The 1st Class Trial.

The Class Trial to prove Makoto's innocence...

The Class Trial with everyone's lives potentially on the line...

And, the Class Trial that'll put Hiro's killer to light.

"Let's do this."

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*Ding!*

Through the elevator doors, I walked out to look at my new surroundings.

There were about 17 desks, each desk closed together to form a circle. In front of one of the desks was some sort of throne, something that the jury would sit on during a trial.

"So this is what Monokuma meant by Class Trial..."

As I continued looking around, the bear's voice squeaks through the room.

Monokuma: Nyohoho! You've finally arrived!

We all turned to see Monokuma.

Monokuma: What do you think? Doesn't it feel just like a real courtroom? It's like a Hollywood movie set, right!?

Mondo: Not even close. It's total shit.

Apollo: I second it, it's worse than a budget rip-off of a courtroom would look like.

Monokuma: Ouch... O-Okay, okay, everyone find your assigned seats and sit down! Hurry up now, hurry up!

We did what he said and found our seats. I was sat beside Makoto and Sayaka.

When we all sat down, we were arranged in a giant circle. It's almost what you'd expect out of a kindergarten's game. It was set up so everyone could see everyone else.

Which also meant it'd be easy for anyone to transfer their tension and unease onto everyone else.

As we waited, the air around us grew heavy with tension. Burdened full with fear, confusion, and curiosity.

"Is Makoto the true murderer? If not, who IS the murderer?"

That was what was going through everyone's minds, as the curtain started to open upon our first case.

A deadly judgement...

A deadly deception...

A deadly betrayal...

A deadly riddle...

A deadly defense...

A deadly faith...

A deadly...

Class Trial!

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Welcome to the 1st Class Trial! For this book, it'll function similar towards the Trigger Happy Havoc's game.

As the reader, we possess the truth bullets that we gathered up during the 3 chapters of Investigation. I will list them down here:

- Makoto's Account.

- Monokuma File.

- Evidence of a Struggle.

- Lint Roller.

- Toolkit.

- Makoto's Room Cleanliness.

- Glass Shards.

- Bathroom Door.

- Cleaning Duty.

- Incinerator.

- Bloody Fabric.

- Hina's Account.

Keep in mind, this is my first rough draft of attempting an original Class Trial, so feel free to provide Constructive Criticism down below so I can improve on these trials.

Without further ado, let's get started!

Class Trial...

Begin!

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As I took a deep breath, I listened to what Monokuma had to say.

Monokuma: Let's begin with the basic explanation of the class trial! So, your votes will determine the results. If you can figure out "whodunnit", then only they will receive the punishment. But if you pick the wrong one... then I'll punish everyone *besides* the blackened, and the one that deceived everyone else will graduate!

Makoto: And the killer really is one of us, right?

Monokuma: Of course!

Apollo: (Sigh) Right. Let's get started.

Taka: Okay then... Everyone close your eyes, and whoever did it, raise your hand!

The result was just as anyone with more than 3 brain cells would've guessed.

Apollo: Nice one, smartass.

Mondo: Don't be a goddamn idiot. Why the hell would they raise their hand?

Kyoko: Before we move on and start the trial, can I ask a question real quick?

Kyoko motions towards the big "X" sign slapped across Hiro's portrait.

Kyoko: What's going on with... those pictures?

Sayaka: Right, what is the "X" sign for?

Monokuma: I'd feel awful if they got left out just because they died! Friendship penetrates even death's barrier!

Hifumi: Friendship... penetrates?

Apollo: Euh...

Celeste: O...kay... But, what about that other empty seat?

She motions towards the empty chair in front of Monokuma's throne.

Celeste: There were only 16 of us to begin with, so why are there 17 seats?

Monokuma: Oh, no reason. It's just that our little courtroom here can technically fit up to 17 people.

Apollo: Is that so...?

Monokuma: Okay, that about does it for the preamble. Get ready to get started!

"First up is the case summary. Now, let the class trial... begin!"

"It's about to begin, huh? The debate to decide who the real killer is."

"Anything I found, anything I noticed... I have to be ready to speak up when necessary."

"It's obviously not Makoto if you'd piece things together, but I'm not worried about that."

"I'm worried about the true identity of Hiro's murderer. I do have some evidence towards who I might think could be it, but I'm not totally sure."

"But this ain't just about Makoto. It's about everyone."

"And I'd be damned to let the blackened get away with this."

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Time for the Non-Stop Debate!

In this section, the reader will need to use their truth bullets to solve unanswered questions or theories.

During the debate, if one of the words are bolded out, then the reader can use one of the truth bullets to proceed to the next section. 

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Truth Bullet: Evidence of a Struggle.

Taka: I assert that the one who was murdered was Mister Yasuhiro Hagakure!

Sayaka: We... can see that.

Byakuya: And the murder took place in Makoto's room.

Hina: In the bathroom...

