"Minami-san, are you feeling unwell?"
On their way to school, Arima Kishou noticed that Uruka Minami's complexion didn't look too good.
"It's nothing, just... something that happens every month."
Minami explained with a small smile.
Ghouls and humans had almost identical body structures-including that kind of thing. Female ghouls also experienced it every month.
But in truth, Minami's discomfort wasn't caused by that. It was because she hadn't eaten in days.
Back when she had attacked Fura Taishi and the delinquent group, she had planned to keep them as emergency food reserves. But Uchiha Byakuya and Arima Kishou had interfered, preventing her from finishing them off.
As a result, she had gone without human flesh for several days.
Not consuming human flesh meant her RC cells couldn't remain active. Losing her strength was the least of her worries.
The biggest problem was hunger.
For both humans and ghouls, hunger was a terrifying hell.
"When famine strikes, people resort to cannibalism." Even humans, when pushed to the brink by starvation, would abandon their humanity.
For ghouls, it was even worse; A ghoul who starved for too long would lose all reason and spiral into uncontrollable madness.
In the original story, after Kaneki Ken was forcibly turned into a one-eyed ghoul, he resisted eating human flesh for as long as he could.
However in the end, extreme hunger overcame him; No matter how much he fought it, he simply couldn't maintain his sanity.
"I see... that kind of thing, huh? Got it."
Arima nodded slightly in understanding.
From his perspective, what Minami was referring to was obviously just her menstrual cycle, so he didn't press further.
"Sorry for making you worry, Arima-kun."
Minami said apologetically.
She wasn't at the point of uncontrollable hunger yet, but her body was growing weaker by the day. That alone was uncomfortable enough.
But more than that, if Arima Kishou-a ghoul Investigator realized she was approaching starvation, he might not let her wait until the end of next week's exams before taking her to Cochlea, the ghoul detention center in the 23rd Ward.
Still, she believed she could hold out until her exams were over. She had to.
So, she didn't tell Arima the truth.
Even so, the fact that Arima had expressed concern for her made her happy.
Unfortunately, Arima had already started to suspect something.
From a logical standpoint, menstruation was one possible explanation. But hunger was also a very real possibility.
Since it was only a suspicion, Arima didn't call her out on it just yet.
Noon.
Byakuya and Arima sat together on the rooftop, eating lunch.
"First Class Uchiha, Minami-san's condition isn't normal today."
Arima reported Minami's situation.
"Minami-san?"
Byakuya immediately caught on to the detail. "So you've finally started calling her by name instead of 'Lantern'?"
"No, it was her request."
Arima corrected him without hesitation.
"Tch, Arima, you're way too rigid."
Byakuya couldn't help but tease him.
But he quickly got back to the main point.
"When I came into class this morning, I also noticed that Minami-san's condition was off. She's obviously not doing well."
"Minami-san said it was something that happens every month, but I believe there's another possibility," Arima Kishou said.
"You're thinking of hunger, aren't you?"
Uchiha Byakuya immediately understood Arima's train of thought. In truth, he had been considering the same thing.
"That's right. If that's really the case, then we can't just leave her alone."
Arima's tone deepened slightly.
If Uruka Minami lost control over her hunger, every student in their class would be in danger.
However, Byakuya remained calm. "If she really is starving, then it means she's trying to hold out until her exams are over. If that's the case, there's no harm in giving her a hand."
"And how do you propose we help?" Arima asked.
"Are you familiar with the 20th Ward?"
"Yes. It's said that ghoul attacks on humans are extremely rare there."
"My plan is to take Minami to the 20th Ward so she can receive help from the ghouls there. That way, she can satisfy her hunger without harming anyone."
Byakuya suggested this idea without hesitation.
"I also think she deserves a probationary period, if she can go without attacking humans during that time, there's no need to send her to Cochlea."
Arima remained silent for a moment, then nodded. He had no objections-after all, Byakuya was his superior in this mission, and the final decision was his to make.
"Then after school today, we should take Minami to the 20th Ward. I don't think she'll last until her exams at this rate," Byakuya said.
After school.
Byakuya took the initiative to find Minami.
"Minami-san, could you come with me and Arima for a moment?"
"Okay..."
Minami's heart skipped a beat. Did they already suspect me?
A short while later, in a secluded area with no people around, Byakuya spoke directly.
"Minami-san, you don't look well today. Is it really because of that monthly issue... or is it because you haven't eaten in too long?"
He wasn't one to beat around the bush-his question was blunt and direct.
Arima stood silently beside him, watching her reaction.
"It's obviously that monthly thing," Minami replied with a strained smile. "I already explained this to Arima-kun."
Byakuya's question had caught her off guard. For a split second, she nearly failed to control her expression.
Even though she managed to force a smile, anxiety twisted in her gut.
If they suspected her, it was only a matter of time before her secret was completely exposed.
"Minami-san, you might as well tell the truth. You probably don't realize it, but your face has already given you away."
Byakuya's tone was calm. "Besides, we're not here to harm you. If hunger really is the issue, we can help."
With his Mangekyō Sharingan, even the subtlest shift in her expression couldn't escape his notice.
"...Fine."
Minami finally gave in. "You're right. I haven't eaten in too long, and my body is starting to break down."
It wasn't that she trusted Byakuya so easily-she simply knew she couldn't keep up the lie any longer.
Byakuya continued, "Then we'll take you to the 20th Ward. Arima and I will accompany you. You should already know what kind of place it is."
"The 20th Ward...?"
Minami's eyes widened slightly.
Of course she knew.
It was the only ward where ghouls advocated for peace with humans.