Chapter 534: PS: Turned into Human-Dried Uesugi

PS: Tenshi wishes everyone a happy National Day! Asking for a guaranteed double monthly ticket for the new month~ A big new case is coming soon~

The happy times on the Izu Peninsula came quickly and ended just as fast; after two days of filming, the production wrapped up.

Day one was the haunting, day two they re-shot some chatter segments and filmed commercial content about local tourism and customs; the originally planned intimate interaction at the Uesugi Shiro Fireworks Festival wasn't filmed because the crew's state was that everyone needed to see a therapist, so they incidentally went to Izumo Mountain Shinai to have Shirakawa Mai, the Head of the Kantou Shinai Alliance, perform a "purification ritual."

Uesugi Muneyuki also played the "Exorcist," in his capacity as a University of Tokyo academic elite Forensic Immortal and "Descendant of Kenshin Kō, Incarnation of Vaisravana," angrily shouting a performance of "Vaisravana Descends, Demons Retreat," the effect was actually quite interesting, especially as he performed, Hironaka Mariko, Miyahara Toru, and Arimura Hana watching from the side couldn't stop laughing, and someone even noticed Village Flower Palace mixed in the crowd applauding along, sparking another supernatural tale.

Incidentally taking this opportunity, Mai Xuejie took Asuka into the Inner World of the Pure Lotus Waterfall on the Izu Peninsula, and through a special ritual fully awakened Asuka's Inner World Power, though Uesugi Muneyuki didn't witness the process.

The reason being—

On the evening of the second day, in the car returning to Tokyo, Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes rolled back as he leaned against the passenger seat, exhaling more than inhaling, eyes dull and sockets sunken, wearing an "I can't go on" expression.

Mai Xuejie still had a CM (commercial) to shoot in Izu; she'd just taken a Suntory -196°C Chu-Hi endorsement and had to film with Horipro's Aya-se Haruka, so she didn't come along; likewise, Miyawaki Sakura freeloaded on Mai Xuejie's shrine promotional event for the same reason and stayed behind.

Only Ikeda Erena, Saito Asuka, and Uesugi Muneyuki were in the car; Ikeda Erena's face was flushed red, joy visible from the corners of her eyes and mouth; she wore a Cusco English-mocking denim shirt paired with a rum suspender leather skirt, her proud long legs bare without stockings, just stepping in simple Roman-style high-heeled sandals, happily lifting her ample chest and humming a song as she drove.

Meanwhile, Saito Asuka in the back seat had changed into a mint jelly sea-new flower-patterned cinched-waist miniskirt, blue on top white on bottom, her small cute bird-head hair tied into an even cuter bun, paired with milky-white knee-high socks with polka dots and slightly heeled loafers, cute as sugar, sweet to the point of sourness.

The girl was still adapting to the Inner World Power she'd just obtained, so only Erena and Uesugi Muneyuki spoke.

Watching her boyfriend spew white smoke with an "I can't go on" face, Erena was both annoyed and amused: "Muneyuki! Wasn't it only 3 times yesterday? How did you end up like this? Is being with me that tiring? Where's your usual drive?"

"Uh, 3 times—uh, I—Master, mainly the filming activities were pretty tiring." Uesugi Muneyuki's face turned green; he thought, where was it three times, it was separately ten times!

Last night four women gathered in his room to play mahjong; after one round Ikeda Erena won the victory, and also won Mai Xuejie's reward; the Tall Beauty was naturally in a great mood, then Asuka came over, the Tall Beauty had Asuka sub for her, and she herself used her winner's privilege to take Uesugi for a sea bath; after soaking the two of them did it three times.

But it didn't end there! That same night Mai Xuejie took Asuka to awaken her Inner World Power; by the time it succeeded it was already early morning; Xuejie secretly sneaked into the room, activated invisibility, on the pretext of having expended too much Spirit Power, she milked Uesugi Muneyuki a full five times!

This was the most fatal part!

Then on the second day when Uesugi Muneyuki was arranged by the crew to go eat lunch, Fuji TV's Tobu Television Anchor finally couldn't hold back, secretly pulled Uesugi Muneyuki aside on the pretext of discussing the script, looking miserable saying "Uesugi-san you're so heartless, it's been two months since you requested me, who knows when we'll meet after this wrap, just have some pity on me!"

Then Tobu Television Anchor demonstrated her sure-kill technique: standard Fuji TV female announcer outfit + standard CL sea-blue satin buckle-strap high heels + French cervintentation 15D nylon vintage center-seam lock-eye non-elastic suspender stockings.

So Uesugi Muneyuki had two rounds of romantic French showdowns with Tobu Television Anchor.

Fortunately Tobu Television Anchor's stamina was far inferior to Erena this mother T-rex, otherwise the invincible Uesugi would really have collapsed.

Of course, the hardest to deal with is still Mai Xuejie; she not only has great stamina, but actually absorbs large amounts of Uesugi's Spirit Power!

Uesugi Muneyuki lay limp in the passenger seat, only feeling he could faintly see his grandpa before his eyes.

Mihoko and Mikoto are still the best!

Miss you, Mihoko Wife, miss you, Mikoto-nee.

"Regardless, I won anyway!" Erena said smugly: "Mahjong, turns out it's this simple!"

"Simple my ass! You lot, your fan counts and points are all wrong, sometimes you even count ancient yaku, your winning hand points are random calls too, watching from the side I nearly had a cerebral hemorrhage." Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but weakly retort: "Should really have Shiratori-san's girlfriend give you a lesson on how to properly calculate fan and points."

