Yes!
This was it!
Tsukiyama was internally elated. The expression on Byakuya's face was clearly that of someone utterly bewitched by Rize.
That woman was truly despicable, playing with people's emotions like this. He would grant Amaha-kun release!
Thrilled at his imminent success, Tsukiyama was getting excited.
Still, he did his best to suppress his excitement, fearing he might tip his hand and arouse suspicion.
"Then it's settled. The banquet is tonight. I'll come back around evening to collect you."
For now, he needed to prepare the "Ghoul Restaurant."
...
After Tsukiyama left, Byakuya remained seated, reading and drinking coffee as usual, seemingly unsuspicious of anything.
Touka had been watching the entire time. Though she hadn't heard their conversation clearly, knowing Tsukiyama's usual methods, she could guess what he was planning.
She was particularly struck by how untroubled Byakuya appeared.
If Byakuya had no guard up at all, Tsukiyama might actually succeed...
Though she found the guy annoying, Touka couldn't simply ignore this. She and Ryouko-san and Hinami all owed Byakuya their lives.
After internal debate, she decided to intervene.
She approached him and said quietly: "Do you know what kind of person that Tsukiyama is?"
"He's... Rize-san's friend?"
Even in front of Touka, Byakuya continued his act.
The Ghoul Restaurant was his current priority.
"...Idiot."
Touka immediately responded. "Kamishiro-san and that guy barely know each other. You believe everything he says?"
"Is that so? Well, it's still nice to learn even a little about Rize-san."
"That's why you're an idiot. You're a ghoul investigator, probably one of the CCG's elite. Didn't you notice Tsukiyama is a ghoul?"
Touka's tolerance for stupidity was reaching its limit. She directly revealed Tsukiyama's true identity.
He was going to attack Byakuya eventually anyway—this just meant Byakuya finding out sooner rather than later.
"I feel like you've gotten... dumber lately? You weren't like this when you eliminated 'Yamori.'"
Touka had this strange feeling.
Back then, when he'd revealed his investigator identity, he'd left a strong impression on her.
"Could it be... you've really been bewitched stupid by that woman?"
It suddenly occurred to her that Byakuya had mentioned Tsukiyama would share information about Rize.
So he'd accepted Tsukiyama's invitation for Rize's sake.
This was just...
Touka pressed her palm to her forehead. Though he was a strong investigator, he was still a teenage boy going through puberty? So easily wrapped around that bad woman's finger.
"Sigh... Is that woman really so great?"
"Never mind. Do what you want. I've said what I needed to say—don't blame me for not warning you when you regret it."
With that, she was done caring about his business.
She felt inexplicably annoyed—disappointed in Byakuya. He'd seemed so reliable when he saved them from "Yamori," even a little cool... Now he was completely lost to Rize.
"Thank you for the warning, Kirishima-san. But don't worry about me—you did mention I'm a ghoul investigator, after all."
Byakuya suddenly spoke with a light smile, as if everything was under control.
Hearing this tone, Touka turned back. Seeing his composed smile—as though everything was going according to plan—was completely different from a boy whose brain had been scrambled by a woman.
"...Good to know."
Touka understood then. She let out a soft "tch."
What was this guy...
And she'd actually been worried about him. Turned out he was deliberately walking into Tsukiyama's trap.
Still, Touka remained convinced that when it came to Rize, Byakuya was already caught.
Otherwise, so much time had passed—Byakuya and Rize visited the shop together almost daily like some little couple.
If Byakuya knew Rize's true identity, there was no reason to delay this long.
She couldn't reconcile such domestic games with "ghoul investigator."
...
At evening.
Tsukiyama arrived as promised.
He'd changed into a new suit, apparently valuing this new "friend" highly.
Touka had already been reassured by Byakuya. She didn't even glance at Tsukiyama as he led Byakuya away, treating him like thin air.
Tsukiyama didn't care about such things. He was long used to Touka's attitude. What mattered was that he was about to enjoy the incredible delicacy that was Byakuya.
And stolen right from Rize—the most satisfying form of revenge. He and Rize were both "Gourmet" and "Binge Eater" respectively, both valuing food above all else. Neither cared much for physical conflict.
While Tsukiyama was internally gloating, Byakuya's lips curved slightly upward.
He'd accepted this invitation for his own benefit.
Beyond system rewards, he could also randomly pick off some unfortunate souls at the "Ghoul Restaurant" to pad his achievements. After all, plenty of ghouls attended—including ghoul high society.