Chapter 12

The Talk

"Akira, please. I want you to re-think about this!" Amon tried hard to persuade his colleague. "I know that sometimes your instincts are correct, but I don't want to get sued! Shintaro Tatsuya is the owner of the most successful coffee shop in Tokyo, he even got Grand Edric as his sponsor. You don't want to mess with him, Akira." Amon begged by telling her all sorts of facts.

"So?" Akira's stoic face showed that she didn't care one bit.

"So we NEED a concrete evidence whether he's a ghoul or not!" Amon snapped. "You can't just say, 'We need to keep you in Cochlea because you are a ghoul, Shintaro Tatsuya.' can you?" Amon desperately tried to keep up with his colleague's stubborness.

The green eyed woman closed her laptop hard. Amon flinched by her sudden act and thinking if by any chance she broke her monitor. "Investigator Amon, I understand your concern. But I don't make this judgement purely based on my instinct only."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it." Akira raised her index finger. "Onikisu is really popular. Their ads is on TV. However, its only sponsor is Grand Edric. From this, I can judge that Shintaro Tatsuya may have a private relationship with Grand Edric's owner. Second," She raised up her middle finger, "Forget international, Onikisu doesn't even have any branches outside Tokyo. Lastly," Akira rised her last finger for the third. "Shintaro Tatsuya never shows himself on the media. TV, magazines, internet, never. He does put his name on the banners, but never his face. And for all of those facts, I ask 'Why'."

Akira's statements made the big guy re-think about Shintaro Tatsuya. All what his colleague said to him were all correct. Why does Shintaro Tatsuya so low-profile, and why did he show his face for the first time in front of CCG's investigators during inspection?

Processing every thing what Akira said, Amon could get a clearer vision of why Akira was suspicious over the coffee shop owner. "So you mean... There's a very high possibility that Shintaro Tatsuya is a ghoul?"

Akira nodded confidently. "Yes. But as you said, we need a concrete evidence. I don't want to let an under-covered ghoul walking around us in sheep skin."

Amon who felt sure that Shintaro Taysuya might be a ghoul finally agreed to help. However he wasn't 100% sure enough. He didn't want to make any embarrassing mistakes by accusing an innocent man. But if Akira's suspicion came true, the young special investigator wouldn't hesitate to swing his quinque over the eyepatched man.

Nishio Nishiki walked inside his apartment. He could smell a very familiar person from outside. Someone that he really loved. Feeling excited, the brunette pulled down the handle and was greeted with his girlfriend.

"Welcome home, Nishiki-kun!" Her smiled brought warm feelings to the ghoul's heart.

"Hey, Kimi. When did you get here?" Nishiki greeted back as he closed the door behind him. He was hoping that his girlfriend didn't wait too long.

However, the ghoul realized something was different when the sun light from his behind was gone. The dearly beloved human who stood in front of him suddenly got quiet.

"Kimi? Kimi, what's wrong?" Nishiki asked in panick. But he realized too late. A drip of blood was oozing from the corner of Kimi's lips. Her body fell down onto the brunette's chest. "KIMI!"

And that's when he realized that there was someone who stood behind his girlfriend's back all along. A man with white trench coat and a glistening weapon in his right hand that was dripping with fresh blood. The blood of his girlfriend's heart.

"KIMI!" Nishiki woke up, dappled in sweat. His lonesome scream echoed through out his room. The young man covered his face with his hands, trying to calm down and recollect his rational memories.

"What the fuck... I don't want to remember that anymore. Fucking nightmare."

Suddenly his phone was ringing. Still feeling quite stiffed, Nishiki let the phone rang thrice before he picked it up.

"Who's this?" Nishiki asked with a voice that sounded just like someone who just woke up. It sounded tired, and the ghoul hoped the caller could understand that he doesn't want to be disturbed.

'Nishiki, leader wants us to check over the secret documents stored in the main base.'

"What the hell, Banjou. What time do you think it is now?" Nishiki dragged. "And isn't it supposed to be tomorrow?"

'It's 9 AM already, stupid. And Kaneki-san wants it today, no BUTs."

Nishiki check out the orange clock on top of his TV. It was 9 AM indeed. The young man groaned as he complied.

"No buts. Got it. Be there in 30 minutes."

"Usually it takes you 15 minutes to get here!"

"Retard. I just woke up. I need to take a bath, et cetera. Why don't you call the other members. Not the executive ones I mean."

"Fine... Be sure to get here. The way Leader called me seemed like it's an emergency."

