Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

Minamoto Tamako was feeling anxious as she stood at the door, waiting for a few minutes. Soon, Fushimi Roku came out, looking as if nothing had happened, and asked her to push the wheelchair to the Fujiwara family to investigate.

She was too embarrassed to ask more questions. As she pushed the wheelchair downstairs, she secretly took out her phone and sent a message to Sister Yalan: "How did it go? What did he say?"

Moriyama Yasurou replied immediately: "Confidential."

"?"

A question mark appeared on Minamoto Tamako's forehead. She wondered, what does "confidential" mean? Since when did Sister Yalan become complicit with Mr. Fushimi?

And suddenly, luring the two of them over just to ask Mr. Fushimi if he likes her?

If that's the case, why not tell her the result after asking?

It was utterly baffling!

Minamoto Tamako felt the urge to speak several times, wanting to probe Mr. Fushimi's thoughts. She considered saying things like 'What were you guys talking about just now?', 'How did you answer?', or 'Sister Yalan is really strange'… But whatever she thought of saying, it always felt like she was trying to cover something up.

At this point, speaking would only make her seem eager to know the answer.

No!

She needed to maintain her composure!

Minamoto Tamako also pretended as if nothing had happened, pushing Fushimi Roku towards the Fujiwara family.

As one of the illustrious families in Japanese history, the Fujiwara family maneuvered the Japan Imperial Family for about 300 years after the Emperor moved the capital to Heian-kyo in the late 8th century, wielding significant power.

However, the Fujiwara family's power and prestige were not gained by martial prowess but by countless political strategies.

Minamoto Tamako actually didn't know who the current family head of the Fujiwara family was; she only knew Fujiwara Homare was the legitimate only son. It seemed that Director Fujiwara's status in the family was certainly not low, as evident from his residence.

This guy had an estate in the Harbor District that was big enough for horse racing when combining the front and back yards; it even had a private dojo and helipad, looking anything but clean.

Mind you, even her mother just lived in a standalone villa.

The steward was responsible for receiving them, taking the two into the reception room, brewing tea for them to wait a moment.

Director Fujiwara did not deliberately keep them waiting either. At the appointed time, he appeared on time, still in his police uniform, presumably just back from work, looking fatigued.

Minamoto Tamako adopted an official attitude, asking Director Fujiwara several questions—such as whether Fujiwara Homare had ever engaged in extreme behavior, what hobbies he had, how many girlfriends he had had in total, where he had attended school, and so on…

Director Fujiwara also maintained an official posture and didn't say more because of Minamoto Tamako's identity. He could answer some questions, while others he genuinely didn't know much about.

"His hobbies…probably just hanging out with those disreputable friends?"

"As for girlfriends, hmm, I don't know."

"Studied at Qing University…"

...

Minamoto Tamako nodded frequently but did not record anything in her notebook.

Fushimi Roku didn't know what significance her questions had, and at this rate, he might really turn into a dumb assistant who only asked 'What's going on exactly'…

As Minamoto Tamako continued asking questions, she suddenly changed the subject and inquired if they could see Fujiwara Homare's high school yearbook.

Director Fujiwara was taken aback, clearly not expecting Minamoto Tamako to bring this up. After a moment's thought, he stood up and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll ask the steward, not sure where the photos are kept…"

Without being summoned, the steward leaned in, asking Director Fujiwara for his instructions. The latter indicated for him to bring Fujiwara Homare's high school yearbook. The steward complied, quickly returning with the photo frame in hand, as if attending Fujiwara Young Lord's funeral.

Minamoto Tamako expressed her thanks, receiving the graduation photo with both hands, and Fushimi Roku leaned over to take a look. At first glance, he didn't see Fujiwara Homare; instead, he spotted Yoshikawa Ritsuo—this woman turned out to be Fujiwara Homare's high school classmate!

Fushimi Roku squinted, searching carefully, finally spotting Fujiwara Homare in the front row on the left—he was small-built, with flickering eyes and a somber face, completely different from his current self.

So Yoshikawa Ritsuo and Fujiwara Homare weren't strangers, and the conversation between the two at the bar wasn't initiated solely by Fujiwara Homare.

But how did Minamoto Tamako know? Did she really deduce this?

Fushimi Roku looked suspiciously at Minamoto Tamako. The latter had her hypothesis confirmed, looking joyful, unable to suppress the smile on her face.

She noticed Fushimi Roku's glance, feeling increasingly smug.

Always read at the source—MV@LEMP@YR.

'Quick, ask! Ask what's going on! Ask what was discovered!'

'Ask, so I can keep you in suspense! That's what a dumb assistant should be doing!'

'I've even got the lines ready: Just as I deduced, but final confirmation with Fujiwara Homare is needed before jumping to conclusions.'

...

But Fushimi Roku just wouldn't ask, sitting there like a piece of wood.

Minamoto Tamako felt bored and pursed her lips, claiming that the photo was important evidence, and she needed to take it away. After saying that, she took a sealed bag from her pocket, opened the frame, and pulled out the photo.

Director Fujiwara did not stop her and asked, "Officer Tamako, based on your current investigation progress, do you think Homare... ahem, do you think the suspect committed murder?"

