Chapter 38: Apprenticeship and Learning the Craft

Early the next morning, Uesugi Muneyuki arrived at the Otsuka Station in Bunkyo Ward.

Five months had passed since his first visit to the Otsuka Station, and the entire police station, from top to bottom, had come to regard Uesugi Muneyuki as an unofficial member of the force; coming here felt just like coming home, with acquaintances greeting him everywhere, and if he just found a place to sit, a policewoman would even bring Uesugi Muneyuki a cup of hot Barley Tea.

It must be said that while most of the policewomen at the station were average in appearance, simply wearing that police uniform elevated their aura by more than a notch, and with appropriate makeup, as long as they weren't too unattractive, they could display a unique charm.

Uesugi Muneyuki thought this was just like flight attendants; in the early days, flight attendants were truly aristocratic attendants, all staffed by highly educated female elites, most of whom were graceful, elegant, and outstanding in appearance, but after the 80s and 90s, as aviation technology advanced and became popularized, the profession of flight attendant gradually shifted from aristocratic attendant to something common, and the quality began to vary, yet due to historical filters and special makeup and styling, the flight attendant uniform was still crazily sought after, and in the eyes of some, this profession still held a huge bonus.

Unfortunately, Uesugi Muneyuki was also quite fond of this; when he was a few years old in his past life, he had been awestruck by the flight attendants on the plane he took, and he had never forgotten it since.

"Yo, little brother Uesugi, you're here?" Tanaka Laodeng arrived especially early today, his hair combed very neatly, his face full of smiles: "Did no other station call for you today?"

"Why did Tanaka-san arrive so early today?" Uesugi Muneyuki also greeted this old guy.

"I just happened to wake up a bit early today to take my daughter to school, so I got here early." Tanaka Laodeng pulled out a chair and sat down, happily brewing himself a cup of coffee, preparing to write reports.

Yes, only after truly coming into contact with the police did Uesugi Muneyuki understand that even for a criminal investigator in the Field Unit with the heaviest workload, most of their time had to be spent submitting reports, writing materials, and conveying orders from above and below, rather than conducting investigations.

The essence of a police officer is a Public Servant, and the essence of a doctor is also a Public Servant; they just happen to have the duties of police work and medical care.

Uesugi Muneyuki thought it was no wonder that although the Field Unit was responsible for handling a series of police tasks, the Administrative Unit still occupied most of the important positions and was easier to promote.

"Is Tanaka-san's daughter in middle school now? Or high school?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked casually, waiting for Ikeda to arrive.

"She's in middle school, Namu San, her grades aren't very good; English is always failing, and math isn't good either. Every time I lecture her, she says, 'Why should a Japanese person learn English? It's useless anyway.'" Tanaka Laodeng complained along with Uesugi Muneyuki: "If she doesn't study hard, how will she have a way out in the future? She likes Shirakawa Mai so much, doesn't she know that Shirakawa Mai herself graduated from the University of Tokyo? Like you, little brother Uesugi, you at least graduated from the Medical and Dental University; without a prestigious school, how can you become a Regular Employee in the future? How can you marry a good husband?"

"Whether one can study or not isn't something that can be forced, Tanaka-san." Uesugi Muneyuki thought to himself that Mai-senpai was really popular.

In the April Moon Nine Drama on Fuji TV, relying on her perfect appearance, outstanding acting skills, and a unique, intense scholarly aura mixed with her angelic temperament, Shirakawa Mai's premiere ratings reached 18%, and then continued to rise, with the finale ratings exceeding 30%, breaking all kinds of records in one fell swoop; she herself successfully won the Best Actress award at the Japanese Drama Academy Awards for this show.

Bookstore Incident Notes is a television series adapted from a light novel, with the original work set in North Kamakura, telling the story of a shy, young, beautiful, long-haired black-haired female shopkeeper in an old bookstore and her encounters with various old books; unlike the original work, to cater to the audience's needs, the TV series cut a lot of the male lead's plot from the original novel, demoting him from the male lead to a supporting role, strengthening the female lead's scenes, and downplaying the romantic elements.

