"'You'll find out soon?' What's that supposed to mean?" Touka looked even more confused now.
When she tried to press for an answer, Hayashi only smiled and kept quiet.Left with no choice, she waited in silence.
As her thoughts settled, she started to feel the warmth radiating through their joined hands — soft, steady, soothing. And the longer she felt it, the redder her cheeks grew.
They were holding hands. In public. Not in private, not by accident—here, in a crowded restaurant, plain for anyone to see. They weren't even a couple. Surely people would misunderstand!
Her lips trembled as she bit them lightly, mortified—but she didn't pull her hand away.
Then, suddenly, she felt something else. A gentle current of warmth flowed up her arm, wrapping her body in a pleasant, tingling calm.It was… relaxing. Comforting. Almost blissful.
She couldn't help but close her eyes for a moment, letting herself enjoy it.
"That should be enough," Hayashi said, amused by how she looked—eyes shut, flushed, and visibly dazed."You can open your eyes now."
"Already?" Touka blinked and tilted her head.
"Yeah. Just don't move—and don't let go." Hayashi picked up a piece of grilled beef with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl. "Try this. Fresh off the grill."
"Try it…?"
Touka stared at the steaming slice of meat. A moment ago, just the smell of it would've made her nauseous. But now… now it smelled good. So good it made her mouth water.
It was richer than human flesh, fragrant and savory—an aroma that pulled her in.She realized the change had happened right after they'd interlocked their fingers.
She glanced at their hands again. Whatever he did, this was his doing.
Before she could ask, Hayashi interrupted gently, smiling. "Don't overthink it. Just try it while it's hot."
Her focus shifted back to the food. She hesitated, remembering the last time she'd tried human food—it had been awful, gag-inducing. But she gathered her courage, opened her mouth, and took a bite.
The flavor exploded on her tongue—juicy, tender, full of life. For a few seconds she froze, eyes wide in shock.
"How is it?" Hayashi asked, clearly entertained by her expression — it mirrored Rize's the first time she'd tasted something divine.
"It's… amazing! I've never eaten anything this good before!" Without another word, Touka dug in eagerly, eating faster and faster even with one hand still clasped with his.
In no time, every plate was empty.
"This is… this is incredible!" she gasped, licking her lips in delight. Then, a thought struck her—and her expression shifted.
She was a ghoul. She couldn't eat human food. So… how?
"You're wondering why you can eat it, right?" Hayashi beat her to the question, grinning.
She nodded slowly.
"Ghouls have different taste and smell receptors from humans," he said casually. "Normally, human food is inedible to you.""But just now, I made you human—temporarily. So now you can eat it."
Touka froze, stunned.
After a long pause, she finally asked, "When did you find out I was a ghoul?"
"From the first time I saw you."
"The first time…" she murmured softly, eyes flickering with faint nostalgia.
She'd always known it was impossible to hide her nature—especially from someone observant. Only Yoriko, her sweet but oblivious human friend, had ever believed her lies completely.
What shocked her wasn't that Hayashi knew — but that he didn't run. He stayed by her side instead.
She couldn't understand it. Wasn't he afraid she might eat him?
"You knew what I was, but you didn't avoid me. Why?"
Hayashi met her gaze with a calm smile.
"Because I think you're interesting. I'm curious about you. That's all."
"I've never cared about whether someone's human or ghoul—it doesn't matter to me."
He shrugged lightly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"After all, aside from diet, there's not much difference. No biological barrier, right?"
Touka stared at him for a moment before sighing. "You really are a strange one."
She wasn't even surprised anymore—just oddly relieved. Knowing he'd already accepted her for what she was… lifted something heavy off her chest.
The distance she'd forced between them suddenly felt unnecessary.
And now, learning that he'd somehow turned her human, even temporarily—it was unbelievable.But no matter how absurd, it was real.
After gathering her thoughts, she looked up again.
"Alright, I get the general idea. The details can wait until we're home."
"Right now, let's finish eating."
Her eyes darted back to the grill, where the meat sizzled invitingly. She could no longer resist. Plate after plate disappeared as she ate with growing enthusiasm.
Hayashi chuckled softly. "Such a greedy little cat."
In this world, nothing was more important than enjoying a good meal.
"Okay, I'm full." After a long while, Touka leaned back, touching her now-comfortably full stomach.
"How does it feel?" Hayashi asked with a grin.
"I've never felt this good before," she said dreamily. "So this is what human food tastes like?"
Her violet eyes sparkled with joy—but then she huffed and turned her face away.
"Don't think you can bribe me with one good meal. You still owe me answers."
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she coughed lightly and crossed her arms.
"Sure, sure," Hayashi said, smiling helplessly. "You're the boss."
He couldn't help but laugh to himself.The full tsundere combo—small chest, few words, permanent scowl.