"..."
Uchiha Byakuya was caught slightly off guard by Eto's sudden remark.
But since she had already put it that way, he couldn't afford to back down, otherwise she'd definitely take the opportunity to tease him again.
"Yeah, we're a couple. May I go in now?"
Byakuya said to the female store clerk with a completely serious expression.
As he spoke, he took Eto's hand.
For a brief moment, he felt her soft fingers tense up slightly.
Although she quickly regained her composure, he had already noticed.
"Ah, of course! Please go ahead!"
Seeing that the girl beside him didn't deny it, the clerk had no reason to doubt him.
After they stepped into the boutique, Eto leaned in and whispered teasingly,
"So, Lolicon-san, exactly how long do you plan on holding my hand?"
Only then did Byakuya let go.
"You were the one who flirted with me first."
He was merely returning the favor.
"Even so, you sure were bold about it, weren't you, Lolicon-san? Imagine if a dignified Associate Special Class Investigator got arrested for something like this. Wouldn't that be just humiliating?"
Eto whispered with a smirk.
"No worries. If worst comes to worst, I'll just go all out."
Byakuya replied casually.
If he exposed Eto's identity as a ghoul, then as an investigator; he could technically capture her however he wanted, and it wouldn't even be considered illegal.
Of course, Eto knew Byakuya was joking, so she didn't take it seriously.
"Speaking of which, since we're pretending to be a couple, shouldn't we make it look more convincing?"
"Oh?"
Byakuya raised an eyebrow.
"For example…"
Without waiting for him to respond, Eto grabbed his hand again.
This time, she was fully prepared, so she didn't freeze up like before.
With that, Byakuya let her lead the way while she browsed through different outfits.
Since he wasn't experienced in choosing clothes for girls, he simply waited for Eto to pick something out herself.
However, after trying on a few outfits, Eto refused to let him off the hook so easily.
She insisted that he give his opinion.
"What do you think about this one? Does it make me look like a powerful woman?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure if 'powerful' is the right word, but it definitely suits you."
Byakuya commented.
Given Eto's petite figure, no matter what she wore, it would be hard for her to project a dominant presence.
Of course, he didn't say that out loud.
"Is that so? Then I'll take this one."
Next, Eto tried on two more dresses.
But from Byakuya, all she got was the same response;
"It suits you."
"What's with your answers always being 'it suits you'? Are you seriously just giving me lazy replies?"
Eto complained, clearly dissatisfied.
"I'm not being lazy, I'm just not used to picking out clothes for girls. Honestly, I don't really know much about this stuff."
Byakuya replied awkwardly.
"Oh? So this is your first time?"
Eto's expression shifted slightly as she processed his words.
She was a little surprised but at the same time, she couldn't help feeling a hint of delight.
"Yeah."
Byakuya admitted.
"And besides," he continued, "I think that a girl who's already beautiful will look good in anything, so you should just choose whatever style you like, Takatsuki-sensei."
"So, you're actually pretty good with words, aren't you~?"
Even though Eto felt like it sounded a bit like flattery, she still couldn't help feeling happy.
Little did she know, this was actually Byakuya's genuine thought.
At this point, Eto truly believed it, this guy really just lacked experience, rather than intentionally brushing her off.
In the end, Eto picked out three outfits.
Byakuya paid for them.
As they left the mall, Byakuya carried a laptop bag in one hand and the three shopping bags of new clothes in the other.
Meanwhile, Eto; having happily dumped all the trivial tasks onto him, held a few lollipops and a small toy she got as a freebie.
She even chewed on a piece of gum, occasionally blowing bubbles with it.
"Helping your girlfriend carry her bags is completely normal, isn't it, Lolicon-san?"
Eto said confidently, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"..."
Byakuya was about to respond, but then he suddenly noticed a few familiar-looking figures approaching them.
A young couple was walking toward them, holding hands with a boy and a girl, both still very young, probably under ten years old.
That couple was none other than Arata Kirishima and Hikari Kirishima, though after marrying, Hikari had changed her surname from Yomo to Kirishima.
And as for the two children they were holding hands with; of course, they were Touka Kirishima and Ayato Kirishima.
Seeing them approach, Byakuya couldn't help but note just how much Hikari Kirishima resembled her future daughter in the original story.
As for Arata, he had a warm and gentle demeanor but ironically, it was that very kindness that would eventually get him killed.
At that moment, Eto noticed Byakuya's gaze lingering on the approaching family of four.
She immediately seemed to figure something out.
At the same time, the younger of the two kids, Ayato Kirishima, who was about four years old became curious about the small toy in Eto's hand.
"Do you want it?"
Eto squatted down slightly, smiling gently as she spoke to Ayato.
"I… I do…"
Ayato nodded shyly.
"Well then, Nee-san will give it to you. What's your name?"
Eto handed the toy to Ayato, asking his name as she did so.
"Kiri… Kirishima Ayato."
Since he was still so young, Ayato spoke a little clumsily.
Hearing his full name, Eto instantly confirmed it; this was exactly the Kirishima family that Byakuya had been looking for.
Which meant… these two parents and their children were all ghouls.
"Hurry up and say thank you."
Hikari gently reminded Ayato.
"Thank you."
Ayato mimicked the way adults bowed and thanked Eto properly.
"Nee-san , I want one too!"
At that moment, Touka Kirishima, the older child spoke up as well.
"Touka, don't be like that. You and Ayato can share it when we get home."
Arata said warmly, gently trying to discourage her.
"Ugh…"
Though Touka was a little disappointed, she still obediently listened.
"It's fine, it's fine. I don't really need it anyway. Might as well give it to someone who does."
Eto smiled and handed the other toy in her hand to Touka as well.
"My apologies. It seems your sister had to give up her toy for us."
Arata turned to Byakuya, offering an apologetic smile.
[Ding!]
[The host has encountered an important character: Arata Kirishima. A hidden mission has been activated, "The Kirishima Family"]
[Mission One: Help the Kirishima family join either "Anteiku" or "Aogiri Tree."]
[Mission Reward: 20 Attribute Points.]
Hearing the word "sister," Eto's expression stiffened slightly.
Though she still wore her usual smile, something about it seemed a little off.
"I'm not his sister."
She corrected immediately.