"Exactly what it sounds like. I like them all, so I want to protect all of you."
Byakuya spoke calmly and without panic. "Otherwise, I'm not really a saint. Why would I help people who have nothing to do with me?"
"..."
Rize paused for a moment. "So this 'like' you're talking about—how many people does it include?"
After all, Byakuya had helped so many people. If he liked all of them...
"For example... Kirishima-san, Manager Yoshimura, and everyone at Anteiku counts?"
Byakuya said.
Actually, there was nothing wrong with what he said. It was just that this "like" wasn't that kind of "like."
His willingness to help everyone all along had indeed been for this reason.
But this was somewhat evasive, avoiding Rize's real question.
"That's not what I'm asking... Or let me put it another way. If I said I liked you, how would you respond?"
Rize directly played her trump card in response to Byakuya's evasion.
Regarding her feelings for Byakuya, she had never paid them much attention before. It wasn't until today's events that she realized she needed to take them seriously.
Otherwise, given this guy's nature—whether intentional or not—even if unintentional, he could easily attract other women outside.
At this moment, Rize stared directly into Byakuya's eyes, as if pressing him for an answer.
There wasn't a trace of shyness on her face. That was simply her personality—she could easily confront her own feelings head-on.
"..."
Now it was Byakuya's turn to be stunned.
He had originally intended to brush past this topic, never expecting Rize to drop such a bombshell.
Though he could usually sense that Rize might have some feelings for him, he hadn't dared take it too seriously. After all, Rize had always enjoyed joking around and playing pranks. He thought she was mostly just close to him because she "craved his body."
This was a literal "craving."
"...Are you confessing to me?"
Byakuya asked, somewhat incredulously.
"Since you know it's a confession, give me a proper answer."
Rize said directly.
Byakuya still couldn't be certain whether Rize was serious or just pranking him.
Moreover, his mind was still processing a mild shock, accompanied by a mental storm.
But after a moment, his thoughts cleared.
Yet just as he was about to give his answer, Rize seemed to be backing away slightly. "Never mind. Why don't you think about it carefully for a while and give me your answer once you've decided."
Her face appeared emotionless, but internally she felt some fear and anxiety.
What she feared was that Byakuya's next words would be a rejection.
Whether it was the feeling of "liking" someone or this nervous, anxious emotion—both were things Rize had never experienced before. She couldn't maintain her usual composure.
Byakuya swallowed back the answer he was about to give.
Now it was his turn to feel stifled, and he wasn't about to "let this go."
He disregarded Rize's retreat and spoke firmly. "Actually, you don't even need to ask. Didn't I already give you my answer long ago?"
"Long ago?"
Rize immediately recalled—at the very beginning, Byakuya had told her things like "like" and "love at first sight."
But she had dismissed it all as nonsense, so she hadn't taken it to heart.
"Yes. Although the 'like' I spoke of then is different from now, the clear answer I can give you now is still the same as back then. I fell for you at first sight, Rize-san. That's my answer."
Byakuya spoke in a calm tone.
He felt these words didn't need to be said with deep emotion or excitement.
"..."
Hearing this, Rize was dazed for a moment. "So..."
Just as she spoke, she suddenly reached out with both hands and pressed Byakuya's head down slightly.
This way, even without standing on tiptoe, she could reach Byakuya.
Without any hesitation, Rize lifted her face and kissed him, their lips meeting.
A moment later, they parted.
Rize's slender fingers rested against her lips as she smiled. "That's my answer."
[Ding! Host has completed "Kiss" with Kamishiro Rize. Reward: 50 Fusion Points!]
But Byakuya's thoughts weren't on the system at all. He still hadn't recovered from that kiss.
"By the way, that was my first kiss. What about you?"
Rize asked with a light smile.
"Mine too..."
Byakuya answered honestly.
Of course, this meant not just since transmigrating to this world, but including his previous life as well. This was a true first kiss.
"Then there's nothing else to discuss. Let's head back."
Rize had returned to her usual self.
More precisely, there was still a slight difference—she was clearly in a very good mood right now.
"Mm..."
Byakuya also smiled faintly at this.
When the two returned to Anteiku, it was as if nothing had happened.
Only the two of them knew what had just occurred.
...
Soon, the day of the appointment with Eto Yoshimura arrived.
It wasn't until today that Eto informed Byakuya of the specific location via phone. She was quite cautious.
An abandoned factory in Ward 13.
Just hearing that, it was clear this was at most a temporary Aogiri Tree base, not their true headquarters.
But it didn't matter. Byakuya hadn't come to scout out Aogiri Tree's headquarters location anyway.
Besides, he already knew where Aogiri Tree's headquarters were—either Ward 24 or Rushima Island. Such information was useless to him.
"Rize, it's time to go."
"Mm."
Both of them now wore masks.
Byakuya still wore that white mask, while Rize's new mask—already delivered by Uta—was a white mask with some simple decorative patterns.
Apart from that, they brought nothing else with them. They didn't even carry Quinques as they headed to meet with all of Aogiri Tree.
...
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