Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 576, Like a Dream

————The above is omitted————

When everything finally calmed down for the time being, it was almost dawn outside.

Erina and Minami nestled together, tired but content.

Mikoto, however, managed to hold on until the end thanks to Erena, who played two different characters.

In the end, Uesugi Muneyuki held his beloved Mikoto in his arms, enjoying their last moments of tenderness.

He didn't know when it started, but the forensic beauty had become unusually clingy. She texted him frequently, her tone sweet and coquettish, brimming with just the right amount of affection. For every date, she dressed meticulously, her makeup flawless, and her clothes perfectly matching Zong Xue's aesthetic tastes—always wearing high-quality suits of impeccable quality, hugging her curvaceous figure, especially her long, slender legs, which were always clad in his favorite high-end stockings with a subtle sheen, and delicate high heels that perfectly accentuated the curves of her calves. Every step she took felt like stepping on his heart.

What pleased him even more was that Mikoto had originally been very reluctant to enter his life, which made Uesugi Muneyuki very wary of when his Mikoto-nee would run away. However, it seemed that from some point in May or June of this year, Ishihara Mikoto had truly decided to settle down in Tokyo and no longer minded Uesugi taking her out to play and letting her come to his home.

"Zong Xue, you're unusually energetic today." She nestled close to him, her breath sweet as orchids, and chuckled softly, "You're just as good as you were back then. But no wonder Watanabe was willing to share; she's too weak, isn't she?"

Zong Xue wrapped her arms around her slender waist, her heart filled with pride and affection: "Of course! I am a descendant of the Echigo Dragon! I am a dragon, I am the dragon! Mikoto-nee, is it just my imagination? You've been... exceptionally charming lately. I specially saved the last bit for you!"

"I know... Okay, go and rest, it's almost dawn outside." The forensic doctor said softly, "Don't worry, I'll always be by your side."

Uesugi Muneyuki fell into a deep sleep, satisfied.

Meanwhile, Mikoto Ishihara's mindset underwent a bizarre transformation from humiliation and despair to "it's actually quite good."

When she initially signed that "contract of servitude," she was filled with the humiliation and resentment of being coerced, feeling like a breeding machine with a price tag. However, when the resources and support promised by Uesugi Kuninori began to quietly materialize—the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tokyo was acquired, and those departments and units suddenly became unusually easy to talk to, several influential figures within the Faculty of Medicine showed her exceptional favor, her work underwent unexpected changes, and the old man even found her a new apartment near Sakata Bridge—she was shocked to discover that the old man was serious!

Her biggest worry was gone, and it even became a career accelerator. This meant that even if she became pregnant and gave birth, her position would only be more secure, not marginalized. This realization instantly relieved most of her tension.

At the same time, she began her "mission." In order to get pregnant as soon as possible, she had to abandon all her reserve and calculations and wholeheartedly cater to and please Uesugi Muneyuki. She studied his preferences, did her best to show her charm, and actively sought intimacy.

However, something unexpected happened during this process.

Perhaps it was because she had shed the psychological burden of "fearing that pregnancy would affect her career," or perhaps it was because the "task" required her to be fully committed, but she found herself experiencing unprecedented indulgence and joy in this intimate relationship. Because she was no longer anxious about the consequences, she was able to immerse herself more in the process itself.

After finishing her thoughts, Ishihara Mikoto felt a tingling sensation all over her body, her waist was sore and weak, and she didn't even have the strength to lift her legs. Uesugi Muneyuki hugged her from behind and fell into a deep sleep, satisfied.

Mikoto gazed at the tranquil night view of Karuizawa outside the window, her body still lingering with the afterglow of ultimate pleasure, yet her mind was calmly engaged in a calculation:
'It seems... I'm not losing out at all?'

'Not only did we not lose money, we practically made a killing!'

With top-tier career security, I no longer need to worry about resources.

With that old man's support, I can legitimately (though privately) stay by his side forever, without worrying about being abandoned one day.

'And I also enjoyed... such an extreme...'

Her face flushed slightly, and her body instinctively curled up, feeling a wonderful, tingling sensation.

