story_judge_1_1

I'm back.

...Luna? Are you there?

There's no response from inside the room, but Lavinia looks around and finds who she's looking for at the desk in the corner.

The table is stacked with books that have been read, and sleeping at the center of the books is the girl hunched over at the desk.

Papà...

Luna.

Hmm... Huh?

Sorry, did I wake you?

I... fell asleep?

You sure did.

I finished this book today, Lavinia.

I read the notes you wrote in it, and left my own comments too.

That's amazing. It took me a month to get through that one when I was a student, but you only took a week.

I thought I may as well study at home since I don't have a school to go to anymore.

I'm sorry... The new city still needs some time to sort out its resources, particularly education.

I'll make sure you get enrolled in a new one as soon as I can.

It's not your fault.

After what padre did, I didn't want to go to that school anymore anyway.

I should be thanking you instead, Lavinia. For taking me in.

I promised him I would. Besides, there's no way I could just watch Segretario Rubio's daughter live out on the streets.

...Actually, I don't care if I can't go back to school.

I mean, everyone already knows I'm his daughter.

...You had a long study session. You should take a break. I'll make dinner.

It's fine, I'm not tired. I'll help you out.

...Do you know why I know how to cook?

Why?

Padre used to do two things as Segretario di Sicurezza Alimentare. Walk around the markets, and cook for the famiglie.

When he cooked for the famiglie, he usually had to keep his guests company so he couldn't cook for me and mamma.

Mamma didn't like to cook, so he taught me how.

And I was usually the one who made our meals.

I used to scold padre in my head whenever I cooked.

I still do.

The kitchen knife streaks across the moist scallions as it makes contact with the chopping board.

Stupid idiot... Why did he have to do that...

Are you still unwilling to forgive him?

Does it matter? He's not coming back anyways.

...It's alright, Luna.

I'll be with you.

Sorry... I... I... don't know.

...We'll visit Famiglia Saluzzo tomorrow and put an end to this.

You are his daughter, so legally you have the right to do this.

Though I won't force you to go if you don't want to.

...I'm going.

Padre was stupid, but I'd feel bad letting the Saluzzos keep his body.

You want a proper end to this whole thing too, right?

Whatever our reasons may be, the Saluzzos still owe us an explanation.

The famous magnanimous judge of Volsinii is gracing us with a visit today?

I thought I'd find Don Alberto here.

The Don is no longer in Volsinii.

But he did expect someone to come asking for Rubio's body, so he specially instructed us to offer you our hospitality.

Though I didn't think you'd bring little Luna along.

...I've seen you before. You used to work under mio padre.

You remember me? Wonderful. Just call me Teresa.

So you're part of the Saluzzos?

Yes, and it was no secret to Rubio.

Don't worry, Signorina Lavinia. The Don emphasized that we must wrap this matter up nicely.

Do you think it's 'nice' for us to have to personally knock on your door to get Segretario Rubio's body?

How could you say that?

His death was extremely troublesome for us, you know.

Oh, my apologies, dear. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

He was a very friendly boss to work under; everyone thought so. We were all upset by his death as well.

We didn't come here to talk about this.

But Your Honor, wouldn't you agree with me?

His speech may have been quite moving, and even today I can still hear that gunshot going off.

But... it's been a while since then, and nothing has changed.

It seems to me everything's the same as ever.

The only thing that's different is a child lost her father.

Have you been well, dear?

...Lavinia takes good care of me.

Good, good to hear.

However, Her Honor is a VIP in our new city with many affairs to tend to, so I don't see her having free time to play with you.

*sigh* How callous of your father. To throw you away along with his own life, all for nothing.

You think padre died for nothing?

I don't want to lie to you.

Let's say we hand over the reins of the new city to that Bellone boy and our dear judge here. What could they possibly achieve?

Your Honor, do you truly believe you can build a city free of the famiglie?

We did not come here to debate with you, Signorina Teresa. Only to retrieve her father's body.

Of course, of course.

Bring them both to Rubio's remains.

Come with me, you two.

Don't let her get to you, Luna.

She's just trying to provoke us.

Can you really say that, Signorina?

Shouldn't you know better than anyone the weight of what she was saying?

It doesn't matter what you or Signor Leontuzzo think of your own capabilities. Your goals just seem so ridiculous.

You can't possibly think to defeat the famiglie with a slogan or two. Or do you really think Signora Sicilia likes you <i>that</i> much?

You think padre died for nothing?

I don't want to lie to you.

Let's say we hand over the reins of the new city to that Bellone boy and our dear judge here. What could they possibly achieve?

Your Honor, do you truly believe you can build a city free of the famiglie?

(Muttering) I'm sorry, Lavinia.

Of course you wouldn't understand. 'Fairness' is not a word in a mafioso's dictionary.

