Themis' Uncertain Court (2026) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
I'm in a terrible slump.
Oh my. Tell me more.
It started while I was writing a verdict
for a vandalism case.
The defendant's name was Tadashi Ueda.
Tadashi Ueda?
-Can I borrow that?
-Sure.
This name
is geometrically perfect.
You're right.
And the kanji for his name means "right,"
written as "one" and "stop."
To be "right," do you have
to stop and think?
When I started to think about that,
my brain ran with it.
I don't remember ever liking kanji,
but suddenly I became fixated.
Maybe you're unconsciously searching
for hidden rules.
Fixations in autism spectrum disorder
often change.
Try enjoying the fixations.
That mindset might help.
Okay
I'm an alien.
I see the world differently
from Earthlings.
My job as an alien is to judge
Earthlings' conflicts properly,
according to their social rules.
THEMIS' UNCERTAIN COUR
EPISODE 2
DUTY OF TRUTH AND DUTY OF GOOD FAITH
Excuse me, could you stop
filming the students?
You may have already seen it in the news,
but we'll explain the case.
One of our basketball players, Nao Kurita,
has been committing thefts
totaling several million yen with a group
over the past six months.
A former basketball graduate
from another school,
Kazuki Yagi, confronted Kurita.
Yagi was seriously injured.
He remains unconscious
and in critical condition.
We want you to take on Kurita's defense.
The family is looking
for a competent lawyer.
Your father is a graduate of our school
and makes donations every year.
We'd like you to be our legal advisor.
I understand. I'll accept.
Please protect them.
Both the student's future
and the school's honor.
We're counting on your skills.
Yes.
To start with,
tell me what really happened.
It's not my fault.
I didn't start the fight.
Yagi hit me, demanding the stolen money.
So I defended myself.
Can you explain in more detail?
Charges and penal provisions,
Articles 204, 61 paragraph 1,
and 235 of the Penal Code.
How does the defendant plead?
Not guilty, Your Honor.
On assault, self-defense applies,
so not guilty.
On theft incitement, it amounts
only to aiding and abetting.
I will outline the case.
Two years ago, the defendant and victim
met during a practice match
and became friends as they played
the same position.
Why are you paying attention to me?
Because you're too weak.
You're no match for me!
Cocky much?
I'll make you regret it!
Soon, the basketball court that lay
halfway between the two schools
became a hangout.
Back when Mr. Yagi was around,
it was a well-behaved group.
But after the victim graduated,
the defendant took charge.
Seeking money for fun,
he instructed them
to extort and harass people.
This later escalated to group theft.
The father of one of his accomplices'
works in real estate,
and they used his master keys
to steal from rental properties.
When the victim learned this,
an argument broke out
in front of the clubroom.
The defendant pushed the victim,
causing injuries that left
the latter unconscious.
After graduating,
the victim was studying
at a vocational school.
Taking advantage of the victim's
inability to testify,
the defendant falsely claims the victim
attacked him and demanded money.
To argue that it was aiding theft,
not incitement, is just an excuse
Bilateral symmetry
About the juvenile criminal case
Explain why you agreed to let Ando
handle this case on his own.
It's hard to explain in just a few words.
Then use as many words as you need.
I know a good place,
we could talk over a drink.
You're dodging again.
No, thank you.
I shouldn't have become a judge.
I retire in two years.
I'm just a bit curious.
Symmetry.
NAO KURITA, KAZUKI YAGI
Your Honor
Your Honor
Your Honor,
the opening statement is complete.
-Were you listening--
-I was.
The court has some questions
for the defendant.
Defense counsel, prosecutor,
may I proceed?
Defendant, please take the stand.
After Mr. Yagi graduated
and you became the leader of the group,
why did you start committing crimes?
Because I wanted money
to spend on fun stuff.
Be more specific.
To eat out with friends,
go to karaoke
Anything else?
To buy basketball cards
of overseas players,
and bid on basketball goods.
Is that all?
Twenty people participated
in the thefts, right?
Your Honor,
how he spent the money
isn't relevant to the trial.
It started with a few
thousand yen extorted,
then escalated into planned,
large-scale thefts.
I want to identify all the factors
that led to this escalation,
so I can fully understand the case.
I'll investigate before the next hearing.
Defense, do you have evidence
to support the claim of self-defense?
We will submit witness testimony
as evidence.
How did the trial go?
The defense is contesting everything.
They argue self-defense,
and aiding, not incitement, on the theft.
Things are getting interesting.
I'm curious to see what
that rich-girl lawyer does.
Remember I told you she used to work
at a major law firm in Tokyo?
Apparently, she was a full-time volunteer.
She was doing a lot of it pro bono.
She focused on criminal defense,
but after moving here,
she started doing corporate work
through her father's connections.
Well, criminal defense
has no perks at all.
