Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

The izakaya's sign clearly states it closes at 2 a.m.

As time passed, coupled with the server frequently peeking into the private room, everyone except Minamoto Tamako began to feel restless.

Fushimi Roku had an injury on his leg and couldn't walk quickly. No matter how much Minamoto Tamako urged, he could only move at a snail's pace, pushing a wheelchair—the same one he had bought during his recovery from a fracture before, now unexpectedly put to use again.

When they arrived at the izakaya's entrance, Fushimi Roku finally stood up, asked the server to help fold the wheelchair, and slowly walked into the private room while supporting himself against the wall.

Initially, he didn't want to come; going out for dinner could easily expose his leg injury, and during the meal, he'd have to endure scrutiny from Kujo Yua and possibly face questions from Moriyama Yasurou and others, just thinking about it gave him a headache.

However, just when Minamoto Tamako sent him a message, an unfamiliar text popped up on his phone containing just one word:

"Come"

Even with half a brain, Fushimi Roku could guess who sent the message.

The person who sent it must be at the dinner. Otherwise, the word wouldn't be "come," "go" would be more appropriate; among the people Minamoto Tamako invited, he'd noted their contacts, except for Kujo Yua.

Chief Kujo had spoken, so he couldn't just ignore it.

Maybe Kujo Yua had some serious matters to discuss with him?

His relationship with Minamoto Tamako was above board, and as the Director of Police, Kujo Yua wouldn't make a fuss over trivialities in front of so many subordinates, right?

At this moment, Fushimi Roku lifted the private room curtain, glanced around, and smiled while saying, "Sorry, traffic was a bit heavy, I arrived late."

"Aba, aba, aba..." Watanabe Shun waved repeatedly.

The low pressure in the room melted away like snow, finally giving the private room a dinner atmosphere.

The staff had already gone off-duty, so the owner personally served the food; Moriyama Yasurou helped bring out the beer pints with a clang, each person receiving a large cup; Watanabe Shun typed "aba aba," but no one paid attention; Kazama Tatsuya glanced at his own calf and picked up food for himself; Minamoto Tamako smirked mischievously, lost in her thoughts.

"Punishment drink for latecomers! Punishment drink for latecomers!"

Watanabe Shun held up the pager, and everyone realized he was referring to the 'latecomer's drink penalty.'

Fushimi Roku didn't argue, gulping down a pint of beer, and let out a loud burp, further enlivening the atmosphere as everyone tacitly avoided mentioning Cat Island in Kujo Yua's presence.

Moriyama Yasurou took the lead, mentioning a recent ski resort she planned to visit soon; Kazama Tatsuya, rarely speaking, expressed interest in going too, surprising everyone; Minamoto Tamako quickly asked what about her shooting practice, and Watanabe Shun immediately volunteered to cover it...

After a few rounds of drinks, amidst the harmonious atmosphere, Fushimi Roku suddenly asked:

"Speaking of which, Tamako, didn't you say there was something important to discuss?"

Minamoto Tamako paused mid-bite, discreetly glancing at Kujo Yua, noticing that "Mama" didn't seem inclined to bring up marriage, so she decided on her own and said, "Yes, it's about Cat Island..."

"Ah!" Moriyama Yasurou suddenly interrupted, "Well, it seems my stomach is a little upset."

Kujo Yua abruptly spoke, "Some hot water should help."

Moriyama Yasurou had just lifted off her seat, but upon hearing that, she had no choice but to sit back down with effort. Kazama Tatsuya and Watanabe Shun also fell silent, resting their chopsticks, crossing their arms, seemingly waiting for Minamoto Tamako to speak.

Seeing this, Minamoto Tamako vaguely felt she might have said something wrong.

"I called everyone here today actually to..."

She was about to continue, hoping to have everyone share their experiences on Cat Island.

Didn't "Mama" need evidence? Here were four eyewitnesses, witnesses that would necessitate an investigation, leaving "Mama" speechless, right?

However, before she could finish, Kujo Yua immediately chimed in, "It's for a matchmaking event."

...

Everyone was stunned.

The private room became eerily quiet, with only Fushimi Roku munching away.

"Aba, aba..." Watanabe Shun held up a pager, unsent on the screen read four prominent characters:

"You want matchmaking? My boss is a good man."

Moriyama Yasurou and Kazama Tatsuya also saw it. The former burst into laughter, while the latter chopped down hard on the pager, apologizing to Kujo Yua with a wry smile, "Sorry, my subordinate here has had a bit of brain injury recently..."

He mistakenly forgot he was no longer Watanabe Shun's superior.

Kujo Yua didn't mind nor correct his mistake, merely remarked in a flat tone, "Not me, it's my daughter. She's of marriageable age now, and you all are her friends, so if there's anyone suitable of the same age, I hope you can help introduce someone."

Upon hearing this, the hair on Minamoto Tamako's head responded instantly. First published on M|V|L!EMPYR.

It's happening, it's finally happening!

She straightened her back, adopting a refined posture, covering her mouth awkwardly with a small hand, and laughed somewhat uncomfortably, "Mama, please stop..."

Yet to her surprise, the others didn't enthusiastically recommend promising young men as she anticipated; instead, they turned simultaneously towards Fushimi Roku, who was eating peanuts.

"Why are you all looking at me?" Fushimi Roku wore an innocent expression.

