Title: The Masks We Wear
Disclaimers: I do not own Tokyo Ghoul, any music, or any other anime mentioned in this story.
Notes: Yeah...I got rid of several of my stories. Not many people were reading them and no one bothered to tell me what they thought. So, I go depressed.
Song Choice: From Now On from The Greatest Showman
"Regular Talk"
'Thoughts'
phone calls and texts
Summary: After the promotion ceremony, Hikari finds herself on the roof again. A favorite Uncle makes an appearance. Hikari pounders on the future, and Hineki is growing by leaps and bounds.
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Hikari's POV
I listen as the ceremony goes on, and promotions are handed out. Everyone of them are well deserved and I'm happy for my teammates. My thoughts go to Hide and Hineki and I can't help but feel a pang of sorrow. "And finally, Mrs Hikari Nagachika" Yoshitoki says surprising me. 'No one said anything about me being promoted' I think and step forward. "Please, come up here beside me, If you will." Yoshitoki says and I do so feeling even more confused. "It is with great pleasure that I am able to say this. Mrs Hikari Nagachika, As of tomorrow morning, you are in charge of the Twenteith ward branch office. Congratulations, Nagachika" Yoshitoki says and I look at him in shock. I call already tell that my team is having trouble keeping from cheering. I bow before everyone. "Thank you, I will do my best to honor your faith in me, Sir" I say.
After the ceremony, I try to slip away, my anxiety coming at me on full, but I get stopped by practically every member of the CCG. I try my best to remain cool and collected, despite my anxiety. "Ah, Nagachika, may I have a word? I have a few things I need to discuss with you" Kijima says. "Certainly, Kijima" I say. 'What now?' I think as I follow him, but surprised when I find myself at the exit. "Sorry for lying, but you looked like a human in a pack of blood ghouls out there. Are you alright?" Kijima asks. 'Ok, definitly a friend' I think taking a deep breath. "I grew up completely isolated. My anxiety doesn't usually cause a problem if I know I will be center stage. Darn Yoshitoki, he had to think it would be great to surprise me. Don't get me wrong, I am surprised and honored, but I still have problems with large crowds." I say and Kijima nods. "It's that anxiety that can make or break an investigator. You make it work because it keeps you alert to what's around you. Don't ever let your edge dull. I was not joking when I said I expected great things from you. Good Night, Nagachika." Kijima says and goes to leave. "Kijima?" I say and he looks back at me. "Yes?" he asks. "I'm sure you are aware that my friends call me Kari. I wanted to let you know I consider you a friend" I say making him smile. "As I do you, Kari." He says and goes back to the party.
The party is still in full swing when I get home. I get changed and clean up the place so Haise doesn't have to worry about it. I then go up on the roof again, laying down where I know that no one will see me from the road and think a bit. Four years...in Four years, I did what I only dreamed about. Sure, the world is still crazy, but things won't settle right away. I hear someone jump onto the roof and stand up quickly, taking a defensive stance. "Whoa...easy, Kari" A large, cloaked figure says. "Uncle Amon?" I ask surprised. "Yeah, It's me" He says lowering his hood. I sigh and hug him. Then, I punch him. "Shit, Kari" He says rubbing his chin. "You're a ghoul now, suck it up. That's for coming to see me before seeing poor Eto. She's been worried even more than I have!" I say and sit down again. He sighs and sits beside me. "I guess I did deserve that. How have you been? I heard there's a big party at the CCG." Amon says and I nod. "My anxiety came back. So, I slipped away early with Kijima's help. I swear, I'm going to get Yoshitoki back for what he did." I say.
"What happened?" Amon asks now curious. "Nothing much...just told everyone during the ceremony that I'm the new Director of the Twenteith Ward Branch Office." I say. Amon just stares at me in shock. "Yeah...that was my reaction too. He apparently wanted it to be a surprise. I really don't know if I really earned it, or if he's trying to get me to fuck his ass. I swear every guy in the CCG act like they are children whenever I'm around. If it's not Yoshitoki, it's Arima. And if it's not Arima, It's Abara. I mean, seriously? How many times do I have to remind them that I am Happily married to Hide before they get the hint? *hugs knees* It's hard enough that Hide is undercover. I don't need all of this stress, and now I'm a branch Director? I just hope I don't break...Kijima doesn't seem to think so." I say. "Kijima's a great judge of character. If he says he believes in you, he means it. He's a legend in his own right." Amon says and I nod.
"Something else doesn't seem right. It's like someone is intentionally trying to keep me out of the field. I'm not a child! I can hold my own!" I say putting my forehead against my knees. "Maybe someone is. Either they see you as a threat or they see you as a measure for a last resort. Either way is kind of a compliment, if you think about it. However, I do see what you're saying. It bothered me how quickly they were promoting you when there was plenty of more experienced investigators that could do it just as well, if not better. But, conspiricy theories aside, you being a Director isn't such a bad idea. With you being a unicorn, you see things in a way that the CCG has been straying from." Amon says. "It's also a chance to cause massive damage if I fall...If I become a fallen Caladrius, The CCG has every right to get rid of me." I say and he nods.
