Tokyo: Let the wicked women pay the price!

The ticking of the second hand echoed in the examination room.

"Mr. Fujino."

Hanako leaned on the table, moved closer to Fujino, and blew on his eyelashes.

She noticed that Fujino's eyes were somewhat unfocused.

"Don't make a sound, I'm thinking."

Fujino frowned and waved his hand in front of him.

Hanako obediently sat back down on the stool, a smug smile on her face.

She was already in an invincible position.

Case records cannot be easily deleted.

She also offered her body in exchange.

When using seduction, one can even film it and use it for blackmail.

Dr. Fujino, you wouldn't want this video to appear in the hospital director's email, would you?

The triple plan was flawless.

Fujino looked at Hanako, who was grinning foolishly, and realized that only he could see the panel. Instead, he focused his attention on the options.

Okay, it's turned into a visual novel.

How should I choose this option?

First, eliminate options one and two.

He will never tolerate such behavior of using mental illness as a pretext to commit evil!

Although Fujino always felt that he was greedy, lustful, lazy, and gluttonous, he could not accept such evil deeds.

When there is no opportunity cost to doing something, people's behavior is uncontrollable.

Just like those who obtain the "I am the only law" system, they generally end up committing crimes.

Besides, that innocent man... he should be a man, right?

What did he do wrong?

Aren't men pitiful when they are followed and secretly filmed?

By the way, what's that guy's name?

He took out his phone and sent a text message to the police chief on the mountain, asking for the victim's name.

[Worldline 3: Your conscience clashes with reality, and you choose to cooperate closely with the police inspector to help the victim escape Hanako's stalking. (Reward: 100000 yen in savings)]

Indeed, the reality is this: the mentally ill Hanako does whatever she wants; the poor victim can only run away while she chases, unable to escape.

This is indeed contrary to my conscience.

Moreover, considering that 100,000 yen... as a psychiatrist, his monthly salary was only 220,000 yen.

Half a month's salary!

Who wouldn't be tempted!

[Worldline 4: No evil will be tolerated. You propose a new plan. Although Hanako cannot be imprisoned, she can be placed under medical observation in conjunction with the police until she admits her mistakes, at which point she can be released. (Reward: Micro-expression analysis (Mastery))]

The fourth option, however, offers an enticing reward in the long run—the skill [Micro-expression analysis].

Clearly, this is something psychiatrists need to know, as psychiatric patients sometimes lie quietly and conceal their condition.

Mastering this skill is one of the essential elements for his continued promotion.

However... this is from a long-term perspective. His eyes flickered slightly. The skill wasn't unlearnable, and half a month's salary...

Just when he was in a dilemma...

Hanako stood up and took Fujino's hand, which was resting on the table.

"Fujino-san, is this really that hard to decide?"

"Holy crap, it's just following the rules, and Hanako even offered extra benefits."

"What are you still hesitating about?"

Her eyes flickered, and she licked her lips. "Or do you want to collect some interest now?"

Fujino could clearly feel that her gaze never left his lower abdomen.

He was both amused and exasperated.

Are you a low-class horse?

Are you thinking of Tian Ji?

He wasn't thinking about sleeping with Hanako!

"Hanako, haven't you realized that this is wrong?"

He could clearly feel his arm being held by something soft and gently shaken.

Fujino caught a glimpse of Hanako pressed against his shoulder out of the corner of his eye, and softly said, "Hanako just wanted to sleep with the person she likes, wanted to take pictures of him going to work, wanted to smell his scent. What's wrong with that!"

"Hanako hasn't committed a crime! The law clearly states that this is something that can be done."

OK OK.

Is it true that anything not prohibited by law is permissible?

Then we can only use some supernatural means to make you realize your mistakes.

[Equipment/Props: The patient's electroencephalogram]

Please select a subject for hypnosis.

[Confirmed Subject: Waka Hanako]

Hypnosis activated!

"Tell me why you followed him."

"Because I like it... uh... um..."

He saw the arrogant Hanako deflate like a punctured balloon, her eyes instantly becoming dazed and empty.

A misty haze appeared in those peach blossom eyes, making Fujino shudder.

"Because of love."

"Then you'll take the picture?"

"Because of love."

Fujino frowned. This hypnosis shouldn't have the function of making someone stupid, right?

He changed the question.

"Do you think this behavior is acceptable?"

"My lawyer friend said it's perfectly legal!"

There were even instigators, right?

"Who is that lawyer friend?"

"Himemiya Ayame, a graduate student in the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo."

With a defense lawyer, if the case really goes to court, Hanako won't lose.

Legal avenues have been completely blocked.

Then the only option left is to resort to the common diagnostic method used by psychiatrists—psychological counseling.

After all, the hypnosis session only lasts a minute, so you can only ask a few simple questions.

There was no time for her to choose between the red-hot iron rod and the future.

Release from hypnosis.

Hanako shuddered and stared blankly at Fujino.

Fujino crossed his arms below his nose: "Hanako-san, do you really think there's nothing wrong with your current approach to pursuing her?"

Clearly, if the hypnotic message was accurate, Hanako desired a healthy relationship with that gentleman.

Fujino decided to approach the issue from this angle.

They used the more tempting goal of "completely winning the other person's heart" to persuade Hanako to give up her current illegal behavior.

Clearly, the other person was very interested in this: "Oh? Mr. Fujino, are you good at dating girls?"

