Alfea Cafeteria - Morning - 25th September 2005
It was a good day today.
At least that's what Kaneki believed and it was still morning. Second night in and no Darkar though Kaneki did separate from his physical body which he decides to exploit this by wandering the school halls.
Recalling Hide's exaggerated theories about school at night, Kaneki realises he shouldn't have refuted his best friend's words. Teachers really do have a secret life and he bore witness to that. 'Never again,' Kaneki shudders.
They really need to realise how old they are.
Anyway, Kaneki first heads to the laundry room not only to do his own his clothes but to also clean Professor Avalon's blazer as thanks for lending it to Kaneki after yesterday's whole fiasco. He concludes to set the machine to wash then dry the load before breakfast and pick it up after his first lesson.
Kaneki scurries to student kitchen craving something homemade rather than a school dish with Faith and Glim trailing after him.
Tecna's and Musa's Room
"That's what he said?" Musa questions as she and Tecna chat privately in their shared room.
"Yes. There's something definitely up with Kaneki and we need to investigate," Tecna affirms.
"The others won't like it," Musa reminds. "All the other students are infatuated with him."
"I know but with a little more evidence we could convince Stella and Bloom's already petrified after he callously scorched her. Hopefully, that will at least convince Bloom and Flora not to trust him."
"What about Aisha?" Musa questions when Tecna leaves her out.
"She's closest to Kaneki. If she finds out about us investigating Kaneki then she'll tip him off," Tecna cautions as she furiously types at her laptop.
"But what if he's really dangerous? Do we just leave her in his grasp?" Musa admonishes furiously.
"Of course not. Until we can convince her otherwise we protect her from the shadows," Tecna swears, closing her laptop.
Avalon's Office
"Come in," Avalon responds not glancing up from the papers on his desk. Kaneki enters with the blazer in his arms.
"Morning Professor Avalon, I've come to return your blazer," Kaneki informs handing back the article of clothing.
"Thank you, my dear boy," Avalon accepts his blazer back. His face brightens and he digs his hand into a drawer and offers Kaneki a book. "For you. I believe this may help in your search to return home. I had to pull some strings to find this book."
Kaneki graciously accepts the book. "Thank you."
"Before you go, there's something I'm wondering," Avalon pipes up stopping Kaneki from leaving. "Are you wearing the necklace?"
"Yes," Kaneki takes it out from under his shirt.
"You haven't taken it off, have you?" Kaneki could hear the desperation laced within Avalon's words.
"No, I forgot to last night since I was tired plus the thread won't choke me in my sleep," Kaneki replies.
"I see. Please continue in wearing it," Avalon requests though Kaneki notes the relief.
"Sure," Kaneki says slowly befuddled by the unusual behaviour but he brushes it off. Something in the back of his mind told him it's best not to question Avalon.
Magic Archive
"Professor Avalon got me this book which I really think would help in my search to get home so is it okay if I do a little summoning practice here?" Kaneki request attempting not to sound too overbearing or desperate. Avalon gave the book when he went to return the jacket and the information in it was far more valuable than his previous reads so naturally, he wants to start experimenting.
"It is fine as long as you make no mess," Concorda concedes. Hippocampus and Mujina, as usual, tried to search Kaneki for treats which he did have. He brings out a small bag and removes the ribbon exposing the treats for the duo to eat plus Faith.
Kaneki sets to work, he studies the book carefully, rereading every paragraph and ensuring he understood what to do. After about an hour, Kaneki was carving drawings into a pencil.
"What are you doing?" Concorda inquires, coming closer to observe.
"I'm drawing symbols drawings into the pencil to differentiate it from other pencils. Hopefully, this will make summoning it much easier," Kaneki explains examining the smiley face, the balloon and the number 1 he carved into the side. "Now all that's left is to draw the circle," Kaneki hums as he sits cross-legged on the floor and begins to draw a circle on a blank piece of paper before sketching a pentagon inside the circle. In the centre of the pentagon was the word pencil written inside in Italian. On 3 of the sides, Kaneki etched the carvings he made on the pencil. The whole this was happening Faith played with Hippocampus and Mujina.
"Alright," Kaneki breathes out, proud of himself. "Hippocampus, can you place this on the table?" Kaneki requests and Hippocampus happily obeys.
"Do you think it will work?" Concorda inquires, fixing her glasses.
"Only one way to find out," Kaneki responds before straightening his arms and placing his hands far above the paper, he closed his eyes before chanting the incantation which he hoped to be correct, "Signore dell'Onniverso, ti supplico di concedermi un oggetto che rientri nel mondo in cui sono. Lascia che il tuo potere fluisca nelle mie vene e si fonda con il mio essere. Presentami l'oggetto che desidero convocare. Portami la matita che giace sul tavolo." (1)
The sheet began to glow as he read the incantation until a pencil dropped right onto the paper, completely normal.
"It worked!" Kaneki marvelled, eyes shining in glee. As soon as he said that another bright ball light appeared and released shiny black shavings right above the pencil.
"It appears not," Concorda corrects tutting at the failed attempt.
"Imagine if you put a living thing in there," Faith mutters horrified, the colour from his face drained away.
"Looks like I need to wait before using you as a guinea pig Faith," Kaneki says, struggling to keep his facade of complete and utter seriousness.
"Y-You're joking, right Kenny?" Faith inquires nervously yet hopefully, his voice quivering at the very thought.
"Of course I am," Kaneki snorts rolling his eyes as he pokes Faith's torso. "What would I do without my little hyper, gluttonous pixie annoying me every second of my life?"
"Exactly!" Faith supports joyfully.
"So what do you plan to do now?" Concorda inquires pushing her glasses up higher.
"More research. I'll study what went wrong and try to fix it," Kaneki answers as he brings out his phone to examine the list of potential books he read that would be useful. He needs to review those again.
For hours, Kaneki tried numerous more attempts with different bits of stationery including an eraser, a pack of highlighters and a pen. The latter did not impress Concorda as the ink spilt onto the floor so Kaneki is now cleaning up the spill while apologising.
Figuring that he's made enough of a mess and not wanting to get on Concorda's bad side any further, he leaves with promises of returning tomorrow. As Kaneki promenades down the hallway he couldn't help but contemplate his mess of a life. He has a lot on his plate with his research on how to return to his world, his fairy studies, the writing competition and now the mystery behind Ri and Darkar. Finding a balance between all 4 is difficult since he doesn't exactly know what to prioritise first.
