The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hi there! It's me, Hide Shinyama!
Sorry for the delay… I was sick the last few days, so I needed to rest a bit. But don't worry, I won't abandon my story – unlike many other fanfiction-writers have done. But anyway…
The day of the court trial. It's finally here!
But with Motohama in the Prison Hospital, how will Issei and Matsuda cope?
And what lies ahead of them in court?
Well, let's find out with…
Chapter 7 – The Trio in Court
8th September, Saturday, about 5:30 am – Kuoh Police Prison Cell
Issei and Matsuda got up from their bed, Issei from the top bunk and Matsuda from the lower bunk.
Ever since the incident yesterday, Issei and Matsuda had the bunk-beds for themselves. While they were glad that they didn't have to share one of the beds with one or the other anymore, not having Motohama around felt kind of… empty.
Motohama was sent to the prison hospital ward because of his injuries and thus couldn't be here. Matsuda shuddered as he remembered his close brush with death – and the even closer brush Motohama had with it, too…
Matsuda was glad that Issei even had something as handy as the Boosted Gear. He wished he had one… He wouldn't want to be dead weight to Issei, after all. Presume, someone else like Officer Ito had a grudge against them and tried to kill them, it would really be great if he had anything worth defending himself with.
Speaking of Officer Ito… the trial was coming up. He really didn't want to face their accusers in court, who were probably made up of Officer Ito's and Mikasa's remaining family… and Mina's and Karen's families, as well!
Oh well… at least they had lawyer Kashiwazaki…
For now, all they could do until 10 am (that is when the trial begins) is to prepare a strategy with their lawyer. But because it was way too early for Mr. Kashiwazaki to show up (he was to show up at 8 am), Matsuda and Issei decided to train.
And so the two of them did push-ups, frog-jumps and some hand-to-hand combat, but it just wasn't the same…
Both still had Motohama on their mind. They pictured him lying down in a bed in the Prison Hospital with bandages covering his body. Who knows when he'll be released? And even if he was released, how will his injuries affect him? Will he ever use his arm again?
While Matsuda was thinking, he saw that Issei, too, had the same look of seriousness on his face, he had.
"Hey, Issei…" Matsuda spoke up. Issei moved his head towards him.
"Yeah, what's up?" Issei asked.
"Do you think… that Motohama will be ok?" Matsuda asked concerned.
Issei didn't say anything for a while, as he tried to think of an appropriate answer.
"Hmmm… I think he'll make it, but I don't know if he'll ever use his arm again…" Issei responded.
'You thought the same as me, huh?' Matsuda thought. The bullet did go through Motohama's shoulder. Something like that can't be without life-changing consequences…
"But there's something else I'm worried about…" Issei said.
"Is it about the trial?" Matsuda asked. To his surprise, Issei shook his head.
"No… though I can't say that I'm not bothered about it either," Issei replied.
"Well, what is it?" Matsuda asked again.
"It's about… us, actually – or our future more specifically," Issei answered.
Matsuda looked at his friend confused. Future? What on earth was he talking about? As though Issei read his thoughts, Issei answered his questions.
"I mean, although we are in the same prison cell together, we're being charged for different reasons, correct?"
Matsuda nodded. Indeed. Issei was charged for battery, causing grievous bodily harm and attempted manslaughter. Matsuda and Motohama on the other hand were charged for sexual assault and inflicting harm on a girl.
Wait a minute… Could it be…?
"Issei, you're not actually saying…" Matsuda said in fear.
"Yes," Issei nodded. "There is a chance, we could be sentenced to differing degrees of punishment, including…" Issei looked down in dread. "…me being sentenced for a longer prison sentence…"
Matsuda stood agape, as he heard Issei's answer.
Indeed, that was his biggest fear. Being sentenced to differing prison terms – that was Matsuda feared the most. Away from Issei… away from Motohama… locked away in a prison cell somewhere far away from each other…
Matsuda and Issei were told that in case they were sentenced, they would have to serve separately from each other – something they also feared might happen.
'Sentenced… Who knows for how long we'll even be apart… one year, five years, ten years?' Matsuda thought in dread.
Before Matsuda could continue his line of thought, Issei continued to speak.
"On top of that, Motohama will have a different trial date… I think… who knows how long he'll be in that hospital before he gets his trial… so that is definitely going to separate us on the long term…" he said sadly.
Matsuda didn't reply. He just looked at Issei in sadness.
"ISSEI!" Matsuda shouted as he suddenly hugged him.
Issei felt rather awkward at Matsuda hugging him, but decided to return the gesture, since he himself also felt sadness at the thought of being separated from his friends Matsuda and Motohama.
They stood there for what felt like an eternity, not caring if anyone (including Ddraig) was going to look at them funny because of how desperate they were.
"I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE, MAN! I WANT THE PERVERTED TRIO TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER!" Matsuda wailed.
Issei just stood there hugging his friend, as he comforted him with his presence.
"Dude…" Issei said softly.
"Yeah…?" Matsuda whispered.
"Whatever happens, we'll always be together… You… Me… and Motohama… Promise…" Issei comforted Matsuda.
Matsuda smiled softly, as Issei comforted him.
"I'd like to believe that, but what makes you so sure…?" Matsuda asked.
"I… I don't know," Issei admitted. "I just have a feeling that we will…"
Matsuda didn't know what to say. He just decided to cherish the moment, as they continued to hug each other.
Ddraig couldn't help but speak out loud at this.
[*chuckle* What a sweet young couple you are… Instead of chasing girls, you should pursue each other, instead…] Ddraig joked.
""SHUT UP, DDRAIG! WE'RE NOT GAY!"" Issei and Matsuda exclaimed in unison.
Seriously, did Ddraig really have to disturb their moment of bromance?
They shook their heads, but continued hugging each other for the next half-an-hour. Cherishing what might be their last moment together until the foreseeable future.
