Chapter 759

They are benefactors.

In recent years, Japan's declining birthrate has intensified, and many universities that once required serious preparation to enter have become easy to pass the screening for; all schools are competing for students, and Tokiwa Middle School has truly reaped a large number of students thanks to Uesugi Shiro and these two individuals, with many transfer students and freshmen coming specifically because of Uesugi Shiro and these two individuals.

However, Shiro actually dislikes Gunma; she rarely mentions Gunma in interviews and reports, and initially the school agreed to let her attend only because she promised to take exams during her frequent absences for midterms and finals.

Shirakawa Mai froze for a moment, then burst out laughing, and Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but laugh either, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Benefactor..." Shirakawa Mai said, suppressing her laughter: "Principal, you've said this, and we feel embarrassed."

"What's there to be embarrassed about!" The principal waved his hand: "Facts are facts! Come on, come on, let me take you to see the classroom where we used to have class—it's still preserved! And there's the seat Shirakawa-san used to sit in; I specifically had the teacher check the records and mark it out!"

He pulled the two of them forward, giving them no chance to refuse.

Uesugi Muneyuki was pulled forward as he walked, and when he passed the still-lush cherry blossom tree, his steps paused slightly.

According to legend, the speed at which cherry blossoms fall is five centimeters per second~

He recalled the spring of ten years ago, when the cherry blossoms were blooming just like this, and he sat alone under the tree reading a book; in his peripheral vision, it seemed as if a figure in a school uniform walked by from afar, light-footed, with long hair fluttering in the wind.

At that time, he didn't know that this figure would later enter his life and become an indelible part of it.

"What are you thinking about?" Mai Xuejie's voice sounded from beside him.

Uesugi Muneyuki withdrew his gaze and gently shook his head: "Nothing."

Shirakawa Mai followed his line of sight and glanced at the cherry blossom tree, the corner of her mouth slightly lifting, without saying anything.

She felt a bit guilty; back then, she hadn't even noticed Uesugi Muneyuki, and she was afraid that if he really asked her, she wouldn't be able to answer.

The two were pulled by the principal into the teaching building.

Behind them, the camera lens kept following, faithfully recording everything.

In the future, these clips will be edited into bloopers, trailers, or even flashback scenes in the main feature. Paired with keywords like "senior-junior," "alma mater reunion," and "first love memories," they will be repeatedly played on screen, harvesting countless viewers' tears and screams, and then another wave of fierce factional conflict will follow.

Uesugi Muneyuki knows he is being used by Koyama Old Ghost.

But he also knows that some things cannot be refused just because one knows about them.

Moreover... Shirakawa Mai is talking to the principal about something, her face bearing that irresistible smile, sunlight pouring through the hallway windows and casting a soft glow upon her.

Some things, perhaps, do not need to be refused.

The filming at Tokiwa High School went much more smoothly than expected.

The afternoon's scenes mainly focused on the school campus: the Special Mission Division received case clues, the female lead Shiraishi Mai (played by Shirakawa Mai) returned to her alma mater to investigate, unearthed data from former classmates, and searched for clues in the former wish ball (that is, letters and items buried underground behind the mountain before graduation, to be dug up many years later).

The script only had a few brief notes labeled "school scene," but Fuji TV's screenwriters clearly wouldn't let such a great opportunity for expression pass by. "Alright, prepare for Scene Eight, Take Three, start!"

As the director's voice faded, Mai Xuejie walked out from the main gate of the teaching building.

The entire set fell silent instantly.

She changed into the Tokiwa High School uniform.

A navy-blue suit-style jacket, gold buttons fastened precisely, inside a white sailor-collared shirt with a dark red tie, and below, a knee-length dark blue pleated skirt, the hem swaying slightly with her steps. Most striking were her legs wrapped in black silk stockings—straight and long, glowing with a soft sheen in the afternoon sunlight, her feet in a pair of polished black leather shoes.

Her slightly chestnut-length hair fell over her shoulders, a simple rabbit-ear hairpin clipped to her forehead, revealing Mai Xuejie's clean forehead and exquisite features down to the finest detail, no heavy makeup, just a light everyday look, yet perfectly highlighting her unique aura between girlhood and mature womanhood.

She is also a rare female entertainer in the entertainment industry who doesn't need bangs and can boldly expose her forehead to test "hard beauty," something many female stars fear, as they often rely on bangs for enhancement.

Moreover, Uesugi Muneyuki is here today, and Mai Xuejie, upon seeing him, can naturally smile from the heart.

That smile can light up an entire room, making all surrounding scenery automatically blur and dim.

No one on set spoke.

