Perhaps due to its proximity to Tokyo, where ghoul activity was most rampant, the CCG's response in Saitama Prefecture was also swift.
In less than ten minutes, many armed personnel in white uniforms got out of transport vehicles and rushed into the alley in front of Hiro and Asuna, leaving some personnel behind to guard the two of them.
Soon after, a middle-aged man in a black suit, looking like a leader, stepped out from the crowd and came before the two of them.
"Miss Asuna, is that correct?"
After a period of buffer time, Asuna had recovered from the shock and unease she had just experienced.
Hearing this person's inquiry, a composed expression befitting her elite status reappeared on Asuna's face.
She released Hiro's right hand and stepped forward.
"Yes," Asuna replied calmly, looking at the man.
"Mr. Yuuki has been informed of this incident and has already dispatched a special driver to pick you up. Please wait here for a few minutes. Our CCG personnel will be responsible for ensuring your safety."
The middle-aged man, who was the leader of the CCG, spoke to Asuna, a teenage girl, in a low and polite tone, while the surrounding CCG personnel still looked as if they were used to such a sight.
Watching this scene, Hiro felt not only strange but also somewhat puzzled:
Although the Yuuki family seemed quite wealthy, did they have such great influence in the original work? Could it be because of this butterfly effect of mine? Or was there some other reason for this change?
Recalling Asuna's words about her father's strange behavior, Hiro felt that the latter possibility was more likely.
After all, Yuuki Shouzou was a big figure who knew about the "underworld"...
"I understand. I'll wait here."
Nodding at the man, Asuna turned around and looked at Hiro with a hint of apology.
"I'm sorry, Nanamiya-kun, I still have to wait here for my father's arrangements. I won't be able to accompany you for the rest of the way."
"Do you think I'm a child?"
Hearing Asuna's words, Hiro rolled his eyes somewhat speechlessly.
If it weren't for comforting you, I would have slipped away long ago.
Why would I still be waiting here idly...
As for statements and testimonies, with a young lady like Asuna around, there was no need for an ordinary person like him to step in.
"Since there's nothing else for me here, I'll take my leave first. See you tomorrow, Yuuki."
Saying goodbye to the girl in front of him, Hiro turned around and walked towards the Kirigaya residence.
"See you tomorrow, Hiro-kun."
Behind him, Asuna waved her hand with a soft smile.
Watching Hiro's figure disappear, Asuna couldn't help but pout slightly, a hint of resentment in her tone:
"Honestly, you were calling me Asuna before, why did you switch back to Yuuki~~"
However, neither Hiro, nor Asuna, nor the group of CCG personnel noticed that on the rooftop of a nearby house, a petite figure wearing Kuoh Academy high school uniform stood quietly, having been there for an unknown amount of time...
The next morning, Hiro, as usual, arrived at the classroom early.
In the empty classroom, besides him, there was only Koneko and two or three other random classmates.
"Good morning, Nanamiya-kun."
Just as he sat down, Hiro heard a greeting from in front of him, causing him to be slightly stunned.
"Oh, oh, good morning, Ko... Toujou."
She had a look of not wanting to bother with me yesterday, why is she suddenly greeting me?
Glancing at the space above Koneko's head, where there was a lead-gray "3" yesterday, Hiro felt a bit puzzled inwardly.
At this moment, Koneko, who was sitting in front of him, turned around, her emotionless amber eyes directly meeting his.
"Could you please not add 'Ko' to the beginning of 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 turned his gaze to the left, looking at the empty schoolyard, and asked in a flat tone:
"So, Toujou-san, is there something you need from me? I don't think we're familiar enough to exchange pleasantries, are we?"
"..."
Hearing the barbed question in his words, Koneko frowned imperceptibly, clearly displeased by Hiro's attitude.
After looking at him silently for a moment, Koneko lowered her voice, as if not wanting to be heard by her classmates, and said softly:
"Yesterday afternoon, after school, what happened to you and Yuuki in the alleyway, I saw it."
His eyelids twitched slightly, and Hiro shifted his gaze from the window back to the cold little face of Koneko in front of him.
Since you saw it all, why didn't you step in to help? Were our identities as classmates not enough? Or do you simply dislike me? You made my two fingers touch something unclean...
"So?"
Looking into Koneko's amber eyes, Hiro asked back nonchalantly, showing no sign of panic after his secret was revealed.
"If you don't want me to tell anyone about this, come to the Occult Research Club after school this afternoon."
Are you threatening me?
Hearing Koneko's words, Hiro frowned, a sense of displeasure rising within him more or less.
Hiro could guess the reason for Koneko's request: the Occult Research Club president, Rias Gremory's order.
And the purpose... was nothing more than to see if he had the possibility and potential to become one of her servants.
"Heh."
Hiro looked at the emotionless l*li in front of him and chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting a few centimeters.
"Then shouldn't I say something like this: if you don't want me to tell anyone about Shirone, then... hmm, then what?"
Come on! Let's hurt each other!
Looking at Koneko's eyes, which had suddenly narrowed, the smile on Hiro's face became even more cheerful...
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Every 250 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter