"Alright then, it's a deal!"
"Wait—what about your condition?"
Shiro Sakamaki thought for a mont and shrugged casually. "Hmm... I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know when the ti cos."
Nino folded her arms across her chest, giving him a side-eye filled with suspicion. "You'd better not ask for anything weird or you're dead at!"
She clearly didn't realize how her arms-crossed pose gave Shiro Sakamaki quite the view. Compared to Eriri Spencer's rather modest figure, the Nakano sisters were... blessed. Very much so.
And, as if reacting to that exact thought, sowhere across town at Toyonosaki Private Academy, Eriri Spencer suddenly sneezed during breakfast.
"Eriri Spencer-san, are you alright?"
"Take care of yourself, Eriri Spencer-san."
"Do you need tissues, Eriri Spencer-san?"
Known as the golden legend of Toyonosaki, Eriri barely sneezed before she was bombarded with concern from a dozen infatuated classmates.
She didn't show it on the surface, of course—she kept her polite, lady-like composure—but deep down, Eriri looked down on these fawning boys. None of them could hold a candle to him.
---
The school day passed quickly, and when it ended, Shiro Sakamaki first headed to the Nakano family's private hospital to settle the bill from the night before. Afterward, he returned to his apartnt, grabbed the empty lunch box, and headed to the Foggy House.
He wasn't expecting who was at the front desk.
"Aoyama Nanami?"
Yup. That girl, who'd been burning up with a fever just yesterday, was now standing behind the counter, sorting docunts.
Unbelievable... he thought. Did Hinata really let her co back already?
He walked up. "Nanami-san, you're already back on duty? Are you sure you're okay?"
Nanami jumped a little at his voice but turned and offered a polite bow. "Ah, Sakamaki-kun. I was just helping out—I'm familiar with the system."
Shiro raised an eyebrow. "Helping out?"
She hesitated, then nodded with resolve. "Nino-san told that you covered my dical fees last night... and I also found the ¥5,000 in my pocket. I ca today to return it all."
Ah, so she found the tip. Shiro hadn't intended for her to notice.
He waved her off. "The money's yours. That was a tip. I already settled it with Hinata."
"But—"
"No buts. If you really can't accept it, throw it away. As for the dical fees, here—" he pulled out his phone and showed her the bill Nino had sent earlier.
Nanami's face turned pale.
"This much...?!"
"That's the cost of a private hospital in the middle of the night, with an on-call specialist. Honestly, this is after a discount—because of Nino."
Nanami went silent. She knew how expensive hospitals could be. Still, the amount left her stunned.
"I know things are tight for you," Shiro continued. "Chihiro-sensei filled in. So I'll make you an offer."
"You want to pay it off?" She nodded slowly.
"Then co help clean my place every weekend for two months. Eight tis in total. That's all."
Nanami frowned. She knew full well her labor wasn't worth that much. But before she could object—
"And don't try to argue," he cut in. "I only accept two paynt thods: full cash upfront... or this."
After a long silence, she bowed her head. "Alright. I accept."
Shiro smiled faintly. "Deal."
---
After a quick al—which, without Inui Hinata's cooking, felt bland and uninspired—Shiro left the Foggy House and prepared to pay soone a visit.
Glancing at the ti, the bar would be opening soon. He found a quiet alley, sank into the shadows, and vanished.
---
The bar was already buzzing with people when he reappeared.
Except these weren't really people.
Shiro looked around. Ghouls. Every single one of them. Just like in the café Antique, these Ghouls ran a front, preying on any human foolish enough to wander in. No repeat custors. Ever.
Behind the counter, Itori was mixing a drink—red and thick. Human blood, of course.
Ghouls didn't digest anything else. To them, regular food tasted like rotten mud. Only flesh and blood nourished them.
Nearby, two Ghouls were chatting.
"I heard the experint went smoothly. The kid from last night hasn't shown any signs of rejection."
"Yeah... looks like it's ti for to make a new mask."
Another one snickered. "Heh. You want that departnt's supply? Soone else already took that business."
"Not anymore."
Just as they laughed, a chill rolled through the air.
A voice echoed from the shadows.
"Smooth indeed. Didn't expect you two to handle such a delicate beauty. I'm impressed."
They froze.
From the darkness, Shiro Sakamaki stepped into the light.
"It's him!" one of them growled.
"The Transcendent...!" the other muttered, tension tightening his jaw.
The female Ghoul glared at him. "So you were there yesterday too?"
Shiro pointed at her shadow. "I was right there."
They exchanged a glance.
So he really saw everything...
They had no choice. They couldn't let him leave alive.
Around the room, other patrons began to notice the rising tension. And the human scent coming off Shiro Sakamaki.
Eyes turned red. Hunger filled the air. Bloodlust swelled.
Every gaze locked on him radiated one thing.
Greed.
---
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