Chapter 19 - An answer to the riddle

As he is arriving at the given location that Hirako provided him. His heart started beating fast, he has butterflies on his stomach. He has seen him and talked to him on various occasions. So, why?

Why is he getting all nervous? Kaneki put both the books he had, near his chest. He closed his eyes, as well as his mouth. A wind that passes by, touches Kaneki's hair and moves it to the right side. And just as the wind touched his beautiful black hair, he opened his eyes and nodded. He gripped both of the books he will be given to both Hirako and Arima as presents.

Kaneki frowned, he lifted his shoulders a little bit and put them down slowly. Kaneki grabs the courage to touch the doorbell of the old traditional Japanese-style house. As he examined all the walls of the house, it didn't seem like this house was at all that old, but it feels like it. Like the wooden walls seem old, but at the same time, it looks like they are always repainted. The windows, who had clear glass adorning them, also had some dust on the corners. In a way to establish that this home is old but is new for welcoming visitors.

The doorbell ring and Kaneki heard some footsteps, as well as some heavy breathing incoming. The door of the house suddenly opens, and a huge Shiba dog flies into Kaneki's face. Making Kaneki fall down on his back, while the dog stood on his chest. Since he had closed his eyes when the dog came barging in. He opened them, and moved his head side to side, putting his gaze on the floor, but stopped when he saw a pair of shoes walking by his view. He directed his gaze to look in front, slowly removing the dog, who was panting on his face.

As he looked up, he saw Hirako's blank expression. Hirako looked at him and made a quick smile, moving both of his hands upward. Kaneki raised both of his eyebrows and opened his mouth. There was Hirako, holding both of the books in each hand. He put both of them under his arm and put his finger on his mouth. As soon as Hirako whistles, the dog looks his way and removes himself from Kaneki's chest. Kaneki slowly moves his body up, he wipes the dust out of his grey jeans and his white sweater.

Kaneki smiles at Hirako. "Hello…" Hirako nodded. "Good afternoon." The dog was wagging his tail towards Kaneki, as well as having his tongue out. "Does he get excited when meeting new people?" Kaneki approached Hirako. Hirako patted the dog's head. "No…." Kaneki looks at the side and frowns. Hirako checked both of the books that were wrapped in a plastic wrapping along with a big red bow, that adorned the center of the book. Hirako returned and gave him a little smirk.

"Kotarou only does this, when he knows, I really like the person coming." Hirako moves his head to the side. "Let's go inside." Kaneki awkwardly smiles and follows Hirako but then he suddenly freezes. 'Someone he likes….' Kaneki thinks to himself. Kaneki moves his head to the side and continues following him. Kaneki closes the door when he enters the house.

"Kotarou huh…." Hirako stops as he looks to the back. Kaneki notices it and looks to the side. "Um… I mean… is not a bad name. It's just I have a friend whose name is Kotarou, so…. It made me feel just a slight curiosity…" Kaneki nervously laughs. Hirako continued to look at him with a stern face, but then he kept on walking. 'Was he being blind, or did he see with his own eyes, Hirako rolling his eyes?' Kaneki thinks. As he put both of his shoes on the genkan and put on some beige slippers. "Sorry for the intrusion…" Kaneki said, as he inspected the house. Kaneki notices the living room and has many photos framed on various tables and on the wall. As Hirako guided him, he sat down.

Kaneki took a special look at the small frame photo next to where he was seated. It was a photo of a teenager Hirako, holding the graduation diploma, his expression was still as bland as ever. 'Same as usual…" Kaneki thought, as he smiled. Next to the photo, there was a photo of a very younger Hirako, he had his small backpack on his chest. His yellow hat on the floor while blushing, looking at the camera. Kaneki touches his chest and slightly opens his mouth.

Kaneki made a slight quiet 'aww', hoping Hirako wouldn't notice. Just as he did it, Hirako turns around to look at him, squinting his eyes. Kaneki gulps and just smiles at him. Hirako put both of the books on the table while offering some tea. Kaneki nodded and Hirako left. Kaneki let out a breath. Kaneki looks around and notices there was a recorder, playing a slight silence melody. He couldn't figure out what the melody was, but he could recognize it just by hearing it. Hirako had a fine taste in music.

