Chapter 59: The Other Shore of Sorrow

PS: There was indeed only one chapter yesterday. Starting today, there will be two chapters per day.

Within Japanese judo, there once circulated a supreme secret technique known as "Arashiyama" (Storm Mountain).

This technique was used as a trump card by Saigo Shiro, a disciple of the founder of judo, Kano Jigoro, at a martial arts tournament hosted by the Metropolitan Police Department in 1886. By defeating practitioners of other jujutsu schools with this technique, he made it instantly famous.

At one point, this technique was regarded as the ultimate, consummate pinnacle of judo. Countless people pursued and obsessed over it. Subsequent embellishments and storytelling turned Arashiyama into something akin to an ultimate finisher, a forbidden technique, or a maximum-power super combo.

However, in 1920, when the Judo Association comprehensively cataloged all judo techniques, Arashiyama was omitted.

This was because, after Saigo Shiro, no other judo competitor was able to execute this supreme technique in actual combat. Arashiyama placed extraordinarily high demands on body shape, hand positioning, upright posture, force-generation techniques, and especially the combination of a rear kick followed by an upward hook. Furthermore, because it required adjustments based on different people's heights and body builds, the technique actually contained "redundant movements."

Having already grabbed the opponent, performing unnecessary "back-turns" and foot-stamping yielded no benefit while significantly increasing the risk of being countered by the opponent. Following the advancement and simplification of judo techniques, no one ever used Arashiyama in actual combat again.

The officers of the Metropolitan Police Department had never imagined that they would have the opportunity to witness Arashiyama with their own eyes in a real combat situation today!

As metropolitan police officers, judo lessons were practically mandatory for everyone, and most of them had watched demonstration recordings of Arashiyama to varying degrees. Yet, seeing someone actually reproduce this technique in real combat left Ikeda Erena stunning dozens of police officers present on the scene.

A national-team-tier expert actually existed in a local police precinct?!

Only judo athletes on the national team displayed the technique of Arashiyama in demonstrations, primarily to show off their skills.

How did Ikeda, whose combat capability approached national-team level, end up serving as a patrol officer at a local police precinct?

Just as the officers were filled with utter astonishment, the Fuji TV live broadcast crew happened to capture the exact moment Ikeda Erena subdued Fukushima Sozaburo.

Twenty million people across the entire Kanto region watched this scene simultaneously.

This was also the highest-rated single moment of Fuji TV's live broadcast that evening, peaking at 46.8%.

After recovering from the slight shock, the officers of the Metropolitan Police Department did not remain idle. Seizing the opportunity while the suspect had been heavily slammed onto the ground, ringing in the ears, and still holding a knife, the police finally found an outlet to vent their frustrations. Although they still could not fire their guns, special operations tactical officers rushed forward with stun batons, delivering several heavy blows that instantly stripped the suspect of any ability to resist. The Section 1 detectives roared in unison, piling onto the suspect like a human pyramid, and finally wrestled the knife from his grip to secure him completely.

"Amazing, Master Ikeda." Uesugi Souyu had no doubts whatsoever about Ikeda Erena's martial arts prowess. Having taken private lessons from her for over a month, he naturally knew just how terrifying her martial arts skills were.

To put it crudely...

[Oh wow, this female cop probably dumped all her stat points into her figure and martial arts!] The dead soul of Hironaka Mariko chimed in with a sarcastic critique first, the female anchor torn between envy and contempt: [All that intelligence was completely left out, tsk tsk!]

[Don't steal my lines!] Uesugi Souyu finally couldn't hold it in anymore. Hironaka Mariko was clearly already dead; why did she have so much to say?

[I don't have to wrong myself anymore!] Hironaka Mariko was filled with grievances: [I'm already dead, so what?]

Uesugi Souyu fell silent. That's right, she was already dead; what else could be done to her?

Moreover, the feeling Hironaka Mariko left him with was different from other dead souls he had encountered previously. Hironaka Mariko was consumed by resentment and incomprehension regarding her own death, causing her dead soul to accumulate a massive amount of emotional energy. This kept her in an active state for a long time, even without any Netherworld abilities.

