Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

Everyone entered in single file, a gathering of distinguished guests, young and old alike. There weren't enough chairs at the house, but nobody minded and simply sat on the floor. After all, they were elderly folks, accustomed to hard times, without much fuss.

Fushimi Roku wiped his hands, blended in, greeted the grandpas and grandmas, hoping to probe into Minamoto Tamako's grandfather's romantic past, but ended up finding nothing, realizing it was a misunderstanding.

Minamoto Naoaki had a great reputation here; everyone said he was a kind old man, very skilled at gardening, always willing to help others, but suddenly vanished, leaving the neighbors worried about his safety.

Seeing someone living in the house now, the old lady thought it was him who returned, which is why she asked, "Is it Naoaki?"... Others would have asked the same thing.

Back then, Kujo Yua issued an obituary, but the news never reached Hokkaido, so everyone still believed Minamoto Naoaki was missing.

Thus, as soon as the elderly sat down, their first question to Minamoto Tamako was, "Tamako, you've been in Tokyo for so long, did you find your grandpa?"

Minamoto Tamako was serving barley tea to everyone when her expression froze, unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, Fushimi Roku diffused the situation, skillfully lying once again: "Not yet, but there's been some progress. After all, Tamako and I are both criminal police now, so we can investigate the missing person case ourselves."

He said this while slapping his thigh, giving off the aura of someone with great influence in the Police Department, seeming a bit more streetwise sitting among the elderly.

"Oh——" the old lady gasped repeatedly, "Tamako became a police officer to find her grandpa? What a good girl. If my granddaughter had half your filial piety, it would be great!"

Everyone praised her, making Minamoto Tamako a bit embarrassed. She felt a vague unease, thinking it seemed wrong for Fushimi Roku to deceive people like this.

After all, her grandpa was already gone, fostering such false hopes seemed a bit cruel.

Fushimi Roku only glanced at her and guessed what she was thinking, then whispered to her, "You didn't even notify them about your grandpa's funeral; how would they feel if they knew?"

Minamoto Tamako was taken aback, realizing it was indeed like that. To be honest, it would dishearten everyone, so it's better to maintain the kind lie.

Seeing them whispering, the elders quickly shifted their attention and couldn't help but gossip, "We heard you call her 'Tamako' just now; could it be that you two are..."

Fushimi Roku held Minamoto Tamako's small hand and nodded, admitting proactively, "Yes, we're dating."

Minamoto Tamako felt a bit shy; it was her first time openly acknowledging the relationship. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back but couldn't, as Mr. Deer held on too tightly, oddly making her a bit annoyed.

She was the team leader; she should be the one holding Mr. Deer's hand, announcing to everyone, "This is the boyfriend I lured back!"

Fushimi Roku smoothly pulled her over, taking the tray and barley tea from her hands, letting her sit aside to chat together.

Minamoto Tamako wanted to regain control. Since everyone was there to see her, she thought she should, as the host, introduce Fushimi Roku to everyone instead.

"This is Mr. Deer, named Fushimi. Just like me, he works as a criminal police officer in the Police Department..."

Minamoto Tamako knelt on the floor, straightened her back, and held out a small hand toward Fushimi Roku, like a salesman introducing a company product.

The old lady interjected, "Are you colleagues then? An office romance?"

Minamoto Tamako got a bit carried away. Having been praised earlier and wanting to compete for dominance with Mr. Deer, eager to assert her position in the family, she couldn't help but boast a little, "No, I'm Mr. Deer's superior."

She was the team leader of the detective squad, and Fushimi Roku was a member, so it wasn't really a lie.

"Oh——"

The seniors drew out their voices, now looking at Fushimi Roku as if he were a pretty boy living off a woman.

Everyone knew each other's backgrounds in this area, and they were aware of Minamoto Tamako's mother's social standing. The title "Police Department Chief" was impressive.

Fushimi Roku turned his head, wanting to ask when Minamoto Tamako became his superior.

Feeling guilty, Minamoto Tamako preempted him, asking, "Mr. Deer, what are you supposed to call me?"

"What do you mean, call you what?" Fushimi Roku hadn't caught on yet.

Minamoto Tamako got a bit anxious, secretly tugging on Fushimi Roku's pants, saying, "Didn't we agree early on? About calling each other..."

Fushimi Roku caught on, "Captain?"

"Yes!" Minamoto Tamako raised her head in response. She solemnly nodded and said to everyone, "Please take good care of Mr. Deer from now on."

"..." Fushimi Roku looked at her with narrowed eyes.

Minamoto Tamako's neck was sweating; she didn't dare to look back, only keeping a calm face to look towards the villagers.

Taira Sakurako quickly turned on the video camera to capture this precious everyday footage. She hid behind the dining table, secretly filming and narrating, "Daily record: Today many guests came. Minamoto Tamako boasted in front of everyone. What a vain child. I feel like she's going to get into trouble..."

Fushimi Roku naturally took over the topic, asking Minamoto Tamako, "Could you help introduce everyone?"

Seeing he didn't expose her, Minamoto Tamako felt slightly relieved, with a hint of glee.

She knelt on the tatami, quickly changing the topic, pointing to the silver-haired old woman in the indigo patterned kimono by her side, "This is Grandma Hamada, who always brought my grandpa her pickled plums..."

The first old lady who visited nodded to Fushimi Roku, saying quite kindly, "Please take care of me."