LIGHTNOVELONLINE 『Chapter 7: Pity』
"SO YOU BROUGHT HIM HERE?" Naota says, sternly looking at Naoki who was sitting down in his chair.
The both of them were in Naoki's room. Naoki, sitting down while resting his hand on his cheek looks down at the floor in contemplation. Naota recently entered the room, out of breath, and with a wrinkled expression.
"What the hell were you thinking Naoki? Don't you know what's going to happen to you?"
Naoki, silent for a couple of seconds, readjusts himself. Hugging his legs, he rests his chin between his knees, staring at Naota, eventually responding with a mutter.
"All I know is that I'm arrested in my dorm room. I don't know what I did wrong, or that something so insignificant would be so serious..."
"That's your main problem Naoki, you don't know what you do, and you inevitably fall into this shit. Why don't you ever think for once? God man..."
Naoki tilts his head down and hides his face between his legs.
"You understand how fucked this is, right?" Continues Naota.
"Best case scenario, you get punished with a slap on the wrist, maybe a mundane arrest, and that's that. Either that, or in worse scenarios, you're arrested and put into slave labor along with other rogue sorcerers, you'll be executed, or in the absolute worst case, you get turned into one of those things-"
Naota looks up.
"What things?"
Naota, pausing, eventually responds.
"That... doesn't matter right now. What matters is what we can do right now. I hate hampering on you, but you and I already know that complaining about problems doesn't fix anything."
"Then why do it in the first place-"
"Because you need to learn one way or another god damn it."
"I already know how I fucked up, I don't need another reminder to shove it in my face."
"Well if you already knew then why would you do something so stupid!?"
Naoki wrinkles his face, barely containing his composure. It was apparent that his breathing got heavy. Naota on the other hand, palms his face while dragging his face down. He tiredly lets out a heavy sigh. A silent exchange between the two of them occurs, before Naota continues.
"Look. I care about you. I know I'm harsh, and I hate doing this but please man. I'll hear you out. Just tell me what you were thinking."
The kid hides his face while rubbing it against his legs. He eventually looks up at Sen with his watery eyes.
"Yesterday, you told me that you trusted my judgement no matter what..."
With a lump in his throat, Naota Sen stares at the student.
"Go on," says the teacher.
Naoki breaths in and out before starting his story.
The student explained everything; no minute detail was spared. He told him how each and every action was done. How he noticed the lack of a magical presence in the first place. How he followed the protocol of making every person not affected by magic fall asleep, to noticing the flaws in his target's demeanor. The target didn't pounce on him when he opened the door; the target didn’t even know how to use ki, magic, or psychopower, much less fight in general. The odd demeanor of a so-called “rogue sorcerer” who screams like a girl when threatened by someone two/thirds his size. Despite having the easiest fight he would ever have in his career as a sorcerer, Naoki still decided to read the target’s mind just to see what was going on. He read everything; it confirmed his suspicions: this guy was no sorcerer. He was no self-righteous freak or bloodthirsty terrorist. He was a lowly salaryman with a pathetic personality that just happened to pray one night and ended up as… this. Sure the freak-out at the office wasn’t an innocent act, but with the circumstances at the moment, it's far from malicious. This guy wasn’t special; he just happened to have the worst luck imaginable.
"...
I know we talked about it yesterday, with what Makoto said," continues Naoki.
"I know I shouldn't help others, and pity weighs people down, since depending on others is a death sentence but... being raised by someone with a heart has its ups and downs."
Naota's throat becomes dry.
Naoki continues.
"To finish it off, I just couldn't help but at least do something about this guy. Hell, wouldn't it suck if you were in his position? Wouldn't you try to fight back and hold on to whatever you had left before it inevitably gets ripped away from you? I know this guy messed up by breaking a window and accidentally causing harm to the officer, but the bullet bounced off of his god damn head and into the officer. I don't see how that's malicious against another person in any sort of nature. They were accidents. Yes, its unfortunate that it happened, and something should be done but... god man.
Damn me for having a heart I guess."
Naoki slouches while exhaling a heavy sigh.
"In conclusion, I picked him up, went out the window, and ran as fast as I could towards the Osaka campus. I eventually got there, told a brief summary of what happened to Ernesto, and he understood. The cockroach and I teleported here, and I dragged his body with the intent of going towards Ms. Gretchen's office. But all of a sudden, Mr. Mishima just HAD to be there in the lounge area. I told him what was going on, he told me go to my dorm and now... I'm just here wondering what the hell is happening. It's been an hour, but the moment I saw Mishima, I could tell things were about to go downhill."
Silence between the two.
Eventually, Naota sighs, finishing up his thoughts.
"Alright.
I appreciate what you did Naoki. It was very thoughtful, and to an extent, you're right. The man is innocent. It's very noble of you to stick your neck out for strangers, especially when you can tell they're not evil. That being said, there's no simple way to say it: you're fucked. You will get punished one way or another, but that depends on what you want to do now.
You can either drop this whole case, apologize to the higher ups, and then the cockroach will be sentenced for execution, and things will go back to normal.
