It had to be admitted—
Touka Kirishima's heavy academic schedule often left Anteiku short-staffed.
However, the arrival of Ken Kaneki greatly eased the situation.
During the daytime—
Office workers were busy with their jobs.
Students were attending classes.
The café's customer flow was relatively slow.
That gave Ren plenty of time to patiently teach Kaneki the skills required to work at Anteiku.
From grinding coffee beans…
To controlling the exact extraction time for espresso…
To serving customers politely.
Kaneki absorbed everything carefully.
Every movement carried the nervous diligence of someone trying his best not to make mistakes.
In the afternoons—
When the crowds of students and office workers began arriving—
Touka would return from school to help manage the rush.
Little by little—
The café regained its steady rhythm.
…
To outsiders—
Ren seemed to be living the quiet life he had always wanted.
Serving coffee.
Training the new employee.
And occasionally being dragged to university lectures by Nishio Nishiki.
But university life…
Didn't interest him very much.
Perhaps it was because he still carried memories from his previous life.
The lectures felt tedious.
Most of the time—
He simply rested his head on the desk and slept.
After several attempts to drag him into studying—
Nishio finally gave up.
The result?
Ren and Kaneki gradually became known as the "class-skipping duo."
"You bastard…"
One afternoon Nishio stared at him in disbelief.
"Aren't you worried about failing your classes?"
"If you fail, you'll have to repeat the course!"
In response—
Ren simply placed a hand on Nishio's shoulder.
His tone sounded deeply meaningful.
"Nishiki."
"Isn't the ultimate goal of university…"
"…to find a good job?"
Nishio frowned.
"…What's your point?"
Ren answered calmly.
"The manager pays me 500,000 yen per month."
"…"
Nishio had no response.
…
Evening approached.
Light rain began falling outside the café windows.
The faint sound of rain mixed with the aroma of coffee.
"Good work today, Kaneki."
Ren placed a freshly cleaned glass onto the rack.
Kaneki lowered his head shyly.
"It's nothing…"
"I'm just doing what I should."
Suddenly—
The wind chime above the door rang.
"Welcome—"
Kaneki spoke automatically.
Then he froze.
"…Huh?"
"I thought we already closed."
He remembered clearly—
Ren had just turned the sign to Closed.
Ren's gaze shifted toward the entrance.
Two figures stood in the doorway.
A woman.
And a young girl.
Both were drenched by the rain.
Water dripped from their coats and hair.
They had clearly run here through the storm.
Touka immediately recognized them.
"Miss Ryoko."
She quickly stepped forward.
Then she turned sharply.
Her gaze swept across Kaneki—
Then landed on Ren.
"Get a towel."
"Right away."
…
"I'm sorry to trouble you so late…"
The woman spoke gently.
This was Ryoko Fueguchi.
She carefully used a towel to dry her daughter's wet hair.
The little girl clung tightly to her mother.
Her small body trembled slightly.
She looked like a frightened deer.
"It's alright."
Touka shook her head.
Then she smiled softly.
A rare expression for her.
"It's been a while, Hinami Fueguchi."
Nearby—
Ren and Kaneki quietly watched.
After a moment—
Ren noticed something.
Hinami was cautiously glancing at them.
Only from the corner of her eyes.
He smiled gently.
Trying to appear friendly.
But the next second—
Hinami immediately hid her face in her mother's arms.
Ren's lips twitched slightly.
"…Do I look scary?"
He whispered to Kaneki.
Kaneki blinked in confusion.
Then shook his head.
"I don't think so…"
…
After talking for a short time—
Ryoko led Hinami upstairs.
Kaneki watched them disappear.
Then he quietly asked Touka:
"…They're ghouls too?"
"Yes."
Touka nodded.
"They're the Fueguchi family."
"For now…"
"They'll be staying under Anteiku's protection."
Kaneki hesitated.
"…Why?"
He wanted to ask more.
But Ren suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.
Interrupting him.
"Kaneki."
His tone turned serious.
"Do you know about the Commission of Counter Ghoul?"
Kaneki shook his head.
"No…"
Ren continued explaining.
"The CCG is a government organization created to eliminate ghouls."
"They investigate ghoul activity throughout Tokyo."
He paused.
Then added:
"Their investigators are commonly called White Doves."
"They fight using weapons known as quinques."
Kaneki frowned slightly.
"Quinques?"
"They're weapons created using ghoul kagune."
Ren replied calmly.
"Which means…"
"They are designed specifically to kill ghouls."
Kaneki fell silent.
…
Later—
Ren returned upstairs.
Just as he was about to enter his room—
Yoshimura's voice stopped him.
"Kiryu-kun."
Standing near the office door was Yoshimura.
"Could you come here for a moment?"
Inside his mind—
Carnage muttered.
[Old man…]
Ren ignored the comment.
And followed Yoshimura inside.
In the office—
Ryoko and Hinami were sitting on the sofa.
Yoshimura spoke calmly.
"Kiryu-kun."
"Let me introduce them properly."
"This is Mrs. Fueguchi."
"And this is her daughter, Hinami."
Then he turned to Ryoko.
"This is Ren."
"A reliable young man who works at the café."
Ren nodded politely.
"Nice to meet you."
Ryoko returned a gentle smile.
Then she touched Hinami's shoulder.
"Hinami."
"Say hello."
The little girl looked up shyly.
"…Hello, Kiryu-nii-chan."
Her voice was soft.
Almost meltingly sweet.
Yoshimura's tone then became more serious.
"I asked you here because I have a request."
"Please tell me."
Ryoko and Hinami need to stay in the 20th Ward temporarily.
However—
Even in this district—
CCG investigators have recently been increasing their patrols.
Yoshimura looked at him calmly.
"I hope you can accompany them when they need to go outside."
Ren didn't hesitate.
"No problem."
"I'll take responsibility."
…
Later—
Back in his room—
Carnage immediately complained.
[You agreed…]
[to become their babysitter?]
Ren rolled his eyes.
"What else?"
"You think the 500,000 yen salary comes for free?"
Of course—
Money wasn't the only reason.
He leaned back on his bed.
Thinking quietly.
After all—
He didn't want a child as gentle as Hinami to suffer harm.
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