“Alright, Anissa! Take us home!” Casey encouraged.

“W-What?! T-There’s no way I can do it….”

“Lady Silke, you’ll do just fine.”

“I-I feel like there are things we haven’t investigated yet...maybe we should pour cold water on Casey?”

“Just get on with it!” Akio yelled impatiently.

Anissa put her finger to her head. “H-Here’s everything that h-happened! A-And...sorry if I get some details wrong!”

“It all started when Monokuma gave us the motive. Panic had already crawled into all of us, and it’s not clear when exactly the killer formed his plan, but at some point they decided to act.

“When making their plan, they must’ve deduced that Claudius was illiterate. The NG Code, the gauge...the pieces probably came together much like they did for us. So they set up a simple plan: lure Claudius to the library, shoot him with a silenced gunshot, and then make everybody think the murder happened at a time when they had an alibi.

“The most important tools in their plan were the microwave, and the dumbwaiter. The killer got up early enough to put the microwave in the dumbwaiter and then move it into the library. They then placed a sign on the door to make sure nobody would interrupt them while they made a battery for the microwave.

“Eventually, the killer’s preparations were complete. They had already stolen Lyla’s revolver while she was sleeping, so all he needed to do was make sure Claudius arrived at the library like usual. Because of their sign, they could ensure that Claudius would be the only person to enter.

“It must’ve been around 7:30 when Claudius entered. The killer closed the door behind him, and put a pillow from the lounge in front of the gun’s barrel. They fired immediately, and got a direct headshot on Claudius.

“This is where the killer’s plans fell apart, because they never anticipated their victim wouldn’t die from a headshot. Claudius fought his attacker off, and at some point pierced him with his sword. The killer ended the fight shortly after when he pushed Claudius into the bookcase, knocking it down on him. While Claudius was pinned, he finished him off with the barrel of the revolver. After all, the killer needed the second bullet for the next part of their plan.

“The killer’s plan had already fallen apart. He had gotten into a fight with the victim, had bruises, and a significant wound. He had no explanation for any of these, and he knew he’d be caught immediately when it came to a class trial. He wiped off Claudius’ sword for now, and put the gun in the microwave, setting the timer to around 15 minutes. He probably also put the remnants of the pillow in the dumbwaiter.

“At 7:45, the killer exited the library, making sure to leave the door slightly open so more people would hear the gunshot. He was probably trying to sneak to the study undetected, but unfortunately got stopped in the hall. He had already zipped his jacket up but probably still had some blood on his clothes. He was probably extremely nervous, but luckily for him, he was talking to the only person who wouldn’t notice any blood on him. Silas didn’t call him out on it, so Dale either figured out Silas’ condition, or just assumed he didn’t notice anything.

“Next, the killer went to the study. It didn’t have to be that room in particular, just one where he probably wouldn’t get interrupted. He locked the door, and decided to set up his lie. Getting an alibi for when the gunshot went off was no longer a priority, he needed an explanation for his injuries. He trashed the room, making sure to get a few licks on himself whenever possible. He may have gone overboard, but at the same time, there was no point in holding back when his life was on the line.

“Then came 8 AM, the moment the gun went off. It fired in the library, exited the microwave, went through the library door, hit S on the outside, and ricocheted into the billiards room where Momo was. It’s unclear why Momo didn’t scream. Perhaps it was adrenaline, or he was in shock.

“The killer’s next priority was either retrieving the microwave and putting it back, or destroying it. One way or another, it had to have passed by the conservatory where Audrey was. She ate it as it passed by, just as the fire was already starting in it.

“Momo ran into the conservatory next, doing what he could to put out the fire. Unfortunately, it was too much for him and he ended up aggravating his injury, dying.

“The killer was still in the study, but by this point it was far too late already. He must’ve felt his wound and how it was festering. It brought him pain and agony, and he lost his life before Casey opened the door.

“Once she came in, she saw the wound on the killer’s abdomen. She immediately assumed it must’ve been Kagayaki’s blade, so she impaled him with the candlestick to cover it up.

“That’s the truth behind these three murders. Everything was orchestrated by one person. I-It was D-Dale Valler, in the library, with the revolver!”

“You guys were...correct! The one who killed Claudius Vermillion and Momo Marigold was Dale Valler! The one who killed Dale was Claudius!”

“Thank god…” Anissa leans against a wall, relieved.

“And we couldn’t have done it without fire being used on the sword!” Akio beamed. “Looks like it saved the day!”

“I’m still confused on certain details.” Kagayaki thought aloud. “Why did Lord Momo go into the conservatory after getting shot. And what of being eaten by Audrey?”

“I-I think I know.” Sachiko was shaken after the results. “H-He was probably trying to save Audrey.”

“Huh?” Akio said. “He risked his life to save a plant?”

“It wasn’t about the plant.” Monokuma interrupted. “It was about his principles. Momo resented everybody in his hometown, but when his brother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, well it was then when he had to put on the mask. He had to give his brother someone to look up to. Someone he could be inspired by.”

“H-He went that far…”

“He made a promise that he’d protect Audrey. Better to die keeping through on it than to live like a coward again.”

“T-That must mean….” Sachiko thought. “After Audrey ate the microwave and caught on fire, and after Momo was trying to help...she must’ve realized he was gonna die. So she tried to protect him too...maybe she thought she could shield him from the fire…”

“God, he died just because of an accident…” Casey kicked the podium. “That’s just...ridiculously unfair…”