Just as about he was standing up, to see the title of the song. "La fille aux Cheveux de lin", Hirako said as he came into the living room with a teacup in his hand. He put it on the table that was in front of Kaneki. Kaneki bows in his direction, as he grabs the teacup. "By whom?" Hirako sits in front of him, on the grey couch. Hirako looks down and clicks his fingers. "Claude Debussy." The dog named Kotarou came running from the other room and put both of his legs on Hirako's legs. Kaneki nodded as he took another sip from his tea.

Kaneki was moving his body to the melody of the song in the background. He closes his eyes and smiles to himself. He leaves his mind blank, just letting his head move to the beat of the music. After the music stopped and another song began playing. Kaneki stops and opens his eyes. He didn't want to believe but he let himself go by the music and not talk to Hirako for approximately two minutes.

He quickly shifted his gaze to look at Hirako. Whose body was resting on the couch, his dog laying on Hirako's legs, while he was massaging his head. Kaneki didn't say anything, he sat there watching Hirako staring at nothing. While having a blank expression on his face. It almost feels like Hirako wanted this. While both of them continue enjoying each other's company. Kaneki almost forgot what he had come here in the very first place, while he noticed the books he had brought.

Kaneki moves his body up since his body was resting on the couch just like Hirako did. Hirako took note of Kaneki's movements and just followed him with his gaze. Kaneki rubs both of his hands together while looking to the side. Kaneki looks at the books and then back at Hirako. Kaneki flinched a little when he saw Hirako staring at him. Hirako moves his body, to be seated properly.

Kaneki shook his head to the side, as well as his hands. Kotarou moved from Hirako's lap and went to the floor, to rest there. "Hirako san… don't do it!" Hirako stares at Kaneki for a while and just sighs. Kaneki looked down and clenched his fists.

"Either way, you were coming here for a reason, isn't it? Is not really that big of a deal." Kaneki pouted and look away in embarrassment. 'I mean, he is right. He had come here because Hirako had texted him, that after the flight, the both of them, will be staying on Hirako's place.'

Kaneki moves his shoulder upward and awkwardly smiles at Hirako. The older man just stares at him. Kaneki took one of the books that were resting on the table and gave one to Hirako. Hirako extended his arm, to grab it. Hirako nodded in his direction and gave him a quick smile. Kaneki smiled at him and slightly felt his heart beating. Hirako stood up and went near Kaneki. Next to where Kaneki was seated, there was a small brown cabinet. Hirako opened the cabinet. Hirako didn't stop looking at Kaneki, while he put the book inside.

Kaneki gulped, while he also didn't break eye-contact with Hirako. "I'm going to place it here, while it's new…." Kaneki nodded. Hirako moves his face near Kaneki's ear. Kaneki's heart couldn't stop beating fast. "I don't want the precious gift to get dusty… that will be really a shame, wouldn't it, Kaneki?" Kaneki quickly nodded, while he put both of his hands on his face. He was getting hotter by each second. Hirako's voice was normal, but hearing it close, it sounded a little raspy.

Hirako stood up and looked at the clock. "It's 3:10 pm and you…." Hirako turns around to look at Kaneki, who was madly blushing in Hirako's perspective. "-arrive early." Kaneki laughs nervously and looks away. "I'm very sorry, I just…. Um… I thought I could help."

"Helping on what?"

"Um…. you know… like putting food or handing drinks…."

"It was just going to be the three of us… nothing out of the normal."

"-Aah…. Yeah…."

"Were you expecting something else? Something more fancy or exclusive?"

Kaneki widened his gaze and put his hands in front of his face, shaking them fast. "¡No, absolutely no! I was just… I was just…."

"Or perhaps, you were this anxious on seeing us…?" Kaneki widened his gaze, his whole body shaking. Hirako let out a small giggle and went out of the living room. While he was living, Kaneki stood there in an embarrassing state. His hands were shaking, with his mouth open, heart beating so fast.

He couldn't believe what he just heard coming out of Hirako's mouth. He had never thought that Hirako was such a teaser. In his mind, he thought Hirako was a quiet person, with a calming personality. But he guessed wrong. Just like the saying goes, 'the quietest one is the most troublemaker ones,' just as Kaneki was thinking. Hirako had come with his dog running around him. That made Kaneki's thoughts disappear and focus on the present time. He adjusted all his body and stared at Hirako's upcoming figure.

It appears that Hirako had a cellphone in his hand. He was talking with someone but soon, he took a step inside the living room. He tapped his cellphone and put it in his pocket. "Um… Hirako san was that Arima san?" Hirako looked at him, with a widened gaze, his lips were a little parted away, raising both of his eyebrows.