It might take them an eternity until they meet again, but their friendship that they and Motohama established by their common love for boobs and porn from middle school was worth preserving…
What none in the cell knew was that the perverted trio staying together for a long time might actually become reality.
For outside the cell lurked a mysterious being that had been watching Matsuda and Issei with interest, as they hugged each other. That creature… whatever it was, only giggled as it looked on.
'Those two seem to be quite the perverts… I was right to focus on them… And with that Motohama fellow, they seem to be just the right candidates…' it thought, before it faded away.
Just like with Officer Ito, nobody noticed the creature's presence… except Ddraig…
[That scent… I know that kind of scent, but what was it again…] he thought to himself. He didn't bother to say it out loud because he didn't want to disturb Matsuda and Motohama, who were still hugging each other.
[I don't know what it was, but I think you should prepare yourself for the next battle... Partner... no, perverted trio…] Ddraig thought silently to himself.
8th September, Saturday, 9:50 am – Kuoh Police Prison on their way to Kuoh District Court
After meeting and preparing with their lawyer Kashiwazaki on how they were going to proceed with their defense, they were brought to a police van that was supposed to take them to the District court.
It was gray and cloudy outside, as Issei and Matsuda stepped outside into the fresh air – for the first time in days…
'Man, I sure miss being outside, huh? I guess I better enjoy it since I won't be enjoying this for… I don't know how long they'll sentence me,' Issei thought to himself.
Issei and Matsuda were accompanied by their lawyer and several police officers, as they made their way to the van. Before they could enter, though…
"GUYS!" a voice shouted. Everybody turned to look who it was.
To everyone's surprise, they saw Motohama wearing bandages around his left shoulder and arm, being accompanied by several police officers. Motohama was waving his other arm happily towards his two buddies.
Issei and Matsuda were shocked to say the least. They moved their lips flabbergasted, as they tried to comprehend the situation.
What was Motohama doing here? Was he going to court together with them? Wasn't he supposed to be recovering?
All these questions buzzed through their head, as Matsuda approached them.
"What's the meaning of this lieutenant? Why is Todoriki-san here? He's supposed to be recuperating from his injuries," the superior officer asked the lieutenant (it was the same superior officer that was in charge of investigating the perverted trio's prison cell).
"Sir," one of the police officers accompanying Motohama addressed his superior officer. "The prisoner Todoriki claims that he recovered somewhat. He claims that the pain from his injuries suddenly felt like they were alleviated and insisted to come to the trial."
"And did you check up with the doctors? What do they say?" the superior officer asked suspiciously. He couldn't believe that somebody who just received a bullet wound through his shoulder yesterday could be all chipper today.
"Well, sir, they checked and although he still remains injured, the doctors say that they've given him the green light to leave his bed," the lieutenant replied.
The superior officer marveled as he looked at Motohama's arm, but decided to let him come.
"Alright, I'll inform the court room officials that he'll be coming. Bring him into the van along with the others," the superior officer ordered.
They did so, getting Issei, Matsuda, Motohama into the van, before closing the doors.
While the other policemen and the lawyer were getting into their vehicles, Issei looked at Motohama in wonder and asked: "Motohama, how did you recover so fast?"
Motohama shrugged before wincing from the pain on his shoulder wound.
"Who said I recovered…? Ugh…" Matsuda said with pain in his voice. "It still hurts… But not as much as before… For some reason, it hurt like hell yesterday and by the time I woke up the next morning, it faded away just enough for me to get up and walk".
Matsuda and Issei looked at him astounded, but their looks of astonishment turned into looks of happiness.
Motohama looked at them confused. "Uhh… what's with those smiles, guys?" he asked.
"Why? Because you're here… that's why," Matsuda answered.
"Yeah, we're all together again," Issei added.
Motohama just blushed, as he looked away embarrassed.
"Guys, please stop… You're embarrassing me… I mean, it's only been like yesterday since we've seen each other last…"
"Dude!" Issei exclaimed. "We didn't even know whether we would see each other again!"
"Yeah!" Matsuda joined in. "For all we know, we could be… you know… sentenced to different jail terms… or even be separated".
Motohama didn't know what to say. Now that he thought about it, those could have been real possibilities…
"But, guys," Motohama tried to cheer them up. "In the end, we don't know how severe they'll sentence us or even set us free. So, why get all worked up about that? Besides, don't we have Kashiwazaki-san to help us?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot about him…" Issei commented. "We've only known him since yesterday, so we tend to forget him… Right…" Indeed. Lawyer Kashiwazaki was a professional lawyer with a long record of defending offenders their age, so probably he's going to cut some deal for them with the judges of some kind.
The van started to vibrate as it started its motor and started driving.
As the perverted trio tried to hold themselves on the inside of the van, the Boosted Gear appeared and Ddraig spoke to them.
[There is something off with that story you've told us, young Motohama] Ddraig remarked.
Motohama frowned at that. "What do you mean? Are you accusing me of lying?"
[No, it's something about your relatively speedy recuperation that bothers me. You said that it hurt very badly yesterday and today it's much better, right?] Ddraig asked.
"Yeah," Motohama replied. "Didn't I just say that? I mean, granted it still hurts a bit if I touch or move my shoulder, but other than that it's ok".
[And that's where it seems off] Ddraig answered, causing Issei and Matsuda to narrow their eyes in interest.
"Ddraig, what are you trying to say?" Issei asked curiously.
[I'm saying that it's impossible to recuperate this quickly from wounds such as your friend's. Normally, injuries like that take at more than three days to recuperate and even after that one must walk carefully to avoid the pain. Even your predecessors, Partner, needed more than one night to recover from injuries such as yours] Ddraig explained.
The three of them (especially Motohama) looked at the Boosted Gear in shock. Yeah, come to think of it, Motohama's recovery was suspicious fast… But, there probably could be rational reasons for this…
"Say, Motohama," Matsuda asked his friend, getting Motohama's attention.
