Chapter 311: Ginza Hanacho

When Uesugi Muneyuki brought Kashiwagi Misa into the car, Ikeda Erena was stunned for a moment.

Is this the previous Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, Kashiwagi Misa?

So beautiful! This was Erena's first thought.

Why is she a mixed-race person just like me? This was Erena's second thought.

Wasn't this supposed to be a meeting? Why did Uesugi bring her along? Erena suddenly felt a hint of hostility toward Kashiwagi Misa, thinking to herself that being mixed-race was her exclusive tag; what did Uesugi Muneyuki mean by bringing her?

Kashiwagi Misa, on the other hand, appeared extremely nervous. It was December, and Tokyo had just seen snow not long ago; the air was freezing, yet a layer of fine sweat had already formed on her forehead. The former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department had almost instinctively wanted to refuse Uesugi Muneyuki's request at first.

It wasn't known to the outside world, but within the Metropolitan Police Department, rumors of Uesugi Muneyuki's gluttony and lechery had been circulating for quite some time. Aside from everyone seeing with their own eyes that this guy often ordered two meals in the cafeteria and devoured them all, she had also heard news that he had turned the Special Mission Unit into something like the Ooku. If nothing else, just looking at how Ikeda stayed by his side every day and was engaged to the Minami Unit Chief, she could guess a thing or two.

However, she had no choice. Kashiwagi Misa came from a single-parent family in Okinawa and had joined the Metropolitan Police Department's General Affairs Department as a Non-Career Track officer, mainly responsible for administrative work in General Affairs and occasionally some publicity. Because she was very beautiful and had foreign ancestry, she had been handpicked by Director General Hakuba to be the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, serving mainly as a vase. After getting married, she was given some actual power, and her daily work consisted of signing reports, auditing and inspecting equipment, managing resource allocation, and purchasing other supplies.

Division Chief Mikasa had left his post, and Director General Hakuba was now the Chairman of the Japan Policy Research Institute, a public interest incorporated foundation. What could an administrative policewoman like her do? What did she have that could persuade Uesugi Muneyuki to help?

She had no choice but to follow, nervously clutching the one million yen in cash in her bag, hoping Uesugi Muneyuki would accept it. But if he didn't, she probably had nothing else to offer, unless...

"You two should be meeting for the first time, right?" Uesugi Muneyuki pulled open the door to the Lexus's back seat and said, "But you should have both heard of each other's reputations. The previous Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, the beautiful Judo policewoman, and so on... Mrs. Kashiwagi, please get in."

"Yes..." Kashiwagi Misa stepped into the back seat of the Lexus in despair, closing her eyes and picturing her husband's face in her mind.

Jin, I... I will do my best!

However, Uesugi Muneyuki did not sit in the back with her, but instead sat in the passenger seat: "Let's go, Erena, to the address I gave you earlier."

"Mm..." Erena glanced at Kashiwagi Misa through the rearview mirror. Seeing that she was dressed neatly and her makeup was perfect, she didn't say anything more.

The vehicle drove slowly along the roads of Chiyoda Ward.

"Um, where are we going?" On the way, Kashiwagi Misa became increasingly panicked and terrified. She gripped her small bag tightly with both hands, her fingers clutching her mobile phone.

"I want to thank you, Madam," Uesugi Muneyuki said earnestly from the front seat. "You brought me a very important piece of information... You heard it with your own ears from Kashiwagi-san that he said Fujitsu and former Division Chief Mikasa had been in contact, right?"

"Yes..." Kashiwagi Misa nodded in terror, her beautiful legs in brown silk stockings clamped tightly together.

"Very good." Uesugi Muneyuki frowned and pondered: "This will be very helpful for what we are doing next, and... Madam, are you sure you are willing to do anything for your husband?"

As soon as Uesugi Muneyuki said this, the Lexus swayed noticeably, and Ikeda Erena glared at Uesugi Muneyuki.

Likewise, this sentence pushed Kashiwagi Misa to the edge of a cliff. The mixed-race wife turned pale, stammered a few times, and then nodded in despair: "Tell me, what do you want me to do, Uesugi-san? I only ask that you save my husband..."

"Do you know how to do a dogeza?" Who knew Uesugi Muneyuki would ask that next.

"Eh?!" This answer was completely beyond Kashiwagi Misa's expectations.

"To be honest, I am very happy about this meeting of ours." Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes rolled around, and he said meaningfully: "With your help, Madam, we have added two points to our chances of winning."

The Lexus soon drove to a high-rise building on Central Street in Ginza, Minato Ward, Tokyo. There was no sign at the entrance, and when Uesugi Muneyuki got out of the car, Shimakawa Ren was already waiting in a formal suit. Seeing Uesugi Muneyuki get out, he happily came up and patted Uesugi Muneyuki on the shoulder: "You're here. Hey, let me ask you, how did you get on such good terms with Manager Kawakami of Nomura?"

"I helped him avoid at least two hundred million in losses." Uesugi Muneyuki raised an eyebrow: "Did you know? His wife died. She died while having an affair with someone else at a Hakone hot spring. He was suspected of being the murderer, and it was I who proved his innocence."

