TURNABOUT HIGHSCHOOL, Part 1
by BrDPirateMan
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Parody / Cross-over
Turnabout Highschool has been recently edited. Missing punctuation marks have been added, the map has been altered a little and several other things have been done to, in short, make this story more visually presentable. But the story is still intact. Enjoy!
March 14, ? ? ?
? ? ?
? ? ?: *pant* *pant* H-How... How did this happen... It's not supposed to be like this... I don't have a choice now. I'm going to have to cover this up.
? ? ?: But what will we do? !
? ? ?: Don't worry, I think I've already thought of something. It's nothing a prodigy like me can't handle. But I need you to help me...
? ? ?: Are you sure this will be alright? !
? ? ?: Better than being caught by the cops.
? ? ?: A-Alright... I'll help you... for your sake...
March 14, 2:33 pm
Seiko High School
Entrance
Edgeworth: I'm finally here. Well, it's always nice to take a break every now and then and go abroad.
...
Edgeworth: (My name is Miles Edgeworth. I'm a prosecutor working in America, and my job is to find the guilty party in a variety of crimes, usually homicide. I'm currently taking a break from work to relax in Japan, so I thought that while I'm here, I might as well pay a visit to my cousin, whom I'm rather close with, despite the distance between our two home countries.)
...
Edgeworth: Now where is she? She said she'd meet me here.
? ? ?: Heyyy! Edgey, you finally came!
Edgeworth: *sigh* You would still call me "Edgey"? Really, Mina, of all the nicknames to pick...
Mina: It's a friendly nickname! Besides, you're my cousin, so it's alright!
Edgeworth: I don't see the logic in that, and I've been a prosecutor for some time already...
Mina: Or shall I call you "Miley" instead? It's your choice!
Edgeworth: Th-That will be even worse! Anyway, I'm here to take a look around because I've never had the chance to see how your school is like. By the way, tell me again why you're here in school on a Saturday? I mean, there's hardly anyone here.
Mina: My friends are having cheerleading practice. It's for the basketball match in a week's time. So I thought I'd come and check them out. Why don't you come and take a look too?
Edgeworth: Well, why not. I'm here to relax after all.
Mina: We also have a guy cheerleader's uniform and a spare set of pom-poms. If you like, you can join in the fun!
Edgeworth: *recoils* WH- No, no thanks! ! ! (If I went along and Detective Gumshoe knew, he'd have a field day telling everyone about it... and I doubt a cut to his salary would stop him...)
...
Edgeworth: (This girl is my cousin, Mina. She is a student in Seiko High School and stays with her family in Japan. Like I said earlier, I'm quite close with her. We often exchange e-mails about our lives in our respective countries, so even though we don't see each other very much, we're still up to date with each other's daily affairs.)
...
Mina: Oh, Edgey, by the way, did you sign in at security?
Edgeworth: Yes. The security guard, Ms Yashiro, told me to sign in the visitors' logbook and gave me a visitor's pass too.
Mina: You didn't sign in the wrong logbook, did you? There are logbooks for students and teachers to use in the event that they should come to school on a holiday.
Edgeworth: I signed in the correct one alright. ...You know, it strikes me how tight the school's security is. I mean, the security guard was overly enthusiastic, for one thing.
Mina: Ms Uzuki Yashiro is always like that. She's always like "Sir!" and all... Her partner, Mr Koki Kariya, however, is really lazy. But he's laid-back and fun to be around with, so it's okay!
Edgeworth: (A lazy security guard? I can't say I'm too happy to hear that, but at least he's not as bad as a certain old lady stalker whom I know of... *shudder*)
March 14, 2:49 pm
Seiko High School
Gymnasium
Ai: Alright, you guys! After the count of three, we twirl round once, and...
Edgeworth: So this is your gym...
Mina: It's pretty big, don't you think? We hold lots of activities and events in here!
Edgeworth: Mina, are you in the cheerleader squad too?
Mina: Me? No... I'm not interested. Besides, my footwork isn't that great.
Edgeworth: *chuckles* I guess dancing was never in your genes.
Mina: Hey! But... But my footwork isn't all hopeless. I mean, I'm good at hopscotch, you know!
Edgeworth: (Talk about your non sequiturs...)
Ai: Oh, Mina! You're here too! Um, and who's this? Your... boyfriend?