"It's just a theory, but did the doctors give you some kind of pain-killer to lessen the pain this morning?" Matsuda questioned.
"No," Motohama said, shaking his head. "And that's the funny thing: I asked the doctors the same thing and they said they didn't give me any pain-killers or anesthetics at all. In fact, they seemed rather surprised of my recovery themselves".
Issei and Matsuda widened their eyes in shock, staring at Motohama's injured shoulder in suspicion.
"That's impossible…" Issei said in disbelief. "If what Ddraig said was true, then… how on earth did you recover so quickly?"
Motohama just shrugged with his uninjured shoulder. He had no clue himself.
[Partner, something fishy is going on…] Ddraig said, causing the perverted trio's attention to be on Ddraig once again.
"Fishy?" Issei questioned.
[Yes, since overnight recovery for a shoulder wound like this is impossible and the doctors didn't give your friend here any medications, then something… or someone else must have healed your friend in secret] Ddraig declared.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… time out!" Matsuda exclaimed while making a T-sign with his hands. "You're telling us that someone healed Motohama?" Ddraig affirmed with a grunt.
"But, but… how? And why?" Motohama stuttered in disbelief. He couldn't believe it. Someone healed him? How on earth…?
[I don't know… but the only thing I can say for now, is that something or someone with an ability to heal is responsible for this. Most likely, someone with supernatural healing abilities, no doubt] Ddraig explained.
"Supernatural? Ddraig, are you sure?" Issei asked earnestly.
Supernatural beings were involved in this? Did they notice him? What would they have to gain by healing Motohama? Whatever the case, Issei didn't want to get into a fight anytime soon. They fought Officer Ito and they barely came out of it with their lives. What chance would they have with a supernatural opponent?
[Yes, Partner. I'm very sure. In fact, just yesterday I sensed someone just outside your cell. I'm not sure what it was, but whatever it was, it was watching you] Ddraig replied.
"Ddraig…" Issei said with a deadpanned face.
[Yes, Partner?] Ddraig asked.
"Why didn't you tell us!?" Issei demanded. He was ticked off. Why didn't he tell them something this important?
[Sorry, ehehehe…] Ddraig snickered. [You two were having a cherished moment with each other, so I didn't want to disturb you].
"That didn't prevent you from disturbing us that one time, did it!?" Matsuda exclaimed equally ticked off. Motohama just looked at his friends confused.
"…Cherished moment…?" Motohama asked with a sweatdrop.
""IT'S NOTHING! JUST FORGET ABOUT IT!"" Matsuda and Issei shouted in unison. Motohama flinched at that and asked no more about it.
"But anyway…" Issei said moving back to the topic. "You really have no idea who or what that thing was?"
[Unfortunately, not a clue. But whatever it was, it had its eyes on you or me. I presume that it has been watching us for quite some time now. I bet, it had or someone else related to that thing something to do with your friend's miraculous recovery] Ddraig speculated.
The perverted trio were in deep thought about all these thing, until Motohama spoke up.
"Guys! I think I've got it!" he exclaimed.
"You do?" Matsuda asked hopefully.
"You know what that thing was?" Issei asked with excitement in his eyes.
"Actually… no…" Motohama replied shyly. Issei and Matsuda sagged their shoulders in disappointment. "But I think I know what it's trying to do…" At that, Matsuda's and Issei's eyes were lit up once again.
"Think about it: If this creature is the same creature that watched you and healed me, then that means that thing has our eyes on us three and Ddraig, right?" Motohama explained.
"Well that's true…" Issei reasoned.
"Sounds plausible…" Matsuda joined in.
"Therefore, if that really is the case, then judging by its actions, there is only one thing I'm sure of, of what it's trying to do," Motohama explained. Matsuda and Issei had their full attention on Motohama, awaiting his answer.
"The answer is simple: it wants us to go to court – together!"
Issei, Matsuda and even Ddraig frowned at that.
"Uhhh… what?" Issei asked.
"Yeah, why would something like that want us to go to court together?" Matsuda asked as well.
Motohama only pinched his nose in frustration. "Guys, if you really think about it makes sense. I got healed – ok, partially – by some supernatural means and you guys were being watched by a supernatural creature. Is that a coincidence? Somehow, I doubt it. So, logically it has its eyes on us. And why would that thing heal me anyway? Is it because of goodwill or is there perhaps an ulterior motive?"
Issei, Matsuda and Ddraig thought about it for a while before coming to the same conclusion.
[Hmmm, I presume something ulterior…]
"Me too…"
"Me three…"
"Exactly," Motohama said with a smirk. Now, they were catching up. "So logically, what could a supernatural being with an ulterior motive possibly get from me being healed?"
Then it clicked.
[Of course, … You're right…] Ddraig realized.
"Now, I see how you got to your earlier conclusion," Matsuda said.
"It wants to get us to court together! Man, Motohama! I never thought of you as the detective type," Issei praised.
Motohama embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head with his good arm. "Oh, stop guys… you're embarrassing me…" he said.
"Yeah, but still…" Issei's face turned serious. "What benefit would it have if we were in court?"
[I don't know, Partner] Ddraig surmised. [But whatever it's planning, it's going to happen in court or right after it. Stay on your guard, you three. I have a feeling that you're going to face more than just a courtroom trial there].
The perverted trio looked at each other in dread. A potential fight with a supernatural being was the last thing they wanted to have.
'Oh great… as though we didn't have enough on our plate…' Issei groaned inwardly.
Before anyone could groan some more, the van came to a halt.
Matsuda looked out from the darkened windows of the van.
"Guys, it looks like we're here…" he said nervously. After what Ddraig told them, he was less in a mood to go to court than ever.
"Whoa, look at that!" Motohama added, looking out of the window as well. "There are cameras and police officers all over the place!"
Issei gulped, before quickly dismissing the Boosted Gear. Media attention, too? Seriously, was the creator screwing around with him? Why did he have to do this?
