Chapter 18 - Forgive me, please.

He was getting worried every single hour. All the things that had to happen, even when he went to the gym. He didn't look focused at all, and he knew, that his worries were see-through. When someone like, Shachi who barely talks, makes a long conversation, about worrying about other people's problems. Since it isn't healthy and you should prioritize yourself.

Yes, he was right. But he couldn't help it. After Shirazu went away, that was the last time he had seen or heard about Shirazu. He even tried to contact Saiko and the other kids. But, it was futile. The texts weren't read. The calls were all sent straight to voicemail. He couldn't stop being so anxious about himself.

He wanted to text Takeomi, but something inside him told him "not to do it". Takeomi, seem like that kind of kid, to be involved in everything. Is not like, that's something bad. Is just, he being a police officer's son. It just rubs him, the wrong way… It's not like he doesn't trust him, but Saiko got hacked, and if we involved his father….

Saiko might be…. Perhaps... No. No. ¡He doesn't want to think about it! Saiko did nothing wrong. She was just playing games and somebody sends her a link. Yes. Yes… She did nothing wrong. But… what if the police think she is compliance? And they keep her in jail because she was talking with the culprit?

What if… what if the reason why the Quinx Squad, didn't answer was that, they were also found guilty? What if the police conclude that the members of the video, are the Quinx Squad? Since they can't see the faces of the members… I mean, wait. Wait…. Just hold a second…

What if the criminal sent the video, towards a teenager, because he wanted to frame then?Ah…. Kami Sama. Please, don't let the Quinx Squad be found guilty, into a crime they never did.

Higemaru taps his shoes on the floor, his body shaking. His gaze was looking down. Ching Li, who was seating beside him, put her arm around him. She moved his head to rest on her shoulder. "Ching Li…." Higemaru moves his gaze to look at Ching Li. "Saiko is going to be fine, Hige… Don't worry, she is a strong one." Higemaru slowly nods, his face started getting redder. "I don't like being in the police station… it makes me…" Higemaru closes his eyes and grits his teeth. "That place, I don't want to be in that place…"

Ching Li grabs Higemaru's face and looks at him, with a serious look on her face. She put both of her hands firmly in his cheeks. "Listen…" Ching li, gulped. Her hands started shaking as well. "That was a long time ago…..we don't need to remember about the older days, alright?" Tears began forming in Higemaru's eyes, but he sniffs back his tears. As Ching Li, took her hands away, the door from their left side opens. Both of them immediately stood up. Kukie alongside Saiko, whose body was trembling, snot coming out of her nose, tears still forming on each side of her eyes.

"H-how was it?", Higemaru said, as he tilted his head to the side. Kukie who look down to look at Saiko, who was trying to speak. "The recording… I record.." Higemaru and Ching Li, look at each other confused. "The what?"

"She recorded everything.." A man with white hair, alongside a black hair man, styled back came out of the room. "Miss Saiko was recording her session in the game and she recorded when the mysterious user, send her the link. This young man…" The older man pat Kukie's shoulder. Kukie reply by flinching a little. "He testified that the video was sent by Miss Saiko at him, but it couldn't be Miss Saiko, since she was playing with him…"

"Wait…. !" Higemaru widened his eyes, and everybody looks at him. "Are you telling me, Mr. Mado, that Kukie….." The other taller older man nodded. "Indeed, he-"

"He plays Fornite?" The older man took a step back, which Ching Li, just put a hand to her face. "The number 1 student, Kukie Urie plays Fornite alongside with Saiko? When he even shames us, when we play? Aren't you a hypocrite Urie senpai?"

Urie's eyes twitch and glare at him. "I'm sorry for this Investigator Mado and Investigator Houji." Ching Li bow in front of both of the investigators. Houji just nodded and smile. Mado looks at Saiko, who was starting to smile. Mado patted Saiko's shoulder. Which Saiko responded with a smile. 'Even though, his face is quite scary… he isn't harsh at all…', Saiko thought.