"No one wants to do it."
"There's no money or reward in it."
Looks like she'll be
the school's legal counsel.
In the end, it's all about money.
Yes, money.
Ms. Onozaki.
I'm here to pick up the agenda
for the next three-party conference.
Understood.
Excuse me,
how much did you hear?
-How much?
-Yes.
Oh, you didn't hear anything?
Then we're good.
What were you talking about?
About you moving back here
and pursuing corporate law
with your father's help,
all because of money.
He told her everything.
Ando,
you always manage to surprise me.
You're really something else.
Thank you.
It wasn't a compliment.
What's that?
Some new kind of sarcasm?
Defendant: Nao Kurita, 18.
Third-year at Toyodai Academy.
The charges are
assault and theft incitement.
The incident happened in front of
the clubroom behind the school gym.
The victim repeatedly called
the defendant with no response,
and went to the school.
An argument followed.
Eyewitnesses claiming self-defense include
Yusuke Masaki,
Satoshi Kawano,
Yuichi Kawagoe.
All three give nearly identical accounts.
"I heard shouting and ran over."
"I saw Kazuki Yagi attack Nao Kurita."
The shouting was heard
at the ground entrance,
the school entrance,
and the gym.
"I heard shouting and ran over."
"I saw Kazuki Yagi attack Nao Kurita."
Same testimony different locations
Same testimony different locations
Same testimony different locations
Excuse me
There's a weird guy
What do you think you're doing?
I'm talking to you.
What are you doing?
I may look suspicious,
but I'm not a suspicious person.
Have you looked at yourself?
What exactly do you mean by that?
Come with us. We have a few questions.
Hey, you!
You're coming with us.
Are you listening?
Hello?
Mr. Ando?
What are you doing here?
Do you know him?
He's a judge.
A judge?
Did you come to speak with people
involved in the case about the defendant?
Something was bothering me.
Something you were already looking into.
Roughly speaking,
it takes 15 seconds
from the entrance to the scene.
20 seconds from the gym,
and about 40 seconds
from the ground entrance.
Shouts would likely carry
to any of those locations.
But given the layout, even if someone
hurried over at a 7 km/h pace,
there'd be a time gap.
The accounts from the gym
and the school entrance line up.
But
coming from the ground entrance,
it would be more natural for him to say,
"When I got there,
Yagi was down and unresponsive."
Do you think the witness is lying?
You thought so too.
Isn't that why you're investigating?
No I thought his memory might be off.
Then present evidence to support that.
Evaluate the statements
based on the spatial layout.
It's like being in court.
We're not in court.
Huh?
My actions went far beyond
a judge's authority. This is not okay.
Absolutely not okay.
I'm leaving.
Ah, please wait!
Please.
Just wait around.
Around where?
I'm going to speak with some students
from the defendant's class.
After that, let's talk.
Where do you want me to wait?
I'll speak with the school.
Wait in a classroom, for example.
Please.
For example?
Do it.
Hurry up and do it!
Ando,
your desk is a mess.
Clean it up already.
We did it though, ha ha ha
Mr. Ando.
Mr. Ando.
Mr. Ando!
Most people's actions
are influenced by the environment.
School is a microcosm of society.
In a small community,
abnormal can seem normal
depending on the trigger.
You're curious about
what led them to commit group theft?
I am.
I learned some interesting things
from the students.
They say
they saw Kurita confronting his friends,
saying, "You took your cut. Now pay up."
Took your cut?
Also, among his friends,
some students would buy
extremely expensive things,
then suddenly be short on cash
and sell personal items online.
Money coming and going
Did something come to your mind?
And you came to me?
As a court enforcement officer,
you know how ugly it gets over money.
That's what Mr. Ando thinks.
After hearing the story
and the part about "your cut,"
something clicked.
Tell me.
What's in it for me?
I'll treat you to
the new sushi restaurant by--
The conveyor-belt one?
You want a dinner at a high-class
sushi restaurant or money?
Is that it?
I heard a rumor.
Your father is the ambassador
to the US, Junzo Onozaki.
And you've started focusing
on corporate law here?
You can return the favor
another time.
EXECUTIVES REPORTED
FOR GAMBLING DURING GOLF GAMES
Wait, what is this?
Apparently, "How much is my cut?"
was their code phrase.
High school students?
The group thefts began
right after this incident.
School is a microcosm of society.
And children grow up watching
the adults around them.
Toyodai Academy is filled
with children of big-company executives.
From the beginning,
I asked you to be honest
about what happened.
What are you talking about?
The group gambling.
There have been nationwide cases
of minors using online casinos.
Using smartphones and cashless payments,
there are loopholes.
But evidence is left behind.
So you came up with another method.
Your own gambling ring.
At first it was just for fun.
But it escalated.
The bets got higher,
and to pay off debts,
you ended up committing thefts.
