If Byakuya didn't understand the true meaning behind Rize's words, it would've been easy to misinterpret.
Her "you belong to me" actually meant "you're my food."
In other words, Rize wanted to keep him all to herself—she didn't want any other ghoul taking a bite out of him.
But the thing was, he hadn't done anything. He'd just been target shooting with ammunition loaded with special bullets.
And once he started using Quinques, the ghoul scent on him would become even more obvious.
"Did you hear me?"
Rize lightly poked Byakuya's cheek with her finger, then repeated: "Did you hear me?"
"I heard you. But whether some other ghoul bites me isn't exactly something I can control."
Byakuya replied with a hint of exasperation.
"You're strong, aren't you? Just don't let them succeed."
Rize said casually. "In short, only I get to taste your body."
"...You're being pretty possessive here."
Byakuya remarked.
"By the way, I want a little taste today too."
Rize added.
"No way. Last time was already a special exception."
The memory of his earlobe being held in her mouth made Byakuya's scalp tingle...
"Come on~ I won't go for your ear this time. How about this instead..."
As she spoke, Rize grabbed Byakuya's right index finger. "I'll decide later which part of you I'll really enjoy~"
"...Fine."
Byakuya relented.
With his permission granted, Rize immediately took his right index finger gently between her teeth, savoring the flavor.
This meager taste was nothing compared to when she'd torn off that piece of flesh from his shoulder—that had been a transcendent delicacy.
What Rize was doing now was building anticipation, letting her desire accumulate. When the moment finally came, the payoff would be all the sweeter.
Though this also helped take the edge off her cravings. Temporarily, at least—afterward, the hunger would only grow stronger.
Rize brushed aside the hair falling across her face with one hand while holding Byakuya's finger with the other. The pose was... rather suggestive, to say the least.
Throughout the whole thing, Byakuya felt increasingly awkward. After all, there were plenty of other customers watching.
Not just customers either—Touka, who was serving tables, kept glancing their way with a concerned expression.
Of course, her concern was about them potentially damaging Anteiku's image with this kind of display.
For now it was still within acceptable bounds. But if Byakuya and Rize took things any further, Touka would have to step in and remind them.
"Alright, that's enough."
Seeing that Rize showed no sign of letting go, Byakuya had to speak up.
Rize reluctantly released his finger. Her hand drifted to her own cheek, her complexion flushing with an almost feverish tinge as she seemed to savor the lingering taste.
Even this small indulgence satisfied her more than any human she'd ever hunted.
The reason was simple: Byakuya's constitution and his Hashirama Cells had both strengthened since Rize first tasted him. They'd undergone a qualitative transformation from Level 1 to Level 2.
Meaning Byakuya's flavor had also transformed. Even just his skin in a ghoul's mouth was incredibly enticing.
Byakuya suddenly had a troubling thought: at this rate, he'd eventually become some kind of "succubus" in the eyes of ghouls...
That wasn't exactly a good thing. Ghouls would literally chase him down to take a bite—this wasn't the kind of "succubus" treatment that came with any perks.
After a while, Rize finally finished savoring the moment.
"That bookworm boy earlier—he invited you to Sen Takatsuki's fan meet-and-greet?"
Rize suddenly changed the subject.
"Yeah, why?"
Byakuya knew immediately that "bookworm" meant Kaneki.
"Nothing much. I'm just a little curious now—I want to see what this Takatsuki Sen person is like."
Rize said.
Takatsuki's works appealed to her taste perfectly—almost all of them were dark and intense. She particularly loved those gruesome passages.
So naturally, she'd become curious about the author herself.
"Sure, come with me then."
Byakuya agreed.
He'd just have to apologize to Kaneki later.
Watching Byakuya show up with Rize in tow... Kaneki would probably feel that sting pretty badly.
But there wasn't much he could do about it. He'd just have to make it up to Kaneki somehow.
"Touka-chan, Kamishiro-san seems much calmer lately, don't you think?"
At the front counter, Kaya Irimi struck up a conversation with Touka about Rize.
Irimi was another Anteiku employee—a tall, mature woman with an elegant, refined presence. But her true identity was "Black Dog," an SS-rated ghoul.
"She really has been more settled. That guy is probably her prey, but it's been days and she hasn't done anything to him. That's completely unlike her usual habit of frequent feeding."
Touka couldn't help but reflect. "And the way they interact—it doesn't look like she's just planning to eat him. Is Kamishiro-san really that good an actress?"
"Didn't she mention before that she likes him? Could that be the reason?"
Irimi asked.
"She said that was fake. And besides, it's hard to imagine someone like her actually falling for a human. Her not devouring every human she meets would already be a miracle."
Touka shook her head.
"You never know. Kamishiro-san is still a young woman, after all. Being too shy to admit her feelings, or falling in love with a human—neither would be that strange. I've heard plenty of stories about ghouls and humans falling in love."
Irimi said.
Nearby, Yoshimura could hear their conversation. His expression remained unchanged, that gentle smile never wavering—though what he was thinking inside was another matter entirely...
After all, Yoshimura himself was a ghoul who had loved a human.
"By the way, Touka-chan," Irimi smiled, "you're at that age too. Is there any boy you like?"
"No way. All the guys in my class are total children."
Touka replied offhandedly.
Her reaction was so casual and natural—clearly, there really wasn't anyone she was interested in.
Irimi immediately reached a conclusion. "I see~ So Touka-chan prefers mature, older guys~"