Chapter Twenty-Nine, August Rain

The massive sensation caused by the Shinagawa station train corpse case continued to ripple through society, bringing a surge of various professional requests to Uesugi Muneyuki.

The Shinagawa precinct solved the case in a single day. Inspector Moritsugu was awarded the "Superintendent General's Commendation" by the Metropolitan Police Department, praised for his decisive action and for finding the right person—or, at the very least, for not hindering Uesugi. JR East also had their president step forward to express gratitude. Whether or not the Fortune Global 500 company truly cared, they performed their due diligence, gifting Uesugi an annual JR pass that allowed him free travel on all JR lines for a year.

With the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police and JR East, the homeless encampment near Mitani Station was finally cleared. JR East provided funds for relocation and a small welfare stipend for the homeless, supplemented by social donations. The police, following an investigation, arrested three elderly, infirm former construction workers. They confessed that on the night in question, they had been drinking cheap liquor with Matsubara Daigo and, while rummaging through trash, had accidentally bumped him off the platform, resulting in manslaughter.

The three men were incarcerated. The police provided them with new living quarters, meals, and medical care. Despite facing over five years in prison for manslaughter, the suspects seemed cheerful, as if their lives had finally found a sense of purpose and hope.

Uesugi only learned after the fact that the victim had been accidentally pushed while intoxicated. He had been uncertain whether the death was a homicide or an accident, but seeing the police investigation yield such clear results—with the three suspects providing consistent confessions and an autopsy confirming the alcohol content in the deceased—he had no further objections.

In hindsight, his insistence that it was not a "suicide" was driven by his refusal to let the matter be brushed aside, though he realized he couldn't entirely rule out the possibility that the victim had intentionally stepped onto the tracks. He resolved to be more cautious and precise in his future statements.

This was the first major case he had solved in partnership with Ikeda Erena. It was only the beginning.

As Uesugi’s reputation grew, more precincts began seeking his help. Many stations across the sub-center and western Tokyo were chronically short of qualified forensic pathologists. Through the introductions of "Old Man Tanaka" and "Sudo the Butt," they came to the Tokyo Medical and Dental University to solicit Uesugi’s assistance.

Uesugi was exceptionally serious in his approach. Even when he couldn't participate in a case from start to finish, he provided crucial advice that ensured the causes of death were neither obscured nor covered up. Furthermore, his work ethic was meticulous and grave; he never overlooked a detail, nor did he cut corners. Once he took on a task, he saw it through to the end, correcting errors face-to-face and ensuring everything was made crystal clear.

The police officers who sought him out could not help but admire his talent, yet they often grumbled about his humorless rigidity.

But where else could they find a pathologist with Uesugi’s professional caliber who wasn't so uncompromising, who wouldn't be willing to "adjust" reports to suit police needs or be flexible and worldly-wise?

Perhaps only by digging one up from the grave.

So, they had no choice but to rely on him. Habitually, at least a third of the precincts in the Tokyo sub-center and western regions began assigning their autopsies to him.

What was unique was that whenever Uesugi was dispatched, Ikeda Erena was always by his side. At her home station, the Otsuka Precinct, she was sidelined from all actual police work; Section Chief Sudo’s only order for her was to assist Uesugi. Tanaka handled the introductions, while Erena handled the escort and company.

By August, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Otsuka Precinct was singled out for praise at the Metropolitan Police Department's Sakuradamon assembly. It was their fourth consecutive month maintaining a 100% arrest rate, a 100% clearance rate, and zero complaints. Sudo, Tanaka, Kuwabara Asako, and Erena all received letters of appreciation.

The most excited person was Uesugi’s father, Uesugi Hironori. Seeing his son succeed made him happier than anyone. He took the initiative to invite the division’s "benefactors" to dinner. Sudo, Tanaka, and Kuwabara accepted gladly, but Erena politely declined.

The day of Hironori’s dinner arrived. Uesugi was on two days of compensatory leave after working consecutive overtime. With him resting, Erena found herself at a loss for what to do. Going to the precinct every morning and driving to the university to find Uesugi had become a habit.

With no other choice, she went to work. Dressed in standard women's business trousers, Erena sat alone at her desk. The rest of the division acted as if she were invisible; no one answered when she spoke, and she wasn't invited to discussions. The tall beauty sat like an island in the ocean, silently passing the day.

