Kaneki Ken stared at the cup of coffee in front of him. He sat in the dark, making the cup barely visible.

However, he could see his reflection in the coffee since his hair was so light.

He looked nothing like he had before. Except for his eyes. His eyes seemed to be the only thing that connected him to his past.

He knew who he was then. He was a college student, a waiter. He had friends, a life. He was sure that's who he was. He thought it was better for him to suffer so that no one else would.

The torture changed all that.

993. 986. 979. 972.

The sound of the heavy doors opening. Knuckles cracking.

He closed his eyes, mentally preparing himself for the pain. "Please don't." He had whispered.

His hands turned into a fist. Now that he was with Aogiri, his friends at Anteiku wouldn't have to endure that pain.

But what would Touka-chan say if he met her again?

He bit his lip and so did his reflection.

Who was that guy in the coffee?

He didn't even know who he was.

"That's you." He heard the soft, female voice ring in his ears.

He felt hands slide up his back and down his shoulders.

He closed his eyes. "Rize."

Said girl chuckled. "You wanted to know who the person in the coffee is?"

He saw her finger swirl, distorting the reflection. When she pulled her finger out, he saw himself.

He saw a black-headed eighteen year old boy, an innocent smile plastered to his face.

He gulped.

Rize leaned to his ear, her lips almost touching it. "Who are you?" She whispered.

And then she was gone, and the white-headed reflection was back.

That... was him?

"Who are you?"

He lifted his head, coming to a conclusion.

He was a protector. He'd protect his friends this way. It was the only way.

TBH I didn't mean for the "Who are you?" to be like Unravel. I just realized that now. I guess that makes it better, in a way. Sayonara Reader-chan!