Code Geass: Lazos de Sangre
Chapter five:
Secrets
The tombstones languished in the mean morning sun. Suzaku walked among them looking sober. His hand was holding a bouquet of flowers. He entered the parcel that was owned by his family and stood in front of the white marble tomb whose epitaph read:
In memory of Genbu Kururugi
May 18, 1973 - August 30, 2011
Bamboo may be flexed, but never break
He dropped to one knee and deposited the bouquet. Leaning on his right fist, he remained in that position for a few seconds. Next to the tombstone, his mother was buried. It was his last will. A little further away his grandparents rested. The rest of his family lay in Japan. Suzaku could see that the ground had been carefully mowed and that wildflowers were growing in abundance around the graves. If he kept quiet, it was possible to hear the ships pass by, as well as glimpse the water of the sea spreading beyond the hills. Eluding the macabre sense of the phrase, it was a beautiful place to rest for eternity.
"Hey Dad. How are you? I inform you that I'm getting closer and closer to achieving my purpose of dismantling the city of corruption. I'm finally working on a case involving the Britannia Corps. It's not easy, but I won't stop. I'll see that Charles zi Britannia pays for his crimes. I've to do it for Lelouch and Nunnally. I hope you are proud of me".
Euphemia was just coming out of the Britannia family crypt. By coincidence, she had chosen that day to go to the cemetery and had put on dark glasses and a short frilly dress according to the occasion to avoid being recognized. She had arrived two hours earlier and was about to leave when she heard someone speak. Drawn by her curiosity, she followed that voice that led her to the Kururugi allotment where Suzaku was.
"Prosecutor Kururugi?" She asked softly, wanting to be sure. She took off her glasses for a moment.
Suzaku fell silent and turned on his heel when he recognized that sweet voice. She regretted having caught his attention: she might have interrupted a private moment.
"Miss Euphemia?" He asked, surprised.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to bother you" she exclaimed, embarrassed, pulling back.
"Bother me? You could never do it." The joyous smile Suzaku drew on her face encouraged her to continue. Shyly, she moved to stand next to him.
"Were you talking to your father?" She asked, looking at the tombstone. He imitated her, unconscious.
The name inscribed on the marble sounded familiar to her from a story she once heard. He was the president of a small light bulb company affiliated with the Britannia Corps. Through a series of bad decisions, he bankrupted his company and, devastated, took his life, leaving his only son to fend for himself.
"Yes," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "It's a costume. I feel like whenever I do, I'm with him. You may think I'm crazy."
"No," she corrected him, smiling fondly at him. "I think it's normal that you don't want to break the bond with your father. It's a sweet idea, too. I should try it with my mother."
"Was it because of her that you came?" He asked, turning to her.
"Yes, today is the anniversary of her death."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, fearing that he had struck a chord that disturbed her.
"It's okay. I didn't get to know her well because she died when I was too young," Euphemia confessed. Sadness puffed out her chest and she exhaled deeply. "Did you know yours?"
"She died when I was born. It was a difficult labor," he replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I would have liked to meet her".
Stunned by the revelation, the young Britannia fixed her big eyes on the prosecutor. They shone like two little stars, way more than the pale light of that morning. Caressed by their tepid warmth, Suzaku's cheeks were infused with a red that intensified the longer he stared at them.
"You have no brothers, you lost your father when you were a child, your mother died without knowing you, and you didn't get to feel lonely?"
"Not really. I'm usually surrounded by people who matter to me: my friends and the good citizens of Pendragon," he explained with a smile. The question destabilized the peace of his heart partially. "Don't you have someone like that?"
"Yes," Euphemia replied. "My family."
The two decided to go back together and resume the conversation that they were forced to conclude the night of the party. Coinciding with the awakening of the city, while they were flooded in the chaos of voices and horns, Euphemia found out that Suzaku visited the cemetery with a certain frequency to leave flowers on the grave of his father, his mother and that of his friend, Lelouch, since after he left the city, there was no one else who could take care of it. However, he rarely found a fleur-de-lis. No one knew who the mystery visitor was and he hadn't been able to run into him.
"He would have done it for me," Suzaku stated confidently when Euphemia asked why. "If I had been the one to leave, I wouldn't have liked to find my mother's headstone covered in weeds and dusty."
Euphemia was touched. Even though Suzaku's life was cloaked in shadows since childhood, he was ultimately a being of light and a good friend.
She also learned that the epitaph on his father's grave referred to a metaphor that his father created and repeated whenever he could. Euphemia liked it because it highlighted good qualities that achieved balance. She was honest with Suzaku saying that she had seemed to him to be of a tough and severe character since it was the image that the media transmitted.
"And now?"
"Yes, you're severe, but not stern. You're gentle. Maybe if you smile more, you'll erase that impression."
Suzaku, in contrast, was surprised to learn that Lelouch mentioned the tragic death of his mother to her. He thought it would be an issue that would make him uncomfortable. That meant that they were closer than what was visible at first glance. She told him, in turn, when, how and where they met. She tried to be concise since she was asked, and while she liked talking about lawyer Lamperouge, Euphemia wanted to know more about the prosecutor.
They were walking along a sidewalk, in this way, when Euphemia noticed a kitten drifting off the road that licked its left front paw over and over again and watched passers-by with its big yellow eyes, turning a blind eye to her presence. Although she had a lace skirt that reached above her knees, Euphemia knelt down and stroked her behind the ears.
"What are you doing here alone? Where is your owner?" She asked worriedly. The cat purred in response to her touch. "Oh! You've lost yourself, haven't you? What's your name?" Euphemia picked her up and meowed at her. Suzaku found it charming and funny to see her interacting with the little cat. "And how did you get hurt?" She continued to inquire. "I understand." Euphemia formed a cradle in her arms and leaned it against her chest. She got up. "Suzaku, we have to help Arthur!"
"Arthur?" He repeated curiously. "Did she tell you that was her name?"
"Yes. Is there a vet clinic around here?" She asked, turning her head for one.
"I think I saw one in the back when we were walking."
"Let's go then! Arthur's paw needs attention."
Suzaku led Euphemia to where the veterinary clinic was. Fortunately for both of them, prosecutor Kururugi's memory was good and his sense of direction even stronger. They were attended by a young veterinarian, who was also the only person in charge. They seemed to be the first customers of the day. At least they would be over soon. She was cordial to them and acted diligently. She indicated that it hadn't been a serious injury since she didn't observe internal damage, but Arthur had to rest.
"She probably fell from a high place or was in a fight with other cats," She explained.
As she delicately wrapped her injured leg in a bandage, the prosecutor subjected her to an inspection. She was pretty. No more than Kallen and less than Euphemia. Her long, straight orange hair, bright green eyes, and oval face made her look sweet. When she smiled there were dimples on her cheeks. Her manners were gentle.
"Yes, she fell from a tree. The horns of a van blasting at full volume scared her," Euphemia confirmed.
Suzaku remembered that there was certainly a tree next to where they found her and that the sidewalk was delimited by the pavement on which all kinds of vehicles circulated. If it weren't true, it was plausible.
