Chapter 939

There's nothing much, just asking. When I was at the police academy, many people in the dorm played, and I played for a while too, but later I stopped because training got too busy. If you senior have time, you could recommend some worthwhile games to me. Asō spoke casually, as if bringing up an irrelevant topic in passing.

Maeda didn't lift his head, and Asō, from an angle unseen by everyone, revealed an extremely subtle smile, fleeting—no one noticed his probing toss, nor did anyone notice that he was probing.

But his ears were catching Maeda Toshihide's response while also paying attention to the reactions of others in the office.

Minami Ojou-sama kept her head down from start to finish, and everyone's attention was focused elsewhere.

Good! Full marks on reading the air!

Next, as long as I blend in perfectly……

"As for eroge…… then I recommend you play this《Love and Deep Space》, not only can you experience the greatest love masterpiece of all time, but you can also enjoy the fun of illegally breaking into private residences with werewolves!" Maeda Toshihide revealed a smile: "Or do you prefer《Love and Producer》?"

"No no no, thank you, I don't play otome games." Asō Kōta immediately said righteously: "By the way, Maeda-san, I heard you're also interested in entertainment, could you tell me, do you prefer EX0, or TFBOYS?"

"I……" Maeda Toshihide was stunned, he finally lifted his head, looking at this Special Mission Division newcomer: "You go first."

"It's fine, still you go first."

The person before me, is a rival!

This guy…… is practically comparable to Zhongli faking death!

Asō Kōta likewise narrowed his eyes.

The two Special Mission Division newcomers stared at each other for a good while, then looked away.

But these two people between them were quite awkward, just as Asō Kōta was about to find an excuse to brush this matter over.

The office fell silent for a moment, then light footsteps came from the hallway.

That sound stopped at the Special Mission Division office doorway, then the door was gently pushed open.

Shōsuka Menou stood at the doorway, wearing a light pink down jacket, wrapped in a light gray scarf, holding a deep blue cloth bag in her arms. Her head of slightly brown black hair was slightly disheveled by the cold wind, but her face bore a smile, with a flush.

"Oh Oh Oh!" Seeing the sudden appearance of this Kansai Young Lady, the entire Special Mission Division became lively. "Shōsuka-san, today you brought us Management Officer something delicious again!"

"Wah, so nice! I also wish my girlfriend would bring me a bento, but she said she has to go to work!"

"Damn! Management Officer, I'm so jealous of you, I envy you to the point of wanting to chop you finely into minced meat!"

"Shōsuka-san! You came spicy?"

Asō Kōta instantly ran through it in his brain.

Obviously, this isn't Shōsuka Menou's first time bringing food!

Obviously, this Kansai Young Lady and Okada Masayoshi have already formed some kind of intimate relationship, but judging from context, they haven't formed a particularly stable male-female relationship, otherwise old married couples wouldn't tease and mock each other this much.

Obviously, the atmosphere inside the Special Mission Division is fairly good, everyone has close relations, otherwise there wouldn't be such teasing.

Young Asō family descendant swiftly gathered all information, then retreated into the shadows.

Don't underestimate my information-gathering ability, teeth!

"Okada-san, I brought you lunch. Kansai-style stewed spare ribs. I made it myself." Shōsuka Menou's brown long boots thudded as she took small steps closer, deliberately letting everyone hear.

"You…… Shōsuka-san is too polite." Okada Masayoshi lifted his head, closed the documents, stood up from the chair, walked over, took the cloth bag, lowered his head to glance at the lunchbox inside, a few wisps of white steam drifted from the lid's seam, carrying soy sauce and meat aroma.

Shōsuka Menou these days doesn't know why she didn't stay in Kansai, specially moved to Tokyo, residing in her father's National Diet Member official residence, since it's close to Sakuradamon, she proactively comes to bring Okada Masayoshi lunch, saying it's thanks to Okada and Uesugi's "life-saving grace".

