"Ah... okay."
Kanzaki Ryoma hadn't expected Mado Kureo to ask him to co directly to his ho, but he understood the reason. In the CCG, if certain private interactions were spotted by others, it could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings or complications. A personal visit was simply safer.
So, Ryoma agreed without hesitation.
Mado Kureo promptly gave him the address, located in the heart of the 1st Ward.
—
Arriving at the destination, Ryoma spotted a familiar silhouette outside the building. Standing quietly downstairs was Mado Akira, dressed in plain ho clothes and light cotton slippers. Her cool and composed aura matched perfectly with her outward appearance. Even simple clothes couldn't hide the proud curves of her figure, and that expressionless face gave off an icy edge.
The mont Akira noticed him, she walked forward with a calm expression and greeted him formally, "First-Class Investigator Kanzaki. I am Second-Class Investigator Mado Akira. My father is focused on Quinque research and couldn't co down personally. Please allow to apologize on his behalf."
Ryoma nodded slightly. "It's alright."
From this distance, it was even more obvious how much she resembled her father. Their eyes and bone structure were similar, but she had inherited all the best features. Of course, saying she looked like a female version of Kureo would be way off the mark—and honestly, a little disturbing.
"This way, please."
Akira led him upstairs. The Mado household was located on one of the upper floors. Ryoma followed her into the elevator.
They entered the apartnt quietly.
"Excuse the intrusion," Ryoma said out of courtesy as he stepped in.
[Ding! The host has completed the second option: Accept the invitation to visit. Reward: 20 fusion points.]
Monts later, Mado Kureo erged, his hair slightly tousled, his face showing traces of deep focus. "Apologies, apologies. I was right in the middle of a crucial analysis."
"No worries at all, Mr. Mado. You don't need to apologize."
Without any delay, Ryoma handed over the briefcase containing 13's Jason.
Mado Kureo's eyes lit up. "Excellent. Give three minutes. That's all I need."
Gripping the case like treasure, Kureo disappeared into his workspace. Just before entering, he turned to his daughter. "Akira, take Investigator Kanzaki to the living room."
Akira nodded and gestured for Ryoma to follow her.
They sat opposite each other in the living room. The silence between them was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Akira brewed and poured tea with calm precision, setting a cup in front of Ryoma.
He nodded in thanks and took a sip.
"You're the first to agree to one of my father's unusual requests," she said after a mont, her tone neutral.
Ryoma glanced at her. "It didn't seem like a big deal."
"That's good," she replied, taking another sip. "Also... I heard about what happened in the Aogiri Tree operation. They said you're the one who forced back the One-Eyed Owl."
Ryoma nodded once. "Yes."
Her gaze lingered on him for a mont. "You're about the sa age as , right? I think you were one year behind at the academy. And yet you've already reached this level..."
He gave a small shrug. "Most of the work was already done. Special Class Investigators Shinohara, Kuroiwa, and Mado all took turns wearing it down."
Akira didn't respond imdiately. Her eyes lowered slightly, lips pressing together.
Soon after, Kureo reerged right on ti, holding the Quinque case. "Thank you very much, Investigator Kanzaki. I've gained plenty of new insights from examining it."
He returned the case respectfully.
"It's already evening. Would you care to stay for dinner?"
[Ding! Host has activated a new god-level choice!]
[Choice 1: Reject the offer with no reason. Reward: 10 fusion points.]
[Choice 2: Decline politely, saying your family is waiting. Reward: 20 fusion points.]
[Choice 3: Accept the dinner invitation, but be warned—Mado household als are notoriously spicy. Reward: 50 fusion points.]
Ryoma imdiately recalled that both Mado Kureo and Akira were famous for their love of extrely spicy food. When dining out, they would always ask for the maximum spice level, to the point that most ordinary people couldn't handle even a bite.
Fifty fusion points was tempting. And Ryoma could handle spice. How bad could it be?
"Then I'll be in your care, Mr. Mado."
—
As expected, when dinner was served, the aroma of chili nearly punched him in the face. Ryoma braced himself as he sat down. This might be worse than expected.
Seeing his stiff expression, Mado Kureo chuckled. "Ah... apologies. I forgot to ask beforehand. We're just used to this level of heat."
"It's fine," Ryoma replied, picking up his chopsticks.
He tried a bite of the at first. It was intensely spicy, but still within the range he could handle. Just don't eat too fast or too much, he thought.
[Ding! Host completed option three. Reward: 50 fusion points.]
Both Mado father and daughter seed to observe him for a mont, gauging whether he could handle the food.
***
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