Trial 4 - The First Trial

[Skullmaster4]

"Ah- I remembered an odd detail from the Inn Patron's-* They said they only knew the time from the ringing of the Grandfather clock."

"Natsuki, your investigation of the Inn mentions the clock running 15 minutes slow- so I think it would have actually been 8:15 when the Caretaker came to refill the drinks, and The Mayor and Judge arrived.

Do you think somebody delayed the clock on purpose?"

Mar 7, 2024 19:49:38 GMT -6 Ame said:

[Source] Peregrine said:

"The dead are... joining us? That means—!"


—Monika, is what that means. It also means The Cat has an especially vested interest in this trial being solved. Curious. Yuri composes herself, trying not to waste any time.

"..."



"Why did they have to kill someone?"



"..!"



"...Okay, everyone. It's, nice to see you again."



"It would be lovely to chat... but it would seem there are more pressing matters."



"If we assume that Amos did not commit suicide, and that Brume did not kill Amos, we can now ask, 'Why would someone want to frame Brume?'."

[Source] Peregrine said:

"Lastly, the torn piece of flag in the Mayor's jacket pocket seems to place him at the scene of the crime. That evidence alone is damning—"

"—almost too much so."

"Then, if Yurikins is right, this is no accident; nor a crime of passion. Someone had this planned out."

"...What I find most curious is where Amos was found. The Inn Patrons would have taken the bridge between the Theatre and Inn, and not have walked past the Town Hall."

"I wonder then, if Amos had gone to the Theatre show with no intention of going to the inn afterwards. His middling success as a farmer wouldn't leave him a whole lot of disposable income, after all."

"Instead, he would head home to his farm. That would require walking past the Town Hall to the southern path."



"There's also the possibility of a coverup; a crime of police brutality and creation of an opportunity."

"...However. If he's known to get into drunken brawls, perhaps I'm giving him too much credit, and he wasn't fiscally wise."

"M-Monika? Is that really you?"




"I-I'm sorry! I made a whole mess of things while you were gone. I'm a terrible club president. I hurt a lot of people- I need you to take this back. Please be our club president again- I can't do this anymore..."

[Ktoasty]

MC is able to get some grip on reality when Natsuki catches him.

"...Thanks. You're right, I need to focus on the trial."

If he doesn't, then they're all doomed. He leans onto the stand in front of him for support so Natsuki isn't straining herself to keep him upright.

Sayori being able to apologize to Monika so openly only deepens his guilt. She's braver than he is, that's for sure. He forces himself to avert his eyes from Monika to share another investigation.

"Natsuki mentioned a wheelbarrow that was lost at the Inn and ended up at the Theatre. I think I know how it got there: via the Library path."

"Outside of the Library, there was a one-wheeled track going through the underbrush, down a hidden path into town. I'd only noticed the tracks because there was heavy rain the night before. That shaded path on the map is actually mud that any prints would be left in. That being said, I only found the one-wheeled track and a single set of footprints, around the shoesize of an adult male's."

"That was outside the Library, but there was also something I found inside. There were some books on the occult and local legends scattered on the tables, like someone was trying to do research on the subject. The only issue with that is, the Library closes at 6:00pm. If our timeframe for alibis is between 6pm and 9pm, whoever was here must have done their research before the day of the murder."

[Ame]

[Source] Ktoasty said:

”Monika… I...”

”I…”

[Source] Vulpix said:

Natsuki struggles to catch MC as he stumbles.

"Woah!"

She can barely hold him steady, and she has to use her whole body to straighten him up.

"Calm down! If she's gonna be ungrateful, that's not our problem. She's got no right to be upset at us for... for killing anyone. We were just doing what we had to, remember? And it's worked, see? We have His attention. We've forced his hand—or paw, or whatever—and we're finally getting the chance we wanted. If we win this, then we can change things for good. So don't lose focus now! Don't let yourself get distracted!"

Monika glares at Natsuki, almost as though she's looking past her

"Natsuki."

"So it was your idea then, I take it."

"You sure are awfully defensive about it all. I hadn't criticised you, nor any of you."

"You aren't the little girl who I invited to the club originally anymore."



