Chapter 22 Thank you life, I hate you.

As soon as he woke up, he rolled to his left side of his bed, to check his phone. They were a lot of unread texts, he opened the first one that appeared on his phone screen. Without looking at the user. Kaneki read through all the messages and moves his lips upward.

I gave your suggestions and upon reviewing them for a while. Houji, who was in charge, decided with his team to partially do it. -

A smile plastered on his face. He ruffles his hair, with one hand, as he grabs his cellphone with the other. Kaneki let a sigh, as he throws his cellphone on the bed. He puts both of his fists in the air.

'What a way to wake up in the morning!' He thought to himself. He never actually thought Shinohara would actually take his word for it. He lowered a hand through his mouth, as he glances at his phone. He shut his eyes, while he smiles. 'Arima, you really are something…' He thought to himself, as he drops his body again to the mattress.

Kaneki grabs his cellphone to look at the news. There it was, the news, as he scrolled down the article. There was no mention of destruction, they just cover the truth of destruction and cover it with a 'remodeling the store'. He got up from the bed, still with a beautiful feeling in the air. Still, with his phone in his hand, he checks the forum where he had posted the photo.

He was happy, that at least, just on the internet, they're exposing them as the clowns they are. Some people came in their defense, claiming the Pierrots were anti-capitalism, then someone responded. 'What about the food truck of the bakery man? Destroying the job of a small business owner, it's just stupid….'

Kaneki nods his face, as he reads the many comments that call them 'stupid'. Every single one of these people has been exposing them as the big joke they are. He frowns a little, with a smile plastered on his face. "Yes…." He said to himself, as he put his cellphone on his side table. "¡Expose them as the clowns they are!"

Just as he quickly made his bed, he was so passionate about getting the pierrots to justice. As well, as he was also worried about Arima's family. He knew he had to something. Of course, he knows that he might be getting on Arima's business, which will probably get him in trouble. But hey? What's life, if you put some fun on it?'

Hide will be proud, knowing he just recited his quote. Speaking of which, earlier he received a message from Hide. 'Telling him, he was fine, but was really busy….' Kaneki shakes his head a little, for his mind to get untangle by the many webs of thoughts he has on his mind. He needs to get his thoughts together. The first thought he needs to remove, scratch the fact that he had many feelings for many persons. Now, that is out of the way. He needs to focus on a goal.

Making Arima's family be back together. He needed to find a way to attract all of them together. That's is his second thought, but now he needed to put that thought, to the side of his mind. Because he needs to take action on his third thought since that involves someone from his personal life.

Kaneki walks down from the stairs, all dress up. In a nice light beige dress shirt with a brown dotted pattern, along with some formal black pants and a pair of nice black shoes. He greeted Naki and Miza, with a bow, when they were arguing in his living room. As he enters his mother's workplace, he bows at her. "Good morning mother…"

Hiroko, who was glancing at a book, turning the pages back and forth, with her right hand. With her left hand, she took a cigarette she was holding with her mouth and took it away from her mouth, blowing some smoke. Soon as she hears, her son's voice. She looks at him, her eyes widening by each second. She scoffs a little. "He- hello, hello…. Darling…."

Kaneki puts a hand over his mouth, trying to hide his laugh, while he walks towards her. "Darling, you woke up, so early… I haven't even make breakfast…." Hiroko stood up, glancing through all her desk, biting her lip in the process while hiding the cigarette. He took his hands and put them around his mother's grip softly. Hiroko, who was shaking and not wanting to look at her son's gaze. "Mother…. Please…." Hiroko quickly glances at her son, and then back to her side. The weight she had under her shoulders, was released, when she let out a sigh.

She took her hands out of her son's grip and turns her back to him. "Since when…" She looks at him. Kaneki smiles at her. "Mother…. Who is the one who cleans the garden and always takes out the trash?" Kaneki puts his arms across his chest. Hiroko tilted her head to the side and raise an eyebrow. "And besides, I bet you don't smoke that often. So, don't worry about having that kind of habit, as long as you don't do it that often…"

Hiroko was facing him. "Who are you, and what have you done with my son….?" She laughs as she puts a hand over her desk. "Well, ever since I have been working. I got to expand my thoughts on man-" Kaneki says.

