Chapter Text
REAL • FICTION - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
Kyoko, Monomi, and Tachibana approached Endo's old estate, the crumbling structure looming before them like a ghost from the past. The once vibrant paint had faded, and weeds crept up the sides, reclaiming what had been neglected.
Kyoko studied the house from a distance, her instincts screaming that they were on the verge of uncovering something important.
"Let's move in closer," she said, her voice steady. Tachibana nodded, falling in step beside her as they made their way toward the front door, which hung ajar, creaking ominously in the breeze.
However, as they reached the entrance, Kyoko paused, a sense of unease washing over her. The air felt thick with secrets, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Before Tachibana and she could make it to the door, she held out her hand and stopped him.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
Kyoko responded by pointing to the muddy, crusty ground beneath their feet, and Tachibana immediately noticed it.
Two pairs of footsteps leading towards the door.
"Somebody's inside," Kyoko said coldly, and Tachibana nodded, swiftly grabbing a gun from a holster on his belt.
"W-Wait a second!" Monomi panicked, "Is he really going to-!?"
"Don't worry," Kyoko ruffled her fur, "it's just as a precaution. Normally, we ask questions first; shoot when things go bad."
"I-I'd prefer it if it didn't come to shooting at all," Monomi shuddered.
Kyoko and Tachibana slowly crept towards the door, and once they were close enough, Kyoko rattled on it with her fist.
"This is the Kirigiri Detective Agency!" she hollered, "Come out with your hands up!"
Just as she was about to shove the door open, two people suddenly came tumbling out of the door in a panic, raising their hands above their heads when Tachibana pointed his weapon at them.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" the first familiar face cried, "It's us! Just us! Don't shoot, c'mon!"
"K-Kyoko-sama!" the other cried, "Please, it's a misunderstanding!"
Kyoko's jaw nearly dropped.
"Shuichi!?" Monomi, similarly surprised, exclaimed upon seeing the younger detective try and make himself look more presentable, "What are YOU doing here? And...!"
"Wait...Shinichi Saihara!?"
Tachibana holstered his weapon and started in surprise upon seeing Shuichi's disheveled uncle. Shinichi, who looked paranoid to be held at gunpoint, very quickly relaxed when he saw Tachibana's face.
"Oh? Oooh! Tachibana-san!" he beamed in the cheesy way he normally did, "Man, it's been a MINUTE! How've you been?
"Hmhm...It certainly has," Tachibana nodded. Kyoko, deciding to put her initial concerns and surprise to the side for the moment, turned to her agent, "And I've been fine, thank you. As fine as I can be, at least, considering the current circumstances."
"You two are old friends then?" she asked.
"Mm...I suppose so," Tachibana told her, "We used to work cases together back when Shinichi was still with the KDA. Although our relationship was strictly professional."
He turned back to the old fool.
"That said," he shook his head, "I do remember Shinichi being very casual with me when we investigated together."
"Yeah, I reckon that's a big reason why Kirigiri didn't like me very much," Shinichi chuckled, "At least his granddaughter's a lot more reasonable!"
"Don't push your luck, Shinichi; I'm not exactly in a reasonable mood right now," said Kyoko, irritation threading through her voice, "What are you two doing here?"
"I told my uncle about what happened and asked for his assistance. Turns out he knew a little more about the Duel Noir than I did, so we came here to conduct our own investigation," Shuichi replied, his gaze steady, "We thought this place might hold some clues about Endo and the VCC that would point us in the direction of Makoto."
Kyoko crossed her arms, exasperated.
"Did you even listen to what I told you and the others?" she asked, "This is not your case, Shuichi. You shouldn't be butting your noses into things you don't understand."
Before either she or Shuichi could continue, Shinichi interjected, his voice calm and analytical.
"Actually, Kyoko-chan, before you start pushing us out, you might want to hear what we found," he said, "The house is indeed run down and abandoned, and it looks like Endo hasn't been seen for some time, but...we found some stuff you might find interesting.
Kyoko looked towards Tachibana.
"Shinichi is a good detective, despite himself," he affirmed, "We should hear what they have to say."
"Hey! The hell do you mean "despite myself!?"" Shinichi spat, though not bitterly.
"Enough," Kyoko bit back coldly, "What did you find?"
Despair Searching - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
"We found something hidden inside a storage closet," Shuichi explained, "A small cellar door was barely visible beneath a tangle of random furniture."
"We went down there to investigate, and the place is pretty clean compared to the rest of the house, even if not by much," Shuichi nodded, his expression serious, "We also found some chemistry equipment in that basement, and it looks freshly used."
Kyoko's expression darkened at the mention of the equipment. It was the kind of detail that could provide crucial insight into Endo's activities and potential connections to the VCC.
"Take me down there," she demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Alright, but we need to be cautious," Shinichi exchanged a glance with Shuichi before nodding, "We've been fine so far, but if Endo is involved in something shady, we don't want to walk into a trap."
"Let's move then," Kyoko agreed, her determination unwavering.
With Monomi perched on her shoulder, they followed Shuichi and Shinichi to the back of the old house, the tension palpable in the air as they approached the cellar.
The door creaked open, revealing a dark staircase leading down into the unknown. Kyoko took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever they might uncover, knowing that each step brought them closer to the truth behind Makoto's kidnapping and the resurgence of the Victim Catharsis Committee.
As Kyoko descended the stairs into the basement, her eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through a grimy window. The space was dusty and cluttered, with cobwebs draping the corners like heavy curtains. Despite the disarray, she noted that this area was slightly clearer than the rest of the house, as Shinichi had observed, perhaps a sign that it had been used more recently.
Shuichi and Shinichi led her and her partners toward a makeshift chemistry lab set up against one wall. A table cluttered with various glassware, beakers, and vials dominated the space. The faint smell of chemicals lingered in the air, sharp and acrid. Kyoko stepped closer, her instincts sharpening as she examined the implements left behind.
"Looks like someone was experimenting down here after all," Kyoko murmured, her brow furrowing as she took stock of the materials, "This equipment is sophisticated enough to produce complex substances."
Monomi hopped off Kyoko's shoulder and began sniffing around the table.
"I recognize this smell!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, "It's the same as the sedative I found at the scene of Makoto's kidnapping!"
"Be careful then," she said, "We don't want you inhaling any more of that substance."
Kyoko relayed this information to the others who couldn't hear Monomi's words, noting their expressions shift from curiosity to concern. Tachibana crossed his arms, pondering aloud.
"But this house is so run down. Even if this room is slightly more up-to-par, it still looks like any excessive force could cause its foundation to crumble," he looked around, "There's no way the VCC would use it as a base of operations. It's too exposed and easily compromised."
"That makes sense," Shinichi nodded, his eyes scanning the room thoughtfully, "But if they're manufacturing sedatives here, they must be transporting them somewhere else. Possibly to a more secure location. We need to figure out where that might be."
"Unfortunately, that just makes things more difficult for us," Kyoko piped up suddenly, "As I mentioned to some of you before, the sedative we're dealing with is not only highly illegal but highly potent. It's so strong that it leaves traces wherever it touches. Getting that substance, especially if there's a lot of it, past any kind of patrolled street or junction...is an impossibility."
"Indeed," Monomi added, "that substance had dried up by the time we found it, but it was still strong enough that a casual whiff almost knocked me out. I might be small, but my body is capable of withstanding a lot more than that usually."
"There must be SOMETHING we're missing," Shuichi added, "The VCC seem like very cunning criminals. There must have been some way they got this around and about without attracting attention, especially if it was being handed or transferred between members."
Kyoko's mind raced as she pieced together the implications. If the VCC had set up a temporary lab here, it indicated a larger operation at play.
"We need to find any records or correspondence that could lead us to their transport methods or location," she said, determination flooding her voice.
"Let's see if we can find anything that points us in the right direction." Shinichi moved to a nearby shelf and began rifling through dusty boxes.
As the team began to search the basement for clues, Kyoko felt the weight of urgency settle on her shoulders. Time was slipping away, and they needed to uncover the VCC's plans before they could strike again. Each moment brought them closer to finding Makoto, but also deeper into a dangerous web of deception and crime.
X
As Kyoko and the others stepped out of the crumbling old house, the afternoon light felt stark against the shadowy atmosphere they had just left behind. Shuichi glanced over at Kyoko, his brow furrowed with concern.
