Ghoul: Starting with Sharingan

"Alright then, you can follow me for now."

Byakuya said casually.

Then, he extended his hand toward Suzuya.

Suzuya hesitated for a moment before reaching out and shaking Byakuya's hand.

"As for the others, take them all to the CCG first. Follow the standard procedures and do what needs to be done."

Byakuya instructed the investigators beside him.

According to protocol, these rescued individuals would need psychological counseling and other necessary support.

Suzuya was no exception, but he would be under Byakuya's personal supervision.

"Understood"

The investigator nodded.

With that, Byakuya had no further role to play at the auction site.

Others would take care of the cleanup.

For now, he brought Suzuya to the CCG's 2nd Ward branch.

As they walked, he asked Suzuya a few questions.

"Suzuya, what's your full name?"

" Juuzou Suzuya..."

So it seemed that "Rei Suzuya" was the name that Big Madam had given him.

In the original story, Juuzou Suzuyau was the name he had been given at the Ghoul Restaurant, where he was known as the Juuzou. Meanwhile, Rei Suzuya was the name Big Madam had envisioned for the cute little girl she wanted him to be — going as far as mutilating him to fit her twisted fantasy.

Even after being taken in by the CCG, Suzuya chose to keep the name "Juuzou Suzuya" as he became an investigator.

"So, where is your home? Do you have any contact information for your parents?"

Byakuya continued asking.

"I don't have a home, and I don't have parents anymore."

Suzuya answered in an indifferent tone, as if he were stating something completely ordinary.

"I see... In that case, how about staying at the CCG's orphanage for now? What do you think?"

Byakuya asked for his opinion.

Suzuya nodded without objection.

There wasn't really a better option.

Byakuya couldn't possibly let him stay at his own house. That would be too troublesome.

For one, he couldn't risk exposing Eto's half-ghoul identity. And then there was Mayu — her identity as a ghoul couldn't be revealed either.

Bringing Suzuya over occasionally to visit was fine, but having him live there? That was out of the question.

There was also the option of Anteiku, but Suzuya was human, not a ghoul. Gaining their trust would be difficult, making it an unsuitable choice.

Byakuya soon brought Suzuya to the CCG for psychological evaluation and began handling the necessary paperwork for the orphanage.

As the branch director of the 2nd Ward, getting Suzuya admitted was an easy task with high efficiency.

By the same day, Suzuya would be able to check in at the orphanage.

However, since the process wasn't entirely finished yet, it would be evening before he could officially move in.

Until then, Byakuya decided to let him rest at his place for a while.

"I'm back."

Byakuya unlocked the door with his key.

"Welcome home!"

Eto immediately noticed Suzuya beside him.

"This kid... I honestly can't tell if they're a boy or a girl at first glance."

She didn't ask unnecessary questions. It was obvious that he had been brought back from the auction.

"He's a boy. His name is Juuzou Suzuya."

Byakuya introduced him and briefly explained his situation —waiting for his placement at the CCG orphanage.

"That's perfect. Mayu will have a new playmate."

Eto said with a gentle smile.

Suzuya looked up at the kind-looking older girl and thought to himself that she seemed really warm and nice.

Feeling like he should say something, he spoke up.

"Thank you."

With that, Suzuya was left to watch TV with Mayu.

The two children gradually started talking.

"You're really pretty! You're a boy, but you look prettier than most girls."

Mayu was amazed by Suzuya's delicate features and flawless skin.

She even felt a little envious of his beautiful face.

"People say that a lot, but I don't really think this face is useful for anything."

Suzuya said nonchalantly.

"How could it not be useful? You're so pretty, you'll definitely be super popular!"

Mayu giggled.

"What's the point of being popular...?"

Suzuya didn't seem to care about such things.

"Want some?"

Mayu held out a bag of snacks to him.

She couldn't eat human food herself, but she knew humans loved snacks, so she figured it was a good way to make friends.

Coincidentally, Suzuya actually really liked snacks — especially sweets.

He immediately started munching on them, and for the first time, a genuine smile appeared on his face.

"Thanks!"

"That means we're friends now, right?"

Mayu asked eagerly.

"Friends?..."

Suzuya tilted his head, half-understanding, and nodded.

When the time came, Byakuya escorted Suzuya to the CCG orphanage.

The children here were mostly orphans whose families had been killed by ghouls. They were also raised with the goal of becoming future investigators, which meant they were given better treatment than regular orphans.

From then on, Byakuya made sure to visit Suzuya once a day to check on him — going above and beyond his duty.

In the original story, Suzuya had suffered from bullying and false accusations.

But as it turned out, Byakuya's concerns were unnecessary.

While Suzuya still preferred being alone, he wasn't nearly as psychologically damaged as his canon counterpart—who had been brutally abused by Big Madam for years.

Without such extreme trauma, he wasn't as withdrawn or eccentric.

Nor did he have the self-destructive tendencies, like turning his body into a human pincushion with stitches.

At the orphanage, he wasn't ostracized, but he didn't make any friends either.

According to the staff, he simply never took the initiative to interact with other children.

The only time he really played with someone was when he visited Byakuya's house.

That was only because Mayu was naturally outgoing and eager to befriend kids her age.

For her, having a friend was a rare and precious thing.

"Kids these days are getting smarter and smarter."

Watching Mayu and Suzuya play together, Eto sighed.

"You talk like you're not a kid yourself."

Byakuya quipped.

Eto smirked and fired back,

"Well, that's because some lolicon keeps sweet-talking me every day, tricking me into thinking I'm all mature and grown up."