#《⭒✩⭒ || verse: prosecutor (kazuma) 》

[howthesleeplesswander]

@tenacquity continued from here! ((hghhhgng these two are immediately tOO CUTE I'M DYING T~T))

It took longer than he'd thought for Kazuma to finish his work for the afternoon. Scarcely a week had passed since the corruption in Great Britain's own government had been laid out to bear. In the wake of Lord Stronghart's detainment, the staff of the Old Bailey were understandably flustered, thus both himself and his mentor had been busier than in the last three months combined—despite (or, perhaps because of) their involvement in that very trial.

But this was where Kazuma's title of "apprentice" paid off. With Lord van Zieks away attending to other matters, the instant he completed his tasks from that morning, he was finally free to indulge in the distraction who'd been pacing the Prosecutor's Office.

Ryunosuke's squeak and subsequent grousing was met with a fond chuckle. "If I did that, I wouldn't get the pleasure of startling you," he teased. Loosening his arms enough to let the other man turn, Kazuma's hands settled at his waist once they faced each other.

"Wouldn't you? Hm, somehow I doubt that." Gloved thumbs traced idle circles at the rise of Ryunosuke's hips, a soft smile adorning his mouth. This whirlwind of a week had left time for criminally few moments like this. Now that he had the chance, it would be equally criminal not to relish having Ryunosuke in his arms again.

"Not to worry: I've finished my duties for today. Though, if I'm ready to leave, well...that's another story entirely." Ducking his head down, his lips danced featherlight along the curve of a handsome jaw. A chosen spot of skin shadowed just beneath was bestowed with a soft kiss.

"Not when I've got you all to myself in here."

[howthesleeplesswander]

As Lord van Zieks rose from his chair, Kazuma expected that he would indeed take his leave for the night. But instead he turned to the cabinet full of those absurdly ornate chalices, and although Kazuma's attentive gaze caught the withdrawal of not one, but two cups, he was somehow still caught off-guard by the request that followed.

Not an easy feat to accomplish. He was always at the ready: poised to tackle any task with vigor and aplomb. This, however, was perhaps the first time Kazuma was unprepared for a task laid before him.

But no—he quashed that waver of uncertainty the moment it bloomed. The initial shock may have rendered him stunned for a moment, but in truth, Kazuma had long since been searching for an opportunity like this.

Despite their weeks of collaboration since that fateful trial, neither party had ever addressed those events...at least, not as directly as they deserved. Kazuma wasn't one to dance around a subject, but there simply hadn't been time—not when there was such deep history, so many wrongs, so much regret. The air around such a topic couldn't be cleared in a few stolen minutes throughout a busy day. Trying very well may just make things worse. He would be a fool not to seize this chance.

After a few beats of silence, Kazuma set down his quill. "I'm hardly a wine expert." A gross understatement, considering he'd never had it before, but he wouldn't back down from the new experience any more than he would back down from a conversation so long overdue. "If you don't mind the selection of a novice, however, I can choose for us, if you wish," he continued, the statement serving as clear acceptance of the offer.

Rising from the floor, Kazuma ventured into the back alcove where the bottles were kept. He only spared a moment glancing over them. Each was the same as the next as far as he was concerned; and the wine they would be drinking hardly mattered. He selected one at random that at least had a label he could read and headed back out into the main office.

Determination coursed through him with every footfall. He didn't yet know his mentor's reasons for asking to speak with him like this, but regardless, Kazuma's own reasons would not be swayed. They had much to discuss.

"A fitting choice, I hope?" he posed as he held the bottle out to his mentor. "Though, it's hard to say without knowing the occasion." His posture remained strictly at attention. He couldn't rule out the possibility that Lord van Zieks had some sort of business to discuss, in which case it was his duty as apprentice to address such matters first before steering the conversation himself. "Is there something you wish to discuss?"

It was — difficult, this dynamic of theirs. A novel and personal trial. For a decade, what his colleagues thought of Lord Barok van Zieks had meant little to him; it was time and concern he could not have spared. The burden of London's collective judgement had sat heavy ( still sat heavy ) upon his shoulders, and it had taken every ounce of strength and of hard-practised aristocratic dignity to carry himself tall... as though his pride, throughout it all, had remained unscathed despite the blotting of his name.

( He had thought there was little else they could have done. That anyone could have done. And, oh, how he had thought wrong. )

It was a wonder that Kazuma wanted anything to do with the van Zieks name after that trial. But the Asogis were ever full of surprises... like father, like son. And so young Asogi's apprenticeship continued, this time without the oppressive hand of the previous Lord Chief Justice to smother his flame.

