Hello
I know it's been quite a while since I've posted. For the past few months I had no computer. I recently saved up and bought a new one. It's been a busy year but I'm glad to continue writing.
Thank you all for being patient and leaving me messages. You guys have made me more motivated to write! Please leave me your thoughts and criticism.
Without further a due, here is the next chapter!
/Rated M. This is a fan written story based on Tokyo Ghoul.
(Song for Chapter 2: Robbers by The 1975)
"Pencils down!"
My hand jerked and finished the last sentence. I looked over at my now finished essay and smiled. Everything looked well written and I was bound to impress the editors. I waited with everyone else as the proctors skimmed through every row of our class to gather our papers and seal them. Once they were done, everyone was dismissed. I waited till the crowd left while holding on to my bag. I got up and walked towards one of the proctors.
"Excuse me, Hi I just have a quick question." I smiled at him.
"Oh, hello and of course Rin. What can I help you with?" The English man smiled and crossed his arms, politely waiting.
"Well, I am confident that I did well on this written exam but I have concerns over the next part of the course, the oral part."
He adjusted his glasses. "Yes, the oral exam isn't for another 3 weeks. What's your concern?"
"To be honest, I have no idea which book to use. We've went through so many but yet I don't know what to base my thoughts on."
"I see, writer's block much?" He grinned. "It's alright, plenty of students don't choose their book until the last minute. It's natural to be unsure. On second thought, I think I might have something to help…" He stands up straight from the table he was leaning on and went around it. He bent over looking through a cabinet and grabbed something. A book.
I recognized what the book is, one of his favorites. I refused at first but he kept urging me back. Finally I gave in.
"Okay, I'll keep it. And read it." I held the book close to me. "Thanks Mr. M, I really hope I get professors that are like you next year."
"And I hope you use compassion more often, Rin. It's a good trait. You'll make a lot of friends" He smiled, once again.
I shook and cringed. Stretching my limbs and yawning very loudly, I rub my eyes open. The morning light peaked through my white curtains, seeping its light airy warmth on my skin. It brings out a light orange color throughout my room and shimmers across my mirrors. I hear birds lightly chirping and cars driving past my residence. I shrug off the pillows and blankets and move over to sit. I stared at the little opening of my curtains and see the sunrise and morning sky.
It was a dream or a memory. I thought. I turn and reach for my phone on the other side of my bed, until a dark grey paw hit my arm. The little mass of blanket crinkles reveal a ball of fur. My cat. The little paw continues to swat my arm until I finally reached my phone.
"Matcha." I warned and removed the blankets from him. He moves around, twirling his boy and rubbing his paws on his face. He must have snuck in while I was asleep. My cat of only a few months, I adopted him when I moved here. I named him after the green tea here, because his eyes are the same foamy drink I've come to love. And he is not allowed to sleep in my bed.
I scratch his back and scratched a little harder on his sweet spot, "Come on, move." I urged him out of my bed. The little devil meowed and jumped away, walking towards the kitchen.
I check my phone again for a few messages, answering a few emails. I received nothing from the mysterious company yet. Which is a good sign I think.
I sat for another minute thinking about all the things I have to do today. Briefly remembering the dream I had, I looked over at my bookshelves, spotting the same book.
It was a really good book.
"Maybe I should read it again..." I told myself out loud and before I start thinking again, my phone buzzes. I check it again and read it.
Aki: Hey, are you still coming today?
Aki? She is in my lab group in my Bio class, why would she-
"Oh shit!" I looked at the time and date. It was Friday which means lab day, and I'm 15 minutes late! I jump up from my bed and ran towards my bathroom trying to clean the mess of myself. I ran around my whole apartment, dressing and gathering my stuff.
All while Matcha laid on my kitchen counter, licking his paw and unaware of the world.
… …
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
Long fingers zoomed across keyboards, constantly typing with no rest and rhythm. Numbers and letters continue to appear on the screen in a never ending sequence. All bright and scattered. The said man sat unnerved by his work and silently ponders. Cans of energy drinks lay around his nest, as well as papers with too many diagrams to fit on.
The area around his nest stays clean, sterile looking. Every tech and tools in the large lab cleaned and spotless. Many tools, instruments, and endless supplies lay to his disposal. Yet they aren't touched most the time.
The man then stretches his hand to reach the cold cup of coffee that was forgotten this morning. He drinks huge gulps of it.
Beep.
The man stops drinking, glancing at his screen. His eyes stare at the screen and after realizing what it was he put his coffee down. He looks at the screen closer, his eyes scanning left and right. He reads the message a few times before eagerly replying to it, his fingers again speeding through it. He quickly sends the reply and leans back against his computer chair.
The man grins and starts laughing quietly.
… …
I finally exhale the breath I was holding on to for so long.