But the drastic reduction of the original male lead's scenes meant that the requirements for Mai-senpai's acting skills were raised to a very high level; after all, as everyone knows, if the scenes aren't enough, romance is used to make up for it, so cutting a large number of romantic scenes meant that the female lead's performance had to be able to support the entire structure of the show. She had to act out the goddess aura of the female lead, who possessed beauty, talent, and temperament, while also showing the girl's shyness and lively, clever spirit without falling into the category of a bookworm, which was undeniably difficult.

The whole society was full of expectations for this University of Tokyo high-achiever and the cash cow goddess of the Soul Agency.

In the first episode's premiere, inside the old and quaint bookstore, sunlight passed through the windows to illuminate the dancing dust in the air; between two rows of bookshelves, on the wooden floor, the female lead wore a plain white long dress, gently tucking her black hair, which was like dark clouds, behind her ears; under her black-rimmed glasses, her intellectual and shy face watched the text on the book intelligently and attentively, her onion-white fingertips sliding across the paper, and beside her, lavender bloomed amidst the steam of coffee; the female lead played by Mai-senpai was intoxicated as she recited Natsume Soseki's work word by word on the bench.

The simplest attire, the most elegant temperament, the most girlish shyness, the most intelligent eyes.

Everyone knew that this show was going to be a massive hit.

Men liked this show because Mai-senpai perfectly performed the image of a true "goddess" in their fantasies.

Women liked this show because Mai-senpai performed the "big heroine" they truly wanted.

Elders liked this show because what appeared in the show were all literary classics, and what it told were stories of old books, which suited the tastes of the traditional conservative faction.

Although Uesugi Muneyuki himself was very busy, he followed the show to the end and even recommended it to his whole family, receiving unanimous praise.

"If there's no other way, I can only send her abroad later, to the UK to study some one-year business master's degree or something... how much will that cost?" Tanaka Laodeng was still chattering: "I have always been saving tuition for her, but she doesn't study hard herself, what can we do?"

"A UK business master's? Then you need to prepare 10 million first." Uesugi Muneyuki said with interest: "Tuition starts at 4 million a year, and the most troublesome thing is that the cost of living in London is very high; living there is not cheap."

"Don't say it, don't say it." Tanaka Laodeng calculated slightly, and a bitter face appeared: "Calculating this, it's better to calculate when I can be promoted to Police Inspector; little brother Uesugi, among the 10 million I'm missing, there's your 20,000 in there."

This old guy, he had held a grudge since that one meal at Jojoen until today; Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head upon hearing this.

"Although I also think that girls studying is useless, unless they study to the level of Shirakawa Mai... but little brother, as someone who has been through it, I must instruct you a few words; as a Peerage man as excellent as you, don't be deceived by some strange women." Tanaka Laodeng thought about it and felt a bit embarrassed.

Ikeda Erena, this "boss killer," had been in the Otsuka Station for a few months and everything had been calm; there was no doubt that the little brother in front of him had the ability and skill, but if he really set his heart on Ikeda, that would be too degrading.

From Tanaka Laodeng's perspective, besides having a good appearance and a hot body, was there any place where Ikeda was even slightly worthy of little brother Uesugi?

"What do you mean by 'strange women'?" Uesugi Muneyuki's expression was playful upon hearing this, and he quickly signaled the old guy with his eyes.

"Hey, Namu San, are you really not understanding or pretending not to? I'm talking about Ike..." Tanaka Laodeng was about to continue, but his many years of experience as a Detective and Uesugi Muneyuki's eye signal made the old guy react immediately.

Something bad!

Sure enough, as soon as he turned around, Tanaka Laodeng saw Ikeda Erena standing behind him.

