Before him stood a young woman with a beautiful face and a tall, full figure.
In the original story, Aura Kiyoko was one of the few Special-Class Investigators in the CCG, and right now she looked only a little over twenty.
This was fourteen or twelve years before the main timeline, and even at this time, Aura Kiyoko was already a Senior Investigator capable of handling missions independently.
Given the overall standards inside the CCG, becoming a Senior Investigator at around twenty years old meant she was a genius among geniuses.
This was also one of the reasons why Aura Kiyoko later reached the highest rank of "Special-Class Investigator."
Seeing Ihei Byakuya arrive, Aura Kiyoko set aside the work in her hands.
"Senior Investigator Aura, it's an honor to meet you."
Ihei Byakuya said immediately.
Clearly, Aura Kiyoko was his superior.
Of course, this was only his superior within the 13th Ward CCG branch, not a partner assigned to work with him.
Every ghoul investigator officially employed by the CCG must be assigned a partner.
It was basically the "senior guiding the junior" model.
"Senior" referred to members of the upper three ranks: Senior Investigator, Associate Special-Class, and Special-Class.
"Junior" referred to the lower three ranks: Third-Class, Second-Class, and First-Class.
Once the original junior was promoted to Senior Investigator, they would also have to begin guiding new recruits.
However, because Ihei Byakuya had only recently joined, the CCG had not assigned him a partner yet.
"Mm, I happen to be heading out. There isn't much I need to say to you, so let's talk as we walk."
Aura Kiyoko stood up.
"Understood."
Ihei Byakuya nodded slightly.
Yoshimura Eto had not been waiting long when she saw Ihei Byakuya come out again.
She was wondering what was happening, when another woman came out together with him.
"..."
Upon seeing Aura Kiyoko, Yoshimura Eto stiffened for a moment.
Because Aura Kiyoko looked to be over 170 cm tall, and her figure was quite full as well.
Her height and body formed a very stark contrast with Yoshimura Eto.
But Eto believed she would definitely continue to grow taller. Maybe not over 170 cm, but she should not end up much shorter than this woman.
But imagination was beautiful, and reality was cruel.
In the future, Yoshimura Eto's height would stop at 151 cm...
"Who is she...?"
At this moment Aura Kiyoko also noticed Yoshimura Eto.
This small girl who looked very young made Aura's first assumption that someone's child had wandered off.
"I saved her from ghouls earlier. Her family was killed by ghouls, and she refused to go to an orphanage, so I'm keeping her with me for now."
Ihei Byakuya explained.
"I see. That must be tough for you, working and taking care of a child at the same time."
Aura Kiyoko said.
"Not really. She's very well-behaved and doesn't need me to worry. And she's preparing to enter the Investigator Training Academy soon."
Ihei Byakuya said with a smile.
Hearing this, Aura Kiyoko looked a bit surprised. "She's still very young, isn't she? Yet she wants to become a Ghoul Investigator?"
"Yes. Seeing how determined she is, I didn't stop her."
Ihei Byakuya replied.
Aura Kiyoko nodded slightly. "It's indeed worth trying. The CCG has had investigators as young as her before, not just one or two cases."
What Aura Kiyoko didn't know was that those young investigators were mostly half-humans from the Sunlit Garden.
For example, in the Zero Squad led by Arima Kishou, Ihei Shio had already participated in the "Anteiku Extermination Operation" at age ten.
This included half-humans like Arima Kishou, Ihei Hairu, and Rikai Suzu, who all began working in the CCG while still underage.
In front of Aura Kiyoko, Yoshimura Eto appeared shy and afraid of strangers.
She only stood behind Byakuya and didn't speak to Aura Kiyoko.
This was obviously an act.
Aura Kiyoko found nothing strange about it.
And as she spoke with Ihei Byakuya about work, she did not deliberately ask Yoshimura Eto to leave, since none of it involved important secrets.
"Third-Class Ihei, regarding your partner, headquarters says they are still arranging it. It may take a few days before they assign one to you. Before that, you will continue patrolling the 13th Ward as usual. Try not to take on overly dangerous missions alone, especially since you do not yet have your own 'Quinque.' Facing ghouls is extremely dangerous."
Aura Kiyoko began discussing official matters.
"Understood."
Ihei Byakuya nodded slightly.
At the same time, he was also curious about who his assigned partner would eventually be...
"Until your partner is arranged, I recommend you patrol the area near Seishin High School. Ghoul activity in that area is relatively low, making it much safer for you."
Aura Kiyoko suggested.
"..."
Good grief...
Seishin High School...
Ihei Byakuya almost wanted to laugh out loud.
That was the high school Arima Kishou once attended, and the three most dangerous ghouls in the entire 13th Ward were hidden in that area.
They were [Pumpkin Head] Uruka Minami, the not-yet-blackened Oomori Yamori, and Katou Sumiharu.
The most troublesome one was the A+ rated [Pumpkin Head], practically approaching S-rated strength, and the only ghoul besides Kaneki Ken to ever injure Arima Kishou.
Although it was only a cut on the face, and Arima had been holding back the entire time.
Then again, Arima Kishou had also been holding back against Kaneki Ken, and one of his eyes was a glaucoma eye that could no longer see. It wasn't until he forced Kaneki into his full Kakuja form that he genuinely couldn't win anymore.
[Pumpkin Head]'s strength was extremely dangerous, but she hid herself very well inside the school, so the CCG had no intel on her at all. Aura Kiyoko mistakenly believed that area to be safe.
"This suggestion is great, but don't mention it again next time."
Of course, this was only Ihei Byakuya's inner complaint. He didn't actually say it aloud.
Even so, since he wanted to grow stronger as quickly as possible, he couldn't stay in comfortable places forever.
Dangerous areas would give him more chances to earn system points, which he could use to increase his attributes.
So joking aside, Aura Kiyoko's recommendation was actually excellent.
Ihei Byakuya walked with Aura Kiyoko all the way to the CCG entrance while they talked.
"Well then, I have things to do. You go take care of your own tasks too."
At the entrance, Aura Kiyoko parted ways with Byakuya.
"All right."
Byakuya nodded.
Shortly after Aura Kiyoko left, Yoshimura Eto suddenly said coldly beside him, "You sure seemed happy chatting with that big beauty, didn't you?"