Link to maps and Area 1 descriptions: Link

After a short morning announcement everyone gathers in the cafeteria. If you could help it likely some people would have just wanted to stay in their rooms. However it was now clear the rules here were not to be taken lightly.

As the eight of you make it to the cafeteria Monozaki pops out as his usual cheerful self.

"What a beautiful morning. Nothing like a good execution to get things right eh? I won't ask you something silly like 'Why the long faces' but you know, cheer up! Since the first round is over I will unlock the gate to the second area. You can find it down the path in front of the Guest Room Building.

That said, you guys stink. No, I mean literally. A lot of you bastards haven't been bathing at all so I've prepared some facility to make sure you do so. There are some good old onsen in the second area so everyone will need to go bathe there once per day . Just treat it like a temporary habit until you guys learn to clean yourselves. I've also hidden some more totems in the area, they won't give you any tips on getting out of here but some Monocoins is always nice right...? Lastly the gift shop has been restocked, if you care. Anyway, I'm out. I better not, Smell you later!"

He then hops away. Everyone is currently in the cafeteria.

>>3206

Round 2 Start. Exploration Phase Start!

"Oh boy, new area! I just can't wait..."

Kizami heads towards the gate and crosses over...

>>3208
BGM: Beautiful Days

As you walk through the gates it becomes clear that the new area is mostly an extension of the current one. The theme is similar with the resort like feeling perhaps felt even more here when you notice an outdoor pool. A large oriental styled building hugs the top left corner of the pool and that part of the enclosure as well. Behind the pool is a large building that does look out of place however as it has a big hardware store sign on it. There is also a small portion of the building that seems to have door on it. Finally to the right of where you entered is a number of different sports fields such as tennis, lacrosse, and basketball.

>>3208
Kai gave Kizami a suspicious look as he vanished. He was calm. Far too calm. Had she not been worried about the others, she would have followed after him to make sure he didn't do anything suspicious.

Taking a deep breath, Kai did her best to look strong for the others. "Anyone not confident enough to venture on their own may come with me. Will everyone be alright?"

>>3210
"i think i will be fine but thx" i say to kai and rub my eyes. aiko should be good protection. also go get joe before leaving.

Kizami explores the bamboo building.

>>3209
I go to the southwest corner near the hedges and trees and dig holes. Ten of them all next to each other. Three meters deep and one meter diameter each.

>>3211
You get your coffee. It's not as strong as yesterday. Maybe you have gotten used to it.

>>3212
The inside of the building matches the outside with little floral paintings along the wall and a hardwood floor. The lighting for the halls is even in little lanterns, although is is using electricity and not candle light. You take note that the onsen is in this building, but also a recording studio and infirmary oddly enough.

>>3213
You start digging all of your holes. This might take a while.

Kizami attempts to explore the recording studio.

>>3210

Aurora does not look well. She hasn't ever since the trial. Her eyes are darting between the others, and her left hand seems to be clenching and unclenching rhythmically.

"I'll come with you," she said to Kai, hurriedly. "Lead the way."

>>3214
i tell aiko i am going to explore new area and meet up when ready.

i got and search sports shed.

>>3216
Kai nodded to Aurora, her expression giving a subtle wince as she saw Aurora's unease. She had to keep everyone together and strong, no matter what the cost.

"Any are welcome to join us," Kai offered as she set off, offering to lead Aurora by the hand along the south side until they reached the sports area, trying not to follow anyone's footsteps. Seiko was going to the shed, so Kai and Aurora would search the sports buildings.

Last edited at 18/06/27(Wed)19:36:08

>>3215
The recording studio doesn’t really fit with the rest of the building. It has two main rooms, one for the control booth and the main area where a large amount of instruments could be played. Sadly there aren’t any but a large number of fold-able seats and music stands. There seem to also be some smaller rooms for vocal recording.

>>3217
Inside the shed is a large variety of different gear, balls, and other sports equipment. There are big baskets installed into the corner of the room each filled with their respectable balls for the three courts. There are a number of different tennis rackets and lacrosse sticks hanging along the walls. Seems like they have sizes for everyone. You also notice a totem resting on one of the wooden support beams on the ceiling.

>>3218
Each court is surrounded and separated by a tall fence about two stories high. Each are equipped with the basic gear (hoops, nets, goals, etc) however any gear to actually play the sports you can’t seem to find. There is a shed further behind the area that likely contains them. Inside each one are some bleacher like seats for spectating although there is no way they will ever be filled giving the current situation.

Kizami examines the small rooms for recording in more detail. Anything special inside?

>>3219
wao really bcuz im short right?

i grab a ball and try to knock it down. over and over till down

>>3220
The small recording booths have a micophone and the walls are padded similar to the rest of the rooms but nothing fancy inside it seems. You also take a look into the control room and it is mostly what you would expect. From here there are tons of buttons and switches that you have no idea what they do. There is a computer with some simply controls like record and play but beyond that you likely won’t be able to do much. You notice a little flashdrive in the computer's usb port as well. There is a window here to look into both the large room and the vocal rooms. There are some chairs and trash bins as well.

>>3221
After a number of shots and balls now covering the floor you manage to hit the totem down and snag it. Good job.

Kizami tries to see what's on the flashdrive using the computer.

>>3218
Nao wanted to say there was no reason to kill anymore but on second thought that bear could get angry and force our hands so he kept his mouth shut. Monozaki wouldn't be that unoriginal, would he?

He follows the group and goes to look at the new area. He takes a look at the pool area.

>>3219

Aurora begins looking around the bleacher seats and behind the backboards for a totem. She's never far from Kai, though, and on occasion looks to be talking quietly to her.

>>3222
take it back to my room since that is wat everyone else did. after search the infirmary

>>3223
There are some .mp3 files but they can't be played. Seems like they are corrupt. However if you format the flashdrive it should be usable.

>>3224
The swimming pool isn’t surrounded by a fence or anything and is mostly out in the open in the middle of the area. To the north is a drink bar with various different flavoring bottles, blenders, fridges, and other appliances used to make those fancy drinks. Next to that is a little lifeguard chair and some tools used for cleaning the pool of leaves and debris. Along the pool side are white reclining chairs and umbrellas for relaxing in the shade. The pool itself seems fairly standard with its square shape and it goes from shallow to deep at the end. There does seem to be something at the bottom of the pool but you can't make out what it is.

>>3225
As you are talking to Kai you don't seem to find anything under the bleachers. You don't notice anyone around either.

>>3226
You successfully stash your treasure back in your room and head to the infirmary.

The infirmary is mostly beds with curtains you can draw over them. The room is white and grey, very bland. In the back there are some desks with some items like stethoscopes and devices for taking blood pressure. There is a cabinet in the very back with bandages, gauze, disinfectant, and other simple tools for first aid.

>>3227
Nao grabs the skimmer tool and will attempt to fish whatever it is out of the water.

>>3227
Kizami formats the flashdrive and puts it in his pocket. Then goes to check out the staff room.

>>3228
You successfully do so. Who could have guessed it, it's another totem! Yay!

>>3229
The entrance to the onsen has a number of sitting areas. There are rows of massage chairs likely for use after soaking those muscles in the hot water. There are some vending machines were also serving milktea and other beverages. Further into the area is a reception desk although it doesn’t look like you need to actually check or pay at all. There is nobody stationed there but there is a sign that lists the rules of the onsen and a backdoor to the staffroom. The door itself is locked.

Rules:
-You must strip your clothing and leave them in the changing rooms before entering the onsen. Towels have been prepared to prevent nudity.
-You must wash your hair and clean yourself before entering the water.
-Leave your used towels in the laundry hampers provided in the changing rooms before leaving the building.
-Peeping over or through the fence in the onsen to the other side will result in immediate punishment.

Kizami attempts to lockpick the staff room. If he fails, he will follow instructions and take a bath in the onsen instead.

