The night's cool breeze whips his face as he steps outside, almost like walking straight into a spider's web. To help bite back the cold nipping at him, Akatani takes a sip from the to-go cup that he filled with coffee on the way out. The heated contrast is almost enough to burn his tongue that had been nearly smitten with frostbite.
The bell above the entrance jingles as he squeezes through the opening. Akatani then shuts the door, watching to see if it closes completely. With his free hand, he turns the key in order to lock it. Once he hears the familiar click that comes with the twist, Akatani slips the key back into his pocket.
Waiting out front with her hair tied back into two messy blonde buns and the usual school uniform, is Himiko Toga. She gives him her trademark pointy toothed grin with a small friendly wave in greeting. "Hey Akatani-Kun!", a light blush dusts her cheeks as she says his name.
Akatani returns her grin with a small smile and slight nod. He takes another sip from his coffee cup before replying with, "Hey Toga."
The petite blonde gives him a playful pout while tilting her head to the side, "You're gonna hurt my feelings. We're friends; aren't we?", she continues after seeing his face take on a worried expression, "Friends refer to eachother by their first names. Don't they?"
Matching the same tint of red that the girl has on her cheeks, Akatani nervously turns away. "S- Sorry, Himiko. I don't have very many friends, so I didn't really know..", he then awkwardly shuffles his feet before asking, "So.. What did you wanna do?"
Treading down the sidewalk with a single skip, she happily answers the question. "I was thinking you might need a disguise, Mister Tokyo Ghoul; I'm gonna take you to my friend's mask shop!", she glances over her shoulder to see Akatani scramble after her while trying not to spill any of his coffee.
"W- Well, I never really had a problem with hiding my face since..", Akatani tries to stammer out his best attempt at a polite way of turning down the offer, "..nobody ever survived to tell anyone..", but starts to mumble when he realizes what he said was practically a confession of murder.
Himiko keeps skipping down the sidewalk; perhaps she didn't hear the last part or she simply doesn't care. "What about the people that you save?", she asks instead. "What about the ones like me?", she gives him a teasing flutter of her eyelashes.
Akatani bashfully rubs the back of his neck with a small huff of laughter, "They usually run away before they can get a good look."
Himiko hums a little before giving him a small shrug, "You can never be too careful!". She then grabs the hand that isn't holding onto a coffee cup and drags him forward, "Come on! At least give it a chance!"
The boy doesn't manage to utter a single syllable as he stares at the feminine hands that are gripping his own. The cool touch makes him self aware of the heat rising to his face. Akatani tries hiding his blush with the coffee cup by drinking out of it some more.
The empty street block is filled with the teenage girl's laughter as she forces him to keep pace. Air breezes by them, the two briskly cutting corners. The light pat of Himiko's shoes on the pavement play along to the tune of Akatani's heavy sneaker thuds.
Akatani runs alongside her a while longer before asking, "H- How far is this place?", his voice is nearly drowned out by her joyous giggling.
"We'll get there faster if we take this shortcut!", she suddenly yanks him in another direction. Akatani almost trips over the sidewalk's curb as she pulls him away from the street. The two tread up a small hill of grass, coming upon a long chain link fence. "It should be somewhere..", Himiko briefly slows down to survey the gate before jumping with glee, "Aha! Right here!"
Akatani hesitates as she peels back a loose section of the fence. The torn piece looks like it was dug under by a dog and then popped loose by what must have been the animal trying to squeeze through. After what might have been a few times of Himiko lifting it up more, the gate must have gotten looser. Akatani glances around to see if there are any private property signs or witnesses before following the blonde through the small gap.
Once they cross to the otherside, the duo must venture into a small patch of trees and bushes. Eventually, Akatani is able to spot a clearing. There's a small stone path that's dimly lit by a lamppost, a park bench underneath it. Himiko shows no shame in plucking a flower from a miniature garden, sniffing the plant like it's a freshly baked pie. Akatani has to fight the instinct to flinch back when she thrusts the flower into his face, "I love their garden! Doesn't it smell so good?", she asks him.