"It's done. Now you have to evaluate her recovery and try to keep her calm and prevent Arthurs wound from becoming infected. Don't worry. If you follow my instructions to the letter, she'll be fine. Cats tend to recover quickly," she added when she noticed the pink-haired woman's shoulders twitch nervously. "Anyway, the doors of my clinic will be open in case your cat ..."
"She's not our cat," Suzaku clarified.
"We can adopt her!" Euphemia replied, smiling at him.
"Even better! There are so many little animals that walk in the street in need of love. I wish there were more people who took this initiative like you," she celebrated happily. "It's very nice for a couple to pick up a kitten. This will get you closer together," She commented, stroking Arthur.
Of course, Euphemia and Suzaku were unfazed. His reaction was the same, which was funny to see; which led the vet to think she was right. The two exchanged fleeting sidelong glances. Even if they didn't speak words, they knew what they wanted to ask themselves: who would correct the mistake.
"Actually, Suzaku and I are just friends," Euphemia replied, glancing at him as if seeking support.
"Yeah, but we can still adopt her," he agreed. Euphemia's smile widened.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I thought… It doesn't matter. I'll recommend a remedy for pain relief. Hold up a moment."
The vet picked up one of the recipes from her desk and scribbled a name on the white surface. She then signed it, sealed it, and handed it to Suzaku.
"Thank you, doctor…" He wanted to read her identification in the breast pocket of her gown, but there was none.
"Fenette. You can call me Shirley!" She introduced herself cheerfully. Judging from her emphatic tone, they deduced that she preferred to be referred to by her first name."
Dr. Shirley led them to the cash box. Suzaku and Euphemia agreed to each pay half of the expenses. The next thing they discussed was who Arthur would be staying with. Since they adopted him together, they had to "alternate custody." Euphemia asked him to have it with him that night, since she lived with her family and believed that it wouldn't be considered not to notify them. In addition to the fact that she wanted to buy her a house, a scratching post, toys and a litter box; in sum, furnishing the mansion so that it was in optimal condition for Arthur. Suzaku, on the other hand, lived alone in his apartment. The prosecutor hadn't realized the care involved in having a cat until Euphemia began to list everything she wanted to buy. But what could he do? He had already accepted. Her enthusiasm was infectious and so adorable it made him smile. He told himself that it would be okay if he did something crazy. Since his father died, he hadn't allowed his whims to rule him. Without further ado, he said yes.
"Great! Thank you, Suzaku! I know that Arthur will be very happy in your house. She likes you!"
"Did she tell you?"
"You must think I'm crazy because I talk to cats," Euphemia whispered flushed, tracing a circle on her wrist with her index finger.
"I speak with graves," Suzaku replied, shrugging.
Euphemia smiled. It was comfortable being with prosecutor Kururugi.
"Can I have your phone number? I need to have it for when I'm going to take Arthur."
Shirley was quietly watching the scene unfold. That was a nifty way to get a good-looking single man's number. Management would be the next step. Suzaku also registered Euphemia's number on his phone. Right on this, someone called her. She had no idea who it might be, but he guessed it wasn't bad because she didn't sound mortified. As soon as Euphemia hung up, she turned to him:
"Suzaku, I'm sorry. I must go," she announced sadly. "I'm afraid you'll have to do the shopping for Arthur alone - something came up."
"It's okay. Is it serious?"
"No, but my sister wants me to be there. Does it bother you?" She asked fearfully.
"No. If you need to be with her, then go," he said, reassuring her with a smile.
"You're comprehensive. I promise that I'll make it up to you," she assured him, returning the smile and kissing him on the cheek as a gesture of thanks. "I'll call you when I can! Be aware!"
When he was gone, Suzaku turned to Shirley and patted Arthur with the hand that dismissed Euphemia.
"She likes you," Shirley observed.
"Uhm?" Suzaku looked up and dismissed the idea by shaking his head. "No, she's just kind."
"Maybe," she agreed. "And you like her?"
"She's nice and I like it. That's all, Ouch!"
Suzaku's finger was bleeding. How so? Arthur had bitten him. Shirley giggled. Euphemia was wrong or the cat was so cunning that she could detect when a prosecutor was lying.
Lelouch woke up feeling better. He had arrived from the Britannia mansion and the first thing he did was order C.C. to call Tamaki and have a car tracked down, the one of the eyewitnesses who turned up unexpectedly at Schneizel's promo party. Since his sister was asleep and the migraine was killing him, he resolved to sleep in the hope of recovery; what so it was. The morning augured a promising day because, while they were having breakfast, Tamaki told him that, although they didn't find anything in the black boxes of the cars that day in the parking lot, his gang found a vehicle that fit the description that he was given. They were able to find out who the owner was and his address. He was staying in a hotel. Lawyer Lamperouge was pleased with the promptness and efficiency with which his employees carried out his orders. He couldn't wait any longer to meet the eyewitness. They left in their Volvo.
The witness left his apartment at an anxious pace. Like every morning, he planned to go to the newsstand and buy the lottery. Although if he didn't win, it wouldn't matter this time: President Schneizel accepted to pay him for his testimony. He spent all night dreaming of thousands of ways he could invest that generous sum. He hadn't called him yet, but he had no doubt they would do so throughout the day. He got in the elevator. The doors were about to close when a hand crossed between them. He stopped it so the guest could pass in.
"Thanks."
He was a young man with brown hair and milk-colored skin. He wore a varsity jacket, and wore a golf cap and gloves. He got on. The doors ended up closing.
"Which Floor?"
"Two, please."
The man pressed the button for the second floor and the ground floor. The young man put his hands in his jacket pockets and leaned back against the wall. The elevator went down slowly, as the indicator showed: sixth floor, fifth floor ... The witness began to read the recent messages on the phone absentmindedly.
"Schneizel el Britannia sends you its regards," the young man whispered.
"Excuse me?"
The young man pulled out a knife, set his arm around the man's neck from behind, and made a quick, deep cut from left to right. A stream of blood shot onto the floor and splattered the doors. He released it. The man broke down. The assassin arranged the body, sitting it with his head facing the ceiling, and placed the bloody knife in his fist. Then he took his free hand setting some copper coins from the other pocket of his jacket pressed between the corpse's fingers and placed them in each eye. Finally, he glanced at the dead man. There was no reading of any emotion over his face: no fury, no disgust, no excitement, only the most absolute indifference. It was a corpse with nothing special and he had already seen lots of it. The elevator opened on the second floor and crossed the threshold being careful not to contaminate the scene. He would go down the emergency stairs. He pulled out his cell phone, typed in a number, and contacted his client.
"It's Rolo," he said in a monotone intonation. "It's done."
And he hung up. By the effect of tragic irony, in the lobby, his exit coincided with the entrance of Lelouch and Tamaki. Even though the same objective had brought them to the hotel, they didn't know each other; therefore, they went unnoticed. However, Rolo and Lelouch did see each other sideways. Lelouch spoke to the receptionist. He explained who they were looking for and why. After knowing in which room the witness was registered, he thanked her attention and they headed towards the elevator. They didn't have to call it: the elevator was going down. The doors were opened wide, discovering the person they were looking for with his windpipe open and blood dripping drop by drop on his clothes.
