I promised you all that I'll be making a double whammy, so here it is! Enjoy!

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

"Well, what if I said that..."

"The dead body moved itself."

"H-Huh...?"

Kyoko's bold point brought a chill down my spine.

Hina: T-The dead body m-moved on its own!?

Sayaka: Kyaaaahhhh! N-Not another g-g-g-ghost...!

Byakuya: I don't think this has anything to do with more... spirits. I think she's implying that... we thought Leon was dead, but perhaps in reality, he was still alive.

Junko: You mean... a dead man walking...!? T-That isn't... w-what...!?

Hina: He was... alive!?

Sakura: Are you saying that Leon wasn't carried out of the nurse's office, but simply walked out on his own?

Hina: But... I mean... we found his body! He was dead!

Byakuya: Perhaps he was *simply* playing dead.

Celeste: That... I-It isn't possible...!

Apollo: No, that is very much possible. And, I'll show you why.

"The idea that Leon was still alive... is it really possible?"

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullet: Broken Wristwatch

Sakura: Are you saying that when we first found Leon in the nurse's office... there's a chance he was actually still alive?

Celeste: No... it is impossible. Leon was dead, without a doubt.

Kyoko: And you know that how?

Celeste: Surely you heard the body discovery announcement along with the rest of us... Leon's dead body has been found... and that is why the announcement was made.

Kyoko: Are you really so sure about that? Maybe the announcement was intended to signal someone else's discovery...

New Argument: Someone else's discovery.

Apollo: Celeste, can you repeat what you said? From the beginning about the body discovery announcement.

Celeste: Okay then. Surely, you all heard the body discovery announcement along with the rest of us... Leon's dead body has been found... 

Apollo's Argument:

Someone else's discovery.

"That statement is FALSE!"

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

Apollo: I've been listening from an outside's perspective the whole time, and I want to say something. Was the body discovery announcement that was made... REALLY intended for Leon?

Celeste: Of course it was. The announcement played right after we discovered his body.

Apollo: But, that was ALSO the same time as Taka's body was discovered. You and Sakura said that yourselves.

Byakuya: That's right. It wasn't long after finding his body that we heard the announcement.

Apollo: You guys made a fault somewhere. You all are getting your shoes crossed up towards who that body discovery announcement was for.

Byakuya: First of all, if two bodies had been found, there really should have been two announcements.

Apollo: And, from what I've heard, only one announcement played then, and another one played when you guys re-discovered their bodies at the repository.

Celeste: Maybe Monokuma got lazy and rolled them together into one...

Apollo: That's wrong in 2 ways. But... I guess you can explain yourself first, Monokuma?

Monokuma: Well, it's a very sensitive issue, so I can't go into too much detail... But, what I *can* say about the body discovery announcement is that... it's only broadcast when three or more people find a dead body for the first time!

Junko: What the heck? That didn't give us any info at all!

Apollo: Actually, that gave plenty.

Junko: H-Huh?

Apollo: He said it's only broadcasted when a body is discovered "for the first time." This means, even if you lot rediscover the bodies, he won't make the same announcement again. So, let me ask you all a rhetorical question: Why was the announcement made AGAIN when you all later, rediscovered the corpses?

Genocide Jill: Huh? Later on!?

Makoto: Yeah, he's right. We heard the body discovery announcement go off twice.

"The first time it was played was when we found each body in the nurse's office and the equipment room... And, the second time was when..."

- When Leon and Taka were rediscovered in the repository.

- When Toko was unconscious.

- When Apollo was found in the swimming pool.

Makoto: We heard it a second time in the repository when we rediscovered the two bodies. It didn't seem weird at the time, but... it contradicts what Monokuma just told us, doesn't it?

Byakuya: Exactly. If we were actually "re" discovering both bodies, the announcement shouldn't have played.

Sayaka: Then... when the two dead bodies were rediscovered... one of them was actually... being discovered for the first time!

Apollo: Correct. Ugh... what a disappointment. How were Kyoko and I, the ones who didn't know jackshit about the entire ordeal because I was knocked out and she was missing, *the* ones to find the loophole around this thing? Like, seriously guys... use those brain cells of yours to make this fun, please? It's getting boring again...

Hina: Y-You're getting bored... of this...!?

Sakura: So when we found Leon the first time in the nurse's office, he wasn't actually dead yet... Meaning, he wasn't actually found dead until we came upon him in the repository.

Makoto: And that's just part of it... there's one other thing that leads me to believe he was still alive in the nurse's office...

Genocide Jill: Oh! Oh! I know! I know!

Apollo: No you don't.

