"It's really none of my business."
Ren shrugged casually and placed the empty cup back on the bar.
"I just think some things are better said while people are still around."
After all—
The conflict between Touka Kirishima and Ayato Kirishima was a family matter.
He was merely an outsider offering his opinion.
Ayato's rebellious temper was hardly his responsibility.
Touka lowered her eyes.
Her expression was conflicted.
She understood perfectly why Ayato had become the person he was today.
Years ago—
Their mother had been killed by the CCG.
Their father, Arata Kirishima, had been consumed by revenge.
Driven by hatred, he began hunting investigators relentlessly.
His strength grew rapidly.
Eventually he was classified as an SS-rank ghoul.
But revenge never came.
Instead—
He was defeated and captured by Yukinori Shinohara and other investigators.
He was taken to Cochlea.
For Ayato—
Their father's revenge had seemed justified.
Ayato carried the same hatred.
But the result had been devastating.
Their father disappeared.
And the siblings lost their last protection.
Soon afterward—
A neighbor reported them.
They were forced to wander.
Homeless.
Alone.
If not for Renji Yomo, who brought them to Yoshimura at Anteiku, their fate might have been far worse.
But Ayato blamed everything on weakness.
His father's.
And eventually—
Touka's.
Unable to accept her more peaceful outlook toward humans—
He left home.
Joining Aogiri Tree.
Ren glanced around the café.
The interior looked like the aftermath of a battlefield.
Despite defeating Yakumo Oomori and Ayato quickly—
The damage remained severe.
Jason had smashed the entrance door.
Ayato had shattered the large street-facing window.
The recently installed surveillance camera had been destroyed by Jason during the fight.
Fragments of plastic and circuitry littered the floor.
Even worse—
Their brief battle had nearly demolished half the first floor.
Tables overturned.
Chairs shattered.
The corner of the bar cracked.
Wood splinters mixed with broken ceramics and glass.
Anteiku would need renovations again.
Ren sighed internally.
Then pulled out his phone.
And dialed Yoshimura.
The manager had recently left with Yomo to investigate the situation in the 11th Ward.
One thing still puzzled him.
Why had Jason dared attack Anteiku so openly?
Yoshimura's strength was widely known among ghouls.
Someone like Jason should have known better.
The phone rang.
Then connected.
"Hello."
Yoshimura's gentle voice came through.
"This is Yoshimura."
"Manager, it's me."
Ren replied calmly.
"Something happened."
"Kiryu-kun?"
Yoshimura sounded slightly surprised.
"It's late. What's wrong?"
"A member of Aogiri Tree came to the café."
He glanced around the destroyed interior.
"They caused some trouble."
He intentionally avoided mentioning Ayato's name.
After all—
Yoshimura had raised the Kirishima siblings.
There was no need to complicate things.
There was a brief silence on the line.
"…What happened exactly?"
Yoshimura finally asked.
"There was a fight."
Ren summarized calmly.
"They attacked first."
"I stopped them."
"No one here was hurt."
He added:
"But the front door is destroyed."
"The large window facing the street too."
"And the security camera was smashed."
He paused.
"The first floor of the café is basically ruined."
"It'll need repairs."
"…I understand."
Yoshimura's voice remained calm.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kiryu-kun."
"Please make sure Touka and the others are safe."
"Yomo and I will return as soon as possible."
"They're fine."
Ren glanced toward the corner of the room.
The call ended.
The quiet café filled with the faint tone of the disconnected line.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Then walked toward the shadowed corner.
Touka sat there silently.
Her head lowered.
Her fists clenched tightly on her knees.
Her knuckles had turned pale from the pressure.
Her shoulders trembled faintly.
The cold night wind blew through the broken window.
Touka shivered slightly.
Wrapping her arms around herself.
Suddenly—
A coat landed on her head.
Warm.
With a faint scent of soap.
"Careful."
Ren said casually.
"You'll catch a cold."
Touka froze.
She slowly pulled the coat down.
Still warm from his body.
After a moment's hesitation—
She wrapped it around herself.
The oversized coat almost swallowed her whole.
Shielding her from the cold wind.
He stood in front of her.
Silent.
Then unexpectedly—
He reached out.
Brushing away a strand of hair from her forehead.
His fingertips lightly grazed her skin.
Cool.
Gentle.
Touka flinched.
Looking up suddenly.
Her usually sharp purple eyes were now clouded with moisture.
Pain.
Confusion.
And a fragile vulnerability she tried desperately to hide.
"…Scared?"
He asked quietly.
His hand moved again—
Wiping a small smudge of dust from her cheek.
Touka stiffened.
Almost pulling away.
"None of you were wrong."
He said calmly.
"Not you."
"Not your father."
"Not even Ayato."
Those words struck her directly.
Breaking through the emotional barrier she had been holding.
Her lips trembled.
The moisture in her eyes almost spilled over.
She turned her face away quickly.
Her voice shaking slightly.
"Who… asked for your comfort…"
Ren paused.
Then withdrew his hand.
Putting it back into his pocket.
"Alright."
"Then I'm leaving."
He turned immediately.
Without hesitation.
Walking away.
His footsteps echoed through the empty café.
Each step painfully clear.
"Wait!"
Touka's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Even she seemed surprised by the tremor in it.
He stopped.
Without turning around.
Touka stared at his back.
Her lips moved several times.
Finally—
She forced out the words.
Barely louder than a whisper.
Fragile.
"…Come back."
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