October 25, 9:47 AM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3
The group was gathered in the defendant Lobby as Athena was looking as nervous as she ever was.
"First case you're leading getting you unnerved?" Peni asked, stretching.
"You have no idea. My heart hasn't raced this fast since I ran that full marathon last year." Athena admitted.
"If it keeps up, you might get a lawyer's high - you know, like a runner's high?" Apollo askeded.
"Don't worry about it, Athena. Everyone gets nervous their first time." David said. "What about you, 9S?"
"Well, just a bit, though being in the mock trial helped ease me up a bit." 9S said. "And seeing the previous two trials and participating in one is a learning experience."
"Klavier even gave you his seal of approval, so you'll do fine." Noel said.
"Yeah, I even have 153 helping too." 9S said.
"Speaking of help, why'd you decide to join the defense team, Peni?" Makoto asked.
"Well, this case is centered around an Academy for High School students. And I'm a high school student myself, even though I really don't look it." Peni said. "So, I figured that having people at high school age between the four years would help see things in a good angle. Even more so because David's a senior at his school."
"And there are three years of high school in Japan, much like in this school, it looks like." David said. "I just realized that Sachiko and I have cram school to think about now that I think about it."
"Yeah, university entrance exams can be a bit of a piledriver at times." Sachiko said.
"Yeah, Cram School is a pain." Saki said.
"Regardless of how much experienced you are, or where you stand in education, my fears aren't unfounded today." Aristotle said as he appeared with Phoenix.
"Oh, Professor Means. What makes you so afraid? Is it because our opponent is Blackquill?" Peni questioned.
"Yes. He is a man who is so terribly brutal...and willing to use any means necessary to win a conviction." Aristotle said. "Now that it has come to this...we have no choice but to fight fire with fire. The end justifies the means." he said doing his ok sign and smile.
"That phrase again? We're not resorting to any underhanded tactics to win, Professor. We're not sinking to what the Dark Age brings." Hope said.
"But yesterday as you were investigating, we all heard what Ms. Cykes treasures as a lawyer most, is seeking justice for her clients." Aristotle reminded. "But if this trial proceeds in the same manner and ends in the same way as the mock trial... would she not lose everything she worked so hard to gain?"
"Well, I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, then, won't I!" Athena said.
"My, but aren't you a stubborn one. Well, I suppose you will have to learn of your own inefficacy the hard way." Aristotle said.
"Not very supportive for a teacher, is he?" 9S whispered.
"'Fraid not." David whispered back. "A-anyway, we should just leave the matter as is, Professor."
"Oh, dear, please forgive me. It's just, I wish to protect Juniper by any means I can." Aristotle said. "Now, if you would excuse me…"
As the professor left, everybody was looking at him.
"I don't trust that guy one bit, especially that 'end justifies the means' creed." Catra said. "We heard the rumors about the academy yesterday from Phoenix. All that stuff about the academy teaching their students the ways of the Dark Age."
"Yeah, I don't really trust him either. He's like an eel dipped in grease, swimming in motor oil." David said.
"Dirty?" Dawn asked.
"...Slippery." David said.
"Ugh! Thanks to him, I'm feeling even more pressure than before." Athena said.
"Athena, just relax, okay? Don't let stuff like that get to you." David said.
"I'll be fine! And I haven't forgotten what Mr. Wright said! 'The worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles.'" Athena said.
"Then we'll be sure to win our way, no matter what happens." Peni said. "Anybody else want in on the defense team before we go?"
"I think I may as well." Sachiko said.
"If you believe you'll be able to help out, then I shall go as well." Crusadermon said.
"Sounds like a pretty solid team. Apollo, I'm counting on you to support them." Phoenix said.
"Okay, Mr. Wright! Leave it to me!" Apollo said.
"(That's right. Everyones backing me up. Junie's fate is in our hands. I won't rest until she goes free!)" Athena thought as court was set to begin.
10:00 AM
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
Day 1
Court Is Now In Session
All Rise
"Court is now in session for the trial of Juniper Woods." The Judge said.
"A-Athena Cykes, d-defense team leader, is ready, Your Honor!" Athena said with nervousness in her voice.
"That didn't sound too confident. You sure you're okay?" Apollo asked.
"I'l… I'll be fine!" Athena assured.
"And who is presiding with you and Mr. Justice today on the Defense, Ms. Cykes?" The Judge asked. "I see you're back on the stand, Mr. Ishihara, but there are some new faces here."
"Yes. This is my classmate from back home. Her name is Sachiko Yukimura, and the knight next to her is her Digimon partner, Crusadermon." David said.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Crusadermon said.
"And the white haired fellow in black?" The Judge asked.
"My name is YoRHa No.9 type S, Military Android specializing in hacking and scouting. And my companion is Pod 153. But you can just call me 9S for short." 9S said.
"Ah, I see. Hm? Wasn't there another one who came in?" The Judge asked.
"I'm still here, your Honor!" Peni called from the defense bench, but given her small size, she was nowhere to be seen from the defense bench as she hopped a little. "Ugh… can I get a box, please?!"
"Hold on. I'll go get a milk crate." Sachiko said.
One was soon brought as Peni was now fully seen.
"Whew, that's better." Peni wiped her forehead. "Peni Parker, ready to begin, your Honor! And for the record, I am a High School Student, don't mistake my looks."
"Enough with the introductions. Let's begin immediately." Blackquill said, clearly ready to go.
"Okay, okay… I'm guessing you want the Judge to give the opening statement as usual?" Peni asked.
