Translation: HPriest @ d-addicts
What's the point of closing them at night?
EP 1: Lawyer Shirai Shinnosuke's Great Judgement
It should be fine anyway.
Well then, Shirai-sensei.
Everything is ready.
Great.
I'll begin now.
On February 19th, at 2:25 pm, you folks - the police...
...in spite of my clients refusal, conducted an illegal questioning on the street...
...which caused my client to miss his appointment...
...and therefore lose out on a 500 million Yen business deal.
How do you intend to take responsibility for that?
Responsibility? More like he was running away from something.
He must have done something bad.
Couldn't he just have made a call if he was going to be late!?
And to make it worse, you forced him to give his fingerprint...
...which caused him to sprain his thumb.
I have the medical certificate right here.
As a lawyer, I absolutely cannot forgive such police brutality.
In the near future, we're going to claim exactly...
...those 500 million Yen plus the medical fees for this thumb.
That's all.
- We should be done here then, right? - Sensei, this way.
Right.
500 million Yen my ass. Can he please stop being such an annoyance?
- That Shirai bastard. - What a pettifogger.
That's strange.
I'm pretty sure we already made the bank deposit for last month's and this month's rent.
Understood, I'll verify it immediately.
Man, I got drenched.
Sensei, it will be really bad if we can't pay the rent and the bar association fee...
...by the end of the month somehow.
386,000 Yen in total.
Rather than dealing with those strange people...
...shouldn't you try to find a more steady job?
Chika-chan, you better not worry too much about that.
I'm going home.
Kuroiwa-san, those are the company's president Matsuo...
- ...and his secretary Kaneko. - Hello.
He's your security guard, right?
Yes, he was sent by the security firm we have a contract with.
And what about the stolen painting?
It's called "Futari".
I bought it for 300 million Yen at an overseas auction two years ago.
300 million Yen?
It was painted by Henri Lugar after all.
- That alone makes it worth the price. - No clue.
- Chief Kuroiwa. - Good to see you.
This is probably what he got hit with.
The criminal must have entered from here.
A pretty rough guy, huh?
That's his specialty, you know.
- Independent films and stuff, right? - Yeah.
The criminal broke in at 1:55 am.
That's him.
At 2:02 am, the guard comes in.
Let's see.
The guard is supposed to go around every hour at 1 am, 2 am and 3 am.
At 2:13 am, the criminal leaves with the painting.
This must have been after he killed the guard.
Is there no footage of his face? Check all cameras.
No matter which camera, his face is always hidden.
Why is there no camera at the crucial spot, I wonder?
President of Time Fields, Matsuo Kosuke...
...being widely known as a lover of art...
...has collected many paintings and sculptures.
The criminal is wanted for murder and robbery by the police.
So pretty!
Coming.
Is this Lawyer Shirai's place?
Yes, do you have an appointment?
No, but I need to consult him asap.
Let me introduce myself.
Please wait here for a second.
Sensei, please get up!
You won't believe it; the president of Time Fields has just come through our door.
What? Clean up the place!
Necktie, necktie, necktie!
Alright.
I'm so sorry for the wait. This way please.
It won't be much longer, please have a seat.
Of course, you know I don't lose.
I'll get you your damages of 380 million Yen.
Yes, just leave it to me.
I'm sorry for the wait.
I'm swamped with work.
My name is Shirai Shinnosuke.
Pleased to meet you, I'm Matsuo Kosuke.
Time Fields?
Have a seat.
The same company who had the prized painting stolen?
Yes, that's the one.
What a calamity, I imagine.
You know, that painting, I'm a big fan of it too.
That, you know, well... who was it again?
- Henri Lugar. - Ah right, him.
That person, such talent, am I right?
So, what has brought you here today?
As a matter of fact, I was secretly reached out to...
...by the group that sole this painting from me.
If I pay, they will return it to me.
However, if I tell the police, they will destroy it.
I've decided to pay the ransom.
It's just that I'm a complete amateur when it comes to such things.
Therefore I want to ask you...
...to handle the negotiations with those criminals.
Why me?
That is because I heard...
...of your reputation of not submitting to the police...
...never sparing an effort, and always giving your best for your clients.
I absolutely want this painting back.
Of course, your efforts will be compensated appropriately.
How much are we talking here?
I'm sure you don't want your office to remain...
...in such a rundown building forever, if you know what I mean.
I see.
If that's the situation, you indeed have made...
...a wise choice by having come knocking at my door.
As you said, the police couldn't care less about the victim's feelings.
Just leave it to me.
Shirai Shinnosuke...
...is definitely going to recover that painting for you.
- That doesn't make sense. - I agree.
Something's creepy about that guy. Unlikable, smug, classes.
Hello, Togawa speaking.
MPD, General Affairs Department, Accounting, Nakano Hitomi speaking.
It's about one of your receipts you handed in before.
The stamp seems to be missing...
...and if you fail to come have it stamped immediately....
...those 1,520 Yen will be considered to have been paid at your own expense.
If it's just a stamp you need, why don't you do it yourself!
Okay, suspicious.
He sure is rich, huh?
Hello, Shirai Shinnosuke Law Office.
You Matsuo's proxy?
That's right.
This is how it's going down.
First, it's 100 million.
100 million!? That's way too much...
If you don't like it, this negotiation is over.
The ransom of 100 million and 400,000 Yen...
...seems like an odd amount, doesn't it?
At first they demanded 150 million.
However, I somehow got them to lower it through our negotiation.
Tonight at 10, with the money in a suitcase...
...you come to warehouse number 12 at Harumi Pier, alone.
You put the suitcase there and leave.
Once we've confirmed the money, we return the painting.
- I don't think so. - What?
This wouldn't keep you from taking the money without returning the painting.
First you'll allow me to verify the painting is safe.
Once I've confirmed it's the real thing, I tell you the location of the suitcase.
You can keep an eye on me until you've confirmed the money.
I see.
As expected, a pettifogger like you knows what he's doing.
Shirai here, I confirmed the painting.
The money is at the West Kyakusen Terminal.
There's a bench near the entrance. It's under the bench.
Understood.
You don't move an inch until I have confirmation.
I'm watching you the whole time.
We have the money. Take the painting and leave.
- Good morning! - You too.
Chika-chan, there's 400,000 Yen.
That should be enough for this month, right?
400,000 ?
Where did that come from!?
I told you not to worry too much.
But we only need 386,000 Yen for this month...
...which means we have 14,000 Yen left.
Well then, go ahead and eat some of that sweet stuff you love until you become round as a ball.
Can I really?
Matsuo is going to be so pleased with me...
...that money will keep coming nonstop from now on.
We're all about justice - Shirai Shinnosuke Law Office.
Sure, one second please.
Sensei, Matsuo is on the line.
Yes, Shirai speaking.
The police?
What's going on? Why is the painting back?
When I woke up this morning, it was in the front of my house.
Perhaps the criminals who stole the painting were struck by its beauty...
...and had pangs of conscience.
You see, that's the power of real art right there.
What the hell are you doing here anyway?
I'm their legal adviser, you know.
You dealt with the criminals on your own accord.
Don't you understand? This is a murder case!
Knowing the criminals and hiding their identity is a serious crime.
Hold on Detective, are you threating my client?
We will definitely find the criminals.
Once we do and find out you dealt with them...
- ...you won't be able to talk your way out of that. - Let's go, okay.
Shirai, you son of a bitch.
Will we be okay? What if the they find out.
No need to worry.
It's the police, they are all bark and no bite.
Sir, art critic Takemura is here to see you.
- Takemura-san? What's he doing here? - What shall I do?
- I don't mind, let him through. - Very well.
I heard the painting is back and came to congratulate you.
You say that, but isn't it the opposite?
I know that you are speaking ill of me wherever you can.
"A nouveau riche with no eye for art," was it?
Isn't that the truth?
If you keep up with the insults...
...I'll be forced to take necessary steps.
This is a very resourceful lawyer...
...we have recently acquired as support.
If that's the case, let me formerly greet you.
- I'm Takemura. - I'm Shirai.
