Chapter 61: Grudge

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Not wanting to leave?!
Uesugi Sousetsu had already instinctively reached out his hand, preparing to perform the rite of passage, when he heard Mariko Hironaka’s words, leaving him utterly dumbfounded.
An anomaly in the established procedure?!
[What are you joking about?! I never wanted to die! I’m getting married, I have a family, I have friends, why on earth should you pass me over to the afterlife?!] As Mariko Hironaka spoke of this, her expression gradually distorted. Her facial features twisted as if caught in a vortex, rapidly spinning into a top-like blur. Her body blackened amidst the contortion, and her eyes became hollow and void: [My wish has not yet been fulfilled!]
[You’re still not satisfied?] Uesugi Sousetsu hesitated for a few seconds. Subconsciously, he wanted to refute Mariko Hironaka’s words, but another instinct told him that Mariko Hironaka’s wandering soul was undergoing a profound transformation.
Her resentment toward death, her resentment toward the living, was gradually turning her from a mere wandering soul into something else entirely.
Was Mariko Hironaka wronged in her death?
It could be said that no one had ever died more unjustly than her!
She had acted out of pure kindness, running back and forth, only for the final outcome to be cruelty in return for her good intentions! She was murdered by the very person she had consistently cared for and helped, merely due to a misunderstanding. Even Uesugi Sousetsu felt a deep sense of injustice on her behalf!
Not to mention that it was now the early hours of the morning, and today was supposed to be her wedding day.
Under such circumstances, the intense resentment harbored within Mariko Hironaka had caused her soul to mutate, swirling around Uesugi Sousetsu like a churning column of ink-black hurricane winds.
As for why she had not completely lost her sanity, Uesugi Sousetsu guessed it was likely because Mariko Hironaka was inherently kind-natured and retained some sense of reason. She held immense resentment, but not toward Uesugi Sousetsu, who had nothing to do with the matter.
Could this be—a curse of resentment?
Legend had it that the curse cast by someone who died with lingering grievance was precisely a curse of resentment. It accumulated towering grievances in the deceased’s former dwelling; anyone who touched it would surely die, giving birth to a new "curse of resentment" that continuously spread a terrifying demise, while the curse itself forever guarded the haunted house, damning every visitor.
According to the wandering soul contract, Uesugi Sousetsu could certainly grant her passage, but considering that the strange mutation occurring within Mariko Hironaka might help him understand the Netherworld... After a cautious moment of thought, he probed: [It’s not entirely out of the question, but how should we go about it?]
Upon hearing that Uesugi Sousetsu agreed, Mariko Hironaka immediately resumed the appearance of her original spirit form. The female broadcaster was quite pleased that her wish was being fulfilled: [The contract mentions the esoteric teaching of the Myo-o ruling over a hundred ghosts. You need only let me reside beneath your Myo-o throne.]
[But you are not a wielder of supernatural powers...] Uesugi Sousetsu stated: [You won't be able to recover your soul energy, and eventually, you will dissipate.]
[It doesn't matter. By that time, perhaps I will have had enough, and it won't be too late for you to grant me passage then.]
Just like that, the two parties reached a new agreement.
The moment the contract took effect, a魄力 (vital force and presence) as towering as a giant peak and as roaring as a river and sea surged into Uesugi Sousetsu’s body. The blue gem on his right hand burst with brilliant light, spewing out successive energy vortexes. An amount of vital force vastly exceeding anything Uesugi Sousetsu could have imagined nearly filled him to the brim. The golden avatar of Aizen Myo-o turned entirely blood-red, the halo behind it rising and fully illuminating. Amidst the scarlet esoteric flames, Aizen Myo-o’s enraged and fierce expression gained a unique flavor.
The hardening effect of [Vajra Sustained] now superficially gained wisps of flames born from the curse of resentment.
A flaming ascending dragon?
Uesugi Sousetsu was surprised by the new ability acquired from Mariko Hironaka. At the same time, seeing that Uesugi Sousetsu remained silent and occasionally observed his own hands, Erena Ikeda and Minami Watanabe assumed that Uesugi Sousetsu was also feeling saddened by Mariko Hironaka’s tragic fate.
Naturally so. To encounter such a rewardless act of kindness—let alone someone as intolerant of evil as Erena, even a favored daughter of heaven like Minami Watanabe looked at Sosaburo Fukushima with a gaze full of utter contempt.
The officers of the Metropolitan Police Department showed no pleasant expressions whatsoever toward the criminal who was weeping bitterly on the ground, and dragged him away.
Before leaving, Sosaburo Fukushima requested to personally apologize to Mariko Hironaka’s family and fiancé.