It's just that this girl is too high-profile, completely unhidden, and she's also a directionally challenged person who often gets lost in the Metropolitan Police Department, asking people where the Special Mission Division Okada Management Officer is? After feeling around the Police Affairs Department and General Affairs Department each once, within days, the entire Metropolitan Police Department knew the noble Young Lady from the former Prime Minister's family came daily to bring lunch to the Special Mission Division Okada Management Officer, making Okada Masayoshi embarrassed, everyone thought they were already dating.

Actually, it's not quite dating yet, right?

But someone proactively coming to bring food is extremely face-giving, Okada Masayoshi also wants face, and fears hurting Shōsuka Menou's dignity in front of everyone, so he can only tacitly accept without clarifying.

Thus bringing food became a matter of course.

"You specially came all this way just to bring a meal?" His voice was lower than usual, carrying a subtle softness. Shōsuka Menou stood opposite him, lightly laughed: "Not specially coming this far, just happened to be passing nearby, so I casually made a portion to bring over. You try it, see if it suits your taste."

Okada Masayoshi opened the lunchbox lid, used chopsticks to pick up a piece of spare rib, the rib's surface coated with a layer of dark brown sauce, in the afternoon sunlight showing an amber-like luster. He took a bite, chewed for a few seconds, then swallowed: "Very delicious. Kansai's method is indeed different, sweet and salty flavors balanced well."

"Really? So happy!" Shōsuka Menou jumped in place, desperately clapping her small hands, looking very happy.

"Really!" Kyō Toru said sternly from the side: "I spoke for him."

"Really!" Date Nagamune nodded desperately from the side: "Management Officer's heart thinks this way."

"Really!" Kansei Watari said from the Prosecutors Office side: "Originally according to Metropolitan Police Department laws and regulations, it's not recommended to send such homemade, not externally purchased items during work hours, lacking sufficient food safety guarantees, possibly affecting normal official activities……" Kanjō Wataru said after finishing this serious topic, suddenly relaxed: "But considering aging, low birthrate, lifelong unmarried, etc., serious problems of Japanese nationals, and concern for Management Officer's Yuri also having spring, I think we can be especially lenient, what do you think? Section Chief?"

"Agree." Minami Ojou-sama laughed, her pair of sweet almond eyes narrowed into crescents: "Section Chief allowed it, teeth!"

"Hahahahaha~"

"Shōsuka-san! You are our Special Mission Division external staff! If you ever get into a case, we'll let Uesugi-san go to you first!" Nanxiang Yui also said seriously.

"Eh, this had better not be." Shōsuka Menou hastily waved her hands.

"Hahahahaha ahahahahahahaha~" The Special Mission Division burst into laughter again.

Asō stood at the document room doorway, watching this scene.

He blinked twice, as if seeing information worth recording, quickly searched in his mind for that woman's identity—Shōsuka Menou, former Prime Minister's granddaughter, current Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's daughter.

Okada Masayoshi had contact with her in the Kobe case, but that contact usually ended naturally with the case's conclusion.

But she didn't end it, she followed him to Tokyo. He quickly updated Okada Masayoshi's file in his mind: "Has deep ties with political aristocracy, and the other party initiates contact. Worth befriending."

"Management Officer Okada, this is Shōsuka-san, right? I saw you in the Kobe case reports. You indeed have the demeanor like on TV." Shōsuka Menou, being praised, felt a bit uneasy: "Thank you. You're a Special Mission Division newcomer? You look quite young."

Asō slightly bowed: "Asō Kōta, just reported today. Please look after me from now on."

"Me too, very honored to meet you here, please guide me in the future." Shōsuka Menou immediately returned a perfect etiquette. But actually, these two people know each other, not only know, but have interacted several times before, Japan's top layer keeps circling back to these people.

Yet they all tacitly pretend it's their first meeting, mutually not recognizing each other.

This is the old political gatekeepers' trick, you just learn it.

Footsteps came from outside the door, leather shoes stepping on the hallway floor, rhythm even and stable.

Asō's spine instantly straightened a notch upon hearing that sound, his head slightly tilted toward the doorway direction.

Here he comes, he's here!