It was a frightening thing, at times, that boldness and that unrelenting will. Reminiscent of a vengeful ire that had, ten years before, sent Barok's own dear friend to a wrongful death.

But where Barok had only had Lord Stronghart to feed his mournful rage, Asogi — with support, and with Naruhodo's endless pursuit of truth to guide his spirit home — had surmounted the odds and the deception. He had entered London as a fragment of a man without a name nor face, burning so desperately for answers that he leapt at the chance to snap hungry jaws at any throat Stronghart offered him. And, despite Stronghart's wretched misguidance, Asogi had fought and clawed his way out from the wreckage of the trial, incorrupt and quick to once again find purpose.

... Barok envied Asogi, on the worst of days.

Today, he didn't bother to suppress his snort of amusement.

❛ Hrm. ❜ Stubborn as a mule. Some things never changed; Barok knew better than to try and argue. ❛ So be it. ❜

He glanced at the sheathes of papers at Asogi's side and then at the darkened skies outside their window, contemplating.

No, there was no avoiding it. Not for long, in any case, unless Barok was willing to gamble his sanity whenever he next dared to glance at his apprentice, hoping that it would be Kazuma's brow furrowed in concentration across the office, rather than the visage of a ghost long past. The face of a man whose blood would stain Barok's hands forever.

He and Asogi ought to speak soon. Candidly, and without their business to distract them. It was only right.

He stepped out of his seat, turning to the cabinet beside his desk and plucking out a pair of chalices. With his back still turned to Asogi: ❛ You know where the bottles are kept — by the far wall, at the end of the kegs, all labelled and shelved by region and their age. Some imported and some bottled here... take your pick out of them, if you have a preference or perhaps any burning curiosities. If not, I will select a wine for tonight. ❜

Barok paused for a moment, halfway through wiping the insides of the glasses, and huffed out a restrained, barely audible sigh.

❛ ... if you won't mind joining me, that is. ❜

It was somewhat daunting: the idea of at last keeping Asogi company where their work was not concerned. But he was set upon forcing himself at last to nudge the quasi-comfortable line that master and apprentice had clumsily drawn thus far.

In his deep rumination, he had almost forgotten Asogi's say.

[starrymused]

Please note that Kazuma can also be inserted into a modern verse where he works for the Prosecutor's Office after arriving from Japan.

Kazuma Asogi was born as the only son of Genshin Asogi and hails from a well-known clan.He becomes a student at Imperial Yumei University studying law, while also serving as a defense attorney. Due to his exemplary academic achievements, he was also chosen to study abroad in the British Empire towards the end of Japan's Meiji era. After his best friend Ryunosuke Naruhodo was put on trial for the murder of John H. Wilson and subsequently acquitted, Kazuma requested that he accompany him to Britain.

Kazuma is introduced as a composed, yet hot-blooded and outspoken youth with a strong sense of justice. He's well-known around his university for his accomplishments as being skilled in both academics and martial arts; and, despite his young age, had been chosen to participate in an exchange program to travel to the Great British Empire and earn the qualifications to become a defense attorney. However, after things take a turn for the worst and, while possessing dark secrets of his own, Kazuma ends up becoming a prosecutor to avenge his father's death.

He possesses a sharp tongue, and is quick to challenge or defy authority figures; a point of contention from local bailiffs and later, Mael Stronghart. This extends to a strong hatred for corrupt authority as well, as Kazuma displays contempt not only for the Japanese government attempting to use Naruhodo as a scapegoat, but for the British government having done the same thing to his father Genshin.

He can overdo things to a fault, as displayed by how he practiced the tongue twisters he struggled with until his tongue bled. Kazuma is also willing to go to great lengths in order to help his friends, even if it means risking his career and aspirations; and, despite his acerbic nature, is deeply respectful to those he cares about, and will never fail to encourage them. It is because of these traits that Kazuma is set up to be an ideal, one that his best friend Ryunosuke Naruhodo would think to in times of need.

Following his return, however, his presented image of an ideal is heavily deconstructed. What were traits initially presented as positive are now taken to a harmful extreme, with the most glaring being his determination. Even without memory, he was so determined that he traveled to the Great British Empire through working on steamships while relying on his knowledge of the English language, along with his skill in lawyering. As Naruhodo later discovers, this is all done in the name of avenging his father, displaying a strong dedication to filial piety.

