Chapter 122: , The Metropolitan Police Department's Gift

PS: The Son of Heaven wishes everyone a Happy New Year's Eve! Because I am busy with the New Year today, there is only one update. Everyone will surely understand, right?

PS2: The update schedule for the New Year is to rest on the first and second days of the Lunar New Year, and resume updates on the third day. If any readers don't see this, it's fine; I will post a separate chapter later to explain and answer recent questions about the plot. That is all.

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Standing to the side and earnestly peeling an apple, the tall beauty Ikeda Erena froze in place upon hearing the arrangements made by Miss Watanabe Minami.

Ever since receiving the news yesterday, Erena, just like Miss Minami, had not slept well all night.

But unlike Miss Minami, Erena was now full of energy.

The reason was actually quite simple—after their brief reunion last time, Erena had quickly received news that hit her like a bolt from the blue.

Because Uesugi Muneyuki had to write his graduation thesis and prepare for the Specialized Physician exam, he had to temporarily set aside his duties at the Metropolitan Police Department and Otsuka Station, turning his attention entirely to the hospital side.

Uesugi Muneyuki was free and relaxed, but Erena was miserable!

She still had to go to work properly!

Usually, even if there were no cases or autopsies, when Erena needed to work, she could just check in and find an excuse to come to the Medical and Dental University to find Uesugi Muneyuki; if there was an autopsy, they were even more deeply bound together.

Now, she didn't even have an excuse to properly come find Uesugi Muneyuki! Especially since the Criminal Investigation Division said that Uesugi Muneyuki needed to write his thesis and study for exams seriously, so they shouldn't go disturb him.

Little did they know, for Erena, Uesugi Muneyuki and work were the entirety of her life, and the two were deeply bound together.

Although she could still see him on weekends and they would go out for half a day, this was far from enough for Erena; it couldn't satisfy her needs at all—only seeing him for half a day or a day a week! She would go crazy!

What she wanted was...

Now, although Uesugi Muneyuki was injured and a dangerous accident had occurred, Erena was surprised to find that after confirming Uesugi Muneyuki was fine, besides worry and tension, her heart was actually filled with secret joy, because this gave her a legitimate reason to stay behind; she could be with him again.

She wanted to get more, from him, to get more.

Erena did not participate in the confrontation between Miss Minami and Uesugi Muneyuki; she was waiting for Watanabe Minami to leave. Once she left, Uesugi would belong to her alone!

Just then, the topic of conversation between Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami reached her.

"That depends on how you apologize." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled slightly: "Our Miss Minami shouldn't need me to teach her how to apologize, right?"

"Hmph~ I already thought of it. Ikeda, I'll give her to you!" Miss Minami waved her hand grandly.

"Eh?!" Ikeda Erena was stunned, her fresh, clean short hair and deep, beautiful features slightly dazed.

Give her to her, what, what did that mean?

"Ikeda, do you know? Uesugi, in order for you to be seconded to the headquarters, he gave up the chance to file a complaint against Kashiwagi Jin!" Miss Minami turned around and said softly: "To be handcuffed is such a shameful thing; for your sake, Uesugi endured it."

"To tell you the truth, once Uesugi graduates and obtains his Specialized Physician qualification, the headquarters plans to form a new criminal unit around him. It was already discussed quite well, but there was one problem that was always difficult to handle."

Miss Minami pointed at Ikeda Erena: "He wants you."

Erena stared blankly at Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami.

Wants... me?

"Yes, he specifically requested that you also be transferred to the new unit. But, you know, transferring from a local branch to the headquarters is already a very difficult thing, not to mention you, Ikeda, who has a terrible reputation. You should be well aware of your situation at the headquarters, right?"

"But Uesugi specifically requested you, which made things very difficult for the headquarters." Miss Minami tapped her finger, feigning difficulty, then used her right fist to strike her left palm from top to bottom: "But after this incident, it's easy to handle!"

"Your martial arts are excellent, and Uesugi-kun needs someone to ensure his safety. If Uesugi decides not to file a complaint in exchange for transferring you over, the Criminal Investigation Division will definitely agree. This way, both the reason and the conditions are met. Congratulations, Ikeda, you will be seconded to the headquarters in the future!" Miss Minami said sweetly, then very earnestly performed a congratulatory gesture: "In the future, we will be colleagues!"

At this moment, Ikeda Erena was already dizzy from the gift that had fallen from the sky.

Uesugi, he specifically requested me?

I, will be seconded to the Metropolitan Police Department?

"Is this true? Police Inspector Watanabe?" Erena had already stood up, both nervous and expectant, her eyes filled with light as she gazed at Uesugi Muneyuki on the hospital bed.

"Yes, it's true." Facing Uesugi Muneyuki's helpless gaze, Miss Minami smiled mischievously.

