Chapter 972

Muneyuki recognized this expression.

The last time he saw this expression was during a recording of "Hand of God" when the director unilaterally changed her script.

After that, that director was transferred to the Fuji TV archives.

The matter with President Miyazaki Hidetaka was the same; afterward, President Miyazaki specially went to Mai-sama's office to apologize to her.

Senior Mai hates it when people pull new tricks on her; the only two exceptions she ever made were both because of Uesugi Muneyuki.

Obviously, Akimoto Manatsu singing her song would be one thing, but singing it this badly finally pushed her to the point of getting a little angry.

Kuroishi Mai, enter!!!

And at this moment, Akimoto Manatsu on stage was completely oblivious, still singing self-absorbedly:

"Only 7 shio yu ni ichi su ichi ji ichi · ha no mukou ni ichi go ichi hachi ichi"

"Pitch is high," Uesugi Muneyuki said quietly.

"I know." Mai's voice sounded like it was squeezed from between her teeth: "A whole key higher. She's still going up. Why does this person have to sing my song?!"

Asuka muttered quietly beside them: "Mai-sama's complexion... it's really dark."

"That's not called 'dark'." Xiao Yinghua also lowered her voice: "That's called... Kuroishi Mai."

"What?"

"Fans online say that when Mai-sama gets angry she turns into 'Kuroishi Mai'." Xiao Yinghua explained seriously: "Probably looks just like this, hehe~"

"Hahaha~ Mai-sama really rarely gets angry." Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help holding back laughter.

On stage, Akimoto Manatsu was just singing the second chorus; she had her eyes closed, the microphone held very close, completely immersed in self-motivation.

In the dining room, several passengers had already raised their phones to record video; someone was laughing until their shoulders shook.

Senior Mai took a deep breath, put down her teacup, stood up, pulled out her chair, movements clean and decisive, directly rushed to the stage side, went up the side stairs, and stood next to Akimoto Manatsu.

Akimoto Manatsu finally opened her eyes; the moment she saw Mai, her singing came to an abrupt halt.

"...... Mai-sama?" She blinked, expression switching from intoxication to surprise: "Why are you here?"

"How I'm here isn't important." Senior Mai's voice was gentle like a spring breeze, but her eyes held a killing intent of "if you sing one more line I'll shove this guitar down your throat": "If I hadn't shown up, were you planning to keep singing? Huh~?"

"Ah, sorry sorry!" Akimoto Manatsu froze.

But the next second, this smart girl suddenly showed a brilliant smile, shoved the microphone into Mai's hand: "Great! Then I'll go down and be an audience member!"

Like a kid who did something wrong but has absolutely no idea what she did wrong, she happily jumped off the stage, found the nearest empty seat and sat down, chin in hands, looking up at the stage with anticipation.

Sparse applause and whistles rang out in the dining room.

Bai Chuan Mai stood on stage, suddenly realizing she had been tricked again.

Big-head baby!!!

Next time I'll definitely stuff that big head of yours into a construction helmet!

But she fell silent for two seconds, thinking since she's here she's here, then raised her head to look at the audience.

Down below, Uesugi Muneyuki, Miyawaki Sakura, and Asuka were already applauding.

Senior Mai's heart stirred.

Right, everything she's done all along, wasn't it for this?

Her expression immediately switched back from "Kuroishi Mai" to the composure of a professional entertainer, the corner of her mouth even carrying a faint smile; she didn't say a single superfluous word, just started singing directly.

The moment the first line came out, the entire dining room went quiet.

Pitch accurate. Breath stable.

That signature vocal turn flowed as naturally as sea waves, without any sense of effort. Her voice carried the freshness of a sea breeze, yet hid a kind of just-right, age-appropriate warmth; every word was like a carefully polished pearl, falling into the air clearly and with gloss. That "off-key disaster" just now seemed to have been washed clean by a gentle rain.

