Hi everyone. I wanted to bring in another SAO character that I thought would be prefect for this kind of scenario. Anyway, Enjoy this chapter.
Tokyo, Japan 23rd of February 2027, 10:30am
Kirito and Asuna where driving up to the Yukki manor with Yui to introduce her to Asuna's parents and to drop her off their while they go and see and old friend about a Defense attorney for Kyouji. Yesterday, after their visit to Kyouji at the institute they went back to the Kirigaya residence to pick up Yui to find that she and Kirito parents were looking through a photo book of Kirito's and Suguha's childhood. Kirito had to drag Yui away from it before she saw anything too embarrassing about himself. Nonetheless however, Yui had gotten on really well with her grandparents, they said that she was 'As good as gold and better' while they we're away. Asuna was really happy for Yui, now the time had come to show her her own side of the family. Kirito showed his pass to the guard before the gates opened letting him in. The family of three walked up to the mansion with Yui in between them holding their hand.
''Wow!'' Yui breathed in the sight ''This house is really beautiful!'' Asuna smiled.
''It's a mansion Yui'' she told her ''It like a much bigger house, only with more rooms and bathrooms''
''But why?'' Yui asked ''Why not just have a normal house?'' Kirito smiled.
''Because Yui, some people need more space then others for different reasons'' he explained before Nazio opened the door to greet them.
''Ah, Miss Yukki. You have returned'' he bowed ''And hello to you good sir'' he greeted Kirito before looking down to see Yui who hid behind Kirito's leg in shyness ''And who might this be?'' he asked.
''She is our daughter Yui'' Asuna revealed. Nazio's eyes widened to a size relating to dinner plates ''Oh, well er...'' He shook his head ''Er, the mistress is in her study if your looking for her'' he said allowing them in.
''Now Yui, I'll call you in when we're ready'' Asuna said before Yui nodded and waited by the hallway causing Asuna to worry, Kirito noticed the anguish on her face ''Hey, you alright?'' he asked. Asuna looked to him ''I just though; What if mother doesn't like her or vice versa?!'' she started to panic ''What if mom say's or does something that'll make Yui cry?!'' she shook slightly. Kirito put an arm around her ''Hey, don't think like that. I know your mother isn't the most understanding person ever but she's more or less grown accustomed to our love and even gave us her blessing in marriage'' he looked her in the eyes ''and beside's, we already told her about her when she was an AI right?'' he asked.
''I guess so'' Asuna nodded ''Your right, lets do this'' she said as they walked into the study to find Kyouko sitting alone typing away at her laptop as they walked up to her desk. Kyouko looked up to see them and smiled warmly.
''My little angel!'' she said as she got up and embraced her daughter ''Kazuto, my boy'' she greeted him with another hug.
''Good morning mom'' Asuna said with a smile before she looked around ''Where's dad?'' she asked.
''He went out golfing with Kazuto's father to teach him the game'' Kyouko replied ''He'll be back in the afternoon'' Kirito pouted ''Oh that's a shame, we intended this to be a surprise for both you and dad'' he said, Kyouko looked to him ''Surprise?'' she asked him with a raised eyebrow.
''Oh yeah'' Asuna smiled uneasily ''Mom...We have someone we'd like you to meet'' she said nervously. Kyouko smiled ''Oh, very well then. Send them right in'' she said from her desk. Kirito walked out of the room and came back later with Yui. Kyouko looked a little confused ''A child?'' she asked him. Kirito shook his head as Yui sat down on the couch beside Kyouko's desk ''Not just any child mom'' he said pointing to Yui ''This is Yui...Your granddaughter'' he revealed.
Kyouko's mouth stood open in shock at the sudden development while Asuna shut her eyes for a moment as if anticipating her mother to go completely ballistic. But she didn't hear her say anything, instead she heard the sound of high heeled shoes walking toward Yui's direction. Asuna opened her eyes slightly to see her mother standing over Yui by the couch in a seemingly cold stare. Kyouko then knelt down to face her granddaughter.
