The cemetery's empty. A thin layer of snow covers the ground and sprinkles the gravestones. Branches crack as they sway in the gale, the few leaves still attached to them rustling. His feet crunch on the snow as he navigates around the graves, his gait determined. Lingering around headstones who don't bear his family name is impolite and much useless.
The one he came to see waits for him atop the slope, two icy flowers glinting under the sun. He bows low, arms stiff by his side, and closes his eyes.
"Hi, okaasan."
The stone monument remains silent but the wind whistles, snow swirling around him. Todoroki dusts the ground before settling down in seiza like his mother taught him. He brings his knees together and sits on his ankles, his back straight and his fisted hands resting on his lap.
"I'm alone this time."
Where's your friend? She would ask, wrinkles marring her face in concern. You brought a friend with you last time, didn't you?
"Lots of things happened." He knows what she would say next even before his mind imagines her speaking. "Things I can't explain because I don't understand everything."
She would smile at him and ruffle his hair, her voice soft as she'd seek to comfort him. You're still young. You don't have to understand everything. Todoroki shakes his head as if to shrug off her invisible hand, his shoulders slumping.
"I failed. It's my job as a Pro Hero to protect people but many were killed."
You can't protect everyone, Shouto.
"I don't deserve to be a Pro Hero if I can't protect at least one person."
But didn't you protect your friend?
Todoroki sighs through his nose. That's not his mother he was imagining but his conscience talking to him. He did a poor job of protecting Midoriya, he who gave himself away to the Police Force after Todoroki offered him the perfect opportunity to flee and be spared. It was incomprehensible, no matter how many times Todoroki pondered on Midoriya's decision.
"Tell me what I should do now, okaasan," Todoroki whispers, bowing his head and clenching his fists. "I don't know anymore."
The howling wind dishevels his hair but it feels nothing like his mother's tender touch. It lacks her warmth, her gentleness, the soft words she'd murmur in his ears...
He's only reminded of his own solitude.
"Please, officer, let me see my son!"
Todoroki frowns at the commotion as he enters in the precinct, removing his coat and his gloves. A plump woman with familiar green hair is on the verge of punching the plexiglass screen separating her from a seated policeman acting as receptionist, visibly intimidated since he's shrinking on himself, but he manages to squeak something along the lines of a negative answer. The woman braces herself as if to attack like a lioness when Todoroki puts one hand on her shoulder, approaching her.
"Midoriya-san?" He queries, receiving his answer when her teary eyes widen in recognition and when she launches himself in his arms.
"Todoroki-kun! Todoroki-kun, have you heard about Izuku? This policeman told me he's in jail but he refuses to tell me what my son's accused or even to let me see him. What's going on, Todoroki-kun? Do you know something? If you do, please tell me."
She's grasping his shirt like he's her lifebuoy and Todoroki doesn't have the heart to wrench her away. Instead, he brings her away from the shaken policeman, thankful that they're the only ones in the room. He sits down on a plastic waiting chair, forcing her to do the same alongside him, and looks at her in the eye.
"Midoriya-san, you can't see your son until he faces his trial."
"But why? What did he do? Whatever he's accused of doing, I'm convinced he's innocent."
Todoroki stares at her, hesitating. He shouldn't be the one telling her about her son's double identity since he has no authority within the Police Force. He may be a Pro Hero who cooperated in arresting the infamous Judge, but his contract with the Police Force is voided since Tsukauchi... Todoroki scowls, his mind swerving.
"I'm ready to explain it to you, Midoriya-san, but you must promise me that you'll listen to me with no interruption until the end and that this conversation will remain private."
She was glowing with renewed determination, nodding, "I promise you."
Todoroki nods in turn, hoping he's making the right decision. "Open the gate," he orders at the policeman, making him startle.
"But sir, I'm afraid you don't have the authorisation—"
"As far as I know, Tsukauchi's task-force isn't dismantled yet, thus I have the authorisation to enter and speak with Midoriya-san. I won't repeat myself."
The man swallows and with a press of a button, unlocks the door leading inside the building. Todoroki stalks towards the elevator, not bothering to look at the staircase leading to the lower levels still barricaded with yellow tape. He grits his teeth, turning away.
Midoriya's mother follows him blindly, silent next to him. Todoroki leads her to their office on automatic, ignoring some policemen's sympathetic gazes turning inquisitive as they notice the woman trailing on his heels. He's relieved they don't stop him to offer their condolences, or to question him about the Judge, or about the woman following him. They're too scared of his reaction, whether it's a breakdown or wrath, to talk to him.
Much to his surprise, the room they've been assigned is half-empty. Yoshida's dirty coffee mugs, something Tsukauchi often chided him for, are nowhere to be seen. Subaru's computer and his sister's framed photographs are in a box near the door. The files piling on Katsuo's desk are gone, probably shredded and thrown away. Tamakawa's collection of colourful paper clips, pushpins and highlighters disappeared from their usual place. Tsukauchi's mind map that's been growing for the past weeks has been removed.