Erena's complexion was as black as ink, her originally sunny and outgoing temperament had vanished, replaced by a chaotic sea surging endlessly in a dark vortex; in her light brown eyes, flames were burning, and her sharp gaze wished it could tear Tanaka Laodeng into pieces!

Even if she wasn't very smart, Erena realized that this old guy was badmouthing her to Uesugi Muneyuki!

Fortunately, before she could explode, Uesugi Muneyuki immediately greeted her: "Ms. Ikeda, you're finally here. Let's begin; I've already asked Sudo-san to arrange the room over there, just waiting for you to come."

"... Go change your clothes." Ikeda Erena suppressed her anger and grievance, throwing a pile of clothes to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Before leaving, Erena glared fiercely at Tanaka Laodeng.

This matter is not over!

One man and one woman went out one after another, leaving Tanaka Laodeng in a mess inside the Criminal Investigation Division; the old guy held his head, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Little brother Uesugi, you plotted against me!!!

Now, it's a desperate situation!

————I am the separator line of a desperate situation————

Every police station had a configuration similar to a training room, which was the so-called "Dojo," with wooden floors, tatami mats, soft cushions, and various training props all available; although it couldn't compare to the luxury and spaciousness of the Metropolitan Police Department, it was completely enough for Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena.

Having greeted the police station in advance, the two borrowed an independent training room; the room was not very large, about 30 square meters, the decoration was slightly old but very clean; Uesugi Muneyuki changed into the training clothes Erena had thrown to him and sat down unhurriedly.

The special training started today.

After waiting for a while, when a figure flashed by, Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze was instantly attracted.

Erena had changed her clothes.

She had taken off her usual women's suit trousers and changed into a complete, slim-fitting, nosebleed-inducing white Karate training uniform!

Even though it was a relatively loose training uniform, worn on Ikeda Erena, it was worn with a slim-fitting, seductive feel, displaying her long, beautiful figure to the fullest; the confident and arrogant look under her fresh short hair added a bit of heroic spirit to her temptation, and the black ribbon at her waist and the open collar set off her towering chest like climbing a dangerous peak!

This figure is indeed explosive!

And this attire, which was enough to make a man have a nosebleed, could only be seen by Uesugi Muneyuki alone.

Ikeda Erena hadn't worn this outfit for a while either; her expression was a bit unnatural, and she was a bit shy, with a blush on her face.

Just as Uesugi Muneyuki was sizing her up, she was also sizing up Uesugi Muneyuki.

No matter how reluctant Erena was, she had to admit that Uesugi Muneyuki's facial features were exquisite and natural, and he was handsome from every angle; his figure was tall and straight, his temperament was cold and stern, and he was full of righteousness, which was exactly the type she liked most; and when they were alone, Uesugi Muneyuki could show a gentle smile and make thoughtful gestures, which made Erena almost unable to control herself.

Professional, handsome, and with an innate air of nobility.

It seemed he had said before that he was from the Peerage, a descendant of Uesugi Kenshin; although Erena didn't understand how Uesugi Kenshin, who history books clearly said was a monk who stayed away from women his whole life, could have descendants, nor did she understand what Peerage meant, but looking at the reactions of the station chief and the others, Uesugi Muneyuki must have an extraordinary background.

She had originally detested men, but it was precisely he who made her realize there were still normal men in this world.

Now, he has to call me, Master.

Hehehe~ Eirina felt quite smug thinking of this, wondering, so what if he has a noble background? So what if he is a genius Forensic Pathologist?

Isn't he still going to have to obediently beg me to teach him Karate and Judo?

He still really needs me!

Ikeda Erena recalled the gossip at the Police Station and the eye drops Tanaka Laodeng had just put in, and thinking of their envious, jealous, and hateful expressions, her mood relaxed quite a bit.

The two of them were each lost in their own thoughts, and for a moment, neither spoke.

Uesugi Muneyuki thoroughly enjoyed the moving figure of the tall beauty under her training clothes, and seeing that she was also looking at him without reacting for a long time, he took the initiative to ask: "Is there some kind of ceremony required? Like a master-disciple initiation rite or something?"

