Chapter 398

The "Toshima Ward Family of Four Extermination Case" once sparked massive attention; Uesugi Muneyuki had also conducted verification before filming this episode, and although there were no bodies, he still roughly deduced the perpetrator's portrait based on the clues left behind.

First, based on DNA testing, the presence of a Y chromosome meant the perpetrator was unquestionably male; his age at the time of the crime should have been greater than 25 but less than 33

years old, right at his physical peak, yet it was not an impulsive crime, indicating he should have had a certain degree of composure and social experience; his paternal line was Caucasian, his maternal line Japanese, and no paternal Y chromosome clues could be found, indicating it was almost certainly the product of a classic white man–Japanese woman mistress relationship.

Size 42 shoes proved his height should be at least 175 cm, but he was not a burly giant over 185 cm, otherwise he would easily leave a deep impression; the perpetrator's appearance should be close to that of an ordinary Japanese person, otherwise overly obvious mixed-race traces would also be very conspicuous.

The perpetrator should have been fairly familiar with the Sato family, but should not have been living long-term in Tokyo, otherwise it would have been impossible not to detect him; judging by his killing ability, he should have been engaged in an occupation with rich experience in manual hand-labor operations.

As for the perpetrator's special behavior of lingering at the scene for a long time, Uesugi Muneyuki believed the perpetrator's core motive was an eruption of an extremely twisted "substitution/intrusion fantasy" and a deep-seated "sense of deprivation."

Because the perpetrator could not fit into any single murder motive from start to finish; the perpetrator did not kill for clear money, lust, or grudge.

The scene-lingering behavior (eating tangerines and drinking alcohol, cooking instant noodles, microwaving leftover food, watching home videos) is the crucial key; this shows that after killing, the perpetrator tried to play the role of a "member" in the victims' "home," experiencing the "normal family life" and "sense of belonging" he longed for but never had; the choice of the Emperor's Birthday, a holiday for family reunion, reinforced this symbolic meaning. The Sato family (especially Kenichi as a small shopkeeper, a seemingly ordinary and happy family of four) may have symbolized the idealized or intensely envied object in his heart.

In other words, the perpetrator himself should have been under extreme psychological pressure at the time, very similar to the Saijo Yasue case, but he differed from Saijo Yasue in that he personally desperately craved a normal family atmosphere and affection; the initial impulsive crime was swift and cruel, but the struggle with Shota and his own injury may have been a turning point; the subsequent behavior (eating and drinking, watching videos, treating wounds) displayed a near-dissociative "calm" and immersion. Shochu and tangerines may have been his way of seeking a moment of "normalization" or steadying his nerves. His calm upon leaving indicated extremely strong psychological resilience.

That is to say, the perpetrator may have completely satisfied his emotional needs through this behavior, or he may have completely realized he would never have a normal family and normal affection, so after this crime, he never offended again.

So in summary: engaged in low-end manual technical work, but possessing a certain degree of military training awareness (possibly from family or background influence), poor social integration, white father Japanese mother, severe craving for and lack of a family environment.

Uesugi Muneyuki strongly suspected this guy was a descendant of the US Forces Japan and a certain Japanese woman; when the US military's stationing time was up they returned home, leaving a single mother to raise a single child, the mother later died early, and after the crime the perpetrator quickly left Japan and never offended again.

Uesugi Muneyuki attempted to sketch out the perpetrator's portrait; today's program recording had also reached its conclusion.

"Thanks for your hard work!"

"Thanks for your hard work, Uesugi-san! Mai-sama!"

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Fuji TV placed great importance on the "Hand of God" variety show; the program recording ended.

"Thanks for the hard work, thanks for the hard work." Uesugi Muneyuki actually couldn't be sure either; he could only barely reason out what kind of person the perpetrator was; fortunately this was a cold case — solving it would be best, but if it couldn't be solved, no blame could be pinned on him; although he couldn't perform an autopsy, he understood Saijo Yasue's type of antisocial personality, and understood the Inner World even better.

The experience of Inner World people striving to integrate into the Outer World allowed him to roughly understand what the perpetrator was thinking.