Or
you can continue to risk your life to save this guy by filing an appeal to court, where it will take several days, have the staff of the school involved, the cockroach and you are going to be interviewed, scanned, read, put under a contract where lying will have you die on the spot for as long as the case is active, and then... who knows from there.
What do you want to do."
"...
Tch.
Isn't it obvious?
I've already risked my life saving this guy. What use is the effort if I'm not going to commit to it?"
The edge of Naota's lips curl slightly upwards.
"Alright.
Let's do some lawyer work then."
.
.
.
A couple hours later, in a cold, damp and pitch black prison cell made out of moldy wood and cobblestone, Yamada wakes up. The pungent stench of moss and fungi immediately strike his antennas. The floor is cold and hard. There was no bench or makeshift bed. Only stones, fruiting bodies, corroded wood, a metallic substance that seemed impenetrable, and an odd aura that makes Yamada nauseous and weak. He looks at the cell door. Despite being a cockroach, he could barely see the wall at the opposite end of him. He tries squeezing his head to see what was on the left and right sides of the hall, yet to no avail. Laying on the cold hard floor, Yamada waits for something to happen.
"Where am I? What's happening? What am I doing here? What happened to me? Is anybody near me? Is there a way to get out? I hate cold spaces. I hate cramped spaces. The stench is unbearable! I hate this. I hate this! What if no one will ever come to rescue me? What if I never get to see the light of day? I'm starving. Should I eat the moss here? Or any insect that I come across. Oh god... that's so gross. I just... I just..."
With a pulsating migraine, the defeated insect lies there wondering with a single phrase repeating in his mind.
What did I do?
With nothing to tell time with, seconds feels like minutes, and hours felt like days. The only things he could do are: wait, sleep, bang his head on the floor, and repeat.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Hearing something other than the sound of his own breathing for once, Yamada perks up and frantically pushes himself up to the cell door.
"HELP! HELP PLEASE!"
Eventually, the steps grew closer. With a torch in hand, the silhouette looks up, tiling their hat and showing their face.
It's Naoki with a stern expression.
"Hey. It's me again. We need to talk."
Unsure if whether or not to scream, kneel, or stay silent, Yamada stands still. An audibly hiss is let out, most likely out of accidental instinct.
"My name is Naoki. You're in a temporary jail cell. You're name is... Yamada, correct?"
"H-How do you know my name?"
"I read your mind. Seeing as how all of this is happening, I don't think that's too surprising to you at this point, is it?"
Yamada breathes heavily, backing away and leaning against the wall of his cell.
"...No... It's just... It's all too much. I can barely comprehend what's going on anymore..."
"Look, calm down. I'm not here to hurt you anymore. But, we're both in a tight situation. Before I begin however, I want to ask you something first before we even waste time. Let me make this perfectly clear: everyone in the outside world thinks you're dead. Your apartment has been seized, your assets have gone to the bank, all of your belongings are most likely in the trash, and you have practically nothing of value anymore."
Waiting for wailing to ensue, or a screech, or anything really, Naoki prepares himself.
"...?
You're quiet."
Silently sobbing, Yamada's barely visible face stares back at Naoki blankly.
"I...I don't know how to react. I don't think I can process all of my life being destroyed in the span of less than a week. I don't know-"
Choking up on his words, Yamada gags and retches into the corner of his cell.
"I don't...
I just don't know...
What do you want from me?"
Naoki looks down.
"I took pity on you. I know I probably shouldn't have done so. I wanted to save your life. I know it sounds stupid. Me, risking my own life to save a stranger I was sent out to kill, not knowing of who he was or why he should even be allowed to live. I knew you damaged property, and I should've just done the job, just so that it would spare both of our suffering. Look at us now...
I wanted to save your life because I could sense you were innocent. Not a good person mind you, but definitely far from malicious. I read your mind and even when you had the perfect opportunity to abuse power and wreak havoc against your co-workers- you didn't.
...
I saw you try to kill yourself, just to get rid of this nightmare, only to hurt someone else. I know you didn't mean to, but shit happens. I understand that, but the system doesn't. You fought back against me, but only out of self defense. I want to make things right. Go ahead and call me a kid. Go ahead and berate me for taking pity on a stranger. Forsake me for having a heart, right? I know the world sucks, and I know the world is plagued by a never ending cycle of misery. But I care. I care god damn it."
Naoki's voice begins to quiver. He grits his teeth as he speaks.
"I was naïve once. The world is against all of us; and I was correct. The systems that try to govern life can only help so much, and often end up helping those in power more than the common people. Those who strive towards helping others get punished more than those who live selfishly. But with what little right I can do in this world, I want to save it for those who deserve it. For as calloused and pointless our existence is, and no matter how much the innocent have to suffer, only for the vile to reap the rewards, I don't think there's anything wrong in trying to do the right thing. I don't care how many times I mess up, or how many times the odds are against me. I still try..."
Naoki pauses before his voice cracks at the end of his sentiment.
"because somebody has to."
Naoki looks away and wipes his eyes.
Silence.
