"This again... If it's just the title of 'One-Eyed King,' that's one thing. But if you want me to endorse Aogiri Tree's ideology, that's impossible."
Byakuya felt somewhat exasperated. Eto kept fixating on this "One-Eyed King" business.
"Just the title would be fine too."
Eto said immediately.
She knew perfectly well that given the absolute power Byakuya had displayed during the Owl Suppression, her ideology was no longer the only solution.
She was simply unwilling to accept it, which was why she was being stubborn about the One-Eyed King thing.
If Byakuya were truly willing to inherit the title of One-Eyed King, it would feel better to her than having all her efforts go to waste.
However, Byakuya said expressionlessly, "...I said it was one thing. I didn't say I'd accept."
There was nothing in it for him. Why should he have to inherit the title of One-Eyed King? It would only benefit Eto.
"Tch..."
Eto clicked her tongue lightly. She'd thought she had succeeded.
"I heard that 'tch' loud and clear."
Byakuya couldn't help but comment.
"Ah, the set meal is here."
Eto waved to the approaching server. "Over here—I'm the one who ordered."
Byakuya glanced over. It was, as always, the "couple's set meal."
"Takatsuki-sensei still enjoys joking around..."
Byakuya said mildly.
"Don't you like this sort of thing?"
Eto countered. "I thought you liked me. Otherwise, why would you care so much about the situation between me and my father?"
She had been wondering about this since the day she met Yoshimura. Especially since Byakuya's request had been for her to visit Kuzen's coffee shop—that was pretty obvious.
"...If you insist on putting it that way, then yes, I suppose I do like you."
Byakuya didn't deny it.
Otherwise, why would he bother meddling in their affairs?
He clearly felt that Yoshimura and Eto, this father-daughter pair, had too many regrets between them. And he did like this pair, which was why he cared about these matters.
Otherwise, he could have taken an entirely different, extreme approach—using his investigator identity during the Owl Suppression to capture both the Non-Killing Owl and One-Eyed Owl, which would have also earned him plenty of Fusion Points.
He simply didn't want to do that.
"Oh~ Admitting it without any embarrassment?"
Eto found this quite interesting.
"Because there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Byakuya said calmly.
"If you like me, why won't you agree to my request? Inheriting the title of 'One-Eyed King' is just a small thing for you, isn't it?"
Eto pressed.
"Probably because I don't like you enough for that. Besides, 'liking' someone never means you have to give one-sidedly."
Byakuya said. "Everything I've done is because I wanted to do it, not because I had to. There's a fundamental difference."
The "like" he spoke of might not mean the same thing as Eto's "like."
After all, his "like" included both Yoshimura and Eto as a father-daughter pair.
"...How troublesome. So as long as you like me enough, that's all it takes?"
Eto rested her chin on her interlaced fingers. "Come to think of it, you like my books, right? From now on, I'll give you all my works for free."
"..."
Byakuya was momentarily speechless.
As if he couldn't afford to buy books. Though admittedly, books in Japan were quite expensive.
"Joking aside, I called you out for two reasons. First, I was curious why you cared so much about my situation with Kuzen. I think I've gotten my answer. As for the second reason..."
Eto finally became serious. "I wanted to ask you—if I really do show up at Kuzen's coffee shop as 'Sen Takatsuki,' and the ghouls at Anteiku learn about my relationship with Kuzen, it'll be easier for the Washuu to discover my existence. Basically... this puts me in a difficult position."
Once the Washuu discovered that the human author "Sen Takatsuki" was Yoshimura's daughter, she would constantly face the risk of being exposed.
Even with her current level of power, the V Organization remained a formidable threat.
"That's simple. I can guarantee your safety."
Byakuya said evenly.
"Oh? You said it yourself. When the time comes, you must take responsibility for me."
Eto emphasized.
She naturally believed Byakuya had the ability. All she needed was his verbal commitment.
"No problem."
Byakuya nodded.
"Then that settles it. Time to eat."
Eto immediately started eating.
Byakuya smiled faintly and prepared to casually have some coffee and dessert.
Shortly after they started, Eto spoke again. "Byakuya, you're about to be promoted to Associate Special Class soon, right? Are you planning to keep playing around in the CCG?"
Her mouth was still full of food, making her words a bit unclear.
Notably, Eto's way of addressing Byakuya had changed.
"Who says I'm playing around in the CCG? From your perspective, I suppose there's no reason for me to work for a CCG controlled by the Washuu. But I have my own plans."
Byakuya chatted with Eto like friends, eating and talking casually.
"Is that so? I thought so—that this was part of your plan. No wonder..."
Eto could naturally consider this possibility, so her expression showed no surprise.
"By the way... among the participants in the last Owl Suppression, one of them is Aogiri Tree's One-Eyed King, right?"
Byakuya suddenly brought this up in a casual tone.
Eto's gaze flickered. "...You figured it out? Does that mean you already know who it is?"
"I ran into Tatara. He was muttering about 'clearing the way for the King.' And since you're not the One-Eyed King, and no ghoul fitting the profile appeared during that time, it means the One-Eyed King was among the CCG participants."
Byakuya analyzed something he already knew with a straight face. "If I'm not mistaken, the One-Eyed King should be Arima-san, right?"
"..."
Eto fell silent momentarily. She hadn't expected Byakuya to actually deduce Aogiri Tree's current One-Eyed King.
...
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