Todoroki was unable to eat this morning. He spent the thirty minutes usually dedicated to breakfast spread-eagled on his futon, watching the ceiling without truly seeing it. Around eight fifteen, he reached the Midoriyas' apartment by subway, then hailed a cab to take Inko and him to the District Court. The weather outside reflected his mood, charcoal clouds obscuring the skies and a patchy drizzle drenching Tokyo.
Still, journalists braved the rain and stood firm in front of the District Court, flashes blinding Todoroki as he climbs the stairs. He shifts, using his bigger stature to hide Inko, and considers using the umbrella covering them as a shield against the cameras.
"Midoriya-san, did you know about your son being the Judge?"
"Pro Hero Shouto, how did the Judge manage to deceive you for over a month while working closely with you in the Police Force?"
"What are your thoughts on the rumours saying the Judge will be executed?"
Todoroki growls, shoving the umbrella in Inko's hands, then storms towards the barrier of journalists. Some of them jerk back instinctively while others remain planted on the spot, even raising their microphone to catch what he's about to say. From the corner of his eyes, he glimpses cameras focusing on him, their lenses zooming on his face.
"Stop harassing us. The court didn't judge Midoriya Izuku yet, thus you don't have the right to sully his name. The presumption of innocence comes first."
"But Midoriya Izuku is accused of two more charges other than being responsible for the murders of Shimomura Kai, Yamazaki Hayato and Tozawa Anri," an interviewer reminds him. "He's accused of attempted homicide with malice aforethought and spoliation of evidence. What do you have to say about those?"
Todoroki snarls, "I'm convinced that—"
"Alright, that'll be all for today," a familiar voice rings in his ears, a small flick on his shoulders making him spin around to face Goshi. The latter's not wearing his court dress, rather clad in a crisp black suit with an immaculate white tie. "Now shoo, all of you," he demands, waving dismissively at the journalists.
"Goshi-san," Todoroki begins, but the lawyer already grabbed his arm and pulled him inside the District Court. "Goshi-san, I—"
"You've done enough damage, Todoroki-san," he cuts him off with a wry smile. "From now on, don't let anyone rile you up."
Todoroki can't keep his face from darkening. He's being scolded like a child but as much as he's annoyed, he himself doesn't understand why he lashed out at the media. He's renowned for his indestructible coolness and his rationality. What happened to his poise? He threw it all out of the window once Midoriya's reputation was attacked, once they immediately associated his name to the Judge. In fact, Todoroki didn't even think before acting.
"Todoroki-kun, I'm glad that you defend Izuku," Inko tells him as they amble towards the courtroom, "but you should listen to what Goshi says."
"I will. I apologise for my rash behaviour."
He bows and startles when she pats his head, a small smile dawning on her lips. "I can't thank you enough, Todoroki-kun. I'm so happy Izuku has a friend he can rely on."
"Friend might not be the right word," Todoroki mumbles, thinking back to their partnership's evolution. Saying that they went from foes to friends doesn't sound exactly right.
"Oh," she gasps, her eyes going comically wide. "Then I'm happy he found a partner."
She winks at him before scurrying back to Goshi's side, leaving Todoroki blinking and pondering on her last words. 'Partner' can be a synonym for friend, but then again it can also mean... a lover.
It's one of life's mysteries. Love, that is.
Todoroki clasps one hand on his mouth, blood rushing to his cheeks. When did he approve this? When did his heart decide it was alright to fall for someone, for Midoriya Izuku of all people?
It's a tragedy.
Todoroki can't agree more.
"I'm calling the defendant, Midoriya Izuku, to the stands."
Even if Todoroki wanted to avoid looking at him, it's impossible now. Midoriya moves at a snail's pace, his legs shaking like a weak animal learning how to talk for the first time. The red cut marring his cheek has lost its redness, which relieves Todoroki, but his hair was parted on his left side, revealing a mottled mess of bruised skin. The guard behind him snarls in disgust and instead of offering support or being patient, he nudges Midoriya forward. The latter pitches, catching himself on the stand.
Todoroki scans the crowd, noting how people look away or stare blatantly with cold eyes at his pitiful appearance. Midoriya makes it to the stand in a whole minute, his body wavering before he steadies himself on the railing.