"Okay... okay. Just wait for me. The longer you call, the longer I take to go. See ya." With that Nishiki ended the call.

He still felt sluggish over more than 8 hours of sleeping. The nightmare took its toll on him as well. Hoping to forget his unpleasant past memories, Nishiki slid down from the mattress and took a cold can of brandy from his fridge.

Nishiki closed it again and rested his body on the fridge's door. He opened the can and drink the cold coffee to calm himself, his throat felt better. The brunette closed his eyes, telling himself that no matter what happens he would avenge Kimi. He would make CCG pay for what they did to his loved ones. His girlfriend, and his sister.

'10:55.'

Kaneki looked over his silver watch as he lifted up his wrist. A warm black cup of Espresso accompanied his waiting. The leader glanced around the room, to see if there's any sign of the unknown female investigator.

"Excuse me, Kaneki-san. This is the sandwich you ordered."

Kaneki looked up to see the waiter who brought him the disgusting supper. "Thank you." He said.

"Um... Kaneki-san."

Kaneki raised his eyebrow, questioning for a brief moment why the ghoul waiter hadn't gone back to his business. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry if by any chance I'm being nosy right now, but... Why did you ordered a sandwich?"

Kaneki wasn't pleased by the inferior's curiosity. Too lazy to explain and he didn't want anyone to interfere. "Yes, you are being nosy. Go back to your duty. You'll know why I ordered this thing later," Kaneki paused, "And also, bring 2 Americano over here."

Startled by his leader's replied, the waiter bowed his head deeply as he apologized and hurriedly gone to serve the other customers.

Kaneki looked over his watch again. He already feel like leaving and go to the main base. To checked if his subordinates are really doing their job.

'10:59. Where is that woman?'

Suddenly the white head heard a voice. A feminine yet strong one.

"Shintaro Tatsuya."

Kaneki lifted up his face and saw two investigators were standing in front of him. The other one had a black hair with weird eyebrows. They even carried their metal suitcase. From there Kaneki could tell that these guys were not going to have a laidback chat with him. Especially the beiged hair woman, she meant business. "And she said she only wants to talk. Nothing else. Those quinques don't look peaceful enough."

"We're sorry to keep you waiting. But at least we're on time." Said Akira with a plain smile.

"Ah, no, it's okay. I just got here myself. Please, sit down."

The two special rank investigators sat on in front of the café's owner. Truth to be told, Akira and Amon often visited Onikisu. The coffee here was good, and the price wasn't too expensive. Amon had to remind himself that he was here to work, not to enjoy some caffeine.

"Would you both like some coffee?" Kaneki offered. He had to play his role as an ordinary businessman. He had be seen nice and trusty.

"Ah, n-" before Amon could finish Akira already cut him off, "Yes, please. Coffee from Onikisu is very tasty after all." She said with a smile.

"Ahaha, thank you very much. Your coffees will be ready shortly. I hope you like Americano, Madou-san."

"Why, yes, of course. Investigator Amon also like Americano, yes?" Akira tilted her head over the big man. Amon still couldn't play with her actions, but he knew he needed to keep his cool and improvised.

Kaneki raised white eyebrows after hearing the man's name, "'Investigator Amon'?" He was hoping the other human to introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, sir," Amon spoke up, "My name is Koutaro Amon. Special rank investigator." Amon extended his hand for a polite handshake.

Kaneki returned his handshake and he could tell how strong the man was by the power in his right hand. It was firm, strong, and derermined. "This guy..."

Soon after the two young nan broke their handshake, the ordered Americanos came to their table. The dark chocolate color looked bitter yet delicious at the same time. The ghoul waiter left the table immediately for he understood what his leader meant when he ordered the sandwich. He wanted to play human.

"Well then, let's get to it shall we?" Kaneki put up his charming smile as he crossed his legs under the table. "What do you want to talk about with me, Madou-san? Did you find something off with the inspection yesterday?"

Akira didn't want to waste so much time but she had to play from the start first. Blurting out senselessly would just put them both in red zone situation.

"Truthfully, there is nothing wrong with what the result," Akira paused, "However, we would like to know about your café's history. You see, the unknown group of ghouls has been killing our men around and we'd like to find any lead to know their identity."

Kaneki gave an amused chuckle, he could already see through what was inside the woman's brain. "Then you're saying that my café harbours many ghouls..." the eyepatched man smiled feeling amused, "including me?"