The door was pushed open, an arm wearing a deep gray Armani suit coat extended in first, then the person's outline appeared in the doorframe. Japanese Police Final Weapon Uesugi Muneyuki appeared at the doorway, coat buttons unfastened, collar open, revealing inside the white shirt and deep blue tie vest three-piece set.

His hair wasn't as meticulous as usual, a few strands hanging over his forehead, but the whole person looked like he just woke from a deep sleep, carrying a tranquil energy and aura.

His gaze swept across the office, from Minami Yui's coffee cup to the documents in Kai Toru's hands, from Okada Masayoshi's bento box beside him to Shosuke Menou standing by the window, finally settling on the young man standing at the documents room door, wearing an obviously oversized police uniform, staring at him with two hundred percent focus.

Asō Kōta stepped forward, stopping about two paces from Uesugi Muneyuki, standing at attention and raising his hand in salute.

His movement was more forceful than when he had saluted Minami earlier, his voice extremely loud: "Uesugi-san! Fukuoka Prefecture! Iizuka City! Seikei University! Special Mission Division newcomer Asō Kōta, reporting for duty!"

"I have already prepared myself, please let me follow in your footsteps!"

"Loyalty! Sincerity!" Asō strained to rise onto his toes, trying to make himself appear a little taller.

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at him, his gaze pausing for a moment on that obviously oversized police uniform before returning to his face.

His expression did not change, but his eyebrows twitched slightly: "Loyalty!! Sincerity! But loyalty is not shouted out, you say you are loyal, prove it to me."

Asō did not retreat because of these words; instead, his eyes grew brighter: "I know. I will prove it with action, not with words." Uesugi Muneyuki walked past him, and as he passed, he slightly tilted his head, his voice not loud but just audible to Asō: "Come with me."

Asō followed him, the two walking toward the Forensic Science Laboratory.

In the elevator, Asō Kōta noticed Uesugi Muneyuki was flipping through his phone, inside was last night's football news: "Uesugi-san, do you also watch football?"

"Hmm, I glanced at last night's Barcelona versus Real Madrid match result." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, speaking casually.

"Uesugi-san, do you support Barcelona more or Real Madrid?"

"I am more optimistic about Barcelona." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled: "After all, Real Madrid now..."

"Ah, Uesugi-san, are you also an Assata fan? Great! I am also a Sala fan and an Assata fan! Messi Suárez Griezmann give grandpa a kill! Damn super masculine diving penalty kick self-obsessed Awei mule! Forced double arrogance, that's it!" Asō Kōta immediately said.

…" Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent for a few seconds, thinking to himself I am actually an England and Bellingham fan.

However, after saying several sentences in a row, the two ended up opening up the topic.

"Have you met everyone yet?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"Hmm, it seems everyone is very nice." Asō Kōta immediately said in a very official, very formulaic, very thoughtless manner, his tone even having no pause or hesitation.

What formulaic answer?

Uesugi Muneyuki raised his eyebrows, these people raised by political families are really...

He actually did not want to take on Asō, but...

"Speaking of which, Uesugi-san, I have a question, Igarashi Patrol Division Chief and Yamada Patrol Officer?" Asō raised the question smoothly: "And that Shiyuan Forensic Pathologist?"

"Igarashi Patrol Division Chief is currently receiving special training at the police academy... Yamada Patrol Officer has taken leave to go home once." Uesugi Muneyuki thought for a moment, then said (at this very moment, police university study, drill field.

"Igarashi! Facing the charging justice, will your steps retreat!" Deputy Superintendent Ōtori Gen pressed the accelerator of the jeep, the engine roaring. After years of combat-style veteran police, now Deputy Superintendent, his silver hair gleaming, the gaze behind his sunglasses still sharp enough to cut through morning mist, he drove a police jeep, just like this, charging toward Igarashi.

Igarashi Hayato sprinted with legs flying, the hem of his uniform flapping loudly: "Deputy Superintendent Ōtori! This is different from what the Traffic Division taught!"

He slid a tackle to dodge the jeep's front wheel, behind came the sharp screech of tires rubbing the ground—one after another Ōtori Gen steered with one hand, the other holding the megaphone: "In yesterday's report, the word 'can' appeared seventeen times! Indecisiveness will get teammates killed!"

