Even though it wasn't yet the end of the workday, as long as there wasn't anything particularly important to handle, a Uchiha Byakuya wouldn't just sit around in the Director's Office.
As usual, Byakuya returned to Anteiku.
Yoshimura Eto was almost always at Anteiku, drinking coffee, reading books, and writing.
Not long ago, Byakuya specially gave her a lightweight laptop, making it easier for her to carry around for writing.
"Uchiha-san, you're back."
Kirishima Hikari happened to be sweeping near the entrance.
"Mm, thanks for your hard work."
Byakuya greeted Hikari.
Seeing Byakuya return, Eto immediately put down her book.
She picked up an apple from the table and asked Byakuya,
"Want an apple?"
"Sure, eating more fruit is good."
Byakuya nodded.
Eto then walked over to the counter, took a small paring knife, and started peeling the apple herself.
"You really don't have to go through the trouble..."
Seeing this, Byakuya spoke up.
"I've already started peeling it, what's the point of calling it trouble now?"
Eto's knife skills were excellent.
With just a few swift movements, she had perfectly peeled the apple.
"So, do you want me to cut it into pieces and feed you next~?"
Eto's tone carried a hint of amusement.
"If you really don't find it troublesome, then sure."
Byakuya knew Eto was teasing him again.
If he backed down now, he'd be playing right into her hands.
"Of course, it's no trouble at all."
Eto then cut the apple into small pieces.
Even though there were toothpicks right next to her, she deliberately chose not to use them and insisted on feeding him directly by hand.
"Here, open your mouth, ah~"
Eto said with a smile.
Byakuya expressionlessly opened his mouth and ate the small piece of apple.
Naturally, he inevitably made contact with Eto's fingers, but his face remained completely impassive.
At this moment, it was as if the two of them were competing, seeing who would be the first to get embarrassed.
"Oh my~ Byakuya and Eto sure are close, huh? At this rate, the Manager will be a grandfather soon."
Hikari commented.
However, she still had no idea about Eto's and Byakuya's real age.
She had never suspected it, since Eto had always behaved in a mature manner.
"About that... it's still a bit too early..."
Yoshimura Kuzen said, his expression slightly serious.
"Too early? I think it's just about the right time."
Hikari replied.
Yoshimura Kuzen then whispered something to Hikari.
Naturally, he was telling her Eto's real age.
"Huh?! Are you serious?!"
Upon hearing this, Hikari was utterly shocked.
She had never imagined that the difference between Eto's actual age and what she had assumed was so huge.
No wonder the Manager thought it was too early, this really was a bit too early.
Meanwhile, Byakuya and Eto were still locked in their contest.
Eto thought to herself, "Using my hands didn't work, huh? Then I'll use my mouth!"
She picked up a piece of apple, holding one end gently between her teeth, while offering the other end to Byakuya.
"Wait... you're seriously doing this?"
Seeing this, Byakuya was momentarily stunned.
"What's wrong? Giving up already? Weren't you just acting all calm and unshakable?"
Eto smiled and teased him instantly.
"Wait, there are other people here..."
Byakuya said.
"So what if there are?"
Clearly, Eto didn't care about being seen.
But to say she was completely unfazed would be a lie; her adorable face was already tinged with a faint blush.
"At the end of the day, you're wavering too, aren't you?"
Observing this, Byakuya immediately pointed it out.
"Shut up."
In the next instant, Eto grabbed Byakuya's collar with both hands and forcefully leaned in, bringing the piece of apple between her teeth straight to him.
Their lips nearly touched, missing by just a tiny fraction.
Only then did Eto release Byakuya's collar.
Byakuya, looking slightly stunned, ate the piece of apple.
"How does it taste?"
Eto grinned happily, though the blush on her cheeks refused to fade.
"Tastes good."
Byakuya answered almost instinctively, still not fully recovered from what just happened.
"Then finish the rest yourself. I'm going to wash my hands first."
Eto placed the small plate of apple slices in front of Byakuya and then headed to the restroom.
This scene left Yoshimura Kuzen completely dumbfounded.
Hikari was so shocked that she covered her mouth, unable to close it from sheer surprise.
She never imagined she would witness such a pure and ambiguous moment!
"Uchiha-san and Yoshimura-san are truly affectionate... My maiden heart is fluttering."
From the side, Koma Enji couldn't help but sigh emotionally.
"Honestly, that's kind of gross..."
Irumi Kimi rolled her eyes at Koma Enji, her tone full of disdain.
"What do you know, you single dog?"
Koma Enji chuckled faintly.
"Like you're not single too?"
Irumi Kimi glared at Koma Enji with dead-fish eyes.
Meanwhile, Yomo Renji's hand froze mid-wipe as he polished a glass.
He already knew that Uchiha-san was human and Yoshimura-san was a ghoul.
However seeing a human and a ghoul being affectionate to this degree; he truly learned something new today.
As for Hoito Roma, she was simply enjoying the show.
Even though her personal freedom was currently restricted by "Aogiri Tree", she was actually seeing more amusing things than before, all thanks to the appearance of the "One-Eyed King", Byakuya.
Whether it was the forbidden love between a half-human and a half-ghoul, the underground world's natives, or the CCG's "dynastic change"...
To her, it was all entertainment.
Ever since she met the "First One-Eyed King" years ago, learned many secrets, and firmly embraced her role as a "Clown", this was how she saw the world.
At this moment, Byakuya silently stared at the plate of apple slices in front of him.
Meanwhile, at the restroom sink, Eto washed her hands while looking at herself in the mirror.
She noticed that the faint redness on her face had finally faded.
She gently touched her lips with her fingertips, as if savoring something.
Just now... they had almost kissed.
So in the end, she still couldn't remain completely unshaken.
When she left the restroom, Eto returned to Byakuya's side as if nothing had happened, her expression perfectly calm.
However, as she was about to sit down, she suddenly noticed Byakuya's hair.
At a glance, it wasn't obvious, but upon closer inspection, his black hair was already interwoven with countless strands of white.
"Byakuya, your hair has turned so white..."