A/N: Okay, time to strike while the iron is hot and start Episode 2. You'll notice that the layout is different since this is the investigation and not the trial. Of course since this Episode will include investigations, it will be longer than Episode 1. Don't know how long yet, but definitely longer. I will continue to write regardless, because I like this project, but it helps to know that other people like it too. So please read, review, favorite, and follow. Also, still waiting on any takes for the co-writer position. Since I'm also writing my Persona fanfic, it will help to know that I can count on someone to remind me to show love to this fanfic too, also it will help get chapters published faster. Now without further ado, let's begin Episode 2!
Mentioned Canon Characters:
Steel Samurai/Tonosaman
Disclaimer: I do not own Ace Attorney/Gyakuten Saiban.
Episode 2: Trust in a New Turnabout
Day 1, Investigation, Part 1: A Familiar Client
April 30, 2082. 00:32. Unknown Apartment.
That year was truly a dark time in my life, as I was caught up in a sinister conspiracy that spanned decades in the making, swallowing up and destroying many innocent lives in the process. Luckily, that same year I met her. The talented young woman who would become my partner and my best friend. Unfortunately, our relationship began out of a horrible and tragic crime.
A loud gunshot echoed through the air, waking up a passed-out individual from their unconscious slumber. "What?" the individual muttered to themself. They grunted in pain as they felt a dull, throbbing sensation on the back of their head. They noticed that they appeared to be in some kind of an apartment. But they had no idea where it was, it was too dark. They looked up and saw a silhouette, hanging over them. The silhouette crouched down beside the individual and slipped something into their left hand. The half-unconscious individual was too weak to resist. Their eyes started to close again, but they forced themselves to stay awake. They saw the silhouette make a beeline for the patio door and go out onto the balcony, sliding the patio door back behind them. But they still couldn't make out who the silhouette was.
After a few minutes of lying alone, helpless in the dark, the individual tried to pull themselves up off the floor and crawled to the other side of the room. They felt something warm and wet on their hands but had no idea what it was, until light filled the room seconds later when the door was kicked in. "Freeze! Don't move!" someone shouted. It was blood. A lot of blood.
"…! What is this?!" the individual exclaimed.
"I said freeze!" the person at the door shouted again.
"…!" Putting two and two together, the half-unconscious individual tried to sit up and show their hands.
"Drop it! Drop the weapon!" the voice shouted.
"What weapon?" the individual replied in confusion. Then they looked up and saw it. "…!" The object that they had been hanging onto was in fact a pistol. They were holding a gun in their left hand.
"Drop it! Drop it now!" the voice shouted again.
The individual did as instructed and then the person at the door came into the room and picked them up off the floor. They tied the individual's hands behind their back and put handcuffs on them. Then they reached into their coat pocket and pulled out a walkie-talkie. Then they turned it on and talked into it. "This is Detective Kyoushi Iro, reporting in. 10-66. We need a medical examiner at the Sakuraba Apartment Complex in Shibuya stat. Possible D.O.A.. Female suspect is in custody. Send backup as well."
"D.O.A.?" the half-unconscious woman repeated the words in confusion. Then she realized the situation and looked behind her, only to see the bloodied body of another woman around her age. Not only that but she knew the victim well. "…!" She led out a silent scream. Then after a few moments, she turned back to face the detective.
He looked upset. "I didn't think we'd meet again this way. It's nice to see you Kuroi-chan, but I'm afraid I have to take you into custody now." She couldn't quite place it, but it looked like she knew the detective too.
That's when the half-unconscious woman remembered who she was. Her name was Tomoko Kurosaki, and she was a private investigator. And this was truly a horrible situation that she found herself in. But Tomoko was a very clever young woman, and she knew right away what she should do if she wanted to get out of this. "I want to talk to a lawyer now!"
Even when I barely knew her, I could admire her talents. But only later, did I truly begin to understand who the young lady beneath the talent was. Her's was truly a tragic tale.
April 30, 2082. 1:40. Takumi & Co. Law Offices.
I unlocked the door and stepped into the office. After I turned on the light and locked the door behind me, I ran to the sofa, and then collapsed then and there. "I'm never going out drinking with the Professor and his friends ever again!" I exclaimed. I grunted in pain. "I have to finish the paperwork for that civil trial we're working on too." I forced myself to get up and head to the break room. Then I came back to the sofa with a glass of water and a cocktail of stomach and head meds. I took the medication and then downed the water. "Those old men can seriously drink like fish." Then I laid back down on the sofa. "I'll just rest my eyes for an hour or so and then get back to work. Good thing Hinata's staying over at a friend's house tonight."
