Rain had begun falling over the 20th Ward.
Water streamed from the eaves of Anteiku, splashing onto the stone steps before gathering into thin rivulets that flowed along the roadside drains.
Inside the café, warm yellow light illuminated the quiet interior.
Behind the counter, Ren carefully wiped a glass with a soft white cloth.
Under the lamplight, the polished glass reflected a warm glow.
Outside the window, streetlights had already come on.
Their blurred halos stretched across the rain-soaked pavement as pedestrians hurried past beneath umbrellas.
Near the window—
Koma Enji was rearranging tables and chairs, carefully sliding each one back into its proper place.
"This rain came at the worst time."
He glanced at the fogged glass.
"I was planning to buy some things after work today."
Across the room—
Irimi Kaya straightened up from wiping a table.
A rag rested loosely in her hand.
"When did you start caring about the weather?"
She asked calmly.
"Always."
Koma answered with exaggerated seriousness.
"It's called enjoying life."
Irimi said nothing.
Only a faint chuckle escaped her as she resumed wiping the tabletop.
Her movements were gentle—
The cloth gliding smoothly along the wood grain.
Behind the counter—
Kiryu placed the cleaned glass on the shelf and casually remarked:
"It's just autumn rain."
"It'll be sunny tomorrow."
"Optimistic as always, Kiryu-kun."
Koma pulled out a chair and leaned back lazily.
"But fewer customers on rainy days means we close earlier."
Just then—
The door opened.
Clink—
The wind chimes rang.
Rain noise rushed inside along with a cool gust of damp air.
Standing in the doorway was Renji Yomo.
His dark coat was soaked through by rain.
He wiped water from his face before shutting the door behind him.
"Mr. Yomo is back."
Irimi looked up.
"Yes."
Yomo removed his coat and hung it on the rack.
Water dripped quietly onto the floor.
Koma stood up.
"Why did you suddenly come back?"
"At the manager's request."
Yomo replied briefly.
He approached the counter.
His eyes flicked across the neatly arranged glasses.
"Isn't Yoshimura here?"
"Upstairs."
Kiryu glanced toward the staircase.
"The manager suddenly called everyone over."
Irimi frowned slightly.
"Did something happen?"
Yomo shook his head.
He clearly didn't know either.
"Oh right."
Koma suddenly looked around.
"Where's Roma?"
"Haven't seen her since yesterday."
"She had personal matters."
Kiryu answered smoothly.
"She took leave."
He obviously couldn't say that Roma, the former Clown leader, had sensed danger and fled without a word.
"That kid was pretty hardworking."
Koma sighed.
"Even if she broke a lot of plates."
Kiryu said nothing.
Instead he quietly reviewed the situation in his mind.
Ken Kaneki had already left to investigate the truth behind his transformation.
Hinami's family had returned to their clinic.
And earlier—
Kiryu had contacted Nishiki Nishio, telling him not to come to Anteiku for the next few days.
At this moment—
Everyone connected to the café was present.
Footsteps echoed down the staircase.
Three people descended.
At the front—
Kuzen Yoshimura.
His expression remained gentle as always.
Behind him walked Touka Kirishima.
Her purple eyes lowered.
Her emotions unreadable.
At the back—
Arata Kirishima.
Though his complexion had improved significantly—
His expression was serious.
Koma immediately straightened up.
Irimi folded her rag carefully.
Yomo stood silently by the counter.
All eyes turned toward Yoshimura.
The café manager looked slowly across everyone's faces.
"Everyone is here."
"There is something I must tell you."
He paused briefly.
As if confirming his resolve.
"The Commission of Counter Ghoul has confirmed that this café is a ghoul sanctuary."
"They are preparing an operation in the 20th Ward."
"The target…"
"…is here."
The sound of rain suddenly felt deafening.
Each drop striking the window like a hammer.
Koma froze.
Half-standing beside his chair.
After a moment—
A bitter smile appeared.
"So it finally came…"
Irimi's grip tightened around the rag.
Her knuckles turned white.
But her face remained calm.
Yomo leaned silently against the counter.
His eyes focused on the rain beyond the window.
Touka raised her head slightly.
Her lips moved—
But no words came out.
Her gaze drifted between her father…
The manager…
And finally—
Kiryu.
Behind the counter—
He continued holding the half-polished glass.
His expression remained completely calm.
After a brief silence—
Yoshimura looked toward Koma and Irimi.
"Manager."
Koma stood straight.
His voice solemn.
Irimi also rose beside him.
"We will follow you to the end."
They said together.
Yoshimura's eyes trembled faintly.
He nodded.
Then—
He looked toward Kiryu.
The young man finally placed the glass back on the shelf.
Turning to face him.
"Manager."
Kiryu spoke calmly.
"I came to work here because the salary was good."
A faint smile appeared.
"I won't leave…"
"…until this month's salary is paid."
Koma couldn't help laughing.
The sound cut through the heavy atmosphere.
Even Irimi's lips curved slightly.
Touka stared at Kiryu.
Complex emotions flickering in her eyes.
Yoshimura said nothing.
Only nodded slowly.
Then—
He turned toward Yomo.
"Yomo."
His tone became decisive.
"You will take them and leave."
Yomo nodded silently.
"Let me stay."
Arata stepped forward.
"I may not be as strong as you or Kiryu-kun…"
"But I am still a kakuja."
He looked at Touka.
A trace of guilt flickered across his eyes.
"Yomo."
"Please take Touka with you."
"I won't go."
Touka spoke immediately.
Her voice firm.
"I can fight too."
She looked between Yoshimura and her father.
"I'm not a child anymore."
"I know."
Yoshimura's voice was gentle.
"And precisely because you are not a child…"
"You should understand something important."
"Living…"
"…is more important than anything."
He looked directly at Touka.
"Your strength is not enough for this battle."
"If you stay…"
"You will only burden those who care about you."
Touka opened her mouth.
Trying to argue.
Trying to prove herself.
But no words came.
Because she knew—
They were right.
In a battle of this scale—
An A-rank ghoul could change very little.
The rain intensified.
Hammering against the windows like war drums.
Arata stepped beside his daughter.
He hesitated briefly—
Before gently placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Then it's decided."
Yoshimura said softly.
"You will leave tomorrow."
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