Chapter 55: Mai-senpai, when did you arrive? (Second update!)

PS: This is the second update; the third update will be in a little while.

Ten o'clock at night, Tokyo, Nerima Ward, inside an ordinary detached house.

A middle-aged old fogey is lounging on the tatami, watching the television with rapt attention.

This detached house is relatively new, built after the millennium, and still follows the Japanese preference of designating a specific "Japanese-style room" area even if the floor space is small, using tatami to construct an old-fashioned Japanese-style environment.

The old fogey looks quite slovenly at home, with a handful of edamame scattered on the table and two bottles of Suntory beer, drinking while watching a special live broadcast on Fuji TV.

"Honey, get up for a second!" A housewife with a waist like a water barrel and wearing an apron holds a vacuum cleaner.

"Oh!" The old fogey remains completely sprawled on the tatami and doesn't get up; facing the incoming vacuum, he performs an incredible, flexible maneuver, twisting on the tatami like a maggot, managing to clear enough space for the vacuum without ever standing up, letting the housewife vacuum the tatami.

"Honestly!" The housewife is speechless at her husband, putting down the vacuum with her hands on her hips: "Tanaka, look at others; they are working hard on the investigation, while you are lying at home. Moritsugu, who was in your cohort, is already a Police Inspector and even received a Superintendent General's Award. What about you? You were an Assistant Police Inspector ten years ago, and you're still like this ten years later? Can you have some ambition? When will you ever be promoted to Police Inspector?"

"Mrs. Masuyama next door asks about this every time, and I feel embarrassed for you!" The housewife nags incessantly, unable to stop once she starts: "Eirina is going to high school soon, and cram school costs a lot of money. We haven't finished paying off the mortgage on this house yet. When will you ever be promoted to Police Inspector?"

"There are still a full 12 years left on the mortgage for this house!"

"Soon, soon!" Tanaka Laodeng mumbles on the tatami.

"You said that eight years ago." The housewife looks indifferent.

"This time is different! This time is different!" Tanaka Laodeng feels his dignity as the head of the household has been challenged, so to show his status, he rolls over fiercely on the tatami: "I'm serious, this time I have a great chance of being promoted to Police Inspector!"

"You said that three years ago." The housewife eyes him askance.

"It's different, my excellent work ability has already been recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department!" Tanaka Laodeng is a bit flustered: "Don't you even believe me?"

"You said that three months ago." Mrs. Tanaka remains calm: "You said you got a Superintendent General's Award and several days of paid leave, and we had agreed to go to Shikoku for a few days as a family, but then you got disciplined again, the paid leave was gone, and 800,000 was deducted from your bonus. Is that the same?"

Tanaka Laodeng is left red-faced by his wife's words and simply ignores her.

Just then, the situation on the television changes abruptly.

"Fuji Television, Fuji Television, we are live broadcasting the Odaiba Building lockdown incident. Latest intelligence: the Metropolitan Police Department has found the whereabouts of our station's anchor, Hironaka Mariko!"

The atmosphere at Fuji TV is agitated; even though the cameras are blocked by the Metropolitan Police Department and cannot capture the specific situation inside the small room immediately, the live broadcast report attracts everyone's attention.

What, they found her?!

Tanaka Laodeng widens his eyes, and even Mrs. Tanaka subconsciously stops her housework to watch the TV.

"Invited to assist by the Chief of the Thirteenth Section of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1, Forensic Pathologist Uesugi Muneyuki from Tokyo Medical and Dental University has discovered the body of our station's anchor, Hironaka Mariko!" The Fuji TV anchor speaks clearly and excitedly into the camera: "The Metropolitan Police Department is currently conducting a preliminary autopsy and investigation. We will announce any new findings immediately!"

"Now, let us insert some information regarding Uesugi Muneyuki. Uesugi Muneyuki, 22 years old, descendant of the Dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin..."

Tanaka Laodeng, watching the TV, has his pupils dilate; he rolls over on the floor and stands up immediately, dumbfounded.

Wait, how is this kid on Fuji TV?!

"Eh? Is this that Uesugi-kun you're always talking about?" Mrs. Tanaka becomes interested: "Wow, what a handsome person."

