People are in Conan, but Ace Attorney

Chapter 1028 The Reversal of the Period Drama (1)

—————June 21st, 8:30 AM—————

—————Tokyo District, Third Court——————

"Hey, Attorney Xiang Yuan, it's you again?"

"Are you now on fast-forward to a 24/7 non-stop state? Take care of yourself. If you're short on money lately, I can help you out."

The bald old man asked with concern.

Xiang Yuanguang raised an eyebrow at this.
"Thank you very much, but I didn't take this case for the commission fee."

"This lawsuit is a pro bono one case."

—A pro bono lawsuit?
Aren't these kinds of pro bono lawsuits usually handled by inexperienced newcomers?

The presiding judge was a little surprised.

However, considering that Hikaru Mugen is a truly good person, it's quite rare to find one like him in Beika Town.

Suddenly I wasn't so surprised anymore.

Well, it's normal for a kind-hearted person like Xiang Yuanguang to take on criminal cases that even newcomers wouldn't take on as pro bono cases, since he's a kind-hearted person who can't bear to see others suffer.

At this moment, Xiang Yuanguang was the only person on the defense panel.

Conan, who came with him, is now sitting in the lounge with Ito Megumi.

—It is clear that Ito Megumi is unable to appear in court as a witness.

However, this is what she knows.

Shiratori Ninzaburo had already completed the statement at the scene.

Therefore, it doesn't really matter that Ito Eto didn't appear in court. Her testimony was already complete, and her inability to appear simply meant that she couldn't be questioned in detail.

In fact, Ito Megumi had already asked Minamoto Mitsuko about everything he knew.

It's impossible for there to be a special case where Ito Megumi knew but didn't tell him.

"Prosecutor Kujo hasn't arrived at the courtroom yet."

"Inspector Shiratori, they shouldn't be here for a while. By the way, Attorney Xiangyuan, you didn't bring a legal assistant to court again this time. Have you decided to appear in court alone from now on?"

Seeing that Reiko Kujo hadn't arrived yet.

The presiding judge, out of curiosity, struck up another casual conversation.

In response, Xiang Yuanguang merely twitched the corner of his mouth and said helplessly,
"Your Honor, you make it sound like I always have legal assistants by my side."

“I can win a case without a legal assistant. In my opinion, a legal assistant is not an essential element for winning, but rather an element that assists in reasoning. It is important, but not necessary.”

The words have not yet fallen.

The courtroom doors were then pushed open.

Wearing a red dress, Koizumi Akako hummed a song as she entered the courtroom carrying her bag. She came to Xiangyuan Guang's side, not looking like she was there to file a lawsuit.

They seem to be out shopping.

The presiding judge stared at Koizumi Akako for a moment, then asked,
“Attorney Xiang Yuan, didn’t you say that legal assistants are important, but not necessary?”

"What are you...?"

The more he looked at Koizumi Akako, the more he felt something was off.

This child looks like a high school girl (JK). Could she be underage? Employing child labor is illegal.

However, the presiding judge did not ask Koizumi Akako's age.

There is no other reason.

Gui Yueying's age is also the kind that you can't tell how old she is at all; she looks like a middle school student. This girl might also be like Gui Yueying, looking young but actually older.

To this, Xiang Yuanguang remained unfazed and said,
"Just as I said before."

“A legal assistant is important, but not necessary. This has nothing to do with whether I have a legal assistant or not. I never said that I didn’t have a legal assistant in this trial, did I?” “I just said that I can win the case even without a legal assistant.”

Wordplay is an essential skill for every lawyer.

Although Xiang Yuanguang's personality and style are completely different from those of ordinary lawyers, he still possesses considerable qualities in this regard, even surpassing the vast majority of lawyers.

Momentarily speechless.

The presiding judge shook his head, said nothing more, but instead said,

"It's strange that Prosecutor Kujo hasn't arrived yet."

"Court officer, please inform Prosecutor Kujo and Inspector Shiratori that the opening time is approaching. If they are unable to attend due to other commitments, please ask them to provide an explanation."

"This court cannot wait too long for the absent party."

Upon hearing this, the bailiff was about to open the door.

Standing next to Xiang Yuanguang, Koizumi Akako said nonchalantly,
There's no need for that.

"The person is right outside; they'll push the door open and come in in a few seconds."

The two bailiffs who were about to open the door were stunned when they heard what Koizumi Akako said.

Zundu and fake toot?

Neither of us heard anything while we were right next to the door. How could you, a high school girl, know where Prosecutor Kujo and Inspector Shiratori are from so far away?
Just as they were hesitating.

The door of the courtroom was opened.

Shiratori Ninzaburo gentlemanly gestured for the lady to go first.

Reiko Kujo then took her seat at the prosecutor's table, and Ninzaburo Shiratori followed her to the witness stand. Although Ninzaburo Shiratori had a somewhat melancholic air about him, he was actually quite handsome.

However, Koizumi Akako was completely uninterested in this.

Someone like her, if she doesn't suppress her alluring nature and lets Shiratori Ninzaburo take one look at her, he'll probably fall in love with her immediately, which is pointless.

"Prosecutor Kujo, may I ask why you are so late this time?"

The presiding judge asked with some doubt.

In response, Reiko Kujo simply said in a calm voice,

"Excuse me, Your Honor."

"The prosecution is compiling relevant materials and evidence for this case, so we are a little late. Please forgive us, Your Honor. Now, Your Honor, please declare the trial open."

"The prosecution is ready."

Although he had met Genji Hikaru and Kujo Reiko many times before.

However, the two were not close, and the only topic they could talk about was related to the case. Therefore, Reiko Kujo did not intend to be polite with Hikaru Mugen in the courtroom.

This is different from the previous staggered court hearings.

The current trial is a real showdown between the two sides in the courtroom. Reiko Kujo's goal is to win this trial and find Ito Tamanosuke, the real culprit, guilty.

Aside from that, Reiko Kujo didn't exchange any pleasantries with Hikaru Mugen.

Upon seeing Reiko Kujo, he immediately demanded that the trial begin.

Xiang Yuanguang nodded and said,

"Your Excellency the Judge."

"The defense has completed its preparations, so Your Honor, you may now begin the trial of this case."

Hear this.

The presiding judge nodded, raised the gavel, and then brought it down.

"Therefore, this court hereby declares that the trial concerning the 'Travel Theater Troupe Murder Case' shall now commence!"

(End of this chapter)