Mina: No, he's my cousin from America.
Edgeworth: My name is Miles Edgeworth and I'm a prosecutor. I came to Japan on holiday, so I thought I'd take a look around.
Ai: Whoa there, no need to be so formal! Call me Ai! So anyway, this is your first time here? Well, make yourself at home! We're having cheerleading practice, but you're welcome to watch.
Edgeworth: *takes a bow* Ah, thank you for the offer. I was looking forward to a relaxing afternoon.
Mina: *grins cheekily* You just want to see a bunch of girls in mini-skirts and belly shirts, Edgey...
Edgeworth: I a-assure you that's not the reason...
Mina: ...I mean, working with so many cases for so long, you must have some heavily repressed urges, right?
Edgeworth: *recoils* Mina? ! That was the most horribly inappropriate thing to say! ! !
Ai: *sweats* ...
Edgeworth: (From the look on Ai's face, she seems to believe Mina. *grumble*)
Edgeworth, Mina and a few of her other friends - namely Shiki and Beat - were sitting in the stalls watching the cheerleader squad in action.
Shiki: So, Mr Edgeworth, you're a lawyer, huh?
Edgeworth: Not just any lawyer. I'm a prosecutor. In every case that I work on, there is a guilty party, and my job is to seek him out and expose his lies.
Shiki: Hey, a lot of people don't like lawyers. What do you think about that?
Edgeworth: Ahaha... That's just a hopelessly mangled misinterpretation of the facts. The lawyers who give such a bad impression are usually the ones who send the innocent to jail, or free the guilty of all convictions. And those lawyers... they probably have a way with the evidence they keep. But that's something I don't think I should talk about yet.
Shiki: *sweats* I'm afraid I don't follow.
Mina: You know, I kinda agree, Edgey. Your way of explaining things is too complex.
Beat: Dude, yo... That was a little too deep, man. All I know is... lawyers send people to jail, right? !
Edgeworth: *sweats* W-Well, if you put it that way, then yes... (Maybe I really have been working for too long... if even my simplest of explanations can get so technical...)
Suddenly, a boy with striking orange hair rushed into the gym.
Neku: G-Guys! *pant* *pant* Come quick!
Ai: Wh-What's wrong?
Neku: Ms... Ms Konishi... She's... Hurry! Come with me! She's lying unconscious on the ground!
Shiki: What? !
Beat: The Iron Maiden? ! Where, yo? !
Neku: In Corridor W-1! Come on!
Edgeworth: One of your teachers is hurt? ! We must hurry!
Edgeworth, Mina and her pack of friends raced off, led by Neku.
March 14, 2:55 pm
Seiko High School
Corridor W-1
True enough, there lay the teacher Ms Konishi on the floor at the foot of a staircase, her forehead stained with blood and her glasses cracked. Another girl, whose name was Eri, was standing nearby, shuddering at the sight. The security guard Koki Kariya was there too, speechless.
Mina: Kyaaah!
Beat: BWAAAAH!
Shiki: Ms Konishi!
Eri: *uneasy* ...
Kariya: Um... This is bad.
Edgeworth: Ms Konishi, are you okay? ! Can you hear me? ! *tries to feel the pulse on her neck* ...! (There's no pulse... And also... Oh no! Is she...? !)
? ? ?: Hey! What're you doing, you hectopascal? !
Edgeworth: Huh?
Ai: Mr Minamimoto!
Sho: Don't touch her! And hurry, call the cops!
Edgeworth took a few steps to the bottom of the stairs so he could see Sho Minamimoto, the math teacher, on the landing of the staircase. He was about to clamber down the steps. His tone was urgent.
Sho: Well, hurry! Call the police!
Shiki: Uh, alright!
Edgeworth: Wait, shouldn't we call an ambulance instead? !
Sho: You're so zetta slow! Step on it and call the police! ! !
Neku: Uh... alright! *whips out cell phone*
Edgeworth: (Ms Konishi... I don't know if I'm right, but... it might be too late for her...)
Sho leapt down the stairs and called Ms Konishi's name, over and over again. But she didn't wake up.
The police arrived soon enough. They immediately began taking pictures of the scene.
Edgeworth: (Everyone's in shock. Who'd have expected a dead body to turn up in the school they're so familiar with?)
Mina: Edgey... Ms Konishi... Is she...
