Hello everybody, I hope you are all safe. Try to rest, do your classes, and assignments if you're receiving online classes. I'm super happy to see that many people have read this story. Also always clean your hands and eat well, alright?

Chapter 9 - Let's be clear and Forgiving

Kaneki was feeling a little heavier, but he could walk. His mother and Hide pick him up. Hide did ask him, many questions involving Furuta and Dr. Kanou.

"Huh? Furuta never visited me Hide. Well, he did actually texted me when I was in the hospital, he couldn't come because he had many assignments to do".

"Is that so?" Hide frowned and look down.

"Isn't that young man with a mole under his face, he was very handsome and elegant."

"Mother"

"Sorry… mmm"

Hide still was looking down.

"By the way, mother aren't you going to address all the presents that were in my room when I woke up?"

Hiroko frowned and pouted as they were walking to the register. Hide put his arms around his head and turn around. "It's okay, if you don't want to tell me it's just…I was just worried." Hiroko grab the pen the nurse gave her, while she was signing the document, she look at her son. "Those presents are from somebody Ken." She slowly smiled and wink at him.

"As long as you're fine mom." Ken grabbed his mother's behind pulling her to a big hug. "Is not fair! Let me join!" Hide hugged the two of them, rubbing his head in Kaneki's back. "Stop it Hide that tickles!"

"Awww, they're so sweet!"

"Such a big family!"

Kaneki awkwardly voice came to interrupt the nurses. "Well he is not my brother".

Hide stop hugging Kaneki and hug Hiroko. "Of course, I'm this woman son-in-law, isn't that right mother?" Hide spins Hiroko around. "Oh my Hideyoshi Kun!" The nurses in the register laugh and they began covering their mouth. Ken starts blushing. 'Hide doesn't really know what he is talking about.'

"Enough, let's go already."

"Yes, honey wait for me!" Hide swing his arms around Kaneki's neck.

"Oh my!"

"Mother, please!"

As they were arriving to the exit gates. Kaneki still embarrassed, look at the two recognizable figures that were standing in front of the gates. He feels like he knows them but he can't still recognize them. His head began hurting him. Ken massaged his head. Hide looks at him, while they pass by the two recognizable figures.

"Hey, is he okay?" came the voice of a brown-haired man. Hiroko turn her head to face the man. "Yes, doctor ummm…. Hirak-"

"HIRAKO SAN!" Kaneki yelled to the surprise of all the four people that were there. His voice rang just like an alarm that wakes you up in the peaceful morning. "He doesn't look good, are you really good kid?" Hiroko approaches them while the other man with glasses follows him close by. Kaneki looks at Hiroko and the other man whose face was frowning but not in a way of being mad but in a way of being worried. "No, I-"

"So you aren't okay?"

"No yea-"

"You just say that you aren't okay."

"No, I mean-"

"Look, you just say no again that means you aren't okay"

"No, it's the-"

"Listen you aren't okay"

"I'M OKAY!"

"Then say, 'yes I'm okay', okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay?"

"Good…"

"Arima san, he isn't okay"

"I just told you I'm okay"

"Quit fighting you two."

"I wasn't fighting" Both say in unison, then they look at each other. The other manly figure came in front of them. "Are you really okay? It seems you don't remember us at all." Hiroko cover her mouth. "Oh my?! My son spend the night with two princes? How lucky…!" Both the man with glasses and Hirako look at Hiroko. "No, it's not the way you think Madame." He bowed his head, so does Hirako. "My name is Kishou Arima and this is Take Hirako. We are both doctors in this hospital."

Kaneki's heart began pounding really hard. The aura these two-man emit, is extremely hard to bear. This is so bad for the heart. Heart! Calm down. Kaneki smile at them. "I'm sorry for worrying you, perhaps I didn't get too much sleep last night. I'm sorry for worrying you all." Arima looks at Kaneki and back to Hirako. "Yeah, it is better if you rest all day. Be careful in your way home." They all waved goodbye to both of the doctors.

"Bye Dr. Arima and Dr. Hirako" Kaneki blushed.

"I hope I can see you again, young man."

"Actually, this young boy is so responsible. He works at Rijunjoni café. If you both like, you could visit him at his work. He works Mondays through Fridays, occasionally sometimes he works on Sundays but just in the mornings. Kaneki gasp loudly and surprisingly looks at his mother. Arima smiled and chuckles.

