It was not only in the bedroom that they started to share. Touka asked Hide about Kaneki, and how he was before… all that. About how their friendship started, and stories of the two.
Hideyoshi had quite a few tales of their school days that delighted her and embarrassed the white haired …companion. Who soon countered with stories about the cheerful… lover-she guessed that was the best word for what the three of them were, now.
It still made her blush.
While their talks made Ken smile (and she has forgotten when was the last time she saw him smiling), particularly Hide's, she saw the reflection of regret in the gaze of the later.
For Kaneki, Hide abandoned the life he had before. He was missing it, just like she was missing spending time with Yoriko-something she didn't have time to do anymore, even were it safe.
She wondered about whatever family he has left, did they miss him? Did they wonder what fates befall him?
She decided, one day, to help the smiling human that she came to care about. Whose presence was a fresh breeze on a sunny day.
She would see about his apartment, and surprise him with something from there-to ease the transition to his new life. It was the least she could do for her …boyfriend? One of her boyfriends?
Nevermind! It was something she could do.
Finding his last address was not that hard-Yomo had good information, as always. He also informed her that Doves no longer visited the place.
He was still uneasy by Hideyoshi's previous job.
Getting there was not trouble, and from what she glimpsed when she first entered, it didn't change from the last time Hide was there. Or so she hoped-it was somewhat messy and the fridge (all for human consumption) products all expired long ago.
She spotted nothing that might have had sentimental value, so she went to his bedroom.
In there she rummaged in his clothes, filling a bag with the clean ones that weren't too distasteful.
Further inspection showed some gaudy toys that she absolutely refused to take with her.
She spotted a book on a shelf, one that looked like poetry. On the inside of the cover was a dedication. From Kaneki.
'Bingo.'
She was about to put it too, inside the bag, but a noise from the outside caused her to drop it and turn around, ready to fight.
She soon saw the cause of it through the window.
A cat burgler on the outside of the window-emphasis on cat.
'What a relief, for a moment there I thought it was a Dove waiting in ambush.'
Despite coming to trust the blond surprising fast, for someone who was a stranger beyond being a regular at the café not that long ago. She still found his association with the CCG uneasy. And she didn't want to ask him about any friends he might've made there.
It would be awkward at best.
She crouched to pick the fallen book, but noticed that something else fell from between its pages.
She picked the object and studied it.
It was a tentacle porn magazine… She reddened horribly to the tips of her ears.
Despite his physical condition after his injuries, coma, and…recent strenuous activities (and it was taking effort on to blush at that part), great as it was to see Kaneki again, to reunite with him, Hide was starting to feel cabin fever.
So when Touka-chan left (and he was careful not to ask-didn't want to know where she went… He knew she was a Ghoul…but despite liking her, the knowledge was not light. He did not want to discuss Hunting habits.) He talked Ken into letting him to get out a bit, for some fresh air and some food beyond what his friend remembered and instant stuff. With his unshaven face and a pair of sunglasses he figured he wouldn't be recognized. He always shaved diligently before.
He found himself in an unfamiliar neighbourhood, and after a bit of exploring (during which he kept to big streets and avoided alleys, just in case), Hide went for a stroll, limping a bit on his prosthetic, and even bought a snack at a fast food stand.
As he was leaving the stand, he noticed a towering, heavily built and somewhat intimidating looking man with short hair giving him the strangest looks.
Unnerved and fearing a thug on a warpath, Hideyoshi tried to evade him, without hinting that he noticed the other man.
He tried to lose the stalker in a crowd, and got to another street.
"Right… now how do I get back?"
Eventually, the blond found his way, to a familiar street, and then to the building, and just as he was about to enter, a stranger called behind him.
"You returned."
Hide was not afraid to admit that his heart skipped a beat.
"You almost gave me a heart attack, man!"
The stranger appeared to be a tall, built man with silver hair, a long overcoat, and a glare that could move mountains.
"Excuse me, have we met?"
The man was silent for a bit, and just as Hide thought he wasn't going to say anything, spoke.
"Did you tell them? About what you kept in a safe deposit in the bank?"
'How did he know?'
"Do you want to come in and discuss it over coffee? I'm sure we have black." The blond nervously replied, uncertain smile on his face.
The man glared at him for some time, then Sniffed at him, and turned, walking away, his last words just loud enough for Hide to hear.
"Don't betray them, or I will kill you."
Soon the man disappeared around the corner, and Hideyoshi was left with his thoughts.
'That man is scary.'
He really hoped his leaving the apartment and going outside won't end up biting him in the ass.
When Touka called Yomo-san to meet him, he responded swiftly, unusually so.
'Well, this is it, you can do it Touka.'
"Yomo-san, can you introduce me to another Ghoul… a female one? I think I need to talk to one… for… girl talk…", she was blushing at that part, and was too embarrassed to properly appreciate, but Yomo-san actually changed his expression at her words, for maybe the first time, showing discomfort.