August 19, 2018 9:49 a.m. The Defendant Lobby No.2
Okay. Today is the day! Hahaha! I feel so alive!...Who am I kidding? We're totally going to screw this up!
"Yosuke! Get a hold of yourself!" Yukiko scolds me. "And what is this? How can you be here looking like you just woke up!?" She quickly fixes my collar and tie. "Did Chie buy you this vest? Green is too vibrant and distracting!"
"I could say the same to your red vest." I sigh.
My name is Yosuke Hanamura. And this woman that is treating me like her own child is Yukiko Amagi. We both officially became defense attorneys just a week ago. Today is our first trial. A murder trial. One might ask why we would take such a serious case as our first time. Well, there's a big reason.
"YOSUKEEEEE! YUKI-CHAAAAN!" And there he is. I turn to see Teddie still wearing his Junes uniform. He is shaking furiously.
"Teddie, I told you already to change into something more comfortable." I say.
"How dare you suggest that!? I am trying to prove my innocence and I heard that one cannot change the scene of a crime. Therefore, I must stay the same until everyone knows I'm not guilty!" He grits his teeth.
Yup. That's Teddie, alright. Taking everything at face value. He's our client. Since he is from the T.V. World, he obviously doesn't know anything about how our laws work. Which means, he would've been taken advantage of by someone else. He should count his lucky stars that we're here for him. Yukiko gets a little too close to Teddie.
"Don't worry, Teddie. You're in good hands. We will fight till our last breath for the verdict. And if I have to break the law in the process, then so be it." Oh boy. There she goes again.
"That's not something a lawyer should be saying." I pull her away from further encouraging him.
"Come on! Where's your fighting spirit?" She puffs up her chest to...encourage? Intimidate? It's really hard to tell sometimes.
"This isn't a battle we win through brute force." I shake my head, then face Teddie. "I won't lie to you, I'm nervous as all hell. My legs are shaking just thinking about it." I take a deep breath. "But I made a promise a long time ago to someone special that I couldn't keep. So, I will help the innocent and reveal the truth once and for all!" I must've been a little too passionate, as I see both of them looking at me wide eyed.
"Yosuke…." Yukiko says quietly, while averting her gaze from me. We both know what I mean. It's the reason why we're here in the first place.
"The court is about to begin. Please proceed inside." The bailiff says to us.
"All right! No time to feel sad. Let's give it to them hot!" And she dashes through the door like a maniac.
"Let's go. I got this. I got this!" I pump myself once again and walk inside.
August 19, 2018 10:00 a.m. District Court Courtroom No.2
The courtroom is bustling with chatter. Yosuke and Yukiko are on the defense stand, while on the prosecutor stand is a young man in his thirties with black hair and a black suit. He is playing with his ear piercing. The judge has glorious long white hair.
Judge: *Smack* Court is now in session. Is th-
Yukiko: *Slams desk* The defense is ready, Your Honor!
Yosuke:...Yes. We are ready.
Judge: I would like the defense to let a question be finished before answering. Is the prosecution ready, Mr…
Naoya: Naoya Toudou, Your Honor. And yes, I am ready.
Naoya stares at the defense stand intensely.
Yosuke: (What's with him looking at us like that?)
Judge: Very well. We will now proceed with the prosecution's opening statement.
Naoya: As you wish. *Pulls out a file* Today's case is about the murder of Vic Thomas. The cause of death being poison. It is assumed that the accused used a syringe to inject the poison due to a puncture wound on the victim's neck. The death occurred yesterday at 3:12 p.m. in the Junes produce department. The one who killed him is the accused, Teddie.
Yukiko: Objection! That is merely speculation. He just happened to be there with the victim.
Naoya:...Please heed the Judge's advice. For if you've let me finish, you would see the evidence that clearly proves his crime. *Pulls out a video cassette* This is the security footage of the produce department. It doesn't show the entirety of the scene, but you clearly see the victim and the accused interacting before the murder.
The footage shows Teddie giving out sliced watermelons to the customers. Upon seeing Vic, he rushes towards the back of the department and takes out pineapple slices. Teddie waves for his attention and Vic approaches him. Teddie puts on plastic gloves and offers him the pineapple, which he obliges and takes a bite. Suddenly, the screen goes black. Only the small light let out by Vic's phone is only visible. Then the light is flung to the side.
Naoya: I would like to point out that there was a blackout at this moment that lasted about thirty seconds. *Smirk* I'm sure the defense has no objections to the fact?
Yosuke: Huh? O-Oh! Yes. There was indeed a blackout at the store, just like the video shows. (Did he seriously look up my history!?)
Judge: I see. Proceed with the video.
