Perhaps because of its proximity to Tokyo, where ghoul activity was most rampant, the CCG's response speed in Saitama Prefecture was equally swift.
In less than ten minutes, large numbers of armed personnel in white uniforms disembarked from transport vehicles and rushed into the alley ahead of Hiro and Asuna. Some remained behind, positioning themselves around the two of them as guards.
Not long after, a middle-aged man in a black suit-clearly someone in charge-stepped out from the crowd and stopped in front of them.
"Miss Asuna, correct?"
After a brief buffer period, Asuna had already shaken off the shock and unease from earlier.
Hearing the question, the calm composure befitting her elite upbringing returned to her face.
She released Hiro's right hand and stepped forward.
"Yes," Asuna replied evenly, meeting the man's gaze.
"Mr. Yuuki has been informed of this incident and has already arranged a special driver to pick you up. Please wait here for a few minutes. Our CCG personnel will ensure your safety."
The middle-aged man spoke to the teenage girl in a low, polite tone. Around them, the surrounding CCG members looked completely accustomed to such a scene.
Watching this, Hiro felt both strange and puzzled.
The Yuuki family was wealthy, sure-but did they really have this level of influence in the original work? Was this another butterfly effect caused by him, or was there some other reason behind the change?
Recalling Asuna's earlier mention of her father's unusual behavior, Hiro felt the latter was more likely.
After all, Yuuki Shouzou was a man who knew about the "underworld."
"I understand. I'll wait here."
Asuna nodded to the man, then turned back toward Hiro, her eyes carrying a hint of apology.
"I'm sorry, Nanamiya-kun. I still need to stay here and wait for my father's arrangements. I won't be able to accompany you the rest of the way."
"Do you think I'm a child?"
Hearing that, Hiro rolled his eyes, clearly speechless.
If I hadn't been trying to calm you down, I'd have slipped away a long time ago.
Why would I stay here doing nothing?
As for statements or testimonies, with a young lady like Asuna present, there was no need for an ordinary guy like him to get involved.
"Since there's nothing else for me here, I'll head off first. See you tomorrow, Yuuki."
After saying goodbye, Hiro turned and started walking toward the Kirigaya residence.
"See you tomorrow, Hiro-kun."
Behind him, Asuna waved with a soft smile.
Watching Hiro's figure disappear from view, Asuna couldn't help puffing her cheeks slightly, a trace of resentment slipping into her voice.
"Honestly... you were calling me Asuna earlier. Why did you suddenly switch back to Yuuki~~"
However, neither Hiro, nor Asuna, nor the surrounding CCG personnel noticed that on the rooftop of a nearby house, a petite figure in a Kuoh Academy uniform was standing quietly.
How long she had been there, no one knew.
-
The next morning, Hiro arrived at the classroom early as usual.
In the still-empty room, aside from him, there were only Koneko and two or three other scattered classmates.
"Good morning, Nanamiya-kun."
Just as he sat down, a greeting came from in front of him, making Hiro pause slightly.
"O-oh, good morning, Ko... Toujou."
Yesterday she clearly didn't want anything to do with me. Why is she greeting me today?
Glancing at the space above Koneko's head-where the lead-gray "3" had been yesterday-Hiro felt a flicker of confusion.
At that moment, Koneko turned around. Her emotionless amber eyes met his directly.
"Please don't add 'Ko' to my name, Nanamiya-kun. I don't think we're familiar enough for that."
"Alright, alright. I got it, Toujou-san."
Clicking his tongue, Hiro shifted his gaze to the left, looking out at the empty schoolyard.
His tone stayed flat.
"So, Toujou-san, do you need something from me? I don't think we're familiar enough to exchange pleasantries, are we?"
"..."
Catching the sharp edge in his words, Koneko frowned almost imperceptibly, clearly displeased by his attitude.
After staring at him in silence for a moment, she lowered her voice so their classmates wouldn't hear.
"Yesterday after school. In the alley. What happened between you and Yuuki-I saw it."
Hiro's eyelids twitched slightly as his gaze shifted from the window back to the cold, small face in front of him.
Since you saw everything, why didn't you help? Were we not even classmates in your eyes? Or do you just dislike me? You even made my two fingers touch something unclean...
"So?"
Looking straight into Koneko's amber eyes, Hiro asked calmly, showing no sign of panic at his secret being exposed.
"If you don't want me to tell anyone about it, then come to the Occult Research Club after school this afternoon."
Threatening me?
Hearing her words, Hiro frowned, irritation rising despite himself.
He could already guess why she was here. This was clearly an order from the Occult Research Club president, Rias Gremory.
And the purpose was obvious.
To see whether he had the value-or potential-to become one of her servants.
"Heh."
Hiro looked at the emotionless loli in front of him and chuckled. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Then shouldn't I say something like this instead? If you don't want me to tell anyone about Shirone, then... hmm. Then what?"
Come on.
Let's hurt each other.
As he watched Koneko's eyes narrow instantly, the smile on Hiro's face only grew brighter.
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