Amano Hiro chatted briefly with the manager about the upcoming arrangements and also mentioned recent movements of the V Organization. Then he left the still-renovating new shop with Rize.
The new location was in the 14th Ward. Neither of them had spent much time in this area before, so they decided to take the chance to wander around nearby.
Although Tokyo is divided into Wards 1 through 24, which sounds vast, in reality the entire metropolitan area is only about 2,200 square kilometers, roughly the size of an ordinary prefecture-level city.
If you drove from the east side of the city to the west, about an hour and a half would suffice.
These administrative divisions called "wards" are often just a few streets to a few streets, yet they count as a separate ward.
Rize linked her arm through Amano Hiro's as they strolled leisurely along the unfamiliar streets.
"Today's a good chance to get familiar with this new ward," she said lightly, looking at the distinctive shops on both sides.
They wandered for quite a while before Amano Hiro suddenly stopped, eyes lighting up. "How about we find a hot spring and soak?"
Rize tilted her head at him, puzzled. "What made you think of hot springs all of a sudden?"
"Honestly, I've never soaked in one my whole life," Amano Hiro scratched his head. "Just thought of it, so let's go try it."
Rize widened her eyes in disbelief. "Hiro has never been to a hot spring?"
Amano Hiro spread his hands plainly. "Nope."
She froze a moment, then understood. Hiro used to be a feral ghoul. Just surviving in that environment was hard enough. There was no time to enjoy something like hot springs.
"Alright then. Today your big sister will take you for a proper experience."
Rize smiled, pulled out her phone, and started scrolling. After a while she looked up. "There aren't any in the 14th Ward. The nearest is in the 6th. Want to go?"
"Sure. It's not far anyway." Amano Hiro waved down a taxi.
They had just slid into the back seat when Amano Hiro glanced at the driver and froze. Well well. Wasn't this that June-obsessed pervert?
He only remembered the alias Torso. The real name slipped his mind.
"Where to?" the driver asked, turning his head. His voice sounded normal enough.
Rize gave the hot spring address. The car pulled into traffic.
Amano Hiro leaned back, thinking: Torso was already deranged enough, but that June later became even worse. She even assaulted the Kaneki clone that Uta made with kagune. That was something else.
Come to think of it, Torso was a bit like Hannibal. Both fixated on specific body parts. But compared to Hannibal's elegance, Torso's looks and bearing were worlds apart. A crude, rough version.
Before long, the taxi stopped in front of the hot spring.
"Customers, we're here. The fare is 12,100 yen," the driver said.
The price made Amano Hiro's eye twitch. For such a short trip?
He leaned toward the driver's ear and said coldly, "Torso, watch yourself lately. The Doves are already onto you."
The words exploded like thunder in the driver's ear. His whole body jolted, pupils shrinking. "You...?"
Amano Hiro gave him no time to react. He patted his shoulder meaningfully, then pulled Rize out of the car in one smooth motion.
Standing at the entrance, Rize glanced back at the taxi still idling, then at the unruffled Amano Hiro. "Hiro, what did you just tell him? And... we didn't pay, did we?"
Amano Hiro cleared his throat, adopting the most solemn expression imaginable. "I told him we're saviors here to save the world. By the rules, the fare is waived."
Rize rolled her eyes gracefully, though her lips curled upward. He was spouting nonsense again.
She didn't really care about the fare. From the scent alone, the driver was a ghoul. If they didn't pay, he wouldn't dare do anything.
Amano Hiro took her hand and led her inside. As they passed under the noren curtain, he leaned close and murmured in her ear:
"That guy's not just a ghoul. He's a pervert who targets scarred women. I just kindly warned him. Consider it payment."
Rize understood at once and chuckled. "I see. But how did Hiro know his background?"
"Well..." Amano Hiro blinked mysteriously. "I'll tell you after you've soaked properly."
They entered the reception. Classic Japanese decor. The air carried a faint scent of sulfur and sandalwood.
A middle-aged woman in kimono knelt behind the counter and bowed slightly. "Welcome. Which package would you like?"
Amano Hiro glanced at the price list and pointed straight at the most expensive. "That private open-air bath package. And two premium wagyu meals."
Rize poked his waist lightly. "Didn't you just complain about the taxi fare?"
"That's different," Amano Hiro said righteously. "Being ripped off and enjoying yourself are two different things."
After paying, they followed an attendant down a long corridor.
Bamboo walls, stone-paved path, a stone lantern every few steps. The atmosphere was serene.
Their private bath was in a small courtyard enclosed by bamboo fencing.
At the center lay a natural rock-lined hot spring pool. Steam rose in wisps, condensing into white mist in the evening air.
Beside the pool were two bamboo loungers and a small table. In the corner grew a gracefully shaped red maple.
"Please enjoy. Your meal will be brought shortly," the attendant said, bowing before leaving.
Rize tested the water eagerly and sighed in satisfaction. "Perfect temperature. Hiro, come try."
She had just turned her head when she saw Amano Hiro's peculiar appearance.
He had somehow acquired a round wooden basin and hung it over his abdomen, striking a heroic pose.
"How is it? My EX Curry Rod?" he said smugly, flicking the basin.
Rize pressed her forehead in helplessness. "Yes, yes. Hiro's 'EX Curry Rod' is the mightiest."
Watching the basin bounce slightly, she thought: judging by his energy, he might end up splashing around in this hot spring later.