"So that's it. No wonder he went straight to Ginza to find hostesses immediately after returning from Hakone, and even ordered two at once." Shimakawa Ren understood instantly. The man from Minato Ward didn't say much more and reached out to Ikeda Erena: "Miss Ikeda, long time no see!"

"Hello, Mr. Shimakawa." Ikeda Erena hesitated for a moment, but still took the initiative to shake hands with Shimakawa.

She didn't like playboys like Shimakawa Ren, but Uesugi Muneyuki's friend was her friend.

"Oh, and who is this?" Shimakawa Ren looked toward Kashiwagi Misa again.

"This is Mrs. Kashiwagi Misa, the wife of that Kashiwagi Jin," Uesugi Muneyuki said.

"Oh, oh, oh~" Shimakawa Ren's expression didn't change. He gave a casual greeting and then whispered to Uesugi Muneyuki: "The good news is, I got Odagiri to come."

"And the bad news?" Uesugi Muneyuki could feel Shimakawa Ren's apology.

"The bad news is, Ryuji's father, Odagiri Kazumasa, also came. He heard you were coming and wants to meet you..."

The group of four entered the building. As soon as they entered, an attendant closed the outer door. Shimakawa Ren showed a black card printed with a butterfly pattern, and the attendant only let them into the inner door after verifying it repeatedly.

The corridor was pitch black with no signs, and there were attendants following behind. When the group entered the elevator and Shimakawa Ren swiped his card to press a floor, Kashiwagi Misa's fear finally reached its peak: "Um... excuse me, where are we going, and what are we going to do?"

"Doesn't the Madam know?" Shimakawa Ren said with interest: "Have you heard of 【Ginza Hanacho】?"

Kashiwagi Misa shook her head repeatedly.

"Ginza Hanacho was established in the late Showa era. It initially served wealthy families and high-ranking political figures, and later gradually developed into one of the most high-end membership clubs in Ginza. It only accepts a member referral system; new members must be endorsed by at least two existing members and undergo a strict background check. The one-time membership fee is 8 million, and the annual fee is 3 million. There is no sign at the entrance, and you must swipe a card in a specific elevator to enter the floor." Shimakawa Ren waved the card in his hand: "People who are not members can only be brought in by current members in person."

"We are here today to meet with Odagiri Kazumasa and Odagiri Ryuji." Uesugi Muneyuki appeared very calm. He turned his head to look at Kashiwagi Misa: "That is, the Board of Directors member of the Fujitsu Group and the Director of Technology Development Department No. 2 that your husband offended."

To meet the Odagiri father and son in person?!

Amidst the ringing in her ears as the elevator ascended, Kashiwagi Misa counted the red numbers jumping on the floor display, feeling only despair and suffocation. She felt as if the elevator were an exquisite cage from which she had no escape.

Seeking out Uesugi Muneyuki was the right choice! He really did have the resources to get straight to the Odagiris themselves!

But...

"Hi-i~ Welcome!" But when the elevator opened, what appeared before her eyes was another brilliant world. Under a luxurious decor that blended classical Japanese and Italian styles, two rows of attendants and waiters bowed in unison. Then, a mama-san wearing a gorgeous kimono approached: "Welcome~ Mr. Odagiri and the others are waiting for you."

This mama-san was about thirty-something years old, with short hair tucked behind her ears, a high nose bridge, and a dashing, approachable temperament. Her figure was slender.

According to Shimakawa Ren, this mama-san was named Shinoda Mariko. She had been a fashion brand designer who was popular for a while, then retired from the company and married an IT company president worth two or three billion yen. Two years after the marriage, they divorced because she cheated. Relying on the high alimony she received for having a child, and unable to bear the loneliness, she came out to work, transforming into the mama-san of Ginza Hanacho. She was best at matchmaking and introducing young women in the entertainment and fashion industries, and as long as you bought her a 100,000 yen drink, she wouldn't mind having a spring breeze encounter with a member.

For example, Shimakawa Ren indicated he wanted to treat Mama-san Shinoda to a drink, and walked off with his arm around her.

The doors to the Maple Room pulled open. The 50-square-meter space was not large, with Edo Period antique screens mixed with handmade Italian furniture. Odagiri Kazumasa and Odagiri Ryuji were already seated.

Odagiri Kazumasa was nearly 60 years old, his hair already graying, and he was wearing a dark blue three-piece suit. Odagiri Ryuji was about 30, with a side-parted hairstyle dyed brown that half-covered his face, also wearing a dark blue three-piece suit.

"I've heard so much about you; your reputation precedes you." Odagiri Kazumasa said slowly: "Uesugi Muneyuki, descendant of Lord Kenshin, grandson of Kuninori-san. I have wanted to meet you for a long time."

"I wouldn't dare... It is an honor that the two of you are willing to come out to meet." Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena bowed: "It is a great honor."

