Chapter 2 - Part 19
You can’t take a shower! The shower’s under repair, so there’s no water coming out of the facets!
Ah, so this is a shower room?
If it’s out of order, that would explain the illustration on the sign...
I wasn’t planning to take a shower, but... will it be fixed anytime soon?
No... not when Monokuma has my Magical Stick...
But I’m going to get it back! I’m going to get my Magical Stick back!
Then... I can finally fix everything!
...How would a little stick help anything?
But for now, please work together!
If you all work together, you can overcome any despair! I’m sure of that!
I will support you! [leaves]
Yo Mahiru! You checkin’ this place out too?
Maybe not with the same level of enthusiasm...
I was thinkin' the killer was hidin' in here after they failed to escape, so I came to look.
But... it looks like this place is empty.
Um... I doubt the culprit would have let things play out that easy...
Oh well. They still might’ve left some clues behind!
Yeah, that’s right...
She was completely fuming before, so for her to smile at me so genuinely...
What...? You have your eyes on that window?
Uh huh. I was wondering if it was possible to slip through, but...
Awwwww right, I got it! I'll pitch in and help ya out!
Eh?
C'mon, gimme a piggyback ride. I'll check the window for ya.
A...Akane! I’m not that strong!
I ain’t taking no for an answer! This can be your first step to building some muscle!
She’s sounding a bit like Nekomaru right now...
Okay... I’ll do it...
But if I tear something, you’re never going to hear the end of it!
Chillax, Mahiru! I won’t kill ya!
Now, c’mon! Let’s do this!
Alright...
Ignoring the knot in my stomach, I approached the area just under the window and stooped down.
Aw right!
With a shout, Akane jumped onto my shoulders.
Gack!
G...Gah...
Hey sis, your balance’s all wrong! Make sure your stance is wider!
L...Look, you’re really heavy! I don’t know how you expect me to m...manage!
It’s cause I’m so buff! Every time I get a massage, I’m told I'm just a mass o' muscles.
O...Oh? You get massages...? That m...must be really nice...
Yeah. Wanna get one? My mom’s boyfriend does em, I’ll make sure he doesn’t charge ya.
...Actually, I think I’m fine.
If we ever do get off this island, I think I’ll be enjoying my freedom elsewhere...
B...By the way, how’s the window going? I...I might just buckle any second!
Let's see... Hmmm... I see, I see... So that's what happened.
Eh!? Did you find something!?
Well, since there's this iron bar... I was pretty sure no one would be able to get through the window...
Gah!
Hm... Check this out, will ya?
Geh... I’ll try to...
With Akane on my shoulders, I craned my aching neck up...
This iron bar ain't even pinned down. Looks like you can open and close it pretty easy.
See? My head can fit through, no problem.
A...Ah! So someone can enter through that window!
Yep yep...! Alright, going down!
Akane jumped down from my shoulders and flashed a wide grin.
After what we just did, it made me feel a little embarrassed...
That’s a big discovery, isn’t it?
It is, but...
Now that I think about it, even if you could get through the window...how could you even reach it in the first place?
Hmmm... Even if I jump, I can't really reach it...
But if two people worked together like us, it wouldn't be a problem, right?
Ah... then that would mean the killer had an accomplice...
...Accomplice?
Sounds like a big word... Is that the name of a kung fu master?
Um... it means a teammate. In this case, someone teaming up with the murderer to help them escape.
I see...
Hang on... If two people worked together, wouldn’t the one doing the lifting be left behind?
Ah, you’re right. I guess that’s out of the question then...
Hmmm... Are you sure you’re not thinking hard enough?
There might be a way for a single person to do it...
Like, for example...
A freakin' ninja could do it! A ninja can climb fences and walls no problem, right!?
...
Akane... I don’t think that’s the case.
Wh-Why are you turning me down...? I thought we were a team!
I’ve been lending you my muscles, so I figured my wisdom would help too....
Tch, and you even got to see up my skirt! I spoil you too much!
Eh!? Why do you think I was looking there!?
Aren’t you into buff girls?
Huh? Since when did I say that!?
Oh well... It's not like the end of the world.
C-Come on! I didn’t look!!
Something still feels off... but I have no idea what it could be.
I feel that I’ve thoroughly explored all areas of the beach house. I better go talk to Hajime.
And then, we’ll go and check out that game again...
Twilight Syndrome Murder Case...
In truth, this game's theme is a missing link. You know, it's a recurring theme for mysteries, right? It's kinda like a hidden connection.
He mentioned a “missing link”.
If that really is the motive for this murder...
Then, if I want to find the answer to this mystery, I have to return to that game.
Hey, Hajime... I think I’m ready.
You’ve definitely explored everywhere? There’s nothing you’ve forgotten?
I think I’ve done as much as I can.
Alright, let’s go.
The game is at Jabberwock Park, which is pretty far from here. We should be quick.
...
Hey, did you hear me?
Yeah, I did... Um...
Huh? Did you forget something after all?
No, that's not it... I just want to talk.
About the investigation?
About you.
...What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean. Remember that night we ran into each other?
...Mahiru?
Hey... what are you doing out here so late?
I just wanted to take some photos of the beach. Is there a problem with that?
You’re not thinking of playing the game, are you?
Um... No, I’m not... Why are you even asking?
...It doesn’t matter.
Well, okay...
Or what about just before, outside the diner?
Eh? Fuyuhiko disappeared!
Damnit, I got distracted! Why couldn’t you guys be quiet?
H...Hajime? Are you alright?
You’ve been acting like an asshole to everyone. What’s come over you?
...
Well?
...
...Sorry.
I think... I was just frustrated.
Frustrated?
You were saying all these things... that didn’t make any sense to me.
I couldn’t understand... why you kept defending *him*.
“Him?”
Are you talking about... Nagito?
...Yeah.
After what that guy did to Byakuya and Teruteru, we should be avoiding him at all costs.
But... looking back on these last few days...
I guess I let my resentment towards him get the better of me.
...
...I won’t make the same mistake again.
Do whatever you want with Nagito. It’s not my business.
Just... don’t get yourself hurt.
...I’ll be fine.
