Chapter Nineteen: The Boss Assassin, Reina Ikeda

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Meeting again outside the police station, Muneyuki Uesugi showed no immediate reaction, but the female officer furrowed her brows. She instinctively felt that Uesugi was following her, but she soon noticed the police officer from the local police box who had brought Uesugi there.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew awkward as both sides exchanged greetings.

Uesugi could sense the officer’s conflicting feelings—she was angry at his earlier rudeness yet grateful that he was willing to testify. She seemed unsure how to treat him now.

Likewise, Uesugi himself was uncertain how to respond. He didn’t even know who she was. A stunning beauty of clearly mixed heritage, tall at about 170 cm with long legs, and exceptional combat skills—what exactly was her background?

Uesugi had no idea.

The awkwardness didn’t last long. The female officer gave a slight, polite bow and entered the station. Uesugi turned to thank the policeman who had brought him, then asked who she was.

“I don’t know,” said the policeman with a shrug. “I’m just a patrol chief, you ask me? A patrol chief, you ask me?”

“Judging by her attire, she’s probably from the Criminal Investigation Department—maybe replacing Officer Kosaka.” The policeman speculated, “After the last incident, Kosaka was reassigned to administrative duties. Well, it was always tough for a female officer from admin to be transferred to fieldwork.”

“Seriously? Why would such a beautiful, model-like, tall mixed-heritage martial arts expert be sent to a local precinct?” Uesugi grumbled.

“That’s beyond what we at the police box know. Uesugi-san, you should ask Inspector Tanaka for details.”

After parting ways with the policeman, Uesugi entered the police station alone.

“Oh! Uesugi, little brother! Your injury’s healed?” Having visited the station many times, Uesugi was familiar with the Criminal Investigation Department at Otsuka Station and often went for lunch at Yoshinoya with them at noon.

The scar on Sudo’s chin was still as charming as ever. Although being docked two months’ pay had stung the trio in the department, having that be the worst consequence was a relief given the situation.

“Namu-san, thank you so much this time,” Inspector Tanaka said, putting an arm around Uesugi’s neck with a smile. “We always knew your friendship with our First Investigation Division was unbreakable! We’ve even shared okonomiyaki together—iron brothers!”

“Uesugi-san, your hand’s okay now, right?” Sawabara asked, his face still pocked with scars. After being reprimanded by the Metropolitan Police Department and forced to ditch his signature quiff for a normal hairstyle, his looks had become quite ordinary.

“All healed long ago,” Uesugi nodded. They agreed the four of them would go out for a good meal next time—naturally, the trio would treat. Their cooperation would continue; Uesugi desperately needed this partnership. Having earned the Metropolitan Police’s recognition for his expertise, holding the local station’s favor was important.

As they chatted, Uesugi was about to ask about the female officer when a knock came from outside.

“Hey!” Sawabara quickly brushed his bangs aside. Having lost his quiff, he felt less confident about his looks. Through the glass, he caught the silhouette of a tall woman with refined features. Instantly, his face morphed into a foolish grin. With quick steps, he slid to the door and pulled it open. “May I help you...?”

The door cracked open, revealing the female officer’s serious, cool face.

“Ah?! It’s you!!!”

Sawabara’s enthusiasm instantly vanished upon seeing her face. His expression changed drastically; he turned his head aside and retreated a few steps, trembling as if wanting to flee.

Uesugi: “??? What’s going on?”

Before he could ask, Tanaka and Sudo’s faces darkened. Tanaka immediately averted his gaze toward the water dispenser, while Sudo buried his head in a pile of reports, pretending not to notice.

Most of the men in the Criminal Investigation Department instinctively turned their heads away; only a couple of rookies remained stunned until their colleagues nudged them to look away, afraid to meet her eyes.

Uesugi: “?????? What kind of situation is this?”

Was she some supernatural being? Or a royal figure of such great stature that her face was “too magnificent to behold” or her name “too sacred to speak”?

Apart from himself, did supernatural powers really exist in this world?

No one answered. The female officer seemed accustomed to this. She stood at attention, her elegant waistline forming a graceful crescent beneath her tailored suit. Her voice was cold and emotionless:

“I am Erena Ikeda, transferred today to the Criminal Investigation Department at Bunkyo Ward, Otsuka Station. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Pleased to meet you...” came a low, chaotic murmur from the department.

So what exactly was going on here?