"Mm, I recognize this one. She is the beautiful Judo policewoman I saw in both the Fuji TV Case and the Yoshimoto Case. It is an honor to meet you." Fujitsu Director Odagiri Kazumasa nodded slowly, then shifted his gaze to Kashiwagi Misa.

The other party was clearly not dressed in formal attire, which was slightly impolite, and judging by her nervous, uneasy expression and unfamiliar look, it was clear she was completely unprepared to appear here: "And this is?"

The beautiful mixed-race ice-queen wife, the former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, stood at the door in a state of panic.

"This is the Section Chief of the Equipment Management Department of the Metropolitan Police Department, Mrs. Kashiwagi Misa," Uesugi Muneyuki introduced briefly: "That is, the wife of Kashiwagi Jin."

Upon hearing the name Kashiwagi Jin, the Fujitsu Director and the Director of Fujitsu's Technology Development Department No. 2 simultaneously cast fierce glares at the former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department.

"I, I am very sorry! Dear... My husband has been very offensive, I... I apologize to you both here!"

Recalling Uesugi Muneyuki's words, Kashiwagi Misa immediately performed a dogeza. A faint sound of fiber friction came from the knees of her silk stockings as she prostrated herself on the floor, begging for forgiveness.

Odagiri Ryuji looked guilty; he muttered a few words, but did not show whether he accepted or refused.

Odagiri Kazumasa's reaction was much harsher; after a few seconds of silence, he slammed his teacup onto the table, leaned back into his chair, and stared directly at the beautiful wife kneeling on the floor.

"Even if you kneel and apologize, our Fujitsu, the reputation of our father and son, cannot be salvaged."

"Your husband's 'efforts' in investigating the case are truly moving."

"But I have a question, Madam: why did you come, and why didn't your husband come personally to perform a dogeza apology to us?"

"I..." Kashiwagi Misa's forehead touched the soft tatami mat; the mixed-race, ice-queen wife thought of her husband, thought of his personality, and thought of his coldness over the past half-year, and truly did not know how to speak, so she could only say bitterly: "I... I came on behalf of my husband."

"Please forgive me..." The sound hit the floor, making her eardrums ache; a pair of ankles wrapped in dark brown stockings were pressed together, the decorative back waist of her skirt was stuck to her skin by cold sweat, and her spine began to freeze section by section following the other party's words: "As long as you can forgive me, I am willing to do anything..."

After finishing, Kashiwagi Misa tremblingly took out one million from her bag: "Please, please accept..."

However, this one million only met with the other party's sneer: "Money? I have plenty of that, but Madam, are you really willing to do anything?"

Two pairs of wolf-like eyes began to scan the beautiful wife on the floor; Kashiwagi Misa felt this.

Jin! Save me! She almost instinctively cried out for help in despair in her heart.

Oh, no, it's me who needs to save him now!

Someone, someone save me...

And just as Kashiwagi Misa's dogeza received no response and she was so desperate she couldn't breathe, Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly spoke: "That's enough, you two. Madam Kashiwagi has already performed a dogeza to apologize, so just accept it! How about I propose that both sides reconcile right here?"

"This isn't a matter of whether or not to perform a dogeza!" Director Odagiri was very dissatisfied with Uesugi Muneyuki's contemptuous attitude: "If apologies were useful, what would we need the police for?!"

"Of course, I understand your positions, and I know that Police Inspector Kashiwagi of the headquarters did indeed do something wrong... You are, of course, free to refuse the reconciliation." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, appearing to consider things very seriously for the Odagiri father and son: "Then, in that case, the headquarters will also have to get serious."

"In order to seriously address your company's complaint, I will personally take action to reopen the investigation into the case of Kazama Yumi, to give you both justice, and to give the deceased Kazama Yumi justice as well, how about that?" Uesugi Muneyuki smiled.

The Odagiri father and son had originally been quite arrogant, but upon hearing these words from Uesugi Muneyuki, both father and son gasped in unison.

If they don't reconcile, Uesugi Muneyuki will investigate personally?

This, this isn't good, is it?!

He can't just investigate everything, right? What if he actually finds something; wouldn't that be troublesome?

Although they had previously pulled strings regarding that case... but who would dare to gamble?

Sure enough, once Uesugi Muneyuki said this, the momentum of the Odagiri father and son immediately weakened, and they exchanged a look.

"Uesugi-kun, we understand the importance you place on us and your sincerity, but this matter has had an extremely bad impact on our Fujitsu; using 'traditional apology methods' cannot solve the problem!"

Their attitude remained tough, yet even Ikeda Erena could hear the subtext of the father and son.

They were willing to talk about how to resolve this matter.

Kashiwagi Misa, who was still kneeling on the floor in a dogeza, also felt a sense of relief and nearly collapsed, while simultaneously looking at Uesugi Muneyuki with gratitude; her eyes were filled with moving emotions and the joy of surviving a disaster.

He still helped; although Jin once wrongly arrested Uesugi, and although my request was quite rude, he still helped.

This man, Uesugi Muneyuki... he is so strong!

Jin, you might be saved after all...

(End of chapter)