Part 1 'Interlude'

It starts with being scared out of his mind by a ghoul with many tattoos and piercings, Kaneki cannot ignore the fact that the man, -whose name is Uta- still looks like a painting which burst to life. Something stirs in Kaneki that feels all too familiar, and yet before he can recognize it, Uta-san is already asking him questions, after moving in too close to sniff his neck, the younger boy decides not to ignore the ghoul, and tries not to feel so bothered with how Uta-san is chewing the human eyeball in front of him like it was a marshmallow.

In the end, all he's left thinking, is that despite how nice Uta-san seems to be, Kaneki still finds him rather scary.

During the second meeting, which had been a rather unexpected one, as Touka had pulled up his shirt up to mock his lack of muscles, exactly when Uta-san decided to open the door and walk in. Before she could continue to comment any further on his lack of muscles, Uta-san apologized after a long stare, as if he thought that he'd interrupted something, and Kaneki felt a bit embarrassed at the situation Uta-san had caught them in, especially after realizing how any ordinary person would see it as. He was oddly glad that Touka had already started explaining, before Uta-san could think they were dating or something, ignoring the sudden feeling of relief that surged due to her words.

The words Uta-san uttered next were unusual, as Kaneki could not fathom why Uta-san wanted to see him wear the mask, but nonetheless, he put the mask on, since Uta-san had put much effort into making it. He listened as Uta instructed him how to put on the mask, enjoying the feeling of cool leather against his skin. He also found the fact that the eye patch was on the eye he usually covered, kind of freeing and somewhat...different. He felt pleased by Uta-san's explanation, because this was the first time someone had wanted to see his ghoul eye like it was something special, and fascinated at the idea of seeing the world with the ghoul eye he usually covered. It was a bit nice to be able to stop hiding something he was forced to hide, especially due to the fact that it was something he never wanted in the first place, and yet, despite its terrifying shape, the mask Uta-san had made for him seemed like it suited him perfectly. He liked that, because it made the fact it was made for him and no one else, even more prominent.

The third meeting, is when Kaneki realizes the signs he'd been feeling. He'd felt not so long ago, after spotting Rize in Anteiku reading Takasaki Sen, 'Egg of the Black Goat' every once in a while, they were the telltales signs of a new-found crush. He couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness that began to form at the realization, because his crush on Rize had nearly killed him, and in a sort of apathetic way, he's sure she actually did succeed.

When Yomo-san had told him about his friend who wanted to meet him, Kaneki was intrigued. Even more so when Yomo-san had stopped in front of a closed bar, since Kaneki was still not legal to drink yet. As Yomo-san introduced him to Itori-san, she told him about the one-eyed ghoul, and the huge Gourmet Feast that Tsukiyama would hold every once in a while. He'd also learned more about Yomo-san and Uta-san than they would've have probably told him, it was interesting to learn something about their pasts and how different they were. He was surprised when Itori mentioned that Uta-san and Yomo-san were rivals, along with the fact that Uta used to be a troublemaker, if he hadn't heard Uta himself comment that he was rebellious in his teens, he would have had trouble believing it. Imagining Uta-san as someone who was a terror, wasn't so hard, even Yomo-san, but despite the terrifying image they both would make, it doesn't change how still feels like he can trust them. He still wonders though, what had happened that it had caused them to change, and hopes it was maybe due to Yoshimura-san's presence.

It is only when he has to leave that he realizes that he doesn't want to say goodbye to Uta-san, because unlike Yomo-san, he doesn't see the mask maker much, in fact, if he were being honest, he rarely does. And he knows that it's due to the fact that Uta lives in the 4th ward, which is far away from where he usually is, along with the fact that he barely has a reason to actually visit. He feels slightly distressed at the fact, which he used to feel whenever he'd leave Anteiku for the day, and had to wait until the next to see Rize. It had caused him to freeze in his footsteps, forgetting what he'd been about to say before he leaving the bar. When Itori-san opens her mouth to remind him of Tsukiyama Shuu's Gourmet Feast, it snaps him from the odd manifesting emotions he did not want. He murmurs quick and softly, "I will check it out" and "goodbye", before leaving hurriedly, not noticing the curious side glance Yomo-san directed his way, nor the small quirk of Uta-san's lips. He does notice the loud giggles coming from Itori-san as he leaves, and it feels like she was pleased about something. He thinks, maybe, he'd like to get to know Itori-san a bit better, so he can figure out what kind of person she is, and what she really knows about the person who caused Rize's death.

The feelings had begun to roam around, bubbling like one of the cool fizzy sodas he used to drink with Hide, making him feel sad that he could no longer enjoy one with Hide ever again. He pushes away the nostalgic memories, by reminding himself, in which his mind conjures up Rize to do so. "You can never be human again, you do remember that, don't you, Kaneki-kun?" he can feel her cool fingers ghost over his cheek and chin, her tone mocking and cruel, as always. Something within him crumbles painfully, at the reminder that he's no longer human, which causes Rize to smile wickedly.

He strengthens his control over his mind, as she begins to fade away, in remembering that he was no longer just human anymore, he was now a half-ghoul as well, while heading back to his apartment. It does not stop his heart from racing when he closes the door to his apartment shut, or the feeling of sadness from overwhelming him. That night, he doesn't sleep much, instead only dreaming up nightmares of Rize. Her hysterical laughs echo out until the light of dawn, where he slowly begins to hate himself even more for feeling this way.

This time he knows it won't end in blood, because Kaneki will make sure no one will ever know.