"Ina!" It was surprising to see Ina at a dessert shop, knowing that she disliked them.

"Is-a…" Ina looked wide-eyed at her. At the time, Ina was wondering why she could smell something so familiar. She walked over to Isa and the girl.

"This is Takatsuki Sen. Sen, this is Ina, my closest friend," Isa introduced proudly. Ina shook hands with Takatsuki, trying not to linger a stare.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ina," Takatsuki smiled. "So you're the friend that Isa so loves and truly admires."

"Huh? Me?" Ina chuckled. "I know I'm loved but I didn't know I was a role model," she gave Isa a side look smile.

"I never knew you liked sweets," Isa said.

"It was just cold outside, I wanted to warm up a bit. But hey, coffee's not bad," Ina replied.

"Why don't you join us, Ina? We were just leisurely talking," Takatsuki smiled.

Ina hesitated inwardly.

"No, it's alright. I must leave soon because of some things I have to do."

"You're really busy these days, huh?" Isa looked a little disappointed. Ina nodded. "Alright then. I'll you see next time."

"See you," Ina tried to smile genuinely. She stood near the two for a little while, warming her hands by the vents before heading out. A feeling of hesitation grew as she left. She didn't want to leave Isa, but at the same time she didn't want to be there either.

"I sort of knew you from Tatara, your friend."

"Tatara, huh?"

Isa nodded. "He was taking out a stack of your books at a library one day. I accidently bumped into him."

"Hmm, is that so?" She rested her cheek on her hand, then chuckled, an interesting laughter that made her seem more friendly. "Do you have something for him?" She asked in a teasing tone. Isa felt a shock rise from her stomach. Takatsuki laughed cheerfully, then lowered her eyes at Isa, giving a wicked look. "You're blushing. That's a sign."

Isa didn't know how to reply. Was it better to stay silent? Or make a joke about it? Or don't admit it? Laugh? Before Isa could speak, Takatsuki waved her hand dismissively.

"Don't worry, I won't tell him. We're not really that close anyways. Just an acquaintance."

Acquaintance? She remembered what Tatara said back in the library. He mentioned her as a friend of his. "But he was taking out your books and called you 'friend'..." Isa said, rushing her words. The thought hit her somewhere deep inside, it hurt to think of them as close friends for a moment.

"So?" Takatsuki replied.

"So…doesn't that mean he...likes you?"

Takatsuki played with her hair. "I have no regards for him. Even if he does have an interest in me, well, it's none of my business. And I hope it won't be."

"Oh." It gave Isa some relief, and she felt guilty for having mixed feelings about Takatsuki.

"Father… Why did you have to go…? You could have just ran. You wouldn't have to die… I was just being weak. A coward," tears endlessly streamed down her face as she sobbed.

"Tatara-san."

"Yeah?"

"That woman. It might be better if you took care of things for now," she giggled. Tatara gave her an expressionless look, meaning he was wondering why she was laughing. "When was the last time a woman fell for you?"

He stayed silent. A short moment of silence passed.

"Kanou said the best time is when the CCG strikes. By then, maybe we should play around, see what happens to her."

Another moment of silence passed between them. They observed the city while pondering about different things. For Tatara, it was interesting to have a victim that had a close relationship with an Aogiri member-how it could greatly benefit and make the job a lot easier for them. But he couldn't help but be curiously of her...how did she even fall in love with him? What did he do?

Foolish woman, Tatara thought.

"Tatara-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think another Kaneki can be possible?"

"Depends on the odds."