Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

"She's lying! She's lying!"

Before Masashi Akiyama could finish speaking, a hysterical scream suddenly erupted from the audience.

Fukuda Runa sprang up like a venomous snake whose tail had been stepped on, gripping the railing tightly with both hands, leaning forward, her face contorted beyond recognition.

The meticulously applied makeup cracked, revealing facial features distorted with terror beneath.

"Ayakako! What nonsense are you spouting! Shut up!"

Her voice was so shrill it almost pierced the eardrums of everyone present, "Say you were just saying it in anger! How could your mother treat you like that?!"

A bailiff strode forward and shouted sternly, "Public gallery! Silence! Do not interfere with witnesses!"

But Fukuda Runa has gone mad.

She screamed desperately, trying to rush towards the witness stand: "Ayakako! Look at me! Talk! Say you were forced into this by them!"

Ayaka Fukuda slumped in her chair, shaking her head as she sobbed.

Tears and snot streamed down his face, and he could only manage broken sobs, unable to utter a single complete sentence.

In that chaotic moment—

Masashi Akiyama suddenly stood up.

He lightly pressed his hands on the edge of the defense table, bowed slightly, and spoke with unwavering conviction as he faced the judge's bench:

"Your Honor! The defense attorney has filed an urgent application!"

The gavel fell heavily.

"quiet!"

The presiding judge's sharp gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Masashi Akiyama: "Defense attorney, what are the grounds for your emergency application?"

Masashi Akiyama's gaze was piercing, first sweeping over Runa Fukuda, who was still struggling in the audience, then turning to the presiding judge, his voice firm and resolute:

"The plaintiff, Ayaka Fukuda, stated in court that she has uncovered a serious criminal offense—Ms. Runa Fukuda, who is in the audience and Ayaka Fukuda's legal guardian, is suspected of forcing her daughter to have contact with multiple men!"

"This behavior violates multiple protection laws and may even constitute a crime under Article 177 of the Criminal Code!"

Upon hearing the charge, Fukuda Runa trembled violently.

She instinctively tried to push the bailiffs away and escape, but two bailiffs had already restrained her arms on the left and right.

"Let me go! What right do you have to arrest me!" she screamed and struggled, her voice filled with panic, yet still putting on a last-ditch effort to bluff, "Do you know who's behind me! Mr. Ando won't let you get away with this! I'm her mother! This is a family matter!"

idiot!

When Fukuda Runa uttered the name Ando, ​​she was already completely beyond saving.

"presiding judge!"

Masashi Akiyama immediately added, speeding up his speech:

"This criminal act has a direct causal relationship with this case—the plaintiff, Ayaka Fukuda, falsely accused Mr. Kento Suzuki, and this was 50% due to pressure from Ms. Runa Fukuda! Ms. Runa Fukuda's actions are not only the underlying motive for the false accusation in this case, but also an independent and serious criminal offense!"

He took a step forward, his voice suddenly rising in pitch:

"If they are allowed to leave the courtroom, there is a high possibility that they may engage in acts that obstruct justice, such as loss of evidence, threats against witnesses, or flight!"

Masashi Akiyama bowed and presented the prepared written application documents with both hands.

The bailiff quickly stepped forward, took the document, and handed it to the presiding judge.

"The defense counsel now formally submits two urgent applications to this court, and respectfully requests the presiding judge to make a ruling in court!"

"First, we request that Ms. Fukuda Runa be detained in court! Pursuant to Article 278-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in order to prevent her from fleeing, destroying evidence, or threatening the plaintiff, Fukuda Ayakako, we respectfully request that this court instruct the bailiffs to detain her in court until the prosecutor intervenes in the investigation!"

"Secondly, we request that Ms. Fukuda Runa be listed as a relevant witness in this case, and that any leads regarding her alleged crimes be transferred by this court to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office for initiation of an investigation!"

The courtroom fell into dead silence.

All eyes were on the presiding judge.

The presiding judge reviewed the written application, his brow furrowed.

