Kaito stumbled back and fell to the ground, coughing up a fit. Ichika stood in front of Kokichi, an arm outstretched in a defensive manner, and glared at Kaito.

"You... What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Ichika barked. "I know you hate Ouma-san, and he's done some really unforgivable things-"

"Aki-chan..."

"But that doesn't give you a free pass to murder him, you rotten ball of-"

Kokichi grabbed Ichika's sleeve and tugged it. "Aki-chan!" Kokichi's voice was much weaker than before. "Listen, Momota-chan wasn't trying to kill me. Harukawa-chan was."

"Eh-?"

"She came in here earlier inside a green Exisal and... she shot me using a crossbow."

Ichika took one at Kokichi and saw that there were two holes in his clothes. "She shot you two times!?"

"No, Momota-chan shot me in the arm." Kokichi pointed at Kaito.

"What the muffins!?" Ichika scowled at Kaito, eyes narrowing.

Kaito froze and frantically shook his head and hands. "W-Wait! I admit, I did shoot him, but I never wanted to kill him! I just wanted answers!"

"That doesn't change anything!" Ichika snapped back, her hand protectively gripping Kokichi's uninjured shoulder. "You still shot him! He needs medical attention now before the wounds get infected and-"

"Hate to break it to you, but I'm gonna die soon. Harukawa-chan's arrows were tipped with a lethal poison." Kokichi started to cough aggressively. "I don't have much time left, so we need to move fast."

Ichika's eyes widened. "Lethal... poison? Then what about an antidote!? Saihara-san's lab has antidotes, doesn't it? If I run fast enough, I can get to it in ti-"

"There was only one antidote and I gave it to Momota-chan to drink. Aki-chan, look." Kokichi grabbed Ichika's wrist. "I can either die from poison and Harukawa-chan will become the blackened, and both our deaths will be meaningless, or you help Momota-chan and I with our plan."

Ichika bit her lip. "...What plan?"

"...I'm going to make a murder that no one, not even Monokuma can figure out. We're going to film Momota-chan underneath the hydraulic press, stop it just before it crushes him then Momota-chan and I will switch places. After that, Momota-chan is going to hide in an Exisal and pretend to be me, to confuse Monokuma."

Kaito pulled out a white notebook. "Ouma showed me his plan. It's pretty damn crazy, but I think we can pull it off."

Ichika stared at Kokichi, apperhension in her eyes. "Is this... really how you want to go?"

Kokichi nodded. "I'm going to win this killing game. Even if it means dying myself, I *will* achieve the victory I want. Also..." he lowered his voice so only Ichika could hear. "...you can use my death to make this killing game interesting."

"..." Ichika sighed. "...I see." She grabbed Kokichi's arm and slung it around her shoulders. "Fine. Let's do this." Kokichi and Kaito nodded. The trio headed to the hydraulic press.

"Momota-san... why are you agreeing to be a part of this plan?"

Kaito sighed. "Because as Ouma said before, he gave me the antidote in exchange for helping him with this plan. But the main reason is so Harumaki doesn't become the blackened, since she poisoned Ouma."

"How did *you* get poisoned? Actually no... Can you please explain everything that happened?"

"...Okay." Kaito nodded. "Let's start from the top. I asked Yumeno to bring me a crossbow with one arrow. I planned to ambush Ouma when he came to check up on me next. When he did, I shot him in the arm. I never intended to kill him, I just wanted to disable him. I jumped on him to prevent him from summoning an Exisal but while we were fighting, another Exisal came into the hanger and Harumaki jumped out of it and shot Ouma in the back with a poisoned arrow. She then started demanding answers, but Ouma didn't answer, so she went to shoot him again to kill him, but I didn't want to her to become a murderer, so I took the arrow."

"You didn't want her to become a murderer?" Ichika asked, raising an eyebrow. "Were the others with her?"

"No, she was by herself."

"So, she acted on her own. What a moron..." Ichika scoffed. "Wait, how did she even get inside the Exisal?"

"She must have used an Electrohammer to disable the electronic lock on it." Kokichi responded. "Then, she could've climbed inside and piloted it."

"...I see." Ichika looked at the ground. They arrived at the Hydraulic press, and Kokichi pulled out a white camera. When he finished setting it up, he looked at both Kaito and Ichika.

"Alright, Momota-chan, Aki-chan. After I'm dead, I need Momota-chan to lock Aki-chan in the storage room next to the washing machine. That way, Aki-chan can say she was locked in the bathroom this whole time and have an alibi."

