50

Chapter 50: Information Fishing

District 20, Anteiku Coffee Shop.

It was a weekend, and Kosaka Yoriko decided to visit the café where Kirishima Touka worked.

"Touka, can I get a regular coffee? And make it extra sweet," Yoriko said, taking a seat in the middle of the café.

"Yoriko? What brings you here all of a sudden?" Touka asked, surprised.

"I just felt like seeing you," Yoriko answered with a smile.

In truth, Yoriko had deliberately chosen this weekend to visit, hoping to meet the boy she believed Touka liked.

From what Yoriko had observed before, that boy seemed like a student, so she figured there was a good chance he'd be here on the weekend.

"Alright then."

Touka smiled warmly. "This cup's on me."

She genuinely believed Yoriko had come just to see her, unaware of her friend's true motive.

Sure enough, Yoriko's real goal was to meet Kanzaki Ryoma.

However, Ryoma wasn't there for the moment — he had already arranged to spend the afternoon reading with Kaneki Ken.

Meanwhile, Rize Kamishiro stayed home, lazily flipping through fashion magazines.

...

When Ryoma arrived at the café, he spotted Kaneki at a nearby table and sat down beside him.

"Ryoma-san, have you read the short story collection by Takatsuki Sen?" Kaneki asked, holding up a book.

"Not yet," Ryoma replied.

"You should give it a try," Kaneki said, sliding the book across the table. "This one ties heavily into The Black Goat's Egg — it's practically essential reading."

"Alright," Ryoma nodded. "Takatsuki's writing is always worth the time."

Yoriko, meanwhile, had been waiting for the right moment to approach Ryoma, but seeing that he was engrossed in conversation with Kaneki, she held back.

Instead, she ended up chatting with Touka during her breaks.

Hours passed, yet Ryoma remained focused on his conversation with Kaneki.

Finally, Kaneki packed his things and stood to leave.

"See you later, Ryoma."

"Yeah, take care."

As Kaneki left, Ryoma considered heading home as well.

But before he could get up, Yoriko walked over and confidently sat down across from him.

"Hey there," she greeted cheerfully.

"Uh... hey," Ryoma said, looking confused. "Sorry, but... do I know you?"

"I'm Touka's classmate," Yoriko explained. "You know Touka, right?"

"Touka?" Ryoma shook his head slightly. "Sorry, I don't know anyone by that name."

Since Touka had never introduced herself to him directly, Ryoma played it safe and pretended not to know her. After all, they weren't exactly close.

"Huh...?" Yoriko blinked in surprise.

He doesn't even know Touka's name?

"It's the cute waitress over there," Yoriko whispered, glancing toward Touka. "I thought you two knew each other."

Yoriko had emphasized the word cute, her tone teasing.

Touka, who had been watching from behind the counter, noticed Yoriko sitting with Ryoma.

She couldn't help but feel uneasy.

What's Yoriko saying to him...?!

When Ryoma's eyes briefly met hers, Touka's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no... is she talking about me?!

Touka's anxiety spiked as she realized Yoriko's visit might've been planned all along.

"I've talked to her a little," Ryoma said, shrugging. "But I wouldn't say I know her well. Why do you ask?"

"Well..." Yoriko smiled slyly. "I just wanted to get to know you. My name's Kosaka Yoriko. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Kanzaki Ryoma. Nice to meet you too," Ryoma replied politely.

"By the way... do you have a girlfriend?" Yoriko asked directly.

"...No," Ryoma answered, caught off guard by the sudden question.

That was the moment Touka couldn't take it anymore.

She hurried over, her face barely concealing her frustration.

"Yoriko," Touka said with a forced smile, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Yoriko sensed that Touka seemed a little annoyed, so she followed her without protest.

As Yoriko walked away, Ryoma sat there, still trying to figure out what had just happened.

Yoriko's questions didn't feel like flirting — it seemed more like she was fishing for information... for someone else.

Was she asking on Touka's behalf?

No... that's ridiculous, Ryoma thought.

He shook his head and decided to finish his coffee before heading home.

...

"Touka! Listen," Yoriko whispered excitedly once they were alone. "That guy doesn't have a girlfriend!"

"And why does that matter?" Touka groaned. "I told you, you're completely misunderstanding things."

"Sure, sure," Yoriko smirked. "Oh, and his name's Kanzaki Ryoma. Bet you didn't know that either, huh?"

Touka winced slightly.

"...I didn't ask for his name," she muttered.

"Exactly!" Yoriko grinned. "You should've asked by now."

"Tch... it's none of my business whether he has a girlfriend or not," Touka grumbled. "You're overthinking this."

"Alright, alright... I'll just assume I misunderstood," Yoriko teased.

But from the way she smiled, it was clear she wasn't convinced.

At least now she was satisfied — Ryoma's lack of a girlfriend was the answer she'd been hoping for.

"Well, I'm heading out," Yoriko said cheerfully. "See you later, Touka~"

"Yeah... bye."

Touka watched her friend leave, feeling both relieved and frustrated.

Why did she have to stick her nose in this?

With a sigh, Touka muttered quietly to herself.

"So, his name's Kanzaki Ryoma..."