However, said determination and loyalty leads him to go to extreme lengths, which can harm both others and himself. Such is shown by how Jigoku used this determination against him, as his condition to participate in the exchange program was to murder Tobias Gregson; and, later on, how he forces Daley Vigil to recall a traumatic memory in order to find the truth. His anger and determination towards van Zieks for the apparent use of forged evidence also leads Kazuma to be set on convicting van Zieks of Gregson's murder along with the Professor Killings.

Kazuma is also noted to be very closed-off about his problems and past, which becomes more apparent after the regaining of his memories. This is displayed by his closed-off body language, along with his eventual breakdown: trying, and failing to keep himself composed. That aspect of his has also been a long-running one, as Naruhodo notes that he has brief moments where he has a dark expression regarding his mission, yet says nothing; furthermore, Yujin Mikotoba states that he never knew that Kazuma had known about the Professor Killings and his father's involvement, which ultimately motivated him to travel to Britain.

However, Kazuma still retains his strong sense of justice, along with his love for his friends. He is ultimately able to see past his anger thanks to Naruhodo's words, and assist in exposing the truth behind the Professor Killings. He also displays strong consideration towards them, as he encourages Susato to accompany Naruhodo back to Japan in order to aid him in his work.

Kazuma is also noted to struggle with tongue twisters; and, although not revealed to be his least favorite food, he appears to have a strong dislike for chicken to the point where he ate none of it when it was served for dinner. In terms of hobbies, he is stated to practice archery with Naruhodo alongside other martial arts, speech and debate; and, as his conversations in the Prosecutor's office show, is implied to have an interest in arts and crafts.

[dance-of-deduction]

#3: Learning the Law in Meiji Japan

Spoiler warning: None!

TGAA appears to be set in a fictionalized 1900-1901, and at this point, studying law wasn’t as prestigious as you or I might imagine. This is in part because Japan’s nationwide legal system only crystallized about halfway through the Meiji Era, so there wasn’t a domestic legal system to study for quite a while. Read on to find out about what university would have looked like for law students like Kazuma!

🌸 Reblogs appreciated! 🌸

In 1871, the Ministry of Justice established Japan’s first institution dedicated to legal education. This wasn't a full-on university that anyone could apply to; rather, it was a training program for its own employees. Japan needed to develop a new legal system and train people in said system almost simultaneously, so the first priority was making sure members of the ministry were well-versed in international and domestic law. These student-employees received scholarships and were required to continue working in the Ministry of Justice for a fixed number of years. In other words, Japan's first law school graduates didn't immediately go on to become lawyers, prosecutors, and judges - most went into the civil service or administration. Before Japan developed its own legal codes in the 1880s, students were trained in French law. 

Established in 1877, Tokyo Imperial University included Faculties of Law, Science, Medicine, and Letters. Aspiring students had to have 10-15 combined years of elementary, middle, and high school education. That might sound like nothing compared to today’s law school requirements, but keep in mind that widespread compulsory education simply wasn’t a thing yet. By the 1860s, about 40-50% of Japanese boys, and 15% of girls, had received any kind of education outside the home. 

Japan wasn't alone in this. Other than Germany, which had already established compulsory education, other major European nations had similar rates of education. Education had become more widespread in the Tokugawa Era, which preceded the Meiji, but a commoner’s education was limited to practical skills: reading, writing, arithmetic, abacus use, and maybe calligraphy. Extensive formal education was a privilege only the wealthy got to enjoy, so we can assume that the Asougis, Naruhodous, and Mikotobas are fairly well-off. This is reflected in-game when Kazuma mentions that his and Ryunosuke’s student numbers are still in the triple digits, making them some of the earliest students in their university's brief history. 

Private universities also existed at the time, but since Yumei is an imperial university, I'll focus on Tokyo Imperial University as a model. Tokyo Imperial University's Faculty of Law taught exclusively French and Anglo-American law until 1890. By that point, Japan had its own constitution, civil and criminal codes, and a Court Organization Law, so legal educators turned to focus on the new, domestic legal system. Studying criminal law wasn't as intense as civil, administrative, or foreign law, which were more rigorous and required more examinations. Meiji Japan focused more on its civil codes because it already had a long history of bureaucracy. Initially, it borrowed from French (and then German) legal codes, but there was a pressing need to build and grow a uniquely Japanese set of institutions; Japan knew it could not rely on imitation forever. So while criminal law makes for a more exciting game, it was less of a priority when it came to nation-building.

Although the fields of study had diversified, the ever-present Westernization of the era still had an effect on education. As mentioned above, foreign law was the focus of study for the first decade of Japanese law schools. At Tokyo Imperial University, law courses were taught in English, and students in the department were required to write their theses in English until 1882, after which they were permitted to write in Japanese or Chinese. Classes weren't taught in Japanese until 1883.

