Amano Hiro looked at the still-crowded signing venue. Not only had the number of people not decreased, it seemed to be growing.
He did not want to wait around here doing nothing, so he turned to Rize and said, "Let's find a café to sit in. We'll talk to her after she finishes signing."
Rize nodded. "Alright."
There happened to be a fairly large café right across the street.
Since transmigrating here, Amano Hiro had not stepped into any café other than Anteiku. This was a good chance to try something different.
"Welcome." A delicate-looking clerk greeted them warmly.
The two chose seats by the window. Through the glass, they could clearly see the situation at the signing event across the street.
The clerk approached and gently placed two menus on the table with a smile. "What would you like to drink?"
Before Amano Hiro could speak, Rize had already closed the menu and politely nodded to the clerk. "Two Blue Mountains, please."
"Alright, please wait a moment." The clerk wrote down the order and briskly returned to the counter.
Soon, the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans drifted through the air.
The coffee was quickly served. They drank while waiting for Yoshimura Eto.
Rize lifted her cup and took a light sip, her gaze thoughtful as she looked out at the still ongoing signing event.
"Hiro," she asked softly, "what do you think she wants to talk about by inviting us?"
Amano Hiro kept his eyes on the bustling crowd outside, his tone calm. "Most likely she wants to probe how much we know. Going a step further, she will probably invite us to join Aogiri Tree."
Rize lightly traced the warm surface of her cup with her fingers, curiosity in her eyes as she looked at him. "So, does Hiro plan to join Aogiri Tree?"
Amano Hiro shook his head, expression indifferent. "Their plans do not conflict with my goals, but there is no need for me to join them."
"Hiro seems to know their plans very well?" Rize continued.
"That depends on which one you are asking about." Amano Hiro took a sip of coffee and looked at her. "Yoshimura Eto's plan, or Aogiri Tree's objective."
"Are those two... different?"
"Yes." Amano Hiro's voice was low and clear. "Aogiri Tree's objective is simply to eliminate the CCG and establish a world ruled by ghouls.
But Yoshimura Eto's plan is different. She wants to support a One-Eyed King to change this twisted world and ultimately achieve coexistence between humans and ghouls."
Rize thought for a moment. "Since Yoshimura Eto is the One-Eyed Owl, wouldn't she herself be this generation's One-Eyed King?"
"No. The King is not her." Amano Hiro calmly dropped a bombshell. "It is Arima Kishou."
"Arima Kishou?" Rize could not hide her shock and almost thought she had misheard. "That White Reaper? The half-human from the Sunlit Garden?"
The gap between those identities was so great that her thoughts were momentarily in disarray.
Amano Hiro nodded and took another sip of coffee. "Yes."
Rize quickly grasped the contradiction. "But Arima Kishou is not a one-eyed ghoul. Why would he be the One-Eyed King?"
"The essence of the One-Eyed King is a symbol of mixed blood. It does not mean one must possess a one-eyed Kakugan. And overwhelming strength is also required." Amano Hiro explained patiently.
Rize fell silent, lowering her head as she digested the shocking information.
After quite a while, she finally looked up again, a trace of admiration in her eyes. "It feels like there is nothing in this world that Hiro does not know."
Amano Hiro merely shook his head slightly and looked out the window, his tone calm and even. "I just happen to know a few things."
After they refilled their coffee twice, the signing event across the street finally neared its end.
The crowd gradually dispersed. Yoshimura Eto walked out of the venue and stood by the street, looking around.
Suddenly, her gaze locked onto the two inside the café. Her eyes lit up. She jogged across the street, pushed open the door, and entered.
"Welcome. Just one?" It was the same enthusiastic clerk.
Yoshimura Eto waved her hand with a smile. "No need. I have friends over there."
She quickly walked to their table and sat down opposite them, smiling. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Though she said she was sorry, there was not the slightest trace of apology in her tone.
Amano Hiro met her gaze and went straight to the point. "Eto-san, what did you want to talk about?"
Yoshimura Eto giggled and answered just as directly. "Hiro, join Aogiri Tree."
"I will pass on joining Aogiri Tree." Amano Hiro answered without the slightest hesitation. "I am not used to working for others."
"What a pity." Yoshimura Eto sounded slightly regretful, then shifted the topic. "Then let me ask you something else. Hiro, what do you think of this world?"
Amano Hiro raised an eyebrow. What did he think of this world?
Inside, he felt nothing but exhilaration. From an ordinary office worker to possessing extraordinary power after transmigrating here.
It was like a bird soaring into the sky, like a fish plunging into the sea, free and unrestrained beyond description. In short, it felt so good it was boundless.
Outwardly, however, he remained calm and said lightly, "I think it's quite good."
Yoshimura Eto was silent for a moment, her expression turning serious. "Are you serious?"
"Of course." Amano Hiro's tone was firm. "Truer than gold and silver."
"You..." Yoshimura Eto was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.
Amano Hiro suddenly threw out a question, breaking the brief stalemate. "When are you planning to attack Cochlea?"
Yoshimura Eto's expression changed abruptly. The earlier ease vanished, her voice lowering. "How much do you actually know?"
Amano Hiro smiled faintly, perfectly at ease. "Probably a little more than you imagine."
"Who exactly are you?" Yoshimura Eto stared at him intently, her voice probing. "What is your real objective?"
"Relax. I won't interfere with your plans." Amano Hiro responded calmly.
"Your plan is, to a certain extent, beneficial to me as well. When necessary, I would not mind offering some assistance."
Yoshimura Eto fell silent.
She had first taken notice of Amano Hiro because of Rize, and later witnessed his unfathomable strength during the battle in the 11th Ward.
She had intended to recruit him, yet she had not expected him to know so many core secrets. The development of events had far exceeded her expectations.
Steadying herself, she spoke tentatively. "Back then, in the 12th Ward..."
Before she could finish, Hiro calmly completed her sentence. "That was me."