Suddenly, the back doors opened and some policemen stood there ready to get them out.
"All right, the ride's over. It's time for you to get out," one of them said.
The three of them complied and got out.
There were journalists and bystanders of all kinds just waiting to take a picture or shoot a video with those three in it. Heck, Issei could only imagine the headlines: "High school students who battered girls brought to trial" or something like that.
They walked up the stairways of the grand Kuoh District Court. It was a big white building with big marble pillars and grand halls inside (kind of what the perverted trio expected to see in such a building, though it still fascinated them).
And so, they entered with Kashiwazaki-san joining them, as they nervously waited for their trial.
8th September, Saturday, 9:50 am – Courtroom no. 2, Kuoh District Court
As everybody streamed in – court officials, journalists and participants all alike – the judge wearing a black robe took his seat and used his gavel.
"This court is now in session," he stated. "Issei Hyoudou, you have been charged of battery, causing grievous bodily harm and attempted manslaughter towards the accuser Karen Shinonon and Mikasa Ito who unfortunately can't be here because she is hospitalized at the moment…" There was whispering within the court, before the judge continued.
"…And Matsuda Hibiki and Motohama Todoriki, you two have been charged for sexual assault and inflicting harm on Mina Natsumiya…" Again, whispering broke out, but this time the judge silenced them with the sound of the gavel.
"QUIET!" he shouted. "The accusers may present their case."
Everybody in the court saw as the blond-haired Karen and her lawyer come to the pulpit. They were shocked to see that her head was covered in bandages and band-aids – an indicator of the brutality Issei put her through.
'Holy crap! I didn't know that I put her through this much damage… If I knew even half the extent of it, I would have thought twice before beating the crap out of her…' Issei thought in regret.
Karen gave her pre-written testimony. In it, she explained that she and her three friends were just minding their own business, when Issei just barged in all the sudden and started intentionally to beat Mikasa into a coma and beat her up as well. Shortly after that, his two friends joined in and hurt Mina.
What she didn't mention though, was Issei's reason for attacking them in the first place. She neglected to mention that she and her friends were making fun of Issei's parents' deaths, something that Issei and his friends noticed straight away.
'Manipulative b****' Issei cursed inwardly. 'She's lying out of her teeth'.
After she finished her testimony, her friend Mina came forward and held a testimony not too different from her friend's.
She, too, omitted Issei's fury of being mocked for his parents' death and instead held a more emotional speech on how Matsuda and Motohama were trying to rape her for no reason and how much of an enemy of women those three were to the entire academy.
'Getting emotional here to win over the audience, eh?' Motohama thought angrily, as he heard Mina's rant. Truly a classic way of winning people over to your cause.
As she finished her speech and went back to her seat, the judge spoke up saying:
"Now that the accusers have given their testimony, it is time for the defendants to give their accounts on what happened on that day".
There were whispers in the court once again as Issei, Matsuda, Motohama and lawyer Kashiwazaki came forward to give their testimony.
Unlike Mina and Karen, the three of them decided at their meetings to have Kashiwazaki-san speak for them.
"Your honor, my clients here acknowledge the severity of their crimes and are willing to undergo punishment or make restitution in order to make up for them. However, there are a few things about the accusers' testimonies that I would like to challenge on my clients' behalf." Whispering broke out into the room once more, before the judges' gavel silenced them once again.
"Go on…" the judge beckoned Kashiwazaki.
"Very well. First: Although my clients do not contest the charges against them, the accusers' testimonies neglect to mention Hyoudou-san's motive for committing these crimes in the first place, namely that the accusers and Ito-san provoked him by mocking his late parents' recent demise. And second: Although my clients have indeed behaved inappropriately towards girls in the past, that is not the issue for today's court session and shouldn't be," lawyer Kashiwazaki answered.
Murmuring broke out once again, this time one could hear expressions of astonishment, as they heard of Issei's parents' death. There seemed to be some sympathy in the room for Issei, but that didn't mean that they excused Issei for what he did to those girls.
"Order!" the judge shouted, as he hammered his gavel once again.
"We will take a half-an-hour break. After that, we shall resume at 11 o'clock sharp and begin cross-examinations, Court dismissed!" he announced.
Everybody got up from their seats and went out the door for the break.
The perverted trio and their lawyer also went their way with some police officers to a chamber next to the court room.
8th September, Saturday, 10:30 am – Side chamber of Courtroom no. 2, Kuoh District Court
"I can't believe that those girls would lie this way!" Issei fumed.
"Yeah, as though we just attacked them for no good reason, just… because!" Matsuda added.
"Well, the accusers were trying to smear your reputation in the eyes of the judge to have you convicted, so what did you expect?" the professional lawyer asked.
"I don't know… something with more honesty perhaps…?" Issei asked.
Nobody answered the question, as everybody focused on the challenge up ahead.
"But now… there are cross-examinations waiting for you three. Now, what you need to know is that you might be asked by the accusing party's lawyer of many things relating to the case. The might be hostile to you, but do not worry. I will make sure that they won't overstep their boundaries. After all, badgering is not permitted," the lawyer instructed them.
"I've got a question, sir," Motohama said.
"What is it?" Kashiwazaki asked.
"If we are to be cross-examined, won't they be cross-examined as well?"
"Of course. Cross-examination goes for both parties. I myself will take part in it on your behalf. But whatever you do, make sure not to lose your cool in court. The opposing party can occasionally become very hostile, so be careful with whatever you say," he told them.
The three of them nodded half-heartedly. Now comes the hardest part of the court… and worst of all, none of them had seen any signs of the supernatural plotter behind the scenes.
'Ddraig?' Issei asked his partner mentally. 'Do you think that thing or whatever it is will strike anytime soon?'
[I don't know, Partner… I don't know… All we can do at the moment is wait and keep our eyes and ears open…] Ddraig replied.
