Class Trial 3: A Huge Gamble

"The one who kidnapped and drugged me, the one who ordered her accomplice to murder Taka, the one who ended up betraying her accomplice and up until now, avoided suspicion by giving us questions of her own... The mastermind pulling behind the strings this whole time... is none other than...! Celestia Ludenberg!"


Apollo's claim boomed through the room, and I could've sworn that a gust of wind brushed through my body as he points towards Celeste.


Celeste: Ah, so I'm the suspicious individual now, am I? Hmhmhm... I really do hate this kind of joke.


Byakuya: A joke? I wonder...


Celeste: ... So what you are saying, then, is that I specifically chose to work together with Leon. The mere fact that I would rather waste my time with a mere lowlife like him... It seems that you have underestimated my sense of logic. Pardonnez-Moi, Junko, but you seem to have taken an interest in the wrong male.


Junko: I-Interest...!? W-What are you, insane!?


Byakuya: Just to be clear, there *is* evidence to support it.


Celeste: Is that so...?


Byakuya: It is. Throughout the investigation, there was certain behavior that was common only to the two of you. Considering what we've learned so far, it only further proves that the two of you were working together!


"What it is that only Leon and Celeste had in common..."
- The screaming.
- The paper hidden inside Leon's uniform.
- Encountering the suspicious individual.


Makoto: The behavior they had in common has to do with the "suspicious individual" in the suit, doesn't it? The only ones who ever actually saw the robot costumed figure firsthand were Celeste and Leon.


Byakuya: Shush. The adults are talking now.


Makoto: S-Sorry...


Apollo: The fuck...? You're sorry... for that...? 


Byakuya: As he said, only Celeste and Leon ever laid eyes on the costumed individual. If we accept that Leon was one of the culprits, we can't help but suspect what Celeste has said, as well.


Hina: A-Are you saying everything they told us was... a lie...!?


Byakuya: After taking Leon to the nurse's office, we all began our search for this individual, correct? And not too long after that, do you remember what Celeste said? 


Junko: It was along the lines of finding a shadow; something moving at the top of the stairs, right?


Byakuya: Correct. We headed to the 2nd floor specifically because of what she claimed to have seen. Next, to draw us all to the physics lab, up on the 3rd floor...


Sakura: ... She let out a bloodcurdling scream.


Byakuya: And when we'd all come to see what was wrong, what was it she said?


Junko: Erm... it was about... the robot costumed figure heading further down the hallway and disappearing.


Byakuya: Once she'd done her job of getting us all up to the physics lab, it was time for her partner to get to work.


Hina: It was to get us to divide into two groups... so that we would discover both bodies at the same time!?


Byakuya: In fact, Celeste was precisely the one who proposed that we split up.


We all took a moment to take this information in.


Byakuya: Well? If Celeste and Leon were working together, all those chance events suddenly become connected.


Celeste: ...


Byakuya: And on top of that... that piercing cry of yours early on... That was to signal Leon, wasn't it? It was your way of telling him, "We're on the 3rd floor, everything's going according to plan." Why else would you let out a scream that could have carried across the sea?


Apollo: Wait, that's what *that* was!? Even I heard that in the swimming pool's locker!


Celeste: ...


Makoto: I just realized another strange thing... when we found Leon in the nurse's office, who we know was only pretending to be dead... Celeste, you were the first one to say he'd been murdered. You wanted to make sure we wouldn't have any doubt in our minds.


Celeste: ...


Apollo: And, on top of all this... You were the one who sent that note underneath my door the other night, were you not? And, using my gullibility to your advantage, you and Leon kidnapped me and framed me, didn't you!?


Celeste: ...


Hina: I-I don't believe it... Everything... the whole thing was one big act!


Makoto: Hina. You were with Celeste when Leon's body disappeared, right?


Hina: Yeah... I was feeling kinda sick, so Celeste took me to the bathroom... Wait, then that was-!?


Makoto: She wasn't worried about you. She just saw a chance to help Leon sneak out of the nurse's office.