" Oh, shit!" Tamaki exclaimed with a brusque gesture.
"We're late," Lelouch muttered circumspectly.
"Apparently our friend had trouble with the mob. Any debt?" Tamaki guessed aloud, referring to the coins placed over the eyes.
"That's what they want you to think," Lelouch denied.
"Do you have any idea who did it? You don't look surprised, buddy."
"Because it's obvious. The only witness in the case is killed before he meets with the defense lawyer and right after speaking with Schneizel el Britannia. Who would benefit from this? Someone who doesn't want the vice president to win," Lelouch reasoned. He turned to Tamaki. "Run to the front desk and report it. Try to look horrified. Let them call the police."
"The cops?" He repeated, shuddering.
"If we don't, they'll think we have something to hide," he clarified. "Don't worry. We'll only be first witnesses. They can't prove anything against you: I took care of that. And if things go wrong, I'll protect you. C.C. and you are my employees, but you're also my clients," he reminded him with a friendly smile that contrasted with the icy glint in his eyes. "He wasn't as observant as his boss and didn't notice it."
Tamaki scratched his head. It was true. It was Lelouch who exonerated him and watched as he destroyed any evidence just to give Tamaki a chance to redeem himself. A goal he would meet if he worked for Lelouch, and to date Tamaki felt that trusting the lawyer had been the best decision he ever made.
Britannia Corps wasn't always the most powerful business comglomerate in the country. Its beginnings go back almost a century, when Pendragon wasn't yet the metropolis for which it was famous today. Back then, it was a small construction company that over the years was in charge of executing engineering projects that greatly contributed to the urban development and economic and social prosperity of the city and, by extension, the country. As Pendragon grew, the Britannia Corps amassed its fortune and expanded its power through acquisitions and mergers. Although the times and the company was currently far from what it used to be, the structural model remained the same, in the sense that the direction and control of the company resided in the Britannia family, which were transferred to the eldest son by tradition. A position that had seemed unattainable for Schneizel, who was second in line to succeed the Britannias. Something that changed when the first heir suddenly died.
Schneizel could finally fill the office of the president of the Britannia Corps. Twenty-three years struggling to assume what belonged to him by birthright and merit. It was his now. He ran his hand over the arms and back of the chair. Stroking the fine black leather made him sigh. He knew better than anyone to control his emotions to the point that it was almost imperceptible to notice the change. Only people who knew him well could perceive the joy that flooded him, for example, his faithful assistant who came in at that moment and couldn't help but smile to share his happiness.
"Two excellent news, Sir," he announced. "My sources collected basic data from the lawyer Lamperouge: he came to the city three weeks ago with his younger sister, a young woman named Nunnally, who has a motor and visual disability, and her personal maid, Japanese named Sayoko Sonozaki. Before that, he studied his entire life at Ashford Academy and graduated Summa cum laude from Shinkirō University School of Law. In just four years. His reputation is supported by all the cases he has won. He was telling the truth. What's curious is that he has been the legal representative of The Black King ...
"The Black King?! The mobster?!" Luciano cut out, stupefied, who was listening to the report of Kanon leaning on the jamb.
"It was his most important client, yet he managed to defend many other criminals. I guess that way a lawyer has enough money to buy a penthouse," he continued, ignoring the intervention.
"Who'd say it!" Luciano hissed. "Lamperouge doesn't look intimidating: he has a very thin face and his way of moving is strange for a man."
"I don't think it is," Kanon disagreed. "His movements are rather graceful and although his face is thin, he is handsome."
"Enough!" President Schneizel commanded, waving at the air.
"I'm sorry, Sir. That's all I could find out for now. If you give me more time, I'll delve deeper into the information."
Kanon slid a manila envelope across his desk. The president opened it and emptied it. Inside it contained some photos. Some were from the building where the lawyer resided and others were from him and/or his sister, accompanied by the servant, leaving the residence. President Schneizel passed them one by one and even when he didn't look at them carefully, he did retain the details of each one in his memory.
"Do it," President Schneizel asked the instant Kanon stopped speaking. "I need to know if Lamperouge used to live in Pendragon. Focus on his childhood. Specifically find out who their parents were."
"So be it, President. The other news I had for you involves Rolo. He called me to confirm that the order was executed on its terms. The witness won't be a problem."
The president nodded. He looked up and noticed his bodyguard. He rocked anxiously in place as he looked disdainfully at the ground.
"Are you mad at me because I assigned this task to Rolo?" He asked condescendingly.
"No, Mr. President."
"You know that because of the vice president's case, Britannia Corps is in the eye of the storm. We've to proceed with caution," he explained softly. Who could he not calm with that tone? Not even beasts like Luciano resisted. "Besides." He paused. The bodyguard looked at him expectantly and the president outlined an enigmatic smile, "I've an important task, which only you can take on ..."
The phone suddenly rang. The president answered the call: he had a visitor. He ordered his employees to leave in order to be alone with his visitor. It was Nina. Immediately, he ordered his secretary to bring two coffees and asked the young scientist to take a seat. She sat in the chair to the left.
"Thank you very much for having me, Mr. President," the young woman mumbled.
"Mr. President? No, no." He laughed. "During non-work hours, you can talk to me as you always have. Trust between us doesn't change after an appointment, am I wrong?"
"Of course not! You're right." Nina smiled. The corners of her mouth trembled. "Congratulations on your promotion, Schneizel. I'm very happy for you. You deserve it. I would have liked to go to the party and congratulate you there, but it wouldn't have been a good idea considering I tarnished the image of Britannia Corps by suing the vice president."
"You acted wisely," Schneizel confirmed, shaking his head sympathetically. "I was surprised, I admit it. From our last conversation, I took it for granted that your decision was final."
"I wasn't going to win the trust of President Charles if I didn't prove my loyalty to the Britannia Corps," she justified herself. "And I won't have another occasion like this. Not in a short time."
"However, the vice president is innocent," he emphasized. "Your loss is your gain. You said it."
"Don't use my own words against me." Contrary to her intentions, her warning sounded like a plea. Realizing that, she wrung her hands. In order for him to believe her, she had to speak with conviction. She continued, "By any chance, do you know what a scientist's greatest flaw is?" She asked, looking at her nails.
"No, but I guess you do and you're going to tell me," he replied, puzzled by the question.
"It's vanity. It wasn't extortion that led to the creation of the atomic bomb, it was vanity," she explained. "A scientific hypothesis doesn't become a theory, but is tested and the opportunity rarely presents itself. You don't know the satisfaction that comes from knowing that those complex equations that you were killing to find tells the truth, nor do you know the emotion of being part of something important. We all die to be the Einstein of the decade, no, of the century." She laughed as if she were telling something funny. "I know what I said," she admitted, locking her indigo eyes with the president's, "but I thought about what you said: if you want to win something, you must risk everything. I want nothing more than to work on Project Geass. It may be my greatest achievement in my entire career. I'm not sure!" she claimed. She leaned toward him, planting her hands on his desk. "You get it, right?"