Akatani gently pushes the flower away from his nose, nervously chuckling as he glances around. It starts to sink in that they're in the city's public park; however, the park is closed at this hour of the night, hence why Himiko had them sneak in. Almost like she can sense his thoughts, she waves him onward with a little reassurance. "It's just a little further. We'll cut through the park and then it's just up ahead.", her cat-like eyes catch Akatani's emerald eye and it's almost like a form of hypnotism.
Taking a sip of his coffee like it's liquid courage, Akatani gives her a single nod. "Alright. Lead the way.", his feet are already moving before his voice can catch up. Himiko's cheshire grin matches her eyes as she begins skipping again.
"We should come back here when they're open and go for a stroll.", Himiko takes in the aroma from another patch of flowers while making the absent minded suggestion.
Akatani gives her a noncommittal shrug before realizing she isn't facing his direction. "Maybe..", he mumbles before clearing his throat, "I mean.. If you'd like too."
"Nah!", one of her lighthearted laughs makes Akatani's heart swoon a little. "Parks are too sappy!", a teasing tone then laces her voice as she adds, "That's why I figured YOU'D like it.". She spreads her arms while spinning like she's presenting the place, "It's pretty but so boring!", she stops to giggle & grin at the boy, "Not that YOU'RE boring or anything, Akatani-kun."
"Breaking and entering is boring?", the question is more or less meant to be rhetorical as a way to jest her back. "You'll need to show me something fun one of these nights then.", he finishes off the last of his java before tossing the cup into a garbage bin that they're passing.
"We're just getting started, Akatani-kun. Have a little faith in me!", she raises her pointer finger as if it's some sort of declaration before aiming it at another patch of trees. The blonde diverges from the path as she asks, "Have you ever hopped a fence before?"
"Uuuhh..", Akatani drawls a little as he thinks back to times that he's scaled entire buildings, "I think I'll manage.". Himiko must pick up on the hint of amusement in his tone, since her grin holds some humor in it too.
The two step through overgrown grass that needs to be mowed and weeds that need to be plucked. Then, they come across the metal fence that surrounds the property. Himiko steps forward first, placing her foot in one of the small holes that makes a rung for her to climb on. However, she pauses for a moment as if she's hesitant, and looks back at Akatani.
"Don't look up my skirt.", Himiko holds no real reproach in her statement as she pokes fun at the boy. However, she does find some pleasure in seeing how flustered he can get while spinning around to avoid any discomfort. Even though it's cruel to torment him any further, she still adds one last remark, "Or.. Don't get caught looking.", even adding a wink regardless of if he can see it or not.
Himiko can't suppress a tiny giggle when she hears Akatani groan in embarrassment from behind her. After she clears the fence and lands on the other side with a soft smack of her shoes, the blonde turns around to let him know. "You can look now. As a matter of fact, it's your turn.", she tries beckoning him over.
Akatani doesn't budge, he refuses to turn around. "I- Is this some sorta t- trick to make me look up your s- skirt?", he nervously stutters.
Himiko crosses her arms with a small huff, slightly disappointed that she hadn't come up with such an idea on her own. "You'll just have to peak and find out.", her mischievous side pokes through before she spins on her heel to leave, "Otherwise, I'm going without you."
Cautiously tilting his head, Akatani slowly turns it so he can see behind him. He must have been holding his breath, because there's an exhale of relief when all he sees is Himiko's receding back from the other side of the fence. "H- Hey! Wait up!", it then dons on him that he needs to chase after her and scrambles to climb the gate too.
"Took you long enough.", Himiko rolls her eyes as the boy jogs up from behind her. The duo start crossing a bridge that only has two or three cars passing by at a time.
"I didn't know what to expect! You're too unpredictable!", Akatani tries to defend himself and the actions that he chose.
Himiko doesn't let up on her teasing as she lightly pokes him in the chest, "And YOU'RE almost TOO predictable. If all it takes to get you hot and bothered are words, then-"
Akatani covers his ears with his hands, "La la la! Not listening!", he shakes his head like whatever words did manage to get in will somehow get past the barriers that his hands created.
