Nashiro had always been the quieter one, far more reserved than Kurona. But now she could call Ryoma by na so naturally.
Kurona noticed.
She wasn't the kind to be jealous over nothing, but this shift in her sister's behavior couldn't be ignored. Sothing had changed. Kurona wasn't blind.
Still, she kept her thoughts to herself.
Even if she wanted to speak to Ryoma casually like Nashiro, her tongue froze.
"Ryo... By... Bye, I an, Ryoma-san... goodbye," Kurona stamred, her voice uneven as she added the "-san" out of sheer nervousness.
Nashiro watched from the side, her expression unreadable. She had known for a while—Kurona liked him. But that didn't change her own feelings toward Ryoma. If anything, they were both drawn to him for the sa reason. Calling him by na was just the first step.
...
Aura Kiyoko, standing nearby, said nothing. But her intuition, sharp and practiced, caught everything.
Before they left, she looked at Ryoma and said in a cool, matter-of-fact tone, "Don't worry. I won't let any other man have a chance."
Ryoma blinked. "Huh?"
It took him a second to register what she ant. When it clicked, all he could do was offer a small, awkward smile.
After Aura took Kurona and Nashiro away, Ryoma turned and quietly exited the CCG building.
...
20th Ward, Anteiku.
It hadn't even been a full week since the Ghoul Restaurant incident, but Tsukiyama Shuu had already reappeared in the café like nothing happened.
Kirishima Touka didn't know what had gone down between Ryoma and Tsukiyama. As far as she was concerned, the man was still the sa pretentious annoyance as ever.
Only Renji Yomo might've known more. He stayed connected to the ghoul world in his own way, but he wouldn't bother the others with details unless it mattered.
Touka gave Tsukiyama a cold glance as she placed a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Thank you," Tsukiyama said, ever polite and theatrical.
Touka rolled her eyes. "Just don't get in the way."
She turned and walked off, her patience for him worn thin as always.
At the table next to his, Kaneki Ken sat quietly with a book in his hands, waiting.
He had co hoping to see Ryoma.
As a waitress passed by, Kaneki looked up. "Excuse , do you know if Ryoma-san will co by today?"
The waitress smiled. "He usually stops by every day. I'm sure he'll show."
"Thanks. I'll wait, then," Kaneki replied, returning to his book.
Tsukiyama heard every word.
He tapped his chin thoughtfully, already scheming. In a mont, he stood and walked right over to Kaneki's table, sliding into the seat across from him without hesitation.
Kaneki looked up, slightly surprised.
"I overheard you ntion Ryoma-kun," Tsukiyama said with a charming smile. "You know him?"
"Ryoma-san? Yes. You do too?"
"Oh, we're friends," Tsukiyama lied without blinking. "We went out just a few days ago."
Kaneki, ever trusting, nodded. "I'm Kaneki Ken. There's a literature event at the university soon. I wanted to invite Ryoma to attend."
"Ah, literature. Of course. He'll love that," Tsukiyama said. "If you're busy, I can let him know for you. He and I talk often."
Kaneki smiled. "Thank you. That would be great."
He gathered his things, feeling lucky to have t soone so helpful.
Tsukiyama waved as he left. "Take care!"
The mont Kaneki disappeared, Tsukiyama smirked to himself. It was better this way. If Ryoma arrived, he wouldn't want him talking to Kaneki.
Plus, this gave him a new angle—Kaneki was Ryoma's friend. That could be useful.
He returned to his seat and sipped his coffee contentedly.
Touka, watching from behind the counter, narrowed her eyes. Sothing was off. That guy never talked to humans. She didn't know what his plan was, but it couldn't be anything good.
...
Half an hour passed.
Ryoma finally arrived, Kamishiro Rize beside him.
The mont Tsukiyama saw Rize, he clicked his tongue ntally. He hadn't accounted for her.
Still, he stuck to his plan.
He stood up, walked straight to Ryoma, and launched into his act.
"It was all a joke, I swear," Tsukiyama said, bowing slightly. "The Disintegration Man? Just an actor! The performance went too far! A simple misunderstanding, really."
He wore a ridiculous expression of exaggerated sincerity.
Ryoma stared blankly at him. He knew Tsukiyama was shaless, but this level of damage control was almost codic.
Rize stood beside Ryoma, smiling quietly. She didn't say a word.
But the look in her eyes—dark, sharp, made Tsukiyama's skin crawl.
###
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