When I woke up the next day, I was alone.

I grabbed my phone to check the time; damn it was after noon already.

Sluggishly, I got off the couch and fumbled my way to the bathroom.

Once I was finished, I put on a sweater and some pants, not bothering with my makeup. I walked downstairs, intent on making me a cup of coffee.

"Someone's finally up. Bout damn time." Nishiki spoke annoyingly as he leaned on the counter.

"Shut up." I growled as I fixed myself a cup of coffee.

"Someone's not in a very good mood." Enji commented cheerfully.

I sipped the hot beverage I'd poured myself to keep from making more sarcastic comments.

I hadn't slept good thanks to the depressing thoughts that had plauged me.

For days, and eventually a week, my head ached with what to do.

Should I still go with Touka and kill those investigators? Or should I tell her I couldn't; that nothing good would come of this?

Touka's fist came flying at me.

I easily dodged it and reached out for her arm.

She kicked me with her left foot and jumped back, using her kagune to get airborne.

I knew she'd try to use her kagune's other ability to attack me.

I managed to bring out my kagune and become airborne as well, resisiting the urge to smile.

Flying would never get old.

My kagune protected me as Touka attacked.

When she paused, I sprang forward and used my kagune to wrap around her leg, while one of the tips poised to pierce her heart.

I stopped centimeters from her skin and grinned.

"You're getting better." She commented as I released her.

"Thanks to you." I replied, helping her up.

She brushed the dirt off her hands as her kagune slid beneath her shoulder blades.

Mine did the same and I wiped the sweat off my brow.

"I think we should go tonight." She mumbled as we walked towards the coffee shop.

"Huh?" I wondered. Then it hit me. "Oh."

"They won't expect it."

I bit my lip and looked anywhere but the general direction of my friend.

"I-I don'tthinkweshoulddothis." I blurted out, most likely slurring my words.

"Whaa?! Are you chickening out on me now?!" She hissed.

I kept staring at the pavement. "N-no...I just don't think this is right."

She growled viciously. "You bastard! You're just like them! Like the manager! Like that damn Nishiki!"

I saw the hurt in her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't bring Mrs. Ryoko back! Sorry doesn't bring my parents back or Nishiki's sister! We have to do something!" She retaliated.

"But not this!" I shouted, my anger and hurt boiling over. "Look, when I went out with Hide, a ghoul almost attacked two kids at the amusement park, but an investigator saved them!"

She glared at me. "Those kids will grow up to join the CCG and hunt us down, just like they all do!"

"Not all humans are bad!" I screamed, feeling my voice grow hoarse.

She just looked at me.

"I-I see the way you look at all of them, except for Yoriko. You hate them, I get it. I feel the same way about most humans and even some ghouls too, but if we kill them, we're cold blooded murderers, just like they are."

She looked like she was gonna say something, but I stopped her. "Mrs. Ryoko wouldn't want this for Hinami..."

Touka's face portrayed nothing. I'd hoped I reached her. We all needed to heal and killing wouldn't bring any type of healing.

"I'll see you later." She murmered as she took off in the opposite direction of Anteiku.

I walked alone back to Anteiku. My mind replayed the screaming match I'd had with Touka. I worried I'd been too mean to her, but I couldn't help but notice I felt lighter; like a burden had been lifted from me.

When I walked into the coffee shop, I noticed how quiet everything was.

"Hello? Anyone here?" I called out.

Silence answered back.

"Hello? Enji? Mr. Yomo? Nishiki? Kazumi?"

It then dawned on me. Kazumi had gone to some doctor who specialized in dealing with ghouls. She probably took someone with her.

But it didn't explain everyone else's absense.

"Hikari!" A voice called out.

I looked and saw Hinami running towards me.

"Hay kid, what's up? Where's everyone?" I asked as I hugged her.

"Mr. Yomo went to get us more food and took Nishiki with him. And the manager went to run an errand with Miss Itori and Enji."

"Hmm guess it's just you and me then!" I chukled, trying to push aside the anxious feeling in my stomach.

The young girl smiled angelically at me. It was a broken smile, but dammit she smiled. It was the first time I'd really seen her smile since before...

"Hay, how about we do our nails and listen to some music? Make it a girls night since it's just us." I offered, trying to think of something that might help cheer her up.

"Really?"

"Of course! I'll make us some coffee and you go get the nail polish from mine and Kazumi's place. It's in my makeup bag." I told her.

Hinami ran off to get the stuff while I made us some coffee.