Ah, so this is the painting in question.
Yes.
Fascinating, this masterpiece.
It has come to our attention that the painting "Futari" that was recently returned...
...to Time Fields by a group of criminals, could in fact be an imitation.
Unfortunately, that painting is a fake.
It's pretty obvious if you actually know the painting.
Considering that Time Fields must have paid a lot for that painting...
...the group of criminals must have made a huge profit.
This sure is a serious problem.
I'll promptly take legal actions against this Takemura.
Everything he said was nothing but an insult towards you.
First we'll have the painting appraised by someone official.
Once we have the proof of authenticity...
- ...we can use that to... - We can't do that.
What?
If it were to turn out to be a knock-off...
...the whole world would start to see me as a nouveau riche with no eye for art.
If that happens...
...it will be his triumph.
Are you saying this is a fake?
No, I don't think so.
However, in the unlikely event that it is...
Besides, if it were to turn out to be a knock-off...
...wouldn't that be bad for you as well?
It was me who paid them the 100 million, no 100 million and 400,000 Yen to be exact....
But, of course, you will get reimbursed for your efforts.
You were the one who handled the direct negotiations after all.
Well then, see you tomorrow.
Have a nice evening.
I'm off.
Hello, Shirai Shinnosuke Law Office.
We had the pleasure the other day, I'm Takemura.
- Why are you calling? - I understand that you have been...
...entrusted with buying work of art for our common rich friend.
How about you cut off your ties with that worthless Matsuo...
...and become my legal adviser instead?
I will offer you twice whatever he pays you.
Please think about it. I'm expecting a call from you.
Well, why not?
Hello, Shirai Shinnosuke Law Office.
I'm indebted to you.
Thanks to you we made a large amount of money.
You deserve our thanks. Of course, the painting we returned is a fake.
- You son of a...! - No need to get angry.
We're getting to the sweet part of our business talk now.
We want to sell the real painting on the black market.
However, Matsuo keeps insisting that the painting...
...in his possession is the real thing.
That's where you come in.
When our buyer contacts you...
...we want you to convey to him that the painting...
...we sold to him is indeed the real thing.
You'll get 10% of the earnings.
You gotta be kidding!
- That would make me an accomplice! - 15％.
- Fine. - Betray us and we'll end you.
Sensei, thanks for the other day.
It's me, Yasuda.
Ah, it's you.
How's your thumb?
Thanks to you, it's better than before.
No, you can't say that. We need your thumb...
...to be useless for at least another half a year.
It'll be fine.
All we have to do is to squeeze the police as much as we can.
Actually, it's our boss who would like to have a word with you.
Given that you're such a capable man, he said that he'd like to meet you himself.
Would you be able to come by our place sometime?
Of course, I don't mind.
- Thank you very much! - Sure, goodbye.
Crap.
- You're Togawa-san from First Division, right? - Yes.
Someone from the MPD wants to see you asap.
- She's waiting in the security room. - Who?
This mandarin is sweet!
Geez, please don't frighten me like that.
If we don't get your seal on this receipt by today, the money won't go through.
1,520 Yen.
And when I asked around First Division, they told me that you're not in.
So I came here.
Now I feel bad.
Well then, your seal please.
- I don't have it with me. - I can help you with that.
You left it at First Division.
Then why didn't you go ahead and apply it yourself?
I can't just do that.
We're talking about the taxes of our country's citizen here.
We have to be precise about those things.
Shouldn't you give me those 1,520 Yen now?
The things is, while coming here...
...I had to use the train and also went to have a bite to eat...
...which eventually amounted exactly to 1,520 Yen.
Since that was only necessary because I had to get to you...
...I'm sure you wouldn't mind if we called it even. Please!
Then don't come!
Also, I have something on my mind.
Can you have a look?
I want you to pay clooose attention to here...
The criminal broke in at about 1:55 am.
The security guard went to go on patrol at about 2:00 am...
...which means that during the break-in...
...he must have been here in this room.
Yeah.
Hey, you!
Now we're right here.
The backdoor the criminal apparently has forced open, is here.
