[ Touka opened the shop that day, business as usual, the morning rush coming and going much earlier than usual. It's around eleven in the morning that the entirety of :re is cleared out, leaving her alone to tidy up while Yomo ran errands elsewhere. It looked like it was going to be a rather slow day, and that suited her just fine. Exams were just around the corner, and she kept her textbooks just behind the counter for perusal whenever she had a free moment.
It was around the time she had finished cleaning that the door to the cafe swung open, prompting her to turn around in greeting. ]
[Sakamoto's grin does more than just light up the room, in fact, it sets it on fire. There's something tenacious in his blue eyes, wide-eyed and gentle but fiercely determined about something in particular. A young, red-blooded ex-samurai, he's just struck a deal with some foolhardy businessmen- The kind of old scumbags that mistook him for an amateur.
The fucking bastards. He'd dealt with their kind all throughout the war and before. Men of that era were losing their touch.
He stops before the register, digging out what appears to be exact change for the order. His gaze meets hers, and while he thrust right into the establishment with the same boorish confidence that accompanied him everywhere, he finds himself faltering for a moment.]
Oh~!
She's so cute.
[Wait a minute. Why?
He pauses briefly, blinking as the gears slowly turn in his head. Under his breath, he mutters:]
[ Those eyes weren't lost on Touka, though she had no idea what it was that had him looking so... exhilarated. She couldn't deny that he was attractive, but it didn't mean much to her, especially as she took his change and set about making his order. She vaguely heard his comments and couldn't help but scoff. Who the hell was this asshole?
Maybe he was on drugs.
Returning with his order, she placed the cup in a sleeve before handing it to him. ]
[He almost burns his finger on the plastic. Jesus Christ.
It's been years since he's really seen in a girl this pretty in daylight. This is an irritating reminder that in many ways, he's still a child, despite being forced to become a man at such an early age.
Her hair frames her face in a delicate way, enhancing how soft her features look.
Even so, something about it seems like a farce. Like she's unhappy here, or...
He can feel his heart beating in his chest. Silently, he prays that she doesn't pick up on it.]
It's been a long while since I've had somethin' to drink, is all. Forgive me.
[A lie. He drank liquor like water last night and swore like a sailor. Puked like one too.]
[ She watches him in silence for a few seconds, her eyes on his. She can tell from his scent that he was nothing more than human, but there was something more than that. He'd been to many, many places, and Touka didn't need to be a ghoul in order to sense that. It was obvious in the way he carried himself, in the set of his jaw, in the broad expanse of his shoulders. He was likely a man used to combat, all things considered, and when he speaks again, she finds herself quirking a brow. ]
Liar.
[ The word itself is harsh, but her expression isn't. Something about him told her that she would likely never see him again. His visit to :re was likely a once-in-a-lifetime deal; she could practically smell it on him. Someone who smelled like that didn't stay in one place. Not for too long.
The sound of his heart is deafening in her ears. There's something comforting about it, though he's probably lucky that she isn't particularly hungry. ]
You aren't sorry. Even if you are, you've got nothing to apologize for.
[ She hands him a few napkins. ]
It'll hurt like hell if you spill it. It happens more often than you think.
[He follows her directions, not spilling any so far, miraculously.]
God. What's with that cute expression, huh?
Smile at me like that, and I might just fall in love with ya.
[Another lie, perhaps.
But he's good at telling lies- He'd lied to himself all those years, hadn't he? Calling himself a samurai. Telling himself that he'd be back from war, that he'd kick those bastards out-
Was he telling that to himself, or to the people around him? Right. Two parties at once. In his attempt to rile the others' spirits, he had tried desperately to convince his own heart to roar savagely like the others, but...
Tell me, do you always speak in shitty cliches, or is this a special case?