Edgeworth: ...I'm afraid she didn't make it.
Mina: This... This is terrible...
Edgeworth: Judging by the wound on her forehead, it would appear that she died when she was hit on the head.
Mina: She's never taught us before, but she's infamous for being very strict and totally unreasonable sometimes.
Edgeworth: Really?
Mina: That's why she's nicknamed "The Iron Maiden"... behind her back, of course. She was never popular, but seeing her like this... I can't help but feel sad...
Edgeworth: Whenever a life is taken away, it's always sad... (But...is it just me, or is there something more to this? No... maybe not. I'm overimagining things again. *sigh* Another side-effect of working on too many homicide cases, I guess...)
Mina: ...
Edgeworth: (No, I can't shake off this feeling! Looking at this scene, I just know somebody is responsible for this, but I don't know if it's someone from outside of this school.) Mina.
Mina: Y-Yes, Edgey?
Edgeworth: I got a hunch. Can you accompany me to security?
Mina: Sure, but why?
Edgeworth: I want to take a look at their visitors' logbook.
Mina: Are you looking for something?
Edgeworth: To tell you the truth, Mina, I don't think this is any accident!
Mina: What?
Edgeworth: I can't put my finger on it, but there's more than meets the eye. So I want to see if there were any visitors apart from me today. Every visitor has to sign in there, right?
Mina: Yes... But, if it's no accident, then what else can it be?
Edgeworth: Murder.
Mina: What? ! That's ridiculous!
Edgeworth: Maybe it is, but still, I'd like to take a look at the visitors' logbook.
Mina: *sigh* You're been working on too many cases, Edgey. But fine, let's go.
(At the security station.)
Uzuki: Here you go, Mr Edgeworth. Here's your copy of today's entries in the visitors' logbook! Sir!
Edgeworth: Thank you very much. By the way, Ms Yashiro-
Uzuki: Yes sir!
Edgeworth: I understand that on public holidays, students and teachers are required to sign in their corresponding logbooks...
Uzuki: Absolutely, sir! In the event that the school's facilities need to be used, students must sign in the students' logbook... while teachers have to fill in the teachers' logbook. I make sure no one gets by me without signing!
Edgeworth: Ah, thanks for the info-
Uzuki: You're welcome, sir!
Edgeworth: -but you might want to turn down the cheeriness a little. It hurts the ears.
Uzuki: Yes sir! Thank you for the advice, sir!
Edgeworth: *sigh* (This is one enthusiastic security guard...) Now let's see...
Mina: Look, Edgey, your name is written here, along with your signature. But there's no one else.
Edgeworth: And the time I checked in is 2:30 pm.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Visitors' logbook
There were no other visitors apart from me today. I checked in at 2:30 pm.]
Mina: So wh-what does this mean? If there are no other visitors... does it mean you're a suspect? But that's ridiculous...
Edgeworth: Of course I'm innocent, Mina. Which means that the killer is someone from this school, and he or she has not left yet! Also, let's see which students and teachers came to school today.
Mina: Hmmm... Well, there aren't many. There's me, Ai, Neku, Shiki, Beat, Eri, and a whole bunch of other girls who are the cheerleaders. Oh, and there's Sho Minamimoto, the math teacher, and Ms Konishi.
Edgeworth: I see.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
List of attendees
Students who came today include: Mina, Ai, Neku Sakuraba, Shiki Misaki, Daisukenojo Bito (Beat), and Eri. Teachers: Sho Minamimoto and Mitsuki Konishi. None of them have left the school premises yet.]
(Back at Corridor W-1.)
Edgeworth: Who's in charge of this investigation?
Forensics: Sir! We're told it's Detective Megumi Kitaniji, sir!
Edgeworth: I see. Where is he? I'd like to have a word with him.
Forensics: He hasn't arrived yet, but he'll be here shortly, sir!
Edgeworth: *sigh* This is taking too long. Well, waiting here isn't going to produce any results. Mina, let's get this investigation started.
Mina: What investigation?
Edgeworth: Why, the investigation of this suspected murder case, of course! And I want you to help me.
Mina: Me? ! Wh-Why?
Edgeworth: You know about this school better than I do. I could investigate this with a teacher, but he's a suspect for the time being. And the security guards have their hands full being interrogated by the police. So you're going to be my assistant for now. Two pairs of eyes would streamline our investigation.
