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yugamiyoshitsuneMay 13
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
[from end of transcript on wikia here]
Athena: Y-you're five years old?
Owen: A-am I in trouble...? Please don't yell at me... Oooh...
Judge: So HE'S Uendo's fourth personality?!
Nahyuta: I'd hardly think a child like him could have a motive to murder the victim. And even if he had a motive, could he have actually committed the murder?
Judge: Hmm... That's a very good point. Owen does appear to be very timid and weak.
Athena: Oooooh...
Nahyuta: It seems the defense was hoping this hidden personality would be the real killer. But now that he is standing here before us... ... it is clear that none of Uendo's personalities can be the killer!
Athena: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! (Wh-where can I even go from here!)
Owen: Shisho... Shisho...! *sniffle*
Athena: Owen...? Do you know something about what happened to your master?
Owen: Uwahhhhh!
Athena: ... C'mon, buddy. Won't you tell Auntie Athena what happened?
Owen: Uwahhh! Whatta scary lady!
Athena: I-I'm not scary! Look! Look at auntie's biiig, biiig smile! Tell me about your master, please? Pretty please, with sugar on top?
Owen: O-Okay... Shisho was... super nice... He always played with me... Just like... Just like a real grandpa. I loved Shisho... *sniffle*
Blackquill: Athena, do you sense anything behind his words?
Athena: I sense his sadness -- sadness so pure it's heartrending -- but no discord. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is right. Owen isn't the killer.
Blackquill: But then, don't you find it odd?
Athena: Find what odd?
Blackquill: Let's review what we've learned so far. Uendo rearranged the karuta cards to pin the blame on Bucky.
Athena: Well, that's because the original message implicated Owen. But Owen is only five years old, and absolutely adores Master Toneido.
Blackquill: Exactly. The other three personalities also have no motive for murder. If Owen isn't the true culprit, then the person who first laid out the cards...
Athena: ... Probably wouldn't have been Master Toneido! So then, who did it?
Judge: Defense? Did the appearance of Owen help you figure anything out?
Athena: Yes, Your Honor. I now know who it was that first laid out the karuta cards.
Judge: B-But I thought it was the victim! ... Right?
Athena: No, Your Honor. I don't believe it was. The one who first arranged the karuta cards on the table was none other than...
[CORRECT ANSWER: The true killer]
Athena: I believe the person who laid the cards out is the very person who killed Taifu Toneido!
Nahyuta: How quickly you move on to a new target when your Owen theory proves false! You pohlkunan!
Athena: I don't know what a "pohlkunan" is, but I know I am definitely not one! And before you start with the sermons, why don't you hear me out?!
Judge: Yes, let's hear the defense's reasoning. Please proceed, Ms. Cykes. But if you are bluffing, I won't go easy on you!
Athena: I understand, Your Honor. Now, then. Please recall the original crime scene. Who did the karuta cards name when the scene was discovered?
Judge: Let's see... I believe they implicated the defendant, Bucky Whet.
Athena: That's right. But we then found out that the message originally read "OWEN 4TH."
Judge: Hmm... Which implicated the young boy, Owen.
Athena: Exactly. And the person who rearranged the cards was undoubtedly Uendo.
Blackquill: Uendo may have kept silent, but we can be sure he already knew his master was dead. His tampering with the crime scene using the TV all but proves it.
[FLASHBACK: Uendo: Nnngh... ... I-I confess. I-I tampered with the crime scene.]
Blackquill: The reason Uendo rearranged the karuta cards and moved the TV was because... ... he saw the "OWEN 4TH" message, and was convinced Owen had committed the crime.
Athena: Right on, Prosecutor Blackquill! It would seem that Owen and the other three personalities don't share the same memories.
[FLASHBACK: Uendo: But really, there is no "fourth personality." It's just the three of us in here.]
Athena: Uendo feared that Owen had killed Master Toneido, so he tried to hide Owen from us.
Owen: Ooohhh... *sniffle*
Blackquill: But it turns out, Owen is but a five-year-old child, incapable of hurting a fly... ... let alone his beloved master.
Athena: So naturally, the culprit must be somebody else. And this somebody else -- the true killer -- tried to pin the crime on Owen!
Judge: Hmm... I see. That does make sense.
Nahyuta: This is naught but conjecture, composed of half-truths and fantasy! Who, then, do you maintain murdered the victim?!
Athena: I believe Owen might know something about that.
Nahyuta: I refuse to allow such impromptu testimony. And from a five-year-old, no less. Such a young child is incapable of producing anything coherent!
Athena: B-But...!
Nahyuta: Your desperation is disgraceful! You should realize when it is time to let it go, and--
???: I-I saw it...
Owen: I saw Shisho getting...
Athena: Owen! You DO know something, don't you!
Owen: Y-Yeah...
Judge: Oh, my! Is this true? If so, we must have Owen testify immediately! Don't you agree, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?
Nahyuta: Nnrrgh...
Judge: It's all right, Owen. Go ahead and tell us what you know.
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --I Saw It--
Owen:
Shisho was standing with a knife in his hand...
Blood was dripping onto Shisho's face, getting it all red...
I couldn't move at all!
I was so scared... I passed out.
------------------------------------------
Athena: (Th-This is eyewitness testimony from the moment of the murder!) Owen! Can you tell us anything else about what you saw?!
Owen: I... Ooooooh... I was so scared... I *sniffle* Oooooooh... So... So scared...! *sniffle*
Athena: O-Owen! (His emotions are spiraling out of control! Something must've really frightened him!)
Judge: I-Is he all right?!
Athena: His emotions are running wild because he's trying to recall something frightening to him. I recommend a therapy session right away!
Judge: I-I see. Yes, please do whatever you can to help the poor boy!
Athena: Will do, Your Honor! (I'd better find the cause of these out-of-control emotions, pronto!)
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Probe "Blood" on face
-------------------------------------------
Owen: Yeah... Blood was dripping down onto Shisho's face...
Athena: (Blood...? I don't remember seeing any blood in the crime scene photos... Besides, if the victim was standing upright, how could blood drip down onto his face?)
Nahyuta: As I expected, all we managed to obtain from this child is a tale he dreamt up.
Athena: Urngk...! I guess it's a little weird for blood to drip onto the victim's face if he was standing up... Unless it dripped down from the ceiling or something? What do you think, Simon?
Blackquill: I don't know. Owen's one confused and upset kid right now, so who knows how accurate his memory is. Maybe it's time for that thing instead.
Athena: Huh?
Blackquill: That thing that you and your cohorts do. What do you call it? "Rotate your thinking about"...?
Athena: Oh! You mean "turn your thinking around"!
Blackquill: Yes, whatever. It's the same thing, either way.
Athena: No, it isn't! Who's ever heard of "rotating" your thinking? I mean, "rotate" is-- Hey, wait a minute...
Blackquill: What?
Athena: You know what, Simon? In this case, I think "rotate" just might work perfectly after all!
Blackquill: Come again?
Athena: All I have to do is rotate things by ninety degrees! When he saw his master, Owen must've been...
[CORRECT ANSWER: Lying on the floor]
Athena: Owen must've been lying on the floor when he witnessed his master's murder.
Judge: What?!
Athena: That's the conclusion I arrived at when I rotated my thinking by ninety degrees. Which means that all of the visuals in my matrix were off by ninety degrees.
Judge: And...?
Athena: This means Master Toneido was also lying on the floor, which solves another mystery!
Judge: And which mystery is that?
Athena: The mystery of how blood could've been dripping onto the victim's face. It becomes much easier to imagine how that could happen if he was lying down. Like, someone bleeding onto Master Toneido from somewhere up above him!
Owen: I-I remember now! Somebody was sitting up on top of Shisho!
Athena: (So trying to recall his master's bloody killer is what spooked Owen originally.) The blood that stained the victim's face red came from the person sitting on top of him. The victim was holding a knife, so he likely nicked his attacker as he was fighting back!
Nahyuta: This means his assailant was injured on their face somewhere, like the forehead, perhaps?
Athena: Assuming the victim and his attacker were face-to-face, yes.
Nahyuta: I see. So that is what happened. But if I recall correctly, the accused has a fresh bandage on his forehead, does he not? That injury of Mr. Whet's... ...is conclusive evidence that he committed this murder!
Athena: WHYYYYYYYYYYY?!
Nahyuta: It seems you have dug yourself into a pit you cannot crawl out of.
Athena: Nooo! (Even though I figured out the reason for Owen's out-of-control emotions... ...all I did was raise further suspicion against my own client... What do I do now...?!)
Blackquill: What's the matter? You aren't thinking of throwing in the towel, are you?
Athena: But it looks so bad for Bucky! I mean, he had both motive and opportunity... Plus, he has that injury on his forehead!
Nahyuta: Your Honor. I sense that the defense is finally ready to let it go, and move on.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? I understand that you don't want to give up on your client... ... but I won't allow you to prolong this trial without a good reason.
Gallery: Well, that lawyer did her best, but all the signs point to the defendant's guilt. Maybe it's time she gave up? She tried everything she could...
Athena: (I really, REALLY don't wanna back down, but...)
Blackquill: Athena. Are you having doubts about Bucky's innocence?
Athena: I-I wouldn't say THAT... It's just...
Blackquill: Do you remember what you said to Bucky earlier this morning?
[FLASHBACK: Bucky: Y'mean... you believe me, ma'am...? / Athena: Of course! No matter what, I'll believe in you to the very end!]
Blackquill: Were those just empty words?
Athena: O-Of course not! It's just that all the cards are stacked against us...
Blackquill: Are you still stuck on that line of thinking? Motive, opportunity, and an injury to his forehead -- Is that all it takes to make you stop believing in your client?! Tell me again, who are you to Bucky?!
Athena: Uh... I'm... I'm his "Miz Chickadee" lawyer!
Blackquill: Then do your duty, and believe in him until the very end!
Athena: I... I will! (Simon's absolutely right. I'm Bucky's lawyer. And he's depending on me!)
Judge: Defense team, please! No fighting in my courtroom!
Athena: The defense is ready to resume, Your Honor! Prosecutor Blackquill was just giving me a pep talk, that's all. Thank you, Prosecutor!
Blackquill: Hmph. I didn't do it for your sake. I did it for the future of Whet Soba.
Athena: Yeah, yeah! I got it!
Athena: The defense would like to now continue with Owen's therapy session!
Judge: Hmm... Owen, would you be all right with that?
Owen: O-Okay... Um... So... somebody was sitting up on top of Shisho, bleeding from their head... ...and smooshing something into Shisho's face!
Athena: That's funny...
Blackquill: What is it?
Athena: I still hear discord in Owen's voice... ... but I don't see any inconsistencies between his statements and his emotions. And there don't seem to be any contradictions in his testimony itself, either.
Blackquill: Ahh, so that's it, huh?
Athena: Did you figure something out?
Blackquill: Your ability to sense emotions is making you focus too much on his feelings, Athena. But there's actually something he's being very vague about in his testimony. If you can clarify what he's feeling uncertain about with some evidence... ... you should be able to move forward from there.
Athena: O-Okay, that makes sense. I'll give it a try! I'll just update the MOOD MATRIX: with the new information, and then we'll be ready to go! (So I just need to present some evidence on what Owen is being vague about,huh...?)
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Present "Crime Scene Report" on statement "He was on the floor, and somebody was smooshing something into his face..."
-------------------------------------------
Athena: Let's put a name to the thing Owen's uncertain about, shall we... ... by identifying the murder weapon that was used to suffocate the victim. Fortunately for us, I spy the murder weapon right here in this crime scene photo!
Nahyuta: Unfortunately for you, I spy nothing of the sort. And the police... ... did not spy anything of the sort during their investigation, either. Pray tell, where is this "murder weapon" you see?
Athena: You don't see it because it no longer looks the way it did when it was used as a weapon. This is what the killer pressed into Master Toneido's face!
-------------------------------------------
POINT TO: Noodles by head
-------------------------------------------
Athena: The mystery person that Owen saw pressed soba into the victim's face... ...thereby suffocating him!
Nahyuta: I grow weary of your tasteless jokes! How could anyone commit murder with soft, delicate soba?! The noodles would instantly fall apart if they were pressed into someone's face!
Judge: Yes, I agree.
Athena: Well, I disagree. There is a way the soba could've been used to suffocate the victim.
