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aghost-writer · 4 years ago

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Love Me...

Chapter 2

Love Made Me Do It

Hide and (Y/N) walked side by side. They had taken the scenic route to (Y/N)’s about. It was about forty minutes longer from the cafe to her apartment this way.

“You think Kaneki will ask her out”, (Y/N) asked.

Hide nodded.

“He can do it. “, Hide said.

(Y/N) nodded. She inched closer to Hide as they walked to her apartment. She was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Something the matter (Y/N)? Oh I know. You are jealous that Kaneki is asking someone out”, Hide teased.

Hide’s heart tighten. He couldn’t handle it if she said yes.

(Y/N) looked around. The streets were almost clear minus a few businessmen. She was nervous, and it was written clearly on her face. She grabbed Hide’s hand when a cat shoot out in front of them.

“Ah!”

(Y/N) buried her head in Hide’s side.

Hide blushed. He was as red as a tomato. He was happy that she was so close to him. A question surged forward in his mind. Was everything alright?

“It was just a cat. (Y/N) is everything alright?”, Hide asked concerned.

(Y/N) shook her head. She didn’t want to be a bother to Hide at all. She slowly let go of him much to his disappointment.

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”, (Y/N) semi-lied.

She was tired, but there was a reason behind it.

Hide frowned.

The two stopped in front of her door to her apartment.

“What’s wrong, (Y/N)? You can tell me anything”, he asked.

Hide smiled reassuringly. He would take her worries away. He knew he could. They were made for one another.

(Y/N) smiled weakly. She believed someone was watching her, but she wasn’t sure. She didn’t want to involve Hide in something that could get him hurt or even kill him.

“It’s nothing Hide. I promise”, (Y/N) spoke softly.

Hide frowned. In order not to upset her, he didn’t say anything else about it even though he desperately wanted to know what was wrong.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything. I don’t want you going about by yourself with all the ghoul attacks”, he said sternly.

He could not handle it if something were to happen to (Y/N). Hide would never forgive himself if (Y/N) got hurt, and he wasn't there to save her. He would die.

(Y/N) smiled and unlocked her door.

“Thank you Hide. See you tomorrow. “

She entered her apartment and locked the door. She leaned her back against the door before sliding down til she sat on the floor. She was going insane. She could have sworn someone was watching her.

Hide said goodbye to a closed door. He turned and started on his own way home.

From above a nearby building, a certain Binge Eater watched the exchange with cold eyes. That bastard was trying to take her darling away. (Y/N) belongs to her.

~~~

Hide received a phone call from Kaneki when he was by the CCG emergency vehicles. He had gotten some food while on his way home.

“You are a lucky bastard, you know that”, Hide spoke into his phone as he ate.

“No joke. Who would have thought she likes the same author as me?”, Kaneki said as he ate his food on his side of the phone.

“For real. What’s the author's name again? Sen Tasasaki?”, Hide asked.

“Yeah. It’s (Y/N)’s favorite author as well. Oh and get this. We made plans to go to the bookstore together Sunday”, Kaneki said.

“You and (Y/N)”, Hide asked.

Hide didn’t like that. Not one bit.

Kaneki blushed.

“No. I meant Rize and me. You know, the girl at the cafe”, Kaneki rushed out.

Hide sighed in relief.

“Seriously? That sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. But, you kids have fun”, Hide said.

“Thanks man”, Kaneki said.

Hide hung up the phone on Kaneki. He was glad that his angel wouldn’t be spreading time with Kaneki. That meant he had more time with (Y/N) without Kaneki interfering. Hide hurried his way home.

~~~

It was close to 9 p.m. when (Y/N) texted both Kaneki and Hide goodnight. She thought for a moment before texting Kaneki one more time asking if she had lent him her favorite book by Sen Tasasaki. She couldn’t find the book anywhere. She really wanted to read it again.

She wasn’t feeling good. The last couple of sleepless nights have been rough on her. She still could not shake the feeling of someone or something was watching her. She turned off the lights and crawled into bed. (Y/N) was asleep the moment her heard hit her pillow.

After an hour or two, from the unlocked window in her apartment, a ghoul crawled. The ghoul crept in the tiny apartment and into the sleeping girls bedroom. The ghoul stepped into the light coming from the window in the room.

Yamori looked down at the sleeping girl. The covers had fallen off of her and onto the floor revealing the underwear the girl was sleeping in. She was curled up on her side. Yamori watched as (Y/N) breathed slowly though her slightly opened mouth. He couldn’t help himself. He reached out and ran his hand down the side of her body. His hand started to slipped in between her thighs. In between her thighs, it is so warm. He wanted to bury himself there. God. He wondered how she would feel around him. His hand subconsciously started to rise from its place between (Y/N)’s thighs. He was getting dangerously close to his pet’s flower.

(Y/N) grumbled and rolled over. Her face held a tense look. It was almost like she was having a bad dream. Her breath hitched.

Yamori halted and listened. He could hear her breathing even out. He knew it was time to go.Yamori could not risk getting caught. As much as he didn’t want to, he removed his hand. Another time. He would have another time to play with his pet. He backed away from her. As quietly as he had entered the apartment, he had left.

~~~

It was a bright and beautiful Sunday. Kaneki and Rize were sitting together in a small cafe.

“So tell me Kaneki. Out of all of Takatsuki’s novels, which one is your favorite?”, Rize asked.

Kaneki looked up as he thought.

“I guess I would have to go with her first book.”, Kaneki supplied.

Rize gave a smile. (Y/N) liked that book. She should buy her another one. Rize took (Y/N)’s original copy. She couldn’t help it. The book smelled so much like her darling.

“It was a breakout hit,” she answered.

Kaneki blushed. He looked down and saw inside her dress. His eyes shifted and noticed his date’s plate.

“Rize, you don't eat much, do you?”

He was willing to do anything to keep his eyes off of Rize’s chest.

“Huh?”

Rize looked confused before looking at her plate. She swallowed. She could feel the food crawling up her throat. That wasn’t good.

“ Oh Actually, I'm on a dietary regimen. Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.”, she said as she scurried off.

She's such a lady. However; she is nowhere near (Y/N) in terms of ladyship. Stop it Kaneki! You are on a date with Rize not (Y/N). I wonder what a date with (Y/N) would be like. No! Stop! Do not think of (Y/N). Think only of Rize. Only (Y/N)... Think of (Y/N).

~~~

“Thank you very much for today.”, Rize said as the two walked along the road.

“No, thank you. It-It's been fun”, Kaneki spoke up as he blushed.

Rize halted. She gave Kaneki a nervous and scared look. It’s time to get rid of him.

Kaneki noticed.

“Something wrong”, he asked.

“The truth is, I live near where these recent incidents where the ghouls have been. Just thinking about it even now, I can't stop from trembling. I don’t want you to think I am weak. But I’m scared to walk home alone. “

Her voice trembled. Whether from excitement or fear, it is unknown. False tears filled her eyes. She held her hand to her chest.

“I'll walk you home. What kind of date would I be if I didn’t at least do that much”, Kaneki said reassuringly.

Rize brought her hand up to her face. Rize smirked behind her hand. Yes, this would do. Soon, this human would not bother her darling anymore.

Rize walked beside Kaneki as they made their way to Rize’s place.

On the way to Rize’s place, Kaneki started up a conversation with her

“Yes, so then Hide asked me, "Which do you like better, me or novels?” Kaneki said.

“He sounds like a funny person.”, Rize chuckled.

She was bored out of her mind but knew that she had to wait for the right moment to kill him.

“Was there are reason for liking books or is it a new found passion”, asked as she continued.

She was planning on tuning him out.

“My dad left us a lot of books in our house. I lost my dad before I can even remember.I liked the books he left, and while my mom was out working, I spent the time reading them. When I was younger, I met (Y/N). She used to come over, and we would spend hours together reading. It’s one of the few things we do together without anyone else”, Kaneki rambled on, no longer paying attention.

Rize perked up. Sure, she was mad that Kaneki was spending time with her darling, but this was information that she could use to get closer to her darling. She would just have to eat Kaneki slowly and painfully.

“Then, ever since my mom died You know, Hide and (Y/N) are the only ones I've ever told this to.”, Kaneki finished.

“Is that so? Ah It's this way.”, Rize spoke up.

The two went by Touka and her friend. Touka listened as she past Rize and Kaneki.

She led Kaneki down the dark pathway. Her grip tightened on Kaneki. She couldn’t let him get away. Not that he could if he wanted to.

Kaneki followed innocently. He could not even imagine what was about to happen.

The two stopped in front of a set of train tracks.

“Well, I'm right over here”, Rize smirked.

It’s time. Soon the only one her darling would need would be her.

“Rize, Um, if you wouldn't mind, can I see you again? We do have a similar taste in books, and we're the same age. There's a lot we have in common, huh?”, Kaneki asked nervously.

He needed to get (Y/N) out of his mind. He needed a distraction. Rize could be his distraction from (Y/N).

“Kaneki Y- Yes? The truth is, I noticed you.

The way you were looking at me.”, Rize spoke.

“Huh”, Kaneki was confused.

“I, too happen to be interested in you.”

Rize walked and hugged him.

Kaneki blushed and gasped.

Rize moved towards his neck.

“I want (Y/N) as much as you want her”

A train flew by.

Rize’s kagune formed and centered on Kaneki’s eye. Rize sunk her teeth into Kaneki.

Kaneki felt a searing pain in his shoulder. It hurt. It hurt! It hurt! The smell of iron filled the air.

Rize pulled away with a sadistic grin on her face. Blood dropped from her mouth. Her eyes were black with red pupils. Finally, her darling would be hers and hers alone.

Their bags fell to the ground.

“Ah,Tasty!”, the ghoul teased.

She pulled away from him.

Kaneki fell on the ground holding his shoulder while whimpering patheticly.

Rize’s coat fell onto the ground as she approached Kaneki.

Kaneki looked up at her.

“Kaneki, there's something I like even more than reading.Know what it is? It's pulling out all the organs of someone who isn't trying to run away from me especially someone who wants to take my darling away”, Rize smirked.

Kaneki was swallowed in fear. His eyes widened.

Rize’s kagune shot out from her body. She was laughing like a maniac.

“That expression! It's fantastic! Would you let me thrill myself even more?! (Y/N) will be glad you won’t be there to bother her anymore. (Y/N) is mine. “, Rize teased.

Kaneki was quick to get to his feet. He starting running in the outside direction of the ghoul.

“No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way!”, Kaniekei frantically said.

“Oh god. She is going to take (Y/N) from me. (Y/N) is mine.”, Kaneki’s mind screamed at him.

Rize’s kagune reached out and dragged Kaneki back to her.

“I caught you! You can’t run from me”, Rize teased.

The ghoul tossed Kaneki to the side.

Kaneki struggled to stand up. He was holding his wound from earlier.

“I’m going for you Kaneki”, Rize laughed.

She jumped up in the air using her kagune. She started her descent towards the human. Her kagune wrapped around Kaneki. She decided to have some more fun. She slowly started to crush Kaneki.

Blood left Kaneki’s mouth.

“What fun. I have made a mess out of you. (Y/N) would be so happy about this”, the ghoul teased.

She gave a twisted grin.

“Kaneki! I'm going to gently scramble up your insides for you now, okay? Uh-oh, did you die? That's too bad.I really did like you.There's just the right amount of fat on you; you look nice and soft, and easy to eat.”, she went on to say.

The sound of metal clinking against one other could be heard.

A confused Rize looked up.

The metal was falling and falling fast. It was not long before both the ghoul and the human were crushed by the falling metal.

“How …. could … this … happen”, Rize chocked from under the metal.

Sirens filled the air as Kaneki went under.

From above the pile of fallen metal, stood the purple haired waiter from Anteiku.

Love made me do it… my lovely (Y/N).

Yandere Profiles

Name: Rize Kamishiro/ Binge Eater Status: Dead First Meeting: Ethereal Nickname: Darling Reason: She loves (Y/N) more than anything else. She felt that darling was the perfect name for (Y/N). She likes the way the word darling rolls off her tongue.

Name: Hideyoshi Nagachika/ Hide Status: Alive First Meeting: Ethereal Nickname: (Y/N) Reason: Hide likes the way (Y/N) tastes on his lips. He can’t get enough of it because it is addicting. He calls her (Y/N) because she is perfect and no nickname can match her.

Name: Ken Kaneki/ Eyepatch Status: Alive First Meeting: Ethereal Nickname: Honey Reason: He remembers what honey tasted like. (Y/N) has always smelled sweet and her scent got stronger after he became a ghoul. He calls her honey because he believes she would taste like honey.

Name: Touka Kirishima/ Rabbit Status: Alive First Meeting: Ethereal Nickname: Dear Reason: Touka deeply loves and cherishes (Y/N). She couldn’t live or function without (Y/N) by her side. She calls her dear because (Y/N) is simply hers and she believes that (Y/N) likes the nickname.

Name: Yakumo Oomori/ Yamori/ Jason Status: Alive First Meeting: Love Made Me Do It Nickname: My (Y/N) Reason: (Y/N) belongs to him and him alone. He wants everyone to know that (Y/N) is his. He calls her my (Y/N) because he owns her and all of the love she has.

Chapter cover was made by vasiadiadein!

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evanescentdawn · 4 years ago

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(7th august)

today’s writing:

no self control to be found here. but proud moments: actually writing down ideas that i get instead of mentally writing them and leaving them to rot there. <3

—I was looking through my jjk wips and hey!!! I finally realised what was feeling so wrong about this itafushi wip of mine. I....didn’t actually do anything about it, though. or how i got ideas to fix my itafushikugi first kiss wip as well. i could have, but y’know. i really wasnt feeling up to editing, today.

—Hey, hey. Heyyy. I am writing another nobamaki and so happy. I’ve been wanting to write for these two since forever and finally think that I cracked the code. This one might be a slight slow burn, and I’m having all the FUN with it.

—That ignited another idea, and writing another nobamaki but from maki’s pov. its much more angsty. It’s post shibuya and hey, I’m sobbing. I haven’t really even got into the meat of it yet and I’m sobbing. Man. That arc was really something. really fun exploring maki’s character, though. i love her so much.

—I remembered this nanago idea I had and went off to start writing that. thinking abt nana quit his job; inspired by this lil bit i read in fic. just. Love them??? They’re so fun. satoru’s obnoxious and nana has no respect for him. just. their whole dynamic is *chefs kiss* why is gojo so hard to write for though, sob.

—Well. I was queuing stuff for tomorrow and caught toji & meg feels again and realised that none of my wips for them have them really interacting. so like. I Had To Write That. I love them so much sob. damn it, do i have to think a name for megmama?

—went off a bit here, and dotted a HELLA of ideas for wips that i really want to write. why dont i have like more hands and more brains. that would be good so i could work on all of them. also: i finally had idea on where to go with my geto-centric thing i started yesterday. so glad i just didnt go ahead and post. uh. realising that its gonna a bit more work than what i initially though. time to make some... OCs....

