The Anteiku has been my safe haven for three years, seven months, six days, on the 13th hour, and 28th minute. I'm at the age of 20 and I've read all the books from my favorite authors and local community article writers; so much so that i'm beginning to feel stuck. I have a will to continue with no tracks to lead my destination. Reading was always my "go-to" in school and as a hobby all on it's own. With nothing to do, all i'm left with is to stare at the ceiling of my room inside Anteiku Cafe. The coffee has always been good and i will never deny to Touka and Nishio have been brewing for me, but it's only good with the desires of a ghoul…

After just recently, i've grown accustomed to the welcoming atmosphere i'm swelled up to see as it's shown in the smiles of my friends despite the many occurring incidents. Shuu hasn't shown his face ever since his attempt to bite into his "elegant and dignified buttered pastry from a french dîner." (French word of dinner) I realize that my body contains the blood of a ghoul which made me into this breed: a "half-ghoul". I do not recall the time where i was able to sleep peacefully for the last 2 years. The news of the 20th ward as always kept me on the edge of my seat. The rumors and possibilities has me ready to prepare for investigators knocking at any minute. The investigators mostly had problems with the 18th and 15th ward where most of the criminal activities were made by these ghouls. Reports say that a girl was raped then eaten alive after school two days ago, fourteen blocks away. Luckily, the ghouls were captured by investigators...but what if that was Anteiku. What would be left of us? Me? The thought terrifies me as i think of this. The 20th ward is known to be silent as i am told from Yoshimura. I don't feel safe even with the smiles that warms my heart. That fire can never stay alit.

After dozing off for a few minutes, i take a shower and put on the fresh attire Touka laid out for me. I tend to spill coffee many times and all i get in return is an argument on how i should be clean and to be careful and so on. After a hit in the head, all i can do is feel pitiful after yesterday.

"Kaneki, i need you to take the night shift for tonight." Touka says as she cleans a teacup with a new rag.

"Why so? What is the occasion? Plus,i need to take care of Hinami. I promised her i'll-"

"Just do it. You can work and teach her at the same time." Touka takes my hand and slams a pen between my fingers on the nightstand. "And don't tell anyone...got it?!" she says in a intimidating voice.

"Y-Yes ma'am!" I continue to the front of the cafe and grab the newspaper that is set out for us outside. The is sun is just breaking the crack of dawn as the chill of winter collides into my attire and the wind flows into my spine, giving me a great chill. Maybe Nishio could make coffee for me i thought. I haven't yet perfected this coffee that Yoshimura told me about. Love and dedication he said. No matter how much i try, i seem to always make a bitter coffee. It tastes fine to me; or at least to my human side.

Touka walks out the door of Anteiku and passes me the keys i barely catch. Touka smirks and starts to walks out on the sidewalk.

"Please take care of yourself!" I yell out.

"You too idiot." She replies as she waves. I couldn't help but stare at Touka as she walks away and her purple hair breezes about. Whatever she is up to, i hope she'll be ok. Touka was always the bright and cheerful type, like a character from the book Summer's Eve. Loving and kind...but i know that character had a sense of ascetic and deceit on her own self. Crying, anger, denial; all the things that doesn't pertain to her beauty. She's an empty vessel, a capsule, written with a beautiful and i see it with my blind eye. This eye can see through anything and it's the eye i refuse to attain for.

Nishio comes out and waves for me to come inside. He has always had his attire wrong and is newly recruited into Anteiku. Mr. Yoshimura was diligent enough to even accept his past into the aura of Anteiku's future. It has unsettled me to see the guy who attempted to eat my friend who can blame him when i, a ghoul, also attempted to...eat him. But as many apologies he has given me, i have told myself to turn the slate.

"Kaneki, it's too cold. Get a jacket before you catch one. I'm switching the sign now, so set the tableware and shine the windows for me. I'll take care of the counter."

"Thanks Nishio." I stare blatantly into the distance where touka walked off to. "Do you know what Touka is up to?" I asked randomly.

"Who?" Nishio looked back in confusion. Of course he wouldn't know. He has only been here for a few days.

"Nevermind, let's get to work." I continue my duties in Anteiku for a couple hours and finally after about 50 customers, i receive my break for lunch. Touka still isn't back. Anteiku is as quiet as ever, but it also feels empty without her. Despite her forcing a piece of meat down my throat a few weeks ago, i've actually started to feel comfortable. As the days go on working here, i feel a bond between the other ghouls that live here. Hinami, Touka, Yoshimura, Nishio, Yomo, Koma, and Irimi...i've learned so much. Yomo trains me every evening to protect myself from the investigators. I can't imagine how powerful they are, but as hard as Yomo trains me, i've have grown fearful of what they do to other ghouls. "If you want to make something of yourself, protect your future and maybe you can make a difference for once. No one is going to be there for you when an investigator's quinque's sharp edge is pointing at my eyes. They are fearful of our eyes. They say it's a symbol of death and dread. But you, you are different. Half ghouls are rare and we need people like you. I'm training you so that you won't have that wimpy human body of yours. On the contrary, you need to learn how to use your kagune." Thinking this though i realize how intense all of this is. I'm terrified, scared, and afraid like mouse who's cornered. I feel stuck but i must move on. Maybe things would get better soon.

"Who do you think you are?" A mysterious voice fills my mind. "Touka is your enemy and so are the rest of your so called friends." I suddenly start to get woozy and dizzy. My eyes start to dilate as my head start to spin. I try to stand up from my seat near the bar.

"Kaneki! What is wrong?!" Nishio runs and grabs my arm before i fall. Sweat starts to run down my head. A sweat drop becomes a large rain of water. That water turns into blood as i hear a loud and frightening scream. My eyepatch falls off and hits the floor. "Kaneki... your eye is…" Looking into the window beside me, i see my eye. The ghoul inside me overwhelming my body. I lose sight of the cafe and blackout.