Yamada, with a croaking voice leans as close as possible to the edge of the cell door. His fingers grip on to the bars as tight as he could. Despite his face being difficult to make an expression, his sentiment was loud and clear.
"Fuck.
You."
Silence occurs once more.
The both of them stare at each other. One frustrated; the other jaded.
"You expect me to take your pity? After you ruined what little I had? Do you think I appreciate being in a cell? Starving for who knows how long? Do you think I like getting hurt? No god damn it! I didn't do anything, and now you're preaching to me about how you're so sorry, expecting me to accept it? Get over yourself. Thinking you're so high and mighty, expecting me to bow down to your mercy. Grugh, you're... you're so!"
Yamada punches the wall repeatedly in a blind fury. No matter how hard he punches the wall, the scenario was still the same. He was stuck in his cell, unknowing of what's about to happen to him, blaming it all on a kid.
The both of them tired, Naoki props up after Yamada's tantrum.
"I never expected you to forgive me. Even though I wasn't the one responsible for the way you are right now, I don't blame you."
Naoki pauses before continuing.
"So back when I met you, would you rather I have killed you?"
Yamada, gasping while sitting down shoots out a groaning "yes."
"I see. Then why did you try defend yourself?"
"Are you stupid? I wasn't expecting this to happen. If I knew my life was going to be over, I would have just lied on the floor and willingly taken the bullet to the head. Anyone would've tried to defend themselves at that moment, it was instinct."
"I see. Then why did you try to kill yourself days prior? You eventually went back to your apartment, and stood there for a while. Why clutch on to life if its so miserable?"
"I tried to kill myself and I failed. Obviously after the incident at my job was over, I feared death. The only place comfortable was my house and... I don't know what I would have done. My plan was to stay there for as long as I can and... see what goes from there."
Naoki stands up.
"I thought so."
Yamada, tired and confused, looks up.
"What?"
"I didn't come here to berate you, or dump my life's story on to you, Yamada. I came here to give you an offer.
Either you can make this easy for the both of us, and you can accept an execution.
Or, we can go appeal a trial for this very unusual circumstance, and we can make a special case for you. The logistics of that are unknown to me. What I do know however, is that you will become free from this cell, we'll come up with a sound resolution for you and hopefully, in the future we can figure out what happened to you, and fix you up.
So tell me, Yamada. Are you going to rot in prison and wait for death? Or are you going to accept this opportunity towards a new life?"
Yamada stood silent.
Why go for it. Why even bother trying again? Everything he ever cared for was lost. Everything he ever knew just got swept under a rug. Everyone that knew him thought he was a monster, and now thinks he's dead. All the years of stress, from school, work, personal issues, family issues, all of that effort just to make money: all gone. Life had beat him up for 30 years straight, and all the rewards he could've reaped were all wasted. Typical. Measly. Yamada the fool; Yamada the clown. As worthless as a god damned insect. There was no reason for him to live.
Realistically, the only thing he knew that tied him down was the fear of death. One which he could only throw away when he was at his breaking point. Now, there is no breaking point anymore. All that he cared for as already gone. So what now? He was forced into a corner. A damp, cramped, uncomfortable smelly corner in a dingy basement with the most miserable brain fog that trampled in comparison to measly 16 hour long migraines from work. What to do. What to do.
On one hand, he could die, and all the suffering would end. Give up, and accept defeat. He'll finally be able to rest.
On the other, he could try a brand new life. A fresh restart, with new people, new customs, new opportunities, new abilities and perhaps, even a way to revert back from this wretched form. It was a scary concept. He hated change. But being unchanging in his ways is what reaped him a miserable life in the first place.
Besides, he knew this kid meant no harm. It was a matter of circumstance. Deep down, even Yamada knew his burst of anger was a misplaced moment of projection. The kid was right. Shit happens. It's not necessarily his own or the kid's fault. So what can a person do? Yamada complained and cried all about it in his apartment and at the jail cell.
And what changed?
Nothing.
Though he was hesitant, and though it took 28 minutes to finally give an answer to Naoki, who sits patiently, Yamada finally took his first step in correcting his unfulfilled life's prime mistake.
"But..." starts Yamada. "What do I do with my new life? What's the point if I've already lost everything?"
"That's up to you and what you make of this opportunity. Things will never be the same, which is the worst part out of all of this. And living just for the sake of fearing death isn't a very fulfilling life. But you really have to look into yourself and decide what you want to do with this second opportunity. I don't expect you to have an answer yet, especially with everything being thrown at you all at once. But, there will be a day when your reason for living will come to you. It's like how none of us asked to be born, and yet here we are. We didn't know what we'd be doing with our lives, but eventually down the line, our reason for living finds us one way or another. But that's just how I look at it. I can suggest things all I want, but it won't make a difference. At the end of the day, it's your life and your choice."
"...Nothing will be the same..."
Yamada mumbles to himself for a couple minutes before he finally expresses his words to Naoki.
"You say nothing will be the same...
and as much as I want to go back
I can't.
And more importantly, I wonder something.
I wonder if this all happened because I was the way I am; if all of this could have been avoided if I wasn't so miserable.