"Not exactly skilled," he scoffed, "but it's definitely more reasonable than the way you committed this crime."

"whispering sound."

"Generally speaking, Miss Waka, a girl as cute as you wouldn't be rejected by a man if you interacted normally with him."

"Eh~" Waka Hanako's face flushed slightly. "Is that what you think? I thought someone like me could only secretly spy on him."

Looking into Hanako's affectionate eyes, Fujino couldn't help but silently mourn for that gentleman for a second.

"Actually, you're quite cute," Fujino glanced at his phone discreetly. The inspector hadn't yet replied to his text message with the victim's name. "If it weren't for these unusual behaviors, it would have been a natural progression to become friends with him and then lovers."

"Mmm-hmm!" Waka Hanako sat up straight and nodded repeatedly. "You actually think I'm cute? Then would you like to be my friend?"

"Of course, no problem." He stood up and extended his hand. "But you have to promise me first that you won't follow that gentleman anymore."

Hanako's face turned bright red, and she repeatedly rubbed her hands on her pants.

Fujino's words thrilled Hanako.

"Becoming lovers through normal interaction"—she had never considered this possibility.

Ever since she was called a "bastard" in elementary school, all she's learned to do is hide in a corner and secretly watch the person she likes.

So... there was another way?

She grasped Fujino's right hand with both of hers: "Hanako, I understand. Mr. Fujino, tailing and taking photos without consent are wrong."

[Worldline 3 has concluded: Waka Hanako sincerely promises you that she will never stalk that poor gentleman again.]

???

Fujino had not yet withdrawn his right hand from Hanako's palm, his brows furrowed.

What is that?

Why did you so sincerely promise me you wouldn't stalk me?

Do I have that much influence?

He looked into Hanako's eyes. They were narrowed into crescent moons, but sincere and earnest.

He tentatively continued, "Furthermore, using mental illness as a pretext to evade legal punishment is the most wrong thing to do!"

"Yes, yes!" Hanako nodded obediently. "Hanako promises you, I won't do such evil things again!"

[Worldline 4 has concluded: Waka Hanako has truly realized her mistakes]

[You have been able to merge two world lines simultaneously; rewards are being distributed in a combined manner.]

[Reward of 100000 yen in savings + micro-expression analysis (expert) is being distributed]

Eh?

Fujino stared blankly at the panel that popped up.

What?! The merging of two timelines is already done?

Why did Hanako suddenly admit she was wrong?

Or is it a genuine repentance certified by the system?

Hey, System, are you kidding me?

Clearly, the system did not respond.

But Hanako responded.

"Fujino-san, have you really agreed to be friends with me?" she asked tentatively, blinking her big eyes.

Fujino hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

She held out her phone and placed it in front of Fujino: "Friends should exchange contact information, right?"

"Uh...yes."

Fujino felt himself caught in a new vortex.

"Mr. Fujino, if the inspector and I also admit our mistakes, will you stop disliking us?"

Fujino felt there were some flaws in the logic here, but as long as she sincerely believed she had done something wrong... it seemed like there wasn't much of a problem...

What the hell!

Why is this difficult patient so obedient to me?

Does hypnosis really make people stupid?

"Inspector, Hanako has realized her mistake under Mr. Fujino's guidance. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Inspector Yamagami and Kaoru Hanayama were speechless as they watched Hanako bowing at a ninety-degree angle.

"Eh?!"

"Senior Yamagami, you're absolutely right! Fujino-san is amazing!"

"I never expected him to get it right on the first try! Are you kidding me?"

Inspector Yamagami grasped Fujino's hand, unsure whether to express excitement or embarrassment: "Fujino-san, you're making us look incompetent!"

He gently patted Inspector Yamagami's hand: "Let's not talk about that, Yamagami-kun. Everyone has their own expertise. I don't know how to arrest people either."

After unlocking Hanako's handcuffs, Kaoru Hanayama escorted her home.

This is certainly a form of surveillance.

Hanako, however, seemed completely oblivious to being escorted, skipping and waving at Fujino, her eyes narrowing into slits: "Mr. Fujino, keep in touch! We're friends now!"

This scene, witnessed by Inspector Yamagami, caused his lips to tremble slightly.

He was just about to light a cigarette when Fujino immediately pressed down on the cigarette pack: "Yamagami-kun, this is a hospital."

"I'm sorry, I was a little confused for a moment and didn't notice."

Inspector Yamagami put away his cigarette case and looked at Fujino with a puzzled expression: "Um, you... friends? What do you mean?"

"Oh, that?" Fujino said with a smile, "Just a little trick in psychological counseling."

"I told her that normal men don't like that kind of stalking, and that she should try to get along with the victim by making friends."

"She used me as an example. She also realized that the victim's husband would distance himself from her because of this crime."

At this point, he pulled out his phone: "Damn it! I just asked you for the victim's name, why didn't you reply to my text message?"

"Huh?"

Under Inspector Yamagami's awkward gaze, Fujino saw the text message he hadn't noticed due to the vibration.

Yamagami-kun has already told him the victim's name.

His eyes narrowed to pinpoints as he grabbed the police chief on the mountain by the collar: "Hey! Tax thieves, you're supposed to protect taxpayers, right?!"

"That's usually how it is," Inspector Yamagami said, clearly suppressing a laugh, "but things between friends are a different story."

"No! Ah! Ah—"

The text message on my phone contained only four words.

Kazuhiko Fujino.