Four hours. Four . . . fucking . . . hours. Four hours they had been in court now with a seemingly endless supply of 'evidence' to support the claim that 'the defendant is an idiot.'
Only one person within the whole room looked as if they hadn't been drained and sucked of all their life force. It was the person presenting said evidence: Ichimatsu.
Karamatsu felt as if he wanted to just outright volunteer himself for the death penalty if it meant that it would make this end; if it meant that Ichimatsu would just shut the hell up already. 'That bastard, he's actually enjoying this . . .,' Kara could only stare at his brother, his 'defense' with sunken, tired eyes.
Even though Ichimatsu had his usual indifferent poise about him as he displayed one piece of 'evidence' after another, Karamatsu could just feel that he was smiling on the inside with each old test paper he showed, each dated homework assignment, and each creepy stalker-tier photo and video that got presented to everyone.
"God . . . are you ever going to stop?" Karamatsu felt like collapsing as he mumbled towards his brother while Ichi slapped down the next photograph on the overhead projector that showed the image nice and big.
Ichimatsu ignored that question though, "And this photo . . . is from the defendant's second year of high school." Displayed on the screen was a photo that suddenly woke Karamatsu and half the courtroom up.
"I-Ichimatsu! What are you doing showing th-" Karamatsu tried to protest, but Ichimatsu proceeded.
The image was of a much younger Karamatsu snorting white powder on a school desk with a group of other male students behind him all smiling wide and appearing to laugh. "My client was actually dumb enough to believe that what he was consuming in this photograph was cocaine. When in reality . . .," whipping out a pen from his pocket, Ichi used the tip of it to tap at a certain point of focus within the picture. One of the other students was holding what appeared to be a spice container. "It was citric acid, as you can see on the bottle here."
Even with the cuffs around his wrists, Karamatsu had flung his hands to his face to cover himself in pure humiliation.
"Now may I present to you this other suggestive photograph," Ichi switched out the pictures, placing another one down of Karamatsu stepping out of a Pizza-La carrying a large pizza box at his side, tucked under his arm. "This one is much more recent. A year ago. Who carries a pizza home like that? I will tell you, your honor-an idiot does."
Spreading his index and third fingers, Kara peered through to see the image being exhibited. He both felt his cheeks burn and face go pale at the same time. That photo really did look like it was from a year ago, and the fact that Ichimatsu had such a thing? Why. How.
"Next . . .," Ichi went back over to the laptop, bringing up another movie file, "I will show you a final montage that further supports this claim."
A heavy exhale left Karamatsu as he dropped his hands back down. How thankful he was to hear the word 'final' despite the heavier consuming dread of this on-coming montage. Whatever it may be.
The video started. And of course, Ichimatsu had to narrate every scene that progressed due to the sound being amiss. "First, you can see him sitting at Starbucks, which is a crime in itself with how sugary their coffee is. For some unknown, ungodly reason, a child asks him the time. While holding his coffee, he turns his wrist to look at his watch . . . which . . . causes the hot drink to spill all over his lap. Dumbass."
It wasn't until Karamatsu felt just how dry his tongue felt at the moment that he realized he was standing there with his mouth dropped wide open again in viewing this occurrence. That had been around three months ago, if he could recall? And he surely didn't remember seeing Ichimatsu in that Starbucks at all!
"After that . . .," Ichi continued as the scene changed, "we see my client attempting to make cookies. He drops the bag of flour, spilling it everywhere. Now . . . it appears he's getting ready to clean it. Responsible? Not likely, because he throws water over it in thinking that would be an acceptable way to wipe it up. What a fool-"
"Hey-!" Kara whispered, trying to tug at his brother, but he only got his hand slapped away. Kara tried looking at everyone else, the judges, the officers, and even damn Atsushi! Was no one going to say a thing or question how the defense got a hold of all this video!? Was it because they were brothers, that everyone assumed it was okay? That flour scene was clearly shot through a window!