>>3225
Kai continued to search around with Aurora, completely on guard for anyone who could sneak up on them. There were no totems, no hints, and nothing that could help their escape. However, Kai couldn't stop herself from seeing everything as a weapon. She gave a worried frown as she thought about Andy, making a note to speak with him more later.

"To the next place?" Kai asked in a full voice, making her way up around the hardware building.

>>3230
Nao will take it back to his room and add to the collection. Then he heads back and looks into the storage room.

>>3232

Aurora nods and follows along. At one point she gets a glimpse of Andy and pauses, and several different emotions war on her face, but then she turns and continues to follow Kai.

>>3231
To your surprise it does work. Inside is a fairly basic room with files and a desk. On the desk you notice a key and a totem.

>>3232
As you enter Monozaki pops out. “Heyo! Welcome to my other shop! This one works the same as the last, just it’s more... you know, hardware like. Anyway everything here still costs money but feel free to take a look! Oh and since you are first to arrive take this!” He hands Kai a totem. "Incidentally that is the last one in the area."

In the 5MC section you find some nails, a bundle of metal wire, and a bag of bolts and nuts.
For 10MC you can get a tape measure, pliers, or extension cables.
50MC Wrenches and hammers. Planks of wood. Tank of gas.
100MC: Portable battery powered nail gun with complimentary nails. A buzzsaw you have to plug into the wall, but is technically portable.

>>3233
A bit dark and dusty. The storage room is a messy heap of random items. There are some pool toys and inflatables here. Some old broken looking blenders and other equipment like an old score sign that flipped panels to display the store instead of lights, and a portable generator. There are a number of stacks of old books and magazines like Jump and random fashion magazines. There are some buckets and rolled up black mats. In the corner are some boxes with tons of plastic cups and plates. On a dolly there is also a box of plastic cutlery. On the roof is a small light bulb with a steel bead pull cord. It flickers every now and then.

>>3235
"..." It appears everyone running off is going to be a trend.
Most of the area has been explored so Taku will search for any wifi spots in the new area.

>>3235
>>3234
Kai jumped in front of Aurora on impulse when that murderous bear appeared. These items were... for sale? The Ultimate Bodyguard glowered before speaking, keeping the totem close. She then looked around before saying something, wanting to make sure no one was within earshot.

Kizami grabs the key and the totem. He brings the totem back to his room. After that he goes and does a climbing course in the Moonlight Building. And then, finally, he goes to enjoy a bath in the onsen. What a productive day indeed.

>>3236
You find the same type of setup near the drink bar at the pool. You don't even need to log in again!

>>3239
"Great, out in the sunlight..." Taku will bring some of the umbrellas close together and make a spot that completely covered him from any sunlight.

>>3237
As you ask Monozaki something you find nobody else around besides Aurora.

>>3238
You store it back into your room without issue. You find some Monocoins during your climb and get a good workout.

The changing rooms a are a bit small compared to the rest of the building but perhaps that is because only half of the people here will be using it. It seems to be a typical bathhouse like change room with little holes with baskets to put your clothing on one side. On the other are four stacks of towels with two in each stack. Presumably for each person. Next to that are the laundry hampers for used towels. There is a little sign that says the towels will be washed and returned each night. The door into the onsen is a sliding door although it isn't your typical paper thin japanese door as it has some glass that blurs the view so you can’t quite see inside and it is much thicker. Besides that there is a long wooden bench for people to sit down on and a mop and bucket in the left corner of the room beside the door.

You strip your clothing, don a towel, and enter the onsen.

Inside the onsen steam waffs up into the air creating a natural curtain of mist. To the side is a number of stalls for you to wash yourself including shampoo and conditioner. There is a mirror in front of a small bench for you to sit down. The shower head you can detach and use however you see fit. There is also a bucket to collect water and pour it over yourself if necessary. Most of the onsen itself is covered in nice black stone tiles that make it feel more in tone with nature. There is a large fence separating this side from the other and it continues to the back of the area and around to the washing area. The pool of water has some ledges built into it so you can simply sit down and rest but some of the areas go farly deep as well. There is a tall island of rock in the middle that stands up almost above the fence. At the very back the pool ends shortly before the fence and there are some stylized hedges and foliage.

