Finally updated. Many of you may be the impatient type like my sister (Motto: "Update already, you friggin' fanfic!"). I have one word for you. Screwyou. I am in no way projecting a concealed message. That word that I have just presented to you is Chinese for 'All you readers are so delightful.' The Chinese have a way of putting ridiculously long phrases in just one character/word. Really.

Disclaimer: Everything I write isn't true.

Disclaimer: The above message is false.

Now please enjoy the fourth installment of this amazingly good story, which nobody reads. I really hope that last part is really false.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Case File: "Degree in Turnabout"
Day 2

November 16, 11:05
District Court
Courtroom No.6

Everybody shuffled back in the court again and immediately began to talk animatedly, as most crowds do (it was inevitable – whenever people get together in groups of more than three, everybody just has to talk.). The Judge hammered his gavel three times. "This court is back in session for the trial of Ms. Seiya Misuki."

"The prosecution is ready." For some reason, I had a feeling an 'as always' was missing in that sentence.

"The defense is ready." At least I was confident about one thing about this case. Besides Seiya's innocence, I knew that it was going to be hard for Franziska to explain how Vigor was found face-down. So I had to make sure that that little detail wasn't forgotten.

When I pulled myself out of my muses, Franziska had just said, "…Seiyaku Misuki, the defendant's sister, to the stand." and the said girl walked up. She looked calm, but her stare sent shivers up my spine – Seiyaku was definitely irritated.

"State your name and occupation for the record."

"You just said my name and there's no need to state my job." The fight was on. Somehow, I knew this was gonna happen…

"Just say it anyways." Franziska seethed narrowing her eyes and gripping her whip, reminding me of the Old Western type showdowns in the movies.

"Seiyaku Misuki. College student and finder of dead bodies." And Seiyaku is in the lead! If I wasn't for the fact that I already knew Franziska's personality fairly well, I would expect her to respond with a 'Hardy har har'.

"No unnecessary comments." Franziska growled, whipping her podium. "Testify to what you saw that night."

"Hey, that old guy runs this court, doesn't he?" The Judge looked around to see if there were any other old guys that could run a court before accepting the fact that it was him. "Why do you act like you own the place?"

"No unnecessary comments!"

"Begin your testimony now, witness!" The Judge added, staring down at Seiyaku sternly.

"Alright, listen up. I was running back to our apartment, right?
"So I kicked down the door…dumb thing wasn't very strong anyways.
"I saw that dead guy on the floor, then called the police."

"That's…very short…" The Judge added. He forgot to mention very vague. I thought she would help us, but looks like I was wrong… "The defense may now cross-examine the witness." Augh! What am I supposed to do with that little information?! Franziska looked smug. Damn her.

"I would like to know…" Thinking…thinking… "Why you were running back to the apartment. You make it sound like you needed to do something urgent."

"Oh, that. Well, my sister was late for a meeting we planned, so I got angry waiting outside and ran over to our apartment." So far, she didn't seem to be lying. (Just in case you're wondering, I didn't have my Magatama right then. I've gotten into the habit of leaving it with someone else or at home when I'm about to go to court. The thing is, the first time I walked in with the thing, the bailiff noticed the green glow and confiscated it. I'm not sure what he thought it was, but he told me very clearly not to bring 'that glowy rock thing in here again'. Then he nodded to himself and said something like 'That'll fix up that game contradiction.' I had no idea what he was talking about, but needless to say, I obeyed. I never saw that bailiff again.)

"What kind of meeting was it?"

"Just a meeting. It's none of your business." Here comes the uncooperative part. Trying to squeeze out information might not work, but it was worth a shot.

"It was very cold that night. I really wonder why someone would wait outside to meet somebody, especially when that somebody is their roommate and could just meet them in the apartment."

"Just drop it!" Seiyaku growled viciously, making the Judge (and just about everybody else) jump in his seat.

"Ahem…Mr. Wright, is this line of questioning going somewhere?"

