Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

Minamoto Tamako recognized that the person shouting was the gossip girl who had called her "obasan" earlier.

What goes around comes around, karma never fails...

However, snatching a phone in the women's restroom is quite serious, qualifying as robbery, and she can't pretend she didn't see it.

But the perpetrator didn't seem to take the stolen items, instead placing the phone on the sink and closing the restroom door, putting up a cleaning sign to keep outsiders out and the victim trapped inside...

Who would do something so pointless?

Minamoto Tamako's first suspect in her mind was Fushimi Roku. But on second thought, she felt Mr. Fu Jian had no motive to do such a thing.

Unless...

The guy is hiding in a stall in the women's restroom eavesdropping!

No, no, no, that's too sleazy, right? Mr. Fu Jian is lazy and stingy, but he cares a lot about his reputation, so he shouldn't do something like this...

Hey, why say "shouldn't"?

Minamoto Tamako recalled how Fushimi Roku's personality had changed since he returned; she couldn't pinpoint exactly what's wrong, just an undefined sense of dissonance.

Now alone, after calming down, she further reflected and suddenly remembered a suspicious detail she had long noticed.

—In the "Link Link" trial, who really is the "dog" in the other room?

Moreover, why did the "dog" in her room insist on being paired up with her?

If that headless male corpse was Mr. Fu Jian, it would reasonably explain his behavior; but she confirmed afterward that the person wasn't Mr. Fu Jian, so why say 'it's me'?

Could it be he's impersonating Mr. Fu Jian?

Why would he do such a thing...

As Minamoto Tamako was about to reason further, she suddenly heard the boss's voice behind her, asking why she was standing at the restroom door, and who put up the cleaning sign.

Minamoto Tamako quickly explained, then hurriedly entered the women's restroom to help return the phone and toilet paper to the gossip girl.

The other also recognized Minamoto Tamako's voice; she seemed embarrassed and didn't say a word of thanks, dry-wiping her butt and angrily heading to the boss for an explanation, determined to catch the pervert who broke into the women's restroom to snatch a phone today!

Minamoto Tamako quickly stopped her, cautiously asking, "Um... could you describe what the phone-snatching man looked like?"

"Why would I tell you?" The gossip girl seemed to think of something, suddenly turned to scrutinize Minamoto Tamako: "You, you're not in cahoots with him, are you?" This vеrsiоn is sоurсеd frоm МV3L3МРYR.

"No, no, no..."

Minamoto Tamako shook her head repeatedly, claiming to be Nakagawa Detective, on vacation, thus clearing up suspicion.

Though she said she wasn't involved, she worried inside that Mr. Fu Jian might actually be the one behind it.

Thinking of this, she felt a inexplicable sweetness; it turns out Mr. Fu Jian cares about her so much he'd even sneak into the women's restroom to eavesdrop, using such a petty way to retaliate against the gossip girl who angered her... It seems he definitely wouldn't accept the girls introduced by his seniors!

Yet, official matters are official matters, if Mr. Fu Jian really did this, despite her happiness, she must enforce the law rightfully, and deal with it according to the law without any favoritism!

The gossip girl called over the boss, recalled the appearance of the attacker: "About this tall, very dark skin, dyed yellow hair, speaking rudely...."

Hearing this, Minamoto Tamako lost interest immediately.

Moments ago, she still hoped to personally arrest Mr. Fu Jian, see him disgraced, which would surely be satisfying; then when he's released, properly compensate him herself...

No way!

I've already decided to give up on Mr. Fu Jian!

Those thoughts shouldn't cross my mind!

She slapped her face hard, sulkily left the reception area, dawdling at the boxroom door for a bit, then gritted her teeth and went inside.

Everyone was chatting, the atmosphere still harmonious, seemingly unaware of her absence, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief, secretly grateful.

'Great... nobody noticed...'

In truth, everyone was watching closely.

To save face, they pretended nothing happened—Watanabe Shun had his pager confiscated by the boss, even if he wanted to tease Minamoto Tamako, he could only babble.

Moriyama Yasurou, with high emotional intelligence, noticed both Fushimi Roku and Minamoto Tamako returned, and shifted the topic back to the get-together. This time, she spoke for Minamoto Tamako, saying there's a young patrol police in the precinct who's quite nice, diligent and handsome.

Kazama Tatsuya chimed in, claiming his old friend's son is great, studied abroad and now back, started his own company at a young age, emotionally intelligent and good-natured, a rare catch.

Watanabe Shun also wanted to join the fun, holding his wine glass, babbling...

Initially, Minamoto Tamako felt somewhat comforted hearing this, used her small hand to cover her mouth, politely asking everyone not to tease her;

But she gradually realized Fushimi Roku didn't seem to care at all, regardless of what the seniors said, he agreed with nods, smilingly saying: 'Tamako got lucky' , 'If I were a woman, I'd want to marry such a man', 'Much better than me'...

The more Minamoto Tamako listened, the more uncomfortable she felt, sensing Mr. Fu Jian completely indifferent to others snatching her away, even felt like Mr. Fu Jian was like her mom, wanting her to quickly get married.