Kazuma and Ryunosuke wouldn’t have been allowed to practice law while in school, but by Meiji standards, they actually aren’t all that lacking in credentials. At the time, aspiring lawyers didn’t need practical experience or any post-graduate training. If one wanted to become a judge, lawyer, or prosecutor, the only qualification needed was a two-part bar exam. What's more, Tokyo Imperial University graduates did not need to take the exam at all - they could go from the Faculty of Law to the the judiciary right after graduation.

(Oh Ryu, your lack of court experience is a feature, not a bug!)

Even though university students were generally privileged, neither the government nor society viewed law school as an especially glamorous thing. In the early days of Meiji, establishing a centralized, codified legal system was a top priority so that Japan could assert itself as a modern nation. Once that was squared away, the government focused on expanding the economy and the empire, encouraging university graduates to go into careers that would serve those goals instead. 

And as it turned out, most law students had no intention of joining the judiciary, anyway. Law was simply an undergraduate major like any other, viewed as a general area of study rather than a highly specialized one. It was also the choice for some students who didn’t know what else to major in. Government jobs were some of the most sought-after positions among law students, because high-ranking bureaucratic work was both stable and prestigious. High-ranking civil servants enjoyed more pay, prestige, and power than judges and prosecutors. And as for defense attorneys…oh boy. Defending the accused was a pretty darn disreputable job for a pretty long time!

But more on that in a future post. For now, have my thanks for reading! Questions? Comments? Feedback? Just want to say hey? Send me an ask me any time!

Sources

Sources and Further Reading

Legal Education and the Reproduction of the Elite in Japan

Turbulence Ahead: The Future of Law Schools in Japan

History of Education in Japan

[addicted-to-12th-intro]

[MAJOR TGAA SPOILERS] How TGAA characters would sing We Don’t Talk About Bruno

It was easy to assign parts to characters - it all fits so well, it’s almost a summary of case 2-3 in a song. In order of appearance:

1. Genshin Asogi: Bruno

The unfortunately knowledgeable, the falsely accused - who if not Genshin would be the focal point of the song? He touched the lives of so many people in the story - and the memory of him was forcefully buried.

2. Ryunosuke Naruhodo and Susato Mikotoba: Mirabel

This one is easy: they’re our narrators, strangers to the plot, to whom others describe their perspectives - and they also (albeit metaphorically) put the puzzle together.

3. Herlock Sholmes and Yujin Mikotoba: Pepa and Félix

No matter how you view their relationship, the “frantic and grounded” energy is quite undeniably there. And just like Pepa and Félix’s part comes first and estabilishes Bruno’s “killjoy” nature, Herlock and Yujin are one of the first people affected by Genshin’s actions after previously having a good time in London.

4. Kazuma Asogi: Dolores

He’s haunted by the mystery of his father’s death and he knows more than you might’ve suspected - like Dolores who grew up constantly hearing Bruno and feels sympathy for how misunderstood he was.

5. Esmeralda Tusspells (with Enoch Drebber and Courtney Sithe): Camilo

Exactly like Camilo with Bruno, Esmeralda revels in the spooky scary aspect of the Professor. Drebber and Sithe also experienced it more or less directly, so it would be fitting for them to join in here - and having the 2-3 trio in one place is always a good enough reason.

6. Maria Gorey, Tobias Gregson and the British judge: the townspeople

This part is silly even in the original song, and even more so now, as the subject has become, well, murder... anyway. Ideally I’d assign a longer and more meaningful part to Gregson, but the game does poke fun at his consumption of fish and chips, so he’ll appear as the “he told me I’d grow a gut” man. The judge is bald but wears a wig like the priest (?) in this part. I initially had no idea who could be the fish owner, but it kind of fits Maria?  And she probably has met Genshin, but very briefly. It was strangely difficult picking minor enough characters for this part...

7. Barok van Zieks: Isabela

Ah, the bittersweetness. Barok considered Genshin his friend, and most likely received words of admiration and encouragement about becoming a prosecutor - “he told me that my power would grow”. Similarly to Isabela, the promise of a “perfect” life was right in the worst way, and now he’s crumbling under the pressure to maintain his reputation. Miscellaneous: “grapes that thrive on the vine” is a very Barok-appropriate comparison.

