Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 318, Meiji Shrine

On December 27, at Yoyogi Shrine in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Meiji Shrine.

Meiji Shrine, built in 1920 during the Taisho era, is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. As an important site for Shintoism, it is surrounded by a vast 70 square meter forest (man-made forest), earning it the nickname "Tokyo's Green Lung." The shrine's architecture is primarily in the simple and solemn Edo-period "Gongen-zukuri" style. It consistently ranks first in Japan for New Year's worshippers, and its cultural significance extends beyond religious activities; it also symbolizes Japan's modernization and its harmonious coexistence with nature.

This also preserves the Japanese people's nostalgia for "Taisho Romanticism" and "Taisho Democracy".

As is well known, a significant turning point in Japanese history is the opening of the Black Ships and the restoration of imperial rule. With the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, Japanese politics entered the modern era of feudal cliques. Among the four domains that overthrew the shogunate, especially the Satsuma and Choshu domains, a large number of modern talents emerged, marking the beginning of a new era.

The Meiji Restoration is a major historical event that is emphasized even in Chinese textbooks.

Then came the Taisho era.

The Taisho era is a romantic era that Japanese people still fondly remember, mainly because—Taisho was an idiot.

Often, doing nothing is the best form of management; doing nothing is a great achievement.

It was also during this era that a massive influx of new humanistic ideas and new artistic and aesthetic logics from Europe and America flooded in, creating a fierce reaction with Japanese culture and making the entire society vibrant and full of life, which is still fondly remembered by countless people today.

Of course, the so-called Taisho Romanticism and Taisho Democracy were actually limited to the upper and middle classes of Japanese society at that time. However, the tolerant and peaceful social atmosphere at that time is particularly fond of by the Japanese.

Of course, we know that Japan was invading others, not just during the Taisho and Meiji periods. However, this was in terms of external forces. At least during the Meiji period, and especially during the Taisho period, Japan's internal control and restrictions were relatively relaxed. What happened in the next era is self-evident. The Special Higher Police arrested designated "non-citizens" everywhere and began to bloodily suppress and massacre dissidents internally. The phrases "Eight Directions, One Universe, Seven Lives, One Hundred Million, One Jade Slaughter, Li Mei, and Barbecue" only made the Taisho era seem so wonderful.

Democracy! For Superearth!

"I heard from Ashu that you were injured?"

As Uesugi Muneyuki walked with Mai-senpai through the deserted Meiji Shrine, he spoke with some concern.

Today was the day they had agreed to cultivate together, and Uesugi Muneyuki arrived at Meiji Shrine as promised to meet Mai-senpai.

It had snowed in Tokyo last night, and the winter morning light slanted across the vermilion torii gate. The century-old camphor trees on both sides of the approach had lost their autumn colors, and their vigorous branches were covered with a thin layer of frost, like ink wash paintings. Mai-senpai, dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit, stepped over the unswept snow, and the wooden sticks tapped on the frozen ground, creating a quiet echo: "Hmm, it's alright, not badly injured... Let me wash my hands first."

The senior student picked up a bundle of bamboo from the handwashing station, which was covered with ice crystals, and scooped up a handful of cold water for Uesugi Muneyuki to wash his hands. The coldness of the water went straight to his heart.

"It's good that you're alright." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded. He was also very busy at the end of the year, as was Mai-senpai.

It seemed the appointed time had arrived, and there was a slight awkwardness between the two. They both knew what was going to happen next, and a secret, unspoken excitement floated in the cold air. The wooden ema (votive plaques) newly hung under the veranda still carried the scent of pine, and the ink on the words "qualified" and "healthy" was still wet, creating a charming contrast with the sparrows huddled in the corner.

"It's not serious, but it's not entirely nothing!" Senior Mai suddenly turned around, her cheeks slightly puffed out, and raised her left hand to form a chop with her right hand. With a "crack," she simultaneously chopped at the base of her index finger, and said with a sneer, "It's only now that the shameless junior who secretly got engaged to the daughter of the Superintendent General of Police while his senior was away, in order to continue climbing the ranks, does he care about his injured senior?"

"Hiss~" Uesugi Muneyuki felt a chill in his crotch and said somewhat awkwardly, "Isn't this what you asked for? You don't care about the surface world? We're partners in the underworld?"

"Tsk! Just because I asked doesn't mean I like seeing you engaged to some Metropolitan Police Department beauty!" Mai-senpai raised her voice, clearly annoyed. "Watanabe Minami's level... she's only good for sitting in the office. You'd better protect her."

"I know." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded with a smile. "Isn't it you I still have?"

"I knew it!" Mai-senpai put her right hand on her hip and puffed out her cheeks slightly. "I'm starting to regret it."