Todoroki stares at his desk, adjacent to Midoriya's. He never personalised his desk since he didn't spend much time at the office, unlike Midoriya, but it feels bare nonetheless. The child's drawing his partner kept pinned beside his computer, his computer itself, as well as his jar of pencils and pens that were mostly all dried up and his numerated notebooks on Pro Heroes that he usually placed on his desk's right corner are missing.
Everything's been already dealt with. Erased.
Even Medusa, the cactus plant, is gone.
For a reason he doesn't understand, Todoroki wants to cry.
"Todoroki-kun, why did you bring me here?"
He almost forgot about Midoriya's mother. He shows her one of the few chairs and while she sits, he brings another one in front of her on which he sits. Wiping his eyes with his knuckles, he draws a shaky breath.
"What I will tell you won't be easy. Are you sure you want to know?"
"It's my son we're talking about, Todoroki-kun. Yes, I want to know."
Even if he knows everything, he can't find the right way to tell her. Midoriya's mother is the only person he has he can call family. From what he's witnessed and heard, they're having a good relationship that Todoroki doesn't want to destroy. He's well aware that a mother's love should be unconditional, transcending even the worst crimes committed...
"Todoroki-kun, did Izuku hurt you?"
"No, he didn't," he answer quickly but she presses forward.
"But he hurt someone, which hurt you. Izuku was bullied when he was younger and he was often hurt. I know when someone's hurting and right now, it's written all over your face."
Todoroki fails to find a suitable reply. "Midoriya-san, your son... He didn't think... He didn't mean to hurt people. He wanted... He wanted to help them in his own way."
She takes his hands, her smile sad. "I know that Izuku has a good heart. If he's in jail, then he was led astray trying to do the right thing. Now tell me what he did without omitting anything."
Even if he wanted to, Todoroki didn't have enough strength to hide even the smallest of details. He burdened more than his shoulders with the Judge's but also his mind, his soul, jeopardising his very beliefs. Opening his mouth and talking, revealing the turmoil within, was like letting himself fall in an abyss, in the unknown. He had no idea if he would be swallowed whole or if he'd find the light again, but his hands and his heart were bruised and needed rest.
Midoriya Inko listened as she promised, not butting in even in the pauses when Todoroki struggled with finding his words. She flinched when he shared with her the suspicions he had concerning her son and gasped when they were confirmed. She didn't cry, however, as he proceeded with describing Midoriya's attempt at killing Endeavor, or when he reached the part of the Judge's agents breaking in the Police Force to free Midoriya. She closed her eyes when he told her about Tsukauchi, the detective who had been attacked by Toga who used his face to enter the building without arising doubts, and then his last action being to save Midoriya from Stain.
When Todoroki finished, he was avoided her eyes and had trouble swallowing the lump down his throat. If he didn't have his Quirk regulating his body temperature, his hands still held by Midoriya Inko would've been damp. He awaited her ire, her grief, her judgment, with his head bowed.
"You care about my son a lot, Todoroki-kun, and I thank you for being with him when I couldn't."
He looks up, baffled by her gratefulness. "But Midoriya-san, I failed. I should've—"
"How old are you?"
The sudden question shut him up. "I'm turning twenty-five in January. I'm not sure I understand the connection with—?"
"You're young, Todoroki-kun, so young. You can't expect to know everything about life and people at twenty years old. Look at me," she chuckles, gesturing towards herself. "I'm near fifty and even I don't know how to react. At your age, I wouldn't have known what to do but you showed immense compassion and maturity."
Was it compassion that drove him to rescue Midoriya from his father? Was it maturity that motivated him to visit Midoriya while he couldn't talk and let his ire get the best of him?
"I... I don't deserve your praise," Todoroki mumbles.
"You knew Izuku was the Judge from the start yet you remained by his side and even after knowing for sure, you didn't let him down. You saved him. Even if it pains me to hear about the crimes he committed, I can't bring myself to hate him. He's my son and I will always love him. As his mother, I must thank you."
She bows despite Todoroki's protests, never releasing his hands. He wonders if his own mother's feeling as thankful, as proud, as Midoriya Inko right now.
"When will his trial will take place?"
"Soon. The Police Force wants to close the Judge's case as soon as possible."
"Does he have a lawyer?"
"I don't know," he admits. "Since I'm considered a witness in this trial, I can't see him either."
She nods, squeezing his hands. "I won't hold it against you if you convict my son. I... I understand. He did bad things and he should... he should atone for it," she ends her sentence sobbing, letting go of his hands so she can bury her face in hers.
Todoroki shifts on his seat, wondering if he should keep his distance or rather embrace her, if it's alright to comfort Midoriya's mother since he's part of the reason she's weeping. He ends up fidgeting on his chair and handing her a tissue. Watching her cry reminds her of his own mother crying, trying to hide her tears and her bruises, so he moves forward without thinking and wraps his arms around her.
She melts in his embrace instantly, snivelling, "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."
"Don't apologise," he tells her, rubbing her back. "I understand."
Much more than you think, he sighs inwardly, first blinking away the tears coming in his eyes before letting them fall without shame. Much more than you think.
"Todoroki."