8. About the final pre-counterpoint verse

Abuela Alma has a single line in the song, so I have to give her a character too. Considering the main antagonist role, it should be Stronghart. The next character to sing in this part is Dolores, and her “the man of my dreams would be just out of reach, betrothed to another” can be applied to Kazuma with some tweaks: the “another” is Isabela/Barok, so the metaphorical “man” is the everything Kazuma wants and Barok has but doesn’t want - the attention focused on him and the power to enact vengeance. Finally, Isabela’s “Hey sis, I want not a sound out of you” is similar to how Barok used to shut Ryunosuke down.

I don’t know about you, but in my mind I can clearly hear the song performed by the characters... ah, if only I could make animatics.

[whats-a-reading]

Okay, okay okay

more on the (barok) van zieks and stronghart roleswap

Except I somehow get rid of stronghart's bodycount entirely, and he ends up the figurehead, as, under his tenure there is "law and order" and "crime is reduced", which are the funnest dogwhistles for "jesus christ, extrajudicial killings [EJKs] are happening right there mr leader sir do you not give a shit" (no, he does not, he likes it while being vaguely concerned that the perpetrator of this shit would usurp him)

So... what exactly do I fix here versus my other setup? Well, no professor AU

And by that, I mean... the professor figure doesn't come to exist. Klint's sloppiness isn't caught by stronghart, hence no manipulation and obviously traceable murder spree. Instead, he's caught (either after the first or the second time) by his brother, who... honestly... he had his suspicions. I mean he fucking said "my brother couldn't be the professor, he wouldn't have killed someone he respects! (3rd guy)" as opposed to kazuma's more reasonable sounding "my father wouldn't have killed a man (periodt)" And all that says is van Zieks fully believed his brother was fully capable of murdering people he didn't like/respect... when you have that sort of opinion of someone, you'd probably walk on eggshells around them

Anyway, van Zieks's moral compass vs his love for his brother, FIGHT (honestly, I feel like it's a coin toss with the circumstances of him finding out about the murder being integral, but let's say in this verse it goes in favor of the latter). And so, he'd cover up his brother's crimes and attempt to prevent him getting caught. Ideologically, I doubt he'd be able to convince klint, so rip on that front. The Reaper that ends up emerging later would be a compromise. Something like "Okay brother, let's do it my way, the legal way. And if that fails, just stay out of the damn way and don't get your hands dirty." (translated to english from victorian english) I mentioned in my other post about this au how van Zieks wouldn't agree with his brother's ideology but he'd blame himself for simply... not being capable of understanding (especially if klint's still around to keep trying to convince him to "come around")

I'm not sure if the reaper would be directly tied to the cases he himself prosecutes here... on one hand, it'd be a 5d chess game to make himself an obvious scapegoat. On the other hand, it'd get him investigated... I guess a compromise is something like "the reaper kills criminals who get away from court" because I believe in my heart, despite the lack of proof, that there are other prosecutors in london

Why does he keep doing it the whole time? For 15-20 whole murders? Well, klint's moral compass is... very... It's very. van Zieks is damning himself by declaring himself partially responsible for his brother's well-being. Klint just really wants to see some sort of difference being made, some sort of tangible result. It's his need for quick and easy answers that's fed by desperation and the everyday of seeing the worst of humanity that ruined these two.

And so, van Zieks became the change his brother wants to see in the wo—

[howthesleeplesswander]

((HEYOOO everyone, the time has finally come! OWO 🙌💖 As promised, I'm going to start expanding my character roster by adding non-Genshin muses to this blog! I have so many muses who I'm so excited to share with all of you! 💕

Additionally, since many of my followers are Genshin-centric/feature Genshin characters, I'll be giving all the non-Genshin muses I add to this blog a Genshin!verse to allow for easier interaction with my followers and current partners! ;D

So with all that said, please welcome my first new muse! (´;ω;`)/

Kazuma Asogi from the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles has joined the roster of wanderers! ⭒✩⭒ See Kazuma's info HERE! ⭒✩⭒

If you're interested in interacting with an honor-driven lawyer with a passion for justice who will say anything he damn well pleases in front of God and everyone, please drop a like on this post for a short starter! Multimuses are free to comment if they'd like it directed at anyone specific!

Thanks so much for your time and your support! >w< ❤️))

[starrymused]

@baileyreaper​

It had been two days since Ryunosuke and Susato had left for Japan, and Kazuma found himself thinking about them again. He knew they’d be fine — even if Ryunosuke’s last sea voyage hadn’t been the most fortunate — and that he’d hear from them when they arrived. So, instead of allowing his brain to run away with silly ideas of what could happen during their journey, Kazuma turned his focus to his present and the large pile of paperwork that still required completion...

...And one that he and Lord van Zieks had been working their way through for the past hour and a half.