The jeep rolled over the flower bed, startling a flock of pigeons into flight.

Igarashi panickedly chose no path, vaulting over the patrol car, Ōtori Gen slammed the brakes, reaching from the front passenger seat to grab a box of takoyaki: "Catch! This is your lunch today!"

Steaming hot takoyaki traced a parabola, Igarashi instinctively caught it, nearly jumping from the burn: "Ah ah ah ah ah!"

"What is that expression? What are those tears? Can you guard the Metropolitan Police Department, guard this country like this? Stand up, face the jeep, do not avoid!" Deputy Superintendent Ōtori Gen drove the jeep, continuing to charge toward Igarashi.

"Uh ah ah ah!"

"As for Mikoto-nee, her belly is already big, today she went for a prenatal checkup." Uesugi Muneyuki said.

"Oh! I see." Asō said without changing expression.

Appropriately express concern, but do not become overly clingy, altogether no mistake.

The two walked into an empty small lounge.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood by the window, facing outward, Asō stood behind him, maintaining an appropriate distance.

"Let me speak plainly, Asō, I will now use the most straightforward, most direct, most non-roundabout, most objective, most correct, most systematic, most true, most concise, most easy to understand, most non-secretive words to tell you one thing." Uesugi Muneyuki sat in the chair, gesturing for Asō to sit: "Actually, I originally did not want to take you on, it is due to being left with no choice that I am doing this, that is, just going through the motions, unable to refuse."

Truly enough direct.

Asō Kōta nodded, as a "Uesugi Study" Level Ten Scholar, he knew what kind of urine this man before him was, also knew his personality was very likely not welcoming of himself.

But I just like looking at your face that looks displeased at me yet cannot beat me, ultimately having to accept my existence, finally being conquered by me, will hold me saying "This is my trustworthy and most beloved companion" pinch"

"I have a plan, possibly needing your help." Uesugi Muneyuki raised one finger: "Specifically speaking, it is not your personal help, but the help of that surname behind you."

"Uesugi-san please say." Asō Kōta felt a stir in his heart, did not immediately refuse.

"I want to open fire on the entertainment industry." Uesugi Muneyuki said with furrowed brows: "But, I personally after all am strength isolated and powerless..."

"Pfft!" Asō Kōta nearly couldn't hold it in.

Strength isolated and powerless, are you serious?

"So, I need to borrow your strength to open fire on the entertainment industry, and I need to ensure it is you who actively moves against the entertainment industry, and let everyone think this is your, Asō Kōta's action, understand?" Uesugi Muneyuki said.

Asō Kōta initially did not understand what Uesugi Muneyuki was saying.

But he thought about it for a moment, quickly understood!

The Asō family sent him here, wanting him to enter the Special Mission Division this ace department, to ride the wind and lend strength, send me to the blue clouds! But Uesugi Muneyuki instead wants to use him, use his surname and family resources to serve his plan!

This idea is really... Taisu la!

Asō Kōta's eyes lit up, thinking this is not just a letter of allegiance?

"Yes, you are just a bottle opener." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded: "What else can you do?"

"Can!"

"Still dare to do what?"

"Dare!"

Asō Kōta's eyes shone even brighter, all along his journey he had been thinking how to get close to this person, how to become someone he needs.

He had already rehearsed in his mind many times what Uesugi Muneyuki would say to him, but "bottle opener" this word exceeded his expectations. He thought it would be "loyalty," "ability," "endurance" or such admonitions, he had not thought he would be given a specific, useful, core-edge role.

This means he has already been taken into consideration, not as a bystander.

Ancestors, grandfather, lineage, father, those are theirs.

I want to take these things, transform them into my own!

"Mr. Uesugi, I guarantee I will be a good bottle opener," Meng Shao Zhi said seriously, then added: "Uesugi-san, you are my Napoleon Bonaparte, and I am willing to be your Charles-Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte."

Hmm?

Uesugi Muneyuki was confused.

Do I also need to go on an expedition to Russia?