"No need." Blackquill said. "This case is crystal clear. I see no need to explicate it any further. …Now, summon the witness." he ordered as the Judge was silent. "Is there something the matter? Please, do share, your Baldness."
"Wh-Whatever gave you that idea?! Bailiff, please call our first witness!" The Judge said.
"This guy just does whatever he wants when it comes to trials…" Peni said to the others.
"Even though he's a criminal, Fulbright pretty much lets him do whatever." 9S said cupping his chin in thought and suspicion. "(I'd better see what I can find out about Fulbright after we help clear Juniper's name.)" he thought.
"Speaking of Fulbright, here he is." Peni said as Fulbright was the first to attend the Witness Stand. Blackquill signaled him slightly.
"Oh, right! The case brief! Leave it to me!" the detective said, almost like he knew what Blackquill was onto. "Yes, let the detective in charge, everyone's favorite friend of justice, explain!"
"What was THAT just now...? It's like he and Blackquill are totally in sync." Apollo noticed, a little unnerved.
"Well, I don't think they're capable of mind melding, if that's what you're thinking." Athena said.
"All right, Detective Fulbright. Would you please explain the case to the court?" The Judge asked.
"Prof. Courte's body was discovered on October 24th at approximately 2:30 PM. She was murdered with this awl I have here! The victim's blood and the defendant's prints were both discovered on it!" Fulbright said, presenting it as 153 added it to her database of the Court Record.
Blackquill then signaled Taka as he took flight, delivering Courte's Autopsy Report to the defense, in the process giving Athena a little fright as 153 added the Autopsy as well.
"Wow, Taka can pretty much do anything, huh?" Peni asked. "It's pretty amazing how well he's been trained."
"Maybe Blackquill should train him not to mess up people's hair while he's at it." Athena said.
"Moving right along! The body was discovered on the outdoor stage, although no blood was found there! However, we detected traces of a massive amount of blood in the third floor art room. In short, the murder took place in the art room!" Fulbright said.
"So, the body had been moved from the art room to the stage?" The Judge asked.
"Precisely! And there is one more piece of irrefutable evidence! A recording made by a tape recorder that a school paper reporter hid in the art room! It captured a female voice screaming, "You're a goner!'" Fulbright said.
"It must be from the same tape recorders that we found out about from you know who." Peni said.
"Shhhhhh! Silence, please! I would like to play the tape for you now." Fulbright said as he played the recording. Just like he said, there was a female voice that said "You're a goner!", though it was hard to hear..
"Hmm... It is quite hard to hear." The Judge said as 153 added the Tape Recorder to the Court Record.
"The noise and low volume of the voice have made voiceprint analysis all but impossible." Fulbright said.
"Then, you haven't identified the voice as belonging to the defendant." The Judge said.
"Not so fast. After all, voiceprint analysis isn't everything! The victim was killed at night, then discovered in the afternoon the next day. The question is... when was the body moved!" Fulbright said.
"...Oh, oh! I know! It could've been moved in the middle of the night when no one was around!" The Judge said.
"Sorry, but no! The campus was full of students that morning. However, no one reported seeing a body. That means the body was moved sometime before the mock trial when all the students... and faculty were gathered in the Lecture Hall and the rest of the campus was empty! It was during this time Hugh O'Conner, one of the mock trial participants, found the body." Fulbright said.
"So they knew about him seeing the body." 9S said.
"Wait a moment. If all of the students and faculty were gathered in the Lecture Hall...then there wouldn't have been anyone who could've moved the body!" The Judge said.
"Ha ha ha! Have no fear, for there is always an exception." Fulbright said.
"An exception?" The Judge asked.
"The three mock trial participants were standing by in individual dressing rooms. They were the only ones who had free access to the deserted campus before the mock trial." Fulbright said.
"What?! Then that would mean...! What would that mean?" The Judge asked.
"Those three students were the only ones who could've moved the body! In justice we trust!" Fulbright said. "And by those three, I mean...Hugh O'Conner, Robin Newman, and Juniper Woods. The voice believed to be that of the murderer was female! And out of the three people who could've moved the body, just one is a girl. That leaves the defendant Juniper Woods as the only possibility!"
"Noooooooooooo!" Athena cried.
"A splendid job, Fool Bright. That could not be any clearer. Feel free to anticipate a salary raise next month." Blackquill said.
"Ha ha ha ha! I don't do this for the money. It's all about justice! In justice we trust!" Fulbright said.
"Hmph. Not only a halfwit, but a perennial stick-in-the-mud you are." Blackquill said.
"Now, Bailiff, please bring our next witness to the stand." The Judge said as Fulbright left and the next witness brought up was a girl inside a cardboard box with yellow eyes peeking out one of the handle holes as multiple japanese words were seen on the box.
"And… who may I ask, is this?" Sachiko asked.
"Myriam Scuttlebutt. Senior at the legal academy. I'm a reporter on the judge course. Juniper's been a bad, bad girl. I'll tell you all about her crime, sss, sss, sss!" The box said.
"...Umm, might I ask whether you could come out of that box?" The Judge asked.
"How will I get any more scoops if I blow my cover? So, the answer is no. After all, covert action is an undercover reporter's bread and butter!" Scuttlebutt said.
"Hmm... But testimony from a faceless witness is highly irregular." The Judge said.
"A former ninja I met in the clink said that exposing those who work in the shadows... is to pass the death sentence upon them." Blackquill said.
"Oh, my! I had never thought of it that way. Very well, if it would spare a life, I'll make a special exception this time." The Judge said.
"Is the Judge really this gullible?" 9S asked in a whisper.