"I'm not sure who you've convinced you're doing this all for, but for it, you must carry a weight far heavier than mine. Hardly the pot calling the kettle."

[Source] Skullmaster4 said:

"M-Monika? Is that really you?"

"I-I'm sorry! I made a whole mess of things while you were gone. I'm a terrible club president. I hurt a lot of people- I need you to take this back. Please be our club president again- I can't do this anymore..."

"So it would seem. Though only through the power of will, and some kindness of our overseers."



"My soul has returned to me, though I lack any corporeal form for it to exist in."

She tries to walk toward Sayori, though in reality she more floats awkwardly



"It would be nice, wouldn't it? Back in the club room sharing poetry once more, watching those two lovers have their daily quarrels, and talking about university or what comes next for the club."



"...But. I cannot. I wish I could have given you more time to prepare for the role. And I'm sorry it happened so abruptly. But I trust you, Sayori. You'd never make a decision in bad faith. I know you'll always do what's best for the club. Though, might I offer some advice?"



"Don't believe what everyone tells you. People are always trying to pull the wool over your eyes. To different extends of course. You'd be wise to think about why someone has told you what you should do."



"In my case? I want my friends to be happy, without me. That's my end goal now."

She opens her arms up to Sayori



"We might not get many more chances to see one another. How's one final hug?"

[Source] crazynuto said:

The Survivor fumbles through their pockets, pulling out a small tincture of...some liquid.

In past times, "Milk of the Seed of the Poppy" was used to treat all manner of diseases and ailments, from broken bones and wounds to inflammation. The...modern equivalent would be Opium. I understand it is highly addictive, but it is an excellent sensory dilutor. An Opium “high” is very similar to a heroin “high”; users experience a euphoric rush, followed by relaxation and the relief of physical pain.

Of course...in higher doses it is almost assuredly fatal, especially to one that has not built up a tolerance. Signs of that include pale skin, purplish fingernails, vomiting, and of course, falling asleep and refusing to wake up.

Nightshade was believed to treat stomach irritation, cramps, spasms, pain, and nervousness.

Belladonna has chemicals that can alter the function of the body's nervous system, as well as increase one's heart rate.

This is to supposedly counteract the more...potent side effects of Opium. A healer would crush the nightshade and belladonna into a fine powder, then mix it with a tincture of opium, and have the patient drink it. 

I...can't say for certain whether Mrs. Brume would have recovered or not. From a cursory glance, she was not in the best condition. Seems she was in some sort of feverish coma from an infected wound. Those were difficult to treat in the best of conditions. The wound is...months old, still wrapped in some putrid bandages. If I had to take a guess, without proper treatment she'd live for...perhaps a month? Two if she clings on to life. 

The Survivor sighs

Honestly an awful way to go.

[Source] Vulpix said:

"Thanks, S. That's super helpful. I guess we probably know why Amos didn't fight back, then: he was high as a kite."

"These are some interesting observations... S? Is that your name?"



"What you've described sounds almost like what we'd call a speedball nowadays. I remember reading a tabloid about it once."



"Lots of celebrities were dying from drug overdoes, when a depressant and stimulant are mixed. Though usually it was cocaine and heroin."



"From what you've described, the nightshade was used to prevent Amos's body from rejecting other drugs. How to say..."



"Girls! Do you remember Ms. Kalium's ramble on how you can't kill a human with rat poison, because we'll instinctively throw it up?  Well, imagine the Nightshade 'turned off' those instincts."



"Now, you would be able to kill someone with rat poison. Except it's opium and belladonna. If what you're saying is true, it's a miracle in of itself that Amos's cause of death was hanging at all."

"Let me share some details I found out. I learned these things on, what I consider good authority."



"At the time of the election for mayor, there were around 250 adults in Alderman Fields. In truth, having an 80% turnout, not including informal votes is pretty exceptional."



"In addition, should Remaclus ever be unfit to be the mayor, or should he pass away, there wouldn't be a by-election. Instead, Mrs. Brume would fill the position. However, then, what would happen if she was unable to stand? I'm not sure."



