Author's Notes: I really shouldn't be posting this but some people have been asking me if I will take that long. Am so glad that this fic received such a great reception. As I've stated, I've already gotten the drafts finished for my stories' next chapters. It was just that I finished this one the fastest. I've managed to squeeze in some time due to that inspirational message from a friend who wanted to see the next chapter. Thank you very much. But, really, I really shouldn't be posting it this early but since I've got the time while some things managed to calm down for a while, I might as well give it. Thank you for your support for this idea. Am overwhelmed.

Warning(s): This story will be, obviously, partial to the CCG just like when Kaneki had been with Anteiku. So, even as I cry just thinking about it, there will be clashes between him and ghouls (possibly even ones from Anteiku directly). This is Canon-Divergence. So, be aware of this one. Another is just the usual ones: gore, angst, drama, possible tragedy.

Pairing(s): None. This will be GEN. TG has already enough romance in its fandom, imho.

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This was the day.

"So, you're Kaneki?" The rather androgynous-looking young man spoke and stared at him curiously. Like all investigators, he was dressed in a formal suit and his dark hair was styled in a short bob. While his appearance suggested something delicate with his slender frame and slightly shorter stature, Kaneki knew that looks could be deceiving. After all, the Bureau Director had personally praised this individual and he also couldn't overlook the fact that this person was an Associate Special Class.

"H-Hai!" He answered affirmatively as he squared his shoulders. "K-Kaneki Ken, R-Rank 3 Investigator. I'll be in your care, Associate Special Class Ui!" He bowed formally and inwardly berated himself for stuttering due to nervousness.

Though, he guessed that he had to get used to the fact that he had to include his "rank" when introducing himself.

As he straightened from his bow, he tried not to fidget at the amused look being directed at him.

It had already been three days since his conversation with Washuu Yoshitoki and it had only been yesterday since he'd moved to his new apartment located just near the main office at the 1st Ward. The place was still too bare and it honestly felt empty. No matter how much he thought that it was where he was going to be living from now on, Kaneki couldn't help but just look at it through detached eyes.

And it clawed at Kaneki during quiet moments so he forced himself to focus on his new task instead.

"How formal of you." The man, Ui Koori, smiled at him. "Since we're going to be partners, I'll allow you the privilege of addressing me as simply 'Koori'." He continued thoughtfully as he visibly appraised Kaneki with sharp eyes.

"T-Thank you very much, K-Koori-san." Kaneki responded a bit meekly, trying not to be intimidated.

"I've been informed about your situation, Kaneki." The other informed him as he took a single step forward to look closely at him. They were currently in the longue located near the lobby of the main office. "I've got to say, you're not what I've been expecting. Still, I haven't really properly introduced myself, have I? Even if you already seem to know my name from the director. My name is Ui Koori, Associate Special Class Investigator. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaneki Ken." Koori then extended a hand towards him.

Kaneki anxiously held the other's hand for a surprisingly firm handshake.

"Likewise." He breathed out slowly as he said this, trying to quell in his uneasiness.

As he let go, the man suddenly grinned.

"Eh, you're so nervous that your hand is shaking." Koori remarked in glee, smirking lightly. "Oh man, I would've anticipated this if you're meeting Arima-san or even Take. Certainly not someone like me. Houji must be laughing at me somewhere." He snorted at this statement, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so.

"U-Uhm—" Kaneki stammered, not knowing what to say, as he clenched his hands to hide their, to his embarrassment, visible tremors.

Then, the man's expression smoothened into an easy-going smile.

"Relax, Kaneki. I don't bite." Koori pacified him as he walked up to the teen and patted his shoulder. "Well, we have to get going. The Director did tell you that I'm in charge of the 4th Ward, right? As my partner, you're required where I go. At the situation that I got held up by something, you're going to have to work with other people for your field involvement. I know that this arrangement is a bit confusing since you are, technically, my partner but I also have to take into account that you have no fighting experience prior to your… incident. Since the 4th Ward isn't as diverse as the other wards, the Director saw it fit to have you work with others as an official member of Arima-san's squad." The man informed him as he walked to the building's entrance.

Kaneki followed after the other closely, listening carefully to his words.

"So, I will be working with Arima-san and his squad?" He inquired bewilderedly as he tried to keep up with the explanation.