The cinematographer forgot to check the viewfinder, the lighting technician stood frozen holding the light meter, and the script supervisor's clapperboard hovered in midair, forgotten to be struck down. Even the Fuji TV staff accustomed to beautiful women now stood with mouths open, their eyes following that silhouette.

Shirakawa Mai walked over.

Her steps were neither hurried nor slow, her leather shoes tapping the ground with a clear "tap-tap" sound, the pleated skirt swaying slightly, faintly revealing a small patch of skin above the knee wrapped in silk stockings, as smooth and white as snow jade; upon reaching her marked position, she slightly turned sideways, her gaze toward a window on the third floor of the teaching building.

That is what the script reads: "Shiraishi Mai recalls her student self; back then, her dream was simply to go to Nogizaka (referring to the Sony Building near Nogizaka in Minato Ward, Tokyo, to work as a Sony employee)."

I, a high school girl aiming to be a Nogizaka employee, how did I become a police officer?

At that very moment of her turning sideways, sunlight broke through a gap in the clouds, casting a soft light and shadow on her face, a breeze lifting her hair, and the black silk stockings reflecting a faint gleam in the light.

"Cut." The director's voice sounded dry, he swallowed before continuing: "Alright, passed."

The set then felt as if the spell had been broken, scattered applause and intakes of breath rising.

"Mai-sama..." Miyawaki Sakura, also in a JK uniform, whispered, eyes wide: "So beautiful..."

Tei Reiji stood beside her, wearing a standard police uniform (she also has a few shots), but at this moment she had completely forgotten her own existence, merely staring blankly at Shirakawa Mai.

This opponent is a bit hard to deal with.

"Who can withstand this..." someone muttered softly from behind.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood beside the monitor, his gaze shifting from the screen to the real person, then back to the screen.

He has seen Mai Xuejie many times before, and to some extent, the two of them have done who-knows-how-many things.

But now, seeing her in the school uniform standing in the afternoon sunlight, he suddenly felt a sense of unreality—as if he had returned to ten years ago, those occasional days when she came to school.

Back then, she was just like this, wearing the school uniform, walking around campus, with a group of boys secretly peeking behind her.

So once Mai Xuejie puts on this outfit, Uesugi Muneyuki has absolutely no resistance, clearly arranged, utterly consumed.

There's a theory that men develop a DNA-encoded preference for their first hundred experiences of boki, after which their bodies react purely by inertia.

Uesugi Muneyuki thinks his obsession with silk stockings, legs, and feet is entirely due to Mai Xuejie and Mikoto-nee!

Mai Xuejie mostly wears silk stockings because her inner world energy is stored in her uterus, so she usually wears stockings to strengthen protection of her lower body, while Mikoto-nee's habit comes from her profession; as a school doctor, she mostly wears a tube dress and white coat. It's not this urinary preference that harmed me—it's the instinct etched into human male DNA that harmed me!

Blame Mai Xuejie and Mikoto-nee! It's all their fault!

Uesugi Muneyuki resentfully thought: originally I protected this secret well, but now I don't know who leaked it, damaging my reputation, and even the female hosts in charge of entertaining guests at Fuji TV's green room know to bring a pair of silk stockings!

Sometimes even two pairs!

"Uesugi-san?" a staff member's voice pulled him back to reality: "Do you think this shot works?"

Uesugi Muneyuki cleared his throat, tried to make his voice sound normal: "Good, good...... as for what's good...... you tell me, cherry blossom!" "Mai-sama, this is good in terms of person, demeanor, and attire—good, good, good, every word and action promotes Shinto etiquette, exceedingly good!" Shirakawa Mai walked back from the filming point, and when she passed by him, her steps paused slightly.

"Looks good?" she asked, her voice only audible to the two of them.

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at her, and his eyes shone astonishingly bright in the sunlight.

He fell silent for a second, then said honestly: "Beautiful."

Shirakawa Mai's mouth corner lifted slightly, she said nothing more and kept walking forward, but that smile was already enough to make Uesugi Muneyuki's heartbeat skip half a beat: "Wear it tonight!"

The filming behind continued.

Shirakawa Mai changed into several scenes one by one—library, playground, bench under the cherry blossom tree—each shot she wore that school uniform, each appearance could make the film set fall into brief silence.

The cameraman secretly shot over ten extra backup clips, the script supervisor frantically noted in the notebook things like "best lighting angle," "costume detail close-up," "Ms. Shirakawa's expression management," and so on. Even the usually strict lighting director uncharacteristically praised: "This light is enough without any adjustment."

At four in the afternoon, the campus portion of filming was completed smoothly.