Judge: Wh-What? You will explain your theory at once, Ms. Cykes.
Athena: To kill Master Toneido, the culprit must have smothered him with...
[CORRECT ANSWER: Uncut soba dough]
Athena: The culprit must've used the soba before it was cut into noodles! In other words, the murder weapon was raw soba dough!
Judge: WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! Order! Order in the court! Yes, soba dough could definitely be used to suffocate someone, couldn't it!
Nahyuta: .............
Athena: A-Are you all right, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?
Nahyuta: I was just letting the soul of the victim know... ... that the accused with finally face justice, thanks to the foolish lawyer before me.
Athena: Huh? What are you talking about?
Nahyuta: Allow me to summarize your statements. As the accused was killing the victim, he was slashed in the face by the victim's knife. The weapon he used to suffocate the victim with was the dough in the dressing room. He then disposed of the murder weapon by cutting the soba dough into noodles.
Blackquill: Agnrk! Why, you smarmy...!
Nahyuta: Afterwards, the accused put the victim's face into the bowl of soba noodles and broth... ...to wash off the blood that had dripped onto the victim's face from his own. And there you have it: the true sequence of events behind this foul affair.
Athena: N-Now, wait just a minute! I never once said that Mr. Whet was the culprit!
Nahyuta: Who but the accused knows how to cut dough into noodles, defense?
Athena: Gurk!
Judge: Hmm... That's a very good point, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. I heard that cutting soba dough into uniform noodles requires considerable training. But then, what about the dying message? How do you explain that? The defendant wouldn't have known about Uendo's "Owen" personality.
Nahyuta: Perhaps the victim was simply playing with the cards, and they hold no other meaning. Perhaps he spelled out Owen's name in jest, sometime before his murder.
Judge: That's true. From Owen's testimony, it's clear that Master Toneido cared for the boy. Hmm... It appears we've arrived at a compelling conclusion. Taken together, all of these points paint a convincing picture of the defendant's guilt.
Athena: Owen! Is there anything else you can tell us? It doesn't matter how small of a detail -- anything will do!
Owen: Oooooh... Y-You're scaaaring me...!
Athena: Oh! I'm sorry, Owen! Auntie Athena didn't mean to raise her voice. (I have to be gentler with him! I can't forget he's only five years old.) No need to be scared, okay, sweetie? Just tell us anything you can remember.
Owen: Well... Wh-When I woke up... the person who killed Shisho... was standing over me... bleeding from their head...
Athena: Owen! You saw the killer's face?! (Oops, I did it again...) S-So, who was it, Owen? Do you remember?
Owen: Oooooh... I... I don't know who it was...
Athena: (I'm picking up some noise...! That means there's still something to uncover in Owen's testimony...)
Nahyuta: I don't know what Owen saw, but suffice it to say, we are analyzing the dreams of a child. You've wasted enough of our time, defense. Let it go, and move on!
Athena: No! There's still discord in Owen's heart that needs to be addressed! Therefore... I can't give in here!
Judge: Owen, do you think you can continue your testimony for us?
Owen: *sniffle* Okay...
Athena: I'll enter the new info, and run an update, then!
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Pinpoint HAPPINESS at "... the person who killed Shisho was standing over me..."
-------------------------------------------
Athena: Despite witnessing the culprit's terrible crime first-hand... ...Owen experienced a positive feeling -- one of... relief?
Nahyuta: The person the witness saw was no stranger. Rather, it was the accused. Therefore, it is only natural that he felt some level of relief when he saw a familiar face. Defense, end this madness and sully your soul no more.
Athena: Owen... Who did you see?
Owen: That nice smell... I love the smell... of that perfume... I-It's like the smell of... Ungh...
Athena: You can do it! Try to remember, Owen!
Owen: Ooooooh... Th-The smell of... of... Ooooooohhhhnnnngh...!
Athena: O-Owen!
Judge: It seems Owen is now resting in the infirmary. They certainly have their hands full today down there. Let's continue with the trial.
Nahyuta: Despite Owen's testimony, it is the opinion of this humble servant of the Holy Mother... ...that the child's words were insufficient to clear the accused of suspicion.
Athena: B-But what about the scent of perfume Owen mentioned?!
I believe it's a clue that will lead us to the true culprit!
Judge: Hmm... But there are thousands of perfumes in the world.
Nahyuta: It could even be the scent of the hair product the accused uses.
Judge: He does have one amazing hairstyle, so that's certainly possible.
Nahyuta: The witness is a five-year-old boy. He cannot tell the difference between conventional perfumes and hair products.
Athena: (Argh... Why couldn't you have gone for a crew cut or something, Bucky?)
Nahyuta: What's more, the only person who can cut soba noodles with such precision... ...is the accused, and no other.
Athena: (Oh man... How am I supposed to argue with that...?)
Nahyuta: And so, the person Owen saw at the scene of the crime can only be... ...the accused, Bucky Whet!
Blackquill: What the --?!
Bucky: hey, hey, hey! I never use hair productsh or anyding with a shmell! *hic* If I wore someding like dat, th' shmell'd get into th' soba! Boom! Check it!
Athena: Uh... Mr. Whet? Aren't you supposed to be resting in the infirmary...?
Bucky: Whaaaatever! You dink I'd let my soba shtink o' perfume?! Try dat chilled soba fer yershelf and see!
Judge: I believe we have no choice but to try it... Strictly for examination purposes, of course. Now then, let's dig in, shall we?
*sluuuuuurp* *slurp* *slurp* *sluuurp*
Judge: Mmm... That was delightful. *Ahem!* Well, I'm satisfied that there are no traces of hair products or perfumes in Mr. Whet's soba. First, sweet bean buns, and now, savory soba! What a delectable trial this has been!
Nahyuta: This texture is different from the soba I had the other day. It reminds me of a dish we have in Khura'in called "banu'puun."
Bucky: Whatcha dink, Miz Chickadee? My soba'sh pretty good, ishn't it?! *hic*
Athena: Mmm-MMM! It's delicious! Don't you think so, Simon?
Blackquill: Heh. It still pales in comparison to his late father's cuisine.
Bucky: S-Simey! Why you alwaysh gotta be so hard on me?! *urp*
Judge: Bailiff! Take the defendant back to the infirmary at once for some rest!
Bucky: Resht?! Hey, I ain't a lump o' plain ol' wheaty udon dough, y'know! I'm fresh like my soba! Y'don't let soba dough resht... It's about the "three freshes" of soba! Grind the seeds fresh, cut the dough fresh, and boil the noodles fre-- *urp*
Judge: Good grief. What a defendant...
Athena: (At least Bucky wasn't the source of the perfume smell... Wait. Smelly perfume...)
Blackquill: It looks like you remembered something.
Athena: The phrase "smelly perfume"... reminded me of a certain somebody!
Judge: Oh? And who might that be?
Athena: (There's only one person that comes to mind!)The phrase "smelly perfume" reminded me of this person!
[CORRECT ANSWER: Geiru Toneido]
Judge: Geiru Toneido? Hmm... Yes, she DID smell very nice, didn't she?
Nahyuta: Just a moment, defense. You would throw suspicion on Geiru now because of a scent? Your Honor, there is no need to go along with these ever-changing claims of the defense.
Judge: Hmm... I suppose their claims have been awfully inconsistent...
Athena: But Geiru could've been at the crime scene!
Judge: Yes, but...
Athena: You'll get to see those "balloons" of hers if we call her back to the witness stand!
Nahyuta: How vulgar! His Honor is not interested in such things!
Judge: ...........Ahem! Setting the matter of her "balloons" aside entirely... ...I do believe it's appropriate to ask Geiru some questions, given the circumstances. This has nothing to do with her "balloons"... of course.
Athena: Thank you, Your Honor!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaa!
Geiru: Thank you for calling this disciple of the Toneido School of rakugo back for an encore! It's me! The balloon artist you all know and love, Geeeiru Toneidooo! Onnne, twooo... BLOOOON!
Judge: What wonderful balloon artistry!
Athena: Y-Your Honor... Please.
Geiru: Now, then! What would you like me to make for you this time?
Athena: Um, actually, I called you back for more testimony.
Geiru: But I'm all talked out! This case has left me completely deflated.
Athena: ..........
Geiru: What? You didn't find that funny? A-Anyway, what exactly is going on, Simon?
Blackquill: It seems the person who murdered Master Toneido was wearing perfume.
Athena: And you were the only person I could think of who wears perfume.
Geiru: Wait... you mean I'm a suspect now?
Athena: Geiru, you knew about Owen, right?
Geiru: W-Well, yes. I often played with him at Shisho's request.
Athena: So that means you could've left that fake "dying message," right?
Geiru: Wh-What? Just because I wear perfume and know Owen... ... you think I'm a murderer? Oh, how could youuu?!
Nahyuta: The witness is absolutely right. With no evidence but the distorted memories of a small child... ... it is outrageous of the defense to accuse this woman!
Geiru: Th-Th-That's right! You don't even have any proooof...!
Nahyuta: You may step down from the stand, Geiru. The defense does not have one scrap of evidence that connects you to the crime.
Athena: Wait just a minute! I may not have proof, but Owen's testimony is still--!
Nahyuta: Enough! Please feel free to leave, Geiru.
Athena: (B-But I'm so close! There must be something I can do!)
Geiru: Well, if the prosecutor says it's okay, then I guess I'll be going now...
Blackquill: Hoy, Geiru. You're an entertainer, aren't you? Once you go onstage, it's your duty to complete your performance, is it not? So what are you doing, leaving halfway through!
Geiru: Eeeeeek!
Athena: Th-There's a bandage on Geiru's forehead...! And since we know that Master Toneido's killer has a cut on their face somewhere...!
Nahyuta: I-Impossible...!
Athena: How did you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. I didn't. But I had to take a chance and see for myself. Otherwise, your theory would remain a groundless accusation.
Athena: Your Honor! Prosecutor Sahdmadhi! The scent of perfume, an injury on the forehead... These things are completely consistent with Owen's testimony! In short... ... the mysterious individual Owen saw in the dressing room... could have been Geiru!
Judge: Ms. Cykes... ...does this mean you are formally indicting this witness for the murder of Taifu Toneido?!
Nahyuta: Should your accusation prove to be false... I hope you are prepared to pay the price in full.
Athena: S-Simon, what "price" is he talking about?
Blackquill: Hmph. I thought that should be obvious. Prosecutor Sad Monk is saying he'll see to it you never stand in a court of law again! I must say, though, he knows how to make a trial interesting.
Athena: (Just whose side are you on, Simon?!)
Blackquill: Go on, then. Into the deep end with you. You really have but one choice anyway.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? I'm waiting.
Athena: W-With regards to the witness, Geiru Toneido, the defense wishes to...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Indict her]
Athena: (There's no reason for me to hold back! Not if I really believe in my client!) The defense wishes to formally indict Geiru Toneido for the murder of Taifu Toneido!
Nahyuta: I have tried to be merciful, but now, not even your pleas will reach the Holy Mother's ears! You will have plenty of time to regret your decision... in the pit of hell!
Athena: Except I won't need to! The person who murdered the victim was NOT Mr. Whet. It was Geiru Toneido!
Geiru: That bandage is... It's just from a silly slipup I made while cooking yesterday, that's all!
Athena: What kind of "extreme cooking" were you doing to cut yourself on the forehead?!
Geiru: Well, what can I say? That's what happened!
Athena: You also don't have an alibi for the period before 4 PM, do you, Geiru?
Geiru: But... But... I really didn't know anything was wrong until Shisho was found dead! If you don't believe me, then, with a twisty, twist, twiiist! And BLOOOON! There you have it, an adorable little kitty! How could you suspect a cutesy widdle balloon artist like me, hmmmm?
Athena: Geiru, I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but... ...could it be that you don't have an eye for balloon art?!
Geiru: D-Don't you think I know that?! You didn't have to come out and say it! I'm the daughter of a great rakugo artist! I never wanted to do stupid balloon art! I was supposed to be a rakugo storyteller, too, just like my late daddy. B-But Shisho told me to do balloon art instead... *sniffle*
Athena: (I guess the victim thought she had no talent as a rakugo artist, either...)
Geiru: So you're still gonna suspect a poor, lil' thing like me?