"It is curious though, that the Brume family's political rival is The Caretaker. She, who would have the easiest access to the drugs that likely affected Amos, and the oversight into what befell Mrs. Brume, who did not seem to be in particularly good condition."

[Source] Skullmaster4 said:

"Ah- I remembered an odd detail from the Inn Patrón's- They said they only knew the time from the ringing of the Grandfather clock."

"Natsuki, your investigation of the Inn mentions the clock running 15 minutes slow- so I think it would have actually been 8:15 when the Caretaker came to refill the drinks, and The Mayor and Judge arrived.

Do you think somebody delayed the clock on purpose?"

"I can't imagine there were many clocks in Alderman Fields back then. There's no clock tower listed, and most the people out here would not have a watch."



"I think you're right, Sayori. While it's difficult to prove that it was intentional, it certainly does seem like yet another cross against the Caretaker."

[Peregrine]

WHEN
"It was NOT Natsuki's idea. And she took no pleasure in it. Quit trying to guilt her."
YOUR
SINS
In an instant, Yuri feels compelled to shout out the truth from some guttural, animal place in her body. A truth only Monika would understand, even if she tried not to. But she swallows the urge. After all, I know you can see this, Monika. I know she doesn't have to speak aloud to show you what you did to her.
OUTNUMBER
The feelings are too mixed, too varied, too confused to process. Doesn't she understand? How could she not understand? Her, of all people—
EVEN
Yuri grimaces as a fresh ache thrums in her left arm. Fine.
THE
STARS


"..."
WHEN
YOUR
There's too much to do. Too much to say. Natsuki's right—they have to stay focused. Deep breaths.
FALSE
BEACONS

STEAL
"Regarding the Mayor's faulty alibi, I... might have some insight as to where he really was."
THE
LIGHT
She withdraws a small piece of paper.
FROM
HEAVEN
"This was found tucked into Mister Henry's boot. It reads, ‘Library - 8:00. Don't be late. You'll get your money.’ I can't help but notice the handwriting is quite neat, almost refined."

"I suspect that Mayor Remaclus Brume was the one who wrote this note. And while it was found on Mister Henry's person, I doubt he was the intended recipient."
THE
CANDLE

BY
"I think this note was given to The Banker earlier in the day. And with this information from Natsuki and MC... I think I'm beginning to understand what could've happened."
WHICH
I

WARM
"The Judge, The Caretaker, and The Banker—no single one of these suspects could commit this crime alone. But acting as accomplices, it becomes possible. Each had two distinct responsibilities."
MYSELF
"The Banker was first responsible for unlocking the window in the Mayor's Office when they met earlier in the day. Later on, they transported the wheelbarrow to the Theatre during the play; they used the hidden path behind the Library to do so. They also left the Mayor's note in the wheelbarrow so it could be planted on Mister Henry's body."
IS
"The Caretaker was responsible for manipulating people's alibis: by turning back the clock fifteen minutes during the play, she functionally gave her accomplices extra time to complete their tasks. She also intentionally soiled the Mayor's jacket—as the launderer, she had the opportunity to plant the flagpole winch key and the torn flag piece in the jacket, placing the Mayor at the scene of the crime. However, this was her second responsibility: her first was mixing a tincture to give to Mister Henry that would cause him to fall unconscious during the play."
NO
"And lastly, The Judge... I believe The Judge was responsible for the murder itself. They took Mister Henry's unconscious body to the Town Hall in the wheelbarrow, planted the note in his boot, then used the unlocked window to enter the Mayor's Office from outside and take the flagpole winch key. They wrapped the flag's rope around Mister Henry's neck and hoisted him to the top of the pole, tearing off a section of the flag when it reached the ground. Their final task was to rejoin the guests at the Inn and deliver the key and flag piece to The Caretaker."
GREATER
A

CRIME
"This... well, admittedly convoluted scheme seems to provide each participant an alibi, so long as they cover for one another."
THAN
"But it also expertly frames the Mayor, in all the ways we've already described."
THE
DULL

GLEAM
"And with MC's investigation of the Library, I think the true motive becomes even clearer."
OF
"I don't think I'd need to set foot in the Library to tell you one of those books was called ‘Mythos and Marvels of the Ancient Age.’ The same one Natsuki and I found in the attic of the Inn the other night."
YOUR
"It speaks of Him. I still remember every word, even now. If someone was studying those books..."
LIFELESS
"This might have been The Judge's first real act of Devotion."
EYES

[Vulpix]

Mar 8, 2024 0:54:19 GMT -6 Ame said:

Monika glares at Natsuki, almost as though she's looking past her

"Natsuki."

