This was a sin, a shameful sin on what's supposed to be an honorable samurai. It started off as a little snowball and as it rolled down the hill, it becomes an insurmountable force of nature. Simon Blackquill over the last month has developed what he described as a shameful pleasure.

It started off harmless enough. He started a hobby of collecting comics from the bookstore, Japanese comics. Since he was out of prison, he'd have more free time on his hands. Furthermore, his sister invited him to stay at her place to keep himself sheltered and to supervise until her time had been fully served. As the weeks have passed, his collection grew and he took pride in it.

Yet, after something caught his eye, something had changed. As if a slumbering panther had been awoken, a fire lit in his heart. On a rainy day at the bookstore, Simon was browsing through the Japanese comic section to see what other series would be worthy to sit in his collection. When he picked up a particular book and looked at the cover, it triggered his igniter of sorts.

Firstly, it was an adult comic. That usually meant that people would keep this locked away in their living quarters rather than be caught reading it in public since it contained…very interesting tidbits. Secondly, the girl on the cover bore a coincidental yet uncanny resemblance to a woman whom was his oldest and closest friend, Athena Cykes. Nearly the same eyes, same physique , and same hairstyle. It was almost as if destiny was curling up its inverted index finger upward to invite him to succumb to the temptation.

After skimming a couple of pages and seeing how this girl character acted, Simon caved and bought it. Gradually, he found himself hunting for more comics of the same series that featured that character that looked like Athena. The overall plot didn't matter to him much; he just wanted to see what adventure awaits her. But since this was an adult comic, most of those adventures would be those of her overly amorous relationship with her boyfriend.

As he observed their relationship, he eyed closely at the man that's close to her and steeled his courage to picture himself in his situation. How lucky was he to have a woman like her at his side! How he wished he could have a woman like her at his side! It was enviable! Simon wanted to be that loving boyfriend to a woman in real life!

Wait a minute, Simon thought. Wasn't there a woman like that, already? Athena? No, Simon! You're getting ahead of yourself! He mentally scolded himself as he lay in his bed in the guest room of his sister's house. Not only was he ten years older than her, but he knew her when he was already an adult and she was still not even in her pre-teens! How could he be having these lewd thoughts about her?! Clearly that series he bought from the bookstore was to blame, wasn't it?

This was his secret. Nobody must know, otherwise their respect for him, especially Athena's, would surely shrink down into nothingness. But would he be able to take this secret of his down to his grave without anybody knowing? Surely a lifetime would feel like an eternity if you're trying to keep a secret.

As the saying goes: Only time will tell…

July 7, 8:42 AM
Detention Center

"Ooh, look at my little Simon! He's all grown up and free of those shackles!" Aura Blackquill, teased at her little brother through the other side of the glass of the booth. "So, have you been watering the plants regularly? They all need their fair share of water."

"Rest assured, Aura," Simon smirked at her. "I have been diligent with keeping those plants watered. I've also been sleeping in the guest room."

She blew a raspberry as she waved a hand at him. "Please. I don't mind if you sleep in my bed. It's queen size with a soft mattress- perfect for someone like me! You should try sleeping in there one of these days. It could help prevent you from getting a crooked back from sleeping on a jail bed for seven years."

He sighed at his older sister with shut eyes. This was just like when he was a child. Her attitude with him never failed to make him feel embarrassed.

"So what have you been up to with your free time these days, Simon?" Aura asked him suddenly.

Simon took a moment to choose his words carefully. "Well, I have been collecting Japanese comics from the bookstore and reading them."

Aura blinked in surprise at Simon. "They sell those? Really?! Never would have guessed they'd be a hit over here. They're translated, right?"

Simon scoffed, and then smirked at her. "Of course, but don't underestimate my Japanese. I have been learning."

"Another one of your hobbies?"

"I suppose you can say that."

There was another momentary pause between the two siblings before Aura came up with another question for Simon. "So, Simon. How's your princess?"

There's that fire again. All it took for the mentioning of either her nickname or her real name to bring out his inner cravings. "She's been fine at her agency. It's a good fit for her and those kids."

She held her right cheek on her right hand and smirked at him. "You sound a little bit unconfident when you say that. Lonely?"

He growled at her. "She's a big girl now, Aura. I don't have to know her whereabouts at every second of the day. She's an adult now, in control of her own life. The princess life for her is all in the past. She is a lawyer."

That smirk of hers didn't go away. "No need to go into that much detail, Simon. I know how she is now. But really, don't you remember, Simon? Oh, she always smiled when she was with you. You were her only friend when that other twerp couldn't see her. Almost makes me feel jealous. Why couldn't you treat me like a princess?"

"That will be enough, Aura." Simon snarled at his older sister through his gritted teeth.

"Geez! I don't know why you're so angry! Fine! I'll stop talking about her."

The sound of a throat clearing caught both of their attention. They both turned their heads at the guard that was standing near Aura's chair.

"This visitation session is now over. It's time for you to go back."

"Aww…" Aura childishly pouted. "You lucked out, Simon. Wait till I get out of here, then you're going to be in a lot of trouble!"

Simon said nothing but leered at her as she went away from the safety glass. Once she was out of sight range, he just sighed again. He thought it was probably his bias but when it came to Athena Cykes, they had…differing opinions, to put it very mildly. He had wondered that after everything has been proven, she softened up her stance on Athena just a little bit.