Athena: P-Please stop trying to skirt the issue! It all comes down to the scent of perfume, and the cut on your forehead! You and the culprit in Owen's testimony share these two traits!
Geiru: You're dead set on accusing me, aren't you?! Well, here's what I have for naughty little girls like you! With a twisty, twist, twiiist! I'ma cut ya, witch! Go ahead, make me testify all ya want! When the truth's revealed... ...it'll be yer balloon or mine that goes POP! Got it?!
Judge: Oh, my! Is this yet another hidden personality?!
Athena: Simon, is everybody in the Toneido School like this?
Blackquill: H-How should I know?!
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --What I Did Before the Murder--
Geiru:
Yeah, I visited the dressing room during that time to make a courtesy call after my act.
Shisho and Owen were in there, but they were both snoring up a storm.
I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know.
The perfume Owen smelled musta been left over from when I visited.
------------------------------------------
Athena: So Geiru's saying she went into the dressing room, but then left right away.
Blackquill: Hmph. Don't take her at her word.
Athena: Come on, do you really think I would? I'm just trying to figure out how to get her to talk about what really happened.
Judge: Now, then, Ms. Cykes. You may proceed with your cross-examination.
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know."]
Athena: Where did you find your master's note?
Geiru: I dunno. Can't remember.
Athena: Did you notice anything else unusual or out of place in the room?
Geiru: Well, there was the sake and a half-eaten manju on the table. But I didn't see anything else out of place or whatever in the room, though.
Blackquill: Oh, is that a fact?
Geiru: O-Of course it is! Whaddaya think?!
Blackquill: And you didn't change anything around while you were in there?
Geiru: I didn't do anything! Look, I'm tellin' ya!
I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room.
Blackquill: Your Baldness, I request that the statement be added to Geiru's testimony.
Athena: Simon! What's a statement like that going to do for us?!
Blackquill: Just play along and you'll see soon enough.
Athena: Ugh...
Judge: Hmm... I have no problem with adding that to the testimony, but how about you, Ms. Cykes?
Athena: I-I have no problem with it either, Your Honor. (What is Simon thinking?)
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --What I Did Before the Murder-- (Added statement 5)
Geiru:
Yeah, I visited the dressing room during that time to make a courtesy call after my act.
Shisho and Owen were in there, but they were both snoring up a storm.
I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know.
The perfume Owen smelled musta been left over from when I visited.
I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room.
------------------------------------------
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Present CRIME SCENE REPORT at "I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room."]
Athena: Geiru, you said that you didn't notice anything odd or unusual near your master. You also said you didn't touch anything in the dressing room.
Geiru: That's right! What about it?!
Athena: Then, I wonder who left that "dying message" with the karuta cards?
Geiru: What're ya going on about?! It hadta been that Bucky!
Athena: Sorry, but that's not possible. Because only three people knew of Uendo's personalities: Uendo, your master, and you!
Geiru: Eek!
Blackquill: If Bucky had left that karuta message... ... he wouldn't have spelled out "Owen." He would've spelled out "Uendo."
Athena: What it boils down to is this: As a member of the Toneido School, you, Geiru Toneido... ...are the only one who could've left that "dying message"! And as the person who left that message... ... it's clear that you are Master Toneido's killer!
Geiru: Grrrragh! Will ya EVER quit yer yappin'?!
Nahyuta: You are like wretches clinging to the spider thread of salvation. Allow me... to cut that holy thread from the heavens, and bring you back down to Earth.
Athena: Would you quit butting in whenever things start to go my way!
Nahyuta: Silence, child. Playtime is over.
Athena: Wh-What did you just say?!
Nahyuta: As the witness stated, she went into the dressing room and soon came back out again. Bit the victim's note was not the only reason she left with such haste. There was another reason that compelled Geiru to leave at once. Geiru, would you please relate said reason to the court?
Athena: There was a reason why Geiru had to leave the dressing room...?
Geiru: Well, I didn't wanna show ya this, but I guess I got no choice.
Keep yer eyes peeled! 'Cause here it comes!
Athena: Your hand is all swollen and red...! What happened, Geiru?
Geiru: If ya must know... I'm allergic to buckwheat!
Athena: WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!
Nahyuta: Allergic reactions to buckwheat can vary, though they're usually on the severe side. With Taifu Toneido making soba noodles in his dressing room... ... Geiru is lucky to still be alive, considering all the soba flour that was swirling in the air.
Geiru: Good thing I left pretty quick! I managed to escape with just a mild reaction. But I touched Shisho as he was being carried away, and look what it did to my poor hands! There musta been soba broth on his clothes or something. If I'd inhaled any of that soba flour, I'da had a seizure, and it'd been "Good night, Geiru!" I never coulda stayed in that dressing room for very long!
Judge: A person allergic to buckwheat couldn't be in a room with soba flour in the air... ...and certainly couldn't use soba dough as a murder weapon, either.
Athena: Th-This isn't good...
Blackquill: You knew it would come to this, didn't you?! That's why you never mentioned her allergy!
Nahyuta: Hmph. As if I would do anything so underhanded. I was simply trying to protect the privacy of this witness.
Geiru:
I'm sick of all these accusations! Why don't I just testify and get it all out in the open, yeah?
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --Geiru's Buckwheat Allergy--
Geiru:
If I come into the slightest contact with buckwheat, I get an allergic reaction.
And with that much soba flour in the air, that room coulda literally killed me!
Look at my hand! Just touchin' Shisho's body caused this much damage.
There musta been soba broth on his clothes.
So I never coulda committed that murder in the dressing room!
------------------------------------------
Athena: I still can't believe it. Nobody told me she had a soba allergy... Did you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. Does it look like I knew? "Protect the privacy of the witness," my foot! What a dirty trick!
Athena: N-Now what do we do...?
Blackquill: There's only one thing TO do. Put Prosecutor Sad Monk to shame with your cross-examination!
Athena: Right! No matter how small, I'll find us an opening, and break her testimony down!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "If I come into the slightest contact with buckwheat, I get an allergic reaction."]
Athena: Y-You're not lying about this soba allergy of yours, right?
Geiru: Of course not! I swear on the grave of my father up in heaven! I can even get ya a doctor's certificate, if ya want.
Athena: (She... seems to be telling the truth...)
Geiru: I've had this allergy for as long as I can remember... But I never dreamt in a million years it'd clear me of murder!
Judge: And you'll come out of this smelling like a delicate buckwheat flower to boot!
Geiru: Well said, Your Honor!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "And with that much soba flour in the air, that room coulda literally killed me!"]
Athena: I'll give you that there was quite a bit of flour scattered about in that dressing room. But you went in to pay your respects to your master regardless, right?
Geiru: Yeah, but, like I said, I came right back out. I mean, the soba-making tools were right there! Ya better believe I was careful not ta breathe any of it in!
Athena: But you still could've committed this crime if you'd held your breath while doing it!
Geiru: Don't be ridiculous! I woulda suffocated to death before Shisho did!
Athena: Y-Yeah, I guess you're right...
Geiru: Geez. Get a grip, will ya?!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "Look at my hand! Just touchin' Shisho's body caused this much damage."]
Athena: Maybe there's a twist here -- like you're actually allergic to dogs, and not soba?
Geiru: You kidding?! Bring my lil' Jugemu in here! I'll hug'n'squeeze 'im like there's no tomorrow! I'm telling ya! I have a genuine, honest-to-goodness soba allergy!
Nahyuta: Defense, the witness clearly has an authentic allergy to buckwheat. Any further deliberation on the matter would be meaningless! Pointless! Worthless!
Geiru: You heard the man, lawyer girl!
Athena: All. Right. Fine! I was just starting to think the same thing myself! (Doesn't mean I have to like it, though...)
Geiru: I probably got this allergic reaction on my hand here 'cause I touched Shisho.
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "There musta been soba broth on his clothes."]
Athena: I have a question about that, actually. If you're allergic to soba, does that mean you're allergic to the noodle broth, too?
Geiru: Well, the buckwheat from the noodles can dissolve into the broth, so, duh. Touchin' soba broth can be just as deadly for me. Don't ya know anythin'?! What an amateur!
Athena: I-I'm sorry... (Do I look like a doctor to you?!)
Geiru: Look. Anything that has soba in it, or anything that has touched soba, is like poison to me!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "So I never coulda committed that murder in the dressing room!"]
Athena: So, I just want to cover all of my bases, but... ...could the murder have possibly occurred somewhere OTHER than the dressing room...?
Nahyuta: That is out of the question. By even asking, you show your complete disregard for all we have discussed until now.
Judge: Yes, I have to agree. The defense can't go around suggesting new premises without basis.
Geiru: Unfortunately for you... ...Shisho didn't take a single step from his dressing room around the time of the murder.
Athena: W-Well, that IS unfortunate... for everyone.
Nahyuta: Geiru could not have possibly committed this crime in a room where soba was being made. Finally, the time has come for the last rites of the victim to begin.
Athena: Nrrgh...!
Blackquill: Hmph!
Athena: (Wh-What would Mr. Wright do at a time like this?) Auf geht's! There's only one thing TO do!
Blackquill: What are you smiling about? Has the pressure overwhelmed you?
Athena: Nope! It's just, the worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles!
Nahyuta: I see. You have no rebuttal, and so the only thing left to you is to smile.
Athena: Ohhhhh, ho ho ho ho ho! That's where you're wrong! I DO have a rebuttal! (Turn your thinking around, Athena! Don't try to figure out how Geiru, who is allergic to soba, could commit the crime. Figure out how Geiru could be in that room and not have an allergic reaction instead!)
[FLASHBACK: Bucky: Lemme resht? Hah! Mehbee if I were a lump o' regular flour dough fer udon noodles! But I'm fresh, like my soba! 'N y' don't let soba dough resht... 'S all about the "three freshes"! Grind da buckwheat fresh, cut da dough fresh, and boil da noodles fre-- *urp* / Blackquill: H-He's blacked out! / Nahyuta (while viewing note): It appears to have been written by the victim. Allow me to read it. "Resting. Do not disturb." / Uendo: Yes, that's the note I saw! After reading that, who wouldn't think Shisho was napping? / Geiru: If ya must know... I'm allergic to buckwheat!]
Athena: ... Mon dieu! (What if... that certain piece of evidence doesn't mean what we think it means? If that's the case, I might be able to prove that Geiru could have committed this crime!)
Nahyuta: No matter how hard you search your mind, you cannot overturn facts.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? If you have no further objections, I'll hand down my ruling...
Athena: True, I can't overturn facts, but what if we got our "facts" about a piece of evidence wrong?
Nahyuta: "Got our facts wrong"? What are you talking about now?
Judge: And which piece of evidence do you mean, Ms. Cykes? Please point it out to this court!
Athena: This evidence proves that Geiru could've killed her master, even with her soba allergy!
[CORRECT CHOICE: Taifu's note]
Athena: It's Master Toneido's note!
Judge: Th-The note?
Nahyuta: Preposterous! What possible connection could there be between the witness's allergy and that note?
Athena: The answer lies in the true meaning of this note.
Judge: Its true meaning?
Athena: This note does not mean "I am resting. Do not disturb," as we had assumed. But rather, it actually means "This dough is resting. Do not disturb it"!
Blackquill: Wait a minute, Athena. That doesn't make any sense.
Athena: You're right. It doesn't. After all, as Bucky told us many a time: "You don't let soba dough rest"!
Geiru: Wh-What's all this jibber-jabber got to do with anything?!
Athena: (This is it! The home stretch!) This note and Mr. Whet's words have led me to the conclusion that Master Toneido was...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Making udon noodles]
Athena: The victim, Taifu Toneido, was not making buckwheat noodles. He was making ordinary udon noodles instead!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaa!
Athena: That layer of flour in the dressing room wasn't soba flour, but plain old wheat flour for udon! So, actually, it was totally possible for Geiru to be in that room and kill her master!
Geiru: Nnngang ngang ngaaaaaang!
Judge: What! But if that's true, it changes everything!
Athena: Your Honor, the defense requests that the flour in the room be tested immediately!
Nahyuta: But soba noodles were found in the bowl, and Geiru did have a reaction on her hand! How do you explain those things?
Athena: Um. Well...
Nahyuta: Even were it udon flour instead of soba, you still cannot prove Geiru committed the crime!
Athena: B-But...
