Hinami Fueguchi happily spread the book on the counter, carefully placing it between them.
Amano Hiro noticed the numerous faint pencil marks on the pages, traces left by her whenever she encountered new words, to make it easier to ask someone later.
Hiro patiently pointed to each marked word, carefully teaching her the pronunciation and meaning.
Hinami looked up at him with her small face, listening intently.
She was indeed clever; most words she remembered after being taught once or twice. Occasionally, for particularly complex words, she would carefully mark the pronunciation next to the character and softly repeat it under her breath.
"Big brother," she suddenly raised her head, her eyes sparkling. "Do you like Takatsuki Sen too?"
"Mm," Amano Hiro nodded gently. "Her books are very interesting."
"That's great!" Hinami's voice carried excitement. "The day after tomorrow, she's having a signing event in Shinjuku. Mom and I are going... Big brother, would you like to come too?"
Hiro was about to respond when Ryouko-san came out from the back room, softly interrupting, "Hinami, you can't trouble Amano-san like that."
She turned to Hiro with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, this child gets too excited whenever she talks about books."
"That's fine," Hiro said, looking at Hinami with a faint smile. "I was planning to go see it anyway."
He bent down slightly to meet the hopeful gaze of the little girl, softening his voice: "Then it's settled. We'll meet here the morning after tomorrow and go to the signing together."
"Yes! It's settled!" Hinami nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile.
She carefully put the book away and waved to Hiro before leaving the café with her mother.
The shopkeeper glanced at Hiro's nearly empty coffee cup and asked kindly, "Hiro-kun, would you like a refill?"
Hiro smiled and politely declined, "No, thank you. It's getting late, and we still have some things to do."
The shopkeeper nodded in understanding.
Hiro turned to Rize beside him. "And you? Another cup?"
Rize shook her head gently. "We should head out too."
After bidding farewell to the café staff, they walked out side by side.
The setting sun bathed the street in warm orange light. They strolled slowly toward the supermarket, their shadows stretching long behind them.
"How's your control over the fused RC cells?" Hiro asked with concern.
Rize furrowed her brows slightly, her tone tinged with frustration. "Not ideal. It'll still take some time before I have full control."
Hiro reached out, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Don't rush. Step by step is fine. Once you master it completely, we can go taste all kinds of food."
"Okay." Rize smiled, her eyes full of anticipation.
By the time they finished shopping, the sun had nearly disappeared beyond the horizon.
As they prepared to head home, Hiro's gaze suddenly fixed on a figure not far away, it was Kaneki Ken.
Hiro handed the shopping bag to Rize. "You go on home first."
Following his gaze, Rize immediately understood. The opportunity that had brought her and Hiro together, Kaneki Ken.
"Okay, I'll head back then," Rize said softly, taking the bag.
She knew that meeting Kaneki now wasn't appropriate, yet just looking at his slender figure, a wave of reflection passed through her, if not for that accident, she and Hiro might never have met.
With this mix of feelings, Rize turned and walked home.
Hiro approached the thin figure, clearly intending to speak with Kaneki, he wanted to know how the boy had been lately and, more importantly, why he had never reported Rize.
"Kaneki-kun," he called.
Kaneki turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He remembered meeting this Amano-san only briefly at the café and hadn't expected him to initiate a greeting.
"Amano-san," Kaneki replied shyly.
"How have you been lately?"
Kaneki instinctively touched the back of his head. "I-I've been fine. And you?"
Hiro didn't respond immediately. Instead, he asked, "I haven't seen you at the café recently. Is it because of what happened that night?"
Kaneki's expression changed instantly. "You know about that?"
"Yes. I brought you to the police station."
Gratitude appeared in Kaneki's eyes. "So you saved me. Thank you so much."
Hiro shook his head slightly, smiling faintly. "I wouldn't call it saving.
That night I passed by the construction site and happened to see a ghoul attacking you. I hid nearby, thinking I might be able to help, but before I could act, the ghoul left on its own. I saw you unconscious there. It was late, unsafe, and I didn't know where you lived, so I just brought you near the police station."
Kaneki's expression shifted again.
He had originally thought Hiro had fought off Rize; now he realized the truth, Rize had voluntarily let him go.
It made sense. How could an ordinary person escape from a ghoul?
"Even so, I still have to thank you," Kaneki said sincerely.
Hiro followed up, "That night, why were you alone at the construction site?"
Kaneki hesitated briefly before explaining the events of that evening.
"Since all that happened," Hiro said, locking eyes with him, "why didn't you report Kamishiro Rize to the CCG?"
Kaneki's expression grew complicated. He was silent for a moment, then softly said, "I don't know why... After I woke up, I realized I didn't hate Miss Rize. Besides, I wasn't physically harmed. Maybe... she had her own reasons."
Hiro quietly reflected.
He hadn't expected this boy's attachment to Rize to be so strong. He had nearly been a victim, yet he still excused her.
Rize's charm was truly remarkable, and this Kaneki boy hadn't realized it yet, he even showed potential for a stubborn, fiery personality.
Understanding the situation, Hiro nodded to himself. Looking at the still slightly green-faced teenager, he spoke calmly:
"It's better not to go to the café for now. It's not exactly safe there. It's getting late, and darkness will fall soon. You should head home."
Kaneki nodded obediently. "Yes, Amano-san. You take care too."
They parted in the deepening twilight, and Hiro turned to head home.
"I'm back," he said as he opened the door.
Rize greeted him with a smile. "Welcome home."
She naturally crouched to help Hiro put on his slippers and took his coat.
Her practiced and considerate gestures were like those of a gentle, newlywed wife.
She carefully hung his coat and then turned to ask, "Hiro, would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, make me one, please." Hiro relaxed onto the sofa, watching Rize busy in the kitchen as night quietly spread outside the window.