Hiro followed the sound of the voice and replied calmly, "Commission one. A custom-made mask will fit the face better and be more comfortable to wear."
Uta nodded lightly and picked up a soft measuring tape. "Alright. Please come this way. I'll measure this lady's face first."
Hiro led Rize to sit in front of the workbench. Rize turned her head to look at him, her eyes shifting slightly. "Aren't you getting one too, Hiro?"
He had originally intended to refuse, but after a second thought, he changed his mind. "Alright. I'll make one as well."
Holding the tape, Uta carefully measured the width of Rize's forehead and asked, "What style do you prefer? A half mask or a full mask?"
"Half," Rize answered.
Uta continued, "Any preferences for color or pattern?"
Rize turned to Hiro. "What do you think?"
Hiro thought briefly and looked up. "Do you have paper and a pen?"
"Yes. One moment." Uta turned and brought over a piece of cardstock and a drawing pen.
Hiro took them and leaned over the workbench to sketch.
The pen moved smoothly across the paper. Before long, a unique mask design appeared. The overall shape resembled burning flames, inspired by the fire-element mask from Wu Shan Wu Xing, but he cleverly removed the lower portion and redesigned it to cover only the upper half of the face.
Uta watched the design take shape and praised sincerely, "The concept is very clever. This design is quite excellent."
Rize leaned in to look, surprise flashing in her eyes. "It really is beautiful. I didn't expect you to have such artistic sense, Hiro."
"Any color preferences?" Uta asked.
Hiro turned to Rize. "Do you have a favorite color?"
"Anything is fine. You decide."
He considered for a moment. "Then red on the right side and black on the left."
Rize smiled brightly and added, "Then mine will be red on the left and black on the right. That way they'll match as a pair." The corners of her eyes curved with her radiant smile.
Hiro looked at her delighted expression, his gaze softening. "Alright. As you wish."
Watching their tacit interaction, Uta thought to himself that this couple seemed to have a very good relationship.
"In that case, sir, please come over so I can take your measurements."
While measuring Hiro's facial contours, Uta casually asked, "Were you referred here? My shop is quite out of the way."
Hiro replied calmly, "Touka introduced us. She said your craftsmanship is very good."
Uta's lips curved slightly upward. "I see. Since you were referred by someone I know, I'll give you a twenty percent discount."
He skillfully recorded the data and continued naturally, "May I have your names?"
"Amano Hiro."
"Kamishiro Rize."
Uta's gaze lingered on Rize for a brief, subtle moment.
This woman known as the Binge Eater did not quite match the violent image from the rumors. His expression remained unchanged as he said gently, "Just call me Uta."
After recording all the measurements, Uta put away his tools. "Alright. You can come back at this time tomorrow to pick up the masks."
Hiro and Rize nodded and took their leave. Watching their backs as they departed side by side, Uta thoughtfully organized the measurement records in his hands.
When he finished, he picked up the cardstock again and studied the smooth lines of the design, nodding to himself. This concept truly had reference value.
Stepping out of the mask shop, the midday sunlight washed over them, making both of them squint after staying so long in the dim interior.
Hiro looked at Rize, whose demeanor had clearly changed, and smiled. "What's next, beautiful?"
Rize's eyes curved with amusement. "Oh my, handsome, you certainly know how to talk."
"Likewise." Hiro chuckled.
Rize touched her index finger lightly to her lips and thought for a moment. "How about going to an amusement park?"
Hiro raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I didn't expect you to want to go somewhere like that."
"What kind of person do you think I am?" Rize feigned dissatisfaction.
"Haha, of course we can." Hiro smiled. He remembered that before transmigrating, he had never once gone to an amusement park as a child, and as an adult his time had been consumed entirely by work.
After coming to this crisis-ridden world, he had remained constantly tense. Having a chance to relax now was not a bad choice.
"Then let's go. Half a day at the amusement park."
When they arrived at the entrance, the bustling crowd surprised Hiro.
In this world where ghouls and humans coexisted, seeing such an ordinary and lively scene was rare.
Looking at the crowd, Rize murmured softly, "So many little human-shaped buns."
Hiro pinched her cheek. "In a few days, I'll let you eat your fill. All carefully selected buns."
They walked to the ticket window. The staff member introduced enthusiastically, "Adult tickets are 8,400 yen. Couple tickets come with a thirty percent discount."
"So expensive?" Hiro blurted out instinctively, then immediately corrected himself. "Then we'll take the couple tickets."
"Certainly. Enjoy your time!" The staff member handed over two exquisite tickets with a smile.
Hiro accepted them and naturally took Rize's hand as they blended into the cheerful crowd.
Hand in hand, they passed through the bustling people. The first thing that caught their eyes was the winding roller coaster track, with waves of screams descending from above.
"Want to try that?" he asked, pointing at the speeding cars.
Rize looked up, excitement flashing in her eyes. "Exactly what I was thinking."
After fastening the safety bar, the roller coaster slowly climbed. As it reached the highest point and was about to plunge downward, Rize suddenly leaned toward his ear and whispered, "If the safety belt breaks, will you catch me, Hiro?"
Before he could answer, the train plunged. Amid the roaring wind, Hiro felt Rize's hand gently cover the back of his.
Through the loops and twists, he heard her clear laughter. Not her usual calculating chuckle, but a pure, childlike laugh from the heart.
When they stepped off the ride, Rize's purple hair was slightly disheveled by the wind, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "That was more fun than I expected."
She adjusted her hair, her eyes still sparkling.
Night fell quietly, and the amusement park lit up with countless lights. They played shooting games, visited the haunted house, and several other attractions before finally stopping in front of the enormous Ferris wheel.
As their cabin rose slowly, the entire night view of the amusement park spread out beneath them. Rize gazed quietly out the window, the flickering lights reflecting in her eyes.
"In the Washuu Clan," she suddenly said softly, "they desperately try to become human. Among the different branches, the purer the human bloodline, the more noble the status."
Her fingertips traced unconsciously across the glass, as if outlining a distant memory. "In that family, only the chosen 'life-seeds' are treated as human. And I…"
She lowered her eyes. "There isn't a single trace of human impurity in my blood. I am the purest of ghoul. In their eyes, I was the lowest existence, a living womb whose only purpose was to reproduce for the Washuu Clan."
A bitter curve touched her lips. "Back then, I thought that as long as I could escape that place, I wouldn't care what I destroyed."
"Later, with Furuta's help, I did escape. But that only led me into another trap."
She turned to him, her violet eyes especially bright in the night. "If I hadn't met you, Hiro, I would probably still be in some laboratory, continuing as experimental material or a breeding tool."
Her fingertips paused against the cold glass, her voice as light as a sigh. "Thank you, Hiro."
When the cabin reached the highest point, Rize turned to him again. The fragility in her eyes had been replaced by warmth. She leaned closer and pressed a brief kiss to Hiro's lips.
"This is my thank-you gift," she said with a smile after pulling back, though the tips of her ears were tinged with faint red.