"Ryoma Hoshi," Kaede declared, her sole voice resonating around the room. "I think you're the blackened for this case,"
The silence was deafening as people digested the accusation. Strangely enough, the Ultimate Tennis Pro didn't seem very fazed, just turning over his candy stick in his fingers. Kaede sort of hoped he would argue, or at least question her judgment, because his lack of response seemed to be acknowledging the fact that Kaede was <em>right</em>. She didn't want to be right, but there was no other way, unless Miu had conveniently killed herself, but the evidence proved that was impossible. Besides, Miu had <em>wanted</em> to live, just not here. She would never give up on life, no matter how desperate she got--even if it meant taking the life of another.
In a way, it made the whole situation a million times worse. His slightly condescending smile, like he was just watching a relaxing TV show in his house, an adorable Russian blue curled up on his lap, instead of being sentenced to a gruesome death.Then it hit me like a truck. Ryoma Hoshi had no reason to live. It was the exact opposite instead. He <em>wanted</em> to die. His family was on the other side. His friends were on the other side. His girlfriend was on the other side. So in fact, she was doing him a <em>favor</em> by voting for his death. All she had to do now was set up all of the puzzle pieces correctly and convince everyone else that she was right. Because she was right. It was definite.
It made her sick. It made her want to throw up and cry. But she had no choice. She had to do this.
"Why?" came from Himiko, who tilted her head in relative confusion. "I'm sort of lost in all of this complicated evidence...why are you so sure that it was Ryoma who did it?"
Kaede sighed. "Let me lay out all of the evidence in simple terms for you. The fatal wound on Miu's neck. There are two ways to cause it. One is to stand behind her and slash her neck. However, there is one other way---which only Ryoma is capable of doing."
Shuichi looked like he was catching on, but everyone else(other than Ryoma, of course) seemed confused. "Well? What is it? Stop doing the cool suspense thing and spit it out already," Maki muttered, but her eyes showed some interest.
"The killer wasn't standing <em>behind</em> Miu, but it was actually the exact opposite," Kaede explained her theory, which hopefully didn't sound so harebrained, but was absolutely right in her head. "Instead, the killer was standing--or crouching, it's impossible to tell, but it probably didn't make a major difference for our blackened--and <em>threw</em> the playing card at her neck. It would be impossible for a normal human being, but don't forget, Ryoma is the Ultimate Tennis Pro. Such an act would be easy-peasy for him."
"It's just throwing a sharp playing card at a high velocity from a short distance away," Shuichi explained. "Among the people remaining here, Ryoma is the only person who could have managed that. Am I right, Ryoma?"
The accused only nodded.
"W-wait!" Kaito yelled. "What the hell is going on?"
"Well, Ryoma's getting accused and he seems to be the blackened, you idiot. Do you really need us to spoonfed everything for you, you big baby? Use that gray matter floating inside your skull that you have the audacity to call a brain and <em>think</em> for once!" Kokichi grinned.
"Don't call me an idiot! Also, I get the case, but I don't get how Ryoma is the only person who can kill Miu! Like, Tenko might be able to do it, right? Maybe using one of those Neo-Aikido moves of hers."
"Tenko would never even <em>consider</em> hurting a girl, much less killing her, you degenerate male! How dare you suggest such a thing!" The Ultimate Aikido Master pulled a battle pose. "Tenko will throw you now!"