"Midoriya-san," Goshi calls, his voice gentle underneath its serious veneer, "have you ever heard of Shimomura Kai, also known as Pro Hero Elemental Armour?"
"Yes. He's the one who defeated the villain Thanatos last year. His victory made the news."
"Did you ever encounter him?"
"I did." Midoriya looks up to stare at the jury, his smile wobbling. "I saw him at the morgue."
Goshi shudders, his mouth contorting in a grimace. "Midoriya-san, let me be more precise. Did you ever encounter him alive?"
"Never. The Pro Heroes I saw, I can count them on one hand."
"So you're telling us you never met Shimomura Kai."
"I didn't. For what my word's worth," he mumbles, but Todoroki's convinced the jury heard him.
"How about Yamazaki Hayato, Pro Hero Native?"
"My answer's the same. The first time I saw him, he was already dead."
"He was already dead," Goshi repeats, obviously seeking to cover Midoriya's indifferent, even cynic attitude, "already killed by the Judge. Now that we've cleared this, what about Tozawa Anri, Pro Hero Knowledge?"
"The question's broad, Goshi-san."
The lawyer chuckles, "That's because I didn't ask one yet. As my colleague pointed out yesterday during his thorough interrogation with Pro Hero Shouto, no one knows at what time you left the precinct. Let's elucidate this mystery."
"I left around five. Most of the team was dispatched so I was alone in the office. I thought I left a note to Tsu— to my superior, though."
Todoroki frowns. Midoriya never stuttered since he began speaking despite his fragile appearance, rather exuding calmness bordering overconfidence or the opposite, complete lack of interest. Yet when it comes to speaking one word, one name, he's stumped. Todoroki clenches his jaw, knowing this instance won't be overlooked by the jury. Unspoken words incriminate perhaps even more than spoken one.
"And what did you do between the time you left the precinct and the time you saw Tsukauchi-san on October 13 in the evening?"
"I was sick."
Todoroki cocks an eyebrow. His answer's so vague it'll be deconstructed in a matter of seconds by Yanai's cross examination. However, he can't stop himself from being curious. He himself doesn't know what truly happened to the victims Midoriya selected.
"Sick?" Goshi echoes, his tone a tad desperate. "Please elaborate, Midoriya-san."
"I was... anxious when leaving the precinct. The case was taking its toll, you know? I didn't want to go home too soon, or else I would've worried my mother." Inko's hiccups break the silence, but Midoriya doesn't meet her eyes. Instead, he stares at the jury, poised. "I wandered in Tokyo for a while before going back by metro. I spent the next day at home, sick."
"And during your stroll, did you meet Tozawa Anri?"
"Yes."
Todoroki shouldn't have expected the opposite but he did, and his hope was being crushed like one would do with an ant. Midoriya didn't even think; he answered automatically, and what's worse is that he was telling the truth. With no one to confirm his alibi and an encounter, even if it really is chance, with the Pro Hero he's accused of killing, his chances to get away were slim, if nonexistent.
The people in the courtroom were murmuring so much that the judge had to bang his gavel thrice. "Order in my court," he thunders.
Goshi himself looked unsettled, his face blanching. "You did?" He asks once the room's silent.
At this rate, it sounded like Midoriya was telling a fascinating fiction and the whole room, including his own lawyer, was an audience waiting to be satisfied.
"I did. I wasn't feeling well and she saw me, so she helped me like a Pro Hero would do."
"Did you... go in her apartment?"
"Well, she invited me for cocoa so yes."
Todoroki had the compelling desire to grab his coat and leave the room. He must've been the only one to feel as such, for the journalists look like kids receiving the gift they asked at Christmas. Goshi glowers at Yanai, as if he's holding his rival responsible for Midoriya's answer.
"Around what time did you leave her apartment?"
"It must've been around... six, I think?"
Todoroki breathes out, remembering clearly Tozawa's report. The death of time should be between six thirty and seven, so Midoriya would've left thirty minutes before the crime. In that case, was Tozawa murdered by one of the Judge's agents?
"Don't you believe me?" Todoroki startles at Midoriya's question, partly because of his affront to the court, mostly for the sincerity dyeing his words.
