Chapter 175: Confrontation at the Banquet

When the paper doors to the Tsuru no Ma were opened, the people from the University of Tokyo and the Metropolitan Police Department had actually all arrived, waiting only for Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami.

From the University of Tokyo side came President Komiyama, Executive Director Kimoto who is in charge of finance, Uesugi Muneyuki's grandfather and University of Tokyo professor emeritus Uesugi Kuninori, and the person involved, Dean of the Agriculture and Forestry Department Furuya.

From the Metropolitan Police Department side came National Police Agency Commissioner Kaneko Takuro and Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji.

These six people were all graduates of the University of Tokyo, and the youngest among them, Watanabe Eiji, was already 51 years old.

They had intentionally let Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami arrive late; while the young people had not yet come, these old fogies needed to discuss some matters, while Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami were attending the banquet as the case investigators and the future spokespeople for the Todai Case press conference.

When the doors were pulled open, the six old fogies looked toward the entrance in unison; led by a waitress in a kimono, Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami, this golden couple, made a dazzling entrance, instantly bringing an air of youth into the room. Regardless of what thoughts the old fogies held in their hearts at that moment, they all cast welcoming gazes at the beauty of this pair—one tall and cold, the other sweet and gorgeous.

However, the next second, everyone's attention was drawn to the tug-of-war between Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami.

The moment the door was pulled open, Uesugi Muneyuki walked in front as a matter of course, wanting to enter the Tsuru no Ma first. As a result, the gorgeously dressed Watanabe Minami took the initiative to reach out and hold his hand. Facing forward and not seeing what was behind him, Uesugi Muneyuki felt something touch him and instinctively pulled his hand back, causing Miss Minami to miss her grasp.

This truly annoyed Miss Minami; she was so angry that she extended a small fist and punched Uesugi Muneyuki on the arm, signaling, "Look at me! I'm the one holding you!"

Only then did Uesugi Muneyuki realize it was Miss Minami holding his hand; he hurriedly turned around to signal that he hadn't done it on purpose.

Miss Minami's sweet, delicate face, made up after applying cosmetics, turned slightly red. She reached out in a spoiled manner to signal, "Let's do it again," and then gestured for Uesugi Muneyuki to be more conscious of it.

Uesugi Muneyuki helplessly revealed a doting smile and took the initiative to reach out an invitation. Only then did Miss Minami place her small hand into his large one, revealing a triumphant expression.

This little interlude was actually nothing at all, but it truly amused all the old fogies in the Tsuru no Ma, making them rock back and forth with laughter. Even President Komiyama, who held the highest status, couldn't help but laugh out loud. Executive Director Kimoto and Commissioner Kaneko laughed until their teeth were exposed, and even the usually very serious Uesugi Kuninori and Dean Furuya, who was most affected by this incident, couldn't help but laugh a few times.

This is what we old fogies love to see! This is exactly what we wanted to see!

How spirited! Other things aside, just seeing this bit of back-and-forth made the trip to the ryotei tonight worth it!

Watanabe Eiji also covered his face and laughed, thinking to himself that she was worthy of being his daughter; she had probably already firmly captured Uesugi-kun. The Superintendent General secretly glanced at Uesugi Kuninori sitting opposite him, and seeing this Head of the House of the Yonezawa Uesugi Clan laughing heartily with a kind and gentle expression, showing not a hint of resistance, he felt secretly delighted.

If this matter could gain the support of Uesugi Kuninori, this Head of the Yonezawa Uesugi Clan, then it was basically a done deal.

And from the current look of things, Uesugi Kuninori was not opposed to it.

This 73-year-old Head of the Yonezawa Uesugi Clan was a very serious person who usually didn't smile much and kept his emotions hidden; perhaps only his two beloved grandchildren could make him show such an expression.

"Come, Yukimatsumaru, hurry and take your seat; everyone is waiting for you." Uesugi Kuninori signaled for his grandson to sit down quickly.

