Caught off guard by Special Class Aura's perceptive remark, both Kurona and Nashiro's cheeks flushed slightly.
They hadn't expected Special Class Aura to have already noticed.
"Also, why don't you two call me 'Kiyoko-nee' as well? We're partners, so there's no need for such formal address."
Kiyoko said.
"Alright then... Kiyoko-nee."
"Kiyoko-nee."
Kurona and Nashiro spoke simultaneously.
They also felt that "Kiyoko-nee" rolled off the tongue more easily than "Special Class Aura."
...
Ward 1, the Aura residence.
Byakuya, Kurona, and Nashiro had been invited to visit Kiyoko's home.
The interior looked cleaner than last time—clearly Kiyoko had made an effort to tidy up.
At the moment, Kiyoko was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"Kiyoko-nee, do you need any help?"
Byakuya asked.
Kiyoko slid open the kitchen door. "If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it."
"It's no trouble."
Byakuya went in to help.
Before long, Kiyoko noticed that Byakuya's knife skills were exceptionally good. Despite being so young, he possessed remarkably refined technique.
Much of this was due to the immense enhancement the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan had given Byakuya—otherwise, his knife skills would have only been decent and practiced.
"Byakuya, I had no idea your knife skills were this impressive. Could you teach me?"
Kiyoko asked.
"Sure, though I'm not sure how to teach..."
Byakuya said.
"Actually, you just need to help me cut these slices of meat. Let me feel the rhythm of it."
Kiyoko said.
"Alright..."
Following Kiyoko's request, Byakuya stood beside her, ready to help with the meat slicing.
"This isn't very convenient. Just stand behind me."
Kiyoko added.
"..."
Byakuya suddenly felt like this might not be entirely appropriate.
But since Kiyoko-nee didn't mind, there was no need for him to overthink it.
He then positioned himself behind Kiyoko, standing very close. He needed to use his right hand to guide hers as she held the knife—only through this hands-on approach could she truly feel the technique.
Kiyoko seemed to be quite enjoying this moment. After all, it was she who had requested this arrangement.
Having noticed that both Byakuya and Kiyoko-nee were in the kitchen, Kurona and Nashiro became somewhat concerned.
They quietly slid the kitchen door open just a crack. Kurona peeked through from above while Nashiro looked from below, spying on what was happening inside.
What they saw was Byakuya and Kiyoko-nee in this intimate posture.
Both Kurona and Nashiro's eyes widened. This was clearly beyond a normal relationship, wasn't it?
Without them knowing, Byakuya and Kiyoko-nee's relationship had already become this close.
Earlier, Kiyoko-nee had told them she wouldn't steal Byakuya from them, but the scene before them was completely unconvincing...
"Kuro, Shiro, spying on others isn't very polite."
Just then, Kiyoko's voice reached them.
Obviously, Kurona and Nashiro had been discovered.
Since they'd been caught, the twins stopped hiding and openly slid the door open.
"Kiyoko-nee, what are you two doing...?"
Kurona couldn't help asking.
"Nothing much. I just asked Byakuya to teach me how to cut vegetables. His knife skills are much better than mine."
Kiyoko said blandly.
As if this were just an ordinary little thing.
"I see..."
Kurona nodded, half-believing.
Though both twins had their doubts, Kiyoko-nee was their superior. They couldn't exactly question her.
The situation had become rather awkward for Byakuya.
...
Byakuya and Kiyoko brought out the prepared dishes.
"Unfortunately, Kuro and Shiro can't taste these right now. There are plenty of drinks in the fridge—help yourselves."
Kiyoko said with a hint of regret.
Now that she knew about Kurona and Nashiro's past experiences, she naturally understood they couldn't eat normal food anymore.
But ghouls could drink beverages—that was at least some small consolation...
"Thank you, Kiyoko-nee."
Kurona and Nashiro nodded.
Byakuya's conviction regarding the Infinite Tsukuyomi had never wavered, but at this moment, it became even more resolute...
...
Ward 20, ":re."
The new "Anteiku" had been rebuilt and was now officially open for business.
The Manager was still Yoshimura. The staff were still the same as before—even Roma hadn't run off.
The ghoul customers who had frequented the old Anteiku quickly learned of its reconstruction and flocked to visit.
Mainly because the CCG's raid on Anteiku had caused such a massive commotion that almost every ghoul in Ward 20 now deeply admired Manager Yoshimura.
One reason was that, thanks to the CCG's disclosures, everyone now knew Manager Yoshimura's true identity was the legendary SSS-rated "Owl." Roma Hoito, also SSS-rated as the "Dodgy Mother," had been imprisoned by the CCG for so many years that she had long since faded from prominence in the ghoul world. So in most ghouls' minds, the "Owl" was practically the only SSS-rated ghoul.
But now there was new information: there was another SSS-rated Owl—Aogiri Tree's "One-Eyed Owl."
Rumors had it that Aogiri Tree's One-Eyed Owl was the child of that old man Yoshimura from Anteiku.
In the hearts of ordinary ghouls, Yoshimura had become a true legend.
As a result, ghouls from other wards often came to visit, all seeking Yoshimura.
"Amaha-san, my brothers want to repay you for saving their lives. They asked me to check if there's anything you need help with."
Koma approached Byakuya.
"My sisters feel the same way—they want to repay your kindness."
Irimi added.
"Repaying kindness..."
When Koma and Irimi mentioned this, Byakuya suddenly remembered something: expanding the Akatsuki Organization's size could earn Fusion Point rewards.
The Devil Ape and Black Dobers were two ghoul groups with quite a substantial number of members...
...
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