Chapter Text
This is it.
Makoto exhaled deeply as he stood in the middle of the Waiting Room, his eyes closed as he prepared himself to meet with his client once again.
The pencil strokes coming from Tsumugi sketching in her notebook from her place in the red couch was the only sound that reached his ears.
"So I was thinking, what do you think your boyfriend's gonna say when the case is finished?"
Correction: real and welcome sound.
"Maybe something like... 'Oh, thank you so much, handsome! I will totally take you and the dashing detective out for dinner! It's the least I could do after you oh-so-bravely defended me in court, doing everything possible to save me from being found guilty!'"
That does not sound like Byakuya–
"Oh?~ See how you didn't disagree with me calling him your boyfriend? Careful~ A certain detective might get jealous~"
The short man put his face in his hands, refusing to acknowledge the mocking remarks of the despairful blonde. Especially once she started asking if he was going to come clean to his old friends.
"Is she being annoying?" Tsumugi's voice reached his ears, clearing his thoughts and reminding him of his current whereabouts.
Even though she had whispered, her voice echoed loudly due to the emptiness of the room. Thankfully, the bailiffs at the door respected their privacy, not even twitching at the bluenette's impromptu question.
"You could say that." Was the mumbled response.
A sting in his hand made him frown. The short man retreated his face and stared at where a light purple cloth used to be wrapped around his hand. The cut caused by one of Kyoko's bodyguards had actually been deeper than he had anticipated; the skin had taken the whole night to heal.
The area was still sensitive, however, as Makoto had accidentally cut his hand earlier in the day while making breakfast. This led to the skin that had healed to be marred with a paper thin cut that was more annoying than painful.
A manicured hand approached from the corner of his eye to poke at the thin cut. In order to stop her from digging her nails into his hand, he turned away and closed his hands into fists.
"You're no fun." The despairful blonde pouted.
The sound of footsteps echoed in from the hallway just as the phantom started tugging at his hair.
Tsumugi stood up and went to stand next to Makoto, who straightened up and prepared himself for the meeting with his client.
The duo was surprised when Byakuya turned the corner, as his escort of the day had been different from the one yesterday.
"Good morning." Kyoko greeted the two of them politely.
"H-Hey. Good morning." Makoto smiled nervously.
"Hello." Tsumugi tilted her head.
The last person to speak stood quiet for a couple of seconds before being nudged by the detective at his side. With a sigh and an eye roll, Byakuya muttered a greeting.
"Are you ready for the trial?" The detective asked, looking the shorter man in the eyes.
"Y-Yeah! We're hoping to end it today. We understand that you still need to meet with the prime minister, so we don't want to have to keep you waiting." Makoto avoided her gaze.
"Right." The blonde ambassador cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, you are cordially invited to dine with us later this week. As a thank you for taking my case."
"That's..." "Bad, annoying, too forward?" "Very thoughtful, thank you. We just wouldn't want to take up much of your time. I understand you're very busy people." His hand started rubbing the back of his head.
"If we extend the offer then it means we find no issue with the invitation. Our schedules can be altered." The taller blonde frowned.
"Isn't it a bit too soon? I mean, you haven't been found innocent yet." Tsumugi came to his rescue.
Their client huffed. "I have complete faith in my lawyer. I know he won't disappoint us; isn't that right, Mr. Plensait?"
Makoto avoided his gaze and stared at the courtroom doors, internally wishing they would open soon. Alas, his luck was not on his side, as said doors stayed closed.
"I will do my best, Mr. Togami." The defense attorney spoke softly, trying to ignore the despairful whispers trying to convince him to let Byakuya be found guilty.
The tall blonde's frown deepened. Just as he was about to say something else, the lavender haired woman at his side put a gloved hand on his shoulder. The two shared a glance, communicating silently. Not long after, the man's posture relaxed slightly.
Makoto was unaware of this, as he was still willing one of the bailiffs to move and inform them that the trial was about to start.
"The offer still stands." Kyoko's voice resonated in the room. "You do not have to answer right away, of course. But," Her tone changed. "We would love to get the opportunity to know each other better."
The short blonde bit his lip once he had recognized her shift in tone. Since when does Kyoko get nervous?
Regardless, his heart squeezed painfully. If there were any doubts as to whether they knew who he was, it was gone now. They had extended an olive branch, now it was his turn to either accept said offer or retreat completely.
The bluenette, who had stayed silent until now, looked at her notes in previous pages of her notebook before taking a deep breath.
"How about we wait until the case is over? Mr. Hidan and I need to focus on proving your innocence first, Mr. Togami."
The defense attorney's expression softened. Her actions reminded him of the promise they had made eight years ago, when they met for the first time. We'll look out for each other.
"Hmph." Was the dismissive answer from the former heir.
"So... is this little dinner going to be between you three or do you need to bring her?"
Makoto frowned internally, not liking the way in which the apparition was referring to Tsumugi.