"Arrhhhh!" Hiroko shouts.

Kaneki shakes his head and took a look at his mother's way. "W-what happen?" Hiroko, who was stumping, took a beige ceramic ashtray, that had some glyph design on the outside, and put it above her head, while she rolls her eyes.

"That's a beautiful astray, where did you buy it?" Kaneki took the astray from his mother's hand, while he examines all the tiny details it had. "Ryouko chan, bought it for me…" Hiroko startled herself and put a hand over her mouth, she glances at her son, who was looking at her. Kaneki laughs and puts the tray on the table. "It's okay, I won't tell Hinami chan." Hiroko then moves her hand to her chest, while she let out a sigh. "So then, my dear son, how come you woke up so early today?"

"Well… I was expecting… you and me, to have a day just the two of us…"

His mother agreed, but she says if he wanted to go out with her, he needed to wait for her to change. "Aren't you good, with that simple blue dress?" Hiroko slaps him on the head. "No, can't do Ken. What if a client of mine, spots me on the outside and catches me, in regular clothing? I can lose all my clients, just for a tiny mistake…" Kaneki rolled his eyes, but nodded.

Good thing, he woke at 8 am, since one hour passed and his mother was ready. She is wearing a combination of an orange and beige dress, it had a white, v collar. Around the front were four white buttons, and around the waist, there was a white ribbon tied in the middle, with some black tights and white shoes.

When her mother came to the room. Miza commented on how beautiful she looks, everyone agreed. "You look beautiful, mother." Kaneki kisses Hiroko on the forehead. Hiroko blush and place her hand on her forehead, she felt her eyes getting heavy. Kaneki looks at her, with a small smile, but his gaze drops. He knew he wasn't that much of an affectionate person towards others, even to his own mother. He knew he had to change that awful habit he had. Kaneki nod to her mother and went to the entrance, where the hanger of coats was located. He grabs his usual black coat and puts it on.

Hiroko who was following her son, alongside Naki and Miza, stop midway. "Son, I didn't ask you this earlier, but don't you have work today?" Kaneki turns around to look at her. "Yes, I do, but I called Koma san and he told me this day would be out of my paycheck, but…" Kaneki slowly but confidently grab his mother's hands. "-that's fine by me... Mother, you haven't had a day free, have you?" Hiroko frown and look at Miza. "Common Hiroko, I would work on the final details, just like we saw yesterday, you go and have fun with Kaneki," said Miza, as she smiled at her.

"Yeah, and I, the grand Naki…" Naki said as he put his hands on his chest and then he extended his arms. "-Will guard the house!" They all look at Naki, whose smile was widely spread on his face. "Yes… Thank you, Naki!" Kaneki said, looking at him. Naki grin when he glances at Miza, who rolled her when she looks at him.

"Well then bye-bye…" Hiroko said as she waves with her hand, body next to the door frame. As Kaneki walk towards the garden and opened the garden door, he extended his hand towards the front, while he looks at his mother, who was walking behind him. Hiroko put her hands on her mouth, covering her smile. Both Naki and Miza stood on the doorframe, seeing the other two leave. "Bring me a souvenir, alright?!" said Naki, startling the other two. Both Hiroko and Kaneki glance back. Miza glances at Naki, mouth wide open, she slaps him on the head.

"OOww….!" Naki scrunch to the front and put a hand back of his head and stare at Miza. "Whyyyyy?..." Naki screams at Miza. "Um... don't worry", Kaneki voice chimes in. "We will bring you something." Naki who was now standing fully up, grin at Miza. Miza only waves at them, shaking her head slowly.

As they walk near the food trucks for a perfect and casual breakfast. He knew deep down, that a semi-elegant restaurant, or cafe will cut for taking his mother. But he also wanted, to show her, where he ate and where he felt really comfortable. He knew that even if his mother is different than him personality-wise, he knew he had some similarities with her. So, Kaneki ordered something different from a cafe truck.

They started talking about life and how stressful sometimes work can be. When Kaneki tense up, as he glances to the side. Someone wave at him, rather, two people waved at him. He took a sip of his coffee, while his mother talk. Hiroko stops her sentence and smiles looking at how her son was shaking. Hiroko slowly turns her face to look at the back and sees two men approaching the table. Hiroko with a big grin on her face looks at her son and raised one eyebrow.