Byakuya: Each piece isn't much by itself, but start putting them together and the picture gets very ugly indeed. Wouldn't you agree, Celeste?


Celeste: ... I have no idea what you mean.


Byakuya: Don't bother trying to deny it. You made one fatal mistake.


Celeste: Oh, did I now?


Byakuya: I didn't even catch it myself when you first said it, but... looking back, I can say that that one little slip-up was your undoing.


Celeste: What are you talking about...? 


Byakuya: I'm talking about what you said after Leon's body disappeared and we returned to the nurse's office.


Junko: Oh, that was about... the mastermind enjoying our suffering, so we were all gonna die, right? Yeah, I found that suspicious too.


Sakura: I remember her saying that, too. But... I don't understand what's so strange about it.


Byakuya: Then pay attention. You, Toko, Junko, and I were first to discover Taka's body in the equipment room. Then, Makoto showed up and told us Leon had been killed. So, Sakura, Junko, and I left with Makoto. Once we were in the hall, we ran into Celeste, and the four of us headed to the nurse's office. Now, the entire time we were together, NONE of us said anything about Taka being dead. 


Junko: If you think about it... Celeste's comment makes no sense at all. Like... it was SUPER out of place!


Sayaka: I... see what you're trying to say, but... I don't get what it means, though.


Byakuya: You hear that, Celeste? Everyone's having some trouble understanding. Could you repeat what you said? If you're really not the culprit, you shouldn't have any problem repeating it, right?


Celeste: ...


"Junko said that Celeste's comment doesn't make sense... But, what is she alluding to?"


 ---------------


Non-Stop Debate!


Truth Bullet: Monokuma File #3.


Celeste: All I said was... "They must be really enjoying this. Enjoying the sight of us standing around, frightened and confused... They must be positively elated. We are all going to die here. We are going to die, just like those guys died." And that is all I said.


Byakuya: And that's all it takes to finish this. It's obvious, isn't it? What was so strange about Celeste's comment?


New Argument: So Strange.


"When she said that, she should've only known about Leon's death. With that in mind, what's so strange about what she said is..."


Celeste: All I said was... "They must be really enjoying this. Enjoying the sight of us standing around, frightened and confused... They must be positively elated. We are all going to die here. We are going to die, just like those guys died."


Junko's Argument:


So Strange.


"You're all taking TOO long!"


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


Junko: Here, if you're all gonna take about a million years to answer, I'll say it for ya'll. There was NO reason for Celeste to say "just like those guys died". Because, when she said that, NONE of us had told her Taka was dead.


Celeste: ...


Byakuya: Exactly. And we didn't run into her until after we were all out in the hall. So, there was never any chance for her to have seen his body in the equipment room for herself.


Junko: So, how exactly did you know that Taka died, Celeste? How did you know that more than one person had been killed? And, how did YOU know that BOTH of them were guys, huh? Since, ya know, Kyoko and Sayaka were still missing, so there was a chance either one of those two girls could've died too! Boom!


Celeste: ... Hmhmhm...


Junko: W-What're you laughing at, now...?


Celeste: You all have such vivid imaginations, you know that?


Byakuya: Imaginations...?


Celeste: You claim that I was lying when I told you about the suspicious person I saw... then, what about the picture I took? How do you explain the picture of the costumed villain dragging Leon away?


Sayaka: M-Maybe she decided to fit the suit on and use the timer feature to take a picture of it? 


Celeste: Have you so quickly forgotten? Apollo is the only possible person who could've fitted in that suit. Plus, I happen to know that this particular camera does not have a timer. In other words, it is an unassailable fact that this is a picture of Leon being dragged away. If everything I told you was a lie, how can this picture exist? I'd also want to point out something about Leon's chest wound, but I'd like for you all to try to debunk this statement first.


Apollo: ... Welp, all on you guys. I can't help out here.


Kyoko: Simple. Are we sure that's really a picture of the suspect dragging Leon away?


