"T-Time already...!?" Gonta panicked

"It seems we have no choice but to continue this discussion at the class trial." Kirumi said. We all sighed, still trying to wrap our heads around the fact that we are heading into our very first class trial...

Eventually we all arrived in front of the red door, and once everyone entered we were greeted with a huge Monokuma statue on a fountain. The area did look nice, flowers and grass everywhere...but it still didn't change the eery atmosphere.

"So this is the shrine of judgment..." I say, still looking around

"Careful everyone! If bad things happen, get behind Gonta!" He yelled

"So are we doin' the class trial here or what!?" Miu asked in anticipation

"But Monokuma isn't even here..?" But just as I said that, the floor started shaking. The Monokuma statue was emerging into the water and slowly, an elevator was revealed.

"An elevator...? Does he want us to board it?" Keebo questioned

"I...don't want to get on it.." Himiko and Tsumugi complained

"Stay behind then." I snap back in frustration. Nobody wanted to do any of this, but we don't have a choice. They're just wasting time by complaining.

"If anyone wishes to run away, I will cooperate as well." Kirumi suggested

"That's probably not a good idea. There's nowhere to run." Maki said

"It'll be fine, let's all work together. Remember our promise? We're gonna escape this place and remain good friends afterward... So let's do it! I'm sure we'll be alright!" Kaede tried to brighten the mood

"Bring it! I'll show them how I, Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars, live!" He yelled

"Don't you mean 'die'?" Kokichi laughed

"We've come so far already! We just gotta do it...so let's do it!!!" Tenko shouted

Some people seemed to be hopeful, which definitely brought up the mood a bit. We all anxiously walked towards the elevator and boarded it.

"Whoaaa! That's super cool, it's actually an elevator." Kokichi said

"Yeah no shit." I paused for a moment before I continued my sentence. "Even so, this elevator is going pretty far down.." I started to fidget with my hands again.

"Kehehe..we're falling... I wonder how far we will plummet.." Korekiyo added.

I looked over to Tenko, she was slightly in front of me, standing in the elevator. She must've noticed how nervous I was and gave me a reassuring smile. It made me feel a little better. But, the culprit is still one of us. I can't trust anyone.

"Nishshishi~ nervous, are we?" Kokichi whispered next to me. However I didn't bother to respond to him.

"I'm actually pretty excited about the class trial, isn't exposing the killers fun for you? I know it is for me! Watching them lie until they finally get caught, it's entertaining." Kokichi talked, trying to get me to say something.

"I dunno how I feel about all of this. I'm just nervous in case they end up blaming me, I'll be too nervous to defend myself. It's always been a thing that happens to me. Whenever I get really nervous I just forget everything and I can't think or talk right. I'll just embarrass myself.." I reply, keeping my voice low so only Kokichi could hear.

"Oohhh, I see. Well I could just defend you y'know? Or not! Lying seems so much more fun~" he smiled, but I just looked away

After some time, the elevator finally stopped. The doors opened to reveal the place the class trials were going to be held.

"Welcome to the class trial!" The Monokubs greeted

"This is an authentic replica of a courtroom..." Keebo said

"Wow, this is so sickening it's almost refreshing. So, how do we get this game going?" Kokichi asked

"There are podiums over there. Please stand behind the one with your name on it." Monokuma instructed. Thankfully, I was in between Tenko and Kokichi. The people I'm closest to in this whole game.

And with that, the class trial begun.

——

I was at a loss for words. The culprit was... so unexpected. I never would've thought Kaede would have the urge to kill. And on top of that, we had to watch her brutal execution.. Shuichi and I were both crying, the others just looked to the floor in disbelief. Kaede was....really gone.

"Atua... Please grant Kaede's soul eternal repose." Angie prayed

"I.... can't believe this is actually happening... we live in such..a sick world." I say in between sobs

"Puhuhu! All this adrenaline creates such an exquisite feeling of ! It's moments like this that make all the killings worth it!" Monokuma laughed

"You're the worst of the worst! Does human life have no value to you at all!?" Tenko said, I looked over to her and saw her crying too, some others as well.