It's fine, you be the good guy, and I'll be the bad guy!

With me here, you only need to perform autopsies and solve cases; I will arrange everything else for you clearly. Isn't it Ikeda that you want? I'll help you!

"I am deeply grateful!" Erena was extremely excited and bowed 90 degrees directly to Minami.

"However..." Miss Minami's words instantly made the tall beauty nervous again: "However what?"

"However, Uesugi-kun doesn't seem to have accepted the Metropolitan Police Department's apology yet. If he doesn't accept the apology, then things will be very difficult! The secondment might also change." Miss Minami stepped forward to accept Erena's bow and said naturally: "So, Ikeda, shouldn't you help the headquarters and get Uesugi-kun to accept our apology?"

"I..." Erena suddenly discovered that she seemed to have been forced into a desperate situation. She didn't understand why she had become like this, but she felt that Minami seemed to be right. She couldn't always be the one benefiting; she had to do something, right?

Thus, the silly tall beauty immediately came to the bedside, intending to bow and apologize to Uesugi Muneyuki for a matter that had absolutely nothing to do with her, begging for his forgiveness.

Uesugi Muneyuki had already seen Miss Minami struggling to hold back her laughter and quickly reached out to signal her to stop: "Alright, alright, I accept the Metropolitan Police Department's apology... Minami, you really are..."

"Hahahaha~" Watanabe Minami finally couldn't hold it in anymore and covered her mouth, giggling.

"Very good, Ikeda. How about this, during this time I will notify Otsuka Station. Before Uesugi-kun finishes his graduation exams, you don't need to go to work at Otsuka Station either. Just be his bodyguard and personal assistant," Miss Minami continued to cast the second bait.

"Eh? Is that really okay?!" Erena took the bait without a second thought.

"Yes, of course it is, but... come with me for a moment." Miss Minami signaled for Erena to follow her out first.

Erena was thus led away from the hospital room by Miss Minami, leaving behind a completely speechless Uesugi Muneyuki.

Erena's master might have been tricked by Miss Minami into being sold, and she would still be counting the money for her.

But Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't blame Erena for being too stupid; although she was clumsy, she was actually always very vigilant about things around her and would never be fooled, but because it involved him, she was played in circles by Miss Minami.

Outside the door, Miss Minami pulled Ikeda Erena aside and said: "Besides that, there is another problem."

"Please speak, Police Inspector Watanabe." After this exchange, Erena already had a considerable amount of goodwill toward Minami; after all, she gave her whatever she wanted, and it was hard for Erena not to feel grateful toward Miss Minami.

"Ikeda, you should also know that Uesugi is a rare talent, right?" Miss Minami said earnestly.

"I understand, I have always believed in Uesugi." The tall beauty said this with sincerity and earnestness; she considered herself a witness to Uesugi Muneyuki's journey.

"Yes, Uesugi-kun is a talent of the nation, and the headquarters will definitely make good use of him in the future." Miss Minami crossed her arms; she actually didn't like standing in front of Ikeda Erena, as the other party was a full ten centimeters taller than her, and she had to look up even while wearing high-heeled shoes: "But you also know about Uesugi-kun's private life. Although Kashiwagi's investigation into his information was illegal... the hotel registrations in Bunkyo Ward are not fake."

"I think we have an obligation to keep Uesugi-kun away from this kind of chaotic private life, don't you think?"

Sure enough, when Ikeda Erena thought of this, she also felt that Uesugi Muneyuki had gone a bit too far, especially regarding the matter with Saito. Erena felt angry when she heard his words, "It's just as you imagined" and "eating together, checking into a hotel together."

That romantic rainy night was perfect in every way, but the phone call mixed in had left a flaw.

"You are right, Police Inspector Watanabe, I will keep an eye on him. After all, I am his master!" Erena said decisively.

"The women outside are very dirty! It is indeed right to keep Uesugi away from them!"

"That is not what I meant." Miss Minami finally showed her true colors: "What I mean is, he is handed over to you from now on."

"Eh?" Slow to react to other things, Eirina instantly understood Miss Minami's meaning regarding this matter. The tall beauty's face immediately flushed with a fiery glow, her delicate body under the winter police uniform reddening from her neck all the way to her forehead. Then, as if offended, she burned with anger: "Miss Watanabe! Please have some self-respect! I solemnly warn you, do not say such things!"

"I originally thought you were a good person! To think you would actually say such things!"

"I am a Police Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Division of Otsuka Station! I am not some bubble bath girl from a Kabukicho sex parlor!"

"How could you treat me like that?!"

"Is that so?" Watanabe Minami kept a calm face, but facing Ikeda's blazing gaze, she actually felt a bit guilty inside.

*Cough cough*, why am I feeling guilty?

