Tokyo: Rabbit Police and Her Evil Partner

Chapter 542 Boarding the pirate ship

In a way, Goto Shunsuke's wish came true; Fushimi Shika's return to the shell company was to make money.

Unfortunately, after hearing his resume, Fushimi Shika felt that he lacked social experience and might not be able to succeed in the gray market, so he bluntly stated:

"I'm sorry, you've been fired. If you're looking for compensation, it will be paid to you along with this month's salary in a couple of days."

After all, Fushimi Shika didn't intend to run a proper company, so he had no interest in training new employees.

Starting a business these days is so tiring! It's better to get involved in investment, become an angel investor, let capable investors take the lead, and the capital only needs to collect the money.

Upon hearing this, Goto Shunsuke was struck dumb, his face shifting from shock and disbelief to terror and panic.

He quickly stood up, standing at attention like a corporate slave, and said respectfully, "I'm very sorry, is there something I didn't do well? Why so suddenly? Usually, you should give a month's notice, right? And... and your company is indeed short of an accountant, and I'm confident I can do the task you've assigned me well!"

Fushimi Shika dismissed it as a fart and waved his hand impatiently: "Whatever. Consider that a formal notice. You're leaving next month. You can go home now. You won't be shortchanged."

Goto Shunsuke was stunned. He could tell that the young president was determined to get rid of him.

He didn't understand what had happened. If the company was really on the verge of bankruptcy, shouldn't the first ones to be fired be Watanabe Shun and Kazama Takusai, who were just freeloaders?
How can you fire the finance and accounting staff first?

Goto Shunsuke couldn't understand it. All he knew was that if he left like this, he would fall back into that terrible hell.

Back when he first graduated, he went through countless interviews every day, competing with dozens or even hundreds of other applicants. He endured the pressure and insults from interviewers, as well as all sorts of difficult questions from HR. Even after being rejected, he would still smile and say, "Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to interview me..."

Some of the other students couldn't withstand the pressure and left Tokyo, while others continued to struggle, living in basements or parks every day, basically no different from homeless people except for the sour-smelling suits they wore.

Just a few days ago, Goto Shunsuke was leisurely drinking with Watanabe Shun and Kazama Takusai when he received a text message with an obituary from a classmate, saying that someone had committed suicide by jumping off a building because they couldn't bear the pressure.

At the time, Goto Shunsuke lamented how fragile people are these days.

He also remembered that Watanabe Shun nodded in agreement, saying that there were many young people in the Nishi-Sugamo apartment building, most of whom could not find jobs. They either became hooligans, gambling or idling every day, or became depressed, drinking or cutting their wrists every day. There were even a few who couldn't think straight and jumped off the building.

The more relieved Goto Shunsuke was then, the more terrified he is now.

Fushimi Shika was just about to tidy up his office when Goto Shunsuke suddenly knelt down. He was stunned for a moment, took a step back, and saw Goto Shunsuke dogeza (a deep, prostrate position) on his forehead, slamming his forehead heavily against the back of his hand: "Please! I really need this job!"

"Is it really that big of a deal? It's just a job. If it's really not working out, you can just work at a convenience store..."

Before Fushimi Shika could finish speaking, Goto Shunsuke interrupted, "The convenience store jobs have all been taken by illegal immigrants, or they're just high school or college students working part-time. The hourly wage is so low that it's impossible to make ends meet—please, President, I really need this job!"

"..."

Fushimi Shikama was speechless. He now understood why there were so many famous scenes of 'husbands committing adultery' in Japan.

Seeing Goto Shunsuke's pleading expression, the classic line automatically started replaying in his ears: 'Madam, you wouldn't want your husband to lose his job, would you...?'

That sounds so familiar.

Fushimi Shika was not a great philanthropist, nor did he have any of Cao Cao's eccentricities. He had no interest in Goto Shunsuke's wife, and besides, Goto Shunsuke had just graduated and might not have a girlfriend yet. So, to be precise, he had no interest in Goto Shunsuke's monthly salary and could only firmly refuse: "Sorry, no matter how much you beg, it's no use."

Goto Shunsuke refused to give up. Rather than begging those interviewers who wouldn't even give him a chance, he'd rather beg the unsuspecting company president in front of him. He remained prostrate on the ground, practically begging Fushimi Shika's leg:

"Please, President! I promise I'll work hard! I've done an excellent job these past two months; you can easily check the accounting records—"

Fushimi Shika waved his hand, casually flipped through the ledger on the table, and said, "Just one set?"

Goto Shunsuke was taken aback. He finally realized where the problem lay. He quickly lay down on the ground and moved around, turning his dogeza (a type of traditional Chinese swearing) so that his forehead was facing Fushimi Shika: "As long as the president is willing to let me stay, I'm willing to do anything!"

"Would you do anything?" Fushimi Shika asked again.