"Midoriya-san, you can only speak when asked questions by either Goshi-san or Yanai-san," the judge demands.
"Look at the building's cameras if you want," Midoriya keeps going as if he didn't hear the warning. "I have nothing to hide."
"Midoriya-san!" The judge booms. "I won't tolerate such insolence."
Todoroki recognises the expression that morphs Midoriya's features: his eyes blinking fast, his cheeks reddening and his lips slightly parted scream of innocence, yet he's just giving the judge what he wants to see. Inside, Todoroki's ready to bet that Midoriya doesn't care.
"Goshi-san, control your client, or else the court might add 'contempt of court' to his crimes' list."
"I apologise on his behalf," Goshi replies, bowing.
"Resume your examination."
Goshi nods, turning to Midoriya. "You visited Tozawa Anri and left around six in the evening, before the fire. And what happened next?"
"Didn't I tell you? I went back home and I was sick all day. My superior came to see me near five in the afternoon and we talked."
"What did you two talk about?"
"We talked about what it takes to be a good police officer. He... He gave me precious advice."
The tears gathering in his eyes were the most genuine action Todoroki's seen of him since the trial started. The silence in the courtroom was similar to a mausoleum's.
"The last matter I wish to speak with you about is what transpired at Endeavor's house on October 31st," Goshi continues. "Where were you on this date around four?"
"Well, he wasn't lying. I was at his house."
Todoroki had enough. He thought Midoriya was intelligent, that he would intertwine truth and lies like he always does so well when talking to him, never lowering his guard. This time, Todoroki felt like watching a tragedy unfolding under his very eyes. The more Midoriya was speaking, he was heading straight to the gallows.
"And were you accompanied by three people?"
"I was. I already gave their names to the Police Force. Toga Himiko or the Leech, Dabi and Stain."
"How did you meet them?"
"Simple enough. I know Toga and Dabi through the League of Villains. As for Stain, he was introduced to me by Dabi. He always had regrettable taste, now that I think of it."
Goshi's eyes were glimmering. "So the League of Villains forced them on you?"
"Yes, you can say that. I wasn't very comfortable with them."
"Can you tell us how you feel about them?"
"I didn't really see why I had to work with these people. We didn't have much in common. Sometimes I told myself they were my bodyguards and my assassins at the same time. They made sure I wouldn't go anywhere without them knowing and if I stepped out of the line, then the League could've told them to kill me on sight."
"You were fearing for your life with them?"
Midoriya shivers, then confirms, "Yeah."
Todoroki wants to slump on his seat in relief. Goshi managed to steer the conversation away from the grave Midoriya's been digging himself and even scored points by making Midoriya admit the three people shadowing him weren't friends but akin to foes.
"If I understand well, you were at Endeavor's house with the intention of murdering him."
"Well, it's not like I had a choice."
Goshi jumps on the occasion, his voice still composed. "What do you mean by that?"
"If I failed... I can't say I could've kept going."
"Are you implying they would've killed you if you didn't kill Todoroki Enji?"
Midoriya chuckles, as if the thought of him dying amused him dearly. "They may not go that far, but at the same time, I have no idea what they would've done. What I know, however, is that I would've lost my worth to them. What they would've have done to me, I don't know. Sew my lips, perhaps, so I don't talk?"
"I have no more questions," Goshi declares, almost collapsing on his chair.
Across him, Yanai sifts through his papers before taking one single page. Todoroki narrows his eyes at his flourish. The prosecutor proved himself to be an expert at finding loose ends and pulling them loose enough to destroy arguments and testimonies. He also played with the person's emotions, manipulating them unbeknownst to the main concerned until the words were spoken, irreversible.
"Midoriya-san, as a police officer, did you have access at Pro Heroes' files?"
"I did."
"Did you ever browse through those files?"
"I did. My superior liked to task me with research."
According to Todoroki, there was nothing wrong with that. Midoriya was always bound to his desk, searching in papers and making lists that Todoroki doubted were often used during the investigation. It was ineluctable that Midoriya searches in the files.
