TURNABOUT HIGHSCHOOL, Part 2
by BrDPirateMan
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Parody / Cross-over
Upon being blindly accused by Detective Megumi Kitaniji of being the murderer, Edgeworth easily proved his innocence. However, now the prime suspect is Neku Sakuraba no thanks to a certain piece of evidence...
March 14, 3:23 pm
Seiko High School
Corridor W-1
Megumi: We found this baseball bat in the locker area. It was hidden behind one of the doors. When this door opens, it goes flat against the wall. And in this space we found the bat. Covered in the blood of the victim!
Neku: I know the bat is mine, but saying that I killed Ms Konishi... I... I really didn't do it!
Megumi: Oh? Your fingerprints are all over it...
Edgeworth: Of course they would. It's his bat after all. But how can you be so sure it's the murder weapon?
Megumi: Hmph! Even the stupidest of nitwits can figure that out just looking at the evidence at hand! In any case, this bat will serve as evidence.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Baseball bat
Belongs to Neku Sakuraba. Head of bat is covered in the victim's blood. Neku's fingerprints are all over it. Suspected to be the murder weapon.]
Megumi: And now you will answer our questions! Were you here in the locker area earlier today?
Neku: Well, as a matter of fact, y- I mean, no!
Megumi: Hmph. It certainly belongs to you. Your name is even carved into the base.
Neku: I had baseball practice yesterday afternoon! But I was so caught up in a few things afterwards that I totally forgot to take my bat back. Only when I went home did I realise I had left my bat in school, but by then it was already getting dark and I couldn't go back. I came here today with the intention of taking it back.
Megumi: You mean you were searching for the bat in the locker area? !
Neku: No, listen! I was never here! Okay? !
Megumi: The minds of today's youth... You're so creative you can create lies out of thin air! I don't believe you for a second!
Neku: But...
Sho: Neku Sakuraba! Even though you're my student, if you committed a crime like this, I could never forgive you! Admit your guilt! Inverse matrix!
Neku: H-Hey! I'm telling the truth! I didn't do it!
Sho: Why you little hectopascal! You would dare talk back to me? !
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Are we here to investigate or make baseless assumptions without even taking a long hard look at the facts? ! Please, calm down, everyone. And let us look through things one at a time.
Megumi: Say what you want. However, I believe a thorough questioning is in order... for all the suspects in this case.
Edgeworth: ?
Megumi: As far as I am concerned, all who came to this school today are suspects. However, there are a few who stand out. Neku Sakuraba, with the bloody bat... Eri, who found the body together with Sakuraba... and Mr Koki Kariya, the security guard, who came running over when Neku told him about the body.
Edgeworth: Neku and Eri found the victim's body together at the same time?
Neku: Well, we were walking along Corridor W-1 when we saw the body. Eri was too shocked to do anything, so I hurried to the guardhouse... Ms Yashiro and Mr Kariya were inside, I told them, and Mr Kariya agreed to come check it out.
Kariya: Uzuki had to stay in the guardhouse to... you know, keep watch over the school entrance. After I found Ms Konishi dead on the floor, I immediately radioed Uzuki and told her to call the police.
Megumi: Hmmm...
Kariya: But seriously, why lump me in as a suspect too? What a pain.
Megumi: What you feel doesn't matter. Now it's time for me to question the suspects. Don't worry about that, though. We wouldn't take you guys to the police station just yet. We'll just have to borrow one of your classrooms for this purpose. Now then, you first, Sakuraba!
Neku: Wh- *sigh* I didn't do it...
An empty classroom was prepared for the interrogation, and Neku was led away inside, bombarded without mercy by Detective Kitaniji. Meanwhile, Eri and Kariya waited for their turn outside, watched over by eagle-eyed policemen.
Mina: I can't believe Neku's under suspicion for murder...
Edgeworth: That piece of evidence puts him in a very bad light... But if I listen to what he has to say, maybe I can unearth some new information.
Mina: Just that right now, he's pretty tied up, being grilled to perfection by that bumbling detective.
Edgeworth: Neku will have to wait. In the meantime, Mina, I think I should talk to everyone and see what they have to say. Specifically the other suspect Eri.
Mina: What about Mr Kariya?
Edgeworth: He just arrived on the scene. I don't think he would know anything. Eri might, though.
Mina: Good idea. Maybe she can tell us something useful!
Edgeworth: Let's see what Eri has to say about this.
...
Eri: Ow... My arms...
Mina: Eri, what's wrong?
Eri: Huh? Oh, nothing... My arms hurt because I've been doing so much spring cleaning.
Mina: I see...
Edgeworth: Excuse me, you're Eri, am I right?
Eri: Y-Yes... Um, you are...
Edgeworth: Miles Edgeworth, a prosecutor from America. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Eri: Um, sure... G-Go ahead... But...
Edgeworth: But what?
Eri: Detective Kitaniji told me that I should not say anything to you...
Edgeworth: What? ! But I'm part of the investigative team!
Forensics: Sir! Sorry, Mr Edgeworth, sir, but you ARE still a suspect, just like the rest of your friends.
Mina: But we're just asking questions so we can solve the case!
Forensics: We're sorry. We're just following orders.
Edgeworth: Rrgh...
Mina: I can't believe this...
Edgeworth: Looks like the only way we're going to get more information is by waiting for the suspects' testimonies.
Eri: Sorry, looks like I can't help you...
Mina: By the way, Eri, I've been meaning to ask you...
Eri: Hmm? If this is about the murder, I'm sorry...
Mina: No, Eri. That pendant... I've never seen it before. Where did you get it? It looks so cool!
Eri: Um, th-thanks! Actually, you can't get this anywhere else...
Mina: Huh? What'd you mean?
Eri: The pendant's custom-made. There's no way you can buy it in a shop.
Mina: Whoa! So it's unique? ! You have the only one? !
Eri: Urm... y-yeah... That's right!
Edgeworth: (Maybe I'm not into jewellery, but I don't see how a pendant that's shaped like a plus sign would look nice... And the black and pink used to colour it clash horribly!)
Mina: So you had it made at some jewellery shop, huh?
Eri: Well, actually, my... my boyfriend gave it to me... *blushing*
Mina: Wow! That's awesome!