The nature of her dead soul seemed to have undergone a transformation.

Uesugi Souyu could not figure it out for a moment.

"Humph~ Bad thing." Ikeda Erena's overwhelmingly formidable martial arts finally found a perfect opportunity to shine, and a look of triumphant pride inevitably appeared on the tall beauty's face. Especially upon receiving Uesugi Souyu's admiration and affirmation, she felt a wave of pleasant warmth spreading from her chest to her limbs, refreshing her entire body: "With me around, I won't let you get hurt like last time!"

Winning his approval made Erena feel as though she had gained the whole world.

"Such exquisite technique, simply remarkable." On the side of the Metropolitan Police Department, after confirming that the suspect was firmly secured, Inspector Megure finally relaxed his expression completely and couldn't help stepping forward to praise: "Miss Ikeda, I never imagined that I, Megure Sota, would actually live to witness Arashiyama in real combat."

The surrounding police officers chored their praises.

For the first time, the elites of Section 1 of the Metropolitan Police Department realized that Ikeda Erena might actually possess genuine talent and skill.

For the first time, Section 1, led by Inspector Megure, realized that Ikeda Erena's entry into the police force might not bring only chaos and a culture of whistleblowing.

Perhaps she was actually useful?

Seeing is believing, and everyone's attitude toward Erena became much more respectful.

Meanwhile, Fuji TV's President Kameyama and Production Bureau Director Abiru, having witnessed Erena deploy "Arashiyama" and hearing that the ratings had once again broken 45%, were nearly out of their minds with joy.

"Abiru, this is the greatest live broadcast ever!" President Kameyama had long abandoned his presidential image, shaking his head with his mouth wide open as drool flew out.

"The greatest?" Director Abiru feigned hesitation before bursting into roaring laughter: "It's beyond magnificent!"

Radiating youth and burning passion, the two middle-aged men threw off their suit jackets and slammed their fists together in celebration.

"Hahahahahahahahaahahaha~"

Part (1/3)

"Heyhehehehehehehe!"

From this point on, the live broadcast of the Odaiba Fuji TV building lockdown incident temporarily came to a close.

Starting from the lockdown at a little past six in the evening, Fuji TV's lockdown live broadcast at 7:30, Uesugi Souyu finding the body past nine, the on-site autopsy and Q&A at ten, Uesugi Souyu facing the camera to search for physical evidence and state its characteristics on the spot, the arrests starting past ten, up until the capture of the criminal suspect Fukushima Sozaburo at eleven o'clock—the entire Fuji TV organization had experienced a ride resembling a super roller coaster.

Fortunately, it ultimately landed smoothly and everyone was happy.

Except for Hironaka Mariko's family, who seemed unwilling to accept the reality yet. But what did that have to do with President Kameyama?

President Kameyama even sighed inwardly, thinking that such an event would be hard to replicate. Otherwise, if they pulled off a live broadcast like this once a year, Fuji TV would become the loudest voice in the entire Kanto Broadcasting Association!

Haha~!

Hironaka, our Fuji TV thanks you for your contribution!

————I am the dividing line that happens once a year————

Just as Fuji TV began arranging an urgent celebration banquet, commissioning the Tokyo Imperial Hotel to set up twenty lavish tables to reward the heroes with a feast.

On the second floor of the Odaiba building, in the temporary interrogation room.

The criminal suspect Fukushima Sozaburo sat in a chair with his head bowed, surrounded by three tight layers of police officers inside and out.

Because this fellow had launched an attack with a knife, even though Ikeda Erena had broken three of his ribs and apparently caused internal organ damage resulting in bleeding from his nose and mouth, not a single officer spoke up on his behalf, nor did any officer consider Erena's actions to be excessive self-defense.

This bastard deserved to die!

Kashiwagi Jin, head of Section 3 of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Section 1, and Megure Sota, head of Section 13, stepped forward simultaneously.

