Morning.
Touka was working at the café as usual.
However, for some reason, she felt unusually bored and even slightly irritated.
"Hey, Touka, what's wrong today?" Noticing the change, Irimi asked with a gentle smile.
"Nothing… just not in a great mood." Touka muttered, her delicate face showing her displeasure.
"Could it be because that little guy didn't come, so you're upset?" Irimi's words hit the mark, revealing Touka's hidden thoughts.
"N-No! That's not it, Irimi, you're so annoying!" Touka's usually cold and composed face flushed slightly with embarrassment when she realized she had been read.
But thinking about Hayashi's white hair, red eyes, and refined features, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Finally encountering a human who seemed a little interesting, only for Rize to snatch him away! Touka bit her red lips in frustration. She knew she had to confront Rize later.
Just then, the café doorbell rang, and the door opened.
"Welcome…" Touka froze when she saw who had entered.
"Hayashi?" She whispered, her eyes wide with surprise.
He should have been devoured by Rize last night. How could he still be alive? Rize had been eagerly trying to eat him, so his survival was impossible… yet here he was, with Rize following behind him.
So he hadn't escaped — Rize had spared him. But the merciless Rize, who had killed countless people… how could she let a human go?
Confusion and disbelief flooded Touka's mind. Her delicate face reflected her astonishment, a hint of stupefaction in her eyes.
"Good morning, Touka. Surprised to see me?" Hayashi smiled as he greeted her.
Her reaction was perfectly normal — after all, Rize had eaten so many people. Anyone she targeted rarely survived.Hayashi had nearly died last night, not from being beaten, but from being pinned.
"Yes… I am surprised~"
"…I'm surprised you're alive and well. It's… frustrating."
Touka regained her usual cold demeanor, nodding.
"The usual, cappuccino. But today, make it two cups." Hayashi smiled as he ordered, understanding the nature of her tsundere personality — saying "no" with her lips while her body betrayed her honesty.
After ordering, they casually sat at a table.Hayashi glanced around and noticed Kaneki sitting in the corner.
Kaneki held the signed book Hayashi had given him before, sneaking glances at them both. This time, however, his attention barely touched Rize, focusing almost entirely on Hayashi.
From Kaneki's gaze, one could even sense respect and admiration. Though strange, Hayashi waved at him.
Kaneki's clear and innocent eyes lit up, his excitement starkly contrasting with his usual listless demeanor.
"I have something to do this afternoon, so finish your coffee and head home. Don't wander around." Hayashi sipped his coffee, reminding her once more.
"Don't worry. I promised I'd follow the rules." Rize sipped elegantly, licking her full lips.
"But you also promised me something, and I expect you to keep it."
Hayashi swallowed involuntarily, shivering slightly. He drank the coffee in one gulp and prepared to leave.
At that moment, the doorbell rang again, and the door opened.
A mother and daughter walked in.
The girl behind, with light brown short hair and pure, cute features, about 1.5 meters tall, was Hinami Fueguchi. In front stood her mother, Ryoko Fueguchi, with delicate, gentle features, hair styled in a neat fringe and ponytail.
Their arrival caught the attention of the ghouls in the café.
Feeling the gaze of those around her, Hinami quickly hid behind her mother, clutching her dress, clearly frightened.
Watching this, Hayashi drifted into memories.
In the original timeline, after Hinami's parents were killed by Kureo Mado, she had been placed in foster care. After the fall of the ward, she chose to join Aogiri Tree. Later, she became an SS-rated ghoul.
But now, she was merely a shy little girl hiding behind her mother. Her drastic transformation had been caused by the trauma of her parents' deaths.
'Fortunately, in this life, Hinami won't have to experience that pain again' Hayashi nodded, satisfied.
Kureo and Amon could track her parents only because of Jason. Hayashi had killed Jason at the start, preventing any tracking.
So it was all Jason's fault! Ugly, cruel, and obsessed with tormenting female characters — Hayashi had no patience for him. Once he got his Quinque, he'd make good use of it.
"Ryoko, long time no see~" Touka's eyes brightened seeing the mother-daughter pair.
"Hello, Touka. We were passing by and thought we'd stop for coffee~" Ryoko smiled softly, elegant and gentle.
"I see."
Touka nodded and reached out to gently pat Hinami's small head.
"Little Hinami, long time no see~"
Hinami nodded shyly, still timid.
"There are free rooms upstairs. You can use one." Touka gestured toward the stairs.
"Sorry for the trouble, Touka~" Ryoko nodded, eyes apologetic.
She led Hinami upstairs. Watching the small girl climb the stairs, Hayashi felt a strange sense of familiarity.
It took him a moment to remember — Hinami was about the same height as Takatsuki. Who would have guessed that the cute little Hinami would be as tall as Eto, who considered herself a mature older sister?
Hinami seemed only fourteen, while Eto was twenty-four — still roughly the same height. The infamous "loli with the heart of a mature woman" then.
Just thinking about it made Hayashi smile. Eto truly knew how to play with contrasts.