Morning sunlight finally spread across the streets of the 20th Ward.
The shadows of the previous night quietly retreated under the warm daylight.
Through the large windows of Anteiku, sunlight illuminated the wooden floor and polished tables, reflecting the lively street outside.
The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the shop.
Even the faint metallic scent lingering from the previous night had been completely overwhelmed by the fragrance of roasted beans.
…
After an entire night of reflection, Ren had reached a conclusion.
Carnage was right about one thing.
He needed that power.
Whether for survival.
Or for protecting the fragile peace he had begun to build.
Accepting the truth that he and Carnage were inseparable did not weaken him.
On the contrary—
It allowed him to control that power more calmly.
Perhaps he had simply been too hesitant before.
His current strength was already extraordinary.
Even against the legendary CCG investigator known as the Kishou Arima, the so-called "White Reaper," the outcome of a battle was not something he could easily predict.
…
Behind the counter, Ren frowned slightly.
The coffee machine sputtered irregularly.
His long fingers adjusted the controls carefully.
"Don't break now…"
He muttered quietly.
At that moment—
Touka Kirishima stepped out of the storeroom carrying a bag of coffee beans.
Her short dark-blue hair swayed slightly as she walked.
She paused when she noticed him struggling with the machine.
"Hey."
She set the bag beside the counter.
"There's no point fighting the machine."
She walked over.
Without hesitation—
She slapped the side of the machine sharply.
Thud.
The sputtering immediately stopped.
The water flowed smoothly.
Ren blinked.
"…Impressive."
For a brief moment, a quiet thought crossed his mind.
This girl solves problems in the most direct way possible.
He smiled tiredly.
"Thanks."
"I almost broke it."
Touka looked away.
"Beans."
Her reply was short as she began organizing the cups.
"Right away."
He began grinding the beans.
The scent of coffee spread through the shop.
For a moment—
It even washed away the memory of blood lingering in his thoughts.
The door chime rang softly.
A gentle voice followed.
"Good morning."
The café manager, Yoshimura, stepped inside.
His warm smile remained unchanged as always.
"Good morning, Ren."
"Good morning, Touka."
"Morning, Manager," Touka replied quietly.
"Good morning," Ren added.
Yoshimura approached the counter.
His calm gaze briefly rested on Ren.
But he said nothing about the events of the previous night.
Instead—
He smiled gently.
"How about trying the new beans today?"
Ren nodded.
"Of course."
Touka added quietly without looking up.
"Watch the heat."
The morning passed peacefully.
Customers came and went.
Coffee cups clinked softly.
Regular patrons chatted casually.
"Ren!"
A middle-aged regular waved enthusiastically.
"You look energetic today!"
Ren brought over a cup of coffee with a polite smile.
"Good rest works wonders."
…
Near noon—
The shop door suddenly opened again.
The wind chimes rang sharply.
Three figures entered.
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Leading them was a man with gray hair and a long trench coat.
His eyes were sharp.
Cold.
Like a hawk scanning prey.
It was Kureo Mado.
Behind him followed two young investigators.
Mado's gaze swept across the entire café.
Finally—
It stopped on Ren behind the counter.
Inside his mind—
Carnage sneered quietly.
[A few insects died…]
[Now the nest is stirring…]
Ren appeared completely calm.
He raised his head and smiled politely.
"Welcome to Anteiku."
"This way, please. The window seats have the best view."
He gestured naturally.
As if greeting any ordinary customer.
Mado said nothing.
He walked directly to the window seat.
His subordinates followed closely behind.
Ren approached with a menu.
"What would you like to order?"
Mado didn't even look at the menu.
His gaze remained fixed on Ren's face.
"Black coffee."
His voice was hoarse.
Flat.
"One black coffee," Ren repeated calmly.
"And for the two of you?"
"Black coffee," one investigator answered.
"Same," the other added.
"Three black coffees."
He wrote the order.
"Please wait a moment."
Soon—
Touka placed the three cups of black coffee on the table.
"Please enjoy."
Her tone was cold.
She immediately returned to the counter.
Mado lifted the cup.
But instead of drinking—
He brought it close to his nose.
Inhaling slowly.
His brow twitched slightly.
The strong coffee aroma masked nearly every other scent.
At that moment—
Yoshimura approached.
He carried a white porcelain plate.
On it were delicate cream puffs drizzled with chocolate.
"A small treat," Yoshimura said warmly.
"You must be tired from your work."
"Please replenish your energy."
For a brief moment—
A rare flicker of surprise crossed Mado's cold eyes.
Even one of his subordinates swallowed unconsciously.
"…Thank you."
Mado finally replied stiffly.
He picked up a spoon.
Carefully scooped a small portion of cream puff.
And tasted it.
Carnage snorted faintly inside Ren's mind.
Mado's expression remained unchanged as he swallowed.
He placed the spoon down.
Wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Then his gaze slowly swept across the café again.
Across the busy bar.
Across Touka's back.
Across Yoshimura's calm smile.
Finally—
He looked down at the cream puff again.
Several seconds passed.
Then—
Without saying a word—
Mado stood up.
He gestured to his subordinates.
They left immediately.
"Please come again."
Ren's voice followed politely.
Mado did not stop.
He pushed open the door and stepped outside.
One of the investigators glanced back briefly—
At the half-eaten cream puff on the table.
The door closed.
The café fell quiet again.
Ren exhaled softly.
Touka's tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
Yoshimura calmly cleared the plates.
Looking at the remaining cream puff, he said thoughtfully:
"It seems the investigator prefers simplicity."
"Perhaps next time we should prepare lighter refreshments."
Inside his mind—
Carnage spoke quietly.
[Yesterday…]
[He was one of the investigators watching us.]
Ren nodded slightly.
That meant Haruko Kuroiwa was likely working under Mado's command.
"If there's a next time…"
His voice was barely audible.
Cold.
"…tear his throat open."
Carnage laughed softly.
[Exactly what I was thinking.]