Chapter 496

In a secret room of an inconspicuous government office somewhere in the Tokyo Metropolis, the air was cold as if frozen. The pale white light of the fluorescent lamps fell evenly, illuminating the two people sitting opposite each other at the desk.

Miyawaki Sakura kept her head slightly lowered, her thick curled eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyelids, attempting to conceal the unease surging in her eyes. Today she wore simple jeans and a hoodie, no makeup, a world apart from the her on stage who shone radiantly in a gorgeous performance outfit, yet possessing a different kind of fragile beauty like a lotus emerging from clear water. A few strands of unkempt black hair slipped onto her cheeks, further setting off her fair translucent skin, like fragile porcelain. But looking closely, one could discover her slender fingers unconsciously twisting together under the table, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

The thing she worried about had finally happened; after YKC48 took the Financial Services Agency's iron fist, it never recovered, all activities completely suspended, only she remained unaffected thanks to Uesugi Muneyuki's connections.

Miyawaki Sakura knew in her heart that, in all likelihood, the origin of all events was her stealing that document.

Thinking of this, Sakura felt some pain in her heart; she actually had no sense of belonging to YKC48, but she didn't want things to turn out like this either!

So seeing that things were wrong, a whole bunch of top-tier members like Haruka Shimazaki hurriedly jumped ship and announced graduation, but Sakura still chose to stay; she wanted to remain in YKC48, to persist through this most difficult time.

"The document, we received it." Opposite Sakura, Inspector Kinoshita Tōya pushed an archive envelope aside, his tone businesslike and steady: "Done very beautifully, Miyakyo-san. Clean kill, no traces left. The higher-ups' evaluation of your performance this time is very high."

Sakura let out a light breath, her hanging heart not completely settling, but rather rising even higher.

She knew praise was often followed by more demanding requirements.

"Inspector Kinoshita, I..." Sakura raised her eyes, her voice soft yet carrying a barely perceptible tremor: "I hope this can be the last time. I did as you said, got what you wanted. The risk I've taken is already big enough."

Last time? Heh, what a joke!

This cherry blossom still has plenty of use value!

Inspector Kinoshita leaned his body slightly forward, hands folded on the table, bringing an intangible sense of pressure; hearing Sakura's plea, a trace of what could be called a "gentle" smile even appeared on his face, but his eyes held no warmth.

"Last time? Miyakyo-san, you jest." He said unhurriedly, "Your value has only just begun to manifest. We won't shortchange those with merit. From now on, we'll give you more 'support' — better exposure resources, more favorable public opinion guidance, even certain key endorsement opportunities... you'll be more popular than now, more in the spotlight. Isn't this what you've always longed for?"

Sakura's heart sank sharply. The glamorous idol life, fans' cheers, the stage spotlights... these were indeed what she once dreamed of, and now found hard to let go.

She liked the stage, liked being the center of attention, liked being pursued by thousands.

Step by step, she wanted to climb to the top of idols; this was the greatest wish of a girl from Kagoshima, Kyushu, everything she fought for.

If she could get Public Security's support...

But Inspector Kinoshita's words took a sudden turn, his tone abruptly turning cold and hard: "However, you must be clear who gave you all this. We can lift you to the heavens, naturally we can also make you fall and shatter. Don't forget that earliest 'criminal record' of yours is still in our hands; whenever we need, it can become 'real' at any time. Everything you possess now — reputation, future, fans' adoration... will instantly turn to bubbles."

The naked threat pierced Sakura's heart like an ice pick, making her feel a chill. Her face paled slightly, her lips moved, but no sound came out. She knew she had no choice.

Seeing her reaction, Inspector Kinoshita leaned back in his chair satisfied, his tone softening again: "Be smart, Miyakyo-san. Working for us, you won't lose out."

He paused, his gaze becoming meaningful: "Especially, we discovered that Uesugi Muneyuki seems to favor you especially."

Sakura abruptly raised her head.

Uesugi Muneyuki...

"Uesugi Muneyuki's super-strong ability holds extreme value for us in certain special fields." Inspector Kinoshita stated without concealment: "We need you to maintain and deepen your good relationship with him.

"If necessary..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sakura's beautiful but pale face, "you may use any means. You understand my meaning, you're not yet 18, right? The first time this kind of thing happens he can still hold a press conference at Sakuradamon, but a second time?"

Under 18? Minor? Could they be...?

These people are police?

Yes, these people are Public Security police!

That's right, these are Public Security police!

