Chapter 10

Photo & Secret

The bright street lamps accompanied the road with their dimmed lights. Cars and motorcycles come and go, bringing their owners for the desired destination.

Jazzy tune played smoothly from the tape, the leader's favorite genre. The only thing that could make him hum without shame, unlike those pop musics which Kaneki found rather stupid. Catchy it might be, but barbaric in his ears.

"I wonder where she is right now..." The white haired man tapped his finger on the wheel while his other hand was handling the gear.

The leader was on his way to Tsukiyama's ghoul restaurant. It was located on the highest floor of the purple head's 5 stars hotel. Apparently The Gourmet was also a successful business man under the fake name 'Edric Shuu'. A lot of people spent their nights in there, not just ghouls but humans also.

His ford passed through the skyscrapers and the people on the sidewalk. Only God knows if there were any ghouls mixed between them. For him it was all a familiar surrounding. It wasn't rare for Kaneki to spend his time in the 7th ward. There's a lot of things here that he could enjoy and a nice music store around the corner. One of his coffee shop was also here, considering the 7th ward was one of his territories.

Soon later a certain tall building finally appeared in the leader's vision. The name 'GRAND EDRIC' was entombed on a black placate made from marble in front of the lobby. One big fountain with a statue of Narcissus stood in the center of its beauty, also becoming the target of the small lights around it.

Kaneki drove his car to the lobby and stopped there. The staff who was in charge of the cars parking opened the driver's door for him.

"Good evening, Shintaro-san." The man greeted politely as he bowed. He remembered Kaneki's face all too well since the man was an acquaintance of the hotel's owner. The parking man was obviously a human since he called Kaneki with his fake name.

"Good evening. Where's Edric?" Kaneki asked. He took a step out as he fixed up his blazer.

"Edric-san is waiting for you in the lounge. Should I escort you to him?" Offered the human.

"No, thank you. Just go park my car." Replied Kaneki nonchalantly. He also gave his car key to the man.

"Understood. Have a nice evening, sir." Said the staff as he received the car key with both hands.

With that Kaneki left the parking man took his car to the VIP parking lot. He turned on his loafers as he climbed the stairs. The automatic door slid opened when the white haired man walked inside, giving a fresh cool blow from the AC.

The eye patched man knew that place too well. Sometimes Mukade's executive members came here and hold the meeting. They introduced themselves as 'Edric's' friends.

Kaneki heard the sound of piano's playing solo. That should be where the lounge was, where Tsukiyama was waiting. And there he was, sitting patiently with his one long leg over the other.

"Hey."

Tsukiyama glanced sideway when he heard the familiar voice. His face quickly turned delighted like somebody who has been waiting for his dearest one. The Gourmet stood up from his seat with happiness.

"I am so glad you come, Kaneki-kun." Tsukiyama whispered lowly.

"How are you, Edric?" The white head replied curtly. He wanted to remind Tsukiyama not to call his real name in this place even if the tall man whispered.

"Oops, my bad, Tetsuya-kun. I am very fine, merci!" Tsukiyama smiled widely, "Well then. Let us go for dinner, shall we?" Tsukiyama said as he clapped his hands.

"May I ask why are you so excited?" Kaneki asked as he tilted his head. The leader knew that's just how Tsukiyama always act around him but tonight it seemed like there's something else.

"Fufu, sharp as always. I will tell you, but accompanied with our food." Tsukiyama wagged his index finger and began to walk towards the lift.

With both of his hands stuffed inside his pocket, Kaneki could only followed the hotel's owner behind his back. He wasn't really that curious. More like, his pride didn't let him to get curious over Tsukiyama. The leader didn't hate the flamboyan but he also didn't want to get too close with him.

After the two ghouls went inside the lift, Tsukiyama pulled out a purple card from his pocket. He inserted the card inside the slot on the floors button. After that, the lift moved up automatically without him pressing any buttons.

"What do you tell the humans here about that slot?" Kaneki asked. He wasn't really that curious. He only wanted to not make things awkward inside there.

"Nothing. I told them that the slot is a mistake I made," Tsukiyama replied nonchalantly, still with his smile plastered on his fine face, "Only ghouls who work in the restaurant and in the front desk has this card."

"I see."

Secretly Tsukiyama kind of feel disappointed by the short answer.

"Onikisu got sudden inspection from the CCG. Did you know that?"

