As winter's chill deepened, Kaneki Ken led Touka to sit at the outdoor tables beside the cafeteria.
"Wait here a moment." He stood and went into the cafeteria. Before long, he returned carrying two steaming cups of coffee.
"Here, Touka." He slid one cup toward her.
"Thanks." Touka took the paper cup. The warmth seeping into her fingertips relaxed her a little.
Kaneki sat across from her and said with a smile, "If Touka applies to this university, next year we'll be schoolmates."
Touka lowered her head and took a sip of coffee. The warm liquid slid down her throat, dispelling the cold in the air.
"A friend suggested I consider this place, so I came to look around," she sighed. "Whether I can get in or not is still uncertain."
"You'll definitely be fine." Kaneki's voice was gentle and certain.
"Then I'll take your word for it."
Afterward, the two quietly finished their coffee. Kaneki stood up. "I'll show you around the campus."
"Okay. Sorry to trouble you."
They walked side by side along the campus paths. Kaneki occasionally stopped, patiently introducing each building they passed.
"This is the main lecture building. Most of our classes are here. Over there is the library. It has a huge collection. Further on that side are the labs."
Just as they were about to finish the tour, a lively voice came from behind them. "Hello, Kaneki. And Touka."
Nagachika Hideyoshi jogged over with a grin, his gaze darting back and forth between them. "Are you two on a date?"
"No." they denied in unison.
Kaneki's cheeks instantly flushed red, and he hurriedly explained, "I'm just showing Touka around the campus."
Nagachika laughed knowingly. "Alright, alright. You two keep strolling. I won't disturb you." He waved and quickly left.
The sudden silence made the atmosphere slightly awkward. Kaneki cleared his throat and pointed ahead. "That's the athletic field. After we see that, we'll basically be done."
Touka looked at the wide field and sighed again. "This school is really big."
"Yeah. It's a comprehensive university," Kaneki replied softly.
After finishing the final stop at the field, Touka prepared to head back to continue studying. Kaneki walked her to the campus gate.
"Thanks for today," Touka said sincerely.
Kaneki showed a gentle smile. "You're welcome. If there's anything you don't understand in your studies, you can ask me anytime."
"Okay. I'm heading off then." Touka waved to him.
Kaneki stood at the gate, watching Touka's figure grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared at the street corner. Only then did he turn and walk back into the campus.
......
By the time Amano Hiro and Rize got up, the afternoon sun had already slanted across the living room.
He lounged lazily on the sofa, holding an ice-cold cola in one hand, absentmindedly watching the anime playing on TV.
From the kitchen came Rize's cheerful humming. She was studying tonight's dishes with enthusiasm, comparing them to the recipe spread open before her.
At that moment, the phone on the table suddenly lit up with a chime, interrupting Amano Hiro's focused watching.
He reached out and picked it up. It was a message from Yoshimura Eto.
The message was brief but significant. The operation to attack Cochlea had been finalized. The time was the day after tomorrow.
Someone would come to pick him up and take him to the assembly point.
He replied with a single "OK," set the phone back down, and returned his gaze to the TV, though his thoughts had already drifted far away.
This operation was mainly a rescue. The approximate location of Rize's father, Kamishiro Matasaka, had already been obtained. Finding him should not be difficult.
The troublesome part was Touka's father, Kirishima Arata. His detention site was classified, with no specific information.
When the time came, he would probably have to spend effort searching carefully.
Thinking of this, Amano Hiro unconsciously rubbed the cold cola can in his hand. Chilled droplets slid between his fingers.
He leaned back against the sofa with his eyes closed, his fingertips absently tracing the beads of water on the can.
Every detail of the rescue operation had already been rehearsed countless times in his mind.
Through repeated simulations, every possible variable had been carefully broken down and resolved.
When he opened his eyes again, only calm confidence remained in his pupils.
"Certain success," he murmured, draining the last sip of cola.
At that moment, Rize's voice came from the kitchen. "Hiro, there's no beef left in the fridge. Can you go buy some?"
Amano Hiro replied lazily, "Sure. Anything else? I'll get it all at once."
Rize rummaged through the fridge. "Then get some oysters, scallops, and sea cucumber too."
Her voice carried a playful note. "The recipe says these are very good for Hiro."
Amano Hiro's mouth twitched slightly. There was meaning behind those words.
It seemed last night's lesson had not been deep enough. Tonight he would definitely make her understand. He would definitely make her fly.
"Alright. I'll be back soon." He stood up, his tone carrying a hint of grinding resolve. "Just wait."
Just as he grasped the doorknob, Rize's voice chased after him. "Oh right, don't forget soy sauce."
Amano Hiro: "..."
He walked quickly along the road toward the supermarket. The cold wind hit his face but did nothing to disperse the heat in his mind.
As he plotted how to deal with that woman who did not know her place tonight, a cool voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"Amano-san?"
He looked toward the sound and saw Touka standing at the street corner. She wore a red coat and a thick scarf. The hem of her pleated skirt swayed lightly in the cold wind.
Her breath formed white mist before her, softening her usually cool face.
"Touka? You're..."
"I just finished touring Kamii University and was heading back to Anteiku." She paused, noticing his hurried pace. "Where are you going, Amano-san?"
"To the supermarket to buy a few things." He slowed his steps and walked beside her. The road to the supermarket happened to be the same as the one to the café.
"So you've decided to apply to Kamii University?" he asked casually.
"Yeah." Touka nodded lightly. "I'll try my best, though I don't know if I can get in."
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Amano Hiro said gently. "With Touka's intelligence, you'll definitely be fine."
Hearing his praise, the tips of Touka's ears reddened, mostly hidden by her scarf. She was about to say something when Amano Hiro suddenly changed the topic.
"Touka, the time to rescue your father has come. It's the day after tomorrow."
Touka's pupils contracted sharply. She halted her steps. "Then I'll go back and prepare..."
"No need," Amano Hiro interrupted. "Just wait at the 20th Ward for my good news."
"But you really don't have to risk yourself for my father..."
Amano Hiro chuckled lightly, his tone unconcerned. "With my strength, entering Cochlea is as easy as going home.
Besides, it's not entirely for your father. Don't feel burdened."
He glanced at the girl beside him who seemed about to speak again. "You just focus on studying."
Touka responded softly, but her tightly clenched fists revealed the turmoil in her heart.
They soon reached the café entrance. Amano Hiro nodded to her. "Go on in. I still have to go to the supermarket."
Watching Touka push the door open and enter, he turned and stepped back into the cold street.
The thoughts that had been interrupted earlier began to stir again. Tonight, he would definitely make a certain woman understand the price of provocation.