"Then, Miss Kamishiro, I'll sit next to you."
Kanzaki Ryoma casually pulled out a nearby chair and sat beside Kamishiro Rize. His demeanor was natural, unforced—like it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
To be honest, he found this whole situation amusing. Even if this was nothing more than a pseudo-relationship, it was still interesting in its own way.
What made it fascinating was knowing the real Kamishiro Rize. He was fully aware that she would eventually try to eat him, yet that just made the process leading up to it all the more thrilling.
As long as he didn't push too hard, Rize wouldn't attack him in public—especially not here, in the Antique coffee shop. This was neutral ground, ruled by the SSS-rated ghoul, "The One-Eyed Owl," the manager of the 20th Ward.
"Just call me Rize," she corrected him with a playful smile. "We're dating now, aren't we? No need for formalities."
"Alright, Rize-san," Ryoma responded smoothly.
Their supposed relationship was already drawing attention. Though no one openly commented, whispers spread among the café's patrons.
Most of them were ghouls.
And very few of them would dare to get on Rize's bad side.
At the front counter, Kirishima Touka, who was wiping down some cups, glanced at the two of them with an unreadable expression.
---
Ryoma and Rize had no shortage of topics to discuss. Of course, that was because both were actively steering the conversation.
"Do you have any hobbies?" Rize asked, twirling a strand of her violet hair between her fingers. "I think we should get to know each other better."
"I like reading, manga, and listening to music," Ryoma answered truthfully.
"Oh? What kind of books?"
"Recently, I've been reading Takatsuki Sen's works."
Rize's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence! I love Takatsuki-sensei's books."
Her reaction was immediate, her enthusiasm flawless.
But Ryoma knew better.
If he had mentioned another author, she would've just as easily claimed to love their works too.
She was mirroring him, crafting the perfect illusion of compatibility.
Had he been an ordinary, unsuspecting guy, he might have been completely fooled.
If he didn't know the real Rize, he might've been played like a fiddle—only to end up as nothing more than her next meal.
"What would you recommend?" he asked, playing along. "I've just started reading Takatsuki's works, so I haven't gotten far."
"Hmm, I think Takatsuki's debut novel was her peak. The Black Goat's Egg is a must-read. Her latest work, The Hanged MacGuffin, is also excellent."
"I know The Black Goat's Egg! The way the letter was used as a plot device was brilliant. Takatsuki's short stories are great too—like The Black and White Rainbow."
Their conversation flowed smoothly, almost effortlessly.
To any outsider, they looked like a pair of young lovers deeply engaged in a lively discussion.
But the reality was far different.
"What about taste?"
Rize's tone suddenly shifted.
Ryoma blinked. "Taste?"
"Do you prefer your coffee black, or do you like it sweetened?"
"I like it black."
Rize smiled. "Really? I prefer adding a bit of sugar. Here, why don't you try mine? Maybe you'll like it too."
She picked up her cup and extended it toward him, her expression soft and inviting.
To an unsuspecting young man, this would have been an irresistible gesture.
If Ryoma hadn't known the truth about her, he might've fallen under her spell just like countless others before him.
But he had no reason to hesitate.
He accepted the cup and took a sip.
A faint sweetness lingered on his tongue.
[Ding! Host has completed an "indirect kiss" with Kamishiro Rize. Reward: 10 Fusion Points!]
Ryoma's grip on the cup tightened for a moment.
Wait, that counts?!
Apparently, even the smallest interactions with Rize had the potential to trigger rewards.
This only reinforced his earlier decision—staying close to her might lead to even more opportunities.
"Well?" Rize tilted her head, watching him expectantly.
"...Not bad. A little sweetness isn't so bad after all."
"That's good! I was worried you wouldn't like it." Rize let out a small sigh of relief, placing a hand on her chest. The movement was delicate, almost too natural.
Her acting skills were impeccable.
"You know," she mused, "we have the same blood type, we're close in age, and we both love Takatsuki-sensei's books. Now our taste preferences are almost identical too."
Her voice carried a subtle flirtation, though her tone remained perfectly casual.
"Yeah," Ryoma replied, smiling. "We seem to get along well."
"Ah… I just remembered, I have to leave soon."
Rize glanced at the clock, then looked back at him with an apologetic expression.
"Otherwise, I'd love to keep talking. How about we meet here again tomorrow at this time?"
Ryoma nodded. "Sure, I don't mind."
"Great! Then, Ryoma-kun, you have to come tomorrow, okay?" Her eyes gleamed as she leaned in slightly. "I want to know more about you."
With that, she stood up, giving him one last smile before gracefully exiting the café.
From the outside, she looked like the picture of elegance—walking with perfect posture, a small purse held delicately in her hands.
But beneath that refined exterior lurked a predator.
As she strolled through the streets of the 20th Ward, her thoughts shifted.
This human boy was intriguing.
Ryoma's sudden confession earlier had caught her off guard, but it also gave her an idea.
Perhaps she would play with him a little longer.
There was something uniquely entertaining about making her prey fall for her—only to rip away their hopes at the last moment.
She could already picture it.
The moment when he would look at her with those infatuated eyes, completely entranced.
And then…
She would devour him.
Just imagining the expression on his face made her shiver with anticipation.
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