"So, where are we headed next?" he asked, hopefulness edging into his tone.
However, Kyoko halted, turning to face him with a steely gaze.
"WE are not going anywhere," she stated firmly, "This is where your investigation ends, Shuichi. I made my stance clear to you before, and I can't have you or your interfering any further."
Shuichi's eyes widened, disbelief flooding his expression.
Wonderful Story - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
"I understand that this is ultimately your authority on the case," Shuichi exclaimed, "but we can help! This matters just as much to us as it does to you! And we've already uncovered valuable information-!"
"And I greatly appreciate your help," Kyoko told them, "but now I'm kindly asking you to stand down. I don't want my question to get heavy-handed, nor do I wish to ask repeatedly."
Shuichi looked desperately towards Shinichi, who didn't bare his usual calm grin. Instead, he stepped forward and addressed Kyoko directly.
"Look, I understand that the KDA is of a higher professional authority than us meager local detectives," he said with a stern gaze, "but with all due respect, you aren't in control of us. The very reason I established the SDA was because I wanted to investigate free from the Kirigiri's clutches."
Kyoko didn't respond, so Shinichi continued.
"You're different from the man your grandfather was," he said. "Don't start trying to kick us down like he did now, when we can help. Even if we don't investigate together, you can't stop us from investigating this matter on our own.
Kyoko stood there, her gaze hard. She didn't even seem angry, which somehow only made the moment worse. Finally, her expression softened ever so slightly, and she let out a heavy sigh.
"You're right in saying that I'm not your boss...And you're also right in saying that I'm of a higher authority than you..." she almost seemed to scowl, "But I CAN stop you."
"Huh?" Shinichi's eyebrows rose. Kyoko turned to Tachibana, who, standing quietly to the side, exchanged a look with Kyoko, unsure of how to navigate the growing tension.
"Tachibana," she addressed him, making him stand to attention, "have the KDA blacklist the Saihara Detective Agency from this investigation. We can't have them interfering."
"I...Understood," Tachibana nodded with a hand on his heart, "I'll report back to HQ immediately."
Shuichi couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Blacklist!?" he cried, "What's that supposed to mean!?"
Tachibana hesitated, looking unsure if he was allowed to answer. However, Kyoko seemed to sense his apprehension and turned to the young detective.
"It's exactly what it sounds like," she explained, "The KDA will not accept any cooperation from your agency in this investigation, or any agency for that matter. If you, or anyone associated with your agency, makes any attempt to investigate this case on the KDA's behalf, we have the right to arrest them and charge them with tampering with the crime scene.
The older Saihara stepped forward, his gaze bearing an almost foreign feeling of bitter malice.
"Kyoko, that's not fair..." Shinichi interjected, his voice calm but angry, "You can't just cut us out like this. We're trying to help, not just for your sakes, and not even for ours!"
Shuichi stepped forward, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
"Makoto's family is worried sick!" he spat, "Komaru is panicking, and so are his parents! We can't just-!"
"If you truly want Makoto found as soon as possible," Kyoko's expression hardened, her voice cold, cutting through the air like a knife, "then you need to get off...and OUT...of my case...!"
The weight of her words hung between them, and Shuichi faltered, taken aback. He opened his mouth to argue, but the intensity of Kyoko's gaze silenced him. Shinichi shifted slightly, glancing at Shuichi before looking back at Kyoko, trying to gauge her resolve.
"Kyoko," Shinichi said softly, "you're acting out of fear. We're all worried about Makoto, but cutting us off won't help. We're stronger together."
"Do you really think that I'm afraid? I eat crooks like these for breakfast," Kyoko shook her head, the tension in her jaw evident, "You're the one who doesn't understand the risks involved. The VCC operates in the shadows, and they won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who gets too close. I can't afford to have either of you jeopardizing this investigation by butting your noses into it."
"But Kyoko, they-" Even Monomi was stunned silent by the girl's glare.
Shuichi stood silently, fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to argue, to plead with her, but the intensity of Kyoko's resolve made him feel powerless.
"Just...trust me," Kyoko added, her voice softer but still resolute, "This is about protecting everyone, including you. I need to do this alone."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and began walking away, leaving the two detectives behind. Monomi glanced between the group, her small form caught in the tension, but she stayed close to Kyoko, who was determined to stay focused on the task at hand.
As they walked away, Shuichi's heart sank. He knew Kyoko was only trying to protect them, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this path might lead to more danger, both for her and for Makoto.
"We could have at least gotten a thank you..." Shinichi hissed.
Walking Despair - Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy
A few hours later, Kyoko sat in her office, the soft light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the cluttered desk. She flipped through the case files, her mind racing over the details of the investigation so far. Tachibana stood by her side, reviewing notes, while Monomi perched on the edge of the desk, her ears twitching in anticipation.
Just then, the door swung open, and Detective Kujo stepped in, followed closely by Okiri. The atmosphere shifted as they entered, an urgency evident in their expressions.
"Kirigiri-san, we have new information," Okiri said, stepping forward with a sense of gravity. "The current investigation team finished searching Endo's house and turned up some more evidence."
"And the Saihara's?" Kyoko checked. Okiri sighed.
"They pulled out of the investigation," he said, "begrudgingly, sure, but they did as you asked."
"Good," Kyoko's heart settled, "What did the team find?"
Okiri held out a folder, opening it to reveal photographs and reports.
"They discovered several plastic, airtight bags and some wooden crates in the basement," he said, "Both are completely free of any kind of grime or dust. Meaning, most likely, they were hidden in the house very recently, and we believe they play a role in whatever operation the VCC is plotting."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow.
"Could those have been used to carry the sedative?" she asked. However, Kujo shook her head, her brow furrowed.
"Actually, we don't think so," she said, "As you already established, Kirigiri-sama, the secret substance is extremely potent and easily traced due to its unique and dangerous properties. But when the forensics team got a look at the crates and bags, no traces of the sedative were found in either. It's puzzling."
"No traces at all?" Kyoko asked. Kujo nodded.
"Then what were they used for?" Monomi frowned, her small paws clasped in front of her.
The four detectives and their rabbit add-on all exchanged confused looks. The crates and bags had to be involved somehow, but if they weren't used to store the sedative...Then what?
Before the conversation could delve further into confusion, Okiri interjected, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"But—but!" he piped up, "it's not all bad news and dead ends. We found records of a delivery made from Endo's old house to a warehouse company near the Sumida River. The names on the documents are anonymous, but we have a location where he might have been sending the sedative and other supplies the VCC may need for whatever op they're trying to run."
"A warehouse?" Kyoko stood up from her seat, already grabbing her coat, "Good work. That could be a critical link to the VCC's operations."
"Exactly," Okiri continued, leaning in closer, "If they're transporting something from Endo's place to the warehouse, we might be able to catch them in the act or at least find more evidence of their plans."
"We should head there immediately. Time is of the essence," Tachibana nodded, his expression turning serious.
Kyoko hid it well, but a surge of determination coursed through her.
"Let's move. Time is against us, and we can't let this opportunity slip away." She gathered her things quickly, Monomi hopping off the desk and back onto her shoulder.
Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
"This should be the place yer' lookin' for," said the elderly warehouse manager, as he opened up the large, steel door to the warehouse. "Hope ye' find what yer' lookin' for."
"Sorry again for the trouble, sir," Kujo waved politely.
The KDA had arrived at the edge of the Sumida River as soon as they possibly could manage and made their way over to the warehouse storage lot nearby.
Normally, this place was reserved to store the cargo of ships and boats that travelled down the river, though it was less active and less used than a warehouse that you might find on the docks near the ocean.
Kyoko and Kujo stepped inside what they suspected was Tokichiro Endo's warehouse, or at least the warehouse of someone related to the Victim Catharsis Committee, the heavy door creaking as it swung open. The air inside was cool and musty, filled with the scent of aged wood and metal. Dim light filtered through the high windows, casting shadows across the cluttered space.
"Looks like this place hasn't been used in a while," Kujo remarked as they entered, taking in the random assortment of items scattered throughout the warehouse. Wooden pallets lay stacked in one corner, while crates filled with miscellaneous supplies lined the walls.
It didn't take them long to find out what they were looking for.
Kyoko's eyes scanned the room, taking note of the familiar plastic bags and barrels they had discovered at Endo's house. It confirmed her suspicions that the VCC was using this warehouse as a storage facility for their operations, whatever those were.