It was Friday at night. Even though, Kaneki had lingering thoughts on his mind. He needed to calm himself and stay a little positive. "¡YES!", he thought to himself. His mother would just get more anxious, if she sees him, like that. Kaneki patted both of his cheeks and let out a big breath from his mouth. He inserted his keys on the doorknob and opened the front door of his house.

His heart was still beating. But he promised himself, that he wanted to manage his feelings with his mother. He nodded to himself. "I'm home, Kaneki said. As he took off his shoes and put both in the entryway where all the shoes were. Kaneki slowly tilted his head to the side. He stopped midway to look at the shoes. He blinks several times, he open and closed his mouth. Kaneki scratches his chin, as he was wondering in the entryway, his mother had come. "Welcome, my beautiful darling son!"

Kaneki look at her, with his mouth opened. He pointed to the shoes and raised one eyebrow. Hiroko glance at where her son was pointing and clap both of her hands, proudly smiling. Kaneki's eye began twitching. His mother, on the other hand, was blushing and slowly happily dancing. Kaneki let a sigh.

'Oh, this is just fantastic… Just when I thought to myself, of having positive thoughts and forcing myself to smile towards my mother. This thing happens and now I feel even worse than I felt before!' Kaneki thought to himself.

As his mother grabbed him by the arm, while he was gritting his teeth in protest. They arrive at the main living room of the house. Hiroko clapped her hands together. She looks enthusiastically at her son, who was looking to the other side, refusing to look in front of him. Hiroko as she notices Kaneki antics, she put both of her hands in her son's face, forcing him to look in front.

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Kaneki rubs his temples and looks at his mother. "Why are you saying that? You knew he was going to say that, didn't you?" Hiroko looks at Tsukiyama while smiling, she winks at him. She quickly looks at his son and puts a hand over her mouth. "No… I didn't know a thing…" Kaneki's eyes twitch, he felt like a vein popping out of irritation, but he maintains his calm. Kaneki slowly looks at Tsukiyama, who didn't stop looking at him. Tsukiyama smiles and looks away. "Alright then, I take my leave…" Tsukiyama got up.

"Ehh… you're leaving already?" Hiroko put both of her arms together, slowly opening her mouth. "It's clearly, Hiroko chan. I haven't been forgiven by Kaneki Kun. I cannot be in the same room, as him, without my heart-shattering in pieces." Hiroko gasp. Kaneki looks to the floor and his eyes wandered on the room. He thought for a moment and look at Tsukiyama firmly. "Shuu san!"

Both Tsukiyama and Hiroko surprised at the sudden volume increase. "Yes?"

"We both know, that I forgave you. So I need you to stop thinking as if I hate you… because I don't. Do I find you... " Kaneki gritted his teeth and look to the floor. "Annoying…?" Tsukiyama finishes Kaneki's unfinished sentence. Kaneki nodded, looking back at him. "Yes, I am very sorry for that, but you know forcing yourself on someone, is never good."

Tsukiyama nodded and put a hand on his chest. He quickly lowered his head. "I shouldn't have come without your permission." Kaneki raised one of his eyebrows. "What?", he rolled his eyes. "You are a client of my mother and I shouldn't tell you went to come. What I mean, is feelings…." Kaneki looks to the floor and scratches his head. "You shouldn't expect people to say yes, at your sudden proposals or…. You know." Kaneki slowly looks at Tsukiyama. "Become the victim, when someone rejects you…"

Tsukiyama gasp and nodded. Tsukiyama looks at Hiroko, who was seeing her son, with her eyes widened. "Then, I shall take my leave."

"Stop right there, Shuu san…" Kaneki grabs Tsukiyama by the shoulders. Tsukiyama widened his eyes, while Hiroko put her hands on her mouth. "Listen, I will go to your so-called 'date', but if I see you make a move on me, I will quickly leave and I would never talk with you again. Did you hear me?". Tsukiyama was now facing him completely, he nodded and blush. "Alright, even if you make a move…." Kaneki remove his hands of Tsukiyama's shoulders. Then exited the living room, to the entryway. Tsukiyama and Hiroko follow along. "I know…." Kaneki look back at him and smile. "-how to defend myself." Tsukiyama gulp and his mother gasp.

