"Seems like it, right? After all, we are classmates."
Ihei Byakuya explained casually.
"..."
Mado Kasuka was momentarily left speechless.
Even if they were classmates, that did not mean they had to be together all the time.
"The main issue now is that your investigator identity can no longer be hidden, and our investigation into [Pumpkin Head] can basically be declared a failure."
Mado Kasuka sighed.
However, she did not mean to blame Ihei Byakuya, because a student had been attacked by a ghoul.
The investigation mission regarding [Pumpkin Head] was certainly important, but saving people always took priority.
It was just a pity that the task of investigating [Pumpkin Head] could now be considered wasted effort.
Now that Ihei Byakuya's investigator identity had been exposed in front of ordinary students, he could no longer continue lurking in the school.
That [Pumpkin Head] would definitely not sit and wait for death. If it merely fled, that would still be manageable, but it was very likely to launch a proactive attack, and then Byakuya would be in danger.
Moreover, even though they had not captured [Pumpkin Head], Byakuya had already exterminated the A-rank [Barber] and tonight's B-rank ghoul, which was already a very good result.
"Withdraw from school tomorrow. From now on, try to act together with me as much as possible, to avoid retaliation from [Pumpkin Head]."
Mado Kasuka said with a serious expression.
"..."
Ihei Byakuya was just about to say something.
But Uruka Minami, standing to the side, could not hold herself back any longer.
"Big sister! Can you not make Ihei withdraw from school...?"
Uruka Minami spoke up immediately.
Hearing this, Mado Kasuka looked at Uruka Minami with some confusion.
"Minami, right? Have you still not realized the identities of Third-Class Ihei and me?"
Mado Kasuka asked in a calm tone.
"I know. You are investigators, right? And you are lurking in this school to investigate a ghoul with the codename [Pumpkin Head]..."
Uruka Minami lowered her head slightly. "Now there is no longer any need for that, because I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Uruka Minami was suddenly covered over the mouth by Ihei Byakuya.
"..."
Ihei Byakuya did not speak. He simply looked straight into Uruka Minami's eyes.
It seemed that he could communicate with her through his gaze alone.
Seeing this scene, Mado Kasuka's expression changed subtly.
Combined with what the girl had just said, her strong intuition made her seem to have sensed something.
Her hand began to move slowly, reaching toward her Quinque.
"Third-Class Ihei, please step back..."
Mado Kasuka's tone sounded both like concern and like an order.
It was likely that as soon as Byakuya withdrew to a safe distance, Mado Kasuka would immediately take action against Uruka Minami.
Ihei Byakuya merely slowly released the hand covering Uruka Minami's mouth, turned toward Mado Kasuka, and gently shook his head.
The reason he had done that just now was to stop Uruka Minami from exposing herself as [Pumpkin Head] in front of so many people.
He also knew that such an obvious action would definitely arouse the suspicion of Associate Special-Class Mado, but that was still better than letting everyone know.
The specific details and reasons could be discussed slowly later.
At the same time, Fura Taishi on the other side was completely confused and could not understand what was going on at all.
Why did it feel like the atmosphere was not quite right?
"..."
Looking at Third-Class Ihei's unusual and strange behavior, Mado Kasuka thought calmly for a moment. "Explain everything to me properly tonight."
After leaving those words behind, she turned and left.
Now Mado Kasuka was actually not as worried about Ihei Byakuya's safety.
Because what had just happened was, in her eyes, clearly indicating that the girl was [Pumpkin Head], and Third-Class Ihei obviously already knew the girl's true identity.
As for why Third-Class Ihei was shielding that [Pumpkin Head], this was exactly what she wanted to know now.
"I'm sorry... I think I was too impulsive just now..."
Uruka Minami lowered her head and said softly.
When she heard that big sister telling Ihei Byakuya to withdraw from school, her mind overheated and she planned to expose herself directly.
Because if Ihei really withdrew from school, then with his investigator identity, it might become very difficult for them to have any chance to meet again in the future.
And the reason his superior wanted him to withdraw was precisely [Pumpkin Head], which was herself, so she thought she might as well expose her identity directly. After all, her remaining time was already limited.
She had not expected Ihei to suddenly step in and stop her, which also made her realize that she had caused trouble just now.
"It's fine. This was something that would happen sooner or later anyway."
Ihei Byakuya said in a low voice. "It's just that before dealing with [Centipede], I still do not want so many people around to know your true identity..."
"Mm..."
Uruka Minami nodded slightly.
"Then I need to go talk to my superior."
After saying that, Ihei Byakuya prepared to go over to Associate Special-Class Mado.
"I want to go with you. This matter started because of me."
Uruka Minami said immediately.
"That's fine."
Ihei Byakuya said.
After that, on the wide and empty school field, Ihei Byakuya and Uruka Minami found Mado Kasuka.
"Associate Special-Class Mado, Minami and I came together."
Ihei Byakuya said.
"Then I will get straight to the point. She is [Pumpkin Head], right?"
Mado Kasuka said bluntly.
"Yes."
Byakuya nodded.
"I am the [Pumpkin Head] you are trying to capture."
Uruka Minami also directly revealed her Kakugan, though her kagune did not emerge along with it, showing that she had no hostile intent.
Mado Kasuka, who had already anticipated this, showed no surprise on her face. Instead, with a grave gaze, she asked Ihei Byakuya, "Third-Class Ihei, why do you shield a ghoul?"
"The extermination of [Barber] before, and the cleaner ghoul today, both owed a great deal to Minami's contribution."
Ihei Byakuya spoke very directly.
"Originally, among the dangerous ghouls in the 13th Ward, aside from [Pumpkin Head], there were [Barber] and [Centipede]. Now only [Centipede] remains. I want to use Minami's strength to eliminate [Centipede] in one go as well."
"..."
At this moment, a faint light flickered in Uruka Minami's Kakugan.
Even at this point, Ihei was still willing to call her "Minami"...
"...I understand."
Mado Kasuka's expression was still serious, but her tone had softened somewhat. "In that case, she can actually atone through merit. When it truly comes time to punish her, it can be handled more leniently."
At the very least, Third-Class Ihei had not defected to the ghoul side, otherwise this would be a very serious issue.
"But you must remember this. Even if she is your girlfriend, you must never indulge her in harming humans in the future."
Mado Kasuka warned solemnly.