Your evidence?
I confronted the boys
who took part in the group thefts.
They all reacted with shock.
That's not evidence!
Yes?
Excuse me.
Someone called from Toyodai Academy.
They said it's urgent.
Understood.
I'll be right back.
Onozaki speaking.
What?!
Understood. I'll check right away.
Kazuki Yagi has regained consciousness.
Now we'll find out
exactly what happened.
I talked to him already.
This trial is going to be messy.
You're Kazuki Yagi, right?
Tell me about the incident.
He doesn't remember?
Yes.
The doctor says the head injury
caused memory loss.
There's something I meant to ask you.
What is it?
Did the school actually know
the extent of the minors' gambling?
What if we did?
Director
This is a good opportunity to tell her.
We only had circumstantial evidence.
So it could be covered up.
What would happen if this got out?
The students would face harsher punishment
for their crimes.
And the school's reputation
would take a bigger hit.
The school imposed a gag order.
Ms. Onozaki.
A lawyer's job is to protect
the client's interests.
Do your job.
Hm?
Hey there, rich-girl lawyer.
The term "rich girl"
you just used
clearly implies "naive"
and "privileged."
I'll sue you for defamation.
Someone's been drinking
-Bartender, pour him a beer.
-Coming right up.
Wait we're drinking together?
You don't want to?
Sure, why not.
Okay.
-I have something to say.
-Okay.
There's something I'd like
to ask you, as my senior.
Fire away.
Why do we have trials?
Who are they for?
Hm?
What is a defense attorney's job?
What does protecting a client mean?
I shouldn't have become a lawyer.
What's this about?
My past.
Another round, please.
Coming right up.
What's going on
with that rich-girl lawyer?
I thought I'd just hear some ranting,
but she vented about her job.
Her emotions were all over the place.
I've got a hangover.
Onozaki actually kept up
with the chief? Not bad.
What's that supposed to mean?
Exactly what I said.
You're so cold.
That's fine.
Anyway, Ando, I hear the trial's stalled.
Both the defense and prosecution
requested a postponement.
I approved after hearing the reasons.
It's in your hands now.
Handle it properly.
Properly how?
Hmm
Jaaang something like this.
Okay
My head hurts
Welcome.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
Sure Oh, hm
This is a new dish.
I recommend it.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
It's authentic paella
with a rich seafood broth.
It's on special right now.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
Coming right up.
I had drinks with Mr. Kadokura last night.
I thought he was just going to rant,
but he vented about being a judge.
His feelings were all over the place.
It was exhausting.
He said the same thing.
The conversation just kept going,
and I almost said too much.
Bartender,
one more round.
You got it.
Why am I even telling all this to you?
Beats me.
And
you probably shouldn't.
Especially not to someone like me,
who regrets becoming a judge.
If you're lost on what
being a lawyer means,
talk to someone
who still tackles cases head-on.
-Another round.
-Gotcha.
Make it cold.
I
basically ran away from Tokyo.
Why are you telling me this?
In Japan's criminal justice system,
indictment nearly guarantees conviction.
Even if you believe in your clients
and give it your all, you can't save them.
At some point,
I started saying this
to defendants who plead not guilty.
It's smarter
to plead guilty and ask for leniency.
Six months ago, I handled
a criminal traffic case.
The victim was partly at fault.
The defendant was basically
caught up in it.
But that was hard to prove.
I told the defendant
he'd get a suspended sentence.
That it was better to plead guilty.
That's how I went into trial.
They ran into me. It's the truth.
Why won't you believe me?
Why?
Defense counsel?
Defense counsel?
Defense counsel!
That's when
something inside of me snapped.
I came back here
and decided I'd never
stand in court again.
But the Bar Association insisted,
so I took one last criminal case.
Takuro Ezawa's case.
That moment,
I thought, "Yay!"
I was ready to quit,
but I thought, "Yay!"
What does "Yay" mean?
Yay means
Yay!
It's all your fault.
Why?
I know that's shifting blame.
But I couldn't forget that feeling,
so I took this case.
If you regret it,
you can step down as counsel.
-That's easy for you to say.
-It is easy.
Once you empathize with a defendant,
it's not that simple.
The defendant is lying.
There's still more we don't know.
If you don't know what you don't know,
you'll never know what you need to know.
When the duty to uncover the truth
conflicts with the duty
to act in the client's interests,
the choice lies with the defense counsel.
That's what we learned in training.
It's true
We did learn that.
Something's off.
Don't talk to me about that.
Meeting like this
without the prosecutor is unethical.
But
There's something I need to understand.
Then just include him.
Pardon?
What on earth is this?
We're facing a truth problem.
Both the defense and the prosecution
have cards they can't play in court.
How about putting them on the table?
You're having trouble getting testimony
from Kazuki Yagi, aren't you?
I spoke to him several times,
and I keep wondering
whether he truly doesn't remember.
What if he's protecting Kurita?
-Why would he do that?
-I don't know yet.
That's why I went back
and looked into both of them again.
Yagi grew up in a single-parent household.
He lost his mother at 12,
and was raised in a care facility.
Perhaps because of everything
he's been through, he's kind by nature.
Nao Kurita, on the other hand,
grew up well-off.
But three years ago, he lost his father.
His mother contacted me
through the school,
and she seems cold towards her son.
If it's true he's covering for him,
then your self-defense argument
collapses.
I'm aware of that.
All I can tell you
is this.
You didn't actually think
I had nothing, did you?
We don't have proof he "took a cut,"
but secrets have a way of coming out.
They're hard to keep buried.
Symmetry
Mr. Ando?
What
are you looking at?
I've seen this. When he starts thinking,
he gets like this.
Ms. Onozaki, who picked your name?
What? My name?
My dad.
Why did he pick "Noa"?
Because it would work overseas as well.
How about you?
Apparently, "Shinji" means
"the one who governs truth."
A name is the first gift
a parent gives a child.
It always has meaning.
Take a look.
The name of the defendant's father,
Naomasa Kurita, is symmetrical.
And every design he created
is built on symmetry.
The victim's and defendant's names
are also connected through symmetry.
We need to find out if these coincidences
are coincidences at all.
I'm leaving.
-Oh.
-Hey!
Hey
Excuse me.
As Nao Kurita's defense attorney,
I intend to uncover the truth.
I'll prioritize defending my client
over the academy's reputation.
SECOND HEARING
Prosecutor, you were set
to examine a witness, correct?
It was Mr. Kazuki Yagi,
but after deliberation, he declined.
We are trying to persuade him.
Your Honor.
I'd like to speak with the defendant
on that matter.
Prosecutor, any objection?
None.
The defendant will take the stand.
Do you know why
Mr. Kazuki Yagi refused to testify?
I don't.
Because he knows the truth.
But he can't bring himself to say it.
When Mr. Yagi was 12,
he lost his mother,
his only remaining family.
At that time,
she told him who his father was.
A former high school classmate
she happened to reunite with
through work.
As they parted,
she confessed that
she had always loved him.
The man felt the same,
and the two began a relationship.
But the man was married.
What are you talking about?
Mr. Yagi's mother got pregnant.
The man decided to leave his wife.
He even thought about names,
Kazuki for a boy and Anna for a girl.
However,
Mr. Yagi's mother
considering the man's future
as an unknown designer,
told him she had an abortion and left him.
She decided to raise the child alone.
You and Mr. Kazuki Yagi
are blood-related siblings.
Yagi, we're the same.
Huh?
Our names are symmetrical,
left to right.
My late dad said it's a good omen.
It brings lucky connections.
Connections
need to be treasured.
I'll teach you
basketball.
Okay.
-Thanks.
-Bring it on!
You said
that Mr. Yagi demanded money
and struck you first.
And that you fought back.
Correct?
Regarding the incident,
Mr. Yagi isn't saying anything.
The only person who can tell the truth
is you.
Yagi
Yagi is
Kurita!
What the hell are you doing?!
This has nothing to do with you.
Return the stolen money.
Then turn yourself in.
No way.
No one's found out, why--
Stop messing around!
This isn't a joke!
Don't do it!
Don't ruin your own future!
Why do you care so much?
Leave me alone!
We're going to the police!
Come on, let's go!
Stop it!
Yagi was the only one
who tried to face me head-on.
And I
I punched him
And I shoved him.
If the gambling got out
it'd get everyone in trouble.
So
I made
a false statement.
When Yagi regained consciousness
I was scared.
But
I was also happy.
I was happy.
I'm sorry.
Defendant, approach the stand.
VERDICT IN THE ASSAUL
AND INCITEMENT TO THEFT CASE
Before delivering the verdict,
may the court say a word?
The kanji for "truth"
is written symmetrically.
Mr. Kurita, I hope that you and Mr. Yagi
can return to the harmonious relationship
you once shared.
The verdict.
The defendant is sentenced
to two years' imprisonment.
The sentence is suspended
for three years,
and during that time,
the defendant will be placed on probation.
If the defendant hadn't confessed,
we would've been the ones
to uncover the truth.
In that case,
he might not have received
a suspended sentence.
Feels like we lost somehow.
You got all the glory.
Toyodai Academy is in turmoil.
Resigning as the academy's
legal advisor
I can't say I understand it.
It was worthwhile.
So, yay!
Yay?
Yay!
I can't tell anyone.
-Overwork among truck drivers.
-Someone died.
I want to believe
it wasn't the father's fault.
I want to know the truth.
Wasn't the record falsified?
Information must be handled with care.