"Yes, of course. You've my support, you know it," he declared affectionately. He grabbed one of her hands and held it. "You're very brave to fight for what you want."
"Thank you, Schneizel. You're a wonderful friend." She smiled at him, relieved. "I never feel judged with you." She bit her lower lip doubtfully. Then she resolved to tell him what had just crossed her mind: "It's a contradiction. Scientists get distanced from the earthly world to dedicate ourselves to the purity of our theories in the search for truth and, instead, we approach the humanity that we deny. Does it make any sense? No, it's like a genetic error."
"Ego is the root of the human being. Before you're scientists, you're human. But be careful: the ego is also the source of problems. Everyone assumes that you just have to let go of emotional ties because they are the obstacle that stands between you and success and they forget about the ego. Take this as a friend's advice."
Nina nodded, promising. The secretary entered at that point: she was bringing the coffees. The president was going to admonish her for being late, if it weren't for the fact that her friend interceded. Consecutively, he dispatched her. Schneizel glanced at his glass.
"I wish this was wine, so I would toast you. You're one step closer to your dream."
"It's okay. The intention is what counts."
The woman handed him the glass. Schneizel bumped it against hers. Nina drank in one gulp. He enjoyed it more calmly. He wanted to take time to notice her expression. It was a joyous one. She was sure that she had taken the initiative. It wasn't close to the truth, but if that made her proud, why ruins it for her? It didn't bother him that third parties took credit for his actions, meanwhile they did what he wanted. From his point of view, everyone would benefit: his father would get rid of an enemy, Nina would enter Project Geass, and he would finally find out what Charles zi Britannia was secretly up to. His father was a man with many secrets; however, if he ever learned something it was that nothing remains hidden in the shadows for long.
In one morning, Suzaku had learned more about cats than in twenty-eight years of life. He went to a pet store and talked at length with the saleswoman, as well as with the customers. He wanted to be properly informed about the care that a cat needed. Once advised, he bought food, a litter box, and a scratching post (he would be absent most of the day and it would not be pleasant to find back that the cat had sharpened his nails on his furniture). Suzaku could already build a bed with what he had at home. He never took care of a pet. Not even when he was a kid. His father didn't like it: it involved many responsibilities, so he didn't allow Suzaku to have one. Arthur would change his routine. He interpreted it as a good thing: at times, he could feel that his small apartment was too big.
After leaving the cat at home, he went to work. The chief prosecutor asked to see him. He wanted to be updated on the Britannia Corps vice president case because the second trial would take place tomorrow. He wasn't pleased with him: initially, he was displeased that Suzaku had lost the first and was already aware that he was the prosecutor with the most backlogs in the crime's division.
"Give the file on the Britannia Corps case to Prosecutor Steiner. You're out."
Charles zi Britannia must have ordered him to remove it. Either because Suzaku rejected his offer, because he was afraid that he would win or maybe it was a way of forcing him to ask for help. This had nothing to do with the backlog or the first trial. Those were excuses. Britannia Corps was in danger and if the lawyer didn't win, they would find a docile prosecutor to lose for them. Suzaku couldn't allow the case to be taken away from him, but how to convince him?
"With all due respect, sir, I won't. I have no reason to transfer the case."
"You've been working with us for five years, yet there's still a lot of things you need to learn, prosecutor. I can't be complacent and sit back and watch the no-fault rate rise. A more experienced prosecutor will take this case and I'll assign you a more suitable one, was it left…?"
Saved by the ring of his cell phone, Suzaku checked. It was a message from Inspector Croomy. They got a video of one of the black boxes in the parking lot!
"Give me a chance. If I lose the second trial, you can reassign me. But this time, put everything in my hands," he asked.
Prosecutor Waldstein watched him from landmark to landmark. Suzaku was aware of his abilities. He didn't possess the gift of eloquence with which his friend had been blessed. He wasn't a good liar. Lelouch might have managed to stay calm and convince the prosecutor to trust him. What did Suzaku have? On the contrary, a great conviction that moved mountains and if he couldn't convince him with words, he would do it with deeds. And, at that, he was the better of the two.
Kallen felt as she if were against the walls, having to choose between her pride (or her decency, as she preferred to put it) and her promise to Naoto. What was most important to her? That was easy to answer. However, she didn't want to have to sacrifice one for the other. After evaluating various scenarios, she resigned herself: no firm would like to have a degraded lawyer, there being so many good ones in Pendragon. Kallen admitted that she wouldn't even hire herself if she had to choose between a newly suspended lawyer or a rookie. She could try her luck by becoming a public defender, although it was more difficult. Or she could ask her father, Mr. Stadtfeld, for help. Kallen screwed up her face, disapproving of the idea. Even between him and Lelouch, the former was better. "Had she really thought he was less bad than he looked? Ah! This world and its twists." When she managed to swallow her own pride, right after turning around her room many times, she called "Viper Tongue." It rang a couple of times and then answered. Kallen told him that she had an answer to his proposition. He interrupted her saying that he would go to trial soon, claiming that such answers were best discussed face to face and invited her to come. Kallen had no alternative. She began to enlist.
It had been a long time since the last trial she was at, however, everyone remembered it, even if they didn't really attend. Since then, Kallen had put away her formal clothes. She put on a short black jacket, a low-cut white blouse, a red belt around the waist, and black dress pants. She prepped in front of the mirror and took a deep breath. Ready (or almost), she headed to court. Kallen arrived just as the trial was ending. The Viper Tongue wasn't lying this time. She could see him on the defense side, to his left was seated what must have been Taizo Kirihara, the vice president of the Britannia Corps. She didn't recognize him. Well, it was clear that the image of the company was Britannia themselves, not its employees, as they wanted the delusional to believe that slogan was nothing more than a hoax. On the prosecution's side, she distinguished Suzaku. Best friends clashing? This was really interesting.
The prosecutor Kururugi was presenting crucial evidence: a video, which he obtained from one of the cars that was parked on the night of the accident. If it hadn't been delivered before, it was because the detective couldn't locate it. Only after watching the news did the owner of the car remember that he was in that building that day, so he checked the black box and contacted the prosecutor. This video showed Nina helping the vice president into his car and although it wasn't clearly perceived due to the vague lighting, the violent shaking of the vehicle indicated that there was a fight. Nina stumbled out of breath.
A hiss of alarm ignited the audience. It couldn't be said that Suzaku was happy, but he knew what it meant: culminating his plea like this ensured that the prosecution had the upper hand for now, unless the defense pulled an ace up its sleeve, which didn't appear to be the case. The prosecutors' chief wouldn't remove him. Mr. Kirihara's eyes were dying to jump out of the eye sockets. Lelouch's expression was unfathomable. His mind quickly processed everything. What the video revealed refuted everything the witness said to Schneizel. That being the case, why kill a liar? They consigned fabricated evidence to the prosecution, but he had no way to prove it and, in his experience, Lelouch knew that judges tended to stick with what they understood. An audiovisual test was the strongest. By this time, he had to admit defeat.
