Summary: Fang has yet to reveal the full truth behind the shooting.

I was quite surprised when I received a call from the commissioner of police himself, our previous encounters weren’t very friendly but I must have left a distinct impression on him. He still considers me a scoundrel for defending “criminals” but I much rather leave the definition up to the courts.

Who would have thought Mr. Aran would have to stoop so low to ask me, a ptero defense attorney, for help? I suppose he never considered himself or anyone close to him ending up on the other side of the bench. Still, this case could be my chance to make it really big. I did have some unique clients in the past but this one might be the most special one yet.

My client is the daughter of the commissioner of the local police department, Lucy Aran. My objective is to prepare a competent defense for the inevitable trial which will put this young girl’s very future on the line. These are the basics of the case, I didn’t hear much else beyond that.

The commissioner wanted me to gather my own impressions, that’s why I’m currently in the interrogation room with my client. Apparently a couple of detectives already tried to get her to confess to everything, luckily I was able to prevent the worst case scenario when I barged into that room. My client might insist on being guilty on all accounts but her father definitely wouldn’t share that opinion.

“So let me get this straight: you’re here to defend me…? Did my dad put you up to this?” - “That is correct, your father made sure to call me as soon as he could. He’s currently visiting your brother in the hospital, he wanted me to let you know.”

“M-MY BROTHER!? NASER IS ALIVE??” The message about her brother’s status instantly reduces my client to tears of relief. She can’t fathom how lucky she is as she repeatedly thanks Raptor Jesus for showing mercy.

“Well, that’s what the doctors are saying at least. However I have no information about his actual condition. Rest asurred, he’s receiving all the proper care he needs.” - “Th-Thank you… Oh god, thank you, Mr.…? W-What was your name again?”

“My name’s Rhett Phoenix but my friends like to call me Rhett. You may call me as you please.”

“Very well, Rhett it is… Thank you, Mr. Rhett. This really means a lot to me. You have no idea how much hope you have given me.”

The gir-, I mean my client, tries to embrace me but notices that she’s still handcuffed. Good thing I was able to procure the key to get rid of her unsightly shackles. I proceed to carefully remove the handcuffs while sitting them aside on the table dividing both of us. There’s nothing else besides a meager plastic cup filled with water on that table. I suppose a water glass would have been too much of a safety hazard.

“Well, now that these dreadful things are off, how do you feel?” - “Relieved. It makes it easier for me to endure whatever punishment awaits me.”

“Let us cover the basics of this case first. Your father only told me that you’re the prime suspect in a shooting that took place at your school, Volcano High, am I correct?” The girl stares at me for a short moment, probably in an attempt to determine how I might react to what she’s about to say.

“That’s right… I’m the one who did it.” I’m floored to hear my client be this frank about her guilt, especially in a terrible crime such as this one. Most clients still prefer to consider themselves to be innocent to some extent or victims of circumstance.

“That’s quite a lot to take in. I’m surprised to actually hear these words coming from your mouth, Miss Aran.” – “Please call me Fang… I usually think of my mom whenever someone mentions Miss Aran.” I assume this must be a nickname of sorts. “Very well, Fang it is. So can you tell me why you did it?”

Fang proceeds to explain to me in a sad and sincere tone the events of the last couple of days which led to her plan to take revenge on her peers. What concerns me is the fact that she had the murder weapon on her for a considerable amount of time – time which she could have used to reflect on her plan, and yet she chose to actually go through with it on today’s morning.

This is extremely worrisome and might actually be the kind of ammunition the prosecution needs to lock her away for a lifetime, everything points at a premeditated crime. She also supposedly spent last night at her boyfriend’s place. I’m curious to know how this “Anon” boy might fit into all of this. According to Fang he was present during the shooting, he might be summoned as a witness during the trial himself.

“Let me thank you for being so sincere with me, Fang. I can’t begin to imagine what went through your head during these last couple of days but letting me know about all of it should help me understand it at least.” Fang slowly nods her head while her gaze remains low. She’s clearly ashamed of what she did, maybe this can be of use for my defense.

“Can you please tell me more about this Naomi girl you mentioned? You said she is, I mean, was your brother’s girlfriend?” – “Yes… She’s the one who manipulated Anon into becoming my boyfriend. I was extremely upset when I heard how I was just another piece in her masterplan to fully win over my brother.” – “Do you blame Anon in any way for what has happened to you?”

Fang’s expression quickly changes from sad to agitated after hearing my question. “What!? No! Of course not! He’s the best boyfriend I could ask for! Sure, he can be an airhead sometimes but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care! All I wanted was to spare him all of this!”

“Alright, I understand. Please calm down, I believe you.” Fang seems to regain her composure as she takes a sip of water from the plastic cup in front of her. She’s slightly shaking as she puts the cup down on the table. “I’m sorry, I know you’re supposed to defend me but please don’t drag Anon into this. He has done nothing.”

“Let’s talk about your bullies, you said they used to mock your band before?” – “They said all kinds of awful things about our music. It was especially bad two days ago, during prom, when they started drenching my outfit with their fucking drinks.” – “So how does Naomi fit into this? Did she laugh at you, too?” Fang holds in for a moment while carefully considering her response.

“Actually no, she didn’t… “ But suddenly her expression changes. “Not in the open but definitely inside. She always was trying to belittle me with her unbearable kindness; it was so plastic, so fake! When Anon told me about her plan to “fix” me I knew that she was just a big liar!” – “Do you know what she meant with that? What was she trying to “fix” about you?”

“She considered me a bad sister for Naser. He’s our parents’ favorite: he’s got the best grades as well as the most awards at school. Naomi was obviously trying to use him just to build up her own reputation!”

Most of this sounds like supposition, there’s also no way to ask Naomi herself considering she’s among the victims of my client’s tragic rampage. There needs to be a way to salvage this somehow. How am I going to defend Fang?

“Please let me confirm something. Was killing Naomi at the core of your plan?” Fang seems to be uncomfortable about this topic but I press on. “Did you shoot her first?” – “Yes… I did!” – “So killing her was the actual goal of your plan?” – “Y-Yes!” – “You were ready to throw your life away just to take revenge on a single person?” – “Fuck!! Yes, I was!!”

The next question is probably the hardest I need to ask. “Did you recognize any of your bullies among the ones you shot?” Fang has fallen silent, her eyes are closed as the tears start running. “I… I don’t remember.” There’s a moment of silence before she continues. “I-It went so fast, I was afraid of being exposed after shooting Naomi. So I started shooting everyone, I figured they’d deserve it anyway…”

So this whole thing about punishing her bullies was just a half-hearted excuse. This was Fang’s last shred of dignity and I just tore it apart. What are her parents going to think if they learn of this? How am I supposed to treat this sort of knowledge? I suppose her brother will be able to reveal the full truth of this traumatic morning once he recovers and their parents will be there to hear all of it.

Fang is weeping as she buries her head inside her arms, she just came face to face with the actual truth of this incident. She was selfish and that cost several young people their lives. I can’t begin to imagine the families she has torn apart and how they themselves will seek justice for this event. I wouldn’t be surprised if the commissioner himself were forced to resign. All I can do is try to mitigate whatever consequences will befall the Aran family in due time. This might be my hardest case yet.

[POST-NOTES]
This chapter turned out a bit shorter than the others but I didn’t want to unnecessarily stretch it. The most important takeaway from this has to be Fang’s line of thought up until the shooting. Rhett Phoenix is to be considered a reference to a very particular defense attorney.