You wash and rinse yourself then start to soak in the onsen. Any aches and pain start to wash away.

>>3240
You successfully do so.

>>3241
Kai grimaced, but kept her composure. She should have expected as much. "Then know this: we will not give into your game. We will not resort to murder." She nodded, looking back to Aurora. "Shall we?" she asked, moving to leave. She had no need to buy such things at the moment.

>>3213
You finish your holes. Maybe now the ground is more empty than yourself. You found some Monocoins.

>>3242

Aurora doesn't leave immediately. Instead, she stares at all the implements on the wall. The nail gun especially draws her gaze.

She suddenly seems to realize that Kai is leaving, and follows after. Her face is a mask of deliberation.

Aiko was glad someone was looking out for others but she would polite decline Kai's offer. She would then go and find Seiko.

"H-hey Seiko. Did you find anything useful? Like an exit maybe?"

Aiko will after go explore the area herself so she knows the locations if Seiko is busy.

>>3245
"just a stupid totem thingy. i'm going to the onsen so cya later." i check vending machine for any coffee stuff

>>3238
You finish your bath and head back into the changing room. After throwing the towels in the proper bins you get dressed and head out.

---

As everyone is wandering around they hear an announcement come on. "Man you guys didn't fool around huh? Well anyway I left some surprises for you guys. I am sure you will find them eventually. They should be very... motivating. Upupupu"

Last edited at 18/06/28(Thu)18:17:49

>>3248

Freetime! Move to Private Threads!

>>3249
BGM: Despair Pollution

People quickly gather, it appears Aiko was the one who found the body. Taku is last to arrive since apparently he had to get out of the onsen.

Once inside it becomes clear who the announcement is for. The tiny body of Seiko is floating in the water.

Monozaki pops out. "Man I didn't think it would work that well... Well anyway you know the drill. Here is the Monozaki file~"

Monozaki File:
The time of death was during Freetime.
The body was found in the the water of the female onsen.
The victim died where they were found.

>>3250
The body was floating on the water but Monozaki generously put it on the island in the middle of the onsen so that you can properly investigate. He also puts a bridge down so you can walk across without getting wet.

The room mostly looks the same. There is the cleaning stalls on the side next to the fence that surrounds the area. In the onsen on the island the body now rests. Behind that there is also a bridge to the bushes.

>>3248

Investigation mode start! Back to the private threads!

Shimizu Aurora: "I was with Kai ever since the initial exploration was over with. We were in the meditation room together. There's no way either of us could have done it!"

Gachari Taku: "Yeah I didn't do much. I went to the onsen and soaked for a while. Andy came in covered in dirt but we didn't say anything to each other. He left after he was clean. A while after that the body announcement happened. Monozaki said I could change quickly before the investigation started so I did."

Kizami Suzuya: "My alibi? I was doing some additional exploring during freetime and just happened to see Aiko as she was going inside the Bamboo Building. After that I explored some more and went back to my room. It was then that I heard the announcement."

Torasawa Aiko: "I-I was exploring the area more. Everyone had done so without me so I wanted to search too. When I began I saw Aurora and Kai leaving Area 2 and later I saw Kizami leaving the hardware store. Seiko said she was going to the onsen earlier so after that I went myself and... After that Monozaki let me change into my clothing so people could investigate."

Andy W. Hole: "I was digging holes. Lots of them. Check the southeast corner if you want to confirm it."

Sugimoto Nao: "I was exploring the new area some more. I saw Taku heading to the onsen at some point. Did not find much so I went back to the other area before we were all told to gather.

Kai Munchausen: "I was with Aurora the entire time. We had explored everything together, but after that we went to the meditation room and tried to think of a plan to keep everyone safe. Obviously, we failed... since he heard the announcement while we were in there."

Monozaki File:
The time of death was during Freetime.
The body was found in the the water of the female onsen.
The victim died where they were found.

