((AN: Just to let you know, that picture in the last chapter was Akemi's brother, Tio.  He is a creation of my good friend TheSaiyanJedi5. Thanks so much for creating this character for me! Also, the picture above is another version of Tio. And so, without further ado, here's the first chapter!))

Akemi:*Hey everyone! You remember me, right? Akemi Minako. I am known as the Ultimate Singer and was given an invitation to attend Hope's Peak Academy. But, little did I know, it was all a scam. Hope's Peak was just an ironic name! The real core curriculum here....Is Despair! Anyway, I'm currently trapped here with 15 other students, and the only way out of here is CRAZY! The only way to escape is to Graduate. And to do that...You have to get away with murder. Literally! I don't know how, but...I'm sure there's another way out of here besides KILLING! There HAS to be!*

-Story-

Akemi:*I walked into my dorm room after leaving Mondo's room (he was still sleeping, and I didn't want to wake him up). I looked around, and sure enough, Hifumi was right. There were iron plates over the windows of our rooms and security cameras hanging from the ceiling. Man. Whatever Monokuma was planning, it couldn't be good. I walked over to my bathroom door and noticed a note on the door. I picked it up and read it.* "Attention students: Please be advised...As per the notices placed on your respective doors, while all bathrooms have fully-functioning showers, the water will be turned off at nighttime! No exceptions!" So, if I wanna take a shower at night, I'm basically outta luck. Great. *I sighed deeply and read more of the note.* "Additionally, bear in mind that only the bathrooms located in the girls' rooms have locks installed." That's good. At least I won't have to worry about peeping toms. *I continued reading*

"Oh! And you'll find I left a token of welcome for each and every one of you! For the girls, a sewing kit and a map of the body's vital spots. The same goes with the toolkit I left for the boys! I encourage you to let your imaginations run WILD!" *I growled angrily and crumpled up the note, tossing it into the trash* I HATE THAT STUPID BEAR!!! *I sighed heavily and walked into my bathroom. I quickly took a shower before nighttime fell. As I did so, I couldn't help but think about the DVD Monokuma gave me. My family...Where were they now? If they were still alive somewhere...Did they miss me? Did they know I was gone? I sighed and climbed out of the shower. Best to do what Mondo said and forget about it.* Worrying's not gonna help me live. If anything, it'll just make me an easier target for whoever wants to murder. *In the midst of my thoughts, my doorbell rang. I walked to the door.* Who is it? 

Mondo:It's me.

Akemi:*I quickly opened the door and smiled. I was happy to see him.* Hey Mondo. What's up?

Mondo:*has a worried look on his face* You had me worried for a minute there, Akemi. When I didn't see you when I woke up, I thought something terrible had happened! I thought that you had been....!

*He didn't need to finish his sentence. I knew what he meant by that.*

Akemi:*I smiled brightly at him and held his hands gently* I'm fine, Mondo. I just felt safe enough to look at my own room. I would have told you, but you were still asleep, and I didn't want to wake you.

Mondo:*sighs with relief* Well I'm glad you're okay. But next time, wake me up or leave a note or something! Because....I don't wanna lose you.

Akemi:*I blushed deeply* Mondo...*I smiled* Okay. Next time, I promise to leave you a note.

Mondo:Alright. *turns to leave* Goodnight, Akemi.

Akemi:*I didn't want him to leave me. Not yet.* Mondo, wait!

Mondo:Hm?

Akemi:Will you sleep with me tonight?

Mondo:Don't the rules say it's illegal? I don't want you getting punished over me.

Akemi:Let's see...*I checked my e-Handbook.* Nope. All it says is that we have to sleep in the dorm's private rooms. It doesn't say anything about who we sleep with or where we sleep. Man, I love loopholes!

Mondo:*chuckles a bit* Me too. Alright, I'll sleep with you.

Akemi:*I blushed as he laid beside me, holding me close.*

Mondo:Akemi...Will you...? *trails off, blushing deeply*

Akemi:Huh? Will I what, Mondo?

