Welcome to the rewrite of My Clarity! I'm so glad you guys decided to stick around for this. The next few chapters will be up very soon as soon as I finish some last minute details.

Warning: This fic will contain abuse, self harm, toxic relationships and of course, gore and violence. Each chapter will be tagged at the begging. I don't own Tokyo Ghoul.

"High dive into frozen waves

where the past comes back to life"

The door let out a soft chime as the last person left the store for the night. As soon as they were gone I pulled down my mask, allowing for a moment to breathe properly. Now that the store was empty, I didn't have to worry about the stares I would normally get. From both customers and co-workers alike. Most of the closing duties had already been completed, all that needed to be done now was lock up, remove the trash, and wipe off the counters. The sooner I started, the sooner I could make it to the station and make my curfew home. I had about an hour and a half to get everything done and to make it to the station.

Thankfully for me, I was the only one here to close the store. Unfortunately for me however, that means I have to complete the closing duties that usually takes two people. Which means I had to rush to guarantee I finished my duties on time. Otherwise I would miss the train to get home and miss my curfew. Where was the second person who was supposed to help me? Left early for an "emergency" leaving me to do all the work. Something I was used to around here. Normally I wouldn't be here on a Saturday, but I decided to take an extra shift today. A little extra money never hurt anyone, and I could use as much as I could get.

The sun was just starting to set as I grabbed the cleaner and a few paper towels. I started with the register counter first as usual. It usually had the least amount of build up from the day. Working at a craft store was messy no matter what. From the spilled jars of paint and glitter, to the loose threads falling off from cut fabric. There was always a mess somewhere to clean. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it normally is. The store had three counters and four tables spread out around the place. The register counter was the easiest. Second was the cutting and measuring counter, where there was enough loose thread and scraps to fill a small shopping bag.

Thankfully I had the hindsight to clean this counter bit by bit between customers. Now all it needed was a quick dusting and wipe down. It took only a few minutes to finish this one and start on the four tables. The tables were used for small craft classes, as well as a place to sit and flip through catalogs. These tables weren't as bad today since we only had one class set earlier in the day. After quickly wiping those down I made my way to the last counter set on the opposite side of the store. It was where we held orders placed online or over the phone for pickup. This counter usually stayed clean but it was wiped down and cleaned all the same.

Forty-five minutes left. More than enough time to take out all the trash then make it to the station for my train home. Thankfully the station was only ten minutes from here, and I knew I could finish the trash in ten, fifteen max. Making my way back to the front I put the cleaner and towels away behind the front counter. Grabbing a roll of trash bags I replaced the small full bags with empty ones. Once again I made my way back to the pickup counter as I replaced each bag. After a couple more minutes I was done and ready to take the bag to the dumpster. I let out a little hum of satisfaction at a job well done-

"Hello?"

-until now. Did I forget to lock the door?

"Hellllo? Is anyone here?"

I must have forgotten. Otherwise they wouldn't be inside. Taking a quick glance at my watch I begrudgingly made my way back to the front. I had a good thirty minutes left before the train left. Should be enough time to explain that we were closed. I just hope they didn't give me trouble over it. Just before I had turned the last corner that led to the front, I took a deep breath and prepared my customer service voice.

"Hello, I'm sorry but we're actually closed..." I trailed off as the man turned around to face me.

The man standing at the front was decked out in black and gray. His clothes were baggy and half hung off him. Sunglasses completely covered his eyes and half his head was shaved and styled in an undercut. Half of his remaining hair was tied up in a ponytail. As I got closer I noticed a few piercings in his face and ears. He stood out like a sore thumb, and he and I were the only ones here.

"I haven't seen you before. Are you new here?" he asked in a soft voice after a moment of mutual staring. It was enough to snap me out of my staring.

"I'm sorry," I apologized quickly. "I'm not new here. But I am afraid I will have to ask you to go as we are closed for the night. I apologize for not locking the door and changing the sign."