Chihiro: So it seems most likely that... The killer must have taken him by surprise while he was in the bathroom. He... didn't even have a chance to resist...

"Wait a minute... Something wasn't right with what she said."

"Because if Hiro didn't resist, then why was the room all banged up?"

"Wait, I got it!"

Truth Bullet Used:
Evidence of a Struggle!

"That's wrong!"

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

Apollo: That wouldn't be right, Chihiro. Remember how Makoto's room looked like.

Makoto: My room was damaged, so we can definitely assume that there had been a struggle.

Chihiro: A struggle? Between who... and who...?

Makoto: Between Hiro and the killer, of course.

Chihiro: So you're saying... Hiro wasn't caught by surprise in the bathroom...?

Celeste: He must've been attacked in the main room first, then he ran to the bathroom to try and hide. The killer followed him in, and that's where they finished the job.

Makoto: No, that's wrong!

Makoto's Truth Bullet:
Initial location of the brawl!

BREAK!

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

Oh yeah, forgot to mention.

Other students in this book will have the option to take up your truth bullets or use truth bullets of their own.

With that aside, let's continue on.

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

Celeste: Huh?

Makoto: If you remember, the brawl didn't start off at my room first. It trailed all the way from Hiro's room.

Leon: How is that possible? 

Makoto: Because of the faint blood trail on the floor. In the hallway, the blood trail indicates that he fleed all the way into my room from his. From there, Hiro and the killer had a struggle in my main room, and the rest goes without saying.

Sayaka: We also discovered additional evidence to back that up. There were stains of blood and glass shards on the floor of Hiro's room. So, the brawl must've started there.

Leon: Oh... right.

Byakuya: Hmph. That much should have been obvious after taking one good look at the scene. It shouldn't even need explaining.

Chihiro: S-Sorry...

Leon: Y-Yeah... My bad. Anyways, what's next?

Sakura: Next is the subject of the murder weapon.

Hifumi: Wow... this is starting to sound like a real trial!

"Murder weapon next, huh? That much should be self-explanatory."

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullet: Glass Shards.

Sakura: So what was used to kill him?

Taka: There were some blue sharp objects scattered around where he died, but I didn't get a good look at it. But, without a doubt, that is the murder weapon!

Mondo: So the killer used some random shards they had 'on em...

Truth Bullet Used:
Glass Shards!

"That's wrong!"

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

Apollo: I do think it was shards-but not just any typical shards. I believe that it came from a glass ball.

Mondo: Glass... ball?

Apollo: After the murder, we discovered that there were glass shards laid around Hiro's dead body, some of them scattered on Makoto's room. Considering the wounds on Hiro, it's safe to assume that a glass ball was used to murder him.

Sakura: Which means that the glass ball must be the murder weapon.

Mondo: But... Where the hell did he get the glass ball from?

Apollo: I have no idea myself.

Mondo: Then how do you know then, huh!? 

Apollo: Well, what other shards variety can you think of!?

Byakuya: Are we seriously squabbling about this? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where he'd got the ball from.

Apollo: H-Huh?

Kyoko: He is the Ultimate Clairvoyant. As a fortune-teller, it's practical to bring a crystal ball at all times. Is that what you're referring to?

Byakuya: Indeed. 

Sayaka: Oh... I see!

Makoto: I'd never ever think of something like that!

Apollo: I guess that's enough evidence for you, Mondo?

Mondo: If they put it that way, then I guess that kinda makes sense. 

Leon: Okay, so the murder weapon was a glass ball. But, where does that get us? 

Apollo: Huh?

Leon: I mean, we all know Makoto killed him, right!?

Makoto: Guh!

Toko: That's r-right... Makoto's room was the s-scene of the crime. What more proof do you n-need?

Makoto: H-Hold on a second! I'm-!

Kyoko: Let's draw out conclusions *after* we've presented our arguments. Otherwise, what's the point of the trial?

Apollo: Thank you Kyoko! I was just about to say, jumping into conclusions, EVEN with proof, doesn't tell the whole story!

Leon: Well we can talk all we want, it's not gonna change *that* conclusion.

Kyoko: I don't think that's true at all. I'm sure if we keep at it, something new will reveal itself.

Hifumi: You really believe that...?

Kyoko simply stayed silent.

"There's gotta be a way I can get Makoto out of this pinch. There has to be a breakthrough somewhere! Because I know damn well Makoto's not the killer! He wouldn't!"

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullets: - Makoto's Account
- Monokuma File

Leon: So I guess there's no question that the glass ball was the murder weapon. But where does that get us?

Toko: M-Makoto must have taken it f-from Hiro, right? He did it in s-secret, when Hiro d-didn't expect it...

Makoto's Truth Bullet:
Makoto's Account!

"No, that's wrong!"

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

Makoto: Okay, wait, hold on. I didn't take Hiro's glass ball.

