Internet users in Japan who frequently read about murders know that there is a legal statute of limitations for criminal cases in Japan. From the day of the crime, if the statute has expired, no prosecution is initiated.
"That's right." Fushimi Roku admitted openly.
Minamoto Tamako, feeling more confident, continued to quietly explain her reasoning:
"The reason for this guess is because Instructor Sakurai didn't destroy the anonymous letter, which proves she feels untouchable."
"Boldly following this line of thought, why would the murderer feel untouchable? Because she's certain she won't be caught. And why is she certain? Because the legal statute of limitations has expired, even if discovered, she won't be prosecuted. Furthermore, Instructor Sakurai might lose her job at the police academy because of this, that's why she's worried!"
Fushimi Roku nodded: "That's basically what I thought too."
Minamoto Tamako was waiting for this. She pointed her pencil at Fushimi Roku's nose, and with a pose of "there is only one truth," said: "However, these guesses are full of holes!"
"From the start, your direction of guessing is based on the assumption that 'Instructor Sakurai is the murderer,' meaning you've already assumed Instructor Sakurai committed a criminal act."
"So, your subsequent 'chain of guesses' is nonsense!"
"Why does not destroying the anonymous letter prove she feels untouchable? Why is feeling untouchable because the statute has expired? Following this logic, I can equally guess that Instructor Sakurai is innocent and kept the anonymous letter for evidential investigative purposes!"
"A guess built upon another guess is like a skyscraper on quicksand, collapsing with a gust of wind!"
After finishing this long speech, Minamoto Tamako felt as refreshed as drinking a large cold soda in the peak of summer.
However, Fushimi Roku did not show the shock she expected. He merely shrugged and didn't even glance at her:
"Let's just assume so."
Minamoto Tamako frowned, feeling Fushimi Roku was being stubborn. She grumbled: "Did I say anything wrong?"
"No."
"Then I didn't imagine it wrongly, you're not worth that price!" Minamoto Tamako felt she might have overstepped, but unwilling to admit fault, she crossed her arms and turned away: "Ten Thousand Yen is too high, I'll only offer 50,000 Yen!"
At the mention of money, Fushimi Roku's expression changed.
He sighed, lamenting that in pay-for-knowledge scenarios, there are too few who recognize true value.
Such talk of 'I can do that too,' he had heard countless times in his previous life, nearly developing PTSD.
"In that case, let me give you a free lesson." Fushimi Roku put down his paintbrush.
"Hmm? Are you not convinced?"
Minamoto Tamako licked her lips. She loved debating segments like this. Since elementary school, she had a meticulous logical ability that often rendered her opponents speechless.
"Indeed, my guess doesn't logically hold up, but do you have evidence to refute my guess?" Fushimi Roku asked.
"No need for evidence, just a logical deduction..."
"Does that help solve the case? You're just 'deducing to refute me,' you've said so much, do you have a direction for the investigation?" Fushimi Roku leaned forward, arms crossed, like a hunting wolf: "Continuing like this, it's merely an intellectual contest, isn't it?"
This was the first time in her life that Minamoto Tamako was at a loss for words.
But Fushimi Roku wasn't about to let her off: "Since you're so confident in your deductive skills, why don't we play a deduction game?"
"What game?"
Minamoto Tamako was a bit surprised, unsure of what he was up to.
"Pick someone, have them think of a murder case, we ask questions to which they can only answer 'yes' or 'no.' The first to deduce the truth wins."
The game Fushimi Roku referred to is the later well-known "turtle soup."
This game originated from the "Mystery Wonders" message board of Japan's internet forum 2ch. Not many surfed the web back then, but Minamoto Tamako knew the original and excitedly said:
"Isn't that 'lateral thinking puzzles'? Solving scenarios with 'yes' or 'no,' I didn't expect you've read Sloan's books... alright, I accept your challenge!"
"What's the fun in just winning or losing? Let's add a wager," Fushimi Roku squinted: "How about we bet Ten Thousand Yen?"
"Eh? Gambling?" Minamoto Tamako immediately became cautious.
"What, are you scared?" Fushimi Roku raised his eyebrows.
"Gambling is illegal, public servants are prohibited from gambling." Minamoto Tamako replied earnestly.
No wonder her criminal index is only one percent...
Fushimi Roku had to rephrase: "If I win, you must pay the Ten Thousand Yen fee; if you win, I'll pay you a Ten Thousand Yen instruction fee, how about it?"
"No bet." Minamoto Tamako firmly refused.
Fushimi Roku mentally noted: "Fine, no bet then, go find someone to present a riddle, and we'll finish this quickly."
"Eh? Me?" Minamoto Tamako pointed at her own nose.
"Who else?"
"Then forget it..." Minamoto Tamako was socially anxious.
"Really can't do anything with you," Fushimi Roku stood up, looked around, and approached a male student who had finished his portrait assignment for help.
Minamoto Tamako quietly peeked out, seeing Fushimi Roku pointing at her while negotiating with the other party, she quickly ducked behind the drawing board.
Moments later, a reserved, buzz-cut male student sat over.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Shiseki Hideo, pleased to meet you..." He bowed rather cautiously.
Fushimi Roku returned to his seat, briefly explaining the rules, then announced: "Alright, let's start."
Upon hearing, Minamoto Tamako focused completely and quickly got into the rhythm.
Hideo pondered for a moment, his eyes lit up, and presented the riddle:
"A blind boy walks into a restaurant, orders a bowl of turtle soup, and after drinking it, suddenly shoots himself. Why?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Minamoto Tamako raised her hand and said:
"How about another one? I've read this in a book—the answer is that the boy survived a shipwreck where his father made a 'turtle soup' out of his own flesh for the boy to survive. Later, in the restaurant, he drinks real turtle soup, finds the taste different, realizes the truth, and unable to bear it, he shoots himself."
"Wrong." Hideo said.
"Ah?"
Minamoto Tamako wondered if his answer was his original creation, innovating on usual riddles. That's quite novel...
This means no one knows the answer, a very fair deduction duel!