Sensing trouble, Byakuya immediately decided to give Rize a warning.

If she kept steamrolling her opponent like this, her identity would be exposed...

"Rize."

He simply called her name.

Hearing it, Rize instantly understood. She knew exactly why he’d suddenly called out to her.

Her solution was direct—she set down the racket. "I think I’ve experienced enough. Thanks."

With that, she turned and walked toward Byakuya.

The girl across from her was left stunned, not expecting her opponent to quit so suddenly.

At the same time, she felt a wave of relief. She’d been completely overwhelmed just now.

Her opponent’s movements definitely looked like a beginner’s, but that inhuman reaction speed and agility had left her in shock.

Is this what natural talent looks like...?

Yes! It had to be talent!

In sports, natural talent was crucial. Some people were simply born to be athletes.

"Wait!"

The girl called out to Rize. "Are you sure you don’t want to join our badminton club?"

Their club regularly competed in tournaments, so recruiting skilled players was essential.

Encountering such a naturally gifted player—they weren’t about to let her slip away!

Not just her, but other club members began approaching Rize with invitations as well.

Rize was getting annoyed by all the attention, but she never lost her temper with ordinary humans.

"I’m sorry, but my boyfriend is already in another club. I only plan to follow him."

She looped her arm through Byakuya’s, effectively tossing the problem to him.

"Oh, then how about you, sir? Want to join our badminton club?"

They turned their attention to Byakuya instead.

"Seriously... You could’ve just told them you’re not a student here..."

Byakuya muttered quietly to Rize.

He knew she wasn’t oblivious to that option—she was deliberately causing him trouble.

Finally, he addressed the crowd. "I’m actually a CCG investigator. I’m just showing my girlfriend around the campus for a bit. She’s not a student here, so she wouldn’t be able to join your club."

Having grown accustomed to Rize calling him her lover, he’d started using "girlfriend" too.

"Oh, I see..."

The girl nodded somewhat vacantly, then suddenly perked up. "Wait! Did you say CCG investigator? Are you... who was it again?"

"You mean Amaha Byakuya?" another club member prompted. "He’s probably the most famous ghoul investigator from our school."

Recognition dawned on her face. "Right, right, Amaha Byakuya! Are you him?"

"Yeah..."

Byakuya didn’t deny it.

This was to deflect any suspicions about Rize.

Once these students knew he was an investigator, they wouldn’t suspect that his girlfriend might be a ghoul.

Ordinary students didn’t have instincts like Mado Kureo or Mado Akira. If those two showed up, Rize would definitely be suspected immediately.

"Wow, it really is you!"

The girl’s eyes lit up. "Can I get an autograph? I don’t have any paper though—just sign my clothes!"

She borrowed a pen from another club member and held it out to Byakuya.

"Sure, where do you want it?"

Byakuya figured signing his name was harmless enough.

"Right here."

She thrust out her chest, indicating that he should sign across the ample white fabric stretched there.

"..."

Byakuya fell into a moment of contemplation.

Did she really have to choose such an awkward spot...?

Rize was not amused. She stepped forward.

"Didn’t I just tell you? He’s my boyfriend."

Her face wore a smile, but it was absolutely terrifying.

There was nothing hostile in her words—yet that smile alone was enough to freeze the girl in place.

Without another word, Rize pulled Byakuya away, not giving the girl a chance to explain.

Only after they left did the girl snap out of it.

She hadn’t meant anything by it—not until Rize’s reaction made her realize how it might have looked. By then, it was too late...

...

After being dragged away, Byakuya asked, "So, how was the club activity experience?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Not great. Pretty boring."

Rize’s tone was rather cold.

Perhaps because of what just happened. Or perhaps because having to hold back while playing badminton really was dull.

Byakuya smiled awkwardly. "My fault. Should’ve picked a different club."

"No need. I’ve had my experience. It would’ve been fine if not for that clueless girl."

Rize’s response clarified the reason.

It was definitely about what had just happened.

"Alright..."

As they walked, Byakuya and Rize found themselves near the Pharmaceutical Sciences building.

That’s when they ran into a familiar face.

The brown-haired, bespectacled young man looked familiar to Byakuya.

If he wasn’t mistaken, this was Nishiki Nishio.

He also recognized the girl beside Nishiki—his human girlfriend, Kimi Nishino.

The interesting thing was that Nishiki was a ghoul, while Kimi was human.

Just as Byakuya noticed Nishiki and Kimi, Nishiki noticed Rize.

"..."

Nishiki’s expression immediately turned wary.

Rize had been extremely high-profile in Ward 20 before. Nearly every ghoul in the ward knew the "Binge Eater," and Nishiki was no exception.

Running into the Binge Eater at school was the last thing he’d expected.

Though she’d been inexplicably quiet for a long time now—he hadn’t heard of any feeding incidents from her in ages—he still considered her extremely dangerous. His guard went up instinctively.

Rize, on the other hand, didn’t recognize Nishiki at all. She could smell that he was a ghoul, but she couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to him.

Nishiki then noticed the man whose arm Rize was clinging to. Judging by scent, he was human. So the Binge Eater was hunting again?

...

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