"White Night Coffee."
Ren glanced at his phone again to confirm the address.
"Yes… this should be the place."
He still did not understand why the supplier insisted on discussing the contract here.
But since the other party had arranged it—
He decided to respect their choice.
He pushed open the café door.
The atmosphere inside was completely different from Anteiku.
The interior design was modern and minimalist.
Cool gray walls intersected with black metallic lines.
Geometric pendant lights hung from the ceiling.
Their cold white light contrasted sharply with Anteiku's warm atmosphere.
Several carefully trimmed green plants stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The entire shop felt quiet.
Almost sterile.
He scanned the room.
There were no customers.
Apparently—
The supplier had not arrived yet.
He sat by the window.
"Welcome."
A waiter approached with a professional smile.
"What would you like to order?"
"Two cappuccinos."
The waiter bowed slightly.
"Please wait a moment."
While waiting—
Ren scrolled through the news on his phone.
One headline caught his attention.
"CCG Achieves Major Victory Against the Bronze Tree."
He opened the article.
The report described the recent campaign against Aogiri Tree.
But it only mentioned the main battlefield.
Nothing about what happened inside Cochlea.
Inside his mind—
Carnage sneered.
[…A great victory…]
[…What a convenient lie…]
But Ren understood the logic.
If the truth about Cochlea became public—
The panic would spread instantly.
Carnage suddenly spoke again.
[…That writer…]
[…She's here.]
"Hm?"
Ren looked up.
A familiar voice spoke from across the table.
"Sorry for being late."
A petite girl with green hair sat down opposite him.
"Did I keep you waiting?"
"Not at all."
Ren smiled calmly.
"However…"
"As punishment for being late…"
"Please answer one question."
He tapped the phone screen lightly.
"The famous author Sen Takatsuki…"
"…why did you suddenly become a coffee supplier?"
The so-called supplier smiled mischievously.
It was Eto Yoshimura.
"The answer should be obvious, Kiryu-kun."
"I came here to give you some information."
Her tone suddenly turned serious.
"The Commission of Counter Ghoul already knows Anteiku is a gathering place for ghouls."
"They will attack soon."
Ren did not react much.
He had already suspected as much.
"…And?"
Eto leaned forward slightly.
"Join us."
"Aogiri Tree needs your power."
Inside his mind—
Carnage laughed.
[…She's recruiting you…]
"So you already know my identity."
Ren said calmly.
"Of course."
Eto smiled.
"Your performance at Cochlea was unforgettable."
Inside his mind—
Ren asked silently:
When was I exposed?
Carnage sounded slightly confused.
[…No idea…]
Ignoring that question—
Ren continued.
"If I join you…"
"What happens to the others in the café?"
Eto paused briefly.
"Aogiri Tree will guarantee their safety."
"Except…"
"Except who?"
"…Kuzen Yoshimura."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Your hostility toward your father is impressive, Takatsuki-sensei."
Eto's eyes flickered slightly.
But she did not deny it.
"What exactly do you want my power for?"
Eto spoke slowly.
Her voice filled with conviction.
"Our goal…"
"…is to break the cage of this distorted world."
"To create a world where ghouls can live freely."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You're a ghoul too."
"You should understand."
"No more hiding."
"No more fear."
"Ghouls living openly beneath the sun."
Inside his mind—
Carnage snorted.
[…Comparing us to those inferior creatures…]
Ren remained silent.
Because Eto had misunderstood one thing.
He was not a ghoul.
Compared to Aogiri's ideology—
He preferred coexistence between humans and ghouls.
"What if I refuse?"
Eto's expression remained calm.
"I expected that possibility."
"You're powerful."
"As a kakuja, your strength rivals mine."
"But…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"You cannot fight the CCG."
"Nor the Washuu Clan controlling it."
"Nor the ancient organization behind them…"
"…V Organization."
Silence lingered for several seconds.
Then—
Ren smiled faintly.
"Do you really think I'll agree?"
Eto blinked slightly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Eto."
"Your offer is tempting."
"But I must decline."
"Aogiri Tree's philosophy doesn't match mine."
"The 20th Ward already has its own balance."
"My role…"
"…is to maintain it."
Eto stared at him quietly.
"Arrogance leads to destruction."
"Arrogance requires strength."
Ren replied calmly.
"And fortunately…"
"I have plenty."
He stood up.
"The CCG doesn't scare me."
"As for the Washuu…"
His voice turned cold.
"If V dares to appear in the 20th Ward…"
"…they won't leave alive."
Then he paused.
"Oh, right."
"Don't forget the coffee bean deliveries."
He pushed open the café door.
The wind chimes rang softly behind him.
Eto remained seated.
Watching him disappear into the evening streets.
Her gaze deepened thoughtfully.
Just then—
The waiter returned.
"Miss."
"Hm?"
"The gentleman said he would like to pay the bill."
The waiter placed the receipt on the table.
Eto stared at the thin slip of paper.
For a moment—
She said nothing.
Then she murmured quietly.
"…Interesting."
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