My name is Kibou Hanamura, and one month ago I officially became an attorney after a two-year hiatus since graduating university and law school. And after being thrown into the deep end on my first day with a murder trial, I've since then been handling more lax legal work while my partner handles the trial side of things. I actually think he prefers it that way. Anyway, I now work at the newly established Takumi & Co. Law Offices, led by my former university professor/friend/first client, Professor Shuichi Takumi. He offered me a job here as soon as we finished his trial, and after a little coaxing, I took it. I can't really complain about it either. The pay's nothing to brag about, but I'm learning a ton of stuff from the Professor. He wasn't lying about having several clients lined up either. We've been so busy this past month after opening, I can't tell you how many late nights I've spent at the office. The Professor intends to hire more people when we have a steady revenue stream, but for now it's just me and him. The office space he rented out is huge though. It's so big that we each have our own offices. The Professor even asked if I wanted my name to go up with his on the wall since we were officially partners, but I hadn't really felt like I earned it yet so we kept it as Takumi & Co.. He really was a great boss, even if the work toll was a little stressful.
Profiles Updated: 花村 希望 (Hanamura Kibou), 巧 舟逸 (Takumi Shuichi).
Kibou's Attorney Badge added to the Court Record.
The current case we're working on is a standard civil dispute over money. I've been working on the research and discovery side of things while the Professor handles the trial. "Speaking of which, he's supposed to wrap up the trial tomorrow. Hope he can sleep it off enough before nine." I yawned. I pulled out my smartphone and set an alarm for an hour from now and then took off my glasses. "I just need to get a bit of shut-eye before I get back to work." Then I closed my eyes and tried to get some much needed sleep. But my efforts were interrupted by the sound of my ringtone. The opening theme to Tonosaman: Metal Samurai Wars played in the background. I sighed in exhaustion, and then without opening my eyes, I reached out to the coffee table to grab my smartphone. After a few unsuccessful tries, I finally grabbed it and answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hello? Is this Kibou Hanamura of Takumi & Co. Law Offices?" an unfamiliar voice asked me.
"Speaking," I replied. "Look if this is in regards to a case, I'm terribly sorry, but you'll need to call the office's business line during normal business hours."
"I apologize for the late night call, but I'm one of the guards from the Tokyo Metropolitan Detention Center, and we have someone here who really wants to talk to you," the voice on the other line replied.
I stood up wide awake. "What?! Detention Center?!"
"Yes, a little over an hour ago we received a new suspect in a murder case, but she's refusing to undergo questioning until she talks to an attorney," the guard replied.
"What? Can she do that?" I replied.
"Normally, no. However, the detective in charge didn't see a real problem with it so she gave us your number and here we are," the guard replied. "Listen, I know it's late but do you think you'd be willing to come down to the Detention Center and talk to her for a bit? Just enough to convince her to let us question her?"
"But visiting hours are over now, aren't they?" I replied.
"Yes, they are. But again, the detective in charge doesn't see a problem with it so…"
I sweatdropped. "I understand. Quite the boss you have there."
"You don't know the half of it. So do you think you can come by real quick?" the guard asked.
I checked the time on my smartphone. "The trains have stopped running by now and I don't have a car. I can call a taxi but it will probably take about half an hour to get over there," I replied.
"That's fine, just come as soon as possible," the guard replied.
"I'm calling the taxi service now. Thank you for the call." Then I ended the call and dialed the local taxi service. "A suspect in custody is asking for me? I'm not that well-known yet, am I? And furthermore, the guard said it was a "she"." A wicked thought came to me. "Oh please, don't let it be Hinata!" That thought horrified me, so I ordered the taxi as fast as I could and headed down to the Detention Center.
April 30, 2082. 2:30. Detention Center, Visitor's Room.
I had the taxi cab driver keep the meter running and then ran into the Detention Center. I thought there might be some confusion, but apparently this unique detective's orders carried a lot of weight and I was let into the Visitor's Room with no problems at all. I sat down in the chair that they provided for me and then waited patiently while they brought in the suspect that wanted to talk with me. 'Please, don't let it be Hinata! Please, don't let it be Hinata! Please! Please!' I inwardly exclaimed. Then to my surprise, the suspect that they brought into the room was not Hinata, thank God, but another girl that I knew. Tomoko Kurosaki. At least I thought it was her.
