Keisuke Kumiko read the words of the accusation with a clear and powerful voice that echoed throughout the courtroom.
This is the minimum requirement. A lawyer must be able to speak. If you stutter, are not good at speaking, or are simply introverted, you are not qualified for this profession.
"The plaintiff's attorney has finished their statement."
The judge looked toward the defense bench.
"Now, please allow the defendant and their representative to comment on the plaintiff's litigation request."
The defendant, Tatsuya Nagai, appeared a bit nervous but tried to maintain a calm expression.
For some reason, he felt that the opposing lawyer seemed familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.
—Of course, he couldn't remember.
Because when Keisuke disguised herself earlier, she had Ai help with her makeup, even changing her hairstyle, eyebrows, and other features. She also deliberately lowered her voice. With Japanese makeup techniques, it was extremely difficult to recognize a person's true appearance.
"We do not agree with the plaintiff's lawsuit request!"
The defense attorney for Tatsuya Nagai was a middle-aged man with a tuft of beard on his chin.
Keisuke Kumiko looked at him and recognized him.
Hoshi Saku, the defense attorney in her previous case for Nakamichi Kazushi in the first trial, and one of Eri Kisaki's lawyer friends.
Kumiko's comment on this: In Japan, a guy who could be sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder isn't even worth mentioning.
Facing an opponent like this was simply an easy task.
"We do not agree with the facts of the plaintiff's first and second claims!"
Saku Norifugi stood up and began his rebuttal.
"First, the plaintiff claims that our client harassed them, which is not true. Our client is a judicial preparatory candidate who attends a legal training center for classes every day. That training center is very close to the plaintiff's workplace. The two happened to take the same route home, which does not constitute harassment."
"Second, the plaintiff claims that the defendant pushed them down the stairs, causing minor injuries. Please provide real evidence; otherwise, this will be considered a false accusation."
"That is all."
Hoshi Saku winked at Tatsuya Nagai, signaling him to stay calm.
After all, these kinds of allegations require evidence, especially the second one. If you claim someone pushed you down the stairs, you need proof, right? An eyewitness? Surveillance footage?
According to Hoshi Saku's investigation, the surveillance cameras near Beika Station had been broken for some time, making it impossible to gather evidence.
Even if there was an eyewitness, and they identified the person who pushed them, he could still argue that they remembered incorrectly. After all, everyone is just a passerby with no prior connection. Facial recognition blindness is common, right?
Tatsuya Nagai understood what his lawyer meant and let out a sigh of relief.
He looked at Nishitani Miho, who was sitting in the plaintiff's seat, licked his lips, and a malicious smile appeared on his face.
Nishitani Miho trembled all over and lowered her head in fear.
If this lawsuit failed, one could only imagine what kind of nightmare awaited her in the future.
However, just as she was feeling anxious, a sharp and mocking voice rang out from the side.
"Oh, you mean evidence? There's more of that than cockroaches in your toilet."
It was Keisuke speaking.
His tone was harsh, but it made people feel at ease.
She looked at the two people sitting on the other side with disdain and contempt in her eyes.
"These are the work schedules for the legal training center and the bakery where Miss Nishitani works on weekdays."
Keisuke Kumiko pulled out two sets of data.
"As you can see, the legal training center does not have classes on Saturdays and Sundays, but the bakery remains open and usually closes at 5 p.m."
She then pulled out another stack of photos, making them public and showing them to the judge and the clerk beside him.
The photos were taken with a digital camera, with the date and time stamped in the upper right corner.
Each photo depicted a different scene—Miho Nishitani walking ahead with a bag on her back and a nervous expression, while Tatsuya Nagai followed her stealthily.
"The dates on the photos are Saturday and Sunday, between 5 and 6 p.m., so there shouldn't have been any classes on those days."
Keisuke smiled as she looked at Tatsuya Nagai, whose face was already covered in sweat.
"Excuse me, sir, but why have you been following this lady all this time? Are you waiting for it to get dark so you can show her your new glow-in-the-dark watch?"
The audience in the gallery immediately burst into laughter.
"I-I just happened to run into her… Isn't that fine?"
Tatsuya Nagai stammered, struggling to respond.
Sensing trouble, Norifusa Sai, standing beside him, immediately said, "Objection! The other party's photos are illegal! Their actions violate our privacy!"
"Oh, so you mean if I take some random pictures while admiring the scenery on the road, that also violates your privacy?"
Keisuke put on a look of exaggerated surprise.
"Let's be clear, these places are public—there's no such thing as a right to privacy! Mr. Lawyer, do you need to go back and review the Civil Code?"
Ai rolled her eyes in the audience.
What? She just happened to be taking pictures while enjoying the scenery? She said it so naturally.
Obviously, these photos were taken by her.
Last Saturday and Sunday, around 5 or 6 p.m., she set up an ambush for Nishitani Miho on her way home from work, waiting for the target to appear.
Since she looked like a child, it was easier to avoid suspicion, so the photo-taking process went relatively smoothly.
Tatsuya Nagai was following Miho Nishitani, and she was following Tatsuya Nagai—like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
And this move was truly a killing blow.
Among various forms of evidence, photographs are direct evidence and carry high credibility.
"How can you prove these aren't photoshopped?"
The opposing lawyer gritted his teeth, taking a long time to come up with a rebuttal.
Keisuke shrugged. "We can request a forensic analysis!"
Saku was momentarily speechless.
There were dozens of photos, taken continuously over a period of time, making them essentially irrefutable evidence.
The act of stalking was an inevitable conclusion, and no matter how good a lawyer was, there was no way to defend it.
After a pause, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Please present evidence for the second claim! How can you prove that our client pushed the plaintiff down the stairs?"
"Oh, so you admit to following her?"
"Please present evidence for the second claim!"
Keisuke Kumiko smiled faintly.
Then, she pulled out more photos from the folder on the table.
The photos were a series of snapshots showing Tatsuya Nagai pushing Miho Nishitani down the stairs, as if playing on a slide.
"How is this possible?!"
Tatsuya Nagai and defense attorney Hoshizumi Saku shouted in shock.
"How could you possibly have taken a picture like this?!"
Keisuke Kumiko raised an eyebrow.
"I was just enjoying the scenery and took a casual photo. Isn't that fine?"
"…."
The faces of the two men looked as if they had just eaten canned herring—overwhelmingly strong-smelling, with bits of fish stuck in their throats.
This happened in a fraction of a second—was it really just a casual shot while enjoying the scenery?
You've got to be kidding!
(End of Chapter)