TG: Starting with Mangekyo

Byakuya spent the entire way home puzzling over one question: What exactly had he done?

After returning home, he decided not to dwell on such trivial matters.

He opened his laptop and logged into his document account, allowing all his meticulously edited drafts to sync automatically.

Even if the synchronization failed, it wouldn't be an issue—he had backups saved in his email as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Eto borrowed his bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed into clean clothes.

"I'm done. Let's get back to editing" she said as she walked over and sat down. 

As they continued editing late into the evening, Eto placed her old clothes and two other sets of new outfits aside.

Since she currently had no fixed residence, leaving her clothes in the chaos of the 24th Ward would risk damaging them.

To this, Byakuya asked, "How about I help you rent a place?"

"..."

Eto paused for a moment before a faint smile graced her lips. "I don't think you need to waste money on that. I can just stay here, right?"

"Stay here? If you don't mind, then I certainly don't" Byakuya replied nonchalantly.

"Great. Don't mind if I do" Eto said, immediately flopping onto his bed.

Lying on the soft mattress felt incredibly comfortable. In the 24th Ward, there was no such thing as a bed.

However, she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed — no matter how much she teased him, Byakuya remained utterly unaffected.

Byakuya, on the other hand, was busy on his computer, handling CCG matters such as filing reports on their investigation. Once he was done, he decided to take a shower before bed.

...

When Byakuya emerged from the bathroom, he saw Eto already settled under the covers.

It seemed she hadn't been joking earlier—she truly intended to stay here.

After drying his hair with a blow dryer, Byakuya also got into bed.

At that moment, Eto poked her head out from under the blanket. "Just so we're clear, if you try anything funny tonight, I'll cut that thing off while you sleep."

"What nonsense are you even thinking about? Just go to sleep; we have work tomorrow morning"

Byakuya sighed, feeling exasperated.

Before long, he drifted off to sleep.

Eto, however, struggled to fall asleep, her mind heavy with thoughts.

Although things were gradually heading in a positive direction, her ultimate goal still felt out of reach.

Nevertheless, she finally had a glimmer of hope — the man lying beside her, this incorrigible 'lolicon'.

...

The night passed uneventfully.

When Byakuya woke up, he quietly went through his morning routine without disturbing the still-sleeping Eto.

He then headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast —simple fare: eggs, bread, and milk for two.

"Miss Takatsuki, time to wake up for breakfast" Byakuya called out.

"Mm..."

Eto let out a soft groan as she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes.

She had stayed up late pondering things, so she was still a bit groggy.

After washing up, she joined him at the table and saw the prepared breakfast.

"This is quite thoughtful of you" she remarked.

"Well, I can't exactly just make breakfast for myself" Byakuya replied.

"Regardless, thank you"

Eto tasted the simple meal.

Despite the many hardships her half-ghoul identity had brought her, she felt grateful for one thing—being able to eat normal food.

It had been years since anyone prepared a meal for her since her foster father's death. Byakuya was the first to do so.

...

After breakfast, the two left the apartment together.

Byakuya needed to join Arima to continue investigating the Clowns, while Eto had to lead Aogiri Tree in a sweep of the 24th Ward.

As they prepared to part ways, they ran into Arima, who lived in the same apartment building.

After all, the CCG had arranged for both Byakuya and Arima to stay in the same complex.

Seeing Byakuya and Eto together in such a place, Arima seemed to understand something.

"Congratulations, you two" he said expressionlessly.

"Wait, no... never mind" Byakuya began, then decided it wasn't worth explaining.

Sensing Byakuya's discomfort, Eto added, "You must be his partner, Kishou Arima, right? If he flirts with anyone else, make sure to secretly tell me, okay?"

"That's not part of my duties" Arima replied flatly, lacking any sense of humor.

"Tch..." Eto clicked her tongue, finding him boring.

She then turned to Byakuya, said goodbye, and walked off in the opposite direction.

...

During their investigation in the 4th Ward, Arima suddenly spoke up.

" Investigator Byakuya, I didn't expect you and the One-Eyed Owl to have such a... close relationship"

Clearly, he was surprised by what he perceived as Byakuya's connection to Eto.

"It's not what you think. She's essentially homeless, so she's just staying at my place temporarily" Byakuya explained.

"I see..."

Moments later, Arima's tone shifted. "The Clowns group appears to have their eyes on us"

"Indeed. I've already notified the Inaba Squad" Byakuya replied, transmitting a message to Inaba and his squad via radio.

This was a perfect opportunity to train them.

Earlier, Byakuya had noticed several murderous gazes fixed on them, detected through his Mangekyo Sharingan.

They were in a relatively desolate area with abandoned buildings and factories —ideal hiding spots for ghouls.

However, the lurking ghouls seemed to be waiting for something and hadn't attacked yet.

Soon, Warabe and his squad arrived.

"Investigator Byakuya, Investigator Arima, what's the situation?" Warabe asked.

"There are at least twenty ghouls lurking nearby. Be prepared, we're moving out" Byakuya replied.

As he finished speaking, a brief distortion in space occurred before a quinque briefcase appeared in his hand.

"The mission begins now" he announced.