Genocide Jill: It's because he's super good at playing dead! Badda-bing badda-boom!

Celeste: That is the worst logic I have ever heard. But honestly, I do not think there's anything that can prove he was still alive.

Kyoko: Okay then, let's take another look at the events surrounding the discovery of his body. Then, it should become clear whether he was really alive or not.

Celeste: This whole thing is pointless...

Apollo: Pointless, if you want to speedrun your death.

"There has to be proof that shows Leon was still alive. I have to find it and show it to everyone!"

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullet: Leon's Chest Wound.

Hina: Well, here's one thing we do know... the first time we found Leon's body was in the nurse's office. And then, while me and Celeste were in the bathroom... his body disappeared!

Byakuya: And, the next time we saw his body... it was in the repository.

Celeste: But, when you compare his body before being moved, and his body after being moved... other than the change in how it was positioned... there was no notable difference.

Makoto's Truth Bullet:

Leon's Chest Wound.

"No, that's wrong!"

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

Makoto: In fact, there was one clear difference between Leon in the nurse's office and the repository. His chest wound. 

Apollo: Huh? Chest wound...?

Makoto: That fact alone proves that he was only playing dead in the beginning.

Celeste: ... Perhaps you'd like to fill the rest of us in?

Makoto: When we found Leon in the nurse's office, his chest wound and more of his uniform were covered in blood. But, when we found him again in the repository... his wound was nearly spotless. And! I may have found the item he used to wipe them clean in the nurse's office trash can!

"The evidence I found in the trash can in the nurse's office was..."

- Handkerchief.

Makoto: It was a handkerchief, soaked up in blood. One look at the bloodstain should make things clear. This piece of cloth was used to wipe the blood off of Leon's wound clean. There's no question, it belonged to Leon.

Junko: Umm... c-come again?

Makoto: What I'm saying is, the blood on his wound was wiped away using his own handkerchief.

Celeste: Even if that is true, it does not mean he wiped the blood off himself.

Makoto: But who would even benefit from doing that, other than the victim himself?

Sakura: That's a good point...

Kyoko: So, let's assume that Leon was still alive in the nurse's office. He pretends to be dead, then when he's alone, he wipes his face and chest clean to rid of the blood. Then, he stands up and walks out on his own two feet. And with that, the impossible task of moving his copious corpse... becomes possible, wouldn't you say?

Hina: But then, if he was just pretending to be dead... what was with all that blood? Was it paint or somethin'?

Sayaka: The fridge in the office contains packs of blood for emergencies. He probably used one of those on himself.

Genocide Jill: He figured if he was gonna play dead, he should go all out! So he just dumped it everywhere! But he got too crazy with it and had to wipe himself off when he was done! God, what an idiot!

Junko: Repeat that statement, I dare you.

Kyoko: And, if Leon was still alive at that point, the disappearance of Taka's body is easily explained. It should be perfectly obvious who must have moved Taka's corpse...

"The one who moved Taka's body was..."

- Taka himself.

- Sakura.
- Leon.

Makoto: It could only have been Leon.

Byakuya: While we were all gathered in the nurse's office, he went to the equipment room and took Taka's body.

Makoto: That also explains how the door to the repository got locked.

Genocide Jill: The door was locked?

Hina: Well, after the bodies disappeared, we all went looking for them, right? So me and Sakura headed for the repository. But, when we got there, the door was locked!

Makoto: And, the repository door can only be locked from the inside. Which means, when Hina and Sakura got to the repository, someone was already inside.

Byakuya: And it could only have been Leon, who'd just finished stashing Taka's body there.

Kyoko: He convinced us all he was dead, and when he saw his chance, he dragged Taka's body to the repository. So, Leon wasn't just another victim in this case, he was one of the assailants.

Junko: B-But... that would mean that... he took part in the murders...!?

Hina: I-I just... can't believe it...

Apollo: It certainly does seem hard to believe... but, it certainly is more plausible than my statement.

Kyoko: If you're having trouble, would you like me to show you one more piece of evidence?

Apollo: Go ahead. You're on a hot streak right now.

Kyoko: The single biggest fact pointing to his involvement has yet to be revealed. You know what I'm talking about, right Makoto? Sayaka? The item he took off of Taka's lifeless body?

"The thing that Leon stole from Taka... could it be...!?"

- The Note Leon Had.

Makoto: You're talking about the note Leon had hidden away, aren't you?

Hina: A... hidden note?

Makoto: That's right. We found it stuffed in his uniform's pocket. Take a look at what the note says. 

When I turnt to read it though, my eyes stopped at one word.

"Alter Ego."

"No, Monokuma can't find out. I need to make something up, fast."

