Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner
Chapter 191 - 112 Anonymous Tape Recording

Chapter 191: Chapter 112 Anonymous Tape Recording

Minamoto Tamako didn’t want to say much more. She skipped the topic and asked the group if there were any other questions.

The patrol police were at a loss, truth be told, before the meeting, they hadn’t really thought about what questions to ask. They treated this guidance training more like a celebrity meet-and-greet, and the questions they wanted to ask were along the lines of: ’How do you get promoted quickly like you?’, ’What’s the status between you two now?’, ’If you’re not seeing anyone, want to go on a date?’... When it came to serious questions, they were all stumped.

Awkwardly, the patrol police squeezed out a few harmless questions, such as ’What should we pay attention to while patrolling?’, ’How to handle encountering a suspect?’, ’Any taboos when assisting in investigations?’... Tamako answered each one earnestly, making them feel increasingly guilty.

If only they had prepared better.

Director Moriki stood on the side with a cold smile, already thinking about how to strike this group of rookies.

After the guidance training, it was time for the routine drills.

Both of them couldn’t be of much help in this session, after all, Fushimi Roku was a paralyzed wounded person, and Minamoto Tamako’s physical fitness score was as bad as Watanabe Shun’s hairstyle, absolutely embarrassing. Under Director Moriki’s instruction, the two of them simply watched from the training room.

The patrol police put in a full effort, wearing protective gear, and started sparring in arrest techniques, Grapple Skill, wrestling combat... Fushimi Roku yawned as he watched, turned his head and whispered to Tamako, "Didn’t you say there were clues about the Heavenly Punishment?"

"What’s the rush? Guidance training hasn’t finished yet."

Minamoto Tamako chuckled to herself, never thought it was so enjoyable to keep others in suspense, no wonder Mr. Fushimi always liked to leave things half-said!

As a member of the detective squad, they bore the responsibility of capturing the true culprit of "Heavenly Punishment". Fushimi Roku’s earnestness showed his serious attitude and team spirit. Although he used to make excuses to slack off and even used it as a reason to charge her a partner fee, now, upon hearing there are clues, he’s more enthusiastic than anyone... Indeed, Mr. Fushimi is really a proud but coy person!

Hmph, if he was sincere, she might consider revealing the answer.

Minamoto Tamako’s lips curled up in a smug little smile, she could hardly hide it. If it weren’t for the ill-suited occasion, she’d have already started humming a little tune, lyrics all ready: la la la, ooh haha, the foolish assistant runs in circles, Officer Tamako shows her might...

Fushimi Roku saw her expression and roughly guessed what she was thinking.

This fellow really was getting cocky lately, getting too big for her britches. Did she think that just because he was in a wheelchair, she could get away with anything? Laughable, utterly naive.

Suddenly, Fushimi Roku raised his head and shouted "Stop training." In front of everyone, he announced that he was organizing a newcomers’ party and he would cover all the expenses – a token of appreciation from a senior, he kindly asked everyone not to refuse, and mentioned that the senior’s seniors would also attend, as the tradition of Sugamo Station front Patrol House could not be broken.

The patrol police applauded and cheered, suddenly thinking that Senior Haruma wasn’t so bad after all. Although a bit strict, maybe it was all for their own good! How many seniors nowadays would pay out of their own pocket for a dinner with juniors? Near impossible to find!

Minamoto Tamako caught the keyword: ’senior’s senior would come’. Her cowlick immediately stood up, and the smug smile vanished. With a troubled look, she whispered, "Can I not go?"

A grin spread across Fushimi Roku’s face, and with a kindly tone, he said, "No, weren’t you the one who said that the tradition must be passed down?"

"But, but..."

"Besides, the investigation into Heavenly Punishment isn’t just the two of us, right? Back then, Senior Kazama was also involved, I think it would be better if he were there."

Having said that, Fushimi Roku paused, then asked, "So, what is this ’clue’ you mentioned? It’s not just an excuse to lie to me and get me out, right?"

"Of course not!" Tamako retorted.

She had no mood to keep Fushimi Roku in suspense any longer, decisively saying, "A few days ago, a patrol police received an anonymous package, inside was a blood-stained cassette tape... It’s Uncle Zhao’s recording."

Fushimi Roku felt a slight tightening in his chest, he asked, "Did you listen to it? What’s recorded in it?"

Minamoto Tamako shook her head, "Not yet, the forensics department is examining the blood, checking the letter, and tracing the package’s origin, they said the results would be out today. Once the evidence is registered, I’ll get a copy."

Fushimi Roku tapped his finger back and forth on the armrest as if troubled about something. Seeing this, Minamoto Tamako thought he was worrying about the dinner, so she softly said, "Don’t worry, I won’t miss it."

"Ah, alright."

Fushimi Roku nodded, he made a call to reserve an izakaya.

With so many people at the dinner, and not all that familiar, he certainly wouldn’t choose a high-end restaurant; but if the place chosen was too shabby, he’d lose face too, so going to an izakaya seemed just right. Everyone sitting on tatami mats, dining together around wooden tables, eating and drinking like a school reunion in a TV drama, good quality food at reasonable prices, with a nice environment and atmosphere.

"If you really don’t want to see Senior Kazama, I won’t call the two of them."

Fushimi Roku had just intended to scare Tamako a little, teach her a lesson.

But unexpectedly, Tamako had such a strong reaction. He tried probing twice, confirming Tamako had an emotional burden, probably already a thorn in her heart... Constantly reopening an old wound indeed was inappropriate, Fushimi Roku reflected for a second, deciding to make it up to Tamako with a small cake tonight.

Minamoto Tamako’s gaze wandered, face stiffened, "Ah, no, how could that be, I, I have always respected Senior..."

"You don’t need to force yourself," Fushimi Roku said casually.

"Not forcing myself, I just... I just don’t know how to face Senior Kazama," Tamako lowered her head, said softly.

"We are partners; if you have troubles, you can always consult with me," Fushimi Roku paused, adding, "still just 500 yen per session, just the cost of a bowl of ramen, fair deal for everyone."

Hearing this, warmth blossomed in Minamoto Tamako’s heart.

Regarding the matter, she mulled over it, and it seemed she could only confide in Mr. Fushimi.

After getting consent from Director Moriki, the two entered a break room for a private talk, planning to join the dinner after the chat.

Minamoto Tamako leaned against the door, took a deep breath, and admitted honestly, "I, I am indeed troubled."

"Hmm." Fushimi Roku nodded. Sitting in his wheelchair, he adjusted to a comfortable position, indicating for Tamako to continue speaking.

"I’ve come to realize that Grandpa wasn’t killed by Senior Kazama, he did it for his daughter, which is why he did something so foolish... If it were Grandpa, he would have done the same for me."

Minamoto Tamako fiddled with her fingers, her voice growing lower as she spoke, "Besides, Senior Kazama also feels very guilty, I can see he wants to make amends... Actually, I don’t hate him either, suddenly for me to hate someone, how could I possibly do that?"

"But, I also don’t want to forgive him. If I reconcile with him as if nothing happened, I’d feel terribly guilty, suffocatingly guilty, thinking I absolutely shouldn’t do that... Tell me, am I sick?"

Minamoto Tamako raised her head, meeting Fushimi Roku’s gaze. The latter’s eyes seemed a bit odd, not appearing sympathetic, nor worried, but more like observing.

"So... even if you’re faced with unforgivable betrayal, you wouldn’t hate the other party?" Fushimi Roku asked in a playful tone.

Minamoto Tamako shook her head, saying, "Only those who once loved can hate."