'Damn it. This woman is so perceptive', Kaneki thought as he waved back at the upcoming figures. It seems like even he wanted a normal day for himself. Kami Sama didn't want that to happen. "Hello, Kaneki!" a voice said.

"Good morning, Kaneki, Hello and hello to you…" The other taller man bowed at them and proceeded to take Hiroko's hand and kissed it. The other man flinches and proceeds to do it as well.

"Oh my! Who are these young men, Ken kun?"

"Mother, this is Amon Koutarou, he is a police officer and this is Takizawa Seidou, a police sergeant."

Hiroko started blinking and her mouth opened as wide as possible. She quickly shook her head and put her hands on each side of her cheeks, smiling widely at them. "So, how do you meet my son?"

Kaneki wanted to die.

"My, my, my…." Hiroko said as they walk through the park. "Two officers….." Here we go again, here we go again, with the same foolishness. "You sure do have luck!" 'Count to three, Kaneki. Just count to three. If you do it, all your headaches will go away…' Kaneki thought to himself. "So…." Hiroko entangles her arm, between his arm. Kaneki sweats drop and look at her. "Yes…?"

"Who are you going to choose… the beefy gentleman one, or the simple gentleman one?"

"Mother! Stop comparing people is disrespectful."

"Choose…" said a voice. They turn around to look at the upcoming voice behind them. Hiroko, who turn around faster than him, made an "oh" sound, where she looks at the figure. Kaneki, who was still processing, of whom the familiar voice was. Turn around, and just when he was figuring out, something inside him click, when he saw how that person dressed. Oh my, life can really be mischievous with you. Sometimes, you want to do things, but then life would go, no, not for you. Or maybe, just maybe.

What if you have plans like visiting a museum of the fashion industry throughout the years of Japan. But life said, Uta.

Uta… You little, freaking Uta!

Thank you life, I hate you.

And now, all his plans turn to dust. Since Uta invited them to his mask shop. Of course, Kaneki wanted to decline, but his mother was an enthusiast about the making of masks, that she clung herself into Uta's arms, just when he dropped the invitation. Now they were in his shop, and his mother was so amazed, at how many varieties of masks were displayed in the store.

Kaneki sighs, as he sits on the black leather couch, he looks at the back of his mother. Who was listening and nodding, to all the tiny details, that Uta was telling her. He smiles to himself, looking at her, with a wide smile. Of course, that the only purpose of this trip was to spend time with her and make her happy at the same time, but it just sucks, when you have plans and someone comes and ruins it.

Kaneki crossed his arms around his chest, biting his upper lip as he looks at the two of them. His chest was sinking, with every negative thought he had. He felt his head getting heavy, he tried to massage it, but it was no use. He knew the cure for this. He wasn't a little kid anymore. Life will mess you up, but it's your will if you want to drag it down or overcome it with a smile.

Kaneki got himself up and saw his mother trying many masks and complimenting Uta, for the unique designs on each of them. "Ken kun, you should have told me you had a mask maker as a friend." Hiroko looks at him, putting the mask aside her face and grin. Oh well, she is right. He never tells her, about the many people he meets. He remembers that back in the day, he used to tell her about many things and now….Now, he was feeling guilty. Uta places a hand on Hiroko's shoulder. "Don't worry, is not his fault. After all, he is really busy…"

Uta glances at Kaneki, which Kaneki looks back at him, with a worried face, and Uta just stares back at him. "Um…."

"So, would you like to design one?" Uta cuts the long term stare, he was giving Kaneki and look back at Hiroko. "Oh, really? but I can't do it like this…" Hiroko says, as she grabs a mask, and holds it in front of Uta. "Don't worry, the more that you design, the better you get. Nobody is born to be a perfect designer, you just work on those skills every day." So they decided to go to his workplace that was behind a door. Uta decided to close the shop meanwhile we were here.