"It doesn't really matter as long as we get the truth from her." Peni said. "Shes Blackquills key witness. Knowing him, he's oviously banking on her to cement that Juniper did the crime."
"Then let's see if we can't unbox the truth." Athena said, pounding her fists.
Witness Testimony: Myriam Scuttlebutt
- The Similarity of the Case and the Script -
The murder happened exactly like Juniper's mock trial script.
Up until the mock trial began, only Prof. Courte and Juniper knew the script's contents.
But Prof. Courte's sudden decision not to use the script sparked Juniper's murderous rage.
Juniper has to be the killer. She has a motive and the murder is just like her script.
"I can't discern anything. Her testimony is rock-solid." David said.
"So you can see now how clear cut my case is, Ishihara-dono?" Blackquill asked.
"Yes. However, I still don't think Junie would replicate a murder with her own script." David said.
"He's right. Doing that would obviously make her the culprit. It's completely irrational." Peni said.
"She's right, what reason would she have to intentionally make the actual murder mimic her own script?" 9S asked. "This is clearly evidence of someone trying to frame her!"
"Kahk... Kaaahk kahk-kahk!" Scuttlebutt stammered before she lurched back, her box popping up into the air as she caught it, a bunch of school supplies falling out.
"The body was found on the day of the mock trial. In other words, the day the script's details were revealed." Sachiko said. "So, she would have to be completely out of her mind to have the murder go exactly like the script."
"Kahk-kahk-kahk! Don't let it go to your heads just yet!" Scuttlebutt pushed back, pounding on her box.
OBJECTION!
"Drawn your swords, I see. But compared to Ishihara-dono's, your blades are quite unpolished and unrefined." Blackquill said. "There's a perfectly good reason for the inconsistency of which you all speak. The accused had intended to stop the mock trial. And in that event...nary a soul would have been the wiser to the similarities of the case and script."
OBJECTION!
"The mock trial was cut short after the body was discovered!" Athena said.
OBJECTION!
"Hmph. Our witness here had also discovered the body. In fact, she was led to our dearly departed professor by the accused herself." Blackquill said.
"Wh-What?! Ms. Scuttlebutt saw the body, too?!" Athena asked.
"Precisely. And with the discovery of the body, the mock trial ought to have been cancelled." Blackquill said.
"Wait, so if she found the body before us, why didn't she call the police?" Peni asked.
"I kept it a secret for my big scoop!" Scuttlebutt declared without any fear.
"How can you be so heartless? A living person died!" 9S said.
"Said the android to the human." Scuttlebutt mentioned.
"Oh, that is a low blow." Crusadermon said.
"Enough jabbering. On with your testimony, witness." Blackquill said.
"Sss, sss, sss, sss... Sure, Mr. Samurai. I'm ready to finish off that she-devil!" Scuttlebutt said.
Witness Testimony: Myriam Scuttlebutt
- What Scuttlebutt Saw -
I snuck into Juniper's dressing room while everyone was in the Lecture Hall.
Juniper had changed into her stage costume. I asked her, "What are you doing?"
When suddenly, she fled into the hallway, as if she wanted me to follow her.
I followed her all the way to Prof. Courte's body! She led me right to it!
I'm positive it was Juniper because she was wearing the costume that she had made!
→ Wearing the costume that she had made ←
Present: Stage Costume
OBJECTION!
"Ms. Scuttlebutt's sole basis for identifying our client as the figure in this photo... is the fact that it shows someone in Ms. Woods's stage costume." 9S said.
"Sss, sss, sss. Well, it IS Juniper's costume. So that must be Juniper in it. It's clear-cut." Scuttlebutt said. "I even have photo evidence to prove it!" she said, showing a photo of someone putting on the costume.
"That's where you're wrong!" 9S said. "Because according to this design, it's a drawing of our client's costume." he said as 153 showed a clear image of it.
"Oh, my, what a wonderful creation! The constellations are extraordinary." The judge said.
"I'm glad you noticed, your honor. But take a look at Ms. Scuttlebutt's photo and compare Juniper's design." Peni said. "Do you see any stars on it right now? I sure don't. Whoever's in this photo isn't Juniper." she said before pointing to Scuttlebut. "Because, she wouldn't put her own costume on the wrong way!"
"Kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk! Kaaaaaaaaaahk!" Scuttlebutt cried.
"Hmm... But why would Ms. Woods make a mistake like that?" The Judge asked.
"Well, it's not really a matter of why... but rather, who made the mistake of putting it on inside out." Athena said.
"Yes. The costume's own designer wouldn't put on their own costume inside out." Crusadermon said.
"Sorry, Ms. Scuttlebutt, but...doesn't believing you had a scoop when you really didn't make you a failure as a reporter?" 9S asked.
"A f-failure as a r-reporter?! Kahk-kahk-kahk…Kaaahk kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk!" Scuttlebutt cried, popping up her box again as she lurched back in sheer shock, spilling her supplies again, which this time included a laptop. When it crashed to the floor, she tossed the box up with a dreaded expression, accidentally revealing herself as a young girl in a similar uniform as Juniper as she had long black hair in pigtails before quickly covering her face as the box covered her again.
"Not bad for an android, wouldn't you say?" 9S asked.
OBJECTION!
"I would have you stop right there, metal man." Blackquill said. "For it is the why of the matter upon which I would have this court focus. Ms. Juniper Woods!"
"Yes?!" Juniper asked.
"What were you doing on the morning of the mock trial?" Bkaquill asked.
"I was in my dressing room, *cough* painting my costume in fluorescent paint." Juniper coughed.
