An indescribable joy rippled through Hiro's heart.
He had thought his future would forever be bound by a bloody diet, that in the end he would only be able to rely on artificial meat as a reluctant substitute for that necessity.
He had not expected that light would truly appear at the end of the tunnel. Without a doubt, this was the best news he had received since transmigrating into this world.
He looked at Rize beside him, who was still digesting the shocking information. Her slightly furrowed brows made her seem weighed down with thoughts.
Hiro could not help but smile. He reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek. It felt slightly cool to the touch.
"Don't look so troubled," he said in a steady and reassuring tone. "Don't worry. I will definitely find a way for you to do it too."
Rize did not dodge. Instead, like a cat seeking comfort, she leaned her cheek into his warm palm and rubbed against it dependently, letting out a soft nasal hum. "Mm."
"Get some rest early," Hiro withdrew his hand and spoke of tomorrow's plans. "I still have to show up at the café tomorrow and at least make it look like I'm doing patrol."
After all, he had agreed to Manager Yoshimura and was receiving a generous salary. No matter what, he had to at least make an appearance so it would not seem like the money was wasted.
Rize nodded obediently without saying more. She turned and walked into the side bedroom, gently closing the door behind her.
Hiro turned off the living room lights, allowing the moonlight to filter through the curtains and cast a cool silver glow across the room.
He returned to the master bedroom but did not go to the bed. Instead, he sat down at the desk chair.
Taking a deep breath, he spread open his palm and focused his will. The next moment, a mass of scarlet, viscous flesh about the size of an egg slowly emerged from his palm, pulsing faintly as if alive.
He gently placed this separated piece of Carnage onto the smooth surface of the desk and held his breath as he observed.
Under the moonlight, the mass appeared dark and heavy in color. It began to move slowly like an amoeba, its edges extending fine tendril-like structures, as if instinctively searching for a host to attach to.
Hiro could clearly feel that this small portion of the symbiote still maintained an invisible connection with his main body. He had already noticed this back in the 12th Ward.
However, it was completely different from the feeling of controlling the complete form as easily as moving his own arm.
Now, his control over this separated piece was extremely sluggish. His mental commands felt as if they were sinking into mud.
The feedback movements were intermittent, like a slideshow stuttering frame by frame, unable to run smoothly.
"Perhaps in the future I can let Rize try fusing with it?" The thought flashed through his mind.
If Rize could successfully fuse with this portion of the symbiote, perhaps she would gain the ability to sense and precisely control her own RC cells just as he had.
But the risks of this idea were unknown, and he quickly suppressed the impulse.
This matter had to be considered carefully. Without knowing the consequences, any rash action could bring disaster.
He had a strong premonition that when Carnage underwent its next key evolution, the current difficulties in control might be resolved naturally.
Morning light slipped through the gaps in the curtains, casting mottled patterns across the floor.
Hiro woke from his sleep. Lying on the soft bed, he took a moment to let his hazy consciousness fully clear.
He got up and walked toward the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar, and faint sounds of running water came from inside.
Pushing the door open, he saw that Rize was already standing at the sink with a toothbrush in her mouth, white foam clinging to her lips. She glanced at him through the mirror and mumbled a greeting.
Hiro walked up naturally, picked up his own toothbrush, and stood beside her.
Their reflections appeared in the mirror. In the hazy morning light and drifting steam, their movements were synchronized and familiar.
In that instant, a strange illusion of home struck both of their hearts at the same time. The scene resembled a married couple of many years, repeating the most ordinary routine of countless mundane mornings.
They both paused slightly, then met each other's eyes in the mirror, a silent smile spreading in their gazes at the same time.
After washing up, they left together for the Antique café.
Walking along the road, Hiro could not help but feel a bit emotional. Thinking back on this recent period, he and Rize had been almost inseparable.
For someone who had been single his entire previous life, having a companion to rely on felt exceptionally warm and fulfilling.
There was much unspoken ambiguity between them, yet that thin layer had never been pierced.
This relationship, with a slight distance yet complete closeness, felt uniquely reassuring at this moment.
Pushing open the familiar wooden door of the café, the bell above it rang crisply, followed by Touka's distinct cool and professional "Welcome."
The café members were unusually complete today. Manager Yoshimura stood behind the counter as always.
Touka was wiping cups. Irimi Kaya and Koma Enji were also busy preparing.
Somewhat surprisingly, even Yomo Renji was sitting in the corner of the bar, quietly drinking coffee.
There were no other customers in the shop. The quiet atmosphere was perhaps related to the recent undercurrents in the 20th Ward and the increasingly tense activities of the Ghoul Investigators.
The manager's gentle gaze swept over them. Facing everyone present, he spoke in a steady voice, "Taking this opportunity, let me formally introduce him again. This is Hiro-kun. From now on, he will officially join our Anteiku."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes focused on Hiro. There was more curiosity and scrutiny than surprise.
Clearly, Touka had already informed them of the strength he had displayed.
Hiro smiled and nodded to everyone as a formal greeting. He had been a regular at the shop and was already familiar with them.
What surprised the veteran ghouls present even more was Rize standing beside him.
This existence once feared under the name Binge Eater now carried a restrained aura, even showing a rare hint of docility.
Recently, there had been no news in the 20th Ward of her large-scale hunting. Invisibly, this had spared the increasingly tense ward from an even greater storm.
A brief silence spread through the café, broken only by the faint hiss of the coffee machine.
In the end, it was Yomo Renji in the corner who broke the silence first.
He raised his head and looked directly at Hiro, his voice low and serious.
"You said that information. Are you certain it's true?"
He did not mention a name, but everyone who knew felt their hearts sink.
Hiro naturally knew who he was referring to. Touka's biological father, the one long imprisoned by the CCG, code-named Corpse Collector. Kirishima Arata.
"I'm certain."
Hiro answered without the slightest hesitation, his voice calm and firm, carrying a conviction that made it difficult to doubt him.
Yomo stared into his eyes, as if judging the truth behind every word.
After a moment, he slowly leaned back in his chair and fell silent again.
That silence carried heavy weight. Perhaps he was rapidly forming a rescue plan in his mind, or perhaps, after confirming the truth, he felt a wave of helplessness.
Just as the oppressive atmosphere deepened, Hiro spoke again, his voice clearly reaching every person present.
"You don't need to worry about this matter for now." He looked around at Manager Yoshimura, Yomo, and Touka who had unconsciously stopped moving. "I'll handle it."
He paused and gave a promise that was not an evasion but filled with certainty.
"However, now is not the best time. That time will arrive soon. There's no need to rush."
His words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending different ripples through each person's heart.