Thirty seconds passes and the power goes back on. Showing Teddie on top of the victim. He panics and a security guard shows up. The video ends.
Naoya: And there we have it. Undeniable proof of his crime.
Yosuke: Hold it! I have to disagree. There are two events the footage doesn't show.
Naoya: Is that so? Explain.
Yosuke: If you take a look at the video, we don't see the assault and the murder weapon being used.
Naoya:...Defense. Did you not think I thought of those possibilities? *Smirk* I have two things to expel those doubts.
Yosuke: (Uh oh. I don't like the sound of that.)
Naoya: Firstly, the murder weapon is right here.
Naoya pulls out a syringe. Teddie runs up to the witness.
Teddie: Hey that's mine! Where did you find it!?
Naoya: This was found at the scene of the crime. It has the accused fingerprints. It's missing the needle, but the police eventually found it. It contains traces of the poison used to kill the victim.
Yosuke: Are...Are you serious!?
Teddie: But that's not possible! I lost it a couple of days ago!
Judge: That's enough shouting in the court. Go back to your seat, Defendant.
Teddie is about to complain, but he sees Yukiko and Yosuke signaling him to stop. He lowers his head.
Teddie: But I did lose it…
He goes back to his seat.
Yosuke: Teddie really knows how to make a situation go from bad to worse, huh?
Yukiko: This is no time for silly remarks! Did you hear what he just said? He lost the syringe before the murder took place. This clearly contradicts the evidence presented to us!
Yosuke: Yeah. That's right! Your Honor?
Judge: What is it, defense?
Yosuke: I would like to add the statement that he lost the syringe the day before the murder to the court.
Naoya: Objection! There's no need for that. The footage shows all we need.
Yosuke: Objection! *Shakes head* Actually, there's an inconsistency with the video.
Judge: Interesting. Can you show the court this inconsistency?
Yosuke: Take that! Look at the video again. Teddie is wearing gloves even after the blackout. *Smacks desk* Tell me, how can his fingerprints be on the weapon if he has gloves!
Naoya: That can easily be explained. *Crosses arms* Remember he went to the back to get the pineapple slices. He could've got the weapon beforehand.
Yosuke: Ack! (I actually didn't think of that.)
Yukiko: Objection! A credible speculation, but there's one flaw with your claim. Look at the footage again. Towards the end.
Naoya: Okay. And what's wrong with it?
Yukiko: *Smirk* I'm surprised you haven't noticed? You claim to have found the syringe at the crime scene. Yet as everyone can see…*Points dramatically* there's no weapon at all in the footage!
Naoya: *Recoils in pain* Argh!
The crowd is bustling with noise.
Judge: *Smack* Order! I will have order!
Yosuke: Nice going, Yukiko!
Judge: The defense makes a valid point. Is there no more footage of the scene?
Naoya: That will be impossible. The feed cuts off after the security guard appears. The security cameras are old and gave out. As the defense pointed out, the weapon is indeed absent in the video. But I did say earlier I had two things to expel doubts. And here's my second.
Yukiko: Bring it on! *Smacks desk* We'll take everything you got!
Yosuke: P-Please calm down, Yukiko.
Naoya: I will now call the witness to the stand.
The security guard from the footage takes a stand.
Naoya: Witness, please state your name and occupation.
Seehu: *Pulls out her badge* Name's Seehu Donnit. I'm the sheriff of supermarkets!
Naoya: *Crosses arms* She's part of a security company that looks after stores.
Seehu: You makin' it sound like it's no big deal. I tell you when I see crime, *Pulls out her gun* I brin' the law on them.
Yosuke: Yikes! *Hides under desk*
Judge: Witness! Stop brandishing your weapon around!
Seehu: Woah there, partner. No need to be so frightened. This is just a model gun. You Japs are such jumpy folk.
Yukiko:...But you're Japanese.
Seehu: Hey! I may have been born in the East, but my spirit belongs to the West! The red, white and blue courses through my veins, brother man!
Naoya: Can we proceed with the trial, please? Also, you can come out now.
Yosuke: *Gets up* I-I was picking up my badge. Hehe.
Yukiko: *Glare*
Yosuke: D-Don't look at me like that!
Naoya: Ms. Donnit, please give your testimony.
Witness Testimony: Seehu's Side
Seehu: So I was doin' my usual duty patrol that day. I went to the produce section and saw both men talkin' to one another. Then, the lights went out and I heard the man screamin' in pain. After chaos finally settled, the lights went back on and I saw the young lad on top of the older man. He definitely killed the man in cold blood!
Naoya: And there we have it. Undeniable proof of his crime.
