"Now that we're done, go back to your own room to sleep."
Seeing that Rize had no intention of getting off the bed, Byakuya reminded her directly.
But he got no response. Finding this strange, he turned to look and found Rize with her eyes closed, apparently asleep.
He didn't believe she could fall asleep that quickly. "Stop pretending. If you want to sleep, go back to your own room."
Rize showed no reaction whatsoever, remaining perfectly still.
After all, you can never wake someone who's pretending to sleep.
"I refuse to believe I can't do anything about you."
Byakuya wasn't about to let this slide.
But he certainly wouldn't use force. Instead, his hands reached toward Rize's underarms.
The "sleeping" Rize immediately reacted.
She tried to hold back her laughter but quickly failed, letting out a sound caught between suppressed giggles and gasps. Her body trembled slightly.
Unable to bear it, she grabbed both his wrists.
"So you were faking it. Can't keep up the act now, can you?"
Byakuya smiled faintly.
"I never realized you could be so mean."
Rize shot him a resentful look.
"If you hadn't been pretending to sleep and refusing to leave, I wouldn't have resorted to this."
She had no choice but to return to her own room—she didn't want him to do that to her again.
As she left, Byakuya suddenly realized that Rize was quite ticklish. Perhaps this was a weakness worth exploiting?
...
The next day.
Byakuya went directly to the CCG Main Office in Ward 1 for his Rank 1 Investigator written exam and interview.
The written exam, needless to say, was a breeze. He passed with near-perfect scores; the only deduction came from an essay section where perfect marks were virtually impossible.
"You passed the written exam flawlessly. You're the most formidable newcomer I've ever seen."
The examiner couldn't help but marvel.
He'd heard about this rookie eliminating a "half-kakuja," but hadn't expected such outstanding performance on the written portion as well.
A passing score of 60 on an exam where this candidate had scored 99—losing only one point on the final essay.
Byakuya nodded slightly without saying much.
The interview came next.
A First Class Investigator he didn't recognize conducted the interview, which concluded within minutes.
After all, this was just a Rank 1 promotion interview—hardly meant to be grueling.
Overall, Byakuya felt the written exam would be more challenging for most investigators.
Many had begun specialized training at the Academy from a young age, which meant their general education and study skills tended to be mediocre.
That very day, Byakuya's status changed.
From Rank 2 Investigator to Rank 1 Investigator.
And that wasn't all—he'd also triggered the system's reward mechanism.
[Ding! Host promoted to "Rank 1 Investigator." Reward: 20 Fusion Points!]
If things continued this way, future promotions to First Class, Associate Special Class, and even Special Class Investigator would bring more Fusion Points.
Byakuya's reputation was gradually spreading within the CCG. Compared to his initial obscurity, he'd now achieved modest fame.
...
While Byakuya was taking his exams, Rize was at Anteiku reading a book.
Touka and the others noticed she'd come alone—Byakuya wasn't with her. They decided this was their chance to ask her some questions.
Irimi approached to invite her. "Kamishiro-san, might we have a word?"
"Oh? What can I do for you?"
Rize asked with a smile.
"There's something we'd like to ask you about."
Rize didn't refuse, following Irimi to the second floor.
Downstairs, Yoshimura, Koma, Yomo, and the newly added Ryouko could handle the customers. Irimi and Touka conducted the conversation with Rize upstairs.
"What we want to know is—you're aware that the human named Amaha Byakuya is actually a ghoul investigator, aren't you?"
Touka asked directly.
In her mind, Rize definitely knew Byakuya was an investigator, so she didn't beat around the bush.
Rize's expression showed no surprise—Byakuya had already told her he'd revealed his identity.
"That's right. I do know."
Rize admitted with an unchanged smile.
Touka's pupils contracted slightly. "So you really have been getting close to him on purpose. I didn't expect ordinary humans couldn't satisfy you anymore—you've actually set your sights on a ghoul investigator..."
This confirmed her earlier suspicions.
"So what if I have? Are you going to feel sympathy for a ghoul investigator? That would be laughable—childish, like kids who don't understand anything~"
Rize mocked her casually.
She rarely showed this side of herself around Byakuya, but she'd always had a sharp tongue and a dark streak. Tsukiyama had been thoroughly triggered by her once before.
Knowing full well the truth was different, she deliberately played along with Touka's misunderstanding to toy with her.
"..."
Touka's brow furrowed with displeasure.
But rather than snapping back, she said: "I just don't want you bringing more trouble to Ward 20. If you really eat that investigator, the CCG will definitely send more investigators as reinforcements. The mess you create would fall on us to deal with."
"Touka-chan, aren't you overstepping a bit?"
Rize's tone grew colder, her smile taking on a chilling edge. "Whether I like him or want to eat him, whether I stay in Ward 20 or anywhere else—that's my freedom."
Whether she was genuinely annoyed or still toying with Touka was anyone's guess.
This pushed Touka over the edge. She shot up from her seat, her face cold. "You're the one who shouldn't push it."
"Touka, calm down a bit..."
Irimi tried to intervene.
But Rize only escalated further.
Not only did she show no intention of apologizing, she rose to leave, tossing out one last contemptuous yet amused remark:
"I don't have time to play your boring little house games. My darling is waiting for me at home~"