Angered voices in the house of justice echoed to the ceiling. The judge’s gavel was powerless. Yukino covered her ears and even believed the jury had become feral. Grausames, their all-time hero, was now but a traitor. Yet he still crossed his arms, hearing white noise.

He shook his head and tsked. He had no shame in showing frustration with a table bang. Cowards, he eyed the jury, who fell silent. All had indeed shut their mouths, and he still glared.

He stood straight and fixed his tie. “I’m appalled by the ‘gentlemen’ around me. So let me clear things up first.” He raised a finger. “I don’t condone Mrs. Tokino’s second pardon. I can only tolerate our majesty’s kindness for so long.

“But I know my place, and I’d never tread beyond. The gifted boy bears no sin from her crimes. So please, everyone, stay on the case.” Sadly, naysayers shouted at the top of their lungs. A vein popped within him, and the table felt another hammer fist.

Everything had gone quiet for the first time. Still, Grausames seethed with a heavy breath, teeth clenched. Another little boy came into his mind. “Do your eyes only see a beast!?” he banged again. “Believe me. I’d blow your minds both ways right fucking now!” He bowed to Hayato, worth a hundred sorries.

The judge’s eyes widened, never knowing such fire from the prosecutor. He had not much to say beyond asking all to rise. On the other hand, Hokori’s gaze remained unchanged. At the least, Tokino saw him crack a smile for her son. But his face showed nothing for victory.

Grausames told the court of every bloody incident since last month. None had expected four hours to tick, yet some stayed diligent. If their king could, so can their willpower. Alas, Kenkō had to hold her bored sister close. The latter’s father sweated bullets with each graphic detail.

The prosecutor had enlarged his screen for all to see. It showed the exsanguinated bodies not too long ago. He agreed with the king’s false flag idea. “Vampires are children of the Gods. No objections, your honor.” He quickly moved to recent events. Some jurors winced at his statement.

“And finally, exhibit Z. Arms bent around the head, legs over shoulders. Same as the rest, right? Well, that goes for 80% of the victims. I was honored enough to see one the size of a beachball.” He flipped through another image.

Kakunō gasped alongside everyone. He never thought of living to see a body so compact. He recalled a type of tumor with eyes, hair, and teeth. Yet he forgot the name his older sister taught him. He thanked the pantheon for Yukino’s shut-eye.

The jury sat surprised as Hayato could not have a more calm look. Not a bead of fear dripped from him. He merely corrected his posture on the stand. Grausames gave the questions, and he shook his head. “I deny none of it, your honor.”

When asked next, Hokori shrugged, hands inside his pockets. “Same. Nothing to object.”

The Minagawa couple squinted at their brother’s thirteenth statement. Not once did it ever change. Their hearts raced, unsure of the outcome. Grausames decided pushing buttons was safe. “Are you sure, Mr. Attorney?” He raised a brow. “Be grateful I called you that. Even the Peerless Champion can’t afford negligence.”

He got off from hunching. “Look, bruh. If ya think I’d pull another Phoenix Wright, play the GBA classics. Y’all are sleepin’ on it like this.” He went back to snores.

The prosecutor sighed, disappointed with the zero charisma. “I don’t accept forged evidence anyway. Hats off to you, perhaps.”

Five hours had ticked, but nothing changed. The judge and jury succumbed to yawns and teary eyes. Still, Hayato’s family clung to hope despite no progress. His younger sister awoke with a confident nod.

“Nothing to object, your honor,” he said alongside his uncle. Jurors wished the death penalty commenced at that point. No matter their thumbs down, the massive Uruvākkam statue did not move its own. Even its scales had no tilt.

“Nothing to object, your honor,” said Hokori first this time. He looked toward his family but spoke all the same.

Tokino hyperventilated—anxiety through the roof. Even without foresight, she could not feel her son in her arms. An inferno had engulfed her heart. Narrowed eyes toward her brother, she walked down; jurors moved aside in fear.

Haruto failed to reach his wife, but luck had literally struck. The judge lowered his gavel. “Settle down, everyone. Tomorrow never dies.” He approved of another trial, much to the jury’s loud complaints. Yukino and her siblings cheered. Her mother bowed in embarrassment.

Grausames still saw Hokori’s unchanged face. What do you wish to achieve? His eyes squinted. He turned toward the deity statue. Its thumb finally decided to lower, and the scales tilted. Not much time was left, even with endless litigation.

Outside, Yukino got an almond Ritter Sport from the vending machine. She treated her siblings with their own. Hayato gasped at the first bite. “So good….”

She giggled, sitting beside him. “Of course. Earth’s never short of wonderful treats.” She bought two more bars, now with marzipan.

Tokino smiled at her children from afar. Yet she glared again for her eldest brother; her hand had ached for his cheek. However, sweat replaced the rage. Looking back at them did not calm her heart. She lent Hayato a hand. “Say, honey. Wanna help me with the groceries? We’ll eat out later.”

He showed excitement quicker than expected. Yukino waved as they took transit outside. Her sister had sweated as well and stood. “Sorry, Yukichi. Gotta powder my nose before we go.” She turned to Kakunō, who blushed. She sighed and dragged him to the stall.

Haruto also had errands in mind, excusing himself outside the building. He thought his own apology was not enough. “Stay by your uncle, alright?” he stroked his daughter’s crown.

Unbeknownst to him, she paid no mind, swishing her legs on the couch. To kill more time, she muttered her sister’s favorite song. Hokori chuckled and looked down. “It’s not ‘lazy,’ kiddo. Repeat after me.” He pointed her to his slow mouth:

Emaajenshii reiji yatsura wa kureijii inza taun~ (エマージェンシー　0時　奴らは クレイジー・インザ・タウン)

He patted her head. “Now, lemme hear the rest of what ya know.” His singing coach routine went on fifteen times. He smiled, surprised at her quick skills. To think her father never shared his native tongue. They sang the chorus together with no mistake.

