Inside her room on the second floor, Touka Kirishima finally set down her pen.
She rubbed her temples.
The weight of school assignments was beginning to give her a headache.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to go downstairs for some fresh air.
Her footsteps echoed softly in the stairwell.
When she reached the first floor, she saw three familiar figures behind the counter.
Enji Koma,
Kaya Irimi,
and Ren.
Touka blinked.
"…Huh?"
Her gaze landed on Ren.
"Are you working today?"
He shook his head gently.
Today's shift actually belonged to Koma and Irimi.
Logically speaking—
He should have been resting.
But lately—
He had discovered something strange.
He simply had nothing to do.
Ryoko Fueguchi and Hinami Fueguchi rarely went outside.
Ken Kaneki had been dragged away by Hideyoshi Nagachika.
Touka herself had been buried in homework upstairs.
The peaceful café suddenly felt unusually empty.
Earlier—
He had even tried calling Nishio Nishiki.
The call lasted exactly three seconds.
"Don't bother me while I'm on a date with Kimi."
Then the line disconnected.
Ren stared at his phone.
"…Why do I feel abandoned by the whole world?"
Inside his mind—
Carnage answered quietly.
[…You still have me…]
He forced a tired smile.
"…Thank you for the companionship."
[…You're welcome…]
At that moment—
The café door opened.
"Welcome—"
Ren looked up.
"…Kaneki."
Kaneki stepped inside.
He looked unusually cheerful.
"Did you have fun?"
Ren asked.
Kaneki nodded warmly.
Spending time with Hide always lifted his mood.
…
Suddenly—
The doorbell rang again.
A man stepped inside.
He wore a bright crimson suit.
His purple hair was carefully styled.
Every detail about him radiated elegance.
Shuu Tsukiyama.
He inhaled deeply.
"…Magnificent."
His eyes shone with pleasure.
"Only the air of this café…"
"…can truly calm the soul."
Touka's expression instantly turned cold.
"Tsukiyama."
"What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Miss Kirishima."
Tsukiyama bowed slightly.
"Still as cold as ever."
His gaze wandered around the café.
Then—
Stopped on Kaneki.
"The blindfolded waiter…"
He slowly approached.
Circling Kaneki like a curious predator.
"Are you new here?"
Kaneki shifted uncomfortably.
"…Yes."
Tsukiyama leaned closer.
His nose almost touching Kaneki's neck.
He inhaled deeply.
His pupils contracted sharply.
"…What an extraordinary fragrance…"
Before he could move any closer—
Ren stepped between them.
"Sir."
His tone was calm.
"But firm."
"Please do not harass our staff."
Tsukiyama's smile stiffened slightly.
Then he looked at Ren.
"A new face as well."
His eyes studied him carefully.
"You're also a waiter?"
Ren simply stared back.
Silent acknowledgment.
Tsukiyama smiled again.
His gaze returned briefly to Kaneki.
"Until next time."
"I look forward to tasting your coffee."
Then he left.
Kaneki watched him disappear.
"…Was he strange?"
Ren's lips curved slightly.
"Kaneki."
"In my experience…"
"People like that are weird nine times out of ten."
"Stay away from him."
Kaneki nodded seriously.
"I understand."
…
Unfortunately—
The warning had absolutely no effect.
Tsukiyama soon managed to grow closer to Kaneki.
Their shared admiration for the novels of Sen Takatsuki quickly became common ground.
The exact same strategy once used by Rize Kamishiro.
Ren couldn't understand it.
Tsukiyama clearly looked suspicious.
Yet Kaneki still trusted him.
Do Takatsuki's novels contain some kind of hypnotic power?
He seriously considered reading them himself.
…
Later—
Kaneki approached him.
"Kiryu-nii."
"Mr. Tsukiyama invited me to dinner."
Ren placed his polished glass down.
"At that restaurant?"
Kaneki nodded.
"Then go."
His answer was calm.
He knew he couldn't stop Kaneki anyway.
There was no immediate life-threatening danger.
Kaneki had learned to be cautious.
"Kiryu-nii…"
Kaneki added awkwardly.
"He invited you too."
"…What?"
Ren blinked.
"Why me?"
Kaneki hesitated.
"He said…"
"…you're an interesting person."
Inside his mind—
Carnage chuckled.
[Interesting…]
"When?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Ren thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"If Tsukiyama behaves properly…"
"…we'll treat it like dinner."
"But if he has other intentions…"
His eyes flashed briefly.
"…Carnage gets dessert."
…
Two days later.
Afternoon.
The restaurant Tsukiyama mentioned was located in the 7th Ward.
A luxury car from the Tsukiyama household arrived outside Anteiku to pick them up.
Just before leaving—
Touka stopped Ren.
"What?"
He smiled slightly.
"Worried about me?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
She rolled her eyes.
Then spoke quietly.
"…Just don't cause trouble."
"That depends on Tsukiyama."
He shrugged.
"If he's sincere…"
"Nothing will happen."
His gaze shifted to Kaneki.
"But if he has other plans…"
A faint red glimmer appeared in his eyes.
"…I'll defend myself."
For a brief moment—
Touka felt something terrifying beneath his calm expression.
A violent crimson shadow.
"Let's go."
As they left—
Touka watched silently.
She had a feeling—
Tsukiyama's precious restaurant might not survive the evening.
…
7th Ward — Ghoul Restaurant
The distance between the 20th and 7th wards was short.
Soon—
The luxury car arrived.
Kaneki stepped out first.
His eyes widened.
"…It's beautiful."
The building resembled a luxurious hotel.
Golden lights illuminated the grand structure.
Ren studied the building thoughtfully.
"…I hope we don't destroy it later."
Inside his mind—
Carnage sounded excited.
[…It would look better…]
[…as ruins…]
A servant opened the car door politely.
As they stepped out—
Tsukiyama himself greeted them.
Today he wore a deep purple suit.
Perfectly tailored.
"You two."
He spread his arms elegantly.
"Welcome…"
"…to my restaurant."
Kaneki greeted him politely.
Ren simply nodded.
"Please."
Tsukiyama gestured toward the entrance.
"Follow me."
He led them into the magnificent golden hall.
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