—okay, okay. so like this was inspired by the. idk what it was? but that thing where it shows that gojo asks nanami to take care of itadori and i was like. OKAY OKAY, and started writing. i really have been wanting to write something on nana and ita and finally am. really excited for this, and so much feelings oh gosh. ; ;

—more nanago! i had feels, and idea inspired and started getting to it. short scene thats coming along really well??? i love it lots, but also. urgh. how does one write gojou. hes so annoying.

—my tg and jjk crossover has been on my mind SO MUCH, especially nobara/touka because god, do I need that ship... and i like. dotted down characters i want to interact (touka&nobara, ita&touka, ita&kaneki) and what i want the scenes to be about. so like anyways, i started writing focuced yuuji which YES, i have been wanting to that since forever. and then, was like thinking how this world would work....and kind of started on writing the backstory. and its kinda coming along???

#ignore me; im rambling #highlights

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myndless88 · 5 years ago

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Scars

I’m no fanfic writer, but I’ve had this idea for a while and wanted to do something with it. It kind of piggybacks off of the fan art I did for my little AU of Hide and Kaneki having triplets. I wrote majority of this at about 1am, and worked on it until now, so if there are grammatical errors and such please go easy on me.

(fic under the cut)

Most days, Kaneki would not think twice about how he looks in a mirror. Most days he would just complete his standard bathroom tasks on autopilot—not really paying attention to himself.

Today was not one of those days.

He has just finished showering and, upon entering the bedroom to look for some clothes, happens to catch a glimpse of himself. Kaneki’s steps are light and timid as he comes to stand in front of the simple full-length dress mirror. His grey eyes slowly rove the entirety of his body. He first notes his damp hair. It is in need of a trim, but what elicits a small “hmm” from the young man are how many black strands are overtaking the white. Though he has gotten used to the pristine color years ago, it is comforting to see his natural hair color again. To him, it means that he is healing. Though he has to admit that he would miss the white; it did make him look cool. Kaneki chuckles a little at the thought. He concludes that it will be back eventually—when he is much, much older.

Kaneki’s eyes travel lower to inspect the rest of his body. Clad in only baby blue boxer briefs, it is easy to see everything. It still blows Kaneki’s mind how he had gone through such a transformation in such a short period of time. He remembers when he used to be that shy, timid first year university student with a lanky body fueled by hamburgers and coffee. He thinks of how he is now, and his lips form a thin line. He is still shy and timid at times, but… Where there was a lack of muscle are now hard and defined ones. Coffee still fuels him, but hamburgers have become a thing of the past. Much to his dismay. Now it is replaced by…by…

Kaneki rapidly shakes his head a few times to dispel the thought. He tries not to think about that any more than he should. But as he goes back to looking at—more like scrutinizing at this point—his body, he zeroes in on the large, vertical, and very faint scar located on the right quadrant of his abdomen. His eyes widen and his breath becomes a bit erratic. He brings a trembling hand to the scar but only lets it hover. This scar is a reminder. Of what he once was, what he is, and what he will be from now on. An artificial half-ghoul.

A monster.

Kaneki could feel the moisture building in his eyes, and he squeezes them shut to keep the tears at bay. But that made things worse because now he is at the mercy of his mind conjuring all the terrible sensations from memories he has tried to bury: the phantom pain blooming from his right side, eyes, fingers, and toes, the sweet stench of blood and rotting corpses, the sound of hundreds of skittering legs, the shrill and booming laughs of both Rize and Yamori, the soft murmurs of his mind telling him to harm not only himself but those around him.

Kaneki clenches the sides of his head, fingers digging into his scalp. He feels like he can’t get enough air, and his heart is beating way too fast. ‘Calm down. It’s all in the past. You’re fine. None of this is real.’ He repeats these thoughts a couple of times while taking deep breaths to try and ease his turbulent mind. A few minutes pass, and he figures that it is time to end his body inspection after almost succumbing to a panic attack. As he slowly opens his eyes, they lock on to another scar; this one horizontal and located on his lower abdomen. This one is also faint, but more recent. He lets his hands fall from his head, but brings up his left one to run its fingers tentatively across the scar. It is then that he notices the ring of silver—lined with gold—that adorns his ring finger as well as the fresh hickeys and love bites scattered across his body. A large one is located just above this particular scar. His eyes soften, and he chokes out a sob. ‘That’s right…’ he begins. He closes his eyes and smiles. He remembers how this scar came to be: the sweet sensations of that intimate night, the utter surprise and confusion that entailed that fateful hospital visit, the heaviness and swelling of his abdomen with each passing month, the euphoria when he heard their tiny cries for the first time. This scar is also a reminder. But unlike the other, this one tells him that he loves and is loved.

Kaneki hastily wipes his eyes and sets to putting on some clothes. Just as he finishes fastening his belt, he hears three pairs of tiny feet scurrying up the stairs followed by a steadier pair. He turns towards the bedroom door just in time to see it swing open and three small children running up to him.

“Mama!” they sort of shout in excited intervals, wrapping their little arms around his legs and pulling on the hemline of his cardigan sweater. Kaneki’s smile is wide as he crouches down to the level of his three-year-olds and pull them into a big hug.

“Good morning, my little ones. Did you enjoy your time with your grandparents?” The triplets all start babbling at once, trying to tell Kaneki all that they did. Kaneki couldn’t help the giggle trying to escape his lips. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spots a head of blond. He fully turns his head to see Hide leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, and looking at him and their children with amusement. Kaneki’s eyes soften and a gentle smile is on his lips as he rises from his crouched position. Hide also pushes away from the doorframe to meet Kaneki in the center of the room.

“Good morning, Ken,” Hide says with so much tenderness. He wraps his arms around Kaneki’s waist as Kaneki does the same around his neck.

“Good morning, my love.” He places a gentle kiss on the scarred skin on the left side of Hide’s face. There are times when Kaneki still feels the immense guilt for ever harming his best friend—the love of his life. Hide would always reassure him that it wasn’t his fault; that Kaneki was starving and on the verge of death. He would also add that he is healing quite nicely. And it is true. The skin grafting surgery he received makes him look almost like his old self. Despite not needing to wear face masks anymore, Hide still opts to do so on occasion. His reasoning is that some of the masks are cute, and he feels that he looks cooler in them. Kaneki would always shake his head and smile.

“Ah, your eyes…” Hide trails, “They’re a bit red. Are you okay?” He gently rubs the skin under Kaneki’s left eye, a look of concern on his face. Kaneki’s own sports one of melancholy.

“Yeah. I’ve been…looking at my scars.” Hide’s eyes slowly widen at the admission, and he raises an eyebrow.

“Oh?” He leans in and whispers, “Are there any new ones since last time? I know I may have been a bit rough last night,” he says while waggling his eyebrows. And just like that, the mood lightens again.

“Hide!” Kaneki yelps in embarrassment. His eyes look in every direction instead of at his husband, and his cheeks begin to warm up considerably. “Th-The kids are right there!” he whispers a bit too harsh. They both look over to see the triplets playfully jumping on their bed. It seems they stopped paying attention to their parents a while ago. Kaneki sighs in relief, and Hide lets out a small chuckle. They both look back at each other again and smile.

“It’s alright, Ken. Despite what you may think, I think your scars are beautiful because you are beautiful.” Even though Kaneki hears this all the time from him, he is still stunned by the response. Hide then gives Kaneki’s nose a quick peck and turns to their children. “Okay, who’s ready for lunch?” Three little heads look in their direction, all with huge smiles. They make their way off the bed with a little help from both Hide and Kaneki and head for the door. Hide follows suit, but stops in the doorway to throw Kaneki a wink over his shoulder before exiting. Kaneki hears his husband ask their triplets what they want to eat and then a barrage of answers afterward. Their laughs and giggles could be heard throughout the house, and that made Kaneki smile wide once again. His family just makes his heart swell so much. As he goes to straighten the blankets on the bed, he catches his reflection in the mirror once again. He gently places both hands on his clothed abdominal area and sighs.

Kaneki may not be very fond of the scar on the right, but he is getting better at getting used to it. He guesses he should be a little thankful for it too. For without that scar he would not have been blessed with the other below—his scar of love.

With this in mind, he turns and makes his way out of the bedroom, shutting off the light and closing the door behind him.

#Hideyoshi Nagachika #Ken Kaneki #HideKane #HideKane triplets #Tokyo Ghoul #fanfiction #au #a kaneki centric fic #implied mpreg #this is quite embarrassing #also Happy Mother's Day #myndlesswrites #myndlessthoughts

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superryunosukeyuki · 5 years ago

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Take Hirako’s Betrayal of Goat

Setup

Throughout the last few arcs of Tokyo Ghoul :re, there were subtle hints that someone from inside Goat was a traitor leaking information. For example, during the Clown Siege Arc Kaneki decides to assist the CCG in killing Clowns before heading out to retrieve rc suppressants for Akira Mado. They finish doing so earlier than expected (only 20 minutes), but despite this V agents have somehow already made it to their location.

The CCG monitors only detected Goat’s presence when they arrived to fight the Clowns. So, in only the 20 minutes after being made aware of Goat’s presence they somehow made it all the way over to their location (on foot) from wherever they were previously? The only logical explanation seems to be that somebody tipped them off previously and they had men on standby.

Later, after Furuta unleashes the Oggai they destroy Goat’s 3rd base in :re 122. After this event, the Goat members do question if there was a leak.

After being made aware of the Oggai, they believe it was solely due to their sensory abilities that they were able to find the base. However, while this event was being aired on television one newscaster noted that Furuta’s performance lasted online 38 minutes.

What she meant by his “roadside performance” is somewhat vague. Did it take the Oggai 38 minutes to destroy the base in 38 minutes? Given what was shown of their strength it’s doubtful it would’ve taken them that long. So, does that mean it took them 38 minutes to both find the base and destroy it? For the Oggai to use their senses to locate the base they would have to do so on foot. So, they located the base and traveled there on foot in less than 38 minutes? It seems to good to be true that they started their search so close to the base. This again hints that someone leaked information.

Later, in an attempt to infiltrate Goat the Oggai Hajime Hazuki pretends to be a ghoul on the run in order be saved by Naki, who then takes him to Goat’s base in the 24th ward (in :re 127).

However, how could Hajime have known that Goat members would be here? He could’ve used his senses to tell that Ghouls were nearby, but he wouldn’t have been able to know that they belonged to Goat. This again suggests someone leaked information, in this case that someone revealed an area where Goat members would be active.

Later, the CCG attacks the 24th ward base while most of the stronger ghouls are out with a scavenging party. Kaneki considered this possibility, and so he assigned a communication squad led by Kaya Irimi and Enji Koma to the outskirts of the 24th ward. With Irimi’s enormous sensory abilities, she should have been able to detect any incoming attacks, and then the squad could send a transmission to the scavenging party to have them come back to base.

However, this doesn’t happen.

During the original series, after the Anteiku members went to rescue Kaneki Irimi stays outside of the complex they go into. She stays outside and uses her abilities to monitor to movements inside the entire facility.

There’s no way someone whose senses are so vast and refined wouldn’t notice large scale attack coming. The moment she felt the CCG incoming they would’ve sent a transmission. Not only does this not happen, Koma and Irimi’s squad members are shown beheaded.

Koma and Irimi aren’t actually among the bodies here as their icons indicate that they are wearing their Devil Ape and Black Dober uniforms, while the corpses are shown wearing dark red robes. However, notice here that the bodies are facing towards the screen (inwards) rather than outwards. Meaning that whoever killed them came from behind, and so whoever killed them wasn’t the CCG who came from outwards.

This could be explain why Koma and Irimi didn’t send transmission to Kaneki. Whoever attacked them from behind undetected could only have come from the direction of the 24th ward (a fellow goat member). So, seeing a friendly face wouldn’t have put them on alert until it was too late. The traitor struck once more.

Finally, after Kaneki’s final battle with Furuta, the latter uses some interesting words when speaking to Kaneki.

How would Furuta know Kaneki had a wife or kid? Kaneki only married Touka after they decided to hide in the 24th ward. Also, knowledge of her pregnancy only became apparent when they were in the 24th ward as well. So, how Furuta hear? The answer is likely the same as previously: a traitor inside of Goat leaking information.

So far, all these points suggest a traitor inside of Goat was leaking information and working against them in secret. But who is this traitor? There is both symbolic evidence and textual evidence that suggests the identity of the traitor: Take Hirako.

Symbolic Evidence

There is symbolic evidence that ties Take Hirako to Judas Iscariot (the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ). Judas left the Last Supper early or did not attend at all (depending on the version of the story), and later sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Later, he hung himself from a tree (thereby breaking his neck).

Just like Judas didn’t attend the Last Supper, Hirako didn’t attend the Christmas dinner at the Quinx Chateau.

Not only that, but the plant shown in this image (with leaves in circles) looks like it was cut from a Japanese Laurel tree. In Japan, this tree is also known as the Japanese Judas-Tree, which further hints at the Judas connection. In regards to Hirako breaking his neck, there are a number of images in the Tokyo Ghoul calendar (released in 2016) that focus on his neck.

As shown in a post by @akiira-mado:

1. “Let us fight. Even if the God of Death will point his blade at my throat.“ 2. CCG’s God of Death killing a fly but it’s a strange composition, slashing X across Hirako’s neck. For such a simple omake, it would have been easy for Ishida to rework the awkward composition differently. 3. Hirako clutching his neck with Arima in the bg observing. “I felt death approaching” is Hirako’s comment about this scene.

Also, in Hirako’s card in the Tokyo Ghoul Trump series, there appears to be a sand dollar in the background.

The five slits in sand dollars are said to represent Christ’s wounds on the cross. So, this is another reference to Judas as he is responsible for Christ’s wounds. Later, Hirako himself is even called Judas when confronted by Hajime Hazuki.

All of this points to Hirako as the Judas of Tokyo Ghoul, but who is the Jesus he betrayed? Throughout the story, Ken Kaneki has depicted with Christian symbolism.

So, this sets up that Hirako is indeed a traitor to Kaneki.

Textual Evidence

Hirako is seen relatively little in the story. However, we know that he generally wears a bland, stoic expression. There are points when this expression breaks, and these point can be telling.

Hirako is typically a very passive individual who waits for orders. However, when they are getting ready to steal rc suppressants from the CCG lab in the Clown Arc, he not only volunteers himself for the lab mission but even states he has the layout of the lab memorized in order to convince Kaneki to bring him along. If you look closely at his left eye, it appears out of focus. Why did Hirako want to go to the lab so much?

If Hirako was a traitor working for Furuta, then he may have known Rize was at the lab. He specifically mentions he has the layout of the lab memorized, and so if he went he may have tried to steer the group away from the area where Rize was (since she was vital to Furuta’s plan).

Another point made at the beginning of this meta was that somehow Hajime Hazuki knew that Naki was nearby when he pretended to be a ghoul in trouble. Later, when Hirako first confronts Hajime he appears uncharacteristically hostile.

Later, when Kaneki says they will keep him locked up underground he appears worried.

