Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 223, Multiple Doubts

P.S.: Last day, please vote for me with a monthly pass! If we reach 2000 monthly passes, there will be an extra chapter!
At a press conference held on the afternoon of September 19, the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division officially announced that a second body found in Tokyo Bay had been discovered during a salvage operation.
The body was still female. Forensic officer Uesugi confirmed that the body was that of Hirasawa Yui, the protagonist of the Tokyo Women's University student who went missing in August. With the consent of her family, the girl's name and age had already been released to the public. When the Metropolitan Police Department officially announced this at a press conference, it quickly ignited public opinion in the whole society, along with the previous Yokohama case!

What are the Japanese police doing?
We pay so much tax every year, only to have it levied and extorted by you officials. Are you just going to let serial killers run rampant and let the Yakuza wreak havoc?

Everyone thought it was a joke to pour cement into Tokyo Bay, but it turns out it's actually true!
"Red bean paste private Marseille." Faced with the surging tide below and the questions from reporters, Tomonobu Togasaki of the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division could only bow and apologize, emphasizing, "We have already established a joint special investigation headquarters to specifically investigate this case."

"Excuse me, since this involves a corpse, why isn't forensic investigator Uesugi answering the questions?" the Yomiuri Shimbun reporter said discontentedly. "We don't believe your police's lies. Kanagawa headquarters announced earlier that they had identified a suspect, and what happened?"

"Forensic investigator Uesugi has already gone to the Special Investigation Headquarters to assist in the investigation." Section Chief Togasaki, swallowing his pride and enduring countless insults and hostile glares, bowed and said, "The Metropolitan Police Department will do everything in its power to solve this case!"

But the impact of this event has already exploded.

Nearly half of the people in the Kanto region followed the press conference. When they learned that both victims were women, both had mysteriously disappeared and their bodies had been dumped, and both had been cut into pieces with a sharp blade, pepper spray at convenience stores along Tokyo Bay sold out overnight. Commuters hurried across the docks while looking down at tweets showing simulated images of bodies drifting, their eyes above their masks wandering with vigilance.

Housewives exchanged unverified screenshots of "mysterious disappearances of women living alone" in LINE groups, and primary and secondary schools added "Don't leave with strangers" safety classes.

The izakaya's TV played blurred images of corpses on a loop, regulars sipped their drinks in silence, and the owner closed two hours early—despite the police's claim of "no signs of a serial crime," no one wanted to pass by the sea reflecting the police lights at night.

Under the Odaiba Ferris wheel, a housewife gripped a sirens blaring and pulled her daughter's wrist as they hurried along. Half of the sightseeing boat reservations were cancelled. Panic, like the sticky rain of the plum rain season, permeated daily life. Behind every "be careful" message lay the cracks in the shadows of the myth of public safety.

All seafood markets and meat processing plants along Tokyo Bay have been temporarily closed and are under investigation.

The volume of seafood traded at Tokyo's Toyosu Market (formerly Tsukiji Market) plummeted by 40% in a single day.

The entire Tokyo metropolis was in complete chaos.

TV Tokyo also broadcast a special program. Despite the two dismemberment and dumping of bodies into Tokyo Bay, TV Tokyo reluctantly aired a special program titled "Due to the impact of the series of body dumping cases, all supermarkets and convenience stores in Tokyo have removed large black plastic bags from their shelves." The program discussed the huge impact on the nearby hotel and tourism industries. The TV host also emphasized that "the police have increased patrols and business activities are operating normally," asking the public to have confidence in the government and the police!
Meanwhile, the cabinet was also greatly impacted by the case. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kimiaki Onoda called Police Commissioner Tsuru Kaneko again, demanding that he produce a result within 10 days, or else he should not go to Yokohama Nippon Senpou Kaisha as a director. He told Shikoku Forestry to send him to the deep mountains and forests to be a fire watcher.

Commander Kaneko was only a month away from retirement, and this whole mess left him feeling utterly devastated. He went to Watanabe Eiji and cried for help.

Brother Eiji, save me!

However, Watanabe Eiji was also under immense pressure. The Superintendent General of Police could only barely remain calm and tell Officer Kaneko not to panic, while silently praying to Namu Hachiman Daibosatsu and Bishamonten.