"The Judge earned his moniker by painting the word 'guilty' using the victim's blood on the crime scene, accusing them of a crime no one ever heard of," Yanai reminds the jury. "Could it be, Midoriya-san, that you checked Shimomura Kai's, Yamazaki Hayato's, Tozawa Anri's and perhaps even Todoroki Enji's files and that you saw something they were guilty about?"
"If I found anything about these, I would've told my superior."
It doesn't faze Midoriya to lie under oath, it seems to Todoroki, or perhaps he was telling a grey truth... If the situation happened, then he would've told Tsukauchi so he wouldn't be suspected. From the beginning, Midoriya was telling the Judge's truth, which didn't exactly count as a lie since he was the Judge after all.
Todoroki didn't know if he should be impressed or exasperated.
"So you found nothing on those files?"
"I didn't even say I checked them. I did check them but only after the news of their death reached the precinct. My superior wanted a report on the Judge's victims, which I did with the help of those files. I didn't touch them beforehand."
"Then..." Yanai looked stumped for a second before a smile split his face. "I have a few questions concerning your superior whose name you avoid. Members of the jury, if you remember well, Tsukauchi Naomasa was killed by the villain identified as the Leech by Pro Hero Shouto. A minimum of three lacerations across his chest resulted in heavy blood loss. Midoriya-san?"
Midoriya's knuckles have turned white from gripping the railing, his one unbruised eye glaring at the prosecutor with an intent that can't be described as murderous, but it's certainly malevolent. "I'm listening, don't worry about me, Yanai-san," he chuckles.
"Alright. If you're feeling well enough, then you won't mind me asking you a question about the peculiar circumstances surrounding Tsukauchi-san's death?"
"Please ask your question," Midoriya smiles.
"I'll be straightforward: did your agents kill Tsukauchi because you ordered them too?"
Todoroki wants to roast Yanai alive.
"Objection!" Goshi all but yells as he jumps on his feet.
"Agreed. Yanai-san, retract your question," the judge orders.
"I don't mind answering."
"I'm glad you'd answer, Midoriya-san, but we wouldn't want you to be guilty of contempt, don't we?" The prosecutor replies. "I'm retracting my question. I'll start from the beginning. You've never met two of the victims and only consulted their files after the crime. What about Tozawa Anri? You did see her, as you say, and even visited her apartment, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"It's a little strange that you happened to be here, alone, and left right before the building was evacuated because of the fire alarm, don't you think? I don't believe in coincidences, Midoriya-san."
"Neither do I, Yanai-san, but I believe in facts."
Todoroki glances at the judge and the jury, their faces cold. Midoriya wasn't winning points by being smart. Did he actually want to 'win' this trial', or was all this act deliberate because he believed he should be incarcerated or sentenced to death?
I won't be able to save him, not completely.
Then it'll be up to Todoroki to save him, somehow.
"Then here's a fact. We did check the cameras of the Tozawa's apartment block. Did you know what we found?" Midoriya shakes his head, thus Yanai leans forward as if to emphasise his point, "We found that the camera tapes on October 12 have been deleted. Is that a coincidence?"
"Yes. I didn't do anything to the camera tapes."
Todoroki, for that matters, knew Midoriya was telling the truth. While the League let him loose, they made sure to cover his tracks by erasing all potential evidence.
"Alright. Then how about your confession, that you were going to Todoroki Enji's house with the firm intention of murdering him? Was it your idea to use Todoroki Shouto's appearance to trick Pro Hero Endeavor, which harmed Todoroki Shouto as well and sent him to the hospital?"
Yanai glimpses at him and Todoroki clasps his hands together so he wouldn't close them around the prosecutor's neck. Midoriya turns around as well, watching him across the room.
The Pro Hero wonders if they'll be able to talk soon.
"Yes, it was," Midoriya answers, still staring at him.
He already knew he was being used. He understood it the moment Midoriya offered him dinner in his apartment, asking him odd questions and showing him his fake smile. It didn't hurt to hear it being said aloud because it was already done.
Besides, Todoroki doesn't thing he'd be able to be truly angry at Midoriya, to be honest.
"So you admit that you planned to harm Todoroki Shouto?"
Midoriya's head tilts on the left. "I never said I agreed with it but the League wanted a plan. Personally, I didn't want to go with it but it had to be done or else they could've killed me. Todoroki's my friend. I didn't want to do it."