"Finally free." I breathed as I walked out of my lab class. Since I was late to it this morning, and having to deal with an irritated group, I sped through the class and put all my effort into completing it. Luckily the lab was finished flawlessly and the group forgave my lateness, as I did formulate a good idea and planned out most of the stuff.
The labs takes 3 hours, yes, 3 hours. Every Friday of the semester. And they are extremely exhausting. I walked out of the science building, which was made of mostly glass. I caught my reflection as I walked by the side of the building and flinched.
Since I did rush out of my apartment in a span of a minute, I didn't exactly get a chance to get put together. My outfit is just lazy, which I actually don't mind wearing on a regular basis but my hair.
My hair is usually done with a quick dry and a few products to keep it looking nice and neat but without any aid it is in its natural messy state. It looks like a dark fluffy curtain tangled into a pathetic bun. Finished off with my glasses, since my eyes decided to become sensitive this morning (maybe from reading my bright phone in the dark last night). I shrug at my reflection, deciding that looks never was my thing. I carry my tablet and books with me and adjust my backpack as I headed to lunch. I walk among other students, all heading different directions. Many of them were native Japanese but a good majority were foreign such as myself. Ranging from Black to European, the university was opened to anyone who was bright and dedicated enough.
I continue towards my destination, while scanning around. Today was busy as usual but I still needed to get used to the crowds of people. Tokyo was advanced in all ways from its people to its tech. I walk with the sea of people towards a cross walk, waiting for the countdown to finish. The smell of gasoline wafted through the air as I stood still staring ahead, looking at nothing. I heard the ding, and it was time for us to walk. I hear sirens and honks, laughter and music.
I walked a few more minutes until I reached my destination. It was a tea shop. The only tea shop I go to since I moved here. I push the small doors opened and breathed the air inside.
Kana tea shop, it was an old and small shop with a few tables and chairs fitted into the cozy area. The place was older than most drink shops, but I loved how peaceful it was. I got to my usual spot which is by one of the glass windows, scooting into the wooden chair. I shrug off my backpack and take out my tablet, opening the kickstand and attaching the keyboard to it. I pushed my book to the side, deciding to read it after my computer work. As my tablet was running, the kind waitress asked me for my order and I tell her my usual.
I look around the shop, It was small but enough. A few people were scattered around, all minding their own business. The counter was occupied with two other people, all working on drinks. The display of numerous teas and drinks were stacked on the shelves in front of the tea makers. Cups and glasses were set up on the end of the counter.
The smell of the different aromas of the drinks were refreshing, all mixed up in the air. This place was one of my favorites.
I went back to my tablet, scrolling around my emails and assignments. I started to type and finish a paper I've been working on and the waitress comes back, quietly setting my drink on my table making sure to not disturb me. I aimlessly become absorbed in my work, typing away the words that flew from my head to the keyboard.
Half way done, I stop to grab my cup. Green tea latte.
I take a few sips and grin when I recognize the familiar flavor. I notice that today's drinks art was palm leaves, the white patterns flowing with the drinks foaminess blending with the lovely green color. My drink made me think of Matcha as always.
I continue to drink it, thinking about what the cat's doing right now. Probably sun bathing by the balcony window and relaxing while I furiously work on my endless school assignments, typing away.
… …
I shrug on my lab coat and go through the ritual of putting on my name tags and adjusting to the professional look. I traded my wreck bun this morning to simply pulling the front thick strands and bobby pinning it away from my face and adjusting the rest into a knot.
At least my hair won't get into my eyes.
There was only four other phlebotomists and they worked on their last jobs. All of them were already fixed and had their stations set up. I look at the clock, 11:40.
I put together my station and took time to check m supplies. Hide said that he was bringing a friend to volunteer and help get my last draw. Hopefully, they come.
I waited patiently, leaning against the edge of the table, crossing my arms and waiting. Minutes passed by, I kept watching the others, one particularly who was doing blood smears. He kept messing up and I made sure to teach him later. There is a technique and it's a little tedious.
More time passes by and before I was about to check the clock, I notice someone walk in the lab through in my peripheral vision.
A guy. He walks in looking unsure and a little confused. He was looking around, staring at the other phlebotomists, probably trying to see which one was me. I bit the inside of my cheek from smirking. He looks clueless and I can't help it.
And then he finally notices me staring at him and his face jumped a little. Almost flinched. He was looking at me with his mouth a little opened. After realizing that he was staring at me, he looked away and down at his feet.
He was just… there.
Donning a grey sweatshirt with a collared shirt beneath and some sneakers that he was looking down at too intently, I decided to walk to him and greet him.
My shoes made a few squeaks from the flat ground and he looks up to see me walking towards him. I smiled at him and knew right away who he was.
"Hi, nice to meet you." I spoke.
