Chapter 19: The Boss Killer, Ikeda Erena

Meeting again at the entrance of the police station, Uesugi Muneyuki did not have much of a reaction, but the policewoman frowned; she felt almost instinctively that Uesugi Muneyuki was following her, but she quickly noticed the Koban police officer who had brought Uesugi Muneyuki.

And so, for a moment, both sides exchanged greetings very awkwardly.

Uesugi Muneyuki could see the contradiction in the policewoman's attitude toward him; she was both angry at his rudeness and grateful for his willingness to testify, and for a moment, she did not know what attitude she should show him.

Yet likewise, Uesugi Muneyuki did not know what attitude he should use to respond; he did not even know who the other party was, and what was the background of this beautiful woman with exotic features, clearly a mixed-race person, 170cm tall with long legs, and excellent combat skills?

Uesugi Muneyuki did not know.

The awkward atmosphere did not last long; the policewoman gave a faint, slight bow and went inside first, and Uesugi Muneyuki turned around to thank the Koban police officer who had driven him there, then asked who she was.

"I don't know." The Koban police officer indicated: I am just a Patrol Sergeant, you are asking me? I am a Patrol Sergeant and you are asking me?

"Judging by her attire, she should be from the Criminal Investigation Division, perhaps she came to replace Takasaka," the Koban police officer judged: "Regarding that last incident, Takasaka is being transferred back to internal affairs; well, it was always asking too much to have an internal affairs policewoman transfer to field duty."

"No way, why would such a beautiful, model-like, mixed-race, tall, combat-expert policewoman be transferred to a local branch?" Uesugi Muneyuki complained.

"That is not something we at the Koban would know; Uesugi-san, you had better go ask Assistant Police Inspector Tanaka and the others."

After saying goodbye to the Koban police officer, Uesugi Muneyuki entered the police station alone.

"Oh! Little Brother Uesugi! Are your injuries healed?" Having come to the police station many times, Uesugi Muneyuki had become familiar with at least the Criminal Investigation Division within Otsuka Station; they were on the kind of terms where they could go eat at Yoshinoya together at noon.

The cleft on Sudo's butt-chin was still as charming as ever, and although being fined two months' salary had made the Criminal Investigation trio ache, after such an incident, a small fine was already the best possible outcome.

"Namu San, thank you so much this time, Little Brother Uesugi." Tanaka Laodeng wrapped his arm around Uesugi Muneyuki's neck and laughed: "We knew it, the friendship between Little Brother Uesugi and our Investigation Section 1 is unbreakable! We are iron brothers who have eaten okonomiyaki together."

"Uesugi-san, is your hand alright?" Kuwabara still had that pockmarked face; because he had been scolded by the Metropolitan Police Department and told to make a public apology, he had been forced to shave off his pompadour and change to a normal hairstyle, and as a result, his looks had faded into the crowd.

"It's been fine for a long time." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, and both sides agreed that the four of them would go eat something good next time; naturally, it would be Sudo and the others treating. The cooperation between the two sides would continue, Uesugi Muneyuki desperately needed this partnership, and after his professional ability had been recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department, the police station naturally had to hold onto him tightly. The two chatted for a few moments, and just as Uesugi Muneyuki was about to ask about the policewoman from earlier, a knock came from outside.

"Hi~!" Kuwabara Mako hurriedly used his hand to rake through his bangs; having shaved off his pompadour, he was a bit insecure about his looks. From the glass at the door, he could vaguely make out the silhouette of a woman, and with a tall figure and square facial features, Kuwabara immediately put on a lecherous look. He slid to the door with a standard, swift pace and reached out to pull the door open: "How may I help you..."

The door opened slightly, revealing the policewoman's serious, indifferent, and radiant face.

"Ah?! It's you!!!"

Kuwabara Mako had been very enthusiastic, but after seeing the policewoman's face, his expression changed drastically. He immediately turned his head to the side and slid backward a distance in three steps, his legs trembling, wanting to leave immediately.

Uesugi Muneyuki: "???"

What is the situation?

