"The system mission finally appeared!"
Hearing the familiar chime echo in his mind, Hayashi's lips curved into a faint smile.It had been a while since he'd heard that sound, and it actually made him feel oddly pleased.
Though… this mission was strange. Very different from the usual ones.Normally, the system gave him a clear objective — do this, accomplish that. But this time, it was letting him choose freely.That was a first.
Regardless of why the system mission felt off this time, his priority now was choosing a solution.
To let her live… or die. That was the question.
Thinking about it, Hayashi fell silent.
If he killed the Nutcracker outright, he wouldn't really gain anything.But if he kept her alive… maybe she could bring him some entertainment later.
Returning to his senses, his gaze naturally fell onto her tall, soft, perfectly shaped chest.
"I just… wanted to be pretty… I just wanted to be pretty…"
Maybe it was because her hope had nearly collapsed, or because her breathing was fading away. Near death, Nutcracker whispered weakly, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Right now, she looked pure, fragile, heartbreakingly gentle — nothing like the seductive dominatrix she usually acted as.The contrast was striking.
"Do you want to live?"
Hayashi cleared his throat lightly.
"I… want to live… I want to be pretty…"
Her voice grew weaker and weaker. Her consciousness blurred. At this point, she probably wasn't even hearing her own words anymore.
Seeing that, Hayashi leaned forward and grasped her pale, smooth arm. A faint golden light flickered as the power of the Horse Talisman flowed into her body.
In an instant, vitality flooded into her, soaking into her wounds.Her near-shattered body rapidly regenerated, like desert soil meeting rain.Within moments, her once mangled form was completely restored.Even her weak aura surged back to full strength — maybe even stronger than before.
"This feeling… ah~"
Whether it was the unfamiliar sensation or the pleasant comfort of her body rapidly healing, Nutcracker couldn't help letting out a sultry little moan. Her beautiful face flushed a soft shade of red.
"Can you not make weird noises? Keep quiet."
Hayashi's expression darkened. That kind of sound could easily be misunderstood — way too easily. And considering how she normally acted, her voice was even more seductive than usual. Compared to other women he'd healed with the Horse Talisman, she sounded… expert level.
A moment later, Nutcracker slowly opened her eyes.Her gaze was clear, confused, dazed.
"You're awake?"
Hayashi smiled gently, looking strangely soft for once.
"You… saved me?"
Her voice trembled slightly, full of disbelief.A human investigator saving a ghoul — it was absurd.
If she couldn't still faintly feel the residue of the Horse Talisman's power inside her,she would've assumed this was just a comforting hallucination before death.
"That's right."
Hayashi nodded casually.
"Why did you save me?"
Nutcracker lifted her head, her clear eyes shining with quiet confusion.
He wouldn't save her for no reason. Unless… was it because she was pretty?
"Well…"
Hayashi was momentarily speechless. He obviously couldn't say, "The system gave me a mission and I figured you might be useful later."
"Because I'm… kind."
He finally answered, voice solemn.
"Kind…?"
She murmured thoughtfully.
Silence fell between them.
"I think I understand your intentions now. I know what you're trying to do."
After a long moment, Nutcracker lifted her head, eyes serious.
"You do?"
Hayashi blinked. She looked completely confident — which was concerning.
"You obviously like me."
Nutcracker crossed her arms, very serious, very certain.
"…Huh?"
Hayashi froze, genuinely confused.
"I'm a ghoul, you're a human. You saved me — there's only one explanation. You must like me."
She nodded firmly, her gorgeous face glowing with confidence.
"You must've fallen hopelessly in love with me at some point."
The pacing was so abrupt Hayashi's brain lagged.
"And since you like me… and you saved me…"
The next second, a sweet fragrance drifted toward him.
Nutcracker leaned forward, practically throwing herself into his arms. Her pale skin glowed under the moonlight, her soft chest swaying temptingly.
"Hey—hey—what are you doing?"
Hayashi panicked, blocking her with both hands.
"You don't… want to hug me?"
Nutcracker tilted her head, confused .Books said men liked being hugged by someone they liked… and having their heads patted afterward, right?
"Of course I don't. What do you take me for?"
Hayashi answered righteously.If things heated up, this place was way too rough — literally. Concrete floors were not romantic.
"I see…"
Nutcracker nodded obediently, looking a bit dazed.
"How about this — you escape first. I'll explain things tomorrow."
He handed her a slip of paper.
"Meet me here tomorrow morning. And try not to dress too… eye-catching."
"Got it."
With no pockets, she tucked the note into her cleavage. Given the… available space… it slid right in.
Hayashi stared for a moment.Truly, mountains contain all rivers. And hers had plenty of depth.
"Fine. I'll wait for you tomorrow. But you better show up. Don't lie to me."
Hands on her hips, she looked dead serious.
"Relax. I'll be there."
Hayashi nodded.From this angle, the view was… spectacular.
In all of Tokyo Ghoul, Nutcracker truly was one of a kind — a rare seductive character who made anyone swallow just by looking at her.
Especially in that black lace outfit…
"You better. If you lie to me, I'll crush your balls."
Nutcracker huffed, slipped her lace mask back on, and leapt away across the ruined pillars.
"Finally gone."
Hayashi exhaled deeply. For a moment there, she had completely thrown him off.
He'd imagined many possibilities. But that reaction? Never.
Shouldn't a ghoul saved by a human be questioning reality, not assuming romance?
Then again… Nutcracker wasn't exactly normal.
Rubbing his temples, he sighed.He had a feeling his peaceful days were over.
…
Meanwhile…
Nutcracker darted through the passageways, replaying everything.
She'd met men before — plenty. She usually killed them instantly.And crushed their balls.
But right now… she didn't feel like doing that at all. She didn't even understand why.
Hayashi saved her, asked for nothing in return. Logically, that could only mean one thing…
Hayashi must have fallen hopelessly in love with her.
And if that was the case… well, what could she do?
It wasn't her fault her charm was irresistible.
Smiling faintly, she felt a flutter of pride.
But then came a serious problem…
What should she wear for tomorrow's meeting?
Nutcracker frowned, suddenly overwhelmed.