Late September arrived, and the viewers in the film and television circle finally welcomed the long-anticipated finale of 'Legal High' Season 2.
Although the show's ratings hovered around 9% and never quite broke through the 10% mark, there was no doubt that among all the dramas aired this season, 'Legal High' had the highest viewership.
Even though 'Natsume's Book of Friends' was just as popular, the two shows aired on different platforms and weren't really in direct competition.
By 8 p.m. on Sunday, TV drama lovers all over the Great Zhou, young and old, were gathered at home with their televisions tuned to Yunteng TV.
In the fan group:
"Ah, it's ending again… I'm really going to miss it!"
"Well, what can you do? It's been two seasons already."
"But Season 2 was definitely weaker than Season 1. Still, it's okay—it's ending, so maybe we'll get a Season 3, or maybe that troll Jing Yu will start a new project."
"Out with the old, in with the new."
"How come you all don't seem that emotionally attached to the show? I think it's really good! How are you so chill about it ending?"
"Maybe because we don't know the law, so we couldn't understand a lot of the plot. Still, it was very enjoyable. If Jing Yu keeps writing, I'll definitely keep watching... But how do I put it? It's like opening a blind box—you feel like the next project will be even better. So, yeah…"
"I still think 'Legal High' is great! Komikado is just too charismatic."
"Yeah, and I've gotten used to Jing Yu starring in his own shows, so now I'm more hyped for his 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. Only four more months till release!"
"Exactly. 'Legal High' is great, but I'm more into his special effects-heavy action shows."
"I'm crying. Why is there no Season 3 for 'Legal High', but there is a third season for 'Natsume's Book of Friends'?! This sucks! 'Legal High' is way better than 'Natsume'. Jing Yu is totally playing favorites."
"Come on, 'Legal High' better than 'Natsume'? What's your taste, man? Obviously, 'Natsume' is better!"
"You people who like yokai stuff—what do you know about how deep the satire in 'Legal High' runs? In terms of depth, 'Legal High' is way stronger than 'Natsume', don't you think?"
"Ha? I watch shows to enjoy them. Why do I need to analyze societal commentary? If you want that, go watch Law and Order. If we're talking pure entertainment, 'Natsume' is more fun!"
"They're all Jing Yu's works. Why fight about it?"
"Honestly, fans of both shows have been fighting non-stop online lately. Before, there were at least other TV stations putting up a fight, but these past few months, the Big Six have been weak, and their productions have sucked. Now it's just intra-fandom wars."
"It's mainly because the two shows are equally popular. Jing Yu has produced multiple dramas in the same season before, but their quality was about the same, so fans didn't argue much. This season's two shows were different. The fighting got intense. But Jing Yu seems focused on developing his game and working on his new series—he hasn't commented at all on social media."
"I like both shows. 'Legal High' is ending—what's there to argue about?"
Before the final episode aired, the fan group was in chaos.
But as the clock struck 8 and the show started, both sides settled in and happily dove into the plot discussion.
In the final episode, the case involving Ando Kiwa reached its ultimate twist.
From Jing Yu's perspective, the twist was a little far-fetched—this supposedly cold-hearted woman suddenly taking the fall for others? A bit much. But hey, plot armor, right?
Still, viewers had gotten used to the show's quirks. Everyone came to watch Komikado. The cases? Everyone knew there would be a reversal. No matter how desperate or hopeless the setup, no one really worried.
Komikado's 100% win-rate had long been etched into fans' minds.
Very quickly, the story smoothly reached its climax.
The protagonist easily won Ando Kiwa's lawsuit. But his long-held dream—to rescue Ando and go on a date with her? That, of course, didn't come true.
Just like how Season 1's final twist came with Saori's true identity reveal, Season 2 also had a similar surprise.
The newly introduced character Hanyu had repeatedly shown signs of having feelings for the heroine, Machiko Mayuzumi.
That's what the viewers were led to believe.
At the end of Season 2, Mayuzumi bid farewell to Hanyu:
"Hanyu… I want to take this chance to be honest. I like you. But right now, I can't juggle romance and work, so… I can't return your feelings. I'm sorry."
With sentimental background music playing, Mayuzumi clearly turned him down.
Viewers collectively sighed.
"I thought she was going to end up with Komikado! Turns out she did like Hanyu!"
"Come on, she and Komikado are just partners. If the main characters started dating, the show would lose its flavor. A bit of romantic tension between Mayuzumi and side-character Hanyu isn't too bad."
"Honestly, it might've been better without the romance at all."
"Poor Hanyu, getting rejected like that."
"I think Mayuzumi kind of liked him, too. She just loves her job more."
"Sweet little angel…"
"Well, maybe it's for the best. Let's just end it on that note."
While fans were still venting in the group chat, a few viewers noticed something off in Hanyu's reaction to being rejected.
That expression—so mild, so detached.
I'm speechless, but I won't expose your misunderstanding. I'll just go along with it.
"I see. Well… goodbye."
Hanyu said gently, then drove off from the station.
"What was that look?"
"Is the actor bad at acting? Your crush says she can't be with you because of work, and that's your response? So unbothered?"
"Uh… maybe cut the guy some slack. He's still young."
But just as people were bashing the actor's performance, the plot twist landed.
Inside the car, Hanyu opened a photo album full of pictures of Mayuzumi.
His gaze was soft and gentle…
As he flipped through the pages, viewers assumed he was just wistfully remembering the girl he loved.
But something started to feel off.
Why is Komikado in every single picture?!
Then, Hanyu smiled.
He reached toward a photo of Mayuzumi… then past her, and gently stroked Komikado's head in the background of the photo.
At that moment, nine out of ten viewers across Great Zhou were completely stunned.
The scene continued.
In every photo, Hanyu repeated the same motion—caressing Komikado's head in the background.
That expression…
Even the people who were just roasting the actor's "bad acting" fell silent.
Wait... what is this??
"Is it possible… Hanyu was never into the heroine, but into the male lead?!"
"So what did I just watch? This 'little angel' Hanyu… actually had feelings for Komikado?!"
"I can't process this."
"My brain is fried."
"This is classic Jing Yu—every episode has some kind of twist!"
"So that's what that weird expression was about earlier!"
"Mayuzumi's POV: I know you like me, and I kind of like you too, but I love my work more—sorry, can't date you."
"Hanyu's POV: Wait… what's she misunderstanding? I'm into Komikado, not her. But fine, I'll play along so she's not embarrassed. But why do I have to get dumped by someone I was never into?! Pain."
I lost it. I'm dying of laughter.
"This plot… unbelievable."
"Now this is 'Legal High'! Every episode brings some unexpected twist—this is insane."
"I'm dying, guys. I need to go watch 'Natsume's Book of Friends' to heal. I'll never forget this finale—not even in ten years."
"Just like that, Saori twists in episode one. Jing Yu-sensei, seriously—maybe you should switch to comedy. Your talent for humor is top-tier in all of Great Zhou!"
And so, 'Legal High' came to an end amid the fans' joyful chaos and laughter.
On the official site and in fan groups, people were still discussing that scene late into the night.
You could say 'Legal High' may not be the most groundbreaking or highbrow series, but it was definitely a unique and excellent one.
Even with all the legal dramas Jing Yu had seen in his previous life, none of them had plots as thought-provoking and entertaining as this.
Some scenes were truly moving, yet the audience still found themselves laughing through their tears.
And with the finale, the autumn season officially wrapped up.
'Legal High' finished with an average rating of 9.02%, topping the season. It was certain to scoop up numerous awards from various Great Zhou entertainment bodies.
September faded, and October arrived.