A few days later.
During this time, Yoshimura Eto spent most of her days working on her new book.
Matters related to "Aogiri Tree" were largely handled by other executives unless they encountered a difficult problem, such as a formidable enemy.
Right now, Uchiha Byakuya and Eto were out shopping at a mall.
They were purchasing daily necessities, and Byakuya was also picking up some gifts to bring to Anteiku.
After bringing the household supplies home, they prepared to head to the 20th Ward.
This time, they were bringing the little Mayu along as well.
"I'm going to meet Grandpa soon!"
At this moment, Mayu looked excited, completely different from the initial sadness she had shown when Byakuya first discussed this with her.
After all, to her, Grandpa's home was also her home.
"Are you sure this is okay? Having Mayu call him Grandpa so directly..."
Byakuya couldn't help but lower his voice and ask Eto.
"It's fine. Even if Mayu happens to learn that my father is a ghoul, she still doesn't understand that neither humans and ghouls, nor even two ghouls, can give birth to a pure-blooded human."
Yoshimura Eto wasn't concerned about such things.
"Besides, Mayu is well-behaved and sensible, I think she can be trusted."
She had her own reasons for making Mayu do this.
Firstly, it would make revealing her relationship with Yoshimura Kuzen more natural. Secondly, it was a chance to tease Uchiha Byakuya.
With a slight smirk, Eto said, "Or could it be that someone's feeling guilty? Too afraid to let his daughter meet her grandpa?"
Byakuya's mouth twitched slightly.
"...Whether I feel guilty or not is one thing, but having to explain everything later is going to be a hassle."
20th Ward, Café Anteiku.
A few days had passed since Byakuya and Eto last visited Anteiku.
By now, Yoshimura Kuzen had, of course, already read 'Dear Kafka', and he was almost certain that the girl from that day was his daughter, Eto.
Moreover, 'Dear Kafka' was indeed her work.
The content of 'Dear Kafka' overlapped far too much with Eto's real-life background.
Through the story's plot, Yoshimura Kuzen could even feel the immense suffering and hardships that Eto had endured over the past decade.
At this moment, Yoshimura Kuzen stood by the window, gazing outside, unmoving in stillness for a long while.
He wondered when Eto would return.
"...Hey, have any of you noticed that the Manager has been acting a little unusual these past few days? Like he has something on his mind?"
At that moment, Kirishima Hikari quietly asked the other café staff.
"I noticed too. I never thought I'd see the Manager like this."
Yomo Renji looked slightly surprised.
He had always seen the Manager as someone incredibly calm and composed, with extraordinary strength. He never expected to see him so distracted.
"I've known the Manager for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen him like this..."
"You don't think something serious happened, do you? I'm a little worried."
Koma Enji and Irimi Kaya both nodded in agreement.
"Why don't we ask the Manager about it later?"
Roma Hoito suddenly suggested.
She was also quite curious; just what was going on?
Since Uta often came to Anteiku to visit Renji, Roma gradually realized that Uta was also a member of the Clowns.
After getting to know each other privately, they had become quite familiar.
Through the information provided by Uta, she had learned about the power structure of Anteiku, particularly that Manager Yoshimura was actually the strongest among them.
However, Roma's knowledge stopped there,she had no idea about the deeper secret of Anteiku, such as the matter of V and its Cleaners.
At this moment, both Kirishima Ayato and Kirishima Touka were at school, while Kirishima Arata had gone to pick them up since they were about to finish class.
That meant none of them were currently in the café.
Just then, Yoshimura Kuzen, looking out the window, caught sight of Byakuya and Eto walking toward Anteiku.
But this time, there was a little girl with them, and she was holding both of their hands.
Alongside his surprise, Yoshimura Kuzen couldn't help but wonder; who was this child?
Compared to the previous visit, Eto seemed much more at ease this time, her expression lighthearted and cheerful.
Without any hesitation or reluctance, she casually pushed open the door to Anteiku Café.
Yoshimura Kuzen was already waiting at the entrance.
Just as he was about to call out "Eto," the little girl spoke up first.
"Grandpa!"
Mayu called out to Yoshimura Kuzen without any hint of hesitation.
Her "Mama" had already described to her what "Grandpa" looked like, so she immediately recognized Yoshimura Kuzen as him.
That single word "Grandpa" left Yoshimura Kuzen stunned.
Over at the counter, Hikari and the others were also drawn to the commotion.
Grandpa?
Now that they thought about it, none of them had ever met Manager Yoshimura's family.
However, they weren't too shocked. Given Yoshimura Kuzen's age, having children or even grandchildren wasn't really surprising.
It was just that he had never mentioned it before.
"..."
Yoshimura Kuzen was momentarily at a loss.
He had only ever had one daughter; Eto.
But if this little girl was calling him Grandpa… didn't that mean she was Eto's daughter?
But how was that possible?!
Eto was still so young, how could she already have a daughter around the same age as Touka?
"Child, who are your parents?"
Yoshimura Kuzen couldn't help but ask the little girl in front of him.
"Eh?"
Mayu tilted her head slightly.
Did Grandpa not recognize "Papa" and "Mama"?
Feeling puzzled, Mayu tightened her grip on Byakuya's and Eto's hands and declared directly, "This is Papa, and this is Mama."
"..."
Yoshimura Kuzen fell silent as he looked at Byakuya and Eto.
He had already confirmed long ago that this green-haired girl was indeed Eto.
But now, she and that Uchiha fellow… actually had a daughter together?!
Yoshimura Kuzen still found the idea unbelievable.
But if, just if it was true…
Then he would need to have a proper talk with that Uchiha-kun.
To prevent the situation from escalating, Byakuya immediately explained, "I think there's a misunderstanding here; Mayu is actually a child that Eto and I adopted."
"Oh, I see."
Yoshimura Kuzen nodded in understanding, if that was the case, then there was nothing unusual about it.
Mayu, noticing that "Grandpa" was acting a bit strange, thought that he had taken a dislike to her.
"Does… does Grandpa hate me…?"
She immediately looked aggrieved and asked in a pitiful voice.