Phoenix Wright (成歩堂龍一) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thewrightway) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
aceattorneythenovel2017-05-14 04:15 pm
thewrightway) wrote in aceattorneythenovel2017-05-14 04:15 pm
Chapter 10: What's Important to an Attorney (Japanese terminology)
[March 16, 9:12 AM: Naruhodou Anything Agency]
“Toshinari Amakake-san is a true blue lover of paper planes. He's taught the local kids how to make paper planes for decades.”
It was the day after the trial ended. I was sat on the office sofa, talking on my cell phone.
“Shirai, the killer, was a particularly frequent visitor to Toshinari-san when he was young. He loved paper planes and would devise his own ways of folding them to fly further, Toshinari-san really took him under his wing.”
“And now he's a killer... Poor Toshinari-san.”
“Yeah.”
Naturally, I was talking to Mayoi-chan. She'd been concerned over how the trial had gone and called me.
“And to add insult to injury, those beloved paper planes became the murder weapon his former apprentice had used. I'm sure Toshinari-san is suffering.”
“Sounds like he used to be a decent kid. I wonder where he went wrong?”
“He's always had a strong sense of justice apparently. He wanted to enter politics for the sake of his ambitious ideals, but ended up in a bad workplace. His heart became warped while at the side of Uranashi-san, who had been up to all kinds of evil deeds behind his clean image.”
Shirai-san had played the role of Uranashi-san's loyal secretary, while harbouring a secret hatred deep inside.
After discovering Uranashi-san's wrongdoings, he found that an investigation team wasn't far behind. And when the law finally caught up, Uranashi-san would say “I knew nothing of this. It was all my secretary's doing.” to feign ignorance.
“Shirai-san figured that the crimes would be pinned on himself instead at this rate. That's when he began to panic. Then when Uranashi-san suggested he fake hospitalisation, his plan came into view. It seems the location of the airport and using the ice pick as a dummy weapon were all Shirai-san's idea. Uranashi-san went along with it not suspecting a thing.”
“So he was going to string up an innocent bystander as the culprit. That Uranashi guy was a jerk!”
“That may be true. But it still doesn't absolve Shirai-san of his own crime.”
I protected our city – Shirai-san may have claimed that, but his true motives didn't align with justice. With Uranashi-san gone, he would inherit the voters of his constituency, allowing him to become just like Uranashi-san.
Following the verdict, various dark deals made between Uranashi-san and members of the public came to light. For example, Hanako Jinguuji-san had been in trouble for performing various scams and gone crying to Uranashi-san. Shuuto Naisu-san had been so caught up in a soccer broadcast that he'd caused a traffic accident, and had asked Uranashi-san for help with that. As we heard directly from Hipokura-san, he'd helped cover up a malpractice incident.
And this was just the tip of the iceberg. Uranashi-san was practically the king of Umibeno city. Any dissenters would face the town's wrath. This led to victims like the Amakake family.
“Umibeno city has been a twisted place, but I think it'll start improving from now on.”
“And it's all thanks to you, Naruhodo-kun!”
“Not really...”
I wouldn't have won this trial on my own. After the first day in court, I was so worn out in both body and soul that I had forgotten how to smile.
The one who helped me back then was—
“It's all thanks to you, Mayoi-chan.”
“Eh?”
“Mayoi-chan, it was you who reminded me of something important.”
A lawyer is someone who smiles no matter how bad it gets. An important lesson I'd learned from Chihiro-san.
Whenever I felt like throwing in the towel, those words were what kept me on track.
“... Heheh.”
Mayoi-chan gave her usual carefree laugh.
“So you're finally realising my true value?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Then treat me to some ramen when I get back to Japan. I'd like to try Taikuuken's menma.”
“Sure, no problem.”
I laughed as we ended our call.
Taikuuken's menma sure is good stuff. It's a bit far to go for a meal though...
Just as I was thinking about that.
The door opened and a lively bunch came in.
“Good morning, Naruhodo-san!”
“Naruhodou-san, I can't thank you enough for your efforts!”
“Daddy, we bring good news!”
It was Kokone-chan, Odoroki-kun and Minuki.
But not just the three of them. Another unexpected face popped in.
“Mornin', Naruhodo-san!”
It was Meguru-san. His expression was no longer the one he had at Taikuuken and the courtroom, he was bright and cheerful.