Celeste: ... What could you possibly mean by that?


Kyoko: Surely there are other explanations than the one you've offered up?


Celeste: No... there is no other explanation.


"Other... explanations? If it wasn't a picture of the suspect dragging Leon away... the only other possibility is...!"
- Leon and the suspect were drunk.
- Leon is dragging the suspect away.
- Leon and the suspect were dancing.


Makoto: It's not a picture of the suspect dragging Leon away... I would say it's a picture of Leon dragging the suspect away!


Celeste: ...


Kyoko: That's certainly within the realm of possibility. The one being dragged off in that picture wasn't Leon, but the person in the robot suit. We've simply been led to believe that it's the other way around. And, the strange costume might only exist to lead us astray even further. If you saw someone wearing something like that in this situation, of course you'd notice and be suspicious.


Apollo: Exactly what I was thinking. In fact, I have my own testimony to back this up. 


Celeste: Hmhm. Hmhmhmhm.. ehehe... such a thing... is utterly impossible. Leon was dragging him away? Ridiculous.


Kyoko: Is it? I don't think it's ridiculous at all.


Celeste: Then... shut your mouth and allow me to educate you.


"Celeste thinks she can prove that there's no way Leon was dragging the suspect away. But... is that really possible?"


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


Non-Stop Debate!


Truth Bullets: - Robot Costume Blueprints
- Apollo's Account
- Robot Costume


Apollo: First, you dressed me up in the suit after I got knocked out... then, you had me draped across Leon and had him carry my weight. You have been trying to frame me this whole time.


Celeste: Like I said... ridiculous. As you can see in the picture, the suspect is standing perfectly upright. If the person inside the suit was unconscious... there's no way they could stand up straight like that.


Makoto's Truth Bullet:


Robot Costume.


"No, that's wrong!"


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


Makoto: No, even if the person inside the suit were unconscious, they could still stand up like that. Because... that robot costume had a certain characteristic.


Hina: Ah, that's right! They totally made a mistake when they made it, so it couldn't bend at the waist!


Kyoko: I'm not so sure that was a mistake... I think the suit was designed from the beginning to be used the way it was.


Celeste: ...!


Makoto: Celeste and Leon took the suit they'd specifically designed and stuffed Apollo into it. That's how they were able to fake that whole thing. The point of it all was to make us believe whoever was in the suit was to blame!


Celeste: ...!


Byakuya: Well then, I suppose this is checkmate...


Celeste: Checkmate...? Do you really think so? There's still one last issue that we've yet to fully address.


Byakuya: That is...?


Celeste: Surely, the thought that the blood on Leon's wound naturally drying crossed your minds, did it not? I-


Apollo: Right, before you go on, I'm going to stop you there. For you see...


Apollo then shows us a bloodstain on his hoodie.


Apollo: This... is a naturally dried bloodstain. And, according to Makoto... Leon's wound was almost spotless. So, if you're still trying to ride the narrative that he was ACTUALLY dead, that alone should prove it.


Celest: Ngh...!


Byakuya: And... to finalize things... Apollo? Why don't you tell your side of the story? You said that you wish to tell us what happened to you the other night?


Apollo: Oh, with pleasure. About damn time, too.


He then takes a deep breath.


Apollo: The other night... I was slipped a note to meet up at the Rec Room at 1 AM. Curiously, I decided to check it out. So, I grabbed a kitchen knife as self-defense and walked towards the Rec Room. As I arrived towards the 3rd floor, I quickly realized that it was a trap, so I went to turn around... when, all of a sudden, someone burst out of the Rec Room, grabbed my hood, and dragged me inside. 


Sayaka: Eek!


Apollo: Instinctively, I slashed my kitchen knife fast, but using a drugged handkerchief, they had a firm grip on my eyes, nose, and mouth. And then... I passed out, not before hearing that figure grunt in pain from my slash. 


Celeste: So...? What does that mean, exactly?


Apollo: Well... you add two and two together, and that's how Leon got his chest wound. The figure that drugged me... was Leon.


