"I'm a staff mber at this coffee shop. My na is Kaya Irimi."
"I'm also staff. My na is Enji Koma."
Irimi and Koma introduced themselves to Arata.
Afterward, Byakuya briefly explained to them what had happened to Arata.
Only then did they understand that Touka's father hadn't returned from the dead—he had been captured by the CCG for experintation.
"By the way, doesn't Touka have a parent-teacher conference this afternoon? Now that Touka's father is back, the timing is perfect."
Irimi suddenly said.
"That's right. This way Touka's dad can go directly to the conference."
Koma added.
"Parent-teacher conference..."
Arata was sowhat surprised. "So Touka is still in school?"
After all these years, he had assud Touka wouldn't want to continue attending school in human society.
"Mm, the Manager told to go to school."
Touka said. "Working here cos with a salary, so I can cover tuition and living expenses."
"I see... When Manager Yoshimura returns, I must thank him properly."
Arata said.
Though Arata didn't know Yoshimura, they shared similar values.
Both were kind to humans and both believed Touka should attend school properly.
It would help her better integrate into human society and lead a better life in the future.
"Dad, go back upstairs and rest well. If you can make it to this afternoon's conference..."
Touka said.
If possible, she definitely wanted her father to attend her parent-teacher conference.
"Mm."
Arata smiled and nodded.
...
The entire CCG Laboratory Building search had turned up nothing, so the investigators pulled up all the surveillance footage.
Through the recordings, they had identified the targets.
That outfit and the white mask—though the footage wasn't very clear, they could determine it was likely "Madara."
And the rabbit mask alongside Madara was the S-rated "Rabbit," already designated by the CCG.
"So it was Madara... Why did he rescue the Corpse Collector? Do they know each other?"
The information had already reached Bureau Director Yoshitoki Washuu. He had received fairly detailed information imdiately.
With no leads, he asked Marude Itsuki, who stood before him, "What's your take on this, Maru?"
"They probably discovered that we've been developing powerful kakuja Quinque using the Corpse Collector, and they're trying to weaken our strength this way."
Marude hesitated before speaking.
He wasn't certain of Madara's motive—this was just speculation.
"Mm, that hypothesis does seem most reasonable for now. Losing our kakuja Quinque material is indeed a serious problem..."
Yoshitoki was feeling anxious.
Originally, if the kakuja Quinque had continued to be improved with newer models—even mass-produced—the combat strength of all CCG investigators could have undergone a qualitative leap. But now...
Without kakuja Quinque support, taking on Aogiri Tree under Madara's leadership would beco even more difficult.
"The investigators sent to the Laboratory Building have repeatedly reviewed the surveillance footage from when Madara invaded, but they can't figure out how Madara and Rabbit left the building."
Marude said gravely.
"Maybe their speed is too fast for the caras to capture?"
Yoshitoki suggested.
"That's possible. In any case, the situation we're facing is very serious. What should we do..."
A sense of powerlessness welled up in Marude.
Their enemy was simply too powerful—completely impossible to defend against.
If the CCG had been slightly suppressed by the ghoul side in the past while maintaining rough equilibrium, now they were being completely dominated...
...
Though Arata had been captured alive by the CCG and imprisoned for years, the CCG only knew his appearance and that he was the "Corpse Collector." They didn't know his real na was Arata Kirishima.
Otherwise, Touka, who was still in school, would have been targeted by the CCG long ago.
So as long as CCG investigators didn't discover him, Arata attending Touka's parent-teacher conference wasn't a problem.
And as a precaution, Byakuya had prepared a face mask and hat for Arata—he would attend the conference wearing both.
This way, even if the CCG later issued a wanted notice across Tokyo with Arata's photo, it wouldn't affect Touka's normal schooling.
After a morning of walking practice, Arata could now walk normally.
He and Touka headed to school together.
On the way, Arata suddenly asked, "Touka, that boyfriend of yours is human, right?"
"Yes. Though he seems to have ghoul-like abilities, his scent is definitely human."
Touka nodded. "And he's also a Ghoul Investigator."
"He's actually a Ghoul Investigator?"
This surprised Arata greatly.
After all, his experiences with Ghoul Investigators hadn't been pleasant—they generally weren't the type who could coexist peacefully with ghouls.
Especially Arima, who had killed his wife, and Kureo Mado, who had captured him...
So Arata found it difficult to have any good impression of investigators. Not harboring indiscriminate hatred toward them was already generous.
"Mm, even though he's an investigator, he's saved and everyone else many tis. Including you, Dad—he's the one who rescued you."
Touka said. "Or rather, I should say he currently has another identity as well—the ghoul leader who poses the greatest threat to the CCG..."
"..."
Arata looked completely bewildered—he'd been imprisoned for so many years and knew nothing about recent events.
Seeing this, Touka continued, "It's a long story. Let explain it slowly..."
...
Touka recounted her encounter with Byakuya, their developing relationship, and everything that had happened since then.
Only then could Arata begin to understand what Touka had been talking about.
"I see. Now I understand why Touka fell for him."
Arata nodded slightly.
Touka imdiately beca sowhat bashful. "...I wasn't explaining why I like him. I just wanted to say that guy is different from ordinary humans and investigators."
...
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