While Hiroko was drawing some designs on an empty white mask, while Kaneki just takes a look in the distance. Uta, on the other hand, was at the left side of the table where Hiroko was, just standing there, sometimes casually glancing at Hiroko but they were times, he just stares at him, without saying anything and that made him very uncomfortable. I mean, he was used to people staring at him, but in the way, Uta was doing it. He wasn't staring, like the usual stare he gave. He wasn't glaring either. Usually, his stares were more analytic, like studying people's expressions, but today's gaze wasn't at all like that. In fact, it feels like, he was judging him. Kind of like he had done something horrible and he has never apologized to him.

Right after his mother finished, with a basic, simple mask. They wave goodbye at him and exited the store. While they were walking, through the stores. Kaneki wondered, why his mother never brought up, Uta's physic, or make jokes, about how Uta was staring at him. Of course, he was relieved about that, but it's kind of strange.

When he was deep in thought, walking with his mother, he didn't notice he had bumped into someone. Kaneki startles himself and quickly looks at the person he hit. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking," Kaneki says, as he bows directly at the person. Hiroko turns around, to see why his son stops.

"Oh my, Oh my… Kaneki kun, was it?" said the voice of a woman.

Kaneki slowly moves his face upward to look at the person. There was a woman in front of him, she had long, peachy orange hair parted down the center and worn loose. He looks everywhere, trying to remember where did he meet her, but he knew her, but he can't remember her name or where did he meet her.

The lady grins and looks at Hiroko, who was just staring at the scene in front of him. The lady extends her hands towards Hiroko, which she took it. "Hello, madame, my name is Itori and yours is?" Itori says as she winks at Kaneki. Kaneki shooks his face and with eyes widening, his mouth opens.

"My name is Hiroko Kaneki, I'm his mother..."

"Saiko…." Kaneki whispers between his lips.

"Kaching, you're right!" said Itori, while she grins at him.

After some talking, Itori convinces both of them to go to Akimbo Furlity, to have lunch. After all, the bar also serves food for those people who like to eat while drinking. It's not that fancy, but it's good, that's what she told them. Of course, he had planned for something different, but just like he told himself earlier, he would just life go and hope for the best.

Surprisingly, the food was really good. Heck, Kaneki can even testify that it was better than the restaurant, he was going to bring his mother to. During the meal, he doesn't know why, but he felt Itori's gaze directly looking at him, and that made him feel a little uneasy. Especially when his mother also took notice of Itori glances at him but didn't say anything. Of course, just like Uta, her glances weren't the same, as before, it was more intimidating this time.

When they were done, Saiko's mother offered them a drink. Of course, he refused but was instigated to drink by Itori. Kaneki hesitated, but stop when he saw how serious his mother got. "If he doesn't want to, he doesn't want to. Don't pressure him to do something." Itori startle herself and stood herself back for a moment.

Hiroko took a sip of her drink, with her eyes close, turning the room all quiet. Suddenly, Saiko's mother laugh and patted Kaneki on the back. "Haha, I will go get you the bill!" After that, Saiko's mother went inside the staff room behind the counter. Itori who was behind the counter, glance at Hiroko and apologize to her. While Hiroko was finishing her drink, Kaneki felt as if Itori was glaring at him, he didn't know why she was feeling this way. Was it, perhaps the way his mother responded? Or something else? When he finally looks at her, she was smiling at him.

He smiled back.

As Saiko's mother came back with the bill. Kaneki quickly paid and thank them for the hospitality. Of course, they also bowed, but Kaneki knew Saiko's mother was definitely hurrying them to leave their bar. Well, that's a shame, that's the end of him coming to visit Saiko. I mean, is not like he always visits Saiko, but it's quite a shame, that in case of an emergency, he won't get to visit her again.

As they walk back to the main street where all the shops were located. Kaneki was in between, telling her mother if she was ok, or just not say anything. Kaneki was fidgeting with his mouth, while he walks, he glances at the front.

"KAN KAN SPOTTED!", someone screams.

Kaneki widened his gaze, he put his arms straight to his body, then closed his eyes. Hiroko who got surprised at the sudden scream coming their way just lifted her arms in defense. Saiko sprinted her way to where Kaneki was, behind her, there were the other Squinx's members, who were walking behind her. Saiko run towards him and gave him a big hug. While Kaneki was getting choked by Saiko's arms, Kukie comes right on time, to pull her away from him.