"Anyways, how is Eto? I know I should see her...I'm just..." Amon trails off. "Scared?" I ask and he nods. "I do love her, you know, even more than you, if that was possible. I just don't know what she will think about me now" He says and I start to laugh. "What?" He asks. "That's what's keeping you away? You do realise that this is Eto right? She'd probably go even more crazy over you. You two can train together without her having to worry about going too rough with you. You two will have a better understanding of each other...*frowns* besides...it's not like she has as much time as a normal human or even an artifical ghoul" I say. Amon looks at me confused. "What are you talking about?" He asks concerned. I sigh. "What most people don't know is that natural one eye ghouls age quicker on the inside than humans and normal ghouls. Arima's blind in one eye and going blind in the other. Eto isn't that bad, but she's a little older than I am." I say.
"And what about you?" He asks worried. "I feel fine. I guess my healing abilities heal me as my body gets older, allowing me to live as long as a normal ghoul or human, but that's because I'm a unicorn as well as a one eye ghoul. Artifical ghouls are technically still human in their DNA, so, they are fine." I say and he nods. "So...I have been wasting what time I may have left with her because I was scared?" He says. "Pretty much. Geez, what's with me giving love advice lately? I should start charging a fee" I say laying back on the roof. Amon chuckles and gets up. "I best go see Eto." He says. "Be ready to dodge whatever she has on hand to throw at you for your idiotcy. Oh, Hineki is there for the week if you want to see him too. I swear Hineki's going to be a genius. He's already walking and talking" I say and Amon nods before leaving.
I sigh and look up at the sky. 'Perhaps Amon is right, I may be overthinking it' I think. I drift off there on the roof. "Oh...Ma Man was right, you are up here, Kari" I hear Saiko say as I wake up in the morning. "Oh...must have drifted off last night. That's not good for my back" I say and stand up to stretch. Saiko chuckles. "So, you left in a hurry last night. Are you alright?" Saiko asks sitting down as I sit back down. "Yeah...you know how my anxiety can get. I don't like a large group of people crowding me. I don't mind small groups like our squad, but I just can't deal with the sea of CCG from last night" I say and she nods. "Yeah...I hear ya. I don't really like having to be center of attention either. It really makes me uncomfortble." Saiko says. "Hey Saiko! Mr Sas didn't send ya up there to goof off!" We hear Ginshi yell from a window and I giggle. "Oh yeah...Ma man is getting ready for a dinner party tonight. Everyone is pitching in" Saiko says. "I guess I just got drafted." I joke. "Haven't we already?" Saiko asks as we go inside.
Song Choice: A miilion dreams from The Greatest Showman - Nightcore female version
My right eye twitches at the state of the kitchen. 'I just cleaned it last night. How can it look like a war zone this quickly?' I think and shove Ginshi to the sink and take over what he was doing. "Kari? What the hell?" Ginshi says. "Remember the last time you cooked, Ginshi?" I ask as he sighs. "Don't remind me" He replies. "You can help by cleaning up as we cook" I say and he gets busy. Eventually, we get everything ready and we have time to get cleaned up before the dinner party. I go into my room and lock the door, the memory of Haise barging into my bathroom still fresh in my mind. I go take a shower and quickly get dressed in a dress shirt and a pair of slacks with my usual black heels.
I hear a knock coming from downstairs and I head down. I smile seeing Arima, Akira, and Kureo Mado. "Hey guys" I say and give Kureo and Akira a hug. I shake Arima's hand. We sit at the table. "We never got the chance to congratulate you last night Little Kari" Kureo says. "I had an anxiety attack and had to get away from the sea of CCG. Thank god for Kijima. He got me away from the crowd." I say and Akira frowns. "What? You didn't know? It doesn't happen during fights, just crowded parties and social events. Kijima thinks it keeps me alert." I say and she nods. We fill our plates as Haise opens some wine. He starts to fill glasses. "None for me, Haise." I say. "I know, you don't drink." He says and I nod ignoring the stares from the others. We end up laughing and having fun as the food starts to vanish along with the wine.
I end up on the roof again..."So, like the bird you are, you roost in high places, Little Kari." A voice says and I see Kureo Mado climb up the ladder he insisted on putting up so people could find me. I smile a little and look at the skyline. "Hide would have loved this..." I say and Kureo sits beside me. "He would have. He is truly a lucky man to have such a loyal wife. May relationships fall apart for Spymasters." Kureo says. "Sounds like you have experience on the matter" I say. "Not personally, but I've seen plenty of couples lose their passion for each other due to the strain it puts on the marriage. You're far stronger a woman than many I have seen, and you are still very young. So, is that why you are here on the roof instead of inside with the others?" Kureo asks. "Not really...just something more pleasent to think about then what bothers me." I say. "The promotion?" Kureo asks and I nod.