It's right above.
- That's not that far, huh? - Yeah.
The criminal broke through the backdoor with a fire extinguisher.
If that's the case, then he definitely must have heard something down here.
I wonder why the guard didn't notice anything at the time.
What are you driving at?
Isn't it because the criminal didn't break in through the backdoor...
...but instead left through that door?
The criminal must have made his way in from somewhere else.
Killed the guard while robbing the painting...
...and broke the backdoor during his escape.
Why would he...
So that it would look like he forcibly had to break his way into the building.
In other words...
...the criminal is someone who works in this company!
- That's it. - I see.
That would explain why the cameras weren't able to get his face.
He knew exactly where they were beforehand!
Yes!
- An insider? - That's right.
That's absurd.
I know that you're hiding the fact that you had a deal with the criminals.
No, I never...
They're people who don't even stop at murder in order to snatch a painting.
Nobody would be as dumb to believe that they simply returned the painting.
Somebody in this company stole the painting...
...and made you buy it back.
Is there anyone who comes to mind?
I can't believe you.
- Yes, Togawa speaking. - Hello.
My name is Kaneko, I'm the secretary of Time Fields president Matsuo.
There is something I need to tell you about the painting.
Sure.
Tonight at 7, the coffee shop in front of the station.
Understood, I'll be there.
Ah, sensei!
- Hello. - Thanks for coming, this way.
Welcome!
I'm President Tokuda.
Please.
We often receive requests from people who are said to be lovers of art.
If those people happened to have been tricked into buying an imitation...
...we, besides finding those who did that and recovering the money...
...always like to add an adequate form of punishment for their foul play.
That's what I call justice.
You're a lawyer, so you know what I'm talking about.
Of course.
Speaking of which, that's the real thing, isn't it?
Yes.
According to the person who bought this...
...the people who palmed this one off on him said that you can guarantee that this is the real thing.
When our buyer contacts you...
...we want you to convey to him that the painting we sold to him is indeed the real thing.
As you know, the person who bought this wouldn't be in a position to have it get officially appraised.
I see, so that's why I'm here.
Well then, if you allow me.
They didn't lie, this one definitely is the real Futari.
Alright, then how about the next one?
That one was bought by another lover of art.
The people who sold this to him...
...once again said that you can guarantee its authenticity.
Why are there two copies of the same painting?
I'm curious about the explanation.
I'd love nothing more than to explain.
Let's get right to it.
Please, please, stay seated.
If you allow me. This painting is called Futari, as in two people.
One painting alone would be one, which is why together they are two.
Move that one here.
And if you were to put one above the other.
They would eventually become two.
Please have a look at them this way.
Now it's one looking down at two.
Please go ahead an take that in for a moment.
Huh?
- He ran away! - You idiots! After him!
Stop, you bastard! Stop!
You bastard! I said stop!
What is this? Why did you sell two identical copies?
Two? That can't be. There's only one real painting.
I saw them with my own eyes. They're identical.
That almost got me killed.
Something is not right.
It's our responsibility to keep you safe.
Let's meet up and discuss this. We'll also give you your reward.
Understood. Where should we meet?
Shirai here, I just arrived at the arranged location.
We're on our way. Please wait there.
What's that?
What? Something's coming. Tiny, tiny person.
Tiny soldier, definitely.
Oh crap, oh crap! I'm dead, I'm gonna die!
Oh crap!
I'm gonna make it!
I'm gonna make it~!
Hello, we're all about justice...
- ...Shirai Shinnosuke Law Office. - It's me.
- Ah, it's you. - Is there anyone there?
The people from Tokutoku Finance are waiting for you.
Right now...
...we're having a hot pot party!
Cheers!
- Hello. - Yo.
Kaneko Masami.
She's the secretary of Time Fields's president.
- I know. - Sorry.
She must have jumped from the rooftop.
There was a suicide note left up there.
I'm sorry.
It was me who stole the painting.
Taking the security guard's life was just an accident.
Driven by a feeling of remorse, I decided to return the painting.
Knowing that the police is getting closer to the truth, I chose to take my own life.
I'm so sorry about everything.
Alright, case solved.
Is that really what happened?
Yesterday she wanted to tell me something.
I waited at the place we'd agreed to meet, but she never came.
I couldn't get in touch with her either.
Perhaps the real criminal found out and killed her.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It'll be clear once they've analyzed the handwriting.
Kaneko, why...
Gimme that.
Matsuo-san, Sir, I don't want to be impolite...
...but do you happen to have something like a written note by Kaneko-san or anything like that?
For us to analyze the handwriting.
I understand. I'm going to look right away.
The suicide note that was found at the spot where Kaneko-san must have jumped off the building...
...had indeed been written by Kaneko Masami herself concluding that she's behind the series of cases.
That's stupid! The hell are you doing!?
The documents about the suspect's death have been sent to the prosecutor.
They're here.
Get in!
- There are more behind this? - Yes.
The criminals have used my name...
...to sell several imitations of this painting.
Thanks to that...
...I'm being chased by those who bought them.
I confronted the group of thieves and after that...
...they tried to kill me themselves.
In other words, this means there are currently two groups after your life?
That's right.
I can't even go back to my office, because they're watching the place.
Do you happen to have someplace, somewhere...
...where I can hide for the time being?
I have a holiday house in Yamanakako.
You can hide there for a while.
I'm gonna go and tell the police that there are more criminals.
Thank you so much.
Excuse me.
I'll have guards at the holiday house around the clock.
Thank you very much.
Man, even with rifles...
They were trying to kill you with a bomb after all.
We can't be too careful.
- Right. - Be careful.
Huh? Aren't we heading the opposite of Yamanakako?
The road sign.
You ignoring me?
Man, even with rifles...
They were trying to kill you with a bomb after all.
Why does he know about the bomb?
Don't tell me the group of thieves...
This is how it's going down.
First, it's 100 million.
What? President Matsuo?
My stomach hurts. I have to go to a bathroom.
Could we stop by a nice place?
Ah, it hurts so much...
Toilet paper, thanks a lot.
It hurts...
The paper, I dropped the paper.
The criminal who stole the painting is selling various imitations on the black market.
I'm telling you, Kaneko Masami can't be the criminal.
No! The handwriting on the suicide note is definitely hers, so we're done here.
Let's go and have a drink, okay?
Assistant Inspector Kuroiwa, do you have a minute?
What is it?
There are some discrepancies regarding one of the receipts you handed in before.
I tried to reach you on phone.
Ah, I'm sorry, but you see, we're super busy right now.
It'll only take one minute!
It's about this one.
- The address and the amount are forged, right? - Forged...?!
Didn't you write this yourself?
What are you saying! How dare you!
The person at the establishment wrote it.
If you're doubting me, go ahead and compare it to other receipts of the same place.
Of course, I already did that.
And...
Everything is overlapping perfectly.
You must have traced everything that way, didn't you?
Are you okay with this?
Those 89,800 Yen, you'll have to return them now.
That's it! Come with me!
Pardon me. I'm from First Division, Togawa.
MPD, General Affairs Department, Accounting, I'm Nakano Hitomi.
You know, said suicide note by Kaneko Masami...
...couldn't it be that someone traced her letters by putting another paper on top of one of her writings?
No, if that were the case, you could immediately tell by the progress of the writing brush.
Really.
Say, could we have a look at her personal effects?
It really is identical.
Stop!
Togawa-san, isn't that odd?
- What is? - The pressure of writing...
...can be seen on the next pager under it, right?
Of couse you can.
But on a closer look...
...it's the opposite here...
...whereas top page has traces left of the letters from...
...the bottom page!
Ah... you're right!
In... other... words!?
That suicide note wasn't written by Kaneko Masami after all.
The sample that was handed in for comparison hadn't been written by Kaneko Masami in the first place either.
It was forged by the criminal.
About that sample from her schedule...
When you write on a piece of paper, you can usually see traces of your writing on the next page under it.
However, there was something odd about it on a closer look.
On the page with the schedule for her previous day...
...were traces left of the notes from the page with her schedule for the next day.
