Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 472, Girl Kappo

Today, Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai are taking Sakura to the famous high-class restaurant "Yamada Kappo".

This is a high-end dining establishment with an average cost of 60,000 to 80,000 yen per person. It operates on an absolute customer loyalty system, accepting reservations only from acquaintances or referrals. Each diner undergoes a strict identity verification process, and only those deemed worthy of enjoying his cuisine by Chef Yamada are allowed to dine at his establishment.

Furthermore, Yamada Kappo does not accept walk-ins; reservations are only accepted by phone, online, or in writing.

This is also one of the most famous high-end restaurants in Tokyo.

Uesugi Muneyuki still doesn't understand why Mai-senpai insists on bringing Sakura along. He thinks to himself, "Isn't this supposed to be a private time for just the two of us? Why are you forcing Sakura to come along, senpai?"

Mai-senpai has always been very opinionated, and Uesugi Muneyuki sometimes doesn't understand what she's thinking.

However, this kind of membership-based high-end restaurant reminded Uesugi Muneyuki of someone.

Jiro Ono is known as the "God of Sushi" in Japan.

This legendary "Sushi Master" is not actually that famous in Japan. He became famous overseas first after Americans made a documentary about him, and then his fame spread back to Japan.

Across the sea, a certain country also experienced a frenzy of "creating a god - destroying a god" because of this guy. At first, everyone flocked to him, forcing Jiro Ono to learn a lot of Chinese. Then, some people began to question that this thing was too expensive, had too many rules for eating, and couldn't taste anything special about the sushi. They then began to mock the God of Sushi as worthless. Finally, when Jiro Ono's sushi restaurant lost its Michelin rating, it fell into a complete frenzy, declaring that the God of Sushi was dead!

But actually, the truth might surprise everyone.

First of all, Jiro Ono never called himself the "God of Sushi". The original title of the documentary made by the Americans was "Jiro's Sushi Dream" (二郎は鮨の梦を見る). He never mentioned that he was the God of Sushi. It was only when it was introduced to China that the title was forcibly changed. You can't attack something that doesn't actually exist.

Secondly, as for the so-called "God of Sushi," his actual skill level is questionable. It's fair to say that his reputation doesn't live up to it. A 3 yen bill per person is just for the taste; don't expect to get full. Moreover, the dining time is notoriously short, only about half an hour, and there are many rules, so it's understandable that many customers feel uncomfortable.

However, the prices at Michelin three-star restaurants in Tokyo are all the same, and Jiro Ono's prices are even slightly cheaper. It's not like they're deliberately ripping people off; the ingredients are the best. Isn't that how human food works? You get what you pay for. For example, at the Peace Hotel in Seehigh, you can get a can of Coke for 50 yen. It's a matter of mutual consent.

Ultimately, the main reason for Ono's loss of its Michelin star wasn't that the restaurant was failing, but rather that there were too many walk-in customers, most of whom weren't there for serious dining. Regular customers couldn't get a table, and the restaurant only had eight seats in total. As a result, Ono decided to completely abandon its business to the general public and only accept reservations from regular customers. That's why its three Michelin stars were revoked. It's that simple.

In the quiet depths of a lane in Azabu-Juban, Tokyo, only a dim lantern and a simple noren (traditional Japanese curtain) bearing the name "Yamada" hang in the air.

Uesugi Muneyuki, dressed in a well-fitting dark suit, calmly led the two ladies inside. National actress Shirakawa Mai, in an elegant blue-and-white porcelain cheongsam and wearing a mask, had a calm expression, clearly used to such occasions. Behind her, idol Miyawaki Sakura, like a deer that had wandered into a secret forest, had her big eyes sparkling with uncontrollable excitement and curiosity. Although her dress was cute, it seemed slightly out of place with the quiet atmosphere of the place.

The shop is small yet exquisitely secluded. Light focuses on the central cypress counter, and there are only eight seats. The air is filled with a subtle blend of camphor wood, charcoal, and broth, accompanied by the faint sounds of traditional Japanese musical instruments. The owner, Mr. Yamada, nearing sixty, with his hair meticulously combed, is quietly polishing a piece of lacquerware behind the counter. When a customer arrives, he merely nods slightly, his eyes sharp yet calm.

Only the staff frowned at the appearance of Miyawaki Sakura, thinking to themselves, "Since when does a little idol deserve to eat at our restaurant?"
"Miyawaki Sakura? That little idol? We just let her in like that? Does the boss know about this?" the shop assistant whispered to the shop's female manager.

Doesn't this lower the value of our store?

"Then ask the boss," the female general said, gesturing with her lips.

"Who are you asking?" The clerk was taken aback, thinking to himself that Yamada Kappo was a century-old establishment. He looked in the direction the woman was pointing and asked, "Mai-sama?"

"Yes, ask her, she's our boss." The female general smiled.

The three of them took their seats in the best spot in front of the counter. Miyawaki Sakura almost held her breath as she surveyed everything before her: the smooth, mirror-like counter, the various antique utensils, and Mr. Yamada's focused expression, as if performing a ritual.

The Omakase begins. Each dish, exquisitely crafted like a work of art, is personally presented by Mr. Yamada.

This was Sakura's first time visiting a place of this caliber, and she was stunned by today's menu.

Appetizer: Firefly squid and tender pea chawanmushi (steamed egg custard).

Seasonal sashimi: sea bream, ark shell, and sweet shrimp sashimi, served with shiso flowers and lime.

