Chapter 30: Rain in August

The massive sensation caused by the corpse-in-the-train case in Shinagawa Ward continues, and all sorts of business for Uesugi Muneyuki has come pouring in.

Otsuka Station solved the case in a single day, and Police Inspector Moritsugu was awarded the "Superintendent General's Award" by the Metropolitan Police Department, praising him for his decisive actions and for finding the right person—or, at the very least, for not dragging Uesugi Muneyuki down. Likewise, the president of JR East personally expressed his gratitude; being able to uncover the truth just one day after the body was discovered, regardless of what this Fortune Global 500 company truly thought, at least ensured the superficial work was done perfectly. They even gifted Uesugi Muneyuki a JR Annual Pass, with the agreement that he could ride all JR lines for free for one year.

With the cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and JR East, the homeless encampment near Mitani Station was finally cleared. JR East shelled out a sum of money to provide these homeless individuals with a place to go and a small amount of welfare relief, and there were also donations from society. After an investigation, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested three elderly and sickly former construction workers among them. They all confessed that on that night, they had been drinking a large amount of cheap alcohol with Matsubara Daigo, and while picking through trash together, they accidentally bumped Matsubara off the platform, resulting in involuntary manslaughter.

They were arrested and imprisoned; the Metropolitan Police Department provided them with new housing and meals, and even found doctors to treat their illnesses. Therefore, although these three suspects were charged with involuntary manslaughter and faced over 5 years of imprisonment, they were all smiling happily, as if their lives had a prospect and a hope.

Uesugi Muneyuki only learned after the fact that the deceased had been drunk and accidentally bumped off. He had indeed been unsure whether the death was a homicide or an accident. Seeing that the Metropolitan Police Department's follow-up investigation was so thorough, and that the three suspects' testimonies were consistent and fully confessed, and that the subsequent autopsy discovered alcohol content in the body, he had no further objections.

Thinking back on it, his earnest conclusion at the time that it was not "suicide" was based on the fact that this matter could not just be brushed aside, but in reality, the possibility that the deceased had intentionally lain on the tracks could not be completely ruled out. In the future, his phrasing should be more cautious and rigorous.

This was also the first major case he and Ikeda Erena solved as partners.

This was just the beginning.

As Uesugi Muneyuki's reputation soared, the number of police stations coming to him for help gradually increased. Many other police stations throughout the sub-center area and the western part of Tokyo were already severely lacking in excellent forensic pathologists. Through the introductions of Tanaka Laodeng and Sudo, they came one after another to the Medical and Dental University to seek Uesugi Muneyuki's help.

Uesugi Muneyuki's attitude was extremely earnest. Even if he could not participate in a case from start to finish, he would still provide many important suggestions. With his help, the causes of death for the deceased were never confused or covered up.

Furthermore, Uesugi Muneyuki's work attitude was meticulous and serious. He never skipped any minor details, nor did he ever do things perfunctorily. Since they had sought him out, he had to see it through to the end, he had to point out errors to their faces, and he had to get things perfectly clear.

The detectives who came to him could not help but admire Uesugi Muneyuki's talent, yet they also complained about his seriousness and lack of human touch.

But where could they find a forensic pathologist who possessed Uesugi Muneyuki's professional level, yet was not as serious and unfeeling as him, and could revise reports according to police needs, be slick and worldly, and know how to be flexible?

They could probably only dig one up from the ground.

So, there was no other way; they could only look for him.

At least one-third of the police stations in the entire Tokyo sub-center and western region began to habitually look to him to be in charge of their autopsy work.

And what was more special was that as long as Uesugi Muneyuki was dispatched, Ikeda Erena would definitely be with him. The Criminal Investigation Division at her own Otsuka Station did not let her intervene in any work; the task Section Chief Sudo arranged for her was to assist Uesugi Muneyuki. Tanaka Laodeng was responsible for the introductions, and Ikeda Erena was responsible for the escort and companionship.

