Kaneki heard Touka's breath catch. "You... you're really you right? You're really Kaneki?"

"Yeah, it's me."

Touka sniffled. Is she crying? Kaneki thought. "When I saw you walk out of Anteiku with that Dove, I thought..."

"I know, and I'm sorry. Remember Hide? Well-"

"Shut up Kaneki. I don't care about the details. All that matters is that you're okay. You are okay, right? Please tell me you're okay."

"I'm fine, Touka. You don't have to worry."

"Where are you? Hinami's with me, We're coming right now-"

"You can't."

"I... can't? Kaneki, what is this?"

"That Dove, he's CCG Investigator Amon. I surrendered."

"You surrendered? Why the hell would you go and do that?!" Touka was getting furious, now.

"To save Hide! Look it's a long story, but I'm going to put you on speaker. The Dove is here with me, and I really think-"

"He's there with you?! Kaneki have you lost your mind?!"

"Listen, Touka please-"

"He's a DOVE! They kill us every god damn DAY!"

"I know, just let me explain-"

"Explain what?! There's nothing you can say that would make me trust that monster! Nothing!"

"Touka, he wants to help us."

"Don't believe him, Kaneki."

"Another time, I would've agreed with you. But right now... I think we can."

"What has he done to you?"

"Nothing. That's just it, Touka. He's practically given me everything I asked him for."

"And? What does he want with you?"

"He and I did a lot of talking, and we think ghouls and humans might be able to coexist."

Touka laughed bitterly. "Coexist? Seriously? Kaneki, we eat humans. How can they ever accept us?"

"Can I put you on speaker? You can ask him yourself if you want to."

"He wasn't listening in this whole time?"

"I asked him to wait in the other room so I could talk to you alone first."

"Other room? He didn't throw you in Cochlea?"

"That's what I've been telling you. He's different, and I think he really wants to give us a chance."

"Why? What's in it for him?"

"I don't know exactly, but I think it has something to do with Ryouko."

"Ryouko?"

"Not just her specifically, but those like her as well. I think he feels guilty for killing so many without reason."

"Why do you think that?"

"I can't explain it, really. Every time I talk to him he's got this look, like he's trying to atone."

"You can't really trust a Dove based on your perception alone."

"I guess I've been doing the same thing with Hide. I want to atone too, for leaving him, and for hiding everything. I can see where he's coming from. He gave me a chance that night at Anteiku, so I'm repaying the favor."

Touka sighed. "Let me talk to him then."


Hide sighed in defeat. Out of the fifteen students he'd spoken to so far, none of them expressed any sort of positive feelings toward ghouls. At this rate, coexistence was a pipe dream. He had to try something new.

After taking off his muted grey cardigan (Amon insisted it was better than his favorite jacket), Hide ran his hands through his hair. The magazine angle wasn't working, so he'd talk to these students as one of them.

Spotting a group of students at the on-campus café, Hide silently prayed for a good reaction. With his recorder turned on in his pocket, he ran up to their group, one girl and two guys.

"So, about ghouls," he said bluntly as he got to their table. The three looked at him in bewilderment.

"Uhm, what?" One of the guys said.

"You see, I'm writing a thesis about coexistence with them for my... Cultural Studies class. About how societies can overcome differences and all that. I need some opinions."

"Oh, okay," the girl said, suspicion gone. "Ask away."

Hide inwardly sighed in relief. "If the CCG were able to concoct some over-the-counter RC drugs, maybe synthetic people meat, how would you feel about ghouls integrating into our society?"

"Honestly," the second guy said. "I would move away. Aren't they all murderers?"

"No, not at all," Hide said. "I talked to some... online. On a forum website. They said they really just want to live their lives in peace. Considering that, if ghouls were to come forward and express their support and gratitude that they wouldn't have to fight anymore, would that sway your opinion?"

He seemed to consider the idea, while the first guy spoke up. "If they're convincing about really wanting to live alongside us, I might be okay then, as long as there were more CCG patrols out or something."

"Yeah, I think so too," the girl said. "This would benefit all sides, right? They don't have to hide, and we don't have to be so afraid of them."

Hide tried to contain his cheers as he looked toward the last person at the table. "Would you still move away? Even if they really wanted to just live with us?"

"I dunno," he said. "If they were honest... I guess it would be okay. I wouldn't go out of my way to be friends with them, but I wouldn't pick up my pitchfork and go on any witch hunts either."

"Thanks guys! Appreciate the help!" Hide said as he jogged to another table. Yes! he thought. This is working!


"Hello?" Amon spoke to the cell phone, now sitting on the coffee table. "This is Amon Koutaro."

"Tell me about this 'plan' of yours. You managed to get Kaneki on board, so it can't be total bullshit," Touka said with no small amount of hostility.

Amon looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Hello? Dove?"

"Sorry, I just didn't expect you to be so... forward."

"Yeah, whatever. You gonna tell me or what?"

"I think ghouls and humans can live together, with help from Kaneki and Hide. With support from both species, the CCG director from this ward will let me lead a new project. Our scientists think they might be able to make synthetic meat, and over the counter RC suppressants."

"Sure, that sounds great. What I don't understand is why you suddenly want to stop killing us and hold hands."

"Kaneki. He convinced me."

Touka sighed. "What do you need from us then?"

"If I could meet with you-"

"No."

"Let him finish, Touka," Kaneki said. "Then decide."

Amon started again. "If I could meet with you and a few other ghouls, I could get the proof I need for the director."

"Proof?"

"Proof that ghouls want to coexist. Nagachika is out talking to humans about it as we speak."

"And if you get this proof... what's the next step?"

"We get started with testing synthetic meat, as well as RC suppressants that can be ingested rather than injected."

Touka seemed to consider the idea. "Fine. We'll meet with you, but on our terms. You'll bring Kaneki, unharmed, and no one else. No weapons."

Amon looked uneasy.

"You won't attack him, right Touka?" Kaneki asked.

"As long as you're okay, then we won't throw the first punch."