Chapter 469

IVF is by no means a foolproof fertility insurance; the process is a severe physiological and psychological ordeal for the couple, especially the wife.

This would take a long-winded explanation, so to avoid being flamed for word count, I'll keep it as simple and clear as possible here.

First, to undergo IVF, the wife needs massive injections of ovulation-stimulating hormones, which cause significant bodily harm and easily lead to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, a condition requiring hospitalization once it appears.

Second, even Tokyo University cannot guarantee the egg retrieval surgery causes absolutely no damage; they can only guarantee minimal invasiveness, yet it still inflicts injury on women and carries risks of various postoperative infections and organ damage.

Finally, embryo transfer and what follows require massive luteal support, and IVF pregnancies are uniformly classified as high-risk pregnancies, demanding extreme caution and then even more caution.

That's just the physiology; the psychological harm and torment IVF inflicts on the couple is also enormous. Every IVF cycle is like a round of "angel investing" — from the hormone injections onward, every step can fail, and when pregnancy test day arrives, immense expectation can instantly destroy a family's all hopes. This repeated rollercoaster of highs and lows can very likely directly destroy even a strong person.

On top of that, the wife has to face being repeatedly examined, operated on, assessed, and monitored like a tool by countless doctors throughout the entire process, which is actually extremely painful.

Lastly, IVF isn't cheap either; a single IVF cycle at Tokyo University starts at 2.8 million yen minimum, with no upper limit — 10 million, 15 million, 20 million are all possible. The financial pressure is huge, but this is already the least important thing to consider.

On top of this situation, compounded by Uesugi Sadanori's "autonomic neuropathy" causing severe inhibition and endocrine disorders leading to severely insufficient sperm quality and vitality, the IVF path has basically been sentenced to death.

Now it was Uesugi Muneyuki's turn to feel the pressure mounting.

"Grandfather, why don't you... pin your hopes on Father instead?" Uesugi Muneyuki had sweat on his forehead.

"Your father?" Uesugi Kuninori sneered, shaking his head repeatedly: "He's been no good for a long time. Tomoko complained to me about it. Ever since he turned 45, he's been a 'monthly husband' already. As for me... let me put it plainly, Yukimatsumaru, the last time I had a response was when I was 68. Six years have passed since then."

"Monthly husband" is a Japanese meme referring to a husband who pays his conjugal dues only once or twice a month. This is actually extremely common in Japanese culture; about half of Japanese couples have no love in their marriage to begin with. There may be some novelty in the early marriage, but once they have offspring and complete the task, conjugal affection immediately turns into familial affection, and marital life often decreases drastically.

Uesugi Hironori actually does eat out on the side, which is normal, but he has no illegitimate children. This already shows that while Father has the desire and capability, he is indeed powerless when it comes to wanting children.

Father might still be able to have another child, but Father having another child is unlikely.

"........." Uesugi Muneyuki thought to himself: As expected of Grandfather, still going at 68, that's already impressive!

Strong! Grandfather! Strong!

"So, Yukimatsu, if you don't work hard, the Yonezawa Uesugi clan's family name will go extinct! All of the main family's hopes rest on you alone! Yukimatsu!!!" Grandfather clutched Uesugi Muneyuki's sleeve tightly: "The main family has no bloodline left to adopt from branch families, and even maternal bloodlines would require going up another generation above me to find!"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "........"

He now understood a little why his older brother had become so repressed.

The weight of the family name, pressing down until it's suffocating!

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't make any guarantees either; he could only say he'd do his best, and they'd have to wait until after he married Minami at year-end to discuss further.

Uesugi Kuninori couldn't force him either. His little grandson's wings had hardened. Grandfather thought it over and decided to hurry up and make use of Ishihara Mikoto's side.

Heh, Miss Ishihara, you wouldn't want the police to know about what happened between you and Yukimatsumaru when he was still a minor, would you?

The main family will offer you a deal you cannot refuse.

Two flowers bloom, each told in turn. Just as the Uesugi family fell into a heir crisis.

Fuji Television was laughing its head off.

Since its premiere, the "Hand of God" series program exploded everything else in the same timeslot with a peak rating of 43%. Afterward, Fuji TV built this ace program around Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai, producing all content at Fuji TV's highest specification grade at great expense.

However, major enterprises and advertisers willing to sponsor this program practically rushed to Fuji TV begging them to take their money. Sony, Mitsubishi, Toyota all personally came calling, because the social and economic effects produced by this program are phenomenal. Moreover, this program keeps "linking" with reality nonstop.

In the program, Uesugi Muneyuki's professional competence and handsome looks, plus his occasional dark humor, always make one smile knowingly. Shirakawa Mai's radiant beauty and slightly clumsy but especially genuine hosting style are also pleasing to the eye. The special chemistry between the two and their seamless way of interacting make the nation cry out in satisfaction.

That's not all. More importantly, outside the program, Uesugi Muneyuki keeps solving one major case after another. Countless bizarre cases and his masterful investigative techniques have brought him enormous prestige and traffic. Japanese people originally have an extremely strong (arguably world-leading) voyeuristic desire, but Uesugi Muneyuki himself is not a public figure.

So where can one see Uesugi Muneyuki?

