Chapter 143: The Father-in-Law's Charge, The Formal Trial Commences

On Sunday, Aoyama Hidenobu woke up early.

As he walked downstairs, he heard movement coming from the kitchen. Glancing inside, he saw his sister-in-law preparing breakfast. Her dark hair was coiled up at the nape of her neck, revealing only a graceful and alluring back.

"Hidenobu, wait just a moment longer. It will be ready right away," Aoyama Haruko said, turning her head with a smile upon hearing the footsteps. Though her eyes were still slightly swollen, the fact that she could smile at all showed she had already begun to process and adjust her emotions.

Aoyama Hidenobu nodded with a smile. "Understood."

After breakfast, he dragged his sister-in-law out for a day of shopping in the city, buying her numerous clothes and picking out a bottle of red wine as a gift for his prospective father-in-law.

That evening, leaving his sister-in-law alone at home, he carried the gift and headed to the Asai residence as a guest.

"You're here." The one who opened the door this time was his older brother-in-law, Asai Zexi. Compared to his previous aloofness, he was noticeably much more enthusiastic today, despite still keeping a stiff face.

Heh, this young man still had a bit of a proud and reserved streak.

"Brother," Aoyama Hidenobu gave a slight bow before handing over the gift. "I brought a bottle of wine for my uncle."

"Mm, come in. Take off your shoes yourself." Asai Zexi accepted the red wine and turned to walk straight into the house.

Aoyama Hidenobu changed into indoor slippers and followed him inside. Walking up to the living room couch, he bowed to Asai Takehiko. "Uncle."

"Mm, sit down." Asai Takehiko nodded, his eyes fixed steadily on the television, where the evening news was broadcasting.

Aoyama Hidenobu sat right next to Asai Aya, remaining quietly in place without disturbing them, his gaze also locked onto the screen.

Watching her father, her older brother, and her fiancé all acting as if they had been put under a spell by the television, Asai Aya found the scene somewhat comical. She curled her lips and continued applying her nail polish.

After the news broadcast ended, Asai Takehiko sighed and said, "The general economic climate is far from optimistic. I thought it was just a temporary pain, but now it seems the economy not only won't recover anytime soon, it's going to get progressively worse. I'm afraid this year might be the best year we'll see from now on."

Although the news was filled with optimistic reports, when combined with what they actually knew, it was clear those figures were mere whitewashing. The situation was grim.

If Aoyama Hidenobu remembered correctly, this year truly was the best of the coming decade. The economic downturn was only just beginning this year; the Japanese were making a fuss now, but in the future, they would get used to it and simply give up.

However, this had little to do with him. The ordinary citizens at the bottom might suffer, but it wouldn't stop him from living well.

No matter how hard things got, high-ranking officials like him would never suffer.

"I'm afraid public safety is going to get worse and worse in the future," Asai Takehiko sighed heavily again with deep concern.

Logically speaking, that should have been the case, but public safety actually improved later on. First, because of technological development, and second, because most Japanese people had given up fighting back.

Although Aoyama Hidenobu knew this, he couldn't say it aloud, so he agreed instead, "Indeed. The pressure on our police force will only increase, which is why Uncle must take good care of your health to better serve the citizens."

"Alright, stop flattering him. Help me paint my toenails," Asai Aya said, nudging him with her foot.

"I am genuinely concerned for Uncle," Aoyama Hidenobu said, catching the nail polish bottle she tossed over. He took one of her delicate, flawless little feet into his lap and began painting.

Asai Aya had just finished practicing yoga that evening and was still wearing yoga pants, her body curves vividly displayed. From his current perspective, her full silhouette was taken in at a single glance.

Asai Takehiko frowned. "What is a police officer doing dressing up so flashily all day long?"

"I don't have to work crime scenes anyway," Asai Aya said indifferently, highly protective of her personal image.

Asai Takehiko continued, "Do you lack hands of your own? Hidenobu is a guest in this house!"

Since he had already accepted this son-in-law, he naturally wanted to foster a good relationship and wouldn't let his daughter bully the young man so easily.

"It's fine, Uncle. I've long since grown used to taking care of Aya," Aoyama Hidenobu said with a gentle smile.

Asai Aya widened her pretty eyes in shock. *Usually you're the one bullying me, alright?* Yet she didn't dare to refute him at all.