"Mr. Fukushima, could you explain what you were doing between Friday night and the early hours of Friday morning?"

"............"

"This is the footage from that time. Why did you enter and exit the Odaiba building multiple times during that period? And why did you sit on the garden stairs smoking?"

"............"

"Through surveillance comparison, this work uniform is the one you were wearing at the time. Whose blood is stained on it? Why did you temporarily change out of your work uniform and hide it in the ceiling?"

"............"

"Why did you hide it? And what did that phrase 'give me back my destroyed life' mean?"

"............"

Fukushima Sozaburo looked to be in his forties, though he was actually not yet forty. He looked haggard, unshaven, covered in wrinkles, with a dreadful mental state and heavy dark circles under his eyes. Facing the interrogation of the two police officers, he responded only with silence.

"Speak! You bastard!!!" Kashiwagi Jin slammed his hand onto the table in rage, grabbing Fukushima Sozaburo by the collar: "Kora! You moron made our Metropolitan Police Department work overtime late into the night, mobilizing five branch precincts and nearly a thousand police officers from headquarters, and you expect to just play dead like this?!"

"Leaving everything else aside, based solely on the charge of armed assault on a police officer and obstruction of official duties, we can send you away for at least five years! Five years, mind you, five years! Not to mention the evidence is ironclad. Do you think silence is going to save you? Huh?!"

Perhaps because the act of armed assault on police was particularly egregious, the Metropolitan Police Department, normally unauthorized for violent interrogations, threw off all restraint and adopted an extremely tough attitude.

"Kashiwagi!" Inspector Megure finally stopped his star colleague: "Wait a moment. We made a promise to Uesugi-kun earlier."

"That was your promise, not mine!"

Yet Fukushima Sozaburo still uttered not a word.

Outside the room, Uesugi Souyu and Ikeda Erena were looking at Watanabe Minami. The face of the Metropolitan Police Department put down her phone and said, "Alright, it's settled."

"The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office stated that they are also watching the broadcast. Miss Ikeda Erena, you will not be prosecuted by the prosecutors office on the possibility of excessive self-defense." Watanabe Minami smiled brilliantly, her voice sweet as honey: "By the way, that was a gorgeous judo technique. You really saved face for our Metropolitan Police Department."

"Thank you, Inspector Watanabe." Uesugi Souyu and Ikeda Erena bowed together to thank Watanabe Minami.

"Don't. I'm the one who should be expressing gratitude. Are you praising me or mocking me?" Watanabe Minami quickly tucked a hair behind her ear and shook her head gracefully: "You handled the investigation, you performed the autopsy, you made the deduction, and in the end, you provided the clues, made the arrest, and resolved the threat. All I could do was help out on the sidelines. Being able to assist you is my honor."

"Alright, no more extra words, Uesugi-kun. As promised." Watanabe Minami pulled open the door to the temporary interrogation room, signaling that it was time: "Go ahead and work your magic, leave the rest to me."

Uesugi Souyu walked into the temporary interrogation room alone.

Surrounded by layers upon layers of police officers, Uesugi Souyu sat down directly opposite Fukushima Sozaburo.

"Hello, Mr. Fukushima. I am Uesugi Souyu." He greeted the suspect first.

Part (2/3)

"............" The other party did not reply.

"Let me tell you a story," Uesugi Souyu said, cutting straight to the point.

"Your name is Fukushima, 39 years old, a dispatched worker from a temp agency."

"You are unmarried, have no children, possess no savings, but also have no particular debts. Having come to Tokyo from the countryside, you have always been mesmerized by the grandeur and magnificence of this city. The people here flow like an endless tide; you feel deeply inferior, yet also immensely thrilled."

"You have always loved life and cherished everything in your hands. Although you are merely a dispatched worker, you have remained serious and responsible about your job, working hard and striving to prove your value to everyone."

"Fortunately, your efforts won recognition from the company president and those around you. You were very happy, believing that you might have a chance to stay on permanently. While it is nearly impossible for a dispatched worker to transition into a regular full-time employee, still... what if?"