July 7, 10:30 AM
Courtroom No. 2

The people gathered in the gallery chatted amongst themselves to pass the time before the trial. Simon always arrived early in the courtroom with one of his comic books in tow. However, he couldn't bring the series he coveted the most to court despite his anticipation for what happened next, even though he had a good idea what was about to happen.

So instead, he decided to re-read a chapter of a favorite series that's on the lower part of a list he kept to himself.

Finally, the sound of the gavel echoed throughout the courtroom.

The Judge spoke as the gallery fell silent. "This court is now in session!"

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor," Simon said dully as he continued to read.

"The defense is prepped and ready, Your Honor!" A very familiar girl's voice sounded.

Immediately, Simon lowered the book he was reading and took a look across to see that Athena was sitting on the other side on the defense's bench. He grimaced a bit. Immediately he saw a little shadow of the girl he admired in his favorite adult comic series in Athena. It must have been a month or two since they saw each other, he said in his mind. They had each other's number but they didn't communicate often.

"M-Mr. Blackquill!" The Judge called out to him.

"What, your baldness?" Simon spat at the Judge.

"I had to ask you to deliver your opening statement three times! Do you have a hearing problem?" The Judge asked with genuine concern.

Simon growled. How could he be so distracted to ignore the judge? "My ears are clean as a whistle, Your Honor. I apologize."

"Hmm… I see. Probably the morning grogginess? Now then, your opening statement, please."

Simon reached into the envelope that contained the case files only to find that it's…completely empty. "W-What poppycock is this?! The case file is not in here?!"

The Judge shook his head. "M-Mr. Blackquill! This is not like you at all! Did you remember to pick up the case files back at the precedent before coming to court today?"

Simon growled at himself. He had been distracted. So much more distracted than he thought. "I, erm…yes…" He had forgotten. He had forgotten such a basic thing. This was certainly not going to bode well for his next salary discussion. "F-Forgive me, it's erm…"

The Judge sighed at Simon as he shook his head. "Mr. Blackquill, whatever your personal problems are that may be distracting you, I suggest you have them resolved for next time. Well, I suppose since the prosecution is very ill-prepared for the case, I have no choice but to declare the defendant…"

"HOLD IT!" Athena's voice boomed.

"Y-Yes, Ms. Cykes?" The Judge called out.

Athena looked at Simon very concerned before talking. "Your Honor, I have my own copy of the case right here. Could you let the prosecution borrow them for the trial? Please, Your Honor?"

The Judge blinked twice in surprise. "W-Well! That's awfully generous of the defense, although very unorthodox as well. Very well! I will grant the prosecution ten minutes to look over the files! After that, the trial shall promptly begin! No more delays, people!" He declared as he banged the gavel.

Just his luck, he owed her a favor. As if it couldn't get any worse.

July 7, 11:01AM
Courtroom Lobby

Simon was the first one to get out of the courtroom. He had a very hard time performing in his usual swagger due to the embarrassment he was feeling for being unprepared as well as the attraction he was feeling toward Athena. During the trial, he had to force his eyes to look away from her face as it was just too cute for him that it was just simply distracting. She was simply beautiful in that yellow outfit of hers. Then he remembered that she mentioned that she exercised very often so it's no wonder she's in incredible shape.

Athena soon followed him out. "Simon!"

"Please, not now…"

"Simon!" She tugged at his left arm. "Simon, we haven't talked to each other in a long time! Don't you want to catch up? Also, what's with you? You stuttered so much in there! You were like an amateur!"

Simon rolled his eyes. "I've been focused on my hobbies lately. I've been finding them more fun than court, honestly."

Athena gasped at him then lightly punched his arm. "Simon! You trained so hard to be a prosecutor! Are you telling me you're throwing away your career?!"

Simon snarled at her. "Do you have to be so loud? I never said I was quitting. I was simply distracted today. Off days happen, even to the best of us. I'm sure you, of all people would know that."

Athena squawked. "Yeah! But usually, off days don't involve forgetting entirely what your case is all about! Don't tell me your blade is getting dull!"

Sword talk was a language Simon was very familiar with. "Rest assured I will find the delicate balance between work and play, Athena. Run along home, now. I have matters to attend to."

Athena crossed her arms at him with a look that told him that she wasn't going to let him go just yet. "Oh yeah? What are you going to do?"

"Maintain my sister's house. Clean it, cook, water the plants." Simon succinctly summarized to get it out of the way.

"Then I'll help you. Who knows what you screw up, next." Athena smiled up at him, which made him flinch.

He groaned. "Athena, just play dollies with that magic girl or something. I want to be alone."

Athena raised her voice at him. "You've been alone for the past few weeks! Also, you don't call me once in a while! I get worried for you, you know?"

The more he heard her concern for him, the more he felt tempted to just give her a hug. But he couldn't let his inner desires get the best of him. Not now… "Bailiff! This woman is harassing me! Get her to leave me alone! Please!" Simon called out as he feigned a tone of desperation.

"Wh-What?! N-No wait a second!"

Athena was distracted by a couple of bailiffs approaching her with an apprehensive look on their faces long enough for Simon to get away.