Chapter 32: Please help me become a real man!

The place where Uesugi Hironori invited guests to dine was the Spring Breeze Ryotei in Bunkyo Ward. Under the fine, drizzling rain, the surroundings were secluded and quiet. There were no signs or indicators of any kind on the hazy, night-shrouded courtyard walls; only a black-and-gold "Spring Breeze" kanji plaque was mounted at the entrance. If one didn't know better, they would think this was some private garden Western-style house.

Inside the courtyard, one could see small bridges and flowing water, with the lotus leaves in the pond making pleasant, melodious sounds under the washing of the rain. Goose-yellow lanterns hung on the bamboo fences, inscribed with the words "Spring Breeze Pavilion." The simple, ancient Japanese-style wooden architecture was interspersed with Western Gothic or Baroque-style decorations—the so-called Taisho Romanticism.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena arrived first, and soon two middle-aged waitresses dressed in Tomesode Kimono came up to greet them: "Is it Uesugi Muneyuki-san of the Yonezawa Uesugi?"

"Yes." Uesugi Muneyuki naturally held the umbrella for Ikeda Erena, while the tall beauty looked around curiously; this was her first time visiting a legendary Ryotei.

Ryotei is a specialized term in Japanese culture, originating from a series of high-end restaurants in Edo during the 17th-century Edo Shogunate era, serving exclusively for Daimyo, Feudal Lords, and high-ranking officials of the Shogunate.

Life in Edo was difficult; farmers were neither full nor dead from hunger, hatamoto Samurai were so destitute they were everywhere racking up debts, and Daimyo and Feudal Lords had to live in Edo for long periods due to the "alternate attendance" system, while also being under the strict surveillance of the "metsuke" inspectors.

Even if Daimyo and Feudal Lords were loyal to the Shogunate, there were times when they needed to discuss matters privately and exchange secret information, not to mention that many of these lords had numerous grievances with the Edo Shogunate. Over time, these Ryotei, with their absolute privacy, gradually became places for Daimyo or their subordinates to meet, evolving from simple high-end restaurants into important venues for political figures to gather and negotiate, leading to the derived term "Ryotei Politics."

After the war, Ryotei not only did not disappear but became increasingly important. Generally speaking, the most high-end Ryotei only received regular customers; first-time guests had to be introduced by a patron to enter. After the bubble economy burst, some Ryotei began to open up to the public to accept guests due to operational pressures.

"This is my first time in a place like this," Ikeda Erena whispered. Her gaze was burning, as if she intended to re-examine Uesugi Muneyuki: "Yonezawa Uesugi, what is that?"

The tall beauty suddenly realized that Uesugi Muneyuki almost never mentioned anything related to himself.

"The Dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin and the first Feudal Lord of Yonezawa Domain, Uesugi Kagekatsu, you don't know?" Uesugi Muneyuki was a bit surprised: "Did you not learn this in history class?"

"I know Uesugi Kenshin, but..." Ikeda Erena really didn't want to admit that her history grades were always failing. She whimpered twice and shook her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Sure enough, as soon as she said that, the waitress leading the way in front immediately showed a look of disdain on her face.

The Uesugi Residence was considered a regular patron of this establishment; how could they bring such an illiterate person here?

Erena, who had a very sensitive personality, immediately sensed the change in the waitress's attitude. The tall beauty immediately reverted to her indifferent, cold, and sharp temperament, like a nervous hedgehog raising its quills.

Uesugi Muneyuki was just about to soothe her when the voice coming from ahead made him stand up straight.

"Oh, Yukimatsu, you've arrived quite early?"

Uesugi Hironori, wearing a kimono with the black-based blue Uesugi Suzaku Pattern, held a Folding Fan and hurried over with a loud laugh, while Uesugi Tomoko, wearing a black-based gold-trimmed Lily Pattern Tomesode Kimono, followed behind with small, hurried steps.

"Father, Mother," Uesugi Muneyuki responded with a smile: "I have brought the person."

Ikeda Erena realized that these two were Uesugi Muneyuki's parents. She immediately bowed her head in greeting: "Hello, nice to meet you. I am Ikeda Erena, from Fukuoka, Kyushu. Please treat me well."

"My son has been under your care during this time, Miss Ikeda." Uesugi Hironori looked over Uesugi Muneyuki's partner, his slightly chubby face frowning imperceptibly, before breaking into a smile: "With Yukimatsu's personality, he must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"

"No, no." Erena only felt very nervous and hurriedly waved her hands.

"Oh my, what a great beauty! Looking at you, you must have overseas heritage, right?" Uesugi Tomoko smiled gently: "To be willing to go on field missions with Yukimatsu, you really are an amazing person."

"She is a very excellent person, so I am relieved."

"Oh my, I was worried before, but now I know I was overthinking it."