Well… is true that he agreed to a date and he also knew Tsukiyama was a rich boy. He had expected like a fancy restaurant, with candelabras hanging on the ceiling. A private room, for the two of them. A personal chef for their dinner. Names of dishes on the menu, he can't pronounce. A big set of wines. You know, all those fancy stuff. But instead, they went to a Shabu-shabu shop.

And not just any Shabu-Shabu shop, his favorite Shabu-Shabu shop. Of course, when they enter, he was getting excited. Of course, Tsukiyama notices his change of personality when they enter the restaurant. But… even if he was excited. Kaneki couldn't help the sensation, that Tsukiyama knew about this… As they went to their private room, Kaneki look at Tsukiyama, squinting his eyes, in a judging manner. Tsukiyama, as he opened the sliding door to Kaneki to enter.

Took notice of the glaring eyes of Kaneki and just look away. 'Aha, I got you', Kaneki thought. Both of them sit down on opposites sides of the westerner dark brown table. Kaneki still eyeing Tsukiyama but then proceeded to look into the room. The walls were plastered with yellow undertones, with the kanji of "ninja" written on the wall. He smiles to himself.

"The last time, I had come to this place, was with Hide." Tsukiyama rested his hand under his chin, to look at Kaneki and nodded. Kaneki clicks his finger to point at Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama widened his gaze and took his hand away from his face. Tsukiyama quickly looks away from Kaneki and looks to the door. He went back to see Kaneki's eyes who was still judging him.

Tsukiyama scoffs. "Anyways... I'm so enlightened that you decided to accompany me on this beautiful night." Kaneki stares at him, raising both of his eyebrows. Tsukiyama's smile fades from his face and sighs. "Oh well… yes. I admit it. I'm sorry, yet again, Kaneki Kun…" Tsukiyama looks down and puts both of his hands on his face, in a defeated position.

Kaneki moves his head to look at Tsukiyama. "As long, as you admit on it. It's fine with me." Tsukiyama took his hands out of his face, to look at Kaneki, who was smiling at him. Tsukiyama smile back, while blushing. He closes his eyes and moves his hand to grab Kaneki's hand, whose hand was resting on the table.

Kaneki took notice of Tsukiyama's intention. Tsukiyama's hand stop and brought it to the air as if he was offering his hand. "May I?" Kaneki extended his hand, Tsukiyama grab it. "You have such delicate and beautiful hands, Kaneki Kun…" Kaneki sighs.

"Welcome, hiyaaaa!" said a girl who opened the door. "-to the Ninja Shinjuku Ajito, where all the ninjas come to practice…" the girl who was wearing an all-black costume, that resembles a ninja outfit. She has a slim build and a childlike face, her hair tied up in a spiky bun with bangs framing her face. "My name is Roma Hoito, I will be your server for today... " She, who was looking to the floor, look at them, while they were holding hands.

She widened her gaze and gasp. Kaneki took a note on the change of her face. That he quickly took his hands out of Tsukiyama's hand. She covered her face, with both of her hands. "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry…..I should have knock…"

Kaneki put a hand in the air, in protest. "No, don't say that! It wasn-"

"Yes, indeed." Tsukiyama interrupts. Kaneki looks at him, with his mouth opened. "You should know, restaurant etiquette is highly important for its reputation. If you are going to ask us for drinks, then I will take some wine…" Tsukiyama closes his eyes, in an irritated manner, as he was crossing his arms near his chest. Kaneki wanted to say something. If he could express it. He could have told him to be more kind to staff members, but something inside him, was telling him, he was right.