Sakura felt a wave of humiliation and disgust, fingertips digging deep into her palm.

However, Inspector Kinoshita's next words were like an unexpected ray of light, splitting into her dark predicament.

"Of course, we won't shortchange you either." He tossed out an extremely tempting chip: "Do a good job working for us, help us communicate with Uesugi Muneyuki, and we can give you 'Special Appointee' status to resolve all your historical legacy problems. You'll enjoy treatment and guarantees equivalent to Public Security undercover agents. When the time is right in the future, you can even enter the police force officially through special channels and obtain permanent status."

Permanent status? Public Security police?

Miyawaki Sakura was completely stunned. This term was as distant as something from another world to someone like her, an underground idol walking the dark edges who could be discarded at any moment. It meant stability, identity, recognition, meant completely washing clean and going legit, meant she would never again have to live in fear, afraid that one day she'd wake up and everything would be gone.

The huge contrast left her unable to think for a moment. On one side, the threat of an abyss; on the other, an unexpected, almost too-good-to-hope-for promise!

I get permanent status? I can get permanent status?!

Struggle, fear, humiliation... and an intense longing for a "normal" future, fiercely warred in her heart.

Ultimately, the fear of losing everything she currently had, and the secret yearning for the security that "permanent status" brought, overcame her unease and resistance at this moment.

She slowly, with extreme difficulty, nodded. Voice dry and weak: "... Understood. I'll... do my best, please, don't... I'll obey..."

A genuine smile, belonging to a victor, appeared on Inspector Kinoshita's face.

"Very good. Looking forward to your next good news, Miyakyo-san — or perhaps in the future we should call you 'Miyawaki Patrol Officer'."

These words were like honey, and like poison, slowly seeping into Sakura's heart. She knew she had stepped onto a road even harder to turn back from, but that faint light ahead made her unable to refuse.

"Very good, then take off your clothes." Inspector Kinoshita said coldly.

What?? Sakura's face went pale almost instantly, she instinctively covered her body, retreating in terror.

"Don't overthink, I have no other meaning, there's a police uniform here, put it on, take a photo." Inspector Kinoshita realized Miyawaki Sakura had misunderstood, his face showing slight embarrassment, thinking: you're the woman Uesugi Muneyuki favors, I'd have to be sick in the head to touch you, do I still want to work in the organization afterwards?

Although Uesugi Muneyuki only enjoys Inspector-level treatment... in reality he is the father of the entire Metropolitan Police Department!

Inspector Kinoshita opened the long large clothing bag beside him, inside was a brand new female police uniform skirt, and he took a box containing a pair of high-heeled shoes.

"Oh, and this." Inspector Kinoshita took out a standard Atsugi-brand commuter 40-denier flesh-colored pantyhose, he said meaningfully: "This also has to be worn, this is Uesugi Muneyuki's favorite... according to our Public Security investigation, he has a very special preference for uniform, stockings, and high heels."

"........." Miyawaki Sakura was speechless, she was taken to the changing room by a female officer, changed into the standard Public Security uniform, and had her photo taken.

This time, there's completely no escape! The girl wanted to cry but had no tears.

How is this society so dark!

Only Mai-sama's place still has some sincerity, only she truly treats me as a good younger sister.

Mai-sama, save me!

……………………

At the same time, if Miyawaki Sakura were in the Sakata Bridge Tower, she would definitely discover that the large clothing bag in Minami Ojou-sama's hand was exactly the same as the Public Security police's!

"Ta-da!" Minami Ojou-sama proudly displayed to Uesugi Muneyuki: "It's a police uniform!"

"Huh?!" Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes lit up.

"Hehe, after the annual inspection passed, I used the reason that the Special Mission Unit often goes on field duty and uniforms might get worn out, and got Logistics to give a few extra sets of desk duty uniforms! My size, Ikeda's size, even... Mikoto and Asuka's sizes!" Minami Ojou-sama said with smiling eyes into Uesugi Muneyuki's ear: "These few uniforms will stay at home, you, you'd better work hard, you pervert fiancé with a uniform, stockings, high heels fetish!"

"Minami!" Uesugi Muneyuki looked at the four large bags, deeply moved, pulling Minami Ojou-sama tightly into his embrace, leaving only Eirina rolling her eyes behind him and Asuka curiously poking her head out like a bird.

"Minami, you're the best! I love you the most!"

"Hmph, how else could I be your fiancée? Ikeda, Asuka, hurry up and try it on! Does it fit or not?"

(Chapter End)