After the trial, Lelouch gathered his things and approached Kallen, who was the only one in the crowd who didn't get up and left. She was sitting at the back of the room.
"Today didn't go so well for you," she greeted him. He couldn't discern if she was saying it to provoke him or not.
"I lost the trial today. However, until the judge makes his final verdict, Mr. Kirihara remains innocent under the law," Lelouch conceded in part.
"That's true."
"Do you think he's innocent?"
"The news doesn't provide details or concrete evidence of the case and if I only keep the video, it is clear to whom I'll agree with. You've it difficult. But." Kallen stood up. She was almost as tall as him, so they could look into each other's eyes. "You should be the one to answer that question, isn't he?"
"Do you really think a lawyer should trust his client?"
"And why would a lawyer fight for someone they don't trust?" She protests. "In the trial they only have themselves. It would be foolish if they didn't support each other."
"I didn't imagine you were idealistic," he smiled amusedly. "I should have guessed. People lie, Kallen. It's in their nature. They need to lie because they fear anyone knows them well." Lelouch took a step toward her. They were so close that it was enough to speak in whispers, "unless they have nothing to lose, they won't tell the truth."
"And have you told me the truth? Is there something about you that you don't want me to discover?" She asked, tilting her head to one side.
Someone cleared his throat behind them. Kallen grunted, annoyed by the interruption. She wanted to hear Lelouch's response! He might deny it, but she was curious as to what the Viper Tongue would come up with. "Shit! Just when I had him cornered." The person who interrupted them was a young woman, with straight dark hair and huge green eyes. Her slim build, short stature, and narrow hips gave her a childlike appearance that contrasted with the liveliness of her gaze.
"Excuse me, are you Lawyer Lamperouge? My name is Kaguya Sumeragi, I'm the granddaughter of Taizo Kirihara. Can I speak to you? Doesn't it bother you if I address you?" She asked him.
Yes, she was more confident than what was superficially seen.
"I am. Absolutely. What's more, I would prefer it. May I introduce you to my companion: this is Kallen Stadtfeld, a lawyer who works for me," he said with a friendly smile. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well. Sorry I didn't introduce myself; I couldn't attend the previous trial: I study at the university in the morning. Even so, I have been visiting my grandfather and I know that he did very well in that trial ..."
"And now…" Lelouch interjected.
"I'm worried," she blurted out. I know what appeared in that video that the prosecution showed, but I know my grandfather and I'm sure that he would be incapable of an atrocity like that.
"I know. Mr. Kirihara is innocent," Lelouch agreed benevolently. He was clearly used to dealing with the mortified relatives of his defendants. "I was pointing it out to my colleague precisely: he isn't guilty until the judge issues a verdict. I confess that I didn't expect the prosecution to present a video and things have been complicated, but it's not impossible to dismantle evidence, especially when it's fake." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "As difficult as it may seem, you must calm down and leave everything in my hands. I don't choose between winning or losing, I make sure I always win," he assured. With the other hand, he produced a card. "This is my number if you ever need to call me and if you are so kind, you can provide Kallen with yours. So we could keep in touch. With your permission, I've to go. I'll better prepare the defense of the final judgment in advance. Kallen, catch up with me when you're done. I'll go slow to give you time."
Lelouch dismissed her with his most dazzling smile and left the room. She hadn't signed the contract and he had already made up his mind that she was his secretary. The redhead had nothing to point to other than her own phone. After doing so, she said goodbye and ran off. Lelouch wasn't too far away. She caught up with him and adapted to his rhythm. His legs weren't as fast as his tongue or his mind. Then, he spoke:
"You called me to tell me you had an answer to my question. Will you accept?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. Come in the morning and we'll sign the contract."
"No, let's do it now!"
"How impetuous!" Lelouch exclaimed. "Hold that energy until tomorrow. It won't kill you to wait."
"I'd rather not," Kallen muttered unhappily. Stopping suddenly. "Maybe tomorrow I can regret ..."
"If you believe that, then you're not sure," Lelouch said without looking at her as if he had said the obvious.
She wasn't going to stop.
"Do you think it was easy to make that decision?" She blamed him. Kallen lunged behind him and forced him to see her, grabbing his shoulder and turning him toward her. She was getting tired of him not treating her seriously. "At the dance, I was honest with you. I've been in each of our conversations, and do you know why? Because I don't like to lie. I hate pretending to be what I'm not. I also don't like looking back. When I decide something, I move on."
Well, she wasn't going to clean the slate or pretend from now on that she liked him. She was really dying to work. The reason had to be more than money. Where did that need come from? Suddenly, the spark of a desire to unravel it was born within him. Moved by intrigue, Lelouch agreed to accompany him to the firm to sign the contract.
C.C. and Tamaki were already in the lobby. The man lounged on one of the chairs in the waiting room soundly. Spotting Kallen and Lelouch crossing the threshold, he sat up awkwardly. C.C. didn't move from her desk. She was decorating her acrylic nails with sparkling rhinestones. The arrival of her boss wasn't going to distract her from her task.
"Let me introduce you to my team. She is my office manager, C.C."
Lelouch gestured at the woman with long green hair and caramel eyes. Ironically, her gaze didn't inspire Kallen any sweetness. Rather, indolence.
She didn't even glance at anyone out of courtesy when she heard her name, though C.C. did make a face at his boss. In that instant, Kallen felt something click in her head. She had already seen her: she was the woman who ordered the pizza at home! Would she remember her?
"C.C." She repeated, arching an eyebrow. She wasn't sure that that was a real name, much less an artistic one.
"She likes to be called that," he explained tersely. "He's Shinichirō Tamaki, he's ..."
Lelouch was left in suspense. Technically, C.C. was his employee, since she worked with him in the office. Tamaki collaborated in other ways that he couldn't say in detail. He thought of introducing him as his chauffeur, although in those days he was idle at the office. It would be strange if a simple chauffeur was there every hour. And Tamaki rarely obeyed these kinds of simple commands, because, according to him, he had no way of determining when he might need their help.
"He's the internal minister for cleanliness," said C.C. in a very natural tone.
"What?!" Tamaki yelled, hurt by the designated attribution. "No! I'm your buddy, right, Lelouch?"
"He's my private investigator," Lelouch corrected.
"Wow! The multi-function man," the redhead observed, crossing her arms. "I'll have nothing to do here."
"C.C., Tamaki, this is Kallen Stadtfeld. She'll be working with us as soon as she signs the contract. Come with me."
