" Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
- Arthur Ashe
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Kaneki POV
Pretty sure the whole Aquarium trip was mostly Hinami and Touka both having a great time, while Ayato was glaring at me the entire time. I felt like the back of my head was being melted.
Now we're on our way back from the trip. While when Touka gave me the ticket, she did it blatantly, so much that I knew it wasn't just going to be us two, so no date for me.
But why'd it have to be with the one other guy that hates me to his core? Touka knows this, so why did she allow it? I bite my lip as we walk along the sidewalk. We didn't take the car because it was being used for shipments today.
"Hey, Kaneki? Are you even listening?" Touka said, waving her hand in front of my view. I snap out of it and blink, giving her a smile.
"W-What?" I said quickly, trying to not feel guilty for not listening. She raised an eyebrow and stared at me.
She looked ahead and glanced over at me. "So... do you have fun?" She asked.
Smiling I nod and give an answer. "Y-Yeah, perfectly fun."
Touka squinted at me. "Ayato didn't make you feel uncomfortable, did he?" She asked, I felt like I was being interrogated.
I put my hand to my chin. "Nope, I was comfortable." I reassured.
Touka grit her teeth and glared behind me at her brother, who recoiled. He probably couldn't hear what we were talking about, so he made a confused look as if thinking, what are you glaring at me for?
Touka aligned her walking with mine and nudged me on the arm. "Don't take it so seriously." She said.
"I said I was fine. Really." I said, scratching my chin more and looking ahead. It's best to avoid this conversation. Maybe I need a better plan to stay away from Ayato.
We walked in silence for a long time, until down the street I could see that the lights had started to shut off. Staring down the street I sighed.
It was then that I felt a warmth wrap around my right arm, I looked over to find Touka wrapping her arm around mine. My legs wanted to freeze on the spot but I forced myself to keep walking. My face though I couldn't help but freeze up and stare at our interlocked arms.
Touka looked ahead, a bit flustered by the pink in her cheeks, or maybe that was the cold air? It was beginning to become Fall once more.
I glanced behind me to see Ayato fuming, but I smirked, causing him to fume even more. Hinami sighed and wrapped her arm around his also, averting his attention from me and Touka. She gave me a small thumbs up with her other unlinked hand.
Feeling like I have to laugh, I turn back the way I'm heading and silently walk down the road. Soon we arrived at Re's entrance, and as we entered I was met with Levin and another man from Nest talking.
Levin made eye contact with me and instantly gave me a look that didn't give me good feelings.
"Kaneki, Ayato... can I talk to you guys?" He asked, frowning and tilting his head towards the back. Me and Ayato both nod and follow him into the break room while the girls stand there and look confused.
As we entered, Levin gave an aggravated groan and sat down in a chair. I fold my arms.
"What's up?" I asked.
Levin pointed out the door. "That man was a scout I sent to check up on our certain French friend." He said.
It suddenly clicked when I heard the word French. "Tsukiyama? What about him?" I asked.
"Seems like he's got himself in trouble. He went digging around V." He said, making me and Ayato both flinch.
Ayato grunted in displeasure. "Great. What's Frenchy got himself into now? Didn't we already save his ass once?" He said.
"Yeah well... this time were dealing with a bigger opponent than the CCG." Levin suggested, leaning back in his chair. "He started to investigate V with his father, and V didn't take too kindly to that. It seems that the girl that gave us the info about Kuro was taken, and now Tsukiyama is angry. He told that man I was talking to to send word to us."
"The small girl? What was her name again?" Ayato asked, scratching his chin.
"Chie Hori. Tsukiyama was friends with her, right? She probably tried to give a copy of the data to Tsukiyama like she did with us, and when he saw that he tried to look into more of V." I exclaimed, crossing my arms and looking down at the floor in thought.
Levin bit his lip. "Now Hori is caught and nowhere to be seen, and Tsukiyama is being hunted. He was lucky to send word to us without being seen..." he trailed off.
"But how are we going to find Hori without any evidence on where V is?" Ayato asked, as if we were clueless.
Levin snickered at this, and put his arm in his jacket pocket, pulling out a book stuffed with notes. "Think Vin has any wisdom from beyond the grave?" He asked.
That's right, Vincent was part of V before. He must have wrote down some of their activities, if we're lucky. Levin opened the book and skimmed over some of the contents, me and Ayato stated quiet patiently.
He stopped on a page suddenly and squinted down at the page. I speak up and break the silence. "What is it?" I asked.
Levin scratched his head. "Most of this stuff is from years ago, they could've changed but... one of their meeting places, a place where V members can lay low for a certain time, is literally right next to the CCG building." He said.
Me and Ayato gulped.
"Kaneki can't go that close or he'll be recognized, same with me. But Ayato can't go alone..." Levin trailed off again and went into thought.
By the door a voice chimed in. "Then we can go."
Kurona and her sister stood in the doorway, Kurona was the one who had spoken up first though. Of course, Levin looks like he wants to object, but Ayato put a hand up to him.
"That's perfect. While me and the twins head topside, why don't you, Kaneki, and some others go by underground?" Ayato suggested, seemingly appeasing Levin's worries knowing he will be close.
Levin slowly nodded. "Fine... then let's go find the Frenchy's mouse."
(And the Chie Hori arc begins. Might be the arc before the last, but I need more ideas for more story arcs after this, otherwise I have to pull off the ending. But nonetheless I hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful day!) - MnMs171