Mondo:WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND?!

Akemi:Y...You want me...to be your girlfriend?

Mondo:Yeah. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with. You're the only one that I love.

Akemi:*I blushed deeply and nodded, smiling.* Yes. I will.

Mondo:*smiles and holds me closer to him* Thank you, Akemi. I love you.

Akemi:I....love you too...Mondo....*I fell asleep in his arms just as I heard Monokuma's nighttime announcement.*

-The next Morning-

Akemi:*I yawned as I woke up after hearing the bell to Monokuma's announcement. I brushed my hair as I listened to him.*

Monokuma:Rise and shine, chickadees! 7 AM, and all is well! Time to greet another bee-yutiful day!

Akemi:*I smiled and put my hair into a ponytail as I heard Mondo yawn and walk over to me. I smiled more as he wrapped his arms around me.*

Mondo:Morning, Akemi. *smiles*

Akemi:Mmm. Good morning, Mondo. Sleep well?

Mondo:Yeah. Did you?

Akemi:*I nodded* We'd better meet the others in the Dining Hall for breakfast. Taka will be mad again if we're late!

Mondo:Who gives a damn what Mr. Boring-Ass Hall Monitor has to say! If he gives you any flack about it, I'll fight him myself!

Akemi:*I smiled a little at his words* You don't have to beat anyone up for me. Let's just meet the others, okay?

Mondo:*nods and we walk into the dining hall together*

Akemi:*When we arrived, we saw Makoto, Sakura, Hina, and Taka. Following behind us were Hifumi and Junko. I yawned softly, listening to the conversations happening around us. Instinctively, I leaned my head against Mondo's shoulder. He smiled and held me close to him as Sakura and Junko had a conversation.*

Sakura:Forgive my gawking...

Junko:*turns to Sakura* What's the happs?

Sakura:It's just that you look so different...In person, that is. Forgive me.

Akemi:*I knew she was referring to all of Junko's cover photos.*

Junko:*smiles and laughs* Yeah, they sorta gussy me up for the magazine shoots! Heh. That's the magic of touching up for ya!

Sakura:You don't say.

Junko:Aw,come on! How different can I really look?! *pouts* You're gonna hurt my feelings!

Akemi:*The last ones to arrive were the ones who you can say...Arrive when it's convenient for them. In other words, they arrive when they want to and take their sweet time getting there! They were Kyoko, Leon, Celeste, Toko, and Hiro*

Hiro:Yeah, that's the thing...I didn't oversleep, I just got lost! I'm tellin' ya...This place is like a LABYRINTH!

Taka:*stands up and growls angrily* This still isn't everyone, though!

Hina:*nods in agreement* Yeah...Where are Togami and Maizono?

Akemi:Now that you mention it...She's right. Byakuya and Sayaka are the only ones that haven't shown up yet. Think they're still sleeping?

Hina:*gasps as Byakuya walks in* Well, there's one of 'em.

Mondo:*puts his hands behind his head and rears back,putting his feet on the table* Dude! Maizono behind you, or what? I'm STARVING!

Byakuya:*scowls and sits at a far away table* Do I look like her KEEPER? I came here directly from my ROOM, thank you very much!

Hifumi:Little out of character for her to be late. She's usually here before I am.

Hina: Uh-oh! Think maybe she's sick?!

Akemi:*I looked at the other side of Mondo, where Makoto was, and noticed him looking both concerned and scared* Makoto-san? Is everything alright?

Makoto:Excuse me...I should probably go check on her!!!! *runs out of the Dining Hall*

Akemi:*I gasped and ran after him* Makoto, wait up!!!! *I followed him all the way back to his room. I watched as he banged on his door, calling for Sayaka.*

Makoto:*bangs on the door loudly* Maizono!!!!

*We were both shocked to see that when we tried to open the door, it swung aside on the first go.*

Makoto:What...the heck? It should be locked!

