On Top of the Food Chain

Kazuki made his way to Junpei's home, ready to discuss their upcoming plans for Kyoto. The apartments above the convenience store housed eighteen rooms in total, six on each of the three upper floors.

Junpei and Rika occupied three of these rooms on the top floor, while the rest were rented out to other Ghouls. These Ghouls, like Junpei, were Reactive Ghouls, only hunting when absolutely necessary. The bodies from the morgue or suicide spots were shared among them.

Kazuki had also been given access to a room on the top floor. Junpei insisted he stay close, but he still felt uneasy leaving the home where he had lived with his family.

Entering Junpei's home, Kazuki saw Rika and Endo sitting together, laughing. Endo, the blonde cashier he had met before, had become a familiar face over the past few days.

Kazuki laughed along, then greeted them. "Hey, Rika, Endo."

"Hey, Kazuki," Rika said, giving him a nod.

"Good to see you, man," Endo added.

"What's so funny?" Kazuki asked, smiling.

"Oh, it's just an inside joke," Rika replied, still chuckling.

Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"

Endo shook his head, grinning. "Maybe some other time."

“Yes, inside jokes, I love them, and would like to be a part of one, someday,” Kazuki chuckled as he imitated some television character before settling down.

After exchanging greetings, the three of them sat down on the sofa, ready to discuss the plan. Before they could start, Junpei emerged from the shower, his hair damp.

"Rika, take a shower now. The hot water is about to run out," Junpei instructed.

Rika stood up and turned to Endo. "Can you check on the stew in the kitchen? It might overboil."

Endo nodded and got up, leaving Kazuki alone with his thoughts. His attention drifted to a photo on the wall. It depicted four people: two men and two women. One of the men looked like a younger version of Junpei. As Kazuki was lost in thought, Junpei sat down beside him.

"That's me and my brother along with our partners," Junpei said, his tone typically stoic but with a melancholic undertone.

Kazuki glanced back at the photo, feeling the weight of Junpei's story. "Where are they now?"

Junpei's eyes grew distant. "They are no longer in this world."

Kazuki's heart sank. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Junpei took a deep breath. "It's alright. Back then, a lot of stuff happened. I wasn't like the way I am now. My brother was the responsible one, the one who kept everything together."

Kazuki listened intently, sensing the pain behind Junpei's words. "What do you mean?"

"I was devouring humans left and right," Junpei admitted, his voice low. "I got into deep trouble with the Poachers. My brother died saving me."

Kazuki's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, sir."

"My sister-in-law was pregnant at that time," Junpei continued, rubbing his eyes with his index finger and thumb, trying to hold back tears.

Junpei took a deep breath and looked at Kazuki, “Once you come back from Kyoto, I’ll tell you the whole story, it’ll help you understand the world of Ghouls better.”

Kazuki nodded.

Rika emerged from the shower, steam billowing behind her. She was draped in a white towel, revealing her fair shoulders and supple thighs. As she walked towards her room, she and Kazuki made eye contact for a brief moment.

Her indifferent gaze seemed to look deep into his soul, contrasting sharply with the lively vibe she had with Endo earlier. It made Kazuki feel a little bad, reminding him of the inside joke they shared.

Kazuki’s frustration bubbled up as he remembered Rika’s cold demeanor and the earlier incident with his hand. The unresolved tension between them felt like a weight on his chest, even as he tried to focus on the conversation. He couldn't understand why she treated him so differently.

Soon, Endo came out with a tray holding four bowls. He handed one to Kazuki, saying, "This is yours, special vegetable stew filled with Ghoul blood."

Hearing those words, Kazuki's frustration subsided a little. He thought about the pain of the small cut she had given him and how both Rika and Junpei used their blood to feed him. He felt deeply indebted to them.

As he took the bowl, a mix of gratitude and confusion swirled within him. He was thankful for their support, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. Kazuki sat quietly, the aroma of the stew filling the room, and pondered his place in this strange new world.

Rika came out wearing an oversized dark t-shirt, leaving her legs bare from the lower thighs down. The shirt, loose and casual, accentuated her slender frame, while her fair skin seemed to glow against the dark fabric.

Her hair, still damp from the shower, clung to her neck and shoulders, enhancing the delicate features of her beautiful face. Her eyes, usually indifferent, seemed deeper and more captivating in the soft light.

Kazuki tried not to look at her because, for some reason, she looked exceptionally good. His eyes stared at her face and traveled downward, taking in the graceful curve of her neck, the slight hint of her collarbone, and finally, her bare thighs, at which point he quickly turned his gaze away and looked at the stew in front of him.

Rika sat down next to Endo.

“Why are you wearing my shirt?” Endo asked his tone a mix of surprise and curiosity.

“I found it drying and didn’t have anything else,” Rika replied, a hint of casual nonchalance in her voice as she picked up her bowl.

A faint heaviness settled in Kazuki’s heart when he realized she was wearing Endo's shirt. He shook his head and dismayed this feeling, and asked, “So, what are we doing tomorrow?”

“Before you guys go to Kyoto, let me tell you something,” Junpei said.

***

A few days ago.

Junpei sat behind the counter of his convenience store, methodically flipping through a magazine while keeping a casual eye on the entrance. The store was quiet, the low hum of the refrigerators and the occasional rustle of packaged goods the only sounds breaking the silence.

Suddenly, the automatic door slid open with a soft whoosh, its sensors triggered by a new arrival. The sound instantly alerted Junpei. He looked up from his magazine to see a man dressed in dark clothing stepping into the store. The man moved with a purpose, his face partially obscured by the hood of his jacket.

Junpei's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the stranger. He set the magazine aside, his senses heightened. There was something about the man's presence that seemed out of place, making Junpei's instincts sharpen.

"Evening," Junpei greeted, his tone neutral but watchful, as the man made his way down towards him.

“Greetings, Mr. Orochi,” The hooded figure said.

“Who are you?” Junpei replied in a serious fashion.

“You can call me the Manager.”