Chapter 133: , Life Consultation

PS: Because I caught the flu and had to see a doctor, I can only post one update today—my apologies.

Uesugi Munesetsu wanted to bring Saito Asuka to live with him—not just at his residence, but also at the same school.

To this end, he specifically called the Otsuka Police Station in Bunkyo Ward, asking if Tanaka Rōtō could introduce him to a high school as close as possible so Asuka could attend.

Tanaka Rōtō's reply was to tell him to go to the Metropolitan Police Department; Uesugi Munesetsu meant he wanted to arrange the transfer through unofficial channels, but the local precinct lacked such influence—only the Metropolitan Police Department could make it happen.

Wanting to help the girl transfer schools, Uesugi Munesetsu thought it over and realized he only had two sources of help: first, the main Uesugi family—his grandfather, Uesugi Kuninori, of noble lineage, a professor at Tokyo University for thirty years, with numerous disciples and officials across Kanto; his father, relying on his grandfather's prestige, had set up a stall at a cultural hall and also had wide connections.

But this was the first option Uesugi Munesetsu abandoned—because his family would absolutely not allow an underage girl to stay with him; this wasn't just a time bomb, but would also bring unpredictable negative consequences to his future, with no stable positive returns to expect.

So Uesugi Munesetsu had no choice but to pick the second option: seeking help from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Uesugi Munesetsu himself doesn't have deep ties with Tokyo Medical and Dental University—at best, he knows Director Ukai and Professor Ōkōchi; the latter is upright, strict, and austere, unlikely to help him, while Director Ukai would inevitably inform his family, so he was quickly ruled out—leaving only the Metropolitan Police Department as the viable option.

As everyone knows, the Metropolitan Police Department is a powerful department—referring to government agencies that legally possess and use coercive force to safeguard national security, social stability, and citizens' rights.

Such powerful departments interact with every corner of society and thus possess societal resources (which is why many retired senior police officers easily secure good positions afterward).

Following Tanaka Rōtō's lead, Uesugi Munesetsu found Megure of the Metropolitan Police Department; for his benefactor who helped his promotion, Megure readily agreed and asked whether he preferred Ochanomizu Women's High School or Tsukuba University Affiliated High School.

Thus, the prior favor between Uesugi Munesetsu and Megure was now fully repaid.

After discussing the transfer, Uesugi Munesetsu decided to have a proper talk with Saito Asuka, suggesting they go out to eat: "Let's eat while we talk."

Saito Asuka softly agreed—though she didn't really want to go out, she couldn't and wouldn't refuse any of Uesugi Munesetsu's suggestions, so she weakly complied, changing into the down jacket and sweater he had just bought her that afternoon, wearing a double-layered black skirt with thick velvet white stockings and canvas shoes, looking like a winter fairy.

When the door opened, the girl reacted like a startled cat—instinctively shrinking behind Uesugi Munesetsu, gently tugging his shirt hem to hide her body behind him, revealing only a small face as she slowly stepped forward.

Fortunately, the restaurant Uesugi Munesetsu took her to wasn't far—about a 300-meter walk—where he found a corner seat for them and ordered two sets of grilled eel rice meals.

"So expensive!" Seeing a 2,500-yen grilled eel set, Asuka opened her mouth wide, then grew anxious: "Mr. Uesugi, I don't need this—just give me a seaweed rice ball, I…"

"They don't have seaweed rice balls here," Uesugi Munesetsu said calmly. "Besides, seaweed rice balls aren't nutritious—just pure carbs."

"Enough… enough…" Asuka lowered her head, speaking with self-reproach: "I've already… caused you so much trouble—I don't know how to face you…"

"How could you not… Asuka, you must have eaten things like this before, right?" Uesugi Munesetsu said with a half-smile.

"Sob! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" Who knew the girl couldn't take a joke at all? Hearing Uesugi Munesetsu's words, she panicked—her white-socked feet pattered rapidly, and she was about to kneel right there in the restaurant to apologize: "I… I really didn't mean to—I'm just so hungry, I didn't know, I…"

The girl's behavior drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant.

Kidnapper? Papa activity? Old man, young wife? Loli brat?

Uesugi Munesetsu's face turned red as he quickly reached out, pulled her up, and whispered sharply: "What are you doing?! We're in public!"

As Uesugi Munesetsu lifted her, she kept apologizing nonstop—then turned to apologize to everyone around her, saying it was her fault, which prevented the staff from calling the police.

After sitting down again, Uesugi Munesetsu realized that although Asuka had never been to this kind of restaurant before, she had eaten similar meal sets before—finally understanding why she always packed a meal to go whenever she ate out.

