"Akira, about what happened with the car before, sorry about that. Just think of this as a small apology gift from me."
As Uesugi Ryu spoke, he swiftly placed a delicately wrapped gift box on Mado Akira's spotless desk, his expression tinged with genuine remorse.
After all, stuffing someone into the trunk of a car driving at 200 kilometers per hour was, by no means, a comfortable experience.
The image of Mado Akira crawling out afterward, completely disheveled, had left enough of an impression on Ryu that he couldn't deny feeling at least a tiny pang of guilt.
Especially since, at the time, he'd definitely done it half for mischief.
Mado Akira raised an eyebrow in surprise at his words, her gaze landing on the finely packaged box now resting atop her desk. Her lips curved ever so slightly, revealing the faintest smile, one so subtle it was almost imperceptible.
"That was my own choice. It has nothing to do with you. I won't get angry over something like that, First-Class Uesugi."
Hearing this, Uesugi Ryu could only reveal a helpless expression. Still, seeing Akira curiously inspecting the box, he finally felt a bit of relief.
She nodded slightly to indicate her acceptance of the gift, then thanked him once more. Lifting her head again, she took a longer, contemplative look at Uesugi Ryu standing before her.
Right now, he looked awkward, even embarrassed, an image completely at odds with the usual decisive, formidable CCG First-Class Investigator everyone knew.
That striking contrast amused Akira more than she expected.
She gently reached out her pale, slender hands and began to unwrap the gift.
As the wrapping slipped away, a light blue scarf quietly unfolded in her palms.
Its color was soft and clean, like a breeze beneath a springtime sky, light and warm. The material was silky smooth, likely woven from the finest wool.
Akira gazed at the scarf in silence, a subtle look of intrigue flickering across her features. She lifted her eyes slightly, meeting Uesugi Ryu's gaze with a faint, teasing smirk.
"A superior giving a subordinate this kind of gift,it feels a little too personal, doesn't it?"
Uesugi Ryu scratched his chin awkwardly and replied with all seriousness:
"Does it? I really was just thinking about practicality. It's winter, after all."
"And... this is actually the first time I've ever given a gift to a girl, so I'm not really experienced with this kind of thing."
His tone was sincere, his eyes honest, completely lacking in any guile.
And it was true. In his past life, he'd been too swamped with studies to date. After coming to this world, his time had been wholly consumed with growing stronger, leaving no room for romance.
Still, Mado Akira didn't seem entirely convinced.
Crossing her arms, she raised a skeptical brow and said in mock reproach:
"No matter how I look at it, that just doesn't sound true, First-Class Uesugi."
Yet, even as she said this, her own well-honed intuition told her that he might really be telling the truth.
Just as Uesugi Ryu was about to continue defending himself, the office door swung open without warning.
Shinohara Yukinori strode in with his usual long strides. The moment he saw the scene inside the room, his previously serious expression melted into something more casual, and the corner of his mouth quirked into a knowing smile.
"Sorry, sorry. Just here to grab a document."
As he spoke, he moved toward the desk, but his eyes lingered between Uesugi Ryu and Mado Akira, clearly noting the subtle tension between them.
The two fell into an awkward silence.
Akira didn't feel the need to explain anything. There was nothing going on, so why bother clarifying?
She had intended to say something more, but Shinohara's interruption made her pause, uncertain whether to continue.
Uesugi Ryu, on the other hand, was unsure what to say at all. After all, there was an old saying: "To explain is to try and cover something up."
Breaking the awkward moment, Uesugi Ryu smoothly brought the conversation back to work:
"Akira, I'll need you to sort and compile all the movement records we have on the One-Eyed Owl, starting from its earliest confirmed appearance."
His voice was calm and businesslike, with not the slightest ripple of emotion, just a simple directive.
Upon hearing this, Mado Akira unconsciously tightened her grip on the scarf in her hands.
After a brief pause, she nodded, signaling her understanding, and turned to begin retrieving the necessary files.
Shinohara, who had been prepared to crack a joke, immediately sobered up upon hearing the words "One-Eyed Owl."
He looked at Uesugi Ryu seriously.
"Ryu, have you discovered something?"
"Just some guesses," Ryu replied nonchalantly. "A hunch, really."
Seeing that Ryu wasn't keen to elaborate, Shinohara didn't press any further.
Not long after, Mado Kureo returned to the branch office with Amon Koutarou, both heading to their respective desks to work on their reports.
As everyone buried themselves in their assigned paperwork, the door, previously tightly shut, gave a muffled thud and creaked open.
Shinohara stood at the threshold, his face unusually solemn.
He first swept a glance across the room to confirm everyone was present, then cleared his throat and raised his voice:
"Attention, everyone. The day after tomorrow, we'll be heading to HQ for an important meeting. Please make preparations in advance."
He then glanced instinctively toward Mado Kureo's desk, a trace of unease in his eyes.
Just in case, he raised his voice slightly and added:
"Kureo, the Director will be present at this meeting, so no one is allowed to bring their Quinque into the venue. That's a strict rule."
Upon hearing this, Mado Kureo slowly looked up, a wry smile creeping onto his face.
"Sigh... If I can't bring my Quinque, then I'd rather not go at all. Just have Amon fill me in afterward."
With that, he bowed his head again and resumed writing his report, as though nothing had happened.
Amon looked at him with concern and tried to speak:
"Mado-san, that might not be the best idea. This is the HQ, after all..."
But Mado Kureo seemed completely absorbed in his world, ignoring Amon's attempt at persuasion.
In his view, he could go without underwear, but not without his Quinque.