Kaneki took a note and lowered his head. "I'm sorry…." Hirako shook his head lightly. "You're right…. It was him, but how do you notice it was him?" Kaneki scratches the back of his head and smiles. "Well… um…." Kaneki points at Hirako's face. "-you tend to wrinkle your nose when you talk to him…" Hirako touches his nose and removes his fingers from his face. He raises an eyebrow at Kaneki's direction.

Kaneki nods at his directions and smiles. "Yes, I mean I have seen it in those little times, the three of us talk with each other, even at that time when we met each other, you wrinkle your nose as well." Hirako moves his eyes and just hums in response. He sat down in front of Kaneki, and his dog followed him. "It seems like Arima won't be attending the reunion. When he got to his apartment, he was called by one of the higher-ups of the hospital. So he says, he regrets not attending the reunion, but he would attend another time."

Kaneki looks down to the floor, his heart drops. He really was hoping to see Arima today. All this week, his emotions were all over the place, as well as his thoughts. Even with the recent event, he thought he could lose some stress just by talking with Arima. So, he wanted to meet him again. Kaneki let out a sigh.

Apparently Hirako took notice of his displeasure. "Kaneki... I'm not forcing you to stay here. If you want to go, you can go…" Kaneki looks at Hirako, who was looking down at the moment he voices his opinions. 'Fuck….,' Kaneki thought to himself. Now, Hirako thinks that his presence is annoying and is not true at all.

I mean… is the truth that he wanted to see Arima. Since his emotions couldn't stop thinking about him, that doesn't mean he found Hirako's presence annoying. Actually, is the opposite. He also could feel at ease while being with Hirako. It almost feels like Hirako and Arima were the sides of the same coin.

Arima on one hand has a calming aura, but he can't find the right words to have a proper conversation with him. On the other hand, Hirako also had a calming aura, but he felt he could be chill while addressing Hirako. It felt great. But now all the mood was gone, for his stupidness.

"Hirako san… I don't want to go…. You're pretty cool…"

"Don't worry…. I get that all the time. Most people said that I have a weird atmosphere surrounding me."

"I-is not that, Hirako san…."

Now he feels bad for Hirako. Not only because he made him feel uncomfortable but because of what Hirako just said, he could relate to Hirako. When he was growing alongside Hide, most of the kids told his best friend that they prefer being friends with Hide rather than being with him.

"I'm sorry…. Hirako … look it's true that I wanted to talk with Arima… in that, I won't lie to you. But, you're pretty amazing yourself Hirako, and I don't say this out of pity….I was also really pleased to see you today…." Kaneki looks back at Hirako while rubbing his hands together. "So, please don't say that I found your presence annoying because it is not true."

"Hmmm…. Kaneki…." Hirako looks to the ground. Kaneki gulped. 'Oh no, what did I do now?' he thought to himself. "I'm just messing with you, Kaneki." Hirako puts his head up, as he grins. Kaneki just looks away for a moment and smiles at him. Quickly both of them share a little laugh. "You know… Hirako san…" Hirako glances at him, showing he was listening to him. "You're such a good observant person, has anyone told you that?"

Hirako slowly nods, while patting his dog's head. While the dog rested near his feet."Yes, all those years of me getting teased, led me until this mental point." Kaneki flinches and looks around, and then falls at Hirako. While moving his head a little to the front. "Wait… you were teased?"

"My parents abandoned me, and the ones who took care of me, where my grandparents ever since I was 9 years old. So, naturally from that point. Children like to point out how my parents didn't love me or just obnoxious phrases kids used to yell. After some time passed… I became aware of the people who were really there for me."

Kaneki's heart sunk deeper into his body. He lowered his gaze but then put it back up, with a small smile, nodding at the process. "Yes, I can relate to similar things. My mother became a widow when I was 5. And most of the kids would just be horrible when they were around me. Even if in that process, I met one of my greatest friends of all time. I still had a hard time talking with people…"

When Kaneki finished talking. They both stood there in silence. Hirako's gaze looked at his dog, while Kaneki's gaze was fixating on the entrance of the living room. Is not like the environment has gotten heavy, it just felt like they both needed a pause to regain their conversations. So they can lift the inner demons they both had. Without both of them knowing, how much stress they were taking off their backs, by just talking.

As they were sitting there, the sound of a car passing by. Gave an indication to look at each other and resume their conversation. "When I was in my second year of high school, my grandma died…" Kaneki's mouth went down. "It was a natural death. She was a healthy lady... Just like my grandpa. I remember that in those times in quiet grief that I had, I met Arima."

