The Uesugi couple stared wide-eyed.
Before Fushimi Roku could explain, the attending physician spoke up: "This is a typical cognitive error, but at least Miss Uesugi now has the concept of a father in her cognition, and hopefully, over time, we can gradually correct it..."
Logically speaking, since there’s hope for recovery, it should be considered a good thing.
But the head of the Uesugi family felt very uncomfortable watching his daughter call someone else "Dad," and his gaze towards Fushimi Roku became quite intriguing.
As the saying goes, "Out of sight, out of mind." Once everything was settled and it was confirmed that his daughter could live here without issues, the head of the Uesugi family prepared to leave.
He had hired a nanny and a bodyguard who lived next door and across the hall, ready to assist with anything at any time.
After a few businesslike pleasantries, the attending physician stated he would make periodic return visits to check on Miss Uesugi’s progress.
Once the Uesugi family and company left, the once noisy living room finally quieted down.
Taira Sakurako surveyed the surroundings; all the construction waste had been cleared. Minamoto Tamako was opening windows for ventilation, Fushimi Roku was peeking into the new room, and the Uesugi family had even prepared matching furniture.
Uesugi Shion sat kneeling on the sofa, with a blank expression, staring at the black screen of the television, her thoughts unknown.
Taira Sakurako felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. Not wanting to face such complicated human relationships, she went straight back to Minamoto Tamako’s room, diving into a box to entertain herself.
Suddenly, Fushimi Roku’s pager beeped in his pocket. He glanced down at it, turned, and said, "Well, another day delayed. I’m heading out for a mission now."
"Going out so late?" Minamoto Tamako turned around, "What are you up to?"
She also felt like she had wasted a day, without uncovering any useful information.
"I told you, it’s a secret mission."
Fushimi Roku made up an excuse, changed clothes, and went out to deal with the drug dealers.
Now the room was left with only Minamoto Tamako and Uesugi Shion.
Minamoto Tamako also felt a bit awkward. She didn’t know how to interact with someone who seemed out of it, worried that Uesugi Shion might suddenly get agitated and spiral, so she cautiously asked, "Are you thirsty? Shall I get you some water?"
Uesugi Shion didn’t respond, continuing to stare at the television.
Exhausted from the day, Minamoto Tamako saw Uesugi Shion’s lack of response and simply collapsed onto the sofa, letting out a deep sigh.
She thought again about the Nue Poison on Fushimi Roku and felt she shouldn’t give up easily. So she turned to Uesugi Shion and murmured, "I wonder if you remember, drinking Ye Tea causes ghost claw marks to appear on the body. Do you remember how to detoxify it?"
Uesugi Shion still didn’t respond, looking like a neutered cat, with a dazed expression, almost sticking her tongue out.
Minamoto Tamako extended her voice, blocking Uesugi Shion’s view, mimicking a tea-drinking gesture to try and jog her memory.
She picked up an empty cup, pretending to drink with exaggerated gulps, then suddenly clutched her throat, putting on a pained expression, acting out, "Ahhh! I’m poisoned..."
After delivering her lines, Minamoto Tamako plopped down on the ground, hands crossed over her chest, eyes closed in a serene expression.
Of course, Minamoto Tamako was acting. She opened one eye, secretly observing Uesugi Shion, whose gaze finally focused, curiously inspecting her.
Minamoto Tamako quickly got up, scooted over to Uesugi Shion, and excitedly asked, "Did you remember anything?"
Uesugi Shion still didn’t respond.
Minamoto Tamako felt that the nuances of miming might be too advanced, too progressive for someone in her mental state.
She hastily got up and retrieved the Ye Tea gifted by Nakako-hime; then, in front of Uesugi Shion, she took out the tea leaves and shook them in front of her: "Ye Tea! Understand? It’s this stuff..."
Uesugi Shion let out a curious monosyllable, as if she understood, showing a look of realization.
"Did you remember? Did you remember!" Minamoto Tamako asked excitedly.
Uesugi Shion became silent again.
Minamoto Tamako had no choice but to brew a small packet of Ye Tea in front of her, bringing the cup close to her lips, but dared not drink it. Instead, she blew into the hot tea, creating gurgling bubble sounds, pretending to sip.
After the fake drink performance, she clutched her throat, collapsing to the floor, convulsing.
Honestly, Minamoto Tamako was quite satisfied with her acting skills; she had even participated in school festival performances during high school!
Back when she first met Taira Sakurako, they played detective and criminal role-play games together... Unfortunately, later Taira Sakurako found it too childish and didn’t want to play with her anymore.
Hmph, for a famous detective and police chief, acting is also an essential skill!
Minamoto Tamako lay on the ground with closed eyes, savoring her performance, feeling perfect, comparable to classic films like Tom and Jerry, understood across species.
When she finished her reminiscence and opened her eyes, she saw Uesugi Shion holding the cup of Ye Tea, gulping it down in one go.
Minamoto Tamako was dumbfounded.
In a flash, she pounced on Uesugi Shion, her small hand pressing against her throat, trying to induce vomiting.
Uesugi Shion struggled and twisted, as Minamoto Tamako couldn’t hold her down, allowing her to break free and roll off the sofa.
Minamoto Tamako hurriedly chased after her, and Uesugi Shion fled. The two of them circled the couch like a cat-and-mouse chase, turning in circles for over ten minutes until Minamoto Tamako finally made a flying leap and pinned Uesugi Shion to the floor.