Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

"Akiyama-kun," Suzuki Maki suddenly spoke, "I know you're strong and don't need anyone's sympathy or protection, but people aren't machines; there are times when they need rest and support. If... I mean, if one day you get tired, or encounter something you can't handle on your own, you can... you can tell me. I might not be able to help, but at least I can listen to you. As a friend, or... something else."

Masashi Akiyama looked at her quietly.

Suzuki Maki's face flushed slightly with nervousness, but her eyes did not dart away.

She could feel her heart racing and her palms slightly sweaty.

This is her boldest attempt to date.

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds as the two stared at each other.

Then, Masashi Akiyama lowered his eyes slightly, avoiding her overly direct gaze, picked up his slightly cooled coffee, and took a sip.

"Thank you," he said. "However, I think I can handle it."

Maki Suzuki felt as if her heart had been gently pricked by an extremely fine needle.

Disappointment was fleeting; she quickly composed herself and put on that carefree yet slightly helpless smile again.

"Alright, alright, I knew you'd say that, Attorney Akiyama, you're invincible." She waved her hand, pretending to be relaxed, and said, "However, I'm putting this out there, it's valid for a long time, anytime."

Masashi Akiyama breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. He wasn't oblivious to Maki Suzuki's probing, nor was he completely uninterested in her.

In his eyes, Maki Suzuki is undoubtedly an outstanding woman—intelligent, resilient, knowledgeable, and sensible. She is a rare partner with whom he can communicate on an equal footing and even rely on in some aspects.

But it is precisely the preciousness and stability of this "partnership" that makes him more cautious.

Emotions are complex and uncontrollable variables. Once they get involved, they can disrupt the existing balance and bring unnecessary trouble and changes.

He dislikes unforeseen variables.

Maintaining the status quo is perhaps the best option. At least for now.

Time passed by little by little.

Winter in Tokyo, after a long period of cold, is finally coming to an end.

"Hello, Rio, the front desk is calling. A customer specifically asked to see Attorney Akiyama, saying... he has an appointment? But I can't find any record of it."

Rieko Uchida peeked out from the reception area, holding a cordless phone, looking somewhat confused.

"Specifically Attorney Akiyama? No appointment?" Rio Arimura looked up from a pile of files. "Did you clarify his name and the reason for the visit?"

"She did say that, but..." Rieko Uchida lowered her voice and said with a strange expression, "She said her name is Aya Sakurai."

"Sakurai Aya?" Rio Arimura repeated, then her eyes widened slightly.

"That...the idol singer who's really popular lately? The one who acted in 'Moonlight Beauty'?"

"It seems to be her. She was quite aggressive, asking why our office is in such a shabby place." Rieko Uchida pouted.

Aya Sakurai.

This name has indeed been appearing frequently in the entertainment headlines lately.

She debuted as a member of a large female idol group and later went solo. With her outstanding appearance, highly controversial words and deeds, and several highly talked-about film and television works, she quickly rose to the top tier. She is a typical "black-red" type with extremely high national popularity, but her reputation is severely polarized.

How could such a big star, who is in the eye of the storm, find their private law firm located in an old office building in Nerima Ward with a simple facade?

And it's even "designated"?

"Please ask her to wait a moment, I need to consult with Attorney Akiyama." Although Rio Arimura was puzzled, her professionalism made her quickly get up and head towards the inner office.

Masashi Akiyama was reviewing the details of a contract when he heard Rio Arimura's report, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Celebrity lawsuits, especially those involving such high-profile figures, typically involve extremely high levels of public attention, a complex media environment, and... difficult clients.

He didn't want to get too involved in the controversies of the entertainment industry.

"Did they say what it was about specifically?" he asked.

"No, they just said they want to see you in person to talk. It sounds... urgent."

Masashi Akiyama pondered for a moment.

Although it's troublesome, since it's a "specific request" and the other party has already come to us, we should at least listen to what it's about, both morally and logically.

Moreover, celebrity cases... legal fees are usually not low.

"Take them to the meeting room. I'll be right there."

"Yes."

When Masashi Akiyama straightened his suit jacket and pushed open the door to the meeting room, he immediately sensed a different aura.

The reception room was already small, and now it felt even more cramped.

The air was filled with a strong yet sophisticated scent of expensive perfume. A woman sat on the sofa.

At first glance, it is indeed dazzling.

Even indoors, she seems to have her own spotlight.

Her chestnut-brown long curly hair was meticulously styled, her skin was so white it was almost translucent, and her features were as exquisite as the most expensive doll in a shop window. However, her large eyes, which were painted with delicate eyeliner, were now filled with undisguised pickiness and impatience.

She was wearing the latest Chanel tweed suit and stilettos that appeared to be over ten centimeters high, exuding a strong sense of aloofness.

Popular actress, Aya Sakurai.

Standing next to her was a man in his early thirties, wearing a well-fitting black suit and gold-rimmed glasses.

The other person was of medium build and had a serious expression. He was holding a thick file folder and a brand-new tablet computer.

It must be her agent.

As Masashi Akiyama walked in, their eyes immediately focused on him.

Sakurai Aya looked him up and down, from his meticulously styled hair to his neatly pressed suit and the ordinary thin-rimmed glasses on his face, her critical eye showing no sign of diminishing.

She quickly looked away, losing interest.

"Attorney Masashi Akiyama?" the agent asked first.

"It's me. You two are Ms. Sakurai, and..." Masashi Akiyama walked to the head seat and sat down.

"My name is Nakamura, and I am Ms. Sakurai's manager." Manager Nakamura nodded slightly, without shaking hands. "I apologize for visiting, but there is a very urgent and serious matter that requires your professional assistance, Attorney Akiyama."

Masashi Akiyama looked at Aya Sakurai, waiting for her to speak.

But Aya Sakurai simply raised her chin slightly and impatiently tapped the sofa armrest with her brightly colored fingers, signaling to her manager to speak.

Nakamura's agent understood, took a stack of photos from the file bag, and pushed them onto the coffee table in front of Akiyama Masashi.

"Attorney Akiyama, please take a look at these first."

The photo was obviously taken secretly, the angle was hidden, and the image was somewhat blurry, but the subject could be clearly identified as Aya Sakurai.

There are photos of her in the parking lot downstairs from her apartment building, photos of her buying water at a convenience store, photos of her returning to her residence late at night... There is even one photo, which seems to have been taken from the opposite building with a telephoto lens, where you can vaguely see her walking in the living room through the curtains that are not fully drawn.

"This is..." Rio Arimura, who was pouring tea, couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice when she saw the photo.

"Stalking and secretly filming. It lasted for at least three months."