"Fluorescent paint?" 9S said.
"Analysis: A type of paint containing several compounds that allows the substance to glow in the dark." 153 analyzed.
"My design drawing shows twinkling stars on the costume. *cough* *cough* I was going to make the costume shimmer like that by painting the inside fluorescent." Juniper continued. "I let it dry for a while because I heard it takes a long time. So I put the costume on my mannequin inside out."
"Here is a photograph of the inside-out costume taken in the dark. As you can see, there is a heavy layer of paint over the entire inside surface. If someone were to properly don this costume in this state... the wet paint would get all over their body." Blackquill noted, showing the photo of the illuminated costume. What was off about it were the marks near the headpiece. "Ergo, the costume was worn the way it was, not by anyone's mistake... but because this was the way it was on the mannequin - inside out!"
"Gah! Seems Blackquill lured us into a trap." Peni said.
"Not quite. Look at that." Sachiko said, pointing out a hand print on the dress. "Looks like someone touched it while the paint was still wet."
"Hey, you're right! But Junie would know better than to touch it while the paint was still wet." Athena said.
OBJECTION!
"I believe the term to describe your thought process is wishful thinking. After all, if master painters make mistakes, why not a rank amateur such as the accused?" Blackquill asked.
OBJECTION!
"Well there is evidence that shows who did touch the dress that wasn't Juniper." 9S said as 153 uploaded an image of the Themis Herald Extra.
"A school newspaper?" The Judge asked.
"Interesting." Blackquill said.
"Take a look at the photo where the lights are dimmed and the spotlight is on Ms. Woods. Observe Mr. Newman's hand in that photo as he stands at the prosecutor's bench. As you can see, it's glowing, just like Ms. Woods's fluorescent paint." 9S said.
"Check it out. His hand is glowing pretty brightly." Crusadermon said.
"I don't think the paint got onto his hand intentionally. It might have ended up there when he put the costume on." Sachiko said.
"This proves that the figure wearing the costume in the photo was not Juniper Woods, but rather her classmate…Robin Newman!" 9S said.
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" The Judge asked.
"But…how do we prove it?" Peni asked.
"Oh that won't be a problem. Mr. Newman, I know you are in the gallery…I challenge you to a duel." Blackquill said.
Scuttlebutt was soon guided out and in her place was Robin Newman.
"Will the witness please state his name and occupation." The Judge said.
"IIIIIIIIIII'M ROBIIIIIIIN NEWMAAAAAAAAN! I want to become a great artist! I practice day and night! YEAAAAAAH! NOOOOOO! That's not it! Art's gotta be sincere, maaaaaan!" Robin said.
"So…I should put down budding artist?" the judge asked.
"NOOOOOO! Themis Legal Academy! Senior! PROSECUTOR COOOURSE! This brace is proof of my masculinity! I've been training to be a prosecutor for 18 years!" Robin said, holding a pottery vase before smashing it to the floor.
"*ahem* I assume you will be cleaning up the pottery you smashed before you leave today." The Judge said.
"...Aaaaaaaaagh! AWWW, MAAAAAAAAAN! Aaaaaaaaagh! Aaagh…" Robin yelled before he slowly quieted down.
"Hmm... It seems the witness has finally settled down." The Judge said, unfazed by Robin's voice. "You may proceed with your testimony, Mr. Newman. Specifically, the court wishes to hear why you had fluorescent paint on your hand."
Witness Testimony: Robin Newman
- Why I Touched the Costume -
I went to see Juniper in her dressing room! BUT SHE WASN'T THERE!
When I walked by that frilly costume, I was like, whoaaaaaa!
the mannequin it was on! IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL ON ME!
I got that paint on me when I caught it!
But I never put it on! That's just STUUUPID!
HOLD IT!
"Your Honor, I would like to request a short therapy session for the witness." Athena said.
"Well, Mr. Newman does seem particularly agitated, but…" The Judge said.
"Agh! ...Arrrgh! Aaaaaaaaagh! Nooooooooooooooo!" Robin yelled.
"Alert: High levels of discord detected in witness." 153 said.
"So, you think he might be hiding something?" Apollo asked.
"Affirmative." 153 said.
"Let's see what we can uncover in the mood matrix, then." Peni said.
"Like you read my mind." Athena said, activating the program and recording Robin's testimony.
"I'll do what I can to help too." 9S said, bringing up a holoscreen.
I went to see Juniper in her dressing room! BUT SHE WASN'T THERE! - Surprise
When I walked by that frilly costume, I was like, whoaaaaaa! - Surprise, Happiness
the mannequin it was on! IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL ON ME! - Surprise
I got that paint on me when I caught it!- Surprise
But I never put it on! That's just STUUUPID! - Anger
Pinpoint: Happiness
GOT IT!
"Huh…when Robin walked by the dress. He seemed…happy?" Peni said, looking at it.
"WHAT? No. Why would I be into frilly things like that? No…" Newman said.
"I don't know… You seemed very interested in that costume for some reason. You didn't happen to put it on, did you?" Sachiko asked.
"NO WAY, MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! The mannequin came falling toward me, so I stuck out my hands to stop it! End of story!" Robin declared.
"Not end of story. Take a look at the photo of the costume Blackquill submitted. You said the mannequin came falling toward you, so you stuck your hands out to stop it. If so, then then fingers of your hands would've been pointing outward like this. But that's not what the handprints show. In fact, this looks more like just your thumbs and the base of your palms." 9S said.
"Why in the world would I leave weird handprints like that?" Robin asked, nervously gripping his right arm with his left hand.
