Amano Hiro picked up the tongs and laid the finely marbled wagyu slices onto the blazing grill. The fat instantly released an enticing sizzle.
Rize elegantly lifted the sake bottle and poured for both of them. The clear liquor rippled gently in the cups.
She was just about to continue the earlier topic about the "peerless masters" when she saw Amano Hiro suddenly pause.
He raised a long finger lightly to his lips in a shushing gesture,
then subtly pointed to the partition behind him and then to his own ear.
Rize immediately understood and held her breath. Amid the faint crackle of charcoal, the conversation next door came through clearly:
"Sigh, why did the higher-ups suddenly order us to focus on searching for a purple-haired female ghoul?"
A slightly hoarse voice complained.
"Who cares," another steadier voice replied. "If it's an order from above, we just do it. Not like they'll pay us extra."
"That's true... but they didn't even mark a danger rating. If we run into some S-class or higher monster, aren't we just being sent to die?"
"Shh. Keep it down." The steadier voice lowered. "Our task is only investigation and reporting. If it really comes to action, specialists will be sent."
"That's fair... but speaking of which, so many died in this 20th Ward operation, and the report just said 'the Owl was driven off.' I heard Director Washuu was badly injured and a new director has already been appointed."
"Hmph, 'driven off'? Judging by the atmosphere at HQ, it doesn't look like a victory at all. Forget it. Not our concern. Drink."
Listening to the next-door conversation, Amano Hiro leaned forward and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Looks like the Washuu family has already noticed your trail."
Rize's fingers tightened slightly around her cup, the knuckles paling.
Hearing that the Washuu were still pursuing her, the turmoil in her heart was hard to quell.
At that moment, a warm palm covered her clenched hand.
Amano Hiro gently pried open her tense fingers and interlaced them with his.
"Don't worry," his voice was low and steady, carrying reassuring strength.
"I'm no worse than those two 'peerless masters.' As long as I'm here, the Washuu family can't touch you."
Feeling the warmth from his palm and seeing the unquestionable certainty in his eyes,
the unease in Rize's heart gradually faded. She squeezed his hand in return, a gentle smile returning to her lips.
Yes, she was no longer the Rize who fled alone as before.
Amano Hiro picked up a slice of perfectly grilled wagyu, the edge of the meat slightly curled,
glistening with golden fat, and placed it lightly onto Rize's plate. "Try it. The doneness is just right."
Rize lifted it elegantly with her chopsticks and placed it in her mouth. The delicate richness melted instantly across her tongue. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. "It's indeed delicious."
From the neighboring booth, the investigators' complaints about work could still be faintly heard,
instead adding a touch of everyday bustle to the meal.
Charcoal crackled, meat aroma filled the air, sake was mellow. The peace of this moment felt especially precious.
At this time, the noise next door stopped. The two investigators finished eating and walked out one after the other.
The corridor was not wide. A staff member hurrying past with empty plates brushed by them, an elbow accidentally lifting the curtain of Amano Hiro's booth.
The investigator walking behind glanced inside instinctively, the side profile of a purple-haired woman elegantly holding a cup, and across from her a black-haired man of extraordinary bearing, flashed before his eyes.
After leaving the restaurant, a gust of cold wind hit. He suddenly stopped, brows knitting.
His partner walked a few steps, noticed he had not followed, and turned back. "What's with you? Need to piss?"
"No..." He hesitated, rubbing his chin. "Wasn't there a purple-haired woman in the booth next to us just now? Could she be the target we're looking for?"
His partner laughed and slapped his shoulder. "You drank too much, didn't you?
How could a ghoul swagger into a yakiniku place and eat? They only eat... you know." He made a throat-cutting gesture.
"Damn, you're right."
He smacked his forehead in sudden realization and shook his head self-mockingly.
"Guess I've been too tense lately. Starting to get occupational hallucinations. I should apply for leave and spend time with my wife and kids."
The two joked as they walked farther away, disappearing at the street corner.
On the grill, the beef still sizzled, fragrance filling the small booth.
Truth often brushed past by chance, then was lightly pushed away by habitual assumptions.
Inside the booth, Amano Hiro turned the slices on the grill unhurriedly. Fat dripped onto the charcoal, sparking tiny flares.
He appeared focused on savoring the food, but a cold glint passed through his eyes. Using rank-and-file investigators to search for Rize? Nonsense.
The real hunters must already be lurking deeper in the shadows.
Since the Washuu family had noticed Rize's trail, how could they send only such fodder?
The V organization, the hound unit directly controlled by the Washuu, must have already begun moving.
Thinking of this, his lips curved faintly. Perfect. He had long wanted to test that "legendary" Kaiko's level,
to see just how formidable the V leader who made Manager Yoshimura wary truly was.
He picked up a richly marbled slice of wagyu, watching the crystalline fat flow between the fibers,
and savored it slowly. "Fatty really does taste better. The fat melts in the mouth. The aftertaste lingers."
Rize held her chopsticks elegantly, carefully avoiding obvious fat layers and choosing a leaner cut. "I prefer the firm texture of lean meat. Chewed slowly, it has its own charm."
The two walked out of the yakiniku restaurant side by side. Cool air mixed with the street's smoky bustle brushed their faces.
Rize naturally hooked Amano Hiro's arm and looked up. "Meiyue-kun, where are we going next? Straight home?"
Amano Hiro stopped and turned his head to study Rize carefully.
His gaze swept over her smooth purple hair. He lifted a strand lightly, rubbing it between his fingers, nodding thoughtfully.
"Come on. I'll take you to change your hairstyle."
"Eh? Get my hair done?" Rize's eyes widened slightly, fingertips unconsciously twirling the end of her hair.
"Exactly." Amano Hiro ruffled the top of her head, a sly curve lifting his lips.
"Your current style is pretty, but it looks too well-behaved. I'll take you to switch to something more distinctive."
He leaned close to her ear and lowered his voice. "It'll also cause a little trouble for those chasing you. Best of both worlds."