Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 430, The Proactive Lady?

In the ward.

Head of Equipment Section! Superintendent Rank! This is a lucrative and prestigious position, usually regarded as a stepping stone to higher levels. Every generation of professional teams has fought tooth and nail for it, and it only becomes available during this special period!

The ward fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on Bai Muren.

Kashiwagi Ren's heart skipped a beat!
Equipment Section Chief? Promotion to Superintendent?

The temptation was immense, but his alarm bells went off instantly!
The equipment section is far removed from frontline investigations and the spotlight! Moreover, if he were transferred away from the investigation section, wouldn't his aura as a "lone hero" and "legendary detective" be greatly diminished? More importantly... if he were needed to "reconstruct" the details of obtaining evidence in the future, wouldn't he be more likely to be exposed in a completely unfamiliar department? He needs to stay in a familiar environment and solidify this myth with new "achievements"!

Moreover, Kashiwagi Jin always felt something was strange. I have clearly made world-renowned achievements and proven my well-deserved abilities, so why would the headquarters transfer me back to internal affairs? Wouldn't it be better to promote me to the position of administrator of the Third Division of the First Investigation Division, so that I can better utilize my abilities?

He absolutely refuses to work in the back office! Absolutely not! Back office jobs are all filled with slackers and people with connections!
I need to continue with fieldwork! How am I supposed to tell my crime-solving stories to Hayakawa Nanami later if I don't?
"Director!" Kashiwagi Ren's face immediately showed fear and unease. He struggled to get out of bed: "This...this is absolutely not possible! The Equipment Division has a heavy responsibility, and I...I am still inexperienced and I am afraid I am not up to the task! Moreover...and my battlefield is on the front line of the investigation! I...I beg to stay in the Investigation Division and do my part in the fight against crime!"

His words were sincere, even carrying a hint of aloofness, as if he regarded fame and fortune as fleeting clouds.

Director Watanabe and Minister Uchimura exchanged a glance, with Minister Uchimura's admiration growing even stronger (he was unaware of the background and genuinely believed that it was Kashiwagi Jin who orchestrated it).

Kashiwagi-kun... Great, no need to say more!

Director Watanabe, I'm not against you, but he just made such a great contribution, and you're going to transfer him to an office job? Isn't that a bit too much of a blow to him?

However, this guy is indeed a problem, and even Minister Uchimura doesn't have the confidence to control him.

After thinking for a moment, Minister Uchimura pondered and said, "Kashiwagi-kun, you're too modest. However, since you're so concerned about the front lines... how about this, the position of Supervisor of the Life Safety Division (also a Superintendent-level officer)? This position allows you to utilize your coordination skills without being completely detached from frontline guidance work, and the pressure is relatively less, which is perfect for your recovery."

"While there's nothing wrong with continuing in the First Investigation Division, the Life Safety Division would offer you a much wider range of possibilities!"

Life Safety Division Supervisor? Superintendent level! This is also an important promotion.

Kashiwagi's heart pounded again, but his fear deepened!
The life safety class mainly deals with theft, fraud, and juvenile delinquency, which is seriously inconsistent with his heroic image of "bravely fighting gangs"! Moreover, the management officer needs a lot of administrative coordination work, and he is afraid that he will not be able to handle it, which will make his shortcomings more likely to be exposed!
He was still somewhat self-aware, knowing he wasn't good at interpersonal relationships. He also wondered if he had truly performed a meritorious service. Had he really sent out an accurate distress call? Had he?
We should ask Mingsha again; it must have been her who did it... right?

This time, the look on Kashiwagi's face was no longer one of "fear," but rather one of deep "guilt," which seemed somewhat genuine this time.

He lowered his head, his voice heavy with sorrow: "Minister! Commissioner! Section Chief! I... I am unworthy of this honor! Although this operation was fortunately successful,... I personally failed and was captured, causing trouble for the Metropolitan Police Department and worrying you all. This in itself is my dereliction of duty! I... I am ashamed to accept the promotion! Please allow me to remain in the First Investigation Division as an ordinary detective, to atone for my mistakes and make amends! To prove myself with more concrete actions!"