He pretends to be asleep, preferring nothingness to reality, but she calls for him again and even shakes him a little. He cracks one eye open and stretches his neck. Yaoyorozu's staring at him with her eyebrows furrowed, then gazes down at the cellphone in her hand.
"It's time."
Todoroki nods yet doesn't rise from the bench on which he's slumped. He's spent the last few hours waiting on the bench in front of the main courtroom, watching the people amble until he closed his eyes and hoped to wake up.
One furtive glance towards the clock on the wall ahead of him tells the same thing as Yaoyorozu. It's time. He straightens only to shake his head, looking away from the courtroom's open doors.
"I don't think I'll be able to do it."
Yaoyorozu sits down next to him in one fluid motion, her eyes seeking his but they were riveted on the ground. "Todoroki, I'll be next to you. It's going to be fine."
"I'm really grateful that you're here with me but..."
He folded his legs as people kept bumping in them. A crowd was massed in the corridor yet police officers was controlling it, forcing everyone to queue along the wall. Others were checking their IDs and questioning their reasons for attending the trial. After all, the number of sixty seats inside the main court limited the number of journalists or simply curious people.
"Todoroki, you accepted to be a witness," Yaoyorozu reminds him. "If you pull out now—"
"I don't care about the fee that comes with pulling out. I don't want to see..."
Since Tsukauchi's death, any involvement with Midoriya was forbidden. He had no idea where Police Force incarcerated him afterwards or what they did to him. Yet even if they could've kept him held up for a maximum of twenty-three days, they let him go face his trial after a mere week. Somehow, it scared Todoroki more than if they'd kept him for the allowed twenty-three days.
Todoroki had no idea if Midoriya found a lawyer, if his family had enough family to afford one, but he knew the state must provide legal counsel to any accused, even if they didn't have enough money for a lawyer in the first place. He could only hope that Midoriya was well advised.
"You can't abandon him now."
Todoroki eyes her, blinking. "Are you talking about Midoriya?"
"Who else would I be talking about? You told me you thought he was forced to kill by the League of Villains, that he's innocent. If you retract yourself now, what kind of image are you projecting? What are the members of the jury going to think?"
"That I was afraid or that I was lying. Perhaps both."
"I know that it's hard. What you'll say will be used against you, but whoever defends Midoriya will also make it work for their own version."
"I didn't know you'd come to the Judge's trial, Shouto."
Todoroki and Yaoyorozu raise their heads to see Endeavor scowling at them, arms folded on his chest. Faithful to his aesthetic, he was wearing his Pro Hero costume with his Quirk activated. It was stupid, really. Todoroki hoped that the judge would ask his father to extinguish his flames.
"We didn't know you'd be present, Todoroki-san," Yaoyorozu replies with a polite smile.
"The prosecutor asked me to be a witness. Of course I accepted. I'll see you in court, son."
Endeavor strides towards the door, the crowd silent as everyone watches him enter the room. They all knew better than to whine about the Number Two Hero go past them without waiting in line.
Todoroki stands up, starting Yaoyorozu. "I'm going as well."
She smiles at him, encouraging, and follows him as he heads towards the main courtroom. The police officers all recognise him, as well as the journalists fumbling with their cameras to take a shot at him. He ignores their calls, focusing on his breathing. Once inside, a woman directs them where to sit, which is a fair distance from where Midoriya will be. The latter isn't there for now, but the spot reserved for the accused waits for him.
There are six people, however, sitting at the jury's box: a student who has barely the legal age, a woman who looks like she's dozing on her seat, another with an austere expression on her face and pursed lips, a bald man playing on his phone, another man who stares anxiously at the people entering the courtroom and an elderly woman with a shawl covering her shoulders. The main mahogany bench where the judge will sit is empty. Two men are arranging files on separate desks: the prosecutor and the defence lawyer. Midoriya's lawyer.
Todoroki takes a deep breath, as if a weight's been removed from his chest.
"When a lawyer will call for you, please rise and head to the witness stand," the lady informs him as she shows the space next to the large judge's bench. She thens turns to Yaoyorozu, asking, "Miss, I assume you're here to support him. I'm afraid you can't sit beside him."
"It's alright, I understand," Yaoyorozu assures her. "It'll be alright," she adds for him.
"I'll sit next to my father, how can it be alright?" He mutters.
"Stop joking," she tells him but she chuckles nevertheless. "Don't worry too much, ok? I'll still be with you throughout the entire thing."
"Thank you, Yaoyorozu."
He watches her go reluctantly, sitting as far as he can from his father. Yet he can't escape being among people he recognises from photographs and reports, the victims' family. He observes Shimomura's girlfriend whose face is tinged green as if she's about to be sick, Shimomura's parents weeping and Yamazaki's sister looking stoic but Todoroki notices that her lower lip's wobbling. Natsuhiko Arata is nowhere to be seen.
A flash of green hair catches his attention in the crowd and his heart sinks. Midoriya Inko is making her way to the family bench, well aware of the judging stares sent her way. Still, she stands tall and proud, but even from afar Todoroki notices the trembling in her shoulders as if she keeps herself from crying.
"Is that the Judge's mother?" He hears Endeavour snorting. "Doesn't the kid have a father? No wonder he turned out like he did."