''So'' she said ''Your the one my daughters been telling me about recently. The one who helped her husband save her from ALFhiem and Sugou, I'm I correct?'' she asked Yui who fiddled with her fingers nervously before answering ''Yes grandma. That's true'' she said before burying her face in her hands. Kyouko huffed ''Shy one, isn't she?'' she asked them while getting close to Yui, Kyouko then raised her hand, in a panicked moment, Asuna thought that she was going to hit her but then Kyouko softly put that hand on Yui's shoulder causing her to look up to see her changing her cold expression for a gentle soft expression while smiling down on her.
''Come now little one. Don't be afraid of me...I'm your grandmother' after all aren't I?' Kyouko said. Yui smiled widely and leaped into her arms ''Grandma!'' she cheerfully exclaimed, taking her by surprise but she eventually gave into the hug. Kirito smiled while Asuna sighted in relief ''See, I told you she would understand'' he smirked.
''There's something else we need from you'' Asuna said ''Something important''
Kyouko held Yui in her arms ''And what would that be?'' she asked.
''We need you to babysit her while me and Kirito talk to someone about some legal issues with an old friend'' Asuna explained ''Can you do this for us?''
''Why, I'd be honored to sweetheart'' Kyouko said happily moving a hand through Yui's hair making her giggle. Kirito handed her the bottle of pills and instructed her to make sure Yui takes one after lunch ''If she must'' Kyouko said before they bid them goodbye and left the manor.
11am
''Do you really think we can rely on him to help us?'' Asuna asked her husband as he parked outside the Sakamoto law office building were their old Friend and fellow SAO survivor 'Thinker' works as a lawyer. Thinker was the commander of SAO's largest guild; 'The Aincrad liberation Force'. They met him when they came to Floor 1 to find clues about Yui's past. Then 'Yulier' his second in command who became his wife in the real world soon after the game was cleared, came to them at Sasha's orphanage to request their help in rescuing him from a hidden dungeon under the black iron palace. He was grateful for their help and said that he owed them one before they left back to floor 22.
''I'd like to think so'' Kirito said ''Don't forget; he helped us before'' he added. That was true, Thinker has helped Asuna and Kirito before. When Asuna came to at the hospital, Kirito went to him on behalf of her family to press charges on Sugou for his actions after the ALFhiem incident, which they won the case and got Sugou a triple life sentence in Toshiba prison with no parole.
''That was different'' Asuna said as the walked in past the doors to the reception area ''He had his own reasons for wanting to put Sugou in prison, but this is far more complex that that. Kyouji had already been convicted in a previous case and didn't finish his sentence. If he finds out about that then he might-'' she started before Kirito spoke up ''Listen, I'm sure that with a little good faith and reasoning, he'll be sure to help Kyouji'' he said ''Just trust me'' he added before Asuna nodded and they walked up to the desk.
''Good morning and welcome to Sakamoto law offices'' the receptionist greeted them ''How may I help you today?''
''Ah yes, we have an appointment with a Mr Miyanshi please'' Kirito said with a smile. The receptionist looked at her computer for a moment.
''Ah yes, Mr Miyanshi's office is down the hallway, up the stairs and second door to the right'' she instructed. the couple bowed in gratitude before they walked along the building, following the instructions the receptionist gave them. after a couple of minutes they found the door with the inscription in gold:
Mr Ryusei Miyanshi
Defense and Prosecution Attorney
P.H.D in Law and Criminology
Kirito held Asuna's hand before knocking on the oak door four times. ''Come in'' said the voice of a man from the other side, they entered the room to find a man with short, wavy umber-brown hair and brown eyes. he wore a black businessman suit with a Teal tie making it stand out sitting by a desk filled with paperwork and files under a computer with even more files inside a bookcase behind him as he looked up to see the couple.
''Kirito! Asuna!'' he happily exclaimed ''It's been so long since I last saw you both!'' he walked up to them from behind his desk and shook their hands in sequence.
''Yes, it has Thinker. Much to long'' Kirito said as Thinker shook his hand.
''Oh please, do sit down'' he gestured for them to sit on the two chairs opposite his desktop facing the main chairs direction. The couple took their seat's with Thinker sitting on the chair facing them from the desk that was now separating them.
''So, How's thing been since the last time we spoke?'' Thinker asked.
''It's been eventful'' Asuna said with a soft smile. Kirito held her hand ''Do you wanna tell him?'' he asked her, she nodded.
''I'm pregnant'' she revealed holding her tummy, Thinker smiled ''Oh, Congratulations!'' the said.