A moment later, he looked up at the prosecutor's bench and, as was customary, asked for their opinion:

"Prosecutor, what are your opinions on the two emergency requests filed by the defense attorney?"

The prosecutor stood up and nodded solemnly: "The prosecution agrees with the defense attorney's application. Ms. Fukuda Runa's alleged criminal acts are heinous in nature, and it is indeed necessary to take emergency measures."

The presiding judge and the two accompanying judges exchanged quick glances, and then—

The gavel fell.

"Application approved!"

"No--!"

Runa Fukuda let out a desperate scream. Two bailiffs immediately escorted her away from the gallery.

She struggled frantically, her hair disheveled, her expensive dress torn and wrinkled, her makeup ruined, all traces of the elegant demeanor of a high-class Ginza waitress gone, leaving only a hysterical shell.

"Masashi Akiyama! You just wait!!"

She turned and screamed, her eyes filled with a venomous hatred, like a poisoned knife, "Ayakako! Save Mom! Tell them this isn't true!"

But Ayaka Fukuda didn't look at her.

At some point, Ayaka Fukuda had stopped crying. Throughout the entire ordeal, she sat motionless in the plaintiff's seat with her eyes lowered.

Her expression was eerily calm, like a puppet whose soul had been emptied, or a prisoner who had resigned himself to his fate and was waiting for the end.

Ayaka Fukuda did not respond at all, nor did she even look up.

As Fukuda Runa was dragged away from the courtroom by bailiffs, her screams gradually faded into the distance in the corridor.

"Remain silent!" the bailiff shouted sternly, "or you will be charged with contempt of court!"

The sounds of struggling and shouting gradually faded away at the end of the corridor.

The courtroom fell silent once more.

Masashi Akiyama returned to the defense seat.

Then he turned to the judge's bench:

"Presiding Judge, Associate Judges, considering the above evidence—"

"The defendant, Kento Suzuki, had no opportunity to commit the crime. The prosecution's evidence contained major flaws. The victim, Ayaka Fukuda, fabricated her statement, and her motive was to escape her mother's control and engage in illicit transactions."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the stunned reporters in the gallery, over the ashen-faced Fujita, and finally landing on Kento Suzuki.

Kento Suzuki was looking at him, his eyes red-rimmed and his lips trembling.

Masashi Akiyama took a deep breath and uttered the conclusion that had been brewing in his heart for a long time:

"Therefore, we request the court to declare the defendant, Kento Suzuki, not guilty!"

After he finished speaking, the courtroom fell into an even deeper silence.

The presiding judge and the two accompanying judges discussed the matter in hushed tones.

Time passed by, each second feeling as if it were stretched out.

In the gallery, some held their breath, some clenched their fists, and reporters held pens, ready to record this historic moment.

finally--

The presiding judge looked up.

The gavel fell, its resounding sound echoing through the solemn courtroom:

"The verdict is now announced!"

Everyone unconsciously straightened their backs.

"In accordance with Articles 172 of the Criminal Law and Articles 24 and 26 of the Juvenile Law, and taking into account the facts, evidence, and arguments of both the prosecution and the defense, this court hereby renders the following judgment—"

The judge's voice was clear and distinct, each word distinct and engraved:

"Finding the facts: Ayaka Fukuda deliberately fabricated facts and made a false accusation to the judicial authorities, falsely accusing Kento Suzuki of the crime of forced indecency. Her actions constitute the crime of false accusation. Her subjective intent was clear, the circumstances of the crime were heinous, and her behavior had significant social harm."

A collective gasp rippled through the gallery.

"Ayaka Fukuda's actions meet the conditions for remand under Article 26 of the Juvenile Law. This court hereby remands this case to the Public Prosecutor's Office, whereby the prosecution will file a criminal prosecution against Ayaka Fukuda for false accusation, and the case will be heard by the Criminal Division of the Tokyo District Court."

Ayaka Fukuda remained motionless with her eyes downcast, as if she had already foreseen the outcome.

"Following the criminal trial verdict, Ayaka Fukuda is being held at the Tokyo Juvenile Detention Center, awaiting further criminal proceedings."