It was a considerate gesture not to say exactly what she was going to work on. Maybe was it too hard to explain? Or was it not worth it? Or did he not want to tell them her situation out of regard? They didn't ask either. They weren't curious or were very respectful to their boss. Lelouch led her to his office. There Kallen handed him her resume. Lelouch read it and, at the same time, interviewed her. Kallen tried to answer questions concisely and accurately about the university where she studied, the previous firm where she worked, and her work experience. Lelouch already had the contract printed and kept in a drawer. It was delivered in attachment with a pen. The woman wanted to read it all before signing. The lawyer approved of her caution, as well as found her mistrust amusing. It was a trait of intelligence. When Kallen read the last line, she signed and returned the page. Lelouch told her that she was already officially hired and immediately he went to open the door. Lallen didn't react. She was somewhat taken aback at the speed of the process. Her new boss didn't waste time with bureaucratic issues. Lelouch called out to her again and Kallen snapped out of her reverie. She hurried to follow him to her new office. Lelouch said her that she would occupy the office, even after her suspension was revoked. That way, she would start to get used to it since sooner or later they would be partners.
"Bring your things and customize it to make it yours. That's why I wanted you to come over tomorrow," he pointed out. The redhead didn't answer. She was touring her new workplace, in awe. To find out if she was paying attention, Lelouch commented with a smile, "I'm glad you like it."
"It's bigger than yours."
"I feel comfortable in tight places," he replied with a shrug. "Let's go?"
Kallen turned to him. Lelouch left first. She followed it. Outside were Tamaki and C.C.
"It's done. Kallen is one of us. Make her stay comfortable by treating her well."
"Alright then! Welcome!" Tamaki exclaimed lightly, clasping his palms. "If you have doubts or need something or want help, don't feel shy to ask me, beautiful. Since I'm Lelouch's assistant, I'm like his second in command, so I know all about this office ..."
Tamaki draped his arm around Kallen's shoulders, holding it against him. It lasted only five seconds after Kallen pulled him by the arm, resting her armpit on his elbow and turning swiftly, at the end of which he bent his knees. She managed to destabilize him by carrying him on her back. Tamaki flew across the room. The sofa cushioned his fall. C.C. raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. Lelouch managed a smile. When she hit other men, it was fun. Tamaki rubbed his shoulder in pain.
"Just because we're partners doesn't mean you can put your hands and arms wherever you want," Kallen warned. "And I've a name, call me for it!"
"Forgive Tamaki, I'm sure he didn't mean to offend you. He has to learn to temper his enthusiasm," Lelouch chimed in conciliatingly. "Well. It's lunchtime and we should celebrate your integration. Let's go to a restaurant. Since I'm the one with the highest authority and this is my idea, I'll pay. Don't be intimidated Kallen, despite the hierarchy, we all learn from everyone."
Tamaki's complaints of pain turned into soft giggles that sounded like air coming out of a pressure cooker. C.C. did hid better. Strangely, the woman looked at each one. She left Lelouch last. He wasn't laughing, but he was smiling heartily.
"May I know what the joke is?" She asked irritably.
"It's nothing, charlatan," Lelouch lied. "Do you want us to have lunch?"
"Why shouldn't I like a celebration in my honor?" Kallen snorted.
If she was going to work at their firm from now on, it would be good to get to know them and ease the tensions. A lunch was a good starting point and, come on, no one would turn down a free lunch. Due to his appointments with Euphemia, in a short time Lelouch quickly became familiar with much of the city. In his mind he had drawn a map where he located various places, restaurants, especially. They went to a Japanese one. Kallen was amazed. Was it a random choice or was Lelouch able to read her thoughts and know that she loved Japanese food? Lelouch's clairvoyance often dazzled her in such a way that it seemed supernatural. She felt like he was always ten steps ahead of the rest. Kallen never met anyone like him. C.C. and Kallen would order for themselves; Lelouch, for him and Tamaki.
"I'm doing it because we're buddies" Lelouch excused himself without taking his eyes off the menu card.
"Or he does it because Tamaki is a profligate," C.C. muttered to Kallen.
As soon as the dining room manager wrote down her orders, the lawyer brought the Britannia Corps vice president's case to the table as the first topic of conversation. He told them about the incriminating video in particular. About the second trial, he limited himself to telling the pertinent information.
"Tell me what else you found out about our victim," Lelouch demanded curtly.
"Uh! Lelouch is in a bad mood, did you lose the second trial?" Asked C.C., insightful.
"Not a big deal," Tamaki replied with his mouth full, scratching his leg and staring at the ceiling, racking his brains to remember. The image was so grotesque that Lelouch redirected his interest to his plate. "The goody-goody is a genius child. She quickly passed through grades and graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. She won many competitions and got to be on television. Her parents are consultants. They're out of the country. She studied at the university that Britannia sponsors, and after graduating as a chemist and biologist, she worked at the research institute, while earning a doctorate in genetics. It just so happens that the boss there was her teacher. I found out that their relationship is very good."
"How good?"
"So he's the one who invited her to come to work at his institute, doesn't that seem like too much? He went to her graduation ceremony replacing her parents and sometimes they go to one of the university cafeterias to drink coffee together ..."
By speaking too quickly, Tamaki choked on his food and couldn't go on. Kallen interceded:
"Shouldn't you focus on how to prove the video is fake or gather new evidence?" She asked, raising her voice between Tamaki's coughs.
The man hit his chest to stop the coughing fit.
"That's what I do," Lelouch agreed.
"No. You want to prove that the accusation against the vice president is a lie," she replied. "You have to find a reason for that."
"Exactly, why do you think I ordered them to investigate Nina? The prosecution presented strong evidence in today's trial. To win the case, I must fight back with just as compelling evidence, and what better way to show that the lawsuit is a fraud?"
"Now I remember it!" Tamaki exclaimed. Lelouch stepped back and pushed his plate away, so as not to be splattered with chewed bits of ramen. "She was involved in a project. Something about the refrain and its properties, but she had to interrupt it." Tamaki made a bad impression. "Crazy pussy bitch! Leave that shit alone! Why ruin a man's life for that?! She's crazy!"
"Sounds like an ambitious project," Lelouch mused, stroking his chin. "Something of these proportions can only survive if you have a generous sponsor or take the money on the spur of the moment." Lelouch grabbed the condiments in the center of the table: mentaiko, wasabi, and shichimi. "This is what we'll do: let's divide the work. Two of us will go to the institute and learn more about the project." Lelouch said as he pushed the mentaiko to the right where C.C. and Kallen, "and the others will handle the video, but they must do this job separately: one shall stay to analyze it and the other will look for the witness who delivered this video. Her name is Liliana Vergamon, she is a Caucasian woman, blonde and the owner of a blue Volkswagen." He held the shichimi still and shifted the wasabi to the left. "C.C and I ..."
"No, I won't miss my Game of Thrones chapter for you," croaked C.C.
"Do you have a real reason why you can't go to college?" Lelouch muttered.
"'Because I don't fucking want' is a real reason?"
"No."
"Well. I'll give you three real reasons," she announced, showing him three of her fingers, "I'm the best tech savvy after you; You know Tamaki has his contacts and can track down whoever is faster than all the Pendragon detectives, and finally, you should go with the new one and test it out to warm it up" the last finger she held up was the middle finger. Lelouch drank his sake calmly. He was not offended. C.C. lowered her hand. "Take it this way: someday she'll lose her virginity. Let it be now."
