"Huh?"
Ayato Kirishima casually brushed shards of glass off his hoodie.
"It's just a window."
"So what if it's broken?"
His tone was completely indifferent.
In Ward 11, he had witnessed destruction far worse than this.
Entire buildings collapsed.
Investigators slaughtered.
Compared to that—
A civilian window was nothing more than stepping on a fallen leaf.
He felt absolutely no guilt.
"Hey… wait."
Ayato suddenly noticed something.
The expression on Ren's face had changed.
Cold.
Hostile.
And he was slowly approaching.
"What are you doing?"
Ayato's body tensed instantly.
His ukaku kagune burst open behind him.
The dark purple tips gleamed sharply in the moonlight.
But before he could even react—
Scarlet tendrils shot forward.
They wrapped precisely around the base of his kagune.
Locking the joints instantly.
Removing all leverage.
"I let you go last time."
Ren's voice turned icy.
"That was because of your sister."
His gaze swept across the shattered glass scattered across the room.
"And you dared to do it again."
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
"Looks like you're lacking discipline."
"I'll teach you what manners mean."
"In your sister's place."
Inside his mind—
Carnage purred with anticipation.
[…Post-meal exercise…]
[…beginning…]
A Moment Later
After delivering a very one-sided "lesson,"
Ren sat back down in his chair.
Feeling refreshed.
He hadn't used much strength.
Breaking the kid now would ruin future plans.
Still—
Nothing relieved stress quite like disciplining a rebellious teenager.
He was somewhat surprised.
The news broadcast earlier had been prerecorded.
But he hadn't expected Aogiri Tree's diversionary operation to conclude so quickly.
Thinking about it—
It made sense.
Until Tatara and Eto Yoshimura entered the battlefield,
The CCG held overwhelming advantages in manpower and firepower.
And now—
With Yoshimura absent from the battlefield—
The CCG advance would only proceed faster.
Right now—
CCG headquarters was probably celebrating.
Tomorrow's headlines would likely read something like:
"CCG Achieves Great Victory — Ward 11 Secured."
He glanced casually at Ayato.
The boy was slumped against the wall.
Panting heavily.
Sweat covered his forehead.
His body trembled slightly from pain.
Small cuts from flying glass marked his face.
Still—
The kid had guts.
Despite being only a mid-level operative within Aogiri Tree, he had fought fiercely in Ward 11.
Clearly risking his life to complete his mission.
"Alright."
Ren tapped the table lightly.
The sharp sound pulled Ayato's focus back.
"Let's talk."
"What did you want?"
Ayato swallowed.
His breathing still uneven.
"…The information you mentioned."
"About Arata Kirishima."
His voice was hoarse.
"…Is it true?"
"Of course."
Ren answered immediately.
"No doubt."
Ayato's eyes narrowed.
"Why should I believe you?"
He shrugged.
"Believe it or not."
"That's your choice."
"You—!"
Ayato clenched his teeth.
The motion reopened one of the small wounds on his face.
He hissed in pain.
Finally—
He forced himself to focus.
"…The day after tomorrow."
"Aogiri Tree will attack Cochlea."
"At dawn."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Take me inside."
Ren answered calmly.
"That's all."
He leaned back slightly.
"You can follow me."
"Or do your own thing."
"The rest is my problem."
He looked directly at Ayato.
Speaking slowly.
"I will bring Arata Kirishima out."
"Alive."
Silence filled the room.
Only Ayato's breathing and the ticking clock remained.
Finally—
Ayato asked the question that had been bothering him all along.
"…What exactly is your relationship with my sister?"
Ren leaned back.
Looking amused.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He examined Ayato carefully.
The gaze alone made Ayato uncomfortable.
"…Guess."
He finally said.
"You—!"
Ayato's voice rose angrily.
Trying to stand again.
"Shhh."
Ren raised a finger to his lips.
Silencing him instantly.
"Lower your voice."
"Everyone is sleeping."
He glanced toward the quiet corridor outside.
"What does that have to do with me—"
Ayato began angrily.
"Touka is asleep too."
Ren interrupted calmly.
"She's working very hard."
"Trying to get into university."
He tilted his head slightly.
A faint smile appearing.
"You wouldn't want to…"
"…wake her up."
Ayato froze.
The words struck directly at his pride.
"Hmph."
"Human universities…"
"What's so great about them?"
He muttered bitterly.
"Everyone has their own path."
Ren replied calmly.
"Touka wants to live among humans."
"To attend university."
"To find another possibility."
"I don't think that's wrong."
Then he looked at Ayato.
Coldly.
"As for you joining Aogiri Tree…"
He paused.
His tone dripping with sarcasm.
"It looks more like a child throwing a tantrum."
"Running away because he didn't get the recognition he wanted."
"You don't even know their true goal."
"You're just useful in a fight."
"Am I wrong, Ayato?"
The words struck harder than any punch.
Ayato opened his mouth.
But no response came.
His sister's path suddenly seemed… reasonable.
Meanwhile—
His own choice had just been reduced to childish rebellion.
The realization left him speechless.
Like a deflated balloon—
Ayato slumped against the wall again.
Turning his face away.
Seeing that defeated expression—
A faint satisfaction flashed across Ren's eyes.
"Alright."
"That's enough philosophy for tonight."
He stood up lazily.
Stretching slightly.
Then he pointed at the shattered window.
Only a jagged frame remained.
"Now."
"I suggest our elite student from the University of Life…"
A mocking smile appeared.
"…return the same way you came in."
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