Medical Care

A long while passed.

"Amon, pack up. Let's head back to headquarters in Ward 1 to see him," Kureo Mado said after returning his Quinque to its briefcase form.

"Uh, aren't we going to keep tracking that ghoul?"

"Not for now."

Kōtarō Amon was utterly shocked by Kureo Mado's answer, but he maintained his usual serious expression at work.

By now, Kōtarō Amon was half-stunned. As far as he knew, Kureo Mado spent every day hunting ghouls and never contacted his family or maintained any other personal relationships.

The only exception was when he had heard Kureo Mado mention Akira Mado, and even that had been during a conversation with Special Class Huiqi.

To Kureo Mado, tracking ghouls seemed to be everything. He could set absolutely anything aside for the hunt.

So Kōtarō Amon had always seen Mado as a powerful man devoted to his work, one who had saved him several times during their missions.

Yet now, he had put aside hunting ghouls because Special Class Huiqi was injured. The sight made Kōtarō Amon question his judgment all over again.

"How much is this fruit basket? I'll take one."

While he was lost in thought, Kureo Mado had already bought a fruit basket to bring to Huiqi.

"What were the results?"

"To be honest, this is the first time I've seen such active cells."

"So is he human?"

"Yes, but his constitution is already close to that of a half-human."

"Understood. We can bring him into the organization."

"Why? He's human."

"He can be turned into a ghoul..."

"But the experiment isn't ready yet!"

"Then wait until it is."

"Cough, cough, cough."

Knock, knock, knock.

"Cough... come in."

Huiqi coughed a few times, then tried to settle his throat. The medication on his injury was unbearably uncomfortable. The wound itched and hurt, constantly pulling at his throat.

"Feeling any better? I brought you something to eat."

Shinohara held a boxed meal labeled "CCG Special Staff Meal."

"Yeah, put it there. I was getting a little hungry anyway." Huiqi patted the table beside him, indicating where to set it.

After putting down the meal, Shinohara scratched his head. He kept turning his head from side to side, wanting to say something but looking unable to bring himself to ask.

"Got a bearing installed in your neck? Stop turning your head and just say it." Huiqi looked at Shinohara speechlessly. His intentions were written all over his face, yet he was still trying to hide them.

"Huh?"

Startled, Shinohara hurriedly stood up and looked in the mirror to check his expression.

Huh? There's nothing there. I look pretty normal, don't I? How did Huiqi notice? Shinohara examined his face over and over, but found nothing that gave him away. He looked perfectly normal from every angle.

"Stop fussing. Just ask whatever you want to ask. It's not like I won't tell you."

Huiqi couldn't help laughing at the sight. It was just like Yukinori Shinohara. Whenever he had something on his mind or was lying, he would unconsciously touch his head.

"Are you sure that's okay? I feel like it might upset you."

At Huiqi's words, Shinohara scratched his head, a note of hesitation in his voice. He really wanted to ask, but he was afraid of rubbing salt in the wound.

"Tch. Do you want to ask which ghoul injured me, or about the Binge Eater case?"

After watching Shinohara remain silent for so long, Huiqi spoke with resignation.

"The first one!"

"..."

Huiqi stared straight at Shinohara, an unsurprised expression on his face.

"Ha ha... heh heh... heh..."

Shinohara's awkward laughter echoed in his ears. Having been seen through, he had decided to laugh to cover his embarrassment.

Should I tell him the truth-that Sen Takatsuki is the One-Eyed Owl? But that would bring the CCG into this, and what's between her and me is personal. More importantly, there's Kishou Arima... he's a major threat.

Huiqi was torn over whether to tell Yukinori Shinohara about it. After all, telling him and keeping silent would lead to completely different outcomes.

"If you don't want to talk about it, don't... take care of yourself..."

Seeing that Huiqi still hadn't spoken, Shinohara decided not to keep asking. He already considered the question impolite. If Huiqi hadn't brought it up himself, he probably would have left.

Tap, tap...

Footsteps moved from the bedside toward the door.

"The One-Eyed Owl."

After a moment's hesitation, Huiqi chose to say those words. That was as much as he could reveal. If he said any more, Shinohara's resources would soon lead him to Sen Takatsuki. After all, the two of them had been far too conspicuous that day.

"What?! It was him?!"

Shinohara stopped dead, shock and fear in his eyes. He stood rooted to the spot as if his soul had left his body, seemingly recalling some terrible memories.

"It was him... I didn't expect it at the time, either..." Huiqi gave a vague answer.

Yukinori Shinohara had taken part in the Owl suppression operation years ago. He had witnessed the Owl's terrifying power firsthand. The Owl had been utterly inhuman in his methods, casually grabbing corpses when injured and devouring them in great mouthfuls to restore his strength and heal his wounds.

Once recovered, he would launch another ferocious assault. So many investigators had died in that brutal battle...

"You... really are... incredibly strong..."

Once Shinohara came back to his senses, he asked nothing more. He left those words behind, then turned and walked away.

Strong? But I still don't think it's enough. Watching Shinohara leave, Huiqi couldn't help sighing.

During his fight with Sen Takatsuki, he had clearly witnessed her regenerative abilities and destructive power. Both were visibly formidable. Even the SS-rate ghoul Shachi didn't possess such terrifying regeneration.

Although he didn't know why she had ultimately chosen to leave, Huiqi was grateful to have survived.

"Sen Takatsuki..."

Huiqi murmured her name, his gaze drifting inexplicably toward her book, The Egg of the Black Goat.

He opened it to the first page, where Sen Takatsuki's handwritten signature remained.

Rustle...

He resumed reading from the bookmark he had left last time, and before he knew it, afternoon had arrived.

Two distinct sets of footsteps sounded in the silent corridor outside.

Knock, knock, knock.

Knock, knock, knock.

Two knocks sounded outside at the same time.

"Hello, Senior Investigator Mado!"

"Hello, Rank 2 Investigator Amon!"

"Misaki Aika? Hello." ×2

The three gathered together and looked at one another, their destination remarkably alike. Just as they were about to exchange greetings and catch up, Huiqi's voice reached their ears.

Click.

The door opened, and the three people outside entered.

"Mado? How did you find the time to come here? Aren't you busy?" Huiqi looked at the two men in surprise.

"I came to see you. You are injured, after all."

Kureo Mado lifted the fruit basket in his hand, then set it beside the boxed meal.

"Heh, it's rare to see you take a break." Huiqi's voice carried a teasing note.

"Are you okay? I was really worried about you."

Misaki stepped between them and looked at Huiqi anxiously.

"I'm doing pretty well. Your signed book is over there." Huiqi pointed at the table.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Misaki excitedly ran to the table and picked up the signed book, her face flushed as she opened it to the first page.

"Which ghoul injured you? Don't tell me it was the One-Eyed Owl? I imagine he's the only one who could beat you."

Kureo Mado rested his chin on both hands, staring intently at Huiqi.