Makoto: U-Umm...

Byakuya: Are you having trouble reading it? Perhaps you're... illiterate?

Makoto: Oh no no! I-I'm just... taking a breath, you see? I can read it no problem...! Hehehe...

Byakuya: ...

Makoto: Well, h-here I go... 

I took a fake deep breath and narrated my made-up story.

"I found a hole maybe we can use to escape. Monokuma can't find out, so don't tell anyone else. Let's meet in the equipment room at 6 AM."

Glancing at Kyoko, Sayaka, and Apollo in hopes of them understanding, I was relieved to see that Kyoko had a smirk on her face, while Apollo looked to be processing the information.

Sayaka however...

Sayaka: Wait, isn't that wrong? Isn't it supposed to say-

Thankfully, Apollo sprang up.

Apollo: W-Wait! That sounds like... the note that I was given! But... my note said to go the Rec Room at 1 AM.

Makoto: I see... then, this note isn't the same one Apollo got.

Sayaka: Wait! Isn't the-

Apollo: So, the killer got in touch with another person besides me, huh? And that person could only have been Taka.

I shoot Sayaka a quick shake of the head.

Makoto: A-Apollo's right! The killer used this note to draw out Taka and murder him!

Genocide Jill: Hello! Over here! Objection! Objection!

Apollo: What is it, Phoenix Wright?

Genocide Jill: I don't really understand what's going on, but... Leon had that letter, right? So, whoever wrote it wasn't drawing out Tick Tock! They were drawing out Bruce Lee!

Hina: Umm... j-just to be clear, Tick Tock is Taka and Bruce Lee is Leon, right?

Genocide Jill: Ugh, YES! Why must you ruin it EVERY TIME!?

Apollo: It's cuz she's stupid, that's why.

Hina: S-Shut up!

"Man... Genocide Jack sure is scary, huh? But... I can't let her get to me!"

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullets: - Broken Wristwatch
- Leon's Chest Wound
- Handkerchief

Genocide Jill: Bruce Lee had the note, right? Then the person it was intended for must have been Bruce Lee!

Kyoko: But, remember what the note said. What time did it say to meet?

Sakura: 6 AM, I believe.

Genocide Jill: The time doesn't matter! The note has nothing to do with Tick Tock!

Sayaka's Truth Bullet:

Broken Wristwatch.

"The spotlight is mine!"

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

Sayaka: Sorry Gee-Gee, but there is a connection!

Genocide Jill: Wh-!? What the hell are you talking about!? And also, Gee-Gee? Really...?

Sayaka: Sorry, I couldn't think of another nickname for you... B-But that aside, the note said to meet at 6 AM, which is the same time Taka was murdered, right? We've already proven that using his wristwatch. But here, look at what the note says to meet. It says to meet up at the equipment room, see?

Sakura: Which is where Taka was killed. I see...

Sayaka: So, Taka was killed at both the time and place written in the note. Hopefully, that should be enough to convince you that this note was meant for Tick Tock!

Genocide Jill: Hmm... well, when you put it like that AND say the name I made for him... No further objections! Kyeehahahaha!

Sayaka: Thanks for understanding, Gee-Gee!

Apollo: Then... someone used that note to trick Taka, just as they tricked me... Heh, this culprit really knows their way, huh? Manipulative bastard...

Hina: But, if they gave the note to Taka... what was Leon doing with it?

Makoto: Most likely, Leon stole it off Taka's corpse after he died.

Hina: Huh? He stole it...?

Byakuya: Where's your proof? Go ahead, show us.

"The proof that Leon stole the note from Taka..."

- Kiyotaka's Scrap of Paper.

Makoto: When I searched Taka's body, I saw that his lifeless hand was gripping a small piece of paper. If I'm right about this, the sheet of paper this piece came from is...

I then look at the note Leon had and try to piece the shard together with the torn spot.

Makoto: I knew it! It fits perfectly with the note we found hidden on Leon!

Hina: Then Taka's scrap and Leon's note...

Makoto: Yup. They're from the same piece of paper!

Kyoko: Leon had the note meant for Taka, while Taka's corpse still grabbed a small piece of that note. There's only one way to explain it.

Sakura: Taka died clutching the note. Leon tried to free the note from his death grip... leaving behind only one small scrap. Did I get that all right?

Byakuya: That means Leon knew the note was important...

Kyoko: Exactly. Which proves that he was an accomplice in the murder.

Apollo: And... now, it makes perfect sense. 

Hina: So then... who killed Leon?

Sakura: Whoever did is the mastermind... the true killer.

Kyoko: He was killed in the repository, so he must have been killed not too long after transporting Taka's body.