Roma, the server in question, was looking down at the floor. Her face getting redder by each second. "I'm sorry… I'm very sorry…. I just started to work here to pay for my university bills and I…" The girl's eyes started to cry. "Alright, that's enough", Tsukiyama said, as he stood up. Tsukiyama closed the door, and let the girl inside.

Roma, who was quivering, tears dripping from her face, look up to Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama took a red handkerchief from inside his suit and gave it to her. Roma's hand approached the handkerchief but stop midway to look at Tsukiyama. He nodded, so Roma grabs it. She blows her nose. Tsukiyama patted her on the back, while she was cleaning herself.

"Listen well… the ones who give the reputation the most are the servers of a restaurant. People might come for the restaurant's food, but if their serves don't treat good their customers. The customers won't come…" Roma took the handkerchief from her face and look at him. Still showing signs she was quivering, she nodded back at him.

As Roma tried again, to take their orders. Tsukiyama returns to where he was sitting. "I work in the restaurant branch, in my father's business. You don't know how many restaurants have closed or just fired people because they can't handle people's pressure."

"I didn't know your family owns a restaurant…." Kaneki said as he looks at him amused. Tsukiyama who was looking down, and proceeded to look up at him. "Oh, no. My family owns various properties in many restaurants. Like, an example could be. Let's say, that your mother wanted to open her very shop. We, as the Tsukiyama family, could lend her some money and she could pay us, for giving us just some amount of money each month."

Kaneki leads down more into the table, staring at him. "So… like a loan?" Tsukiyama nodded, and stare at the ceiling for a moment. He then quickly look at Kaneki, with a widened expression. He clicks his fingers in the direction of Kaneki while smiling at him. Kaneki moves his head to the side.

Just when Tsukiyama was about to talk, Kaneki's cellphone rang. Kaneki looks at Tsukiyama, with a questioned look. "Go ahead", Tsukiyama said. Kaneki nodded and took his cellphone out of his pocket. He looks at the screen of his cellphone. Kaneki tilted his head to the side and raised one eyebrow. Tsukiyama took a note from that.

"Is it an unknown number, Kaneki Kun?" Kaneki looks back at Tsukiyama and nodded. "Well… be careful.." Kaneki nodded and was hesitant to answer, but he answers.

"Hello…?" Kaneki held his phone near his ear, wandering his eyes all around the room.

"Hello, Kan kun!" Kaneki took away his cellphone and smile at Tsukiyama. He covered the cellphone speaker. "It's Shirazu kun!" Tsukiyama raised his eyebrows and smile. Kaneki's heart beat fast and took away his hand from the cellphone speaker. "Hello, Shirazu I was so worried…"

There was a pause in Shirazu's end. "I know Kan Kun…. But in other news… the surgery of Haru went good." Kaneki jumps from his seat and put both of his hands in the air. He took his unused hand to take away his sweat from his forehead. "Oh, Kami Sama… that's great to hear!"

"Yeah, thanks…."

"What about the others? Are they good?"

"Well… we all went to an investigation room and our cellphones were confiscated by the police. I think…. They talk something about the investigation of the video or complicated things like that… "

"Ah… I see. It makes sense…"

"Yes.. and Saiko was also put under suspect watch. Even if her name is clear, still the police are wary of her and the other people who play with her. Who also receive the same video."

"Oh no…. And how is Saiko? Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she is fine. It's just shocking you know… Even if the video wasn't that disturbing, it's just going to the police… testifying and all those procedures can shock someone out….

"... and, what about the others?"

"Well… they were also shocked, but they are ok… ah.. Ah, what?… okay…"

Kaneki raised one eyebrow. It looks like Shirazu was talking with someone. "Is everything okay?" They were some ruffle noises in Shirazu's end. "Ya, it's okay…. Ha… it's just my old woman, who wanted to go out to eat with all the family."

"Oh okay, let's end it here…"

"Ok, gotcha with that…"

"Wait! Shirazu…."

"Hmmm?"

"Tell Saiko and the rest of the squad that I send my regards…"

"Oh gotcha, I will tell em.."