Eri: Y-Yeah, I was waiting for him here, and he gave it to me!
Mina: That is so cool. It must be cool to have a boyfriend! Say, Edgey, do you have any idea what it's like to fall in love?
Edgeworth: I can't say I have, but I don't see how that has any place in our investigation.
Mina: -_-+ *pinches Edgeworth*
Edgeworth: *recoils* OW! What's that for, Mina? !
Mina: Would it kill you to relax a little? ! It's just a typical conversation!
Edgeworth: (Don't you understand the seriousness of it all? This is a murder we've got on our hands! ...Hmm? Wait a minute...) Eri, can you tell me a bit more about you waiting for your boyfriend?
Eri: Huh?
Mina: EDGEY! You do NOT pry into our private matters! And that includes boyfriends and stuff!
Edgeworth: (Weren't you doing some shameless prying yourself?) In any case, Eri, you said you were waiting for your boyfriend today. What time was that?
Eri: But... I was told not to say anything about the case...
Edgeworth: Oh, but this question is completely unrelated.
Eri: W-Well, y-yeah, I guess... I think it was around... uh, gee... I forget when!
Edgeworth: ...
Eri: I don't really remember. I mean, I don't take note of the time and things like that.
Edgeworth: So... he gave you that pendant today?
Eri: Y-Yes, why?
Edgeworth: Hmmm... (Maybe it's pretty normal for girls to blush and stutter about their boyfriends, but she somehow seems uneasy talking about it. Also, how could she forget about something that happened only today? ! Oh well, I don't know where this will take me, but I'll make a note of it.)
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Eri's meeting
Eri's boyfriend gave her a pendant in the school compounds. Does this have any relation to anything?
Mina: Ahaha... Never mind about him, Eri... As a prosecutor, his job is to pry into people's lives, so please don't be offended.
Edgeworth: *recoils* (What? ! That's not what a prosecutor does! ! !)
Eri: Oh, don't worry about it... I understand that you have a job to do after all.
Edgeworth: (*sigh* Does no one here have the slightest idea what lawyers do?)
Neku emerged from the classroom at last, his interrogation complete.
Forensics: Eri, you're up next. Please enter.
Eri: A-Alright...
Mina: How did it go, Neku?
Shiki: Yeah, was it okay?
Beat: Yo, Phones...
Neku: They asked me all sorts of questions... all of them stupid ones... And I can't even talk about it, because I was told not to!
Edgeworth: (Rrgh... Looks like I can't get anything out of Neku either...)
Ai: You can't even talk about it? ! That sucks!
Shiki: Neku, we know you're not the killer. We'll stick by you!
Neku: Th-Thanks guys. Man, I need a breather. Seriously, I don't think that detective knows what he's doing.
Edgeworth: The proverbial headless chicken.
Mina: Yeah, well said, Edgey. So what do we do now?
Edgeworth: If Neku's interrogations are anything to go by, then we'll be waiting for a long time. But just because we can't ask anything of anyone doesn't mean we can't do a bit of investigating ourselves.
Mina: I see! We're going to search for clues in another place, huh? Well, uh, then let's start at the... canteen! Yeah, that's it!
Edgeworth: ...You just want to see if there's anything to eat.
Mina: Oh come on! -_-+ I'm a growing teenager! I need lots of food to keep myself healthy.
Edgeworth: Today's Saturday. The canteen will no doubt be closed.
Mina: *sweats* Um, y-you're right... BUT! There's still a vending machine!
Edgeworth: (Are crisps and chocolate bars your idea of staying healthy? !)
Mina: Oh! Darn... I've got no money...
Edgeworth: Oh well, too bad.
Mina: *smiles* Say, Edgey... Have I told you how handsome you've become lately? I'm sure there must be scores of girls coming after y-
Edgeworth: Flattery is not an effective form of bribery, Mina. I'm not buying you anything until the case is over.
Mina: No luck... *sigh* :(
Edgeworth: Now come on, let's go... to the locker area!
March 14, 3:45 pm
Seiko High School
Locker Area
Edgeworth: This is where Detective Kitaniji said his men found the baseball bat...
Mina: ...that belongs to Neku.
Edgeworth: There must be some more clues waiting to be found. Let's hurry before that detective suspects anything!
Mina: But what about the policemen here? Wouldn't they tell him?
Edgeworth: Probably. But Detective Kitaniji is busy right now... I doubt his subordinates would dare to disturb him at a time like this. Besides, they're busy themselves.
Mina: Well, it's worth a shot. Alright! Let's get cracking!
BEGIN INVESTIGATION
Edgeworth and Mina checked out the place where the bloody baseball bat was said to be found.
Edgeworth: So it was hidden behind this door. If someone closed it, they'd be in for a rude shock.
Mina: Yeah, they'd see the bat propped up against the wall, dripping with blood. Edgey, did Neku really...?
Edgeworth: I don't know, but I have a hunch that he didn't. We have to prove it though.
Mina: Do you think we'll find any clues at all?
Edgeworth: Hard to say... but at least we have to try. For his sake.
Mina: Yeah. I mean, beneath his sometimes gruff attitude, he's a nice guy and everything...
Edgeworth: I didn't know he's your romantic interest.
Mina: Wha? N-No! He isn't! There's no way I'd like him... in that way... I-I mean, wh-why would you think that? !
Edgeworth: (Maybe it's the blush that's creeping onto your face... or the way you stammer so embarrassingly...)
Mina: Aargh... You don't believe me, do you?
Edgeworth: ...There's nothing to be found here. Let's look somewhere else.
Edgeworth approached one of the forensics experts.
Edgeworth: Excuse me, are you doing a Luminol test now?
Forensics: This is so frustrating! I've been spraying everywhere but I couldn't even get a single blotch of blood!
Mina: O-Oh?
Forensics: I was hoping to find a particularly striking patch of blood so I could show it off to the other guys. I mean, that would be a bloody good find, wouldn't it? Haha! Get it? Bloody?
Mina: WH- *angry* You're sick! Sick, I tell you! Of all the things to joke about...
Forensics: What? ! It wasn't funny? ! But my talent for comedy is well-known in the police force!
