"So how many times have you written 'Mrs. Sota Nakamura' in your notebook?" Yoriko asked, stealing my literature notes.
"I hate you." I snatched them back, cheeks burning. "And I haven't written anything."
"Lies. You've been doodling hearts for the past hour." She leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "But seriously, how's the boyfriend? Still disgustingly perfect?"
"He's not perfect." But I smiled despite myself. "He leaves pencil shavings everywhere and gets way too excited about dead painters."
"Aw, you're defending his flaws. You're so gone for him." Yoriko's grin turned wicked. "Have you guys—"
"Class is starting!" I interrupted, grateful for once to see our teacher.
But I couldn't focus on the lesson. My phone kept buzzing with news alerts I didn't want to read. Three more bodies found. The Binge Eater growing bolder. Getting closer to the 20th Ward.
Getting closer to Sota.
By the time school ended, my nerves were shot. The walk to Anteiku felt longer than usual, every shadow potentially hiding purple hair and cruel smiles.
"You're early," Yoshimura observed as I entered through the back.
"Wanted to help with prep." I tied on my apron with shaking hands. "Is it busy today?"
"The usual." But his expression was thoughtful. "Touka-chan, you seem troubled."
"Just school stuff."
"Hmm." He polished a glass that didn't need it. "These are difficult times. The news has everyone on edge."
"Manager, if someone dangerous came here—"
"Anteiku is neutral ground," he said gently but firmly. "We serve all who enter peacefully. That is our way."
"Even if they're hunting? Even if they might hurt—" I bit off the words.
"We cannot control what happens outside these walls. Only within." He touched my shoulder paternally. "But we protect our own, always. Remember that."
Koma emerged from the storage room looking grim. "Did you see the latest report? Three bodies, all young men. She's not even trying to hide anymore."
"She?" I kept my voice level.
"The Binge Eater. Everyone knows it's a woman. The victims..." He shook his head. "Let's just say she has a type."
Young men. Like Kaneki with his nervous smile and literature. Like Sota with his gentle hands and art explanations.
"Touka-chan, you're crushing that cup," Irimi noted.
I looked down. The coffee mug in my hand had cracked. "Sorry. I'll—"
The bell chimed. 3:15, right on time.
Sota entered with his usual smile, but it widened when he saw me. "Hey, girlfriend."
"Hey yourself, boyfriend." The words still felt new, precious.
"Ugh, they're doing it again," Koma groaned. "I'm getting cavities from the sweetness."
"You're just jealous," Sota said cheerfully, heading for the counter instead of his table. "Mind if I sit here today? Better view."
"You said that Tuesday too."
"Still true." He settled onto a stool, immediately pulling out his sketchbook. "How was school?"
"Fine. Yoriko interrogated me about you for an hour."
"All bad things, I hope."
"The worst. I told her about your tragic pencil shaving problem."
"Betrayed by my own girlfriend." He clutched his chest dramatically. "How will I recover?"
I was laughing, tension easing, when the bell chimed again.
The laughter died in my throat.
She walked in like she owned the world—purple hair flowing, designer dress hugging dangerous curves, smile promising beautiful destruction. Every instinct I had screamed predator.
"My, what a charming establishment," Rize purred, eyes scanning the room like a menu.
I moved without thinking, putting myself between her and Sota. "Welcome to Anteiku. Table for one?"
"How presumptuous. Perhaps I'm meeting someone." Her gaze found Sota, lingered. "Though I do seem to be early."
"Corner booth is available," I said firmly, gesturing to the opposite side of the shop. "Best view of the street."
"Hmm." She glided closer, and I smelled perfume over something metallic. "But the view here is so much more... appetizing."
I tensed up reading her implication, when I suddenly felt Sota's hand in mine. "Touka?" Sota's voice held confusion at my reaction. "Everythings okay?"
"Perfect!" I ended up responding too sharp, too loud. "Just getting our customer seated." I said as I let go of his hand and walked over.
Rize's smile widened. "Customer. How quaint. Tell me," she addressed Sota directly, "do you come here often?"
"Most days," he answered, polite but wary. "Good coffee."
"Among other attractions, I'm sure." Her eyes flicked between us, amused. "Young love is so... tender."
My hands clenched. One wrong move from her and I'd—
"Your table, miss?" Mr. Yoshimura appeared, gentle but immovable between us. "I'll prepare something special for you."
"How kind." She allowed herself to be led away, but called over her shoulder, "We'll chat later, I'm sure."
I stayed frozen until she was seated, then grabbed Sota's arm. "We need to talk."
"Okay?" He let me pull him to the back corner, far from Rize's booth. "Touka, what's wrong? You're shaking."
"That woman is dangerous."
"I gathered that from your death grip." He rubbed his arm. "Ex-girlfriend?"
"What? No!" I smacked his shoulder. "I'm serious. She's... you need to stay away from her."
"Okay." Simple, innocently accepting my demands. "Any particular reason, or just general bad vibes? Like women intuition?"
I opened my mouth, yet closed it moments after. What could I say? She's a ghoul who eats boys like you for dinner? And I know because I'm one too?
