Inside Anteiku, time seemed to slow for a moment.
The warm reunion of the Fueguchi family filled the café with a quiet tenderness.
Behind the counter—
Enji Koma, who had been wiping coffee cups, paused mid-motion.
Beside him, Kaya Irimi stopped organizing the account book.
The two exchanged a glance.
A satisfied smile appeared on their faces.
Nearby—
Touka Kirishima watched silently.
The cold sharpness usually present in her violet eyes softened.
Even Ken Kaneki and Nishio Nishiki, who had been talking quietly, stopped.
Kaneki smiled with relief.
Nishiki adjusted his glasses slightly.
Even several human customers noticed the emotional atmosphere.
They stopped chatting.
Watching the scene quietly.
Meanwhile—
Ren returned calmly to the staff area.
Just as he finished tying his apron—
A hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.
"You were gone for quite a while."
Nishio looked toward the reunited family before glancing back at him.
"Mrs. Fueguchi was worried."
"I ran into Mr. Fueguchi at the park."
Ren smiled faintly.
"I doubt Mrs. Fueguchi will be angry about that."
Nishiki rolled his eyes.
"Who do you think would believe that story?"
But then his tone shifted slightly.
"…You're not injured, right?"
"Of course not."
Ren shrugged casually.
"You really don't trust me at all."
He looked Nishiki up and down.
Then nodded thoughtfully.
"What are you staring at?"
Nishiki frowned.
"I was thinking…"
Ren smiled teasingly.
"You really should improve your strength."
Nishiki froze.
"…What?"
Ren leaned closer.
"Has it occurred to you yet?"
"You're already the weakest person in this café."
"Bullshit!"
Nishiki immediately pointed toward Kaneki.
"What about him?!"
But he suddenly stopped.
Memories flashed through his mind.
The brutal beating Kaneki had given him earlier.
Even when Kaneki barely controlled his kagune—
Nishiki still lost.
His expression stiffened.
Then he pointed toward the counter.
"What about those two?"
"Koma-nii and Irimi-nee?"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"They were both classified as SS-rank ghouls by the Commission of Counter Ghoul."
"Unlike someone here…"
"…who is only A-rank."
Nishiki fell silent.
After a moment—
He pointed toward the stairs.
"What about the manager?"
"That old man can't possibly be stronger than me, right?"
Ren nearly laughed.
Kaneki looked curious.
"Is the manager really that strong?"
Touka walked over quietly.
Her voice lowered slightly.
"The manager…"
"…is stronger than both Koma-san and Irimi-san."
She paused.
Then added calmly:
"He's classified as SSS-rank."
Kaneki's eyes widened.
Then he looked at Ren.
"And Kiryu-nii?"
Touka hesitated briefly.
Then answered carefully.
"…He should also be SSS-rank."
Kaneki's expression filled with admiration.
"That's amazing…"
Ren patted Kaneki's shoulder.
"You have great potential."
"As long as you keep training…"
"…you'll reach that level eventually."
Of course—
That wasn't entirely true.
Training alone would never create an SSS-rank ghoul.
There was only one realistic path.
Cannibalism.
Among ghouls—
Devouring the kagune of one's own kind dramatically increased strength.
Compared to slow training—
The results were overwhelming.
An A-rank ghoul who trained daily could never challenge someone like Eto Yoshimura.
The difference would be absolute.
Even naturally talented fighters like Touka or Renji Yomo would struggle to surpass SS-rank without it.
But Kaneki—
Still hated eating human flesh.
Expecting him to devour another ghoul's kagune was impossible.
As for Nishiki—
He definitely understood cannibalism's meaning.
But the psychological barrier was something he had to overcome himself.
Suddenly—
Nishiki spoke.
"Kiryu."
"I want your help training."
"Me?"
Ren immediately shook his head.
"I'm busy."
"Anteiku can't function without such an excellent employee."
Then he changed the subject.
"You should ask Renji Yomo."
"He's already training Kaneki."
"One more person won't matter."
His expression became serious.
"But don't give up halfway."
"Busy" was just an excuse.
The truth was—
He had no idea how to train someone.
And more importantly—
If he misjudged his strength…
He might accidentally kill Nishiki.
Nishiki confidently slapped his chest.
"Leave it to me!"
Ren stared at him silently.
Sometimes—
He genuinely wondered where Nishiki's confidence came from.
He could already imagine—
Nishiki screaming in pain tomorrow—
During training with Yomo.
At that moment—
The warmth of the reunion gradually settled.
Ryoko Fueguchi, holding Hinami's hand—
Walked toward Ren.
Beside her stood Fueguchi Asaki.
Their faces still carried tear marks.
But joy shone brighter.
"Mr. Kiryu."
Ryoko spoke first.
Her voice solemn.
She bowed deeply.
Hinami immediately copied her mother.
Bowing seriously.
"We are truly… grateful to you."
Her voice trembled.
"If it weren't for you…"
"…we wouldn't know what to do."
She looked down at her daughter.
Tears returned to her eyes.
"Hinami…"
"And Asaki…"
Asaki stepped forward.
His expression was sincere.
"Our Fueguchi family will remember this kindness forever."
"If you ever need help…"
"…please ask without hesitation."
Hinami looked up brightly.
"Thank you, Kiryu-nii!"
Ren looked at the deeply bowing family.
His usual playful smile softened.
"Mr. Fueguchi."
"Mrs. Fueguchi."
"Please stand."
"Hinami is a very good child."
"It's my honor to help."
He bent slightly.
Gently patting Hinami's head.
"No need to thank me."
"Seeing Hinami safe…"
"And your family reunited…"
"…is enough."
Behind the counter—
Koma and Irimi exchanged smiles.
Touka quietly watched.
The softness in her violet eyes deepened.
Kaneki smiled warmly.
Even Nishiki muttered quietly—
Adjusting his glasses.
"That guy…"
"…can actually be reliable sometimes."
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