"Can I refuse?"
Kanzaki Ryoma's expression didn't change, but deep down, he knew—
This was a trap.
If Rize Kamishiro was smirking like that, it meant she was definitely up to something.
"Nope," Rize said sweetly, tightening her hold around his waist.
"If you don't agree, I won't let you go."
Kanzaki sighed.
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
Rize grinned and let go.
With that settled, Kanzaki focused on cooking.
And Rize?
She launched her attack.
Rize's first target was Kanzaki's earlobe.
Her warm breath ghosted over his skin—
But this time, Kanzaki was ready.
He didn't react.
His hands moved steadily, chopping ingredients with perfect precision.
Rize blinked.
Her smile widened.
Fine. Let's up the stakes.
She leaned in—
And gently flicked her tongue against the middle of his ear.
Kanzaki flinched.
The knife halted mid-slice.
Rize's eyes sparkled with amusement.
Got him.
Kanzaki let out a long sigh and turned to her.
"I swear… don't you think this is gross?"
"Nope."
Rize smirked, eyes filled with mischief.
"Besides…" she tapped her lips, "you lost."
"Fine, fine. I lost. Now stop messing with me while I cook."
Rize pouted.
"Since you lost, you should get a punishment~"
Kanzaki rolled his eyes.
"Sure. As long as it's not too much, we'll talk about it later."
He turned back to the stove.
Honestly?
Even if Rize demanded something ridiculous, she couldn't force him.
She was strong—but not stronger than him.
For now, Rize simply watched from the side, letting him finish his meal in peace.
Kanzaki's meal was simple—
Scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Beef stew with potatoes.
And just enough rice for one person.
He placed the fragrant dishes onto the table—
But Rize?
She grimaced slightly.
"Looks good," she admitted.
"But for me? It smells disgusting."
"Well, obviously," Kanzaki said, sitting down.
"Ghouls can't eat normal human food."
"Yeah…" Rize sighed. "There's no way around it."
Kanzaki, however, paused.
"Maybe one day, someone will invent food that ghouls can eat."
Rize raised an eyebrow.
"That's just wishful thinking."
"Not necessarily," Kanzaki replied.
"Technology is always advancing. If coffee is fine for ghouls, why not something else?"
After all—
Ghouls could drink coffee just like humans.
They could drink water.
Hell, even beer seemed to work—if Renji Yomo getting drunk was any proof.
So the idea wasn't impossible.
"Sounds like a fantasy to me," Rize muttered.
But Kanzaki knew the truth.
The reason food alternatives hadn't been invented was simple—
The Washuu Clan.
The ghoul family that secretly controlled CCG.
They didn't want peace.
They needed the war between humans and ghouls to continue—
Because conflict was what gave them power, money, and influence.
The moment an alternative food source appeared?
The CCG's importance would drop.
And the Washuu couldn't allow that.
So they used their secret V Organization—
To eliminate anyone who got too close to the truth.
Arima Kishou himself was one of V's enforcers.
And Kirishima Touka's mother?
Kirishima Hikari was killed because she got too strong.
One day, Kanzaki thought.
The Washuu would fall.
And when they did—
Maybe ghouls could finally live without fear.
---
Kanzaki finished eating.
Yet, Rize didn't leave.
"Aren't you heading home?" Kanzaki asked while washing the dishes.
Instead of answering, Rize casually said,
"I remembered something."
Kanzaki glanced at her.
She smirked.
"I figured out who that masked guy was."
Kanzaki's eyes narrowed.
"That guy…"
"The one who dropped the steel beam on me."
Rize's tone was cold.
"And guess what?"
She leaned against the counter.
"He goes to Kamii University."
Kanzaki already knew.
But he played along.
"Wait—seriously?"
Rize nodded slowly.
"Yeah. He's familiar. But even if I told you, you wouldn't know him."
...
"So…" Kanzaki crossed his arms.
"Your own acquaintance tried to kill you?"
"What are you gonna do about it?"
Rize's expression didn't change.
"For now?" she shrugged.
"If things get bad, I'll just leave. It's not my first time running."
She said it so casually—
Like moving cities was as simple as changing clothes.
Kanzaki frowned.
That's not right.
Suddenly, the system activated.
[Ding! The host has activated a task! Opening God-Tier Choice!]
▶ [Choice 1:] Stay indifferent to Rize's problem. Reward: 1 Fusion Point.
▶ [Choice 2:] Tell Rize directly, "I'll protect you." Reward: 20 Fusion Points.
▶ [Choice 3:] Suggest "Let's run away together." Reward: 30 Fusion Points.
Kanzaki's mind raced.
The logical choice was Option 1—stay out of it.
But his gut feeling said otherwise.
Furuta Nimura was too dangerous.
If Rize ran alone, she'd be hunted down.
Kanzaki sighed.
Then—
He looked Rize in the eye.
"I'll protect you."
[Ding! The host has completed Choice 2. Reward: 20 Fusion Points!]
For once, Rize was caught off guard.
She stared at Kanzaki—
Expression unreadable.
Then, she smiled softly.
"You always say interesting things."
But Kanzaki could tell—
Something in her gaze softened.
Like—
For the first time in a long time, someone was willing to stand beside her.
And maybe…
That meant more to her than she was willing to admit.
====
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