“Meguru-san! Why are you here?”
“I've got good news. I wanted to tell you as soon as possible, so I decided to come nice and early!”
Good news... Minuki had said so too.
Before I could even ask, Meguru-san came out and said it.
“You really are amazing. You're every bit the legendary straight man Odoroki aspires to be!”
... Is that really something to aspire to?
“You didn't just save Odoroki. You saved the entirety of Umibeno city. After yesterday's verdict, we had a proper talk with the neighbors. There's still tension with certain people, but overall they were really willing to clear the air. Some of them honestly wanted to support Taikuuken. But they were too afraid of Uranashi-san to openly oppose him... They made sure to apologise to us...”
Meguru-san got emotional as he spoke.
“Together we swore to rebuild our city. That Umibeno city will be reborn!”
“I see. Good to hea...”
“You're the saviour of Umibeno city! We'll never forget our debt to you. Which is why I came up with an idea. A new Umibeno specialty, Ryuuichi Naruhodou ramen!”
... Huh?
What the heck...?
“Well take a look. This is the recipe!”
Meguru-san pulled a large sheet of paper from his bag and laid it out.
... It was a picture of ramen. It looked to be overflowing with ingredients.
“It combines Taikuuken's special menma, special char siu pork fillet and special boiled egg. And the centrepiece of the bowl is the Naruhodo kamaboko! It's an extra large kamaboko with your face printed on it!”
And indeed there was a giant kamaboko with my face on it surrounded by mountains of menma and pork.
While I was lost for words, Minuki spoke up.
“No need to worry, I've already signed the contract, Daddy. The Naruhodou Anything Agency gets ten percent of every sale!”
“Haha! Your daughter is one shrewd businesswoman.”
“You drive a hard bargain too, mister. I originally wanted a thirty percent cut.”
“Come on, cut me a break.”
Meguru-san and Minuki both broke out laughing.
Kokone-chan and Odoroki-kun joined in too.
“That Naruhodo-san kamaboko looks tasty!”
“I'm not sure about eating Naruhodou-san, but I'll give it a try. After all, it's a new specialty item on Meguru's menu.”
“We'll be adding it real soon. I'd love for you all to have some!”
Despite using my image, I've been left out entirely...
There's only one thing to say at a time like this. At the top of my lungs.
“—Objection!”
“Toshinari Amakake-san is a true blue lover of paper planes. He's taught the local kids how to make paper planes for decades.”
It was the day after the trial ended. I was sat on the office sofa, talking on my cell phone.
“Shirai, the killer, was a particularly frequent visitor to Toshinari-san when he was young. He loved paper planes and would devise his own ways of folding them to fly further, Toshinari-san really took him under his wing.”
“And now he's a killer... Poor Toshinari-san.”
“Yeah.”
Naturally, I was talking to Mayoi-chan. She'd been concerned over how the trial had gone and called me.
“And to add insult to injury, those beloved paper planes became the murder weapon his former apprentice had used. I'm sure Toshinari-san is suffering.”
“Sounds like he used to be a decent kid. I wonder where he went wrong?”
“He's always had a strong sense of justice apparently. He wanted to enter politics for the sake of his ambitious ideals, but ended up in a bad workplace. His heart became warped while at the side of Uranashi-san, who had been up to all kinds of evil deeds behind his clean image.”
Shirai-san had played the role of Uranashi-san's loyal secretary, while harbouring a secret hatred deep inside.
After discovering Uranashi-san's wrongdoings, he found that an investigation team wasn't far behind. And when the law finally caught up, Uranashi-san would say “I knew nothing of this. It was all my secretary's doing.” to feign ignorance.
“Shirai-san figured that the crimes would be pinned on himself instead at this rate. That's when he began to panic. Then when Uranashi-san suggested he fake hospitalisation, his plan came into view. It seems the location of the airport and using the ice pick as a dummy weapon were all Shirai-san's idea. Uranashi-san went along with it not suspecting a thing.”
“So he was going to string up an innocent bystander as the culprit. That Uranashi guy was a jerk!”
“That may be true. But it still doesn't absolve Shirai-san of his own crime.”
I protected our city – Shirai-san may have claimed that, but his true motives didn't align with justice. With Uranashi-san gone, he would inherit the voters of his constituency, allowing him to become just like Uranashi-san.
