Looking at the earring in Fujino's hand, Yuko Ikeze's expression showed a hint of shock.
But she quickly regained her composure. "So what if it's mine?"
"Just confirming it."
Fujino smiled playfully and asked, "Aren't you curious how your earring ended up with me?"
"Who would be curious about something like that?"
Yuko Ikeze furrowed her brow slightly, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one. "It's just as well. I was worried I wouldn't find it. Since you did, give it back."
"Guess where I found it?"
Fujino's gaze fixed on Yuko Ikeze. After taking a deep breath, he continued, "In Yoko Okino's house, at the scene of the murder."
"Words alone aren't proof!"
Yuko Ikeze's face suddenly turned pale, and the cigarette slipped from her mouth.
Damn it, my floor!
Fujino looked at the cigarette butt on the floor, his mouth twitching, and gave a light cough.
Regaining her composure, Yuko Ikeze picked up the cigarette butt and put it back in her mouth.
"Who would believe your word alone?"
She bit down on the cigarette butt, trying to argue back. "Maybe I just accidentally dropped it at your place!"
Fujino, feeling a pang at the sight of the burn mark on the floor, sighed.
Turning his gaze back to Yuko Ikeze, he said in a deep voice, "Although I don't know how you got the key to Yoko Okino's house, if I'm not mistaken, after you commissioned me to investigate her yesterday, you went to her house to search for any scandals about her..."
"And if I'm not mistaken, you were attacked when you went to Yoko Okino's house last night, weren't you?"
Fujino continued, "In your panic, you fought back and escaped, but your earring was left at the crime scene."
"That's just your speculation. Where's the evidence?"
Yuko Ikeze, feeling guilty, retorted, "As a detective, you should know better than to accuse someone without evidence!"
"Evidence? Of course, I have it."
Fujino chuckled softly and slowly stood up. "You might not know, but at the crime scene, the victim was clutching a hair strand. My deduction identified it as Yoko Okino's hair..."
"But that hair doesn't look like Yoko Okino's at all. It looks like yours."
He smiled playfully and said lightly, "If the police were to do a genetic test..."
"Are you threatening me?!"
Yuko Ikeze's face gradually turned grim. She jumped up from the sofa, staring into Fujino's eyes.
"No, no! I'm a professional detective. How could I threaten my client?"
Fujino feigned innocence, waving his hand. "It's just that... Miss Ikeze, I had already uncovered dirt on Yoko Okino's boyfriend, but your actions got you involved. I had to go to great lengths to clear you from this mess... If this gets exposed, it won't be good for either of us. I might just suffer a hit to my reputation, but for you, Miss Ikeze, it's a different story..."
Then, he showed a sly smile. "Miss Ikeze, you don't want to get dragged into this, do you?"
"What do you want?"
Yuko Ikeze sighed deeply, feeling a pang of regret.
Had she known, she wouldn't have hired a detective to investigate Yoko Okino.
Now, not only did she lose her goal, but she also got burned.
This guy is definitely threatening her!
"I want..."
Seeing Fujino's evasive demeanor, Yuko Ikeze gulped.
This guy wouldn't...
She still...
"I want my commission fee."
"Huh?"
Yuko Ikeze was momentarily stunned. "That's it?"
"That's it."
Fujino scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "After all, in a way, I did complete the commission. At the very least, you should pay me, right? This way, you'd be my client, and I'd keep this secret."
"You should have said so earlier!"
Yuko Ikeze's mouth twitched.
So it was just the commission fee. She thought... Well, never mind!
This guy is really annoying.
Though unwilling, Yuko Ikeze relaxed, took out a credit card from her pocket, and asked, "Do you have a mobile POS machine?"
"No."
Fujino shook his head. "I usually only accept cash payments. You can also transfer to my account."
"I have to say, you're really unprofessional, not even having a mobile POS machine."
Yuko Ikeze sighed, then said, "I don't have that much cash on me now. Come with me to the bank."
"Alright!"
In the '90s, POS machines were becoming popular, and anything could be paid for with a card, akin to future WeChat or Alipay payments.
Not having one was indeed Fujino's oversight.
Mainly because he had never handled such a large commission before...
Looks like he needs to get one soon.
Late at night, at the Suzuki Bank's bridge entrance.
"Here, 540,000 yen. No need to count it, right?"
Yuko Ikeze handed Fujino a paper bag with the Suzuki Bank logo.
Fujino took the bag without counting. "I trust you, Miss Ikeze."
"Hmph."
Yuko Ikeze snorted. By now, she had figured out Fujino's character.
A mercenary detective who would do anything for money.
However, on second thought, although he was unscrupulous, he did follow rules.
He even shielded her from police investigations... which indeed saved her a lot of trouble.
Trouble that couldn't be measured by money.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
Yuko Ikeze said, turning to leave.
Now, all she wanted was to go home, take a nice bath, and escape reality's troubles.
"Wait!"
At this moment, Fujino called out to her.
Yuko Ikeze turned back, frowning. "What else? Don't tell me you want more money?"
"Not at all. I'm not that kind of person."
Fujino chuckled, lighting a cigarette slowly. "I just wanted to advise you to cut down on scheming... Slandering others often leads to self-destruction."
"None of your business."
Yuko Ikeze retorted, irritated.
Fujino chuckled, carrying the paper bag and turning away. "Actually, Miss Ikeze, you're not bad, just a bit fake... It's probably your idol baggage?"
"Always pretending to be a mature woman must be tiring."
Under the round moon, he continued without looking back, "Show more of your true self. With your talent, one day you'll become a national idol alongside Yoko Okino."
Gazing at his moonlit silhouette, Yuko Ikeze's pupils slightly dilated, capturing that figure in her eyes.
It wasn't until the figure gradually faded that she snapped out of it.
Moonlight shone brilliantly, painting the bridge a snowy white.
Looking in the direction he left, she smiled faintly and murmured, "I already know that."
(End of Chapter)