"Also…. Tell especially at Saiko, not to talk with strangers online."

"Alright… I will…"

As Kaneki cut the call, a smile forming on his face. He looks up, to see Tsukiyama, who was smiling, having a hand resting on his mouth. "Kaneki kun… I really… don't want to lose you.."

They were both leaving the restaurant. They nodded at Roma, who just came from a room. She bowed goodbye at them and smile. As they left the restaurant, Roma wipe the smile from her face and took her cellphone from her pocket. She taps in her cellphone rapidly, when another serves comes and stop to look at her…. "Roma chan, you shouldn't take your cellphone during work time hours." Roma shakes her hand and looks at him, with a blank expression on her face. "Did you think I care…"

"Huh?" The older man said. Roma rapidly smiles at him. His face turns grey and looks to the floor. "Goodness, you're such a creep." He walks away rapidly. Roma quickly laughs and went back to her blank expression on her face. She quickly taps on her cellphone. As she receives a notification.

MaskMaker: - Quickly noted, I will inform Souta kun!

Roma put her cellphone, above her chin. Quickly smiling from ear to ear.

As they both arrive at Kaneki's house. The car park outside, while Tsukiyama tapped in the driver seat and Kanae nodded. She got out of the car. Kaneki took a note in that and wanted to open the door, but Tsukiyama stops him. Kaneki widened his eyes and turn his face to look at him. "What's the matter?"

Tsukiyama looks away from a moment. The atmosphere of the car went quiet. As if, in the car there was nobody left and just the dust floating inside, dancing with each other as if there was no one to catch them. Tsukiyama stares at Kaneki, but not his face, but his chest.

It almost feels like Tsukiyama wanted to express something, but he didn't want to hurt his feelings. "Listen…." Kaneki nodded. "I know that Kaneki kun will judge me for this. And for that, I apologize once again. Kaneki kun, the people who are guarding your house…."

"Ah… you mean the White Suit-"

"Let me finish… Listen, I get that you are a kind-hearted person and you forgive people when they show you a little improvement, but that doesn't mean. You should lower your guards, there are people out there….Who are dangerous and they are around you… but you aren't aware of it…"

Kaneki stares at the floor, as he was thinking about all the people he has met. "I get it, Tsukiyama san, but I am an adult." Tsukiyama sighs and shakes his head. "See, that's one of your flaws, you're so stubborn."

"Well… so are you."

"Touche." Tsukiyama smile and his gaze move directly at Kaneki's eye. "You know, Kaneki kun. When you are from a prestigious family. You get to see things, ordinary people can't get to see. Sometimes, you tend to know, how things work and you get surprised when you cannot do anything about it."

Tsukiyama smile at him and then move his gaze to look in front of him. He put a hand under his chin. "You know, I once had a friend. We met in a public book club, that the general library held. My father put me in those environments because he wanted me, to regain some socials skills with people who I am not used to... " Tsukiyama laugh. "Now, that I look back at it. We used to argue a lot about our favorite books and sometimes we used to insult each other based on our favorite authors. One time, I follow her…" Kaneki's smile wipes from his face, and shake his head to the side. "I know, I know but hear me…"

"The day, the leader of the group had assigned us to bring a book recommendation for everyone. I had come with one, of Takatsuki Sen. She immediately grab the book and run away. Of course, in response, I follow her back to the shop you now worked on." Tsukiyama took a glance at Kaneki and then look back at his front. "She used to be frequent there…" Tsukiyama look down. Kaneki widened his expression.

Tsukiyama scoffs and smile. "Anyways, when I follow her. She demanded to see the manager. So, she could give the book as a gift for him… It was twisted of her, but that's how she operates. Her knowing the background of the author and yet she did that. She had black humor…"

"…. you're saying this as if she died…" Kaneki said, as he gulps and looks nervously at him. Tsukiyama stares at him and nodded. "Yes…. well, I was just remembering from the past… so.." Kaneki nodded. "No, yeah. I understand."