A black hair boy, wearing glasses entered the teacher lounge. He walks past some of the teacher's desks and arrives at one, whose table was messy. "Saito sensei, a classmate of mine told me you were calling for me…" The black hair boy slightly touches his chest, while he talks. The older man, whose hair was styled in a short spiky cut. Wearing a white lab coat, that covered all of his body, a simple green shirt, and some brown pants. Turn his chair to face the teenager. "Ah…. yeah, Arima kun…" He spins his chair to look at the table and grab a paper out from a yellow folder. The older man, who had a pen in his mouth, spun his body once again, to face the teenager.

"It says here, you haven't filled the form of the career path you are going to take. You're the only one, and it surprises me… since you know.. After all, you're the class president." The older man, look at Arima, who was just glancing down at him. He didn't say anything and kept his demeanor very calm. The teacher who notices that Arima wasn't responding, opened his mouth to talk yet again, to Arima. But he was soon interrupted by a phone call, a nearby teacher got.

They both look at the man. The man had his hair tied up in a ponytail, glasses barely hanging from his nose. Wearing a knitted red sweater. He grabs the phone and puts it on his ear. "Ah… yes. This is Daichi Sensei speaking…Yes, Hirako is my student." The older man nodded and widened his gaze. "What, just now?" The man looked at the telephone and moved his gaze to look at the two figures who were looking at him. Daichi nodded once again and put a hand on his forehead, rubbing his temples. "Yes, I will tell him, and yes, also please tell Hirako san that I'm sorry for his loss…" Daichi put his phone away, not taking his hand out of his forehead.

Daichi whimpered, and slowly, a tear ran across his cheek. "Daichi kun, what's wrong?" Saito stood up and went to see his partner. Saito put his hands on Daichi's shoulders. Daichi takes his hand away from his face, his eyes forming tears. "The grandma of a student of mine just died…" Saito widened his gaze. "Was it the student's family that you recently have become very attached to?" Daichi nodded, as he whimpered once again. Saito patted Daichi's back, with a concerned look on his face.

Arima, who was still observing the two of them. "Do you want me to inform him?" Both of the teachers look at him. "You know him?…." Saito said. Arima nodded. "Alright then, tell him to come to the teacher's lounge…" Arima nodded and apologized. As Arima began walking through the corridor, many people bow after him, greeting him. While he just nodded, while he walked by. His face was in a calm demeanor.

As he was walking by the corridors, he arrived at his destination. The garden, which was near the cafeteria area. Around the Tree, there were some people gathered and at the corner, there was a bench where Hirako was seated, alone reading a book. Arima stood there in the doorway and observed him from afar. Some of the girls, who were near the tree, noticed Arima and began talking about him. Arima's gaze was on the girls, who were blushing, some smiling and some waving at him. His gaze soon moves back to Hirako. Who in the commotion of the girls, stares at where they were staring. Hirako's gaze and Arima's gaze intertwined with each other.

Both of them, not showing any expression at all. Just looking at each other. Arima's gaze slowly looks away, and his gaze drops. Arima began walking towards him, which made Hirako flinch. Arima passed the girls who were waving at him, and exclaiming his name, he just nodded in response. Arima, as he stood there in front of Hirako. He stops reading his book and moves his head to look at him.

Arima removes his glasses and slowly looks away. Making his expression, like he was mourning. Hirako, on the other hand, just stares at the background and then back at him. Arima patted Hirako's shoulder, without not saying anything. But his eyes didn't meet him. Hirako, looking at Arima, just widened his expression. He quickly gritted his teeth and shoveled the book that he was reading to the floor. Hirako put both of his hands together. Hirako exhales and then inhales… lowering his head more and more.

"I'm sorry…."

Arima put his hand on Hirako's shoulders. Who was shivering, and his head was still down. Hirako's hand was patting his grandfather who was crying, while he sat there in the ceremony. After the ceremony ended, his grandfather excuses himself to go to sleep, leaving both Hirako and Arima, shivering, but not saying a word to each other.

Hirako's leg trembles, while he is seated next to Arima. "She was such…. A nice woman…," Arima said as he looks up and then looks back down once again. "Hirako… from this point on…. I want you to know….."

"Your grandfather and you will have my support.." Hirako's gaze looks up at Arima, whose eyes were forming a little tear in the corner. Hirako just shook his head. "How can you even say that when you barely know me… we just met by accident in the library and, in our second meeting, you encountered my grandma who thought of you as my friend and you just… went along with it…I don't….. Get you…. Arima… I really don't."