Himiko playfully shoves his shoulder and the two break into a small fit of laughter. "Well, it's your lucky day to avoid this conversation, cause' we finally made it.", she then announces their arrival at the mask shop.
The store would have been easy to miss without Himiko's directions. Among apartment buildings and the occasional supermarket or diner, a small structure made from brick looks to be tucked away in something of a small alley. The only sign of it not being vacant are the glass door and glowing 'OPEN' signal that's above it.
The interior proves to be vastly different from the exterior though. Nyan lamps light up what looks like something a fashion designer put together. Several masks are out on display like it's an art show, some of them are even covered by tarps or kept in glass cases.
As he strolls down the isle, Akatani takes note of a plain white mask whose only variation are the occasional holes poked in it like a hockey mask would have. There also appears to be a cowl with pointed rubber ears and an equally sharp nose; it leaves a space open for the mouth and has white lens where the eyes should be.
"Uta-San, where are you hiding at this time?", Himiko starts trailing off to find what Akatani assumes to be the owner of the shop. Rather than follow the blonde, he continues browsing the selection.
Akatani comes across a red one that's laced in what looks like a webbing design, the only diversion being the strange white spots that must be some sort of lens. However, his eyes are drawn from there to a white tarp that must be covering something considered to be a masterpiece. His curiosity getting the better of him, Akatani pulls it away.
"Oh..", his reflex to shout in surprise and instinct to defend or fight makes Akatani settle on this dull reaction to an actual person being beneath the cloth. The man doesn't seem to be phased by their abrupt meeting either.
"Yo.", he then stands up, revealing just how tall and lanky he is. Dark hair like Akatani's is styled into an undercut, surrounded by piercings on his face that varies from lip to eyebrow and ear. Tattoos cover his exposed arms, there's enough to make sleeves themselves.
"Uta-San!", Himiko rushes over as soon as she notices him and wraps her arms around his waist for a hug. The stylist doesn't seem to care as she crushes him like a teddy bear, remaining as stiff as a board until she lets go. "What are you doing?", the blonde asks once she steps back.
"I thought I'd try to scare your friend.", Uta points a lazy finger at Akatani like his wrist is shackled down by a set of heavy chains. The rest of his fingers then unravel as he holds out his hand, "I'm Uta, by the way.."
Akatani returns the gesture, shaking the man's hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Akatani Mikumo.", a speculative brow raises when Uta leans in to get a closer look.
"I apologize if I'm making you uncomfortable, this part is a little necessary though..", Uta doesn't fully regard the boy even though he means to speak directly to him. The mask designer tilts his head as his eyes skim Akatani's face, his neck craning a little so he can take in all the features.
"E- Excuse me?", Akatani scrunches up his face in confusion as Uta's cheek nearly touches his own.
"It's part of his quirk.", Himiko starts to explain as she sways back and forth on her heels, "Uta can take in every detail of something if he looks close enough. It's how he makes his masks for everyone."
"It's hard to put into words, but yes, thank you Himiko.", Uta nods along as he swaps to the other side of Akatani's face. From the corner of his exposed eye, Akatani sees Uta's hand flinch as though it wants to part his hanging hair. "May I?", the designer surprisingly asks for permission first. Akatani shrugs and Uta takes that as a yes, carefully lifting the dark locks. Himiko stops swaying on her heels, leaning forward completely now to get her own glimpse of what's underneath. There's only another emerald iris. "Hm.. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I'll admit that I'm mildly disappointed..", he lets the strands of hair fall back into place.
Uta then waves Akatani over to a stool, patting the empty seat as a gesture for him to sit down. "Let's get started then.", he waits for the boy to follow before adding, "Firstly.. A few questions. Do you have any allergies? Perhaps to rubbers or metals?"
"Not that I'm aware of.", Akatani shrugs as he tries to think of anything notable and comes up empty.
"Do you want a full faced one? I personally find beginners prefer to have half-faced ones for their first time.", Uta taps a finger against his chin as he mulls over his customer's appearance one last time.
