Chapter 637: Awakening and Finale

PS: I've recovered from my cold, so here's a super double-length chapter of 7,300 characters for you today!

During a series of searches and investigations at the prosecutor's office, time flew by, the external situation grew increasingly tense, and Uesugi Muneshige also needed to prepare for his upcoming wedding.

Before the wedding, he had to take Minami to finally meet his grandfather and parents.

As mentioned earlier, the Uesugi family's residence in Tokyo is located in Bunkyo Ward, a mansion blending traditional Japanese style with modern Western elements, possessing a Taisho-era democratic romantic aesthetic. From the outside, it appears no different from other scholars' mansions nearby, but only those who know the inside story can glimpse its unusual historical lineage from the silhouette of the garden wall and the family crest on the gateposts.

Uesugi Muneshige stood at the gate, his palms unusually damp.

I'm really getting married, yet I feel a bit frightened.

Why do I feel a bit afraid of marriage, huh?

He wore a custom-made dark blue suit, the fabric soft and tailoring excellent, yet on his tall frame it appeared somewhat restrained.

Beside him, Watanabe Minami gently adjusted the hem of her furisode kimono; she had chosen a light cherry-colored visiting kimono, with delicate wisteria patterns embroidered on the cuffs and hem—showing respect for formal occasions while cleverly avoiding excessive extravagance.

"Are you ready?" Uesugi Muneshige asked, turning slightly, his voice lower than usual and slightly trembling.

Watanabe Minami lifted her eyes to him; those sharp eyes that usually left suspects nowhere to hide now shimmered with a gentle smile: "Muneshige, you're calmer than you look, my fiancé, a PhD student at Tokyo University, Chief Medical Examiner of the Metropolitan Police Department?"

Uesugi Muneshige chuckled softly, reached out, and pressed the doorbell. His gaze fell upon the exquisite family crest on the gatepost—crafted from bamboo and sparrows—the "bamboo sparrow crest" of the Yonezawa Uesugi clan.

For centuries, this crest has witnessed the Uesugi family's transformation from Sengoku daimyo to Meiji nobility, and then to modern scholarly lineage.

Soon, I will completely leave this place behind. The door slid open silently, and an elderly woman in her sixties, wearing plain kimono, bowed slightly: "Young Master Muneshige, Miss Minami, we've been waiting for you."

"Aunt Sawako, long time no see." Muneshige nodded in return.

In the eyes of this female steward, who had served the Uesugi family since his childhood, a glimmer of relief passed.

Japanese anime often features strong maid culture, but this is merely the fantasy of a bunch of otaku; truly loyal, diligent maids like those in anime—capable of (double meaning)—no longer exist in modern times. What remains in old aristocratic families like this is merely a semblance of tradition, but essentially it's still about paying for service, at most with a hint of familial feeling.

Even Cao Xueqin knew that even if you sold yourself into servitude, you still needed to be paid to guarantee loyalty and diligence!

At the entrance, three pairs of slippers were neatly arranged—two for men, one for women. Minami noticed this detail: the Uesugi family had anticipated their visit and made thorough preparations, though the placement order and position still followed strict traditional etiquette.

As she took off her wooden clogs, Muneshige naturally reached out to steady her—a small gesture, but Sawako caught it sharply, her approving expression becoming even more evident.

Their relationship is still good, even though it's a political marriage; if their personal feelings are strong, it will only benefit the future, with no drawbacks.

Passing through a corridor adorned with modern Japanese paintings, they arrived before the tea room door, where paper sliding doors cast two shadows, now engaged in quiet conversation.

Uesugi Muneshige took a deep breath and slid open the door.

The tea room's interior was more spacious than expected—about ten tatami mats in size. The air carried a faint scent of incense and the clean aroma of aged tatami mats. Most striking was the calligraphy hanging on the wall—"Act without contention"—with powerful brushstrokes and smooth ink flow, signed by the current family head, Uesugi Kuninori.

Below the calligraphy, two men knelt on the tatami mats.

