He'd been searching for what felt like forever, when it had really been the past day.

With only his scent to go on Tsukiyama searched high and low, going throughout the entire city it felt like, for hours on end with absolutely no results to show for it. He was almost giving up hope at the fruitless venture, convinced he would never meet him again, but something told him to continue his quest and so continue Tsukiyama did. He had one last ward to check anyway, perhaps he would get lucky.

Kaneki had a long shift at Anteiku to work that day. He had been feeling even more anxious and just-not-feeling-good in general. He figured it had to do with the soulmate thing, but didn't know how to go about searching for Tsukiyama.

His heart was heavy in his chest as he worked well into the afternoon hours.


He was acting like a hopeless romantic and Tsukiyama found he absolutely, positively did not care.

This ward showed promise, Kaneki's scent was stronger here than the other places and already Tsukiyama felt his spirits renewed. He went about at a faster pace, trying to pinpoint exactly where that scent frequented most, but he was so driven by it that the most simplest of tasks was rather difficult to accomplish. Such a realization made the ghoul sigh and he instead had to rely on this anxious feeling growing in his chest to guide him. Tsukiyama wished he would find Kaneki soon, he was already feeling withdrawal from not seeing those deep eyes.

He saw a coffeeshop in the distance, and figured that was exactly what he needed in order to recollect his thoughts.

Kaneki waited on customers like normal despite the anxiety welling inside of him. And they were suppose to go on a date tonight...

The white-haired boy shook his head and kept working. Maybe he would meet Tsukiyama again...

Tsukiyama eyed the name of the shop and smiled, nostalgic, as he recalled the last time he'd been there. It had surely been quite some time since he was last at Anteiku.

With a heavy heart Tsukiyama entered the establishment, only to be hit with full force of Kaneki's scent. He reeled back some and blinked, dazedly taking a few steps inside. It seemed to have a more powerful effect on him than yesterday, and oh, was it amazing. The ghoul was in such a daze that he took an empty seat without even noticing just why that scent was so strong.

Kaneki halted after serving a customer. He had heard the familiar jingle of the bell when someone came in but the all too amazing scent floored him. It was him. It was Tsukiyama. He was here.

Kaneki looked to the nearest table and saw him. A strange noise bubbled up and out from his throat as if to call out to his soulmate. It was so instinctual that he couldn't stop it.

Tsukiyama was broken immediately out of his thoughts and turned to face the source of the sound, locking onto Kaneki immediately. His breath caught when he saw him and could only manage an awed stare, so surprised and overcome to have actually found him Tsukiyama was shocked into silence. After all this time...

He sub-consciously held out his hand.

Kaneki was caught in his gaze, mesmerized once again by his handsome beauty. He reached for the hand and they both felt an electric warmth shoot through them, eliciting a rightness between them.

"Hey..." Kaneki murmured as his heart pounded away.

"Hello." Tsukiyama relaxed into an easy smile, his own heart going a mile a minute with no end in sight. He squeezed the small hand in his. "We meet again, Kaneki-kun. I suppose you could say this is meant to be?" A corner of his lips curled into a humored smirk. He cracked himself up.

Kaneki smiled slightly but rolled his eyes. "That's really corny." Despite that, he was really happy to see the man again.

"But it is true, is it not?" Tsukiyama cocked his head to the side, smile genuine and charming. "It did manage to make you smile, after all."

Kaneki blushed slightly. "So, um... You found me?" He made it sound like a question.

"Ah, yes. I found your scent. Truly miraculous, I feared I would not find you again." He made it sound like he had just been out and about and not combing the city for the past few hours. Non, that would make him look uncool, and Tsukiyama would not have that happen. He gestured to the seat opposite of his. "Do you wish to sit?"

"Oh." Kaneki rocked back on his heels and gestured at the pen and notepad in his hands. "I work here, so I can't while during my shift..."

"Ah, I see. My apologies, I should have been more observant." Tsukiyama had to resist a small pout. He really wanted to get to know him more... Hiding his displeasure, Tsukiyama forced a smile and continued, "Then do not let me keep you."

Kaneki looked apologetic. "Sorry, um... My shift ends in half an hour and then we can talk? Would you like anything?" Kaneki's nose sniffed more and he could tell the man was a ghoul. Well, that was even more unexpected... He was worried though, about what he might think when he learns of his special case.

Tsukiyama had plenty of things he could answer with, however he didn't want to displease his soulmate in any way whatsoever. So he nodded, eyes softening, and said, "I would be more than happy to, mon chèri. I would like a black coffee, if you'd be so inclined."

Kaneki nodded, "Okay, I'll bring it right up." He told him, and went to the back. As he went to blend the coffee in his usual method, Touka came down from her break and walked into the kitchen.

Touka noticed Kaneki's newfound relaxed state right off the bat and thought it to be about time. "Hey." She greeted him, walking past to grab her own apron from its place along the wall.

