Tokyo: Rabbit Police and Her Evil Partner

Chapter 385 Kiss
Minamoto no Tamako was filled with anxiety. She stood at the door and waited for a few minutes. Soon, Fushimi Shika came out and acted as if nothing had happened. She then asked Fushimi to push her wheelchair to the Fujiwara residence to investigate the case.

She was too embarrassed to ask more questions, but as she pushed her wheelchair downstairs, she secretly took out her phone and texted Ya Lan: "How did it go? What did he say?"

Moriki Yalan replied instantly: "It's a secret."

"?"

A question mark appeared on Minamoto no Tamako's forehead. She wondered what the meaning of keeping it a secret was. When did Yaran-nee start colluding with Fushimi-kun?

And she suddenly tricked the two of them into coming here just to ask Fushimi-kun if he liked her?
That's fine, but why didn't you tell her the result after asking?

It's utterly baffling!
Yuan Yuzi opened her mouth several times, wanting to find out what Fushimi-kun was saying, such as "What were you talking about just now?", "How did you answer?", "Ya Lan-nee is really strange"... But no matter what she said, she felt that she was trying to cover something up.

At this moment, any attempt to speak would make it seem as if she desperately wanted to know the answer.

Do not!
She needs to maintain her composure!

Genjiro also pretended that nothing had happened and pushed Fushimi Shika all the way to the Fujiwara residence.

As one of the most prominent families in Japanese history, the Fujiwara family controlled the Japanese imperial family for over 300 years after the emperor moved the capital to Heian-kyo in the late 8th century, wielding immense power.

However, the Fujiwara family's power and prestige were not based on bravery and skill in battle, but rather on countless political strategies.

Minamoto no Tamako didn't actually know who the current head of the Fujiwara family was. She only knew that Fujiwara Homare was the only son of the direct line. Judging from this, Director Fujiwara must have a high status in the Fujiwara family, as could be seen from his residence.

This guy actually owns an estate in the port area, with front and back yards big enough for horse racing, and even a private dojo and helipad. He doesn't look very honest at all.

You should know that her mother only lives in a detached villa.

The butler greeted them and led them into the reception room, where he made tea and asked them to wait a moment.

Chief Inspector Fujiwara didn't deliberately leave them waiting. He arrived on time, still wearing his police uniform, probably having just returned from work, and looked exhausted.

Genji adopted a businesslike attitude and asked Director Fujiwara several questions—such as whether Fujiwara Homare had ever engaged in extreme behavior, what his hobbies were, how many girlfriends he had dated, and which school he had attended, etc.

Director Fujiwara maintained a strictly businesslike demeanor and didn't say much because of Minamoto no Tamako's status. He could answer some questions, but there were others he genuinely didn't know the answers to.

"Hobbies and interests...probably hanging out with that bunch of shady friends?"

"As for my girlfriend, well, I don't know."

"I used to study at Keio University..."

……

Gen Tamako nodded repeatedly, but did not take any notes in her notebook.

Fushimi Shika had no idea what the point of her questions was. If this continued, he might really become a stupid assistant, only ever asking, "What exactly is going on?"

As Minamoto Tamako continued asking questions, she suddenly changed the subject and asked if she could see Fujiwara Homare's high school graduation photo.

Director Fujiwara was taken aback; he clearly hadn't expected Minamoto no Tamako to bring this up. After a moment's thought, he stood up and said, "Wait a moment, let me ask the butler. I don't know where the photos are..."

Without needing to beckon, the butler bent down and asked Director Fujiwara what he needed. The latter gestured for him to fetch Fujiwara Homare's high school graduation photo, which the butler did as instructed, carrying the photo frame back quickly as if he were holding a funeral for young master Fujiwara.

Gen Tamako expressed her gratitude and accepted the graduation photo with both hands. Fushimi Shika followed and glanced at it. At first glance, she didn't see Fujiwara Homare, but instead noticed Yoshikawa Rio—this woman was actually Fujiwara Homare's high school classmate!
Fushimi Shika squinted and searched carefully before spotting Fujiwara Homare on the left side of the front row—he was thin, with shifty eyes and a gloomy expression, completely different from how he looked now.

Therefore, Yoshikawa Rio and Fujiwara Homare were not strangers, and their conversation in the bar was not a one-sided attempt by Fujiwara Homare to flirt with her.

But how did Minamoto no Tamako know that? Did she really deduce it?

Fushimi Shika looked at Minamoto no Tamako suspiciously, and the latter, having confirmed her suspicions, beamed with joy, unable to suppress the corners of her mouth.

She noticed the glance Fushimi Shika gave her, and felt even more smug.

'Quickly ask! Quickly ask what happened! Quickly ask what you found!'

'Ask me so I can keep you in suspense! That's what a silly assistant does!'

'I've already thought of the lines: Just as I predicted, we still need to verify with Fujiwara Homare in person; we can't make a decision yet.'

……

But Fushimi Shika simply wouldn't ask, sitting there like a block of wood.

Yuan Yuzi suddenly felt bored, pursed her lips, and claimed that the photo was important evidence that she needed to take with her. After saying that, she took out a plastic bag from her pocket, opened the photo frame, and pulled out the photo.

Chief Inspector Fujiwara did not stop him. He asked, "Officer Tamako, based on your current investigation progress, do you think Yu... cough cough, do you think the suspect committed murder?" "I'm sorry, the progress of the investigation is confidential. I suggest that Mr. Fujiwara avoid any appearance of impropriety."

