"Talking"
'Thinking'
"'Talking or Thinking emphasised'"
"The thoughts of others as heard by Ishiro"
"Calm down Kaina, you got this," She whispered to herself, narrowing her eyes as she aimed again. "He's just a kid, don't hit him..."
Taking a breather, Ishiro slowly looked up, heterochromatic eyes blazing through the holes in his now bloodstained mask, as the woman's voice began to speak in his mind again.
"What were the Commission thinking...? Do they... Are they trying to get me to kill a kid?"
Focusing for a moment, Ishiro scanned the buildings surrounding the alley, only for the visage of a round whizzing down and cutting into his arm to flash before his eyes, prompting him to duck back as the shot slammed into the ground.
'What the...?' Kaina thought to herself, as if unable to believe what she had witnessed, before refocusing a moment after and forming another round. 'Must've been a fluke. There's no way he could've dodged my shot on purpose... Let alone see it coming. Though... Just to make sure...'
Keeping her left eye shut firmly, Kaina released a shot from the barrel protruding from her right shoulder, before immediately firing another shot an inch away, allowing for an angle where Ishiro ducked behind the first shot, only for the second shot to slam into his right shoulder, eliciting a sharp yelp as he fell onto his back, blood pouring from the freshly-inflicted wound.
"Gah... Damn it..." Ishiro whispered, pressing a hand onto the wound as blood continued to pour out of it. "Couldn't see that one...?"
"Ishiro... Please, just stay down," Akira urged, reaching out a hand to try and pull the young boy over, only for a bullet to whiz past and fly through his arm, causing him to scream out in pain. "Damn it! She... She won't kill you..."
"You know, much as I'd hate to agree with scum like him... He's right, kid. I won't kill you," Kaina stated, her voice speaking out through the hair-turned-bullet lodged in his shoulder. "However, I will keep opening fire. All you need to do to ensure that you come out of this in a non-comatose state is to surrender to the policemen who are now closing in on your location. So, what's it going to be, kid? Get more holes through you and watch your boss die? Or step away no worse than you are now, and I might, emphasis on might, just go testify on your behalf for your cooperation."
"..." Ishiro pondered for a second, hearing the footsteps coming closer and Lady Nagant speaking through the bullet. "No third option?"
"Don't play coy now, kid," Kaina warned, "You're down an arm and still in plain view. If I so choose, you won't come out of this walking."
"If you'd wanted that, you'd have done so already, so..." Ishiro mumbled, slowly inching up to his feet as a bullet whizzed down once again, only for a hardened shadow to shield the raven-haired teen.
'What the...? Is that his quirk?' Kaina thought to herself, loading another round into her palm as she did so. 'This kid's full of surprises...'
"... I doubt I'll pick either," Ishiro stated, wincing from his wound as he reached for his umbrella again.
"... So be it," Kaina stated through the bullet, aiming with her rifle once again. "If this is what you want... Don't claim that I didn't warn you."
Ishiro repositioned slightly, several brief glimpses of rounds tearing into his flesh flashing before his eyes, as he quickly ducked around the place, heterochromatic eyes ablaze in the darkness of the alley and the moon's glow, round after round whizzing around him and digging into the ground.
'... This is the most confusing situation I've ever been in...' Kaina thought to herself in confusion, watching shot after shot miss their target before her visible eye lit up. 'Although...'
'She's up there, I'm sure of it,' Ishiro thought, looking up at the bullets as they rained down upon him. 'Just need to get up there too... Strange quirk, whatever you do... You're up.'
Before he was allowed a moment to act, a bullet whizzed past Ishiro, seemingly missing him without his quirk even giving him a glimpse that would usually allow him to evade it, confusing him slightly as he looked upwards.
"And don't you worry, kid... I don't miss," Kaina stated through the bullet in his shoulder, a guttural scream being heard in the background as Ishiro attempted to focus. "I'd focus on the ground now if I were you."
Tilting his head slightly, Ishiro's eyes widened slightly, the heterochromatic pair of pupils falling upon Akira, lying limp on the alleyway with a round lodged in the left side of his chest, blood pouring out of the wound as he slumped onto his back.