Issei sighed, as he wondered about this unknown stalker.
'Watching us… healing Motohama… bringing us here… just what are you up to?' Issei asked as he looked towards the court through the small window.
8th September, Saturday, 11:00 am – Courtroom no. 2, Kuoh District Court
The court room filled with people again, before the judge hammered his gavel.
"Cross-examinations are now in session. The accusing party may now ask the questions regarding the witnesses," the judge said. Immediately, a female lawyer representing the accusers, wearing a gray pant-suit, stood up and began to speak.
"Thank you, your honor. We would like to call Issei Hyoudou to the stand," the accusing party's lawyer said.
Issei's hair stood up as he heard his name being called.
'Oh nuts… here goes…' he said nervously, as he made his way to the stand.
He would have admired the lawyer's figure (and she had good oppai, too!) if it wasn't for the situation. Instead he looked nervously in the lawyer's direction, as the lawyer looked at him with an impassive expression.
"Issei Hyoudou, is it true that your parents passed away just recently?" she asked.
Issei's eyes widened in surprise. This was the first question being asked? He did not expect that.
"Yes, ma'am. They… were killed last Monday… by a mugger. You… may have seen it in the news…" Issei stated trying to hold his emotions in (it still wasn't easy for Issei to talk about it). Once again murmuring broke out at what was being said, before the lawyer spoke again.
"I'm sorry to hear that. You have my condolences. But moving on, how long have you known my clients Mina Natsumiya and Karen Shinonon, in addition to their friend Mikasa Ito?"
"For less than a year…" Issei answered.
"Have you and your friends ever peeked at them while they were dressing?" she asked him next.
Issei frowned a bit at that, but answered anyway. "Maybe… It was more the girls from the school kendo-club than other girls, bu-".
"Answer the question: Have you or have you not peeked at them?" the lawyer interrupted Issei, much to his irritation.
He paused, took a deep breath and answered: "I probably did".
"And what about Natsumiya-san's testimony about your… unpopular status at school because of your repeated peeping offenses? Is what she said about it true?" the lawyer asked.
"Uhhh… yeah, they are," Issei answered truthfully.
"That would be all, Issei Hyoudou. Thank you very much," she stated before both of them returned to their seats.
'B****!' Issei cursed angrily as he sat back down. 'What's up with her? Why is she even talking about my peeping activities and my reputation at school?'
"Thank you very much. The defending party may now start their cross-examination," the judge announced.
Lawyer Kashiwazaki thanked the judge and asked Mina to be questioned.
She came forward and the following conversation took place:
"Natsumiya-san, as I have said before, you neglected to mention my client's motives for starting the fight. Why is that?"
"Umm… I forgot to mention it…"
"You forgot to mention it? I find that hard to believe. Surely, you must have been able to put two and two together, as to why Hyoudou-san lost his temper back then".
"Well… I…uh…I…"
"Though moving on. Why would you and your friends make fun of Hyoudou-san's parents' deaths anyway? Surely, you can't be this callous to take this seriously, right?"
"Well… umm… I"
"And another thing: Is it really true that you wished my client to suffer in the worst ways possible? I mean, sure he and his friends may be peeping-toms, but you have to admit that even they don't deserve such treatment, right?"
"Objection!" the female lawyer shouted. "She's not the one being accused of crimes of all kinds, your clients are!" Murmuring broke out at the lawyer's outburst.
"Silence!" the judge shouted, while hammering his gavel. He turned his gaze at the startled female lawyer.
"Might I remind you that during questionings, interruptions like this won't be tolerated. Is that clear?"
"Yes, your honor…" she said meekly.
"Well… it doesn't matter anyway," Kashiwazaki stated. "I was finished anyway" he said before walking back to the perverted trio, who were on the edge of their seat because of this judicial drama.
Before anything else could be said, one of the court officials came in and went up to the judge.
"What is it?" the judge whispered. The man whispered something in the judge's ear. Everybody focused hard on what the man was saying. It had to be something important.
As the man finished speaking, the judge spoke up.
"It seems like the main witness of this case has just arrived. She will give testimony, once she arrives".
Whispering broke out again, this time among the perverted trio as well.
"Hey, who do you think the judge is talking about?" Issei asked.
"I'm not sure, maybe it's someone from school," Motohama replied.
"But who on earth could it be?" Matsuda questioned, as he accidentally leaned on Motohama's injured shoulder.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch… Hey! Don't lean me! It still hurts!" Motohama shouted as quietly as possible.
After a few minutes, they got their answer when the doors swung open.
To their surprise, they saw none other than Souna Shitori herself!
But even more surprisingly, she was… wearing a magic girl costume underneath her red coat?
The white skirt, leg-warmers and Mary Janes were a dead give-away.
The court partially broke out in loud whispers and laughter, as Kuoh's student council president, blushed from embarrassment. Nonetheless, she steeled herself, as she walked towards the center of the court.
"Order!" the judge shouted, using his gavel once again. He turned his face to Souna.
"You are the main witness of the incident at your school last Monday?" the judge asked.
"Your honor, to be more specific, I represent all the students who were witnesses of that incident. My name is Souna Shitori and as their student council president, I am more than capable of filling this role".
"I see… But tell us, why on earth would a student council president come in wearing a… magic girl costume underneath their regular clothing?" the judge asked curiously.
Souna blushed at that. "Well… you see, your honor… I was trying to wear something more presentable… until my big sister came along and made me wear this…" she explained with a reddened face.
The judge only raised an eye-brow at that. "And why is that?"
"Well… she forced me to come along to a cosplay event… I tried to tell her that I had no time, but she made me do it anyway… By the time I was finished, it was nearly 11 o'clock and I had to rush here. I had no time to change!"
At that, the court broke out in laughter – including the judge.
The perverted trio and their lawyer also laughed at Souna's expense.
"Oh man… Her big sister… ahahaha…" Matsuda laughed.