In the dining room, someone unconsciously put down their chopsticks, someone gently clapped along with the rhythm, and someone whispered "It's the real deal," "It really is Bai Chuan Mai herself," "My god this sounds too good."

Uesugi Muneyuki leaned against the chair back, the corner of his mouth slightly raised.

He watched Senior Mai on stage — sunlight slanted in through the floor-to-ceiling window, gilding her hair tips with a layer of gold; her singing with eyes closed looked like a completely different person from that usually shrewd and capable National Goddess.

He suddenly felt, this boat ticket was worth it.

One song finished, applause much more enthusiastic than before rang out in the dining room.

Akimoto Manatsu down below was the first to stand up and applaud, clapping while shouting loudly: "Mai-sama you're amazing——! Sorry I sang off-key just now!"

Senior Mai put the microphone back on the stand, walked off the stage.

Passing by Akimoto Manatsu, she reached out and lightly flicked her forehead with a finger.

"Next time you want to sing my song, tell me in advance."

"Hehe." Akimoto Manatsu covered her forehead, laughing foolishly.

Just as Senior Mai was about to walk back to her seat, a familiar voice came from the neighboring table—

"Mai-sama! Really didn't expect to run into you here!"

That voice carried a natural sweet softness, like cotton candy melting in the air.

Senior Mai turned her head, saw a round fair face peeking out from the next table; the other person wore a loose beige knitted top, shoulder-length black hair draped over her shoulders, waving frantically at her.

Shimura Sayuri.

She is Senior Mai's good friend, industry contemporary, known by the nickname "Baka Ringo"; they've been extremely close since debut. "Sayuri?" Senior Mai froze for a moment: "You're on this ship too?"

"I'm on vacation!" Shimura Sayuri had already stood up, went around the table and ran over, throwing an arm around Mai's arm: "I came with a friend, just finished eating and saw you go on stage——wow you sang so good just now! Better than the CD!"

"Because CDs have pitch correction."

"You still use pitch correction? I thought you didn't."

"Correct a little."

"Liar, you definitely didn't!"

The two women laughed hehe haha without a care for anyone around.

Shimura Sayuri's gaze passed over Senior Mai's shoulder, saw Uesugi Muneyuki, Xiao Yinghua, and Asuka; she blinked, lowered her voice and asked in Senior Mai's ear: "That's Japan Police's Final Weapon, 'Hand of God's' Mr. Uesugi, right? He's handsomer in person than on TV." "Colder than on TV." Senior Mai smiled: "But today already counts as warm."

"Then I'll go say hello." Shimura Sayuri let go of Senior Mai's arm and walked right up to Uesugi's table, pressing her palms together in a slight bow: "Hello, Mr. Uesugi! I'm Shimura Sayuri, Mai's friend! I've long heard of your great reputation!"

Uesugi stood up and returned the bow, exchanging a few polite words.

Shimura Sayuri also shook hands with Sakura and Asuka, praising Sakura as "so cute" and Asuka as "so small, like a little bird," then was grabbed by the neck from behind by Akimoto Manatsu and pulled to the next table — the two clearly knew each other too, and quickly chattered away together in a lively cluster. Akimoto Manatsu even took the chance to pinch Asuka's little face, squeezing her cheeks puffy like a little bird, and Asuka pouted, reluctantly not resisting.

The atmosphere was happy for a while.

Afterwards Asuka went up and sang "Electric Fan," and although the girl wasn't a professional idol or anything, on stage her little butt twisted, her little waist swayed, and that first-love feeling and youthful vibe she showed on her sweet little face as she sang seriously, trying her best to present herself, was utterly captivating.

Over here, Shimura Sayuri held Bai Chuan Mai's hand and chattered on for a long time, before suddenly seeming to remember something and waving toward her own table.

"Fujido, stingy one — come over here!"

A man stood up from the seat behind Shimura, holding a wine glass, and walked over.

This guy caught Uesugi Muneyuki's attention.

