"Oh, there's something else I need to discuss with Director Amaha. It's also about the Washuu Clan..."
Marude suddenly remembered something.
Everyone, Marude included, had already begun addressing Byakuya as Director.
"Aside from the Washuu Clan's branch families, there's one person from the main family still in Germany—Matsuri Washuu, the son of the late Bureau Director Yoshitoki."
Marude consulted Byakuya. "Based on the timing, Matsuri should be returning to Japan soon. How should we handle him?"
"Just proceed as normal."
Byakuya replied. "As long as he's willing to work properly at the CCG, there's no problem."
He had a general understanding of Matsuri as a person—somewhat similar to Kuki Urie, an ambitious workaholic.
At least by the end of the original timeline, Matsuri was still serving the reformed CCG.
"Alright, we won't worry about him for now then."
Marude thought for a moment. "Though speaking of which, he was only a First Class Investigator when he was in Germany. He should be due for promotion to Associate Special Class when he returns..."
...
While Byakuya and Marude were in their meeting, Eto, Hairu, and Akira were in a break room.
"My~ thanks to Byakuya, even after being exposed as the Owl, I can still enjoy desserts at CCG headquarters."
Eto remarked with feeling, helping herself to the sweets on the table without reservation.
"It's nice that we don't have to fight Eto-nee anymore."
Hairu smiled.
"..."
Akira silently sipped the coffee provided in the break room.
As a workaholic, having coffee to stay alert had long become a habit.
She couldn't agree with Hairu's sentiment but said nothing.
After Eto and Hairu chatted for a while, Akira suddenly spoke up. "Eto-san, you mentioned your mother earlier—is she no longer with us...?"
"Ah right, I didn't finish telling you about my parents."
And so, Eto continued the story of Kuzen and Ukina while eating her desserts.
She also shared more details about the Washuu Clan and V Organization.
Since both were now destroyed, it didn't matter if she talked about it.
Though Ukina had passed away long ago, Eto could still recount those events with a calm expression.
...
When she heard how V Organization had forced Kuzen to kill Ukina with his own hands, Akira began to understand why Eto harbored such hatred for V and the Washuu Clan behind them.
Just as she herself hated the One-Eyed Owl—these were blood feuds.
"So you were willing to pay any price to take revenge on the Washuu Clan...?"
Akira asked quietly.
"Yes... though that's only part of it. More of it stems from what happened later."
Eto said calmly. "Your CCG knows I first appeared in Ward 24. From infancy, Kuzen entrusted me to a ghoul named 'Noroi,' who became my adoptive father and brought me to Ward 24. Until I was fourteen, I grew up in that place. My adoptive father was killed by V Organization when I was just a few years old. Everything I experienced there made me despise this twisted world..."
"And the root of this twisted world was the entire Washuu Clan."
"In the end, I'm just a byproduct of Kuzen and Ukina. If Ukina hadn't been investigating V Organization, she wouldn't have had me with Kuzen—a child who was a mistake from birth."
At this, Eto gave a self-deprecating laugh.
Just then, Byakuya pushed open the door and happened to catch some of what Eto had said.
"Oh~ a certain someone finished his business and came back."
Seeing Byakuya enter, Eto naturally shifted topics.
But Byakuya immediately addressed what he'd heard. "Still calling yourself a byproduct? Manager Yoshimura and Ukina-san undoubtedly loved you. How is that being a byproduct?"
"...That's none of your business."
Eto turned her face away, looking like she didn't want to hear Byakuya speak.
"Maybe I am being nosy, but it's because I want both you and the Manager to be happy."
Byakuya said directly.
"..."
Eto froze for a moment.
Then she recovered, a smile curling at her lips. "So you really aren't going to let even me go? But fair warning—I'm not as easy to win over as other girls~"
At the same time, Akira's expression subtly shifted.
Because Byakuya's words just now sounded like a confession to Eto.
Hairu showed no particular reaction.
True to her nature, she had no intention of competing.
Perhaps due to her personality, even seeing Eto and Akira being ambiguous with Byakuya didn't make her feel uncomfortable or jealous.
"...That's not what I meant. What I said was literal—I hope both you and the Manager can be happy."
Byakuya immediately clarified.
He couldn't exactly say he was a transmigrator who felt dissatisfied with Kuzen and Eto's endings and wanted to change them.
"Understood—"
Eto replied casually.
Her offhand tone made it unclear whether she'd actually taken his words to heart.
"Speaking of which, you really do love meddling, don't you? No wonder you're so popular with women."
Eto teased Byakuya again.
"Indeed."
On this point, Akira agreed with Eto.
"..."
Byakuya was momentarily speechless. He really couldn't refute that.
"Well, what I said earlier was just venting. How could I not know what Kuzen and Ukina did for me?"
Eto sighed softly. "It's precisely because I understand that I directed all my anger at the Washuu Clan."
Ukina, who had forced herself to eat raw human flesh for the sake of the child in her womb...
And Kuzen, who had secretly protected his daughter all along...
Eto knew about all of this.
"And I should also thank you for completely destroying the Washuu Clan. As thanks... shouldn't I offer myself in return~?"
Eto wore a delighted smile—clearly she was teasing Byakuya again.
...
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