Sorry for the long-overdue chapter, everyone! Had some personal stuff to take care of. But, we're back! Hope ya'll enjoy!

---------------

(Makoto's POV)

As Sayaka and I ran to the dormitory, I kept looking around to try and find the rooms whom which Sakura invited.

Junko, Toko, Byakuya, and Apollo.

And, the first one that caught my eye was Toko's.

Ringing the doorbell, we stood in front of her room, awaiting her presence.

And eventually...

*CREAK!*

"Huh? W-Who's there...?"

The most negative aura I've ever felt crashed us.

Toko: Well? What do y-you want?

Sayaka: Oh, she's back to normal. Genocide Jill's gone.

Toko: D-Don't even say her name... It makes me s-sick to my stomach... I was in such a good mood, t-too...!

"She didn't *look* like she was in a good mood..."

Makoto: Hey, erm... we were hoping to talk to you about something. Is now a bad time?

Toko: Kh...!

Obviously annoyed, Toko slithered out into the hall.

Toko: W-What do you want? You said you wanted to talk to m-me about something...?

Makoto: I wanted to talk about the fact that Sakura had asked to meet with you.

Toko: Wh-!? I-I-I don't know what you're t-talking about! 

Sayaka: Byakuya told us she had asked to meet with him if you want to know.

Toko: What...? She w-wanted to meet with Master, too...?

Sayaka: Oop- and there's the slip of the tounge.

Toko: Ah! I just s-said "too", d-didn't I...? I-I guess now it's t-totally obvious, huh?

Makoto: Y-Yeah, pretty much... So, can you tell us about it?

...

Toko: I a-admit, I did get the note... B-But I didn't go see her! I was s-scared, so... I couldn't bring myself to g-go!

"Hmm... is that so?"

...

"Well... until I can prove otherwise, I have no choice but to accept that as fact."

Toko: Is that g-good enough...? Then I'm going back to m-my room...

With that, Toko quickly retreated back into her room.

---------------

Truth Bullet: Toko's Account.

---------------

Remembering what Toko said, we turned to look around for Junko and Apollo's rooms.

But...

When we approached their doors... they didn't come out.

Sayaka: Huh? Where are they?

Makoto: Maybe... they're not in their rooms.

Sayaka: Then... where could they be?

I then remember how Apollo and Junko left together to somewhere.

But... where could that "somewhere" be?"

...

...

...

"Oh!"

Like a lightbulb popped over my head, I suddenly had a sneaky suspicion.

"The Chem Lab, perhaps?"

Sayaka: Yeah... they might be there. The CHEM A-2 is there for a reason, right?

Makoto: Exactly. Let's go.

We need to find out more about the protein can and why it was there in the first place.

So with that, we left for the Chem Lab.

---------------

But, when we arrived in the lab, it seems that some people had beaten us there.

And to my surprise, it was Apollo and Junko, investigating the lab for themselves.

Apollo: So, here's the layout for the lab. You see this?

Junko: Hmm... that's odd. Why would the toxic bottle be on that shelf?

Apollo: Beats me. 

"They seem to be hard at work, despite being barred off from the crime scene."

...

"But... I need their accounts. And, we need to investigate this lab. So... this is good timing, I suppose."

Sayaka: Hey, you two... what are you guys doing?

Junko then peers over to us.

Junko: Ah, Sayaka! Makoto! Odd seeing you two here. What's up?

Sayaka: Well... we were going to investigate the Chem Lab because of the protein can in the Rec Room, but it seemed that you've beaten us to the punch!

Junko: Duh! Stupid Hina wouldn't let us investigate, so we'll take our research somewhere else!

Apollo: Exactly. 

Makoto: Umm... say, you two... we need to ask you two about something. Is now... a good time?

Junko: Huh? About what?

Makoto: About... meeting Sakura before her death. Hina told us that Sakura gave a note for Apollo and for Junko to meet her there.

Junko: Huh? A note...? Never got one.

Sayaka: Y-You never got one...?