His request was rejected by Mariko Hironaka’s family.
In fact, the Metropolitan Police Department had to put a great deal of effort into separating Mariko Hironaka’s father from Sosaburo Fukushima.
Meanwhile, Uesugi Sousetsu noticed that Mariko Hironaka’s fiancé, Ren Shimashima, remained silent throughout. He looked neither resentful nor angry, yet entirely devoid of any joy.
As he was thinking this, Ren Shimashima walked straight toward Uesugi Sousetsu.
"Excuse me, could I take a moment of your time?" Ren Shimashima took the initiative to speak to Uesugi Sousetsu, handing over a golden business card.
"Very well, I wouldn't mind taking a moment of your time either." Uesugi Sousetsu offered a polite apology to Erena Ikeda and Minami Watanabe, and left with the fiancé.
Only Erena and Minami remained at the scene. Watching Uesugi Sousetsu and Ren Shimashima’s figures disappear down the end of the corridor, Erena Ikeda turned her gaze toward the acclaimed beauty of the Metropolitan Police Department.
She vaguely remembered that time in the restaurant after reporting to the Metropolitan Police Department with Uesugi Sousetsu, when this beautiful female officer and Inspector Yanagisawa had sat a dozen meters away, pointing and whispering about her the entire time without any intention of coming over to make her acquaintance.
It was only after introducing herself this time that Erena learned she was the widely rumored "Face of the Metropolitan Police Department"—the only daughter of the newly appointed Superintendent General, Minami Watanabe.
Erena could hardly be blamed for her slow reaction; she was deeply isolated within the police station, having few friends, and her source of information was sluggish and outdated.
Minami Watanabe was 22 years old and already a Police Inspector (Keibu). Erena Ikeda was 23 years old, and her rank was still Patrolman (Junsa).
Between the two of them lay Senior Patrolman (an unofficial rank), Assistant Inspector (Keibuho), and Inspector. Moreover, barring any accidents, Minami Watanabe would be promoted to Superintendent (Keishi) before the age of 28, whereas even under the smoothest circumstances, Erena Ikeda would be well past 35 before reaching the rank of Inspector.
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This was the gap between the career track (elite group) and the non-career track. Although both wore police uniforms, the two of them essentially belonged to different worlds.
Much like the romance between Wataru Takagi and Miwako Sato in Detective Conan, the romance between a non-career track officer and a career-track elite was truly a fairy tale. Even so, Wataru Takagi had once considered that if they married, he would certainly have to resign and become a househusband—a tiny touch of realism within the fairy tale.
Why were local non-career track officers so obsessed with entering the Headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Department? Precisely because only at the headquarters could one work alongside the elite and semi-elite tracks, and only there was it possible to break through the shackles of the Inspector rank before the age of 45 and be promoted to Superintendent.
However, Erena didn't care about all that. She hadn't become a police officer for the sake of promotions.
"Congratulations, Patrolman Ikeda. A very fine judo technique," Minami Watanabe said indifferently. "Are you getting used to your new precinct?"
"Huh?!" Erena Ikeda’s brain hadn't quite caught up yet. "I, well, fine."
"Very well, go back and wait for the notification." Minami Watanabe lowered her head slightly, bowing no more than fifteen degrees. "Then, goodbye."
Having said that, the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department truly walked away without looking back.
"Ah?" Erena Ikeda had no idea what was going on. She instinctively cried out, "Wait!"
Minami Watanabe stopped in her tracks. "Is there something else?"
Standing at one meter seventy, Erena seemed to automatically drop an aura level in front of Minami, who was one meter sixty. Under the other woman's aloof, iceberg-like temperament, Erena's detached and cold disguise was practically worthless. "Um, thank you."
She was referring to the matter of Minami Watanabe calling to communicate with the District Public Prosecutors Office.
"You're welcome." Minami Watanabe’s expression remained calm, accepting Erena’s apology in full. "Then, goodbye."
You certainly should thank me, the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department thought to herself.
What is wrong with this person? Is being on the career track so great? Is being the Superintendent General's only daughter so great? Is being a 22-year-old Inspector so great?
Erena had rarely wanted to express her goodwill and gratitude, only for the other party not to care in the least. The enraged tall beauty bit her silver teeth tightly, clenching her fists, wishing she could also hit Minami Watanabe with a "Mountain of Storms" throw.
As expected, only Uesugi was different. Only him...
Having her stereotypical impression of the system deepened yet again, Erena Ikeda once more found herself unsure of what to do.
I'll just wait for him to return, the tall beauty thought, finding a place to sit down and quietly waiting.
Her performance this time had at least been valuable; passing police officers and television station staff were now greeting her.
