Art by stormy_aozora71

"Well, look at that! You voted correctly! Congratulations, you guys!" Monokuma chirped. "Give yourselves a hand! Let me hear your joyful voices!" The only thing that could be heard was Tsumugi's sobs.

Monokuma got a bit agitated. "I said, let me hear your joyful voices!"

"Dammit... why?" Kaito mumbled.

"Geez, they're all just moping around! They should be happy for themselves!" Monokuma then glared at Kokichi. "Hey, Ouma... You said this would liven things up. What gives, huh? You said you were gonna liven up the killing game and the class trial... And I said I'd put the motive -the secret of the outside world- into the killing game simulator."

"Ah-haha, that was juuuuust a lie."

"Oh, so it was a lie." Monokuma sighed.

"He just laughed it off!?" Himiko screeched.

"Are you satisfied, Ouma-kun?" Shuichi snapped. "I want you to tell us. What is the 'outside world'? Is it the motive you gave Gokuhara-kun?"

"I plan to explain all of that... but it's more like, how do I say it...? You guys are gonna assume it's a lie if you hear it from my cute lips... Oh, yeah! Then let's have Gokuhara-chan explain!"

"Gokuhara-kun doesn't remember anything." Kiibo stated. "How can you expect him to-"

"Then, we should all go back into the killing game simulator! Why don't we ask the Gokuhara-chan in the Virtual World?"

"B-But... going back into the Virtual World is-"

"Puhuhu..." Monokuma's laugh interrupted Kiibo. "There's a much easier way than that pain-in-the-ass method." Monokuma pulled up a computer and started madly typing away. "Gokuhara's memories didn't transfer over, so they're still in the Virtual World as data. I can combine Gokuhara's consciousness from his last login with that memory data!" Monokuma slammed his paws down on the keyboard a bit more and then flipped the computer to us, showing them the Virtual World Gonta. "Ta-da! Alter ego Gokuhara is now complete!"

"Alter ego...?" Maki repeated.

"Basically, it's a separate Gokuhara that only exists in the virtual space. If we listen to what he says, we should be able to find out what happened in that world."

"Huh?" The computer spoke. "What this? What happening?"

"Is this... me?"

"Is that... me?"

Himiko stared at the computer with wide eyes. "W-What sort of phenomenon is this? What did you do?"

"Relax, Yumeno. It's not magic and it's not a trick. It's just imitating Gokuhara's thought patterns. It's actually different from the real Gokuhara." Monokuma explained.

The computer spoke again. "I-I don't understand... Who is this alter ego person?"

"See? It's even stupid like the real Gokuhara! You can hardly tell the difference. Plus, he's got Gokuhara's memories of the Virtual World, so he should remember what happened."

"T-Then, other me... tell me. Why!? Why did I kill Iruma-san!?" Gonta yelled.

The computer avatar got wide eyes. "Kill Iruma-san...? Why does the other me know about-"

"Unfortunately, our plan failed..." Kokichi spoke up. "You can tell them the truth now."

"...Oh. Then... I couldn't save everyone?" The computer sighed.

"Save everyone...?" Shuichi parroted.

"Hey! Answer me! Why did I kill Iruma-san?" Gonta cried.

"I just... wanted to... save everyone." The computer explained sadly.

"Gokuhara-kun, what do you mean?" Shuichi asked.

The virtual Gonta sighed. "I've been thinking for a long time... How can I be useful for everyone? I'm not smart enough to help with the trials... I'm strong, but I can't fight Exisals... I felt so frustrated... Because I couldn't do anything."

"I understand... how this Gonta feels."

"Technically, they are the same person." Kiibo commented.

"So that's why... I thought that I have to do it, for everyone's sake. I thought that I've got to do it because everyone else would not want to."

"W-What do you mean by that? I...I don't get it at all!" Kaito shouted.

Kokichi sighed. "...Geez, Gokuhara-chan is bad at explaining as always. I guess I'll have to help. So if you remember what happened at that time when I took the card key-"

"The card key... So you used it?" Shuichi exclaimed.

Kokichi just grinned. "After working tirelessly, I finally found the door for the card key. After opening it... I saw the outside world."

"...The outside world?" Maki repeated.

"That was Monokuma's motive?" Tsumugi questioned.

"I'll tell you guys in a second, but... that was when I found out about Iruma-chan's plan. And it hit me... If I combined the two, then I'd be able to save everyone."

Kiibo gawked at Kokichi. "Save everyone...? What do you mean?"

"Hey now, you gotta listen to everything I say first. Anyway, that's when I made a deal with Monokuma. If I livened up the killing game... Then he would let me use the outside world as a motive again."