Junko: Nope. Nuh-uh. 

Sayaka then narrows her eyes.

Sayaka: Junko, are you telling the truth? 

Junko: The truth? Duh! Why would I lie about something like this?

Sayaka: Because...

Sayaka then quickly delves her hand into Junko's skirt pocket.

Junko: H-Hey! W-What are you...!?

She then fishes out some sort of paper and holds it in her hand.

Sayaka: I knew it!

"She... lied?"

Junko: W-What the hell was that for!? Talk about invasion of privacy!

She then looks at the note and huffs.

Junko: Hmph. Yeah, I did receive a note. So what? 

Makoto: I-It means that... you were told by Sakura that she wants to see you. So... did you go to her or not?

Junko: ... Nope. I didn't. Full truth.

"Is she... telling the truth this time?"

...

Sayaka narrows her eyes at her once again, but this time, she relents.

Sayaka: Hmm... ah, I can't tell if she's lying or not this time...

Junko: I-I'm not lying! I'm telling the truth, I swear!

"Is that so...?"

...

"Well... until I can prove otherwise, I have no choice but to accept that as fact."

----------------

Truth Bullet: Junko's Account.

---------------

Junko: Are you both done? Cuz if so, I'd like to go back to my own investigations, thank you very much.

With a huff, Junko turns around and faces Apollo.

But, as she does, I turn to Sayaka to see a conflicted look on her face.

Makoto: Uhh, Sayaka? What's up?

Sayaka: Err... well...

Sayaka then showed me her hand, and I was shocked to see...

In front of the note... was a wrapper with white and pink dots.

Sayaka: I got this while I was rummaging through her pockets. Isn't this...?

"It's the same color as the candy Hina showed us!"

...

"D-Does this mean that...?"

------------

Truth Bullet: Pocket Trash.

-------------

I then turn towards Apollo.

Makoto: What about you, Apollo? Did you receive a note?

Apollo: ...

Makoto: Erm... Apollo?

Apollo: So... the culprit must've received the bottle in this shelf...

It looked as if that Apollo was in his own little world.

Makoto: Earth to Apollo? Are you there?

Apollo: But... why would the bottle be in *that* section? The pattern doesn't add up...

Sayaka: He-llo? Are you there...?

She waves her hand in front of Apollo's face, but he wasn't fazed by it one bit.

Apollo: Though... it *could* be switched. But... how so?

Junko: I... don't think he's going to answer your question any time soon.

Makoto: But... we can't just leave! We need his account!

Junko: ... Then I suppose you won't. Now shoo! We're investigating here! Go back to the Rec Room with the big boobie chick!

...

"So... Apollo's not going to talk, huh?"

... 

"If that's the case... we still need to investigate the chem lab."

Makoto: Sorry, Junko... but we came here to investigate the chem lab, too.

Junko: Ah... right. K then, go ahead.

Standing aside, I looked at the huge shelf that stood before me.

And, on closer look, it seemed that this huge shelf was actually made up of 3 separate shelves, just thrusted into one.

But... importantly...

"What's that powder that's been spilled in front of the shelf? I better be careful not to step in it..."

I then looked at the left shelf and carefully walked towards it. On the shelf were all kinds of supplements and different medicines.  

"The protein drink we found in the rec room probably came from this shelf. All the containers on this shelf are labeled with the letter A, and a number. So I guess I can consider this part of the shelving until section A."

...

"Huh? But wait! There's one bottle here that's labeled CHEM C-9!"

...

"Could someone have put it here on accident...?"

...

I then glance over to the middle shelf. And in there... was a bunch of chemicals that I have NO idea what they are.

Apollo: You look confused.

Makoto: Truthfully... I have no idea what they are.

He gives me a blank stare.

Apollo: A-Are you serious? W-What the hell...?

Makoto: I-I took physics and biology class when we were in Dusk! I don't know anything about Chemistry!

Apollo: ... Dusk? What's... a Dusk?

...

...

...

"What?"