Sakura: So he must have been killed after Taka's body vanished but before we found both bodies in the repository.

Byakuya: During that time, we'd all split up and were searching for Taka's missing body. In other words, during that time... none of us have alibis.

Hina: Wait, but me and Sakura were together!

Genocide Jill: Stop trying to steal the spotlight, ya stupid walrus!

Hina: Who are you callin' a walrus!?

Junko: Same here! I was kinda investigating alongside Makoto! So...

Apollo: Look, we're getting nowhere with this, so I'm gonna propose another question. 

Celeste: What might that be?

Apollo: What's the weapon that was used to kill Leon?

Sakura: The weapon...?

Hina: It's obviously the 3rd Justice Hammer! What are you, oblivious?

Apollo: According to the Monokuma File, Taka and Leon were nearly murdered the same way, similar fractures and all. Yet, Justice Hammers 3 and 4 are still laying on the floor of the nurse's room and the equipment room. So, if Leon was killed in the repository, and the hammers are still lying in those rooms, then what killed him? Surely the culprit didn't go back to either room, grab the weapon, kill Leon, and place it back?

Byakuya: Hmm... you bring up a good point.

Hina: U-Umm... err...

Apollo: Antagonize me more, and I'll make you look more like a fool. The readers are laughing at you right now, I can tell you that.

Hina: S-Shut it...

Sakura: He's right, though. I don't understand it, either. The Monokuma File mak es it clear that they were killed using similar instruments. But, if the hammers were already laying around those other rooms...

Celeste: So, the question is, how could the culprit have gotten their hands on either of the hammers? Personally, I haven't a clue.

Hina: Wait, so which hammer was used to attack Celeste? Number one or number two!?

Makoto: Those were accounted for in other rooms, too. And I don't think either one is big enough to kill someone.

Hina: A-Ah! Umm... t-then, uhh...

Byakuya: ... Is it not possible they used a different weapon?

Apollo: Hmm... it depends. Was there another weapon at the scene of the crime?

Sakura: What was used to kill Leon...?

"The weapon that was actually used to kill Leon... the whole picture surrounding this case won't become clear until we figure that out."

"Somehow, I have to find the truth!"

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullet: Spotless Hammer.

Sakura: What was used to kill Leon...? Was it Justice Hammer 3? Maybe Justice Hammer 4? 

Celeste: Well, whatever it was... there's one thing we have to figure out. How was the culprit able to move around so freely with the weapon? How did nobody witness them carrying it?

Genocide Jill: Sounds like a Justice Hammer 5 is about to make its appearance! Check out murdergear.com/hammertime for more info! Kyeehahaha!

Junko: Well... one thing's gotta be clear, right? One of the weapons used had to be one of the Justice Hammers, right?

Makoto's Truth Bullet:

Spotless Hammer.

"No, that's wrong!"

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

Makoto: The murder weapon wasn't a Justice Hammer at all. No, it was something completely different.

Apollo: A different weapon, eh?

Makoto: Specifically, a hammer from the repository. The killer could have easily used that to kill Leon. Now, all the hammers in the repository were covered in flecks of grit and debris, but for some reason, one of them had been scrubbed clean.

Hina: Huh...?

Makoto: And, the reason it had been scrubbed clean was most likely because it was used to commit murder. If the hammer got covered in Leon's blood, of course they'd have to clean it off. I'd also like to point out that the repository has all kinds of hammers. Big ones, small ones, and even some flat, mallet-like ones. I think whoever made the Justice Hammers used those as a basis for their design.

Sakura: If that's true, that would explain the Monokuma File's note about the wounds being similar.

Byakuya: So Leon moved Taka's body to the repository, where someone then used a hammer to kill *him*.

Hina: And whoever did that is the true killer. The one Leon was working with AND the one who betrayed him!

Apollo: Wait. Wait wait wait.

Hina: Oh what now!?

Apollo: Makoto, are you sure that one of the hammers there, the clean one that is, is the one used to murder Leon?

Makoto: I... think so.

Apollo: You never know if another person might have been sculpting and decided to wash it. We don't want to get some false trails here.

"That's true... we can't afford to get our foot in the wrong pit."

"But, I have the evidence to back my statement up! That is...!"

- Junko's Account.

Makoto: As a matter of fact, someone here can testify to that. Junko?

Junko: Huh?

Makoto: You spend an awful lot of time in the art room. What do you have to say about the hammer situation?

Junko: Oh, well... I spend like, the whole day there, trying my best to learn how to draw and junk. Never had I once seen someone else enter the room and wash one of the hammers there. And, if you think that maybe I could've washed it, I hadn't touched the hammers once yet. So... that's that, I guess.

