Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

Daiki's hair was disheveled, her coat was askew, her face was pale, and her eyes were red. Her usually domineering face was now filled with fear, humiliation, and anger.

Without even straightening her clothes, as if chased by a demon, she plunged into the cold street without looking back and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Almost at the same time that Onishi Aoi rushed out, Uchida Rieko also moved.

She walked briskly along the pre-planned route to a small park not far away.

She knew that, based on her understanding of Aoi, after such fright and humiliation, she wouldn't go home immediately, nor would she go to school. Most likely, she would find a secluded place to hide and lick her wounds.

Sure enough, the figure with tea-colored hair was curled up on the park bench.

Daiki hugged her knees, her head buried deep in her chest, her shoulders trembling violently, oblivious to the dust on the bench that had settled on her expensive cashmere coat.

Rieko Uchida walked over, her footsteps light. She sat down at the other end of the bench, without saying a word, but simply took a pack of tissues from her bag and gently placed it on the seat between them.

Aoi Onishi suddenly raised her head and glared fiercely at Rieko Uchida.

"It's you?! You've come to laugh at me?!"

"I was just passing by. Are you... alright? You look terrible."

Rieko Uchida's gaze seemingly casually swept over the right pocket of Aoi Onishi's coat.

"I don't need your fake kindness! Get out of here!" Onishi Aoi shouted, but her voice was clearly trembling with tears, making her seem outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

Rieko Uchida did not roll away.

She was silent for a few seconds, then sighed softly, a sigh that carried a strange, almost pitying quality, which further enraged Aoi Onishi.

"What do you know?! You're the kind of person who..."

Daiki wanted to say something even harsher, but suddenly choked up, and tears welled up again.

She suddenly stood up, wanting to leave this place that made her feel even more embarrassed.

The moment she stood up, the movement caused her coat to tumble.

Rieko Uchida reacted quickly, seemingly just instinctively reaching out to help her, but her fingers precisely brushed the edge of her coat pocket, hooking and probing with her fingertips.

The black, pen-shaped voice recorder slipped silently into Rieko Uchida's wide sleeve.

"Be careful," Rieko Uchida whispered, withdrawing her hand.

Oblivious to what was happening, Onishi Aoi forcefully shook off the non-existent support, glared fiercely at Uchida Rieko, wrapped her disheveled coat tightly around herself, and strode away.

Rieko Uchida sat quietly on the bench until Aoi Onishi's figure completely disappeared.

She slowly raised her hand, and the recorder slipped from her sleeve into her palm, its metal casing still retaining a trace of cold body heat.

Successful.

She gripped the recorder tightly; the cold touch spread from her fingertips, yet strangely brought a burning, comforting feeling.

She did not leave immediately.

Instead, he sat on the bench for another ten minutes to make sure that Oyahi didn't return and that no one else was paying attention before getting up.

She tossed the long-cold soy milk into the trash can, then slowly adjusted her collar before turning and walking toward the Akiyama Masashi Law Firm.

It was already past 10 a.m. when I pushed open the door of the firm.

Masashi Akiyama and Rio Arimura seemed to have just finished a discussion, with documents spread out on the table.

Seeing Rieko Uchida enter, Rio Arimura forced a smile at her: "Uchida-san, you're back? How's school...?"

Masashi Akiyama merely glanced at her, nodded, and then looked back at the documents.

Rieko Uchida walked to the desk, said nothing, but simply reached out and gently placed the black fountain pen that she had been holding tightly in her palm onto the documents that Masashi Akiyama had spread out in front of her.

"Smack."

A slight sound.

Masashi Akiyama's gaze froze, and Rio Arimura also looked over in confusion.

"This is..." Rio Arimura asked, puzzled.

"A voice recorder," Rieko Uchida replied. "It contains... the complete process of Kenichi Nakajima's attempt to molest Aoi Onishi. From luring her into the office, to locking the door, to verbal harassment and physical assault, to Aoi Onishi's retaliation, and then to her escape... it's all there."

Dead silence.

The air in the office seemed to be sucked out instantly, and even the hum of the heater disappeared.

