Warning: Kaneki/Hide.
Chapter Three
The bell rang.
He sat down - flopping down, in his assigned seat. He was anxious – still slightly nervous, albeit he's new. He hadn't friends – neither familiar faces, except only himself. He felt really alone - incredibly lonely, usual nowadays.
He was wary – distrustful of others, common among amnesia victims. He is essentially extremely vulnerable – easily suggestible, without his memories. It already happened yesterday – at the park, while weak.
XOXO
He left school.
A vehicle waited outside – parked nearby, just for him. It was onyx – classy and chic, but also sporty. He got inside – greeting two men, his driver and bodyguard. He shyly talked – asking about Crawford, who was working. He trusted Crawford – the elderly doctor, for selflessly helping patients.
A café emerged – quite quaint, but still charming. It was busy – college students studying and socializing, while drinking and eating. He saw the menu – eyeing strawberry shortcakes hungrily, stomach slightly grumbling and rumbling. He hadn't breakfast today – nor even eaten lunch, anxiety preventing bodily functions.
"Will you please pull over, sir? I would like to visit that café over there."
"Of course, Hide. Don't take too long, though. Mr. Crawford wants you home before dark, especially after what happened yesterday. We don't want a repeat of that incident, explicitly you running into that strange young man."
"I understand, sir. I'm just in a mood for some strawberry shortcakes. Can I get you gentlemen anything, like coffee or croissants or donuts?"
"That's not necessary, Hide."
"Oh, I insist. Mr. Crawford is buying. He gave me one of his credit cards, to do with as I please."
"In that case, I think we'll have two coffees and a box of donuts."
"That sounds wonderful. I'll be back as quick as I can."
"We'll be right here."
"Yes, I know. I'm sure I can see you two from the window."
"If you need us, then just look right over. We'll be keeping an eye on you."
"I promise I will."
XOXO
The staff gasped.
He didn't understand – thoroughly confused, by their reactions. He nearly turned around – ready to go, if he wasn't welcomed. He then inhaled deeply – slowly steadily walking, to the cash register. He began ordering items – perusing their menu, for more sweet things.
He was being observed – severely scrutinized, in every direction. He shifted uncomfortably – arms crossed, his head lowered. He looked down – avoiding eyes, that kept gawking. He waited impatiently – heartbeat fluttering, from those stares.
"You look … different. You don't seem like a William Crawford to me, though."
"That's because I'm not, but I am his adoptive son."
"What are you talking about? Why would Crawford take you in?"
"He's my doctor. He's helping me recover from a car crash. That's a nice name tag you got there. Will you please just swipe the card already, Touka?"
"What's the rush? Are you okay? And when did you get in a car crash?"
"I'm fine, except I'm having trouble recalling things. If you don't mind now, I would like to get home before dark."
"What do you mean? Are you saying you have amnesia? If that's true, then what 'Neki told me makes sense now."
"What are you going on about? Is my order almost ready?"
"I'll go check for you."
"Thanks."
XOXO
He heard chuckling.
He turned around – suddenly startled, by the waiter's stares. He stumbled backward – into the countertop, as the brunet advanced forward. He looked away – face slowly turning, to watch other customers conversing.
He couldn't leave – carefully cornered, like a rabbit. He was uneasy – muscles tense, for fight or flight. He was waiting – to be attacked, but wasn't surprisingly enough.
"He was right. You look absolutely … gorgeous, but your head won't work correctly. You lost your memories, to some unfortunate accident."
"You shouldn't eavesdrop on people's conversations. You're an employee here. You should know better, Nishiki."
"I couldn't help myself. It's not every day I come across such a lovely customer."
"W-Why is that all I hear now?"
"It's the truth."
"W-Wasn't I lovely before?"
"I always thought you were."
"I don't understand anything, anything at all."
"You don't need to."
"W-Why would you say that?"
"You'll only be heartbroken."
"I'll only be heartbroken …"
XOXO
The sky darkened.
He sat down – on the porch swing, in his forestry backyard. He sighed tiredly – solving equations, and eating strawberry shortcake. He couldn't concentrate – mind preoccupied, with what happened at the café.
He heard leaves rustling – softly crunching, as shadowy silhouettes materialized. He gasped fearfully – textbooks falling, on the wooden floorboards. He fumbled around – grabbing a remote, illuminating his surroundings.
"N-No …"
"It's okay, Hide. It's just me."
"I don't know you …"
"You do, Hide. I'm your best friend, Kaneki. What has he done to you?"
"Mr. Crawford is a good man, a good doctor. He's helping me recover from a car crash. I also remind him of his son. I guess that's why he's taken me into his home."
"You were never in a car crash, Hide. You don't drive, just ride your bicycle everywhere. I would know because I'm your best friend."
"How can I believe you? I've just met you."
"If you'll let me, I can prove it to you. Please let me, Hide."
"I'll only be heartbroken …"
"What do you mean, Hide?"
"I was warned, that I'll only be heartbroken, that I'm better off not knowing who I was, that I should just stay aloof forever."
"Who told you that, Hide?"
"It was someone I must have known before, someone named Nishiki."
"You can't trust him, Hide!"
"I can't trust anyone!"
XOXO
He ran away.
He shut the door – locking himself inside, as he turned around. He heard banging – fists pounding, but blocked them out. He fell down – on his knees, ears covered tightly. He began sobbing – shedding teardrops, like when they first met.
He felt pain – heading throbbing again, just hurting severely. He needed aspirins – special aspirins, ones Crawford prescribed him. It worked quickly – taking effect, numbing his mind and body.
"You can trust me, Hide. I would never lie to you."
"I don't believe you …"
"You're my best friend. I would never hurt you."
"I don't believe you …"
"Why won't you let me prove myself, then? Why do you keep pushing me away? I want you back. I need you back."
"You should go before my guards shoot you."
"I'll come back for you, though."
"They're going to shoot you."
"I won't let him screw with your head any longer. Maybe you'll remember me, then."
"I don't want to remember you! I don't want to remember anything!"
"You don't mean that!"
"Yes, I do!"
A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.