JUSTICE

Release Date

Feb 26, 2021

Writer

Kazuya Konomoto

Illustrator

Baku Kinoshita

Episode guide
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-	Audio Drama 7.8

JUSTICE is an Odd Taxi short story, originally published in Quick Japan Vol.154. It is the prequel to the audio drama episode 7.8: JUSTICE part.2. The short story has been made public on May 23, 2021, on Quick Japan's website after the release of the audio drama episode.

Synopsis[]

The short story describes the first run in between Odokawa and the Daimon brothers, Koshiro and Kenshiro Daimon.

Characters[]

Translation[]

Odokawa. 41 year old. Taxi driver. An eccentric and quiet person who doesn't open up to others. He has a serious and compassionate side. His hobbies include listening to rakugo before going to bed and listening to the radio while working.

Inside the taxi
One summer evening. Odokawa is waiting in front of the traffic lights with his chin on the steering wheel. He's watching the pedestrians passing in front of him. Boar, sheep, sheep. Cat, kangaroo, sheep. Giraffe, sheep. Macaque, sheep. Hyena, sheep, sheep. Odokawa lets out a big yawn. A short honk. The traffic lights have turned green before he knows it. He drives off in a hurry. Odokawa takes a look in his rear-view mirror. An elegant looking rabbit lady is driving a compact car behind him. She looks forward with an understanding look, as if to say "It's okay. Anyone could be absent-minded. Me too, of course. Don't feel offended. Let's be careful with each other." Nobody sees Odokawa bow in apology.

On the road
A two-lane expressway with 60km/h maximum speed. Odokawa is driving around in his taxi. The "Empty" sign is shown in red on the taxi display.

Inside the taxi
Odokawa is driving on the left lane. About 100 meters ahead a navy blue minivan rushed out violently from a coin parking lot on the left. A surprised goat bypasser drops their parasol, and a university student-type red panda looks back to the speeding van. After looking at them sideways, Odokawa returns his sights on the road, and is caught by surprise. The taxi makes a sudden brake and stops. Odokawa's right foot is on the brake pedal. In front of his taxi a meerkat in a shirt and rough denim pants stands with his arms outstretched. The meerkat gives Odokawa a glare and walks steadfastly to the backseat door. He knocks several times on the window. Confused, Odokawa opens the backseat door. "Follow that minivan." says the meerkat as he is boarding the taxi.

Odokawa		Don't you look great.

When looking back, the meerkat shows Odokawa something like a notebook. There's a name under the ID picture. It reads Daimon.

Daimon		I'm feeling great. After all, it's because I'm the police!
Odokawa		The police are great?
Daimon		They are. Especially working off-duty like this.
		Protecting the safety of you people. It's fine, quickly follow that van.

In front of them, the blue minivan passes two traffic lights, before putting on the right turn signal. Odokawa has no choice but to pull out the taxi. He activates the meter. The word "Occupied" lights up on the display.

Daimon		Listen, follow them without letting them get away.
		This is an art of love. Keep an ideal distance like in a successful relationship. You have to be subtle.

Odokawa looks in the rear-view mirror, wondering what he is talking about. Daimon proudly raises his glasses with his right hand.

Daimon		And by the way, I won't be paying for the fees. You can turn off the meter.
Odokawa		You're kidding.
Daimon		It's natural.
		Cooperating with the police is considered a contribution to the community. Hm, like…, like…, if this is the Shinkansen instead of a taxi, would you expect me to go to stand in line at the ticket office? Am I not chasing a criminal?
Odokawa		You're disgusting.

On the road
A sedan is sandwiched between the blue minivan and Odokawa's taxi, with a constant distance between them.

Inside the taxi
Odokawa		Who are you chasing?

Odokawa looks back and asks the question, while waiting for a traffic light. He looks at Daimon's clothes. A crappy T-shirt with English written on it. It spells out "JUSTICE". Daimon shows Odokawa a picture on his smartphone.

Daimon		This man.

The picture shows a gelada baboon man in his mid-30s.

Odokawa		Is he a bad guy?
Daimon		He's really, really bad.
		He's a ruthless criminal who will do anything for money. He's called Dobu. The police are always after this guy.
Odokawa		Is Dobu the guy driving that van?

