"Special Class Aura? That's Kurona and Nashiro's superior, right?"
Rize asked.
"Yes. During the investigation of Kanou's underground laboratory, Kurona and Nashiro apparently raised Special Class Aura's suspicions. Even my partner Akira Mado has started suspecting them."
Byakuya explained.
"Hmm..."
Rize considered this for a moment.
She recalled that Kurona and Nashiro had previously mentioned their superior was a beautiful, well-built, powerful mature woman—probably already married with children.
Well... that should mean there was no issue then.
Having eliminated Kiyoko Aura as a "threat," Rize returned to the main topic. "So doesn't that put Kurona and Nashiro in a dangerous position at the CCG going forward?"
"It's fine. When the time comes, Kurona and Nashiro can simply come clean to Special Class Aura about being half-ghouls. I have a way to let them continue working safely at the CCG."
Byakuya said.
"Really?"
Rize was somewhat surprised, but if Byakuya said so, she believed him unconditionally.
"We can still work at the CCG even after that?"
"What method do you have, Byakuya-oniichan?"
Kurona and Nashiro were both astonished.
"It's actually quite simple. Aogiri Tree is currently the CCG's greatest enemy, right? Even the Washuu clan considers Aogiri their biggest eyesore. Now that Dr. Kanou has joined Aogiri, they'll theoretically be producing more half-ghouls for the organization. That means the CCG will desperately want to find a way to counter Aogiri."
Byakuya briefly explained his thinking. "That's where Kurona and Nashiro, being half-ghouls themselves, become valuable—not just as special combat personnel, but also as research subjects. The CCG might even consider conducting similar 'half-ghoulification surgery' experiments in the future."
Strictly speaking, half-ghoulification surgery had actually originated within the CCG, though the human investigators didn't know this.
The Washuu leadership had been conducting human-ghoul experiments for a long time. Dr. Kanou had been one of those researchers, which was why he later struck out on his own and developed a more advanced half-ghoulification procedure—unlike the CCG, which had long since abandoned such experiments.
"Speaking of which, Kurona, Nashiro—I actually know the true cause of your biological father's death. Your father was Nanao Yasuhisa, correct?"
Byakuya suddenly remembered this matter and felt it was time to tell them the truth. Keeping them in the dark forever wouldn't be right.
"?!"
"Yes..."
At the mention of their father, both Kurona and Nashiro immediately sat up straight.
Because from the way Byakuya phrased it, the truth about their father still wasn't what they'd imagined.
"Many years ago, the CCG collaborated with Sphinx Corporation, the company under your father Nanao Yasuhisa's name. Sphinx provided RC solution to the CCG—the primary ingredient for manufacturing Quinques and RC suppressants."
Byakuya continued, "But that was only the surface-level cooperation. Behind the scenes, Nanao Yasuhisa also provided the basement of his home to the CCG for certain unspeakable experiments. Later, the CCG abandoned those experiments, and to prevent any leaks, they silenced Nanao Yasuhisa. Those experiments were most likely related to the half-ghoulification surgery Dr. Kanou is conducting today..."
Upon hearing this, Kurona and Nashiro both found it difficult to accept.
So Kanou hadn't been lying? Had the CCG really killed their father?
"However..."
Byakuya added, "The CCG's human investigators actually don't know about any of this. The mastermind behind everything is the Washuu clan at the top of the CCG. For example, this Chika-san here—her full name is Washuu Chika. You should understand now, right?"
"Wha—! You mean the CCG's leadership are all ghouls?!"
Kurona reacted quickly, shocked.
"Unbelievable... the Washuu clan are actually ghouls..."
Nashiro murmured.
For Kurona and Nashiro—as well as for Matsumae and Kanae—this single sentence from Byakuya carried an enormous amount of information.
"I didn't tell you the truth earlier because I was worried about your safety. But keep this knowledge to yourselves and don't share it with anyone. It would only cause unnecessary trouble."
Byakuya said.
"Mm. We know Byakuya-oniichan is looking out for us."
Nashiro nodded.
"I won't tell anyone either."
Kurona added.
"One more thing I should mention: the CCG's human investigators and the Washuu leadership are not the same. So you can continue working normally as investigators. The Washuu clan's downfall is only a matter of time, but the CCG won't fall."
Byakuya reminded them.
Both Kurona and Nashiro nodded.
They understood that they couldn't let blind hatred consume them.
Once, they'd believed ghouls had killed their father, so they'd enrolled in the Academy determined to become investigators. Later, they'd believed Kanou when he said the CCG had killed their father, and blindly turned their hatred toward the CCG. This time, they wouldn't be so impulsive.
The true target should be the Washuu clan—not the CCG.
Having learned the truth, Kurona and Nashiro weren't consumed by vengeance. If anything, their hearts felt lighter.
At least they now knew the truth about their father's death. From childhood onward, they'd been deceived time and again, leaving them exhausted...
Throughout all of this, Matsumae and Kanae had been listening nearby.
Byakuya had allowed them to listen because he trusted in the Akatsuki Robe's 20% loyalty boost. Even if it wasn't absolute, there was no particular need to exclude them.
After a while, Kurona and Nashiro grew increasingly calm.
They believed that under Byakuya's leadership, they would surely have their revenge against the Washuu clan. So they no longer dwelled on this matter.
At that moment, Kurona and Nashiro exchanged a glance, seeming to share an unspoken understanding of what the other was thinking.
"Byakuya-oniichan, could you close your eyes for a moment?"
Nashiro spoke up.
"What for?"
Byakuya asked, puzzled.
"Just close them. Nashiro and I want to give you a surprise."
Kurona's tone was slightly impatient.
"Alright..."
Byakuya didn't ask further questions and closed his eyes as they requested.
The moment his eyes shut, he felt something soft and warm against his lips...
...
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