A/N: Sorry for the long wait, everyone! But here is Chapter 4. I hope you're all having a great summer!

Chapter 4

Kaneki waved at Touka as he saw her exiting Kiyomi High School, and she smiled when she saw him waiting for her. School had just ended for today, and Kaneki had promised Hide he would take Touka out on an actual date. It was about time, as his friend put it, knowing Kaneki would be shy in asking her. It relieved him, however, that Touka didn't seem to mind this side of him.

"How was school?" he asked when she got to his side.

"Boring," she replied with a groan as they walked together down the busy streets of Tokyo. "I have to turn in another essay this Friday. It's not fair. Finals are coming, and suddenly the teachers decide to leave us a bunch of projects instead of giving us time to study."

He took her backpack and slung it over one of his shoulders so she wouldn't have to carry it. She hadn't asked for it, but she still thought it was sweet.

"Sounds frustrating," Kaneki said. "But you're smart, Touka-chan. You can handle all that. If you want I can cover some of your shifts so you can study."

"Thanks, Kaneki," she said warmly. "I might bring Yoriko over to my place so we can study together." She then paused and gazed forward thoughtfully for a while as they paced. "By the way, how's Hide? Did he really take the news well?"

The boy nodded. "He took it better than I imagined. He's still a little in shock, but he's getting used to it."

"Hmm," she said. "It's weird that you ran into doves out of nowhere. More importantly, it's dangerous that they knew Hinami was a ghoul."

"I was thinking the same thing," Kaneki said. "I was actually surprised she fought back so well. After the last experience we had in an alley..."

They were silent for a while, thinking about Ryouko-san's death. Every now and then Kaneki still felt guilty for that day. All he could do during that moment was hold Hinami and cover her eyes so she wouldn't witness her mother's terrible fate. And at the same time, he felt anger. Anger at the doves for taking her family and anger at himself for being unable to help.

Touka also remembered that day. She thought about Kaneki's words after she had decided to go after the doves to avenge Ryouko-san. If you were to die, Touka-chan, I would be heartbroken. Back then, she wasn't well in all her senses. Now, the words reached her differently. They were so sincere, so true in his heart.

"Be careful out there from now on, will you?" she told him. "We're being hunted more often than before."

"You too, Touka," he said to her. "I wonder what's going on that's making CCG send more doves to this ward."

When they reached the café, Kaneki opened the door for Touka, and they both went inside and sat on a table next to the large windows. The place was similar to Anteiku, and the coffee tasted almost as good. They both ordered a cup, since it was the only human food they could digest.

"Have you heard anything from Aogiri Tree?" Kaneki inquired after taking a short sip.

She nodded slowly, and wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "I've heard Yomo-san talking to Yoshimura about this one-eyed ghoul, supposedly more dangerous than Yamori himself." Kaneki's hand twitched on the cup's handle. "They were referring to him as the One-Eyed Owl, or something like that. I don't know what it has to do with Aogiri Tree, but it's related to them somehow."

"Another one-eyed ghoul," Kaneki said in wonder. "Do you think he was also artificially made? Or was he born like that?"

The girl shrugged. "I wouldn't know. It seems strange to think one could be born that way, or at least I've never heard of a case, since they're so rare." She took a sip. "CCG is looking for this Owl. That's about all I've heard."

"What about Ayato?" he asked carefully.

Touka looked down and narrowed her eyes. "Damn him. He's as hopeless as he can be." Her hands clenched into fists. "When we fought, he kept calling me a weakling. But I'm sure he's just upset that I've been the stronger one when we grew up. I just can't understand why he would take the length of joining Aogiri if he wants to gain strength."

Kaneki sighed. "You know, I agree with you, but I think I understand him."

The girl glared at the table. "Understand him? How?"

Kaneki looked at her sympathetically. Her gaze was hard, but he knew she was grieving him inside. She was grieving the loss of the brother she used to have, and the relationship they once shared. To see him become like this was probably more painful to her than he thought.

