SDRA2 Redux: Trouble on Jabberwock Island

The Final Investigation

My day had gone perfectly, and now, as I approached the mirror next to my bed, I couldn't help but feel gleeful. My hair, still wet from the shower I'd just taken (I was hardly going to walk around covered in blood from holding Nikei's body, now, was I?) was quickly remedied with the towel in my hand, which I rubbed against my head firmly. A calm smile rested on my lips, and I sighed.

Approaching my bed, freshly dressed in my usual attire, I took up residence on it. Comfortable, as always. More comfortable now that I felt so... fresh .

I couldn't help but stare at myself in the mirror, more specifically the top of my head.

A single strand of hair was sticking out the top of my head.

I've had bad hair days, but this had to be an all-time worst. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get it to stay down.

Yesterday, I had to watch Nikei die in front of me. I had nightmares all night. Probably due to the mental tax seeing him die in front of me had on my mental state.

We had indeed gone to Starbucks after that, with Teruya's homemade "bubble candy". No one was going to drink coffee and eat that candy and cakes after what we had just witnessed.

Anyways, my tummy was rumbling, and I went downstairs.

At breakfast, the mood was sober.

The death of Nikei was... challenging, to say the least. He had made a lot of friends in his final days, yet him being a journalist did nothing to endear him to the others. Nevertheless, loss of life was still a tragedy, and no one wanted to admit they were broken up about his passing.

"Today is the day we get off this nightmarish island, '' Teruya said with sparkling eyes.

"You're wrong," Syobai said. "Our best chance at escape was just killed before our very eyes!"

"You're right, Syobai. Man, we took Nikei for granted," Kokoro sighed, picking at a pancake. "We thought he was gonna get us off as our leader and then he was executed..."

"Welcome, survivors of the last trial!" Yuki said as she appeared. "I'll grant you four your one last, final chance of escape."

"Escape...?" Kokoro said.

"He was absolutely right about today, dear Monocrow. That brother of mine wasn't lying! That's because...we've officially entered the phase of our grand finale ! And that means it's time to bring out the big guns ! Because, we're all going to have our Graduation Exam aka Our Final Class Trial!" Yuki announced.

"Really...?" Teruya said, shocked.

"Thaaat's right! Here's the deal, boys and girls, so listen closely! We're going to do everything we normally do for a Class Trial, investigation and all. And if you guys can figure out the real truth behind everything that's happened to you all, and find all your precious little answers, then...by all means! You four survivors...get to walk free ." Yuki elaborated.

"One final Trial?" asked Syobai.

"Find out the ultimate truth, and earn your titles as the Ultimate Students, and you'll earn your precious freedom!"

The grand finale...

Are we...really this close to getting out of here? Could she be telling the truth? We're this close to escaping Jabberwock Island...for good?

"But...what investigation? Th-There hasn't been a murder. W-What are we even investigating?" Teruya asked.

"What are you talking about? Such blasphemy! My dear child... This is to find out the things that were left open ended!" Yuki laughed.