Chapter 13: Plans and Representations

Tuesday, 2:50PM, 12D Express Bus

Inaba quickly recovered and sat up on the bus floor. Two other bus patrons were kneeling beside her. "Ma'am, are you okay?"

She began to stand up. "Oh, I'm fine. It was just a dizzy spell. I get them occasionally. Nothing to worry about." She quickly gathered her belongings and sat back down on her seat again.

As the bus slowed for its next stop, one of the other passengers went up to the bus driver to notify him of the situation. The driver walked back to check on his ill passenger after the other passengers had finished disembarking.

But it was too late. Inaba had already left the bus and was gone.

A short while later she met with Aoki outside her apartment and gave him her key. She explained to him that she would probably be staying somewhere else for the next couple nights. She reassured Aoki that she and Taichi were just fine, no fights, and that she just needed some time alone. Aoki asked her the reason why, and she replied that it was a small personal matter. She told him she would return no later than Friday.

She did not tell him that a few minutes earlier she had received a call on her cellphone with an offer for a job interview tomorrow.

After she left Aoki at her apartment, she walked across the street to the park. There she sat alone on a wooden bench in front of a small pond. After a few minutes she saw a cluster of tiny ducklings paddling by. They were valiantly trying to keep up with their mother as she drifted complacently in front of them.

She remained seated there for over an hour. Eventually she got up and walked away.

Wednesday, 12:00PM, JRCS Regional Headquarters

The clock chime sounded to announce the start of the lunch hour. As soon as Taichi heard it he jumped from his cubicle and ran downstairs to meet with Aoki, who was waiting for him in the front lobby.

Aoki was wearing one of Taichi's extra business suits. His broad muscular shoulders prevented the suit from buttoning up, but it was the best that could be done on short notice.

They hurried over to Fujishima's office for their scheduled appointment with the young newly minted criminal attorney. It was only five blocks away so they went on foot.

Wednesday, 12:12PM, Law offices of Fujishima Hōritsu Jimusho

Taichi and Aoki tried to catch their their breath as they rode up the elevator to the 18th floor of the office building. A majordomo greeted them as they entered vestibule of Fujishima's suite. He was a formidable-looking gentleman wearing a somber black suit. Taichi guessed correctly that he had martial arts training.

The tall man wordlessly led the pair down a short hallway. The hallway had the smell of newly installed carpet. Some side doors were open, and Taichi glanced into them. He noticed that some of the boxes in those rooms were not yet unpacked.

The majordomo led the pair to a set of double-doors at the end of the hall. He opened them and gestured for Taichi and Aoki to enter.

It was an elegant executive office suite that was large even by American standards. The room was dominated by an imposing desk that was located on the far end of the room opposite the main doors. Sunlight streamed in behind the desk. The light was coming in from six broad sealed plate glass windows; the same broad windows dominated the other two sides of the large room. The ceiling was low and darkly lit, causing anything near the windows to appear backlit. This included the strikingly dramatic silhouette of the individual who was now sitting behind the enormous desk.

The majordomo led the two visitors across the room. He stood in front of a pair of padded visitor-chairs that were emplaced in front of the huge desk.

An unseen voice then spoke to them. The voice had low, rich, melodious tones. "Welcome to my humble abode, gentleman. Please, have a seat."

Both men bowed and sat in the offered chairs. The majordomo soundlessly turned and left the room. The chairs were comfortable but were a bit low, forcing Taichi and Aoki to look up at the person speaking to them. Taichi blinked his eyes to try to adjust to the sunlight that pouring in from behind the silhouette. He started to feel a bit nervous.

After a pause, the black silhouetted figure slowly leaned forward and finally came into view. The high back of the executive chair blocked the incoming sunlight so that Taichi could finally see the chair's occupant clearly.

It was Maiko Fujishima. Her dark shoulder-length hair was wrapped up tightly in a bun with a small ponytail. Her business attire was formal: a long-sleeved form-fitted black wool suit worn over a starched white ruffled blouse and a Colonel Saunders tie. Her sleeves had small gold cuff-links. Her wireframe oval eyeglasses reflected the light from an unseen illumination source in front of her, making the lenses appear white and opaque. Her white-gloved hands were steepled thoughtfully in front of her face with the fingers interlocked, covering any view of her mouth, as she scanned her visitors with a cool appraisal.