Edgeworth: (You couldn't have picked a more inappropriate place than a crime scene to showcase your gallows humour...) Anyway, Mina, we should look elsewhere.
Mina: Sure. I can't stand this guy one bit!
Forensics: *sigh* No one appreciates humour around here...
Edgeworth took a quick look at the vending machine.
Edgeworth: It's a vending machine selling all kinds of soft drinks... the kind that are guaranteed to give you tooth decay. There's a promotional poster on the front... "COMING SOON! Tin Pin Slammurai VS Steel Samurai! Coming to theatres near you!"
Mina: They're combining the best of the west and the east in an action-packed film that'll cater to all audiences!
Edgeworth: Well, are you going to watch it, Mina?
Mina: Of course! I'm sure you would too, 'cause you're, like, the BIGGEST STEEL SAMURAI FANBOY out there!
Edgeworth: *recoils* WH- Not so loud! They'll hear us!
Mina: Wh-What's wrong with that?
Edgeworth: (I can't let anyone know that a grown-up like me is actually enjoying a children's show... Imagine the horror if they did!)
A piece of paper was sticking out of one of the lockers.
Mina: What's this?
Edgeworth: Must be a note or letter. Somebody must have stuck it there. It's probably safe to say it's not the owner of this locker. After all, who'd want to send notes to themselves?
Mina: *pulls out note* Hmm... Hahaha!
Edgeworth: What's so funny about it, Mina?
Mina: It's a love letter, Edgey! It's so corny too! Listen... "Roses are red, violets are blue... So would you please go... on a date with me?" Hey, what gives? It doesn't even rhyme.
Edgeworth: Mina, I think you should put that back where it belongs. I'm sure if the writer of that letter would be greatly offended if he found out you were peeping at it.
Mina: If I was the receiver of this letter, I'd reject him immediately. I mean, who comes up with a poem that's so tacky and awful? !
Edgeworth: (Old-fashioned love poems aren't exactly effective in this day and age either...)
INVESTIGATION COMPLETE
Edgeworth: It doesn't look like we're going to find anything substantial here.
Mina: But without any clues, how are we going to prove that Neku is innocent? !
Shiki: Mina... Mr Edgeworth...
Mina: Shiki? What's up? Something the matter?
Shiki: I just wanna ask... Is Neku going to be okay?
Edgeworth: Not for a good while, it would seem. (And if nothing can be done, the wrong person will be arrested!)
Shiki: I... I see...
Mina: *sigh* I feel bad for Neku... having to be questioned when he's really not guilty.
Shiki: ...Hey, when did the murder take place, anyway?
Edgeworth: According to Detective Kitaniji, it was around 12 pm.
Shiki: At noon? That's strange...
Mina: Shiki, what's so strange about the time?
Shiki: Well, if you could take a look at this...
Edgeworth: A digital camera?
Mina: Uh... I know it's your camera, but what's the significance of it now?
Shiki: Please look at this picture that I took today.
Shiki scrolled through the photos in her digital camera until she came to a particular one, which she showed to Edgeworth and Mina. It was a photo of Neku and Shiki together. He had one arm wrapped around her shoulder, and they were smiling broadly.
Mina: *shocked* Shiki... This is... You and Neku are...
Shiki: *blushing* Y-Yeah, we're... going out. But our relationship is strictly low-key. We've never told anyone about it.
Mina: *hurt* Oh... I see...
Edgeworth: (SOMEBODY really does have a crush on the Sakuraba boy...) I see lockers to the sides... Was this photo taken in this locker area?
Shiki: Yes, it was. And it was taken today.
Edgeworth: Today? By Jove, the timestamp on this photograph you took... It says today's date! And what's more, it says the time too... at 12:05 pm!
Shiki: Yeah, so... Neku couldn't be the killer right? ! 'Cause he was with me the whole time and we took a whole buncha photos too.
Mina: You... You took how many? !
Shiki: Um, about ten?
Mina: *bug-eyed* Wh-Whaaaaaat? !
Shiki: Mina, wh-what's wrong?
Mina: *even more hurt* N-Nothing... I'm so touched that you and Neku are so close... So touched I could cry!
Edgeworth: (From disappointment, it would seem... But this isn't the time for such matters!)
Scrolling through the pictures, Edgeworth found that the first photo was taken at 12:05 pm, with the rest taken at regular intervals all the way till 12:28 pm, when the last photo was taken.
Edgeworth: (I never like looking at photos of couples acting all lovey-dovey in front of the camera, but an important fact can be derived from this...) Shiki, you and Neku were in the locker area for 30 minutes starting from 12:05 pm. I think this set of photographs would make splendid evidence.
Shiki: You're free to borrow my camera, but... when the case is over, please give it back to me, okay?
Edgeworth: *takes a bow* Thank you very much. This will prove helpful.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Shiki's camera
Contains a set of photos that Shiki and Neku took together in the locker area. First photo - 12:05 pm, last photo - 12:28 pm.]
Just then, Detective Kitaniji and the rest of the policemen poured into the locker area, followed by the other students.
Megumi: Ah, there you are, Mr Edgeworth.
Edgeworth: Yes, what is it, Detective?
Megumi: Before I continue, if you must know, I got the autopsy report already. The time of death is 12 pm, like we estimated earlier.
Edgeworth: I see...
Megumi: Anyway, I'm done with the interrogations. Now I'm fully convinced that Neku is the killer!
Edgeworth: What? !
Megumi: Why don't we let the witness explain it herself?
Mina: Who's the witness? !
Eri: Um... It's me...
Neku: Wait, you're saying you saw me kill Ms Konishi? !
Megumi: Eri, tell us all about what you saw at the time of the murder.
Eri: Y-Yes, Detective...
Neku: Eri, you... I didn't do anything! You're lying!
Mina: I can't believe it! Edgey, are you going to... uh... do a full-body examination on her... Wait. EEEW! Edgey, you're so disgusting! I never thought you'd plan to grope the witnesses-
Edgey: *recoils* It's CROSS-EXAMINATION!
TESTIMONY by Eri
What Eri Saw
Eri: I was chilling as usual, in the locker area.
Then I saw Ms Konishi come in, for what reason I don't know.