Akemi:*I didn't like the sound of that.  We both ran inside his room and gasped at the state of it. There were all kinds of scratches and signs of a struggle around it.* What...the hell HAPPENED here?!

Makoto:*looks around in horror* Please tell me this isn't what I think it is!

Akemi:*I gasped as I saw his bathroom door open* Makoto, look!

Makoto:*gasps* Well...Let's...take a look...in...side...

*We both walked in and gasped at the sight we beheld. Sayaka was slumped against the wall, her arms at her side and laying in a pool of her own blood. Protruding from her stomach was a large kitchen knife. After seeing that, we screamed and fainted.*

-hours later-

Akemi:*I groaned as I opened my eyes and woke up. Standing over me were Mondo, Taka, and Hiro*

Mondo:Hey, you're awake!

Akemi:*I groaned again, still trying to process what had happened.*  What...happened? Where...am I?

Hiro:The gym, bra. 

Taka:We carried you here after we found you passed out in Naegi's bathroom.

Akemi:*I looked at Mondo* So what I saw earlier...Was real?

Mondo:*nods* I'm afraid so.

Makoto:*gasps* How's Maizono?!

Byakuya:I'm afraid she's deceased. Homicide.

Makoto:*gasps and tries to run, but is caught by Taka*

Taka:Where are you going?

Makoto:Where do you THINK I'm going?! I can't just LEAVE her there, can I?!

Taka:Naegi! We need you to get ahold of yourse-!

Makoto:*stops him by slapping his arm away* LET GO!!!!

Byakuya:Waste of time, my friend! I can assure you the girl is well and truly departed.

Makoto:Then why are we just standing around with our thumbs up our butts?! SOMEONE'S BEEN MURDERED! WE CAN'T JUST TREAT THIS LIKE IT'S ANY OTHER DAY!!!!!!!

Kyoko:Understand, Naegi...It isn't as though we've CHOSEN to stand around.

Makoto:Then what the hell's goin' on?!

Toko:*biting her nails* It's the damn bear! The principal! He told us to meet in the gym! Something about a pep rally.

Taka:Believe me, man. We're ALL against the idea! "How can you be so disrespectful?!", we said. But then-!

Kyoko:Because they took my suggestion and complied, it's best that we meet the bear's demands.

Makoto:Kirigiri...

Kyoko:We're his prisoners.  Plain and simple. Nothing good can come from us defying him on impulse. Unless we want more casualties, we have to play by his rules.

Makoto:*cries a bit* He killed her...SHE WAS VULNERABLE AND HE KILLED HER!!!! I KNOW IT!!!!!

Monokuma:*makes a wrong buzzer noise* Wrong again! Why would little old me do something like THAT? Scout's Honor, it wasn't me!

Makoto:You MONSTER!

Monokuma:*puts his hands on his hips and leans forward* Use your head, Mr. Jumps To Conclusions! Why would I do something that goes against the whole POINT of this fine institution? You're supposed to do the killing, not ME! Rules are rules. You should've seen me at the zoo when folks ignored the "Do Not Feed The Bears" sign!

Chihiro:But then who else could..?! I mean, 'cause-!

Akemi:*I stepped forward* Chihiro's right! If it wasn't YOU...Who else could've killed Sayaka?!

Monokuma:As if we don't know! Wake up and smell the formaldehyde! THE KILLER IS ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!!

*Everyone gasped at those words. They shook us all to the core*

Akemi:The killer is...One...of us?!

Monokuma:Ugh, really? THAT pulled the rug out from under you?! I thought you were supposed to be GIFTED students! It's OBVIOUS! One of you sent poor Maizono to the sweet hereafter so you could breathe free air again! And that's okay! It's what you're SUPPOSED to do!

Chihiro:It's horrible!

Hina:He's LYING!

Akemi:*I nodded in agreement* He HAS to be! I don't care WHAT motive you presented yesterday...None of us would even THINK about killing our friends!