Aoki visibly gulped. Taichi pulled on his tie apprehensively.

Then Taichi spotted a grin of satisfaction hiding behind those clasped hands. She was clearly enjoying their nervous reaction.

The sight of her clasped hands tickled a memory in the back of Taichi's mind. He felt a strong sense of déjà vu. Had he seen all of this somewhere before? Yes.. he was certain of it now. It was all there: The huge imposing office, the low dark ceiling, the large desk, the mysterious backlit silhouette leaning forward into view, the scary shiny eyeglasses, the white-gloved hands clasped together under the nose. But where had he seen it?

Where was it.. ? Wait. Ah. He remembered.

Fujishima was doing the famous 'Gendo Ikari pose' from Neon Genesis Evangelion. It was obvious to Taichi now: Her steepled hands were carefully reproducing Gendo Ikari's iconic pose. He guessed there must be a hidden pencil-light installed into the ceiling and aimed at her eyeglasses to create the requisite shiny-glasses effect whenever she leaned forward.

Taichi nearly burst out laughing. Good old Fujishima. Her theatrics were so over-the-top that he was forced to dig his fingernail into his forethumb to try to stifle the impending giggle-fit. It worked. After all, it wouldn't do for him to crack up in front of her, as he genuinely needed her help.

A few moments passed. Finally, after judging that her visitors were now suitably impressed, she dropped her hands, leaned back in her high-backed chair, and give her two visitors a pleasant smile. "Would either of you like some hot tea?"

Before either man could answer, a servant girl appeared seemingly out of nowhere and bowed. Taichi guessed that Fujishima must have pressed a hidden call-button. The attorney said crisply to her maid-servant, "Three green teas, please."

The girl bowed again and said, "Yes, Fujishima-sama." Just before she turned to leave, Taichi got a good look at the girl's outfit and his eyes boggled. She was wearing an elaborate 19th century french-maid costume that looked like it belonged in an otaku cosplay competition rather than in a prestigious law office. She was wearing a white headdress, a frilly white apron with lace trim, and a black skirt with white undergarments. The skirt was short enough to qualify for Zettai Ryouiki territory.

As the maid opened the door to fetch the teas, a small dog ran past her legs and entered the room. The dog bounded up to Fujishima and panted in delight as it sat obediently before its master.

It was the ugliest french bulldog that Taichi had ever seen.

Fujishima turned her chair and beamed at her darling pet. "Fluffy-wuffy! Come here!" The dog jumped on her lap. She slid open a drawer in her desk and pulled out a doggy biscuit in the shape of a bone, which she then proceeded to place between her own lips. The dog rose up on two legs to gently pull the biscuit from out of her mouth.

Taichi thought, Eewww..

The dog jumped down to chew on its treat. Fujishima then turned to face her visitors and said, "Oh dear, pardon my poor manners." At first Taichi assumed she was referring to the dog biscuit, but he was wrong. She leaned down and picked up the dog and placed it on her desk. "Fluffy-wuffy, please introduce yourself to our guests." The dog gave a happy bark to the two visitors. She then placed the dog back in her lap again.

She explained, "After my darling Peaches had passed away I was heartbroken, and I promised myself that I would never own another dog. But then one day during my daily constitutional walk I had spotted this poor little creature lost and alone in the street. He had no collar, and it looked like he hadn't eaten in days. His eyes were so sad.. I just had to rescue him. I mean, look at those beautiful eyes! How could anyone say 'no' to those adorable eyes?"

Taichi looked at the french bulldog's bulging eyes. It reminded him of Peter Lorre.

She went on, "I didn't want to turn him over to Animal Control because I knew it would mean almost certain death for the poor thing*. So I put up posters in the neighborhood but no one claimed him." She smiled at her pet. "I think it was fate that brought us together."