Suddenly Neku appeared behind her, and raised his baseball bat to strike!
He whacked her in the back of her head, and she... she fell...
I was so scared that I stayed where I was behind a row of lockers. Luckily he did not see me.
Neku: Curse you, Eri! Look, I don't like Ms Konishi that much, but not so much that I'd wanna kill her!
Megumi: But why didn't you bring this up earlier, Eri?
Eri: I... I'm afraid Neku would do something horrible to me if I told on him.
Neku: Hey! Watch it, man! I'm clear! I'm-
Megumi: It'll be up to us and not you to determine your innocence.
Neku: Ungh...
Mina: Edgey...
Edgeworth: (The evidence is incriminating, but Eri's testimony isn't foolproof. I'll find that contradiction as quick as lightning!)
REBUTTAL
What Eri Saw
Eri: [I was chilling as usual, in the locker area.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Chilling?
Eri: Er, yeah... As in... chilling. You know...
Edgeworth: Please explain.
Eri: Well, it's a Saturday and I had nothing to do, so I thought, well, maybe I'd come to school and hang out.
Edgeworth: That sounds like a very strange hobby. This... "chilling". So I take it you were simply relaxing doing nothing useful-
Eri: H-Hey! It's useful! I mean, as in... useful for my soul! I've been knee-deep in homework and studies for so long, that I needed a chance to take a break! So gimme a break, Mr Edgeworth! I need to chill to feed my soul!
Edgeworth: (Soul food I can understand, but why come to a school of all places on a Saturday? The city's out there for you to explore, and it's more interesting than a school.)
Megumi: Eri, please continue.
Eri: [Then I saw Ms Konishi come in, for what reason I don't know.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Are you sure it was Ms Konishi whom you saw?
Eri: Of course. I would never mistake that unique dress she wears, and her glasses, and her... um...
Edgeworth: Her what?
Eri: L-Let's just say that apart from her fashion sense, she also has a... um... very ample bosom.
Edgeworth: Ample... bosom? By that you mean...
Mina: *pinches Edgeworth* Stop asking about that, Edgey!
Edgeworth: *recoils* Wh-What did I do? !
Mina: By asking such questions, you clearly show no respect for us women!
Eri: Um... Th-That's right!
Ai: Mr Edgeworth, how could you press for details like that? !
Shiki: Have you no shame? !
All the other girls: PERVERT!
Edgeworth: *sweats* Gnnrk... (Something tells me I should just carry on with the testimony...)
Eri: [Suddenly Neku appeared behind her, and raised his baseball bat to strike!]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: When you mean suddenly, you really mean the killer took the victim by surprise, don't you?
Eri: Th-That's right... Neku... He snuck up behind her and... I saw he was up to no good!
Neku: YOU... LIAR!
Eri: He had this evil angry look on his face... I was so petrified with fear, I couldn't move a muscle. I couldn't even shout to get her attention! It's all my fault that she's dead!
Megumi: There, there. Don't blame yourself now, Eri.
Sho: But it's zetta easy to see how Neku can be such a violent person. You can see the fire blazing in his eyes.
Neku: Mr Minamimoto, not you too... I'm not like that...
Sho: Sine cosine tangent! Can you prove that you're not? !
Neku: Uggh...
Edgeworth: (This is already beginning to sound very odd...)
Eri: Anyway, then he...
Eri: [He whacked her in the back of her head, and she... she fell...]
[EVIDENCE - Crime scene notes]
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: Let me get this straight. You saw Neku hit Ms Konishi in the back of her head with the baseball bat...
Eri: Y-Yes, that's right. Oh, it was so horrible...
Edgeworth: *stern* I think what's horrible is that lie you just made up!
Eri: L-L-Lie? ! But I'm telling the truth!
Neku: Truth, my foot!
Megumi: Quiet!
Edgeworth: The head of the bat is covered in the victim's blood. Supposing she was hit from behind, why is her wound on her forehead instead? !
Eri: *recoils* Wh-Whaaaaaa? !
HOLD IT!
Megumi: Mr Edgeworth, think a bit more creatively. It's entirely possible that when she was hit from behind, it caused her to fall headlong... and she bashed her own forehead in when she connected with the floor. That was how the wound on her forehead came to being.
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: We examined the body carefully. There were no traces of blood on the back of the victim's head! How is it even possible that there is blood on the bat from hitting her from behind? !
Megumi: *recoils* Guh!
Edgeworth: Furthermore... the forensics team already ascertained that the only injury that the victim sustained was to her forehead. There was no injury to the back of her head!
Eri: N-N-Nooooo!
Edgeworth: That was a blatant contradiction of the facts!
Eri: *sweats* W-Wait! I'm... I'm really confused... Gimme a moment to think...
Edgeworth: ?
Eri: The whole thing was too much, and I kinda... got things mixed up... If you don't mind, may I change my testimony a little?
Megumi: That's certainly fine. A murder being played out in front of you is not something that happens all the time. It's understandable that you'd be so shocked.
Edgeworth: (Hmph. Let's see you try and twist the facts!)
TESTIMONY by Eri
What Eri Saw, Pt 2
Eri: Sorry for making such a huge blunder earlier... The truth is...
Neku did hit Ms Konishi in the forehead with the baseball bat!
The moment she came into the locker area, he attacked her!
He was so brutal! He hit her once, and then she collapsed, dead!
After that, he... he just stood over her lifeless body, bat soaked in blood.
Neku: Hey! I told you, I'm not the killer! And don't make me look so savage!
Megumi: "Don't make me look so savage"? Are you implying your guilt as the real killer, Sakuraba? !
Neku: N-No! Of course not!
Edgeworth: Neku, it would do you a world of good if you could keep your mouth closed for a good while.
Mina: *sweats* In other words, please shut up!
REBUTTAL
What Eri Saw, Pt 2
Eri: [Sorry for making such a huge blunder earlier... The truth is...]
[Neku did hit Ms Konishi in the forehead with the baseball bat!]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: So are you sure this time that it was the forehead that was hit?
Eri: Yes...
Edgeworth: Supposing Neku is the killer, which I think he is not... If he hit the victim in the forehead, needless to say he was in front of her, correct?
