After arranging the date to collect their masks from Uta, the three quickly left the mask shop.
Uta stood quietly in the doorway as they departed.
His eyes lingered briefly on Ren's retreating figure.
A trace of curiosity flickered across his expression.
Inside his mind—
Carnage spoke suddenly.
[…That man…]
[…was watching you…]
Ren paused slightly.
"Why?"
Carnage's tone carried faint amusement.
[…Who knows…]
[…Perhaps he's interested in you…]
"Impossible."
He shook his head immediately.
He remembered meeting Renji Yomo once before.
It was entirely possible that Uta had heard something about him through Yomo.
Out of curiosity—
He briefly returned to the alley they had passed earlier.
The scene was unpleasant.
A man's corpse.
Partially devoured.
Blood had already dried into dark stains.
Shattered glass scattered across the pavement.
Another quiet reminder of the world they lived in.
…
Halfway back—
Touka Kirishima suddenly spoke.
"Why do you suddenly want masks?"
Kaneki glanced nervously at Ren.
He clearly thought Touka was still annoyed about wasting time.
"You've noticed it too."
Ren answered calmly.
"There are more White Doves on the streets lately."
He gestured toward Ken Kaneki.
"For his safety, a mask is necessary."
Touka nodded slowly.
"…That's true."
Recently—
Even Carnage had sensed dangerous presences on the streets.
Two investigators in particular.
Kureo Mado
and
Koutarou Amon.
They had once quietly observed Ren from a distance.
But Carnage's camouflage was flawless.
In the end—
They found nothing suspicious.
According to his memories—
Those two investigators were supposed to be focusing on Yakumo Oomori—the notorious ghoul known as "Jason" in the 19th Ward.
But perhaps due to the butterfly effect caused by his presence—
They had temporarily appeared in the 20th Ward instead.
Although Ren personally didn't care much—
For ordinary ghouls—
Those two investigators were extremely dangerous.
Many recent ghoul deaths in the area could likely be attributed to them.
Fortunately—
They had disappeared again in the last few days.
Most likely returning to the 19th Ward.
This world really is dangerous.
He sighed inwardly.
Carnage spoke softly in his mind.
[…Don't worry…]
[…I'm here…]
…
After walking for a while—
Kaneki hesitated before speaking.
"Kiryu-nii…"
"What happened to Hinami?"
Touka turned immediately.
"You're worried about that?"
Her eyes studied him.
"If you knew the truth…"
"…what would you do?"
Kaneki answered seriously.
"I want to help."
Ren spoke calmly.
"Hinami had to separate from her father."
"For certain reasons."
He gently patted Kaneki's shoulder.
"She's still a child."
"If you want to help…"
"…just spend time with her."
Kaneki nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Touka quietly watched their conversation.
But said nothing.
…
They returned to Anteiku around sunset.
The warm orange light of evening stretched long shadows across the café.
Because it was the weekend—
Only Enji Koma was working on the first floor.
Kaneki immediately hurried upstairs after finishing his tasks.
He clearly remembered what Ren had said.
He wanted to spend time with Hinami.
Ren watched him go.
Then casually picked up a glass and began polishing it.
"Kiryu."
Koma walked over with a grin.
"You're wiping glasses again."
"Mm."
He responded lazily.
For some reason—
He had developed a strange fondness for polishing glassware.
Even he didn't know why.
"When my brother first came to Anteiku…"
Koma began enthusiastically.
"He also started by wiping glasses."
Then he launched into yet another story about the legendary ghoul known as the Devil Ape.
Ren sighed internally.
Koma was a good person.
Except for one flaw.
He loved telling old stories.
…
The conversation continued.
Until—
"WAAAAAAAH!"
Kaneki's scream echoed through the café again.
The second time today.
Both men looked toward the staircase.
Kaneki rushed downstairs.
His face pale.
Koma smiled knowingly.
"You saw her eating, didn't you?"
He handed Kaneki a cup of hot coffee.
"Girls don't like being seen like that."
"Take this upstairs as an apology."
Kaneki nodded gratefully.
"Thank you!"
He hurried back upstairs.
Ren nodded thoughtfully.
In all the time he had worked here—
He had never seen Touka eat either.
"Speaking of which…"
He suddenly realized something.
"Where is Touka?"
…
On the second floor—
Touka pressed her ear against Hinami's door.
Listening carefully.
Inside—
Hinami's cheerful laughter echoed.
Only then did Touka finally relax.
"What are you doing?"
A voice suddenly spoke behind her.
She jumped slightly.
Turning around—
She saw Ren standing there.
"…You don't make any noise when you walk?"
Touka frowned.
"You're just too focused."
He shrugged.
"Are you worried about Hinami?"
Touka's ears turned faintly red.
Then her expression darkened.
"That child…"
"…shouldn't have to live like this."
"Hinami's father is a doctor."
"Their family never hunted humans."
"They lived off the food Anteiku provided."
Her voice became colder.
Filled with anger.
"They didn't do anything wrong."
"But they were still forced apart."
"Just because of those White Doves."
"Why should someone so well-behaved…"
"…end up like this?"
She leaned closer while speaking.
Her emotions rising.
Ren hesitated.
Then spoke awkwardly.
"I sympathize with Hinami too."
"But…"
"…should we maintain some distance?"
At that exact moment—
The door opened.
Kaneki and Hinami stepped outside.
Kaneki froze.
Hinami looked up innocently.
"What are you two doing?"
Touka's face turned bright red.
She immediately ran back to her room.
Like a startled rabbit.
Ren crouched down and gently ruffled Hinami's hair.
Then he looked at Kaneki.
Kaneki patted his chest seriously.
"Kiryu-nii."
"I promise I won't tell anyone."
He sighed helplessly.
"…Kaneki."
"Please forget what you just saw."
Kaneki nodded vigorously.
…
Later—
After everyone returned to their rooms—
Ren lay on his bed.
Carnage spoke again.
[…What are you thinking about…]
He smiled faintly.
"The moon is beautiful tonight."
A crimson tendril extended from behind him.
Gently pulling open the curtains.
Carnage sounded confused.
[…But it's cloudy tonight…]
[…Where is the moon…]
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