He knew it should be returning home especially knowing that the CCG struck down Anteiku and his friends were most likely scattered if not killed, but he gradually came to love Alfea despite knowing the main reason of that was because no one knew he was a ghoul and he wasn't deluded to believe he could hide it for much longer. Someone's going to figure it out soon and it'd probably be Musa since she has the biggest grudge against him.
"Agh!" A small shriek caught Kaneki's attention and without thinking he dashes to where he believes it originated. He found a junior laying on the ground disoriented with a busted up wheelchair not too far from her fallen body.
"Ah!" The girl sobs as she falls back on the ground, she struggles to drag herself back to her wheelchair due to how bad her arms were shaking. She ends up clutching her shoulder and wincing while blinking away the beads of water threatening to spill down her cheeks.
"Are you alright?" Kaneki demands as he kneels by the girl and helps her sit up. His ears twitch when he hears shrill laughter from above so he shifts his gaze to the top of the stairs where a trio of familiar faces was laughing their wigs off.
Kaneki glances back at the wheelchair then it darts to the button on the bannister which switches the stairs to a ramp and vice versa.
"How mean," Faith huffs with Glim who puffs out her cheeks in anger.
It was clear what had just happened, Carina and her lackeys had pressed the switch to catch that girl off guard and send her tumbling. Honestly, that button is to switch the stairs to a ramp for students in wheelchairs so they can go wherever they want easily. Truth be told though, Kaneki's pretty sure that this girl is the only one in a wheelchair.
Kaneki's brows were knitted together in a scowl and his nose crinkled in distaste at the trio who had just noticed Kaneki if their growing grins had anything to say. Carina licked her lips before calling out to Kaneki obviously expecting him to join in with their amusement.
"Hey Kaneki, check out that freak," Carina cackles with her friends joining in.
"Shut up," Kaneki barks glaring at the trio who recoil from the ferocity. "Your shrieks are giving me a headache."
"What?" Carina's cackles slowly die out while her anger gradually boils over as she watches him care for the 'freak'.
"Is it your shoulder?" Kaneki inquires kindly when she refuses to stop clutching her shoulder.
"Y-Yeah," she breathes out, her voice strained. "My wheelchair landed on me and it hurts."
With permission, Kaneki felt around the area and slowly adds pressure concluding that her clavicle and a part of her scapula is broken. A low growl rumbles in his throat but he calms himself in an instant by taking in a deep breath, there's no need to scare her.
"Noble Heart," Kaneki casts and a thin light outlines the girl who eyes widen and her neck instantly snaps to her legs before looking at Kaneki incredulously.
The girl began to feel her shoulder area once again and marvels at how the pain disappeared. "Wow, it doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you."
"Glad to help."
"Wait! Why would you help her?" Carina demands, she clapped her hands on her hips, arms crooked like the handle of a teapot.
"Yeah, she doesn't belong here," Jessica adds with Lola jerking her head in agreement.
Kaneki simply sighs and shakes his head before putting the wheelchair upright and helping the girl back in by hooking his arms under her knees and supporting her back with his other hand to carry her. He then gathers had fallen books all while ignoring the trio who were baffled by him helping what they considered a 'freak'.
While Kaneki was preoccupied, she and her friends cantered down the stairs baffled why he's acting so cordial to her when he rarely interacts with anyone else, besides Aisha. "Um, Kaneki, we're sorry." That was the wrong thing to say but Carina didn't want to stay on his bad side and she didn't know what else to do.
"Don't. Just don't," Kaneki prevents them from saying anything else. "I'm not the one you should be apologising to, it's her but only if she wants it."
"If I want it?" She reiterates unable to believe what she was hearing.
"As far as I'm concerned an apology should only be delivered if it is sincere but these girls show absolutely no remorse for what they did to you. The fact that they apologised to me is reprehensible especially since they only did it because they got caught and realised I didn't approve."
"I'm not apologising to her! B*tch should know her place," Carina bellows her face crimson with rage.
"She's a freak," Lola advocates sneering.
"How?" Kaneki demands, placing a hand on his hip as he leans all his weight on a single leg. His brow knitted into a frown as he patiently bides for their trash-filled response.
"Cripples can't be fairies," Jessica smirks confidently as she tosses her hair over her shoulder. She stood tall and stiff not expecting a rebuttal from Kaneki since her words are the absolute truth at least that's what she and her friends postulate.
"That's a pathetic excuse. Her disability does not make her less of a person," Kaneki counters coolly without missing a beat which makes the trio falter.
"Yeah!" Faith supports and Glim pumps her tiny fist in the air.
Elidor glances up at Kaneki who continues to berate the girls, his eyes reflecting disapproval throughout the whole lecture. She wasn't expecting this. When this happened, which was quite a lot actually, only a small fraction of people ever saved her but all of them demanded the perpetrators apologise before handling her like a fragile piece of porcelain. Treading carefully as if she'll shatter while their honeyed words unknowingly poison her self esteem.
They rarely defer to her opinion and feelings automatically assuming her to be hurt by the bullying when it is the uneducated actions of the saviours themselves. She knew they mean no harm but she loathes it with all her heart. She's not useless and she's not a child.
"So what happens now?" Kaneki refers to Elidor.
"Huh?" Elidor snaps out of her internal thoughts.
"What do you want to do with them? Report them to Faragonda, do you want an apology or for them to kneel before you. Pick," Kaneki elucidates while keeping a close eye on the trio to ensure they wouldn't flee.
"Death!" Faith exclaims with fire in his eyes.
"Faith," Kaneki scolds despite being somewhat proud of his decision but that's not something he could admit to his pixie. He's the responsible one for Faith and Glim and the latter really needs a good role model after being under Faith's care.
"Sorry," Faith mutters, his shoulders slumped.
Elidor giggles in her hand at the absurdity of the scene while she never actually expected him to inquire to her about the fate of those who bullied her, it felt good like he's seeing her as a person rather than porcelain.
She turns to face the girls who were glowering a hole into the floor, Carina wrung the end of her shirt with both hands threatening to tear the expensive fabric. "Just let them go," Elidor relents with a sigh leaning back into her chair. Carina holds terrible grudges against those who go against her and she has the social power to back it up. No need to make an enemy out of her.
The trio were in shock as was Kaneki but they wisely choose to run away while they still could.
"Was that okay?" Kaneki queries as he collects the rest of her fallen books.
"They would've hated me more. No reason to stoke the fire," Elidor shrugs off. Taking the high road was the better decision despite her yearning deep down for a harsher, more humiliating punishment.
"If you're sure," Kaneki responds, handing back her books before noticing it was based off numerous elements.
Noticing his befuddlement, Elidor delves her reasonings for the books to answer swimming in his mind. "My powers were completely unexpected so I'm kinda behind with developing my abilities."
