Chapter 253: The Sakura Who Added Her Own Drama

Shirakawa Mai's public persona has always been quite cold and aloof. From the moment this National Goddess debuted, she never concealed her status as the Head of the Alliance of the Kanto Shrine Alliance. Therefore, she never needed to curry favor with others, nor did she need to look for work; it was she who chose the work, not the work that chose her. Consequently, she had no need to earnestly cultivate interpersonal relationships. When she had no work, she would simply vanish from the face of the earth. To this day, she has never been caught in a scandal by the paparazzi, and there are not even any candid street photos of her.

This has shrouded Senior Mai in an aura of mystery, which in turn has only intensified the public's strong desire to pry into her private life.

By the same token, Uesugi Muneyuki is the same kind of person. Although the Feudal Lord Peerage has become a bit like a roadside relic in Japan's top-tier society today, it is at least still within the scope of the upper class. Everyone easily accepted it when such a talent emerged from it.

In daily life, Uesugi Muneyuki is also shrouded in a mysterious color. Although he is very famous, he always appears in a suit and tie in his capacity as a Forensic Examiner, explaining cases with serious language and detailed popular science in Metropolitan Police Department press conferences, while people know nothing about the side of his life.

Fuji TV was very worried before: wouldn't it be awkward if these two were together?

What they didn't expect was that the effect was absolutely explosive.

Sitting opposite Uesugi Muneyuki, Shirakawa Mai smiled charmingly, revealing the magnificent scenery beneath the iceberg. That teasing manner devoid of any sense of distance and her heartfelt joy made the senior look like a brilliant diamond, radiating a bright and vivid luster.

And Uesugi Muneyuki himself had his professional and cold exterior peeled away. He was like a junior who could do nothing about his enthusiastic senior, finally revealing some of the vitality and helplessness of a young man, completely under her thumb.

Although there was no direct contact, the eye contact, micro-expressions, and body language between them all showed that their relationship was definitely not simple!

The Fuji TV staff gathered around were as excited as flies that had smelled blood.

Amazing!

This is what we are here to record, this is exactly what we are here to record!

What this state meant was all too clear to the TV station staff who navigated the entertainment industry; they had finally waited for the big news they had long hoped for!

This... this episode of the program could definitely shock Kanto! Shock all of Japan!

And just at this moment, Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai also simply engaged in a few rounds of sparring. Senior Mai simply asked Uesugi Muneyuki a few questions, such as why he chose this path, how he viewed his current state, and what insights he had so far.

Uesugi Muneyuki was very frank. He clearly stated that he was forced to switch to being a Forensic Pathologist because he couldn't make it in the Department of Surgery. He himself was very satisfied with his current state of life. As for insights, Uesugi Muneyuki said quite seriously: "Some things are not suitable to be said on television. I just want to say, as a Forensic Pathologist, I try to talk about work when I am working. Do not bring work into private life, and do not bring life into work, otherwise, one will feel very tired."

"The life of a Forensic Pathologist is not as you imagine, always standing on the side of justice," Uesugi Muneyuki said softly: "Just like my profession, my greatest role is to make things clear."

"We must sincerely listen to the silent words of the corpse; the corpse will tell us the truth."

"But sometimes corpses also lie. Some people, in order to achieve ulterior motives after death, rack their brains before they die, making full disguises in an attempt to deceive the living, especially the Detective and the Forensic Pathologist."

"For example, I once encountered a single mother who, unable to pay the high tuition fees for her children, chose to commit suicide after purchasing insurance and disguised it as a homicide in an attempt to claim the insurance money, so that her children could get the insurance money to pay for tuition and also get rid of the burden of supporting her... After I arrived at the scene to examine it, I discovered at the first moment that this was a lie. This was a story flowing with tears."

"But as a Forensic Pathologist, I still had to point out that this was suicide, not homicide. I felt sad for the lying corpse, but I had to expose this lie. No matter how perfectly the corpse was disguised, a lie can never replace the truth. Even if the insurance company is willing to pay, even if the deceased sought death voluntarily, even if being identified as a homicide is beneficial to everyone, I still have to tell the truth."

"Regardless of good or evil, regardless of right or wrong."

"The bell of the Gion Monastery tolls, telling of the impermanence of all things; the flowers of the Sala Twin Trees lose their color, the prosperous turn to decline like the vicissitudes of life." Uesugi Muneyuki recited the poem softly: "I am a Forensic Pathologist. Forensic Pathologists are all very simple; they are born just to make the truth of the corpse clear."