Grilled dish: Tajima Wagyu beef steak grilled over binchotan charcoal, served with fresh wasabi and fried garlic slices.

Araki: Lobster meat araki, served with matcha salt

Main course: Wagyu beef sukiyaki-style shabu-shabu, served with a soft-boiled egg.
The sushi includes goldeneye snapper, pickled sashimi, tuna belly, sea urchin gunkan, and conger eel.

Zhiwan is a clear soup with clams and tender bamboo shoots.

The desserts were strawberry daifuku and matcha.

Since they were mainly there to eat, the three of them didn't chat much and spent the whole time enjoying their food. Among the three, only Sakura had never been to such an occasion before, and she was extremely excited.

I came to Beijing to become an idol, and that's all for this! That's all for this! I yearn to stand out from the crowd, I yearn to become someone superior to others!
And it was precisely because of this that Sakura made a huge mistake during the meal—when Mr. Yamada served the lobster meat majo-yaki with a small dish of special salt, Sakura, excited by the huge lobster claw meat, forgot the proper order, picked it up with her hand, took a big bite, and then dipped it in the salt, making a crisp chewing sound. This time, Mr. Yamada's brows furrowed noticeably, and the knife in his hand stopped.

Mai Shirakawa gently touched Sakura Miyawaki's arm, smiled and shook her head. Sakura then realized that she might have been rude, her face instantly turning red. She put down her food, flustered, and whispered, "Sorry."

Ugh!!! I've embarrassed Uesugi-san and Mai-sama!

Uesugi Muneyuki calmly raised his glass to Mr. Yamada, saying, "Mr. Yamada, please don't mind. It is precisely this undisciplined, pure joy in food that proves the charm of your cooking. Please continue to let us appreciate your skills." His words both protected the younger generation, gave the restaurant owner a way out, and brought the focus back to the appreciation of the food itself.

Mr. Yamada looked into Uesugi Muneyuki's composed gaze, then glanced at Sakura, whose face was flushed and whose eyes were filled with pure amazement rather than malice. His tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, turning into a barely perceptible, helpless smile. He nodded slightly, focusing once again on the sword in his hand, as if the little incident just now was merely an insignificant breeze.

This will not be the case next time.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai both chuckled to themselves, their eyes filled with a hint of mockery.

Ugh! Sakura felt even more ashamed. She gritted her teeth and vowed to learn the proper etiquette for dining in such places!

"Sakura-chan, you've never been to a place like this before, have you?" Mai-senpai asked with a smile.

"Um... I've only been there, only to the Peninsula Hotel for the buffet." Miyawaki Sakura really wanted to slap herself. Mai had brought her to a place like this, and she had embarrassed her. She deserved it!
"The five-star Peninsula Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo?" Uesugi Muneyuki raised an eyebrow.

"Um... Last time when Akimoto-san took Paruru-senpai, he brought me along too," Sakura said timidly.

"If Sakura-chan likes buffets, I'll give you a yearly buffet pass to the Peninsula Hotel." Mai-senpai winked charmingly. "Our Sakura is just as good as Paruru, and don't forget, you have me backing you up!"

"Huh? An annual pass? This...this must be very expensive, right?" Sakura was excited and eager to accept the annual pass from Mai-senpai, but she still pretended to be modest and said, "This kind of annual pass...it must cost four or five hundred thousand yen a year, right?"

"No need, it's free for me." Mai smiled and shook her head: "It's a free gift from the Peninsula Hotel, might as well use it."

"Huh? Could it be that... could it be that the Peninsula Hotel is also like Mai...?" Sakura was stunned.

“No, that’s not it.” Senior Mai shook her head, her bright and beautiful face showing no concern as she said, “But the land of the Peninsula Hotel is mine, so they give me a lot of things every year, like free luxury suite cards and annual cards for the five-star buffet.”

"Huh???" Sakura was stunned. The girl felt as if she had stepped into a new world.

What's more powerful than being rich is not needing money.

Is this the world of the strong?
She stole a glance at Uesugi Muneyuki, who was also quite astonished, and felt her resolve wavering even more.

Cherry blossoms fall for half a lifetime, yet I have never met a wise ruler!
If Mai-sama doesn't abandon me, Sakura is willing to become my sworn sister!

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

After enjoying a big meal, Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai escorted Miyawaki Sakura back to her current apartment.

Sakura was still a little reluctant to leave. When the Mercedes-Benz was parked in the parking lot downstairs, she thought for a moment, hesitating whether to reveal a little bit about the public security police and the recent internal turmoil of YKC48 to the two people in front of her, and wanted to ask their opinions.

Suddenly, cries for help came from nearby.

"Help! Help me, ahhhhhh!"

"Someone, please save me!!!"

This figure instantly caught the attention of the three people inside the car.

"What's that sound?" Miyawaki Sakura looked in confusion toward the source of the sound—the shadows on the upper floor of the apartment building.

Uesugi Muneyuki's brows furrowed instantly. His hearing and intuition were far more acute than those of ordinary people, and the voice sounded very familiar.

"There's a woman crying for help!" Mai-senpai reacted much faster than Uesugi Muneyuki and Miyawaki Sakura: "How dare she do such a thing in front of me?!"

"It's Maho Yamaguchi's voice!" Sakura's face turned pale instantly; she was all too familiar with her teammate's voice!

"What?!"*2
Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai then realized whose familiar voice it was.

It's Maho Yamaguchi! She's in danger!

(End of this chapter)