The first ones to be heard were the police and the investigator, who were also the ones who caught the doctor back in the hospital.
Choromatsu could still remember the call he had made to the men that day. How could he forget? The situation had been terrible.
After making their vows to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, the two stepped up to face the judge.
"So, tell me what you know", the judge spoke from his high seat, "About the doctor and his patient. You've already showed me the evidence but let's go through them once more."
"Yes sir", the police saluted while the investigator only nodded his head.
"The doctor, as we already know, was caught with illegal drugs in his immediate possession. But after investigating things further, I can tell you that the man has done this before", the investigator explained.
He then took a long breath before continuing, "The accused has worked both in Japan and overseas. He originally got his doctor's license from Tokyo, where he studied and got his first job as a doctor in a small hospital. We've revealed though, that he soon got fired. The circumstances were unclear at the time. We are almost sure it had something to do with misuse of medication, as we heard from his old coworkers when we interviewed them. They told us that the man was rather welcoming of alternative ways of treating illnesses. He had usually learned those from some book. He had a ton of them in his office too."
"The accused didn't get a sentence back then since the investigation was inconclusive. We can't help but believe that the evidence was tampered with", the police added, "The doctor then moved to work in America. He studied some more and learned how to use methamphetamine during that time, too."
"He moved back to Japan when he was sure his past was long forgotten. He got a job in Akatsuka hospital, where no one had even the slightest idea of the man's crimes. He had made sure of that by destroying any evidence that surfaced during his time as a doctor there", the investigator continued.
"Now we ask the patient's current doctor. Is this true?" the judge glanced towards the bench Jyushimatsu was sitting with his doctor and nurse.
"Yes. I had absolutely no idea nor did the others. When we'd ask about his previous job, he'd reply by saying that he had moved to America right after graduating. We never dared to doubt him after he proved to be so good in what he did", the doctor stood up and explained.
"Alright, you may sit down", the judge told him, "Now let's hear the accused's side of the story. You may stand up."
Jyushimatsu's former doctor had listened to the accusations, all while seeming incredibly calm. Now he stood up, facing the jury head on.
"Thank you. As the investigator told you, I have worked in America. I collected data performing numerous studies on the topic of using methamphetamine to treat ADHD and other similar ailments. And while I also studied other things, the ADHD treatment caught my interest. I believe that our facilities here in Japan aren't simply enough to treat the patients as they are right now. I felt the need to introduce a new form of treatment", the doctor stated calmly, "What I saw could be used in Japan too. The results were astounding."
"You said you were using the drug to treat the symptoms of ADHD yet the patient never had a diagnosis for it. The drug is also illegal in Japan", the judge stated, waiting for an explanation.
"He gave me every reason to believe that he had ADHD that wasn't treated properly", the doctor smiled, he was getting cocky with all his knowledge, "I, as a doctor, had to do something."
"So you diagnosed the patient without asking him first? You then continued to administer the drug to a patient who was unable to make the decision himself and without asking his legal guardians?" the judge asked to make sure the information he had was correct. He didn't want to believe it.
"Yes. I believe in my skills as a doctor enough to make a diagnosis that simple", the doctor told him, "And the medicine worked. The patient calmed down considerably."
"Enough. I don't need to hear any more of this", the judge huffed. He had met this guy once or twice before this and he already didn't like him one bit, "The current doctor of the victim, please tell me what you think."
"Thank you. I'll be more than happy to", Jyushimatsu's doctor stood up, the nurse following suit, "As you already know, I was assigned to be Matsuno Jyushimatsu's new doctor after the previous one was arrested. I am a children's doctor by education and I'm not going to hide the fact. You might think I'm not suited to take care of an adult patient, but things have gone very well with him. Just ask Matsuno if you don't take my word."
The nurse nodded, "And I was to become Matsuno's new personal nurse. The old one was dismissed after reports of suspicious activities came to light."
"The patient was almost unresponsive in the first days I met him", the doctor continued, "You have already seen the results of the blood tests from that time on which I've pointed out for you the necessary facts. His system was a mess, trying its best to survive the foreign matter being forced in."
"Matsuno showed signs of extreme anxiety and depression in the weeks that followed", the nurse added, "We were truly lucky that the patient had such a big support network. Especially his brothers have been a great help in the patient's recovery."
"As Matsuno got better, we had the chance to interview him and perform check-ups. And from what I've seen and heard, I have my reasons to doubt the former nurse's innocence", the doctor glanced towards the accused nurse.
"Elaborate", the judge told him.
"While performing full body check-ups, I found weird bruises and other injuries unrelated to the drug given to the patient before. After also hearing the patient's stories of how he felt humiliated and used, I can only think that he must've been used. I believe that this all happened when the patient was still in a coma and unable to resist", the doctor stated. He lowered his head. He had kept this fact a secret from the brothers and the rest. Only he and the nurse had known before this.
And as expected, the brothers almost jumped off of their seats. Choromatsu glanced towards the doctor as if to tell him to say that what he had just said was a lie. Too bad it wasn't.
"How do you believe the patient was used?" the judge asked. He didn't necessarily want to ask this question but he had to.