Where is my son Zongxue?

Also late at night, in Yokohama, at the Mitsui Garden Hotel.

Sumitomo Mitsui Group has made a move.

The entire Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigation Division, including its First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Special Missions Divisions, as well as the Fifth Division and the Public Security Ministry's SAT Team, received strong support from the Sumitomo Mitsui Group. Sato, the executive director who successfully escaped, voluntarily signed a bill to book an entire floor of a hotel for everyone in the Metropolitan Police Department, telling them that the Sumitomo Mitsui Group would provide all legal support for this special investigation.

Meanwhile, all Mitsui Properties employees who had connections with Aiko Igarashi were summoned to the hotel by the Mitsui Sumitomo Group for questioning by the Metropolitan Police Department.

With the help of the Mitsui Group, the Metropolitan Police Department was able to obtain some very important information.

Inspector Kosaka of the First Division learned an important clue from residents near the Igarashi residence.

Nearby residents mentioned that about a week before the incident, they heard a loud argument near Aiko's house. The man's voice was louder than the woman's, so they couldn't be sure if it was Aiko herself. However, they heard the man say some chilling things like, "I really love you, can you give me another chance?", "I need your help", "I really can't live without you", and "I'll die without you".

About five days after the incident, another argument was heard, but this time it only lasted a few minutes, and the man was still pleading.

Emotional factors?

Inspector Kashiwagi of the Third Division also uncovered some clues.

Inspector Kashiwagi's investigation revealed that the deceased's ex-husband, Asakura, lived in Kanagawa Prefecture. After divorcing Aiko Igarashi, Asakura lived alone for a period of time before finding a new girlfriend. However, their joint venture to run a coffee shop failed, leaving Asakura heavily in debt, and he was now working part-time to pay off his debts.

As for the deceased's ex-boyfriend, Naito, who she couldn't forget, he works as a director at Mitsui Properties in Tokyo and is usually in Tokyo. It's unclear whether there are any lingering connections, but there is no clear evidence to prove his involvement in the case. He has an alibi as he goes to work during the day, but since he lives alone, there is a possibility that he would go out at night to commit the crime.

Inspector Shimano of the Fourth Division learned of a strange thing through investigation and surveillance.

Two weeks before Aiko Igarashi's disappearance, two men were seen gathering near the neighborhood on several occasions, late at night when it was sparsely populated, and they would stay for quite a long time each time before leaving.

That same night, the Metropolitan Police Department also questioned Aiko Igarashi's colleagues.

“The department head is an outstanding person who knows how to take care of her subordinates. She likes to do everything herself, but she also trusts us a lot. She always works tirelessly until late at night. Whenever a problem arises, she takes responsibility herself to protect us. Everyone respects and trusts her.” A Mitsui employee said, “We are also very sorry that this happened.”

"Hmm." Uesugi Muneyuki asked with considerable interest, "Did the victim ever talk about their attitude towards relationships and marriage?"

"Yes!" a female employee said timidly. "The department head once said that she likes blind dates, she wants to get married, and she doesn't know when she will meet the right person again, but if someone introduces her to a blind date, she will go immediately."

"So what was the result?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"The results weren't very good. The minister is rather overweight and doesn't like to dress up. She likes to talk about work after only a few sentences, and she likes to treat the other person as her subordinate and teach them workplace experience. So blind dates usually don't lead anywhere." The female subordinate sighed, "I've told the minister many times, but she is very stubborn. She believes that since she married a man who couldn't accept talking about work at home last time, she must find a soulmate who can talk about work this time."

"Does she enjoy talking to you about her private life?" Miss Minami asked curiously. "Yes, the minister talks to us about almost everything."

According to the employees' descriptions, a plump, optimistic woman with a smile on her face every day, who works hard, cares for her subordinates, likes to tell them workplace jokes and share her personal life, and keeps a lot of snacks in her desk drawer comes to mind. She loves her work, loves her life, and longs for marriage.

But... she has now turned into cold, lifeless pieces of flesh.

