((AN:Picture on top is what Akemi saw as she died in the last chapter.))

-Class Trial-

Kyoko:Let's start with the murder weapon. What was used to kill her?

Byakuya:Obviously the knife.

Kyoko:And that knife belonged to Akemi, according to Taka. 

Hina:Then...How did the killer get Akemi's knife? Maybe the blood was a sign of the struggle.

Hiro:But I saw no signs of struggling.

Hina:There was blood on the floor everywhere in Akemi's room....What other explanation is there?! The only one who could've known Akemi would use that knife...Was the killer!

Byakuya:But didn't Taka say specifically that she killed herself?

Hina:It was the KILLER! There's no one else who could've known Akemi would use the knife, or that she HAD it!

Makoto:That's where you're wrong! *shoots through the contradiction* Don't you remember, Hina? One other person knew about the knife...Taka!

Taka:H-hold on a minute!

Toko:Th-that's right! A-and Taka kn-knew where the c-crime scene w-was!

Taka:*angered and outraged at being accused* Because she hadn't shown up at the Dining Hall! I went to check on her!

Byakuya:So you lied about the knife's origin?

Taka:N-no, I-!

Toko:O...Obviously! Just hear me out. *her argument begins* Taka w-was sick of Akemi m-moaning about l-losing Mondo...Because he was j-jealous! He w-wanted her for h-himself...S-so he f-followed her into her r-room...And st-stabbed her there!

Taka:*more outraged than before* I wouldn't kill her for some stupid RIVALRY! 

Makoto:You're wrong, Toko! Taka couldn't have killed Akemi...Because of his promise to Mondo. He told me when she was sick in bed..."I promised to protect her, no matter the cost. To myself or to my life. I keep my promises, Naegi!" It's no secret that Taka cared very deeply about Akemi...But he loved her too much to kill her! 

Taka:Exactly! 

Byakuya:So he's not the killer. Doesn't mean he didn't cause her to die. Or that he isn't the reason she died. There are no clues that point away from that fact.

Kyoko/Makoto:That's wrong!

Byakuya:*scowls* Care to enlighten me?

Makoto:Try to remember the wall of the bathroom. She wrote a message in blood on the wall. "I couldn't protect him." And there's only one "him" she could've referred to here...Mondo. That proves Taka isn't at fault and clears his name.

Byakuya:Are you 100% sure?

Kyoko:Yes. And if what Makoto said doesn't prove it, then this will. *pulls out a note* I found this on Akemi's desk when you all were debating about the murder weapon at the Crime Scene. It's a note. Addressed to Mondo.

Note: Dear Mondo, 

I know you wanted me to live. But I...I can't...live without you! I love you. I had no choice. Please don't be angry with me, because I'm much happier this way. I love you so much. And I'll see you soon.

-Akemi Minako (The Good Girl Angel)

Byakuya:*takes a long look at the note and sighs deeply* Well now we don't have a killer...So Monokuma, what happens in case of a suicide?

Monokuma:*sighs also* Well...Obviously, there's no blackened to punish. And even in this case, if she killed just to be "reunited" with Mondo...That's not even WORTH a punishment!!!

Byakuya:Then let us cast our votes.

Hina:Wait! Someone could've forged that letter! Akemi couldn't have wrote it...Because Sakura and I saw her last night! She had tea with us!

Byakuya:But if so, who would forge it?

Hina:I...I don't know but...Akemi wouldn't kill herself! She's...Too strong for that! *sobs a little*

Sakura:It's true that Hina and I saw her last night...But...The poor girl seemed...out of it.

-Flashback-

Akemi:Sorry I kept you two waiting. *smiles sweetly*

Hina:*smiles also* It's fine.

Akemi:*drinks her tea and sighs* I know I've been a shut-in for a while...But you have to understand...I just lost someone...I loved. *sobs*

Hina:*hugs her* It's okay.

Akemi:Sorry I worried you. Either of you. Hina...You remind me so much of my older sister Mira, it's not even funny! And Sakura...You're the strong, motherly figure of the group. Never lose that. And...Thank you both. For everything. *leaves*

-End Flashback-

Sakura:Sadly, she wouldn't have said that...If she weren't planning a suicide. Nor would she have wrote that letter. But...Taka should be able to tell. He's seen her handwriting before. *hands him the note* Well?