Mina: Oh, I see!
Edgeworth: But this is serious. Don't fool around!
Mina: Okay! First I'll see if I can borrow a uniform from the security guard and-
Edgeworth: *stern* There's no need to dress up for this, Mina! Just help me!
Mina: Awww...
BEGIN INVESTIGATION
Edgeworth: Let's make a few notes about the crime scene.
Mina: What should we look at?
Edgeworth: The position of the body in relation to its surroundings would make a great first step. Take note of everything!
Mina: Hmmm... The body is lying in front of this door.
Edgeworth: That door... it's the janitor's closet?
Mina: Yeah.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Crime scene notes
Victim's body located in front of janitor's closet.]
MAP OF CRIME SCENE
|^^^^|
|^^^^|-XXX-
... … … …V
X = door (janitor's closet)
V = location of victim's body (please ignore the dots)
^ = stairs
Edgeworth: Let's see what else we can find.
Something about Ms Konishi caught Edgeworth's eye. Her glasses.
Edgeworth: Look at Ms Konishi's glasses. Don't you think something is off about them?
Mina: Um, no... They look pretty normal to me. Although I have to admit they're kinda cool.
Edgeworth: Actually, I was referring to how... cracked the lenses are. Not just cracked, but...practically falling apart. Much of the glass is missing. How did her glasses end up like this anyway?
Mina: Where's the missing glass? I mean, look! Her glasses are almost hollow frames now!
Edgeworth: I should ask the forensics team about this. Hey you! Your team combed this area thoroughly, right?
Forensics: Yes, sir! We've secured this area, sir!
Edgeworth: Very well, tell me if you found any glass fragments around here.
Forensics: No, sir! None whatsoever, sir!
Edgeworth: Hmmm... Are you sure you checked?
Forensics: Affirmative, sir! Absolutely spanking positive, sir!
Mina: *sweats* Are all policemen this uptight, Edgey?
Edgeworth: They're supposed to be, Mina. It's their job to stay alert and, most importantly, proper.
Mina: Maybe it's because you were glaring at them so menacingly that they're all "Sir!" and stuff.
Edgeworth: *stern gaze* ...
Mina: WAAAH! J-Just kidding, Edgey! D-Don't look at me like that!
Edgeworth: So here we have our first mystery. If her glasses are damaged, where did the glass shards go?
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Victim's glasses already broken?
We couldn't find all the shards to fully reconstruct the victim's glasses. Where are those shards?
Edgeworth: Aha! This is my first piece of Logic.
Mina: Um... Logic?
Edgeworth: Whenever something of interest pops up in an investigation, the chances are good that it's tied up with something relevant. If I find two related pieces of Logic and connect them, I can draw out a hypothesis and new information arises.
Mina: So maybe I'm a bit off, but... it's like if I have an apple and orange and mix them together, I get a fruit salad. Right?
Edgeworth: Um... if it helps you grasp the concept of Logic, then yes, it's something like that.
Mina: Oh! That's awesome! Alright, Edgey! I'm ready to make banana splits out of our crime scene! Though... all this talk about food is making me a little hungry...
Edgeworth: (How did such a serious conversation turn into something completely unrelated?)
Edgeworth examined the wound in closer detail.
Edgeworth: She was hit very, very hard for blood to gush out like this.
Mina: Ugh... Just looking at her messed up like that makes me queasy... it's like her head is a rotten, squishy melon. Beaten to a pulp with a mallet...
Edgeworth: Mina, how is it that even when disgusted by the sight, you can still come up with a description even more disgusting in comparison to the crime scene?
Mina: I'm just saying how I feel! Isn't it spot-on anyway? !
Edgeworth: (Yes, spot-on... and very disturbing.) Excuse me, lab guy.
Forensics: Yes, sir!
Edgeworth: What have you found out about the head wound? Anything that stands out?
Forensics: Well, it's really gross and gruesome, sir! Like a rotten, squishy melon being beaten to a pulp with a mallet!
Mina: See! I told you anyone would think the way I would!
Edgeworth: (I have nothing to say to that...) W-Well, that's not what I meant. Did you find anything about the wound that is worth mentioning?
Forensics: Um, we concluded that she was hit twice in the same area, sir!
Edgeworth: Twice?