"Behind every corpse that carries a lie or a grievance is a heartbreaking story," Shirakawa Mai expressed her understanding: "The profession of a Forensic Pathologist is not easy to do. Thank you for your hard work. Junior has been silently guarding Tokyo and guarding all the citizens in the shadows. Let us offer him applause."

"It is not hard work," Uesugi Muneyuki laughed: "At least, I am sitting with Senior now, aren't I? This is the best reward. If I were still in the Department of Surgery, could I be sitting here now? This is also the impermanence of the world."

"You guy, don't be so heavy before and then suddenly act like you're recording a variety show!" Senior Mai chided, pretending to blame him with a glare, but the happiness and ease on her face could be seen even by a fool.

It didn't look like work at all!

"This is originally a variety show recording!"

Laughter came from below, and then Director Yayoi of Fuji TV shouted "cut." In the first segment, the two talked about a lot of content. Facing Senior Mai, Uesugi Muneyuki told her almost everything he knew. Some of it was suitable for television, and some was too heavy and not suitable, but this was the work of post-production, which had nothing to do with Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai.

After a short rest on set, the second part of the recording soon began.

"Ultimate Challenge, the Truth Roulette of the Legendary Newbie Forensic Pathologist! Yay, yay, yay~"

The two returned to the set. Amidst applause, Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai sat opposite each other again, but the difference this time was that five male Comedians made their appearance.

They were the famous Comedian duo "Banana Man," Shitara Ju and Himura Yuki; Tsuchida Teruyuki from Ota Production; Sawabe Yu, one of the members of the "Haraichi" duo who had participated in the M-1 Grand Prix many times; and Miyano Hiroyuki, who was also part of the Umbrella Duo.

"Banana Man" are famous Comedians from Horipro. Among them, Shitara Ju has always had the title of "Fuji TV's Morning Eye," long serving as the host of Fuji TV's morning news. His partner, Himura Yuki, is a big fat man who deliberately keeps a mushroom cut to play the fool. Uesugi Muneyuki's deepest impression of him is that because his teeth were very bad, he had all his teeth extracted and replaced with full-mouth dental implants, spending tens of millions of yen on it, which can be called unique in Japan.

Tsuchida Teruyuki has a tall build and a horse face. He always looks like he hasn't woken up, but he has extremely rich experience in variety shows and can easily handle any topic. Sawabe is a little fat man with a monk's head and a cheerful smile. Uesugi Muneyuki's deepest memory of him is that this guy stumbled (misspoke, missed, or didn't say the lines clearly) at a critical moment in the M-1 Grand Prix, leading to his failure to win the championship, a lifelong regret.

Then there is Miyano Hiroyuki. This guy is a Comedian from Yoshimoto Kogyo. His hosting style is bold and aggressive, and he can always come up with a well-timed question or roast at a critical moment.

So what exactly is going on?

Hironaka Mariko was looking for a corpse, and Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai looked at each other, only able to continue recording the program.

The second stage started to ramp up the intensity!

To be able to invite all five first-tier Comedians, Fuji TV really spent a fortune.

"Alright, up to this point, I believe everyone has some understanding of Uesugi-san, but it's not enough, far from enough!" Shitara of Banana Man clapped his hands and laughed: "Since you've come to Fuji TV today, Uesugi-san, are you prepared?"

"I am prepared," Uesugi Muneyuki was full of fighting spirit: "After all, President Kameyama paid me ten times, or even nine times, the appearance fee. For money, I am willing to do anything!"

"Eh??? Ten times or even nine times?" Himura Yuki showed an envious expression: "But we all came here for the normal appearance fee. This is unfair!"

"There is nothing unfair about it. You must know that the number one cable TV network rating for the whole of last year was not Kohaku, but the SP Live Broadcast special program when the Odaiba Building was sealed off," Tsuchida lazily roasted: "If you Banana Man could host an episode of a program with ratings exceeding Kohaku, President Kameyama would definitely not be stingy."

"Iya, why wasn't I at Fuji TV at that time?" Sawabe Yu of Haraichi looked like he was about to cry: "Can God not always punish me like this!"

"So you're saying Uesugi-san came today just for money? Not for Senior?!" Miyano Hiroyuki's timing for entering was always so sharp. He pretended to be disappointed: "Uesugi-san, you will make your Senior sad like this. I am a fan of you two?"

