Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

The light from the vending machine spilled out, reflecting off the glass bottle in her hand, colorful paper stars twinkled—glass and paper aren't worth much, but in the hands of certain people, they're like holding up shining stars.

It's Fushimi Roku's first time in two lifetimes receiving an actual birthday gift.

The street was quiet for five seconds, no one spoke.

Seeing his lack of reaction, Minamoto Tamako grew more anxious, shrinking her hand slightly, "You don't like it? Then I'll change it..."

"No, it's nice."

Fushimi Roku took the glass bottle, still warm, wondering how long this person had held it. After examining it for a moment, he casually put it into his pocket and continued, "I was just surprised, how did you know my birthday?"

"Guess."

Minamoto Tamako took out a small pig wallet, stretched out her little hand and pulled out two coins, putting them into the vending machine. She spent her days guessing Mr. Fushimi's thoughts, and she wanted him to guess hers.

"Checked my file?" Fushimi Roku pressed down on strawberry juice, with a clank the vending machine dropped a box of it.

Minamoto Tamako pouted unsatisfied, Fushimi Roku had guessed right immediately, which irked her a bit. The latter was puzzled by her sudden mood change; 'Minamoto Tamako's Manual' didn't include this chapter, making him feel complicated.

Forget it, let's go home first.

The meal was finished and juice was bought, he had no reason to linger, so he walked slowly back, leaving the wheelchair at the izakaya, planning to retrieve it later.

Minamoto Tamako followed by his side, kicking stones with her toes. She still remembered their last trip—Mr. Fushimi didn't wait for her while walking, which she deducted 0.1 points for... Seems since then, he slowed his pace down.

Today was even slower, slower than back then.

Must be wanting to spend more time with her, right?

Now is a time to be alone, just walking together is being alone; once back home and Sakurako's around, they won't be alone.

As they walked, Minamoto Tamako noticed Mr. Fushimi was getting slower, she even had to slow down to match his pace.

Hum hum, do you want to spend even more time with me?

Or perhaps, there's something you want to say but are embarrassed to speak out...

Minamoto Tamako wanted Mr. Fushimi to come clean and directly tell her if he likes her; but such matters can't be asked, asking reveals one's own feelings, love is truly troublesome.

She secretly glanced at Mr. Fushimi, noticing droplets of sweat on his forehead, looking nervous, seemingly enduring something.

Speak up, speak up!

Say it if you want to!

Don't hold back anymore!

Minamoto Tamako pressed her lips tightly, her face flushed, breathing hotly, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Fushimi Roku was sweating from the pain, with Minamoto Tamako staring intently beside him, thinking she hid well, yet that suffocating presence couldn't be shaken.

Worried about Minamoto Tamako noticing the flaw, he pondered finding a topic to divert her attention, "Speaking of which, why did Chief Kujo suddenly suggest you join the gathering?"

Upon hearing this, Minamoto Tamako's smile became more smug.

Wuhuhu! Turns out this is what he cares about!

During dinner, saying 'Tamako, you're so lucky,' actually he's probably bleeding inside quietly?

If I really go to the gathering, you would definitely be so upset you'd shed tears, right?

Hum hum hum, no wonder you've been lingering so long, feeling the crisis? Wanting to confess? It's all within my plan!

Minamoto Tamako once again showed her 'strategist smile', originally organizing the dinner to provoke Mr. Fushimi.

Though it deviated slightly from her expectations, Mr. Fushimi didn't publicly lose composure but instead secretly confessed; she didn't mind, a truly cool woman only cares about the result, not the process!

Now, it's time to give Mr. Fushimi a fatal blow!!

Minamoto Tamako feigned nonchalance, holding her head high and said, "Because grandpa wants to arrange a marriage with the Fujiwara family, forcing me to marry Fujiwara Section Chief by year-end. My mom argued strongly, grandpa relented somewhat, saying if I have a boyfriend, he won't insist…well, that's pretty much how things are, if I can't find a boyfriend, I'll have to marry Fujiwara Section Chief at year-end."

"Hmm?"

Fushimi Roku stopped, pretending to be surprised, taking the chance to rest a bit, "Fujiwara Section Chief… Fujiwara Homare?"

"Yeah, it's him."

Minamoto Tamako stood there too, kicking away small stones, turning to face Fushimi Roku.

Come on!

I'm ready!

Say what you want to say!

Fushimi Roku was indeed somewhat surprised, but fairly familiar with Minamoto Tamako; she's assertive, wouldn't possibly agree to an arranged marriage, Kujo Yua likely wouldn't force her, it's probably just grandpa's wishful thinking.

"What's your plan then?" Fushimi Roku resumed walking after resting enough, passing by Minamoto Tamako, casually patting her shoulder to comfort her, "Such things can't be rushed, didn't the seniors introduce many gathering partners? Just see then."

