### Chapter 48: The Defeat of Tsundere
On the second floor of the Fujino residence.
Fujino looked at the newly set up detective office with satisfaction.
The office, located on the right side of the second floor of Fujino's four-story house, was about one hundred square meters, divided into three rooms and a living area.
The fifty-square-meter bedroom was designated as the office area. Against the window stood a desk with an ergonomic chair in front of it. Near the entrance was a sofa with a coffee table in front of it.
The second bedroom had been fitted with a security door and contained various contracts from different cases and mementos from completed cases.
For example, a signed poster of Yoko Otsuka, a dagger broken by a murder suspect, and a helmet knocked off a curator.
It was meant to be a keepsake.
The layout of the reception room and office was similar, with a minimalist style, comparable to the reception areas of large companies.
"I must say, the one million yen spent was worth it."
Looking at the room that finally resembled a detective office, Fujino nodded with satisfaction.
"Ding ding ding!"
At that moment, the phone rang again.
Fujino pulled out his phone and, seeing the caller ID of [Shizaki Mieko], paused for a moment before answering.
"Hello, Detective Fujino. Have you found out who Tatsuya likes?"
On the other end, Shizaki Mieko's voice was urgent.
Fujino's eyes narrowed slightly as he heard some background noise, suggesting Shizaki Mieko might be at a concert.
After a moment's thought, he replied, "The investigation is almost complete. I should have an answer for you by tomorrow."
"Is that so?"
Shizaki Mieko seemed taken aback by the prompt response.
She hadn't expected Fujino to be so efficient.
It had only been a few days...
It seemed like the high commission was well worth it.
"I might not have time tomorrow. How about the day after tomorrow? I'll visit you after the concert ends."
With that, Shizaki Mieko hung up.
"So, the concert ends the day after tomorrow, followed by a celebration party?" Fujino mused. "I'd better get moving..."
---
That afternoon, outside Kimura Tatsuya's studio.
Fujino, dressed in work overalls with a blue hat and mask to conceal his face, infiltrated Kimura Tatsuya's studio under the guise of a plumber.
Kimura Tatsuya's studio was spacious, filled with various musical instruments. Posters of him adorned the walls, and a corner desk was neatly arranged with numerous music scores.
Fujino surveyed the room, then activated his enhanced perception.
Soon, he found a photo in a hidden spot.
The photo showed a scene from an underground concert.
Kimura Tatsuya was on stage, gazing at a freckled girl, who wasn't particularly pretty but wasn't unattractive either.
Both of them looked at each other with a shared yearning for the future.
"Tsundere always fails!" Fujino sighed, feeling a bit rueful before pocketing the photo and leaving the studio.
---
"Hey Tatsuya, remember to wake up early for the concert tomorrow."
"Stop nagging me!"
"Why are you like an old woman?"
"I'm just looking out for you."
Outside Kimura Tatsuya's studio.
Tetsuhara Mari watched Tatsuya's departing figure with a glint of fierceness in her eyes.
After sighing, she got back into her car, intending to drive home.
But as she sat down, she felt something unusual under her seat.
It seemed like an object...
She lifted her bottom and found a photo.
It was a picture of her and Kimura Tatsuya from their time together in a band.
Looking at the old photo, a look of melancholy crossed her face. "He wasn't like this before… Why?"
"It must have fallen out when he got out of the car."
She sighed, picked up the photo, and was about to put it away to return it tomorrow when she noticed the lyrics on the back of the photo: **[To the Bare-faced You]**.
"To the bare-faced you?"
Tetsuhara Mari puzzled over the lyrics.
Her pupils widened as she read the lyrics.
Moments later, a tear fell and wet the photo.
She clutched the photo tightly, gazing toward the studio, thinking, "Does Tatsuya...?"
"Tatsuya, open the door!"
Tetsuhara Mari knocked on Kimura Tatsuya's studio door, calling out urgently.
"Ugly, what are you doing here? I told you to go home!"
Kimura Tatsuya opened the door, annoyed, then noticed the photo in Tetsuhara Mari's hand.
He was stunned and quickly snatched the photo from her. "How did this photo end up with you?!"
"It must have fallen out of the car when you left."
"Strange, I didn't even bring this photo with me..."
Kimura Tatsuya scratched his head in confusion.
Before he could say more, Tetsuhara Mari interrupted, "So, did you write the lyrics on the back of the photo?"
"You saw them, huh?"
Kimura Tatsuya's expression faltered, his gaze drifting sideways. His face turned slightly red. "I was planning to reveal it after going solo as a surprise for you... Yes, these lyrics are for you, ugly!"
Tetsuhara Mari was surprised. "Then why did you call me ugly?"
"Why did you get plastic surgery without my permission!"
He took a deep breath and said, "I never said you were ugly. You were always beautiful the way you were!"
Tetsuhara Mari seemed to come to a realization.
Yes, ever since she had undergone plastic surgery, Tatsuya seemed to have lost interest in her, even speaking harshly to her.
Was it all because of the surgery?
"Tatsuya, do you..."
"Don't mention it, it's so embarrassing!"
Kimura Tatsuya's face turned even redder, like a bashful young lover.
Upon hearing this, Tetsuhara Mari hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
There was regret, or maybe gratitude...
In any case, tonight was bound to end in a dramatic confrontation.
Nearby, Fujino sat in the Ford Taurus.
As he watched the lights in the studio go out, a strange expression crossed his face.
"So, tsundere types have already fallen out of favor..."
He took a deep breath and muttered, resting his chin on his hand.
Looking at the darkened window, a sly smile crept across his face.
No one would know that an invisible hand was pushing everything along behind the scenes.
Honestly, it felt pretty good.
---
*End of Chapter*