Fists and Lipsticks 2: The Silver Crescent

CHAPTER 61: The Plead

CHAPTER 61: THE PLEAD

  I need time to find a new ceiling.

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"Guys, you're not gonna believe this!"

 Everyone huddled to view the news airing through Nagahara Makiko's computer screen. Reporters and media men were all gathered in front of the Tokyo Detention Center, where the ex-prime minister Yamazaki Daisuke had been detained for two consecutive days. The crowd went riotous when the doors parted to give way for Daisuke, handcuffed and accompanied by the police and the military. He was scheduled to meet with the prosecutor before the Supreme Court for indictment that day. Everyone was anticipative of what his plead would be.

For the past few days, Yamazaki Kosuke and Yanagisawa Gendou had presented a handful of evidences in court, pushing Daisuke further into the crimes he was accused of. Of course, they made sure that the judge believed them – at whatever price, at whatever cost.

There were twice as many people awaiting Yamazaki Daisuke's arrival in court, most of them consisting of street protesters – those whom he had oppressed, pushed into labor and prostitution, common citizens whom he seized of properties, loved ones of innocent people whom he placed behind bars with his law-bending. Because of Kosuke's initiative, they gathered the courage to step out and testify – to shout to the whole country what kind of person the ex-prime minister was. His popularity was rapidly declining. Yamazaki Daisuke had lost the Spectra, and this time, he was losing the support of the Diet and the people of Japan. He was skidding down the slope of power he himself created.

Kosuke's plan was perfect. If there was one plan that would work to strip off Daisuke of his invincibility, this was it.

He had a confident look the moment the court room door parted. His eyes met with Daisuke's, this time without showing any sign of fear or uncertainty. He could already taste victory. His evidences were uncontestable, among them was the Silver Disk itself – the evidence which the court repudiated in the court trial of Yoshida Akira several years ago. He presented weapons and illegal drugs, which the Spectra kept in oil tankers, the Cuervo casino, and the Nakashima Business Tower. There were hundreds of protesters outside, backing his accusations.

"The Appellant appealed against the decision rendered by the Tokyo High Court on September 11 with respect to the Tokyo High Court Case No. (Ne)-2291 of 2000 between the above-named parties…"

"Objection, Your Honor," the attorney-at-law of Yamazaki Daisuke immediately raised a protest. "The aforementioned case had been dismissed for more than eight years! This appeal is clearly NOT valid for re-examination of facts and evidences!"

"Not valid if a deadline for a formal statement was ordered by the court," Kosuke rebutted, his eyes directed towards the judge who was becoming more and more uneasy. "Apparently, this case did not even undergo review by the prosecution. Verdict was carried on without proper trial. Case was closed without sufficient basis for dismissal. I wonder why… Would you like to answer my question, Your Honor?"

"I…I…" the judge immediately shifted his gaze away from the taunting Kosuke, who knew of the court case he presided over more than eight years ago – the fraudulent trial of Yoshida Akira versus Dmitri Williams, where the lawyer was no other than Yamazaki Daisuke himself. As expected, Dmitri was absolved from all the cases filed against him despite the strong evidences.

"So, you were saying," Kosuke grinned. "Your Honor?"

"C…Continue!" the judge signaled. "Just continue with the plead!"