"N-no..." Ishiro murmured, quickly dashing over to Akira's side even as the ground began to crack a moment later, the sources of the cracks spawning from the marks the missing bullets had left earlier, all whilst Kaina watched on. 'Not again... Not this again... Please, no...'
"Ishiro...? Ugh, don't bother... There's... No point, I'm a goner," Akira stated as Ishiro inspected the wound. "Huff... Listen, kid. Listen to me..."
"Yes...? Is there... Is there anything I can do?" Ishiro questioned, hands finally falling to his side as he kept quiet to listen. "... I'm listening."
"... Ever considered anything better than this? I know you'd... Be able to do that. That's for sure, you've always been too good for us," Akira groaned, eyes slowly falling shut as Ishiro listened on. "You're too good for this, Ishiro. That's just it... You're a good person. Run. Now."
"I'm so sorry..." Ishiro whispered, a tear running down his cheek behind his mask as the ground continued to crack. Akira's body grew cold as he slowly rose to his feet once again, umbrella by his side as he looked upwards, catching a glimpse of a scope's glare. "I see you."
The ground on which Ishiro stood cracked once more, before combusting and exploding a moment later, the flames and debris engulfing Ishiro's form, his skin, flesh, bones and all disintegrating as the dust settled, leaving behind nothing but cracked pieces of his porcelain kitsune mask, as Kaina watched on in shock through her scope.
'I... Damn it. I didn't mean to...' Kaina pondered momentarily, pulling her scouter from her right eye before tossing it to the ground, stomping on it and crushing it under her boot. 'Damn it. Did I just...'
Kaina paused for a moment, sensing something off before tilting her head, looking across the rooftop she had been perched on as a dim glow sparked on the other end, slowly materialising into blood and bone, organs forming before flesh covered them, skin and clothing soon wrapping around as Ishiro soon fell to his knees before her, panting and gasping desperately for air as she looked on.
"That looked painful. Another quirk ability? I must say, kid... You are full of surprises," Kaina stated, looking sternly as Ishiro slowly pulled himself back to his feet. A look of pain was evident in his glance as he wiped some grime from his cheek. "No mask this time?"
"Dropped it on the way," Ishiro mumbled, holding up his umbrella with his uninjured hand whilst blood poured from the earlier inflicted wound. "Through, well... Whatever means I got here."
"Then why bother? Just give up, kid, you know you're surrounded, much less have a chance against me," Kaina stated, her rifle protruding from her right elbow once again.
"You... Killed someone. A friend of mine..." Ishiro mumbled. "He saw value in me... Not just as, well, a partner, but... As a friend. As a person... Why did you kill him? Aren't you a hero?"
"Guess they don't tell you about that part of the job," Kaina stated, stepping closer as she did so. "Did you think being a hero didn't involve making hard decisions? I'll have you know... What you lot have been up to tonight could've stirred a lot of trouble around here... And we can't be having that. So... For your sake, I'll cut you a deal."
"... Fine. I'm done fighting you... I..." Ishiro whispered, shaking his head before dropping his umbrella. "What's your deal?"
"It's simple. I just need you to surrender, and I won't blow up that bullet in your shoulder," She stated, kicking aside his umbrella a moment later. "With any luck, they'll take pity on you in the courts. This is the most I can do for now."
"Take the deal, kid... Please," Kaina's voice rang through Ishiro's head as the raven-haired teen looked up. "Don't make me do this."
"Fine. You have a deal..." Ishiro mumbled, holding up his hands as blood continued to pour from the open wound. "Huff... Well, sorry for the inconvenience I've caused..."
The raven-haired boy coughed once, his words coming out in a silent croak before falling forward, his body limp as Kaina caught him a second before he would've crashed into the ground, his breathing faint. Taking a glance at the boy's youthful features and rings under his eyes, the indigo-haired woman sighed, before stepping towards the door to make her way down, a look of indifference, if not disgust, plastered across her face.
-Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Chuo-ku, Sapporo (Two Days Later)-
As dim sunlight slowly shined through the hospital room window, a bandaged Ishiro slowly opened his eyes, heterochromatic pupils twitching slightly at the first sight of light. Tilting his head slightly, the raven-haired teen winced in pain from the wound on his shoulder, as the twitching of his arm would only be met by a soft clanking of metal against metal.
'Handcuffs... So that's what happened,' Ishiro thought to himself, refraining from pulling on his bindings any further as several footsteps approached the hospital bed.
"I see you've awakened," A man in a suit stated, stepping over with another before both took seats next to Ishiro's hospital bed. "I'll cut right to it, then. I am Detective Yoichi. The man next to me is Detective Rokuro. We are both police officers, and we have several questions for you. Whenever you're ready, that is."
"... I'm ready," Ishiro croaked out, tilting slightly before doing his best to sit upright.
"Very well, keep in mind that what you mention here can and will be used in court," Yoichi stated, giving Rokuro a nod before continuing. "Let's start with your name, age and residence. You've not carried any identification, so it has been a hassle to identify you..."
"Ishiro. Tachibana Ishiro to be exact," Ishiro explained, looking over in confusion a moment after. "I'm fourteen this year, and I live in a house in a secluded part of Nayoro... Though, I thought I kept my residence card in my wallet. In the hoodie I was wearing."
"The wallet, yes, we did find it in your hoodie," Yoichi continued, "However, your residence card was not found. Never mind that for now, let's continue. Where are your parents?"
"Both deceased," Ishiro stated.
"Guardian?" The man continued.
"Don't have one," Ishiro stated, "I've lived mostly alone since the age of 12. My father consented to it before he passed."
"... I see," Yoichi continued, looking through his notes before continuing. "Where were you on the night of January 3rd?"
"At the Minami Branch of the North Pacific Bank of Sapporo," Ishiro replied.
"What were you doing?" The older man asked.
"Assisting with the robbery attempted there by the gang known as the Forgotten," Ishiro explained, "I served as a lookout at the backdoor, and engaged with a Pro-Hero at the end of the night."
"... That last part aside, you..." Yoichi asked, eyes widening slightly as he did so.
"I'm not going to deny it," Ishiro stated, shaking his head slightly as he did so. "I did it voluntarily, and of my own decision. During the incident, I had also struck a police officer with an umbrella, knocking him to the ground before asking that he run away. He did just that. After which, I engaged with a Pro-Hero, who shot the other members of the gang, and hit me in the shoulder before I surrendered and passed out."
"... Right," Yoichi stated, looking over and ensuring that Rokuro recorded all that had been said. "Moving on. Do you have a quirk?"
"Yes," Ishiro replied.
"What is it called, and what does it do?" Yoichi continued.
"It's not been named, I've only managed to know about it when I was twelve," Ishiro explained, "I'm not sure what it does, to be fully honest. I thought it let me harden and shape shadows... But it also let me hear strange voices, see visions of what might happen, and move myself from one place to another... In a very painful process, though."
'... What a strange situation this is...' Rokuro thought, scratching his head before continuing to write in his notebook.
"Did you intend to use your quirk during your role in the incident?" Yoichi questioned.
"I'm not very sure how to use it at all," Ishiro explained, "The shadows seem to materialise when they want to, and the voices only come around whenever they feel like it."
"... Did you take any money, or attempt to take any money?" Yoichi asked.
"No to both," Ishiro explained, "I do not need money."
"Where do you go to school?" Yoichi continued.
"Bushukan Junior High School... Well, I used to," Ishiro stated, "I graduated a few months back."
"What were your hobbies and interests?" Yoichi questioned.
"Kendo and Archery," Ishiro explained, "I've also practised Chanoyu before."
"... What were you hoping to achieve by participating in this robbery?" Yoichi asked.
"I'm not sure," Ishiro stated, "I suppose you could say I had nothing else to do on that day, and so volunteered."
"How did you come in contact with this gang, to begin with?" Yoichi questioned.
"Their leader, Tanaka Akira, used to go to the same shrine I frequented," Ishiro explained, "And it went on from there."
"I see. We won't have that many more questions for you," Yoichi assured before flipping several pages in his notes, "What would you want to do after this?"
"I'm not sure," Ishiro explained. I suppose I should continue living normally. Or try to."
"Do you plan on participating in or enrolling in UA?" Yoichi asked, "Or other such facilities for Hero Training?"
"Not at the moment. I doubt I've any chance left, really," Ishiro stated.
"Last question," Yoichi stated, as Rokuro shut his notebook to look over intently. "Do you, Tachibana Ishiro, regret your actions on the night of January 3rd?"
"... Without a doubt. I did not want to ever have to hurt or endanger another in the manner I have in that night, and take full responsibility for it all," Ishiro explained whilst looking downward pensively. "The memory will linger for a good while more, I'd think."
"... Very well. We shall leave you to recover for now," Yoichi assured, removing the handcuffs from Ishiro's hand before standing up as Rokuro left the room. "Thank you for your cooperation, Ishiro. You will, upon your discharge from this hospital, receive a notice to appear in a court of law on a specific date. Do make sure to not miss it... Good day, and good luck."
Ishiro nodded in response, lying back against the hospital bed as the two men left the room. Before long, the hospital room fell silent as snow could be seen falling outside the window, the only sound lingering being the dripping of an IV bag.
-Tachibana Residence, Nayoro-shi, Kamikawa (One Week Later)-
"Here we are, Ishiro, you're home," Yoichi stated, the wheels of his car screeching against the snow-piled roads of Nayoro, only stopping in front of a large, almost medieval-looking house. "You got lucky. The prosecutor decided you, of all people, get to stay home until the trial."
Sitting in silence in the back seat, Ishiro nodded in response, removing the safety belt before grabbing his backpack a moment later.
"Make sure to show up on the court date," Yoichi added as Ishiro opened the door and stepped out. "Until then, try to stay out of trouble, and good luck."
Taking one last glance the detective's way, Ishiro nodded once more, offering a soft smile before leaving the car and stepping over to the quiet house before him. As the wheels of the vehicle squealed against the ground, Ishiro stepped forward, reaching for the lock on the door before unlocking it, stepping inside the dust-covered insides of the house immediately after.
'... This place might need some cleaning,' The raven-haired teen thought, looking around and coughing from the dust, with some even falling atop his head as he attempted to swat some away. 'Correction, quite a bit of cleaning.'
Closing the door behind him, Ishiro felt around the darkness momentarily before flicking a switch and allowing the lights to come to life. The lights illuminated the living room with a dim glow, reflecting off the layers of dust covering the furniture.
"... A lot of cleaning," Ishiro sighed, tossing his backpack aside before stepping towards the staircase and going upstairs, his path clear as he made his way to the one door which hadn't been layered in dust, turning the knob before walking into his room. "Well, at least the dust hasn't taken over this place completely."
Peering around the room momentarily, the raven-haired teen sighed once again, heterochromatic pupils glancing upon hanging shinai, posters of pro-heroes, various yumi in various states of usability and disrepair, and ornate tea sets all around the room, before averting them a moment after, a look of shame forming over the boy's face.
'I really did throw all this away...' Ishiro thought, shaking his head before leaving the room, slamming the door shut behind him as snow began to fall outside.
-Later That Night-
"And... That should be that," Ishiro muttered, wiping some sweat from his brow as he took a few steps back, and glanced over the now nearly spotless living room with a sigh of relief. 'Probably should get some dinner now...'
"Well, didn't think this place could be this... Clean, especially not since the last time I was here," A familiar feminine voice stated from behind him, prompting him to slowly turn around before jumping slightly. "Calm down now, kid. If you really saw me as a threat, surely your quirk would've warned you of my presence, no?"
"... That's a fair point, but..." Ishiro began to say, holding up his hands as he stared across at Kaina, the latter seated at the large table before she soon stood up. "Why are you here?"
"Me? Well, I thought I'd return something that belongs to you," Kaina explained, rising to her feet before stepping over to him, placing his missing residence card in his hands straight after. "Granted, no one was home when I was here a few days ago..."
"So that's where that went," Ishiro mumbled, storing the card in his pocket before looking back up at Kaina. "That last part aside... Is that all you're here for?"
