At dusk, the sunset's lingering glow fell across the glass on the third floor of Keyaki Mall, reflecting the distant scenery.
Outside the Campus Life physical store, the queue showed no sign of shrinking. Many students insisted on receiving their points today; only then could they feel at ease.
In a room on the third floor, Ken Kaneki, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, and Rokusuke Koenji sat on a sofa, watching several wall-mounted screens.
Ayanokoji swiped across the tablet in his hands, its screen flickering with densely packed transaction records.
"As of now, the secondhand platform has bought four hundred and twenty-one items and sold three hundred and fifty, earning six hundred thousand points from the price differences. Micro Bank has issued eighty-five loans, lending out seven hundred thousand points in total."
The corners of Ayanokoji's mouth rose slightly. He was quite satisfied with these figures. By now, he could already show simple changes of expression around Ken Kaneki and the others.
Ken Kaneki and Koenji each held a glass of red wine, and together with Ayanokoji, the three sly schemers raised their glasses in celebration.
"Bilibili ( ゜- ゜)つロ Cheers~"
"Let's call it a day. Don't you have something more important to do?"
As Ayanokoji spoke, he winked at Ken Kaneki, making him smile helplessly.
"I know. Let's go. I've already booked the private room."
On the top floor of the mall, the three had barely settled into the VIP room when the door was pushed open.
Shiina Hiyori wore a pure white, fitted-waist dress whose hem just reached her knees, along with a pair of light-colored, square-throated leather shoes.
With her hands clasped in front of her, she entered the room wearing a faint smile, looking every bit a well-bred young lady.
"Sorry I'm late."
Ken Kaneki pulled out the chair beside him, then pushed it forward after she sat down.
"It's fine. You're right on time. We only just got here ourselves."
Ken Kaneki pressed the service bell, and many servers came over and began serving the dishes.
"Shiina, your outfit today is truly perfect.
"The pure white complements your gentle elegance beautifully. Even someone like me, who pursues the pinnacle of aesthetics, must admire your charm at this moment."
Koenji set down his knife and fork and looked Shiina Hiyori over, nodding despite himself and mentally giving Ken Kaneki's taste a thumbs-up.
"You really do look beautiful. No wonder someone kept checking the time on his device all day, even getting distracted while working."
Ayanokoji joined in the teasing.
Shiina Hiyori stole a glance at Ken Kaneki beside her, her little face flushing as a small thrill of delighted surprise stirred inside her.
Ken Kaneki shot the two a vicious glare, feeling rather helpless. This was what happened when they got too familiar: the sons dared to tease their dad.
"My adopted sons, say one more word and see if I don't break your damn legs."
Koenji laughed aloud, while Ayanokoji merely shrugged and returned to tackling the food on his plate.
Dinner lasted over an hour. As soon as they finished, Ayanokoji stood up, ready to leave.
"I still have some data to process back at the dorm. I'll head off first."
Koenji rose as well, smoothing the blond hair over his forehead.
"Beautiful things deserve to be savored slowly. I won't stay here and be an eyesore."
With perfect coordination, the two opened the door and left, giving Ken Kaneki and Shiina Hiyori some space.
As the night deepened, Ken Kaneki took Hiyori out of the mall and strolled along the school's artificial lake with her.
The evening breeze blew across the lake, bringing a chill. The two walked close together, hand in hand, their fingers interlaced.
"The school has changed a lot lately," Hiyori said softly. "Quite a few people from Class C have gone to your store for loans too."
"Hahaha, really? Just wait. We'll have more and more points."
Hiyori tilted her head, looking at Ken Kaneki's sharply defined profile.
"You're always so confident, Ken, keeping everything under control. Sometimes I feel like you're on a completely different level from everyone else at this school."
"What about you?" Ken Kaneki stopped and turned toward her, stroking her little head. "Does that frighten you?"
"No. Having you around just makes me feel so safe." Hiyori shook her head, her gaze firm.
Ken Kaneki smiled and continued walking.
Gradually, they left the main path and reached a secluded spot at the far end of the artificial lake.
There were few streetlights here, and moonlight spilled freely across the lawn.
A full moon was reflected on the lake, while pinpricks of light glowed among the surrounding bushes.
Hundreds upon thousands of fireflies danced in the night.
Hiyori stopped, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes full of wonder. She was completely captivated by the sight before her.
She tilted her head up, her eyes following the dancing specks of light, and unknowingly fell several steps behind Ken Kaneki.
Ken Kaneki stopped ahead of her. Not watching where she was going, Hiyori walked straight into his solid back.
"Oh!" Hiyori cried out, stumbling back a little.
She reached up and rubbed her slightly reddened forehead, then crouched on the ground.