By August, the Criminal Investigation Division of Otsuka Station received a commendation by name at the Metropolitan Police Department's Sakuradamon general meeting. This was already the fourth consecutive month that the Otsuka Station Criminal Investigation Division had maintained a 100% arrest rate, 100% case clearance rate, and 0 complaints. Sudo, Tanaka Laodeng, Kuwabara Mako, and Ikeda Erena all received letters of appreciation from the Metropolitan Police Department.

The most excited person was Uesugi Muneyuki's father, Uesugi Hironori. The old man was happier than anyone to see his son succeeding, and he took the initiative to invite the several "benefactors" from the Criminal Investigation Division to dinner. The three, including Sudo, readily agreed; only Ikeda Erena chose to politely decline.

Time quickly arrived at the day of Uesugi Hironori's treat. On this day, Uesugi Muneyuki was taking two days of compensatory leave due to continuous overtime. Once he rested, Ikeda Erena did not know what she should do. Reporting to the police station every morning and then driving straight to the university to find Uesugi Muneyuki had already become a habit.

There was no other way; she still had to work. Ikeda Erena wore the most ordinary women's suit trousers and casual clothes, sitting alone at her workstation. The entire Criminal Investigation Division acted as if they did not see her; no one responded when she spoke, and they did not call her for discussions. The tall beauty was like an isolated island in the ocean, silently passing most of the day.

By five o'clock in the afternoon, most people had finished work. A pale light streaked across the clouds outside the window, lighting up the entire horizon, followed by dull, rumbling thunder. The entire firmament was trembling, and the irritable roar ruthlessly swept across the summer sky of Tokyo, intimidating the earth.

Bang—bang, bang, bang!

The manic thunder was continuous, accompanied by a torrential downpour.

Ikeda Erena bought a bottle of coffee from the vending machine downstairs. Just as she was about to return to the Criminal Investigation Division to finish her shift, she heard the conversation inside the office from outside the door.

"It's raining hard. Ah, how annoying. Isn't Uesugi Hironori treating us to dinner tonight? This is a bother now." Tanaka Laodeng sat back on his chair, laughing as he said, "We'll just have to take a taxi."

"Tanaka, you guy, Uesugi is treating us to dinner at the high-end Spring Breeze Ryotei in Bunkyo Ward, and the Station Chief will be going too. We'll just ride in his car then." Section Chief Sudo had been in high spirits lately, his face full of smiles. Their Criminal Investigation Division had done very well these past few months. If they kept this up, by the time he turned 50, Sudo would have a good chance of being promoted one rank, from Police Inspector to Superintendent.

In the Japanese police world, Superintendent is the most special rank. This rank signifies the transformation of a carp leaping over the dragon's gate. Although the average annual take-home salary for a Police Inspector is about 5.5 million yen, and the annual take-home salary for a Superintendent is about 7.5 million yen—it seems like only one rank difference, and the gap is not large—the real difference between a Superintendent and a Police Inspector is worlds apart.

To give a random example, many Superintendents go on to serve as senior advisors, executive directors, or association directors at companies after retirement, but for a Police Inspector, who is just one rank below Superintendent, it is almost impossible to have a chance at re-employment.

Many Police Inspectors are quite tight on their daily expenses, but after being promoted to Superintendent, although their annual salary only increases by 2 million, their spending often gradually becomes generous, and their standard of living improves visibly.

The promotion of a Police Inspector can be decided internally by a police station branch, but the promotion to Superintendent must be reported to the Metropolitan Police Department for approval.

In Uesugi Muneyuki's words, a Police Inspector is "section-level," and a Superintendent is "deputy-bureau-level." It looks like they are only one rank apart, but the gap between them is worlds apart. Superintendents almost never appear at the scene; sitting in the office to coordinate, plan, and issue tasks is their duty.

And it is precisely by this rank that one can easily distinguish whether they are Career Track.

A Superintendent in their 30s is definitely Career Track; a Superintendent in their 40s is basically Career Track or Associate Career Track. Only a Superintendent at 50 has a small probability of being Non-Career Track.