"What's your power?" Kaneki inquires, genuinely curious.
"Weather manipulation," Elidor admits, scratching her cheek focusing her gaze on the ground.
"Impressive," Kaneki whistles flicking through some pages of her book. "You have domain over air, electricity, water and temperature."
"Not that impressive if I haven't developed any spells. It's too much and I don't know how I'll create my own proper spells if I don't even understand my powers."
"But everyone else has so why not you?" Kaneki snaps the book shut and hands it back to her.
"That's because powers are linked to the planet you were born and raised in. Eraklyon is gem based, Dervinya is plant-based, Sphynx is sand and stone. I live in Metallica City on Planet Oreno. Every fairy, witch and wizard powers there are based on metal and minerals with the occasional earth, magma, corrosion etcetera. As soon as we turn 15, we take a special compulsory class which helps us develop our knowledge of our planet and it's elements."
"I see. Weather manipulation," Kaneki mumbles under his breath before snapping his fingers when an idea pops in his head. "Why don't you head to the greenhouse then? There are bound to be loads of plants from different climates. You could use your powers to help them grow or something."
That didn't sound like a bad idea. "You think so?"
"It's the best shot you got," Kaneki shrugs. "My name is Kaneki by the way," Kaneki introduces offering his hand in greeting.
"Elidor Irin," Elidor accepts and shakes his hand and they head to the greenhouse.
Greenhouse
When Kaneki arrives with Elidor they see Flora ardently tending to her plants. Armed with a spray bottle in one hand, she feeds a nearby plant while whispering sweet words of comfort with her free hand stroking the mizzle leaf.
Chatta had her nose in a note as she helped out by adding fertiliser to flower beds using her magic to drop the chemical beads evenly. All the while, she kept chattering about random things to Flora who hummed every now and then to assure her pixie she was listening. They only take notice of their arrival when a talking plant points them out.
"Hiya Glim," Chatta envelops her in a great bear hug while overlooking Faith who takes fake offence.
"What? Nothing for me?" Faith rests an elbow on her shoulder.
"Maybe if you beg," Chatta winks before they burst out laughing and decide to race around the room.
"Kaneki, Elidor, hi," Flora greets placing the spray down on the table and mosey up to them. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Flora. Kaneki suggested that this place might be a good place to practice my powers," Elidor discloses in a happy manner.
"He did?" Flora raises a brow at that wondering why he thought that. She didn't really know Elidor as well as her sister but she knew for a fact that they were from Oreno. "Are you earth-based?" Flora places her hands on her knees as she gets on Elidor's eye level which Elidor didn't really mind.
"No. Weather."
"Ahh, but that still doesn't explain why you think this place would be good for practising your power," Flora reminds.
"There should be plants and seeds from different climates in here so she could use her powers to help each grow. It will give her understanding of a basis of her abilities," Kaneki clarifies.
"Would it really?" Flora couldn't help but ask, she holds her chin in her hand.
"I don't know but it's worth a try," Elidor decides with confidence.
"Then I'll help too," Flora volunteers jubilantly. "I am an expert in plants."
First, they decide to write all the potentials Elidor's powers could cover no matter how small. They work with her for an hour and it worked, Elidor began to understand her powers better and is confident in forging these spells suitable for combat and defence. She continues to help plants grow on her own while Kaneki and Flora watch her from a close distance.
"I was surprised to see you here today," Flora reveals just as Elidor successfully creates a small rain cloud which waters only a pot. "Even more so with Elidor. You seem like the type to keep to yourself. How'd you bump into her?" Flora wonders tilting her head to the side.
"I heard a scream, ran to it and saw that Carina and her friends on the top of stairs while Elidor was on the ground with her wheelchair by her," Kaneki snorts as he leans back with his palms flat against the ground behind him. Both of them were sitting on the single-step close to the door.
"You rescued her from their bullying? That's a relief. Elidyr's been worried since she can't be by her sister all the time. And there are so many cruel girls within Alfea. You're a good guy, Kaneki," Flora smile was so bright Kaneki swore it could have blinded him.
"Good?" Kaneki snorts as if that were the funniest thing he's heard which it was but not a humorous type of funny. "I'm not a good guy, Flora." A small yet sombre sigh escapes past his lips as he recalls his sins. His fingers curl into the concrete leaving trenches that would undeniably be questioned by Flora but he couldn't care. These hands permanently stained by the blood of those he slaughtered. Their deaths he will never regret but it because of their impious existence that he left Touka and hide behind... Or is he simply making excuses for his actions?
It's like Touka said he only cared for himself. Leaving so no one would leave him. Everything he did was so he would never be alone rather than the nonsense he spouted about protecting his precious place.
Flora carefully observes Kaneki from the corner of her, being the natural mother-figure of the Winx meant she knew when something was wrong with her friends and since Kaneki is her friend she can't just let him wallow in poignancy.
She gets up from the step, brushing the dust off her skirt before picking up a nearby flower pot and passing it to Kaneki. "Here."
"What is it?" Kaneki questions looking around the pot for anything special.
"It's a flower pot, silly," Flora jives, wanting to have some fun.
"I know what it is but why did you give it to me?" Kaneki brushes say the top layer of soil to unearth a seed. "What do I do?"
"Just give it a bit of magic," Flora advises, actually taking his wrist so his hand hovers a few inches above the soil.
"Okay," Kaneki holds out his index finger which glows black sphere and feeds the plant. The plant blossoms in a matter of seconds with 8 petals with a white 'v' and 3 dots on each end, the top 4 were electric blue while the bottom 4 were lavender.
"I guess this proves otherwise," Flora elucidates when Kaneki inquires what she meant. "That is the Lily of Purity. It can look deep into a someone's soul and if that person's pure then it blooms but if the person has an evil soul or agenda then it wilts."
"Really?" Kaneki stares at the angelic flower and couldn't help but smile at the warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Kaneki was about to hand Flora back the pot when she gently pushes it back to him.
"You can keep it. I think you need the reminder," Flora foretells with a knowing look. She remembers the conversation with Knut after all.
"Alright, I'm done for today, I'm going back to my room," Elidor informs waving to them to grab their attention unknowingly interrupting their heartfelt moment but that didn't matter to the two.
"I'll escort you," Flora volunteers and insists when Elidor protests by assuring her the chair still has power but Flora wouldn't accept it.
"Fine," Elidor relents, she blows her bangs out of her face, understanding that Flora's decision could not be swayed. "I'll see you later, Kaneki."
