Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

"Uchida-san." Masashi Akiyama interrupted her. He didn't raise his voice, but simply looked up and met Rieko Uchida's red-rimmed eyes.

Rio Arimura looked at Rieko Uchida with concern, then at Masashi Akiyama, wanting to say something but hesitating to speak.

Masashi Akiyama shook his head almost imperceptibly at her. Rio Arimura bit her lip, whispered, "I'll go make some tea," and quietly left the office, gently closing the door behind her.

Only the two of them remained inside.

"Look at me, Rieko Uchida." Masashi Akiyama slowly stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of her.

For Rieko Uchida, Masashi Akiyama was very tall, and his height always brought a sense of pressure when she got close to him. Rieko Uchida shifted her position uncomfortably, but then looked up and almost glared at him.

Masashi Akiyama asked, "Tell me, what method do you want to use? To hurt him the way he hurt Yuna? Or something more direct like violence? And then what? To become a criminal yourself, lock yourself up in prison, or worse, be killed or completely destroyed by scum like him in the process of revenge?"

His words were like a knife, dissecting Rieko Uchida's mind, which was clouded by anger and despair, revealing the bloody reality beneath.

"But...but Yuna, she..."

Rieko Uchida's tears finally broke free, and tears began to roll down her pale cheeks. Even her arm, which had been supporting her on the table, began to tremble.

"...I can't...I can't stand seeing that scumbag so smug..."

"So, you're going to abandon all the evidence we've worked so hard to obtain, give up the opportunity to use the law—the most powerful weapon—to punish him, and instead choose a method with an extremely low success rate, extremely high cost, and one that will completely distort the attention and justice that Yuna gained with her life?"

He took a step closer, bringing them even closer.

Rieko Uchida could smell the faint scent of aftershave on him and see his eyes behind his glasses.

At this moment, her usually calm eyes clearly reflected her own disheveled state.

Do you think you're the only one with anger, resentment, and the urge to destroy everything?

Masashi Akiyama continued, "Standing in court, facing those who twist the truth and distort the facts, seeing their arrogant and domineering faces, do you think I didn't want to throw the evidence directly in their faces and end all of this in the most decisive way?"

He leaned down slightly to meet Rieko Uchida's gaze. The two were very close, so close that they could feel each other's warm, rapid breaths.

"I've also thought about ending it all, but that won't work. Rieko Uchida, I'm a lawyer. The reason we don't become scoundrels and criminals is because we seek legal justice. Our battlefield is the courtroom, and our weapons are evidence and logic. Anger and impulse will only make us as pathetic as our opponents, or even lead us into their trap. What Yuna wants is not another avenger to be buried with her, but a cleansing of her name, and the justice to bring evil to justice."

"Believe me. And believe in yourself. We have irrefutable evidence. And public opinion is starting to shift. The more they use outside forces, the more it shows they are guilty and afraid. In the trial a week from now, I will bring Kenichi Nakajima to justice. He will not escape, and neither will anyone else."

Masashi Akiyama looked into Rieko Uchida's eyes and spoke softly.

"I promise."

"I promise..." Rieko Uchida murmured repeatedly, tears blurring her vision.

It was only then that she belatedly realized how ambiguous their posture was.

Masashi Akiyama had her almost trapped between the desk and his body.

At this moment, the two were so close that they could feel each other's breath brushing against their lips as the other spoke.

Rieko Uchida's cheeks flushed bright red, the blush spreading from her cheeks all the way to her ears, and even her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

"I'm so sorry!"

Rieko Uchida suddenly took several steps back, escaping from Masashi Akiyama's hold, and almost bumped into the sofa in the process.

Rieko Uchida lowered her head in a panic, wiping away her tears helplessly, unable to look at Masashi Akiyama any longer.

"I...I got too excited...I said something stupid...I'm sorry..."

Masashi Akiyama straightened up and looked at Rieko Uchida, who had regained her flustered and reserved demeanor, raising an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

"It's good that you've calmed down." He walked back to his desk and sat down. "Remember, your task is to keep Oyako in check and make sure she doesn't suddenly turn against you. Leave the rest to me."

"...Yes," Rieko Uchida replied softly.

On the fourth day of the recess, Masashi Akiyama returned to that convenience store.

He was prepared to be rejected by Kenichi Nakajima, but to his surprise, Nakajima greeted him in the rest area.

At this moment, Kenichi Nakajima was noticeably calmer, even exuding a sense of detached confidence.

"Attorney Akiyama, is there any other question? I have already made everything clear in court."

Kenichi Nakajima said calmly, "I am sorry for Sakura's misfortune, but it's probably not appropriate to put all the blame on me, the store manager who was just following the rules."

Masashi Akiyama didn't seem to mind and asked a few questions about the convenience store's daily management, employee training, and emergency response procedures, following the established procedure.

Kenichi Nakajima answered fluently, clearly having prepared carefully.

Masashi Akiyama took notes while observing.

He noticed that Kenichi Nakajima's body language was relaxed and his gaze was steady when answering these security questions.

However, whenever the topic touches on the gray areas related to personal feelings and desires, he will unconsciously straighten his back and unconsciously rub his knees with his fingers, which is a sign of defensiveness and tension.

"It seems Kenichi Nakajima's training was very effective," Masashi Akiyama thought to himself. "But a person's psychological weaknesses are often not in the places they have carefully guarded against."

After finishing his business, Masashi Akiyama closed his notebook and changed the subject as if it were a casual chat.

"Manager Nakajima has been running this store for many years, right? I heard that your younger brother, Representative Kohei Nakajima, often helped out at the store in his early years? The two brothers worked together, so they must have a very good relationship."

Upon hearing Masashi Akiyama's words, Kenichi Nakajima's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly.

Although the other party quickly regained their composure, such details did not escape Akiyama Masashi's notice.

"Ah...yes." Kenichi Nakajima replied dryly, picking up his now-cold tea and taking a sip. "Kohei...he's very capable, but he's busy with his career now and rarely comes over."

"I understand. A member of parliament must be very busy with his work." Masashi Akiyama nodded. "But having such an outstanding younger brother, Manager Nakajima must be very proud. He must have received a lot of help from him. Your brother must have been very worried about you this time."

Kenichi Nakajima tightened his grip on the teacup. He forced a smile, trying to express his agreement, but it came across as stiff and unnatural.

"Yes...yes. Kangping...he's always taken good care of me. This time...it's all thanks to him."

The emotions and tone that people unconsciously reveal cannot be faked. Even though Kenichi Nakajima tried his best to hide it, his dissatisfaction and jealousy were as eye-catching as fireflies in the dark.

I've got you.

Masashi Akiyama calmly pronounced his verdict in his heart.

Kenichi Nakajima's Achilles' heel was not in the convenience store, nor with the girls, but with his dazzling younger brother, Kohei Nakajima, who made his older brother feel oppressed and ashamed living in his shadow.

"It seems you brothers are indeed very close." Akiyama Masashi, seemingly oblivious to the other's unusual expression, stood up with a smile. "I've finished asking my questions. Sorry to bother you, Manager Nakajima."

"We'll see you in court in a week."