The irony. The all mighty god of irony who smites us. Where was he? What world did he live in? Does he exist? Of course he does, otherwise, how could something like this have happened?

It's funny, really. Touka used to hate me, she used to get annoyed by Hide, and it was like we weren't really important to her. But now, it's like she can't stand not having us around. When I came by her house to help her study, as she lay in bed healing from her injuries, she'd always ask me: why didn't you get here earlier?

I only wish I would've, sometimes. It's not a sad story that's being told right now, it's a happy one. Hide was my only friend all those years ago, and I always thought I only ever needed him (and maybe a girlfriend), but my closeness to this girl was refreshing. It's not saying I don't need the blond, I'd always need him, but as a person, I've matured. So what do I do now? I get closer. I've seen my friends cry, laugh, smile in happiness and some of them have even gotten drunk enough to let multiple cats out of the bag, so what else is there? the world is too small to stop expanding, so when I feel I've reached my peak, what else can I do? As I think about what the Manager told me, about being the bridge between two worlds, I wonder what I could do. I'm a college student at Kamii Univeristy who was once human but is now a half ghoul. What person would believe me? the RC scanners don't work on me, and I can create a a kagune- sure, that's all substantial evidence, but maybe I'm just a "special" ghoul. Rize Kamishiro's organs were put into me, so they have to have that in record at the hospital, right? Wrong. I went to check one day to get a copy of the file, or at least something, but there was nothing. the doctor who performed the surgery apparently didn't exist., and there was no surgery performed that day. Why I was there, they didn't really know. Even though the hospital, Kanou General Hospital, was named after him, he had vanished into nothing. No trace left. So what does that leave me with? Suicide. If I were to announce myself as a ghoul fighting for political rights, I'd be put down immediately.

So what can I do? I don't know right now. Apparently an explosion killed there officers recently, so the area has become enveloped in police officers and CCG personnel. It's not as bad the 3rd and 4th Wards who are practically uninhabited by ghouls because of the fierce CCG presence, but it's forced us to be in a state of extreme caution. We receive CCG customers, and I have to admit that they're nice people, but I can't tell myself to think of them as possible enemies if anything brakes out. Killing isn't something I do... I hate it, it's wrong for me.

Of course I haven't told Touka about what's going on. She's getting better, but we keep her in her room. She might try to kill them, or she could get angry- a lot of things can happen. Personally, I'm doing this for her health. If Touka were to get agitated, it could hurt her mentally, especially after being beat so hard...

I can't be thinking about this right now, I have a job to do, and I can't let anything hinder me from that job.

"Yoriko... do you think ghouls and humans will ever get to live together?" Asked a young Hideyoshi Nagachika as he looked at the city from the top a building. His arms were leaning on the railing as he stared deeply into the soul and heart of the city.

His girlfriend didn't respond immediately. She took the time to look at her Hideyoshi, and to wonder why he asked what he did. "I... don't know. Why?"

"Because I'm worried... bout Touka-chan and Kaneki," responded the blond.

Yoriko knew how he felt. Of course she worried too, but it was like there was nothing they could do to help the two young ghouls. "I know, but for right now, let's just give them the support they need!" The girls smiled happily as she leaned on the railing next to him.

Hide looked at her face before smiling as well. "Yeah... we might not be the first humans to befriend ghouls knowing their true nature, but we'll certainly be the first to openly accept them."

The girl hugged her partner intimately. Indeed, they were ready to die and fight for their friends. That's what true friends do, even if you don't know much about them.

I entered Touka's room. It had been about a week and a half before she was finally able to walk normally. I visited and helped her everyday, but I think we talked more than we did study. That's not a problem, however, because she fully understands the concepts I taught to her.

Touka is a hard worker, a very hard worker. At first glance, she's cute and subtle, getting to know her makes her seem reckless, but frankly, she's a normal girl.

The girl was cleaning when I saw her. "You should keep resting,' I told her.

She wasn't startled or surprised by my sudden entrance to her room. "I have to do something, doing nothing just makes me feel... useless."

No, no, Touka, you're not useless. "And why would you be useless?"

"Because I'm not doing anything."

"Touka, I know you like pushing yourself, but couldn't you just leave this part to me?"

Naturally, her response would be 'No, you're a pervert' or something criticizing my lack of muscle, but she unusually made no attempt to put me down. "You can't expect me to lie down all day when I can get up, can you?"

