Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Quinx Squad Members

Leading the group was Kuki Urie, described on the roster as the most outstanding student in this batch.

His performance at the Academy had been exceptional—he was an honors graduate who’d skipped grades.

Though not as dramatically as Byakuya, anyone who could skip grades was already among the best of the best.

Moreover, Kuki Urie was the son of former Special Class Investigator Mikito Urie—the Special Class who’d been the first to die at the One-Eyed Owl’s hands...

Urie had distinctive features: triangular-shaped eyes with a dead-fish stare, two beauty marks below his left eye. He wore a light-colored coat over a gray shirt, with black gloves.

He usually wore headphones, but hadn’t brought them for such a formal occasion.

Behind Urie, the slightly taller blonde youth was Ginshi Shirazu. He looked somewhat like a delinquent punk, with distinctive serrated shark teeth.

Beside Shirazu was Saiko Yonebayashi—a somewhat plump girl about Hinami’s height, with blue twin-tails.

Walking at the very back of the four was Tooru Mutsuki—a slender, short-haired youth with delicate features and somewhat dark skin. More accurately, Mutsuki had already been dressing as male by this point, having developed an aversion to her female identity due to certain painful childhood experiences.

She looked timid and shy. Walking at the rear was probably due to this.

(The Quinx Squad, ignoring Sasaki Haise)

The other trainees also appeared rather nervous. After all, they were being led by Squad Zero—CCG’s most mysterious and powerful unit. Amaha Byakuya and Kishou Arima were idols and role models to countless rookies and investigators alike.

Though Special Class Arima wasn’t participating this time, hearing that Investigator Amaha would be leading had the trainees quite excited.

"Acting Captain Amaha!"

One recruit addressed Byakuya with great enthusiasm.

Though Kuki Urie disliked such formal titles, he also didn’t want to appear disrespectful. He addressed Byakuya with a flat tone: "Investigator Amaha."

"Right, just call me ’Investigator Amaha’ from now on. Or just ’Amaha’ if you prefer."

Byakuya said without any pretension.

"Sure, Amaha—"

Shirazu started to say.

Yonebayashi immediately shot Shirazu a look, interrupting him in a whisper: "You actually dare to call him that? Investigator Amaha is obviously testing us..."

"I was just kidding. I was going to say ’Investigator Amaha.’"

Shirazu grinned.

"...I wasn’t testing you."

Byakuya said, somewhat exasperated: "Anyway, address me however you like. For now, let me brief you on the upcoming operation."

"Byakuya-senpai, need any help?"

Hairu asked.

"Sure, if you don’t mind. Thanks."

Byakuya really didn’t want to go through all those rules. Since Hairu had volunteered, he had no reason to refuse.

Hairu stepped forward.

But before she could start speaking, her sweet yet somewhat alluring features—and her impressive figure even under the combat uniform—immediately drew the gazes of several male trainees.

Including Shirazu, whose face had even turned red. Apparently girls who looked like Hairu were his type.

Only Kuki Urie remained expressionless throughout. Due to his father’s death in the line of duty during his childhood, he’d grown up focused solely on becoming stronger and seeking revenge. He’d long since lost interest in such things.

Yonebayashi immediately noticed what these boys were thinking. Sure, the Squad Zero lady was very pretty, but did they have to be so obvious about it...

Especially Shirazu next to her—his eyes were practically fixed in a stare. Being his classmate, Yonebayashi couldn’t help but tease him: "Look at that pathetic face of yours. But I’d advise you to give up. Didn’t you hear her calling Investigator Amaha ’Byakuya-senpai’? She’s probably already taken~"

"Nobody asked you to talk!"

Caught out, Shirazu felt embarrassed and annoyed. Though he only looked angry on the surface—he wouldn’t actually get upset with Yonebayashi over something this minor.

"Oh, he’s mad~ He’s so mad~"

Yonebayashi covered her mouth, giggling.

"Jeez... I know my own situation. I’m not going to keep fantasizing about something so unrealistic. You didn’t need to remind me!"

Shirazu sighed.

He understood. Just from that "Byakuya-senpai" alone—even if this senior wasn’t already dating Investigator Amaha, they were clearly very close. So he knew to abandon such unrealistic fantasies.

"Excuse me, is something wrong with those students over there? If you have something to say, please speak up."

Just then, Hairu spoke with a smile.

Though Shirazu and Yonebayashi had been whispering very quietly, as a half-human, Hairu’s senses and physical abilities were considerably superior to ordinary people’s. She’d heard everything.

But she acted as if she hadn’t, since she couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters.

"?!"

Shirazu went pale with shock: "N-Nothing! Nothing at all! I’m very sorry—we won’t whisper among ourselves again!"

He hastily apologized with utmost sincerity, not wanting to make a bad impression on their Squad Zero seniors right off the bat. This also served to cover up what he’d been thinking.

If she found out about that, it would be mortifying...

Not just Shirazu—the other male trainees also composed themselves immediately, no longer daring to look at Hairu with strange expressions.

"Good. Then I’ll continue explaining the operation details..."

Hairu proceeded to outline the upcoming Ward 24 operation and the precautions they needed to observe.

This was no ordinary training exercise—there was genuine mortal danger involved. Everyone needed to take it seriously. These rookies especially needed to commit every precaution to memory, and even then, it would only reduce the risk of casualties.

Shirazu thought the earlier incident had blown over, not knowing that Hairu had heard everything—she simply hadn’t cared at all about what he’d said to Yonebayashi. If Shirazu learned the truth, would that be even more painful...?

...

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