Before leaving, Lin Yi remembered that he still had a disaster to address.
Akira Mado appeared genuinely angry and grew distant towards Lin Yi. Even when he stood nearby, she remained silent and focused on organizing the information in her hands.
"Please don't act like a stranger all of a sudden," Lin Yi took the initiative to show vulnerability and break the awkward atmosphere.
"Senior Lin, do you have any instructions? I thought you would be with your two female subordinates," Akira's voice was calm, avoiding eye contact.
"You're also my subordinate," Lin Yi shrugged.
"Between us, it's just a purely hierarchical relationship. I don't like complicated personal connections, so you don't need to spend time visiting me. If there are any work arrangements, feel free to give orders," Lin Yi explained.
After Akira finished speaking, she packed up her files and prepared to leave.
However, Lin Yi grabbed her wrist. He wasn't foolish; letting her leave at this moment would only escalate the situation.
"Let me go," Akira's voice carried a hint of anger.
"Akira, please listen to me..." Lin Yi was certain that she wouldn't listen and interrupted.
Although Akira didn't want to hear Lin Yi's explanation, her steps halted despite her cold demeanor.
Lin Yi had prepared his words in advance.
"These two sisters are pitiful. Their parents were just killed in the 6th ward. They have no one else to rely on in this world..." Lin Yi spoke slowly.
"What? By Ghouls?" Akira's expression immediately changed. Although she appeared cold on the surface, she was actually a kind person, especially considering the current situation of Kurona and Nashiro, which resembled her own experiences.
She had also lost her mother to a Ghoul at a young age and spent her days consumed by hatred with her father.
"No, based on the current information, the perpetrator is likely a human, a deranged scientist," Lin Yi shook his head and continued, "I might have to go to the 6th ward tomorrow to investigate this matter."
Akira couldn't maintain her coldness anymore and showed concern for the current state of the two sisters. It was evident that she felt empathy for them.
"I'll leave the 20th ward to you. With your attentiveness and abilities, I believe you can handle it," Lin Yi said.
"Okay," Akira nodded, but she felt that something was off. She bit her silver teeth and still reminded him, "But they are ultimately just your subordinates. You should be mindful of boundaries."
As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it. What right did she have to say those words?
Sure enough, when she looked up, she saw Lin Yi staring at her with a teasing gaze.
"I have something else to take care of. I'll go first," Akira hurriedly fled, but before she could leave, Lin Yi called her back.
"Wait."
"What... What else?" Lin Yi approached her, straightened her messy bangs, and placed a white suitcase on the table.
At first, Akira didn't pay much attention to it since Lin Yi often carried a suitcase. However, upon closer observation, she noticed that the white suitcase in Lin Yi's hand was slightly different from the one he had before.
"What's this?"
"It's an early promotion gift for you. I was planning to give it to you when you got promoted, but since I'm heading to the 6th ward soon, I'm leaving one with you. I'm just concerned and wanted to give it to you first," Lin Yi explained.
"But I believe that with your talent, promotion is just a matter of time."
No woman dislikes sweet words. Lin Yi said it with a straight face and pressed the suitcase. A white and red Quinque, resembling a centipede, appeared in his hand.
It was the Quinque he made from cutting off Asaki Fueguchi's kagune.
Although Asaki's combat strength was low, the quality of his Quinque was extremely high. The Quinque produced from it, with a combat rating of Grade A, surpassed many S-rated Quinques.
"This is too precious. I..." Akira, who had been an investigator for a long time, could immediately see the power of the Quinque before her eyes.
For an investigator, the Quinque is like a second life, and that statement couldn't be more true.
"Don't refuse. If I keep it, it'll just collect dust in the warehouse. I have Jörmungandr for myself," Lin Yi smiled and continued, "No matter how good a Quinque is, it's a waste without a user. Besides, it suits you well. You've always been proficient with whip-type Quinques, haven't you?"
"Thank you," Akira didn't expect Lin Yi to be so considerate and even understand her fighting style.
She had no idea that Lin Yi was aware of the original work's storyline.
"Carry on with your tasks," Lin Yi looked at Akira's icy face, which unexpectedly turned slightly red. Unable to resist, he reached out and pinched her cheek, which had a delightful texture.
Taking advantage of the situation, he pulled Akira into his embrace, and a faint fragrance entered his nostrils.
Akira was startled by Lin Yi's bold move, and she quickly pushed him away, taking the Quinque and putting it back into the suitcase. She then hurriedly left.
This was already a great improvement.
After all, with Akira's personality, if someone she didn't like dared to touch her, she would definitely twist that person's arm off.
"Success," Lin Yi felt delighted. He lazily stretched and informed Yukinori Shinohara, who was with him, about his plans. Then he took a taxi to the Rehabilitation Center.
Kureo Mado had settled in the rehabilitation center after leaving the hospital. It seemed that he still had some regrets and wanted to make a complete recovery.
Lin Yi didn't say anything and brought two bottles of wine and some small dishes to have a short gathering with him.
Consider it a way to cheer up the old man.
Especially when Mado heard that Lin Yi had cut off the 'One-Eyed Owl's arm, he became so excited that he nearly overturned the dining table.
Fortunately, Mado couldn't hold his liquor, and after half a bottle, he passed out.
Lin Yi quickly arranged for someone to take the old man back to his room to rest. He secretly vowed never to drink with him again. Mado's alcohol tolerance was really bad.