Forensics: There are two layers of blood splatter on her forehead, sir: the newer, fresher one on top of the older one. It's not easy to tell, but that's what we found out. So that means she was hit twice.
[EVIDENCE updated.
Crime scene notes
Victim was hit in the forehead twice.]
Edgeworth: Whoever killed her must be very thorough.
Mina: Yeah... It's pretty horrible, really. But it kinda makes sense. I mean, I would chew my food thoroughly to make sure it's properly digested!
Edgeworth: (Again, the discussion turns to food. Does this girl ever stop thinking about her stomach?)
INVESTIGATION COMPLETE
? ? ?: Move! Move, please! Coming through!
Mina: Huh? Who's that?
? ? ?: Finally, I've come to the crime scene... Sorry I'm late. I got caught up with a few things.
Forensics: We've done all that we can, sir! Don't worry!
? ? ?: Ah, that is good to know. Let's see... Hmmm, oh, so that's what's going on... Hmmm!
Edgeworth: Um... Excuse me...
? ? ?: Hmm? What are you doing here at the crime scene?
Edgeworth: ...I think it's more polite for you to ask questions of someone after you know who they are.
? ? ?: Ah, my apologies. I'm Detective Megumi Kitaniji, from the homicide department of the Japanese Police. I'm here to oversee the investigation.
Edgeworth: I'm Miles Edgeworth, a prosecutor from America. I'm here in Japan for a short holiday. And this is my cousin, Mina.
Megumi: So, I believe you have something to ask me?
Edgeworth: Detective Kitaniji, if you don't mind, I'd like to participate in your investigation efforts. I've been involved in several homicide cases by now, and I'd like to help.
Megumi: I understand that you want to help. But...
Mina: But what?
Megumi: Unfortunately, Mr Edgeworth, your position as a prosecutor doesn't mean you're not excluded from the list of suspects. You too are under scrutiny from the Japanese Police. In fact, looking at the information thus far... I think you are the most likely suspect!
Edgeworth: ? !
Mina: Are you crazy? ! Edgey would never kill anyone! You're just jumping to conclusions!
Edgeworth: It's okay, Mina.
Mina: What? ! Now you're the crazy one! You'd willingly become a suspect? !
Edgeworth: *smiles* Calm down, my dear cousin. We both know I'm innocent. And it's quite easily proven too. Detective Kitaniji, maybe you could enlighten me on what you think.
Megumi: Very well.
Mina: This nut-case thinks you're the culprit! What are you going to do, Edgey?
Edgeworth: That's simple. I'll cross-examine him.
Mina: Cross...examine?
Edgeworth: During a cross-examination, I listen to the witness' testimony and try to find the contradictions within. Because sometimes, witnesses lie from time to time.
Mina: But he's a detective! Would he lie? !
Edgeworth: No, he wouldn't. But it's highly likely that he might simply get his facts wrong.
Mina: Oh... Like now.
Edgeworth: So anyway, when I find such a contradiction, I point it out, but my argument wouldn't make sense unless I present the right evidence. Cross-examination is a very engaging process. You have to stay alert and listen well!
Mina: Wow! That sounds exciting! Can you teach me? !
Edgeworth: Sure. I'll even show you how it's done. Watch.
Megumi: *chuckle* If you're done teaching your little student, allow me to make my first argument.
ARGUMENT by Detective Megumi Kitaniji
Megumi's Logic
Megumi: Notwithstanding the lack of a motive, the fact remains that you killed Ms Konishi, Mr Edgeworth.
You brought her to the stairs and waited for a chance...
Then you pushed her, where she tumbled down the stairs to her death!
That is how you killed Ms Konishi.
Edgeworth: If she was killed in that way, anyone could have pushed the victim and caused her death all the same, Detective!
Megumi: Really? Then try and counter my logic, and you'll see it holds up.
Mina: Oh no, his argument made sense! Edgey, we're doomed!
Edgeworth: Hold yourself together, Mina! The fun has only begun. The fun of ripping his logic to pieces!
Mina: What? ! You're sick, I tell you!
Edgeworth: *recoils* WH- I was just kidding! (Rrmph... My humour needs work...)
[Note: Arguments and testimonies given by witnesses are enclosed in square brackets. They are separate statements that Edgeworth can PRESS for more information, or PRESENT evidence to.]