However, upon a brief check, there was no sign of the sedative. Or any machinery for that matter.
In fact, once she managed to get one of the crates open, she found that it, as well as all the crates around it, were empty. Just as the ones at Endo's house had been.
There was hardly anything of note besides that. The only other thing she noticed outright was some rope coiled neatly against one wall, alongside medium-sized rocks of various sizes.
Strange items to be found in a warehouse, but their connection to the case was not immediately obvious. It all felt ominous, like pieces of a dark puzzle waiting to be assembled.
Luckily, Kyoko wasn't the Ultimate Detective for nothing, and she noticed something that the average onlooker wouldn't have seen immediately.
As the two detectives began their investigation, she crouched down to inspect one of the crates. Her fingers brushed against the surface, and she noted the moisture pooling at the bottom.
"Kujo, come look at this," she called, gesturing for her to join her.
"What did you find?" she asked, kneeling beside her.
Kyoko pointed to the bottom half of the crate.
"These are damp. Almost too moist for something that should be storing solid materials. It looks like they've been recently filled or moved, possibly with liquid."
Kujo frowned as she examined the barrel closely. Sure enough, the bottom half of the crate Kyoko pointed at was moist with water, likely from the river itself.
However, what was even weirder was that this crate was not exclusive in its dampness. All of the crates were damp, specifically in the bottom half.
"That's...strange...How come only the bottom half of these crates are damp?" She wondered, "Could it be another batch of the sedative leaking through the wood?"
Monomi quickly hopped off Kyoko's shoulder and sniffed the bottom of the crate cautiously.
"Nope," she turned around and shook her head, "I just smell saltwater. There's no trace of the sedative here, not even old stains of it."
"Hm..." Kyoko stood up to survey the area further, "Regardless of whether it's water, or any illegal substances, it's odd that they'd leave it like this. If they were trying to hide their operations, they wouldn't want to draw attention to the crates."
Just then, Monomi hopped off Kyoko's shoulder and bounced over to a nearby crate.
"What's in here?" she asked, peering inside. Kyoko couldn't help but smile at the rabbit's curiosity, but her heart raced with anticipation as she approached.
"Stay cautious, Monomi," Kyoko warned, as she pulled open the lid of the crate nearby.
This time, there was actually something inside. More plastic bags, this time with labels partially faded but still legible.
"They look similar to the ones we found earlier," Kujo noted, peering over Kyoko's shoulder. "We might be on the verge of finding something big."
Kyoko stood up, looking around.
"Let's keep searching. If we can gather enough evidence here, we might finally be able to connect the VCC to the kidnappings and their operations," she said.
Kujo nodded, feeling the weight of determination settle back in. With each clue they uncovered, Kyoko could feel the pieces of the puzzle starting to align, and the urgency to find Makoto grew stronger. She wouldn't let this lead slip away, not when they were so close.
Despair Searching in ProgramWorld - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
After a thorough investigation of the warehouse, Kyoko, Kujo, and Monomi regrouped outside, where Okiri and Tachibana were waiting. The dim light of the afternoon sun cast a golden, slowly turning orange hue across their faces as Kyoko began to relay their findings.
"Well?" Okiri asked upfront, "Did you get anything?"
"We found several plastic bags and barrels, just like the ones at Endo's place. However," she paused, glancing at Tachibana, "there was no sign of the sedative. And no trace of it either; we had Monomi check."
Tachibana furrowed his brow, confusion evident in his expression.
"That doesn't make sense," he crossed his arms. "It's obvious, since the supplies from his house are here, that Endo WAS using this warehouse. If this is where they were storing the sedative, there should be some trace left behind."
"You don't think he's already completed all his preparation and is getting ready to mobilize his operation, do you?" Okiri inquired.
"No. That's too risky. Knowing Endo, he wouldn't have kidnapped Makoto once he'd made all the preparations. Plus, as I said before, the sedative is too potent and leaves too many tracks. Transporting all of it at once is like leaving a detective a trail of breadcrumbs right to you," Kyoko crossed her arms, deep in thought. "Speaking frankly, I don't think this warehouse was meant to be the final destination for the sedatives. It's just another part of Endo's convoluted plan to operate under the noses of law enforcement."
"But...where would the sedatives have gone then?" Kujo asked, "How would Endo have moved them out of the warehouse without a trace?"
"Take a look at your surroundings, and the answer becomes clear. It explains why Endo specifically needed to store the supplies for his operation here by the river, instead of somewhere more easily accessible." Kyoko's voice grew steadier as she formulated her current working theory. "I suspect that, to throw us off the trail and leave us confused, the sedatives were transferred across the water. This warehouse isn't the endgame; it's a staging area."
"Transferred across the water?" Kujo asked.
"Yes. It would be simple enough to do, and if he did so, that would explain why we haven't found any trace of the sedative anywhere on land," Kyoko told her. "The scent of saltwater is strong too. It makes for a useful, natural cleaning agent to hide the traces."
"That's...clever," Tachibana muttered.
"That would also explain the other items in the warehouse as well," Kyoko added, "The wooden crates are there because they are buoyant and float on the water. They seem to be almost completely airtight too, so the river water wouldn't leak in easily and damage whatever contents were inside."
However, while Kyoko's theory was mostly sound, Okiri frowned, skepticism creeping into his tone.
"But...that's not possible," he said.
The others turned to him, Tachibana, Kujo, and Monomi, all confused. Kyoko, more patient.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Because if the crates were put in the water, wouldn't they either sink, turn over, or get washed down the river?" Okiri asked, "There's nothing to stabilize them or hold them in place. You said that they were ALMOST airtight, meaning they weren't completely. So even if it wasn't the sedative specifically, if whatever was inside the crates got wet, they'd get ruined."
"...That's an interesting observation," Kyoko admitted.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Okiri asked, a bit irritated, "Are you saying my hunch is wrong, or something?"
"I think it's better if I show you..." she replied casually.
Kyoko took a step closer to a nearby wall, pulling out her notebook and a pen. With quick, precise strokes, she began to draw a diagram, outlining her theory.
"Kujo?" she asked suddenly, catching the female detective by surprise, while she didn't turn back and just continued sketching, "tell me. What else was inside that warehouse?"
"Hm...Let me think..." Kujo considered, "besides the crates, we found more of those plastic bags that turned up at Endo's house."
"Correct," Kyoko continued sketching, "what else?"
"Um...There were some ropes," Kujo recalled, "and...some stones too."
"Stones?" Tachibana parroted.
"Yeah, like garden stones," Kujo clarified, "ones that are heavy but still manageable. There were a few of them too. Almost as many stones as there were crates."
"What do you suppose the rope and rocks were for, Detective Okiri?" Kyoko asked, now looking at her, notebook closed and pen put away.
"Huh? I, uh..." Okiri stammered, "I suppose they could have been used to tie the crates down, maybe? Keep them in place and stop them from floating away? But...the crates would just sink then!"
"Not exactly," Kyoko finished her sketch, "Think about it. Crates, ropes, rocks, and bags. The way I see it, the setup looked a little something like this..."
Kyoko showed everyone her completed sketch. Though it wasn't a highly realistic artistic painting or anything, it was still good enough strokes that everyone could tell what it was.
Okiri's eyes widened with realization when he saw it.
Kyoko's picture depicted the wooden crates in the center and the plastic bags on both sides of it, stuck tight with hooks, tape, or something of the like. Underneath the crate, in the water, was the garden stone, connected to the crate by the rope.
"The plastic bags are airtight. If they were filled with air and strapped to each side of the crate, they would provide buoyancy and stop the crate from sinking," Kyoko explained her diagram, "of course, the crate COULD still tip over, but if we attached the ropes to the bottom with the stones weighing the crates down, it would keep them sturdy and steady. Then, someone could come by and pick whatever was inside the crates up and carry them away."
She shut her notebook with a confident snap, like she was bragging to Okiri. At least, that's how the fiery detective took it, and he scowled at her.
"If they constructed the crates this way, they could be floated across without attracting much attention," Kyoko added, "It's a clever way to move illicit goods while staying off the radar."
"Oh!" Kujo's eyes widened with realization, "I get it now! That's why only the bottom half of all the crates was wet! Because they were all held upright in the water!"
