The Next Day, Before Heading out, Eto took some time to dress up a little.
Once again, she put on mature-styled clothing, her preferred fashion choice.
When she was just about done, she glanced at Byakuya and saw that he was just sitting there, waiting for her.
"At least put in some effort and dress up a little."
Eto couldn't help but comment.
"I think I'm fine like this."
Byakuya replied.
Eto examined him from head to toe and still felt like there was something was missing.
She took a comb and personally helped Byakuya tidy up his slightly messy hair, she then adjusted the slightly imperfect collar of his shirt. "Alright, this should do."
"Mayu, we're heading out for a bit. Be good and stay at home, okay?"
As they were about to leave, Byakuya turned and spoke to Mayu.
He didn't plan to take Mayu to Anteiku just yet.
Even though their long-term plan was to have Mayu receive Anteiku's support, now still wasn't the right time.
After all, there was no telling just how things would go with this upcoming meeting between Yoshimura Kuzen and Eto.
Mayu nodded obediently.
"Okay!"
She was very well-behaved and knew she couldn't run around outside recklessly, otherwise, she'd cause trouble for her "Papa" and "Mama."
She would never do something that would burden them.
Eto brought along the copy of 'Dear Kafka' she had purchased earlier, placing it in her bag.
On the way, Byakuya turned to Eto and asked, "Eto, what kind of gift do you think I should buy for Yoshimura-san?"
He wanted to bring a gift but had no idea what would be suitable for a ghoul like Yoshimura Kuzen.
If it were for people like Kirishima Hikari or Touka, that would be easy; some flowers, small presents, or similar things would do.
But Yoshimura Kuzen was an elderly ghoul...
"You're asking me about this...? I have no idea either."
Eto replied helplessly, "You humans love gifting food and drinks, but ghouls can't consume any of that..."
"Maybe I'll just buy a scarf or gloves or something like that."
Byakuya figured that was a more practical choice.
"Honestly, I think you shouldn't bother. Who knows if you'll even get the chance to have a proper conversation with him?"
Eto said casually.
"That's true. I'll leave it for another time, then."
Byakuya temporarily gave up on the idea of bringing a gift.
By now, they had already arrived in the 20th Ward.
Although Eto had been here before, this was the first time she came with such a complicated mix of emotions.
"Anteiku is just ahead."
Byakuya said, glancing at her.
"Mm."
Eto steadied her emotions.
As they approached the café entrance, Byakuya first looked through the window to observe the situation inside.
Inside, Yoshimura Kuzen was chatting and laughing with Koma Enji and the others.
Eto would undoubtedly feel a sense of imbalance at this sight, but there was nothing to be done about it.
After all, it was perfectly normal for the café owner to be conversing happily with his employees.
Byakuya couldn't exactly stop Eto from seeing what was happening inside. Whatever was bound to happen, would happen.
As expected, the moment Eto caught sight of the scene inside, her steps came to an abrupt halt.
Her gaze gradually darkened, and her grip on 'Dear Kafka' instinctively tightened.
However, it wasn't as extreme as in the original timeline.
In the original, her eyes had been filled with hatred, and she had crushed the book in her hands into a ball of scrap paper before throwing it to the ground.
"Let's go back."
Eto's tone was noticeably cold.
She had completely abandoned the idea of even meeting Yoshimura Kuzen.
The warm and harmonious atmosphere inside Anteiku filled her with disgust.
After all, she still couldn't let go of what her father had done; killing her mother with his own hands and abandoning her in the 24th Ward to fend for herself.
She had told herself that she didn't care anymore.
Yet now, seeing Yoshimura Kuzen hiding away in this warm, cozy place, enjoying a peaceful life with those people, she simply couldn't accept it.
"..."
Byakuya fell silent.
Although the situation had unfolded similarly to the original timeline, Eto's reaction was much less extreme.
Perhaps it was because of Byakuya and Mayu's presence, having them in her life made her less emotionally unbalanced than before.
Even so, she still couldn't accept it.
Byakuya pondered for a moment but ultimately chose not to say anything to persuade her otherwise.
Of course, he simply remained silent.
"Hurry up, I don't want to see him anymore."
Hearing no response, Eto urged him coldly.
But the next moment, Byakuya suddenly embraced her.
Eto had not expected this at all.
Her face briefly showed a hint of surprise, her eyes widening slightly, and her small frame instinctively tensed up.
"Y-You... What are you doing?"
"I'm not going to tell you to forgive him or anything like that. I just don't want to see you looking so upset."
Byakuya's voice was calm as he held her.
"..."
For once, Eto was at a loss for words in front of Byakuya.
Under normal circumstances, she would have already started teasing him.
Forgetting that they were still standing at Anteiku's entrance, her initially stiff body gradually relaxed.
She even tightened her embrace slightly.
She was not the kind of girl who would break down crying. She wouldn't even shed a tear, not ever.
But at the very least, right now, she wanted the person she cared about to comfort her; just a little.
This was completely different from the playful moments they usually shared. For the first time, Eto truly felt how warm and reassuring Byakuya's embrace was.
At that moment, inside the café, Koma Enji happened to glance toward the entrance and saw Byakuya and Eto embracing each other.
Surprised, he blurted out, "Look! There's a couple hugging right in front of the shop."
"Oh?"
Irimi Kaya immediately became interested. "They really are. So lovey-dovey!"
Coincidentally, Yomo Renji and the entire Kirishima family were also inside, along with Roma Hoito.
However, Roma was unaware of Byakuya and Eto's true identities.
She only recognized Uchiha Byakuya as the black-clad investigator she had encountered back at Cochlea.
Immediately, she felt uneasy.
What was he doing here? And why was he standing in front of the shop, engaging in such an intimate display with some girl?
Of course, Yoshimura Kuzen, Yomo Renji, and the Kirishima family had already recognized Uchiha Byakuya as well.
Each of them wore a different expression on their face.