It's an inexcusable mistake.
Oh my. Tell me more.
It started while I was writing a verdict
for a vandalism case.
The defendant's name was Tadashi Ueda.
Tadashi Ueda?
-Can I borrow that?
-Sure.
This name
is geometrically perfect.
You're right.
And the kanji for his name means "right,"
written as "one" and "stop."
To be "right," do you have
to stop and think?
When I started to think about that,
my brain ran with it.
I don't remember ever liking kanji,
but suddenly I became fixated.
Maybe you're unconsciously searching
for hidden rules.
Fixations in autism spectrum disorder
often change.
Try enjoying the fixations.
That mindset might help.
Okay
I'm an alien.
I see the world differently
from Earthlings.
My job as an alien is to judge
Earthlings' conflicts properly,
according to their social rules.
THEMIS' UNCERTAIN COUR
EPISODE 2
DUTY OF TRUTH AND DUTY OF GOOD FAITH
Excuse me, could you stop
filming the students?
You may have already seen it in the news,
but we'll explain the case.
One of our basketball players, Nao Kurita,
has been committing thefts
totaling several million yen with a group
over the past six months.
A former basketball graduate
from another school,
Kazuki Yagi, confronted Kurita.
Yagi was seriously injured.
He remains unconscious
and in critical condition.
We want you to take on Kurita's defense.
The family is looking
for a competent lawyer.
Your father is a graduate of our school
and makes donations every year.
We'd like you to be our legal advisor.
I understand. I'll accept.
Please protect them.
Both the student's future
and the school's honor.
We're counting on your skills.
Yes.
To start with,
tell me what really happened.
It's not my fault.
I didn't start the fight.
Yagi hit me, demanding the stolen money.
So I defended myself.
Can you explain in more detail?
Charges and penal provisions,
Articles 204, 61 paragraph 1,
and 235 of the Penal Code.
How does the defendant plead?
Not guilty, Your Honor.
On assault, self-defense applies,
so not guilty.
On theft incitement, it amounts
only to aiding and abetting.
I will outline the case.
Two years ago, the defendant and victim
met during a practice match
and became friends as they played
the same position.
Why are you paying attention to me?
Because you're too weak.
You're no match for me!
Cocky much?
I'll make you regret it!
Soon, the basketball court that lay
halfway between the two schools
became a hangout.
Back when Mr. Yagi was around,
it was a well-behaved group.
But after the victim graduated,
the defendant took charge.
Seeking money for fun,
he instructed them
to extort and harass people.
This later escalated to group theft.
The father of one of his accomplices'
works in real estate,
and they used his master keys
to steal from rental properties.
When the victim learned this,
an argument broke out
in front of the clubroom.
The defendant pushed the victim,
causing injuries that left
the latter unconscious.
After graduating,
the victim was studying
at a vocational school.
Taking advantage of the victim's
inability to testify,
the defendant falsely claims the victim
attacked him and demanded money.
To argue that it was aiding theft,
not incitement, is just an excuse
Bilateral symmetry
About the juvenile criminal case
Explain why you agreed to let Ando
handle this case on his own.
It's hard to explain in just a few words.
Then use as many words as you need.
I know a good place,
we could talk over a drink.
You're dodging again.
No, thank you.
I shouldn't have become a judge.
I retire in two years.
I'm just a bit curious.
Symmetry.
NAO KURITA, KAZUKI YAGI
Your Honor
Your Honor
Your Honor,
the opening statement is complete.
-Were you listening--
-I was.
The court has some questions
for the defendant.
Defense counsel, prosecutor,
may I proceed?
Defendant, please take the stand.
After Mr. Yagi graduated
and you became the leader of the group,
why did you start committing crimes?
Because I wanted money
to spend on fun stuff.
Be more specific.
To eat out with friends,
go to karaoke
Anything else?
To buy basketball cards
of overseas players,
and bid on basketball goods.
Is that all?
Twenty people participated
in the thefts, right?
Your Honor,
how he spent the money
isn't relevant to the trial.
It started with a few
thousand yen extorted,
then escalated into planned,
large-scale thefts.
I want to identify all the factors
that led to this escalation,
so I can fully understand the case.
I'll investigate before the next hearing.
Defense, do you have evidence
to support the claim of self-defense?
We will submit witness testimony
as evidence.
How did the trial go?
The defense is contesting everything.
They argue self-defense,
and aiding, not incitement, on the theft.
Things are getting interesting.
I'm curious to see what
that rich-girl lawyer does.
Remember I told you she used to work
at a major law firm in Tokyo?
Apparently, she was a full-time volunteer.
She was doing a lot of it pro bono.
She focused on criminal defense,
but after moving here,
she started doing corporate work
through her father's connections.
Well, criminal defense
has no perks at all.
"No one wants to do it."
"There's no money or reward in it."