Goto Shunsuke sensed something was wrong. He recalled various rumors about accountants taking the blame for others in jail. Several of his colleagues had helped the yakuza manage their businesses, but when things went wrong, the yakuza dragged them into the mess and they ended up in jail.

He thought about it carefully and realized that this shell company was indeed very suspicious. Moreover, it was always gang members who donated money to it. It might be a money laundering company. No wonder they fired the accountant first...

Seeing that Goto Shunsuke was hesitating, Fushimi Shikamaru, not wanting to waste any more words, simply said, "If you don't want to, I won't force you. I don't like to make things difficult for people..."

“I’m willing! I’m very willing! I’m willing to do anything!” Goto Shunsuke interrupted.

He had already thought it through. Even if he ended up in jail, that was a matter for the future. At worst, he would just be more careful when he worked in the future—even if he ended up in jail, it would be better than being a homeless person outside.

Besides, for accountants, going to jail isn't considered a stain on their record, and there's always the possibility of reinstatement...

Having a sensible accountant would certainly save Fushimi Shika a lot of trouble. But he didn't quite trust the guy, always feeling that this young man who was poaching talent with Kazama Takusai wasn't a good person.

But as the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not their heart. You can't be prejudiced when it comes to employing talent. Since Goto Shunsuke has turned over a new leaf and is willing to do some shady deals with him, Fushimi Shika naturally has no reason to refuse and plans to keep him around to give it a try.

It's the same old three tricks: treat people to meals, behead them, and take them in as dogs.

Treat us to a meal first.

Fushimi Shika, under the guise of team building, took Goto Shunsuke downstairs, making it clear that it was an interview.

Goto Shunsuke scrambled to his feet and followed closely behind the president, asking in a low voice, "Um...aren't you bringing Kazama-senpai and Watanabe-senpai?"

He figured that since he was on good terms with Kazama Takusai and Watanabe Shun, he might be able to get a few good words from them, which would increase his chances of getting the job.

Fushimi Shika, of course, couldn't bring any outsiders. He wanted to conduct an obedience test with Goto Shunsuke alone. He casually laughed it off and walked straight into an izakaya by the roadside.

Goto Shunsuke didn't dare to say much. Right now, the president is the most important person in the world. If the president doesn't want to take on older employees, that's the president's business. He has no right to interfere.

The izakaya wasn't very lively in the afternoon; only a few young people who weren't working were chatting and drinking.

Fushimi Shika ordered two draft beers and some grilled yakitori, gestured for Goto Shunsuke to sit down next to him, and asked, "Have you ever done anything bad before?"

“No…” Goto Shunsuke said subconsciously.

"Hmm?" Fushimi Shika's face immediately fell, his eyebrows furrowed, and he exuded an air of authority without anger: "The quality I value most is honesty. A dishonest person is not qualified to be my employee, and I will not entrust my money and cash flow to a dishonest person."

“I understand,” Goto Shunsuke stammered, holding the draft beer in both hands. “I…I did bad things before…”

"What bad thing happened?" Fushimi Shika took a sip of draft beer, his upper lip smeared with foam. "When I was in elementary school, I mistakenly used super glue as shampoo and poured it on a girl's head, forcing her to shave her head," Goto Shunsuke said, head down.

Fushimi Shika slammed his fist on the table: "What the hell! Are you kidding me? What kind of bad thing is this! Tell me something shocking, okay? I don't believe you've never done anything particularly despicable in your life!"

Goto Shunsuke had no choice but to admit, "When I was in junior high school, I peeked at my female neighbor taking a bath."

"Heh heh, what a perverted voyeur," Fushimi Shika took another sip of draft beer and pressed, "Anything else?"

"No, that's all..." Goto Shunsuke said truthfully.

He was never very brave to begin with, and being a science student, he was unlikely to do anything that would anger both heaven and man.

Fushimi Shika narrowed his eyes, staring at him and putting pressure on him. Goto Shunsuke fidgeted, not daring to take a sip of beer, too nervous to know what to say.

It seems there really isn't anything else bad happening.

Fushimi Shika felt a little disappointed. He looked up and around and found a burly middle-aged man sitting in the far corner of the shop. He looked fierce and menacing, with a small mustache on his face, and looked like someone not to be trifled with.

“You,” Fushimi Shika beckoned to Goto Shunsuke, then pointed at the burly man with the mustache, “Go, poke him with a stick.”

The yakitori skewers at this izakaya are made of solid iron skewers with sharp ends, perfect for stabbing people.

"Huh?" Goto Shunsuke was stunned.

“Go ahead,” Fushimi Shika offered as a bribe: “If you stab him, I’ll let you get the job, and I guarantee you won’t be held accountable afterward.”

After saying that, he took out his police ID from his pocket and slammed it on the table: "Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a serving criminal investigator. With me here, even if you stab him, nothing will happen, and you won't be prosecuted."

