[Ding! The host has successfully completed "Mission 2: Successfully publish and release 'Dear Kafka'."]
[Reward of 50 attribute points.]
[Mission 2 completed, activating Mission 3.]
[Mission 3: Help Takatsuki Sen achieve a moderate level of fame.]
[Mission Reward: 100 attribute points.]
This new mission wasn't particularly difficult; rather, the main challenge lay in the number of tedious tasks involved.
Holding an author's press conference, fan meet-and-greets, book signings, and other promotional events could all help boost Eto's reputation.
Of course, the most crucial factor was the quality of the book itself.
So, even if Byakuya didn't employ any marketing strategies, it was only a matter of time before Eto gained recognition as an up-and-coming author.
However, using these promotional tactics would allow him to complete the mission much faster.
"Of course! We love Takatsuki-sensei's works the most, don't we, dear?"
At this moment, Eto responded to Kaneki Ken's question.
"That's right. I adore Takatsuki-sensei."
Byakuya said with a perfectly calm expression.
Eto immediately caught onto the subtle oddity in his words and pinched him lightly; this guy was still being unserious even now.
But Kaneki didn't notice anything amiss.
He was too caught up in his excitement; being able to talk to someone about his favorite book was a rare joy for him.
Following the small conversation, Byakuya and Eto discussed 'Dear Kafka' with Kaneki for a while.
Little did he know, the two people he was talking to were none other than the book's signed editor and its actual author.
While Eto continued chatting with Kaneki, Byakuya observed the boy in brief contemplation.
Despite meeting Kaneki in person, no new mission had been triggered.
It was likely because Kaneki was still an ordinary human at this point in time. The only troubles in his life were his family issues.
Kaneki deeply respected his mother, who was indeed gentle and kind to outsiders; she never refused anyone's requests.
However, at home, she frequently scolded and physically punished Kaneki, venting all her misfortunes and negative emotions onto him.
But after she passed away from overwork, Kaneki suffered selective amnesia, forgetting all the mistreatment and only remembering her kindness. This eventually led to his development of a split personality.
So in reality, Kaneki's dissociative identity disorder had already begun before he was tortured by "Yamori/Jason" (Yakumo Oomori).
That said, Byakuya wasn't sure if the current Kaneki was in the period before or after his mother's death. Either way, it wasn't his place to interfere in someone else's family matters.
It wasn't like he was going to stalk Kaneki home; that would just be downright creepy.
In the future, he could always interact with Kaneki as a fellow book lover.
"Mom, that's the big brother and big sister from before."
At that moment, Byakuya suddenly heard a familiar voice; Kirishima Touka's. It snapped him out of his thoughts.
Turning around, he saw that it was indeed Kirishima Touka, standing beside her mother, Kirishima Hikari.
"What a coincidence! We meet again."
Byakuya felt like today was full of unexpected reunions.
To think he'd run into both Kaneki Ken and Kirishima Touka in the same small bookstore.
"Yeah, Touka wanted to buy some manga. You two must be here for books as well, right?"
Kirishima Hikari smiled and spoke.
"Mm."
Byakuya nodded.
At that moment, Eto also turned back to greet Touka. "Touka-chan, we meet again."
The conversation had suddenly been interrupted, and the two newcomers were complete strangers to him. Kaneki Ken immediately felt a bit awkward.
He started to feel like an outsider; wouldn't it be better if he just left?
Noticing Kaneki's discomfort, Byakuya turned to him and asked, "By the way, what was your name again?"
"...Kaneki Ken."
Kaneki answered softly.
"Alright then, since we all love Takatsuki-sensei's books, that makes us friends now, or book friends at the very least."
Byakuya said.
Kaneki's face instantly lit up with joy. "Okay!"
Forget book friends, he barely had any friends at all. To be precise, his only friend was Hideyoshi Nagachika.
But Hide wasn't into reading.
So to Kaneki, meeting someone who shared his love for books was an exciting surprise.
"Do you have any contact information? Or maybe some places you like to hang out?"
Byakuya continued.
Considering Kaneki's young age, he probably didn't have a phone, but knowing where he usually spent time would be helpful.
That way, if Kaneki ever needed help, Byakuya could step in.
Plus, whenever Eto held book clubs or signing events, they could directly invite Kaneki; nurturing him into a devoted fan.
"Ah... I don't have any contact info yet. Usually, I just go to the library to read or sit in a café with a book."
Kaneki replied.
Just then, Touka, who had been watching Byakuya talk to a boy she'd never seen before, grew curious and asked, "Is he Nii-san's friend?"
"Yeah, we both like reading, so we became friends."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
"Reading? I don't like it. It's nowhere near as fun as manga."
Touka stated bluntly.
She was still a child, after all; straightforward and unfiltered.
Kaneki felt a little displeased but didn't say anything.
After all, they were complete strangers; she wasn't even comfortable talking to her normally.
"See? Isn't this manga way more interesting than those books?"
Suddenly, Touka leaned closer and flipped open the manga in her hands, holding it up for Kaneki to see.
Kaneki was caught off guard by her sudden move. She had gotten so close that he instinctively took a half-step back.
He had never been this close to a girl before; not even for a conversation, let alone reading together.
Kaneki immediately felt shy, but he still glanced at the manga Touka was showing him.
Unfortunately, manga wasn't really his thing. Just looking at a single page didn't reveal anything particularly exciting to him.
As someone who only enjoyed books, he found it difficult to understand the appeal.
"N-No... I still think books are better..."
Though his voice was weak and barely audible, Kaneki still refuted Touka's claim.
"What?"
Touka frowned. "You actually think that? That's ridiculous."
"You're the one forcing your opinion on others..."
Kaneki murmured under his breath.
"Hmph! I won't accept this. Today, I'm going to make you realize that manga is way better than books!"
Touka was fired up now and leaned in even closer.