A subway train bound for Chiba.
Kaneki, Hide, and the Kirishima family were all packed together in one of the cars.
The Kirishima family weren't combatants—at least, not yet. Arata and Hikari weren't as strong as they would eventually become.
On top of that, they had to protect Touka and Ayato, making it impossible for them to participate in the "Battle for Tokyo."
Along with them were Mayu and Suzuya, who had also joined the Kirishima family's evacuation group.
"Hey, Kirishima, thanks for bringing both Hide and me along."
Kaneki turned to Touka, speaking with gratitude.
Most people were evacuating Tokyo via various means of transportation, and since they still had time, the subway train wasn't too crowded.
"No need to thank us—you're a good friend of little Touka, after all" Hikari a said with a smile.
"You can call him by his name, but not me?" Touka huffed, visibly annoyed.
"Uh… well, I mean…"
Kaneki scratched his cheek awkwardly. It wasn't that he didn't want to call her by name—it was just embarrassing.
"What's the big deal? We're already friends, right? Calling each other by name is normal," Touka said, pressing the issue.
"I-I didn't mean it like that…"
Kaneki fidgeted, lowering his gaze. "It's just… it feels a bit embarrassing…"
Hearing this, Touka was momentarily stunned before she understood what he meant.
Her face turned slightly red. "Haaah? You're being gross. It's not like I meant anything special by it!"
"Huh? Is it really that bad?!"
Kaneki was genuinely shocked.
"Yeah, a little gross" Hide added, smirking as he deliberately teased Kaneki.
"Alright, I get it now…"
Kaneki's face turned serious. He didn't want to be laughed at over something this trivial.
"Touka!" he called out firmly.
"Okay, okay, I get it!"
Now that Kaneki had said her name so seriously, it was Touka's turn to feel embarrassed.
Watching this exchange, Arata and Hikari exchanged amused glances.
On the other side of the subway car, Mayu, noticing the lively atmosphere, wanted to join in. But she and Suzuya had already been on a first-name basis for a long time.
Mayu was naturally outgoing—she had started calling Juuzou by his first name right after they met.
As for Suzuya, he only knew her as "Mayu" and had never bothered to ask for her surname, so he didn't have much choice in the matter.
Two days passed.
Tokyo had become an empty city.
Once a bustling metropolis, its streets now lay deserted.
The eerie silence was like the calm before the storm.
At Anteiku, Byakuya and Eto sat leisurely, sipping their coffee.
They could afford to be relaxed—absolute strength brought absolute confidence.
Inside the café, Yoshimura, Yomo, and the other staff carried on as usual. Even Minami was present.
Although Minami was the only non-S rated fighter left at Anteiku, she had insisted on staying to fight alongside Arima.
Before the war broke out, Byakuy had taken the time to explain the true nature of the enemy they would soon face.
"So… the enemy we're up against is the dragon from the underground world?"
Yoshimura had heard rumors about the Washuu Clan's 'forbidden secret' but he never imagined that something so dangerous had been slumbering beneath Tokyo all this time.
"Yeah" Byakuya nodded. "Once the dragon surfaces, it will release a toxin and spawn Dragon Orphans. Just stay on guard, and you should be fine."
Dragon toxin wasn't harmful to ghouls. In fact, for half-humans, it was a blessing—it granted them the lifespan of ordinary humans.
However, if normal humans inhaled too much of it, they would transform into ghouls.
As for Donato's fate in the original timeline, it wasn't that Dragon Orphan RC cells drove him insane—he had always been unhinged due to the years of torment he endured.
It was clear that Roma's death had also left a deep impact on Donato.
When Roma was killed by Urie, Donato had instinctively called out, as if it had triggered a buried trauma.
Even after absorbing the Dragon Cells, Donato's kakuja bore a striking resemblance to Roma's chaotic, monstrous form.
"Hah, as expected from the One-Eyed King—you sure know a lot about the first One-Eyed King" Roma chuckled.
She made no attempt to hide the fact that she knew Byakuya's true identity. It wasn't exactly a well-kept secret anymore, so there was no harm in mentioning it.
But she was genuinely impressed—even though she had once met the original One-Eyed King, she didn't know as much about him as Byakuya did.
"So, our role is to defend 20th Ward, right?"
Yomo asked Byakuya.
"Exactly"
Byakuya nodded.
He didn't want the Anteiku staff taking unnecessary risks. Their best course of action was to hold the defensive line and handle the orphans as they emerged.
For a group where nearly everyone was at least S-rated, the dragon's spawns wouldn't be much of a threat.
The real challenge was the Dragon itself — but that was Byakuya's problem to deal with.
"Besides" Byakuya added, "when the toxin spreads, it will grant half-humans like me and Arima normal human lifespans. So, Minami, make sure to protect yourself."
Minami'eyes widened in surprise.
She was ecstatic, nodding vigorously. "Understood!"
Arima's short lifespan had always been a source of concern for her. She never expected that the dragon toxin would solve that problem.
At that moment, Eto suddenly nudged Byakuya's side with her elbow.
Byakuya turned to her, puzzled.
Eto pulled an apple from her pocket. "Some say the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate was actually an apple. What do you think—should this be our token of affection?"
"A token of affection…?"
Byakuya was momentarily taken aback.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, Eto leaned in—
Her lips met Byakuya's cheek.
Perhaps, this was the true token of affection.