Sister."

Korekiyo then turned to me. "And now, a final series of questions for you, Shishano Kantoku. Why do you think so many different cultures have funeral rites? Why do you think rumors of ways to resurrect the dead never cease? How you come to terms with death also determines how you live, yes? How will you live a life that faces death? Fortunately for you, you may answer them on your own time."

Lastly, he turned to Monorakun. "Now, we shall cast our votes, correct?"

Monorakun shrugged. "Sounds good to me!"

Everyone's podiums displayed the voting screen. Without hesitation, I selected Korekiyo.

After all votes were cast, Monorakun's podium displayed the Roulette wheel again. Round and round it spun, with the ball spinning the opposite way. Finally, it stopped on Korekiyo.

Korekiyo Shinguji was the one who attacked me, and the one who killed Kyoko Kirigiri.

"Jackpot! Korekiyo is your Blackened! Say, you have a thing for masks, right? Aren't there some stories about masks out there, Korekiyo? I think I've got a great one you can star in!"

The table started spinning, putting Korekiyo's back to the Execution Room doors. The doors then opened, with a manacle shooting out, grabbing Korekiyo and dragging him backwards, landing him on...

A golden throne. Korekiyo's arms were strapped into the chair, trapping him on the throne. Looking up, I noticed a sign.

"Korekiyo Shinguji's Execution: The Iron Mask"

A machine lowered itself from the ceiling, with a clear mold descending down around Korekiyo's head, but not yet touching him. It reminded me of what I would see in a plastics factory on TV, where plastic figurines or bottles would be created. It had an opening for the mouth, and an opening for each eye, but did not yet appear to be

Suddenly, a hissing sound emerged from the machine, with a red-hot looking liquid descending from a clear tube, down towards the mold over Korekiyo's head. A warning sign flashed: Caution: Molten Iron! Hot!

The molten iron finally made its way down to Korekiyo, who started visibly sweating as the mold started filling with hot iron. First the jawline, then the cheekbones, then the nose and eye sockets, and then finally the forehead sections were filled with red-hot iron.

Korekiyo's eyes were open wide with fear, and large drops of sweat were beading down from his forehead, likely from fear as much as from the heat.

Once both the front and back halves of the mold finished filling up, another hissing sound emerged from the machine. A sort of hardening cycle took place next, cooling the metal just enough to keep both halves of the mask in one piece. Then the mold was taken away, revealing only the freshly-made, still red-hot iron halves. Both halves then converged upon Korekiyo's skull, completely enclosing it.

Korekiyo screamed in agony, a scream that will haunt our nightmares, no doubt. A high-pitched, almost animistic shriek of pain, terror, and sheer torture. The smell of burning flesh started to fill the air, as the skin from his face started to melt away from the extreme heat. Korekiyo stopped screaming long enough to take a quick, deep breath, then let out another agonizing scream, as if his very soul was being burned along with his body.

Fortunately for him, though, it was almost over. The smell was no longer of burning skin, but rather of roasting pork, meaning most of his skin was gone by now. Korekiyo's eyes, with the muscles burnt away, rolled out of his head onto the floor. Finally, his head dropped down, sizzling his chest a bit as he finally died.

Korekiyo Shinguji, my assaulter and Kyoko's murderer, was dead. The lights went out, leaving his corpse in the darkness.

"Alright, show's over, and I'm keeping my word. Graduation is tomorrow night at 6pm. Don't miss it!" Monorakun happily announced, as we walked out of the Courtroom, still processing what just happened to us all.