"No, I apologize," he said quickly. "I know you are usually closed at this time. The other employee normally let's me pick up my orders this late."

Of fucking course they do. Said employee that left me to fend for myself tonight was my least favorite to work with. They were the owner's daughter and typically got away with anything. I glanced at my watch again. I had just enough time to help him technically, especially if he just came for a pickup. It shouldn't take me much time, but...

"I see. They didn't tell me about any orders we had for today."

"Is that so? In that case, I can just come back tomorrow morning, it isn't urgent." he said as he turned to leave. Normally I would have let him leave to come back in the morning. However if it was something that simple, I could make time.

"Just a moment sir." I called out quickly causing him to pause in his tracks. His hand was just about to touch the door handle. "Do you have an order number or anything like that?"

He nodded quickly and pulled out his phone to search for it. As he did I nervously tapped my arm. I hoped this wouldn't take too long. I still had a little time but still had to make curfew. While he scrolled through his phone I couldn't help but stare at his face. More specifically his piercings. Not like I haven't seen them before, they just looked like they would hurt like a bitch. Especially the one near his brow.

"Aha! Here it is." he said after a moment. He flipped his phone to show me the code number and order summary on his phone. A small box of paints, a couple packs of embroidery thread, and three yards of faux leather. Well if he placed the order, hopefully it was already set aside in the back. Otherwise he'd be out of luck.

"Alright sir. Let me check if we have it in the back. If you could follow me to the back please."

"Are you sure? I don't want to inconvenience you," he said while tilting his head to the side a bit in a cute way.

"Yes sir, let's at least check if we have it ready for you before sending you on your way."

Before leading the way, I stepped around him and fixed the sign to 'closed' while locking the door. Probably not the best idea to lock myself in the store with a random guy, but hopefully this wouldn't go bad. He looked a bit concerning but I didn't get a bad or 'I'm in danger' vibe from him. Turning back around he quickly fell into step behind me. We walked together in silence, I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.

"You said you're not an employee here? I tend to come by often and haven't seen you around." he finally said after a moment more of silence.

"Ah, no sir. I'm usually here in the mornings and don't work weekends usually."

"I see. So what happened to the other girl?"

"Oh, um. I'm sorry sir. They had to leave for an emergency."

"Oh, well I hope things are alright."

I couldn't help but scoff a bit at that, then quickly let out a cough to try covering it up. "Sorry. I'm sure it's nothing that serious." I quickly said. A moment of silence fell over us again.

"I take it you two don't get along from that." He said with a hint of laughter in his voice. "I personally don't enjoy dealing with her."

"I'm sorry to hear that. May I ask why?" Knowing that a customer didn't like my missing co-worker wasn't anything new. I think she was just unlikeable.

"She's very… forward with things if that makes sense."

I didn't say anything but simply nodded. In other words she flirted with him a lot. Not surprising since he seemed like the type she would go for. She seemed to like the 'bad boys with a hint of mystery'. Her words not mine. He certainly looked the part.

"If you don't mind me asking Miss, are you a foreigner? You have some unusual features." he suddenly asked snapping me out of my short musings.. I couldn't help the way I tensed up a bit. It suddenly hit me that I forgot to put my mask back on.

"Ah… you could say that." I said while fumbling in my pocket for a moment. Pulling my mask out of my pocket I slipped it back on.

Finally we made it back to the pickup counter. Those few minutes stretched on a bit too long for my taste. And with me running behind and him asking about my features, I was now feeling quite on edge. Once at the counter I asked for his order number again and copied it down before retreating to the back room. The room immediately behind the counter held all the online orders. There was a hallway past that, that split off into the inventory room, break room and offices, and then a back door that led to the back of the buildings.

