Ace Attorney: The Returning Past

Chapter 7: The Well Deserved Turnabout - Trial 2 ~ Part 1

March 14 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1 ~ Niamh Tenniswood's POV

"So today's the day, huh?" Leon grinned upon entering the lobby. "It's gonna be over today."

"It better be." Amanda sighed. "It was, like, soooo boring yesterday. I seriously fell asleep..."

Mr. Wakuta was looking around, grinning to himself. "She hasn't shown up today, either." He mumbled. "Proves just how pathetic she is."

(Who is he talking about...?)

"Can we just... ignore them again?" Yuri pleaded. "They make me even more uncomfortable than yesterday."

(I suppose Leon's family life is... not that normal...)

It wasn't long after that thought that we were called into court by the bailiff, a sigh escaping from Amanda. She pulled out her phone and began to text before her mother snatched it away. This caused Amanda to scream and me to quickly pulling Yuri into the courtroom.

March 14 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is in session for the trial of Leon Wakuta." the judge announced. "Has the extended investigation time turned up anything new?"

"There is the prosecution's new witness." Prosecutor Bloom told the court. "He came forward with the information that he witnessed part of the defendant's crime."

"In that case, you may present your witness, Prosecutor Bloom." the judge nodded.

Moments later, Teruteru made his way up to the witness stand. He glanced at me, but quickly turned away again. I must have been glaring at him without realising it.

"State your name and occupation for the court, witness." Prosecutor Bloom demanded.

"My name is Teruteru Muanraha." The cook - or chef, I suppose I should say - introduced himself with a flick of his hair. "I am a student at the school in question as one of it's star cooking students."

"The prosecution has said that you witnessed the crime taking place." the judge explained. "Is this accurate?"

"Oh, very accurate indeed, sir!" Teruteru nodded. "It was truly a traumatizing sight, I tell you..."

"Then begin your testimony, witness." the judge requested.

- Witness Testimony -

- The Chef's Testimony -

"I was in the kitchen late at night, making the finishing touches to a world-class dish of mine."

"But, alas! I heard some kind of disturbance in the other half of the kitchen. Intrigued, I went to investigate."

"That's where it started: I saw Leon Wakuta himself take a palette knife from the kitchen! Yes, the very same weapon that was used to kill the victim!"

"I would have done something to stop him, but... oh, was I frozen in fear! If I did something, it would've been my name on that autopsy report!"

"You are saying you saw the defendant take the knife from the kitchen?" the judge asked.

"I stand by what I said, Your Honour." Teruteru smiled, deceptively sweet. "Surely you wouldn't doubt lil ol' me?"

"We'll believe you after I've cross examined your testimony." I replied, unable to resist the smirk that spread across my face.

- Cross-Examination -

"I was in the kitchen late at night, making the finishing touches to a world-class dish of mine."

"But, alas! I heard some kind of disturbance in the other half of the kitchen. Intrigued, I went to investigate."

"That's where it started: I saw Leon Wakuta himself take a palette knife from the kitchen! Yes, the very same weapon that was used to kill the victim!"

*HOLD IT!*

"You say you saw the defendant taking the knife," I began. "Did you see him taking anything else?"

Teruteru shook his head. "No, I'm certain he only took the palette knife."

I grinned. "Please add that statement to your testimony."

"Of course. Whatever you wish."

"I saw the defendant taking the palette knife. He left soon after, taking nothing else with him."

*OBJECTION!*

"Are you certain that he took nothing else from the kitchen?" I questioned.

"W-Well, of course." Teruteru replied. "What else could he have taken?"

"Hmm... An iron skewer, perhaps?"

Teruteru flinched, his small hat becoming crooked. "I-Iron skewer...?"

"What's all this about a skewer?!" Prosecutor Bloom slammed the desk, making Anton jump again.

"Yesterday, we found an iron skewer near the crime scene." I explained. "Who else but the culprit could need one of those?"

*OBJECTION!*

"But the palette knife was the murder weapon!" Prosecutor Bloom cried. "What would the culprit do with the skewer?"

"The culprit didn't want to risk being seen after the crime had been committed." I explained. "They most likely took the iron skewer to help them escape using a different route."

"A different route...?" the judge repeated.

I nodded. "Yes. At the crime scene, there was a certain gap in the ceiling. The culprit took the skewer and thrust it into the ceiling, hoping to escape that way!"

*HOLD IT!*

"Th-The culprit used the iron skewer to leave the crime scene...?!" Teruteru repeated, rather stressed. "That's inexcusable!"

"Can I ask what makes it so 'inexcusable'?" I questioned, raising a single eyebrow.

Teruteru hesitated before he spoke again. "Because... it just is!"

(Teruteru is insisting that it was impossible the skewer was used... I have to prove otherwise!)

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CASE 1 IS DONE NEXT CHAPTER YAAAAAAAY

This definitely isn't my best case (that comes later :3) but it's not a bad way to start things off.

I think.

AceAttorneyFan over and out!