Makoto: D-Dusk High School! You know, the school we went to before Hope's Peak?

I stared at Apollo, his head deep in thought.

But...

Apollo: Hmm... can't say that I remember. 

"He... doesn't remember?"

Apollo: But... regardless, I *do* remember learning about Chemistry somewhere down the line. These chemicals are reagents. Reagents are substances or compounds added to a system to cause a chemical reaction or added to test if a reaction occurs. I'm surprised you didn't know that. But... you *are* Makoto, after all. So... I really shouldn't be surprised.

Makoto: W-What is *that* supposed to mean...?

Junko: Oi, isn't that... kinda harsh of you to say? I mean, he wouldn't know what that means because it doesn't really apply to daily life, ya know?

Apollo: True, true. But... one day, when you find yourself trapped with no way out, and you have to solve a chemical laboratory experiment to get yourself out of it... then you'd wish you learned.

Junko: T-That's such a specific scenario! No way that's gonna happen!

Apollo: Oh really...?

He flashes an evil smirk, causing a shiver to roll down our spines.

Makoto: W-Whatever...

Disregarding his words, I looked back at the shelf with the reagents. 

There were labeled with the letter B, and a number. So, I could consider this part of the shelving unit B. 

Though... nothing seems out of the ordinary. So... I don't think I'll have to worry too much about this shelf.

...

And... on the third shelf, the upmost right one... was full of chemicals that only takes one look to see that it's dangerous.

These look like poisons and other powerful chemicals.

 All the containers on this shelf are labeled with the letter C, and a number. So, I could consider this part of the shelving unit B.

...

"I should try to find out more about this shelving unit."

The shelves were split into three sections. Section A has dietary supplements, section B has reagents, and section C has... lethal chemicals.

Sakura must have gotten the protein powder from Section A. But, what concerns me is that in section A, there was a bottle with a label from Section C.

"What was a bottle of poison from Section C doing in section A?"

There's definitely something going on here...

---------------

Truth Bullet: Chem Lab Shelf.

---------------

I then look at the powder on the ground, and over to the footprints.

The footprints only laid in front of the left shelf. 

"But... why?"

Apollo: Before you ask, no they are not my prints. 

Sayaka: Really? How can you say that for sure? Maybe you miss-stepped?

Junko: Nono, it's not his. We measured his shoe size and the prints, and his shoe is way way bigger.

Apollo: I play dance games. I need big sneakers if I want to get those high scores, ya know?

Sayaka: Hmm...

She then glances at me.

Sayaka: Makoto, maybe they're yours?

Makoto: Huh!? N-No! It's not!

Apollo: Then, let's measure if for ourselves. Makoto, if you would step your foot on a print for biometrical checking please.

Makoto: O-Okay...

Carefully, I put my shoe in the middle of the print. Then, Apollo crouched down and examined it.

Soon...

Apollo: Ay, he's not capping. It's a bit too big.

Sayaka: Phew! That's a relief...

Makoto: S-Sure is...

I retract my foot off the ground and glanced at Apollo, who's deep in thought.

Apollo: So... if it isn't mine, nor if it's Makoto's... then...

As if the cogs in his head started spinning, he had a smirk that crossed his face.

Apollo: Oh. Ohohohoho... that's very interesting. VERY very interesting...

"What's... interesting?"

Junko: Spit it out already! What's so interesting?

Apollo: ... Figure that out for yourself, Junko. Then... you'll see.

Junko: Oh come on! You're gonna leave me hanging!?

Apollo: Junko, if you think carefully and thoroughly, you would know who's prints are these. Just... think carefully.

Junko: O-Okay...?

It looks like these prints are a vital clue. 

"But... who could these prints belong to?"

...

I then glanced at the broken bottle in front of the 3rd shelf, where I assume all the spilled powder came from.

It looks like the bottle had a label on it... CHEM C-4.

Apollo: You wanna hear something interesting?

Makoto: Huh?

