"I know~"
Nick suddenly spoke again.
He swayed his hips dramatically, fingers flicking through the air with exaggerated elegance.
"If you want information… I could—"
"Nobody asked you."
Ren cut him off instantly.
His voice was flat.
Cold.
"If you've got nothing useful to say, get out."
"Don't stand there being annoying."
Nick placed a hand on his chest.
Feigning heartbreak.
"Oh my… how cruel~"
His sugary tone made everyone uncomfortable.
Even Ren felt a chill crawl down his spine.
Fortunately—
Nick understood the danger.
Without further nonsense, he slipped through the broken doorway and disappeared.
Leaving behind an unsettling silence.
"Who was that?"
Touka Kirishima frowned.
Her tone carried visible disgust.
Ren shrugged.
"Gecko's rumored boyfriend."
He paused.
Then added with a grimace:
"Anyway… he's even more disgusting than Shuu Tsukiyama."
At least Tsukiyama disguised his obsession with elegance.
Nick radiated pure perversion.
Once Nick left—
Kazuichi Banjou quickly gestured to his three nervous companions.
Clearly planning to leave as well.
But before they could move—
CRASH—!!
Glass shattered violently.
A large side window exploded inward.
Shards scattered across the floor like glittering hail.
Through the broken frame—
A figure stepped calmly inside.
Short dark-blue hair.
Black jacket.
An arrogant expression.
"Banjou."
The newcomer spoke lazily.
His voice carried irritation.
"I told you to investigate Rize Kamishiro."
"Why are you taking so long?"
"And making so much noise?"
Ren sighed.
Looking at the new pile of shattered glass.
"…Seriously?"
"Is breaking things fashionable now?"
The moment Touka saw the newcomer—
Her pupils shrank.
"…Ayato?!"
The boy smirked.
"Yo."
Ayato Kirishima tilted his head.
"Long time no see… stupid sister."
Touka's anger exploded instantly.
"Where the hell have you been all this time?!"
Ayato shrugged casually.
"Studying society."
His tone dripped with mockery.
Ren examined him casually.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"So this is your little brother?"
He clicked his tongue.
"Why are you dressed like a delinquent?"
"Is that the Aogiri Tree uniform?"
Ayato's expression twisted with rage.
"What did you say?!"
His kakugan flared crimson.
Behind him—
Two dark-blue ukaku wings burst open.
Their edges glowed with deadly red light.
Killing intent filled the café instantly.
"Stop!"
Touka stepped between them immediately.
"Ayato!"
"Don't do this!"
Ayato glanced at her.
Then at the relaxed man behind her.
A malicious grin spread across his face.
"Oh?"
"So he's important to you."
His kagune vibrated sharply.
"Then I'll kill him."
"Right in front of you."
Before Touka could react—
Ayato moved.
His body shot forward like an arrow.
Ukaku wings slicing through the air.
Their razor edges aimed straight for Ren's throat.
Ren didn't even blink.
WHOOSH—
Scarlet tentacles erupted behind him.
Faster.
More precise.
They wrapped around the base of Ayato's wings.
Locking them instantly.
Ayato's attack stopped midair.
His body jerked violently.
His momentum completely halted.
"What—?!"
Shock filled his face.
He struggled violently.
But the crimson tentacles held firm.
Unmoving.
"Kid."
Ren's lazy voice echoed.
"You should show respect to your seniors."
His eyes flicked toward the shattered window.
"And breaking other people's property requires compensation."
"Let go of me!"
Ayato roared.
His second wing flared open.
Preparing another attack.
"Relax."
Ren yawned.
More scarlet tendrils appeared.
They wrapped around the base of the second wing.
Locking it instantly.
Now—
Both of Ayato's wings were bound.
His arms were forced outward.
Like an insect trapped in a spider's web.
"You—!"
Ayato struggled furiously.
But the immense pressure prevented him from using his kagune properly.
Suddenly—
The tentacles loosened.
They retreated behind Ren.
Ayato staggered forward.
Barely regaining balance.
He glared fiercely.
Clearly wanting to say something.
But in the end—
Only a frustrated growl escaped.
"Don't look at me like that."
Ren shrugged.
"You attacked first."
"This was self-defense."
Touka looked between them.
Her expression complicated.
Finally—
She sighed quietly.
Then Ren suddenly asked:
"When does Aogiri Tree plan to attack Cochlea?"
Ayato froze.
His pupils shrank instantly.
"How do you know that?!"
That information had come directly from Tatara.
Only high-ranking members of Aogiri Tree should know.
Yet somehow—
This man knew it too.
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