Aside from Yoshimura Kuzen, the SSS-rated ghoul, the true identities of the other two clerks at [Anteiku] were also far from simple.
Before Yoshimura Kuzen came to Ward 20, Ward 20 had once been ruled by two big ghoul groups, [Apes] and [Black Doberman].
The leaders of these two ghoul groups were [Devil Ape] and [Black Dog] respectively, both beings listed by the CCG as SS-rated ghouls.
And [Devil Ape] and [Black Dog] were precisely the two clerks at "Anteiku", Koma Enji and Irimi Kaya.
Originally, the two bigger groups had always been enemies, slaughtering each other endlessly, until one day Yoshimura Kuzen arrived in Ward 20.
At first, neither Koma Enji nor Irimi Kaya took this newly arrived old man seriously, and then the scene suddenly shifted to both of them being influenced by Yoshimura Kuzen and following him with unwavering loyalty from that point on.
What exactly happened in between was probably that they were convinced by Yoshimura Kuzen through virtue.
"Alright, if they get bullied, I hope I can protect them."
Uruka Minami said with a serious expression.
"...Do your best."
Ihei Byakuya did not tell Uruka Minami the cruel truth. "In short, try not to attack humans anymore. If you need to feed, go to Anteiku."
"Mm..."
Uruka Minami nodded. "Come to think of it, Ihei, you really are caring about me, right?"
Faced with this question, Ihei Byakuya said expressionlessly, "That's not the case."
"Is that so...?"
Uruka Minami had already begun to feel somewhat doubtful.
After all, if Ihei really were as cold and heartless as he appeared on the surface, he would not have warned her or given her this kind of advice.
Uruka Minami stared straight into Byakuya's eyes, as if trying to see something within them.
But Ihei Byakuya was also on guard, not letting Uruka Minami detect any hint of doubt.
At this time, Byakuya had also almost finished eating his bento.
"It's about time to go back to the classroom."
Just as Ihei Byakuya was about to stand up,
he was stopped by Uruka Minami beside him.
"Can you stay and chat with me a little longer? Class won't start that soon."
"Chat about what?"
Ihei Byakuya asked directly.
"For example, why did you become a ghoul investigator? This job is very dangerous, right? Were you once harmed by my kind?"
Uruka Minami asked.
She really wanted to know more about Ihei.
"No. I didn't become a ghoul investigator for any special reason."
Ihei Byakuya said truthfully.
After all, this was an identity arranged for him by the system. As long as he was a half-human from Sunlit Garden, there were only two paths.
One was to become a CCG ghoul investigator, and the other was to become a black-clad assassin of the V Organization. Both served the Washuu Clan, and there was no great difference between them.
"I see..."
Uruka Minami said. "You suddenly transferred to this school just to investigate me, right?"
"Yes. My mission is to investigate [Pumpkin Head]."
Ihei Byakuya nodded.
"Then... after you're done using me, you'll probably arrest me and lock me up, right?"
When asking this question, a smile was visible on Uruka Minami's face.
"Probably..."
Ihei Byakuya really had not thought much about this issue.
According to CCG rules, as the person responsible for this mission, he was supposed to arrest [Pumpkin Head], that is, Uruka Minami.
But if Uruka Minami assisted the CCG in capturing or exterminating other ghouls, then logically the situation would change again.
What exactly it would turn into, even he was not sure.
"Then it looks like I should cherish this last bit of time..."
Uruka Minami's tone was fairly relieved.
Once taken by the CCG, it was said that one would never be able to come out again for the rest of their life.
Although there was inevitably some unwillingness in her heart, she did not harbor any resentment.
After all, if Ihei had not saved her last night, she would already have died at the hands of that [Barber].
No matter what, at least she was still alive now, and still had a chance to do some things she wanted to do.
"I still have quite a lot of regrets that I haven't fulfilled."
Uruka Minami said.
"Such as?"
Ihei Byakuya asked casually, a bit curious.
"Such as... falling in love once? I've never tasted that feeling before..."
As she spoke, Uruka Minami gave a self-mocking smile. "But being a ghoul and yet longing to live a life like a human's, do you also think that's ridiculous?"
"Not at all."
Ihei Byakuya shook his head.
"...Really?"
Uruka Minami was immediately surprised and froze for a moment.
She felt that Ihei did not look like he was comforting her, and she did not expect that he genuinely thought this way.
"Aside from not being allowed to kill people casually, in my view none of Minami's actions are laughable."
Ihei Byakuya said calmly.
Uruka Minami was immediately moved. "Ihei... you really are different from other investigators. I don't feel any disgust toward ghouls from you at all."
"..."
Ihei Byakuya fell silent for a moment.
Because for a while he did not know how to respond to Uruka Minami's words.
However, even though Uruka Minami had noticed this, it did not pose any problem for him.
Because the Sunlit Garden never trained half-humans to mindlessly hate ghouls. One had to know that the Washuu Clan itself was composed of ghouls. They would not lift a stone only to smash their own feet.
What the Washuu Clan needed were killing machines that obeyed orders absolutely.
For example, the very purpose of the V Organization's existence was to do dirty work specifically for the Washuu Clan.
Regardless of whether the target was human or ghoul, as long as it threatened the Washuu Clan's rule, it would be eliminated by the V Organization.
At this moment, Uruka Minami suddenly leaned lightly against Byakuya's shoulder, just like last night.
"Ihei, stay with me a little longer... okay?"
"Mm..."
Ihei Byakuya did not refuse.
"Actually, I've always tried my best to avoid harming the people around me. I really want to live a normal, peaceful life like humans do, but every time I enter a 'hunger' state, I can't control myself..."
Uruka Minami could not help softly confiding in Byakuya. "I can only try to prey on people who have nothing to do with me, especially those bastards who clearly have the right to live peaceful lives, yet don't study properly and don't live properly."
Toward the end, Uruka Minami's tone grew heavier and heavier.
Clearly, she held extremely strong opinions about those delinquents.
"I've always felt that peaceful time when nothing happens is extremely precious, but those bastards don't care about it at all. I think they deserve to die."
Uruka Minami spoke the truth in her heart.
This was probably the main reason why all the victims of [Pumpkin Head] shared the common trait of being "delinquents".
As a transmigrator, Ihei Byakuya already understood Uruka Minami's experiences and inner thoughts, so his expression did not change much.
"I can understand your thinking, but it is too extreme. No one has the right to arbitrarily deprive others of their lives. The act of taking life can only be called sin."
Byakuya tried to make Uruka Minami realize the extremity of her way of thinking.
That final line, "deprivation is sin", was also a famous saying of Yoshimura Kuzen.
"..."
Uruka Minami fell silent for a while. "I won't attack humans anymore. Before being locked up, I want to do more meaningful things."
Leaning against Byakuya's shoulder, she slowly closed her eyes. "And right now, I'm really enjoying this rare sense of safety and peace..."