Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

"Cheers!"

The clinking of stemmed glasses produced a crisp sound, and the amber-colored champagne swirled gently within, reflecting off the exquisitely cut crystal chandeliers on the ceiling, shattering into countless leaping points of light.

Murakami's initial fear that Akiyama Masashi would be deliberately harassed by Ando Shinji did not materialize.

After all, the other party was a high-ranking official in the Metropolitan Police Department. If he were to lower himself to make things difficult for an intern lawyer, it would only make Akiyama Masashi wonder how this person had climbed to that position.

Mikoto Takagi's arrangement was indeed ingenious; their booth was separated from Shinji Ando's table only by a narrow aisle.

They were so close they could clearly hear the clinking of glasses at the next table and Fukuda Runa's charming laughter, yet they maintained just the right social distance.

Murakami absentmindedly responded to the waitress's attempts to strike up a conversation, his gaze constantly drifting behind him.

"Mr. Murakami~" The young waitress pouted her lips, which were coated with glossy lip gloss, and tapped his arm lightly with her fingertip.

"Why are you looking over there? Could it be... that you're also captivated by Ms. Fukuda?"

Her tone carried a hint of coquettish complaint.

"Me?" Murakami Itsuki quickly waved his hand, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Akiyama Masashi.

He was stunned when he saw it.

Masashi Akiyama, who always appeared aloof and taciturn in the office, was now chatting happily with the waitress beside him.

He tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and occasionally whispered something, making the other person cover their mouth and chuckle softly, a faint blush rising to their cheeks, and even their eyes sparkling.

That brat!

Murakami tilted his head back and drank the champagne in his glass in one gulp.

The icy liquid slid down my throat, but it couldn't quell the anxiety in my heart.

He was worried sick about Akiyama, but this guy was flirting with girls in a place like this?

Masashi Akiyama, who was being secretly mocked by Itsuki Murakami, was currently focused on using emotional manipulation.

He discovered that this ability was far more practical than he had imagined. Not only could it be used to get people to talk, but even in situations like this, if he wanted, perfectly timed compliments, thoughtful concern, and suggestive yet tasteful jokes would flow from his lips as naturally as breathing.

Ayaka Miura, the waitress who looked to be no more than twenty years old, had clearly let her guard down around him.

She smiled slightly, almost pressing herself into his arms, her warm breath mingling with the sweet aftertaste of his perfume, lingering around her nose.

"Hey, Akiyama-san~"

Ayaka Miura leaned closer, her soft body pressed against him, her fair skin gleaming like porcelain in the dim light beneath the deep V-neck black lace.

She reached out and pulled Akiyama's face close to her chest, her warm breath brushing against his ear, her voice low:

"Regarding Ms. Fukuda... I know a big secret."

Akiyama obediently lowered his head, his lips inadvertently brushing against the warm skin of her neck. He could feel the slight tremor of her heartbeat.

"What secret?" he asked softly, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear.

Ayaka Miura chuckled, clearly a little drunk, with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Ms. Fukuda... actually has a daughter."

Seeing that Akiyama didn't show the expected look of disgust, she bit her lower lip, and as if making up her mind, leaned closer, almost whispering in his ear:

"And besides... many of Ms. Fukuda's customers actually come for her daughter. I heard—"

She paused, then lowered her voice even further, "Ms. Fukuda's ability to maintain her top position is half due to her daughter's influence."

"Yeah?"

The person speaking was not Masashi Akiyama.

Fukuda Runa was standing behind the booth at some point.

Ayaka Miura looked up in alarm, but before she could react, a whole glass of champagne was poured over her head.

Amber liquid flowed down her carefully styled hair, her exquisitely made-up cheeks, and her slender neck, soaking the lace at her neckline and leaving dark water stains on the dark fabric.

"Fukuda Runa!"

Ayaka Miura screamed and jumped up, her voice still jarring in the noisy private room.

Champagne dripped down her hair, splashing tiny droplets on the gleaming marble floor.

"Well, this is just a little lesson for you."

Fukuda Runa bent down and approached Miura Ayaka.

She wore a deep purple satin dress today, which shimmered under the lights.

"I think I've told you this before..." Fukuda Runa's red lips parted slightly, her voice as sweet as honey, "There are some things you shouldn't say carelessly."

"you!"

Ayaka Miura wore an expression of anger and humiliation, her body trembling slightly.

But she was clearly wary of something, and in the end she just bit her lipstick-covered lips, her nails digging deep into her palms, and didn't dare to say anything more.

"What's going on?"

Shinji Ando, ​​who had just returned from the restroom, walked over with a frown.

His gaze swept over Ayaka Miura, who was soaking wet and disheveled, and finally landed on Runa Fukuda.

Fukuda Runa immediately nestled into his arms as if she had found a support, and when she looked up, she had put on a tearful expression, her long eyelashes glistening with moisture.

"Ando-san..." She pointed at Ayaka Miura, her voice trembling just the right amount, "I just heard Miura-san talking badly about me behind my back... I don't know what I did to offend her."

She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting a fragile shadow on her cheeks, making her look like a delicate flower wet with rain.

"You...you!" Miura Ayaka was trembling with anger, but she still didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Ando Shinji, and could only glare at her.

Shinji Ando nodded, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

He waved to the waiter.

"Open a champagne tower and have this lady apologize to Ms. Fukuda."

"You mean... the champagne tower?" the waiter asked hesitantly.

"Yes, a simple six-tiered setup will do." Shinji Ando said casually, "And use your best champagne, I think it's Dom Pérignon?"

The private room fell silent for a moment.

Even the background jazz music seemed to have been paused.

Dom Pérignon, the king of champagnes, is known as the "King of Champagnes".

In the wake of the bursting of the economic bubble, such extravagant spending has not been seen for a long time.

Even at the height of the bubble economy, a six-tiered champagne tower was a "legendary" spectacle that only appeared when the most elite guests were celebrating important occasions for the most prestigious guests.

Tonight, Shinji Ando is going to open a champagne tower for Runa Fukuda—

It was just to vent her anger.

"Ando-san, this is too much... How can I..." Fukuda Runa exclaimed, covering her mouth with a flattered expression.

But her gaze swept over Ayaka Miura, who was soaking wet and pale, and a smug look appeared on her face.

In that instant, a wisp of light gray flashed at the edge of Masashi Akiyama's vision.

[Fukuda Runa: What a bunch of idiots. Ando Shinji was really generous tonight. I thought I'd squeezed him dry, but there was still some left over. The thought of promising Ayakako I'd cut ties with this kind of man breaks my heart...]

Oh well, it's her own fault for going too far last time. My Ayakako was such a good girl when she was little, she always listened to her mother the most, but this time she's starting to rebel.

I'll use this stupid woman first, then make one last big profit before kicking Ando Shinji aside. Men? As long as I keep Ayakako, this cash cow, happy, what kind of man can't I have?

Shinji Ando, ​​that pig, is clearly terrible, but he always thinks he's amazing. Everyone else feels so sad after each episode.

The thought of not having to act with this pig in bed anymore... makes me want to burst out laughing.

【…】

[Can converge world lines]

[Branch 1: Poor Ayaka Miura was humiliated because of you. A responsible man wouldn't let a woman charge into battle while he hides behind, right? (Reward: Improved physical fitness: Slightly)]

[Branch 2: What can you do? After all, you're just a newbie entering the workforce. Trying to go head-to-head with high-ranking officials in the Metropolitan Police Department is like trying to fight in fencing; you have no chance of winning. You might as well just kneel down and beg for mercy. (Reward: 100,000 yen shopping voucher in Ginza)]