As noon arrived, golden sunlight spilled through the windows of the office, filling the space with a sense of warmth and lazy comfort.
At that moment, Uesugi Ryu suddenly suggested,
"It's already noon. I know a place with some pretty great food. How about we go out for lunch?"
Both Amon Koutarou and Mado Kureo glanced toward the wall clock. After confirming the time, neither offered any objection.
Mado grinned and added half-jokingly,
"Well, this is your turf after all, Ryu. Since you're the host, why don't you treat us this time?"
Uesugi Ryu didn't hesitate in the slightest. He nodded with a slight smile and replied,
"Of course, I'd be happy to."
Seeing this, Amon gave a feigned look of disappointment.
"Mado-san and Ryu-kun really do get along. I'm starting to feel like I've been left out."
Both Mado and Ryu were taken aback, two faces of surprise.
After all, Amon was always so serious and upright.
It was rare to hear him joke like that.
"Oh, how unusual. Amon-kun can make jokes too?"
Mado blinked, then broke into a sly grin, eyeing Amon with interest.
"That's more like it. Always keeping a stiff face is no fun at all."
Uesugi Ryu agreed and nodded.
But under the teasing of the two, Amon became visibly embarrassed. His face flushed slightly red, and he awkwardly raised a hand to cover part of his face.
Seeing that, Mado decided to stop teasing and shifted the topic back to work. He picked up a strange pair of pliers from a bag.
"Let's start tracking Jason based on this lead. That guy's hobbies really are twisted."
Amon, grateful that the subject had moved back to work, exhaled in relief, he'd nearly overheated from the embarrassment.
Ryu glanced at the unusually shaped pliers and smiled faintly.
"This looks like some kind of medical tool used by ghouls. Might be worth checking out clinics around the 20th Ward."
He had already eliminated quite a few ghouls in the 20th Ward.
If they let Mado follow the original timeline's slow method of "bait fishing," they might miss the chance to kill Jason, also known as Yamori.
So Uesugi Ryu went straight to the point and narrowed the scope: just bring this tool to various clinics and investigate.
Most ghouls couldn't withstand the pressure of a CCG visit without slipping up.
Dr. Fueguchi was one such case.
After all, it wasn't realistic to expect a ghoul to have great composure and acting skills.
As for what would happen to Kaneki Ken's math lessons without Jason…
Well, that wasn't Ryu's problem.
Jason, being a half-kakuja, possessed as many as three Kakuhou. Killing him would definitely yield a hefty reward.
Mado rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That's a sharp angle of approach, Ryu. Ghouls opening clinics to blend into human society... how fascinating."
...
1st Ward, CCG Research Building
Uesugi Ryu had come today to pick up his newly forged Ukaku-type Quinque.
An A-rank Quinque was already quite formidable, many First-Class Investigators used that level of equipment.
S-rank Quinques were much rarer, since crafting them required very specific conditions.
Just because one defeated an S-rank ghoul didn't guarantee an S-rank Quinque could be made from it.
Upon entering the research building, Ryu no longer needed additional documentation.
He simply presented his Investigator ID and was allowed in.
He had entrusted the construction of this Quinque, crafted from Hannya's Ukaku, to Inoue Tomoya.
The reasoning was simple:
First, the two were already acquainted.
Second, it was easier to convey his personal ideas and preferences to Inoue.
Entrusting the job to Kouitsu Chigyou was also possible, but as the Chief Researcher, Chigyou didn't have time to make idle conversation.
And frankly, he wouldn't waste much effort on an A-rank weapon.
Seeing Uesugi Ryu, Inoue greeted him with a cheerful expression.
"Second-Class Uesugi! This time, I promise it's perfect."
Ryu gave a slightly exasperated smile and teased,
"That's good to hear. At this rate, I might have to start calling you Dr. Inoue."
Inoue chuckled and waved a hand dismissively.
"Alright, alright, enough teasing. Come take a look! Dr. Chigyou even gave me some great advice for this one. I've been working day and night. You'll definitely be satisfied!"
Hearing that, Ryu's curiosity was piqued.
"Looks like Inoue's doing everything he can to keep me as a client."
He followed Inoue quickly into the lab.
Inside, Inoue introduced him to someone.
"Dr. Chigyou, this is Second-Class Investigator Uesugi."
Ryu nodded lightly and greeted,
"Dr. Chigyou."
Just then, his sharp gaze swept across the room, and landed on another unexpected figure.
It was a woman.
She had light blond shoulder-length hair, exuding a sense of precision and efficiency and she wore a neatly tailored suit that hugged her curves, the clean lines enhancing her elegance.
Her long legs were encased in thick black stockings, exuding a mature, refined allure.
Ryu paused momentarily in surprise.
He hadn't expected to run into her here.
Chigyou noticed his expression and explained:
"This is Mado Akira, the daughter of First-Class Mado. Like her father, she has a deep interest in Quinques and often drops by to offer her own ideas."
At those words, Akira's previously stoic face twitched slightly.
She responded in a calm, icy voice,
"I am Mado Akira, Second-Class Investigator. Pleased to meet you, Second-Class Uesugi."
She gave him a polite nod.
Ryu returned the gesture, then said with mock curiosity,
"Funny, Mado-san never mentioned having a daughter."
Akira scrutinized Ryu for a moment before replying,
"He's mentioned you to me before, Second-Class Uesugi. He holds you in high regard."
"Is that so?" Ryu didn't bother feigning modesty.
At that moment, Chigyou glanced at his watch and said,
"You're here for the Quinque, yes? Inoue, take him to see it."
Akira's eyes flickered with curiosity but made no move to follow.
Just as she was about to leave, Ryu added:
"Akira-san, why don't you come take a look? I only got this Quinque thanks to Mado-san's help."
Akira's footsteps paused.
She replied flatly,
"That would be a violation of CCG confidentiality protocols. Second-Class Uesugi, you're being a little careless."
But even as she said that, her body remained perfectly still.
Her actions, as always, betrayed her words.
As a Quinque enthusiast, she was clearly interested.