"Is that so?"
Hearing those words, Akira froze slightly, feeling a bit lost.
She couldn't understand why Hayashi would take them, a bunch of rookies, along for such an important mission.
From the beginning, she could never quite figure out what was going on inside the mind of this white-haired boy.
And she couldn't understand where his confidence came from to say such things so boldly.
But strangely enough, even though nothing about this made sense, no thought of rebuttal rose within her.
Instead, she felt a faint, inexplicable sense of safety—a pull that made her want to trust him, to rely on him.
For someone as strong-willed as Akira, this was the first time she had ever felt this way.
"I'll follow your orders."
Coming back to her senses, Akira said nothing more, lowering her head and silently continuing her work.
"Sepai, then what time are we leaving tomorrow?"
Suzuya's eyes sparkled with excitement and delight.
He looked like a kid who had just heard he was about to play a real-life spy game—thrilled and restless!
"Tomorrow morning at nine. Once I arrive, we'll head out."
Hayashi nodded, his tone calm and collected, as if it were nothing.
"Tomorrow at nine, huh? Then I'd better spend tonight polishing up my lovely Scorpion."
Suzuya swung his short legs as he sat atop the desk, clearly in high spirits.
"Hayashi, are you really going to take us with you?"
The eyes of the Yasuhisa twins, were filled with worry.
Not so much for the danger itself, but for their lack of experience—they feared they might just end up being a burden.
"You're my precious subordinates. How could I just leave you behind at headquarters?"
"Don't feel too pressured. Think of it as extracurricular training."
Hayashi ruffled their fluffy heads with a gentle smile.
After the Aogiri's large-scale offensive, the 11th Ward had become one of the most dangerous places imaginable.
Few investigators dared set foot there anymore—going meant almost certain death.
But this was Hayashi.
With the Ox Talisman and the Horse Talisman at his disposal, he was practically superhuman.Taking on the entire Aogiri Tree alone wouldn't be a problem. What was there to fear?
Feeling the warmth from his hand, the twins slowly relaxed, their hearts at ease.
"Ilhei, tomorrow at nine—just wait for me here."
Hayashi turned his gaze to the pink-haired beauty behind him.
"Got it. I'm really looking forward to it."
She clasped her hands behind her back, her flawless face glowing with a sweet smile.
...
Bang—
Back home, Hayashi closed the door behind him.
He hadn't even stepped far inside before he felt an intense pressure filling the air.
As soon as he entered the living room, his eyes fell on the alluring figure sprawled across his bed. Rize lay lazily on the mattress, her long violet hair cascading freely over her shoulders.
Maybe because of the hot weather, she hadn't bothered with clothing. Sunlight streamed through the window, painting her pale, smooth skin with a faint blush of warmth.
"You're back?"
Her crimson eyes gleamed with playful teasing as she looked at him.
"I'm a little hungry. I'll grab something to eat first, then we can talk after."
Hayashi nodded, instinctively inching toward the kitchen.
"Hungry, huh?"
"What a coincidence—I was just about to eat too."
Rize licked her full, crimson lips, her kagune flaring scarlet behind her.
In an instant, it wrapped around him and dragged him onto the bed.
Before he could react, her soft body pressed down against his.
Who knew how much time passed before the two figures finally separated.
Hayashi breathed heavily, glancing out the window. The sun had somehow already been replaced by the moon, the sky dark without him noticing. Only the silver moonlight allowed him to make out his surroundings.
"Hayashi, your taste really is the best."
Rize licked her slender fingers, utterly satisfied.
She had eaten her fill, but Hayashi now felt drained and starving.
"I need to eat something or I'll starve to death."
Feeling his hunger gnawing, he rose to head toward the fridge.
"I learned to make a soup for you online. You'll love it."
Rize smiled faintly, emerging from the kitchen with a steaming bowl in hand.
"For me?"
Taking the bowl, Hayashi felt its warmth and blinked in surprise.
Soup? For him?
Since when had Rize ever been this considerate?
Could it be… she'd finally grown a conscience?
"Drink it while it's hot. It won't taste as good cold."
She leaned on the table, gazing at him softly, almost like a gentle wife. It was strangely comforting.
Touched, Hayashi nodded.
Maybe he had misjudged her all this time.Maybe her constant demands weren't malice, but simply appetite and desire.
As that thought crossed his mind, he raised the bowl to his lips.
But the moment he glanced down, he froze.
Even if he wasn't much of a cook, he still recognized certain ingredients — oysters, deer antler, sea cucumber… all classic aphrodisiacs.
And here they all were, conveniently simmered together.
Why, though? What a mystery…
Lifting his gaze slightly, he caught Rize's expectant little look. He understood immediately.
No way she was worried about his health. This was something else entirely.
Staring at the potent brew — something like a super-charged tonic soup — Hayashi fell silent.Then he raised the bowl and drained it in one go.
"How does it taste?"
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Not bad. Pretty good, actually."
He nodded.
Truthfully, it was drinkable—better than expected.
Though afterward, his body felt hot and restless.
"Well, since you're full… it's my turn to eat."
Rize licked her lips and leaned closer again.
This time, maybe thanks to the "buff", things lasted until midnight.
"Tomorrow I have to go to the 11th Ward. Headquarters wants me to deal with Aogiri Tree."
Hayashi finally spoke.
"The 11th Ward?"
Rize rolled over, facing him.
"Their executives are strong. Jason you killed before was the weakest among them. If you're going, you'd better be ready."
Her crimson eyes flickered, as if recalling old memories.
"Aogiri Tree, huh…"
Staring at the pure white ceiling, Hayashi's gaze wavered. An image surfaced in his mind—Eto Yoshimura, small and adorable.
A faint smile curved at his lips as he whispered:
"Maybe tomorrow, I'll finally get to meet her. Not as Takatsuki… but as Eto"