She had the same pale skin and unruly short, black hair, which was also dyed orange in certain areas, and a pair of haunting violet eyes. She was also wearing the same clothes as the day I had met her. A black flat top hat with a skull shaped pin, pinned to it; a blue jean vest with the sleeves ripped off, over a long-sleeve, black and white horizontal-striped shirt, a dark blue denim skirt, long violet knee socks, and a pair of black boots. However she wasn't wearing any makeup. Her violet eyes seemed kind of beautiful without the eye black surrounding them, and without the black lipstick on, her lips were pink and petite.
The girl who looked like Tomoko sat down behind the glass window. She seemed really shook up, which was completely understandable given the current circumstances. "Thank you for coming here so late. I'm sorry I had them call you, you were just the first person I could think of."
"So it really is you, Kurosaki-san?" I replied.
"Who else would it be? I don't have an identical twin," Tomoko replied.
Profiles Updated: 黒崎 知子 (Kurosaki Tomoko).
"Sorry, it's just…you're not wearing makeup," I replied.
"They made me take it off. One guard tried to take my hat too but I threatened to punch him if he even touched it," Tomoko replied.
I sweatdropped. "Please, please don't threaten the guards. Do you not understand the situation you're in?"
Tomoko frowned. "Of course I understand. Why do you think I had them call you?"
"Why did they let you call me here in the first place? You're not allowed to talk with an attorney until the initial round of questioning is over," I replied. Then another thought occurred to me. "Come to think of it, how did you get my private number in the first place?"
"Hinata gave it to me," Tomoko simply replied.
"Hinata?" I repeated in confusion.
"Yeah, we've met up a few times since the trial. She's a really sweet girl," Tomoko replied.
I sweatdropped again. "I…I don't know how I feel about the two of you meeting up behind my back."
Tomoko lightly giggled. "Relax, I'm not getting her into any trouble, we've just gotten coffee and chatted. That's all." Then she sighed and shook her head. "But getting back to the matter at hand. I don't really know. I just kept saying I wasn't going to talk and eventually the detective told a guard to call a lawyer, that's when I gave them your number," Tomoko replied.
"And why did you give them my number?" I replied.
"Like I said, you were just the first person I thought of. They would only let a lawyer in to see me and you're one of the few that I know. It's not like I'm asking you to defend me or anything, you won one case and that was mainly just by luck, plus my help," Tomoko replied in a curt manner.
'Geez, don't hold back,' I thought to myself. I sighed. "Okay then, if you didn't call me to represent you, then what do you want?"
"A favor. I couldn't ask anyone but a lawyer to do it since you're the only one who can get in to see me right now. I need you to go to my office and get something and then take it to the Chief Prosecutor," Tomoko replied.
"The Chief Prosecutor?" I repeated in confusion.
"It's something that they need to see personally, and hopefully it will get me out of this mess," Tomoko replied. Then she opened the slot in the booth and passed me something. "This is the key to my office. Do you still have the card I gave you?"
"Umm, hold on, let me check," I replied. I searched my wallet briefly and then found it. "Oh yeah, here it is."
Ouroboros Investigations Business Card added to the Court Record.
"The address on that card belongs to my office space. Go there and find a Manila file marked: Tsukasa/Evidence. It should be in my safe. The code is 090880. Take the file and give it to the Chief Prosecutor personally," Tomoko replied.
"Kurosaki-san? What's going on? The guard who called me here said that you've been arrested on suspicion of murder. And now you're talking about some secret file at your office? You need to get your priorities straight," I replied.
"I do have my priorities straight. I'm being framed and the culprit's identity is hidden in that file. Only the Chief Prosecutor will know what to do with it, so you have to give it to them personally. I need you to trust me, there's no getting out of this without that file. Please, I need you to do this," Tomoko replied with a pleading look.
"…" I was silent for a few moments.
"…" As was Tomoko.
I sighed. "Okay, I'll do it. While I'm gone, cooperate with the police and answer all their questions. And after I'm finished, I want an explanation."
"You'll get it, I swear. Thank you, Hanamura," Tomoko replied. "Go now, you have to get that file ASAP."
"Okay, but what about the Chief Prosecutor? They're probably sleeping," I replied.
"Then go to their house and wake them up! This can't wait!" Tomoko exclaimed. This was really important to her. Literally life or death. Even if I didn't understand what exactly was going on, I had to help her.
"Okay, I've got it. You can count on me," I replied. Then I collected the key and made my way out of the Visitor's Room.
Ouroboros Investigations Office Key added to the Court Record.
"Please, hurry!" Tomoko exclaimed.
I ran to the taxi I had waiting for me and gave the taxi cab driver the new address, Ouroboros Investigations.
April 30, 2082. 3:00. Ouroboros Investigations.