Immediately Tsukiyama snapped his head back. Disappointment disappeared from his heart. "Y-yes! I heard 21st main base did it. But there are no any problems, right?"

Kaneki nodded, "Yeah. All important things are secured in our main base. I thought you didn't know." the white head scratched the back of his neck.

Suddenly a bell sound rang in the space. The screen on top of the lift's door shown number 25 as the floor's number. The number that wasn't exist in the buttons' list.

The lift's door finally opened with a bell rang. It revealed some people, who were probably ghouls, chatting and wore the most high-class outfits they had. The atmosphere was peaceful, warm, and artsy. Adding the soft melody of the grand piano in the corner, it was total comfort.

The whole room was covered with transparent glass. You could see the city where lights became the pivotal accessories. The walls were covered with black and violet theme wallpapers with pricey paintings hanging on it. Comfort and elegance were the two things the ghouls here seek. Paying high price for The Gourmet's feast would worth it as long as they get to maintain their high class lifestyle.

"Good evening, Tsukiyama-sama and Kaneki-san," A waiter who wore a masquerade mask came to greet as he bowed, "the dinner and the table is ready."

"Excellent! Then, shall we, Kaneki-kun?" Tsukiyama said as he walked ahead. Kaneki only sighed as he followed him with his hands stuffed inside his pockets.

The other customers who recognized them both bowed their heads with a smile. Everyone inside knew about Mukade, but not all of them joined the group. But some of the waiters were a part of the organization like the waiter who greeted them in front of the lift. Tsukiyama didn't give any restrictions for them to join his friend's party.

The table for two beside the window was the tall ghoul's choice. Kaneki sat on his seat and saw the night scenery. It had been always what he'd do when he got here. The leader had to admit, the scenery was one of the ghoul restaurant's splendor. He loved views from the top.

"Two plates of Grilled Thighs with Red Sauce?"

His sightseeing was interrupted. He could already smell the delicious aroma was coming out from the meats. They were on top of silver plates, finely decorated. It made the leader feel hungry. However Kaneki controlled it, he didn't want to be seen that way. The white head had his own pride.

"Merci." Kaneki said in small french. He really rarely used it, but he learned a bit from Tsukiyama.

"Se il vous plaît profiter de vos dîner, messieurs."* The waiter bowed and walked away.

"This really reminds me."

Kaneki looked up from his plate, "Reminds you of what?" He asked.

Tsukiyama smiled when he saw Kaneki looked at him, "When I met you for the first time 4 years ago. Rize brought you here with Yamori, I thought she was dead." the purple haired ghoul chuckled as he span his glass half-filled with fresh ruby liquid, "You were way grumpier than now, fufu."

Kaneki gave a not amused face. However he didn't seriously get angry. In fact, the leader felt nostalgic about that moment.

"I was? Then I'll take that I'm way kinder now." Kaneki half-joked.

"Nope, no way kinder. You just have more facial expressions. Haha!" Tsukiyama laughed and sipped his glass. Kaneki only rolled his eyes in return.

"What are you talking about? You saw I forgave Nishiki and Touka for being late, right? What is that if not kindness?" Kaneki began to cut the edible flesh in small piece. The juicy texture of the meat made it easy to be cut.

"Ah... You're right. Usually you wouldn't. Lucky them both, then. However, I think that's more considerate than kind." Tsukiyama began to take his silver knife and fork. His long fingers were gracefully held the handles.

Kaneki didn't give any comments to that. The white head pretended not to hear and focused on hearing the munching sound inside his mouth. Arguing about being kind or considerate, he didn't even want to know what The Gourmet thinks about him. He came here to listen to what Tsukiyama wanted talk with him in private. And the leader just remembered about that.

Kaneki gulped down, "Right, Tsukiyama. What do you want to talk about with me? Is it important?"

Tsukiyama clapped his hands loudly, and successfully startled his leader. "Important? Of course! You're going to LOVE this, Kaneki-kun!" The Gourmet managed to gain Kaneki's full interest.

The purple head put down his red dripping knife and fork on the plate. His hand went inside the pocket inside his blazer, picking something that made Kaneki curious. But The Gourmet knew the thing he was taking would definitely make Kaneki proud of him more.

"Here it is!"

Tsukiyama put it in the middle of the table. A candid photo where 3 people were standing in front of a house with a yellow taxi parked outside.

