Aki was severing a table when she heard the bell ring.
"Welcome." she heard Ren greets.
Aki looks over to see Seiko and Rika.
"Seiko, Rika." Aki whispers, walking over.
Rika gives Aki a hug.
"Thank goodness you're okay. I have been so worried." Rika cries.
Aki smiles.
"Rika, I'm working." Aki tells her.
"Aki, you should be on a break." Ren tells her.
Aki looks at him as he place his hand on top of her head.
"I am?" Aki asks.
"Yes silly, I told you you're break was coming up." Ren tells her. "Go and chat with your friends." Ren says walking off.
"Come on." Aki says, walking to a spear table.
The trio sits down and Aki sighs.
"So what brings you two here?" Aki asks.
"Well Rika really wanted to see you and Mayu asked me to drop by to check on you. I assume you heard the news." Seiko explains.
"Yeah, I did." Aki whispers.
"It hurts Mayu, that she can't be here for you." Seiko tells Aki.
"I know." Aki whispers.
"Will you be safe here?" Rika asks.
"I'll be fine, I have a good group of people here." Aki replies smiling. "I'm safe here and I think I can build something here." Aki admits.
Seiko smiles.
"That's great Aki, I hope you can too." Seiko says.
"And now I know where you are, I can visit." Rika adds.
Aki giggles.
"I still have the same number so you can call and I can call you." Aki tells her.
Rika smiles.
"Yeah, we can still talk. Every night" Rika says.
Aki smiles. They then heard the bell ring and look back to see Ryu. Seiko, Aki and Rika quickly stands up.
"Grandfather." Seiko whispers as Ryu walks over.
"Seiko, what the hell are you doing here?" Ryu asks.
"Why I'm here doesn't matter, why are you here?" Seiko asks.
Ryu looks at Aki who walks back, running into someone. She looks back to see Ren.
"Welcome sir, may I help you?" Ren asks.
Aki quickly hides behind him as Yoshiki walks over.
"Come on, go to Nami." Yoshiki whispers to Aki who nods as starts walking to the counter.
Rye grabs her wrist.
"I am here for the girl, we have a few questions for her." Ryu replies, pulling Aki towards him.
Aki goes into shock.
"No, let me go." Aki begs as she tries to break free.
Seiko walks over and slaps her Ryu, causing him to let Aki go who runs to Nami.
"You are disgusting grandfather." Seiko says, grabbing Rika.
She walks out. Aki sighs as she looks at Nami who has her arms wrapped around Aki. Then Kobayashi walks over to Ryu.
"If you are only here to harass my worker, I am going to have to ask you to leave." Kobayashi tells Ryu who chuckles.
"Does a woman name Mayu sound familiar, Hyata Mayu?" Ryu asks.
"No, it doesn't." Kobayashi replies. "Now leave." Kobayashi tells him.
Ryu sighs as he walks out.
"Kobayashi." Nami says.
"Aki, you should go to the back and have your lunch. Yoshiki, your break has started too." Kobayashi tells the pair.
"Oh, right." Yoshiki whispers.
Aki nods, walking out the back. She was shaking and couldn't stop. She looks back as Yoshiki walks over.
"Are you okay?" Yoshiki asks.
"No." Aki replies softly.
Yoshiki gives Aki a hug who grabs his shirt.
"I thought he was going to hurt me." Aki admits.
"It's okay, I won't let that man near you ever again." Yoshiki tells Aki who closes her eyes. "I promise." Yoshiki whispers.
~XxXxXxXxX~
Mayu and Mei made it to the 20th Ward and Mayu looks at the sky. It was almost one. Took them a lot longer to get here, having to catch three trains. Mei grabs Mayu's hand and Mayu looks at her.
"Come on, Shinohara's place is this way." Mei says.
Mayu nods and the pair start walking. Mei's phone went off and she grabs it.
"What is it?" Mayu asks.
"A text from Yoshiki." Mei replies, opening it.
Mayu sighs.
"Oh no." Mei whispers as she stops, causing Mayu to stop.
"What is it?" Mayu asks.
"Aki was attacked by a investigator, she's fine but in shock. Also, two girls saw Aki, she knew them so it is safe they were you friends. One called the investigator, grandfather." Mei explains.
Mayu looks at her shock, then sighs.
"Seiko did say she was going to go with Rika so that means the investigator was Haru Ryu, Seiko's grandfather and the man that wants me dead." Mayu tells Mei who looks at her shock.
Mayu sighs.
"He's gone mad, he's obsessed on finding me to prove to everyone I'm a monster." Mayu adds.
"This is bad." Mei whispers.
Mayu pulls out her wallet. She pulls out a card and sighs, Naoko gave her his number when they were walking to her apartment, before she had to flee the 17th Ward.
"I need to make a phone call." Mayu whispers.
"Alright, make it quick." Mei said walking off.
Mayu walks to the side as she starts to call Naoko.
"Come on." Mayu whispers.
"Detective Shinozaki." Naoko answers.
"Shinozaki, it's me." Mayu says.
"Why the hell are you calling me?" Naoko asks.
"How close are you to the 7th Ward?" Mayu asks.
"Uh, close. Ryu called, said he needed my help with something." Naoko replies. "Why?" Naoko then asks.
"Aki is there." Mayu whispers. "Listen, I don't have long. There is a café called the Moonlight, she is there. Please, Haru attacked her and I trust you. You promised me." Mayu tells Naoko.
"Okay, got it." Naoko said.
"I... I'm sorry Shinozaki." Mayu whispers.
"So tell me something Mayu, are you a ghoul?" Naoko asks.
"I..." Mayu whispers, then sighs. "Yes." Mayu whispers. "But let me explain, please. Aki is human." Mayu tells him quickly.
"I'll get her to explain everything to me then. Don't call me again. Not on a mobile at least." Naoko tells her, then hangs up.
"Mayu!" she heard Mei call.
Mayu puts her phone away, then turns around to see Mei waiting.
"I'm coming." Mayu says, running over and the pair started walking.
"Are you okay?" Mei asks.
"I don't know." Mayu replies.