"Hi," Kaneki practically hummed on the spot as he fixed the coffee and Touka noticed the smile and raised a brow.

"What happened to you?" she asked, curious. Ever since Anteiku found Kaneki on his own he's been a special part of their community of ghouls; and not just for how different his situation was.

Out of anything Kaneki could have said, she didn't expect him to say, "Something completely unexpected." He turned to her then, wearing a vibrant smile, as he continued preparing the pot of coffee he was working on. The sight made her do a double take. Touka wasn't used to seeing him so...happy? "Do you believe in soulmates Touka-chan?"

Touka blinked and stuttered, "I-I'm not sure. I've never had it happen to me so..."

Kaneki smiled to himself. "I think... No, I know it happened to me."

Touka nearly dropped her notepad in shock. "What?! W-When? W-Who? Are you sure? Absolutely positive?"

Kaneki nodded. "Yeah. He's actually sitting outside now." His smile broadened.

"H-He?" Touka was once again shocked. She heard it happened sometimes but...

"Yeah." Kaneki finished the pot and poured it into a pristine white coffee mug, filling it nearly to the top. He felt good about this cup, and a little giddy too. "This is actually for him. If you want to see him..?"

Touka nodded and followed Kaneki out. Kaneki smiled his usual friendly smile he used on all of the customers but this time it was a bit warmer.

"Here you go... Tsukiyama-san." He placed the coffee mug in front of him.

Tsukiyama's lips twitched and he couldn't resist brushing his fingers over Kaneki's as he took the mug in his own hands. "Merci, Kaneki-kun."

Touka was behind the counter gaping at the exchange, not entirely sure what to feel.

She knew of that ghoul... and he was dangerous.

Kaneki flushed a bit at his touch. "I made it myself, I hope you like it."

Tsukiyama wrapped his hand around the handle and lifted it to his lips. "I am sure I will." Without even having to take a sip Tsukiyama could already feel the splendid taste tease his tastebuds, the smell tickle his nose. He smiled smugly, closing his eyes, as he took a sip and sighed dreamily when he swallowed. "Ah, merveilleux."

Kaneki's expression lightened even more as he smiled. "Thank you, just let me know if you need anything."

"I most certainly will." Tsukiyama said with a wink, taking another sip of his drink. The sight made Touka, in the background, grip her notepad tightly.

Is that ghoul really Kaneki's soulmate? Touka bit her lip, and as Kaneki went off to attend to more customers, she went straight up to Tsukiyama.

"You. What do you think you're doing?" she all but demanded of him.

"Ah mademoiselle Touka, what a pleasant surprise." Tsukiyama set down his cup and crossed his legs neatly over each other, giving her a charming smile. "Come to talk with an old friend, hm? Shouldn't you be working?"

Touka glowered at him. "That isn't any of your business. Now, talk. Why is Kaneki talking with you so fondly for?" She was protective, yes. Most of them were.

Tsukiyama chuckled and flicked out his wrist, folding it back to him as he looked at Kaneki with a genuine smile. "Is it not obvious?" He turned back to her, that same ridiculous smile adorning his handsome features. "We are soulmates. Why else?"

Touka blinked before sighing. "I know. I believe you." She relented, although it was difficult to admit. She looked at him unwaveringly. "But let me get this straight. I don't know much about soulmates, but it takes a lot to see him smile like that. If you dare hurt him or make his life worse than it already is," She stood threateningly. "Then you'll have a lot to answer to."

How curious, and admirable. Tsukiyama appreciated that. He looked back to Kaneki and pondered what she meant by 'worse'. "I may not know much about 'love'," he said, not looking away from Kaneki for even a moment, "but hurting the one who makes my heart beat like this is simply out of the question. I do not doubt you will follow through with your threat — you were once cold-hearted, after all — but do not doubt me when I say I would never hurt the one who smiled at me when he could have ignored me."

Touka blinked and studied him. Could it be that... the Gourmet has really changed? She had heard of the strange phenomenon involving soulmates to completely change their lifestyles to suit their partner's needs. Soulmates were essentially two halves of a whole, so soulmates try to always stay and keep their other half happy.

Could that be what's happening here?

Tsukiyama smiled to himself and returned Touka's gaze. "A Gourmet can choose from the finest of delicacies, eat them up and truly be satisfied. It is their profession, their blood, their life." He chuckled and took another sip, and looked down into the steaming contents of the mug. "How curious the day when a Gourmet strays from what they believed to be their path in life — and all for something far, far better than they could have ever dreamed."

"Who are you again?" Touka raised a brow, huffing and placing her hands on her hips. It was definitely strange.

Tsukiyama chuckled, taking in good stride, although he didn't really have any idea what she was talking about. "Well mademoiselle, I believe I am Tsukiyama Shuu."

"Sure..." Touka responded and went on to start helping Kaneki with the customers.