"Not necessarily. Since you only need field experience." Koori added matter-of-factly as he led the teen to a nearby white car. "Don't worry about it, though, it's only for formalities. You're going to work with others, in fact. It's the Chairman's idea in order to have you further integrated into our ranks. So, either expect to meet a lot of faces or be sent to different wards as an additional staff to investigations." He stared at Kaneki intently for a moment before getting into the driver's seat.

"I-I see." Kaneki answered quietly as he reluctantly slid into the front passenger seat.

"So," Koori started out conversationally as the man drove them to, presumably, the 4th Ward CCG Branch Office. "How did you meet Binge Eater? I've got to say, that ghoul gave our investigators some trouble and she's been a menace for quite some time now." At this, he blew out a breath that sent his bangs fluttering.

"I—" The teen cleared his throat a bit self-consciously. "I went on a date with her." He replied hesitantly.

Looking back at that moment, he felt like a very stupid idiot. Hide had been right to call him delusional after all.

He forcefully pushed any thoughts of his best friend at the back of his mind.

Was it wrong for him to keep the other out of this? He still didn't know what he would say if he met the other. He didn't call him for a reason. After all, for all Hide knew, Kaneki had just joined the CCG out of the blue and he couldn't even bring himself to admit as to why he had accepted in the first place.

Not without telling him the whole truth.

"You're kidding—" Koori cut himself off with a sharp shake of his head. "Wait, of course not. If you were, then, you wouldn't be in this situation right now, would you? That's a bit too much, in my opinion." He commented rather wryly.

At least, there was no judgment in his eyes as he uttered those words. For that, Kaneki was relieved.

"About fighting, uhm, Koori-san, I don't really have any experience." He fully admittedly and ignored the dwelling shame he felt for it, wanting to get this out of the way and slightly eager for a change of subject.

He had thought about not fighting to begin with, maybe even show himself off as incompetent so he could avoid it. However, no matter how kindly they worded the contract, Kaneki knew that his deal only existed in the first place due to his "usefulness". That as soon as he showed the sign that he was more than expendable, they wouldn't hesitate in disposing of him. To be honest, that thought terrified him.

"None at all?" The man asked to be certain.

Kaneki shook his head.

"Well, when I read "no fighting experience" in your profile, I thought that it was about confronting ghouls or being put into life and death situations." Koori confessed to him with a frown. "Come to think of it, surviving your confrontation with a ghoul is already considered life-threatening on itself. Still, I wouldn't have thought it would be so literal. Haven't you gotten into a fistfight as a kid? Or even just a brawl? Know what it felt like to hit someone and mean it?" The other inquired a bit persistently, his brow furrowing a bit.

Other than those instances when Kaneki had bashed Hide's head with a book when the other went too far with his teasing and stabbing Rize's kagune in desperation not to get killed, Kaneki couldn't recall a moment in his life where he'd actually hurt someone.

It's better to be hurt than to hurt others, a voice echoed in his head, don't be selfish, Ken.

He wasn't. He didn't want to be like–

"I-I avoid fights as much as possible." He responded softly as he fiddled with his hands, a habit he had when nervous. "I don't like harming anyone."

Looking at Koori from the corner of his eye and the way the man's lips had thinned, the other had just bitten back a question from surfacing. It didn't need to be said but Kaneki knew what the other wanted to ask him.

Why had he decided to become an investigator, then?

Even he didn't really know the answer to that. He wasn't exactly given a choice, was he? In fact, Koori just said that the Chairman had even made sure that he would have to fight regardless.

"I'll train you." Koori's voice suddenly pierced the tense silence that seemed to permeate the atmosphere around them. "I'll train you so you won't die out there. Half-ghoul or not, I refuse to let anyone under my command to die without a fight." He declared strongly, hands tightening around the wheel.

"K-Koori-san—" The teen was speechless and openly stared at the other, wide-eyed.

"I'm just a coward, you see…" Koori said with a cynical touch to his smile. "And you, Kaneki Ken, will fight."

~o~

"Kaneki-kun!" A voice called out to him.