"I just know, okay? Trust me."
"I do trust you." He caught my hands, stilling their trembling. "Hey. I'm right here. Not going anywhere near long purple-haired ladies with scary smiles."
"Promise?"
"Promise." He pulled me closer, uncaring of the public setting. "What's really going on? You've been tense all week."
"The news. The Binge Eater. Everything feels..." Dangerous. "Wrong."
"Nothing's going to happen. Not here. Not to us." He pressed his forehead to mine. "I've got my scary girlfriend to protect me, right?"
"I'm not scary."
"You looked ready to throw boiling coffee at that woman."
"That's always an option."
He laughed, and some of the ice in my chest melted. "Come on. Show me those bird drawings you've been practicing. Unless you want me to sit somewhere else?"
"No! I mean, counter's fine. Great. Perfect view and all."
"Of the coffee machines?"
"Shut up."
We settled back at the counter, but I kept myself between him and Rize's line of sight. She sat perfectly still in her booth, coffee untouched, watching the room with patient hunger.
"Your lines are getting more confident," Sota said, examining my sketches. "See how this wing flows? Much more natural than last week."
"I practiced what you showed me. Using the whole arm, not just the wrist."
"It shows. You're a quick study." He started sketching corrections, our hands brushing as he guided my pencil. "Try thinking of feathers as overlapping leaves. Each one protects the one beneath."
"Like armor?"
"Exactly like armor."
I snuck glances at Rize while we worked. She'd pulled out a book—probably a prop—but her attention never left the room. Calculating. Waiting.
"Oh!" A familiar voice broke through my vigilance. "Touka-san! Sota-san!"
Kaneki stood in the doorway, clutching his ever-present book bag. My heart sank.
"Kaneki," I called out, trying to sound normal. "Back for more real coffee?"
"I've been thinking about it all week." He approached shyly. "That blend was incredible."
In my peripheral vision, Rize's head turned. Locked onto the nervous boy like a compass finding north.
Oh. No... Please, not him.
"Same blend?" I asked quickly with my thoughts drifting. "Or want to try something new?"
"Um, maybe something different? If you recommend it?"
"I'll make you something special." I fled to the coffee machines, hands shaking again. When I turned back, Rize had moved.
She stood by the counter, too close to both Sota and Kaneki, smile sharp as broken glass.
"Literature," she purred, eyeing Kaneki's bag. "How refreshing to meet another reader. What are you enjoying?"
"Oh! Um, Takatsuki Sen mostly." He fumbled with his books. "Are you a fan?"
"Devoted." She extended a manicured hand. "Kamishiro Rize. And you are?"
"Kaneki Ken." He shook her hand, blushing at the attention. "Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is entirely mine." She held on a beat too long. "We should discuss our favorite passages sometime. Perhaps over coffee?"
"I—that would be—yes?"
"Wonderful." She took out a card from the abyss. "Call me. We'll arrange something... intimate."
Kaneki took the card with trembling fingers, face crimson. Rize's attention shifted to Sota.
"And you, artist? Do you read?"
"Not really," Sota said evenly. "More of a visual person."
"Pity. Though I suppose you appreciate beauty in other forms." Her gaze lingered on me. "Some more fleeting than others."
"Coffee's ready!" I practically shouted, shoving cups at everyone. "Very hot! Careful!"
"How considerate." Rize accepted hers with amusement. "You take such good care of your... customers."
The word dripped with implication. She knew. Ugh. Of course she knew.
"Well, I should be going." She glided toward the door, pausing beside Kaneki. "Do call, Ken-kun. I'm simply dying to get to know you better."
The bell chimed her exit, and I sagged against the counter.
"That was intense," Sota observed. "Is she always like that?"
"I've never seen her before," Kaneki said, staring at the business card. "She seemed nice though. Also interested in literature."
I bit my tongue hard enough to taste blood. Nice. Interested. If only he knew what kind of appetite drove that interest.
"Be careful," I said finally. "Tokyo's dangerous lately."
"I will." He smiled, oblivious. "Thanks for the coffee, Touka-san. See you both soon!"
After he left, I realized I was gripping the counter hard enough to leave some marks.
"Hey." Sota covered my hands with his. "What's really going on? And don't say nothing—you look terrified."
"I can't—" My voice cracked. "Just please, please be careful. Don't go anywhere alone. Don't talk to her if you see her again."
"Touka—"
"Promise me!"
"Okay, okay. I promise." He pulled me around the counter, wrapping me in a hug despite Koma's whistling. "I'm safe. You're safe. It's okay."
But it wasn't okay. Rize had marked her prey, and sweet, naive Kaneki had walked right into her web. Just like Sota might have if I hadn't been there.
"I have to go," I whispered into his shirt. "Work stuff. But stay until closing? Please?"
"Of course." He pulled back enough to see my face. "Hey. Whatever's scaring you, we'll figure it out together. Okay?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice. Together. If only he knew how impossible that was.
The rest of my shift passed in a blur of hypervigilance. Every chime of the bell made me tense. Every shadow could hide purple hair and hunger.
But Rize didn't return. She'd found what she came for.