Or if it really isn't that deep and I'm just that unlucky."
Yamada does his best to huddle his legs to his chest as a means of hugging them.
Naoki awkwardly leans on the wall, unsure of what to say. There's only so many "shit happens" he can say before he too loses hope.
In the minutes of contemplation however, Yamada realizes something very simple.
When there's nothing left to lose, and rock bottom has already been reached, naturally, there's only one direction to move.
Yamada stops hugging his knees, and slowly crawls up to the bars, grasping onto them while looking Naoki straight in the eye with a sullen tone.
"I'll take your offer, and go for a trial."
Naoki gently smiles.
"I can't promise anything, Yamada. However, we'll try our hardest, that's for damn sure."
Naoki turns around and walks back towards the way he came. Yamada, goes back on the ground and shivers. Despite the darkness that surrounded them, they felt at ease.
.
.
"(Thank you.)"
.
.
.
Days pass. Naoki explains what happened to all of the staff, and all the students close to him. Though a majority of them were on his side, and no hard feelings were felt between Naoki and an individual, differences couldn't be more clearer.
While Naoki and those who supported him looked up special cases similar to this, Mishima on the other hand had several files ready, as well as the hands of several people within his clique attending this case. Mishima was only an ambassador between the Ordinance Academy as a government body, and the rest of the Japanese government. However, seeing as how he stuck close with people from the conservative faction of the government, they supported him with whatever he needed. Not to mention, the Principal of the Kyoto campus was Hanayama Ozeki, a staunch and loud opposer against other campuses who were aligned with the conservative faction. Due to this case being a case that only affected his school, typically this was none of anyone's concerns. But because Mishima involved himself with the case, and in turn involved several other people into play, this ensued a tug of war between how the trial should be played out, who should attend, who can attend, and whatnot.
While Yamada ate spoiled rice and any scant insects that happened to crawl by near there, Naoki and his team argued and read. While the conservative judges were rehearsing their verdicts, Mishima stared at his flag.
Eventually, the day came.
.
.
.
"ALL RISE FOR THE SPECIAL COURT."
A large court room with three grand seats in the middle. Old men, most likely in their 70s wearing their judge uniforms, looking down upon everybody else. To the right of the audience were seats meant for the defendants; leaning more to the middle, were the "attorneys." Due to the circumstances of the trial, the "attorneys" would act more like witnesses, and pass on reasonings on their opinion towards what should happen against the defendants. To the left of the middle was the plaintiff and prosecutor: Mishima sitting alone with his desk. In attendance, there were several people from the conservative faction who were sitting in the background. The only people who came to support Naoki and his efforts were Makoto, Akemi, and Ernesto.
The staff of the Kyoto academy all stand up; Hanayama, Naota, Gretchen, Django, and Kyouji. Naota looks around in a confused manner. Kyouji notices and whispers, "what's wrong?"
"Where's Kuragari?"
"...I don't think he's going to attend."
Naota makes a wry face, containing his composure.
"Jackass..."
Everyone is wearing suits.
"We shall commence this courtroom hearing by listening to the verdict decreed by the attorneys. We shall listen to their reasonings one by one, and then proceed towards the prosecutor's side," announces the judge in the middle.
"First up, Hanayama Ozeki. Please state your reasonings."
Naoki and Yamada are sitting down, staring at their judgement in front of them. Yamada trembles; Naoki blankly stares. The teenager puts his hand on the roach's shoulder and says, "calm down. Save that for the worst part."
Hanayama stands up and walks over to the podium in front of the judges. Despite being over one hundred years old, he looks to be in a better condition compared to the other 70 year olds in the room. People in the audience stare at him with ire and contempt. Jealousy fills the air. And Ozeki knew this. For as many people hated his brash demeanor, they also knew to respect it. Hell, a main part of where the ire came from was due to how untouchable the geezer was.
◉ - Principal of the Kyoto Campus, Hanayama Ozeki
"I'll make this quick. As we all know about the case, what the kid did here was stupid, plain and simple. He tried to act all hero-like, and he got himself in a deep mess. Whatever, it happens. I understand that the main issue at hand is by definition, Naoki Miyamoto disobeying orders, and rescuing the cockroach. Now, though one may argue he was arresting the sorcerer, or that they are both innocent and accidentally caused damage when they didn't mean to- I don't care. That's not what I'm arguing."
The principal grips the sides of the podium. Indents start to form on the wooden stand from the sheer grip strength of the old man.
"I have lived for a long time. I have seen every flavor of man possible. I have fought alongside the most noble of men, while dealing with the most delusional of pests. And I can assure you," he says, while pointing towards Yamada.
"this is the most pathetic man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting."
Yamada hunches over and whispers to Naoki.
"I don't think I appreciate this defense..."
Hanayama continues.
"All of these people ran several tests on the two. They studied, questioned, argued, several days for the both of them. I was barely involved because the very moment I saw this man, I saw everything I needed to know. This salaryman has never been in a fight. He's never willingly hurt anybody out of malicious intent. He's so caught up by his work that he doesn't even indulge in vices. There is no way in hell, this inconspicuous loser knows how to use any sense of sorcery. And finally, I can assure everyone in this courtroom, that a fly or a mosquito would pose more of a threat than that man sitting over there. How he ended up like this, I don't know. And I don't care. People get cursed. It's just that we happened to make a big deal out of this one."