Akatani has to resist the urge to shrug again, instead opting for a soft hum. "I'll leave it to you to decide.", he replies before noticing the strange mask that's on the crafter's table nearby. Surrounded by tools such as scissors and pins or needles, lays a magenta mouthpiece that's shaped like a beak. "What about that one?", Akatani nudges his head in that direction for Uta to look.
"Ah, that's for another one of my clients. There's actually a whole assembly line of those for him and his friends. Were you interested in one like that?", Uta glances between the mouthguard and Akatani's chin.
Akatani regards it for a moment before shaking his head, "I'd rather not look like a cockatoo.", he then jumps in his seat at the realization that his remark might upset the designer, "No offense."
Uta chuckles instead, with his own small headshake. "No offense taken. The design choice was mostly his idea anyway. A 'plague' mask..", the designer rolls his eyes like the thought of it alone is silly, "How pretentious."
Uta works his way around Akatani, grabbing the clump of hair that covers an eye again and weighing it in his hand. "Hmm.. I didn't really care for this particular style at first, but it suits you. It gives me an idea..", Akatani peers up at him as he waits to hear more but the designer appears to be too fixated on the hair to notice until later, "Oh! Pardon me. I was just thinking aloud."
Akatani feels a small smile tug at the corners of his lips, but it quickly subsides. "I can relate.", he admits while glancing at Himiko to see if she's listening in or not. The blonde got to experience that side of him firsthand back at Anteiku, a side of him that he thought had been long forgotten.
Uta hums a short tune as he dons a pencil & notepad to write in. "Interesting.. That makes me wonder what else I should ask you..", he nibbles the eraser side before using it to point at Akatani, "Mikumo-Kun, do you happen to have any lovers?"
That particular question seems to break whatever social barrier the boy had put up. "Wha?!", he jumps in his seat, almost knocking the stool and himself over. "No.. I've never had one..", the recovery holds a shyness to it that only interests Uta even further.
"I see.. Could it be that you find girls younger than you cuter than the same age? Or is it the other way around? Could it be that you like older girls instead?", if not for the genuine curiosity made evident by Uta, one would think this were an interrogation.
"Um.. I guess if our ages are close, then it doesn't really matter?", Akatani holds an uncertainty as he tries to stammer out a proper response. "C- Can I ask YOU something, Uta-San?", he peers at the designer from the corner of his eye.
"YOU ask ME something?", Uta's eyes widen as if he just saw a new color for the first time, "Now THAT'S interesting. Please, go ahead."
"W- Well..", Akatani turns away with the concern that his question may disappoint the designer, "I was just w- wondering.. is there a connection to these questions and making a mask?"
"Very much so.", Uta nods like it's common knowledge before elaborating, "The more that I know about you and your personality, the greater my motivation will be."
"Oh..", Akatani lifts his head up in understanding, "That makes sense."
Uta then cranes his neck with a burst of excitement, his nose just mere centimeters from Akatani's. As if he just had the epiphany, he asks, "What about Himiko?! Do you think she's cute?"
Akatani feels his face flush red and instinctively covers it with his arms, "Can we not talk about girls anymore?", he pleads while peaking through his sleeves to see if Himiko happened to hear what had been asked. The blonde appears to be in her own little world, browsing the masks on display a few feet away, which allows some comforting relief.
Uta gets behind Akatani, a smirk on his face, "I think I understand you now, Mikumo-Kun. You're a person with a lot on their mind..", he strolls back around to the opposite side so Akatani can see him again. "..But you don't have very much to say.. Do you?", he mimes an invisible zipper being closed across his lips and tosses the equally invisible key.
Akatani is about to make some sort of retort, but stops short and slowly nods in agreement. "Yeah.. I guess you're right.", his admittance isn't very enthusiastic though.
"Well.. In any case, I believe I have everything I need.", Uta begins shooing Akatani off of the stool, "I'll need a few days to work on the mask. You two kids go have some fun and come back during the weekend."
"O- Oh, okay.. Thank you, Uta-San.", Akatani staggers a little as he's ushered towards the exit. Once there, he gives a small bow in appreciation.
"Bye, Uta-Saannn!", Himiko drags his name out as she waves to him on her way out.