"Sorry, the investigation progress is confidential, I suggest Mr. Fujiwara best avoid suspicion."

Minamoto Tamako was impartial, and even though he was her mother's boss, she didn't show any deference, her sense of justice was overflowing.

Director Fujiwara acknowledged with a 'hmm', the lines on his face deepening. Only then did he turn to look at Fushimi Roku and asked Tamako, "This gentleman is..."

Minamoto Tamako was about to introduce him when she suddenly remembered Kujo Yua's instructions. So she glanced at Fushimi Roku, waiting for him to introduce himself.

Fushimi Roku knew he couldn't avoid this, and he had prepared himself. He cleared his throat and said seriously, "My name is Fushimi Roku, I am Minamoto Tamako's boyfriend, and also her partner."

Director Fujiwara remained expressionless and responded with a 'soka', saying, "I didn't expect Miss Tamako already had a boyfriend... Apologies, my proposal to Mr. Kujo was indeed somewhat abrupt."

Minamoto Tamako thought she wouldn't have a good face to show, she didn't expect Director Fujiwara to be so reasonable, and she quickly made some polite remarks, stating that her grandfather didn't really understand her private life, which led to this misunderstanding. It should be the Kujo Family who apologizes to the Fujiwara family.

Director Fujiwara nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't hold this kind of thing against you... Considering his current situation, you know, it's not a good time to discuss marriage."

Minamoto Tamako bowed slightly, "I will investigate with all my might!"

"But speaking of which," Director Fujiwara leaned back, eyeing the two: "Before proposing, I did inquire privately, Miss Tamako didn't seem to be seeing anyone... You two don't look like a couple."

He emphasized his tone, not hostile, yet it weighed heavily: "Miss Tamako, are you aware that there's a Fujiwara family precept that says: 'Under the moonlight, distinguish no false image, use the blade to refine the truth'?"

Minamoto Tamako didn't understand what he meant by that, but she could read the atmosphere and felt the pressure. Clearly, Director Fujiwara wasn't planning to let it go.

"How, how could it be... It's just that, just that we've always been... seeing each other privately..."

Minamoto Tamako stammered, lying as she kept giving Fushimi Roku meaningful glances, signaling him to say something to prove his status as her legitimate boyfriend.

"Yes, office romance isn't good to be spread around," Fushimi Roku pulled Minamoto Tamako's shoulder, speaking naturally: "Actually, we're very affectionate in private."

Minamoto Tamako's face turned red like a tomato. She could feel her shoulder resting in Fushimi Roku's arms, a strong arm encircling her body, and her heart pounding, her ahoge quivering like it had a motor.

"This doesn't look very convincing."

Director Fujiwara thought the Kujo family's only daughter seemed somewhat foolish too.

"She's shy with outsiders," Fushimi Roku spoke glibly, he wasn't someone who liked to take advantage of girls, but he knew mingling through muddling without any advantage wasn't an option, Tamako's performance was indeed too weak, it seemed he had to take the charge.

He picked her up, letting her sit on his thigh, leaning over to press Tamako down onto the sofa, with her back against Director Fujiwara, assuming the standard kissing couple pose.

However, he didn't actually kiss her.

Their faces were very close, noses touching, exchanging warm breaths.

Minamoto Tamako could feel the weight pressing on her, her mind went blank; Fushimi Roku could also feel the softness from his legs, the petite girl in his embrace, her eyes full of spring water, bewildered and uneasy, seemingly at his mercy—just needing to move four more centimeters closer to touch her lips.

Director Fujiwara didn't interrupt nor cough for attention, but simply watched them quietly.

Fushimi Roku was playing it to the tee, wasn't Kujo Yua intending for him to turn pretense into reality? So he might as well follow through to the end!

Why bother with any three or four month deadline?

He moved closer, his nose brushed past her delicate one, Minamoto Tamako's eyelashes fluttered, closing her eyes.

Then, she could feel a kiss on her cheek.

It was loud, making a popping sound like a suction cup.

Fushimi Roku let her go, sat upright, and wiped his mouth with his thumb. Tamako's cheeks were quite soft, and the kiss felt great, "As you see, she actually likes me quite a bit."

Director Fujiwara expressed neither approval nor disapproval, ignoring Fushimi Roku, he nodded at Tamako indicating she had done well. The latter came to her senses, so embarrassed she didn't know what to say, wishing she could bury her head in her knees like a quail.

"Since business is concluded, if there's nothing else, Miss Tamako, you may leave. I won't be seeing you out."

Director Fujiwara paused, and when the two stood up, he added: "Mr. Fu Jian, please stay. There's a personal matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Minamoto Tamako's first thought was that Director Fujiwara might resort to coercion or bribery; aren't TV dramas often like this? Offer you thirty million yen to leave my son/daughter, or else I'll toss you into the sea to feed the sharks...

"It's alright," Fushimi Roku patted her back, gently pushing her out of the reception room, "I'll just have a word with Director Fujiwara."

"But..." Minamoto Tamako turned around, full of unease.

"Don't worry," Fushimi Roku gave a wicked smile, saying half-jokingly, "My feelings for you won't change."