Investigation Division One Section Two Chief Shiratori Sho's girlfriend is named Okayu Saya, entertainment industry, she's a Professional Model + Professional Mahjong Player.

But there's gossip in the Metropolitan Police Department that this couple has been fighting recently over who does the housework.

Last night's mahjong battle, the women were all amateur level, couldn't even figure out points, fan, and yaku properly, calling and counting randomly, and in the end it was actually one of the beginners, Erena, who won; the Tall Beauty even scored a Riichi Tsumo Three Concealed Triplets Half Flush One Red Dora Three Ura Dora cumulative Yakuman.

Beginner's protection period, basically.

"Don't care, I won regardless." Erena smug; she was satisfied last night in every sense of the word; seeing Uesugi Muneyuki looking listless, the Tall Beauty's eyes were practically dripping water: "Muneyuki, tonight shall I wear that police uniform? That Polish coffee-brown lace stocking suspender set from before—I'll wear it for you?"

"Tonight's out, got stuff to do, got stuff to do—." Uesugi Muneyuki thought, Master, please spare me!

Hmph~ Seeing Uesugi didn't agree, Erena pouted and stopped talking to him, focused on driving.

Also pouting in the back seat was Saito Asuka; the girl swung her tender white-stockinged calves, keenly watching Ikeda Erena's mood shifts.

Yes, this is Asuka's Inner World ability—Qi Reading.

The girl was born with extremely strong "reading the air" ability, able to quickly understand the surroundings and everyone's expressions and body language; and after Inner World enhancement, Saito Asuka can even clearly see the emotional changes hidden behind each person's face.

For example, when discussing something, how high is this person's willingness to participate, are they seriously discussing or doing it reluctantly?

For example, when making a decision, this person verbally agrees, but do they actually agree or oppose?

Or when eating, don't ask, ask and it's "delicious," but what do they actually think in their heart, is it good or not?

Saito Asuka can now see vague changes through the Inner World perspective.

For instance, Ikeda Erena's mood is exceptionally good right now, especially when bringing up wearing the police uniform with the Polish suspender stockings tonight, Asuka can feel Erena's current emotion is—

Pervert.

The girl pursed her lips, thinking women are perverts too, they just don't show it.

Asuka just awakened, her "Qi Reading" ability still needs training, and the clarity of changes depends on her familiarity with the person; for example, if it's someone she doesn't know at all, "Qi Reading" can only shallowly discern faint favorability rising or falling, vague agreement or opposition on a matter; but for someone like Erena whom Asuka knows very well, she can judge it crystal clear.

Pervert.

This woman, her brain is full of lewd thoughts right now!

Huh? You like Mr. Uesugi?

You're lusting after his body! You're depraved!

Likewise, the girl's "Qi Reading" has another very important function: she can sense those like Uesugi Shiro who have Inner World abilities.

Uesugi Muneyuki is extremely satisfied with Asuka's awakened ability; non-combat, intelligence attribute, and can judge the hidden views of their own side on a matter.

Amazing!

Japanese, or rather the three East Asian countries, including Germans in Europe, are all a rather reserved and introverted species; Japan especially so, only Osakans are the notable exception.

There's a saying that Tokyoites are "demon-faced, demon-hearted," famous for being cold, not liking to trouble others, nor be troubled by others, each sweeping the snow before their own door.

Osakans are "demon-faced, Buddha-hearted"; Kansai people are famous for meddling, loud voices, rich expressions, liking to join the fun and lecture others with a tough attitude that's ordinary yet confident, making people subconsciously uncomfortable, but actually Osakans are very enthusiastic and genuinely like helping people; not just if you actively seek help, Osakans will proactively approach if they see someone possibly in trouble and ask if they need help.

And Kyoto, not far from Osaka, is another extreme.

Kyotoites are "Buddha-faced, demon-hearted"; their tone is so respectful, attitude so friendly, wording so precise, and they'll very kindly say "Oh my, after all you're from the countryside, understand understand" when someone gets history, location, or even direction wrong.

But what they actually think in their hearts is self-evident and deeply meaningful.

Some Kyoto shops even label "Sorry, full today" in English, Chinese, Korean, and French at the entrance, while the Japanese line is written in katakana as "Open for business, please enter."

So don't personify nations; ten li different customs, hundred li different habits; even in a country like Japan that's almost completely monoethnic (except for the very few Ainu), regional differences are huge, let alone down to specific individuals where differences are even greater; there are enthusiastic Kyotoites and cold Osakans too.

This world is interesting!

Thus, Uesugi Muneyuki and his party returned to Tokyo.

And accompanying Uesugi Muneyuki back to Tokyo were the firsthand materials from the "Hand of God" program.

When the news returned to the station that the filming site of the Izu special episode of "Hand of God" had completely spiraled out of control and the director was on the verge of a mental breakdown, Fuji Television President Kameyama Chihiro and FNS Production Bureau Director Abiru Kazuhiko were initially furious.

"Eight ya! Who approved them to provoke Shirakawa Mai?! Is that woman's background something that can be casually touched?!" Kameyama President roared in the office, thinking he would soon face the wrath and massive compensation demands of the Kantou Shinai Alliance.

However, when the technical department timidly presented those "problematic" recording materials, the situation underwent a complete 180-degree reversal.

In the chaotic footage from the surveillance cameras, backup camera positions, and even some staff members' personal recording devices, images that defied ordinary explanation were clearly captured.

"This, this is???"