"Midoriya's mother raised him better than you did with me," Todoroki grumbles.
"Uh? Did you say something, Shouto?"
"Perhaps your hearing's failing you, father. Aren't you getting a bit old?"
Endeavor's fire moustache twitches, but then he takes a large gulp of air and burst out laughing raucously, earning them glances. "Watch what you're saying, son," he hisses between two laughs.
"Members of the jury, ladies and gentlemen, the trial will begin shortly," the lady announces. "Please regain your seat and shut down your electronic devices."
Todoroki turns away from his father, turning down his cellphone. His eyes sweep the courtroom, noting the journalists readying their notepads and pens, some people whispering among themselves, Midoriya Inko's already blowing her nose and hiding her tears with a tissue box on her knees.
The crowd ripples without warning and the heavy atmosphere shifts. It's almost electric, pulsating with curiosity, anger and revulsion. People sit on the edge of their seat, craning their neck, and pens start scratching against paper in hurry. Todoroki can't miss him even if he wants to. His heart will implode, he's certain of it, as he watches Midoriya enter.
He's dragging his feet as he walks, his shoulders hunched, a red cut marring his cheek as if he's been slapped with a sharp object. His hair's matted, his left eye hidden by his knotted curls. His right one refuses to meet anyone's gaze. He settles on the accused's bench, the corner of his lips twitching as if he jarred an injured leg.
The court starts and Todoroki rises as if on automatic yet doesn't even spare a glance at anyone but Midoriya. The latter wobbles as he stands before steadying himself. Their eyes cross and Todoroki gasps, turning away without thinking.
The prosecutor gives an opening statement, mostly directed towards the jury's box and the judge's bench. They are, after all, the one who will enact justice. Todoroki barely listens to what the prosecutor says, too busy trying to calm his heart. He searches for Yaoyorozu among the crowd and finds it easier to breathe when she meets his eye, nodding at him.
"I call Todoroki Enji, Pro Hero Endeavor, to the stands."
His father makes sure to pat his shoulder as he reaches the stand and Todoroki fights against the urge to flinch. The Number Two Pro Hero faces the jury's box and the judge's bench with confidence, tilting his chin higher. He took the oath not to lie with a solemn expression Todoroki's never seen on his face before, but he knew better than to buy it. It was all an act, of course.
"Todoroki-san, in the statement given to the Police Force, you said you were attacked by the defendant at your house on October 31st around four in the afternoon. Is it true?"
"Yes."
"And were you alone?"
"Yes. I was alone until someone I believed to be my son came in." Endeavor pauses, but the prosecutor nods at him to go on. "I let him in, of course, but then I realised it wasn't my son."
The looks Todoroki was receiving from the crowd vanish once his father finishes his sentence. The people murmur, the benches creaking as they shift and turn to one another. The prosecutor whose name Todoroki didn't know was still poker-faced as he speaks to Endeavor.
"Who was it if not your son?"
"I don't know. The person wearing my son's face didn't let go of the disguise. However, they weren't alone. There were three men with them."
"Todoroki-san," he calls again, and the assurance in his voice sets Todoroki on edge, "do you recognise the defendant and if, by any chance you do, can you tell us where you've seen him?"
As if to emphasise his question, the prosecutor indicates Midoriya who's squirming on his bench. Endeavor plays the game, his eyes narrowing as they examine Midoriya, then widening as he nods.
"Yes, I recognise him. He was one of the three men I mentioned."
"He was one of three men who came in your house?"
"Yes, that's what I told you. But saying he came in my house sounds like he's been invited. He didn't just 'come' in my house, he barged in and attacked me."
Todoroki measures the jury' reaction and grimaces inwardly. They're all scribbling the precision on their notepads, but while some appear quite invested albeit jittery like the student, others look like they'd rather be at home doing something else. He looks back at Midoriya to see his face's the picture of impassibility.
"Objection!" It was the first time Midoriya's lawyer was speaking and he looked like he was about to faint with his pale skin and nervous features. "I fail to see the goal of this particular interrogation."
The judge hums then declares, "Overruled. Proceed, Yanai-san."
"Your Honour," the prosecutor nods with a saccharine smile. "Todoroki-san, in what way did the defendant attacked you?"
"He had a gun and he fired multiple times. I melted the bullets before they hit me, of course."
"And did he tell you why he attacked you?"
"He told me I was selected. I assumed that was because he's the Judge."
Midoriya's lawyer leaps on his feet again, shouting, "Objection!"
"Sustained. This is an assumption not based on any facts," the judge agrees. "We shall forget Todoroki Enji's last sentence."
"Alright, alright," Yanai smiles while holding his hands in the air as if to show he's inoffensive, but Todoroki's seen this sort of smile every day when he was living with Endeavor. It corresponds to the predatory smile of someone convinced he'd come out victorious. "Todoroki-san, did the defendant tell you anything else?"
"He told me he was the Judge."
The crowd erupts in whispers and the furious pen scratching fills the courtroom. Midoriya Inko looks like she's about to explode into tears. Todoroki curses under his breath. The prosecutor had built his argument without caring that his father makes assumptions on Midoriya being the Judge since his eyewitness had a tangible proof already. It's like he was doing it purposefully to discourage Midoriya's lawyer.