Apollo: Hmm... I see. K then, I'm convinced. Continue on.

Celeste: Hold on a moment. 

Makoto: Huh...?

Celeste: I still think it's strange to assume someone was working together with him. The way the "graduation" rule works, there is no benefit to helping someone else carry out a murder. So the idea that anyone would work together like that is simply ludicrous. We talked about this, did we not?

"We did talk about how there wouldn't be any reason for anyone to work together. At least, that's what we thought at first. But..."

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

Non-Stop Debate!

Truth Bullet: Spotless Hammer.

Celeste: Based on the rules that have been laid out for us... even if more than one person is complicit in the murder... only by the one who actually carried out the act can "graduate" and survive. Assuming the rule holds true, it is simply impossible that two people worked together on this.

 Sakura: That *is* how the rule was explained to us...

Kyoko: But that only really applies if there's one murder, right? In this case however, there were two murders.

New Argument: Two Murders.

Hina: Celeste makes a good point, though. It seems impossible that two people worked on this...

Apollo's Argument:

Two Murders.

"That statement is FALSE!"

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

Apollo: Since there were two murders, it's at least plausible that more than one person was involved.

Sakura: What... do you mean?

Kyoko: If there'd only been one murder, then yes, the idea of an accomplice isn't really worth considering. Naturally, if only one person can be saved per murder, an accomplice has no risk versus reward benefit.

Makoto: Risk versus reward... benefit?

Apollo: Its the payoff for working together. The reward that balances out the risk of taking part of the scheme, you see? What's the point in being someone's accomplice when there's simply no point in doing so? 

Makoto: Umm...

Apollo: But, if there *were* to be rewards reaped from said action, then cooperation becomes possible.

Byakuya: You're saying that two people could act as each other's accomplices to commit two seperate murders.

Apollo: I think that's what the true blackened told Leon; they would have an accomplice for each crime committed. And, based on the events I've heard, Leon acted first by killing Taka. They made him commit first so he wouldn't be able to back out later.

Makoto: So, in this case, there wasn't one single person committing multiple murders. Instead, each person killed someone, creating two seperate incidents. And, it only looked like one person did it because that's how the true killer designed it to look. 

Sayaka: A single suspicious individual, a similar weapon used in each crime, and disappearing bodies too... With these seamless sets of circumstances, they made it so that only one person was behind it all!

Byakuya: The mastermind picked their target and managed to convince him to go along with their plan. And then, to avoid the "no accomplice" rule, they simply... killed their accomplice. Which, if true, means that betraying Leon was part of the plan from the very beginning.

Hina: T-That's just... awful! How could anyone be so cruel!?

Byakuya: You think so? I can't help but admire its cunning. Still, their choice of accomplice... feels rather off.

Junko: A-Are you making fun of Leon with that last statement?

Byakuya: He may have not been the worst choice, but I would've guessed that the accomplice were to be... someone smarter.

Junko: T-The nerve!

"The effort made to convince us the two murders were the same. That was the main characteristic this time. Kyoko must have noticed that fact from the very beginning, which is why she said not to look at this as a series of connected events, but entirely seperated incidents."

"And, that's why she proposed to Apollo about dropping his suspicions, so that she can show us the true way forward. She really is amazing..."

"However... when you think about it, she's almost *too* amazing. Like, it's almost unnatural how good she is at this..."

Kyoko: So, do you want to continue holding onto your story, Apollo?

Glancing at Apollo with a winning smirk, he replies back with a smirk of his own.

Apollo: Feeling good, are we? 

Kyoko: A sense in victory always feels good.

Apollo: Heh, look at you talking. Fine fine, I'll drop my suspicions on you and Sayaka. You win this time.

He raises his hands up, and I could've sworn that Kyoko *almost* gave him a full smile before turning serious once again.

Sayaka: Phew... thank goodness... I'm in the clear again! 

Makoto: It seems so.

Sayaka: What a relief... I was nearly too stressed out there!

She lets out a sigh and smiles contently.

Sakura: Well, I understand that an accomplice could be involved, but then who was the one pulling Leon's strings?

Genocide Jill: That's problemo numero uno right now!

"The true killer manipulated Leon to carry out a number of actions, and in the end... murdered him. In the debates up till now, the way the case has unfolded... When you consider all that..."

"There's really only one person who seems to fit."

And, it seems that I wasn't alone on that front.

Apollo: Heh, I'll tell you who strung this together from the very beginning.

"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!"

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

Next time on Rebirth:

Class Trial 3: A Huge Gamble.