TG: Starting with Mangekyo

"..."

Byakuya was momentarily caught off guard by Eto's unexpected remark.

But since she had already taken the conversation in that direction, he couldn't back down now. Otherwise, she'd just seize the opportunity to tease him further.

"Yes, we're a couple. May I go inside now?" Byakuya said to the female clerk with a completely serious expression.

As he spoke, he reached out and took Eto's hand.

For a brief moment, he felt her soft hand stiffen slightly in his grasp. Although she quickly returned to normal, it didn't escape his notice.

"Ah, of course! Please, come in" the clerk replied, seeing that the girl beside him didn't deny it.

Once they entered the clothing store, Eto whispered teasingly, "How long do you plan on holding hands, Mr. Lolicon?"

Only then did Byakuya let go of her hand. "You were the one who started teasing me first"

He was simply returning the favor.

"Even so, Mr. Lolicon is pretty bold, huh? Imagine the scandal if a respected, Associate Special Class Investigator got caught by the authorities for this. Wouldn't that be humiliating?" Eto chuckled softly.

"It's fine. Worst case, we'll both go down together" Byakuya replied casually.

If he exposed Eto's identity as a ghoul, he'd have all the justification he needed as an investigator to handle the situation however he pleased.

Eto knew he was joking, so she didn't take it to heart. "On another note, since we're pretending to be a couple, shouldn't we make it look more convincing?"

"Like what?" Byakuya asked.

"For starters, maybe we should keep holding hands. It'd be suspicious otherwise."

This time, it was Eto who took the initiative to grab his hand. Prepared this time, she showed no signs of stiffness.

With that, Byakuya stood by as Eto picked out clothes. He had no experience shopping for women's clothes, so he didn't interfere.

However, after trying on a few outfits, Eto insisted on getting his opinion.

"How about this one? Does it give off a strong, independent vibe?" she asked.

"Hmm. I'm not sure about 'strong' but it suits you" Byakuya commented.

Given Eto's petite frame, pulling off a "strong, independent woman" look wasn't easy, but he refrained from saying so outright.

"Really? Then I'll take this one" Eto said.

She tried on two more outfits, and each time, Byakuya's response was the same: "It suits you."

"Is that all you can say? 'It suits you'? How unoriginal" Eto complained, sensing he wasn't putting much effort into his comments.

"It's not that" Byakuya said, slightly embarrassed. "I'm just not used to helping girls pick out clothes. I honestly don't know much about this."

"So this is your first time?" Eto asked, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Yes" Byakuya admitted. "Besides, I think a good-looking girl won't look bad in anything. So, Miss Takatsuki, just pick whatever style you like"

"Oh? Mr. Lolicon sure knows how to flatter" she said with a smirk, though she was visibly pleased.

Realizing he wasn't just brushing her off, Eto chose three new outfits. Byakuya paid for them without hesitation.

As they left the mall, Byakuya carried a laptop bag in one hand and three shopping bags in the other, while Eto walked beside him, holding a few lollipops and a small toy from a store promotion. She occasionally blew bubbles with the gum she was chewing.

"Carrying stuff for your 'girlfriend' is perfectly normal, isn't it, Mr. Lolicon?" Eto said matter-of-factly.

"..."

Byakuya was about to retort when he spotted a familiar group approaching them.

It was a young couple with two small children, a boy and a girl, not older than ten. The man was Arata, and the woman was Hikari.

The children, of course, were Touka and Ayato.

As they passed by, Byakuya couldn't help but notice how much Hikari resembled Touka from the later parts of the original timeline. The resemblance was uncanny — unsurprising, given they were mother and daughter.

Arata, on the other hand, had a warm and gentle appearance that belied the tragic fate awaiting him.

Noticing Byakuya's gaze lingering on the family, Eto seemed to grasp the situation.

At the same time, young Ayato, likely only four years old, was drawn to the toy in Eto's hand.

"Do you want this?" Eto asked, crouching down with a friendly smile.

"Yes…" Ayato nodded shyly.

"Then it's yours. What's your name?" she asked, handing him the toy.

"Ayato… Kirishima…" the boy answered haltingly.

Hearing his name confirmed Eto's suspicion. This was the Kirishima family Byakuya had been looking for.

"Say thank you to the nice lady" Hikari gently reminded Ayato.

"Thank you" Ayato said, bowing politely.

"Me too! I want one too!" Touka said, tugging at her mother's sleeve.

"Touka, you need to share with your brother when we get home" Arata said gently.

"...Okay" Touka replied reluctantly, her disappointment visible.

"It's fine. I don't really need them. It's better to give them to someone who does" Eto said with a smile, handing another toy to Touka.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused to your sister. Thank you" Arata said, directing an apologetic smile at Byakuya.

[Ding! The host has encountered a key character: Arata Kirishima. Hidden quest "Kirishima Family" activated!]

[Quest 1: Encourage the Kirishima family to join either "Anteiku" or "Aogiri Tree"]

[Reward: 20 Attribute Points.]

Hearing the word 'sister', Eto couldn't help but feel irritated, though she maintained her smile.

"I'm not his sister" she said pointedly.