Chapter Twenty-One: The Visit of Erina Ikeda

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In the afternoon, Muneyuki Uesugi attempted to look up information on the Kurosawa Shrine. As Ms. Kurosawa had mentioned, the shrine began to decline after losing its miko lineage. Although Ms. Kurosawa had donated funds to restore the entire shrine, that had been over twenty years ago. Now, amid widespread urbanization and rural depopulation, Gunma Prefecture itself had very few residents. Naturally, the Kurosawa Shrine had fallen into ruin, and the nearby villages were scarcely inhabited.

Good, Muneyuki Uesugi thought approvingly. The abandonment of the entire village meant few people were active nearby; few people nearby meant the danger level increased significantly; and a significant increase in danger meant Uesugi could confidently venture alone, essentially a pure white risk.

He imagined the scenario.

A wild Otherworldly beast leaps!
"You're the one, ordinary forensic doctor Muneyuki Uesugi!"
"Uesugi, use Harden!"
The monster charges savagely.
Smack! The effect is notable.
Uesugi falls... victory and defeat are common in warfare; see you in the next life.

Well then, what could help me?

Uesugi continued searching for what self-defense tools were legally available. Japan's gun restrictions were not as severe as those of his previous life’s homeland, but only marginally less strict. If the gun control strictness in his former country was rated 100, and the U.S. was 0, Japan was about 90—meaning only with great expense and effort could one barely obtain a standard handgun or assemble a replica firearm, such as a shotgun.

Japan once allowed hunters to possess hunting rifles until the late 1980s and 1990s, but after 2000, hunting licenses stopped being issued and authorities tried every means to recall all existing licenses. Today, acquiring firearms is extremely difficult.

Moreover, according to ancient Han texts and old archives, standard five-shot revolvers or SIG pistols used by police were ineffective against Otherworldly creatures.

Therefore, Uesugi decisively dismissed firearms and focused on melee weapons.

First, he excluded the katana—a flashy but impractical weapon. Japanese katanas were world-renowned mainly because they looked good, were cool, and held cultural value, not because they were truly powerful in combat. In reality, long blades were less effective; for example, since the Han dynasty, swords in Chinese history had become ceremonial rather than practical weapons, and by the late Tang dynasty, even swords were marginalized in favor of versatile spears and polearms.

Katanas excelled at cutting flesh and subduing unarmored foot soldiers—commoners and ashigaru—but they were prone to chipping or breaking upon hitting bone. In feudal Japan, where most people wore no armor, they were lethal, but when armor became common, they lost their edge.

Uesugi reviewed several feasible weapons: daggers, batons, brass knuckles, pepper spray... one by one.

Crowbars? Useless.
Copper-headed belts? Useless.
Electric prods for herding pigs? Cool, but useless.

Eventually, Uesugi settled on the most practical tool: a weed-whacker chainsaw. It was legal to own, had substantial destructive power, and was highly intimidating.

His nerves tingled, causing him to smile faintly.

Forget it.

He shifted his attention to external aid. What legal organizations could provide heavy firepower and be accessible to him?

The answer was simple: the Metropolitan Police Department.

However, since he had to conceal his supernatural abilities, seeking external help was impossible for now.

In the end, the best course was to cultivate more forensic knowledge, develop more manifestations of his abilities, and strengthen his own essence.

As for the police, maintaining good relations was vital. Although he couldn’t reveal himself, if similar incidents occurred, or if he could participate in archaeological digs or investigations of supernatural phenomena through police connections, the Metropolitan Police could also ensure his safety.

Thus, he happily resolved his plan.

Once decided, Uesugi deleted all browsing history, shut down his computer, and refocused on the forensic anatomy manual. As a full-time forensic pathologist, he neither attended classes nor saw patients, and rarely participated in research or paper writing. His primary tasks were autopsies and corpse examinations. While he could cheat using supernatural abilities during corpse examinations, autopsy skills were his greatest weakness.

From death, one glimpses life. Having lived two lives, Uesugi found new insight into his work.

No matter how cruel the truth, no matter how harrowing the corpse, Uesugi believed he must witness and recount everything left by the deceased. Life is precious; only by feeling sorrow can one truly appreciate joy. The forensic pathologist’s duty is to listen to the voice of the dead, and Uesugi’s mission is to clarify the facts.

Without knowing death, how can one know life?

The afternoon passed swiftly. Around four o’clock, Professor Okouchi suddenly knocked on the forensic pathology office door, returning from class.

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“Professor?” Uesugi immediately stood.