"Who's this?" Kaneki asked as he squinted his one visible eye.

"Look closely."

The white head took the photo and brought it closer to his vision. Then it took him 2 seconds to realized who were the objects inside of the picture. Without him knowing, uncontrollable grin formed on his face. Tsukiyama could swear this was the first time he ever saw the eye patched ghoul this happy. However, Tsukiyama knew, inside his leader's head he didn't plan for a happy reunion. Despite all that, The Gourmet seemed very pleased when he saw the expression he hoped for

"As you requested a long time ago, my leader."

"Where did you took this?" Kaneki asked still with happiness in his face. The way he spoke seemed like trying to hide his excitement.

"My man found them in 6th ward. This photo was taken yesterday noon at 1 PM," Tsukiyama then took another note from his pocket, "They're moving here after they came back from China." it was a note written by his camera man.

Kaneki smiled satisfyingly. His hand that's holding the photo was trembling in excitement. He couldn't wait. He couldn't wait to meet them.

"I know that," Kaneki put the photo inside his own blazer, "I know they moved to China, I asked the neighbor. I thought I wouldn't be able to meet them again. Haha... Fate really is playing around with me." Kaneki laughed a little. He sounded amused, but Tsukiyama knew it was a bitter one.

"You know... Aside from Rize and Yamori, I'm the only one who knows about your secret, yes?" Tsukiyama intertwined his fingers and used them to prop his chin.

Kaneki continued to eat his served meal, "Yes you are. But that's only because we had a deal." He replied nonchalantly.

Tsukiyama nodded, "Yes, we had a deal. In order for me to know your secret and have daily human stocks, I have to find them, become your member, and become Onikisu's sponsor."

Kaneki nodded and wiped his mouth. After Kaneki put the napkin back to the table, he gave a sharp, threatening stare towards his table mate, "I trust that you haven't tell about this to anyone?"

"Of course! I have always keep my mouth zipped tight. You know I would never betray your trust, right, Kaneki-kun?" Said Tsukiyama defending himself. He wasn't smiling or acting proud.

Kaneki still gave Tsukiyama a cold stare right in the eyes, trying to find out if the tall man was honest or not. Tsukiyama felt nervous but his eyes didn't waver. He really wanted Kaneki to trust him. The way Tsukiyama acted this way was not because of no reasons.

Feeling like Kaneki seemed haven't trust him yet, Tsukiyama reminded Kaneki of the promise he made when he sealed the deal. "I told you that you can kill me first if anyone else know about your past, didn't I?"

Hearing that, Kaneki closed his eye and sighed. He leaned his back to the seat. "Yeah, you did. Thanks for reminding me." Tsukiyama didn't feel relieved at all by his reply. "Ah, I just remembered." said Kaneki all of a sudden.

"Huh?" Tsukiyama raised both of his eyebrows.

"What did you say to Rize in front of the bar?"

Tsukiyama relaxed a bit after hearing the question, "You mean this morning?"

"Yeah. What did you say to her?" Kaneki replied flatly.

"It wasn't anything important." The Gourmet sighed and picked up his knife again, but it stopped halfway before it touched the unfinished dish.

"Tsukiyama."

Kaneki's voice turned threatening without warning. He stressed Tsukiyama's name hard as if he squeezed the S rank ghoul's heart with his bear hand. The purple head could swear he almost got his heart leaped out from his mouth, so knew what's best for him. He put down the knife back on the table.

"I told her not to interfere with your business too much."

Kaneki blinked, feeling a little bit surprised. "Huh?"

The Gourmet began to tell everything what he said to his leader's girlfriend. Kaneki only listened with one of his eyebrows raised up. Then after he's done, Kaneki stared at him for a long time.

"I didn't mean to upset her or anything..." Tsukiyama defended himself if by any chance Kaneki would kill him on the spot. But it was the other way around.

The leader shook his head and put his palm on his forehead, "Haha... Oh my Tsukiyama, it seems like you still don't understand about us..." Kaneki lifted up his face, "I let her get in my business. I don't feel burdened at all."

Tsukiyama felt something swelled up inside his heart, a feeling of not accepting. "But- why!?"