It was Saturday. Today is going to be a long day. He had a reunion around 3:30 and also was going to tutor the Kirimishima siblings around 1 pm. Normally, he wouldn't have taken the tutoring lessons, since he had a reunion on the same day. But It has been a while, and their final tests are coming up. And also, he kind of missed seeing them around.

As he arrives at the kitchen of his house, to grab a quick snack. Since he won't be able to eat lunch at his house. As he was about to open the refrigerator, he saw a sticky note with his mother's handwriting.

-I order some sushi for the two of you. It's in the oven. I won't be eating at home, since I have a reunion with a client. Love you, Mom-

Kaneki smile to himself, as he touches his chest. He is so lucky to have the kind of mother he has. He put the sticky note back where it was. He walks around the kitchen, to where the oven was, and opened. He grabs the two plates of sushi, that were inside. On each plate, they were some 4 Tekka Maki rolls, 2 slices of Inari, 2 rolls of Nigiri, and one Maguro roll.

As he put both of the plates of sushi, he decided to prepare the table. Putting napkins, some tea for both him and Miza. He added the chopsticks and put a bottle of soy sauce in the middle of the table. Kaneki looks back at the table arrangement and nodded to himself. 'Okay, time to call Miza to eat', Kaneki thought to himself. As Kaneki turn around, he saw Miza in front of him, he jumps, putting both of his hands in the air.

Miza stares at him, with a blank expression. She guides her eyes to look at the table. She flinches a little and lowers her head. Miza clicks her tongue and moves away from Kaneki. Kaneki stares with his mouth semi-open and follows her. Kaneki scratches the back of his head. ¿Why does the atmosphere seem kind of awkward?

As they sit down on each side of the table. They both "thank for the food", and started eating. As Kaneki was eating, he was gazing at Miza, whose face was red. Kaneki raised his eyebrows. "Are you on fever, Miza san?" Miza flinches and angrily stares at him. "San? Is chan! Do I look that old to you?"

"Ah…. I'm sorry." he lowered his head. Miza who was glaring at him stop, to look to her right side. "Don't apologize, I was the one who got mad at you." He sighs. Now the atmosphere was more awkward then it was earlier. ¿Was that even possible? They both stare are their plates, without expressing anything.

Kaneki wanted to break this awkward and strange atmosphere. He knows, he started on a wrong foot when he first met her. Confusing her like a stalker, not greeting her properly, and just lowering his head, whenever he encountered her. Kaneki moves his hands together. What can he do…?

"Ah…" Miza quickly glances at him. "Miza chan, tell me… more about yourself. I didn't get to know you properly. So, if you don't mind." He shyly smiles at her. Miza lowered her gaze to look at the table and grab the chopsticks. Kaneki still smiling notice her disinterest and sigh. 'Of course, it wasn't going to work', he thought to himself.

"Well.. first of all… I come from a struggling family." Kaneki's gaze returns to her. "We were a big family and since I was the oldest. I did everything I could to… survive." Miza put her hand on her cheek, to look at the entrance of the kitchen. As if she was searching for something. "And when I mean everything…" Miza glance at Kaneki, her expression not changing. "I mean, EVERYTHING"

Kaneki's eyes widened and look at his sushi. He grabs a Nigiri roll and took a bite from it. Kaneki gasp and looks at Miza, who was still staring at him. "No wonder you were so calm around them…" Miza nodded and took a roll from her plate and dip into a small circle of soy sauce she had formed on her plate. "Yes… when you do, does kind of things. You tend to do nasty things, just by earning some cash. You meet horrible people but you also meet awesome people…." Miza put a hand below the table, she brought it back with a cellphone in her hand.

She taps on it, several times. She extends her cellphone, so he could see it. Kaneki's eyes wander through the screen and saw a picture of a group of children and teenagers. Some making the peace sign, some of them just smiling, others just having a blank expression on their faces, and in the middle of the group, was Miza.

