Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner
Chapter 127 - 49 Blow the Dog Whistle

Chapter 127: Chapter 49 Blow the Dog Whistle

The so-called "dog whistle effect" is a form of psychological manipulation even more covert than the "gaslight effect," capable of driving a person to hysteria in the midst of apparent calm.

It specifically refers to someone deliberately angering, provoking, or humiliating others through hints, coded language, or hidden methods while maintaining an outward appearance of friendliness and harmlessness. The abuser’s actions may seem trivial on the surface but directly target the victim’s wounds.

This concept originated in the political realm, much like how a dog whistle emits a high-frequency sound imperceptible to humans but audible to dogs. In political scenarios, it is a covert communication strategy.

"It’s okay if you don’t understand; Senior Feng will demonstrate it for you soon."

Fushimi Roku stood outside the one-way mirror, holding some edamame beans he had snagged from Watanabe Shun’s desk, an expression of anticipating a show on his face.

Earlier, he had whispered something to Kazama Tatsuya, who looked doubtful but nodded in agreement to proceed as suggested.

Minamoto Tamako looked perplexed as she stood beside Fushimi Roku, her hands pressed against the one-way glass, her eyes fixated on Senior Feng in the interrogation room, fearing he might resort to coercion once again.

The procedural officer Sakai sat inside the interrogation room, shaking her leg nervously, clueless about the antics this group was up to.

"Why did they switch people all of a sudden during the interrogation? What does this case have to do with the dog whistle effect?" Minamoto Tamako couldn’t help but ask.

"Don’t rush; you’ll find out shortly." With a crack, Fushimi Roku bit into an edamame bean.

As soon as he finished speaking, Kazama Tatsuya’s voice echoed from the interrogation room. There was a microphone inside - it only transmitted sound one-way, allowing people outside to hear those inside but not vice versa.

"Isn’t it stuffy here without the windows open?" Kazama Tatsuya asked.

Mrs. Kamei raised her head, her face taut, baring teeth like an animal. Her voice was low but filled with hostility: "What do you mean?"

"I’m a cop; I need to care about the suspect’s health. Seeing that you’re of an older age, stuffiness is bad for your health. Older people should pay attention to heart health, and should protect this area more..." Kazama Tatsuya patted his chest and asked, "Right?"

"You’re bullying me too much!!"

Kamei Riko’s cry pierced the air, startling Minamoto Tamako. She got goosebumps and instinctively stepped back.

The conversation continued in the interrogation room, the atmosphere becoming increasingly eerie. Kazama Tatsuya said, "What did I do wrong? Is caring for you a mistake?" Kamei Riko retorted, "Are you saying I’m making a fuss over nothing? That I misunderstood your goodwill?"

Unable to stand it, procedural officer Sakai hurriedly tried to reassure, "Officer Kazama didn’t mean it that way..."

Kazama Tatsuya interrupted, "Isn’t that the case?"

Kamei Riko frantically pounded the table, the shackles digging into her wrists and drawing blood. She roared and screamed frantically, venting her emotions with all her might: "You beat me! You’re the one harming me! Why! Why do all of you target me like this!!"

Minamoto Tamako’s scalp went numb as she widened her eyes, her mind flashing back to the Saint Bernard dog she had encountered earlier. Kamei Riko was just like that dog—sensitive, irritable, aggressive, attacking people without cause. Even though she knew Kazama Tatsuya had struck first, she instinctively felt Kamei Riko was being unreasonable.

"See, this is the dog whistle effect."

Fushimi Roku gazed at the scene as if appreciating a piece of art, the image behind the one-way glass like a world-famous painting.

"But why..." Minamoto Tamako stammered, momentarily unsure what to ask.

She knew something was off but didn’t know how it had all come about.

"Before bringing Mrs. Kamei back to the police box, Senior Feng hit her in the chest," Fushimi Roku explained at a deliberate pace. "If you were Mrs. Kamei and heard what Senior Feng just said, what would you think?"

"He’s intentionally reopening my wounds..." Minamoto Tamako instinctively replied.

"Exactly, but to outsiders, it appears Senior Feng is simply concerned for Mrs. Kamei, while Mrs. Kamei is throwing a public tantrum... Even if she explained the truth, given her current state, would anyone side with her? People are emotional creatures and only listen to those who speak gently."

Fushimi Roku settled into a chair and continued, "Judging from her state, this isn’t the first time she’s gone through something like this. Someone’s trained Mrs. Kamei to be a biting dog; as soon as they blow the dog whistle, she loses her reason and starts biting around."

In conclusion, he stated, "Mr. Kamei’s fall was not an accident; this is a premeditated murder case. Someone is using people to kill each other."

Minamoto Tamako finally understood, and she quickly rushed into the interrogation room, halting the absurd experiment.

But Kamei Riko’s emotions had spiraled out of control; she continued to curse Kazama Tatsuya and began to berate everyone present, sparing neither the precinct nor the Police Department, leaving no one unscathed.

Upon learning the truth, procedural officer Sakai was furious, dismissing the so-called ’using the dog whistle effect to murder’ as utterly unfounded nonsense, accusing Fushimi Roku of merely provoking the suspect unilaterally.

She called everyone out of the interrogation room and slammed the table, admonishing, "This is just an ordinary case of accidental killing! If we must apply labels, it’s at most impulsive killing! What dog whistle, what emotional breakdown, it’s all nonsense! Do you have evidence? Mr. Fushimi, I understand your eagerness to pass your initial research and gain promotion, but you cannot fabricate a murder case for this..."

"You want evidence?" Fushimi Roku interrupted.

Sakai had a bad feeling but hadn’t had time to speak before Fushimi Roku turned and walked into the interrogation room. The group hurried after him, trying to pull him out.

Kazama Tatsuya’s previous remarks had already sent a chill down everyone’s spine, even making Kazama Tatsuya himself feel cruel. They couldn’t imagine Fushimi Roku continuing to provoke Mrs. Kamei, anxiously grabbing his arms and shoulders. Unexpectedly, Fushimi Roku suddenly said:

"I found Marujiro."

Mrs. Kamei shivered.

She raised her head, swallowed, and slowly calmed down from that fierce rage. Under the surprised gazes of everyone, she pleaded with Fushimi Roku to bring Marujiro over to see her... At this moment, Kamei Riko reverted to that haggard and cowardly middle-aged woman.

The group gradually loosened their grips, expressions complicated.

Fushimi Roku turned his head to procedural officer Sakai, mouthing ’watch closely; this is the evidence you wanted’; the latter was shocked, a terrible premonition rising, just about to speak to stop him, when Fushimi Roku chuckled and said: "Unfortunately, I ate it."

...

The interrogation room fell silent.

"What?" Kamei Riko doubted her ears.

"Dog meat hotpot, haven’t you heard of it? Chinese culinary delicacy," Fushimi Roku squeezed his chest, letting out a burp towards her: "Take a whiff, perhaps you’ll catch Marujiro’s scent."

...

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!! Die, you scumbag!!"

Under Kamei Riko’s harrowing howls, Fushimi Roku turned around, his back against the incandescent light, spreading his arms, facing everyone, he softly said:

"See, getting her to kill is as simple as that."