When Fushimi Roku took the train back to Toshima District, it was already six in the afternoon.

If luck was on their side, this body might not be discovered for a hundred years; if not, it might be found by travelers as early as tomorrow... In some sense, the probability of both is quite low.

Fushimi Roku didn't dwell on it any longer. What's past is past. He was prepared for the repercussions, so there was nothing to worry about.

Minamoto Tamako called a few times midway to ensure both parties' safety and to report the investigation findings.

After investigating for a whole day, she only found out that Miyazaki Shizuka had gone missing, with the disappearance coinciding with the day they were hypnotized.

If you follow the reasoning, it's likely she fled in fear of the consequences once the truth was about to come out.

After all, Minamoto Tamako and the Fushimi team had already tracked down the Nishino family. Miyazaki Shizuka's exposure was only a matter of time. Hypnotizing them before escaping seemed reasonable... they didn't have any deep-seated hatred, so Minamoto Tamako thought Doctor Miyazaki wouldn't harbor murderous intent towards her.

After all, she did pay a lot for the house calls!

Thinking about it made Minamoto Tamako feel a little pained, as if all her money was used to aid a criminal.

Fushimi Roku continued to dodge, claiming he was looking into Miyazaki Shizuka's social connections, but whenever Minamoto Tamako asked, he would resort to Tai Chi, changing topics to avoid her questions.

"You're not slacking off again, are you?" Minamoto Tamako, coming off her romantic high, started to rationally doubt Fushimi Roku's character, "I was wondering why you suggested splitting up."

"That was for efficiency," Fushimi Roku defended.

"Did it improve efficiency?" Minamoto Tamako countered.

Fushimi Roku could only change the subject, saying he needed to visit the pet cemetery. In a couple of days, Jun would start to stink. Arranging the funeral was best done sooner rather than later, preferably today.

Talking about this made Minamoto Tamako a little sad. She hung up and went to the station to meet Fushimi Roku—Jun, as evidence, was stored in the evidence room—they planned to complete the paperwork and take Jun away together.

Fushimi Roku had thought the station would be quite deserted due to the ongoing anti-terrorism case, assuming the Police Department would be short-staffed.

However, upon returning to the Nakagawara Police Station, he found it to be as busy as ever, with the detectives initially seconded now back to their posts. Kinosaki Shoujin was at his desk, intently pecking at his big computer.

"Hey, has the case been solved?"

Minamoto Tamako was very surprised. She approached proactively, saluting Chief Kikuchi before inquiring about the bombing case results.

"Ah, no, it's been transferred," Chief Kikuchi said while typing, "Chief Kujo has set up a separate International Crime Unit responsible for it now."

He glanced at Fushimi Roku, "Maybe it's because the Police Department's detectives weren't seen as diligent."

"So, can we come back to work now?" Minamoto Tamako asked.

Previously, Minamoto Tamako and Fushimi Roku had been suspended due to their involvement in the case. Now that the case was transferred, did it mean they could return to work as normal?

"You can." Kinosaki Shoujin nodded, "Tomorrow, work as usual. It's a bit late today, and you still need to deal with the pet's body... finish up and rest well."

"Hey, what about Fujimura-kun?" Minamoto Tamako asked on behalf of Fushimi Roku.

As the head of the small investigation team, she was rightly concerned about her team member's career.

"If he doesn't want to work in this line, there's no need to force him," Kinosaki Shoujin replied without looking up.

He still remembered Fushimi Roku's attitude at the time, how even Chief Kujo's personal request didn't sway him from resigning. Someone blatantly defying his superior couldn't continue to work in the Police Department.

Minamoto Tamako was anxious and quickly asked what he meant by those words.

Kinosaki Shoujin didn't want to explain further and waved her off to ask Fushimi Roku herself.

When Minamoto Tamako turned around, Fushimi Roku was nowhere in sight.

She wandered around for a while before finding Fushimi Roku in the evidence room, leisurely completing the paperwork, completely ignoring the conversation she'd had with Chief Kikuchi.

Minamoto Tamako was a bit anxious, repeating Chief Kikuchi's words and hurriedly asking for an explanation.

"The bomb disposal task, I didn't go. Chief Kujo called me, saying if I didn't, they'd fire me," Fushimi Roku shrugged, continuing to fill out the form calmly, "In the end, I didn't go. I guess Chief Kikuchi doesn't favor me because of it."

"Why didn't you go at that time?" Minamoto Tamako asked in a rush, momentarily forgetting to think.

"To wait for the call, remember?" Fushimi Roku glanced at her and asked back, "If it weren't for that forwarded call, how would Chief Kujo have pinpointed the suspect? Now that she's set up a new division, she's probably impressive and doesn't need someone disobedient like me."

Minamoto Tamako felt like Fujimura-kun was being passive-aggressive, but she had no evidence. After all, his reasoning seemed sound.

"Then just explain it to my mom and Chief Kikuchi, they must understand. Maybe once Uesugi Shion is caught, you might even get a commendation!" she urged, trying to persuade him.

"There's no time for that. Someone already thinks I'm slacking off on the case, thinking I've been loafing all afternoon. There's still so much to do, I don't have the energy for squabbles..."

Fushimi Roku sighed deeply, "I guess I'm just meant to be busy."

Minamoto Tamako realized he was definitely being passive-aggressive.

But with her magnanimous nature, and considering Fujimura-kun's contributions, she decided not to argue this time: "Why say it like that? If you're embarrassed, I can help explain for you!"

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