The prosecutor, Yanai, makes of a show by rummaging through his papers before announcing, "Your Honour, members of the jury, I have no more questions."
Midoriya's lawyer rises for the cross-examination while Yanai sits with a smirk, leaning back on his seat with his hands clasped on his stomach.
"Todoroki-san, you told us that my client was with three other persons. Is that correct?"
"Yes, I did. Are you deaf?"
Endeavor's last jab's unasked for and while some in members of the jury frown at his insolence, most of the courtroom doesn't react. Endeavor is a Pro Hero, thus people don't raise their voice. Even during the Judge's trial, Todoroki realises that Pro Heroes are indeed given subtle privileges.
Midoriya's lawyer, however, is unfazed by the comment since he continues, "I am not deaf, thank you for your concern. Did the thought that my client wasn't the Judge cross your mind?"
For the first time since the trial started, Endeavor looks irritated. "Yes," he grumbles inaudibly.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat it so the people in the back hear you?"
"I said yes," he practically roars, the crowd who was leaning in to catch his answer flinching back.
"Can you tell us why you considered the idea that my client wasn't the Judge?"
"He was weak." Everyone waited for more with bated breaths, but Endeavor shrugs, "That's it. He was weak. The media made it seem like the Judge was this century's strongest villain, but really he was as weak as a kid."
"On what basis do you say that?"
"He could only shoot. I'd thought the Judge would have a powerful Quirk. It was disappointing."
"And among the people with him, were there some people who struck you like they were powerful enough to be the Judge?"
"Objection," Yanai interjects as he stands up. "This is the Judge's trial, not the trial of the 'people who could be the Judge'."
"Sustained. Goshi-san, what is your point?"
"Saying that one is the Judge is different than being the Judge, your Honour," Goshi, Midoriya's lawyer, explains. "I'd also like to refrain this court from calling my client the Judge since it hasn't been proven that he is. It may be that my client was forced to take the Judge's name."
"This is absurd," Yanai scoffs loud enough for people to hear. "The defendant himself confessed."
"According to Article 38 of Japan's Constitution, a person can't be incriminated solely based on their own confession," Goshi's quick to riposte.
"Must I remind you that according to—?"
The gavel hitting the desk sounds like thunder in the courtroom, startling the crowd and quieting the lawyers. They both stare at the judge's bench, head bowed. All of sudden, silence reigns in the room but Todoroki feels that this newfound calm can be shattered in a snap of fingers.
"Yanai-san, Goshi-san, control yourselves," the judge booms. "If you want to bicker, please do so outside and ensure that it doesn't interfere the order in this court. Goshi-san, you may proceed by stating explicitly your questions."
Midoriya's lawyer faces Endeavor, clearing his throat. "Todoroki-san, can you describe the interactions of the three other persons and my client?"
"I didn't see much. Since he told me he was the Judge, I focused only on him."
"Could it be that it was the three other persons' tactics? They could've wanted you to focus on the man calling himself the Judge because they knew beforehand you'd focus on him."
"It... it's a possibility, yes," Endeavor admits, disgruntled.
"Did it work?"
"Yes." He uttered the last word as if Goshi had pulled one of his teeth. "It did."
"What happened then?"
"I attacked him. Then out of nowhere, there's a teargas bomb in my way and I can't see a thing, but I know someone came and took him away."
"And what of the others?"
"I was able to see them flee, but they didn't go in the same direction as the Judge."
"As my client," Goshi rectifies with a courteous nod. "I have no further questions."
As he sits down, Yanai rises. "Thank you for your cooperation, Todoroki-san. I now would like to call my second witness, Todoroki Shouto, Pro Hero Shouto, to the stands."
Todoroki freezes, searching for Yaoyorozu in the crowd. The smile she's offering him lacks of energy but he takes it in nonetheless, standing up. He doesn't glance at his father as their paths meet, preferring to fix on the spot where he'll be questioned. There's a seat for him, in case he needs a pause, and a railing he can grip, but he's aware both actions give away body language that can influence the jury. He tells himself not to use either options.
"Todoroki-san, can you tell us what your connection with the defendant is?" Yanai starts.
"I was assigned to the Judge's case after Yamazaki Hayato's murder. Detective Tsukauchi partnered me with Midoriya."
"What were you impressions of him?"
"He looked diligent and organised. He was a bit meek at first but once we got to know each more, he was able to speak his mind."
"Alright. Todoroki-san, like your father, you're a Pro Hero. You work to defeat villains but also, you were trained to sense evil and identify people who mean ill. Did you, at any point in your partnership with him, suspect Midoriya to be the Judge?"
Todoroki glares at the prosecutor as he answers, "Yes."
Yanai waits for the courtroom's buzzing to fade before inquiring, "When did you first start doubting him?"
It's starting. Whatever Todoroki will say will be distorted to fit the prosecutor's case. He'll find the cracks in his shield and tear it apart to expose the truth. He finds Yaoyorozu in the public gallery, her lips drawn tight and her eyes unsure. Todoroki stares at the ground, his heartbeat echoing in his ears.