Eri: Um, that'd sound about right.
Edgeworth: In which spot exactly was he when he attacked Ms Konishi?
Eri: L-Let's see... I think it was... *points at the floor* ...here?
Edgeworth: (Are you answering questions or asking them?)
Megumi: So then, what next?
Eri: [The moment she came into the locker area, he attacked her!]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: I just want to confirm once more that you saw Ms Konishi enter the locker area, and then right after that, she was attacked?
Eri: Yes…
Edgeworth: For the sake of argument, let us suppose that Neku is the killer… For him to attack her as soon as she appeared, he must have been hiding nearby, right?
Eri: Uh-huh…
Edgeworth: Also, if he hit her in the forehead when she came in here, it would mean that he was hiding here in the locker area.
Megumi: Perfectly understandable, considering that she was hit on the forehead.
Edgeworth: So, Eri, did you manage to see where the killer was hiding?
Eri: What? I… N-No, I didn't see anything…
Edgeworth: But you were in the same place as the killer! How could you not have seen him?
Eri: *sweats* P-Please… I really didn't see anything… I was hanging around the back row of lockers, and there is more than one way into and out of the locker area. Neku could have entered through one of the doorways that out of my line of sight…
Edgeworth: (She does bring up a valid point…)
Eri: But I can be sure of the next thing that happened! It… It was shocking!
Edgeworth: That would be…?
Eri: [He was so brutal! He hit her once, and then she collapsed, dead!]
[EVIDENCE - Crime scene notes]
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: You are saying you saw the killer bludgeon her once with the baseball bat?
Eri: Yes! I saw it with my own eyes!
Edgeworth: Then I suggest you go get some glasses yourself.
Eri: ...? ! Are you doubting me again? !
Edgeworth: The forensics team has discovered, from the two layers of blood splatter on the victim's forehead, that she was hit TWICE, and not ONCE like you said!
Eri: *recoils* Aaaaaah!
Edgeworth: How do you explain that it was a one-hit attack? !
Eri: *sweats* This... It was...
Edgeworth: Don't dispute the facts, Eri. You're lying! We still don't know who the real killer is, but I'm willing to bet you know more about the murder than we do! What about it? !
Eri: *sweats* Uh... Um...!
Shiki: Eri? !
Neku: I knew it! I knew she was telling porkers! Ha, take tha- *POW!*
Mina: *whacks Neku in the head* Neku, can you shut up for just one moment? ! Jeez!
HOLD IT!
Sho: Heh heh heh... So zetta slow.
Edgeworth: Mr Minamimoto...?
Sho: Heh! You hectopascal... Now, aren't we all being a bit overly conclusive here?
Edgeworth: What are you talking about?
Sho: Think for a moment. So you've proven that the victim was hit on the forehead twice. Big factoring deal! It still means the baseball bat was the murder weapon! I mean, can you prove that it isn't? !
Edgeworth: (He's right. Just because I pointed out all those contradictions doesn't change the fact that the baseball bat may still have been used to hit the victim twice in the forehead. But...)
Sho: Well? Time is quickly rounding off to zero! What's the solution to your equation? !
Edgeworth: I... don't have any evidence yet.
Mina: Edgey? !
Neku: WH-WHAAAAAAAT? !
Sho: Hahahaha! Just as I thought. You're nothing more than an irrational number in a sea of integers!
Edgeworth: *smiles* Not so fast, Mr Minamimoto. I said I don't have any evidence YET, but will soon have some. (The investigation is banking on this... I pray that this will lead us back on the right track!)
Sho: Spit it out already! What's on your mind? !
Edgeworth: There is a way to see if the baseball bat is the murder weapon. And that is by checking for the blood splatter.
Sho: Huh?
Edgeworth: There are two layers of blood splatter on Ms Konishi's head wound, indicating she was hit twice. If the bat is what was used to kill her, there should two layers of blood splatter on it as well!
Sho: *recoils* Ugh!
Edgeworth: But we wouldn't know until the forensics takes a look at it.
Megumi: Lab boys, get to work! Check the bat for a double layer of blood splatter.
Forensics: Yes sir!
(A little later...)
Megumi: Well?
Forensics: Sir! There is only one uniform layer of blood on the baseball bat, sir!
Megumi: Really? !
Sho: *sweats* Nngh!
Eri: *sweats* ...!
Edgeworth: *shrugs and shakes head, smiling* As I expected.
Mina: So... So what does this all mean?
Edgeworth: It simply means... that the baseball bat is NOT the murder weapon!
Sho: N-No...
Edgeworth: The single blood layer implies that the bat was deliberately smeared with the victim's blood to make it appear as if it was the murder weapon!
Eri: *sweats* ...
Edgeworth: There's also another thing. I think it should be possible to check if the victim's wound was caused by the bat, by matching the shapes of the impact areas on both the wound and the bat. And of course, they wouldn't match. Because, like I said before, the bat was NOT used to kill Ms Konishi!
Megumi: I-I see...
Edgeworth: And also, if she was bludgeoned to death with a bat, there would be blood droplets everywhere in the locker area. I know it looks clean, but even when wiped away, a Luminol test would uncover them. My point is, if the locker area is the real crime scene, and a Luminol test was performed, there would be the presence of blood. But of course, I think no blood would be found at all!
Megumi: Hmmm... According to Eri's testimony, Ms Konishi was killed the moment she entered this place through the double entrance doors. Lab boys! Do a quick Luminol test around this area and check for blood droplets!
Forensics: Yes sir!
...
Forensics: The Luminol test confirms that absolutely no blood was spilled here!
Eri: ...!
Sho: ...!
Edgeworth: As I thought. There is no blood, simply because the locker area is not the crime scene! Eri, your testimony just now... was one big lie after another!
Eri: *recoils* Aaaargh!
Mina: Eri was lying? ! ?
Edgeworth: Yes. Neku Sakuraba... is not the killer!
Neku: Holy- YES! I'm off the hook! Thank you, Mr Edgewo-
HOLD IT!
Sho: Not so fast, you bits of garbage!
Neku: Whuh?
Edgeworth: What now? !
Sho: Just because you proved that Neku didn't kill Ms Konishi here and with the bat...doesn't mean squat! He could have killed her in another way!