"Alright, alright, I see your point," Okiri studied the diagram, and the gears in his mind began to turn, "but we'll need to investigate the edge of the river to confirm your theory."
Kyoko nodded decisively.
"Exactly. We need to act fast," she affirmed, "Gather a team to head to the river and search for any sign of the crates or the sedatives."
The other three nodded and got to work. Just as they began to finalize their plans, Kyoko's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen.
"Who is it?" Monomi asked, still perched atop her shoulder. Kyoko frowned.
"It's Kaede," she said, quickly picking up the call. Kyoko listened intently as the Ultimate Pianist's voice crackled through the phone, her heart racing with anticipation.
[Kyoko! How's the progress on your end?] Kaede asked, a hint of urgency in her tone.
"What is it, Kaede?" she asked, getting right to the point, "do you have new information on Makoto's location?"
[Well...maybe, maybe not,] she said.
"What do you mean? I'd appreciate it if you didn't waste my time," she said, "Don't tell me you're also trying to break into my crime scenes?"
[Hold on now! I'm just doing what you told me to do!] Kyoko couldn't see Kaede's face, but she already knew she was pouting, [you told us to stay put and do our own looking into this behind the scenes, then report back! It's bad enough you kicked my boyfriend out of the crime scene; the least you could do is hear me out! This is important!]
Kyoko sighed.
"So Shuichi told you about that…Alright. Sorry, but I've got a lot on my plate right now," Kyoko relented, "so...what is it you found out?"
[Right, so...] Kaede explained, as Monomi lifted an ear to listen in on the call, [After you so rudely booted the Saihara's out of your case, Shuichi told me that you'd been investigating the house of Tokichiro Endo. So...when I heard this guy's name, I sort of...kind of...put his name in the Metaverse Navigator to see what I could get?]
Kyoko's frustration bubbled up.
"Kaede, you shouldn't be poking around the Metaverse!" she exclaimed, "I told you that your operations are halted until the last thing we need is you stumbling into another palace or getting trapped by this man!"
[Hey, hold on now, that's not fair,] she said, [Makoto's been kidnapped, and these guys are the prime suspects. If I can help, then I will!]
"So you're just going to ignore my orders, huh?" Kyoko asked, not entirely pleased with this turn of events.
[You're NOT the boss of me!] Kaede snapped back, [Listen! It's not worth getting angry over! It doesn't matter if I used the Meta-Nav or not!]
Kyoko paused, registering these words.
"Why not?" she asked, "What did you find?"
[Well...that's the thing...] Kaede unveiled, [I got nothing.]
"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked, her brow furrowing, "You mean...?"
[Yeah,] Kaede affirmed, [the Meta-Nav didn't recognize Tokichiro Endo's name when I entered it. Not only does he not have a Palace, but I can't find his Shadow in Mementos either.]
A silence settled between them as Kyoko processed this new information. It was unsettling.
"What does that mean?" she thought aloud, her mind racing.
[Beats me,] Kaede said, [but do you see why I'm worried? It's been bugging me, so I figured I'd tell you as soon as possible. I figured if this guy was our prime suspect and the one who had Makoto, then it was worth checking.]
"But the results were not what we were expecting," Kyoko agreed.
[Yeah. But if his name doesn't exist in the Metaverse, that means...] Kaede said, [Well, I don't know what it means. Normally, it means the target isn't corrupt, but this guy's part of a terrorist group, right?]
This was indeed a good point. Endo was most certainly corrupt, but somehow, he had no palace or Shadow.
To Kyoko, this indicated that Endo was operating outside the realm of the Phantom Thieves' usual enemies. He wasn't just hiding; he might not have been in the same game they were playing.
[Kyoko?] Kaede's voice broke through her thoughts, [Are you still there?]
"Yes, I'm here," Kyoko replied, shaking off the concern. "Thank you for the information, Kaede. This is significant. Now put the phone down and sit tight while I keep investigating."
[But-!] Kaede started, a note of concern threading through her voice.
Kyoko cut her off gently but firmly.
"You need to keep your distance from this case," she resolved. "The Victim Catharsis Committee is dangerous, and I don't want you getting caught in their crosshairs. Especially since they might already be after you or anyone else in the team. Okay?"
Kaede hesitated, but then she relented.
[I understand,] she promised, [I'll be careful. Just...keep me updated, okay? Komaru's been spamming the group chat with worried messages.]
"I will," Kyoko promised, her resolve strengthening. As she hung up the phone, the gravity of their situation weighed heavily on her.
No Shadow meant Endo was operating under even the Phantom Thieves' radar, which made him even more dangerous. But at the same time, it also implied that there was a lack of moral corruption in him.
Unfortunately, the Metaverse was the one aspect of crime these days that Kyoko still had a very fragile grasp on. She wasn't quite sure what constituted someone's Shadow to appear in Mementos or how the Phantom Thieves REALLY changed hearts beyond finding their other selves and beating them up.
She turned back to Monomi, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Endo doesn't have a Shadow?" She asked, her beady, bunny eyes wide with surprise, clearly having overheard the whole call.
"So it would seem," Kyoko sighed, "This is not ideal."
"What are you gonna do?" Monomi asked.
Kyoko's response was decisive.
"For the moment, we continue investigating as we have done...but we have to be extra vigilant," her determination reigniting, "We need to find out where he's hiding and what his next move is. I can't let him slip through my fingers again."
Face Off - Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy
Kyoko stood at the riverbank, the water flowing steadily beside her, reflecting the hues of the setting sun. Tachibana, Kujo, and Okiri had gathered around her, their expressions a mix of determination and concern.
"What's our status?" she asked upfront.
"Based on our analysis of the area," Tachibana began, gesturing towards the water, "the most likely scenario is that Endo somehow got the crates out into the middle of the river, dropped them off, left, and then returned after the transfer of materials had been completed to pick them up again. It's the most efficient way to transfer the materials across the water, with the fewest eyewitnesses and the easiest cover. He likely put the materials in the water during the earlier hours and then retrieved them in the later hours.
"But that system seems overly complicated," Okiri shook his head, skepticism evident on his face. "Why not just have the two parties meet on their respective vessels and do the transfer in person? It would be a lot simpler."
Kyoko crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the water as she considered their options.
"Think about it," she countered, "If Endo is trying to stay under the radar, it makes more sense for him to avoid face-to-face meetings. This way, he can conduct his dealings without anyone knowing who he is or what's happening."
"Still, the most perplexing part of this whole situation is the lack of any trace of the sedative," Kujo interjected, her brow furrowing with confusion, "We found no residue in the crates or bags. It's almost like they never contained anything at all."
"Exactly. That's what makes this even more troubling," Kyoko turned to her, clearly trying to piece together the puzzle herself, "If the crates didn't contain the sedatives, then what's the point of all this? What are they transporting instead?"
"Endo would need more supplies than just the sedative to set up the grounds for the Duel Noir, right?" Okiri suggested, "What if the crates were used to transport machinery or other such supplies?"
"How about it?" Tachibana asked Kujo, "You think that's right?"
"I doubt it," Kujo shrugged, "You can check yourself. If heavy machinery or murder tools were transported in the crates, there would have been markings in the wood from the weight or the edges. But these crates are pristine, and we already had forensics look at them by now. It really does just seem like nothing was in these crates at all."
"Then...what the hell!?" Okiri spat, starting to lose his temper.
"Could it be a diversion?" Tachibana suggested, "Maybe the crates are a front for something else entirely."
"It's possible," Kyoko replied thoughtfully. "But whatever it is, it's crucial that we figure it out before they complete their operation."
The sound of the flowing river filled the silence as they all pondered the implications. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground, and with it came the weight of urgency.
"Let's split up and search the area," Kyoko commanded, her voice resolute. "We need to find any signs of where the crates could have gone or who Endo might be working with. Stay alert and report back if you find anything unusual. Kujo? You come with me. I'm going to question some of the patrolling police officers who work near here."
"Yes, ma'am!" Kujo saluted, and once again, the KDA's team split off to conduct their own investigations.
Ikoroshia - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Kyoko and Kujo approached a cluster of police officers stationed by the riverbank, their uniforms dark against the fading evening light. These officers were responsible for checking the cargo of boats and vessels that entered the water, ensuring that no illegal substances slipped through the borders.
