Chapter 36
"Jackalope."
Es called out to the rabbit.
"I am cooking, Es. Let me cook."
He said, gripping the frying pan, not even glancing at Es.
"002's trial is coming up. As you know, she's severely injured and I don't want to make it worse by making her move too much."
Es leaned on the doorframe, looking quite concerned.
"Okay, and?"
"Has this… ever happened before? What should I do?"
Jackalope laughed, finally looking at her, almost in a mocking manner.
"Of course this has happened before! This is a prison, Es. And… it's up to you to decide how this is handled, as long as they sing their sins to you."
Es deadpanned as soon as she heard that.
"Wow, really useful, Jackalope. That definitely solved everything."
Jackalope hummed.
"Good luck, Es."
Es rushed out, still clueless about what to do.
She should've woken up. She slept well, of course, but after hearing about the attack and the prisoner's states, she didn't think it was even worth it anymore.
Es could've woken up. Why… why didn't Jackalope wake her up? If he knew, why didn't he do something about it?
Was… were they in the…
No. Surely, that can't be right.
And even if it was, it wasn't Es' problem. No one was there to judge them.
Es just needed to figure 002's interrogation out. That was it.
Think.
What could she do to not affect her more?
"Hmm… if… if she shouldn't move too much…"
She thought aloud.
"Then…
That's it."
She got it. The perfect idea.
She ran towards that old microphone connected to the speakers.
"Hello, prisoners. This is the Warden, Es, speaking. All the prisoners, except for 002, Hanasato Minori, head to the prison's kitchen. Do not leave until told otherwise."
If she couldn't bring 002 to the interrogation, then she'd bring the interrogation to 002.
"What…?"
Minori looked at the outside of her cell, watching basically everyone walk past it, some giving her thumbs up, or concerned faces, and then Shiraishi running past with worry on her face.
And finally, she saw Es. Walking closely behind the rest, glancing at her before continuing.
She heard faint talking coming from what she assumed to be the prison's kitchen full of people.
Until suddenly, the kitchen's door opened and was quickly shut once again, this was followed by immediate footsteps.
And then, Es, who was nowhere to be seen that day, came into Minori's view.
"Hello, 002. How are you?"
Es looked at her in her visible eye.
"Es… What are you doing here..?"
Minori asked, her voice low, but not enough for Es to be able to hear.
"You shouldn't move too much, 002. That's why I figured I could come here for your interrogation."
Minori looked more confused than anything.
She looked down at the floor, then back at Es.
"Where were you… when the attack happened?"
Es was visibly taken aback by the question.
"If I had known… if I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have--
Minori interrupted her, facing her directly.
"Es. Where were you…"
"...I wasn't conscious when it happened. I don't know how, but I somehow slept through all of that."
Minori's eyes widened, she looked dumbfounded, flabbergasted even.
They both stood in place, silent.
Minori then chuckled dryly.
"Really…? You were napping… while some of us were almost getting murdered?!"
Es didn't say anything.
Minori deserved to be mad. She hadn't interfered at all with the attack.
She could've stopped it.
"Let's get it over with… the trial."
Es nodded.
"Hm… how have you been since this happened? I'm aware some prisoners have checked on you multiple times."
Minori nodded.
"Akiyama and Asahina-senpai usually come here. Akiyama feels guilt, I think…"
Guilt? For what?
Es had judged them as innocent.
008's trial hadn't come yet either.
"Hm… would you mind elaborating?"
Minori hummed, leaning back on her chair slightly.
"They're friends with her, If I remember correctly. I've seen their face whenever they enter this cell. It screams guilt."
Minori explained, with a monotone tone of voice.
"Ah… I see."
Es' gaze fell to the floor.
"I can hear her."
Minori muttered under her breath, making Es look up at her.
"Haruka. Along with others…"
"What..?"
Minori chuckled.
"Hearing her is not usual, but the others… I've been hearing them for weeks on end… it's constantly screaming and yelling in my head."
That…
That sounded a lot like what 001 had said.
Maybe… was this something everyone experienced?
"You're guilty… I hope you regret this… Do you regret what you've done?" All of these questions and… Yes! Of course I do!"
Minori was full on laughing.
"002- Minori--
"Of course I regret this… why wouldn't I? I thought it was fairly evident, right? Yet you decided I was unforgivable…"
Es nodded hesitantly.
"It is my duty as the Prison's guard. I looked at your memories through your song… You were judged as guilty because of what was shown."
"Was it really that bad?! Did you tell her about it?!"
Es shook her head.
"I cannot tell other prisoners anything that might happen in the interrogations that may be related to their crime. I've told 008 this too. No one will know unless you yourself tell them… I have no idea why 009 attacked you and the other prisoners…"
Minori let out a sigh.
"So you don't know… what Haruka means to…
Hinomori… do you really know anyone here?"
Es was taken aback by her words.
"002… I'm not--
Suddenly, the machine whirring noise could be heard from the cell.
"Huh?! I didn't think I could hear it from here…"
Jackalope entered the cell.
"Done already?"
Es looked at Minori one more time.
"Hm. Does the song extraction work here too?"
Jackalope laughed.
"Yes, of course it does."
Minori looked really confused.
"Why the hell are you talking to the rabbit?"
Jackalope yelled multiple choice words at her, as Es nudged him out.
"I AM NOT A RABBIT---
Es sighed.
"Don't call him a rabbit… please."
She recomposed herself.
"Hm…"
Minori closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry for all of this…
Prisoner 002, Minori.
Come now, sing your sins…"