Makoto:Of course he's lying!!!!!!

Monokuma:*smirks* Sorry Charlie, I'm tellin' the truth! It was DEFINITELY one of you! And right now, someone standing here knows that all too well!

*Everyone looked around at everybody else, trying to figure out who'd kill Sayaka in cold blood*

Chihiro:Is he telling the truth?

Taka:*growls angrily* I demand whoever did it come forward immediately!!!!!

Toko:*scowls* Sure, that'll work like a charm! Do you ever LISTEN to yourself?!

Celeste:Look...Whoever it is, I won't judge.

Hifumi:*shakes his head and waves his arms around, shocked at the idea anyone would acuse him* It wasn't me, I SWEAR! *He looks at Leon*

Leon:*glares at Hifumi* Nuh-uh! I know you're not lookin' at ME!

Mondo: Well SOMEBODY fuckin' did it!

Akemi:*I quickly defended myself and Mondo* It wasn't me or Mondo! We were together all night last night, talking!

Leon:You're awfully keen on defending Mondo! Maybe he did it!

Mondo:What was that, you son of a bitch?!

Leon:You heard me!

Byakuya:*yells loudly* SILENCE!

*Everyone turned to him*

Byakuya:*turns and speaks to Monokuma* Right then... Let us assume that the perpetrator is in fact one of us...By your own rules, shouldn't they have GRADUATED by now?!

Monokuma:*laughs*Well, aren't we a "glass half-full" kinda guy! I like your reckless optimism! Having said that though, the main attraction's yet to come!

Makoto:What's that mean?

Monokuma:*spreads his arms wide* Listen up, me troops! Freedom isn't straightforward! There are a few supplemental rules!

Akemi:*I was completely confused* Supplemental rules? Like what?

Celeste:Ah, the article in our digital notebooks which states "Whoever kills a classmate may graduate, but he or she must not get caught by the other students.

Monokuma:*smiles and nods* Exactamundo! Someone studied...Murder alone won't cut the mustard. The killer has to get away with it!

Celeste:In other words, to go free, we must commit the perfect crime?

Monokuma:After each homicide, you'll have time to investigate before convening to debate the guilt or innocence of those who remain! We call these debates, wait for it...! TRIALS!

Makoto:You...Can't be serious!

Monokuma:The Class Trial format is based solely on Parliamentary procedures. Fierce back and forth being the order of the day! If the guilty party is correctly identified, they will be summarily punished, and the rest of you allowed to continue normal school functions. But choose someone wrongly, however, and the defendant goes free while the REST of you are punished! So point the finger at your own PERIL. 

*Everyone gasped at Monokuma's words*

Monokuma:There you have it. High stakes trial-by-jury! A wonderful system really!

Hifumi:Uh, sir! These punishments...What do they consist of?

Monokuma:Ah! I suppose another name for them would be "Executions"!

Akemi:*My eyes widened in horror at those words* E...Executions?!

Chihiro:Surely you can't mean that!

Monokuma:Oh-ho! I mean EXACTLY that, sweetheart! We're talkin' electrocution! *makes electric chair noises* Gas chamber! *coughs for effect* Death by hurricane! *spins around rapidly* Which, yes, we CAN make happen!

*Gasps and whimpers could be heard throughout the room*

Taka:Wait...I want to be sure I understand! Decide incorrectly and the JURY gets killed?!

Monokuma:Well, no one says that you're not the smartest chimp in the tree! Oh, and way to imply that you're not the culprit in this case, by the by. Well done!

Taka:*growls* 

Monokuma:*smirks* You all get to play judge, jury, and executioner! Quite possibly on yourselves, so proceed with caution! 

Junko:*narrows her eyes angrily* Nuh-uh! You're a NUTJOB, and I refuse to be part of this crap!

Monokuma:Beg pardon?

Junko:You HEARD me, psycho HAIRBALL! Far as I'm concerned, the whole trial thing can get BENT!