As they neared, one of the officers stepped forward, his posture stiffening when he recognized Kyoko. She wasted no time, her eyes sharp and unyielding as she addressed them.
"Ah, good morning," he greeted them politely. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Good afternoon," Kyoko returned the greeting, "and yes, actually, you can. My name is Kirigiri, and I'm with the KDA. We're here investigating a case involving some missing materials, and I was wondering if you or your men could assist us."
The officer's expression grew serious, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Missing materials, huh?"
"We believe it's related to some sort of ongoing conspiracy," Kujo added. "We've come to the conclusion that our current suspects are making transfers on the river itself, where they would be most undisturbed. We've already located a warehouse near here that we believe once contained those supplies, but we're not certain."
"We need to ask you a few questions," Kyoko began, her tone direct but calm, "specifically about the cargo inspections. Have you noticed anything suspicious in recent days, particularly relating to unmarked crates or barrels?"
The officers looked at each other, then back at Kyoko and Kujo.
"We haven't seen anything out of the ordinary," one of the officers shook his head, "I'm afraid we can't help you much."
Kyoko frowned.
"How about I ask you again, but this time you tell me the truth?" she asked coldly.
"Wh-What?" The officer in the front was confused.
"With all due respect, sir, I'm a professional. I know all the cues and signs to tell when someone is being half-truthful," she declared, "For example, just now, you hesitated before answering. When a person lies, they tend to pause longer when speaking than they do when telling the truth. They also look away, or their eyes dart to the side, and they may even play with their hair or clothing as a way to distract themselves. It's a subconscious response that occurs when people are attempting to hide something."
The officers exchanged glances, clearly uncomfortable.
"Now, are you sure you can't help us?" Kyoko asked, her expression serious.
"Please," Kujo added, trying to play good cop, "we're not here to cause you any trouble, but this situation is serious. A young high school boy has been kidnapped, and if we don't act fast, his life is at risk."
The officers shifted, their postures tense and uncertain.
"I know it's hard to speak up against your superior," Kyoko continued, "but please, tell us the truth."
There was another pause before the lead officer spoke.
"It's not a lie when I say that we haven't seen any unmarked crates or barrels," he replied, his tone measured. "We don't inspect everything. But..."
"But?" Kyoko repeated. The officer glanced at his colleagues, a flicker of discomfort passing over his face.
Another officer, standing slightly behind, shuffled forward nervously.
"We...might've let something slip through the borders."
"What do you mean by "something"?" Kujo asked, her voice steady but tinged with impatience. The officers exchanged glances again before the first one spoke.
"There was some suspicious cargo that we didn't catch in time," he said. "We were conducting routine checks, but a shipment passed by before we could thoroughly inspect it. We didn't think much of it at first, but..."
"What was in that shipment?" Kyoko stepped closer, her eyes narrowing.
"From what we can tell, it's...some sort of highly illegal drug. An anesthetic, to be more precise, and an extremely powerful one. Unfortunately, not only are we not familiar with the substance, but we found next to no trace of it during our investigations and checks," he admitted, "We didn't realize until later that it had slipped through. It was transported in a series of unmarked containers, like barrels."
"You're saying the sedative was in those containers, and you let it pass?" Kyoko's heart sank.
The officer nodded, guilt apparent in his expression.
"Yes, but like I said, we couldn't trace it. We only found out something had gotten through because we found a small extract of the stuff a few days ago, and it was only when your agency showed up today that we realized the truth," he admitted. "We all agreed to keep quiet because we didn't want to get in trouble with our superiors. The drug itself was long gone before we could intervene."
Kyoko jotted this down in her notebook.
"There's something odd about that," she said, "With how many supplies the ongoing operations of the VCC require, assuming the river really is the transfer location, this transaction would have to be carried out multiple times already. You're saying that in none of the boats you inspected was there ever any sign of a sedative?"
"We didn't catch a whiff of it, and the shipments we were looking for didn't have any suspicious markings," the officer explained, "Everybody who goes out in a rowboat or other such vessel needs a legal grant to do so, and we haven't had any forged documents or out-of-date files for a while."
"Also, you mentioned that this substance was being transferred in crates?" His friend asked, "Most of the boats docked down by the river are thoroughly inspected before departure. It's really hard to hide something as large as a whole crate from us, since we know all the typical hiding spots."
Kyoko pondered the information, trying to make sense of it.
"So, to your knowledge, there was no one using the boats for illegal transactions and riding into the river to drop things off?" she asked, "Do you only inspect the smaller vessels?"
"No, ma'am," Officer 1 replied, "our company also runs security for tourist boats. They inspect items that go on the big vessels, and they've got a bigger perimeter to cover. Plus, it's easier to get a hold of their files and records."
"The tourist yachts that go down the river can also hold items like crates," the other one added, "if the crates were carried onto the water at all, then the most likely vessel that did it was the yachts, but again, it's almost impossible to sneak something like that onto the tourist boats. Not without a lot of money and effort."
Kyoko took a moment to process the information, her mind racing. She glanced at Kujo, a grim understanding passing between them. The sedative had made its way past the police checkpoints, likely transported to another location while they had been chasing dead ends.
Kyoko turned back to the officer.
"I need details," she said, "everything you remember about that shipment. The size of the containers, the boats that were on the water at the time, and any possible routes it could have taken."
"We'll get you that information right away," the officer stammered, clearly unnerved by Kyoko's intensity.
As the officers scrambled to gather the details, Kyoko crossed her arms, her mind already working through the next steps. The sedatives had been smuggled past security, which meant Endo's plan was moving faster than anticipated.
"We need to act quickly," Kujo said, her voice low but urgent. "If they've already moved the sedative, we might be running out of time to stop whatever Endo is planning."
"We can't afford to waste any more time," Kyoko nodded. "Let's get the details from these officers and figure out where that shipment was headed."
The clock was ticking, and they were one step closer to unraveling Endo's web. But every second brought them closer to whatever dark plan was unfolding.
A few minutes passed, and the officers returned.
"Here," one handed a laminated sheet of paper to Kyoko, "The details on the shipments that happened at the time of the transfer. It includes all the boats on the river and the cargo that was onboard."
Kyoko quickly scanned the information, noting the names of the ships and the number of crates. However, no particular vessel stood out immediately.
She also noticed a dog wearing a high-vis jacket at the feet of the other officer.
"Who's this then?" she asked, gesturing at the canine, "Did we have a guard dog present when inspecting the vessels?"
"Yeah," the owner replied, "this is Archie-kun. He's a working breed and knows how to spot danger. Drug transfers aren't uncommon in this area of the river, so these dogs are specifically trained to sniff out any traces of drugs, illegal substances, or other things. He was there for all the checks, but he never alerted us."
"If the sedative was smuggled through the border, he should have picked it up, right?" Kujo asked.
"Yes," the officer affirmed, "Archie-kun's not an old dog either. His senses are as sharp as a knife."
"That's interesting," Kyoko said, a frown forming on her face.
Okiri arrived just as Kyoko and Kujo were going through the logs provided by the harbor police officers.
However, the moment he stepped onto the scene, the barking of the harbor's police dogs filled the air, all of them immediately focusing on him. The dogs strained against their leashes, growling, clearly agitated by his presence.
"Whoa!" the ginger-haired detective staggered back as he was scared by the animals, "Take it easy! Easy, boy!"
"Archie-kun!" the officer held tightly onto his leash, "What's wrong!?"
"I have a bad feeling about this," Kyoko said, stepping closer to Okiri, "Why are they reacting like that? You haven't done anything, have you?"
"Uh...like what?" Okiri asked.
"It's not normal for these dogs to react like this," she said, her eyes narrowing, "They're trained to sniff out substances."
"Could you have any trace of the sedative on you?" Kujo suggested. Okiri frantically shook his head, genuinely perplexed.
"No way. I didn't touch any sedative," he promised, "Yeah, I investigated the basement and got pretty close to the lab, but I was careful during the investigations, and I haven't even been near the stuff. Maybe like...5 feet within it at most."
Kyoko, thankfully, knew a way to check.
"Monomi?" She lifted the rabbit on her shoulder.
Monomi ran along Kyoko's arm and gave Okiri a good once-over. After a brief examination, she hopped back to her usual position and shook her head.
"You were right. He does have traces of the sedative on him," she told her, "however...they're extremely faint, so I can barely pick them up."
