Blinding sunlight poured through the window.
It burned against his eyelids.
Shuu Tsukiyama frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
The moment consciousness returned—
A dull pain throbbed at the back of his head.
"Ugh…"
He groaned quietly.
Familiar wooden furniture entered his field of vision.
And the faint aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans.
"…Where is this…?"
His vision slowly cleared.
Recognition struck.
"Anteiku…?"
He found himself lying awkwardly on a narrow sofa.
A thin blanket covered him.
The room was unmistakably the back lounge of Anteiku.
"Yo."
A lazy voice sounded from the doorway.
"You're awake already, Young Master Tsukiyama?"
Tsukiyama stiffly turned his head.
Leaning casually against the doorframe stood Ren.
Hands in pockets.
A dangerously friendly smile on his face.
Behind him stood Ken Kaneki, looking uneasy.
Against the opposite wall—
Touka Kirishima stood with her arms crossed.
Her expression was pure disgust.
Tsukiyama's throat felt dry.
"You…"
His voice came out hoarse.
"…What do you want?"
Ren's smile widened slightly.
"Well."
"Considering your previous performance…"
"We've decided to return the favor."
He paused deliberately.
Then suddenly pointed at Kaneki.
"You're Kaneki's lunch today."
"…What?!"
Kaneki's eyes widened in horror.
His face turned pale instantly.
Ren burst out laughing.
"Relax."
"Just kidding."
He straightened up and pulled out a phone.
Then tossed it onto the coffee table.
"Call your father."
"Our shop opens soon."
"And leaving trash lying around affects business."
The word "trash" was emphasized.
Tsukiyama's face turned pale.
But under Ren's gaze—
He slowly picked up the phone.
He dialed a private number.
Beep…
Beep…
The call connected almost immediately.
A calm middle-aged male voice answered.
"Hello."
"Who is this?"
"Why do you have this number?"
Ren stepped forward.
He pressed the speaker button.
Then spoke calmly.
"Good morning, Mr. Tsukiyama."
"I'll keep this brief."
"Your son attempted to turn my friend Kaneki Ken into dinner."
"Unfortunately for him…"
"…he failed."
"And now he's in my custody."
Silence filled the room.
A heavy silence.
After several seconds—
The voice replied again.
Still calm.
But more serious.
"I see."
"What are your conditions?"
Ren muted the call instantly.
Then looked at Kaneki.
Your turn.
Kaneki swallowed nervously.
He stepped forward.
"Mr. Tsukiyama…"
"I hope Tsukiyama-san will…"
"…give up the idea of eating me."
Silence.
Ren stared at him.
Then facepalmed.
"That's it?"
He dragged Kaneki aside.
Lowering his voice.
"That's not how negotiations work."
"Money."
"Resources."
"Political influence."
"Or at least demand they stay out of the 20th Ward."
He glanced at Touka.
"And you?"
"Compensation?"
"Medical expenses?"
Touka stared coldly at Tsukiyama.
Then shook her head.
Kaneki also shook his head.
Ren's eye twitched.
Amazing.
The hostage situation is collapsing.
He took a deep breath.
Then unmuted the phone.
"Mr. Tsukiyama."
"My companions are apparently saints."
"They have no material demands."
He paused.
Then his tone hardened.
"But let me make something clear."
"A few days ago."
"The Ghoul Restaurant that was destroyed."
"That was my doing."
The room became silent again.
His voice lowered.
Cold.
"If you or your son ever threaten my friends again…"
"Or attempt anything underhanded…"
"I cannot guarantee the Tsukiyama Group will remain intact."
A long silence followed.
Even the air felt heavy.
Kaneki held his breath.
Touka's arms tightened.
Finally—
The voice returned.
Unexpectedly calm.
"Mr. Tsurugi."
"Please calm down."
"I deeply regret my son's behavior."
"And sincerely apologize for the harm caused to Kaneki-kun."
"Please believe me."
"The Tsukiyama family has no desire to become your enemy."
He paused.
Then added calmly:
"To demonstrate our sincerity…"
"…I am already outside your café."
"…What?"
Ren's pupils shrank.
Kaneki and Touka both stiffened.
Touka even instinctively tensed—
Pulling at the wound on her abdomen.
At that moment—
The wooden door of the café slowly opened.
It creaked softly.
A gloved hand pushed it open.
A tall man stepped inside.
He wore a perfectly tailored dark-gray suit.
His posture was elegant.
His hair meticulously styled.
His expression calm and refined.
Behind him stood a middle-aged butler in a black uniform.
The man smiled gently.
He was Tsukiyama Mirumo.
The true head of the Tsukiyama family.
Inside his mind—
Carnage spoke softly.
[…Why are you afraid…]
[…I'm here…]
[…No one can touch you…]
"Tch."
Ren muttered quietly.
"Relax."
"Just instinct."
Tsukiyama Mirumo's gaze slowly swept across the room.
It paused briefly on his unconscious son.
A faint trace of pain appeared in his eyes.
Then vanished.
His attention settled on Ren.
He bowed slightly.
Elegant.
Respectful.
"I am Tsukiyama Mirumo."
"My son's reckless behavior has caused you considerable trouble."
"On behalf of the Tsukiyama family…"
"I offer my sincerest apology to Mr. Tsurugi."
"To Kaneki-kun."
"To Miss Kirishima."
"And to Manager Yoshimura and all members of Anteiku."
The quiet café suddenly felt much smaller.
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