"Well, that and the fact that I believe I owe you an apology," Kaina explained, looking down slightly before shaking her head. "I'm sorry for catching you in the shoulder like that, kid. I didn't mean to put you out for that long. What I meant to do was give a warning shot, in the hopes that you'll run away, though... Well, what can I say? You are rather odd."
"It's alright... Part of your job, and you couldn't have known how my quirk works," Ishiro assured, shrugging before wincing slightly. "It's also my mistake. I didn't surrender when I had the chance."
"Speaking of which, I'd like to ask about that," Kaina explained, looking over her shoulder before stepping closer and placing her hands on his shoulders. "You can't possibly know much about the job as of now, and this might sound strange, but..."
Ishiro looked over, their gazes now level as violet eyes searched red and gold before Kaina looked away and sighed as if struggling to properly phrase her question.
"You're a good kid, Ishiro. Believe me, I can tell. Even throughout the bank situation..." Kaina stated, shaking her head before extending her gaze once again. "Even if you likely think otherwise, I'd say your quirk would extend towards you being the best of all of us in this business. So... Now that you have foresight, and know of everything that would happen that day we met..."
Ishiro narrowed his eyes, attempting to use his quirk's ability to hear her thoughts, only for his focus to be taken away by her actual, spoken words.
"If you could do it again, would you have done everything you can..." She began to say, "... To eliminate me there and then? Thus making sure no one would've stopped you all, and making sure the suffering be caused to yourself would be undone?"
"... Well... It'd be easy for me to say now, but..." Ishiro began to say, scratching the back of his head before continuing. "No matter what you did, I wouldn't have killed you regardless. The thought itself... No. It's disgusting. I'd say... If I could do it all again... I'd go with the option that I think I'll regret the least."
"... I see," Kaina assured, bearing a small smile before straightening once again. "I'll keep that in mind."
The violet-haired woman took a step back, looking towards Ishiro once again as she did so.
"When's the court trial, if I may know?" Kaina asked.
"Give or take, about next week. At the Sapporo District Court," Ishiro explained, tilting his head soon after. "Why? Are you going to come testify?"
"As much as I might enjoy that, I'm afraid by that point... My word may hold less weight than those of others," Kaina stated, reaching into the pockets of her trenchcoat before passing over the shattered pieces of his porcelain kitsune mask. "I believe this is yours as well, isn't it?"
"Oh, yeah... Kinda forgot about it..." Ishiro mumbled, holding onto the pieces of the mask before looking up at the departing Kaina. "Err... Would you like dinner?"
"... I'd love to, believe me, however..." Kaina began to say, her gaze darkening momentarily as she looked away before looking back and smiling once again. "I'm on a tight schedule. Let's talk some other time, Ishiro... Alright?"
"Alright, I'll see you... Hmm, I'll see you when I see you..." Ishiro began to say, pausing immediately after. "Err..."
"Kaina will do," She assured, opening the door as the winter breeze snuck into the living room. "Until we meet again. Best of luck in your trial. Oh, and one more thing..."
"Hmm?" Ishiro asked, looking up as he did so.
"When I was your age, perhaps I have seen this world like you did, but..." Kaina began to say, slipping on the hood of her trenchcoat before turning. "Please do not give up on this world just yet. And please do not give up on yourself just yet... Goodbye, Ishiro."
"Goodbye..." Ishiro assured, standing in the doorway momentarily and allowing the breeze to touch his cheek, before turning and shutting the door behind him.
-Sapporo District Court, Chuo-ku, Sapporo (One Week Later)-
"Everything set up?" A man in a suit questioned, overlooking two men and one woman seated behind stenograph machines, before all responded with nods of their own. "Very well, let's all get into position."
The three nodded, setting up their stenograph machines in the appropriate manner, whilst police officers stood by the door, as another suited man sat at one of the two tables, rifling through files as he rubbed the back of his head. Soon after, the stenographer seated in between the other two nodded, typing down on her machine the title of: "State of Japan v Tachibana Ishiro".
