Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 441, Today's Dinner at Senior's House
At 11:30 a.m., a cold wind was blowing outside Ginza, and a light rain began to fall.

Inside the luxurious penthouse in the top-tier building in Roppongi where Mai-senpai lives, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevails.

Huge floor-to-ceiling windows kept out the harsh winter outside, while underfloor heating warmed the smooth wooden floors. A complex, mouthwatering aroma filled the air—the rich, savory scent of broth mingled with the delightful, caramelized aroma of freshly fried food.

Saito Asuka took off her thick wool coat, revealing a soft, off-white twisted blouse underneath, with the cuffs slightly rolled up. She also wore a slightly oversized dark blue apron, which created an interesting contrast with her petite figure.

She was carefully placing three large, golden-brown, crispy shrimp tempura pieces—the shrimp meat so plump it seemed to burst through the thin, translucent batter—onto a bowl of ramen brimming with rich tonkotsu broth. The bowl already contained perfectly cooked tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), glistening black pork chashu (barbecued pork), vibrant green scallions, crisp wood ear mushrooms, and a piece of seaweed bearing the restaurant's logo. This was no ordinary convenience store ramen; it was a "premium set meal" that Asuka had painstakingly prepared and diligently studied recently.

I wouldn't give it to that fat, chubby girl who's always drooling and whose body is dripping with oil!

I only make this for Mai-nee and Uesugi-san!

The chosen girl was beaming with pride.

"It's done! Muneyuki-san, Mai-sama, please enjoy!" Asuka's voice carried a hint of excitement and nervousness after completing the challenge, her cheeks slightly flushed from the heat of the kitchen. She placed the last set meal, along with some pickles in a delicate little dish and a small bowl of rice, steadily on the counter.

After finishing their business, Shirakawa Mai and Uesugi Muneyuki, already drawn by the aroma, sat around the bar in the open kitchen. Mai was wearing comfortable loungewear with alluring sheer gray pantyhose, exuding a relaxed and gentle vibe, while Muneyuki wore simple dark clothing, appearing composed.

"Wow! Asuka-chan, this is amazing!" Mai's eyes sparkled as she looked at the ramen set meal that was a work of art in front of her, and she exclaimed sincerely, "Just look at this fried shrimp, the batter is so thin and the shrimp meat is so plump, it looks so delicious!" She picked up her chopsticks and gently poked a tempura shrimp, making a crisp "crack" sound, and the steam carrying the sweetness of the seafood wafted over her.

Uesugi Muneyuki nodded in agreement, "It certainly exceeded expectations. The color and aroma of this broth are very professional. Asuka, thank you for your hard work." He smiled gently, expressing his gratitude for Asuka's efforts.

The three picked up their chopsticks and began to enjoy their meal amidst the rising steam. The crispy tempura sizzled softly as it soaked into the rich broth, the semi-melted batter absorbing the flavors and creating a wonderful texture with the springy shrimp. The pork bone broth was thick and flavorful, with just the right amount of oil; warmth instantly spread from their stomachs throughout their bodies, dispelling the last chill of winter outside.

"Mmm...so satisfying!" Mai let out a happy sigh, her cheeks flushed pink from the steam. "Asuka's cooking skills are getting better and better. We can open a shop in the future."

Asuka waved her hand a little shyly, "I just followed the recipe, and I bought good ingredients. I mainly wanted to thank Mai and Mr. Uesugi for their continued care." She slurped the noodles, her movements still carrying that characteristic cuteness of a little bird.

The conversation flowed naturally, comforted by the delicious food. We chatted about recent trips and the lives of mutual friends, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.

“Speaking of which,” Zong Xue said, wiping her mouth with a tissue as if remembering something, her tone tinged with emotion, “you should know about the Metropolitan Police Department’s recent cases, right?”

"Ah, I know, it's Mrs. Yamada Nanase!" Mai-senpai immediately chimed in, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Yes, I've been keeping an eye on you too, junior. It's so pitiful that your husband died so young. I remember she got married at 23, so she's only 24 this year, right?"

“Yes, Minami-neechan told me too!” Asuka nodded vigorously, with half a mouthful of noodles in her mouth, and said with some emotion, “I watched the police funeral that day. That kind of resilient yet gentle feeling was so pitiful! And…” She swallowed her noodles and added, “And I don’t know why, but I always feel like I’ve met her before.”

