Chapter 137: Takatsuki Sen Wants to Get Some "Seeds"!
When Matsumoto Miyoko left, her mouth didn't even feel like her own. It was just a fiery, tingling sensation. She suspected her lips were swollen, but they actually weren't. She was just unaccustomed to food that spicy.
...
The night grew thicker. It was 7:51 PM.
The rain was still falling.
Fine threads of rain wove a silver net under the streetlights, blurring the neon reflections. The lights smeared across the wet pavement, gently enveloping the passing pedestrians.
A young man in a black suit, wearing glasses, with a full head of white hair despite his youthful face, held a transparent umbrella and carried a white briefcase as he walked through the streets of Higashi-Yukigaya 3-chome.
His black pupils swept indifferently over a young man walking toward him. The man he looked at, Mizutani Hayato, froze instantly, his entire body tensing as he brushed past.
It wasn't until Mizutani was a good distance away that he finally let out a breath, his body relaxing.
'Arima Kisho...'
Mizutani had a very bad feeling. He quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a report to his group chat. After sending the message, he suddenly felt a chill on his back. He was shocked to realize his back was completely soaked—he couldn't tell if it was from the rain or a cold sweat.
...
"Everyone, I just saw Arima Kisho near the Yoshinoya! Be careful!"
Inside a car parked near the restaurant, Koma Enji saw the message from Mizutani. His pupils contracted, and he instinctively sat up straight.
'Arima Kisho?'
The CCG's strongest warrior. The undefeated ghoul investigator.
The "White Reaper."
If ghoul investigators were their natural enemy, then Arima Kisho was the natural enemy of their natural enemy. He was the kind of enemy that, if you crossed paths with him, you were already dead. A 10-out-of-10 chance of death.
'Isn't he supposed to be in the 24th Ward? What is he doing here?'
Koma was baffled, but he didn't have time to think. He quickly pinged everyone in the chat: "@all Be careful. Don't expose yourselves. Find a nearby shop and lay low for a bit."
Someone in the chat tagged Mizutani: "Are you sure you weren't mistaken? Was it really Arima Kisho?"
"Roger!"
"Roger!"
"I'm not mistaken!" Mizutani replied. "That sense of pressure... it's definitely him!"
...
Inside the restaurant.
"Good evening, Yurine-san." Takatsuki Sen, wearing a light-colored, puffy-sleeved top and a pair of jeans, smiled and waved at Yurine behind the counter.
"Good evening, Takatsuki-sensei. How is your new book coming along?" Yurine asked, looking up curiously.
"Still polishing the outline," Takatsuki Sen said. She was, in fact, genuinely planning to write a novel with a chef as the protagonist. To be more precise, one based on Ryohei Tanaka. She wanted to write a story about how food could be used to bring two warring races together in peace.
The two chatted warmly.
Jingle—!
The restaurant door suddenly opened, and a tall, white-haired young man walked in.
Takatsuki Sen turned her head, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. She then casually looked away, her hands behind her back, and continued her conversation with Yurine.
"..." Arima Kisho placed his umbrella in the stand. After glancing at Takatsuki Sen, he turned his gaze toward the counter and the kitchen.
'What a scent!'
Arima was a man with very little appetite or desire for food. But standing in the shop now, breathing in the rich aroma in the air, he couldn't stop his mouth from watering. He felt an urgent, impatient need to eat.
It was the first time in his life he'd ever felt this way.
After waiting quietly for a few minutes, Arima was seated with the other customers. He and Takatsuki Sen both had reservations at the counter, though they were separated by several other people.
Soon, the food arrived.
Looking at the dishes, each one shining with a brilliant light as if it were a rare treasure, Arima put his hands together and said with anticipation, "Itadakimasu." Then, he began to eat.
"This is delicious...!!"
After just one simple bite, his cold, expressionless face was instantly flooded with astonishment.
It was as if a door to a new world had been thrown open. Arima Kisho lowered his head and began to devour his food.
That night, the legendary CCG investigator did something he rarely ever did: he ate until he was completely stuffed.
...
As the other customers began to leave, and the counter area emptied until only Takatsuki Sen remained, Arima Kisho also stood up. He bent down to pick up the white briefcase by his feet.
He looked at Ryohei Tanaka, who was walking out of the kitchen, and suddenly asked, "Chef Tanaka, what are your thoughts on humans and ghouls?"
"Hmm?"
Ryohei looked over in surprise. His gaze lingered for a moment on Arima's white hair, then moved to the white briefcase in his hand. Then, he glanced at Takatsuki Sen, who was also watching him.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. He quickly chuckled and said, "Ghouls or humans, it makes no difference to me, as long as they don't cause trouble in my shop."
"Is that so..." Arima's face showed a hint of regret.
He was a smart man and understood the unspoken meaning in Ryohei's words. He gave him a nod and left the restaurant.
"Please come again."
Takatsuki Sen left right after him.
Outside, the rain had stopped. It was impossible to tell when. The air after the rain was exceptionally fresh, carrying the scent of damp earth and faint greenery.
Takatsuki Sen quickened her pace and caught up with Arima.
"What a shame," she said.
"Yes," Arima replied, staring straight ahead, the city lights reflecting off his glasses.
They had both seen the potential in Ryohei's food—a possibility for ghouls and humans to coexist peacefully. Unfortunately, the man himself had no intention of getting involved. He just wanted to live his own life.
They couldn't force him. They truly couldn't force him. It was a frustrating thought.
"..." Takatsuki Sen glanced back at the restaurant, which was now closing up.
In her heart, she didn't really believe Ryohei's story about "sudden enlightenment" allowing him to make glowing food. She was sure it was a special ability.
She wondered... could his descendants inherit that ability?
Just like how the descendants of ghouls had a high probability of inheriting their kakuhou, Takatsuki Sen felt it was worth a shot.
For the past two days, she had even considered "sacrificing" herself. It wasn't that she was throwing herself at him; she just had a habit of handling important matters herself, and besides, she didn't have any suitable subordinates for the task. She didn't dislike Ryohei, and it would be a good way to get closer to him and investigate the secret of his glowing food.
But then she thought about it. She wasn't some brood sow, capable of popping out ten or twelve at a time. And even if she could, that wouldn't be enough.
After some consideration, she decided the more reliable method would be to find a way to get some of his "seeds" and just create a batch of test-tube babies herself.
~~~
Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
~~~
Every 5 new reviews = 1 extra chapters
Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter