A cool autumn breeze drifted through the trees outside.
Golden leaves fell slowly, swirling across the pavement in front of Anteiku.
To Ren's slight surprise, Kureo Mado never returned to the café after that visit.
Likewise, the subtle surveillance from the Commission of Counter Ghoul appeared to have vanished.
Over the past few days—
Everything had gradually returned to a peaceful rhythm.
He had also grown fairly familiar with Ken Kaneki.
Life inside Anteiku once again resembled the quiet café routine it was known for.
Inside his mind—
Carnage muttered with clear boredom.
[…Those insects have hidden themselves…]
Ren ignored the voice.
Instead, he placed the polished glass he had been cleaning onto the counter.
His gaze shifted toward the television mounted on the wall.
The news broadcast played quietly.
"…Several unidentified male corpses were discovered early this morning inside Akawa Building, a commercial facility located in Tokyo's 20th Ward."
"Investigators suspect ghoul activity due to saliva traces discovered on the victims…"
"Authorities are continuing their investigation…"
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…That woman really doesn't hold back."
His voice was quiet.
He already knew who was responsible.
At that moment—
A burst of loud laughter shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
"Hahahaha!"
The sudden sound pulled him out of his thoughts.
He turned his head.
At the window seat—
Kaneki awkwardly set down his coffee cup, his ears flushed red.
Across from him sat Hideyoshi Nagachika, laughing so hard he was slapping the table.
"It's not that funny…"
Kaneki muttered in embarrassment.
"Not funny?" Hide leaned back dramatically.
"Who takes a girl on her first date to a bookstore?"
Kaneki's face turned even redder.
"Well… maybe she'll like it?"
Then—
His nervous eyes shifted toward Ren, who had just approached their table.
"Ren-nii…"
"What do you think?"
"Is going to a bookstore really that bad?"
Kaneki's hopeful expression made it impossible to ignore.
Ren paused.
Clearly he had not expected to be dragged into this conversation.
"…Hmm."
After a moment, he raised a hand and gently patted Kaneki's shoulder.
His tone sounded confident.
Almost like someone speaking from experience.
"I think the most important thing in situations like this…"
"…is sincerity."
"Sincerity matters more than anything."
"Believe in yourself, Kaneki."
Even as he said the words—
He wasn't entirely convinced by them himself.
Kaneki's eyes lit up instantly.
"R-Really?"
His confidence seemed to return immediately.
Hide rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Alright, alright."
"I wish you and your goddess a wonderful journey through the ocean of knowledge."
His voice dripped with teasing sarcasm.
Ren sighed inwardly.
Provided the other person is sincere as well…
But he kept that thought to himself.
Kaneki's expression was too hopeful.
Too fragile.
Shattering that illusion right now would be unnecessarily cruel.
Poor Kaneki.
Experiencing his first love—
And unfortunately falling for someone extraordinary.
…
Ren quietly returned to the bar.
From there he watched Kaneki and Hide continue debating the "details of the date."
Kaneki's shy excitement was almost painfully obvious.
He couldn't help muttering softly:
"Ah… young love."
Inside his mind—
Carnage interrupted immediately.
[Young love?]
[You've never even been in a relationship.]
Ren's jaw tightened.
"…One day I'm going to teach you the concept of knowing when to stay silent."
His ears felt slightly warm.
…
The afternoon passed peacefully.
Coffee cups clinked.
Customers spoke quietly.
The only unusual event occurred when Rize Kamishiro returned.
Her sudden appearance was like a jewel dropped into calm water.
Every eye in the café drifted toward her.
Rize walked gracefully toward the table Kaneki had reserved.
Her posture was flawless.
Elegant.
The moment Hide saw her—
His eyes widened.
His mouth fell open slightly.
After whispering quietly—
"I can already see Kaneki's tragic future…"
He quickly grabbed his bag and slipped out of the café.
Before leaving, he gave Ren a complicated look that clearly said:
See? I warned you.
Kaneki nearly jumped to his feet.
"Rize—Miss Rize!"
"T-this way!"
His voice trembled slightly with nervous excitement.
Rize responded with a gentle smile.
Her violet eyes held a soft warmth.
She sat down gracefully.
Soon—
The two began speaking quietly.
Even from a distance, Ren could hear fragments of the conversation.
Shy invitations.
Soft laughter.
Eventually—
They finalized their plan.
A bookstore date.
This Sunday.
Ren glanced briefly at his phone.
Friday.
He lowered his gaze again.
His fingers unconsciously traced the rim of his glass.
He had no intention of interfering.
Kaneki was far too infatuated.
Even if he grabbed him by the collar right now and said—
Rize Kamishiro is an SS-ranked ghoul and plans to eat you.
Kaneki would almost certainly laugh it off.
Besides—
He had his own matters to handle.
A few days earlier, he had listed his unused apartment online.
Its location was far from Anteiku.
Leaving it empty would be wasteful.
Earlier today—
He had received a message from a potential tenant.
The person sounded sincere.
They had agreed to meet tonight to discuss the rental details after viewing the apartment.
Inside his mind—
Carnage scoffed.
[Pointless human transactions…]
[A waste of time.]
"Rent is money."
Ren replied internally.
"Be quiet."
Outside—
The sunset painted the sky gold.
Warm light flooded through the café windows.
Kaneki and Rize continued their quiet conversation.
Her occasional laughter sparkled.
Kaneki's face remained bright red.
Ren checked the time silently.
Then he finished cleaning the table.
He nodded politely toward Yoshimura.
Removing his apron, he grabbed his coat.
"I'm leaving for the day."
His voice was calm.
"Manager. Touka."
Touka, washing dishes with her back turned, nodded slightly.
Yoshimura smiled gently.
"Take care on your way home."
He pushed open the café door.
Cool autumn air immediately surrounded him.
The scent of fallen leaves drifted through the street.
He paused briefly—
Looking back one last time.
Inside the warm café lights—
Kaneki sat across from Rize, completely immersed in a dreamlike happiness.
From the outside—
He looked almost fragile.
Ren looked away.
Adjusted his collar.
Then quietly disappeared into the evening crowd.