Both Shishikura and Maekawa are very dear to me, regardless of specific writing choices and actions they take that I don’t agree with, I love them nonetheless.
I genuinely believed it should have been revealed to be a suicide by Shishikura and him leaving a letter for Maekawa, but then Tei attempting to hide the nature of the murder in order to “save them all” (death), which would result in Maekawa LIVING.
Or probably controversial, it would have been a really unexpected turn if Shishikuras plan has worked and for them to realise what had actually happened after they had voted.
One thing chapter 5 I did like was the reveal of Monomoko purposely delaying the body discovery announcement as it shows the duality of the humanity Monomoko is developing. As obviously she’s gaining empathy, but also demonstrating the selfishness of humans too.
I would have loved to see snowbot survive together, but I could see Shishikuras death flags. But Maekawas death felt really unnecessary and logicially didnt make sense. Because why did Shishi set up Maekawa? It was the fifth trial, so they would have gotten out either way?
I also feel like it’s not something he would force upon Maekawa unknowingly. I’m aware it’s not of the same nature. But Shishi’s trauma from being forced to endure those exploitative surgeries for a “good cause” parallels what he did to Maekawa, him having good intentions, but ultimately harming her in the end. And if he was set up to be a character that gradually descented into insanity (TEI) it could have explained this erratic nature, but it felt as if he was being set up a redemption arc. With how many characters such as Hirose started to treat him better and I assumed his construction of the kamidana was symbolic of his newfound change and repentance.
Shishi rewrite (CH 3, 4, 5)
Ch 3: Too be honest I can’t blame Shishikura and Ikeda murdering because of the sheer insanity of the “lobotomy motive”
Ikeda still kills yaitabashi, or mion just not as gruesomely.
As for shishikura! I would make him seem visibly more dishevelled and desperate regarding this motive. Make it really seem like the pressure getting to him, which pushed him into attempting a murder on Erina, but her surviving because I just don’t see a world in which Shishikura executes a decent murder plan and overpowering Erina. Regardless of whether he had a weapon or not Kumada would probably have experience with knife fights since she’s in a gang.
I think the cosmic irony of Kumada attempting a murder, then experiencing an attempt herself would make her more aware. And make the group more empathetic towards her after that attempt.
Anyways Erina is reasonably pissed. And Maekawa distances herself from Snowball after that attempted murder and the fact that he was willing to leave her to die.
Ch4: Shishikura builds the kamidana and puts a memorial of EVERYBODY this time (akiba, ouno, ogura, nishiguchi, yaitabashi, ikeda)
Everybody is distrustful of shishikura, but the Kamidana is visited often, especially kumada where we get alot of solo episodes of her speaking to the kamidana.
At some point, Erina breaks down after bejng reminded of yaitabashi and nishiguchi, and Shishikura comforts her. She vents about her regrets and how lonely she is. Shishikura and Kumada see themselves in eachother.
Over the course of the chapter Tei starts begging Shishikura to end his misery, and Shishikura attempts the mercy kill (not through the salt in the IV, I think that’d hit too close to home) which kumada stops and the group is alerted to.
Matthias and Ninomiya remain the same. Except Matthias’ death would be more peaceful or more dignified
Ch5: MAEKAWA AND SHISHIKURA FINALLY DISCUSS, not yet rekindled friendship but during the games she gradually gets back into the hang of things.
Kumada and shishikura finally get the friendship I wanted! I actually think their dynamic is really fun from the few moments if interaction they have with eachother. Its such a shame honestly.
ANYWAYS SHISHIKURA or TEI is dead. Here are my routes
TEI IS DEAD via a suicide and attempts to frame Shishikura or kumada or denden in order to save all of them through them dying. Make it seem as if he offered himself as a sacrifice, so they suspect somebody took his offer (they didnt) And then with the power of friendship they clear all three one by one and realize he was both the culprit and victim.
Shishikura is dead route: Everybody is more agitated and attempts to jump eachother (except isoda and kumada my goats) and shishikura ends himself to end this and as his final act of repentance. Tei messes with his suicide and frames him and denden