The dark haired teen whirled around and stared as a jovially waving Shinohara strode to where he stood. He adjusted his grip on the paper bag in his arms to shyly return it. He had just been on his way to his new apartment after a long day. Koori had briefed him merely about the operation of the 4th Ward CCG Branch Office which wasn't really all that different from what he had seen of the main office. Though, throughout the day, the young man had spoken about the duties expected of him as a ghoul investigator.

Aside from, obviously, slaying ghouls, they were required to conduct necessary investigations at the event of murders. While crime rate performed by humans were still at progress, it had been explained to him that some ghouls had learned to disguise their "hunt" as such to cover their trails. That was why they were required at the scene at the off-chance that the suspect was a ghoul and it would then be their task to uncover their identities and exterminate them. Some were, apparently, not even trying to hide the fact that the murder was performed by a ghoul.

It had been explained to him that they were predominantly employed at the main office but were put in charge of many investigations. As with Koori's case though, the man had been tasked to maintain the peace that had been kept at the 4th Ward. Apparently, the 1st up to 4th Wards were the wards with the least population of ghouls. Which was understandable considering that the CCG chiefly operated within them. It also explained why Koori had told him that it wasn't "diverse" enough to earn him his field experience as simply Koori's partner.

Still, as this was brought up, Koori had given him a schedule, starting tomorrow, for his training.

It was the reason why he'd been to a bookstore earlier. He had bought some books about martial arts in order to understand the aspects of combat. While he still felt uneasy at the mere idea, he knew that he would need it if he didn't want to die when he had to confront a ghoul. He felt that he had to do his part since Koori was already helping him.

"How's your first day?" Shinohara asked him good-naturedly and his eyes shone with genuine interest as he stood before the teen.

Despite himself, Kaneki found himself smiling.

"It went fine," He answered honestly. "Koori-san is very considerate." Ha admitted a bit bashfully.

"Oh, yes," The man smiled a bit nostalgically. "Though, he can be quite the uptight fellow when work is a bit serious. Or quite intense if he's in the middle of a fight." He laughed a bit and missed the way Kaneki subtly cringed at the latter statement.

"Erm…" He scratched his cheek in slight discomfort.

"So, what were you up to?" Shinohara inquired as he peered at the paper bag in Kaneki's hands.

"I just bought some books from the bookstore." The teen answered vaguely, feeling his cheeks heat up a bit, as his hold on said item tightened.

"Oh, I see. It's about fighting, am I right?" The other questioned a bit knowingly.

Kaneki became flustered.

"Maybe." He tried to continue with his ambiguous approach as he cradled his chin with his left hand.

"I know it's a little overwhelming, being pushed into this all of a sudden." Shinohara remarked with a soft smile. "But, if you need anything, you can come and talk to me, alright?" He offered kindly, sincere concern showing in his expression that spoke of his sincerity.

Kaneki stared at him with wide eyes.

"T-Thank you very much." He mumbled a bit uncertainly, hardly believing the words but was touched all the same.

Before Shinohara could speak again, another voice cut in.

"Shinohara-san~!" Someone called out in a rather sing-song manner and the dark haired teen tilted a bit to the side in order to view the newcomer who had addressed the man. In doing so, he was faced by a white haired teen skipping his way to them, waving his arms rather dramatically. He was dressed in what seemed to be an oversized suit jacket and a rather disheveled attire to match it together with light-colored slippers. When he got a closer look, he almost mistook the other as a girl but Kaneki just knew that it wasn't the case.

For his part, Shinohara noticeably brightened.

"Ah, Juuzou!" He greeted the small teen as the other bounded up to them, though, his expression suddenly scrunched up. "I thought you went ahead to wait for me at that ramen shop?" The man asked the teen who tilted his head.

"Eh? But it's so boring having to just wait so I've thought of finding you instead." Juuzou shrugged before his large eyes landed on Kaneki who froze at the sudden attention. "Wah, who is this, Shinohara-san?" He grinned as he boldly walked up to the slightly intimidated dark haired teen, openly staring at him with vague interest while Kaneki tried not to gawk at the stitches on his face and down the column of the other's neck.

"This is Kaneki Ken, a newly made investigator." Shinohara easily introduced him before turning to him with a wary smile. "And, Kaneki-kun, this is the partner that I've been talking about. His name is Suzuya Juuzou and he's also a Rank 3."

At those words, he found himself staring back at the white haired teen. He had heard snippets of Shinohara's partner from some of the investigators that he'd encountered at the headquarters and none of them favorable. But, Shinohara didn't seem to mind him—

"H-Hi?" Kaneki attempted at conversation and found himself taking a step back when the other's face became too close for comfort, a clear disregard for personal space.

Suddenly, he jolted as something hit him.

He looked at Juuzou with a wide eye, feeling the vestiges of shock, as he finally registered what had possibly brought him to such a stupor. Somehow, this guy had a "delectable" scent and he had just noticed it as he got a direct whiff of him. He ignored the strong urge to cover his nose as he felt his palms perspire in a sudden bout of anxiety. At least, he wasn't drooling and he didn't feel his eye turning. But, the last time he'd gotten a good smell of something that appealed to him, it didn't really mean well for him.

"Juuzou…" Shinohara called out exasperatedly.

"You seem different." Juuzou commented rather curiously, obviously having noticed his reaction.

"Thanks?" Kaneki took another step back as he held his breath.

Unfortunately for him, the white haired teen just matched him step for step. His wide eyes staring at Kaneki intently. Those unnerved him, to be honest, but not more so than the fact that he didn't appreciate the fact that this person's aroma was a bit tempting. While he felt no urge to taste the other, like that close call with Mado, he didn't want to risk any chances. Though, the other didn't seem to share his sentiment.

Before he could react, the other had quickly hooked a finger around the string of his eyepatch and proceeded to yank it off his head.

"Hey!" He yelped as he let go of the paper bag in his hands, spilling his books, and attempted to snatch it back only for Juuzou to hum and lightly dance out of his reach. He made another swipe for it only for the other to easily dodge his attempts of catching him.

"Juuzou, please return that to Kaneki-kun." Shinohara sighed as he rubbed a hand over his suddenly weary face.

"But why does he even need this in the first place?" Juuzou skipped to the man as he rubbed a stitch mark at the corner of his mouth with a finger. "From what I can see, his left eye's just fine. Is this a new fashion I'm not aware of?" He contemplated before turning to Shinohara with an eager face. "Then, I want one too, Shinohara-san! Does it look good on me?" He danced around as he wore the eyepatch, clearly enjoying this.

Though, he stopped when Kaneki's hand landed on his shoulder.

"Please, give that back." Kaneki's soft voice pleaded as he covered his left eye with a hand, not yet comfortable with having it exposed when he couldn't control his eye yet.

"Okay," Juuzou agreed rather easily. "But lay off that hand first, pal, before I break it for you." The teen warned him nonchalantly but something in his expression, in his eyes, told Kaneki that he wasn't kidding.

"Why do you have to be so difficult…?" Shinohara groaned and moved forward to, no doubt, intervene. Though, it wasn't needed.

Obediently, Kaneki let go.

Just as he promised, the white haired teen removed the eyepatch and carelessly tossed it to Kaneki who instantly donned it.

"Whatever, I like seeing with two eyes anyway." Juuzou mumbled as he stared at the dark haired teen contemplatively. "And, you, eyepatch, owe me a bowl of ice cream." He declared rather demandingly.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? He complained to himself. And, eyepatch? What's up with this guy…?

Not wanting to get into a conflict with a co-worker so early on, Kaneki sighed in defeat as he picked up his books.

"O-Okay," He answered hesitantly, inwardly praying that he hadn't made a mistake.

Focused as he was on his task, he failed to see Juuzou's slight intrigue at his rather agreeable answer. Though, he was certainly flabbergasted when a book was thrust rather unceremoniously onto his face and looked up to see Juuzou handing it back with an eerily wide smile. Not wanting to bring up how he had just been casually threatened a while ago, Kaneki wordlessly accepted it with a small uncertain but grateful smile as he stood up.

"This is going to end badly, isn't it?" Shinohara mused aloud as he stared at the two teens.

~o~

"Your back's too tense!" Koori barked as he stepped back from the swing of Kaneki's fist. "Your balance is a bit off. Try not to lose your ground. And you're hits lack power. Are you really trying?" He demanded as he gave a retaliatory roundhouse kick that the teen barely managed to dodge, stumbling backwards as he did so.

I am, Kaneki answered inwardly, panting. You're too fast.

He crossed his arms in front of him as another kick got him this time. Though, he underestimated the strength behind it and was sent flying backwards. Having already learned from their first day of "sparring" or what Kaneki dubbed as "moments he got beaten to the ground", he instantly rolled to his side in order to stand up, albeit wobbly, as soon as he landed on his back. It was a wise decision considering that, not a second later, Koori's foot made contact with where his head used to be just a moment ago. The sound was loud enough to echo in the training hall that told the teen he really didn't want to get hit by that.

Koori might look delicate but he packed a surprising amount of power. It honestly amazed and frightened Kaneki.

The first time he had merely stayed lying on the floor as the wind was knocked out of him, so to speak, his instructor hadn't been forgiving and delivered a powerful kick that might've broken a rib. Though, he wasn't certain considering that it had already healed. He didn't want to test it out either.

Flipping with his hands, Koori was instantly onto Kaneki once again. This time, he didn't instantly press his attack and waited for the teen to get his bearings. Kaneki took the chance and feigned a punch that Koori easily dodged. Though, the reaction was instantaneous. Koori instantly went to strike back with what seemed to be a painful jab to the solar plexus but Kaneki grabbed the older man's wrist the moment it was within reach, trying to be precise with his timing, as was stated in the book, before pivoting on his foot and tried to throw the other over his shoulder.

To his immense surprise, Koori simply used his own momentum against him by going with the motion in order to deliver a punishing kick towards his chin. It effectively made him stagger backwards as he landed on his posterior. The pain in his jaw and the unnatural click of his teeth made him let go of the man's hand the moment the kick connected.

His eyes were a bit hazy due to tears of pain but he saw the other land in a graceful roll before ceasing into a crouched position across from him.

"That's progress, I think." Koori remarked as he took a deep breath, standing up as he rolled his shoulder. "That's better than nothing, right? Considering that you don't even know how to punch properly in the beginning which still needs a major improvement. Another thing is that you still have that lag between attacks. Hesitation won't really serve you well especially in a life-or-death situation. A split second might be the deciding factor." Koori reminded him as he wiped a bit of sweat from his face.

Unlike Kaneki who was wheezing on the floor. Though, the teen felt that familiar itch that signaled his healing. So, the other did break his jaw. Damn it. That hurt. He had never been in this kind of pain (barring that incident with Rize) before in his life.

Koori was an unforgiving instructor. At least, he knew how to drill his lessons well. It was the excruciating kind that made it certain Kaneki wouldn't want to repeat a mistake again.

Still, he couldn't help the warm feeling inside him at Koori's words. He wasn't useless.

"Your reactions are getting a lot better. While your reflexes are improving, you still lack the intent behind attacking. You can't keep dodging or defending forever." Koori berated him with a frown as he crossed his arms over his chest. "That last attack might've worked if you have the power behind it to properly catch me off guard with that. And you should put that force on your shoulders and knees during its execution, the hand merely serves as a guide for that momentum. If your stance isn't firm, then it will be used against you as I've demonstrated." This time, wryness dripped from his every word.

"I-I'll keep that mind." Kaneki quietly responded as he massaged the dull ache in his jaw.

"Where did you learn that, anyway? All we've done so far are the basics. I don't recall ever showing or executing that on you." The man observed curiously as he stepped towards Kaneki and offered him a hand.

He accepted it gratefully as he stood up.

"I read it from a book." He admitted awkwardly and hastily went on to explain himself. "I-I've been reading on martial arts for some time now in order to understand it better. It's been just now that I've tried anything from it." He scratched the back of his head in discomfort.

Koori stared at him, deadpanned.

"You… read it from a book?" The man demanded a bit incredulously.

"Y-Yes?" Kaneki answered quietly, more uncertain than ever.

Koori looked as if he was about to say something before falling contemplative instead. He observed the teen intently before sighing and headed for the door. Kaneki, unable to decipher his mentor's thoughts, followed after him. Thankfully, they had merely changed out of their office attires and were dressed in plain shirt and sweatpants. He didn't think that he'd be able to stay comfortable in his own skin if he had to work the remaining hours with his clothing sticking to him like glue.

The moment they stepped out of the hall, there were two people waiting for them. More specifically, for Koori.

It was a rather nondescript-looking brunet man and a rather imposing impassive white haired man. Intimidated by their sudden presence, he shifted slightly behind his superior to avoid attention. It had the exact opposite result as their eyes immediately landed on him the moment he moved.

For his part, Koori seemed to be surprised. So, this wasn't a planned appointment.

"Take? Arima-san?" Koori voiced out with slight astonishment.

"Greetings, Associate Special Class Ui," The brunet greeted coolly with an inclination of his head.

Said investigator made an annoyed sound.

"What's up with that formality?" Koori demanded irritably, crossing his arms over his chest before facing the white haired man. "And, it's been a while, Arima-san. While it's nice to see you, I could really use a notice about this social call." He sighed at this exasperatedly.

Kaneki deduced that this was an old argument between them.

"I see that you're coping well," The man, Arima, merely stated in response as his eyes landed on a very nervous Kaneki who flinched at being noticed. "You've gotten yourself a new partner and subordinate." His voice held polite curiosity but they never left Kaneki.

"Oh, him?" Koori grinned as he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder to gesture at the teen. "Yeah, you already knew that the Director assigned him to me. I've been training him to fight properly since he has little to no fighting experience. I have half a mind to even let him spend a week or two at the academy to get him up to par with his duties as an investigator, at least." He informed them rather openly and Kaneki couldn't help but think that Koori trusted these two exceptionally.

When Koori sent him a significant stare, Kaneki didn't understand at first. It wasn't until the androgynous man made a sharp gesture with his head that he understood.

Hesitantly stepping beside his superior, he gave a deep formal bow.

"K-Kaneki Ken. R-Rank 3 Investigator. It's a pleasure to meet you." He introduced himself as he straightened, anxiously meeting their gazes before lowering his eyes.

"The pleasure is ours as well, Kaneki-kun." Arima greeted back with a slight quirk of his mouth. "I'm Special Class Investigator Arima Kishou. And this is First Class Investigator Hirako Take." He gestured to the silent brunet man who simply nodded at him.

Kaneki gulped as he tried not to let his anxiety get the better of him, remaining silent.

"He's a little shy," Koori covered for him. "Don't worry about it. Anyways, Kaneki, you can go back first and change. Take a break, alright? I'm going to have a talk with these two back at my office." He waved the teen off with a light smile.

Not wanting to stay within their daunting presence for longer, he immediately gave another bow before scurrying to do as he was told.

~o~

Kaneki sweatdropped.

He was actually tempted to throw his phone at the first trash bin that he saw. Though, he couldn't do that. This was the issued mobile phone given to him by the CCG to replace his old one and certain contacts were saved in it for particular reasons.

Never mind the fact that he still had yet to contact Hide. The other must be so worried by now and Kaneki just didn't know how to approach him.

The reason for his dilemma was simple.

Hi, Kaneki-san! The message read simply. I got to text you with the phone from some random dude I bumped into today. But, that's not why I contacted you! I'll see you at the office, ok? Shinohara-san's in a meeting and I forgot to ask for spending money, again. I want some donuts. Or ramen. Or okonomiyaki. You're really great! Teehee!~

Surprisingly enough, the message itself was eligible and clean from any emoticons that would've been expected of the person who sent it. Though, that could be attributed to the fact that the content itself was the questionable part. No, what he wanted to know was how the other got his number to begin with. He didn't even want to know where he exactly got the phone to send him this message.

Then, to his trepidation, approximately twenty minutes later, another message followed it.

It's Juuzou, by the way! It said as he tried not to flinch at the reminder of the teen. He didn't know what he had done to deserve this. It was just one time. After he had bought the other teen a bowl of ice cream, he had promptly disappeared afterwards before he could be intimidated into buying him anything again. But, ever since that time, Juuzou bothered Kaneki randomly whenever the smaller teen wasn't working with Shinohara or every time Kaneki was around in the main office. Just so he could get Kaneki to treat him.

Because, apparently, the teen always forgot to ask for spending money.

Well, it might have been also his fault for being unable to refuse.

Thankfully, the other never got around to approaching him at the 4th Ward CCG Branch Office yet. Ever since he'd discovered this, Kaneki had taken to hanging around more often there. Though, he would lament the day when Suzuya Juuzou actually went there to demand for another random food from random stalls or stores. His apartment, fortunately, had also been free from intrusion until now. Still, he didn't know how Juuzou knew that he'd been required to report this evening at the main office.

He didn't even want to know. He really feared for his budget.

Sighing, he simply pocketed his phone and focused back on the book he'd been reading before he got the text message. At least, he should remind Shinohara about giving Juuzou some money so the teen would stop pestering him again and again about it. When the other was acting normally, or as normally as he could at his state, Kaneki wouldn't deny that the white haired teen wasn't actually that bad.

Though, there were times where something about Juuzou shifted. It reminded him of that time the white haired teen had calmly threatened him of breaking his hand. There was no hesitation at all. Not even the slightest hint of emotion at the idea of inflicting harm on someone. Kaneki, while a bit concerned, didn't want to dwell too deeply into it. After all, he didn't know anything about Juuzou.

Deciding to think of anything else that wasn't his troublesome colleague, he tried concentrating on the words on his book to no avail.

Perhaps, what really bothered him throughout the ordeal, aside from the fact that he was clearly being taken advantage of, was that every time Juuzou ate, Kaneki could only watch him. Ever since he had turned the way he was, all he had going on for him was water and the bi-weekly feeding the CCG had allowed him with.

It was disconcerting how he had never really given much stock to eating until he'd been forced to notice that he couldn't consume human food anymore.

Just being left to wonder what it used to taste like.

Having been forced to be a ghoul had given him a new perspective regarding some things. Some of which he would never speak of to anyone in the CCG. He didn't think any of them would understand, he thought pessimistically.

He jumped in shock when someone sat unceremoniously beside him. Ever since Koori had asked him to take a break and be somewhere else, Kaneki had stayed at the longue located at the ground floor to catch up on some reading. Most of his co-workers were older than him and would chat with him once in a while but Kaneki, not being a social person himself in the first place, had a hard time interacting with them and fitting in generally.

All he had done so far aside from train with Koori were some errands and minor paperwork. Though, his superior, or partner, sometimes involved him in meetings that included investigations about certain cases of possible ghouls trying to stir chaos in the 4th Ward.

Really, he tried his best. Kaneki just didn't know if it was enough.

"Takatsuki Sen?" The person voiced curiously and Kaneki dropped his book as he realized that it was Arima Kishou.

"S-Special Class Investigator A-Arima-san!" He let out in a rather undignified yelp, feeling his cheeks already warming in mortification.

He felt a little bit of himself die at his rather embarrassing display.

Wasn't the man supposed to be in a meeting with Koori? What was he doing here with him in the first place? Though, he didn't have the courage to ask any of these and merely waited to hear what the man wanted to say. He also remembered Yoshitoki and Koori mentioning it. Officially, he was going to be under this man's squad. Was that why the man wanted to talk to him? Because Kaneki was going to be his subordinate or something? But, hadn't Koori also said that it didn't have to be necessarily the case?

"That book you're reading," Arima merely said as he picked up the fallen book. "It's a work of Takatsuki Sen."

"A-Ah, y-yes!" He stuttered, feeling a bit intimidated.

"Are you an avid reader as well?" The man questioned him with a slight tilt of his head, the lights above reflecting off the man's glasses.

Scratching his cheek, he smiled a bit nervously.

"You could say that." He exhaled slowly as he successfully ceased his stutter.

"So, what would you recommend?" Arima asked as perused the book in his hand with sharp eyes, flicking through the pages with surprising care. The man was obviously taking in some of the words as he examined the book's contents.

"Well," Kaneki's shoulders lost some of their tension at this inquiry, feeling a bit confident at his own field. "I would recommend some of Kafka's works. They hold some morbid concept to them but they're very deep. Also, if you haven't read all of them yet, Takatsuki's works are really popular and am certain that it will appeal to you. Of course, there's also some mysteries I can suggest like Christie's works."

"Would you mind lending me some of those you mentioned then?" The man inquired as he stared at Kaneki steadily.

Now, that was something he hadn't expected. Especially considering—

"I, uh, they're in my apartment back at the 20th Ward." He admitted after a bit of fumbling. "This was simply one of the books that Shinohara-san gave me during my, uh, probation period. B-But, if I get them back, I'll let you know immediately." He promised the man rather impulsively.