Taka:Yeah. *tears start falling* That's her handwriting.

Makoto:Then here's what happened. It started when the victim went to say goodbye to Sakura and Hina. After her tea, she went to her room and wrote the note to Mondo. Then, she proceeded with her plan. She took her pocket-knife and slit her wrists first. Then she stabbed herself in the chest and wrote in blood on the wall, "I couldn't protect him." Him, of course, being Mondo. The needle Kyoko found on the floor was used to make us think someone pricked her finger and wrote the message last. 

After that, Taka found her and tried to start medical treatment. But it was too late. She bled out and died in his arms before he got her to the Infirmary. And that's what happened. The one who killed Akemi Minako...Was Akemi Minako herself. 

Monokuma:*looks down* Damn. I don't get to kill anyone!

Makoto:*goes to Taka* I know you loved her. Anyone could tell. 

Taka:*speechless*

Makoto:You loved her so much...That having her die in your arms killed you. Isn't that right, Ishimaru?

Taka:Yes. *falls to his knees*

Makoto:*hugs him* And I'm sure she loved you too. More than anything. And it's terrible...Because she didn't deserve this. She was too kind...*tears fall* for this...

*The room was deadly silent. Even Togami had nothing to say*

Monokuma:It was her decision. Too bad you didn't tell her of your love sooner, Ishimaru! You could've saved her life! *laughs*

Taka:*takes that to heart and collapses in grief, sobbing*

Akemi:*still a ghost as her eyes widen in shock* Taka...Loved me? *sobs and tries hugging him from behind, only to phase through him completely* Oh Taka...I'm so sorry...

Makoto:*crying as well and thinking* Damn you, Monokuma!

Monokuma:Okay, that's enough of THAT! Trial's over! Return to your rooms, or wherever you all sleep!

Akemi:*cries softly* Taka...If I'd known...I never...I never would've-! This is all my fault!

-After the trial-

Makoto:*knocks on Taka's door* Taka...Let me talk to you. Please.

Taka:*opens his door* 

Makoto:About what Monokuma said...Don't listen to him. It wasn't your fault. You loved her...But couldn't tell her. I'm sure if Akemi would've stuck around longer...She would've accepted your feelings.

Taka:Yeah, but...I wasn't brave enough to do so, and she's dead because of it. *looks down* I broke Mondo's promise.

Akemi:*tries to get through to him* You didn't break anything!!!! It's my fault for not staying...*sobs* If I had...*becomes visible to Taka*

Taka:A...Akemi...*looks at her, not paying anymore attention to Naegi* 

Akemi:*sobs more* I'm s-sorry...If I'd known...I wouldn't have done this...*hugs him, sobbing* Can you ever forgive me?

Taka:*hugs her, knowing that his arms are going through her spirit* Yes, I can forgive you. Now you go to Heaven or wherever you're able to go and be with Mondo. Tell him I said hi.

Akemi:*dries her eyes and smiles* Got it. You be happy too, okay? I know it's gonna be hard...But no more tears, okay? Return to the Kyotaka Ishimaru I know and love. *dries his tears*

Taka:*sniffles* Okay, I'll do that.

Akemi:*smiles brightly* Good. I'll always be with you. In here. *gently touches his heart* Never forget that. 

Taka:*nods*

Akemi:*smiles and disappears* Goodbye.

Taka:*looks up to the Heavens as tears of happiness run down his face. He quickly wipes them away, a bright smile on his face* Goodbye to you too, Akemi Minako. I'll never forget you and the kindness you showed me. *smiles and thinks to himself* And...I'll never forget...My love for you. 

To be continued..!

Next time: Epilogue:Hope and Happiness in the Afterlife!

AN:A big thank you to TheSaiyanJedi5 for his many ideas and for helping me out with the dialogue for the final chapters. Thank you so much! You're the best! Also, be sure to check out his equally (if not better) awesome Danganronpa book, "Brother and Sister:Hope or Despair?"