“We should take a break after we finish this.” He announced suddenly as he eyed the report he was working on. “Let’s get some fresh air, at least.” Because he would go stir-crazy if he had to remain within these walls for any longer than what was necessary. Looking to his mentor now, Kazuma fixed him with a look as if daring him to deny the request.

“What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?”

While he had been under the tutelage of the other prosecutor for a few months, then only known as the Masked Disciple, the two had never gotten to know each other as individuals. Did van Zieks have hobbies other than flinging wine glasses and bottles around? Kazuma was curious.

[starrymused]

Yes, this had come from a certain young man – inadvertently, ironically enough, when tongue twisters came up as part of a wider conversation. But how could Barok resist the chance to tease his protégée? Perhaps it ought to be seen a sign of ... endearment.

"Let's try a simple one:

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers; A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked; If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?"

“A simple one?! Are you mad?! You may as well have been speaking a different language!”

Tongue-twisters easily got him worked up and Kazuma could already tell he’d be frustrated with this one. Nose scrunching, he huffed, “Why does this Peter individual pick the peppers just to lose them?” Yes, that was the part he was drawing attention to because he did not want to attempt this one at all.

[starrymused]

"Kazuma, tell me, are you familiar with British tongue twisters?" he smirks.

“...Did Ryunosuke happen to share with you my... aversion to tongue twisters?” If that were the case, in the words of the British; his best friend was a cheeky so-and-so! There was no other way for Barok to know this information while smirking like that. Clearly, he knew of his hatred of anything that got him tongue-tied. Crossing his arms, Kazuma raised a brow.

“I know of a few, but I imagine you are about to generously provide me with a few you’d like me to try?” Please not the one where the woman sells seashells. Anything but that one.

[starrymused]

"Kazuma," His assistant hesitated for a moment, but he had reassured Xiang that she was permitted to speak her mind. And this was pure curiosity. "Why is it that your mentor extends his leg over the desk when he objects in court?"

There was absolutely no rhyme or reason for it as far as she knew.

"I think it’s a combination of two things: he doesn’t want to point while he’s holding his win so it doesn’t spill and he also just wants to be dramatic.” Wait, now a third theory had popped into his head! “...And maybe he doesn’t have much time for a regular exercise routine, so he does it in court?” Kazuma had no idea why he hadn’t asked the man before. It was a habit that he’d gotten used to seeing.

“Or perhaps he’s trying to draw the attention of the single ladies in the gallery? Hahahahah!” Like a mating ritual of sorts! Now, that was amusing!

[howthesleeplesswander]

Much like his partner, Kazuma had made a vow in the aftermath of all that happened. He'd spent so long hiding the truth from everyone—even those who mattered the most, those who had become his entire world after the loss of his father. To have concealed so much of his heart from the man who he'd long-ago given it to...it was perhaps his greatest shame.

Kazuma hadn't expected forgiveness. He knew he didn't deserve it. And yet, in spite of everything, Ryunosuke still stood here by his side. That was simply the sort of man Ryunosuke was: he inspired the same compassion and loyalty that he so willingly gave to others. Not only did he see the best in people, but he brought out the best in everyone lucky enough to share his vicinity.

Since the moment they met, Ryunosuke had made him a better man. Now that he'd been given a second chance, he was determined to be the man his partner believed him to be.

Such earnest words truly shook him to his core. Kazuma drew in a long breath, held it for a moment during which his eyes briefly closed; letting himself feel the swell of emotions like a wave cresting around his heart. Because he'd realized that, at some point along the way, he'd stopped allowing himself this. No longer would he bury his emotions beneath blind determination. From now on they would be a motivator; driving him forward rather than holding him back.

When dark eyes opened on a weighted exhale, no force on earth could have tempered the unabashed adoration in his gaze. "You've already done so much more for me than I could ever hope to repay, and yet you still offer more." Kazuma shook his head fondly. Truly, this world did not deserve Ryunosuke Naruhodo. "You honor me," he murmured, tender and thick with emotion. "Even when I don't deserve it. I won't squander that again. As long as you'll have me, I'll be here by your side, as well: no more secrets or lies; merely a humbled fool of a man, striving with every breath to honor you in return."

The words were another vow: a promise he would hold as long as he lived, solidified in his unwavering hold of his partner's cheeky gaze. And oh, how desperately he yearned to kiss that brilliant smile. His warm laughter filled the space between them—and, just maybe, that was a promise, too.

