Though night had fallen, with the ghoul era having been completely ended, Tokyo's nightlife had gradually flourished.
More and more people dared to go out at night, strolling through streets and night markets—something they wouldn't have risked before for fear of sudden ghoul attacks.
As Byakuya and Eto walked down the street, they could see many pedestrians around them.
"Anytime works for me."
Byakuya said.
"Then let's do tomorrow morning."
Eto suggested.
After that, she continued walking with him for a while longer.
"We're almost at my house. Aren't you going to head back?"
Byakuya was nearly home, yet Eto was still walking with him.
"What's the rush? Can't I just want to take a longer walk with you?"
Eto said with a smile.
"Of course you can."
Byakuya didn't say anything more.
...
It wasn't until they reached Byakuya's front door that Eto finally stopped.
"Since you've come all this way, why not come in for a bit?"
Byakuya said.
"I'd better not. I don't feel like getting ganged up on by those girls in your house."
Eto quipped immediately.
"..."
Byakuya couldn't refute that.
"Well then, I'm heading back."
Eto gave him a little wave.
"Mm, bye."
Byakuya smiled.
...
The next morning.
Byakuya certainly hadn't forgotten his promise to Eto—to accompany her to the Mado residence this morning.
So after eating breakfast bright and early, he headed to the Yoshimura home.
After ringing the doorbell, Ukina came to answer shortly after.
Seeing Byakuya at the door, she exclaimed with surprise, "Oh? It's Byakuya! Are you here to wake little Eto?"
"She's not up yet?"
Byakuya asked, somewhat surprised.
"No, she kept me up late last night chatting about all sorts of things. Before we knew it, we'd talked until very late, so she couldn't get up this morning."
Ukina explained.
"I see. Then I'll just wait for her to wake up."
Byakuya said.
"Come in and sit down. I'll go wake her right now."
With that, Ukina hurried toward Eto's room.
Byakuya had wanted to say there was no rush to wake Eto, but Ukina didn't give him the chance.
"Little Eto, stop sleeping in. Your boyfriend's here to see you."
Ukina called out from Eto's doorway.
Seeing this, Byakuya could only smile wryly and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
This approach proved highly effective. Eto had actually been on the verge of waking up naturally, hovering in that half-asleep state, and Ukina's call immediately brought her fully awake.
Opening her eyes, Eto quickly checked the clock and found it was already 8 AM.
She hadn't expected Byakuya to come so early, but since he was already here, she certainly couldn't keep sleeping in.
Eto didn't bother changing out of her pajamas, didn't spend ages primping or putting on makeup in her room—she just got out of bed, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and came right out.
After all, Eto was already quite beautiful without makeup, and she'd never cared about such things anyway.
But since she'd just woken up, when the door opened, Byakuya was greeted by the sight of a little Eto with her hair sticking up in all directions.