As Uesugi Souyu said this, Inspector Megure and Detective Kashiwagi nearby both assumed he was simply making up a story.

Yet Fukushima Sozaburo clearly reacted. He raised his head, his eyes holding a mixture of five parts panic and five parts hatred, though he did not dare meet Uesugi Souyu's gaze.

Having spent a long time in criminal investigation, it was impossible not to know what such an expression on a suspect meant.

What the hell?!

"Among them, Ms. Hironaka Mariko always looked after you and treated you very politely. Although you knew in your heart that nothing romantic could ever happen between her and you, you still cherished the time you spent interacting with her. Just being able to speak a single word to her, or even catching her glance at you, filled your entire body with strength."

Uesugi Souyu continued: "Unfortunately, you soon learned that she was going to get married."

"This in itself was nothing, and you even congratulated her on her upcoming marriage." The expression on Uesugi Souyu's face began to grow heavy: "However, right before she finished her shift on the eve of her wedding, Ms. Hironaka temporarily called you aside, saying she wanted to talk to you in private."

Fukushima Sozaburo's eyes widened. Like an honest man driven to the brink of madness, his gaze went blank as he shifted uneasily in his seat. A smile-like expression appeared on his face, while fresh blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"So the two of you managed to slip past the surveillance blind spot and came down to the underground area." Uesugi Souyu locked eyes with Fukushima Sozaburo: "Aside from you, no one knows what actually happened. But tell us, please—what on earth did the gentle, kind-hearted Ms. Hironaka Mariko say to you that suddenly drove you to murder?"

"Please," Uesugi Souyu bowed slightly.

"Haha~" Fukushima Sozaburo finally spoke. He burst into loud laughter, tears brimming in his eyes: "Hahaha ahaha!"

"You people have been wrong from the very beginning." The suspect laughed continuously for a few moments before his facial features twisted in agony, shifting from laughter to weeping: "All that gentleness, all that kindness—it was all a lie!"

"Fake! It was all fake! What Fuji TV female anchor, what polite consideration—it was all a lie!"

Fukushima Sozaburo sniffled heavily, a thirty-nine-year-old grown man finally breaking down into uncontrollable sobs, filled with hatred and venom: "She was just getting married and terrified she wouldn't have another chance in the future, so she finally told me to my face!"

"She told me I didn't need to work so hard anymore because the station had no intention of letting any of the dispatched workers in this batch transition to full-time staff. She told me she felt deeply regretful about it! Haha! Regretful!"

"She hoped I could accept reality! Haha, reality!"

"She even said that someone as capable as me would surely find an opportunity for a regular position somewhere else! Haha! Opportunity!"

"Who didn't know she had some relationship with the president? Who didn't know the news she leaked was always true?" Fukushima Sozaburo wept tears of snot and sorrow, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"This bitch, in the end, finally couldn't help herself from coming to mock me, coming to laugh at me! Because she was getting married and quitting to become a full-time housewife, right? Thinking we would never meet again, right? She finally couldn't hold it in anymore!"

"That's why I killed her, I choked her to death, I destroyed her! Since she could destroy my life, I could destroy her life! I liked her so much..."

"How's that? Are you satisfied now, you cops?!" Fukushima Sozaburo covered his face and wept bitterly: "It was all fake, all fake. I used to think she was an angel, but it was all a lie!"

"Fake!"

Fukushima Sozaburo's confession left Uesugi Souyu stunned. As he carefully chewed over the words spoken by the man and the words he had heard from Hironaka Mariko, an unimaginable, searing pain spread through his heart, causing him to clutch his chest and cough violently, tears and snot streaming down together.

He finally understood what had actually happened!

Fukushima Sozaburo had completely misunderstood Hironaka Mariko's words from the very beginning!

He had thought she was mocking him.

It was as simple as that!

So exhausting. Writing 4000 words a day is already a lot, why doesn't the esteemed editor understand this logic?

Part (3/3)