Thursday, 03/22/2001, 10:32 a.m.
Domino City Family Court.
In a quiet, white courtroom full of people.
Seated on a varnished brown wooden bench, just past the first row of seats, sat Shin Osako, his expression indifferent. He looked tidy, dressed in a black suit slightly too big for his frame. Beside him stood his mother, Mrs. Osako, wearing a blue suit just like her son, her pink lips tightly pressed and her brow furrowed...
Lawyers and prosecutors exchanged words constantly. Shin seemed distant from what was being said around him. His black eyes focused on the floor, on the wood of the bench, on his mother's calloused hands clasped in her lap.
Shin's name rang loudly through the room at that moment. His gaze lifted slowly.
"Young Osako, please stand."
The judge's tone, that of a man with a stern face and the wrinkles of fatigue, was firm.
Shin stood up. The judge continued, glancing around the room.
"We have heard the statements of both parties…"
He paused, then added,
"… The prosecution argues that the defendant's use of force was disproportionate, causing serious harm to two young men. The defense, on the other hand, maintains that he acted in self-defense to prevent a greater crime."
A collective murmur spread through the courtroom. Shin looked up, and his gaze briefly met his mother's. She nodded to her son and squeezed his hand tightly. Her eyes looked somewhat red...
The judge asked Shin while reading some documents.
"We want to hear from the defendant once more before reaching a decision. Young Osako, do you have anything to add to the case?"
Shin exhaled slowly and then spoke formally, shaking his head.
"I repeat once again, I regret nothing, sir."
Silence followed, then murmurs among those present.
The prosecutor, a middle-aged woman with thin square glasses and short hair, narrowed her blue eyes. A sharp question left her lips.
"You don't regret beating two young men to the point of leaving them severely hospitalized?"
Shin's answer came quickly, his expression resolute. His gaze remained fixed forward, not looking at the prosecutor.
"No… They were dragging her into an alley. They were going to…"
Shin paused, teeth clenched, then snorted and continued.
"… Humph! They were going to do something awful to that girl. I just acted like anyone else would, prosecutor…"
An older man in a gray suit beside Shin clenched his fists under the table, his face full of frustration…
The judge tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the bench. After leafing through a few papers, he spoke.
"The medical reports provided by the prosecution regarding the youths Hirutani and Yoshida indicate rib fractures and severe contusions. However, Miss Mazaki also showed injuries, mainly on her neck. Although no assault has been confirmed at this time, her testimony has been clear. The evidence at the scene also supports that, with multiple dangerous objects involved, including metal chains and knives. But that's another case still ongoing…"
A young man and woman in the first row sat up slightly at that moment. Indignation was evident on their faces...
The judge kept speaking. His gaze moved away from the embracing couple and continued scanning the room.
"The victim stated that, had it not been for the defendant's intervention, she… would likely have been assaulted."
Several men and women in the room frowned simultaneously. One of them, a man in an extravagant red suit with a severe expression, stood up abruptly and shouted:
"My son is no criminal, your honor! It was a misunderstanding, just a silly teenage game! You can't—!"
The judge's gavel came down with a sharp crack. His voice echoed through the room.
"Order in the court!"
Teeth clenched, the man with the severe expression sat down immediately, grumbling.
"Stupid bastard…"
Shin closed his eyes and smiled with a hint of resignation.
Seconds later, the prosecutor's words made Shin open his eyes again.
"Young Osako. Tell me something…"
The prosecutor adjusted her glasses. The ceiling lights reflected off the lenses, hiding her eyes. A question followed, her tone curious.
"… If you could go back. Would you do anything differently?"
Shin looked at his hands blankly. His body trembled slightly. A response left his mouth without the slightest change in tone.
"No."
The prosecutor smiled and then took her seat, saying:
"Nothing further, your honor."
The judge sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before speaking. His expression looked frustrated.
"Very well. Given the defense's silence, I'll assume they have nothing more to argue... In that case, here is my decision."
The room fell silent. Many sat up straighter in their seats. Shin's mother intertwined her fingers with her son's. The man beside Shin exhaled and bit his lip. The couple in the front row lowered their heads, holding each other...
The judge resumed his verdict, scratching his chin.
"Hmm… Given that the defendant is a minor and has no prior record, no criminal charges will be filed. However, due to the severity of the case and the harm caused, the defendant is to be placed under supervision and counseling in a juvenile rehabilitation program for a period of one year starting immediately. An appeal may be filed once the other ongoing case is concluded."
Shin clenched his teeth. Murmurs filled the courtroom. The atmosphere grew heavy.
Shin was embraced by his mother, who now wept openly. Her anger was evident in her expression.
The man and woman in the front row held each other tighter. The woman was crying, and the man was clenching his teeth.
Several people among the audience didn't look pleased with the verdict either, like the man with the extravagant suit and severe face...
The judge continued his statement regardless of the surrounding noise.
"This verdict is final."
The judge raised his gavel. His expression was unshaken.
"This hearing is adjourned."
The sound of the gavel striking the wood echoed through the room.
AN/One chapter per day. 100 power stones today means one extra chapter the next day. Each chapter is made up of four acts, plus a prologue and an epilogue, and finally a special act — each ranging from 800 to 2000 words. Leave a comment and report any issues below. You can buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/s/8e7c3d4725