Time rewound to when Eto rescued Uta and Yomo.
Following Byakuya's suggestion, she casually tossed Uta and Yomo into the second floor of the Anteiku.
In fact, Byakuya gave her two suggestions: either have the two ghouls join Aogiri Tree or join Anteiku.
However, she specifically asked for Byakuya's honest opinion and learned that he hoped Uta and Yomo would go to Anteiku. Thus, she followed through with that choice.
As it was broad daylight and people were on the streets, Eto had already reverted from her kakuja form, relying on her regular kagune form to move quickly.
She threw Uta and Yomo into the second-floor lounge through an open window and left immediately without staying in Anteiku for even a moment. She didn't want to meet her father at that time.
Downstairs, Yoshimura, Koma, Irimi, and Minami heard the commotion upstairs and even detected the scent of blood.
Yoshimura quickly motioned for them to stay put, saying he'd check on the situation himself.
When he reached the second floor, he saw Yomo unconscious and Uta, reduced to only half his body.
He stood in silence for a moment before fetching preserved human flesh from the refrigerator to feed them.
With RC cells replenished, even inactive human flesh could greatly accelerate regeneration.
"Ugh, cough!"
Yomo woke up first, coughing weakly.
Meanwhile, Uta's half-body had already started regenerating slowly.
As Yomo regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a sofa and saw Uta nearby.
The environment was entirely unfamiliar.
Holding his head, Yomo tried to recall what happened. He remembered being defeated miserably by that black-clad investigator and then being rescued by a massive figure.
He had no idea who that figure was or why they had saved him.
"You're awake" came a calm voice.
Yoshimura walked into the lounge holding a cup of coffee.
Seeing the kind-looking older man, Yomo immediately asked, "Did you save us?"
"Not exactly. I don't know who brought you here, but I'm the owner of this cafe"
Yoshimura smiled gently and said, "I just fed you some human meat to help you recover. As I suspected, you two are ghouls"
"Hmm..."
Yomo didn't deny it, sensing that this man was also a ghoul.
"Do you have any idea who brought you here?" Yoshimura asked.
Yomo shook his head slightly. "I only remember that it seemed to be a kakuja who rescued us. I've never seen one so massive. It wore a dark red cloak and had a mask with only one kakugan."
"Got it..."
Yoshimura instantly realized who Yomo was describing.
Based on the description, aside from himself, it could only have been Eto.
Moreover, it wasn't surprising that Eto knew about Anteiku.
'Eto...'
Yoshimura sighed inwardly, puzzled about why Eto had left these two ghouls with him.
He then spoke to Yomo and learned about what had happened to him and Uta.
Although he still couldn't discern Eto's true intentions, Yoshimura decided to take in Yomo and Uta, perhaps as a way to alleviate his guilt toward Eto.
"There are likely investigators searching for you in the 4th Ward right now. Why don't you stay here for the time being?" Yoshimura offered.
"..."
Yomo hesitated, as his sister and family were still in the 4th Ward, and he couldn't leave them behind.
"Is there something else holding you back?" Yoshimura asked.
"Yes... I have family in the 4th Ward. I can't abandon them" Yomo admitted.
"Then why not bring them here? Anteiku welcomes all ghouls."
Yoshimura suggested candidly.
"Anteiku?"
The name rang a bell for Yomo. "Is this the 20th Ward?"
"That's right. This is the Anteiku Cafe in the 20th Ward. I'm the owner and the 'Manager' of this ward."
Yoshimura revealed his identity.
"I see..."
Yomo was surprised.
Although rumors often depicted the 20th Ward as home to weak and timid ghouls, he knew more than most.
He had heard of two powerful ghoul groups in the past, Devil Ape and Black Dog After the new Manager took over, both groups suddenly disappeared.
This suggested that the new Manager was stronger than either group.
Although he didn't know the specifics, this place seemed like a safe haven.
Moreover, Yoshimura had helped him...
If his sister's safety could be assured, he'd gladly work for someone like this.
"I'm willing to join Anteiku, but first, I need to bring my sister here" Yomo stated his condition.
"Of course. I'll ensure your safety during the process" Yoshimura readily agreed.
"I'd like to leave now. Uta is still unconscious and won't cause trouble even if he wakes up"
"That's fine" Yoshimura said warmly. "But before you leave, let me introduce you to your new colleagues"
"Alright..."
Yomo replied hesitantly, unsure of what tasks lay ahead.
He followed Yoshimura downstairs.
"These three will be your coworkers. Why don't you introduce yourself first?" Yoshimura said to Yomo.
Originally, the Anteiku only had two employees, but recently Minami started working there after school. She received help from Anteiku, relying on preserved human flesh to stave off hunger and refraining from hunting humans anymore.
"My name is Yomo... Renji Yomo" he said, hesitating briefly before introducing himself.