Murmurs arise from the audience. Confusion and disbelief. A majority of the older members stare at Hanayama. The other staff members' reactions range from quiet peace to a loud anxiety.
The judges whisper to each other for a moment before asking Hanayama.
"So what's your verdict?"
"I vote the defendants Yamada Kenji and Miyamoto Naoki, not guilty."
"Understood," says the judge in the middle. He proceeds to bang his gavel.
"NEXT."
Hanayama turns around and walks towards the stand where the rest of the staff are sitting down. He looks at all the people in the conservative faction glare at him; he contests their inferior stares with his own piercing gaze. Those who met his eyes immediately look downwards after a second. He scoffs.
"Tch."
He sits down, immediately resting his arms above the backrest while looking up the at the ceiling. Naota leans in and whispers to the principal, "as much as we appreciate your support being here, it really doesn't look like you care about this cas-"
"I don't."
Confused, Naota looks at him before he begs the question: "then why did you attend?"
Squinting his eyes, the principal glares at the ceiling. "You know why."
"Proceed to the podium," commanded one of the judges.
◉ - Teacher at the Kyoto Campus, Naota Sen
Standing tall and firm, the teacher looks up at the judges. Feeling the disgusted gazes of the old men in the room, he ignores them.
"Your honors, I would like to first and foremost make one thing straight. I completely agree that what the actions that these two made was a mistake on their part. However, from the assessment and reports we've gathered, it is very fair to assume that on an ethical level, it is only right to release these two due on the account that one of them is a child and should be tried separately if need be, and the other has been cursed without his volition.
The crimes that the defendant, Kenji Yamada has performed were all done out of a mental breakdown. He didn't mean to scare his co-workers, it was simply a natural response to his transformed state. He did not intentionally harm the officer on duty that was at his office. Upon seeing the memories of the individual, it is clear that he intended to commit suicide on the spot with the officer's firearm however, due to his physiology, the bullet bounced back and happened to harm the officer. The defendant then fled the scene as a result of the pressure. And though he left a mess in his apartment, and refused to move out, by no means does that justify the death penalty.
Judging from several cases in the past, due to the exception clause stating that any and all civilians involved in the world of sorcery should be tried separately in a worst scenario, and at best should have their memories wiped. It is important to mention that due to Yamada's state at the moment, it is hard to classify him as a typical civilian. Despite that, in nature of everything excluding his body, he is by all intents and purpose, a civilian. I understand that it is the Ordinance project's sole responsibility to hide away all instances of sorcery and whatnot, but due to the overwhelming amount of evidence that suggests the defendant's innocence, much less lack of evidence to suggest he knows how to use any form of sorcery, I believe that it is only just to pass a pardon, and find a different solution to the parties involved.
As for the other defendant, Naoki Miyamoto, I understand that the student disobeyed orders. However, due to the unusual circumstances and the overwhelming amount of signs to suggest that Yamada was no typical sorcerer, Naoki paused his mission and took Yamada in for questioning. It is reasonable to understand that this could all have been avoided in the first place if he listened to his task. I know; I take full responsibility for that. But I want to make it clear that I agree with his assertion, and I sense no feelings of malice coming from Yamada. Take it from Naoki, a student has been taking missions for at least four years. He has completed his tasks successfully this entire time, so to assume he would disobey missions without a clear reason would be disingenuous."
One of the judges, tentatively listens to Naota's arguments; the other judges, bored at Naota's reasonings, respond.
"We appreciate your efforts for your reasonings, but leave personal involvements out of the equation. What is your verdict."
"I believe that the defendants Yamada Kenji and Miyamoto Naoki to be not guilty."
One of the judges rolls his eyes. He slams his gavel.
"NEXT. PROCEED TO THE PODIUM."
Naoki sighs with a sense of relief. Yamada looks stunned, almost convinced that Naota's testimony alone would singlehandedly solve the case. Almost.
As Naota comes towards the seats, he and Django trade spots. With a confident stride, the American smirks and walks up to the podium. The crowd does not share his sentiment.
◉ - Dean of the Kyoto Campus, Leonard Django
"Good morning your honors. I would like to set this down quickly and easily. I will make it perfectly clear, that I believe that both of these defendants are high in character and values. Not a single thing about them strikes me as malevolent or such. I like them, truly. However, I cannot state this enough: what they did was irresponsible. A pardon may be suggested, but someone needs to pay the price. Argue all you want in their favor, that doesn't stop several civilians being hurt because of their actions. Thankfully nobody died in this case, but the evidence is loud and clear. It was on the local news and from there, it'll spread like wildfire. The chances of it spreading throughout the country is scant, but that's still a risk that we have to consider-"
"Please get on with your verdict."
"Uhh... I mean I was getting to that, but the way I see it, I wouldn't say they are innocent per se-"
BANG.
The gavel slams down.
