Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Officially Established

"So Kurona and Nashiro really are girls Byakuya-senpai likes?"

Hairu said.

"That’s right. But why are you asking?"

Byakuya asked.

"Well, I’m curious what kind of girls Byakuya-senpai likes, and also..."

Hairu continued: "There really are a lot of girls close to Byakuya-senpai. Including Miss Mado from before, that’s already three."

"..."

Byakuya fell silent momentarily.

Because if he actually counted carefully, it was far more than three...

"But since Byakuya-senpai is so outstanding, this is perfectly normal."

Hairu continued: "So when there’s an opportunity, I’ll meet with Kurona and Nashiro. Please let them know for me, Byakuya-senpai."

"Sure."

Byakuya nodded slightly.

...

Having arranged everything for Urie and the others, Byakuya went home.

At home, he discussed the day’s events with Kurona and Nashiro.

"Four new recruits completed the ’Qs Surgery’ today. They’ll be joining the Qs Squad afterward and will be your colleagues."

Byakuya said: "Also, one of my colleagues from Squad Zero said she’d like to meet you two when there’s a chance."

"Wants to meet me and Nashiro? Why?"

Kurona asked immediately.

"She said she wants to know what kind of girls I like."

Byakuya answered truthfully.

"’She’..."

Hearing Byakuya say this—and especially that word "she"—Kurona immediately became alert.

Nashiro’s focus was different from Kurona’s: "So... Byakuya-oniichan has acknowledged that Kurona and I are girls you like?"

"Yes."

Byakuya smiled and nodded: "At this point, is my liking you two really such a strange thing?"

"I guess not..."

Nashiro’s cheeks flushed slightly, showing a happy expression.

Only then did Kurona realize that Byakuya had suddenly expressed that he liked her and Nashiro.

"By the way, who is this colleague of Byakuya-oniichan’s in Squad Zero? What does she want to know about the girls you like for?"

Nashiro also asked alertly.

"I want to know too..."

Kurona added.

"Her name is Hairu Ihei. She probably just wants to get to know you?"

Byakuya answered.

"Is that so..."

Neither Kurona nor Nashiro believed this woman named Hairu Ihei was doing this for such a simple reason.

They’d find out when they met her...

...

With Urie and the others having reported to CCG headquarters, the Qs Squad members were now fully assembled.

It was time for Kurona and Nashiro to meet them.

"These are the other two members of the Qs Squad—Kurona Yasuhisa and Nashiro Yasuhisa."

Byakuya introduced Kurona and Nashiro to Urie and the others.

"I’m Kurona Yasuhisa."

"I’m Nashiro Yasuhisa."

The twins spoke simultaneously.

"They’re twin sisters! Did they also undergo the ’Qs Surgery’ like us?"

Yonebayashi asked immediately.

"No."

Kurona shook her head slightly: "Nashiro and I are victims of the previous ’half-ghoulification surgery’ incident."

This was Byakuya’s and the Bureau Director’s decision—they felt Kurona and Nashiro didn’t need to hide their identities from Urie and the others.

After all, Kurona and Nashiro couldn’t eat normal food. It was better to be upfront from the start.

"Half-ghoulification surgery? That doctor named Kanou or something?"

Yonebayashi remembered this.

She’d still been in class at the Academy when that incident was mentioned in lectures.

Supposedly an extremely inhumane surgery that forcibly converted humans into ghouls, with an extremely high failure rate. Even successful subjects could no longer eat normal food like regular people.

"I recall there were only two successful subjects from that ’half-ghoulification surgery.’ Could that be you two...?"

Shirazu asked carefully.

He didn’t want to accidentally trigger bad memories.

"That’s right."

Nashiro nodded casually.

It seemed that event was no longer a painful memory for her and Kurona.

"How terrifying..."

Mutsuki said to Kurona and Nashiro with some admiration: "If I’d experienced something like that, I definitely couldn’t be as composed as you two."

"Kurona and I didn’t do it alone. It was Byakuya-oniichan who helped us find ourselves again."

Nashiro said directly.

"...Byakuya-oniichan?"

Yonebayashi and the others were somewhat startled by this address.

"Oh, sorry. In this setting I should say ’Investigator Amaha.’"

Nashiro immediately corrected herself.

But what she’d said had already been heard.

This was quite obvious—Investigator Amaha’s relationship with Kurona and Nashiro was clearly unusual too.

"I’m Kuki Urie. I came here after accepting the Qs Surgery to become stronger as quickly as possible."

Urie began his self-introduction.

His introduction was very simple, and his detached tone also subtly indicated he didn’t intend to interact much with the other Qs Squad members. Becoming stronger was the only thing he cared about.

"I’m Ginshi Shirazu. My reason’s pretty mundane—I accepted the Qs Surgery for the compensation. But I’ll work hard and cooperate with everyone."

Shirazu introduced himself as well.

This wasn’t just for Kurona and Nashiro—it was also letting Urie, Yonebayashi, and Mutsuki get to know him better.

"I’m Saiko Yonebayashi. Not gonna lie—I’m here for the money too, because my family’s in a tough spot..."

Yonebayashi said somewhat embarrassedly.

"My reason is to change myself. I don’t want to be cowardly and timid like before, so I volunteered for the surgery."

Now it was Mutsuki’s turn: "Also... my name is Tooru Mutsuki. Nice to meet everyone."

She was somewhat nervous during her introduction, but managed well enough.