Yet Erena remained as cold as ever. Faced with those coming forward to greet her, she only responded indifferently, and even rejected an interview request from Fuji TV.
What is wrong with this person? Is being a mere patrolman so great? Is being a judo expert so great? Is being this tall so great?
Everyone around her muttered inwardly.
After walking a certain distance, Minami Watanabe was joined by Superintendent Okada, the Superintendent General’s exclusive driver. "It seems that just as the rumors say, her temper is not very good."
"Heh, is it just 'not very good'?" The corners of Minami Watanabe’s lips curved into a chilling, frosty smile. "No matter. She is merely a tool."
"A tool?"
"A tool I used to test Uesugi Sousetsu's genuine competence and learning." The Face of the Metropolitan Police Department cast a glance at the Superintendent Senior badge on the chest of Mikasa, the head of the First Investigative Division, who was currently describing the course of the entire case to the live broadcast camera. She sneered, "She performed quite well; it’s time to spit out the reward for her. Only with rewards can there be penalties."
"You mean?" Superintendent Okada smiled slightly, offering no denial.
"Promote her. She acted quite well today and preserved the headquarters' dignity." Minami Watanabe took a deep breath, pressing her lips together, her eyes sparkling. "Since Uesugi and she get along so well, future cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and him will be much easier to handle."
Superintendent Okada looked at the Superintendent General's only daughter, unable to suppress a trace of chill rising in his heart.
Erena Ikeda was simply Minami Watanabe's tool to test Uesugi Sousetsu.
First, to test whether Uesugi Sousetsu’s talent was pure blind luck or genuine skill.
Second, to test whether Uesugi Sousetsu could adapt to the police system and possess the foundation for long-term cooperation.
Third, to probe Uesugi Sousetsu’s preferences and needs so the Metropolitan Police Department could cater to them.
Judging from the previous Q&A, Uesugi Sousetsu had already figured it out, while Erena Ikeda remained completely kept in the dark.
In fact, Minami Watanabe had even hoped that if something actually sparked between those two, the Metropolitan Police Department could smoothly bind Uesugi Sousetsu under the control of Sakuradamon.
As it turned out, nothing happened.
Superintendent Okada had no idea whether this was good news or not. The former would cause Minami Watanabe to drop her evaluation of Uesugi Sousetsu by a large margin, while the latter would make Minami feel that Uesugi Sousetsu was difficult to control.
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Be that as it may, Erena Ikeda's value as a tool ended right here.
Pity, though Erena Ikeda was quite pretty, and Mai Shirakawa was an absolute super beauty, the temperament exuded by Minami Watanabe was entirely different.
That arrogance and cold allure, like an iceberg that irresistibly provoked a desire to conquer, followed immediately by self-deprecation and yearning due to the disparity in status—that was the unique attribute of this Face of the Metropolitan Police Department.
However, that was none of Superintendent Okada's concern; he was already married.
........................................
On the third-floor terrace, the night wind raged and all things wailed. Against the brilliant lights of Minato Ward and the crowds still packing the area outside Odaiba in the early hours of the morning, Uesugi Sousetsu and Ren Shimashima leaned against the railing side by side.
Ren Shimashima was dressed in heavy Ralph Lauren attire. Every corner of his outfit exuded matte and warm dark tones, save for the slightly bright, warm, comfortable yet somewhat indulgent Vacheron Constantin gold watch on his wrist.
Old money style, Uesugi Sousetsu evaluated inwardly.
"I'm terribly sorry to have troubled you." The fiancé expressed his gratitude to Uesugi Sousetsu. "Anyway, if not for you, those cops would probably still suspect me of being the murderer right now."
"In cases like this, the police's deductive logic is always much the same." Uesugi Sousetsu gazed out into the night view of Minato Ward, his sight inadvertently sweeping past the fiancé.
Mariko Hironaka is watching you!
Buddy, watch out; you wouldn't want to get tangled up in a curse of resentment, would you?
"How about it? The night view of Minato Ward—not bad, right?" Seeing Uesugi Sousetsu staring outside, Ren Shimashima smiled. "I'm a native-born Minato Ward resident, so I'm used to it. I went to school in Minato Ward, and my family and friends are all from Minato Ward. My grandfather's generation was already hanging out at Fuji TV often."
"Is that so?" Uesugi Sousetsu wore a smile, while Mariko Hironaka beside him grumbled: [How many times did this guy say 'Minato Ward' in one sentence? A Minato Ward boy?]
As if sensing it, Ren Shimashima smiled. "Uesugi-kun, you don't mind me calling you that? Just now, were you thinking, 'Why does this guy keep bringing up Minato Ward?'"
