Chapter 61: The Other Shore of Sorrow

PS: There was indeed only one update yesterday; starting today, there will be two updates a day.

Within Japanese Judo, there once circulated a legendary secret technique known as "Arashi no Yama."

This technique became famous after Saigo Shiro, a disciple of Judo founder Kano Jigoro, used it as his trump card to defeat other schools of Jujutsu at a martial arts tournament held by the Metropolitan Police Department in 1886.

This technique was once considered the ultimate secret of Judo, a culmination of all skills, and was pursued and obsessed over by countless people; later, embellishments by novelists and storytellers turned Arashi no Yama into something akin to an "ultimate move," "forbidden art," or "MAX super-kill."

However, when the Judo Association comprehensively organized all Judo techniques in 1920, the move Arashi no Yama was not selected.

Because after Saigo Shiro, no other Judo athlete could execute this secret technique in actual combat, as Arashi no Yama has extremely high requirements for body type, hand positioning, stance, power-generating technique, and especially the move of kicking backward with the leg followed by an uppercut; furthermore, it requires adjustments for different people's heights and builds, which leads to the existence of "superfluous movements" in practice.

Once the opponent is already grabbed, performing the extra "turning of the back" and foot-stomping provides no benefit and only adds the risk of being countered by the opponent; after Judo techniques progressed and were simplified, no one used Arashi no Yama in actual combat anymore.

The people from the Metropolitan Police Department never imagined that they would have the chance to witness Arashi no Yama in actual combat today!

As Metropolitan Police Department detectives, almost everyone is required to learn Judo, and everyone has seen the demonstration footage of Arashi no Yama to some extent, but seeing someone actually reproduce this move in real combat still shocked the dozens of police officers present, Ikeda Erena.

Does a national-level expert actually exist in a local police station?!

Only national team Judo athletes would demonstrate the skill of Arashi no Yama in some exhibitions, mainly to show off.

How did Ikeda, who has near-national-level strength, end up as a Patrol Officer at a local police station?

Just as the police officers were extremely surprised, the Fuji TV live broadcast crew happened to capture the exact moment Ikeda Erena subdued Fukushima Sozaburo.

Twenty million people across the entire Kanto Region watched this scene simultaneously.

This was also the moment with the highest viewership rating for the Fuji TV live broadcast that evening, reaching 46.8%.

After the slight shock, the police from the Metropolitan Police Department did not stay idle; taking advantage of the suspect being dazed and confused after hitting the ground while still holding a knife, the police finally found a chance to vent. Although they still couldn't fire their guns, the special police from the special unit went up and struck several heavy blows with electric batons, shocking the suspect until he lost the ability to resist on the spot. The detectives from Investigation Division 1 roared, and a group of them piled onto the suspect like a human pyramid, finally snatching the knife from his hand and bringing him under control.

"Impressive, Master Ikeda." Uesugi Muneyuki naturally had no doubts about Ikeda Erena's martial arts abilities; he had been taking private lessons from her for over a month, so he naturally knew how terrifying Erena was in martial arts.

To put it bluntly...

【Wow, this policewoman probably put all her points into her figure and martial arts!】 the Dead Soul of Hironaka Mariko chimed in first, the female anchor feeling both envious and disdainful: 【All her intelligence was sacrificed for it, tsk tsk!】

【Don't steal my lines!】 Uesugi Muneyuki finally couldn't help it; Hironaka Mariko was clearly already dead, so why was she so talkative?

【I don't have to hold back anymore!】 Hironaka Mariko was full of resentment: 【I'm already dead, so what?】

Uesugi Muneyuki stopped talking; that's right, she was already dead, what more could he expect from her?

Moreover, the feeling Hironaka Mariko left him with was different from other Dead Souls; Hironaka Mariko was full of resentment and confusion regarding her own death, so her Dead Soul accumulated a massive amount of emotional energy, which allowed her to remain in an active state for a long time even without Inner World abilities.

The nature of her Dead Soul seemed to have changed.

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't figure it out for the moment.

"Hmph~ bad thing." Ikeda Erena's explosively powerful martial arts finally had a chance to be perfectly displayed, and the tall beauty couldn't help but show a look of pride on her face, especially after receiving Uesugi Muneyuki's admiration and affirmation; she felt waves of pleasure spreading from her chest to her limbs, and her whole body felt refreshed: "With me here, it won't be like last time, I won't let you get hurt!"

Having gained his approval, Erena felt as if she had gained the whole world.

"What an exquisite technique, truly remarkable." On the Metropolitan Police Department side, after confirming that the suspect had been controlled, Police Inspector Megure finally relaxed his expression completely, and he couldn't help but come up to praise her: "Miss Ikeda, I never expected that I, Megure Sota, would actually live to see Arashi no Yama in actual combat."

The surrounding police officers were full of admiration.

For the first time, the elites of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1 realized that perhaps Ikeda Erena really had genuine talent.

For the first time, the Investigation Division 1 led by Police Inspector Megure realized that Ikeda Erena joining the police force didn't seem to just bring chaos and a culture of whistleblowing.

Could she actually be useful?

Seeing is believing; everyone's attitude toward Erena became much more respectful.

