As soon as she finished speaking, Irimi Kaname narrowed her eyes enviously.
Unlike the young girl Touka in the shop, she was quite old.
But when it comes to love...
Why.
What right do ghouls have to fall in love?
Ghouls, their lives are precarious, they live hand to mouth.
Living such a life means endlessly repeating the terrifying cycle of being hunted down, killing in return, and then eating corpses.
It's already pitiful enough to spend such a life alone.
Why subject your child to the same painful life as you?
However, the more she didn't want to get married and have children, the more she would feel the urge to get married. Whenever Kaya Irimi men of marriageable age, especially those who looked outstanding at first glance, she would feel this way.
My inner daydreams are always hard to suppress.
Unfortunately, although the guy in front of her was an exceptionally high-quality man—so high-quality that even a starving glutton like Rize changed her hunting target for him, enduring her hunger to bring the man back to the coffee shop.
But regardless, any man who can be seduced by Rize is a lecherous scoundrel, utterly deserving of death...
Thinking this, Kaya Irimi shook her head, then picked up a set of cups and placed them near the shop manager.
At the same time, she watched the man and Rize slowly approaching.
Touka felt a little relieved, because the frail-looking boy was probably saved.
However, besides feeling fortunate, a lot of regret welled up inside me.
This middle-aged man looks like the kind of person who is very successful in society; his confidence almost overflows from his handsome face.
It's a real shame; tonight, this uncle will probably follow in the footsteps of those men from the past...
Thinking of this, Touka lowered her head, letting her falling hair cover her slightly reddened ears.
For a girl of seventeen or eighteen years old like her.
An incredibly handsome and successful older man... he's just too attractive, even more so than a cute, puppy-like guy like Kaneki.
I think it's more appealing to mothers in their thirties to have puppies.
Young girls under twenty need the mature and attentive care of handsome older men even more...
Beside them, the two women in the shop both became uncomfortably nervous.
Enji Koma pressed her nose unhappily.
"Tch, what's so great about him? He's just a good-looking scoundrel, why are you all getting so excited?"
I don't think he's as good-looking as those celebrities on TV.
You women are so superficial.
After saying that, Koma went to the side and wiped the table that had already been cleaned again.
Although he was sharp-tongued, he had already agreed with the store manager's philosophy and was very dedicated to this coffee shop.
As Koma gently wiped his hands, Rize and Gawain stopped in front of the coffee shop.
Touka immediately pushed open the store door and gave Gawain a sweet and energetic smile, just like a real shop assistant.
Welcome!
"Touka!"
Suddenly, Rize stretched out her right hand and grabbed Touka's wrist tightly!
The next moment, Rize raised her head with utter pessimism, giving Touka and the shopkeeper a look that was filled with despair, yet also carried a hint of pleading!
At this moment, everyone in the shop finally shifted their gaze away from Gawain; they finally saw the despair in Rize's eyes.
Meanwhile...
Yoshimura Kuzen, the store manager who hadn't said a word about Gawain's arrival, finally turned on the coffee machine in front of him.
Splash...
With the sound of coffee flowing, Gawain pulled Rize forward a step.
His shoulder gently bumped against Touka's arm, which was being held by Rize.
"Hey, young lady, it's really impolite to block guests from entering the store like this."
Rize, too, don't grab someone's hand.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain reached out and pulled Rize's hand off Touka's wrist.
He then gently patted Touka on the shoulder and walked into the coffee shop.
After briefly glancing around the coffee shop, Gawain nodded slightly to Kaya Irimi, then sat down in the seat that Enji Koma was wiping down.
Gawain reached into his pocket and realized he didn't have any cash, so Gawain a decorative item from his sleeve and gently placed it on the coffee table.
"This is a tip, thank you for your help. I see there are no other customers in the shop, may I order the coffee I want?"
If possible, an iced Americano. People say that an iced Americano is the least gentlemanly way to drink coffee, but at least it's very cold, and the taste is the most memorable.
Thanks for your hard work."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain waved to the store manager from afar.
Looking at Gawain's gentle eyes, the shop manager remained silent for a moment, then took the coffee pot off the coffee machine.
