46

Chapter 46: I've Told You My Secrets, Now It's Your Turn

"They're my fellow interns. What's the issue?" Ryoma explained calmly.

"Nothing," Rize replied, her tone deceptively light. "I just find it funny that you keep saying you like me, yet you're so close to other girls."

Her voice carried a teasing lilt, but Ryoma could tell there was a sharper edge beneath it.

From the scents lingering on him, Rize knew those two girls had been in close contact with him. Their scents were the strongest among all the traces Ryoma carried.

Clearly, this wasn't just from fighting alongside them — it was the unmistakable scent that lingered after someone had been physically close for a while.

The truth was simple: Kurona and Nashiro had been asleep on his shoulders.

No amount of fighting or casual conversation with others — even the likes of Iwao Kuroiwa — would leave a scent that potent.

"Maybe it's because I fought alongside them earlier," Ryoma lied without hesitation. "That's probably why their scent stuck."

His tone was so serious that it almost sounded convincing — but in reality, he was just making up an excuse to avoid further explanation.

Rize stared at him for a moment.

"...Is that so..."

Her skepticism was clear.

Rize could tell exactly where on Ryoma's body the scent was concentrated — mostly on his arms, shoulders, and even his hands. A scent that heavy wouldn't linger from simple combat.

But despite her doubts, Rize chose to let the topic drop.

"Speaking of which... you've heard of the Washuu family, haven't you?" Rize asked after a pause.

"Yeah," Ryoma replied. "The family that founded the CCG."

"Everyone knows that much," Rize said with a sigh. "People think the Washuu family are humanity's greatest defenders in the fight against ghouls... but no one knows their true nature."

"Their true nature?" Ryoma feigned confusion. "You mean... they're not as noble as they seem?"

"That's putting it lightly," Rize muttered, then shot him a piercing look. "Are you sure you want to know the truth?"

She leaned in slightly, her gaze unwavering.

"Once you know... there's no turning back. You'll be dragged into the abyss right along with me."

Her tone was casual, almost playful — but her eyes carried a warning.

She didn't care much about revealing the Washuu family's secret anymore. After all, she had already severed ties with them. Exposing their taboo didn't frighten her.

But Ryoma was different. Once he knew the truth, he'd be marked for death — hunted relentlessly by the Washuu family.

"Go ahead," Ryoma answered without hesitation. "I told you I'd protect you. So what's wrong with falling into the abyss with you?"

He already knew the truth about the Washuu family, but he needed Rize to tell him naturally — this way, when he acted against them later, everything would appear reasonable.

His firm response surprised Rize.

"...It seems you've made up your mind," she said softly. "Even if you regret it later, it'll be too late."

Rize leaned in close, her breath warm against Ryoma's ear as she whispered:

"The Washuu family... are ghouls."

Ryoma widened his eyes slightly, feigning shock.

Rize watched his reaction closely. She had expected him to be stunned — and seeing him act just as she imagined amused her.

Suddenly, Rize wrapped her arms tightly around Ryoma.

"Now you're involved," she murmured with a sly smile. "You and I have both violated the Washuu family's greatest taboo... there's no way out now. From here on out, you'll be hunted right alongside me."

Her embrace tightened slightly, as though ensuring he couldn't slip away.

"I warned you," Rize added in a whisper. "Even if you regret it... there's no turning back now."

[Ding! System activated: God-Level Choice unlocked!]

[Choice 1: Say nothing, take no action — Reward: 1 Fusion Point]

[Choice 2: Push Rize away and sever ties with her — Reward: 10 Fusion Points]

[Choice 3: Embrace Rize tightly and honor your promise — Reward: 50 Fusion Points]

Without hesitation, Ryoma chose the third option.

He wrapped his arms firmly around Rize, feeling her delicate frame tremble slightly in his grasp.

"...I understand," Ryoma said. "I won't regret this. This is my choice."

[Ding! Choice 3 complete — Reward: 50 Fusion Points awarded!]

The reason for the significant reward was clear — by choosing to side with Rize, Ryoma had effectively declared war on the Washuu family.

The Washuu family's power extended across the CCG and the secretive organization known as V. Their influence stretched everywhere, and their bloodline produced ghouls with natural kagune from birth.

The fact that Rize had never unleashed her kagune in its full form remained a mystery. Perhaps Furuta Nimura had sabotaged her before she could awaken her true strength — a move that had ultimately restricted her freedom.

If that were the case, then the CCG's S-rank classification of Rize severely underestimated her. A kagune-wielding Washuu ghoul could easily reach SS or even SSS-level status.

It was no surprise that Furuta never dared to attack Rize again after his initial failure. With her guard now up, there was little chance Furuta could outmaneuver her a second time.

In the original timeline, Furuta's rise to power was only possible because he transplanted Rize's kakuhou into his own body. Whether Furuta could still stand against her without that stolen power remained uncertain.

In short, the Washuu family was the most dangerous and influential force in Tokyo Ghoul's world. Their downfall in the original story was largely due to their own internal collapse.

But Ryoma didn't fear them. From the start, he had prepared himself to fight the Washuu family — otherwise, the tragedies of this world would only continue.

At that moment, Rize's soft laugh broke the silence.

"You really are something... Should I call you brave or just plain foolish?" she said with a grin. "But... I don't hate idiots like you."

She still suspected Ryoma didn't fully understand just how terrifying the Washuu family was. After all, she hadn't told him everything yet.

I'll have to explain that later... she thought.

For now, though, there was something else she wanted to know.

"I've told you my secrets," Rize said, her gaze sharpening again.

"So... can you explain those two girls?"

T/N: Hol' up! I love this yandere type rize more 🫣