The door swung open so suddenly, a happy face popping out, a big smile plastered on her face.

"Is-sa!" The cheerful voice sang. She waved with a hand, opening the door for Isa. Returning a warm smile, Isa stepped into the shop, taking a look around.

"Sit here," Takatsuki told her, gesturing towards a circular table by the window. They took their seats across from each other, and a waiter came with two menus. Setting them on the table, the waiter smiled looking at Isa and walked away. Isa looked down at the menu, after seeing that Takatsuki had already began flipping through it. Something felt...strange. Or was it just because it was very quiet in the shop?

Isa's thoughts were interrupted by Takatsuki. "What are you planning on ordering?"

"Hmm," Isa replied, flipping though the menu a bit faster. Her eyes widened on a delicious looking treat. "Green tea ice cream and fruit mix."

They ate and talked.

Isa noticed that Takatsuki only drank coffee, just like all the other times when they met together. She asked why, and she just said she wasn't just a dessert fan.

"On a diet? But you're so healthy already, Takatsuki. I don't think a little treat will do any different," Isa told her.

Her friend gave her a warm smile, and then rested her head on her hand, staring out the window. "Yeah...I figured already," she said barely in a whisper. There was a sad expression on her face as she stared out the window-something in her eyes. Isa never saw her that way before.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's just fine. Just a little tired. Coffee never really had any effect on me."

"Ah," was all Isa could say. She looked down at her food, trying to avoid eye contact with her. She knew Takatsuki wasn't telling the truth, and it kind of hurt her, thinking that she wouldn't open up to her after all the times they bonded together. She knew that shouldn't have bothered her, since really, they haven't spent that much time together to know each other personally.

"Oh-oops! What have I done, Isa? I didn't mean to make you feel down. Sorry!" Takatsuki apologized with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her head.

"Huh?" Isa was dumbfounded by the suddenness of her apology, and how she'd knew her feelings.

Takatsuki then smiled gently, looking down and running her index finger along the rim of the coffee cup. "I'm sorry that you felt a little hurt because of me not opening up to you, if that is the case. Truth is, I am genuinely tired, and that's why I'm going on a vacation."

"I see."

"That's why I just wanted to hang out with you before I leave."

"Why is that?"

"Hmm," Takatsuki put a hand on her chin, thinking. "You're...very interesting, Isa. And your personality-I like it too. Demure...but there's something about you that's the opposite. "

Isa's face broke into an inevitable smile, and she hoped she wasn't blushing. Demure, huh? She thought, wondering if she was really shy. She knew she was modest, but was she really shy? Did it seem that way? What was Takatsuki's personality like? She thought for a moment. She was...very cheerful all the time. Kind, gentle, honest. But, what was she like when she was upset or angry? For some reason, her personality was a bit...strange.

What is her family like? The thought popped in Isa's head.

"It looks like you're intently thinking about something."

Isa snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, it's nothing important," she replied, the thought of the book coming into her mind right then. "About the book you sent me," she started.

"Mhm-I forgot about that totally," she pushed in her chair closer, leaning forwards and resting her elbows on the table.

As if Isa didn't miss a beat, she whispered. "It was amazing. Everything was so...actualizing. How did you get all that information?"

Takatsuki smiled devilishly. "Some professional researching skills."

"Liiike?"

"Talking to ghoul investigators, and…" She paused, a smile still on her face. "Seeing ghouls for myself," she said barely in a whisper.

"What!?" Isa's eyes widened, shocked.

Takatsuki giggled. "Don't worry, nothing dangerous happened. It never will. Not to me. I have my clever ways."

"But...it's dangerous, though," Isa said a bit sternly. "You have to be-"

Takatsuki waved her hand dismissively. "I know that it's dangerous for us humans… But I'm so fascinated by them." She smiled carefreely.

Isa frowned, not liking how her friend was taking it too lightly.

"Don't worry, Isa. I'll never die." She winked. Takatsuki's cellphone ringing right at that moment prevented Isa from saying anything else, and she just sighed, trying to suppress her agitation. In politeness, Takatsuki stood and walk away to the bathroom.

Isa watched out the window, thinking of what to say to Takatsuki once she returned. She knew that her friend was smart, but she doubted that she would stop, judging by the way she seemed too carefree about it.

From Isa' peripheral vision, she saw one of the waiters staring at her intently for some reason. She would have turned her head to face him in order to break his stare, but she decided to ignore it.

Takatsuki came back a few minutes later, her face expressionless as stone. She walked up to Isa, bending down to whisper.

"Isa. I'm sorry, and I'll explain everything once we head outside," she said, a stern look on her face.

"What is it?" Isa asked.

Takatsuki looked into her eyes for a moment, then her frown became into a smile. "I'd thought you'd like to go to the library."

Isa sensed something was going on, and it seemed pretty serious by the way Takatsuki was suddenly acting. She nodded and stood up, looking at her friend, trying to guess what was happening, but her face was just blank. Takatsuki's phone began to ring again, and a quick glance of her face showed that she was irritated. "Hurry," she mouthed to Isa while picking up the phone. Instead of walking to the bathroom again, she stayed in her spot, standing.

A bit confused now, Isa stared at Takatsuki and was about to mouth something until a waiter cut her off.

"Oh, are you leaving now?" The waiter asked with a kind smile.

"Yes," Isa replied, averting her eyes to the waiter. He was pretty tall, with black hair and a handsome face. He was the same person who stared at her. He asked for the pay and walked away to the counter.

Takatsuki continued talking on the phone, so Isa decided she would pay. Takatsuki's face looked worried. That made Isa feel uneasy. She sensed that her friend was telling her to be careful.

Taking a breath, she took out cash from her wallet and began to walk to the counter, hoping she looked completely normal. The waiter stood at the other end of the counter, waiting. Looking at the bill receipt, she gave the money to the waiter, who, was smiling at her kindly. It kind of made her feel weirded out. She watched as the waiter gave her change, giving her another smile when their eyes met.

"Have a nice day," Isa told him, smiling as she took her money. She could have sworn she saw the slightest bit of his eyes narrowing at her. Then-he licked his lips.

"You too," he replied casually.

He's definitely creepy, Isa told herself as she walked back to Takatsuki, who, had now finished talking on the phone and leaned on the wall by the door, waiting for her. Takatsuki waved the waiter off and they both silently left the shop. Isa took one last look through the windows-and what she saw made her heart rate shoot up.

Ghoul eyes.

Ka..kugan?

Guest: It was no one special, haha. Just a random description of him.