Goto Shunsuke was stunned. He never expected the so-called interview to be so hasty and cruel. He could tell that the president didn't care about professional skills or work experience; the president only cared about whether the person was obedient enough and capable of doing dirty work.

It's been confirmed that this is a money laundering company run by organized crime.

It might even be a large company colluding with the police and criminals; otherwise, why would the president be a serving detective? If this gets exposed, he'll probably spend the rest of his life in jail…

Goto Shunsuke hesitated, torn between his own thoughts and his own mind.

Fushimi Shika did not urge him, but waited quietly to the side.

After a long pause, Goto Shunsuke finally gave up, hanging his head and saying, "I...I can't do it...I'm sorry..."

Fushimi Shika nodded and said, "Very well, I don't need employees who kill for money."

Upon hearing this, Goto Shunsuke realized this was a test. His eyes lit up with hope; judging from the president's tone, it seemed that not stabbing someone was the right choice. He seemed to have successfully passed the test…

Then, Fushimi Shika changed the subject and continued, "Now go and pour the beer over his head. There's no other reason than that I really dislike him. Even if you do that, I might not let you get the job. It's up to you whether you go or not."

Goto Shunsuke was taken aback again, wondering if this was the second test? Was the correct answer to go or not?

He wanted to refuse again, but looking at Fushimi Shika's indifferent expression, he realized that if he wanted to demonstrate his value, he had to at least act obedient enough—refusing to stab someone was understandable, but refusing to pour wine was unacceptable.

Goto Shunsuke gritted his teeth, stood up, and walked over with his draft beer.

The man with the mustache noticed him, turned his head, and asked, "What are you doing? Who are you?"

Goto Shunsuke looked guilty and said repeatedly, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Then, under the mustachioed man's surprised gaze, he raised a mug of beer and poured it on the mustachioed man's face.

slam-la-

The izakaya fell silent instantly, even the man with the mustache was stunned. Beer dripped from his hair, he blinked, and didn't react for a moment.

Shunsuke Goto was still apologizing: "I'm so sorry—"

Before he could finish speaking, the man with the mustache bristled, his face flushed red, and grabbed Goto Shunsuke by the collar: "You bastard, are you deliberately picking a fight?! Or do you think it's funny to do this?!"

Just as he was about to throw a punch, his drinking companion stopped him and whispered a few words in defense of Goto Shunsuke. His companions thought that Goto Shunsuke was forced, probably because he owed gambling debts or had some kind of leverage over him. The real person who instigated him to pour drinks was the young man sitting next to the bar.

After saying that, the group with the mustache turned their heads at the same time and focused their gazes on Fushimi Shika.

To verify his suspicions, the man with the mustache grabbed Goto Shunsuke by the neck, pointed at Fushimi Shika, and asked, "Did he instigate you to do this? If you tell the truth, I won't hold it against you!"

"I...I..." Goto Shunsuke glanced at Fushimi Shika, who was eating yakitori and watching the show. Goto Shunsuke gritted his teeth and said, "No one instigated me, it was just my own sudden idea!"

"Baka yarou!" The man with the mustache uttered a standard Chinese curse, shoved Goto Shunsuke to the ground, and raised his fist to strike.

Unexpectedly, his punch missed its mark, and Fushimi Shika pulled Goto Shunsuke back, helping him dodge the punch.

Then, Fushimi Shika stood up, took out his wallet to pay the bill, and casually took out his police ID, waved it in front of them, and said, "I am Sugamo Detective. I saw what just happened. This gentleman is causing trouble, and I will take him back to the police station to deal with him according to the law... If you hit someone now, it will be considered mutual assault."

Without waiting for the mustachioed man's response, he pulled Goto Shunsuke up from the ground, pinned his arm down with his back, and walked out of the police station as if he were a prisoner.

The man with the mustache didn't chase after them, probably because he was intimidated, and let Fushimi Shika lead Goto Shunsuke away.

As the two turned the corner, Fushimi Shika released his hand, allowing Goto Shunsuke to stand up straight. He then shook hands with him, smiling as he said, "Congratulations on joining our company."

Goto Shunsuke was both surprised and delighted, saying, "I passed the test?! That's wonderful! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity—"

"A test? What kind of test?" Fushimi Shika asked.

"You asked me to pour the wine just now, wasn't it to test me...?" Goto Shunsuke had a bad feeling. He wondered if what the president said just now was true.

His premonition came true once again.

Fushimi Shika said, "What? Didn't I already say? I just don't like him. It would be fun to pour wine on his head... I told you beforehand, right? Whether you go or not is up to you. It has absolutely nothing to do with your job application or anything."

He paused, looking him up and down: "Have you ever heard of separating research topics? I was just making a request, and I made it clear beforehand that this request had nothing to do with the interview, so there was no coercion or threat. You poured the wine on his head, that was your own choice, and it has nothing to do with me."

Goto Shunsuke felt numb, as if he had been tricked into boarding a pirate ship.

(End of this chapter)