Yamada looks at Django, wide-eyed. Naoki with a glassy look stares at the scene, frozen in time. Django looks up.
"...what?" says the witness.
Naota facepalms. Kyouji grabs his face in frustration.
"You said you didn't see the defendants as innocent."
"You didn't let me finish, I was about to say they weren't guilty either. I was going to explain how I think they should be punished, but I don't think what they did warrants a death sente-"
"Your job is only to choose a verdict. Leave the sentencing to us. Go sit down."
Django's stomach forms a knot. His confident optimism: gone. Disheartened, he looks at Naoki and Yamada. "But-"
"Go sit down Mr. Django."
He walks back to his seat. He stares at the ground with his closed lips still twitching. Naota begrudgingly scoots right next to him.
"I know you were only trying your best to care. I know you didn't mean to."
"NEXT PERSON, PROCEED TO THE PODIUM."
◉ - Head of medical department in the Kyoto Campus, Gretchen Gaburgably
"Good morning your honors. I am Gretchen Gaburgably, head of the medical department in the Kyoto Campus. I will keep it brief by going over the tests we ran on Mr. Yamada. Through the tests we ran, we can confirm that Yamada was cursed without his volition. There is no possible way that he would be able to lie in these situations for two primary reasons. The first is that if he lied in any of the questions we gave him, he would have died on the spot due to the contract we placed upon him. Secondly, we confirmed that his soul and mind are that of a human's. The body is excluded of course, since it was forcefully manipulated. Since his mind and spirit are that of a human's there's no possible way he would be able to manifest psychopower or magic. And though his body was converted, other tests confirmed that his strength was that of a human's, if not- below average."
A couple of people in the crowd scoff. Yamada looks down at the ground while gripping his hands tightly. Naoki looks at him and whispers, "it's not that deep. Plus, you not knowing how to throw a punch helps us in this case." Yamada adjusts his mandibles. "Alright..."
"As for the other defendant Naoki, we ran less extensive tests since he's already a student. We applied the same contract we placed on Yamada and due to him being alive at the moment, it's clear that he's honest. As for his involvement in the situation, I have no comment. As stated before, I will only pass my verdict through the tests we ran through them.
I believe the defendants Miyamoto Naoki, and Kenji Yamada, not guilty."
The three judges look at the woman silently before one of them bashes their gavel.
"WILL THE FINAL ATTORNEY COME UP TO THE PODIUM."
Gretchen trades spots with Kyouji. Naota prompts a fist pump and a quiet congratulation. "No, time to get excited," comments Gretchen. "Mishima still hasn't gone up yet."
◉ - Head of the technology department in the Kyoto Campus, Kyouji Nakugima
"Your honors, I would like to affirm that I hold a similar position as Ms. Gretchen in this case. I ran several of the scans in this case and can confirm much of the same things as Ms. Gretchen.
..."
For what felt like a minute, Kyouji stood silent.
The judges, staff team, and those in the crowd look at him silently in confusion. Mishima glares. The defendants worry.
"Is that all...?"
"No. I can't comment any more on Yamada, especially without repeating what's already been affirmed of his character. However, I will say this about Naoki. What he did was stupid, there's no question about it. However, on an ethical level, what he did was more responsible than what the mission entailed him to do. I understand that he was supposed to go after Yamada, who was labeled as a rogue sorcerer. But without intervening and denying the mission, the academy would have killed an innocent person for no good reason. Naoki did not harm any civilian, and the only person who managed to see him was put to sleep. He also made everybody in the building sleep so as to not cause a disturbance. Everything he did up to that point was a textbook example of what a sorcerer should do. I don't see any logical reasoning for why the two of them should be tried with such harsh punishments. The main issue that the spiritual branch as a whole faces is the civilian society catching wind of these events. I understand that since Yamada has already been seen, the people affected will have their minds wiped, if they haven't already been wiped. But if that was already going to happen, why would we kill the man if we already know he's incapable of intentionally harming anyone with magic, much less anyone in general. With all these reasonings, I conclude that Kenji Yamada and Miyamoto Naoki are in fact, not guilty."
Kyouji finally looks up at the judges. The judges look displeased; he glares back at them.
"Take your seat, Nakugima."
Kyouji quietly stomps towards where the staff are sitting. The audience of old men grimace at him. Despite not looking at them, he unintentionally does the same, holding that same expression, looking forward. He finally sits down, silent. Naota quietly leans in. "As much as I appreciate what you did, I think you hurt us more than helped."
"I just realized that now," responds Kyouji. "But I just don't understand; it's so stupid."
Through pursed lips, Naota finally responds. "It's just how it is."
"Would the prosecutor please go up to the podium."
Mishima stands up in robotic fashion. He walks over to the podium with a bored expression. Those tired, grey eyes stare blankly in front of him; the look on his face annoys Hanayama. Those in the audience are silent, looking up at him with silent determination. Two of the judges give him a satisfied smile; the other confused at his peer's reactions.