Junko: Wha-!?


Hina: But... he said that... he got a chest wound from self-injury, right? For being stressed out and all...


Apollo: Pfft, do you SERIOUSLY believe that? God Celeste, if you wanted to frame someone so bad, why didn't you just use Hina?


Hina: H-Hey!


Celeste: ...!


Apollo: So yeah, that's my story. And, that should be the nail in the coffin.


Byakuya: So? What do you have to say to that, Celeste? That was your final move, and we've just checkmated you for good.


Celeste: Checkmate...? Nail in the coffin...!? That's... preposterous! All of these claims are filthy, stupid LIES! STUPID, STUPID LIES!


Her usual calm stature suddenly turnt to pure anger and aggression.


Celeste: Do you all SERIOUSLY, and I mean, SERIOUSLY believe what nonsense this... lowlife, is spouting out!? He's the TRAITOR, for god's sakes! You all would believe a TRAITOR over ME!? LUDICROUS!


...


"Heh..."


We all glanced over at Apollo to see that he was... laughing.


Apollo: Hehe... hehehe...


Celeste: What's so funny, you... filthy loser!?


Apollo: Oh, it's just... the fact that you're so desperate to the point where you've finally pulled that card, huh? 


Celeste: W-What card...!?


Apollo: The "traitor" card. I've been waiting for you to say that since the beginning of this damn trial. Too bad...


Celeste: And too bad what!?


Apollo: Too bad, that this trial... is over.


Celeste: What do you mean, "is over"!?


Apollo: Look around you, Ultimate Gambler. No ones gonna believe your story anymore. No one's gonna trust you anymore. The fact that you've committed this crime, planned from the start to finish... has firmly seeded into their minds. It's over, Celeste. 


Celeste: I-It's NEVER over! I refuse!


Apollo: Then... heh, allow me to go over this case, from start... to finish. And THAT... will bring EVERYTHING to an end! Hehehe... HAHAHA!


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


Closing Argument!


1. Before anything, the killer persuaded someone to help them carry out this case. And, that person was... Leon. With an accomplice, the killer was able to execute a number of otherwise impossible schemes.


2. First, they convinced someone to meet them in the rec room last night at 1 in the morning. That "someone" they met... was me. This duo intended to pass me off as the prime suspect, so when they met up with me... they drugged me, knocked me out, and stuffed me into the robot costume they've constructed. However, before they managed to fully drug me, I slashed with a kitchen knife towards Leon's chest, causing a wound to open. That will be accounted for later.


3. Next, Leon positioned himself to make it look like the figure in the robot costume was attacking him, while the killer used a digital camera to take pictures of this "assault". They did all this just to create evidence that would put the suspicion on me. When they were done, they shoved the still-unconscious me into the pool locker room, where I laid for a long time.


4. By 6 AM, they moved into the "murder" phase of their plan. They called Taka to the equipment room. And, that's where Leon killed him, making it the scene of the first murder. The murder weapon was Justice Hammer 4, which was left there in the equipment room. The reason hammer number 4 was used was to create confusion about the order of the crimes.


5. Next, they falsified two more assault incidents. For these attacks, the killers pretended to be victims, to solidify the figure in the robot costume as the suspect. The first fake incident was the attack in the Rec Room. There, the killers wanted the rest of the students to see Justice Hammer 1 and the robot costume picture they'd taken. They wanted them to make sure they bought the "surprise attack" story, I'm guessing. And, the second fake incident was the attack in the library. This time, they planted Justice Hammer 2 and an "injured" Leon to sell us that story. With these two incidents, the killers were able to create a certain preconception in their minds, that the suspect was increasing the size of the hammers and attacking people in order as they did. They fell right into their trap, and started looking for the suspect based on that, but...


6. While they did that, they left Leon alone in the nurse's office. This was exactly what Leon was hoping for. Using a blood packet from the refrigerator and Justice Hammer 3, he turned the room into a crime scene, in which he himself had apparently been brutally murdered. He let out a scream to lure them back, and when they returned, that's what they found. Meanwhile, while this happened, the other group that had been out searching, found Taka's body at the same time. So, when the body discovery announcement went out, each group assumed that it was for their discovery.


