That night—
Everyone who had left earlier was now having their own conversations.
Power trailed behind the group, looking full and satisfied.
Aki walked slightly behind Makima, puzzled.
"Makima-sama, that dragon… she's almost certainly the same one from last night."
"I know," Makima replied with a nod.
Aki was even more confused.
You know, and yet we're just pretending nothing happened?
What, are you in cahoots with them?
Makima glanced at him, then looked ahead again.
"Whether she's a dragon or not has nothing to do with us. We're Public Safety. Our job is to deal with devils."
That was when Aki finally got it—don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong.
"Understood."
Makima asked again, "Any progress on finding the Chainsaw Devil?"
"Very difficult. No sign of him yet. We even searched some remote towns, but still nothing."
"Keep looking. I have a feeling… the Chainsaw Devil is about to awaken."
"Yes, Makima-sama."
——
Meanwhile, Touka and Yoriko were walking home.
Just to be safe, Touka insisted on seeing her friend off.
They chatted and laughed along the way, both clearly in high spirits.
There was a smile on Touka's face that hadn't been there in a long time.
They'd had a great meal together today.
That joy of sharing delicious food—she had never experienced it before, nor imagined it could be so wonderful.
Today was amazing.
And Touka knew it too.
It was all thanks to the Midnight Diner.
It was all thanks to Manager Hayashi.
If it weren't for the food he made, none of what happened today might have ever happened.
If Hayashi wasn't around… Touka didn't even want to imagine what life would be like going forward.
It was no exaggeration to say—
Kirishima Touka had made her decision.
As long as Hayashi was here, she would never eat that kind of meat again!
"Come on, Touka-chan, I told you I could go home by myself," said Yoriko Kosaka.
"It's fine, Yoriko," Touka replied casually. "It's mostly on my way anyway. More time to chat."
"Mhm! By the way, dinner tonight was seriously amazing!" Yoriko beamed as she tugged Touka along. "I can't believe you found such a gem! I have to recommend it to more people!"
"Touka-chan, I'm also in this foodie group online, and some of the members are head chefs at high-end restaurants! I'll make sure to share it there, too!"
Touka smiled. "You're incredible, Yoriko."
The two chatted and laughed until Yoriko was safely home. Only then did Touka turn back and head home herself.
As she walked alone—
Touka's smile refused to fade.
But just as she passed a quiet alley, a voice suddenly echoed.
"How careless, Kirishima Touka. You didn't even notice you were being followed?"
At the sound of the voice, Touka instinctively tensed—then quickly relaxed again.
She looked toward the source of the voice. It was a man with the same hair color as hers: Kirishima Ayato, her younger brother.
"Ayato?" Touka was genuinely concerned about her brother, but given his affiliations, she kept her guard up. "What are you doing in the 20th Ward?"
"You think I'd tell you that, dummy?" Ayato wore a hooded coat and scoffed before continuing:
"Something big happened yesterday in the 20th Ward. And you're telling me you didn't notice, even working at Anteiku?"
"The leader of Aogiri Tree has already given the order. Half the cadres are coming to the 20th Ward—to investigate the dragon incident and find it."
"This place is no longer safe."
Despite his harsh tone, the message behind his words was clear:
He was warning his sister—get ready to leave. Prepare your escape. Or better yet, just get out now.
Ayato was one of the few cadres privy to top-level information, and he'd come here just to tip her off.
Touka's pupils narrowed.
She lowered her head slightly, hiding her expression from Ayato.
Inside, her thoughts were a storm.
She knew about the dragon last night.
After Yomo and Itori returned, they had shared all the information they'd gathered.
They even admitted—it was probably real.
And today, the moment Touka saw Tohru at Hayashi's diner, she had been completely stunned. Tohru matched the description of the dragon perfectly.
She had thought maybe the situation would blow over.
After all, Anteiku was already suppressing the news.
But she didn't expect Aogiri Tree to react so quickly—and send people to the 20th Ward!
What would happen to the Midnight Diner now?
Would Hayashi be safe?
In a flash, Touka rushed forward, grabbed her brother's collar, and demanded:
"Why!?"
"Huh? What do you mean why?" Ayato was caught off guard.
"Why would the leader of Aogiri Tree do this? This is the peace zone! Does she want to start a riot and force CCG to come crack down on us?"
"Like hell I'd know that! You think I have a say?" Ayato shook her hand off and snapped, "We're talking about a dragon here! A real one! Do you even realize what people are saying now!?"
Touka froze. "What… are they saying?"
Ayato stared at her. "They're saying that if you take even one bite of that dragon's flesh, you'll become an S-rated ghoul. Eat your fill? You become SS-rated. Eat the whole thing? You'll gain power rivaling the One-Eyed Owl—maybe even stronger!"
Touka was stunned. "Who would believe something that ridiculous!?"
"Because it's a legend, sis." Ayato sighed. "And now that dragons are real, who's to say the legend isn't true?"
Touka looked at him in disbelief. "You actually believe that?"
Ayato clenched his jaw.
He didn't really believe it… not completely.
Becoming an S-rated ghoul isn't that easy. Becoming stronger than the One-Eyed Owl? Absurd.
But the story had already spread. Too many people were talking about it. It was almost common knowledge.
And when you've seen a dragon, well…
The story's a lot easier to believe.
So Ayato gritted his teeth—and nodded.
"If I get the chance, I'll take a damn bite too."
---
Advanced chapters in pat/reon.com/KyokaSuigetsu