After getting into the special car, the group quickly returned to CCG Headquarters.
Once they entered the building and breathed in the familiar air around them, everyone finally let out a small sigh of relief.
Only after leaving the 11th Ward — escaping that atmosphere of death and slaughter — did the uneasiness inside them gradually fade away.
"Investigator Hayashi, we'll return to the office first and organize the important documents you brought back."
Akira hugged the briefcase tightly in her arms, her beautiful eyes filled with seriousness and professionalism.
"Alright, thank you for the trouble."
Looking at the professional woman before him, Hayashi couldn't help but sigh in his heart.Truly a workaholic. The first thing she did upon coming back was to get straight to work.If CCG held a vote for "Model Worker" without a doubt, the only candidate would be Akira.
"We'll work hard to get stronger so we won't hold you back or cause you trouble."
Kurona and Nashiro, both nodded earnestly, their small faces serious and determined.
"Senpai, senpai, can I take a day off?"
At that moment, Suzuya approached, looking cute and obedient.
"Take a day off?"
Hayashi glanced over, curious and a little puzzled.
"That's right, I'm really tired today… and I have something I need to do."
Suzuya nodded, his face glowing with a sunny smile.
"Alright, go ahead."
Hayashi nodded slightly.
Just from that smile, he could already guess what Suzuya had in mind.
Most likely, he planned to sneak back to the 11th Ward and drag those dying ghouls back to be turned into quinques.
But then again, that was very much like Suzuya.
"Yay! Then I'll head back first~"
Suzuya nodded, his eyes flashing with excitement and impatience.
Watching his bouncing silhouette fade into the distance, Hayashi stretched lazily. Even though all his injuries had healed and his stamina had returned to its peak, the mental exhaustion couldn't simply disappear—it could only be relieved through relaxation.
Just as he was thinking about this, he suddenly noticed Itori circling around him.
"Ilhei, is something wrong?"
Looking at the beautiful woman pacing around him, Hayashi couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing really, I just wanted to observe you closely. You seem… fascinating." Ilhei smiled and shook her head, her exquisite face glowing with natural curiosity.
"Observe me closely?" Hearing this, Hayashi felt a little uncomfortable—almost as if he were some animal locked in a zoo cage.
"Yes. I'm very interested in your body's structure. For years, after battling the One-Eyed Owl, only Arima came out completely unscathed. But you… you managed the same."
Her beautiful eyes lit up with a flash of excitement, like a child discovering a brand-new toy.
"So that's what this is about?" Hayashi nodded, though unease began to stir in his chest.
"This might sound impolite, but… may I touch you?" Ilhei tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes filled with an almost pleading light.
"You can… but what's the point?" Still a bit confused, Hayashi nevertheless didn't refuse, his own curiosity piqued.
"Forgive me then." Ilheii's eyes gleamed eagerly as her slender fingers poked at him—like a child prodding a frog in a puddle after rain.
"This texture…" Her eyes lit with interest. Soon, her touches grew bolder, testing the faint sensations across his skin.
His body felt soft yet cool to the touch. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it left Hayashi feeling strange. As her curiosity intensified, her touches became even more daring, until finally, after fully satisfying her interest, she stopped.
"What exactly was the purpose of that?" Unable to hold back, Hayashi spoke once she stopped. By now, he was starting to feel like she was simply lusting after his body.
"Now I finally understand the strange aura radiating from you." Ilhei nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"A strange aura?" Hayashi's curiosity was piqued.
"I can sense an endless well of life energy inside you. Until now, I've only felt something like this from Arima. No… your energy is even greater, far more overwhelming than Arima's."
She paused, her expression brimming with interest.
"The aura surrounding you comes from that endless well of power."
Hayashi froze. Could what she was sensing be… the Horse Talisman's energy? But how could she detect that? It seemed half-humans really did have sharper senses than he'd imagined.
"This boundless life force… it's truly mesmerizing." Ilhei pressed her slender fingers against her lips, her exquisite face faintly flushed.
"I really want to uncover the source of this power. If I could, I'd take you home and study your body thoroughly."
Hearing that, Hayashi shivered. Something about this felt… dangerous.
"My apologies—please forgive what I just said. That was only a joke." Realizing herself, Ilhei shook her head with a small laugh, her eyes softening with apology.
"It's fine." Hayashi smiled faintly. Though she had rambled on about all kinds of things, he was convinced now—Itori simply had a thirst for his body.
"Please excuse me, I still need to report the details of this operation to Arima."
Holding the documents, Ilhei's delicate face carried a soft, gentle smile.
"Alright, I also have plenty of work to take care of." Hayashi stretched, already thinking of heading home for a proper night's rest.
"Then… once work is over, how about going out to relax a little? Maybe dinner together?" Ilhei tilted her head slightly, her gentle smile full of invitation.
"Dinner, huh?" Hayashi nodded thoughtfully. But deep down, he knew—if he went out with her, dinner wouldn't be the only thing on the menu.