Facing the doorway was an elderly man with white hair, over seventy, spine straight as a pine, wearing a deep gray striped kimono bearing the Uesugi bamboo sparrow crest, eyes sharp as a hawk—this is the current head of the Uesugi family, Professor Uesugi Kuninori of Tokyo University's Department of Astrophysical Dynamics.

Kneeling beside him was a man in his early fifties, slightly uneasy, wearing a conservative yet well-tailored Western suit—this is Uesugi Muneshige's father, Uesugi Hirokun, director of the Tokyo Cultural Exchange Hall.

"Grandfather, Father." Uesugi Muneshige paused at the threshold, bowing deeply.

Minami followed his movement, her posture flawlessly graceful.

"Please come in." Uesugi Kuninori's voice was calm and low, carrying the dignified rhythm formed by years of teaching.

The two removed their shoes and entered the tea room, sitting opposite the host.

The entire process was silent, save for the faint sound of clothing brushing against the tatami mats.

The maid Sawako silently brought out the tea utensils and began preparing matcha.

Uesugi Kuninori's gaze first fell on Minami, observing her for a moment before giving a slight nod: "Miss Watanabe, welcome. How is your father lately?"

"Thank you for your concern; my father is well. He asked me to convey his greetings and said he hopes to visit in person before the wedding." Minami's voice was clear and respectful, yet without any trace of flattery.

"The Metropolitan Police Commissioner's duties are busy, but your thoughtfulness is appreciated." Uesugi Kuninori's reply was polite and restrained, though a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes did not escape Muneshige's notice.

At this moment, Uesugi Hirokun cleared his throat, attempting to speak: "Shosho, how's the case on your end progressing? I feel things have blown up significantly—even the Koreans over there are—"

"!!!" You're saying this on such a joyful day?! Uesugi Kuninori immediately shot him a fierce, sanctioning glare!

Uesugi Hirokun's voice weakened under his father's gaze.

"Yes, but I'm only responsible for autopsies; the rest has nothing to do with me." Muneshige replied, tone calm: "Thank you for your concern, Father."

Uesugi Kuninori slightly raised his hand, indicating now was not the time to discuss this, and gestured that the tea was ready.

Sawako respectfully placed the first bowl of matcha before him. According to tea ceremony etiquette, the first bowl should go to the most honored guest, but here, the family head drinking first signifies this is an internal family meeting, not mere hospitality—a subtle signal.

"Your wedding date with Miss Watanabe has been set for the fifteenth of next month." Uesugi Kuninori spoke slowly, his teacup steady as a rock: "It will be held at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, the guest list has been drafted. Is there anyone special you'd like to invite?"

Uesugi Muneshige and Watanabe Minami exchanged a glance.

Minami nodded slightly, then Muneshige spoke: "From the medical school and Metropolitan Police Department sides, I've listed about twenty people. Minami's side is around thirty, mainly her colleagues from the Special Investigations Unit and her peers from police academy."

"The Metropolitan Police Commissioner's daughter marrying—naturally, the upper echelons of the police will attend in full." Uesugi Kuninori's tone revealed no emotion: "On the Uesugi side, aside from relatives, about forty academic colleagues, plus some cultural figures—Hirokun, this part is your responsibility."

"Yes, Father." Uesugi Hirokun quickly replied, pulling out a notebook from his inner suit pocket.

Muneshige noticed his father's hand trembling slightly—this nervousness in the face of authority had been familiar since childhood; there was nothing to be done, after all, his father's business relied entirely on his grandfather's resources.

Well, from now on I'll have to rely on myself, so my father is taking this wedding extremely seriously—he's determined to secure all my resources on this side, huh!

Minami gracefully accepted the tea bowl from Sawako, right hand holding the bowl, left hand supporting the base, she turned it three times before sipping—each movement displaying excellent upbringing.

