Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

When Rin Saionji dragged Kiyoshi Saionji to his door, Masashi Akiyama was still studying his newly acquired skill: Compliance Insight.

This is a passive skill that allows him to intuitively detect potential risks and hidden non-compliance points when facing corporate compliance cases.

Even without any knowledge of the industry's inner workings, he can use this skill to find a breakthrough and significantly increase his chances of winning a defense.

Just as Masashi Akiyama was basking in the joy of his new skill, a muffled argument could be heard coming from the entrance of the agency.

Outside the door, Saionji Ki, who had been forcibly dragged there by Saionji Rin, was staring at the ordinary two-story building in front of her, her brows furrowed.

"Rin, I know you mean well." His voice was full of exhaustion. "But I've already thought of every possible solution. Even the most renowned lawyers are helpless with cases like this. Not to mention this Mr. Akiyama you mentioned..."

"Just a nobody lawyer."

"They're different."

While blocking her brother's way with her body, Rin Saionji retorted in a low but stubborn voice.

"Mr. Akiyama... he's very capable."

"Rin, stop fooling around." Saionji Ki sighed helplessly.

"Brother, I don't need you to use your own money to pay for my mistakes. I just hope that Rin can live a happy life."

"No, no..."

Rin Saionji stood in front of Noriko Saionji, stubbornly shaking her head.

She repeated it over and over again.

"Mr. Akiyama... is different..."

"cold……"

Just as the Saionji siblings were at an impasse, the door to their office behind them creaked open.

"Miss Saionji?"

Masashi Akiyama stood in the doorway, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a button undone at the collar, looking as if he had just stepped away from work.

"Mr. Akiyama!"

Rin Saionji's eyes lit up, and her usual gloomy demeanor instantly dissipated.

As if she had found her pillar of support, she turned to point at her brother, Saionji Kiyoshi.

"Mr. Akiyama, this is my brother."

Saionji Kiku had her back to Akiyama Masashi and did not turn around immediately.

He looked at the unusual reaction on his sister's face.

Her eyes were bright and sparkling, and her tone even carried an unconscious dependence.

Saionji Kiichi's heart skipped a beat, and alarm bells rang.

Rin Saionji is the younger sister he raised single-handedly, and he knows better than anyone how "popular" she has been since childhood.

Some obsessive suitors were so infatuated with her that they were almost insane. It was those unbearable experiences that made Rin's personality withdrawn, and she even developed a fear and aversion to contact with strangers.

But Rin's reaction at this moment... is too strange.

The radar in Saionji Kiichi's heart called "elder brother" immediately sounded sharp.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and his face was now adorned with an impeccable social smile.

"Hello."

Saionji Kicho Akiyama Masashi extended his hand, speaking in a gentle and polite tone.

"Rin, thank you for your kindness. I am Saionji Ki, nice to meet you."

Masashi Akiyama also reached out to shake hands.

He was always patient and gentle when dealing with potential clients; this was a fundamental quality of a lawyer when dealing with Fukuzawa Yukichi.

However, the moment Saionji Kiyoshi saw Akiyama Masashi's face, she froze.

Those eyes, which had been carrying a polite smile, suddenly lit up.

He subconsciously took a step forward, unconsciously tightening his grip on Akiyama Masashi's hand, his voice filled with unbelievable excitement.

"You're the Mr. Akiyama that Rin mentioned? Akiyama Masashi... is that you?"

"That's right." Masashi Akiyama said, puzzled.

He had no recollection of Saionji Ki's appearance, so it was clear that the other person was not an old acquaintance.

Saionji Kiya realized his lapse in composure and quickly explained.

"I saw you in the newspaper. After the Fukuda case, your name was reported by major newspapers, and everyone said you were a rising star in the legal profession."

He scratched his head sheepishly, his smile now tinged with genuine apology.

"I blamed you before because I didn't understand the case and because of your 'reversal of commission'... Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't have done that."

"Brother?" Rin Saionji looked at her brother in confusion.

Saionji Ki understood her sister's look and explained.

"It was Rika...you know, she's always been very interested in all kinds of news. It was because she brought up the Fukuda case first that I took the initiative to look into it."

When the name "Rika Aiba" was mentioned, Saionji Kiyoshi's expression visibly fell.

His smile vanished like smoke blown away by the wind, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

In the reception room, Saionji Kiyoshi, as a party involved, provided a much more detailed description of the case than Saionji Rin.

Besides some basic information, he mentioned a key detail—

"Because she already has all the money, she threatened me that if I don't go through the normal divorce and property division process, she will squander all the money and leave nothing behind."

"She also borrowed money everywhere during this time, creating joint debts for the couple... That's why I'm so anxious."

Saionji Ki paused, then looked up at Akiyama Masashi.

"I consulted other lawyers. They said that my current assets are already marital property. Whether I apply for asset preservation or transfer assets through a third party, the feasibility is very small and the operation is extremely difficult."

"That's right." Masashi Akiyama nodded. "From a legal perspective, it will be very difficult to protect your assets."

Saionji Kiyoshi's shoulders slumped.

Rin Saionji's eyes instantly reddened.

Unable to contain her frustration, her voice choked with sobs.

"I'm sorry, brother... I thought... I could do it... and Mr. Akiyama... I've caused everyone trouble..."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto the hem of her tightly clenched skirt, spreading into dark water stains.

Although Saionji Ki was equally disappointed, she still mustered her spirits to comfort her sister.

"Fine, in the end it's my fault too. How could I let you and Mr. Akiyama pay the price for a piece of social scum like me..."

"etc."

Masashi Akiyama interrupted the Saionji siblings' conversation.

"Excuse me for interrupting. What I meant was—"

He paused, and then, under the bewildered gazes of the Saionji siblings, spoke clearly.

"I've decided to accept this commission."

"What?!"

"Mr. Akiyama..."

Masashi Akiyama raised his hand, indicating that they should listen to him first.

"A normal lawsuit simply won't achieve your goals. So, we need to change our approach."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Saionji Ki.

"Mr. Saionji, there's one thing I need to confirm first. Do you still have feelings for your wife, Aiba Rika? This is very important for determining the direction we should take next."

Saionji Ki remained silent.

Then, he slowly and firmly shook his head.

"very good."

Masashi Akiyama leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together on the table.

Sunlight streamed in obliquely from the window, casting interplay of light and shadow on his face.

Then, in a calm, almost cold tone, he uttered the words that left the Saionji siblings speechless.

"Then we won't file for divorce."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"We are directly suing your wife, Xiang Yelijia, for domestic violence, fraud, and illegal transfer of assets."

"Huh?"

Rin Saionji was stunned.

Saionji Kiya was stunned.

Then--

"Ehhhhhhhh--?!"