"Your Honor, like I said, it's very suspicious-"

"Suspicious this! Suspicious that! Fine! My sister isn't very social so I made her promise to come out with me to that stupid party, but she never showed up! Happy!?" (No, not really.)

"N-Yes, I'm satisfied."

"Mr. Wright, this doesn't seem like a very significant detail." The Judge said, peering down at me. I agreed with him, but I was groping here! I had to have something. Hopefully, it would prove to be useful later…

"Your Honor, this detail is, without doubt, absolutely important to this case!" Once again, a bit too much, but the Judge nodded, convinced and told Seiyaku to add this to her testimony (yadda yadda yadda.)

"Yeah, yeah. 'I was waiting for my sister outside, but she never showed up.' Happy?"

"Yes. And also, when the defendant never showed up, did you think it unusual?" Crack. "Augh!"

"If there was anything unusual, the witness would have said so in her testimony." Franziska said smirkingly (if that was possible).

"Hey! I can answer myself – Gack! Damn you! Gimme that stupid thing!" What occurred next was a scuffle and a little tug-of-war, until several people dragged Seiyaku back to the witness stand (with a little difficulty). It was amusing, but if Seiyaku kept up these acts of violence, she might get kicked out. Better try to distract her from aggravating things…like Franziska's whip…

"Well, it's like Bleach Hair Lady says. It really isn't suspicious, Seiya tends to forget things. But I'm her sister, so I know that, so I reminded her an hour before leaving. And trust me. She doesn't forget something in an hour. If she decided to take a nap, she would've set an alarm clock. She's not a heavy sleeper. She wakes up in the middle of the night randomly sometimes. So I guess I was sorta surprised she didn't show up."

"Really? Waking up in the middle of the night? That seems rather suspicious…" The Judge said, showing that he had less detective skills than Gumshoe by bringing up a subject totally unrelated to the case.

"She's an insomniac. What's she supposed to do?" Seiyaku's temper flared up again.

"Well…I thought insomniacs can't go to sleep."

"Well, Sei's just a different kind of insomniac. She can't stay asleep." That's interesting…though useless… "Sheesh, you're really stupid, old man." Oh boy…I stepped in before the Judge could say anything. (Like "I declare thee kicketh outeth." Though he was probably too intimidated to kick anyone out.)

"And when you kicked down the door, did you notice anything off?"

"Not really. Just the usual. When I kicked down the door, the security thing beeped, like it always does. Everything looked in order (Wrong word to use)."

"What did you do right after seeing the body?"

"Well, I kept my cool. Steered clear of it. I looked at my sister's bed, and she was sleeping there."

"Hm. I would have thought that a young girl would scream as soon as she saw a dead body in her room." The Judge commented.

"Old man…are you a sexist…?" She used the dangerous voice again, the same one she used with Gumshoe.

"N-no! Not at all!"

"Well, of course I didn't scream. I even looked around to see if anybody else was there."

And now the most important question of all that could decide the case: "Was there?" Cue dramatic scene filled with sweating, knee-shaking, and gulping. Cue dramatic close-up on witness.

"I didn't see anyone." She confidently replied. Maya sagged besides me.

"Oh no…what are we gonna do now, Nick? The Judge's gonna think Seiya's guilty for sure…why are you smiling?"

"Because our good friend Seiyaku just gave us our big break." No, this wasn't a bluff. And just to make things dramatic, I waited.

"Hah. Foolish fool. See where your foolishness has taken you? Failure! Judge! By the witness's last statement, it's obvious who the culprit is!"

"It does seem that there's only one possible answer…" The Judge nodded. It was amazing nobody noticed my grin yet (Maya later told me that it was wide, like a crocodile or an alligator.) The Judge prepared to raise the gavel.

"Nick, if you really can do something, do it now!" Alright then. Big breath, confident voice…

"Objection!" I noticed Seiyaku grin with relief. Franziska looked surprised and angry on the other hand. Definitely meant I was on the right track.

