work needed (mikami)

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

Calmly, Mikami watched the girl get upset, listening to her speak and wipe tears away. His shadow of a smile faded away as she described getting hurt while people watched, thinking back to his own school days - how he had seen other kids going through the same thing, and how he had stood up to the bullies.

With a gentle motion, Mikami reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to her with a murmured "Here."

There was no smile there, but it was an unexpectedly kind motion for such an obviously icy man.

For a long moment, he didn't say anything, giving her a moment and thinking about what to say...and when he finally spoke again, his voice was soft, but full of conviction. "...They will be deleted. I've seen true justice for what it is for a long time...I've seen it carried out. That's why I'm so sure of what God is doing...why I'm so sure he's trying to help the righteous. He knows that it isn't enough to delete the wicked...he needs to delete the useless as well to create a truly perfect world."

[Kagumi Michiyo]

When he offered her his hankerchief, she had no choice but to accept it. She gingerly dabbed her face and bit her lip from bre'ing down into tears. " I'm sorry you of all people must see me like this, it must be so pathetic." She continued to dab her tears, but I have faith justice will be brought down on them and god will send angels to help me, god will help me, he will help all who believe."

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

"There's no shame in crying. I don't find it pathetic at all." He was being sincere - there was no scorn in his eyes. He shifted slightly on the bench so that his body was turned more towards her, leaning forward and speaking in a placating tone. Mikami had practice with this, too, being a lawyer...but also being a supporter of Kira. Since he was so serious all the time, he seemed to hold authority when he spoke...a power behind his eyes.

"...That's right - justice will come. Until then, we have to have faith and be strong. True justice will prevail soon. The righteous will be rewarded with a shining new world...and the villains of society will all be deleted."

[Kagumi Michiyo]

It wasn't until he began moving towards her that her amber eyes shot up once again to meet his dark demanding eyes. Her eyes dulled a little, " but where can I go? Until god brings down justice they will continue to hurt me." She looked nervously into his eyes, she hated her defenses so weak, but the longer her eyes locked with his the glassier her yes became," delete..." She murmured dreamily

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

"Like I said...you have to be strong. When I am in the courtroom, fighting for justice, I put a lot at stake. There are many people out there who would do anything - ANYTHING - to get their wretched freedom."

Mikami adjusted his glasses, the glint running across the glass like flames dancing across his face.

"...But I have faith in God. I know he will pass judgement on them...and so I protect myself. I go to the gym. I carry mace. If I have to, I fight injustice directly...but only in self-defense. Most of the time, just showing my faith is enough...when they know they can't scare me, they tend to leave me be."

Just looking at the man, it was easy to see that he meant what he said. The intense, serious look wasn't just because he was angry...it was defense in itself.

Of course, he never smiled anymore either.

But he merely figured there was a price to pay.

[Kagumi Michiyo]

As he continued to speak, the intent gaze fell down to her suroprisingly wrung hands. Her hair, which had been pulled out earlier to show her face, was now starting to fall back in line, a couple of clumps of hair creating a curtain between them, seperating her from the sight of reality. Part of her asked herself, why someone who was such a rousing sucess would give a lonely girl like her the time of day, sit her down and talk to her about her beliefs, and be more than willing to help. Kagumi didn't have a reason to get uo, but maybe this man, the sir prosecutor, maybe now there was a reason.

In her mind, she couldn't imagine why anyone would like to hurt a man like him. He was strong, she gave him that, but he also seemed...kinder in some way. Maybe people see that as weak hearted and stupid, she sure did not think so, but it was to each his own. He had a power behind him, maybe they felt it too as she did, she really wasn't sure. " I will find a way, by god I will find a way." She still looked at him through the clump of hair. She wasn't sure if she could join a gym to satisfy her need, nor get mace, she was flat broke. But he wanted to believe in her, so she was compelled to trust him.

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

The tiny hint of a smile returned to Mikami's lips, as if he were pleased with her answer.

She seems like a good kid. At least, she seems to have conviction. I don't like seeing the undeserving suffer...glad I could bring at least a little bit of comfort. Sort of makes me feel like I'm in school again.

"Good. That's the best thing you can do. Just find something that makes you feel secure and carry it with you. Honestly, I've never used my mace. My briefcase is heavy enough, and my arms are strong." In spite of himself, he checked his watch again, noting the time. So neurotic about it...so neat and organized in every way. Still, he had some time yet, so he fixed his sleeve before speaking again.

"...And I'll tell you what. If anyone really bothers you, and if you need help...you can come to my office. The address is on the card. Even if it's not something I can help you with directly, I don't mind listening. All right?"

...God would want me to help protect the righteous.

