Chapter 9
Mom, Dad, are you proud of your son? He's finally experiencing life in all of its joy!
"You'll be staying in here. Don't cause trouble."
The guard that apprehended me pushed me into a small cell, locked the door behind me, and left. The walls are all stone, there is no window, and there is no place to sleep or sit other than the hard stone floor. The cell is cold and the bars are colder. I hope I don't freeze to death.
"Well, this is it. My life is over."
I've had a good run. I survived in an isekai world for over 30 hours before I went to jail! I bet I did better than some people have, at least I can be proud of that.
"NO I CAN'T!"
My shout reverberated throughout the jail.
"Shut up!" I heard from another cell.
Oh right, I'm not the only one here. I bet there's murderers and violent people with tattoos and stuff like yakuza here that will kill me if I cause trouble. I should probably stay quiet.
"What do I do…"
I began to contemplate my situation and how I could get out of it. By all accounts, I haven't committed a crime. What should my defense be? "Sorry officers, but I chased that girl because she stole a store's money! What? Why does her having taken off her cloak matter? No I wasn't forcing her to undress!"
Ah, I'm screwed. I have no idea how the legal system of this world works. Do I have to do a trial by combat? What if they do something like a witch trial where I have to jump off a cliff? Oh G.o.d what if they make me show my memories and it shows what I was thinking at that time?
Calm down Kenji, it's going to be alright. Don't panic. If you panic you die and you don't want to die do you?
As I was thinking to myself, I heard the clanking of metal boots on the stone flooring near my cell.
"Prisoner, stand up. You're going to be questioned."
Ah he's talking to me.
I stood up and put my hands against the wall of my cell. I didn't want to look like I was causing trouble.
"You're coming with us."
I had handcuffs placed on me and then I was dragged into another room. Inside this room there is a wooden table with a chair on either side. This is most definitely an interrogation room.
"Sit."
I followed the guards instructions and took a seat at the closest chair.
"Wait."
Alright, I'll wait.
The guard stood at the door while I sat in the chair. I felt incredibly awkward and nervous. Please Guard-san, I haven't done anything wrong! Can't you tell by how innocent I look?
"Stop staring at me like that. You're freaking me out."
"Oh, sorry…"
I guess not everyone can tell the innocence of someone by looking at them. Such a shame.
After a few minutes of waiting, a knock came from the door.
"It's Marix. I'm here to question the prisoner."
The guard opened the door and a tall slender man emerged and sat at the table opposite to me. The man is wearing a cloak with no hood, a maroon unders.h.i.+rt, and is wearing thick gla.s.ses. The word "serious" is the most appropriate term to describe this man.
"My name is Marix. I apologize for making you wait so long. I was not expecting to have to come in to work right now."
Oh so he's lazy.
Marix pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.
"Well, time to start the questioning. First question: What is your name, occupation, and place of origin?"
"My name is Kenji. I-"
"Full name, please."
"K-Kenji Fujima. I just started working at a store owned by a man named Biar. I'm from a far away land."
"What is this land called?"
"You wouldn't know it.
"Tell me what it's called. Now."
"j.a.pan."
He began furiously writing on his sheet of paper. I was astounded
"I've heard people from j.a.pan are rare and they're almost always troublemakers, it seems like this is true."
Despite wanting to punch this guy, I heard something amazing. Other people from j.a.pan have been here before and they have a reputation. Do people that get reincarnated here start stealing things because they are left with no other option? I pity them. Hey wait I'm in jail too…
"Second question: What were you doing prior to being apprehended?"
"I was chasing someone."
More lightning speed writing. Honestly this is fairly entertaining to watch.
"Third question: Why were you chasing this person?"
"They stole from the shop I was working at so I needed to get the money back. I am a model citizen after all!"
"Answer honestly."
"That b.i.t.c.h stole the money that would be used to pay me. I wanted to catch her and beat her up."
"alright."
More fast writing but now it seemed a little slowed down. I hope Marix hasn't also formed a bad opinion of me.
"Fourth question: Why did you tell the girl to begin stripping?"
"I DID NOT!"
"Be honest. Were you trying to do adult things to her?"
I hate this man I hate this man I hate this man I hate this man.
"I only told her to take off her cloak because I wanted to see what she looked like! I had no ulterior motives whatsoever! I promise!"