"So what exactly are you a fan of? You aren't planning to sell our fanbooks at a doujin convention, are you? Or writing our CP fanfiction on Lofter? President Miyazaki, to whom Senior belongs, will sue you!"

Uesugi Muneyuki's roast made everyone laugh.

"Then next, let us invite the two members of the YKC48 group to present today's Truth or Dare Roulette to our guest, Junior!" Shirakawa Mai laughed until she couldn't stand straight. Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Senior Mai signaled for the main course to appear.

After waiting for about an hour, Yamaguchi Maho and Miyawaki Sakura, who finally got the chance to appear, were wearing identical stage costumes, pushing a giant Russian roulette onto the stage.

Yamaguchi Maho's outfit has been described before, and Miyawaki Sakura had also changed into a set of clothes just like hers. The same deep blue plaid pleated skirt outlined the Idol figure of Sakura, but the cunning girl deliberately took in the waistline by half an inch. Under the lotus leaf collar of the white shirt, two sections of slender collarbones were exposed, and the silk stockings were also changed to a gray-toned milk tea color that better matched her cold white skin tone.

The shoes were also different. Compared to Yamaguchi's high-heeled shoe, the girl chose a pair of Mary Jane shoes that better fit her temperament, using a matte leather surface paired with metal hollow carvings. When she pushed the Russian roulette forward, the bow on the shoe surface formed a charming wave with the lace trim on the middle of her thigh.

Was there a circle of lace trim sock rings worn over the sheer white silk stockings?

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

Shirakawa Mai understood the girl's little tricks after just one glance. A playful look appeared in the National Goddess's eyes.

Obviously, Miyawaki Sakura had observed Yamaguchi's outfit on the spot and made fine adjustments to her own image to create a distinction, show her characteristics, and attract more camera time and attention.

This is a prime-time ace variety show. Being able to snag one more camera shot and give herself one more second of close-up is a sensational exposure for a little Idol!

Sakura wanted to advance too much.

What an interesting girl who knows how to handle things~

Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai looked at each other, both seeing the truth in their insights, and couldn't help but smile at each other, looking like an old married couple without needing to speak.

This scene was also recorded in its entirety by the cameras.

"Alright, let us explain the rules of the game."

"This Russian Wheel has seven slots, which are me, the five of you present, and the junior himself. Next, Yamaguchi and Miyawaki from YKC48 will be responsible for spinning the wheel. Whoever it lands on will be responsible for asking the junior a question," Mai said with a smile, "You must answer, okay!"

"Then what if I spin it and it lands on myself?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"Then the junior can receive a reward. The reward is being able to make one request that isn't too excessive to any of us present," Mai said, pointing directly outside the studio, "Including making one directly to Fuji TV!"

"Fine." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded with a wry smile; he was certain that Fuji TV had definitely tampered with the wheel.

"Hello everyone, I am Yamaguchi Maho of YKC48, from Aomori Prefecture." Yamaguchi Maho was very nervous.

"Hello everyone, I am Miyawaki Sakura of YKC48, from Kagoshima, Kyushu! The person I like the most is Mai-yan!" Sakura was poised and graceful when facing the camera. As her fingertips hooked into the pleats of her skirt and tugged lightly toward the middle of her thigh, the sheer stockings shimmered with the iridescence of cellophane under the pressure of her fingertips: "I will try my best to help spin it to you, Mai-yan!"

"Good, I'm looking forward to it!" Shirakawa Mai gave Sakura, who had improvised her own scene, an encouraging look.

Yamaguchi Maho, however, was under so much pressure that her movements became awkward. The girl tried to start the wheel according to what was written in the script, but her hands fumbled, and after trying several times without opening the switch, she finally got the wheel spinning only after breaking into a sweat.

The wheel began to spin, and in the expectant gaze of everyone, the first name it landed on was Miyano Hiroyuki.

"Yosh, ikuzo!" Miyano Hiroyuki was overjoyed. He adjusted his tie, shook out his suit, and asked very seriously: "I have a question, Uesugi-san."

"Did you ever secretly have fantasies about the opposite sex during your high school years?"

Uesugi Muneyuki immediately raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.

Starting off with something so explosive?

But even more explosive things were yet to come.

Hironaka Mariko's Cursed Grudge had returned.

"I found the corpse, Uesugi!"

(End of chapter)