Today was Chika's first day working at Anteiku, learning on the job alongside Touka.
When the shift ended, Matsumae and Kanae escorted Chika home.
This "home," naturally, wasn't the Washuu estate—it was Byakuya's mansion.
"Chika-san, according to the Master's wishes, you'll be staying here for the time being."
Matsumae addressed Chika expressionlessly.
She genuinely believed Chika-san was the "Madam's" younger sister, unaware of anything about "Washuu." After all, no one had told her about this.
"Alright. By the way... this 'Master' you keep mentioning—are you actually servants?"
Chika asked Matsumae and Kanae curiously.
The Washuu clan had servants too, so she understood what "servants" meant in modern society. At the very least, someone of her ordinary standing within the Washuu clan didn't have personal servants.
This made Byakuya fit her mental image of a "domineering CEO" even more closely.
"That's correct. We are servants of the Master—Amaha-sama."
Matsumae nodded.
Kanae added, "Serving the Master is our duty."
Seeing their attitude and tone, Chika was impressed. These were truly professional servants!
"So his name is Amaha..."
Only then did Chika realize she hadn't even known the young man's name.
"By the way, is this Amaha-sama you speak of the young master of some great family or corporation?"
Chika asked with interest.
"..."
Matsumae was stumped. She genuinely didn't know.
Regarding the Master, whether in terms of strength or identity, he remained shrouded in layers of mystery to her.
Though she'd had no opportunity to investigate the Master's background, she could imagine that even if she had, it wouldn't yield any results.
But this massive mansion certainly hadn't appeared from thin air. Combined with his astonishing strength and his attitude toward ghouls—no matter how she thought about it, he couldn't possibly be an ordinary person.
Kanae didn't know how to answer Chika's question either. Never mind Chika—she herself wanted to know what the Master's true identity really was.
Given that the Master seemed extraordinary in every conceivable way, Matsumae deliberated for a moment before speaking. "To be honest, we're not entirely sure about the specifics ourselves. The Master is probably a young master from some hidden family who has come to the mundane world to gain experience. You should have noticed by now that we're ghouls, yes? We were easily subdued by the Master and willingly became his servants."
"Mm..."
Kanae wanted to retort but thought better of it.
"I see."
Chika tapped her palm in understanding, actually believing Matsumae's words.
One willing to spin tales, another willing to believe them.
"Aren't you coming in?"
Byakuya suddenly opened the door.
He'd heard their discussion from inside.
Having overheard Matsumae's deadpan fabrication, he couldn't help but comment: "Also, Matsumae-san, have you been reading too many novels or manga? You actually came up with 'hidden family.'"
Though if hidden families did exist in this world, it wouldn't be that strange...
But such hidden families would generally only be ghoul families. In a sense, the Sunlit Garden could indeed be considered a "hidden family."
"Ahem..."
A rare flush crept across Matsumae's cheeks as she cleared her throat awkwardly.
She'd only meant to casually deceive Chika-san. She hadn't expected the Master to overhear.
"So... you're not a young master from a hidden family?"
Chika asked.
"Of course not. I don't have any special background. I'm just an ordinary human."
Byakuya replied.
"Hmm..."
But this explanation made Chika even more skeptical. She couldn't think of anything about him that connected to "ordinary"—he hadn't even flinched when learning that the Washuu clan were ghouls.
...
Inside the house, Chika met Kurona and Nashiro Yasuhisa.
"Oh, so there are two humans living here too. Though it's a bit strange having humans and ghouls living together..."
Chika's tone carried a note of amazement.
"We're not human. We're 'half-ghouls.' Though... we became half-ghouls by having Chika-san's kakuhou transplanted into us..."
Kurona stated plainly.
As she finished speaking, she even revealed her single kakugan.
The appearance of the "one-eye" startled Chika, because "one-eyes" were taboo among the Washuu!
"Why does Chika-san look so frightened? We were transplanted with Chika-san's own kakuhou."
Nashiro asked in a cool tone.
"Eh? Oh! So you were also experimented on by that doctor. It must have been so painful."
Chika offered belated concern.
"While it certainly wasn't easy, compared to what Chika-san went through, our suffering was nothing."
Kurona said.
She and Nashiro had actually had fairly smooth experimental procedures—it was the aftermath that was difficult. Accepting that they'd been transformed into half-ghouls, forcing themselves to consume human flesh... those were the truly painful parts.
"That's right. We were once accomplices to Dr. Kanou. For that, we're deeply sorry."
Nashiro added.
"It's fine... all of that is in the past now."
Chika smiled faintly.
She didn't want to relive those memories either. Having finally escaped that "hell," she was willing to accept any request from Byakuya, the one who'd rescued her.
Besides Chika, Matsumae and Kanae were also quite surprised to learn of Kurona and Nashiro's half-ghoul status, as they hadn't known about this before.
Thinking about it, perhaps they were now recognized as "companions," which was why they could be trusted with such a secret...
"By the way, I need to visit Special Class Aura tomorrow, so get some rest early tonight."
Byakuya addressed Kurona and Nashiro.
Come to think of it, he'd never been to Special Class Aura's home before.
Though Kiyoko Aura was quite a mature woman, she apparently remained single and living alone to this day...
...
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