Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

Ginza 8-chome, Evening Primrose Club.

Since the bursting of the bubble economy in 1991, Japan has been mired in a prolonged period of economic recession.

Newspapers are filled with news of bank failures, stock price crashes, and corporate layoffs every day.

But no matter how bad the economy is, the wealthy class will always exist.

Places like "Evening Primrose" are havens built with money for those who feel anxious and empty inside during an economic downturn.

Unlike other clubs, Evening Primrose is a high-end club that offers both male and female services.

In other words, no matter your orientation, you can find suitable companionship here.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Murakami Itsuki stood in front of the magnificent gate of the Evening Primrose Club and sighed softly, "This is paradise in Ginza... Takagi-senpai really went all out."

Despite saying that, the smile on his face never faded.

He straightened his suit collar and led Akiyama Masashi and Sayuri toward the door.

The waiter, dressed in a black bespoke suit, bowed slightly and reached out to stop them.

"Sorry, this is an invitation-only membership area. May I ask which member referred you?"

Murakami quickly took out a gold-embossed invitation from his inner pocket and handed it over.

The waiter took the item and examined it carefully, his expression immediately becoming respectful: "So you're Ms. Takagi's guest. My apologies."

He returned the invitation with both hands and opened the heavy copper-framed glass door.

"Please come in."

"Thank you," Murakami replied with a broad smile.

In Japanese society, although lawyers are a respected profession with a decent income, they are still far from being considered part of the true upper class.

People who call themselves lawyers usually only get superficial respect; most of the time, they deal with difficult clients.

This was the first time Murakami had ever been treated with such utmost respect.

He was in a good mood and turned to call to Akiyama and Sayuri, "Let's go."

Just then, a white Toyota Century slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

The rear door was respectfully opened by the driver in uniform, and a middle-aged man in a well-tailored gray suit got out of the car.

Next up was a woman with exquisite makeup and a unique temperament.

She looked to be in her thirties, yet she possessed a youthful innocence, while her eyes and brows exuded the charm of a mature woman.

A pale purple dress accentuated her graceful curves, and pearl earrings gleamed softly under the streetlights.

As soon as she got out of the car, she naturally took the middle-aged man's arm, and the two walked straight toward the club's entrance.

Akiyama noticed that the waiter who had greeted them earlier immediately became much warmer and more sincere when he saw the middle-aged man.

He immediately left Murakami and the others behind and ran to meet them, his body bowed low.

"Good evening, Mr. Ando. Your presence is a great honor to our humble establishment."

He turned to the woman and bowed deeply as well: "Ms. Fukuda, you are as beautiful as ever tonight. It's your birthday, and several customers have already requested you."

Before the middle-aged man named Ando could speak, the woman called "Miss Fukuda" covered her mouth and giggled exaggeratedly.

"Oh my, Ikeda, you're getting sweeter and sweeter. Why is Manager Matsumoto making you a doorman? Don't worry, I'll talk to him."

"Thank you, Ms. Fukuda!" The waiter bowed even lower, his voice full of gratitude.

This exaggerated scene caught the attention of Murakami and his group.

Murakami's previously gentle expression turned serious. He quietly approached Akiyama and lowered his voice:

"That woman over there is Fukuda Ayakako's mother, Fukuda Runa. The woman next to her... she looks familiar. Although I don't know her exact identity, someone who can be accompanied by the shop's top waitress must be a very important person, either rich or powerful."

He paused, his voice growing deeper: "You need to be careful, that woman... is very difficult to deal with."

Akiyama nodded without changing his expression.

Sayuri listened silently to them, and the two of them simultaneously took half a step closer to Akiyama.

Just as Fukuda Runa was about to enter the room with Ando Shinji, she caught a glimpse of Murakami and the others standing to the side.

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the group before finally settling on Murakami's face.

"Oh my, isn't this Murakami-san?"

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, looking Murakami Itsuki up and down in his rather ordinary suit.

"As far as I know, your salary probably isn't high enough to afford to spend money here, right? Is there someone you care about working here? You can tell me, and I'll introduce you to them."

Murakami gave a wry smile: "Ms. Fukuda, please don't make fun of me. We're here for the company team building activity."

"I've told you so many times—"

Fukuda Runa stomped her foot playfully, "Don't call me 'Madam,' call me 'Miss.' You're making me sound old."

She clung tightly to Ando Shinji's arm, tilted her head back, and said in a coquettish tone, "Ando-san, do you also think I'm getting old?"

"Of course not." Shinji Ando responded politely and appropriately, "In my heart, you will always be that noble and elegant beauty."

"Alright~" Fukuda Runa knew when to stop, and then looked at Murakami and his group.

Her gaze swept over Sayuri and finally settled on Masashi Akiyama.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.

"And who is this?" She looked Akiyama up and down. "I didn't see this face before when I visited your firm. Are you a lawyer too?"

Before she could answer, she suddenly looked enlightened: "Ah—you're that little-known intern lawyer..."

She looked troubled. "Let me think... her name is Akiyama... Masashi, right? Thank you so much for your help with my daughter's matter."

"Runa, what's going on?" Shinji Ando finally asked.

Fukuda Runa gently patted his shoulder: "Didn't I tell you? My poor daughter was bullied at school but didn't know how to speak up. Now, her case is being handled by this Akiyama-san."

"Oh?" Shinji Ando then turned his gaze to Masashi Akiyama.

He was tall and slender, with a handsome face, and still retained some of the air of a student.

Clean, green, like jade that hasn't yet had its rough edges smoothed out by society.

—No threat whatsoever.

This was Shinji Ando's first impression of Masashi Akiyama.

He patted Fukuda Runa's hand, his tone relaxed: "Someone like that isn't worth your time. Whatever you want to drink tonight, just order whatever you like."

"I see..." Fukuda Runa immediately turned her attention back to Ando, ​​her smile sweet. "Ando-san is so kind to me~"

The two ignored everyone else and walked hand in hand into the club.

As Fukuda Runa passed by Akiyama Masashi, the sound of her high heels clicking on the ground was crisp and brief, leaving behind a lingering scent of expensive perfume.

Only after their figures disappeared through the door did Murakami let out a long breath and turn to Akiyama with a solemn expression.

"Akiyama-san, I remember who that person is."

He lowered his voice, speaking each word with particular weight:

"Shinji Ando, ​​Chief of Police of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."