He looks at the blue minivan in front. The traffic light turns green and the car starts moving.

Daimon		I don't know.
		However, that vehicle is often witnessed at Dobu's crime scenes. I was looking into it with persistent door-to-door investigation. It's amazing.
Odokawa		Amazing. You're enthusiastic about work even though it's your day off.
Daimon		Right? I was trying to go to a tonkatsu shop near that coin parking lot.
		But I forgot my stomach pills that I always take. They have to be taken before meals, so I should go back to my dorm. While thinking that I don't like them because they are bitter, I remembered the saying, "Good medicine tastes bitter in the mouth". I was thinking whether "in the mouth" is necessary, and whether just "Good medicine tastes bitter" is wrong? Then suddenly that minivan suddenly appeared.

The blue minivan puts on the right turn signal. Daimon's belly grumbles.

Odokawa		Hey, it's turning right. Can you see their face?
Daimon		Too bad, I have bad eyesight.
Odokawa		You're wearing glasses.
Daimon		They're not the right strength.
Odokawa		Go to an optician. There's one in front of the tonkatsu shop.
Daimon		Hey, taxi driver.
Odokawa		It's Odokawa.
Daimon		Odokawa, could you look at his face?

The blue minivan gradually drives up the intersection before turning. Odokawa's taxi is stuck behind one car. The on-coming traffic is interrupted and the blue minivan accelerates. In front of the pedestrian crossing the driver looks right to check for traffic. Odokawa squints to look at his face. It's completely dark outside. The driver's face is fully covered by a black raincoat.

Daimon		How is it? Did you see him? Dobu?
Odokawa		I couldn't see him very well, but I don't think it's Dobu.
Daimon		I see. Then it must be Dobu's henchmen. He must've hired the pathetic pawn with money.
Odokawa		What are you going to do? Will you keep following him like this?
Daimon		Ah, I want to find out their hideout.
Odokawa		Are you serious? I want to go home… Call for backup.
Daimon		I don't want to say this, Odokawa,
		but I have a theory the police can't be trusted. It's strange. I can't seem to catch Dobu who has commited so many crimes.
Odokawa		Does that mean there is collusion?
Daimon		It's irritating, damn it…! It's just irritating, annoying, frustrating, vexing…!
Odokawa		Just sort out your words.
Daimon		That's why I want to catch evil with my own hands.
Odokawa		Is there anyone you can trust?
Daimon		Only one. He's the only person I can respect.
		That person is my colleague, teacher, councillor, and alter ego.
Odokawa		Have him help you out.
Daimon		He's amazing. He has never been defeated.
Daimon		Like a prophet he guides me to my future. But I can't rely on him forever. I want to stand on my own, and be recognized by that person.
Odokawa		In this case you shouldn't say such things.
		Generally speaking, I don't trust anyone who has never been defeated. Something like an undefeated boxer who doesn't understand foreign rules sounds fishy to me.
Daimon		What do you mean? Someone like Mayweather is great.
Odokawa		Mayweather is great, but the one who loses to Mayweather is more believable.

On the road
Odokawa keeps following from a certain distance. He's been driving for over an hour.

Inside the taxi
Daimon		There's some spare time. You can turn on the radio.

Odokawa turns on the radio. The sound of the comedy duo Homosapiens can be heard from the speakers.

Baba		"I've had a lot of free time lately,
		so I'm wondering whether I could train any new special skills."
Shibagaki		"That's good."
Baba		"Whether it's something like sculpting,…"
Shibagaki		"That's not good. That looks like it's going to lead to more work."
Baba		"What would be interesting to use?"
Shibagaki		"Honestly, if you do a 180 from being a comedian, well…"
Baba		"Give me an example?"
Shibagaki		"Just don't carve."
Baba		"That doesn't make any sense. I'd just continue my life as usual."
Shibagaki		"Do you carve wood?"
Baba		"That should be easy. Novices start with wood."
Shibagaki		"What if you cut stone?"
Baba		"It's hard to cut stone, isn't it?"
Shibagaki		"It's complicated with two materials and two destructions."