"Well, I will make sure me and Hirako visit the café, isn't that right Hirako?"

"With a boy like him working there?"

Hirako looks at Kaneki and grins. "Yes, I will."

Hide grunted, and look away. Hiroko laughs and her face turns crimson red.

Oh great, not them too.

As they were walking away.

"Kaneki kun"

That voice

He swing his body as fast as he could. The wind blowing both of their hairs.

"Yes?" Arima grabs something inside of his coat and retrieves a book. He swears he has seen a book like that. Doesn't he have one of those? Arima gives it to him, as he was grabbing it, he caress Kaneki's hand while looking past Ken's flustered face to Hide's serious face.

"Thank you"

Kaneki made a loud gasp and remembers.

"It's a pleasure!"

It was Monday, and he was told to arrive at 2 pm from now on. Yoshimura had told him his schedule has changed so he can rest a little bit. He was reluctant at first since he didn't want people to take pity on him but of course, Yoshimura told him it was just for a while, he didn't have to worry. That just goes to show how much he worries.

When he was waiting to the traffic light to change, he saw in the distance something really horrible. He gulped. Why there's so many people outside? And what's worst all these people that are outside are people he knows. Now his heart was beating up so fast. He wishes for all God's will, that the light will never turn green.

But it does. As he was walking, he recognizes the twin's sisters that were in the hospital. The Kirishima's siblings, Hinami and her mother, Takeomi, Itou and another white-haired boy he doesn't recognize. Also there's a person with a purple hoodie, wearing a grey bandana with flower pattern around its neck. As he set a foot in the street and was in front of the store. Everybody look at him.

Today will be hell. God wanted him to suffer today.

"I apologize for the sudden visit, but you look so gorgeous today Kaneki Ken." Kaneki sweatdropped and just smile.

"Oh stop it Takeomi, so what are you going to order?"

"Lemon pie with extra cream, and what's a Kashiwa Mochi?"

"It just a regular mochi but with this one is wrapped with a Kashiwa Oak leaves"

"Ewww, sounds disgusting but I'm trying that!"

"I don't want to alarm you Juuzou but Shinohara told me just to give you one dessert."

"Awww Takeomi you're so boring! You know?"

"I'm sorry for the scene Kaneki Ken."

"It's okay, hahaha Juuzou isn't it?" Juuzou who was throwing his hands in the air suddenly stop and look at Kaneki intrigued, moving his head to one side. He sweatdropped and awkwardly smile. "I mean you can have the two since the Kashiwa is saltier then being sweet." Juuzou gleams in excitement and glances back at Takeomi. Takeomi just glances between Kaneki, Itou, and Juuzou and leaves out a big sigh. "Fine, but only that or else my dad and your dad will scold me."

Juuzou that was now playing on his phone. "Is fine, you could have some fun in your life. Your life is pretty boring Takeomi." Kaneki begins to wonder if he has to hear this conversation, but he still has to take Itou's order. "So, um what are you going to have?" Itou who just has been staring at him the whole time. "Just the Uji-cha tea please." "Make it two."

"Alright." As Kaneki type the last order. "By the way, you look extra cute today" Itou wink at him. Kaneki just smiles at him. "Cute? You're so lame Itou." Itou was taken back. "What did you just say kid?" Juuzou just looks down on his phone. "You guys are so boring, hey Ken-chan do you know I study in the Regional Police School? I'm cooler than this guys." Takeomi and Itou just glance at Juuzou in disbelief. "How dare you called Kaneki by his first name?"

They were so many people in here and the only people who were working today was him and Koma. Apparently Kimi would be working all this week in the morning. So in total, it was Koma who was making all the pastries and drinks and he took the orders and give the books. Yoshimura is working on something else but Koma didn't want to tell him. He just says he had some "serious" things to investigate. Huh, no wonder his daughter is here.

Speaking of the eye licker. Kaneki wonders why she was dressed in the purple coat today. Is not like people will freak out by seeing a famous local author in a café, but she insisted to be in the coat. If it's that the thing that will keep her "tongue" away from him, then she can wear whatever she wants. He took the delivery and handle it to Koma. Who smile at him and wink at him. Now speaking of which, he has two deliver two melon sodas along with two mini cakes adorned with grapes. As he was getting unto the second level, he passed through Eto who was in the satire section of the café. Staring at the laughing drawings on the café, while she was maintaining the book open.