Kujo Yua placed her elbow on the table, leaned forward slightly, and asked with a smile, "Mr. Fushimi, are you currently single? Have you considered this aspect of your life?"

No way!

It's not supposed to be like this!

If this goes on, won't it turn into an arranged meeting between her and Mr. Fushimi?!

Minamoto Tamako was taken aback, she hurriedly grabbed Kujo Yua's arm and sincerely said, "Mom! Stop talking!"

Fushimi Roku adjusted his collar, lightly coughed and prepared to speak. Only then did Minamoto Tamako notice that this guy was actually dressed in a formal black and white suit, with his hair slicked back like an adult.

"Well, currently I'm indeed single... Speaking of it, my father, before he was dying, had the biggest regret of not being able to see me get married one day."

As he spoke, Fushimi Roku shook his head and sighed: "I'm not young anymore, I really should consider settling down. You all are my friends, if there's a suitable peer, please feel free to introduce them."

Nonsense!

Minamoto Tamako thought, wasn't your father running an izakaya? Wasn't his biggest regret that you couldn't inherit the izakaya business?

"Aba aba aba..."

Watanabe Shun, at some unknown time, picked up a pager and typed a line of text again, placing it in front of Fushimi Roku. Everyone stared at it, only to see it said: "I know, I met a waitress at Shibuya SG Club, she particularly likes your type, really matches you well. Next time, Senior will introduce you to her."

"..."

"..."

Moriyama Yasurou couldn't help but laugh again.

Minamoto Tamako was so angry her little face turned red. She thought to herself, what's this about 'really matches you well,' Senior Watanabe truly has no taste at all, can a girl working as a waitress at a bar be a good person? It's total matchmaking nonsense!

If you ruin Mr. Fushimi's lifelong happiness, can you bear the responsibility?!

Kazama Tatsuya pressed Watanabe Shun's hand, and spoke: "Speaking of which, last time when we went to an underground bar for an investigation, a woman fell for you at first sight. Recently, when I go drinking, she keeps asking me for your contact information... If you don't mind, I can pass your contact info to her."

Ever since the incident with Minamoto Naoaki, Kazama Tatsuya had been thinking about redemption. Since he wanted to protect Minamoto Tamako, it was best to keep her away from Fushimi Roku—he used to think they were a good match, now he only worried Fushimi Roku might hurt Minamoto Tamako's feelings.

This comment fell into Minamoto Tamako's ears like a demonic sound. Little did she expect that a short sentence could reach her brainstem, making her blood rush to her head, heart race, gnash her teeth, and wish she could just put Senior Kazama in jail.

Forget about Senior Watanabe being muddleheaded, why is Senior Kazama acting this way too?

Though it's a bit of professional discrimination, probability doesn't lie! A bar is not a proper place to make friends, there are just many bad women there!

Say it's love at first sight, it's clearly lust at first sight, right?

Clearly not knowing Mr. Fushimi at all, yet having the audacity to ask for contact information... pfft! Shameless!

Moriyama Yasurou, having laughed enough, wiped away her tears and waved her hand saying: "Can't you guys be serious? What is he looking for, isn't it pretty clear? Can't you guys see?"

Upon hearing this, Minamoto Tamako's eyes lit up.

Well done!

Sister Yalan, I knew you were the most reliable!

She gripped the knife and fork, elegantly cutting the teppanyaki, pretending not to care, yet actually pricking up her ears.

Moriyama Yasurou continued: "What Mr. Fushimi wants is a marriage partner, not a dating partner. How can you introduce a woman met in a bar? Let me introduce a more reliable person... Recently, a rookie joined the station, a very cute girl! She's also a police officer, so there should be plenty of topics to talk about..."

Ugh!!

Minamoto Tamako suffered a critical hit of ten thousand points, her knife and fork scraping the plate, making a sound like nails on a chalkboard, like a defeated dog silently howling.

Why?

Why... even Sister Yalan betrayed me!!

This time, Minamoto Tamako truly couldn't find any fault, because she herself had been a patrol police at the Sugamo Station front Patrol House, if that girl wasn't suitable, then she definitely wasn't either, denying the other was tantamount to denying herself.

In fact, Moriyama Yasurou noticed Minamoto Tamako's expression, her cute aggression syndrome flared up again. Given that Kujo Yua was present, she couldn't physically tease Minamoto Tamako, so she could only tease her a little, wanting to see more of her embarrassed expression.

At this moment, Kujo Yua, for some unknown reason, smilingly added the final blow:

"Nice, if they plan to date, they can come to me for half a day off."

...

Minamoto Tamako's health bar dropped to empty.

She silently put down the knife and fork, pushed back the chair, stood up, and softly said, "I... I feel a little sick in my stomach... I'm going to the bathroom..." Saying that, she even sobbed.

Moriyama Yasurou was taken aback, realizing she had gone too far, hurriedly tried to reassure her: "We didn't mean that..."

She hadn't finished her sentence when Minamoto Tamako covered her eyes with her arm and ran out of the room. She ran too fast and didn't watch her step, slipped and fell, before anyone could speak, she quickly got up and dashed away.

"..."

Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze to Fushimi Roku, who was still eating peanuts.

"Why are you looking at me?" Fushimi Roku asked with an innocent expression.