"Sometimes, you don't even have to have an old relationship with someone just to show that the relationship will endure. Sometimes, we just need a quick glance at each other's soul, to know how good we are together."

"And when I met him… I realize something…." Hirako glanced back at Kaneki, who was staring at him, with a concerned expression. "Sometimes we focus on ourselves too much, or we focus on the past too much. That sometimes, we as persons, don't enjoy what's in our present time. And that can be a good thing and a bad thing, because when you just think about yourself. You adjust yourself to what others want to see from you, that gradually you get to know the ugly and beautiful traits that you have and after that, it depends on you, if you plan to just live in the moment or just live off what others think of you. And, if you choose the first option, you will get surprised by how the world around you can change."

Kaneki's eyes widened and nodded at the realization that Hirako told him. Kaneki looks down for a moment and looks back at Hirako, he smiles and moves his gaze slightly to the right. "You really are an awesome person, Hirako san…"

"More awesome than Arima san?" Hirako saw Kaneki flinch and his eyes went bigger by each second. The color of his skin went pale as soon as he dropped that statement. Hirako wanted to chuckle. 'It's cute, seeing him fluster,' Hirako thought to himself. Hirako stood up and made some clicking noises with his hand. His dog, Kotarou stood up, where he was resting and barking at him.

"Kaneki…" Kaneki who was fidgeting on his seat, while not looking at him, just nodded in response. "Since Arima is not going to come over, and the sun is shining brightly. Why don't take this opportunity to take Kotarou on a walk and eat something on the go?" Kaneki's gaze, who was on the ground, avoiding eye contact, slowly looked at him and nodded.

While Kotarou was walking around the park, and sniffing every dog he encountered. He and Hirako were talking about mundane things. Such as work, friends, school, life problems, and trivial things. While Hirako was handling the leash, that restrained Kotarou, to run away. Kaneki took notice of how well Kotarou behaved outside. Most of all people who have dogs, always tighten their leash, while they walk their dogs. Heck, he even had the opportunity to see it, with his friend, Hide. Who once had a job, of walking dogs in his neighborhood.

But Hirako's grip was so light. That he can almost feel, like if Hirako wanted to take the leash out of Kotarou's neck. Kotarou would still be walking at a similar pace as them. This just goes to show how much discipline he has put on Kotarou. I mean, it is not like he can blame the dog. Hirako really has the aura of being a chill person, when the time is right. He is such a well-disciplined man.

While they walk through the park, talking about whatever subject they had in the present. Kaneki felt this warm sensation on his chest. Is not like he had never felt this sensation before. It's just nice, feeling this beautiful sensation when someone you are friends with. As they encounter, a food truck, who was selling donuts. They stopped their walk and ordered some mini donuts that were placed on a cup. They sat down on a nearby bench, Kotarou following along.

While they were eating. Kaneki while he gulps one of his mini donuts. Looks at Hirako, who just finished his cup of mini donuts. "Um… Hirako san…." Hirako nodded in response, while he wiped some of the dust he had on his mouth, with a white handkerchief. "Can I ask you a question… like regarding the conversation we had in your house…"

Hirako looks again at him, "I don't know, can you?" The man spoke at him while having the most serious and blank expression he had ever seen in a man. Kaneki, while not saying anything just nodded in his direction, with his mouth shut. Kotarou, who had been awfully silent, all this time. Had bark in the response to his master. Kaneki just nodded to confirm, he had heard the bark.

"Well… there was this question. That, someone, asked me, today. And since you seem like the kind of person, who has a neutral thought. I want to give it a try with you…well, here it goes." Kaneki let out a sigh. "The question is, how would you feel if someone you care, has done something bad, but he justifies it by saying it for his own well being? Would you still care for that person or just stop being friends with that person?"

Hirako shakes his body to the back of the bench, his gaze looks down for a moment and then back at him. But, still with his mouth shut. Hirako taps one of his legs, with his left fingers. Hirako stares at Kaneki, while he was analyzing the older man's movements. "Kaneki, will you judge someone on their past actions or their current actions?"

Kaneki lifted both of his eyebrows in the sudden question being thrown at him. Kaneki was taken back. He moved his eyes to look at both sides and proceeded to look at him again. "Um…. well, I think. It depends… I mean… if the person has proven to change then. I will gladly take them back, but still be wary of them, you know…"

Hirako put both of his arms crossed near his chest. He closes his eyes for a moment. "I see…." Kaneki looks back. 'Did he, did he say something wrong?', he thought to himself. Just when he was about to speak.

