Twilight flowed across the sky like molten amber.
The setting sun bathed the streets of the 20th Ward in warm orange light.
Inside Anteiku, the last rays of sunlight streamed through the windows.
Golden reflections scattered across the wooden floor.
The café had just seen off its final customer of the day.
"Another peaceful day."
Ren Kiryu murmured while watching the departing figure disappear down the street.
Inside his mind—
Carnage responded with disdain.
[…How dull…]
[…Such a monotonous life…]
"That's called stability."
Kiryu replied calmly.
"You should try appreciating it."
Carnage scoffed.
[Enjoy it yourself.]
[I want blood.]
"I recall we only returned from Cochlea not long ago."
Carnage's voice turned nostalgic.
[…The Cochlea massacre…]
[…that was exhilarating…]
Then the tone changed again.
[But that was…]
[…a month ago.]
"Really?"
Kiryu flipped the door sign to Closed.
"Strange."
"It feels like yesterday."
Behind the counter—
Touka Kirishima was checking the café's ledger.
The warm evening light softened her usually sharp expression.
"Roma broke three plates again today…"
Touka sighed.
"Deduct it from her pay."
Kiryu leaned casually against the counter.
Watching her quietly.
The sunlight highlighted her profile.
"This beautiful lady…"
He said with a faint smile.
"May I have the honor of inviting you to dinner?"
Touka's cheeks flushed slightly.
"…Maybe."
She answered softly.
Just then—
The wind chimes above the door rang.
Both of them looked toward the entrance.
A tall figure stepped inside.
It was Nishiki Nishio.
"Oh."
Nishio adjusted his glasses.
"Kiryu, you're here."
"Looks like I didn't come for nothing."
Kiryu raised an eyebrow.
"If you're here to cause trouble…"
"I'll charge you extra."
Nishio ignored the comment.
"The final exam results were released."
Kiryu remained completely calm.
"You're not worried?"
Nishio asked suspiciously.
"Retake procedures are troublesome."
"There's nothing to worry about."
Kiryu replied matter-of-factly.
"A diligent student like me doesn't fail."
Nishio stared at him silently.
"I have no idea where your confidence comes from."
But he continued.
"Congratulations."
"You're not on the makeup exam list."
"As expected."
Kiryu nodded.
"I rarely attend class…"
Nishio muttered.
"…yet somehow you passed."
"Perhaps I'm exceptionally talented."
Kiryu smiled.
Inside his mind—
Carnage grumbled.
[…It was my memory enhancement…]
Nishio's expression then turned serious.
"Have you noticed something lately?"
"The White Doves are appearing more frequently."
Kiryu nodded calmly.
"That's expected."
"The expansion of Aogiri Tree and the attack on Cochlea would force the Commission of Counter Ghoul to increase patrols."
"No."
Nishio shook his head.
"I mean specifically in the 20th Ward."
"The CCG is transferring investigators here."
Kiryu frowned slightly.
He looked toward Touka.
"Any unusual ghoul incidents recently?"
Touka shook her head.
"Not really."
"Most ghouls in the ward follow Anteiku's system."
"They accept the distributed food."
"There haven't been major attacks."
"That makes no sense…"
Kiryu murmured.
If no crimes occurred—
Why increase investigators?
Nishio lowered his voice.
"Just be careful."
At that moment—
The wind chimes rang again.
All three looked toward the door.
A tall, elegant figure stepped inside.
Blue hair.
Composed smile.
It was Shuu Tsukiyama.
Kiryu's eyes instantly turned cold.
"Tsukiyama Shuu."
He walked forward slowly.
"You are not welcome here."
Before anyone could react—
His right arm suddenly transformed.
Crimson symbiotic flesh surged outward.
Forming a grotesque arm that instantly seized Tsukiyama by the throat.
Tsukiyama was forced backward.
His back struck the doorframe.
"I have no reason to trust you."
Kiryu's grip tightened.
"Explain your purpose."
The atmosphere froze.
Touka and Nishio watched silently.
Neither attempted to intervene.
Tsukiyama looked directly into Kiryu's eyes.
Despite the pressure crushing his throat—
He smiled faintly.
"Kiryu-kun…"
His voice was hoarse.
"…why such hostility?"
Then he spoke clearly.
"It was Ken Kaneki who sent me."
Kiryu's eyes narrowed.
His grip paused—
But did not loosen.
"Why should I believe that?"
Tsukiyama answered calmly.
"I have no reason to lie."
"Especially not when my life is at stake."
Kiryu stared into his eyes.
Silently assessing him.
The tension in the café grew suffocating.
Then—
Footsteps sounded on the staircase.
"Kiryu-nii."
A gentle voice called.
"I asked him to come."
Everyone turned.
Kaneki Ken hurried down the stairs.
Concern was written on his face.
His eyes moved between Kiryu and Tsukiyama.
"He's telling the truth."
"I asked him to come."
Tsukiyama forced a strained smile.
"Kiryu-kun…"
"…could you…"
"…release me now?"
The suffocating tension in the café eased slightly with Kaneki's arrival.
But Kiryu's hand—
Still gripped Tsukiyama's throat.
Refusing to let go.
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