Ichika blinked. "Huh? Why? Wouldn't it be better and more confusing if I was also in Exisal?"

"It would be confusing, but it'd be better if you could participate in the trial and lead everyone, including Monokuma, around by the nose and give them misleading information. It would confuse Monokuma even more. I also just... don't want you to be suspected of murder." Kokichi looked down and mumbled that last part so only Ichika could hear it.

Kaito gulped and nodded. "Alright..."

"Okay, let's do this. Momota-chan, get under the press." Kaito walked over to the press, took off his jacket and placed it down, with his left sleeve hanging off the edge.

"Wait a second!" Ichika called out. "Won't the hydraulic presses safety function active if it senses a human underneath it and what about the possible cameras that could be watching us?"

"I used an Electrobomb when I was in the bathroom. Any electronic devices in this hangar are completely disabled." Kokichi explained, setting up the camera. "Okay, it's ready."

Kaito got onto the press and lay down on his spread-out jacket, his eyes closed. Kokichi pressed both the camera's record button and activated the press at the same time. Ichika stood on the right side of the press, watching it get lower and lower when Kokichi slammed his hand down on both the force stop button and the camera's pause button. He let out a shaky sigh and walked over to where Ichika stood. Kaito wriggled his way out of the press and walked up to where the camera was placed. Kokichi took his scarf and coat off and Ichika took it from him.

"I'm sorry..." Ichika said, barely audible.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for not being able to help you... For being able to stop this..." Ichika grabbed her head. "I-I couldn't help or protect or anything for Micchan and I never got to say sorry! And I wasn't able to do the same for you, so I-I-I just need to say sorry before you're... g-gone... I..."

"..." Kokichi placed a hand on Ichika's trembling shoulder.

"...!" Ichika looked at him with bewildered eyes.

"Geez, I don't know what you're going on about." He sighed. "But, as long as you remember me, that'll be enough. I mean... At least I wasn't boring, right?"

Ichika let out a strangled laughed and flicked his forehead. "That's what you're worried about? How the muffins could someone like you not be boring...?" Ichika smiled weakly at him. "I'm... really going to miss you, you stupid chicken nugget."

Kokichi froze, his eyes wide. "...Nice to know at least one person will miss me, even if it might be a lie." Kokichi tightly wrapped his arms around Ichika's tiny frame and leaned his head down to her ear. "Hey... promise me that you'll end this killing game, okay? Use my death to make this killing as interesting as possible, alright? Don't kill yourself either." He chuckled. "You better stay alive or else!" He gave Ichika a pout.

Ichika lightly chuckled. "Of course, I promise... I'm definitely going to end this killing game. I will be the continuation of your will until the very end." She nodded slowly.

"Yeah... Thanks for everything, Aki-chan." Kokichi released Ichika and smiled softly at her before turning towards the press. He slid underneath it and looked at Kaito, a look of surprise forming on his face. "Oh? Is Momota-chan actually crying over *me*?"

Kaito had tears streaming down his face. He looked off to the side. "E-Even if you're insane... Even though I hate your guts... You don't deserve this. No one... deserves this."

Kokichi sighed. "Just... hurry up and get this over and done with." His breathing became shallower. "It's getting harder to breathe."

Kaito clenched his eyes shut and looked away while Ichika could only watch as the press came down. She wanted to look away, but she just couldn't tear her eyes away from Kokichi's final moments. Ichika knew for a fact that what she just saw will forever haunt her. The sound of him being crushed, followed by the gushing of blood.

It was as if time had frozen. Ichika's hand flew to her mouth and she felt her knees give way. Kokichi's clothes and the clothes fell in front of her. Ichika stared at the pieces of fabric, not wanting to look up. Her whole body was shaking, and sweat was pouring down her face. Ichika looked over at Kaito, and he too, had fallen down, his right arm gripped onto the railing. She stared at the ground and gritted her teeth.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry! I couldn't do anything! I couldn't help you! I'm so sorry I-"

"Shut up, goddammit!" Kaito's voice boomed through the hangar. Ichika looked at him with wide eyes. He was still crying but looked rather angry. "Stop saying you're sorry you couldn't help or... or anything! I don't know what the hell you're going on about, but didn't you listen to what he said? You just need to remember him! You need to hold your head high for him and carry out this plan!"

"..." Ichika looked up at the press. She clenched her eyes shut and looked at the ground.