"Ah? Oh, this, not yet." Her wild thoughts interrupted, Ikeda Erena came back to her senses, her cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes sparkling, she couldn't help but swallow, coughed twice, wanting to return to her usual indifferent and aloof state, but then realized this was unnecessary while they were alone, so she revealed a brilliant smile and nodded.

Seeing Eirina's relaxed and natural smile, Uesugi Muneyuki felt a ray of sunshine from the Iberian Peninsula shine into his heart; the two smiled at each other, and Eirina took the initiative to say: "Before that, Uesugi-kun, let me ask you, how much do you know about Karate?"

Uesugi Muneyuki had naturally done his homework in advance.

Karate originated in the 14th century, when some Fujian Chinese people, in order to make a living, obtained entry and exit permits from the Goddess Mazu and moved to Ryukyu, and the Central Plains martial art "Tang Hand" was thus spread to the Ryukyu Kingdom; after developing in Ryukyu for over a hundred years, Tang Hand gradually evolved into three schools, which were the predecessors of Karate.

In 1872, Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Tang Hand was introduced to Japan; there are two theories at this time: the first is that Japan at the time, in order to de-Sinicize, changed the name Tang Hand, which clearly bore the mark of the Central Plains, to Karate; the second is that the Tang Hand successor at the time, Mr. Funakoshi, took the initiative to change the name to Karate to avoid controversy.

Uesugi Muneyuki checked a lot of materials, and he tended to think the first theory was more likely, but there was no definitive proof.

In short, once something originating from the Central Plains was changed like this, it became a "native martial art."

Karate quickly became popular all over Japan, becoming the third largest national martial art after Judo and Kendo, and was included in school curricula and physical training; as time passed, Karate gradually formed four major schools, namely Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Shito-ryu, but at this time, Karate had not yet completely broken away from the performative nature of "traditional martial arts," and everyone advocated for "stopping at the point" and "mutual praise within the circle," playing at kicking boards, breaking bricks with their heads, and breaking large stones on their chests during performances.

Don't ask, asking means the technique is not revealed, asking means my Lightning Five-Chain Whip will kill people, asking means I was careless and didn't dodge.

It wasn't until after the war that a Shotokan successor named Ooyama Masutatsu decided to completely transform Karate into a combat sport with practical nature and significance; he created "Kyokushin" and decided to give up playing at flowery fists and embroidered legs or stopping at the point behind closed doors, but instead truly align with the international stage, to clash with Muay Thai, and with Western Kickboxing, American Wrestling, Aikido, and Judo.

At that time, people in the Karate circle refused to fight "full-contact matches" with Kyokushin, so Ooyama Masutatsu simply contacted foreigners; the young and vigorous Thai Muay Thai fighters resolutely accepted the challenge, and the two sides held the Battle of the Century in 1964 at the Lumpinee Stadium, one of the three major Muay Thai arenas in Thailand; both sides revised the rules for actual combat, making concessions for both Muay Thai and Karate.

On the Muay Thai side, they sent their best, dispatching three Muay Thai kings, and Kyokushin likewise sent three top disciples; the two sides fought this "Battle of Destiny," which ended in a narrow 2:1 victory for Karate over Muay Thai.

(At that time, Karate had no way to deal with Muay Thai's knee and elbow strikes, and won thrillingly by relying on close-quarters gambling-like punch, kick, and throwing techniques.)

This one battle shocked everyone, and Karate began to be truly recognized as a combat technique and has since spread to the whole world.

Uesugi Muneyuki's explanation left Ikeda Erena stunned.

There were some things she hadn't even heard of!

"Anyway, let's start by teaching the stance." Ikeda Erena took the initiative to go behind Uesugi Muneyuki and grasped his wrists.

"Understood, Master Ikeda!"

Ooyama Masutatsu was actually of Korean descent; this guy's story is quite interesting.

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(End of this chapter)