Although 'Anteiku' is not a large store, the manager's craftsmanship is impeccable, which has given this not-so-large coffee shop many loyal customers. Moreover, because of the CCG's recent operation to recapture the 11th Ward, ghouls throughout Tokyo City have been somewhat deterred. At least the ghouls in the Wards other than the first four and the last one have restrained themselves significantly, but strangely, Anteiku closed on time as usual today.
Many customers were very helpless and hoped that the manager could stay open longer, but in response, Yoshimura Kuzen reluctantly stated that for the safety of the workers in the store, they would close at the usual time. Although everyone was helpless, they chose to accept it, but no one expected that there were still quite a few people sitting in the store in the early hours of the morning.
Kaya Irimi and Enji Koma were sitting at the counter drinking coffee brewed by the manager and watching TV, while Nishiki Nishio was talking on the phone with his girlfriend, and Touka Kirishima was rare to see sitting in a customer's seat reading a book. It was clear that she was doing preparation for the next day's class.
But at this moment, the shop door was suddenly pushed open. Everyone unconsciously tensed their muscles, but when they saw who came in, they were stunned for a moment.
"Ms. Fueguchi and Hinami?"
Ryouko Fueguchi looked somewhat listless at this time. Undoubtedly, the injuries she sustained before had not healed yet.
And Touka Kirishima was naturally full of disbelief at the arrival of the two, as in her impression, today should not be the time to 'pick up goods' at the store, right?
But before the two could exchange pleasantries, the sound of an engine turning off came from downstairs, followed by a very steady sound of footsteps.
"Click~"
The store door was pushed open again. Lancer, holding a helmet in one hand, was about to say hello, but he was stunned when he saw the people inside, because he hadn't expected to see the Fueguchi mother and daughter here.
But before Lancer could speak, Hinami Fueguchi, who had been standing behind Ryouko Fueguchi, jogged over and hugged Lancer around the waist.
Although Lancer could sense that Hinami Fueguchi had no malice, being hugged by her still felt a little strange, after all, if the other party gave him a serious blow at this time, his kidney would be right next to the other party's arm...
"Uncle Lancer, thank you for before!"
Hinami Fueguchi's behavior this time was completely opposite to the last time. The last time she saw him, she was like a hamster seeing a big bad wolf and hid behind the rabbit. This time, she actively came up to thank him, which made him feel a little... strange?
And the way she addressed him? Uncle?
Lancer, who inserted his hands under her armpits and picked her up to place her aside, was full of helplessness, because he had encountered another embarrassing situation –––––– he didn't know what to call the other party.
Fueguchi? There are two Fueguchis here. Hinami? Calling her that seems strange given the relationship between the two. Ms. Fueguchi? That feels like calling Ryouko Fueguchi...
"Little Miss Fueguchi... although I probably know why you are doing this, please control your emotions, after all, someone's gaze is almost grilling me into ash."
While speaking, Lancer glanced at Touka Kirishima, whose face was practically screaming 'You LOLI-con scum', and the other Anteiku staff with various expressions. He felt that his public image was probably completely unsalvageable.
"I'm sorry."
It was clear that Hinami Fueguchi was no longer the little girl who knew nothing more than two years ago. She had hugged Lancer in a moment of excitement earlier without realizing it when she saw him. After all, when Touka Kirishima brought Ryouko Fueguchi back covered in blood, Hinami Fueguchi almost lost control of her emotions. She could never forget that her father had never reappeared after asking her and her mother to leave three years ago; he had completely left her. She did not want her only remaining family member to also leave her.
But then she was told by Touka Kirishima that although Ryouko Fueguchi didn't look too well, she was actually fine, just a little weak. Then, with Touka Kirishima's verbal account and Ryouko Fueguchi's additions, she finally knew what had happened and what Lancer had done.
It was precisely because of this incident that her view of Lancer changed greatly. After all, in the past two years, she had already learned one thing: the same species does not equal companions. Lancer had truly saved her mother. Comparing the two, she naturally ignored the fact that countless ghouls had died under Lancer 'Death Throes'title, which he earned in just a few days.
"The reason I notified you today is because the laboratory product I mentioned earlier will be ready in the next few days. I will bring it for you to try then."
"..."
Aside from Ryouko Fueguchi and Hinami Fueguchi, who had no idea what was happening, the atmosphere in the entire store suddenly became extremely 'abnormal'. The only one who could remain calm was Yoshimura Kuzen alone. He steadily handed a cup of coffee to Lancer with both hands at this time.
And the one who showed the most excitement among everyone was Nishiki Nishio, who had basically no contact with Lancer.
However, less contact does not mean Lancer did not understand the other party. The reason why the other party was acting so abnormally was entirely due to one reason –––––– the other party had a human girlfriend.
And unlike the nature of deception, that human girlfriend knew his ghoul identity and had even actively asked Nishiki Nishio to eat her when he was deprived of food.
Of course, the final outcome was satisfactorily resolved due to Ken Kaneki's intervention, and the two also became a strange couple that most people could not understand, but Nishiki Nishio always hoped that one day he could become a normal couple with his girlfriend.
Ever since his girlfriend found out about his ghoul identity, he started looking for information about humans and ghouls, but according to existing data, the combination of ghouls and humans basically does not have good results, not only because of the ghoul's diet but also because it is difficult for the two sides to have children.
Perhaps in the eyes of most people, this is nothing, but true love is not only about affection but also exists amidst setbacks, and children are undoubtedly the most important bond connecting the two. However, according to Lancer, since he can produce food that ghouls can consume normally, similar technology should not be far behind.
As for Touka Kirishima on the other side, it was because of her 'friend'.
Perhaps Lancer himself didn't feel it. In his view, he was simply protecting his 'teacher', but it cannot be denied that his appearance caused irreversible changes in the progress of this world, such as Ken Kaneki making the decision to leave 'Anteiku' too early, after all, with the encouragement of his friend, the two worked hard to help Ken Kaneki return to normal.
And Touka Kirishima's most important bond with the human world was also her friend, the girl who struck up a conversation with her when she first enrolled in school, the girl who always smiled and cared for her.
'Maybe I can try Yoriko's cooking skills...'
At this time, her face bore a heartfelt smile.