Coming out of the meeting room, Lancer wore an exceedingly complicated expression. On the whole, today's meeting had largely consisted of praising him—like uncovering the bomb and preventing significant CCG casualties, or his recent outstanding achievements hunting Ghouls—but beyond that, the Bureau Chief had meaningfully patted him on the shoulder and reminded him of a few things, such as:
Don't go messing around.
Honestly, Lancer felt close to despair.
Has my weird gossip already reached even the Bureau Chief's ears?
Perhaps because Lancer's attention was entirely consumed by thoughts of "even the big boss knows about my gossip," he completely failed to notice the odd gaze Bureau Chief Washuu directed at him.
After Lancer left, the meeting continued.
"I remember First Class Investigator Mado previously recommended promoting Rank 2 Investigator Lancer to Rank 1, after his discovery of the Ghoul bombing plot?" Washuu asked.
"Yes…that did happen. I personally handed in Mado's report," responded Itsuki Marude directly, though his expression quickly turned odd.
"What is it, Marude? Speak plainly if you have something. This meeting was originally called so that people who rarely gather could freely exchange their thoughts."
"Well…I'd also like to request a promotion for First Class Investigator Mado himself…"
The moment Itsuki Marude finished speaking, everyone froze. It wasn't that promoting Mado Kureo was particularly strange—after all, practically everyone present had worked alongside him. He'd even participated in that battle with the Owl years ago. Both in experience and strength, he stood equal with anyone in this room. But years ago, when he'd been proposed for promotion to Special Class Investigator, he'd firmly refused.
"Does First Class Investigator Mado himself know about this?"
"Yes. Before this meeting, I asked Kureo. He agreed. It seems the recent fight against Aogiri Tree convinced him of the younger generation's growth. He's decided he no longer needs to insist on frontline duties…and apparently, he's finally admitting he's getting old."
At the end of his sentence, Itsuki Marude couldn't suppress a strange smile.
In reality, Mado Kureo was barely older than the oldest among them here, but high-intensity work and old wounds had visibly aged him. Yet no one looked down on him for this. Everyone here had once been a rookie who'd benefited from his guidance and experience.
What held Mado back from promotion had always been his own stubbornness. Now, seeing the younger generation's performance—and with his daughter growing up—plus the recent fight against Aogiri's officers, he'd finally accepted one harsh truth:
Maybe I really am getting old.
"Well…I support this decision. We'll confirm again with Mado later. With his qualifications, I doubt anyone will object to making him Special Class Investigator."
There was no doubt this meeting signaled that the CCG would intensify its crackdown on Aogiri Tree. But aside from this, the biggest winners were clearly Lancer, Amon, and the mentor-student pair of Mado Kureo and Amon Koutarou.
...
Lancer's lightning-fast promotion from intern to Rank 1 Investigator within just four months had become known throughout the CCG. Some even speculated he might become the next Arima Kishou. Strangely though, while many marveled, few envied him—after all, Lancer's "experiences" were rather infamous.
Seriously injured at least once a month, the number of S-rated and SS-rated Ghouls he'd encountered along the way rivaled even many veteran Special Class Investigators. More than one person had mused with a complicated expression: "Is Investigator Lancer's luck good or just terribly bad?"
Amon Koutarou's promotion came as no surprise. He'd always stood out among Rank 1 Investigators, and after teaming up with Lancer to eliminate two S-rated Ghouls, promotion was expected.
But rather than accept the position of Special Class Investigator offered by the Bureau Chief, Mado Kureo chose to take a step back and became an Associate Special Class Investigator instead. He felt future frontline opportunities would be rare, so he didn't want to hold the rank in name only.
Of course, several other Investigators were promoted, though none were as conspicuous as these three.
And the most eye-catching among them——was currently drinking coffee.
One had to admit, even though Mado Akira's personality and appearance were worlds apart from her father, their malicious sense of humor was exactly alike.
Who knew what she was thinking? Wherever Lancer went, she'd follow. Even when he went out just to stroll, she'd tail him silently. And if Lancer protested, she'd respond calmly, saying it was "to protect him."
Though Lancer desperately wanted to retort that, despite not fully recovering from his injuries, he'd long regained full stamina. Perhaps taking on an S-rated Ghoul alone was still a challenge, but he was unquestionably stronger than Mado Akira.
(At this moment, Lancer's condition could be summarized as: reduced max HP, reduced stamina limit, lowered attributes.)
"Rank 2 Investigator Mado, I'm just drinking coffee. Do you really need to follow me everywhere?"
"You drink your coffee, Investigator. I'm merely following orders from Associate Special Class Investigator Mado to protect you."
"Sigh…"
Letting out a helpless sigh, Lancer turned to Kirishima Touka, who handed him his coffee.
Less than a day had passed since their last meeting, yet Kirishima Touka already showed no trace of her previous frailty. Honestly, Lancer felt extremely odd.
"Kirishima-san, I believe it's currently exam season, right? It'd be better not to wander around too much after your shift."
"I'm sorry about last night. I troubled you…"
Holding the tray with both hands, Touka looked thoroughly embarrassed—seemingly shy, though in truth she was agonizing over what she'd said last night. We clearly agreed we'd be enemies next time we met…but he's just here to drink coffee. Should be fine, right?
But as she was feeling embarrassed, Touka secretly rejoiced——
It's great this guy's such an idiot he hasn't noticed anything off.
(In truth, he's just pretending.)
Thank goodness this guy's an idiot and hasn't realized my slip-ups.
(In truth, he's already noticed.)
Lancer, meanwhile, was inwardly relieved to have dodged another bullet. What he didn't realize, however, was that Mado Akira, sitting right beside him, had not changed her outward expression at all—but her eyes had become terrifyingly dangerous.
Probably similar to looking at trash?
I never imagined Investigator Lancer would go after a JK (high-school girl). He really was trying to shake me off before. Looks like the rumors were true…
At this moment, Lancer—happily chatting with Touka after narrowly escaping trouble—had no idea his already demonized reputation had just worsened yet again.
His only consolation was perhaps that Mado Akira didn't seem like the type to spread rumors carelessly. Right?
Hmm…probably not…
---
T/N: heh lancers smh
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