On the road
The blue minivan turns into the parking lot of a condo.

Inside the taxi
Odokawa		Hey, they went inside.
Daimon		Pull over…!

The taxi stops by the roadside. Daimon grabs the door handle.

Odokawa		Are you going out?
Daimon		Ah, sorry, but please wait here. If I don't come back after 30 minutes,… call the police.
Odokawa		…Be careful.

When leaving the car, Daimon says:

Daimon		Well, I can't afford to lose.
		As long as people are suffering, justice must prevail in the name of the law. No matter whether it's fishy or not. That's why I won't be defeated. Because I'm the police, no matter how you look at it!

Daimon heads towards the condo. PUNPEE is playing from the stereo. Daimon disappears inside. Odokawa opens the window a little. The smell of the sea makes him frown and he immediately closes it again. He leans over his seat and yawns. From his blurred vision, he can see Daimon towards him. Daimon opens the backseat door and enters silently. Odokawa looks back.

Odokawa		You're fast. How was it?
Daimon		Ah. No problem at all.

Daimon rubs his sleepy eyes. Odokawa feels uncomfortable.

Odokawa		…No problem at all?
Daimon?		I'm saying it's no problem.

Daimon proceeds to put 10,000 yen on the dashboard.

Daimon?		Mr. Hardworker, you can go home already.
Odokawa		I thought you said I couldn't charge you?
Daimon?		It's a cooperation fee. Forget what happened today. The name of that person, and the address.

Their eyes meet. With a sharp gaze, Daimon got out of the car. He closes the door with force. Odokawa moves his car, turns the steering wheel, and returns to the road he came from. The headlights illuminate Daimon for a moment. Odokawa can see the letters on the shirt. JUSTICE.

On the road
Odokawa's taxi is driving around.

Inside the taxi
Odokawa notices something and stops the car. A meerkat in black raincoat who was walking on the sidewalk stops. His face is illuminated by the streetlights and his glasses shine. Odokawa opens the backseat door.

Odokawa		Get in.

On the road
Odokawa's taxi is driving around.

Inside the taxi
Daimon		As expected from the person I admire.
		He had already found Dobu's hideout and was ahead of the game. I knew he was an enemy.
Odokawa		That person, is it your older brother?
Daimon		You got it. He's my twin.
Daimon		Furthermore, what kind of twins do you think? Identical ones, I'm telling you.
Odokawa		So, you left it to your brother and went home?
Daimon		Indeed. It was getting confusing for me.
		My brother will do the rest. But he was there. He's always ahead of me. But you know, I was praised. I've done a something good. Ehehe.
Odokawa		What happened to your clothes?
Daimon		It's going to rain, so I put it on and changed my clothes.
		We've done this since we were kids. Putting on costumes, it brings out the hero in me. Because justice looks good on you.
Odokawa		It's good to have trust, but not good to trust blindly, isn't it?
Odokawa		It's been on the radio for a while, that we don't have to worry about rain.
Daimon		Ah!

Daimon remembers something.

Daimon		I don't have any money. Only enough for tonkatsu.
Odokawa		It's already taken care of. I received money from your brother.
Daimon		Eh? Really?
Odokawa		I wished your brother would have also taken a taxi home.
		That heavy-handed, and really fishy brother of yours.
Daimon		My brother doesn't like taxis.
Daimon looks out the window to a factory in the distance.

On the road
Odokawa's taxi stops near the coin parking lot where he met Daimon.

Inside the taxi
Daimon		Sorry.
Odokawa		The tonkatsu shop. I hope it's open.

It's around 21:00. The backseat door opens.

Daimon		I don't think we'll meet anymore.
Odokawa		I don't want to see you except to renew my license.
Daimon		Watch out for accidents. And…

Daimon gets out of the car, with his hands on the door he stares at Odokawa.

Daimon		Don't go bad-mouthing my brother. He's amazing.

At that moment heavy rain hits the windshield. A zebra and an alligator that are walking through the city begin to sprint to their destination. Odokawa looks surprised.

Daimon		Ok?

Daimon walks to the tonkatsu shop wearing a raincoat hood. Odokawa moves the wiper to depart. There's a short honk, and the taxi drives away.