REBUTTAL
Megumi's Logic
Megumi: [Notwithstanding the lack of a motive, the fact remains that you killed Ms Konishi, Mr Edgeworth.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Why would I kill Ms Konishi if I had no reason?
Megumi: I'm not saying you didn't have a motive. There's always a reason behind everything, after all. But as the motive has not been determined, this argument would have to ignore that fact.
Mina: Edgey's not the type to go around killing people! He's a prostitute for Pete's sake!
Edgeworth: *recoils* WH- It's PROSECUTOR! Get it right! ! !
Mina: Uh... Yeah, what he said! He's a procrastinator! And if you keep insisting that he's the culprit, he'll totally procrastinate you! ...Wait, that doesn't sound right...
Edgeworth: Rrgh... -_-+
Megumi: Hahaha! Dear me. Looks like someone is in need of some extra English lessons. Anyway...
Megumi: [You brought her to the stairs and waited for a chance...]
[Then you pushed her, where she tumbled down the stairs to her death!]
[EVIDENCE - Crime scene notes]
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: Detective Kitaniji, your hypotheis is entirely... impossible.
Megumi: Excuse me?
Edgeworth: The reason is right before your very eyes.
MAP OF CRIME SCENE
|^^^^|
|^^^^|-XXX-
... … … …V
X = door (janitor's closet)
V = location of victim's body (please ignore the dots)
^ = stairs
Edgeworth: If I had pushed the victim down the stairs, her body would be at the bottom of the stairs, wouldn't it? And yet, here it is a good distance away from the spot where it should be!
Megumi: *recoils* What? !
Edgeworth: The victim was not pushed down. Her body was brought here, probably after she was killed!
Megumi: Mmph! Good point... but, it still doesn't change the fact that you are the killer! You may have proven that the victim was not killed in the manner I described earlier, but you still haven't proven that it wasn't you who killed her!
Edgeworth: *chuckles* I know. But I'm ready to prove my innocence.
Mina: How can you smile like that at a time like this, Edgey? ! If you weren't my cousin, I'd slap you for being so... so... abnormal!
Edgeworth: Now now, Mina, you know I'm innocent, so there's no real reason to worry too much.
ARGUMENT by Detective Megumi Kitaniji
Megumi's Logic, Pt 2
Megumi: I'll admit that you didn't shove the victim down the stairs like I claimed just now.
You probably killed her elsewhere by bludgeoning her in the head with a blunt weapon...
Then you brought her body here, to Corridor W-1.
And as you a full-grown man, you easily have the strength to do so.
By the way, judging from the rigor mortis in the victim's body, you most likely killed her quite some time ago.
Edgeworth: Still adamant about me being the killer, I see.
Mina: Edgey, I'm scared.
Edgeworth: Scared? Why is that?
Mina: If you can't smash his theory, you'll get arrested, right?
Edgeworth: ...Even in the darkest of night, the light can still shine through! That's what I believe.
Mina: *sweats* You and your overly complicated sayings again. Sometimes I hate you so much!
REBUTTAL
Megumi's Logic, Pt 2
Megumi: [I'll admit that you didn't shove the victim down the stairs like I claimed just now.]
[You probably killed her elsewhere by bludgeoning her in the head with a blunt object...]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Did you find the murder weapon?
Megumi: Unfortunately, no. But the wound on the victim's forehead is obviously indicative of a heavy, non-pointed weapon, like a bat or in fact anything heavy.
Edgeworth: But without a weapon, how was she killed?
Megumi: We're still working on that.
Edgeworth: And by any chance have you ascertained the real location of the murder?
Megumi: We're working on that too.
Mina: Do you detectives know ANYTHING? ! O_O+
Megumi: *recoils* Kugh! You little...!
Edgeworth: (Looks like you hit a raw nerve, Mina. But we're in the dark as much as he is...)
Megumi: A-Anyway!
Megumi: [Then you brought her body here, to Corridor W-1.]
[And as you a full-grown man, you easily have the strength to do so.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: What do you mean by that?
Megumi: Transporting a dead body is very troublesome for a single person. But nonetheless, you managed to get the dirty deed done. And for that to happen, you needed to have a significant amount of strength. A woman couldn't possibly do that. And among the male suspects, you are the most well-built.
Mina: It's good to know that you still have it, Edgey, but that's also your greatest disadvantage now...