Kashiwagi's words, combined with his battered body and "painful" expression, were absolutely devastating!
Director Watanabe was deeply moved! Department Head Uchimura also took a deep breath! Even the usually composed Section Chief Sugishita showed strong admiration in his eyes!
A perfect man for all time! He never claimed credit for his achievements! He regarded fame and fortune as dirt!

Concerned about those on the front lines! Willing to take responsibility! Dedicated to service!
Chief Inspector Watanabe patted Kashiwagi Jin heavily on the shoulder (causing Kashiwagi to grimace), his voice booming with emotion. He thought to himself that there were indeed few people as pure as him in this era, and even if Uesugi Muneyuki hadn't said anything, he would still protect him: "Good! Good! What a fine Kashiwagi-kun! What a fine example of 'redeeming oneself through meritorious service'! This awareness, this sense of responsibility, this sincere heart for the police cause should be a model for the entire department! A perfect man throughout the ages, nothing surpasses him!"

Moreover, he genuinely doesn't seek promotion or value personal gain; such a person is difficult to corrupt, and you can confidently let him take on many tasks.

Eiji Watanabe certainly hadn't expected that Minister Uchimura would propose a promotion for the Life Safety Division. In that case, there was no need to mention Director Otsuka either.

Chief Uchimura nodded, "Kashiwagi, we grant your request! The First Investigation Division needs a backbone like you! Take good care of yourself; the future of the Metropolitan Police Department belongs to elites like you!"

Section Chief Sugishita rarely showed an approving smile: "Kashiwagi, Section 1 will always be your support. Focus on recovering from your injury, and we'll be waiting for you to return."

The three leaders left the ward with deep emotion and boundless expectations for the "police prodigy".

Bai Muren was left behind, lying on the hospital bed, trembling slightly with excitement, his face filled with a sense of relief as if he had survived a disaster and a twisted, immense sense of satisfaction.

He successfully preserved his "hero" aura and remained in the most dazzling position under the spotlight! As for that bit of "guilt"? It had long been replaced by self-intoxication of "I am a genius" and "I am so great".

He refused the promotion to head of the equipment section and to chief of the life safety section, insisting on staying in his original position as a police inspector. In that sense, he wasn't unworthy of the position, was he?

Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe, Chief of Criminal Investigation Kanji Uchimura, and Chief of the First Investigation Division Ukyo Sugishita emerged from the hospital room. Superintendent General Watanabe and Chief of Investigation Kanji Uchimura, still bearing the emotion and expectations of the "perfect man of all time," were quietly discussing the follow-up public relations and commendation matters.

However, a barely perceptible hint of doubt flickered in the eyes of Sugishita Ukyo, the head of the First Investigation Division, who was walking slightly behind. His signature, meticulously calm eyes, like those of a precision instrument, were unwavering. He furrowed his brow slightly and adjusted his rimless glasses. Something was wrong.

The details of the actions described by Bai Muren contain many ambiguities and logical breaks.

"Skillfully conveying information"? Under close surveillance and torture, what methods are used? How can one ensure they remain undetected?

The source of the distress message and the process of obtaining the evidence were vague and could not withstand scrutiny.

Moreover, the promotions of the head of the equipment section and the manager of the life safety section seem inexplicable. The First Investigation Division is the Metropolitan Police Department's ace department, and everyone is scrambling to get in. How come the department wants to transfer him out after he made such a great contribution?
Something feels off.

Moreover, Kashiwagi Jin's refusal seemed too aloof and deliberate; his forced composure masked a hint of unease... which was rather unsettling.

Sugishita Ukyo's mind raced like a finely tuned gear. Kashiwagi Jin's behavior, rather than that of a "perfect person," seemed more like someone... blinded by immense honor, yet desperately wanting to stay in the spotlight and fearing the fading of his glory. He instinctively sensed something amiss.

Strange… Sugishita Ukyo glanced at Watanabe Eiji and Uchimura Kanji, who were talking, and knew that he was not in Eiji’s faction and would definitely not be able to get the truth from them.

So Sugishita Ukyo pretended to want to check something, apologized to the Superintendent General and Chief of Criminal Investigation for needing to use the restroom, and told them to go ahead. He then quietly circled around and headed back towards the location of the ward.

Let's test the waters a little.

........................

Upon seeing the arrival of the three top police officers, a tremendous fear was poured over her head like ice water, instantly pulling Kashiwagi Meisa back from her helplessness towards her husband to the cruel reality!