"But you did it. Were you sure the villains would've killed you if you had refused to go along with the plan that, must I remind this court, was your thinking?"
"I wasn't but they're ruthless. They killed others before me, so I wouldn't see why they'd hesitate to finish me off."
"Didn't they consider you their leader?"
"Yes, they did, somehow," Midoriya giggles, his smile finishing in a grimace, one hand flying on his chest to hold his ribs. "I have no idea why. I'm Quirkless, so I can't do a thing."
"If these villains were as ruthless as you tell us, then you must be even more ruthless to make them listen to you. Since you're their leader, I assume that's why they're hesitant to 'finish you off' as you say yourself. You said you met them through the League of Villains. This means the League knew you to contact you, in the first place. What's the connection you have with the League?"
"I know who they are because of the Police Force. Their leader's the one who approached me. Apparently he's been watching me for a while. I was the weakest of the team tackling the Judge's case. I think that's why he spotted me of all people."
"You were in contact with the League and you didn't tell the Police Force about it. The League's your natural enemy as a police officer, so why didn't you act against them?"
"What did you want me to do? They're much more stronger than me in power and number. Besides, they—" Midoriya stops all of sudden, his eyes glassy.
"Midoriya-san?" Yanai calls.
"They... They never threatened me. Not once. But they didn't need to speak to threaten me. If I didn't cooperate, I already knew they wouldn't hurt me. They'd hurt others I care about, knowing fully well that, weak as I am, I wouldn't be able to stop them."
Todoroki's throat is knotted. Midoriya never told him about this but at the same time he's to blame, for he never asked about it either. Yes, Midoriya's a victim of prejudices set in cement, but could he be a victim of the League's or the Judge's agents' menaces?
"They'd hurt my mother," Midoriya continues. "I'm an only child, Yanai-san, and my mother's a single parent. She raised me alone and she did well. What you're hearing here and who you're seeing today isn't her fault. I owe her my life and I... I couldn't just give her up after everything she's done for me. I'm perfectly aware I might to prison, but if it means I saved her, then I don't regret it."
It was honest. Midoriya wasn't looking at anyone but he didn't have to do so to convey his feelings. It was tangible in the air, the sadness rolling off his shoulders in waves and crashing against the public, eroding their coldness. The prosecutor opens his mouth to continue when Midoriya speaks again, this time louder, his voice shakier, his knuckles whiter.
"I liked my colleagues when I was working in the Police Force. I liked Tsukauchi-san even if he never agreed to send me on the fields because he was worried for me. I liked Tamakawa-san even if he always brought me the sushi bentō I dislike the most only because it was healthier than the one I preferred. I liked Katsuo-san, Subaru-san and Yoshida-san's bantering even if I couldn't focus when they were cracking jokes that made me laugh. I liked Todoroki-kun's coolness even if sometimes I thought he didn't like me... but he was always watching my back. Even now, he still is, quite literally."
Todoroki doesn't know how to react. The air can't reach his lungs and his eyes, somehow, refuse to dry out. The room's frozen as well, even Yanai whose job was to refute Goshi's argument was immobile. Midoriya takes a deep breath, rising his head as he faces the jury, delivering his story.
"The League knew about it, about how I liked them even if I complained all the time about my job. It was a weakness they couldn't wait to exploit should I fail whatever they had in store for me. My colleagues didn't do anything wrong, so why should they suffer? Let me suffer. I'll take it all in. That's what I've been doing since I was young. I'm an expert now. I should have a certificate. I've never budged when people laughed at me. I've never hit them back. I've never pranked them even if they did it with me all the time. I've never... reacted. So if I could react now, then so be it.
"Do you understand, now, Yanai-san? Villains prey on the weak and that's exactly why they selected me, not the opposite. That's why I didn't rebel. That's why I'm here before you."
"Midoriya-san," Yanai whispers, hesitating to cut off his speech, "there are special measures for witnesses like you. Why didn't you tell the Police Force everything you knew and got in the witness protection programs?"
"What for? I had nothing tangible for them. They made sure I knew the minimum and even if they elected me as their leader, it was all a show, a decoy."