"Todoroki-san, must I remind you that you're under oath?"
He resists the urge to snap, rather mustering his most affable voice. "My apologies, Yanai-san. I'm searching in my memory to find the answer to your question." Yet really, he's buying himself time, but he sees in members of the jury' faces that it's trickling down. "I must say Midoriya first reminded me of someone I dislike, so my impression might be biased."
"Please answer the question, Todoroki-san," Yanai smiles.
"It was after we visited Natsuhiko Arata. Midoriya and I had to tell him about his betrothed's death that happened partly because of our inattention."
"And what did Midoriya do to make you suspect him?"
"He... He didn't do anything. He didn't look like he was feeling anything. We were telling someone that his fiancée was dead and Midoriya... Midoriya didn't seem really affected."
"And when you discussed about the Judge's murders, about Shimomura Kai, Yamazaki Hayato and Tozawa Anri, did he appear affected?"
He swallows, shaking his head. "Not really." Todoroki can hear the muffled sobs of Shimomura's parents. By the corner of his eyes, he glimpses at the two adults embracing each other and hiding their faces in handkerchiefs. His eyes then dart on the crowd, frowning when he realises he might've lit the fire of Midoriya's pyre. "But he was shaken after Tozawa's murder," he adds as an afterthought, his voice loud enough to project his words and cease the whispers.
"Shaken? How so?"
"He didn't come to the office on the day we learned Tozawa was killed. Detective Tsukauchi had to go see him to check on him. Before you ask me, I have no idea what they talked about."
"I wasn't going to ask you, fret not," Yanai chuckles. He faces the jury, adjusting his glasses as he proceeds to read the paper he's holding. "This is an excerpt from the regrettably deceased Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa's personal log."
Todoroki's eyes roam over the courtroom, noting how everyone seems enraptured by the prosecutor. Across him, Goshi was scribbling down on his papers, undoubtedly adjusting the questions he'll ask Todoroki during his cross-examination. Yanai clears his throat then straightens the paper, brandishing it in the air so everyone can see it.
"October 12, seven thirty-five in the evening. Todoroki-san told me that Midoriya-san showed him around the building, like I asked of him. When I asked him where he was, Todoroki-san admitted that he didn't know since he left the building before Midoriya-san, around three in the afternoon. I asked my other colleagues, and their answer was all the same: no one knows when Midoriya-san left the office."
Yanai pauses, letting the information sink, before resuming, "This is now an excerpt from Tozawa Anri's file. The victim was killed in her residence in Shibuya, but since her apartment block was set afire most of the potential evidence was erased. The estimated time of death coincides with the time when the fire detectors rang: on October 12, between six thirty and seven in the evening.
"Here's my question. Todoroki-san, according to your expertise and to the excerpts I've just read, do you think it's possible that Midoriya, here accused, had enough time to leave the Police Force building, go to Tozawa Anri's domicile, kill her and set her house afire?"
"I..." He never should've accepted the court's summon. "I think so, yes."
"And do you think that could be the reason Midoriya didn't check in next morning at the office because he was too shaken by the murder he just committed the day before?"
"Objection!" Goshi all but yelled, his face crimson. "This is pure supposition!"
"Agreed. Yanai-san, this question had nothing to do with your witness's expertise."
The prosecutor bows as an apology but his sly smile stays plastered on his lips. Todoroki loosens his tie, his skin crawling as Yanai's attention lands once more on him.
"Todoroki-san, for unknown and mysterious reasons, every camera tape, audio record and personal logs from October 30th to November 2nd were deleted in the whole precinct. However, we found a post-it at Tsukauchi's desk stating that the defendant, Midoriya, was missing from the office on October 31st, the same day that your father was attacked."
"I was at the hospital on that day and he visited me. Then he took me home," Todoroki counters, feeling everyone's eyes on him.
"I didn't formulate my question yet, Todoroki-san," Yanai chirps, "but now that you mentioned this, at what time did you last see Midoriya on October 31st?"
"It must've been around twelve."
"The hospital records said you left around eleven thirty and yet you last saw Midoriya around twelve when he took to your apartment? Is that what you're saying."
"I..." Shit. "Yes."
"I'd like everyone to pay attention to this discontinuity. Thirty minutes is hardly enough time for them to leave the hospital located in Taitō and go to Todoroki-san's apartment located in Setagaya. Todoroki-san, what's the last thing you remember between leaving the hospital and going home?"
"The last thing...?" He was cornered. The last thing he remembered, quite vividly even, was Midoriya stabbing him with a taser and dragging him in an alley. "I don't remember going home," he chokes. "I remember waking up in my apartment but I was alone."
"What time was it when you woke up?"
"It was around four in the afternoon."
Yanai is smug as he declares, "I have no more questions."
Of course he has no more questions. His argument, corroborated by Todoroki's sayings, showed to the public that Midoriya hardly showed remorse when faced with grief or death. When he apparently did feel guilty, then it was suspiciously after Tozawa's murder. No one caught sight of him in the most crucial hours to prove his innocence. Plus, instead of helping him, Todoroki blundered and practically offered to the prosecutor the perfect occasion to show that Todoroki was out of commission, most certainly because of Midoriya since he was the last person he saw before his blackout, around the same time as Endeavor's attempted murder.
