Kazuha stood quietly to the side, watching the documents Kisaki Eri was flipping through, her brows furrowing.
"Teacher, judging from the scene data and the witnesses' statements, this Officer Shiratori clearly committed intentional homicide; there seems to be no need to defend him."
Don't blame Kazuha for holding a grudge. Having her own boyfriend slandered as a murderer would make anyone feel terrible.
"No, Miss Lawyer, my son would not kill anyone. I know him very well."
Shiratori's mother said angrily at once.
Kazuha curled her lips and did not refute.
Arguing with a mother about whether her son is a murderer was too stupid a topic.
Kisaki Eri put down the documents, slightly raised her glasses, and smiled with composure.
"Madam Shiratori, I still can't give you a definite answer about this case. Give me a little time. Before we appear in court, I will give you an answer."
"Lawyer Kisaki, you must help me… help Ninzaburo."
Shiratori's mother cried sadly.
Kisaki Eri's brows tightened.
"Madam Shiratori, the law does not work just by crying. I need to investigate. If Officer Shiratori is truly innocent, I will help you. But if he really killed someone, then I simply cannot help you."
"Madam Shiratori," Kazuha said seriously, "she is the only one who is sincere and capable of helping you. If you can't listen to her advice, then I think you should find another lawyer."
Shiratori's mother froze. Despair surfaced in her eyes. She stood up and left in a daze.
"Teacher… was I too cruel?"
Kazuha suddenly looked like a deflated balloon. She sat down on the sofa, regret flashing through her eyes.
Kisaki Eri gently hugged Kazuha and sighed lightly.
"You did very well. As a lawyer, if you don't have a hard heart when it's necessary, you'll only end up harming others and yourself."
"But I just rejected a mother," Kazuha said, still unable to let it go. "She only wanted to save her son."
Kisaki Eri shook her head.
"However, doing this is also being responsible to yourself, responsible to that mother, and responsible to society."
Kazuha looked up at Kisaki Eri, confusion appearing in her eyes.
"If Officer Shiratori really is a murderer, then no matter the reason, he is an extremely dangerous person. If someone like that continues to remain in society, he will pose a greater threat to others."
Kisaki Eri explained quietly.
Kazuha stayed in her arms, listening to the explanation, her mood slowly settling down.
"Thank you, Teacher."
After a long time, Kazuha raised her head from Kisaki Eri's arms, her eyes gradually clearing.
"Then what does Teacher plan to do?"
"That depends on you."
"Depends on me?"
Kazuha was confused again.
"Find your boyfriend now. There are things I want to ask him."
Kisaki Eri was not very good at solving cases and hoped to get Heiji's help.
"Heiji? I don't know where he is right now. I'll go ask."
Perfect timing—Kazuha also missed Heiji. She stood up and walked to the window to make a call.
---
The red Mazda!
"Ai, where are you planning to?"
There was nothing to do today. Heiji planned to take this tsundere girl to wander around.
"I want to go home."
Ai was bored.
Glancing around, he answered the call.
"Kazuha, what's wrong?"
[Kazuha?]
Ai's gaze instantly sharpened. Her ears seemed to perk up, all her attention on Heiji's phone.
"Heiji, where are you right now?" Kazuha asked sweetly.
"I'm in the car."
"In the car?" Kazuha sounded dazed.
Heiji coughed twice.
"I'm driving. I don't know where I'm going yet."
On the phone, Kazuha's voice was full of excitement.
"Teacher wants to see you. Can you come over for a bit?"
"Kisaki E… Lawyer Kisaki wants to see me?"
Heiji frowned.
"What does Lawyer Kisaki want with me?"
"Teacher received a commission regarding the incident of Officer Shiratori killing someone. She needs to understand the specific situation, so she plans to start with you, Heiji."
Kazuha explained.
"Triggered the first Ring-within-a-Ring mission: Help Kisaki Eri win the lawsuit. Reward: one Duplicate Treasure Chest…"
The system's cold voice suddenly sounded.
Heiji frowned. Ring-within-a-Ring mission? Duplicate Treasure Chest?
"Heiji, what's wrong with you? Heiji…"
Kazuha's nervous voice came through the phone. There was no time to think carefully.
"Nothing. I just suddenly thought of something else."
"Okay, then come quickly."
There was simply no time to refuse.
"System, what is a Ring-within-a-Ring mission? And what is a Duplicate Treasure Chest?"
Heiji had to figure out these new terms.
Suddenly, a line of virtual text appeared before his eyes.
Ring-within-a-Ring mission: Based on an existing mission, another mission is triggered. The result of this mission is opposite to the original mission.
Duplicate Treasure Chest: You can extract a skill or item from inside with one hundred percent certainty; that skill or item will be something the Host already possesses.
After reading the two explanations, Heiji went slightly blank, then his face darkened.
Damn it. Didn't you want me to frame Officer Shiratori before? Now you want me to help Kisaki Eri win the lawsuit too?
However, the system did not speak again.
After cursing for a while, Heiji slowly calmed down.
Shiratori Ninzaburo really cannot leave the stage yet. With him here, many things can be done—especially replacing Conan's position.
[Looks like I have to act again.]
Heiji shook his head, speechless. After calming himself, he looked at Ai.
"Ai, then I…"
"I want to follow you."
Heiji froze and looked at Ai in surprise.
"Didn't you say you wanted to go home?"
"I changed my mind."
Ai turned her head to look out the window, her eyes cool and indifferent.
Heiji shook his head helplessly.
"No choice, then. Let's go."
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