Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner-Chapter 855 - 514: The Café on the Corner
The sensational assault case, after dozens of adjournments, finally concluded with the defendant’s speech that will go down in history, leading to immediate execution.
On the day of execution, over a hundred people spontaneously attended to mourn, but the relevant departments dispersed the crowd, leaving only three people present during the actual execution. One of them resigned afterward due to excessive pressure.
Afterward, NHK filmed a special documentary, recording former criminal police officer Fushimi Roku hijacking the Tokyo Tower broadcasting system, publicly revealing the truth of the Cat Island incident, sparking nationwide riots and a judicial crisis.
After the footage was broadcast, protests erupted in many parts of Tokyo, with people storming police stations, parliamentary offices, and implicated enterprises.
The Director of Police resigned to take responsibility, and the National Diet urgently passed the "Anti-Violence Group Special Act," disbanding 23 involved religious organizations.
The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office released the "Criminal Law Enforcement White Paper," acknowledging systemic corruption and establishing an independent oversight agency.
The Inakawa Association rebranded itself as a legitimate financial investment company and is currently acquiring and investing in various emerging industries with potential, showing signs of becoming a conglomerate.
The world underwent a minor change, yet seemingly remained the same. The sun still rises every day, illuminating every inch of land.
...
Seven years later.
Mystery novelist Mori Ran published the "Heavenly Punishment and Cherry Blossoms" series, based on Minamoto Tamako and Fushimi Roku.
Upon its release, the series received an enthusiastic market response, with the sequel reaching its third volume today. It also sold television and film rights, with the television series becoming a national hit, and the third film scheduled for release next Spring Festival.
On the fifth anniversary of publication, Mori Ran was invited by overseas publishers to go to Korea for a book signing.
That afternoon, at the Seoul Coex Convention Center.
Four critics and publishers were seated in a row, with Mori Ran sitting in the middle, as readers and fans lined up to purchase works and request signatures from Mori Ran.
After the limited signing, the question-and-answer session began.
Critic Park Jaehyun, unfamiliar with the book’s background, asked on behalf of Korean book fans:
"Teacher Mori, there’s a long-standing question among our book circle about the abrupt ending of the final Chapter in the ’Cherry Blossoms and Heavenly Punishment’ series. However, the Japanese book circle considers the final Chapter a stroke of genius, with rumors saying it conceals a hidden truth, that it portrays real events... Is this true? Can you clarify this mystery for us?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
The translator translated his words swiftly, and Mori Ran, holding the microphone, patiently listened before replying:
"The prototype of this series novel should be known to everyone. According to news reports, the heroine died in a riot, and the hero was sentenced to death."
"But that’s not how your final Chapter goes," Park Jaehyun interjected.
Mori Ran nodded: "Yes, because before writing the third installment, I traveled to gather material with my partner, Kensaka Takataro, and we carefully investigated the complete course of events."
"So you concluded from your investigation that both are still alive?" Park Jaehyun turned to look at the rather youthful leading novelist: "What led you to make such a judgment?"
"There are three suspicions."
Mori Ran held up three fingers: "First, in NHK’s report, it was said Minamoto Tamako ’was hit by stray bullets and died despite rescue efforts’; but I read the action report, and now the case details are declassified for everyone to read. In fact, Minamoto Tamako was injured by ’metal fragments’—at that time, a sniper rifle bullet hit the metal floor, and the cavity effect splattered metal fragments, hitting Minamoto Tamako’s temple, providing a chance for survival."
"Second, the executioner Toda Yasuhito wasn’t the actual officer; someone else carried out the task. The reason being, Toda Yasuhito long outsourced his duties to idle members of society, so the photo on the work permit wasn’t his, but that of the freelancer—Oouchi Kenichi."
"On the execution day, to avoid exposing the lazy behavior, Toda Yasuhito continued to let Oouchi Kenichi handle it, trying to perpetuate the cover-up. Ultimately, after the execution, Toda Yasuhito was internally dismissed, while publicly claiming ’resignation due to psychological reasons.’
"Speaking of Oouchi Kenichi, this person was once a member of the Aum Truth Sect, responsible for recruiting believers. After the police destroyed the Tokyo Fuji Aum Truth Sect Branch, he became an idle member of society, having once received help from Fushimi Roku, possessing both the capability and motivation to assist the convict."
"Third, and most importantly. After both died, their bodies were never publicly revealed, neither photo evidence nor specific documentation existed. It was proclaimed as ’body donation’ and ’government cremation,’ yet I couldn’t find any relevant paperwork."
Saying this, Mori Ran felt thirsty, picked up the small kettle on the table, and sipped some hot water.
The translator translated quickly, while fans and journalists slowly expressed surprise. The other two critics whispered that the blanks were worthy of another novel publication.
Park Jaehyun thought for a moment, brushed some hair on his forehead to fit the gel, "But these are merely suspicions. Being hit by metal fragments, one could still die; besides, how could an execution officer let a key death row inmate escape in front of others?"
Mori Na set the cup down, saying: "Let’s leave the first question open-ended, as it indeed remains possible. As for the latter one..."
She smiled, with a slightly teasing tone: "I lean towards the convict having the ability to escape, only needing the will to do so."
