I know. I know you all want to know about my past.
Once there was a group of Ghouls, based in the 20th Ward, that killed investigators in every ward. They wore big hoods and monkey masks with one fang sticking out, and they swung their Kagune around to show off their power.
In general, Ghouls are solitary creatures. Especially the stronger ones. But nevertheless the Apes were strong, and they were united as one. But their leader was the strongest of them all, the major power behind the Apes—Devil Ape.
Even with his monkey mask on he had incredible strength, and stealing people’s lives was like a game to him. If his enemy was a good match, then he enjoyed himself even more.
The CCG took measures to combat the Apes, of course. In particular, to try to destroy Devil Ape, who was the nucleus of the group, they tried to set a two- or three-layered net to catch him. But Devil Ape just slipped right through the net like their work was laughable to him.
The body count was ever growing. There was nothing for the CCG to do but to create a big, sweeping strategy. Talk had started going around stations about their plan.
And then Devil Ape suddenly disappeared.
Did he decide to hide out after hearing what the CCG was up to? Or did he die in a conflict with another Ghoul group? Everyone was speculating but the truth was not yet clear. Where had Devil Ape gone?
The answer lay within a coffee shop in the 20th Ward.
“Whoa, even dust runs in fear of the Devil Ape’s fists!”
“Koma’s got a mop in his hands. That’s why the dust is going everywhere.”
The man’s name was Enji Koma. He had a big nose that made an impression, and small, round, sharp eyes. It would be beyond flattery to say that he had a nice appearance, but there was something charming about him anyway. He was the man they called Devil Ape, the one who was feared by CCG investigators.
And he was currently mopping floors in a café.
It had all begun when he met Yoshimura, the owner of the café. He had suddenly appeared to Koma and told him to end this futile conflict.
It took a real moron to try to tell Devil Ape what to do. Koma bared his fangs and told him he was going to regret that, but Yoshimura was prepared for this laughably quick rejection. Yoshimura had a rare spirit for a Ghoul.
What hit Koma next wasn’t a Kagune, although he was prepared for a battle to the death.
“Let’s just have a conversation, shall we?”
Yoshimura hit him with a gentle suggestion.
Yoshimura told him that he wanted to live in human society, without unnecessary killing. It was strange to wish for such a thing while holding the power of a Ghoul. But Koma found something strangely attractive about the idea. He wanted to try to see what Yoshimura wanted to see. So he decided to follow him. It is no exaggeration to say that this is where the second chapter of Koma’s life began.
Next he came to Yoshimura’s café, Anteiku. It was a café for both Ghouls and humans. They sold coffee, of course. One of the few things that could be shared by Ghouls and humans.
“Mr. Yoshimura, what can I do for you? Should I make coffee?” Koma asked excitedly, clad in a uniform. He’d never made coffee before, but he would try. His enthusiasm would have moved any living creature under the sun.
He didn’t know how to act around humans, but he didn’t imagine there was much interaction between a clerk and a customer anyway. Besides, he just wanted to make coffee. He wanted to make his debut as a master barista.
But Yoshimura handed him a mop and a bucket, two items that had nothing to do with coffee.
“But Mr. Yoshimura, this is …”
Never mind, he thought, I can show off my creative dance skills with the mop and bucket, to bring in customers. It’ll make me stand out, and people might like it too.
But Yoshimura’s reply was very simple.
“First I want you to clean the shop.”
Koma’s round eyes widened. Cleaning is boring, shitty work that anyone can do. Is he really making Devil Ape do that?
Once upon a time Koma would’ve killed him for the insult. But he realized something now: the real reason why Yoshimura had given him the task of cleaning.
“Oh, yes, of course …”
Koma grinned and took the mop and bucket. “Got it!”
And he started cleaning, something he was unfamiliar with.
“Got a new guy working here?”
It wasn’t long until the first customer of the day came in. She looked like a young office worker, stopping in on her way to work. Human. She looked at Koma with curiosity in her eyes.
It was a new expression for Koma, who was more used to seeing humans trembling in fear.
“Oh, pay no mind to me, miss,” he said.
“Then quit swinging that mop around and splashing water everywhere! That shouldn’t happen in a restaurant, you know, you should have your pay cut!”
Her response was cold. He immediately thought about killing her, but this was Yoshimura’s place. Koma restrained himself and picked up the mop again.
“I’ll have my usual,” she said to Yoshimura, turning away from Koma quickly. There was nothing cute about this human.
Koma grew fonder of Yoshimura’s way of life, but he still had absolutely no attachment to humans. She doesn’t deserve my special coffee, he thought, and went back to cleaning. He decided to maintain indifference, but customers kept coming, one after another. First a man on his way to work, then an old lady who ran a sewing shop in the neighborhood, followed by a young man who stopped in by chance, and a woman who seemed to be Yoshimura’s friend. There were both Ghouls and humans there. Ghouls and humans sat side by side, across tables from each other, simply spending their time as they pleased.
Koma watched all of this as he wiped down the window with spray and newspaper.