Ken stared from afar while he passed by just to go the mystery section, where the Kirishimas's were located. Surprisingly both of them were concentrating on reading. Odd. Really odd. Kaneki just hummed in response. Touka just grab her book out of the table surprisingly Ayato did the same. They were really concentrating on their reading. "You guys are really enjoying the books, I'm glad." Ayato just covers his head and made a 'tch' sound. "Idiot, we are just preparing for a book essay is not because we want to see you! Now just go away, okay?" Kaneki just laughs.

While Kaneki was putting the drinks and the pastries in their tables. He glances back at Eto still staring at the drawings. Her face didn't look good. It almost feels like she was trying to remember things she didn't want to remember. The lights on her eyes had already disappear, it almost feels like she was just a living ghost trying to visit the place where she died. Not to haunt it, just remembering the nostalgic feeling of the area. She closed her eyes, and shed a tear. She glances at Kaneki just to shake her head and returning her gaze at her book. "What, you like her or what?" Ayato obvious voice came out loud to his surprise. He turn his head back to see Ayato who was just staring at him.

"Ayato, please!" Ayato just clicked his tongue, as for Touka was checking Eto out. She just smirked. "What a weirdo wearing a cloak in plain summer." Kaneki just rolled his eyes and left, as he was leaving the second floor. "This drawings, she was the one who made them." Kaneki stopped his tracks just to glance at her. "Oh, who?" Eto balance her head in a circular motion, maintaining a smile on her pale face. As she was intertwining her hands together. "My dear mother, she was the one who decorate all this café. This is the only reason why I visit this café." Kaneki glances at the decoration once again. "If I could talk to her, I could easily thank her for being such a talented woman and for also raising such a brilliant daughter" Eto just stares at him.

"Oi Kaneki stop flirting with that girl!" Kaneki just flushes and stares at them. "I'm not!" Eto just laughs and takes a photograph of him. "This is going for my reference facial expression book." Kaneki leaves immediately and goes to the first level to check on the twins who were located in the action section of the café. "Anything I can help you with?" Both of the sisters who were reading a magazine, both simultaneously glance at him. "Can you stay here all day?"

"That's what we like."

'They can be serious? Can they?' He just smiled awkwardly. "I can do that, I'm sorry I need to go check on the other customers." Kurona just glances at the other customers who were in the same room but different sections. "Who cares about the others, we are your customers and you should PLEASE US!"

"Oh snap, she didn't just say that!"

"How rude of her"

"Ken-chan is mine though"

Ryouko just scoff, while Hinami was just looking surprisingly at them. She brought her face near her mother's ears. "Yes Hinami, sometimes some PARENTS don't know how to raise their kids. Honestly, it really baffles me how teenagers behave nowadays."

Nashiro who was just reading, frowned and stood up. "Hey, don't you even dare talk like that of our father! C'mon if you had the audacity to badmouth him then do it in front of us." Hinami was just a blushing mess. Ryouko who was staring at the two teenagers, just sip her tea in silence. "I didn't want to offend you or your parents. I apologize if I did. But… didn't your PARENTS told you to respect your elders?" The both sisters started clenching her fists. "And also claiming oni chan is yours is not good, because… he will…." Hinami took a breath. "Be my husband." Hinami blushed and lowers her head.

"Ha, your husband don't be so insolent kid!"

"Don't insult my kid! You bratty girl!"

The twins just rushed passed Kaneki and stood in front of the Fueguchi's table. Kaneki panicked, he didn't know what to do. Everything was just fine just some moments ago but now all the people in here are in disaster. Takeomi stood up in front of the ladies. "Pardon my intrusion. I know this wasn't my conversation but the man over there." Takeomi points at Kaneki who was just paralyzed in fear. "I already confessed my feelings to him, so I will kindly tell you to-"

"Ha? Yours? Look at yourself, those thick eyebrow and round eyes are so unattractive right sister Nashiro?" Kurona snickers to her sister. "Hehe, you're right!" Ryouko just scoffs in a mocking tone. "Imagine your only defense in an arguments is mocking the other person's look. When you are finally doing that, just means you're saying "I'm defeated". Ryoko stares at Kuroiwa who just staring at her. "Don't worry young boy, you're a fine man. Don't let this young ignorant girls bring you down."