◉ - Ambassador of the Ordinance Academy Project from the Japanese Government, Yoshida Mishima
"Your honors, as you know, Kenji Yamada had been marked as a rogue sorcerer in the first place for a reason. On the morning of the case, he caused property damage, including leaving a reckless state of the establishment's property, as well as leaving a window broken. All while in this current state no less. If he is as so innocent as the attorneys say, then I find it hard to believe that someone who poses less of a threat 'than a fly or a mosquito' would cause this degree of damage in the first place. Mayhaps he was having a bad morning, no one can say for sure."
Yamada's eyes twitch. Naoki and Naota purse their lips. Kyouji grits his teeth.
"I understand mistakes can happen, and the manager would agree as well. If Yamada were to notify the manager of the accident in the first place, he would be granted a pass as long as he paid for the damage. Lo and behold, that never occurred for some reason."
A judge holds his palm out while asking a question; the other two judges shoot an annoyed glance at him.
"Pause for a moment, do you have proof that the witness would say such a thing in the first place?"
"I do, your honor. I believe you would understand that I cannot permit the witness into these premises. I introduced myself as an official member of the government and just wanted to ask her a couple of questions before I could reimburse her and her efforts for tax purposes. Though I myself am not responsible for the filing process, I am responsible for keeping the front between both societies from meeting, and as part of my responsibility, I believe you would agree that I keep that from happening no matter the means necessary. For this case in specific, I relay the work of the National Tax Agency of Japan as a sort of extension, while I get the proper information for this case at the same time."
"I see," says the judge; "please continue."
"Thank your honor. Later, the defendant goes to work knowing full well of his unusual condition, willingly implying he knew the dangers that he could possess in his state."
Yamada's mandibles jitter; saliva begins to froth. "Calm down," says Naoki. "You'll only make it worse if you make a scene."
Through raspy breathing, Yamada retorts, "but it's just not fair."
"...I know."
"Eventually, the danger did come to fruition. Before the local agents in Osaka came in and wiped the memories of the victims, they analyzed the scene and downloaded the memories of all the victims. The reports state that Yamada, in his crazed state revealed his true from and spread mass hysteria among the victims. Though he unintentionally harmed an officer in an act of suicide, his form denied the chance of self harm, and the bullet bounced off of his cheek, harming the officer. Intentional or not, the damage had been done. Through the evidence alone, he poses as a threat to regular society. And with these new found powers, who knows what he would have done next. That is why Naoki was assigned on the job to execute the order. It is the job of the student or an agent to complete a mission no matter the means necessary. Unless stated in the mission, there is no reason for an agent or student to take measures by their own hands unless in extreme circumstances. Seeing as how Yamada wasn't harming anybody at the time, this cannot and should not be reasoned as an 'extreme circumstance.'"
"But he doesn't know anything sorcery; how the hell should he be tried as a rogue sorcerer, especially with him getting this form without asking for it?" blurts Kyouji aloud, standing tall and firm, staring into the prosecutor's eyes. Kenji's eyes glimmered from the light, mandibles agape. Naoki, looks stunned. Hanayama smiles. Django quietly grins. Gretchen expresses a silent grimace, shaking her head while Naota on the other hand closes his eyes and whispers something under his breath: "shit."
"Sit down, Nakugima." hisses one of the judges. "Continue, Mr. Mishima."
"...Yes, that is a good question, Mr. Nakugima," responds Mishima. "I can only say this: it doesn't matter if he in actuality is a rogue sorcerer or not. The evidence speaks louder than the defendant's words. And due to the unusual circumstance, whether he actually knows sorcery or not is irrelevant. The bizarre state of his being is enough to classify him as a 'rogue sorcerer', whether he's knowledgeable about this world or not. On top of that, anyone who is not aligned with the Sorcery Union of Japan, or other similar parties while using any sort of sorcery are enough to be trialed as a 'rogue sorcerer.' It's just the way it is, and that is that."
Kyouij's vein on his forehead makes itself apparent. He quietly sits down as he mutters his comment through gritted teeth. "I see."
Naota looks at Kyouji.
"No matter how much it pains you, you shouldn't have done that."
Kyouji closes his lips, looks down, and with a shaky voice, responds. "...I know."
"All that being said, I want to conclude on this note," says Mishima. "I don't doubt that Mr. Yamada may have been an upstanding responsible worker growing up. From what I've heard, he sounds like a reasonable person, and a hard worker. However, he just did not have the proper mindset for the situation, and his fragile mind affected others, whether he wanted to or not. It is a shame that things had to be like this, but as a responsible member of this society, I find it only necessary for Kenji Yamada to face punishment. Clearly, in this state he poses too much of a threat to himself, and for civilians as a whole. As for Naoki, I can see where he's coming from. He wanted to play hero and tried helping someone who didn't need it. But his naivety poses as much of a danger to the world if he lets someone of Yamada's caliber as an 'innocent person.' But he's just a child. He doesn't know better. I don't believe he deserves death, but I do believe that he needs to be corrected. Surely, someone's irresponsible nature has guided him to act in an impudent way to begin with. However, it is not my place to judge; that is for the three of you to decide.
I rest my case."
"Well said Mr. Mishima. Take a seat."