Without waiting for Uesugi Sousetsu to answer, Ren Shimashima went on to say, "Because people from Minato Ward basically only make friends with people from Minato Ward. Only those born in Minato Ward can enter the small circles of Minato Ward. The fathers and grandfathers of our inner circle are all from Minato Ward. Saying 'eight generations of ancestors' is a bit of an exaggeration, but you should understand what I mean."
"Weren't you also quite fond of flaunting your status as part of the Kazoku?" Ren Shimashima said. "We are the same kind of people."
Uesugi Sousetsu understood what Ren Shimashima meant. He leaned against the railing alongside the fiancé and smiled helplessly, "Indeed, we are the same kind of people."
Under the cover of night, a Kazoku scion and a Minato Ward scion blew in the wind together—a meeting of old money and old Kazoku.
"So you can understand me; you surely understand me." Ren Shimashima lit a cigarette, lightly exhaling smoke rings. "The Metropolitan Police Department's suspicions weren't actually wrong. I don't feel sad about Mariko's death."
"As someone born into the Kazoku, you must understand. A wife is sometimes something meant to be shown off to others," Ren Shimashima said slowly. "Whether taking a Fuji TV female broadcaster out or bringing her to a Minato Ward inner-circle gathering, it’s a matter of immense prestige, isn't it? Can you understand?"
"I understand." Uesugi Sousetsu nodded slowly. His mother, Tomoko Uesugi, was the same—born into a noble family, proficient in flower arranging, tea ceremony, card games, and classical poetry, bringing glory to the main family when going out to host guests and socialize.
Such a wife was meant to be put on display for outsiders. In truth, when his parents had first married, their relationship was ordinary, but Tomoko Uesugi conceived and bore a son right after marriage, bringing immense joy to his father, who faced heavy pressure to continue the family line. From then on, their marital relationship became exceptionally harmonious and continued to heat up, followed by his own birth, which turned his father and mother into a loving couple.
"Right, you should understand. Marrying a Fuji TV female broadcaster brings me great prestige, so I didn't care. I didn't care what she was like before marriage. I thought that if she and I didn't get along, we'd just put on a facade as a married couple in name only and each play our own games; if we did get along, I'd be willing to settle down and live a proper life with her.
"I didn't have much affection for her to begin with; I didn't love her. When I heard the news of her disappearance, I even thought she had regrets, which was fine too—it would simply mean the engagement was called off and I'd swap for someone else. That's why I couldn't feel any sorrow, nor could I squeeze out a single tear. Naturally, those useless police officers would treat me as a suspect, but they don't understand at all! They don't understand Minato Ward, they don't understand people like us!
"We are naturally accustomed to marrying people we don't like! Even if the wedding date is near, or we are already married, there's no reason we have to break up with our mistresses in Ginza!" Ren Shimashima slammed his fist angrily against the railing. "That greedy pig of a cop at the Metropolitan Police Department, so eager to crack the case, actually pinned me to the table! I will pay him back tenfold... no, a hundredfold!"
"I'm not sure what kind of person I'll marry in the future either." Uesugi Sousetsu could sense the fiancé's pride and the anger of being slighted. He expressed understanding and was about to comfort Ren Shimashima when he abruptly noticed that the fiancé was crying.
"But, but..." Ren Shimashima wiped the tears from his face with his hand. "Why did it turn out like this? Why is it that only after she died, I came to understand her? Why is it that after her death, I realized her kindness? She would write a special recommendation letter for a temp worker and have a private chat with him—such a kind, wonderful woman. How wonderful it would have been if she had become my wife?
"Why did it take until she died—until she died for me to realize this? Why did I...?" Ren Shimashima thumped the railing rhythmically, full of vexation and sorrow. "I finally got ready to get married, so why did fate have to make her leave?!"
"Sob~~" The fiancé drooped his head, sniffling, utterly desolate. "Why am I only thinking of crying now?"
"Because, Shimashima-san, your tears are not shed for love. You are simply regretful that a beautifully packaged blind box was lost before you even had a chance to open it, and only after the contents inside were smashed to pieces did you realize it exceeded its value. You are merely weeping for your own loss." Uesugi Sousetsu shook his head and patted the fiancé on the shoulder. "The pain of what has never been attained and what has already been lost is an eternal human sorrow. The fact that you are willing to shed tears for her is already enough."
"We really are the same kind of people." Ren Shimashima sniffled and took the initiative to extend a hand to Uesugi Sousetsu. "Let's be friends, Uesugi-kun."
"Agreed."
This update is 5,200 words long. Quite sincere, wouldn't you say?