"Not a big deal."
Akihiko Tou's voice was steady. "I'll handle it."
Eri Kisaki regarded him quietly from across the room—his calmness unwavering.
At last, she exhaled in relief.
Despite his youth, he bore wisdom beyond his years—he wouldn't easily share details of the school murder.
Always independent, Eri found herself torn between pride and worry.
Akihiko should have been savoring the joys of teenage life—yet his maturity stood out starkly.
"Do you realize what might've happened if you hadn't solved that case?"
Eri's gentle anger wasn't directed at him but at those who'd doubted him.
Her gaze sharpened as she recalled the blind faith placed in a detective boy.
Akihiko rarely saw her so stirred—her fierce protectiveness surprised him.
He offered a soft chuckle.
"I'm glad I cracked it—but, Auntie, there's one more favor."
"Spare me the formalities, boy," Eri said, tapping his head playfully.
Her touch was firm yet gentle—a reminder of her dual roles as guardian and aunt.
Her affectionate reprimand left him momentarily adrift.
Smoothing her skirt, she cleared her throat.
"Tell me, what do you need?" she prompted.
Akihiko's tone turned earnest.
"I've sent legal notices to Shinichi Kudo and the police."
"I intend to hold them accountable."
Eri's expression hardened.
"They overstepped—treating a boy as the town's savior was reckless."
At that moment, her phone buzzed insistently.
She answered—her voice bright. "Yukiko?"
"Eri, I need you on a lawsuit," came Yukiko's crisp reply.
Eri paused, realization dawning.
She stood torn—Shinichi's mother seeking help, while she'd promised to back Akihiko.
Fingers tapped a delicate rhythm on the table as she considered her loyalties.
On speaker, Yukiko explained Shinichi's dilemma with the Teitan case.
"The boy's challenge was bold—he refuses to relent."
"Such tenacity is maddening," Yukiko sighed.
"Madness?" Eri's laugh rang out. "More like fortitude."
Yukiko's next words gave Eri pause.
"I see his value—a teen who champions justice and stands his ground."
Eri's ruby gaze softened in pride.
"A pity Shinichi misjudged him."
Yukiko cleared her throat.
"Eri, did he preemptively ask you to represent him?"
"He didn't ask—I volunteered."
Yukiko's surprise was audible.
"Why?" she pressed gently.
Eri's reply was simple and sincere.
"I'm his aunt—and I believe in him."
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