"No, that was just your imagination."
Ihei Byakuya said without blushing or losing his composure.
At the same time, he thought to himself that Eto really was precocious beyond her years.
Although Eto was deliberately acting like a human little girl, there was really no need to act to this extent...
"I don't believe you at all. You definitely went easy on that [Pumpkin Head], otherwise you would have already caught her last time."
Yoshimura Eto immediately said.
"That time was because keeping her around was still useful. Tonight she was the one who lured out another A-rank ghoul, the [Barber]. Before long, I'll have another A-rank Quinque in my hands."
Ihei Byakuya said righteously.
"Forget it. Tonight you still have to read to me until I'm satisfied, and I'll forgive you for now."
Yoshimura Eto made her demand.
"Alright, alright."
Ihei Byakuya was somewhat helpless, but he did not look unwilling.
"Speaking of which, you're much more cheerful now than you were at the beginning."
Byakuya casually said.
"That's because we didn't really know each other at first..."
Yoshimura Eto explained.
"That's true..."
Ihei Byakuya let the topic drop.
Because if this topic went any deeper, it would not be good for either him or Eto.
The way they got along now was rather strange.
Yoshimura Eto believed that Byakuya knew absolutely nothing about her identity and tried her best to act like a normal human girl.
Meanwhile, Ihei Byakuya knew Eto's identity and background very well, yet had to act as if he was completely unaware.
In short, this way of getting along was not only strange but also a bit eerie, but for the time being, there were no problems...
After that, the two of them lay on the bed together as usual and read.
Yoshimura Eto could recognize more and more characters now, but she still liked having Byakuya read to her.
As for sleeping at night, from that day onward they also slept together.
Because Eto would fall asleep as soon as she got sleepy, and Byakuya was too lazy to specially carry Eto back to her bedroom.
Although Eto's sleeping posture was not very good, every morning there was a certain chance that Byakuya would be stepped on in the face by Eto's little feet, and occasionally they would almost get stuffed straight into his mouth...
But at least there was no need to worry about suddenly getting stabbed by Eto in the middle of the night...
...
The next day, early morning.
Ward 20, the Antique Coffee Shop.
Uruka Minami woke up in the second-floor lounge.
Her first feeling was that her body felt much better than yesterday.
The main reason was the pack of meat Yoshimura Kuzen gave her last night.
Although not-fresh human meat did not help much in increasing strength, it was still fine for filling her stomach and promoting recovery from injuries.
Especially the injury to her Kakuhou had improved a lot. With a few more days of proper rest, it would probably be almost fully healed.
Uruka Minami was preparing to go to school. When she went downstairs, she planned to thank Manager Yoshimura again.
However, when Uruka Minami walked downstairs, she discovered that there was more than just Manager Yoshimura in the coffee shop.
There was also a young man with a big nose, slicked-back hair, and light brown hair, as well as a young woman with long black hair, a tall figure, and delicate features.
Obviously, this man and woman were also employees of this coffee shop, and both were wearing relatively formal work attire.
Because it was very early, the Antique Coffee Shop had just opened, and there were no customers yet. Only Manager Yoshimura and these two employees were inside.
"Ah, you must be the girl the Manager mentioned, right?"
Seeing Uruka Minami come down from upstairs, the big-nosed man immediately spoke up.
"Your voice is so loud, don't scare the young lady. What a reckless man."
The black-haired woman immediately showed her dislike toward the big-nosed man.
Although he was being disliked, the big-nosed man did not seem to mind at all and scratched his head with a grin. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't scare you, did I?"
"No, not at all."
Uruka Minami shook her head.
"These two are both members of the Anteiku, and also employees of this coffee shop, Koma and Irimi."
At this time, Yoshimura Kuzen introduced them to Uruka Minami.
Koma Enji and Irimi Kaya were both veteran members of the Anteiku.
As early as when Yoshimura Kuzen established the Anteiku, they had already been following by his side.
Irimi Kaya, Koma Enji.
"Oh, Koma-san, Irimi-san, nice to meet you. Please take care of me."
Uruka Minami greeted them politely.
"Hello. We've already heard about your situation from Yoshimura-san. If you need anything in the future, you can also come to us for help."
Irimi Kaya said to Uruka Minami in a very friendly manner.
Of course, Yoshimura Kuzen did not tell Irimi Kaya and Koma Enji everything. For example, he did not mention that half-human of the Washuu Clan...
"Thank you, Irimi-san."
Uruka Minami nodded.
"Have you heard the story of the [Devil Ape]? You can rely on us with confidence."
Koma Enji puffed out his big nose, looking very much like he was bragging.
Uruka Minami laughed and did not say anything.
Because she had never heard of the "Devil Ape" that Koma-san was talking about.
Perhaps it was some kind of code name given to Koma-san by the CCG?
At this moment, Uruka Minami had no idea that the three people in front of her were not ordinary ghouls as she understood them...
"Alright, stop wasting her time. She still has to go to school."
Irimi Kaya rolled her eyes at Koma Enji.
"It's fine. Speaking of which, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Uruka Minami."
Uruka Minami said with a smile.
"Minami-chan, you can also come by often to drink coffee in the future."
Yoshimura Kuzen said kindly.
"Yes. The coffee last night was very delicious. Thank you for the hospitality."
After saying that, Uruka Minami left the Antique Coffee Shop.
After Uruka Minami left, the three of them continued talking.
"What a cute little girl. I hope she can properly integrate into human society."
Irimi Kaya sighed.
"Miss Minami can attend school together with human students. She's probably already integrating quite well."
Koma Enji said.
"We probably don't need to worry, because there's already someone who cares about her..."
Yoshimura Kuzen said slowly.
"Oh? Does Yoshimura-san mean that she's already involved with a human?"
Irimi Kaya immediately asked curiously.
Yoshimura Kuzen gently shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either, but probably something like that."
"A story of a human and a ghoul falling in love? That's really hard to imagine."
Koma Enji's tone carried a bit of amazement.
"Let us bless them..."
Yoshimura Kuzen did not say anything more.
As he spoke, he suddenly thought of his own daughter, and his expression grew heavier.
It had already been twelve years. Now Eto was almost the same age as that little Minami...