Akatani pauses once he notices a vending machine and makes his way over to it. There's a canned coffee that he selects with a hot or cold selection, he chooses the hot coffee. As the canned beverage drops into the compartment below for him to take, Himiko skips on over.
"So, what'd you think?", she asks him while tucking her arms behind her back.
"It was cool.", Akatani pops the lid open so he can take a sip, "Thanks for taking me."
Himiko points an accusing finger up at him, "Told you sooo!", her taunting is followed by the usual laughter that Akatani has come to enjoy hearing.
The two then carry on into a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk, with no particular destination in mind. "We'll call it a draw.", he turns the next corner so she doesn't see the small smile he has from teasing her back.
"That's no fair, Akatani-Kun!", she protests like a kid throwing a temper tantrum, by hopping up & down while waving her arms in an exaggerated manner. "I won fair and square! Just admit it!", she huffs and puffs.
"Alright, alright..", he shakes his head since that sortof display was his breaking point. A grin etches across his face as he looks at her, "But consider this payback for back at the fence."
Himiko looks baffled at first, but almost instantly mimics his toothy smile. "You'll need to try better than that to get one over on me.", she quickens her pace as if putting a short distance between them will give her the last word.
"Oh, come on, I had you completely fooled!", Akatani chases after her with a bemused laugh.
"In your dreams!", she lightly shoves him once he draws near, "It's probably where you get to see up my skirt too-"
"Okay, I'm not going to go there!", Akatani raises both his arms as a sign of surrender. One hand lays flat to show his palm while the other continues to cling to his canned coffee.
"Too easy.", Himiko keeps a victorious grin on her face. The way she struts next to him is almost too sly, but it's mostly meant as a form of mockery.
The two then fall into a comfortable silence as Akatani drinks from his can of coffee. The bitter sensation on his tongue is vaguely familiar to the blood that drains from biting into a person's flesh. While that particular similarity is unsettling to him, it's better than the alternative when it comes to his opinion on the matter. However, that may vary. It isn't just when his hunger overtakes him that he enjoys feasting on a corpse, but the occasional times where he's exhilarated by the capability of ripping into a criminal. Even if the person is a villain, he can't help but get disgusted with himself for feeling that way. It's like whatever humanity remained inside of him started slipping away. He never told Himiko the second reason for working at Anteiku, to remain as a member of civilization, to remain human. He doesn't have to though.. since he feels the most human when he's with her, and the best part is she knows about his quirk to understand that unspoken matter.
"By the way, I heard All Might is in the neighborhood.", Himiko snaps him out of his musings by mentioning the symbol of peace. As if the hero's name itself is a trigger word, Akatani practically freezes in place, his body stiffening like he was caught red handed during a crime. "Akatani-Kun..?", Himiko slows to a stop as she realizes that he's come to a halt.
"Himiko.. What do you think of All Might?", he avoids eye contact with her as he asks the question. The inquiry isn't nessicarly meant to be a test for her, but that's how it feels for both of them when it comes to whatever answer gets given.
The blonde's smile wavers a little, as if she's saddened by whatever thoughts get accumulated in her own head. "What do YOU think of All Might?", she throws Akatani's own question back at him instead of answering it herself.
Akatani stares at the canned coffee in his hand as if it had personally offended him, his grip tightening just enough to crush the metal a tad. "I used to adore heroes.. ESPECIALLY All Might.", the boy scoffs with a feigned laugh, "I guess there isn't a kid that would think otherwise."
"D- Do you not like heroes anymore, Akatani?", Himiko hesitantly asks him as she moves closer. She's like a child hearing a bedtime story for the first time, her attention completely devoted to the boy's response.
The blonde flinches when he raises his head up, but the gaze misses her completely and focuses on the sky above them. Like he's staring up at All Might himself, his eyes glimmer in the pale moonlight as if tears are bound to be shed. "Heroes are a lot like doves..", Himiko tilts her head as she tries to understand what he's saying, "Doves soar over everybody. They fly above the people on the ground who continuously look up at them with admiration. Doves.. they're symbols of peace too. Why? These birds, they look the part of an angel, but they don't do anything. Nobody looks at them the same as a vulture or a buzzard since those birds are considered disgusting. Just because those animals rip into what's on the ground, what everyone refuses to see on the ground, they're considered ugly too. Personally.. I think the bird that's willing to come down from its flight shows more bravery as a hero..."