"Yeah, hilarious, right...? Ehehehe…" Issei added.
"Wow…hohoho… I've never seen this side of her…" Motohama laughed holding his stomach.
"Ahhh… that poor girl…" Kashiwazaki sighed in a good mood.
"Ahahahaha…" the judge finished laughing as he used his gavel again to quiet the court. "As amusing as it was, we would like to continue. Now, Miss Shitori, if you would please begin".
Souna went to the stand and began to speak.
"Your honor, the students report that everything began about a few minutes past 8 am last Wednesday. The students say that Todoriki-san, Hibiki-san and Hyoudou-san came in too late for class for the second time this week, covered in bruises and bite-marks. They claimed that they ran away from aggressive dogs of some kind". Murmuring came from the spectators as they tried to see whether any of these injuries could even be seen.
"Aside from that, the teacher left the classroom to inform the student council about this demeanor and thus wasn't able to prevent the disorder that was to come. It turns out some of the students in class heard Natsumiya-san, Shinonon-san and Ito-san make fun of their injuries and expressed happiness at their suffering. It also turns out that they moved to make fun of Hyoudou-san's parents' deaths last Monday, who died from an ambush on the way back home. Hearing that, Hyoudou-san got up from his seat, walked over to Ito-san and attacked her. Students say he pulled her hair, tossed her to the ground, yanked her up and then punched her in the face, so that she fell head-first to the ground. She ended up in a coma even to this day." Gasps and winces of shock came through the hall, as they heard the graphic details of violence from Souna.
"After that, Hyoudou-san shoved Shinonon-san towards the wall, grabbed her throat and started punching her face repeatedly. It was then that the students in the classroom took action and tried to restrain him, as he reportedly struggled to break free. As a result, Shinonon-san fell down to the ground with a bloodied face – conscious, but with some ugly bruises". The people mumbled once again. Truly a violent incident… Yet, Souna continued to speak with an impassive face.
"Meanwhile, Hibiki-san and Todoriki-san got into a fight with Natsumiya-san. Students reported that Hibiki-san and Todoriki-san jumped on Natsumiya-san and twisted her breasts. They, too, were restrained as well by some of the other students". Grumbles of indignation came from the bystanders as some of them sent glares to the perverted trio, causing them to wince in response.
"Eventually, the class teacher and the principal came and broke up the fight and ordered them to wait for their punishment until further notice. Everybody, including the defendants complied. Shinonon-san, Natsumiya-san and Ito-san were given medical attention and thus the incident as we've recorded ends here, Thank you, your honor".
As soon as Souna finished giving the students' account, whispering broke out (as usual) once again.
Matsuda and Motohama on the other hand looked at the young woman with not a few perverted thoughts.
'Man, she looks sexy with that outfit… Too bad, we only get to see the lower half…Stupid coat…' Matsuda thought with his mouth dripping saliva in lust.
'No wonder she's one of the hottest girls in school! Her chest may be small, but the rest makes up for it…' Motohama thought with equally desires.
It seemed like none of them actually bothered to listen what she said (since they already knew the whole story, obviously) and focused more on their perverted fantasies.
Issei, however, was less concerned about her attractiveness (although it wasn't wrong to say that he found her hot) and more concerned about the fact that she was a devil. Yes, a real-life devil was standing in court! Issei's mind was filled with questions.
Does she have something like a true form? Surely, this wasn't what devils look like, right?
Does she have any special powers?
Is her sister a devil, too?
And was it just him (or everybody from school that matter) or is she hot because she is a devil?
'Perhaps, it's magic of some kind… Maybe, she's actually ugly…' Issei thought to himself.
But before he could ponder more about it, the judge spoke up.
"All right, then. Do the defending or the accusing parties have any questions to the witness?"
"Nay," the female lawyer replied.
"Likewise, nay," Kashiwazaki said.
"Good," the judge spoke up. "We'll take another break and reconvene at 12:15 pm. Until then, we will have decided our verdict," the judge announced. "Court dismissed," the gavel fell once again.
And so, the assembly got up and went to take their break.
8th September, Saturday, about 12:05 pm – Side chamber of Courtroom no. 2, Kuoh District Court
Issei was currently in the side chamber, sitting on one of the chairs. Matsuda, Motohama and their lawyer on the other hand were in one of the court bathrooms, accompanied by some of the guards. Issei noticed that his buddies were breathing in a… horny manner? Must be desperate to get to the bathroom for some reason, huh?
Anyway, Issei was conversing with Ddraig about devils in general.
"So, you're telling me that the devils claim Kuoh as their own?" Issei asked incredulously.
[Oh, yes. Devils are especially territorial, even though they have plenty of territory of their own in the underworld] Ddraig explained.
"Then why come here, then?" Issei asked.
[The reason for doing so, is because Devils have a relatively low fertility rate and thus need humans to replenish their ranks. It's even more beneficial for them to recruit Sacred Gear users like yourself] Ddraig answered.
"Replenish? You mean what you said before about recruiting?" Issei asked.
Ddraig nodded at that. [Yes, they use something called 'Evil Pieces' to reincarnate humans in order to turn them into devils. These Evil pieces take on the form of chess pieces].
"Chess pieces?" Issei inquired.
[Yes, Partner. They use chess pieces like the kind you know in chess. Each of these pieces correspond or contribute to the value and abilities of the devil in question. For example, if you had to use a rook piece, your focus would be on physical strength] Ddraig told Issei.
"And… what about the other pieces?" Issei wanted to know.
[The other pieces like the knight give you speed. Bishops give you heightened magical power. Queens are all-rounders. That means that their magic, physical and speed abilities are enhanced] Ddraig answered.
"Cool! But wait, what about the king and the pawn?" Issei asked again.
[Well, pawns seem to be the weakest piece at first, but once they are 'promoted' by the king, then they can become any piece that they want, except the king of course].