"Now we have another kitchen event," an extremely minute smile pulled the corner of Ichimatsu's lip. "He's cutting up a carrot when suddenly . . . he drops the knife. But, instead of just letting it fall or moving out of the way, he actually tries to catch it before it hits the floor, and . . ." Within the scene, Karamatsu succeeds in seizing the falling blade. It slices into his hand, blood instantly protruding between his fingers and leaking down his arm as he yells, but the sound remained muted. "Well . . .," Ichimatsu's smile was no longer such a small one, "you can see the result of that here. What kind of muppet would do that?"
The video now showed the outdoors with a vehicle stopped at an intersection with a line of cars behind it. "And at last . . ." Ichimatsu announced, "Is the defendant waiting at a stop sign. An officer approaches, knocks on his window, and asks what the problem is. The sound has been disabled, but . . ." a sheet of paper was pulled from the overstuffed file and Ichi held it up, "This is the report from that day, as Matsuno Karamatsu received a ticket for disturbing traffic. When questioned, as is stated here, the defendant claimed that he was . . . and I quote . . .," Ichi cleared his throat and turned his eyes down to read from the paper, " 'I was waiting for the stop sign to turn green to go,' . . . This shit for brains." The video ended.
"Oh God . . . Oh thank God . . .," Karamatsu literally face-planted against the podium, "It's over . . . it's finally ov-"
"At this moment, I'll give the final showcase of the rest of the defendant's schoolwork now that we finished the photos and videos."
"WH-NO!" Kara shot back up into a straight stand, "You can't be serious! Just stooooooop already! I'm begg-"
"Let's go back to elementary school to show you, your honor, that the case of Karamatsu Matsuno being an idiot has been persistent at every stage of his life. So we have . . ." a 'new' paper of a very old assignment was set on the projector. "This math homework. I'd like to bring your attention to some particularly moronic answers here." The pent was put to use again as Ichi tapped its tip at the question he read out lout, "Question seven: The average age of a 36 month-year-old is? . . . And my client answered, '36 months'. Question twelve: Write the Roman numeral of 19: . . . What did my client write? '19'."
The next paper was thrown on top of the current math one then as Ichimatsu went on still, "Science. Question two: Who invented the light bulb? He said, 'Colonel Sanders.' Question eight: What is the opposite a matter? The answer you see here is 'it doesn't matter' . . . when the correct answer is simply antimatter. Ah . . . let's do middle school Geography and Social Studies next, shall we?"
Karamatsu shook his head, eyes watering. "No! No we shall not!" It seemed to have been spoken to the dead though with no one reacting to it. Especially not Ichimatsu as he slapped a further sheet of paper down for display.
"Question one: What is earth's largest continent? The defendant claimed, 'Mordor'. Now if we go down to . . . yes, here it is . . . question twenty-three. 'What country did the Great Potato Famine take place in. Write down the answer and circle the country on the global map.'" This was serious since Ichimatsu pointed with his finger instead of the pen, "And what do we see here? That Karamatsu Matsuno circled the USA and wrote down, 'Idaho' as his answer."
And with that, the projector was turned off. Karamatsu never thought he'd enjoy hearing the sound of a switch so much in his life. How awful he felt, too. His whole body felt heavy, like every organ had been individually taken out and put in a vice. With everything Ichimatsu had just said, brought up, and went over, he really did feel like an idiot. Which, in turn, made him feel like he just wanted to crawl inside a hole in Mordor and die alone. At least . . . that part was over now . . . right?
Right?
Right!?
"And lastly, your honor . . ."
"AHHH~!" Karamatsu outright screamed out, tossing his head back, "I CAN'T TAKE IT!"
The pound of the hammer rung throughout the courtroom along with Judge Kanojo's command, "Order! I will have order in my court, Mr. Matsuno!"
Promptly Karamatsu cringed his shoulders up and lowered his head. "S . . . sorry."
Ichimatsu smirked all over again, "Thank you, your honor," he gave a narrow look at Karamatsu, the first look he actually gave him since he started the showcase to support the plea. "This is, perhaps, the most important proof for his deniability to be reasonable based on his idiocy." Another paper was withdrawn from the folder. This one was much smaller and thinner than the previous ones. "What I have here, is a receipt," Ichimatsu held it up high. "I'd like you to see it in person instead of it being projected . . ."
