Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner
Chapter 53: The Cheerful and Sunny Big Boy

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Cheerful and Sunny Big Boy

Just as Fushimi Roku mentioned, half an hour had already passed since the agreed pickup time. If it was a delay due to a flight delay, that would be understandable, but if it was for any other reason, even if the boss didn’t say anything, Fushimi Roku would still feel uneasy—he has always hated waiting for others and doesn’t like others waiting for him either.

So, after the Criminal Police team arrested the suspect, Fushimi Roku made a deal with them. Either they pretend the two weren’t present and let the Criminal Police take full credit for solving the case; or follow protocols, making everyone who reads their report think that this group of criminal police isn’t as good as two newly graduated patrol police.

The leading criminal policeman chose the former and let them go without a word. As for Watanabe Shun, Fushimi Roku claimed he didn’t really know him, so the police should handle him as they see fit.

In the 90s, Tokyo’s taxi prices hadn’t surged yet; the starting fare was about 400 yen per kilometer. It was somewhat extravagant compared to domestic rates, but relatively reasonable compared to Tokyo’s local cost of living. Even a guy like Fushimi Roku, who is kept without realizing it, could afford to take a taxi.

There were quite a few taxis parked near the airport. Fushimi Roku casually flagged one down, put the luggage in the trunk, and sat in the back seat next to Minamoto Tamako. Minamoto Tamako looked out the window at the airport, still reminiscing about the crime-solving process just now, feeling like her reasoning skills had qualitatively improved!

Of course, there were still some minor flaws in this case, such as no one praising her—Lady Tamako—for being so clever that she solved a murder case in just half an hour, even more impressive than the famous detectives in mystery novels!

Also, Fushimi Roku noticed the real culprit before she did and gave her a hint with his eyes. Otherwise, she might have been fooled by the cunning murderer... no, she was already fooled.

It was an utter disgrace, a Waterloo in her detective career! Fortunately, her police career hadn’t started yet, so it didn’t count.

Thinking of this, Minamoto Tamako tilted her head, secretly observing Fushimi Roku as the phrase "the criminal himself is anti-logical" echoed in her ears... It seemed quite reasonable. If only she could be as good at guessing people’s thoughts as he is.

This way, she wouldn’t have to painstakingly search for evidence in the future; with just a squint, she would be able to tell who looked the most suspicious, which sounded as awesome as having a superpower!

But speaking of which, why does Fushimi Roku understand criminals so well? Moreover, why does he always look above others’ heads? Even before at Great Snow Mountain, he stole several glances at Instructor Shirota... really concerned, there’s always the feeling that Fushimi Roku has some unspeakable secret!

"Is there something dirty on my face?" Fushimi Roku squinted, catching her gaze: "Or are you unhappy with how I handled things earlier?"

"No, no!" Minamoto Tamako waved her hand hastily, afraid of hurting Fushimi Roku’s fragile little heart again.

Although she said no, she really had a lot to say. Firstly, she thought Fushimi Roku shouldn’t have confronted the senior criminal police, and secondly, she believed Fushimi Roku shouldn’t have encouraged them not to make a record.

However, ever since she was penalized to reflect while facing the wall last time, leaving a deep psychological shadow, she’s become careful about her words and actions, lest she unintentionally hurt her good partner’s feelings.

"If you have any opinions, just say them. Do I seem like such a petty person?" Fushimi Roku said with a squinting smile: "To build a healthy and good relationship, friends should give each other more feedback, right?"

Minamoto Tamako nodded continuously, agreeing wholeheartedly.

She thought that maybe Fushimi Roku isn’t that petty after all! Although he kicked the instructor’s knee, stole the instructor’s diary, set traps that got classmates stuck, punctured the instructor’s tire during graduation exams, smashed the instructor’s head, and cuffed him to a car... he might actually be a child who knows how to listen to others’ opinions!

It’s just that no one has been friends with him, which is why he became so vengeful!

