Byakuya walked out of the laboratory carrying the briefcase.
"Looks like everything's settled."
Koori had been waiting at the entrance.
"Mm."
"Normally we'd proceed to our next mission, but right now the CCG is preoccupied with Aogiri Tree's forceful occupation of Ward 11. A large-scale raid against them will be launched soon."
"According to orders from above, we'll be among the primary combat personnel. Until then, we're to hold off on regular missions and stay in peak condition."
"This is actually a good opportunity for you to complete your Rank 1 Investigator interview and written exam. Barring any surprises, with your achievement of eliminating a 'half-kakuja,' passing the exam and interview should guarantee your promotion."
Koori outlined the upcoming situation.
"Alright. I'll prepare for the promotion then."
With Koori's help, Byakuya obtained the study materials needed for the Rank 1 Investigator written exam.
Going through these materials would essentially guarantee passing the written portion. As for the interview, that would depend on his performance in the moment.
Afterward, Byakuya returned to Ward 20 with the materials and his Quinque.
...
Ward 20, Anteiku.
When the coffee shop closed for the night, no other customers remained. Unusually, the staff hadn't gone home yet.
Instead, they'd gathered on the second floor to discuss certain matters.
"That human boy named Amaha Byakuya—he's really the investigator who eliminated 'Yamori'?"
"Touka-chan wouldn't joke about something like this. I never saw that kid carrying a Quinque around. Never thought he'd actually be an investigator."
"Still, being so young and able to defeat 'Yamori'—that's genuinely impressive."
"..."
They'd already learned of Byakuya's identity as a CCG investigator from Touka.
"That guy's been pretty civil toward Ryouko-san, Hinami-chan, and me, but we should still do our best to keep him from discovering Anteiku's true nature."
Touka spoke up.
"Agreed. If the CCG found out I was once the famous 'Devil Ape,' they definitely wouldn't let me off."
Koma Enji joked with a hint of bravado.
Irimi didn't bother acknowledging his boast. "Looks like we'll need to be more careful from now on. He comes to the shop so often—we can't let him notice anything."
Speaking of Byakuya's frequent visits, Irimi suddenly thought of something. "Come to think of it, doesn't Kamishiro Rize seem to have a pretty good relationship with that kid? What's that about?"
"According to what he said, he doesn't know who the 'Binge Eater' is. Meaning he probably thinks Rize is just an ordinary human girl."
Touka explained.
"Kamishiro-san has been getting close to an investigator for this long without being exposed..."
Irimi was astonished.
"Seems like ordinary humans don't satisfy her anymore. She's switched her hunting target to something more thrilling—ghoul investigators."
Koma speculated.
"..."
Yoshimura listened silently without speaking.
Among those at Anteiku, he undoubtedly understood the current situation best.
Yoshimura had probably realized that Anteiku's peaceful days were about to end...
As for Yomo, he wasn't at the coffee shop—he was handling other matters.
...
Meanwhile, Byakuya was in his room studying the exam materials.
Making sure no one would disturb him, he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.
However, he wasn't using it for anything critical—just memorizing the exam materials.
With the Mangekyo Sharingan active, he could read ten lines at a glance and remember everything perfectly. His memorization efficiency was now maxed out—pure cheating.
Even Byakuya himself hadn't expected that his first use of the Mangekyo Sharingan would be for studying...
In less than one evening, he'd committed all the material firmly to memory.
Just as he was about to rest, he heard a knock at the door.
His Mangekyo Sharingan deactivated as he opened the door.
There stood Rize, apparently fresh from bathing. Water droplets still clung to her skin, and she wore only a thin nightgown, her undergarments faintly visible beneath the fabric.
"It's... about time for that thing again, isn't it?"
A blush crept across Rize's face, as if she were embarrassed to be asking.
"..."
Byakuya immediately guessed what she meant. "If I remember correctly, it's only been a few days since last time?"
"But I want it."
Rize went straight to pouting.
And it didn't sound forced or awkward at all—rather, it made Byakuya's scalp tingle.
"You're really... Fine. One sip. That's it."
Her pouting got him to compromise, though only slightly.
The "thing" in question was drinking his blood.
Rize's appetite was simply too great—it had only been a few days.
"Yay! I love you the most, darling~"
"Your love is pretty cheap..."
Byakuya couldn't help but quip.
Rize then flopped directly onto his bed, patting the mattress to invite him over.
Byakuya took his time tidying the materials on his desk first, then went to her.
He lay on his side, back facing her.
Rize embraced him from behind, pressing close against his back. Her fangs found the same spot as before—the trapezius muscle between neck and shoulder.
This time she bit cleanly, controlling the pressure perfectly—just enough to draw blood.
She didn't bite any deeper, instead greedily beginning to drink.
Since Byakuya's physical condition had improved significantly since last time, the pain was much reduced. Her bite barely registered as uncomfortable.
But he wasn't about to indulge her. He'd said one sip, and he wouldn't allow a second.
"Alright, that's one."
He patted her head gently.
Only then did Rize reluctantly release him.
Byakuya didn't need to treat the wound—it was already healing.
After a while, he noticed something was off. Rize seemed to have settled in on his bed with no intention of leaving...