Without asking permission, Ichimatsu walked up to the judges' bench and dropped the receipt off in front of Judge Kanojo. She gasped upon seeing it. The other judges and the six lay judges all did the same then as it was passed around.
"That's right . . .," Ichimatsu pointed at Karamatsu, "Karamatsu Matsuno actually pre-ordered an EA game!"
Everyone, even the officers, shook their head in dismay.
Tears streamed down Karamatsu's cheeks. "Please! It was-"
"AND!" Ichimatsu stomped a foot closer, his shoes touching right up against the corner of the stand Kara sat at, "If you still have any doubts about the state of this thing's mind, may I present to you, right-here-right-now, real time evidence of idiocy!"
From behind his back, Ichimatsu pulled out a white cone with a large, fluffy pink mass around it. He held it out to his brother.
Karamatsu took a large sniff in, trying to wipe at his eyes with the back of his hands within their cuffs. "Ichima . . . Th-thank you . . . ," he reached out, grabbing the cone, though with some difficulty. "I will . . . I will accept this cotton candy as an apology. I knew you didn't really want to make me feel this way . . . ah . . ." he took a breath and chomped down on the cottony treat.
One bite. It was only one bite that Karamatsu took before letting out a yelp in dropping the 'cotton candy.' "AH-!" He spat the pink matter out of his mouth along with several droplets of blood.
"IT'S FIBERGLASS INSULATION, YOU MORON!" Ichimatsu promptly gave Kara a smack to the back of the head and then gestured towards the judges. "I rest my case."
"A-ah-! I'm . . . I'm bleeding!" Karamatsu tried cupping his mouth as continuous red leaked from his lips and over his chin, dripping down on the podium. "C-court adjourned!? Court adjourned, please!"
"Tch-" Ichimatsu snorted and re-took his seat at the defense table, not even waiting for the judges' direction to do so.
"Er-" Judge Kanojo struck her hammer, "Alteration of the defendant's plea has been accepted based on reasonable explanation that he is intellectually challenged due to pre-ordering an EA game. The court has no further questions and is adjourned. It would be wise for Mr. Matsuno to seek medical attention."
That minute smirk over Ichimatsu that tried to hard so stay hidden appeared again.
"Ichimatsu!" Karamatsu literally sobbed, "Ichimatsu, Ichimatsu, Ichimatsu, brother, help me!"
"Yeah yeah . . ." Ichi got up again and grabbed hold of Karamatsu's waist rope, tugging on it. "C'mon. Bathroom," he yanked at him, causing for Kara to trip over the stand as he stepped down.
It wasn't a long walk to the bathroom, but the whole while small whines dropped from Karamatsu due to the burning pain within his mouth.
"Rinse your mouth out-" Ichimatsu directed as he pushed his brother at a sink. "Why the hell did you have to confess when being interrogated-and my notes said it only took a total of ten minutes for you to do so. Now look what you caused me to do because of that."
"I'm . . . I'm sorry . . . I was . . . er-" Another sniff in was taken before he turned the faucet water on, struggling in the process.
"Scared?" Ichi lifted an eyebrow as his face showed slight amusement, though his tone remained indifferent.
Karamatsu could only manage to give a half nod before turning his upper body and craning his neck to try and let the water rinse his mouth out. Even with the water falling over half his face, it still didn't hide his own running tears.
"Hmph-stop crying already. You know how difficult it is to get the court to agree to roll back a guilty plea? You should be thanking me. Because either way, I'll get your gratitude."
Another grunt pressed through Karamatsu as he pulled himself back and turned the water off. "You made me feel like an idiot . . ."
"Because you are."
"Ah- . . . at least I knew Idaho was in America," he mumbled, but Ichimatsu was not having another second as he gave another lug of the rope. Another trip was had from Kara's feet.
There was that uncomfortable silence between them again. Or, at least it was uncomfortable for Karamatsu. With all the talking Ichimatsu had just done in the courtroom, he was now silent the whole way back to his apartment.