If I had known it would be this enjoyable and would allow me to continue my career, why didn't I come to Zong Xue sooner?
Oh right, Zong Xue wasn't famous yet if things had been different earlier~ So there aren't that many "what ifs".

She even started planning ahead: 'Hmm... my next ovulation period is probably...'

Lost in thought, Mikoto quickly fell asleep.

The villa finally quieted down, with only Village Flower Palace sitting behind the bar, looking puzzled.

Is reproduction really that fun? I really don't understand you humans.

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

Sure enough, the next morning, Mikoto and Minami couldn't get out of bed. Although Erena got up, Minami held her back and wouldn't let her leave, so their planned morning trip to Karuizawa 72 Golf Club to experience golf was canceled.

Asuka, on the other hand, got up very early in the morning. She angrily gave Uesugi Muneyuki a little bird shock and then demanded that Uesugi-sensei make it up to her.

How many times! Time and time again! You just won't take me with you!

I don't care, you have to take me out to play this morning!
Uesugi Muneyuki was also a little tired at this point, but Murakawa-dono insisted that he go out for a walk, wanting to see the scenery of Karuizawa and have someone to give him a tour (because she had difficulty understanding human language and writing). Uesugi Muneyuki had no choice but to agree.

And so, only Uesugi Muneyuki and Asuka embarked on their leisurely stroll.

In summer, Karuizawa is like a green wonderland blessed by nature's air conditioning. The coolness brought by the altitude dispels the sticky heat of Tokyo, and the air is filled with the fragrance of larch and the scent of damp earth.

Sunlight filters through the layers of leaves of tall trees, casting dappled, shimmering light onto the clean and tidy path.

The streets of Old Karuizawa Ginza are bustling with tourists, yet the area doesn't feel crowded or noisy. Most are visitors from the city seeking respite from the summer heat, dressed in casual linen or cotton clothing, wearing straw hats or sunglasses, strolling leisurely. They linger amidst the sweet aromas wafting from various jam shops, relax at the outdoor seating of retro cafes, or carefully select local handicrafts. The entire area is enveloped in a slow-paced, elegant vacation atmosphere.

Asuka changed into a refreshing summer outfit: a mint green tank top under a sheer cardigan, paired with a white pleated skirt and comfortable white sneakers. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, giving her a youthful and energetic look. Uesugi wore a simple white linen shirt and khaki trousers, with frameless glasses perched on his nose, looking gentle and refined, like a patient older brother accompanying his younger sister on an outing. They strolled to the famous Kumoba Pond.

The pool's water is emerald green and clear, like a giant emerald set in a lush forest. Strolling along the wooden boardwalk beside the pool, you can feel the cool breeze blowing from the water, which is refreshing and invigorating. Visitors stop here to take photos or quietly admire the blue sky, white clouds, red bridge, and green trees reflected in the water; everything is as beautiful as a tranquil oil painting.

Uesugi Muneyuki enjoyed this long-lost tranquility.

Karuizawa holds a similar status in Japan to Camp David in the United States or Beidaihe in Germany, serving as a traditional summer retreat for political and economic elites.

Since its discovery by Canadian missionaries in the late 19th century, Karuizawa has attracted foreign residents and members of Japan's upper class. Its cool climate, beautiful natural environment, and high level of privacy make it an ideal vacation destination, and the Imperial Family also comes here annually to escape the summer heat.

This in itself is the ultimate symbol of Karuizawa's status as a top-tier resort destination.

Besides the royal family, members of the former aristocracy, major financial groups (such as the Mitsui and Iwasaki families), political figures, and cultural celebrities also own villas here.

Even today, remnants of Japan's golden age can still be seen here.

Many people may find it hard to understand what Japan's bubble economy was like, why it is so unforgettable for countless Japanese people, and why, even though Japan maintained a moderately developed country standard of living after the bubble burst, the Japanese still firmly believe that they "lost" ten, twenty, or thirty years.

Let me give you a few examples.