We may have to borrow Signora Sicilia's power for now, but we will prove to her that we won't need it forever.

Bold words, but the girl doesn't seem to agree.

Luna...

Luna?

Where is she?!

Kill some time with us, Signorina.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!

Oh, don't get the wrong idea. We didn't touch her; she left you on her own.

Our job is just to stop you from finding her.

I knew you'd be back.

My dear little Luna.

Come, let's talk. About your padre.

What are you talking about...?

Did you really think the Saluzzos would leave things be?

All of us detest the Bellones. And you. And Rubio.

So you devised this scheme to threaten me, with Luna as a hostage?

Threaten?

*tsk* *tsk* I see you still don't know us well enough, Signorina.

We know people like you. We could kill someone you love right before your eyes, and you wouldn't even consider revenge.

So more... unusual methods are required.

Our little Luna should be with Teresa by now.

You mean—

You dare—?!

Haha. Bingo, Your Honor.

I don't get it. How?

How can you talk about padre's death so lightly?

Because life and death are everyday matters for us.

One day you're telling a joke, and the next you're gone forever.

You get used to it.

I don't want to.

Then you might just join the ones who disappear for good.

That gunshot may have caused some misconceptions, and you might have thought your father died a hero.

But give it a few days, months, years—will anyone actually remember what he did?

The sound of the rain silences everything, eventually.

Lavinia said she'll remember, and some other people too. That's enough.

And you believe her?

If you really, truly do—if you don't doubt her at all... then why did you come to me?

You <i>do</i> have doubts, don't you?

Even if Rubio's wish can come true, how much time will it take?

Can you afford to wait that long?

Or perhaps I should be asking: Are you willing to wait, my dear?

I—

Let's be serious, ragazzina.

You don't actually understand what Rubio was talking about.

You don't care either. How could you, at your age?

Honestly, shouldn't the target of your hate be our dear judge instead?

She lied to you.

About being patient. That what Rubio said could come true. I mean, consider this... what if <i>she</i> was the one who made him do all that in the first place?

How much more blood will be spilled on the streets, all for our righteous lady of justice's ideals?

I won't let you talk about her that way!

But you <i>do</i> have doubts, no?

Let's make a deal then, shall we?

I'll hand over your father's corpse to Signorina Lavinia.

We only ask that you put in some nice words for us in any subsequent court hearings.

Rubio killed himself. Saluzzo had nothing to do with his suicide.

...Just how much do you have to belittle mio padre and Lavinia until you're satisfied?

Belittle? I'm just stating the facts.

I mean, do you not loathe your father for leaving you behind?

You're wrong—

I do hate him for dying on his own and leaving me behind.

But I also know I should hate you guys even more.

The famiglia who drove him to his death!!!

Luna rips her backpack open to grab her hidden crossbow, and aims it at Teresa.

Teresa meets the cold crossbow bolt with a smile.

From the very start... you planned to lure Luna into killing Teresa.

Are you people mad?! Willingly sending one of your own to die?!

Mad? Us?

To us, Rubio was the madman.

He dragged us all down for his insane, impossible fantasy.

You don't know the first thing about Segretario Rubio!

You're right, we have no idea what he was talking about. But we do know how to deal with people like you.

Relax, we have no plans to rub you out. But you better not get any ideas about finding the girl either.

Just sit tight here till it's all over, and then we can go get Teresa's body.

Why?! Is Teresa that willing to throw her life away?!

She was pretty unlucky to be Rubio's subordinate.

But when she dies, her brother and their useless father will get to live.

And she'll bring glory to the famiglia.

If everything goes nicely, little Luna may even be able to fill her shoes in future. Wouldn't that be nice?

Luna is innocent!

You had Bellone backing you in the past so we could only turn a blind eye to your antics.

But the Bellones are history now. Old Bernado's dead. So did you really think we'd just let you do as you please?

You were the main target all along.

So if you want to blame someone, Signorina, blame yourself. You shouldn't have taken her in. A truly terrible decision.

Out of my way—

*tsk* Truly a judge who strikes fear in the famiglie's hearts. Can't underestimate your combat prowess.

A shame you're here alone.

And what if she has backup?

What—?

Lavinia, are you alright?

Leon?!

Why, if it isn't Nuova Volsinii's very own celebrity, Signor Leontuzzo.

Or should I call you Representative Leontuzzo now?

Whatever you want.

How did you—

I heard you were planning to pick up Rubio's body, so I placed some people here to keep an eye out.

Go, Lavinia. I have a rough idea of what's going on, so leave it to me. The girl...

Only you can save her.

Leontuzzo. What difference does it make, you being here?

I came prepared, of course.

*tch* So Texas is here too...

Stop them!

This way.

Grazie.