Before he could even open his mouth, Tanaka Laodeng and Sudo behind him also had their expressions change drastically. Tanaka Laodeng immediately turned his head away to stare intently at the water dispenser, while Sudo buried his head into layers of reports, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

Most of the men in the Criminal Investigation Division subconsciously turned their heads away; only one or two greenhorns didn't react in time, but after receiving reminders from their colleagues, they also immediately shifted their gazes, not daring to look the policewoman in the eye.

Uesugi Muneyuki: "??????"

What kind of situation is this?

Is this woman some kind of rule-based monster? Or some supreme existence of the royal family that is "too great to look directly at" and "too high to call by name"?

Besides me, does this world really have supernatural powers?

No one could answer him, and the policewoman seemed to be used to it. She stood at attention with her back straight, her beautiful waistline forming a graceful crescent curve under the wrapping of her women's suit, and she said in an indifferent, stern tone without any emotion: "I am Ikeda Erena, transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Otsuka Station in Bunkyo Ward starting today, please treat me well."

"Please…………" A chaotic, low response came from within the Criminal Investigation Division.

So what exactly is the situation?

"Hey, Tanaka, what exactly is going on?" Uesugi Muneyuki grabbed Tanaka Laodeng, who was staring fixedly at the water dispenser's spout.

"It's her, it's her, it's her, it really is her!" Tanaka Laodeng's face turned ashen: "Why did the Metropolitan Police Department send her here? It's over, I don't want to be transferred to Shikoku! Namu San! Is there really such a thing as the conservation of fortune and misfortune?"

"Who exactly is she?" Uesugi Muneyuki thought: Riddler, get out of Gotham City!

"She..." Before Tanaka Laodeng could say more, Section Chief Sudo had already ordered: "Everyone, gather around, Uesugi, you stay too."

A group of people came to the small conference table next to the Criminal Investigation office. Sudo pulled Uesugi Muneyuki over, and through precise comparison, confirmed that Uesugi Muneyuki's 185cm height could completely block the policewoman named Ikeda Erena, only then announcing: "This is Patrol Officer Ikeda, who has been assigned to our division starting today to replace Takasaka, everyone welcome her."

"Hello everyone, my name is Ikeda Erena, I transferred here from the Meguro Branch. I am shallow in knowledge and experience, please treat me well." The policewoman's expression was still just as cold.

The 20-plus detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division were staring at the ceiling, studying the wattage of the energy-saving lights, staring at the water dispenser, thinking about how many cups of hot water were inside, burying their heads in piles of documents, or simply closing their eyes.

"Is it really her?" Uesugi Muneyuki heard a faint whisper.

"No way, is the Metropolitan Police Department trying to destroy our Otsuka Station?"

"Hasn't Uesugi already presented the letter of apology? Why does the Metropolitan Police Department's inspector keep harping on Takasaka's mistake?"

"It's over now!"

"Quiet!" Sudo coughed twice, his expression full of helplessness: "In any case, if you want to introduce yourselves, do it in private. As for who will be responsible for mentoring Ikeda..."

Both investigation section chiefs shook their heads frantically, their faces full of pleading.

"Tanaka, I'll leave it to you." Sudo had an expression of sacrificing his own for the greater good, while Tanaka Laodeng looked like he was about to cry.

After finishing, Sudo did not give Tanaka Laodeng any chance to object and immediately moved on to the next matter.

"Ikeda, that pervert you sent over... although it was a bit reckless, since Little Brother Uesugi is willing to testify, let's process it as a Pervert Crime." Section Chief Sudo's gaze passed over Uesugi Muneyuki's shoulder, ensuring Ikeda Erena's face was perfectly blocked by Uesugi Muneyuki: "By the way, Tanaka, regarding Ms. Yamada's case, the matter about the host club's Champagne Tower, have you investigated it?"

"Not yet." Just as Tanaka Laodeng indicated the negative, Sudo immediately followed up: "That's great! Tanaka, this matter will be handled by you and Ms. Ikeda!"

"What?" Before Tanaka Laodeng could react, he heard: "Alright, meeting adjourned!"

Now Uesugi Muneyuki could see it; this woman seemed to be a hot potato that no one wanted to touch.