If Hirako was the one who told Furuta where Hajime could find the white suits, then Hajime may know as well. So, he may be afraid of Hajime exposing him.

Finally, there’s Irimi and Koma. They are revealed to have died at some unspecified point, but they are revived as quinques by Akihiro Kanou. In the final battle with V, after Hirako hears that the Black Dobers (Irimi) are coming to the battlefield, he looks to the side nervously.

This is likely because he had a hand in their deaths. Also, despite being used as puppets Irimi and Koma do retain some aspects of their original personality.

And who are the first people they move to attack? Hirako and Ui.

Why they attacked Ui is unclear. During the Rushima Island Arc she seemed to want to fight Ui specifically, and so she may have a grudge against him for something.

However, it’s important to note that they attack Hirako as well, probably to avenge their deaths.

Motive

Since we know so little about Hirako, it’s not really possible to know his motivations for betraying Kaneki and Goat unless Ishida-sensei reveals it to us some day. However, if we take the Judas analogy into account, we remember that Jesus was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. According to a recent study, 30 shekels of silver in today’s money would be around $200. Imagine betraying Jesus for 200 bucks! So, the few pieces of silver were likely to illustrate the Jesus was betrayed for a petty and insignificant price. So, Hirako’s reason for betraying was likely for a petty reason.

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alice-m00n · 5 years ago

Text

AN: Thank you for your request, I hope that I did could do it some justice. I will say that I took a bit of creative liberty with it, but I hope that you’ll enjoy!

Today was the day, he was finally going to ask the stunning woman who worked at the cafe to a date. He could feel his heart beating in his throat and his palms getting sweaty, but what can you expect when he’s been trying to work up the courage to ask this woman on a date for weeks?

“Would you like anything else, Sensei?”

“O-Oh, just the bill please.”

“Of course.”

Come on, he could do this. Even Saiko-chan had cheered him on earlier!

“M-Manager!”

“Yes?”

“T-This upcoming Sunday, there’s going to be a coffee fair, they have quite an impressive selection of vendors. It’s said to have a lot of different coffee beans from around the world. Have you heard of it?”

“No, I haven’t. But it does sound interesting.”

“Um… I was able to get a pair of tickets. But I didn’t know who would be interested. I-If you don’t mind, would you consider going with me as a date?” he asked, feeling his face growing warmer with every word.

The seconds passed by slowly. All he could hear was the sound of his heart beating anxiously against his chest. Oh, what if she’s going to reject him and she’s just thinking of a way to let him down slowly? Does that mean he won’t be able to show his face here again? Does that mean he should tell the kids to stop coming too-

“I’ll have to think about it.” Eh? “Is that alright?”

“Yes, of course! Take as much time as you need, although it is this weekend, so maybe it would be best to decide before then...” Stop rambling Haise, or she’ll say no on the spot! He should leave while he’s still ahead! “Then until next time.”

“Yes, take care Sensei.”

As soon as he left :re, he sighed out. Thank goodness, she didn’t say no! Well, she didn’t say yes either, but if she’s at least taking the time to consider it, that means that his chances aren’t completely zero right?

…Right?

~~~

What the hell was that! She never expected that he would actually ask her on, on a date!

Kaneki spent how long before even working up the courage to even speak to Rize, so she expected Sasaki to be no different, but- Just what was she supposed to do?

Unfortunately for her, the man stopped by the next day and asked, “Um… Would you happen to have an answer yet?”

Of course not!

But instead of saying that, she decided to lie through her teeth, “I’m sorry, I was busy last night, so I couldn’t think about it.”

“Oh it’s completely fine!” he responded as he nervously rubbed at his chin, “I did spring it on you suddenly. Just take your time to think about it.”

“I will. Now, is there anything that you’d like to order?”

He sheepishly smiles and orders his usual before leaving to return back to work. Touka sighs the second that he’s out of view.

~~~

Their next conversation mimicked the one before it.

“I’m sorry.”

And again.

“I still don’t have an answer…”

And again.

“I’m very sorry.”

Still, he smiles at her and says, “Ah, then I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

When he acts like that, it’s just like when she ‘taught’ him how to first brew coffee. Instead of getting angry, he just smiles and moves forward. Why doesn’t he get upset with her? Even though she’s delayed her answer for days?

It’s getting harder and harder to draw the line between Sasaki Haise and Kaneki Ken, aren’t they the same person at the core?

But it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t! It doesn’t change the fact that she can’t get involved with him.

Why did she even drag it this long to respond when the answer was obvious?

“Touka.” Yomo placed a fresh cup of coffee down, “Here.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you going to respond to him tomorrow?”

“Yeah. There are too many risks if I get too involved with him.”

“Touka. It’s ok if you want to be happy.”

“I…I am happy.” And she means it. Mostly.

So what if just a few years ago she had to throw away everything she knew without any notice? They were safer now and they managed to build up a new home (even though it’s a little emptier than before)

So what if the last words that she said to Kaneki were ‘don’t come back’? He’s alive, that’s more than she could’ve hoped for.

Yomo stared at her, “Is that so? It’d be great if that was the truth.”

SLAM!

“Of course it’s true!” she protested after slamming her coffee down.

Yomo just stared at her, not getting shocked or angry. Instead he reached out and ruffled her hair, “Maybe you should give it a little more thought.”

“Hey-”

“I’m turning in now.”

Touka glared as he headed upstairs but said nothing. Of course, he would just leave her alone with her thoughts like this. But what more does she have to think about? It’s true that she’s happy now... Isn’t it?

Touka sighed before taking another sip of her coffee. She knows very well that happiness comes with a price. She’s not reckless enough to gamble for more. Even with their minimal interactions now, she feels like she’s on some kind of tightrope. If she says a single wrong word or if she makes the wrong expression, everything that she’s been building up could be lost.

This home that she built for Kaneki.

The relationship that she’s developed for Sasaki.

