"Huh?"
Seeing the green-haired beauty in front of him, Hayashi's eyes filled with confusion.
No, seriously.Where did this woman even come from?
Logically speaking, when someone entered, there should have been a welcome greeting, right?
But he had not heard a single thing.
Thinking about it carefully, there was really only one explanation.
He had been too focused earlier and subconsciously ignored everything around him.
"Takatsuki-sensei… I really didn't expect to run into you here."
Hayashi rubbed his forehead, genuinely unsure what to say.
"Oh? Hayashi, you're here too?"
"That's such a coincidence. I just came in for a cup of coffee, and I didn't expect to run into an acquaintance."
Eto spoke lazily, her tone casual and relaxed.
Though she was using words that sounded surprised, her expression said otherwise.
It did not match at all.
Honestly, at this point, she was not even trying to act anymore.
Hayashi stared at her with a deadpan expression, completely speechless.
Yeah, that settled it.
Eto had clearly gotten some inside information about him frequently showing up at Anteiku, and deliberately came looking for him.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
After all, Eto almost never came to this café under normal circumstances.
Coupled with that painfully obvious acting, anyone who believed her would probably believe anything.
"I see…"
Kaneki nodded in realization, his eyes full of pure, innocent stupidity.
"So Takatsuki-sensei comes here often too?"
"I've been to this café many times, but I've never seen you before. Haha."
Kaneki scratched his head, looking completely sincere and harmless.
"..."
Hayashi fell into silence.
Right.
He had completely forgotten that Kaneki was still here.
"So that's how it is?"
"That's really a shame then."
Eto nodded, a hint of amusement flashing through her eyes.
For some reason, the black-haired boy in front of her felt oddly familiar.
And strangely interesting.
"I didn't expect you to like coming to this café too, Hayashi."
Eto turned to him, her clear eyes carrying a teasing glint.
In truth, this was not some random encounter.
She had received reports long ago that Hayashi frequently visited Anteiku.
At first, she had not paid much attention.
That was, until what happened last night.
After returning to the 11th Ward, she had waited for Hayashi to come find her and fulfill their agreement.
But unexpectedly, she waited the entire night without hearing anything.
At first, she thought he might show up during the day.
But half the day passed. Still nothing.
In the end, she could not sit still anymore and decided to come find him herself.
"I come by sometimes when I have nothing to do."
Hayashi took a sip of coffee and smiled calmly, appearing perfectly composed.
In reality, he had no idea how to handle this situation anymore.
After all, his original plan was to use Kaneki to track down Eto.
Yet somehow, she had beaten him to it.
Now he had no idea how to explain any of this.
The two of them remained in this subtle, awkward atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Kaneki, sitting beside them, was completely oblivious.
"Takatsuki-sensei… I am your loyal reader. I've read every one of your books."
Kaneki nervously raised the book in his hands, his eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.
"I know this isn't a signing event, but could you please sign it for me?"
Eto smiled warmly, turned toward him, and took the book.
She signed her name with bold, flowing strokes.
"Whoa…"
Kaneki held the book with both hands, looking like he was about to cry from happiness.
"Being able to meet both you and Hayashi today… this really is the luckiest day of my life."
He hugged the book to his chest, his face full of pure bliss.
"Hayashi was just asking me earlier where he could find you, and now you suddenly appeared."
Hearing that, Eto's lips curved into a faint smile.
Her messy green hair draped loosely over her shoulders, her delicate, lazy face carrying a playful expression.
She had a wild, unconventional beauty. A style entirely her own.
"I still have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving now. We'll talk later."
Hayashi cleared his throat, finished his coffee in one gulp, and stood up.
Before leaving, he deliberately glanced at the green-haired woman beside him.
"Oh?"
Eto let out a soft sound, clearly amused.
She stood up as well, intending to leave with him.
"Takatsuki-sensei, are you leaving already?"
Kaneki suddenly spoke up, his usually innocent mind finally noticing something odd.
"Yes. I'm going to see my publisher."
Eto smiled as she turned back, preparing to leave.
"Wait, Takatsuki-sensei."
At that moment, Kaneki suddenly gathered his courage.
"What is it?"
Eto turned back, looking mildly puzzled.
"Can I ask… what kind of relationship you have with Hayashi?"
Kaneki swallowed hard before finally asking.
"Relationship?"
Eto gently pressed a finger against her soft red lips, as if thinking seriously.
"Well…"
"Most of the time, we don't see each other."
"We only meet when we need something from the other."
"So tell me…"
"What do you think our relationship is?"
She smiled lazily, her expression dazzlingly beautiful.
"..."
Kaneki's mouth fell open as he froze completely.
Only meeting when you need each other.
That kind of relationship…
After making that connection, Kaneki felt like his entire worldview was cracking.
And while he was still reeling from the shock, Eto had already walked over to Hayashi's side.
Seeing that, Kaneki's mind shattered all over again.
Even Takatsuki-sensei…
Had Hayashi already taken her too?