Chapter 313: Justice Must Prevail!

Sitting in the Lexus on the way back, Erena was driving. Seeing that Uesugi Muneyuki seemed to be deep in thought, Erena, dressed in formal attire, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy: "Was that the previous Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, Madam Kashiwagi Misa? She really suffered a great grievance today."

"Suffered?" Uesugi Muneyuki scoffed at these words and shook his head repeatedly: "To end up like this today, with only a dogeza apology and pouring drinks to settle the matter, can already be considered a massive stroke of good fortune."

"Yes, I know!" Erena nodded, the tall beauty saying softly: "I know, Muneyuki, if you hadn't helped Madam Kashiwagi... she would surely have been doomed today."

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but glance at Erena, thinking that while his dear mentor was slow in other matters, she was very sharp in these areas; she must have sensed the malice from the Odagiri father and son.

Indeed, if he hadn't protected this Madam Kashiwagi, her ending...

"Actually, we really should thank Madam Kashiwagi today," Uesugi Muneyuki said calmly: "If she hadn't taken the initiative to invite me, I wouldn't have been very confident in the negotiations with the Odagiri father and son."

"Why?" Erena was completely puzzled.

"The reason is simple. If Madam Kashiwagi hadn't specifically told me that Odagiri had indeed reached out to the former Division Chief Mikasa, I wouldn't have been confident enough to scare them," Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head repeatedly: "They said it was for me to investigate, but the body had been cremated for over two years, the files and autopsy reports had no flaws, and there was definitive evidence of suicide. How was I supposed to investigate?"

"But Madam Kashiwagi telling me this proved that the Odagiri father and son were still feeling guilty, which is why I was able to scare them off," Uesugi Muneyuki then held up a second finger: "Besides that, Madam Kashiwagi's dogeza was also very important. Facing opponents of this level, one must use both soft and hard tactics; while being sufficiently tough, one must also appropriately show weakness and demonstrate enough sincerity. If Madam Kashiwagi hadn't performed the dogeza, should I have let Kashiwagi Jin do it?"

"How could that be possible?!" Erena couldn't help but laugh: "Police Inspector Kashiwagi doing a dogeza apology? I can't imagine it... and, when it comes down to it, Police Inspector Kashiwagi really wasn't in the wrong."

"So, Kashiwagi Misa really made a huge sacrifice for her husband," Uesugi Muneyuki remarked: "The dignified former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, a figurehead-like person, performing a dogeza and crawling to pour drinks for the other party like a hostess. Kashiwagi Jin really has a good wife. If she hadn't performed the dogeza, how would we have made up for the lack of sincerity and the need to show weakness on our side? It couldn't have been me doing the dogeza, could it? What a joke."

"I heard that the former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department, Assistant Police Inspector Kashiwagi Misa, was very cold and aloof in the General Affairs Department. Some said her temperament was like a snow lotus on a high mountain. I didn't expect the first meeting to be like this... Muneyuki, you did very well." Ikeda Erena gave her disciple high praise for his performance!

An ice queen? Uesugi Muneyuki thought that, in fact, apart from Mikoto, all of them were quite icy to the outside world, it was just that the cores beneath their icy exteriors were different.

And beneath Kashiwagi Misa's icy exterior, what was actually hidden was her panic, helplessness, lack of self-confidence, and resistance to instability.

It makes sense; it is said that the former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department came from two generations of single-parent families, so it is normal for such a personality to form.

The car stopped in the underground garage at Sakata Bridge. Erena parked the car but didn't open the door immediately. She held Uesugi Muneyuki's large hand very earnestly, a flush appearing on her face, her beautiful eyes shimmering with strange brilliance as she gazed affectionately at her man: "Also, do you know what I like most about you? You didn't take advantage of someone in distress."

"Hahahaha!" Uesugi Muneyuki laughed upon hearing this. It seemed Mentor Erena also understood that Kashiwagi Misa's bag must have contained a box of Okamoto: "Don't think of me as too good a person, Mentor. I just did what I had to do. Settling this matter for Kashiwagi Jin was mainly to get Minami promoted to Police Inspector and to protect Mikoto."