"Later," Kaneki waves as the girls leave along with Chatta. Not even a second later did a crash come behind him. Turning around, he found his pixies staring at a broken pot laying on the floor. "Seriously?" Kaneki huffs then rolls his eyes when they start to blame each other before breaking out into a silly slap fight. Kaneki cleans up the dirt and ceramic before going to see Faragonda.
While Elidor decides not to punish the trio, she didn't say anything about him dealing with them so he's off to meet Faragonda. Revenge is sweet.
With Flora and Elidor
"Have you known Kaneki for long?" Elidor asks Flora out of nowhere after the latter wheels her through the hallway.
"No, he started this year," Flora informs unbothered by the sudden question. "Is there any reason you want to know?"
"Not really. It's just he's different," Elidor fiddles with the books in her lap as a soft smile grace her lips. "He's the first person who won't handle me with gloves. When he defended me, he actually let me decide what to do with those who bullied me."
"Do you have a crush on him?"
"What? No," Elidor snorts lightly slapping Flora's hand as a reprimand. "I just met the guy. I know nothing about him. Can't a girl be curious about a guy without the implications of her liking him?"
"Sorry," Flora winces knowing she hit a sore spot.
"You know what he said? He said my disability doesn't make me any less of a person. You-You don't know how long I've been waiting for those words," Elidor's wobbly voice becomes slightly breathless as her shoulders shake and Flora grasps the impact that single moment between the two had on Elidor.
"Kaneki's awesome," Chatta jabbers out of nowhere saliva spewing out her mouth like a super squirter which she doesn't take note of. "It was fun hanging out with him. He didn't even get mad when Livy and I knocked his lamp over."
Flora couldn't help but smile as Chatta babbles on excitedly about Kaneki. It seems Kaneki true nature is finally unravelling.
Unknown Location
Kaneki finds himself in a kitchen placing a bowl of soup on a tray next to a dipping bowl filled with seeds which he delivers to a woman sitting up in bed. Perched on her finger was a small blue bird with a bandaged wing, she strokes his feathered head softly which he clearly enjoys.
"Here, Ri," the man, Kaneki refuses to refer to him as Darkar, calls softly as he places the tray on her lap. The woman turns her head finally revealing her face to Kaneki.
To say she was beautiful would be an understatement, she is absolutely resplendent with her heart-shaped face and lovely alabaster skin. Her opalescent ashen eyes glisten in the light which also reflects her exhaustion. If eyes were the windows to the soul then there was no doubt that this woman is the embodiment of kindness.
"Thank you," the woman, Ri, tucks her silky midnight hair behind her ear revealing a small beauty mark under her left eye. "It's good," Ri notes after taking a small sip.
"It should help you regain your strength," the man assures.
"It's delicious," Ri hums in content before taking a pinch of seeds and offering them to the bird who eagerly pecks at her hands yet takes enough care not to injure her.
"He's certainly hungry," the man comments chuckling.
"He needs all-" the woman's words are cut off when she coughs violently with blood exploding out her mouth.
"Ri!" The man yells before rushing to the kitchen and coming out with a glass of water. He rubs her back as she greedily gulps down the water.
"Thank you," Ri finally manages to say after catching her voice before slowly lowering herself until she was lying on her back. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" The man questions as he wipes the blood from her chin.
"For this curse. Taking care of me must be such a bother," Ri brings up her hand to stroke the man's face. Kaneki could feel the warmth and love in that single gesture.
"You're not a bother. Never," the man assures taking her hand between his and holding it tight, placing a kiss on it. "Just wait. I promise you that I'll break your curse. You will live."
Kaneki's Room - 26th September 2005
Kaneki opens his eyes and sits up, that woman looked way too familiar but he can't pinpoint exactly where he saw her face.
He immediately sits at his desk and begins to sketch the woman's face which he could use to help researching. He brings it up and examines it closer. Ri, clearly someone important to Darkar is someone he definitely needs to investigate.
"Mornin' Kenny," Faith greets chipper despite just waking up.
"Morning," Kaneki responds distractedly. Needless to say, Faith wasn't impressed with the lack of reaction from his fairy. Kenny should praise his name and give him a great big hug.
If Kenny won't give him attention then it's up to Faith to get that attention and that's what he does by landing on Kaneki's head and trying to mess with his hair which he just ignores. It was then Faith discerns what Kaneki was up to.
Faith floats down on the desk to examine the drawing better. "Is that your sister? She's so pretty," Faith compliments which shocks Kaneki for a second and that delays his response by half a minute.
"What? This isn't my sister, I don't even know this woman," Kaneki drops the pencil and picks up the paper.
"Oh, but she looks so much like you," Faith points out.
"Does she really?" Kaneki mumbles but began to see the resemblance with every passing second. Is this why Darkar referred to him as Ri? But he still doesn't know who she is. Recalling what Faragonda told them a few days ago about the first appearance of Darkar, it was on Planet Empyrea. That's where Kaneki will start.
"What does your sister look like?" Faith questions snapping Kaneki from his thoughts. Faith continues after Kaneki questions what he means. "You said that woman wasn't your sister but didn't deny you have a sister. Don't you like her or anything?" Faith instantly regrets his last statement as Kaneki explodes.
"Excuse me! My baby sister Hinami is the cutest, sweetest and smartest girl in the world. How could anyone hate her?!" Kaneki huffs. His yelling actually woke up Glim who didn't like all the loud noise.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry!" Faith freaks out before flying to Glim to calm her down. Luckily Kaneki's childish rage also died down.
"Sorry about that Glim," Kaneki apologises cupping the back of his neck.
"Bada?" Kaneki didn't need a direct translation from Faith to understand what she said.
"Yes," Kaneki smirks.
"You both are so mean," Faith groans slumping over but never taking offence.
"You insulted my precious baby Hinami albeit unintentionally which was still unforgivable. Let me show you how she looks like." Kaneki flips to a clean page and began to sketch Hinami which took longer than normal and numerous pages because Kaneki wanted her to be 'perfect'.
Faith got fed up and actually labelled him as a sisacon which Kaneki surprisingly took as a compliment.
Library
"Attacks on Empyrea," Kaneki types on the public computer and numerous results come up. He scrolls down until he finds exactly what he was looking for. 'Shadow Phoenix Lays Seige on Aurai.'
Kaneki clicks on the link and scans the news article. In 1987, multiple shadow creatures storm into the Town of Aurai unexpectedly at 7:30 in the evening. Followed by the shadow creatures was a Phoenix who began to slaughter the innocents. The attack came out of nowhere and no one was prepared for a counter. Just as all hope was lost, a large gale of wind slice through the shadow creatures. The disembodied spirit of the Nymph of Magix, Zephyrine, appears before the Phoenix and successfully drives it away. Lady Zephyrine is hailed a hero and a statue is erected in her honour. Approximately 570 people were killed in the attack while another 1,354 were injured.
