Sunlight filtered lazily through the window, stretching long patches of light across the floor. When Hiro opened his eyes and grabbed his phone to check the time, he was startled. It was already 1:30 in the afternoon.
Yawning, he wandered out of the bedroom, dropped himself onto the living room sofa that was soft enough to swallow a person whole, and casually fished a can of cola off the coffee table.
With a hiss, carbonation surged up with a cool sweetness. He tipped his head back and gulped down a large mouthful, smacking his lips in satisfaction before idly turning on the TV.
The news was broadcasting a report about Cochlea Prison being attacked by unknown forces. The anchor's expression was grave.
Hiro lounged with one leg crossed over the other, half-watching. Then something occurred to him. He might as well give Yoshimura Eto a heads-up.
He unlocked his phone and quickly typed a line: "Kirishima Arata is at the Anteiku café. Let Kirishima Ayato know."
The message had just been sent when his phone buzzed almost simultaneously.
"That fast?" He raised a brow and swiped the screen.
The popped-up reply made his movement pause.
"Your father-in-law is with me. When are you coming to visit Aogiri Tree?"
Hiro stared at the line, the corner of his eye twitching lightly.
So while he had been wondering whether Kamishiro Matasaka had slipped out on his own, it turned out Yoshimura Eto had intercepted him halfway.
That woman moved fast. She had bundled both the man and the message straight into Aogiri Tree's territory.
She was truly going all out to win him over. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused.
Hiro stroked his chin. A trip to Aogiri Tree was unavoidable now.
Kamishiro Rize's adoptive father's whereabouts were clear, and he could also drop by to see his fellow countryman Tatara. Killing two birds with one stone.
He rose and walked to the bedroom, gently pushing the door open.
In the warm air, Rize was still asleep. Her satin-like purple hair spread across the pillow, her bare shoulder rising and falling softly with each breath.
Hiro had intended to tell her about her adoptive father, but seeing how deeply she slept, he could not bear to wake her. He simply tucked the blanket around her more carefully and closed the door quietly.
After changing into casual clothes, Hiro strolled unhurriedly toward the Anteiku café.
The winter breeze carried a few fallen leaves, a stark contrast to the warmth of the bedroom just now. It felt like two different worlds.
Pushing open the café's familiar wooden door, the wind chime rang lightly. He looked up and saw an unfamiliar figure standing by the counter.
It was a girl who looked harmless to humans and animals alike, tilting her head curiously as she fiddled with coffee beans.
But Hiro's pupils contracted slightly. He recognized this "old acquaintance" at a glance.
Roma Hoito, the Dodgy Mother and founder of the Clowns.
On the surface she was innocent and cute, but inside she hid a twisted, dark soul.
Her original intent in creating the Clowns had been to treat the world as a circus. The more chaotic the world became, the more they reveled in it. She was also an SSS-rated kakuja from the same era as Manager Yoshimura.
Though her appearance seemed extremely fierce, her final death had been very abrupt.
At this moment she turned around and gave Hiro an overly sweet smile, as if she were just an ordinary café worker.
When Hiro entered, Touka Kirishima, who had been wiping cups behind the bar, spotted him immediately.
The girl's eyes lit up at once. She set down the cup and hurried over.
Her usually cool face carried unmistakable gratitude. The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a gentle curve rarely seen.
Reuniting with her father had clearly brightened her mood.
"Mr. Nangong," Touka's voice was much softer than usual, no longer carrying distant chill, "thank you very much for rescuing my father."
Her tone was sincere, her gaze clear. She seemed like ice touched by sunlight, glowing with warm radiance.
Hiro looked at the gratitude overflowing in Touka's eyes and gave a slight nod as he sat at the bar. "How is your father now?"
As he spoke, he also nodded toward Koma Enji, who was grinding coffee beans.
Koma smiled knowingly. Without a word, he began skillfully brewing Blue Mountain coffee. Everyone in Anteiku knew this gentleman's preference.
Touka held a tray lightly to her chest, her tone noticeably brighter. "Father has mostly recovered."
"That is good." Hiro took a sip of the freshly served coffee. The temperature was just right.
His gaze drifted casually toward the corner and his tone shifted. "That woman is new?"
Touka followed his line of sight to Roma Hoito, who was humming while wiping tables. "Yes. She was introduced by Uta-san. Mr. Nangong, is there a problem with her?"
"Nothing." Hiro withdrew his gaze calmly.
Just then the door chime rang again as another customer entered. Touka inclined her head. "I will go greet the guest first."
After she left, Hiro's eyes returned to the seemingly innocent figure.
He remembered clearly that Roma Hoito was also an SSS ghoul who had escaped from Cochlea.
In the original story, she had infiltrated Anteiku after hearing rumors about the artificial ghoul Kaneki Ken, out of sheer curiosity to watch the spectacle.
But now Kaneki had not been drawn into this turmoil. Her appearance here became highly suspicious.
Does Manager Yoshimura know her true identity? Hiro wondered. Even in the original, this point had never been clarified.
A speculation suddenly surfaced. Could it be that this time, she had come for him?
If she really had come for him, it did not matter. If she did anything suicidal, he would just eat her.
CCG Headquarters. Inside a simply furnished reception room, the atmosphere was heavy.
Kichimura Washuu, dressed in a crisp white suit, sat facing Marude Itsuki in a black suit.
Cold light from the window etched their stern profiles in sharp relief.
"You were withdrawn from the front line, Yoshitoki-san," Marude spoke first, fatigue barely concealed in his voice.
"Mm." Yoshitoki Washuu nodded, fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest. "It was the Chairman's order."
He turned to look out at the gray sky, his voice lowering. "'Owl,' Aogiri Tree, and that unknown kakuja who easily defeated Shinohara and Kuroiwa last time.
The current situation can be called the greatest crisis since the founding of the CCG."
"Yes." Marude agreed quietly, tone heavy.
Yoshitoki suddenly turned back, his gaze sharp on his former colleague. "A-Maru, I want to hand the deputy commander position to you."
Marude was visibly taken aback, brow furrowing. "But the mess in the 11th Ward still needs me to clean up..."
"If even you cannot take it," Yoshitoki cut in, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "who else could do it better? Do not put too much pressure on yourself."
Hearing this, the hesitation on Marude's face gradually faded, replaced by familiar sharpness and seriousness. "Yoshitoki-san..."
"You will accept, right?"
A faint, battle-tinged smile pulled at Marude's lips. "Since you say so, Yoshitoki-san, I naturally have no reason to refuse."