Ren answered calmly.
"We just met."
Ayato Kirishima narrowed his eyes.
His sharp gaze studied the man in front of him.
"You're friends with Jason?"
The idea sounded absurd.
Aside from his frightening strength—
This man looked perfectly ordinary.
Yet Yakumo Oomori was notorious within Aogiri Tree.
Violent.
Sadistic.
The kind of ghoul who enjoyed torturing victims for hours.
Even among Aogiri members, few tolerated him.
Only one imprisoned subordinate and that disturbing priest Nick stayed loyal to him.
"Why would I lie?"
Ren smiled faintly.
"Jason and I share a life-and-death bond."
Ayato remained unconvinced.
Jason might be insane—
But he was loyal.
Every mission from Tatara had been completed without hesitation.
Could Jason really betray the organization?
"Still doubtful?"
Ren casually gestured toward the corner.
Where Kazuichi Banjou and his companions stood.
The group immediately stiffened.
Then nodded desperately.
Fearfully.
Their eyes kept darting toward Ren.
Ayato frowned.
Half convinced.
Half suspicious.
If Jason had betrayed Aogiri—
That information needed to reach Tatara immediately.
"It's late."
Ren suddenly spoke.
"Stay for dinner before leaving."
Ayato opened his mouth to refuse.
But his eyes drifted toward Touka Kirishima.
She stood silently nearby.
After a moment—
He snorted.
And remained seated.
He told himself it was because he was hungry.
Not because he wanted to spend time with his stupid sister.
Absolutely not.
Ren shook his head quietly.
"…Classic tsundere."
Then he walked toward the kitchen.
An awkward silence settled over the café.
Ayato and Touka stood a few steps apart.
Neither speaking.
Neither moving.
"…He can cook?"
Ayato finally asked.
"…I don't know."
Touka answered stiffly.
The silence returned.
Nearby—
Ken Kaneki quietly picked up a broom.
Sweeping broken glass.
Banjou and his companions joined in silently.
A few minutes later—
Ren returned carrying several plates.
Steaming pork steaks.
But before anyone noticed—
The siblings had already started arguing.
"Dad died protecting us!"
Touka's voice trembled with anger.
"Don't you understand that?!"
"You're the one who doesn't understand!"
Ayato shouted.
His eyes sharp.
"It happened because he was weak!"
"Hold on."
Ren raised his phone.
Recording.
"What are you doing?!"
Ayato snapped.
"Recording."
He answered calmly.
"Saving the highlights."
"To play later for Kirishima Arata."
Ayato froze.
"…What?"
His voice dropped.
Barely audible.
"You're joking… right?"
"Dad already—"
His words stopped.
Slowly—
He turned toward Touka.
Hope and fear mixed in his eyes.
"…Is it true?"
Touka pressed her lips together.
Then nodded.
Firmly.
The confirmation struck him like a hammer.
Ayato staggered slightly.
Gripping the back of a chair.
His mind went blank.
Meanwhile—
Ren calmly placed the food on the table.
"Eat."
"Before it gets cold."
Ayato sat down slowly.
Mechanical.
He stared blankly at the steak.
Several seconds passed before he noticed something strange.
"You're not eating?"
He frowned suspiciously.
"You didn't poison it, did you?"
"I already ate."
Ren leaned against the bar.
"I'm not hungry."
Ayato didn't care anymore.
His mind was drowning in thoughts about his father.
But the smell of food filled the air.
His stomach growled.
He needed something—
Anything—
To stop his thoughts from exploding.
He cut a large piece of steak.
And stuffed it into his mouth.
The taste shocked him.
The meat was perfectly cooked.
Tender.
Juicy.
The seasoning brought out the natural richness of ghoul food.
The flavor spread across his tongue.
Calming his turbulent mind.
Ayato slowed.
His brows relaxed slightly.
He cut another piece.
Chewing more carefully.
"Mmm…"
A quiet sound escaped him.
He immediately suppressed it.
But his eyes betrayed his surprise.
Touka noticed.
Curious—
She tasted her own steak.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Kaneki simply continued eating.
Completely unsurprised.
Soon—
Even Banjou and his companions began eating cautiously.
Ren watched them.
A faint smile appearing.
"How is it?"
He asked casually.
Looking directly at Ayato.
Ayato paused.
Swallowed.
Trying to maintain his usual arrogance.
But the slight lick of his lips betrayed him.
"…Not bad."
He muttered.
Then cut another large piece.
Eating faster now.
The question about Kirishima Arata still burned inside him.
After the meal—
Kaneki quickly excused himself.
Returning upstairs.
The silence returned.
Suddenly—
Ayato pushed his chair back.
Standing abruptly.
The chair legs scraped harshly against the floor.
He walked directly to Ren.
His crimson ghoul eyes glowing.
"What do you want from me?"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
Setting down the empty glass he had been spinning.
The sound echoed softly against the counter.
"I thought your first question would be…"
"Where the information came from."
"Or what proof I have."
He leaned slightly forward.
Watching Ayato carefully.
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