I decided to volunteer for jury duty in Stellari. I thought it would be a great way to understand the judicial processes here, though it turns out we have be to sequestered into a room with another person. ... Akechi-kun is my roommate.
He feels worry thread its way through his chest. Whether it's for Haru, or Akechi, or both of them... Akira can't really say. His fingers lock, frozen with the words that his chest aches to type. Do you want me to come stay somewhere nearby, or Would you like me to talk to him, tug him in each of their directions. But there's still a feeling that's stronger than anything else, presiding over all.]
I didn't realize. I can see why it would by hard to sleep.
[I trust you, Haru.
He trusts her, and she will be alright, and that's why Akira can do what he's always done.]
If you want to talk about him, I'm here to listen.
[He is meant to guide, to stand as a pillar.
He does not need to interfere, because Okumura Haru has always been strong enough to save herself.]
[ It's in the way her heart skips a beat as she reads Akira's response that makes her do a double-take.
She looks over at Akechi, who's busy on his phone, and maybe stares at him a little longer than she intends to. He might sense it, but she rips her gaze away from him to look back down at the words on her screen, face flushed in the dark. ]
He doesn't sleep much, does he? Even now, he's still on his phone. I kind of wonder what keeps him up so late.
[ But it keeps her up. She's not used to being a night owl and the sticky, wet heat of the hotel suite doesn't help. ]
It's... somewhat uncomfortable. Sharing a room with him. We already do not see eye-to-eye on the trial.
[Akira can't help it - he snorts softly in the privacy of his own room. It has nothing to do with Haru and everything to do with Akechi.
Hopefully he isn't too weird at her. That's a foolishly optimistic thought, but he's good at being a Fool.]
That sounds like him. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be butting heads with him myself.
[Part of that is fun, at least for Akira, but he can imagine that it's much more taxing for Haru.
He's curious about the trial itself, but if it's anything like trials back home... it doesn't seem likely Haru would be allowed to answer many questions. He'll have to choose his words carefully.]
How is it shaping up with the other jurors? Are they taking either of your sides, or have opinions been pretty split?
But now that she's easing into this conversation with him, she can feel most, if not all, concerns about Akechi and this awkward predicament fade away. ]
It definitely appears to be split. I thought it would take about a day, but it's going to be a while. I wonder if the system here serves justice to those in need.
It's hard to really say. I haven't seen anyone complain about the guard or their procedures, but maybe things aren't so different from us if they still have jury duty itself.
Regardless, if it's split, that means you still have people on your side. When the time comes, you just have to use your words to persuade them to your side. It isn't too late to overpower Akechi.
[He may not expect her to try at all, and that's a weapon Haru can use against him, too.]
Perhaps it's my feelings about the police and the system back home... it did let a lot of us down, you included.
[ Akira's faith in Haru is admirable. She's glad it's dark in the room and Akechi and her have their backs to one another, so he can't see how her cheeks glow red and a small, grateful smile settles on her face. ]
Of course, I'll do my best! But to be honest, Akechi-kun's keen perception is needed for this, too. I have to admit I respect his skill in such matters...
His mind is really sharp. Even when you end up on the other side of an argument with him, he has a way of making it all clearer sometimes.
[It's as frustrating as it's enjoyable, but...]
It's another thing you can use to your advantage against him. I know it's difficult being in that room with him. He's smart, and he's strong, but so are you. If he doesn't get caught up in trying to butt heads with you, he'll learn from you, too.
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Yes, everything is fine! I'm sorry, did I worry you?
I simply can't sleep, is all.
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I'd be lying if I said I didn't worry at all. I'm glad you're okay, though.
What's keeping you up?
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... Akechi-kun is my roommate.
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All of a sudden, a lot more makes sense.
He feels worry thread its way through his chest. Whether it's for Haru, or Akechi, or both of them... Akira can't really say. His fingers lock, frozen with the words that his chest aches to type. Do you want me to come stay somewhere nearby, or Would you like me to talk to him, tug him in each of their directions. But there's still a feeling that's stronger than anything else, presiding over all.]
I didn't realize. I can see why it would by hard to sleep.
[I trust you, Haru.
He trusts her, and she will be alright, and that's why Akira can do what he's always done.]
If you want to talk about him, I'm here to listen.
[He is meant to guide, to stand as a pillar.
He does not need to interfere, because Okumura Haru has always been strong enough to save herself.]
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She looks over at Akechi, who's busy on his phone, and maybe stares at him a little longer than she intends to. He might sense it, but she rips her gaze away from him to look back down at the words on her screen, face flushed in the dark. ]
He doesn't sleep much, does he? Even now, he's still on his phone. I kind of wonder what keeps him up so late.
[ But it keeps her up. She's not used to being a night owl and the sticky, wet heat of the hotel suite doesn't help. ]
It's... somewhat uncomfortable. Sharing a room with him. We already do not see eye-to-eye on the trial.
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Hopefully he isn't too weird at her. That's a foolishly optimistic thought, but he's good at being a Fool.]
That sounds like him. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be butting heads with him myself.
[Part of that is fun, at least for Akira, but he can imagine that it's much more taxing for Haru.
He's curious about the trial itself, but if it's anything like trials back home... it doesn't seem likely Haru would be allowed to answer many questions. He'll have to choose his words carefully.]
How is it shaping up with the other jurors? Are they taking either of your sides, or have opinions been pretty split?
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But now that she's easing into this conversation with him, she can feel most, if not all, concerns about Akechi and this awkward predicament fade away. ]
It definitely appears to be split. I thought it would take about a day, but it's going to be a while.
I wonder if the system here serves justice to those in need.
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Regardless, if it's split, that means you still have people on your side. When the time comes, you just have to use your words to persuade them to your side. It isn't too late to overpower Akechi.
[He may not expect her to try at all, and that's a weapon Haru can use against him, too.]
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[ Akira's faith in Haru is admirable. She's glad it's dark in the room and Akechi and her have their backs to one another, so he can't see how her cheeks glow red and a small, grateful smile settles on her face. ]
Of course, I'll do my best!
But to be honest, Akechi-kun's keen perception is needed for this, too. I have to admit I respect his skill in such matters...
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[It's as frustrating as it's enjoyable, but...]
It's another thing you can use to your advantage against him. I know it's difficult being in that room with him. He's smart, and he's strong, but so are you. If he doesn't get caught up in trying to butt heads with you, he'll learn from you, too.
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I would hope so! I think a few have underestimated me in this world already, so it would be wise for Akechi-kun not to do so.