It didn’t feel right to ‘be happy’ with him while he knew nothing of their past.

~~~

The rain was pouring down harshly, it almost sounded more like hail than rain. There wouldn’t be many people coming in this weather. But just as she was about to lock the door, she spotted a certain pudding haired investigator.

Without thinking much, she opened the door and called out to him, “Sensei?”

“Ah, Manager,” he greeted. His hair was so soaked that it was drizzling down water, “Sorry, I don’t think I can come in without making a mess.”

“It’s fine. Please come in. Here.”

He accepted the towel with a quiet, “Thank you.”

“I’ll make you some coffee, so please have a seat.”

“I’m really sorry for troubling you so much this week. I was really looking forward to your answer, whatever it may be, but if you don’t want to, I completely understand. I’m sorry if I put you in a difficult position.”

Touka set a cup down in front of him, “Why did you ask me to go with you?”

His face turned a little red, “U-Um… You’ve always caught my eye ever since the first time that I came here. But even though you’re smiling, you always looked a little sad… And then I tried to think of things that would make you laugh. ”

“Why do you care so much about me?”

“Somehow, I didn’t want to leave you alone.” He gave her an embarrassed smile, “I know that’s a bad answer, but I really can’t describe it.”

Those words…

He told her those words right before he decided to leave.

It’s like when he first came here and he started crying. Just what is she supposed to do when the line between Sasaki Haise and Kaneki Ken becomes blurred?

It feels a little silly at how just a few words can weaken her resolve.

“Touka. It’s ok if you want to be happy.”

...Is it really ok to let herself be swayed so easily?

“There’s someone who you remind me of. That person said they wouldn’t leave, but they did. I’ve been waiting for them to return ever since. That’s why it’s been difficult for me to give you a reply.” She looked right into his eyes, “Even so, is it still alright for me to accept your offer for this weekend?”

The moments trickled by slowly.

She was fully expecting him to leave, because of what she said. What does Sasaki Haise think? Isn’t it unfair of her to try and find ‘happiness’ with him while she thinks of someone else?

And yet, his eyes held no contempt or judgement. Instead, he smiled warmly at her, “I’d be honored if you did.”

#writing requests #My writing #touken #kanetou #tousaki #long drabble #sorry it took so long #tg

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dreamerfae · 5 years ago

Text

Together Forever

Summary: Two terminally ill patients meet one another and make an important decision that will affect their lives.

Word Count: 5785

Rating: Teen and Up

Genre: Alternate Universe - Human

A white ceiling with a fan always turned on. Nurses' voices and the beeping sound of machines. The smell of disinfectant. The taste of bland food. An enclosed room.

This is what patients in the hospital face every day they stay in the hospital. For some, the stay is temporary, whilst for others, the stay is permanent. The latter is the case of 2 patients, who have been living in the same ward for the past few years.

Patients often move in and out of the wards and a patient was just discharged today. The bed between 2 patients were now empty. Turning to the side, the male's gaze lingered on the empty bed now beside his, before his gaze landed on the female who had been staring out of the window for the past few minutes.

"It's lonely, isn't it? When someone gets to leave the hospital." He brought up his courage to speak to the lady.

The violet haired female turned to him and stared at him with a dazed and blank look. "Huh? Oh yeah."

"What's your name? My name's Kaneki Ken. We've been staying in the same ward for the longest time but never got to introduce ourselves to one another."

"Kirishima Touka."

"Nice to meet you. If you don't mind asking, what's your illness? I'm allergic to bacteria and will die if I'm exposed to it for too long. That's the reason for the mask attached to my mouth now." Kaneki explained.

Touka observed how the mask had a tube connected to it which further was connected to a machine at the side of his bed. She guessed it was a filter of sorts, to filter out bacteria. "I..have a heart problem. I can't get too excited, happy, sad or anything. My heart hurts when that happens and if I don't take my meds in time, I'll die."

"..terminal?"

"Terminal."

Silence fell over them because hearing that made them depressed all over again.

"..Me too. Do you read books? Watch movies?"

Touka's lips quirked. She appreciated his quick thinking in changing the topic. Kaneki continued chatting with her, who seemed to be responding only with short phrases or sentences. That was fine, he thought, as she was still wary of him—still strangers—and didn't seem to be good with words. They soon became somewhat friends—hospital or ward buddies—despite the weird starting of their friendship.

As the days passed while they chatted, Touka's once sorrowful face gradually had a smile on it and the fact that he was the cause, Kaneki was glad he started talking to her. She always seemed so lonely by herself in her bed.

Today, both lay in their beds, as usual, staring up at the white ceiling above them.

"Tell me about your family. Why doesn't yours come to visit?" Touka asked.

At that question, the light in his eyes dimmed and he ceased his smile. Directing his gaze onto his fisted hands on his lap, the look in his eyes seemed as if he were somewhere else, not here. "My dad and mom died early, and my aunt was supposed to look after me but she disliked me and refused to pay my hospital bills. So I was passed around in relatives and finally had one relative who was willing to fund my hospital bills only because he was rich. So here I am."

Unlike Kaneki, Touka had a very loving father and mother and an asshole brother but still loved her nonetheless. She couldn't imagine how it was like for him to lose his only family at a young age and having no one who wanted to stay by his side due to his illness being a burden. Sliding herself out of bed, she sat down on a chair at his bed and looked at him.

"I-I'm sorry to hear that... Can I hold your hand?" She asked.

He smiled weakly. "I would appreciate that."

Pumping a special sanitizer into her hands to prevent bacteria from affecting him, she proceeded to hold his hand. It was her first time holding a guy's hand aside from her father's but despite it being a male's hand which was supposed to be strong and meaty, his was skins and bones. She was overcome with sadness for his hard life and squeezed his hand before staring at him, hoping that it would convey to him that she was here for him.

His eyes crinkled, signaling her that he knew what she was doing. "Thank you, Touka."

After that, they became closer friends and often hold hands. Holding hands made them feel connected and better.

"Is there anything you would like to do if you get discharged?" He asked.

"Yep, in my free time, I wrote a list of things I want to do before I die." At that, she opened the cabinet by her bed and filled to a page that had the words 'bucket list before death' in capital letters.

"I want to go to a theme park, a zoo and an aquarium, a cafe, a shopping mall, the summer festival with fireworks, food, and games..." she seemed so excited as she read through her long list of places she wanted to visit.

"Mm, anything else?"

Her voice lowered to a whisper and he could sense the sorrow in her words. "I..want to date someone, get married and live a normal newlywed life in my own house. I want to wake up beside someone I love every single morning as a normal person would. I know, it's impossible, but a girl can only dream."

Kaneki was overcome with sadness because as far as he knew, patients with terminal and serious illnesses rarely get to leave the hospital which meant that she couldn't accomplish all of the things on her list. Dating? Marriage? There was no chance of that happening if she's stuck in here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"What about you, Kaneki?"

"Me? I... I don't have many things I want to do. Maybe go to a bookstore and buy some books, go to a nice cafe that sells good coffee and go on a date with a girl."

"You don't have many ambitions, do you?" She teased and he flushed.

—

Beep. Beep. Beep, beep, beep..

The sound of the machine that monitoring heart rate by Touka's bed increased in speed and sound and Kaneki awoke in the middle of the night to nurses rushing into the ward and surrounding his friend's bed.

They shook her by the arm whilst calling her name urgently. "Touka-San? Touka-San, are you alright?"

Instead of replying to the nurses, Touka who had been lying on her side had her hand squeezing the area over her heart and her face scrunched up in pain. A doctor soon came over and saw to her. He spoke to the nurses and then, they all detached her bed and started rolling it out.

"Touka-San, we're bringing you for surgery now, okay?"

The nurses kept on saying stuff to her but she never replied as they brought her out of the ward. Heart pounding in his chest, Kaneki got up in bed and got the nurse to bring to him to the seating area outside her operation theatre, despite the nurse's urges of him needing to rest.

It was 2 am in the morning, and he sat in his wheelchair at his nurse's insistence, staring at the 'operation ongoing' words in red for the longest time. He fiddled with his fingers and bit his lips in an attempt to calm himself down. Touka's family soon arrived and they also situated themselves outside.

"Are you a friend of Touka's?"

Her mother, Hikari, asked him and Kaneki nodded numbly. In that serious situation, he didn't know how to talk to them even though he knew he should, out of respect.

She smiled, relieved. "I'm glad she has a friend like you in the hospital. She always says she's okay and that she's not lonely but we can tell that it isn't the truth. She seems much happier these days and I guess that's because of you?"

"I-I wouldn't say that as it's presumptuous of me, but I cherish my friendship with Miss Kirishima as well. She is very fortunate to have a family like you in her tough times and who are willing to rush over when she's in a pinch. It's nice."

His own sadness at not having a good family might have reflected on his face which he wasn't aware of. Her father, Arata, stood up and walked to Kaneki. "She's told us about you through text and we appreciate you being by her side. We don't mind treating you as part of our family since you're her only friend now."

Tears brimmed in his eyes. "I-I would love that. Thank you."

Touka remained in the operation theatre for another 1 hour and seeing that Kaneki was still there, his nurse told him that he needed to get his sleep. He hesitated, not wanting to leave before he knew whether Touka was alright, and her family assured him that they would stay and wait for her. They would inform him when she was out and safe.

He went back to his bed, and despite feeling as though he wouldn't be able to sleep due to how worried he was, he eventually fell asleep from the meds he took.

When he awoke the next morning, he saw Touka back in her bed beside him and sighed in relief. Her family was there with her and her mother went over to him with a tired but relieved smile. "She survived but she needs rest. All of us needs to head to work now, could you look after her for us?"

"Of course, Mrs. Kirishima."

—

When she awoke a few hours later, she turned to her side and found Kaneki smiling at her. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"I feel like shit." She answered, voice raspy.

He fought not to laugh but it escaped him anyways. She gave a weak smile and he got up to pour her a glass of water. Holding it to her mouth, he watched her drink a few sips before putting the glass onto her table.

"Your family was here since the time you went into operation until early morning. They had work so they just went back."

"What happened to me?"

"From what I heard, you had a heart attack last night and underwent thrombolysis, a procedure that involves injecting a clot-dissolving agent to restore blood flow in a coronary artery."

She nodded slowly as if trying to digest his words.

"While you were in the operation theatre, I realized how since we don't have much time left—I thought long and hard about this—I feel that we should do what we wanted to do before we die."

"Which is?"

Kaneki swallowed. He was still young, at the age of 23 and didn't know the correct or proper way to phrase it. "I figured we should start with the impossible task that you mentioned. I'm sorry about the time and place but will you marry me and be my wife?"

Tears brimmed in her eyes when his words finally sunk into her soul and she looked at him. Her chest tightened and she felt so emotional right now. "Really? You want to marry someone like me, who has a medical burden?"

"I want to, and I have a medical condition as well so we're equal. What do you say?" He held out his shaking hand and waited for her to take it.

Wiping her tears away, she put her hand into his glove-clad one. "Yes."

—

They were unable to get the doctor's permission to leave the hospital and decided to have the wedding ceremony in the ward itself. As they stood opposite on another, they recited their vows and exchanged the rings which Kaneki asked his best friend—Hide—to buy for him and Touka. Despite the small attendance of only Hide, Touka's friend—Yoriko, and Touka's family, they were grateful that they had them come down to the hospital to witness the ceremony.

With some arrangements from the hospital, they managed to share a bed for on that night with Touka laying in Kaneki's arms and falling asleep to the soft sound of their breaths and body warmth.

Touka never thought she'd be married and felt that she could never be happier than this.

After a serious discussion, they decided to approach the doctors to seek permission to leave the hospital in hopes of fulfilling their wishes of leaving in their own homes.

The doctors in-charge of Kaneki and Touka frowned at the idea and talked to them respectively.

-Kaneki's side-

"If you were to leave the hospital, there is a higher chance of you being affected by more bacteria at a faster rate, and you'll meet your death earlier. Despite knowing that, do you still want to continue?"

Kaneki squeezed his hands into fists and stared at his doctor with determination. "Yes. I want to fulfill Touka's and my wish."

-Touka's side-

"By doing this, you risk your own life and Kaneki's own. You need to know that while medicines can help ease your heart pain, should you have a heart attack and we cannot get to you in time, you will die. Do you understand? By leaving the hospital, the two of you are risking your lives."

Touka swallowed. "We understand."

—

"Even so, do you want to go through it?"

"Yes." Both of them answered without hesitation.

They waited nervously for the doctors' decision and the room was so quiet that you could even hear a pin drop to the floor.

"..We'll make some arrangements. We wish you all the best."

—

After much help from family and friends, the newlywed couple finally settled into their new home. They rented a place near their family and friends so that they could visit anytime. Now as they stood in the living room, Touka looked in awe at the once empty room, now filled with furniture.

"I can't believe this is really happening." She murmured before turning to her husband as her eyes became glassy with tears. "And it's all thanks to you."

At that moment, Kaneki had a strong urge in him to want to continue to fulfill her wishes and make her the happiest woman in the world. He took one hand in his and cupped her cheek with the other. Caressing her cheek with his thumb, his eyes crinkled as he smiled and pulled off his mask.

His doctor had advised him to put on his mask for as long as possible and to limit his sexual activities with her because bacteria can be passed through saliva. But now, he didn't care about all that and only wanted to kiss her, despite not knowing how to. He decided to try and hoped that his hobby of watching romance shows will help him.

She gasped at his action. "Kaneki, your mask—you can't—"

"It's just for a while."

With his hand pressed against her lower back, he pulled her close and leaned over to press a light kiss on her lips. Shocked at first, she didn't want to do this, knowing how it would affect his health but slowly got around to it when she realized that he's doing this despite knowing the risks. So she parted her lips slightly to allow him to kiss her deeper, to which he did. He pulled back hesitantly and gazed down at his wife who had pink dusted on her cheeks and a shine in her eyes.

Their first kiss as a person, and as a married couple.

She finally seemed to come to her senses from her dazed state and forced him to quickly put his mask back on. Grabbing his wrist, she checked the watch he wore given by the doctor for the amount of bacteria in his body. The kiss they had gave him 0.005% bacteria to which Touka didn't know whether to feel happy or upset that it was a small percentage or that it did give him bacteria.

"Don't worry so much. I'm okay." He said softly as if to settle her worries.

"But—"

His gaze softened, he was glad to see that she cared and was worried about him. "Could you do something for me? It doesn't have to be immediately but in time, I would like you to call me by my first name, since we're married and all."

At that, she stiffened. Aside from Yoriko, she has never called someone by their first name before, and on top of that, a male. But now that they were a couple, she wanted to do so, not just because it would make him happy but also as they didn't have much time left. "K-ke—kaneki.."

She didn't like that the words wouldn't come out from her at all. Upon seeing the disappointment on his face, to which he quickly hid with an understanding expression, she tried again.

"K-Ken.."

His face brightened like a child's and without words, she could tell how happy he was through the tight hug he gave her.

—

As of that day, their lives as a newlywed couple begun.

Every other day, they'd go out on dates, going places they've always wanted to visit and doing things they've always wanted to try doing. That included going to a theme park, visiting a cafe that sold good coffee and a bookstore, an animal cafe, a summer festival, shopping malls and many more.

Every time they'd go back home, exhausted but satisfied and contented.

On the days they didn't go out, they would stay in bed in one another's arms, limbs tangled underneath the blankets. Kaneki would always wake up first, wash up and goes to make coffee while waiting for Touka to awake. Once she was, she would settle down in the chair opposite him at the dining table and they would sip their coffee, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.

Then, they'd proceeded to do house chores together. Despite doing the routine every day, it was never boring for them as they did it together and often chatted whilst doing so. Sometimes, Kaneki would cook and sometimes Touka would cook. They have a competition each time on whose food tasted nicer.