7. When the group at the nurse's office dispersed, Leon took advantage of the situation yet again. Getting up and walking away, the group by the equipment room, alerted by Makoto for his supposed death, and Celeste for his supposed disappearance, rushed back to the nurse's office. Once again, Leon took advantage by sneaking into the equipment room. Wrapping Taka's body in a tarp and using the dolly, he moved it all the way towards the repository. That explains how each of the bodies disappeared.


8. But, unfortunately, even Leon didn't realize what the true killer had in mind for their final act. Their plan all along... was to kill Leon and get rid of the single person that could've betrayed them. And... they did it using an ordinary, everyday hammer from the repository. That... was how this case played out.


And, the villain behind all this is...



"Sorry to say, but... Celeste! You LOSE!"


COMPLETE!!!


--------------- 


After Apollo finished the closing argument, he was visibly seen out of breath and sweating. 


But, the look on his eyes expressed differently.


He looked to be... enjoying this. He was enjoying the despair written on Celeste's face.


Celeste: I... I lost...? When... w-when was the last time... I was forced to utter such words before...? They... hang heavy around my neck...


Apollo: Then... heh, you admit it? You're the killer? My framer...?


Celeste: Hm. Heh... Listen to you, trying to take charge. As if you're my private instructor.


Apollo: Hmhmhm....


Celeste: Well... I... Celestia Ludenberg... a-actually, no... Taeko Yasuhiro is fine...


Sayaka: T-Taeko...?


Junko: Who the hell is Taeko Yasuhiro...? Your imaginary friend?


Taeko: No, no... Taeko Yasuhiro is my real name. Celestia Ludenberg... is merely made up.


Makoto: Oh... t-that explains a lot... Celestia Ludenberg certainly didn't sound Japanese at all.


Byakuya: So, you've finally accepted it.


Taeko: I'm the kind of person, once I've lost, I don't like things to drag on. 


Byakuya: Interesting...


Taeko: So... yeah, I guess... that's that. Apollo... you win this time.


And with that, Celes- no, Taeko... put her hands up to the air and gave Apollo a smile.


A smile, that expressed a thousand emotions.


One of which... was defeat.


"You win, Apollo. That was... a well-played game."


And thus, the 3rd Class Trial was over.


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


Next time on Rebirth:


Class Trial Epilogue: Queen of Liars.




A/N:


Hey ya'll, Carter here! I really, REALLY hope you guys enjoyed this Class Trial! I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope it showed! After this is the Epilogue to this Class Trial, so stay tuned for that!


I bring a bit of bad news, though. This book is gonna go on for a little break once the Epilogue comes out. 


I... hope you all understand that... writing these chapters ain't easy. It takes a lot out of me, my energy, and it saps a lot of my mental health.


It's very fun and I'm REALLY happy to be writing this for you all, don't get me wrong, but... 


Sometimes, real-life stuff gets in the way. I've had to deal with my finals exams this whole time, and not to mention that I've been grinding like a LITERAL MADMAN POSSESSED to get these chapters out these past 2 weeks, which... needless to say, has taken a lot outta me, hehehe...


(Also, I need to get to work on my RWBY book again, so there's that.)


BUT! But but BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT! THIS BOOK WILL BE BACK ON CHRISTMAS! On the 25th of December, the 4th Arc to this story will resume! So, stay tuned until then!


Also, before I end this note, I want to thank you all so freakin' much for the amount of support you've all given me recently. The votes, comments, and reads have been INSANE as of late, and for that... I'm really grateful to have such a cool community. I love you all, I really do. Like, REALLY really do. And... when this book gets back up and running, I hope you all will come back to reading this story once again.


So, yeah. The Epilogue for this Class Trial will be released tomorrow, and I'll see you all then! Carter Out!













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