Monokuma:*looks disappointed* Why?!

Junko:*looks even more furious* Is that even a QUESTION?! I'm NOT playing juror if it means risking my damn LIFE and that's THAT!

Monokuma:*growls angrily* Be reasonable!

Junko:Don't even TRY and talk to me about being REASONABLE, ya sadistic FREAKAZOID! I'm out of the game!

Monokuma:*sweats and shivers* Oooh! The presence of evil before me is sooo overpowering! Whatever shall I DO?! Banish the thought! *bares his claws at Junko* No ma'am, I'm STRONGER than that! When Monokuma fights, he fights to the last breath! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!! *he waddles toward Junko* I'll nip this rebellious bud and-! MMPH! 

*All of a sudden, Junko stomped on Monokuma's face and body, shutting him up*

Junko:I'm sorry! You were trying to SAY something?! 

Monokuma:...Big mistake!

Junko:Huh?

Monokuma:Manhandling the Principal in any way, shape, or form is strictly FORBIDDEN!!! The rules, remember?! I KNOW I warned ya about breakin' em! *he waved his arms in the air, as if holding a magic wand* I use summoning magic! Save me Gungnir Spears!!!!!!

*Everyone watched in horror as Junko was impaled all over her body by spears.*

Junko:N-not gonna...lie...I wasn't...expecting that...it was...like...*her eyes rolled back into her head*

Akemi:*And just like that, she was gone. Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Fashionista, had been killed right in front of us. That very punishment...Showed us that Monokuma wasn't playing around. This was serious! Toko had fainted after seeing the blood, while everyone else just stared at Junko's body, afraid the same would happen to us if we were wrong about who killed Sayaka.*  J...Junko....

Hina/Chihiro:Oh no!

Taka:That's seriously MESSED UP!

Monokuma:Actually, I wanted to avoid bloody situations like that as much as possible. But, when an example is beggin' to be made, you can't let a bad attitude SLIDE! Let's hope the gravity of your situation is beginning to sink in! *his red eye flashed at us* High stakes are HIGH! Best of luck playing Junior Detectives! The trial will be getting underway soon, so put on those thinking caps, and start a case-crackin'! 

*After he left, everyone stood in silence for a while, until Makoto broke it.*

Makoto:This is insane! What are we supposed to do?! If that was just an example..!!! *trails off*

Byakuya:At the very least, we can rule out Enoshima as a suspect in Maizono's death.

Celeste:I propose that we move forward with the investigation. Not to sound harsh, but less time mourning for lives lost could be used for saving our own. 

Makoto:Sorry, but that IS harsh!

Celeste:The girl was warned. Not least of all by me. Those who cannot adapt are quickly swept away in a tide of their own obsolescence. *She smiled sweetly again* In short, good riddance!

Hina:That is a terrible thing to say!

Kyoko:Our personal feelings on the matter are neither here nor there. The situation we've been tasked with is to unmask the culprit or die.

Hiro:*wide-eyed* Aw, crap! Heads up guys! We got sent some new pages!

Akemi:Huh?! *I quickly took out my e-Handbook*

Mondo:Jerk-hole! Who gives a DAMN?!

Taka:The Monokuma Files, huh?

Hifumi:Whoa! It gives a complete rundown of Maizono's cause of death!

Akemi:*I quickly read over the file to myself* "The victim is Sayaka Maizono. Time of death, roughly around 1:30 A.M. She was found in Makoto Naegi's private room in the shower room. On top of a fatal stab wound to the gut, it looks like her right wrist is broken."

Celeste:Ah, this could prove useful. Apparently the room she was found in wasn't her own. But quite tellingly, it was Naegi's. 

Akemi:*I gasped and looked over the file, thinking she'd misread it. But she was right. Sayaka was found in Makoto's room.* M...Makoto's room...So then he-?!

Mondo:*growls and puts me behind him protectively* Shoulda known! You greased the poor girl, didn't you?!