"And let me guess: The king is the leader, right?" Issei guessed.
[You said it. The king is not only the leader, but also the master as well].
Issei was thoroughly impressed. The devils had such an interesting system. Why did nobody ever talk about that aspect of this?
Issei asked Ddraig about it, and Ddraig answered him.
[It's a new thing. They only introduced it only like the past hundred years or something like that. You have to ask the devils themselves].
Issei went silent at that. Talk to them, huh? He figured like, this had to come one day…
He looked back at the days when he and his friends were summoned to Souna-kaichou for peeping. He still had a hard time getting over his head that she was a devil… That cold and strict girl… it was still hard to believe…
Issei wondered. Who else could be a devil? Come to think of it, Souna-kaichou is good friends with Akeno Himejima and Rias Gremory who also seem to have unearthly beauty just like her, no, maybe even more so than Souna-kaichou. It wouldn't be illogical if they were devils, too. On top of that, they were secretive, hardly letting anyone join the Occult Research Club except for a select few, like Yuuto Kiba (that bishounen prince!).
It certainly made sense if not only Gremory-sempai, Himejima-sempai and Shitori-sempai were devils, but the entire Occult Research Club and student council as well!
Issei shuddered. If that was true, then Ddraig wasn't wrong at all. Devils were controlling Kuoh Academy – maybe even the whole city! And to think that barely a week ago he didn't think they were real… Just the thought of it scared him. Devils with supernatural powers hiding right under their noses… How on earth could anyone ever miss that?
He had to tell Matsuda and Motohama…
As if on cue, they came back with Kashiwazaki-san and the guards right next to them. For some reason, they seemed to be a bit red-faced as if they were embarrassed about something.
Neither of them said a word, as they took a seat on the chairs right next to Issei. Issei wanted to speak with them about his findings, but since Kashiwazaki-san was in the room, he decided not to.
As soon as the guards left the chamber, Issei looked at his buddies and asked: "Guys, what's up? Why are your faces so red?"
The two of them looked at each other with embarrassed faces, as if deciding whether to tell Issei or not. They decided to do so in the end.
"Well… You see…" Motohama started explaining, though one could see his reluctance in doing so. "We had to…"
"You had to what?" Issei asked while raising an eyebrow. What was up with them? Did something happen while they were in the bathroom?
"Yeah… you see…" Matsuda also struggled to explain the reason. Clearly something embarrassing happened. Issei could see it and so could Ddraig.
"They were caught masturbating in the same bathroom together because there only was one functioning cabinet. Being the horny young men that they are, they decided unleash their horny desires simultaneously, before the guards caught them in their activities only five minutes afterwards. They were reprimanded for their activities and for wasting their time, only for me to step in and tell them that I had to use the bathroom as well. And I really had to go by the way…" Kashiwazaki explained to Issei with a neutral face, despite admitting having to go to the bathroom.
Matsuda, Motohama and Issei were in shock. The first two because of how blunt their lawyer was and Issei because of what he had just heard.
""KASHIWAZAKI-SAN! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?"" the embarrassed duo shouted.
"Guys, is all of this true?" Issei said incredulously. They fapped in the bathroom and got caught? Why on earth were they so horny?
"We couldn't help it…" Matsuda said crying comical tears.
"Shitori-kaichou was just too sexy…" Motohama said in tears as well.
Issei didn't know what to say. They got aroused with Souna-kaichou? Sure, she was hot and so… but really?
Then something just hit Issei.
Could it be because she was a devil? Devils do make people do all kinds of stuff that they would normally never do…
'I've got to be careful when I'm dealing with them…' Issei thought.
"Anyway…" Kashiwazaki-san spoke up, drawing the trio's attention to him. "The verdict is coming shortly. And to be honest, as things are standing right now, I don't think the judge will be this sympathetic to you".
The perverted trio were brought back to the situation at hand and forgot about their perverted embarrassment minutes before. Indeed, it was clear to them from the beginning that their guilt for beating up those girls was obvious. The witness testimonies of Shitori-kaichou and the accusers made clear of that.
Perhaps, they were naïve to believe that a lawyer would somehow turn a guilty-verdict into an acquittal…
"But one can reduce the sentence, right?" Motohama asked hopefully.
"Yes, but one needs to have served at least half the sentence and be noted for good behavior," the lawyer explained. "And judging from similar cases like this, they could sentence you at least ten years in prison…"
Ten years.
Those words hit the three of them like a wrecking ball.
They were supposed to sit in jail for ten years – five years, if they are lucky.
The gravity of the situation was deep. Going to prison and staying there… they couldn't imagine it.
"Guys…?" Matsuda asked fearfully. The other two, also fearful, responded with a nod.
"What if Kashiwazaki-san says is true? What if we never see each other again? Something like that…" Matsuda drifted off. But then, Issei looked him in the eyes. There still was worry in them, but something in it spoke of confidence, something that gave hope…
"Matsuda, I don't know what will happen, but whatever happens. I promise you, we will be together – forever," Issei said.
"But dude!" Motohama spoke up. "There's no guarantee that we'll ever be together again. I mean, they probably will put us in different cells in some kind of prison or something! How are we supposed to be toge-"
"Motohama!" Issei interrupted his friend. Motohama looked up to his friend and saw him raising his left arm, the one that the Boosted Gear was attached to. "We survived that onslaught from that police officer – together. A trained police officer like that should have killed us, but we didn't. We fought and we survived. It was a miracle that helped us back then, and there will be many more to come!" he declared triumphantly.
Issei's two friends looked at him. Of course, they did survive… How could they forget that? Besides, miracles were not in the realm of impossibilities anymore. The supernatural and everything that was in it existed, so why shouldn't a simple thing like them remaining together be impossible?
Matsuda and Motohama looked at their friend with warm smiles. Issei… surely, he was the one who shone a light in their darkest nights. They comforted him when he lost his parents… Now…
… it seems like Issei returned that favor.