In 1989, the term "Japanese aunties" became a popular phrase worldwide. That year, 40,000 Japanese aunties traveled overseas every day. They wore flip-flops, made loud noises, ignored any rules, bought whatever they saw, took photos next to religious statues, and smoked everywhere.

The Vatican was forced to specifically emphasize "silence" in Japanese, and Western media outlets published articles criticizing "low-quality Japanese people."

However, it was all for naught, because we Japanese are rich! Money talks!

It really is!
When a Japanese tour group arrived in New York, they saw this building and thought it was nice, so they discussed it and pooled their money to buy it.

When Sony arrived in the US, it saw that Columbia Pictures was a good company, so after some discussion, it decided to acquire it directly.

At that time, Japanese capital had bought up almost half of Manhattan. Even the French were lamenting, saying that there were Japanese people everywhere on the streets of Paris.
From 1987 to 1991, the Japanese economy surged for 51 consecutive months, with consumer spending booming like a thunderclap, constantly resounding.

The Japanese government hastily introduced a consumption tax (5%), but the Japanese public's reaction was, "Only 5%? Who are they looking down on?"

Miyazaki Prefecture, which ranks near the bottom in terms of economy, spent more than 2000 billion yen to build the world's largest indoor beach, even though there is a real beach just 3 kilometers away.

Chiba Prefecture, a major fishing prefecture, borrowed money to build the world's top fully indoor ski resort.

There's no shortage of customers. Japan has a population of 1 million, yet the number of skiers exceeds 3 million annually. People only ski in the summer, and no one rents equipment; even the most basic equipment costs 10 yen.

The unprecedented golf craze has spurred a surge in golf adoptions, with even junior office workers getting memberships. The desire to avoid the hassle of driving has led to the emergence of golf chauffeured services and even helicopter services. One manufacturer launched a diamond-encrusted three-piece golf club set priced at 100 million yen, and all 650 sets sold out within three days.

Even more expensive than the diamond-encrusted one is a pure gold golf club, which was sold out in a single day due to its limited availability.

When Princess Diana visited Japan, 10 people flocked to the streets to see her, and girls all over Japan were snapping up the polka dot skirts and padded-shoulder jackets worn by the princess, selling hundreds of thousands or even millions of sets.

There are general rules for dating girls in Tokyo: spend at a restaurant no less than 5 yen, go to the movies at least once a week, and see three idol concerts a month.

Spending at least 40 yen on Christmas Eve is a must. A classic Cartier ring, a Tiffany heart-shaped diamond pendant, and a stay at the Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo are standard. There's no upper limit; anything less... well, that makes you a loser, and no girl will like that! (Seriously!)

On the streets of Shibuya, everyone carries LV and Hermes handbags, men drive Toyota Soarer as a minimum, Mercedes is the most effective, and ordinary BMWs are ignored.

At that time, Japan's GDP was almost on par with that of the United States. Although statistics were not available at the time, the number of Fortune 500 companies was definitely the highest in the world. Major companies were recruiting graduates from universities, and many students were recruited by companies in their first year of university. In order to attract people, many companies turned recruitment fairs into cocktail parties or even receptions, and entertained people directly in nightclubs. In order to show their extravagance, many companies would hold team building activities in Hawaii for one or two weeks before the employees even joined the company.

At that time, the average young person in Japan held six credit cards, and personal financial consumption across the country surged to 1.7 trillion yen.

That was truly a passionate period, like a dream.

The Japanese have truly experienced good food and wealth. So even though the country is now barely maintaining the level of a moderately developed country, in the eyes of the Japanese who lived through that era, life now is like a pile of shit.

If we can't go back to the days when we could take a taxi with Fukuzawa Yukichi (a 10,000 yen bill) every day after get off work, then those ten, twenty, or thirty years will always be "lost"!

Now... only places like Karuizawa still offer a glimpse of what once was.

Uesugi Muneyuki was filled with emotion.

Time comes and the world has the same force, and it is not free to transport heroes.

Just as he was feeling sentimental, Asuka, who was beside him, made a discovery.

"Mai-sama?!"

(End of this chapter)