"How could I drink cola! Wearing this outfit today means no food," Minamoto Tamako tightened her waist, looking slimmer and daintier: "At most, I'll moisten my lips with some tea, wetting my throat."

Fushimi Roku felt it was a bit too formal, they weren't going to a wedding or an engagement, just meeting with the elders.

But Minamoto Tamako didn't see it that way. Having received the education of a proper young lady, she knew that in such formal social settings, not wearing attire that matches one's status could easily lead to being looked down upon.

"Don't underestimate clothing, it's a woman's armor!" Minamoto Tamako said.

Fushimi Roku understood this principle too; as the saying goes, people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles. Whenever you need something from someone, you must dress decently and hold your ground... Even for bosses who don't like cars, they'll buy a couple of luxury cars for business receptions as a facade.

"So will wearing a suit today make me incompatible with you?" Fushimi Roku asked.

"No worries, wear whatever you want."

Minamoto Tamako saw him as a minor character, not caring whether he was dressed properly. In her vision for this meeting, she was the general, wearing armor to battle with the elders, bearing all pressure, ensuring everyone recognized Mr. Fushimi.

She couldn't let Fushimi suffer because of her own family circumstances, or she wouldn't be a competent girlfriend!

Two hours later, the three were ready. Fushimi Roku was done in ten minutes, spending the rest of the time waiting outside for Minamoto Tamako.

He called the taxi company in Hokkaido to book a car, the driver was his former colleague, and the two chatted about recent events in the car.

Fushimi Roku chatted away, finally waiting for Minamoto Tamako and Taira Sakurako to come out.

The two looked like a 'rich young lady and her little maid,' walking in quick short steps, nothing like their swift demeanor at the police department.

The driver complimented Fushimi Roku on his luck to marry such a pretty and wealthy wife. He wasn't blind; such kimonos cost several tens of thousands just to rent and most likely custom-tailored.

Fushimi Roku mumbled a few perfunctory words in response.

Minamoto Tamako got in the car, gave the address, and the ride didn't need much narration. Upon arrival at the Kujo family's estate, she rolled down the window, and the gatekeeper let them pass after just one glance.

After the taxi entered the estate, Fushimi Roku saw through the window a large Tang-style moss-covered porch with bronze bells hanging at the eaves, silent in the wind.

The pebble-paved road was lined with winter-resistant red pines, and in front of the main entrance stood two attendants in ink-black shoulder garments and hakama: "By order of the family head, please move forward and wait."

Fushimi Roku looked around as he walked; the tycoons truly know how to enjoy life. The path in the center was mirror-bright, and exquisite antiques were placed at hall corners.

Minamoto Tamako lowered her eyes, hands tucked in sleeves, walking quickly in small strides, leading the way ahead of the two.

An attendant lifted half a rolled bamboo curtain, revealing a dry landscape garden with raked wave patterns in white sand. Three sides of hard tatami were laid inside, with a Shino tea bowl placed on a low table in the center.

The butler kneeled in the shadow beside the door, hands on knees, bowing, and politely welcoming Miss Tamako.

The three knelt according to etiquette, the attendants served tea, saying the Kujo family head would arrive shortly.

Fushimi Roku disliked such settings; he could only sit like wood, even looking around would seem frivolous, as everyone seemed as if in meditation, he couldn't be the only one acting like a monkey.

He didn't know what Minamoto Tamako had said to Taira Sakurako, but the latter was unusually well-behaved today, not masking her face or acting socially awkward, sitting quietly beside Minamoto Tamako, playing the supporting role.

The stance was grand.

After waiting a while, footsteps of Kujo Mutsumi were heard, accompanied by the thud of an ivory-handled cane. The bamboo curtain was lifted hastily by the attendants, and as the elderly entered the room, Fushimi Roku smelled a strong mix of sea salt and herbs.

He wore a steel gray kimono with a tightly fitted fabric on the shoulders, revealing a bony frame, his grayish eyeballs swept over the three kneeling, finally resting on Minamoto Tamako, and broke into a slight smile: "Long time no see, do you remember grandpa?"

The elder loved asking such questions. When Kujo Mutsumi held Minamoto Tamako, she hadn't even started forming memories, how could she remember?

But Minamoto Tamako nodded, saying her mother often mentioned her father, so she always remembered grandpa.

Wow, she's good at speaking for the occasion?

Fushimi Roku was slightly surprised, glancing at Minamoto Tamako.

Kujo Mutsumi sat at the head position, asking about Minamoto Tamako's recent events, like ordinary grandpas showing concern to their granddaughters, without much conflict or intrigue.

Minamoto Tamako truthfully responded, embellishing a little on some parts, like achieving great feats at the police department, currently settling in, with many juniors admiring her...

Basically conveying one idea:

She, Minamoto Tamako, the Kujo family's granddaughter, has made something of herself!

Kujo Mutsumi listened with a chuckle, nodding, praising her for cuteness, and affectionately tousled her hair, showing an image of enjoying family happiness.

As the preliminaries were set, Minamoto Tamako quietly introduced the main topic, turning to introduce Fushimi Roku: "This is the boyfriend I'm currently seeing, Mr. Deer, his surname is Fushimi, also a criminal police at the police department."

Kujo Mutsumi finally gave Fushimi Roku a serious look: "Oh, Little Wei mentioned you to me."

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