"This is my own choice. Sorry if it troubles you, but I'd still like to hear your thoughts. If you ever come up with an answer, feel free to send it to me by phone," Uesugi Ryu said in a soft voice.
After speaking, he pulled a banknote from his pocket and tucked it under his coffee cup.
"Kaneki-kun, you have good taste, your waitress here is quite beautiful."
"We'll meet again soon, I'm sure. For now, I'll take my leave."
Kaneki Ken, who had just taken a sip of coffee, quickly set down his cup, clearly wanting to say something.
Because Uesugi Ryu hadn't lowered his voice at all, Kirishima Touka, who was standing not far away, had clearly heard his comment. Her gaze instantly locked in his direction.
Unfortunately, by the time she turned, the instigator had already vanished without a trace.
Kaneki felt her stare and was thrown into a flustered panic. He hurriedly grabbed his book, flipped it open at random, and held it high in front of his face to hide his embarrassment.
Outside, Uesugi Ryu didn't rush away. Instead, he deliberately slowed his steps and strolled leisurely toward a nearby pedestrian overpass.
Once he reached it, he leaned casually against the railing, gazing into the distance, completely absorbed in thought.
Scenes and fragmented memories from his past life replayed in his mind like a film.
"I remember when Juuzou first appeared... he stole Kaneki's wallet."
"By that time, Kaneki had already become a Ghoul, and Mado-san had died."
"If I calculate the timeline based on that... Juuzou must've just completed his internship not long ago."
Uesugi Ryu furrowed his brows slightly, continuing to silently analyze everything.
"If that's the case, then Yamori is either in the process of hunting Kamishiro Rize, or is already on his way to capture her."
Piecing together recent information, he tried to establish a more accurate timeline.
Just as he was deep in thought, a striking figure appeared below the overpass.
A woman in a form-fitting wine-red dress. The smooth, silky fabric fluttered gently in the breeze, dancing like mist.
Her violet hair draped elegantly over her shoulders. Atop her high-bridged nose rested a pair of red half-rim glasses, lending her a calm and intellectual beauty, like a noble, mysterious iris in full bloom.
Uesugi Ryu was momentarily stunned as he murmured under his breath:
"No wonder Kaneki got taken in at first glance... this is criminally attractive."
He instinctively averted his eyes, afraid his gaze might be too intense and draw her attention,her, Kamishiro Rize.
It was only natural to appreciate beauty; any man would. But while admiring other women might cost money, admiring this one could cost your life.
Uesugi Ryu mocked himself, "Tch, almost let the little head control the big one."
"She looks fine from a distance. But up close, I feel like she'd bite my head off."
A chill ran down his spine.
Beneath that stunning exterior lay a savage and merciless Ghoul. Knowing what she truly was, yet still daring to approach, Uesugi Ryu figured anyone who could do that must have a death wish.
He absently rubbed the ring on his left hand.
"I wonder just how much damage this ring can heal."
Over the past few days, it had fully charged with mana. Honestly, Uesugi Ryu felt a bit drained from keeping it fueled.
"Without strength, there's nothing I can do. I should just keep hunting."
With a quiet sigh, he cast one final glance toward Rize, then turned and walked briskly away.
...
Later that day, in a clean, formal meeting room...
"The Bureau believes that after this period of study and training, the two of you have shown the basic qualities and capabilities required of excellent Investigators."
"Therefore, we are now granting you the opportunity to enter the internship phase. If you can successfully complete the tasks assigned during this period, you'll soon become full-fledged Investigators."
Principal Fukuyama Jun smiled gently as he spoke, his tone steady and dignified.
Standing before him were Uesugi Ryu, posture straight and calm, and Suzuya Juuzou, who was distractedly glancing around the room.
As the theoretical instructor finished speaking, a strange cracking sound could be heard. It came from Tokage Goumasa, who stood beside him, casually popping the knuckles of his right index finger.
Uesugi Ryu glanced at him from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but feel a bit amused.
He thought to himself: The original hand-crack master. Thanks to his fine mentorship, Yamori learned this and enthusiastically passed it on to Kaneki.
It was harmless enough when Ghouls cracked their fingers, breaks healed almost instantly. But for an ordinary human like Tokage Goumasa to do it so often? It was definitely a little disturbing.
Meanwhile, Juuzou looked genuinely excited.
Staying cooped up in this crappy school had gotten on his nerves. He was sick of those classmates' constant judgmental stares.
Still, Juuzou's smile widened as he glanced at Uesugi Ryu.
"Good thing Ryu-kun's here~"
"There are two internship options," the instructor continued. "The first is to accompany Squad 0 into the 24th Ward to assist in internal Ghoul extermination."
"The second is to shadow a senior Investigator for a period of time. It's up to you."
Looking at Uesugi Ryu, the instructor sighed inwardly.
The Second Academy was mostly filled with kids with tragic backgrounds and twisted personalities. He'd hoped that Uesugi Ryu, the rare stable one, wouldn't get too entangled with Suzuya Juuzou.
Juuzou raised his hand cheerfully. "I want to go to the 24th Ward~"
As he spoke, he turned to Uesugi Ryu with an expectant look, clearly hoping he'd join him.
But Uesugi Ryu just smiled.
"Sorry, Juuzou. I'm going to intern under Senior Investigator Mado."
Juuzou looked momentarily disappointed but quickly nodded. "I see~ Got it."
Seeing this, Uesugi Ryu reached into his pocket and handed Juuzou a red lollipop.
"It won't be too long. I'll come visit you in the 24th Ward when I can."
Juuzou blinked, then looked at the candy in his hand with a dazed expression.
"...I understand~"
He nodded, tucked the candy into his pocket, and looked down, quietly admiring the embroidery on his arm again.
"Since you've both made your decisions, that's that," said Principal Fukuyama. "I'll file the report immediately. Uesugi-kun, pick up your Quinque tomorrow and then report directly to Senior Investigator Mado."
With that, he waved them off.
To the side, Tokage Goumasa looked absolutely sour, not that his face ever looked good to begin with.
He still hadn't gotten over Uesugi Ryu breaking his "toy." After all, a botched training scenario nearly resulted in injury, and he'd taken a harsh scolding from the higher-ups for it.