''How's everything with Yulier?'' Kirito asked ''Oh she's fine, fine'' Thinker said with a smile ''And little Haru's doing great too'' he said showing them a portrait on his desk of a happy baby Boy with Thinkers hair and Yuliers sky-blue eyes playing with a rattle with a dummy in his mouth.
''Awww!'' Asuna and Kirito both gushed with delight in unison at the sight.
''Anyway, back to business then'' Thinker said as he opened a draw in his desk rummaging through it to find something ''You know I was really surprised to get your call Kazuto'' he added before he got out some paperwork from the draw and a pen.
''So, who do we sue this time?'' he asked. Kirito shook his head ''Oh no Thinker. We're not here to prosecute someone this time, this time we're here to see you about the defense of a friend of ours on this case at hand'' he explained. Thinker nodded ''Oh I see'' he said before writing down on his paperwork ''And the clients name is?'' he asked.
''Kyouji Shinkawa'' Asuna said before Thinker wrote down that name. Asuna sighed in relief that he didn't know him by name.
''Okay, so what is he accused of?'' he then asked ''Terrorism'' Kirito said, Thinkers eyes widened a bit as he looked back up to face them.
''Terrorism?'' he asked ''But, but, I though that by Japanese law; terrorism case's aren't entitled to a defense attorney'' he said.
''No'' Asuna said sitting up in her chair ''We've already been to the government demanding a fair trail for him, they said that he has entitlement to a defense for this case'' she finished. Thinker paused in shock for a moment before snapping out of it ''I see'' he said continuing his paperwork ''And do you have any evidence that may prove the client innocent?'' he asked. Kirito nodded ''We have witnesses for the defense to give statements'' he said.
''And who are these witnesses?'' Thinker asked.
''Us!'' they both said in unison, making Thinker widened his eyes slightly ''You two yourselves want to appear as witnesses for Kyouji's defense in court?'' he asked them. They both nodded ''But if that's true, then how come the client isn't here himself to vouch for you two?'' he asked.
''Because Shinkawa is currently being held in a private institute until his court date in six days time, where he's being held for treatments for PTSD due to an abusive childhood'' Kirito explained. Thinker just nodded and wrote something down in his paperwork.
''Very well'' he muttered before booting up his computer ''Lets take a look at the clients background check for any past convictions'' he said as the scree lit up. Asuna panicked for a moment as Thinker typed away on the keyboard and shifted his mouse to bring up Kyouji's Bio on the government records. he looked along down the page and while before frowning and humming in disappointment and shaking his head ''Um, um, um'' he hummed.
''What is is Thinker?'' asked Kirito. Thinker looked to the couple ''It say's here that in December 2025, Kyouji Shinkawa was convicted of Multi-murder and attempted rape alongside his elder brother Shouichi Shinkawa in a case involving the VRMMO game ''Gun Gale Online'' where they killed high ranking players while they were diving using a deadly poison known as 'Succinylcholine'' Thinker read out load from the page ''the two key members from the 'Death gun' group we're arrested and sent to Toshiba prison for 45 years to life of their crimes while a third member was still wanted by police'' he finished as he looked away from his screen and put his hands together in a business like matter with a frown on his face ''You see...I really can't see myself defending a client with this kind of background. A man who takes pleasure in taking the lives of others and ruining families! With all due respect; I simply can't help him...Kyouji's record deems him as a monster, it just doesn't seem right'' Thinker somberly said before Kirito spoke up.
''No!'' he argued ''Kyouji's a changed man! He's not a monster'' he said.
''Really?'' Thinker raised a eyebrow ''And what makes you think that Kirito?''
''Because he saved my life!'' Kirito yelled slamming his fist's down on his desk making Thinker's eyes widened in surprise ''He, he, saved you?'' he stuttered his question. Kirito nodded as he slowly sat back down ''Yes, Kyouji Shinkawa saved my life...I'm still alive because of him...My child is gonna grow up knowing who its father is because of him, If he didn't switch the poison with a Sedative back at 'Eden's tower' then I wouldn't be here today and you all would have been Sugou's blind, submissive slaves...I, I owe him'' Kirito said with emotion. Asuna nodded in agreement ''It's true'' she said. Thinker though for a moment. ''I don't understand though, just how exactly did he save your life?'' he asked.
