You really had to admit, Suzuya was still gentle and adorable.
He didn't even mind when Mayu asked him to cross-dress.
Although in the original story, Suzuya started off a bit twisted, that was mostly because of the psychological scars caused by Big Madam's horrific abuse. Later on, under Shinohara's care and guidance, he gradually returned to a more balanced state.
"Anyway, just don't bully Suzuya, alright? You two can keep playing" Byakuya said with a smile.
"I would never bully Suzuya!" Mayu immediately took his hand and got ready to head upstairs again. "Come on, let's go finish playing!"
But just then, another commotion came from the staircase.
It was Touka — bringing Kaneki downstairs.
Kaneki had also been dressed up like a girl.
But unlike Suzuya's blank expression, Kaneki looked visibly uncomfortable and embarrassed. Add to that the fact that he was wearing Touka's clothes, and he felt... very conflicted.
"Mom, look! Isn't he hilarious like this?" Touka grinned at Hikari.
Byakuya couldn't help but think —
"Poor Kaneki, he's absolutely being bullied..."
At this point, Kaneki was just a regular human. He wasn't the One-Eyed King yet, nor had he inherited Rize's kakuhou. Facing a young but still ghoul Touka... if she really wanted to overpower him, he'd have no chance.
It seemed clear that Kaneki was destined to become a complete "wife guy."
Then again, even in the original timeline when he was the One-Eyed King, Kaneki was still very soft-hearted. Let's be honest—he was just a gentle guy.
And Touka wasn't all that fierce either. She was just mischievous as a kid. Once she grew up, she would definitely be a kind and loving partner.
"You shouldn't do that, Touka" Hikari gently scolded. "If you make Kaneki angry, he might stop liking you."
She noticed Kaneki already looked a bit upset.
Considering Kaneki was one of the only normal humans in the shop — along with Suzuya —of course, people like Byakuya or Arima didn't count, being half-humans — it made sense everyone wanted to be a bit more careful with him.
Besides, Kaneki was also close friends with Touka and Ayato. So Hikari and Arata both naturally hoped they'd get along well.
"Really...?" Touka blinked, then turned to Kaneki. "Do you hate me now?"
"N–no... not really..." Kaneki muttered, voice barely audible.
But before his words could fully register, Hikari cut in quickly, "Then maybe you should apologize. If you say sorry properly, I'm sure Kaneki will forgive you."
She deliberately jumped in before Touka could hear Kaneki clearly—so she'd take the opportunity to reflect and apologize.
Touka, thinking she must've done something wrong, nodded obediently. "Okay…"
Then she looked at Kaneki and said, "I'm sorry."
But Hikari added, "Don't you think you should show a little more sincerity too?"
Of course, what she meant was that Touka should bring Kaneki back upstairs to change out of those clothes.
But clearly, Touka misunderstood.
Without warning, she leaned forward and kissed Kaneki on the cheek, her face turning a little red. "There. Now can you forgive me?"
"Th–th–that…" Kaneki's face flushed completely red, like his brain had just bluescreened.
Watching the scene, Byakuya couldn't help but think—Touka's still just a kid, but she already knows so much...
"Haha, little Touka's got Kaneki totally wrapped around her finger"
Eto chuckled.
"Hard to imagine that this shy little guy becomes the One-Eyed King one day~"
At that moment, Kuzen looked on with a gentle smile. This warm, peaceful atmosphere in the shop was everything he ever wished for—especially being able to serve coffee to his daughter, with her happily surrounded by friends.
After the chaos and blood of his past, he never thought he'd find such happiness.
Watching Kaneki and Touka, Mayu suddenly got inspired.
That looked like fun.
"Suzuya, do you hate me?" she asked sweetly.
Suzuya simply shook his head.
"Good."
Of course he didn't hate her. And she didn't want him to hate her either.
Still, just like Touka had done, Mayu leaned in and kissed Suzuya on the cheek.
Suzuya didn't react like Kaneki did—he just looked at her in surprise, reaching up and touching the spot on his face where she'd kissed him.
"Hehe~" Mayu giggled without a hint of embarrassment.
Seeing how things were playing out, Byakuya couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"These kids are way too mature for their age. What are they going to be like when they're older...?"
At that moment, Koma couldn't help clutching the fabric over his chest. "Ugh, I suddenly feel like a complete failure!"
Irimi smirked, "You kinda are. You just got outdone by literal children."
"Oh please" Koma snapped back. "As if you're any better."
"Different case" Kaya said smugly, flipping her hair. "If I actually wanted to, guys would be lining up for me."
That's when Roma chimed in teasingly, "You two are perfect for each other. Why don't you just date already~?"
Roma and Kaya both hesitated.
But Koma quickly barked, "No way. I'd rather be alone for the rest of my life."
"Like I'd ever go for you" Irimi replied with equal disdain.
But Roma just smiled slyly, clearly seeing through them both.
She'd been at the café long enough to know the dynamics between all the staff — and the complicated, undefined relationship between Koma and Irimi was no exception.
Not that anything would likely happen soon… but nudging them a bit now and then? Well, that was always fun.