Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner-Chapter 306 - 227: Lady Tamako’s Reckless Charge!

Kawai, dressed in a black uniform, presented the first key piece of evidence as the prosecutor in court:

——"Bronchial ash sedimentation"

The deceased was burned alive, with the corneal heat coagulation forming "eagle claw" wrinkles, showing a crawling escape posture. This meant that the person responsible for inspecting the bonfire pile lied, having major murder suspicion.

Fushimi Roku protested in court, stating that being burned alive did not equate to premeditated murder; Kawai immediately presented the second key piece of evidence, which was the "integrity of the woodpile."

Lighting a bonfire is a technical task; it requires reinforcing the wood and maintaining internal breathability, so the woodpile had been reinforced and sealed with ropes before lighting.

This implies that only the residents responsible for building the woodpile had the condition to insert the deceased inside the bonfire pile.

Fushimi Roku casually picked up an axe and chopped the "evidence" in Kawai’s hand, disassembling the woodpile to demonstrate that its integrity had been compromised by outsiders.

"Objection!" Kawai raised a hand and shouted loudly, "The defense lawyer is destroying evidence in court!"

"Where?" The judge blinked around, like a blind man.

The trial continued, Kawai took out new evidence again, while Fushimi Roku grabbed it instantly and refined it!

...

"The camera captured several frames of residents dragging burlap sacks, coupled with their deliberate effort to obstruct tourists’ view, enough to prove the town’s residents are conducting organized group murder!"

"Well, the videotape’s gone."

...

"The bonfire pile was not the first crime scene. We found a large number of footprints not belonging to Mr. Tsuchiya in his home, along with a blood-stained stick, proving Mr. Tsuchiya died of homicide!"

"Well, cleaned up."

...

"Additionally... Mr. Tsuchiya’s subordinates were sent away by the town residents for various reasons, which can prove the last time he disappeared!"

"Hmm, this is somewhat troublesome."

"Ha! Out of tricks, huh? Judge, based on this alone, it’s enough to conclude..."

"Alright, now they have amnesia."

"???"

...

Fushimi Roku was busy for more than an hour, lucking out as Taira Sakurako delayed her time on the mountain, giving him ample time to handle the scene.

Until the Judicial Court in his mind declared acquittal, he finally exhaled heavily, casually found a hotel, and turned on the backyard faucet, washing the black ash off his face and the bloodstains from his hands.

Such a bother.

The system did not indicate task completion, meaning he had to wait for the police to "accept" it.

The Akita dog wagged its tail, panting heavily beside Fushimi Roku. Water from the pipe splashed on it, soaking its fur, and it immediately used Gatoga, quickly spinning to shake off the water stains.

Early-rising tourists opened the windows and yawned.

Police station officers arrived late, barely investigating, and swiftly concluded it was a suicide by fire, directing villagers to carry the charred corpse, pack it in burlap, send it to the police station morgue, and wait for relatives to report the disappearance before identifying the body...

Witnessing the local criminal police handle matters so perfunctorily, Fushimi Roku immediately felt like striking his full force against cotton.

Alas, throwing a flirtatious glance at a blind man.

...

Meanwhile, on the cliff, Taira Sakurako cleaned the stone tablet thoroughly, finally making it look like a tombstone.

Her fingertips brushed over the uneven inscription, and she silently recited it in her heart.

"If one day"

"My beloved, or your beloved"

"Returns to the cliff from the other side of the sea"

"Please shout"

"Her name"

"Welcome home"

...

It’s well-known in South Izu Town: stand by the Ishiraki Lighthouse and shout the cherished one’s name at the sea, and there will surely be a response.

Taira Sakurako took off her mask, faint tears remained on her face.

She untied the rope, hung the Noh Mask on the tombstone, placed her hands around her mouth, and shouted loudly at the sea:

"I’m back——"

"Mom——"

...

Seeing this scene, Minamoto Tamako felt a sourness rising in her heart, her nose clogged, and her chest felt suffocating.

She heard sobbing, turned her head to find Ito Mayu wiping away tears discreetly, the town residents were also tearful, everyone had a look of comfort yet sadness. This way of healing past wounds, isn’t it a kind of regret?

The shouts faded into the wind, Taira Sakurako stood for a moment, bent down to pick up a suitcase, and turned to leave.

Minamoto Tamako was somewhat surprised; she thought Sakurako would stay a while longer, talk to her mom or something, but she left decisively.

Everyone quickly approached, trying to make conversation, asking Sakurako how she’s been, whether she’s tired from not sleeping all night, or if she’d like to visit their homes... Taira Sakurako just replied, ’I’m going back,’ and headed down the mountain on her own.

Going back?

Back where?

Ito Mayu froze for a moment, she turned to look at Minamoto Tamako, who was filled with relief, quickly caught up with Taira Sakurako, held her little hand, and asked if she’d like to try eel toast. Sakurako said ’sounds gross, but I’m willing to try’...

Ah...

Turns out, she’s found a new home, no longer a homeless child.

That’s wonderful.

Ito Mayu exhaled heavily, her hidden anxiety dissipated. She smiled and called everyone, the town residents followed down the mountain together, with Minamoto Tamako and Sakurako leading ahead.

As Shi Tiesheng described in his book:

But the sun, he is always the sunset and also the sunrise. As he extinguishes and walks down the mountain to collect the desolate afterglow, it’s when he ignites and climbs the peak on the other side, spreading fierce morning sunshine.

One day, I too shall walk down the mountain quietly, holding my cane. On that day, in a mountain hollow somewhere, inevitably a child will run up, hugging his toys.

Of course, that child isn’t me.

But, isn’t it me?

...

If life were a TV drama, this moment should insert an ending song, the camera begins to pan away and elevate, the crowd becomes a small dot in the cliff, the screen rolls sponsor and actor credits—and then, the scene shifts abruptly, the preview of the next episode starts flashing, and a middle-aged voiceover narrates passionately:

"Next Episode: Lady Tamako charging ahead!"

Scenes of Minamoto Tamako and Fushimi Roku’s quarrel are clipped in bits, with voiceover accompanying dialogue:

"What? How can it be suicide!"

"That’s the results of police investigation!"

"Impossible! I must investigate it myself—"

Finally, the camera stops at the words "Heavenly Punishment," Minamoto Tamako looks shocked: the host of Shuoshan Temple insists that Mr. Tsuchiya committed many sins and attracted heavenly punishment, suddenly self-igniting and falling into the bonfire pile.

"——It’s too ridiculous!!" Minamoto Tamako shouted holding her head, the screen frozen at this scene.

Choosing "Unnatural Death" for the ending song would be great, but it’s 1991, and life isn’t a TV drama.

Because life never ends.

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