Kurona stared directly at Byakuya, awaiting his response.
She knew what answer she hoped to hear. Unlike her usual easily-embarrassed self, she seemed different now.
But she couldn't maintain it for long.
Meeting Byakuya's gaze while her mind raced with uncontrollable thoughts made Kurona's cheeks flush slightly as she looked away.
"Does there need to be a reason? I simply didn't want to see cute girls die in front of me. That would be too tragic."
Byakuya answered without hesitation, speaking his genuine thoughts.
That was truly how he felt. Seeing Nashiro's tragic death in the original story had left him with regret. So he'd changed what would have happened—simple as that.
Hearing "cute girls," the bedridden Nashiro quietly pulled the blanket up to cover everything below her eyes, clearly not wanting something to be seen.
When Kurona heard those words, her already slightly pink cheeks grew even redder.
But she couldn't hide her face like Nashiro. With Byakuya looking right at her, she could only press on: "So you're saying..."
"Never mind. Forget it."
She'd wanted to ask directly how Byakuya saw her and Nashiro, but embarrassment made her retreat.
Just then, Rize spoke up: "If I remember correctly, darling, you said something similar to me before. So have you always used this technique to sweet-talk girls?"
She still remembered what Byakuya had said after the steel beam incident—claiming he'd fallen for her at first sight, that he liked her, things like that.
Not identical words, but essentially similar.
"No, I meant everything I said..."
Byakuya smiled helplessly.
His love at first sight for Rize was real—she was the first beautiful girl he'd noticed when watching the original series.
What he'd just told Kurona was also genuine.
Before Rize could continue, Kurona spoke up with obvious curiosity: "Why do you keep calling him 'darling'? What's your relationship with him?"
"Our relationship?"
Rize's lips curved as she leaned close to Byakuya's ear and asked softly: "Yes, darling, what exactly is our relationship?"
"Part—"
Byakuya was about to honestly say "partnership," but Rize immediately covered his mouth, preventing him from finishing.
Rize answered Kurona herself: "The answer is—we're lovers~"
"That's impossible. He's an investigator, and you're a ghoul."
Kurona didn't believe Rize.
"What's impossible about it? Who says a ghoul and an investigator can't fall in love? Why do you think I'm at his place?"
Rize spoke lightly.
"..."
Kurona had no rebuttal.
Rize had been here when they arrived, wearing house clothes as if this were her home.
Meaning this girl was living with Byakuya...
"Alright, enough joking. I actually consider this guy my 'emergency rations.'"
Rize ended the topic. "And he's my exclusive emergency rations."
"...Speaking of which, food is also a problem."
Kurona wasn't concerned about that comment—she had no designs on Byakuya's flesh. "Nashiro and I can't eat normal food anymore, but honestly, we don't want to hunt humans..."
Before, their food problem had been solved by Kanou giving them failed "specimens."
Whether successful or failed, the "specimens" still tasted human—like Kaneki in the original timeline.
But now that they'd left Kanou, they'd have to hunt humans themselves for food.
"That's actually easy to solve."
Byakuya said. "Ward 20 has a place called 'Anteiku.' The owner helps ghouls who can't hunt for themselves. Though they only provide carrion—it'll satisfy hunger, but you'll gradually grow weaker."
It would be best if Kurona and Nashiro didn't have to hunt humans. Anteiku could handle their food needs.
"Being able to eat is enough."
Kurona said.
She and Nashiro no longer cared about growing stronger. Before, they'd wanted "Father's" praise and approval. Now that "Father" had become a joke...
"Then there's no problem."
Byakuya nodded.
"By the way, did you destroy the 'Ghoul Restaurant'?"
Rize asked.
"More or less. Though most of the ghouls escaped."
"That boring guy had quite the nerve, coveting my 'food.'"
Rize was referring to Tsukiyama, of course.
If the opportunity arose, she felt she should teach him a lesson.
She normally had no interest in cannibalism or "feasting" on her own kind, but Tsukiyama had touched her "reverse scale" this time.
The key wasn't just that Tsukiyama had coveted Byakuya—he'd planned to share him with all those ghouls at the restaurant. That was the ultimate insult to Rize.
"He probably won't give up easily. But he's no threat to me."
Byakuya spoke calmly.
Given Tsukiyama's personality, he definitely wouldn't let this go.
He'd probably keep pestering him shamelessly. Quite the nuisance.
Though Kurona and Nashiro didn't know the full backstory, they could piece together from what they'd witnessed that Byakuya had deliberately let himself be lured to the "Ghoul Restaurant" by "Mr. MM" to destroy it.
So following the conversation between Byakuya and Rize wasn't too confusing.
Rize smiled faintly. "Is that so? Perfect. Next time that guy shows up, let me play with him a bit."