“…”
Bernard looked at the barrage of people that were in front of them, and he stood by his previous statement– this was more of a press conference rather than a trial. He and Riley were currently sitting at a table, being bombarded by cameras and people that were waiting to pounce on them with their obviously irritating questions.
And soon, after a few more moments, Prophet joined them at the table.
“What are you doing here?” Bernard whispered.
“I’m just a decoration,” Prophet sighed as he sat on the chair provided for him,
“Just worry about your son,” Prophet then said before facing the people, “We will begin answering your questions soon. Please do know that we have the right to kick anyone that would ask any inappropriate questions, so please; I request all of you to be properly civilized.”
And soon, as the reporters were preparing their questions, the video of the accident was played on the monitors placed neatly on the hall.
“…Is this necessary?” Bernard whispered.
“Just bear with it,” Prophet shook his head, “The media will eat you and your son alive if you lose your patience.”
And soon, as the video finished playing, almost every one of the reporters raised their hands; the eagerness on their faces, as clear as day. One of the Academy’s staff then pointed at one of the reporters, who excitedly went to the center of the aisle and spoke through the microphone.
“Riley Ross, are you a part of some radical group that’s against black people?” And without even breaking his words, the reporter asked, “Since your father’s superhero name is Whiteking, are we to believe that all of these are just mere coincidences?”
What the fuck kind of question is that? Bernard thought as his fists started to tremble, but still, he let out a small but deep sigh as he pressed on his microphone,
“I’ll be the one to answer that,” Bernard said, “My name was chosen by the people. It is, in no way, relevant to the accident.”
“But still, some people think it’s not an accident at all,” the reporter insisted, “They think this was a racially motivated crime; with Mega Woman gone, they think that–“
“The only racist people I see here are those who are bringing the issue of race in the first place,” Bernard did not let the report finish talking, “If you don’t have any more sensible questions then you can return to your seat.”
“That’s–“
“Next one!”
The reporter could only shake his head as another reporter replaced him.
“This question is for Riley Ross. Do you think you are better because of your skin color?”
“My son has a skin condition! Why are you trying to bring race into the equation agai–“
“The color of my or anyone’s skin is irrelevant, Mr. Reporter.”
And before Bernard could once again go off, Riley finally turned on his mic, “My opinions of people do not rely on whether or not their melatonin levels are high or low.”
“That’s…” Not only the current reporter, but the others as well could not help but slightly take in a small breath. None of them were expecting Riley to answer the question quite… bluntly.
“Do… you have anything to say to the family of the victims?”
“No.”
“…”
“Y–“
“That’s enough. Can the next reporter please come forward?”
The reporter truly did not expect Riley to answer the questions that fast, leaving them completely confused as to how to approach him. The only thing they could do was look at each other as the next reporters pass them by.
“Riley Ross, the people think that your arrogance has grown since your father holds a high position not only in the Academy but in the entire Superhero community in general… you even declared that you will not be using any aliases.”
“That’s not a question.”
“The people say you think you can do anything because of your background, what can you say about this?”
Hearing the current reporter, Bernard could not help but furrow his eyebrows. They’re not even trying to ask questions about the accident anymore and were just trying to get a reaction from Riley and him.
Prophet was right, these people were just here to get a good scoop and didn’t even care about the victim’s family. And if Bernard’s guess is correct, then some of these reporters might even be planted by the Government themselves.
But the Government was not alone in this regard, however, as Bernard’s eyes started to scan the crowd of people. Somewhere amongst the crowd, he should also have a planted reporter of his own– that was the favor he asked for Empress. But…
…why is no one coming out yet?
“No,” Riley then once again answered the question bluntly, “I sometimes even forget that my father works in the Academy, Mr. Reporter.”
“We received information that you are diagnosed with autism. Did you feel anything when you killed Shomari?”
Bernard could not help it anymore as he stood up from his seat, but before he could say anything, Riley answered.
“No.”
And as soon as everyone heard his answer, an orchestra of gasps and shutters filled the entire stadium.
“How could you not feel anything when you just killed someone!?” The reporter then tried to amplify the situation, “How… how can there be a hero like you!?”
“It seems there is a misunderstanding here, Mr. Reporter.”
“Misunderstanding!?” The reporter slowly started to smile inside his mind, “The whole world has seen the video and it was clear that–“
“I did not kill him, Mr. Reporter.”
I got you!– The reporter thought as he tried to hide his excitement, “Is this your statement!? How do you think Shomari’s parents feel when they–“
“Their feelings are irrelevant, Mr. Reporter.”
“W… what?”
“I am the one being questioned, not them.”
Good, this is good– the reporter thought. Riley Ross was getting riled up.
“How could you do something like this!? I heard the Academy has a Potential Villain list, what do you think about that!?” The reporter’s breaths were starting to get heavier as the thought of being promoted slowly surfaced in his mind.
“I am not on the list, so I believe my opinions have no weight on the matter, Mr. Reporter.”
“You should be!”
“That is not a question,” Riley muttered, “Are you perhaps asking if I should be on the list, Mr. Reporter?”
“Yes!”
“Then, no.”
“But you just killed–“
“I did not kill Shomari,” Riley shook his head, “He…
…committed suicide.”
“!!!” This time, only gasps remained inside the auditorium as most of the reporters and cameramen were frozen in their seats; not able to move their fingers from what they just heard.
“How could you say that in front of the victim’s family!? You–“
“Enough! Next reporter!” Bernard then lightly slammed his fist on the table as he asked the staff to remove the current reporter, “This is the final reporter we would be accepting, my son is tired.”
The other reporters could not help but let out complaints. But alas, they could do nothing as they were lucky enough to even be chosen to be here– if they started to push their luck even further, then they might even end up losing their careers.
“Hello, this question is for Whiteking… or if I could address you by your real name, Bernard Ross.”
“…” Bernard just raised an eyebrow from the current reporter’s words. It would seem there really was no stopping his identity from being fully exposed to the rest of the world anymore.
“Did you think you raised your son right?” The reporter then asked, “Should someone like him really be in an Academy meant to train superheroes?”
“What do you mean someone like him?” The tone of Bernard’s voice showed no friendliness at all.
“Most of the people think it is your fault for putting a child on the spectrum in the Academy. How did he even pass the Academy in the first place if not for your influen–“
“The Academy accepts everyone,” Bernard did not let the reporter finish as he looked him straight in the eyes, “The Academy was built for the purpose of turning simple pebbles into diamonds. They are here to learn in the first place, what the fuck are you–“
“Stop.”
And before Bernard could continue, Riley suddenly raised his hand, “My father is not in any way involved in the death of Shomari, please…
…do not ask him any more questions.”