"So you..." The ever eloquent prosecutor's voice trails off, his right hand hand gesticulating in the air as he searches for his words. "I have no words for this. I'm done questioning this man."
Yanai sits on his chair, grabbing a pen and scratching out the questions written on his sheet of paper. It's the only sound filling the otherwise quiet courtroom.
"We will take a ten-minute break," the judge decrees, the bang of his gavel ending his sentence.
Todoroki rises from his seat before the judge himself stood up and rushes towards the exit, fully aware of the pairs of eyes following him. In hindsight, he probably should've waited for Midoriya Inko before leaving the courtroom since she's suffering as much, perhaps even more than he is, but he couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer. As he makes a beeline towards the toilets, his fingers are already ripping away the tie around his neck and his head keeps pounding, each of his step amplifying the throbbing.
Todoroki slams the washroom's doors open, staggering like a drunkard. There's no one else inside fortunately, no one to question him, no one to judge him. Using what little strength he has left, he barricades himself in a stall, his hands trembling so much he spends a few seconds fumbling with the lock. Bent in half, hands gripping the seat, he stares at the still water within the bowl, his stomach heaving and a low thrumming sound filling his ears.
He's aware of people entering and exiting the restroom yet he pays them no mind. Besides, it's not like he had enough energy to face them. The simple action of breathing hurts him, his lungs afire as if he ran a marathon. His clothes stick to him, his entire body covered in perspiration, he who never sweats. His muscles clench and unclench sporadically, unable to truly relax.
He has no idea how long he remains locked in the stall, paralysed in this position, his mouth open and ready to spit whatever's in his stomach but nothing comes. As a desperate measure to cool himself down before the trial resumes, he drags himself out of the stall once he's certain of being alone in the washroom. Splashing his face with cold water should do the trick, he tells himself. He doesn't remember when he started lying to himself.
He opens the tap, observing his reflection in the mirror. He feels feverish. Weak in the knees. Weak in the throat. Weak in the stomach. Weak in the eyes.
Lips twitching, Todoroki gathers water in one hand and hurls it at the mirror. The sound it makes as it crashes against the surface is like a bomb's detonation. His reflection dances as the droplets stream down the glass. Much to his annoyance, his face remains the same. Traitorous eyes who reveal his weakness, running nose, shiny cheeks.
The bathroom's door opens and he turns away immediately, closing the faucet.
"Todoroki-san, I thought I'd let you know that it's time to go back."
"Already?" He retorts. "It can't be helped. Did Midoriya tell you this as well, Goshi-san? About the League's unspoken threats."
"He didn't."
"I see."
Is it selfish of him to feel relieved? Midoriya didn't tell anyone, not his mother, not his colleagues, not even his lawyer. So it's alright if he didn't know about it, then?
I should've known.
It's his job to detect these signs. Villains pressure people, everyone knows that, so why didn't he see it? Midoriya said Todoroki was always watching his back, so why did Todoroki fail to see it?
"Don't focus on Midoriya's testimony."
Todoroki's whirls around so fast his neck hurts. "How can I ignore this? I can't do that."
"You have to. I called you today as a Pro Hero, not as my client's partner. If you're too shaken, the judge might deem your testimony invalid because of your subjectivity."
Todoroki gulps, rubbing his eyes and taking a deep breath. As much as he hates himself for being this vulnerable in front of Goshi, he'd hate himself even more if he failed Midoriya... again.
"Just a minute," he mumbles.
"I'm afraid you used all the time you had," the lawyer replies as he checks his watch. "We're going back. Oh, and blow your nose."
Todoroki accepts the tissue Goshi offers him and follows him, the restroom's door closes behind the two of them.
"The pictures we will show you are not for the faint-hearted," is the only warning the courtroom gets before photographies of Shimomura Kai's body appear.
Todoroki's glad he didn't eat breakfast. The images projected in the air are uncensored, causing some people to look away. They might be in monochrome but it doesn't make them any less horrible. Everyone knows that the darker stains on the floor are blood that flowed from the corpse's flesh torn at multiples locations.
"These are a few of the first victim's body's pictures taken by the Police Force," Goshi states. "Pro Hero Shouto, what was the Police Force's conclusion?"
