Case NOT Closed (Patreon)

Chapter 27: Aftermath of the First Trial

"It's impossible, you must be Ai," she murmured to herself.

At this moment, an impolite voice came from the side, "Excuse me, horned girl, what do you want to do to my adorable sister?"

It was Kensuke speaking.

He opened his arms to protect Ai, like a mother hen protecting her chick, assuming a protective big brother posture.

"Horned girl?" Ran Mouri was stunned, then angrily said, "I'm not some horned girl; my name is Ran Mouri!"

"Then let's call you Horned Ran," Kensuke waved his hand as if he hadn't heard her, "Excuse me, Horned Ran-san, what do you want to do to my sister? Can't you see she's scared?"

"Oniichan~ this big sister is so fierce! I'm scared~"

At this moment, Ai also cooperatively hid behind Kensuke, pulling at the lapels of his suit, looking like she was about to cry.

Ran was completely stunned.

She glanced at Kensuke and then at the frightened little girl.

After a while, she slowly exhaled.

"Sorry, I mistook you for another person," Ran looked at Kensuke, "I didn't expect someone like you to be trying to protect your family."

"I was wrong this time, I apologize for the rudeness."

Ran bowed to Kensuke and returned to the side of Kogoro.

Kogoro Mouri, the middle-aged man with a small mustache, also glanced in their direction.

However, his nerves seemed quite lax, as if he hadn't noticed Kensuke's identity and was here to defend his university classmate accused of a crime.

"That man is the legend?" Kensuke playfully supported his chin, "Is he feigning his incompetence or genuine incompetence?"

In any case, whether it was one or the other, it didn't concern him much. At most, in the future, he might clash a bit with his wife, Kisaki Eri, in court.

After those two walked away, Ai's expression returned to calm, and the small hand grabbing Kensuke's suit also loosened.

"Not bad kid, your acting skill is good enough to made you a child star, have you ever thought of going into that career?”Kensuke smirked, "What's with your expression? Seems like you're not the least bit reluctant lying to someone who cares a lot about your wellbeing? Quite heartless I must say."

".....I just don't want that girl to be involved with someone like me," Ai shook her head.

"Oh, the kid is pretending to be profound again," Kensuke feigned ignorance.

In the past few days, to avoid potential trouble later on, Kensuke took Ai to reshape her appearance. First, they changed her hairstyle. Since she couldn't cut her short hair temporarily, they dyed it black. Later on, without cutting her hair, they would let it grow into the common shoulder-length style for girls, making her look more beautiful.

Then came the makeup.

As widely known, Japanese makeup art is considered extraordinary among the three great evils of East Asia—looking beautiful during the day and encountering ghosts at night. Ai used an eyeliner to casually draw a phoenix eye, instantly changing her original appearance.

After that, it was practicing a fake voice, changing her tone.

She really seemed to be capable of everything, almost like Doraemon. In just two days, she mastered some techniques, allowing her to slightly change her vocal tone. Given enough time, she could become another Kid, completely unlike a certain butterfly-haired little devil who needed a voice changer.

In this way, after a few tweaks, even if Ai didn't wear a mask now, it would be challenging for familiar people to discover her true identity.

"However, I didn't expect that Ran could actually see through it, that girl is sharp" Kensuke supported his chin.

"That's just the way she is," Ai said lightly, with a slightly melancholic tone. "Whenever someone around her faces a situation, she will notice it immediately and rush over. She's that kind of annoyingly good person."

"Yeah, anyone can notice, but certain little devils with butterfly hair can't, right?"

"What?"

"Nothing." Kensuke waved his hand. "Well, dear little sister, it's time for us to go to court."

Ai showed a "kind" smile. "Okay, dear brother, I'm tired. You have to carry me on the way back later."

"Forget it, walk by yourself."

Afterwards, the two entered the court and then the courtroom within the prescribed time. Ai, being a child, couldn't stand on the lawyer's side with Kensuke; she could only sit in the back and listen.

Because it was the aftermath review of the first trial, the courtroom was sparsely populated, with not many people.

Soon, the designated time arrived, and the judge, jurors, and the opposing prosecutor all hurried over, bringing the defendant Kazuhi and his lawyer.

Kensuke casually glanced at the opposite side.

The prosecutor was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties. As far as he knew, he didn't recognize this person; he belonged to the type without much fame.

But it didn't matter; he didn't have the qualifications to be a supporting character today. This post-trial review would end soon.

"Now, the court is in session!"

The judge banged the gavel.

"According to the defendant's appeal, there was alleged police brutality during the first trial, and the confession obtained was illegal. The prosecution is invited to express their opinion on this matter!"

So, the prosecutor spoke first.

"This matter is absolutely groundless!" the prosecutor denied, "Our evidence collection went through legal procedures, please do not believe the rumors outside. Those are malicious attacks by unscrupulous media against our law enforcement!"

The words were eloquent, but he clearly lacked confidence, with sweat appearing on his face.

For the prosecution, this post-trial review was highly unfavorable, a situation clearly against them.

"Defense counsel, do you have any objections?" the judge asked looking towards Kensuke.

On this side, Kensuke didn't waste words.

"I request a confrontation between the parties and relevant personnel."

Soon, a police officer in uniform was brought in.

He was a chubby middle-aged man with a small mustache on his chin.

Terabayashi Shoji, a detective in Chiba Prefecture. (Previously appeared in the episode "Sonoko's Dangerous Summer Story")

Kensuke smiled as he stood up, walked down from the defendant's bench, and circled around the short, chubby middle-aged man.

"As a detective in Chiba Prefecture and facing your former colleague, may I ask what your opinion is on our defendant?" Kensuke inquired.

Shoji seemed nervous, saying, "I, I and him were just colleagues, usually we just had a casual relationship of drinking and chatting..."

"Really?" Kensuke chuckled and took out a document from the table, reading aloud.

"On February 3rd, that guy Kazuhi invited everyone for a drink again today, but just didn't invite me. I really want to beat him up!"

"On February 5th, Kazuhi made fun of me today, saying I'm too fat! Damn, I'm just a little chubby!"

"On February 16th, Kazuhi is making a joke about me not  having a girlfriend. Damn it, having a girlfriend doesn't make you great! I hope you break up soon!"

As Kensuke read with strength, Shoji's face became increasingly stiff.

These were all entries from his personal blog.

He thought no one would bother checking his blog, but unexpectedly, in this public setting, this lawyer had managed to dig them all out!