"Badubaa," Glim babble taking refuge on Kaneki's shoulder.
"Glim wants to know what you're going to do next," Faith translate.
"We're going on a little trip," Kaneki responds as he orders tickets for himself and his two pixies.
"Don't you have class?" Faith questions.
Kaneki pauses before cursing unsurprisingly chomping on his tongue, he immediately rectifies his mistake by switching his tickets for later times. He also checks out Nymphs of Magix book from the library which garners a raised brow from Miss Barbatea but allows him to take nonetheless.
Class
While all the girls were nattering in the class, Kaneki quietly sat at his desk flipping through the pages of the book after carefully scanning each page.
The Nymphs of Magix were 9 all powerful women, both fairy and witch, who ruled over the destiny of the Magic Dimension following the disappearance of the Great Dragon. They were the most powerful magical beings of the Magic Dimension. The first Nymph was Marion Schneider, also known as Puppeteer, Fairy of Threads. Kaneki skims through until he lands on the page he wants.
Zephyrine, the Fairy of Wind, is 7th Nymph of Magix who was teacher to the 8th Nymph Politea and Daphne, the Supreme Nymph of Magix, who was the last and most powerful of them all.
At that moment, Aisha who was not paying attention bumps into Kaneki's desk which snaps him out of his musings.
"Sorry, Kaneki," Aisha apologises clutching her bruised kidney with a pained expression on her face.
"It's fine," Kaneki assures before lifting closer to his face. Tecna notices exactly what he was reading.
"Nymphs of Magix? Why do you have this book?"
"For an assignment," Kaneki responds thinking quick. "I need to do some 1st-year assignments to catch up with you girls."
Tecna raises a brow at that a legitimate yet questionable excuse but to truly verify the truth she must question what the assignment was.
"Really? And what-." Before Tecna could question Kaneki, Stella interjects.
"Ooh, is it the 'Important Figures Throughout History'?" Stella inquires excitedly.
"Yep," Kaneki agrees relieved while Tecna curses out the blonde for her ditzy nature.
"Bloom also based her essay on a Nymph," Flora pipes in.
"My sister Daphne actually," Bloom informs cupping the back of her neck, her body partially hidden behind Musa.
"You mean the Supreme Nymph of Magix?" Aisha's eyes widen and Bloom nods. "Wow, that's amazing."
"Who are you basing your assignment on?" Bloom inquires.
"Zephyrine," Kaneki answers tugging the book closer to him.
"Why di-" Flora was interrupted by the teacher Cleo who announced that the lesson was starting and everyone to return to their seats.
Aurai
Kaneki steps off the train and carefully manoeuvres through the hoards of civilians rushing to get elsewhere. As soon as he exits the station Kaneki immediately takes notice of the ivory statue of a woman, the same woman he's investigating. Kaneki whistles at the sheer size while Faith and Glim are left jaw dropped.
"Wow, she's really important," Faith comments as marvels the statue. Kaneki pulls his hoodie over his head and shoves his hands into his pockets as he walks to the antique shop.
When Kaneki arrives in front of the building he pauses before his gaze darts to the surrounding buildings. It really is an antique store as in the shop itself is an antique.
The little bell chimes when Kaneki opens the door which garners the attention of the owner. "Good afternoon, anything, in particular, you're looking for?" The elderly man inquires as he continues to place books back in the bookcase situated by the wall.
"I'm looking for information on Zephyrine," Kaneki requests.
"All information of the attack on Aurai is by the front in the cart," the old man informs robotically as if it were asked constantly. "Or head to the library which isis only a few blocks away."
"No, not about the attack but a little more personal," Kaneki corrects.
"You and everyone else," the man sighs as he slams the final book back into the bookcase. "I told you, people, to leave me alone. I am not revealing anything else about my daughter so get lost!"
"Your daughter?"
"I told you-!" The old man angrily yanks his glasses which were hanging around his neck and put them on before pausing. "Zephyrine?" The old man's lips tremble as he hesitantly moves closer to Kaneki. "Is it really you?"
"I'm sorry but no. I, uh, I just look like her," Kaneki stammers. "Look, I didn't mean to bring you any unpleasantness. I'll just leave."
"No, no! Please stay," the old man pleads stumbling over his own feet to prevent Kaneki from leaving. The man closed up shop while assuring Kaneki it would be fine and they head to the back, he introduces himself as Antor. They sit around a table in silence with cups of coffee in hand. Antor also brought out a tin of biscuits which Faith and Glim greedily scarf down.
"Mister, you're being creepy," Faith says without hesitation.
"I'm sorry for staring but you look so much like her," Antor mumbles his stare darting from Kaneki's face to his cup.
"I wanna see a picture," Faith demands eagerly.
"Faith," Kaneki pressed his lips into a thin line at Faith's disrespect.
"No, it's fine," Antor assures already getting up from his seat to grab a photo album. "Here," Antor opens the album to show the photos.
"Abu daba," Glim pipes up.
"Glim's right," Faith agrees. "She really looks like you, Kenny."
Kaneki takes a picture out of the pocket, after getting permission, and examines it closely. It was of a young Zephyrine clearly celebrating her birthday with her father. Kaneki took note that there was clearly no mother which he chooses not to comment on.
"That was taken on the first birthday we celebrated together," Antor smiles as he reminisces that special day.
"First birthday? I thought you said she was your daughter?"
"Adopted. I found her wandering outside in a nearby park bawling her eyes out because she couldn't find her parents and she didn't know where she was. At least that was what I assumed, she couldn't speak a lick of Italian so the first few months were complicated, to say the least."
"No one came to claim her?" Kaneki frowns.
"No, but we still had a good life together."
"There's actually something I want to ask you, who gave her the nickname Ri?"
"Her fiancé, Argulus. They lived outside of town on a hill," Antor informs after taking a sip of his coffee. "He was a good man, always took care of her but was very insecure," Antor struggles for a moment as he tries to find the last word.
"Insecure?" Kaneki repeats in befuddlement.
"Argulus was an exceptional wizard. Always punctual, studied and aced every exam, memorised every spell needed to be learnt, a real teacher's pet you could say. He could've had a great future had it not be inhibited by his lack of magical ability. A basic spell would drain him until he was lethargic while higher class spells would send him unconscious for days."
"I'm guessing it wasn't great," Kaneki mentions remembering how everyone treated Haley.