"Then what happens if that person tries to do you wrong?" Hirako said, as he quickly stares at him. A determined look on his face. Just when Kaneki was about to respond, they both heard a hissing noise coming in front of them. They both turned around and saw a medium-long hair white cat with a bushy tail. Around its neck, there was a pink collar that hangs in the middle, a purple pendant. Assuming that the pendant has the cat's name on it. Kaneki reaches down to touch the pendant, and just when he was about to touch.

"Maris Stella, where are you? Come back to mama!" A girly yet delicate voice came running from the back of them. Hirako turns around to see the upcoming figure. He immediately turns around and just shakes his head to the side, clicking his teeth together. Making a "Tchh" sound, in the process. Kaneki took note of that and moved his head to see the person who was coming. Much to his surprise, the upcoming figure was someone he knew.

Is not like the person incoming was such a great friend to him, but it's more like, he doesn't despise them. Yes, that's what it is. The cat, meow, like in a process of calling her owner. The woman, who was coming, didn't even bother to look at the men who were on the bench and just saw the cat and grabbed her. Putting the cat in front of her, while having a displeased expression on her face.

"Maris Stella!" The cat meowed once again. "How many times do I have to tell you, not to run away from me, when we are in the park? Look…." The lady put the cat on her left arm and with her right arm pointed at Kotarou, who was calmly laying beside his owner. "Even a Shiba dog has more manners than you. You need more training," the lady said, as she turns around to see the two men in front of her.

"Kaneki!?"

"Hello, Akira…." Akira with both of her eyebrows raised, she turns to face the other person beside Kaneki. Her shock face now turns into an annoying one. Squinting her eyes, while she closes her mouth. She rolled her eyes at him, while Hirako just looked to the side. "Hello, Hirako san. It's nice seeing you here…"

"Hmm….."

Was Hirako's response, as he lowered his hand to pet his dog, on the head. Akira's eye twitch, and glare at Hirako. Kaneki just awkwardly laughs at their expressive conversation. "That's a beautiful cat, Akira san…" Akira, who was still making a serious expression toward Hirako, glanced back at Kaneki, she was now holding the cat, with both of her arms."Well… thank you. Her name is, Maris Stella, and she is one of the most beautiful cats in the world. Whether people acknowledge it or not…"

"Aww, that's such a beautiful dog. What name does it have?" A manly voice came approaching them while putting a knee resting on the ground. "Can I pet it…?" Hirako just nodded, not seeing the man's face. "And his name is Kotarou…" The man looks at Hirako while putting a hand on the dog's head. "What, really?….just like m-" The man cut his sentence as soon, as he turns around, not just to see him, but to a familiar lady, who was glaring at him.

The man turned around once again because he tried to comprehend what was going on. While he stares at the owner since he didn't quite see him, very well. The man flinches and bows. "Hirako san, hello. I'm sorry, I didn't greet you properly."

"And what am I? A-cero to the side?" came, the voice of a pissed, Akira. The man stood up and put his hands in front of him. "Oh no… I'm sorry Akira… hello!" Akira glared at him, while "tchh", in the process. She looks to the side, looking very offended. "Now, that you're a police officer, you now don't even greet your ex comrades, huh, Amon Koutarou?"

Amon sighs and shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Akira... alright?" Akira is still looking to her side. Amon just smiles in her direction and touches the cat's paw. "It looks like Maris Stella, is still cute as ever…" Akira brings Maris Stella, more to her chest. "Don't you lay a finger on her…. She is more precious than you!"

After some bickering with the two of them, they all decided to go to the donut truck that Kaneki and Hirako went to. While Akira was side glaring, both Hirako, and Amon. Kaneki, just sat there in the middle of the table, just smiling, while the chaos just engulfed in front of him.

Hirako, who was quiet, just nodded while Amon talked about life and some recent events. In this conversation, Kaneki learns the reason why they both knew Hirako. Is because Hirako and Arima have personal connections with some of their superiors. But, at the same time, Hirako and Arima have been such good help in some cases that require their cooperation.