"So it was your idea then, I take it."

"You sure are awfully defensive about it all. I hadn't criticised you, nor any of you."

"You aren't the little girl who I invited to the club originally anymore."



"I'm not sure who you've convinced you're doing this all for, but for it, you must carry a weight far heavier than mine. Hardly the pot calling the kettle."

"Excuse me?!"

"If you wanna know, it wasn't my idea. In fact, I wasn't even completely on board with it! Not for the reasons everyone else was, anyway."

"They all just wanted to bring you back. But I remember you better than they do. I remember how I trusted you and you betrayed me. I used my powers to protect you, and to convince everyone else you were innocent... but you were a killer all along."

"And then when I didn't know any better, you were so—so mean to me! You made fun of my name, and made me feel dumb. You even tricked me into thinking you were someone else. But I baked you nice cupcakes anyway, didn't I? And then you just killed again."

"It's okay, though. Because through all that, I realized who my real friends are. And I realized that I had to be tough! Sayori is too nice... and Yuri is too timid... and MC is too lazy... so I have to be tough enough for all of us. And I know I'm not very tough. But with Sayori, and Yuri, and MC, and S, I feel like I want to try."

"I was going to kill someone last night, with or without them. I was gonna try to kill the Cat. I didn't think it would work, but I knew it would force Him to come and face us for real. I figured I'd probably die, but at least it'd give my friends a chance to escape, right? Because He'd be more vulnerable if He had to face us in His 'true form' or whatever. But then Yuri remembered you, and it all changed. She made us remember you, too. They all decided they would try to get you back. I was like fine, whatever. It would definitely get His attention, and that's basically what I wanted anyway. So I went along with it."

"But now you're just making my friends feel bad for trying to do something really nice for you."

"I can't believe I ever thought you were my friend."

Natsuki turns decisively away from Monika. Her hands are trembling. She sidles up close to the Survivor for comfort, but she tries to maintain her tough exterior.

"A-anyway, I wonder if Amos took some of the drugs voluntarily. I mean, probably not the nightshade or whatever, but maybe he helped himself to some opium when he was going to visit his... uh... Mrs. Brume. He was kind of a degenerate, so I wouldn't put it past him. I can't tell for sure if Mrs. Brume's window and the tree outside were used to sneak into the room or sneak out of it or both, but I think sneaking out is probably more likely. The tree branch is broken, and Amos's body was covered bruises, probably from falling from so high. Were there any scrapes or blood, Yuri?"

[Ame]

[Source] Vulpix said:

"Excuse me?!"

"If you wanna know, it wasn't my idea. In fact, I wasn't even completely on board with it! Not for the reasons everyone else was, anyway."

"They all just wanted to bring you back. But I remember you better than they do. I remember how I trusted you and you betrayed me. I used my powers to protect you, and to convince everyone else you were innocent... but you were a killer all along."

"And then when I didn't know any better, you were so—so mean to me! You made fun of my name, and made me feel dumb. You even tricked me into thinking you were someone else. But I baked you nice cupcakes anyway, didn't I? And then you just killed again."

"It's okay, though. Because through all that, I realized who my real friends are. And I realized that I had to be tough! Sayori is too nice... and Yuri is too timid... and MC is too lazy... so I have to be tough enough for all of us. And I know I'm not very tough. But with Sayori, and Yuri, and MC, and S, I feel like I want to try."

"I was going to kill someone last night, with or without them. I was gonna try to kill the Cat. I didn't think it would work, but I knew it would force Him to come and face us for real. I figured I'd probably die, but at least it'd give my friends a chance to escape, right? Because He'd be more vulnerable if He had to face us in His 'true form' or whatever. But then Yuri remembered you, and it all changed. She made us remember you, too. They all decided they would try to get you back. I was like fine, whatever. It would definitely get His attention, and that's basically what I wanted anyway. So I went along with it."