What they didn't know was how deep they would fall in love with one another, completely different from when they first met in the hospital.

It wasn't all good times either, where either one of them would start showing symptoms of their illnesses. For Touka, her heart would feel pain at times and she had to take her medicines. For Kaneki, he would get sick occasionally due to amount of bacteria in his body. Even so, they lived each and every day to its fullest as they could never know when would be the last day for them.

—

"Tickle fight!" Touka roared as she jumped Kaneki on the bed and started to feel his body for his ticklish spots. The male laughed out loud when her fingers touched his stomach and neck and they ended rolling around in the bed, arms around one another and laughing.

Breathing heavily, they gazed at one another before Touka realized that Kaneki was above her. The atmosphere between them charged. Her fingers tangled in the hair on his nape, nails gently scratching his scalp. Eyes wide, cheeks pink, he parted his lips, pressed them together as he hesitated and leaned down. Their lips met and she moaned as he pressed gentle kisses to her neck and down her chest. His hands paused at the hem of her shirt and he looked at her for permission to remove it.

She stopped him by pushing on his chest, eyes meeting his. "What happens when your bacteria level reaches 100%?" She asked slowly and softly.

He swallowed and hesitated, 'I'll die."

Panic flashed in her eyes and he tried his best to reassure her. "Don't worry, I won't die just yet. My bacteria level is only 40%."

"Don't lie!"

The anger in her eyes rattled him to the core.

"I checked it last night when you were asleep and it was 66%! Why didn't you tell me that it was already this high?"

When he remained silent, she continued and wiped her falling tears away but to no avail. "We should stop doing anything intimate like kissing from now on. I don't want you to die because of me." Her voice was full of sorrow.

"No, it's not your fault that it got this high. The doctor told me if I left the hospital, this was to be expected and I knew that before I decided to leave the hospital with you. I would rather die earlier doing the things I like with you than sit in my bed doing nothing at all. I love you, so I want to do many things with you. I don't want to regret anything. Everything I do is my choice, so please, don't cry..."

Even as he said all of those things, she continued sobbing into his chest. "I love you too, Ken. My whole life changed when you spoke to me that day and I never regretted leaving the hospital with you. You make me so happy." At that, she pulled back and looked up at him with a smile and teary eyes.

He smiled. "And I will continue to make you happier if you would give me a chance."

She hesitated and decided that she also wanted him to be happy before she smiled. "Okay."

Touka had a strong resistance to doing intimate things with him because she didn't want his bacteria level to increase but now that she knew that he didn't have much time, all the more she wanted to give him what he wanted and make him happy—just as how happy he has made her—and besides, she wanted it too.

He caressed her cheeks gently with the warm smile on his face that she fell in love with him for and felt her back touch the bed beneath her. He roamed above her and his hair tickled her neck as he pressed soft kisses to it.

—

Laying on his naked and heaving chest, Touka listened to his racing heart beat and snuggled closer to him. He held her close and kissed her forehead.

"I want you to promise me 2 things, Touka."

"What is it?"

"I promise that I will tell you the percentage honestly from now on so I need you to promise not to check my watch without my permission."

"But—"

His pleading eyes was all it took for her to promise.

He smiled weakly. "Thank you. The next one is, if I die, you must move on and live for as long as possible. I know this may be hard for you to do, but I only want you to be happy."

Tears welled up in her eyes and she wanted to tell him that there was no point in her living in a world without him. From her shaking body, he could tell what she was thinking and he squeezed her hand. She just couldn't find it in her to refuse him, not when he looked at her, his eyes tired and weak. How could she, when he had already accepted that he was going to die?

For all she knew, tonight could be his last day on this earth. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. She shoved her thoughts away and nodded hesitantly. "Okay, I promise."

A week later...

The end was near.

That was something that they both realized when Kaneki suddenly started coughing in the middle of the night, and could only go back to bed after he took many deep breaths through the mask that was connected to his bacteria filtering machine. It scared Touka so much to the point that her heart ached in her chest and she had to take her medicines to ease the pain.

Climbing back into bed, he wrapped an arm around her to pull her close and she held in her tears. While there was a possibility that she might die before he does, she still couldn't imagine how it would be to live without him—her first and only love.

—

Kaneki could feel his body slowly succumbing to his illness as he's been getting sicker and while Touka wasn't looking, he glanced at his watch which lit up with a 98% bacteria level. His heart sank at the realization that he might die tonight. At most, he can only last till tomorrow. Even though he had already prepared himself, he guessed that one could never fully be prepared for death.

He glanced sadly over to his wife. From how gently she has been treating him for the past week and how clingy she was to him, maybe she also knew that his death was approaching.

He didn't want her to worry or cry and decided to keep his mouth shut about his bacteria level. They linger in bed, limbs tangled with one another's and he played with her hair before pushing a few strands behind her ear. Cupping her cheek, he kissed her and she kissed him back.

"I love you, Touka." He whispered. He just had to say it now in case he dies after tonight.

To Touka, it felt like he was saying his last words and she hoped that she was only overthinking it. Tears brimmed in her eyes nevertheless, and she kissed him once more. "I love you too, Ken."

"Go to sleep.." he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead and he watched as she soon drifted off to sleep, tears still at the corner of her eyes.

He gazed at her for as long as he could to memorize all of her features that made her beautiful before he felt his eyes closing in fatigue. His watch hadn't vibrated yet, which told him that his death was not yet coming, for which he felt comforted by.

For just this once, he slept without the mask connected to his bacteria filtering machine and did what he always wished to, which was to hold her in his arms and bury his face into her hair, neck, and chest. He didn't have any more time and he didn't want to regret spending his possible last night with her, hooked up on his machine and not being able to hug her how he wanted to. He soon fell asleep.

At 6 am, he awoke to the violent vibration of his watch and saw 100% on it. His arms tightened around his wife as he looked down at her with teary eyes. He decided against waking her up, not wanting her to see his passing away before her eyes. It would be too painful for her and for him to see her crying before he passed.

His voice came out soft and weak, as he whispered, "Touka, I'm sorry I have to leave before you, make sure you keep your promise in living for as long as possible. Just know that I'll always love you and that I'll be watching over you from heaven. If I were to be reincarnated, I want to be a human again and live my life by your side. Thank you for everything and I love you."

Relieved that she didn't wake up from all his talking, he kissed her for the last time before he departed this world, holding his beloved in his arms.

At 10 am, Touka woke up to the sunlight filtering through the curtains and stretched her body with a groan. She turned and found it weird that her husband was still in bed beside her, laying on his side. Usually, he'd be up by now, holding a cup of coffee in his hand towards her with a smile on his face, waiting for her to start the day with him.

She also found it weird that he wasn't hooked up to his machine, like he usually was. Panic gripped her heart when she realized that there was a possibility that it might have come off in his sleep. With her hand on his arm, she gently shook him. "Ken, your mask is off."

When he didn't stir from his sleep, she didn't think much of it and assumed that he must have been so exhausted before calling his name louder and shaking him with a larger force.

But he didn't wake. Her heart raced. Is he..?

With a speed that shocked even herself, she pressed her ear to his chest and waited for his heart to beat. When it didn't come, she swiftly pressed her fingers to his neck, panicking at the absence of a pulse before her fingers went under his nose.

Tears brimmed in her eyes as her vision of Kaneki turned blurry.

He's gone.

With shaking hands, she dialed her doctor and managed to inform him in between sobs that Kaneki has passed away.

"..That's unfortunate. I won't ask if you're okay because that's a stupid question, but I will ask what are you going to do now?"

Staring at Kaneki's pale and lifeless face, she just couldn't keep her promise to him because now that he was gone, her purpose in living has also disappeared.

"I'll follow him, Doctor." Touka sucked in a breath, voice wavering as she sobbed. "I can't imagine life without him. It's no longer bright, warm and fun. He took my heart and everything with him. I..I'm sorry, could you tell my parents?"

Her heart started to ache, and she glanced over to her heart medicines on the bedside table. Swallowing, she decided not to take the pills.

It took forever for the doctor to respond.

"Will you not reconsider? Think about your family and friends that you'll be leaving behind."

"I..I have always regretted being a burden to my family and friends and I was honestly contemplating suicide when I found out that my illness couldn't be cured. But Kaneki, he saved me. I wanted a life with him, and if I can't have that, I could at least be with him together forever, even in the afterlife. Please, doctor. It'll be the last favor I'll ever ask of you."

"...alright. It has been a pleasure meeting you. I hope you get to meet Kaneki-san."

"Thank you."

Touka hung up and proceeded to position his arms around her so that it was as if they were hugging. Eyes still teary, she smiled as she gazed at his face and recalled all of the fun times they had—their dates, their pillow talks, their making love—and laid her head on his chest.

She tried to ignore the squeezing pain in her chest and her shortness of breath and instead focused on inhaling his scent. His scent, his facial features and how his arms felt like when they were around her were the only things she could memorize and take away with her.

Taking one last look at her husband, Touka leaned over to kiss him. "Ken, thank you for giving me the life I never had and making me happiest woman in the world when you married me. If I were to reincarnate and even if I were to be sick again, I would still choose to live my life by your side. I love you..."

Her eyes slowly closed and her arms went slack.

Her family barged into the room soon after, but they were too late. The police soon came and said that out of the many dead bodies they have encountered, the way they died was definitely the most beautiful and touching. The couple had their arms around one another, foreheads against each other's and limbs tangled together. On top of that, they both had smiles on their faces.

After some checking, the police announced that the couple died naturally from their illnesses. While that was the truth for Kaneki, it wasn't for Touka. For her, her family believed that she died of a broken heart from losing her loved one.

Despite their short lives, the couple never regretted their decision in leaving the hospital because they felt that they have actually lived as proper human beings in that 2 months outside as compared to their many years in the hospital.

And now, they will be together forever, even in death.

—

Many years later...

A 18-year-old Touka entered a bookstore, hoping to find a good book to help her with her studies and accidentally knocked into someone, not noticing that they stood there.

The sound of books dropping to the floor made her wince and she held out a hand to the black-haired male who now laid on her floor because of her carelessness.

"I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" She apologized.

The male took her hand with a smile and stood up. "Yes I am, thank you."

Her heart raced at the proximity as he stood so close to her that they were chest to chest and focused her gaze on his neck. Timidly, she raised her head and her eyes met his grey ones.

His lips pressed into a thin line and parted. "My name is Kaneki Ken. What's yours?"

"Kirishima Touka."

He grinned and she felt something strike her heart at that moment. He had a cute smile. "Nice to meet you."

"N-nice to meet you too. O-oh right, your books!" Touka quickly squatted down and collected the books scattered all over the room.

Kaneki also squatted down and gathered the books in one hand whilst watching her. "Hey... I...I'm an amateur at this, but—"

Was it her or did his cheeks turn pink?

"W-will you go on a date with me?"

What was this cliche? Meeting a guy inside a bookstore and him asking her out on a date? She didn't believe in fairytales because it felt like a fairytales thing, but if she were honest, she feels drawn to him. Was this destiny, or fate?

She could tell that he was nervous as he waited for her answer and decided to put him out of his misery by rejecting him.

But her words surprised her.

"Yes, actually I would."

#kanetou #touken #kaneki ken #kirishima touka #ken kaneki #Touka Kirishima #tokyo ghoul #tokyo ghoul re #tgre #tg #faewrites

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cuddliestbear · 5 years ago

Text

@blinksinbewilderment I'm at it again, because this week is kicking my ass and making these types of posts helps my mental health.

My bf made some really good chicken and rice yesterday and i get to have it for lunch at work today

We got a rice cooker

And

Love

My naughty bratty baby Checkers wanted nothing more than to lay across me as I helped my bf with his online reading assignment yesterday and I enjoyed v m

Leveled up in finaal fantasy fourteen yesterday and I didn't need my pals help this time! (Though it is greatly appreciated when they do help)

I got a lot of work done yesterday even though i still have tons to do today I know I can do it.

Got a whole six hours of sleep last night which is better than usual

C O F F E E

Finally continued watching tokyo ghoul yesterday and forgot that i love the shit out of that anime

Fr Kaneki needs a hugs

Unus Annus makes me feel happy

Mark and ethan are the best nonsensical man-children

Amy is the only one with a braincell once the camera starts rolling

Unless Mark is doing math, then he's borrowing it for a sec

Unravel cover by Jonathan Young

Mark getting frustrated with Minecraft and dying and then trying to use a water bucket in the Nether is entertaining

My bf says we may be getting another kitten

My response?

Bring

THE

BABIES!!!!!

Coconut coffe creamer is the best

I brought a whole bottle of Fanta Orange to work today because I can and there is no one to stop me

My drops at work are slowly but surely being taken care of and that lessens my anxiety

I changed the coil in my vape and now my puffs don't taste like gross(i am aware some people are against vaping, I am aware nicotine addiction is bad, i am famous for making bad life decisions)

I may get to hang out with a friend today if they are available too.

If not there is always tomorrow

i wanna make my own mask, but i dunno how so I'm gonna google it

I wanna make it Bakugo hero designed

Because I am a dork

I will make my bf a ryuk one, somehow. Idk what a ryuk themed medical mask would entail but I'm gonna do my best.

Or a laughing coffin one (he likes sao and has a fondness for the villains in the original, everybody loves a good villain I suppose)

Just remembered that Coraline probably has an audiobook on Audible and WANT TO LISTEN(but idk where my headphones went)

Someone on TikTok posted a drawing of a bnha coraline au where Bakugou is Coraline and Deku is Wybie and I am HERE FOR IT

I lost two pounds!!!!

This was from a few weeks ago but I got to see my friend try butterbeer for the first time and he liked it so much

Also the Hagrid ride at universal is the best.

Speaking of Harty potter stuffs, I would literally DIE for Newt

Luna Lovegood is my spirit animal.

One of my techs filled out ALL THEIR REPORTS AND PICTURES AND MADE MY LIFE EASIER AND I WANNA SEND THEM COOKIES

One of our warranty companies updated their hold music and I love it so much more than the old one.

I got a cool witch hat thing in final fantasy fourteen and I love it. My character looks like a witch cat lady and I love her

Have realized I am very gay for Uraraka Ochako and I am okay with that.

As a wise man once said

"Could be Gayer"

SUCCESSFUL MULTITASKING AT WORK

I am REALLY soft for Eri

Like no one will ever hurt this child, I will fight them

Might fuck around and go to the gym today, who knows? 🤷‍♂️

My oc is a SCORPIO OF ALL THINGS, and I did NOT anticipate that when making their birthday on halloween, but it MAKES SO MUCH SENSE SOMEHOW???? I DIDN'T PLAN IT BUT THERE IT IS???

my friend is making us our own Zodiac Ocs and mine is this adorable Pisces babey and I stan.

Our friend, the Taurus has tavros kinda horns and has a blind eye with a scar cuz he a warrior and I wanna hug him

Her Gemini one is and always has been fab, WORK IT GUURRRL!!!!

I have been writing this list for an hour and I still have good happy things to say!

Which makes me feel like everything is kind of okay!!!

I got to work early for a Tuesday!

My bf called me and offered to make dinner ready before I get home

And I love him sm

Our house is lookin pretty nice with all the new renovations.

I love the media room, it is the best hang out spot

The sound on TikTok of "THE BED PART OF WAKING UP IS GOING BACK TO SLEEP!!!" Because, mood.

I was not drunk at 3 a.m. last night, in fact I went to bed, completely sober at 1 a.m. and I think that is very sexy of me.

My cat loving to have her belly rubbed! She no attack when I rub, just purr

And I think that's all I got in me.

#good happy things #happy list #happy thoughts

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midnight-in-town · 6 years ago

Note

Today I want to ask about the following. Someone reminded me that Toboso sensei said she finds romance very hard to write. Then maybe Undertaker and Claudia weren't in love with each other?

Hello Anon! And that’s a very interesting question. :)

