The day of the trial arrived, and Aika felt a mix of emotions—fear, anger, determination. She had spent weeks preparing, going over her testimony with Inspector Nakamura and the prosecutor. But no amount of preparation could fully prepare her for the reality of facing Ryohta in court.
As she entered the courtroom, her heart raced. The room was filled with people—lawyers, reporters, curious onlookers—but all Aika could see was Ryohta. He sat at the defendant's table, his expression calm and composed, as if he didn't have a care in the world. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, she felt a wave of fear wash over her. But then she remembered the support of her friends, the strength she had found within herself, and she straightened her shoulders, determined not to let him intimidate her.
The trial began, and the prosecutor laid out the case against Ryohta. The evidence was overwhelming—photos, messages, the hidden room in Aika's apartment. But the most damning evidence came from Aika herself.
When it was her turn to testify, Aika took a deep breath and stepped up to the stand. Her hands were trembling, but her voice was steady as she recounted the months of fear and paranoia, the constant feeling of being watched. She described the hidden room, the photos, the messages—everything Ryohta had done to terrorize her.
As she spoke, she could feel the weight of the courtroom's attention on her. But she kept her focus on the prosecutor, on Yumi sitting in the front row, on the strength she had found within herself. She wouldn't let Ryohta win.
When the defense attorney cross-examined her, he tried to poke holes in her story, to make her doubt herself. But Aika stood firm, her resolve unshaken. She knew the truth, and she wouldn't let anyone take that away from her.
As the trial continued, more evidence was presented, including testimony from other women Ryohta had stalked. Their stories were eerily similar to Aika's, filled with fear and violation. By the time the trial ended, there was no doubt in anyone's mind—Ryohta was guilty.
The jury deliberated for what felt like an eternity, but finally, they returned with their verdict. Guilty on all counts.
As the judge read the verdict, Aika felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was over. Ryohta would be locked away for a long time, unable to hurt anyone else.
But as she left the courtroom, she couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows of the past still lingered. The trial was over, but the scars Ryohta had left behind would take time to heal.