Kaneki smiles. "Is this your group?" Miza nods and retrieves the phone from Kaneki's face. "We are called "Blades." Kaneki nodded and stare at the background. "You want to know, why we are called that?" Kaneki laughs a little. "Because you had knives and blades… I mean, it would b-"

"Yes, our weapon was a blade", Miza interrupted Kaneki. Kaneki widens his eyes to look at Miza. He desperately looks around. "Ah, ah…. I was joking…." Kaneki stops to look at Miza. She just stares back at him. He put both of his arms on the table, moving his body a little upward. "Miza, you have children in your group."

Miza stares to her side and folded her arms by her chest. "A boy who had a mid-class environment would never get how us, from the lower class, survive. I'm not saying, I am a heroine or what I did, was justifiable by the law. The only thing, it matters to me, or to them, was bringing food to our family. So they could survive another day…" Miza closes her eyes.

Kaneki's gaze lowers down, he removed his hands from the table and sit down properly on his chair. "Either way, as times goes on. Time changes and people leave the group. Most of the children, you saw in there. Their families got a job, and move. I heard most of them, are leaving a rather decent life…"

"And… how did you get your job where my mother used to work?"

"Well, after a job I did with The White Suits, to destroy a politician." Kaneki flinches too look at Miza. "-I got out of where I was living, with my family and went to find a job at that store. It was the only skill, I got after my mother died. So, I put in good use." Miza leans down on the chair, as she munches another sushi roll. She stares at Kaneki, who had a surprising look on his face.

"Miza…." Kaneki blinks several times to look at her. "What did you say?" Miza raised an eyebrow. "That I got a job, because of a skill, that my mother gave to m-"

"No!" Kaneki put both of his arms in front of her. "You killed a politician with the White Suits…?" Kaneki stares at her, so she proves to him, she was just messing with her. Or perhaps, he just mishears what she said. Miza nodded calmly. "We kill him…" Kaneki feels like, he was growing a headache by each second he hears Miza talk.

'¿How can she be so calm, talking about this?', Kaneki thought. "You must be joking…." Kaneki closes his eyes. So, he could wish this conversation wasn't real. "Why should I joke about that?" Kaneki's heart drop and opened his eyes slowly to look at her. She stares at him and rolls her eyes. "Either way, it doesn't matter, he was a pedo anyway, and his coworker sent the order to kill him. It wasn't a big deal…"

Kaneki stares at her and just sighs, as he lowered his arms. Kaneki grabs another sushi roll, as his headache started to get lower little by little. "Kaneki…." Kaneki looks at her, while he eats. "Any news regarding the new group?" Kaneki raised one eyebrow. "Why should I know about the-" Suddenly, the door swings open.

They both stare at the entryway. It was Naki. Miza as seeing the rather familiar figure, roll her eyes. "I'm home…. Oh sushi…" Naki who quickly jump from his work shoes to his socks, came running to the kitchen. Upon seeing the sushi, he grabs one. Miza clenched her teeth. "That's mine, you asshole!"

Naki ignored her and stare at Kaneki, he pointed a finger at him. "Tutor me…" Kaneki shook his head. "No can't do, I have a tutoring lesson with the Kirishima's siblings at 1 pm…" Naki stares at the big clock, that was situated near the stove wall. "I don't know much about numbers, but I know it's 12: 10 am…"

"Pm, dumbass…", Miza said. "Shut up, you!" Naki screams at Miza and then looks at Kaneki. Kaneki shakes his head, I will leave at 12:30 to arrive at there at 12:50 or at least, 12:55. I don't like arriving late, at reunions." Miza grins, looking at Naki. Naki pouts and looks back at him. "Okay… then just….. Gahhhh. Listen Kaneki, big bro wants me to deliver some full receipts of the costs we did this month and….."