Checking the shelves I searched the large containers containing separate orders. However whoever separated these orders had yet to label them, leaving me no choice but to dig through the bags. I sped though looking through each one, knowing that I had to hurry. I hadn't checked my watch again but I knew I was going to be pushing it for time. Thankfully his order was in the third bin I checked. Grabbing his bags and the signature slip with it, I made my way back to the counter. He was casually leaning against it while scrolling on his phone. As he did I noticed the markings on his hand. I didn't notice before but he had tattoos on his hands and knuckles.

"Here you are sir! It's already paid for so you are free to go. I just need you to sign this slip if everything is good." I said while setting his bags on the counter. He quickly looked through his bags, letting out a sound of confirmation before signing the slip.

"Thank you, that was quick. The other girl usually has trouble finding it." he said while gathering his bags. "You must really know your way around."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Well hopefully you won't have as much trouble in the future. Allow me to walk you out sir." I said as he started towards the door.

"With a cute girl like you here, I definitely will be back." he replied quickly.

I paused at that for a moment. Me? Cute? Yeah right. Still I could feel a flash of heat rush to my face. "Ah… oh um… t-thank you."

"Sorry, don't mean to embarrass you."

"Don't worry about it," I said brushing it off with a forced laugh while willing the heat in my face to go away. "Can't really say that when I'm wearing a mask though."

"I think you look very cute without it." he replied immediately. I stopped at his words, causing him to also stop. "Sorry. Too forward?"

"No! I uh… you don't have to… Never mind! Let me get the door for you." I somehow managed to stutter out.

Behind me I could hear him chuckle as I continued walking a bit faster. I don't know if he was trying to fluster me or just mocking me like the others, but it definitely left me feeling the former. I fumbled a bit with the lock on the door before getting it open and holding the door for him.

"Thank you for the help Miss Mari. Maybe I'll see you again for my next order." he said with a smile. Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I had a feeling they were friendly. "Have a good evening."

I watched after him a moment before calling out to him. "Thank you for shopping with us and please come again." I called after him as he walked away. He didn't turn back, but let out a wave over his shoulder to acknowledge he heard me.

I shut the door and locked it again behind him. Once the door was locked I let out a heavy breath that felt like I was holding for a long time. Then I slapped my cheeks a bit to snap myself out of it.

'He didn't mean it Mari, don't let it get to you.'

He was a weird guy for sure, and I was only around him for…

"Twenty minutes?! Shit!"

I didn't realize that the whole interaction took that long. I was left with only ten minutes to finish taking out the trash and get to the station. I quickly became a girl on a mission as I rushed to finish my last task. However as much as I rushed, I couldn't fight the sinking feeling that told me I wouldn't make it. I hurried and took the gathered trash to the back of the building and half hazardly throwing it into the dumpster. As soon as that was done I ran back to the front of the store, grabbed my bag from under the counter, then left.

As soon as I confirmed the door was locked I ran to make it to the station in time. Not bothering to check my watch at this point, It would only serve to make me panic more. I had to weave my way past a few people but thankfully not as many as I would normally go through. I didn't stop for a moment, nor did I slow down until I made it to the platform.

When I finally arrived at the station. I took a moment to finally breathe, but I was too late. I had missed my train home. I was stuck waiting for the next one. I had about thirty minutes before It arrived. Feeling defeated I made my way over to a bench and flopped myself down onto it. Ignoring the few people standing around I let my head fall into my hands.

Helping that man took up more of my time than I thought, but I knew it was still my own fault for forgetting to lock the door. Maybe I should have just had him come back the next day. I t was too late to worry about it now. There was nothing I could do about it now. I missed the train, meaning I will miss my curfew, and my family will not be happy.

I was going to be in deep shit when I got home.

I'm a day or two late and I'm sorry. However what would you guys say to the occasional piece of artwork to go with some of the chapters? I have something planned already for one of the next chapters already. Also if you guys are interested I do have other Uta fics in the works, but they won't be posted until this one is at least half way finished. I do have a tumblr that I will be posting updates and sneak peaks in the near future!

5/2/2021