Todoroki almost collapses on the chair behind him yet he remains standing, using his bangs to conceal his features. Even if Yanai didn't ask straightforward questions like 'Do you know who the Judge is and if so, is he the defendant?', he managed to blur Midoriya's innocence with subtle yet precise questions that Todoroki was unable to evade. How will he able to face Midoriya's mother again when he's participating in his condemnation? How will he able to face himself? Yet at the same time, shouldn't he want Midoriya to pay for the crimes he committed? If he's standing on Justice's side, then why does the thought of Midoriya being sentenced to death chill him to the bone?
"Todoroki-san," Goshi as a Pro Hero, you often meet people distressed and afraid when they're caught in a villain's plot. Have you ever seen these signs on my client's face when you were speaking about the Judge during your partnership?"
"Midoriya was always smiling. While it didn't worry his colleagues at the Police Force, it worried me. Being a police officer is often seen as shouldering less burden than a Pro Hero but Police Force members face crimes as much as Pro Heroes. It brings consequences that shouldn't be taken lightly. For me, seeing my partner smile was a defence mechanism. He didn't want people to worry for him, so he projected the image he wanted them to see."
"Besides his smiling, did he never showed any distress?"
Goshi sounded as composed as ever, but Todoroki can almost hear the lawyer praying so his next answer be affirmative. "There was one time he looked nervous. It was right before he took me to my apartment after I left the hospital."
"Can you describe us how my client was?"
"He was speaking softly and often looked around us as if to see if we were being followed. I'm not sure if it's relevant, but he was often checking his watch."
"So he was nervous on the day Endeavor was attacked, a few hours before the attack took place. Your father mentioned earlier that Midoriya was with three other people, one donning your face. Did you ever encounter these three persons before?"
"I don't know, but if I may, the reason I was at the hospital is because I was attacked a few hours ago by the villain the media nicknamed the Leech. As the name indicates, the Leech drains blood, and she did it with six Pro Heroes, including myself."
"And you think the Leech is one of the people who accompanied my client?"
"I don't think, I know."
"Objection," Yanai intervenes. "Is Goshi-san cross examining the witness or is Todoroki-san sharing his opinion not based on any facts?"
Midoriya's lawyer doesn't even wait for the judge to agree with the prosecutor. "My apologies. Todoroki-san, on November 2nd, the League of Villains launched an offensive on Shinjuku and the Police Force dispatched most of its effective to support the Pro Heroes. Meanwhile, three villains attacked the precinct. As a result, a total of eleven police officers were killed and thirty, harmed either superficially or seriously. Is it true that you were there when the villains attacked?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us what happened?"
"They wanted to free Midoriya who was jailed in an interrogation room. One was tasked to actually release Midoriya why the other two were... distracting the officers. I recognised one of the villains. She was the same one who attacked me a few days before. She was the Leech."
"So the person coming to free my client was also the one who attacked you on October 31st?"
"Yes. I managed to restrain her with the help of other Pro Heroes. The Police Force realised that her Quirk is to take the appearance of the person whose blood she ingested."
"In occurrence, when she attacked you and drained your blood, she could've taken your appearance whenever she wanted?"
"That is right."
"Members of the jury," Goshi addresses them and makes eye contact with all six of them, "we now have cleared one of the villains' identity. It's logical to assume that the Leech is the one Endeavor saw impersonating his son, that the Leech was with Midoriya and that she was tasked to free him. How did my client react when he learned about their goal?"
"He didn't want to go with them." Todoroki chooses this moment to take a breath, allowing the public to understand. If Yanai and Endeavor are so good at this game, then why couldn't he? "He said it aloud that he didn't want to go with them. Since Midoriya has no Quirk and was unarmed, he couldn't have fought against the villains. It would've been suicide."
"Did they seem hostile towards him when my client told them he didn't want to leave?"
"Yes. They attacked him but as a Pro Hero, I couldn't let them hurt a civilian."
"Let me recapitulate, Todoroki-san, the three villains must be the ones who attacked Endeavor at his house on October 31st, or at least one of them, the Leech, certainly is. Only three days later, they try to free him and my client refuses. He's afraid, terrified, even, to go with them. Then the villains turn against him and want to kill him. Is it correct?"
"Yes."
"Then I have no more questions for you, Todoroki-san."
If he had less pride, he would've collapsed on the chair right away. Instead, he drags himself out of the witness stand to sit back to his place, his hands shaking. Yanai and Goshi both have two minutes to present their updated speech on the Judge's case. The prosecutor affirms that there are enough facts to make Midoriya the Judge. He had no alibi during Tozawa Anri's murder and neutralised Todoroki so he can attack Endeavor with the three villains. On the other side, Goshi supports the idea that Midoriya was being used, that the villains, too powerful for him, are manipulating him and making him their scapegoat.
Todoroki doesn't want to listen to either of them. He wants to go home and forget everything.