"I think you know why. You left them when you went to adjust the scarf after putting it on." Crusadermon said.
"Admit it, you do like girls clothes! And you put the costume on!" Peni said.
"Okay, okay! I admit it! I put the costume on! But that doesn't mean I LIKE FRILLY GIRLS CLOTHES!" Newman said.
NOISE LEVEL
90%
"He likes girls' clothes. Huh." Glimmer said.
"Hmm…yeah…it's weird." Mineta said, looking at Newman with a glance.
"You were onto something with Robin yesterday, weren't you, Yuri?" Adora asked.
"Indeed I was." Yuri answered.
"Something about him feels off." Al said.
"Yeah…and I know what it is." Mineta said. "Either they're some weirdo crossdresser…or they're just pretending to be who they say they are. My senses are telling me this."
"Both would raise a lot of eyebrows if that's true." Dynasmon said.
"Well, you'll find out just what kind of person Robin is as they keep going." Yuri assured. "Believe me, you all will be surprised."
Back at the defense bench, the group continued to inspect Robin's updated mood matrix.
I snuck in, knowing the costume was in there!
My heart was pounding, even though I'm a guy.- Happiness, Sadness, Surprise
Then I saw it! It was even more amazing than I'd imagined! - Happiness (high)
I was like, WHOAAA! I'm a guy, but I got all excited! -Happiness (high), Sadness
It's true! I did put on girly clothes! - Happiness, Sadness
But it was strictly for artistic purposes! - Anger
Pinpoint: Sadness
GOT IT!
"Weird, why would he feel sad about putting girl clothes on?" 9S asked.
"Why don't we ask him?" Peni recommended. "Robin, we just detected sadness when you admitted to putting on Juniper's costume."
"So what?! You guys are really starting to get on my nerves, maaaaaan!" Robin responded. "It's no big deal if I felt sad!"
"Okay, Mr. Newman, out with it! Why did you feel sad?! You're hiding something, aren't you?!" Athena said.
"It's because… Because… No matter how much I dress up, I'll never be as pretty as Juniper!" Robin said.
"Well, no offense to that, but… Robin is a guy, and a real hothead at that." Sachiko said.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! THAT'S NOT IIIIIIIIIIT! I totally owned those girly clothes! I should've been totally pretty! BUT! BUT! THERE'S SOMETHING THAT KEEPS GETTING IN MY WAAAAAAY!" Robin yelled.
"Whoa… Robin's even more agitated than he was before!" Peni said.
"Yeah, that's a lot of Anger and Raw emotion I'm picking up right now." Athena said. "His heart is crying out in pain - his emotions are out of control!"
"It's just like with Jinxie." David said.
"Maybe there's a reason Robin's so mad that he can't be as pretty as Juniper." Peni said. "And that reason might be connected to something big."
"Hmm… You may be right. This will require quite a bit of deep thinking." David said.
"Like when you figured out the problem of how it was possible to escape the Fox Chamber?" Peni said. "This could be different though… you're exploring something connected directly to a witness, so it might be more different than the last time."
"I am well-aware of the risks, Peni. Don't worry. I know I can handle it." David said.
"Then this is a battle of the minds. Your hunter is going to clash with whatever's defending Robin's secret." Athena said. "Good luck."
"FINE! I'LL TESTIFY, MAAAAAAN!" Robin yelled.
Noise Level
85%
"(Sorry about this, Robin. You'll thank me for this later.)" David thought.
Logic Hunter: Start!
(Cue- DIVE DRIVE- Danganronpa 2)
The Predator landed on the scene to jump into action again. This time, he was inside a massive Xenomorph hive.
"(Okay… Let's see what we can figure out.)" David thought. "(First off, Robin admitted to put on the costume…)" he said as Xenomorphs start skittering in. "(Uh-oh… Xenomorphs… Gotta think this through fast!)"
The Predator ducked to hide as he saw some Xenomorphs on the scanner with a few answers to a question.
Why did Robin put on the costume?
He thinks it looks good on him.
He was testing it.
He is secretly a model.
"(If he was really intent on stopping the mannequin, he should have held his hands outward, like 9S said. But he didn't. He was clasping the mannequin like he was grabbing it. So, he had to have put it on because he likes frilly clothes.)"
The Predator cut down the Xenomorph with the corresponding answer. The group didn't notice his work, so he headed off to the next area.
"(Of course, he will never admit it. However, there seems to be a bit of lingering emotion in that statement. Something that keeps him from embracing that line of thought.)" David thought as the Predator came to see some Xenomorphs patrolling with the next question in mind.
What's the Emotion that's constantly in Robin's heart?
Happiness
Sadness
Anger
"(He was excited about putting the costume on, as Athena said. And as we just found out, Robin was sad because he felt he would never compare to Juniper.)" David thought. "(And now, he's seething with intense anger. There's gotta be something that he's so angry at, the source of it all.)"
The Predator fired his plasma caster at the drone corresponding with Anger as he moved on, as another question came up quickly that depicted diverging paths, one of them most likely leading to the location of the Xenomorph Queen.
Where is Robin directing his anger?
Himself
The costume
His Brace
The Predator swerved to the path that corresponded to Robin's training brace, which was the one on the right.
"(It's got to be his brace.)" David thought. "(This doesn't make much sense, though…why would he have an interest in girls' clothes to begin with? The increasing number of Xenomorphs as I go down is quite alarming as well, almost as if I'm on the verge of discovering some kind of earth-shattering secret.)"