"Iced Americano is definitely my least favorite way to drink it, but as long as the customers like it, that's fine."
And, Ms. Rize, are you still serving the same Blue Mountain milk tea as always?
None of these are traditional methods, it's really difficult to handle..."
With a soft sigh, the shop manager turned to prepare coffee for the two of them.
At the same time, Irimi Kaname and Enji Koma exchanged a silent glance, then quietly stood near the bar, looking at Gawain in silence.
As for Touka, she trembled slightly twice, then quickly went to Irimi's side.
As she looked at Gawain, countless thoughts raced through Touka's mind.
This man, who can Rize even Binge Eater like Rize show despair in his eyes—is he a ghoul, or a white dove of the CCG?
It shouldn't be those investigators, right? If it were, then I and the store manager should at least have heard about it.
Rize is an S-class ghoul, after all; the investigator who could easily subdue Rize and even Rize from asking for help or running away...
They should have been active in their respective districts for quite some time now!
So, could it be a new ghoul?
Under Touka's constantly speculating gaze, Gawain gently patted Rize's hand.
"Look at you, you always like to overthink things."
You scared everyone so much that even drinking a cup of coffee became exhausting for me.
You ghouls, besides human flesh, the only food you can taste without vomiting is coffee.
So I think the coffee here must be absolutely amazing."
At this point, Gawain turned his head and narrowed his eyes at Touka had suddenly bristled.
Before Touka could transform, Koma had already firmly pressed down on Touka's shoulders.
"No matter what, never show hostility to guests; that's the reason Anteiku exists."
Even if the guest is a white dove who exposes everything the moment they arrive, we must still show them the proper courtesy!
As soon as he finished speaking, Koma pushed Touka behind him.
The only person who could possibly handle White Dove, who has such control over Rize, is probably the store manager!
He quickly looked at the store manager, wanting to see if the manager had given any orders.
To everyone's surprise, the shop manager simply made coffee silently without saying a word.
Seeing that the store manager did not respond, Koma gritted his teeth in frustration, and then quickly looked at Irimi.
Facing Koma's gaze, Kaya Irimi nodded slightly. The next moment, they went to the left and right of the coffee shop's front and back entrances, respectively.
Noticing everyone's movements, Gawain smiled and shook his head.
"It seems that my words 'you ghouls' have offended your fragile selves."
I apologize, haha, I'm really sorry, Mr. Manager, please don't look down on my coffee because of this."
"Of course not, sir."
The store manager slowly raised his head, then picked up an iced Americano and brought it to Gawain.
As he gently placed the coffee down, the manager nodded to Gawain and smiled.
"This is the Anteiku, a coffee shop that will never treat its customers with disrespect."
Your iced Americano is ready. Please leave me some feedback after you drink it, and I will remember your taste and make adjustments in future coffees.
But before that, could you please tell me your name?
My name is Yoshimura Kuzen; I presume you already know my identity.
"And you? I don't seem to have any impression of you whatsoever."
As soon as he finished speaking, the store manager put one hand behind his back and the other on his chest, and gave Gawain a slight bow.
When he stood up straight again, he didn't Gawain's reply and spoke to the shop assistants around him.
"Koma, Irimi, try to get Touka and Rize away later."
In the future, perhaps you can open a new coffee shop together with Yomo.
As for tonight, I think this guest is here to see me.
Aside from Washuu, I probably won't meet anyone else with a similar temperament to Arima.
It seems they really don't want me to continue living like this.
This is really difficult..."
At this point, the store manager waved his hand gently, signaling everyone to leave quickly!
As an SSS-rank ghoul, the shopkeeper believed that even if he couldn't defeat them, he could at least buy everyone time to escape.
Unexpectedly, at the same moment the store manager made the gesture, Gawain also suddenly raised his finger.
"You're being far too sensitive, but I understand your sensitivity."
I understand, but I still have much to say to you.
Click!
Gawain tapped his fingers lightly on the coffee table.
Bang!
The coffee shop's roller shutter suddenly dropped and then closed completely.
At the same time, Kaya Irimi Kaname suddenly released her yakara, and her hand, like a claw, tore towards the coffee shop door!
