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— Intentions —

31# - Guilty Innocence
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"There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing."
― Aristote

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— U. Takumi

The sleek black car glided in front of the House Court in no time, smoothly finding a parking lot with ease. Ignition cutting, the door opened to reveal a young man smartly dressed in a cobalt suit, his posture seemingly confident and relaxed.

But what most failed to see was the slight shaking of his fingertips when he locked his car's door, or even the barely noticeable wavering of his steps when he strode towards the Court.

The man was, in fact, quite tense and uneasy underneath all appearance.

Appearances.

That man was me.

Even when I spotted Sotaro, steps ahead and gazing at me with his trademark sharp expression, it only managed to make me feel worse. High strung and edgy, he led us towards the private meeting room. I couldn't help but continuously check my wristwatch throughout the morning, witnessing the time fly as my hours were to come closer.

I felt like I wouldn't make it out of here, eventually.

"Usui," Sotaro's voice speared through the mist of my thoughts. I didn't answer, but maybe was the look in my eyes enough of a reply.

He sighed. "Act as usual. Where did your cocky and laid back attitude go today?"

A ghost of a smile flashed on his features, something so foreign coming from him that it momentarily prickled my attention.

"Sotaro," I said. "You wouldn't be trying to humor me, would you?" I slowly grinned, cocking one eyebrow at him.

He stifled a chuckle. "Rubbish. Now that you've recovered, let's go."

I braced myself, deeply exhaling before donning a contented expression. Because fear was weakness, I obviously wouldn't let the world take me down so easily.

'After all, you guys have too much pride.'

I softly smiled at the recollection. And once again, she was right.

The corridor was secluded and quiet, much to my surprise. When we reached the towering mahogany door leading to the main courtroom, Sotaro solemnly glanced at me for countenance. I gave him a quick nod that he returned before pushing the heavy wooden doors open.

The room was not as packed as I thought it would be. Half filled at most, only curious individuals were present, apart from my own newspaper's staff and direction. Tora grinned at me from the benches and my director followed, acknowledging me with a nod. Strangers' eyes were braked on me, nosy stares from people who didn't know anything.

Except...

The hostile gazes directed at me from the height of the head of the courtroom.

The Judges.

Vile. Oppressing. Dictatorial.

The stench of money.

Smiling internally, I held their gazes up with a lure of amusement. All the while walking to my designated seat on the front left wing, I heard my attorney mutter harsh expletive under his breath.

"Money-dogs... As expected," he concluded.

We both sat down and the atmosphere only grew heavier as Gerald and his legal team's eyes lingered on us. I glanced at him, silently noting the absence of Ayuzawa. Where was she? I wouldn't know, but somehow, it was both a relief and a pang in the heart.

Before I could check my phone for any messages from her or even a call, the Supreme Judge's gravel resounded in the room, making the mindless chatter die down with severe authority.

"All rise," his voice rose, low and full of complacence. He already made me want to puke, although I still stood up as demanded. "The Supreme court for the Northern District is now in session."

"Everything that goes in this Court is confidential and shall not be divulged by any cases. If there is anyone in this courtroom who won't take an oath of confidentiality, please, leave at once."

Sotaro and I exchanged a knowing glance as a large group of people began to step out of the room with confused whispers. The door finally closed behind them, leaving only silence in their wake. Less than ten onlookers remained on the visitors' benches.

"Please, be seated," the Supreme Judge said, a hint of self-satisfaction on his features. "You may call the first case."

Gerald's attorney stood up.

"Yes, your honor. This is the case of the Walker Corporation against the journalist Usui Takumi. The defendant published a false and malicious libel in regard to Mr. Walker's corporation in The Community newspapers. It resulted in a loss of over £2.3 million with many impending deals in North America being severed and the mournful death of Mr. Solvei Dean Eric, an old business partner, owner of the fallen stock in the Saharian branch." I eyed Gerald as his attorney continued. "My client was and still is profoundly concerned over the well being of his company, alongside his current business partners. He claims compensation and imprisonment."

"The sentences on the charge against Mr. Usui Takumi are: Defamatory statements leading to a breach of peace to individuals, companies and also over ethical matters. Involuntary manslaughter by gross negligence. Forgery and counterfeiting frauds." When he was finished, he took a step back as Sotaro stood up by my side and took a step forward.

"Your honor. Under the law, my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. You will come to know the truth, that the libel is not false statements and that it is for the public benefit that it was published." Sotaro wanted to add something, but one glance from the Judge made his lips shut close and his posture stiffen.

"The prosecution may call its first witness," the Supreme Judge acknowledged the other party's attorney. His lips had a sinister pull to it, akin to a smirk that screamed bias.

"We call the Walker's corporation's owner, Mr. Walker Gerald." Cue in, Gerald briskly stood up and walked ever so confidently to the bar. His legal team on the bench were like his supporters, silently smiling at their already secured win.

The clerk curtly announced, "Do you solemnly swear on honor, that the answer you shall give to the questions asked by the court be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"Yes, your honor," he replied, his blue and ice-cold gaze holding mine.

And that was the beginning of injustice being served.

In a frozen plate.

To me.

―

— A. Misaki

I stared at the tall and hefty Victorian estate looming feet away in front of me, ―the embodiment of luxury and aristocracy in its splendor― before pushing the reception bell at the main gate. A voice, cold and professional answered back. Giving her my credentials, I was easily invited in and I walked straight along the pathway to the residence.

