"Click~"
As the shop door was pushed open, Touka Kirishima turned around with a business-like smile, but she saw a person who made her feel incredibly conflicted.
"The usual, one cup of coffee, one piece of pastry."
Lancer expression was as casual as ever, but Touka Kirishima's mood was anything but good, after all, the events of last night were still vivid in her mind. But then, her expression turned slightly surprised as she looked behind Lancer, because Lancer, who usually came alone, was followed by another person.
"Mr. Nagachika?"
"Long time no see, Miss Kirishima~"
Hideyoshi Nagachika also greeted Touka Kirishima with a very bright smile on his face at this moment.
"Hideyoshi, are you very familiar with this shop?"
Lancer naturally knew that the opponent knew the people in this shop, but ever since the opponent showed up, Lancer had been thinking about one thing—Ken Kaneki.
The information Lancer knew about 'Ken Kaneki' was only that the opponent appeared in front of Kishou Arima with a body suspected to be Hideyoshi Nagachika's after the 'Owl Suppression Battle,' but there was no doubt that it wouldn't be like that in this world.
Because of Lancer interference, the CCG not only preserved a large number of combat personnel, but the Owl Suppression Battle also disappeared without a trace, and a certain degree of cooperation was even formed with the CCG, but Ken Kaneki was completely exposed and disappeared.
That's right, Lancer found Ken Kaneki's information in the CCG database, but according to the information, the opponent's whereabouts were unpredictable, which undoubtedly deviated from the so-called 'plot,' but Lancer believed that the opponent must hold some clue. When he was completely at a loss, following the so-called 'protagonist' would always lead to some information.
Since he couldn't find Ken Kaneki, he might as well try with Hideyoshi Nagachika. It wouldn't be a loss even if he didn't find anything, after all, the opponent's work ability and evaluation were quite good.
Although Lancer hadn't specialized in acting, he had seen enough to maintain a facial expression easily, so Hideyoshi Nagachika didn't notice anything unusual about Lancer and instead explained with a chuckle.
"An old classmate of mine used to work here, so I've also come here for a few cups of coffee. Oh, right, Mr. Lancer, let's confirm your patrol route for today in advance, so I can contact the other branches..."
"It's our break time now..."
"Mr. Lancer, didn't you say you really liked working?"
"I never said that. It's just that I'm more free in the evenings..."
It seemed like a casual chat, but Lancer subtly skipped over the things Hideyoshi Nagachika said. Lancer naturally knew what the opponent was trying to hide but had no intention of exposing it. After all, his goal wasn't Ken Kaneki. Otherwise, he could have contacted the opponent through the manager. His true goal was to let the opponent act independently and seek 'clues.' This was his purpose.
Lancer quickly delineated the patrol area for tonight, but he didn't forget to remind Hideyoshi Nagachika that if he found Ghoul clues, he wouldn't necessarily limit his actions to this area. Hideyoshi Nagachika naturally nodded to show understanding, and just at that moment, Touka Kirishima walked over with a tray.
"Gentlemen, here are your coffee and pastries."
Saying that, Touka Kirishima placed the coffee and pastries between the two of them.
Lancer took a small sip and then his expression became a little strange.
"Touka, did you not brew this today?"
As soon as Lancer said this, Hideyoshi Nagachika, sitting next to him, looked at Touka Kirishima with a very strange expression. In his impression, the coffee in this shop was usually brewed by the manager himself. If there were many people or the manager was absent due to other matters, Enji Koma or Irimi Kaya would usually brew it. As for Touka Kirishima? He had never seen her do it before. After all, unlike most people, he knew about her 'Ghoul' identity.
Experienced Ghouls can learn human dietary preferences through practice, but the coffee brewed by a rookie can make people... at a loss for what to say, just like the coffee Ken Kaneki used to brew for him.
"I brewed it. What's wrong?"
"No, nothing. I just feel like I'm drinking what I drank two years ago again. I thought some rookie was practicing on my coffee..."
Lancer comment instantly made Touka Kirishima's expression a little strange...
"Click~"
As the door to the lounge closed, Touka Kirishima looked at the coffee pot in front of her with a complicated expression.
Although Lancer comment had a hint of provocation, Touka Kirishima actually knew what was going on. It was because her current mood was a little complicated, which led to a mistake in one of the steps while grinding the coffee, perhaps?
"Pat~ Pat~"
After gently patting her face, she took a deep breath.
'It's fine. The manager, Brother Enji, and Sister Kaya said they would handle things even if something happened...'
Lancer, on the other side, was looking at the street view outside the window and drinking coffee while pondering what he should do next.
He had considered telling Kureo Mado what he knew, but he later gave up because this matter might involve the darker side of the CCG. He didn't know if the opponent was aware of this, but he knew that once he involved the opponent, it was highly likely to trigger another 'tragedy.'
Although Leone was currently training in the Land of Shadows, he didn't think he would be that lucky again, so he had to ensure their safety.
In this case, 'Anteiku' was the best partner. They had sufficient strength and influence, and most crucially, Lancer could remain calm if casualties occurred among them.
Although this sounded a little heartless, people always have to make choices. Compared to Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon, who were like a father and brother to him, the people of Anteiku were far less important. And the most crucial thing was that he didn't deceive the opponent. The opponent was still willing to cooperate with him after knowing the danger, which meant they had the resolve to sacrifice themselves for this goal.
In this case, as long as Lancer fulfilled his promise to them as agreed, it would be enough. After all, the two sides were essentially just exploiting each other.
But just as Lancer was thinking, Hideyoshi Nagachika, sitting across from Lancer, suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Lancer, is there a reason why you frequent this shop?"
"What's wrong?"
"Well... when I was assigned by the headquarters, I looked at some of your documents, Mr. Lancer, for example, how you used to come here for coffee whenever you had time, and now that you've just returned, you came back for coffee, so I'm a little curious..."
Why?
Should he tell the opponent that he knew the so-called 'plot,' and he initially just came here to investigate, and then he realized the coffee was actually quite good, so he just started coming whenever he was free?
Not to mention whether the opponent would believe such nonsense, the information revealed alone would be enough to make people think there was something wrong with his head.
"Perhaps it's because the waitress here is quite cute?"
Lancer wore a teasing smile when he said this, hoping the opponent wouldn't misunderstand, right?
"Hiss~"
But unexpectedly, Hideyoshi Nagachika, sitting across from him, gasped and then quietly leaned towards Lancer.
"Mr. Lancer, Miss Kirishima was a JK (high school girl) two years ago. Are you suggesting..."
"Cough, cough. What are you thinking? How could I possibly target a little girl? Am I that kind of person? Couldn't it be the other staff member? The other one is a beautiful older sister~"
But before Lancer could finish his sentence, the door was pushed open, and then Irimi Kaya, wearing casual clothes, walked in through the door.
Once again, Lancer had great doubts about his luck stat...
However, the opponent didn't pay any attention to the bent-over Hideyoshi Nagachika or the awkward Lancer and walked straight towards the lounge. It wasn't until the door closed that the two silently picked up the coffee in front of them and took a sip.
"If I said that was a joke, would you believe me?"
"I believe you."
Although his expression was very sincere, Hideyoshi Nagachika's eyes kept glancing at the folder placed on the side. The documents about 'Ryouko Fueguchi' and 'Hinami Fueguchi' had not been returned yet, and his task as Lancer assistant later was to return those documents.