Chapter 601: Once Again Struck by Lightning, the Cherry Blossoms!

Uesugi Muneyuki faced Hironaka Mariko's question, merely smiling: "Do you still remember that time, that time, in Yamada Aika's detention center, the night she inexplicably committed suicide? Mai Xuejie and I went to investigate together but found nothing?"

"Of course I remember. At the time we judged that someone must have come and said something to Yamada." Hironaka Mariko recalled, immediately saying: "Wait! You mean...?"

"Right. Same logic, there's also Igarashi Aiko's case." Uesugi Muneyuki continued: "In the end, weren't Sasaki Toshito and those guys attacked in the car during the body disposal, fell into the sea and died, causing the Kanagawa Prefectural Police to rule Sasaki as a related party already dead during investigation, so they never considered investigating this angle? In the end, I used insurance connections to successfully investigate this conflict case and finally found this group?"

"But afterwards there's still a doubt: how exactly did the other party launch an attack inside the car?"

Uesugi Muneyuki muttered: "I didn't understand before either, until I encountered Shizuo in the Imperial Palace case. He indicated the enemy emerged from shadows. I finally understood."

"So what did you understand? Spit it out!" Hironaka Mariko said impatiently: "Not everyone is your dear Erina Shīshō, who likes listening to you talk a bunch then slowly analyze, then stupidly guess one by one."

"Heh, if it were my Eriringa Shīshō, she'd have guessed it by now." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled and nodded: "That person is the host I went with to investigate Yamada's champagne tower in Kabukicho! Takigawa Tsubasa!"

"What???" Hironaka Mariko froze: "This, this can't be right? You're saying Takigawa Tsubasa is an underworld existence like you? But, but if he has this talent, why would he be a host?"

"This is precisely our investigative blind spot. Is there a possibility — I'm saying possibility — that Takigawa Tsubasa's underworld awakening was precisely because he encountered this kind of thing, was discovered to be a Yakuza fringe member and hunted by both sides, forcing him to awaken the underworld path under immense pressure?"

Uesugi Muneyuki pinched his chin, saying seriously: "I even suspect Saijo Yasue's case might have had some Takigawa Tsubasa shadow. Remember, Public Security Police once investigated a suspicious motorcycle man around 30 near Saijo Yasue's home, but they were thrown off by Doi Yuan's skull being placed in a warehouse of some organization conducting drug transactions. Now it seems that might not have been..."

"No." At this moment, Hironaka Mariko shook her head: "Although Uesugi, what you say has some reason, it's still wrong."

"The presence I felt at Miyawaki Sakura's place and the presence I felt at Yamada's place — what you say does resemble them somewhat, but I still feel there's a difference. So I think it's not the same person." Hironaka Mariko carefully distinguished, then said: "Uesugi, don't over-trust your judgment."

"That's what worries me most." Uesugi Muneyuki sighed: "Do you know what this means?"

"It means this Takigawa Tsubasa possibly cultivated a Dharma Body like me and Mai Xuejie!" Uesugi Muneyuki frowned: "Then there's only one answer: he received grace from Kansai! Anbu Nínxià Yàng gave him underworld power!"

"What???"

……………………

The car entered Bunkyo Ward's quiet and expensive district, finally stopping before a tower with extreme modern design — Sakata Bridge.

The rain had lessened, but night deepened. Miyawaki Sakura followed Uesugi Muneyuki into the mirror-bright lobby. The understated luxurious decor and silently flowing security atmosphere made her keenly feel the gap between two worlds.

Reasonably speaking, Sakura's annual income is 18 million yen, even higher than Uesugi Muneyuki after his raise, but their social statuses are worlds apart.

As long as it's Uesugi-sensei's, it's definitely good!

Her heart, after fear receded, was replaced by a hidden anticipation and eagerness.

The elevator rose smoothly, the enclosed space containing only the two of them.

Miyawaki Sakura secretly glanced at the man's cold, sharp profile. The faint snow pine scent on him mixed with rain's slight dampness, making her heartbeat irregular.

Night, private, tower, and with Uesugi-sensei!

Want to have a hot, sweet shared bath? Sakura's brain already had the scene!

But I'm still... I'm still a minor! Tenshi Sakura immediately warned.

Isn't that even better?! Akuma Sakura grinned wickedly.

Right, isn't that even better?!

Uesugi-sensei is a traditional person, born into a very traditional Peerage family!

Once the rice is cooked, let's see where he runs!

She subconsciously pressed together her legs clad in light gray stockings, high heels pointing slightly inward — an unconsciously adopted, slightly seductive posture. She even mentally rehearsed various possible scenes, cheeks flushing faintly.

"Arrived." Uesugi Muneyuki's voice broke the silence.

He led her to stop before a door at the end of the 16th floor rear 6 corridor, opening it with fingerprint and password.

"Basic living necessities should all be..." Uesugi Muneyuki said while pushing the door open.

However, before his words fell, a lazy, pleasant female voice came from inside, carrying a hint of intimate laughter:

"Sōsetsu, so late returning? Matter handled?"