Wanting to have a home, a place that doesn't need to be splendid; when I am tired, I think of it. As for why the Sato family was chosen, it is very likely the Sato izakaya had a weak grudge connection or indirect connection with him; the perpetrator may have simply formed a one-sided grudge through chance, or even merely happened to select the Sato family as the "carrier of the imagined home."

This kind of deduction is hard to have truly actual evidence, but Uesugi Muneyuki understood that he would sooner or later have to face all kinds of cases without Essence Refining; if before he could still shirk by saying he was just a passing ordinary forensic pathologist, but now the Special Duty System had reached this extent, in the future there would certainly be various difficult cases, and it would still be him who had to step up.

And Uesugi Muneyuki's choice was to accept the challenge!

"Thanks for your hard work, Junior Student!" Mai-senpai today was still radiant and peerlessly beautiful; a translucent blue, gentle, pure, vintage embroidered absinthe dress set off her perfect figure and moving curves; a pair of simple milky-white satin rhinestone square-buckle high heels were light and elegant, dignified yet with a hint of soft charm; she walked lightly to Uesugi Muneyuki's side and, with smiling eyes, wrote a "five" in his palm.

The meaning was very simple: free tonight, feed me full, at least five times.

Uesugi Muneyuki's face turned a bit green; Senpai's hunger for Inner World Energy was comparable to a Great Devourer.

And five times won't do!

"Thanks for your hard work, Uesugi-san, Mai-sama!" Miyawaki Sakura also came over to join the fun; she happily expressed anticipation for the next collaboration, but Imamura the agent quickly reminded her she still had announcements to rush to next, so Little Sakura could only regretfully say she would definitely treat Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai to a meal next time.

Little Sakura is a super striver, especially now that the 48 Group is past its peak and only relying on the Long Tail Effect to sustain its brilliance; she crazily takes announcements to maintain influence, seizes every chance to ride on heat, and doesn't miss any program invitation or exposure opportunity.

Last year Miyawaki Sakura ranked 17th among female idols with an annual income of 17 million yen.

Actually by this standard she earns far more than Uesugi Muneyuki; Uesugi Muneyuki's total annual income last year was only 8 million yen, and after taxes and deductions for various pensions and health insurance, his take-home was only about 6 million yen — not only doubled by Little Sakura, but even Watanabe Eiji, a Superintendent General, doesn't earn as much as Little Sakura.

But everyone should understand: although Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Eiji earn less, the gap in social status is very large; not to mention Little Sakura, even the number one on the female idol income ranking, Sashihara Rino (annual income approx. 50 million yen), if she really said "As an Idol Dominator, 'the Superintendent General is not my match,'" and the Metropolitan Police Department or even the Superintendent General himself heard it, she would have a bit of "small trouble."

At this moment the studio's chill and a trace of tension still lingered in the air; Fuji TV female announcer Tei Reiji, having finished work, actively came up to Uesugi Muneyuki with a questioning look; under the bright fluorescent lights, the Fuji TV beauty announcer's meticulous image, the moment she shed the standard on-camera business smile, revealed a trace of hard-to-detect fatigue and anticipation.

"Thanks for your hard work, Uesugi-san! Shirakawa-san!" Tei Reiji came to Uesugi Muneyuki's side and said with a pointed tone: "Uesugi-san, you've been very busy lately, huh?"

"Thanks for your hard work, Anchor Tei." Uesugi Muneyuki was just thinking how to deal with Mai-senpai's debt collection; running into Tei Reiji who had come up to him, he could only laugh it off: "Yes, it's the year-end (Japan's March annual review), quite busy."

He understood what Tei Reiji was saying.

The beauty announcer was asking him why he hadn't requested her by name recently.

This woman, clearly it's Green Room Reception, yet she's even gotten a bit addicted, huh?

Uesugi Muneyuki guessed correctly; the moment she finally got the chance to talk with Uesugi Muneyuki, Tei Reiji's heart gave a violent throb — not fear, but a mixture of intense longing and the excitement of a long-awaited reunion; the memory of that night when she was assigned to receive him instantly came alive one by one — his elegant speech, captivating temperament, and the several subsequent intimate experiences that were engraved in her bones and left an endless aftertaste; those were absolutely not painful memories, but a secret weapon she treasured in her heart, carrying a hidden sweetness.