Seiko’s Body:
Her towel has slipped off slightly. The body was lifted onto the island in the middle of the onsen close to where she was found. No noticeable wounds were found. Under her towel was a mark that was a red color similar to that of a rash. However it is a solid mark that twists up the back, branching off semi-randomly kind of in a tree-like pattern until reaching the neck.

Coffee Bottle:
A coffee bottle from the vending machines in the sitting area of the onsen. It spilled into the water and was found near where the body was. Further investigation revealed that the brown discoloration and stains on towels were from this. Both of which likely in contact only after the coffee dropped in the water.

Onsen Rules:
-You must strip your clothing and leave them in the changing rooms before entering the onsen. Towels have been prepared to prevent nudity.
-You must wash your hair and clean yourself before entering the water.
-Leave your used towels in the laundry hampers provided in the changing rooms before leaving the building.
-Peeping over or through the fence in the onsen to the other side will result in immediate punishment.

On the roof of the building there is a machine gun turret that will sense if you break a rule.
There are eight towels in each changing room. Players are only allowed to use two towels a day, one for when in the onsen to get wet, and the other to dry off with. Monozaki seems strict when it comes to the towels.

Footprints In Bushes:
The bushes are about waist height and block most of the view of the lower portion of the fence. In the bushes of the female onsen it is clear someone was behind the bushes near the gap under the fence. It is unclear who made the marks since they have been covered up and brushed out.

Gap Under Fence:
In the very back fence of the female onsen there was a man-made gap in the dirt no larger than a fist. The fence touches the ground so the gap went under the fence.

-

Female Clean Towels:
Three have been taken from the total eight. The rest were perfectly folded and have not been touched.

Towel in Female Laundry Hamper:
There was a single soaked towel in the female laundry hamper. It has a brown stain on it confirmed to be coffee.

Female Clothing Cubbies:
Seiko's clothing remained in one of the bins. In front of the bins was a dry towel that Aiko used to enter the onsen. Monozaki made her change after the body was found so people could investigate.

Male Clean Towels:
There was only one untouched towel remaining out of the original eight.

Towels in Male Laundry Hamper:
There were five towels found in the hamper. The one on the very top was drier than the rest.

Male Clothing Cubbies:
On the ground were two towels used by Taku. Monozaki made him leave the onsen and change once the body was found so he could investigate. One of the clothing bins was covered in dirt and some was on the ground.

Male Broom and Door:
There is a mark on the sliding door that seems to match the broom handle. When sticking the broom handle between the wall and the door where the mark is, it prevents the door from opening.

-

Tracks Behind the Onsen:
On the other side of the gap under the fence were some tracks. It looks like something was brought here and then taken back. The tracks get lighter as they get closer to the path near the storage room and hardware store.

Portable Generator:
A gas powered generator found in the storage room. It is rather heavy despite being portable. The labels on the side say it is near silent. During the investigation phase it smelled like gas and was found to have been filled, where it was not during exploration phase. It has output cables that reach fairly long and produce electricity.

Dolly:
A dolly found in the storage room. Although it has four wheels it can function like a two wheeled one and you can stick the front under an object to lift it onto the dolly. The dolly wheels matched the tracks behind the onsen.

Hardware receipt:
A copy of a receipt found behind the counter of the Hardware store. Besides various non important advertising it reads “STORECOPY Tank of gas: 50MC. Buyer: Ultimate Swindler S.-san. Cashier: Monozaki” When questioned about it Monozaki said ”Man I am surprised nobody else lied about their abilities. Good thing everyone was truthful about their names at least.”

Motive File:
A file was found in the personal guest rooms. It only appeared after Monozaki said something about “Motivation”. However it seems like the files no longer function...

Last edited at 18/07/03(Tue)11:37:58

>>3254
"Ping, pong, bong! That is enough time to investigate! Everyone head to the outdoor theater again!"

It hasn't even been 24 hours yet everyone finds themselves descending the elevator once more. The memories of death are still fresh. Maybe some are still in shock and can't even reaction. Either way the trial is about to start and everyone will have to fight for their lives once more.