"I feel the same way! Even though we don't know each other, we feel so familiar. It's like we were wrestlers together in an idol group in a past life!" Mai-senpai echoed, "Maybe we were in a group called Shiro-chichi in a past life!"

"Then Mai-neechan and I are the White Birds!" Asuka wrinkled her nose; she was noticeably more lively around Mai-senpai. "Asuka-chan can also be translated as Asuka~"

"Mrs. Yamada has officially joined the Personnel Section of the Metropolitan Police Department," Uesugi Muneyuki added. As an insider, he had more comprehensive information: "Although they are both female police officers in the General Affairs Section, the Personnel Section actually... has quite a high status and power. This is the highest treatment that the department could secure for her."

After saying that, Uesugi Muneyuki said with a hint of helplessness, "If you include Inspector Yamada's bereaved family pension and various extra incomes, her income is almost higher than my previous after-tax income, not to mention that this kind of death in the line of duty will also give nearly 2000 million yen in one go." "Sigh, junior, why do you care so much about money? You still have me, don't you?" Mai-senpai was both amused and annoyed. She thought for a moment and changed the subject, "I also want to congratulate you, Muneyuki. 24 years old, chief forensic doctor of the First Investigation Division, clinical major at the University of Tokyo, a national forensic doctor with an annual salary of 1200 million yen and a net income of 940 million yen. I really watched you work your way up from a junior forensic doctor in Fujidai."

As she spoke, a smile of satisfaction and pride spread across Shirakawa Mai's bright face, as if Uesugi Muneyuki's achievements were her own glory: "It's really wonderful. Seeing you come this far, find the path that suits you best, and shine so brightly makes me so happy. As your senior and as the head of Gunma Tokiwa Middle School, I am also very proud!"

Mai-senpai said this half-jokingly, her tone full of sincere blessings.

"Mr. Uesugi is so strong, so amazing, so considerate!" Asuka waved her little fist and whispered. The girl wasn't good at flattering people, but her Mr. Uesugi deserved all the praise.

Under the warm light, the steam from the ramen rose in wisps, and the laughter of the three people mingled with their conversation about successfully solving the case. Outside the window, Tokyo was still chilly in early March, but inside, a warm little world, built on friendship, delicious food, and the genuine joy of their partner's success, was created, a world that kept them warm and isolated from the cold.

Asuka looked at Uesugi Shiroma's happy face, and then at the nearly empty deluxe ramen in front of her, and smiled with satisfaction, feeling that her serious preparations were truly worthwhile.

Only when she was with Mr. Uesugi could she feel the warmth of home.

However, Asuka soon discovered that this house seemed to be the same.

After finishing her meal, as she was clearing away the dishes, she saw Uesugi following Shirakawa Mai up the stairs. Shirakawa Mai's two jade-like legs, clad in grey stockings, swayed slightly, her round and full buttocks, swaying with each step, were displayed before Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Muneyuki followed closely behind her, and the two disappeared together at the top of the stairs.

"Shy, why don't you rest for a while? The guest room is over there~"

"Zong Xue and I have some things to discuss."

The instant Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai disappeared, Asuka saw Uesugi Muneyuki's large hand slip under Mai's skirt, pinching the middle of her thigh covered by gray stockings, feeling the smoothness and elasticity of the stockings, casually kneading and playing with them. Mai let him take advantage of her, even deliberately slowing down to encourage him to be more aggressive. At that moment, Asuka saw spiritual energy gathering on Uesugi Muneyuki's arm.

Mai-senpai invited Asuka to her house for another important reason: to test Asuka's talent in the Otherworld.

However, after finishing her meal, Asuka wondered, "Where am I?"
Why did you two go up first?

Asuka quickly washed the dishes in the dishwasher, tidied the table, and angrily went to the guest room on the first floor to lie down. Just as she lay down, she vaguely heard Mai's "Oh~ Oh~" sound coming from upstairs.

The girl was so angry that she covered her cute face with the blanket, feeling utterly helpless and on the verge of tears.

Why is it so hot here in both Sakata Bridge and Roppongi?

Then I came for nothing, didn't I?

Damn it! When will I ever grow up? When will it be my turn?!

(End of this chapter)