Seeing Hairu's expression and reaction, the owner and his wife were both surprised.
"Could it be that you don't really understand romance, Hairu-chan?"
The owner's wife couldn't help asking.
"Mm... I understand what it means, but I've never really thought about it."
Hairu explained.
"Is that so? Back when my husband and I were your age, we were already together."
The owner's wife reminisced.
"Really? That sounds kind of interesting."
Hairu replied with innocent curiosity.
"Of course it is. Being in love is a wonderful feeling, especially at your age when you're in the prime of youth. Wait until you're older and you won't feel the same way anymore."
The owner's wife said.
"I see..."
Hairu fell into thought.
Meanwhile, Byakuya sat there quietly eating his ramen, staying completely out of Hairu's conversation with the owners.
Then suddenly, Hairu turned to him. "Amaha-senpai, why don't you try being my boyfriend?"
!!
The owner and his wife's eyes lit up at this.
It had nothing to do with them, really, but this kind of gossip was always irresistibly fascinating.
"...Are you serious? Please don't joke about things like this..."
Byakuya said, somewhat exasperated.
Knowing Hairu was an airhead, he couldn't just dismiss something like this.
"Alright, I guess I was kind of joking. But if you're willing, Amaha-senpai, I think we could give it a try."
Hairu smiled as she spoke.
"I should remind you—romance isn't something you just 'try.' You need to genuinely like someone and think it through carefully first."
Byakuya pointed out.
Though he'd liked Hairu since before his transmigration, he didn't want to be careless about this. It would feel like taking advantage of her innocence.
"So that's how it works. I understand now."
Hairu nodded slightly, seeming to genuinely get it.
The owner and his wife wore knowing expressions, their meaningful gazes shifting between Byakuya and Hairu.
...
After finishing their ramen, Byakuya walked Hairu all the way to her door before heading back.
"Goodbye, Amaha-senpai."
Before entering, Hairu turned and waved at him.
"Mm. Goodbye."
Byakuya responded.
...
The next morning.
Byakuya was brushing his teeth when the doorbell rang.
He was puzzled—who would come this early? Normally, no one visited at this hour.
Kurona, sitting closest in the living room, went to check through the peephole.
It was Hairu Ihei, the same girl who'd come home with Byakuya last night.
Kurona's eyes flickered slightly, her expression flat. "Byakuya, it's Ihei-san from yesterday."
"Byakuya-oniichan's junior is certainly dedicated."
Nashiro's tone was cool.
"How nice—having such a cute junior come to your house first thing in the morning to wake you up."
Rize teased directly.
"I don't think you were expecting Ihei-san to show up suddenly, were you?"
Only Mayu's words carried no hint of teasing—she was simply too innocent.
Matsumae and Kanae didn't participate in this kind of conversation.
Byakuya could only feel helpless. "Let her in."
"Sorry to intrude again."
Hairu gave a slight bow as she entered, then continued, "There was an incident at the Ward 21 subway station today. My train stopped in Ward 20, so I thought I'd come to Amaha-senpai's place."
"A malfunction? Just an accident? Or did something happen?..."
Byakuya's intuition told him this probably wasn't a simple accident.
"It wasn't an accident. A group of ghouls attacked the Ward 21 station around dawn. There were civilian casualties, and the station's been temporarily shut down."
Hairu explained. "Based on current speculation, those ghouls were probably Grey Straw members. They're likely retaliating against us."
"...So it was them after all. I understand. Let's head out and see if there's been any progress on the Grey Straw intelligence."
Byakuya's eyes hardened.
He quickly changed into his white combat uniform and left with his backpack containing the Quinque briefcase.
Hairu was no longer wearing the uniform Byakuya had lent her last night—from how perfectly it fit, it was clearly her own.
She'd hand-washed his clothes as soon as she'd gotten home, planning to return them once they dried.
"Stay safe."
Rize spoke as Byakuya headed out.
"Safety comes first."
"If Byakuya-oniichan gets hurt, it'll give me a headache."
Kurona and Nashiro added.
"Be careful on the way, Oniichan."
Mayu chimed in.
"Though I doubt we need to worry given Master's strength, I still feel I should remind you not to be too careless."
Matsumae felt she should say something.
"I share the Head Maid's sentiment."
Kanae was more perfunctory.
"I will."
Byakuya smiled and nodded.
...
Byakuya and Hairu walked directly to the CCG Ward 21 branch.
Upon arrival, they received news: the interrogation at Cochlea had produced results.
The captured ghoul hadn't held out long before revealing the intelligence they needed.
With Grey Straw's exact location now known, and given their attack on the subway station that had caused casualties, CCG raised their threat assessment. They urged Byakuya and Hairu to launch a special countermeasures operation—essentially, an extermination campaign.
Byakuya was even granted temporary command authority over Ward 21, allowing him to direct the ward's investigators. Houji Kousuke, normally in charge, would remain at the branch with his subordinate Takizawa Seidou.
Takizawa, who'd been desperate for combat experience, had once again tragically missed his chance.
But Byakuya didn't think much of the temporary command authority itself. What mattered was its implications—CCG was taking Grey Straw more seriously now.
If Byakuya and Hairu executed this operation flawlessly, it would significantly boost their promotions.
Hairu was due for promotion to First Class Investigator; Byakuya to Associate Special Class.
...
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