With a pained expression, Marix looked back down at his paper and began writing some more.
"Fifth question: Did you plan on s.e.xually a.s.saulting the girl?"
"NO!"
"Be honest."
Marix's icy cold glare told me that I am on my last rope. I don't know how, but it seems like this man can tell when someone isn't being entirely truthful.
"I-I didn't plan on s.e.xually a.s.saulting her! We were a guy and a girl alone in a back alley and she was saying all these things to a guy like me. Come on we don't really get too many opportunities to be alone in a back alley with a girl! Especially if the girl is acknowledging our presence! Come on Marix you understand where I'm coming from right? If something happened then something happened! That's all!"
Oh I just started running my mouth. Marix please stop staring at me like that, I don't think my heart can take it.
"alright. I... um… alright."
Marix began writing on his paper once more.
We sat in silence for a little while after that.
"S-sixth question: Is there anyone that can vouch for you?"
Oh thank goodness.
"Yes! The shopkeeper of the store I talked about, Biar-san. He was at the store when it was robbed too! He can vouch for me!"
"Hmm, very well. I will go contact this 'Biar-san.' In the meantime you will return to your cell. Don't cause trouble."
Marix left the room and I was escorted back to my cell by the guard. I stepped back into my cage and heard the door lock behind me. I will be here for the foreseeable future.
"Well… I might as well do my exercises while I'm here."
I began doing my routine. Planks, situps, crunches, push ups, etc.
It was probably around eight P.M. when I heard the stepping of metal boots once more.
"Alright, come on. You've caused enough problems today Tunne."
"Hehe, alright alright. I'll be released tomorrow so I'll just have to sleep inside tonight! Teehee~."
A gross looking man with one eye sticking out and a hunched back was led to my cell.
Hey wait, why are you taking him to my cell? Please don't make me share a cell with this guy, he looks so gross. Oh no he smells so bad. He smells like sulfur and as.h.!.+ Go away!
"You're going to be sharing a cell so don't cause any problems, alright?"
"Hehe, alright alright. I promise to be good. Hehe"
Oh please no.
The cell door was opened and the disgusting man that was apparently named Tunne was escorted into my cell. His handcuffs were removed and the guard exited the cell and locked it behind himself.
Well this is awkward. My second night in an isekai world and I'm spending it with a freaky guy.
We sat in silence for a little while before the man finally spoke.
"Hi there, my name is Tunne. Most people just call me Tun-chan. I only let cuties call me that though! I don't mind letting you call me that!"
"Please leave me alone."
"How cold! Come on young man!"
The man named Tunne started getting closer to me.
"Someone help me!"
"n.o.body is coming for you now! Give me a smooch!"
"Nooooo-!
"Oi, Tunne, knock that out. The prisoner is being released."
"Fooey."
I wrestled myself away from the disgusting man and got to the door. The guard opened it and I saw two familiar figures.
"Are you alright Kenji-kun? We heard about what happened."
"Oh goodness Kenji-kun. I hope you're alright!"
I got on my knees and clung to my saviors. It seems that I've started crying.
"Biar-sama, Reese-sama! Thank you so much! Thank goodness!"
"aah, it's good to see that you're alright!"
Biar gave me a pained smile as he reluctantly patted my shoulder. Truly I have met angels.
I was escorted out of the jail by the guard that arrested me.
"I apologize for acting so hastily. It's my fault that the true criminal got away."
"YOU'RE d.a.m.n RIGHT IT IS! YOU SHOULD RESIGN!"
I was pulled back by Biar and Reese.
"Ah, thank you for your hard work, officer! Keep up the good work!"
Biar and Reese led me back to Ania's home.
"We're glad you're alright Kenji-kun. Chasing that thief was very… brave of you. They took the accomplices into custody so the thief should be found soon. Good work today. See you tomorrow!"
With that, Biar and Reese went home. I entered Ania's home and knocked on the door to be let inside. After a moment, the door opened and I saw Ania with an angry expression.
"Let me guess... You got arrested?"
"It wasn't my fault, Anisama."
Ania looked to be considering the situation and then let out a big sigh.
"Whatever, just come eat dinner and go to bed."
"Yes ma'am."
I entered the house and heard the door close behind me.