Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

Sakura Yuna's death, after weeks of public discussion, has become a hot topic of conversation in Tokyo.

Convenience store manager Kenichi Nakajima successfully used the media to portray himself as a good person who indirectly caused the tragedy.

The deceased, Sakura Yuna, was deliberately portrayed by the public as a girl who may have indeed engaged in inappropriate behavior.

The opinions and views of ordinary citizens are like a blank sheet of paper, left to be colored and modified by various media outlets.

In short, Kenichi Nakajima now enjoys a very positive image in the eyes of others, and some people have even spontaneously defended him.

Therefore, when Masashi Akiyama and Rio Arimura, acting as the legal representatives of the deceased Yuna Sakura, formally filed a criminal incidental civil lawsuit against Kenichi Nakajima, accusing him of crimes such as forced indecency, illegal detention, and false accusation, and seeking to hold him responsible for Yuna's death.

For ordinary people, this is tantamount to dropping a bomb on a seemingly calm lake, instantly stirring up huge waves.

On the day of the trial, the Tokyo District Court was packed with media who had come to hear the news.

When Masashi Akiyama and Rio Arimura appeared at the bottom of the steps, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, and flashbulbs flashed wildly in front of the two.

"Attorney Akiyama! Are you representing the deceased this time simply to gain fame?"

"There are rumors that you received exorbitant legal fees from the deceased's family. Is that true?"

"Manager Nakajima has already publicly apologized and reflected on his actions. Isn't it too cold-blooded of you to insist on litigation?"

"You became famous for defending Suzuki-sensei before, are you trying to replicate that success this time?"

"What is your response to criticisms of exploiting victimhood for publicity?"

Sharp, biased questions rained down on Masashi Akiyama.

People seem to have come to believe that Masashi Akiyama is an opportunist who uses tragedy to gain fame and fortune, completely forgetting that just weeks ago he was being adored by the media.

Rio Arimura turned pale with anger, her fingers gripping the briefcase strap tightly, almost unable to hold back her retort.

Just then, Masashi Akiyama gently pressed down on her arm.

He stopped and stood in the middle of the steps, his gaze calmly sweeping over the throng of people and the flashing cameras below.

"Gentlemen," he said, "the courtroom is a place where evidence is presented, where right and wrong are determined. All questions, all accusations, and all the truth will be revealed there."

"As for your judgments at this moment, let's wait until the trial concludes and everything settles down. At that time, perhaps..."

Masashi Akiyama's gaze swept over the few unfamiliar faces who were shouting the loudest. "Some people need to rethink how to take responsibility for their words."

After saying that, he ignored all further questions, turned slightly to the side to signal Rio Arimura to follow, and then, with the assistance of the bailiffs, calmly parted the crowd and strode toward the solemn courthouse gates.

Until Masashi Akiyama's figure disappeared through the gate, the group of reporters, who had fallen silent at some point, suddenly murmured something.

"That guy is too arrogant..."

The courtroom was packed with people, including a few of Yuna's former classmates and citizens who were interested in the case, as well as reporters from various media outlets and a few middle-aged men and women with inscrutable expressions and well-dressed.

In the dock, Kenichi Nakajima wore a neatly pressed dark suit, his hair was combed meticulously, and he occasionally whispered to his defense lawyer.

Fifteen minutes later, the presiding judge announced the start of the court session.

Masashi Akiyama stood up and began his statement as the plaintiff.

Instead of rushing to release the decisive audio evidence, he started with basic facts such as Sakura Yuna's part-time job, daily work performance, and interpersonal relationships, gradually building up the image of a quiet, hardworking high school girl with no bad behavior.

He then requested that the defendant, Kenichi Nakajima, be cross-examined.

After receiving permission, Masashi Akiyama walked to the witness stand.

He didn't ask a question immediately, but instead looked at Kenichi Nakajima quietly for two seconds.

Kenichi Nakajima recognized him as the reporter Takahashi, but now was not the time to question him. He looked directly into Masashi Akiyama's eyes and gave him a mocking smile.

"Witness Nakajima," Masashi Akiyama began, "you mentioned in your statement that you felt deep guilt and remorse after Yuna Sakura's death, and that you believed you handled things improperly, is that right?"

"Yes." Kenjiro Nakajima nodded, his expression somber. "I deeply regret it. If I had paid more attention to my communication style back then, perhaps..."

"What specific aspect of your handling of the situation do you regret?" Masashi Akiyama interrupted him, continuing to ask.

Kenjima paused for a moment, then said, "I... I shouldn't have suspected her so directly when I discovered the missing items, putting her under pressure. Perhaps I should have asked her privately first, or tried a more tactful approach..."

"So, you admit that you directly suspected Sakura Yuna when the missing goods were discovered, and that this put pressure on her, right?"

"I...I was just doing my job, asking the staff on duty..." Ken Nakajima initially sensed something was wrong and tried to steer the conversation back to the content of his duties.

"Was it merely an inquiry?" Masashi Akiyama pressed, his words growing increasingly rapid. "According to the testimonies of other convenience store employees, you called her into your office alone for questioning. Why alone? Why the office, and not in an open checkout area or other public space?"

"Because... I didn't want to embarrass her in front of the other employees and customers."

Kenichi Nakajima breathed a sigh of relief after answering. So far, everything with Masashi Akiyama had put him in a good position. All the questions Akiyama asked were answers he had practiced many times.

"Oh? To avoid embarrassing her?" Masashi Akiyama raised an eyebrow slightly. "So, you chose a more private space, completely isolated from the outside world, without surveillance, and one you personally locked the door in, to discuss something that might embarrass her? Witness Nakajima, don't you think this logic itself is a bit... intriguing?"

"I...I didn't lock the door!" Kenichi Nakajima's expression changed slightly, and his voice suddenly rose.

"No?" Akiyama Masashi looked directly at him. "But according to our investigation, the lock on your office door is a common one-way lock cylinder, which can be locked from the inside. And according to Sakura Yuna's description to her friend before her death, she remembered very clearly that the door was locked. She couldn't open it and was very scared."

"She's talking nonsense! She must have misremembered because she was nervous! Or the door is just stuck!" Kenichi Nakajima's breathing became rapid, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

From the moment he began speaking, the questions Masashi Akiyama asked were unlike any of the lawyer interrogations he had ever rehearsed.

This damn lawyer didn't even bother to question whether Sakura Yuna had stolen anything; instead, he started focusing on terms like "alone" and "enclosed space."

Damn it! Kenichi Nakajima thought, are these words really that important?!

"Nervous? Did you misremember?" Masashi Akiyama repeated Kenichi Nakajima's words.

"A seventeen-year-old girl, called into a windowless, unmonitored room with the door closed, and questioned about whether she stole something. Isn't it reasonable for her to feel nervous and even misremember some details? Doesn't this just prove that the environment you chose to avoid embarrassing her is itself enough to cause immense psychological pressure and fear?"