"But now you're just making my friends feel bad for trying to do something really nice for you."

"I can't believe I ever thought you were my friend."

Natsuki turns decisively away from Monika. Her hands are trembling. She sidles up close to the Survivor for comfort, but she tries to maintain her tough exterior.

Thoughts blitzed through Monikas' mind. So many words... no, insults she wanted to say.

HYPOCRITE.

"Yuri...."

LIAR.

She looked as though a fuse was about to blow inside of her

CHARLATAN.

"Excuses. Natsuki. You're making excuses. Grow up."

PATHETIC.

"I had made my peace. And you had all made your choice. Days ago. That was suppose to be the end of it."

WEAK.

"But no. That wasn't good enough. You wanted to have your cake and eat it too."

USELESS.

She steps away from Sayori, and back towards the rest of the Ghosts.

IDIOT.

"I don't know what happened during the second trial. Gary hasn't spoken but a word of it to me. What's clear is that you rejected me. All of you did. I knew that what I was doing was unforgivable. And I did it anyways. I had accepted that you wouldn't forgive me over it."

POSER.

"It would seem what you haven't realised is, I had the ring. And there was absolutely nothing, not one thing, that would have prevented me from wearing it."

PHONY.

"And yet I didn't. I decided to give you the choice. See if there was any hope, any point in sticking around afterwards. And so I acted behind Gary's back. And all of yours too."

MORON.

She moves to head towards The Judge

WORTHLESS.

"Have you said anything? Did no one question why you have my hair?"

FOOL.

"Of course not. Your love for me ran out days ago. From the moment I decided to work with Petra, to protect you all from someone who had no fear in their hearts to kill, you made your choice."

INCOMPETENT.

"But no. It's Monika. Monika is the evil one. Monika is the one who betrayed you. It's just Monika's fault, and she's depraved and cannot be trusted."

INEPT.

"You think Veronika was mean? After what you put me through as thanks?! You think that after risking my life to save yours, only to be shut out, acted as though I didn't exist like in some, some! Childish game?! You expected me to be nice?! To be friendly?! To act like it had been water off a ducks back?! And to keep doing it. Face to face with me, without so might as a hint, a smidge, of guilt?! Get over yourself, you utter child."

STUPID.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, She glares 

QUACK.

"You didn't want to see me. You just wanted your happy end. If there was any love or friendship left in your heart towards me, you wouldn't have let me die. Don't kid yourself."

[Source] Peregrine said:

WHEN
"It was NOT Natsuki's idea. And she took no pleasure in it. Quit trying to guilt her."
YOUR
SINS
In an instant, Yuri feels compelled to shout out the truth from some guttural, animal place in her body. A truth only Monika would understand, even if she tried not to. But she swallows the urge. After all, I know you can see this, Monika. I know she doesn't have to speak aloud to show you what you did to her.
OUTNUMBER
The feelings are too mixed, too varied, too confused to process. Doesn't she understand? How could she not understand? Her, of all people—
EVEN
Yuri grimaces as a fresh ache thrums in her left arm. Fine.
THE
STARS


"..."
WHEN
YOUR
There's too much to do. Too much to say. Natsuki's right—they have to stay focused. Deep breaths.
FALSE
BEACONS

STEAL
"Regarding the Mayor's faulty alibi, I... might have some insight as to where he really was."
THE
LIGHT
She withdraws a small piece of paper.
FROM
HEAVEN
"This was found tucked into Mister Henry's boot. It reads, ‘Library - 8:00. Don't be late. You'll get your money.’ I can't help but notice the handwriting is quite neat, almost refined."

