Due to the appearance of the two "one-eyed ghouls," Kurona Yasuhisa and Nashiro Yasuhisa, Touka Kirishima had become quite curious.
At this moment, she was somewhat hesitant to leave.
However, noticing that even the "one-eyed" sisters had stepped aside, she eventually exited the room, thinking she could converse with them while Ryoma spoke with the manager.
"Hello, I'm Touka Kirishima, a waitress here," she introduced herself.
Kurona and Nashiro, though typically reserved around strangers, remembered Ryoma's advice to get along with those in the "peaceful district."
"Hello, I'm Kurona Yasuhisa," Kurona replied.
"I'm Nashiro Yasuhisa," Nashiro added.
Seeing that the sisters seemed approachable, Touka relaxed slightly.
"Did you both really transform from humans into ghouls? And one-eyed ghouls at that," Touka inquired, her curiosity evident.
"Yes," Kurona responded calmly. "Nashiro and I were deceived into undergoing an experiment, resulting in our current state."
"Such experiments exist..." Touka murmured, surprised, choosing not to press further.
She understood the hardships of being a ghoul, especially one striving to integrate into human society. For the sisters, forcibly turned from humans into ghouls, the initial struggle to adapt—particularly regarding food must have been agonizing.
"I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories," Touka apologized.
"It's alright; we've come to terms with it," Kurona said expressionlessly.
Nashiro nodded in agreement.
Whether they truly had moved on was known only to them.
Meanwhile, in the manager's office...
Kanzaki Ryoma and Yoshimura were deep in conversation.
"Regarding Miss Rize, you're aware of her true identity, correct?" Ryoma began.
"Yes, Miss Rize is a ghoul," Yoshimura acknowledged.
"That's not exactly what I'm referring to. I'm talking about the Washuu clan..." Ryoma's tone grew heavier at the mention of the name.
Yoshimura paused, then said, "You know about the Washuu?"
"I've gathered some information, though not extensively. Miss Rize shared some insights with me," Ryoma explained.
"She confided that in you?" Yoshimura was genuinely surprised.
Having observed Rize's personality over time, he found it remarkable that she would divulge such sensitive information to a ghoul investigator. The fact that Rize had maintained a close relationship with Ryoma for so long was astonishing in itself.
Yoshimura began to question Ryoma's true identity but couldn't pinpoint who he might be.
"If I recall correctly, years ago, the 20th ward was under the control of two major ghoul groups: the 'Apes' and the 'Black Dobers.' Then, they suddenly vanished without a trace," Ryoma speculated. "There are two plausible explanations. One is that an external force eradicated these groups, but given their SS-rated leaders, such a conflict would have left evidence. The other possibility is a merger, perhaps forming what is now the 'safe zone.' But who could compel these two rival groups to unite? I understand they were mortal enemies before their disappearance. Manager Yoshimura, as the overseer of the 'safe zone,' you might have some insights?"
Ryoma's implication was clear: Yoshimura was the leader of the 20th ward, known in ghoul circles as the "manager."
"You've done your homework, Ryoma. Given what you've said, I believe you already know the answer," Yoshimura said seriously, ceasing his pretense.
The depth of Ryoma's knowledge about the "safe zone" was unsettling. If he chose to, the CCG might soon launch an operation against them.
Even with current manpower shortages, resources could be mobilized after the "Aogiri Tree" campaign.
Yoshimura, despite his composed nature, felt a surge of protectiveness for the "safe zone." Ryoma's probing touched a nerve.
Complicating matters was Yoshimura's inability to discern Ryoma's true identity, adding to his unease.
"Rest assured, I bear no ill will toward the 'peaceful district.' I merely wish to converse with you, Manager Yoshimura. Your enigmatic identity piques my curiosity," Ryoma said with a smile.
Yoshimura's stern expression softened slightly. "I'm just an old man nearing the end of his days. There's little of interest about me. However, I advise against delving too deeply into the Washuu clan. Such pursuits can lead to perilous consequences..."
"Thank you for the warning, Manager. Let's set aside the deeper aspects of the Washuu family and focus on known facts," Ryoma continued. "The twin sisters earlier are clearly ghouls, yet they pass through CCG's RC gates undetected. This can't solely be because 'artificial ghouls' evade detection. Additionally, their kagune resembles Miss Rize's, suggesting they transplanted a kagune from another Washuu..."
Yoshimura fell silent once more.
Truthfully, he was reluctant to continue this conversation. Ryoma was dangerously close to sensitive truths.
###
Feels like the book's dying... It used to get 3k consistent effective readers on a daily basis but now? It has dropped to 1.1k + nowadays, even avg comments are only 40+.
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Also, read the the fanfic that has goto hitori aka bocchi as one of the— or as the fmc!