“Uesugi-kun, a female officer is here to see you. She’s right at the door.” Professor Okouchi’s tone was somewhat unusual, but Uesugi paid no mind.

“A female officer?” Uesugi rose.

As he opened the door, he saw a pair of beautiful legs clad in women’s suit trousers. Although the pants covered her ankles, the experienced Uesugi judged the flawless shape of those long legs. Looking upward, the women’s suit concealed some allure, but not the proud curves beneath. The summer blazer could not hide the toned muscles of her abdomen, nor the pronounced curvature.

Such a figure was clearly not Japanese!

The tall, curvaceous model-like beauty stared coldly at Uesugi, who returned her gaze somewhat impolitely. Her striking mixed-race features blended the sunny warmth of the Iberian Peninsula with the fiery vibrancy of sunflowers, yet she forced an expression of aloofness and indifference—what a pity.

Her features were too distinct for Uesugi not to recognize her.

“Miss Ikeda?!”

“Hey~” Reina Ikeda responded softly. Although still displeased by Uesugi’s direct gaze, she noticed he seemed to start looking from her feet upward, which she guessed was just his habit, not intentional.

Her shapely legs stood straight, and she nervously rubbed them a few times. Being sent alone by the precinct to an unfamiliar place to find someone made her slightly resentful. Yet upon seeing Uesugi, a flicker of familiarity dispelled some of the awkwardness, lessening her irritation.

Perhaps it was just an excuse she gave herself, but it made her feel better.

“Hello, Mr. Muneyuki Uesugi, I’m Reina Ikeda from the Otsuka Precinct.” Trying to suppress her displeasure, she bowed politely and asked, “Do you have time?”

“Huh? Shouldn’t I be asking you that? I thought you were investigating with Deputy Inspector Tanaka!” Uesugi was genuinely surprised; he didn’t understand why Ikeda had come to him.

“About this matter…” Ikeda pulled out a report from her bag—Uesugi’s autopsy report—and flipped to the discounted page, pointing to a sentence: “Based on Ms. Yamada’s past experience and education level, it is inclined to believe her crime method was guided by another.”

“You wrote this, right?” Ikeda said coldly.

Uesugi’s expression turned odd. He spread his hands and glanced at the office door behind him: “This is the University of Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital. I’m the full-time forensic doctor here. Miss Ikeda, this is a corridor. Since this involves case details, can we talk somewhere else?”

Ikeda realized her tone had sounded like interrogating a suspect. Her light brown eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pursed, then she nodded silently, trembling a bit.

She might have offended him earlier, but Uesugi’s reminder was tactful and polite—she didn’t feel uncomfortable.

This gave Ikeda some confidence for the conversation ahead.

This man seemed somewhat normal…

At the same time, Uesugi was discreetly observing Reina Ikeda.

Even as a seasoned ladies’ man, he had to admit that, as old Tanaka said, the mixed-race female officer was truly a great beauty, and her sharp aura—impossible to find in traditional Japanese women—gave her an exotic charm.

Beauty also meant trouble.

According to old Tanaka, Reina Ikeda was always surrounded by rumors, extremely wary of men around her, highly skilled to the point of arrogance, and very proactive, which made her disdain others.

But it seemed she was a formidable fighter!

Based on Uesugi’s experience, dealing with such a woman required a different approach.

Professionalism.

As Tanaka said, Reina wasn’t good at detailed investigations or case analysis. So if Uesugi demonstrated his expertise, she would respect and fear him to some degree.

He entered an empty research room filled with the scent of formalin disinfectant, the only sounds being the ticking of instruments. Uesugi pulled out a chair and gestured for Ikeda to sit. Taking the report from her hand, he said, “Yes, I wrote this. Is there a problem?”

“…No problem. I’ve read your autopsy report, which has been unanimously recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department’s forensic team and the University of Tokyo.” Ikeda nervously brushed her short, tidy chestnut hair behind her ear and sat properly. Facing Uesugi, she felt like a student attending a lecture: “But this afternoon’s investigation…”

“Deputy Inspector Tanaka just wanted a routine inquiry to close the case, right?” Uesugi flipped through the report, smirking, “And he refused to investigate Kabukicho with you. Am I right?”

Ikeda fell silent.

“You suspect the ‘other’ mentioned in my report is the male host whom Ms. Yamada bought a 500,000-yen champagne tower for, and you think it’s necessary to thoroughly investigate the suspicion of incitement to commit a crime. But no one from the criminal division wants to accompany you, so you came to me—both to confirm your hypothesis and seek approval. After all… I, Muneyuki Uesugi, am recognized by the entire criminal division from top to bottom for my judgment and ability, right?” Uesugi glanced again at the report, confirming it was his: “I’m glad my autopsy report has your approval.”