"Regarding the specific flow of the wedding ceremony," Minami set down her tea bowl, voice gentle yet firm: "My father and I both wish to simplify traditional elements as much as possible. After all, Muneshige and I both have official duties, so the wedding day's proceedings shouldn't be overly lengthy."

A moment of silence filled the room.

Uesugi Hirokun uneasily adjusted his posture, his eyes darting between his father and son.

Give me more time, let me meet more people, huh.

Uesugi Kuninori frowned, slowly setting down his teacup—the base touching the tray with a clear sound. "To what extent should we simplify?"

"Omit the three-three-nine-degree cup ceremony, keep the vow before the gods and ring exchange." Muneshige replied, tone calm but firm: "Limit the banquet speeches to five people or fewer."

"This————is perhaps too brief." Uesugi Kuninori's voice remained calm, but the air in the tea room seemed to freeze: "The Uesugi family's weddings have traditionally..."

"Traditionally decided by the family." Muneshige picked up his grandfather's sentence, but his tone showed no retreat: "I am already Watanabe-Uesugi."

Uesugi Hirokun sucked in a breath of cold air, nearly speaking to dissuade him, but under his father's gaze, he swallowed it back.

Surprisingly, Uesugi Kuninori did not anger.

He looked silently at his grandson for a moment, a fleeting, hard-to-read emotion passing through his eyes—appreciation? resignation? or some kind of compromise?

"Is Miss Watanabe of the same opinion?" Professor Kuninori turned to Minami.

"Yes." Minami bowed slightly: "My father said the same."

Uesugi Kuninori fell silent for a long time; in the tea room, only the faint sound of the kettle boiling on the brazier could be heard.

Finally, he nodded slowly: "Times have changed. Since this is your joint decision, and also the wish of the Superintendent General, the Uesugi family will not insist on its own view."

Uesugi Hironori visibly sighed in relief, his whole body nearly going limp.

"Then, let us discuss the matter of the surname." Uesugi Kuninori's gaze grew sharper: "Although we have already sent out the proposal regarding Sōsetsu, still—your decision remains—Uesugi Minami?"

This question cuts straight to the heart of the most special aspect of this marriage.

According to tradition, a son-in-law sent out should take his wife's surname, but the Watanabe family considers "Watanabe" too ordinary and wishes to retain"

Uesugi" this peerage surname's glory.

Miss Minami straightened her back slightly: "Yes, this is also what we hope, after all, Lord Kenshin also entered by marrying into the Uesugi of Yamauchi, before achieving unparalleled fame, right?"

She spoke tactfully, but everyone present heard the subtext: although the Watanabe family holds high position and power, after all it is a postwar emerging bureaucratic clan, while the Uesugi family, though devoid of real authority, is an old nobility with a long history.

In this marriage, each family has its own aims, and each has made concessions.

"Grandfather, my thought is simple," Uesugi Sōsetsu said firmly, his voice more resolute than before: "My name is part of my identity. I have studied, researched, and worked under the name Uesugi Sōsetsu, accumulating a certain reputation in my professional field and making a small contribution; changing my surname would bring many inconveniences. More importantly."

Uesugi Sōsetsu paused, then looked toward Minami: "Minami and I both believe that, regardless of surname, our family will be a new beginning."

Uesugi Hironori stared anxiously at his father, as if sensing an approaching storm.

But Uesugi Kuninori merely stroked his teacup lightly, a complex glint flashing in his eyes—Shiyuan Mikoto had struggled for months without conceiving; if we can retain the Uesugi surname, then when the time comes we can bring back any possible second son of Minami to the main house!

This is making preparations on both fronts!

"You and your father are quite different." Uesugi Kuninori finally said, his gaze sweeping over Hironori, who lowered his head in shame: "Snow Pine Pill, you have grown strong enough to define your own rules."

"Not at all, Grandfather, Father, I am merely a passing forensic pathologist." Uesugi Sōsetsu bowed his head and shook it, whereupon Hironaka Mariko, Miyahara Toru, Arimura Hana, Ōsumikawa Minoru, and Ōsumikawa Rina behind him all made a "tsk" sound together.