Kaneki let a breath, with his red face, now turning into his normal color. Kukie made Saiko apologize to him, right after they all collectively look at his mother. Hiroko was smiling at them, a hand on her mouth. Kaneki looks at his mother and then back at the squad. He was happy to introduce his mother to them, but soon stop when he saw the look in the teenager's eyes. Everyone, even Saiko was deeply staring at her. Hsiao, Shirazu, and Higemaru had judgmental gazes. Saiko and Kukie were just simply staring at her, while also glancing occasionally at him. Mutsuki and Aura, on the other hand, were already shaking, eyes turning dark while glancing at her.

Oh, oh this is getting dangerous.

He moves himself to the front of his mother, making the Squinx's members flinch. He extends his hand's sideway. "Guys is not what you think it is, she is my mother!"

"Oh my, being mistaken by your partner… I don't even know how to respond to that." Hiroko says as she looks down while putting both of her arms on her chest. Every member of Squinx's squad widened their gaze and simultaneously bowed at her. They all started apologizing to her, while Hiroko just smiles at them.

"It's okay, it's okay… just don't even try to make that mistake again," Hiroko says, as she slowly smiles at them.

"Eh… I thought older women love to be confused as young girls", Saiko says, as she regains her composure. "Ohoho, you're right, but you have to remember something…", Hiroko says, as she patted Saiko's head. "There's a big difference between being mistaken as a younger lady than being mistaken to be someone's partner, who happens to be a relative of yours."

They all collectively nod, in Hiroko's response. After that, he introduces every single member of the squad to his mother, while also introducing his mother. Once again, they bowed to her. So, they all started making small talk. Kaneki thought that after the mess they did in the beginning, the conversation will turn out just fine. After all, he had his share of weird events with these teenagers. After all the conversation was going smoothly, not saying anything embarrassing or asking anything embarrassing, just a small talk between a mother and some friendly teenagers, who happen to be his friends.

While Kaneki was in the back, watching his mother responding and asking questions, he realized how his life had changed ever since he got the job in the cafe. If he would have never joined the cafe, would he ever meet all of the people, he knows now? All those similar thoughts were going on his mind, he didn't notice when the same teenagers who were getting all comfortable with his mother, started saying more weird questions.

"I hope you get to be my new mother in law…" Saiko says as she smiles at Hiroko. "Don't say that, Saiko! She is going to be MINE, mother in law." Shirazu says as he pointed a finger to his chest while looking at her. "Perhaps on your dreams, because you lack the brain to comprehend, that both of you aren't on his level," Kukie says, as he puts himself in between Saiko and Shirazu.

"Um… you're so pretty…. Just like your son", Hsiao says between breaths.

"I will take care of your son!", both Mutsuki and Aura said in unison, while they glance at Hiroko and then glancing back at Kaneki, who was still adjusting to the situation, his mother and he was getting into. Kaneki suddenly announces they have to go. When they were departing, Higemaru who was all quiet during their presence, just look at the scenery in front of him.

"She doesn't know this, but she will be my future mother-in-law", says Higemaru with a smile.

"Ha, you wish!" They all said, except for Higemaru, while they turn their back to him, going in the opposite direction.

While he and his mother walk, by one of the main streets he always knew and frequent. His heart was shaking because he knew that one of his plans, was getting fulfilled, and one of those plans was to visit The Kirishima's Pet Shop. He was so excited for his mother to meet the Kirishima's. It has been a while since he had seen them. Even when he became a teacher, his mother wanted to meet them, but he never got the chance to introduce them to her, but now is a perfect time. The only thing, he hopes is that all of them could be there.

Yes. That's the only thing he expects. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just the three of Kirishima's siblings, doing their work. Nothing else, nothing less. But of course, life doesn't want that. Life want's to ruin him and punch him several times on the stomach.

Let's hypothetically say, what if you wanted to go to meet the Kirishima's pet shop, but life said, Tatara.

Soon as they walk inside the shop, both Tatara and Yomo turn their gazes to look at them. Hiroko widened her eyes and made an 'o' with her mouth. "Oh wow… so handsome!" says Hiroko.

Kaneki wanted to hang himself, with a rope he saw, behind Yomo.

