"Huh?"
Hearing those words, Hayashi froze slightly, not quite processing them.
"Really? Really?"
Suzuya leaned in, curiosity flashing in his beautiful eyes.
"No… not yet."
Feeling the closeness was a bit too much, Hayashi gently pushed his head away.
"Is that so?"
Suzuya nodded at that, his eyes flickering faintly.
"Why are you even asking this?"
Hayashi gave him a once-over, confused.
"No reason, I'm just curious~"
Suzuya shook his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. It made him look strikingly beautiful.
So pretty…
Hayashi couldn't help but sigh inside.
In the anime, Suzuya was already pretty, but seeing him here in reality was on another level.Back in his previous life, if Suzuya had dressed up in a JK uniform or a Lolita outfit, he could've debuted as an idol on the spot.
And with how things were back in China, he would've been super popular too.
"Let's go. We'll talk outside."
Hayashi said casually and strode toward the door.
"Investigator Hayashi, where are we going next? Are we hunting ghouls? Smashing some ghoul hideouts?"
Suzuya followed along, his curious eyes sparkling.
"We're just going somewhere to rest and grab a coffee. I know a good place."
Hayashi thought for a moment and replied, looking at the little curiosity machine following behind him.
"To a café? Don't tell me, you're meeting someone you like there?"
Suzuya tilted his head, curiosity brimming in his gaze.
"Don't overthink it. Just follow me. Coffee's on me."
Hayashi felt like something was off but couldn't quite place it.
"Well, I don't really like coffee… but if you're treating me, then I'll graciously accept~"
Suzuya narrowed his eyes, smiling sweetly and cutely.
With hands clasped behind his back, he hopped along after Hayashi like a little bunny.
...
Soon, the two of them arrived at the doors of Anteiku.
"We're here. Once we're inside, just call me by name — no ranks. And don't say anything weird. Don't let them know we're investigators, got it?"
Hayashi reminded him carefully before entering.
If the Manager or Touka found out he was from the CCG, this place would be off-limits for good.
And then how would he pick up missions? Or get close to the female characters?
"Relax, I won't blurt it out, First-Class~"
Suzuya glanced around with bright, interested eyes.
"You'd better keep your word."
Hayashi still wasn't reassured, but there wasn't much he could do at this point.
Ding-dong~
The crisp ring of the bell sounded as the wooden door opened.
"Welcome."
The voice of a cool young girl drifted out as they stepped inside.
Hayashi's eyes landed on a tall figure at the counter—A girl in a neat work uniform, face delicate but cold, short bluish-purple hair with bangs covering one eye.
Not the cute type—her aura was cool and noble, the very image of a young woman with an aloof, dignified presence.
Just one glance, and Hayashi recognized her.
Yes, she was one of the most important characters of the entire series.The heroine of Tokyo Ghoul: Touka.
At this point though, she was still just a high school senior, working part-time at Anteiku.
Hayashi quietly studied her — and she, in turn, studied him.
The instant her eyes met his, she froze.
After all, Anteiku was the largest gathering place for ghouls in the 20th Ward. Many people passed through every day, including plenty of humans.
But no matter how many she had seen, Hayashi was… different.
It wasn't his looks that caught her — it was his aura.
A human's scent… yet far more alluring, far more tempting than any other.
The difference was like plain bread compared to a rich strawberry cream cheesecake.
That faint pull in the air spread and lingered, tugging at her instincts.
By the time she snapped out of it, Hayashi and Suzuya had already taken their seats.
"Senpai, this place has such an old-fashioned vibe. I like it~"
Juuzou looked around, his reddish-brown eyes shining like a kid in an amusement park.
"Don't fidget. Keep quiet."
Hayashi warned softly, glancing around.
Ever since they walked in, almost everyone's attention had been on them.
Most of those eyes belonged to ghouls, with only a handful of humans mixed in.
But that wasn't surprising. Hayashi already knew his "succubus body" trait had a way of drawing others in.
As long as no one realized he was an Investigator, there'd be no problem.
With that thought, he leaned back against the sofa, relaxing a little.
"May I take your order?"
Touka appeared with menus in hand, her voice as calm and cool as before.Though, whether it was his imagination or not, her face seemed oddly flushed.
"A cappuccino. Suzuya, what about you?"
Hayashi asked casually, turning his head.
"Eh~"
Suzuya wasn't listening. His attention was fixed entirely on Touka.
"Such pretty eyes… you're so cute~"
He leaned in lazily, voice tinged with amusement.
"What's your name?"
"…Touka. Touka Kirishima."
Touka lowered her head, whispering shyly. A flush bloomed across her delicate face.
"Eh~ That's a lovely name~"
Suzuya's smile grew, his interest sharpening.
"Miss Touka, do you have a boyfriend?"
"…I-I don't have a boyfriend…"
Startled, Touka bit her lip and stepped back instinctively.
"Really?"
Suzuya's eyes lit up instantly.
"My Senpai doesn't either—"
But before he could finish, a hand pressed down on his head, cutting him off.
"Don't scare her, Suzuya ."
Hayashi pushed his head down firmly.
"Sorry about him, he didn't mean anything. Please don't mind it."
Hayashi looked up at Touka with a gentle smile as he apologized.
"It's fine~"
Touka shook her head, her face burning even redder.
She scribbled their order quickly and hurried off in a fluster.
"You—don't just spout nonsense like that, okay?"
Hayashi ruffled Juuzou's fluffy hair as payback.
Even if their cover wasn't blown, getting banned from Anteiku for "harassing the staff" would be just as bad.
"I was only looking out for you, Senpai! You stared at her enough times, I saw it!"
Suzuya puffed his cheeks, trying to jump up and mess with Hayashi's hair in return.
The two of them kept bickering playfully, completely unaware of Touka nearby.
"What is this feeling…?"
Touka pressed a hand against her chest, her heartbeat racing.Even her breathing was quicker, her mind light and hazy.
This sensation… she had never experienced it before.
Something buried deep in her instincts stirred awake.
Touka licked her lips lightly, her cool and delicate face flushed red.
"I've got a feeling… he'll taste so good. So delicious~"