"Yeah, and those girls are the same who shat their pants in kindergarten." Everybody in the café stare at Juuzou who looks unbothered by the situation. "Juuzou, You FUCKER!"

"Eh, you know these girls Juuzou?" Itou who was casually on his phone looks at the kid. "Yeah, these girls were my classmates in kindergarten. They did all together, going to the bathroom and eating. Heck I even remember one time, one farted and the other was trying desperately trying to let a fart but instead, she shit herself."

Everybody went quiet. Everybody started laughing. The next thing you know both of the sisters were tackling Juuzou. "Oh god, they are going to kill him!" Itou who was just laughing over the story, took his phone and started recording the whole thing. Kaneki started panicking but was stopped by Takeomi. "Let them be, Kaneki." Kaneki just stares in disbelief in him and glances at the three punching each other. At this point Eto and Kirishima's siblings have already come from the second floor to see the commotion. "Oya, a fight? In this café?"

He was sweating for every inch of his body. What if they hit something? What if they grab a book and rip it open? The one who will pay for the stuff is not them, but him. Kaneki runs towards them and when he had the courage to stop them. He feels this two big hands holding the twins and putting them in their place.

Kaneki glance back in surprise. Juuzou, and the twins just stare at the figure.

"Amon Koutarou?" Literally everybody said in unison.

"Why there's so many commotion inside? Why were you guys fighting?"

Kaneki stares at Amon for a while. He wasn't wearing his uniform. He was wearing a white shirt and some blue jeans. Goddamn, this man is built. "Look, sensei this two shit shatters started hitting me cause I told them the real truth."

"No, you did not!" Nashiro barked.

"Oya? you don't want to admit you are a shit shatter? Well, I will gladly remind both of you when you couldn't even pass the first year in the Regional Police School." Amon grabs Juuzou by his shoulders. "You shouldn't say stuff like that Juuzou." He put his hands around his waist. "Is not my fault that all the people you were mocking are still mocking you until this day" Kurona wanted to slap him but was stopped by Amon. "No, Kurona behave!"

Suddenly the door of the café was immediately opened. Everybody stare at the entrance, including Koma who just got out of the Kitchen with the new orders. A girl with short hair, wearing a purple hoodie and some short red pants with a camera being hanged just above her neck enters the café with a big purple microphone.

"Attention customers, I acquire your attention, the headmaster is coming." The girl suddenly ran towards the register, putting her camera in place. Somebody with violet hair, cut short with long curling bangs on the right side and very thick eyebrows. Wearing a dress shirt and slacks, enter the café with a carpet. The person throws the big red carpet on the floor. When the carpet was already in its place, this person began throwing some petal of roses on the floor.

"Oh shit, is like the queen herself is coming to this café" Came Eto voice from the side back.

The same girl who was with the camera, stared at Kaneki and grab him. Eh, eh, eh? The girl situated Kaneki in front of the reception. "Hello there Kaneki ken, my name is Chie Hori. I'm a personal photographer and I studied at Geidai Tokyo art University. So what I want you to do is to put yourself like you're expecting the royal family." Kaneki stares in disbelief at her. "Look, in my personal opinion, I like the rawness in my photos I don't like photos who are acted. Who looks fake, but I was contracted to do this so…. Just go along with it".

Kaneki didn't know what to do, so he just stay there with his arms on each side. Like a royal guard in the English royal palace. A young woman with raven hair, cut in a chin-length bob enter the café, holding the door with one of her arms. "Here he is, the president of the universe"

Came the voice of the raven hair woman, singing in the most monotone voice ever, while the same person with violet hair, stared throwing petals at the figure who was entering the café. As for the photographer, she started taking some photos of the same figure. An elegant older man with a well-groomed mustache. That was wearing a finely-tailored clothing, and small-rimmed and circular-framed glasses which at the moment of entering in the café obscure his eyes. His hair is even-parted as well as slide-black. He step right in the middle of the café and grabs a chair of the poetry section of the café. He sat on it, to face Kaneki.

"I thought it was the queen for a second, all this build-up for just an older man" Came Juuzou voice unbothered from the poetry section. "What are you saying little shit!" Came the voice of the violet hair person. The older man clear his throat.