Everyone helped carry the flowery sedan chair; after a few people exchanged some empty, complimentary words, Uesugi Muneyuki took Erena into the small private room inside, leaving the large private room outside for his parents and the people from Otsuka Station.

Coincidentally, it had rained in the afternoon and evening, but by the time Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena were seated, it had already turned into a clear sky outside.

Interwoven moonlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains into the quiet courtyard. With only two people sitting in the small private room of just over ten square meters, and seeing that there were no outsiders, Ikeda Erena relaxed a little. She disliked traditional kneeling the most, so the tall beauty took the opportunity to stretch her legs under the table and whispered: "This meal must be very expensive, right?"

"It's fine, it's Father's treat anyway." Uesugi Muneyuki had an indifferent attitude; he was currently secretly admiring the tall beauty.

Her ankles, white as jade, revealed a pink halo under the wrapping of her flesh-colored silk stockings. The hanging lamp in the room emitted a goose-yellow light, which happened to echo the same color as Erena's skin, falling along her skirt onto her silk-clad feet, as if covered in a layer of fine, hazy splendor.

From the ankles up, her pair of ultra-long, toned, and beautiful legs shone like art against the backdrop of the silk stockings. The tops of her feet, covered by the fine knit of the velvet silk stockings, were like flawless jade, with faint blue veins visible.

What great legs, even Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Such beautiful legs are meant to be worn with silk stockings!

Ikeda Erena sensed Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze and asked somewhat strangely: "What's wrong? Did the stockings snag?"

"What would you like to drink tonight?" Uesugi Muneyuki changed the subject calmly.

"... I don't want to drink, is that okay?" Erena lowered her head, pressed her hand against her collar, and leaned over to check, finding the stockings were fine. She stopped being suspicious and said somewhat unnaturally, a trace of annoyance instinctively appearing on her beautiful face.

He seems a bit... too practiced.

Does he often bring other women here to eat?

"Of course." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded. He called the waiter, let Erena order a drink, and then signaled that the food could be served.

Japanese cuisine is divided into three major categories: Japanese-style cuisine, Western-style cuisine, and Chinese-style cuisine.

Japanese-style cuisine goes without saying; it's mainly about the taste and the environment. Ryotei don't just serve Japanese-style cuisine; they also serve Western-style and Chinese-style cuisine.

It is worth mentioning that the Western-style cuisine Japanese people like most is Italian and Spanish; conversely, even Japanese people don't really eat British or French food.

After the dishes were served, the waitress retreated and set up a bamboo screen at the door to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. As the paper door was pulled shut, only Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena were left in the small private room. With no outsiders, Erena relaxed much more, and her table manners were naturally not considered elegant.

Uesugi Muneyuki, sitting opposite her, had a natural air of nobility in every move, composed and at ease. Not only was he eating slowly and methodically, but he was also observing her with a look that was half-smile, half-serious.

After enjoying charcoal-grilled beef tongue, tuna sashimi, and Hokkaido sweet shrimp in succession, Ikeda Erena opened the lid of the miso soup. Looking up, she found Uesugi Muneyuki staring at her and immediately put down her bowl, her beautiful face unable to hold its composure: "What are you doing?"

"I'm watching you eat." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head repeatedly and turned on the television next to them: "No need to rush, or do you have something to do tonight?"

"Excuse me, I'm a country bumpkin from Kyushu, not like you Tokyo-born people who know etiquette." Erena said irritably: "If you want to teach me etiquette, you've found the wrong person. I was only willing to come with you to have a meal, nothing more."

"Yes, let's just consider it an apology for my offense during this time." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded politely: "Thank you for sparing my life."

"Pfft!" Erena was amused by Uesugi Muneyuki's attitude.

Recalling her experiences during this time, the tall beauty's eyes softened significantly: "Actually, I know you didn't mean it, it's just... never mind. In any case, I'm not that kind of person, at least not the kind you think."

"Tanaka and the others all say you're difficult to deal with. I was also worried before, but after actually interacting with you, I found you don't seem like what they said." Uesugi Muneyuki could feel Ikeda Erena's mood was good, so he struck while the iron was hot: "I think we've been working together very happily, don't you?"

"It's... it's alright." Ikeda Erena thought to herself, isn't it because out of so many men, only you are somewhat normal?

"Then can you answer me one question?" Uesugi Muneyuki coaxed her: "The name Erena should be the katakana version of Elena, right? In that case, your name should be Ikeda Elena? So, is your mother a foreigner?"

"Yes, my mother is Filipino, and my father is an employee of a foreign trade company. He met my mother while doing overseas trade. My mother is a Spanish-Filipino, so she gave me this name." Ikeda Erena nodded. She thought for a moment and continued: "But using katakana or an English name directly is too flashy, so my father changed it to Erena."

"The name is 'Zero-Milk' (Ling Nai), but in reality, it's 'Big Thunder' (Da Lei)!" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but make a snide remark.

"Ah? What do you mean?" Erena didn't understand.