She gave the dog a hug and then placed it back on the floor. It promptly ran to the exit to wait for the door to open. A moment later it did, and the dog rushed out of the room with its half-consumed biscuit as the maid re-entered with the tea tray.

The maid quickly brought over the serving tray. It held a beautiful antique silver teapot and three bone china teacups. She quietly served each of them in turn - Fujishima first. As she bent over to fill Taichi's teacup he could hear Aoki's audible gasp at the scenic vista that she was presenting to him from behind.

The ritual having been concluded, Fujishima decided it was time to begin the meeting. "Well, gentleman, what brings you to my humble little law practice on this lovely sunny afternoon?"

Taichi leaned forward in his chair, "Thank you, Fujishima-san, for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice. We really appreciate it. You understand the situation with Nagase?"

She nodded. "Yes. And thank you, Yaegashi, for your phone call. When you informed me that Iori had been shot by the police my heart skipped a beat. I was so relieved to hear that her injury was not serious. I really must talk to my father again about the need for proper care in dealing with innocent bystanders in SWAT raids." On the desk Taichi saw a framed photo of her police-commissioner father and his wife standing proudly next to their daughter during her law-school graduation ceremony. It also served as a not-so-subtle reminder of Fujishima's influential connections with the police.

Taichi did not miss the fact that Fujishima had just called Nagase 'Iori' while he was still 'Yaegashi'. "So you will take Nagase as a client, then?"

Fujishima sat up straight. "But of course! I was her classroom representative at Yamaboshi Academy after all. As classroom representative it was my personal obligation to protect and take care of all my charges." She primly placed her hand over her heart. "And so I feel that it is my solemn duty as a criminal attorney to continue to protect all the students that were under my loving care."

Aoki looked hopeful. Taichi said, "Thank you so much. I know you must be very busy."

"Oh not at all. I only opened this law practice last week. Say, do you like my new office? I had it designed to my personal specifications."

Taichi replied, "Uh, well, it definitely reflects your style. Very nice."

She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "I'm so glad you like it. I know it seems a bit theatrical, but I feel that first impressions are so dreadfully important."

"Oh, I agree." Aoki simply nodded.

Fujishima leaned back in her chair again. "I was shocked when you told me what happened to Iori. After we all had graduated I tried to check up on her but I couldn't locate her. Apparently she had left your little group, and her mother had told me on the telephone that she didn't know how to reach her anymore." Iori had previously instructed her mother to give Fujishima that little lie in case she ever called.

The young attorney sighed. "I've thought of Iori so many times since them. That poor, poor girl. I had no idea that she was in such dire straits. So lost, so alone. And now her lover is dead. Such a tragedy." She leaned forward again. The glasses turned white.

"Well. I see it all now."

"Uh, you do?"

"Certainly. She needs someone to protect her. To guide her. And of course that person is me."

Taichi didn't know how to reply to that statement. Instead he said, "Well, yes, we really do need your help with her bail hearing. It's scheduled for tomorrow at 2 o'clock. I hope that's not too soon for you?"

"I can make it. But I will need to prepare immediately. I take it, then, that she is locked up in the prefecture detention center?" Taichi nodded. In reply she said, "Then I will go down to visit her immediately and have her sign the representation agreement. Pro bono, of course."

Taichi made a bow. "Thank you so much, Fujishima-san. We really appreciate your kind generosity."

She waved him off. "It's the least I could do. As I said, as your former classroom representative I feel that it is my solemn duty as a criminal attorney to continue to protect the students that were under my care."

Taichi was elated. "That's wonderful! And so you'll take on Aoki's case too?"

Fujishima face quickly frowned.

She didn't hesitate in her response. "No."

Taichi was confused. "What? Why not?"

"He's toxic."

"Huh? Toxic? Why?"

"Because of what he did."

Aoki leaned forward and finally spoke up, "But I didn't do anything!"

She turned to face him. "Exactly. That's the problem. You didn't do anything."

Aoki started to protest, "But.." Then he stopped talking. It was because he saw the expression on Fujishima's face.

Taichi saw it too. He bit his lip again to stifle another smirk.

It was because Fujishima had finally noticed Aoki's powerful physique. She was stunned.