Minamoto Tamako was taken aback, turned her head, glaring at Fushimi Roku's back, clenching her fists in frustration, wanting to stomp but worried Fushimi Roku would hear, silently cursing him for being unmotivated.

Still pretending!

Let's see how long you'll keep it up!

"No plans, gatherings are a waste of time, since family already assigned a marriage partner, I don't have to worry about it." Minamoto Tamako stepped up to follow Fushimi Roku.

"Oh? Planning to get married by the end of the year?"

"Is that not okay?"

"Not becoming a famous police chief?"

"I will, who says a woman has to be a full-time housewife after marrying?"

"What if your husband wants a child?"

"Th-that's too early! At least wait until after 25, right?"

"Why after 25?"

"Parenthood needs preparation too, you can't just have a child on a whim, can you?"

"So you've decided to marry Fujiwara Homare?"

Publication courtesy of M|V|LE-MPYR.

"No, when did I say I decided that?"

"Then what are you thinking?"

"Didn't I just say, let things take their course. If I meet someone before the end of the year, of course, I won't marry that Fujiwara Homare guy."

"Ah, you mean 'you could marry anyone'?"

"How ridiculous! Wh-what nonsense are you talking about?!"

...

Even the longest road has an end.

As they talked, they soon arrived at the doorstep. Fushimi Roku fumbled with the keys to open the door, while Minamoto Tamako stood behind him, feeling a bit disappointed.

She was reluctant to just let Mr. Fushimi go like that. Before the door opened, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you... do you have anything you want to say to me?"

"What?"

Fushimi Roku was startled for a moment, then realized, "Oh! About the Cat Island thing? Let's talk about it tomorrow when we get up."

After saying this, he slipped off his shoes, loosened his tie, tossed his suit jacket on the sofa, and went straight to his room to rest.

"..."

How infuriating!!

Minamoto Tamako returned to her room and punched her pillow, distorting the smile on the Tsukino Usagi's printed face.

Taira Sakurako, not knowing who pissed her off again, curiously asked a question. Naturally, Minamoto Tamako couldn't mention her matchmaking plans, so she casually brushed it off, then asked, "By the way, Sakurako, do you want to go to school?"

"Go to school?"

"It's going to a big building to learn, where an elder teaches many peers like you..."

"Thanks, I know what going to school means."

"...Oh." Minamoto Tamako paused: "So, do you want to go?"

Taira Sakurako leaned against a cardboard box to ponder. Going to school didn't seem beneficial — she would have to sleep and rise early, wear a uniform daily, attend classes on time, and follow the school rules... Although she could make friends her age, she felt having Minamoto Tamako was enough.

Seeing her silence, Minamoto Tamako thought there was a chance, so she pressed on, "Didn't you want to find Yukimura Aoi's sister? If she's your age, she must be at school too, right?"

Taira Sakurako was startled and began to think deeply.

"No need to rush your answer. Think it over and let me know when you're sure."

Minamoto Tamako patted her head, adjusted her mindset, and set aside matters regarding the wooden-headed Fushimi Roku. She focused on her desk, continuing to document the Cat Island events, adding previously omitted details, and pondering unresolved doubts.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fushimi, adept at playing dumb, checked the injury on his leg as soon as he entered his room. Once he confirmed there was no serious issue, he sighed in relief.

Having reached level 7 in Psychological Guidance, he naturally saw through Minamoto Tamako's little schemes.

Tsk tsk tsk, that's charisma for you!

At that moment, Demon Kawai suddenly appeared, advising him to quickly get with Tamako, suggesting a night attack on the legal loli, to take advantage and have his way with her; Angel followed closely, scolding the demon as despicable and shameless, asking if that was love or just lust for her body!

The two imps bickered, then simultaneously turned to ask Fushimi Roku why he hadn't confessed.

Demon: "You could easily win her over. You shouldn't have come home; confess and take her to a hotel for some fun! You don't have much time left, so enjoy it first..."

Angel: "Don't you like her? If so, why not express your feelings openly? Procrastinating is bad, and you'll regret not cherishing the time left when it's too late..."

To this, Mr. Fushimi responded one by one.

First, his leg injury made a night raid and hotel visits inconvenient. If Minamoto Tamako found out, it would be disastrous;

Second, Kujo Yua had warned him that Minamoto Tamako would only pursue romance after confirming the person was hers. If he confessed rashly, based on his understanding of Minamoto Tamako, it might result in her giving him a 'chance to pursue,' asking him to prove himself...

Hmph, ridiculous!

He's already fallen, mentally and emotionally, yet they expect him to make the first move?

If he remembered correctly, the number of lucky stars had special meanings, e.g., folding a thousand stars for a crush ensures success; or folding nine hundred ninety-nine stars symbolizes 'eternity.' Of course, Japan doesn't have the sounds for 1314 and 999, and that bottle doesn't seem to hold a thousand paper stars.

If he guessed correctly, there were 590 paper stars inside the bottle.