I'll have to make a quick Mirror Kaneki appearance. Was hoping to get more info on the parents of the buddies but that lead me nowhere. Kaneki had a dead father and soon to be dead mother while Hide had two dads which I assume were human. Considering Hide's love of ghouls, I picture the foster dad as a ghoul if his real dad was human. Nothing on the mother so had to make do when giving Hide's POV. Pretty tricky to word with many character depictions involved but I think I got it down as best I could

On another thought, gundam characters seem most suitable for regular looking humans compared to Yugioh characters. Yuma could've made a great son for Yusei giving Hide a foster brother but questionable hairstyles per main character between Yugi/Atem, Jaden and Yusei with Yuma tagging along

Been debating who best fit Hide's family as far as dad roles go and its hard to choose just 1 each. Don't see there being attires for flashback but I'll put them so you have a better idea that is focused on Hide's parents. Tricky finding altered anime attires for these few. Cant say much for cycle 2 Ken's parents nothing stands out

Being horrible with decision making...that leaves 2 people per dad role in my scenario:

Ghoul foster dad:Setsuna's appearance*Ignoring Movie silver hair/golden eyes since despite it screaming demonic ghoul..feels to much like Inuyasha and Seshomaru with a different hairstyle yet with human ears* or Apollo appearance from original Aquarion*the beast like human which fits the werewolf stereotype*

Current dad:Casval's appearance, he'd make one hell of a CCG worker who loves war more than anything. Though his personality screams monstrous ghoul or Graham from Gundam OO*who is as much an asshole but he means well*

Real dad:unsure which had blonde hair between never known mother and real dad, so that leaves Amuro Ray appearance*would work best as the real parent* or Sousuke appearance from Full metal Panic*a guy who would be perfect for CCG but gets killed to soon*

For Real dad role, I'd go with Kurz but he feels like a pervy goofball of an adopted uncle that helps cheer Hide up yet got looked over easily. Very coincidental for Setsuna and Sousuke to have black and white attires like ghoul mode Kaneki. Maybe its a sign JK

Mirror Kaneki/AU Kaneki's attire idea is off Amazon.

While one version of Kaneki ushered Hide and Juuzou back to the house, the seemingly human version was hidden behind some trees near a park. He was leaning against a tree reading a book that was left on the ground. He looked as normal as can be during the afternoon aside from the questionable choice of clothing being a black long sleeved turtleneck, white pants that looked like Bendy from Bendy and the ink machine splattered the top and white sneakers with a black sole that had black electricity graffiti on the sides. If he was wearing his school attire it would be a lot easier to be at the park rather than hidden away. At least, not as bad as it felt at the moment hearing kids running around with parents chuckling while mingling.

He was 3\4 into the story with a throbbing blackening eye with a crimson red iris appearing trying to ignore his urge to appear to the humans that needed some relaxation.

"Tune everyone out and ignore anyone who nears you. If they look you in the eyes, the CCG will come after you as swiftly as Flash. Nothing hurts worse than abandoning friends but those people are more trouble than they are worth. Even if duties come first, I'm just doing my own thing leaving the humans be to live their lives." thinks cycle 2 Ken.

Ken set the book down upside down sighing before lifting his head to look at the clouds that shielded the sun at times.

"If Hide and I hadn't become friends during elementary, I wouldn't have to break his heart after staying by his side for as long as it has been. It seemed so much easier to keep to myself during school hours, having no-one at you while you look like you're reading books when in reality you fear getting to friendly with the other species before its to late. He was the only kid to hang around me as if he had a rope tied to me so he'd find me quickly. Kids get to curious at a young age and for him to last from elementary to graduation is a mystery within itself. No...a ghoul like me not being captured even after almost succumbing to my ghoul instincts is a miracle. Any ghoul who shows signs of urging for flesh gets hunted down so why...? What's been keeping me from the CCG's clutches?" wonders cycle 2 Ken to himself.