"I know, but Muneyuki-kun, who protected Madam Kashiwagi's last bit of dignity like a knight protecting a flower and then left without a trace, is truly exceptionally handsome!" Ikeda Erena couldn't hold back anymore. The tall beauty leaned over, took the initiative to peck Uesugi Muneyuki on the lips, and said with full pride: "This is your reward!"

"If it's a reward, I don't just want this much!" Uesugi Muneyuki reached out, pulled aside Erena's suit coat, and gently stroked her long, black-stockinged legs.

The tall beauty gave Uesugi Muneyuki a charming, flirtatious roll of her eyes, signaling for him to go home, saying she would follow his lead.

And Uesugi Muneyuki smiled imperceptibly.

Mentor Erena hadn't thought of one question, which was that things that are free are often the most expensive.

But seeing the happy, proud expression on his mentor's face, the evil Uesugi decided—not to tell her, just to spoil her!

Meanwhile, in the dead of night, Kashiwagi Misa also returned to her cold apartment.

The entrance sensor light went out. Kashiwagi Misa reached out her fingers to hook the seven-centimeter high-heeled shoe, revealing her jade-like feet wrapped in silk stockings. She shoved her pair of brown-stockinged beautiful feet haphazardly into slippers. The disheveled mixed-race wife, after experiencing a night of shame and humiliation, had finally managed to protect her family and her husband.

Just as Uesugi Muneyuki had expected, the ashamed wife knew she had no bargaining chips to offer. She had previously thought that if Uesugi Muneyuki didn't want money, combined with the rumors of his lecherous nature in the Metropolitan Police Department, if she could use one night with him to exchange for his help, she would have to agree. Although she felt a bit sorry for her husband, she was doing it for his own good.

Who told you to get into such big trouble!

Being able to keep her chastity intact and have nothing happen now could already be considered a great victory. She could certainly feel the gaze of the Odagiri father and son, who looked at her like wolves smelling the scent of meat, and even that guy Shimakawa Ren... if it weren't for Uesugi Muneyuki's protection, she definitely wouldn't have been able to return tonight.

Seeing is believing; the Uesugi Muneyuki that Jin mentioned in every other sentence... was really amazing!

Kashiwagi Misa sat on the bed, hugging her knees. Her dark brown pantyhose left neat indentations on the edge of the bed, the decorative pleats on the back of her brand-new plaid skirt were pressed into permanent cross-shaped creases by her sitting posture, the waterproof mascara applied three hours ago had smudged into radial cracks under her eyes, and tooth marks from when she bit her lip while bowing remained on the outer edge of her lip line.

She had wanted to invite Uesugi Muneyuki up for a cup of coffee, but the other party didn't even get out of the car and just left.

Although she didn't want to at all, Kashiwagi Misa still couldn't help but compare her husband with Uesugi Muneyuki.

In terms of appearance, there wasn't much difference. Kashiwagi Jin had a handsome, playboy face with peach-blossom eyes and a celebrity vibe, while Uesugi Muneyuki was cold, elegant, sharp, and carried an inherent noble air. This could be considered a tie.

But in other aspects... her husband wasn't a bad person, but why did he offend a group of people every time he handled a case?

By comparison, Uesugi wasn't exactly a great person, but he could handle cases well, and at the same time, he made friends with every case. Look, the Odagiri father and son were threatened by him to give him face, and not only did they agree to step back, they even wanted to be friends with him.

As for his ability to solve cases... this was the biggest gap, no need to say more.

Recalling the experience of this evening—the dogeza, acting as a hostess to pour drinks, the kneeling and crawling humiliation, the constant "Madam, this is what you do"—Kashiwagi Misa couldn't help but feel humiliated and sorrowful, feeling like meat on a chopping block, or a fish waiting to be slaughtered, not even knowing how she had made it through.

In any case, the final result was good. Thinking that her dogeza and the shame-enduring hostess work hadn't been in vain, Kashiwagi Misa reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes and let out a silent sigh of relief.