At the same time, President Kameyama of Fuji TV and Department Director Abiru of the Production Bureau had witnessed Erena use "Arashi no Yama" with their own eyes, and after hearing that the viewership rating had once again broken 45%, they were already ecstatic.

"Abiru, this is the best live broadcast ever!" President Kameyama could no longer care about his image; he shook his head, opened his mouth wide, and even sprayed saliva.

"The best?" Department Director Abiru feigned hesitation, then burst into hearty laughter: "It's absolutely fantastic!"

The two middle-aged men were brimming with youth and hot-bloodedness, shedding their suit jackets to give each other a fierce fist bump.

"Hahahahahaha hahahahahaha~"

"Hehehehehehe!"

From this point on, the live broadcast of the Fuji TV Odaiba Building lockdown incident came to a temporary end.

From the lockdown starting after six in the evening, to the Fuji TV lockdown live broadcast at seven-thirty, Uesugi Muneyuki finding the body after nine, the on-site autopsy and Q&A at ten, Uesugi Muneyuki searching for evidence and stating characteristics in front of the camera, the arrest starting after ten, to the arrest of the criminal suspect Fukushima Sozaburo at eleven o'clock, the entire Fuji TV staff felt like they had been on a super roller coaster.

Fortunately, it landed smoothly in the end, and everyone was happy.

Except for Hironaka Mariko's family, who seemed unwilling to accept the fact, but what did that have to do with him, President Kameyama?

President Kameyama even secretly sighed, thinking that this kind of thing would be hard to replicate; otherwise, if they had a live broadcast like this once a year, the entire Kanto Broadcasting Association would have Fuji TV's voice as the loudest!

Haha~!

Hironaka, our Fuji TV thanks you for your contribution!

————I am the divider line for once a year————

Just as Fuji TV began arranging an emergency victory banquet, commissioning the Tokyo Imperial Hotel to set up 20 tables to treat the heroes to a feast.

Second floor of the Odaiba Building, temporary interrogation room.

The criminal suspect Fukushima Sozaburo sat on a chair with his head hanging low, surrounded by three layers of police inside and out.

Because this guy had launched an attack with a knife, even though Ikeda Erena had broken three of his ribs and it seemed his internal organs were injured as he bled from his nose and mouth, no police officer spoke up for him, and no police officer thought Erena had used excessive force in self-defense.

This guy deserved to die!

Chief of Section 3 of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1, Kashiwagi Jin, and Chief of the Thirteenth Section, Megure Sota, stepped forward at the same time.

"Mr. Fukushima, could you explain what you were doing between Friday night and early Saturday morning?"

"............"

"This is the footage from that time; why did you enter and exit the Odaiba Building multiple times during that period? And why did you sit on the garden stairs to smoke?"

"............"

"According to surveillance comparisons, this work uniform is the one you were wearing at the time; whose blood is stained on it? Why did you temporarily change out of your work uniform and hide it in the ceiling?"

"............"

"Why did you hide it? And what did you mean by that phrase about giving back the life you ruined?"

"…………"

Fukushima Sozaburo looked to be over forty, though he was actually not yet forty. His expression was haggard and his beard was stubbly; his face was covered in wrinkles, his mental state was extremely poor, and he had heavy dark circles under his eyes. Facing the interrogation of two detectives, he could only remain silent.

"Speak! You bastard!!!" Kashiwagi Jin was so angry he slapped the table and grabbed Fukushima Sozaburo by the collar: "Kora! You idiot, you've caused our Metropolitan Police Department to work overtime for most of the night, mobilizing five precincts and half of the headquarters—nearly 1,000 police officers—and you think you can just play dead like this?!"

"Not to mention anything else, just based on the charge of assaulting a police officer with a knife and obstructing official duties, we can send you away for at least five years! Five years, five years! Not to mention the evidence is conclusive; do you think your silence is useful? Huh?!"

Perhaps because the incident of assaulting a police officer with a knife was too egregious, the Metropolitan Police Department, which originally had no right to use violent interrogation, let go of their restraints and took a very tough stance.

"Kashiwagi!" Police Inspector Megure still stopped his star colleague: "Wait a moment, we promised Uesugi-kun earlier."

"That was your promise, not mine!"

But Fukushima Sozaburo still did not say a word.

Outside the room, Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena were watching Watanabe Minami. The Face of the Metropolitan Police Department put down her phone: "Alright, that's enough."

"The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office says they are also watching the live broadcast. Ms. Ikeda Erena, you will not be prosecuted by the District Public Prosecutors Office for the possibility of excessive self-defense." Watanabe Minami gave a brilliant smile, sweet as honey: "By the way, that was a very beautiful Judo technique; you've brought honor to our Metropolitan Police Department."

"Thank you, Police Inspector Watanabe." Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena bowed together to thank Watanabe Minami.

"Don't, I'm the one who should be expressing gratitude. Are you praising me or mocking me?" Watanabe Minami hurriedly tucked her hair behind her ears and shook her head with poise: "The investigation was you, the autopsy was you, the deduction was you, and in the end, you were the one who provided the clues to catch the person and resolve the threat. All I could do was help with these matters; being able to help you is my honor."

