Chapter 24: Erena’s Ideal Type

Outside, dark clouds gathered and the night wind howled, threatening rain that never fell. Uesugi Muneyuki returned to his apartment in Bunkyo Ward, greeted the receptionist, swiped his key card, and strode toward his unit.

In Japan, most people live in detached houses—two or three-story homes with small gardens. However, Tokyo lacks sufficient space, so like major cities in China, it features many high-rise residential buildings, ranging from ordinary to luxury.

Standard apartments are much like what Uesugi remembered: they usually have one or two building managers and collect basic cleaning and management fees. Truly high-end high-rises, known as tower mansions, offer premium services: 24-hour hotel-style management, reception desks, cleaning staff, ground-floor restaurants and convenience stores, rentable kitchens and meeting rooms, dedicated gyms and swimming pools for residents, guest rooms on upper floors for visitors, and libraries, reading rooms, and lounge bars.

The only problem is the cost.

Back in his apartment, Uesugi tallied his income for the month. As a full-time forensic pathologist, his base salary was 280,000 yen. His autopsy fees from the police totaled 120,000 yen, plus various allowances and a special autopsy gratuity of 50,000 yen. In total, he earned about 450,000 yen a month. His current student-style apartment, which was hardly luxury, spanned only twenty or thirty square meters. The rent? 150,000 yen per month, plus 20,000 yen for utilities and management.

By standard worker metrics, rent and utilities should not exceed one-third of one's fixed monthly salary. Uesugi was well over that—it consumed half his income. He wondered how Ikeda Erina, who reportedly couldn't stand the police women’s dormitory (due to shared living spaces), managed her rent. Unless she lived in Chiba, Kanagawa, or Saitama, how could she afford it? A rookie police officer’s starting salary is often only around 200,000 yen; in Tokyo, it might reach 230,000.

*So, me inviting you to Yoshinoya was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it? And yet, I was rejected.*

Uesugi’s expression darkened. He wasn't sure what to make of Ikeda Erina’s emotional shift at the end of their encounter. *What kind of impression did I leave on her?*

He shook it off. His primary goal with this tall beauty was to ensure she didn't cause trouble, file complaints, or stir up chaos. He had finally earned the trust of the Otsuka Station Criminal Investigation Division; they brought him every autopsy, and neighboring stations even requested his help. If Ikeda caused a scene now, his hard-won position could be ruined. He was willing to befriend her, hoping she wouldn't "explode"—at least not at him—and perhaps teach him a few martial arts techniques. He needed more autopsies, more "po" (soul fragments), and greater strength.

Sitting at his computer, Uesugi began reciting the sutra taught to him by Ms. Kurosawa—the only technique he currently possessed: The Vajra Method.

The Vajra Method is divided into two parts: the "Vajra-Cutter," practiced by Ms. Kurosawa during her time as a shrine maiden, and the one she did not practice—"Vajra-Holding," which Uesugi dubbed "Hardening."

The Vajra-Cutter is a method for divination and seeking blessings. Ms. Kurosawa had learned the basics but used it to gamble on stocks, perhaps blinded by greed or corrupted by worldly filth, and thus made no further progress. She didn't care—what was spiritual cultivation compared to money? Having enjoyed the prosperity of Tokyo, she had no desire to return to the countryside to spend her days sipping tea and drawing fortune sticks.

Uesugi, however, was naturally unsuited for that method, as the manifestation of the Aizen Myoo (Ragaraja) emphasizes engagement with the world, viewing the desires and afflictions of sentient beings as the source of wisdom. Thus, Ms. Kurosawa taught him Vajra-Holding.

*Purify karmic obstacles, hold the dharma correctly, and adorn the Pure Land.*

In short: If the donor truly cannot understand Buddhist teachings, this monk also knows a thing or two about fisticuffs. Ms. Kurosawa had no interest in this purely combative method; she disliked violence, and besides, the times had changed. Ever since the Black Ships arrived, what was the point of a hard fist against modern guns and cannons?

The television in the room was playing a variety show. A five-member girl group called Akasak was singing and dancing on stage; their debut song, "The Silent Majority," had been quite popular lately. The girl known as the "immovable center," Hirate Sarina, wasn't exactly a classic beauty, but her bob haircut and girl-next-door smile had garnered her immense popularity. It was rumored this group had the potential to become a national sensation. According to gossip from his father, Uesugi Hiro-nori, this group was the official rival to another national idol group, YKC48; they were backed by competing conglomerates, constantly clashing to generate buzz and steal the spotlight.