Yuan Yuzi is incorruptible and impartial; she shows no respect even to her mother's superior, and her righteous spirit is ever-present.

Director Fujiwara hummed in acknowledgment, his nasolabial folds deepening. He then turned to Fushimi Shika and asked Minamoto no Tamako, "And this is…?"

Just as Minamoto no Tamako was about to introduce herself, she suddenly remembered Kujou Yui's instructions, so she glanced at Fushimi Shika and waited for him to introduce himself.

Fushimi Shika knew he couldn't avoid this, and he was prepared. He cleared his throat and said seriously, "My name is Fushimi Shika. I am Minamoto no Tamako's boyfriend and also her partner."

Director Fujiwara remained expressionless. He made a sound of surprise and said, "I didn't expect Ms. Tamako to already have a boyfriend... I'm sorry, it was rather abrupt of me to propose to Mr. Kujo."

Minamoto no Tamako thought she wouldn't get a good look from him, but she didn't expect Director Fujiwara to be so reasonable. She quickly said a few polite words, explaining that her grandfather didn't understand her private life, which led to this misunderstanding, and that the Kujo family should apologize to the Fujiwara family.

Director Fujiwara nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't hold this against you... As you all know, given his current situation, it's not a good time to talk about marriage."

Gen Tamako bowed slightly: "I will do my best to investigate!"

“But then again,” Director Fujiwara leaned back, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two, “before the marriage proposal, I inquired privately, and it seems that Ms. Tamako isn’t dating anyone… You two don’t seem like a couple.”

He emphasized his tone, not harsh, but heavy as a thousand pounds: "Does Miss Tamako know that the Fujiwara family's ancestral precepts say: 'Under the moonlight, one cannot discern a shadow; one must use a sharp blade to verify its truth'?"

Minamoto no Tamako didn't understand what he meant, but she could read the air and sense the pressure; clearly, Director Fujiwara wasn't going to let it go.

"H-How could that be... It's just that we've been... seeing each other in private..."

Minamoto Tamako stammered her lie, constantly giving Fushimi Shika a meaningful look, signaling him to say something to prove his status as her real boyfriend.

“Yes, it’s not good for office romances to get out,” Fushimi Shika put his arm around Minamoto Tamako’s shoulder and said very naturally, “Actually, we are very much in love in private.”

Minamoto no Tamako's face flushed red, just like a tomato. She could feel her shoulder resting on Fushimi-kun's chest, his strong arms encircling her body. Her heart was pounding, and her ahoge (cowlick) was shaking like it was powered by a motor.

"It doesn't seem very convincing."

Director Fujiwara felt that the only daughter of the Kujo family seemed a bit stupid.

“She’s a bit shy with outsiders around.” Fushimi Shikagi blurted out. He wasn’t the type to take advantage of girls, but he couldn’t get away with it without doing so right now. Minamoto no Tamako’s performance was just too terrible, and it seemed that only he could turn the tide.

He picked up Minamoto Tamako and made her sit on his lap. He then pressed his upper body against her, pushing her into the sofa with her back to Director Fujiwara, assuming the standard kissing pose for lovers.

However, he didn't kiss her.

Their faces were very close, their noses touching, and their hot breaths mingled.

Minamoto no Tamako could feel the weight pressing down on her, her mind blank; Fushimi Shika could also feel the soft touch on her legs, the petite girl in his arms with eyes full of spring water, innocent and uneasy, seemingly at his mercy—just four more centimeters closer and he could press his lips against hers.

Director Fujiwara neither spoke up to dissuade them nor cleared his throat to remind them; instead, he quietly watched them perform.

That was exactly what Fushimi Shika was planning. Wasn't Kujo Yui going to make him take the charade seriously? Well then, he'd go all the way!

If you cook raw rice into cooked rice, what's the point of a three-month or four-month time limit?

He leaned closer, his nostrils brushing against her small nose. Gen Tamako's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she closed her eyes.

Immediately afterwards, she could feel herself being kissed on the cheek.

It was very loud, a "pop" sound, like a cupping treatment.

Fushimi Shika released her, sat up straight, wiped his mouth with his thumb, and said, "Gen-tama's little face is quite soft, and it feels great to kiss: As you can see, she actually likes me quite a bit."

Director Fujiwara remained noncommittal, ignoring Fushimi Shika, and instead nodded to Minamoto Tamako to acknowledge her hard work. The latter, realizing her mistake, was so embarrassed she didn't know what to say, wishing she could bury her head in her knees and become like a quail.

"Now that we've finished discussing business, if there's nothing else, Miss Tamako, please leave. I won't see you off."

Director Fujiwara paused for a moment, and after the two stood up, he said, "Fushimi-kun, please wait a moment. I have a private matter I would like to discuss with you."

Gen Tamako's first reaction was that Director Fujiwara was going to use coercion and bribery, isn't that how it always goes in melodramatic TV dramas? "I'll give you 30 million yen, leave my son/daughter, or I'll throw you into the sea to feed the sharks..."

“It’s alright,” Fushimi Shika patted her back and gently pushed her out of the meeting room. “I’m going to have a word with Commander Fujiwara.”

“But…” Gen Tamako turned around, looking uneasy.

"Don't worry," Fushimi Shika said with a mischievous grin, half-jokingly, "My feelings for you will never change."

(End of this chapter)