I had the taxi cab driver keep the meter running again. This was turning into a very expensive errand. Then I ran to the office building and ran up the single flight of stairs before reaching my destination. The main office of Ouroboros Investigations. The door to Tomoko's office had a glass plate with the agency's name painted on it. I took out the key Tomoko gave me and unlocked the door.
Present Ouroboros Investigations Office Key.
Then I ran into the office and took in the surroundings. Tomoko's office was very messy compared to the offices at Takumi & Co.. Several dozens of files were scattered everywhere, pizza boxes and empty noodle cups were strewn about on a set of sofas and a coffee table in the center of the room, tons of newspaper clippings were pinned to the wall with strings of various colors connecting them, and her computer set up in the back corner was the very definition of a fire hazard. Her desk was definitely the messiest though. It was covered from top to bottom with stacks of documents and trash, I honestly couldn't tell where the documents ended and the trash began. "Geez, looks like it's been a while since she's cleaned this place up." I saw an adjoining room too and peeked inside. It was even messier. Clothes, including several unmentionables were thrown and balled up everywhere you could think of, and underneath that mess was what I assumed was a bed. "So I guess she lives here too. It feels kind of weird being in a girl's home all alone." I shook my head. "What the hell am I saying? I don't have time for this. I have to find that safe." And then I began the search. But ten minutes later, my search had proven useless.
"Where the hell is the safe?!" I exclaimed in frustration. "Dammit, Kurosaki-san! You couldn't have told me that you hid it?!" I took a deep breath. "Calm down. Think. Where would a detective…no, private investigator hide a safe full of their valuables?" I looked around the office one more time and my eyes finally landed on a large framed photo. "Of course." I sweatdropped. I walked up to the framed photo and saw that it was a photo taken of a group of police officers. The caption at the bottom read: Tokyo Met. Police Academy Graduating Class XXX, 05/01/2079. "Is this a police academy photo? But why would Kurosaki-san have this hanging in her office?" I examined the photo more closely and saw that one of the police academy graduates had a very familiar face. Tomoko Kurosaki was standing in the center row, smiling brightly, with her arm wrapped around an equally cheerful girl with long brown hair. "No way! Kurosaki-san was a police officer?!" I exclaimed in surprise. There was no doubt about it. She was standing there in the photo, in full-uniform with several other graduates. "This photo is dated 05/01/2079. Come tomorrow, that's three years ago to the day." I looked next to the photo and saw a signed private investigator's license. "She went from being a police officer to a private investigator in just three years?" There was definitely a story there, but now wasn't the time. I had to find the safe.
Tomoko's Checkered Past added to the Court Record.
"Let's hope I'm right." I took down the police academy photo and revealed a hidden wall safe behind it. "Bingo. Now let's see, Kurosaki-san said the combination was…" It took a moment for me to remember, but it soon came back to me. "Oh right, 090880," I said to myself as I entered the code. Then an electronic beep filled the air and a green light came on. "Yes!" I opened the safe, and then I saw several things inside of it, including a few files, a flash drive, and a silver necklace with an infinity symbol pendant on it. "Now then, where's the file Kurosaki-san asked me to get?" I grabbed the files from the safe and saw that the correct file was one of the ones on the top of the pile. "This is it! Now I just need to…"
A loud smack filled the air, and I felt a dull throbbing sensation on the back of my head. "Wh-What?" Another smack, and the throbbing sensation grew. And then I collapsed to the floor, clutching the file in my hands. The back of my head started to feel wet and my eyelids became heavy. The last thing I saw was a silhouette standing over me, holding something in their hands. That was when I realized, that I had just been attacked. And then my consciousness faded.
April 30, 2082. 10:12. Hotta Clinic.
When I finally opened my eyes again, it was already well into the morning. I stirred to fully wake up, and as soon as I did my head began throbbing. "…!"
"Nii-chan?" I heard a gentle voice call out to me. I turned my head to see my younger sister, Hinata. Her face was stained with tears. "Nii-chan!" she shouted and then wrapped her arms around me. "You're awake! You're awake!"
Profiles Updated: 花村 日向 (Hanamura Hinata).
"Hinata? What's going on? Where am I?" I asked in a weak tone.
"You're at the Hotta Clinic, Hanamura-kun. I'm afraid you were attacked," another voice replied. I turned to my right to see that Professor Takumi was also there.
"A-Attacked?" I repeated in confusion.
Professor Takumi nodded. "That's right. You were found collapsed in Tomoko Kurosaki-san's private office. You sustained a fair bit of head trauma."