"Although, since you're so graciously offering your assistance, I think I may require a refresher on London's social etiquette." He tilted in that much closer, hovering right on the cusp of the proper distance to keep while in public. His voice lowered on a tease meant only for his partner's ears, "I'm rather certain that kissing you in the middle of the street would be a misstep, but I can't be sure in the face of such temptation." Nor could he be sure that he cared, in all honesty.

If Kazuma’s impressively confident stride all of a sudden coming to a stop wasn’t enough to incite hesitation in Ryunosuke’s own, then that solitary utterance of his name just as well did the trick. He should’ve been ashamed, the power that voice wielded over him: how Ryunosuke could hear those syllables roll off his partner’s tongue over and over, multiple times a day, in so many situations, and no matter what, they still hit him like a spray off the sea. Shocking, manifesting the jolt in his heart that could be defined as nothing but exhilaration . . . and perhaps a yearning for there to be more. (Coming back full circle on this one, aren’t we?)

The timbre whisking his name out into the air stalled Ryunosuke’s steps just moments before Kazuma took it upon himself to usher them off to the side. Like he was a mere boy in school again, he stood at attention, but said attention was more than just the politeness drilled into him as a child: it came from somewhere else. It came from that deep pit in his stomach where a seed had been planted what felt like ages ago, traveled up the vines that radiated warmth through every gap in his ribcage. And it blossomed there above his heart, open and exposed, wanting . . . waiting for the man who had sowed that seed to say or do anything—

Because after all this time . . . ? After all the two of them had been through and the trials they’d faced both alone and at each other’s side, Ryunosuke had decided he’d never take even another one of Kazuma’s breaths for granted. He wasn’t going to miss a thing.

So he stood there. Obediently still. Devotedly attentive. With the only break in eye contact being that occasional need to blink.

And, indeed, no surprise to anyone, Kazuma knew him better than everyone. Ryunosuke’s lips parted with that inherent urge for modesty, though far from empty and forever a genuine desire to give credit to all the people in his life who had helped him help Kazuma. (Was it odd to say that even Kazuma himself counted? After all, Ryunosuke would not have been able to offer him anything if the headstrong and stubborn man hadn’t at some point allowed it.) But Kazuma countered him before a peep escaped his mouth, leaving Ryunosuke again in silence for a few moments longer.

His fingers instinctively and responsively twitched in Kazuma’s hold, curled tighter between those warm palms as they offered an affectionate squeeze. When Ryunosuke let out an exhale, it came unsteadily . . . though he covered it with a light laugh to hide the real tremble of emotions thrumming through him. (They were standing here in public, after all; no one needed to see the poor little foreigner go weak in the knees.) 

“I’d do it all again,” Ryunosuke said unhesitatingly. “And again. As many times as I need to, in as many ways. I regret that I wasn’t able to help you sooner, Kazuma, as you have always done for me, but . . . now that it’s all come to light, now that I know—” His other hand gripped the hilt of Karuma. “I hope it’ll become easier for you to rely on others. Or at the very least me. Just as long as you want me by your side . . . I’ll be there.”

A smile became fuller on his features, though an unwavering devotion outshined everything else. “Besides, I still have plenty of growing to do myself, plenty I have yet to understand. We can help each other.” Ryunosuke inched closer, lifted his chin with an almost proud and playful air. “How does that sound to you?”

[howthesleeplesswander]

Considering he had devoted the last decade of his life to preparing to fight for the justice his father deserved, admittedly, Kazuma had expected to be entirely unprepared for what came after.

What would he do when the driving flame that had spurred him for so many years was finally quenched? The thought had crossed his mind on more than one occasion, but it was unimportant. Trivial. A question to wrangle at the appropriate time.

With that time now upon him, Kazuma found his assumption had been partially correct. Layers upon layers of unforeseen circumstances resulted in things unfolding in ways he could have never expected. For just a moment during that fateful trial's conclusion, he'd felt equally lost as he felt relieved, happy, ashamed. But no sooner had the final gavel sounded did a new fire ignite in Kazuma's chest.

It burned just as brightly as its predecessor, illuminating his only path forward: to be the hand that delivered justice to men like Lord Stronghart. At long last, his father's honor was restored, and his spirit could finally be at rest. Fighting to achieve that same peace for others would be his new purpose.

He'd been prepared to make it happen by any means necessary, just as before. So imagine his surprise when the very man he'd attempted to send to the gallows readily agreed to maintain their mentorship after the fact.