Why, come watch our Fuji TV's "Hand of God" of course!

Like this, Fuji TV provided Uesugi Muneyuki a stage to showcase himself, while Uesugi Muneyuki's self-carried massive traffic in turn supported the "Hand of God" program, keeping its ratings, attention, and buzz consistently high. After the first episode exceeded 40% ratings, the second also performed above 30%. Although it dipped slightly afterward, it maintained around 28%, and after the Toshima family massacre case, ratings returned to above 30% again.

A pity this program only airs once a month. Fuji TV would love to make it daily... it's just a bit hellish.

But as long as there's ratings, I, Kameyama Chihiro, am willing to do anything!

"I can already foresee! The future of the entire Kanto, nay, all of Japan's television networks!"

On the afternoon Uesugi Muneyuki took his brother to see a doctor, Fuji TV President Kameyama Chihiro stood before the window, gesturing excitedly: "My grand blueprint!"

"Do you see, Abiru? Every proposal I made at the Board of Directors got approval. Every drama project I tried to propose got realized. The voices of those who opposed me are like maggots in a sewer — they can only crawl and writhe in dark environments to express dissatisfaction. While those who support me are like stamps responsible for clapping and approving!"

"When a country is going downhill, someone has to hold the driver's seat." President Kameyama said with a smile.

"And the one holding the reins is none other than you, President!" Fuji TV FNS Production Bureau Director Abiru Kazuhiko immediately flattered: "If we were to rank the top three greatest presidents since Fuji TV's founding, I think from third to first should be: the Kameyama President of the year before last, the Kameyama President of last year, and this year's Kameyama President!"

"Hmph hmph~ The weak me of the past is dead!" President Kameyama laughed heartily, then resumed a serious expression: "When is the next 'Hand of God' recording?"

"The day after tomorrow. It's Uesugi-san's day off. Expected to record all day, and might not finish in one day, in which case we'll split it into two sessions." Bureau Director Abiru nodded.

"Good. Uesugi-san is our Fuji TV's benefactor. Must make sure to arrange the best for him... How about that side?" President Kameyama seemed quite satisfied. No helping it — Uesugi's self-carried massive traffic is just too perfectly filling.

"The green room side... currently Uesugi-kun seems quite satisfied with our hospitality. He's only shown a special preference for Tei Reiji so far." Bureau Director Abiru said: "But he's been busy lately. The last green room hospitality was three weeks ago."

"Our Tei Anchor keeps asking when she'll get to host Uesugi again!"

"Then arrange it more often. We can't pay too much money, but the green room is our Fuji TV's treasure, haha." President Kameyama laughed.

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something: "Right, didn't you say last time that there's a female idol in YKC48 who seems to have had something with Uesugi Muneyuki before joining?"

"Oh, that one named Yamaguchi Maho." Bureau Director Abiru nodded: "She does seem to have had something with Uesugi. That's why we specially invited her and Miyawaki Sakura together as placard girls. But Uesugi seems uninterested in her. She participated in recording twice, Uesugi never asked her out, never spoke to her... I originally wanted to let them use the green room, which would be more convenient and discreet."

"Oh right, there is such an idol... Since Uesugi has no interest, forget it. Notify YKC side that Yamaguchi doesn't need to come anymore. The Hand of God placard girl position is precious! Miyawaki Sakura is deeply loved by Uesugi Shiraishi and can't be replaced. The other position has a queue of little idols wanting to get on!"

"President?" Bureau Director Abiru suddenly realized something: "Could it be..."

President Kameyama pinched his chin and smiled: "Yeah. Yuasa Kōshi asked a favor. Said no matter what, he wants his subordinate Akasaka's Hirate Sarina to appear two or three times. No choice but to agree. This works out perfectly."

"Yuasa Sōmu's son? Then there's indeed no choice." Abiru Kazuhiko had nothing to say: "Fine, I'll arrange it."

The Fuji TV President and Production Bureau Director almost simultaneously recalled that famous "Meat Kasaya Nio" and his son Yuasa Yang who especially likes entertainment industry activities and specially looks after Hirate, as well as the special insignia on the special brooches they like to wear on their chests.

And so that night, YKC48 theater backstage.

Yamaguchi Maho looked at the text message on her phone from the program's producer, polite but cold wording: "Ms. Yamaguchi, thank you for your assistance in the previous two episodes. The program segment has been adjusted. For the next 'Hand of God' recording, Akasaka's Hirate Sarina will take over. All members of this program once again sincerely thank you for your contributions to this program. Wishing you a bright future!"

The girl who came from Aomori Prefecture to Tokyo to chase her entertainment dreams was struck as if by lightning!

The cold text blurred before her eyes. She'd long known this opportunity was borrowed, but never expected it to be taken back this fast, this suddenly, like Cinderella's magic disappearing ruthlessly at the stroke of midnight, not even giving her time to say a proper goodbye. She seemed to hear on the other end of the phone, Uesugi Muneyuki using that flat, scholar-and-noble tone of his telling his assistant: "Mm, that's fine, replace her."

She leaned against the cold locker, feeling the tiny bit of illusory confidence she'd just accumulated on stage rapidly draining from her body. The surrounding members' clamor became especially piercing.

Just Like That, it's over?

Why?

Chapter End