"While I didn't see any signs of forced entry, I did see that the injuries were focused around the genitalia and the general area around it", the doctor explained. He felt so bad telling this all when Jyushimatsu's mind had tried its best to forget it all.
"We have a reason to believe that the nurse pleasured himself", the nurse added when the doctor couldn't continue anymore, "He might've ejaculated onto the patient and even made him touch his private parts. Of course, while the patient was still unconscious."
Jyushimatsu hadn't said or done a thing while the two spoke and it worried the brothers. His face was black and pale as if he wasn't quite here. Good luck that the judge had sharp eyes.
"That's enough. I notice that the patient isn't feeling too well", the judge silenced the duo and waved the nurse to check the patient.
"Jyushimatsu? Are you feeling alright?" the nurse sat down next to Jyushimatsu, who was hugging himself, "Do you want a glass of water?"
Jyushi only shook his head before mumbling, "Please continue."
"Don't. We won't continue if you don't want it", the nurse hugged Jyushi, "It's not worth it."
"But we need to catch him", Jyushi whispered to the nurse's shoulder.
"It's alright. The man is as fine as imprisoned already", the nurse reassured his patient, "Do you want to step out for a bit?"
Jyushimatsu nodded. He could use some fresh air.
"I'm sorry judge, but I believe that my patient needs to get out", the nurse stood up, holding Jyushi's hand in his.
"Do what you see is best for him", the judge nodded, "He won't be able to tell us anything in that condition."
"Thank you very much", the nurse bowed his head as he escorted Jyushimatsu out of the room while the brothers' worried gazes followed the two. They would've loved to go and hug their brother but they stayed put.
The adults were inhumanely calm in this situation. They must have some sort of an advanced coping method. The brothers could've bet that at least Granny would've jumped and shouted something but she too, stayed put. Her grip on her purse was stronger than ever though.
"Do you have anything to say?" the judge turned to face the nurse now accused of assaulting his patient, "You may talk now."
The man stood up, shaking on his feet. He clearly had nothing to defend himself with.
"U-Um, I-", the nurse began but soon shut his mouth.
"Just admit it", the doctor sitting next to him sighed, "You have nothing to defend yourself with, you idiot."
"Shut it", the judge banged his hammer down, telling the other accused to shut it and let the nurse speak for himself.
"I-I have nothing", the nurse finally admitted, lowering his head in shame.
"So you admit to doing all the things the doctor told us just now?" the judge asked, ready to smash his hammer down and lock this fucker up for good.
"Yes. I don't have a lawyer or anything so I have no reason to tell you lies."
"Good boy", the judge nodded, "I find this man guilty as charged."
The hammer slammed down. The whole room echoed.
One down, one to go.
Choromatsu was the next one to speak.
He straightened up and walked to face the judge, a stack of papers in hand.
The rest of the brothers kept their fingers crossed. If someone could do it, it was Choromatsu. The rest of them had absolutely no chance.
"Thank you for letting me speak", Choromatsu bowed before giving his vow, "I am here to represent the siblings, parents and friends of Matsuno Jyushimatsu, the victim in this case. I shall tell you our side of the story."
"Please do", the judge nodded.
"We were with Matsuno Jyushimatsu from day one since he was admitted to the hospital where the accused worked. Jyushimatsu had collided with a truck while walking back home one day. You can imagine how upset we were by the news that our brother had injured his head and hand, which was now broken. At least one of us stayed with him 24/7 until he finally opened his eyes. We were relieved to be able to speak with Jyushimatsu again and couldn't wait until he would be released and could get back to living a normal life he deserved", Choromatsu began.
"Then the doctor decided to give Jyushimatsu the drugs. He slipped them in with the patient's usual meds so that he wouldn't suspect a thing. After that, it felt like things were only going downhill. And now, after almost a month of being in and out of the hospital, Jyushimatsu is finally getting better. He has returned to work and is including himself in our daily activities. We still can't help but notice the aftermath. The anxiety our brother suffers from time to time. He is afraid of taking his medicine and flinches when his ordeal is even mentioned. We want our sunny and smiling brother back and we believe that the first step to the right direction is to get this monster of a doctor to jail", Choromatsu finished with a huff, glaring at the accused doctor for good measure.
"Thank you Matsuno Choromatsu. Please return to your seat", the judge nodded, approving Choromatsu's story as evidence for the case.
*Good job, brother", Karamatsu whispered to Choromatsu as he sunk to his seat, letting out a long sigh.
"You did great", Osomatsu hugged his little brother.
"Thanks", Choromatsu whispered, focusing his attention back to the trial that was still going on.
The judge spoke with his right hand man after which the man spoke to a walkie-talkie. He was calling Jyushimatsu back in to give his testimony.
Jyushimatsu was soon back in and on his seat, his nurse following suit. Jyushi had gained some color back to his face but was still a bit shaky on his feet.
"Matsuno Jyushimatsu, please step forward and tell your take on all of this", the judge told Jyushimatsu with a gentle smile. He tried not to push the victim too much but they needed the information. He'd make sure to stop the hearing as soon as Jyushimatsu looked uncomfortable.
Jyushimatsu just nodded before standing up.
Everyone in the room stared at him, waiting to hear him speak.
"I'm Matsuno Jyushimatsu and I'm here to tell you what I went through."