She knew her husband too well! Faced with this coveted, monumental achievement falling into his lap, her husband had been forced to accept it all on the spot, even though he himself hadn't actually participated. The more he talked, the more confused things became, and the more mistakes he made! If this matter were discovered, Kashiwagi Jin would be utterly disgraced! She, Kashiwagi Meisa, as an insider and participant (and possibly even suspected of being an accomplice), and her dirty deal with Uesugi Muneyuki… everything would be exposed! That would be true hell!

Her husband was no longer a possibility; he was still lost in his heroic dreams. Now, the only person who could seal off the source, who had the knowledge of the situation, and whom she could influence was Uesugi Muneyuki! The true mastermind behind all of this! Moreover, Watanabe Minami was Director Watanabe's daughter and Uesugi Muneyuki's fiancée. He and Director Watanabe were as close as father and son, and he could greatly influence Watanabe Eiji's decisions!
Upon hearing Uesugi Muneyuki's call, Kashiwagi Meisa could no longer care about anything else; she had to appease him immediately! He was calling her; he must want to negotiate!
I promise, I promise anything!

She didn't even dare to say a word to her husband, who was immersed in self-satisfaction. When she heard Uesugi Muneyuki call her name, Mrs. Kashiwagi grabbed her handbag and rushed out of the ward like a gust of wind.

The high heels tapped out a rapid and frantic rhythm on the polished corridor floor.

Kashiwagi Meisa followed anxiously behind Uesugi Muneyuki, finally stopping near the elevator lobby leading to the underground parking lot. She faced the figure leaning against the window, leisurely chewing gum—Uesugi Muneyuki. He seemed to be waiting for Kashiwagi Meisa to speak, or perhaps simply admiring her beauty, a faint, all-encompassing smile playing on his lips: "Madam? I called you mainly because of your husband…he…"

"Uesugi!!!" Kashiwagi Meisa almost lunged at him, her breath coming in short gasps. Her carefully maintained icy facade completely crumbled, revealing a face of shock, helplessness, and deep fear. Her aloof eyes were brimming with tears, yet she stubbornly refused to let them fall, adding to her pitiful state: "What, what are you going to do now?"

"What are you doing?" Uesugi Muneyuki slowly exhaled a bubble of chewing gum, leisurely observing the distraught beautiful wife before him. Her slender, beautiful body beneath her Chanel suit skirt was trembling slightly, and the despair in her eyes was even greater than when she was at the Ginza Flower Fairy. He understood; it seemed she had realized that Kashiwagi Jin's boasting would inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later, and had become aware of an even greater crisis.

"Oh? Mrs. Kashiwagi?" Uesugi's voice held a hint of amusement. "I only wanted to talk to you about your husband's boasting..."

Meisha trembled at his words, a surge of intense humiliation washing over her, but she had no time to dwell on it now. She gripped Uesugi's arm tightly, her fingers icy cold, as if grasping at a last straw, her voice trembling with sobs, plaintive and desperate: "Uesugi-san! Please! Please!"

Tears finally streamed down her face, leaving glistening marks on her pale cheeks: "I...I did everything you said! I...I really tried my best! Uesugi-san, you promised me! You promised me! You promised that as long as I complied with your requests, you would protect me!"

"Huh? You're right. Didn't I already protect you?" Uesugi Muneyuki was taken aback. He said softly, "In this case, although you're at the center of the storm and the head of the Equipment Management Department, I can guarantee you'll be fine. You'll be transferred to the Personnel Section of the Police Department afterward..."

"I know, I know, but I'm talking about benevolence!"

She looked up at Uesugi with a sorrowful and pitiful expression, abandoning all dignity and pride, like a person about to drown:
"I know... I know my request is shameless... I know I owe you... but... but please help me one more time! Just one last time! Renta loves to show off and save face too much, he'll definitely be exposed if he keeps going like this! Please shut everyone up and let this 'hero's' lie... continue!"

The icy, mixed-race beauty's voice was broken and filled with despair, "As long as... as long as you can do it... I... I'm willing to agree to any condition you set! Anything!"

Soyuki Uesugi: "?"

Madam, what's going on here?

I didn't even coerce you! Why are you suddenly being so proactive?
(End of this chapter)