Minamoto Tamako felt it was inappropriate. They had already gone out, just chatted for a bit, nothing had been done, yet they had to break up and go home, which was too hasty... Investigating cases demands racing against time, they were bound to accomplish something tonight, Fujimura-kun was likely just trying to slack off, hence making such a suggestion.
Abe Rokuro had a flash of inspiration, he slapped his forehead and said, "Why don’t we visit the deceased’s family, or interrogate the addicts in custody..."
"Good idea!" Minamoto Tamako’s eyes lit up. "Previously I noticed that the pharmacological test report of the addicts had issues, perhaps their testimonies were also tampered with. If we confront them now, we might uncover some clues!"
Fushimi Roku sensed something was amiss, his gaze shifted back and forth between Minamoto Tamako and Abe Rokuro. The latter had a round face, fair skin, wore beer-bottle glasses, and looked fragile.
Although his appearance was not similar to Minamoto Tamako at all, Fushimi Roku vaguely felt that his demeanor was somewhat akin to Minamoto Tamako’s.
To be on the safe side, Fushimi Roku squeezed out a smile, approached and put an arm around Abe Rokuro’s shoulder, whispering ’men’s private talk’ behind Minamoto Tamako.
"Rokuro... can I call you Rokuro?" Fushimi Roku asked.
"Yes, yes! Of course, you can!" Abe Rokuro was flattered, nodding repeatedly like pounding a garlic.
"What does Rokuro’s family do?" Fushimi Roku pursued further.
"A small stationery business." Abe Rokuro seemed a bit embarrassed to speak.
Fushimi Roku expressed his skepticism, just how ’small’ was this guy’s ’small business’? Was it a street corner stationery shop, or a stationery manufacturing enterprise?
Using the guise of family background investigation, he continued to press, claiming it was part of an unwritten rule of the Police Department, lest befriended officers were undercover sent by gangs.
Abe Rokuro believed him, hastily explaining, revealing all his family’s background.
His father was the president of Sakura Stationery Co., Ltd., his mother was a professor in the art department of Yingqing University, their family background was absolutely pure, and he had no interaction with idle people in society.
Fushimi Roku vaguely recalled, earlier he seemed to have read in the newspaper that Sakura Stationery was founded in 1921 in Tokyo, it was this company that invented the oil pastel, and this year acquired Royal Terrence of the Netherlands, becoming the world’s leading manufacturer of art materials, thus attracting media attention.
Is this what he called a small business?
Fushimi Roku showed disdain, yet another guy from a wealthy background who has lost his mind. Not being the heir to a financial conglomerate but becoming a patrol police, truly a fool, no wonder he could get along with Minamoto Tamako.
At this rate, Minamoto Tamako might recruit this guy into the detective team. If that happens, Fushimi Roku’s position would be at risk.
Although he normally doesn’t care about the title of ’the only member of the detective team,’ being a member doesn’t mean anything beyond a partnership, but he just likes occupying the spot even if he doesn’t care about it, and wouldn’t allow others to interfere.
If anyone covets it, Fushimi Roku wouldn’t adopt the virtuous approach but would simply drown the opponent in the toilet.
He can choose not to have it, but it cannot be nonexistent.
Fushimi Roku managed his facial expressions well, fully exerting his social charm, dragged Abe Rokuro into a convenience store, had a chat, and incidentally boasted about his past case-solving achievements. The latter immediately regarded Senior Fushimi as a confidant, considering him his role model.
Seeing the atmosphere was pretty well built, and he had gained Abe Rokuro’s trust, it was time to get down to business.
"As a senior, I think it’s necessary for me to give you some advice."
Abe Rokuro sat up straight, focused, with a serious expression, hands placed on knees, looking as though listening to the Bible with devout reverence.
"Ahem, here’s the thing... Do you know what kind of person Minamoto Tamako is?"
Fushimi Roku cleared his throat, intentionally glanced at Minamoto Tamako standing outside the window, who was bored waiting, occasionally sneakily glancing to guess what Fushimi Roku was talking about with the junior. Abe Rokuro followed his gaze, took another look at Minamoto Tamako, shook his head and said, "Not really..."
Fushimi Roku wore a ’I’m doing it for your good’ expression, saying, "Hmm, as you’re not yet a criminal police, you might not know, in Nakagawara Police Station, Minamoto Tamako’s personality is famously harsh, so I just want to remind you, try not to anger her, or there will be serious consequences."
Abe Rokuro was very surprised, he felt Senior Tamako didn’t seem like such a person, but as the saying goes ’know a person’s face but not their heart,’ the world also has many pretty women with harsh personalities.
He was a bit curious, couldn’t help probing, "Why do you say that? Senior Tamako... has she done anything over the line?"
Seeing he took the bait, Fushimi Roku feigned reluctance:
"Well... isn’t it inappropriate to talk bad about a partner behind their back?"
Unexpectedly, Abe Rokuro did nod his head, somewhat agreeing saying, "That’s true, I’ll be careful in the future."
With that, he was about to get up, leave the convenience store to handle business.
Fushimi Roku quickly pulled Abe Rokuro back, thinking dealing with honest people is really troublesome. He let Abe Rokuro sit down, and earnestly said, "But back to the topic, if I don’t clarify to you, in our next case handling, there might be unnecessary friction..."
"True." Abe Rokuro nodded, pushing his glasses with his middle finger.