Sunlight shone through the trees into the second floor of the hospital windows, making little spots on every surface the light reached. Isa quietly opened the door, she saw him laying down on the bed, staring out the window with tired eyes.

"How are you doing today, Nico?"

He turned his head, facing Isa, smiling. "I feel like I'm recovering too quickly, Isa-chan~ Your beauty must be making my recovery even faster," he spoke honiley. "Really, I cannot thank you enough, Isa-chan~"

She gave a warm smile to her patient. "I'm glad you're on the road to recovery." She brought a tray of food and water, placing it on Nico's bed.

"Thank you." He raised the fork, grabbing the bits of food slowly, and ate. He chewed, and swallowed. "Isa-chan, you like books don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

Nico smiled. "There's a nice little bookstore not too far from here. It serves coffee and other drinks there too. Some people say even authors go there, like Takatsuki Sen, if you heard of her," Nico laughed, coughing.

"Takatsuki Sen…"

Ferocious gust of cold wind blew as Isa hurriedly opened the door and stepped into the bookstore. A couple of round tables were placed by the big windows while shelves of books laid behind. Isa skimmed past the different sections, eyeing out the ones written by Takatsuki Sen. The store wasn't busy and was quiet. Isa heard someone humming a couple shelves away. A little entertained, she walked towards the melody.

A messy-bunned girl with a knit sweater was looking at books. She instantly turned around, startling Isa.

"Hell-o there~" She said with a singsong voice. She stood a little shorter than Isa, with a cute and childish demeanor.

"Hello," Isa replied giving a smile. The girl giggled.

"I've never seen you around here before. My name is Takatsuki, it's a pleasure to meet you," she stretched out a hand, smiling widely. Isa was utterly shocked at how young she looked. She was the famous author? Isa would have thought she was a couple of years younger than her at the most. The way she dressed and spoke, it didn't seem to be that the one of a twenty four year old.

"Takat…" She could no longer talk.

"Mhm. And you are?"

"Ah-Isa. Isa Takano," she shook hands. Takatsuki put on a thinking face with a hand on her chin.

"Isa, huh? It kinda sounds familiar. Anyways, do you have any time? I would like it if we could have a chat." The offer surprised Isa-did she know her? Did Tatara talk about her?

"Sure. I've usually have a lot of time in my hands anyways."

They both ordered a cup of coffee and sat at one of the tables. Takatsuki twirled a pen in her fingers with insane speed. She took a sip of coffee, placed it on the table. Isa watched, not knowing how to start a conversation with her. Takatsuki clapped her hands together and smiled. "So, Isa-chan. I have a couple questions for you. I'm using your answers for a character in my new book, of course, if you don't mind."

"Okay," Isa responded, not sure if she should have declined or not. She wasn't sure her answering skills would be very...helpful. Takatsuki flipped open a notebook and turned it to a blank page.

"First question. Ghouls. Have you ever seen one?" For some reason, the words hit her like a hard wave.

"Ghouls…? No, I haven't," Isa laughed nervously. "I've never seen one-or maybe I've seen lots-I don't know… Do you...believe in them?" She felt anxious about her answer. Ghouls weren't a very popular topic that was discussed openly. If it was, then it would usually be for a mocking intent.

"There are ghoul investigators, so I know that they're real. Why would people get paid and work for something that's bogus? I've done some research on them, they actually get paid quite well," Takatsuki said in a matter-of-fact voice.

She's certain they exist… "I guess so…" Isa said. Takatsuki scribbled notes onto her page.

"Alright. Next question. What do you think of them?"

These questions were harder than Isa had expected. She suddenly questioned Takatsuki's interests.

"What do I think about them? Uh, well...I really don't know how to answer that question. I've never seen one before, I don't know what to think about them."

"But you've heard about them on news, haven't you? About their murders, how they dress like humans. Are they monsters to you?"

Monsters… Who killed my parents… "They...killed my parents…" Isa said brittlely.

"Ah." Takatsuki lowered her gaze onto the table. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to become like this."

Isa nodded, wiping the small tears that formed in her eyes. Takatsuki closed the notebook and took the last sip of coffee, then she stood.

"Well, that's all I wanted to ask," she smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry for not being able to such a good help...especially because it was for your story," Isa said. Takatsuki waved her hand dismissively.

"No, no. It's fine, really." Their eyes met for a moment. Isa noticed Takatsuki had deep blue eyes with a grey tint. What is your life like? The thought popped out of nowhere in her head.

"Isa-chan," Takatsuki smiled. "If you ever want to talk about something, you can always contact me," she handed a business card to Isa. "I've got to go now. It was nice meet you."

"Oh-thank you. It was nice to getting to see you." The thought of Tatara came into her mind, but Isa decided not to bring him up. Takatsuki left, smiling and waving at the other side of the window. Isa was left wondering, what was Takatsuki Sen to Tatara?