Kaito started walking over to Ichika when he paused. "Hey... Do you need a minute?" Ichika tilted her head. Kaito pointed to his eyes. Ichika blinked in confusion and raised a hand to her cheek and felt the warm liquid trailing down her face.

"I'm... crying?" More tears stream down Ichika's face. Her face was frozen; she wasn't making any noise and her eyes were wide. The tears came falling down and they just wouldn't stop. "Wh-What...? Why... why won't they stop?" Ichika used his sleeve to wipe away the tears, but more just kept falling down. "Why... aren't they stopping...?"

Kaito walked over to her and knelt down to wrap his arms around her. Ichika froze for a moment, but then wrapped her arms around him and silently cried into his shoulder for a bit once. She eventually pulled away and wiped her eyes again.

"I'm sorry... I got your shirt wet."

"It's fine. Do you feel better?"

"..." Ichika nodded.

"This isn't over. We need to do this, okay?" Kaito smiled weakly and picked up Kokichi's clothes. "I need to dispose of these then destroy the presses power cord."

"I'll destroy the cord while you get rid of the clothes..." Ichika looked at the pile of fabric in Kaito's hands. "Can I... have his scarf?"

"W-What? That's too dangerous. What if someone sees you with it-"

"I'll hide it in the inside pocket of my jacket with Micchan's goggles... Please?" Kaito sighed and handed Ichika the checkered scarf and he then headed off to the bathroom. Ichika walked to the power cord, grabbed it and ripped it apart, then she tangled up her hair in the now torn up wires. The sizzling of electricity died down after a bit.

Ichika stood frozen where she was, Kokichi's scarf still in her hands. She turned around to look at the hydraulic press. As she stared, her grip on the scarf started to get stronger. She looked at the ground and glared at it, gritting her teeth.

Kaito returned, and he saw Ichika tightly clutching Kokichi's scarf.

"Hey, uh..." He noticed her expression and took a step back. "You... okay there?"

"..." Ichika's face went blank when she heard Kaito's voice. "...More." She muttered.

Kaito tilted her head. "Huh?"

"More... There should have been more that I could've done for him!" Ichika's hands started trembling. "I couldn't... I couldn't protect him. I failed to protect him... Just like I failed to protect Micchan. What kind of person can't protect their own friends...?"

"Geez, you're still hung up on that?" Kaito sighed and scratched the back of his head. "None of this is your fault. We can't protect everyone so easily. I know how you feel, wanting to help everyone, but failing. It's happened so many times by now, hasn't it? So don't beat yourself up, okay?"

"..." A small smile formed on Ichika's face. "For an idiot, you really do know how to cheer someone up, don't you?"

"Hey, stop calling me an idi-"

"But thank you."

"..." Kaito smiled. "Yeah. Anyway, mind showing me where this storage room is?" Ichika nodded and beckoned him to follow her. She showed him to the door, grabbed the key off the hook and handed it to him.

"Here's the key. I think you can just put it back on that hook after you've locked me in this room." He nodded.

"Hey, I... I just wanted to say sorry for-"

"It's okay... it's not your fault." Ichika's face darkened. "It's her fault. It's all Harukawa-san's fault."

"H-Hey, I believe Harumaki has a good reason for-"

"Don't you dare defend her!" Ichika barked. "If she hadn't done what she did, Ouma-san wouldn't be dead, and you wouldn't have to become a murderer! Even you have to admit that! How can you still believe in her after doing this?"

"..." Kaito clenched his fist. "I-I know... that what she's done is unforgivable... but I believe that she did have good intentions. She thought that Ouma was the mastermind and she just wanted to protect the others..." Ichika simply hummed in disbelief. She then heard rustling from behind her and saw Kaito pull a necklace out of his coats pocket. It had a silver chain and a small Saturn charm made with what seemed to be a topaz.

"What is that?" Ichika tilted her head.

"It's something my grandparents gave me as a congratulations for passing the astronaut exam... Since I'm going to be executed once they find out the truth, I wanna give this to Harumaki."

"What do you mean, 'once they find out the truth?' Our goal is to trick Monokuma."

"Yeah, maybe. But... I believe that Saihara and the others will uncover the truth!"

"...No, I can't let that happen. I'm going to successfully confuse Monokuma and destroy this killing game. I'm not going to let Ouma-san's sacrifice go to waste. I *will* obtain the victory he wanted over this killing game, in any way I can."

"We'll see about that. I have full faith in them."

Ichika narrowed her eyes. "You... aren't planning anything underhanded, are you?" She said darkly. "You'll be *really* sorry if you are..."