The Predator came to the center of the hive, which sported the last question. It also seemd to show some sort of visage of Robin right at the top of the cave as there was a Xenomorph Queen in the center, but a bunch of Ovomorph eggs ready to hatch facehuggers which would latch themselves onto some captive Space Marines.
"(Whoa… This room is massive. Not only is there a Queen, but lots of eggs too. It looks like Robin's secret is not so little after all.)" he thought as the Predator looked around at the whole scene. "(...No, it can't be…! I just thought of something but it's completely insane!)"
He checked the possible places to strike again. The predator had a choice of destroying either cluster of Ovomorph eggs and saving the hostages or going right for the Queen and killing his quarry.
"(If there is a Xenomorph Queen in this chamber… Then Robin's secret may not be all that little at all. It's huge!)" David thought. "(This sounds completely insane, but it's the only possibility left.)"
What's the big Secret Robin is hiding?
He likes girl's clothes (Ovomoroh Egg 1)
He Hates girls (Ovomorph Egg 2)
He's a girl (Xenomorph Queen)
The Predator leaped right at the Xenomorph Queen, who didn't even notice the hunter was there until the last moment when she was stabbed right in the stomach with his scimitar, cutting her open from the bottom open and killing her. The predator then jabbed his hand into the queen's back, ripping out her spine, skull and all, as a trophy, and roared as his and David's faces were seen together in a close-up.
"It's all coming together!"
"I got it! The thing that's getting in the way of Robin being pretty, and causing him to get so mad… Is his brace!" David said.
"Huh? Wh-Wh-Wh-WHAAAAAAT?!" Robin asked.
"I see… I think I know where you're going, David!" Athena said. "Mr. Newman! The truth is, you really want to take that brace off, don't you?"
"No way maaan! This is a symbol of masculinity! I could never take it off!" Robin declared.
"Is it really that you can't? Or that you simply don't want to?" David asked.
"Aw, maaaaaaaaaaaan! I shoulda kept my big mouth shut!" Robin yelled.
"Hold on a second…" Peni said as she looked back to Yuri in the gallery. "Yesterday, I think Yuri was onto something with Robin. He even eyed up his brace. Does that mean he knows something?"
"I think so. And if my train of thought was like his, it's definitely something big." David said.
"Bigger than the fact that Robin likes to wear girls' clothes?" Apollo asked.
"Definitely. No question about it." David said.
"So what is this big secret?" Peni asked.
"I think it's best coming out of the mouth of Mr. Newman. Or perhaps I should go with…MS. Newman." David said. "He acts like a man, but the reality is that he is really…a girl."
"Yes! That's it! I knew it from my special senses! She's a girl in a breast restraining brace!" Mineta called out.
"Have you totally lost the plot?" Sachiko asked.
"No, I'm very serious here." David said. "I don't have any direct evidence, but that's what Robin's aura is telling me."
"We still think you're out of your mind, though… I mean, look at this guy. Is there a girl out there that screams like a maniac as much as he does?" Apollo asked.
"(I can name at least a few…)" David thought.
"I've seen plenty of witnesses in my day... but if he's a she, then she's the most convincing actress I have ever encountered." The Judge said. "Therefore, let me pronounce my verdict. Robin Newman is without question... a man!"
"Ishihara-dono, I had thought you an individual of more sense than that, but what you have just proclaimed completely defies all logic." Blackquill said. "Never in the history of this planet has there been a finer specimen of the masculine spirit."
The entire courtroom was abuzz with everything going on, until finally, Robin couldn't take it anymore.
HOLD IT!
"Oooh... AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! IF YOU GUYS ARE DONE TALKING ABOUT MEEEEEEEEEEE! AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! I'M...! I'M...!" Robin screamed out loud before he stopped…. and then suddenly, he started laughing, as his voice turned more feminine.
And then, in front of everybody watching… the training brace treasured by Robin so much, was taken off, as it dropped to the floor.
"Th-The brace! It's…" Crusadermon said.
"Yeah! Take it off!" Mineta said, holding up his phone.
"Dial back the hormones, Mineta, look." Hope said.
Robin, now free of the brace, was now more relaxed and carefree, and still the same person…. Sort of.
"Ms. Cykes, Mr. Ishihara… no, allow me to call you Athena and David." Robin said, now speaking totally like a female. "I wanted to keep this a secret at all costs! But noooo!"
"Wh- No WAAAAAAAAAAY!" Apollo cried in shock.
"What the heck?!" Sachiko asked in surprise.
"As I thought." Yuri said.
Even Blackquill was shocked by this revelation as he was at a loss for words.
"YEAH BABY! Now…let's take it a…" Mineta said before two baliffs surrounded him. "Oh…it's okay. I'm friends with the defense. Right?"
"Wehaveneverseenhiminourlives." Peni said quickly as she tried to hide her face.
"Ehehehe…" Mineta said before he was taken out of the room.
"Well…that was…something." the Judge said. "Back to the matter at hand."
"I still can't believe this real. Robin, you've really been a girl all this time?" Peni asked.
"I have. I was raised as a boy since I was little, and I studied law just as my parents wanted. But now, this living lie that had me pinned to the ground, it's...! Aaaaaagh!" Robin screamed before she panted. "It's been blown to smithereens by all of you! Now I can stop pretending I want to be a prosecutor! I'm gonna be an artist! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!"
"(What an amazing transformation…)" Peni thought as every last bit of Noise in Robin's heart was erased.
"Her Noise level completely dropped!" 9S said.
"Guess were good then. The image is all complete." Athena said.
The jury meanwhile was still getting over what happened, all eyes still on Robin.
