Chapter 55: Storage of Anteiku Shop
"You're not human anymore, you half-baked ghoul—accept it already!"
Touka's words echoed like a blaring siren in Kaneki Ken's mind. Even so, as he sat in the calm, quiet atmosphere of the café, his thoughts were a complete mess. Maybe it was everything he'd gone through in the past two days. Now, he looked strangely calm—detached.
He hadn't expected to return to the Antique Café, and definitely not like this. This time, he wasn't here to see the girl he liked—he was here because Touka dragged him in, trying to find him a place to stay.
"Ghouls are pitiful creatures. We can only feed on human flesh and blood," the kind-faced manager explained patiently. "The craving for human flesh isn't a choice—it's our instinct. And you... you can't eat regular food anymore. If you try, your body will reject it violently. Without human flesh, you'll grow weaker and weaker."
Kaneki sat in stunned silence as the reality sank in. He'd been human just days ago. Now, he didn't even know what ghouls ate. He was completely clueless—running on pure instinct. If Touka hadn't found him by chance, he probably would've been hunted down by the CCG already.
"Still," the manager continued, "there is one thing ghouls can still enjoy: coffee. We can't eat, but we can drink coffee just like anyone else."
The manager brought over a steaming cup, its warm aroma wafting through the air. Kaneki took it with trembling hands and almost spit it out when the scalding liquid hit his tongue.
But despite the burn, something about the bitterness and warmth grounded him. In that single sip, something in Kaneki stirred. It reminded him of his humanity. His eyes welled up. He wasn't completely lost yet.
"You can work here, if you want," the manager offered with a soft smile. "Learn how to make coffee. This café is more than a shop—it's a home. We're like family here."
With Touka's help—tough on the outside, but soft underneath—Kaneki began to feel like maybe, just maybe, his life wasn't over yet.
Ding.