The elevator ride up to the top floor felt so long . . . too long. Karamatsu swallowed hard as he looked at his own reflection within the elevator mirrors. He took a breath in, making fists with his hands as he tried to gather up the courage to speak . . . To ask.
"Uh . . . Ichimatsu . . . brother . . ."
More silence.
It seemed the other was not going to reply, but Karamatsu made himself continue anyway, "Last . . . last night . . . did you . . ."
Further silence.
" . . ."
The only response was the ping of the elevator reaching its destination.
"Let's go," Ichimatsu stated without looking at Karamatsu.
The apartment still felt so foreign to Karamatsu as he was pushed back within the disguised Hell. Idly he stared at the approaching cats, but he blinked out of the on-coming dissociative trance when feeling a minor amount of wet warmth over his chin. "Ah . . .," he lifted his now-freed hands, swiping a finger over the liquid to see red coating it. "I think I'm still bleeding . . ."
But still, Ichimatsu did not give any sort of attention to the other man-both words and sight. He just went about feeding the mewing cats and giving them fresh water.
"Er . . ." Karamatsu sighed and then felt like he wanted to just give up for the day. "You know . . .," he sat on the couch, closing his eyes as he turned his head down, "you really have a special sort of way of making people feel like shit," he muttered, not sure, not caring, if his brother would acknowledge him.
"I'm a lawyer. That's what I do," Ichimatsu moved himself over to the back of the couch.
This immediately perked Karamatsu's eyes open as he turned around to look at him, really not expecting to have heard any sort of response.
"Hey . . ."
Karamatsu stared for a second, then blinked a few times as he still had a hard time comprehending that a conversation was actually happening? ". . . Yeah?"
"Who said you could sit on my couch?" Ichi pushed Kara forward from behind, causing him to fall from the sofa to the floor.
"Awhaa! You're so mean!" Karamatsu whined, quickly, wobbly, standing up. "You make me feel so stupid and lousy all day, and I can't even sit on a couch!?"
"Shut up. Or I'll do it for you." That look was starting to cross over Ichi again as he stared with constricted pupils and forward eyebrows, which really did make Karamatsu silence himself.
The younger brother snorted a harsh breath through his nose as he turned slightly and bent down. The ruffling of a bag sounded.
Without having time to realize, something had been tossed against Karamatsu's face and fell at his feet. "Huh . . ." he knelt, picking up whatever it was. Upon holding the items out, stars sparkled within his eyes in seeing it was his clothing! His own, actual clothing! His precious, shimmering, blue-metallic short-shorts and his favorite tank-the one with his gorgeous face on it! "Wh . . . When did you get these!?" he beamed, eyes watering all over again. Though this time the tears were from pure joy.
"Get changed. Remember we're going food shopping."
"Are . . . are you sure?" Karamatsu canted his head, slight confusion claiming him as he had thought out of everyone of his brothers, it was Ichimatsu who hated to be seen with him the most for some reason when he wore his flashy clothing (though he couldn't understand why-as it he thought it looked so cool on his person).
"Get changed-" he repeated, vexation nearing.
"Right, right! Of course!" It didn't take long for the suit and tie to be tossed and replaced by the all-too-tight shorts and sleeveless top. It also felt good to be smiling again, and Karamatsu stood tall with his hands on his hips. "Aha! I am back, baby~!" he declared in his beloved English. "The art that is my body cannot bare to be hidden by the everyday grind of a suit and tie! Destiny shines down upon me to bask within the beauty of fashion! Now all I need are my shades and-"
"God, you look awful-" Ichimatsu was baring his teeth.
"But-" Kara frowned with the interruption, confused all over again. "Then . . . why did you-"
"I hate to admit it . . ."
The smile popped back over Kara as he expected to hear a compliment about his appearance.
"But being in court today made me realize there was an oversight with my preparation for you."
The smile was instantaneously gone again over Karamatsu. "What was that . . ."
"The waist rope."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"You're my responsibility throughout this trial. When we walked into the courthouse, the officers had to hook you up and bring you in . . . When it should have been me."
"Are you sure? Isn't it standard for-"
"So I'm going to correct this."