She could only let that scoundrel use her to cast himself in the image of a doting, devoted husband.

After dinner, Aoyama Hidenobu was called into Asai Takehiko's study. "Hidenobu, we are family now, so I won't beat around the bush. There is a task I want you to find someone to carry out—I mean find someone, not do it yourself. Find someone capable and trustworthy."

Originally, he had intended to have Aoyama Hidenobu handle this himself, but later on, the young man became his son-in-law, so naturally, he could no longer let him take such risks.

He had been scouting for a new, suitable candidate ever since.

However, because the timeframe was too short, he hadn't found anyone particularly satisfactory yet, and he couldn't delay any longer.

That was why he wanted Aoyama Hidenobu to find someone for the job.

After all, as far as he knew, Aoyama Hidenobu still had a few capable and trustworthy subordinates under his command.

"Just name it, Uncle. Whatever the matter is, Hidenobu will surely see it done properly," Aoyama Hidenobu promised.

Asai Takehiko's expression turned stern as he looked at him and emphasized once more, "I didn't tell you to do it. Find someone else."

"Understood!" Aoyama Hidenobu bowed.

Still uneasy, Asai Takehiko deliberated for a moment before saying, "Never mind. Just arrange a capable and trustworthy person for me directly, and I will give them the instructions."

He didn't want his son-in-law dragged into this affair.

"Understood!" Though immensely curious about what the matter pertained to, Aoyama Hidenobu saw that his father-in-law acted out of concern for his safety, so there was no need to probe further. "Uncle, what about Fujimoto Ryoichi? He spent some time stationed at the Shinjuku Precinct."

Fujimoto Ryoichi was exceptionally eager to climb the ranks. Given an opportunity to work for Asai Takehiko, regardless of the task, he would certainly agree and execute it flawlessly.

"If you deem him reliable and usable, have him come see me tomorrow," Asai Takehiko said calmly.

Aoyama Hidenobu replied once more, "Understood!"

He could truly feel the trust the older man placed in him.

"Let's go, let's head down." Asai Takehiko patted his shoulder and turned to walk out of the study.

Aoyama Hidenobu followed closely behind.

After sitting a little longer, he rose to take his leave. "It's getting late, Uncle, Auntie, Brother. I won't disturb your rest any longer; I'll come to visit another day."

With that, he bowed and prepared to leave.

"Aya, see him out," Asai Takehiko instructed.

Asai Aya stood up and accompanied Aoyama Hidenobu to the door.

Since it was already quite late and he did not want to return home and disturb his sister-in-law's rest, he called Nohara Inori instead, asking her to arrange for the Nakayama sisters to attend to him tonight.

Just as Liu Bei once said:

His second brother was unrivaled under heaven, a force no single person could match.

"Mr. Aoyama," Mrs. Nohara greeted him at the doorway, wearing only a thin, black silk slip nightgown that exposed her pair of pale, slender legs. In the glow of the porch light, her alluring figure was faintly visible.

Aoyama Hidenobu stepped forward, swept her into his arms, and carried her inside to collapse onto the sofa. "Haven't the Nakayama sisters arrived yet?"

"They're already on their way. Let me serve you first," Mrs. Nohara blinked, a flash of coy charm crossing her face. Her lithe body slithered down against him like a snake while her hands deftly unbuckled Aoyama Hidenobu's belt.

About to unleash a wild beast with her own hands.

With both the courtyard gate and the front door left open, anyone passing by could peek inside and catch the scene.

When the Nakayama sisters entered the house, what met their eyes was a sight that made their faces flush crimson and their hearts race.

"Good evening, Mr. Aoyama, President Nohara."

The two sisters bowed respectfully.

Amidst his busy schedule, Aoyama Hidenobu spared them a glance. The older sister wore a T-shirt and jeans, while the younger wore a slip dress and black stockings, each possessing her own unique charm.

"Come here."

"Understood!" Dropping their handbags and exchanging a shy glance, the two walked slowly toward Aoyama Hidenobu.

Aoyama Hidenobu, along with Mrs. Nohara and the Nakayama sisters, held an in-depth discussion regarding their personal impressions of him. Although there were many opinions voiced, everyone unanimously declared their deep affection for him, professing an inability to pull themselves away.

