Chapter 41: Hosting a Banquet

October 6th, Thursday, 2:00 PM.

Attorney Mayuzumi—the young lawyer from the Miki Law Firm who had initially taken on Tsubokura’s case—was currently investigating a high-end traditional Japanese crab restaurant in Ginza. For the past two days, she had been hunting for "loopholes" in the blogger’s posts. Having already identified several, she was now working to widen them by visiting every restaurant the woman had mentioned in her blog.

"Hello, I am an attorney. Could I ask you a few questions? You see..."

As Mayuzumi began to inquire, the kimono-clad receptionist offered a standard, practiced smile. "I apologize, but for inquiries of this nature, please contact our public relations department."

After all, a lawyer is not an official authority; their questions carry no mandate for cooperation.

"Could you please just share a little? It won't cause any trouble for your business..." Mayuzumi pleaded, her posture softening.

Just as the receptionist was about to refuse again, a man in a suit, who appeared to be the floor manager, approached. Just as Mayuzumi braced herself to be ushered out, the man asked, "Are you Attorney Mayuzumi?"

"Eh? Yes, that’s me..." Mayuzumi nodded, puzzled.

"I see. The guest who requested your presence is in the 'Ume' private room. Please, this way." The manager glanced at the receptionist, signaling her to say no more.

"Huh? No one was supposed to meet me..." Mayuzumi was bewildered and instinctively wanted to refuse, but then, struck by a sudden thought, she changed her tone. "In that case, I accept."

She didn't know what was going on, but she felt that this "guest" had to be connected to the case. After all, her name and profession were specific enough; it was unlikely to be a simple coincidence.

After changing her shoes and being led by another waitress in a kimono, Mayuzumi entered the vintage-style, high-end establishment. At the entrance to the "Ume" room stood a small plum tree—whether real or artificial, she couldn't tell. The waitress knelt, knocked three times, and slid the door open. Mayuzumi then saw...

A "small mountain" kneeling at the head of the table!

At first glance, Mayuzumi’s perception of space and the size of the low table became momentarily confused. A split second later, she realized it wasn't the room or the furniture—the man himself was simply massive.

"You are... Chief Shiraishi?" Although Mayuzumi hadn't dealt with him personally before, having only seen him once at a hearing without ever speaking, his physique was impossible to forget.

"Please, have a seat." Shiraishi gestured to the seat opposite him. The room featured a Japanese-style arrangement with two individual tables facing each other.

"Excuse me." Though still uncertain, Mayuzumi became increasingly convinced this was related to the case. She smoothed her skirt and knelt down, feeling a strange friction against her calves that made her regret wearing black stockings today.

Shiraishi remained silent.

"Chief Shiraishi..." Just as Mayuzumi was about to lose her patience, two waitresses entered with the main course: a nine-course crystal crab meal, ranging from sashimi to crab legs and hot pot.

Mayuzumi’s attention was immediately captured, and she even swallowed hard. But just as she began to berate herself for her lack of discipline and prepared to ask if Shiraishi was trying to "bribe" her, the waitress interrupted.

"This is our Thursday specialty gift: crab claw tempura." The waitress placed a small plate of fried crab claws before Mayuzumi.

Hearing this, Mayuzumi’s pupils constricted. She quickly checked her phone, compared the information, and asked the waitress, "Wait! You said this is a Thursday staple? Was it the same two months ago? Is it not available on Fridays?"

"Hmm? Our staples haven't changed since we opened. On Fridays... we offer a choice of select beverages," the waitress replied matter-of-factly.

Mayuzumi pumped her fist in a silent gesture of encouragement and used her phone to photograph the items. However, she suddenly realized this was likely no coincidence.

After the waitress left, Mayuzumi couldn't help but ask, "Chief Shiraishi... have you already figured it out?"

"Yes. If a blog isn't recorded and published precisely at the time of the event, it holds no weight as physical evidence. As for eyewitness testimony, a month has already passed; the blogger’s memory is likely confused," Shiraishi stated plainly.

"No, this isn't just confusion—it’s inadmissible evidence that cannot serve as a clear testimony!" Mayuzumi clearly didn't want to follow Shiraishi’s logic; she still believed in her client.

"Hmph, such arguments are meaningless," Shiraishi shook his head.

"What do you mean by that?" Mayuzumi frowned, sensing there was more to his words.

"You have a great deal of faith in your client, Attorney Mayuzumi?" Shiraishi asked in return.

"Of course," Mayuzumi replied firmly.

"Unfortunately, we no longer need that blogger for alibis or anything of the sort," Shiraishi said calmly.

"Why?" Mayuzumi felt a sudden, ominous premonition.

"The victim’s estranged wife also went to his home at the time of the crime..." Just as Mayuzumi felt a flicker of hope that the police had shifted their investigation, Shiraishi continued: "Her dashboard camera captured Tsubokura. He was wearing a hat and gloves, specifically."

Mayuzumi froze. After a long silence, she whispered, "How... how is that possible? Tsubokura was supposed to..."

"The record from the coffee cart’s point-of-sale machine the following day also shows a transaction during that same window. You understand what this means, don't you? It is an unshakable fact that your client, Tsubokura, entered the crime scene with murderous intent and thorough preparation," Shiraishi said slowly.

"Then... why are you telling me this?" Mayuzumi was in a state of chaos, her spirits dampened.

Shiraishi smiled faintly. "Tsubokura must have been perfectly prepared when he went to the crime scene, even leaving time to confuse the witness's memory. He remained silent during interrogations and fabricated an alibi... How could a person like that leave fingerprints on the murder weapon? Especially when the parking surveillance camera caught him wearing gloves."

"Eh?" A glimmer of clarity returned to Mayuzumi’s eyes.

"Actually, I suspect there is another possibility at the scene..." Shiraishi explained leisurely. He then revealed his true motive: "Verifying it isn't difficult; we just need to interrogate both suspects thoroughly. It’s just that because my precinct’s investigation was too impulsive, we can no longer interrogate Tsubokura. But... you still can."

"Wait, hasn't the Prosecutor's Office..." Mayuzumi scrambled to clarify.

"The Prosecutor's Office only accepted the new evidence unfavorable to Tsubokura. Otherwise, this meeting wouldn't be happening today," Shiraishi said reasonably.

"How could they..." Mayuzumi became agitated. It wasn't that she wanted Tsubokura to be guilty just because he lied; she simply felt that the truth was the truth. Remembering what Shiraishi had said, she asked, "But... we can only see Tsubokura. We have no way to find Ms. Hayashida..."

"I have already submitted Ms. Hayashida as a new witness to the Prosecutor's Office, and they have accepted. Therefore... tomorrow, you will have the chance. During the witness questioning, draw out the contradictions in her testimony. If you can truly prove the second possibility, denounce her as the real killer in open court!" Shiraishi stated his goal with calm resolve.