"The victim died of repetitive blows to the head, at least three. With the recent information we gathered a week ago because of my fight against the Leech, her Quirk corresponds to the traces left on the body. Since Toga Himiko relies on blood, her attacks are aimed at drawing blood and incapacitating her opponent fast to compensate her lack of physical strength. Shimomura's body had cuts almost on the entirety of his body, which fits Toga Himiko's fighting style."
As if to prove his points, the images change. The Pro Hero was now on his stomach, showing a back full of messy gashes. Still, his head was still visible, or rather since his skull since his head had been mangled beyond recognition.
"Are you implying that my client, who has no Quirk, couldn't have done such damage?"
"I can't go that far, but Toga Himiko was also accused of previous murders that showed the same method: calculated and ruthless strikes to weaken the victim, then heavy blows to knock out the victim or in this case, kill them."
"What about the second victim, Yamazaki Hayato, Pro Hero Native?"
"His body was found charred in his house. Most of his rooms were scorched as well and his furniture was burnt to a crisp, leaving only his ashes. I have to say that we had no idea who the killer was at this time, and that's partially why they consulted me as an expert because of my fire Quirk."
"Did the second villain who attacked the Police Force on November 2nd have a similar fighting style or left the same patterns as on the second victim's body?"
"Quite, yes," Todoroki confirms. "The marks left on the body were done exclusively by fire, which spread fast through the entire house, almost like a flood. When I fought against the second villain, his fire Quirk clashed with mine. It also emits a lot of smoke, which corresponds to some of the traces we found on the ground and on the walls."
"I have to ask about the last victim. Tozawa Anri's body was burned like Yamazaki's, wasn't it?"
"Yes, but it wasn't the same fire. The second villain's blue flames have a higher temperature than the fire that burned Tozawa's apartment, so it didn't leave the same traces."
"According to your knowledge on the Judge's case, do you think it's possible that the Judge used two different kinds of fire so the investigation doesn't identify him?"
"I don't..." The question's a double-edged sword that Todoroki isn't confident in manipulating. Dabi might order Midoriya to set Tozawa's apartment afire to direct the investigation away from him, but the opposite can also be true. "I'm not sure what your question's about, Goshi-san."
"Do you think it's possible the murders were made by the same person, the Judge in occurrence, using different methods because he wanted to make believe that the murders were committed by two different persons?"
Ah, Todoroki thinks, the question's better formulated but it's still ambiguous. "It's possible, but since it's highly probable that Shimomura's and Yamazaki's murders were committed by two different persons, I'd say Tozawa's murder was committed by either one of the two villains who already killed or another person entirely."
"And do you think it's the case? That the murder was committed by one of the two villains?"
He meets Goshi's serious eyes and is reminded why he accepted to be here. His relationship with Midoriya is unique and words fail to define what it is. He's not his colleague at the Police Force, not really. He's not his mother, or his father, and Midoriya's not his son. He's not his lawyer like Goshi, defending him for the sake of money. They're indescribable.
Todoroki's ready to open his mouth but Yanai beats him to it. "Objection," the prosecutor. "Whatever speculation Pro Hero Shouto will make isn't backed by proofs."
"Rejected. The witness is called because he has the experience to make such speculations. Pro Hero Shouto, please answer the question."
"According to our data and from what I've gathered from Midoriya's testimony... I think so, yes."
Goshi hums in satisfaction, silencing the crowd's buzzing. "I have no more questions for you, Pro Hero Shouto."
Todoroki nods, going back to his seat among the victims' relatives. After practically giving the person accused of murdering their loved one a 'Get out of jail free' ticket, sitting among them feels like being a fox sneaking inside a henhouse.
"Yanai-san, Goshi-san," the judge addresses them, "you both have a maximum of five minutes to make your closing statement to the jury. Yanai-san, do you wish to split your time?"
The prosecutor rises, dusting his dress more for show than out of necessity. "No, thank you, Your Honour. Members of the jury, fellow citizens in this courtroom, as a man of the law, a man of truth, I must tell you what happened during this month of terror that we lived lived through. The Judge killed three people and attempted to kill another one. The Judge had three other villains to do his bidding and used them as a shield. The Judge," he pauses, his eyes surveying the room until they land on Midoriya, "is with us tonight.
"Midoriya Izuku never saw his victims but he knew them well. He saw their files, saw their crimes and sent Toga Himiko, Dabi and Stain out to kill them. No, Midoriya never saw his victims but it doesn't mean he didn't kill them. What about Tozawa Anri? He saw her and left only thirty minutes before she died but he didn't kill her. What about Todoroki Enji? He saw him, attacked him but it wasn't his fault. Nothing was his fault. Who could've believed that someone Quirkless can do so much damage? No one did, but this man here has proved us the opposite.
"I'm not taking you for fools, unlike the Judge. Evidence was destroyed. Camera tapes were deleted. People died because of the Judge's agents. But, jury of the court, it wasn't his fault. I can see through the incoherences and through the flaws Midoriya's testimony was riddled with, and I'm asking you to do the same."
As Yanai sits down, the judge nods at Goshi. Midoriya's lawyer rises and walks in front of the jury box, tilting his head backwards so he can meet their eye.
"Members of the jury, this case is really simple. My client is but a victim. As Yanai-san told us a few seconds ago, it wasn't his fault. You heard him as much as me. The Judge's victims weren't Midoriya's. Toga, Dabi and Stain weren't Midoriya's agents; they were his jailers. They were the constant reminder that he was observed, that people he loved could be killed if he refused to go along with their plans. Yes, everything we've seen so far sounds incriminating but this is exactly what three villains, what the Judge wants: they want us to believe Midoriya is guilty so they can slip unnoticed.
"Put yourself in my client's shoes. You're living for a whole month with a Damocles sword hanging above your head. You're working alongside people whose fate is yours to decide. Keep them alive by being the Judge's slave, or kill them and being killed in turn."
Todoroki swallows, eyeing the members of the jury's reaction. They were emotionless, but the slight tremor in their knees, the wrinkles on their forehead, the crease of their brows, they were all signs giving away the burden of voting.
"Jury, you'll have to take a decision based only on the facts presented and not on your own feelings. You may take the time you need to judge Midoriya Izuku guilty or not guilty. This court is adjourned for the present moment."
Todoroki joins Inko and Goshi out of the room, noticing how everyone's separated in three distinct groups: the prosecutor and the victims' relative, the journalists and the three of them. Inko's finishing her second tissue box, sobbing despite Goshi's quiet hushing and Todoroki's hesitant hand rubbing her back to soothe her.
"What if his verdict's capital punishment?" She weeps after blowing her nose.
"Don't think about this, Midoriya-san," Todoroki gently asks of her and he hates how he sounds like he's pleading. "Nothing's been decided yet."
"Todoroki-san's right," Goshi approves. "Worrying won't accelerate the jury's voting."
"My poor Izuku," she cries nonetheless and if Todoroki had less self-consciousness, he would've joined her as well. "My poor Izuku!"
"How long will we have to wait?" He inquires, keeping his voice low.
"It depends. It can be a matter of minutes but also of hours. Still, I assume the vote won't take long since the lack of proofs and your testimony did the job."
Hope flares within Todoroki, swelling so much he feels like he'll burst. "It did?"
"Well I sure hope so." Todoroki winces at Goshi's tone. "Even so, Midoriya won't probably avoid jail. I got handed a pretty impossible case."
"So why did you accept it?"
"Yes, Goshi-san, why did you accept it?" Midoriya's mother echoes as she wipes her eyes. "I didn't have enough money to pay you but you offered your services anyway..."
Todoroki turns with wide eyes at Inko next to him, then back to the lawyer. "I thought you were working for money?"
"But I am. Who do you take me for?" Goshi replies, always looking offended.
Todoroki blinks, incredulous. "Then who paid you?"
He scoffs but before he can answer, the courtroom's doors open, a lady projecting her voice so everyone can hear her.
"The jury reached a verdict. I will now ask for people to go back inside."
Todoroki exchanges a glance with Inko, a lump settled in his throat. Without any words, she takes his hand and offers him a watery smile that Todoroki's unable to return. They step forward, perfectly synchronised, as they follow Goshi back in the courtroom.