"Yes, yes, that's him!" Tanaka Laodeng clenches his fists excitedly, as if showing off his own collection: "Haven't I been telling you about him? Look, he's even been invited by the headquarters to help!"

"That's true, but what does that have to do with you?" Mrs. Tanaka still eyes him askance; after twenty years of marriage, she really finds everything about her husband displeasing.

"Ugh! Blind!" Tanaka Laodeng is about to go crazy, but he has to explain to his wife: "Don't forget, little brother Uesugi is a talent I discovered. The headquarters knows this too. Little brother Uesugi connecting with the headquarters is the same as me connecting with the headquarters, doesn't that mean I'm close to a promotion?"

"Really?" Mrs. Tanaka finally believes him a little.

"Of course it's true." Tanaka Laodeng emphasizes it a few more times, barely managing to make his wife believe that he really still has a chance for promotion. Seeing the previously acerbic and sarcastic Mrs. Tanaka immediately beam with joy, the old fogey can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Looking back at the TV, he suddenly sees a figure of peerless beauty in the frame.

The national actress, the treasure of the Soul Agency, Shirakawa Mai?

"Shi! Shi!" Tanaka Laodeng quickly calls his daughter: "Come watch TV, your favorite Mai-sama is on!"

————I am the separator line for Mai-sama being the best in the world————

The second basement level of Fuji TV quickly becomes a restricted area, with Special Squad detectives in bulletproof vests and holding MP5 Submachine Guns guarding every major intersection.

The detectives carefully remove Ms. Hironaka Mariko's body from the wall. At this time, the Forensics Division personnel are still on their way, and Uesugi Muneyuki has already begun the autopsy.

This is also what Uesugi Muneyuki planned; he had to make the Metropolitan Police Department break the wall, and he could only perform the autopsy if they were present.

Police Inspector Megure is clearly very savvy; he first scolds Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena in front of everyone, stating that they shouldn't be running around and that this is adding chaos to the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation. Then, after receiving an apology from Uesugi Muneyuki, Police Inspector Megure takes the opportunity to request Uesugi Muneyuki to perform a superficial autopsy in the capacity of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Thus, the illegal search becomes a legal autopsy, and Police Inspector Megure also explains to Fuji TV that Uesugi Muneyuki is an autopsy expert he invited himself.

"Clavicle and frontal bone fractures; the cause of death is asphyxiation." Uesugi Muneyuki only takes a few looks before immediately giving his deduction: "No signs of assault. The estimated time of death is between Friday night and the early morning; she was likely murdered not long after disappearing from the surveillance cameras."

After speaking, Uesugi Muneyuki habitually strengthens his Dharma Image of the Wisdom King to significantly enhance his linguistic charisma and persuasiveness.

However, what he does not notice is that just as he releases his Inner World Power, the national actress, who is standing in the police line but not noticed by any of the police, as if invisible, widens her eyes.

The fair-skinned beauty's gaze remains fixed on the Dharma Image above Uesugi Muneyuki's head, her face showing terror. After a moment of thought, she takes out her phone, edits quickly, and immediately sends a message to her Agent.

"Miko, I need the information on this person named Uesugi Muneyuki, right now, as fast as possible, as much as possible!"

She continues to hide in the crowd; the Special Squad SWAT officer holding an MP5 next to her watches the surroundings nervously, yet looks right through Shirakawa Mai as if she doesn't exist!

"The deceased has signs of struggle before death, meaning she tried to resist. One high-heeled shoe is missing and was not found at the scene; it is possible it was taken by the killer."

Uesugi Muneyuki only takes a few looks before giving a fairly complete judgment.

"Killer? Uesugi-kun, do you believe this is a homicide?" Police Inspector Megure immediately notices the key point in Uesugi Muneyuki's words.

"Otherwise? If Ms. Hironaka wanted to commit suicide, there's no reason to choose a place like this." Uesugi Muneyuki retorts: "Suicides, especially female suicides, often hope to leave this world with dignity. If they can't be dignified, a grand exit is fine too, but who would stuff themselves into a wall?"

