"I'm not going to get any praise from Arima-san this time either..."
Hairu walked alongside Byakuya, sighing with disappointment.
She'd obviously heard his conversation with Ui.
Forget praise—it would be something if Arima didn't lecture her.
Of course, Kishou Arima rarely did either. He wasn't the type to genuinely praise or reprimand anyone. Any praise from him was typically offhand and perfunctory. Heartfelt acknowledgment from him was essentially unheard of—that was simply his personality.
Even so, Byakuya had caught Hairu's attention. Arima mentioned his name far too often.
"Getting praise from Arima-san is inherently difficult..."
Byakuya couldn't help but point out.
"I know, that's why I keep pushing myself to earn it."
Hairu replied. "If I could surpass you, Amaha-senpai, I feel like I'd have a real shot."
"...Well, good luck with that."
Byakuya said. "Though rather than focusing on that, I think you should prioritize dealing with Grey Straw. If your performance is impressive enough, you might have a chance."
"Mm, that's what I was thinking too. So I'll be counting on you from here on, Amaha-senpai~"
Hairu smiled as she spoke.
Byakuya blinked. "...What?"
"Temporary partners. I want to work with you on the Grey Straw extermination mission, Amaha-senpai. That way I can also compare who performs better between us."
Hairu clarified.
"I don't mind, but surpassing me won't be easy."
Byakuya replied casually.
"That's why I said I'll work hard. Looking forward to working with you, Amaha-senpai~"
Hairu showed no sign of backing down.
"Mm, looking forward to it."
Byakuya nodded.
"But let's set that aside for now—we need to get the desserts and head back."
They'd returned to Ward 20, and Byakuya led Hairu to a bakery.
"This place has lots of different sweets. Pick whatever you like."
He told Hairu.
He didn't need anything for himself.
Hairu proceeded to buy a substantial haul—melon bread, chocolates, candies...
"That's quite a lot..."
Even Byakuya felt compelled to comment.
"It's fine. Whatever I can't finish, I'll take back with me."
Hairu said. "By the way, don't you want anything, Amaha-senpai?"
"No, I'm good. I've got plenty at home already."
Byakuya replied.
"Really? Then I'd like to visit sometime, if you don't mind?"
Hairu said immediately.
She clearly wanted to mooch some sweets off him.
"..."
This put Byakuya in an awkward spot.
His earlier comment had just been a polite excuse—there weren't actually any sweets at home. He hadn't expected Hairu to jump on it like this.
"Of course I don't mind. Just let me know when you want to come over so I can prepare."
He could only answer that way.
Refusing would only raise suspicions.
When the time came, if Hairu actually visited, it would be fine—as long as Rize and the others didn't act strangely.
"Thanks, Amaha-senpai."
Hairu beamed happily.
...
"Chocolate~ candy~ melon bread~..."
Walking back, Hairu carried a bag full of sweets in one hand while humming a little tune, her steps light and bouncy.
Soon they returned to the restaurant.
After dinner, Byakuya said his farewells to the Squad Zero members.
"Goodbye, Byakuya-san!"
Shio Ihei called out to him.
"Don't forget what we agreed on today, Amaha-senpai."
Hairu reminded Byakuya before he left.
"What did you agree on?"
Ui asked curiously.
"Secret~"
Hairu refused to say.
She figured telling him would just get her another lecture, so she kept quiet.
"What's so mysterious about it..."
Ui grew even more puzzled.
...
The next day, Hairu submitted an application at CCG headquarters to partner temporarily with Byakuya.
It was approved. Byakuya and Hairu would form a temporary partnership to investigate and exterminate Grey Straw.
The approval likely came because both Bureau Director Yoshitoki Washuu and the Chairman were Washuu family members, and the Ihei were one of the Washuu branch families.
Although Byakuya was supposed to officially partner with Akira Mado in a few days, CCG headquarters had accounted for this. If the Grey Straw mission wasn't completed by then, Akira would simply join them on the assignment.
Subsequently, Byakuya and Hairu were temporarily assigned to the CCG Ward 21 branch. Until they completed the Grey Straw mission, that would be their workplace.
Ward 21 wasn't far from Ward 20, and Byakuya saw no downsides to the arrangement.
"Amaha-san! You're in Ward 21 too?"
Takizawa Seidou was surprised to see Byakuya at the Ward 21 branch.
He didn't recognize Hairu beside him.
"Yes, I'll be working with Ihei-san here on the Grey Straw investigation."
Byakuya nodded.
Takizawa's excitement was palpable—he hadn't expected to work alongside his idol in the same ward! His motivation skyrocketed.
"Amaha, and Ihei—I didn't expect they'd actually send you two."
Houji Kousuke remarked.
Though... he remembered Byakuya's partner was supposed to be someone else. But he hadn't paid close attention at the time and couldn't recall who Byakuya's actual partner was supposed to be.
"Houji-san."
Byakuya nodded in greeting.
Hairu offered a slight bow as well.
After brief pleasantries, Byakuya and Hairu went about their business.
Once they'd left, Takizawa turned to Houji curiously. "Houji-san, who was that girl just now? She's Amaha-san's partner, right? Who is she?"
Plus, given how pretty she was, he should have remembered her—yet he had no recollection at all.
Houji explained while also offering a warning. "That's Hairu Ihei from Squad Zero. She's another prodigy from that 'Garden.' Better not to pry too much, Takizawa."
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"