Both Yomo and Tatara glance at each other and went towards the two of them. "Mother, this is umm…." Kaneki says as he looks at Tatara, "This is Tatara, he is a, a…." Kaneki started stuttering his words.

Damn. How can he describe Tatara, without indicating he was describing a gang leader?

"I'm a leader of a group. You know The White Suits, right madame?" Tatara says as he glances at Hiroko. Hiroko nods, not breaking her gaze from Tatara. "Well, I manage that group, and several groups that protect Japan."

"Wow, that's spectacular, young man. Keep doing your work!" Hiroko says as she nods at him. Kaneki who was dumbfoundedly staring at his mother turns his gaze to look at Tatara. Tatara just stares back at him. "Would you have preferred if I lied to your mother?"

Kaneki didn't want to think about it and just moved his hand towards Yomo. "This is Yomo Renji, he is the owner of this pet shop," Kaneki says, as he motions his hands towards her mother. "This is Kaneki Hiroko, and she is my mother…." The three of them bow, greeting each other.

Kaneki looks in front of him and shakes his head. "Wait!" says Kaneki. The three of them flinch, with the sudden shouting of him. "How do you know, she was my mother…." Kaneki says as he glances at Tatara.

Tatara glances at Yomo, with a blank expression, then back at his mother, and then to him. "I manage The White Suits….." Kaneki frowned his expression, while still processing the information.

"I thought you were more intelligent than this, Kaneki," says Yomo, as he shakes his head, staring at the floor. Kaneki was looking everywhere and then it clicks something on his head. He looks down, and he felt his head getting hot in embarrassment.

"Well then, I'm ready!" says someone, as they climb downstairs. "Ayato, stop fucking running!" Says another voice, who was joining. It sounds like more people were joining them. Two recognizable figure joins them, behind them.

All of them, who were near him, turn their back to see the two recognizable voices. It was Ayato and Touka.

At this moment, they were glaring at two taller men, but their gazes changed when they saw him and his mother. Touka started to look behind her, meanwhile, Ayato crossed his arms in his chest. "Mother…." said Kaneki. Both Touka and Ayato flinch when they hear him speak. "The one on the right is Kirishima Touka, and on the left is Kirishima Ayato. These are the kids, I tutor. Touka, Ayato, this is my mother, Kaneki Hiroko."

Hiroko bows and smiles at them, while they did the same. Hiroko slightly turns her head to the side. "I know these kids and Yomo, Ken kun. Remember I met all of them when we were in the hospital?" Hiroko says, as she smiles and looks at her son.

"Who was in the hospital?"

Hiroko took a step back and put a hand on her chest. Yomo widened his expressions and looks at Tatara. Tatara with the same blank expression he had, sweat drop from his forehead. Touka and Ayato have also widened their expression. "Don't shit with us, have you forgotten your time in the hospital?", says Touka, as she approaches them.

"I was in the hospital? When did this happen?" He looks at them, with an eyebrow raised. He was now feeling left out from a memory, he should remember. By the looks of everybody, it seems he forgot something important, but he seriously doesn't remember going to the hospital. I mean, wait….?

Where did he meet Arima and Hirako?

Has he always known Hirako and Arima? Or did he met them at this hospital, that his mother is talking about? Why does it feel, he is missing something? No, wait…. He met Arima on a train, did he? Yeah, he remembers that but…. What about Hirako. He does recall meeting Hirako.

Did he lend a book to him? A wingman? What about after that? What happened after that?

He took a glance at his front and everybody was still staring at him. Kaneki looks up and smiles at them. "Yeah…. I think I know…."

"Well don't worry, perhaps I forgot about what happened, but hey I remember now," He says, as he slowly laughs. "You know, that I have many thoughts on my mind and I tend to forget stuff…"

Tatara glances back at Ayato. "Ayato, forget the plans we had. New plans, let's go," says Tatara as he motions his way to the front door. Ayato nods and follows Tatara.

"Hey, you fucking scare us for a second there!" Touka yelled at Kaneki, moving her hand upwards in a way of hitting the back of his head. He closes his eyes, ready for the impact of her hand. He waited for a while, his eyes opening, seeing Touka, with her expression lowered, her hand getting lower from the back of his head.

