Kaneki Ken's recovery speed was astonishingly fast. In just a few days, after undergoing a series of tests arranged by Dr. Kano and confirming that his body was fine, the attending physician, with a gentle smile, told him, "Kaneki-kun, congratulations, you can be discharged."
...
At the entrance of Kano General Hospital, the afternoon sun was a bit dazzling.
"Hey! Jin Mu! Over here!" Seeing the familiar figure appear at the entrance, Yongjin Hideyoshi immediately jumped up and waved, a brilliant, relieved smile blooming on his face.
Kaneki Ken walked out, carrying a simple duffel bag. His face was still pale from his illness, but compared to the lifelessness of the past few days, he finally had some signs of life.
He walked towards his two waiting friends.
"Jin Mu, congratulations on your discharge!" Yongjin Hideyoshi took a big stride forward, patting Kaneki Ken's slightly thin shoulder vigorously. "Here, for you!" He unceremoniously shoved a paper bag into Kaneki Ken's hand. "Your favorite hamburger steak! The signature dish from that new restaurant! Just accept it with gratitude, haha!"
Kaneki Ken subconsciously lowered his head to look at the paper bag in his hand. Through the bag, he could still feel the warmth of the food inside, and even imagine the appearance of the fragrant, seared meat patty. However, a strong sense of rejection surged up from his stomach without warning, tightening his throat.
It was clearly his favorite food once, but at this moment, he couldn't muster any appetite; instead, it brought an indescribable feeling of repulsion.
He forced out a smile: "Tha... thank you, Hide."
"Jin Mu, congratulations on your discharge." He Xi Qian Yu stepped forward, a faint smile also on his face, his keen gaze catching Kaneki Ken's momentary stiffness when he took the bag.
"Thank you, Qianyu Ge," Kaneki Ken replied softly, trying to make his voice sound normal.
The three walked together. Yongjin Hideyoshi enthusiastically recounted interesting stories from school, trying to dilute the shadow brought by Jin Mu's hospitalization.
He Xi Qian Yu occasionally chimed in, his gaze always carrying a hint of scrutiny, paying attention to Kaneki Ken's reactions.
Kaneki Ken listened quietly, trying to respond to his friend's enthusiasm, but the inexplicable repulsion towards food made him somewhat distracted.
...
Finally, they arrived downstairs at Kaneki Ken's house.
"Get some good rest, Jin Mu!" Yongjin Hideyoshi patted his back vigorously, his tone full of encouragement. "Once you're better, come back to university quickly! I'm so lonely by myself!"
"Mm, got it, Hide," Kaneki Ken nodded, trying to make his smile appear sincere. "I won't make you wait too long." He also didn't want his best friend to worry anymore.
"Jin Mu." He Xi Qian Yu's voice sounded from behind Yongjin Hideyoshi. He stepped forward, his expression a bit more serious than before. "Remember, when you get home, if you feel anything is wrong with your body, no matter when, call me immediately, understand?"
Kaneki Ken was slightly startled. Although he found it a bit abrupt and strange, he still nodded obediently: "Mm, I've remembered, Qianyu Ge."
...
Watching Kaneki Ken turn and walk into the apartment building, Yongjin Hideyoshi's smile faded a bit, his voice filled with worry: "Qianyu Ge, Jin Mu... is he really okay? I always feel like there's something strange about him..."
He Xi Qian Yu didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained on the closed apartment door, as if he could see the young man inside through the door.
A moment later, he finally spoke: "Go home and get some good rest, Hideyoshi. Jin Mu... needs time."
...
After bidding farewell to Kaneki Ken and Yongjin Hideyoshi, He Xi Qian Yu walked alone on the street.
"...What are you thinking about again?" Slaughter's voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of curiosity.
"I always feel like I've forgotten something..." He Xi Qian Yu murmured to himself.
Yongjin Hideyoshi's words to Kaneki Ken suddenly came to mind:
"Once you're better, come back to university quickly."
"Not good, my credits."
"...?"
...
After much thought, He Xi Qian Yu dialed Nishio Nishiki's number.
It was answered within a few seconds—
"Qianyu? You're alive?" A lazy yet slightly puzzled voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Cough, something happened." He Xi Qian Yu was a bit embarrassed. "Let's not talk about that for now. I forgot to ask for leave, do you have any ideas?"
"You haven't been seen for so many days since school started, and now you remember to call me?" Nishio Nishiki's voice was full of sarcasm. "I already asked for leave for you."
"!" He Xi Qian Yu was a bit surprised. "Good brother, I'll treat you to a meal next time."
"Wait!" Nishio Nishiki's voice suddenly became serious. "Are you in that coffee shop recently?"
"You mean Anteiku Coffee Shop?" He Xi Qian Yu nodded while holding the phone. "I found a job there."
"You'd best stay away from them."
"Why?" He Xi Qian Yu had already guessed the reason, but still pretended not to understand. "I feel like the manager and them are pretty good to me."
"Because you are not from the same world at all." Nishio Nishiki hung up the phone after dropping this cold remark.
"...What does he mean...?"
"He probably still thinks I'm a normal person," He Xi Qian Yu replied to Slaughter.
That Nishio Nishiki guy actually cares about him.
...I'm really looking forward to... him seeing our... true selves...
...
After returning to Anteiku Coffee Shop, He Xi Qian Yu plunged into his room.
"System, sign in."
A translucent blue light screen instantly unfolded before his eyes.
"Sign-in successful." A cold, mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
At the same time, a heavy, long object fell into his palm out of thin air.
The moment he saw what was in his hand, He Xi Qian Yu fell silent.
After a chipped mug and instant coffee powder that expired three months ago, he successfully drew—
A pack of Zhonghua cigarettes.
He seriously suspected that his first sign-in had exhausted all his luck for life, and everything he drew afterward was this kind of meaningless stuff.
...Oh...
Slaughter's voice carried a hint of surprise, "...You can always... conjure things..."
...This time... what is it?
"...A local specialty from my hometown." He Xi Qian Yu looked at the cigarette in his hand, his tone full of despair.
...How does it taste... I want to... try it...
"No thanks, you definitely won't like its taste." He Xi Qian Yu immediately extinguished Slaughter's idea of trying it.
...Now... what to do...?
"Go to the supermarket and stock up on chocolate for you," He Xi Qian Yu stood up, stretching his shoulders. "And then... find a place for a drink?"
...Not a bad... idea...