I did some research on the Japanese legal system before writing this (by research, I mean wikipedia). The Japanese court actually works in a much different way than Western courts – such as the lack of a jury, and the fact that most suspects had already confessed before entering the courtroom. At least, that's according to wikipedia.
I hope this chapter doesn't come up too cheesy...
When the Air is Still
Chapter 7: Epilogue
Yomiuri Shimbun – evening edition – August 21, 2004
Osamu Ichijouji Recaptured
Osamu Ichijouji, who was convicted of 15 counts of drug trafficking in 2000, was recaptured by the SAT early this morning. Osamu was found in the Rukon cemetery several kilometres away from Tokyo. He is currently being charged with up to 20 counts of first degree murder, including the murder of his younger brother, Ken Ichijouji. Ichijouji could face the death penalty if convicted.
Osamu was reported missing from the maximum security prison in Tokyo on Monday August 2, 2004 during morning roll call. Tokyo police had been searching for him since, but Ichijouji remained elusive until police received an anonymous tip early this morning. The tip included information on the fugitive's location as well as hints that the fugitive was heavily armed. In response, the SAT was dispatched to apprehend him.
The SAT managed to recapture Ichijouji just after 7:00am this morning, but found with him several bodies. Sources later report that 16 youths went camping for the weekend – the bodies of some of these youths were found. Additional sources bring the number of people reported in the cemetery to 20 that night. Later police investigations concluded that several bodies were cremated, leading to a body count of 19. Kouji Minamoto has yet to be accounted for.
Osamu Ichijouji's trial is being set for September 22, 2004.
Wednesday September 22, 2004 1:29pm
Osamu smirked. Somehow it didn't occur to him that today was the day, and this was the place where his future would be decided – or even if he would have a future. He sat, as comfortably as someone could on the hard wooden benches in the court room, and smirked at the disgusted looks that were being cast his way, as well as his parents' tearful faces.
Throughout the interrogation Osamu had said nothing. He had merely laughed in the detectives' faces and mocked their growing frustration until finally even the most patient of them had given up on forcing a confession out of him. They simply told the judge that there was nothing they could do, and that it would be best to convict him based on evidence rather than a guilty plea, as was the norm in Japan.
Not that there was very much evidence. He had been careful to destroy any evidence that he had been the killer. The only murder they could really pin on him was that of his brother. Although that was enough to send him to the gallows – after all, he had committed murder while escaping from jail – Osamu was doubtful that the judge would sentence an 18-year old to death. This sort of thing wasn't very common, after all, and would more than likely cause an international uproar.
Still, something in Osamu's mind was warning him that he might not get off so easily…
The judge sitting down brought Osamu's mind back to the present. He was an elder, balding man – probably in his late 50s. The judge too gave Osamu a glance of pure hatred before calling the court to order. Osamu merely smirked at him as well. After all, the judge can't convict him of murders he could not prove.
"Let's get started, shall we?" the judge asked. There was no sense of formality in his voice; if anything, the judge looked more cynical than Osamu. Not a good sign, Osamu thought, but then again, it doesn't matter.
The judge held up a small notebook. "Know what this is?" he asked. Osamu shook his head, puzzled for the first time. "It's your brother's journal. We can all thank your brother for leaving such detailed accounts of almost every death. We can't prove that you were the one to kill every one of them, but it tells us who died and who didn't."
Osamu sneered. "So what, your honour?" he drawled. "I could have told you they were dead too."
The judge matched Osamu's sneer with a victorious grin. "Oh, but I don't think you anticipated this." He gestured to the door. "Bring him in."
The twin doors opened, and Kouji Minamoto strode in. Ignoring Osamu's astonished look, Kouji walked towards the judge. "Your honour, he began, I can attest that Osamu Ichijouji was responsible for every single murder."
The judge nodded. "Please, go right ahead."
Kouji pulled out a USB and what looked like a mechanical mouse. "I believe that anyone is wondering how Osamu managed to kill 19 people with such pinpoint accuracy. While Osamu was known for being a genius even before he was first arrested, one can only go so far on intellect alone. Why is why" – Kouji lifted up the mouse – "he invented this. Large enough to contain on the motor and high-definition audio-video functions to successfully carry out intelligence missions, but small enough to remain undetected, especially at night. I was no large feat for me to take the device and modify it to carry recording capabilities as well."
Kouji slipped the USB into a laptop. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, your honour; we will get to see exactly what happened.
Over the next several hours, the court watched with mixed emotions as the murders played out in front of them. The judge kept no secret of his emotions – his stern face changed frequently from disgust to pure glee. At the conclusion of the video, Kouji stepped forward. "I regret to inform everyone that I am the only survivor of the massacre. I was able to see all that Osamu Ichijouji had done, but was unable to stop him. That was why I fled the cemetery to alert the police."
Osamu gasped. "You!" he shouted. "You were the so-called anonymous tip!"
Kouji nodded. "I am."
Osamu turned to the judge, panic evident in his voice. "Him!" he shouted. "He was in on the whole thing! It was him who persuaded the girls to get everyone to go the cemetery! It was him who told me when the time to begin was! He was part of this!"
The judge merely stared at Osamu blankly. "I'm sorry, Ichijouji. I didn't quite hear you properly. Were you trying to accuse Mr. Minamoto of murder?"
The judge turned to the rest of the courtroom. "Ladies and gentlemen, I think Ichijouji is being a little desperate here. I think he's trying to save his own hide by trying to discredit the witness. What do you think? Should I listen to Ichijouji and ignore all the evidence Mr. Minamoto presented because he was involved?"
The courtroom erupted into chuckles. Osamu looked around. This wasn't supposed to happen. "It's true!" he shouted. "This – this court is corrupt! I demand a retrial!"
The judge turned back to Osamu. "Mr. Ichijouji, I think the people have spoken. And I am inclined to agree with them. Based on the evidence Mr. Minamoto has presented us, with corroborating evidence from the police and your brother's journal, I think it's safe to pronounce you guilty of all 19 counts of murder. And I don't even want to go into how you escaped from prison."
Osamu paled, but the judge was not finished yet. "Including your 15 counts of drug trafficking four years ago, you have currently committed 35 felonies. Am I right in presuming that no one will dissent if I have this man hanged?"
Osamu looked around as everyone in the courtroom sat silently. A few even shook their heads, or whispered 'no'. Frantic, Osamu looked over to his parents. His mother was crying, and his father looked at the ground even as he comforted his wife. The judge tapped his mallet on the table, bringing Osamu's attention back to him.
"I have a son," the elderly man concluded. "He's about the same age as you. Really into computer games; several times I've had to go into his room and remind him to sleep or do his homework. But there's a word he's very fond of using." The judge leaned forward to emphasize his point. "Pwned."
Kouji watched as Osamu was handcuffed again and led out of the courtroom. As Osamu passed him, the younger boy smiled and whispered two words to Osamu before stuffing his hands in his pockets and turning away
"I win."
END
Author's Notes: One more finished story! I might start a new story sometime in August, but maybe not if I feel lazy.
To clear up any doubts: Yes, Kouji was behind the whole thing. If anything, he was the mastermind behind the mastermind. Did everyone get that from the story?
I hope I didn't offend any Kouji fans by making evil either...
