Tsukiyama Shuu

Lin Yi didn't have the audacity to directly attack the Tsukiyama family. They held significant influence in Japan's political and financial circles, with extensive connections. Besides, the Tsukiyama family had managed to keep their identity as ghouls a secret so far.

Targeting the Tsukiyama family would also bring trouble for Lin Yi himself, as it would involve the interests of many powerful individuals. Until he became strong enough to disregard these people, he had to play by the rules.

Thus, his focus was on the Ghoul Restaurant opened by Shuu Tsukiyama in the 7th ward. The establishment specialized in serving ghouls, offering various types of humans in different manners of death, sometimes even slaughtering them on the spot to please customers. Shuu Tsukiyama, also known as the "Gourmet," had an abnormal obsession with "Food" that attracted influential ghouls to join his restaurant.

These individuals were not the typical lone wolves surviving in constant danger, barely able to find sustenance and maintain their well-being. The restaurant had strict measures in place to maintain confidentiality. Even the CCG headquarters would be unaware of its existence if not for Lin Yi's knowledge from reading the original work.

Of course, Lin Yi didn't know the specific location of the restaurant. That's why he needed Kaneki, whom he had tracked using a specially processed business card with a miniaturized locator. Lin Yi was now waiting for Kaneki to guide him.

...

It had been three days since Lin Yi's last appearance.

Kaneki was still somewhat absent-minded, unsure if the voice he heard in his mind was an auditory hallucination or the will of Ghoul Rize.

"Miss Rize, have you seen Investigator Lin Yi?" Kaneki murmured softly, but this time, he didn't receive a response.

"Hey, Kaneki, what are you doing? You spilled your coffee everywhere!" Touka Kirishima shouted loudly.

"Sorry." Kaneki snapped out of his thoughts and realized that coffee had spilled all over the table. He quickly bowed and apologized.

Dingling, the wind chime swayed.

Kaneki looked towards the entrance and saw another unfamiliar customer. This person had deep purple short hair, wore a red suit, and exuded an air of nobility.

"Tsukiyama, why are you here?" Touka Kirishima, however, showed a hostile attitude towards this unexpected guest, her tone even carrying a hint of disgust.

As soon as Shuu Tsukiyama entered, he waved his hand and sniffed the air, revealing an intoxicated expression.

"It seems like you're not too welcoming, Touka. It's been a long time since we last saw each other."

"Why are you here?" Touka Kirishima glanced at him disdainfully and then withdrew her gaze, continuing to focus on her own work.

"You're as cold as ever, but that's also your charm."

Tsukiyama shrugged helplessly, his tone and movements both extremely elegant, like that of a nobleman.

"If you say anything disgusting again, I'll kick you out."

"It's truly heartbreaking." Tsukiyama looked at Kaneki, "Is he a newcomer? I've never seen him before. Why is he wearing an eyepatch? What's your name?"

Tsukiyama took two or three steps and walked to Kaneki Ken's side, startling him.

"K-Ken Kaneki."

Tsukiyama leaned in and took a sniff of the scent on Kaneki's body, momentarily stunned.

"Hey! You're getting in the way, and you're creepy. So hurry up and go away," Touka Kirishima looked at Tsukiyama warily, his presence making her uneasy, despite their long acquaintance.

"You're completely inelegant."

Tsukiyama shrugged and greeted Kaneki, "Next time, I'll come and drink coffee when Yoshimura is around. See you, Kaneki. Let's meet again."

"Who is he?"

It was only after Tsukiyama left that Kaneki dared to ask.

"He's a nuisance in the 20th ward. You shouldn't get involved with that guy. He's troublesome," Touka reminded him, then fell silent.

Kaneki didn't pay much attention, considering Tsukiyama as one of Touka's acquaintances.

However, the next day at school, Kaneki happened to encounter Tsukiyama.

Tsukiyama had a strong obsession with prey, especially those he considered rare finds. He had already mobilized the influence of the Tsukiyama family and thoroughly investigated Kaneki's preferences before coming. From Kaneki's perspective, the two seemed like rare kindred spirits, with plenty of common topics to discuss and endless conversations.

"I really enjoy talking to you, Mr. Tsukiyama," Kaneki said.

During this time, after finishing school, Kaneki would go to the bookstore to read with Tsukiyama.

"Likewise, Kaneki. I rarely come across someone with similar tastes like me, such as this book 'Black Sheep.' Although its sales are not high, I believe it holds the most depth and philosophy among the author's trilogy," Tsukiyama said with a smile.

"That's too coincidental. 'Black Sheep' is also my favorite book," Kaneki said excitedly, "By the way, Mr. Tsukiyama, you mentioned earlier that you know Miss Rize. Could you tell me more about her?"

Tsukiyama's mind drifted as he reminisced about the past. In reality, he had only met Rize Kamishiro once when she first arrived in the 20th Ward. He had invited her, but she had declined, stating that the idea of food resembling humans was absurd. Tsukiyama had taken offense to her words and held a grudge ever since.

"Bang!"

Due to his emotional outburst, Tsukiyama crushed the teacup in his hand.

"Mr. Tsukiyama, are you okay?" Kaneki hurriedly tried to help clean up but accidentally cut his palm on a shard of glass, causing blood to flow.

Tsukiyama's expression grew more excited, but he quickly stepped forward, using a handkerchief to help Kaneki Ken stop the bleeding.

He knew Kaneki was a ghoul, or else he wouldn't be working at the Anteiku shop. But Kaneki was peculiar, possessing the regenerative abilities, speed, and strength of a ghoul, yet emitting a human aura throughout his entire body, even appearing physically frail.

Tsukiyama, as an S-rated ghoul, couldn't get injured by crushing a teacup since his skin was tougher than steel, and ordinary swords couldn't pierce it.

"Are you alright, Kaneki? I'm truly sorry. I got lost in my thoughts for a moment," Tsukiyama said.

Kaneki was startled by Tsukiyama's concern and quickly waved his hand, "I can handle it myself."

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