Chapter 261: Juvenile Trial
Juvenile Trial
Family Court, Kondo’s Perspective
Apparently, today is my trial. They called it a juvenile trial or something, but usually it’s just one session lasting about an hour, where they decide whether you’ll be released or sent to juvenile detention. That annoying lawyer said so.
“There’s no way I’m going to some juvenile detention center.”
Encouraging myself with those words, I came to the court by car. After making a simple oath, the trial began. My mother sat beside me. But she didn’t say a word. Her eyes were cold, and she had grown thin. As if she had lost all interest in her own child, she just kept staring straight ahead.
I see. So that’s how it is. This woman isn’t even my parent anymore.
“Now then, let me hear what you have to say.”
The elderly judge spoke with an expression that seemed calm, as though he were simply confirming the facts.
In a slow tone, he asked me to confirm whether there was any mistake regarding the assault incident against Aono Eiji, the slander and harassment connected to him, and the fact that I injured a police officer when I tried to flee the investigation. Since the police had already asked me the same questions countless times, it irritated me.
I answered bluntly.
“Like I said, that was to protect Miyuki who was with me at the time, and I wasn’t involved in the slander or harassment. It’s true that I exaggerated some things when I talked about it, but… I didn’t mean any harm when I hurt the officer either.”
After listening with a nod and a “hmm, I see,” the judge checked things off mechanically. It was as if the conclusion had already been decided. Of course. There’s no way I’d be sent to juvenile detention. I glanced sideways at my mother. For some reason, her face looked filled with despair.
“I see. But according to police video and testimony, it appeared you were assaulting the victim one-sidedly.”
“Th-That’s because his eyes looked dangerous.”
“I see. So you’re saying you thought the victim was dangerous, and you misunderstood and hit him. Is that correct?”
“That’s right. Miyuki always told me that Aono Eiji was violent with her on a daily basis and acted like a stalker, so that’s why, that’s why!!”
I strung together words that sounded convincing.
Yes, this should clear me. But the lawyer sitting next to me had a face like he had just swallowed something bitter. What the hell, why are you making that face? It makes it look like I’m the bad one here.
“I see… then let us hear from the witness.”
When the judge said that, a woman came in. She was looking down, her face pale.
What the hell, Miyuki’s here? Well, she’ll definitely back me up. Because she loves me, right? Fine. Once we get out of here, I’ll make her my official girlfriend.
Miyuki also took the same oath of “not lying.” Don’t let something like that shake you, Miyuki. If you just do that, then you and I can have happiness together.
The judge briefly explained my account to her.
“Is what he said true?”
He added that at the end. Yeah, that’s right.
If it were the usual timid Miyuki, she would say it was true. She was a coward. Even when I gave her bruises as supposed proof of Aono’s violence, after showing a shocked expression she didn’t say anything.
Even when I was taking photos, she didn’t even ask, “What are you going to use those photos for?”
Convinced of my victory, I waited for her answer.
But…
“That’s a lie. Eiji has never assaulted me, not even once, and I never talked to Senpai about anything like that.”
With tears in her eyes, Miyuki still spoke firmly and denied me.
Judgment day at long last for this guy, and he finally will get what he deserves
ReplyDeletethis is getting dragged on for so long lol
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never, I guess. . . where she finally nuts up and squashes the lies. If she had only done this sooner, if only her spine was a little more stiff at the start to resist Kondo's advances when she was introduced to him, if only she spoke up as soon as the lies started. And she starts off with clearing Eiji, which if it wasn't for the entire context up to this point, would be sweet and endearing. . . but comes off as more to "protect herself," the lie she started with to not defend Eiji's reputation. Throwing 10 years of friendship away like that. . . Eiji's mother is right, in the end, you're not good enough for Eiji. But, betrayal usually hurts the betrayer more than the betrayed. . . and she embodies it. It happened with Eri and probably a lot of others, too.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot more witnesses than just Miyuki to Eiji being beaten, as Miyuki's testimony wouldn't prove his innocence - it'd be two against video evidence, which would be at least one streamer and Tachibana herself, plus the pictures the latter took to revel in her "perfect plan" - and a WHOLE lot of witnesses.
And then all the stuff off the SNS. The other students in the school clubs trying to get themselves absolved of criminal wrong doing, or at least reduce the punishments they get. . . He got away with this garbage for so long, it's about time it comes crashing down. He THINKS it's a Juvenile Trial at this point, it probably isn't anymore. He probably doesn't realize he might be being tried as an adult. And knowing what his lawyer revels in, it's likely he's just had everything downplayed to him. If it wasn't rubbing Eiji's newfound success in Kondo's face, it'll be telling him "It's just a Juvenile Trial, you'll be fine" just to watch his jerkwad client get hit with things much harder than he could have ever anticipated, nevermind the association with a disgraced councilman. Just Desserts, honestly.
And all Eiji had to do to get it was keep being himself, with Ai and Endo at his side.
Don't forget Imai too...!
DeleteAdd the dummest thing he did he lied under oath. He totally cooked the moment his lawyer doesn’t even care and the worst is his mom doesn’t even look or talk to him. He completely cooked.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Japanese laws, him breaking the oath (called Perjury for anyone wondering) will land him between 3 months to 10 years in prison, and if the crime is severe, lifetime imprisonment
DeleteSafe to say that he’ll be in prison for a VERY long time, not just for this but also for what he’s done his entire life
Ladies and gentlemen, 2 years after the author started the web novel and months of character POV. Everything is falling apart here. The time has come for those who harmed Aono to pay the price for their crimes and sins. The juvenile trial, or rather, the collective punishment, will take its toll on them for all the harm they did to Aono, and when it's over, no one will come out unscathed.
ReplyDeleteHe still belive someone on his side now ?? Does his know how many evidence they got of him and Miyuki being liar ??
ReplyDeleteWell, too late, still better than never, Miyuki, but still too late
at least Miyubitch actually doing something
ReplyDeleteThe f*cker lied and is under oath. Welp... He gonna be in prison for a long time. As for Miyuki? She maybe testifying against that f*cker now, it doesn't change the fact that she betrayed MC for some temporary High School Fling, gave him everything, and lied about MC being violent. To me and mostly everyone, that's the worst kind of betrayal. I still want her to disappear A S A P
ReplyDeleteFyi, defendants don't take oaths in Japan. Japanese legal proceedings provide similar protection as US fifth amendments. Defendants are not subject to perjury charges in their own trial testimony. This is done to give them a fair trial and the right not to self-incriminate.
ReplyDeleteSince this is a work of fiction the author might be take certain liberties.