68

Chapter 68: Choices...Once Again

Touka Kirishima leaned in closer and sniffed near Ryoma Kanzaki's neck.

Since her intentions were purely investigative, there was no trace of embarrassment or hesitation on her face.

"...What are you doing?"

Ryoma sat there, puzzled by Touka's actions.

Is she trying to determine if I'm a ghoul by scent?

Touka closed her eyes briefly, analyzing the faint scent.

Aside from the lingering scent of Rize Kamishiro, there were no obvious traces of a ghoul's presence on Ryoma.

If anything, his scent was purely human — nothing suspicious at all.

This convinced Touka that Ryoma couldn't have been the masked man from yesterday. After all, the person who saved them had glowing red eyes — something no ordinary human should possess.

At that moment, Ryoko and Hinami Fueguchi arrived on the second floor.

However, from their angle, Touka's face was positioned close to Ryoma's — almost too close.

To Hinami, it looked... questionable.

"S-Sorry... I shouldn't have interrupted!"

Hinami's face flushed red, and she darted back out of the room like a startled rabbit.

Even Ryoko, noticing the awkward scene, smiled sheepishly.

"You two... I'll leave you alone then," Ryoko said with an apologetic grin before turning to leave.

"Wait! It's not what you think!" Touka shot up, flustered.

She hurried after them and spent the next few minutes outside the lounge explaining the misunderstanding in a hurried whisper.

Meanwhile, Ryoma remained inside, calmly sipping his coffee.

Although Touka had deliberately lowered her voice, Ryoma could guess what was happening.

They're trying to confirm my identity...

It wasn't surprising — after all, he hadn't bothered changing his clothes during the fight with Gecko. Anyone observant enough could easily connect the dots.

After a few minutes, Touka returned with Ryoko and Hinami.

Now composed, Touka gestured toward them.

"These two are the ones who wanted to talk to you," she said flatly.

Ryoma watched as the mother and daughter took a seat across from him.

"...So?" Ryoma asked.

Hinami hesitated for a moment before mustering her courage.

"It was you... wasn't it?" Her voice was soft but steady. "You were the one who saved us yesterday, right? Thank you... so much!"

She bowed her head deeply in gratitude before continuing.

"And... I know we've never met before... but you must know my father, right?"

[Ding! The host has activated a mission — God-Level Choice unlocked!]

[Choice 1: Play dumb and pretend you don't know what they're talking about. Reward: 5 fusion points.]

[Choice 2: Admit you were the masked man but claim that another investigator finished the fight. Reward: 10 fusion points.]

[Choice 3: Admit you were the masked man and reveal your identity as a CCG investigator. Reward: 50 fusion points.]

Ryoma considered his options carefully.

Lying wasn't necessary — no one else had witnessed the battle with Gecko, and the only person who saw his Sharingan was Oomori himself... and he wasn't talking anymore.

Revealing his identity as an investigator felt risky — but Ryoma had an idea.

"Yeah, that was me," Ryoma said with a calm smile. "And if your father's name is Asaki Fueguchi... then yes, I know him."

Hinami's face lit up with joy.

"You do?!"

The warmth in her expression was almost enough to make Ryoma hesitate — but he knew what had to come next.

"I met your father during an investigation," Ryoma continued. "I'm... not his friend."

Hinami's smile faltered.

Before Touka could interrupt, Ryoma added, "I'm a CCG investigator."

[Ding! The host has completed Choice 3. Reward: 50 fusion points.]

Silence filled the room.

Ryoko's face went pale, her fingers trembling slightly.

Hinami's expression turned to one of confusion and fear.

The weight of Ryoma's words hung heavy in the air.

A CCG investigator — the very people who hunted ghouls like them. Worse still, he had been in contact with Asaki.

Ryoko's thoughts immediately turned to her husband.

Has he been captured? Is he... dead?

Touka, meanwhile, clenched her fists tightly.

If this guy knows we're ghouls... then we're in serious trouble.

For a moment, she considered attacking him — but then she remembered how easily Ryoma had defeated Gecko. Fighting him was a death sentence.

But Ryoma seemed unbothered by their panic.

"You don't need to worry," Ryoma said calmly. "If I wanted to report you... I would've done it already."

The tension eased slightly, but doubt still lingered in their eyes.

"But why?" Touka demanded. "Why aren't you turning us in?"

"Because I don't care," Ryoma replied flatly. "I'm not interested in killing ghouls just for the sake of it."

He leaned forward, his tone serious.

"I know what kind of place this café is. As long as no one from here stirs up trouble, I won't get involved."

Ryoko's tense posture relaxed just a little.

"You're... not going to hurt us?" Hinami asked quietly.

Ryoma shook his head.

"I'm not your enemy."

The room fell quiet again, but this time the silence wasn't as heavy — more like a mutual understanding had been reached.