Kaneki, while he heard the conversation in front of him. He wondered how small the world is. Of course, for him. Since most of the people he knows from work, or happen to know, they also know the other people he knows. Surprisingly, it made his heart feel warm. Kind of like, he was the main character of a story and the reason why all these characters that he knows, also knew each other, while he was the one being in the middle of everything. Although, that's impossible. Since it is his life, and he isn't in a story. He is just a normal dude, who happens to know people, who already have a history with each other.

Now, he was thinking about friends. The three of them stood up. Akira stating, she needed to read some documents from a case she was handling. Amon stating, that the reason why she was leaving is because of Maris Stella. Since Maris Stella, has a habit of not pooping outside. That Amon's statement was received by Akira, giving him a smack to the back of his head. While Hirako just stated that Kotarou was a well-behaved dog.

Making Akira glared in his direction. While Amon just shakes his head side to side. At this point, Hirako was just adding more fuel to the fire. As the three of the adults were standing, just watching each other. Kaneki stood up and nodded to himself. He clears his throat, while 3 different pairs of eyes look at him. Kaneki just smiles awkwardly and gulps. "Since you, three are such good friends…" Akira just clicked her tongue, while looking to the side but still paying attention to what Kaneki had to say.

"Well… I was wondering… what will you guys do if someone you care about, does things that aren't good by others… would you forgive the person or….?"

The three of them glance at each other, and then back at Kaneki. With a serious expression.

"If they actually do it. I will be reasonable with them, but in the end, I will bring them to justice," said Amon.

"Dismiss them, they are no friends of mine, if they commit crimes," said Akira.

"It depends, what crime…," said Hirako.

As soon as Hirako said it. They all stare at each other for a while. Their gazes turn into a judgmental one. Like the three of them started judging each other's statements. Akira's gaze was more snarky than usual, while she looked back between Hirako and Amon. Amon stares in disbelief at Hirako. In a surprising manner, that one of the persons he knew, was thinking that way. Hirako was looking unbothered, but one of his brows was up to while looking at them.

"That's actually-" But as soon as Kaneki started talking, the three of them started debating about justice, friendship, crime, and neutrality. Kaneki wanted to bring his input to the debate, but since he was the one asked the question to them. Kaneki felt like he was the meditator of this debate.

In the process of bringing himself to at least talk. Kaneki stood there while looking and listening at their debate. Kaneki wondered as he glanced at Hirako. The question that Hirako had asked him, while they were alone earlier. He started having many answers to that particular question. His mind having its own little debate.

His mind was so immersed in his own thoughts, that he flinched a little when his phone started vibrating. Kaneki grabs his phone out of his jean pocket and turns it on. On the display screen, he saw a message from Furuta.

- ¿Want to meet? -

Kaneki quickly messages Furuta, with an 'Okay, but where?'. As he sends the message, Furuta quickly messages him with a location. Kaneki raises one eyebrow. It seems odd at first for Kaneki, but not that weird coming from Furuta. Now, he thought about it. As he responded with another message, quickly shutting the conversation. Kaneki put his phone in his pocket, where it was. Kaneki informs the three people that were in front of him. That he will be leaving since another friend wanted to meet.

Although, he felt guilty leaving just them like that, especially Hirako. Hirako just shook his head and told me to go. He even said he will deliver the book to Arima, personally. Kaneki thanked him, with a bright smile. As he waved goodbye and patted both Maris Stella and Kotarou's head as well. Both Amon and Akira wave him goodbye and wish him a safe leave. Amon, even told him that if he ever sees something unusual, he can call him. When he said that, both Akira and Hirako glared at him.

As soon as he left the park. Kaneki took his phone away and proceeded to open Google maps. The location in question was located inside Shinjuku, in a rather closed area. He walked, while he looked at the shops that he was passing. While the cursor on google maps was moving, he felt this strange feeling. That the aura around him felt tenser. It felt like the colors of the city were almost banishing, every time he passed through another street. The streets became more greyish looking, some had grass growing to the side. The stores had more black and greyish tones to it.

Of course, it doesn't mean that having a shop with black undertones is bad, but comparing these stores to the other stores that he saw earlier. The other stores were brighter and colorful. These ones, however, felt more, creepy. He also had noticed that every time he went near his destined location. The lights were also disappearing, and it's strange since it was 4:30 pm, the last time he saw the time.

As Kaneki saw on Google Maps, he was in the destined location. He saw in front of him, a restaurant. The sign deteriorated by itself, but if he matched the letters together, the sign was forming the phrase, "Meet me there".