>>3255
Andy arrives but he doesn't say a word. His nose is in a book. He seems uncharacteristically focused on it. The cover says "Botany 101."

>>3255
Everyone enters the familiar court room and takes to their stands. Monozaki hops into his own seat.

"Long time no see! It hasn't been long so I don't think I need to remind you how this works! Let's get it started!"

(Alright so the trial will work mostly the same as last time just with a few changes. One being that there will be a few more topics this time and they will be a bit less vague. And two is that I will pause the trial if it goes too quick so other people can provide information before it ends. If everyone is online then we won't need to do this but I will still pause it when I am done for the night.

When the trial is paused we will wait for the next day to resume to continue. If you were not online and feel the need to post extra info or ideas to a topic that has passed you can make a single post for that before the trial resumes. Just make sure you point out which topics you were talking about in your post.)

Alright, court is in session!

>>3258
BGM: Discussion -BREAK-

Topic: What was the cause of death? (Note, not how the culprit killed them, just the cause, like an axe to the head.)

"There was a coffee bottle in the water where she was found. I couldn't find any wounds so a poison could explain that rash."

>>3260
Taku pushes up his glasses in a matter of fact motion.
"I believe since we didn't find any evidence of poison in this whole facility that would be unlikely."

Last edited at 18/07/05(Thu)18:19:08

>>3261

"And while she may have vomited some coffee, I propose the cause of that to be electrocution. As we have some evidence backing that up." Adds Kizami.

Has anyone ever heard of arborescent erythema? It's a strange redness of your skin resembling a branching tree when you get struck by lightning. Sounds a lot like what we've got on our hands.

>>3262
>>3263
"I agree. Electrocution is a more likely case of death."

>>3263
"That explains the marks. My bad. I thought it was more rash like. Electrocution it is."

"It seems you are decided. Very well! Onto the next topic!"

Topic: How would have the culprit used electrocution to kill Seiko? What evidence supports this?

Last edited at 18/07/05(Thu)18:32:57

>>3266
I saw a portable generator in the storage area near the hardware store. It turns gasoline into electrical power. Though portability isn't exactly easy when it weighs so much....

>>3267
"There was also that dolly in the storage room. If the generator was the murder weapon then they could have used that to move it."

>>3268

Kizami stops picking his nose. "But even so, how could they have used the generator to reach the pool? There was a fence around it after all."

Last edited at 18/07/05(Thu)18:49:59

>>3269
"There was a small gap under the fence and behind the onsen at that gap were tracks that matched the dolly. This supports the idea that the culprit brought the generator behind the fence of the Onsen and stuck the output cables under the fence and into the water to kill her."

Last edited at 18/07/05(Thu)18:58:31

>>3270

"Sounds plausible."

"Man you guys are really curt right now. Maybe this one will spark something. Think about it considering the scenario you have presented so far."

Topic: Why are there coffee stains on both the towel in the female hamper and the one on Seiko's body?

>>3272

"I don't really know, but since nobody is daring a guess, then let me throw this out there: perhaps the stain on the other towel isn't coffee, but dirt."

>>3272
"If I understand the bear correctly he is saying "if the culprit just stuck the cables under the fence it doesn't explain the towels." But I'm drawing a blank. I thought she brought two but the Onsen rules don't allow it."

>>3273
"I think Monozaki (coffee bottle bullet) confirmed the marks were coffee actually."

Last edited at 18/07/05(Thu)20:07:20

>>3274
If the victim were in the onsen, they would have nothing on their person. If they were startled or not killed instantly.... you'd expect them to throw whatever they had on hand in self-defense.

>>3274

Aurora has been very quiet this whole time, watching the boys speak. Finally she speaks up herself:

"You're right, they are both coffee. And that is because I think there was someone in there with her. Someone who brought that towel in there with them, and who had set up the generator beforehand. There were signs of tracks on the inside of the onsen where the gap was, so clearly someone must have pulled the cables through the gap. After all, it's hard to push limp things like that. My guess is that they pulled the cables in, set them in the water, went back out to start the generator, came back in, and pushed Seiko into the water. The shove knocked the coffee from her hands, and it splashed both their towels."