"You got that right," Antor sighs shaking his head before a small smile appears on his lips. "That no longer mattered when he was with my daughter. When she became sick, he stayed by her side through thick and thin taking care of her."
"What do you mean sick?" Faith questions nibbling on his biscuit.
"She was cursed actually. There was a company on Sphynx which dumped toxic waste near a small city. The waste left in the broiling hot sun leaked into an underground water reservoir and poisoned the citizens making them deathly ill. The whole city had to be quarantined off. Clean up was immediate but in order to purify the water, a powerful class 8 potion needed to be concocted. Zephyrine was in charge of the mission but allowed her two students to procure the ingredients with her."
"Politea and Daphne," Kaneki guesses but he knew it could only be them.
"Yes, that were their names. Most of the ingredients were already stored with the government and multiple organisations due to the rarity but there was still a couple left to find. I believe a vital component of the potion was the Stone of Catharsis. They received an anonymous word that it could be found in a cave on an ice planet," Antor's grip on his cup tightens until his knuckles turn white.
An anonymous word. In other words, a trap judging by the reaction it elicits from Antor.
"I don't know exactly what happened since I wasn't there and I didn't receive a proper explanation from my daughter but after the incident, Politea and Daphne had a falling out," Antor informs.
"You don't know anything else?" Kaneki lightly urges as not to set off the man.
"All I know is that when they entered the cave it appeared empty, Daphne went to open the chest containing the stone but Zephyrine had an uneasy feeling in her gut, but was too late in stopping her. My daughter protected her student as the chest was cursed to seal and drain all magic and life force of a person," Antor deflates in his seat as he recalls Politea yelling at Daphne while in the waiting room. "I received a call from a hospital in Magix that my daughter was grievously injured needing immediate surgery. That greedy godforsaken company set a trap to ambush my child and her students so they could continue dumping their waste despite the danger it brought to the people. Zephyrine did what she did best; protecting the ones she loves. After that Zephyrine slowly got sicker over the year, the curse was powerful so much so it was almost impossible to break safely."
"It must have been tough," Kaneki says softly.
"Yes, but she faced it with a smile. Always," Antor replies chuckling lightly.
"How did Argulus take it? You mentioned he took care of her but..." Kaneki trails off.
"He desperately searched for an antidote and he found it," Antor smile trembles before he breaks down in tears. "But she died before he could administer it. He was... he was heartbroken as to be expected but I, uh, I blamed him for her death."
"Why'd you do that?" Faith questions.
"I was angry but that shouldn't be used an excuse," Antor explains. "The last time I saw him was at her funeral 3 days later. He stood further away in the distance, I wanted to apologise but he left before I could. Never saw him again."
"Never ever?" Faith queries curiously.
"I gave up ever seeing him after the attack," Antor sniffs taking tissue from his pocket and drying his teary eyes. "After what I told him, I doubt he cares for."
"I don't think so. You see, I noticed something. All the surrounding buildings look new except yours," Kaneki points out not wanting to man to stay upset especially he agreed to speak to Kaneki. "It's vintage."
"Yeah for some strange reason the shadow creatures left my store and home alone," Antor furrows his brows as he tries to come up with a plausible excuse.
"I think I know why. Despite what you said to him, he still cared about you this place is proof of that," Kaneki reveals which Antor tries to rebut.
"What? You're not saying..? No, that's impossible," Antor desperately tries to deny the truth.
"When he went to collect Sel Mista, something decides to tag along," Kaneki continues.
"Oh god, he's a criminal. And not just any criminal but a mass murder who obliterated a whole planet. How? It's not like him. He's not capable of that much violence, he might have been a soldier once but that level of violence is impossible for him!" Antor buries his face in his hands. This is all too much for him to handle in this single moment.
"I'm sorry," Kaneki apologises. He didn't come here just to put down an old man.
"Don't apologise," Antor assures taking in a deep breath to calm himself. "I'm relieved to know he's at least alive."
The next hour was spent on talking between the two. Kaneki didn't mind staying for longer as he knew that the elderly man truly needs this after being alone with his regrets weighing him down for so long.
"I need to get back," Kaneki informs standing up from his seat.
"Ah, wait, please," Antor requests standing up fast to prevent Kaneki from leaving. "I know this is strange but I'd like to speak to you again. It's been so long."
"I don't mind but I don't have a phone or an email account so you'd probably have to send me a letter," Kaneki notifies.
"Really?" Antor blinks rapidly baffled at the thought of a teenager not having a phone. "Jeez, you're quite old fashioned and that's coming from a man in his 70's."
Faith and Glim couldn't help but slap a hand over their mouths to stifle their sniggers which Kaneki still heard and swore vengeance upon the two.
"What's the address?"
"Alfea," Kaneki answers before irritability replying, "And, no, I'm not a girl."
"That would explain why you have pixies," Antor glances to the 2 miniatures referring to why Kaneki is at Alfea.
Antor leads Kaneki back to the store when Kaneki remembers something and despite knowing he shouldn't ask felt like he should at least try. "You mentioned Daphne and Politea. Did they ever come here? And did they leave any of their belongings?" Kaneki inquires.
"Yes," Antor wonders where this was going.
"I know this sounds strange but my classmate, Bloom, said Daphne is her sister and I read that Daphne died quite a while ago so is it possible-"
"If I could let you take some of her possessions to give to her sister," Antor finishes with a smile on his face. "I don't mind rather I'd be honoured but I should warn you that there's not much."
"It's fine," Kaneki assures and Antor returns with a shoebox filled with Daphne's unimportant personal items that she left behind. Antor apprised that anything related to Zephyrine, no matter how small, would not be given but Kaneki did not mind.
Alfea
With the box tucked safely under his arm, Kaneki begins his search for Bloom who would probably be in her room which is where Kaneki will start except he finds her sitting under the shade of a tree reading a book with Lockette.
Kaneki calls out to her and she flinches at his voice. "K-K-Kane-neki," Bloom stammers unknowingly scooting away from him which he detects.
Kaneki kneels down to her level as not to traumatise her further before offering the box. "I have something for you."
Bloom stares at the shoebox before putting her book down on the grass and accepting it from his grasp. She lays it on her lap and opens the lid, she snags a picture on top and examines the photo then quietly gasps as she distinguishes the blonde on the right. "Is this Daphne?" Bloom lightly strokes Daphne's face on the photograph.
"Along with Politea, her best friend," Kaneki enlightens tapping the brunette. "I learnt quite a bit if you want to know but it's not much in terms of Daphne."
"Would you?!" Bloom inquires enthusiastically. Kaneki reveals the little information he had on her which includes Politea being her best friend and them being students under Zephyrine, the mission on Spynx and the falling out between the two.
