Amano Hiro immediately thought of the 20th Ward Suppression Operation in the original work.
When he first watched the anime, he had felt regret for those meaningless sacrifices.
Now that he was here, he would not allow the same regrets to happen again.
"I will be careful," he replied solemnly.
A brief silence spread between them. This time, Amano Hiro broke it. "I met Eto. Do you still not plan to acknowledge her?"
Yoshimura's body trembled slightly, and a subtle change appeared in his expression. "I did not expect Amano Hiro-kun to even know about that relationship."
"I know a little," Amano Hiro said lightly.
After a long silence, Yoshimura spoke in a low voice. "Now is not the right time."
"Are you worried about the V Organization?"
That sentence completely shocked Yoshimura. "You even know about the V Organization?"
He had never imagined that Amano Hiro not only knew about his relationship with Eto, but also about that secret organization.
Considering how many secrets the other party knew and his considerable strength, a possibility surfaced in Yoshimura's mind.
With a serious expression, Yoshimura asked, "Could Amano Hiro-kun be... a Cleaner?"
The guess made Amano Hiro laugh softly. "You are overthinking it. I am not a Cleaner. I simply happen to know more than most."
The moment the words left his mouth, Yoshimura realized his lapse.
If Amano Hiro truly were a Cleaner, given the extent of confidential knowledge he possessed, he would have acted long ago rather than waiting until today.
His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and a faint self-mocking smile appeared on his lips. "It seems I have been too nervous."
Amano Hiro did not mind and continued the topic. "Regarding Eto, I hope you will seriously consider it. As for the V Organization..."
He paused briefly and let out a very faint cold snort, the meaning unclear.
Yoshimura sighed. "Since Amano Hiro-kun knows about the V Organization, you must not be unfamiliar with the Washuu Clan. The reason I do not acknowledge Eto is precisely because I fear dragging her into danger."
"I understand your concern," Amano Hiro said calmly yet firmly. "But constant concealment and protection are not necessarily what Eto truly needs.
She likely has deep misunderstandings about you. The sooner those misunderstandings are resolved, the better it will be for both of you.
Besides, do you truly believe the V Organization is unaware of your relationship with her?"
Yoshimura fell into brief silence, a complex emotion flashing through his eyes.
Amano Hiro continued, "As for the Washuu Clan, there is no need to be overly worried."
He paused slightly and then asked, "Manager, do you know about Rize?"
Yoshimura shook his head gently. "I have only heard others call that girl the Binge Eater. Does she have another identity?"
Amano Hiro revealed a fact that surprised the manager once again. "Rize is actually a pure-blood ghoul of the Washuu Clan."
Yoshimura's eyes widened slightly, his tone turning serious. "Amano Hiro-kun, are you certain? This is not something to joke about."
"I am certain," Amano Hiro said firmly. "The Washuu Clan will not ignore Rize's escape. Sooner or later, I will confront them directly."
Yoshimura could not help but feel concerned. The peace of the 20th Ward had not come easily. If this was true, that fragile peace might soon be shattered again.
Amano Hiro's voice remained steady and composed as he analyzed the situation. "The 20th Ward appears calm now only because they have not freed up their hands yet.
Once they do, they will move against the 20th Ward. It cannot remain uninvolved forever. Some matters must eventually be faced head-on."
Yoshimura sighed deeply, that sigh carrying the weight of years and weary helplessness.
"When I founded this refuge," he said slowly, "my hope was that ghouls could support one another and attempt to integrate into human society, to move away from meaningless slaughter. Yet after so many years, bloodshed is still close at hand."
Amano Hiro's voice was low and clear. "Manager, you have seen it yourself. Many Doves have already stationed themselves in the 20th Ward.
But these investigators are, in the end, merely pawns on a chessboard.
Once the time is ripe, the Washuu Clan need only give a slight hint, and their blades will point directly at this refuge.
At that time, these pawns will not hesitate to shed blood for so-called justice, and then die meaninglessly."
He paused briefly and added gravely, "And that time is not far off."
Yoshimura listened quietly without interruption. Each sentence was like a heavy stone dropped into his heart, stirring wave after wave.
He knew Amano Hiro was not exaggerating.
The situation was already clear. Trying to remain isolated as before would only be self-deception.
There was no avoiding it any longer. It was time to prepare early.
Finally, Yoshimura nodded slowly. "I will seriously consider what Amano Hiro-kun has said."
After finishing his discussion with Yoshimura, the sky outside had completely darkened.
When Amano Hiro walked down from the second floor, the café had already closed. Only Touka remained, quietly wiping the last few tables.
Hearing footsteps, Touka looked up. "Amano-san, finished talking with the manager?"
"Yes, just now." Amano Hiro looked at her. "Still not done?"
"Almost finished." Touka did not stop moving her hands.
Amano Hiro nodded. "Then I will head out first."
"Alright. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
He pushed the door open and stepped into the night. The streets were sparsely populated. The evening breeze was slightly cool, and Amano Hiro could not help thinking of Rize.
He wondered how her research had progressed today. As the thought surfaced, his pace unconsciously quickened.
When he returned to the apartment and pushed open the door, a warm figure lightly threw herself into his arms.
Amano Hiro caught the soft body steadily, the corner of his lips lifting. "I am back."
"Welcome home," Rize said with a smile in her voice.
She bent down and placed a pair of house slippers at his feet. They were matching ones she had bought some time ago.
After changing his shoes, Amano Hiro looked up and saw the clear joy in Rize's eyes.
"What is it? You seem happy," he asked gently.
Rize tilted her head with a bright smile. "Guess."
Amano Hiro's eyes showed understanding, and his smile deepened. "You have completed control of your RC cells?"
"Yes." Rize nodded firmly, her smile blooming like spring sunlight. "Now I am the same as Hiro."
Hearing her confirmation, genuine happiness filled Amano Hiro's eyes. He walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa in a relaxed manner.
At that moment, Rize came out of the kitchen holding a bottle of Yamazaki whisky.
With a radiant smile, she walked up to Hiro and softly suggested, "Hiro, to celebrate our 'evolution', how about we have a drink together?"