Even though it was summer, cold sweat dripped down Nutcracker's back. In that instant, she felt as if she had plunged into a frozen abyss—her entire body locked in place, unable even to move a finger.
"Hayashi!"
The moment the twin sisters recognized the familiar silhouette, their eyes lit up. The fear and tension gripping their hearts melted instantly. After all, as long as Hayashi was here, there was nothing to worry about.
Somewhere along the way, they had developed a firm belief — there was nothing in this world Hayashi couldn't handle.
"Hayashi…"
Seeing the white-haired boy, Akira also exhaled deeply in relief. The weight pressing on her heart finally lifted. Though she would never admit it out loud, even she had come to recognize the overwhelming pressure Hayashi brought simply by existing.
"He's so handsome… Is this guy here to save us?"
A few of the women who were meant to be auctioned began whispering excitedly, their eyes sparkling.
"He's Investigator Hayashi from the CCG. If he's here, everything will be fine. Just wait a bit—he'll get us out."
Akira explained with quiet confidence.
"He's really a CCG investigator?"
"And he's this young? Plus he's cute—"
"Investigator, arrest me please~ I'm guilty~"
"Daddy~"
The women instantly started chattering with embarrassing enthusiasm.
"Quiet."
Akira's expression twitched slightly. Seriously? Just moments ago, they were on the verge of being dragged away by a ghoul.And now they were fangirling?
"Don't… don't talk about Hayashi…"
Even the twins couldn't help protesting, a faint pout visible in their eyes. Before they knew it, the suffocating fear lingering in the air had completely vanished—replaced by warmth and safety.
"My ten million… my five million… With that money I could've bought so many pretty clothes…"
Watching this carefree scene, Nutcracker bit her lip, her beautiful face flashing with resentment.
"That money is mine. No one can take it from me. They're mine. All mine!"
Fueled by emotion, her kagune exploded outward in a split-second. Her long tail shot toward the group of women with terrifying speed—faster than most could register.
"Not good!"
Akira immediately moved to shield them—
But at the moment the kagune was about to strike, it froze mid-air.
"Breathing… I can't breathe…"
Nutcracker clutched her throat, her lovely face twisting in pain.
"I told you," Hayashi said coldly, fingers tightening around her neck,
"don't lay a hand on my people."
He glanced at Akira and continued, "This whole place is surrounded by headquarters. Take everyone and get out. You'll run into other investigators on the way."
Akira nodded and prepared to leave with the group. But halfway up the stairs, she turned back.
"And what about you?"
"I'll settle things here. Go on. I'll be right behind you."
"…Very well. Come out quickly."
With that, she left.
Hayashi turned back to the ghoul before him.
"So now it's just the two of us."
Nutcracker stared at him — this breathtaking boy, calm and composed — just before his smile subtly shifted.
"But this isn't a good place for a conversation.Let's change locations."
The moment his words fell—
Hayashi slammed Nutcracker straight into the wall.
BOOM—
Debris and blood exploded outward. Nutcracker spat blood, her vision blurring as the scent of death washed over her.
The wall finally gave way, sending both of them crashing into a wider space.
As the familiar scent of human flesh reached her, Nutcracker's kagune flared violently. She lunged toward a nearby CCG corpse and began devouring it eagerly.
"Where is this…?"
Hayashi stood, looking around. The place was wide and echoing — likely an underground parking area or some kind of subterranean hall.
He then turned his gaze toward the seductive figure before him.
"That feeling… of coming back to life… It's wonderful…"
Nutcracker wiped her blood-stained lips, her aura surging from near-death back to full power in an instant.
"So you've recovered."
Hayashi nodded calmly, a faint smile ghosting on his lips.
"Good. I was wondering what to do if you died too fast.But since you're still kicking… perfect."
His eyes sharpened.
"Now we can really… talk."