"The minister, she may not have been a good wife, but she was truly a good person. She cared for us, loved us, always took responsibility for everything, and gave us all the credit. We all liked her very much!" As they spoke, the subordinates became emotional: "We never expected her to die like this! Officer, Forensic Examiner Uesugi, please find the murderer!"

"Please find the murderer!" All of Aiko Igarashi's subordinates in the entire department bowed in unison, their eyes filled with tears and their voices choked with emotion.

"Please, you must find the murderer." Executive Director Sato wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes.

Uesugi Muneyuki nodded silently.

It was already quite late. After dismissing the employees of Mitsui Properties, the head of the First Investigation Division, Sugishita Ukyo, announced that everyone should go back to their rooms to rest and that they would go to inspect the Igarashi residence the next day.

Uesugi Muneyuki returned to his room alone.

As a four-star hotel that balances business and leisure, Mitsui Garden Hotel is known for its high cost-performance ratio and convenience. Uesugi Soyuki's room is a deluxe view room of more than 30 square meters, with an unobstructed view of Yokohama's brilliant night view.

The most famous feature of this hotel is its natural hot spring, known as the "Beauty Hot Spring," which is the biggest highlight of the entire hotel!
The top floor (16th floor) features a large onsen bath with panoramic views. The hot spring water comes from Hakone Onsen Village and is divided into men's and women's baths, including indoor baths and open-air baths (the onsen with snow views is very popular in winter).

Once the case is closed, he's going to take a long, deep soak.

However, for the time being, he needs to shift his attention back to this case.

The Yokohama case is very complicated.

There are three possible causes for Aiko Igarashi's death: personal grudges, business disputes, and retaliation by her father.

It is not yet possible to determine which one it is.

Then there are the suspects.

The suspect is undoubtedly her ex-husband, Asakura, as Aiko explicitly mentioned him before her death.

But if Asakura was only after money, why would he kill someone? He was just struggling financially after a failed business venture, not desperate enough to be on the verge of death. If Asakura harbored resentment because of the divorce, why did he wait so long to act? They had been divorced for almost 10 years!

Okay, even if he hated her because she wouldn't give him the money, and during their argument he had murderous intent, and her ex-husband Asakura sneaked into the house to kidnap her and demand money, why did he dismember her body and dump it in Tokyo Bay afterward? Where did a man who ruined his coffee shop business get professional equipment?
And it doesn't quite make sense.

The missing briefcase.

If the murder was motivated by hatred, why specifically take the briefcase with you? This is a personal grudge!
Then there's his former lover, Department Head Naito.

Minister Naito may have enough reason to hate Aiko, after all, she was forced to transfer to the United States because of him, and it would be easy for him to knock on Aiko's door. She would probably be quite welcoming to her old lover to rekindle their old flame.

Um, why is Uesugi Muneyuki so sure? Because he is too.

But the question is, if that's the case, why did Minister Naito infiltrate the area masked? And why did he specifically capture her and take her to another place for intense interrogation and confrontation?
Finally, there's Executive Director Sato.

From any perspective, it is highly unlikely that Executive Director Sato is the murderer. However, the disappearance of the briefcase means that the case is very likely related to Executive Director Sato and the entire Yokohama City revitalization plan. So who could have committed this heinous act in order to oppose the Yokohama City revitalization plan?

And, Igarashi Masataka, the father of Igarashi Aiko, who is repeatedly mentioned by Watanabe Eiji and others.

It has been mentioned many times that Masataka Igarashi offended many people when he was the head of the Second Investigation Division, so it is possible that some of his former enemies and prisoners he arrested harbored resentment and chose to take revenge on his daughter.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police's attitude toward this matter is also very subtle.

They investigated very hard, but all the investigations were limited to personal grudges and revenge based on their fathers' relationship. The issue of the Mitsui Sumitomo Group's business sabotage seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally ignored.

Is this the intention of the Kanagawa government and the mayor of Yokohama, or is there another hidden agenda?

Uesugi Muneyuki believed that something must have been overlooked at the Igarashi residence.

interesting.

This is a case where it's impossible to directly identify the murderer.

But Uesugi Muneyuki found enjoyment in it.

"Dong Dong Dong~"

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

(End of this chapter)