*Still doesn't compare to Mai-senpai,* Uesugi thought. But actresses and idols were on different career paths, so there was no need to compare. For a top-tier actress like Mai-senpai, a graduate of the University of Tokyo, singing was just a hobby.

Idols and actresses had different selling points. Idols sold themselves; actresses and singers sold their work. If an idol was caught dating, her fan base and commercial value would collapse. If an actress or singer were exposed, it might have an impact, but it wouldn't be fatal.

Uesugi had no interest in idol pop. He changed the channel, thought for a moment, and decided to summon the lingering soul of Ms. Kurosawa. They hadn't communicated for a while, not because he didn't want to, but because he realized her residual power was dwindling. Their last conversation had nearly exhausted her; for spirits without supernatural abilities, every bit of soul power used was gone forever. As a practitioner, Ms. Kurosawa could merge with the Aizen Myoo manifestation, but even brief interactions with Uesugi consumed significant spiritual energy.

*How to replenish it?* Only by triggering the soul contract and drawing power from other spirits.

Ms. Kurosawa had nothing else to teach him. Having lived in Tokyo for decades, she had learned only how to eat, drink, play, and pursue handsome young men. Anything she had learned in her youth was either half-forgotten or ignored in her rush to leave the countryside for the bright lights of the metropolis.

Uesugi briefly told her about his handling of the host, Takigawa Tsubasa.

"Sigh, little handsome, why go to such lengths?" Ms. Kurosawa didn't appreciate his interference. "Why should a handsome man make things hard for another? We're all just trying to survive in the big city. It wasn't easy for him to leave the yakuza—why must you be so persistent?"

"Wasn't he the one who killed you?" Uesugi asked, amused by her attitude. "Don't you hate him?"

"If I were still alive, perhaps I would have some hatred. But now that things are as they are, why create new bloodshed because of me?" Ms. Kurosawa was remarkably broad-minded. "Hate? No, I don't hate him."

"That won't do," Uesugi said coldly. "If you repay evil with kindness, what then will you repay kindness with?"

"Little handsome, the chain of hatred is endless," she replied airily. "I understand how you feel. I was young once, too. When you get old and have no excess emotions left, you'll see these things more clearly."

"No!" Uesugi said, his voice ringing with conviction. He clenched his fists and stood up, his face stern. "I came here to end that chain! Muddying the waters, turning a blind eye, labeling it a suicide or a disappearance, and closing the case—I will not allow it! I am going to bring the truth to light!"

***

Tokyo, Setagaya Ward, an ordinary two-story apartment.

Six in the morning. While Uesugi was still sleeping, Ikeda Erina had already been up for a while.

The apartment, built in the nineties, was a bit worn, but Erina kept it spotless. Unlike Uesugi, who liked a bed, this tall beauty slept on a futon; if she put a bed on the cramped tatami, there would be no room to move.

Her home was in Fukuoka, and she had moved to Tokyo alone. Her salary as a patrol officer only allowed her to live in Setagaya, on the western outskirts of Tokyo. Although the police station offered dorms, she couldn't stand being around other female officers—she’d had enough.

Barefoot, Erina finished a set of squats and stretches. After working up a light sweat, she checked her body, satisfied. She exercised and practiced martial arts daily, maintaining control and vitality. Her calves were firm and muscular, like a healthy young mare; her thighs showed streamlined muscle, and her abdomen was toned and firm.

Sunlight pierced the curtains. Erina wiped her sweat with a towel, absentmindedly watching the neighborhood wake up and the elderly residents beginning their morning routines below. She took a breakfast she’d prepared the night before from the fridge, ready to shower. She could eat out, but her meager salary meant she cooked most of the time. She had asked her family for help once, but her father’s reply was simple: "Don't be so willful. We paid for you to graduate high school; we have our own lives to lead."

*Life, life.*

Uesugi’s words popped into her head: "Don't bring work into your life, and don't bring your life into your work."

But for Erina, this job was her entire life. She demanded rigor from herself to be worthy of it; she was proud of her profession.

After a quick shower, she began her commute from Setagaya to Bunkyo—a journey of over an hour. Along the way, the tall beauty drew countless glances.

When she arrived at the station, the atmosphere was different. Everyone except the on-duty staff was absent. Erina remembered it was the day for the station’s monthly internal meeting—the only day she was required to wear her uniform.

It was summer, and the summer uniform lacked the navy blazer, consisting only of a light blue shirt. It could barely conceal the figure that had brought her so much trouble. She wrapped herself tightly, almost to the point of suffocation, but her perfect, alluring silhouette remained impossible to hide.

Then came the choice: skirt or trousers? Trousers were too hot, and convention dictated a skirt for the monthly meeting.

However, Erina hated pantyhose. Though they were meant to shape legs and cover blemishes, she avoided them whenever possible. For one, they felt restrictive; as a martial artist, she hated the lack of freedom. Secondly, she was 170cm tall and a person of mixed-race descent; standard-issue pantyhose were designed for the 155-165cm Japanese frame, and they constantly slipped down. She knew high-end versions for tall women existed, but a thousand yen a pair was a significant expense.

*Forget it. If I try to stand out even more, this might be my last field assignment.*

She had already heard rumors she might be transferred to warehouse duty; being able to stay in criminal field work at a new station was already a stroke of luck.

*In the end, there isn't a single normal person in the entire police force!* Erina thought with resentment. Her first boss was full of lecherous intent, constantly touching her despite being married, and even trying to trick her into drinking high-alcohol liquor disguised as beer. If she hadn't been a karate black belt, she would have fallen for it. When he failed, he threatened her with his authority and her future. Erina didn't play that game; one signed report sent him to the countryside in Shikoku.

She thought the next station would be better, but it was exactly the same! Her current boss was even more brazen—unmarried, he tried to "pursue" her while constantly touching her, until she gave him a sound beating.

Now, there was no one left to trust! Not even the seemingly honest, older men. Even Inspector Kobashi, who appeared respectable and unassuming, didn't earn her trust. Like the others, he occasionally stole glances at her; who knew what evil thoughts flashed through his mind?

So, she had moved again.

At last, she had met a man who seemed somewhat normal, giving Erina a flicker of comfort. *So, there are normal people in the police force!*

She felt Uesugi Muneyuki fit her idea of an "average man": handsome, educated, a good communicator, a touch of humor, not obsessed with lewd thoughts, willing to help, caring, knowledgeable, decisive, and capable of manipulating old foxes like Sudo and Tanaka into action.

*Wait. He isn't even a policeman.*

Putting on her knee-length skirt and thick, matte-nude pantyhose, Erina finished dressing. Her size-37 feet, encased in the stockings, looked fair and delicate as she slipped them into five-centimeter black patent-leather block heels. The arch of her foot was high and elegant, the soft, thick sole visible beneath the thin fabric, with faint blue veins tracing the white skin. She left the locker room and headed for the conference room.

She was looking forward to seeing what happened with the host.

However, when she found the "old fox" Tanaka, he recoiled, refusing to look at her, pinning his back against the wall. "The Metropolitan Police Department has taken over the case. The club says they'll handle it themselves. It ends here. It’s no longer a matter for our local branch."

"Why?!" Erina couldn't understand. "Didn't you say he..."

"Alright, Ms. Ikeda. We have a chain of convenience store thefts to handle. As a civil servant, you must hold yourself to high standards! Every second we waste on this, the public loses out! Uesugi-kun can't help with this case. If you ruin our three-month streak of 100% arrest and clearance rates, can you take responsibility? Can you slack off just because it isn't a homicide? You’re a detective! Do you have any idea what kind of disaster that would cause?" Section Chief Sudo barked as Erina started to ask more.

Erina lowered her head, fists clenched, her short hair ruffled by the air conditioning.

"Alright, Chief, Ikeda is just concerned about the outcome," Tanaka said without hesitation. He knew no one in the Criminal Investigation Division wanted to go on field duty with Ikeda, and he happened to have a task. "I have a mission for you. You don't need to attend the meeting. Go to the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department of Forensic Pathology, and invite Uesugi-kun over."

"Invite him?" Erina thought they said they didn't need him for the theft case.

"A body was found under a train at the Tokyo Train Repair Depot in Shinagawa during routine maintenance. The station there wants to ask Uesugi-kun for help," Tanaka said, looking smug. "Inspector Moritsugu, who is in charge, is my contemporary. He asked for my help. The office has decided: you are to go and fetch Uesugi-kun."

"Understood." Having been here only a few days, Erina already felt despair.

*Not a single one of them is a human being!*