He went back to reading the book to keep his mind off Hide and the bastards who kill without questioning actions. Try as he could, his mind kept wandering between the supposedly justified investigators and why Hide never took him to them despite close calls. Did he let things play out before taking him in to be executed? He has gotten very observant and only thought rationally, never getting angry. No, he looked angry at first when he saw my eyes yet looked more concerned with my situation. How that human acted was different than how a human would normally act. What does that mean for them being separated now? He had bad feelings constantly but couldn't get himself to search for Hide to get much needed answers he was to scared to hear. Was something off about him or was there true friendship from the only human who'd try to get to know the half ghoul? Having such thoughts was hell.

~Cycle 2 Flashback~

Ken was born to a long white haired silver eyed male ghoul and a waist length black haired brown eyed female human. The woman was always pondering why a human was born with mysterious eyes. When she asked, she'd always get the same answer, 'Just a birth defect.' with the man always waving it off. She lived her life like normal between work and spending time with the mysterious man. It was a rare sight to see albino humans and she didn't think to much into the way the man acted. He had been coming home with bloody clothes every time he told the woman he had to tend to something. It still didn't click in her head even after seeing a glimpse of the nurse rushing out of the room, until 6 months later.

A half a year later, the woman found out the truth when she opened the door to find the man with a wounded side and arm. There were voices screaming that they found a ghoul and suddenly that something clicked in her head unlike when it should've the moment they met. The woman stared at her ought to be husband, glued to his face and wounds in horror, backing away from her lover. She was shaky eyed, shaking her head in disbelief. Her lover was as harmless as a fly yet she did start suspecting something was amiss between the bloody clothes and odd meals during her pregnancy. Even the nurse looked at the man funny knowing that silver eyes weren't normal for humans.

The earliest memory Ken had was 4 years after birth, Ken was happily living with a brunette woman and her black haired husband. At least, that's how it was supposed to be. Ken was mesmerized by the tentacles sprouting out of his lower back one night while playing in his room. He wasn't sure how he did it and there wasn't much time until he had to get to bed. He zoomed out of the bedroom in search of a full body mirror before remembering there was a bathroom mirror he could look into. He swiftly dragged his little stairs up to the sink and once he was on the last step, he marveled at how high the tentacles could go above his head. He hadn't noticed his foster mother in the doorway gawking at the child speechlessly. Ken heard a loud thud and turned his head to see his foster mom laying on the floor passed out. Ken's sparkly eyed smile turned to a frown knocking the tiny stairs over, rushing up to his mom. Ken began shaking his foster mom wanting her to wake up. The foster dad crept toward the bathroom to see his fainted wife and adopted child with little kagune behind him.

At first, the foster dad glared daggers at Ken thinking he harmed her which spooked the child. He sighed in relief seeing no injuries and carried his wife to their bedroom. Once the foster dad came back, Ken's tentacles wrapped around his foster dad's legs staring up with gloomy eyes. Unable to crouch down, the foster dad patted Ken's head sympathetically. The foster dad chuckled a sad chuckle before telling Ken they will get used to the idea of a ghoul living with humans. Ken was confused by the statement but his foster dad eased his mind by telling him not to worry about it until he was older. Ken was still lost in confusion but his dad waved him goodnight and told him to make sure to put his tentacles back in his back.

Preschool-3rd grade, it was both parents switching between shifts helping Ken with homework unless they called for him to help get something high down for them. During school hours, he had to act like a normal child and to be cautious about who to let around him. Little kids may be really curious but if he showed his kagune, the teachers would expel him and call for the CCG to get rid of him. He didn't want the people who were taking care of him to be harmed for his childish antics. To adults little kids didnt know right from wrong yet his situation was different. The teachers would know that he wouldn't know any better if he scared kids by taking his tentacles out. Sighting the ghoul child will lead to the ghoul exterminators raiding the school and making the kids fear ghouls before they were ready to learn of them.