"If there is anything you don't understand, just ask Tanaka more, Ikeda." After Section Chief Sudo finished speaking, he immediately dove back into his pile of documents.

"Please treat me well." Ikeda Erena's mental state seemed perfectly normal; except for her stern expression and cold tone, there was nothing special about her.

"I wouldn't dare, I'm the one who needs you to treat me well." Tanaka Laodeng moved behind Uesugi Muneyuki without a sound, and with a brilliant blocking maneuver, he blocked Ikeda Erena: "Oh, let me introduce you, this is Uesugi Muneyuki, a very formidable Official Forensic Pathologist. You should have already heard his name; our station has always been taken care of by him, and we will need his cooperation in the future."

"Hello, I am Uesugi Muneyuki, it is an honor to meet you again, Ms. Ikeda Erena. Your kick left a deep impression on me." Uesugi Muneyuki took the initiative to reach out; he did not understand why the people in the Criminal Investigation Division feared Ikeda Erena like a tiger.

"I am Ikeda Erena, please treat me well." Confirming that the person in front of her was the young forensic pathologist who had caused her to be transferred yet again, a look of surprise appeared on Ikeda Erena's face for the first time.

She had not expected Uesugi Muneyuki to be so young, with a fresh and cold appearance, and that he would actually be willing to stand up and testify.

The Japanese character of fearing trouble is engraved in their marrow.

She looks perfectly normal.

Uesugi Muneyuki thought: So why would such a tall, mixed-race, combat-expert beauty be transferred to a local branch? Shouldn't such rare field elites be kept for the Metropolitan Police Department's own use?

While thinking, Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze could not help but shift down thirty centimeters again: "Um, sorry about before, I..."

Ikeda Erena immediately sensed the change in Uesugi Muneyuki's expression; her demeanor quickly turned cold, her sunflower-like persona closing up to become a Venus flytrap, filled with a sharp, thorny sensation. Without wasting any more words on Uesugi Muneyuki, she turned and headed to her own workstation to put down her bag: "Section Chief Tanaka, when are we going to investigate the host club?"

"Don't be in such a rush. You two go make a statement about the groper first, and then I'll take little brother Uesugi out for lunch." Tanaka Laodeng was doing everything in his power to avoid Ikeda Erena, and without another word, he forcibly dragged Uesugi Muneyuki out.

The two of them separately made statements regarding the train groper, and then Tanaka Laodeng, not giving Uesugi Muneyuki a chance to apologize, dragged him out to eat.

Fifteen minutes later, near the Otsuka Station in Bunkyo Ward, at the fast-food chain Yoshinoya.

Japan has three major fast-food chains: Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya. These three chains are all long-established brands, and they have always been loved by a large group of the working class. Their characteristics of fast service, generous portions (for the Japanese), and low prices (for the Japanese) have ensured they firmly occupy the leading position in the massive market for working people.

Weekday fast food in Japan has always revolved around 500 yen as an anchor point, because 500 yen is the coin with the largest face value. In the era before mobile payments and credit cards, a single 500-yen coin meeting the needs of a meal was a requirement for the working class.

To this day, the standard set meals at Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya have exceeded the 500-yen anchor point, generally around 600 to 700 yen (including tax), but compared to other fast food, they are already considered good value for money, capable of staving off hunger and providing a sense of fullness.

Other weekday lunches in Tokyo generally start at 1,000 yen and go up from there.

It was only 11:00 in the morning, and there weren't many people in the shop. Tanaka Laodeng ordered a large bowl of beef rice, while Uesugi Muneyuki ordered an extra-large beef rice 1,000-yen set meal and added an egg. The two sat down, and before Uesugi Muneyuki could open his mouth to ask, Tanaka Laodeng took the initiative to say: "Namu San, I am miserable!"

"What's wrong? I also wanted to ask, what exactly is going on?" Uesugi Muneyuki finally had the chance to ask; he was about to burst.

"I know what you want to ask." The bitterness on Tanaka Laodeng's face was a sorrow so thick it could not be dissolved: "She's beautiful, right?"

"Beautiful!" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but nod. Exotic charm, filled with the aura of sunshine and sunflowers, a Western-style facial structure paired with a tough and cold temperament, plus a long, slender physique and a devilish figure—there was no doubt about it.

