Chapter 33: Flattery

Shuu Tsukiyama strolls through Kamii University and approaches Kaneki as he reads, introducing himself and confessing he enrolled specifically to meet him. Wary but polite, Kaneki befriends him anyway and explains he has been studying a martial arts manual because of the perilous times. The two trade thoughts on literature and reading, and Tsukiyama mentions a private cafe frequented by Sen Takatsuki, Kaneki's favorite author. Kaneki suspects a scheme and decides he cannot fully trust the man.

Tsukiyama insists he is misunderstood, claiming he only ever wanted someone to talk with who shared his interests, and that he has been lonely since Rize Kamishiro, who once filled that role, died. The pair arrange to meet and talk again on Sunday. Returning to Anteiku, Kaneki unexpectedly finds Renji Yomo, who asks him to come along somewhere because someone has requested to see him.

Yomo takes Kaneki to a bar in the 14th ward. There Kaneki is teased by a woman he learns is Itori, a friend of both Uta and Yomo and the owner of the Helter Skelter bar.

Tsukiyama insinuates himself into Kaneki's life at university, using shared literary tastes and a claimed loneliness over Rize to build trust while Kaneki privately doubts him. The two agree to meet again that Sunday.

Yomo brings Kaneki to the 14th ward and introduces him to Itori, owner of the Helter Skelter bar, opening a new line of information about the ghoul world.

The chapter deepens Tsukiyama's manipulative pursuit of Kaneki and sets the Sunday meeting that leads into the Gourmet's trap. Itori's introduction begins a subplot centered on rumors about one-eyed ghouls and the truth behind Rize's fate.