Amon quickly spoke up. He didn't want Shintaro Tatsuya to know that they both were suspicious of him. "N-no! Of course not, Shintaro-san! We didn't say that we suspect you as a ghoul, but actually, knowing the backgroud of our inspected subject is also a part of the investigation." He lied.

Akira smirked a little bit, feeling good to hear her subirdinate's smart lie. That was a good one. She could improvised from here. "That's right. We do this because we have too low information about you, Shintaro-san. And that is what I've been wanting to ask." Akira said firmly.

Kaneki gave them a deep stare from his one eye. Too low information about him, that's exactly his objective, and he succeeded for that. His smile transformed into a straight line, indicating his seriousness for what was about to come.

"What is it?"

The daughter of Madou started. "You've never shown your face to any kinds of media. Magazine, internet, TV, banners, none of them. However, you do put your name as the owner. Despite of your successful coffee shop, you don't seek any fame. Have you ever received any interviews?"

Kaneki knew it. This woman was smart enough to realize that. But he wondered, was that a common sense to know that the owner of Onikisu is anonymous? He wouldn't give a shit though.

"Yes, I actually have. My workers told me I got many interview requests, but I always refused."

"May I ask why?"

"You're right, Madou-san." Kaneki put on his charming smile. "I don't want to seek fame. I prefer to work behind the scene, and let my managers do my work. If things are getting out of hand, I always have some people who can sort it out." The young entrepreneur sipped his coffee charismatically. "I may sound not very responsible, but really, I don't like too much attention."

Akira processed every single words the man before her said. "He doesn't like too much attention. Prefers to work behind the scene. Is he serious? Sounds like nonsense."

"I see... Then does that include not wanting to expand your business outside Tokyo?" Amon got a little more nervous now. Akira started to get things serious.

Hearing that question, the leader secretly smirked. He was really impressed. This woman who sat before him was very observant. The white head began to find this meeting interesting.

"That's my intention, Madou-san. Even though I would really love to expand my business, I prefer to keep it in my own territory. It's easier to handle it if by any chance things are getting out of hand and I have to jump in. Like that inspection before." Kaneki explained. "To be honest, it was very sudden and I feel it was pretty unpleasant... my customers almost tried to run away." The leader played to be upset. He wanted to keep the flow of the conversation to be balance. In his favor would be better.

"We-we're very sorry for that, Shintaro-san. We have a reason for that..." Amon apologized. He felt bad, and he was sure Akira didn't feel the same way, judging by her straight face.

"It's because a big coffee shop like mine has a higher chance to have a ghoul as its owner isn't it?"

Amon widened his eyes. This guy before him said the exact same thing as what Shoji said back in the meeting this morning. Knowing that coffee was one of edible beverage for ghouls, Shintaro Tatsuya was fully aware of the ghouls who might come to his shop. That was what the big man concluded.

"I see that you really understand, Shintaro-san. Could it be that you can realize that there are some ghouls in this place?" Akira gave a smile that didn't seem kind at all. She didn't even put any joking tone. Amon pictured himself smacked Akira's head immediately.

Kaneki squinted his eyes. As he seen through the woman's eyes, he knew it. This woman wanted to peel him off. This woman was very suspicious of him, and she would cut his head right away if he spoke a single flow.

Didn't want to back down, Kaneki smirked and propped his chin on top of his hand. He gave the aura that could send chills towards people's spines.

"What if I can?"

Akira almost jolted from her seat. She almost took her quinque and cut that head of the eyepatched man right away. For a moment there, Akira thought he was serious. That onyx eye didn't show any frauds.

"...What are you trying to say, Shintaro-san?" Akira asked cautiously.

Hearing the change of tone of Akira, he couldn't hold it anymore. Kaneki bursted out laughing but not loud enough for the all customers to here.

"Ahahaha! Joking! I was joking, Madou-san." The leader ceased his laugh. He really felt his comeback worth it. "This conversation is turning very serious somehow. I don't like it to be too tensed. You two haven't even drunk your coffee yet."

Realizing that, both Doves looked down to see their wet cups. "O-oh... yes, we're sorry. It's just that we are really desperate to know about this unknown group..." Akira said. She began to take up her still cold cup followed by Amon. As she drank, she realized that the served sandwich under Kaneki was still untouched.

"How about you, Shintaro-san?" Amon spoke up before Akira could, "You also haven't eaten your sandwich there." His onyx eyes gazed towards the bread. It looked delicious to him.

"Oh yes, of course. How silly of me. I also forgot my own snack, hahaha."

The leader took one slice and bit it. He didn't realize that a pair of green eyes were watching him sharply, to see if she could find anything wrong with the way he ate.