Simon: Don't lose your nerve now! Keep charging forward or you'll feel my blade at your back.
Athena: E-Enough with the threats already! I got it! (Talk about pressure! All right, Athena. Take a deep breath and go over everything again!)
--- RECAPITULATION ---
Athena: I'm going to revisualize the case from start to finish! I have to find conclusive evidence that Geiru committed this murder! What was Master Toneido making in his dressing room?
[CORRECT CHOICE: Udon]
Athena: By my logic, Master Toneido must've been making udon noodles in his dressing room. But something at the crime scene indicates otherwise. What was found in the bowl on the table?
[CORRECT CHOICE: Soba]
Athena: Even though the master wasn't making soba, soba noodles were found at the scene. So that means the noodles had to have come from somewhere. Wait a minute. One mysterious serving of soba noodles...? Hmm... That sounds familiar... Where did the soba in the bowl on the table come from?
[CORRECT CHOICE: The master's soba stock]
Athena: The soba noodles found at the scene were from the master's stock of uncooked noodles! But then, why would the culprit go out of her way to cook that soba and put it in the bowl? Why did the culprit cook the soba noodles and put them in the bowl?
[CORRECT CHOICE: To hide the udon dough]
Athena: Soba was found at the scene... ...so that means the culprit must've taken the udon with her to hide it. But why did the culprit take the udon away and hide it? It must've been because she...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Killed him with the udon dough]
Athena: That's it! The udon dough was the real weapon used to kill Taifu Toneido! And the reason why no weapon was found is because Geiru got rid of the dough somehow!
----------------------
Athena: The real murder weapon was the udon dough the victim made! If we can find this dough, that'll prove my theory correct! And undeniably prove Geiru's guilt!
Nahyuta: Even if we could find this dough, what makes you think that it would prove she is the one?
Athena: Please recall Owen's eyewitness testimony, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. If the injury on Geiru's forehead was caused by the victim's knife... ...then Geiru's blood must've dripped down onto the dough used as the murder weapon! That would make the dough pretty conclusive evidence, wouldn't you agree?!
Nahyuta: Ahh, but where IS this "conclusive evidence"? Let us hear your theory on where this "murder weapon" is!
Athena: W-Well, it's... (If I can't find the answer in the evidence I have on hand, we'll lose this trial! So how did Geiru get rid of the udon dough? Think, Athena! What do I have that points to suspicious behavior on Geiru's part?)
Judge: Now, then, Ms. Cykes. Let's hear your answer. Where is the "real murder weapon" hidden?
Blackquill: Nice barking you did there. I assume you have the bite to back it up?
Athena: Stop distracting me! Especially not right now! This piece of evidence can point us to the location of the hidden murder weapon!
[CORRECT CHOICE: Simon's Statement]
Athena: Geiru!
Geiru: Huuuh? What is it? I'm just an innocent girl. I don't know aaanything about a muuuuurder!
Athena: Stuff that cute act in your balloon hat!
Geiru: Kuh!
Athena: Geiru got rid of the dough she used to kill Master Toneido in a bold and daring way. She did it right in front of Prosecutor Blackquill's nose by feeding it to her dog!
Geiru: N-No! I-I...!
Blackquill: Ha ha ha ha ha! Of course! Now it all makes sense. I was puzzled as to why Geiru, who should know her own dog's eating habits... ...would feed Jugemu more than he could possibly finish!
Athena: Your Honor! Please order an investigation of the yard right now!
Judge: And what should the police at the theater be looking for, exactly?
Athena: Jugemu must've buried his leftover dumplings somewhere around his doghouse. Dumplings that Geiru made out of the udon dough with her blood in it!
Geiru: Graaagh! Nhaaagh!
Nahyuta: Th-This is preposterous!
Athena: I want to thank you, Simon. If you hadn't kept me going, I might've given up along the way.
Blackquill: Hmph. What are you blathering on about? You still have work to do! Now, by your hand... finish this wretched case off, Athena!
Athena: You got it! Geiru, do you remember what you said would happen when the truth is finally revealed?
[FLASHBACK: Geiru: When the truth's revealed... ...it'll be yer balloon or mine that goes POP! Got it?!]
Athena: Well, now the truth is out, and it looks to me like... ...it's YOUR balloon that goes POP!
Geiru: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaaaa!
Geiru: I... I... I'm... a rakugo artist... I was the one... who was supposed to... inherit that name...! But then... ...then... Shisho... Why are my balloons burstin'...? Daddy... are ya mad at me...? I... I've been a bad girl... I... I... AAAAAIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Geiru: *sniffle* Ooooh...
Athena: Are you ready to tell us everything now, Geiru?
Geiru: The whole reason... I entered the world of rakugo in the first place... ...was to follow in my father's wonderful footsteps, and inherit his stage name.
Athena: His stage name...? You don't mean...
Blackquill: "Uendo Toneido"...
Geiru: I knew I wasn't very good at storytelling, but I thought that... ...if I did the stupid balloon thing like Shisho wanted, I'd inherit the name someday.
Athena: But Master Toneido gave the name to his junior disciple...
Geiru: Yeah... That's why I took my revenge on Shisho during the show celebrating the name succession.
Athena: So that... was your entire motive...?
Geiru: I doubt anybody else could understand, but... ...inheriting my father's name was everything to me. It was my whole reason for living.
Blackquill: Of all the days you could have taken your revenge... ...why did you choose the day of the show?
Geiru: Because I wanted to pay Uendo back for stealing what was rightfully mine... I wanted to pin the blame on him at the show where all the Toneido fans were gathered...
Athena: But then, Uendo tried to shift the blame onto Bucky Whet... And now we know the whole story...
Blackquill: There's just one more thing I want to know. Did you know Master Toneido was making udon in his dressing room yesterday?
Geiru: No, I didn't. When I saw the soba-making tools, I was worried about my allergy... But it was my only chance to get my revenge on the two of 'em, so I went ahead and did it.
Blackquill: So it was a premeditated crime, but in the end, you only went through with it on impulse. Then, the allergic reaction on your hand... Is it from touching the soba in the refrigerator with your bare hands... ...when you were tampering with the crime scene after your master's death?
Geiru: Yeah... By that time, I wasn't clearheaded enough to worry about my allergy.
Blackquill: Geiru... How could you do all this, you idiot...
Athena: Geiru... ...I get your desire to inherit your father's name. But what you really should've inherited from him wasn't his name... ...but his heart.
Geiru: H-His... heart...
Judge: Do you have anything to add, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi? Any objections?
Nahyuta: ...No, Your Honor. ..........Ms. Athena Cykes.
Athena: Y-Yes? (That's the first time he's used my name!)
Nahyuta: I shall... be sure to remember your name.
Athena: .........Really?
Blackquill: It seems he finally recognizes you as a proper adversary.
Athena: Thanks! That's all I ask, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi!
Judge: It looks like there are no further objections. Bailiff, please bring in the defendant.
Judge: Ah, good. It seems you have made a full recovery. Now then, this court finds the defendant, Bucky Whet...
NOT GUILTY
Judge: This court is adjourned!
May 13, 11:55 AM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 6
Athena: Congratulations, Bucky! I'm so glad you were found innocent!
Bucky: Thanks for everything, Miz Chickadee!
Athena: But it still sucks that you were accused of a crime you didn't commit! Did Uendo have it out for you or something?
Bucky: I don't think so...
Blackquill: Uendo said it was a spur-of-the-moment idea he got when he saw the soba-themed cards.
Athena: Simon! Where have you been?
Blackquill: I stopped in at Uendo's questioning. Only you, Bucky... could get framed for a crime on a whim.
Bucky: No way... I almost got convicted out of convenience...?
Athena: Well, at least you've been completely cleared of all charges so... buck up, Bucky! On a more important note, what I really want to know is... ...why didn't Master Toneido let Geiru inherit her father's name?
Bucky: Wh-Whattaya mean, "on a more important note," Miz Chickadee?
Athena: Aww, don't be such a "Whet" blanket -- just go with the flow! Now, come on! You think the master was trying to encourage her to quit the entertainment business?
Bucky: Naw, that's not it. He didn't give the name to her because he wanted Geiru to find her own calling in life... ...to perform whatever she wanted without being bound by her father's name or rakugo. Making udon was his way of showing his support for her in her new endeavor.
Athena: So that's why he called you to the theater, huh? To teach him how to make udon?
Blackquill: Hmph. A more roundabout way, I've never seen, but that's Master Toneido for you.
Athena: So this entire incident happened because of a misunderstanding? How sad...
Blackquill: By the way, Geiru wasn't the only person Master Toneido was trying to cheer on. Even though the person in question still seems unaware of the master's intentions.
Bucky: What? You talking about me? Come on, no way! All that old man ever did was criticize my soba!
Athena: That's not true, Bucky... (There must be a way to make Bucky see just how much Master Toneido cared about him.)
[CORRECT CHOICE: Whet Soba Deed]
Athena: Take a good look, Bucky. Whose name is on there as the holder of this title deed?
Bucky: I-It's still in my name...
Blackquill: Master Toneido was just up to one of his tricks when he said he "stole" the shop from you. He was trying to force you to grow into a truly capable owner in your father's stead.
Athena: He probably used some tough love on you so that the shop wouldn't just go belly up.
Bucky: ...I-I see... I-I never knew... Oh, Master Toneido... I'm so sorry...! *sniffle*
Blackquill: Keep working hard, Bucky, and pay him back by living up to his expectations.
Bucky: Thanks, Simey! And you too, Miz Chickadee! One day, my soba's gonna be so good, it'll knock that old man's socks clean off! After all, I'm the fourth-generation owner of Whet Soba, Whet Noodle No. 4! Well, I'd better be getting back to my shop. I gotta get ready for the lunch rush!
Athena: Hold on! Could I place an order for delivery, Bucky?
Bucky: Yes, Miz Chickadee?
Athena: Could you deliver a bowl of udon to Geiru -- on behalf of her master?
Bucky: ...You got it! I'll make sure it's got all the TLC Master Toneido would've packed in it, too!
Athena: Thank you!
Bucky: Well, see you! Be sure to drop by the shop sometime!
Athena: I will! And I'll bring the whole agency with me!
Blackquill: Do us all proud, Bucky.
Bucky: I'll have the best soba in town waiting for ya when you come! Peace out!
Athena: Ahhh... It's nice to see somebody giving it their all, isn't it? I wonder if I leveled up any thanks to this case.
Blackquill: Don't kid yourself. The trial would've been a spectacle and a half had I not been by your side.
Athena: Y-You don't know that!
Blackquill: Hmph. For a lawyer who's versed in psychology, you're too full of weak points. You need to learn to analyze yourself more objectively.
Athena: Or, you could just teach me your famous mind tricks, Simon!
Blackquill: No.
Athena: Way to shut someone down! And why not?!
Blackquill: Because the more pesky lawyers there are, the harder my job becomes. So it's in my best interest for you to remain green forever!
Athena: Hey! What about what's in MY best interest, huh?! Besides, weren't YOU the one who had the wool pulled over your eyes by Uendo?!
Blackquill: Must you remind me?! How could I have known Uendo would do "Time Soba"?!
Athena: Hey, speaking of "Time Soba," I just thought of something funny!
Blackquill: Oh, goodie. I can't wait.
Athena: Okay, here it is. In "Time Soba"... ...why didn't man number nine get counted? Come on. Do you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. How should I know?
Athena: Because... seven ate nine! Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week!
Widget: ROTFL!
Blackquill: Hmph. THAT, I should've known. Come on, let's go get soba or something and go home.
Athena: Your treat?
Blackquill: I'll treat you to 50% of the tab! And don't forget -- you still owe me for that manju!
Athena: Really, Simon? It wouldn't hurt for you to pay for me every once in a while, you know!
Blackquill: Hmph. Quit squawking and start walking, Athena!
Athena: H-Hey! Wait for meeeee!
Athena: (I may still have a ways to go as a lawyer... ...but just like Mr. Wright, Apollo, and Simon before me... ...I'm going to get there someday! After all, I've inherited their passion for our courts, and the law! Je peux le faire! I can do this!)
END
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
[from end of transcript on wikia here]
Athena: Y-you're five years old?
Owen: A-am I in trouble...? Please don't yell at me... Oooh...