Edgeworth: !
Neku: What? !
Sho: Heh. Let's see. Ms Konishi suffered blunt trauma to the head, correct?
Edgeworth: Yes. And?
Sho: And? Do you not see? ! This school has so many blunt objects lying around! Brooms, heavy books, chairs... the murder weapon could be ANY of these! SOHCAHTOA!
Megumi: *recoils* Are you implying that to find the exact murder weapon we need to examine each and every thing in this school? ! Preposterous! ! !
Sho: Hmph. Do I look like I care? I mean, that's the job of you factoring hectopascals after all, not mine. And one more thing. So what if the locker area is not the scene of the crime?
Edgeworth: Huh?
Sho: It simply means the crime scene is somewhere else!
Megumi: Tch! Mr Edgeworth, it looks like Mr Minamimoto is right. Given the circumstances surrounding two as of yet unknown pieces of information, it is impossible to declare Neku Sakuraba innocent!
Edgeworth: *recoils* Knngh!
Neku: *sweats* What the heck? !
Mina: Aaargh! We were so close!
Edgeworth: (Is there nothing I can do? ...No, calm down, Miles. Think. We know that the crime scene is not here. And I'm sure that Neku Sakuraba is not the killer. If I can show that he was in the locker area at the time of the murder, I can prove his innocence!)
Sho: Heh heh heh... First Outer Inner Last. Mr Edgeworth, where's your logic now?
Edgeworth: *stern gaze* (...Focus! There must be something in the evidence that I can use, because this is all I have! …Wait! That's it! That piece of evidence will help me!)
Megumi: Mr Edgeworth, I'm afraid that if you have no further arguments to make, I'm going to have to arrest Neku Sakuraba.
Edgeworth: As a matter of fact, I'd like to –
HOLD IT!
Neku: Wait! Wait wait wait!
Megumi: Sakuraba, I'd appreciate it if you kept qu-
Neku: I'd like to give my testimony! I... I was never in the locker area!
Shiki: Neku? !
Mina: Wh- Edgey, Neku is...
Edgeworth: …Yes, he's lying. But for a completely different reason, of course.
Neku: Please! Mr Edgeworth, wouldn't you hear me out? !
Edgeworth: But I already have-
Neku: PLEASE! ! !
Edgeworth: ...
Megumi: ...
Mina: ...
Megumi: *sigh* This is going to be a waste of time.
Edgeworth: (I agree, but that's because I already have the evidence I need to show he's not the killer! But if that's how Neku wants to play it...)
TESTIMONY by Neku Sakuraba
Neku's Alibi
Neku: Like I said, yesterday afternoon I had baseball practice.
I forgot to take my bat home and left it in school.
So today I came to look for my bat.
But I knew for sure that I didn't leave my bat in the locker area, so I didn't come here at all.
Megumi: What you said is no different from what you said just minutes ago when we found your bat.
Neku: But it's the truth!
Edgeworth: (...Not.)
Mina: Neku is telling fibs himself. Wasn't he in the locker area earlier?
Edgeworth: He was.
Mina: But why would he lie in the first place? !
Edgeworth: I think I know why. His testimony was pointless to begin with, so I'll end it quick and easy!
REBUTTAL
Neku's Alibi
Neku: [Like I said, yesterday afternoon I had baseball practice.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Which part of the school would you usually go after practice is over?
Neku: First, we'd go back to the storerooms in the gym to return the baseball mittens and bats and caps and stuff.
Edgeworth: But this particular bat is yours, and not school property?
Neku: Yeah. If you look at the base, my name is etched there.
Megumi: Hahaha! How convenient! Now we know that you're the killer!
Neku: I swear, I am not!
Edgeworth: Why can't you use the bats that are provided by the school?
Neku: I can't use those! Because my bat is... uh... it's my lucky bat! Every time I use it, I know I'll be sure of a home run! ...Well, actually, I haven't been able to do that yet, and all I can manage to get to is first base, but still! I'm confident in the power of my bat! One day it'll take me to great heights!
Edgeworth: ...
Mina: ...
Megumi: ...
Everyone: ...
Neku: Wh-Why are you guys looking at me like I'm a fool?
Neku: [I forgot to take my bat home and left it in school.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: What did you do yesterday that made you forget to take your bat back?
Neku: Yesterday's match was really good, so we went all out to celebrate. Shiki, Beat and Eri were present too. We bought lots of drinks and had fun.
Megumi: Drinks? ! You're still underage to have drinks! Don't you know it's illegal to take alcohol in Japan? !
Neku: Wait! I don't mean-
Megumi: No more words are necessary. Neku Sakuraba, you're under arrest for drinking AND murder!
Neku: Hey, listen! It's just soft drinks. In fact, we bought them from this vending machine over here!
Edgeworth: That explains why it's so empty...
Megumi: Oh, I see. Then you're under arrest simply for mur-
Edgeworth: I haven't finished my cross-examination yet! Hold your horses, Detective!
Neku: We were so caught up in the happiness of our victory that I must have left the bat somewhere in school.
Neku: [So today I came to look for my bat.]
HOLD IT!
Edgeworth: Where did you look?
Neku: The first place I went to was the baseball field, but no luck.
Edgeworth: When did you go to look for your bat?
Neku: Let's see... I arrived in school today at 11:45 am.
Mina: Yeah, that matches up with the list of attendees right here. It says Neku arrived at 11:45 am.
Neku: I was talking to a few friends, so by the time I was in the field it was about 12:45 pm.
Megumi: That is a one-hour gap! You were talking for so long? ! Hah! I don't believe that!
Neku: Oh come on! Talking is something we teenagers do everyday! We get together, we chat, we strengthen our friendships!
Mina: I can understand how Neku feels. When I go shopping for clothes with friends, I can spend as much as three hours in 104 Building.
Megumi: *recoils* Who spends that long buying clothes? !
Eri: Um... I do.
Shiki: Same here.
Ai: Sometimes I spend much longer than that.
Megumi: Y-You're all unbelievable...
Edgeworth: Indeed.
Neku: Anyway, I got to the field at 12:45 pm.
