Yoshimura's pupils shrank for a brief moment before returning to normal. He removed his glasses and wiped the lenses with his apron, his movements steady and refined.
"It seems our guest has quite an interest in the 20th Ward," he said as he put his glasses back on, his tone slightly deeper. "Why don't we continue this conversation somewhere more private?"
A faint smile formed on Sol's lips. "Exactly what I had in mind."
They walked one after the other into the storage room behind the café. The moment the door shut, Yoshimura's presence changed completely. The gentle old man disappeared, replaced by the suffocating aura of the SSS-rated ghoul, the Non-Killing Owl.
"Who are you?" Yoshimura's voice turned cold. "A Special Class Investigator from the CCG, or a ghoul from another ward?"
Sol leaned casually against a shelf. "Just someone who appreciates good coffee."
Yoshimura's Kakugan surfaced, glowing crimson in the dim light. "What you did earlier isn't something a normal person could pull off."
Sol let out a quiet chuckle. "And you, the famous Non-Killing Owl, running a coffee shop. That's just as interesting."
Yoshimura's posture shifted slightly, his Kagune ready to strike. "State your purpose."
"Relax," Sol said, waving a hand lazily. "I'm just here to confirm a few things."
He stepped forward slowly. Each step tightened the tension in the room.
"I've heard the 20th Ward stays peaceful under your watch," Sol continued. "I wanted to see if that reputation holds up."
Yoshimura's Kagune spread fully, forming a defensive barrier like wings. "If you're here to disturb that peace, I won't allow it."
Sol tilted his head. "Just you?"
Before he could finish, Yoshimura's Kagune shot forward at high speed, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Sol didn't move aside. He simply raised his right hand.
A heavy impact echoed through the room.
The Kagune slammed into his palm and stopped.
Yoshimura's eyes widened. His attack had been blocked with a single hand, and not even a mark appeared on Sol's skin.
"Fast," Sol said. "But not strong enough."
His fingers tightened, crushing the Kagune. Yoshimura let out a grunt and pulled back, his damaged Kagune regenerating rapidly.
"Who are you?" Yoshimura asked again, this time with unmistakable seriousness.
Sol flicked the blood off his hand. "I already told you. Just passing through."
In the next instant, he vanished and reappeared right in front of Yoshimura, his hand clamping around the old man's throat.
"Now," Sol said, his tone still light, "let's talk properly about the 20th Ward."
Yoshimura struggled, but Sol's grip didn't budge. It felt like iron.
"What… do you want to know?" he forced out.
Sol released him. Yoshimura staggered back, coughing hard as he clutched his throat. The air in the room felt heavy enough to press down on the lungs.
"How many ghouls live in the 20th Ward?" Sol asked, his crimson eyes faintly gleaming.
Yoshimura steadied his breathing. "Around two hundred. Most are weak, just trying to survive."
"Does the CCG know about this place?"
"They're suspicious," Yoshimura replied carefully. "But they've never found proof."
Sol walked over to a stack of coffee bean sacks, scooping up a handful and rubbing them between his fingers.
"You've kept this going for ten years, just to shelter them?" he asked.
Yoshimura's gaze shifted slightly. "Some sins don't disappear. Someone has to make up for them."
Sol let the beans fall back into the sack and turned toward him. "Then you should know what happened to Kaneki Ken."
Yoshimura stiffened. "Kaneki is just a normal university student."
"Don't insult me," Sol cut in. "The Rize Kamishiro incident. You know about it."
The room seemed to grow colder.
Yoshimura's Kagune began to rise again. "Who are you, and why do you know this?"
Sol ignored the question and headed toward the door. "By this time tomorrow, gather every ghoul in the 20th Ward. As many as you can."
Yoshimura's eye narrowed. "For what?"
"A little sparring session," Sol said with a faint smile. "No need to worry, I won't kill them."
Silence filled the room. The pressure coming off Sol made it hard to breathe.
After a moment, Yoshimura spoke. "I'll need time."
Sol reached for the door. "Don't try anything clever. You know I could wipe this place out in seconds."
The door opened, then shut behind him.
Yoshimura collapsed to the floor, sweat dripping down his face. The pressure he had just felt didn't belong to something human. It felt far beyond that.
"I understand," he muttered hoarsely. "By tomorrow… I'll gather them."
Outside, Kirishima Touka stood with a tray, about to knock. The moment the door opened and she saw Sol, her body froze.
"Sir, your coffee," she said, her voice slightly unsteady.
Sol took the cup and sipped it. "Nice. You've got skill."
Touka instinctively stepped back, barely suppressing her Kakugan. "Please enjoy."
Sol returned to his seat, casually observing the café. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Kaneki Ken glancing at him. The moment their eyes met, Kaneki dropped his gaze, his book slipping from his hands.
Sol bent down, picked it up, and handed it back. "Careful. You work here, don't you? No need to look like you've seen a ghost."
"Th-thank you," Kaneki said, his voice shaky.
Their fingers brushed briefly, and Kaneki froze. He caught a glimpse of the faint red pattern on the back of Sol's hand.
A ghoul… or something else?
Sol withdrew his hand without a care and continued drinking his coffee.
The entire café felt tense. Every employee was quietly watching him.
After finishing his drink, Sol stood and walked toward the restroom. As he passed the counter, Touka and Irimi Kaya stiffened, their Kakugan barely restrained beneath the surface.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews
(Leave a review/comment)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100
Power Stones.
◇ Read 80 | 100 chapters ahead on [email protected]/_Zeph