The following day, Ren and Ken Kaneki were assigned a shopping errand.
The streets of the 20th Ward were lively.
Crowds moved constantly.
Office workers.
Students.
Shoppers.
The ordinary rhythm of Tokyo life concealed a far darker reality beneath the surface.
"Kaneki."
Ren suddenly pointed toward the street ahead.
"Look over there."
Kaneki followed his gaze.
A man wearing a long brown trench coat walked briskly through the crowd, holding a rigid briefcase in one hand.
"That's a White Dove."
Ren lowered his voice.
"Inside that case is a quinque."
Kaneki's expression became tense.
The man soon disappeared into the crowd.
But Kaneki continued staring in that direction.
Trying to memorize his appearance.
Recently—
Encounters with investigators had become increasingly frequent.
Even the relatively peaceful 20th Ward was no longer completely safe for ghouls.
Just as Yoshimura had warned.
After a moment, Ren spoke again.
"Kaneki."
"You should get a mask."
"A mask?"
Kaneki blinked.
"Yes."
Ren nodded.
"Once a ghoul's identity is exposed…"
"The Commission of Counter Ghoul will hunt them relentlessly."
"Most ghouls wear masks during fights."
"It prevents investigators from identifying them."
Kaneki thought for a moment.
"…Then what about you, Kiryu-nii?"
"I've never seen you wear one."
Ren answered casually.
"You can't generalize."
"Not every ghoul can fight six fully armed investigators at once."
Then—
With an utterly serious expression—
He began describing an exaggerated story about a "mysterious ghoul" who single-handedly defeated six investigators in a narrow alley.
Kaneki listened with shining eyes.
"…That's incredible."
Inside his mind—
Carnage muttered dryly.
[Shameless…]
…
When they returned to Anteiku, Ren mentioned the idea to Yoshimura.
Yoshimura nodded thoughtfully.
"Kiryu-kun is very considerate."
Then he turned toward Touka.
"Touka."
"Tomorrow, please accompany Kaneki to Mr. Uta's shop."
"What?"
Touka's eyes widened slightly.
"But tomorrow is the weekend."
"If Kaneki goes alone, he might lose his way."
Yoshimura spoke gently.
Touka frowned.
"…Then what about him?"
She pointed directly at Ren.
He was sitting nearby.
Looking completely uninvolved.
"Ah, sorry."
He shrugged innocently.
"I don't know the way either."
Touka's eye twitched.
Her face turned red with irritation.
…
In the end—
Ren was dragged along anyway.
Touka walked ahead with a cold expression.
Kaneki and Ren followed behind.
"Kiryu-nii…"
Kaneki whispered quietly.
"Didn't you say you didn't need a mask?"
Ren coughed lightly.
"Kaneki."
"Yesterday's lesson was understanding your own strength."
"Today's lesson is…"
"…rules can sometimes be flexible."
Kaneki nodded slowly.
"I think I understand."
"Why are you walking so slowly?"
Touka's voice snapped from ahead.
"We're almost there."
The two quickly hurried after her.
…
After descending a narrow staircase that led underground—
They arrived at an inconspicuous wooden door.
Kaneki looked uneasy.
"…This place doesn't seem very safe."
Ren nodded.
From a nearby alley—
He could hear a woman screaming.
Followed by the shattering of glass.
Touka, however, seemed completely used to it.
She pushed the door open.
"Mr. Uta?"
Her voice echoed through the shop.
"Are you here?"
The shop interior was unsettling.
Mannequins stood everywhere.
Each wearing a different mask.
Strange designs covered the walls.
The black-and-white checkered floor made the place feel even more eerie.
In the center of the room—
A mannequin stood beneath a white cloth.
Carnage whispered inside Ren's mind.
[There's a person under that cloth.]
He frowned.
"…Sleeping?"
Meanwhile—
Kaneki stared curiously at the cloth.
"Kaneki, wait—"
Too late.
Kaneki lifted the cloth.
Underneath—
A man suddenly winked.
"WAAAAAAH!"
Kaneki screamed.
His voice echoed through the shop.
Touka sighed heavily.
"Seriously…"
"Uta-san."
"You're doing this again."
The man beneath the cloth laughed.
This was Uta.
The famous ghoul mask-maker.
…
After introductions—
Touka quietly explained the situation.
Ren patted Kaneki's back.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine…"
Kaneki's voice still trembled slightly.
Uta suddenly leaned closer to Kaneki.
He sniffed the air.
His eyebrow rose slightly.
"Interesting."
"He smells like Rize Kamishiro."
Touka nodded.
"It's related to him."
"And Shuu Tsukiyama has been causing trouble lately."
"Tsukiyama…"
Uta nodded thoughtfully.
Then he clapped his hands.
"Alright."
"Let's take measurements."
He pushed the still-confused Kaneki onto a stool.
"Let's start with you."
…
Uta worked quickly.
Soon—
It was Ren's turn.
After taking measurements—
Uta asked casually:
"Do you have any ideas for your mask?"
"If not, tell me your preferences."
Ren immediately took out a folded drawing.
He handed it over.
Uta unfolded it.
The design showed a rusted metal mask covered with spikes.
The face depicted twisted female suffering.
Dark flame-like patterns surrounded the edges.
Uta's eyes lit up slightly.
"Interesting design."
He traced the drawing thoughtfully.
"…But this style…"
"…looks more feminine."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You prefer that?"
Immediately—
Two intense gazes landed on Ren.
Kaneki stared in disbelief.
Touka crossed her arms.
Her eyes full of silent judgment.
Pervert.
Ren coughed awkwardly.
"No, no."
"You misunderstand."
"This is tactical."
"Investigators lower their guard when facing a female ghoul."
He nodded seriously.
"Perfect for surprise attacks."
Kaneki looked half-convinced.
Touka looked even more suspicious.
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