112 Condition

20th Ward, Anteiku Cafe, July 1st, Year 1 ASBI

After Lucien left the 24th Ward and proper control and observation of the Ward, reconstruction work on it, he went to the 20th Ward to visit Anteiku Cafe, which he would visit once a week. He would always check on Touka how she was doing in her work and talk a bit with old man Yoshimura. Talking with an old man Yoshimura was interesting to experience as he was a wise old man who could give advice, and good on the top of that. He knew that soon the Owl Suppression Operation would come, but not so soon, as not the Commission of Counter Ghoul was severely weakened due to Lucien's schemes.

He entered the Anteiku Cafe and as now it was already afternoon, Touka was also present. Along with old man Yoshimura who looked the same as always and Irimi. Lucien sat at the bar, opposite an old man Yoshimura so he can talk to him.

"Hello, Mr. Yoshimura."

Greeted Lucien politely when he sat down at the bar. Old man Yoshimura automatically started making coffee for him moment he sat down.

"Good day to you, Mr. Aeon."

Greeted back Yoshimura as he finished making his coffee for him. Lucien then thanked for coffee and already sensed the mesmerizing aroma of the coffee.

"Last months the CCG is rather silent Mr. Aeon, don't you think so?"

Asked old mand Yoshimura with his eyes closed as he cleaned some cups which were dirty from coffee. Lucien chuckled hearing this, as he knew the reason for silent from the side of Commission of COutner Ghoul. He was behind that huge massacre of several hundred people from the CCG and also the death of several high-ranking ghoul investigators.

"Yes, they are. I know that soon, they will act and they have already chosen their target and if you agree to one condition of mine, I would help you as best I can."

Old man Yoshimura narrowed his eyes slightly hearing his statement as he also had some bad feeling about this. He was a very experienced person, a survivor. He knew the exact reason behind Lucien's words. He was indirectly saying that the next target of the CCG would be Anteiku faction because the CCG needed some achievement after that bloodshed and also in the eyes of the Commission, the Anteiku faction is weakest of all.

Strictly speaking, this statement wasn't false. The Aogiri Tree, which had Eto who was SSS+ rated Owl and now she was also stronger. Next, there were Noro and Tatara, both of them were reclassified already as SSS-rated individuals and many SS-rated ghouls and a huge number of S-rated ghouls. Huge as huge, compared to past it is huge, but they had around twenty S-rated ghouls and around six or so SS-rated ones for sure.

Compared to that, the Anetiku faction was severely lacking in combat strength. Only SSS-rated ghoul was an old man Yoshimura, who wasn't in the best condition as he was already old. They had only two SS-rated individuals and those were Koma Enji and Irimi Kaya. Plus Kirishima Touka who could rival the strength of SS-rated ghoul, but only those weaker ones.

"So speak, what is your condition."

Said Yoshimura after thinking for a while. He was a person who deeply cared about his people and even Lucien admired him to some extent as a rather good leader.

"Simple. As you have already noticed, that girl Touka has developed some emotions for me. I only want to know, if they are something deeper or if it is just superficial. If you are able to answer me this, I would guarantee that no one of your people will come to harm. You have my word as a member of the Aeon House."

This was the only thing Lucien wanted from the old man Yoshimura. He only wanted to know, if her feeling for him is real or not. It would be easier for him to make a decision in the future and not hurt her.

"Hmm, give me a few days."

Hearing this answer, Lucien nodded his head and continued drinking his coffee. He was satisfied with this as Yoshimura would do the hard work for him.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Yoshimura."

He thanked him for his effort.

"I have also a question for you then. How are you feeling about her?"

This question came out of nowhere and even caught Lucien by surprise bit. He was also unsure himself by his own feelings and emotions for her. He still needed some time to sort it out, but he knew that it was possible for him to love her in the future. Even though she was a cold person o the outside it was mainly towards unknown people, but she was a very good person.

Yoshimura also asked this for a reason because he cared deeply for Touka. He always lectured her to be careful and cared for her safety, despite the annoyance it would cause her if he constantly reminded her to take care of herself. He always wished for Touka to live a life of a regular human girl, without the hardships of the ghoul life. This all causes her to see him as a father-like figure.

"I don't know myself. Only thing I know, that I have some feeling for her, but I am not sure what are they."

Answered Lucien honestly. After he stayed in the Anteiku Cafe for some time, before leaving for his estate where Itori was already waiting for him. He also needs to go training, because he felt that he needed to improve his Kenjutsu as much as possible and also he needed to cultivate more to reach the Viscount Rank and gain another type of kagune. Then he would be much stronger and during the way to the God-Devil Plane, he could reach at least the Mid-Grade Viscount hopefully by using reserves of the Aeon House that are being created for the travel.