Case source
1054 Words
"I... I'm worried about you," Miyakawa said softly, as if embarrassed. She lowered her head slightly, avoiding eye contact with Kitahara.
A thorn had been lodged in her heart ever since. Since her sophomore year, when her father had forced her to leave the study group she had founded with Kitahara, she had felt guilty toward him. Kitahara was her best friend in college. From the moment she first met him, it felt like meeting a long-lost old friend. Whether it was working on group projects or participating in club activities, they shared an unspoken understanding. The bond between them seemed to flow naturally from the depths of their hearts.
In contrast, when other classmates approached her, it was usually with ulterior motives, perhaps seeking favors from her father’s connections in the legal world. When they realized they couldn’t gain anything from her, they would mock her behind her back, even joking about her being the child her father didn’t want. But Kitahara’s friendship had been pure and without any ulterior motives.
Perhaps it was fate, Miyakawa had often thought. Her friendship with Kitahara had felt as if it might evolve into something more. Every time she thought about it, her heart would race uncontrollably.
However, her father had disparaged Kitahara because of his family background. One day during their second year, her father had run into her and Kitahara walking together on campus. He had angrily told Kitahara to stay away from her. That day, her father’s words had hurt Kitahara, and ever since, she had dared not contact him again, afraid of wounding his pride. Even after hearing that Kitahara had gotten into trouble at the Eito Law Firm, she hesitated but ultimately couldn’t help but seek him out. What exactly did she feel for Kitahara?
"What are you thinking about?" a clear male voice interrupted her thoughts.
Kitahara, leaning against the glass room, was smiling at her, holding a paper cup filled with tea. Playfully, he asked, "Why are you daydreaming?"
He handed her the cup of tea.
Miyakawa’s ears turned slightly red. She had mentally rehearsed their reunion countless times, imagining that he would be angry or resentful, perhaps even reproaching her for what her father had done. But now, seeing Kitahara still wearing that friendly smile as if nothing had happened, Miyakawa felt a warmth spreading inside her.
Seeing her lost in thought, Kitahara couldn’t help but smile slightly. It seemed that the troubles of the original owner still haunted her. Clearing his throat, he lowered his voice and asked, "Miyakawa, what are you doing here?"
Miyakawa bit her lower lip, lowering her head slightly. She hesitated for a moment. At that instant, she was uncertain about her feelings for Kitahara—whether they were simply the friendship of classmates or whether, through their time together in college, she had truly developed feelings for him.
After graduation, when she had heard about Kitahara’s troubles, she had wanted to help him and make up for her decision to leave him behind. But she still wanted to confirm what exactly her feelings were. Perhaps only by staying close to him for a while would she find the answer.
Taking a deep breath as if gathering all her courage, Miyakawa held the tea Kitahara had given her, lowering her head slightly, and said, "Kitahara... I... I want to be your... legal assistant."
Kitahara was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. In his mind, he wondered if Miyakawa had lost her mind, thinking of becoming an assistant at a law firm that was five billion yen in debt. He waved his hand dismissively, chuckling, "I’m currently five billion yen in debt. What benefit would you get by following me? You’d better go back."
Miyakawa’s face turned even redder. She took a small step forward, gently tugging on Kitahara’s sleeve. Her voice was barely above a whisper, "Please... let me follow you. Please."
Her eyes were filled with a pitiable expression, her timidity making her seem like a helpless little kitten. Kitahara’s heart softened immediately. He paused for a moment, then sighed and said with a rueful smile, "Alright, you can follow me. But if you ever want to leave, you can go anytime."
Miyakawa nodded vigorously, her face lighting up like a blooming sunflower. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, her expression turning anxious. She asked, "What about Kobayakawa? I heard he’s coming to seize the firm. What’s the situation?"
Kitahara casually glanced at the envelope from Ooya Transport Company on the desk, appearing nonchalant as he replied, "Kobayakawa? He tried to serve a delivery notice by courier, but it was invalid."
Miyakawa’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth slightly agape. As an outstanding student from the Law Department at the University of Tokyo, she knew well that there were two kinds of legal knowledge: one from textbooks and casebooks, and the other, practical legal wisdom acquired over time. Kitahara’s answer clearly belonged to the latter category.
She looked at Kitahara with a new sense of respect, seeing him as a fierce tiger lying in a bamboo grove, ready to strike when provoked. She marveled at his understated power.
After a moment of silence, she looked at Kitahara’s back, then glanced at the empty law firm. After some thought, she lifted her head and said, "Kitahara, you’re lacking cases, aren’t you? You can go to my father’s law firm. I can have him assign you some cases."
She paused for a moment before adding, "The one who ties the knot should untie it. My father did something wrong to you in the past. If he assigns you some cases, maybe it will ease the tension between you two."
Kitahara’s eyes lit up. He had been hoping for something like this. Lack of cases was indeed his biggest problem right now. Without cases, even the most capable lawyer couldn’t demonstrate his skills. And since his rebirth, the most important thing he needed was a network that could open up access to new cases.
But he vaguely remembered that Miyakawa’s father didn’t like the original owner.
He gave a wry smile. "This might be difficult, though. Didn’t your father dislike me?"
Miyakawa looked at him with determination in her eyes, her gaze unwavering. "Kitahara, just wait outside. I’ll ask my father myself."
- Writer