Lawyer Kashiwazaki looked on with a smile on his face, as he witnessed Issei's morale boost. Surely, they were the best of friends… with unbreakable binds...
8th September, Saturday, about 12:20 pm – Courtroom no. 2, Kuoh District Court
The assembly gathered for the verdict. The defendants, the accusers and the judge took their seats.
Everybody was waiting nervously for the verdict – especially the defendants.
"Guys, this is it!" Issei whispered nervously.
"Yes, indeed…" Motohama replied quietly.
Then the judge hammered his gavel.
"Court is now in session. We have decided on the verdict," the judge announced. Excited whispering broke out in this noisy court, before the judge silenced them with his gavel once more.
"Will the defendants please rise," the judge told the perverted trio.
The three friends did so and stood up.
"We have considered all that we have heard from your lawyer…" the judge spoke.
'This is it! The moment we've been waiting for!' Issei thought trembling in fear.
"…as well as your accusers…"
'We're doomed!' Matsuda thought, his mind on edge.
"…the main witness…"
'Ten years prison… Here we come…' Motohama thought covered in sweat drops.
"…and all other evidences pertaining this case. And thus, we hereby declare you, Issei Hyoudou, and you, Matsuda Hibiki and Motohama Todoriki…"
Everybody held their breath as they waited for judge to say the verdict.
"…guilty of battery, causing grievous bodily harm, but acquitted of attempted manslaughter and guilty of sexual assault and inflicting harm respectively. You three are hereby sentenced to two years to a correctional facility!" the judge announced.
Everybody was in shock. They were sentenced for two years – and to a correctional facility, no less!
The judge explained his ruling.
"Crimes like these are unforgiveable and we've heard of the grief that the victims had to go through. We side with them completely…" Murmuring broke out in court once again, before the sound of the gavel had to silence them again.
"…However, given the circumstances of Issei Hyoudou's parents' tragic deaths and the fact that he and his friends have expressed remorse, it is best for them to go to a correctional facility to learn from their mistakes and strive to become better people. And for that, you three…" he turned to the perverted trio.
"…have been ordered to serve your sentence in Sakubasu Detention Facility together which is right on the outskirts of Kuoh. Court dimissed!" the judge hammered the gavel as murmurs of disbelief from the assembly and disappointment from the families of Ito, Natsumiya and Shinonon.
Issei, Motohama and Matsuda were led away by the guards, as they were bringing them back to the police van.
The three of them looked at each other, still shocked from the verdict. But that turned into happy laughs on the way out.
Issei was right. There were a lot more miracles to come. And may it only get better from here.
They were guilty, but they only had to serve two years! And in a correctional facility no less! It sounded too good to be true! No way could anybody get away this easily with what they did.
The perverted trio went happily as they were led to the van with police officers and journalists walking besides or behind them.
What none of them knew was that the sentence really was too good to be true.
And nobody noticed that Kashiwazaki-san snuck away and hid himself behind one of the marble pillars just outside the court.
As he watched the perverted trio get into the police van, a grin formed on his face.
"Everything is going according to plan… healing the glasses-kid, bringing all three of them to court, hypnotizing the judge during toilet-break to give them the perfect sentence… now all that's left, is to receive them. Their horniness is exactly the kind I want…" Kashiwazaki smirked, before slowly fading away.
"…in order to devour them!"
Wow, that was long!
I can't believe it would take me this long to write this chapter!
But boy, a lot of things happened here, right?
Let's start off with the court sessions.
Granted, I took a lot of the court's procedures from what I knew beforehand. It's nothing special, just common knowledge, I guess…
I also tried my best not to drag it too long because it would become to bothersome and boring and I really would have been behind schedule.
Then again, maybe I should post a chapter once every two weeks… it does take up a lot of time.
Despite the chapter taking place in a courtroom I did manage to have some fun writing it, like with Souna and Issei's friends in the bathroom.
Though now, at least we can move on with the next part of the saga.
An unknown creature of some kind has been stalking the perverted trio for some time now. What was that? And what is its plan?
Well, find out in the next chapter on The Lone Vigilante Issei.
Also, it won't be labeled "Comfort & Hurt" anymore. I've changed it to "Supernatural" instead.
Before I end it here, a little sneak-peak of the devils of Kuoh.
Occult Research Club, Kuoh Academy – 3:15 pm
Souna Shitori was with her friend Rias Gremory, talking about the court case.
"They were sentenced to two years to a correctional facility?" Rias asked, sitting with her legs crossed on the sofa.
"Indeed, the judge called it Sakubasu Detention Facility. That's apparently where they are going to serve for the next two years," Souna replied. She was standing right next to her red-haired friend near the sofa.
"Sakubasu Detention Facility… I've never heard of such a name before…" Rias commented.
"Neither have I, but something doesn't feel right…" Souna said, while putting a hand on her chin.
Rias tilted her head. "What is?"
"It's the sentence… What those three did, warrantied a much stronger punishment and the Kuoh District Court is not so lenient when it comes to crimes like grievous bodily harm. Moreover…" Souna added. "…the judge in this trial is particularly strict when it comes to the law, sentencing even teenagers to at least five years prison".
Rias wrinkled her eyebrows at that. "So… what are you saying…?"
Souna adjusted her glasses. "I'm saying that something is wrong. Even more so, considering that there seems to be the scent of a supernatural being in that room."
"What do you think it could be?" Rias asked.
"I don't know," Souna replied. "But whatever it is, it seems to have its eyes on the perverted trio."
"Why on earth would it want someone like those three?" Rias asked again. She had a hard time believing that those three were worth pursuing.
"I don't know that either… But whatever it is, I'm going to find out," Souna replied before leaving the room.
"As truly as my name is Sona Sitri of the House of Sitri, I will get to the bottom of this…"
Read and Review.
I hope to see you soon.
Hide Shinyama