"Because... How do I explain this..." Kaneki's black nailed hand scratched up his neck, trying to find a precised word,"Without her, I feel... Empty. I feel like if she's not there, I just can't stand on my feet." Tsukiyama noticed that his leader's eye was softened as he gazed into the city, "Ever since that day, she has been the only one who's truly there for me. Even though I am... a half-human..." Kaneki's gaze turned somewhat sad, "The one eyed ghoul, Kaneki Ken. A monster." Then his eye changed into a solid, strong one, "I will do anything to keep her safe and happy. I promised myself that."

Tsukiyama widened his eyes. Actually, the Gourmet did have some kind of attachment feeling towards his leader. He didn't know what actually drown his attention towards Kaneki, but he knew he wouldn't ever let anyone get in his way.

"But still..." Kaneki chuckled and turned back his gaze towards Tsukiyama, "The only thing that truly could differentiate between humans and ghouls, is our personality. The most rotten human is equal with a ghoul who kills humans for fun." The eye patched man continued to eat his almost finished meal.

Tsukiyama couldn't say anything. The only thing he could do, was only to smile.

"Of course."

"Thanks for the dinner, Edric. Delicious as always."

"You're welcome!It makes me happy if you like it, Tetsuya-kun."

The two ghouls were standing in front of the lobby. Kaneki's car was already stand by under the stairs, ready to bring its owner home.

"Well then, I better go home fast. Rize might be already home." Kaneki turned on his loafers and step down the stairs. But he suddenly stopped midway like he forgot to say something.

"Is there something wrong, Tetsuya-kun?" Tsukiyama asked as he raised his eyebrows.

The young man smiled. "Thanks, for the photo. I owe you."

Tsukiyama felt sudden overwhelming happiness. Who'd ever thought a simple smile from his leader would make the tall ghoul happy?

"Do not owe me, Tetsuya-kun. It's already part of the deal!" The tall ghoul began to feel uncomfortable calling Kaneki's fake name.

"I know. However, this one is priceless. Let me tell you, even Rize can't interfere with it."

"Oh, really? That's good then! You should be the only one who take care it anyway. Since they are also responsible for everything." Said Tsukiyama as he smirked.

Kaneki smiled again. "That's right. Keep in mind I owe you something. Then, good night."

"Haha... Merci, monsieur. I shall keep that in mind. Good night. Give my best regards to Rize."

With no more things to say, Kaneki got inside his car and drove away leaving Grand Edric behind.

As Tsukiyama saw the black car's droving away, his mind was filled with his hidden thought that he couldn't afford to say in front of the young ghoul who just left.

"A monster... huh?" Tsukiyama smiled, "You may be, Kaneki-kun. But no monster can ever love someone so deeply like you do with that woman." The Gourmet ended with an amused chuckle.

"...Shit."

His black nailed hand gripped hard on the wheel like it was someone else's neck.

"Ah.. Damn... This is bad..."

Kaneki slowly braked his car and parked it on the side of the sidewalk. There weren't any people there. It was already late enough for them to get home and watch their favorite TV shows.

Kaneki put both of his hands on the wheel, and rested his forehead on top of it. He grinned.

"Crap... I'm getting way too excited right now... There's no use on holding this feeling back... Ahahaha..."

Slowly, his laugh turned louder and madder.

"Haha... HAHA... AHAHAHAHAHAHA! FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The leader laughed loudly as his right hand punched over the wheel hard over and over then he banged his head once over it. To convinced himself that this wasn't a dream.

"Ah... I can't wait to meet them... I can't wait to pay them back... I can't... I can't... Should I go now? Should I? Should I? Should I!?" Kaneki said over and over feeling total impatience. Every little memories were quickly formed in his head.

Kaneki picked out the photo Tsukiyama gave to him from his pocket. He looked at it with overwhelmingly excited feeling which he already suprassed so hard back in the restaurant. Of course, the eye patched man didn't want Tsukiyama and the rest there to see this side of him.

"Welcome back to Japan... Aunty."

The mad man cracked his fingers thrice.

A/N: DUNDUNDUUUN! Kaneki's past will be totally revealed soon! And yep that's right! I put his mother's little sister (read: bitch) there.

SO WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED BETWEEN WITH THEM!?

Stay tune!

Disclaimer: Ishida Sui

Oh yeah, TG Root A's opening song was dissapointing... I prefer Unravel so much. They also didn't put the 103 bones scene there but that's probably because Kaneki joins Aogiri here. What's his objective really? Nevertheless, I'm still super happy tho! "Shut up and listen, I'm talking." line was there hahaha! (I fangirled hard rly)