Trial and mastermind

Itsuki sighed as she stared at her phone. "Must they all be so persistent?"

Rika walked by and naturally asked what was troubling her, to which Itsuki responded by showing her the message on her phone.

"They want you to testify in court in America!?"

"Yes, and they're being relentless about it. Lawyers from both sides have even begun showing up at my place, demanding I testify for them."

"Well then just tell them the message here."

"Rika, the law isn't that simple, nor is this case. You see, the prosecution wants me to testify that Mahi was insane from the start and should receive the maximum penalty, and in all honesty, I believe she should. But the problem is the defense lawyers. They want me to testify that Mahi was the victim in all of this and make an impassioned case about how she should be let go. Quite frankly, I was disgusted by the proposal, but then..."

Itsuki began to tremble as she struggled to find her words. "Sh- She threatened to have me kidnapped and reeducated if I wouldn't go of my own volition."

"Who the hell does she think she is? Maybe she needs the Takeda treatment."

"NO! S- She's too powerful."

"The hell do you mean?"

"She's the sister of Senator Fiana Kuninganna."

"Uh, who?"

"She was a candidate that ran for president last year, but lost."

"So why should she be a threat?"

"Because she's still a powerful US senator."

"We're in Japan though."

"She said she had connections, what if those cops that nearly broke me... Ah- AHHHHHH!"

Rika closed her eyes and gently embraced Itsuki in a hug. It was all to clear why she was so scared; the trauma of her kidnapping a year ago still haunted her. The big question now, was how was this problem going to be solved.

As Rika pondered that question, Mimi arrived with her father, Lucas. "Hey everyone! Uh, what's wrong?"

"Oh, some lawyers are threatening Itsuki and demanding she come to America to testify at a trial."

"Trial? ... You got a court here? Why not use that internet to have her testify from a court here? Should be permissible," Lucas stated.

"What do you mean?"

"Back in the day, I was a judge, but we didn't have internet so we had to do things in person. Well, that led to me getting kidnapped by hostile forces and used as a political pawn. That's probably why Masha died too, leaving Mimi orphaned."

"You were a judge?"

"Was until this world merger thing. But weird thing is my family lineage and connection to the Ginkawas is fine, but all my licenses? No good."

"Thanks for your insight, sir. If it works, we'll give you a free kringle a day for the rest of your life."

"In that case, I want that in writing. Ginkawas have longer life-spans than you think."

...

Itsuki trembled as she walked hand-in-hand with Rika to the courthouse.

"Don't worry, I'll be here every step of the way. Plus if they're calling witnesses, I'd sure as hell like to testify about how much of a bitch she is," Rika nodded.

"You can't just trash talk someone because you hate them at a trial. In fact, it's probably best you don't testify at all. In fact, you're taking a big risk in even coming here with me."

"Why's that?"

"Uh, your past! Even though all that stuff Rebelle had on you is being disregarded as fake, the police might still take it seriously. Plus you did recently murder someone, yes?"

"But she was a vampire. If they leak the full footage of it, I'll be the one praised for killing a monster, or something like that."

"But I heard vampires are really popular."

"Er, in fiction yeah, but in reality, most don't know they exist, and if they did, mass panic. I'm not the brightest mind, but I do know that much."

"Hmm, I guess it's fine then. I'll try to make this as quick as possible."

From an upstairs window, Purin watched as the two entered the courthouse. "So the assassin came too. But now what do we do?"

"Hmm, we're up against a wall thanks to Reika. But luckily, I've seen through it all," an effeminate man with slicked back black hair glared as he adjusted his glasses.

"Still can't believe you went all out on this. I mean, this is how you're gonna be honored now for the rest of history."

"It matters not. Father is no longer here, so I care not about the prestige by my name, now, all I care about is the power. Besides, doing things this way will actually sully his name, so all the more reason to do it."

As Rika and Itsuki entered the main lobby, Himawari waddled up to them. It had been months since Rika had last seen her, but she was shocked at how much weight she had put on. In fact, if it wasn't for her grey hair and her face still looking somewhat similar, Rika easily would have mistaken her for another person.

"So where'd all that fat come from? Certainly not our place."

"S- Shut up!" Himawari scowled as she scuttled away.

"Huh, maybe I should have asked that unreliable cop to come instead," Rika mumbled.

"So sorry to disappoint, but Yuzume's out on an important case over in the Saitama prefecture," Purin glared as she appeared.

"Unreliable as always. And how big is this case?"

"Classified, for the most part. Tell me, are you familiar with "The case chiller"?"

"The what?"

"The case chiller, a serial killer who's currently killed over 100,000 people in the Saitama prefecture over the past 6 years. You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

Rika stared in confusion. She couldn't recall ever doing that many kills in the specified area, nor could she think of any assassins that did either. "No clue."

"Perhaps we should put YOU on trial instead. But no matter, let us get this business over with. I despise the sight of you just as much as my sisters."

Purin guided the two to the main trial room, where a judge along with two foreigners were waiting. Itsuki began to tremble as one of the foreigners, a woman with long dark red hair, glared at her. Rika quickly surmised that she was the one that had threatened Itsuki before.

The woman introduced herself as Theresa Broadstone of Kuninganna and Broadstone, a law office based in New York city. Her office was the one defending Mahi, and claiming she wasn't at fault for the murder of Makihara.

The other foreigner, a man in his early 50s, was representing the prosecution. He was well-dressed, like Theresa, but upon closer inspection, various wrinkles, dirt, and inside-out pockets were present on his apparel. Though easily the most eye-catching thing about him was his 10-gallon hat.

"So we gon get on with the trial?" he growled in English with a thick Texan accent.

"Yes, Mr. Rubio, we'll start soon. Now Miss Makihara, I presume, please head to the witness stand," the judge instructed.

Itsuki nodded and did so, as Rika headed for the stands and sat down. Things went surprisingly smoothly, and were over with faster than either of them expected. There were a few hiccups with the translator being unable to understand Tom Rubio's accent at times, but since Itsuki was testifying against Mahi, Rubio was in a good mood and willing to have patience in order to make sure everyone could understand each other.

Theresa on the other hand, left very unhappy. Even more so since Itsuki stated that she had threatened her. "Lies and slander. I did no such thing. It appears she's biased against her mother, so I'll push to have her testimony disregarded," she snarled as she left.

"Well guess that's over and done with, now let's head back," Rika grinned.

"Not so fast!"

Rika turned to notice Himawari standing in the doorway. "Rika Komachi, you're under arrest for murder!"

"Ugh, are you serious?"