Altair left behind a ghoul suppressant capable of turning ghouls into humans with a single drop. Ten milliliters, enough to neutralize ten ghouls, even if each dose was a full milliliter.
To ghouls, it was both poison and cure. Their RC cells, which granted immense power, restricted them to human flesh, robbing them of the ability to taste other foods. Many envied humans' culinary joys but were powerless to partake, as normal food was not only repulsive but harmful. For some, becoming human again, even at the cost of their strength, was a dream.
"Hand it over." The green-haired girl demanded, rising from her seat and addressing the owner. She meant the suppressant in his hand.
"Sorry, I can't give this to you." The owner replied, tucking it away. It was too valuable to Anteiku, too crucial to hand over.
The girl held out her hand, unwavering, while the owner gripped the syringe tightly. Tension gripped the cafe. Staff and the tall man behind the girl stood, facing off, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
"Hmph!" After a standoff, the green-haired girl lowered her hand and stormed out, her companion trailing behind.
Once they exited, the cafe's occupants breathed easier.
"Phew." Touka exhaled first. She'd feared a brawl, which, even if they won, would expose Anteiku as a ghoul haven. CCG investigators would soon identify them, forcing them into hiding or drastic measures like plastic surgery. Touka, still a student with friends at school, risked losing everything if her identity was revealed.
"Owner." She said, as attention shifted to the syringe in his hand.
"Is what he said true?" The suppressant's implications were staggering. One drop could strip even an SSS-rank ghoul of their powers, unthinkable.
"I don't know." The owner said, studying the syringe. "But he left it with me, knowing who we are. He said those things deliberately in front of us. I think it's real."
"Should we test it on someone?" A staff member suggested.
"But who?" The owner asked. Ghouls had existed for years, and the CCG's ranking system had solidified their social hierarchy. Every ghoul had enemies. Turning one human was a death sentence, the stronger the ghoul, the worse the fallout, as their rivals were equally monstrous. Even those who wanted to be human hesitated in a world surrounded by ghouls.
"How about me?" Touka volunteered.
"Touka?" The others stared, stunned.
"If anyone else tries it, they'd be in trouble. But I'm safe here, protected by you all, especially the owner. As long as I'm careful, there's no risk."
In Anteiku, Touka was the weakest, ranked A among ghouls. The others were S or SS, with the owner at SSS. Even as a human, she'd be shielded by these heavyweights.
"Touka-chan, aren't you worried we might eat you once you're human?" Someone teased.
"No way." She laughed. "I trust you all, especially with the owner here."
Her confidence drew smiles from the group.
"Are you sure, Touka?" The owner asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, I want to try." She said. She had friends at school and longed for a normal life, even if it meant losing her powers.
"All right, let's do it." Touka extended her right hand. "Just a drop on my hand, since contact is enough."
The owner nodded, opening the syringe. A small plunger revealed a needle, and with a gentle press, a droplet formed. Under everyone's tense gazes, the drop grew until it fell onto Touka's hand.
The liquid spread and vanished instantly, as if it had never been there.
"It's gone?" Someone asked.
"No, it's absorbed." Touka said, her face paling. "I feel something warm inside."
"Touka, you okay? You look awful." A staff member said.
"I'm fine, just warm. That's all." She replied, shaking her head.
Seconds later, her eyes widened. "What's wrong?" The owner asked.
"My kagune… I can't use it. It's like it's gone. I can't deploy it at all."
She grabbed a cup and squeezed, her knuckles whitening. "My strength's gone too. I can't even break this."
"You're human now?" The owner asked, holding up a piece of the parfait made for Est. "Want to try this?"
"Yes!" Touka took it, scooping a small bite and placing it in her mouth.
The cafe watched, holding their breath. As she tasted it, tears streamed down her face. It was sweet, a flavor she'd never known but instantly recognized. She devoured the parfait, shoveling it in eagerly.
Her actions confirmed it: Touka could eat human food. Even more shocking, the ghouls in the cafe no longer sensed any appetizing scent from her. As a human, she was no longer prey.
***
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