On the vermilion-lacquered table, the Kutani Ware tableware already reflected the shadow of the first course—in the ice-cracked porcelain plate, the snow crab legs looked like frost-covered branches, with crushed ice hidden beneath.

Uesugi Muneyuki held Watanabe Minami's hand and sat down next to Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji. Miss Minami naturally sat by his side as a matter of course. The tug-of-war and the exchange of glances between these two young people made the crowd of old fogies watching the show exclaim in satisfaction; it was truly worth the price of admission even if they died!

"Then, thank you to everyone from the Metropolitan Police Department for being willing to attend the banquet today, and thank you to our specially invited Section Chief Watanabe and the legendary new Forensic Pathologist Muneyuki-kun for giving us old folks face despite your busy schedules!" President Komiyama raised his wine glass: "Cheers!"

"Cheers!" After a round of enthusiastic applause, everyone raised their wine glasses.

Uesugi Muneyuki took a sip of sake, smacked his lips, and opened the meal box on the table.

The Hanami ryotei had always been famous for its kaiseki cuisine; he wanted to see just how high-end the business of his senior, Mai, was.

Opening the meal box, the first course was sea urchin mousse with black truffles. When the three-tiered white wood box was uncovered, a cold mist rose, and within the scent of cypress, a transparent jelly made from Dong Ding Oolong tea appeared.

The second course was cod milt balls in a clear soup with yuzu peel in a ceramic bowl.

Ice-sculpted peony yellowtail sashimi, frost-marbled horse mackerel, Kobe marbled beef, Sendai charcoal-grilled beef tongue, foie gras soy sauce, snow crab steamed egg, ruby grouper shabu-shabu, and the main course was Kyoto chicken and burdock rice.

It was indeed top-tier kaiseki cuisine.

As expected of the University of Tokyo; Japanese kaiseki cuisine isn't necessarily always delicious, but it is absolutely beautiful, atmospheric, and full of culture.

One eats kaiseki cuisine for the culture, the environment, and the atmosphere, not for the taste.

In the Wajima lacquerware hot pot, the broth was drawn from Rishiri kelp and dried scallop pillars. The side dishes, wasabi stems and snow-covered beet, were cut into six-petaled ice flowers. Outside the shoji screens, the moon set in silence. The waitress in a kimono brought out a Bizen Ware incense burner; the sandalwood scent mixed with the lingering smoke of bonito flakes, winding among the beams into an unfinished spring night tale.

"That this school's case could end so quickly this time is thanks to the all-out assistance of everyone from the Metropolitan Police Department, especially Uesugi-kun." After saying a few empty words, President Komiyama raised his wine glass: "Uesugi-kun, thank you for your keen insight. If it weren't for you, I don't know how this school would have been able to wrap things up."

"I wouldn't dare, I only hope your esteemed school won't blame me for being objective." Uesugi Muneyuki immediately stood up to return the gesture, bowing toward the University of Tokyo side: "I, Uesugi Muneyuki, truly don't know how to express my gratitude to you all; thank you for your school's cooperation during the investigation."

Hearing this, Executive Director Kimoto and Dean Furuya both sneered and shook their heads helplessly, thinking that if it weren't for your grandfather shielding you, we would have already finished you off.

But the purpose of holding this ryotei banquet today was exactly this; "erasing grudges over a ryotei meal" is the most common way for the Japanese upper class to reconcile. There is nothing that cannot be settled by one ryotei meal; if there is, then two.

"Hehehe, although Uesugi-kun isn't from our University of Tokyo, Senior Kuninori is a pure-blooded Todai man. By rounding up, Muneyuki-kun can also be considered one of our own!" National Police Agency Commissioner Kaneko Takuro laughed: "Having a successful grandson is better than anything else, don't you agree, Senior Kuninori?"

"Hehehe~" Uesugi Kuninori squinted his eyes and nodded repeatedly, looking a bit proud: "Yukimatsumaru is just an ordinary forensic pathologist; there is nothing worth paying special attention to. Being able to achieve what he has today is also thanks to the all-out support of little Kaneko and little Watanabe. I, Uesugi Kuninori, would like to thank you both for taking care of Yukimatsumaru."

