Twenty minutes later, Miyazaki Shizuka arrived at the police station. To prevent her from being stopped by officers, Abe Rokuro proactively went out to meet her. As an external consultant entering the interrogation room, a record was supposed to be made, but the officer responsible for the records was slacking off, hence nothing was noted.
Psychological evaluations should be conducted privately, but leaving an outsider alone with the suspect in the interrogation room is forbidden. After some discussion, it was decided that Fushimi Roku would stay inside to observe—mainly because Minamoto Tamako and Abe Rokuro were not capable fighters, and if the suspect acted out, only Fushimi Roku could subdue them.
"Once inside, keep quiet."
Miyazaki Shizuka instructed and entered with Fushimi Roku.
Minamoto Tamako and Abe Rokuro stood outside the one-way mirror, arms crossed, observing intently. The former was trying to learn Doctor Miyazaki’s conversational skills, while the latter was studying Senior Fushimi’s interrogation techniques.
However, both were disappointed.
Miyazaki Shizuka stood with her back to the mirror, blocking the suspect, making it impossible for Minamoto Tamako to see their expressions. Additionally, Miyazaki Shizuka spoke very softly, leaving her words inaudible from outside the interrogation room.
Fushimi Roku leaned in a corner of the interrogation room, head down and picking at his fingernails, looking very bored with no intention of helping, let alone participating in any psychological treatment or interrogation dialogue. Google seaʀᴄh Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
This situation lasted for over an hour. The suspect’s internal turmoil may have been intense, but for the onlookers, the process was utterly dull and tedious, so much so that Abe Rokuro nearly yawned.
Given the serious atmosphere, he stifled his yawn with a small one inside his mouth to avoid appearing inattentive in front of his senior.
Yawning is known to be contagious. Through the glass reflection, Minamoto Tamako noticed her junior stifling a yawn, and she couldn’t resist doing the same.
If Abe Rokuro hadn’t forcibly restrained himself, Minamoto Tamako might have thought there’s nothing wrong with yawning; however, since Abe Rokuro covered it up, it showed he was conscientious and believed yawning was rude in such a setting. Yawning recklessly would indeed diminish a senior’s image.
Yawning is a physiological instinct that cannot be completely suppressed. Nevertheless, Minamoto Tamako reacted quickly, intertwining her fingers over her mouth, looking stern, eyebrows furrowed, while secretly yawning inside her palms.
This was her invented phantom yawn technique at work, effectively preventing any discontent from superiors and colleagues.
Abe Rokuro was startled, unable to fathom why his senior suddenly held her hands aloft, fingers entwined in a meditative pose.
...Could this be the precursor to Senior Tamako’s anger?
While Abe Rokuro pondered intensely, finally, there was a development inside the interrogation room. Yukimura Aoi signaled to Fushimi Roku with a glance that the examination had concluded and the results needed to be shared away from the suspect.
Fushimi Roku felt relieved, he was silently hoping that the suspect’s erratic behavior was due to substance intake or head trauma, leading to mental incapacity, so that Miyazaki Shizuka wouldn’t have to continue treating them.
If they were indeed cured, wouldn’t that cause trouble?
Who knows what the suspect might divulge? What if they confessed to coerced interrogations or falsified drug tests?
Of course, Fushimi Roku wasn’t involved in these matters; he simply didn’t want to get entangled in troublesome affairs.
Once Miyazaki Shizuka exited the interrogation room, Minamoto Tamako approached to inquire about the situation. After a moment’s thought, Miyazaki Shizuka replied truthfully, "It might be... rather complex."
"What do you mean?" Minamoto Tamako asked.
Miyazaki Shizuka used professional terms to describe the patient’s condition, which Minamoto Tamako completely didn’t understand. She turned to see Abe Rokuro just as confused.
Fushimi Roku interjected appropriately, "Just explain what caused his delirium."
After hesitating briefly, Miyazaki Shizuka said, "I’m not quite sure, it’s too complex; I recommend consulting Doctor Arima."
This was the first time Minamoto Tamako encountered a situation where even Miyazaki Shizuka was at a loss.
She always thought Doctor Miyazaki could cure anything!
Fushimi Roku was quite satisfied with this answer. He gestured to draw everyone’s attention, "In that case, let’s wait until Doctor Arima is available..."
Given Arima Toshio’s money-loving character, he’d likely refuse to see a detained suspect, claiming conflicting schedules.
Minamoto Tamako also felt this way and asked Miyazaki Shizuka if there were other methods or experienced psychologists she could recommend.
"No need to worry too much, Doctor Arima is always researching unique cases; I could introduce this one as a special case for his study."
Miyazaki Shizuka chuckled and added, "Of course, if Ms. Tamako is willing to cover the fee, Doctor Arima might come as soon as tomorrow."
Minamoto Tamako was thrilled and expressed her gratitude fervently. Fushimi Roku felt quite displeased internally but remained silent and expressionless.
With a time set, Miyazaki Shizuka took her leave first. Minamoto Tamako escorted the suspect back to the holding cell, concluding the night’s investigative efforts.
With nothing left to do, Abe Rokuro could only take his leave and head home. As a patrol police officer, he had to resume work as usual the next day, unlike Fushimi Roku and Minamoto Tamako, who could take time off at will. He was genuinely burning the midnight oil for the sake of society.
It was now one in the morning, the streets sparsely populated, illuminated by the lights of nearby convenience stores.