"I suspect that Mayor Remaclus Brume was the one who wrote this note. And while it was found on Mister Henry's person, I doubt he was the intended recipient."
THE
CANDLE

BY
"I think this note was given to The Banker earlier in the day. And with this information from Natsuki and MC... I think I'm beginning to understand what could've happened."
WHICH
I

WARM
"The Judge, The Caretaker, and The Banker—no single one of these suspects could commit this crime alone. But acting as accomplices, it becomes possible. Each had two distinct responsibilities."
MYSELF
"The Banker was first responsible for unlocking the window in the Mayor's Office when they met earlier in the day. Later on, they transported the wheelbarrow to the Theatre during the play; they used the hidden path behind the Library to do so. They also left the Mayor's note in the wheelbarrow so it could be planted on Mister Henry's body."
IS
"The Caretaker was responsible for manipulating people's alibis: by turning back the clock fifteen minutes during the play, she functionally gave her accomplices extra time to complete their tasks. She also intentionally soiled the Mayor's jacket—as the launderer, she had the opportunity to plant the flagpole winch key and the torn flag piece in the jacket, placing the Mayor at the scene of the crime. However, this was her second responsibility: her first was mixing a tincture to give to Mister Henry that would cause him to fall unconscious during the play."
NO
"And lastly, The Judge... I believe The Judge was responsible for the murder itself. They took Mister Henry's unconscious body to the Town Hall in the wheelbarrow, planted the note in his boot, then used the unlocked window to enter the Mayor's Office from outside and take the flagpole winch key. They wrapped the flag's rope around Mister Henry's neck and hoisted him to the top of the pole, tearing off a section of the flag when it reached the ground. Their final task was to rejoin the guests at the Inn and deliver the key and flag piece to The Caretaker."
GREATER
A

CRIME
"This... well, admittedly convoluted scheme seems to provide each participant an alibi, so long as they cover for one another."
THAN
"But it also expertly frames the Mayor, in all the ways we've already described."
THE
DULL

GLEAM
"And with MC's investigation of the Library, I think the true motive becomes even clearer."
OF
"I don't think I'd need to set foot in the Library to tell you one of those books was called ‘Mythos and Marvels of the Ancient Age.’ The same one Natsuki and I found in the attic of the Inn the other night."
YOUR
"It speaks of Him. I still remember every word, even now. If someone was studying those books..."
LIFELESS
"This might have been The Judge's first real act of Devotion."
EYES

Monika remained there. She said nothing, but just looked at Yuri in complete disbelief
Yuri?!

Are you... no. That's impossible
"..."
There's no way.

This is a trick, right?
"..."
You can't be here. 

You're beyond the realm of your world.
"..."
I'm... delighted to no longer be alone.

But you need to turn back.
"..."
I've seen what happens to you when you get this kind of knowledge.

It doesn't end well. Not for you, not for me, not for Natsuki, not for Sayori, and least of all MC.
"..."
You have to stop.

Before someone he realises what's going on.
"..."
You don't want to know what it's like to be quit on.

[Peregrine]

Vulpix said:

"Were there any scrapes or blood, Yuri?"

Yuri shakes her head.




"He didn't have any other injuries I could see. It's possible he fell at some point, but given his profession, I can't really discern what was a result of the night's events, and what was just the normal dirt and grime he accumulated through the day."

[Skullmaster4]

Mar 8, 2024 0:54:19 GMT -6 Ame said:

[Source] Skullmaster4 said:

"M-Monika? Is that really you?"

"I-I'm sorry! I made a whole mess of things while you were gone. I'm a terrible club president. I hurt a lot of people- I need you to take this back. Please be our club president again- I can't do this anymore..."

"So it would seem. Though only through the power of will, and some kindness of our overseers."



"My soul has returned to me, though I lack any corporeal form for it to exist in."

She tries to walk toward Sayori, though in reality she more floats awkwardly



"It would be nice, wouldn't it? Back in the club room sharing poetry once more, watching those two lovers have their daily quarrels, and talking about university or what comes next for the club."



"...But. I cannot. I wish I could have given you more time to prepare for the role. And I'm sorry it happened so abruptly. But I trust you, Sayori. You'd never make a decision in bad faith. I know you'll always do what's best for the club. Though, might I offer some advice?"



"Don't believe what everyone tells you. People are always trying to pull the wool over your eyes. To different extends of course. You'd be wise to think about why someone has told you what you should do."



