"If we take the train, we should get there in about half an hour."
Touka glanced at her phone's map and turned to speak to the boy sitting beside her.
"Half an hour, huh?"
Hayashi nodded, eyes drifting to the scenery flashing by outside the window. The thought that he wouldn't have to eat Touka's homemade cooking filled him with such relief that he couldn't help letting out a quiet sigh.
"Touka, this date you dragged me on—do you have something planned for today?"
Touka's eyes widened, and her cool composure cracked instantly.
"D-D-Date? What date? This isn't a date!"
Her usually calm face flushed crimson, and Hayashi couldn't help but smile. He was long used to seeing this side of her.
Who would've thought that this cold, strong-willed girl who acted so tough could turn shy and flustered at the mere mention of romance?
"I only asked you to spend the day with me, that's all," Touka said after clearing her throat, trying to sound aloof again.
Unfortunately, the lingering pink on her cheeks ruined the effort completely.
"I just wanted to stop by a few places and buy some things while we're out…" she added, her voice growing softer near the end.
"I see."
Hayashi smiled gently. "Then as thanks for taking me to the mask shop, lunch and whatever you buy today are on me."
Touka blinked, a small flicker of satisfaction lighting up her eyes.
"You said it yourself—don't you dare go back on that."
"I won't," Hayashi said simply, still smiling.
Before long, they stepped off the train into the Fourth Ward—the territory where Uta's HySy ArtMask Studio was located.
At night, this place was notorious for being dangerous—a hotspot for ghoul activity. But under the daylight, it seemed almost normal.
Following Touka's lead, Hayashi descended a set of stairs into a quiet underground corridor. At the end of it, a sign came into view:
HySy ArtMask Studio
"This is it. Uta should be inside," Touka said, glancing at him curiously. "By the way, what do you want a mask for, anyway?"
Hayashi just smiled mysteriously and pushed the door open.
A bell chimed softly.
"Welcome~"
The walls were lined with racks of masks—animal shapes, demon designs, abstract works—but the shop itself was eerily empty.
Hayashi stopped in front of a table draped in a white cloth. As he reached to pull it away, a dark shape suddenly shot up from beneath it.
The man who appeared had long black hair, a lock of fringe hanging over his forehead. His face was almost androgynously beautiful—but covered in piercings: lips, eyebrows, ears. Tattoos in foreign letters ran down his pale arms, visible beneath his sleeveless shirt.
It was Uta.
Also known as No Face.
A SS-rated ghoul, owner of HySy ArtMask Studio, and member of the Clowns. He was close to Itori and Yomo Renji—one of the enigmatic figures operating behind the scenes in Tokyo Ghoul.
Now, though, he was just a quiet artisan, running his little mask shop.
"Ta-dah!"
Uta threw his hands into a mock combat pose, even making sound effects with his mouth.
"Uta, you're here," Hayashi said evenly, completely unshaken.
In the anime, Kaneki had been scared out of his skin by this exact trick. Hayashi had come prepared.
"Oh?" Uta blinked, tilting his head. "Didn't scare you? How boring."
Touka closed the door behind her and walked over. "What are you doing, Uta?"
"I thought I'd give him a little fright," Uta said, perching casually on the table again. "But I guess I failed."
Hayashi nodded. "You did."
He was perfectly calm—too calm, in fact.
"If you're here to order a mask, wait a sec. I'll take your measurements," Uta said, hopping down and pulling a tape measure from somewhere.
He eyed Hayashi's hair as he worked. "Nice color. What dye do you use?"
"It's natural," Hayashi replied.
"Natural? Rare."
Uta stepped behind him, resting both hands lightly on Hayashi's shoulders, leaning close.
"So… those red eyes of yours—also natural?" he murmured near his ear, voice soft and lazy yet charged with intent.
Despite the casual tone, Hayashi felt the subtle undercurrent of hostility—a predator's instinct.
Uta had already seen through him. He knew Hayashi wasn't an ordinary human. He could sense the power beneath the calm.
"Yeah," Hayashi said, smiling faintly. "I was born with them. What about you, Uta? Yours are red too—natural?"
Uta's lips curved slightly as he looped the tape around Hayashi's neck.
"Artificial," he said. "Needs replacing every three or four years."
Hayashi nodded. "I see."
"What kind of mask do you want?" Uta asked as he took the last measurement.
"Anything's fine," Hayashi said. "But I prefer animal designs."
"Animals, huh? How about a fox mask?"
At that, Hayashi's gaze flicked toward Touka.
If he remembered correctly, her mask was a rabbit…And foxes ate rabbits.
Was that supposed to mean something?
"Sure," he said quickly, coughing once. "Whatever you think fits."
"All done," Uta said, straightening up. "Come pick it up next Tuesday."
"Thanks."
As Hayashi stood, Uta turned back to his counter.
"Out of curiosity," he asked, "how did you even hear about this place?"
"A friend recommended it. Said the craftsmanship was great."
"...A friend?"
Uta echoed the words softly, studying him with sharp, curious eyes.
Touka, sensing the tension, tugged Hayashi's hand. "We'll be going now. See you, Uta."
The door shut behind them with a soft thunk.
Uta crouched on the table again, hugging his knees, eyes half-lidded.
From the moment they entered, he'd felt it—an aura that didn't belong to either human or ghoul.
Something unique. Powerful. Tempting.
"The scent of a human… but sweeter," he murmured, his crimson kakugan glinting faintly. "And that pressure… terrifying."
He smiled faintly, the sharp edge of hunger curling at the corner of his lips.
"If I ever get the chance to fight him… that would be fun."He licked his lips."I bet he'd taste… extraordinary."