Toko: Next you're g-gonna say you're not the k-killer, right? Go ahead and say it all y-you want...!

Makoto: Well, what if I have witnesses? Scratch that, you were there yourself! I was at the Dining Hall before 7:25, the time when Hiro was murdered! So, I couldn't have done it!

Toko: H-Huh?

Makoto: The only ones that weren't present when we gathered up were Apollo, Sayaka, Hina, Sakura, Hifumi, Leon, and most notably, Hiro! How could I have murdered him when I wasn't around him?

Toko: M-Maybe you used p-poison to drug him or s-something...

Sayaka's Truth Bullet:
Monokuma File!

"That's incorrect!"

BREAK!

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

Sayaka: He couldn't have gotten hold of any poison! According to the Monokuma File, the cause of death was due to the multiple cuts and wounds all over his body, and a huge wound was seen on his head! Therefore, it should be clear that he bled out to his death and not due to poison!

Toko: Agh!?

Makoto: Is that enough proof that I'm innocent, Toko?

Toko: O-Okay, th-then what about this...? What if the u-ugly idol and her ugly b-boyfriend are in it t-together and are lying to protect you?

Sayaka / Apollo: Ugly Idol!? / Ugly Boyfriend!?

Byakuya: Speaking of which... I'd like to ask the bear. If there *is* an accomplice, do they also become "blackened"?

Monokuma: So you ask, and I shall answer! Each murder is allowed to have an accomplice, but only the one who does the killing will get to graduate.

Kyoko: So in other words... two people can work together, but one of them has no chance of profiting from it...

Mondo: Then there's no way anyone would work together, right...?

Junko: Unless if they are close friends, case in point, then there's totally no point.

Junko, who had been quiet up to this moment, shot us a look of confusion.

Chihiro: But... what if they *did* work together, and they just didn't know about the rule?

Monokuma: Ughhh! Enough already! No, okay!? There are no accomplices in this case! ... Oops! Did I say that out loud...?

Makoto: Anyway, I didn't go to Hiro's room, and I didn't take his glass ball. So I'm not the killer!

Chihiro: Okay, so then... who *did* take the glass ball?

Celeste: The students that didn't gather up this morning are the likely candidates. That would mean it would be Apollo, Sayaka, Hina, Sakura, Hifumi, or Leon.

Hina: N-No way! I swear it wasn't me!

Hifumi: Sure, but can you and the rest of us prove that? I personally can.

Sakura: I can.

Hina: That's right! Sakura was with me when we walked out of our room this morning! According to Monokuma, there were no accomplices, so we both couldn't have done it!

Leon: Uhh... I hate to have to ask, but just to be sure, Sakura's...

Sakura: Me.

Leon: ...Right.

Hifumi: But wait... Couldn't that mean that either one of them might have grabbed the crystal ball?

Hina: Actually, no. Because... um... well...

Mondo: Just spit it out already!

Sakura: I stayed in Hina's room last night.

Hina: I got so scared thanks to those creepy videos. I wasn't really thinking, I just asked her to stay over. And again, with Monokuma's statement, this means we have airtight alibis!

Monokuma: Ugh... Why did I say that again...?

Toko: You s-stayed over...? Doesn't that v-violate one of the school r-regulations...?

Chihiro: We're not allowed to sleep anywhere but the dorms, but it doesn't say we have to stay in our assigned room... So... I don't think that's a problem.

Taka: It IS a problem! A boy and a girl spending the night together!? It's... it's... unwholesome!

Sakura: But... I am a girl.

Apollo: Uh-oh... Ya done messed up, Taka.

Taka: Wh-!? You are!? Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!

Celeste: So now it falls on Sayaka, Apollo, Hifumi, and Leon. Who wants to state their alibis, hmm? Time's ticking.

Sayaka and I glanced over at each other, a nervous gulp echoing from us.

"How are we supposed to say that we slept together as well?"

"But... It's either be shamed or be suspected. And..."

"Dammit... It really has to come to this, huh?"

So, with a deep breath, I went to speak up.

But, before I could open my mouth, Sayaka had started speaking without me.

"I slept with Apollo last night in his room."

...

...

The entire courtroom stared at us completely dead silent.

And, with a silent gulp, I sighed and shrugged.

"Yeah... She did."

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Next time on Rebirth:

Class Trial 1: Suspects

Sorry for the short chapter, it's just that I want these Class Trials to be in separate parts to indicate specific sections to each Class Trial. It's easier to bookmark in a way.

Also, I hope you guys enjoy this layout for the Class Trials! If you guys have any suggestions on things I can improve on, leave it down in the comments below! I encourage Constructive Criticism!

Also also, I've read your comments on my Author's Note, and it seems that you all really like the pacing of the chapters! Thanks for the feedback, and I'll continue progressing with the pace we are at right now.

With that said, I'll see you all in the next chapter! Carter Out!