"That's really great. I wonder if I'll have a chance to serve a term as Station Chief (Superintendent level) before I retire." Tanaka Laodeng also said with great interest, "I originally had no hope, but it turns out I'm really lucky. Looking at it this way, maybe it's possible? At least for the last month, week, or even one day before I retire, if I can wear the Superintendent badge for just one day, I'll have no regrets in death."

"Luck is always conserved. Didn't an Uesugi-san come, and didn't an Ikeda come too~" Kuwabara Mako laughed from the side, "Hey, Station Chief Tanaka Naoki Superintendent?"

"Present!" Tanaka Laodeng responded playfully; there was no one else in the section for the moment anyway.

"Is that Station Chief Tanaka from Noshiro City under the Akita Prefecture Headquarters?" Sudo followed up by shouting, "You've been reported by Kuwabara. Your next post, Okinawa!"

"Get out, get out, get out! Don't curse me." Tanaka Laodeng immediately sprang up, saying irritably, "You're not Ikeda!"

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

"Luckily Ikeda isn't here, otherwise if you said that, your next stop, Okinotorishima!"

"Hahahahaha~"

For a moment, the Criminal Investigation Division was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Only Ikeda Erena, standing at the door of the Criminal Investigation Division, silently clenched her fists. The heavy rain outside the window masked her footsteps, but it could not mask the heavy haze in her heart.

Why? Why is it always like this? Don't I work hard? Don't I work diligently? I am considered a boss-killer; is that my fault?!!!

Creak, creak—Ikeda Erena clenched her fists tightly, her beautiful features gradually becoming ferocious. She tried very hard not to be seen as a burden, but it seemed the harder she tried, the more she was excluded and feared.

I just want to do this job well; why do you all treat me like this?

Why???!!!

Ikeda Erena only felt a sharp pain in her chest, and the fabric of her chest binder made it ache even more. The tall beauty was first angry, then pain and depression buried her emotions. She knew that even if she changed to another place, the situation would only be worse; on the contrary, it was here at Otsuka Station that she had gained a little bit of solace and space.

Only Uesugi Muneyuki did not look at her through colored glasses.

As it happened, Uesugi Muneyuki was mentioned in the office immediately.

"You say, with Ikeda and Uesugi-kun as partners like this, and Uesugi-kun being so handsome and talented, will they..." Kuwabara Mako smirked.

"That would truly be, nothing could be better." Tanaka Laodeng was also full of malice, "When the time comes, our Criminal Investigation Division will all go out together to force a marriage, and little brother Uesugi will be our exclusive forensic pathologist! Brothers, our promotions depend on him."

"Arranging Ikeda for little brother Uesugi really is a brilliant move!" Sudo also expressed his agreement, "This way Ikeda is far away from us, and we don't have to worry about trouble. Little brother Uesugi seems to have a way to get along with Ikeda; he is worthy of being little brother Uesugi, being able to work with someone like that, this is truly... so cool!"

"But would a Peerage family like the Uesugi Residence allow a mixed-race person to marry in?" Tanaka Laodeng said casually, "That kind of family doesn't really like foreigners, right?"

"That's true. Today happens to be the day little brother Uesugi's father is treating us, let's probe a bit."

After that, whatever the Criminal Investigation Division said, Ikeda Erena could no longer hear clearly.

Rain washed over the windows, making the view outside blurry, and tears also washed over Ikeda's eyes, making the world blurry.

Erena desperately controlled herself, and she wiped her eyes hard with her hands.

There were many people in the police station; she could not cry here, absolutely not!

She had to be strong.

She could not go back to the Criminal Investigation Division, but fortunately, Ikeda Erena did not have many things in the office; however, when she was ready to get off work and go home, the rain outside did not let up, and the violent curtain of rain obscured the sky of Tokyo.

Erena did not bring an umbrella today.

So, almost instinctively, Erena immediately returned inside the Police Station and found a secluded corner to stand in.

She was waiting for the rain to stop.

And during this time, she would absolutely not stay at the main entrance of the Police Station.

She did not allow herself to reveal even the slightest bit of "weakness"; there were already enough rumors and gossip about her, and she did not want to be watched or noticed, as even a simple offer of a ride from a colleague would be twisted and stigmatized.