"In my case? I want my friends to be happy, without me. That's my end goal now."

She opens her arms up to Sayori



"We might not get many more chances to see one another. How's one final hug?"

"Wahh! Monika!!"

Sayori goes in for the hug, as well as you can hug a ghost.

"D-don't say it's over- we have to get you back! I'm sorry for forgetting you! We did this for you, so things have to go back to normal!"

"I-I care about my friends too- but I screw up sometimes- a lot, actually. and I don't know if I can do it without you- or be happy without you-"

"And- I'm just much to blame for the murders last night! I-in fact- it was my idea! So please don't get so upset with them-"

Mar 8, 2024 2:05:10 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

"Excuse me?!"

"If you wanna know, it wasn't my idea. In fact, I wasn't even completely on board with it! Not for the reasons everyone else was, anyway."

"They all just wanted to bring you back. But I remember you better than they do. I remember how I trusted you and you betrayed me. I used my powers to protect you, and to convince everyone else you were innocent... but you were a killer all along."

"And then when I didn't know any better, you were so—so mean to me! You made fun of my name, and made me feel dumb. You even tricked me into thinking you were someone else. But I baked you nice cupcakes anyway, didn't I? And then you just killed again."

"It's okay, though. Because through all that, I realized who my real friends are. And I realized that I had to be tough! Sayori is too nice... and Yuri is too timid... and MC is too lazy... so I have to be tough enough for all of us. And I know I'm not very tough. But with Sayori, and Yuri, and MC, and S, I feel like I want to try."

"I was going to kill someone last night, with or without them. I was gonna try to kill the Cat. I didn't think it would work, but I knew it would force Him to come and face us for real. I figured I'd probably die, but at least it'd give my friends a chance to escape, right? Because He'd be more vulnerable if He had to face us in His 'true form' or whatever. But then Yuri remembered you, and it all changed. She made us remember you, too. They all decided they would try to get you back. I was like fine, whatever. It would definitely get His attention, and that's basically what I wanted anyway. So I went along with it."

"But now you're just making my friends feel bad for trying to do something really nice for you."

"I can't believe I ever thought you were my friend."

Natsuki turns decisively away from Monika. Her hands are trembling. She sidles up close to the Survivor for comfort, but she tries to maintain her tough exterior.

"A-anyway, I wonder if Amos took some of the drugs voluntarily. I mean, probably not the nightshade or whatever, but maybe he helped himself to some opium when he was going to visit his... uh... Mrs. Brume. He was kind of a degenerate, so I wouldn't put it past him. I can't tell for sure if Mrs. Brume's window and the tree outside were used to sneak into the room or sneak out of it or both, but I think sneaking out is probably more likely. The tree branch is broken, and Amos's body was covered bruises, probably from falling from so high. Were there any scrapes or blood, Yuri?"

"G-guys? Why are we fighting...? Didn't we want to see her?"



"Please- I don't want my friends to fight- I don't like this-"

[Ktoasty]

This wasn't supposed to happen. Why are they fighting?

MC quits being a coward and faces Monika himself.

"Monika, that's enough! Natsuki didn't come up with the idea, and it doesn't matter who did. All four of us are equally implicit in the crime."

"And Natsuki, Yuri, and Sayori had nothing to do with the choice of the ring. Their love for you never ran out, it was stolen from them! If there's anyone to blame for not bringing you back, it's me! Those words you said to her should be pointed at me instead."

"Everything that happened two days ago, there wasn't a single malicious bone in the girls' bodies back then. Each and every one of them is a genuinely kind person. I'd told you before, but all their memories of you really were taken away from them. It wasn't a childish game, and it wasn't by choice either."

"I know it's true... because after that second trial, I forgot too."

He shudders as he recalls the experience. Having one of the most important people in his life forcibly scrubbed from his memory like that, it's haunting.

"Then we lucked out. By a miracle, we were able to remember you today, and I realized how terrifying losing you was. When to use the ring was always going to be morally gray, it was a trolley problem of its own. But in that moment, my heart told me I made the wrong choice."

"The first question you asked was why did we have to kill someone? The reason... is you, Monika. It was the chance to get His attention and make the request to bring you back."

