On the surface, Yoshimura Eto was calling him "big brother," but in her heart she was actually referring to Ihei Byakuya as that half-human brat of the Washuu family.
Because the ones truly responsible for killing her biological mother and foster father, and for forcing her biological father to abandon her, were the Washuu Clan.
Because of that blood-deep hatred, she naturally could not have any favorable feelings toward anything related to the Washuu Clan.
Even though she knew that the half-humans of the Washuu branch families were puppets born only to serve the Washuu Clan, that still did not stop her from feeling disgust toward everything associated with them.
Though Yoshimura Eto herself was only twelve years old, just 4 years younger than the "half-human brat" she spoke of...
But with that said, her past experiences had made her mind far more mature than children her age.
On the other hand, half-humans of the Washuu family grew up from infancy in an isolated place called Sunlit Garden. Every day, all they did was study and train, they were raised to become emotionless killing machines who existed solely to serve the Washuu family.
Their daily persona and battle persona were like two completely different people. The colder and more ruthless they were in battle, the more innocent and naïve they were in everyday life.
Therefore, generally speaking, a sixteen-year-old half-human who had just come out of the Sunlit Garden really was, in Yoshimura Eto's eyes, nothing more than a little half-human brat.
At this moment, Ihei Byakuya obviously had no idea what Yoshimura Eto was thinking, but he had never relaxed his vigilance toward her even for a moment.
"You're hurt?"
At that moment, Yoshimura Eto noticed the wound on the back of Ihei Byakuya's hand.
"Oh, that. I must have gotten it during the earlier fight. It's nothing serious."
Ihei Byakuya glanced at it. It was only a scrape. If Yoshimura Eto hadn't pointed it out, he probably wouldn't have noticed it at all.
Yoshimura Eto quietly took out a piece of torn cloth and gently helped Byakuya bandage the wound.
"Thanks..."
Although he felt Yoshimura Eto's concern, Ihei Byakuya wasn't particularly moved.
Because he knew these were most likely just appearances. Yoshimura Eto definitely had her own motives for getting close to him.
And in fact, his guess was more or less correct. Everything Yoshimura Eto was doing was to earn Byakuya's full trust so she could use him more easily later.
"There. All done."
After finishing the bandaging, Yoshimura Eto nodded lightly in satisfaction.
This was actually useful for Ihei Byakuya, since half-humans did not have regenerative abilities like ghouls. Half-ghouls, however, did have regeneration, just like ghouls.
But half-humans only had physical qualities stronger than normal humans. When they got injured, they could only wait for their wounds to heal naturally.
So having a wound properly bandaged was definitely helpful.
...
Ihei Byakuya had only been holding Yoshimura Eto's small hand and walking for a short while when several figures appeared in the passage ahead.
He couldn't even see the silhouettes clearly yet, but he immediately prepared for danger.
When the figures came closer, they became clear: they were investigators wearing the "Dove" chest badge. That "Dove" badge was the symbol of CCG Ghoul Investigators.
At the same time, those Ghoul Investigators noticed Ihei Byakuya and Yoshimura Eto as well.
"!!"
They instantly became alert.
Because they couldn't determine whether the boy and the little girl in front of them were humans or ghouls.
In a noncombat state, ghouls looked identical to humans. There was no difference at all. Only in combat would their Kagugan and Kagune be exposed.
The black-haired boy had refined features and a slender build, his white clothing was simple and clean.
The little girl's green hair was messy and fluffy, though not exactly dirty, more like naturally curly.
Her small and delicate physique looked very much like the result of malnutrition.
The key issue was that this was the 24th Ward, a place where humans could not survive. Ninety-nine point nine-nine percent of what one encountered here would be ghouls.
So the first reaction of those Investigators when they saw Ihei Byakuya and Yoshimura Eto was understandable tension.
"Don't be nervous, I'm Third Class Investigator Ihei Byakuya."
At that moment, Ihei Byakuya directly reported his name.
"He's also a Ghoul Investigator? But he doesn't have a badge on him. We should stay cautious..."
"Don't be careless! What if he's one of those cunning types who disguise themselves as Investigators..."
They still did not let down their guard.
Because Ihei Byakuya had nothing on him that could prove he was a Ghoul Investigator.
"Ihei Byakuya? Come to think of it... I feel like I've heard that name before...?"
One of the Investigators stared at him, the more he looked the more familiar Ihei Byakuya seemed.
"Really? Then he might actually be our colleague."
"You better make sure. If we make a mistake here, any one of us could end up dying."
"..."
At this moment, Ihei Byakuya simply stood still and didn't rush to make any sudden moves, to avoid provoking them.
Yoshimura Eto's small hand tightened slightly, as if showing a hint of nervousness.
But Ihei Byakuya didn't think much of it.
He knew this was just Yoshimura Eto deliberately acting out a small detail for his benefit.
After all, she had to maintain the appearance of a timid, frightened little girl in front of him.
If anyone actually believed that she would be afraid of a few Ghoul Investigators, Byakuya would laugh at them forever. Saying these Investigators were "one slash each" to her would be putting it mildly.
"Even if you don't believe my identity, at least save her first. She and her father were captured here by ghouls. Her father has already been killed by them, and now she's all alone."
Ihei Byakuya appealed to the Investigators.
He was acting now as well, doing everything he could to shake off Yoshimura Eto by having those Investigators take her away first.
"...All right."
They couldn't ignore such a request.
After all, as Ghoul Investigators, their primary duty was to protect people from being harmed by ghouls. And the little girl before them was an orphan who had suffered at the hands of ghouls...
Even if she turned out to be a ghoul, it wouldn't be that dangerous.
She looked only about ten years old. Ten-year-old ghouls usually couldn't even use their Kagune yet.
"What about you? If you really are an Investigator, where are your badge and ID?"
They still didn't dare trust him completely and questioned him again.
"I originally came to the 24th Ward on patrol, but I was attacked by ghouls along the way. My badge and ID were lost."
Ihei Byakuya didn't have any of those things on him at all, so this was the only explanation he could give.
But thanks to the system's interference in this world, both the Sunlit Garden and the CCG did indeed have records of someone like him.
It was just that he had been suddenly transported here, so naturally he had no ID or badge.
Fortunately, he actually wanted them to be unable to confirm his identity, so they would take Yoshimura Eto out first. That way he could finally get rid of her.
"Eto, you should go with them. They'll take you somewhere safe."
Ihei Byakuya spoke kindly to Yoshimura Eto, telling her to leave with the Investigators.
But Yoshimura Eto's small hand only gripped his even tighter.
"No. I just want to stay with you..."