"Eek! Why's everyone looking at me like that?! Tee hee! I feel like a movie star or something! But no paparazzi please! I value my privacy, O-K-A-Y?" Robin asked. "RAAAAAAAAAWH! No pics or you'll regret it, maaaaaaaaaan!" she yelled, still having that intensity in her.
"Is it just me, or is Robin a lot more lively now that it's revealed she's a girl?" Crusadermon asked.
"I guess it's because she got her troubles off her chest…literally." Sachiko said.
"This is all well and good, but does he being a she actually change anything?" The judge asked.
"The fact that Robin is now confirmed as a female means we have to review what we originally thought about the recording on the tape." Peni said.
"That's right, the one that originally marked Juniper as the culprit, labels Robin as a suspect too in the process of her reveal." 9S said.
"What?!" Robin asked in shock.
"Uh, don't get the wrong idea, Robin! We're not saying you're the true culprit just yet!" Peni assured. "But the fact that you hid your identity all this time, both here and at the crime scene, it definetly puts suspicion on you."
"Eek! That's not nice, Peni! How can you and the others think i might be the killer? I mean, I'm just a weak, innocent little girl! Just thinking about murder makes me–" Robin said before she fainted right on the spot.
OBJECTION!
"Hmph! Suspicious is as suspicious does. Undoubtedly, the witness does have some sort of connection to this crime. Perhaps our newfound lady is merely feigning ignorance. We can surmise that she lent support to the principal offender, Juniper Woods. By leading Ms. Scuttlebutt to the body, that would make her an accessory to the crime." Blackquill said.
"How can you say that?! I'm not an accessory, Mr. Birdman!" Robin insisted as she quickly recovered.
"Birdman…?" Blackquill asked, not really attuned to the nickname. "In any event, with the witness as an accessory, it explains quite a bit, does it not?"
"What if the script's details were leaked?" Crusadermon asked.
"What the devil?" Blackquill asked.
"Ms. Woods did not want Hugh O'Conner to win the mock trial. That's why we believe she leaked the details to the witness, Robin Newman." 9S said.
"I get it. If Robin won, Hugh wouldn't be able to confess to Juniper." Apollo said.
"No! There's no way I peeked!" Newman said.
"Actually…yes. Remember when you said, "Oh, the green sweat suit?"" Peni asked. "According to the script…the sweat suit was supposed to be red…from the prosecutor course."
"Ah!" Robin said in realization.
"You were surprised because the sweat suit in the photo was green. But, if you didn't know about the script's content... Then that shouldn't have surprised you!" Peni declared.
"...N- Noooooooooooooooooo!" Robin screamed, before fainting again. "I thought we were all friends! How could I have been so bliiiiiiiiind!"
"So, what do you guys think? Should we pin Robin a suspect with this?" Peni saked. "I'm not entirely sure she's the killer, but…"
"I agree with you on that, I don't think she's the type to frame one of her best friends." 9S said.
"The android's right!" Robin piped in. "If knowing script details would make me a suspect...then there must be others besides me! I mean, someone else could've also seen Prof. Courte's note!"
"A note?" Peni asked.
"The professor and Juniper were working together to prepare for the mock trial. But only one copy of the script was made to prevent it from being leaked. But that gets kind of inconvenient, right?" Robin asked.
"You're not seriously going to suggest…!" Athena started.
"Eek! But it's the truth! Prof. Courte did do exactly what you're thinking! She didn't write down any of the proceedings or the truth behind the case... But she did write a note to herself about the props and details about the victim's B-O-D-Y!" Robin explained. "If you need some proof, send the police over to my house! Tell them to check the pictures on my camera. I thought it might give me an advantage...so I took a picture of the note!"
"Thanks for that info, Robin." Peni nodded. "Looks like this case isn't as clear as Blackquill made it to be. With this new info, theres definitely a chance there were others who made the murder look like the Mock trial."
OBJECTION!
"Bully for you, defense. But don't think this spells victory." Blackquill reminded. "The battle is still young. And my blade is now fully drawn. Between it and my next witness, your lives will be forfeit. So, put away your wooden swords...and show me what you all are truly capable of if you wish to live!"
"Uh…what does that mean?" Peni asked.
"I call the next witness…Hugh O'Connor, to the stand." Blackquill said, as the man in question came out.
"... I already said I want nothing to do with this trial." Hugh said simply.
"How juvenile. This is a matter of what you want. You WILL cooperate, Hugh O' Connor." Blackquill said.
"Wonder why Hugh's been called up by Blackquill?" Zephyr asked.
"The accused testified she left her home around 6 PM. However, that was a fictitious lie…isn't that right, golden boy?" Blackquill said looking at Hugh.
"I'm out of here." Hugh said.
"Don't leave. You don't want us discussing you-know-what." Blackquill said.
"Please don't!" Hugh said quickly. "I changed my mind. I'll testify."
"That's weird… i didnt think Hugh was the kind of guy to get so worked up like that." Gemini noted.
"Sounds like Prosecutor Blackquill has some dirt on him he doesn't want leaked." Shun'ei said.
"Well, if I'm going to give my golden word, let's make this official." Hugh said. "Hugh O'Conner. A senior at Themis Legal Academy, lawyer course. How's that?"
"Just fine. Your testimony if you please, Mr. O'Connor." The Judge said.
Witness Testimony: Hugh O'Connor
- Around the Time of the Murder -
To get mentally prepared for the mock trial, I meditated at the archery range till 7:00 PM.
At around, 7:15, I went to the main building before going home. That's when I saw Juniper.
We didn't say much as we passed by each other. She seemed her usual self.
