Suddenly, a thought emerged in Yoshimura Kuzen's mind.
Could it be that Eto intended to ally with the Special-Class Investigators of the CCG to fight against V and the Washuu Clan?
Though the idea was somewhat terrifying, it wasn't entirely impossible.
"Thank you, and sorry for calling you up here."
Yoshimura Kuzen had already learned most of what he wanted to know.
"It's nothing."
Uruka Minami couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Manager Yoshimura was easy to talk to and didn't seem to mind that she had kept these things hidden.
"Speaking of which, that blue-haired young man who came here with Uchiha-kun to drink coffee before; he's also someone you know, right? And he's also a Ghoul Investigator?"
Yoshimura Kuzen suddenly recalled the blue-haired young man.
Previously, Yomo Renji had told him that there were two primary investigators stationed in the 4th Ward at the time.
One of them had been described as a blue-haired young man, while the other had just been confirmed to be the black-clad investigator.
So, if there were no surprises, the blue-haired young man who had first appeared in the café should be the same person.
"Ah... yes..."
Minami was astonished.
"Manager, you're amazing! It feels like nothing can be hidden from you."
"Not at all. These are just my guesses. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed to ask you."
Yoshimura Kuzen replied.
"Arima-kun also knows about Anteiku, but he's actually very gentle. He probably wouldn't harm us."
After spending so much time with him, Minami had come to trust Arima Kishou a great deal.
"It seems like you're quite close to him."
Yoshimura Kuzen said casually.
However, that offhand remark caused Minami's face to flush slightly.
"Not really... We're just classmates, after all."
Whenever she talked about Arima, she would instinctively become a bit shy.
Yoshimura Kuzen narrowed his eyes with a gentle smile, clearly seeing through everything.
"I see..."
But he chose not to say anything further.
Minami was a ghoul, while the blue-haired young man was likely a human, or perhaps a half-human.
This inevitably made Yoshimura Kuzen recall his own past with Ukina.
To have a lover who didn't mind their identity as a ghoul and even understood them; that was an incredibly rare and precious thing.
From the bottom of his heart, he wished for Minami and Arima Kishou's happiness.
With a smile, Yoshimura Kuzen said,
"If there's ever a chance, you can invite Arima-kun to our café for a cup of coffee as well."
On their way back, Byakuya glanced at Eto.
"You should be feeling better by now, right?"
Byakuya asked Eto.
"Mm. Honestly, I was already fine while we were still in the café."
Eto nodded.
"It's just... I wonder what he was thinking when he saw me."
"It must be hard to put into words."
Byakuya replied.
"The next time you go to Anteiku, you can talk to him more."
"Mm... But when that time comes, I might end up not knowing what to say again, just like today."
Eto said helplessly.
"It's fine. I think anything you say will be enough. Like that last sentence you said today; I think it was already great."
Byakuya said.
"Mm, we'll see when the time comes."
By now, Eto's mood had improved significantly; at the very least, she had spoken to her father today.
"Speaking of which, when we were hugging at the café entrance earlier, he saw us, didn't he? I'm suddenly a bit curious about what he might be thinking."
Eto teased Byakuya, her smile clearly showed that she had recovered emotionally.
"Don't be curious about things like that..."
Byakuya felt a little guilty.
Considering Eto's and his relationship, it was hard not to feel uneasy in front of her father.
"Do you think... he sees a certain someone as an irredeemable criminal~?"
Eto joked.
"..."
Byakuya was left speechless.
He decided that the next time he visited Anteiku, he would bring more gifts.
"By the way, next time, we should probably bring Mayu-chan to Anteiku. The only question is whether she'd be willing to go."
Byakuya said.
Eto replied casually, "That's no problem. She can stay at Anteiku if she wants, or stay at home if she prefers."
"That works."
Byakuya nodded slightly in return.
When they returned home.
Mayu was still sitting obediently, watching TV.
"Papa, Mama, welcome back!"
Mayu said excitedly.
"Mm..."
Byakuya felt that it was about time to talk to Mayu about Anteiku, so he sat down beside her.
"Your mom and I have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Mayu asked curiously.
"In the near future, we plan to take you to the 20th Ward. There's a place there called Anteiku, where kind-hearted ghouls help each other. Your mom and I are quite familiar with the people there."
Byakuya explained.
"Ah..."
Mayu's first reaction was one of unease.
"Does this mean... I'll have to be separated from Papa and Mama?"
Her expression fell instantly. She thought she wouldn't be able to live with them anymore.
But deep down, she understood. Staying with Papa and Mama was indeed a burden.
"Daddy" was a Special-Class Investigator for the CCG; if it were discovered that he had a ghoul like her living in his home, his work would definitely be affected.
So, Mayu had no intention of refusing. She didn't want to be selfish and drag Daddy and Mommy down.
"Not exactly. At Anteiku, you'll be able to make more friends, and you can come back anytime you want."
Byakuya reassured her.
"Yeah, and Papa and I will visit often too."
Yoshimura Eto added.
"Okay!"
Mayu nodded obediently, her adorable little face brightening with a smile.
For a moment, she had thought she was going to be separated from Papa and Mama. But in the end, they were still so kind to her.
"Actually, you don't have to take care of me so much... I want to try my best not to cause trouble for you..."
Mayu said, her tone carrying a hint of guilt.
"You won't be causing any trouble. Do you know why? Because my dad is also there."
Eto said with a playful smile.
"That means, when you meet him, Mayu, you'll have to call him Grandpa~."
"..."
Byakuya's expression immediately turned slightly surprised as he looked at Eto.
This woman; what was she up to now?
"Grandpa?"
Mayu didn't overthink it and simply memorized the title in her heart.