Hinami the Loli

Dawn was breaking.

The sky gradually brightened with hues of pale white. A dazzling ray of sunlight spilled over the horizon like golden threads, bathing the earth in its gentle glow and driving away the lingering chill of night.

On the streets, a silver-haired girl darted swiftly, her figure blurring like a streak of lightning. After a short while, she came to an abrupt stop.

The reason? Quite simple—she was hungry.

Apparently, she had skipped dinner the previous night, consumed by her rush to reach Cochlea. But in her single-minded focus, she had completely neglected to eat, and now her stomach was rumbling in protest.

Suddenly, Kaguya remembered a critical issue—she had forgotten to ask for Cochlea's address.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "How could I make such a rookie mistake? And twice, no less?"

She cursed herself inwardly. Earlier at the church, she had been too busy showing off to think of something as crucial as directions. What a blunder!

"What now?"

As her gaze swept over the increasingly bustling streets, she noticed young boys and girls carrying pieces of bread in their mouths, and her eyes suddenly lit up with an idea.

Yes, she could head there. Not only would she be able to fill her stomach, but she could also inquire about Cochlea's location.

And that place was...

"Ugh, it's you again," Touka Kirishima said with a tone of irritation.

"Hi there!" Kaguya greeted with a grin, her demeanor overly cheerful. "Long time no see. You've grown even more beautiful."

"Cut the crap. What do you want this time?" Touka, holding a broom in hand, looked ready to chase her out. "Are you here to pay back what you owe?"

"Well, about that…" Kaguya scratched her head sheepishly and let out a dry laugh. "You see, I just got a new job, and my first paycheck isn't coming until next month, so…"

"So, you're broke?" Touka's eye twitched as she stared at Kaguya with an increasingly dangerous expression.

"Ahaha… haha…" Kaguya tried to laugh it off awkwardly. "I haven't eaten breakfast yet, so…"

"You're absolutely insufferable!" Touka shouted in frustration. "Coming here for a free meal when you don't have a single yen to your name!"

"If I had money, I wouldn't be here, would I?" Kaguya mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?" Touka leaned in, glaring at her fiercely. "Care to repeat yourself?"

"N-Nothing at all!" Kaguya waved her hands defensively, forcing another nervous laugh.

Later...

Touka slammed a plate down on the table. "Here's your coffee and a vegetable sandwich," she said, her tone exasperated. "This is the last time. If you ever come here to eat again, bring money. Got it?"

"Got it. You're a lifesaver!" Kaguya said with a grateful expression. "Even though your sandwiches aren't all that tasty…"

"What was that?" Touka's annoyance flared as she reached to snatch the plate away.

"No, no, nothing of the sort!" Kaguya quickly shielded the sandwich, stuffing it into her mouth in a single motion. "Delicious! Absolutely delicious!"

With a huff, Touka turned away and resumed cleaning the bar counter, no longer sparing Kaguya another glance.

Watching Touka meticulously wipe down the counter, Kaguya couldn't help but smile. Beneath her cold exterior, Touka had a kind heart. She was the quintessential "cool on the outside, warm on the inside" type.

The sandwich was small, and Kaguya devoured it in just a few bites. To her surprise, this sandwich tasted far better than the last one she'd had here. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, the salad dressing tangy and aromatic. Even as a self-proclaimed carnivore, Kaguya found it delightful.

"Maybe it's just because I was starving…" she mused.

While sipping on her rich coffee, Kaguya's gaze drifted to a young girl seated at another table. The girl, clutching a pen, seemed engrossed in her drawing.

Kaguya blinked in recognition. "She looks familiar…"

Then it clicked—this was the same little girl she had accidentally bumped into the other night.

Upon closer inspection, Kaguya realized the girl wasn't just familiar. Given her small stature, age, and presence here at Anteiku, could she be Hinami Fueguchi?

If so, she was the little girl from the original story whose parents had been killed by investigators.

"What are you drawing?" Kaguya approached with a smile, her curiosity piqued.

Hinami flinched, startled. She looked up, her wide eyes locking onto Kaguya's. For a moment, it seemed as though she might recognize her.

Kaguya leaned closer, peeking at the sketchbook. "Oh, what an adorable drawing! Is that a rabbit?"

"It's… my dad," Hinami murmured timidly.

"Huh?"

Kaguya broke into a cold sweat, staring at the rabbit-like figure on the page. "This rabbit-shaped thing... is your dad?"

"By the way, where are your parents?" Kaguya asked, glancing around.

"They're not here," Hinami replied, her mood visibly dimming.

Kaguya's gaze sharpened. Could it be that her parents were already dead?

Given how much the timeline of this world had diverged from the original, it was entirely possible. Events and outcomes had shifted drastically, like Kaneki's unexpected death or Rize's mysterious disappearance. It seemed Kaguya's very presence had triggered a butterfly effect.

"Are they… gone?" Kaguya asked hesitantly.

"You're the one who's gone!" Hinami shot to her feet, shouting angrily. "How can you say something like that?"

Kaguya blinked in surprise. In her mind, Hinami had always been a gentle, timid girl. Yet here she was, lashing out with the ferocity of an agitated kitten. However, her reaction suggested her parents were still alive.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," Kaguya said sincerely. "What I said was thoughtless. My apologies."

Hinami, seeing Kaguya's earnest apology, gradually calmed down and sat back down. She pursed her lips, not speaking, but her reddening eyes betrayed her emotions.

"How about I tell you a story to make it up to you?" Kaguya suggested, thick-skinned as ever. "It's a very magical one!"

Kaguya, oblivious, was unaware that her eager, grinning expression made her look exactly like a wolf trying to trick Little Red Riding Hood.

