Seeing Kurona and Nashiro sit across from him with cold expressions, Byakuya felt a twinge of awkwardness himself.
He hadn't meant to mock them maliciously.
Though... while it wasn't malicious, it was definitely intentional.
The twins said nothing, acting as if Byakuya across from them was invisible—like he was just empty air.
"Sorry about that. I was just running my mouth earlier. I didn't mean anything bad by it."
When an apology was warranted, Byakuya gave one. He didn't consider it beneath him.
"..."
Both sisters looked genuinely surprised.
They hadn't expected him to actually apologize—and so quickly, too.
"It's too late for that now. Your provocation earlier—Nashiro and I have already accepted it."
Kurona's tone remained cold.
There was no way she and Nashiro would just pretend the whole thing never happened.
The rivalry had been established. They were determined to compete with Byakuya to the end.
Though the twins' attitudes hadn't exactly warmed up, at least they weren't treating him like he didn't exist anymore. His apology had accomplished something.
"Alright then..."
Byakuya didn't push further.
He simply lowered his head and continued eating.
"Kurona... I'm Yasuhisa Kurona."
Suddenly, Kurona spoke up.
"Hm?"
Byakuya looked up, confused.
"I'm telling you to remember the name of your rival: Yasuhisa Kurona."
Her tone stayed cool.
Compared to her sister, Nashiro seemed less composed about it, a hint of embarrassment in her voice: "I-I'm Yasuhisa Nashiro."
"Got it. I introduced myself during class earlier, but I'll say it again properly—I'm Amaha Byakuya."
Byakuya said, then added: "Though if I call both of you 'Yasuhisa-san,' it might get confusing... that could be a problem."
In Japan, classmates typically addressed each other by surname. Using someone's given name was reserved for close friends—like calling him "Byakuya-kun" or just "Byakuya."
"Just use our full names."
Kurona didn't care much for such formalities.
"Works for me."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
After that, there wasn't much more conversation between him and the Yasuhisa sisters. Once they finished lunch, everyone went their separate ways.
...
The afternoon consisted of theory classes, which ended early—similar to his schedule at Kamii University.
Trainees typically stayed behind for additional self-directed physical training.
The Academy provided room and board, though students could choose to live off-campus if they preferred.
Byakuya left early. He saw no point in staying for standard physical training—at his current level, it would barely make a difference.
He took the subway home and rested for a while, then decided to drop by Anteiku despite the late hour.
By the time Byakuya arrived at the café, it was already 4 PM.
The moment he stepped inside, he spotted familiar faces—Rize Kamishiro and Ken Kaneki.
"Um... Amaha-kun."
Byakuya had been heading toward Rize when Kaneki called out to him.
He changed direction and walked over to Kaneki instead. "What's up, Kaneki-kun?"
"Did you hear about Takatsuki-sensei's fan meet-and-greet? It's coming up soon."
Kaneki's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"..."
Byakuya paused. He actually hadn't been paying attention to that.
"If you're free and interested, want to come with me?"
Kaneki extended the invitation.
Hide wasn't into books, and besides Byakuya, Kaneki didn't really have anyone else to ask. Attending with a fellow fan would be much more fun than going alone.
"...Sure, I don't see why not."
Byakuya mentally checked his schedule. The Academy's classes didn't conflict with the timing of Sen Takatsuki's event.
He wasn't particularly excited about meeting Takatsuki—after all, he already knew who she really was. But accompanying Kaneki seemed harmless enough.
"Great!"
Kaneki's face lit up. "I won't keep you then—I should get going myself."
He knew Byakuya would want to spend time with his girlfriend, so he didn't want to take up too much of his time.
"See you."
Byakuya gave a brief wave.
Then he turned and saw Rize beckoning him over.
The moment he sat down beside her, Rize leaned in close and started sniffing him.
After a while, she finally asked: "Why are you so late today?"
"Had more classes than usual. You know I'm a student."
Byakuya didn't plan on telling Rize about the CCG Academy, so he kept his explanation vague.
"Is that so~? But I smell something... unusual on you."
Rize smiled as she spoke.
But that smile held an edge of danger.
"What kind of smell?"
Byakuya asked.
Could she have detected the scent of firearms on him?
"A faint ghoul scent—probably from a kagune? But it's strangely weak."
Rize analyzed the odor.
Now Byakuya understood. It must be the Q Bullets—special ammunition made from ghoul kagune. The fact that they'd been processed into bullets would explain why the scent was so faint.
Rize had picked up the trace of another ghoul on Byakuya, and even though it was barely perceptible, she wasn't pleased.
Because Byakuya belonged exclusively to her. She wouldn't allow any other ghoul to touch him.
Of course, when she thought of him as her "possession," she meant it in terms of food.
"I forgot to make this clear earlier, but you belong to me. I don't want anyone else getting a taste of you. Understand?"
Rize murmured into Byakuya's ear, her tone willful and commanding—brooking no refusal.