Makoto:Hold on just a minute...It's not what it looks like!

Byakuya:I think you'd better explain.

Makoto:She came to me wanting to switch rooms for the night, and I said okay! She was SCARED, she needed my HELP! 

Akemi:*My eyes widened when I heard that.* Maybe...He is telling the truth...After all, I did the same thing with Mondo...Only difference was that he slept with me...in the same room.

Mondo:Oh sure, we'll believe THAT lie! 

Akemi:Mondo, we don't know that he's-!

Leon: You're right, Mondo. It STINKS if you ask me!

Makoto:Come on! You guys...Really think I did it?!

Byakuya:Naegi...Put yourself in OUR shoes. What would YOU think?! I'm sorry, but if you're innocent, the burden of proof is on you!

Akemi:No! Stop it! STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! *I held my head and fell to my knees. Mondo approached my side, worried.* 

Mondo:Akemi?! *puts his hand on my shoulder gently*

Akemi:*I started sobbing* Why are we blaming Makoto? Just because Sayaka-chan died in his bathroom, doesn't mean he committed the crime! Someone else could've done it just as easily! Maybe the killer was after him, and didn't know they'd switched, so they wound up killing Sayaka instead! We don't know for sure Makoto's guilty and...I CAN'T STAND SEEING EVERYONE PIN THE BLAME ON SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT HAVE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Before anyone could say anything else, I ran out of the gym and locked myself in my room*

-Time Skip to before the Class Trial-

Akemi:*I sobbed in my bed, holding my pillow close* Why? Why would everyone think Makoto-san killed Sayaka-chan? The fact that she was found in his bathroom means nothing if she switched rooms with him! *I walked to my backpack (AN:That was the only thing Monokuma didn't take from her.) and pulled out the pocketknife I used for self defense. I flicked open the blade, which already had bloodstains on it. After Monokuma's "Killing Game" announcement, I had used it quite often to cut myself. It was my way of coping with the stress, but this was WORSE. Everyone was blaming poor Makoto for Sayaka. It just isn't right! I held the blade above my wrists, took a deep breath, and cut over the nearly-healed scars.* One for getting myself into this stupid mess...One for Junko's death, one for Sayakas, and one for not being able to defend Makoto! *I cut repeatedly until I was satisfied and used the water in the bathroom to wash off the blood. A few minutes later, I heard a knock.* Who is it? *I was shocked to hear Mondo's voice on the other side*

Mondo:It's me. Can I come in?

Akemi:One second! *I stuffed the knife back into my backpack, hid the bandages for my scars in my desk drawer, and opened the door.* Hey Mondo. What's up? 

Mondo:Akemi...You're worrying me. You just ran out of the gym without even helping with the investigation. And Chihiro told me you refused to come out of your room. Is something wrong?

Akemi:*I faked a smile* No. I was a little hurt at first that everyone suspected Makoto, but I'm fine now! *I rubbed the back of my head with my left hand, causing Mondo to see the scars.*

Mondo:*eyes widen in shock as he grabs my arm gently* Akemi! What is this?!

Akemi:*I looked away* It's nothing, Mondo.

Mondo:The hell it isn't! What happened to you?! *Suddenly, it dawned on him* Akemi...Have you been...cutting yourself?!

Akemi:*I stood in silence for a while, unable to tell Mondo anything.*

Mondo:*lifts my face up, making me look at him* Akemi answer me, damn it! Are you cutting yourself?!

Akemi:*I nodded slowly, unwilling to hide the truth from him any longer* Yes...But...It doesn't hurt.

Mondo:Why...? Why are you doing this?! Why are you cutting yourself?! Why?!!!

Akemi:*I narrowed my eyes* I've been doing it since Monokuma told us about the killing game. *I rounded on Mondo, tears of pain in my eyes* Why do you care anyway?! If you cared, you would've followed me here and stopped me! *I gasped as he swiftly pulled me into a hug* Mon...do...