"Oh, uh,.. Hi." He spoke, looking yet again a little nervous. "Nice to meet you too, uhm.." He glanced down at my name tag.
I raised my hand. "Rin."
He looked at my face and realizing who I was, relief washed over his face. He carefully shook my hand and shook it.
"Rin." He spoke, calmly. "You're the lab assistant that my friend Hide told me about."
"Hideyoshi spoke of me?" I questioned.
"Uh not really. He just said you were in need of another volunteer and I agreed to help." He scratched his chin. He was looking at everything but me. Until, he glanced back at me and I saw a questioning look.
"You know… heh, from your name that Hide told me, I thought you were… a guy."
I stared at him before laughing a bit. He looked a little surprised at my reaction and soon started to laugh a little.
"Heh that's funny. You know I've gotten that quite a lot. My guidance counselor thought the same thing before actually meeting me. I don't know what my parents were thinking." I giggled. I moved a strand that gotten loose away and tucked it behind my ear. I looked back at him. "By the way, you never told me your name…?"
"Uh, so sorry!" He apologized and laughed anxiously.
"My name is Kaneki Ken."
I nodded at him. "Alright Kaneki. Let's get started?" I guided him to my station and asked him to sit down. He obeyed and made himself comfortable in the chair.
"Now I'm going to have to go through a routine check list so please bear with me…"
I stood in front of him and introduced myself.
"Have you had your blood drawn before?" I asked.
He thought about it. "Actually, no. I never had."
"So it'll be your first time?" He blushed and I couldn't help but grin at him. "Well you have nothing to worry about, you're with an expert."
"Okay." He mumbled, feeling a little more assured.
"Now are you fasting today or taken any blood thinners?" He shook his head. "Good. Are you allergic to latex?" No again. "What about rubbing alcohol?" He shook his head again.
"Alright, all good. Now can you roll up your sleeve for me all the way?" He obeyed once again and rolled up his grey sweatshirt and collar shirt, scrunching it up above his upper arm to reveal smooth pale skin. Almost hairless, I see some veins but they were barely there. I moved on to touch his arm, and he flinched a bit. I notice his cheeks getting colored again as he attempts to look away again. I continue to find his vein, gently rubbing against the area that folds his arm. I try not to grin as his face slowly becomes more colored.
He's so shy.
When I felt his vein, which was barley touchable, I grabbed my tourniquet and tied it around his upper arm making sure it isn't too tight. "Pump your fist and hold." His hand clenched. Once the vein became more visible, I took it off.
I ripped open a pack of rubbing alcohol and started to wipe his arm and I couldn't help but stare at him more.
He looked around my age, a native here, his hair black and neatly trimmed although it's still a little shaggy. He looked comfortable with the silence and used to being quiet. Completely opposite from Hide, who continued to talk to me throughout the draw.
"Kaneki, do you go to Kami here?" I asked and he looked at me again.
"I-I do. I'm studying Japanese Literature." His voice was quiet.
"A fan of the arts I see. Truth be told, I never visited the college of arts and literature. I think it's south." I mused and he gave me a look of surprise.
"You go here too?!" I nodded. "Where are you majoring in?"
"Bio-chem and medical science." He looked amazed.
"Woah, that sounds interesting. I've always wanted to know more about natural sciences although I'm not as talented but you must be."
Now it was my turn to be surprised. I couldn't help but be affected by his words.
"That's very sweet. Thanks."
He grinned, color still on his cheeks. What a kind guy.
The alcohol dried by now and I put together the needle. I explained to him how the draw was going to work as I put my gloves on. He still seemed a little nervous but at least more comfortable as I spoke to him. It's a nice feeling to know he trusts me. I tie the tourniquet and adjusts the needle above his skin where the vein lies, filled with blood.
"Ok, you will feel a sting and it'll be gone." I don't wait for his approval immediately piercing his skin. I found that this method was the best. He jerked a little but relaxed as soon as the sting subdued. I push the tube, the vacuum in it starts to suck gathering the blood.
The bright thick fluid gushed right away and was filling up pretty quickly. I took off his tourniquet and the draw was almost complete.
"Very good, we're basically finished." I took out the tube and move to grab some gauze. I remove the needle. "So how long have you known Hide-"
As soon as I took out the needle, Kaneki's face didn't color. In fact, he looked pale, really, really, pale.
Uh oh.
"Kaneki-"I move to hold his other arm in attempt to hold his body still, but he leaned forward and crashing onto me. I try my best to catch his upper body, wrapping my arms around him.
He fainted.
"Guys!"
… …
And there you have it! Rin's first encounter with Kaneki. What a meeting am I right?
Thank you all for being patient. Be on the lookout for the next update.
Please leave a response and see you all next time!
Dreamer.