"Big, right?" Tanaka Laodeng blinked his eyes.

"A giant treasure chest," Uesugi Muneyuki also couldn't help but exclaim.

"You're wondering why someone like that would be transferred to our branch, right?" Tanaka Laodeng smiled brilliantly: "It cost the careers of three superiors!"

"Huh?"

"Ikeda Erena, Non-Career Track, first tested into Sara-ra Police Station. Because her physical test data for combat ability was excellent and she didn't reject field work, she happened to join the Criminal Investigation Division. Her superior, Nakajima, saw that this newcomer was beautiful and tall, so he used his authority to actively pursue her." Tanaka Laodeng said sinisterly: "Nakajima semi-forcibly invited her to dinner, but the meal never happened; he was reported by name by Ikeda for sexual harassment. The Metropolitan Police Department handled the matter, and Nakajima was exiled to Shikoku."

"That's fine, isn't it? From what you're saying, Nakajima should have been the type with a family, so isn't that normal?" Uesugi Muneyuki still didn't understand.

"Listen to me... after this incident, Ikeda was transferred to Kanda Police Station. This time the superior was named Tsujimoto, in his thirties. The difference this time was that Tsujimoto was unmarried. He, like Nakajima, launched a passionate pursuit of Ikeda. The ending was that the Metropolitan Police Department received another report of sexual harassment, and Tsujimoto was even hit for getting handsy."

"Where did Tsujimoto go?" Uesugi Muneyuki understood a little.

"The countryside of Aomori Prefecture, to spend his life with apple trees." Tanaka Laodeng was under immense pressure: "The third time, Ikeda was transferred to Bokuto Police Station. Because similar problems had occurred repeatedly, the superior arranged for her this time was 49 years old, a model husband famous throughout Tokyo, Police Inspector Kobashi, who had no hope of promotion for the rest of his life. This guy, Police Inspector Kobashi, has spent his whole life studying how to do the least amount of work during office hours. In his 26-year career, Police Inspector Kobashi has never been criticized, has never received a single complaint, but has also never solved any important cases. His record of merits and faults is completely blank."

"And even like that, he couldn't escape?" Uesugi Muneyuki finally couldn't help but want to laugh.

"After working together for two months, Police Inspector Kobashi voluntarily applied for a transfer, citing 'inability to control his own gaze' and 'inability to cooperate with her' as the reasons. Just like that, Police Inspector Kobashi was transferred to Kanagawa."

"Now it's my turn, little brother Uesugi. I don't want to go to Akita, I don't want to go to Hokkaido, I don't want to go to Mie. I have a family too!" As Tanaka Laodeng ate, his sorrow flowed like a river: "Ikeda is a very difficult person to get along with. Her investigative level isn't high, but she loves to use violence. As long as she thinks it is, she will do it. For example, today's incident—think about it, if you hadn't been willing to testify, how would this have ended?"

Uesugi Muneyuki thought to himself, no wonder she was so angry, going up and using heavy force, yet hitting the exact right spots—at a level that was very painful but didn't break any bones or tendons.

"The police world calls her the 'Superior Killer.' No one dares to look her in the eye. We are terrified." Tanaka Laodeng was on the verge of tears: "Do I look like a lecherous person to you? I'm already in my forties, and I have a wife and children, but do you think if I say that, she will believe me?"

"Tanaka-san, actually..." Uesugi Muneyuki thought for a moment and said earnestly: "If you have to transfer, Aizu City and Yonezawa City are both not bad. Although they are in the countryside, they are leisurely and count as a good place to go. I will miss you."

"Little brother!" Tanaka was incomparably indignant and just about to criticize Uesugi Muneyuki for not making such a terrible joke, when this old guy suddenly looked at Uesugi Muneyuki a few times: "Little brother Uesugi, for the sake of the time we ate at Jojoen together, give your big brother a hand!"

"How about you take on the task of dealing with Ikeda?"

"Huh? Me?!"

I have to be a best man today, so the update is early and there is only one chapter. Please forgive me.

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(End of this chapter)