Of course not. That would be silly.

"Can I go see everyone now?"

Yes, everyone visited her. We all encouraged her to heal faster and we all had fun in this little space. But it's not the same when you're not in the working environment that makes living with a family so... familiar and nostalgic. Happiness is what all humans strive for, so it's not natural for the dark haired girl to want to feel as happy as she can be in the most comfortable place.

Work, by most humans, is viewed as laboring and tiring, yet for us, it was what we looked forward to the most. Optimism was the key element to our loving of working each day. The time's we didn't have work were sad and lonely almost, because it's as if everything's fading away, even though it's not.

The CCG presence had died down some since the bombing, but the tension could be felt in the air. He'd have to be wary and watch Touka closely.

"Okay, it looks like you're already dressed so let's go!" I smiled as I took initiative and pulled her by the arm. It was with enough force that she didn't stumble or hurt herself, but I can't say she wasn't surprised at my sudden aggressiveness.

"H-hey wait!"

"Even the customers are sad you aren't here, we have to tell them that you're well from your illness. C'mon Touka-chan, let's go cheer them up," I teased her some.

Her face immediately turned into the color of crimson, but that's what I was hoping for. Score one for weakling. It's half time, and I'm still losing by a good 58 points, but that's okay! Why am I having a commentary about a little game I made up?

The Anteiku employees looked at Touka as we came through. "Oh, you feeling better now Touka-chan? Thank Kaneki," Kouma-kun said as he winked and snickered. bad habit Enji Kouma-kun, you'll get me killed.

Some of the customers recognized her and waved, saying something about getting well enough to work soon.

I figure this will motivate her to defy physics and get back to work right now!

Or at least, Hide would say after reading shounen manga.

She smiled and waved back to them. A real smile, not the fakes she gave me. Or are they still fake? I'm having a crisis Touka! It's all your fault Touka!

"So, why did you do that?" The petite girl asked me as I was making a coffee.

"I just thought it might make you feel better, that's all," I responded to her. I poured a small bit of coffee into a separate cup and drank it. Damn it, not sweet enough- I have to try again.

"What makes you say that?" She follow-up questioned me.

Add a bit of this... good. Perfect coffee... I think. "You seem to enjoy yourself on the floor, so I made your adrenaline spike my abruptly pulling you here in an attempt to recreate the shock that happens when you win something like a million yen."

"..."

"I'm kidding..." I quickly ended the awkward pause "...sort of," I mumbled.

She struggled to speak. "W-well I was fine, uh, with-"

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything," I gave her a quick pat on the head before heading over to deliver this god-like coffee to the waiting customer. As I headed back, I could've sworn that I saw hair fly back. Shy girl. I understand how she feels- I will get praised for my valued and unusual attempts to help her!

If only.

Ahg. A day's end. Work is good, I said that, I know. But too much work is... tiring. my body slumped on a chair about ten minutes after closing time.

Izumi-san helping the Manager clean up. "Kaneki-kun, what's so tiring, it was a normal day," she said.

"It's Touka... doing two "jobs" at once might be too much for my physically weak body. Even as a ghoul I suffer from this fate," I frowned as I ended the sentence.

"Oh, relationship problems, I see."

"Kouma-kun? You're still here?"

Izumi-san giggled. Good reaction!

"No, no, no relationships here. Just teaching her, and having to deal with all her questions and all- it's fun, but I don't believe I've ever been so socially active in my life," I whole heartedly told Izuma-san.

As I opened my eyes to see her response, I instead got a small piece of wisdom from the Manager. "Then maybe it's helping the both of you in more ways than one."

True, but would talking to her really make me less socially awkward? No, no- Hide is enough proof of that. I'm not as socially awkward as I really believe myself to be, I just put myself down a lot... and I can't really help to do that.

The Manager smiled his smile- a longing for the happiness of others, yet a sadness that affected everyone deeply. Trustworthy- that described him the most. He'd either tell the truth or not say anything at all when it came to secrets and the such... he was a father type figure, yet a friend that we all needed.

I suppose he's right. The Manager is always right. "Mhm."

The room was well lit today. The sun's rays hit in the goldilocks zone for me. There wasn't too much, and certainly not too little. Beautiful and breathtaking when taking a closer look at it.

Touka was sitting upright in her bed glancing at me every so often as I taught her some concepts. Tomorrow she is supposed to start going back to school. I've successfully completed my objective. Mom... I'm helping people, I'm doing what you always told me.