[ Still, she's smiling in spite of herself, and she can't help but be reminded of a certain dark-haired boy with a post-op eyepatch. There's a certain gentleness in this stranger's demeanor that makes her think of Kaneki Ken, crying out in front of Anteiku all those years ago, refusing to eat meat but desperately begging her for help. She saw glimmers of it in the CCG's Sasaki Haise, and she sees it now in the way this customer is looking at her.
Lambs in wolves' clothing. Touka would never admit to having a type, but if she did, that would nail it right on the head. ]
Hah! Shitty cliches don't work on girls back home.
[He likes her bite, to be fair. Sakamoto's always looking for trouble, even when he doesn't intend on finding it. While the demure women of fairytales and old world sensibilities are beautiful in their own right, he far prefers the feistier sort.
Still, her smile is beautiful. Sakamoto feels joy even when greeting strangers passing by, people who just seem happy, even if he doesn't know the reason why.]
They're all about the money! Which I used to have, but I'm fuckin' broke right about now. That's okay, okay! I'll reign in a hot deal tonight.
They obviously don't work here, either, but you tried.
[ Her smile turns mildly sardonic at that, but she finds herself leaning against the counter. It's been a while since she's had an honest to goodness conversation with someone outside of Anteiku's inner circle, and it feels... nice. There's none of that overly-polite and bubbly customer service bullshit that she needs to pull during this exchange. She doesn't have to talk about ghouls, or Doves, or anything like that here. She almost feels like a normal girl.
Ayato probably would have scoffed at that. But he wasn't here, and he couldn't read minds.
She listens to him speak, and she can't help it: she laughs. ]
I meant your name, but okay. Good luck on that "hot deal," I guess.
[He raises a brow at that. Kids these days are so informal.]
Tatsuma, then. Just so ya know! There's only two guys who call me by my first name, and uh. They ain't the polite sort.
[They're monsters, is what he's trying to say.]
So! Touka. -San.
[He leans back as well, drawing the cup of coffee to his lips and taking a sip. It's clear from his manner that he frequents bars quite often, used to drinking and speaking casually.]
You like this job of yours? You look bored as all hell. Like you're thinkin' about someone! Or... Something.
[ There it is, that laugh again. God, does it feel good to laugh. Something about him makes her feel at ease, and her duties to the cafe are momentarily forgotten the more their conversation wears on. ]
It's a job. It keeps me busy when I'm not in school, so there's that.
[ At the last half of his sentence, she scoffs. ]
That so? Guess I have to try harder at pretending to be content with customer service, then.
Those yakuza bastards are dangerous, no joke, but by some sheer miracle he made it out of there with a handshake a deal. Turns out that, while those gangsters are the worst crooks of the lot, they've got some pretty powerful associates.
It's not surprising- Even the most innocuous of places are run by the mob.
He's not just drunk on alcohol, he's drunk on success! So drunk that in fact, he doesn't realize that he's just run into someone until-]
Ohp! Whoa there, my bad, my bad! Wasn't really lookin'. You okay?
[ She had just closed up the cafe when she realized that they were fresh out of coffee filters, and with a curse, she'd taken off into the night on a mission. Pulling out her phone, she went over the small shopping list she'd made for herself before departing, her face illuminated by the glow of the screen.
So absorbed is she that she doesn't have time to sidestep the drunkard who collides into her, and her first instinct is to swear. Loudly. ]
[He stumbles back, running a nervous hand through a mess of soft curls. He's not sure he wants her to see his face this embarrassingly red, and god, she looks even cuter at night.]
Shoot. I didn't think I'd run into you! Man, I should just turn around and head back! I wasn't headed to any respectable place...
[As he attempts to turn his back on her, he's visited by unpleasant thoughts.
What is she doing out here at night? Is she sneaking around with another guy? Did that stupid boyfriend or highschool crush or whatever actually come to see her?
She deserves more than being pushed around, someone who will treat her right and make her feel pleasure damn it! Someone who-
Is the very opposite of him.
Sakamoto doesn't realize it until his face hits the dirt, but he's fallen. In more ways than one.]