The comparison didn't go unnoticed. Tamaki approved it willingly with a thumb up. Lelouch smirked. Kallen choked on the noodles she was eating. This time it was the redhead who was pounding her chest.
"If you weren't such an efficient manager at your job, I would have fired you. You're a pain in the ass sometimes," Lelouch whispered, scratching his eyebrow with his thumb.
"If I didn't know so much about you, you would have. Let's not kid ourselves," C.C. smiled at him, taking a long drink.
"Good reasons," the lawyer admitted, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "You'll go with me, charlatan."
"Are you okay, Kallen?" Asked C.C. amused, holding her cheek in her fist. "Should I ask you for water? You're red. Your face is almost indistinguishable from your hair. That happens to you for eating in a hurry."
This would have been a good opportunity to get away from Lelouch and try to bond with the other employees; but fate managed to screw her in some way or another. She wasn't sure if they were better than Lelouch. She had formed a general idea of each. Well she might be getting ahead of herself by judging them at lunch. Tamaki was rough and lively. He lacked the modesty to hide his lewd behaviors. About C.C., she didn't have a definite opinion. Apparently, she teased them all indiscriminately. Even if they weren't completely obedient, it gave Kallen the impression that they respected and admired their leader in its own peculiar way. Yes, that was the perfect way to call it.
She liked that. They weren't lambs, they followed their criteria.
Leaving aside the detail that the three reasons were three pretexts to justify his laziness, C.C. had an excellent point. It was reasonable for him to go with «Viper Tongue» this first time. Finishing their lunch, they dispersed to carry out their assigned tasks. Lelouch and Kallen went to the university's Institute for Scientific Research. Lelouch requested to speak with the chief, stating that he had to deal with an urgent matter involving the trial of Miss Nina Einstein (he assured that the director would attend to them without a doubt as soon as they told him that name). He added that promptness and precision were two of his virtues. In the lead up to the meeting, he ordered Kallen not to take part. She disagreed. What was the point of bringing her if Lelouch was going to take care of everything? However, Kallen could no longer protest because at that moment the boss arrived. He was a tall, lanky man wearing khaki pants and a blue coat. Behind the lenses of his glasses, crow's feet and gray-blue eyes peeked out.
"It's a pleasure to meet the director of this institute. I'm Lelouch Lamperouge, a lawyer," he introduced himself, offering his hand. The headmaster looked at it, didn't take his own out of his pockets to shake, and looked up again, "and this is my secretary, Miss Kallen Stadtfeld."
He turned to Kallen for a second and smiled at her. He had seen countless smiles, every of many kinds. And since she worked in a pizzeria, she had to rehearse a polite smile to greet customers. It didn't matter if she felt dead inside, she could never stop smiling. She noticed that same tiredness of stretching the corners of the man's lips. "It's normal", she supposed. Being the director of an institute must be exhausting and to get to that position he had to climb long before.
"Pleasure. I'm professor Lloyd Asplund," he greeted them. His voice was mechanical. Just like a computer. "What brings you here?"
Alright. The man got to the point. The talk will be short.
"You see, sir. We have come for one of your investigators. You must work with many scientists, but you may remember their names. You could have taught her. The name is Nina Einstein."
"She was one of my best students, indeed," he agreed. "And she is one of our researchers."
"Ah! You do know her." Lelouch smiled, pretending to be glad. "You're probably aware that Nina filed a lawsuit against the Britannia Corps. She was the victim of an alleged sexual abuse. Terrible, right?" He asks. Lloyd heard it with narrowed eyes. Numb with history. He must have the reference clear in his mind, so that Lelouch could go to the important point of his visit. "The thing is, I'm afraid Nina is lying. Forgive me; I don't know how to say this delicately."
Lloyd frowned gently. The algorithm in his mind froze. Something had gone wrong with his computer program. They truly caught his attention. Kallen glanced at Lelouch, as if that would reveal his intentions. Why didn't he ask him about his project? Wasn't it to investigate the reason they came to?
"It's an interesting hypothesis, what are the arguments on which your premise it's based?" He questioned, crossing his arms.
"If you attend the trial, you'll see for yourself."
"Don't waste my time if you don't have them," he laughed, shocked by the cynical response. The professor took off his glasses and polished the rectangular lenses with the hem of his shirt. "Why would I have to go to trial?"
"Why not?" He replied without erasing the smile, returning the question. "She was one of your brightest students. I bet you invited her to join the institute or that she proposed it to you, partly because she loves science, partly because she has a deep affection for it. And now she's the victim of a disastrous event, have you called her to express your support?" Lelouch asked him. The lawyer didn't stop to pause or to allow his interlocutor to breathe, he continued: "I couldn't help but notice that Nina, in the trials, is alone. There is no family member or friend who's with her. It's sad, you know. When she goes to the stage, her shaking knees bump against each other and when she takes a seat, she looks so small and thin. Nina can't even stare at the prosecutor's face. At first, I thought it was fear. Then I understood that it was shyness. It pains me to see how a young woman handles this," Lelouch commented ruefully. The scientist put the glasses back on his nose, visibly uncomfortable. Lelouch had not finished, he needed to add something else and his reaction told him that this was the moment he was waiting for. He said, "If you don't go because you believe in me, you should go because you believe in her."
"And what does the defendant in the case want from me?" He inquired. "I mean, so you can give me details on this, you've been there and since you mentioned the fact, you're a lawyer, I made it clear," he explained, shrugging.
"It's true. I should have started there. It was my mistake," he conceded. "The third part of the trial will be held shortly and I'll present as evidence a recording that I've revealing that she sued my client in order to obtain the financing that her project needed, unless she confesses. It will be my last play. There's no way I'll lose the trial once I use it".
"There he goes with his lies! Will he never stop?" Kallen thought. It was true that she just joined the team and was learning about the case, but if he had something so valuable, he would have taken it out in this trial and automatically would have won it. Kallen caught herself. No matter how angry she was, they were working together now and he was very express with that order. She would discuss it later.
"So that's it. Do you want me to dissuade her from dropping all charges?"
"It would be better than exposing her as a liar in front of everyone, don't you think?" Lelouch asked. "I wouldn't want it, but only then will my client get his freedom back. I have a feeling that there are no winners in this trial. I'm sure your former student isn't fully aware of your actions. I know her by sight and she doesn't seem like a bad person," he explained. Lelouch was silent for a minute. "What time is it?" He changed the subject, turned to Kallen, then turned to the headmaster, embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, Professor Asplund: I stole more time from you than I promised. Let's go. Have a nice day."
"You too," he wished them politely.
When they arrived, the man was listless, reluctant to talk to them. When they came out, he was abstracted, much less defensive. Lelouch and Kallen left the building quickly. She was mulling over what happened behind. How to approach it? Pfffff! What difference did it make? She wasn't good at making long-term plans. Those schedules didn't always turn out the way she wanted. She was better at improvising. At the risk of being wrong and that he would make a fool of her once again, Kallen confronted him:
"You said at the restaurant that we would come here to find out more about the project," the woman snapped, weighing each word she uttered. "You didn't do it…"
"Of course. I'm a lawyer, not a detective. That man wasn't going to tell me about the project. It's confidential information. And I'm not going to deal with nuclear power with him. My knowledge is limited in that field; about people, I know much more.