Yukino sat down from her dance and wiped her forehead. “Mama taught me those moves. I got it right in seconds.”

He chuckled, arms crossed. “Don’t think I didn’t realize, kiddo. Your magic’s really to die for.”

Her cheeks reddened, thinking it was all a cheat. She sweated and tried denying any of it. Sadly, her perfect grades merely solidified the notion. “No, no, Uncle!” her hands waved in front. “Those were just luck. I-I mean flukes that I just happened to, um. Ummm….”

Hokori lifted the couch pillow hiding her face. He smiled and patted her once more. “Y’know what, kiddo? Your childish side’s growin’ on me. And not the way that has the cops on my ass.”

She giggled again. “I know, Uncle. You’re on every post of mine.” She showed him her screen. Each comment had a heart in the right corner.

He snickered. “Hahahahaha! Hol’ up now. That’d be fucked up evidence out of context.” They shared the joke with undying glee.

They killed even more time via Olden Brace multiplayer. Once again, her luck made them dominate the leaderboard. Yukino cheered only to hear an influx of shouts. Her heart wavered at the venom, sweating bullets.

“Uncle…” she turned, eyes frowned, “what’s a ni—”

He covered her mouth softly. “Uh-uh, kiddo. That word ain’t okay even in the otherworld.” He turned off their holographic PCs and bought the chocolate this time.

The dusk had shone dark red. Hokori felt its warmth more than his niece, yet her smile did not fade through Coelbook posts. He texted as well but on the default messenger. His eyes squinted more and more.

He slid down his screen. “Y’know, kiddo… I got a feeling. Maybe my guy won’t even—”

“Don’t say that!” her demeanor instantly changed, pointing sharply. “Lil Bro will come home, and you know it!” She scolded him for his poor performance in court. Even she saw nothing but a failing case.

He sighed, staring blankly at the ceiling. “C’mon, now. Never knew ya learned the word sabotage.” He paused to recollect his thoughts. “Change of subject. Ever read about heroes from earthly media? Cape or otherwise?”

Yukino had only ever binged a show about a straw hat boy and his friends. She found it odd he had rejected heroism in favor of meat. Either way, she discovered their escapades very inspiring. “I don’t see myself as one, too, Uncle.” Her eyes lowered, turning away. “You know why.”

He chuckled softly. “Yeah… our view got skewed beyond repair. Ain’t ashamed, though.” He watched the fan above. “Yukino, with any chance, would ya save a billion?”

Her fists clenched in front, beaming with confidence. “Of course! Maybe impossible, but I can still make a difference!”

He smiled, hat over his face. He hunched over and held it. “And with great power comes great responsibility… and all that jazz.” Now looking down, his eyes lowered next. “As for me, I’d stop at the thousandth mark. Cuz the yelling’s inevitable. Ain’t no one be the same as the last.

“Heroes… quite the headscratcher. Don’t get me wrong. I’d save a cat or two, even a burning orphanage.” He stood and stretched his back. “The real problem’s the idea of true colors. Simply put, everyone’s a villain once you’re out of line.”

Yukino understood only half of his words. Still, her pace had matched a rabbit’s. Her mind doubled down on the idea of virtue. Now, nothing was impossible because she could feel hope. “It’s the same with Lil Bro!” she stood in front, arms raised into a T. “I don’t know why you think this way. You never opened up, but I did.”

Surprisingly, he agreed to tell his past soon. It was only natural, knowing his brother’s own until then. Then, the devil spoke. Haruto called his daughter for a hug, and she ran. But the tone did not sit well with her. Kenkō came out with the same hint of uneasiness.

Luckily, Tokino renewed their smiles by the door. “Let’s go, everyone. Dinner’s on me.”

Hokori was the last to exit. He stopped in his tracks and opened his screen. He had another message—of another ultimatum.

Ready when you are, my guy, he texted back.

The sun shone bright that morning. Hokori prayed for a storm last night. Others finally believed in a middle ground, but the jury sang no praise. Their eyes lit up, hearts racing alongside the judge. His gavel had rolled on the floor just minutes ago.

A guard administered the third shot for a grunting Haruto. It went louder, saliva from clenched teeth. Then, nothing but lights out. Others lifted their knees from his back. “Carry him by the shoulders. Go!” one pointed to the double doors outside.

His comrade turned, struggling against another. “It’s not working, boss! Her body’s resisting for some reason!” Even more stepped in, pinning each of Tokino’s limbs. The human harness muffled her rage with a mask. They all swore they heard ‘bastard’ over and over.

In a twist of fate, no one had to restrain Kenkō. She joined her brother, comforting Yukino the best they could. Tears had soaked half of her shirt, but she held off her own. The courage to say everything was fine went away even before the court rose.

Grausames’ heart had ached, standing still in sweat. He recalled two smiling faces and felt like losing one. A minute later, he walked with heavy steps toward Harald. The king stood tall alongside Hokori in the center. Now it was their turn to hear nothing.

He panted, faces still in his mind. “Tell me…” his breath worsened by the second. “How long did you plan all this!? How long have you kept your doubts!”

Harald slowly turned, eyes indifferent like the champion. Reasons became crystal clear, and the prosecutor walked back in sweat. They had but a cold inferno that flashed brighter.

He stood closer, still tall. “From day one, old friend. Make no mistake. Half-change is not heresy, unlike you say. But humans trumped the Gods before we crawled.”

Grausames went back further and looked up. The deity statue had its scales lowered to the ultimatum. After so much bloodshed, it snuffed out the living time bomb.