"Pathetic."
Kirishima Touka's voice rang out with fury as she glared at Tsukiyama Shuu. "You're really using me and an innocent student as bait to trap Ryoma? You sick freak."
Her words sliced through the tension like a blade. Tsukiyama's shameless ploy had done its job: Kanzaki Ryoma had come alone.
And knowing that, Touka couldn't just walk away. Tsukiyama's strength was formidable, and now he had two more of the Tsukiyama family's retainers flanking him. Touka's heart pounded, not for herself—but for Ryoma.
Kaneki was already bolting for the exit of the underground garage, panic guiding his every step. But Touka stayed rooted, eyes burning with hatred, refusing to retreat.
"Oh?" Tsukiyama's voice rose with delight. "How wonderful. The thought of having you here to witness this... it excites me."
He chuckled, licking his lips as if savoring the meal to come.
Once, Touka might have stood as an even match for him. But Tsukiyama knew she hadn't consumed fresh human flesh in far too long. Her strength had withered.
"Miss Kirishima..." Ryoma called softly.
But before he could say anything else, Touka snapped, "I'm not going. I won't leave you behind, Ryoma. I'll take that twisted bastard down myself if I have to."
Kanae, who was still wearing that smug half-mask snarled at her insult. "Watch your mouth! You dare speak of the young master that way?"
"Calm down, Kanae," Tsukiyama waved her off, still immersed in his delusion. "The main course is Ryoma-kun. You'll get your turn."
Then, with a twisted grin, he reached into his coat and pulled out a handkerchief—the same one Kamishiro Rize had once used. He pressed it to his face and inhaled deeply.
"Mmm... That scent. It haunts me, day and night. Irresistible... unforgettable."
Ryoma's eyes swept across the room. Just Tsukiyama, Kanae, and Matsumae. No reinforcements lurking in the shadows. No elite ghoul ambush waiting in the wings. Tsukiyama had vastly underestimated him.
Back during the Ghoul Restaurant incident, the most dangerous figure had been Madam A, a -S level ghoul at best. Ryoma's quick dispatching of her and the rest had warped Tsukiyama's perception. He still thought Ryoma was a minor threat.
And while Tsukiyama Mirumo remained the true monster of the tsukiyama family, Matsumae stood as the Tsukiyama household's current peak in combat power.
"If you're staying," Ryoma said quietly to Touka, "then fight with me."
He didn't try to stop her.
Tsukiyama's lips curled. "So, you're resisting? That's unfortunate. If only you would've accepted your fate, I could've made it painless."
"You're trying to eat me. I'd be insane not to resist."
Ryoma's voice was calm, but steel lay beneath it.
"Leave that deranged gourmet to me," Touka whispered as she stepped beside Ryoma. "Can you handle the other two?"
He gave a small nod. "I've got them. Watch your back."
"You too."
Touka stepped forward, facing Tsukiyama directly. "You won't get what you want, Tsukiyama. Not today."
Tsukiyama laughed, mocking her. "Oh, Miss Kirishima. You haven't had fresh meat in ages, have you? You're a shadow of what you once were. You think you can still fight me?"
"Let's find out."
She summoned her kagune. The half-intact wing unfolded behind her in a sharp, angular fan of glowing tendrils—half-majestic, half-haunted.
Tsukiyama's grin widened. "Kanae. Matsumae. Stay back. This one's mine. You take care of Ryoma."
The two nodded in unison.
Matsumae stepped forward like a specter, while Kanae moved more aggressively, already closing the distance.
Ryoma didn't flinch. With a smooth motion, he opened the suitcase slung over his shoulder and revealed a modified quinque—the same "13s Jason" taken from Yamori. Formed into a compact gun-mode, it launched his kagune like shrapnel at the two enemies.
Matsumae weaved through the assault gracefully, a blur of motion. Kanae wasn't so lucky—one of the jagged shards grazed her shoulder, slicing through her coat and drawing blood.
"Damn it," Kanae hissed, gripping the wound.
She hadn't expected such speed. Ryoma was no easy target.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the garage, Touka and Tsukiyama clashed. Their kagune collided with vicious impact, red and violet hues lighting up the gloom.
Touka was struggling. The difference in power was evident. Once, she might've overpowered Tsukiyama, but starvation had dulled her edge. Within seconds, he landed a clean strike, his kagune piercing her arm and flinging her backward.
She slammed into the wall and crumpled to the ground, panting heavily.
"Disappointing," Tsukiyama said, chuckling as he approached. "Don't worry. I won't kill you. I just want you to watch."
That grin froze on his face the moment Kanae crashed into him from behind.
The impact sent him sprawling across the floor, shocked and infuriated.
Matsumae wasn't unscathed either. Blood trickled down her abdomen where Ryoma's attack had found its mark.
Suddenly, a mechanical chime rang inside Ryoma's head.
[System Activated. God-Level Choice.]
[Choice 1: Offer your flesh to Touka, allowing her to regain her strength by consuming part of you. She defeats Tsukiyama herself. Watching her consume you shatters Tsukiyama's mental defenses. Reward: 100 fusion points.]
[Choice 2: Eliminate Kanae and Matsumae immediately. Rescue Touka and defeat Tsukiyama Shuu. Reward: 40 fusion points.]
Ryoma processed both options in a flash. The first one promised more satisfaction and more points, but it came at a price.
He would have to be consumed again.
Turning his gaze to Touka, still slumped on the floor, Ryoma walked over and crouched beside her.
"Is it the hunger? You haven't had flesh in too long."
She blinked up at him, confused, bloodied.
"Then eat mine," he said. "Right now."
"Are you serious?"
Her eyes widened.
"Yes."
His voice was absolute.
From across the garage, Tsukiyama's scream tore through the air. "No! You can't! That's MY delicacy!"
His face contorted into something animalistic, frothing with rage. He scrambled forward, desperation in every movement.
"You filthy sow! Don't you touch him!"
But it was too late.
Touka's lips parted, and her kagune trembled with new energy.
She bit down.
***
I've now conformed it— Ryoma IS a masochist!! 😭
Drop your stones 👊🏻