"Huh? It's just a window, isn't it?" Ayato patted the glass shards off himself nonchalantly, a look of indifference on his face. "If it's broken, it's broken."
He had witnessed destruction a hundred times more severe than this. The Ghoul Search Officers he had taken down in the 11th Ward were enough to form several small teams. A mere civilian window in his eyes was no different from stepping on a fallen leaf; there was no psychological burden whatsoever.
"Hey... wait..." He looked at He Xi Qian Yu, who was approaching slowly with an unfriendly expression, his body instinctively tensing. "What are you going to do?"
His Ukaku instantly unfurled behind him, the tips of the deep purple Kagune gleaming with a cold light. However, even faster than his movements were several blood-red tentacles, which, as if premeditated, once again wrapped around the root joints of his Ukaku, instantly locking down the Kagune's points of force.
"Last time, I let it slide because of your sister, and you dare to do it again..." He Xi Qian Yu's gaze swept over the room full of glass shards, and he said coldly, "It seems you lack discipline. I'll teach you what 'manners' are on behalf of your sister."
"...Post-meal exercise... has begun..." Slaughter's voice carried a hint of pleasure.
...
A moment later.
After a one-sided "education" of Ayato, He Xi Qian Yu sat back in his seat, feeling refreshed.
He hadn't used too much force; after all, genuinely crippling the kid would affect subsequent plans. But it had to be said, nothing was more nerve-soothing than legitimately and lawfully educating a rebellious brat.
To be honest, he was quite surprised. He knew the video displayed on the advertisement screen was a recording, but he hadn't expected the Bronze Tree's grand bait operation to end so quickly.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Originally, with Tatara and Yoshimura Eto not personally entering the fray, the CCG had gained the upper hand by virtue of numbers and firepower. Now, with the absence of the SSS-rated Ghoul, the Manager, from the front lines, the CCG's offensive would only be smoother.
He estimated that the CCG headquarters must be holding a celebration party by now, and tomorrow's major media headlines would undoubtedly be filled with inspiring news like "CCG Achieves Great Victory, 11th Ward Returns to Peace."
He Xi Qian Yu casually glanced at Ayato. The latter was currently slumped against the wall on the floor, his chest heaving violently, panting heavily, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his body trembling uncontrollably from pain, and several small bloodstains from glass shards on his face, looking utterly disheveled.
He had to admit, this kid was quite dedicated. With the two strongest cadres of the organization observing from hundreds of miles away, he, a mid-level cadre, managed to get himself into such a sorry state on the front lines. It seemed he was truly putting his life on the line to complete the mission.
"Alright, let's talk about business," He Xi Qian Yu lightly tapped the table with his finger, the crisp sound forcibly pulling Ayato's scattered attention back. "What do you want to discuss?"
"...The information you mentioned last time," Ayato swallowed with difficulty, trying to calm his disordered breathing, his voice hoarse. "About Kirishima Arata... is it all true?"
"Of course, it's genuine," Qianyu replied without the slightest hesitation.
"Why should I believe you?" Ayato's eyes were filled with suspicion.
He Xi Qian Yu merely shrugged indifferently: "Believe it or not."
"You..." Ayato's teeth instantly clenched, pulling at the wound on his face, making him gasp in pain.
He forcibly suppressed the anger of being disrespected and squeezed out the information through gritted teeth, "The day after tomorrow... Bronze Tree plans to attack Kukulia in the early hours of the day after tomorrow."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Get me in, that's all." He Xi Qian Yu paused, looking calmly at Ayato. "After that, you can follow me or act on your own. The rest, leave it to me."
"I will bring Kirishima Arata," he emphasized, each word clearly hitting Ayato's heart, "out alive."
Ayato fell silent. The air in the room seemed to solidify, with only his heavy breathing and the ticking of the wall clock.
Broken glass shards glittered with fragmented, cold light under the faint moonlight streaming in from outside the window.
A few seconds later, Ayato looked up, finally asking the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time:
"That..." His voice was low, with a hint of hesitation, "What exactly is your relationship with my sister?"
Upon hearing this, He Xi Qian Yu leaned back slightly in his chair, a playful expression on his face.
He didn't answer immediately, instead scrutinizing Ayato with a judgmental gaze. That gaze made Ayato feel an invisible pressure, and his wounds seemed to start aching faintly again.
"Ah..." After a long pause, He Xi Qian Yu finally let out an ambiguous sigh, the curve of his lips deepening, carrying a knowing smile. "Guess?"
"You..." Ayato's voice suddenly rose several octaves, as if this perfunctory answer had completely ignited his suppressed anger, and his body struggled to stand up.
It concerned his only sister, and he could not tolerate the other party's flippant attitude.
"Shh—" He Xi Qian Yu placed a slender finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture, instantly interrupting Ayato's movement and the question he was about to blurt out.
"Quiet down," his voice was very low. "Everyone's asleep." He pointedly glanced at the quiet night outside the window.
"What does that have to do with me..." Ayato instinctively wanted to retort. Although his voice was lower due to pain and weakness, his stubbornness and dissatisfaction were still clear.
"Dong Xiang is also asleep," He Xi Qian Yu interrupted him calmly.
He deliberately slowed his speech, each word carrying weight. "She's been working quite hard to get into university, you know."
He tilted his head slightly, and that uncomfortable faint smile reappeared on his lips, "You wouldn't want to... disturb her rest, would you?"
That last sentence was like a needle, precisely puncturing Ayato's inflated balloon of anger. All his momentum and questions were stuck in his throat, turning into a muffled, frustrated snort: "Hmph, a human university... what's so great about it?" Ayato's tone was full of disdain for his sister's choice.
"To each their own," He Xi Qian Yu's voice was not loud. "Dong Xiang wants to integrate into human society, wants to get into university, to pursue another possibility. I don't think that's a bad thing."
He looked at Ayato, "In contrast, your decision to join Bronze Tree..." He paused deliberately, his tone filled with undisguised mockery, "is more like an immature child throwing a tantrum and escaping when they don't feel validated."
"You don't even know what its purpose is, and you only became a cadre because you're good at fighting. Am I wrong, Ayato?"
This direct assessment was more devastating than any attack. Ayato's lips moved a few times, but he couldn't immediately find a strong rebuttal.
His sister's choice seemed to have some legitimacy, while his own path was casually dismissed by the other party as a childish farce. This cognitive shock left him speechless for a moment.
Ayato, like a deflated balloon, slumped heavily back against the cold wall, turning his head away from Qianyu's detestable face.
Watching Ayato's frustrated and helpless expression, a hint of satisfaction flashed in He Xi Qian Yu's eyes.
"Alright, enough of this pointless argument. It's getting late, and I should rest too."
He stood up lazily, casually raised a hand to point at the broken window, now just a jagged frame, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips: "Well then, may our 'Social University' elite... go back where he came from."