"The motive key card that Ouma nabbed was the right to view the outside world. But even though he saw the outside world, he didn't try to use it for the killing game... That disappointed me, but then Ouma suggested we reuse the motive. He said that we should bring back the right to view the outside world one more time. And I decided to run with that idea...So I loaded a Flashback Light with memories of the outside world and put it in the simulation." Monokuma explained.

Shuichi placed a finger to his chin. "Memories of the outside world...in the Flashback Light?"

"The secret of the outside world in the Virtual World was about the Flashback Light?" Maki inquired.

Kokichi rose a finger to his lips. "And if it was the Flashback Light...It would mean the secret of the outside world is part of our forgotten memories."

"But why would anything about the outside world be a motive in the first place?" Himiko questioned.

"What's... going on here?" Kiibo asked.

"Huuuh? You can't remember?" Kokichi rolled his eyes. "O-kay, fiiiiine. Let's talk about the motive later. We have to finish up this case. Monokuma hid the Flashback Light in the simulator, but I knew where it was hidden...And I showed it to Gokuhara-chan in the Virtual World."

"Hey! You even knew where it was hidden!? That's not fair!" Himiko has an angry red tint on her face.

"Whoa, I just placed it." Monokuma quickly spoke up. "I never actually said I 'hid' it. If anyone had asked, I would've gladly told you where it was."

"I-It's a little late for that!" Kiibo spluttered.

"So Gokuhara was exposed to the Flashback Light!" Kaito growled.

The virtual Gonta gave a small nod. "Yeah, when Ouma-kun and I left together..."

"Was Ouma-kun... trying to lure Gokuhara-kun off by himself?" Tsumugi asked nervously.

"The only person I entrusted with the secret of the outside world was Gokuhara-chan." Kokichi chirped.

"After that, I...was taken to forest near mansion where Ouma-kun showed me the flashback light. And there... I remembered the secret of the outside world. But that...just confused me even more about what to do... What can I do to save everyone...? I couldn't think of anything..."

"So I told him." Kokichi spoke up. "If he wants to save everyone, he should put everyone out of their misery. In other words... a mercy kill."

"Wh-What!?" Himiko shrieked.

"Was I... tricked!?" The real Gonta mumbled. The virtual one shook his head.

"No, you weren't tricked. Because when I remembered secret of outside world, I thought...it would be easier... for us to die."

"...What?" Shuichi stared at the screen.

"DO you remember what everyone said at the beginning? That this academy is hell? The academy that forces students to be a part of this killing game is hell. So, everyone wanted to wanna escape from this ghastly place, right? But...if it's hell outside, then what do we do?"

"If outside is hell..." Ichika hummed, placing a finger to her chin.

"Inside is hell! Ouside is hell! What should my friends and I even live for!?" The virtual Gonta cried, a terrified look on his face. "And everyone who died... What did they live for!? And then Ouma-kun told me...The best way to save everyone from this hell... is to put them out of their misery while they were still oblivious. And only person who could do such dirty work...is me."

"That's right." Kokichi piped in. "The only way you can save everyone is to free them from this hell. Gokuhara-chan took on the dirty work for us. If he has survived the class trial, he would've lived in this hell alone..." Kokichi looked up at the students and he was crying. "Gokuhara-chan took on that role for us! Shouldn't we appreciate him more!?"

"Wait a minute!" Kaito yelled. "I still don't get what's happening!"

"What outside world are you talking about? It's hell out there? What do you mean?" Shuichi asked frantically.

"Hurry up and tell us. Or else we won't be able to understand it." Maki demanded.

"Gokuhara-kun! What pushed you do to such a thing!?" Tsumugi cried out.

The real Gonta clenched his fists. "Answer us!"

"Sorry! I can't tell you! B-Because if I tell you all, t-then... everyone will end up like just me... Everyone... will be in despair."

"Despair!?" Kiibo repeated, looking very shocked.

"I...know it..." Kokichi said weakly. "A despair that makes you want to die... A despair that makes you want to put everyone out of their misery. Did you think the kind Gokuhara-chan would tell you about such despair from his own mouth?"

"But now we don't know any more than when we started..." Shuichi sweated.

"Now you know how Gokuhara-chan and I formed the killing game busters, right? Then... can't you accept everything about this case? You can imagine the rest, right? I... used Iruma-chan's plan and turned it against her... I hid Gokuhara-chan away from sight... where Iruma-chan and I were supposed to meet... and he then killed her when she tried to kill me."

"I-It can't be... Gokuhara-kun... would never..." Tsumugi stuttered.

"You should know it was Gokuhara-chan's idea to slide to slide the body to the chapel wall." Kokichi said.

"What? Gokuhara-kun's idea?"

"Before I went to the roof, I just so happened to see... Iruma-san walk right through the wall." Virtual Gonta explained. "So I told Ouma-kun immediately, and he helped me think of everything else..."

"Gokuhara-chan gave me that chance. I like to think... we make a pretty good team." Kokichi mumbled.

"Good?" Tsumugi shrieked. "What's good about that!? You're the worst!"

"...That's the whole story." Virtual Gonta concluded sadly. "That's... everything that happened."

"So in the end... you don't plan to tell us the secret of the outside world..." Maki said slowly.

Virtual Gonta sweated. "...Sorry! I really can't tell you that!"

"Well, I mean, hearing that story, its sounds like you were tricked by Ouma again," Kaito grumbled.

"No... I did kill Iruma-san... I really did it... Sorry! Everyone... I am so so sorry!" The real Gonta sobbed.

"But..." Virtual Gonta continued. "My plan to save everyone failed... I couldn't save anyone in the end... I just made all my friends suffer more... I am... so stupid! So stupid! How can I possibly call myself gentleman!?"

Kokichi looked at us with pleading eyes. "Everyone... please forgive him. Gokuhara-chan tried to save us all from despair by taking on the sin of killing us. But... You've reached for the truth. And Gokuhara-chan's plan failed. All of you could've been saved if you died without knowing anything..."

"So you're saying it was wrong to fight for the truth!?" Shuichi yelled.

"You should have all died ignorant..." Kokichi looked at them blankly. "Gokuhara-chan even killed Iruma-chan for that sake, y'know?"

"Died ignorant, hm?" Ichika hummed, her face blank.

"Enough of your shit! You made him kill her!" Kaito barked.

"No, I killed her of my own accord! I am the one whose bad! Because I was the one who killed someone! I am a murderer! It's true! Yes... I made everyone suffer. That is true..."

"Sorry! I am so sorry that I failed you all..." The real Gonta cried. "I am so sorry for being so stupid! I am so sorry he made everyone suffer! I'm so sorry!"

"W-We get it... You don't need... to apologize anymore..." Tsumugi sobbed.

"You're all probably thinking that I should have taken on the dirty work and not Gokuhara-chan, right?" Kokichi spoke up. "Everyone... hates me... so the role of a villain is perfect for me..." His eyes became glossy. "Yeah, I know already! It should've been my responsibility! But... when I realized that Iruma-chan was targeting me... I thought to myself... she must already have a way to prevent me from fighting back in the Virtual World."

"And in fact, you were right. She set it up so she could paralyze you with just a touch." Kiibo explained.

"That's why I had to ask Gokuhara-chan! I would've done it myself if I could!" Kokichi snapped, more tears streaming down his face.

Kaito glared at Kokichi. "Okay, but... You didn't need to push everything onto Gokuhara to-"

"Stop! It's okay!" Gonta cried out. "Everyone, please... Don't... blame Ouma-kun anymore... Please..."

"H-How can you be so nice, Gokuhara-kun? You really are... stupid sometimes..." Tsumugi sobbed.

"Y-You're right... someone as stupid as me could never be a gentleman-"

"Hey so, are we done yet?" Monokuma butted in. "You guys are starting to talk in circles, so let's just move on to the exciting stuff. Yes! The eagerly anticipated Punishment Time!"

"Wait!" Kokichi called out. "If you're gonna punish him, then, please... punish me too."

Shuichi gawed at Kokichi. "H-Huh? Ouma-kun!?"

"Ah..." Ichika's eyes widened at Kokichi.

"I'm prepared for it! If you're gonna execute Gokuhara-chan, then I-"

"It's okay, Ouma-kun." The virtual Gonta cut Kokichi off. "Please let me sacrifice myself... for everyone's sake. That's all... I can do anymore..."

"Just promise me... that everyone forgives each other and becomes friends. Okay?" The real Gonta requested.

Kokichi looked at Gonta with glossy eyes before letting out a sad sigh. "...Alright, I promise."

"Alright! It's time to punish the Ultimate Entomologist, Gokuhara Gonta. I've prepared a special punishment for him!"

"U-Ugh..." Kokichi burst into tears. "W-Wait, please! I don't want this! Don't go, Gokuhara-chan!"

"Don't cry, Ouma-kun..." Virtual Gonta reassured. "I am... okay..."

"Yeah..." The real Gonta agreed, eyes becoming glossy as well. "I won't cry... I'm... really not scared... I am upset... But I'm upset I couldn't protect anyone!"

"Gokuhara-chan, you...! You... can't cry either!"

"Well then, let's give it everything we've got! It's PUNISHMENT TIME!" Monokuma exclaimed in sadistic glee.