He was about thirty-something, tall and slender, with shoulder-length black hair casually tied in a low ponytail at the back of his head. His features weren't stunning, but they won on distinct contours, a clean sharp jawline, paired with a meticulously tailored deep gray suit — the whole man exuded an urban elite aura of "makes money and knows how to spend it."

He walked over at an unhurried pace, a just-right smile on his lips, giving Bai Chuan Mai a slight nod — one look and you knew he was a social elite.

"Miss Bai Chuan, I've long heard of your great reputation." His voice was deep and gentle: "I'm Fujido Seiichi, a financial analyst at SBI Securities. Sayuri often mentions you."

"Is that so?" Senior Mai raised an eyebrow, glancing at the silly apple: "What did she say?"

"She said you sing well, said you're a good person, said one—" Fujido paused, his smile deepening a bit: "Said you're the best at 'cleaning up messes' among everyone she knows."

Senior Mai heard the teasing hidden in that "cleaning up messes," she smiled and didn't respond.

At this moment Uesugi Muneyuki stood up, extending his hand toward Fujido: "Hello, I'm Uesugi Muneyuki."

Fujido gripped his hand, a standard business handshake: "Mr. Uesugi, I've heard of you. 'Hand of God' — I watch every episode, your performance is wonderful."

"Thank you." Uesugi Muneyuki released his hand: "But my main job isn't actor, just occasional cameos."

"I know, you're the Metropolitan Police Department's legendary forensic doctor, the Japanese police's final weapon." Fujido's smile didn't change at all, his tone still gentle: "Both main job and side job done this well, admirable."

These words were watertight, both flattering and not sycophantic.

Fujido clearly still wanted to say something, but Uesugi Muneyuki didn't speak with him further, instead very naturally sitting back in his own seat.

And Saito Asuka, sitting next to Uesugi, at this moment frowned slightly.

Asuka's "Reading Air" could faintly sense — a faint emotional fluctuation emanating from Fujido Seiichi. That emotion was hidden very deep, pressed tight under a professional smile and polite speech, but Asuka's ability didn't need the other party to show anything; she could directly "read" those concealed undertones.

That undertone was: a trace of hostility.

Not strong, not intense, no anger wanting to tear Uesugi Muneyuki apart on the spot. Rather a restrained, calculated, scrutinizing rejection and wariness, like someone secretly sizing up another, mentally marking "this person untrustworthy" or "this person needs watching."

Asuka's brow tilted slightly.

She didn't speak immediately, just lowered her head pretending to keep eating, but her perception extended like a fine tendril quietly toward Fujido's direction.

That hostility didn't spread, nor target anyone else. It just steadily locked onto... Uesugi Muneyuki.

Asuka put down her chopsticks, and under the table gently bumped Uesugi Muneyuki's calf with her little leather shoe.

Uesugi Muneyuki didn't react immediately, but his gaze withdrew from Fujido, his peripheral vision sweeping Asuka once. Asuka didn't look up, just tapped the table surface twice with her right index finger, not light not heavy — that was their privately agreed simple code, meaning "something to talk about later." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded imperceptibly.

Beside them Shimura Sayuri was already chatting with Senior Mai anew, completely unaware of this brief few seconds of undercurrent.

"Senior Mai let me tell you," the silly apple pulled her chair closer to Mai's seat, lowered her voice, but her tone carried that frankness only between girlfriends: "Fujido was introduced by my friend, worked at SBI for six years, annual income around thirty million, stable personality, not a playboy, I think this time there shouldn't be a problem."

Senior Mai held her teacup and looked at her, her gaze carrying a hint of meaningfulness: "Last time you also said that magazine editor 'shouldn't be a problem.'"

Shimura Sayuri's face flushed red instantly, she shrieked: "That time was different! That time I was drunk!"

"Drunk and dated twice, three weeks apart." Senior Mai's tone was flat: "One drunk three weeks, you stay drunk quite persistently."