"Kanae please, refrain yourself. Don't you see that you're interrupting Master entrance?" Kanae just clenches its fists and looks away. "But Matsumae, they are insulting master Mirumo!" Matsume just gave a serious glare to Kanae. To give a signal to Kanae to close her mouth.

"Oi, you brat why are taking photos of me!?" came Touka's voice from the stairs. Kaneki stared at the older man and sweatdropped. The man just keep staring at him. "Um… do you want to order something miste-"

"¡MASTER!" Barked Kanae, from the other side of the café. Kaneki had shivers all over his body. "I have been announce that my son has angered you." Kaneki raise an eyebrow. He look around and everybody was utterly confused except for Amon. Amon's eyes started widening, kind of like "I already know who that is." He thought deeply. 'Son? He hasn't met any son of this man. I mean he has met many people but not... Oh. Is it? Well considering how this man is dressed. Maybe? Wealthy? Son? No…. he can't be the father of that man.'

The older man stood up facing him. "My name is Tsukiyama Mirumo." He bowed, as well as Kaneki. "The lady you see over there, is Matsumae. She was ordered by my son to contract your mother in our business. Is not like we don't like her work. She will work in a special suit of mine, but I don't have intentions of taking her or you to my house. We in the Tsukiyama household are really respectful, loyal and we indeed wanted to work with your mother, but not in the way my son assumed. So, I came to apologized for him." The older man was starting to kneel but Kaneki immediately stops him. "No, don't do that! I accept your apology Tsukiyama san. Sometimes children do things that some parents aren't that proud of" The older man stares at him and smile. "You really are a well behave boy. Your mother did raise you well." Kaneki surprised and blushed. "Thank you Tsukiyama san!"

Surprisingly after all the things that happened in the café and the older man with his servants left, everything went smoothly. Amon started talking with Takeomi and his friends. Apparently Amon is friends with the fathers of both Takeomi and Juuzou. He has known the twins because he had also volunteer as a teacher at the same school as Juuzou. After they were done, they all wave goodbye to him. Hinami and her mother left. Of course, Hinami was a blushing mess when they left but Kaneki didn't pay any mind to it. The Kirishima's went away around 4 pm, since Yomo had called them to help in the shop. As soon as the Kirishima's left, the twins also left saying 'they will come back to get what's theirs'.

What surprise Kaneki is that he never saw Eto leave the building. He never saw her leaving the second floor or the sound of the doorbell ring. I mean, the money for the tea she drank was on the counter along with some tip. But he never realized it was from hers since he assumed she was on the second floor. When Koma told him, that he needed to close the café to clean. He went upstairs, but saw nobody. That was really odd.

Right after they put the sign on the door. Kaneki wipe the floor and the tables. When he was finished, Koma insisted to go to his home. He needed to do some extra stuff that the manager had assigned to him. Even though he told Koma, he will wait for him. Koma just glares at him. It was around 7 pm that he left. As he was walking towards the train station, he notices the one of the bakeries that his mother liked was still open. Kaneki decided to treat his mother and Kooru to something sweet. Since they stayed until late on the day of his hospitalization. As he was grabbing three sweet puddings. He noticed two noticeable figures coming to the bakery.

He panicked. He told the store clerk if he can hide himself behind the counter. Although the clerk was kind of confused. The lady say yes, and Kaneki immediately hide in the counter. Of course, all this sounds stupid. Even though the father is nice, it doesn't mean he still like his son. The door of the store opened.

"Son, you shouldn't force your way into somebody"

"Father, I have reflected in your lecture and I realized I was in the wrong. I'm sorry father."

Ha, at least he is reflecting in all the bad things he has done. "Don't worry son, that's why life is. You do mistakes and learn from them." Something inside Kaneki even wonders how a man like Shuu can even be the son of a gentleman. "Yes father I will."

"Son, you should let him be into you." "Yes father."

"Bring him roses every day." "Yes, father!"

"…."

"Figure out what he likes and bring those things to him. When he sees you're the one bring him many expensive things, he will fall for you. Remember Shuu, its love, so it takes time son."

Kaneki wanted to twist his neck and just die there. Like father like son.

By the way, guys, if you like it please leave a Kudos. I really appreciate it, if you comment on the things you like about the story. It keeps me motivated in writing stories like this.