After Ihei Byakuya was transferred to Ward 19, Yoshimura Eto had officially enrolled in the "Ghoul Investigator Training Academy."
Today, Byakuya personally escorted Eto to school.
He held Eto's small hand in his large one as they arrived at the gates of the Ghoul Investigator Training Academy.
Upon entering, the instructor in charge of reception repeatedly verified Eto's information, after all, she looked quite young.
The instructors at the "Academy" were all CCG ghoul investigators, and it was common for investigators to take on teaching duties here.
"Third-Class Investigator Ihei, this new student is your little sister?"
The instructor seemed to recognize Ihei Byakuya and chatted with him as they walked inside with Eto.
Byakuya had recently gained a small amount of fame within the CCG. On his first mission, he had completed a high-difficulty operation involving an A+ ghoul with exceptional efficiency.
According to Special-Class Investigator Mado, it had been solely Byakuya's accomplishment, and he had additionally exterminated two other A-rate ghouls.
"Mm."
Ihei Byakuya only nodded slightly, saying nothing further.
From the instructor's words, Byakuya could tell that Eto would receive some extra care because of him. That made him feel at ease.
Even if the instructor didn't provide extra attention, Eto's situation was such that he really didn't need to worry.
"Eto, I'll come back to pick you up after school today."
With that, Ihei Byakuya left.
...
Byakuya had thought that Eto at the Training Academy would not need him to worry.
But within a few days, he was "summoned as a guardian."
In the principal's office, Byakuya met with the Academy's principal.
"Third-Class Investigator Ihei, you are Eto's guardian, right?"
The principal looked somewhat troubled. "It's not that I want to interfere with your work, Third-Class Investigator, but you were the only one I could think to call."
Byakuya shook his head slightly. "It's fine, Principal. May I ask what happened?"
He glanced at Eto, who had an indifferent expression, as if she hadn't done anything at all.
It was unclear what exactly she had done to warrant the principal summoning him...
"You know our Ghoul Investigator Training Academy is adjacent to the Anti-Ghoul Education Facility. While we prevent students from casually interacting, we cannot completely forbid it."
The principal continued, "The problem now is that a fight occurred yesterday. Eto beat up several of the boys from the Anti-Ghoul Education Facility..."
Since most of the students at the Anti-Ghoul Education Facility came from orphanages, there were naturally quite a few problem children.
Perhaps Eto had been provoked first, but fighting at the Academy was a serious violation, which is why the principal had no choice but to call Byakuya.
"Eto, what exactly happened?"
Byakuya asked softly, turning to Eto. His tone carried no reproach; he had no intention of blaming her.
He believed Eto would not fight without a proper reason.
"Who told those little brats to bother me? I just said a few things to them, and they got all worked up. Am I not allowed to fight back?"
Eto said matter-of-factly.
"How did they bother you?"
Byakuya wanted to understand the details.
"One guy tried to hit on me. I just said a few words back, but those little brats can't handle it. That's all it takes for them to get so upset."
Eto's lips curved slightly, a cold, faint smile on her face.
Hit on...
Hearing such words from a younger girl like Eto, not only did the principal blink, even Byakuya had to suppress a smile.
"And then he brought people to retaliate, but you beat them all up?"
Byakuya could already anticipate the sequence of events.
In his impression, Eto was cunning and sharp-tongued. In the original timeline, even Furuta Nimura had been emotionally manipulated by her; a simple remark could strike at the deepest insecurities of a young boy.
So it wasn't surprising that these preteen boys ended up flustered and infuriated by her.
"Yeah. I don't think I did anything wrong."
Eto shrugged with a look of exasperation on her face.