Shimura Sayuri early in her career rising period had a scandal explode, it was her and an editor from a magazine company she was signed with, the two repeatedly photographed going on late-night dates, afterwards Shimura Sayuri explained she was drunk, the editor sent her home.

However netizens pointed out, the two dates had a three-week gap between them, could Shimura Sayuri have been drunk for three weeks straight?

This was obviously a guilty conscience, and this incident also caused Shimura Sayuri's career to suffer a huge blow.

Senior Mai's evaluation of this was stupid woman, can't even lie properly.

"Mai-sama! That's all in the past!" The silly apple covered her face, but the ear tips visible through her fingers were red and glowing: "This time really is different! Fujido isn't that kind of person! And before we dated he investigated me, knows all my stuff, he completely doesn't mind!" Senior Mai looked at her for two seconds, then lightly sighed: "Fine, as long as you're happy. But if he bullies you, tell me." "You gonna send your guy to catch him?" The silly apple jerked her chin toward Uesugi Muneyuki: "Japanese police final weapon, wouldn't using him to catch someone be too wasteful?"

"Forensic doctor doesn't handle catching people. But forensic doctor can do autopsies." Senior Mai said expressionlessly: "If you unfortunately get killed, I'll have Sōsetsu do your autopsy, guarantee the murderer will be brought to justice!"

Shimura froze a moment, then laughed so hard she fell forward and back, making the dining table shake lightly: "Hahahahaha hahahahahaha, Mai-sama you're so funny! How could I possibly get killed? Impossible! But if there's a chance, can you bring me on an episode of 'Hand of God'? I'd be eternally grateful!" "That we'll see when the time comes." Senior Mai didn't agree, didn't refuse.

Akimoto Manatsu from the next table leaned over: "What are you guys chatting about that's so funny?"

"Chatting about how Mai protects her own." Shimura wiped tears from laughing, "She said Mr. Uesugi would do my autopsy report."

"Wow, so reliable!" Akimoto Manatsu pressed palms together: "Then I want to apply too! If later I'm found dead alone at home, at least Mr. Uesugi would do my autopsy!"

Sakura laughed till she toppled over.

These people, they like Sōsetsu coming to your homes to film an episode of 'Hand of God' that much?

"What great prophet? Can you guys not say such unlucky things!" Asuka complained from the side.

Dinner ended in a relaxed atmosphere.

Shimura Sayuri and Akimoto Manatsu made an appointment with Mai to catch up at the ship's tea room when free, Senior Mai agreed.

Fujido at farewell shook hands with Uesugi Muneyuki once more, still polite, proper, flawless.

But the moment Fujido turned, Asuka sensed that faint hostility again — a bit fainter than before, but still existing. The four took the elevator back to the 12th floor suite, it was already past nine in the evening.

After the elevator doors closed, Asuka finally couldn't hold back, tugging Uesugi Muneyuki's sleeve.

"Mr. Uesugi," she lowered her voice: "That Fujido... he has hostility toward you."

Uesugi looked at her: "Hostility?"

"Mhm. Not obvious, but real. Not the 'I don't like your look' kind of hostility, more like... he feels you're a threat to him." Asuka frowned: "I can't put it well, but my feeling won't be wrong."

Uesugi Muneyuki was silent for two seconds. The numbers on the elevator wall jumped from 5 to 8, then to 10.

"Isn't that perfectly normal?" Uesugi Muneyuki didn't care at all.

"Perfectly normal?" Asuka blanked.

"Ashura Rei, think about how many women are around me." Uesugi Muneyuki said expressionlessly: "Online they even gave me the nickname 'Pervert of the Metropolitan Police,' Sayuri is his female companion, a financial analyst feeling threatened by me, isn't that perfectly normal?" Asuka was momentarily speechless.

She opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but it seemed she truly could not retort.

"Ah, how could I possibly run into some earth-shattering event just by going out to play once in a while." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head repeatedly in self-mockery: "Impossible! Don't think so much, just relax when you're out playing, thinking that much is exhausting."

"Alright."