4th grade, the brunette woman helped the boy with homework while the black haired man was making dinner for himself and his wife before the CCG sprang into action catching word that the couple was harboring a ghoul. The night the CCG surrounded the small house, the ghoul killers aimed their weapons at the shaky taupe eyed black haired boy forcing him to show the child sized tentacles and Kakugan eye. Frozen stiff, Ken, not wanting to use force, watched as the ghoul killers killed the humans in cold blood claiming it being a shame the couple didn't know the child they took in was a monster. When the workers focused on the boy, he had already fled leaving the dead bodies behind.

Despite that, Ken kept acting human and going to school so it wouldn't be suspicious. The elementary student still acted like his usual self, only focusing on books leaving the other students of his classes to mingle with each other. Since Ken had no house to go back to, he was always at the park when no-one was around to read in peace. That was how it had been, keeping out of sight until everyone left or sat on the bench to read before taking off toward his school. Rumors started erupting about how Ken never had a lunch for lunch time and all the students agreed on the idea that his family starved him yet he seemed fine just the same which confused the human kids.

Summer before 5th grade, the summer he met Hide was unusually brighter. Out of all the kids to play at the park, Hide had come up to him. Ken wasn't sure how to react to the new presence and watched him plop down beside him. Ken opened his mouth wanting the boy to leave his side before he found out about him. Hide was about to ask if Ken wanted to be friends with him when Ken stood up and awkwardly walked away. Hide was confused by the way the book lover was acting and chased after him. Ken started freaking out and ran as fast as he could to keep his distance.

He wasn't sure how far from the park he was but he was heading toward what looked to be a river. With tired legs, he sat back down to finish his story when he heard the blonde boy scream something he was trying to tune out. He was as tired as Ken was but he had desperately wanted to know if his parents were worried with him being outside alone and got no response. Calming down a bit, Ken mumbled something that could barely be heard. Ken looked at Hide for any reactions and was surprised to get hugged by the stranger. Once Ken recollected himself, he put his hands on Hide and shoved him away knocking Hide to the ground.

'I don't want to endanger anyone anymore. I'm the wrong kid to hang around. Please understand.'

'You cant escape me forever. I will always find you. You need a friend and I am not taking no for an answer. It's a cruel world out there and no child should be alone. Not even you!'

'I am not what you think though! Monsters look human yet arent and if kids get involved...if kids like you end up my friend, it would put you in harms way.'

5th grade, The blonde boy had transferred into his class and was scanning the desks for an empty seat when he spotted Ken in the back row hiding his face behind a workbook. Ken didn't know good luck from bad luck when it came to human contact and mentally wished the boy would walk away. Him gaining friends would be pretty awesome if it wasn't for his ghoul side. Anyone wanting to hangout would be brushed off leading to the kids ignoring his presence for the duration of the school year. Ignoring this kid would be a breeze too. At least, that's what he was hoping would be the truth instead of the reality that presented itself.

Paranoia may be the best word for Ken. Every time Ken thought he was alone and able to relax, Hide was always at his side trying to get him to talk about anything that came to mind. It got worse when Hide followed him away from the school to find out where he lived. Either the blonde saw him hidden behind trees or at the park in the evening. Hide didn't know anything about this boy yet he'd always check on him.

'What is haunting you so badly that you distrust friendship? You need someone by your side through the good and bad times and yet you are only focusing on the negative side. There's always a positive with a negative. There's no in-between for how things will play out if you let people into your life.'

'Even if that someone were a ghoul?'

'You fear how people view you? Are appearances all you think about? Humans need to learn from the ghoul point of view before agreeing on who the true friends are around us before the CCG gets in the way.'

'Shouldn't playing chase the black haired kid get boring?'

'If getting you to open up becomes an obstacle then I will tear them all down.'

'You're a strange kid.'

'Says the kid that hates company.'

'It feels weird seeing a kid spy on me every time I am in your sight.'

'Then, you have to let me be part of your life. Only you should know a good person from a bad person.'

