Look, this isn’t going to be a Japanese BL where someone moves in and cooks for someone. Well. It won’t only be that. We’ve got a lawyer, a con man, illegal activity, tragic pasts, onsen, and more. At 20 minutes per episode, there’s no time to waste!
Our lawyer is Shiba Ryoma
In less than a minute he wins a case and dumps his latest partner.
Ryoma introduces himself in VO. He got top scores, attended the top university, and became a partner at a leading law firm at 27. He’s plan is to become the Guardian of the Law. This is a serious legal drama about his journey.
Or not. We cut to a teary young man saying he can’t leave him, and a teary Shiba looking back. This story is really a legal drama and romantic thriller. “Thriller” might still be overstating it.
Shiba hangs out at a bar called Poisonous Tree
Poison will be a theme. Shiba drinks with Kazama, a less ambitious but principled human rights lawyer. He’s also gay and showing off pictures of his new lover.
Kazama mentions that Shiba got rid of his 99th partner and is earning a name for himself. Not Guardian of Law, but Ice King of Law. Shiba acts unconcerned and goes to the bathroom. Someone watches.
Truthfully, Shiba can’t find another partner. Working on his confidence, he slams the bathroom door open.
And hits someone in the hand. Shiba knows it’s his fault, plasters on a smile, and gives his victim a handkerchief. It’s the guy watching him earlier. And an Hermes handkerchief.
The guy smiles, calls him kind, and thanks him. Meet Haruto.
His smile changes Shiba’s life
At home, Shiba consults with succulents. They’re his friends who he strokes with Q-tips, and massages. They make excited noises and sparkle. He hears their voices. I love it.
The succulents know he’s attracted to Haruto. Shiba denies it and drops one of his green friends. His solution to his disordered thinking is camping. Except he’s not good at camping, barely gets his tent up, and gives up on fire. He eats a protein bar and tells himself it’s delicious.
Haruto walks up suddenly, strokes his cheek, flirts, and, since this is a Japanese BL, cooks a steak. Shiba says it’s good because of the quality of the meat, but internally thinks it’s the most amazing steak he’s eaten.
Haruto knows he’s a lawyer and claims he can read minds. Then leaves.
But he’s not done messing with poor Shiba yet
That night Shiba lies to himself about being at peace, when Haruto climbs into his tent. He’s hiding from a woman who claims she can smell him, but Shiba doesn’t give him away.
Haruto settles into his bed. Shiba feels he owes him for the injury and steak and lets him. He dreams of Haruto’s lips coming towards his but wakes up alone. And also his car is gone.
Shiba goes home, showers for us, and discusses the situation with his succulents in only a towel. He’s ready to buy a new car. But Haruto is in his house, offering to be his 100th partner. He has video of a naked Shiba talking to his plants to use as blackmail.
Shiba wants to know who he is. Haruto asks who he thinks he is.
We see the woman searching for Haruto in the office with Kazama. She says her money was stolen and shows Kazama a picture with Haruto in it. He’s a con man!
And smiling cutely at Shiba! Whose towel falls down!
We don’t see anything and Haruto says he didn’t either
He calls Shiba “Ryo-kun”, which makes Shiba tingle. The he talks to the succulents, arguing with Shiba about whether they say he can move in. Shiba listens to one of them.
Because of the blackmail video, Shiba lets Haruto stay. He’s got 10 rules and the last one is that Haruto can’t talk to the plants. Haruto refuses and they glow and squeal at Haruto. Shiba feels betrayed.
At work, Shiba gets a new case and a pile of work. At home, Haruto cooked an amazing meal of all Shiba’s favorite foods. Making an excuse about the environment, Shiba accepts the meal. Internally he rhapsodies over the food but only says “it’s edible”.
Haruto is pleased with this praise.
After dinner, Shiba works on his new case. Haruto walks in in a bathrobe and underwear, distracting Shiba who tells him not to walk around “naked”. He steals the case info while Shiba is distracted.
Haruto wants to help and claims he can be anyone he wants. He asks for 1 week probation, and if Shiba isn’t happy he’ll delete the blackmail and move out.
Shiba REALLY wants to know who Haruto is
Haruto says it would be boring if he knew. At the bar, the bartender just says he’s a mysterious guy. Kazama shows Shiba the image from his client with Haruto in it, saying they are real estate scammers. So Shiba knows Haruto is a conman.
But he’s a conman with information to help his case. Haruto plays audio for Shiba that we can’t hear. Shiba says he can’t use it because it’s “fruit of the poisonous tree”, which I know thanks to Law and Order, evidence obtained illegally. Haruto points out it can be used in a civil trial, and knows he’s proved his usefulness. He hugs Shiba and begs to be his partner.
Shiba decides that to become the Guardian of the Law he’ll work with Haruto. Haruto celebrates with the succulents while Shiba thinks about how Haruto will bring him the fruit of the poisonous tree. Which could have luscious flavor. He imagines a shirtless Haruto with a succulent and bites his shoulder.
Haruto knows he was thinking something kinky.
Shiba eats another Haruto-cooked meal and Haruto eats rice off Shiba’s face. Then he asks Shiba if he’s ever dated anyone. Knowing he hasn’t, Haruto suggests he be Shiba’s 100th partner and 1st lover. Shiba retreats as Haruto climbs on top of him, grabs his tie, and brings his face close.
But we don’t get a kiss!
A lot happens in these first two episodes
We’ve set up our two leads and some mysteries.
Shiba is the straightforward one, an ambitious lawyer with delusions of grandeur. With most people, he puts up a cold, confident front. I like how instantaneously Haruto’s smiles get to him. Not that he’s letting it show. But Haruto sees through him easily.
Haruto is the bigger mystery. Shiba already knows he’s a conman, but we know there’s more to his story. Story Shiba wants no matter how much he denies it and Haruto refuses to answer. Haruto claims he can be anyone. This hints at a delicious sad past hiding behind those smiles.
They both have work ahead of them. Haruto to get Shiba to admit any of the feelings he won’t speak out loud. Shiba to learn anything about Haruto.
I didn’t fit it in my recap, but the visuals of a green poison entering clear water anytime Haruto flusters Shiba are a nice visual metaphor. Shiba is this clear, in some ways simple person, and Haruto is really going to complicate things. As he should!
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