Apollo: This morning, I came here to this exact room. And, when I was here, the room was just like this. Except... there weren't any prints.

Makoto: Then... if that's the case... the powder was spilled way before the incident. 

Sayaka: A-Are you saying that... this was planned!?

Apollo: I wouldn't say *that*. It could've been a coincidence. But, the prints are what I was interested in, because those prints weren't there this morning, meaning that before the incident happened, someone went in *here*.

"If that really is what happened... it must be related to the case somehow."

---------------

Truth Bullet: Source of the Powder.

---------------

Apollo: Also, Junko and I drew out this little map. Take it as you will.

He hands me over a sketch of the Chem Lab, details of shelves and footprints included.

Based on the positioning of the prints, whoever it was only went to the left side of the shelf. And according to Apollo, the prints laid out would have to been spilled right around the time of the incident.

That's all I could tell... for now, at least...

---------------

Truth Bullet: Footprints in the Powder.

--------------

...

I've taken a good look at the Chem Lab. Maybe I should take another look at the Rec Room...

Sayaka: Mhm, let's head back. Perhaps Kyoko has some new info for us!

Makoto: Hopefully she does. Let's head back.

Junko: Good luck, you lovebirds! 

Apollo: ...

Ignoring Junko's statement, we headed back to the Rec Room.

---------------

When we arrived back to the Rec Room, Kyoko was seen awaiting, the girl still on guard duty.

Kyoko: So Makoto, Sayaka, how's your investigation going?

Makoto: You see...

I then told Kyoko what Toko, Junko, and Apollo had told us.

Kyoko: I see... so along with Byakuya, Toko and Junko are both claiming they didn't go see her, not mentioning the fact that Apollo refused to answer. But... it's all too convenient. Someone must be lying.

Sayaka: Someone's... lying?

Kyoko: Well, I've made some progress of my own. Sakura's body and the Monokuma Bottles. Those two things have revealed new clues. You'd do well to look them over one more time.

Sayaka: Okay! I'll go check her body, Makoto can check the bottles!

And that I did. I walked over to the shelf with the Monokuma bottles.

"Kyoko said that she found something new involving the Monokuma bottles."

...

"Something new... something new... hmm..."

Kyoko: So? Did you figure it out? There's a hidden correlation between all the bottles. Pay careful attention and you're sure to find it.

"A correlation... umm..."

Makoto: Hey Kyoko... can't you just tell me what it is?

Kyoko: I don't mind guiding you toward clues, but giving you my conclusion isn't a good idea. Each person needs to come to their own conclusions, so that everyone can have confidence in their outcome.

Makoto: And... it's not just because you don't trust me, right?

Kyoko: ...

Makoto: N-No answer!?

Kyoko: I do trust you... to a degree. Otherwise, I wouldn't have told you anything to begin with.

Makoto: To... a degree?

---------------

Truth Bullet Updated: Monokuma Bottle.

---------------

Kyoko: Actually, there's one other thing about the Monokuma bottles that's bothering me... I'd like to do an experiment to confirm it. You don't mind helping me, right?

Makoto: An experiment...?

Kyoko: Can you gather up all the pieces of the broken Monokuma Bottle? Try to get the smaller pieces, too.

Makoto: Huh? Are you sure it's okay to mess with the crime scene like that...?

Kyoko: I've already done a thorough investigation, so it's fine. And that obnoxious Byakuya's not here, so... anyway, I need to get something from the chem lab. While I'm gone, try to gather up all the glass.

With that, Kyoko left the room, leaving me confused.

Makoto: I really don't know what this is about, but... what choice do I have? I'd better just do it.

I took the broom and dustpan and got to work collecting all the broken pieces.

----------------

And, just as I finished up...

Kyoko: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Kyoko came through the door, holding a scale in her hands.

Kyoko: Is everything ready? Then let's get to work.

Makoto: So... what kind of experiment are we doing?

Kyoko: I got a scale from the chem lab. We're going to use it to compare weights.

Makoto: Compare the weights... of what?