In other words, the schedule that was given the police...
...was freshly written after the incident had occurred.
At that time, the criminal wrote on new pages starting from the newest date.
That's why the traces left behind by the writing pressure...
...have become reversed.
Meaning, the criminal is who?
The one who gave us the samples.
President Matsuo.
- Yes? - It's Lawyer Shirai.
I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.
The one who stole the painting, was Matsuo himself?
- Does the police know? - They don't.
They're convinced that secretary Kaneko Masami did it...
...and have concluded their investigation.
Those idiots!
Let me try to contact them.
It's safer for you to stay here too.
At least until this case is resolved, you can stay here.
Right, thank you very much.
Thank you.
I reported to the police what you told me.
They said they want to give you a thank-you letter this time.
A thank-you letter?
Why would they go as far as that.
No, this time it was definitely all me who made up for...
...their lack of competence and solved this case.
Indeed.
By the way, Takemura-san, about what you told me before...
And become my legal adviser instead?
I want to accept your offer.
I'm glad about that.
Will that be okay with President Matsuo?
Well, he simply isn't worth my efforts.
It's exactly as you said.
He has no eye for art and pretends to be a competent and cultured person by buying only stuff of high value.
A nouveau rich and shame for Japan!
Well, of course I saw through him right from the start.
I see, I see.
Huh?
I still don't get it.
You see, if what you said is true and that fake painting of Matsuo...
What was it called?
Futari?
Assuming that's he trying to sell imitations on the black market...
...wouldn't that make everyone believe...
...that the painting he owns is an imitation as well?
Yet that guy...
...keeps on insisting that it's the real thing.
Isn't that a contradiction?
Why would he want people to believe that in the first place?
What do you mean?
The one who called it out to be fake was art critic Takemura.
Unfortunately, that painting is a fake.
What if those two are accomplices?
Eh? Accomplices?
I as well as Takemura-san...
...we both happened to have...
...made some bad investments.
Therefore, despite being on bad terms all the time...
...we have reluctantly decided to join hands together.
First we thought about stealing Futari...
...and selling imitations of it on the black market, and not just one.
However, the thing is that Matsuo-kun kept on insisting that he wants the real thing at his place no matter what.
First I pretended for the painting to get stolen.
Then I made everyone believe that I secretly bought it back.
After looking at the recovered painting, it was my part to declare it a fake in public.
Everyone in the world would be under the impression...
...that Matsuo is an idiot who got scammed with a fake.
In addition, we sold various imitations of this painting on the black market.
The one to take responsibility...
...was all you.
Perfect distribution of roles, don't you think?
You deceived me, though.
You took some of the ransom money as kickback, didn't you?
My secretary Kaneko seems to have found out about my plan.
She tried to secretly inform the police, so I had to get rid of her.
Of course, you're going to meet the same fate.
To be fair, you were supposed to get killed by the bomb in the warehouse.
Ah, it moved!
You've done your business?
Hold on a second!
I'll do anything!
Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it!
- Police! - Don't move!
You got him? You done?
That's what I'm talking about, good job.
Secure them!
Hands!
There is one thing I don't understand.
Even if you had succeeded...
...everyone would have always seen you as the idiot...
...who got himself scammed into buying a fake for a large amount of money.
How others think about me...
...I don't care at all.
I'm the only one who knows that painting is the real thing.
Just being near that painting...
...fills me with the utmost delight.
Do you understand?
I am a true lover of art.
Translation: HPriest @ d-addicts
I'm a great and generous person.
Let's forgive and forget about the deceiving and you trying to kill me.
Depending on the recompense, I'd gladly offer you my services as your lawyer.
No, thanks.
I know a much better lawyer.
Me too.
The 400,000 Yen you took as kickback...
...I'm definitely getting that back.
Alright, enough talking, move.
Let's go.
Too bad for you, Shirai.
Which reminds me, Kuroiwa-san.
The aforementioned thank-you letter...
...though reluctantly, I accept it.
Thank-you letter? What's that?
More importantly, your friends are waiting.
There he is, it's Shirai!
Stop, you bastard!