Around 5:00 PM, as most staff were leaving, a pale flash of light streaked across the clouds outside, illuminating the horizon. A deep, rumbling thunder followed, shaking the firmament as a violent storm swept across the Tokyo summer sky.

*Boom!*

The thunder rolled incessantly, accompanied by a torrential downpour.

Erena bought a coffee from the vending machine downstairs. As she prepared to return to the office to head home, she heard voices from inside the room.

"It's pouring. Ugh, how annoying. Isn't Mr. Uesugi Hironori hosting us tonight? This is a hassle," Tanaka said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Guess we'll have to take a taxi."

"Tanaka, you idiot. Uesugi is treating us to a high-end dinner at the Shunpu-tei in Bunkyo. The Chief will be there, too; we can just ride in his car," Section Chief Sudo said, beaming. He had been in high spirits lately. If their division kept performing like this, he had a good chance of being promoted to Superintendent by the time he turned 50.

In the Japanese police hierarchy, the rank of Superintendent is a watershed moment—a "carp leaping over the dragon’s gate." While a Chief Inspector earns an average of 5.5 million yen, a Superintendent earns about 7.5 million. Though it seems like only a one-rank difference, the reality is worlds apart.

For example, many Superintendents go on to become high-level consultants, administrative directors, or association board members after retirement, while those just one rank below—Chief Inspectors—rarely find such opportunities. Many Chief Inspectors live on tight budgets, but once promoted to Superintendent, even with a modest salary increase, their lifestyles often visibly improve.

Promotions to Chief Inspector can be decided within the precinct, but promotions to Superintendent must be approved by the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.

As Uesugi put it, Chief Inspector is "Section Chief level," while Superintendent is "Deputy Director level." It appears to be a minor step, but the gap is vast. Superintendents rarely appear at crime scenes; their duty is to sit in offices, coordinate, and issue orders.

It is also by this rank that one can easily distinguish the "career track" officers. A Superintendent in their 30s is definitely career track; in their 40s, they are essentially career or semi-career track. Only in their 50s is there a slim chance for a non-career officer to reach that rank.

"It’d be nice. I wonder if I’ll ever get to serve a term as a precinct chief (Superintendent level) before I retire," Tanaka mused. "I had given up hope, but with this luck, who knows? At least for the last month, week, or even one day before I retire—if I could just wear the Superintendent’s badge for a single day, I’d die without regrets."

"Luck is always conserved. We got Uesugi-san, and we also got Ikeda," Kuwabara Asako laughed. "Hey, Chief Tanaka Naoki?"

"Present!" Tanaka joked, as there was no one else in the room.

"Is that Chief Tanaka of the Noshiro Precinct in Akita Prefecture?" Sudo chimed in. "You've been reported by Kuwabara. Your next post is Okinawa!"

"Get out of here! Don't curse me," Tanaka retorted, firing back. "You're not Ikeda!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Good thing Ikeda isn't here, or your next stop would be Okinotorishima!"

"Hahahaha!"

For a moment, the division was filled with boisterous, cheerful air.

Only Erena, standing at the door, silently clenched her fists. The rain outside muffled her footsteps, but it could not mask the heavy gloom in her heart.

*Why? Why is it always like this? Don't I work hard? Am I not diligent? Is it my fault that I'm labeled a 'supervisor killer'?*

Her knuckles turned white. Her beautiful face grew taut. She struggled so hard not to be seen as a burden, yet the harder she tried, the more she was ostracized and feared.

*I just want to do this job. Why do you all treat me this way? Why?*

Erena felt a sharp pain in her chest, exacerbated by the tight binding of her clothes. Anger surged, followed by a crushing sense of pain and defeat. She knew that changing precincts would only lead to worse outcomes; the Otsuka Precinct was the only place where she had found even a sliver of solace.

Only Uesugi Muneyuki didn't look at her through a biased lens.

As if on cue, the conversation in the room turned to him.

"You know, with Ikeda and Uesugi-kun as a team, and him being so handsome and talented, do you think..." Kuwabara teased.