[ god, she hates the thrill that runs up her spine when she realizes who he is. ]
Are you okay--
[ She's cut off, however, by the fact that his face decided to have a meeting with the floor. She stands there, dumbfounded, for several seconds, before finally moving, crouching down next to him. ]
... Moron.
[ With a huff, she sets about hoisting him up and slinging one of his arms across her shoulders. The smell of booze causes her to nearly gag, but she lifts him with no issue. Swallowing hard, she begins the long trek back to the cafe, awkwardly dragging her companion along with her. ]
Did you not eat before going drinking, or something...?
[ Though she hefts his weight around fairly easily, it compromises her ease of walking, simply because his body gets in the way. ]
You are pretty fucking stupid.
[ She gives a long-suffering sigh, but it's mostly for show. This was more interesting than going to the market to buy supplies, but she'd need to go back out in the night to do that, too. She figures she'll get this oaf settled in and comfortable before heading out again.
For some reason, she just can't, in good conscience, leave him out there on the ground. A few years back, yeah, she definitely could have. But there was something about him that made it impossible for her to do that now. ]
Better than you, apparently. [ She sends him a sidelong glance, and though the smell of liquor is making her stomach churn, she can't help but notice how close his face is to hers.
If she weren't trying so hard not to vomit, she might've been embarrassed. ]
Oh my god! D'ya think you're the first one to tell me somethin' like that?
[He has to laugh at her mirth, grateful for her kindness. Unconsciously, the arm around her tightens slightly as he tries to match his steps with hers, although he does notice something-
She seems uncomfortable, so he immediately covers his mouth with his free hand.]
Whoa. My breath smells that bad, huh? Sorry. I'll... When we stop somewhere I'll have some water. Yeah!
If I am, then everyone else in the world is a moron, too.
[ At the tightening of his arm around her, Touka can't help but flush slightly. The smell of the alcohol isn't so bad on its own, but as a ghoul, everything that a human consumes smells disgusting and rotten. It's not personal, Sakamoto, but let it suffice to say that she's grateful that the cafe is coming back into view.
At what he says, she snorts. ]
Just face away from me and we'll be good. [ It served a double purpose: she didn't have to be consciously aware that his face was mere inches from her's. It was a win-win! ]
[He follows her instructions, curls bouncing as he turns away. His eyes take in the nonexistent nightlife- Man, this neighborhood is quiet and boring. How does she live her life like this?]
You're goin' back to the cafe? What, you live there too?
Yeah. [ She slightly jostles him in order to partly throw off any suspicion in regards to why a petite girl like her is able to hoist a man like him so easily, and partly to tease him. ]
That cafe's pretty much my life. [ This is probably one of the most honest things she's ever said to him. ] It means a lot to me and the people I care about.
[ In more ways than one. ]
I could drag you back to a hotel if you want, princess. Our couches can't compete with actual beds.
[But, if it was, then why was she so distraught-looking? Listless.
The way she shakes him makes him think about other things, though he quietly dismisses these thoughts. Touka is doing him a big favor, and so he shouldn't irritate her with dirty words or paltry notions.]
That's alright. I don't think I can walk too far.
["I want to stay with you."
He feels something in his gut, a stupid yearning to be close to her, to hold her hand. He feels the warmth of her body and stifles a sigh- God.
This is a real girl, huh. Not some woman behind a mask of make-up at a brothel.]
[ That "oh" is what makes her twist to look at his face. It's a weird sound, coming from him, and she isn't entirely sure she likes it. That boisterousness was what had been keeping her going as she moved up the street leading to the cafe, and her brows furrowed together in spite of themselves. ]
Oi. What's with that gloominess, shitty Tatsuma?
[ She completely misreads his expression in the soft half-light provided by the streetlights, and as she mounts the steps to the cafe, she pulls him close in order to have him lean on her for support while she digs out her keys. ]
You're free to stay the night, but I expect you to help me clean whatever mess it is you're gonna make once you're awake.