She said it all with a dead look on her face.

>>3276
Hearing Kai speak with that dead voice make Kai frown, but she shoved down her worries and focused. "Aurora, hold on," she said, looking at Monozaki to see if this wasn't staying on topic.

"If the culprit left and came back... would they have had to get new towels? The rules state the following: Leave your used towels in the laundry hampers provided in the changing rooms before leaving the building."

>>3277
Aiko had let the others do the talking so far but her eyes were determined. Her friend died before they could really become friends. Although her voice still trembled she fought through it and tried to help the conversation. She begins by agreeing with Kai.

"I-I think Aurora is correct that the culprit pulled the cables through the fence since there are footprints on the inside b-but if they went in and out they would have had to take another towel or two.

I-I have a theory. The information for the coffee bottle says that the towels touched the coffee after it was already in the water. It l-looked like you have to enter the water to reach the gap where the generator was used. S-So if the hamper towel and Seiko's towel has coffee on it then could the culprit have been hiding in the bushes and left after Seiko was killed? They had to wade back through the water after Seiko spilled it when being shocked."

Aiko knew this created even more questions but it explained the current topic.

>>3277

Aurora shrugged, eyes downcast as her friend pointed out the flaw in her theory. "I couldn't quite make the towels work, yeah..."

>>3278

As Aiko spoke, Aurora's eyes grew a little sharper. "Yes...yes that might work. Pull the cables through after the generator is running, hide in the bushes...m...murder...then take the cables out and proceed through the then-safe water, getting coffee on the towel. That would definitely explain a lot."

>>3279
That expression on Aurora's face hit Kai like a physical force. She reacted more to that than she would've a punch to the gut.

"Apologies," she whispered, looking away. "But... there were three towels missing, right? Something doesn't seem quite right with that, but I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps I am imagining things, but it seems we can understand the stain for now."

>>3280
"Upupu. This is where I say something witty and you laugh."

(Gonna pause for tonight, feel free to make a post on the next topic while I am offline.)

Topic: Let's consider the Onsen rules. Is there anything odd about them? Also, what is wrong with the number of towels and can you come to an explanation?

>>3281
"The rules...." Kai stopped and looked thoughtful, trying to piece together what that meant. Was she right about something being wrong with them? Did she count wrong? Did she...?

Then it hit her.

"Wait.... There were three towels missing. Seiko was using one... and the culprit must have used two. They used one to enter, then they must've used one to dry off. But when we checked alibis...."

Kai's glare shot over to Aiko, locking onto her target. "Someone was wearing a towel when the body was found...!"

>>3281

Aurora continues on, seemingly with a bit more life in her.

"Well, there are two obvious issues with the onsen rules. First, there is no problem with boys and girls simply walking into the other side's area. This might have been an oversight, or something to facilitate investigations, but I honestly just think the bear was hoping something perverted would happen." She shoots a vicious glare at the bear.

"The second item I think should be noted is that the rule about not peeking over the onsen walls applies for all of them, not just the one between the two halves. I almost got my bloody head blown off when I tried to climb over the back wall when I was investigating."

She sighs, calming herself. "As for the towels, it's a math problem. There were three used towels found in the girls' side. Two were wet, one was dry. The dry one was, per the affirmed truth, used by Aiko to enter the onsen. There should be another towel, used to dry off the other person in there. There is not. Yet three towels were taken from the pile of eight, the same number that were found."

She takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I think that is because the culprit brought a towel with him from the male side, got it wet and stained with coffee, then left it in the girls' hamper. He took one from the girls' side to dry with, and dumped it on top of the boys' hamper. That was the much drier towel on top."

>>3282
>>3283
Aiko jumps back a bit from Kai's vicious look. "W-why am I always getting glared at? The body announcement played right when I entered the onsen!"

