Chapter 186: , Metropolitan Police Department United Front!

PS: Sorry, I went on a blind date again today. To get this update out, I even turned down an offer to go see a movie. I rushed back and finally made it in time. There will only be one chapter today, please forgive me.

Around one in the afternoon, an exhausted Asuka fell asleep in Uesugi Muneyuki's arms. The girl rested quietly against Uesugi Muneyuki, her young, delicate body curled up, her sleeping face looking slightly weary yet content—a stark contrast to her usual image as a well-behaved housekeeper at home or the sharp-tongued, black-bellied bird she was when Ikeda came over.

The continuous, immense pressure and blows had brought Asuka to the brink of collapse, especially when facing the Uesugi couple, people against whom she had absolutely no power to resist. The only thing Asuka could do was cry. She did not want to leave Uesugi Muneyuki, but she was too weak to voice a refusal, until Uesugi Muneyuki personally blocked the path between them, relying on his own stubbornness to push his parents back. Only then did the girl finally find a glimmer of hope, and unable to hold back her emotions any longer, she burst into loud sobs.

After such great joy and sorrow, sleepiness washed over her.

Seeing the girl asleep, Uesugi Muneyuki gazed at her tear-streaked sleeping face with a gentle expression. He did not disturb her, but instead stroked her small face to wipe away her tears, thinking about what he should do next.

Although he was a transmigrator, he had only regained the memories of his past life in his second year of high school, not transmigrated then. Thus, deep down, he accepted his identity as "Uesugi Muneyuki." It had just felt awkward when he first woke up, but he gradually accepted the status quo and came to view Uesugi Hironori and Uesugi Tomoko as his own parents, and his grandfather as his own grandfather.

Having truly stood up to his parents, he actually didn't feel good inside either.

Normally, under the Confucian filial piety and patriarchal system of the three East Asian countries, a father emphasizes strong control over his children and their personal dependence on him. Therefore, it can be said that in such an environment, there is thirty percent hatred and seventy percent resentment between father and son. Even for fathers and sons with good relationships, there are more or less thorns in their hearts when interacting, and even if they want to express affection, they always do so with great restraint until the moment of life and death.

But Uesugi Muneyuki was different. He was the second son of the family. Since childhood, the family's demands on him had been completely different from those on his older brother. He received less love and attention, but he also bore fewer responsibilities.

For Uesugi Sadanori, the family's requirement had always been, "You must do this and that."

For Uesugi Muneyuki, the family's requirement had always been, "It would be best if you did this and that."

So, thinking carefully, during his growth, Uesugi Hironori hadn't done much to wrong Uesugi Muneyuki, nor had he made the same harsh, strict demands as he had on his older brother. There were no major conflicts between father and son, and the father had gone along with Uesugi Muneyuki's wishes almost all the time.

It wasn't until the matter of Saito Asuka that Uesugi Muneyuki stood up against his father.

He would still have to find a time to apologize to his father later. He truly did it for my own good; he just didn't know that the current Asuka was too fragile to endure another separation. If you take her away from my side, she will be destroyed.

Uesugi Muneyuki closed his eyes.

However, after this incident, Uesugi Muneyuki also understood what his current strength was.

To be fair, did Uesugi Muneyuki really win today's argument?

Win, my foot!

Uesugi Hironori was presenting facts, reasoning, citing laws, and giving examples, while Uesugi Muneyuki was talking about some ethereal "righteousness." Strictly speaking, although Uesugi Muneyuki was very firm and stood on the side of "great justice," he did not have the ability or the arguments to completely convince his father. To say nothing else, he was powerless to refute the risk of cohabiting with a minor.

But he still won.

Because his status was no longer what it used to be. He had heard his parents' conversation in the room.

Just as his grandfather had repeatedly emphasized, his father actually didn't have much ability. As soon as his grandfather passed away, the Uesugi family would rapidly become marginalized in high society, just like that large group of the Peerage, many of whom had been reduced to ordinary wage earners. Quite a few had even sold their surnames to wealthy commercial firms that rose after the war, with the entire family being usurped.

Currently, among the old Feudal Lords and the Tokugawa Peerage, those still at the pinnacle of high society were only the major Tokugawa, the Satsuma Shimazu, and the Kanazawa Maeda Clan. Among them, the situation of the Kanazawa Maeda Clan was the same as the Uesugi family; they relied on the current Head of the House being the Director of the Imperial Household Agency to barely support the family name, as the younger generation had no one capable of taking over the influence and connections of their ancestors.

But at present, Uesugi Muneyuki had already demonstrated his ability to take over his grandfather's influence at the University of Tokyo and his various connections. And he didn't even really need them, because the autopsy was performed by him, and the entire Metropolitan Police Department had been conquered by him!

Sure enough, the only thing truly powerful, the only thing one could truly rely on, was oneself!

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Sakata Bridge Tower.

