Witty Pranks

"Hey, Kenzo!!! Will you keep making those kinds of jokes and expect me not to charge you for this in the future?" When Touka heard Kenzo's words, she immediately got angry, like any jealous girlfriend would.

The girl who was Touka's friend also blushed and didn't move from where she stood, not daring to intervene in this couple's argument.

"Didn't you ask me to help her? Now I'm being considerate of her problem, isn't that what you wanted?" Kenzo smiled slightly as he defended himself against Touka's irrational accusations.

"You..." Upon hearing this, Touka didn't know what to say. Although she knew Kenzo was joking and shouldn't take those pranks seriously, her anger was still greater than her reasoning.

"Do you expect me to give her all this money for nothing?" Kenzo asked Touka this while giving her a calm look.

"Then... I'll kiss you instead!" Touka thought of a quick response and said the first thing that came to her mind firmly.

"But we kissed a while ago..." Kenzo couldn't finish his words because Touka covered his mouth with her hand and handed the handful of bills to the girl who was standing in silence.

"Take this money and go rest. We'll see each other later at school."

Kenzo, who became a bit more serious, said, "If you really have problems at the hospital, you can go and explore the options available at Black Moon Hospital."

In the end, Touka knew that Kenzo's intentions were to help her friend without any conditions, but those witty pranks would be paid back when she had the chance.

Watching Kenzo walk away, seemingly unfazed by this matter, Touka said, "Come back quickly. It's better not to go out at night in the future; sometimes it's dangerous even in the 20th Ward!"

"Thank you, Touka!" The girl bowed her head and thanked her with tears in her eyes.

Touka said this because she was very afraid for the girl's safety. After all, the 20th Ward was on the surface a safe area, but there were Ghouls that went unnoticed by the Three Eyed Crows' security network, and there were victims even if that Ghoul was hunted shortly after.

After saying that, Touka didn't say anything else, and after giving her advice, she trotted to catch up with Kenzo in the distance.

On the way back to the cafe, Touka looked at Kenzo, who had a cold expression most of the time.

"I didn't bring any money, which is why I asked you to help her... When we get back, I'll pay you back the money you just gave away." Touka didn't want to seem like one of those girls she had seen in school.

"Money is not the issue. I even gave you my credit card... In life, you must understand that you can't always help everyone. I learned that when I wanted to save those who didn't want to be saved, do you understand me?"

"I understand..."

Although Touka gave this response, she still thought that Kenzo was upset about giving his money to someone he didn't know.

"Really, there's no need for you to pay me back. That small amount means nothing to me... But well, I think it's better to help people and be as you are than to act indifferent," Kenzo smiled slightly but still preferred to maintain his appearance as it was outside the house.

"Um!" Touka finally nodded, not speaking.

She still found it difficult to understand some things about Kenzo, but she knew that in the end, all of this situation mattered a lot to him. It's just like with a father; even if they don't show a close relationship, in the end, as a child, he can't hate his father.

After returning to the cafe, it was almost 2 in the morning.

"I'm going to bed. If you want to sleep in my room, you can follow me... Goodnight." Kenzo waved his hand and entered his room.

"Don't even think about it. Goodnight!" Touka looked at Kenzo and then returned to her room.

The night passed without anything remarkable.

...

The next day!

Kenzo woke up late as usual and, after taking a shower, went downstairs to presumably work in the cafe.

Fortunately, there were no unnecessary questions today, but Kenzo realized that he now needed cash because he gave away all he had yesterday.

In the past, Touka used to wake him up every morning, but today she was unexpectedly absent.

But Kenzo didn't know that she had also woken up late.

Manager Yoshimura didn't say anything. He knew that his son seemed to have had a date with Touka last night, so instead, he smiled and worked in a good mood.

"It's a surprise, Touka woke up so late today!" At that moment, Koma Enji teased Touka, who still seemed half asleep.

"Leave me alone; yesterday was a very long night..." Touka replied calmly but quickly corrected herself after realizing what she had said: "I stayed up late..."

Irimi Kaya also smiled. It's really unusual for Touka to stay up so late.

At that moment, Kenzo came downstairs and sat down like a dead fish at the counter, which annoyed Touka. "If you're going to sleep, isn't it better to stay in bed for an extra hour?"

"Then the old man won't pay me..." Kenzo responded indifferently while playing with the cash register button.

"Who did you just call an old man?" Koma Enji thought he had misheard but then looked at Manager Yoshimura, who was standing nearby, and swallowed his words.

"Kenzo! When will you stop being so disrespectful?" Koma Enji yelled, hiding his embarrassment.

"Mrs. Kaya, are you going to let your boyfriend shout at me like that?" Kenzo uttered these words, and there was a deathly silence around.

"What did you say?!" Irimi Kaya asked this question with veins popping out of her forehead.

"Never mind, I'm going to grab something to eat outside..."