Scene 1 — The Game Had Already Begun
You could hear footsteps echoing behind us...
Those were the tribunal officials.
There I was, standing before the bench.
And in front of the judge—Caden.
In the Supreme Court of the city.
I already knew what I had to say.
Everything was prepared from the very beginning.
All we had to do now... was play the game.
A few hours earlier — Before the court hearing
The headmistress was dragging me by the arm, nearly yanking it off, heading toward the exit.
Headmistress (angry):
"Why did you go in there, huh? That place had nothing to do with you! Do you want to die?"
Nova (cold):
"No, but you're the one yelling at me. That girl almost killed Leila."
Headmistress (gritting her teeth):
"This doesn't concern you. Go back to your class. If you keep being this stubborn and ignore me—I'll expel you!"
Nova (without blinking):
"Seriously? Then go ahead, do it. My dear aunt."
Nova turned her back and walked away—
Leaving her aunt screaming her name behind her. Scene 2 — Back to Reality: The Trial Continues
Nova (calmly):
"After arguing with my aunt, I left in anger."
Lawyer (nodding):
"Very well. You said you stayed with a friend that night, correct?"
Nova:
"Yes. I took refuge at my friend Emma's place that evening. I didn't know what was going to happen..."
✧ Flashback: Emma's Apartment ✧
Emma (laughing):
"So what you're telling me is... you're basically homeless now?"
Nova (coldly):
"Out of everything I told you… all you focus on is the fact my aunt threw me out?"
Scene 3 — The Final Question
Nova (her voice trembling, eyes moist):
"Emma and I decided to watch a movie that night…
But right after the film, my phone rang.
It was our neighbors…"
(She clenched her fists. Her chest tightened.)
Lawyer (gently):
"To avoid making this harder than it already is, I'll only ask one last question.
You previously stated that you saw Mr. Caden—who is present here—in your home that night.
And according to you, he's the killer because he had blood on his hands.
But Mr. Caden has an alibi.
He claims he was at the airport picking up his girlfriend.
And that girlfriend… has already testified under oath.
Now it's your turn.
Tell us…
Was it truly Mr. Caden that you saw that night—
or someone else?"
A heavy silence fell upon the courtroom.
All eyes were fixed on Nova.
Then—
suddenly—
she opened her mouth, and what came out left everyone stunned.
Nova (quietly):
"The person I saw that night was..."