There were mountains of miscellaneous files to go through. Even if a massive stack of documents contained only a single line mentioning the Ghoul Restaurant, Akira would painstakingly dig it out.
In her eyes, the devil was in the details. Any seemingly insignificant piece of information could prove to be the key to success.
Her father had taught her that.
Byakuya, meanwhile, made a show of reviewing the documents seriously while actually just skimming through them. He already knew everything there was to know, so reading these files made no difference. He was essentially slacking off.
By nearly nine o'clock, Akira finally decided to call it a night.
Byakuya had stayed with her the entire time. As her superior, leaving before his subordinate would have been poor form.
Though his role as her "superior" wasn't in the traditional sense—he and Akira were partners, not in a "subordinates are just workhorses" kind of relationship.
"I've left my completed report here. I'll be heading out now."
Akira placed her finished report on the Ghoul Restaurant on Byakuya's desk. It contained all the intelligence she deemed useful, along with her analysis and conclusions.
She'd worked overtime specifically to complete this report before tomorrow's official investigation began.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"You as well."
Akira returned the courtesy, then left.
Byakuya, meanwhile, headed out to meet Koori Ui, Shinohara, and the others for dinner.
...
"So Akira turned us down after all. Don't take it personally, though."
Upon hearing the news of Akira's refusal, Shinohara said, "Akira's... a complicated kid, but she has her sensible side too. I'm guessing she already gave you that whole 'wasting time' speech?"
"Mm..."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
"She's never said it to me directly, but her father used to say the same thing. Honestly, I think both of them are just joking when they talk like that."
Shinohara continued, "They like to express humor through logical-sounding arguments. That's something father and daughter have in common. So don't take those jokes too seriously."
"I won't. It doesn't bother me."
Though privately, Byakuya didn't think Akira had been joking at all. And he suspected Shinohara was just trying to smooth things over—not that there was anything to smooth over, in his view.
"...As a subordinate, she really shouldn't speak to her superior like that. I think she might be testing you, in a way. She's quite talented, though of course you're even more so..."
Shinohara mused, "Really, the most straightforward solution is to become a superior she respects and trusts. Though saying that sounds a bit absurd—she should already be showing you proper respect."
By now, Shinohara was practically rambling, his logic getting a bit tangled.
Which only proved that his "just joking" comment had been his way of saying something nice on Akira's behalf, to prevent any friction between the newly formed partnership.
"Still, think of it as a valuable experience. Starting off as a superior with someone as difficult as Akira means any future subordinate will seem easy by comparison. Hahaha—"
Shinohara laughed.
Investigators who didn't retire too early from the CCG typically had more than one subordinate over their careers.
Just as Houji Kousuke had once been Kureo Mado's subordinate before Amon Koutarou. Houji had even learned his Quinque techniques from Kureo.
Of course, Houji had since risen to Associate Special Class and was on the verge of making Special Class, while Kureo had voluntarily remained at First Class.
"I'll do my best to fulfill my duties as a superior."
Byakuya kept his response brief.
Shortly after, their group arrived at a small izakaya.
"Let's not overdo it tonight. Just a moderate amount—we don't want to oversleep or feel groggy tomorrow morning."
Koori Ui ordered a reasonable amount of draft beer from the server.
"And Suzuya—you're technically an adult now, but this is probably your first time drinking, right? If you start feeling off, stop."
Shinohara added his own warning.
"Got it, Shinohara-san."
Suzuya nodded obediently.
He was mostly just curious about alcohol. A taste would probably be enough.
"Speaking of adulthood..."
Shinohara's gaze shifted to Rikai Souzu. "How old are you, anyway?"
While CCG investigators were normally adults, there were rare exceptions—like the children from that place called "the Garden."
He recalled that Rikai came from there, and his appearance certainly looked young. He definitely didn't seem like an adult.
Best to confirm, since legally, minors weren't allowed to drink.
"I'm... twelve..."
Rikai answered expressionlessly.
He had drunk alcohol before—back in the Sunlit Garden, which was essentially cut off from the outside world and wasn't bound by normal laws.
"What? Only twelve?!"
Shinohara exclaimed.
He'd expected Rikai to be young, but not that young.
And yet Rikai was already a Rank 2 Investigator who had earned a White Single-Wing Badge—meaning he'd eliminated an S-rated ghoul.
The children from that Garden really are something else. Arima came from there too...
"That's amazing~"
Even Suzuya sounded impressed.
Byakuya and Koori Ui showed no visible reaction. As fellow Squad Zero members, they already knew Rikai's background.
"Well, here's the problem—minors aren't allowed to drink. You're only twelve, so I'm afraid you'll have to sit this one out."
Shinohara scratched his head.
"I don't mind."
Rikai said, "Just being here with Amaha-san and everyone else is enough for me."
...
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