Judge: So HE'S Uendo's fourth personality?!
Nahyuta: I'd hardly think a child like him could have a motive to murder the victim. And even if he had a motive, could he have actually committed the murder?
Judge: Hmm... That's a very good point. Owen does appear to be very timid and weak.
Athena: Oooooh...
Nahyuta: It seems the defense was hoping this hidden personality would be the real killer. But now that he is standing here before us... ... it is clear that none of Uendo's personalities can be the killer!
Athena: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! (Wh-where can I even go from here!)
Owen: Shisho... Shisho...! *sniffle*
Athena: Owen...? Do you know something about what happened to your master?
Owen: Uwahhhhh!
Athena: ... C'mon, buddy. Won't you tell Auntie Athena what happened?
Owen: Uwahhh! Whatta scary lady!
Athena: I-I'm not scary! Look! Look at auntie's biiig, biiig smile! Tell me about your master, please? Pretty please, with sugar on top?
Owen: O-Okay... Shisho was... super nice... He always played with me... Just like... Just like a real grandpa. I loved Shisho... *sniffle*
Blackquill: Athena, do you sense anything behind his words?
Athena: I sense his sadness -- sadness so pure it's heartrending -- but no discord. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is right. Owen isn't the killer.
Blackquill: But then, don't you find it odd?
Athena: Find what odd?
Blackquill: Let's review what we've learned so far. Uendo rearranged the karuta cards to pin the blame on Bucky.
Athena: Well, that's because the original message implicated Owen. But Owen is only five years old, and absolutely adores Master Toneido.
Blackquill: Exactly. The other three personalities also have no motive for murder. If Owen isn't the true culprit, then the person who first laid out the cards...
Athena: ... Probably wouldn't have been Master Toneido! So then, who did it?
Judge: Defense? Did the appearance of Owen help you figure anything out?
Athena: Yes, Your Honor. I now know who it was that first laid out the karuta cards.
Judge: B-But I thought it was the victim! ... Right?
Athena: No, Your Honor. I don't believe it was. The one who first arranged the karuta cards on the table was none other than...
[CORRECT ANSWER: The true killer]
Athena: I believe the person who laid the cards out is the very person who killed Taifu Toneido!
Nahyuta: How quickly you move on to a new target when your Owen theory proves false! You pohlkunan!
Athena: I don't know what a "pohlkunan" is, but I know I am definitely not one! And before you start with the sermons, why don't you hear me out?!
Judge: Yes, let's hear the defense's reasoning. Please proceed, Ms. Cykes. But if you are bluffing, I won't go easy on you!
Athena: I understand, Your Honor. Now, then. Please recall the original crime scene. Who did the karuta cards name when the scene was discovered?
Judge: Let's see... I believe they implicated the defendant, Bucky Whet.
Athena: That's right. But we then found out that the message originally read "OWEN 4TH."
Judge: Hmm... Which implicated the young boy, Owen.
Athena: Exactly. And the person who rearranged the cards was undoubtedly Uendo.
Blackquill: Uendo may have kept silent, but we can be sure he already knew his master was dead. His tampering with the crime scene using the TV all but proves it.
[FLASHBACK: Uendo: Nnngh... ... I-I confess. I-I tampered with the crime scene.]
Blackquill: The reason Uendo rearranged the karuta cards and moved the TV was because... ... he saw the "OWEN 4TH" message, and was convinced Owen had committed the crime.
Athena: Right on, Prosecutor Blackquill! It would seem that Owen and the other three personalities don't share the same memories.
[FLASHBACK: Uendo: But really, there is no "fourth personality." It's just the three of us in here.]
Athena: Uendo feared that Owen had killed Master Toneido, so he tried to hide Owen from us.
Owen: Ooohhh... *sniffle*
Blackquill: But it turns out, Owen is but a five-year-old child, incapable of hurting a fly... ... let alone his beloved master.
Athena: So naturally, the culprit must be somebody else. And this somebody else -- the true killer -- tried to pin the crime on Owen!
Judge: Hmm... I see. That does make sense.
Nahyuta: This is naught but conjecture, composed of half-truths and fantasy! Who, then, do you maintain murdered the victim?!
Athena: I believe Owen might know something about that.
Nahyuta: I refuse to allow such impromptu testimony. And from a five-year-old, no less. Such a young child is incapable of producing anything coherent!
Athena: B-But...!
Nahyuta: Your desperation is disgraceful! You should realize when it is time to let it go, and--
???: I-I saw it...
Owen: I saw Shisho getting...
Athena: Owen! You DO know something, don't you!
Owen: Y-Yeah...
Judge: Oh, my! Is this true? If so, we must have Owen testify immediately! Don't you agree, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?
Nahyuta: Nnrrgh...
Judge: It's all right, Owen. Go ahead and tell us what you know.
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --I Saw It--
Owen:
Shisho was standing with a knife in his hand...
Blood was dripping onto Shisho's face, getting it all red...
I couldn't move at all!
I was so scared... I passed out.
------------------------------------------
Athena: (Th-This is eyewitness testimony from the moment of the murder!) Owen! Can you tell us anything else about what you saw?!
Owen: I... Ooooooh... I was so scared... I *sniffle* Oooooooh... So... So scared...! *sniffle*
Athena: O-Owen! (His emotions are spiraling out of control! Something must've really frightened him!)
Judge: I-Is he all right?!
Athena: His emotions are running wild because he's trying to recall something frightening to him. I recommend a therapy session right away!
Judge: I-I see. Yes, please do whatever you can to help the poor boy!
Athena: Will do, Your Honor! (I'd better find the cause of these out-of-control emotions, pronto!)
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Probe "Blood" on face
-------------------------------------------
Owen: Yeah... Blood was dripping down onto Shisho's face...
Athena: (Blood...? I don't remember seeing any blood in the crime scene photos... Besides, if the victim was standing upright, how could blood drip down onto his face?)
Nahyuta: As I expected, all we managed to obtain from this child is a tale he dreamt up.
Athena: Urngk...! I guess it's a little weird for blood to drip onto the victim's face if he was standing up... Unless it dripped down from the ceiling or something? What do you think, Simon?
Blackquill: I don't know. Owen's one confused and upset kid right now, so who knows how accurate his memory is. Maybe it's time for that thing instead.
Athena: Huh?
Blackquill: That thing that you and your cohorts do. What do you call it? "Rotate your thinking about"...?
Athena: Oh! You mean "turn your thinking around"!
Blackquill: Yes, whatever. It's the same thing, either way.
Athena: No, it isn't! Who's ever heard of "rotating" your thinking? I mean, "rotate" is-- Hey, wait a minute...
Blackquill: What?
Athena: You know what, Simon? In this case, I think "rotate" just might work perfectly after all!
Blackquill: Come again?
Athena: All I have to do is rotate things by ninety degrees! When he saw his master, Owen must've been...
[CORRECT ANSWER: Lying on the floor]
Athena: Owen must've been lying on the floor when he witnessed his master's murder.
Judge: What?!
Athena: That's the conclusion I arrived at when I rotated my thinking by ninety degrees. Which means that all of the visuals in my matrix were off by ninety degrees.
Judge: And...?
Athena: This means Master Toneido was also lying on the floor, which solves another mystery!
Judge: And which mystery is that?
Athena: The mystery of how blood could've been dripping onto the victim's face. It becomes much easier to imagine how that could happen if he was lying down. Like, someone bleeding onto Master Toneido from somewhere up above him!
Owen: I-I remember now! Somebody was sitting up on top of Shisho!
Athena: (So trying to recall his master's bloody killer is what spooked Owen originally.) The blood that stained the victim's face red came from the person sitting on top of him. The victim was holding a knife, so he likely nicked his attacker as he was fighting back!
Nahyuta: This means his assailant was injured on their face somewhere, like the forehead, perhaps?
Athena: Assuming the victim and his attacker were face-to-face, yes.
Nahyuta: I see. So that is what happened. But if I recall correctly, the accused has a fresh bandage on his forehead, does he not? That injury of Mr. Whet's... ...is conclusive evidence that he committed this murder!
Athena: WHYYYYYYYYYYY?!
Nahyuta: It seems you have dug yourself into a pit you cannot crawl out of.
Athena: Nooo! (Even though I figured out the reason for Owen's out-of-control emotions... ...all I did was raise further suspicion against my own client... What do I do now...?!)
Blackquill: What's the matter? You aren't thinking of throwing in the towel, are you?
Athena: But it looks so bad for Bucky! I mean, he had both motive and opportunity... Plus, he has that injury on his forehead!
Nahyuta: Your Honor. I sense that the defense is finally ready to let it go, and move on.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? I understand that you don't want to give up on your client... ... but I won't allow you to prolong this trial without a good reason.
Gallery: Well, that lawyer did her best, but all the signs point to the defendant's guilt. Maybe it's time she gave up? She tried everything she could...
Athena: (I really, REALLY don't wanna back down, but...)
Blackquill: Athena. Are you having doubts about Bucky's innocence?
Athena: I-I wouldn't say THAT... It's just...
Blackquill: Do you remember what you said to Bucky earlier this morning?
[FLASHBACK: Bucky: Y'mean... you believe me, ma'am...? / Athena: Of course! No matter what, I'll believe in you to the very end!]
Blackquill: Were those just empty words?
Athena: O-Of course not! It's just that all the cards are stacked against us...
Blackquill: Are you still stuck on that line of thinking? Motive, opportunity, and an injury to his forehead -- Is that all it takes to make you stop believing in your client?! Tell me again, who are you to Bucky?!
Athena: Uh... I'm... I'm his "Miz Chickadee" lawyer!
Blackquill: Then do your duty, and believe in him until the very end!
Athena: I... I will! (Simon's absolutely right. I'm Bucky's lawyer. And he's depending on me!)
Judge: Defense team, please! No fighting in my courtroom!
Athena: The defense is ready to resume, Your Honor! Prosecutor Blackquill was just giving me a pep talk, that's all. Thank you, Prosecutor!
Blackquill: Hmph. I didn't do it for your sake. I did it for the future of Whet Soba.
Athena: Yeah, yeah! I got it!
Athena: The defense would like to now continue with Owen's therapy session!
Judge: Hmm... Owen, would you be all right with that?
Owen: O-Okay... Um... So... somebody was sitting up on top of Shisho, bleeding from their head... ...and smooshing something into Shisho's face!
Athena: That's funny...
Blackquill: What is it?
Athena: I still hear discord in Owen's voice... ... but I don't see any inconsistencies between his statements and his emotions. And there don't seem to be any contradictions in his testimony itself, either.
Blackquill: Ahh, so that's it, huh?
Athena: Did you figure something out?
Blackquill: Your ability to sense emotions is making you focus too much on his feelings, Athena. But there's actually something he's being very vague about in his testimony. If you can clarify what he's feeling uncertain about with some evidence... ... you should be able to move forward from there.
Athena: O-Okay, that makes sense. I'll give it a try! I'll just update the MOOD MATRIX: with the new information, and then we'll be ready to go! (So I just need to present some evidence on what Owen is being vague about,huh...?)
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Present "Crime Scene Report" on statement "He was on the floor, and somebody was smooshing something into his face..."
-------------------------------------------
Athena: Let's put a name to the thing Owen's uncertain about, shall we... ... by identifying the murder weapon that was used to suffocate the victim. Fortunately for us, I spy the murder weapon right here in this crime scene photo!
Nahyuta: Unfortunately for you, I spy nothing of the sort. And the police... ... did not spy anything of the sort during their investigation, either. Pray tell, where is this "murder weapon" you see?
Athena: You don't see it because it no longer looks the way it did when it was used as a weapon. This is what the killer pressed into Master Toneido's face!
-------------------------------------------
POINT TO: Noodles by head
-------------------------------------------
Athena: The mystery person that Owen saw pressed soba into the victim's face... ...thereby suffocating him!
Nahyuta: I grow weary of your tasteless jokes! How could anyone commit murder with soft, delicate soba?! The noodles would instantly fall apart if they were pressed into someone's face!
Judge: Yes, I agree.
Athena: Well, I disagree. There is a way the soba could've been used to suffocate the victim.
Judge: Wh-What? You will explain your theory at once, Ms. Cykes.
Athena: To kill Master Toneido, the culprit must have smothered him with...