Before long, the doors would swing open as Ishiro, dressed in a suit with his raven-black hair cut short, stepped into the room, followed closely by an older man as both made their way to the table adjacent to the one already occupied. Not long after the two were seated, the doors would swing open once again.
"Court will soon be in order!" The court clerk called out as all present stood up, bowing their heads slightly as a dignified man in long robes strode up to the chair in front of the courtroom, adjusting the microphone before taking his seat, whilst the clerk instructed everyone to be seated as well. "This court will now be in session! His honour will be ready to begin at once."
The judge nodded, taking a glance across the courtroom before soon speaking.
"This court will first begin with a verification of all present," The judge began to say as he looked around. "Prosection?"
The lone man at the other table rifling through documents raised his hand.
"The defendant of the name Tachibana Ishiro?" The judge questioned.
Ishiro would soon raise his hand.
"The defendant's defence attorney or representative?" The judge asked.
The man seated next to Ishiro would raise his hand, whilst Ishiro dropped his by his side.
"Very well. Prosection, you may begin," The judge stated, "I expect proper decorum to be followed throughout this reading by all present."
"Thank you, your honour," The man seated on the adjacent table began to say as he stood up, adjusting his glasses before reading from his documents. "Your honour, the prosecution at this moment charges the defendant, Tachibana Ishiro, with the following:"
'... Can't say I didn't see this coming,' Ishiro thought, looking over and rubbing the back of his head.
"One count of conspiracy to commit robbery; One count of conspiracy to commit violent acts that may result in grievous injury or death; One count of attempted robbery; One count of assault; Several counts of violating local ordinances set in Sapporo's Local Laws, as well as the Japanese Penal Code regarding illegal gathering and gangsterism; and multiple counts of improper usage of quirks in violation of the Misuse of Quirks Act 1964," The man explained, taking a breath before taking a step back and continuing. "However, the Prosecutor's Office does note that it does not see the first two counts as being necessary. As such, the prosecution would like to retract such."
"... Very well. On behalf of the public prosecutor's decision, Tachibana Ishiro..." The judge began to say as stenographers rushed to type all that was stated. "The court hereby charges you on an act of assault, several acts of gangsterism, and several acts of misuse of your quirk. In what manner would you plead?"
Ishiro looked up, looking to the man seated next to him momentarily and leaning in to mention something, only to receive a nod in response. Sighing, Ishiro nodded, rising to his feet a moment later.
"Your honour, and honourable protection..." Ishiro began to say, his accent slightly more rural than the others who have so far spoken in the courtroom. "I, the defendant, Tachibana Ishiro... Plead guilty to all charges placed."
The courtroom fell silent, confused glances being placed upon Ishiro as even two of the stenographers tilted their heads towards the boy.
"... Pardon?" The judge spoke, looking across the aisle at the defendant's table and the still-standing Ishiro.
"Your honour, I plead guilty to all charges," Ishiro stated once again. "I am at fault for all of which I am accused of, and I accept full responsibility and punishment for each."
"... Very well," The judge stated, rubbing his forehead as Ishiro took his seat once again. "As the defendant's guilt has now been stated, the court sees no reason for the prosecution to further present any such argument. The defence may now speak."
The man seated next to Ishiro soon rose to his feet, nodding once to the raven-haired boy before speaking.
"Thank you, your honour," The man began to say, "Here, whilst my client has already admitted his guilt, I believe it necessary to state all factors regarding his decision to commit the acts to which he has admitted. In all my years defending extraordinary children in extraordinary circumstances, I've yet to come upon one as unique as Ishiro. By his own account, which is reinforced by public records, he had been living largely alone from the age of seven after the death of his mother, Hoshiyuki Sayori, and due to his father, Tachibana Karu's inability to provide such paternalism in his early life, extending to the various extracurricular competitions which Ishiro would participate in. This would continue after the death of his father when Ishiro was twelve. And whilst the defence would never hope to entertain the idea that such can provide full justification for his actions, it would hope that the court can see value in the fact that, for a large part of his early life, Ishiro has had to learn a lot on his own. The lack of any form of family is also damning. Is it truly unforeseeable that someone, faced with such loneliness from an early age, is susceptible to potential manipulation from a criminal gang that may seek to abuse his talents for their purposes? Even if just for the suggestion of companionship?"
