CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 324: REWARDS FOR REPORTING

An English class passed just like that.

During lunchtime, the elementary school students scattered like little chicks, chirping as they ran to the cafeteria. At Waseda Jitsugyo School, students don’t need to bring lunch boxes as the school provides nutritious lunches. Students pick up a tray at the entrance and then queue up for their meals at the window.

Taira Sakurako and Mayu ate lunch together, accompanied by two other small friends.

Fushimi Roku was lurking outside the cafeteria, spying on the scene. When he saw that Taira Sakurako was blending in and engaging socially, he felt a wave of relief.

But his happiness was short-lived when he saw that Shota, the little troublemaker, put down his tray and brought his three little followers over to cause trouble.

Their main attack method was still spitting, but this time they spat into Mayu’s tray.

"Pfft-pfft-pfft~~"

The four troublemakers’ mouths were like squirt guns, splattering everything around Mayu. In theory, this was quite a nasty form of bullying, but Mayu didn’t care. She shielded her tray with her body and quickly shoveled lunch into her mouth, her cheeks puffed like a hamster, chomping furiously.

Taira Sakurako thought Mayu was afraid to fight back and was about to step in to help, but one of Mayu’s little friends pulled her back, advising, "Run away quickly! Mayu’s about to use that move!"

Shota sensed something was up, and his face quickly changed. He hurriedly wiped his mouth, grabbed his followers, and turned to flee.

However, it was too late.

Mayu pursed her lips, puffed out her chest to breathe, and the food remnants in her cheeks sprayed out, the scene resembling a machine gun firing wildly, splattering everywhere.

The Shota gang was not spared; they were the first to be hit, their uniforms covered in food debris.

"Waaaahhhh..."

One of the little followers burst into tears.

According to the rules of the elementary school world, once someone cries, it means things have escalated. No matter the past grievances, both sides have to put aside their differences and rush to comfort the crying child before the teacher arrives.

"Why are you crying? We’re all boys; how can you cry over something like this..."

"Yeah, you were the one who spat at me first, so why are you crying now..."

"Stop crying, stop crying, or the teacher will come..."

...

Mayu and Shota’s comfort attempts proved ineffective, as the follower cried even harder. The supervising teacher arrived upon hearing the commotion and took them all back to the office. Mayu and Shota hung their heads, looking like they’d eaten bitter melons.

They were only released during the afternoon PE class. While running on the field, neither paid attention to the other, and when their gazes occasionally crossed, they immediately turned their faces away with a contemptuous "humph."

Fushimi Roku left early, planning to head to the mall for video game shopping once PE class ended and Sakurako was dismissed.

That’s right, Japanese elementary schools finish at 3 p.m.

Minamoto Tamako received a call from the school while she was still at work, pestering Kinosaki Shoujin and the director about the possibility of having a case withdrawn. The two were utterly stressed, feeling caught between Kujo Yua and Director Fujiwara, with no way out.

"What? Did Sakurako cause trouble at school?"

She answered the teacher’s call anxiously, unable to leave work, so she asked Fushimi Roku to go to the school to see what was happening.

But that guy didn’t answer. When she sent a message, Fushimi Roku replied claiming he was seeing a psychologist and couldn’t spare the time to visit the school.

With no other options, Minamoto Tamako had to take leave. Chief Kikuchi immediately approved her leave, even suggesting she take a few more days off.

Not daring to think too much about it, Minamoto Tamako hurriedly rushed to the school, bursting into the office to find the supervising teacher.

Taira Sakurako sat obediently by the desk, head bowed and silent, looking every bit the ordinary student in trouble.

The supervising teacher didn’t discuss matters in front of Taira Sakurako, instead asking her to wait outside the office. Sakurako complied, leaving the room and making sure to close the door behind her.

Minamoto Tamako anxiously asked what had happened, with the teacher scrutinizing her and inquiring about her relationship with Taira Sakurako. Worried about being seen as an irresponsible parent, Minamoto Tamako lied, claiming to be Sakurako’s sister.

She had initially intended to say she was Sakurako’s mother, but considering her appearance and Sakurako’s age, she didn’t want to risk Fushimi Roku getting into trouble.

"It’s like this, I mainly wanted to understand Sakurako’s family situation..."

The supervising teacher roughly recounted Sakurako’s "self-introduction," leaving Minamoto Tamako so embarrassed she could dig her toes into the floor, hastily explaining that Sakurako liked to watch TV and might have picked up those phrases from it.

"This is a crucial time for children to form their worldview. As a parent, it’s important to manage their TV time and ensure they watch more positive shows..."

The teacher kept cautioning her, and Tamako nodded repeatedly, the scene resembling a teacher scolding a high school girl, so much so that a PE teacher returning to the office misunderstood and asked why the teacher was educating a student from the high school department.

After the "parental education" ended, Minamoto Tamako felt exhausted but maintained respect for the teacher, awkwardly smiling as she left. Once outside, she took Sakurako’s hand and asked her to apologize to the supervising teacher.

Sakurako, having learned well from Fushimi Roku, knew it was unwise to rebel at this time. Pretending to comply could be advantageous, so she immediately lowered her head and said sorry.