And I, the kindhearted Minamoto Tamako, the future famous detective and police chief, as his only friend and partner, have the responsibility to guide him onto the right path!

Minamoto Tamako took a deep breath, put on a serious face, and said, "Actually, I’ve been wanting to say..."

"Hey!" Fushimi Roku widened his eyes, interrupting her: "You really have opinions about me?"

Minamoto Tamako, interrupted mid-spell, was initially stunned but then hastily said, "Wait! Didn’t you tell me to speak?"

"So you speak just because I told you? And is this something that should be spoken about?" Fushimi Roku held his chest in a distressed manner: "The point is, I regard you as a friend, and you see me as a villain! Do you know how much it pains my heart?"

"So-sorry." Minamoto Tamako bowed her head and mumbled.

"Wooden stakes pried by nails leave holes. If apologies worked, why would we need the police? True heartache isn’t about loud disputes, and true disappointment isn’t about tears..."

Fushimi Roku began his chant again, a method exclusively effective against the righteous but not the wicked. As the saying goes, "the virtuous can be fooled with honesty," that’s exactly what it means.

Seeing Minamoto Tamako about to feel guilty and cry, his tone suddenly softened, and he said earnestly, "But, then again, life indeed needs one or two candid friends. After all, no one is perfect, and I too have many flaws, right?"

"No, no, not a single flaw." Minamoto Tamako shook her head as if it were a rattle drum.

"Don’t be like that. If you have any feedback, just say it!"

"Really, there’s nothing to say."

"Hurry up and say it!" Fushimi Roku’s face turned serious: "Or I’ll get angry!"

Minamoto Tamako, feeling wronged, pouted her lips, thinking if she tells, he’ll be sad; if she doesn’t, he’ll be mad; what exactly does he want her to do? If only Kawai were here, she would surely know the sinister plots lurking inside Fushimi Roku!

Fushimi Roku indeed didn’t have good intentions. In his original plan, he should have easily gotten rid of Minamoto Tamako, this tag-along, and lived a leisurely life at the Patrol House. On days he’s interested, he’d read the case files, observe residents fighting and committing murders, and on days he’s not, he’d laze around the Patrol House reading comics, occasionally leveling up his culinary skills with some system tasks—this was his ideal lifestyle!

But if Minamoto Tamako worked at the same Patrol House as him, this little girl might secretly report him for slacking off... Hmm, although she probably wouldn’t tattle with her personality, it’s best to be prepared for anything. Fushimi Roku decided that he must ’groom’ her into being his slacking-off partner.

"If-if I must say something, I think you have a tiny bit of a petty streak." Minamoto Tamako held up her pinky, making a tiny gesture: "Just a tiny bit."

"Makes sense," Fushimi Roku unexpectedly nodded: "I’ll work on that."

"Eh? Really?" Minamoto Tamako widened her eyes, somewhat incredulous.

"Of course it’s true, but it depends on your performance." Fushimi Roku confidently began to paint a picture: "If you do well, who knows, you might see me turn into a sunny and cheerful boy."

Minamoto Tamako felt uplifted, clenched her fists, and celebrated inwardly.

Awesome, at this rate, she could certainly transform Fushimi Roku into a diligent and ambitious partner one day!

She envisioned an ideal scenario: herself donning armor and holding a flag, so when a murder case arises, with a mere flutter of the command flag, Fushimi Faithful Dog would charge forward as the first; after she personally solves the case, Fushimi Faithful Dog would obediently sit at her feet for a reward, arms raised and shouting ’Detective Yuzi is invincible’!

As for that sunny and cheerful boy thing, it’s clearly just a lie for the gullible—did he really think she was that easy to fool?

Sitting in the back seat of the taxi, the two secretly congratulating themselves in their hearts, envisioning a wonderful life as Patrol Police at the Patrol House—"Sugamo Station front Patrol House, ah, it sounds like a good place to slack off/solve cases!"