"How about it, this Spanish food is pretty good, right!" Watanabe Minami was now also wearing casual clothes—a Korean-style school-look suit with a pleated skirt—and was chatting with Ikeda Erena, who was in a female suit with long trousers for field work.

The signing of the "Asukayama Contract" symbolized that Ikeda Erena had officially been reduced to a vassal of Watanabe Minami, no longer having the strength to challenge Miss Minami. However, Miss Minami also allowed her to continue her relationship with Uesugi Muneyuki; it could be said there were losses and gains.

"It's alright," Erena said softly. She was still immersed in today's massive failure, her eyes dull, and only when talking about the food did her expression improve slightly.

"Huhu~ You'll get to enjoy it often from now on, Ikeda. Don't worry, follow this young lady, and you'll eat nine meals in three days!" Miss Minami said triumphantly, hands on her hips.

Total victory!

"But I already eat nine meals in three days!" Ikeda Erena looked confused. "I usually have fitness meals morning and night, and lunch is the normal Metropolitan Police Department canteen..."

"............ I suddenly feel that Muneyuki-kun must have a hard time getting along with you," Miss Minami said, speechless. "It's fortunate that he is a very talented person."

"Not at all, he likes me very much!" When talking about this, Erena was full of confidence. She could feel Uesugi Muneyuki's infatuation with her, and she could also feel the satisfaction Uesugi Muneyuki derived from her.

Her apartment layout had already been custom-tailored by Uesugi Muneyuki personally.

"He likes you very much, so why hasn't he given you the keys to his place?" Miss Minami smiled as she took out the keys to the Sakata Bridge residence.

"Ugh!" Ikeda Erena was instantly sunk. The tall beauty looked at the keys dangling in the hand of the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, collapsed on the spot, and could not get up again.

Ugh~ Why won't Uesugi just give me the keys?

It was clearly me who came first! The Partner relationship was me first, the Ryotei was me first, the dates were me first, and the physical relationship was me first too!

Having someone she liked for the first time, and having progress in her career—these two elements combined should have been double the happiness, but why did it turn out like this?

Ah, it was me who requested not to have a formal relationship, so that's fine then.

Erena's heart was as dead as ashes.

Soon, the two arrived at the door of 1802. Miss Minami couldn't help but feel expectant; this was her first time coming to Uesugi Muneyuki's home!

From now on, this place will be my territory!

Turning the lock, Miss Minami chirped, "I'm home," her pair of slender willow eyebrows twitching as she quickly kicked off the black high-heeled shoes adorning her exquisite jade feet, revealing a pair of beautiful feet wrapped in translucent black velvet silk stockings, and stepped directly into the room.

Erena, behind her, sighed, used her finger to hook the heel of her high-heeled shoes to take them off, and then took a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet to put on her silk-stockinged feet, which were covered in flesh-colored pantyhose. She was much more familiar with this home than Minami.

However, after the two women entered together, they were greeted by an extremely eerie atmosphere in the room, and Uesugi Muneyuki, who was sitting on the sofa holding Asuka, welcomed them: "Welcome home."

"Eh?!" Miss Minami and the tall beauty were both stunned.

What was going on?

"Muneyuki-kun, why are you at home? Shouldn't you be at the headquarters writing reports?" Miss Minami's expression was strange, and she felt a little guilty.

Uesugi Muneyuki didn't know about the Battle of Asukayama, and Minami didn't want him to know. She understood Uesugi Muneyuki; if he knew she had used coercion and inducement to force Erena to submit, he would definitely lose favor for her.

"That's a long story," Uesugi Muneyuki said with a bitter smile.

"Then make it a short story!" Miss Minami was very domineering. "There are no outsiders at home, what is there that you can't trust me and Erena with?"

"That's true." Uesugi Muneyuki thought about it; it seemed there was no need to hide anything.

So Uesugi Muneyuki told Minami and Erena what happened today, right there on the sofa in the living room.

"Ah? Why would your parents know Asuka is living here?" Erena was the first to panic. "Isn't the Tower very private? Entry and exit both require verification. Could someone have snitched?"

Uesugi Muneyuki said helplessly upon hearing this, "What snitching? My parents are the owners!"

"Oh, right." Erena only then realized. Then, she suddenly realized, didn't that mean his parents also knew she often spent the night here?

So shameful!

Would his parents have formed a very bad impression? Would they think I am a source of trouble just like Asuka? Would they want to make me stay away from Uesugi-kun?

In order to stay here, I have already yielded to the Section Chief, but if his parents also do not agree... something like that, I don't want it!

And Minami was clearly much calmer than Eirina; the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department crossed her beautiful legs in black silk under her pleated skirt, folded her arms to think for a moment, and then said softly to Uesugi Muneyuki: "Although you won, I will go back with you for the next family dinner and apologize to your uncle and aunt together. I will explain Asuka's situation to them."

"Mm." Uesugi Muneyuki felt a bit embarrassed; that Miss Minami was willing to help with this matter was a very important aid to him, because a very important reason his parents would take the initiative to visit today was that he was preparing to get engaged.

