Minamoto Tamako knew that her partner Fushimi, like herself, pursued justice and loathed injustice, willing to lead by example and contribute to the harmony and stability of society.
But she never expected Fujimura-kun’s beliefs to be so unwavering!
As the saying goes, in times of crisis, you know a person’s heart, and even at the brink of life and death, Fujimura-kun could still adhere to principles, truly someone worthy of her admiration!
Minamoto Tamako admired him for about five seconds. Seeing Fushimi Roku still maintained a look of ’heroic sacrifice,’ she faintly felt a little suspicious, always sensing something off, but couldn’t pinpoint where the issue lay.
Since using hypnosis on a suspect posed considerable risk, Fujimura-kun, as a police officer, naturally prioritized the other party’s safety—before conviction, Uesugi Shion was merely a suspect, with rights as a citizen.
Minamoto Tamako saw no flaw in this logic, but hearing it from Fujimura-kun’s mouth, it sounded awkward.
At first listen, it seemed noble and righteous; upon closer inspection, something was certainly amiss.
Fushimi Roku took out his phone and called the investigation department, saying Uesugi Shion had been found and would be taken to a nearby clinic for psychological treatment.
Kinosaki Shoujin, upon hearing this, was overjoyed. He immediately felt that though Fushimi Roku often slacked off, he was quite useful at crucial moments, not just living off an easy salary.
"Stay put, we’ll pick them up right away." Kinosaki Shoujin told him not to hang up the phone.
Criminal police from the investigation department and bodyguards from the Uesugi family drove over, estimating they could arrive in less than twenty minutes.
Fushimi Roku planned to steer clear to avoid Uesugi Shion calling him "dad" in public, leading to any bizarre misunderstandings. After finishing the call, he claimed he needed to use the bathroom, intending to sit on the toilet until Uesugi Shion was taken away before coming out.
Minamoto Tamako, not keeping watch properly over the suspect, followed behind Fushimi Roku, unable to help but pursue: "Is it really settled just like that?"
"What else should I do?" Fushimi Roku retorted.
"Then, what about the poison in your body?" Minamoto Tamako looked worried.
Fushimi Roku assessed her patience since caring for a terminal patient tests one’s mental endurance. When someone suffers from a terminal illness, the pain affects not just them but also their family, who must daily endure tedium, care, cover medical costs, and bear negative emotions... If he acted for too long, Minamoto Tamako might collapse.
"No worries, I probably have... two years... wait, no, about six months to live."
He watched Minamoto Tamako’s expression, testing with a statement, then quickly corrected himself: "Half a year is enough; I can do what I want, and then die without regrets."
Fushimi Roku planned to enjoy himself for six months, and if by then Minamoto Tamako couldn’t hold on, he would give her a surprise—then he would falsely claim to have found a miracle cure for the Nue Poison, undoubtedly making Minamoto Tamako cry with joy!
Hearing this, Minamoto Tamako felt a sting in her nose, almost letting slip a small pearl tear.
Why only half a year?
Converting it, it’s six months, the same length as their time at the police academy.
Happy times always pass quickly. Minamoto Tamako felt the six months of police academy training flew by in a blink of an eye, and she reckoned Fujimura-kun’s lifespan would end just as swiftly.
Silently following behind Fushimi Roku, her mind started playing a small funeral scene for Fujimura-kun:
It was an overcast afternoon, snowflakes fell like goose feathers, and everyone gathered in the cemetery, watching Fujimura-kun’s coffin being buried. The pastor’s voice was low and somber, a grieving tone to the eulogy, interspersed with sobs from the crowd...
After the dirt was filled in, Fujimura-kun’s best partner in life and best companion, Officer Tamako, went on stage, face a mix of three parts resolute, three parts sorrowful, and four parts reminiscent, holding a prewritten speech in hand, solemnly saying:
"Reflecting on six months ago, Fujimura-kun already knew his days were numbered. He displayed the spirit of Samurai courage..."
Minamoto Tamako looked up, asking: "How do you know you only have six months to live?"
Fushimi Roku found it hard to explain, couldn’t say he just guessed, right? He gave a vague reply: "I know my own body." Then he hurriedly entered the men’s restroom, leaving Minamoto Tamako no chance to question further.
Minamoto Tamako couldn’t follow into the men’s room, worried Uesugi Shion might escape or be kidnapped, so she returned to stand outside the consultation room, keeping guard until the criminal police arrived.
The bodyguards, seeing Miss Uesugi was unharmed, collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
They carefully lifted the sleeping Uesugi Shion, placing her into a car, taking her to a more authoritative medical facility for a more comprehensive check-up, to prevent any abuse by abductors or drug interference.
Kinosaki Shoujin verbally praised Minamoto Tamako, claiming she would surely be fully confirmed within the year, somewhat improving her mood.
"By the way, Chief, remember I mentioned the Cat Island incident to you before..."
Minamoto Tamako remained persistent, hoping to use the Police Department’s power to sweep out the criminals from Cat Island and incidentally uncover a way to neutralize the Nue Poison.
Kinosaki Shoujin certainly remembered, found it amusing, but never took it to heart.
He said now wasn’t the time to investigate, telling Minamoto Tamako to set it aside for now, and complete more ’important’ tasks first.
Thinking of Uesugi Shion’s mental state, Minamoto Tamako could only sigh deeply, admitting Chief Kikuchi was right, there was indeed no breakthrough now, and no way to continue the investigation.