She had cried once today, her tears ran dry, only numbness remained, her face seemingly wearing a smiling mask, eating tastelessly, whole being like a soulless puppet.

Stop thinking about these things...

Wasn't it already decided to give up on love...

What's there to be sad about? Isn't this just as expected...

Minamoto Tamako wanted to drown her sorrows with alcohol, but Kujo Yui held down her glass. She didn't dare drink in front of her mother, but felt increasingly distressed about being treated like a child despite her age...

Everyone ate and drank until three in the morning when the owner was about to close, then they got up and dispersed.

Kazama Tatsuya supported Watanabe Shun and proactively went to the counter to settle the bill, but found out it had already been paid, so he bid farewell and left first;

Moriyama Yasurou followed closely, and while Minamoto Tamako and the others were still in the private room, he asked the owner how much the meal cost, only to be informed again that the bill had been settled;

Kujo Yui held her daughter's shoulder and directly left the izakaya. The latter was weighed down with thoughts and only realized the bill was unpaid after stepping out. She intended to turn back, but was stopped by Kujo Yui.

"The bill is settled." Kujo Yui patted her on the head.

"Huh? Did mom pay? I said I was treating, I have money..."

Seeing her daughter's absent-minded demeanor, Kujo Yui sighed softly and decided to tell a little lie: "It wasn't me."

"Eh?" Minamoto Tamako raised her head.

"I saw Mr. Fuji Jian paid just now," Kujo Yui patted her little head where cowlicks wobbled back and forth: "He pretends not to care, but he's quite willing to spend money on you."

Minamoto Tamako froze for a moment and looked back instinctively, seeing Fushimi Roku just pulling back the izakaya curtain, standing next to a vending machine on the roadside, looking rather conflicted, hesitant to make a purchase.

"Go on."

Kujo Yui gently pushed her: "He's waiting for you."

Minamoto Tamako stumbled a step; rather than being pushed, it was more a choice to follow Kujo Yui's hand forward.

Her face flushed, past confusion, unease, struggle, and disappointment dispersed. Inside she felt both angry and happy, that unsettling feeling growing stronger.

"Wh-what, he's just buying a drink... you're talking nonsense..." Minamoto Tamako said, tugging at her clothes.

"Taking this long to buy a drink? Even if he had difficulty choosing, he'd at least get the money ready first, right?"

Kujo Yui leaned slightly, speaking in her daughter's ear: "Love sometimes requires a bit of courage. Though I divorced your father, I don't regret being with him."

Experiencing love is also part of life's journey.

As a mother, Kujo Yui didn't hope for her daughter to have a perfect outcome, only that she was left with no regrets in the end, not thinking 'if only I'd spoken up' when she's old.

Minamoto Tamako didn't move; if she went over, wouldn't it look like there really was something between her and Mr. Fuji Jian?

"Wh-what love, I totally don't understand what mom is talking about... I-I'm just close friends with Mr. Fuji Jian, he merely covered the bill for me..."

While speaking, she couldn't help but nudge Kujo Yui away: "Alright, alright! Don't push me into marriage like grandpa does! I'll decide my own life, no need for you to worry... after eating, just go home early and rest! I-I'll consider the blind dates recommended by seniors!"

"Oh, alright."

Kujo Yui didn't say much more; she waved and, without calling a taxi, walked away with her hands in her pockets.

Minamoto Tamako watched her mother disappear behind the crossing, only then turning to Fushimi Roku, who still stood at the vending machine.

Is it true, could he really be waiting for her?

Waiting to walk home together or perhaps to say something to her alone?

Minamoto Tamako's heart thumped wildly; she clasped her hands behind her, deliberately saying loudly: "Oh, I'm so thirsty, haven't had a sip of alcohol just now..."

As she spoke, she moved step by step toward Fushimi Roku.

He wondered why she was still there; he had a foot injury and couldn't sit in a wheelchair in front of Minamoto Tamako, planning to linger until everyone left, then take a taxi or wheelchair back himself.

"Why're you taking so long to buy a drink?"

Minamoto Tamako drew closer, standing by his side; cheeks slightly flushed.

She reached her hand into her pocket again, fingertips repeatedly rubbing against a glass bottle.

"Forgot to bring money." Fushimi Roku casually fibbed.

Minamoto Tamako laughed softly, thought Mr. Fuji Jian must've spent all his money paying the bill... realizing he didn't have money yet stupidly standing here? Surely waiting for her!

"Then I'll be nice to the end, treat you to a drink," she whispered: "What would you like?"

"Didn't you bring it?" Fushimi Roku glanced down: "I'll just have that bottle in your pocket."

He'd noticed earlier, as soon as he entered the private room, Minamoto Tamako had a very conspicuous, round and large one, hard to ignore.

Minamoto Tamako trembled slightly, pursing her lips tightly, cowlicks twitching nervously.

"Uh... th-that... that isn't a drink..."

She turned aside, retrieving a glass bottle full of lucky stars from her pocket, shakily raising it to him: "A gift for your birthday..."

"Though it's past, but... um..."

"Happy Birthday."