Looks like she'll be
the school's legal counsel.
In the end, it's all about money.
Yes, money.
Ms. Onozaki.
I'm here to pick up the agenda
for the next three-party conference.
Understood.
Excuse me,
how much did you hear?
-How much?
-Yes.
Oh, you didn't hear anything?
Then we're good.
What were you talking about?
About you moving back here
and pursuing corporate law
with your father's help,
all because of money.
He told her everything.
Ando,
you always manage to surprise me.
You're really something else.
Thank you.
It wasn't a compliment.
What's that?
Some new kind of sarcasm?
Defendant: Nao Kurita, 18.
Third-year at Toyodai Academy.
The charges are
assault and theft incitement.
The incident happened in front of
the clubroom behind the school gym.
The victim repeatedly called
the defendant with no response,
and went to the school.
An argument followed.
Eyewitnesses claiming self-defense include
Yusuke Masaki,
Satoshi Kawano,
Yuichi Kawagoe.
All three give nearly identical accounts.
"I heard shouting and ran over."
"I saw Kazuki Yagi attack Nao Kurita."
The shouting was heard
at the ground entrance,
the school entrance,
and the gym.
"I heard shouting and ran over."
"I saw Kazuki Yagi attack Nao Kurita."
Same testimony different locations
Same testimony different locations
Same testimony different locations
Excuse me
There's a weird guy
What do you think you're doing?
I'm talking to you.
What are you doing?
I may look suspicious,
but I'm not a suspicious person.
Have you looked at yourself?
What exactly do you mean by that?
Come with us. We have a few questions.
Hey, you!
You're coming with us.
Are you listening?
Hello?
Mr. Ando?
What are you doing here?
Do you know him?
He's a judge.
A judge?
Did you come to speak with people
involved in the case about the defendant?
Something was bothering me.
Something you were already looking into.
Roughly speaking,
it takes 15 seconds
from the entrance to the scene.
20 seconds from the gym,
and about 40 seconds
from the ground entrance.
Shouts would likely carry
to any of those locations.
But given the layout, even if someone
hurried over at a 7 km/h pace,
there'd be a time gap.
The accounts from the gym
and the school entrance line up.
But
coming from the ground entrance,
it would be more natural for him to say,
"When I got there,
Yagi was down and unresponsive."
Do you think the witness is lying?
You thought so too.
Isn't that why you're investigating?
No I thought his memory might be off.
Then present evidence to support that.
Evaluate the statements
based on the spatial layout.
It's like being in court.
We're not in court.
Huh?
My actions went far beyond
a judge's authority. This is not okay.
Absolutely not okay.
I'm leaving.
Ah, please wait!
Please.
Just wait around.
Around where?
I'm going to speak with some students
from the defendant's class.
After that, let's talk.
Where do you want me to wait?
I'll speak with the school.
Wait in a classroom, for example.
Please.
For example?
Do it.
Hurry up and do it!
Ando,
your desk is a mess.
Clean it up already.
We did it though, ha ha ha
Mr. Ando.
Mr. Ando.
Mr. Ando!
Most people's actions
are influenced by the environment.
School is a microcosm of society.
In a small community,
abnormal can seem normal
depending on the trigger.
You're curious about
what led them to commit group theft?
I am.
I learned some interesting things
from the students.
They say
they saw Kurita confronting his friends,
saying, "You took your cut. Now pay up."
Took your cut?
Also, among his friends,
some students would buy
extremely expensive things,
then suddenly be short on cash
and sell personal items online.
Money coming and going
Did something come to your mind?
And you came to me?
As a court enforcement officer,
you know how ugly it gets over money.
That's what Mr. Ando thinks.
After hearing the story
and the part about "your cut,"
something clicked.
Tell me.
What's in it for me?
I'll treat you to
the new sushi restaurant by--
The conveyor-belt one?
You want a dinner at a high-class
sushi restaurant or money?
Is that it?
I heard a rumor.
Your father is the ambassador
to the US, Junzo Onozaki.
And you've started focusing
on corporate law here?
You can return the favor
another time.
EXECUTIVES REPORTED
FOR GAMBLING DURING GOLF GAMES
Wait, what is this?
Apparently, "How much is my cut?"
was their code phrase.
High school students?
The group thefts began
right after this incident.
School is a microcosm of society.
And children grow up watching
the adults around them.
Toyodai Academy is filled
with children of big-company executives.
From the beginning,
I asked you to be honest
about what happened.
What are you talking about?
The group gambling.
There have been nationwide cases
of minors using online casinos.
Using smartphones and cashless payments,
there are loopholes.
But evidence is left behind.
So you came up with another method.
Your own gambling ring.
At first it was just for fun.
But it escalated.
The bets got higher,
and to pay off debts,
you ended up committing thefts.
Your evidence?