The leader munched his food and gulped it down. He also took a second bite, to looked even more convincing.

"Mm, delicious. The next time you come here, you should order this sandwich. It may seem ordinary, but really. It's quite good." Kaneki commented after he sent the human food through his throat.

Both The Doves smiled in return. Saying that they would love to try it next time. The Americano refreshed their tension and keep their heads clear. However, Akira was not a foolish woman. The eyepatched man may faked the way he ate.

"But anyway," Kaneki sipped his coffee and put it back on the saucer, "About this unknown group of ghouls. I have seen the news on TV. Must be very hard on you guys, huh?" Kaneki played to be concerned.

"Ah, yes... But we're trying very hard to fight back. The troubles that are caused by the ghouls are increasing each month because we lost the main buildings for each wards... It's very hard to fight them back with our decreased manpower." Amon explained. He gritted his teeth, feeling angry over the psycho terrors. Feeling angry to be useless at some points. He felt weak.

"I see..." Kaneki propped his chin on the back of his hand, "Do you guys have any idea why they attack you?" The young man anticipated the upcoming answers.

This question made the two doves think. Akira was the first to speak up. "No matter how I see it, I can only think that they want to take over Tokyo and get rid of us."

"That seems obvious enough. However... Is that really what they want?"

Akira looked over to her side, "What do you mean, Amon?"

"I feel like... This raid is something more than that." Kaneki's interest immediately piqued. He turned his full attention towards the raven haired man.

"Something more? What do you mean, Amon-san?" Asked Kaneki.

"...This group never attack common people. They only have their focus on us." Amon continued, "They never do any massive massacres, even in their own territories."

The eyepatched man smiled. Now this was the answer he wanted to here. At least the man before him was not only big on his body. "Then your point is?"

"I think this group has a personal reason, or grudge, against the CCG. Thus they want to destroy us." Amon concluded firmly. He somehow feeling confident with his hypothesis.

"...I didn't know you could think like that, Investigator Amon. Well, that makes sense." Akira drank her Americano as she looked at Amon from the corner of her eyes.

"What!? So you think I'm that stupid!?" Amon got flustered for getting underestimated.

Kaneki stared at the guy who just voiced his opinion intensely. Amon didn't notice, he was busy getting angry. Kaneki felt amused. He could figure it out that easy. But the leader didn't want them to know the truth. He wanted them to know when the final curtain arises.

"That's very interesting, Amon-san. Great way of thinking," Kaneki complimented, "Oh, look at the time." He said as he checked over his watch. The conversation need to be ended. "I believe it had past due my work plan. I actually have a meeting with my members today. I'm sorry I can't take this conversation any longer, Madou-san and Amon-san." Kaneki stood up and straighten his blazer.

Akira and Amon both stood up in respond. "Ah, no, we're sorry to take your time too long. We hope that we're not bothering you too much." Akira bowed her head.

"Ahaha, no, no at all. I find it very amusing to talk with you both." Kaneki began to walked away when he freed himself from the other side of the table. Then as he passed the green eyed woman, he gave her an ambiguous whisper that she only could hear.

"You came to talk to me on your own accord, didn't you?"

Akira widened her eyes. Her left ear felt warm over the close creepy whisper. She felt uncomfortable for seconds. As the café's owner walked pass her, Akira knew lying to that man wouldn't do her any good. He was different. He was dangerous. Her instinct told her.

"Yes. We came on our own." She spoke loudly. The young leader stopped midway when he almost reached the entrance. Amon got bewildered over Akira's boldness. He couldn't say anything to protest, he got confused when she revealed the truth.

"And we may meet again, owner." Akira smirked. She thought she spoke loud enough for the other customers to hear. The beiged hair woman could hear the gasps and stares. Just what she wanted.

Kaneki looked over his shoulder. That woman really consumed a lot of his patience. The sound of camera takings began to echo around the place. This situation really made Kaneki wanted to just get the fuck out of there and destroy the place with fire. He wouldn't care if his members were there.

The white haired man only gave his cold smirk over the two investigators as his farewell. He couldn't care less for any taken pictures of him. The CCG already knew his face already. Once again he reminded himself to buy a new phone as he walked outside the sliding door.

With that Kaneki walked outside, got inside his car, and drove away. His next destination was the 11th ward.

A/N: SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT!

Oh right, the poll is closed! I only got one voter and that's pretty unbelievable... It's okay if you don't wanna see the OCs, just in case if you guys curious haha!

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