"Uh . . ." like snakes those internal knot started to slither their way within Karamatsu's stomach again as he watched his brother walk over to that same table he had gotten the collar around his neck from. Only this time he opened the drawer next to the one he had went in previously.
A clanging chime emitted, and Karamatsu recognized the sound immediately: A chain.
"Ah yes, this will do . . ." Ichimatsu brought into sight what Karamatsu had feared. Indeed it was a chain . "Really . . . what was I thinking . . ." the smile had been over Ichi now as he moved around the sofa, closer to his twin. "Giving you a collar without a leash? I must really be overworked." With one hand, he dug into his suit jacket's inner pocket and withdrew a miniature key that belonged to the collar around Karamatsu's neck.
The lock was undone, but only for some few fleeting seconds so that the last chain's link could be placed within the hook of the band.
That cold sweat was back taking over Karamatsu. The knots had tied him down, while the phantom chill within the room kept him frozen.
"There we go~ . . ." Ichimatsu took a step back, still holding the opposite end of the 'leash'. "Much better." The chain clanged once more as he gave a couple tugs of it. "So . . . let's head out."
"Whoa-wait, you can't-" Karamatsu hastily reached up, wrapping his hands around the chain to try to keep himself steady from his brother's pulls. "You seriously want to go out like this? I mean-"
"Excuse me . . .?" Ichimatsu's eyes were wide and his pupils were once more constricted as he no longer appeared entertained at all.
"Uh . . . I was just saying that-"
"Ehhhh?" Ichimatsu wrapped his other hand around the chain as well then. With one swift whisk of his wrist, he hauled Karamatsu towards him.
With the sudden driving action, Karamatsu nearly fell over himself. Nearly. Instead he fell right against his brother's chest. He didn't even have a moment to take a breath before he was coughing with how Ichimatsu latched his fingers around the collar itself and jerked his head up towards him even further.
"Did you just try to give me a command?" Ichimatsu lowly growled the words just half and inch away from Karamatsu's lips.
With the labored way that he was breathing, Karamatsu was sure that Ichimatsu could hear just how heavily he swallowed at that moment. He was sure Ichimatsu could feel him quivering against him. "N-no . . . I didn't-"
"Hmmm?" the grave look within Ichi's gaze drew deeper, "No? No? Because I think you did. You were about to tell me that I can't do something. What was it?"
Karamatsu felt as if his heart was skipping beats. Ichimatsu appeared horrifying right now, and he felt horrified himself. And yet through the freezing fear of it all, Kara actually felt over-heated too at the moment. With the way Ichi's breath felt hitting against his wounded, sensitive lips, he couldn't keep from feeling dizzy from the burning of his cheeks. "It was . . . nothing . . ."
That silence; Ichimatsu's silence, relentlessly came back. He just stared at him.
It was Ichimatsu's stare that Karamatsu realized what had been causing for him to hold his breath rather than the way the collar was virtually choking him.
"Hmph-" it was a harsh snort that broke the stilled-air.
The air that was now hitting back against Karamatsu as Ichimatsu released him and stepped back. And for some reason, Kara felt himself frowning with the added space between them.
The chain hit acutely against the floor as Ichi also let go of that, causing for both Kara and the surrounding cats to jump. "It's in my profession to detect when someone is lying, you know-" Ichimatsu scowled and headed for the spiral staircase. "Don't you dare take one fucking step."
Karamatsu felt like his neck was going to break when he gave a nod, but the second his brother was out of sight, he let go of the heaviest exhale and pressed his hands to his burning face. "What the hell is wrong with me . . . I need . . . my sunglasses."
It didn't take long for the other to return, and each footstep that rung against the steel staircase made Karamatsu shudder.
Within his hand, Ichimatsu held something compact, round, with a small strap attached to it: A ████ that was meant for the male ████. Though, it was turned off. For the moment. "Such a shame that I'm going to have to remind you of your place so soon, isn't it . . .," Ichi asserted with a newfound grin, "Now . . . you're going to pull your disgusting shorts down, put your punishment around yourself, and we're going to go grocery shopping."