Chapter 2 - Part 26
Alright... you said you wanted to show me something about the footprints.
That’s right... After listening to everyone's story at the airport, I went to a certain place...
Well, it's probably better to say I snuck in.
...”Snuck in”?
...I went to everyone's cottages.
Eh!? Even the girls!?
I told Monokuma I needed access for the investigation, so he simply let me in.
Yes, but... going into a girl’s cottage...
...That’s a little disappointing. You act as if I wanted to do something perverted.
...
So... what’d you do at everyone’s cottages?
Let me explain my reasoning to you.
...Or rather, show.
Nagito directed me over to the entrance of the beach house.
Smiling, he knelt down and began to spread some papers he was holding.
C’mon, take a look. You know I had a lot of trouble getting these...
Eh!? These are...!
You... you copied down everyone's footprints in order to compare?
That's right. I wanted to get a sample of everybody's footprints.
But unfortunately, Fuyuhiko wouldn't leave his cottage so I couldn't complete it...
Well, I guess it's no big deal. It seems obvious that the footprints belong to this person...
Whose footprints are they...?
...Hiyoko Saionji’s.
Hiyoko’s...?
To be honest, the reason I summoned her to the airport was so I could lure her out of her cottage.
She shut herself inside her cottage, remember? If she stayed in there, I couldn't sneak in.
So I figured if I lured her out, she wouldn't be in a hurry to go back to her cottage.
Stop talking about her like that. She’s not your pet.
...But, it was totally worth it. The footprint I collected there was smaller than anyone else's, and matched the footprints at the beach house...
There's no mistaking it... These are Hiyoko's footprints.
Also... I found something really interesting at her cottage.
...What is it?
I found a lot of these candies... inside her room.
...And?
They're gummy candies that come in four different flavors... Strawberry, melon, grape, and orange...
It looks like she got it from the supermarket... Apparently she really likes this brand of gummies.
There should have been other gummy brands, but she only brought home a bunch of these.
People are like that sometimes. There are people who'll only eat the same brand, even if it's just potato chips.
...I can sort of understand the footprints, but this is just creepy.
You can’t steal stuff from people’s cottages! That’s not okay!
Hm... I suppose I understand why you’d feel that way.
I would hope so! You’re on pretty thin ice, y’know!?
...
...If it upsets you that much, I can make up for it.
Eh?
Byakuya’s death, the class trial... Despite everything that’s happened, you’re still here, talking to me.
That... makes me really happy.
If I could, I would thank you... but I doubt my words alone are enough...
...
Okay... If that’s really how you feel, then...
For starters, how about you apologize?
Apologize for taking the gummies?
Not *just* that... for everything.
The trial... and what you did to Teruteru...
You need to tell everyone you’re sorry for lying to them.
...I see. So that’s what you think I should do...
...
I’m sorry to say this, Mahiru...
...but I refuse.
...What?
I know that you think what you're doing is for the greater good, but you don't understand just how powerful hope can be.
I sense that hope within all of you Ultimates, which is why I absolutely must pursue it.
All that matters to me... is that everyone works together... be it against me, or someone else.
...
Well... if you’re going to be stubborn, then I will too.
I’ll show you... that talking about hope is useless!
Once we're through, this hope bullshit will be a thing of the past. You’re gonna start acting like a man, got it?
If that’s what gives you hope, then go ahead.
Prove to me that I’m wrong.
Is he... humored by all of this?
Of course he is... He’s prodding me... doubting me.
Jeez. All this over a pack of gummies.
Personally, I have no clue if they even have anything to do with the murder...
What? Then why bring them up?
I just thought I’d let you know. Gut instinct and all.
But... it’s just a pack of gummies?
...Are y’all good over there?
...
...
...
Ah, were we speaking too loud? Must’ve gotten carried away...
Cripes... if that’s what all your conversations are like, I’m glad I’m not Mahiru.
Like talking to you is any better!
*Ding dong Bing Bong*
The time for poking about is done! The time to fight it out has come!
It’s the ultimate battle of wits for your lives! It’s the fight for your right to survive!
Who lives!? Who dies!? Who’s guilty!? Who isn’t!? It’s the second! Class! Triiiiiiial!!
By which I mean... Would all students please gather at Monokuma Rock!
The hidden elevator will be waiting to take you underground.
Puhuhu... See you later!!
...Looks like it's time. I guess the investigation is over.
So it's finally starting. The class trial where our hopes and the killer's hope will finally clash...
But it's all right! Either way, hope will win in the end!
Now then, let's go prove it!
Aarrggh! What’re you so excited about!?
Do not bother arguing with him. We can deal with him in Monokuma’s court.
Although, I might just head off before you guys... I still need some time to think.
So... see you all at the trial. Make sure Mahiru doesn’t change my mind too quickly. [leaves]
U... Um...
I don’t know how to tell ya this, Mahiru, but I feel you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in some messy stuff.
But hey, maybe you can use your Mahiru powers to keep Nagito at bay during the trial.
...Mahiru powers?
It is best we not Nagito. We must shift our focus to the real priority.
Outing this culprit.
There is no other option... We should make haste for Monokuma Rock.
Nooooo! Lemme go! Help meeee!
Waaaaaaaaaaah! He's gonna do something crazy to me! I'll be ruined!
Hey, shut up and stay put! You stubborn little lolita!
Hey! Stop harassing little girls!
W-What’s going on here!?
Hiyoko was trying to run away, so Monokuma brought her here by force...
But Hiyoko's still trying to run away, so now Monokuma's trying to wrap her in a full nelson...
Hey! If you don't stay put, I'm gonna make you a part of this island's food chain!
Guy... *hic*... *sob*...
Jeez, making me waste my sweet-ass time...
But there's another problem to deal with besides this one...
Where the heck is Fuyuhiko!?
That guy... he totally ditched! He totally ditched my appointment!
He... pisses... me off...
Ah... aaa... aaaaa...
Aaaa... aa... aaaaaah...!
Eeek! His anger changed his form!
...I'm right here.
...Ah-huh?
So you decided to come after all.
...Fuck off.
There's nowhere for me to run, anyway. So no matter the ending... I have to accept it, right?
But, still...
I'm a yakuza! Accepting defeat is not an option!
Hey, what are you trying to say!?
Well... it's all good. If the trial heats up, it's all good.
Anyway, looks like everyone's here, so let us depart now!
I'll go first and be one step ahead of you guys! [leaves]
C-Crap... I'm not mentally prepared yet...
...Do you even hafta prepare?
If you don't have enough power, harness your latent energy! C'mon, bring out that energyyyyyyyy!
So it begins... the beginning of the end...
Now then, let's keep our spirits high! So we can one day find that shining hope!
...
This beach was the perfect retreat... but because of Monokuma, it’s become unrecognizable...
Vulgar! It’s completely vulgar! Completely ugly! Completely in poor taste!
I will never forgive Monokuma! [leaves]
Um...
Is it just me... or has Monomi been rather aggressive during this investigation?
Better than her crying the whole time.
...
There’s nothing worse than the feeling of boredom!
...Sooooo, I decided to do some redecorating.
How's it look? It’s awesome, isn't it!?
W-Why do you insist on these trials...? What is your objective, really?
It’s nothing special. I was just feeling bored.
Bored...!?
The road to enlightenment isn’t a walk in the park, you know?
Embracing the abnormal... becoming what the mundane world fears... That is what it takes to live a life without boredom.
After all, where’s the fun in following the rules?
Inside the abnormal killing game, your normal lives have been put on hold. So let go of your inhibitions...
...and enjoy this class trial to the fullest!