"I don't really feel like I deserve it. Yoshitoki keeps trying to lead me astray along with several other high brass. It doesn't sit well with me. I always wanted to earn my place, not take the worn path. I worked so hard to be trusted, Kureo. I don't want to lose that respect because of the rumors that can come from it." I say. "You could have declined the position" He says. "Not how Yoshitoki informed me of it. I didn't know until the announcement at the ceremony." I say and he nods. "I see your problem" He says and I nod. "Any idea of who you want for your second? Every branch director has one." Kureo says. "Yeah, but I'm not sure if he'd accept. He's pretty well respected and would stop any kind of lewd rumors. He's strong and has a good sense of humor. We get along and he isn't trying to get me in bed" I say. "He's sounds like quite the investigator" Kureo says. I smile at him. "You are, Kureo" I say and he starts laughing. "Ok, kid. I see what you did there, and I accept. You know this is going to piss some people off, right?" Kureo says. I shrug. "So? I need someone that I trust with everything from my shoe size to my life. You fit the bill, Kureo. Besides, You're long overdo for a promotion. Anyone can agree with that" I say.
"Anyways, we should probably go inside before Akira comes up after us" Kureo says and I nod. We head inside to Haise handing out gifts. "Hikari, we have a special one for you. Yoshitoki sent it as an apology for the misunderstanding. He said he didn't mean to sound like a bribe for...that" Arima says and Hide comes in the door. "...Hide..." I say and start to tear up. He comes over and gently touches my cheek. "I'm here, Kari, and I'm not leaving anymore. I'm on permanent loan to the Twenteith Ward Branch office." He says and I hug him crying. He holds me tight. "So, I-I-I'm your boss...again" I joke. "You always were." Hide says and kisses me deeply to everyone's cheers. "Yokitoki pulled some strings. Hide's partnered up with Shinohara since Juuzou has his own squad now." Arima says.
I smile. "I know this may seem rude, but...there's a little boy that should see his daddy" I say and Hide's face lights up. "Go, we can clean up" Ginshi says and the others nod. I grab my coat and purse and we leave. "Kaneki really looks happy." Hide says and I nod. "Yeah, he's still struggling, but he's almost there." I say holding Hide's hand. "I really missed this, Kari. It was hell being away from you." He says. I smile understanding. "I think I had it a little easier. I had Hineki" I say and he nods. I smile. "So, how's Eto holding up?" Hide asks as we cross an intersection. "She's doing well, all things considered" I say and Hide nods. "I couldn't dig up where they're making artifical ghouls, but I do know Yoshimura is alive." He says and I nod.
"We thought as much" I say and he nods. "So, who's your second?" Hide asks. "I'm choosing Kureo. There's no way you can be jealous of him" I say. "Of course I can. He gets to spend all day with you and I'm stuck with Shinohara." Hide jokes and I giggle. We soon reach Re and go inside. "Come on, you can say it" We hear Yomo say. "We...Wel..Welcome To RE!" We hear with giggling following. I look to see Hineki sitting on Yomo's shoulders. "Hey there sweetie! Aren't you so smart!" I say and Hineki squeals happily, making his grandfather flinch a little. Yomo chuckles. "He's been trying to say it all day. Makes the customers smile." Yomo says. "Down...Pwease?" Hineki says adding the please as an afterthought.
Yomo goes in front of the counter and puts Hineki down. Hineki Tries to get up. "He's been standing a lot better too. Mostly falling down though..." Yomo trails off as Hineki starts to walk, wobbling a little, towards his daddy. "That's it, son. Come to daddy" Hide says, kneeling, as I catch it all on my phone. Hineki almost makes it, but falls into Hide's arms at the end. "Gotcha!" Hide says and stands up holding Hineki. "Dadadadada" Hineki says happily. I smile with pride and hug my boys. We hear a click. "Perfect!" a voice says. We look to see a young woman holding a camera. "Oh, hey, Hori. How much for that one?" Hide asks. "It's on the house, Hide. You have a beautiful family." She says and Hide smiles. "Thanks" He says. "I'll drop it off here when I get it developed" She says and leaves.
"Friend of your's?" I ask. "Informant, totally different thing" Hide says and I nod. "Strange..." I say noticing how quiet it is. "What?" Hide asks. "Eto would be hugging me like crazy or squealing in happiness by now" I say. "She had to head out for some reason" Yomo says. "Mon! Mon!" Hineki says and we see Eto and Amon heading up to the cafe. Eto has a flush to her cheeks and a look in her eyes I recognize. They come in. "We..Wel...Welcome To Re!" Hineki says making Eto and Amon smile big. "Awe, Hineki. Did Papa Yomo teach you that?" Eto says coming over. Hineki giggles as Eto tickles his chin. "You missed Hineki's first steps" I say making Eto pout. "Awww no fair!" She says. "Don't worry, I recorded it" I say. She smiles. "I so want a copy!" Eto says and I giggle.
To be continued
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Notes: A nice slice of life chapter before the shit hits the fan again.