"Sorry, Ken. I got distracted..."
As she spoke, she stood up. The instant her vision refocused, she froze.
Ken Kaneki was no longer standing there. He knelt on one knee on the lawn, holding a large bouquet of vivid, fresh red roses.
In the center of the roses sat an open, deep-blue velvet gift box.
Moonlight fell over Ken Kaneki, bathing him in a soft halo.
Hiyori's mind went blank for a moment. She stared at Ken Kaneki, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her dress.
Of course she knew what this meant. Ken Kaneki looked straight into Hiyori's eyes, his voice gentle.
"Hiyori, we haven't known each other for very long. But that afternoon in the library, when fate brought us together, I knew you were the one I was looking for."
Hiyori's breathing quickened, and her eyes rapidly reddened.
"You're intelligent and gentle. You understand everything I leave unsaid, and you accept my little flaws. The time I spend with you is when I feel most relaxed at this school."
Ken Kaneki held the bouquet a little farther forward, gesturing for her to take it.
"I don't want to keep this ambiguous distance between us anymore. Shiina Hiyori, will you be my girlfriend?"
Tears pooled in Hiyori's eyes before finally rolling down her cheeks. She neither hesitated nor showed the slightest coyness.
"Yes," Hiyori said through her tears, her voice unusually firm.
"I've been waiting for this day all along, Ken. If you hadn't confessed today, I was going to get ready to confess to you tomorrow."
With that, she took a big step forward and threw herself straight into Ken Kaneki's arms.
Ken Kaneki rose smoothly, catching her securely.
Hiyori buried her head deep against Ken Kaneki's chest, wrapping both arms tightly around his waist.
Ken Kaneki held the roses in one hand and gently stroked Hiyori's back with the other.
They embraced for a long time before Hiyori lifted her head. Moonlight spilled across Ken Kaneki's face, making his features look particularly sculpted.
Hiyori gazed at him, mesmerized, reluctant even to blink.
Ken Kaneki passed the bouquet of roses to Hiyori, who took it and cradled it in her arms.
Ken Kaneki picked up the deep-blue gift box. A sapphire necklace lay quietly inside.
The gemstone was perfectly cut, reflecting an enchanting luster beneath the moonlight.
"Turn around. I'll put it on for you," Ken Kaneki said softly.
Hiyori obediently turned around and lifted the long hair at the nape of her neck.
Ken Kaneki stepped forward, slipped the necklace around Hiyori's slender neck, and fastened the clasp.
The cool gemstone rested against her collarbone. Hiyori turned back and gave a lighthearted twirl on the spot, her pure white skirt fluttering in the breeze.
"Does it look pretty?" She looked at Ken Kaneki with sparkling eyes, undisguised joy on her face.
"My little Hiyori is the prettiest of all." Ken Kaneki was generous with his praise.
Bang-
A muffled bang suddenly shattered the stillness of the night. A bright streak of fire shot into the sky, then burst apart.
Brilliant fireworks bloomed in the night sky, illuminating the entire artificial lake.
Immediately afterward, colorful confetti showered down above Ken Kaneki and Hiyori. Hiyori looked up in surprise.
Two figures slowly emerged from the shadows of the bushes nearby.
Ayanokoji held an emptied handheld confetti cannon, a smile on his face as well.
Koenji held a remote control, pointing at the fireworks overhead.
"Perfect timing. I had these smokeless, eco-friendly fireworks specially made. They cost me quite a few points."
Hiyori looked at the fireworks in the sky, then at the two standing nearby, and instantly understood everything.
Their early departure from dinner, the arrangement of their walking route, and these perfectly timed fireworks and confetti-Ken Kaneki had carefully planned it all.
The emotion in her heart broke through the defenses of reason and instantly flooded her heart. At this moment, she could no longer care about the two enormous third wheels standing nearby.
Hiyori dropped the roses in her hands, abruptly rose onto her tiptoes, and looped her arms around Ken Kaneki's neck.
She closed her eyes and kissed Ken Kaneki directly on the lips.
Ken Kaneki froze slightly, then reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around Hiyori's slender waist, deepening the kiss.
Beneath the shower of confetti and brilliant fireworks, the two lost themselves in their embrace and kiss.
After a long time, Hiyori felt as though she could barely breathe and only then reluctantly let go of Ken Kaneki.
Her face was flushed crimson, her chest heaving.
"Ken, why did you prepare so many surprises for me?" Hiyori asked breathlessly, her voice incredibly soft and sweet, even taking on a rather natural, coyly high pitch.
Ken Kaneki raised a hand and gently stroked Hiyori's cheek.
"For you, it's only right."
The roses: clown.jpg.
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