Kaito eye's widened and he vigorously shook his head. "Absolutely not! I want to end this killing game, I swear! I promise I'm not planning anything. I want this whole shitshow to stop just as much as you do."

"..." Ichika averted her eyes to the ground and sighed.

Kaito sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Anyway, Aki... I know that this is a selfish request, but I doubt I'll be able to give this to Harumaki anytime soon... Do you think you can give this to her?" He pointed at the necklace in his hand.

Ichika stared at the necklace and sighed. "You really believe that they'll see through this plan, don't you?" A small smile appeared on her lips. "Your naivety is utterly ridiculous."

"W-What did you say?"

"But yes. I'll give it to her if that's what you want." Ichika carefully took the necklace and placed it in her pocket. "Well, this is the last time I'll see you for a bit. Good luck, Momota-san." Ichika smiled at him and he returned it. Ichika closed the storage room door behind her. She heard the click and then she was left with nothing but silence. A silence that brought her back to the reality of what just happened a few minutes ago.

"First Micchan... Now Ouma-san... Why did you two have to die?" Ichika mumbled to herself. She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her head into them. "I'm... so scared. I'm so scared without you two. I'm... so lonely."

***

The five other Ultimates stood outside the Exisal hangar, Electrohammers in hand. They rushed inside and were met with a horrific sight.

Shuichi's eyes were wide. "What is this? What's going on?"

"Wh-What!? Is that blood!?" Himiko screeched.

"The body discovery announcement... Does that mean... someone's in that press?" Tsumugi exclaimed.

"The only ones in the hangar were Ouma-kun, Momota-kun, and Aki-san. It must be one of them." Kiibo said.

Shuichi's face paled. "...What?"

"Oh! Look!" Kiibo pointed at the sleeve dangling from the presses side.

"Those clothes! They're... Momota-kun's..."

"Then... the one in the hydraulic press is..." Himiko trailed off.

"..." Maki glared at the press.

"N-No..." Shuichi stammered. "It's not possible-"

Monokuma suddenly appeared before them. "Puhuhu. Looks like you have a lot of twists and turns to sort out during the class trial. That's what the killing game's about, after all! And so, I will now pass out the Monokuma File! Don't say you're getting bored of this! Cuz things are about to get interesting! I hope you pour your heart and soul into this investigation, too!" Monokuma then hopped away.

"Ho-Hold on!" Tsumugi cried out. "We have to investigate...? So the killing game is going to continue!?"

"If the killing game is continuing, and Monokuma is still moving then..." Kiibo trailed off.

"It means the mastermind, Ouma, is still alive." Maki finished.

Shuichi paled. "Ah!?"

"If Ouma is still alive, that means the one dead over there is..." Himiko started shaking. "M-Momota!?"

"No... that's not possible! There has to be some kind of mistake! There's no way Momota-kun could die! It has to be a lie!" Shuichi started to run to the body when Maki stopped him.

"...Calm down."

"Calm... down...? How can you say that, Harukawa-san!? Momota-kun is-"

"I've seen so much death already. Death of both good and bad people... It doesn't bother me anymore."

"It doesn't *bother you*!? What are you talking about-"

"Wait, where's Aki-san!?" Tsumugi shouted suddenly.

"Huh...?" Shuichi froze.

Himiko's eyes widened. "I-Ichika... she's not here..."

"Wait, then maybe... the one in the press is actually Aki-san!?" Kiibo exclaimed.

"N-No! No way it's her!" Himiko shrieked. "Momota's clothes are in the press! The one in the press... has gotta be Momota!"

Tsumugi's eyes widened. "But Aki-san must have been in the hangar when this happened... what if she's the culprit!?"

"No!!! Ichika would... never kill anyone! Ouma's gotta be the culprit!"

"Then... where's Ouma?" Maki demanded, her eyes glowing spitefully.

Kiibo nodded. "That's right... I don't see him anywhere. He should be somewhere in the hangar-"

"He ran away! We need to catch him immediately! He's obviously the culprit!" Tsumugi yelled.

"Let's split up and look for him, as well as Aki-san! She must be around here somewhere! Leave no stone unturned."

"You guys look for Ouma! I'll look for Ichika!" Himiko exclaimed. "I know she's here somewhe-"

"...Wait." Shuichi spoke up. "We don't know for *certain* if that dead body is Momota-kun. We haven't explored all the possibilities yet."

"If it's not Momota-kun then... Are you saying that the one who could be in there is Ouma-kun or Aki-san!?" Kiibo asked.