Mondo:I care because I love you, Akemi. I love you so much, it hurts me to see you do this! You're too strong for this! Too smart! Too beautiful even! 

Akemi:*I was in shock at what he said* Mondo...

Mondo:I want you to promise me...That you'll never do this again. Next time you have a problem, find me. We'll talk it out. Because...I don't like seeing the girl I love hurt herself!!!! 

Akemi:*I gasped as I felt something wet land on my shoulder. No doubt it was one of Mondo's tears* Mondo... *I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him gently. Before I pulled away, I smiled.* I promise. I won't hurt myself ever again.

Mondo:*smiles and strokes my hair gently* That's my girl. 

*Our romantic moment was interrupted by a bell toll ringing out over the loudspeakers in our rooms. Suddenly, Monokuma's face appeared on the monitor* 

Monokuma:*sighs impatiently* Alright kiddos, your principal is bored outta his gourd, so whaddya say we get this show on the road? Time for the highly anticipated Trial Day! Kindly march your butts down to the red door on the first floor at the end of the Academic wing and mosey on through!

Mondo:*turns to me* Well, it's now or never. Let's go, Akemi. 

Akemi:*I nodded* Right. *We all met at the red door Monokuma mentioned. Makoto was the last to arrive, much to Taka's disappointment.*

Taka:Nice one. Don't you know how to tell TIME?! We've been waiting for you!

Toko:*bites her thumb and scoffs* I suppose you can hardly blame him, right? He knows it's only a matter of time before he's executed! 

Akemi:Toko, we can't prove he did it. What is it the Police in the outside world always say? "All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." *I quoted this directly from a detective show I saw once.*

Taka:*nods* She's right, and we haven't proven anything yet! The man's at least owed a fair trial! 

Leon:Whatever man! Look at him! He's TOTALLY guilty!

Akemi:*I looked at Leon, studying him carefully. It's as if he's TRYING to pin the blame on Makoto...To void all suspicion on him! I gasped and my eyes widened.* Could it be...HE committed the murder?!

Leon:*scowls at me* What? You got something to say, then say it!

Akemi:...I believe Makoto. 

Toko:Wh-why?! You'll get us all KILLED with that attitude!

Akemi:Toko, it's as Taka and I said before...We haven't proven he's guilty yet, so he's innocent! Plus, he cared for Sayaka greatly. I don't think he's the killer. If he truly wanted to murder Sayaka, then he would've-!

Byakuya:Enough. We know where you stand, Akemi Minako. And it's with a accused murderer. Still, like you said, we can't prove it. So let's just put it that way and leave it at that. 

Akemi:There's no way he did it...I don't know for sure who killed Sayaka...But it wasn't Makoto! I know it! 

*Suddenly, Monokuma's voice boomed over the intercom and an elevator door opened.* 

Monokuma:Is everyone here? Good. Now, kindly step into the elevator, where we will reconvene, as if by magic, into the Student Courtroom. Otherwise known as the "Moment of Truth" room for all of you.

Akemi:*I stepped into the elevator and stood beside Mondo. I leaned against his chest (which is the highest point I can reach on him.) and sighed.* Mondo...Do you think we'll find who really did it? 

Mondo:*sighs as well and holds me close* Not sure. But...*He whispered the next part to me.* I believe you. I don't think it was Naegi either. He was too close to Sayaka to kill her.

Akemi:*I nodded* Yeah. But if Makoto didn't do it...Who did? *And so the curtain rises. This time on a life or death situation. Do we outwit one of our own? Or die? Do we risk it all to save our own skins, or drag the whole group down? Do we trust each other or destroy each other? Our lives are on the line! Time for the first class trial!*

*We stepped out of the darkness of the elevator into the bright Student Courtroom, where we awaited our fate (or the killer's fate).*

To be continued..!

Next time:Deadly Life! The First Class Trial!

Surviving Students:14