The crossbow bolt nails Teresa's clothes down.

Luna's eyes are glued to her, but a smile remains on the woman's face.

Pretty good shot. You must have pictured this moment in your head so many times, huh?

Shut up.

If only you could see yourself now, my dear.

When I looked into your eyes, I just knew. You're truly one of us.

No, that's not it. Rather, is there anyone who <i>isn't</i> one of us?

Does that judge truly think she's any less base, less filthy than we are?

How much blood does she have on her hands?

And your father, what a beautiful speech he gave.

But how many deaths did he turn a blind eye to?

I don't believe it, ragazzina. What makes them think they can build a clean house with dirty hands?

Padre's hands are clean, and so are Lavinia's!

I won't let you insult them again!

Luna keeps her crossbow aimed at Teresa, but the clerk does not flinch one bit.

Insult?

I'm only stating the facts.

If you truly hate the famiglia that drove Rubio to his death...

Then this is your chance.

What's wrong, are you scared?

Is that all your feelings for your father amount to?

SHUT UP!!!

Luna, stop!

Ugh...

A sharp crossbow bolt pierces through Lavinia's shoulder.

La... vinia...?

Wh-Why...?

I... I’m sorry...

Lavinia?! What are those men doing—

Ugh...

Calm down, Luna. And put your weapon down too.

Lavinia covers her shoulder and slowly but surely approaches the girl.

Luna recoils in panic, but doesn't know where to run.

...No.

She insulted padre. She said he died for nothing.

She insulted you too. Said everything you do is meaningless.

She deserves to die, just like all the mafiosi!

People like her will be punished in the end.

But if you kill her now, everything will be over.

The books you borrowed from me, aren't you reading them because you wanted to be a person who can judge others fairly?

I know!

But, but—!

I dream of Papà every day, and I dream of that gunshot!

I don't know what to do!

I study so hard so I can forget, but I can't!

I CAN'T!!!

...Who could forget?

But the last thing your father would want is for you to act on impulse and forget what we should do, and where we should go.

He waited decades for his one and only chance.

He may not want you and I to walk the same path, but I can't just stand by and watch you stain your hands with blood.

But I can't help it. There's no way I can...

I can't wait that long...

I want everyone to know padre wasn't the kind of person they think he was...

That day will come, Luna. I promise you.

And until it does, I'll always be by your side.

Even if I'm the last person in this land to believe in your father's words. I'll keep the faith and fight for it.

Because I share the same dream.

Lavinia walks over to Luna and cradles the crying child in a tight embrace.

When you can't take it anymore, just come find me.

I'll listen to your complaints; I'll cry with you.

And when you're older, we can drink a little vino together as we complain to one another, and bear each other's troubles when we can't handle them alone.

I... Can I really?

Of course. But you must promise me you will learn patience.

You must try to hold it in against anything that angers you.

Alright?

I wanted to, I really, wanted to, but, but... I'm so..s-sorry—*sob* Waaaaah!!!!

I know, I know.

The crossbow drops to the floor, and the hands that were holding it grab onto Lavinia instead.

Tears well up once more, but this time they wash away the anger and hate.

After a long time, the crying finally stops.

Lavinia wipes away Luna's tears, and carries the unconscious Teresa out the door with the girl by her side.

As they walk, she suddenly seems to recall something, and says—

...I'm sorry, Luna.

Huh?

Whether it's me or your father, consciously or otherwise, we've been asking you to become what we want you to be.

I've met enough people to know that justice and righteousness... are not the only paths one can take.

But—

A long time ago, when I had just started working...

I was the same as you, hoping I could knock some sense into the famiglie. I wanted to let them know they can't do as they please.

Then one day, I found myself at the entrance of an alley.

If not for someone stopping me from going in, I may have died in that very alley.

That person presented me with a box containing the glove and hammer I wield now.

Back then, I thought that if I hid behind him... I might not be able to stand up for myself for the rest of my life.

So I took the weapon he gave me and walked ahead of him.

Now that I'm recalling all this, I think that's what he hoped I'd do. And he'd also hope I would do this today.

Mafiosi always treat death like it is inevitable, as merely the result of solving a problem.

This cycle of violence is how they live and survive.

Long, long ago, a bunch of people walked in the rain into an alley with no lights. They would either die in there, or come out with blood on their hands.

Then, they went further, deeper into the alley, and gradually forgot why they were there in the first place. And in the end, they saw that narrow alley as a full-width street.

Siracusa is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, even dead ends.

The people living inside the maze don't have many choices to make.

If the choice was between people like me or the famiglie, I'd rather insist on keeping you by my side.

But you don't have to become me, and I'm not hoping for that either.

I'd much rather be able to take you outside this labyrinth entirely.

What's outside of it?

Roads. Many wide open roads.