"There are also female suicides who walk alone into scenic areas and disappear into the deep forest." Police Inspector Megure does not fully agree with Uesugi Muneyuki's point of view, but regardless, the fact that the body was found makes this Investigation Division 1 Police Inspector who pushed for the building lockdown breathe a huge sigh of relief. He then notices a key question: "By the way, little brother Uesugi, why were you able to find this place? And how exactly did you discover the body was hidden in the wall?"

"I smelled it." Uesugi Muneyuki examines the surface of the body.

"Ah?"

"I was curious, and then I smelled the stench of the corpse." Uesugi Muneyuki says indifferently: "I followed the stench and found this place."

"Are you a cadaver dog?" Police Inspector Megure is left speechless by Uesugi Muneyuki's answer: "Is your nose that sensitive?"

Thinking that he has worked hard all day and can finally relax, Police Inspector Megure reaches out and pats Uesugi Muneyuki on the shoulder: "Regardless, thanks, little brother Uesugi. If it weren't for you, we would have been searching until who knows when. My entire Metropolitan Police Department thanks you."

"I also want to thank you, Uesugi-kun."

As if appearing suddenly from the air, a bright and beautiful face with a friendly smile, long black hair hanging down like a waterfall of dark clouds, eyes long and narrow, aloof yet charming, a fair-skinned beauty like an ice lotus on the Heaven Lake of Changbai Mountain appears in the small room, also thanking Uesugi Muneyuki: "Nice to meet you, I am Shirakawa Mai from the Soul Agency. Please treat me well."

"However, we might not be meeting for the first time, junior from Gunma Tokiwa High School?"

Her sudden appearance leaves Uesugi Muneyuki stunned.

Senior Mai?! When did you arrive?

At this moment, the entire small room seemed to suddenly become aware of the existence of Bai Chuan Mai. Police Inspector Megure was still waiting to discuss the matter of the corpse with Uesugi Muneyuki, but seeing her there, he was both surprised and angry: "Why are you here? Miss Bai Chuan?"

Uesugi Muneyuki's Senior Mai greeted him very politely: "I came here together with President Kameyama and the others."

"This is a very dangerous place, Miss Bai Chuan, please step out first, would you?"

Bai Chuan Mai was dignified and graceful, her smile radiant. This woman seemed to possess magic; when she stood among the crowd, the surrounding scenery and people's faces automatically became blurred and dimmed. It was as if she were the only person left in the small room, and one simply could not look away.

The goddess from the television had appeared before them and was even smiling and greeting them. Police Inspector Megure, being of an older age, was fine, but those twenty- or thirty-year-old fools from Investigation Division 1 and the Special Task Force were all red-faced, scratching their ears and cheeks, and incredibly nervous.

Police Inspector Megure noticed that two of his subordinates, twenty-something-year-old fools of Police Sergeants, were even nervously lifting their sleeves to sniff them, having worked all day and fearing that a foul odor on their bodies might offend her.

No, if this continues, the fools' attention will be...

"If the preliminary autopsy is finished, we will head out first and explain the sequence of events to Fuji TV." Police Inspector Megure sternly rebuked his subordinates with his eyes for still being at work: "Miss Bai Chuan, please come out with us now. This is a crime scene! You are not allowed to linger!"

"They're coming out, they're coming out!"

The door to the small room opened a crack. Outside, the noise was deafening and the crowd was excited. Just as they were about to ask questions, Bai Chuan Mai, who was following behind Uesugi Muneyuki, instantly stole everyone's gaze!

Bai Chuan Mai, when did she arrive?!

From then on, no one paid any attention to what Police Inspector Megure was saying in front of the camera; the cameras were aimed at the National Goddess who was taking the initiative to talk to Uesugi Muneyuki!

Bai Chuan Mai's smile was like a flower. Her pair of bright, charming eyes observed Uesugi Muneyuki's reaction in detail. Seeing that he did not recognize her immediately, she whispered a reminder: "I also attended Tokiwa Middle School, Uesugi-kun, we are schoolmates! Don't you remember?"

Senior, knows me?

Uesugi Muneyuki thought to himself.

He naturally knew Senior Mai, but in his impression, Senior Mai had appeared at school fewer than ten times during her entire third year of high school, appearing almost only for important exams and events, and Uesugi Muneyuki had only seen her from afar a few times.

