The next day, Saeko wasn't the only one sitting in the courtroom. Every one of the guys had shown up, all dressed formally.
Sota took the stand as her father's lifestyle coach, detailing the workout and meal plans he had designed for him. He insisted that he had never observed any behaviour, physical signs on him or in the boarding house, or evidence that suggested drug use.
Saeko listened to his testimony with pure amazement and disbelief, like a naive child who had just realized something that had been right in front of her all along.
Tatsuya was the next called to testify. He explained that Mr. Kobayashi had recently been employed in his family business and presented evidence proving that the position was entirely legitimate and free from any unethical activities. Tatsuya also emphasized that the compensation was more than sufficient, leaving no plausible reason for Mr. Kobayashi to seek alternative or illicit income.
Again. Something she was completely clueless about. I can't believe I have been so blind to all these things happening around me…
Yasushi supported this testimony, drawing on his expertise as a recently licensed psychologist. He affirmed that he had held numerous in-depth conversations with Mr. Kobayashi and found no indication of substance abuse or involvement in illicit dealings. He firmly stated that such behaviour was completely out of character for him. Yasushi further stressed that Mr. Kobayashi was deeply committed to proving his trustworthiness and reliability to his family through honest, hard work.
Saeko listened intently, her chest tightening with emotion. How much effort had they really put into taking care of my family? she wondered.
She had never anticipated anyone standing up so firmly for her father, let alone in such a thoughtful and detailed way like them.
And then came the final blow when Kaito was finally called to testify.
Kaito? What could he possibly contribute to this case?
They asked him about her father, just like the others. "Unlike the previous speakers, I can't claim to have succeeded in influencing Mr. Kobayashi's habits for the better," he began, earning a collective groan from the guys seated behind Saeko. Sota buried his face in his hands, while the judge raised an eyebrow.
"I've tried to modernize his wardrobe countless times," Kaito continued, undeterred, "but he stubbornly clings to his sloppy clothes. He doesn't have any fashion sense at all…"
The judge interrupted, his tone sharp. "What does this have to do with the case?"
"Absolutely nothing," Kaito admitted with a shrug, his tone casual. "I'm not here to talk about Mr. Kobayashi, but Ms. Tsumi."
„What about her?"
"She caught my eye the moment I saw her. There was something unique about her. Something in the way she dressed that set her apart, something unmistakably hers."
"And what does this have to do with the case?" the judge pressed, clearly growing impatient.
"Everything," Kaito said, his voice lowering. "Ms. Tsumi always wore a specific symbol. Something you couldn't miss. A crimson diamond. Either in her earrings, badges, or necklaces. It stood out, like a trademark. As if it was meant to make a statement, like a badge of distinction."
He paused for effect, letting the silence hang in the air. He knew that the mention of the crimson diamond symbol would raise the court's suspicions.
After the incident last night, the police must at least be aware that the source of the drugs was linked to that hotel. Those bastards couldn't have disappeared without leaving at least some trace behind. Mentioning this connection would surely further raise suspicion.
"Otherwise," Kaito added, his voice steady. "She claimed she couldn't attend the trial due to safety concerns, but when I examined the background of her video call, I noticed something strange. It was already night where she was, while here, it was still daylight."
A brief silence followed.
"Now, why would someone whose housemate has been caught for drug trafficking suddenly flee to a far-off country if not guilty herself?" Kaito's words hung in the air, sharp and accusatory.
The courtroom erupted into noise, a mixture of gasps and murmurs.
But despite their best efforts, it wasn't enough to clear Saeko's father's name. Without solid evidence, the court wasn't willing to declare him innocent.
"I'm sorry we couldn't do more," Sota muttered, his voice heavy with guilt, as they walked out of the courthouse.
"It was more than I ever hoped," Saeko replied, seeming sincerly thankful. "You showed me there's still a chance."
Kaito's revelation had shaken everyone. His theory… It strangely made sense.