...

"So you're saying if I fold 999 paper cranes, my wish will come true?" Hinami's big, beautiful eyes widened with excitement.

"Of course," Kaguya declared, confidently patting her chest. "I guarantee it."

"That's amazing!" Hinami exclaimed, thrilled at the idea. However, her expression quickly fell into a pout. "But… I don't know how to fold paper cranes."

"That's easy enough. I'll teach you." Kaguya smiled, reaching for her sketchpad and tearing out a piece of paper.

Folding paper cranes was second nature to Kaguya. Not only cranes—rabbits, cats, cows, and other animals were also within her repertoire. She had loved origami as a child and had even won awards for it in elementary school.

Hinami watched as Kaguya tore the paper with visible distress. That sketchpad was a gift from her mother. She opened her mouth to protest but ultimately stayed silent.

"Watch closely. You fold like this, then like this, flip it over, fold it a few more times..." Kaguya's fingers moved skillfully, manipulating the paper with remarkable dexterity. In mere moments, amidst her swift movements, a beautiful paper crane took shape.

"And done!" Kaguya held up the crane triumphantly, her smile full of pride.

"It's so pretty!" Hinami's eyes sparkled, her admiration shining through. "You're amazing!"

Hinami had spent her childhood in a sheltered bubble, with only her parents for company. No one had ever taught her such things before.

"Here, it's yours." Kaguya handed the crane to Hinami, her heart swelling with satisfaction as the little girl gazed at her with open admiration. It was a delightful boost to her vanity.

"Really? Can I keep it?" Hinami asked, her joy evident.

"Of course!" Kaguya said with a grin. "So, did you catch how I folded it?"

Hinami's face flushed pink as she stammered, "I… didn't really see clearly…"

"Oh, that's right." Kaguya lightly smacked her forehead. She'd been too busy showing off earlier, moving so quickly that it was no wonder Hinami couldn't follow. "Let me fold it slower this time. Pay close attention."

"Okay!" Hinami nodded eagerly, her focus sharpened.

One Hour Later

"I did it! I did it!" Hinami shouted excitedly, holding up a slightly crumpled paper crane. Though it was a little wrinkled and misshapen from her inexperience, it was a respectable effort.

"Good job." Kaguya smiled and ruffled Hinami's hair gently. "Hinami is so smart."

While she said this with a kind smile, inwardly, Kaguya was a little exasperated. Back when she learned how to fold cranes, it had taken her only ten minutes. Hinami, on the other hand, took a whole hour. It was, to say the least, an incredibly slow pace. Still, Kaguya decided to encourage her. After all, crushing a child's enthusiasm would be too cruel.

Hinami froze when Kaguya's hand rested on her head.

"What's wrong?" Kaguya asked curiously. "Is something the matter?"

"N-No," Hinami said, shaking her head. "I just… miss my mom and dad. They went—"

"Hinami."

Touka's voice interrupted, cutting through the moment.

Hinami jolted as if waking from a trance. "Ah, sorry! I… I have something I need to do. I have to go now."

"Go ahead," Kaguya replied with a casual smile, not minding the abrupt departure. Clearly, Touka had stepped in to prevent Hinami from revealing anything she shouldn't.

At the staircase corner, Kaguya called after her with a cheerful wave. "Good luck! Don't forget—999 paper cranes!"

"Got it!" Hinami nodded without turning back and scurried up the stairs, her small legs moving quickly.

"It seems there's more to these ghouls than meets the eye," Kaguya thought, her smile fading slightly. "Especially concerning Hinami's family."

"Hey, how much longer are you planning to hang around here?" Touka walked over, her tone brusque. "We're about to open for business."

"Ah, I see." Kaguya glanced at the time and stood up, brushing herself off. "It's about time I got going, too. Thanks for the hospitality!"

Touka merely snorted, her attitude unchanged. It was clear she had no fondness for this freeloader.

Kaguya didn't mind. She simply smiled and waved goodbye as she left the café.

"Ugh. Why do people like her even come here?" Touka grumbled under her breath. "She's insufferable."

"Has she left?"

The elderly manager, Yoshimura Kuzen, descended the stairs, his silver hair gleaming softly in the light.

"Yes, she's gone." Touka nodded.

"Good." Yoshimura's expression was calm, but his tone carried weight. "We must remain vigilant over the next few days. According to reports, the 'Doves' may return to this area. There's already been increased ghoul activity."

"The Doves?" Touka's eyes widened in alarm. "You mean…?"

"Yes, most likely." Yoshimura nodded. "Recently, both the Gourmet and the One-Eyed King have drawn considerable attention. But none of that concerns me as much as…" He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His tone grew heavier. "…that explosion last night."

Touka stiffened, recalling the massive blast that had sent shockwaves through the city. "I saw it. I thought the CCG used nuclear weapons. Aren't they afraid of harming civilians?"

"It wasn't nuclear weapons." Yoshimura shook his head gravely. "There was no radioactive residue, nor any trace of conventional explosives."

"No traces?" Touka repeated, her confusion deepening. "Then what caused it?"

"According to leaked surveillance footage, the destruction wasn't caused by the government or the CCG." Yoshimura's voice dropped ominously. "It was likely the work of… a ghoul."

"A ghoul?!" Touka exclaimed, stunned. "That's impossible! No ghoul could create an explosion of that magnitude. Only a nuclear bomb could do something like that!"

"That's what I thought as well," Yoshimura admitted with a heavy sigh. His expression darkened as he continued, "But the surveillance clearly captured a figure wearing a fox mask, unleashing that destructive power."

Touka's jaw dropped, her disbelief rendering her speechless. She swallowed hard, trying to process his words.

"This… can't be true..."

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