The anticipation and shyness on Miyawaki Sakura's face froze instantly, as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

Mai-sama???!!!

In the spacious bright living room, a woman with graceful figure leaned lazily beside the open kitchen's central island.

She wore a silk camisole nightdress, color champagne gold that extremely complemented her skin tone. The smooth fabric softly clung to her exquisite body curves. The hem only reached her upper thighs, revealing a pair of straight, slender, dazzlingly white jade legs.

She seemed to have just bathed. Slightly damp black hair fell casually over her shoulders. Her bare face was still breathtakingly beautiful — skin translucent, features exquisite as if meticulously carved by a craftsman. Especially those clear eyes carrying a hint of detachment, now gazing over with a faint smile.

Head of the Kanto Shrine Alliance — Shirakawa Mai!

Mai was clearly as familiar here as her own home. She held a cup of steaming red tea. Her gaze naturally passed Uesugi Muneyuki, landing on Miyawaki Sakura frozen at the door, face deathly pale.

Her gaze swiftly swept over Miyawaki Sakura's obviously carefully prepared "decisive battle outfit" — ivory white lace dress, light gray stockings, nude high heels. A flash of hard-to-catch understanding flickered in her eyes, but instantly transformed into an impeccable, senior-style gentle smile.

"Oh my, isn't this little Sakura?" Mai's voice still gentle: "Why come at this time? Bringing luggage too? Encountered some trouble? I heard Sōsetsu say, say your home had suspicious people?"

"Ah re re~ But~ how strange! Sakura, you encounter this, why not notify operations first, not notify friends second, not notify me this senior third, but instead first come find Uesugi?"

Mai Xuejie slightly widened her beautiful brilliant eyes, but eyes lifeless, pupils dilated losing highlight, face wreathed in black qi, instantly transforming from Shirakawa into Heishi.

Heishi Mai reappears!

Miyawaki Sakura's cerebrum went blank. All calculations, expectations, secret joy — shattered by reality this moment.

She felt like a thief caught red-handed. Cheeks burning hot, even ear roots red. She subconsciously wanted to hide those legs wearing "seduction weapons," but nowhere to hide.

"M-Mai-sama!" She almost reflexively bowed ninety degrees, voice stuttering from extreme tension and embarrassment: "V-Very sorry to disturb! I-I didn't know this was yours... I..."

Ugh! Done for!!!

She spoke incoherently, wishing to find a crack to burrow into.

This is Mai-sama's property? Then her little schemes just now... god!

Waaah, sorry Mai-sama, not that I wanted to steal a bite, opportunity was too rare!

Uesugi Muneyuki seemed unsurprised by Mai's appearance, tone calm explaining: "She had a situation, can't return temporarily. Your vacant apartment downstairs, I arranged her there first."

Yes, ever since Uesugi Muneyuki moved over, Mai Xuejie always felt dating inconvenient. Plus Uesugi busy, she busy. So she managed to buy this 16th floor 2LDK tower, planning to be upstairs-downstairs neighbors with Uesugi Muneyuki. Didn't expect it'd be used this fast.

As for the situation, naturally Uesugi Muneyuki notified in the chain of events.

Mai Xuejie understood, nodded meaningfully, walked to Miyawaki Sakura, kindly helped her up: "No need to be so stiff, little Sakura. It's fine. Being able to think of coming to Sōsetsu in difficulty shows you trust him. Here is safe. Rest easy." Her manner generous and proper, fully displaying National Female Star's bearing, instead making Miyawaki Sakura's earlier hidden thoughts seem all the more ridiculous and awkward.

However, silent pressure followed.

What I give you is yours!

If I don't give it to you, you can't take it!

Miyawaki Sakura lowered her head, not daring to look into Mai's eyes, and could only murmur: "Yes... thank you very much, Mai-sama! I've caused trouble for you and Mr. Uesugi!"

The secret joy in her heart had long been replaced by the embarrassment of having nowhere to hide and a faint, inexplicable sense of loss. That night, she thought she had grasped a lifeline, possibly even climbed to a high branch, but she never expected that upon opening the door, she would see the very person of the "imperial edict" she must look up to.

Safety was indeed secured, but the road ahead seemed far more complicated than she had imagined.

Thus, Miyawaki Sakura hastily placed her belongings in the second room, feeling her head in a turmoil, and quickly hid the three boxes of Okamoto she had prepared under the pillow, intending to take off the Poland Marylian gray silk stockings on her legs, but then thought that doing so would be equivalent to giving up on Mr. Uesugi. After some thought, she steeled herself and came out, only to see Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai sitting on the sofa, gesturing for her to sit down.

Sakura chose a spot on the edge of the sofa, sat lightly, kept her body straight, and maintained a posture ready to stand at any moment.

Little Sakura, accept the challenge!

"Sakura-chan, you, don't have anything to say to us?" At that moment, Mai Xuejie's lovely face lit up with a meaningful faint smile, and she suddenly spoke.

"Eh?!"

Little Sakura was struck by lightning again!

(Chapter End)