Aoki was wearing a business suit that was clearly too tight for him. The ill-fitting suit merely accentuated his broad muscular chest. It made him look like Superman wearing his Clark Kent disguise.

Fujishima's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She quietly whispered, "Oh my.."

She had a vision of Aoki - sans suit, shirt, and tie - jumping on her desk like a Chippendale dancer. She quickly closed her eyes to wipe away that enthralling image as she fought valiantly to regain her composure. Then she opened her eyes again. "No, I'm sorry, I can't take him.." She was eyeing him up and down. ".. as much as I'd like to have him.." Taichi was sighing softly. ".. and I really do.."

She picked up a copy of Asahi Shimbun that was laying on her desk.

".. but I can't. And here is why."

She tossed the newspaper in Taichi's lap. "Read it."

Taichi opened the newspaper. He found a small article under the fold on page one. The headline read Girl Awakens From 4 Year Coma. In the article he saw small photos of Yui, Aoki, and Doctor Niban. The article basically rehashed the events of Yui's awakening.

Taichi leaned over and asked Aoki, "Hey, did you talk to the press?"

Aoki shook his head, "Nuh-uh. Nobody contacted me." That was not surprising, as no one knew where Aoki was currently living except for his parole officer.

Taichi opened the rest of the paper and quickly scanned the full article. Apparently Doctor Niban had tipped off the press about Yui's awakening. He was quoted at length as he described Yui's undiagnosed craniosynostosis, her seemingly miraculous revival, and how he personally managed her remarkable recovery. Taichi noticed that the writer of the news article had described the doctor in rather flattering terms. The doctor did not directly claim credit for the miracle, but the article certainly would not hurt his reputation as a premiere neurologist. Other than the odd fact that there were no quotes from Yui or anyone in her family, the article seemed to be just another harmless puff piece.

He looked up. "I don't see the problem..?"

Fujishima replied dryly, "The problem isn't on page one. The problem is page 15." Taichi turned to that page.

It was the editorial section. Uh-oh.

Taichi read the main opinion piece. It was entitled Kiriyama Case Shows Need for Police Reform.

The editorial was an acerbic rebuke of the Yamaboshi Police Department, accusing it of improper interrogation methods in forcing Aoki into signing an obviously false confession. It also lambasted the Ministry of Justice, citing the Kiriyama case as a prime example of how the Japanese justice system railroads innocent suspects with a 99+% conviction rate. It urged the government to make major reforms of both the police department and the ministry.

Taichi knew that Asahi Shimbun was a prominent newspaper with a wide national readership. This was not good at all.

Taichi quickly spoke up, "Fujishima-san, please, I assure you that none of us had anything to do with that newspaper article or that opinion piece."

Fujishima propped up her head with her hands. "Doesn't matter. My father is going to blow a gasket when he reads that editorial."

Taichi pleaded, "But your father wasn't the police commissioner when it happened! Nobody can blame him for the actions of his predecessor. So it can't be all that bad, right?"

She gave him a sad look. "No, it's actually a lot worse.."

"Worse?"

Fujishima stood up. She yelled at him, "He was the police captain! When Aoki recanted his confession, my father was the one who personally ordered the extended interrogations!"

Taichi understood. The editorial was going to cause the Kiriyama case to become a political football. The case was now a liability both to the police department and to the Ministry of Justice. It was ammunition that could be used to attack the police commissioner or the ministry by any one of the many political factions that existed both inside and outside the government.

Fujishima sat back down and sighed, "The entire department just wants the whole case to go away. To disappear. That's why I can't represent him."

Aoki sat up earnestly and spoke quietly with conviction. "Ma'am, with respect, I completely understand your position. Your father was just doing his job. I have no ill-will against the police force nor the courts for what happened to me. It was my fault for not explaining what really happened. I promise that I will do whatever I can to help your father and the police."

Fujishima was impressed by the large man's heartfelt plea. Her estimation of him rose several notches.

"Aoki, I appreciate your kind offer. Well, for starters, whatever you do, do not talk to the press, no matter what. Even if you intend only to tell them what you just told me - which was very noble of you by the way - just don't do it. Any additional publicity, no matter how well intentioned, would only make things worse at this point."

