"...It's fine."
Byakuya didn't mind what Urie had said.
He quickly steered the conversation back on track. "More importantly, do you understand how to do the documents now? You should practice a few more times on your own."
"Yes, I'll work hard at it!"
Urie nodded earnestly.
"I remember you mentioned before that you became an investigator to pay for your sister's medical treatment. How is she doing now?"
Byakuya asked.
"..."
Urie fell silent for a moment before answering. "It's not looking good. She needs long-term hospitalization, and the medical expenses are substantial every month. But I can barely manage for now."
Shirazu's younger sister, Haru Shirazu, suffered from RC Cell Hypersecretion Syndrome affecting her eyes, requiring long-term hospitalization.
RC Cell Hypersecretion Syndrome, abbreviated as ROS.
All humans have small amounts of RC cells in their bodies—typically just a few hundred.
When RC cells are secreted in excess, it causes ROS. The exact cause is unknown, and the condition affects roughly one in several million people.
The primary symptom is the formation of a kagune-like growth at the affected site. This growth enlarges over time. In Haru's case, the growth around her eyes had already become larger than an average ghoul's kagune.
Beyond that, as the condition worsened, it caused severe pain throughout the body, deterioration of the five senses, intense nausea, memory confusion, and cognitive decline.
Not only was it potentially fatal, but there was no cure. The only treatment was using RC suppressants to inhibit the excessive secretion of RC cells in the patient's body.
ROS was essentially a bottomless pit—requiring endless hospitalization and burning through money...
"I see..."
Byakuya nodded. "It's been a while since you all joined the Quinx Squad. You've had time to adapt to your post-surgery bodies. I think it's about time to send you out on field missions."
"Yes!"
Urie's eyes lit up.
Field missions meant earning achievements, which meant promotions and raises. More salary meant more money for his sister's medical bills.
At his current contribution level, the treatment barely kept his sister alive. All those painful symptoms persisted. He knew she was suffering constantly.
With enough money for more RC suppressants, they could forcibly suppress the excess RC cells. It wouldn't cure her, but at least she wouldn't have to endure all that agony.
So Urie was desperate to advance quickly.
His sister Haru was just like Mayu—she'd always wanted to be beautiful, only to be struck by ROS, a disease even more devastating than disfigurement...
"I'll let you know when we have a suitable mission. You can start preparing now—it should be within the next few days."
Byakuya said.
He wanted to help Urie, so he was accelerating the timeline, having the Quinx Squad begin missions ahead of the original schedule.
Afterward, Byakuya left Urie's room.
Next was Shirazu.
Shirazu faced similar difficulties—he too was unfamiliar with computers.
Byakuya used the same approach, completing Shirazu's document while demonstrating the process.
...
After helping Shirazu, Byakuya assumed Akira would be finished on her end as well.
But when he emerged from Shirazu's room, he spotted Mutsuki standing in her doorway, looking as if she were waiting for someone.
"Mutsuki, hasn't Akira come to help you yet?"
Byakuya asked.
"No..."
Mutsuki shook her head slightly.
"Then she must still be in Saiko's room..."
Byakuya was mildly surprised. Akira was taking longer than expected.
"You could just go to Saiko's room and watch from the side. It's not difficult—you'll get it after seeing it a couple of times."
Byakuya suggested.
He knew Mutsuki was introverted and timid. Perhaps she and Saiko simply hadn't gotten comfortable with each other yet?
"Actually..."
But Mutsuki showed no intention of entering Saiko's room. Instead, she addressed Byakuya. "Associate Special Class Amaha, there's something else I wanted to ask you. Could you come to my room for a moment?"
"Something else? Sure."
Byakuya didn't think much of it and followed Mutsuki into her room.
After he entered, Mutsuki turned and closed the door behind them.
Though this action was somewhat noteworthy, Mutsuki's face still wore that same introverted, fragile expression. She didn't seem to be up to anything suspicious.
"Associate Special Class Amaha... I heard you attended the Academy for advanced training, and that you were in roughly the same class as us?"
Mutsuki finally asked what was on her mind.
"That's right..."
Byakuya nodded.
At the same time, he sensed something was slightly off.
Could it be that Mutsuki...
"Oh, so back then..."
Mutsuki started to say something but stopped herself mid-sentence.
Her expression turned conflicted, as if she were debating whether to voice what she wanted to say next.
"Back then what?"
Byakuya prompted.
"N-Nothing. I'm sorry for bothering you, Associate Special Class Amaha!"
Mutsuki couldn't bring herself to say it and apologized repeatedly.
"..."
Byakuya's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Then let's get back to the original matter. You still have your problem to solve, don't you? I assume it's the same computer issues as Urie and Shirazu?"
He redirected the conversation.
On the surface, he appeared unbothered by what had just happened. In reality, he already had a suspicion.
Mutsuki's reaction just now—she likely knew that he had witnessed her mutilating that cat back at the Academy.
After all, he'd stumbled upon the scene unexpectedly, watched for a couple of seconds, then immediately turned and left. She must have spotted him as he walked away...
That was precisely why he'd deliberately avoided Mutsuki—because she was an unmistakable yandere...
Back then, he simply hadn't wanted the hassle of getting involved.
Now that Mutsuki was a member of the Quinx Squad, Byakuya had no choice but to let things take their natural course.
"Ah... yes!"
Only then did Mutsuki remember her unresolved problem. She quickly bowed. "Then please help me, Associate Special Class Amaha!"
"No need to be so formal."
Byakuya smiled slightly and went to help with her computer.
As he worked on the document, he noticed from the corner of his eye that Mutsuki kept glancing at him. Her attention wasn't on the screen—she was probably trying to confirm whether he was the same person who had witnessed her cutting out that cat's tongue...
...
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