Though Kiyoko's words could easily be misunderstood, there was actually no special meaning behind them.
"Alright, Kiyoko-nee."
Byakuya said.
He'd already accepted this as normal social interaction. Calling her "Kiyoko-nee" wasn't going to hurt him anyway.
[Ding! The host has become Kiyoko Aura's close "younger brother." Reward: 20 Fusion Points!]
Not only was there no downside—he'd even gained some Fusion Points.
"Mm. I'll call you Byakuya from now on too."
Kiyoko said.
...
That day, Kuroiwa Iwao, who was normally stationed in other wards, suddenly arrived at the Ward 20 branch.
He intended to discuss matters concerning the "Owl" with Shinohara Yukinori, Koori Ui, and Amaha Byakuya, who were stationed in Ward 20.
For this purpose, he'd brought a small laptop computer.
"This concerns the 'One-Eyed Owl.' There's something I want to show you."
Kuroiwa got straight to the point.
He switched his laptop to display an image. "This is footage of the 'Owl' captured during the Ward 11 Aogiri Suppression Operation."
"And then..."
Kuroiwa switched to another image. "This is footage I personally recorded ten years ago. It took quite a while to dig it up since it's so old."
The top and bottom-left show Eto; the bottom-right shows Kuzen.
"Compare the two images. You should notice some things."
Kuroiwa said.
After observing for a while, Shinohara spoke in a grave tone. "...Indeed. Though they're very similar, there are some differences..."
"We still don't fully understand to what extent a complete kakuja can control its own form—that's worth researching. The 'Owl' forms in these two images are remarkably similar."
Kuroiwa said. "Unfortunately, I didn't participate in the Owl's third attack on the CCG, or I might have noticed the discrepancy earlier. That 'Owl' was different from the one whose kakuhou I severed—it kept rejecting the act of killing..."
"So you're saying there might be two 'Owls'?"
Byakuya asked, feigning ignorance.
"Exactly. That's why headquarters has been frequently mobilizing personnel from other wards. They should be able to pinpoint the 'Non-Killing Owl's' location very soon."
Kuroiwa nodded. "Headquarters has now officially designated codenames for the two Owls: 'One-Eyed Owl' and 'Non-Killing Owl.' The terrifying thing is that both are rated SSS..."
"The Non-Killing Owl... that does fit his style. I heard that during the third Owl attack on Ward 2, though many investigators were injured, miraculously not a single one died."
Koori Ui remarked.
"During the upcoming operation, while we're suppressing the Non-Killing Owl, the One-Eyed Owl may also appear. The Non-Killing Owl is under serious suspicion of colluding with Aogiri Tree. This is likely to be the most terrifying battle the CCG has ever faced."
Kuroiwa's expression was grim.
The main reason the CCG had decided to suppress the Non-Killing Owl was precisely because of Aogiri Tree.
The Non-Killing Owl's appearance at Aogiri Tree's Ward 11 base last time had become strong evidence of his collusion with them.
...
Ward 1 CCG Headquarters, inside a spacious and opulent chamber.
Chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu was present.
Yoshitoki Washuu and Marude Itsuki approached Tsuneyoshi and spoke respectfully. "Chairman, the Special Investigation Squad's investigation has yielded results. We've confirmed the Owl's location. We request your approval to establish the 'Owl Countermeasures Squad' and to proceed with the 'Owl Suppression Operation.'"
Tsuneyoshi's gaze deepened. "...Where is the target located?"
"A coffee shop in Ward 20 called 'Anteiku'..."
...
At the same time the CCG decided to suppress Anteiku...
Yoshimura and Renji Yomo had already sensed what was coming.
Yoshimura especially, having received Kaiko's warning, understood what Anteiku was about to face...
However, aside from Enji Koma and Kaya Irimi, the other staff remained unaware.
Yoshimura didn't want Touka, Hinami, and the others to be caught up in this crisis. He'd instructed Yomo to protect them while he, Koma, and Irimi faced this enormous threat alone.
On the eve of the Owl Countermeasures Squad's formation, Byakuya visited Anteiku.
This would be his last visit before the Anteiku Suppression Operation began.
"Yoshimura-san, I've finished cleaning the shop spotless."
Enji Koma had just swept away the last bit of debris with his broom.
"I've also finished organizing all the documents."
Kaya Irimi said.
"Thank you both..."
Yoshimura smiled.
Then he addressed Byakuya, who had just walked in. "Well then, Amaha-kun, please come upstairs and have a seat."
They'd already hung a "Closed" sign on the shop door...
"Mm."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
Even though he was a CCG investigator, the Manager, Koma-san, and Irimi-san hadn't turned him away during this critical time.
Sitting in the second-floor break room, Yoshimura personally prepared three cups of coffee for Byakuya, Koma, and Irimi.
"Please enjoy."
"Thank you."
Looking at Koma and Irimi, Yoshimura recalled the days when he first arrived in Ward 20 all those years ago...
"You dare come here looking for trouble knowing I'm the 'Devil Ape'?"
"Hey old man, don't talk to me so casually, or I'll kill you!"
"..."
And all the little moments shared with everyone at Anteiku.
But soon, all of this would cease to exist.
"It's going to get quiet around here..."
Yoshimura said wistfully.
Koma's and Irimi's expressions grew complicated.
"Yoshimura-san, Irimi and I will follow you to the death."
The usually optimistic Koma was the first to break the heavy silence.
"Yes... to the death..."
Irimi added.
"..."
Yoshimura smiled faintly. This was his only consolation.
If only...
Ukina... my wish will never come true after all...
"The Manager's coffee is as delicious as always."
Just then, Byakuya suddenly spoke up.
Yoshimura's reminiscence of Ukina and Eto was interrupted by this voice. He'd almost forgotten that Amaha-kun was still here.
"Amaha-kun... there's something I'd like to ask of you. Just a moment..."
With that, Yoshimura went downstairs and returned holding a small, exquisite, classically-designed coffee cup.
This was something he'd treasured for years, never once using it.
Because he'd been waiting all along... waiting for "that person" to come...
"This coffee shop... I actually opened it for 'her' from the very beginning. Unfortunately, I'll never get the chance to fulfill that wish in this lifetime. Now I can only entrust this cup to you..."
Yoshimura spoke with profound meaning.
That "her" was actually Eto...
...
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