Since none of the events involving Kaneki Ken and Tsukiyama Shuu had happened yet, Nishiki hadn’t joined Anteiku.

He knew nothing about the connection between Byakuya and Rize. His wariness stemmed purely from how dangerous the Binge Eater was.

Nishiki had even had his feeding grounds stolen by her before. Of course, Rize considered him so insignificant that she didn’t even remember him.

He’d long stopped caring about losing that territory—the Binge Eater had inexplicably stopped hunting ages ago, and the feeding grounds had returned to him.

As for the handsome, slender "pretty boy" human before him, Nishiki couldn’t care less. He had no desire—and no courage—to interfere with the Binge Eater’s prey.

What truly worried him was his girlfriend Kimi beside him. If the Binge Eater—that voracious predator—set her sights on Kimi, he’d have no way to protect her...

Rize hadn’t paid Nishiki any mind, but his cold, wary gaze was starting to irritate her. She smiled.

"Want to die? Looking at me like that."

The most dangerous words delivered in the gentlest tone—opening with a death threat.

This made Nishiki even more alarmed. In his memory, the Binge Eater was the type who’d tear apart humans and ghouls alike the moment she was displeased.

He didn’t dare meet her eyes again, terrified of accidentally provoking her.

Kimi was frightened too—both of them spooked by Rize.

She already knew her boyfriend was a ghoul. Anyone that even he feared had to be an even more dangerous ghoul...

"Rize, don’t scare them like that."

Byakuya intervened.

"Fine."

Rize obediently listened and clung to his arm even tighter.

Watching the Binge Eater act so affectionate with this human, Nishiki’s expression went blank with disbelief.

He knew she used seduction as a hunting tactic, but surely she wouldn’t put on this convincing a show?

Curiosity got the better of him. "Um... if you don’t mind me asking, are you two... a couple?"

"Of course we are."

Rize nodded immediately.

Nishiki grew even more intrigued. This doesn’t look like acting...

But it defied belief. The Binge Eater he knew—the one from all the rumors—was utterly ruthless. There was no way she could genuinely love a human like this...

"It’s almost noon. Why don’t we grab lunch together?"

Byakuya extended an invitation.

"...Okay."

After a moment’s hesitation, Nishiki agreed.

Something about this human didn’t seem as simple as he appeared. His growing curiosity made him accept.

As they walked, Byakuya began asking questions. "The girl beside you—she’s your girlfriend too, right?"

He’d invited Nishiki partly because he was curious about the current state of their relationship.

These two weren’t minor side characters. In the original story, Kimi had exceptional medical talent and later became Dr. Kanou’s assistant. She was instrumental in developing the special food that ghouls could eat.

And that was just one achievement. More importantly, she’d applied "Dragon Cells" to medicine, curing the vast majority of previously terminal illnesses.

"That’s right."

Nishiki replied, uncertain why he was being asked.

"Does she already know your true identity?"

Nishiki’s face changed dramatically, and he whipped his head toward Byakuya in shock.

If the Binge Eater had asked that question, he wouldn’t have reacted so strongly. But this man was human—completely different!

The question implied he knew Nishiki was a ghoul.

Only ghouls could detect each other by scent. For a human to know his identity meant either they were a ghoul in disguise, or the Binge Eater trusted them enough to discuss such things openly.

"Who exactly are you with?"

Nishiki’s voice dropped, his expression guarded.

"I’m a CCG ghoul investigator."

Byakuya pulled out his credentials—clearly marked "First Class Investigator" alongside his name.

"You’re that ’Dove’ named Amaha Byakuya?!"

Nishiki was stunned.

His brain had stopped working.

Amaha Byakuya—the one everyone called the strongest investigator lately. He’d participated in the Owl Suppression Operation in Ward 20 and earned the greatest merit.

And this ghoul investigator was dating Ward 20’s most brutal Binge Eater?!

Nishiki’s mind was short-circuiting. He couldn’t make sense of it.

Even he had blue-screened; beside him, Kimi was utterly bewildered.

"Surprised? I suppose so. Our pairing must seem unbelievable to most people."

Byakuya said calmly. "I know your identity. That’s why I was curious whether your girlfriend knows too."

"...Hold on."

Nishiki still hadn’t recovered. He adjusted his glasses. "Let’s find somewhere less crowded to sit and talk..."

"Mm."

Byakuya nodded slightly.

The four of them found a restaurant in the campus food court, taking seats in a corner upstairs.

Byakuya and Rize faced Nishiki and Kimi.

"About your question earlier—Kimi already knows my identity."

Nishiki said gravely. "In return, I want to know if you already know your girlfriend’s true identity."

His curiosity was overwhelming, so he answered Byakuya’s question first.

Could this human—the CCG’s strongest investigator—really date the Binge Eater knowing what she was...?

...

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