"Oh, and you must be Watanabe Minami. Thank you as well for always taking care of Yukimatsumaru." Uesugi Kuninori took the initiative to toast Miss Minami. The Face of the Metropolitan Police Department was wearing a gorgeous Chufurisode kimono, and her standard Yamato Nadeshiko aura was particularly pleasing to old-school members of the Old Nobility like Uesugi Kuninori.

"I wouldn't dare, Professor Uesugi, you are truly overpraising me." Miss Minami hurriedly stood up, the pearls and jade on her head swaying incessantly; her face was like a peach blossom, delicate and dripping with beauty.

"Professor Uesugi is really too kind to my daughter." Watanabe Eiji also hurriedly said.

"No, no, hehe, what are you saying? If it weren't for Section Chief Watanabe promoting Yukimatsumaru, he would probably still be performing autopsies at the Medical and Dental University right now." Uesugi Kuninori said meaningfully: "Now that you are working together in the Special Mission Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department, one responsible for autopsy deductions and the other for command and coordination, you two must be inseparable by now, right? Hahaha~"

"Hahahaha~"

Miss Minami, teased by everyone, lowered her head in shyness, signaling to Uesugi Muneyuki, "You say something too."

"Indeed, without Section Chief Watanabe, there would be no Advisor Uesugi." Everyone likes to help boost each other's reputation; Uesugi Muneyuki naturally also spoke well of Miss Minami. The two sat next to each other, causing Watanabe Eiji, who was beside them, to nod repeatedly.

In this way, everyone was clear about what was going on, and surely no one would ever introduce a partner to Uesugi Muneyuki again.

"Speaking of which, I didn't expect the District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Team to actually come this time; it really gave us a cold sweat." After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, Executive Director Kimoto, who was in charge of finance, took the initiative to bring up the topic: "Here, we must also thank Uesugi-kun. If it weren't for you, I really don't know how long the District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Team would have kept pestering us."

"Sigh, regarding Tsuda's matter, we didn't want it either. He was always a leader in our Agriculture and Forestry Department, and he published quite a few articles in *Nature* and *Science*. I never expected such a thing would happen. We always trusted his character; he told the department he could handle it himself, and we all believed he was innocent." Dean Furuya took over the conversation: "I never expected it, that it was actually him."

Starting the "Justice Cutter" routine, are we? Uesugi Muneyuki raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "What a Sacred Separator."

"Yes, Furuya is right. The University of Tokyo really didn't know about Tsuda's matter. Who would have known that such a good and excellent person would actually kill his wife? However, Mrs. Tsuda was also truly too much, don't you think? Superintendent General Watanabe, Commissioner Kaneko?" President Komiyama spoke cautiously: "Now, Tsuda has already confessed and admitted to all his crimes. We all believe this matter can be properly resolved. For what needs to be handled, our University of Tokyo will absolutely handle it seriously. For the innocent, we also ask the Metropolitan Police Department not to over-interfere. Is that acceptable?"

Commissioner Kaneko immediately looked at Watanabe Eiji. Ever since the Chiba Prefecture incident, the National Police Agency Commissioner had completely delegated his power and was now counting the days until he retired to become a director at Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.

"Hehe, President Komiyama, don't ask me about this; ask Uesugi-kun. After all, he is the one who will be speaking and explaining the case details at the press conference later. My word doesn't count." Watanabe Eiji said with a smile: "If he thinks there's no problem, then naturally there's no problem from the Metropolitan Police Department's side."

The main event of the day had arrived.

For a moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Uesugi Muneyuki.

The University of Tokyo's meaning was simple: faced with ironclad evidence, we admit defeat; Professor Tsuda has already confessed, and in this round, we at the University of Tokyo concede to your Metropolitan Police Department.

But this matter ends here; do not continue to investigate, otherwise it will be bad for us, and it won't be good for you either.

