Still dressed in that flamboyant custom purple suit, Tsukiyama Shuu turned around.
He greeted them in his uniquely theatrical tone, wearing his signature inscrutable smile.
Amano Hiro raised a brow slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement.
"Tsukiyama-san? What wind blew you here today?"
Tsukiyama Shuu elegantly lifted his coffee cup, a perfectly measured smile on his face.
"It has been quite some time since I last saw Amano Hiro. I have missed you dearly and came specially to pay a visit."
Amano Hiro sat down across from him with Rize and said bluntly, "Speak normally."
Tsukiyama Shuu let out a soft laugh, then grew serious. "An auction will be held soon. I would like to invite Amano Hiro to attend with me."
At the words "auction," Amano Hiro instinctively intended to refuse.
An auction was nothing more than the sale of kidnapped humans. There was nothing interesting about it, and he did not want to go.
Just as the words of refusal were about to leave his mouth, he suddenly paused. An auction? Could it be that key event from the original work?
On second thought, the timing did not seem to match. It should still be early.
However, auctions were not held only once. It was not impossible for it to occur ahead of schedule.
"When does it begin?" Amano Hiro asked after a moment of thought.
Seeing that he had not refused outright, Tsukiyama Shuu's smile deepened. "November eleventh. The day after tomorrow."
Whether or not it was that particular auction, confirming it in person would do no harm.
Amano Hiro considered briefly and found it a good opportunity.
He could use this auction to clear out those he found displeasing,
those perverse individuals who severely damaged the image of the ghoul community.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table. It was time for certain peers to correct their attitude.
By now, he was more or less the top figure in the ghoul world. It was indeed necessary to guide the race toward a more positive direction.
At the thought, he straightened slightly, feeling it necessary to instill proper values in his fellow kind.
They needed to firmly remember prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendliness.
These were the core values they should pursue.
Amano Hiro nodded slightly. "Alright. I will go take a look."
Seeing him accept, satisfaction flickered in Tsukiyama Shuu's eyes.
"In that case, I will send someone to receive Amano Hiro when the time comes."
"Very well." Amano Hiro responded briefly.
Tsukiyama Shuu rose gracefully, adjusting his signature purple suit.
He inclined his head slightly toward those present. "Then I shall not disturb you further. Until we meet again, ladies and gentlemen."
With that, he left the café in unhurried steps, leaving behind a faint trace of cologne.
Watching his departing figure, Amano Hiro shook his head lightly.
Tsukiyama Shuu was the same as always. Once his purpose was achieved, he departed without lingering.
Touka approached with two freshly brewed cups of coffee and set them down gently. "Amano-niisan, Rize-san, your coffee."
Amano Hiro accepted the cup with a gentle smile. "Thank you."
Rize, who had remained quietly seated until now, finally spoke softly. "Hiro, is there something special about this auction?"
She had keenly noticed his earlier hesitation.
Amano Hiro took a sip of coffee, his tone calm. "It is hard to say right now. But since Tsukiyama Shuu personally invited us, there is no harm in taking a look."
Rize nodded in understanding and asked no further questions. For her, Amano Hiro's decision was her direction.
Amano Hiro turned his gaze to Touka, who was about to leave, and asked casually, "How is university life? Adjusting well?"
Touka paused, a faint smile appearing on her face. "It is not bad. The courses are much freer than in high school."
Now Touka was a student at Kamii University and truly an outstanding student.
Amano Hiro nodded with satisfaction. "That is good."
Under the café's soft lighting and within the rich aroma of coffee, the peaceful afternoon felt especially warm.
Just as Amano Hiro and Rize returned home and he was preparing to respond in action to the heartfelt affection behind that Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup, his phone screen lit up at the right moment.
It was a message from Eto.
Hiro, will you be attending this auction?
Seeing the message, Amano Hiro paused briefly, then understood.
Those wealthy ghoul magnates would certainly invite members of Aogiri Tree to act as security.
His fingers moved quickly in reply.
I will go. I have a feeling this auction will not be entirely peaceful. Tell everyone below to stay alert.
Eto's reply came swiftly.
Have you received any specific information?
After a moment of thought, he typed.
No definite news, just intuition. But being cautious never hurts.
Understood.
On the other end, Eto set down her phone and turned toward Tatara, who stood silently by the window.
"Tatara, Hiro said this auction may have complications."
Tatara withdrew his gaze from outside and nodded steadily.
"Understood. I will inform everyone to heighten their vigilance."
Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye it was November eleventh, the day of the auction.
As night fell, the extended luxury car sent by Tsukiyama Shuu arrived downstairs on time.
Amano Hiro and the elegantly dressed Rize entered together. The car glided silently into the night,
heading toward the auction venue hidden within the city's shadows.
Upon arrival, the scene before them was unexpectedly lively.
At the entrance, traffic flowed continuously. Luxury cars arrived one after another. Fashionably dressed "guests" wearing various masks moved about under attendants' guidance, creating a twisted yet prosperous illusion.
"It truly is crowded," Amano Hiro remarked as his gaze swept across the scene.
The driver parked smoothly and quickly stepped out to open the door for Amano Hiro and Rize.
As they stepped out, they saw Tsukiyama Shuu wearing an exquisite mask, along with his father Tsukiyama Mirumo, already waiting at the entrance,
with several attendants standing respectfully behind them.
"Welcome, my dear friends." Tsukiyama Shuu spread his arms, greeting them warmly in his trademark exaggerated tone.
Tsukiyama Mirumo appeared much steadier. The head of the Tsukiyama family stepped forward politely and extended his hand.
"Amano Hiro, this is our first meeting. My son is often in your care."
Amano Hiro shook his hand calmly. "Tsukiyama-san, you are too polite. It is nothing of the sort."
"Amano Hiro, Rize-san, please follow me." Tsukiyama Mirumo turned slightly and made an elegant inviting gesture, personally leading them toward the auction entrance.
This action drew considerable attention from nearby guests. Anyone personally received by the Tsukiyama family head must possess an extraordinary identity.
Behind their masks, many exchanged curious glances, silently reminding themselves that even if they could not build a relationship, they must not offend these two distinguished guests.
Amano Hiro and Rize's masks conveniently concealed their faces, avoiding unnecessary attention.
As they stepped into the venue, Amano Hiro's gaze casually swept through the crowd.
It instantly locked onto a particularly conspicuous figure..
The ghoul known as Big Madam.
The nickname was indeed fitting. Her bloated and massive body resembled a sow walking upright, making her stand out sharply within the crowd.