Chapter 477

As a top graduate of Kyoto University's Faculty of Law, Nangou Yui exudes a distinct air of leisurely ease and carefree grace; his father is a managing director on the board of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank Group, earning an annual salary of 250 million yen, while his mother is a star female lawyer at the renowned Japanese law firm Mori-Hamada Matsumoto, earning approximately 100 million yen per year.

Moreover, unlike Okada and Kai, Nangou Yui has no real conflict with his father; their father-son relationship is excellent, while his relationship with his mother is merely average—though this stems from her excessive focus on career, resulting in less mother-son time, rather than any sharp conflict.

By the way, this means that the portrayal of Eri Kisaki as the "Legal Queen" in Detective Conan is purely a later addition; early on, there was an instance where Kogoro Mouri lost 8 million yen betting on horses, and Ran Mouri sought Eri Kisaki's help, only for Eri to say 3 million yen was manageable, but 8 million yen? Which top lawyer in Japan doesn't earn at least 30 million yen annually? What kind of legal queen are you talking about?

Eri Kisaki's early persona was simply that of a small lawyer specializing in divorce cases (though it was mentioned she was indeed quite skilled in this area),

while Kogoro Mouri was nothing more than a lecherous, greedy, alcoholic, middle-aged man embodying all five poisons; later character additions were mainly due to the shift from medium-length to long-form storytelling, and then to ultra-long-form storytelling.

After graduating from Kyoto University, Nangou Yui first tried finance and the bar exam, but ultimately decided to join the Metropolitan Police Department via the national civil service examination; his family originally hoped he would work in the Ministry of Finance, General Affairs, or Ministry of Justice—prestigious departments—since money was no object, that salary would just be pocket money; however, with the rise of Uesugi Muneyuki, Nangou's managing director changed his mind and resolved to spare no effort to get his son into the Special Mission Unit.

The academic culture at Kyoto University fundamentally differs from that of Tokyo University; for example, at Tokyo University's graduation ceremony, it's practically a mass cloning event—every male graduate wears Western suits and leather shoes, every female graduate wears Western suits, pencil skirts, and patent leather high heels.

At Kyoto University's graduation ceremony, however, it's a cosplay extravaganza—pirates, ninjas, death gods, Pikachu, Mario, Link, Alabama rednecks, British gentlemen, Ainu people, Native Americans, Shinsengumi, Kentoshi envoys, White Banknotes, Soviet commissars, Indian brothers—anything goes, as long as you don't expose three points or cosplay something extremely controversial; the Kyoto University president will grudgingly confer diplomas with a clenched jaw.

Kyoto University's famous Yoshida Dormitory has even evolved into a student self-governed zone, where students frequently clash with administrative staff,

demonstrating just how open the academic culture here is.

At Kyoto University, you can even openly say you believe in communism!

Thus, Nangou Yui, a Kyoto University graduate, carries a uniquely relaxed demeanor, with a more free and open artistic style, thanks to his family's financial safety net and his privileged upbringing from childhood, making him more inclined to joke around.

Along the way, Kai chatted with him a few sentences; everyone moves in the same circle, more or less familiar with each other, so the two men's conversation quickly shifted from serious to unserious, beginning to discuss ANN's flight attendants.

"Yo, Kai-san! Arrange a mixer with the cabin crew!" Nangou Yui earnestly said to Kai Toru.

Kai Mai:

"】........"

When the two men arrived at the interrogation room, they finally saw the legendary forensic doctor, Chief Medical Examiner of Investigation Division 1, Uesugi Muneyuki, and the judo-beautiful female officer Ikeda Erena waiting outside the interrogation room.

Ikeda Erena, as always, wore a perfectly fitted Western suit, long trousers, and leather shoe uniform; even though dressed very formally, her tall, beautiful figure—full in front and curved in back—could not be concealed, instead appearing quite alluring; however, unlike before, the Metropolitan Police officers, knowing she belonged to Uesugi, could now interact with her normally, and Ikeda Erena herself began to gradually stop perceiving everything as sexual harassment, because she had Uesugi.

"Hello, Chief Uesugi, I am——" Nangou Yui actively bowed and said.

Uesugi Muneyuki extended a finger, signaling to wait before speaking, to listen to the interrogation.

In two separate interrogation rooms, two individuals who attacked Yamaguchi Maho last night were detained separately: extreme fans Takei Masanori and Kakimoto Hirotomo.

Having been entangled by Hironaka Mariko, these two fellows naturally didn't escape; they were apprehended by police in the early morning hours, and the interrogation was conducted by Shimano Keibu of Investigation Division 1's Fourth Section and Itami Keibuho of the Fifth Section.

Takei Masanori's psychological defenses were relatively weak.

Under the calm yet oppressive questioning of Shimano Keibu, especially with Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai testifying to their violent dragging of Yamaguchi Maho—vague but sufficient for conviction—he quickly collapsed.

"We'll talk! I'll talk!" Takei drenched in sweat, voice trembling with tears, "It's Nakai Rika! She told us Maho's address and roughly when she'd return home that night!"

Shimano Keibu's eyes sharp: "Why did she tell you? How did she tell you?"

"Just—just on LINE she told me Maho-chan recently 'needed a real lesson,' saying she 'forgot who she was,' and gave us a one-time text message with the address——"

"Why do this?"

"Be-because of jealousy! Rika-chan said Maho is just a lucky nobody, stole what wasn't hers, and acts all high and mighty—. We we just wanted to scare her a little, didn't really mean to—"

Meanwhile, Kakimoto Hirotomo on the other side was more stubborn.

But after learning Takei had confessed, and that police had obtained clues linking them to certain forces, he too ultimately gave up resistance. His confession was more detailed and also darker.

"It was Iehara Riko and Nakai Rika two people." Kakimoto spat, seeming to also disdain them somewhat, "They specifically approached us, saying if we give Maho Maho a 'life-unforgettable lesson,' afterward they could give us 'special benefits'."

Itami Keibuho asked sternly: "What kind of lesson?"

"—Just, humiliate her, preferably take some photos or something——" Kakimoto's eyes darted, "The address was given by Iehara, and she also reminded us which time slot the apartment building's downstairs has the fewest people."

When questioned why they so obediently followed those members' words, and why they harbored such intense hostility toward Maho Maho, both confessions mentioned Maho Maho's changes after gaining resources.

Takei's confession: "-She only appeared on TV twice, yet in the members' blog (member blog) she wrote things like 'I saw the scenery from a higher place,' 'I met a senior who could guide life's direction,' handshakes felt different, she became somewhat indifferent to us old fans,

as if we weren't good enough for her anymore!"

Kakimoto's confession was more direct: "She implied in her member blog that she and the show's production team 'have a good relationship,' possibly leading to 'greater development.' Also, backstage, when speaking with other members, she said things like 'effort is indeed noticed,' 'unlike those who only do petty tricks'—this is naked provocation, isn't it? Rika-chan and her are furious to death, we naturally had to stand up for our favored member!"

Standing outside the interrogation room, Uesugi Muneyuki stroked his chin in thought, while Ikeda Erena had already flared up, the tall beauty fuming as she said: "This, this isn't classic victim-blaming, is it? Maho's side—perhaps she really is slightly boastful in words and actions, but this is no reason for them to attack an idol!"

"Fortunately, Uesugi, you were at the scene then, otherwise who knows what would have happened! No, I won't accept this excuse—these two guys must be severely punished!" Ikeda Erena said indignantly.

But Uesugi Muneyuki kept frowning; at this moment he realized Maho Maho likely obtained her 'Hand of God' placard girl role due to her past connection with him as Princess Connect, hence her inexplicable appearance in this prime-time show.