Pretense!

"However." Uesugi Kuninori continued, as if he had not heard his son's voice: "This is also precisely why the Watanabe family chose you. A second son relying on family prestige holds no attraction for the Superintendent General's daughter. They need someone capable, with an independent personality, not merely a peerage scion.

"True strength does not depend on external things, but comes from within oneself, Snow Pine Pill, you have done this very well!

"

These blunt words caused Miss Minami to widen her sweet, large eyes slightly.

Uesugi Sōsetsu then calmly accepted this evaluation: "Thank you, Grandfather, for the praise."

"Very well." Kuninori nodded: "Then, regarding the other details of the wedding..."

Over the next hour, the four discussed every detail of the wedding arrangements. Surprisingly, most of the time it was the grandfather and Minami speaking directly, while Uesugi Sōsetsu and his father were more like observers.

Minami, with the precision and orderliness of her role as head of the Special Investigations Unit, confirmed each item of the wedding one by one, from flower selection to seating arrangement, respecting traditional rites while skillfully incorporating modern simplicity.

Uesugi Hironori occasionally interjected, offering suggestions regarding cultural guests, but each time before speaking he would unconsciously glance at his father, seeking permission.

Uesugi Sōsetsu remained silent most of the time, only speaking at key points. His gaze would occasionally shift between grandfather, father, and fiancée, as if observing each person's role and demeanor in this meeting.

Really getting married? I'm a little nervous!

When all details were basically settled, Uesugi Kuninori suddenly asked: "Have you decided on your residence after marriage?"

"For now we will continue living in the tower at Sakata Bridge." Uesugi Sōsetsu replied: "It is relatively close to the Metropolitan Police Department and the University of Tokyo Medical Department. We plan to consider buying a new house in one or two years."

"A wise choice." Uesugi Kuninori rarely showed a hint of a smile: "Then, next is the final agenda item—one by one, the offspring question."

The air in the tea room solidified once again.

Even for modern Japanese families, this is an extremely private topic, let alone discussed in such a formal setting.

Minami's cheeks flushed slightly, but her voice remained steady: "I hope to have our first child within one or two years after marriage, but the exact timing will depend on work circumstances."

One or two years???

Grandfather felt as if ants were crawling in his heart, but for Japanese people this is already considered quick (Japanese couples generally consider having children only three to five years after marriage), so he also did not want to say much more.

"What about the child's surname?" Uesugi Kuninori's question struck the core.

Uesugi Sōsetsu and Watanabe Minami exchanged a glance, obviously they had already discussed this.

"Whether boy or girl, the child will bear the surname Uesugi." Sōsetsu said calmly: "This is the consensus we reached with Superintendent General Watanabe."

"Good!!!" Uesugi Kuninori was obviously very pleased with this answer, he gave a slight nod: "In that case, I have no other questions."

The meeting seemed about to end.

But just then, Professor Kuninori made an unexpected gesture—he took a small paulownia wood box from his kimono sleeve, placed it on the tatami mat, and pushed it toward Sōsetsu and Minami.

"This is for you." His voice suddenly softened, losing some of its dignity, gaining some elder warmth.

Uesugi Sōsetsu opened the wooden box; inside was a pair of ancient-looking white jade rings, the faces carved with fine bamboo sparrow patterns.

"These are yours and grandmother's..." Uesugi Sōsetsu rarely showed an expression of surprise.

"Yes." Uesugi Kuninori nodded, sighed: "When we married, your great-grandfather gave these to us. Now we pass them on to you."

"Thank you, Grandfather." Uesugi Sōsetsu said solemnly, and Minami also bowed in thanks.