"The court will adjourn for today and reconvene tomorrow at nine o'clock sharp. Dismissed."
The judge bangs his gavel then rises, causing everyone in the courtroom to mirror him. Todoroki doesn't dare glancing at Midoriya, rather rubbing his face with his hands. Within the darkness of his hands, he relies on his hearing to feel the movements around him. Feet shuffle around him, papers rustling, benches creaking, pens clattering, bags clipping, voices whispering.
"Pro Hero Shouto." He looks up to see Goshi watching him. "You have to leave the room."
With a sigh, Todoroki complies. Yaoyorozu's waiting for him near the exit, her eyes narrowed on Goshi walking next to him. The corridor's like a battlefield, journalists with microphones or record devices shouting their questions, their cameramen bumping into one another as they try to film. A cordon of officers are trying to push them away from a green-haired woman.
Todoroki stalks towards her, tapping her shoulder gently. "Midoriya-san, please come with me," he tells her as she whirls around, eyes wide.
She doesn't hesitate to retreat with him, Yaoyorozu and Goshi in tow. Todoroki has no idea where to go since the whole District Court seems polluted with journalists popping up in the most unexpected places. In the end, Midoriya's lawyer leads them all to his tiny office.
"Goshi-san, thank you for your hard work," Inko sniffles, clutching her tissue box.
"I hardly deserve your gratefulness, Midoriya-san. Even if I manage to win a few points today, I want you to prepare yourself for the worst. Your son—"
"I don't understand," Todoroki interjects, scowling. "There's no proof at all that Midoriya killed the Judge's victims so he can't be guilty."
"Todoroki-san, even if Midoriya isn't the Judge, he was still seen attacking your father. This is attempted murder and while it may not entail capital punishment, imprisonment is hardly avoidable at this point."
"Unless you prove to the jury that he was being manipulated," Todoroki retorts. "If the Leech or the League or anyone tricked him, then he's not guilty."
He sees it already in Goshi's eyes that the lawyer doesn't approve. "This isn't how the law works."
"Then make it work!"
He slams his hand on the lawyer's desk, almost knocking down the lamp and a few pens. Midoriya Inko squeaks in terror and Yaoyorozu gasps, but Goshi doesn't even twitch. Todoroki growls, removing his hand from the desk, while Goshi asks the two women to leave. They don't protest, shutting the door behind themselves, and plunging the office in silence.
"Why are you defending him, Todoroki-san?"
He cocks an eyebrow, wondering if Goshi's serious. "What?"
"Why are you defending the Judge?"
Todoroki scoffs, "He's not the Judge."
"Midoriya told me everything." Todoroki's mocking expression vanishes. Goshi doesn't look. "As his lawyer, I need to know everything to make sure I defend him well."
"Why are you defending a criminal, then?"
"Because it's my job." While it irks Todoroki to hear such a simple-minded reason, he assumes that means Goshi will do everything to defend Midoriya. "You, on the other hand, your job is to catch villains. Midoriya told me you were the one who saved him from Endeavor, from your own father. Then you show up as a witness for Yanai-san but it's clear you don't want Midoriya to be guilty. So I'm asking you again, Pro Hero Shouto. Why are you defending my client?"
Todoroki's breath hitches. It's a valid question since he asks himself this question many times before the trial, when he was rescuing Midoriya, when he was covering him from Tsukauchi, even during the trial as he was being questioned. There was no logical answer. Midoriya premeditated murders, thus he's guilty. Midoriya killed someone himself, thus he's guilty. Midoriya attempted murder, thus he's guilty. Midoriya even burned evidence and compromised an investigation, thus he's guilty.
But... Midoriya wanted to do the right thing in his head. He wanted people to tell him he was capable of being a Hero too. He wanted to protect citizens from Heroes' failures. He wanted so many things he's been denied since he was born. A father figure, destroyed by Tsukauchi's awkwardness and his death. A friend, destroyed by society's tags proclaiming 'Quirkless', 'useless', 'helpless', 'powerless'. Worth, destroyed by a society revolving around Quirks and valuing them more than character.
Was there anything in Midoriya that wasn't destroyed?
"That's one of life's mysteries, I suppose."
Todoroki starts, eyeing Goshi who was stroking his chin. "What are you saying?"
"It's one life's mysteries," he repeats. "Love, that is."
"Lo—? I feel no such things."
"Oh? Then this is just some sort of camaraderie? The 'power of nakama' like in mangas? Don't make me laugh," the lawyer snorts. "A Pro Hero falling in love with a Quirkless villain. What a story."
"Stop it," Todoroki seethes, but he can feel himself blushing. "That's not it."
"Right, it's not a story. It's a tragedy." Goshi heads towards the exit and opens the door, beckoning Todoroki to follow. "I won't be able to save him, not completely, but I can reduce his sentence if you accept to testify tomorrow as well."
"I'll do anything it takes." There's no hesitation in Todoroki's voice as he crosses the threshold, staring at the lawyer. "Please defend him the best you can."
"Of course. You can count on me." Goshi watches as Todoroki joins Yaoyorozu and Midoriya's mother, then he nods to himself with a small smile. "If that's not love, then I don't know what is."