Both Kirito and Asuna took turns to explain the whole story to him from their points of view about how Sugou Nobuyuki escaped from Toshiba along with 500 other convicts and formed the terrorist group 'The Holy Empire' with the plot to inslave humanity through a mind control drive powered by Boreilium and how Kyouji was in fact a key member of that group but turned ally to Kirito by saving his life from public execution from Sugou, and played a major part in the battle of Pingowy Island leading to the total annihilation of 'The Holy empire' and the re-capture of Sugou Nobuyuki. Thinker listened earnestly while taking everything down in his notebook.
''Even so Kazuto, This statement still isn't enough foundation to turn the case into the client's favor if he was already infuriated with that group even if he betrayed them'' he said ''I just can't see how-'' he started before Asuna slammed her fist down on the desk ''Please Thinker! All we ask is that you give him a chance to roam free and show everyone just how different he is now'' she pleaded. Thinker shook his head. ''I'm sorry but I-'' he started again before Asuna spoke again ''Don't give us that bullshit! You still owe us for the what we did for you at the Floor 1 dungeon and now we're cashing in on it!'' she argued.
Thinker frowned ''I helped you two put Sugou away the first time'' he reminded them ''I thought that would have made us even''
''Half-Even Thinker'' Kirito said ''We all know the real reason why you wanted Sugou put away, it had nothing to do with us...We knew that Yulier was one of the 300 SAO survivors that he kidnapped in ALO-'' he started.
''Enough!'' Thinker yelled at him.
''No! This time your going to listen!'' Kirito yelled back ''You didn't put Sugou away just to help me or Asuna, you put him away to help yourself! So your debt to us is still to be satisfied!'' he finished. Thinker was shaking slightly in fury.
''You're really pushy sometimes...Black swordsman'' Thinker muttered through gritted teeth before he calmed down ''But alas, you are right. I do still owe you for saving my life and I always pay my debts. Besides, how can I honer my reputation if I don't uphold my beliefs to help those in need...Kyouji may be a convicted felon but a client is still a client'' Thinker thought for a moment. The couple waited anxiously for his answer.
''Okay'' he finally said ''I'll defend his case'' he smiled softly, the couple smiled to each-other in gratitude ''Thank you Thinker'' Asuna said
''But'' Thinker said ''I have a couple of conditions for my services''
''Name them'' Kirito said.
''First, I want a private Interview with the client before his trail to gather more information to use a further evidence'' he said.
''Done, we can arrange that with the institute'' Kirito said.
''Secondly'' Thinker leaned back in his chair ''In a case like this; dispute any form of defense I can put up, chances are Kyouji won't have much favor from the jury in the final vote'' he explained making the couple lower their heads ''Unless-'' Thinker smiled making them lift their heads again ''The jury could render his previous convictions inconsequential if you two can get an important government figure to appear in court in his defense and endorse him as a reformed, solid citizen'' he explained.
Then it hit Kirito: Seijirou Kikuoka!
''I know just the person'' Kirito smiled.
''Very well'' Thinker said '' And one more thing...My services won't be cheap'' he said ''Lawyering is a business after all, not a charity'' he reminded them. Asunn gulped slightly as Kirito spoke ''I'm sure we'll pay any price you want. Money is no object'' he said. Thinker smiled warmly.
''Good'' he said before he show them out the office ''I expect a call from you soon about a date of a private Interview the my client. But until then, I bid you both good day!'' he waved them goodbye.
''Nice talking with you Thinker'' Kirito said ''Tell Yulier we said 'Hello' ok?'' he asked.
''I will, I shall see you at the court!'' he said before closing the door leaving the couple to make their way out of the building.
''See, I told you he'd agree to help us'' Kirito said.
''Yeah but It was a close call though, bringing up Yulier to him'' said Asuna ''You can't always count on a gamble to get your way all the time'' she added as they got in the car.
''Well, It's like I always say; when the chips are down, always raise the pot'' Kirito smirked as he pulled out of the parking lot back into the driveway ''Beside, if plan B failed I had a plan C'' he added, Asuna looked at him confused ''What was plan C gonna be?'' she asked.
''To kick the crap out of him until he agreed to help us'' Kirito smirked before Asuna chuckled.
And their, the end of the chapter. Stick around of the next one next week. Cheerio!xxxooo