How could such a Senior Mai know him?

This was simply an unexpected joy!

Uesugi Muneyuki met Senior Bai Chuan Mai's gaze and nodded: "I transferred to Gunma Tokiwa Middle School in my second year of high school. Senior was in her third year then, right? I only saw Bai Chuan-san from afar a few times. I didn't expect to meet here; it is truly a pleasure!"

"Yes, it is truly a pleasure. I didn't expect to meet someone from the same high school here." Senior Mai leaned her upper body slightly forward, across Ikeda Erena and Police Inspector Megure, moving a little closer to Uesugi Muneyuki. Her beautiful face, overflowing with infinite miracles and light, carried three parts smile and seven parts seriousness: "Then, may I call you Junior-kun?"

"Then... should I call you Senior, or should I call you Senpai?" Uesugi Muneyuki felt it was truly strange. He had never dreamed that his Senior Mai would take the initiative to come up and recognize him, to take the initiative to communicate.

A long-lost sense of excitement made his body exhilarated, his adrenaline secreting wildly, and his usually calm expression was a bit hard to maintain. This feeling was like having had a crush on a girl in class for a long time when young, only to accidentally discover that she had also been crushing on you.

But there was still one doubt.

Does Senior know that there is an Uesugi in Gunma?

How did she know about me?

"As you like." Senior Mai covered her small mouth, a strange light flashing in her beautiful eyes: "Since I have called you Junior, you should call me Senior."

"Then... Senior Mai?" Uesugi Muneyuki accepted this proposal. He suppressed his excitement and called out cautiously.

He secretly played a little trick, calling her Senior Mai instead of Senior Bai Chuan.

"Little Junior-kun~" Bai Chuan Mai revealed a radiant smile and said playfully: "Do you still remember the snack shop next to the school? The one run by the white-haired old grandpa and grandma?"

"Of course I remember. I remember it was... Grandpa Konno and Grandma Konno?"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's the one, the one at the corner. Their croquettes and daifuku are super delicious!" Bai Chuan Mai also became excited: "And that Sankiya at the end of the street, the Vegetable Tempura is super~ delicious~!"

"That place only has Set Meals at noon, no Vegetable Tempura. I have never eaten it once." Uesugi Muneyuki also replied casually: "It's only available at night, and it's very expensive!"

"Ha, then Junior-kun, you missed out on a delicacy. It's fine, next time I'll take you to eat it. Hmm, I don't know if it's still open, though."

Right in front of the camera, Bai Chuan Mai just chatted with Uesugi Muneyuki without any scruples.

And just as they were chatting, the expressions of the people around them were exceptionally spectacular.

How did these two start chatting??

Moreover, as the National Goddess, Bai Chuan Mai almost never had scandals, and rarely had intimate interactions with men outside of official business. What was the meaning of this intimate senior-junior exchange in front of people?

More importantly, as a national-level goddess, among the police, the special team, and the Fuji TV staff present, one dare not say all, but at least nearly half of them harbored admiration for Bai Chuan Mai in their hearts.

What is this, an on-site NTR?

No one cared what Police Inspector Megure was saying anymore, and even the camera was no longer pointed at him. The boom microphone was also turned to hang over Uesugi and Bai Mai.

"So noisy!!!" Police Inspector Megure was the first one who couldn't take it anymore. He opened his mouth and roared: "If you want to hold a class reunion, both of you get out of here! Running around everywhere instead of staying in the position we arranged for you—Uesugi, little brother, is one thing, but Bai Chuan-san, can you look at what kind of place this is? Is this a place for you to get involved in senior-junior relationships?"

However, no one cared about the Metropolitan Police Department's attitude at all; instead, Fuji TV was having a blast.

"President, Bai Chuan-san is on screen, the ratings have already broken through 35% and are still rising!" the TV station employee said with ecstasy: "If this continues, we are going to surpass the Kohaku Uta Gassen!"

"Good? Good, good!" President Kameyama clapped his hands in ecstasy!

"Today is the happiest day!"

"Don't mind the Metropolitan Police Department, keep broadcasting for me, broadcast it hard!"

This is the second update!

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(End of this chapter)