"Ken kun… you shouldn't joke about that…" Hiroko says as she looks at him, with an anguish expression on her face.

"I'm sorry, it's not going to happen again, okay?" Kaneki says as he looks at his mother. His chest felt heavy when he looks at his mother. Yomo pats his back and nods. "Would you like some tea?" says Yomo, as he motions his hands towards the stairs.

While they walk upstairs and Yomo closed the shop temporarily. The mood that felt uneasy was getting more comfortable, while they drink their tea. They started talking about the daily life of working and trivial things. When they were ready to go, both Yomo and Touka were heading them out. While they walk downstairs, he slightly grabs Touka by her sleeve. Touka slowly turns her head to look at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, I wanted to ask you something Touka, if that's okay with you…"

Touka nodded.

"How is Yoriko?"

Touka widened her expression, suddenly taken back by his words. Touka hurried to climb downstairs. While she was on the first floor, looking for the other adults. "I just want to know, if she is okay…" says Kaneki as he climbs down to the first floor. "If you don't want me to tell you, that's fine by me…"

Touka looks to the ground, while she lets a breath for her mouth. "She is fine….Her father is also fine… her father raised the money to have another food truck…"

"Is he not working anymore, then?"

"No, he is working, but not in the same location he used to have the food truck."

"I see, that's a relief, I'm glad."

Hiroko was looking at them, from where the counter was located and put a hand on his mouth.

While they exit the pet store, they decided to buy some dinner and some sweets for Naki and Miza. While they were in front of their house, Naki extended his arms, welcoming them. Miza who heard Naki yell opened the front door, also welcoming their return. They all started laughing, at the weird greeting they just had. Hiroko gave Miza the food and told her to warm it, she wanted to talk with her son. He was taken back.

Did he do something on this trip, that he wasn't aware of?

Miza agreed and took Naki with her. While Naki and Miza entered the house and close the door, Hiroko sits down on the grass, she pats the grass beside her. He follows where she put her hand, while he sits down, she removes the hand from the grass and puts it on her legs. Hiroko gazes at the sky, with a small smile.

He looks at her, with a smile, observing how her eye follow whatever what she was following, in the sky. He moves his head to the side, and rests his head, on his mother's shoulder. Which made Hiroko flinch a little when she felt the sudden heaviness on her. She took her hand and starts to pat him, while she leans her head above her son's head.

"You know…. Did I ever tell you about how your father wanted a bench here?" Hiroko says.

"No… I think you didn't tell me." Says Kaneki, as he wanted to lift his head, to see her properly but didn't want to disturb the comfortable scenery that has been formed. "Well… when we were in University, your father used to dream of owning a small yet comfortable house, with a big garden, around the countryside."

A big wind flew between them, making both of their hair, that wasn't pushed down by the other, move and slow dance with the welcoming air. The night was warm, a perfect balance for the weather, on this beautiful night.

"But time change and your father was also changing. Work kept piling up, while his dreams of living in the countryside change as well. Work started taking all of his thoughts, but of course that all change, when you were born."

Kaneki's heart started slowly beating faster. He felt his chest being tightened by each word his mother said.

"After you were born, he knew he had a change in a matter he didn't like, but it was too late to leave the city, so instead he decided to buy a house, with a big garden. I remember him telling me, 'If we can't live in the countryside, we can still recreate the countryside experience.' After that, he even planned to make a swing by a tree he was going to plant by the corner over there"

Hiroko signals her hand, to the right corner of the house.

"They were many things, he wanted for you to play with. In his spare time, he took carpenter lessons, so he could build a beautiful wooden bench. The reason for him wanting a bench, was because he wanted to have a place for us to sit when you played."

Hiroko paused for a moment, exhale for a while and then sigh.

"But soon right after in the making of the bench, he died."

Hiroko started shaking, the hand that was patting his head, was no longer there, and now was intertwined with her other hand. Her breath started getting heavy.

"...Many….."

"Many people came up to me and told me to just finish the bench or hire someone, but I didn't want someone to intertwined with his memories or his unfinished goals. I wanted his memories to be kept on the unfinished things he left behind, the books he left unread, the projects he left undone. All those tiny little details made your father, my husband, a human."