"Also, Asuka, what exactly are you thinking?" Miss Minami said again to the girl in Uesugi Muneyuki's arms: "Don't pretend to be asleep, I know you are awake. Even if you were sleeping before, you must have woken up after we came in, right?"

The girl in his arms trembled slightly; Uesugi Muneyuki was surprised to see Asuka lift her head, softly acknowledge Miss Minami, and very humbly try to kneel on both knees: "I, I..."

"I know you don't want to leave Uesugi Muneyuki's side." Miss Minami said, let's not have these pretenses between us, let's talk properly: "But Uncle Uesugi is right; a minor girl living with an adult man is too explosive if it gets out. We must find a way to solve this problem."

"Yes, I am also thinking about this matter." Uesugi Muneyuki said to Miss Minami: "The argument with my father has left my mind in chaos, and I am not clear on the relevant laws either. Minami, what do you think we should do?"

"Asuka no longer has any family. In this situation, we should find a suitable adoptive parent for her. According to the laws of Japan, orphaned children under 12 should be taken in by social welfare institutions and sent to a designated new family for adoption and upbringing. The welfare institution will conduct regular home visits. For those over 12, the orphaned child can designate an adoptive parent themselves. As long as both parties agree, an adoption agreement can be signed." Miss Minami thought for a moment, then asked: "Asuka, how old are you this year?"

"16 years old." The Chosen Girl sat timidly beside Uesugi Muneyuki and said softly.

"Then it is only two years away from the legal age." Miss Minami pondered: "If Asuka is willing to cooperate, we only need to find a suitable adoptive parent for her. As long as there is a guardian, Asuka can legally and reasonably stay by Uesugi Muneyuki's side."

"Are you suggesting that Uesugi Muneyuki adopt her?" Eirina said hurriedly: "Wouldn't that be..."

"How could that be? What kind of joke is that!" Miss Minami found that when people are speechless, they really do laugh: "Not to mention that if Uesugi Muneyuki becomes Asuka's 'father' like that, how would they get along in the future? Just the fact that adoption is a public matter! A 23-year-old adult male adopting a 16-year-old orphan—by then, Uesugi Muneyuki would be plastered all over every newspaper, television station, and online media! Could he still stay in the Metropolitan Police Department like that?"

"Ah, this?" Eirina thought, then should I or you adopt her?

But she realized that didn't seem right either; saying it out loud would definitely make everyone laugh, so she could only shut her mouth.

"Asuka, I ask you, are you truly willing to spend your whole life with Uesugi Muneyuki? Can you safely entrust your life to both of us?" Miss Minami said seriously.

"Mm!!!" This time, Asuka did not hesitate in the slightest and nodded heavily. The girl, who was extremely good at reading the room, had already sensed that this petite, big beauty with the aura of a "Daimyo's principal wife" was truly trying to find a way for her.

This aura, this demeanor, this wisdom—she must be Mr. Uesugi's fiancée!

"Alright then, like this: for these next few months, Asuka, try your best to stay at home and do not go out." Miss Minami nodded solemnly: "Uesugi Muneyuki and I will try to find you an adoptive parent we can trust, one who will absolutely not betray us. When the time comes, you will agree to the adoption agreement, and the guardian will then let you live here through a foster care contract. At 16, you can also work part-time, so we will sign a live-in Housekeeper agreement then. That way, it will be flawless! Asuka, this way you can always live in Uesugi Muneyuki's house and won't be kicked out again. As for Uesugi Muneyuki's parents, I will take responsibility for convincing them."

"I, I understand! Thank you, this..." Asuka replied happily and was about to kneel again.

"My name is Watanabe Minami; you can just call me Sister Minami."

"Yes, Sister Minami, I am infinitely grateful and have no way to repay you. Please allow me..." Asuka went straight into a standard dogeza, happy to the point of tears again.

"Don't, Asuka. I am allowing you to live in Uesugi Muneyuki's house, but it's not for free, you know! I already said it: you must be prepared to entrust the rest of your life to me!" Miss Minami said with a grin, and right in front of Uesugi Muneyuki, she signaled for Eirina and Asuka to come closer: "From now on, Asuka will be in charge of the home, Eirina will be in charge of field work and business trips, and I will be in charge of the Metropolitan Police Department and formal social occasions. The three of us will each perform our own duties and look after one another, ensuring Uesugi Muneyuki stays far away from his previous impure private life and unclean women! How about it?"

"I can share Uesugi Muneyuki with you a little, but in exchange, you must hand your lives over to me. How is that?"

Hearing Minami say this, light appeared in the eyes of both Asuka and Eirina!

"I can, I agree." "Please take care of me, Sister Minami~"

"Very good, then starting from today, our Metropolitan Police Department United Front is established!"

"Oh, oh, oh!"

The three women cheered in unison. At the thought that they would monopolize the rest of Uesugi Muneyuki's life, even Asuka couldn't help but hum softly.

The future is bright!

(End of chapter)