Kyoko's brow furrowed.
"That is...unbelievably strange..." she uttered.
"What is?" Okiri asked.
"Monomi's reaction just now confirmed that you do have minor traces of the sedative on you, likely from being exposed to them in Endo's basement not too long ago," Kyoko said, "but that just leaves me with even more questions."
"How so?" he asked.
"Because this has proven that the sedative is so powerful that its traces rubbed off on you even though you weren't directly exposed to it," Kyoko told him, "and as you are, even among the scent of the water, the dogs and Monomi can both sniff it on you. But if they can detect traces as minor as the ones on you, how did the VCC manage their transfer without these dogs catching the scent?"
The question hung in the air, deepening the already thickening mystery. Okiri paused, putting a hand on his chin and frowning, like he was thinking about something.
X
"What is it?" Kujo asked.
"Well...as it so happens," Okiri, still visibly rattled by the barking dogs, took a step back, "that's what I came here to report. The forensics team just contacted us after some more research into the sedative substance. They found something important that I think you might want to hear."
Kyoko's interest sharpened immediately.
"What did they find?" she asked.
Living In A Lazy Parallel World - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
"Simply put...the sedative has a weakness, and a pretty critical one at that," Okiri began, still eyeing the dogs cautiously, "It needs to be stored in a warm to hot container to maintain its potency. The moment it cools down, the drug loses all effectiveness."
Kujo's eyes widened.
"Could that be the way they covered its tracks?" she asked.
"I mean, it would get rid of the potency, sure, and the saltwater scent would do the rest of the work," Okiri affirmed, "but it's not just the smell it would lose. When I say it loses all effectiveness, I mean it loses ALL effectiveness. It'd be like injecting a sleeping pill into a drink instead of the needle. The body would absorb the medicine, but the person wouldn't even get the slightest bit drowsy, much less fall asleep."
Kyoko frowned.
"So..." she said, "what you're trying to say is...?"
"If your theory is correct...if the sedative was transferred through the river....then it would've gotten cold," Okiri stated, "and the drug itself...would have been made completely useless."
Kyoko's mind raced as she considered the implications. If the sedative couldn't be submerged in water without losing its potency, then her initial theory had a flaw.
Yet, the pieces still didn't quite fit together.
"How did they transfer the drug without it getting cold then?" Kujo muttered, "The bags we found had no trace of the sedative, nor do they have any heating agent of any kind. Since it can't be in close proximity with cold water, where did they hide it, and how did it get past the dogs?"
Kyoko stared at the logs, deep in thought. Something wasn't adding up.
The VCC was known for convoluted plans, and this time was no different. But now they had to account for a way to transfer the sedative without the dogs detecting it or letting it lose its potency in the water.
"Their method must be even more elusive than we thought," Kyoko mused, "If they managed to get the sedative across the river, it wasn't in the crates, and it wasn't exposed to the cold water. There has to be a more complex system at play."
"Exactly. And that means the VCC has found a way to move it that we haven't figured out yet." Okiri nodded, clearly troubled by the new discovery.
For the first time in what felt like almost years, Kyoko Kirigiri's head was starting to hurt with the pressure.
Even the Metaverse was somehow easier to figure out than this. The case had taken yet another twist, and with every piece of new information, the mystery grew darker.
"I'm..." Kyoko pinched the bridge of her nose, "I need to think on this. Everyone go for a break for the time being. Meet me back at the warehouse when I call."
Kujo nodded, and the officers saluted before returning to their post. Kyoko, on the other hand, sat down and rested her back against the wall, a sense of fatigue settling over her.
All All Apologies - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Kyoko stepped away from the crime scene, the weight of the case pressing down on her shoulders. Monomi hopped beside her, sensing her unease but staying quiet.
The pieces weren't fitting together, and every new detail only seemed to complicate things further.
Just when she thought she'd gotten a moment to relax, her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She took it out of her pocket again and saw Komaru's name flash on the screen.
Kyoko only managed to suppress a nervous gulp. It was a wonder that Komaru hadn't absolutely spammed her with texts and phone calls before now. The younger Naegi had been worried sick about her brother ever since his disappearance, and it was surprising that she had resisted the urge to text Kyoko, demanding news on his whereabouts.
Kyoko, as reluctant as she was, decided that she should have called her a long time ago, but she still hesitated for a second before answering.
[Kyoko!] Komaru's voice came through, frantic and breathless, [Do you have any news? Any leads? What's happening with Makoto? Are you getting close to finding him?]
"Hey, Komaru," Kyoko greeted her, "I've just gotten some news."
[What is it?] Komaru pressed, [have you found him?]
Kyoko sighed.
"No, we haven't," she admitted, "but we're still searching, and we're finding more evidence by the minute. The problem is there are so many things that don't add up, and it's starting to get confusing...Even for me."
These were clearly the wrong words. Komaru's breathing started to quicken, and she sounded like she was trying, and failing, to keep herself at ease.
[Dammit, DAMMIT!] she cried, [Kyoko, you have to find him; you have to find him soon, before it's too late, before-! B-Before-!]
"Komaru," Kyoko took a steady breath, "calm down-"
[I CAN'T calm down!] Komaru snapped, her voice strained with desperation, [That's my brother out there! He's been missing for hours, and nobody's telling me anything! I need to know what's going on!]
Kyoko's expression hardened. She felt the familiar coldness rising in her as she tried to distance herself from the emotional weight of the situation.
"I'm handling it," she said, "There's no need for you to involve yourself."
Komaru's tone shifted, frustration lacing her words.
[ARE you!?] she snapped, [because it sounds like you've gotten nowhere! Like you're chasing geese! How am I supposed to be okay when I don't even know if he's alive or dead? I'm the one who should be looking for him, not you! If you have nothing useful to say, then I'm going to-!]
"Don't question my methods," Kyoko snapped, the harshness in her tone surprising even herself.
Komaru fell silent, and Kyoko regretted her words.
[You're doing it again!] she piped up again once she found her voice, [Acting all cool and composed like you've got everything under control! But you don't, do you!?]
Kyoko's eyes narrowed, the pressure mounting inside her.
"Komaru, I'm warning you..."
[No, you WILL listen to me!] Komaru cut her off, her voice shaking, [You're trying too hard to act like you know what you're doing, but you don't! You're just pretending everything's fine, but I can tell it's not! Why are you pushing everyone away?! Why won't you just-!?]
"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT!"
Kyoko suddenly shouted, her voice sharp and biting. The words escaped her before she could stop herself, and there was a heavy silence on the other end of the line.
Komaru didn't say anything at first, too stunned to respond. Before she could gather her thoughts, Kyoko spoke again, her tone ice-cold now.
"I get that you're scared, but you need to stay put so you don't make this situation worse. I told the Phantom Thieves to stay out of this case for the time being, and you need to accept that as of right now, my word is law," she said, "So I'll say it one more time for good measure. Stay away from this, Komaru. This isn't your fight."
And then, without waiting for an answer, Kyoko hung up the phone.
Monomi, who had been quietly watching the whole exchange, softly spoke up.
"That was...a little harsh, don't you think?" she trembled.
Kyoko's expression didn't change. She slipped her phone back into her pocket and turned her gaze to the distance.
"She'll be fine," she muttered, her voice flat.
Monomi tilted her head, a faint sadness in her eyes.
"She's right. The Phantom Thieves are only worried about Makoto AND about you," she told her. "You don't have to do this all alone, you know?"
Kyoko didn't respond, her mind already elsewhere, focusing once again on the case. She knew Monomi was right, but acknowledging that would only make the situation more difficult.
X
Kyoko stared out over the water, the weight of the case pressing on her chest more heavily than she would ever admit. The wind blew gently across the river, ruffling her hair as she stood silently beside Monomi. The anxiety that had been gnawing at her since Makoto's disappearance refused to fade.
"Kyoko?" Monomi's small voice broke the silence, "Are you okay?"
Kyoko glanced down at the rabbit, her cold exterior cracking ever so slightly. She let out a long breath, her voice quieter than usual.
"Do you want the honest answer?" she asked.
"Of course," Monomi affirmed, "always!"
The detective gave her a wan smile.
"To be perfectly honest...no, I'm not," she admitted.
"You're not?" the bunny's ears perked.