Judge: It does seem rather convincing. Defense, you may now proceed with the cross-examination.
Yukiko: This is it. Our moment to expose the lies from the testimony.
Yosuke: All right. (I have to find a hole quickly or else Teddie will be in the slammer.)
Cross-examination
"So I was doin' my usual patrol that day. I went to the produce section and I saw both men talkin' to one another."
Yosuke: Hold it! Did you happen to hear their conversation?
Seehu: *Pulls out her gun* Course not! Eavesdroppin' is against the law!
Yosuke: Okay! Just stop waving that around, please. (Hmmm. Is whatever they were talking about important? If so…) Your Honor, I request my client to take a stand and testify along with the witness. I believe their conversation could be important.
Judge:...Prosecution?
Naoya: I have no objections.
Judge: Very well. Defendant, please come to the stand.
Teddie is now on the witness stand with Seehu.
Yosuke: Teddie, will you tell us what you and Vic were talking about?
Teddie: Oh! *Sparkle* I was telling him how his suit looked very cool and about my missing water bottle!
Yosuke: Water bottle?
Teddie: Yes. *Points at the syringe* That's what I use to water the veggies on the counter. They get very thirsty and I water them to make them happy!
Yosuke: (Now I know why the water bill was higher than usual.) Even someone like you should know this is a syringe.
Teddie: No! A syringe has a needle. This is a bottle.
Yosuke: Wait a minute. So you bought it without the needle?
Teddie: Yup. I didn't want to scare them. They get all brown and mushy at the sight of danger! Here's the receipt of where I got it.
Shiroku's receipt has been added to the Court Record.
Yukiko: I didn't know she sold syringes without needles.
Yosuke: I guess there's a market for everything. (I should keep pressing for more details.)
"Then, the lights went out and I heard the man screamin' in pain."
Yosuke: Hold it! What made you so sure it was pain and not fright from the lights going out?
Seehu: *Shows her badge* Bein' a veteran of the law, I can tell the tone in voices. Plus, I also heard the struggle and the moment when he stabbed him.
Yukiko: You heard? So you didn't even see how the crime happened?
Seehu: Hoo there, partner. I don't need to speculate when there's a recordin' of the event.
Yukiko: Rrrgh! She is gettin' on my nerves!
Yosuke: L-Let me take over for a moment. She said something damning right now.
Yukiko: Then what are you waitin' for? Shove that evidence on her face!
Yosuke: Your Honor, I would like the witness to add the moment of the attack to their testimony.
Judge: So many requests. Very well. Please add it to your testimony.
Seehu: Okey dokey arichokey!
"It may have been dark, but I definitely heard him stab the man!"
Yosuke: Objection! Did you really hear the defendant stab the man?
Seehu: Of course! It is unlawful to lie under oath!
Yosuke: *Smirk* Sorry, but either you've misheard or are lying.
Seehu: Watch talkin' bout, Spikes!?
Yosuke; (Spikes?) *Shows the receipt* The defendant has confirmed on buying the syringe without the needle. Even if he didn't lose it like he claimed, *Smacks desk* he couldn't have stabbed the victim!
Seehu: W-What!?
Yukiko: Now that's what I'm talking about!
Naoya: Objection! The accused could've bought another one later.
Yosuke: Objection! *Shakes head* I'm sorry, but that's impossible.
Naoya: Is that so? Can you elaborate further with evidence?
Yosuke: Gladly. Take that! Back to the video, we see no murder weapon. When exactly was the weapon found?
Naoya: It appeared the next day after the witness pointed where it was…! Wait, you're not implying what I think you are?
Yosuke: Oh yeah. *Slams desk* I'm arguing that the weapon was implanted AFTER the murder!
Naoya: Nan-
Yukiko: Da-
Seehu: TOOOOOOOOOOOOO!?
The crowd talks with one another
Judge: *Smack* Order! Now that's insightful. If what the defense claims is true, then that leaves room open for possible suspects.
Yosuke: (Nice! I finally made some progress.)
Naoya: Objection! There can only be one suspect, as the weapon proves to us. There was a needle in the crime the police found later without the witness. Care to explain that?
Yosuke:...You got me there.
Yukiko: Hold it! The attack occurred in the dark. It is possible that the suspect didn't know where the needle fell off.
Naoya: Then answer this question. Who did it?
Yosuke: (With everything lined up, there was only one person who could've committed the crime.)
Yukiko: It's now or never. You know what to do.
Yosuke: Right. Your Honor, I know someone else who did it.
Judge: Understood. Show us to the court who the other suspect might be?
Yosuke: Take that! Based on all the evidence so far, the only other person to kill Vic is you, Ms. Donnit!