The man took a breather as Ishiro lowered his head, small traces of guilt coming upon his face as the man continued.
"The defence will now move to the incident on January 3rd," The man continued, flipping the documents he held to the next page. "Your honour, let it be known that Ishiro, whilst fully consenting to participate in the robbery, had only managed a role as a lookout, to which he had actively defied orders. As part of the testimony by Sekizawa Haruo, a police officer involved that day, Ishiro had struck down Haruo, but refused to kill him, and had instead instructed Haruo to flee the scene. Keep in mind that Tanaka Akira, the man in charge of the robbery, had ordered the murder of any potential interfering individuals. It can be seen here by all that my client had no intention of committing any acts of violence, nor would he commit any on that night." The lawyer stated, flipping to the next page before continuing. "I would also like to bring up the matter of my client's persistent cooperation with local authorities, seen by the lack of resistance in his surrender, and during the interrogation by detectives. Regarding my client's quirk..."
The courtroom fell silent momentarily, all ears seemingly peeled eagerly to hear what the man might say next, the silence only being broken by the furious typing of the stenographers in the room.
"It is hard to define, at this present moment, what it can do for certain, only that my client lacks much control over its usage," The lawyer explained, "If instructed now, it is unlikely that my client will be able to utilise his quirk and abilities efficiently. According to eyewitnesses, Ishiro's quirk manipulates shadows to an extent that defies the laws of physics, whilst also allowing him the ability to transport his form and mass to another space, though the process for such is unknown. My client also claims to gain premonitions about the future, as well as an ability to hear the thoughts of others. After some discussion, we both agreed to not state this as part of such abilities, as I found it difficult to reconcile as to whether this had been the result of a quirk, or the results of the mind of a traumatised, neglected youth who had been placed under severe mental and physical duress."
The court fell silent once again, as Ishiro looked up silently, heterochromatic eyes scanning the room before the man continued.
"This concludes the statement from the defence. Your honour, if I may..." The man began to say, "I believe Ishiro to be an individual who, despite the actions he may have committed, is, to the best of his abilities, a good-natured individual who has simply been dealt an unfair hand in life. I believe Ishiro to be an individual capable of great things, as seen in his graduation from Junior High School ahead of schedule, his knowledge of traditions such as Chanoyu, and the latent properties of his quirk. Given the right guidance, and given a second chance in life, I believe Tachibana Ishiro to be someone who can contribute greatly to society."
The man nodded his head, bowing slightly before taking a seat next to Ishiro once again, as the judge adjusted his microphone and cleared his throat.
"Very well," The judge stated, adjusting his microphone again before speaking. "As the defence has provided his argument, and the prosecution has no need to prove any further arguments, the court will now deliver judgment. Tachibana Ishiro, your circumstances have been unusual and tragic, and the court holds pity on you for that. Whilst it may be no excuse for wrongdoing, the court would be doing you a disservice by applying the harshest possible sentence. As such, by the Civil Code of Japan, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Juvenile Code... The Court finds you, the defendant, Tachibana Ishiro, guilty of the charges of attempted robbery and improper usage of your quirk in violation of the Misuse of Quirks Act 1964. Do you hold any argument to such?"
"... No, your honour," Ishiro mumbled, keeping his head bowed lowly as he awaited his fate.
"In that regard, the court, and I, a member of the Japanese Legal Authority, with powers vested within me by the State and People of Japan..." The judge began to say, "Sentence you to a probation period of three months. After which, you are to enrol in U.A. High School for proper training and education regarding your quirk."
"... Very well," Ishiro stated, rising from his seat and bowing once more, before returning to his seated position.
"The court sees great potential in you, Tachibana Ishiro," The judge concluded, rising from his seat as he turned to leave. "Consider this your second chance. Do not let this one go to waste."
As others in the courtroom began to rise from their seats, Ishiro sat silently in his seat still, a blank expression plastered upon his face as others filed out of the room.
"... Maybe it isn't too late..."