Everything is Anime!

Several hours passed. After Hikaru finished his usual training and took a bath with Est, he went to bed and fell asleep.

Early the next morning:

Hikaru woke to Est's morning kiss.

"Getting more and more skilled at this, Est."

He picked her up, smiling slightly. In the beginning, Est had been totally clueless—like a blank slate. But later, who knows where she'd learned such things; every morning now, she did this.

"As long as Hikaru likes it."

Though her face showed little emotion, she was genuinely happy inside.

"Then I'd like it better if you'd take off those stockings."

Hikaru teased. Instantly, Est went from being expressionless to blushing, hugging her knees and arms against her body. Her cheeks turned pink as she muttered in a small voice:

"That's so pervy... I—I can't take off my stockings."

"Hahaha..."

"..."

After that, it was a normal school day. Rias didn't seek him out this time, though Koneko chatted with him a bit. After school the previous day, she had eagerly started watching the Cyberpunk 2077 spin-off anime he'd given her, getting through half of it.

"The rest of the story gets even better. I think you'll like it."

Hikaru said with a slight smile. He could only imagine how Koneko would react after that final episode, and the thought made him want to laugh—but he held it in.

From time to time, Hikaru glanced at Eriri, but she would turn away as if sulking. He could guess with his eyes closed that it was because of what happened at lunch the day before, though he paid it little mind. Knowing Eriri's personality, she'd be back to her usual self in a few days.

Another day passed. After he and Est finished dinner, Hikaru headed out to stock up on groceries for the next few days. Leaving home, he jumped on a motorcycle and sped away. The shopping itself didn't take long, but on his way back, Hikaru sensed something amiss. Changing course, he rode off in another direction.

…

At the same time...

Rain fell steadily over the city, and out in the suburbs, an "extraordinary meeting" was taking place inside a café. Normally, the Antique Café stayed open until late, but tonight a "Closed" sign hung on its door. Nevertheless, faint light could be seen behind the drawn curtains.

Inside, two groups of people faced off in the open space. Tables and chairs lay scattered across the floor, materials strewn about. Tension filled the air.

A tall, blond man extended a reptilian kagune from his back. Next to him stood another figure in a long black cloak, face hidden behind a white mask with a twisted, snarling expression. Two more figures wore blue robes and X-shaped masks.

Opposing them were several individuals in café uniforms.

"I've already said—this time it's not a request, but a demand. You must join our organization."

Sneering, the blond man—nicknamed "Gecko"—spoke in a harsh tone.

"No way in hell! Don't even think about it!"

Touka Kirishima glared warily at the group before her. After school, she had come to work as usual. This café, named Antique, was actually a gathering place for ghouls who could eat normal human food—those who wanted nothing more than to live peacefully among humans.

But their peace had been shattered tonight by these ghouls who still fed on human flesh. Normally, the two sides kept to themselves. No one would have expected this sudden turn of events: The intruders barreled in, demanding they join their organization.

"We're nothing like you. Get lost before things get out of hand!"

Touka—disgusted at having her peaceful life disrupted—showed them no courtesy.

"That won't do. I already said, you don't have the right to negotiate. If you don't want to die, just agree."

With those words, Gecko swept his kagune across the bar, sending cups and utensils clattering to the floor.

"Bastard!"

Touka and the other two ghouls ground their teeth in anger. One of them—a stocky man—let out a shout as a kagune tore through the back of his clothes, launching a fierce attack. Its power seemed on par with Gecko's, if not stronger judging by the shape and color.

But right then, two of the black-robed figures behind Gecko flung aside their cloaks and drew something like glowing swords. Seeing this, the stocky man froze for just an instant—and that was all Gecko needed. With a swipe of his kagune, he sent the man flying.

Even so, when Touka and the others caught sight of the weapons in those figures' hands, their faces registered even greater shock.

"Those things..."

"Never seen them? This is the power bestowed upon us by the Fallen Angels."

"You've actually teamed up with the Fallen Angels?!"

Touka Kirishima and her companions were taken aback, far more than before.