Seehu: Hoover Dam!
The crowd goes wild
Judge: *Smack smack smack* Order! Order! I will have order in the court!
Seehu: Objection! What's the big idea!? I'm a woman of the law! Murder is illegal. Plus, you're forgettin' one thin'.
Yosuke: And that is?
Seehu: There are cameras all over the store. If I planted the syringe, I would've been caught. Ain't that right, sexy prosecutor?
Naoya:...Right.
Yukiko: Dammit! She is right on that part.
Yosuke: Not really. She had the chance to plant the evidence without being recorded.
Seehu: Ha! What a load of malarkey. Sexy prosecutor, please tell the defense how stupid they are?
Naoya:...Do you have evidence for this claim?
Seehu: Hoooooey! Didn't take ya for a woman. Haha!
Yosuke: (This is a courtroom. Not a rodeo.) Yes. And this is my proof! Take that!
Judge: The video again?
Yosuke: Remember that the cameras gave out after being on shortly. Which means they were still not functioning when the police were investigating.
Seehu: Objection! Now hold it right there, partner. There were fingerprints of that boy all over the syringe. If I had planted it, my prints would be there too. Oh and before you point out, yes I wear gloves, but I have no reason to steal his water bottle, as he calls it.
Yosuke: Ugh! (Shit man. Just when I had something going on.)
Yukiko: Actually, there was a reason for it. You tried to u ? C. x ?4ssteerer 4swrest 3se his syringe as a weapon to then frame him later.
Seehu: Hah! Pure conjecture, Red. See? I know my law terms.
Yukiko: Not conjecture. Pure analysis. After all, you had to buy another syringe with a needle to commit the crime.
Seehu:...! Now you're just making campfire stories.
Yosuke: Woah! You got a reaction. How did you know about there being a second weapon?
Yukiko: I didn't. I was bluffing based on the evidence.
Yosuke: Next time, consult with me before making a big claim like that.
Naoya: Now there's a second weapon? How intriguing. And convenient.
Seehu: These folks are crazier than my cock waking me up in the morning.
Yosuke: (Phrasing…I have to think of a way to prove there was a second syringe involved.) Prosecutor, what did you do with the witness after she revealed the weapon?
Naoya: She was taken immediately for questioning and to prepare for today's trial. Why?
Yosuke:...(Why, indeed. Why would she go back to the scene of the crime? Was it to plant the weapon? But if that's the case, she could've just not arrived and be less suspicious...unless she had a reason to go back.)
Judge: We're waiting for your answer, Defense.
Yosuke: R-Right. (Guess I have to bluff my way like Yukiko.) Ms. Donnit, you had to go back to the crime scene because there was something there you didn't want the police to find out.
Seehu: There's one thing I learned in my line of work, is that evidence speaks a thousand words. So let me see this "proof".
Yosuke: Take that! *Shows the syringe* You had to go to drop this off!
Seehu: Objection! Conjecture! Pure conjecture, I tell you hwhat!
Naoya:...Please continue with your explanation.
Seehu: Wait a dang dong minute! Aren't you supposed to protect me from accusations!?
Naoya: My job is to remove any doubts about the truth. *Glare* Now do us all a favor and let the defense finish or else you'll keep adding more doubts.
Seehu:...Hmph!
Yosuke: (What a polite way of saying shut the fuck up.) As I was saying, you didn't go back just to drop the weapon. *Points at her* You went there to retrieve the second syringe, as well!
Seehu: Woe. Okay. And where is it?
Yosuke: That's easy. (I hope.)
Naoya: I can see you shaking a little. *Smirk* I hope you're not doing this to delay the court?
Yukiko: Don't worry. I believe you can do this.
Yosuke: Thank you. *Deep breath* The whereabouts of the second weapon is...currently on the witness herself!
Seehu: Eh!?
Naoya: *Recoils in pain* Are you serious!?
The crowd uproars in gasps and astonishment.
Yosuke: The moment she swapped the syringes, she was taken to questioning and sent here as a witness. She didn't have enough time to dispose of the real murder weapon!
Seehu: Objection! Sorry, kiddo. But you ain't got anythin' to prove the existence of this second weapon. It's all Grimm tales, I'm hearin'.
Yosuke: Rrrrgh! (She's right. I have nothing to prove it. But I know she has it. And I'm not letting her get away!) I'm going to do something rash. Don't judge me for it.
Yukiko: What are y-
The Magician card floats in front of Yosuke. He tries to act casually and grabs the card to crush it under the desk. Jiraiya is summoned behind him. Naoya is shocked but quickly composes himself.
Yosuke: Hey, does anybody feel a sudden breeze?
