"I did. Gave him a beating too—but don't worry, he's probably regenerated by now."
Byakuya said directly.
"You beat him up?"
Touka asked immediately.
"...Yes."
Just as Byakuya braced for Touka's reproach, she clapped with satisfaction.
"Well done! That arrogant little punk needed a lesson!"
Touka felt thoroughly vindicated.
She knew perfectly well that brat was tough as nails—as long as his kakuhou wasn't critically damaged, a beating wouldn't cause any real harm.
She'd wanted to pummel him for ages. Now Byakuya had done it for her.
"..."
Byakuya smiled awkwardly. As expected from a "loving sister"?
"So is he still hanging around with that so-called 'Aogiri Tree'?"
Touka continued.
"Probably. He won't come back anytime soon."
Byakuya smiled. "I called out a lot of things he didn't want to admit."
Ayato was probably close to developing PTSD from this beating—though not as brutal as Kaneki breaking 103 of his bones in the original story, the humiliation was worse. He was human, after all...
Beaten barehanded by a human? For proud Ayato, that was utter disgrace.
Besides, Ayato was too embarrassed to face his sister after being exposed like that.
He was only fourteen—peak rebellious phase. Give him a couple years to mature, and he wouldn't be like this anymore.
"What things he didn't want to admit?"
Touka asked curiously.
"That he wants to protect you, his sister. But the idiot won't admit it."
Byakuya said casually.
"Huh?... No, no way. That brat just wants to show off in Aogiri Tree—he doesn't care about me at all."
Touka didn't believe it.
"It's simple enough. Next time you see each other, ask him directly. If he looks shaken, you'll know."
Byakuya suggested.
"..."
Touka fell silent, acknowledging his point.
When they were young, Ayato had always clung to her. Then one day he suddenly vanished without a word. There had to be a reason.
Even if he really wanted to protect her, he didn't have to join Aogiri and do such dangerous things...
But she still couldn't accept his way of thinking—living peacefully together was what really mattered.
Unfortunately, things rarely went as people hoped. Anteiku couldn't remain peaceful forever—eventually the CCG, or rather the Washuu, would destroy it.
But Byakuya's transmigration made him the only variable...
Just then, an unexpected guest arrived at Anteiku.
"Hello, hello! Are you hiring here?"
Byakuya heard a lively girl's voice.
He turned—and was somewhat surprised by her identity.
The girl before him looked gentle and adorable, like a small loli. But this was actually Roma Hoito.
The SSS-rated "Dodgy Mother," Roma—founder of the Clowns and the original Clown King.
Her appearance suggested she was only around twenty, but she was actually over fifty.
![Roma Hoito (honestly looks better in the manga than the anime...)]
Byakuya recalled that Aogiri's Cochlea assault had freed 37 A-rated ghouls, 5 S-rated, and 3 SS-rated.
Roma was one of those three escaped SS-rated ghouls. Though she should have been SSS, she'd only been SS-rated when Tsuneyoshi Washuu captured her years ago, hence her SS-level confinement.
He hadn't expected her to show up so soon. She'd probably reunited with the current Clowns right after escaping, learned about Anteiku, then came to stir up entertainment.
"May I help you?"
Touka approached to receive Roma.
"No, no—I'm not a customer. I'm here to apply!"
Roma corrected.
"Apply? Hold on—first I need to confirm you know what this place is?"
Touka grew serious.
Anteiku couldn't just hire anyone—especially not humans, unless it was someone trustworthy like Byakuya.
So she first had to confirm whether Roma was a ghoul, then whether to hire her.
"I know! This is Anteiku, right? I've heard the ghouls here are very kind, so I wanted to find a safe place too."
Roma stated her purpose.
Only Byakuya knew she was completely lying—but he wouldn't expose her carelessly.
Others might be fooled, but the manager wouldn't be.
If Yoshimura was willing to take Roma in, he clearly understood she meant no harm to Anteiku—so Byakuya had no need to interfere.
"...Then please come upstairs with me."
Hearing Roma mention "Anteiku" and "ghouls," Touka understood. All that remained was identity verification.
Roma was subsequently taken upstairs by Touka to show her kakugan—proof of ghoul status—before the manager would decide.
Meanwhile, Yoshimura approached Byakuya downstairs.
"Amaha-kun, would you mind coming upstairs to chat with me later?"
Yoshimura asked with a smile.
He couldn't ignore Byakuya's final words to him in Ward 11—being recognized as the One-Eyed Owl was serious business.
"Of course."
Byakuya nodded without hesitation.
Shortly after, Touka returned with Roma.
"Manager, she's confirmed as one of us. Claims to be a refugee from another ward. Will you take her in?"
Touka sought Yoshimura's opinion.
"No problem."
Yoshimura smiled.
The calmer his reaction, the more Byakuya sensed the manager knew Roma was just here for fun.
Of course, Roma's "Clown King" identity was virtually unknown—even the Washuu didn't know. Tsuneyoshi had simply captured her as a dangerous ghoul.
"Speaking of which, is this handsome guy also a staff member here?"
Roma suddenly shifted focus to Byakuya, staring with apparent fascination—like she'd taken an interest.
...
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