He wasn't even given the permission yet to visit his place there.

Arima then stood up as he handed Kaneki back his book, Monochrome Rainbow.

"I appreciate it," Arima quietly mumbled before tossing a can towards the teen who barely managed to catch it.

Looking at the label, Kaneki paled as he realized that it was a warm can of black coffee.

What the hell—

"Uhm, I-I can't accept this—" He tried to find a way to decline it without sounding too rude. As a Special Class in rank, surely, Arima knew of his situation. Yoshitoki did tell him that he had already briefed his high-ranking investigators at the special class meeting.

"I assure you, that won't offend your ghoul sensibilities." The man merely told him before walking away, leaving the dumbfounded teen to stare at his back.

~o~

"Have you heard the rumors?" A random ghoul commented rather anxiously. "Apparently, a ghoul is working for the doves. What's the meaning of this? Is it true?" He anxiously questioned as he shakily took a sip of his coffee.

"I dunno," His companion shrugged without care. "They're just that, rumors. What ghoul, in their right mind, would work for those bastards?" He worded out distastefully.

The other didn't answer and remained silent as the tension rose.

Yoshimura frowned as he stared at his two customers. He had heard of the same rumor as well. In fact, he had a guess as to what it actually meant. His eyes subconsciously strayed to the forlorn looking blond boy at the far side of the shop and out of hearing range of the two conversing ghouls. The boy always came here every day. He was the one who came here with that boy who went out with Rize. The one who had also asked for her after that.

It was troubling. Especially since he recalled watching the news and learning of the young man who received a peculiar transplant around three weeks ago.

Now, he feared the worse.

"Tch," Touka grunted as she came around the counter. "Those shitty idiots. Do they even know what they're talking about?" She grouched to him as she violently set her tray beside the steamer, her temper showing itself.

"Rumors always have their own basis, Touka-chan." He advised the girl as he went back to polishing his cups meticulously.

"That ghoul's fucking stupid then." She merely countered with a huff before going off to serve another customer.

There was some shifting from behind him before Yoshimura turned around and saw the troubled face of Yomo. The man wordlessly stepped beside him, picked up a cloth, and helped him in drying up some of the mugs on the counter.

"Have you heard from Uta-kun?" Yoshimura inquired quietly.

Yomo grimaced.

"They got him." He simply answered with a frown.

Troubling, indeed.

"Road of Blood" (2)

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(Edited: 05/22/2018)

Note: To dispel the confusion, they're talking about Kaneki in the last part. Since Uta's shop is located at the 4th Ward, they've asked him in the hopes if he can confirm the rumor circulating around. So sorry for the misunderstanding. No, the CCG hadn't captured Uta. I don't think it would be that easy.

AN: This is going to be a little slow, am sorry I haven't informed you yet about this. Since I want this to be a "Kaneki in the CCG" fiction. As in, it's going to be about this. Of course, I've got a plot going on as this is Canon Divergence but I want to establish him first into the agency. He's going to meet more characters soon but, for now, I'm starting to establish his place here.

For Ui's characterization, I've based it on what little I've seen of him from the Anteiku Raid. For Arima, from what little I've glimpsed and is revealed of him during Amon's promotion, the Anteiku Raid, and that little bit of him from Tokyo Ghoul:re. Suzuya is a bit hard to write since the balance between how he changed and how he still remained that apathetic little psycho didn't have an "exact" point. But, it was shown that while he complains and complains about and to Shinohara before he realized the man's importance to him, he's already quite fond of the man. Though, I wasn't really sure if the CCG were exactly aware that ghouls could drink coffee. Barring Sasaki's case, of course.

Let me also clarify this, Kaneki's nature as a one-eyed ghoul isn't exactly advertised in the CCG. That was why he didn't know how to react to Suzuya, exactly. Though, their dynamics will be elaborated later on as the chapters go by. Especially, Amon's friendship or interaction with him.

While this is going to be AU, there are some key points in the manga that I will follow but will have to change at some point.

I've managed to finish this with limited time in my schedule and I hope you like it. Thank you for your support. Please leave your thoughts or reviews about this. I would appreciate it.

Leelhiette~