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The car slowed down, and as the view narrowed, the sign of the Anteiku coffee shop became very prominent. Lin Yi hadn't expected to pass by here, but since he was here, it was time to meet the people in the antique shop.
"Welcome," a beautiful girl with purple hair greeted him as the wind chimes on the door plate jingled. She wore a plain wool sweater, and her pair of snow-white long legs were particularly eye-catching. However, when the girl saw Lin Yi, she paused for a moment, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
Pretending not to notice the girl's reaction, Lin Yi thought to himself that she should be Touka Kirishima. He casually placed the white suitcase on the nearby chair and adjusted the collar of his windbreaker.
"Please make me an Americano."
"Oh... oh, okay," Touka Kirishima replied, seeming a bit slow in her response. She quickly hurried to the counter.
Lin Yi didn't disturb her any further and realized that he had come at an inconvenient time. The important figures in the Anteiku shop happened to be absent, and he didn't see Yoshimura either.
Touka Kirishima busily lowered her head, occasionally glancing at Lin Yi with an anxious look. A sudden visit from an investigator at the shop made her nervous.
"Has a customer arrived? Let me help," a familiar voice came from behind. The door opened, and another face Lin Yi recognized appeared—Ken Kaneki, dressed in work clothes, came running out eagerly, about to assist Touka Kirishima in serving the coffee.
"You idiot!" Touka Kirishima cursed in a low voice, not wanting Ken Kaneki, who knew nothing, to come into contact with the investigator. However, before she could intervene, she saw Lin Yi already looking in their direction and couldn't help but stop.
Ken Kaneki didn't understand what was happening, but he still walked towards Lin Yi with the coffee in hand.
"Sir, here's your coffee."
Kaneki found Lin Yi's attire quite strange—a complete black windbreaker with a white suitcase.
"Thank you," Lin Yi said, taking the coffee and savoring its fragrance. He found it both fragrant and not too bitter, even as someone who didn't drink coffee often. "This tastes great. Why didn't I discover your coffee shop earlier?"
Lin Yi sincerely praised.
"It's all thanks to Touka's skill. I can't brew such delicious coffee," Kaneki replied, rubbing his head embarrassedly.
"Touka, is that the name of the girl? It's quite beautiful," Lin Yi looked at Kaneki, his eyes filled with a smile, making him appear like a friendly older brother.
Kaneki was momentarily stunned. He suddenly felt a strong sense of familiarity with the person in front of him, although he had never seen him before.
"Based on your appearance, you should be working part-time here, right?" Lin Yi casually asked.
"Yes, that's right," Kaneki admitted without much thought.
The two of them chatted casually. Touka watched them anxiously from the side but didn't interrupt. Lin Yi behaved as if he were just a customer enjoying his coffee, and any overly reactive actions would only arouse suspicion. For now, they had to let things take their course naturally.
"Ah? Kaneki, you're from Kamii University, right? I've been to your school for an investigation. Did you forget about me?"
"You are..." Kaneki Ken's pupils contracted. "Investigator Lin..."
His voice faltered, and his previously cheerful expression faded.
"So, you haven't forgotten about me," Lin Yi said, finishing most of his coffee and wiping his mouth with a tissue. "It's not common to see young students like you willing to work so hard while studying. Well done, Kaneki. I have high hopes for you."
"This is my contact information. The 20th Ward isn't exactly peaceful lately, so if you encounter any danger, you can contact me."
"Okay, got it," Kaneki responded somewhat slowly.
Lin Yi left a business card, paid for the coffee, and then left.
"Kaneki, do you know him?" Touka hurriedly approached Kaneki after Lin Yi left.
"Investigator Lin came to my school for an investigation before, so I've heard of him. I just don't know why he knows me," Kaneki replied honestly. He still felt a strange sense of familiarity with Lin Yi, not just because of the school investigation. It felt like they had met somewhere else.
"Of course, you've met," Kaneki suddenly heard a voice in his head, as if someone was speaking to him.
"Miss Rize..." Kaneki muttered in his mind.
"Why are you daydreaming, Kaneki?" Touka punched Kaneki Ken's head heavily.
"I'm talking to you. Did you hear me? Don't ever get involved with that guy again, never."
"I... I understand," Kaneki Ken quickly assured her.
Meanwhile, Lin Yi took a car back to the 20th Ward branch and noticed that the police force in the entire branch had significantly decreased, making the entire place feel deserted.
"Where is everyone?" Lin Yi asked his assistant, who was by his side, upon returning to his office.
"It's because of Investigator Mado and Amon. They received orders from headquarters, and all available police force in the 20th Ward branch has been dispatched," his assistant informed him.
Lin Yi sat in his office chair, covering his forehead with a headache. He had guessed that with orders from headquarters, that old man definitely wouldn't stay quiet.
"Investigator Lin Yi, should we recall the dispatched police force?" his assistant asked.
"Let it be," Lin Yi waved his hand. That old man and his partner, Amon, held deep resentment towards ghouls, and he couldn't stop them.
Perhaps for that old man, living a lifetime filled with anger and hatred was not as good as dying in battle, which would be the best outcome.
Mado was too obsessed with the CCG, to the extent that he placed all his hopes for becoming stronger on the CCG. However, his own strength was the biggest problem.
Even if Lin Yi intervened in the story this time, sooner or later, Mado would still end up dead.
"Keep an eye on Investigator Mado for me. If he makes any moves, report to me immediately," Lin Yi instructed his assistant.
"Yes," the assistant acknowledged before leaving the office.
Lin Yi collected his thoughts and decided to let the old man cause a ruckus for a while. Rize had died so early due to his intervention, and there was still no news about Yamori. Perhaps the storyline had already been changed, who knew?
But storms were brewing, and he needed to become stronger quickly. Lin Yi caressed the white briefcase in front of him. He needed a large quantity of powerful ghouls.
"Bang!" Lin Yi casually picked up a dart from his desk and threw it, hitting the red star on the target perfectly. On it was a photo of Shuu Tsukiyama!
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