After leaving the Ghoul Restaurant and arriving downstairs at his apartment, Hayashi didn't go home right away. Rize had been holed up at home for too long. If he went back now, things definitely wouldn't end well for him.
Even though it was still only afternoon, she never cared about time or place. For her, it was nothing to just start in the afternoon, go until night, then keep going from night until morning.
To avoid being completely drained and hollowed out, Hayashi chose to stop by Anteiku for a while instead.
Maybe it was because it was already late, close to closing time, that the café was almost empty. The only staff working was Touka.
As usual, Hayashi ordered a cappuccino. But just as he was about to sit down, he suddenly noticed a small, cute figure in the corner.
Perhaps because there were no other customers today, the normally shy, short-haired brunette, Hinami, was actually reading and drawing in the main area.
She had picked a secluded spot, and with her tiny frame, it would've been easy to miss her if you didn't look carefully.
"Huh?" Seeing the adorable little girl, a trace of interest flashed across Hayashi's eyes.
But he didn't go over. He didn't want to be mistaken for some creep with a lolita complex.
So he sat down in his usual spot and casually pulled a book from the nearby shelf.
Glancing at the cover, he muttered, "Hm… Author: Sen Takatsuki…"
Since Yoshimura was the father of Eto, it was no surprise that the shelves here were practically filled with Takatsuki's novels.
So much so that it was hard to find anything else to read even if he wanted to.
Just then, a piece of drawing paper suddenly fluttered onto his table.
"What's this?" Looking at the sketch that appeared out of nowhere, curiosity flickered in Hayashi's eyes.
On it were three animals that looked like either rabbits or little bears.
Smack — At that moment, a tiny hand quickly pressed down on the paper.
"Big brother… that's mine, can you give it back to me?" The little hand belonged to Hinami. She lowered her head, speaking softly.
Maybe because she felt shy, her pretty little face was tinged with a blush.
"Sorry about that. It's just drawn so well — I couldn't help but get absorbed." Hayashi smiled gently, his tone carrying an apologetic warmth.
"R-Really? You think I drew it well?" Clutching the paper, Hinami's delicate face lit up with a trace of expectation.
"It's very cute. Did you draw a little white rabbit here?" Hayashi asked, smiling faintly.
"I… I drew my mom, my dad, and me." Hinami hugged her sketchbook tightly, looking adorably obedient and sweet.
"It's wonderful. Your parents would definitely be proud of you." Hayashi laughed softly, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
Feeling the warmth of his hand on her head, Hinami closed her eyes with a content little sigh. An unexpected sense of peace washed over her.
At first, she had been nervous and scared when she realized Hayashi was human, not knowing how to interact with him.
But after talking with him, she realized he was kind. A gentle big brother.
"Big brother, what's your name?" Hinami lifted her head slightly, biting her rosy lips nervously.
It was her first time gathering the courage to ask a stranger's name.
"My name is Hayashi." He smiled kindly as he answered.
"I'm Hinami Fueguchi. You can just call me Hinami." Her large, watery eyes sparkled brightly, full of joy.
"Nice to meet you, Hinami." Hayashi nodded warmly, genuinely pleased.
In the anime, he had always thought Hinami was especially cute. Seeing her in person now—she was even more adorable.
"Hayashi, are you reading one of Takatsuki's books too?" Hinami suddenly noticed the novel in his hand.
"Yeah. Do you like her work as well?"Hayashi picked up the book from the table.
"Mhm. I love her short stories. They're really fun." Hinami hugged her own copy, her lovely face flushing a little with shy excitement.
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can always ask me. I graduated from Tokyo University." Hayashi smiled warmly.
In his previous life, he had been a complete slacker, scoring only seventy-five out of seven hundred on the college entrance exam.
But in this life, his identity was that of a Tokyo University graduate, a top student. So naturally, all that knowledge was stored in his mind.
"Wow! You went to university? That's amazing!" Hinami looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"It's nothing. Just ask me anything you're curious about." Hayashi tried to keep a cool, aloof expression, but the corner of his lips twitched upward.
"Then… Hayashi, what's this?" Hinami pointed at a plant illustration in the book, her big eyes filled with curiosity.
"Oh, that? That's…" Hayashi began explaining.
"Really?" Hinami's eyes brightened as she listened, then quickly pointed to something else she didn't know.
"And this one?"
"That's…" Hayashi explained patiently again.
Just like that, she kept asking and he kept answering. The two of them got along perfectly.
But happy times always pass quickly. Soon, it grew dark outside.
That was when Ryoko came to pick her daughter up.
"Hinami, it's late. Let's go home." Standing at the entrance, Ryoko waved gently, her beauty dignified and serene.
"Hayashi, I'll see you next time! Let's play again!" Hinami waved cheerfully before running to her mother's side.
"Mom, I made a new friend today!" She looked up at her mother, her eyes shining with joy.
"Really? That's wonderful, Hinami." Ryoko smiled warmly, brushing her daughter's hair with tender affection.
With happy chatter, the mother and daughter left Anteiku together.
"What a sweetheart. Too cute…" Hayashi couldn't help but sigh, his heart melting.
"Hayashi, we're closing now." Just then, Touka appeared, now changed out of her uniform into her school clothes.
"Alright, I'll head out." He stood, paid at the counter, and pulled some bills from his wallet.
"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Touka suddenly asked.
"Huh?" Caught off guard, Hayashi blinked, not sure how to react.
"I asked if you've eaten. Answer me." Touka bit her lip, her pale face blushing faintly.
"Not yet." After a pause, Hayashi shook his head.
"Then… do you want to come to my place? We could eat, and maybe… you could help me with my homework." Touka lowered her head, voice soft and embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.
"What was that?" Her voice was so quiet he almost didn't catch it.
"I said, come to my house for dinner — and help me with my homework!" Her usually cool face turned red as she raised her voice.
"Homework?" Hayashi froze.
Hearing that from someone as cold and stoic as Touka felt surreal.
"You're a Tokyo University graduate, right? I've got exams coming up… I want you to help me study. What, is that a problem?" Touka pouted, muttering in frustration, her face now as red as an apple.
"No problem at all. I've got time." Hayashi smiled lightly.
Not only tutoring—but private tutoring at her home.