Following the verdict, various dark deals made between Uranashi-san and members of the public came to light. For example, Hanako Jinguuji-san had been in trouble for performing various scams and gone crying to Uranashi-san. Shuuto Naisu-san had been so caught up in a soccer broadcast that he'd caused a traffic accident, and had asked Uranashi-san for help with that. As we heard directly from Hipokura-san, he'd helped cover up a malpractice incident.
And this was just the tip of the iceberg. Uranashi-san was practically the king of Umibeno city. Any dissenters would face the town's wrath. This led to victims like the Amakake family.
“Umibeno city has been a twisted place, but I think it'll start improving from now on.”
“And it's all thanks to you, Naruhodo-kun!”
“Not really...”
I wouldn't have won this trial on my own. After the first day in court, I was so worn out in both body and soul that I had forgotten how to smile.
The one who helped me back then was—
“It's all thanks to you, Mayoi-chan.”
“Eh?”
“Mayoi-chan, it was you who reminded me of something important.”
A lawyer is someone who smiles no matter how bad it gets. An important lesson I'd learned from Chihiro-san.
Whenever I felt like throwing in the towel, those words were what kept me on track.
“... Heheh.”
Mayoi-chan gave her usual carefree laugh.
“So you're finally realising my true value?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Then treat me to some ramen when I get back to Japan. I'd like to try Taikuuken's menma.”
“Sure, no problem.”
I laughed as we ended our call.
Taikuuken's menma sure is good stuff. It's a bit far to go for a meal though...
Just as I was thinking about that.
The door opened and a lively bunch came in.
“Good morning, Naruhodo-san!”
“Naruhodou-san, I can't thank you enough for your efforts!”
“Daddy, we bring good news!”
It was Kokone-chan, Odoroki-kun and Minuki.
But not just the three of them. Another unexpected face popped in.
“Mornin', Naruhodo-san!”
It was Meguru-san. His expression was no longer the one he had at Taikuuken and the courtroom, he was bright and cheerful.
“Meguru-san! Why are you here?”
“I've got good news. I wanted to tell you as soon as possible, so I decided to come nice and early!”
Good news... Minuki had said so too.
Before I could even ask, Meguru-san came out and said it.
“You really are amazing. You're every bit the legendary straight man Odoroki aspires to be!”
... Is that really something to aspire to?
“You didn't just save Odoroki. You saved the entirety of Umibeno city. After yesterday's verdict, we had a proper talk with the neighbors. There's still tension with certain people, but overall they were really willing to clear the air. Some of them honestly wanted to support Taikuuken. But they were too afraid of Uranashi-san to openly oppose him... They made sure to apologise to us...”
Meguru-san got emotional as he spoke.
“Together we swore to rebuild our city. That Umibeno city will be reborn!”
“I see. Good to hea...”
“You're the saviour of Umibeno city! We'll never forget our debt to you. Which is why I came up with an idea. A new Umibeno specialty, Ryuuichi Naruhodou ramen!”
... Huh?
What the heck...?
“Well take a look. This is the recipe!”
Meguru-san pulled a large sheet of paper from his bag and laid it out.
... It was a picture of ramen. It looked to be overflowing with ingredients.
“It combines Taikuuken's special menma, special char siu pork fillet and special boiled egg. And the centrepiece of the bowl is the Naruhodo kamaboko! It's an extra large kamaboko with your face printed on it!”
And indeed there was a giant kamaboko with my face on it surrounded by mountains of menma and pork.
While I was lost for words, Minuki spoke up.
“No need to worry, I've already signed the contract, Daddy. The Naruhodou Anything Agency gets ten percent of every sale!”
“Haha! Your daughter is one shrewd businesswoman.”
“You drive a hard bargain too, mister. I originally wanted a thirty percent cut.”
“Come on, cut me a break.”
Meguru-san and Minuki both broke out laughing.
Kokone-chan and Odoroki-kun joined in too.
“That Naruhodo-san kamaboko looks tasty!”
“I'm not sure about eating Naruhodou-san, but I'll give it a try. After all, it's a new specialty item on Meguru's menu.”
“We'll be adding it real soon. I'd love for you all to have some!”
Despite using my image, I've been left out entirely...
There's only one thing to say at a time like this. At the top of my lungs.
“—Objection!”