Heartless Journey - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
"No," Kyoko repeated; her words coming out softly, almost as if she didn't want to hear herself say them, "I'm not. I'm worried, Monomi. I'm scared for Makoto too. This is the first case where I'm nearly next to stumped, but I can't admit that to the others. If I show weakness, our enemies might exploit it, and unwanted panic is exactly that. Unwanted."
Monomi's ears twitched.
"And you think Makoto can't handle himself? Is that why you're holding back?"
"No... it's not that." Kyoko looked away, her gaze locked on the flowing river. "The opposite, actually. I know Makoto can handle himself. He's proven that more times than I can count. But...assuming he's helpless against these kidnappers...it feels disrespectful to him. He's strong in his own way."
Monomi hopped closer, her tone gentle but firm.
"But shutting everyone out, pretending you're fine, isn't going to help him or you," she paused, searching Kyoko's face, "You have the Phantom Thieves by your side. You're happier with them, aren't you? You don't have to carry this burden alone."
Kyoko hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line. Monomi's words hit home, and despite her efforts to remain stoic, she couldn't deny the truth in them. She was happy with the Phantom Thieves' company, and shutting them out only left her feeling more isolated. But old habits were hard to break.
It was Yui Samidere all over again.
Just as she had feared.
Before Kyoko could respond, her gaze shifted back to the river. A yacht, filled with excited tourists, sailed across the water.
People standing on top of the boat waved at the people below. The people down below waved back, smiles on their faces. Using her trained eye, Kyoko scanned the facial expressions of everyone on board.
She saw one woman with at least 5 children around her, and her face was glowing with love. She had a loving smile on her face, and her children had wide grins on theirs.
Another passenger had a group of friends around him. They were clearly all very close, and they were laughing and joking with each other.
On the other end, someone was leaning off the boat, looking like they were about to throw up. As if something was lodged in their stomach.
...
Wait...
X
The sight sparked something in her mind. An idea, a flash of realization.
She quickly scanned the logs she'd brought with her.
"The tourists..." she murmured to herself, her eyes darting back and forth over the pages.
"What is it?" Monomi tilted her head. Kyoko's face lit up with sudden clarity.
Old World Order - Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy
"I've figured it out. The transfer, the sedatives...it wasn't just random." She snapped the logbook shut and turned to Monomi, her resolve hardening, "We need to meet up with the other investigators. Now."
Monomi nodded eagerly, hopping along as Kyoko hurried off. The detective's mind was racing, piecing together the puzzle at last. But even as her determination grew, she couldn't shake the lingering worry in her chest for Makoto. The sooner they found him, the sooner she could breathe again.
Class Trial [Future] - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Kyoko stood in front of Tachibana, Okiri, and Kujo, her expression serious as she laid out the logs at the table she'd brought.
"Everyone," she began, "we've made a mistake. We've been overlooking something."
Okiri blinked, confused.
"Wait, really?"
"Yes," Kyoko affirmed, putting logs and all sorts of stuff on the table for them to look at, "After some time thinking on it, I've come to a conclusion. That my working theory that the sedatives and other supplies were transferred over the water was correct."
"But...that can't be," Kujo frowned. "We've scoured the water, and there's no sign of the sedative's smell in the river. And the dogs would have picked it up if it were in the crates."
"But we haven't," Kyoko replied, "scoured the water, that is."
Tachibana and Okiri glanced at each other, the former frowning in confusion.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Kyoko took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before explaining.
"Think about it. How would the sedatives be transferred over the water without the dogs picking up the scent or the water diluting its potency?"
"Through some kind of device?" Okiri suggested, "A container maybe, or a bag."
"But the dogs would have picked up on that," Tachibana replied. "They're highly trained, and their noses are far better than ours."
"And there was nothing of the sort in the crates, not even a single trace," Kyoko finished.
"Well, what about an alternate means?" Okiri offered, "A drone? By hand?"
"We've searched the surrounding areas, and the border patrol's been keeping a close eye on everything. They've had no opportunity to smuggle it out, and the dogs would have caught any smugglers," Tachibana answered, "Plus, the wind was blowing westward, and the water would have washed any traces of the drug away, on top of any drones being knocked out of the sky by the strong wind."
"Yeah. All it would have taken is one strong gust of wind, and that's the whole operation LITERALLY dead in the water," Kujo's brows furrowed, her expression tense. "Then what are you saying, Kirigiri-san? That we've overlooked something? But we've checked everywhere."
"No," Kyoko replied, her voice firm, "We haven't. We've overlooked the people who have the most freedom in this area; the most access."
Kujo's eyes widened with shock.
"You can't be suggesting that...they're..."
"The tourist yachts that cross the river daily. Those are the key," she began, "They carry large numbers of people and have lower decks capable of holding substantial cargo. The crates we found at the warehouse weren't loaded onto a random boat; they were taken aboard one of these yachts and dropped into the water partway through the journey."
Okiri shook his head almost immediately.
"The river police would've caught on fast if cargo as overt as those crates was being loaded onto a public yacht, Kirigiri-sama," he stated, "There's no way something that blatant would've gone unnoticed. The logs say as much."
Kyoko didn't waver. She pointed to a specific log from a few days ago.
"Okiri," she said, "read this part of the log carefully. The name of the yacht is printed clearly."
He carefully inspected the contents, as instructed.
"It's one of the tourist boats..." he said, "Wait... it was carrying several tons of wooden crates as cargo...!"
"Wait, what!?" Tachibana snatched the sheet, "But...if it's right there, then how come the police didn't stop it from going through!? If the sedative was there-!"
"That's the thing...It wasn't," Kyoko interrupted him, "I'm confident that these crates and bags are the ones used by the VCC, but I'm also confident...that said, the crates were empty when they were loaded."
Kujo blinked, confused.
"Empty?" she parroted. Kyoko nodded.
"The VCC would have placed empty crates onto the yacht to avoid suspicion," she declared, "it was only once the yacht was out in the middle of the river that they filled the crates with the sedative."
"That still doesn't explain how they managed to sneak the substance onto the yacht in the first place," Okiri argued. "It's impossible for the culprit to slip past security and into a crowd with something as dangerous as that sedative. The entire boat would've been alerted."
Kyoko glanced at him sharply, a grim determination in her eyes.
"What if the crowd was the culprit?"
A heavy silence followed her words as Tachibana, Okiri, and Kujo exchanged looks of disbelief.
"You're saying..." Okiri asked incredulously, "Every passenger on the yacht was in on it?"
"It's possible. If they were all part of the VCC's scheme, it would explain how they managed to load the drugs without detection," she explained, "Dozens of people get on those yachts every day; if they're all in the VCC's pocket, they could have used them to smuggle the sedative onboard and into the crates. From there, the VCC could have used their resources to fill the crates with the sedative. By the time the yacht returned to the station, the crates were ready to be shipped elsewhere."
"So..." Kujo asked, "does that mean the border patrol is in on it too?"
"I don't think so," Kyoko said, "These documents are clearly the real deal. They may be incompetent, but they were just trying to do their jobs. The most likely scenario is that the drugs were loaded onto the boat BEFORE the passengers were invited on. Then everyone who got on the yacht worked to make sure the crates were successfully unloaded."
Tachibana and Okiri glanced nervously at each other. But once again, Okiri shook his head.
"So you're saying that everyone on the boat knew about the VCC's plan and tossed the crates into the river after hooking them up with the floating bags, rope, and stones?" he checked.
"Yes," Kyoko affirmed, "why? What's the matter?"
"No, I get the reasoning," Okiri assured her, "but...that would mean the tourists were a part of it. That's a bold accusation."
"We're already dealing with an organized crime group," Kyoko shot back. "What's a few more criminals? They're a powerful enough organization to have this many people masquerading as tourists."
"I agree," Tachibana nodded, "We've been investigating all day and haven't come up with any alternative. And the VCC are a known gang. There's no doubt about it."
"Well, that's not even my main issue," Okiri added, "Even if they somehow got the sedative aboard like that, there's still the issue of keeping it warm. I already told you, if the sedative gets cold, it loses its potency. Dumping it into the river would make it useless."
"Unless," Kyoko added, "the sedative was stored inside an insulated container. Like, say, a thermos."
"But the dogs would have picked it up-" Okiri began to say, but his train of thought was halted.
"We're overlooking something, again," Kyoko cut him off, "The dogs were specifically trained to detect the scent of drugs and bombs. If the VCC used a different type of container, the dogs wouldn't have picked it up."
