73

Chapter 73: Confrontation

"Don't act like you're asleep," Ryoma muttered. "If you're tired, go back to your own room."

Still no reaction.

"You're seriously going to play this game?" Ryoma frowned.

Determined, Ryoma reached under Rize's arms and began to tickle her sides.

Rize's body flinched immediately, and she stifled a laugh before it burst out in a high-pitched giggle.

"Stop it!" Rize squirmed, her body twisting as she tried to resist. "I'm awake okay, I'm awake!"

"You were faking it," Ryoma smirked. "I knew it."

"I didn't know you were this evil," Rize glared at him playfully.

"If you hadn't pretended to be asleep, I wouldn't have had to do that," Ryoma shot back.

Rize grumbled but stood up from his bed. "Fine, I'm going. Don't expect me to forget this!"

As she left, Ryoma couldn't help but smirk to himself. So... she's ticklish? That might come in handy.

---

The next day, Ryoma went straight to CCG's headquarters in the 1st Ward for his first-class investigator exam.

The written test came first. Thanks to his Mangekyō Sharingan-enhanced memory, Ryoma breezed through the material with ease.

"You passed with near-perfect marks," the examiner said, visibly impressed. "This is the highest score I've seen in years. Exceptional work."

The examiner wasn't exaggerating. Most investigators barely managed to pass the test, scraping by with the minimum required 60 points. Ryoma, on the other hand, scored 99 out of 100.

Next was the interview. The senior investigator conducting it seemed indifferent, asking only a few basic questions before ending the session.

By the end of the day, Ryoma was officially promoted to First-Class Investigator.

As he left the building, a familiar system prompt appeared in his mind.

[Ding! The host has been promoted to First-Class Investigator. Reward: 20 Fusion Points.]

Looks like I can expect more points when I get promoted again, Ryoma thought.

With his accomplishments spreading within the CCG, Ryoma's name was starting to gain recognition.

---

Meanwhile, at Anteiku, Kamishiro Rize was reading a book alone at her table.

Kirishima Touka and Irimi Kaya exchanged glances. With Ryoma absent, they saw this as a rare opportunity to confront Rize directly.

"Miss Kamishiro," Irimi said as she approached. "Do you have a moment?"

"Oh?" Rize closed her book with a smile. "What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to ask you something," Irimi replied, her expression serious.

Rize followed them upstairs, where Touka was already waiting.

"We know Kanzaki Ryoma is a CCG investigator," Touka stated directly.

Rize didn't even flinch.

"Yeah" Rize said calmly. "I know it too."

Touka's brow furrowed. "So you really are doing this on purpose... I knew it. I can't believe ordinary humans aren't enough for you anymore — now you're playing with an investigator?"

"And what's wrong with that?" Rize smirked. "Are you feeling sorry for the little CCG agent? That's adorable."

"You think this is funny?" Touka's expression hardened. "If you try to pull something with him, CCG will swarm the 20th Ward. Do you want to drag us all down with you?"

"Sounds like you're overreacting," Rize sneered. "Why should I care what happens to your precious 'safe zone'? Whether I fall for him or decide to kill him — that's my choice. What I do isn't any of your business."

Touka clenched her fists. "You're playing a dangerous game. If you make a mistake, it's not just you who'll suffer."

"Oh?" Rize's smile turned icy. "Are you threatening me?"

Before Touka could snap back, Irimi intervened.

"Enough," Irimi said firmly. "We all want to keep things peaceful here. Let's not start fighting among ourselves."

Rize shrugged. "Fine, I don't have time for your 'family meeting' anyway."

As she turned to leave, Rize glanced back with a sly grin.

"I'd love to chat more," she said sweetly. "But my dear Ryoma is waiting for me back home."

With that, she walked away, leaving Touka silently fuming.