It was clearly me who came first! If it weren't for me, could you have been transferred to Otsuka Station? Could you have met Uesugi?

"Well, if that's the case, the headquarters will just have to second someone else." Miss Minami shrugged and said lightly: "Someone has to be responsible for Uesugi-kun's needs. Since you are unwilling, there are plenty of people who are. Do you know? Ikeda, not to mention other places, just in the Public Relations Division of the General Affairs Department, there are at least thirty policewomen who want to transfer here to work with Uesugi. Among them, there is no shortage of women with pretty faces, big chests, and long legs that Uesugi likes. If you don't agree, then I'll just find someone else."

"You? You actually go back on your word?" Ikeda Eirina finally understood what Watanabe Minami was planning. She immediately held her head high and puffed out her chest, her silver teeth gritted, and her small, clenched fists trembling: "Then go find someone else! I will not yield!"

"Then it's settled. Oh, right, Police Sergeant Ikeda of Otsuka Station, it's about time for you to go back to work."

After saying this, Watanabe Minami prepared to leave: "I still have important matters to discuss in detail with Uesugi-kun. The elevator is over there, I won't see you out~"

Having lost everything she had just gained in an instant, Ikeda Eirina felt as if a steel nail had been driven into her chest. Even as internal pain and despair intertwined, she was determined not to lose face in front of Watanabe Minami.

Hmph!

Miss Minami did not indulge her either; she moved with light steps, and as the two crossed paths, it seemed as if everything was already a foregone conclusion.

Just as the two women brushed past each other, at the very moment Minami was about to pass Eirina.

The hem of Minami's police uniform jacket was pulled.

Eirina finally lowered her head, her fingertips gripping Minami's clothing.

A look of smug satisfaction appeared on Miss Minami's face. She turned around slowly and said: "Hmm? Police Sergeant Ikeda Eirina, you haven't left yet?"

"I... I..." Eirina was on the verge of tears. She tried hard to speak, but could not get the words out.

Looking at Eirina's aggrieved appearance, all the mocking and boasting words Miss Minami had prepared in her mind were retracted.

This is a good woman, just a little stupid.

Keeping her by Uesugi's side is safe for me, and she poses no threat to me.

Good woman~ Worthy of being rewarded!

"Alright, you know I didn't mean it like that. Uesugi specifically named you, how could I object?" Miss Minami revealed a brilliant smile and patted Ikeda on the shoulder: "Everything I said before is still valid. From now on, Uesugi's safety and daily life are fully entrusted to you."

"I am doing this for your own good, you see?" Miss Minami coaxed her, gesturing with her cherry lips toward the direction of the hospital room door: "Going outside and encountering some unclean women will surely lead to no good. But Uesugi-kun also has normal needs, so, Miss Ikeda, this is also sacrificing yourself for the country. Your contribution will be remembered by the entire Metropolitan Police Department. With me here, there will definitely be no lack of benefits for you. For example, aren't Uesugi and I both working hard to get you transferred to the headquarters?"

"Eh?" Eirina looked confused, thinking that what Police Inspector Watanabe said made some sense, but she felt like something was wrong. And why did this get linked to sacrificing for the country?

But it was true, she did not want to see Uesugi Muneyuki encounter trouble again.

"Ikeda, you also saw how much danger Uesugi-kun encountered this time. He nearly lost his life and was forced into a self-proving trap. If he hadn't been prepared in advance and there hadn't been surveillance in the hospital, this matter would have been troublesome!"

Miss Minami was very sincere and said earnestly: "Therefore, you don't want Uesugi-kun to encounter trouble, and I don't want Uesugi-kun to encounter trouble either. We both like to see him fully display his talents to solve major, serious, and important cases. Looking at it this way, aren't we on the same side? So I am doing this for your own good, and for Uesugi-kun's good! Can you understand?"

"Mm." Meeting Watanabe Minami's sincere gaze, Eirina's expression was complex. She truly didn't know if this person was a good person or a bad person. The repeated reversals made her mentally exhausted, but regardless, she could continue to stay by Uesugi's side. The tall beauty breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, I, I will do my best!"

Eirina was left feeling numb from being pulled back and forth. The tall beauty was so aggrieved she was about to cry, but for the sake of Uesugi Muneyuki and herself, it seemed there was no other way!

Ugh! Why did it turn out like this!

However, she absolutely could not let Uesugi be given to other policewomen...

Eirina pouted and watched Miss Minami leave with a look of grievance.

Miss Minami walked with her hands behind her back, her steps light and bouncy, her expression triumphant.

The unconscious collaboration between herself and Uesugi was slowly beginning to tame her.

She is the best gift the Metropolitan Police Department has given to Uesugi!

Will you like my gift? Uesugi-kun?

No.

He will definitely like it!

(End of chapter)