Kaneki turned his face to the side and squinted his eyes. "What a weird name…," he said to himself. Kaneki looked to both of his sides and there was nobody. Something inside him, told him, to run away and just text Furuta, that he was tired for the day and wanted to go home or something like that.

In the end, Kaneki took that horrifying thought he had and pushed it aside. If Furuta wanted to meet him. Then he will gladly go. After all, Furuta is his friend. He might have a weird sense of humor, or just have nonsensical conversations, but at least he hasn't made anything that he, in particular, had to be wary of.

So, just as the good friend that he is. Kaneki pushes the door open and enters the shop. Kaneki looked inside of the shop, and there was no one there, just vending machines. Along with some tables and chairs being all around the shop. Surprisingly, all the shop's walls were clean, as well as the floor.

Looks can really be deceiving.

As for Kaneki, he walks by all the vending machines. He inspected one by one and decided to grab a bottle of water. He had been thirsty since he ordered those mini donuts with Hirako. But, it never occurs to him to order a drink. So, he orders one bottle of water, from a vending machine that serves drinks. When he grabbed the bottle, he decided to wait for his friend. So he sat on a nearby chair that was next to a wooden table.

Kaneki taps his fingers on the table. Wondering why Furuta wasn't here. He, at the moment, didn't realize he hadn't texted Furuta that he was there. He grabs his phone and texted Furuta. He waited for a moment, but Furuta didn't answer. Kaneki moves his head to the side. Perhaps, something occurs to him? Or maybe he was getting ready? But, why did he text him to this place, when he wasn't ready?

Those were some of the questions he was asking himself. Kaneki decided at the time being to wait for Furuta. He would answer some of the texts he had unread. As soon, as he answered all of them. Kaneki glances at the clock, and it passes 15 minutes, and Furuta hasn't texted him or called him. Kaneki decided to call Furuta. If Furuta didn't answer him, even if it hurt him. He will leave the establishment. He called and there was just a beep and another beep. But no answer. He decided to call again.

But no answer. He sighs once again… and just rubs his temples with his free hand. In the third call. The beep once again sounded in his ear. Kaneki was getting tired, so he decided to leave a voicemail.

"Hello Furuta, it's me Kaneki. I have been waiting for you, for at least 20 minutes and you haven't arrived at the location you ask me to. Are you okay? Did something happen? Or…." Kaneki bites his lips. "Is this another prank of yours…? If it's, then you really got me… hahaha!" Kaneki stands up and moves his gaze to look everywhere around the shop. "You know, Furuta…. Ever since you know, you told me…. About that… Like, you know, that, I was the one who accepted you… I…."

Kaneki shook his head quickly. "Wait, hold on…. Just forget it…. Hey, didn't you tell me, you like difficult questions? Alright, I bring you one… a friend of mine told me this riddle… so, the riddle or question if you prefer… is like… um… what would you do, if your friend did something bad…? I think it was more…." Kaneki took a pause to think. "Or the question had more words to it, but it resumes it that way… I asked this question to several people and they actually have some interesting takes on it… as for me… I don't really have an answer for that, not yet."

Kaneki grabs the water bottle that was empty and puts it on the trash can that was nearby a wooden counter. "But, you seemed like the kind of guy, who would enjoy riddles like this. Or perhaps I'm wrong? Hahaha…. Well, I said it to you since you seem like somebody would answer this, in a really unique way… and since the talk, we had last time, has a lot in common with this question…." He wandered the restaurant quietly and quickly ended up the voicemail. "Well… enough of that. Well, Furuta is getting dark and I don't really like hanging in places, where the sun doesn't hit it properly… Especially with that new group, that has been appearing… well, I'll be leaving and call me when you can, alright?"

Kaneki closes the call and puts his cellphone in his pocket. Kaneki just sighs and shooks his head, as he awkwardly smiles to himself. As Kaneki exited the store. Some figures appear from a room that was near the vending machine. Another figure appeared, behind the counter, and stood up. All the figures that had just appeared, went outside to look at the blurry dismissal figure of Kaneki, who was already long gone. One of them, who was at the center, entered the store and went to the machine, who had drinks on it. Another figure who followed along handed it a bat, this figure grabbed it and started breaking the machine in front of him. While the others clapped and started laughing.

Author's Note:

Hi guys, I know it has been a long time since I posted.
I, once again, I apologized.
But, I bring you here at 7000+ words chapter.
I hope you can give me some beautiful kudos and some comments. It will be the world to me!
Once again, if you want to follow me on my socials, on Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter, then follow me as existanceale