Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

For the third time, those elevator doors at the end of the first-floor corridor open up at the end of the allotted investigation period; the ride down is, as ever, smooth and quick-moving. You're down by five. When the doors slide open, the podium circle still stands in stark contrast to that now-familiar black void of a courtroom, and once again, it's changed to reflect your losses – Caren and Mion have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed greyscale profile portraits staring out at the rest of you. (The portrait of Pearl hasn't been removed from her room, but it seems the Kingmaker has replaced it with another; either way, her photograph is in the courtroom along with the rest.) As before, the Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums before he speaks; he still isn't visible, but he can clearly be heard, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. "Capable has been taken from you. I'll confirm one thing for you so no one will waste time asking – the killer wasn't me. Looks like the guilty decided to take a shot at Rule Seven after all – and whether they succeed or not is up to you." Twenty-two Survivors remain. We'll see how many the group has lost at the end of the day.

Comments

[capyper]

Did I say I wasn't?

[ Ah yes, now is the time to become a literal genie. ]

Anyway, I'll tell you something irrefutable. Mion beat me every time that we played cards with each other.

[cherryblooded]

[Yes, now is absolutely the time to become as much of an asshole as possible.]

...That might be true. But you've pointed out repeatedly, we don't know the exact order of events. So that might not even be relevant.

[capyper]

You're right! So I think we should probably get back to something that is relevant. Like discussing the evidence and proof and all that.

[psychoh]

... S-So, she won. Did she?

[capyper]

Won what, exactly?

[psychoh]

The card game, in the game room. We, we all thought she lost, because she's dead... But, she could've won. A-And whoever lost, didn't just accept it...

[capyper]

Nope. Totally wrong! We didn't make any bets with each other.

... We did make each other an agreement, though.

[psychoh]

... About what? If you don't mind my asking.

[capyper]

Maybe I'll tell you later! If I feel like it.

Anyway, the point is that Mion and I did play cards together on Thursday night. But it wasn't for a penalty or a bet... we just wanted to play cards with each other.

[wokeupdead]

[Okay...]

Then was everything in there related to your game? The bracelet and all?

[capyper]

...

Lynne, what do you think the bracelet's there for?

[wokeupdead]

Well.

It's supposed to be able eternal friendship and all, right? Were you guys really just getting chummy all alone at night?

[How scandalous for the shipper to insert himself into the fray.]

[capyper]

[ ... THE SHIPPER IS NOT OKAY WITH BEING INSERTED IN THE FRAY... ]

I... wouldn't put it that way...

[wokeupdead]

So then what? If the bracelet means something then you shouldn't be so evasive about it. Especially if it's not like that.

[Mostly she just wants one straight answer out of him. Come on, Yato.... She really likes you.]

[capyper]

I... gave it to her because I consider her a friend.

... I assume she accepted it because she felt the same way.

[wokeupdead]

...So then. What happened after all that?

[Just say what actually happened before you get bloodletted. Stop being coy.]

[capyper]

[ ... ]

That's for you guys to figure out.

[wokeupdead]

[. . . Nope. She can't let that go. Very suddenly and very loudly she slams her hands on her podium.]

STOP BEING SUCH A BIG IDIOT, YATO!!!

[Just in fucking general.]

[capyper]

[ That seems to startle him good; he actually has to take a half step back. ]

... I... I'm so...

[ He bites his lip. ]

I'll do whatever I want, Lynne.

[wokeupdead]

[She will yell with the righteousness of a shonen hero and he has to DEAL WITH IT.]

Not if it's causing all these problems! You wanted to help people so help us right now! There's no need for all this dancing around!!

[psychoh]

Th-That's important, isn't it? You're the last person to see her alive, except maybe... Anything you talked about, it's a clue. If you just keep it to yourself... [there might not be a later. for any of them.]

[capyper]

If I keep it to myself, it's totally my prerogative!

[psychoh]

[SHRUGS] It's just, you know... Suspicious. Is all.

[happysweets]

Are you really trying to say this murder happened because someone lost a card game against Mion...?

[ Considering the first one, she shouldn't be so surprised, but... ]