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“Hey, Tanaka, what’s the deal here?” Uesugi grabbed Tanaka’s arm, who was still staring intently at the water dispenser’s spout.

“It’s her, it’s her, it’s her!” Tanaka’s face was ashen. “Why did the Metropolitan Police send her here? I’m doomed—I don’t want to be transferred to Shikoku! Namu-san! Is this karma?”

“Who exactly is she?” Uesugi thought bitterly, wishing the riddle woman would just leave Gotham City.

Before Tanaka could explain further, Inspector Sudo ordered, “Everyone, gather around. Uesugi, you stay too.”

They all assembled around the small conference table next to the Criminal Investigation Department office. Sudo measured Uesugi’s 185 cm frame against the female officer, confirming she was fully blocked from sight, then announced:

“This is Patrol Officer Ikeda, assigned to our department starting today, replacing Officer Kosaka. Let’s welcome her.”

“Hello, I’m Erena Ikeda. I was transferred here from Meguro Precinct. I’m inexperienced, so I ask for your guidance,” the officer said coldly.

Among the twenty or so officers present, some stared at the ceiling, apparently studying the wattage of the energy-saving lights; others fixed their gaze on the water dispenser, wondering how many cups of hot water it could yield; some buried their heads in paperwork; a few simply closed their eyes.

“Is it really her?” Uesugi heard faint whispers.

“Seriously? Is the Metropolitan Police trying to ruin our Otsuka Station?”

“But hasn’t Uesugi already submitted a letter of understanding? Why won’t the Metropolitan Police let go of Kosaka’s mistake?”

“This is over!”

“Quiet!” Sudo coughed twice, his expression one of helplessness. “Anyway, introductions can be done privately. As for who will supervise Ikeda...”

Both heads of the investigative division shook their heads frantically, faces pleading.

“Tanaka, it’s on you,” Sudo said with a look of reluctant duty. Tanaka looked close to tears.

Without giving Tanaka a chance to object, Sudo moved on to the next matter.

“Regarding the molester Ikeda brought in... Although it was a bit rough, since Uesugi was willing to testify, let’s proceed with the molestation charge.” Sudo’s gaze passed over Uesugi’s shoulder, making sure Ikeda’s face was blocked from view. “By the way, Tanaka, have you started investigating Ms. Yamada’s case about the champagne tower at the host club?”

“Not yet,” Tanaka replied.

“That’s great! Tanaka, you and Officer Ikeda will handle that.”

“What?” Tanaka hadn’t caught up when the meeting was abruptly adjourned.

Uesugi now realized this woman was a hot potato no one wanted to touch.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Tanaka, Ikeda,” Sudo said, then immediately buried himself back in paperwork.

“Pleased to work with you,” Ikeda said, appearing normal aside from a stern expression and cold tone.

“Likewise, I need your guidance more,” Tanaka moved silently behind Uesugi, skillfully blocking Ikeda from view. “Oh, let me introduce you. This is Muneyuki Uesugi, a brilliant certified forensic doctor. You’ve probably heard his name. Our station has long relied on him, and we’ll continue to need his cooperation.”

“Hello, I’m Muneyuki Uesugi. It’s an honor to meet again, Ms. Ikeda. Your kicking left a deep impression on me,” Uesugi said, extending his hand. He didn’t understand why everyone feared her so much.

“I’m Erena Ikeda. Please take care of me,” she said, surprised to see the young, calm, and cold-looking forensic doctor willing to testify.

The Japanese dislike hassle deeply ingrained in their nature.

She seemed quite normal, after all.

Uesugi wondered again why such a tall, mixed-heritage, martial arts expert beauty would be assigned to a local precinct. Aren’t such rare elite field officers normally kept by the Metropolitan Police?

Lost in thought, Uesugi’s gaze involuntarily dropped thirty centimeters.

“Um, sorry about before, I…”

Ikeda instantly sensed his expression change. Her face turned cold as a sunflower closing and transforming into a carnivorous plant bristling with spikes. Without further words, she turned and went to her desk to put down her bag.

“Inspector Tanaka, when do we start investigating the host club?”

“Don’t rush. You two do the molestation statement first. Then I’ll take Uesugi out for lunch.” Tanaka avoided Ikeda as much as possible and dragged Uesugi away without a word.

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The two completed statements about the train molester, then Tanaka whisked Uesugi off for lunch without giving him a chance to apologize.

Fifteen minutes later, near Bunkyo Ward’s Otsuka Station, at Yoshinoya, a fast-food chain.