"What are you talk-ow!" The Judge started.

"What are you talking about?!" Franziska finished. "What could possibly be objectionable about the testimony?! Judge! He's just trying to prolong my perfect case!"

"I'm not! Seiyaku, please repeat your last statement!"

"'I didn't see anyone'?"

"Thank you." There was obvious confusion. "Now why would you not see anybody else?"

"Objection! She didn't see anybody else because there wasn't anybody else! It's impossible for somebody to drag that body in that room and have time enough to make an escape!"

"Hey! I searched the place thoroughly! I admit I did it a little quickly and that my eyesight isn't the best, but I was pretty sure nobody else was there!" Great. My client's sister is arguing with me.

"Mr. Wright, do you think the witness missed something?"

"Impossible!" Franziska and Seiyaku said at the same time, before glaring at each other. Great. My client's sister is agreeing with the prosecution.

"I believe it is possible there's one place somebody could hide when Seiyaku burst in suddenly!" Insert collective gasps and loud murmuring. "I would like Seiyaku to testify again, about exactly what she did in between the time she found the body and the time she called the police, just to confirm my thoughts."

"Very well." The Judge replied after a moment of pondering. Franziska would splutter in protest, but she was too perfect to splutter. "But if you can't find anything in her testimony that proves that the defendant wasn't the only person in the room at that time, then I will have to give a guilty verdict."

"So I have to talk again?" Seiyaku sighed and scratched her head as if nobody was looking.

"Okay then, listen up. After I kicked down the door…
"I saw the body. I probably stood there, stunned for maybe a few seconds.
"Then I went over to Seiya's bed and verified she was there, sleeping.
"Then I looked around for other people in the room, 'cause my sister definitely wouldn't shoot someone.
"After that, I called the police, when I didn't find anybody else."

You had to hand it to Seiyaku. She handled finding a dead body really well. I guess she could be calm and collected when she needed to.

Wait…was she the reason everything in their room was messy? Could you be calm and collected and still be violent? An image of Seiyaku tearing things out of every drawer, cabinet, and closet to find the real killer came to mind. Scary…

"…Mr. Wright, the witness just repeated what she told us earlier. Are you sure there's information essential to this case?"

"Of course, Your Honor. Have I ever been wrong about this before?" Then before the Judge could say anything, I quickly started the cross-examination. "Can you be more specific about your search?" I asked.

"Hah, it isn't very interesting. I looked in every closet, every drawer…I even looked in the oven, under the table, under the bed, in the trashcan, under the sink, in the fridge," Seiyaku listed. Some of them seemed like really weird places to hide. What would happen to a person if they tried hiding in a refrigerator?

"In the bass case?" Forget about the places she looked, right now. Just cross your fingers and hope she won't say yes.

"Huh?" Befuddlement – even better.

"Mr. Wright, where are you going with this?" The Judge asked, befuddled himself.

"Well, you see, Your Honor, I visited the defendant's apartment and saw an open bass case and its bass lying right besides it. I just thought that it would be easy for someone to hide in the large case."

"Objection! So, seeing an empty case and a bass right beside it…what makes you think this is related to this case at all? It could be just coincidence. Who says the owner didn't just forget to put it away?" Franziska smirked, and before I could react, Seiyaku butted in with all the force of a bull.

"My sister would never forget to put her bass away! Especially in winter, when the temperature could make it horribly out of tune!" Although one could probably sarcastically remark, 'Oh no, a string instrument out of tune. How will we ever fix that,' Seiyaku could make it sound very dramatic and serious. She could also make it sound like if people didn't take it seriously, they'd get seriously hurt. Several people tried covering up their snorts or sarcastic remarks with coughing.

"Well who knows. Maybe she just forgot today." Franziska shrugged nonchalantly. "Your Honor, we've just dawdled around foolishly, wasting our time. You would be rather foolish compared to what I thought before, if you're not completely sure of the verdict now." The prosecutor snorted, officially making my job harder again. "Mr. Phoenix Wright has obviously proved nothing through this foolish line of questioning. He only brought up a whole bunch of foolish coincidences."