A tall figure dressed in a crisp suit stood in front of large double french doors. He nodded my way, before turning around and walking inside. I quickly followed, crossing the grand doors and sculpted pillars, my heels clicking on the lavish marble flooring. Flecks of pearly granite and pale rosé shone, reflecting the sunrays with magnificence.

Expensive indeed...

"Misaki!" A familiar voice came my way. The young boy, Yukimura Shoichiro, bolted from the sofa he was sitting on to embrace me. Surprisingly, he was as smartly dressed as the owner of this mansion, even if his suit and tie didn't give the same vibe at all.

"Thank you for inviting me here, Mr. Solvei," I softly said to the tall man watching us both. He only nodded before sitting down in a loveseat.

"Yukimura, would you mind giving me a tour of this mansion?" I pleasantly asked. I had many concealed reasons for my visits, but I wasn't sure about whether it would be wise to come clean about it or not in front of Adrian Solvei. The richer people were, the more careful they'd be about a lawyer snooping around their property.

"He isn't familiar with the residence, I'm afraid," Adrian replied before Yukimura could say anything. I silently turned around to eye the young boy, hoping he'd get the meaning of the wince on my face.

"Actually... uh... You'd be surprised how well I can find my way around here, Adrian," he innocently grinned to the man intently eyeing him.

"I'm sure you do. Yukimura, let's go," I gestured him to hurry behind the man's back and the young boy followed suit. A drop of sweat ran down his temple as Adrian silently assessed him.

"You do know where you are allowed to go, Yuki," he eventually murmured as we quickly paced away. Yukimura warily eyed behind him, frantically nodding. Then, he turned back to me as I dragged him into the opposite corridor.

"How did you get in here, Misaki?" He breathily whispered, trying to match my pace. "I can't even come in here easily, and I'm practically a nobody, how about you? A lawyer? In a Solvei's private home?"

I grinned at his dumbstruck tone. "He had to pay me a favor," I confided before coming to an halt when I figured we were far enough from unwanted ears.

"A favor?"

I spun around, catching Yukimura off-guard. "You," I pointed at him. "You are the favor. Anyway, how about starting with the gardens?"

"Sure, I'm mostly familiar with that," he smiled. If he knew the garden well, that meant Adrian had nothing to hide there. What was the restricted area then?

"After all, I just changed my mind, how about upstairs? First floor and above, I'm sure the rooftop has an excellent view," I smiled. Yukimura didn't smile back, though.

"Sure... Let's start with the first floor..."

As we walked, I took in sight every single clues I could, but everything was so spotless I could hardly find anything out of place. Humming, I stopped in front of a guest room.

"Is there anyone living in this mansion beside Adrian? Surely he can't have such a big home to himself, right?" I smoothly asked, my tone conversational as I opened the door to the room and stepped inside.

"So far, the first and second floor are only guest rooms or leisure time rooms such as a library or indoor sports one," the young boy quickly answered. "So, there is no one on these floor apart from guests."

"I see... What about the third floor, then?"

His seemingly innocent gaze slowly narrowed to skeptical slits.

"How do you know there is a third floor?" He murmured, suspicion coating his voice. He leaned on the doorframe, his eyes following me.

I laughed it off, though I never felt that close to the truth. "I was looking at the house from outside when I came and noticed that there was three floors," I said matter-of-factly, looking at an elegant flower arrangement sitting on a table.

He gradually relaxed. "Oh..." he smiled to himself. "Well, more rooms, that's all, I guess."

Window, bed, vanity table with plush and a comfy looking sofa set. It surely was meant for a woman to stay. I eyed a large wooden closet at the far side of the room before making my way to it. It was locked with a key inserted in the hole. Opening it, it was empty and perfect for what I needed.

"You guess?... Guessing as, you're not sure there are rooms on the third floor?" I muttered, testing the closet's lock.

"I... I meant... All the floors only have guest rooms, that's it. Adrian sleeps in the third floor in a guest room too, it is the only difference between the floors," he tried to rectify, but it was obvious he never went up there.

He fidgeted with his fingers, nervously toying with them as I watched him enter into the room. He kept his distance nonetheless. "The restrooms and the music room are not far from here."

What was there really on the third floor then? If my suspicion and researches the past two weeks were accurate, I had a rough guest of what there could be...

All I needed was confirmation...

I pretended to check my jacket's pocket and bag. "Um, Yukimura, could I borrow your phone? I think I left mine in the car..."

"Uh... sure, I guess..." he paced to me and handed over his phone with reluctance.

Before he could do anything, I lunged in for his wrist and yanked him into the closet.

"Wh-... !"

What followed was a blur, mild shouts and struggles, before I slammed his head into the light wood, making him dizzy enough to lock the closet's doors. He tried to push it open, hammering his fists against the thin wood.

"Unlock this, Misaki!" He yelled frantically.

"Sorry, Yukimura," I whispered to myself, bending down to retrieve his phone on the floor. If Adrian was tracing Yukimura's phone, he'd never know he was stuck here.

"Wait, wait! Don't go, Misaki?... Misaki!" I quickly checked the room as I left it, closing the door behind me to muffle his desperate shouts.

And taking off my heels, I quickly made my way to the third floor in hope to find what I was looking for.

Mr. Solvei Dean Eric.
Adrian's supposed dead father.

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Author's note:

Uh oh?! *drumsrolls*

Update next week :) Happy festivities everyone! Merry Christmas :D