"Isn't that Shousei's job…?" Miza says as she takes a sip of her tea. "It is... but, I wanted to show big bro Yamori, that I can do the math as well…" Naki begins tearing up while putting his head on the table. Kaneki sighs and puts his hand in the air. "Alright, let's see those numbers…"

Miza rolls her eyes and shakes her head in disagreement. "You're spoiling him, way too much." Kaneki just smiles at her. "Shut up, you stupid blade!" Naki takes his tongue out, in the direction of Miza. Miza rubs her temples, with her fingers.

It was around 12: 55 pm, that he arrived at the Kirishima residence. Just as his calculations, of course, he let out a big mess in the kitchen. Papers plastered on the table, his plate unclean. Normally he would leave everything clean when exiting the house, but it was late when he exited his house. So Naki promised to clean after him. But he and Miza knew. That Miza would do the cleaning eventually.

As he proceeds to greet Renji and went to the main living room, to explain some of the lessons that Renji had told him previously. He couldn't help the atmosphere in this house, felt weird. Not in the same weird way, he felt when he was around with Miza. But in a way, that everyone seems down. Because like in the other times, he had come, the siblings were always arguing about trivial stuff and then Renji would just scold them off. But today, Touka was just quiet on her spot, while Ayato's face was irritated. But not in a way, that he was mad, but in a way, of wanting to do something, but unable to do it.

As the lesson progress, Kaneki hinted at some jokes, but they barely react to them. While they were wrapping the tutoring lesson. Touka grabs her materials and stomps her way out. Ayato looks in her direction and just clench his fists, leaving the room, as well as living his things on the table.

Kaneki's heart felt heavy. He wanted to ask them if they were okay, but at the same, he didn't want to interrupt in their business. As he gathered his stuff. He looks at both of the doors of the siblings and tells them, "goodbye", but they didn't react at all. Kaneki clenches his fists, but left the second floor, as he arrives at the first floor, where Renji was cleaning a cage.

"Well... I'm off Renji san…" Renji stops and stood up to look at Kaneki. He stared at him for a while. "You know… you're changing…."

"Yeah, it seems like everyone has been telling me that."

"Well… it seems that way…"

"You know, how they say, that sometimes you need yo change to protect those you care about…" Kaneki looks to the ground and then back at him. Renji stares at him and then back at the cage. "Sometimes protection can even damage oneself… you think you want to protect many people, but in the end, you will betray someone." Renji looks at him, then walks away to the counter. Kaneki follows him. "Perhaps you notice that they are not in a good mood today."

Kaneki nods, as he awkwardly smiles. "Well.. first of all. The destruction of the food truck…" Kaneki turns his face to one side. Renji turns his body to look at him. "That truck belongs to Touka's family friend, Yoriko." Kaneki widened his gaze, he was about to vomit.

"So, you saw it too?" Kaneki nods and closes his eyes, he was getting nauseous. Renji looks at him and squints his eyes to look at the ground, he clenches one of his fists. "Ayato… was in charge of seeing the truck, but he got distracted on the job. So, he partly blames himself" Kaneki widens his gaze to look at him. Renji just nods. "I have been leaving in this city wait too long and I know my things. Am their uncle after all. An uncle who was also partly raised by the streets"

"Kaneki…" Kaneki slowly looks at Renji. "How will you feel, if you had a friend who didn't have the same ideals or just a bad person in general? Like, in a way… of trying to ruin you, and everybody around you? But at the same time, that person is telling you, that he is not a bad person and instead, he is just doing what he needs to do to save himself?"

"I-I…. don't know…."

Renji looks away for a moment and walks near Kaneki. He pointed his finger at Kaneki's body. "I'm giving you this advice, Kaneki. Instead of trying to gain muscle, gain some wisdom on that… You will eventually need that…"

Author's note:

Thank you for reading the story so far... I know, the updates get really slow... I just get really complicated when I handle stuff from my university and work, all at the same time. But anyway, I'm glad you enjoy it! Please, if you want to support me by leaving a comment. You can also follow me on Twitter and on Tumblr: existanceale.