How come he hasn't requested me by name recently?

Moreover, Fuji TV's emphasis on Uesugi Muneyuki had clearly been pulled to the max; she, a third-year newcomer, had already managed to become the interactive host and background script reader for "Hand of God," a Major Program Live Reporter multiple times, and had gained some popularity thanks to her outstanding looks and excellent professional qualities.

Now her goal had become wanting to become the host of Fuji TV's midnight news "Alpha."

Of course, because her qualifications were too shallow, she still very much needed Uesugi Muneyuki's support for this matter.

Just that right now National Female Star Shirakawa Mai was present, so Anchor Tei could only stow away her little schemes, very politely expressing anticipation for Uesugi-san to come to Fuji TV "record a program" next time, and she would definitely "perform" well.

"I'll see Uesugi-san off." Hearing that the two of them also had business and were leaving, Tei Reiji actively followed along.

Mai-senpai had other announcements; she left Uesugi Muneyuki a signal to meet again tonight, and by the time Anchor Tei escorted Uesugi Muneyuki to the hallway, before they could even start a conversation, they unexpectedly ran into several ordinary passing female announcers outside.

Ebihara Yuka, who had also previously received Uesugi Muneyuki, and Tei Reiji's fellow cohort, another female announcer Hisaka Akiko, happened to pass by; amid the light sound of high heels, another new female announcer Sakuma Minami followed behind them, very cautiously inquiring.

And the moment Uesugi Muneyuki appeared, the several Fuji TV female announcers instantly held their breath.

The moment Ebihara Yuka saw Uesugi Muneyuki, she erupted with an extremely bright, precisely calculated radiance; she almost immediately adjusted her stance, displaying her most perfect profile and leg lines, her face quickly donning a smile more brilliant and sweeter than before, carrying just the right amount of admiration, professional and respectful: "Mr. Uesugi, hello, thanks for your hard work."

Ebihara Yuka's gaze tightly fixed on Uesugi, trying to hint for him to give a shred of response.

Why didn't the Green Room Reception request me by name?

And the other female announcer Hisaka Akiko — her smile instantly became extremely bright and splendid, as if lit up. She subconsciously lightly brushed aside the stray hair by her ear, her body leaning slightly forward, showing full enthusiasm and vitality: "Mr. Uesugi, hello, truly unexpected and an honor to meet you here!"

Her voice carried a touch of just-right surprise and delight, trying to break that sense of distance. Her gaze boldly lingered on his face, full of anticipation.

Actually, Uesugi-san, you can totally request me by name!

And only the newly joined Sakuma Minami was slightly nervous, but quickly composed her expression, revealing a very standard smile carrying a newcomer's unique respect and a hint of shy sweetness. She tightened her arms holding the documents, stood straighter, and bowed slightly: "Mr. Uesugi, hello."

Her eyes were filled with awe and the hope of being noticed.

She doesn't yet fully know the secret of Fuji TV's Green Room Reception, but she saw Tei-senpai's rocket-like rise with her own eyes.

I want to ascend too! I want to read scripts in a trump card program with an average viewership rating of 30% and a peak of 45%!

Seeing the other three female announcers vying to curry favor with Uesugi, Tei Reiji beside Uesugi Muneyuki felt a shock in her heart; she gritted her silver teeth, and a flash of killing intent flickered in her eyes.

Ebihara Yuka, Tei Reiji, Hisaka Akiko, Sakuma Minami — these four female announcers joined Fuji TV in successive years and were considered the most promising and most outstanding-looking new female announcers in recent years; among them Yuka joined two years earlier, Tei Reiji and Hisaka Akiko were in the same cohort, both joining three years ago, and Sakuma Minami had just joined.

Mr. Uesugi only needs to request me by name.

Mr. Uesugi doesn't usually come to Fuji TV, so even this little opportunity at the Pleasure House Reception feels insufficient to me!

You guys, you stinking sluts, all get lost!

The atmosphere in the hallway became very strange; the four female anchors looked at each other, and each saw in the other's eyes a strong yearning for "promotion."

I just can't help it—I really want to advance!

The war among the female anchors known as the Fuji TV Four Little Flowers has just begun!