"That concludes our studying today," I told her as I closed the book I had been holding in front of me.

I glanced at the paper she wrote on. A lot of notes. Honestly, what a hard working girl. As a wife you'd be a keeper for sure.

"Um... Ken?" She asked for me.

"Yes?" I responded.

The black haired girl took a moment to think about her words for a second. "If I need help with anything, ever, can I... um, ask you?"

There's no need to be coy- life isn't all about selfish people. "Of course, turn to me for whatever," I answered her. My legs pushed me upwards as I got up. Grabbing my things, I started to head out and go home for the first time in a few days. It was a pain being here, but a sacrifice I was willing to make for my friend.

Touka told me off as I opened and closed the door behind me. My guilt had been erased- I felt at peace, in a way. I was somewhat hungry, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. I've learned to suppress my hangry emotions and blood thirst after constantly training myself. That wasn't something I needed to tell myself right now, though. Right now, I just have to be happy that I was able to help Touka... kinda like Hide helping me. It's like a Kessler effect, maybe. Helping one person makes them help others and it spreads like a plague. Maybe that's an over exaggeration, no, in fact, it's a big one, but that's what it felt like to me.

I heard the door open as I had just reached the stairs when the door opened and out stormed Touka.

Immediately my mind panicked and went into auto-fly mode. There wasn't enough time to turn around and defend myself for what was the oncoming onslaught, so I just had to take it like a man and fall down these stairs. After helping this woman it was probably habitual to hit and blame me. That's how it went during most encounters with her, but it's alright- she has to lose her steam sometimes... I get it.

I was wrong. Was she compulsively doing this as a thank you? I'm dubious to think otherwise, after all, who'd doubt she'd hit me instead of this gesture? Few people, certainly.

It was a hug. A hug. With emotion. A tight grip around my chest with he bare arms in a short sleeve shirt. Impeccably lovingly she held me as she squeezed herself near me. Her hands shook; her forehead on my back; the tight grip she had. It reminded me of then- when she cried. The first time I'd seen her let loose her emotions. It felt the same but it wasn't. Her voice faltered not and cracked not once as she spoke. She was in a state of euphoria it looked as if.

"I..."

Although she did hesitate, it wasn't out of shyness or anxiety or sadness- it was because of the pondering she did as she spoke.

It'd be a false statement to say she wasn't pressing on me almost intimately, and that my cheeks were flushed. Was it because she was a girl or because it was Touka Kirishima? They burned, my cheeks.

I would've asked what she was doing had Touka not continued her sentence.

"It's not... I'm not doing this becau- just... Ken, thanks for being there... f-for, tch... remember, if you leave me, I'll kill you... I'll need your help in the future so... thanks for everything you've done even though I didn't ask for it..." She stuttered a lot. How cute.

Most of the skin on my cheeks had reverted back to skin color, and I took one of her hands and held it. She wasn't surprised. I'm glad we've progressed this far Touka. To be able to rely on someone, it breaks my heart knowing you can do it... of course it breaks it in a good way. "Unless you're leaving, I'm not leaving."

She might've whispered "thanks" again, but I didn't hear her. Quietly and elegantly she went back to her room and shut the door. What am I supposed to do now? I have all sorts of things and developments going on in my life now...

C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C.

-you have been hacked by Centipede-

prepare for location tracking and invasion

it won't matter anyways, you'll all be dead soon

see you then, prey

C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C.

"What the fuck is this?" Asked one officer.

"Probably some prank." Said another.

"A prank? This is serious!" The first shouted.

Others looked at the message, some with worry, others without fear.

"They're thinking of attacking a station with three First Class investigators from the Chinese National Ghoul Extermination Unit, the largest in the world, and then send a warning. They're just waiting to get their ass beat if anything."

"We should still prepare, just in case. We don't have the materials needed to half-ass anything."

"I guess you're right. Ask the nearby stations for support in case something goes wrong. This could be the world of humans or ghouls, we'll just have to wait and find out."

"But who's Centipede? I thought Aogiri Tree was the only group capable of doing something major."

"Recently three officers were killed. Centipede claimed responsibility, saying they were trimming the world for 'the King.'"

"What a load of crap."

The officers returned to their duty, while a man looking on his screen in an undisclosed location looked on. "No, we have a duty to uphold, there's not time for 'crap.'"

hi