He had hit the mark entirely.

Ikeda accepted his words silently, albeit unwillingly: “Mr. Uesugi, do you think the same? But at the precinct…”

“That’s understandable. Detective work values clearance rates. With the current evidence, this case can be closed; there’s no need to create more trouble.” Uesugi said matter-of-factly. “I guess Ms. Yamada took all the blame herself—eager to confess and claim sole responsibility. Let me guess: Deputy Tanaka refused to investigate with you, and the host club’s stance was—first, shocked and unaware; second, firmly condemning the crime and distancing themselves; third, citing client privacy and requesting you apply for a high-level search warrant from the local prosecutor’s office or the Metropolitan Police’s Search Division Two, right?”

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“You…” Reina Ikeda’s pupils dilated, her exquisite face showing disbelief.

Once again, he was spot on!

This young forensic doctor, about her age, was not only highly professional but also deeply familiar with investigative procedures?

Ikeda’s grip relaxed involuntarily.

He indeed gave her a special feeling. Uesugi spoke clearly, logically, and professionally, always exuding strong, reassuring confidence.

Finally, she had met a somewhat normal man!

Thinking this, Ikeda was about to speak when Uesugi raised a hand to stop her: “Alright, I’ll go with you to Kabukicho.”

“How did you know…” This was Ikeda’s third shock of the day.

“Because I agree with you!” Uesugi’s expression grew serious. “I also believe Ms. Yamada’s crime was instigated by that host! Yes, she confessed, and Otsuka Precinct thought the investigation was over. But whether it was incitement to murder—the host who enjoyed the spoils and hid behind the culprit—there’s no reason not to continue investigating!”

“You came to me because you think the same, right?” Uesugi said softly. “So, let’s go. I’ll accompany you.”

He thinks like me?

Indeed, if he didn’t think the same, why else would she have come to him?

Realizing this, Ikeda found she had no reason to refuse; even the hardest opening words were handled by Uesugi.

His strong confidence and easygoing tone shone like brilliant sunlight on the tall beauty Reina Ikeda.

Her expression softened considerably. She stood, whispered a thank you, and prepared to lead the way.

But Uesugi stopped her: “Wait, Miss Ikeda. I heard some things about you from Deputy Inspector Tanaka. Before we act together, I want to lay down three rules.”

Ikeda paused, neither agreeing nor refusing. The tall beauty’s meaning was: speak, I’m listening.

“First, I absolutely hate it when my partner hits me. If you have complaints, take them to the precinct or hospital. If you hit me, I’ll hit back. I might not win, but I’ll fight with all I’ve got.”

Uesugi mock-punched the air.

“Don’t underestimate me—I can ‘Harden’! Really hard!”

A professional expert acting like this made Ikeda roll her eyes and finally chuckle: “You’re not a pervert. If you haven’t committed a crime, why would I hit you?”

“Good. Second, don’t mix work with personal life, or vice versa. For me, forensic work is a job to earn extra money and realize self-worth. I don’t know how you view your work, but I only want to clarify the facts. Whether those facts please you, I cannot guarantee.”

Ikeda’s gaze lingered on Uesugi, her brown eyes quietly studying him.

“Third, please accept my apology. Sorry, Miss Ikeda, for offending you earlier.” Uesugi knew silence was the best response and wore an embarrassed look. “I apologize for my rudeness. I don’t think there’s much to explain; it wasn’t a misunderstanding or an excuse. If you want an explanation, I can only say I’m after all a normal man. Please forgive me.”

“….” The topic inevitably came up. Ikeda instinctively felt a bit angry but seeing Uesugi’s apologetic expression, and knowing he was willing to vouch for her and accompany her investigation, she found it hard to scold him.

Usually strong-willed, she was now at a loss for words. Forgive him? She was reluctant. Not forgive him? That would be rude.

She wasn’t truly twisted; she just always encountered…

Uesugi’s bright eyes looked at her politely once more: “So, for now, shall we put it aside? After we finish this case and understand the truth, Miss Ikeda, could you reluctantly forgive me once?”

“That depends on your performance.” Ikeda accepted the olive branch, then turned to leave. “Let’s go.”

She exhaled deeply as she turned.

So hard. Really hard. After moving through several precincts, she hadn’t met a single normal man.

Finally, at the hospital, she found one, or she might have doubted if there was a single normal male in all Tokyo.