Provocation
1390 Words
In the legal industry, there's a hierarchy of disdain: the so-called specialized lawyers look down on the "jack-of-all-trades" ones.
But in reality, this hierarchy is completely disconnected from the true study of law. Anyone with even a basic understanding of law knows that legal issues are often complex, like a ripple in a pond that spreads throughout, involving multiple areas of law. A lawyer can’t realistically expect that a client’s legal issue will neatly fall into the narrow “specialized” field they excel in.
Kitahara had spent years deeply immersed in the legal world and already understood that the so-called “specialization” was more of a marketing strategy, designed to better promote a law firm’s brand. Lawyers like Onoda, who proudly flaunted their “specialization” in front of colleagues, hadn’t even scratched the surface of legal academia. He imagined what Miyakawa must have learned during her two years under such a guy—probably nothing of value at all. How tragic.
But no need to dwell on it.
Before his rebirth, his hourly rate had been $1,100.
And the cake really was delicious.
He was genuinely hungry.
Kitahara vaguely responded with an “Oh,” then, focusing intently, he picked up his plastic fork and analyzed the cake to find the area with the most cream. He carefully cut that part off and placed it directly into his mouth. Kitahara particularly enjoyed cakes with a lot of cream, and as the frosting melted, a wave of comfort spread through him, relaxing his brow.
Onoda watched Kitahara's reaction and, for some reason, felt it was somewhat different from what he had expected. Shouldn’t Kitahara be flattering him, showing some admiration for his brilliance?
Instead, he just ate his cake, his demeanor seeming almost dismissive.
He must be embarrassed.
Yes, that’s it. He’s probably embarrassed and using the food as an excuse to hide it.
Onoda thought to himself. After all, he was a “1,000-meter club” lawyer, while Kitahara worked at a small law firm, surely inferior both in terms of experience and expertise.
Onoda couldn't help but grin inwardly. He had been the one to approach Miyakawa, and Kitahara seemed to be just a small-time lawyer drowning in debt. But since Miyakawa had been his classmate, Onoda still felt conflicted and wanted to confirm the relationship between the two.
“So, what’s your relationship with Miyakawa at university?” Onoda asked with a smile.
“Classmates,” Kitahara answered nonchalantly, then licked a bit of cake off the corner of his mouth and resumed studying the next bite to find the most cream.
Onoda was unsatisfied with the response. Wasn't that obvious? Of course, Kitahara was Miyakawa’s classmate. What he wanted to know was if there was anything more—anything special between the two. How could this lawyer not even grasp such a simple implication? No wonder he was still stuck cleaning up the mess at Eto Law Office.
“What kind of classmates?” Onoda pressed on with a forced smile.
Kitahara frowned slightly. Why did this guy keep pestering him with these questions? Couldn’t he just let him eat his cake in peace?
Kitahara raised his head and smiled. “And what’s your relationship with Miyakawa?”
Hearing Kitahara turn the question back on him, Onoda smiled and straightened his chest, “I already told you. Miyakawa works in my department. She joined my team two years ago. I’m her supervising lawyer, and under my guidance, we’ve completed several overseas bond issuance projects. Ah, this might be a bit too professional for you, huh? I doubt Eto Law Office handles these kinds of cases.”
Onoda smiled smugly, “Miyakawa and I have been working together every day for the past two years.”
At that moment, Onoda’s expression suddenly darkened, showing his underlying hostility. “Kitahara, I’ve heard about the troubles at Eto Law Office. You’ve managed to rack up five billion yen in debt at such a young age—impressive, really. I understand you’re here to ask Miyakawa for help, but honestly, this is beyond her abilities. Don’t bother her any further. I don’t want you disrupting her work.”
Onoda paused for a moment, then added, “Also, I noticed when you came in, you seemed to be standing a bit too close to Miyakawa. Be mindful of that. She’s a good girl, and your actions might make her uncomfortable. I, on the other hand, am going to marry her according to her father’s wishes. Got it?”
Onoda’s words dripped with self-satisfaction.
He’d first highlighted his superior position, crushing Kitahara’s “small law firm” status, then pointed out Kitahara’s five-billion-yen debt, and finally made it clear he was the chosen son-in-law of Miyakawa’s family.
With these three moves, Onoda was certain that Kitahara would back off.
He looked down at Kitahara, seeing himself as the one in a dominant position on the hierarchy, and relished in the feeling. It was truly satisfying to him.
But Kitahara, watching Onoda's smug expression, couldn’t help but think, even after being reborn, how is there still so much foolishness around?
Since you’ve come to me, don’t blame me for not being polite. Kitahara had long since mastered the psychology of these types of men—those who’d only been working for a few years but already had a smug attitude.
Kitahara gave an indifferent smile, then casually said, “Since you and Miyakawa are so close, I assume you know her next plans, right?”
“Next plans?” Onoda didn’t immediately understand what Kitahara meant. In his mind, Miyakawa was the obedient type, and if she had any big plans, she wouldn’t keep them from her supervisor.
“What do you mean?” Onoda asked cautiously.
Kitahara smiled slightly, his grin widening into something almost devilish. The malice in his smile felt sharp, like a blade aimed directly at Onoda. In that moment, Kitahara felt like a suit-wearing predator, ready to devour his prey whole.
“Miyakawa?” Kitahara said slowly. “She’s going to be my legal assistant from now on. Didn’t you know?”
Onoda’s face froze in shock.
Miyakawa… Miyakawa was going to be his legal assistant? That meant… she was leaving him?
How could this be?
Miyakawa would never do that!
Onoda’s face went pale, his body trembling uncontrollably. His mind was spinning, struggling to come to terms with what he’d just heard.
But Kitahara’s expression sent a chill down Onoda’s spine. For a moment, Onoda felt real fear.
After a few moments of silence, Onoda spoke, his voice trembling, “Kitahara. Maybe you still don’t understand me. Stay away from Miyakawa!”
“Oh?” Kitahara’s smile widened. “You really like her, don’t you?”
At that moment, Onoda couldn’t control his trembling. He should be the one towering over Kitahara, yet the aura emanating from Kitahara was so strong that it crushed him.
“You know,” Kitahara continued, grinning even wider, “Miyakawa’s first date with a guy was with me.”
“Miyakawa’s first time joining a club was with me.”
“Miyakawa’s first time holding hands with a guy was with me.”
“Miyakawa’s first time cooking for a guy was with me.”
Kitahara paused for a moment, wiping the cake from the corner of his mouth and smiling. “Miyakawa’s first kiss was with me.”
“And the first time we went camping together in college… that night, we shared a tent. It was her first time sleeping outside…”
Kitahara was completely making this up, aside from the part about starting the club. After all, the original owner had always been extremely polite and proper with women, never getting too involved romantically. But then again, maybe he was just as guilty in his past life.
Onoda’s face turned pale, his entire body trembling.
“You… you…”
Onoda’s breathing became ragged.
How could Miyakawa, how could she have been with this guy?!
Kitahara enjoyed watching Onoda squirm. But he wasn’t done yet.
With a casual tone, as if nothing were amiss, Kitahara continued, “Don’t tell me you don’t like Miyakawa anymore? Just because she’s been with someone she liked before?”
Onoda’s face was an image of horror, his body shaking uncontrollably.
- Writer