Thankfully, Kazuma wasn't one to flounder even in the most uncertain waters. A lifetime of discipline proved a powerful boon: for no matter how strained the air between himself and Lord van Zieks felt at times, Kazuma was undaunted. He poured his all into every task, no matter how menial, never satisfied until he'd exceeded expectations. Even now, after hours of sifting through the towering stack of paperwork on his desk, the scratch of his quill never faltered or slowed. The sunlight through the window dwindled in tandem with the sounds of the office's staff as they took their leave for the night, yet Kazuma's attention was astute as ever—

At least, until his mentor's voice demanded it, instead.

It was the first time either of them had disrupted the drone of pen on paper in hours. Immediately Kazuma looked up, ever prepared to be put to the task. But rather than adding to his work, Lord van Zieks bade the opposite. Strange, considering their shared relentlessness—near ceaselessness, even—towards their work.

"With all due respect, I see no reason why I should retire from my work any sooner than you from yours. I'm of the opinion that midnight oil is meant to be burned." Between his schooling and his personal studies in preparation for coming to London, countless sleepless nights had never stopped him when there was more work to be done. And there always was more work to be done.

Yet as he spoke, he flexed his hand around his quill, only noticing how stiff it had become now that he'd finally stopped. A glance at the complete darkness out the window betrayed how late the hour had gotten.

"I've no other engagements for the evening." Not to mention that he was nearing the finish line, now—the stack of paperwork was only a quarter of what it had been when he'd started. They could wait until tomorrow, technically, but there was no reason they had to. "If you must depart, however, I can finish here and lock up for the night."

@howthesleeplesswander for Kazuma !

The first case that Kazuma Asogi had taken in London had been monumental. Not to mention far over his head — very much by design of the man who had appointed a fledging prosecutor whose interests lay so dangerously close to the Reaper trial. And there was no doubt that Asogi was suffering for it now.

Apprenticing under the former Reaper of the Bailey had its benefits, certainly. The courtroom was hardly ever dull, what with the dramatics that Barok employed to capture the attention of judges and difficult-to-sway jurors.

Drowning in legalese, however, required little imagination and provided even less entertainment. And yet it was a part of the prosecutor's profession as much as the time they spent in the Old Bailey, and thus Barok pushed it mercilessly as he did every aspect of their duties. To grow into the role of the prosecutor Asogi intended to be, there was hardly room to moan and to drag his feet. And he took it well for the most part, poring over the paperwork, writing and reading and reviewing case reports cover to cover, and filing every report demanded of him, no matter how trifling Barok's request.

Barok's commendations were few and far between. Not for lack of performance on Asogi's part; it was merely the manner in which Barok had been taught when he, too, had been young and training in this merciless occupation. But the meagre praises were more than he would have offered most, should they find themselves under his tutelage. ( There had been none, until Lord Stronghart had handed Barok's first and only disciple to him, leaving him little choice but to take a nameless man under his wing. ) But, still, in the heart of Asogi's apparent flawlessness lay the very evidence of his limitations.

❛ Asogi. ‎❜

Much like his father, Kazuma was a man of action... but this Asogi was younger, less practised in his work and much less measured in his emotion. As much as Kazuma was driven by his ambition, he proved at times helpless to its whims — unable to direct it, taken over by it.

( ... they were similar, in a great many ways. Stronghart had surely known when he'd called upon Barok and delivered Asogi's fate and future into the prosecutor's hands. From the outlook of the Reaper trial, he had been counting on it. Relying on another abandoned, angry heart to deliver an innocent man to his end. Just as Barok — for all his studiousness and all his then-perceived shrewdness that he thought had been impressed upon him by the blood, sweat and tears poured into this profession — had done. )

Barok felt wearier than ever as he watched Asogi toil away at the stack of papers on his desk. His own attention was fading fast, and his quill had slowed to a feeble scratch for over the better part of an hour. Asogi, meanwhile, had shown no signs of slowing. He was near machine-like in his determination.

Still too young, still too strong-headed, to recognise that his persistence and his perseverance could be his own failing.

❛ ... you've done more than your fair share of work. It would be best to retire for the evening. We will continue in the morning. ‎❜

One must know when to rest. Barok, too, had work to put into learning his limit. When he had worked alone, there had been less need for it; he alone suffered the consequences of his at-times unreasonable doggedness.

Now, he was not alone. As much as he and Asogi struggled verbally to come to terms with it, they had to consider one another — to do more than than simply coexist. To work with one another.

Perhaps it was guilt of years past, too, that indebted Barok to the task of keeping after Asogi's health. ( Guilt that held him to the oath Genshin could not himself keep, when Barok had sent him to the gallows: to look after his beloved son. ) Nonetheless, this was his apprentice; the man was under Barok's care, whether or not he liked it.