"When I was with…" he tightened the grip on the cup. "When I was with Yamori, I felt weak, Touka. I felt helpless. All I wanted to do was to get stronger. It's really easy to feel powerless when you're constantly seeing someone who surpasses you in every way, and there's no way you can overcome that person's strength. I think that's the same way Ayato felt."

He sighed again. "If you hadn't saved me, I would've probably done something stupid like joining Aogiri too, if that's what it took to be stronger. Don't look at me like that, even I feel guilty of thinking that way!" Touka's reproachful eyes relaxed after he said that.

"The thing is," he continued after lowering his eyes, "I wouldn't have done it out selfishness, or to protect myself. I would've done it to protect you." He allowed his hands to relax on the cup. "All of you."

Touka's expression softened. She reached out her hand across the table and enclosed it around his. Kaneki released the cup and entwined his fingers with hers, returning the affectionate gesture and ignoring the memories that were creeping up on him.

"You're not weak, Kaneki," she spoke softly. "You think you are, but you're not. I know you still don't want to talk about it, but I can clearly notice you went through hell in that room. And you made it. You've already become stronger without even realizing it." She squeezed his hand. "You're actually a lot stronger than you believe."

He lifted his gaze. "Do you really think that?"

Touka looked directly in his eyes. "I know it."

Kaneki was finally able to smile at her. She returned it, aware that ever since the incident she had been smiling more than usual. It was strange, but it felt nice. It was as if she was discovering a new part of herself, or a new part of her heart.

"Trés bien!"

Kaneki stirred in his chair and widened his eyes in alarm at the sound of the familiar voice. Touka groaned in annoyance, pulling back her hand, and they both turned their heads to see that Tsukiyama had entered the café fabulously. He was in no time next to their table, unfortunately. With his bright red suit and gestures he inevitably stood out from the crowd.

"How strange to find you here, Kaneki," he said with his conceited smile. "I thought you belonged to Anteiku, or are you switching cafés?"

"Get lost, Tsukiyama," Touka spat. "Don't pretend we're friends now."

"I just wanted to make sure my dear friend Kaneki was alright after the battle," he expressed. "After all, I helped rescue him with you. We might as well consider each other friends now, don't you think, Kirishima-san?"

"But that doesn't make up for the fact that you tried to eat him," she reminded him angrily.

"So many hard feelings," he said with an exaggerated sigh. "I thought we were beyond those past resentments."

"Tsukiyama-san," Kaneki said. "Touka's right. There's no reason for you to be here. I've already recovered."

"Oui, I can see I was of help!" the gourmet man replied. "We must go out together one day the way we used to, remember, Kaneki? Discussing literature and fine works. That would be certainly magnifique."

Kaneki blinked. "But that only happened for one day…"

"There's no way in hell I'm letting Kaneki alone with you," Touka said spitefully.

"Ah, I did notice your blooming romance when I came here," Tsukiyama told them, and Kaneki felt his cheeks warm. "I understand you're jealous that I might steal Kaneki from you, Touka. But never worry, I only borrow continuously, not steal."

"What the-" Touka scoffed. "That's the least of my problems when I know you might try to kill us both again!"

"We should go, Touka-chan," Kaneki was already taking a bill out of his wallet to pay for both coffees. "Our shift starts in twenty minutes." He really couldn't bear being in the same place as that freak right now. Touka stood up at his cue, and they both walked past Tsukiyama.

"How sad that you leave so soon," the purple-haired ghoul said. "You'll be in my thoughts, Kaneki." He smiled at the boy unnervingly. Kaneki looked away, and he and Touka exited the café quickly.

"I can't believe he spoiled our date," Touka said when they were out. "How is it he always shows up at the wrong time?"

"Don't think about him," Kaneki said. He took her hand again. "We can go out another time."

"We sure will," she agreed, feeling happy that things were finally starting to look positive. Kaneki was healthy again, Hide had accepted him, and she herself had changed for the better. But still, there was something small bothering her, as if this new peace was too good to be true, or as if she knew trouble would find them no matter what they did. However, Touka brushed the unpleasant thoughts away before they could finish forming themselves. She grasped Kaneki's hand, and they walked back to Anteiku together.