"So…"
"You just joined Anteiku like that?"
Ren wiped a glass carefully.
His eyes drifted toward Nishio Nishiki, who had just put on an apron.
He raised an eyebrow with exaggerated amusement.
"Tsk… tsk…"
"Wasn't there someone who repeatedly warned me to stay away from the manager and the others?"
Nishio immediately frowned.
"It's for Kimi Nishino."
His tone was firm.
"If it weren't for her, I'd never want anything to do with these people."
His disdain toward the café staff was still obvious.
Ren placed the polished glass down.
"When Ken Kaneki received that letter…"
"He rushed there without hesitation."
He stepped closer.
Lowering his voice slightly.
"He could've waited for me."
"That would've been much safer."
Nishio froze for a moment.
His eyes flickered.
Avoiding Ren's gaze.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Actually…"
"You've already changed your opinion of them."
He leaned slightly toward Nishio.
"You're just too proud to admit it."
Nishio opened his mouth.
Trying to argue.
But no words came out.
"Alright."
Ren clapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Anyway."
"Welcome to Anteiku."
Nishio looked at him.
Then quietly turned away.
Saying nothing.
"Enough chatting."
Ren's expression turned serious.
"The manager asked me to train you."
He began explaining the basics of working in the café.
How to greet customers.
How to record orders.
How to deliver drinks properly.
And the small etiquette rules that kept the atmosphere comfortable.
After a while—
Nishio was still a little stiff.
But he could already manage basic tasks.
Then—
A small trembling voice suddenly broke the calm.
"Hinami… Hinami wants to see Daddy!"
The voice was fragile.
Full of tears.
Everyone inside the café looked toward the corner.
Little Hinami Fueguchi suddenly pushed her chair back.
Like a startled deer—
She ran straight toward the door.
"Hinami!"
Ryoko Fueguchi stood up instantly.
Her heart clenched as she watched her daughter run away.
Realizing everyone was staring—
Ryoko forced a gentle smile.
"I'm sorry…"
"That child…"
"…misses her father."
Her voice remained soft.
But the grief hidden in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Hinami wasn't the only one suffering.
Ryoko herself worried about her husband every single day.
But she had to stay strong in front of her daughter.
"Kiryu-kun…"
Ryoko turned toward Ren.
Her eyes carried quiet pleading.
"Could you bring Hinami back?"
"She… probably doesn't want to see me right now."
Ren nodded immediately.
"Of course."
Then he turned around.
"Kaneki."
Kaneki looked up from the counter.
"Yes?"
"Take your senior."
He gestured toward Nishio.
"Continue getting familiar with the café."
"I'll go bring Hinami back."
Kaneki nodded quickly.
"Got it!"
Ren pushed open the café door.
Then disappeared into the busy street.
Outside—
The afternoon streets were crowded.
Pedestrians passed constantly.
Cars moved through the intersections.
Hinami's tiny figure had long vanished.
Inside his mind—
Carnage grumbled.
[…Annoying brat…]
[…Where did she run off to…]
"Stop complaining."
Ren muttered internally.
"Help me find her."
Possible places flashed through his mind.
A park.
A playground.
Maybe the bookstore she liked.
Carnage spoke again.
[…Relax…]
[…I know her scent…]
[…Follow me…]
Ren followed Carnage's guidance.
Two streets.
Then a quiet park.
The noise of the city faded.
Sunlight filtered through the trees.
A few elderly people sat on benches.
The atmosphere was calm.
Carnage spoke again.
[…Behind the big tree…]
[…Near the bench…]
[…She's crying…]
Ren approached quietly.
Behind a large old tree—
A small figure was curled up beside a wooden bench.
Hinami hugged her knees tightly.
Her shoulders trembled.
Soft sobs echoed in the quiet park.
Her golden-brown hair was messy.
Dry leaves clung to her clothes.
Sunlight flickered across her trembling back.
Ren felt his chest tighten slightly.
He crouched down nearby.
"Hina?"
Hinami flinched.
Her crying stopped abruptly.
Slowly—
She lifted her head.
Her face was covered in tears.
Her eyes swollen red.
When she recognized him—
She shrank back instinctively.
"…Kiryu-nii…"
Her voice trembled softly.
"It's me."
He kept his voice gentle.
"If you cry out here…"
"The wind will hurt your eyes."
Hinami sniffed weakly.
More tears spilled out.
"I'm sorry…"
"I didn't mean to…"
"I just…"
"…miss Daddy."
The moment she said it—
Her emotions collapsed again.
She looked ready to cry uncontrollably.
Ren gently brushed a few leaves from her hair.
Then placed a hand softly on her shoulder.
"I know."
"I know you miss him."
"Aunt Ryoko misses him too."
He forced a warm smile.
Looking directly into her tearful eyes.
"Hina."
"Be good."
"Big brother will take you to find Daddy."
The words hung softly in the quiet park.
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