"The wedding marks a new beginning in your life," Uesugi Kuninori professor slowly rose, others also rose: "But never forget your origins. The Uesugi family has endured four hundred years of wind and rain, from the Sengoku daimyo of Echigo to the lord of Yonezawa Domain, then to Meiji peerage, now becoming a family of letters. Each era has its own way of survival, but the family's backbone has never bent, even when Lord Ieyasu reduced the fief from Aizu 1.2 million to Yonezawa 300 thousand, even when Lord Hawk Mountain's reforms caused the disturbance of seven houses, even when the son of heaven rhetoric and shogunate support at the end of the shogunate, or even when Lord Motonori pleaded for the people and was dismissed—"

He fixed his gaze on Uesugi Sōsetsu's eyes: "You need not change your surname, need not follow all traditions, but you must remember: your blood flows with Lord Kenshin's pride and wisdom. Whatever your surname, whatever path you choose, this pride and wisdom will accompany you all your life."

Uesugi Sōsetsu bowed deeply, this time without any hesitation or resistance: "I keep it in my heart, Grandfather."

After the formal meeting in the tea room ended, Uesugi Tomoko, Hironori's wife and Sōsetsu's mother, appeared at this time.

Uesugi Tomoko moved gracefully, wearing a high-quality light purple twisted silk kimono, her hair tied in an elegant bun.

She had previously been in the kitchen personally overseeing dinner preparations, now she finally had time to join. She and Minami had met several times before; after they exchanged bows, Uesugi Tomoko affectionately took Minami's hand, softly asking about the final choice of wedding attire, and the atmosphere softened considerably.

Miss Minami keenly noticed the situation of the father and son, thus she turned on the television.

Inside, an advertisement was playing.

"Selected Vietnamese-imported fermented tofu, big, full, white! Big! Full! White! Rich flavor, needs no extra salt!"

"Did you really pull? I really am pulling! Did you really pull? I really am pulling, don't believe me go watch the video! Hakata Riku Kurogarlic Tonkotsu Ramen, I really am pulling!"

The television's sound slightly drowned out all the noise, and also created a space for communication between father and son.

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at his father, seeing Uesugi Hironori's hesitant and uneasy appearance, wanting to speak but stopping, he couldn't help but laugh and said: "Say what you want to say, father."

"Yukimatsu." Uesugi Hironori spoke, his voice somewhat dry.

"Father." Uesugi Muneyuki, expression consistently calm, waited for what came next.

"That incident — " Uesugi Hironori, this past year, his business grew larger and more prosperous, but he became increasingly fearful of this son of his.

As a typical broker and intermediary on the fringes of high society, Uesugi Hironori was useless in other aspects, but reading people's expressions and various rumors were top-notch.

He had vaguely known of Uesugi Muneyuki's influence, especially the guests booked at the Imperial Hotel.

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Vice Minister of Finance, Vice Minister of Justice, Executive Director of Mitsui Sumitomo Group, Director of Mitsui Fudosan, President of the University of Tokyo, Dean of the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine, Director of Fujitsu, Managing Director of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank — these people were not coming for Watanabe Eiji or Uesugi Kuninori at all, but for Uesugi Muneyuki!

He actually began to fear his own son!

Turning his gaze toward the not-so-distant University of Tokyo, which was also the height he himself had never been able to reach in his youth, he then looked at his son's eyes, similar to his own but far more resolute.

Many words surged to his throat, finally he could only say in a low voice: "Sorry, father failed to be a good example."

Uesugi Muneyuki remained silent for two seconds, he understood his father's awkward, attempting-to-approach intention in his words, also saw the fine lines at the corner of his father's eyes and that hard-to-conceal tension, only feeling somewhat sour and sad.

What do you have to apologize for? Father.

Clearly it's me who's unreasonable and causing trouble, clearly you never shortchanged me on tuition and living expenses, clearly it's you who took out the tower mansion for me to live in, clearly you've always supported me — or at least never caused me trouble.

You've always treated me as your son, and I've always treated you as my father.

What do you have to apologize for?

But, this is society, this is the essence of power, the essence of power is being able to make others do what they unwillingly do, since ancient times surrounding power, humanity has paid countless prices yet cannot resist the yearning for power.

It fascinates and frightens.

Especially for someone like Uesugi Hironori.