"That would be perfect," Tanaka added maliciously. "We'll all force them into a marriage! Then Uesugi-kun will be our exclusive pathologist. Brothers, our promotions depend on him!"

"Pairing Ikeda with Uesugi-kun was a stroke of genius!" Sudo agreed. "That way, Ikeda is far away from us, and we don't have to worry about trouble. Uesugi-kun seems to have a way of getting along with her. As expected of Uesugi-kun—to be able to work with someone like that... he's amazing!"

"But would a noble family like the Uesugis allow a mixed-race woman to marry in?" Tanaka wondered aloud. "Those families don't usually like foreigners."

"True. Since his father is hosting us tonight, let's probe him."

Erena stopped listening. The rain washing against the windows blurred the world, and tears blurring her vision did the same. She struggled to keep herself composed, wiping her eyes frantically.

*There are so many people here. I cannot cry. I absolutely cannot!*

She had to be strong.

She couldn't go back into the office. Fortunately, she had nothing left inside. As she prepared to leave, the rain showed no signs of stopping. She hadn't brought an umbrella.

Instinctively, she retreated into a secluded corner of the station. She would wait for the rain to stop. She would not stay by the main entrance; she wouldn't let herself be seen in a moment of "weakness." There were already enough rumors about her; she didn't want to be watched or noticed. Even a simple offer of a ride from a colleague would be twisted and stigmatized.

She had no friends.

She didn't want to provide any ammunition for criticism, no matter how trivial. Having finally found her place beside Uesugi, she cherished her current situation more than anyone. If not for the people leaving the building, she would have walked home in the rain, provided no one saw her.

But there were too many people. She had to wait.

Just then, a group of female administrative officers passed by. It was Ms. Takasaka, whom Erena had replaced. Seeing Erena in the corner, they began whispering.

"Must be nice, riding Uesugi-kun's coattails to a Superintendent General's Commendation."

"If I hadn't been transferred, that should have been mine!"

"Forget it, Takasaka. Look at her... do you see why she caught his eye? You're not even in the same league!"

"Hmph, just relying on those big breasts, huh? Everyone knows she used to... let me tell you, Ikeda here once seduced a superior in another precinct, leading to her transfer and causing the man's wife to make a scene. Uesugi-kun is just bewitched. We should find a chance to warn him; being with Ikeda will only bring him misery..."

The women left, leaving Erena in silence. The tall beauty stood motionless, her expression gray. She waited for the rain to stop; she had no other choice.

Half an hour passed. Most people had left the station. Erena remained in her corner, head bowed, lost in thought.

After a while, the downpour eased to a steady drizzle. Through the sound of the rain, Erena heard approaching footsteps. With a sudden premonition, she looked up.

Her pupils trembled.

"You... aren't you on leave today?"

"I am. I was supposed to be resting, but I heard someone declined my father’s dinner invitation, so I came to see what was going on." Uesugi’s warm smile flowed into Erena’s heart like a cool spring. He walked toward her slowly. "Ms. Ikeda?"

He drew closer. Erena looked at his handsome, approaching face and lowered her head, feeling flustered.

"Let's go together." Uesugi said nothing more, his tone brooking no argument.

He didn't ask why she was standing there alone, whether she had an umbrella, or if she was going home or to the banquet. He simply asked if she wanted to go with him.

The tall beauty felt a flicker of frustration, followed immediately by a wave of warmth.

*She was trying her best to hide her distress.*
*He was helping her hide it, completely.*
*She was conflicted.*
*He was resolving her conflict, making sure she wouldn't be troubled.*

At this point, Erena’s sensitive heart knew she had been helped by Uesugi once again. She didn't refuse, merely nodding gently. "Yes. Let's go."

They walked together with an unspoken understanding. It was true—he was the only normal man she knew. Only when she was with him did she feel comfortable. Erena realized she cherished the feeling of being alone with Uesugi—that silent care, the comfort of working together in their respective roles.

Only he could give her this special feeling.

Outside the station, a Lexus was parked. Uesugi gestured for Erena to get in, then closed his umbrella and sat in the driver's seat.

"Before we go to Shunpu-tei, we're stopping somewhere else."

"Huh?"

"Ms. Ikeda, you aren't planning on attending the banquet in that outfit, are you?"