I reached up to touch my head and felt that it was covered in bandages. "I was knocked out?" I replied.
"Yes, and if it wasn't for that concerned taxi cab driver finding you when he did, you could've very well slipped into a coma and died right there on the floor," Professor Takumi replied. "Honestly, what were you thinking? Going to an unfamiliar location at that time of night? You could've been killed." He appeared to be both relieved and upset.
"Nii-chan? What were you doing at Tomoko-san's office in the first place? The police said you had the office key with you," Hinata added.
It took me a few moments to remember. My mind was still very hazy. "…!" Then I struggled to sit up in my hospital bed. "Kurosaki-san!" I exclaimed. "She's waiting on me! I have to bring that file to the Chief Prosecutor!"
"Hold on a second, Hanamura-kun! You've just woken up, you must take it easy!" Professor Takumi exclaimed.
"There's no time! Kurosaki-san is in trouble, if I don't bring that file to the Chief Prosecutor, she's going to be charged with murder!" I exclaimed.
"Murder?! What are you talking about?!" Professor Takumi replied.
I told Hinata and the Professor about everything that transpired the night before, leading up all the way to my attack. Then Professor Takumi filled me in on what happened afterwards. The good Samaritan taxi cab driver dropped me off at the Hotta Clinic after finding me unconscious at the Ouroboros Investigations office. The clinic called Professor Takumi, who was one of my most recent calls, and he brought Hinata down to see me. They had been at my bedside this whole time, waiting for me to wake up. Apparently, Hinata had been crying non-stop for a while. I would need to make it up to her somehow for making her worry so much after this was all over.
"I see, this is quite troubling. If this file really was so important that it could help free Kurosaki-san, then without it I'm afraid that she's at a grave disadvantage," said Professor Takumi.
"What do you mean?" I replied.
"The police are investigating now but apparently the safe was empty when they arrived, and you weren't holding any file. At first, the police thought that you had broken in and were planning to rob the office, but I put that half-cocked theory to rest easily. The taxi cab driver didn't take anything either, so that leaves your attacker as the guilty party," Professor Takumi explained.
"Then they have it? The one thing that can get Kurosaki-san out of this?" I replied.
Professor Takumi sighed. "I'm afraid that avenue is lost to her now. There's no telling what the attacker did with it."
I punched the bed in frustration. "Dammit. There's no way this is a coincidence. The person who framed Kurosaki-san, they had to have been the one who attacked me and stole the file."
"There's no way to verify that, but it does seem to be peculiar timing," Professor Takumi replied.
"What am I supposed to do? Kurosaki-san was counting on me and I let her down. Now there's nothing we can do. She's going to be charged with murder," I replied.
Professor Takumi scoffed. "Nothing you can do? Bah! Hanamura-kun, what is your profession?"
"…?...!" It took me a few moments to realize what the Professor was implying. "You want me to represent her?"
"Even though we don't know all the details of this murder case, from the sound of it, Kurosaki-san will most likely be charged. Which means the only way that she can get out of this situation now is with the help of a good attorney." He smiled. "Unfortunately, as you know I'm in the middle of a civil trial right now. Speaking of which, don't worry, I have it covered. But that means I'm not going to be able to help her. She'll need someone else in her corner, someone who cares enough about her to go on a scavenger hunt at three in the morning at her request. Of course, the choice is entirely up to you. No one would blame you for wanting to take it easy after your attack. I know some more good attorneys who wouldn't hesitate to help. So what do you say?"
"Nii-chan, there's no harm in taking it easy. You could've died. Maybe you should let someone else help Tomoko-san," Hinata added.
"…" I thought about it for a moment. 'Hinata is right, I could've died. It really was stupid to go off half-cocked and search for that file so late, without even telling anyone about it. One thing is clear though, Kurosaki-san is being framed. I refuse to believe that my attack has nothing to do with this. They took the file that would've exonerated her. That proves it. Something rotten is going on here, and Kurosaki-san is at the center of it. Without that file, all that's awaiting her is a trial, and if she doesn't have a good attorney, a guilty verdict.' I clenched my fists. 'I don't know anything about this case yet. I don't even know if I can win, but still…' I raised my head up high, '…I can't just abandon her!' I may not have known Tomoko Kurosaki that well. In fact, she was still quite the mystery to me. But the fact remained, in my first case, she did everything in her power to help me. She was someone I could trust. Someone I could count on. I knew for certain, there was no way she killed anyone. She was being framed. And I had to prove it. I looked to the Professor. "Professor, do you think you can help me get discharged as soon as possible? I've got a long day of investigating ahead of me."