Edgeworth: (His testimony is riddled with both truths and lies. But I think I have a good idea which is which!)
Neku: But when I went to look, my bat was nowhere to be found.
Neku: [But I knew for sure that I didn't leave my bat in the locker area, so I didn't come here at all.]
[EVIDENCE - Shiki's camera]
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth: Can you take a look at this?
Megumi: My, that camera is... very pink.
Sho: Mr Edgeworth the metrosexual, huh? Heh! Zetta cute.
Edgeworth: *recoils* Th-This isn't my camera! It's Shiki's. And inside it is a set of about ten photos that will prove beyond a doubt that Neku is not the killer!
Megumi: What?
Edgeworth: Take a look at these for yourself, will you?
Neku: Wha... You don't mean...! ! !
Edgeworth: What's wrong, Neku?
Neku: NO! STOP! DON'T SHOW THEM TO ANYONE!
Megumi: ?
Neku: *sweats* Um, those pictures... If you're thinking what I'm thinking... please! Don't show them off! I'm begging you!
Megumi: Ho ho ho. That means there must be some very incriminating evidence in that camera! Mr Edgeworth, let me take a look!
Edgeworth: Be my guest.
Neku: Are you high? ! No wait! Doooooon't! ! !
Sho: Hahahaha! Neku, you're so zetta slow! You're doomed, kid. Doomed to an infinity in jail! SOHCAHTOA!
...
Megumi: Wh-What's this? !
Sho: Heh. I knew it.
Megumi: Mr Edgeworth, what is the meaning of showing me a bunch of pictures of Neku posing with Shiki in the locker area?
Sho: What? !
Neku: Nooo! ! !
Beat: What the heck, yo?
Ai: Neku and...Shiki?
Shiki: *blushing* ...
Megumi: Mr Edgeworth, this is no time for your jokes! And if you really want my honest opinion, your jokes are in poor taste!
Edgeworth: *smiles* I'm not joking at all. Look at the timestamps on each of those pictures.
Megumi: ...The first photo was taken at 12:05 pm... and the last one at 12:28 pm.
Sho: *recoils* Huh? !
Edgeworth: Those pictures were taken in the locker area, for about a good half hour. They were taken at regular intervals during these 30 minutes, meaning that Neku was busy doing something else other than committing a murder!
Megumi: Oh...!
Neku: Nnnnrgh!
Edgeworth: Remember that the murder took place at 12 pm. If Neku really did do it, he wouldn't be here in these photos! No, he wouldn't be taking snapshots of himself and Shiki in the first place!
Mina: That's right!
Megumi: I get it now...
Eri: But... But...!
Megumi: Silence! I am now convinced that you've been lying, Eri!
Eri: *sweats* B-But the first photo says it was taken at 12:05 pm! Couldn't it be possible that Neku killed Ms Konishi during the five minutes between 12 and 12:05 pm?
Edgeworth: Do you think a murder is so easily carried out and covered up in the space of five minutes?
Eri: *recoils* Uuuaaargh!
Mina: Alright! We did it, Edgey! I'm sure Neku will be so relieved!
Neku: *clutching head in agony* Ngh... Why... Why...
Everyone: *sweats* ...
Mina: Neku? ! You should be happy! After all the trouble we went to just to prove your innocence, this is how you thank us? !
Neku: I'm happy that I'm no longer a suspect, but... now, everyone knows about my relationship with Shiki! ! !
Edgeworth: This is why I said Neku was lying for a different reason. He lied about not being in the locker area because he didn't want to face the embarrassment of everyone knowing that he had a date with Shiki here.
Neku: Mr Edgeworth!
Shiki: Neku...
Neku: Why did you do it, Shiki? ! You know we can't tell anyone about it! They'll just make fun of us to no end!
Shiki: But...
Neku: Aargh... We'll never have a peaceful life from now on...
Edgeworth: Neku, I don't understand your logic.
Neku: Huh?
Edgeworth: Shiki lent us her camera, laden with evidence, to help clear your name. Instead of whining pathetically, you should be thanking her!
Neku: But... I...
Edgeworth: *stern gaze*
Neku: You're right, Mr Edgeworth. Shiki, I'm... sorry. And... thanks.
Shiki: Neku...
Neku: I kept on ranting and raving about the photos because I wanted our relationship to be
kept secret... If people found out about us, there'd be no end to the teasing!
Beat: What teasing, yo?
Ai: What's wrong with having a relationship?
Mina: *sweats* Must you be so secretive? ! Keeping secrets is really tiring, you know.
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: Neku, at first I was scared too, that our friends would make fun of us all the time, but after a while I realised how silly it was to think like that.
Neku: R-Really?
Shiki: I actually wanted to talk to you today about telling everyone about us, because like Mina said, it really is pointless to be so evasive about it. Can't we be a normal couple like everyone else?
Neku: I...
Mina: *grins* Besides, teasing is for little kids. Do you seriously think we'd stoop that low?
Neku: ...Shiki, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I thought what I was doing was for our own good. Little did I know this is really how you think.
Shiki: *smiles* Well, now you know.
Mina: Awww, isn't it nice how things work out, Edgey? But... I can't help but feel a bit sad...
Edgeworth: (Looks like Mina still can't get over her crush.)
Megumi: Hahaha. It looks like we've been terribly mistaken. Neku Sakuraba, you're innocent after all.
HOLD IT!
Sho: Heh heh heh.
Edgeworth: Mr Minamimoto? Do you have something to say?
Sho: Zetta.
Edgeworth: *recoils* Don't just say something like that and expect us to understand!
Sho: So what if these photos show that they were taken from 12 pm onwards? Shiki, it's oh-so-zetta-easy to change the time on your camera, so that the timestamps of your photos would be different too!
Shiki: What? ! I would never...!
Edgeworth: !
Mina: Uh-oh!
Sho: In other words, you and Neku could have been collaborating to fabricate this evidence!
Shiki: But...! I didn't do anything! For real!
Sho: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally... But can you prove it? Prove that these pictures were really taken between 12 and 12:30 pm? !
Shiki: The timestamp... It's real!
Neku: We really were taking photos of ourselves here!