"Nothing, just an evaluation based on objective facts." The man's expression was calm: "Actually, Miss Ikeda, you don't need to maintain such strong aggression; you really are a beauty."

He is... complimenting me?

Ikeda Erena felt some joy in her heart, but immediately, a trace of annoyance appeared on her beautiful face.

Although getting along with him was pleasant, she always felt her intelligence was being crushed. Sometimes it didn't matter, but sometimes she could clearly feel something was wrong, yet she couldn't say what it was. She was led around by this man the whole time, and she felt embarrassed to ask, so she could only hold it in.

This feeling, it's very unpleasant!

"Compared to me, Uesugi, you are the traditional one. What with the Yonezawa Uesugi, the Dragon of Echigo—shouldn't someone as talented as you be a Career Track officer in the Metropolitan Police Department? How did you end up in the Forensic Pathology Department?"

Eirina retorted with irony.

She held it in for quite a while before managing to squeeze out a somewhat aggressive reply.

If there was any subject Ikeda Erena was particularly good at, it was definitely English. With a father in a foreign trade company and a mother of Spanish-Filipino descent, she could speak pure American English; while she was a mess in all other subjects, she always scored highly in English.

Career is a technical term referring to the Career Track within the police system.

"It was just a twist of fate. I was originally a surgeon, but because I was too blunt, I was transferred to the Forensic Pathology Department. As for the Career Track, that's something for graduates of the University of Tokyo's Noble law programs to aim for; I'm still far from that," Uesugi Muneyuki answered the question very earnestly. "However, it hasn't been without its rewards. Because of this job, I've met many interesting people and encountered many interesting things—for instance, I met you."

Uesugi Muneyuki spoke very calmly, without a hint of ambiguity, yet his understated words unexpectedly stirred up a monstrous storm in Eirina's heart!

This sentence instantly smoothed over all of Ikeda Erena's previous dissatisfaction. She stared dotingly at Uesugi Muneyuki's cold, handsome face, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl into a moving arc.

Me, I'm the same!

"So, Miss Ikeda, I have a request, please, you must agree to it!"

Seeing that the timing was just about right, Uesugi Muneyuki decisively took the final step of his grand plan. He shifted from sitting to kneeling, pressing his fists onto the tatami mat: "Please help me become a real man!"

"Huh?" Eirina's pupils shook. She instinctively backed away in a panic, shedding her usual cold indifference. Somewhat shy and a bit annoyed, she scolded: "What are you saying?! Uesugi! I didn't expect you to be this kind of person! I thought you were different from other men!"

"But, you're the only one I can ask!" Uesugi Muneyuki felt very confused by Eirina's attitude: "You're the only one who can teach me!"

"Are, are you kidding me?!" Eirina was both shy and angry. She said coldly: "If you want to be a man, go find her! I don't want your Toshiba laptop!"

"Huh? But aren't you a black belt in Karate and a black belt in Judo?" Uesugi Muneyuki was even more confused by Eirina's rambling: "She isn't a black belt, what does she have to do with this..."

"Eh?" Eirina froze.

"Huh?" Uesugi Muneyuki also stared at her blankly: "I want you to teach me Karate and Judo, is that not okay?"

Only then did Eirina understand what Uesugi Muneyuki was asking for. The tall beauty's face turned bright red with shame. Without a word, she immediately stood up, her beautiful feet in silk stockings pattering on the tatami as she tried to push open the door to escape.

This is a huge embarrassment!

Unfortunately, she went in the wrong direction. Under Uesugi Muneyuki's stunned gaze, she hurriedly failed to open the door and was blocked by Uesugi Muneyuki: "I'm serious, Miss Ikeda. You've won the national championship several times; you are the most suitable person. We can negotiate the terms, please don't go."

However, when Karate was mentioned, Ikeda Erena's expression visibly darkened. She scrutinized Uesugi Muneyuki's facial expression: "You investigated me?"

"I have to know who my partner is, right? And it doesn't count as an investigation; I just put your name into Yahoo and found out about you." Uesugi Muneyuki told Eirina his findings exactly as they were: "Assistant Police Inspector Tanaka also said you are a very formidable martial arts expert, um, just like when we caught that molester the other day!"

As the topic shifted to Karate, a flash of strange pain crossed Ikeda Erena's light brown eyes. But seeing the man's earnest expression and thinking back to the misunderstanding that had just been cleared up, a long-buried emotion slowly rose.

Isn't this exactly what I wanted?

"Since you've said as much, I can teach you." The tall beauty couldn't quite control her emotions; for instance, the light blooming in her eyes outshone the hanging lamp, and she had never been so full of enthusiasm: "However, I have a few conditions."

"Conditions?!"

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at the tall beauty's overflowing enthusiasm and had a somewhat ominous premonition.

"What conditions?"

She wouldn't be planning to beat me until I'm on my knees, and then...

Let's update early today!

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(End of this chapter)