The Monster Within

Ayame, a brilliant yet solitary lawyer, meets a woman named Kanon Minamoto at a domestic violence victim seminar. Kanon, a nail technician, hints that she is being abused by her husband.

I'll defend you, says lawyer Ayame Kajin to tearful Kanon Minamoto. She visits the detention centre to meet Kanon's husband, Iteya, who is accused of murdering Ayame's former mentor, Professor Nada. The only witness is the victim's wife, Yoko.

On the night of Okutaro Nada's funeral, Ayame crosses the line with Iteya. She insists that it was just a one-night stand even though she wants to be with him. Later, Iteya calls her to tell her how he really feels.

Struck and left alone by Iteya, the man she loved, Ayame is stunned. The pain tells her it wasn't a dream. The next day, he shows up with a flower and an apology.

Kanon storms into Ayame's law office, causes a suicide scare, then disappears. After losing everything, Ayame takes Iteya's hand and invites him in. They start living together, bringing her some happiness despite being shunned at work.

Ayame Kajin is once again assaulted by Touya Minamoto; she accepts his apology, but she begins to fear him.