Seehu: A breeze? AAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!
Jiraiya uses Garu on her. Her clothes are taken off, leaving her with only her undergarments. Something falls on the floor first. It's an empty syringe.
Judge: My goodness! Could someone provide the witness something to cover herself and close the windows!
Yosuke: Hold it! Did someone catch that? *Points at the syringe* Why did you possess this?
Seehu: !
Yosuke: I know why you have it. You didn't have time to dispose of the evidence and you kept it till you found the opportunity to throw it away.
Seehu: N-No! You're wrong!
Yosuke: Am I? So if we test for poison, then it will come out negative, right?
Seehu: W-Well th-the thin' is...
Yosuke: *Slams desk* It's over Ms. Donnit. This evidence proves no one else but you could've done it. *Points dramatically* It's time to confess your crime!
Seehu: Eugh...HHOOOOOOOOOOOOOSAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYCAAAAAAAAAANYOUUUUUUUUSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!
Yosuke:...
Yukiko:...
Naoya:...
Judge:...
Seehu:...*Fixes her hair* Ah shucks. I guess it wasn't meant to be.
Yosuke: So you admit it?
Seehu: Eeyup. *Twiddles her fingers* Although...I didn't mean to kill him. He was sadly in the way of the love of my life.
Yosuke: L-Love of your life?
Seehu: *Dreamy sigh* Oh. It's my little cutie Teddie bear~!
Teddie: Wait what!?
Seehu: I just want to take him to my basement all tied on a chair wrapped in duct tape for both his and my pleasure. *Dreamy sigh* Just imagining his crying face as he chokes with fear has me being a jumpy snake in someone's boot.
Yosuke: S-Somebody get Teddie away from this woman!
Judge: Bailiff! Detain the witness and call the police at once!
Seehu is removed from the court.
Judge: I'm truly impressed, defense. Not only have you figured out the case, but also managed to find the true suspect. I see there are still capable people on the field.
Yosuke & Yukiko: Thank you, Your Honor.
Judge: Now then, it's time for the verdict. The court hereby finds the defendant...Not Guilty.
Confetti showers the entire room and the crowd cheers.
Judge: Court is dismissed. *Smack*
August 19 11:54 a.m. The Defendant Lobby No.2
"Ooof. I can't believe we actually did it." Once everything is over, the adrenaline is wearing off and I can feel the heaviness of my body.
"Yes! We blew them out of the water!" Yukiko is celebrating. "You were a natural out there. However, how did you summon Jiraiya outside the TV World?"
"...It's a long story, but to make it short, I had to train a lot for it."
"Well don't skip on the details. I want to learn how to do it too!" Yukiko is getting hyped. Teddie comes out of nowhere and hugs her.
"You were so cool out there, Yuki-san!" They talk with each other. I notice Naoya approaching.
"Congratulations on winning the case. I knew you both could do it."
"Thank you, Toudou-san. I'm surprised you took the case."
"Hahaha! When I saw who the defense was, I had to see how much you've grown. I was surprised to see you being a Persona user."
"...Wait. You could see my Persona?"
"There are many people like us in the world. I'm sure you'll encounter more along the way. So be careful about summoning around the public." Huh. I had a feeling there was something special about him. "But it comforts me that you use your gifts for a good cause. I have nothing to worry about."
"Did you both know each other?" Yukiko asks me.
"...It's another long story. Actually, now that everything has been settled, I can finally give this." I pull out a ring. "Yukiko Amagi, will you marry me?" Yukiko recoils in surprise.
"You're serious about this...Very well, I accept it. From now on, I'll be known as Ms. Hanamura."
"You can still keep your last name." I say.
"WHAAAAT!? Yosuke, I didn't know you had a thing for Yuki-chan." Teddie reacts.
"Woah! Now this is something you don't see everyday." Naoya comments.
"Guys, we're only being married legally. It's purely platonic." I have to clarify. Don't want people getting any funny ideas.
We say our goodbyes and head home.
August 19 7:58 p.m. Shiroku Pub
Yukiko and I decided to celebrate the occasion. I left Teddie home as he was emotionally and physically exhausted by the trial. I only had one shot of whiskey, while Yukiko is already on her fourth.
"Keep 'em coming! I still have enough room." She says, with a blush on her face.
"I think you've had enough." I tell her.
"Nonsense! We have to enjoy the moment, honey bun~! Hahahaha!" There she goes. Laughing like a maniac. She then becomes silent and starts crying.
"...Is it wrong that sometimes I miss him?" Ah. So that's what it is.
"No. I miss him too." We both share a moment of silence. She keeps drinking until passing out. I sigh. Now I have to carry her all the way home.