Under the moonlight, a lone figure darted across the many buildings of Tokyo. Down below, the bustling crowds of people on the streets never noticed a thing.
After a while, Hayashi landed on the balcony of an apartment. He slid the door open and gently placed the unconscious Rize onto the bed.
Her breathing was now incredibly faint, hovering right at the edge of death. If she relied only on her natural regeneration, the wounds would be difficult to heal — or would take far too long. For ghouls, the fastest way to recover from severe injuries was to eat.
Looking at the fragile Rize, breathing shallowly and weakened beyond recognition, Hayashi couldn't help but nod. Moments like this really showed the advantage of having a healing ability.
If he didn't have the Horse Talisman in his possession, he'd probably have to sneak off and "borrow" some meat from the 20th Ward's stash.
With that thought, Hayashi lifted the purple-haired beauty from the bed.
"Rize, wake up. Come on, wake up."
The gentle voice by her ear and the familiar warmth at her side stirred something in her. Her eyelids fluttered open, her gaze hazy and weak.
Seeing her stir, Hayashi tore open his shirt, exposing his pale, slender collarbone.
In her injured state, her body screamed for flesh and blood. And right now, Hayashi looked like the most tempting meal she had ever seen.
Gulp—
Just looking at him, Rize couldn't help but swallow, her crimson eyes flashing with hunger. Her delicate fingers trailed across his skin almost unconsciously.
But then—she stopped. She didn't devour him. She forced herself to resist.
If this were any other human, she would have already torn them apart without hesitation. But Hayashi wasn't just anyone. He was interesting. A man who could entertain her, who made her bored world lively again.
If she ate him now, she'd return to that suffocating monotony.
Rize shook her head, suppressing the gnawing hunger that clawed at her insides.
"Huh?" Hayashi blinked. By logic, shouldn't she have already sunk her teeth into him by now? She even touched him, yet suddenly pulled away?
"I can heal on my own. I don't need your help." Her frail hand pressed against his chest, gently pushing him back.
Gulp—
The cold yet soft sensation on his chest made Hayashi swallow nervously. He knew well—ghouls enduring hunger was torture, like living through hell itself. For one with an appetite like Rize's, it had to be unbearable.
"Relax. I won't eat you."
Her fingertips brushed along his chest, her voice weak but alluring.
"Because you're interesting. If I ate you, I'd be bored again."
Injured and fragile, the once elegant and seductive woman now carried a broken beauty, like a widow on the edge. It stirred something protective in him.
Hayashi fell silent for a moment — then pulled her tightly into his arms.
"Enough talk. I told you to eat, so eat. Got it?"
Rize's eyes widened in shock at his commanding tone. Before she could respond, he leaned his shoulder toward her lips.
"Don't worry. I'm not that stupid. Even if you eat, I won't die."
He smiled faintly.
"And who knows? You might even find a little surprise."
Something in his calm assurance sent warmth through her chest. Her hunger, impossible to suppress any longer, surged back to the surface.
"Then… I'll dig in."
Her lips parted, sinking into him.
At once, an exquisite, silky taste spread across her mouth.Never in her life had she eaten something so delicious. Every bite filled her with bliss, every swallow flooded her with a deep, almost intoxicating satisfaction.
Her flawless cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes hazed over.It was ecstasy, something she didn't want to stop.
She lingered, licking gently with her tongue, savoring every drop.
"This… might be bad…"
Heat escaped Hayashi's lips as he trembled slightly. But it wasn't from pain—he barely felt any. Instead, a strange warmth and comfort spread through him, sending his breathing quickening.
But Rize didn't notice—her only thought was keeping him alive. She stopped after just a few bites.
Then she froze. The wound she had just inflicted — was closing. Fast. Faster than her own regeneration. Within moments, it was gone.
"Impossible… a human with this kind of healing?"
If he were a ghoul, she would have rejected his flesh instantly. Yet his taste was exquisite, addictive—perfect.
Hayashi chuckled.
"Told you I had a surprise. My body's… special. My regeneration's a bit stronger than normal."
His explanation was casual, natural. Not a shred of hesitation.
Of course, the Horse Talisman's healing was no simple trick. As long as he had a breath of life left, he could fully recover.
"I… see." Her eyes widened with innocent confusion, her usual confidence stripped away. All her life, she had never heard of such a human existing.
But she didn't dwell on it. What mattered now was filling her stomach.
"Since you can regenerate endlessly…"
Her tongue brushed across her lips, her flushed face glowing with hunger and seduction. In that moment, she looked like a succubus from a forbidden film.
Then she pushed him down onto the bed.
"What are you doing?" Hayashi frowned, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
"Simple." Rize leaned closer, her sultry voice dripping like honey.
"Let me feast to my heart's content."
Her lips hovered above his neck, her gaze blazing with desire.
"After all, I've been holding back for so long… consider this your reward."