The class teacher showed a comforting smile and claimed that Sakurako knew her mistakes and changed, making her a good child.

Minamoto Tamako exchanged a few polite words before leading Taira Sakurako out of the school.

On the way home, neither of them spoke. Taira Sakurako didn’t feel like talking outside, while Minamoto Tamako didn’t know what to say.

After all, she wasn’t Taira Sakurako’s biological mom or sister, she was just a good friend to Taira Sakurako... How could a good friend educate another good friend? It’s like she can urge Mr. Fu Jian to go to work, but can’t tell him not to wet the bed.

Just thinking about it made her feel a bit awkward.

Minamoto Tamako contemplated and decided to entrust the responsibility of education to Mr. Fu Jian. He’s Sakurako’s biological older brother and also an adult elder; as the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father, Mr. Fu Jian has the duty and ability to educate Sakurako.

However, when she got home, she found Fushimi Roku sprawled on the living room sofa playing games.

"Didn’t you say you were going out to see a psychologist?" Minamoto Tamako was furious.

"Yes, went and came back," Fushimi Roku said while staring at the screen, hands frantically rubbing the controller, "The doctor advised me to play more video games to prevent my depression from worsening."

As he spoke, he took out the registration ticket and the consultation receipt from his pocket, proving that he had indeed gone to the hospital to see a psychologist.

Seeing the ticket and receipt were real, Minamoto Tamako calmed down a bit and turned to worry about Fushimi Roku’s mental state, asking involuntarily, "What did the doctor say?"

"Mild depression, a bit of PTSD," Fushimi Roku sighed while playing, "I’m just trying to find joy amidst sorrow."

Hearing this, Minamoto Tamako dared not make a sound, afraid that Sakurako’s educational problems might worsen Mr. Fu Jian’s psychological burden.

"Well then you continue playing," she pulled Taira Sakurako back to the room, "I’ll chat with Sakurako for a bit."

"Okay."

Fushimi Roku pretended not to know anything.

After arriving home, Taira Sakurako finally relaxed, diving into a cardboard box first thing, stretching her body like a stress-relieved cat returning to its territory.

Seeing this, Minamoto Tamako remembered that Sakurako had autism, and the fact she was attending school normally was already quite good, not to be overly demanding. If she criticized Taira Sakurako, it could trigger her old problems, causing her to stay curled up in the box.

Recently, Taira Sakurako behaved too normal, even somewhat mature, so much so that Minamoto Tamako often overlooked the issue.

It seems that, aside from her, everyone in the family is mentally unstable!

Minamoto Tamako suddenly felt immense pressure, and when she felt pressured, she desired sweets. Today, she was working, going to school to be scolded, her cycle hadn’t finished, pushing negative feelings towards an outbreak, she had to eat something sweet to recover.

Luckily, she left an ice cream scoop yesterday.

Minamoto Tamako considered her foresight was accurate, ice cream was indeed her lifeline, capable of cooling down and easing mental stress, more effective than aspirin!

She ran to the kitchen, washed a plate and spoon, hummed a tune opening the fridge, staring blankly at the empty ice shelf.

"Did you steal my ice cream?" Minamoto Tamako turned around, looking at Fushimi Roku who was playing video games on the sofa.

"What do you mean? Why suspect me first?" Fushimi Roku was displeased, feeling Minamoto Tamako questioned his character.

"Who else could it be besides you?" Minamoto Tamako clenched her fist, ready to blow up.

"Isn’t this home including three people? There’s also a dog! You’re so proud of being a famous detective and police chief, yet starting with preconceived notions?"

Fushimi Roku knew perfectly well it was Sakurako who stole it, but he didn’t plan to reveal it for now; after all, saying it wasn’t beneficial, rather keeping it as leverage against Sakurako for future use.

Minamoto Tamako squinted her eyes, continuously taking deep breaths, silently chanting ’Mr. Fu Jian has problems, Mr. Fu Jian has problems, Mr. Fu Jian has problems’, reminding herself not to stoop to Mr. Fu Jian’s level — moreover, these two ice cream scoops were bought by Mr. Fu Jian, she already ate one, a person should know when to be content.

"What kind of expression is this? It really wasn’t me," Fushimi Roku glanced at her sideways, "If I wanted to eat, would I need to steal?"

Minamoto Tamako felt there were some truths in that. As she pondered, she realized, asking, "So did you see who stole it?"

"Don’t recall." Fushimi Roku mumbled.

"There’s a reward for reporting." Minamoto Tamako got smart, catching the implied meaning, "One stamp as reward."

"Just one? Tch!" Fushimi Roku sneered, "Why would I betray someone for just one stamp..."

"Two."

"It was Sakurako." Fushimi Roku quickly replied, fearing Minamoto Tamako might change her mind.

Minamoto Tamako immediately recalled Sakurako’s ’misdeed’ at school, causing herself to be criticized by the class teacher, and now finding out she dared steal the ice cream she herself couldn’t bear to throw away — prompted by her cycle, Minamoto Tamako exploded on the spot.

"Taira, Sakurako!"