Sho: Obviously, you hectopascals... have no sense of perfection, beauty and intelligence! Slabs of Ham, Celery and Horseradish, Tons of Asparagus. That is the formula of success. I've been teaching you that for so zetta long, and it still can't get in your junk-filled heads!
Edgeworth: Mr Minamimoto, you will refrain from personal attacks on the witnesses! (Grrr! I almost nailed it!)
Mina: Oh no, Edgey, what now? Even the photos couldn't prove a thing!
Edgeworth: (No... There must be something! Something in these photos... But what? I must take a closer look... and fast! What is the thing inside these photos that will prove his innocence?)
In all the photos, Neku and Shiki were standing in the locker area, with the entrance of the school directly behind them some distance away. Through the entrance gate, several buildings could be clearly seen. There was a particularly tall building with a large LCD screen...
Edgeworth: (That's it! I've found it!) These photos are genuine, and I have proof!
Sho: Ha! Infinity has no boundaries. Now tell us! What is it?
Edgeworth: The photos are the real deal. And the thing that proves it is this!
Edgeworth pointed to the tall building with the LCD screen.
TAKE THAT!
Edgeworth: Do you see this building in the background?
Sho: Huh! I can see it alright. It's your weak, crumbling logic that I can't see! Hahahaha SOHCAHTOA!
Edgeworth: Then it's time for you to eat crow. The LCD screen on this building tells the time! And it says 12:05 pm in the first picture!
Megumi: Indeed! The time shown on the screen matches up with the timestamp on all of these photos!
Sho: *sweats* Gwuh? !
Edgeworth: *shrugs and shakes head, smiling* So now are you going to say that Shiki fabricated the time on one of Shibuya's most famous buildings, Mr Minamimoto?
Sho: Ungh!
Edgeworth: This boils down to the photos are real and the timestamps are correct! And it also means that Neku is not the murderer!
Sho: Gwooooh! ! !
...
Megumi: Sound logic, Mr Edgeworth. I applaud you.
Edgeworth: Unfortunately, the case isn't over yet. After all, we're missing two things. First, there is currently still no murder weapon...
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Missing murder weapon
The murder weapon is nowhere to be found. What exactly was used to kill Ms Konishi?
Edgeworth: ...and we don't know where the murder took place. And of course, there's the pressing matter of figuring out whodunnit.
Megumi: Without any real leads, we'll have to search the entire school for clues.
Edgeworth: I'm afraid that would be the best course of action now.
Megumi: We'll get right to it. No matter what the risks, we'll do what's needed to ensure that justice is served! That is the mindset of the Japanese Police!
Mina: Wow, for a moment Detective Kitaniji actually looked intelligent.
Megumi: Right. Arrest this girl at once.
Eri: Aah! W-Wait!
HOLD IT!
Sho: You...
Edgeworth: !
Sho: Are you saying Eri is the murderer?
Megumi: No, but she falsified her testimony. She's being placed under arrest for disruption of justice.
Sho: Grrr... She's innocent, I tell you. She's innocent!
Kariya: H-Hey, why are you so angry, man? Maybe I'm just a security guard round here, but-
Sho: You, shut your mouth! She wouldn't... She wouldn't...
Megumi: Is it not clear enough that what Eri did was unlawful?
Sho: Rrrgh!
Edgeworth: *stern gaze* ...Sho Minamimoto.
Sho: What? !
Edgeworth: You're acting really odd for someone who's not a prime suspect.
Sho: ...?
Edgeworth: You seem rather... urgently enthusiastic about defending Eri. It's as though you don't want her to land herself into trouble.
Sho: Heh, she's my student. I care about all my students!
Edgeworth: You didn't feel the same way about Neku Sakuraba earlier.
(Flashback to earlier.)
Sho: Neku Sakuraba! Even though you're my student, if you committed a crime like this, I could never forgive you! Admit your guilt! Inverse matrix!
Neku: H-Hey! I'm telling the truth! I didn't do it!
Sho: Why you little hectopascal! You would dare talk back to me? !
...
Edgeworth: Up until now, you've wanted to put all the blame on Neku. Yet Eri has clearly lied in her testimony, and you still want to divert suspicion away from her.
Sho: ...
Eri: ...
Edgeworth: That... I find very peculiar! Are you hiding something, Mr Minamimoto? !
Megumi: Enough, Mr Edgeworth. Maybe you have your reasons for suspecting Mr Minamimoto, but our investigation is still going on, and unfortunately very little progress has been made. We still have plenty of work to do.
Mina: Edgey...
Edgeworth: ...My apologies. I got... carried away.
Sho: Hmph. Whatever.
Edgeworth: ...
Megumi: We are now going to have to examine every part of the school! Alright, everyone! I'm splitting you into groups. Do a thorough check on everything. Fingerprints, Luminol, the works. Team A, janitor's closet. Go.
Forensics: Yes, sir!
Megumi: Team B, staff room. Team C, washrooms. Team D...
And so, everyone went on their separate ways. Eri was arrested and taken away. The interrogations continued, leaving Edgeworth and Mina to ponder over the latest sequence of
events.
Edgeworth: *sigh*
Mina: Edgey, I've never seen you this... angry before. You gonna be alright?
Edgeworth: *chuckle* Never mind about me. It's my fault that my emotions got the better of me. But still... That Minamimoto guy... comes across as very suspicious to me.
Mina: Between you and me, after hearing what you just said, and how crazy he sounded just now, I have my doubts about him too. Maybe he's the one responsible for this whole mess!
Edgeworth: We wouldn't know yet. Not until we get our hands on some solid evidence. At least we know that Neku's bat isn't the murder weapon now...
[Baseball bat no longer needed as evidence.]
Mina: What about Eri? You don't seriously think she's...
Edgeworth: Whether she's the murderer or not remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure. She's tied to this case in a major way. And Mr Minamimoto may have something to do with it too!
Mina: Yeah... So where to now?
Edgeworth: Let's head straight for the lion's den... Mr Minamimoto's cubicle specifically. To the staff room we go!
Mina: Alright, let's find some real evidence this time!
...
Edgeworth: (I suspect that Eri and Sho Minamimoto may be collaborating with each other. What's their story? I need to find out soon...)
TO BE CONTINUED...