Chapter 170

That night, at Sakata Bridge Tower, past midnight.

The long torment was finally fully released; Uesugi Muneyuki let out a long breath, feeling only sore and weak in his waist and back, stiff legs, and an empty body.

The room was quiet; though pitch black, Uesugi Muneyuki could still see the slight outline of the quilt bulging, the master bedroom's quilt puffed up in a lump, as if someone were inside.

Hey, not "as if"—there really was someone hidden: Ikeda Erena lay in the quilt, clinging to Uesugi Muneyuki like an octopus, her arms around his neck, legs locked around his waist, wearing nothing but a pair of sheer black Lycra polka-dot stockings on her toes.

Uesugi Muneyuki pressed his head, feeling a slight headache.

Master Erena is just too clingy; since returning home after eight p. m. and eating a couple bites, she immediately latched on, clinging for three or four hours straight without rest, and if she weren't also tired from days of investigation, this woman would demand round two.

Or perhaps she's now nurturing her essence, preparing for round two.

Indeed, as a black belt in judo and karate and a fitness enthusiast, this is Erena's normal operation; their relationship has reached this point—how could she still be polite? Naturally, she must ruthlessly drain Uesugi Muneyuki then hold him tight to sleep, or it doesn't count.

She hasn't forgotten Uesugi Muneyuki's keys; since the second bedroom is empty, Erena has been thinking of moving in, but Uesugi Muneyuki won't allow it.

Coming over like this every three or five days is tolerable, but every day? No way.

If it were anyone else, they'd likely die young within months.

Uesugi Muneyuki tried to slow his steps and movements, easing out of Erena's cling, maintaining a cautious posture even when lifting the quilt, yet still rousing her awareness: "What's wrong?"

"Get up and drink some water." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled: "Master Erena, you did quite well!"

"Eek!!" Upon hearing Uesugi Muneyuki say that, Ikeda Erena's cheeks burned hot; she immediately covered herself with the quilt.

The tall beauty had long wondered: what exactly is that bubble bath the Tokyo University girl Nishikawa Nanami, who secretly earns money in the sex industry, gave to Kashiwagi Jin?

Uesugi Muneyuki mischievously said: Let me and you demonstrate it specifically?

Let's try! Erena refused to yield, thinking: We're already this intimate—what could be unacceptable?

So the two tried it once in the bathroom.

Put simply, a bubble bath merely means applying body wash to one's own body, using it as a medium to apply bubbles to the other, then assisting in bathing; this act is barely considered legal in Japan, as it involves no explicit acts.

But it's only barely so, since both parties have already been naked together in the bathroom; afterward, something happening is normal—though brothels strictly forbid "real action," once acquainted, they may go outside for a "one-time romance," which brothels don't interfere with.

Thus whether this act counts as illegal has always been in a gray zone; the Metropolitan Police Department generally doesn't bother much, but if certain brothels gain great fame or receive reports of someone "doing it for real," the MPD still conducts crackdowns.

Both obtained a perfectly exquisite experience.

Or rather, being with Uesugi Muneyuki, Erena always feels a deep marrow-deep pleasure; this sensation has already eroded her brain, changing her entirely.

"Mmm~" Ikeda Erena muttered, restlessly twisting her delicate form, her body gathered with infinite wonders and storm lightning wrapped in the quilt: "You go quick and come back quick—when you're not by my side, I always feel like something's missing."

Uesugi Muneyuki swallowed a mouthful of saliva, thinking: Done, as expected, there's round two.

Still can't easily give her the keys!

Opening the master bedroom door, Uesugi Muneyuki strangely noticed a mark on the floor at the doorway, already wiped away, leaving only a dark smudge; he paid it no mind, quickly took oolong tea from the fridge, drank it, and meanwhile opened his phone to check new messages.

Saito Asuka had already slept; she still has class tomorrow.

The first message received was from Watanabe Minami.

Division Chief Oshima was the first arrested; when he received Watanabe Eiji's order to go to the conference room to discuss details of the Todai case, Oshima didn't think twice and gladly kept the appointment, only to be directly arrested by several supervision officers plus public security police; as for this MPD traitor, Oshima's punishment is also the harshest.

According to Watanabe Minami, the MPD's internal punishment for Oshima is—demoted to patrol sergeant, exiled to Hokkaido Hakodate, serving as a koban patrol officer.

That is, this will be one of the harshest punishments in MPD history: Oshima will be stripped from superintendent, inspector, assistant inspector, division chief down to patrol sergeant.

Demoted five ranks!

Moreover, the fact that the Investigation Division 1 Chief would become a koban patrol officer is, under Japanese social norms, the ultimate humiliation.

On this point, Watanabe Eiji and Oshima Kanbocho are both ruthless, because Oshima has twice betrayed the MPD: first, leaking Professor Tsuda's matter to Americans and American newspapers; though Oshima denies it dead to rights, everyone knows it was him.

The first leak failed, the second leaked to the District Public Prosecutors Office, nearly letting them seize the peach; the MPD can no longer tolerate it.

So why not just fire him outright?

The reason is simple: if fired outright, Oshima's pension would be paid at superintendent level; but if demoted to patrol sergeant then forced to resign, his pension would be at patrol sergeant level—saving several million yen yearly—and then Oshima would be compelled to voluntarily submit his resignation.

You want dignity? We'll give you dignity; if you still refuse dignity, don't blame the MPD for being heartless.

Uesugi Muneyuki's comment: Still, you Todai people are ruthless!

The second message was from Senior Student Shirakawa Mai, telling Uesugi Muneyuki it's time to resolve Hironaka Mariko's matter.

Indeed, the Todai case is wrapped up; time to go to the Odaiba Building.

Uesugi Muneyuki happens to have two days off, so they agreed to meet tomorrow at the Odaiba Building.

As he messaged Shirakawa Mai, a pair of glowing lotus arms wrapped from behind around his neck; Ikeda Erena clung like a koala to his back: "Why so long?"

"I have things to reply to." Uesugi Muneyuki felt the woman's astonishing softness and toughness on his back, turned and lifted her, saying irritably: "How so? Still not enough?"

"Hehehe, never enough." Erena giggled, then pouted, eyes pleading, fearing Uesugi Muneyuki would refuse: "Are you tired?"

She fears he'll dislike her, fears he'll reject her; she knows she's clingy, but besides him, she has almost nothing!

She desperately wants the keys, but he won't give!

Erena realized only with Uesugi Muneyuki by her side can she fully relax; otherwise, she remains tense, even at home.

"A man can't say no!" Uesugi Muneyuki confidently said, lowering his head to kiss her lips, softly soothing her emotions: "I want you to wear those white aurora-material stockings I bought..."

"Bad thing—are you saying if I don't wear them you won't touch me?" Erena pouted; she, who especially hates wearing stockings, slowly began to never part with them, all thanks to men like you!

She won't wear them, he won't touch her.

So she has no way to refuse his demand—not one bit.

What they didn't notice: as they returned to the master bedroom, the small room at the doorway opened a crack.

A girl was desperately taking notes.

Must wear stockings at home!

……………………

The next day, Uesugi Muneyuki arrived punctually at Fuji TV Odaiba Building, refreshed yet slightly spiritless, preparing to meet Senior Student Mai.

He wants to meet Hironaka Mariko, to ask her what exactly happened.

(Chapter End)