[Kagumi Michiyo]

For Kagumi, it was a lot more comforting to see the signs of a smile return to his lips, Her shoulders relaxed and she took a deep breath. From the corner of her eye she saw him check his watch again, was he on a tight schedule, " If I am invading upon your time sir prosecutor, I could leave." she offered meekly, " I would not want to be a burden to you."

she looked from him to the card sticking out of the pocket. He really did want to try and help her? She was just a loser from a private school who got beaten up every day, she wasnt as pretty as other girls, but she had the kind of intelligence and kindness that got her beaten up. And here she was, talking to a prosecutor, who had pushed her to her limits in a matter of minutes that would take others months to get her to do. " I have my books, but i think that is about it, and i am not that strong compared to other people, but I'll learn." she watched him fix his sleeve.

" Thank you Sir Prosecutor, you have no idea how much this means to me." she sighed, " Are you sure I wouldnt be a burden?"

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

Mikami shook his head. "I have a few minutes yet before I need to leave. You're a worthy reason to stick around until work beckons."

These were markedly kind words for him, and it caught even him off-guard. In truth, he was still an awkward little boy on the inside when it came to social situations...but he didn't feel so pressured right now. He was the authority, the mentor...the instructor. He could handle that.

When she asked him if she would be a burden, Mikami shook his head gently, speaking in a reassuring tone.

"It's no trouble at all. If I'm with a client, you're even welcome to wait at the office until I'm free. You'll be safe there - my coworkers can be idiotic sheep, but they won't chase you away if you tell them you're there to see me."

[Kagumi Michiyo]

With his conviction Kagumi looked a little surprised to finally hear those words come from somebody, im.... worth it? her eyes twinkled a bit as she looked at him,something said in his reaction that he had never done this before. It sent a smile to her face, and she saw him feel a little empowered by this, He was older, and she felt good listening to him, so this was well worth it and her amber eyes were alight with admoration, " you have no Idea," she stoo up and bowed, " I owe you a great debt sir prosecutor, one even you dont understand."

she stood to her feet humbled, whomever sir prosecutor was, he was certainly nothing less than a guardian angel, " Please sir," she said sheepishly, " if there were anything, anything i could do to repay you." she had to figure something like this came at a price, knowing what she knew, it always did.

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

It warmed the man's heart to see how much this seemed to help the girl in itself - to have someone to depend on. It really did take him back to how he used to feel at school, before the bullies began to fight him back.

When the girl stood up and bowed to him, he dipped his head in return, raven hair tumbling over his neck and shoulders as he did so.

"All I ask in return," he asserted as he straightened up again, looking her in the eyes, "is that you will have faith and be strong. Remember what I've told you. I've done well for myself, and I think that's because I have so much faith. God will help all of us who are righteous and true in the end."

He felt awkward sitting down while she was standing, so he pulled himself to his feet as well, shifting his briefcase off to his right side. "...If you need to be reassured that you aren't alone in your convictions...come to the rallies that crop up now and again. I speak at them."

[Kagumi Michiyo]

She continued listening to him with a grateful smile on her glittering face, when she stood up straight again, she had realized he had bowed back. he seemed to enjoy her, it was a first in her case, especially since she said so much in such a little time. Usually she would never have mentioned anything about that, but she felt she could trust him with these things, he understood pain and suffering more than anyone she had ever seen, and there is nothing more soothing than to have someone say they understood. It warmed her to know.

God will help all of us who are righteous and true in the end

She gave a small nod, " Yes he will, you are a good man Sir Prosecutor, I expect you will be rewarded greatly for being something like a guardian angel to kids like me." She made a note to keep her eye out for him at the kira rally. she usually didnt go, but maybe she should, just to listen to what he had to say.

[Prosecutor Mikami Teru]

Mikami was very careful never to smile where other people could see him - subconsciously, he used it as a defense mechanism, like his glasses. Even while he didn't need his glasses anymore (having long since attained corrective surgery), he wore a cosmetic pair all the same, out of habit and as another barrier against the outside world.

It was for that reason he didn't mean to smile outright when the young woman told him he would be rewarded by God....

But he did anyhow, only briefly. It was a surprisingly soft, gentle smile for such a tightly wound man, casting a bit of light over his oft-darkened face. Sort of...angelic.

"...Thank you very much...but I try not to expect anything for myself. I'm just glad when I can remind myself that I am not one of the useless people who will be judged for doing nothing."

Unfortunately, the smile faded as quickly as it had appeared, and he looked down at his watch one more time. "...I'm sorry, but I have to get back to work now. I thank you for the talk, though...it was one of the more pleasant breaks I have had as of late."

He bowed low, as if to a superior. "I wish you the best, Miss Kagumi, and I hope we meet again so that I can find you well." With that, he straightened up, turning away to walk back towards his office.

A guardian angel...I like the sound of that.


[Fin]