Kyoko: The pieces of glass you collected, and one of the Monokuma Bottles that's still intact.

Makoto: Why do you want to do that...?

Kyoko: That's the point of the experiment. It'll make sense when we're done.

She then puts the scale down and grabs 2 bottles.

Kyoko: First, let's compare the weight of two of the normal Monokuma Bottles.

She places the bottles on each scale.

Makoto: It's.... balanced.

Kyoko: Which means, each Monokuma Bottle weighs about the same.

Makoto: Makes sense. The Monokuma figures inside are basically the same, and nothing else could really affect the weight.

Kyoko: Now, here comes the important part... put all the pieces you picked up on one side of the scale. Now, what might we expect to see?

Makoto: Well, a normal assumption would be... either they'll balance out, or the pieces I collected will be lighter. I did my best to get them all, but there's a chance I could have missed some here and there.

Kyoko: Okay, then let's give it a try.

Shrugging, I replaced a bottle with the shards of the bottle and the piece...

Only to be shocked at the unexpected result.

Makoto: Huh...? The broken pieces are... heavier!? H-How is that possible...?

Kyoko: Just as I thought...

Makoto: What?

Kyoko: The results of our experiment, and the correlation between each of the bottles... put it all together... and I believe you will arrive at one very persuasive conclusion.

...

Kyoko: So? What do you think? It's all on you.

"What do I think...?"

....

...

...

-----------------

Truth Bullet: Monokuma Bottle Experiment.

---------------

Putting my conclusion at the back of my mind, I walked over to Sayaka, the girl looking around and checking the corpse of Sakura, a sad expression on her face.

Kyoko: Just staring off into space isn't going to help you figure anything out.

Sayaka: W-Well... I know, but...

Kyoko: Don't you think you might need to actually examine the body?

Sayaka: N-No...! That's... that's...!

Kyoko: There's no getting around it.

Unlike us, Kyoko didn't recoil at the thought of touching a dead body. She was completely unemotional. It's the kind of thing we've grown perversely used to...

Although... there are still some times...

Sayaka: Kyoko... h-how are you so calm? No matter how many times I see a dead body, I can't get used to it... I-I... it's just... i-it's...

Kyoko: That's totally normal. 

Sayaka: Then... how can you...?

Kyoko: I imagine it's because I've had plenty of opportunities to touch dead bodies in the past.

Makoto: What...?

Kyoko: Sorry, never mind.

"Past life...?"

Kyoko: More importantly, look carefully at the wound to her head.

She points at the wound in her head.

Kyoko: Actually, even telling you that, it's incredibly difficult to spot. So, let me just explain... It would appear she didn't suffer from a single blow... but instead, received two blows on the head.

Sayaka: Two blows...?

Kyoko: Interesting, wouldn't you say? And there's one more interesting thing... Both of her hands were spotless. There's absolutely no trace on either one. So, that's what I learned from examining her body in detail.

----------------

Truth Bullet: Kyoko's Examination Summary.

----------------

"She really learned all that by looking at the body...?"

...

"In a way... that's impressive. No one else but Kyoko could pull that off."

...

And, on cue...

DING DONG! BING BONG!

"... Oops! Ya caught me sleeping! Your investigation was just so boring, I couldn't stay awake! Should I do it? Is it okay? Can I? Can I can I can I? Okay then, let's begin the class trial! You know where to meet, right? Please go through the red door on the first-floor of the school! Puhuhu... see you soon!"

...

"It's already time!? But the mystery of the locked room is still only half solved..."

...

"At this point, whatever happens will have to happen at the class trial...!"

 ...

"No... not whatever happens. I have to MAKE something happen!"

 ...

Sayaka: Agreed. Let's bring the truth to light at the trial. We got this.

Glancing at Sayaka, I give her a nod.

Makoto: Yeah... we got this.

And with that, we all left to the elevator, the 4th class trial awaiting us.

----------------

Next time on Rebirth:

Class Trial 4: Hot Potato Suspecting.