I know what tweet you’re talking about, but personally I always thought she meant that romance-coded stories are what’s hard to write, rather than introducing romantic feelings that one character may have for another.

And honestly, I’d say most manga authors would tell you the same thing (see Sorachi and Gintama): if you decide that romance is going to be a huge part of your plot, then you have to spend time writing about the development of romance/intimacy between the characters as much as you have to focus on your plot, so it’s twice as much hard work, especially if you go slow burn (see Chihayafuru, see Akatsuki no Yona).

When it comes to Kuro, it’s definitely not a romance-coded story, as in, romance is not one of the genres. It doesn’t mean that there can’t be no romance or loving feelings at all (TG was not romance-coded either but see Kaneki/Touka), just that it’s definitely not inherently belonging with the plot.

I don’t know if my point is clear, so I’ll just mention Lizzie. Kuro is not a romance-coded story but Lizzie’s feelings are still crystal clear. Kuro being the dark story it is though, rather than having it happily blossoming, Sensei chose to develop her character through half ripping out her heart. 👍

Now when it comes to UT and Claudia, no matter if you think they were in love or UT had unrequited feelings or they were just pals, it’s a thing of the past so it won’t make Kuro head for the romantic genre after 28 volumes either.

And, again, knowing Sensei’s love for grim development, if there was anything between them, it’s definitely not going to be presented as full of rainbows. I mean, just look at UT’s character be it now…

or even in the past:

The guy’s life reeks of sorrow and it’s heavily implied that Claudia died a terrible death anyway, so even if she’s a huge part of UT’s motivations nowadays, it’s different for Sensei to write about it retrospectively and to give it tragic vibes, rather then having to develop it slow burn & positively from day 1.

There is your difference, but I’m sorry if that’s not particularly clear? :/

Look, in general Kuro is more about giving macabre vibes…

…than anything else, so whenever Sensei adds love, it gotta be grim and tragic (look at the twins who were once loving brothers, look at Soma, look at Vincent and Rachel embracing each other after being murdered, look at Ann and now imagine what could be in store for Alexis and Frances :/).

Anyway, in my opinion there are still several hints in the story implying that UT at least had feelings for Claudia, whether she felt the same or not. I’m prepared to be wrong though, as always. :)

I hope this answers your question Anon! Please have a nice day. :33

#kuroshitsuji #undertaker #claudia phantomhive #elizabeth midford #ciel phantomhive #anon #answers #kuroshitsuji theory #undertaker x claudia #ciel x elizabeth #my analysis

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kyanitedragon · 5 years ago

Text

Territory

Kaneki realizes that so long as a ghoul owns the street where Hide lives, his friend is in danger of being attacked by a ghoul. Kaneki knows the only way to keep Hide safe is to own that territory and make sure no ghouls go there, and Kaneki will make sure that happens no matter what.

(Read on Ao3)

~7500 words; canon-typical violence

---

The bell jingled.

“Welcome to—” Roma began, and then she gasped. The plates she was holding tumbled out of her grip and shattered onto the ground. “It’s! It’s...!”

Touka swerved around.

A dove?!

She gasped.

Kaneki.

“It’s you!!!” Roma cheered and giggled happily. She skipped over to Kaneki and circled him. “The one eyed—!”

“Roma!” Touka snapped. There were human customers here.

“Sorry! I just got excited...” Roma apologized. She looked up at Kaneki and said, “I’ve wanted to meet you for a while now, Eyepatch!”

Touka growled under her breath as she went back to making coffee. Although calling a person with an eyepatch “Eyepatch” wasn’t too strange, Touka still thought Roma was being too risky. Human customers might not make the connection, but ghoul customers may.

“Um...” Kaneki struggled, uncertain how to respond to Roma. “Thanks, I guess? But I can’t talk right now.”

Kaneki ignored Roma, walking past her as she pouted. Kaneki walked up to the counter — right up to Touka. Touka found herself unable to move. She had been waiting for his return for so long.

“I need to talk to the Manager.” Kaneki told her. It was so serious, and without any emotion.

What, no hello? Touka asked bitterly in her head. You haven’t seen me in months and you don’t even greet me when you finally see me again?

---

Touka led Kaneki to Yoshimura, who had agreed to talk to him in the apartment above Anteiku. Neither of the men mentioned anything about wanting to have a private conversation, so Touka stayed and she plopped down on the couch to listen in to whatever they discussed.

“Which of you at Anteiku keep track of who owns what territory?” Kaneki asked.

“Everyone who’s worked here long enough do. So it’s me, Yomo-san, Kaya-san, Koma-san, and Touka-chan.”

“I need to own this territory.” Kaneki said firmly, handing Yoshimura a small slip of paper with a street name written on it.

Yoshimura examined the name. “Someone already owns this. I’m sorry.”

“I need this territory.” Kaneki demanded, aggravation slowly appearing in his voice.

Touka blinked. She’d never heard that tone from Kaneki before, and she certainly didn’t expect it to be directed at Yoshimura of all people.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not how the rules work.” Yoshimura said, keeping his cool as he always did.

“Then what can I do to get it?”

“You could try negotiating for it. I’ll give you a way to contact the ghoul.” Yoshimura walked away.

Once Yoshimura had left, Touka snapped at Kaneki, “What are you doing?!”

“That’s where Hide lives.” Kaneki explained. “I can’t have a ghoul targeting and eating him while I’m away. This won’t guarantee anything, I know that, but it’ll be a lot safer if I own where he lives.”

“Kaneki, we give out territories for hunting.”

“So?” Kaneki snapped at her.

“You don’t hunt!” Touka cried, throwing her hands up for emphasis. “Anteiku will need to take it away from you and give it to another ghoul if you don’t hunt there.”

“And what about you? You once said you own where Yoriko-chan lives, don’t you?”

Touka looked down in shame. “I’ve… hunted before...”

All anger vanished from Kaneki’s face. “...Oh.”

Now he’ll see me as a monster again.

“I don’t do it often.” Touka added, voice small. “Just when I need to.”

But why should he believe me?

“I need that territory, Touka-chan.” Kaneki begged. “But I can’t hurt people.”

He seemed to be saying, Please understand. Please help me.

“Since I don’t hunt often, I make sure I spend a lot of time there as Rabbit. So that other ghouls can see that the territory is owned and stay away from it. You could theoretically do that too, but not so long as you’re staying in another Ward.”

“I can work it out...”

“But you need to own the territory first. You can only get it through negotiations or requesting it if the ghoul gives it up. Those are the only two ways. Rize tried to take territories through brute strength, and Anteiku stepped in and stripped them away from her.”

Kaneki didn’t reply.

“I’m sorry.” Touka added in a whisper.

I want to help him, but it’s not up to me. And so long as that ghoul still owns it, it’s out of both mine and Anteiku’s hands. I can’t do anything about it without getting into trouble. I understand he wants to protect his friend, but it’s like I told him before. That guy is Kaneki’s responsibility, not Anteiku’s or mine.

Another part of Touka pointed out:

But Kaneki would help you if you were in this situation.

Yoshimura stepped back into the room, and handed a slip of paper with numbers written on it to Kaneki.

“Here’s his number. You can try to contact him.”

“Thank you.” Kaneki bowed and then left.

---

“Thank you for meeting me here.” Kaneki began. He was wearing his mask, and he was facing a ghoul in an alleyway in that ghoul’s territory.

“What’s this about? You said you wanted to negotiate territory?” The ghoul asked.

Kaneki nodded. “I want your territory. Or at least, this street of it.”

“Hmm...” The ghoul replied. “I’m open to negotiations...”

Thank you.

“What do you have to offer? Where’s your territory?” The ghoul asked.

My territory? I don’t own any... But I can’t tell him that!

“I can’t accept that trade offer.” Kaneki covered, doing his best to keep his cool. “What else would you be willing to trade?”

“What else?” The ghoul asked. “Nothing else. Either a territory trade or nothing. Where do you have to offer?”

“I can offer you information.” Kaneki tried.

“I refuse. No deal.”

“W-wait! Please! I need this territory!”

“Too bad, kid!” The ghoul started to walk away.

Kaneki growled in anger.

I need this territory! I need to protect him!

Kaneki released his kagune and pounced. At the last second, the ghoul dodged and Kaneki had to stop himself from crashing into the alley wall.

“And here I thought the 20th Ward was full of level-headed ghouls...” The ghoul said. He cracked his neck. “But I guess a peaceful ward can’t change everyone.”

Kaneki ran at him, and they started fighting. Most ghouls he encountered were weak, but this ghoul seemed like a good fighter. He hadn’t even released his kagune yet, but he was dodging all of Kaneki’s attacks.

Calm down and focus. You’re being too predictable. You can beat him.

Kaneki swung his kagune again, this time successfully grazing the ghoul’s side.

“One last offer.” The ghoul said through clenched teeth. The veins surrounding his eyes grew longer and his kakugan blazed more intensely. “Leave now and I won’t hold this against you.”

I can’t walk away. I need this territory. One way or another.

Kaneki charged again.

“That’s it. You’re dead, kid.”

---

Why does that ghoul want my territory so badly?

It had been bothering Tozaki since the encounter a few days ago. Eyepatch had been so persistent over it. Tozaki knew that fight wasn’t going to be the last he saw of Eyepatch. He didn’t want to keep fighting him; they were pretty evenly matched. They’d just end up killing each other eventually.

What is it that’s here that he wants so badly?

He stopped when something caught his eye. Hanging on the wall was a missing poster of a kid with an eyepatch on. Tozaki grabbed it to get a better look at it.

This kid on the poster had black hair with a white eyepatch, while the ghoul he faced had white hair with a black eyepatch. It couldn’t be the same person, could it?

He snickered, shaking his head in bewilderment. “Ghouls today are such idiots.”

“Oh, shit!” A human nearby muttered. Only a ghoul’s hearing would have been able to pick it up. Said human ran over, and tore the poster out of Tozaki’s grip.

“Man, if you want something done right, do it yourself!” The young human male said, folding the poster up. “He was found, so don’t worry about it. We were supposed to have all posters taken down, but they forgot about a lot of them. We’ve had so many concerned people call us wanting to help!”

It sounded convincing, but Tozaki could hear the man’s heart rate. He was nervous. He was lying.

This man is covering up the real story. Hmm... He’s definitely a human. Maybe this human managed to find out Eyepatch’s secret…?

Tozaki decided to play along. “I’m glad he’s found. Is he okay? He seems pretty young.”

That explains why he’s taking down the posters. He doesn’t want anyone to get killed if they run into Eyepatch thinking he’s a harmless human kid.

“Thankfully he’s okay.” The human nodded.

“You look familiar. Do you live around here?” Tozaki asked.

“Yeah, I do. You too?”

It all makes sense now.

“I do!” Tozaki smiled and extended a hand. “Nice to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

“It’s a big city, but you never know!” The young man shook his hand, and then walked off with a wave. Once he was out of sight, Tozaki sniffed his hand.

Nothing too special, but not unappetizing either. I think this is the reason why... Eyepatch must be hunting this man to keep his secret. So if I take this man out, then Eyepatch won’t have a reason to take my territory anymore.

---

Kaneki spent as much time in the Ghoul’s territory as he could, but he made sure to keep out of sight. He was wracking his brain trying to come up with a peaceful resolution. But the ghoul wouldn’t listen to reason before, and why would he now that they only pissed each other off?

And then Kaneki saw it. The ghoul talking to Hide. Kaneki growled and cracked his finger.

After they parted ways, Kaneki leapt across the buildings, following Hide and making sure that the ghoul wasn’t going to attack him. Once Hide made it home safely, Kaneki headed back to the 6th Ward.

He had to hurry and come up with a plan.

---

Kaneki woke up bright and early the next day and headed back over to the 20th Ward, perching on Hide’s apartment’s roof and waiting. He knew he was paranoid, but he couldn’t help it. He knew that the ghoul was targeting Hide — there was no way he wasn’t — and Kaneki couldn’t take any chances.

He continued this for a week, while continuing to try to come up with a solution. So far, only one idea seemed like it would be a success for sure.

After a week of keeping an eye on Hide, Kaneki finally caught sight of the ghoul again. This time he was walking far behind Hide. To anyone else there wouldn’t be anything strange about it, but Kaneki knew that the ghoul was planning to follow him and attack him.

So Kaneki stalked the ghoul who was stalking his friend, and at the perfect moment he leaped off the building, using his kagune to swing, and kicked the ghoul into the alley. Kaneki kept swinging, and landed a few feet in front of the ghoul.

“Don’t touch him.” Kaneki growled as he landed.

The ghoul chuckled as he stood back up. “Looks like I was right, then. He is the reason you wanted this territory.”

Was it that obvious?

“Why do you care?” Kaneki asked.

“If he’s gone, I’m sure you’ll move onto other prey.”

“You don’t think I’d want revenge on you?” Kaneki retorted.

“Over prey?” The ghoul asked incredulously. “That Gourmet guy’s the only ghoul who acts like that. That’s why we have territories — to avoid those kinds of conflicts!”

“I’m not going to let you touch that human. And he’s not prey.”

“Aww, got attached, did’ya?” The ghoul asked. “More reason to kill him then. If you’ll excuse me...” The ghoul dramatically bowed, and nonchalantly began to walk past Kaneki.

Before he could leave, Kaneki shot his kagune at him. The ghoul stopped it by grabbing it with his hands. He was still just as strong as the last time Kaneki fought him.

You’ve got an ace up your sleeve, Kaneki. Just wait for the right time to use it.

The ghoul pulled on his kagune, yanking Kaneki toward him. Kaneki took advantage of the situation. He allowed himself to be pulled – waiting until he was close enough and at the perfect angle. And then Kaneki released his kakuja, and shot those limbs forward. One impaled the ghoul, and the other snapped his arm off.

The ghoul let go of Kaneki’s kagune and stumbled backwards.

“Another... kakuhou?!” He cried out. He sounded terrified and furious. “You’re a... Kakuja?!”

Kaneki just smirked at him.

---

“Ugh!” Hide groaned. “I forgot something!”

He turned on his heel and started heading back to his apartment.

It was strange. When he first left, he was on alert. He felt like he was being stalked. But then that feeling suddenly faded, and he felt safe again.

He’s felt that feeling of being stalked before, and it had always meant that it was a ghoul. Somehow he always got lucky and was able to survive his past ghoul attacks.

First, it was because an Investigator happened to be nearby. The second time was Kaneki saving him from Nishio, then Touka saving him from Kaneki. And the most recent one was when he managed to hold off Cain until investigators came because, again, they happened to nearby. But this time... the feeling of being stalked was gone without any explanation, or any confirmation that anyone was even following him in the first place.

With another step, Hide froze. He heard something. Any other person would likely pass it off as a stray animal, but with being stalked on his mind, Hide jumped to a different conclusion.

A ghoul.

Both terrified and curious, Hide had to know for sure. So he snuck down the alley where the sound originated, making sure to walk quietly and keep his guard up.

Further down the alley, there was a hooded ghoul dressed in all-black, his back facing Hide, hunched over a dead person. The corpse was laying stomach down, and from here Hide could see it was missing at least its left arm. The ghoul was digging into its back and eating.

Hide covered his mouth, trying not to throw up. But he couldn’t take his eyes off the gruesome sight.

The ghoul was crouched over the corpse like an animal. Then he pulled his head back as he swallowed, and his hood came off, allowing the back of his head to be visible.

White hair.

The ghoul suddenly stopped eating and froze. Hide quickly jumped behind the dumpster to hide, but it made a loud noise when his back hit it.

Crap!

He squeezed his eyes shut as he could hear the ghoul moving.

Kaneki, it’s just me, please don’t hurt me.

Then the movement sounds stopped, and after a few seconds Hide took a chance and peeked back out. All he saw was the corpse lying there. He waited a few more seconds while holding his breath, waiting to see if Kaneki would pop up anywhere.

After a moment, Hide got up, and was about to leave the alley, but he needed to know something for sure.

That... That can’t be a human, right?

Hide knew that Kaneki had to have been eating humans if he was still alive, but Hide still had hoped Kaneki found another way. He couldn’t imagine that Kaneki was going around hunting people. Covering his mouth and nose, he walked around the corpse to be able to see its face. And then he saw the eyes — red and black.

Hide sighed in relief.

A ghoul. He killed a ghoul, not a human. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Kaneki.

Hide glanced around. He wondered if Kaneki was still nearby. If Kaneki was still there and watching him.

“Hey!” Hide called out. “If you’re still there, it’s okay! I’m not afraid of you, Kaneki, and I just wanna talk!”

He waited. There was no answer and no sounds of movement either.

I was so close...

Hide headed back to his apartment.

I think I’ll take the day off today...

---

“I found something concerning last night. A ghoul corpse with evidence of cannibalism.” Yomo said.

“Huh... It’s been a while since Tsukiyama went after someone...” Touka commented.

“It wasn’t an attack from a koukaku.” Yomo said.

“It wasn’t?” Touka asked, and then groaned in annoyance. “Like we needed another cannibal around here.”

“It was a rinkaku ghoul.”

“...” Touka narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you implying...?”

“Tozaki was the victim.”

Touka tensed. No... Kaneki wouldn’t do this... He doesn’t hunt.

Touka remembered how much Kaneki changed after Aogiri. He became a lot darker, more isolated, more tense and prone to anger.

“I thought it was strange...” Yoshimura began. “Yesterday Kaneki came by here. He said that if Tozaki’s territory ever became available, he wanted to request it.”

You idiot. Touka thought.