"But Nii-chan…!" Hinata exclaimed.
I turned to her. "Hinata, I have to do this," I replied. "Kurosaki-san helped me just one short month ago. She didn't have to, but she did. That's why when she asked for this favor, I didn't refuse. It's my fault that the file is gone now, so she needs my help in another way. I'm going to repay the debt I owe her, but I need your support. So please, let me help her."
"…" Hinata was silent at first, but after a few moments she smiled. "Okay, I trust you. Just please don't overexert yourself."
I patted her head. "I promise, I won't make you worry again."
Hinata sighed. "Saying that just makes me more worried."
"Well then, we best hurry and get to it. I have a feeling the doctors won't let you out of here without a fight," Professor Takumi replied with an added chuckle.
April 30, 2082. 11:28. Detention Center, Visitor's Room.
As the Professor predicted, the hospital staff were anything but thrilled to discharge me so early. My head injury was actually much more severe than I thought. The blows I sustained nearly caved my skull in. So needless to say, it took a lot of convincing for them to discharge me in my current condition. I had to promise not to overexert myself and come back in at the first sign of dizziness or light-headedness. But I couldn't let my injury deter me. I had to get to the bottom of this. I had to help Kurosaki-san, no matter the cost. So as soon as I changed back into my suit and exited the hospital, the Professor called a taxi for me and I headed back to the Detention Center. I didn't know how long I was going to be this time, so I paid the driver and sent him off before entering the building. About ten minutes later I was in the Visitor's Room again, waiting for the guards to bring out Tomoko.
When she finally entered the room, she took one look at me and gasped in shock. "…!" She looked horrified. "What happened to you?! Are you okay?!"
"I ran into someone while I was at your office last night. They knocked me out from behind and did some serious damage," I replied. "I'm fine now though, don't worry. I got taken to the hospital and they treated my injuries. I have to be careful from now on though, and these bandages are going to be sticking around for a while."
"Y-You got hurt when you went to search for the file?" Tomoko replied.
"Yeah, I think they were waiting for me actually." I sighed. "I forgot to lock the door while I was searching your office. They must have slipped in when I didn't notice." Then I frowned. "But the worst news of all is that I lost the file."
"What?!" Tomoko exclaimed.
"I'm so sorry. The person who attacked me took it, along with a whole bunch of other stuff from your safe. But I highly doubt this is coincidental," I explained. "I think that the person who framed you for the murder, is the same person who attacked me and stole the file. Or at least, I think they might be connected somehow."
Tomoko looked crestfallen. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't involved you in this, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
"Hey, don't say things like that. This isn't your fault," I replied. "You couldn't have known that they would try and hurt me too."
"But I should've guessed that they knew about the file, and I let you lead them to it. You could've died just like Tsu-chan. I'm so, so sorry, Hanamura," Tomoko replied.
'Tsu-chan? Who's Tsu-chan?' I asked myself. '…! Wait, could she be talking about the victim? So she knows the victim personally.' I needed to get the conversation back on topic. "Look Kurosaki-san, what's done is done. I'm okay, and I don't blame you for what happened at all. You should be more worried about yourself right now. What have the police been asking you?"
Tomoko sighed. "Standard stuff mostly. It's pretty clear that they think I did it."
"I see. Well what about the detective who's in charge of the case? He let me talk to you before you underwent questioning. He even let me come in after visiting hours. He sounds like a pretty reasonable guy, maybe if we just talk to him together…"
Tomoko shook her head. "That's not going to work. I know that guy, once his mind's made up about something, there's no changing it."
"You know the detective in charge of the case?" I replied in confusion.
Tomoko nodded. "I met him a few years ago. Trust me, I know how he operates. He's very smooth and sly, with a sharp wit to match. Plus, he has one of the highest clearance rates in the entire department."
"What?!" I exclaimed.
Tomoko sighed. "That's why I'm saying that there's no reasoning with this guy. He granted us those courtesies merely out of kindness…or actually, maybe pity is a better word. This case is already over, and I'm his prime suspect."
"There has to be something else we can do," I replied, trying to lift her spirits.
Tomoko shook her head again. "No, there isn't. The only thing that would have helped clear my name is that file. But now that it's gone, I'm finished. I'm going to be found guilty, there's no way around it."
"What? So that's it? You're just giving up?" I replied.
"You don't understand, this won't be a normal trial. It's going to be rigged from the get-go," Tomoko replied.
"Rigged? What do you mean rigged?"
Tomoko motioned for me to lean in close, so I did as instructed. "I think the person who set me up is someone who works for the prosecutor's office," she whispered.