"Mr. Wright, you've had your testimony. Do you have anything that proves the defendant had nothing to do with this murder?" The Judge looked sternly down towards me, dissipating all signs of his dense-ness. (A lot of people I meet are sort of dense, come to think of it.)

"Your Honor, the fact that the victim's body was found face down, and the fact that the bass was found outside its case are related!" I was getting uncomfortable with saying the words 'bass' and 'case' in the same sentence…the fact that they rhymed seemed to dispel the drama. "Think about it. If the victim's body was face down, when it should have been face up, and a bass…a large case was found empty when something should have been inside it, what would you think? Ms. Von Karma said herself, there is no way the murderer could drag the body from one place to the defendant's room and escape without her sister catching them, so the murderer had to hide, once they heard her pounding down the hall."

"Hah, once again, impossible! You imply that the murderer was hiding in the bass case while the foolish witness scurried about foolishly looking for them, but from her testimony, I think that she searched rather thoroughly. No doubt she wouldn't have overlooked the bass case!" Franziska smirked, confident that she had won and I, the foolish defense attorney, had been vanquished. So imagine the look on her face when Seiyaku, once again, butted in with all the force of a mad bull.

"Honestly, I just glanced over that corner…" Okay, all the force of a tame and embarrassed bull. Looking over at Franziska, you'd think she'd be frothing at the mouth with that look on her face. Seiyaku paid her no heed and continued (I marveled at her courage/ignorance.) "I really didn't expect anybody to be hiding in a bass case of all things." (The Judge was about to say it and so was I. "But you looked in a refrigerator.") "Also, I was getting real bored of looking. I started to just glance around and the bass case looked like it didn't hold a person and I didn't notice the bass on the ground, y'know?" The Judge shook his head in a disapproving manner, as if saying 'Not noticing a bass right in front of you?' But of course, he didn't say that.

Instead, he said, "We cannot prove the defendant's innocence with this…but there are still possibilities that another person did the crime. Until there are no further doubts, this case will be prolonged." (Meaning, 'We'll just keep going back to court until the three-day limit is up.') Franziska pounded on her podium with all the tenderness of a rhino while glaring furiously. "Although it may be just a coincidence, we will have to look into that bass thing." The Judge continued, in a slightly louder voice. Franziska's pounding just grew in volume, and I wondered if she ever broke her hand. (I did while slamming on the podium a little bit too enthusiastically once. The podium might have fallen to pieces too. I don't know. I was too busy switching between cursing the heavens above and abstaining from cursing in a courtroom.) I almost didn't hear the Judge slam the gavel three times as he shouted, "Court is adjorned!"

Now for the most important part of this chapter. Begging.

Really, people. I would like reviews. I'm desperate for some ego-inflation. Or at least people to shout at for hating my fanfics. I am on my knees. My sister can vouch. She's a witness. Those were her actual words. Not really. She actually said 'I'm a witness!' in that really weird tone of hers.

She said it again.

Now she's laughing over my shoulder. Still laughing. Giggling. Keeled over. Said 'I'm thirsty. This isn't supposed to be a documentary, is it? 'Cause it's like...'

Ah, I'll stop there. I am in no way, making my sister feel like an animal in her natural habitat, where her prime prey is me and my dad. And mangos. As well as books, which her keen mind devours. Like me. In fact, my prey consists of watermelon, books, and Bill Gates.

Back on subject. I am on my knees. Please send me a nice, big, fat, juicy review. My ego will thank you for it. And so will our hero, Former President George Bush Senior Who Possibly Barfed in the Japanese Prime Minister's Lap. For he will toss his cookies on yours if you don't. In which case, you will thank him for not doing so.

Another note. I would have clasped my hands together, but it's hard to type like that.