“What are you going to do about Ken?” Yomo asked.

“Nothing. This is the first time he’s done something like this, and I take it there were no witnesses?”

“None that I’ve heard of.” Yomo said. “I’ve already cleaned up the scene.”

“Keep this between us, then. I believe that Kaneki did it for good reasons. He’s still new to the ghoul world. We’ll let him keep this territory.”

Touka gaped at him as Yoshimura left the room.

How could Yoshimura let him off the hook like that?! Kaneki killed a ghoul! He cannibalized a ghoul!

What is that idiot up to? He’s going to get himself into trouble...

---

“What were you thinking, you idiot?” Touka yelled.

Kaneki had once again shown up at Anteiku, probably to claim that territory after the “mysterious” death of Tozaki.

“I didn’t come here to get yelled at, Touka-chan.” Kaneki responded flatly.

Touka slammed her hands against the counter. “Too bad! Answer me.”

I’m not letting you off the hook that easily.

“You already know what I was thinking. I need to protect Hide. The same way you’re protecting Yoriko-chan.”

“We know what happened, Kaneki. What you did. You’re a kakuja now, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am.” Kaneki replied, and there seemed to be pride in his voice. Touka wanted to punch him.

“You’ve changed...” Touka whispered. Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat.

Don’t show weakness.

Then she got an idea, and she smirked. “You’ve got a reputation in the 6th Ward, I’ve bet. Probably just a matter of time before we hear about it here.”

“What are you getting at, Touka-chan?”

Touka crossed her arms. “20th Ward ghouls aren’t used to cannibalistic ghouls. I’m sure everyone will be afraid of you.”

“I don’t care about that. It’s better if they stay away.”

“You don’t care if you can’t come back to Anteiku? I don’t think our customers will welcome you here anymore.”

She gestured around the café, where the ghoul customers were either avoiding eye contact or hiding themselves behind menus or whispering amongst each other.

“I don’t care about that either.” Kaneki said.

That hurt. That really hurt her. All that time they spent in Anteiku together, all this time waiting and hoping for him to return, and he didn’t care?

I’ll hurt him then. Show him what it feels like.

“And what about Hide, huh? All that time starving yourself to keep your humanity, to keep being human—”

“Touka-chan...” Kaneki warned.

“—and look at you now! Hunting and cannibalizing ghouls. Imagine what your friend would think.”

“Touka— “

“I bet he’d be terrified of you.”

Kaneki froze, all tension vanishing.

He looked so much like the old him in that moment.

I broke him. Touka thought. But the result wasn’t satisfying like she thought it would be.

Touka held her breath. Was Kaneki going to scream back at her? Start crying?

Then Kaneki turned around and left without a word, slamming Anteiku’s door shut behind him.

---

Every night since he claimed this as his territory, Kaneki stood on alert. He would go onto the roof of one of the buildings, dressed in dark clothes and his mask, and keep watch. He saw many ghouls pass through, and he made sure they all knew this was his territory and his hunting grounds. He would confront them and let them know what would happen to them if they were seen loitering here again.

Right now, Kaneki was sitting on the edge of the roof, looking down at the streets, searching for anyone who appeared to be a ghoul.

“You never planned to come see me, did you?”

Kaneki spun around to look at who had spoken.

No! It can’t be! He couldn’t have found me!

And yet there he stood. Hideyoshi Nagachika.

He was in sweatpants and slippers and had a coat zipped up. His hair was a lot longer than Kaneki had seen last.

“I...!” Kaneki gripped the side of the building.

I’m a ghoul. Kaneki realized. My mask is on. My battle-suit is on. My eye is activated. Hide is talking to a ghoul; he has to know that! What is he thinking?!

Kaneki was freaking out.

He doesn’t know its me! My hair is white! My kakugan is the only eye that’s visible! He can’t see my face! He can’t possibly know that its me! How could he know?!

“Surprised?” Hide asked, smirking. He didn’t move from where he stood, probably figuring that if he moved even an inch, Kaneki would make a run for it.

“Who do you think I am…?” Kaneki asked cautiously.

I need to know for sure.

“I know that it’s you, Kaneki.” Hide said, and his smirk turned into a soft smile.

Kaneki wanted to run. Run before he could unintentionally scare Hide. Or before it turned out that Hide secretly called the CCG on him.

But Hide’s casualness made him feel comfortable and safe, and made him want to stay.

“Can I sit with you?” Hide asked.

“...” Kaneki pulled his mask off so that it hung around his neck. He hesitated before answering. “...Yeah.” Kaneki said, against his better judgement.

Hide’s smile widened, and he ran over and plopped down beside Kaneki. He swung his feet, like they weren’t sitting on the edge a building several stories tall.

“Hide, please be careful.”

“You’re the one that picked this spot, not me.”

“So it’ll be my fault if you fall?”

“Yup! But don’t worry, I’ll forgive you if you save me.”

Kaneki stared at him in bewilderment as Hide took in the sights.

Does he not know I’m a ghoul? Maybe my kakugan isn’t activated after all. I can’t tell if it is. Why isn’t he questioning anything?

Hide locked eyes with him. “It’s really pretty.”

“Yeah, the view is nice.” Kaneki whispered.

“I meant...” Hide trailed off, and tapped below his own eye.

Kaneki quickly turned away, deactivating his kakugan.

Wait. Pretty...?

He turned back around. “Hide...”

“Hm?”

“Are you afraid of me?”

Hide laughed. “Of course n— ”

“Be honest.” Kaneki interrupted, narrowing his eyes. He could tell Hide was hiding something.

Hide blinked. He hadn’t expected Kaneki to be quite this serious and so straightforward.

“Honestly?” Hide asked. “...I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?” Kaneki asked, in a tone that demanded answers. He regretted the way it came out. It sounded too serious, too harsh.

“Should I be afraid?” Hide mused as he went back to looking at the view in front of them. “You’re a ghoul and I’m a human. I guess it’d just be natural to be afraid. But you’re also my best friend, and both of us know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Kaneki didn’t understand what point he was trying to make. It was a yes or no question.

“Emotions and fear aren’t always logical. I’m just asking what you’re feeling. Are you afraid of me or not?”

“I’m both, Kaneki.” Hide said seriously, turning back and looking into Kaneki’s eyes again.

“I don’t unders—”

“I’m curious and excited, and intrigued and happy, but also worried, and scared and I just... feel so small and weak and meaningless now...”

Kaneki looked down, beginning to understand. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want an apology, Kaneki. I want an explanation.”

“...” Kaneki didn’t say anything.

I can’t.

But he couldn’t get even those words out.

There was silence. After a while, Kaneki discreetly glanced at Hide. Hide was giving him a sympathetic look. Hide sighed deeply once he noticed Kaneki was looking at him, and then he looked back out at the view once again.

“Tell me about it.” Hide said.

“About what?”

“About being a ghoul. Come on, man! What else! You’re the only person who’s been both a human and a ghoul! How different is it? Do you feel any different? Do you have any, like, superpowers?”

Kaneki blinked. “I... I eat people, Hide!” He had to make sure Hide realized that. He was half-human, yes, but that barely meant much.

Hide gave him a look, and Kaneki knew that he was thinking, “Going straight to the awful part, huh? How just like you.”

But I eat ghouls now. Not humans. That craving is always going to be there, but I found another way to survive.

“I know. I’m not gonna downplay that part. I’m sure it sucks and it’s awful.” Hide said, choosing his words carefully. “But humans and ghouls aren’t that different from each other. I’m sure of it. Touka-chan and Nishio-senpai are proof of that. Who would have thought that they were ghouls, right?”

Humans and ghouls aren’t different? That’s what you believe? Kaneki thought. Guilt and fear pooled in his stomach. Touka-chan was right. I thought that this made me better. But if you think humans and ghouls are the same...

“Look, I know how you are.” Hide continued. “You wouldn’t hurt anyone. I’m sure you found some other way to eat.”

If humans and ghouls are the same... then...

Kaneki swallowed. He remembered how he killed those ghouls. How he tortured some of them before he killed them.

Then I’m still just as much of a monster. To you, I’m even worse now than back when I was getting meat from Anteiku.

Kaneki didn’t know what to think anymore. There was no easy solution to his hunger.

“...Kaneki?”

Kaneki pulled his legs up and ducked his head down. He wanted Hide and the entire word to go away.

“...You do?” Hide asked.

“I don’t—” Kaneki cut himself off. He was going to say he didn’t hunt humans, but then Kaneki remembered the investigators he hurt. It might not have been hunting, but he still attacked and hurt and ate from people.

“Please tell me.” Hide whispered. “I want to know the truth.”

“Why aren’t you running?” Kaneki asked, avoiding the question. He turned his head to look at Hide. Part of him wanted Hide to run. It would be so much easier, even if it would hurt.

“Because you haven’t given me any reason to yet.” Hide said simply.

Kaneki chuckled darkly, repeating that last word. “Yet.”

Kaneki closed his eyes. He’s right. He deserves to know.

“I...” Where do I even start? “Right now, for the past few months, I’ve only been eating other ghouls.”

Hide blinked. He didn’t seem to have even known that was an option.

“I... I found groups of ghouls that do messed up things. Run cruel ghoul restaurants, or are human trafficking, stuff like that. And I take them down, and...” He trailed off. He was sure Hide got the point.

“And before that?”

“I used to get...” He really didn’t wanna say it out loud. “...the other option... from Anteiku.” Touka-chan would kill me if she knew I was telling this to a human. “They collect it from people who commit suicide, so they don’t need to hurt anyone.”

“Oh.” Hide said. “That explains why you started working there and hanging out there on all your days off.”

“But...” Kaneki said. “I’ve... attacked people. I guess. I mean, I didn’t mean to. Not that that justifies it...”

I’ve almost attacked you. Kaneki remembered. It felt like so long ago now.

“I know you almost went after me.” Hide said.

Kaneki’s eyes widened and he stared at his friend. He waited for Hide to take off running.

“Yeah, I wasn’t unconscious then.” Hide added. “I was just faking. Kinda surprised it worked so well.”

“You knew about that? All this time? Yet you’re still here? You’re still willing to talk to me and be near me?” Kaneki asked.

“It’s not like you meant to do it. I’m not saying its okay, but you seemed pretty in control all other times. And right now.”

Kaneki looked away. “I... I can’t guarantee it won’t happen again.”

“What causes it? What was so different about then?”

“Hunger.” Kaneki said. “I was starving myself back then and Nishio-senpai attacking me didn’t help my condition.”

“Just hunger?”

Kaneki nodded. “I can’t explain it. It’s nothing like the hunger of a human. It’s so painful. It feels like... your stomach is eating itself, as well as the most excruciating headache you could ever have. And the combination of it is hell and you want it to stop and its maddening.”

“Seems like you explained it pretty well.” Hide said.

Kaneki let out a forced chuckle.

Hide let his tone drop again to sound low and serious. “You said you hurt other people? Who? What did you do?”

“I was fighting an investigator once. I needed to hold him off, and I didn’t know how to release my kagune. And the only way I knew how to activate it, was on instinct if I… ate. So I bit him and I used my kagune to destroy his weapon.”

“How bad did you bite him?”

Kaneki shrugged. “He was fine. I mean, not fine, but not... severely wounded? I mean... um. I bit him on the shoulder? I don’t think I took too much but I’m sure it scarred.”

“So, other than me, he’s the only human you’ve gone after?”

Kaneki shook his head, frowning. “One more. This one I don’t remember as clearly. I was... going out of my mind. Apparently cannibalizing ghouls affects your mental state. Investigator weapons are made of ghouls, so I was trying to eat that. But... it was armor, not a weapon. And...” Kaneki grimaced. “I don’t know. I was out of it from everything going on, so I don’t remember exactly what I did or what happened, but... I think I bit him a few times. I didn’t kill him either, but I’m not sure how bad the damage ended up being...”

“Thanks for telling me. I’m sure it was hard.”

“You can leave, y’know.” Kaneki muttered.

“Hm?”

“I’m not gonna stop you. Even though you know about me and everything I’ve told you.” Kaneki looked Hide in the eyes. “I don’t expect you to remain friends with me. I know that I’m fucked up. You don’t even need to say anything. You can leave and I’ll leave you alone and you’ll never see me again.”

“No!” Hide cried. “No, Kaneki, that’s not what I want.”

“But—”

“I… I miss you.” Hide admitted. “You’re my best friend, and I’ve been so worried and lonely. I don’t care if you’re human or ghoul or a mix of both. I just want my friend back.”

Kaneki looked down and sighed.

It didn’t make sense. This was going too well. Who would accept him after everything he’s done?

“It’s getting cold out now. What do you say we go back to my apartment and finish our talk?”

It’s going too well.

“…Kaneki?”

Hide wanted him to go to his apartment. Who would invite a dangerous SS-rate ghoul there? Hide must have called the CCG after all. They must be waiting there.

“Is that okay, Kaneki?”

Kaneki turned and looked at his friend. Hide had his arms wrapped around himself. He truly did look cold.

Kaneki swore internally and looked back down. He was awful, thinking Hide would do that to him.

“Oh.” Hide said. “I guess that’s kinda suspicious, huh? You can pick. Where do you wanna go? Your apartment, maybe? I’m seriously freezing, though.”

Kaneki looked back up and stared at him. He really trusts me? He’d blindly follow me like that?

“N-no, it’s okay. Your apartment’s fine.” Kaneki said. He stood up and headed over to the door to enter the building.

“...You sure? We don’t have to.” Hide called out as he followed.

---

As soon as Hide got his door unlocked, he ran inside and ran into his bedroom. Kaneki closed and locked his door for him, and when he turned around he saw Hide walking back out of his room with a blanket curled around him.

“How are you not freezing cold?!” Hide cried.

Kaneki shrugged innocently. He didn’t really want to say that it was because he’d been working up a sweat running across rooftops all night.

“I’ll make some coffee.” Kaneki said, walking into Hide’s kitchen.

“Okay. Thanks.”

Hide took a seat at his dining table, bundled up in his blanket as Kaneki worked on the coffee. Neither one of them said anything. After several minutes, Kaneki walked over with two mugs of coffee.

Hide used his foot to kick out the chair beside him. He wanted Kaneki right beside him.

Kaneki smiled a bit, setting down the mug for Hide and then taking a seat in the chair.

Hide put his hands around the mug, and hummed contently. It was warm. Then he took a sip. “Wow, this is really good!”

It’d been a while since he had good coffee. He hadn’t gone to Anteiku in 6 months, and everywhere else the coffee was either outright bad or just decent.

“You’ve gotta teach me to make coffee!” Hide added.

Kaneki hummed noncommittally.

“Or…” Hide added with a smirk, “stick around so you can make me some anytime.”

“You really want me around?” Kaneki whispered.

“Of course I do!” Hide cried. “I missed you!”

“I missed you too.” Kaneki whispered, with no hesitation for once. It made Hide smile, and also want to cry.

“Then, why did you leave? Why didn’t you come back? Visit? Write? Anything?”

“I’m sorry.” Was all Kaneki said.

“But… You will stay, right?”

“…”

“Right?” Hide pressed.

Kaneki just continued to stare into his coffee cup.

“Kaneki.”

Kaneki took a long sip to avoid answering him.

Hide sighed. “Please? I mean, I know. There’s no reason for you to leave.”

“Yes there is.”

“Then what is that reason?”

“You might know about me, and you might accept me, but you don’t know everything.”

Hide folded his arms. “Try me.”

“Hide…” Kaneki sighed in exasperation. “There’s bad ghouls out there.”

“Aogiri Tree.” Hide nodded slowly. “I know about them too. I know that they broke in, and I know that they kidnapped you.”

Kaneki looked at him in horror.

“I know a lot of things, Kaneki.” Hide whispered. “Once I realized you were a ghoul, everything just clicked into place. I know that a lot of bad stuff has happened, and I’m sorry about all that, and I’m sorry that I couldn’t do anything to help. But I really think we should stick together.”

“You don’t understand.” Kaneki whispered hopelessly. “You’re missing the most important thing. The reason why.” He shook his head. “They’re trying to hurt everyone. All the people I care about.”

“Who is?”

“Everyone!” Kaneki cried out. “Random ghouls like Nishio-senpai, organizations like Aogiri, everyone! Everyone is after me and the people I associate with!”

“I doubt you’re that popular, Kaneki.” Hide joked, but the meaning was serious. Why would everyone be after Kaneki of all ghouls?

“I think now I am…” Kaneki muttered.

Hide frowned. That was true. He was an SS-rate ghoul. Eyepatch. Centipede. He had a record now.

“Maybe.” Hide began. “But I still don’t think it’s that serious.”

“Touka-chan almost died when I got kidnapped.” Kaneki whispered. “And again when Anteiku tried to rescue me.”

“Tried?” Hide asked. “But… they succeeded, didn’t they?”

Kaneki looked away. “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Kaneki whispered.

“Are you okay?” Hide asked. From Jason’s files he had a pretty good idea of what Kaneki went through, and he didn’t want to force Kaneki to talk about it, but he wanted an idea of just how traumatic it was for him and if he was okay.

Kaneki sighed. He cracked a finger. Hide grimaced at the sound.

“Who knows.” Kaneki muttered.

“I’m sorry.” Hide whispered.

“I’m okay enough. I mean, I’m still here. Still alive.”

Hide nodded. That’s all that matters right now.

There was silence between them. Hide knew the basics of what Kaneki had gone through — almost getting eaten, having ghouls close to him attacked and killed, being kidnapped, tortured — yet, he had no idea what it was actually like. He knew he could never imagine what it was actually like to go through any of that.

“I…” Hide began. “I know I can’t do much, but… I want to be here for you. For anything. Through anything.”

“…Thanks.”

“And if there’s anything I can do — for you or for your ghouls friends — then please, please tell me. Because I’ll do it.”

Kaneki nodded slowly.

“I, uh.” Hide began awkwardly. “I joined the CCG.”

Kaneki glanced up, horror on his face.

