Lancer quickly left so as not to let Akira Mado discover his embarrassment, but he quickly realized one thing –––––– he had to go upstairs whether he wanted to change clothes or get the keys to the official car?
But in order not to be seen by the other party and become even more embarrassed, he forcibly waited in the garage for nearly 10 minutes before walking up the stairs.
How to make an unhappy person happy?
Very simple, just make another person unhappy.
'I guess I should go find trouble with the ghouls...'
But Lancer didn't know if it was his illusion. It seemed that the commotion from the 11th Ward Recapture Operation and the previous battle with the 'Owl' was too great. He walked all the way around but did not see any signs of ghoul activity. They all seemed to be hiding.
'These guys are too timid.'
If the ghouls Lancer had killed knew what Lancer was thinking at this moment, who knows if their eyeballs would pop out. After all, Lancer was considered 'infamous' among ghouls.
They did not know that Lancer was selective when hunting ghouls, and he even simply turned a blind eye to those who were scavengers. They only knew about the photo of Lancer unintentionally taken by a ghoul's phone, which showed his emotionless eyes in the dim space and his hair and clothes that were almost stained dark red.
But just as Lancer was considering whether to return to the branch or the headquarters to apply to join some subjugation team, Kureo Mado's phone call came in.
"The Quinque you asked me to make before, Lancer, is ready."
Lancer was quite happy when he heard this news. The Quinque he lost due to Noro before was not bad, but it was a general-purpose model after all. He was very much looking forward to having his own weapon, but Kureo Mado's next words made his expression a bit complicated.
"However, because of the Kagune stripped from the 'Owl' before, 'Doctor' seems to have new inspiration. Perhaps you will have the CCG's only second SSS-rated Quinque?"
"Didn't you make it, Mr. Mado?"
"I can barely produce S-rated or even SS-rated Quinque, but only Doctor Kanou has the experience to produce SSS-rated ones. Of course, I handed it over to him, so you might have to wait a few more days."
"That's fine. After all, it's good news for me."
"Then come to the branch to pick it up later. At least it can serve as a temporary weapon for you."
It must be said that Lancer received a lot of preferential treatment because of Kureo Mado, one of which was the use of 'Quinque'. One must know that the CCG's Quinque was always in short supply. Even many Second Class Investigators did not have a Quinque to use. For example, Hideyoshi Nagachika, who was assigned to Lancer, had his Quinque delayed for a long time because he was mainly responsible for clerical work. Even most Special Class Investigators only had one Quinque. This was not only because the weapon should be refined, not numerous, but also because there were simply no extra high-grade Quinque for them to use.
Even if Kureo Mado liked to make Quinque, aside from a few pieces for collection, the others would be put into the armory after being admired for two days after production.
After hailing a taxi on the roadside, Lancer sat directly in the back seat. He then noticed through the rearview mirror that the driver's expression seemed a little nervous? He looked at the uncolored white briefcase in his hand and the standard white coat he was wearing, and his expression was quite subtle.
It was obvious that because of 'ghouls', all existences associated with them were demonized. What kind of image did CCG investigators have in the minds of ordinary people? Judging by the driver's reaction, it was definitely not a righteous superman, but after his 'travel' in the Empire before, he had seen through many things, and he also learned to ignore the opinions and gazes of irrelevant people.
Leaning against the car window, he began to scan the street for any places where ghouls might appear.
But it led him to see an unexpected person, or rather... two people?
––––––
Looking at the frivolous man who was trying to strike up a conversation with her, Touka Kirishima was full of displeasure.
Although ghouls have no problem staying up late due to their physical qualities, no problem does not mean she likes it. Just as fat people are more resistant to cold than thin people, it does not mean they like the cold.
Especially since she hadn't slept at all last night because of Ryouko Fueguchi's matter. At this moment, she just wanted to send her friend home and then go home herself to get a good night's sleep, which made her expression increasingly cold.
The few people who originally approached Touka Kirishima and her friend Yoriko Kuroiwa to talk suddenly felt a strange palpitation. This was undoubtedly a biological instinct advising them to stay away from danger, but there are always some people in this world who like to court death. But just as Touka Kirishima was considering whether to simply teach them a lesson, a taxi stopped by the roadside, and an unexpected person got out of the car.
Although they couldn't see behind them because they were facing Touka Kirishima and the others, they clearly noticed Touka Kirishima's gaze. Then one of them strangely looked back and saw a tall shadow, and the terrifying eyes within the shadow.
They then clearly noticed Lancer attire, and their expressions instantly became subtle.
"Miss, I would like to ask some more details about the case you reported earlier. I wonder if you have the time?"
Lancer considered himself a very easy-going person in non-combat situations. His purpose was just to help Touka Kirishima and the others not be bothered, so he casually made up a reason, believing that even if those guys' heads were full of something else, they would at least know what they should do when, right?
Unsurprisingly, after hearing 'case', their expressions became even uglier, and they finally simply turned and left.
But just as Lancer was about to speak to the other party, the companion standing beside Touka Kirishima spoke first.
"You are the investigator who often went to Touka and her friends' cafe for coffee before, aren't you?"
"You know me?"
"Hmm... I've seen you a few times, but you're really amazing~ It's been several years, how do you maintain yourself?"
The other party's words made the corner of Lancer mouth twitch, not knowing what to say. After all, the other party was obviously not the first to ask him this question. Even female investigators he had worked with in other branches before had asked him similar questions.
"Drink more hot water, and exercise more."
A simple sentence made the other party's expression also become somewhat subtle. She even felt that Lancer might be joking with her, but looking at Lancer serious expression, she suddenly felt that maybe the other party was telling the truth?