[ And she fumbles with her keys, all too aware of the fact that his body is pressing against hers. ]
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It was around the time she had finished cleaning that the door to the cafe swung open, prompting her to turn around in greeting. ]
Welcome!
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The fucking bastards. He'd dealt with their kind all throughout the war and before. Men of that era were losing their touch.
He stops before the register, digging out what appears to be exact change for the order. His gaze meets hers, and while he thrust right into the establishment with the same boorish confidence that accompanied him everywhere, he finds himself faltering for a moment.]
Oh~!
She's so cute.
[Wait a minute. Why?
He pauses briefly, blinking as the gears slowly turn in his head. Under his breath, he mutters:]
Ahhhhhh. I must be in the wrong anime.
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Maybe he was on drugs.
Returning with his order, she placed the cup in a sleeve before handing it to him. ]
Careful with that, it's hot.
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[He almost burns his finger on the plastic. Jesus Christ.
It's been years since he's really seen in a girl this pretty in daylight. This is an irritating reminder that in many ways, he's still a child, despite being forced to become a man at such an early age.
Her hair frames her face in a delicate way, enhancing how soft her features look.
Even so, something about it seems like a farce. Like she's unhappy here, or...
He can feel his heart beating in his chest. Silently, he prays that she doesn't pick up on it.]
It's been a long while since I've had somethin' to drink, is all. Forgive me.
[A lie. He drank liquor like water last night and swore like a sailor. Puked like one too.]
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Liar.
[ The word itself is harsh, but her expression isn't. Something about him told her that she would likely never see him again. His visit to :re was likely a once-in-a-lifetime deal; she could practically smell it on him. Someone who smelled like that didn't stay in one place. Not for too long.
The sound of his heart is deafening in her ears. There's something comforting about it, though he's probably lucky that she isn't particularly hungry. ]
You aren't sorry. Even if you are, you've got nothing to apologize for.
[ She hands him a few napkins. ]
It'll hurt like hell if you spill it. It happens more often than you think.
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God. What's with that cute expression, huh?
Smile at me like that, and I might just fall in love with ya.
[Another lie, perhaps.
But he's good at telling lies- He'd lied to himself all those years, hadn't he? Calling himself a samurai. Telling himself that he'd be back from war, that he'd kick those bastards out-
Was he telling that to himself, or to the people around him? Right. Two parties at once. In his attempt to rile the others' spirits, he had tried desperately to convince his own heart to roar savagely like the others, but...
His heart is gentle. It can only do so much.]
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[ Still, she's smiling in spite of herself, and she can't help but be reminded of a certain dark-haired boy with a post-op eyepatch. There's a certain gentleness in this stranger's demeanor that makes her think of Kaneki Ken, crying out in front of Anteiku all those years ago, refusing to eat meat but desperately begging her for help. She saw glimmers of it in the CCG's Sasaki Haise, and she sees it now in the way this customer is looking at her.
Lambs in wolves' clothing. Touka would never admit to having a type, but if she did, that would nail it right on the head. ]
Who are you?
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[He likes her bite, to be fair. Sakamoto's always looking for trouble, even when he doesn't intend on finding it. While the demure women of fairytales and old world sensibilities are beautiful in their own right, he far prefers the feistier sort.
Still, her smile is beautiful. Sakamoto feels joy even when greeting strangers passing by, people who just seem happy, even if he doesn't know the reason why.]
They're all about the money! Which I used to have, but I'm fuckin' broke right about now. That's okay, okay! I'll reign in a hot deal tonight.
Me? I'm a merchant.
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[ Her smile turns mildly sardonic at that, but she finds herself leaning against the counter. It's been a while since she's had an honest to goodness conversation with someone outside of Anteiku's inner circle, and it feels... nice. There's none of that overly-polite and bubbly customer service bullshit that she needs to pull during this exchange. She doesn't have to talk about ghouls, or Doves, or anything like that here. She almost feels like a normal girl.