Taichi spoke up, "Of course. We understand. Look, Fujishima, all we need from you is to get his criminal record expunged so that he can get a job. That's it."

Fujishima mused, "Hmm.. should be easy. I am sure the prosecutor's office would cooperate. We can probably fast-track it through the appeals courts. We would need a deposition from Kiriyama and a statement from the prosecutor's office. Those two items should make overturning his conviction pretty much automatic."

Taichi leaned forward. "And you are the best person to do it. Look, everybody wants this case to go away as quietly as possible, right? Well, with your connections you could arrange things to keep the press out of the loop. You could, say, reschedule the appeals hearing at the last minute so they miss it, and do other stuff like that, right?"

Fujishima said thoughtfully, "Yes, I suppose I could. My father would certainly appreciate it."

"Then will you please represent Aoki?"

She sighed. "All right, fine. I'll do it. Happy now?"

Aoki jumped up and bowed deeply, "Thank you!"

Taichi stood up and bowed as well. "Thank you, Fujishima-san, from all of us. Your former classmates are deeply in your debt."

Fujishima nodded absently. She was busy thinking.

Taichi smiled. "And I'm sure Iori will be very happy to see you as well." He was shading the truth a bit. He knew that Iori would assume a fake persona in dealing with Fujishima, one that would maximally motivate the young attorney to do everything possible on behalf of her new client.

Taichi checked his watch. He saw that the lunch hour was nearing its end, and he would need to hurry back to avoid being late for work again.

Aoki signed the representation agreement, and the two men bowed and left.

Fujishima was alone.

And in that large office, with not a soul watching her, Fujishima's hands again assumed the Gendo Ikari pose.

She continued to think. Then she made a devilish grin under her folded hands. It was because she had formulated a plan.

For you see, Fujishima had her own designs on Iori Nagase.

After graduation Fujishima had quickly tired of her suitor, Shingo Watase. (Although 'worn out' might have been a better description.) What the bisexual dominatrix really wanted was someone who was fiesty, intriguing, intelligent, and alluring - someone who was exactly like the lovely girl whom she had passionately lusted after all through her high school years: Iori Nagase. But after graduation Fujishima could never find anyone as good as her. Iori Nagase was unique.

But now those two lunkheads had dropped that poor girl right into her lap - a girl who was now imprisoned, wounded, scared, vulnerable, and who desperately needed her help. Yes, she would have her.

Fujishima knew that she would need to be cautious while she acted as Iori's attorney, as the Board of Ethics had clear rules regarding inappropriate client/attorney relationships.

But after the charges were dropped? When she was no longer Iori's attorney?

She smiled again as she considered her plan. It was exquisite.

Iori would be hers.

And the best part of it?

She would have no choice.

A/N:

* The rescue and adoption of an abandonded pet from an animal shelter, a common occurrence in the West, is rare in Japan. Abandoned animals are usually quickly euthanized. This is because pedigrees in Japan are considered important, and people generally only want pets that have a documented pedigree from a reputable store or from an established breeder.

A/N Update (2014/09/28):

Per the notes in the previous chapters, this is the first story I have written where I did not completely plot it out in advance. I had written the last lines of the story right at the start but I had no idea how I was going to get there. After I wrote chapter 9 the full story started to gel in my mind, and I finally came up with a strong ending sequence (always important). In hindsight I'm glad that I wrote it this way, as it helped me to internalize the characters and get them firmly ensconced in my head. (As an author I am pretty handy with writing plots, but I sometimes struggle with characterization. One of the reasons I wrote this story was to improve my skills in that area.)

Iori's character was particularly tricky for me to write because she's so layered and complex. The reason she seems so mysterious in the first act was because I didn't know how to handle her yet. But after writing 50,000+ words I think I am finally drawing a bead on her underlying drives and motivations (it's subtle but it's there in canon). I brought out some of it in chapter 11 and other aspects will develop later in the story.

Anyway, the story is now fully fleshed out. I hope you'll like it.

-HuuskerDu