"Oh come on! You have to admit that she's such a bore. You'd get a more interesting conversation with a plain white wall than with her."
You shouldn't talk to her like that. She's your–
"Nuh-uh! She's nothing to me, remember?~"
Right. The real one was dead; had been for around nine years, actually. This was just an annoying remnant of what she had been, conjured by his mind to torment him after foolishly watching that video.
"Love you too~"
Though thinking about what happened to the real blonde's twin made him glad this particular ghost had no interest in the bluenette.
The unpleasant mental conversation ended right there, as the door Makoto had been glaring at finally opened.
As the bailiff asked for everyone to get inside, Makoto waved his hand in order to dispel his intangible companion. Though the effort was futile, it at least managed to shut her up.
From across the room, purple eyes narrowed in thought.
...
"The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Byakuya Togami."
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Sebastian bowed from the opposite desk.
"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Makoto smiled softly.
"I trust that both of you expanded on your investigations, as requested yesterday." When the two nodded, the Judge continued. "Before we start I would like to ask Mr. Plensait something."
"Yes, Your Honor?" The defense attorney asked, confused.
The Judge closed his eyes. "Do you still wish to indict Mr. Lumbor as the killer?"
"After the investigation yesterday, the defense no longer pursuits that verdict. We believe that both Mr. Lumbor and Mr. Togami are innocent."
"So that's your stance." The Judge nodded. "Alright then. Mr. Debeste, what about your findings?"
Sebastian took out his baton and proceeded to tap it against his outstretched hand. "They were rather fruitful, Your Honor." He shared a glance with the hazel eyed man across him. "To start off, I would like to once again call for Detective Kirigiri."
The lavender haired woman took her place at the witness stand. Her purple eyes were closed as her crossed arms added to her aura of confidence.
Unlike the last time she appeared, the crowd stayed silent. Makoto guessed the perpetrators that caused the last disturbance had been held in contempt of court.
"Detective, could you please explain your findings to the Court?" Sebastian asked.
"Of course." Her eyes opened as she surveyed the courtroom. If her gaze lingered on the defense's desk for a little longer then no one commented on it.
Judging by the way Tsumugi's scribbling sped up, she had noticed the intense stare directed at the man at her side. Makoto was fine with not acknowledging the emotions he was able to make out in her purple eyes.
The detective straightened as she explained her findings.
"As stated yesterday, the scene of the crime was identified. A cart containing the victim's blood and other items was found on the outskirts of the Landing Zone, along with the defendant's belongings."
"I see..." The Judge nodded thoughtfully. "Mr. Plensait, is there anything you want the detective to clarify?"
"There is, Your Honor." Makoto took a deep breath and started. "May I ask about the cart? Was it the one that was missing?"
He, of course, knew the answer to that question. This was just a way to give more insight to the courtroom as well as indirectly ask if said cart had been found yet. He had to be careful with the way he phrased things, as Kyoko was just here to explain the police's findings and not give testimony to be cross-examined and objected to.
"No, this one was a different color than the one used in the airport. Scouting the place where it was found revealed a hidden entrance big enough for the cart to have entered from outside. The current theory is that the culprit was able to smuggle the cart inside, murder the victim in it and attempt to leave through said opening before being thwarted by the terrain."
"Thwarted?" The Judge repeated quietly, confused.
"So the other cart has not been found?" Makoto continued before the Judge could derail the conversation.
"No. There is evidence to suggest it had successfully been taken out." Kyoko tucked a strand of her behind her ear.
"Could you please clarify what evidence?" Sebastian asked politely.
"Muddy tracks leading from the entrance to the road outside the airport." She responded.
Both Sebastian and Makoto nodded, understanding the detective's reasoning. When Tsumugi asked quietly about the detective's logic, the blonde explained. "The blue cart never left the Landing Zone, so the only way for tracks to have been left behind is if another cart left through the same opening; aka, our missing cart. It's not that important so don't worry about it."
The bluenette nodded as Makoto asked for clarification on the autopsy report.
"The wound matches with a certain object found in the area. The following item was half buried in the mud surrounding the crime scene."
At Kyoko’s signal, one person appeared, pushing a cart towards the center of the courtroom. The scrawny bailiff seemed to be struggling slightly with the weight.
"Hmm. What is that?" The Judge questioned, intrigued, once the object was fully in view.
"This is an aircraft chock. Its common use is to stop the movement of parked aircrafts." The lavender haired woman paused for a second; if Makoto didn't know her better, he'd think it was for dramatic effect. "It is also the murder weapon."
Shocked gasps echoed through the courtroom from those who needed the clarification.
"It seems rather heavy." The Judge mused.
"Aircraft chocks tend to have a rope attached to them for easier transportation. Dragging the object around is easier than picking it up and moving it. This one in particular is from Hope Springs Airport and contains the victim's blood." The detective explained.
"I see..." The Judge closed his eyes. "Anything else?"