Edgeworth: (Talk about a double-edged sword... Oh well.)
Megumi: [By the way, judging from the rigor mortis in the victim's body, you most likely killed her quite some time ago.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Can you tell me what you deduced from this rigor mortis?
Megumi: As you know, rigor mortis is a stiffening of the muscles. It occurs approximately three hours after death, which would put the time of death to be around noon.
Edgeworth: I too noticed that the muscles were quite hard, when I touched the victim's neck to check her pulse.
Megumi: The forensics team tried to test the mobility of her limbs, and yes, they were quite immobile.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Preliminary findings
Initial estimations put time of death around 12 pm. Pending autopsy.]
Megumi: We wouldn't know for sure about the time of death, but the lab boys will get on it. I think my estimate is a good one, though.
Edgeworth: That was very important. Let's hear it again, Detective.
Megumi: [Judging from the rigor mortis, you killed the victim at around 12 pm.]
[EVIDENCE - Visitors' logbook]
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: *shrugs and shakes head, smiling* ...Detective Kitaniji, do you seriously think I killed Ms Konishi at that time?
Megumi: Absolutely, positively, yes.
Edgeworth: Then you're absolutely, positively...wrong. You obviously haven't done your homework, Detective!
Megumi: ? !
Edgeworth: According to the visitors' logbook, I arrived in the school premises only at 2:30 pm. How could I have killed the victim at 12 pm? !
Megumi: *recoils* Wh- But... but! It's possible that you could have snuck into the school earlier, then killed her!
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: The outer walls of this school are very tall and topped with barbed wire. It is not possible for anyone to climb in from outside without hurting themselves.
Megumi: O-Oh... Yes, that's right...
Edgeworth: What's more, the school itself is positioned in a very visible part of the city. Anyone who tried to climb over the walls would be easily seen, and what murderer wants to leave witnesses?
Megumi: *recoils* Ugh, you have a point...
Edgeworth: And trying to sneak past the security guard at the entrance...it goes without saying that it's impossible too.
Megumi: ...
Edgeworth: I think I've given you enough proof to confirm my innocence! Well, Detective?
Megumi: Pfft... Hahaha! Yes, congratulations, Mr Edgeworth. You win.
Mina: Wow! You did it, Edgey!
Edgeworth: *takes a bow* Never underestimate the power of truth!
Mina: So that's how cross-examinations work! Thanks, Edgey, that was interesting! The next time someone lies to me, I'll be sure to cross-examine him! They wouldn't stand a chance!
Edgeworth: (They might if you don't have the right evidence...)
Megumi: Very well, you're no longer a suspect. Go on and pat yourself on the back...
Forensics: Sir! Sorry to interrupt, but we found this in the locker area!
Megumi: What is it?
Forensics: This baseball bat. The head is covered with some blood, which we tested to be the victim's!
Megumi: So this is the murder weapon!
Edgeworth: The murder weapon? !
Neku: H-Hey, isn't that... mine? !
Mina: What? !
Shiki: Huh? !
Beat: Phones? !
Eri: Neku...!
Ai: Yours? !
Kariya: Are you kidding?
Megumi: Oh, thank you for admitting so readily, Neku Sakuraba. You made things much easier. You just confessed that this is your baseball bat, didn't you?
Neku: Confess? W-Well, this is mine, but-
Megumi: Then why is it smeared with the victim's blood? I'll tell you why... You used the bat to beat Ms Konishi in the head! In other words, you killed her!
Everyone: *shocked* WHAT! ! !
Neku: *sweats* N-No way! I'm... I'm innocent! I didn't do anything! ! !
Megumi: Really? Then what's your story about the blood and all?
Neku: I don't know anything about it! And I'm not lying!
Megumi: A likely story! We'll, well bring you in for a nice long afternoon of questioning...
Mina: Neku! Edgey, is he... is he really the culprit? !
Edgeworth: I don't know, but-
Megumi: Boys, take him away.
Forensics: Yes sir!
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: Detective Kitaniji, you're being a bit too rash, arresting him just like this!
Megumi: What, are you saying I'm wrong? The truth is as clear as day!
Edgeworth: It's not as simple as you may think!
...
Edgeworth: (Once again, I've got this weird feeling that something is not right! I don't care what it takes but I WILL get to the bottom of this mystery!)
TO BE CONTINUED...