That's right — that was exactly it.
Realizing it in just 0.01 seconds… he really was a genius.
No point wasting time. The moment the idea came to him, Hayashi turned around and headed upstairs.
"Hayashi, where are you going?"
Seeing this sudden move, one of the researchers froze in confusion.I mean, who just turns around and walks off without saying a word?
By the time they snapped out of it, Hayashi was already gone.No one knew what to do, so they just stood there awkwardly.
"Is he always this unpredictable?"
The researcher pointed toward the stairway, glancing at the others.
"Pretty much. Hayashi's always fast and decisive — that's why his missions finish so quickly,"
Amon nodded, admiration flashing in his eyes.
To the new generation of Ghoul Investigators, Hayashi was more than a colleague — he was an icon.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
Kureo smiled gently, patting the researcher's shoulder. Faced with these two Investigators, the poor researcher could only sigh and give up.There was no arguing with that.
Upstairs, Hayashi pushed open the office door and stepped in.
His eyes swept across the room, taking in the scene. Akira was buried in paperwork, a mountain of files stacked on her desk. Beside her Kurona and Nashiro were busily sorting and moving documents.
But compared to the three working hard, the one sitting on a nearby table stood out the most — Suzuya.
He was idly swinging his short legs back and forth, an expression of pure boredom on his pretty, doll-like face.
Hayashi wasn't surprised. It was perfectly in character.
"Suzuya, slacking off again?" Hayashi asked, walking over.
"Come on, it's just so boring! There's nothing fun to do~"
Suzuya pouted openly, not even pretending to deny it.
"Can't we ask HQ to let us go back to the 11th Ward? We could finish off the remaining ghouls there. That was so much fun!"
The moment he mentioned the 11th Ward, his eyes sparkled with excitement — clearly remembering their "good times" there.
"That's not happening," Hayashi sighed helplessly. "That's not up to me, and HQ would never approve it."
The guy was a pure battle maniac. Still, maybe the ghouls of Aogiri Tree deserved a little break. If Suzuya killed them all now, there wouldn't be any left for the final fight.
"But I'm so bored! Come on, give me something fun to do, Hayashi~"
He swayed his body back and forth, his delicate face full of restlessness.
"You want something fun, huh?" Hayashi's smile curved slightly. "I've actually got something pretty interesting to show you."
Suzuya's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? What is it?"
"You'll see. Just follow me."
Hayashi ruffled his hair and started walking out of the office.
"What is it, tell me already, Hayashi!"
Suzuya hurried after him, curiosity burning in his voice.
"You know how third-class Investigators don't get personal Quinques?" Hayashi explained as they walked. "Well, after your recent achievements, you'll probably be promoted to Second or even First Class soon. Then you'll officially qualify for one."
Suzuya blinked, intrigued.
"So, I thought I'd give you one of my own old Quinques," Hayashi said with a small grin.
"Consider it a gift — for your promotion."
The words Quinque and gift hit him all at once. Suzuya's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Wait—whose Quinque is it? Whose ghoul is it made from?" he asked, eyes sparkling.
"You know it already," Hayashi said with a smile."S-rated ghoul — Jason."
"Jason! Jason! Jason!"
Just hearing the name sent a thrill through Suzuya's body. His entire face lit up. An S-rated ghoul — that meant the weapon had to be amazing. He could already tell it was going to be something special.
Then realization hit him. Was his senpai really just… giving him a weapon like that?
Without thinking, Suzuya turned and threw his arms around Hayashi.
"Senpai, thank you so much!"
He hugged him tightly, his eyes full of gratitude and admiration.
First, Hayashi had given him a sword… and now this. What a great senpai he was!
In return, Suzuya silently made a promise to himself —He'd kill even more ghouls. Maybe even the One-Eyed Owl itself. That would make Hayashi proud, right?
With that thought, he hugged him tighter, eyes closing with a faint, content smile.
"Alright," Hayashi said softly, patting his head, "let's go to the lab and get your Quinque."
At that moment, Suzuya still had that innocent, bright smile — untainted by loss or pain. The cold, distant version of him from later… that only began after Shinohara's coma. After that, Suzuya almost never smiled again.
But as long as Hayashi was here — that future wouldn't happen.
He would change it.
His eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. Nothing in this world was truly unchangeable.
And if it seemed that way—It just meant you weren't strong enough yet.