First Date, Revisited

There she was, standing in front of the convenience store. The loveliest thing Kaneki had ever laid eyes on ever since he became a half-ghoul.

The pink fabric of her dress accented the red irises that had often caught his eye, while the very garment itself fit his date nicely. Light brown strands fell past her waist, a few locks over her shoulder with a picturesque gracefulness. If Kaneki were a photographer, he'd have likely taken a photo of his date right then of how she looked now and it would be a physical, everlasting memory in his hands.

It was ironic, really. She caught his attention in Anteiku, just as Rize had, but Kaneki sensed that this girl-a human customer-was different from the binge eater ghoul. The aura around the brunette was calming, gentle, enough to pull him in. She entered Anteiku and smiled at everyone as she strode to her preferred table, a stool by the window. Watching her from behind the counter, Kaneki would notice how she would sometimes stare out of the window, the sunlight hitting the strands of her hair just right to make them appear luminous. Other times, she would be reading. During her "reading days", as Kaneki dubbed internally, the girl would be reading something different each time: romance, horror, even comedy.

Kaneki was unsure of the burst of courage that caused him to approach this quiet, radiant girl with the gentle smile and rose red eyes who had finished off her caramel macchiato while reading another novel. Her gaze flickered up to his face when he reached for the empty cup and she smiled.

"That looks like an interesting book," Kaneki found himself saying, the words leaving him easily much to his surprise. Those red eyes widened slightly before she looked down at the pages she was currently on. "It's a little light reading. It's a book on medical science," she replied.

"Medical science this time? I always see you reading something different when you come in."

"Oh, you were watching me?"

Kaneki recoiled slightly, but paused at the sight of the smile on the girl's pale pink lips. She lifted a hand from the pristine page. "I'm Hanami," she said. It took him a moment before Kaneki's hand found hers and he shook it. "I'm Kaneki," he replied.

"It's nice to meet you, Kaneki." Hanami stood up and her hand slipped softly from his as though it were a ribbon sliding between his fingers. She left some change on the table, closing the book and lifting it toward her chest. "Maybe I'll see you again?" she suggested, beaming one more smile before she made her way to the door.

Kaneki had no idea what he was thinking before he realized he was stopping her, boldly, in front of everyone in the café. "Miss Hanami!"

Hanami stopped, turning around to look at him. "Yes?"

"Would you like to go out some time?"

It felt like an eternity before she nodded. "Sure."

And here we are, thought Kaneki, his hands sliding into the pockets of his dark jeans before he approached the waiting Hanami. As if she sensed him, she turned her gaze toward him and smiled that pretty smile. "Hi, Kaneki," she greeted.

Kaneki smiled shyly. "Hi, Hanami. Were you waiting long?"

She shook her head. "No, not at all. Shall we get going then?"

Nodding, Kaneki reached for Hanami's hand, hesitated. Hanami must have noticed; the next minute, her fingers wrapped around his. Heat rushed to Kaneki's cheeks as he led the way, averting his eyes.

"Have you ever been on a date before, Kaneki?" Hanami's voice drew Kaneki's attention toward her. The heat burned hotter in his cheeks before he stared at the ground. "I did once. It was, um, my first date," he stammered. "W-What about you?"