Beneath the Kisaki Law Office building, Kazuha—dressed in a dark uniform—stood poised at the entrance. Her eyes swept the area with quiet anticipation, her innocence and charm drawing more than a few glances from people passing in and out.
Her gaze kept returning to the intersection, expectation written plainly across her face.
Before long, a red Mazda turned the corner.
Kazuha's eyes brightened. She recognized Sato Miwako's car immediately and hurried over to greet it.
Heiji stepped out.
A faint, familiar fragrance reached him. He couldn't help smiling as he pulled the girl who came to welcome him into his arms.
"Heiji, why were you in such a rush to go out today?"
Kazuha hugged him back, tipping her chin up as she pouted playfully, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
Heiji paused for a beat. Did she figure it out?
"I went to see Miwako," he said, keeping his tone even—testing the waters.
"Hmph. I knew it."
Kazuha rolled her eyes and puffed out her cheeks slightly. Even with only a clear lip balm on, her lips looked enticing.
Heiji lowered his head and kissed her lightly, then murmured, "So you all know?"
Kazuha rose onto her toes, arms looping around Heiji's neck, and offered her lips again with a soft insistence.
Inside the car, Little Ai sat quietly with her hands clenched, a trace of dejection crossing her face.
Heiji, already the one who'd started it, pulled back and looked at Kazuha's flushed expression with a small smile.
"Hmph. Don't you dare smile," Kazuha huffed, glaring at this shameless flirt. "Sonoko and I already decided—you're not getting spoiled. So we agreed: no getting into bed for five days."
Heiji's smile didn't fade. He drew her closer, warmth rising in his chest.
"Kazuha… I'm sorry."
Kazuha froze, then pressed her cheek against his chest, her eyes brimming with happiness.
"Hmph. Don't think an apology gets you off the hook. Three days, minimum."
Heiji's mouth twitched. He couldn't help laughing.
"Not allowed to laugh. Not allowed," Kazuha protested, her face turning even redder.
Five days became three. When it came to Sato Miwako, neither Kazuha nor Sonoko had much in the way of principles. Or rather—when it came to Heiji, they didn't.
"How did you even find out?" Heiji asked, genuinely curious. "I didn't think I'd given anything away."
"Hmph. We weren't sure at first," Kazuha said smugly. "But what you just said completely confirmed it."
Heiji blinked, then shook his head with a helpless grin. "Alright. I admit defeat."
Kazuha looked thoroughly pleased with herself.
Then Little Ai suddenly opened the door and got out, shutting it with a bit more force than necessary.
Only then did Kazuha notice her.
"Wow—what a cute little girl."
Ai glanced at Kazuha coolly, walked over, and took Heiji's hand.
"I'm going in."
Kazuha pouted. She'd been ignored completely.
Heiji looked down at Ai, puzzled. The tsundere queen is holding my hand on her own? Is she… jealous?
He immediately dismissed the thought as self-indulgent.
"Kazuha, let's go."
Kazuha nodded. After smoothing her clothes, she led Heiji inside.
Inside, Eri Kisaki had her head lowered as she read through a case file.
Footsteps approached.
"Ms. Kisaki," Kazuha said, "Heiji's here."
Eri lifted her head, looked at Kazuha, and gave a slight nod.
"Go on—take care of your boyfriend first. I'll finish the rest of this."
Then she looked to Heiji.
"Mr. Hattori, please have a seat for a moment."
Heiji smiled faintly. "If you're reviewing materials about Officer Shiratori allegedly killing someone, I don't think you'll need to."
He didn't have time to waste.
Eri set the file aside and studied him through her gold-rimmed glasses, a sharp glint in her eyes.
"So, Mr. Hattori, you're saying you've already reached a conclusion?"
Heiji led Ai to the sofa and nodded.
"I've found a few things."
Eri's eyes lit up. She stood, and sat opposite him.
"Then please—explain."
Kazuha returned with a cup of tea.
"Heiji, drink up."
Then she glanced at Ai.
"Do you want juice?"
"I'll have tea."
Ai calmly picked up the cup in front of Heiji and sipped as if it belonged to her.
Kazuha looked at Heiji in confusion.
Heiji gave a helpless smile. "Could you brew me another cup?"
"Mm." Kazuha nodded obediently and went to do it.
Eri had watched the whole exchange in silence, a faint smile on her lips.
Heiji lightly ruffled Ai's hair, then his expression turned serious.
"Ms. Kisaki, you can accept this case."
Eri's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind clearly turning.
"So you believe Officer Shiratori was framed?"
"Not believe," Heiji said evenly. "He's innocent."
He stood, went to Eri's desk, brought the relevant document over, and spread it out on the table.
"I visited Officer Shiratori's apartment. Two points stand out. First, the position where the deceased—Ito Kazuki—fell doesn't add up. Second, there's no gunshot residue on Officer Shiratori."
Eri frowned and leaned in, pointing at the paperwork.
"But this says the bullet recovered from the victim is a special round used for police-issued sidearms—the same type as the ammunition in Officer Shiratori's service weapon."
Heiji met her gaze calmly.
"If someone is determined, getting that kind of bullet isn't difficult."
Eri's brows knit tighter.
"But according to this, there were multiple witnesses around at the time. They can testify to what happened. That can't simply be fabricated."
Heiji paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Which is why I'm only saying these are suspicious points—for now."
Eri sat back, reading in silence for a moment.
"If they're only suspicious points, I can't accept the commission."
"Are you afraid it'll hurt your reputation?" Ai asked bluntly.
Heiji coughed lightly. Ai's tone is way too mature for her age… Eri Kisaki wasn't the type to be pushed around by theatrics.
Ai looked at Heiji briefly, then turned back to Eri with an expression of pure innocence.
"That's what they say on TV."
Eri only gave Ai a brief glance.
"Mr. Hattori—about the first point. Explain it."
Heiji took the document from her, positioned it clearly, and began walking her through the inconsistency.
Eri's expression sharpened as she listened.
"…And Officer Shiratori's collapse is suspicious as well. At the time, his car was parked right at the store entrance. If he was already drunk, then after receiving an anonymous call, his instinct would've been to drive—not to run."
"You're saying Officer Shiratori wasn't drunk," Eri said slowly, "and that he didn't pass out from alcohol—he was knocked unconscious by an external blow?"
Heiji nodded.
"Exactly."
Eri fell quiet. deep in thought.
Kazuha returned and stood neatly beside them.
Finally, Eri spoke without looking up.
"Kazuha—tell Mrs. Shiratori I'll accept the case."
Heiji blinked, surprised, and looked to her.
"You don't need more time to think it over?"
Eri's lips curved into a composed, elegant smile.
"I trust your judgment, Mr. Hattori."
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