"Do you really think that woman…" Saeko began, her voice faltering. Even though she desperately wanted to believe her father's innocence, the truth was hard to grasp. That pregnant woman? Of all people? It was the last thing she'd expected.
But I should have learned by now not to trust appearances so easily, she thought, looking at the guys.
"Without evidence, there's nothing we can do," Sota grumbled.
"I hope you learned your lesson that we are not in the position to investigate by ourselves" Yasushi said, a serious look in his eyes as he glanced at Sota and Saeko. His gaze was a silent warning; don't try another reckless stunt like last time.
"But," Tastuya added, his voice steady, "it would be different if you had an official private investigator on your side."
A new voice cut through the moment. "That's where I come in."
They turned to see a man in a sharp black suit.
„Who are you?" She asked apprehensive.
„Just the man you need," he said, extending a business card to Saeko. A private investigator.
"Yeah," Saeko replied, her skepticism clear. "Which I'm guessing costs more money than I'll ever have."
"Fortunately for you," the man said, a faint smile on his lips, "the bill has already been taken care of by a… let's call them a secret benefactor."
"What?" Saeko's eyes widened.
"Looks like you've got someone watching your back," Kaito said with a stupid smile on his face.
Chapter 20: Slow weeks
The next trial was still a long way off.
In some ways, that worked in their favor. This way the private investigator had more time to gather evidence. Still, the days crawled by, each one stretching painfully long.
Being patient felt like an impossible challenge right now. Waiting for her father's case to move forward was hard enough. But it wasn't just about that. Sota had been working abroad on some shoots those days.
She was an expert at not missing others. Somehow, she had learned to rise above the absence of someone.
So why did it feel so different with him?
He had been sending her tons of pictures and videos from his trip. Yet every time she watched a clip of him performing breathtaking stunts, soaring over water on a flying board, scaling sheer cliffs, or leaping fearlessly into the unknown, she felt an unfamiliar ache. Was it the adventure she longed for, or something else? Why was the waiting so unbearable?
Finally, the day of the trial arrived.
She sat anxiously in the courtroom, her fingers clenched in her lap.
The defense attorney stood up. "Your Honor, we are submitting new evidence. A private investigator's thorough investigation has revealed that the charges were fundamentally flawed."
The judge frowned, flipping through the file. A tense silence settled over the courtroom. Saeko's hands clenched into fists in her lap.
"In light of this new evidence," the judge finally said, nodding slowly, "the court drops all charges. The defendant is innocent."
For a moment, Saeko didn't move. She couldn't. Then, as the words truly sank in, she turned to her father, breath hitching.
He was free.
No longer a man weighed down by false accusations. No longer a criminal in the eyes of the world.
The judge continued, "However, the court will open an official investigation into Tsumi and the criminal organization behind these fabrications."
Murmurs rippled through the courtroom. Saeko's father lowered his head into his hands. He wasn't crying, but his shoulders trembled.
Relief flooded through Saeko.
Almost unconsciously, her gaze dropped to her phone. Sota's plane should be landing soon, back in Japan. She could hardly wait to tell him.
It was a miracle.
Thanks to that mysterious private investigator, his father had been cleared of all charges. Still, it was her friends she felt the most gratitude toward.
There's no way this would've been resolved without them. I owe them so much. I have to find a way to repay them for everything they've done for me.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp voice of a suited figure standing beside her.
"My job here is done," he said, slipping a sealed envelope into her hands. "I'm glad I could help uncover the truth. And if you ever want to know who hired me, you'll find the answer inside."
Saeko stared at the envelope for a long moment before tucking it deep into her bag.
For now.
Eventually, the court issued a formal apology for the misunderstanding. But while it acknowledged their mistake, it did little to erase the emotional toll it had taken on Saeko and her family.
After everything, Saeko insisted her father move back home with her. The guilt weighed heavily on her. it had all started because she'd pressured him to live independently. She couldn't bear the thought of him enduring something like this again.