"For Nashiro and me, this is simply the most suitable place for us to belong."

Kurona also remarked with feeling.

Of course, she meant within CCG. If she and Nashiro wanted to work normally at CCG, the Qs Squad was definitely the best fit.

And outside of CCG, there was still Byakuya...

So they didn’t feel lonely or alone at all.

"Given what Kurona and Nashiro went through..."

Yonebayashi expressed understanding.

...

The Qs Squad was officially established.

However, due to their special status, they would be living and operating together going forward.

In other words, they’d be staying in the same place.

Kurona and Nashiro were exceptions—they still lived at Byakuya’s house. They just needed to operate together during work hours.

As the advisor, Kiyoko Aura, and as the person in charge, Byakuya, would also frequently monitor their activities.

They needed space for at least four people, so they rented a fairly expensive apartment.

"Good thing CCG reimburses us for rent. Otherwise this apartment’s price would be outrageous."

Shirazu remarked, thinking about the rent.

"Yeah, if we had to pay ourselves, part of our compensation would have to go toward it."

Yonebayashi agreed.

"..."

Urie didn’t care about money matters and didn’t participate in this discussion.

Mutsuki just smiled along with them, feeling there wasn’t much to say.

"I’ll go help Investigator Amaha. You all keep chatting."

Akira stood up, intending to help Byakuya in the kitchen.

Urie and the others had now moved into their new home. This place served as both their residence and their office—meaning they didn’t work at a branch or headquarters like other investigators. This was due to their special status, as considered by their superiors.

Moving day, also the Qs Squad’s official establishment day, naturally called for a celebration.

So not only were Kurona, Nashiro, and the four new members present—Byakuya and his partner Akira, plus Kiyoko Aura, had also come.

Byakuya was currently in the kitchen personally preparing a feast for the newcomers, having been busy for quite a while.

Seeing this, Kurona and Nashiro also wanted to help in the kitchen.

But one kitchen couldn’t comfortably fit that many people, so they decided against it.

They felt somewhat regretful for not beating Akira to the punch in offering to help Byakuya.

Kiyoko, meanwhile, had already figured out many things—such as what was going on between Byakuya and Akira...

Yet her expression remained composed and calm, appearing unconcerned with such matters.

...

In the kitchen.

Byakuya was busy cooking.

Akira suddenly pushed open the door and entered.

"Investigator Amaha, is there anything I can help with?"

Akira asked directly.

"You don’t need to trouble yourself. I can manage on my own."

Byakuya replied while continuing to cook.

"..."

Akira’s eyes flickered momentarily before she rephrased: "I came to help you."

Not only that, she firmly took the potato chunks Byakuya had just finished cutting.

Byakuya had been working on another dish, planning to set the potatoes aside for beef stew later.

Akira glanced at the beef soaking in the sink and said directly: "You’re planning to make beef stew with potatoes, right? I happen to know how to make this dish. Just leave it to me."

"Alright then, thanks."

Byakuya smiled somewhat awkwardly, thinking that Akira was quite assertive about these things.

A while later, Akira suddenly spoke while cutting the beef: "I recall this ’Qs Squad’ was originally your proposal?"

"Yes. Why?"

Byakuya responded.

"You did this so Kurona and Nashiro could continue working normally at CCG, didn’t you? You really do care about them."

Akira said.

"That matter... you’re right."

Byakuya didn’t plan to deny it.

"I knew it..."

Afterward, Akira fell silent, simply continuing to cook.

Byakuya sensed something off about the atmosphere in the kitchen but couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.

He glanced at Akira but couldn’t detect anything unusual—her expression was the same as always.

Unable to figure out the reason, Byakuya stopped worrying about the atmosphere.

...

Through Byakuya and Akira’s division of labor, a sumptuous lunch was soon served at the table.

"Wow—everything looks so delicious!"

Yonebayashi exclaimed.

Every dish on the table made her want to try it immediately.

"Investigator Amaha’s cooking is amazing, and so is Rank 2 Mado’s."

Shirazu praised.

"Just the smell is already so good."

Mutsuki added.

Even Urie, whose mind was focused on becoming stronger and seeking revenge, wasn’t foolish enough to refuse good food. Though he didn’t speak, he sat perfectly straight, chopsticks already prepared on the table.

"Byakuya’s culinary skills are quite exceptional. Even I admit I’m not as good."

Kiyoko praised: "Having Byakuya as your superior, and having him cook for you—you’re all very fortunate."

Urie and the others couldn’t deny this. Their superior was not only incredibly powerful but also had such excellent cooking skills. He was practically all-around talented!

"Alright, enough talking. Let’s eat—otherwise it’ll get cold and won’t taste as good."

Byakuya said with a smile.

"Itadakimasu—"

Everyone spoke in unison.

Except for Kurona and Nashiro, who had temporarily stepped away.

This couldn’t be helped—they still couldn’t eat normal food. Sitting at the table would only torment them.

They were in another room now, lying on the bed and cuddling together.

This was their room, where they could rest during work days if they wanted to nap.

The door was now tightly closed, blocking out most of the smells.

Otherwise, smelling what should have been delicious but was now revolting to them would only make Kurona and Nashiro feel worse...

"Nashiro, Byakuya said he’ll turn us back into humans. So we just need to endure a little longer."

"Yes, Kurona. I believe Byakuya-oniichan can definitely do it."

...

Get 20+ Chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"