"Hey, I know human life is precious. I'm not a monster, y'know. Cuz if human life wasn't precious, ending it wouldn't be nearly as much fun! There's no greater joy than witnessing such a display of !" Said the bear

"Kehehe... you've surpassed psychotic by a wide margin." Korekiyo had a dark look on his face

"I... I won't forgive you for this! Got that!? I won't ever forgive you!" Kaito yelled

"Spoken like a marked man!" Monokuma teased

"What is your objective, Monokuma?" Kirumi asked

"...Do you hate us? If so, have we done something to make you hate us?" Maki questioned

"Huh? Hate you? Puhuhu... Who can say? That's your job to figure out. If you really wanna know what's going on, you're gonna have to work for it. Though the corpse formerly known as Rantaro may have had a hunch."

"...Huh?" I say quietly "what do you mean? What was Rantaro's hunch?" I raised my voice so they could hear my question

"Puhuhu... What, indeed."

"He did say he would end this game, and he also knew about the hidden door... Could that be at all related to this hunch you claim he had?" Kirumi asked

"Puhuhu... I wonder..."

"Hey! What the hell's this hunch you're goin' on about? Spill it!" Miu yelled, however Monokuma only repeated the same 3 words.

"If you're not gonna tell us, then shut up." I say, wiping the tears from my face.

"You're focusing on Kaede instead of her deadweight victim. Well, it's not his fault he was useless. He died before his talent could be revealed. If he had lived long enough to reveal it, maybe he would've been more useful... Oh well! He's dead and that's that! That's the indifference of death for ya!" Monokuma said

"Dammit! You may have gotten us this time, but we'll get you next time! You'll see!" Said kokichi

"It's nice to see that at least one of you has some chutzpah around here. I have a feeling you're gonna live for a while." The bear laughed

"Thanks! I'll do my best!" Kokichi had a huge smile plastered on his face.

Then Monokuma and the Cubs left and silence filled the room.

"I...don't think I can take all this... I can't stand this anymore.. I feel like.. I'm going to go crazy." The blue haired girl spoke up

"Tsumugi, you musn't give up hope." Kirumi said

"Is there even hope to be had here? The room feels utterly drained of it." Korekiyo said. He was right...most people were either crying or just stood there with a sad face.

"In times like this, we should pray for Kaede's soul so she can Rest In Peace." Angie smiled

"How's anyone supposed to Rest In Peace after getting killed like that!? What are we gonna do from now on.." I say

"Yeah, I'd like to know, too... I'm so over this already..." Kokichi added

"Aargh, shut up! Shut! Up! You all just need to shut up!!!" Kaito screamed, making the room fall quiet.

"Excuse m—"

"Every single one of you...and your meek little complaints... You're pissing me the hell off!! But the one who's pissing me off the most... is you, Shuichi!" Kaito then walked up to the detective and punched him.

"Kaito! You're supposed to say that before you hit him!" I yelled at him, I couldn't help but pity Shuichi.

"Didn't you hear what Kaede said!? She said... she believed in you! That she passed her wish on to you! But what the hell's wrong with you!? You didn't say a damn thing to Monokuma! You call yourself a man!?!?" Kaito scolded while Shuichi stayed quiet.

"What's the matter? Say something already. I just hit you! Aren't you pissed off!? What's your problem!?" He continued to yell. Even though Shuichi might not have been angry, I sure am. Who the hell does Kaito think he is..?!

"...Enough, Kaito." Kirumi interrupted

"Sucker punching is pretty low...even for a lowlife degenerate male like you. You better knock it off or I'm gonna use my Neo-Aikido on you!"

"...Tch, fine."

"Shuichi...hey, are you okay?" I rushed to his side, his cheek was all red

"...I'm fine."

"Can we leave now? Staying here will only make us more depressed." Maki suggested

"Kehehe... Well put. I agree wholeheartedly." Korekiyo said

"Sorry, you all should go ahead without me.." Shuichi spoke up

"Huh, why?" I ask the male

"I just want to be alone for a while. Just for a little bit."

"Alright, if that's what you wish." Said Kirumi.

"Shuichi... don't beat yourself up over this, okay?" I gave him a reassuring smile and I could tell he had a small one smile too.

"Yep! Just hit the reset button on your feelings and you'll feel happy and cheerful in no time!" Kokichi added

"Being a tad insensitive is important for survival. It helps one avoid suicidal thoughts." Korekiyo said and eventually we all left the room.

——

A/n: sorry if you don't think there's enough kokichi x reader moments, it's still the beginning of the story, so I didn't want to make it go too fast, yk? There will be more in the future :)