She had no friends.

Erena did not want to leave herself any points that could be criticized; even for the most trivial and ordinary issues, she did not want them. Having finally found her place beside Uesugi Muneyuki, Erena actually cherished her current situation more than anyone else.

In fact, if it weren't for people leaving work one after another, even if it were still raining, Erena would have dared to walk home in the rain, as long as no one saw her.

But there were many people in the Police Station, so she could only wait for the rain to stop.

At this moment, several female officers from the internal affairs department had also changed their clothes and were preparing to leave work, just happening to pass by nearby.

It was Ms. Takasaka, who had previously been replaced by Erena, and others; she had now been transferred back to internal affairs, and with a sharp eye, she happened to see Erena staying in the corner, and the few female officers began to whisper.

"It's really nice, relying on Uesugi-kun, to have also managed to get a Superintendent General's Award."

"If I hadn't been transferred away, this should have been mine!"

"Forget it, Takasaka, look at her... do you know why she was able to gain Uesugi-kun's favor? You're far behind!"

"Hmph~ isn't it just relying on that pair of big breasts? Who doesn't know that she once... let me tell you, this guy Ikeda once seduced a superior from another station... causing the person to be transferred and even leading the wife to come to the station to make a scene; Uesugi-kun was just bewitched... we have to find an opportunity to advise him that being with Ikeda will only lead to misfortune..."

The few female officers also left, leaving behind the silent Erena; the tall beauty's expression was gray, and she stood there indifferently without a word.

She was waiting for the rain to stop, and she could only wait for the rain to stop.

Having waited in place for nearly half an hour, many people from the Police Station had left one after another, but Erena was still waiting in the corner; she lowered her head, not knowing what she was thinking about.

After waiting for a while, the intensity of the heavy rain eased slightly, but the pitter-patter sound remained incessant.

Amidst the sound of the rain, Erena heard footsteps approaching her, and as if she had a strong premonition, she suddenly raised her head.

The tall beauty's pupils trembled.

"You, aren't you off today?"

"Yes, I was originally off today, but I heard that someone refused my father's invitation, so I came to ask what was going on." Uesugi Muneyuki's warm smile flowed into Erena's chest like a sweet spring, and he slowly walked toward Ikeda Erena: "Miss Ikeda?"

The man gradually approached, and Ikeda Erena looked at his gradually looming handsome face, lowering her head in a bit of embarrassment.

She was somewhat flustered...

"Let's go together." Uesugi Muneyuki said nothing else, but his tone was unquestionable.

He did not ask why Erena was staying here alone, did not ask if she had brought an umbrella, and did not ask if she was going home or going to the evening banquet with him; he just asked if Erena wanted to go together.

The tall beauty was somewhat dissatisfied, but immediately, waves of warmth welled up in her heart.

She was trying her best to cover up her awkward situation.

He was helping her cover up her awkward situation with all his might.

She was very conflicted and troubled.

He helped her handle her conflict, not letting her be troubled.

At this point, Ikeda Erena's extremely sensitive heart also knew that she had been helped by Uesugi Muneyuki once again; she no longer refused, just gently nodding: "Mm, let's go."

The two walked together, having a tacit understanding.

Sure enough, only the man in front of her was a normal male, and only when she was with him did she feel very comfortable.

Erena found that she exceptionally enjoyed the feeling of being alone with Uesugi Muneyuki, this kind of comfort of being silently taken care of by him, each performing their own roles.

Only he could bring her this kind of special feeling.

Just as they exited the Police Station, a Lexus was parked at the entrance; Uesugi Muneyuki signaled for Erena to get in the car, and he himself closed his umbrella and sat in the driver's seat.

"Before going to Spring Breeze Pavilion, we will go to another place first."

"Ah?!"

"Miss Ikeda, you aren't planning to attend the banquet in this outfit, are you?"

The protagonist and the girl still need to take things step by step; actually, among the several main heroines set up, the most difficult one is Ikeda, haha.

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(End of this chapter)