Kyoko shook her head. "That is all of the police's findings. The most important ones at least." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "The rest have already been submitted to the Court Record."
The Judge hummed. "Mr. Debeste, is this evidence enough to prove the defendant's guilt?"
"Not quite, Your Honor." Sebastian started bending his baton and folding in on himself as he glanced at Makoto nervously. "The prosecution will concede that the defendant was not capable of committing the murder."
Tsumugi smiled, relieved. "That's great. We did it!"
"Not yet." Makoto murmured. He had recognized Sebastian's gesture as the one he tended to use for when he was about to say something he didn't agree with but had no other choice than to speak up.
And true to his words, the brunette continued. "There is, however, the possibility that the defendant was an accomplice in the crime."
Murmurs arose from the audience.
"Wh-What?" Tsumugi managed to stop her shout as she choked on the word, her expression one of betrayal.
"It's his job." The defense attorney shrugged. "He has to prove Byakuya's guilt while we do the opposite."
"B-But... he has done exceptions for us before." She frowned.
"Well, yeah..." Makoto looked in her direction, finding her confused and gripping one arm tightly. "But that's usually when the real killer is on the witness stand. You don't think Kyoko killed the victim, do you?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Then he has no reason to be lenient." At his assistant’s unconvinced expression, he continued. "We've done the same before countless times; defending an obviously guilty person, that is. It's just how things go sometimes..."
He trailed off as he felt sharp nails caressing both the side of his face and the cut on his hand. The feeling made him shiver and he turned back to the courtroom, closing his fist and moving his whole arm away. "Don't hold it against him. Sebastian's doing his job and we're doing ours."
"Order! Order!" The Judge smacked his gavel repeatedly as the audience's volume rose. Once the noise died down, he put the gavel down and addressed Sebastian.
"The prosecution claims that the defendant is an accomplice then?"
"I merely stated a possibility, Your Honor. To clear this cone-on-drum, the prosecution would like to call its first witness." The brunette swiftly redirected the conversation despite his mispronunciation of the word 'conundrum'.
"Very well." The Judge nodded.
As Kyoko left the stand, the two made eye contact. Makoto felt his fist clenching further, his body tensing as he watched the array of emotions swimming through purple eyes.
And through them all, he managed to recognize one in particular: Belief.
She trusted him to get Byakuya acquitted and believed wholeheartedly he could do it. The sincerity in her eyes almost took his breath away.
So taken aback with the intensity in her gaze, he quickly turned away, missing the concerned and calculated look she shot him before turning around.
Evidence Holder
- Tablet
- Found in the suitcase's front pocket. Planted for Makoto and Tsumugi to find. An ominous text was the only thing shown on it.
- Byakuya's Suitcase
- Clean on the outside. Inside filled with the victim's blood, coming from both the wound on his head and a blood bag. It had a sturdy lock which was found near the scene of the crime, and bypassed fingerprint lock. A small case was wrapped around the handle.
- Carts & Tractors
- Four out of the five pairs were found in the garage. The fifth tractor was spotless except for mud found on its wheels; its cart's whereabouts are currently unknown thought it is known it was taken out of the airport. Workers can take them out by using special cards, the more detailed logs are with the Chief of Security.
- Vehicles Logs
- Combining the Terminal and the Keeper's Notes reveals the following information:
01- Taken by Stu Peaks at 10:25 AM
02- Taken by Aurora Fields at 09:30 AM
03- Taken by Nites Lumbor at 12:05 AM
04- Taken by Redley Erin at 11:15 AM
05- Taken by Ian Zane at 11:30 AM
All were returned to the garage by 1:05 PM except for vehicles 03 and 05. - Luggage Keeper's Testimony
- A blue cart was used by the ramp agent. He left with both the tractor and cart before the "real" ones unloaded the luggage.
- Victim's Belongings
- Found on the victim's body were the following items:
Fake ID Badge from Hope Springs Airport with the victim's photo.
Byakuya's Tie which was clutched in the victim's hand.
Blackmail Letter which called the recepient to the airport at 11 AM with the threat of revealing their involvement in a hunt. - Autopsy Report
- Time of death: May 10, approx. 12:00 PM.
Cause of Death: Immediate death due to a blow from a blunt object to the head. - Fingerprint Lock
- It seems to have been opened with the white powder and tape found inside a small case attached to the suitace's handle.
- Blue Cart
- Found in a grassy area at the edge of the airfield. Its back wheels are sunk into the mud. Seems brand new unlike the other carts in the airport.
- Bloody Plastic Sheet
- Found in the scene of the crime. Bloody only on one side.
- Bloody Drag Marks
- These were found in a corner of the cart, possibly the exact place where the killing blow was dealt. One of Byakuya's bloody shirts, taken from his suitcase and found in a pile outside the cart, seems to have been used to wipe the blood.
- Wheel Chock
- The murder weapon. A Luminol test revealed the victim's blood on it.