Jin wasn't willing to apologize, so I, as his wife, had to perform the dogeza, which finally satisfied Odagiri.

This is fine, this is fine...

……………………

Sure enough, after Uesugi Muneyuki personally stepped in to negotiate, Fujitsu indeed kept its promise and withdrew the complaint.

"As expected of Forensic Examiner Uesugi, he really has the ability."

Inside the National Police Agency conference room.

National Police Agency Commissioner Tamaru, Deputy Commissioner General Miura, Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji, Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Superintendent General Ooyama, Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat Onoda, Director of Criminal Investigation Tsuruta, Director of Security Kudo Tsuyoshi, Director of Public Safety Hasegawa, Metropolitan Police Department Police Affairs Chief Komatsu, Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Security Jinbo, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Inspector Ookochi, and others gathered together.

And this group of people had a unified tag.

Todai Kinbyo-gumi!

Watanabe Eiji summoned everyone and announced the handling results of the Fujitsu incident.

Uesugi Muneyuki had succeeded; he had suppressed Fujitsu, and the other party had withdrawn the complaint.

This made all the Todai Kinbyo-gumi feel satisfied.

The relationships between the members of the Gold Watch Group were not as good as one might imagine; they were often at odds, bickering with each other, and competing for the seats of Superintendent General and Commissioner of the National Police Agency, which was very common. Kudo Tsuyoshi and Watanabe Eiji had previously been like fire and water.

But when the Kashiwagi Jin incident broke out, the Gold Watch Group immediately united and reached a consensus—they had to protect him.

Of course, the trouble Kashiwagi Jin caused was indeed very serious, but the Gold Watch Group was more worried that if this matter wasn't handled well, it would severely damage the prestige of the Todai Kinbyo-gumi.

Kashiwagi Jin had not committed any criminal offenses such as murder, arson, or drug use, nor had he committed any public security offenses such as treason or colluding with extremist organizations. This was merely an administrative issue involving abuse of power and violating the Police Law regarding illegal searches.

Kashiwagi Jin could, of course, be sacrificed at any time, but once a precedent was set that Career Track officers, especially the Gold Watch Group, could be dismissed merely for administrative negligence in their duties, it would become a fuse.

Could the Todai Kinbyo-gumi be severely punished for dereliction of duty?

In theory, yes; in actual practice, no!

"This kid is about to join our alma mater, and it's even a direct doctoral program provided by President Komiyama. I propose that from now on, we can add him to our Gold Watch Group. What do you all think?" Watanabe Eiji held Fujitsu's apology letter and said to the group.

The room full of fifty-something-year-old men in suits and leather shoes nodded one after another: "Agreed."

Yes, this kid won't be from that diploma mill like Medical and Dental University anymore; he will be one of us from Todai in the future. It's time to count him as part of the Gold Watch Group!

"One more thing..." Watanabe Eiji raised the second document.

Officially promote Watanabe Minami to Management Officer of the Special Mission Unit, rank of Superintendent; promote Okada Masayoshi to Chief of the Special Mission Unit, rank remains Police Inspector; record one merit for Ikeda Erena, rank remains Police Sergeant.

This item also passed with a unanimous vote.

Thus, that day, the Metropolitan Police Department announced the disciplinary decision regarding Kashiwagi Jin.

Demoted while remaining in office, demoted from Chief of the Third Division of Investigation Division 1 to Acting Unit Chief of the Third Division, rank remains Police Inspector.

Internal cautious self-reflection for four months, lasting until April 1st of next year.

Forfeit all bonuses for this year and next year (seventeen-month salary reduced to twelve-month salary).

At the same time, reduce accumulated seniority by three years; in other words, Kashiwagi Jin, who was originally set to automatically promote to Superintendent after seven full years, will have to endure three more years in the position of Police Inspector to promote based on seniority!

This punishment was already quite light, and it caused many of the young, unmarried female desk officers in the Metropolitan Police Department who admired and were infatuated with Kashiwagi Jin to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

And Kashiwagi Jin himself was even more incomparably excited.