"It's nothing." Uesugi Muneyuki turned his head, somewhat awkwardly said: "I am — always — the one who's caused you quite a bit of trouble — "

"Where where — " father and son were quite embarrassed, neither dared to look in multiple directions.

"In any case, when the time comes, reception and handling recommendations, still have to trouble father, much trouble — " Uesugi Muneyuki said in a low voice.

This phrase "much trouble" caused Uesugi Hironori's shoulders to imperceptibly relax by a millimeter.

He quickly glanced at his son, then looked away, his fingers unconsciously pinched the suit cuff again: "Nothing — I was originally doing this."

He brushed it off vaguely, then, as if having made a great decision, spoke quickly in a voice almost inaudible: "You — "

"Just like Chitokumaru, you are my pride, you two brothers, make me — make me — "

This sentence was short, vague, even some words not conveying meaning, but it contained too much content: it was acknowledgment, it was pride, and also that deeply hidden, as a father yet unable to become a pillar, guilt.

After speaking, Uesugi Hironori's face slightly flushed, as if he had done something extremely bold and improper, he immediately turned his head to look out the window at the courtyard, pretending to be attracted by the stone lantern in the sunset.

Uesugi Muneyuki's heart seemed to be lightly bumped by this awkward sentence. He looked at his father's somewhat thin and uncomfortable profile, that figure in his childhood memories sometimes busy, sometimes hesitant before his grandfather, now attempting in an extremely awkward way to extend a small olive branch named "fatherly love."

"That's also because father you have good stock." Uesugi Muneyuki first solemn, then half-jokingly said: "Also need to thank father for not tying us brothers up and throwing us into the trash bin."

"???" Uesugi Hironori suddenly turned his head, a flash of relieved and grateful light passed through his eyes, but instantly turned to anger: "Yukimatsu!!! What are you saying?!"

"Hahahahaha!" Uesugi Muneyuki finally laughed, laughter with tears: "Because you are our father, this is enough, isn't it?"

Uesugi Hironori stared, after a long while, he joined in laughing.

Yeah, not having rubbed you brothers on toilet paper, I am a great merit piece of tooth sound!

Because I am your dad!

After dinner, at the genkan, the family solemnly bowed and said farewell.

Uesugi Hironori stood half a step behind his father, watching his younger son carefully put on an outer garment for Minami.

When Uesugi Muneyuki finally bowed to bid farewell to him, Uesugi Hironori only deeply, deeply nodded his head, thousands of words all condensed into that action, larger than usual in amplitude and longer in duration.

The lingering glow of the sunset stretched the two shadows, briefly overlapping on the polished-to-a-mirror genkan floor, then separating.

The car door closed, the engine started, carrying the new family unit slowly driving away from this old manor.

Yukimatsumaru is leaving.

It is truly leaving.

Uesugi Hironori stood under the eaves, until the taillights disappeared at the street corner, Uesugi Tomoko lightly walked to his side, gently patted his arm.

Uesugi Kuninori had already turned back into the house, leaving behind the rustling evening wind in the courtyard.

"What did you just say?" Uesugi Tomoko asked strangely, why are you having such a big reaction?

"Huh?" Uesugi Hironori responded, gazing at the empty street, after a long while, then said in a tone mixed with annoyance, loss, and relief: "Yukimatsumaru said he and Chitokumaru both want to thank me!"

"Hah?! Thank you for what? You are their father, them thanking you should be natural, right?" Uesugi Tomoko completely didn't understand what had happened.

"He, he said he and Chitokumaru want to thank me, back then not having tied those two brothers up and thrown them into the trash bin!" Uesugi Hironori angrily roared: "Damn Yukimatsu, don't forget, even if you were sent away, I am forever your father!"

"Forever!!!"

But in this sentence, it seems no longer entirely the past self-pity and comparison, but with a hint of indescribable, belonging to the father's release. Beneath those awkward and restrained feelings unable to pour out the chest, some emotional transmission ultimately reached in their own way.