"Thank you," Bloom tells Kaneki as she was truly grateful for his kindness but at the same time befuddled. Why would he help her? It's clear he noticed how she's been reacting to him. Nevertheless, she knew what to do next, "Kaneki I want to apologise."
"For what?" Kaneki hums in confusion tilting his head to the side.
"For being so scared when you saved my life," Bloom replies bringing her knees close to her chest and hugging them tightly. "I've been thinking... about the way I've been acting towards you. If Sky had been the one who cauterised my wounds then I would have been terrified of him and our relationship would never be the same. You knew that and that's why you chose to do it. Thank you."
Kaneki fiddles with the grass under his fingers as he wonders what he should respond with. "If it makes you feel better I did expect your reaction which is why I never took any offence. It's not easy to accept someone hurts and traumatises you even if their intentions were good," Kaneki slowly trails off realising he phrased the last part strangely. "Okay that sounded weird," Kaneki acknowledges with a shrug and curt nod.
Bloom stares at Kaneki before she and Lockette dissolve into giggles. "You're different from what I expected," Bloom admits once her giggles die down.
"What did you expect?" Kaneki challenges with a single brow raised before pausing. "Don't answer that," Kaneki says after a moment's thought which was a wise decision.
"Just so you know I didn't mean anything bad by it," Bloom confides. "Lockette's hasn't stop blabbering about how sweet you are. And how handsome," Bloom adds teasingly and Lockette squeaks mortified.
"Oh really?" Kaneki drawls looking to Lockette who dives into Bloom's hair to shield her flaming red face.
"I just realised that you know more about me than I know about you so spill," Bloom demands eagerly but not in an obnoxious manner.
Kaneki doesn't see the harm in answering a few questions about his home. "So what do you want to know?"
"How's Tokyo like?"
"Beautiful, clean and boisterous," Kaneki responds.
"I thought about visiting once," Bloom mutters. "Do you really have vending machines for everything?"
"I doubt for everything but our vending machines are unique and diverse," Kaneki admits chuckling.
This continued for about 5 minutes mainly because Bloom couldn't think of any viable questions on the spot and she made Kaneki promise to answer her questions tomorrow.
Cafeteria - 27th September 2005
Kaneki arrived earlier than the Winx for breakfast so chose to chat with Amaryl and Elidor. Actually, Kaneki originally planned to eat without ever socialising with anyone but those two decided to ruin that.
"-and now I can do so much more," Elidor gushes while simultaneously shoving a fork full of eggs into her mouth.
"Don't speak with your mouth full," Kaneki scolds worried she'll choke.
Elidor's response is cut off by Bloom who slams her tray besides Kaneki's. "I have proper questions for you!" Bloom announces jubilantly.
"You wanna say that a bit louder?" Kaneki rolls his eyes. It was then Bloom noticed how loud she had been and apologised before sitting next to him. The Winx also took their seat, Tecna and Musa were left baffled at Bloom's change of heart.
"Since when were you two close?" Musa questions.
"Since yesterday," Bloom answers. "So what's your favourite colour?"
"Seriously?" Kaneki snorts at the simplicity of the question, it was like she wasn't even trying. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a hand inching closer to his plate which he smacks away. "I never let my guard down Aisha," Kaneki alerts placing a protective arm around his plate.
"Aw," Aisha whines but decides not to mess with him further.
"I wouldn't eat it, Aisha," Faith cautions, his face turning green as he slaps a hand over his mouth so he wouldn't regurgitate his meal.
"Is it that bad?" Musa couldn't help but ask with a brow raised.
"Very," Faith replies, still queasy.
"Stop being overdramatic, Faith," Kaneki scolds flicking the back of Faith's head as punishment. "It's just a sardine sandwich with celery, lettuce, onions, tomatoes and feta cheese," Kaneki elucidates not understanding what all the negative hype was about with sardines.
"Who eats sardines?" Stella questions with her brows furrowed into a frown.
"Sardines are actually good for you," Kaneki corrects
"Forget the sardine thing. Kaneki since you're answering questions you wouldn't mind answering some of ours," Musa hums eyeing him suspiciously.
Kaneki agrees with some reluctance despite the funny feeling in his gut that it may not have been such a good idea.
"Do you have robot servants?" Bloom inquires fervently, her eyes shining with childish glee.
"No, of course not," Kaneki shoots down immediately making the others tease Bloom for something so silly. "They are not servants," Kaneki smirks when they fall silent, he could feel their shock in their incredulous stares towards him.
"You actually have robots?" Elidor refuses to believe Kaneki.
"Yeah, they're everywhere. In banks, hotels, restaurants, museums, even convenience stores," Kaneki informs remembering Nara the security bot/mascot who would ensure no one would shoplift. He and Hide would always chat with Nara in the morning when Kaneki had enough money to buy a lunch box. He even remembers the androids at the front desk of the museum during their class trips to Kyoto.
"Did they stop you a lot?" Tecna asks out of the blue.
"What?" Everyone else fell silent and Kaneki did not like what she was implying.
"Tecna," Flora hisses kicking her under the table for her disrespect.
"Tecna has a right to ask," Musa advocates before leaning forward and rephrasing Tecna's question. "So did they stop you a lot? You did say you would answer our questions."
"No," Kaneki responds gritting his teeth, his grip on the table becoming a little tighter. resentment growing as he treated like a common criminal.
"What was your gang called?" Tecna demands.
"Excuse me?" Kaneki snarls like a rabid animal.
"Your gang," Tecna repeats slowly and firmly as if he were a moron. "You tend to act quite violent towards those who are vulnerable and innocent so it's clear you joined the yakuza in your youth."
"And pray tell when did I act violently towards the innocent?" Kaneki accosts.
"Carina and her friends told me that you threatened them yesterday without provocation. You terrified them to the point of babbling hysterically," Tecna informs him of the encounter.
Carina and her friends. Kaneki scoffs at the mention of their names. How asinine. Even more so with Tecna's and Musa's involvement.
"What else can you expect from a guy like him?" Musa reprimands under her breath but it was still loud enough for Kaneki with or without his ghoul hearing.
Kaneki stands up abruptly from his seat and slams his hands flat on the table causing it to splinter and crumble under the force. A vexatious hush sweeps through the room and Kaneki finds all eyes focused on him but he couldn't care less.
Refusing to dignify their accusations Kaneki instead opts to glower at the two as he pushes his plate to Aisha. " I'm sorry but I lost my appetite. " Then storms away with Faith and Glim trailing after him but not before letting their disdain towards Tecna and Musa known.