He also didn't know whether this ultimately helped or harmed Maho Maho—small idols in the entertainment industry truly have low status; in reality, Weekly Bunshun constantly searches for idols accompanying big figures in pillow business gossip, yet finds not a single genuine big figure—idols don't even have the qualification to share a bed!

After thinking, Uesugi Muneyuki spoke into the microphone: "Shimano-san, Itami-san, I can almost certainly say these two aren't first-timers in committing such extreme acts—ask them, how did they usually escape before? Why did YKC48's management do nothing?"

"Understood." *2

Indeed, the most shocking confession lay in their confidence about repeatedly evading responsibility.

After finishing his confession, Kakimoto Hirotomo even spoke with a hint of arrogance to Itami Keibuho: "Officer, we've said everything, we didn't really harm her. We accept punishment—detain us a few days or fine us, whatever. Besides, similar incidents have happened before, and in the end, nothing ever came of it, right?"

Itami Keibu's eyes flashed like lightning: "Before? Similar incidents? What do you mean?"

Kakimoto realized he'd slipped up, hesitated, then still hinted: "-Anyway, management will smooth things over. They don't want things blown up, affecting the group's image. Over the years we've also frequently 'made offerings' (spent money) to them, they know how to handle it. This time should be the same, right?"

This statement sent a massive shock through the Special Mission Unit members listening from the control room beside the interrogation room.

This is no longer mere fan crime or internal member feud, but possibly involves the management company's systemic cover-up and condonement, even possibly gray-market money flows with extreme fans—a major scandal!

"Muneyuki! The evidence chain is now very clear. Perpetrator, motive, instigator—all clear. Can we apply to arrest Nakai Rika and Iehara Riko now?" Ikeda Erena said somewhat excitedly.

Uesugi Muneyuki let out a long sigh, shook his head: "No."

"Why?!"

"Fans' confessions are one-sided." Uesugi Muneyuki calmly analyzed, despite also feeling angry: "Nakai and Iehara can totally deny it, claiming fans fabricated this to avoid guilt; we lack their direct audio or written evidence providing the address. Handshake events and backstage conversations lack third-party witnesses."

"What about management's cover-up?"

"That's even more illusory! 'Similar incidents'? 'Offerings'? These can only be investigative leads, but as evidence, they carry no weight. If we now move against management, we'll only scare the snake in the grass, easily blocked by their legal team." Uesugi Muneyuki narrowed his eyes, pondering how to find a breakthrough: "We need more evidence."

"Perhaps we should question Maho and other members again?" Kai Toru became interested: "Wow, the idol industry's internal dynamics are truly complex!"

"Right, and the funniest part is I used to know Maho—we were acquainted before, so I might need to avoid suspicion on this." Uesugi Muneyuki half-smiled, shaking his head repeatedly, he looked at Nangou Yui: "Nangou Sang, you've seen me embarrassed."

"No, I've long admired your great name, Uesugi-san" Nangou Yui quickly shook his head, having assessed Uesugi Muneyuki, thinking he indeed lived up to his usual good impression—noble yet not lacking sharpness, stern yet carrying meticulous thought and cautious yet bold judgment.

This is why I came to the Special Mission Unit, damn it!

Just as I was about to introduce myself, a police officer ran in from outside.

"Emergency news! Emergency news!"

"Officer Shiratori from the Second Division reports: a major criminal case has occurred in Setagaya Ward. The victims are YKC48's manager Imasaki, and—YKC48's Iehara Riko and Nakai Rika. Moreover, the three were found naked on a single bed, and the cause of death is suspected to be—excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and taking Viagra during intense sexual activity!"

The police informed Uesugi Muneyuki and others about the situation of the "YKC48 idol trio naked party bizarre death case."

Uesugi Muneyuki: "?"

After hearing this news, the Chief Medical Examiner of Investigation Division 1 unconsciously glanced at Takei Masanori and Kakimoto Hirotomo, who were still undergoing interrogation, and shock could not be contained in their eyes.

Just said we couldn't find a breakthrough point and evidence,

This just came, huh?