"'A Pacifist'... You're not seriously saying you want to coexist with ghouls, are you?"
Kimura , the Associate Special Class Investigator, asked in disbelief.
"Something like that. You can think of it that way," Uchiha Byakuya replied without denial.
Kimura sighed. "Well... While the CCG doesn't impose ideological restrictions on its investigators, you should probably avoid saying things like that around your colleagues. Many of them harbor deep hatred for ghouls."
A significant number of CCG investigators had joined the organization due to past tragedies-family members killed, lives ruined by ghouls.
Their entire motivation was built on revenge. If Byakuya voiced his opinions too openly, it would inevitably cause conflicts.
"I understand," Byakuya nodded.
He knew Kimura was more lenient in his views toward ghouls compared to many other investigators, which was why he felt comfortable discussing this with him.
"In that case, let's leave it at that. You and Second-Class Arima will continue monitoring Lantern; If she steps out of line again, there will be no second chances."
As expected, Kimura wasn't the type to go out of his way to make things difficult for Lantern, but he wasn't going to be lenient either.
"Understood," Byakuya replied before turning to leave.
With Kimura's approval, he and Arima Kishou could now officially assist Minami Uruka under the guise of an extended observation period.
13th Ward - Seishin High School
As usual, Byakuya and Arima ate lunch together on the rooftop of the school building, using the quiet space to discuss work.
"So, Associate Special Class Kimura agreed to it?" Arima asked.
"Yeah. He was easy to convince," Byakuya nodded. "The mission parameters have changed-Lantern, or rather, Minami-san, is now under a six-month observation period; If she remains peaceful throughout, the mission will be considered complete."
"Understood," Arima replied.
Six months. He didn't mind the timeframe at all.
If anything, it suited him perfectly.
There was something he needed time for-though he couldn't make it obvious. This new mission gave him a natural excuse to delay things.
"By the way, how are things progressing between you and Minami?" Byakuya suddenly asked, shifting the topic.
"There's nothing to discuss," Arima responded curtly.
"Is that so? From what I can see, the two of you are getting closer."
"Yes, my perception of her has changed; I no longer see her as an inherently evil being simply because she was born a ghoul but that's all there is to it," Arima stated plainly.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes. "Arima… You and I are both eighteen. As half-humans, we won't live long. We probably only have half our time left, at best. Don't you want to make the most of it?"
Arima remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"...You should already know. This isn't a matter of what I want to do. It's a matter of what I'm allowed to do."
His words carried an unmistakable meaning-he was bound by the Sunlit Garden and by V. His fate was already decided. There was little room for personal desires.
"I know," Byakuya sighed. "It's about becoming a so-called Cleaner, right? You're already marked as the next one, chosen by Yoshitoki Washuu."
Uchiha Byakuya said calmly, "I can tell, you don't really want that."
Arima Kishou remained silent. Of course, he couldn't openly admit that he was unwilling. That would only invite trouble from V.
"So let me take the position of the next Cleaner instead. I'll challenge you for it under the guise of competition," Byakuya continued.
He understood Arima's concerns, which was why he framed it as a rivalry, a competition rather than outright rejection of V's control.
Of course, his desire to become the Cleaner wasn't just for Arima's sake or to prevent certain tragedies.
For example, Kirishima Touka and Kirishima Ayato lost their parents at a young age, largely because of Arima Kishou.
But Arima had only been a puppet of V, an enforcer with no choice but to follow orders.
Beyond preventing tragedies, Byakuya had an even bigger goal; Gaining the power and authority necessary to take action.
If he wanted to change this world, he needed to attack the root of the problem. And that root was the Washuu Clan; The family controlling V, the CCG, and the Sunlit Garden.
Becoming the Cleaner would grant him access to them.
[Ding! The host has resolved to become V's Cleaner. Hidden mission 'Cleaner' activated!]
[Mission 1: Become the next Cleaner.]
[Mission Reward: 100 Attribute Points.]
Hearing Byakuya declare his intention to become the new Cleaner, Arima was momentarily stunned.
Everyone raised in the Sunlit Garden knew what being a Cleaner entailed. While it meant V recognized your strength, it also meant a lifetime of being a cold, emotionless killing machine with no freedom.
He hadn't expected Byakuya to willingly step into that role.
"You really are different from the rest of us," Arima said, a trace of something almost like admiration in his voice. "I can't say I understand your thinking, but if you want to compete for it, I won't stop you."
Until now, he had never considered the possibility of someone else vying for the position of Cleaner. And yet, Byakuya did have the strength to contend for it.
In fact, Yoshitoki Washuu had already begun taking an interest in Byakuya.
Given Byakuya's exceptional combat prowess, it was inevitable. Washuu was likely already considering him as a candidate for Cleaner.
Now, it all made sense. The reason Washuu had paired them as partners was not just for surveillance, but also to observe and compare them.
If Arima showed even the slightest hesitation or weakness, the position of Cleaner would naturally fall to Byakuya.
"So, when I take the title of Cleaner, you won't have to worry about any of it anymore," Byakuya continued.
"Just live the life you want. This six-month observation period is the perfect chance to enjoy school life, to make up for what you missed."
Then, his tone grew more pointed.
"Especially since Minami already sees you as her greatest source of support. If you actually have feelings for her, don't overthink it, just go for it."
At this, Arima fell silent.
Minami…
To be honest, he wasn't sure what he felt toward her.
And just then, as if summoned by their conversation, Minami Uruka pushed open the rooftop door.
"Arima-kun, Uchiha-kun… I thought I'd find you two here," she said with a bright smile.