"What?!" I exclaimed.
"Shhh, not so loud!" Tomoko harshly whispered. "The file that I wanted you to get had evidence in it pertaining to an ongoing top-secret investigation in Internal Affairs, relating to a possible blackmail and bribery racket going on in the prosecutor's office and the police department. Internal Affairs thinks that someone in the prosecutor's office is at the center of it."
I began to whisper as well. "Okay, but then why did you want me to take the file to the Chief Prosecutor? Why not Internal Affairs?"
"Because they've most likely been compromised. The victim was the Internal Affairs detective who was leading the case," Tomoko replied.
"...! Okay, I'm starting to get the picture. But how are you involved exactly, Kurosaki-san?" I replied.
"…" Tomoko backed away from the window and looked down at the floor.
"Kurosaki-san?" I replied.
"…" She remained silent.
I needed to get her to talk, no matter what. Time was of the essence. "Earlier, you said that you were worried about me dying like Tsu-chan. Please, tell me. Who is Tsu-chan?"
"…" Tomoko frowned. She looked very sad.
I had a feeling I knew part of what was going on here. The victim was an Internal Affairs detective at the Tokyo Met. "Kurosaki-san, I'm sorry, but I have to bring this up."
Present Tomoko's Checkered Past.
"…! That…that photo," Tomoko replied.
"Your safe was hidden behind this framed photo of a graduating police academy class. I didn't really understand the significance until I saw a familiar face. That's you in the middle, isn't it? Your hair's not dyed, and you're wearing a police uniform, but the face and eyes are unmistakable. Before you were a private investigator, you were a police officer, isn't that right?" I asked.
Tomoko looked away. "Y-Yeah, I was. What of it?" She still didn't want to talk about it. This was clearly a troubling subject for her. But I had to press forward.
"Well the main point of this photo isn't you, but rather the girl standing next to you." I pointed out the girl that Tomoko had her arm wrapped around. "You two seem very close, almost like best friends." I looked up at Tomoko and she met my eyes. "You said that the victim of this case was an Internal Affairs detective, and you also mentioned that this "Tsu-chan" died. I think these two people are the same person, and furthermore Tsu-chan, the victim, is this girl standing next to you in the graduation photo, isn't that right?"
"…" Tomoko said nothing at first, but then she sighed and began to speak. "Yeah, that's Tsu-chan." She closed her eyes. "Though nowadays she goes by Detective Tsukasa Kikumori." Tomoko opened her eyes and lightly smiled. "She became a detective in just under two years, and after that she pretty much led her department. Can you believe it?" She sighed again. "That was Tsu-chan, always such a go-getter."
Profiles Updated: 聞守 拍 (Kikumori Tsukasa).
"You two look like you were good friends, at least in this photo. Can you tell me a little about what happened? It might shed some more light on the case," I replied.
Tomoko rubbed her arm. "There's not that much to tell really. We met each other in high school and became friends. We both had the same dream of becoming detectives, so we enrolled in the police academy together a few years after that." She shook her head. "But then I screwed up. It was barely a year into my career and with one stupid little mistake, I blew it to kingdom come and was forced to resign. I got my private investigator's license shortly after and Tsu-chan and I lost touch."
"That's it?" I asked.
Tomoko sighed. "If you want a reason why, the simple truth is that Tsu-chan hurt me. She didn't back me up when I screwed up, in fact it was almost like she was trying to get rid of me. I felt betrayed for the longest time, and I cut off all contact with her. Until about two weeks ago."
"Two weeks ago? Why? Did something happen?" I asked.
Tomoko nodded. "Tsu-chan came to my office one day out of the blue and told me what she had been up to. She was in the Internal Affairs department now and was launching an investigation into the corruption I told you about. She wanted me to help her comb through evidence and keep it safe. I didn't know what to think about it at first, but she seemed desperate, so I thought that I would help her out for old time's sake." Then she frowned. "Last night, I was going to her apartment to talk more about the case with her. Tsu-chan had called me earlier yesterday and asked me to come over. But when I got there, it was all dark, and before I knew it, I was hit on the head and collapsed on the floor. I came to a little while later by the sound of a gunshot, and the next thing I know, I'm being arrested for having a gun in my hands and some of Tsu-chan's blood on my person."
"I see, not only have you been framed for murdering a detective, that detective was a good friend of yours too. I'm so sorry, I can't even begin to imagine how that feels," I replied.
Tomoko sighed. "It is what it is. Tsu-chan told me before I agreed to help her that we were going up against dangerous people. She didn't know who she could trust at work, so she came to me, someone who's been outside the loop for a few years," Tomoko replied. "To be honest, I only agreed to help her because I wanted to reconnect. But I guess now, we never will."
"…" I stayed silent for a few moments. I was working up the nerve to ask her the big question.
"…" Tomoko was silent as well. I felt like she knew what I was about to ask.
'Here it goes,' I thought to myself. I took in a deep breath and then asked the question. "Kurosaki-san, I'm just a rookie attorney with one measly win under my belt. But what I lack in experience, I make up for in hope and the stubborn will to never give up. I want to make it clear to you, right here, right now. I whole-heartedly believe you. I know you didn't do this, and I'm willing to put in the work to prove it. I know I let you down with the file, but if you'll just give me a chance, I can make up for it. Please, will you let me represent you in court?"
She knew it was coming, but she still looked confused. "I just sat here and told you that I'm going into a rigged trial, and you still want to help me? Do you have a messiah complex or are you just a masochist?"
I shook my head. "Neither. I'm just a fledgling attorney with a lot to prove."
Tomoko giggled in a sad tone. "At least you're honest." Then she frowned. "But I still don't understand. We've only known each other for about a month, and in that time we've only spoken to each other for just two days. How could you possibly have learned to trust me in that short time? I could be lying to you about everything. How do you know I'm not just playing a part, preying on your sympathy, to get you to help me out of this?"
I held up three fingers. "Three reasons really. Number one: you're friends with my sister, and I trust her with all my heart. Anyone that she chooses as her friend has a good heart. Number two: not once, in this entire discussion did you ever ask me personally to represent you. My guess is because on some level you feel like you deserve what's happening to you, like it's karmic justice. You feel responsible for everything that's happened, from Detective Kikumori's death to my injury. You feel guilty, but not because you did anything wrong, because that's the kind of person you are. And number three:…" I smiled at her, "…because my gut is telling me that there's no way that the smart, kind, and courageous girl in front of me could ever commit murder, no matter what the circumstances."
"…" Tomoko teared up and she quickly moved to wipe her tears.
I was kind of shocked. "A-Are you crying?"
"No, idiot! Of course not! I just have something in my eye! It's so damn dusty here!"
I chuckled. "You don't need to be so tough. This is a hard time for you. It's okay to be a little emotional."
"Shut up! I just said I wasn't crying!" After a few moments she calmed down. "Fine, if it'll make you shut up and go do your damn job already, then yes, you have my permission to represent me in court."
"That's all I needed to hear," I replied. Then I slipped the form to her through the slot in the window and the guard gave her a pen to sign it. After a few moments, she gave me back the form with her signature on it.
Tomoko's Request added to the Court Record.
"Okay then, starting from this moment onward, I am officially your attorney. I promise, I'll do everything in my power to get you acquitted."
Tomoko sighed. "Don't try to act so cool, I'm not expecting much. Knowing you, I'm going to have to practically defend myself."
"H-Hey, that was just plain mean!" I exclaimed.
Tomoko giggled. "I'm looking forward to working with you…Kibou."
I blushed a little. "Umm, using my first name is a little…"
"…" She smiled at me. She seemed much better now.
I sighed. "Kibou's fine."
"Alright Kibou, you better hurry and get investigating then. The trial starts tomorrow," Tomoko replied.
"T-Tomorrow?!" I exclaimed.
"This isn't like your last case. The crime scene is still in one piece and the victim has a clear cause of death," Tomoko replied. "Of course it would only take a day of investigating. Don't you just love the Initial Trial System?"
I grunted. "I'm already regretting this. Can you at least point me in the right direction of the crime scene?"
"Sakuraba Apartment Complex in Shibuya. The police should be able to tell you the room number," Tomoko replied.
"Got it," I replied. 'I should probably check out Kurosaki-san's office again too. Who knows? My attacker might have left something behind. I should also probably learn more about the victim, Detective Kikumori. The Tokyo Met HQ would be a safe bet on that. Criminal Affairs and Internal Affairs, they both probably have some information for me. That's already a pretty full itinerary. I should get going.' I got up to leave. "I'll be back before visiting hours are over. Hang in there until then, okay?"
Tomoko nodded. "I will, and be careful."
"I will," I replied and then turned to leave.
"And Kibou?" Tomoko called out to me.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"Thank you," Tomoko replied.
"No problem," I replied. Then I left the Visitor's Room.
And so began my first official investigation. Little did I know that what awaited Kurosaki-san and I was a devastating truth. A truth that would change the young private investigator forever.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that. Look forward to the next half of the investigation.