“Not to hurt anyone!” Hide cried out, realizing that Kaneki may have gotten the wrong idea. “Nothing like that! Just to use their resources! And get information! Like—Like, a spy! Y’know?”

“W-Why?” Kaneki whispered. “Why would you…? That’s so risky. You realize just being here with me is illegal, right?”

Hide rolled his eyes. “The law is stupid.”

“Maybe, but its still the law. You could still get into trouble.”

“No one will find out. Don’t worry.”

Kaneki huffed. He rested his elbow on the table, and used it to hold his head up. “So, what do you do for the CCG?”

“Not much. Nothing dangerous. I’m just a delivery boy. But I do manage to overhear some info, and get some opportunities to talk to and gossip with investigators.”

“How long?”

“How long have I been working there? I applied after you left.”

“Oh, huh. I just assumed you had been there longer. You were pretty interested in the Daughter Ghoul case.”

“I’m sorry if what I said back then freaked you out.”

“It did a little.”

“I didn’t mean it. I just—That was my only way to get information back then. And I was trying to push you to see how you’d react, or if you’d tell me everything.”

Kaneki nodded slowly in understanding.

“You knew her, didn’t you?”

“I know her.” Kaneki corrected. “Her name’s Hinami-chan. She’s the brunette girl who was staying at Anteiku. We were caring for her when the CCG—” Kaneki didn’t finish that thought.

“That’s nice of you for helping her. I remember you mentioning her name.”

“She’s sweet.” Kaneki smiled.

“I’d love to meet her someday.” Hide said. “And the rest of the ghouls you know, too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Hinami-chan seems nice, and I’d love to get to know Touka-chan better, and it’d be cool to meet everyone else you consider friends.”

Kaneki folded his arm and laid his head on it on the table. “Maybe.”

Kaneki closed his eyes. He looked pretty tired. Hide didn’t comment on his exhaustion, fearing that Kaneki would just take it as an excuse to leave.

“…Hide?”

“Yeah?”

“I… I love you.”

Hide reached out and gently ruffled his hair. “I love you too.”

Kaneki sighed, leaning into his touch. After a few mere minutes, he was asleep.

Hide gave it a few more minutes to make sure Kaneki was actually fast asleep and wouldn’t wake up. And then, he untangled Kaneki’s fingers from the handle of his coffee mug, and carefully picked up his friend.

He’s heavy...

Hide maneuvered over to his bedroom, and then his arms gave out and he dropped Kaneki on the bed a bit more roughly than he had intended to. Kaneki stirred a little, repositioning himself and curling up in the fetal position, but didn’t wake.

Hide draped a blanket over Kaneki and smiled. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep.

Hide straightened up. And then he called out, “It’s pretty cold out there, huh?”

There was no response.

He continued, “I know you’re there. You can come inside if you want.”

He gave it a moment, and then slowly turned peeked out of his bedroom to look out the window in his main apartment. He waited for movement. And then he saw a blur jump by.

Huh… Being stalked by two ghoul friends in one night.

But hey, if it meant that he could finally stop tiptoeing around the secret of them being ghouls and they could all finally be friends, then Hide was okay with it.

Hide walked over to his apartment door, and opened it to see Touka standing there, who was shivering a bit. Hide gestured for her to come in, and she did.

“How did you know?” She asked.

“I saw you watching us a while back. I didn’t think it’d be a good idea to mention it with Kaneki here though. I’m sure he would have freaked out.”

Hide grabbed one of his extra blankets, and tossed it to her. She wrapped it around herself.

“So what are you doing here?” Hide asked.

“I came here to find Kaneki.”

Hide smiled. “You were protecting him, weren’t you?”

“Huh?” Touka asked, starting to blush.

“You wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to betray him. That’s why you were watching us.”

Touka was silent, but Hide knew he was right.

“You didn’t overhear our conversations, did you?” Hide asked.

“I’m not that much of a creep!” She cried. “I just was looking out for the CCG or a quinque or something.”

Hide smiled. “Thanks for looking out for him.”

Touka walked past him, peeking into his bedroom. After a moment, she walked inside, taking a seat beside Kaneki. She was silent, just watching as he slept.

“It’s been a while since you’ve seen him too, huh?” Hide asked from the doorway.

“Yes.” Touka whispered. She reached out a hand, hesitated, and then ran it through Kaneki’s hair.

“He really told you nothing?” Hide asked. He knew that she didn’t know much, but he had just assumed that she knew more since both her and Kaneki were ghouls.

“Nope. Nothing.” Touka confirmed.

“How cruel, Kaneki.” Hide whispered half-heartedly. He knew Kaneki had his reasons. He knew that was simply the way Kaneki’s mind worked. He knew that Kaneki meant no harm, he was doing it to protect them, but it still hurt. It was still unfair.

Hide walked over, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the bed. “I hope he stays. Do you think he’ll stay?”

Touka didn’t say anything. Hide wondered if it was because she truly didn’t know, or if she knew he wouldn’t like her answer.

“So how much do you know?” Hide asked.

“How much do you know?”

“Um. That Aogiri kidnapped him, that Jason was a nasty ghoul, and somehow Kaneki escaped after about a week. Then he just left.”

“That’s basically all I know.” Touka sighed, swinging her legs to the foot of the bed and laying back to stare at the ceiling. “We tried to save him, but we were too late. He broke out himself, and he was the one to save me when I got in too deep. And then he said he told me was leaving. I saw nothing of him until a few weeks ago.”

Hide hummed. He had hoped he’d be able to get some details from Touka, no matter how small. But apparently she really didn’t know much more than he did.

“He didn’t tell you, did he?” Touka asked.

“Tell me what? That he’s a ghoul?”

“No. That he was leaving.”

“Nope. He just… didn’t come back.”

Touka sat up to look at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I would have told you. Something. Anything. That he was safe. That he was alive.”

“I knew.” Hide shrugged. “I knew that if he had died, you and Anteiku would have been much more depressed.”

“You haven’t come there in months.” Touka commented.

“It reminded me of him.” Hide whispered. “It wasn’t the same without him. Plus, I didn’t know if I was welcome.”

“Of course you’re welcome.”

“Well, I know that it’s a ghoul organization, so I just thought—”

“No.” Touka cut him off, shaking her head. “We’re a coffee shop. We help our fellow ghouls, but there’s nothing against humans. You’re fine. You’re safe. You’re welcome there.”

“Okay.” Hide whispered. “Thanks.”

Touka laid back down. “If Kaneki does leave us again...”

She trailed off. Hide was silent, waiting for her to finish.

“...Then, you should come in and talk.”

“I’d like that.”

Hide turned around so that he was leaning against his bed. Above him, he could hear the calm breathing of Kaneki. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

After several minutes of silence, Hide called out in a whisper, “Hey, Touka-chan?”

There was no reply.

Hide got up to his feet, to see that Touka had fallen asleep. Hide just stood there for a moment, watching the two ghouls sleeping side by side on his bed. Hide’s heart felt warm, having them both here. For so long, he had wanted Kaneki back. For even longer, he had wanted to befriend Touka.

Quietly and slowly, Hide laid in the empty space in front of Kaneki, and let himself drift off to sleep.

There were so many months of no communication. Fear that Kaneki wouldn’t be coming back. Misunderstandings that were just brewing and waiting to happen.

But in the end... they all just missed each other.

#tokyo ghoul #hidekane #touhide #touka kirishima #hideyoshi nagachika #kaneki ken #tg fanfic #tg #ken kaneki #mine #my fics #my writing

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kenkamishiro · 6 years ago

Text

Ishida’s Q&A comments from YJ compilation, Part 8

Once again Ishida continuing to give answers that don’t actually answer the questions at all lol.

For anyone who doesn’t know about the relevant Questions to Ishida contest, please read here. You can start from Part 1 here.

The recent set of zakki:re and interview translations take a lot of time and effort, so if you enjoyed it please reblog or leave a like. Thank you!

2016

No. 1

Still 1 month left of this year! What’s something you still have left to do for 2015?

The storyboard.

Good luck.

No. 2

Sensei, please share with us a piece of news that was important to you in 2015!

I forget.

I wasn’t feeling so great in 2015.

No. 3

December 17 is Airplane Day! Now then, please share with us a memory you have that is related to airplanes!

I like the window seats.

Probably that time on the plane to head to the New Years party, when the staff was forced to stop because of me...

[T/N: Referring to his New Year’s party escapades in the volume 6 omake.]

No. 4-5

December 24 is Christmas Eve! Now then, please share with us a present that you want now as an adult!

I don’t need one since I’m an adult.

Even adults want presents too, you know!

No. 6-7

When you think of New Year’s Day...you think of New Year’s money!! Please share with us one way you spent the money you received from New Year’s when you were a child!

On games.

I was jealous of other people’s families since I didn’t have a lot of relatives.

No. 8

Sensei, please tell us your philosophy when it comes to food!

I think of meals as work.

I consider meals as work when I’m eating alone. When I go with people I eat whatever I like.

No. 9

January 28 is the birthday of the late Komatsu Sakyou! Now then, please share with us one of your favourite sci-fi works!

Gantz.

It’s not Star Wars...

No. 10

Please share with us one aspect or behaviour of the opposite sex that you unconsciously care about!

Their face.

How they use social media.

No. 11

Please share with us a Twitter account that you’re most interested in now!

Inagawa Junji-san’s for his ghost story tweets.

I find that accounts of artists are helpful for studying.

No. 12

Please share with us one of your favourite genres/videos that you end up watching on video streaming sites.

I got Netflix so I could watch Terrace House.

I still use it.

No. 13

If you were to ever film a Taiga drama who would you pick as the main character?

Siebold.

But why?

[T/N: A Taiga drama is a type of long-running TV drama period piece, often produced by NHK.]

No. 14

Graduation season is in full bloom! Now then, please share with us one of your favourite graduation songs!

“Lion” by Amano Tsuki.

Uh-huh, yup.

[T/N: "Lion” was one of the songs included in Ishida’s Spotify playlist.]

No. 15

Sensei, if you could decide the design of the 10,000 yen bill, who would it be a portrait of?

A cat.

A cat...?

No. 16

Today is Weekly Manga Day! Please tell us your number one favourite manga that is released weekly!!

I’m curious about what Ooima Yoshitoki-san will draw for her next manga.

Just how much do you care?

No. 17

Sensei, please share with us one thing that makes you go, “Man, I wanna go see this,” now?

Commentary on demonstration boards for shogi.

I went to one! Man, was it interesting.

No. 18

The final day of March is...Orchestra Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a memory you have that’s related to musical instruments!

I bought a piano recently, and I’ve been playing it almost every day.

And I still play it.

No. 19

Entrance ceremony season has arrived! Now then, please tell us about a schoolteacher who’s left the biggest impression on you!

Some student hacked the school server and the teacher intercepted the culprit.

That’s the kind of school I attended.

No. 20

New dramas are starting one after another! Now then, please share with us a series that’s left the biggest impression on you among all the dramas that you’ve seen recently!

Right now I’m currently watching Mad Men.

I watched all of Mad Men. I can’t believe what happened at the end of “Meditations”...

[T/N: Not entirely sure what Ishida meant by that last line, but I think “Meditations” refers to the last episode of the second season, titled “Meditations in an Emergency”.]

No. 21

Sensei, please share with us one game that’s popular in your circle!

The staff and I often play Mafia a lot together.

Recently we’ve been playing table RPGs.

No. 22-23

Today is the day in which the elephant was first introduced to Japan! Now then, please share with us a person/thing/culture from overseas that you would like to come to Japan!

David Downton-san.

I don’t think that.

No. 24

It’s that time of year where it’s getting warmer even at night! Now then, please share with us something about hanging out at night that you still remember!

That time I went drinking at a bar in the outskirts of Tokyo with Takahashi Kunimitsu-kun.

I don’t want to go there again.

[T/N: Referring to that time in April 2016 where Ishida and Takahashi were at a bar and a middle-aged woman started hitting on Takahashi for 3 hours lol.]

No. 25

May 19 is Boxing Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us what you thought was the best match ever!

I like the match with David Haye.

Clearly it’s Darth Maul vs. Obi-Wan.

No. 26

Please share with us a story about a debacle that you or someone else caused at a drinking party!

The first time I met Nakayama Atsushi-sensei, I made so much of a fool of myself.

I was so piss-drunk that I fell asleep in the bathroom I think.

No. 27

When you think of June you think of June Bride! Now then Sensei, please share with us a story that you remember that has to do with weddings!

I drew the welcome board for my friend’s wedding.

That time I left early since I didn’t want to be late for my senpai’s wedding, but the flight ended up being delayed by over an hour...

No. 28

Sensei, please share with us one of your favourite literary works for children!

Ringing Bell by Yanase Takashi.

Stormy Night.

[T/N: Ringing Bell (Chirin no Suzu) was referenced in :re by Kaneki during Arima’s death scene. You can read about it here. Stormy Night also seems to have influenced :re.]

No. 29

June 16 is Wagashi Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a confectionary that you like!

It’s not available in Fukuoka, but sweet mochi cake.

I want some now.

[T/N: Wagashi is traditional Japanese confectionaries.]

No. 30

June 23 is Olympics Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a competition from the Olympics that you still remember to this day!

Uchimura Kouhei’s horizontal bar performance at the London Olympics.

I don’t really watch TV much, so questions like these are tough for me to answer.

No. 31

Please share with us your slogan for the latter half of 2016!

I won’t be late. I wasn’t able to keep that promise for the first half of the year.

Good luck with that.

No. 32

Sensei, please secretly tell us about one shop that you think is the King of Restaurants!

The Chinese restaurant by my previous workplace.

The stir-fried oyster with lettuce was perfection.

No. 33

Summer has arrived! Now then Sensei, what do you think of as “summer food”?

The spicy Mexican crispy noodle salad from Family Mart.

Ah that, that was so good. But I don’t see them sold anywhere now...

No. 34

If you could see exactly one historical event or incident live in person, what would you want to see?

I want to see Tezuka Osamu-sensei’s workplace.

The Perry Expedition.

[T/N: Tezuka is the “father of manga”, having drawn iconic manga like Astro Boy, Black Jack, and the currently airing anime Dororo.]

No. 35

When you think of summer, you think of the ocean! If you could raise just one sea creature as a pet what would you choose?

An octopus.

So I can eat it.

No. 36

Sensei, please share with us the most nerve-wracking moment you’ve ever experienced in your life!

That time when I had to address a speech to over a hundred people for the launch of the anime.

Finishing the manuscript before the deadline of the final chapter.

No. 37-38

Sensei, please share with us a word or phrase that’s been stuck in your head recently!

“Pandas exploding in the wild.”

It’s from group_inou.

No. 39

Sensei, please share with us a small luxury that you use in your everyday life!

On days I stay up all night I buy carbonated drinks.

Feels kinda pathetic huh.

No. 40

The disbanding of idol groups nationwide is hot news, but please tell us about an experience that you’re still reluctant to part ways with.

A little while ago, I bought a copy of Jump every week for several months.

It was so I could read Hunter x Hunter.

[T/N: Question is most likely talking about the disbanding of the top male idol group SMAP which was announced around this time of the year.]

No. 41

Sensei, what item makes you think, “whoever invented this is a genius”?

The PC.

Amazon.

No. 42

What was the most interesting reception you’ve received up until now that has made you the happiest?

I got a shikishi from the staff to commemorate 100 chapters of being serialized. Though no one from that time is left anymore...

I also got a shikishi from the current staff. I was happy.

No. 43

Sensei, please share with us a moment that’s made you feel the generation gap the most!

Encountering people who were born in the 2000′s.

Sha-Mail.

No. 44

It’s Reader Autumn! Please tell us what you consider as your bible!

Recently it’s “Speak Aloud and Rhyme”.

Now it’s “Drawing the Morphological Human Body with Boxes and Cylinders”.

No. 45

Sensei, please tell us about a manga/anime/novel that you’d like to see as a movie!

I’m looking forward to “Satoshi: A Move for Tomorrow” being released this fall.

I missed the chance to watch it.

No. 46

Sensei, what were you most enthusiastic about playing with when you were in school?

Smash Bros.

Games that are updated periodically.

No. 47

Sensei, please tell us about something that you’ve used for many years and have been unable to throw away!!

I throw things away when I need to.

My Cintiq 22HD (DTK-2000/K1) LCD tablet. The size and responsiveness of it matches it better than the latest model.

No. 48

Sensei, when was the moment you felt you became independent?

If I’m living.

What? Probably when I got my pay cheque.

No. 49

November 2 is Family Culture Day! Sensei, please tell us about a rule that’s only found in your household!

Playing no more than 1 hour of games a day.

That’s proper.

No. 50

Sensei, please share with us any furniture/interior work that you want to replace right now!

The bookshelf.

Same.

No. 51

Sensei, please share with us the first CD you’ve ever bought!

Morishita Reika’s “Your Wind is Blowing” (most likely).

Most likely, yeah.

No. 52

This year has had various movies become blockbuster hits, but in your opinion what work do you consider as a hit?

It’s actually a drama, but Game of Thrones.

I recommend it.

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#Tokyo Ghoul #zakki:re #Ishida Sui #Ishida Q&A #Translations #my translations #these series of questions were especially enjoyable #also lol the last one #the timing for it couldn't be worse huh

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