The Metropolitan Police Department indicated that this matter depended on Uesugi Muneyuki's opinion; he was the one involved and the investigator.

Seeing Uesugi Muneyuki's furrowed brows, Miss Minami was slightly worried.

"I am very sorry about Professor Tsuda's matter, but the evidence is ironclad. Regardless, the murderer will never be forgiven." Uesugi Muneyuki thought for a long time and said in a deep voice: "I am a forensic pathologist; all I have to do is make the facts clear. I am responsible for the criminal portion; I do not consider or manage other parts. Regarding other matters involving your school, I agree with your opinions in principle, but I have a few conditions."

"Uesugi-kun, please speak," Principal Komiyama nodded.

"First, while Professor Tsuda is certainly pitiable, murder is still murder; the charge should at most be a crime of passion, and it must also include the crime of desecrating a corpse. If I see the indictment changed to something like Tsuda's Wife falling by accident or a ruling of excessive self-defense, I will not accept it."

"That is acceptable," the Tokyo University side nodded.

"Secondly, although the PT Project has numerous internal problems, those students of Professor Tsuda are innocent. Students who were coerced into academic fraud, malpractice, and embezzlement of public funds should be let go to continue their studies, and a portion of their tuition should be waived." Uesugi Muneyuki put forward his second request: "The Agriculture and Forestry Department has skimmed so much money, how about taking a little out to compensate for their hard work?"

"Cer~tainly," Principal Komiyama did not hesitate in the slightest.

"These are my requests. In short, the criminal portion of this case must be handled according to the law. I am not interested in matters unrelated to this case, and I hope personnel unrelated to this case are properly taken care of."

Uesugi Muneyuki focused on the criminal aspect; he was not in charge of the economic and academic corruption issues, nor was he very interested in them. He wanted to perform more Autopsies and participate in more cases, rather than spending the rest of his life locked in a standoff with Tokyo University: "Then, at the press conference, I will tell the truth. Whether it is Professor Tsuda's crime of passion or the FX Predator Tsuda's Wife's transfer of assets and domestic disputes, I will report them truthfully to the citizens."

"That will be fine. We at Tokyo University will also hold a press conference to express our deepest apologies to all citizens. Regarding the issues of academic misconduct and funding corruption, we at Tokyo University will launch a new round of self-inspection and rectification, strengthen supervision, and welcome inquiries from all sectors of society."

The Tokyo University side felt the conditions Uesugi Muneyuki proposed were acceptable, so they agreed to them in their entirety.

The atmosphere inside the Ryotei immediately became lively. The Metropolitan Police Department agreed to stop investigating further and end the case here, and Tokyo University had thoroughly conceded for once. Furthermore, Professor Tsuda would take full responsibility for the crimes, trying his best not to implicate his alma mater's reputation, thereby preventing the District Public Prosecutors Office from intervening again and giving the Americans and the whole of society a solid explanation.

Principal Komiyama and Department Head Furuya would resign to take responsibility at the press conference. Among them, Principal Komiyama would step down next April due to the many existing affairs and the need to scout a candidate for the new principal, while Department Head Furuya would step down immediately to serve as the chairman of the Kanto Forestry Association.

Afterward would be the joint international press conference between the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo University, where Uesugi Muneyuki would serve as the main speaker to recount the entire process of the case.

The purpose of this Ryotei meeting was thus accomplished.

After a few cups of sake, Principal Komiyama took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and said to Uesugi Kuninori beside him: "Senior Kuninori, I would like to discuss something with you."

"What is it?" Uesugi Kuninori thought to himself, for the sake of your two grandsons, how much longer do you intend to use me? His tone was naturally not very good.

"Is your youngest grandson interested in accepting our special admission invitation for the combined master's and doctoral program in forensic medicine at the Tokyo University Faculty of Medicine?"

"Oh?!" The grandfather thought to himself, if you want to talk about this, then I am all ears.

"I think he will be willing."

(End of chapter)