"I love you all! I'm so sorry... for being stupid!" Monokuma then brought his hammer down on the red button, and off Gonta went.

***

"Waaaaaaaaaah! Gooookuhara!" Himiko wailed.

"Dammit! Why did it turn out like this!" Kaito was trying to fight back his own tears.

"Hey, Ouma..." Maki glared at Kokichi. "Why don't you tell us now? What is the secret of the outside world? If we don't know it, we won't be able to understand or accept it."

"I can't accept it either, Ouma-kun! What is the secret of the outside world? What kind of secret would push Gokuhara-kun that far!?" Tsumugi cried.

"..." Kokichi stared at the ground, his face obscured from the others.

"Ouma." Kaito growled. "If you really cared for Gokuhara, explain yourself to everyone and-"

"I don't... want to..." Kokichi's voice came out soft and weak.

Ichika tilted her head. "Excuse me...?"

Kokichi then looked up at the students with an insane expression plastered across his face. His grin was manic, and his eyes were filled with madness. "I don't want to, you idiots!"

"O-Ouma-kun!?" Shuichi looked extremely taken aback.

"Ah-hahahaha! Oh man, did you fall for all that fake crying!? You're so dumb! I would never cry for Gokuhara-chan!"

"F-Fake... crying?" Tsumugi stuttered.

"If I said the actual truth back there, Gokuhara-chan would've been reeeeeal mad! That would've interfered with the game, so I simply lied to calm him down." Kokichi chirped. "...See? As long as you lie for a good purpose, right?"

Kaito looked absolutely horrified. "What!?"

"What do you, what really happened? Why did you make him so that?" Shuichi cried out.

"Obviously so it wouldn't be boring!"

"What are you...?"

"I gave Gokuhara-chan an incentive, cuz I thought it'd liven up the game. C'mon, think about it. f I actually wanted to save everyone, like what Gokuhara-chan did... I wouldn't have betrayed Gokuhara-chan. You should've realized that."

"Th-Then... why did Gokuhara-kun-"

"Nee-heehee... nee-heeheeheehee... Who cares about that idiot!? I wanna enjoy this game of suspicion and betrayal from the bottom of my heart!" Kokichi gave the students one of his creepy smiles. "I *am* the supreme leader of evil, so it's obvious my personality would be twisted. The more you suffer, the more I enjoy it. There are people in this world who spread grief and misery for no reason than the thrill of it! And I'm one of those people. Nothing pleases me more than inflicting pain on others! After all... Isn't that was traitors do best?"

"I knew it!" Kiibo pointed at Kokichi. "Your actions... The way you behaved during the trial and now this! Of course you would be the traitor."

"S-So you're... You're the traitor...!?" Himiko stuttered.

"But of course!" Kokichi grinned morbidly. "Who else would team up with Monokuma? The traitor of course! Man, you guys are so, so damn stupid!" He laughed at everyone. "You should've realized *I* was the traitor the moment Monokuma said we teamed up."

"S-Seriously..." Kaito stuttered. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"So... for your own entertainment, you sacrificed Iruma and Gokuhara?" Maki inquired, glaring at Kokichi.

"What's so bad about that? You kill people for money... right, Harumaki?"

"Someone like you has no right to call me Harumaki..." Maki scowled at Kokichi. "Do you want to die?"

"Nee-heehee... You look so much better with a scowl on your face, Harumaki. But hey, you guys are waaaaaay too trusting. If only you had suspected me as the traitor, then... Ah-hahahahaha! Iruma-chan and Gokuhara-chan wouldn't have died such meaningless deaths!"

Shuichi's eyes widened. "Wh-What did you just-"

"Meaningless deaths!?" Shuichi was interrupted by Kaito screaming. He ran up to Kokichi like a bullet and-

A dull thud resounded through everyone's skulls. Kaito fell to the ground and Kokichi stood with his back facing him, his hand up in the air tauntingly.

"Oops, sorry! I tried to dodge you... But I punched you instead."

"Y-You...!" Kaito glared at Kokichi menacingly, but Kokichi didn't even flinch.

"By the way, Momota-chan, is it just me... Or are you waaaaay slower?"

"Ah..."

"Maybe, just maybe... Momota-chan is hiding something from us, too."

"Momota! Are you okay!?" Maki's voice sounded worried. She then glared at Kokichi. "For someone who claims to be bad at fighting you were pretty agile just now."

"Ah-haha! And you believed a lie like that!?"

"...You really want to die, don't you!?"

"Oh, did I provoke you enough? Is it cuz of Momota-chan?"

"No, Harukawa-san!" Shuichi cried out, trying to stop Maki from going closer to Kokichi.