Between middle school and high school, he couldn't remember which year but Ken couldn't take feeling like he was being stalked anymore and lunged at Hide with a glaring human eye and ghoul eye while growling. This explains the reason behind not going to a warm home after school. Hide was mumbling something about being curious to why he wanted no-one to become friends with him. Ken quoting something about ghouls meant he was one all along. Ken jolted up to a standing position and backed toward the trees shaking his head. Hide groaned standing up to face the petrified ghoul. The words grew louder but Ken tuned them out focusing his sights on the frowning teen that was rubbing the back of his head.

'Is this why you've been ignoring me? You were attempting to avoid me and everyone else around you! ...Y-you wanted a normal life yet you don't feel the need to have friends!? Having no friends would make anyone lonely! Especially rabbits who die of loneliness like me! Leave my side again and I...there's only so many people who I can depend on as a really good friend.'

'If every human looked at ghouls like humans who can make life easier despite the creepiness then no one would be damned. I'd still have parents though I wouldn't know for how long if I let my emotions take over. Unlike me, you still have parents while I got the family life I wanted taken from me in seconds thanks to the bastards who go around creating more blood while acting like its justified.'

'I don't-'

'Why is it only you that flocks to me? You get to have a normal life while I have to play out the role of a human until we can separate ways. You have a warm home with parents. Everyone in school has a roof over their head with parents to spend time with while I get none of that. Before I caused my human parents to die, my foster dad warned me never to be around human kids so what makes you obligated?!'

'Take a deep breath and calm down. Ease your mind Kaneki. Not every human is alike. I've learned from my foster dad that many ghouls get swept up by the opposite species and fall in love.'

'Isn't your dad a human? It would be bad news if your dad was part of the CCG.'

Ken covered his eye on the verge of crying.

'I've had my fair share of who ended up looking after me while I grew up. Currently, it's a scum of a parent with blonde hair scary blue eyes if you get him pissed. Even when talking to people he looks like he has a monstrous gaze.(Casval/Eduord/Char from Gundam: Origin OVAs) He acts like he is a caring father when in reality he could care less for the people around him. He has no feelings toward me unless its around people who visit. He's definitely been putting on a act and I can't trust him whenever he comes around me. A happy face always being at the house made the man hate me more and more. After I graduate, he's sending me to the CCG headquarters to get a feel for real world tragedies that monsters bring. Not that ghouls are monsters in human skin...technically they are but they get through the day as much as us humans do. Backtracking, I grew up never knowing my real mother with my father who looked to be the part of the CCG warfare(Sousuke from Full Metal Panic), having dark brown hair or so it looked, it was definitely brown like his eyes. He loved acting the part of a CCG warrior though it was hard to tell what his emotions were. We were a little family of two, getting by with what my real dad could get for the two of us. He had a friend who showed more emotions than I could count when he came over to chat and play with me. That guy had brown hair and blue eyes though his hair was curly while my dad's was combed down(Amuro Ray from Gundam: Origin OVAs). I want to say it was when I was 5 that things turned for the worst but it didn't feel that way. Looked like a bloody mess with my dad's friend trying to keep the ghouls away. I have no idea how the family friend survived but he kept an eye on the two ghouls who took me from my home. It was pretty fun having one ghoul act like a dog who would eat everything in its sights and the other act like a normal human while constantly telling the other ghoul to act human. My favorite of the two was the beast in human skin with burnt orange hair and golden eyes that glowed red when he felt like he was in danger(Apollo from original Aquarion) while getting in front of me unless it was the wavy black haired chestnut brown eyed ghoul(Setsuna from Gundam OO series/excluding random glowing gold eyes and movie silver hair/gold eyes), always pretending the one I assumed was raised by stray dogs was my pet growing up until...until the day after I saw your ghoul eye at the start of middle school. Today may be the day you showed your true self to me but that didnt mean I never saw your ghoul side. That's what I want to believe but I've blocked it out since it was to painful to watch. But...yeah, as time passed, like your situation, word got out that the werewolf acting ghoul and humanoid ghoul that killed my dad or so thats what the CCG claimed, were raising me in his place while keeping the other male away before it started looking like 3 dads were involved after agreeing to let the male visit time to time. The only reason I am still alive is due to the CCG taking me away from the duo that took me in and ignoring the family friend assuming he was in favor of ghouls before killing them in front of me. I learned hard that the real monsters are humans and one of those humans is my current dad who would rather put people in danger if it were for the greater good.'

