Wild speculation was no substitute for asking in person. After changing his clothes, Kaneki followed Tsukiyama to the living room door on the second floor, but his inner hesitation kept him from knocking right away.
If his suspicions proved true, how was he supposed to face the person inside? That was something he had to consider.
Just then, the voices of two people talking drifted through the door.
"Touka's birthday is coming up. Will we throw her a party like the one Hinami had?"
It was Hinami's voice.
"She... she's in Ward 20. Of course I can't make that decision for her, but we should at least wish her a happy birthday. We'll pay her a visit when the time comes."
Louis answered after a brief moment of thought.
Only the two of them were in the living room. Though they were talking to each other, neither looked at the other. Two different pairs of eyes had turned toward the door in unison.
The last time the three of them had stood in positions like these, the door had met a violent end within seconds. Of course, that probably wouldn't happen this time.
Hinami sat quietly on the sofa facing the door, her sparkling eyes fixed on it with anticipation.
Louis sat on the sofa to the side, propping his chin on his left hand as he turned to look toward the door.
Before long, someone turned the handle. A man in a neat, crisp shirt stood straight in the doorway and looked inside. His face showed neither surprise nor joy nor anger. Compared with before, he seemed more mature and distant, with less of his youthful liveliness.
"Kaneki!"
Hinami was the first to break the silence. She hopped off the sofa, trotted to the door, and tilted her head