[CORRECT ANSWER: Uncut soba dough]
Athena: The culprit must've used the soba before it was cut into noodles! In other words, the murder weapon was raw soba dough!
Judge: WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! Order! Order in the court! Yes, soba dough could definitely be used to suffocate someone, couldn't it!
Nahyuta: .............
Athena: A-Are you all right, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?
Nahyuta: I was just letting the soul of the victim know... ... that the accused with finally face justice, thanks to the foolish lawyer before me.
Athena: Huh? What are you talking about?
Nahyuta: Allow me to summarize your statements. As the accused was killing the victim, he was slashed in the face by the victim's knife. The weapon he used to suffocate the victim with was the dough in the dressing room. He then disposed of the murder weapon by cutting the soba dough into noodles.
Blackquill: Agnrk! Why, you smarmy...!
Nahyuta: Afterwards, the accused put the victim's face into the bowl of soba noodles and broth... ...to wash off the blood that had dripped onto the victim's face from his own. And there you have it: the true sequence of events behind this foul affair.
Athena: N-Now, wait just a minute! I never once said that Mr. Whet was the culprit!
Nahyuta: Who but the accused knows how to cut dough into noodles, defense?
Athena: Gurk!
Judge: Hmm... That's a very good point, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. I heard that cutting soba dough into uniform noodles requires considerable training. But then, what about the dying message? How do you explain that? The defendant wouldn't have known about Uendo's "Owen" personality.
Nahyuta: Perhaps the victim was simply playing with the cards, and they hold no other meaning. Perhaps he spelled out Owen's name in jest, sometime before his murder.
Judge: That's true. From Owen's testimony, it's clear that Master Toneido cared for the boy. Hmm... It appears we've arrived at a compelling conclusion. Taken together, all of these points paint a convincing picture of the defendant's guilt.
Athena: Owen! Is there anything else you can tell us? It doesn't matter how small of a detail -- anything will do!
Owen: Oooooh... Y-You're scaaaring me...!
Athena: Oh! I'm sorry, Owen! Auntie Athena didn't mean to raise her voice. (I have to be gentler with him! I can't forget he's only five years old.) No need to be scared, okay, sweetie? Just tell us anything you can remember.
Owen: Well... Wh-When I woke up... the person who killed Shisho... was standing over me... bleeding from their head...
Athena: Owen! You saw the killer's face?! (Oops, I did it again...) S-So, who was it, Owen? Do you remember?
Owen: Oooooh... I... I don't know who it was...
Athena: (I'm picking up some noise...! That means there's still something to uncover in Owen's testimony...)
Nahyuta: I don't know what Owen saw, but suffice it to say, we are analyzing the dreams of a child. You've wasted enough of our time, defense. Let it go, and move on!
Athena: No! There's still discord in Owen's heart that needs to be addressed! Therefore... I can't give in here!
Judge: Owen, do you think you can continue your testimony for us?
Owen: *sniffle* Okay...
Athena: I'll enter the new info, and run an update, then!
-------------------------------------------
MOOD MATRIX:: Pinpoint HAPPINESS at "... the person who killed Shisho was standing over me..."
-------------------------------------------
Athena: Despite witnessing the culprit's terrible crime first-hand... ...Owen experienced a positive feeling -- one of... relief?
Nahyuta: The person the witness saw was no stranger. Rather, it was the accused. Therefore, it is only natural that he felt some level of relief when he saw a familiar face. Defense, end this madness and sully your soul no more.
Athena: Owen... Who did you see?
Owen: That nice smell... I love the smell... of that perfume... I-It's like the smell of... Ungh...
Athena: You can do it! Try to remember, Owen!
Owen: Ooooooh... Th-The smell of... of... Ooooooohhhhnnnngh...!
Athena: O-Owen!
Judge: It seems Owen is now resting in the infirmary. They certainly have their hands full today down there. Let's continue with the trial.
Nahyuta: Despite Owen's testimony, it is the opinion of this humble servant of the Holy Mother... ...that the child's words were insufficient to clear the accused of suspicion.
Athena: B-But what about the scent of perfume Owen mentioned?!
I believe it's a clue that will lead us to the true culprit!
Judge: Hmm... But there are thousands of perfumes in the world.
Nahyuta: It could even be the scent of the hair product the accused uses.
Judge: He does have one amazing hairstyle, so that's certainly possible.
Nahyuta: The witness is a five-year-old boy. He cannot tell the difference between conventional perfumes and hair products.
Athena: (Argh... Why couldn't you have gone for a crew cut or something, Bucky?)
Nahyuta: What's more, the only person who can cut soba noodles with such precision... ...is the accused, and no other.
Athena: (Oh man... How am I supposed to argue with that...?)
Nahyuta: And so, the person Owen saw at the scene of the crime can only be... ...the accused, Bucky Whet!
Blackquill: What the --?!
Bucky: hey, hey, hey! I never use hair productsh or anyding with a shmell! *hic* If I wore someding like dat, th' shmell'd get into th' soba! Boom! Check it!
Athena: Uh... Mr. Whet? Aren't you supposed to be resting in the infirmary...?
Bucky: Whaaaatever! You dink I'd let my soba shtink o' perfume?! Try dat chilled soba fer yershelf and see!
Judge: I believe we have no choice but to try it... Strictly for examination purposes, of course. Now then, let's dig in, shall we?
*sluuuuuurp* *slurp* *slurp* *sluuurp*
Judge: Mmm... That was delightful. *Ahem!* Well, I'm satisfied that there are no traces of hair products or perfumes in Mr. Whet's soba. First, sweet bean buns, and now, savory soba! What a delectable trial this has been!
Nahyuta: This texture is different from the soba I had the other day. It reminds me of a dish we have in Khura'in called "banu'puun."
Bucky: Whatcha dink, Miz Chickadee? My soba'sh pretty good, ishn't it?! *hic*
Athena: Mmm-MMM! It's delicious! Don't you think so, Simon?
Blackquill: Heh. It still pales in comparison to his late father's cuisine.
Bucky: S-Simey! Why you alwaysh gotta be so hard on me?! *urp*
Judge: Bailiff! Take the defendant back to the infirmary at once for some rest!
Bucky: Resht?! Hey, I ain't a lump o' plain ol' wheaty udon dough, y'know! I'm fresh like my soba! Y'don't let soba dough resht... It's about the "three freshes" of soba! Grind the seeds fresh, cut the dough fresh, and boil the noodles fre-- *urp*
Judge: Good grief. What a defendant...
Athena: (At least Bucky wasn't the source of the perfume smell... Wait. Smelly perfume...)
Blackquill: It looks like you remembered something.
Athena: The phrase "smelly perfume"... reminded me of a certain somebody!
Judge: Oh? And who might that be?
Athena: (There's only one person that comes to mind!)The phrase "smelly perfume" reminded me of this person!
[CORRECT ANSWER: Geiru Toneido]
Judge: Geiru Toneido? Hmm... Yes, she DID smell very nice, didn't she?
Nahyuta: Just a moment, defense. You would throw suspicion on Geiru now because of a scent? Your Honor, there is no need to go along with these ever-changing claims of the defense.
Judge: Hmm... I suppose their claims have been awfully inconsistent...
Athena: But Geiru could've been at the crime scene!
Judge: Yes, but...
Athena: You'll get to see those "balloons" of hers if we call her back to the witness stand!
Nahyuta: How vulgar! His Honor is not interested in such things!
Judge: ...........Ahem! Setting the matter of her "balloons" aside entirely... ...I do believe it's appropriate to ask Geiru some questions, given the circumstances. This has nothing to do with her "balloons"... of course.
Athena: Thank you, Your Honor!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaa!
Geiru: Thank you for calling this disciple of the Toneido School of rakugo back for an encore! It's me! The balloon artist you all know and love, Geeeiru Toneidooo! Onnne, twooo... BLOOOON!
Judge: What wonderful balloon artistry!
Athena: Y-Your Honor... Please.
Geiru: Now, then! What would you like me to make for you this time?
Athena: Um, actually, I called you back for more testimony.
Geiru: But I'm all talked out! This case has left me completely deflated.
Athena: ..........
Geiru: What? You didn't find that funny? A-Anyway, what exactly is going on, Simon?
Blackquill: It seems the person who murdered Master Toneido was wearing perfume.
Athena: And you were the only person I could think of who wears perfume.
Geiru: Wait... you mean I'm a suspect now?
Athena: Geiru, you knew about Owen, right?
Geiru: W-Well, yes. I often played with him at Shisho's request.
Athena: So that means you could've left that fake "dying message," right?
Geiru: Wh-What? Just because I wear perfume and know Owen... ... you think I'm a murderer? Oh, how could youuu?!
Nahyuta: The witness is absolutely right. With no evidence but the distorted memories of a small child... ... it is outrageous of the defense to accuse this woman!
Geiru: Th-Th-That's right! You don't even have any proooof...!
Nahyuta: You may step down from the stand, Geiru. The defense does not have one scrap of evidence that connects you to the crime.
Athena: Wait just a minute! I may not have proof, but Owen's testimony is still--!
Nahyuta: Enough! Please feel free to leave, Geiru.
Athena: (B-But I'm so close! There must be something I can do!)
Geiru: Well, if the prosecutor says it's okay, then I guess I'll be going now...
Blackquill: Hoy, Geiru. You're an entertainer, aren't you? Once you go onstage, it's your duty to complete your performance, is it not? So what are you doing, leaving halfway through!
Geiru: Eeeeeek!
Athena: Th-There's a bandage on Geiru's forehead...! And since we know that Master Toneido's killer has a cut on their face somewhere...!
Nahyuta: I-Impossible...!
Athena: How did you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. I didn't. But I had to take a chance and see for myself. Otherwise, your theory would remain a groundless accusation.
Athena: Your Honor! Prosecutor Sahdmadhi! The scent of perfume, an injury on the forehead... These things are completely consistent with Owen's testimony! In short... ... the mysterious individual Owen saw in the dressing room... could have been Geiru!
Judge: Ms. Cykes... ...does this mean you are formally indicting this witness for the murder of Taifu Toneido?!
Nahyuta: Should your accusation prove to be false... I hope you are prepared to pay the price in full.
Athena: S-Simon, what "price" is he talking about?
Blackquill: Hmph. I thought that should be obvious. Prosecutor Sad Monk is saying he'll see to it you never stand in a court of law again! I must say, though, he knows how to make a trial interesting.
Athena: (Just whose side are you on, Simon?!)
Blackquill: Go on, then. Into the deep end with you. You really have but one choice anyway.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? I'm waiting.
Athena: W-With regards to the witness, Geiru Toneido, the defense wishes to...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Indict her]
Athena: (There's no reason for me to hold back! Not if I really believe in my client!) The defense wishes to formally indict Geiru Toneido for the murder of Taifu Toneido!
Nahyuta: I have tried to be merciful, but now, not even your pleas will reach the Holy Mother's ears! You will have plenty of time to regret your decision... in the pit of hell!
Athena: Except I won't need to! The person who murdered the victim was NOT Mr. Whet. It was Geiru Toneido!
Geiru: That bandage is... It's just from a silly slipup I made while cooking yesterday, that's all!
Athena: What kind of "extreme cooking" were you doing to cut yourself on the forehead?!
Geiru: Well, what can I say? That's what happened!
Athena: You also don't have an alibi for the period before 4 PM, do you, Geiru?
Geiru: But... But... I really didn't know anything was wrong until Shisho was found dead! If you don't believe me, then, with a twisty, twist, twiiist! And BLOOOON! There you have it, an adorable little kitty! How could you suspect a cutesy widdle balloon artist like me, hmmmm?
Athena: Geiru, I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but... ...could it be that you don't have an eye for balloon art?!
Geiru: D-Don't you think I know that?! You didn't have to come out and say it! I'm the daughter of a great rakugo artist! I never wanted to do stupid balloon art! I was supposed to be a rakugo storyteller, too, just like my late daddy. B-But Shisho told me to do balloon art instead... *sniffle*
Athena: (I guess the victim thought she had no talent as a rakugo artist, either...)
Geiru: So you're still gonna suspect a poor, lil' thing like me?
Athena: P-Please stop trying to skirt the issue! It all comes down to the scent of perfume, and the cut on your forehead! You and the culprit in Owen's testimony share these two traits!
