Looking at the three options in front of him, Amane Byakuya was speechless at the third one.

  The system really wants me to crush Kaneki Ken’s spirit even more when he already has a secret crush on Rize? Isn’t that a bit too cruel?

  Although the third option offered the most Fusion Points, Amane Byakuya wasn’t the type to always pick the highest reward. He would choose based on the situation.

  Back when he first read Tokyo Ghoul, he had already thought that Kaneki Ken was quite pitiful since childhood. Now, the system wanted him to rub salt in Kaneki’s wounds? He just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

  So, he chose the second option instead.

  It wasn’t difficult—just a simple conversation with Kaneki Ken.

  However, now wasn’t the time for that. Rize Kamishiro was pulling him along for their "date."

  Before leaving, Amane Byakuya deliberately gnced at Kaneki to ensure that the system wouldn’t count it as ignoring him.

  Kaneki, who had been secretly watching, immediately panicked and looked away guiltily, afraid that Rize’s "boyfriend" had noticed and might cause trouble for him.

  Rize also noticed Amane Byakuya’s wandering gaze and asked, "What’s wrong?"

  Only after stepping outside the café did Amane Byakuya respond, "It’s nothing. I just felt like that guy was secretly watching you the whole time."

  "Really? …Byakuya-kun, don’t tell me you’re a little jealous? There’s no need to worry at all—I’m only interested in you."

  Rize spoke with an innocent smile.

  She was clearly pying him, trying to keep him under her control.

  "Mhm, of course, I wouldn’t doubt Rize-senpai’s feelings."

  Amane Byakuya nodded.

  If he could pull off the effect of blushing on command, he would’ve definitely tried to act like an embarrassed, innocent young boy.

  ---

  As they walked along the street, Amane Byakuya didn’t take the initiative to hold Rize’s hand.

  Under normal circumstances, a guy should be more proactive in a situation like this.

  But their "retionship" was fake.

  Despite how Rize often lured men in before devouring them, she had never let any man actually touch her. She always ended the seduction with cruel sughter.

  Looking at her past behavior, agreeing to date Amane Byakuya was already the boldest thing she had ever done.

  Of course, this also meant that if Amane Byakuya were truly just an ordinary human, he would end up dying the most miserable death out of all her victims.

  Given Rize’s personality, if he held her hand, she would most likely reject him—though she would do so gently.

  Still, Amane Byakuya suddenly became curious about her reaction. Plus, this would make him seem even more like a pure-hearted young boy.

  With that thought, he hesitated at first, deliberately dispying the kind of shy hesitation typical of a nervous teenager. He reached out, then pulled back, testing the waters several times before finally mustering the courage to hold Rize’s hand.

  Ding! The host has held hands with Rize Kamishiro. Reward obtained: 5 Fusion Points!

  By now, Amane Byakuya was used to earning Fusion Points through these interactions.

  At that moment, a glint of disgust fshed in Rize’s eyes.

  After all, she only saw Amane Byakuya as food—being touched by him naturally made her uncomfortable.

  However, instead of immediately pulling away, she subtly withdrew her hand while pointing toward a store ahead.

  "Byakuya-kun, I want to try the desserts from that shop over there," she said casually.

  Heh. Just as I thought.

  Amane Byakuya chuckled internally.

  Inside the dessert shop, they each ordered a pastry.

  Halfway through eating, Rize suddenly stood up and said, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

  "Alright."

  He knew very well that Rize Kamishiro had probably gone to the restroom to induce vomiting. After all, as a ghoul, she couldn’t digest human food. To ghouls, human food not only smelled disgusting and was nearly impossible to swallow, but it would also harm their bodies if left inside.

  Many ghouls, in order to blend into human society, had learned to "fake eating"—pretending to eat in front of humans. Instead of chewing, they would swallow the food whole to minimize the nausea, then vomit it out before digestion could begin.

  ---

  Throughout the entire date, Rize Kamishiro still did not rush to devour Amane Byakuya.

  Instead, she continued using various flirtatious words and gestures, trying to make him completely fall for her.

  By the time the date ended, Amane Byakuya said his goodbyes to Rize.

  "I had a great time today. I wonder how Byakuya-kun feels about it?"

  Rize spoke in a concerned tone.

  "I had a lot of fun too—after all, I got to go on a date with such a beautiful girl."

  Amane Byakuya scratched his cheek lightly.

  Hearing that, Rize's face instantly showed a hint of shyness, a pleased smile spreading across her lips.

  The atmosphere was quite nice.

  Unfortunately, neither of them was being genuine.

  "Umm... how about we meet at the café again the day after tomorrow? I want to watch a movie. Would you come with me, Byakuya-kun?"

  Rize still wanted to py with this human a little longer.

  "Sure."

  Amane Byakuya agreed without hesitation.

  ---

  After parting ways with Rize Kamishiro, Amane Byakuya returned to Anteiku.

  Sure enough, Kaneki Ken was still there, sitting and reading a book.

  As soon as Amane Byakuya stepped inside, their gazes met. The moment Kaneki recognized him, he immediately averted his eyes, pretending he hadn’t seen him.

  Amane Byakuya, however, walked straight toward him.

  Kaneki broke into a nervous sweat, probably thinking he was about to get into trouble.

  "That book you’re reading… isn’t it a work by Takatsuki-sensei?"

  Amane Byakuya casually started a conversation.

  "I-I'm so sorry!"

  Kaneki instinctively apologized immediately, but after a brief pause, he finally processed what the other had actually said.

  "Ah? …Ah! Yes, this is The Bck Goat’s Egg by Takatsuki Sen…"

  Kaneki, startled and flustered, made Amane Byakuya let out a slightly awkward smile.

  "What a coincidence—I’m a fan of Takatsuki-sensei too."

  Amane Byakuya said in a friendly tone.

  Ding! The host has completed Option 2. Reward obtained: 10 Fusion Points!

  Realizing that the other party didn’t seem hostile, Kaneki gradually rexed.

  "Really?"

  Kaneki’s face lit up with surprise and joy.

  Even though this was that cute girl’s boyfriend, it was still exciting to meet someone who also loved Takatsuki Sen’s books.

  After all, reading was his only hobby.