"Alright, I won't say any more. Uesugi-kun, as promised." Watanabe Minami pulled open the door to the temporary interrogation room, signaling that it was time: "Feel free to do your work, leave the rest to me."

Uesugi Muneyuki walked into the temporary interrogation room alone.

Surrounded by layers upon layers of security, Uesugi Muneyuki sat down opposite Fukushima Sozaburo.

"Mr. Fukushima, hello, I am Uesugi Muneyuki." He first greeted the suspect.

"…………" The other party did not reply.

"Let me tell you a story." Uesugi Muneyuki got straight to the point.

"Your name is Fukushima, 39 years old, and you are a temporary employee at a staffing agency."

"You are not married, have no children, and have no savings, but you also have no debts. Having come to Tokyo from the countryside, you have always been obsessed with the grandeur and magnificence of this city. The people here are always like a surging tide; you are very insecure, but also very excited."

"You have always loved life and cherished everything you have on hand. Although you are only a temporary employee, you are still very serious and responsible about your work. You work very hard, trying hard to prove your worth to everyone."

"Very fortunately, your efforts were recognized by the president and those around you. You were very happy; you thought that perhaps you might have a chance to stay. Although it is almost impossible for a temporary employee to become a permanent one, but... what if?"

When Uesugi Muneyuki said this, Police Inspector Megure and Police Inspector Kashiwagi nearby both thought he was making up a story.

As a result, Fukushima Sozaburo clearly reacted. He raised his head, his eyes filled with five parts fear and five parts hatred, yet he dared not look directly into Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes.

Having worked in criminal investigation for a long time, it was impossible not to know what it meant when a suspect showed this expression.

What the hell?!

"Among them, Ms. Hironaka Mariko always took good care of you and was very polite to you. Although you knew in your heart that it was impossible for anything to happen between her and you, you still cherished the time you spent interacting with her. As long as you could say a word to her, or even see her look at you, your whole body would be filled with strength."

Uesugi Muneyuki continued: "But unfortunately, you soon learned that she was getting married."

"This originally would have been nothing, and you even wished her a happy marriage." The expression on Uesugi Muneyuki's face began to become much more solemn: "But just before she got off work before her wedding, Ms. Hironaka suddenly called you over. She said she wanted to talk to you in private."

Fukushima Sozaburo's eyes widened. Like a neurotic honest man, his eyes went straight, and he twisted uneasily in his seat. A smile-like expression appeared on his face, and blood slowly flowed from the corner of his mouth.

"So the two of you avoided the blind spots of the surveillance and came to the underground area." Uesugi Muneyuki looked into Fukushima Sozaburo's eyes: "Except for you, no one knows exactly what happened. But, what exactly did such a gentle, such a kind Ms. Hironaka Mariko say to you that caused you to suddenly kill her? Please tell us, okay?"

"I beg you." Uesugi Muneyuki bowed slightly.

"Haha~" Fukushima Sozaburo finally spoke. He burst into loud laughter, his eyes filled with tears: "Hahaha-haha!"

"You guys, you got it wrong from the very beginning." The suspect laughed several times in a row, and then his features twisted into a ball due to pain, turning from laughter to tears: "What gentleness, what kindness, it was all a lie!"

"Fake! It was all fake! What Fuji TV anchor, what polite care, it was all fake!"

Fukushima Sozaburo sniffled hard. A thirty-nine-year-old grown man finally broke down in tears at this moment, filled with hatred and resentment: "She was just getting married and was afraid she wouldn't have the chance later, so she finally told me to my face!"

"She told me I didn't need to work so hard anymore because the station didn't plan to make any temporary employees permanent this term. She told me she felt very sorry about it! Haha! Sorry!"

"She hoped I could accept the facts! Haha, facts!"

"She also said that someone as excellent as me would definitely have a chance to become permanent elsewhere! Haha! A chance!"

"Who doesn't know she has a relationship with the president? Who doesn't know that the news she spreads is always true?" Fukushima Sozaburo was covered in snot and tears, his voice hoarse and desperate.

"This bitch, in the end, she finally couldn't help but come to mock me, to come to laugh at me. It's because she's getting married and quitting to be a full-time housewife, right? Thinking we won't meet again, right? She finally couldn't help it!"

"So I killed her, I strangled her, I destroyed her. She could destroy my life! I could destroy her life! I liked her so much..."

"How about it? Are you police satisfied now?!" Fukushima Sozaburo covered his face, tears streaming down: "Fake, it was all fake. I once thought she was an angel, but everything was fake!"

"Fake!"

Fukushima Sozaburo's statement left Uesugi Muneyuki stunned. He carefully chewed over the words spoken from the man's mouth and the words heard from Hironaka Mariko's mouth. An unimaginable burning pain spread through his heart, causing him to clutch his chest, coughing desperately, with tears and snot coming out together.

He understood what was going on!

Fukushima Sozaburo had not understood Hironaka Mariko's words from the very beginning!

He thought she was mocking him.

It was just that simple!

So tired. 4,000 words a day is already a lot. Why doesn't the editor understand this truth?

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(End of chapter)