I confronted the boys
who took part in the group thefts.
They all reacted with shock.
That's not evidence!
Yes?
Excuse me.
Someone called from Toyodai Academy.
They said it's urgent.
Understood.
I'll be right back.
Onozaki speaking.
What?!
Understood. I'll check right away.
Kazuki Yagi has regained consciousness.
Now we'll find out
exactly what happened.
I talked to him already.
This trial is going to be messy.
You're Kazuki Yagi, right?
Tell me about the incident.
He doesn't remember?
Yes.
The doctor says the head injury
caused memory loss.
There's something I meant to ask you.
What is it?
Did the school actually know
the extent of the minors' gambling?
What if we did?
Director
This is a good opportunity to tell her.
We only had circumstantial evidence.
So it could be covered up.
What would happen if this got out?
The students would face harsher punishment
for their crimes.
And the school's reputation
would take a bigger hit.
The school imposed a gag order.
Ms. Onozaki.
A lawyer's job is to protect
the client's interests.
Do your job.
Hm?
Hey there, rich-girl lawyer.
The term "rich girl"
you just used
clearly implies "naive"
and "privileged."
I'll sue you for defamation.
Someone's been drinking
-Bartender, pour him a beer.
-Coming right up.
Wait we're drinking together?
You don't want to?
Sure, why not.
Okay.
-I have something to say.
-Okay.
There's something I'd like
to ask you, as my senior.
Fire away.
Why do we have trials?
Who are they for?
Hm?
What is a defense attorney's job?
What does protecting a client mean?
I shouldn't have become a lawyer.
What's this about?
My past.
Another round, please.
Coming right up.
What's going on
with that rich-girl lawyer?
I thought I'd just hear some ranting,
but she vented about her job.
Her emotions were all over the place.
I've got a hangover.
Onozaki actually kept up
with the chief? Not bad.
What's that supposed to mean?
Exactly what I said.
You're so cold.
That's fine.
Anyway, Ando, I hear the trial's stalled.
Both the defense and prosecution
requested a postponement.
I approved after hearing the reasons.
It's in your hands now.
Handle it properly.
Properly how?
Hmm
Jaaang something like this.
Okay
My head hurts
Welcome.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
Sure Oh, hm
This is a new dish.
I recommend it.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
It's authentic paella
with a rich seafood broth.
It's on special right now.
Ketchup spaghetti meal, please.
Coming right up.
I had drinks with Mr. Kadokura last night.
I thought he was just going to rant,
but he vented about being a judge.
His feelings were all over the place.
It was exhausting.
He said the same thing.
The conversation just kept going,
and I almost said too much.
Bartender,
one more round.
You got it.
Why am I even telling all this to you?
Beats me.
And
you probably shouldn't.
Especially not to someone like me,
who regrets becoming a judge.
If you're lost on what
being a lawyer means,
talk to someone
who still tackles cases head-on.
-Another round.
-Gotcha.
Make it cold.
I
basically ran away from Tokyo.
Why are you telling me this?
In Japan's criminal justice system,
indictment nearly guarantees conviction.
Even if you believe in your clients
and give it your all, you can't save them.
At some point,
I started saying this
to defendants who plead not guilty.
It's smarter
to plead guilty and ask for leniency.
Six months ago, I handled
a criminal traffic case.
The victim was partly at fault.
The defendant was basically
caught up in it.
But that was hard to prove.
I told the defendant
he'd get a suspended sentence.
That it was better to plead guilty.
That's how I went into trial.
They ran into me. It's the truth.
Why won't you believe me?
Why?
Defense counsel?
Defense counsel?
Defense counsel!
That's when
something inside of me snapped.
I came back here
and decided I'd never
stand in court again.
But the Bar Association insisted,
so I took one last criminal case.
Takuro Ezawa's case.
That moment,
I thought, "Yay!"
I was ready to quit,
but I thought, "Yay!"
What does "Yay" mean?
Yay means
Yay!
It's all your fault.
Why?
I know that's shifting blame.
But I couldn't forget that feeling,
so I took this case.
If you regret it,
you can step down as counsel.
-That's easy for you to say.
-It is easy.
Once you empathize with a defendant,
it's not that simple.
The defendant is lying.
There's still more we don't know.
If you don't know what you don't know,
you'll never know what you need to know.
When the duty to uncover the truth
conflicts with the duty
to act in the client's interests,
the choice lies with the defense counsel.
That's what we learned in training.
It's true
We did learn that.
Something's off.
Don't talk to me about that.
Meeting like this
without the prosecutor is unethical.
But
There's something I need to understand.
Then just include him.
Pardon?
What on earth is this?
We're facing a truth problem.
Both the defense and the prosecution
have cards they can't play in court.
How about putting them on the table?
You're having trouble getting testimony
from Kazuki Yagi, aren't you?