The Winx, Elidor, Amaryl and the other students watch as Kaneki's back disappears out the door and it was then that Flora decides to let those two really have it.
"Tecna, Musa, what was that for?" Flora demands in an unusual outburst of enmity.
"What was what?" Musa mutters petulantly refusing to meet Flora's gaze whether it was due to the shock of Flora's outburst or the guilt coming from questioning Kaneki, she didn't know.
"Your interrogation of Kaneki," Flora huffs before seizing Musa's chin and forcing her to look right at her. "I've noticed that you, Musa, had a problem with him for quite a while but now you, Tecna? What has he done for the both of you to treat him like a criminal?"
"He's suspicious," Tecna informs.
"So you say but I don't get how," Aisha argues.
"I don't know why but there's definitely something up with him. In the way he looks, dresses, acts and speaks."
"That's not enough of a reason to say those things though," Bloom chastise.
"Maybe they have a point," Stella suggests. "I mean they wouldn't throw those accusations unless there's some truth to it."
"At least Stella understands," Musa scowls before seizing Tecna's wrist and dragging her away but not before announcing her promises. "We'll find proof that Kaneki is not to be trusted."
"Oh, no," Flora sighs softly as she sees their friendship beginning to crumble.
"Should we be worried?" Aisha queries, her brows knitted into a frown.
"I don't believe so. Let's just let leave them to themselves and eventually they'll realise how silly they are being," Bloom assures.
"I can't believe that they trusted Carina's words. Lying hussy," Elidor curses.
"What happened with Carina and her friends? Why did they say that Kaneki threatened them?"
"They pushed me down the stairs and Kaneki saw that. When they realised he didn't take pleasure from their actions, they tried to fake apologise but he wasn't having any of it and told them to get lost," Elidor informs.
"I heard about that. Apparently, they got detention," Amaryl inputs.
"Wow, word travels fast," Elidor whistles impressed.
"So much so that your sister went after them," Amaryl mentions offhandedly.
"What? When?" Elidor was left flabbergasted.
"This morning," Amaryl shrugs more interested in her breakfast.
"And you thought to tell her this now?" Flora ponders.
"I forgot," Amaryl argues in a whiny voice. "Listen, when Elidyr puts her mind to something then you better not stop her lest you incur her wrath. You know that better than anyone."
"True," Elidor shakes her head in exasperation. Time to do damage control. "I have to find sis. I'll see you, girls, later." Elidor pushes the lever so she could leave without someone wheeling her.
Kaneki's Room
After that whole skirmish, Kaneki needed time to cool down somewhere he couldn't fortuitously lash out at anyone. The first place that came to kind was his bedroom so that's where he shrouds.
His main focus to pass time and cool his anger was by doing what he loved, well what he loved second, writing. Reading has always been and always will be his first love.
Struck by inspiration, Kaneki spent the next few hours engrossed with his work until he found himself with a finished version of the first draft. "Perfect."
"Are you sure?" Faith questions landing on Kaneki's shoulder to peruse his work. "It's only been 3 days and it seems kinda short," Faith points out.
"That's the point," Kaneki explains tapping the papers on his desk. "You only see the world through the eyes of the protagonist. You feel what she feels, her despair, happiness, hopes, dreams and fears. All she experiences, you experience."
"Does she have a happy ending?"
"That's for the reader to decide," Kaneki responds. "I left the ending ambiguous and that's the best thing a writer could do for their reader. After all, it's important to connect to the reader."
"What if they choose for her to die?"
"The decision they make actually reveals their personality," Kaneki divulges. "What would you want the protagonist to do when she's standing by cliffs edge reflecting on her life?"
"I wouldn't want her to die," Faith states full of emotion.
"That reveals you are a kind person who wants people to live life to their fullest," Kaneki compliments and Faith puffs out his chest in pride before Kaneki burst his bubble. "But you're also ignorant since you haven't read it properly."
"Cause you just finished it!" Faith argues in a whiny voice.
"I know but you can't make judgement until you fully understand her story," Kaneki elucidates.
"Did you base it off your girlfriend?" Faith couldn't help but inquire.
"What? No!" Kaneki was mortified. If Touka ever heard that then she'd beat him until he was black and blue, never mind that Faith was the one who said it.
"Really? Because I think you value your protagonist a bit too much," Faith hints, waggling his eyebrows.
"No! Now, I admit that my protagonist was inspired by my dear friend Touka who is an awesome, skilled, intelligent and kind woman that doesn't take nonsense from anyone. She's also extraordinarily gorgeous with her stunning royal blue shoulder-length hair and those-" Kaneki falters once he realises exactly what he saying before looking straight at Faith. "I'm in love with Touka."
"Baba," Glim huffs rolling her eyes but there was a small grin on her lips.
"I'm in love with Touka," Kaneki repeats as if stuck in a trance.
"We know. Are you shocked to find out that you're not gay?"
"I'm pansexual, not gay," Kaneki corrects leaning back in his seat.
"Oh, I only thought that due to how you speak of your friend Hide... when you speak about him," Faith informs. "Does that mean you don't have a crush on him?"
"I don't know," Kaneki answers truthfully. "I think I'm in love with both of them. Love is complicated," Kaneki huffs in annoyance before laying his head on the table in his crossed arms as to hide his ruddy cheeks.
"It always is," Faith pats Kaneki's head as a comforting gesture. "I still haven't told Fixit that I like him," Faith reassures before snapping at Glim who giggles at his misfortune. She babbles something that Faith didn't like, "I planned to do after the nature ceremony but then the shadow creatures attacked! You were there."
"Abada abada," Glim makes a gesture of him talking too much.
"I was!" Faith exclaims.
"How long have you had this crush?" Kaneki lifts his head from his arms.
"Give or take 3 years," Faith estimates.
"And he never noticed?" Kaneki raises a brow at that in disbelief. "I've known you for a week and I can tell that you're not exactly subtle with what you want to express."
"I know," Faith moans dramatically. "Everyone else but him could tell. It's like I'm in those stupid high school romance shows."
"You better do it as soon as you return otherwise someone else will snap him up," Kaneki cautions.
"You're right," Faith gasps in despair before bawling.
"Oh, god," Kaneki rolls his eyes as he and Glim set out to comfort him.
(1) The incantation I put was in Italian since Winx Club is an Italian show. Since Kaneki arrived he's been speaking Italian not English. Here is the translation, "Lord of the Omniverse, I beseech you to grant me an item that resides in the world that I am in. Let your power flow through my veins and fuse with my being. Present me the item I wish to summon. Bring me the pencil that lies on the table."