To him, this was equivalent to no real punishment; just an Acting Unit Chief, and since no Unit Chief was appointed, isn't the Third Division still under my control? As for money, he didn't care much about it anyway.

That day, he decided to go home to report this good news.

When he pushed the door open, Kashiwagi Misa was hanging up the suit jacket her husband had handed over; an off-white turtleneck knit sweater wrapped around her slender shoulder line, and beneath her dark gray flannel loungewear skirt extended a pair of beautiful legs and feet in flesh-colored matte velvet pantyhose, the thin silk stockings wrapping around her frost-reddened ankles, while the heater vent blew out warm air with a whoosh.

"Misa, don't worry, the punishment results are out! I'm fine, nothing happened at all, it's just..." The snow particles in her husband's stubble melted in the warmth, and after telling his wife the punishment results, he said triumphantly: "How about it, I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"In any case, it's good that you're fine." Kashiwagi Misa raised her hand to tidy her hair and managed a faint smile; the edge of the waistband of her soft flesh-colored velvet pantyhose peeked out above the waist of her flannel skirt, the cheekbone contours gifted by her mixed-race genes were softened by the smile she forced out, a sleep crease that hadn't faded yet remained on the bridge of her nose, and the concealer under her lower eyelids had formed small particles due to repeated application.

The former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department felt bitter inside, filled with sorrow and shame; these past few days, her mind had been filled with the despair of that day when she had to endure humiliation and the panic of losing her chastity, the sorrowful scene of kneeling on the ground before the Odagiri father and son to apologize and pour them drinks, though fortunately, she would also occasionally recall Uesugi Muneyuki's protection and his elegant, sharp restraint in not taking advantage of her, which served as some consolation.

At least she hadn't let her husband down.

"Jin, the result this time is okay... please, really don't do this again in the future." After thinking for a moment, Kashiwagi Misa decided to remind her husband: "You were just lucky this time... even if you're working a case, you have to follow procedure in the future."

As a result, Kashiwagi Jin, who had been excited and joyful, saw the smile on his face vanish instantly upon hearing his wife say this; he only felt an inexplicable fire surge from his forehead, and his good mood disappeared without a trace: "What do you know?!"

"You don't know anything! Misa, do you actually think the Headquarters and Fujitsu could really do anything to me?" Kashiwagi Jin sneered and said: "This is my victory! It is also the victory of justice! Understand?!"

"It's because they were afraid! The Headquarters was afraid! Fujitsu was also afraid! Hmph~ Odagiri himself had a guilty conscience, and the Headquarters was afraid that past secrets would be dug up again, so they chose to settle the matter; how could they dare to punish me? Didn't you see Odagiri Ryuji take the initiative to send a letter of apology, requesting forgiveness from Kazama Yumi's family?"

"Justice will prevail! I will prevail!" Kashiwagi Jin boasted full of pride: "This time, I alone overpowered the Headquarters and Fujitsu; I'm not inferior to Uesugi Muneyuki at all!"

The playboy Star Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Department held forth at length, then stared at his wife, wanting to see an expression of admiration on Kashiwagi Misa's face and hear her praise him for being awesome.

However, there was none.

His wife just lowered her head and pursed her lips, not even answering, and after casting a glance at him with her exotic light brown eyes filled with a faint, sorrowful indignation, she looked away.

"Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!" Kashiwagi Jin thought it was truly impossible to communicate with her, and he took the suit jacket off the hanger again: "Don't bother cooking, I have a social engagement tonight, so I won't be eating at home; I'll be back quite late, you should get some rest early."

You don't understand me, but someone else does!

After saying this, Kashiwagi Jin rested for a few minutes and went out again, leaving Kashiwagi Misa with the sound of the door closing.

The former Face of the Metropolitan Police Department could no longer control herself; she covered her mouth and sat slumped on the sofa, weeping silently.

You say I don't know anything... but the one who truly doesn't know anything is you, Jin!

(End of chapter)