Fushimi Roku originally intended to refuse.
But she was offering way too much.
The little piggy bank was round and full, and Minamoto Tamako spoke with confidence. This time, she offered 200,000 yen. According to the current exchange rate, that’s roughly 14,000 RMB.
However, even with minimal effort, Fushimi Roku knew this deal wasn’t worth it. If they didn’t catch the murderer, he would end up being partners with Minamoto Tamako for life; if they did catch the murderer, it would be even worse, as he’d spend the rest of his life behind bars.
So he tried to negotiate, "This case is too challenging, I can’t possibly spend fifteen years of my energy chasing down the perpetrator for 200,000 yen, right? How about this, we investigate for six months, and regardless of whether the case is solved at the deadline, our partnership automatically dissolves... unless you renew the fee at that time."
Minamoto Tamako did some mental calculations, dividing 200,000 by six, that’s only over 30,000 yen a month. Her housekeeper earns more than 30,000 yen a month, and such a cheap source of labor is hard to find even with a torch, so she immediately agreed.
The deal was made, both feeling they struck gold.
The little piggy bank was now only half full, leaving just some space-occupying spare change.
Minamoto Tamako counted, and realized her pocket money for the month was running low. But there wasn’t much to spend on at the police academy anyway. Having finally managed to take a day off, she planned to indulge herself at a dessert shop, using delicious tropical parfait ice cream to heal her wounded soul!
"Let’s go! Roku! Target Snow Brand Parlor!" she said excitedly, raising her little fist.
"Stop giving people random nicknames, and what is Snow Brand Parlor? I’ve got other plans today."
Fushimi Roku looked Minamoto Tamako over, today she was wearing casual clothes, a white shirt with brown suspender jeans, and for warmth, a well-worn brown jacket. Her round-toed leather shoes clicked on the floor as she walked, looking full of energy.
"Eh? Where are you going?" Minamoto Tamako asked.
"To take care of some personal matters," Fushimi Roku replied, taking the fruit basket from her hands, "As you can see, I’m in great shape, I don’t need you to ferry me around... so let’s act separately today, you do your thing, no need to follow me."
Minamoto Tamako pouted, feeling quite unhappy. After all, she had spent 200,000 yen and yet this hired partner wouldn’t even accompany her to a dessert shop, when throwing money into the water would at least make a splash! If Fushimi Roku didn’t provide a legitimate reason, she absolutely wouldn’t let him go!
"What are you up to? What’s this inconvenient to say business? You aren’t planning to spend the money at an adult entertainment venue, are you?"
Like a sticky candy, Minamoto Tamako clung on, following Fushimi Roku wherever he went, pulling at his coat tails.
Taking her money, he couldn’t very well push her away, so Fushimi Roku decided to let her follow along, thinking what you don’t see won’t trouble the heart.
The two took the tram, with the scenery slowly retreating outside the window. Fushimi Roku saw a row of traditional Japanese houses, the cherry blossoms had fallen in the yards, and the green-skinned carriage swayed slightly with a rumble.
He got off at Sapporo Central District, South First Street Station, Minamoto Tamako following right behind. They walked through the alleys, and Minamoto Tamako fell silent when she saw the ancient temple at the end of the path.
The ginkgo trees poked through the mottled wall, dappled golden light spilled on the stone slabs. Fushimi Roku entered the temple, rang the bell, tossed a coin, and bowed to pray.
The abbot was a monk over fifty, who painstakingly managed the small family temple while also taking on some part-time locksmith work. Recently, he had closed the temple to outsiders after media interviews, only reopening in the past few days to receive worshippers.
He learned that Fushimi Roku came to pay respects and led the two to the small cemetery behind the temple. On the way, the abbot noticed the little tail behind Fushimi Roku and said with some surprise:
"Isn’t this Tamako? Long time no see."
"Ah, um, hello Mr. Nagono."
Being recognized, Minamoto Tamako appeared a bit flustered.
When the Nagono family held Kawai’s funeral, she hadn’t attended. It’s not that she didn’t want to, but she was afraid, unsure how to face Kawai’s black and white photo on her own.
The small cemetery wasn’t large, with an altar nearby. The abbot indicated they could proceed at their own pace and turned around to head into the temple’s inner hall.
The ginkgo trees rustled in the breeze, and Minamoto Tamako followed behind Fushimi Roku, passing row after row of tombstones, finally stopping in front of Nagono Kawai’s gravestone.
No somber funeral, no flowers or eulogies, they came on a quiet afternoon to see an old friend who had passed.
Fushimi Roku placed the fruit basket he was holding in front of the tombstone, clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes.
Minamoto Tamako’s eyes started to well up, her nose tingled, she almost burst into tears.
What is this! Clearly that’s the fruit basket I bought for you, yet you use it as an offering, at least show some respect for the deceased!
After a moment, Fushimi Roku opened his eyes and asked, "Don’t you have anything to say to her?"
"I... I don’t know what to say. I’m still mad at her."
"Yes, I thought we were best friends, but she kept something this important from me..." Minamoto Tamako sniffled, squinting her eyes, trying not to cry: "Why? Since she found out who killed her brother, why didn’t she tell me?"
During this time, she had been suppressing her emotions, wanting to appear strong, not defeated by sorrow, still full of vitality.
Fushimi Roku hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "Sorry, this is the last riddle I’ll give."
"What?" Minamoto Tamako was taken aback.
"It’s Kawai’s final message," Fushimi Roku said, "I suddenly remembered, this is the message she asked me to pass on."
Minamoto Tamako’s eyes widened, as words from the past reverberated, piercing through the facade of strength she had maintained. She finally realized that Kawai had already told her everything.
"Why... you’re too sly..."
Hot tears streamed down her face, and she started sobbing, quietly despite clearly crying.
The sound of footsteps from the abbot arrived, and Minamoto Tamako hurriedly wiped away her tears. The two turned their heads and saw the abbot holding a plush bunny toy.
"Kawai once said, if she was ever gone, to return this to you." The abbot handed the plush bunny to Minamoto Tamako.
"What’s this?" Fushimi Roku asked.
The abbot, with a reminiscing expression, explained with a wry smile, "Kawai used to have nightmares frequently, so Tamako gave her this, claiming Officer Bunny could protect her from nightmares."
Minamoto Tamako took it with a dazed expression. The police uniform on the little bunny was worn, there were patches, and the cap on its head wasn’t the original. It was clear Kawai had always treasured it, hugging it as she slept.
Her palm felt a slip of paper, flipping to the back, there was a small tag on the bunny’s back.
Minamoto Tamako finally couldn’t hold back anymore and broke down sobbing.