He also instructed the Nakayama sisters to take good care of Uchida Yuki and ensure she wasn't bullied, rewarding them with hundreds of millions of yen in gratitude fees—virtually emptying his pockets.

June 30th, Monday, Sunny.

Today was the day of Noda's court trial.

The morning's first trial was the murder case of Ayase Michiko. Skipping work, Aoyama Hidenobu ate breakfast and specifically headed to the Tokyo District Court to observe.

Outside the courthouse, he ran into Asano Hirofumi.

"Deputy Director Asano, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here," Aoyama Hidenobu greeted him.

Asano Hirofumi was equally surprised to see him appear, but quickly reasoned that Aoyama Hidenobu must have been uneasy and come to keep an eye on things in person.

That was fine. When Noda recanted in court and accused him of extorting a confession through torture, it would certainly deliver a wonderful surprise.

At that thought, the corner of Asano Hirofumi's mouth curled into a smile, though it vanished instantly. With a cold expression, he replied, "Inspector Aoyama, quite a coincidence indeed."

He couldn't wait to watch the show unfold.

Aoyama Hidenobu, no matter how clever you are, my magic is higher than yours. The cycle of heaven turns, and justice always prevails!

"I recall Deputy Director Asano didn't agree with the verdict that Noda was the killer. Why are you here to observe this trial?" Aoyama Hidenobu asked with feigned curiosity.

To prevent Aoyama Hidenobu from growing suspicious, Asano Hirofumi replied coldly, "Precisely because I disagree with that verdict, I am here to observe. I'm surprised Inspector Aoyama is here as well. Are you worried Noda might say something inappropriate, so you've come to intimidate him?"

"Hahahahaha, Deputy Director Asano, you certainly have a sense of humor. You make it sound like I'm some corrupt official bought off to fabricate a miscarriage of justice," Aoyama Hidenobu laughed heartily before reaching out to pat his shoulder. "Accusations like that require evidence!"

"Hmph!" Asano Hirofumi snorted. *You can still laugh now; let's see how you laugh in a moment.*

With that, he ignored Aoyama Hidenobu entirely, turned around, and walked up the steps toward the courthouse doors.

Aoyama Hidenobu watched his retreating figure with an intriguing smile, then cheerfully followed him inside.

Entering the courtroom, he noticed the spectator gallery was mostly filled, with quite a few journalists present—likely invited specifically by Asano Hirofumi and Suzuki Junko.

That saved him some effort. Besides, he had already given notice to Aoi Genichi to ensure the Asahi Shimbun gave the matter extensive coverage.

Shortly after 9:00 AM, all court personnel took their places in order. It was also Aoyama Hidenobu's first time seeing Suzuki Junko; he hadn't expected the young woman to be quite so striking.

She possessed an adorable, youthful face, yet beneath her tailored suit jacket lay a remarkably ample bosom. Her trousers were pulled taut by her full hips, and the moment she sat down, the outline of her underwear was faintly visible through the thin fabric.

Japanese prosecutors did not wear special judicial robes; they only pinned an emblem to the chest of their suits during court appearances.

It was somewhat regrettable to Aoyama Hidenobu, as the lack of a uniform meant one less form of entertainment.

Women are acutely sensitive to men's gazes.

Suzuki Junko turned her head to look at Aoyama Hidenobu.

Aoyama Hidenobu smiled slightly and gave a small wave.

Suzuki Junko's pretty face chilled, and she turned her head back.

When the judge made her entrance, Aoyama Hidenobu's earlier regret over the missing uniform was instantly cured.

This presiding judge was brimming with mature charm as well!

Her dark hair was swept into a bun, her oval face cold and deep, and even the voluminous black judicial robe could not conceal the proud curves of her upper body. Her entire being radiated the alluring yet aloof aura of a mature woman.

Visually in her thirties, she was at the peak of her ripeness.

In Japan's major criminal cases, district courts were presided over by a panel of three judges, with one serving as the presiding judge and the other two assisting.

A presiding judge in her thirties, and a woman at that—how rare was that? If she didn't have powerful backers above her, she certainly had someone formidable supporting her from behind.

"Bang!"

The gavel fell, and the courtroom instantly quieted.

"The trial for the home-invasion robbery and murder case in Minamiazabu 3-chome, Minato-ku, on June 18, 1992, is now in session!"