→ That's it. Anything else you'd like to ask? ←
HOLD IT!
"As a matter of fact, I do." Peni said. "What were you doing on the 23rd, the day before the mock trial?"
"Easy, nothing in particular." Hugh said. "It wasn't my job to help prepare for the mock trial. I was merely playing the role assigned to me. My job was to be mentally prepared."
"All that hard work everybody else was doing, and he didnt even lift a finger?" Frosta asked from the gallery. "I guess that all comes with the mindset that you're better than everybody else."
"Just to reiterate, I spent most of the 23rd meditating at the archery range. I didn't talk to anyone until the school closed at 7:00 PM. I supposed a few Archery Club members did come and go while I was there." Hugh said.
"Sorry, Mr. O'Connor… But I don't believe that for a second." David said.
"Oh really? My word is as good as gold. Think you can prove I'm lying?" Hugh smugly asked.
"I'm gonna let the victim's planner do that for me." David said. "Take a look at the entry under the 23rd."
"Wha…where did you get that?!" Hugh asked, losing his composure as he gripped his neck.
"It says here that the victim was going to meet you that day. The archery range doesn't sound like an ideal place for a private conversation, wouldn't you agree?" David asked. "Especially if you claim to have been there all day."
"This is insane!" Hugh said.
"We know that the voice in the recording is a female voice. And the contents of the recording are very miring." Sachiko said. "But… Is it really what the victim said?"
"You're a goner…it sounds similar to…Hugh O'Connor. I think the victim was actually scolding the witness here." Peni said.
"That's right. I am assuming that Hugh here did something that made the victim very angry." Sachiko said.
"Okay… Let's try a little experiment to see if you are going somewhere with this." Crusadermon said. "Your Honor, I want you to look at the victim as if you are quite angry at him, and then, this is important. Use his full name when calling out to him."
"O-Okay! Let's see, um... Hugh O'Conner!" the judge said. "Hugh Aconner! ...Hm? Hue... a coner? Hew... o coner? You... a coner? W-Wait a second! ...No, no, no, this can't be."
"That's right. What was originally seeming to be a threat… Was actually the victim scolding the witness." Sachiko said.
"And because of that, I think Hugh also needs to be added to the list of suspects!" Peni said.
OBJECTION!
"I had thought testimony would suffice, but it seems it has come to this." Blackquill said. "I will not allow such fallacious quibbles to upend this case. The prosecution has one final piece of evidence to present to the court. Feast your eyes."
Blackquill presented a photo of Juniper and Professor Courte.
"This photo shows the defendant and victim together in the art room. Note the clock in the photo. it tells the time of 7:05….5 minutes before the voice was recorded." Blackquill said.
"Damn… He's got us good." David said.
"This is badder than bad. Who knew he had something like that up his sleeve?" Apollo asked. "He could've just presented that at the start, and this would all be over."
"And we have too many suspects. We can't narrow them down." Sachiko said.
"I didn't think it would become this bad." 9S said.
"We can't let a Guilty verdict be passed down now! What do we do?" Peni asked.
HOLD IT!
This came from Robin as she suddenly stepped up.
"NOOOOOOOO! No guilty verdict's gonna be passed to Juniper on my watch!" Robin declared. "False verdicts are a N-O N-O. I know who the real killer is."
"You do?" 9S asked.
"Yup. The real killer is… M-E, me!" Robin giggled as if it was no big deal.
"Hmm... Ms. Newman WAS witnessed near the stage. There's even a related photo of her. The more I think about it, the more suspicious she seems…" The judge said.
HOLD IT!
This time it was Juniper who interrupted.
"Please… Wait. Thank you for all you've done, but I can't let my friends take the blame any longer!" Juniper said. "Hugh and Robin have done nothing wrong. They have absolutely no connection to this case. The real killer is... is me. I alone am responsible for the entire crime!"
HOLD IT!
As if to complete this trifecta, Hugh was the one that spoke up.
"Heh. This whole thing's a joke." Hugh said. "You all suspected from the start that I'm the killer, right? I think it's about time I told you the truth. And I'll even get right to the point. It was me. I did it."
"What is going on with these guys? I honestly have no idea what's going on anymore." David said.
"The end justifies the means…." Peni said. "They're all trying to do whatever they can to protect each other."
"I-I can understand that, but… This is just beyond insane." David said.
"If your friend was standing on trial and about to be found guilty, wouldn't you try the same thing?" Crusadermon said.
"Eh… Good point." David said.
"Enough you children! This is a court of law! Not some cheesy high school drama." Blackquill said.
"GET IT OVER WITH! DECLARE ME GUILTY ALREADYYYYYYYYY!" Robin screamed.
"Would you like to hear my murder plot? It's absolute genius." Hugh said.
"This is all my doing. I'm the one you're after!" Juniper insisted, before all three of them said at once….
"I'm the killer!"
"Your Honor, the situation is clearly getting out of hand. I propose we suspend this trial for the time being and continue our investigations." Crusadermon said.
"Hmm…seems we have no choice." The Judge said.
"No! Wait! We can…" Blackquill said.
"I'm suspending the trial until tomorrow so both sides can do more investigating. Court is adjourned." the Judge said as he banged his gavel.
"They bought us another day, but…. Was it worth it to get it like that?" Hope asked. "That was just another example of Professor Means's entire philosophy."
"They used it to protect each other." A2 said.
"We gotta clear this mess up. The only question is how?" Mai asked.
"We'll find a way. We always do." Sakura said. "And we'll do it in a way where the end doesn't justify the means."