The wooden door gently closed behind him, cutting off the mild tea fragrance from the manager's room.
The air in the downstairs coffee shop had a few more touches of everyday warmth, with guests scattered in twos and threes among the seats.
He Xi Qian Yu walked down the stairs, his gaze falling on the slender figure behind the counter.
Kirishima Touka had her back to him, still meticulously wiping the already pristine coffee cups behind the counter.
He Xi Qian Yu walked to the counter and stopped.
"Is something wrong?" Dong Xiang didn't look up, her clear, cold voice sounding like a stone dropped into a calm lake.
He Xi Qian Yu naturally smiled: "Don't be so formal, Miss Kirishima. We're colleagues now. The manager said you'd help me get familiar with my specific duties."
Dong Xiang's movements as she wiped the cups paused slightly. She then looked up, her amethyst-like eyes showing a hint of confusion.
"The manager actually invited you..."
After a few seconds of silence, she inverted the last cup onto the drying rack, producing a crisp clinking sound.
"Come here."
He Xi Qian Yu walked around to the inner side of the counter. In the narrow space, their distance shortened, and He Xi Qian Yu seemed to smell a faint, clean fragrance.
"...She smells... really delicious..."
Dong Xiang pulled open a cabinet door, took out a brand new barista apron and a clean towel, and handed them to He Xi Qian Yu.
"Put it on." Her tone was steady.
He Xi Qian Yu took the apron and deftly put it on, tying it securely.
"Not bad."
Dong Xiang's gaze lingered for a brief moment on him wearing the apron, her scrutinizing look as if confirming the equipment fit, then she naturally shifted her gaze, sweeping over the scattered guests in the coffee shop.
She temporarily changed her mind, abandoning the idea of immediately teaching him coffee making.
"We'll talk about coffee tomorrow." Her voice returned to its previous cold flatness, "For now, you're responsible for taking orders and serving food."
She pointed to the clipboard with the order pad and pencil clipped to the edge of the counter, then to the neatly stacked trays beside it.
"Remember the table numbers, don't deliver to the wrong one. Customer requests are written on the slip. If anything is unclear, you can ask me."
She paused, then added in a calm tone: "First, get familiar with the reception process. I'll teach you the rest tomorrow."
He Xi Qian Yu nodded, picking up the order pad and pencil. He walked towards the table closest to the counter—two girls who looked like students, huddled together, giggling and looking at their phones.
"Hello," He Xi Qian Yu said with a gentle smile, "What would you like to order?"
One of the girls with a ponytail looked up, her eyes brightening when she saw He Xi Qian Yu, then she nudged her companion awkwardly with her elbow.
The two quickly put away their phones. The ponytail girl smiled and said, "Oh, two caramel macchiatos, please, thank you! Both hot."
"Okay, two hot caramel macchiatos." He Xi Qian Yu repeated clearly, his pen smoothly jotting down the table number and drink order on the pad.
He turned and returned to the counter, clipping the order slip. Dong Xiang had already walked over. She picked up the slip and glanced at it, nodding slightly, with no extra expression, simply turning to begin preparation.
Soon, two macchiatos, their surfaces covered with tempting caramel sauce and delicate milk foam, were steadily placed on a tray.
He Xi Qian Yu responded, picking up the tray. He smoothly delivered the drinks to the two female students' table.
The girls thanked him happily. He nodded slightly, politely responded, and then left.
For the rest of the time, He Xi Qian Yu gradually got into the swing of things. Guests continuously arrived at the coffee shop, including an old man reading alone and office workers conversing in low voices.
Taking orders, handing over slips, serving food... the process became smooth.
The only thing that surprised him slightly was that the corner seat by the window was empty—Kaneki Ken didn't seem to be here today.
...
The morning hours flew by amidst the gentle clinking of cups and saucers and the aroma of coffee.
"There don't seem to be many customers today?" He Xi Qian Yu asked casually as he untied his apron.
Kirishima Touka didn't answer immediately. She simply silently raised her hand and pointed to the wall-mounted television hanging in a corner of the coffee shop.
"...Last night, a vicious Ghoul attack occurred in Aoba Alley. According to Ghoul Countermeasures Bureau (CCG) investigators at the scene, two mutilated bodies found at the scene were preliminarily identified as being the work of a Ghoul..."
He Xi Qian Yu's movements as he untied his apron paused slightly, his gaze fixed on the screen.
"...Look... our masterpiece... is on TV..."
Slaughter roared excitedly in his mind.
"Uh... should I apologize?" He looked at Dong Xiang.
"No need."
She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the CCG emblem frozen on the TV screen.
"Next time, remember to clean up the 'scene' properly." Her voice was even lower, only He Xi Qian Yu, who was close by, could hear her, "It will cause a lot of trouble."
Just as he was about to speak, the wind chimes at the coffee shop entrance made a crisp but steady "ding-a-ling" sound.
The door was pushed open, and a figure walked in. He had distinctive white short hair, wore a simple dark coat, and walked with unhurried steps, exuding a restrained sense of composure. It was another member of Anteiku Coffee Shop—Si Fang Lian Shi.
Si Fang Lian Shi's gaze, the moment he stepped inside, habitually swept around. He saw Dong Xiang and He Xi Qian Yu behind the counter, then his gaze fell on the wall-mounted television, where the news replay about the Aoba Alley incident was clearly visible.
Si Fang Lian Shi didn't speak immediately. He calmly walked near the counter and sat on a high stool.
His gaze lingered on He Xi Qian Yu's face for a moment. His dark eyes held a calm, water-like observation and scrutiny. That gaze seemed to carry weight, silently falling upon He Xi Qian Yu.
"The matter in Aoba Alley," Si Fang Lian Shi finally spoke, his voice low and steady, betraying little emotion, as if stating an objective fact, "caused quite a stir."
His gaze shifted from the TV screen back to He Xi Qian Yu, "The CCG's reaction was quite strong." He paused briefly, then dropped the crucial information, "They suspect... a third Ghoul was involved at the scene."
With that, Si Fang Lian Shi stood up and walked steadily towards the stairs leading to the second floor of the coffee shop, leaving behind a meaningful silhouette.
He Xi Qian Yu narrowed his eyes.
The CCG was right. The so-called "third Ghoul" was himself.
But there was one thing he didn't understand—why the deaths of two ordinary Ghouls would provoke such a strong reaction from the CCG.
"Because of Gluttony." Kirishima Touka's clear, cold voice sounded, as if seeing through the question in his mind. "That guy's endless predation has already given the CCG a headache. At this critical juncture," she paused, "they absolutely cannot tolerate another powerful, uncontrolled Ghoul appearing in their sight."
He Xi Qian Yu understood in his heart.