I spoke to him several times,
and I keep wondering
whether he truly doesn't remember.
What if he's protecting Kurita?
-Why would he do that?
-I don't know yet.
That's why I went back
and looked into both of them again.
Yagi grew up in a single-parent household.
He lost his mother at 12,
and was raised in a care facility.
Perhaps because of everything
he's been through, he's kind by nature.
Nao Kurita, on the other hand,
grew up well-off.
But three years ago, he lost his father.
His mother contacted me
through the school,
and she seems cold towards her son.
If it's true he's covering for him,
then your self-defense argument
collapses.
I'm aware of that.
All I can tell you
is this.
You didn't actually think
I had nothing, did you?
We don't have proof he "took a cut,"
but secrets have a way of coming out.
They're hard to keep buried.
Symmetry
Mr. Ando?
What
are you looking at?
I've seen this. When he starts thinking,
he gets like this.
Ms. Onozaki, who picked your name?
What? My name?
My dad.
Why did he pick "Noa"?
Because it would work overseas as well.
How about you?
Apparently, "Shinji" means
"the one who governs truth."
A name is the first gift
a parent gives a child.
It always has meaning.
Take a look.
The name of the defendant's father,
Naomasa Kurita, is symmetrical.
And every design he created
is built on symmetry.
The victim's and defendant's names
are also connected through symmetry.
We need to find out if these coincidences
are coincidences at all.
I'm leaving.
-Oh.
-Hey!
Hey
Excuse me.
As Nao Kurita's defense attorney,
I intend to uncover the truth.
I'll prioritize defending my client
over the academy's reputation.
SECOND HEARING
Prosecutor, you were set
to examine a witness, correct?
It was Mr. Kazuki Yagi,
but after deliberation, he declined.
We are trying to persuade him.
Your Honor.
I'd like to speak with the defendant
on that matter.
Prosecutor, any objection?
None.
The defendant will take the stand.
Do you know why
Mr. Kazuki Yagi refused to testify?
I don't.
Because he knows the truth.
But he can't bring himself to say it.
When Mr. Yagi was 12,
he lost his mother,
his only remaining family.
At that time,
she told him who his father was.
A former high school classmate
she happened to reunite with
through work.
As they parted,
she confessed that
she had always loved him.
The man felt the same,
and the two began a relationship.
But the man was married.
What are you talking about?
Mr. Yagi's mother got pregnant.
The man decided to leave his wife.
He even thought about names,
Kazuki for a boy and Anna for a girl.
However,
Mr. Yagi's mother
considering the man's future
as an unknown designer,
told him she had an abortion and left him.
She decided to raise the child alone.
You and Mr. Kazuki Yagi
are blood-related siblings.
Yagi, we're the same.
Huh?
Our names are symmetrical,
left to right.
My late dad said it's a good omen.
It brings lucky connections.
Connections
need to be treasured.
I'll teach you
basketball.
Okay.
-Thanks.
-Bring it on!
You said
that Mr. Yagi demanded money
and struck you first.
And that you fought back.
Correct?
Regarding the incident,
Mr. Yagi isn't saying anything.
The only person who can tell the truth
is you.
Yagi
Yagi is
Kurita!
What the hell are you doing?!
This has nothing to do with you.
Return the stolen money.
Then turn yourself in.
No way.
No one's found out, why--
Stop messing around!
This isn't a joke!
Don't do it!
Don't ruin your own future!
Why do you care so much?
Leave me alone!
We're going to the police!
Come on, let's go!
Stop it!
Yagi was the only one
who tried to face me head-on.
And I
I punched him
And I shoved him.
If the gambling got out
it'd get everyone in trouble.
So
I made
a false statement.
When Yagi regained consciousness
I was scared.
But
I was also happy.
I was happy.
I'm sorry.
Defendant, approach the stand.
VERDICT IN THE ASSAUL
AND INCITEMENT TO THEFT CASE
Before delivering the verdict,
may the court say a word?
The kanji for "truth"
is written symmetrically.
Mr. Kurita, I hope that you and Mr. Yagi
can return to the harmonious relationship
you once shared.
The verdict.
The defendant is sentenced
to two years' imprisonment.
The sentence is suspended
for three years,
and during that time,
the defendant will be placed on probation.
If the defendant hadn't confessed,
we would've been the ones
to uncover the truth.
In that case,
he might not have received
a suspended sentence.
Feels like we lost somehow.
You got all the glory.
Toyodai Academy is in turmoil.
Resigning as the academy's
legal advisor
I can't say I understand it.
It was worthwhile.
So, yay!
Yay?
Yay!
I can't tell anyone.
-Overwork among truck drivers.
-Someone died.
I want to believe
it wasn't the father's fault.
I want to know the truth.
Wasn't the record falsified?
Information must be handled with care.
It's an inexcusable mistake.