Himiko recalls the time that she found a wounded dove. A toddler stumbling across the bird that broke its wing; the little girl taking it so she can nurse it back to health. The dove was so pretty, so cute. Just like Akatani said, she sank her fangs into it like a vulture and got ridiculed like she was something disgusting.
Slowly, the blonde takes his free hand. Her fingers interlock with his, her soft & cool skin pressing against his rough & warm palm. Akatani's head whips down in surprise to see it, the surprise making him swallow something dry. Himiko continues holding his hand since he doesn't say or do anything to protest.
Unlike the first time that she guided him this way, she gently tugs in the direction she wants to steer the boy. "Wanna drink something other than coffee?", Himiko asks a rhetorical question, but Akatani's eye shifting into its kakugan state is enough of an answer.
Toshinori Yagi steps off the elevator and into the fray of hard working law enforcers. Officers run back and forth in order to deliver documents to their co-workers or to answer ringing telephones. The frail blonde nearly gets trampled by a plump detective that tries to brush by. Even the slackers by the water cooler look out of breath. Regardless, he somehow makes it to his friend's office unscathed.
"Another quiet night at the precinct, eh?", Toshinori leans against the doorframe as he greets Naomasa with some sarcasm. The joke gets a chuckle out of his friend and puts a grin on the blonde's face as a result.
"Thanks for stopping by.", Naomasa pauses as if he's only now noticing the cluttered paperwork across his desk, "Er.. Sorry for the mess.."
Toshinori both metaphorically & quite literally waves it off as no concern. "It's not a problem.", he steps forward to help the detective organize the folders in a dented filing cabinet. Taking a second glance, the paint looks a little faded and the desk appears to have a few splinters on it. The police department must not be receiving as much funding as it used to now that pro heroes are gaining traction in their popularity.
"Did you happen to foil any muggings on your way over?", Toshinori's grin stretches a little since he finds some humor in Naomasa's way of making small talk.
"Nope. Aside from a robbery this morning, Musutafu has been as quiet as a mouse.", the blonde slides the last folder into the cabinet before it gets slammed shut.
"You've noticed it too?", Naomasa continues when he sees the perturbed expression on Toshinori's face, "Criminal activity is higher during the day. At night though.. It's nearly as rare as finding a unicorn in comparison to somebody shoplifting."
"Now that you mention it.. That's odd..", Toshinori rubs his pointed chin in contemplation, "Most villains do the opposite; they operate at night in order to avoid the heroes who patrol the area."
"Aizawa had a theory.", Naomasa begins digging through folders that are kept in his desk drawer, "Apparently, he did some cross referencing and finally found a connection between all of The Tokyo Ghoul's victims.". The detective stops skimming the documents when he spots the one that he's looking for, slapping it on the table and flipping the file open. "They all share a criminal background. Every. Single. One.", Naomasa spreads out the crime scene images for Toshinori to see better.
"We're dealing with a vigilante?", Toshinori glances up at his friend with some skepticism. When it comes to how much of a bodycount there is, it's hard to believe it could be a coincidence. However, each corpse is so mangled that the comparison to serial killers such as Moonfish could be made. Something doesn't add up.
"Aizawa's theories are starting to seem not so far fetched anymore.", Naomasa settles on a pensive frown as he skims the papers.
The two are snapped out of their cognition when a police officer with the head of a ginger tabby comes stumbling into the room. "Sir! There's been a bank robbery!", he pants like he's out of breath from running to the office.
"Tamakawa!", Naomasa exclaims in shock before taking on a stern & reprimanding tone, "I told you I would be in a meeting and any interruptions would not be tolerated unless it has to do with The Tokyo Ghoul."
The cop speaks in between heavy breaths, "But sir.. the robbery..", he shakes his cat-like head with a pant.
The officer's large yellow eyes meet Naomasa's brown rectangular ones.
"It's a BLOOD bank."