Hiro and Rize fought wildly in the bedroom until three in the morning before the two of them finally fell into a deep sleep. It could only be said that she truly lived up to being an SSS-rated ghoul. That kind of combat power was no joke.
The bedroom had already been wrecked beyond recognition. The bedsheets, the floor, even the table all bore traces of the battle.
There were water stains everywhere that Rize had been beaten into by Amano Hiro. Under the moonlight, the stains reflected faintly, proving how intense the battle had been.
......
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains and fell across the messy bed. When Hiro woke up, he realized it was already noon.
He turned his head slightly and saw that Rize was still sleeping quietly in the crook of his arm, her breathing steady, the corners of her lips carrying a faint trace of a smile.
Looking at the person still asleep in his arms, Amano Hiro could not help but smile.
Sunlight shone on her peaceful profile. The dangerous Binge Eater of ordinary days now looked exceptionally gentle and adorable.
He moved his slightly numb arm, and Rize murmured softly in her sleep, snuggling closer into his embrace.
Feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, Amano Hiro felt an indescribable sense of peace rise in his heart.
If not for considering that this was her first time and she needed rest, he would have wanted to beat her hard again.
There would be plenty of time in the future, he told himself inwardly, his fingers gently brushing aside the strands of hair scattered on the pillow, his gaze tender.
Amano Hiro continued holding Rize like this, occasionally touching her smooth skin. He had no desire to get out of bed. There was nothing to do anyway.
He could not help sighing. Not having to work yet still having money, and having a beauty in his arms. What kind of blessed life was this.
Thinking back to before he transmigrated, working himself to exhaustion every day for such a pitiful salary, and the boss acting as if he had granted some great favor. To hell with that.
Perhaps his movements became a little bigger. The person in his arms let out a soft sound, her long eyelashes trembling as she slowly opened her eyes.
Her hazy vision gradually cleared, and what came into sight was Amano Hiro's smiling face close at hand.
Rize was not fully awake yet, sleep still lingering at the corners of her eyes.
Unconsciously, she tightened her arms around Amano Hiro's neck and burrowed further into his embrace like a cat seeking warmth.
Her cheek pressed against his warm chest, finding a more comfortable position before letting out a satisfied sigh.
Amano Hiro rested his chin lightly on top of her head, feeling the softness of her hair as he gently stroked it.
Their body heat intertwined as they immersed themselves in a moment of tranquility that belonged only to them.
At the same time, in the office of the CCG 20th Ward Branch, it was a completely different scene.
Takizawa Seidou rested his chin on one hand, looking helplessly at Suzuya Juuzou beside him.
This investigator, who would later be hailed as humanity's strongest combat force, was focused on stitching red threads one by one into the exposed skin of his own arm.
The moment the needle pierced his skin, he did not even frown.
"Finished!" Suzuya let out a cheerful exclamation, admiring the winding threads on his arm as if appreciating a work of art.
"I'm telling you, can you stop doing that?" Takizawa finally could not hold back, frowning deeply.
"Why?" Suzuya tilted his head. His innocent expression formed a strange contrast with what his hands were doing.
"You're an investigator at least. What would people think if they saw you acting so frivolous?"
"You're so annoying." Suzuya pouted, then broke into a pure yet dangerous smile. "How about I sew that talkative mouth of yours shut too, Seidou?"
Takizawa Seidou abruptly stood up. "Don't think getting promoted makes you so great. I will never acknowledge someone like you."
Just as the atmosphere turned tense, the door was pushed open. Koutarou Amon looked at the arguing pair and sighed helplessly. "Still as lively as ever."
"Amon-san!" the two greeted at the same time. Takizawa asked with concern, "Has your body fully recovered?"
"Thank you for your concern. I have completely recovered."
"As expected of the unyielding Amon." With that voice, First-Class Investigator Houji Kousuke walked in.
Houji Kousuke had once cooperated with Chinese investigators to eliminate the Chi She Lian ghoul organization.
Tatara's older brother Yan and the executive Fei were killed when Chi She Lian was destroyed. Later, Tatara came to Tokyo seeking revenge.
Amon smiled and exchanged greetings. "Houji, thank you for handling affairs while I was away."
At that moment, the door opened again. A capable-looking woman with short blond hair stood at the entrance, drawing everyone's attention.
"Let me introduce a new colleague," Amon gestured for her to enter.
"Starting today, I have been assigned to the 20th Ward Branch. I am Mado Akira, Rank 2 Investigator. Please take care of me."
This was the daughter of Investigator Mado Kureo, who had graduated at the top of her class and joined the CCG.
Her choice of the 20th Ward was related to her missing father.
Under the guidance of the Washuu, the upper ranks of the CCG were secretly laying out their plans. An operation targeting the 20th Ward was about to unfold.
...
At the same time, Kirishima Touka went to find Nishio Nishiki.
The moment Nishio Nishiki saw her, he habitually spoke rudely. "What do you want, smelly Touka? Just saying, don't ask to borrow money."
Unexpectedly, Touka did not retort with "Shitty Nishiki" as usual.
Instead, she pursed her lips slightly. "Nishiki, could you... take me to Kamii University?"
"Huh?" Nishio exaggeratedly dug at his ear as if he had heard something absurd. "Kamii University? What, you want to apply there? Don't dream. Without a genius brain like mine, you won't get in."
Touka's cheeks reddened, and she finally snapped. "Shit Nishiki, go die!"
Only then did Nishio relax and grin. "That's more like the smelly Touka I know."
With his hands in his pockets, he tilted his head. "So you really want me to take you?"
"Just answer. Are you going or not?"
"Fine. I have to go to class anyway."
As he walked ahead, he glanced back at her. "But why are you suddenly interested in Kamii University? You're not actually planning to apply, are you?"
Touka glared at him. "What? Can't I want to?"
She remembered the suggestion Amano Hiro had casually mentioned last time. After thinking it over, she felt it might not be impossible. If she worked hard, she might get in.
Nishio shrugged. "Do whatever you want."
The two walked one after the other through the gates of Kamii University. Nishio casually pointed at buildings they passed.
"That's the library. Over there is the lecture hall. Tsk. I've got plans with Kimi, so I'm leaving." With that, he actually turned and started to slip away.
"What? Hey, wait—" Before Touka could react, Nishio had already run several steps away.
He suddenly turned back, flashing his signature annoying grin. "Don't cry if you get lost."
Touka looked at his departing figure and muttered, "At least show me around properly."
She wandered alone through the vast campus, gradually drawn in by the atmosphere.
Shady green trees framed red brick buildings. Small groups of students carrying books passed by her. Everything was so different from the high school she attended.
"It's huge," she murmured softly. "Completely different from high school."
At that moment, a gentle voice came from behind her. "Touka?"
She turned at the sound and widened her eyes in surprise. "Kaneki? You're a student at Kamii University?"
Standing before her was Kaneki Ken, a regular customer at Anteiku.
Holding a few books, he smiled gently. "What brings you here, Touka?"
"I want to apply here, so I came to take a look," she sighed helplessly. "But the person who was supposed to guide me ran off halfway."
Kaneki Ken smiled faintly, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting mottled shadows on his shoulder. "If you don't mind, I can show you around."