" Our actions are the results of our intentions and our intelligence."
- E. Stanley Jones
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Akira POV
I stood before my superiors with a straight posture. Our conversation was coming to an end. They look back at me with half grim and half expectations.
"Mado. Are you sure you want to take this operation? You can back out if you want..." said one, trailing off.
I purse my lips tightly. "No, I will take it on." I said with confidence.
They all come to an agreement, and I'm dismissed. As I walk down the hall, Marude is standing and leaning on a wall. He gives me a look, but I try to ignore him.
"Akira. I have a question." He said.
I stop and glance over at him in curiosity. He walks over to me and slips me a USB device. He places a hand on my shoulder before leaving.
"Do you have the strength and determination to see the sour truth?" He said, walking past me and into the elevator. Once he was gone I stared down at the USB in my hand, and slowly slid it into my pocket.
This operation, the higher ups are acting strangely lately. Everyone is spooked with Arima gone. Does everyone think we're doomed because he's dead? That there's a ghoul stronger than our best?
I can't let that get me down. I have a new operation. I look at the files in my other hand and slide them a bit open. The picture of a brown hair young man was in it. But also another picture of how he looked now.
Takizawa...
Once the CCG found him on Rue island, he escaped and is still causing havoc. Me and Quinx... have been ordered to hunt and kill him. Seeing him with white hair and pale skin, compared from back then...
I bite my lip and enter the elevator. No one else said yes to this operation, but I will. Killing an old friend is something only I can do.
Touka POV
I stared down at my cup of coffee, the liquid inside of it turned slowly, keeping me mystified. My room was silent, with only me sitting at the table.
After we got back it has been silent.
Everyone was badly hurt, and most of all, Yomo....
I clench my hands around the cup and try to hold back some tears as I think about it. Promised I would cry. I won't, I swore. I choke them back and slowly sip on my coffee.
Yomo is still sleeping. He has woke up a couple of times, but his condition is really bad. The doctor we got said he'd be back up in a couple of days, but seeing him like that was shocking for me.
I never thought Yomo could be that hurt before. He was so strong that I never thought he'd be able to be in this state. But I have to suck it up, for him.
But yes, we got home safely. As soon as we did, Kurona fell asleep in Levin's room. She wouldn't sleep in her own room or even with her sister, she went straight there and fell asleep. It was cute, but she seems a bit scared right now, so we're all worried about her.
Everyone else seems to be alright, surprisingly.
Now all we do is wait for Levin and Kaneki to come back. Every hour makes me feel more lonely. The realization that hit me in Cochlea is still burning in the back of my mind.
But then comes the memories of him leaving after we helped save him all those years ago. The night he changed and didn't return to Anteiku. I remember him saying to me once he was actually planning on going back, but then everything happened at once, and Anteiku was gone.
But I suppose Anteiku never was gone, it was more... renewed. Everyone new, and even the people from Nest, were all part of Anteiku now.
I succeeded in making a home for Kaneki to come back to. I had hope that he would come back, so I made this cafe. Always believing that he was alive, and then once finding he was an investigator with no memories of us, I distanced us.
The happiness I felt when he remembered me makes sense now. The embarrassment and feeling in my chest when he confessed so suddenly that afternoon.
I take another sip of my coffee as I hear a small knock at the door. "Come in." I said.
The door cracked open to show Hinami, who gave me a small smile. "They're here." She said shortly.
I felt my chest tighten. I just needed to act like usual, right? I take a deep breath as I walk to my door and exit my room. I follow Hinami downstairs as I hear bustling in the back room.
The door opened for me see Rize clinging on Levin's arm, who was promptly pushing her face to get her off. But he looked more alive than he did in a long time. I thought it'd be gloomy when they got back, but I suppose it was the opposite.
"C'mon Lev~! Gimme a hug~!" Rize whined, a teasing grin on her face. Levin responded by flicking her on the forehead, making her let go and grab the spot it hit.
Levin caught my eye and smiled at seeing me. "Hey, sorry for not telling you guys about the plan." He said with a guilty smile.
I crossed my arms. "Yeah, next time, you tell us. Leave the girls out of it again and I'll lock you in a room with Rize." I said with a warning tone.
Levin nodded quickly, looking nervous from the threat. He looked around then and raised an eyebrow. "Where's Kuro?" He asked slowly.
Nashiro sighed and pointed with her thumb, mentioning to upstairs. "Up in your room. Hasn't come out since she got here." She said.
Levin stared upwards for a long time, then pushed past us and headed silently up the stairs. If anyone can get through to her, it would be him.
I look back over to where Hinami went, which was right up to Kaneki. He handed her a book with a smile. "Heres the book you wanted me to pick you up. The last of Sen's books." He said.
I had heard about that book. The book was released before this all happened, and since Eto is now gone... she won't be writing anymore. I wonder if Levin is alright with how things ended, does he regret killing her?
I think this as I feel a tap on my shoulder. I glance back over to find Kaneki there, a half smile on his face. "Touka, can you make me some coffee?" He asked politely.
Just from him touching my on the shoulder I was burning up a bit, I looked at the ground and nodded. He let me go and turned around.
"Thanks. I missed your latte art. Can I get a rabbit?" He asked, glancing back at me with a small smile. The face he made makes my heart twist and me trip on my words.
"Y-Yeah, no problem." I mumbled.
I really need to get my act together.
(Next time, the awaited reunion. But is it going to be what everyone expected it to be? Nonetheless I hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful day!) - MnMs171