Steven just listened silently to Norio's small speech. Even now, Norio still trusted them, still wanted everyone to work together? After everything that had happened, both above and below? Or... was it just a trick of him, an attempt to get Steven to lower his guard? Maybe... Still though, Norio was correct in at least one way; staying in the hallway wouldn't help anyone, let alone everyone. ...Tomorrow. He'd return to his search tomorrow. He just... He needed some time for now. Steven dragged himself to his room, locked the door behind him, then stayed there for the rest of the day. He found no sleep that night; the events of the past day just kept haunting him. Sodika's corpse, the stench of death, the stress of the Class Trial, Kyle's confession, then finally his execution. Oh, god, Kyle. The poor kid mst've been scared out of his mind, to be driven to murder like that. Steven should've seen it, should've been there for him! "Kyle... Why didn't you listen to me? I told you we could've worked this out together", Steven whispered to the air some time in the dead of night. He had failed Kyle, failed everyone. Why had he not spoke out more clearer? Why had he not forced everyone to stay together? He should've known this could happen, he should've known,he should've known! And to make matters worse, when the poor kid had confessed to them all, he had lashed out to him instead, only driving the group further apart. A small droplet of water hit his pillow, followed soon by another one. "Kyle... I... I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like that. I... I hope you're in a better place right now. To be forced into a killing game like this... nobody should have to go through something like that, let alone innocent children. And you're right, you weren't a killer. Whoever put us in here is the true killer, not you. I'm sorry for calling you that, and even more so that I hit you. I'm not sure sure if you even want to hear it, but... I forgive you.
And you, Sodika... I don't know how it must feel in your world, but... The judgment of this world must've been harsh. I should've stood up for you. I failed to do that. Worse, I even joined the harrassers. I'm sorry it took me so long to understand this, and I know it's too late now, but... I'm sorry.
Both of you... I don't intend on letting anyone else become a murderer. I... no, we. WE are going to beat this game, get the person behind it, then make them account for their crimes. Okay?".
<The next day>
Much like the last day, Steven was woken by Monokuma's morning announcement. Unlike last time, however, this time it was followed by another announcement telling them all to come to the auditorium. What is is this time...
Yawning and feeling dead tired due to a blatant lack of sleep, Steven managed to get up and slowly dragged himself to the auditorium.