booksleeves | memshare 4: nocturne

Musical Cue: Kazuma Asogi - Nocturne

Video: 49:17 to end

You are standing in the first class cabin of a luxury steamship, in the dark light. You are standing over a desk and are clutching a katana to your chest while you weep. You think you are alone in the room, and though you have been holding your feelings in all day, all of the grief and anger and frustration you have been feeling pours out of you, your tears falling onto the sword that had been so precious to Kazuma Asogi.

"Susato-san?" you hear a voice say behind you.

"Naruhodo-san! I, I didn't know you had returned," you say, startled, blinking away your tears.

Naruhodo says something inaudible, but your reply, in a voice thick with tears, is clear enough to make out. "I still can't believe this has happened. I can't believe someone's life can be over, just like that. He had such grand ideas for this visit to Great Britain. So many dreams. And now they've been cruelly taken away, just as he has."

You swallow, trying to keep yourself from crying, feeling overwhelmed by how much sorrow and anger you have inside you that has nowhere to go. "I thought I could never forgive the person responsible," you say, coldly, but after a minute, that anger is gone, too. "But now. . . it was just an accident. Just a silly series of mishaps. It's too much, Naruhodo-san. It's just too much. . . "

The conversation that follows is muffled, the words going in and out, but it is enough to tell that you are making plans to leave this ship and return to Japan. You had been on a journey to Great Britain as Kazuma Asogi's judicial assistant, but as he is dead, now you must return to Japan. As must Naruhodo, Kazuma's friend and classmate who stowed away on this ship.

As you speak with Naruhodo and the police inspector, Mr. Sholmes appears and interrupts. You have only met the famous detective this day, as he assisted in solving Kazuma's murder, but you have long read stories of his cases.

"Mr. Sholmes," you say with a bow. "We appreciate your assistance. I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Sholmes has some kind words to say in return. "May I offer my condolences? The loss of your companion is truly heart-rending. I hope that you will be able to fulfill some of his aspirations in his honour."

You point out you will have to return to Japan, and Mr. Sholmes points out that the study tour can continue, so long as you are accompanied by a lawyer - the lawyer doesn't have to be Kazuma Asogi.

"Miss Susato," Naruhodo asks, "do you think perhaps I might be able to do it?"

Naruhodo isn't a lawyer or a law student, but he has appeared in court before. There is still over a month left on the sea voyage, so if Mr. Naruhodo studies English law, perhaps he will suffice.

"I would work my fingers to the bone, every single day!" Naruhodo promises. "And if by the time we reach Great Britain, I haven't learnt enough to be recognized as a lawyer, I'll take whatever punishment is deemed appropriate. Kazuma said there is something he has to do in Great Britain, and that he would sacrifice anything to make it happen. He was passionate about it. I can't let all that passion come to nothing!" He turns and looks to you. ". . . What do you say, Miss Susato?"

The plan is a little crazy, but there's still something behind the words that catches you. After all, the reason you became a judicial assistant in the first place. . . it was because of Kazuma's passion. His dreams, that were so noble and inspired you as well, so you can't help but smile.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," you say.

Sholmes manages to persuade the police inspector to agree to the ridiculous plan, and he leaves you be.

"I wonder," Naruhodo asks you. "Would you consider teaching me what I need to know? Everything about being a lawyer?"

You smile once again. "I would be delighted to help you! I am a judicial assistant, after all! And. . . I'd like you to take charge of this." Carefully, you hand the katana to Mr. Naruhodo. After all, after that speech, there is no one else who could possibly be as worthy of it. "I'm sure it's what Kazuma-sama would have wanted."

"So then, Miss Susato," Naruhodo says. "It seems we'll be working together for some time to come yet!"

"It will be an honour, Mr Naruhodo," you say. "And for the next forty days, I shan't grant you a single minute of freedom. We shall fill every spare moment with study! But . . . before we begin . . . I have an earnest favour to ask of you, too." Your expression becomes serious. "Please throw me to the ground. Three times! I should never have doubted you. You were Kazuma-sama's closest friend. Of course you would never have done anything to hurt him. That should have been obvious to me from the start. But I allowed suspicion to get the better of me. And no matter how upset I was feeling . . . it was completely unforgivable behaviour!"

"No!" Naruhodo protests. "No, you were in shock. You'd just found out about me stowing away. And the cabin door was locked from the inside!"

"No!" you insist, determined. "I won't let you make excuses for me! Whatever the circumstances, I should never have thrown you! And not just once, but five times! So please, you must! Just take hold of me and throw me! Do it! Don't even think about it!"