Japan’s three major fast-food chains are Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya. All long-established, they remain beloved by the working class for their quick service, generous portions (by Japanese standards), and affordable prices (again by Japanese standards), securing their dominance in the vast market of part-time workers.

Japanese weekday fast food revolves around 500 yen as a benchmark, since that’s the largest coin denomination. Before mobile payments and credit cards, a single 500 yen coin could cover a meal—a perfect solution for salarymen.

Today, standard sets at Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya exceed 500 yen, usually around 600 to 700 yen including tax, but remain value for money with satisfying portions.

Other Tokyo weekday lunches often cost over 1,000 yen.

It was only 11 a.m., so the restaurant was not crowded. Tanaka ordered a large beef bowl, while Uesugi chose an extra-large beef bowl set with an egg, costing 1,000 yen. They sat down, and before Uesugi could ask, Tanaka spoke up:

“Namu-san, I’m suffering too!”

“What’s wrong? I want to ask that too,” Uesugi finally got a chance to ask, nearly bursting.

“I know what you want to ask,” Tanaka’s face was heavy with deep sorrow. “She’s beautiful, right?”

“Beautiful!” Uesugi nodded without hesitation—the exotic vibe, sunny and radiant like a sunflower, European-style features combined with a cold, proud demeanor, and a devilishly slender figure left no doubt.

“Tall too?” Tanaka winked.

“Treasure chest,” Uesugi couldn’t help but admire.

“You’re wondering why someone like her is assigned to our precinct, right?” Tanaka smiled brightly. “It cost three superiors their careers!”

“Huh?”

“Erena Ikeda, non-career track, first assigned to Sarara Precinct. Due to her excellent martial arts and physical test scores, she was open to fieldwork and joined the Criminal Investigation Department. Her superior Nakajima took notice of her beauty and height, then used his authority to pursue her.”

Tanaka’s voice turned sinister: “Nakajima half-forced her to dine with him, but the meal never happened because Ikeda filed a formal sexual harassment complaint. The Metropolitan Police dealt with it, and Nakajima was exiled to Shikoku.”

“That’s not so bad. From what you say, Nakajima was married, right? That’s normal,” Uesugi still didn’t get it.

“Listen... At that time, Ikeda was transferred to Kanda Precinct, where her new superior was Senmoto, in his thirties. Unlike Nakajima, Senmoto was unmarried. He also pursued Ikeda eagerly. Again, the Metropolitan Police received a sexual harassment complaint, and Senmoto got slapped for groping her.”

“Where did Senmoto go?” Uesugi began to understand.

“To the countryside in Aomori Prefecture, spending his life among apple trees,” Tanaka said, shoulders heavy with stress. “Third time, Ikeda transferred to Bokuto Joint Precinct. Because of repeated incidents, this time her superior was 49-year-old Inspector Kobashi, a model husband known throughout Tokyo. He’d given up on promotion for life and spent his 26-year career figuring out how to do the least at work. Kobashi had never been criticized or complained about, but also never solved any important cases. His record was spotless and empty.”

“Even that couldn’t save him?” Uesugi finally smiled.

“After two months, Kobashi requested a transfer, citing ‘inability to control his gaze’ and ‘incompatibility for cooperation with her.’ He was sent to Kanagawa.”

“Now it’s my turn. Uesugi, little brother, I don’t want to go to Akita, Hokkaido, or Mie. I have a family too!” Tanaka’s sorrow overflowed as he ate. “Ikeda’s hard to work with. Her investigative skills aren’t great, but she loves violence. If she thinks it’s right, she’ll act. Like today—think about it, if you hadn’t testified, how would that have ended?”

Uesugi realized why she was so angry—she struck hard but precisely, inflicting pain without serious injury.

“Everyone calls her the ‘boss killer.’ No one dares look her in the eye. We’re scared,” Tanaka lamented. “Do I look like a pervert? I’m over forty, have a wife and kids. But guess what? She won’t believe me.”

“Tanaka-san, actually...” Uesugi pondered before speaking seriously. “If you’re transferred, Aizu City and Yonezawa City aren’t bad. Though rural, they’re leisurely places. Consider it a good change. I’ll miss you.”

“Little brother!” Tanaka was about to scold Uesugi for making such a harsh joke, but then looked at him meaningfully. “Uesugi, since we’ve eaten at Sukiyaki together, help your old man out!”

“Leave Ikeda to me. How about it?”

“Huh? Me?!”