Hiroko removes her head that was above his and took a glance at him. He, move his head, to glance properly at his mother. Kaneki furrows his expression, his mouth going down, while he gritted his teeth, while Hiroko had tears forming in the corner of her eyes. He hugs her tightly while burying his face on her shoulder. Hiroko pats him on his hair, while also massaging his hair.

"You know, my dear son. If you ever feel you need to solve your problems or you ever feel you did something to someone, never hesitate to tell me… I don't want you to feel, that you need to feel perfect to please others. Your father and I did that mistake and I don't want you to do the same mistake we did…."

Hiroko remove her hands off his head and extended her arms, to make room, to see him properly. He, who had his eyes teary, while shaking, he look at his mother. "Because we are humans…." She put a hand on his cheek while caressing it with her thumb. "-and humans aren't perfect, we make mistakes too…" She looks down and looks back at him, a tear stroll down her cheek. "So, don't ever try to be perfect, or just please people!" She flinches, while she looks away, while she gritted her teeth. She removes the hand that was caressing him and puts it inside her left pocket.

He, who was surprised by her sudden change of emotion, was looking at her, with his head tilted to the side, his mouth opening, wanting to express something. Hiroko took a handkerchief and clean her face, while glancing at him, she extended her handkerchief and clean him as well.

"I hate those kinds of people," Hiroko says, as he puts her handkerchief inside her pocket. He looks to the side and back to her, still with his mouth open. "They really think just because you didn't do something for them, they have the right to judge you!"

Now he was completely lost. What is happening? He really thought, he was having a genuine bonding time with his mother and now she is mad about people.

Why?

Hiroko looks at him. "So… what did you to them, for them to look at you, that way they did today?"

Kaneki puts his hands on his face level, not knowing what she was talking about.

"You know, the mask maker guy and that bar girl. They were looking at you, just like my sister look at me, every time I refused to do a favor for her…"

Oh. So, she did notice.

"I don't really think I did something to them…"

"You don't deny they were staring at you, rather weirdly, am I right?"

"No, you're right, they did stare, but I didn't do anything to them, not that I know about."

"Or perhaps they did something to you, but you haven't forgiven them?"

"I barely know them, mother. So, if they did something to me, then it's something that I'm not aware of."

"Perhaps they feel guilty or…."

"...What?"

"Is more like they judge you, because they did something bad, and perhaps they know that you will never forgive them."

"Well… if they really did something bad, that was directed towards me, and they apologize, then I will kindly forgive them. When people don't communicate their troubles or their mistakes they have done towards someone. Then that means, they aren't sorry for what they did, and they will just keep on doing it again and again. If Uta and Itori, did something to me, it's their choice to say sorry. Many people do mistakes, like several people that I have met, and I have forgiven them. Because they have chosen to say sorry, on the things they did and that proves their maturity."

Just when he stopped talking, Hiroko fully stood herself up. "And here I thought, I needed to fight for you…" Hiroko slowly giggles, she glances at him and smiles. "You're so mature like your father…" Hiroko looks down, she opens her mouth but quickly closes it. "I'm going inside first…." He nods. "I'm going to stay here for a while…" he says.

Hiroko nods and walks away to the front door, she opens the door and looks back at him. "I… really enjoy our time together, I'm sure if he were to be alive, he would be so proud of you…" Hiroko says, as she smiles and enters the house, closing the door behind her.

Kaneki sat there in the garden, smiling to himself. "Alright…!" he says to himself. As he stood himself up. He cleans himself, from the tiny fragments of grass he had on his pants.

While he was cleaning himself he heard people sobbing, some of them crying. If he could squint his ears, there was even a noise of someone clapping.

"Amore, you're so kind…"

"We are so unworthy of your presence, Kaneki san!"

Kaneki chooses to ignore that and quickly went inside his house.

Author notes

And here I thought, I will be more constantly updating this fic, and it took me a whole ass month to update. It's just... insincerity, I had a hard time focusing on writing or just drawing, since I lost my previous work and I'm looking for a new one.

I thought to myself to get my depressive thoughts out of my mind and get on my workspace.

If you want to leave some kudos or any comments, it will be so appreciated.

I really hope you like this chapter, if any of you, want to follow me on Instagram/Twitter/Tumblr is existanceale