Geiru: You're dead set on accusing me, aren't you?! Well, here's what I have for naughty little girls like you! With a twisty, twist, twiiist! I'ma cut ya, witch! Go ahead, make me testify all ya want! When the truth's revealed... ...it'll be yer balloon or mine that goes POP! Got it?!
Judge: Oh, my! Is this yet another hidden personality?!
Athena: Simon, is everybody in the Toneido School like this?
Blackquill: H-How should I know?!
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --What I Did Before the Murder--
Geiru:
Yeah, I visited the dressing room during that time to make a courtesy call after my act.
Shisho and Owen were in there, but they were both snoring up a storm.
I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know.
The perfume Owen smelled musta been left over from when I visited.
------------------------------------------
Athena: So Geiru's saying she went into the dressing room, but then left right away.
Blackquill: Hmph. Don't take her at her word.
Athena: Come on, do you really think I would? I'm just trying to figure out how to get her to talk about what really happened.
Judge: Now, then, Ms. Cykes. You may proceed with your cross-examination.
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know."]
Athena: Where did you find your master's note?
Geiru: I dunno. Can't remember.
Athena: Did you notice anything else unusual or out of place in the room?
Geiru: Well, there was the sake and a half-eaten manju on the table. But I didn't see anything else out of place or whatever in the room, though.
Blackquill: Oh, is that a fact?
Geiru: O-Of course it is! Whaddaya think?!
Blackquill: And you didn't change anything around while you were in there?
Geiru: I didn't do anything! Look, I'm tellin' ya!
I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room.
Blackquill: Your Baldness, I request that the statement be added to Geiru's testimony.
Athena: Simon! What's a statement like that going to do for us?!
Blackquill: Just play along and you'll see soon enough.
Athena: Ugh...
Judge: Hmm... I have no problem with adding that to the testimony, but how about you, Ms. Cykes?
Athena: I-I have no problem with it either, Your Honor. (What is Simon thinking?)
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --What I Did Before the Murder-- (Added statement 5)
Geiru:
Yeah, I visited the dressing room during that time to make a courtesy call after my act.
Shisho and Owen were in there, but they were both snoring up a storm.
I saw the note Shisho left, so I just left. Didn't wanna disturb 'em, ya know.
The perfume Owen smelled musta been left over from when I visited.
I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room.
------------------------------------------
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Present CRIME SCENE REPORT at "I didn't see anything funny near Shisho, and I didn't touch anything in the room."]
Athena: Geiru, you said that you didn't notice anything odd or unusual near your master. You also said you didn't touch anything in the dressing room.
Geiru: That's right! What about it?!
Athena: Then, I wonder who left that "dying message" with the karuta cards?
Geiru: What're ya going on about?! It hadta been that Bucky!
Athena: Sorry, but that's not possible. Because only three people knew of Uendo's personalities: Uendo, your master, and you!
Geiru: Eek!
Blackquill: If Bucky had left that karuta message... ... he wouldn't have spelled out "Owen." He would've spelled out "Uendo."
Athena: What it boils down to is this: As a member of the Toneido School, you, Geiru Toneido... ...are the only one who could've left that "dying message"! And as the person who left that message... ... it's clear that you are Master Toneido's killer!
Geiru: Grrrragh! Will ya EVER quit yer yappin'?!
Nahyuta: You are like wretches clinging to the spider thread of salvation. Allow me... to cut that holy thread from the heavens, and bring you back down to Earth.
Athena: Would you quit butting in whenever things start to go my way!
Nahyuta: Silence, child. Playtime is over.
Athena: Wh-What did you just say?!
Nahyuta: As the witness stated, she went into the dressing room and soon came back out again. Bit the victim's note was not the only reason she left with such haste. There was another reason that compelled Geiru to leave at once. Geiru, would you please relate said reason to the court?
Athena: There was a reason why Geiru had to leave the dressing room...?
Geiru: Well, I didn't wanna show ya this, but I guess I got no choice.
Keep yer eyes peeled! 'Cause here it comes!
Athena: Your hand is all swollen and red...! What happened, Geiru?
Geiru: If ya must know... I'm allergic to buckwheat!
Athena: WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!
Nahyuta: Allergic reactions to buckwheat can vary, though they're usually on the severe side. With Taifu Toneido making soba noodles in his dressing room... ... Geiru is lucky to still be alive, considering all the soba flour that was swirling in the air.
Geiru: Good thing I left pretty quick! I managed to escape with just a mild reaction. But I touched Shisho as he was being carried away, and look what it did to my poor hands! There musta been soba broth on his clothes or something. If I'd inhaled any of that soba flour, I'da had a seizure, and it'd been "Good night, Geiru!" I never coulda stayed in that dressing room for very long!
Judge: A person allergic to buckwheat couldn't be in a room with soba flour in the air... ...and certainly couldn't use soba dough as a murder weapon, either.
Athena: Th-This isn't good...
Blackquill: You knew it would come to this, didn't you?! That's why you never mentioned her allergy!
Nahyuta: Hmph. As if I would do anything so underhanded. I was simply trying to protect the privacy of this witness.
Geiru:
I'm sick of all these accusations! Why don't I just testify and get it all out in the open, yeah?
------------------------------------------
WITNESS TESTIMONY: --Geiru's Buckwheat Allergy--
Geiru:
If I come into the slightest contact with buckwheat, I get an allergic reaction.
And with that much soba flour in the air, that room coulda literally killed me!
Look at my hand! Just touchin' Shisho's body caused this much damage.
There musta been soba broth on his clothes.
So I never coulda committed that murder in the dressing room!
------------------------------------------
Athena: I still can't believe it. Nobody told me she had a soba allergy... Did you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. Does it look like I knew? "Protect the privacy of the witness," my foot! What a dirty trick!
Athena: N-Now what do we do...?
Blackquill: There's only one thing TO do. Put Prosecutor Sad Monk to shame with your cross-examination!
Athena: Right! No matter how small, I'll find us an opening, and break her testimony down!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "If I come into the slightest contact with buckwheat, I get an allergic reaction."]
Athena: Y-You're not lying about this soba allergy of yours, right?
Geiru: Of course not! I swear on the grave of my father up in heaven! I can even get ya a doctor's certificate, if ya want.
Athena: (She... seems to be telling the truth...)
Geiru: I've had this allergy for as long as I can remember... But I never dreamt in a million years it'd clear me of murder!
Judge: And you'll come out of this smelling like a delicate buckwheat flower to boot!
Geiru: Well said, Your Honor!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "And with that much soba flour in the air, that room coulda literally killed me!"]
Athena: I'll give you that there was quite a bit of flour scattered about in that dressing room. But you went in to pay your respects to your master regardless, right?
Geiru: Yeah, but, like I said, I came right back out. I mean, the soba-making tools were right there! Ya better believe I was careful not ta breathe any of it in!
Athena: But you still could've committed this crime if you'd held your breath while doing it!
Geiru: Don't be ridiculous! I woulda suffocated to death before Shisho did!
Athena: Y-Yeah, I guess you're right...
Geiru: Geez. Get a grip, will ya?!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "Look at my hand! Just touchin' Shisho's body caused this much damage."]
Athena: Maybe there's a twist here -- like you're actually allergic to dogs, and not soba?
Geiru: You kidding?! Bring my lil' Jugemu in here! I'll hug'n'squeeze 'im like there's no tomorrow! I'm telling ya! I have a genuine, honest-to-goodness soba allergy!
Nahyuta: Defense, the witness clearly has an authentic allergy to buckwheat. Any further deliberation on the matter would be meaningless! Pointless! Worthless!
Geiru: You heard the man, lawyer girl!
Athena: All. Right. Fine! I was just starting to think the same thing myself! (Doesn't mean I have to like it, though...)
Geiru: I probably got this allergic reaction on my hand here 'cause I touched Shisho.
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "There musta been soba broth on his clothes."]
Athena: I have a question about that, actually. If you're allergic to soba, does that mean you're allergic to the noodle broth, too?
Geiru: Well, the buckwheat from the noodles can dissolve into the broth, so, duh. Touchin' soba broth can be just as deadly for me. Don't ya know anythin'?! What an amateur!
Athena: I-I'm sorry... (Do I look like a doctor to you?!)
Geiru: Look. Anything that has soba in it, or anything that has touched soba, is like poison to me!
[CROSS-EXAMINATION: Press "So I never coulda committed that murder in the dressing room!"]
Athena: So, I just want to cover all of my bases, but... ...could the murder have possibly occurred somewhere OTHER than the dressing room...?
Nahyuta: That is out of the question. By even asking, you show your complete disregard for all we have discussed until now.
Judge: Yes, I have to agree. The defense can't go around suggesting new premises without basis.
Geiru: Unfortunately for you... ...Shisho didn't take a single step from his dressing room around the time of the murder.
Athena: W-Well, that IS unfortunate... for everyone.
Nahyuta: Geiru could not have possibly committed this crime in a room where soba was being made. Finally, the time has come for the last rites of the victim to begin.
Athena: Nrrgh...!
Blackquill: Hmph!
Athena: (Wh-What would Mr. Wright do at a time like this?) Auf geht's! There's only one thing TO do!
Blackquill: What are you smiling about? Has the pressure overwhelmed you?
Athena: Nope! It's just, the worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles!
Nahyuta: I see. You have no rebuttal, and so the only thing left to you is to smile.
Athena: Ohhhhh, ho ho ho ho ho! That's where you're wrong! I DO have a rebuttal! (Turn your thinking around, Athena! Don't try to figure out how Geiru, who is allergic to soba, could commit the crime. Figure out how Geiru could be in that room and not have an allergic reaction instead!)
[FLASHBACK: Bucky: Lemme resht? Hah! Mehbee if I were a lump o' regular flour dough fer udon noodles! But I'm fresh, like my soba! 'N y' don't let soba dough resht... 'S all about the "three freshes"! Grind da buckwheat fresh, cut da dough fresh, and boil da noodles fre-- *urp* / Blackquill: H-He's blacked out! / Nahyuta (while viewing note): It appears to have been written by the victim. Allow me to read it. "Resting. Do not disturb." / Uendo: Yes, that's the note I saw! After reading that, who wouldn't think Shisho was napping? / Geiru: If ya must know... I'm allergic to buckwheat!]
Athena: ... Mon dieu! (What if... that certain piece of evidence doesn't mean what we think it means? If that's the case, I might be able to prove that Geiru could have committed this crime!)
Nahyuta: No matter how hard you search your mind, you cannot overturn facts.
Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? If you have no further objections, I'll hand down my ruling...
Athena: True, I can't overturn facts, but what if we got our "facts" about a piece of evidence wrong?
Nahyuta: "Got our facts wrong"? What are you talking about now?
Judge: And which piece of evidence do you mean, Ms. Cykes? Please point it out to this court!
Athena: This evidence proves that Geiru could've killed her master, even with her soba allergy!
[CORRECT CHOICE: Taifu's note]
Athena: It's Master Toneido's note!
Judge: Th-The note?
Nahyuta: Preposterous! What possible connection could there be between the witness's allergy and that note?
Athena: The answer lies in the true meaning of this note.
Judge: Its true meaning?
Athena: This note does not mean "I am resting. Do not disturb," as we had assumed. But rather, it actually means "This dough is resting. Do not disturb it"!
Blackquill: Wait a minute, Athena. That doesn't make any sense.
Athena: You're right. It doesn't. After all, as Bucky told us many a time: "You don't let soba dough rest"!
Geiru: Wh-What's all this jibber-jabber got to do with anything?!
Athena: (This is it! The home stretch!) This note and Mr. Whet's words have led me to the conclusion that Master Toneido was...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Making udon noodles]
Athena: The victim, Taifu Toneido, was not making buckwheat noodles. He was making ordinary udon noodles instead!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaa!
Athena: That layer of flour in the dressing room wasn't soba flour, but plain old wheat flour for udon! So, actually, it was totally possible for Geiru to be in that room and kill her master!
Geiru: Nnngang ngang ngaaaaaang!
Judge: What! But if that's true, it changes everything!
Athena: Your Honor, the defense requests that the flour in the room be tested immediately!
Nahyuta: But soba noodles were found in the bowl, and Geiru did have a reaction on her hand! How do you explain those things?
Athena: Um. Well...
Nahyuta: Even were it udon flour instead of soba, you still cannot prove Geiru committed the crime!