"So, have you tried the grilled chicken set from Matsunomiya?" Uesugi Munesetsu asked curiously.

"I have…" Asuka whispered, head down, face flushed, unable to meet his eyes.

"Have you tried the full traditional Japanese meal set at Shiojiri Takajōmachi?"

"…I have."

"How about the premium sushi and sashimi platter at Aji Kan?"

"…I ate it."

"What about the various Kansai-style grilled dishes at Hiroshima-style Kaboro?"

"I've had those too."

"Surely, you've also eaten the Michelin-starred cuisine at Lasarte—your sister only ate a few bites that day before rushing to pack it all up, I thought she had something urgent." Uesugi Munesetsu thought to himself.

"Hmm…" Speaking of her sister, Asuka's eyes reddened again—she felt so shy she wanted to bury her face in her chest (though it'd be difficult), and murmured softly: "That day… was my birthday."

Birthday?!

Uesugi Munesetsu froze.

Actually, that date had left him very annoyed—she noticed he'd recently had more money and suggested trying a Michelin-starred restaurant, begged him for a long time, even specified the date; he reluctantly agreed, they met, but she barely ate a few bites before saying she was full and wanted to pack it up, constantly apologizing, saying she had urgent matters and had to leave immediately—couldn't he hurry up? It killed his mood, and they ended things hastily before the hotel time was even halfway up.

Afterward, Uesugi Munesetsu felt furious—thought she was treating him like a fool! So he decided to end the relationship, and that day's meeting had also been intended to discuss breaking up and repaying money.

And yet, that day turned out to be Asuka's birthday?

He looked at her with a softer gaze: "Was it good?"

"…It was." Her eyes already glistening with tears: "But… I wish I hadn't eaten it."

Uesugi Munesetsu let out a long sigh and didn't pursue the topic further.

They sat for a while, then two steaming grilled eel rice meals were served. Asuka hesitated, glanced at Uesugi Munesetsu, and only after receiving his repeated reassurance did she carefully pick up her chopsticks and begin eating.

"The school has already arranged your transfer—it's to Tsukuba University Affiliated High School. As for the future, you'll live with me for now." Uesugi Munesetsu said seriously: "I'll support you at least until high school graduation—that's my promise and a small compensation."

"Thank you… truly, thank you so much, Mr. Uesugi!" Asuka could no longer hold back her tears—she knew she couldn't refuse this offer, otherwise she'd have nowhere else to go: "I really… am so grateful to you!"

In truth, if possible, Uesugi Munesetsu would have liked Asuka to finish university—but as previously mentioned, Japanese universities are expensive; even a national university like Akita University costs 580,000 yen per year in tuition, which he might not afford.

Uesugi Munesetsu's current income is 28 × 150,000 yen from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, plus 15 × 120,000 yen as a Metropolitan Police Department field consultant, plus side income from autopsies—after deducting taxes, national pension, employee pension, and civil servant pension, his take-home pay is roughly 5 million yen per year; supporting Asuka through university would currently be a stretch.

Let her finish high school first, then we'll see—Uesugi Munesetsu thought to himself.

"Actually, I don't even need to study—I can quit." Asuka whispered weakly.

"No way!!!" Uesugi Munesetsu nearly shouted instinctively: "This is an order—no discussion!"

"Yes." Asuka immediately replied, trembling with fear: "I'll study. I'll work hard, Mr. Uesugi!"

"…Alright, don't overthink it." Seeing her soft, pliable, adorable yet fearful and obedient demeanor, Uesugi Munesetsu felt his heart melt—he immediately dropped his stern tone and spoke softly: "I'm not letting you stay for free, nor am I just giving you money."

"Eh?!" Uesugi Munesetsu's words left Asuka stunned—her mouth hung open, her delicate, pure-looking face showing surprise mixed with undeniable cuteness.

"I mean, if you're moving in, you'll need to help me out—Asuka, can you cook?" Uesugi Munesetsu didn't give her room to misinterpret: "Since you're living in my home, I need you to clean, do laundry, and cook—like a housekeeper. I really need a housekeeper—I'm swamped with work, often away from home, and I need someone to help me. I truly need your help. Will you help me?"

"I will!" Asuka nodded vigorously, her whole body trembling with emotion.

Her greatest fear was becoming a burden to Mr. Uesugi—her greatest fear was making him feel strained. Aside from this man, her world had no one left she could trust or rely on.

She couldn't endure another blow.

Uesugi Munesetsu's words—"I truly need your help"—struck straight at her heart.

It could even be said that she had found her purpose in life again!

"Very good!" Uesugi Muneyuki laughed and clapped his hands: "Housekeepers these days are expensive, even a temporary part-time one costs over ten thousand a month, so Asuka, your lodging, meals, and school fees are all included in your housekeeper salary—I'll handle going out to work, you just take care of keeping the house tidy, I'll cover all other expenses, and I'll also give you thirty thousand yen in pocket money each month—how does that sound?"

"Thirty thousand... that's too much." The girl hurriedly said, shaking her head vigorously: "Too much!"

"Then thirty thousand it is—I can't afford more anyway." Uesugi Muneyuki directly made the decision for her: "So, is that settled?"

The girl's remarkable ability to read the room and observe subtle cues kicked in once again, and she now understood why Uesugi Muneyuki had specifically brought up this matter.

It was to give her self-respect, to give her a reason to stay, to give her an excuse, to give her a final sanctuary.

The man before her gradually blurred in her vision, she strained to wipe her eyes to see him clearly, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't clear them, and soon he became even more indistinct...

From morning until now, she had lost count of how many times she had cried.

"I, I understand!" she choked out, accepting the only choice before her—Saito Asuka felt that everything she had experienced since this morning was like a dream.

If he hadn't appeared, I would have been doomed to fall into the abyss.

After finishing a delicious eel set meal together, Uesugi Muneyuki escorted Saito Asuka home, but just as they were about to open the front door, Saito Asuka signaled for Uesugi Muneyuki to wait a moment.

The girl solemnly reached out to take off her brand-new canvas shoes, revealing a pair of soft, sweet white silk ice cream, she walked silently up the genkan steps, the thick velvet silk stockings wrapping her slender, bony legs could not conceal her frail, delicate frame, her long black hair fell silently over her shoulders, straight and shoulder-length, beautiful as a winter snow landscape painting in Hokkaido.

Even her bulky winter clothes could not hide her slender waist, her doll-like face glowed with a long-lost radiance, her slightly baby-fat cheek was shadowed by the lamp's light and shade, Asuka strained to lift her chest to make her frail figure appear more substantial, her delicate waist nearly snapped, her straight white silk calves resembled two jade pillars, merging with the wall and light and shadow, pure and beautiful.

The girl knelt solemnly before Uesugi Muneyuki, knees touching the ground, both hands extended with thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers forward, pressing to the floor, her small face full of sincerity: "Mr. Uesugi, from now on, please guide me!"

"Me too—from now on, please guide me." Uesugi Muneyuki did not refuse the girl's deep bow this time; he waited until she finished her salute, then reached out to help her up: "Alright, Saito housekeeper, I order you to rest today—everything else can wait until tomorrow."

"Pfft~" The chosen girl finally couldn't hold back her laughter, she whispered in protest: "You can't rest on the first day of work, Mr. Uesugi, please tell me what I should do first, okay? I, I can do it! I can do anything—cook, wash dishes, do laundry, clean—I, I'll do my best!"

"Well then, come with me, I'll teach you." Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly asked from ahead: "How was your afternoon rest? Is the new bed comfortable to sleep on?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, Saito Asuka's face instantly turned crimson, the girl immediately recalled what had happened that afternoon.

She did want to sleep, but that slut wouldn't let her! Shouting so loudly, afraid I wouldn't hear, right?

And she was still wearing her police uniform—utterly shameless!!!

Mr. Uesugi, when you were with your sister, was it like that too?

No wonder your sister felt no pain at all! And... she even seemed to enjoy it...

The girl recalled her afternoon experience, feeling her mind about to short-circuit.

"Asuka?" Uesugi Muneyuki turned around then, noticing the girl seemed dazed: "As expected, you'd be better off resting today, wouldn't you?"

"Mr. Uesugi, I... I will wear silk stockings every day as long as I'm at home." The girl suddenly blurted out a nonsensical sentence, her tone flustered yet earnest: "I'm serious!"

"???" Several question marks appeared above Uesugi Muneyuki's head.

How did she know my preferences?

Impossible—my secret is known only to a handful of people; no one else knows!

"Um... if you like it, I have no objection." Uesugi Muneyuki, unable to bear refusing Saito Asuka's kindness, could only agree: "Can we continue then?"

Afterwards, Uesugi Muneyuki gave Saito Asuka a tour of the entire tower apartment, reshaping her worldview, then let her take a bath and go to bed to rest, while he returned to his room to sleep.

What Uesugi Muneyuki didn't know was that Saito Asuka spent the entire night awake in her small room, waiting, torn between anticipation and fear, until around four or five in the morning, when she finally drifted into a drowsy sleep.

At the moment she could no longer endure, Saito Asuka finally confirmed the last detail.

Mr. Uesugi, thank you...

(Chapter End)