CHAPTER 2

Kaneki and Rize stared at each other, not knowing what to say to one another. Both of them was unsure what the other one was thinking. While trying to think of something to say, Rize thought back on that fateful night. After leaving the hospital after the transfusion and the interview with the reporter, she went home. The rest of the night proved to be restless for her. She couldn't fall asleep. She still couldn't grasp why Kaneki did what he did.

She went back to the hospital to see him the next morning. Seeing him lying unconscious on the bed made her feel something she never had before- guilt. Beforehand, she viewed humans with contempt. She took delight in hearing their pleas for mercy before killing and eating them, and even more delight in killing and eating those who fought back instead of groveling.

Tears filled her eyes, and she rushed out. Why am I feeling this way? I can't believe this is happening to me! She thought to herself. I need to talk to someone, but who can I talk to? There's noone I can- Then it occurred to her. The one person who she could talk to and get counsel from.

She went later that night to Anteiku. To the humans, it was a coffee shop where you could get a nice cup of joe and a piece of cake or other sweets to go with it. To the ghouls, it was a safehouse where you could go to in a time of need. She went in just before closing time.

The bell above the door jingled, and one of the workers, Touka Kirishima, looked up from wiping the countertop.

"I'm sorry, but we're about to cl-" Touka said before realizing who it was.

"Oh, it's you. What do you want?" She said with disdain.

"I...I need to talk to Yoshimura, please."

"He's busy. Come back anot-"

"Who is it, Touka?" A voice from behind says.

Touka turns around and sees Yoshimura.

"It's...HER...sir."

"So it is." Yoshimura said with a smile. "What can I do for you, Rize?"

"I need to talk to you about something, if you don't mind."

"Of course you may. We'll go to the back to talk. Touka, make some coffee, please."

Touka gives an annoyed grunt. "Yes, sir." She replied.

Rize and Yoshimura go to the backroom and sit. Touka comes in shortly afterward with two cups of coffee, hands them each one, and takes a seat next to Yoshimura.

"Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Yoshimura asks.

"It involves the one I went out with yesterday...the one who..."

She breaks down and cries.

"Yes. I read the newspaper about it. You're very lucky."

Touka shakes her head in disbelief.

"QUIT WITH THE CROCODILE TEARS, ALREADY! THEY'RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE!" She snaps.

Rize continues to cry.

"I BET YOU NEVER EVEN CARED ABOUT HIM! I WOULD ALSO BET YOU WERE PLANNING ON EATING HIM, WEREN'T YOU, YOU BINGE EATING FREAK!"

Rize starts to cry louder.

"Touka, that's enough!" Yoshimura says sternly before turning his attention back to Rize.

"I will admit, I had a similar concern." He says, handing her a box of Kleenex. Rize takes some tissue and wipes her eyes and nose. "Now, were you planning on eating him?"

Rize nods.

"Yes, I was."

"I see. What happened, exactly?"

"Well, I lured him down a dark alley, telling him I lived past it and was afraid to walk there alone. He went willingly, like all my past victims. I attacked him, he ran, I stopped him, and when those beams fell, he..."

Rize starts to cry again.

"WHY, WHY DID HE DO IT? I WANT TO KNOW!" She says.

Yoshimura sits silently for a moment. Then, he speaks.

"The only one who can answer that is him. You learned a valuable lesson from him, though, that is certain. Yes, he could have just let those beams fall on you, but he chose a path that was greater than himself. You thought you had him at your mercy, when in fact, it was the other way around. You finally saw humans as they truly are: kind, compassionate, and loving towards others, and not as food."

"But..still...we eat them."

"True, we do eat them, but here we only feed upon those who rob themselves of what is most precious, not thinking of how it will effect those who love and care about them."

Rize nods.

"Yes, you're right." She says. "I need to change, but I don't know how."

"Well, that's what Anteiku is for. If you're sincere about it, there is always a place for you here. Do you work somewhere?"

Rize shakes her head.

"No. I always lived off the money I found in the wallets and purses of those I killed and ate."

"I see. Well, since you want to change your ways, you can't kill anyone anymore unless your life or someone else's is threatened. Which means you'll be running low in funds later. So, I would like to offer you a job here in Anteiku to help you. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, thank you!" Rize replies

"Good! You can start tomorrow. Be here at 6:00 A.M. to help with the early morning rush."

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." Rize says, bowing before she leaves.

"I hope you know what you're doing." Touka whispers to Yoshimura.

Early the next morning, Rize arrives at Anteiku and works her shift, learning how to make coffee and serving customers. Afterwards, she headed to the hospital to check on Kaneki. She enters the room and sees Hide watching over him. Hide looks up, sees her, and smiles.

"Hi, Rize!" He says, walking to her. "I'm so glad you came!"

"Hello. You're Hide, right?"

"That's right!" Hide turns and looks at Kaneki. "Hey, buddy! Look who's come here to see you! It's Rize, that cute girl you went out with and saved!"

No response.

"Still hasn't woke up yet, has he?" Rize asked sadly.

"Not yet, but he will. I'm certain of it."

"Where's his family? I thought they would be here."

Hide gives a sad sigh.

"Well, you're looking at him. I'm the closest thing to family he's got. Both of his parents died when he was young."

"How long was that?"

"Back in elementary school when I first met him."

"You've known him that long?"

"Yeah. He's the nicest guy and the bestest friend anyone could ask for."

Rize starts to cry.

"I'm sorry! It's all my fault! It should have been me-"

Hide gives her a hug.

"Don't talk like that! If it had been you, Kaneki wouldn't be able to live with himself!"

Rize continues to sob.

"You know, before you came along, I never thought he'd find anyone. When you agreed to go out with him, it was the first time I'd seen him smile in a long time. It looked good on him."

Rize wipes her tears and lets out a smile and nods.

"I'm happy to hear that." She says.

Hide looks at his watch.

"Oh, my! It's getting late!" He turns to Kaneki, "Hey, buddy, I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow. Rize's still here, and she'll keep you company. Wake up soon, pal. We miss you."

Hide waves bye to Rize and leaves.

Rize walks over to Kaneki and strokes his hair.

"Thank you. I didn't deserve what you did for me. I hope when you wake up, you'll let me make it up to you. Maybe even we could..."

The nurse enters the room.

"Excuse me miss, but visiting hours are over."

"Oh, okay." Rize looks back at Kaneki. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Kaneki."

The following day and every day after that she went to check on him. Sometimes Hide was there and told her more about Kaneki. Other times, when it was just her, she'd bring a book written by Sen Takatsuki, one of his favorite authors, and read it to him. She was going to do that today when he finally woke up. Her mind returned to the present.

Finally, she spoke.

"I said it to you when you were in a coma, and I want to say it now to you now since you are awake. Thank you. Thank you for saving my life. I didn't deserve it, and I hope you can forgive me for..."

"Of course I forgive you. I'm not one to hold grudges."

"Why did you save me?"

"Because, despite what you did, I didn't want to see you get hurt, and well...there's still a part of me...that likes you very much."

Rize is overjoyed at hearing this. Before she realizes what she is doing, she leans over and kisses him.