The presiding judge paused, then turned his gaze to the defendant's dock.

Then he said the words everyone was waiting for:

"As for the defendant, Kento Suzuki—"

Inside the courtroom, even breathing stopped.

"After court investigation and debate, the evidence submitted by the prosecution was insufficient to prove that the defendant, Kento Suzuki, committed indecent assault, and there were instances of witness perjury and the victim deliberately fabricating facts."

The presiding judge raised his head, his gaze piercing, his voice echoing like a tolling bell in the solemn courtroom:

"In accordance with Article 319 of the Criminal Law and related provisions, this court hereby pronounces the following judgment:"

The gavel fell for the last time.

"The defendant, Kento Suzuki—"

"Innocent!"

The two words struck like a thunderclap.

Then, there was deathly silence.

Absolute, vacuum-like stillness.

It lasted for three seconds.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds —

"Bang!"

In the back row of the audience, Maki Suzuki's notebook fell to the ground.

She covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam, but she couldn't make a sound.

Kento Suzuki closed his eyes, his shoulders trembling violently.

Two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the defendant's table.

Rieko Uchida had already returned to the witness stand. She covered her mouth, her eyes reddening, and she wore a relieved expression. But her eyes kept scrutinizing Ayaka Fukuda with a complex expression.

The reporters went completely crazy.

The sound of camera shutters rang out like a torrential downpour, click-click-click-click—!

Flashes of light filled the courtroom, turning it into daylight, the blinding light flickering on everyone's faces.

Someone had already pulled out their phone and started whispering breaking news, speaking so fast it was almost inaudible:

"...A stunning reversal! Kento Suzuki is acquitted! Ayaka Fukuda admits to false accusation! Her mother is detained in court on suspicion of a crime! Rookie lawyer Masashi Akiyama makes a name for himself; this case will become another classic case in Japanese legal history..."

Fujita slumped in his chair, his face ashen. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only managed a dry, hoarse sob, like a broken bellows.

Sweat soaked through his cheap suit, and his hair clung to his skin, making him look like a drowned rat.

It’s over.

It's all over.

I was completely and utterly crushed by that damned Masashi Akiyama.

He lost to a newcomer, an arrogant intern he had once mocked.

He could already foresee that when he returned to the firm, he would not be greeted with a celebratory banquet, but rather with a cold dismissal notice.

His professional career has come to an end.

And Masashi Akiyama—

He stood there quietly.

Sunlight streamed in through the high window, falling on him and gilding his dark gray suit with a golden edge.

He won.

A beautiful victory, a complete victory, a victory—without a doubt.

Masashi Akiyama turned around, looked at the tearful man in the defendant's dock, and said softly:

"Congratulations, Mr. Kento Suzuki."

"You are free."

Kento Suzuki looked up at him, his lips trembling, and after a long while, he finally managed to utter a broken sound:

"Th-thank you...really...thank you..."

The bailiff stepped forward and unlocked Suzuki Kento's handcuffs.

The crisp sound of metal clashing rang out, exceptionally clear in the silent courtroom.

"Click".

The handcuffs fell to the ground, bounced once on the table, and then came to rest.

The red marks that had been around my wrist for months were finally gone.

In the audience, some people began to applaud.

At first, there were only a few scattered sounds—it was Suzuki Maki, who clapped her hands vigorously while crying; then it was Uchida Rieko, who joined in with red eyes; followed by several teachers who were observing the proceedings, who stood up respectfully.

The applause grew louder and louder, spreading like a snowball.

Finally, it converged into a surging wave that, like thunder, engulfed the entire courtroom!

[The world timeline of Ayaka Fukuda has been resolved]

[Reward: Already disbursed by the private law firm]

A very faint, almost invisible smile finally appeared on Masashi Akiyama's lips.

Then he turned and walked toward the courthouse exit.

The leather shoes made a clear, rhythmic sound as they stepped on the marble floor.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Step by step, I walked towards the door.

Behind Masashi Akiyama, thunderous applause erupted and lasted for a long time.

Today in Tokyo, the autumn sky is clear and cloudless.