"Monika, I've seen from your point of view. The chills that come with knowing my friend sacrificed other people's lives for my sake. I'm done being afraid of her, because I know she had so much love for her friends when she made that decision."

"Think of if you were in our position. If it were mine, Natsuki, Yuri, or Sayori's life. If someone you cared the most about were tied to the track, and you had the choice to pull the lever to a track with four other people to save them, what choice would you make?"

MC leaves it at that. He's willing to accept her hatred if it means Monika can reconcile with the others about the past four days. There's two sides to every argument though, and he has to make things clear with the others.

"Natsuki, Yuri, she's not a bad friend. She's hurting! Just like we all are."

"Every murder Monika assisted in was to keep anyone driven by the curse of Alderman Fields from targeting us. I'm sure if she was alive on the third day, she would have continued to do everything she could to keep us safe, even after we forgot who she was. That's because Monika loves us!"

"I'm not making excuses for what she's said to you, Natsuki. That was cruel and uncalled for. But both sides are making negative assumptions without listening to the other's point of view."

"You're hurting because Monika betrayed your trust by killing, and then you felt attacked by her the next day by how she treated her club members. Is that right?"

"Monika is feeling the exact same way right now. She felt attacked by how she was treated by her club members our second day here. And she should have communicated as such before resorting to other measures, I know, but please don't hold that against her. Now, she's hurting just like us, because we betrayed her trust by killing."

"Her mission was to keep us as far from the murders as possible, and the four of us chose to get involved all at once. Something like that would make anyone breakdown."

He makes a plea with both parties.

"I know there's still a part of you that cares for each other. You wouldn't bother fighting at all if that weren't the case. Please, mending a fractured friendship takes a long time, but at least find a common ground to stand on for the time being."





The trial is still ongoing. If they lose their focus like this, it means everyone's lives are lost. MC gives himself a left hook to the jaw to put himself back into action. There's one more location he still has to talk about.

"The last place I learned about was the Bank. The Banker was found half-asleep there with a half-empty bottle of wine in his hand. One of the account ledgers open on his desk was Brume's. There was a withdrawal note totaling close to $50,000, it looked like it was written in a hurry too. There was a small note next to the withdrawal statement too. It said 'Who authorized this? Talk to Brume in the morning'. It was a smaller investigation report, so that's all that I found."

[Ame]

[Source] Peregrine said:

Yuri shakes her head.




"He didn't have any other injuries I could see. It's possible he fell at some point, but given his profession, I can't really discern what was a result of the night's events, and what was just the normal dirt and grime he accumulated through the day."

"..."



"..."

[Vulpix]

Natsuki decides not to reply to Monika's antagonisms. She squeezes the Survivor's hand so hard she hears a crack.

"Hey, Tetsuo?"

"I really am sorry about last night."

"If there's anything I can do to make it up to you..."

"But... uh... remember that diary? The Caretaker's diary? Could you tell us what it said? As many details as you can remember."

[Vulpix]

"..."

Natsuki waits for a reply, before giving up.

"Well, I guess that's understandable why you might not want to help. I feel like we're so lost, though."

"Judge me all you want for what we did. We were possessed with a need to leave this place, and to keep each other safe no matter the cost. One way or another, this was always gonna end in a massacre."

"So fine, don't help us. But we'll endure no matter what!"

"I don't think we're the only ones who killed so we could protect our friends. I think Amos's murder was a team effort, and the Judge, Banker, and Caretaker each played an important role."

"And they all had a hand in framing the mayor. Not that they didn't have good reason to—he committed election fraud stealing what was rightfully the Caretaker's win, and then tried to bribe the Judge to help cover it up. During the play, the mayor passed the Judge a note telling him to meet at a time and place, and the mayor would deliver the Judge a lot of money. The Judge slipped that note into Amos's boot, but Amos was such a doped-up slacker that he didn't even notice. That made it look like the mayor gave that note to Amos, and that the mayor killed him when he showed up to the meeting. Of course, Amos never even knew about the meeting."

"But was the Judge devoted to his friend, the Caretaker? To justice? Or... was he already devoted to Him?"