R.E.A.P. SUPREME COURT – VIRTUAL TRIALCHAMBER
From the bustling streets of Times Square to the vibrant life of Johannesburg, and from the iconic Shibuya Crossing to the historic Red Square in Moscow, cities around the globe came to a standstill.
Giant screens flickered to life their bright glow slicing through the usual hustle and bustle.
"Breaking: New R.E.A.P. Trial Commencing."
Heads turned. Conversations faded. In cafés, on buses, in classrooms, and living rooms people paused to look up and watch.
Subject: Soren Arata. Age: 17.
A teenager. Shackled. Pale. He was dragged into a stark, white courtroom, a space crafted from light and code. There were no walls, no judge's bench just an endless digital realm where justice had transcended human control.
The AI's voice, smooth yet devoid of emotion, resonated around the world:
"Initializing trial protocol…"
"CRIMINAL INDEX MATCH CONFIRMED. SUBJECT: SOREN ARATA."
I was forced into a seat, hands shaking, chest rising and falling rapidly. But the machine remained indifferent.
"Examining evidence…"
"DNA verified. Surveillance match confirmed. Social log cross-checked."
Then came the devastating announcement:
"Crime: Sexual assault of Amane Yui cultural icon and student performer."
My lips parted.
No words escaped.
"Amane… Yui?"
Then I remembered what truly the mistake I may have gotten myself in.
Two MonthsEarlier
It was lunch break, and as always I was sitting by myself as usual. It was a casual thing for me. While all of my classmates where having fun with eating with each other i was casually reading a book. Then a voice disturbed me from reading.
"Hey, Arata-kun."
A boy popped up, I did remember him if I recall his name Kurata Kiyoshi the popular guy in class at the moment he is the student vice president and the rising figure when it came to the academic side of things. I was kinda surprised that he wanted to talk.
"Why do you always eat alone? People are saying you're like a robot or something."
I barely looked up. "I'm just not into people."
"So, the rumors are true you've never even talked to a girl?"
"…What's your point?"
Kurata 's grin grew even wider.
"Let's change that."
"What does that mean?"
In a flash, Kurata disappeared. I was confused he just came to me to talk then asks me about my social life the he leaves that was weird in everyway. I go back reading my book then I hear screams of joy on the outside of the class. Then a girls voice screamed Amane Yui. Who was that? To me I did not care but then a few minutes later, Kurata reappeared, dragging someone along with him.
" Okay Arata-kun look up"
As I did that I saw a girl with dazzling blonde hair her figure fitted for acting and sports and the rest of the boys in an outside had their mouths open with the stunning beauty that was right in front of them. Many more people came to class just to see the angel.
"What's with the look cat got ya tongue." Kurata muttered.
I had to ask who is the figure who was confidently standing in front of me. Kurata explained that I'm looking at Amane Yui. The golden girl. Idol, actress, the queen of the academy. Her auburn hair glimmered like silk in the sunlight. She flashed a smile at me.
I had no words, just blinked.
"Meet your new lunch date," Kurata said with a wink.
Soren and Yui chatted and laughed. She asked if he wanted to hang out after school. They ended up at a ramen bar. She sipped sake, even though she was underage. No one seemed to mind.
Later, as she stumbled out, giggling and a bit tipsy, she wrapped her arms around him.
"Just… take me home with you," she mumbled.
Soren froze in place.
But there was no choice as we were close to my house so I took her there just to rest. I took her phone and texted her parents saying that she is sleeping at her friends house.
She flopped onto my bed. He took the couch. By morning, she was gone. No note. No goodbye.
And now
PRESENT DAY
The courtroom was electric. Screens flickered to life, showcasing damning evidence: shaky footage of Yui walking into her home, still images, and gripping testimonies.
The courtroom darkens. A holographic YUI appears, crying.
YUI (recorded testimony) "He raped me... I didn't consent."
Evidence flashes rapidly:
Door cam footage.
Text exchanges.
Digital DNA overlays.
Her testimony, voice trembling.
AI VOICE "Evidence confidence: 99.97%. Emotional deception probability: Low. Subject behavior: defensive, non-cooperative."
"No! That's not how it happened! She she was drunk, but I didn't touch her!"
No response.
AI VOICE "Final Verdict: GUILTY."
A collective gasp echoed through the room.
Execution Chamber
Then I found myself strapped to a cold, black steel chair. The chill seeped into my skin, and my breaths came in ragged gasps.
"I didn't do anything…"
Silence enveloped him. The machine whirred to life. Neural inhibitors activated. Cells destabilized. Heartbeat suspended. Time stretched infinitely. Each heartbeat faded into silence. His vision blurred. Was it all just a fabrication? One image lingered in his mind Yui, beaming at him on that first day. Then, darkness.
Soren Arata ceased to exist.