"Hard work!" the director clapped his hands: "That's it for today, continue tomorrow. Everyone go rest well!"

In the evening, deep in Gunma Prefecture.

Uesugi Muneyuki and company's lodging for tonight is Sekizenkan at Yonsen Onsen, one of Gunma Prefecture's most famous old-brand hot spring inns, founded in the seventh year of Genroku (1694), over three hundred years of history to date, this inn is famous as one of the filming locations of "Spirited Away," its buildings are registered as national tangible cultural property, countless tourists come by name.

The car drove on the mountain road for over an hour, as the sky gradually darkened, finally arrived at the destination.

Sekizenkan lies beside the valley of Yonsen River, its wooden building complex follows the mountain, lantern light sways in the dusk, warm and tranquil. Staff had already arranged everything in advance, the inn specially cleared some areas to guarantee the film crew's privacy.

"Wow..." Xiao Ying's first words upon getting out of the car were this, she looked up at the ancient buildings, eyes bright: "This is too atmospheric!"

Tei Reiji also couldn't help but take out his phone to take photos, but was immediately reminded by staff "no photography inside," so he reluctantly put it away, but soon after rose even more anticipation.

Staying here tonight, she specially brought several pairs of stockings!

And Mai Xuejie had already changed into casual wear—simple beige knit sweater, Armani coat with dark long pants—but that aura still made people unable to look away, she walked up to Uesugi Muneyuki's side and whispered: "I heard this inn's cuisine is famous, let's try it properly later." "I've already arranged the late-night snack—oysters, goji berries, ox penis, deer antler, stewed turtle." Mai Xuejie blinked with a smile: "Buy enough for one go!"

Uesugi Muneyuki's face turned green hearing those ingredients, but since it's come to this he could do nothing, only nodded, his gaze swept over the surrounding mountain forest. The sky had already completely darkened, only the inn's lights illuminated a small surrounding area.

From afar came the sound of the stream, the air was clear, cold and damp.

"Is it snowing?" he suddenly said.

Everyone looked up, and indeed, fine snowflakes began to drift in the night sky, like dancing fireflies under the lights.

"Snowing this season is normal," the staff said: "Gunma has high elevation, snow in March is not uncommon."

Everyone didn't think much, followed the inn's female proprietor through the main gate.

Sekizenkan's interior is even more stunning than its exterior, ancient beams and pillars, delicate lanterns, a faint sulfur smell in the corridors—every detail speaks of time's sedimentation, after careful polishing, tonight the Divine Hand Film Crew has booked some rooms, including a large hall that can seat over ten people, for dinner.

Dinner is authentic kaiseki cuisine.

Appetizers, sashimi, simmered dishes, grilled dishes, strong courses, rice dishes, soup, water courses—one after another exquisite dish was served by waitresses in kimono, each like an artwork, fresh local Gunma ingredients plus centuries-old culinary skills made everyone praise without end. "This tofu skin is so delicious..." Miyawaki Sakura said while eating, muffled.

"Slow down," Tei Reiji whispered: "Mind your image."

"What's there to fear, no outsiders anyway." Miyawaki Sakura didn't care, but indeed slowed her eating.

Shirakawa Mai sat beside Uesugi Muneyuki, occasionally passing him dishes, the motion natural as if eating at home at home, Tei Reiji secretly glanced a few times, silently noted in his heart "this sincerity cannot be contended with," but showed nothing on his face.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.

Miyawaki Sakura began sharing funny stories from her idol days, Tei Reiji also shared some broadcaster gossip, Mai Xuejie chatted about Uesugi Muneyuki's quirks and habits and was made to laugh several times, even Uesugi Muneyuki showed an embarrassed yet relaxed smile.

Several people laughed together. Uesugi Muneyuki helplessly shook his head, raised his cup and took a sip.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

A middle-aged man in the inn's work uniform hurried in, face solemn, he whispered a few words to the reception staff in charge. That staff member's face instantly changed, turned and walked toward the director.

"Director, something happened."

Laughter in the grand hall gradually faded, everyone looked at him.

"The snow outside has gotten heavy, the mountain road... a landslide occurred."

"What nonsense?" the director stood up.

The staff member swallowed saliva, continued: "The road into the mountains is blocked. The landslide is not small, tonight it definitely cannot be cleared, we must wait until tomorrow morning to send people to handle it. In other words..."

He looked around, difficultly said: "From tonight until at least tomorrow noon, we cannot leave."

The grand hall fell into silence.

"Blizzard Mountain Villa?"

Miyawaki Sakura whispered, her voice carrying a hint of tension and also an inexplicable excitement.

Everyone present instantly turned their gaze to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Chief, you...