Ward 20, Anteiku.
It was the weekend, and Yoriko Kosaka had come specifically to the café where Touka worked.
"Touka, I'll have a regular coffee please. Extra sugar, remember."
Yoriko chose a seat roughly in the middle of the shop.
"Yoriko? What brings you here so suddenly?"
Touka seemed surprised.
"I suddenly wanted to see you, Touka."
Yoriko said with a smile.
In truth, she'd deliberately come on a weekend hoping to catch that guy Touka supposedly liked.
Of course, this was only what she believed Touka felt.
She figured that since the guy looked like a student, there was a decent chance of running into him on a weekend.
"Mm."
Touka smiled warmly. "This coffee's on me then."
She genuinely thought Yoriko had come just to see her, not realizing...
Sure enough, Yoriko spotted Byakuya that day.
Byakuya had arranged to read books with Kaneki today.
As for Rize, she was at home leisurely browsing fashion magazines.
Spotting Kaneki, Byakuya took a seat at his table.
"Amaha-san, have you read Takatsuki-sensei's short story collection?"
Kaneki seemed eager to recommend more works.
"Not yet."
Byakuya said.
"You should try this one. It's closely connected to her novel The Black Goat's Egg."
Kaneki handed his copy of the short story collection to Byakuya.
"Sure. Takatsuki-sensei's works are always worth reading."
Byakuya nodded.
Yoriko had wanted to approach the guy immediately, but noticed he seemed busy with something.
Not wanting to interrupt, she decided to wait.
And wait she did—for three or four hours.
Sitting there just drinking coffee was boring, so she chatted with Touka whenever Touka wasn't busy.
"See you, Amaha-san."
"Mm, see you."
Finally, Kaneki packed up and left.
Only Byakuya remained at the table. He was actually about to leave too.
But then he noticed someone approaching—Yoriko. From what he remembered, she was Touka's very close friend.
She'd even remained close to Touka after learning Touka's true identity as a ghoul, never distancing herself or showing fear. Their friendship stayed strong.
However, Byakuya had never interacted with Yoriko. Why was she coming over?
"Hello."
Yoriko confidently sat down across from Byakuya, showing no shyness at all about initiating conversation with a guy.
"Hello. And you are...?"
Byakuya asked, puzzled.
"I'm Touka's classmate. You know Touka, right?"
Yoriko smiled as she asked.
"Touka? Sorry, I don't know who you mean."
Byakuya shook his head slightly.
Touka had never actually told him her name. They simply weren't close enough yet—naturally, he couldn't act like he knew her.
"Huh..."
Yoriko was surprised.
This guy didn't even know Touka's name?
"That very cute waitress over there. I thought you two knew each other."
Yoriko spoke quietly to Byakuya, emphasizing "very cute" with extra weight.
Meanwhile, Touka had noticed Yoriko move to Byakuya's table. She couldn't help but pay attention now.
Her gaze kept drifting toward Yoriko's direction, wondering what on earth Yoriko was saying to that guy.
She was afraid Yoriko might say something strange.
Then Touka noticed Yoriko glance back at her—and Byakuya's gaze briefly followed.
Her worry intensified. Yoriko was clearly discussing her with that human boy!
Only now did Touka realize this was why Yoriko had suddenly shown up at the café.
"I've exchanged a few words with her, but we're not close. Is there something you need?"
Byakuya said.
"I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Kosaka Yoriko. Nice to meet you."
Yoriko smiled.
"I'm Amaha Byakuya. Nice to meet you too."
Byakuya replied.
"This might be forward of me, but do you currently have a girlfriend?"
This was the question Yoriko most wanted to ask.
"No..."
Byakuya answered honestly.
Just then, Touka couldn't take it anymore.
She immediately came over to intervene.
Wearing a strained smile, she said: "Yoriko, come with me for a moment."
Yoriko sensed Touka might be a little angry, so she stopped.
As Yoriko was led away by Touka, Byakuya remained somewhat confused, unsure why Yoriko had asked him such a question.
Yoriko clearly hadn't shown any signs of liking him—it was more like she was gathering information for someone else.
Even asking whether he had a girlfriend.
So who was she gathering information for?
It seemed like Touka, but that didn't make sense either. He and Touka had barely interacted.
Whatever...
Byakuya decided not to overthink it. Since there was nothing else to do, it was about time to head home.
He finished his last sip of coffee and left.
"Touka, listen—that guy doesn't have a girlfriend."
Yoriko informed Touka. "Also, his name is Amaha Byakuya. Don't tell me you didn't even know his name?"
"Whether he has a girlfriend has nothing to do with me. I told you—you've got it wrong."
Touka felt a headache coming on. No matter how she explained, it seemed useless.
"Okay, okay, I got it wrong."
Yoriko conceded.
But she clearly still didn't believe Touka.
She'd confirmed that Byakuya and that beautiful girl from before weren't actually a couple, and she'd passed this information to Touka. That was enough for her.
"I've finished my coffee anyway, so I'll head home now. Bye, Touka~"
With that, Yoriko cheerfully left Anteiku.
"Bye..."
Touka watched Yoriko's departing figure with an exasperated look, sighing softly. Hopefully that guy didn't read too much into it.
Oh right—his name is Amaha Byakuya.