Before the Kagura Hall, the white robes fluttering beneath the crimson torii gate were more dazzling than the accumulated snow. As Shirakawa Mai stepped onto the stone steps of the approach, the slender waist cinched by her crimson hakama sash resembled a dividing line between ice and fire. Above, her full curves were barely concealed by the flowing white robes; below, her white tabi socks and clogs appeared and disappeared in the snow—the stark whiteness of her ankles startled Uesugi Muneyuki, as if he had glimpsed a piece of fine jade carved from the altar before the gods. Mai-senpai was different from everyone else; she possessed an ethereal quality, an absolute otherworldly aura, as if she shouldn't exist in this world at all—she was indeed essentially from the inner world, the outer world merely a disguise. That's why no other actress in the entertainment industry could portray her unique fairy-like quality.

The national goddess raised her hand to tidy her hair, causing the sleeve to flutter and revealing the inner side of her wrist, which shimmered with the pale blue-white sheen of freshly crushed snow. Her skin was truly white, so white that it seemed to be permeated by the snow's light. The senior in the red and white shrine maiden's outfit standing on the stone steps was like a plum blossom fallen in a snowfield, its fragrance coming from the bitter cold, blooming alone in the severe cold.

"Shall we start now?" Uesugi Muneyuki, dressed in a suit coat and three-piece suit, followed behind her, looking around. "It must take a lot of effort to shut down the entire Meiji Shrine for a whole day, right?"

"What's the big deal? Every shrine closes for a period of time before the New Year for renovations to make it easier for people to visit during the New Year."

Mai-senpai told him to be quiet. She held Uesugi Muneyuki's hand tightly and took small, quick steps. Their thin shadows stretched long in the snowy morning. The feeling of sneaking around to do something naughty together made both Uesugi Muneyuki and Mai-senpai feel a little excited.

Walking hand in hand on the snow-covered steps, their spiritual energy mingled. Uesugi Muneyuki could clearly feel that Mai-senpai's spiritual energy reaction had weakened considerably. Their seven chakras and three meridians were activated simultaneously, and a joyful feeling of perfect harmony welled up in their hearts, while also giving Uesugi Muneyuki a slightly strange feeling.

He understood why Mai-senpai couldn't adapt to both the real and virtual worlds at the same time; the transition between the two was indeed a bit strange.

"What are your thoughts on Asuka?" Mai-senpai suddenly asked.

"What do you mean, what are you thinking?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked, puzzled.

"Why didn't you touch her?" Mai-senpai asked, amused. "Do you know she especially likes using your shirts, sheets, and pillows?"

"Huh?!" Uesugi Muneyuki was stunned for a moment before she understood what Mai-senpai meant: "Um, didn't you say you'd kill me if I dared to touch her?"

"That's because Nanami told me to take care of her sister!" Mai-senpai laughed in exasperation. "But I was busy, so I asked you to take care of her. At the time, I wasn't even sure what kind of person you were! If you dared to touch Asuka, you'd be a beast! You'd be better off dead!"

"So I thank you for sparing my life, senior, but I didn't touch Asuka!" Uesugi Muneyuki still looked confused: "How can this not be right?"

"You're worse than an animal!" Senior Mai said arrogantly, "You bring different women home every day but never touch Asuka, you might as well be dead!"

"I haven't really thought about Asuka's matter yet. First of all, she's under eighteen, which is the most important thing," Uesugi Muneyuki said seriously. "Secondly, I will give her a chance to choose."

"Chance?"

“Yes, as I said before, I would support her through high school… Now I’m able to support her through university, it’s my duty. Of course I know what Asuka is thinking, but considering she’s under eighteen and still not fully capable of acting, I’ll wait until she turns eighteen. If she still wants to stay with me when she’s eighteen, I won’t object.” Uesugi Muneyuki said softly, “Until then, I won’t touch her.”

"Tsk tsk tsk, now you're acting like a gentleman again." Mai-senpai glanced at him, wanting to say something sarcastic, but couldn't find the point. As for the fact that the girl had vaguely awakened her inner world abilities, she didn't want Uesugi Muneyuki to know so soon, so she took the initiative to change the subject: "Anyway, you're not allowed to kick Asuka out. Nanami has been entrusted to me as well as to you."

"I know."

The two continued onward, and before they knew it, it began to snow again. The fresh snow quietly covered the paper tassels that had been used to remove evil spirits from Mai-senpai's black hair, while the white mist exhaled by the red and white shrine maiden and the air exhaled by Uesugi Muneyuki had blended into the same color mist as the snow and sleet that had accumulated over the centuries at Meiji Shrine.

After passing through several temples, the two finally arrived at the location of today's main event. As the temple gates closed, Mai-senpai, with her back to Uesugi Muneyuki, nervously tiptoed, her shoulders trembling with excitement. Just as she was about to signal Uesugi Muneyuki to do something, Uesugi Muneyuki pressed down on her shoulders, turned her body, which was dressed as a shrine maiden, around with a "whoosh," pressed her back against a pillar, and kissed her directly.

"Well!!!"

(End of this chapter)