THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL


[Soon enough, once the final clues have been uncovered, the telltale DING echoes through the Mall. The elevator in the food court has opened once more, and it will not close until all of the remaining Titled have gotten in it. And, as before, a thought comes to them, the realization that they needed to get on the roof, and get to the bottom of this.

Soon enough, everyone is back on the roof, and they will find that their platform arrangement has changed to reflect those who had died since last week. The podiums of Dio, Torri, and Yuuri are each all lowered and covered with white cloths. Otherwise, everyone else's platforms also have food and drinks, just like last week.

It's probably still not much comfort, especially with what everyone knows must happen. They must look at the evidence they have gathered, and once more, they will have to figure out the truth, putting their lives on the line to do so. Hopefully, their luck will hold.

So, get ready.

The trial for the murders of Torri Feiji, The Bliss, and Yuuri Katsuki, The Future, has begun.]

Comments

[foolishjustice]

[Unlike some people, he's going to face his conviction with dignity.]

Goro Akechi

...The bandages, smaller cuts, and knife were planted evidence. I never actually left the murder weapon behind.

[He reaches into a pocket and draws a folded switchblade, which he holds tightly in one hand.]

If there's any other questions you want to ask, this is your last chance.

[eyesofdespair]

Do you have any thoughts on who planted them?

[foolishjustice]

If I did, I would have already implicated them. I'm sorry.

[...Not just for not being able to pin down the fabricator's identity.]

[eyesofdespair]

I understand. I'll do what I can to make sure Akira gets out of this all right and doesn't join you for a damn long time.

[foolishjustice]

Thank you. He's the sort to try to sacrifice too much for other people...I don't want his kindness to be the cause of his death.

[eyesofdespair]

Yeah, he's a good person and good people tend to be hurt the worst by the injustices that exist in the world. I think that applies to you as well.

[foolishjustice]

It might, if I were really a good person.

[eyesofdespair]

No, I think you are. A good person like Akira wouldn't love you if there wasn't something good about you.

[incrediblystressedout]

...thank you.

[She means it.]

I wish...I mean, if we had time...I'd like to talk to you about your dad. Or whatever he is to you. My own Pa, he...I don't know if he knows I exist beyond being someone to watch his stuff, but I can't imagine what it's like to be you.

[foolishjustice]

The only person I'd wish being me on is my pathetic excuse for a father.

[incrediblystressedout]

Akira knows who he is, right? I don't, but I think I want to. It sounds like he needs to meet the business end of some tap shoes.

[foolishjustice]

It's hard not to, being from our version of Japan. He is in the running for Prime Minister.

[incrediblystressedout]

If I can physically get there, he's getting a steel-toed kick in the snoot. I don't care what he's running for.

[foolishjustice]

[That...earns something that might almost be the hint of a ghost of a smirk.]

Be careful if you decide to do that. He's a spiteful man.

[theirmagic]

[ Now that everything's calmed down... she has less "questions" and more, well... ]

Goro... is it... well--I...

[ ... You know what, she's just going to walk over and gently... place a hand on his shoulder. ]

... I wish you were the sort of person who would let me hug you. Even if it breaks the rules, I'll... I'll find a way to fix things. Somehow. I'm so sorry you felt it had to come to this. I'm sorry... that I couldn't do more... to be the kind of person you needed in your life. I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner, so that you didn't have to feel this way.

But... but I still care about you. You're someone I love as a friend. And that is never going to stop. Even if what you did was wrong. So please... don't leave trying to make people hate you.

Because it won't work on me. Croix tried that too, and it didn't work either.

[foolishjustice]

[He doesn't answer for a moment, but then he pockets his switchblade and crosses the room to wrap his arms around Ursula.]

...It would be easier for both of us if you did.

[theirmagic]

[ She gives him such a tight hug. She's crying more than a little bit. ]

Sorry... I guess I'm just stupid and stubborn like that. ... I'm going to miss you.

[foolishjustice]

...Make sure everyone else survives.

[theirmagic]

Oh, Goro... I'll try. I'm going to try so hard. I hope no one else feels like they have to do what you did. I'll try as hard as I can.

[ It takes her a long moment to let go. She doesn't want to. ]

... Please, never forget that we cared, okay? That there's not just... people like your father or the people that hurt you or your mother out there.

I can't make up for all the bad things you had to suffer through, but... I swear... if I can find a way to bring you back, and give you a second chance... I will. You deserve better.

[ She knows abuse when she sees it. ]

So please, just... just wait patiently until then, okay?

[foolishjustice]

...We have a disagreement about what I deserve. But... [His voice is tight, trying not to cry.] I want you to know that these past two weeks have been earnest. All of you...made me feel like I was wanted, for the first time in my life. What I did last night, it wasn't because I didn't care about you.

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama does not look calm. But he does look controlled. All that furious emotion and sense of pain and betrayal leashed back behind the discipline and focus that's always served him well.

And yet his voice is soft instead of icy when he speaks. He turns towards the teenager next to him.]

I believe I know, and yet... Why did you point us in the right direction, Goro? I didn't remember to confirm whether those cuts were pre or post mortem until you suggested we re-examine the evidence.

[foolishjustice]

[He idly turns his switchblade over in his hands, still folded.]

...I'm not entirely sure. I think it's because a large part of me didn't want to succeed.

[byanyother_name]

Yes... that's essentially what I thought. Don't forget that part of you, Goro. As long as a part of you wants to be different, change is possible. Always.

[Kurama moves towards Goro and reaches out. His hand is gentle as it curls against Goro's face. He leans in to whisper something into the other boy's ear that no one else will be able to hear before drawing back and speaking in a normal tone again.]

I have been, and always shall be, your friend.

[foolishjustice]

[Whatever Kurama whispered, it's enough to make Akechi's eyes widen.]

That's...

[...Honestly, he's not sure what to say to it.]

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama's expression is almost a smile, but a dreadfully sad, rueful one. He just nods his head, affirming it.

His last gift to his friend, in a way.]