Behind the counter, Ren silently prepared coffee beans.
The grinder emitted a low mechanical hum as he worked.
Inside his mind, Carnage spoke again.
[…Look at that poor little thing…]
[…His face is so red he can barely hold his book…]
The voice dripped with mockery.
Across the café, Rize Kamishiro sat quietly in a booth positioned diagonally behind Ken Kaneki.
She leaned back comfortably in her seat.
Her purple eyes watched Kaneki's nervous movements with quiet amusement.
Kaneki tried his best to ignore the invisible pressure behind him.
But eventually—
He reached his limit.
Snap.
He shut his book abruptly.
Without even organizing his belongings, he hurriedly shoved the novel and his scattered notes into his backpack.
The zipper stopped halfway.
"I-I… I'm leaving!"
He muttered awkwardly to no one in particular.
Then he rushed toward the door like someone fleeing a disaster.
In his panic, he accidentally knocked over the canvas bag hanging on the back of the chair.
The doorbell rang loudly.
Moments later—
Kaneki's figure disappeared into the bright sunlight outside.
What remained behind was an empty chair.
A gently swaying door.
And—
A small library card lying on the floor.
Kaneki had dropped it without noticing.
[…Look…]
Carnage chuckled.
[The sparrow flew away…]
[Even its feathers are scattered on the floor…]
Inside the booth, Rize's gaze remained fixed on the doorway.
The faint smile on her lips suggested she had thoroughly enjoyed the little scene.
Only after Kaneki had completely vanished from sight did Ren approach the table.
He carried a porcelain cup filled with freshly brewed coffee.
The rich aroma of Blue Mountain coffee drifted through the air.
"Your Blue Mountain coffee."
His tone remained calm.
He placed the cup carefully on the coaster.
Rize slowly shifted her attention away from the door.
Her violet eyes focused on him.
The playful smile had not yet faded.
"Thank you."
Her voice was gentle and melodious.
Her gaze briefly dropped to the name tag on his chest.
"…Mr. Kiryu."
She lifted the cup elegantly and took a small sip.
Then she set it down again.
Her fingers rested lightly on the rim of the porcelain.
She studied him with quiet curiosity.
"Are you a new employee?"
[Oh…]
Carnage whispered mockingly.
[She's interested in you…]
Ren maintained a polite professional smile.
"Yes, Miss Kamishiro."
"I started yesterday."
Sunlight streamed through the café window, illuminating his white shirt.
"Oh?"
Rize tilted her head slightly.
"You know who I am?"
Her tone sounded lightly surprised.
He met her gaze calmly.
"There probably isn't anyone in the 20th Ward who doesn't know Miss Kamishiro."
He emphasized the word "person."
For a brief moment—
The air grew still.
Rize's smile did not disappear.
But her fingers paused almost imperceptibly.
[Direct hit…]
Carnage laughed quietly inside his mind.
[She understood…]
"Is that so?"
Her voice remained sweet.
Yet beneath that sweetness lay something faintly dangerous.
"I'm… flattered."
She lifted the cup again but didn't drink.
Instead, she watched him through the rising steam.
"It seems Mr. Kiryu is very well informed."
Her voice was soft.
"It's simply that Miss Kamishiro is quite… noticeable."
Ren bowed slightly.
"It's difficult not to notice you."
Rize placed the cup down gently.
Click.
The smile on her lips deepened.
"Interesting…"
She observed him for a few more seconds.
As if trying to memorize his composure.
Then—
She leaned back in her chair.
Her attention shifted to the lively street outside the window.
The conversation ended as casually as it had begun.
Ren turned and walked back toward the bar.
Inside his mind—
Carnage's twisted laughter echoed again.
[Heh heh heh…]
[You're not afraid of her at all?]
"We're perfect."
Ren answered calmly.
Confidence filled his voice.
"And besides…"
His gaze briefly swept across Rize's reflection in the window.
"…her time is running out as well."
[You seem to know quite a lot…]
Carnage's voice sharpened.
[How will she die?]
[And by whose hand?]
"Guess."
His tone carried a playful hint.
He picked up a clean white cloth and began polishing the already spotless coffee pot.
[Tch…]
Carnage grumbled.
[Boring…]
[People who speak in riddles should die…]
The symbiote's voice gradually faded.
Sunlight still filled the café.
The smell of fresh coffee lingered in the air.
Behind the counter, Ren continued polishing the coffee pot with careful precision.
Meanwhile—
Rize quietly drank her coffee.
Her fingertips occasionally tapped the rim of the cup.
On the floor nearby—
Kaneki's forgotten library card lay quietly in the sunlight.
Its shadow stretched across the wooden floor.
…
Rize did not stay long.
After finishing her coffee, she left the café.
Not long afterward—
Soft footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
Touka Kirishima appeared at the corner of the stairs.
She held a cleaning cloth in her hand.
Her violet eyes scanned the café.
"Guess who just came by."
Ren broke the brief silence.
"Who?"
Touka's tone remained cold.
But faint curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"The Binge Eater."
"And the kid she's been watching."
He spoke quietly.
"Looks like she's ready to make her move."
"…I see."
Touka's gaze briefly settled on the empty seat.
Then on the library card lying on the floor.
Her reply was short.
As if confirming something she had already expected.
…
The café clock ticked steadily toward eleven.
Morning business was over.
Ren removed his apron and began finishing his duties.
"Don't come in this afternoon."
Touka spoke suddenly.
Her gaze drifted briefly toward the street outside.
"Come with me tonight."
"Patrol."
"No problem."
Ren nodded calmly.
He seemed unsurprised.
Inside his mind—
Carnage chuckled excitedly.
[Patrol…]
[Finally…]
[Something interesting might happen…]
He ignored the whisper.
Instead, he walked toward the trash bin in the corner.
His gaze landed precisely on the library card.
Ken Kaneki.
He paused briefly.
Then bent down.
He brushed the dust from its surface carefully.
Afterward—
He slipped the card into the inside pocket of his uniform.
Close to the fabric.
In the air—
A faint metallic sweetness lingered.
The scent left behind by Rize Kamishiro.