Those in the audience applause. Kyouji's eye twitches, gripping his legs to a near degree of bleeding. Naota looks forward, bracing for the verdict. Hanayama stares at his opponents with an annoyed look. Django leans forward, holding his hand over his mouth. Gretchen closes her eyes, bracing for the moment. Yamada's heart sinks.
And Naoki looks blankly forward, staring death in the face. Despite the judges calling for order in the court, the gall of those older than him to clap at something like this rings rampantly in his ears. He stares in the distance. His eyes begin to water. All of this effort. All of this time. Despite the truth being ever present, those who speak in technicalities, whose language is upheld by favors and bias. His mind squelches at the realization. Staring, once more into the vision he tried to deny, only for the cruelty to punch him in his face over and over again. He sits, down with a blank face, mouth hanging open.
"By my power, I, Judge Nakayama find the defendants, Miyamoto Naoki, and Yamada Kenji, guilty."
"By my power, I, Judge Goto find the defendants, Miyamoto Naoki, and Yamada Kenji, not guilty."
"By my power, I, Judge Hano find the defendants, Miyamoto Naoki, and Yamada Kenji, gui-"
Mishima, glares at the judge.
The judge stops midsentence. He turns to one of his peers and whispers something. The judge in the middle, confused, looks back at the both of them. The audience murmurs. The attorneys look at each other, confused. Yamada looks relieved. Naoki on the other hand, was too exhausted to care anymore.
After two minutes of discussing, the judges turn back to their mics. Mishima looks back to his typical, tired self.
"Due to an impasse between the three of us, we shall settle for an agreement, with the conditions set by the prosecutor. Mr. Mishima," says one of the judges, turning towards him. "Who do you choose to reason with?"
"I choose Ms. Gaburgably, and Mr. Nakugima."
Both of the staff members look at each other with a confused look on their face.
"The two of you will go back to the conference room with Mr. Mishima. There, the final sentence will be agreed upon. Once you propose it back to us, the condition will be set."
Kyouji, Gretchen, and Mishima walk into the conference room. The audience, staff team, and defendants all stare at the door of the room. The tense air rubs off of everyone. Just as everyone feels ill-willed against the opposition, at least one thing was mutually agreed upon: they don't know what's going on. Despite rooting for Mishima, this unexpected turn of events soured the audience's mood. Those on the Kyoto staff team on the other hand only held worry in their hearts. Yamada, feeling his brain pulse from the roller coaster of today, grasps onto his head. Naoki on the other hand, limply sits on his seat, expecting the worst.
After seven minutes, the doors open. Mishima, with a bored expression, hands the judges the conditions. Gretchen looks speechless, while Nakugima looks confused.
All three of the judges pass the paper to each other, nodding at its circumstances. Content, the judge in the middle announces.
"We the judges permit to the conditions agreed upon. We find the defendants not guilty under the precedence that Yamada Kenji gets trained as a sorcerer within the Kyoto campus, while Naoki Miyamoto gets punished with reception duty for four days a week until further notice. This court is dismissed."
The judge bangs his gavel.
Everyone looks at the person sitting next to them. Confused murmurs arise from the audience. Too exhausted to cheer, the Kyoto staff team (excluding Hanayama) all rise up, smiling, wiping their brows. Yamada, containing his excitement, shakes Naoki. "Hah- Hahahah! Does that mean what I think it means? I- we- we're alive???"
Naoki tiredly responds, "for now."
The two of them exit out of their area and walk towards the team.
"Four days a week of reception duty is going to be rough but... it's livable. Honestly man I'm just... I would like to scream and shout and be excited but... something doesn't feel right. I'm glad to be alive though, and I'm glad you get to survive. These are going to be some pretty interesting weeks, I know that for sure but for now I just want to..."
Naoki limply falls down, before being grabbed by someone. He looks up.
It's Makoto.
"You're in deep shit, you know that?"
Naoki, tiredly smiles. "I was. Now, I'm just in regular shit."
She rolls her eyes and couldn't help but give a small smile. "Yeah well, at least you're alive, and that's all that matters."
The Kyoto staff team surround the defendants in quiet, relieved attitudes.
Yamada proceeds to perform dogeza.
"I want to thank all of you for your efforts. I'm glad you all went out of your ways to go this far. Even though we don't know each other so well, I can't help but feel eternally grateful."
Django chuckles. "I bet you wouldn't be doing all this if we failed you, so no need to mention it."
"Well it's not even that, it's just..."
Yamada's voice begins to quiver.
"After all what's happened, it feels refreshing to finally feel like someone believes me."
Naoki hugged both Naota and Kyouji. Though since he was too tired to stand up, he unintentionally dragged both of their necks down with his weight.
"Settle down kid. We appreciate it, but we're just as tired as you are," comments Naota.
"Thank you guys, truly. By the way Kyouji, that was a really smart proposition. I don't know how you came up with it, or how you convinced that rat to agree to the terms, but I'm glad you did."
Kyouji, still looking confused this entire time, sternly looks at Naoki in the eyes.
"Naoki.
I didn't come up with the proposition."