Rio Arimura's eyes widened suddenly, her mouth slightly agape, staring in shock at the ordinary black fountain pen, then at Rieko Uchida, as if she were seeing her for the first time.

Masashi Akiyama slowly sat up straight. He didn't immediately touch the pen, but stared at Rieko Uchida through his glasses for a long time.

"Aoi Onishi?" Rio Arimura finally found her voice. "What? Aoi Onishi? Who is that? How could you... How could she..."

Rieko Uchida briefly recounted what had happened.

Rio Arimura gasped, her face turning pale then red, then pale again. She looked at Rieko Uchida with an extremely complex expression.

"you……"

Rio Arimura opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Accused of acting without authorization, exploiting others, and disregarding risks?

But the result is right in front of us; the evidence is lying quietly on the table.

Praise her courage and resourcefulness? But this method... Rio Arimura simply cannot accept evidence obtained in this way.

Finally, she asked with difficulty, "Is Aoi Onishi alright?"

"She had a handprint on her face and was terrified, but she wasn't injured otherwise," Rieko Uchida replied. "Given her personality and family background, she would keep this to herself and wouldn't make a fuss about it."

Masashi Akiyama finally reached out and picked up the recording pen.

He didn't play it immediately, but instead looked at Rieko Uchida.

"Are you aware of the risks of doing this?"

"I understand." Rieko Uchida nodded.

"What if something happens to Aoi Onishi? What if the recording fails? What if you get caught red-handed? What if Kenichi Nakajima finds out and retaliates afterward...?"

Masashi Akiyama listed out the possible consequences one by one.

"I know." Rieko Uchida nodded again, "But Yuna can't wait, public opinion can't wait, and that scumbag... doesn't deserve to enjoy himself for another day."

"You didn't tell us."

"Would you agree if I told you?" Rieko Uchida asked rhetorically, her gaze fixed on Masashi Akiyama.

Masashi Akiyama paused for two seconds, not answering the question, but instead said...

"This will not be repeated."

Rieko Uchida lowered her eyes and softly hummed in agreement.

Masashi Akiyama opened the audio file.

Just like what Rieko told about Sakura Yuna's experience that day, it was practically a 1:1 replica.

The last hurried footstep faded into the distance, and the recording stopped.

He looked at Rio Arimura and said, "Organize all the evidence and, using this recording as the core, rewrite the criminal complaint. Highlight the illegal detention and attempted forced molestation, as these are currently the most solid pieces of evidence. We can use this as a breakthrough point in Yuna Sakura's case, apply for a joint investigation, and hold her accountable for her serial crimes and the serious consequences she caused."

"Yes!" Rio Arimura perked up and immediately replied.

"Uchida-san," Masashi Akiyama said, looking at the girl who was still standing ramrod straight, "the source of this recording needs to be dealt with. As for Aoi Onishi, we must ensure she at least doesn't deny the authenticity of the recording, and doesn't accuse us of illegally obtaining evidence. Are you confident?"

"She wouldn't dare. If things get out of hand, her reputation, her father's reputation, and the reputation of her entire family will be damaged," Rieko Uchida said rather coldly. "But she probably won't be willing to testify. I can only guarantee that she won't turn around and accuse us."

Masashi Akiyama took a deep look at Rieko Uchida, who had no expression on her face. He couldn't help but sigh. It was astonishing that the girl who had been so timid when they first met had been ravaged by life to this extent.

She didn't know if it was good or bad, but the other party didn't seem to want her to judge.

"Keep things in check." In the end, he only said, "Our goal is Kenichi Nakajima, so let's not complicate matters."

"I see."

"Arimura, get the materials ready as soon as possible. Uchida-san, keep Onishi Aoi in check."

Masashi Akiyama stood up and looked at them. "This time, we're going to take the initiative. Not only will we sue, but we'll make a big enough fuss. Inform Maki that we can release some of the investigation materials we've been holding back, focusing on the possible cover-up by Kenichi Nakajima's brother, the congressman. Let's muddy the waters and put the pressure directly on whoever needs it."

"Prepare for court hearing."