She starts to explain the rest of her theory but Aurora swoops in and says everything she was thinking. "U-um, what Aurora said..." She manages to say before questioning her usefulness.

>>3283
"Yeah that theory explains the towels. Peeping is not allowed but simply walking in is. Typical wordplay."

"Well of course, peeping is unsafe and immoral. Gotta just go right for it! The witch in me always sticks around. Upupu. Anyway this is a bit of a side thing but it might help so let's get it out of the way."

Topic: Considering the idea the male changing room was used, is there an explanation for the marks on the male onsen door and on the broom handle.

>>3286
I turn to Taku and ask a direct question.

"Taku, did you ever try to leave the onsen prior to my arrival?"

>>3287
"Leave?" Taku thinks for a moment, but realizes what Andy is getting at. "I didn't. I went to the Onsen pretty earlier and stayed there soaking until the announcement happened."

Last edited at 18/07/06(Fri)17:35:52

>>3288
"When I entered, you were already in there. But I had to move a broom off the door to get in. Seems somebody placed it there to keep you from opening the door and leaving."

>>3289
"I agree. I didn't notice anything when I went in. From the culprit's perspective if I had walked out when they were there it would have been a problem."

BGM: Discussion -HEAT UP-

"Alright we have been ignoring it for a while now so we should get down to business."

Topic: The receipt from the hardware store. The tank of gas had to be bought to kill Seiko. Can we narrow down the culprit with this?

>>3291
"Ultimate Swindler S.-san. Ordinarily, you'd expect the S. to be a hint: an initial to a name. But if they're a swindler, I doubt they ever gave us their real name.

You'd expect a person to demonstrate their Ultimate Trait in some capacity since the time we first met. Like seeing gardening done by Mori...."

Andy seems to pause for a moment, lost in thought.

"Anyway, a swindler would likely be very good at hiding their true nature."

>>3292

"But I believe Monozaki has stated before that nobody lied when giving us their names."

>>3293
"Yeah. In that case since Seiko is dead only Nao, Kizami, and Aurora could be S.-san. Aurora has an alibi so that would bring it down to two."

>>3294

"Well it just so happens I bought something else."

Kizami produces a receipt.

“Hammer: 50MC. Buyer: Ultimate Thrill-Seeker S.-san. Cashier: Monozaki”

>>3295
"Can you confirm the validity of both the transaction and this receipt, bear?"

>>3295
"You bet!"

Bullet Truth: A genuine receipt from the hardware store that Kizami received for buying the hammer. It reads: “Hammer: 50MC. Buyer: Ultimate Thrill-Seeker S.-san. Cashier: Monozaki”

Last edited at 18/07/06(Fri)18:37:28

>>3297
"50 MC for a hammer, huh? He certainly gave you a whole bunch because you found those totems."

>>3298

"Surely I'm not the only one well off around here."

>>3299
"The receipt has his title on it, so if he bought something else it would have still said "Ultimate Thrill-Seeker". We can say for sure Kizami is not the one who bought the gas."

Last edited at 18/07/06(Fri)18:53:00

"Don't cross off Aurora so soon. That Kai is the Ultimate bodyguard right? She could be covering her alibi to protect Aurora. It is still possible for her to walk into the male side and carry out the murder."

>>3301
The instant that Aurora was blamed, Kai's bearing darkened. She turned to Nao, fire in her eyes. "She was with me the entire time," she stated firmly. "Would you care to back up your words...?"

>>3302
Nao shakes his head. "I'm saying it's possible alright. Do you have any proof you guys were there?"

>>3303
Kai blinked a few times, completely caught off guard. She was about to speak up in her defense, but it was time for a change in strategy. She looked over to Aurora for a second before nodding and turning to Sugimoto.

"No. I have absolutely no evidence proving Aurora and I's alibis." She glared at everyone in the circle in turn before, at long last, she turned her attention to someone new.

Monozaki.

"I shall instead find the culprit in my own way. I would like to make a request. Will you be able to provide me with certain items if they are useful for the trial?"