The house the Quinx Squad was renting.
Byakuya had come here today.
"We'll be launching a suppression operation against the Ghoul Auction soon. You'll all need to participate in the battle—if anyone has any concerns, let me know in advance."
Byakuya addressed the entire Quinx Squad.
"Understood. We'll do our best."
Urie nodded.
Byakuya also spotted Matsuri Washuu here.
He wasn't surprised to see Matsuri present—after all, Urie and Matsuri had just recently applied to become partners.
At the time, Byakuya had already figured out why Matsuri would want to partner with Urie. Simply put, Matsuri had his eye on Urie...
Yes, in the literal sense.
Though Byakuya himself had absolutely no interest in men, he didn't discriminate either. He respected Matsuri's preferences and said nothing about it.
"Will the Director be serving as commander for this operation?"
Matsuri spoke up.
"No, not me—I'm better suited for charging the front lines."
Byakuya shook his head slightly. "Akira Mado will serve as overall commander. You'll be deputy commander—you've just been promoted to Associate Special Class and need opportunities to prove yourself."
"...Yes, sir."
Matsuri was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected Byakuya to give him the deputy commander position.
This was undoubtedly a prime opportunity to distinguish himself. If he performed well enough, the other investigators' strange looks toward him would diminish.
Though he was deputy rather than overall commander, at least he'd been given the opportunity—that was already quite good. Matsuri didn't dare show any dissatisfaction.
"Having me as overall commander...?"
Akira, on the other hand, was somewhat incredulous.
After all, she was only a First Class Investigator.
Normally, a suppression operation of this scale required at least an Associate Special Class to serve as commander.
"Is there a problem? I believe you're fully capable. With your intuition and intellect, few in the bureau can match you. Ability is what matters most."
Byakuya spoke frankly.
"No problem."
Seeing how much trust Byakuya placed in her, Akira said nothing more. A pleased smile appeared on her face.
"I hope you'll work well together."
Byakuya added a reminder.
Matsuri had ability, but he was too calculating—willing to disregard investigators' lives for the sake of achievements. His command style was rather cold and ruthless.
That's why Byakuya had only given Matsuri the deputy position, making the lower-ranked First Class Investigator Akira the overall commander instead.
Both Akira and Matsuri nodded to indicate they understood.
...
Ward 1 Headquarters.
Before the Auction Suppression Operation began, Byakuya convened a strategy meeting at headquarters.
Besides Byakuya, attendees included Matsuri, Akira, and the Quinx Squad—the primary combat personnel.
The remaining participants were mostly ordinary bureau staff and lower-ranked investigators.
"The primary objective of this auction cleanup operation is the Madam Organization, led by Big Madam. Secondarily, we'll eliminate as many ghouls present as possible..."
Byakuya outlined the operation's overview.
The actual battle plan would be formulated by Commander Akira and Deputy Commander Matsuri.
Byakuya couldn't be bothered to think through all that himself—he'd let Akira and Matsuri handle the formalities.
"Sorry for the interruption~"
Just then, someone gently pushed open the conference room door.
It was Juuzou Suzuya who walked in.
"Is this meeting open to outsiders?"
Seeing this, Matsuri asked directly.
Though Suzuya wasn't on the operation roster, Matsuri calling him an "outsider" revealed his rigid, somewhat arrogant personality.
"It's fine—First Class Suzuya isn't an outsider."
Byakuya immediately intervened. "Please, have a seat, First Class Suzuya."
"Thank you."
Suzuya took the seat beside Byakuya.
Regarding Matsuri's earlier attitude, he showed no anger. Instead, he smiled and greeted Matsuri. "Hello."
Suzuya's friendly demeanor actually made Matsuri feel awkward. "...Hello."
"Director Amaha, may I participate in this Auction Suppression Operation?"
Suzuya then stated his purpose directly.
"Of course. Having First Class Suzuya join will make our operation smoother."
Byakuya nodded.
He knew why Suzuya wanted to participate—because Big Madam was the ghoul who had raised him.
"Thank you~"
Suzuya expressed his gratitude with obvious delight.
"..."
Matsuri's rigid personality made him instinctively feel this was somewhat frivolous.
But Director Amaha had made the decision, so he remained silent and didn't dare say anything.
Afterward, Akira and Matsuri began discussing and formulating the battle plan.
...
Once the specific battle plan was finalized, the meeting concluded.
Byakuya and Suzuya left the conference room first.
"Byakuya, thank you for letting me join the operation on short notice."
Suzuya thanked Byakuya again. "I was so busy with Ward 20 matters that I almost missed this operation—that would've been such a shame."
He only used "Director Amaha" in formal settings; otherwise, he preferred the more familiar "Byakuya."
"It's nothing."
Byakuya smiled. "This is about Big Madam, isn't it?"
"...Mm, I want to see her. It's been so many years."
Caught out by Byakuya, Suzuya didn't seem surprised. He admitted it openly in front of him.
"I thought so..."
Byakuya sighed with feeling.
"When the time comes, may I be the one to deal with her?"
Suzuya requested.
It was a selfish request, but he'd only make it in front of Byakuya.
"Yes. I'll let the others know."
Byakuya nodded. "By the way, how are things going with Rank 3 Mutsuki?"
"Mutsuki-kun? We're getting along great—they're picking up dagger techniques quite quickly."
Suzuya said.
"Good. They'll be working with you during the operation, so please look after them."
Byakuya said this because, according to the finalized plan, Mutsuki and Suzuya would pose as "merchandise" at the auction, then coordinate with investigators outside for a pincer attack.
Both Mutsuki and Suzuya would need to crossdress, since certain ghouls including Big Madam had a particular fondness for cute girls...
...
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