"So that's the missing link..." Kujo said, "If you're right, then that means we've been looking for the wrong kind of container."
"Exactly," she said, "Okiri? I have another question. How hot exactly did the forensics team say the sedatives were?"
"Um..." he flipped through the report, "36 degrees Celsius if you want to retain its potency for an extended period."
"37 degrees Celsius," Kyoko repeated with a small nod, "that's...almost exactly human body temperature."
Tachibana stared blankly.
"Hold on, you're not suggesting that..."
"Yes, I am. It would make sense, wouldn't it? It explains how they smuggled the sedatives onto the boat and why the dogs didn't pick it up. It's because those crates were never designed to hold the machines and the sedative themselves," Kyoko declared, "What was actually inside the crates...were the passengers of the boat."
Kujo and Okiri's eyes widened.
"What?" Okiri choked.
Rise of the Ultimate's - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
"The VCC members disguised as passengers..." Tachibana thought on her words slowly, "got into the crates themselves? I mean...the crates are big enough to fit the average person, but even so..."
"Think about it. If the people aboard the boat were packed inside those crates, their body heat would be enough to keep the sedative warm for a significant period," Kyoko explained, "it's simple, especially taking into account everyone on the boat worked for the VCC. Half of the passengers who got on the boat would get into crates, and the other half would carry the crates down to the lower deck. From there, the passengers would take the crates onto the boat and release their friends that were keeping hold of the sedatives and supplies, and then once the VCC showed up afterwards, they would make the transfer. Then, once the sedative and people had been delivered, that same original boat would come and retrieve the wooden crates to keep in the warehouse."
"But...But...That STILL DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!" Okiri looked like his mind was splitting apart. "You already saw from the traces on me just how potent and easily traced the sedative is! Even if these people had it on their person, it would have stained their clothes or left traces on their skin, and we would have picked up the scent. It doesn't add up!"
However, Kyoko's expression never faltered.
"Yes," she said, "I agree, we should have been able to smell it, no matter how careful they were. It would have left traces on their skin. Which is why the forensics team missed it."
"Missed it? How!?" Kujo demanded.
"Because I never said the sedative was ON their person," she said slowly, "I believe the sedative...was IN their person..."
Tachibana, Okiri, and Kujo froze, realization dawning on their faces. The horror in their eyes mirrored the gravity of the situation.
"Y-You mean to say..." Kujo slowly asked, "they injected it into themselves?"
"No," Kyoko shook her head, "that would be a much simpler conclusion, but the reality...is much worse."
"Worse? H-How!?" Okiri exclaimed.
"I personally examined the properties of the plastic bags that were used to keep the boxes afloat and found that they had another property that we almost missed," Kyoko explained, "they are corrosion resistant."
"C-Corrosion resistant? Like, metal-eating corrosion-resistant?" Kujo asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. If you wanted to keep a substance like this inside a human body, where there is a high risk of exposure to stomach acid, the best way to go would be to seal the sedative up inside a pouch or a plastic bag," Kyoko declared.
"You mean...it was IN the STOMACHS of the PASSENGERS!?" Okiri's mouth dropped open.
A Dead End to the Ocean's Aroma - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Kyoko paused, leaving a tense silence, before she finally responded.
"Yes...You've finally understood what I'm getting at," she glowered, "The VCC likely cut open the bodies of the passengers, stored the sedative inside them, and sealed them in the crates. Once the crates reached their destination, they were cut open again, and the sedative was extracted."
A long, tense silence followed her explanation, the reality of the situation sinking in for all of them. The ruthlessness of the VCC's methods left no room for doubt.
They were dealing with an organization far more insidious than they had imagined. The very thought of using human bodies as vessels for smuggling chilled the air around them.
"That..." Monomi trembled, "That is so sickening...! So...So horrible!"
"It's not something a normal person would even conceive of doing," Kyoko said, "but the Victim Catharsis Committee has never been a sound-of-mind group of people. The fact is, it works, and that's all they care about. Had I not given it some patient thought, taking into account everything we knew, we would never have figured out their methods."
"That's...monstrous," Kujo muttered, still in shock. "They used people like containers...!"
"Do you all understand why I was so serious about taking these people down? This is the kind of evil we're up against," Kyoko's expression remained firm, though the weight of her own words pressed down on her, "And we need to stop them before they can use Makoto, or anyone else, in their twisted games."
Okiri nodded, finally understanding the depth of the situation.
The idea that human bodies had been used to transport illicit materials across the river was grotesque, but given the evidence, it was difficult to deny.
"It seems," Tachibana sighed, "that Kirigiri-sama's theory does hold water. There's nothing to disprove it, and a lot of evidence pointing towards it. I guess the only thing we can do now is prove it."
"That's all I need." Kyoko's expression was stern, her determination to catch Makoto's kidnappers evident.
"There's something else I've realized too. Assuming everything we've just uncovered is the truth," Kujo remarked, leaning back with a grim expression, "even if the officers were clueless, for this plan to work, the yacht driver had to be in on it. Whoever was steering the vessel was helping them smuggle the sedatives through the bodies of those passengers."
"Yeah," Okiri crossed his arms, "no way the driver was totally unaware. They had to know. We should find them and interrogate them."
"I'll go through the schedule records," Tachibana stepped forward, flipping through the logs, "see if any of the drivers stand out as suspicious."
But before Tachibana could proceed, Kyoko interjected, her voice sharp and decisive.
"There's no need. I already know who it is."
The room went quiet as everyone turned to look at Kyoko. Her eyes were fixed on the logs, tracing the patterns of the ferry schedules.
"One particular ferryman stands out," Kyoko declared, "His schedule is too perfect. Too consistent. He works through peak times when the river is busy and takes his shifts during quieter hours when fewer eyes are on him. The pattern is deliberate."
"Who is it?" Okiri asked, a sense of urgency in his tone.
Kyoko's answer came quickly.
"Hizo Ryu. The ferryman we questioned earlier."
Everyone's expressions darkened. The man they had initially spoken to as a witness, nervous and unassuming, had been involved in the very scheme they were trying to uncover.
"That explains why he was so jittery," Tachibana muttered, piecing it together. "He knew something but was trying to keep us off his trail."
"He probably only agreed to talk to us so he could feed us a false account," Kujo considered. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was actually one of Naegi-kun's kidnappers and faked an alibi."
"I'll get a squad together," Okiri growled, "Assuming he's the mastermind behind this particular op, we need to grab Ryu before he has the chance to disappear."
Kyoko nodded.
"Good. Once you get him, bring him directly to my office in the KDA," she commanded, "and don't take your eyes off him. Once we have Ryu, we can start piecing together the final details of the VCC's operations."
"Right away, ma'am," Okiri nodded and rushed out. With their first proper lead, the KDA's spirits rose considerably.
"Excellent work, Kirigiri-sama," Kujo nodded, a smile of relief spreading across her face.
"You've really done it, Kyoko-chan," Monomi praised, her own expression bright, "We can finally get the investigation moving. You're incredible!"
Kyoko smiled in return, her heart filled with hope for the first time since Makoto had been abducted.
"No," she said, "There's one more thing I need to do..."
New World Order - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
With that, Kyoko took out her phone and typed a quick message to the Phantom Thieves.
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PTChat
Kyoko: Everybody. Progress has been made in the investigation, and we have a prime suspect.
Kyoko: Now, I understand that none of you may want to talk to me right now. I've been acting harshly towards all of you since Makoto's disappearance.
Kyoko: I am sorry for that, but hopefully, I can make it up to you now.
Kyoko: I'm almost done with the case. Meet me at the agency. I have a feeling we'll need your help very soon.
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After sending the message, Kyoko stood quietly for a moment, her mind racing. They were getting closer to the truth, but something still nagged at her. The VCC was meticulous, and Ryu was just one cog in their larger machine. Whatever they were planning next, she had to be ready for it.
She turned to Monomi, who was perched on her desk. "Let's prepare. I suspect the next phase of this case is going to be even more difficult."
Monomi nodded.
"I'm with you," she frowned with determination, "no matter what happens."
With that, Kyoko steeled herself for what was to come.
This investigation was nearing its conclusion, but she knew that the real challenge…The battle to save Makoto and take down her old arch-foes…was only just beginning.