Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner
Chapter 48: As Long as Not Convicted, It Is Innocent

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: As Long as Not Convicted, It Is Innocent

The penalties for a Japanese police officer losing a gun vary depending on the specifics of the situation. For example, if no serious consequences are caused and the gun is promptly recovered, the officer usually receives internal disciplinary action, such as suspension or a warning.

When Shirata Masahiro reported promptly, his superiors considered that no serious consequences had occurred, and he was demoted according to regulations.

He had worked hard to become a criminal police officer and achieved some accomplishments at the station, but it all turned to nothing.

To make matters worse, it was now discovered that his police gun was linked to a death. Even if it was a suicide by the person involved, the officer in question would bear criminal responsibility. Saying his life was ruined might be an exaggeration, but his career as a police officer was certainly over.

This shows how much courage Shirata Masahiro needed to confess the truth.

Throughout his life, he had been diligent and dedicated, making this single mistake. Anyone in his position would feel a sense of unfairness. But he had figured it out: since it was his mistake, he should accept the punishment regardless.

"If I keep this a secret, I’ll feel guilty and can’t continue teaching students at the police academy," Shirata Masahiro put out his cigarette. "Please report this to the inspector, and whatever the final judgment may be, I can accept it with peace of mind."

He paused and emphasized, "Please."

Minamoto Tamako was momentarily unsure of what to do, she stammered and couldn’t form a complete sentence.

This was the first time she faced a situation where morality and the law conflicted. In her heart, she did not want Instructor Shirota to be punished for this; but for the sake of legal justice and fairness, she should report Instructor Shirota to ensure he receives due punishment...

While she was in a dilemma, Fushimi Roku patted her head gently and said, "You’ve encountered a good teacher who leads by example."

"Eh?" Minamoto Tamako was taken aback.

"Haven’t you always insisted that ’the law is justice’? Since this is the path you chose, you should firmly follow it, no matter how difficult it is."

Fushimi Roku raised his head and met Shirata Masahiro’s gaze: "Isn’t that what Instructor Shirota thinks too? Everyone is equal before the law, including oneself. If personal feelings override the law, how can justice be served if other officers who lost their guns follow suit? Without fairness, where is the justice?"

Shirata Masahiro remained silent. He couldn’t bring himself to glorify his actions any longer and let Fushimi Roku educate Minamoto Tamako in front of him.

Minamoto Tamako’s mind buzzed as she finally understood the weight of the phrase ’the law is justice.’ It wasn’t an A/B choice in a detective game or a cool line after catching the criminal in a mystery novel but a heavy double-edged sword.

The wielder of the sword goes through no obstacles, but may at any moment become the sacrifice that sharpens the sword.

"I... I understand now."

Minamoto Tamako took a deep breath, knelt on the tatami mat, and bowed to Shirata Masahiro earnestly: "From now on, I will also uphold the principles of fairness and justice, whether towards others or myself."

Fushimi Roku displayed a teachable smile and causally gathered the evidence on the floor. He spoke righteously: "In that case, we will submit this evidence as you instructed. As for the prosecution’s and court’s judgment, it’s all in the hands of fate."

"Just as I wished."

Shirata Masahiro said everything he needed to, stood up and took his leave, not forgetting to inform the two that the bus would arrive at seven, and all cadets should take it back to the academy.

The room quieted down, as Fushimi Roku sat by the kotatsu, enjoying an orange, seemingly in good spirits.

Minamoto Tamako took a while to recover, feeling she had just attended the most important lesson of her life.

But upon further thought, something seemed off. This stubborn Fushimi classmate had always disdained the notion of ’the law is justice.’ So why did he suddenly change today?

How strange.

Minamoto Tamako squinted and used her Super Cold Reading Skill again, staring at Fushimi Roku as she asked, "Fushimi, why did you suddenly speak up for Instructor Shirota? Isn’t there some ulterior motive?"

"How could that be!"

Fushimi Roku widened his eyes, wearing an expression of ’you insult me deeply,’ with a righteous aura swirling around him as he thumped the table: "As a member of the detective team, do you seriously doubt a partner, doubt my sincerity toward justice? It’s truly disappointing!"

Minamoto Tamako panicked and immediately joined her hands in apology: "I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I meant... it’s just because you said earlier ’you encountered a good teacher who leads by example,’ instead of ’we encountered a good teacher who leads by example,’ that I thought maybe you were lying... I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have doubted you!"

"Honestly! Such a heartfelt speech, how could it be false?" Fushimi Roku crossed his arms and sighed: "This doubting nature is not conducive to teamwork!"

"I’m sorry! I will reflect on this!"

Minamoto Tamako apologized loudly, feeling she had indeed gone too far.

Thinking carefully, Fushimi had gone to the mountains to pick her up and accompanied her to investigate the nameless bones; what a selfless spirit is this? Doubting him was truly unwarranted!

"A post pricked by nails leaves holes; if apologies were enough, what would we need the police for? True coldness isn’t about loud disputes, nor true disappointment about tears overflowing; there’s a kind of disillusionment that’s understood in the heart. Don’t let those who care about you stop being proactive, don’t make those who are good to you feel it’s not worthwhile..."

Fushimi Roku delivered a series of words that left Minamoto Tamako feeling even more guilty.

After a while, seeing Minamoto Tamako almost on the verge of tears from being PUA’d, Fushimi Roku finally eased up.

He stood up, leaving Minamoto Tamako in the room to reflect seriously. He said he was going to the toilet and hoped to see her sincere apology upon returning.

"Understood." Minamoto Tamako knelt on the floor facing the wall, head low with teary eyes.

Fushimi Roku stepped downstairs wearing geta, grabbed a pack of bath salts from the counter, walked into the washroom, and locked the door behind him.

"So, where should we start?"

Fushimi Roku donned latex gloves for cleaning the toilet, placed the bullet and police gun on the sink, and a smile of excitement appeared on his face.

The so-called "clearing of evil" does not have to be physical elimination. He always wanted to see if there were other ways to clear evil.

Now, he finally had the chance to experiment.

Fushimi Roku used a scraper to remove the copper rust from the bullet and police gun’s surface, changed the bullet type by compressing it with a wrench, and carved special characters into the bullet. The police gun had a corresponding number, the first four digits being the area’s postal code’s last four digits, followed by the personal code of the officer. He bent over and micro-engraved, altering a few numbers.

Next, he poured bath salts containing sulfur into a plunger, inserted the bullet inside, then added an acidic cleaning agent. The combination would generate hydrogen sulfide gas, which could quickly make the copper rust.

This thing was lethal upon inhalation, quite dangerous. So Fushimi Roku took a deep breath, quickly sealed the plunger onto the washbasin, creating a sealed environment.

That’s right, he planned to forge evidence to help Shirata Masahiro evade guilt.

...

「Clearance Reward: Clear Shirata Masahiro’s crimes to earn 2 attribute points」

...

"As long as there’s no conviction, isn’t that innocence?"

Fushimi Roku stared at his watch, counting down in his mind: "In the courtroom, victory is justice."