"Was it for that reason that you talked about Nina?" She inquired. It was when she thought about it for the second time. Her mind cleared as she understood. "Ah! I see." She smiled confidently. "The refrain project belonged to Nina, yours was Professor Asplund."
"You paid attention," Lelouch contemplated, pleased.
"You lied to him," she spat disdainfully.
"Actually, that was information management. I used that I already knew and played with the one I didn't know," he replied haughtily in self-defense.
"I don't think you convinced him to dissuade Nina."
"It wasn't my purpose to do so," he confessed, slowing himself down. As if it were a knee-jerk reflex, she mimicked him. "All I want is for him to attend the third trial."
As soon as Lelouch whispered that, he put his hands behind his back and walked to stand in front of Kallen. She shot him a challenging look. He was been doing it frequently lately. "About people, I know a lot." Had said. She felt how remembering those words made them etched in her memory. Lelouch could feel how her fiery eyes were judging him.
"And that way, you'll be able to pressure Nina using Lloyd," Kallen muttered in a restrained voice.
"We all have a weak point," he confirmed, nodding.
"And do you think he'll go?"
"Men have a protective instinct," he explained. "If Lloyd has the slightest appreciation for her, he'll want to run to protect poor Nina."
"What you're planning is emotional blackmail."
"Isn't illegal."
"Nor is it honest."
Lelouch didn't resist the urge to smile at her. It was a smile so sharp it cut like a knife. Behind them, the sky turned an intense saffron tone that disagreed with the clouds, painting them purple, the color of the lawyer's eyes. The sun cast its rays through them, bouncing off Lelouch's face. Shading it.
"I studied law for seven years. It's a little more than what I did in the college. I realized that it was imperfect: it had many gaps. But my biggest discovery was that it doesn't matter how you observe the law, but how you use it."
He closed that sentence in a very special tone. So sweetly kinky that Kallen felt a chill run down her spine. She brought her hands into the waist.
"Lawyer Lamperouge, answer me from the heart," Kallen began, though just then she paused involuntarily. She didn't know how to ask the question. They weren't going to be standing there forever, so she let out a sigh that had come from her soul, "what's your point in making me witness this?"
"Just like I told you at the party, you have the passion and determination to be a good lawyer. You lack discipline. When I see the sparkle in your eyes, I know you want to fight for justice," Lelouch explained, taking a step. Kallen backed away cautiously. "Unfortunately, you won't find the justice you seek for, you have to make it," he said sententiously. The Japanese woman frowned trying to process her words. If Kallen had heard correctly, she caught a hint of pain in that sentence. "The path that I'm teaching you is the one you must follow. This is the only one that works."
Lelouch marked another step. Kallen couldn't move from her place. She nodded weakly and rubbed the back of her neck, as if reality was too harsh to accept.
"I don't know. Your methods don't…" She was suddenly silent, paling. "SHIT!"
As she screamed, Kallen pulled Lelouch by the arm out of the way. They were surrounded on all sides by three black cars. Men wearing masks got out. They were quick to push Kallen away from him. He immediately rushed over to her in an attempt to retrieve her. He didn't count on one having a steel bar that went straight into his stomach. Lelouch collapsed. The mysterious assailants picked him up, put a hood over his head, and put him inside one of the vehicles, almost throwing him in the back seat and Kallen too. Lelouch heard the engine roar. Beneath his feet he felt the floor shake sharply. They were being taken to who knows where.
"Who are you?! Where are you taking us to?!" Lelouch gasped with his heart stuck in his throat. "What do you want?!"
Certainly, Lelouch could answer himself. It was obvious who had sent them to kidnap. However, he needed to find out what exactly they intended to do and for that he had to establish a dialogue with his captors pretending that he had no idea of anything. One of them struggled with his mask for a while in an effort to remove it. Having already accomplished that, the first thing he did was tossing the mask that was suffocating him into a corner. His face was covered in bloodstains. He didn't wash the skin very well. Shit! The individual added the mental note that he would no longer make masks on the hush. Not from recent victims, at least. The red frost wasn't wiped off; instead, he took a deep breath. The gesture was so exaggerated that it was slightly obscene to the eye.
"Shhhhhhh! All in due time. Don't be afraid. We won't go very far. Just long enough so that no one interrupts our game," he replied, finishing the sentence with a shrill hyena laugh that Lelouch was hideously familiar. "We're going to play a fun game in which if you do everything I say, you could live and if you cheat, she'll die; so, you better listen very well..."
"Let's go baby. Don't you want to go out and play? I assure you that we'll have a lot of fun".
Now he could be sure it was him.
Luciano Bradley.
* In the anime, Kaguya is Suzaku's cousin. Not here though, why? Because it was more convenient for me that she was related to this man with whom she shared more time on the screen than with Suzaku. To be honest, I didn't see any use for it, did it affect Suzaku in any way knowing that her cousin was with the Black Knights or did it affect Kaguya that Suzaku served Britannia? No; so, I saw no problem in applying the change.
A / N: Forget about movie monsters. Now, Luciano Bradley will terrify them at night. Already after having concluded the first two parts of this story, I feel that in each part there's a chapter that's weak compared to the rest. In the second book, it's chapter 17 (it's the one I like the least of the ones I've written on a personal level in the whole novel, in fact); in this first part, I would say that it is this chapter. Still, we had some really good things like this shocking ending and the talk between Schneizel and Nina, which is my favorite scene from the chapter (although I also loved that confrontation from Kallen to Lelouch down the stretch). Nina was pleasantly surprised. She has some excellent dialogue. By the way, did you see that she's lying and Kirihara is innocent? Did the truth match your theories? Both Nina and Schneizel have shown us their true colors. Kirihara didn't end up imprisoned by Charles, but by Schneizel. From this chapter on, the phrases that should be kept as a collection begin to fall. A simple view, one would say that the "Secrets" of the chapter are those of Charles; but he's not the only one hiding things. There are other characters that keep secrets and lie. This chapter was finally called "Lies and Secrets" and I changed it since I wanted the chapter titles of this novel to be a word or a phrase as well as the story itself. As we go along, you'll see who the other liars are. Now, time for the round of questions: what the hell is Project Geass? What is Charles up to? Will Schneizel find out? What did you think of the introduction of Shirley, Kaguya and Rolo? How will our beloved lawyer manage to win the trial? Has he convinced Lloyd? But before that! Can Lelouch and Kallen survive Bradley's death trap? Make sure to answer them or tell me whatever you think in the comments. You guys know that I really appreciate reading them.
We'll be reading each other in the next chapter of this story: "Rough Diamonds".
That said, see you all later! Kisses on the tail, roasted marshmallows!
PS: Next chapter it's for me, Sr. Translator, my most favorite one until now. Will you guys agreed? Hope so. Else I'll quit (?