'And yet you're always cheerful despite what's happened to you? How can anyone be a sunshine child with chaos going on? No-one can be happy at all times. That would make any situation creepy over time.'

'Playing with human kids as you would put it gets boring. Kids could play house or imagine themselves as heroes but I always preferred to be a friendly ghoul which weirded the adults out and made some kids happy until the adults scolded me and whoever asked me to play with them. In a way, I guess we are different in the fact you got stuck living outdoors while I still acted like I had a family. If we ever got to be roommates, I'd love to try your cooking giving me my own personal chef. I would say servant for shits and giggles but you'd injure me to a pulp for overdoing the master servant thing. I am the cheerful rabbit that found an unusual werewolf that wanted to be amongst humans. That werewolf being you since you can look human but can never truly be one. Hehehe...jokes aside, you really need to start opening up before you regret never spending time with me or any humans that you come across. I guess you pretty much are getting mixed feelings toward us being friends and I thought being by your side would make you feel like ghouls aren't as evil as humans claim. That was shot down really fast with you constantly distancing yourself. We can try again during college and we can talk about anything you want so you won't have to bottle yourself up anymore.'

Ken took Hide's words to heart and acted like a human with anxiety even when Hide appeared to him. Old habits die hard but he'd stay put no matter how much Hide startled him. When it got to be each other's birthday, Hide and Ken would pretend Kaneki was human with his lone chocolate cupcake with white frosting when December came around. Hide would end up eating the cupcake after pictures. Hide had his own lone vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting during his birthday in June. Ken was mute at first watching Hide tease him about never being able to eat with him. That never stopped him from cooking for Hide when he let him stay at his place. Hide's current dad thought Ken was a human and was happy to see both boys enjoying each other's company.

Ken thought he would have a normal life again until Rize got in the picture and offered a date he couldn't refuse. That night Kaneki wanted to go back to Hide but Rize had other plans. Those plans were soon cut off when Rize got crushed by beams leaving Kaneki to stare while huffing and puffing in shock and excitement. Once he retracted his kagune, he looked up to see if there were construction workers and to his relief, this ended up in Kaneki's favor. He told Hide everything but it seemed like Hide had other things on his mind worrying Kaneki even more. It looked like Hide was ignoring him when in reality he was debating how to go about life once he and Ken had to leave each other's side for good. Ken took it the wrong way and almost killed himself with a crushed heart knowing the news would be spread and his presence around Hide had to be halted otherwise the CCG would get involved again. He agreed with himself to lay low and never show his face in public.

~reality~

As if time repeated itself, Ken was back to being in hiding unless no-one was around at the park, leaving no chances for Hide to see the half ghoul unless he was out and about at night. Hide would sneak out a lot on school nights without his current dad noticing. That stopped the moment his current dad urged Hide to apply for the CCG in case he ended up around bloodthirsty ghouls. His dad was partially right in that department but Kaneki was as harmless as a fly with constant doubts on what the future would hold for him and his companion at heart. Those bastards are probably stringing Hide along until he was given no choice but to kill Ken off to satisfy the ghoul exterminators or end up a traitor who was as lowly as a ghoul for taking the ghoul's side over humans who needed a safer world. Whichever Hide chose, Ken was happy to a point the longer he was allowed to live. His heart sunk wondering what would've happened if Hide's dad knew he was a ghoul? God borbid how that would result. He wouldnt be around now if his dad called the CCG to alert them that a ghoul was masquerading as a human who would eat him at any moment.

Ken closed the book and set it on the ground before standing up to stretch his legs and head off to find somewhere to get a meal without startled stares from startled stares from humans.