On the other hand, Koma instantly released his Kagura, and his crimson tail grew rapidly, coiling around Rize as he charged towards her, intending to take Rize away!
Rize's eyes widened as she sensed the sudden surge of power around her.
Damn it, are all those weaklings in Anteiku really this strong?
He had only been beaten up by Yomo Renji, which made him think that Yomo Renji's SS-rank was Anteiku's trump card!
Come to think of it, 20th Ward is the most peaceful ward with the fewest instances of cannibalism, so the ghouls here should be quite weak!
So, ahahaha!
If even the shop assistants, Koma and Irimi, are this strong, then the shop manager must be at least a level higher!
Could it be...?
Could it be that I've been saved?
I don't have to be immediately taken back to the Washuu Clan to have a child?!
Little did Rize know, before Rize could even begin to dream, an indescribable change occurred.
The next moment, Irimi's claws tore fiercely at the thin roller shutter door, but the door was completely unharmed!
At the same time, Koma's tail, which was curling towards Rize, was also firmly grasped by Gawain's fair and slender right hand.
In that instant, a red light flashed in the shopkeeper's eyes, but before he could transform, another Gawain appeared behind him and placed Shusui Shui on the shopkeeper's neck.
Sitting in his seat, Gawain winked at Touka Kirishima looked completely bewildered.
"Can we have a proper chat now, everyone?"
To be honest, the reason I rushed over here is not to hurt any of you.
Talk is cheap. Only when you are certain that I have the power to harm you but will not abuse it will you believe me, right?
As for why I came here, it's simply because I'm interested in Anteiku.
I've always wanted to open a coffee shop, to live a luxurious, bourgeois lifestyle, and I've also always wanted a calm and composed elder like a shop manager to be my housekeeper.
So, how can I acquire the rights to operate the coffee shop and have you all become my security guards, maids, head maid, and butler?
That price... haha.
What if I traded it for a more stable and Anteiku?
I don't know if it's possible!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gently raised his right hand and then slammed it heavily on the coffee table.
Snap!
With just one strike, an immense hurricane instantly erupted, completely disregarding the store's decorations, while simultaneously shoving and smashing everyone, including the store manager, against the surrounding walls!
Boom!!!
The moment the car slammed into the wall, the shop manager gritted his teeth in disbelief.
There's no metal installed in my own walls, is there?
Why didn't the wall get damaged at all after I crashed into it like that?
Wait, why is there suddenly a layer of black light on the wall!
Could it be because of this layer of black light?
While the shop manager was pondering, Gawain picked up his coffee cup and slowly took a sip.
"Hmm, this is really great coffee. It should be a more bitter Americano, but it has a unique aroma that keeps spreading on the taste buds."
If humans could only eat one type of food, they would surely cook it to perfection.
The same applies to you! I'm very satisfied with the coffee here!
At this point, Gawain put down his coffee cup and then stood up.
After gently rubbing Rize's head, whose face was blank, Gawain instantly teleported in front of the shopkeeper who was standing up.
With a hand outstretched, Gawain pulled the store manager, finally making him stand up straight in front of him.
Then, Gawain said with a light laugh.
"Yoshimura Kuzen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Gawain, the Gawain from Lancelot. Does that make it easier to remember?"
In short, you heard my purpose earlier, right?
I'm going to buy your coffee shop, and while I'm at it, I'll make all the good ghouls, including you, work for me.
As for our upcoming work, I don't really like the overall gloomy tone of this world.
Therefore, the area of Anteiku should be expanded.
Gluttony, killing, hysterical madness, and carnage are all outdated these days.
Compared to those guys, even though you're ghouls.
But the weakness and peace that you guys have been insisting on is precisely the ideal and spirit that I most hope to strengthen.
I know, I know you'll find that hard to do, because what stands in your way isn't just all of humanity, but also the CCG, the Ghoul Countermeasures Bureau, and the even more terrifying Washuu Clan, or other clowns lurking in the shadows.
But I want you to know that no amount of shadow can exist in the face of a more magnificent sun.
If there are walls after walls trying to block my sunlight.
Then you can push it away with me.
Okay?