Athena: B-But...
Simon: Don't lose your nerve now! Keep charging forward or you'll feel my blade at your back.
Athena: E-Enough with the threats already! I got it! (Talk about pressure! All right, Athena. Take a deep breath and go over everything again!)
--- RECAPITULATION ---
Athena: I'm going to revisualize the case from start to finish! I have to find conclusive evidence that Geiru committed this murder! What was Master Toneido making in his dressing room?
[CORRECT CHOICE: Udon]
Athena: By my logic, Master Toneido must've been making udon noodles in his dressing room. But something at the crime scene indicates otherwise. What was found in the bowl on the table?
[CORRECT CHOICE: Soba]
Athena: Even though the master wasn't making soba, soba noodles were found at the scene. So that means the noodles had to have come from somewhere. Wait a minute. One mysterious serving of soba noodles...? Hmm... That sounds familiar... Where did the soba in the bowl on the table come from?
[CORRECT CHOICE: The master's soba stock]
Athena: The soba noodles found at the scene were from the master's stock of uncooked noodles! But then, why would the culprit go out of her way to cook that soba and put it in the bowl? Why did the culprit cook the soba noodles and put them in the bowl?
[CORRECT CHOICE: To hide the udon dough]
Athena: Soba was found at the scene... ...so that means the culprit must've taken the udon with her to hide it. But why did the culprit take the udon away and hide it? It must've been because she...
[CORRECT CHOICE: Killed him with the udon dough]
Athena: That's it! The udon dough was the real weapon used to kill Taifu Toneido! And the reason why no weapon was found is because Geiru got rid of the dough somehow!
----------------------
Athena: The real murder weapon was the udon dough the victim made! If we can find this dough, that'll prove my theory correct! And undeniably prove Geiru's guilt!
Nahyuta: Even if we could find this dough, what makes you think that it would prove she is the one?
Athena: Please recall Owen's eyewitness testimony, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. If the injury on Geiru's forehead was caused by the victim's knife... ...then Geiru's blood must've dripped down onto the dough used as the murder weapon! That would make the dough pretty conclusive evidence, wouldn't you agree?!
Nahyuta: Ahh, but where IS this "conclusive evidence"? Let us hear your theory on where this "murder weapon" is!
Athena: W-Well, it's... (If I can't find the answer in the evidence I have on hand, we'll lose this trial! So how did Geiru get rid of the udon dough? Think, Athena! What do I have that points to suspicious behavior on Geiru's part?)
Judge: Now, then, Ms. Cykes. Let's hear your answer. Where is the "real murder weapon" hidden?
Blackquill: Nice barking you did there. I assume you have the bite to back it up?
Athena: Stop distracting me! Especially not right now! This piece of evidence can point us to the location of the hidden murder weapon!
[CORRECT CHOICE: Simon's Statement]
Athena: Geiru!
Geiru: Huuuh? What is it? I'm just an innocent girl. I don't know aaanything about a muuuuurder!
Athena: Stuff that cute act in your balloon hat!
Geiru: Kuh!
Athena: Geiru got rid of the dough she used to kill Master Toneido in a bold and daring way. She did it right in front of Prosecutor Blackquill's nose by feeding it to her dog!
Geiru: N-No! I-I...!
Blackquill: Ha ha ha ha ha! Of course! Now it all makes sense. I was puzzled as to why Geiru, who should know her own dog's eating habits... ...would feed Jugemu more than he could possibly finish!
Athena: Your Honor! Please order an investigation of the yard right now!
Judge: And what should the police at the theater be looking for, exactly?
Athena: Jugemu must've buried his leftover dumplings somewhere around his doghouse. Dumplings that Geiru made out of the udon dough with her blood in it!
Geiru: Graaagh! Nhaaagh!
Nahyuta: Th-This is preposterous!
Athena: I want to thank you, Simon. If you hadn't kept me going, I might've given up along the way.
Blackquill: Hmph. What are you blathering on about? You still have work to do! Now, by your hand... finish this wretched case off, Athena!
Athena: You got it! Geiru, do you remember what you said would happen when the truth is finally revealed?
[FLASHBACK: Geiru: When the truth's revealed... ...it'll be yer balloon or mine that goes POP! Got it?!]
Athena: Well, now the truth is out, and it looks to me like... ...it's YOUR balloon that goes POP!
Geiru: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Nahyuta: Pohlkunkaaaaa!
Geiru: I... I... I'm... a rakugo artist... I was the one... who was supposed to... inherit that name...! But then... ...then... Shisho... Why are my balloons burstin'...? Daddy... are ya mad at me...? I... I've been a bad girl... I... I... AAAAAIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Geiru: *sniffle* Ooooh...
Athena: Are you ready to tell us everything now, Geiru?
Geiru: The whole reason... I entered the world of rakugo in the first place... ...was to follow in my father's wonderful footsteps, and inherit his stage name.
Athena: His stage name...? You don't mean...
Blackquill: "Uendo Toneido"...
Geiru: I knew I wasn't very good at storytelling, but I thought that... ...if I did the stupid balloon thing like Shisho wanted, I'd inherit the name someday.
Athena: But Master Toneido gave the name to his junior disciple...
Geiru: Yeah... That's why I took my revenge on Shisho during the show celebrating the name succession.
Athena: So that... was your entire motive...?
Geiru: I doubt anybody else could understand, but... ...inheriting my father's name was everything to me. It was my whole reason for living.
Blackquill: Of all the days you could have taken your revenge... ...why did you choose the day of the show?
Geiru: Because I wanted to pay Uendo back for stealing what was rightfully mine... I wanted to pin the blame on him at the show where all the Toneido fans were gathered...
Athena: But then, Uendo tried to shift the blame onto Bucky Whet... And now we know the whole story...
Blackquill: There's just one more thing I want to know. Did you know Master Toneido was making udon in his dressing room yesterday?
Geiru: No, I didn't. When I saw the soba-making tools, I was worried about my allergy... But it was my only chance to get my revenge on the two of 'em, so I went ahead and did it.
Blackquill: So it was a premeditated crime, but in the end, you only went through with it on impulse. Then, the allergic reaction on your hand... Is it from touching the soba in the refrigerator with your bare hands... ...when you were tampering with the crime scene after your master's death?
Geiru: Yeah... By that time, I wasn't clearheaded enough to worry about my allergy.
Blackquill: Geiru... How could you do all this, you idiot...
Athena: Geiru... ...I get your desire to inherit your father's name. But what you really should've inherited from him wasn't his name... ...but his heart.
Geiru: H-His... heart...
Judge: Do you have anything to add, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi? Any objections?
Nahyuta: ...No, Your Honor. ..........Ms. Athena Cykes.
Athena: Y-Yes? (That's the first time he's used my name!)
Nahyuta: I shall... be sure to remember your name.
Athena: .........Really?
Blackquill: It seems he finally recognizes you as a proper adversary.
Athena: Thanks! That's all I ask, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi!
Judge: It looks like there are no further objections. Bailiff, please bring in the defendant.
Judge: Ah, good. It seems you have made a full recovery. Now then, this court finds the defendant, Bucky Whet...
NOT GUILTY
Judge: This court is adjourned!
May 13, 11:55 AM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 6
Athena: Congratulations, Bucky! I'm so glad you were found innocent!
Bucky: Thanks for everything, Miz Chickadee!
Athena: But it still sucks that you were accused of a crime you didn't commit! Did Uendo have it out for you or something?
Bucky: I don't think so...
Blackquill: Uendo said it was a spur-of-the-moment idea he got when he saw the soba-themed cards.
Athena: Simon! Where have you been?
Blackquill: I stopped in at Uendo's questioning. Only you, Bucky... could get framed for a crime on a whim.
Bucky: No way... I almost got convicted out of convenience...?
Athena: Well, at least you've been completely cleared of all charges so... buck up, Bucky! On a more important note, what I really want to know is... ...why didn't Master Toneido let Geiru inherit her father's name?
Bucky: Wh-Whattaya mean, "on a more important note," Miz Chickadee?
Athena: Aww, don't be such a "Whet" blanket -- just go with the flow! Now, come on! You think the master was trying to encourage her to quit the entertainment business?
Bucky: Naw, that's not it. He didn't give the name to her because he wanted Geiru to find her own calling in life... ...to perform whatever she wanted without being bound by her father's name or rakugo. Making udon was his way of showing his support for her in her new endeavor.
Athena: So that's why he called you to the theater, huh? To teach him how to make udon?
Blackquill: Hmph. A more roundabout way, I've never seen, but that's Master Toneido for you.
Athena: So this entire incident happened because of a misunderstanding? How sad...
Blackquill: By the way, Geiru wasn't the only person Master Toneido was trying to cheer on. Even though the person in question still seems unaware of the master's intentions.
Bucky: What? You talking about me? Come on, no way! All that old man ever did was criticize my soba!
Athena: That's not true, Bucky... (There must be a way to make Bucky see just how much Master Toneido cared about him.)
[CORRECT CHOICE: Whet Soba Deed]
Athena: Take a good look, Bucky. Whose name is on there as the holder of this title deed?
Bucky: I-It's still in my name...
Blackquill: Master Toneido was just up to one of his tricks when he said he "stole" the shop from you. He was trying to force you to grow into a truly capable owner in your father's stead.
Athena: He probably used some tough love on you so that the shop wouldn't just go belly up.
Bucky: ...I-I see... I-I never knew... Oh, Master Toneido... I'm so sorry...! *sniffle*
Blackquill: Keep working hard, Bucky, and pay him back by living up to his expectations.
Bucky: Thanks, Simey! And you too, Miz Chickadee! One day, my soba's gonna be so good, it'll knock that old man's socks clean off! After all, I'm the fourth-generation owner of Whet Soba, Whet Noodle No. 4! Well, I'd better be getting back to my shop. I gotta get ready for the lunch rush!
Athena: Hold on! Could I place an order for delivery, Bucky?
Bucky: Yes, Miz Chickadee?
Athena: Could you deliver a bowl of udon to Geiru -- on behalf of her master?
Bucky: ...You got it! I'll make sure it's got all the TLC Master Toneido would've packed in it, too!
Athena: Thank you!
Bucky: Well, see you! Be sure to drop by the shop sometime!
Athena: I will! And I'll bring the whole agency with me!
Blackquill: Do us all proud, Bucky.
Bucky: I'll have the best soba in town waiting for ya when you come! Peace out!
Athena: Ahhh... It's nice to see somebody giving it their all, isn't it? I wonder if I leveled up any thanks to this case.
Blackquill: Don't kid yourself. The trial would've been a spectacle and a half had I not been by your side.
Athena: Y-You don't know that!
Blackquill: Hmph. For a lawyer who's versed in psychology, you're too full of weak points. You need to learn to analyze yourself more objectively.
Athena: Or, you could just teach me your famous mind tricks, Simon!
Blackquill: No.
Athena: Way to shut someone down! And why not?!
Blackquill: Because the more pesky lawyers there are, the harder my job becomes. So it's in my best interest for you to remain green forever!
Athena: Hey! What about what's in MY best interest, huh?! Besides, weren't YOU the one who had the wool pulled over your eyes by Uendo?!
Blackquill: Must you remind me?! How could I have known Uendo would do "Time Soba"?!
Athena: Hey, speaking of "Time Soba," I just thought of something funny!
Blackquill: Oh, goodie. I can't wait.
Athena: Okay, here it is. In "Time Soba"... ...why didn't man number nine get counted? Come on. Do you know, Simon?
Blackquill: Hmph. How should I know?
Athena: Because... seven ate nine! Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week!
Widget: ROTFL!
Blackquill: Hmph. THAT, I should've known. Come on, let's go get soba or something and go home.
Athena: Your treat?
Blackquill: I'll treat you to 50% of the tab! And don't forget -- you still owe me for that manju!
Athena: Really, Simon? It wouldn't hurt for you to pay for me every once in a while, you know!
Blackquill: Hmph. Quit squawking and start walking, Athena!
Athena: H-Hey! Wait for meeeee!
Athena: (I may still have a ways to go as a lawyer... ...but just like Mr. Wright, Apollo, and Simon before me... ...I'm going to get there someday! After all, I've inherited their passion for our courts, and the law! Je peux le faire! I can do this!)
END