Ayato probably would have scoffed at that. But he wasn't here, and he couldn't read minds.
She listens to him speak, and she can't help it: she laughs. ]
I meant your name, but okay. Good luck on that "hot deal," I guess.
[ Yeah. She's convinced he's a drug dealer. ]
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[He's testing her, slightly.]
You want my name? Oh, well! I'm all about fair trade.
I'll give ya mine if you tell me yours, how 'bout that?
[To be fair... He's deals are definitely just as shady. And often illegal.]
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[ Touka can't really tell, but she plays along anyway. ]
Your turn.
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[He raises a brow at that. Kids these days are so informal.]
Tatsuma, then. Just so ya know! There's only two guys who call me by my first name, and uh. They ain't the polite sort.
[They're monsters, is what he's trying to say.]
So! Touka. -San.
[He leans back as well, drawing the cup of coffee to his lips and taking a sip. It's clear from his manner that he frequents bars quite often, used to drinking and speaking casually.]
You like this job of yours? You look bored as all hell. Like you're thinkin' about someone! Or... Something.
[Brow bounce.]
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[ There it is, that laugh again. God, does it feel good to laugh. Something about him makes her feel at ease, and her duties to the cafe are momentarily forgotten the more their conversation wears on. ]
It's a job. It keeps me busy when I'm not in school, so there's that.
[ At the last half of his sentence, she scoffs. ]
That so? Guess I have to try harder at pretending to be content with customer service, then.
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Those yakuza bastards are dangerous, no joke, but by some sheer miracle he made it out of there with a handshake a deal. Turns out that, while those gangsters are the worst crooks of the lot, they've got some pretty powerful associates.
It's not surprising- Even the most innocuous of places are run by the mob.
He's not just drunk on alcohol, he's drunk on success! So drunk that in fact, he doesn't realize that he's just run into someone until-]
Ohp! Whoa there, my bad, my bad! Wasn't really lookin'. You okay?
Didn't mean ta hit ya.
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So absorbed is she that she doesn't have time to sidestep the drunkard who collides into her, and her first instinct is to swear. Loudly. ]
Oi, watch where you're going, asshole--!!
[ But wait. She recognizes that voice. ]
... Tatsuma?
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[He stumbles back, running a nervous hand through a mess of soft curls. He's not sure he wants her to see his face this embarrassingly red, and god, she looks even cuter at night.]
Shoot. I didn't think I'd run into you! Man, I should just turn around and head back! I wasn't headed to any respectable place...
[As he attempts to turn his back on her, he's visited by unpleasant thoughts.
What is she doing out here at night? Is she sneaking around with another guy? Did that stupid boyfriend or highschool crush or whatever actually come to see her?
She deserves more than being pushed around, someone who will treat her right and make her feel pleasure damn it! Someone who-
Is the very opposite of him.
Sakamoto doesn't realize it until his face hits the dirt, but he's fallen. In more ways than one.]
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Are you okay--
[ She's cut off, however, by the fact that his face decided to have a meeting with the floor. She stands there, dumbfounded, for several seconds, before finally moving, crouching down next to him. ]
... Moron.
[ With a huff, she sets about hoisting him up and slinging one of his arms across her shoulders. The smell of booze causes her to nearly gag, but she lifts him with no issue. Swallowing hard, she begins the long trek back to the cafe, awkwardly dragging her companion along with her. ]
Did you not eat before going drinking, or something...?
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I ate a lot, but I drank even more! I'm stupid, stupid! Y-yeah.
[Is she happy to see him?
Fuck. He's happy to see her too. There goes that heart of his.]
So, uh. How've you been? Ahaha...
[Since... Yesterday.]
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You are pretty fucking stupid.
[ She gives a long-suffering sigh, but it's mostly for show. This was more interesting than going to the market to buy supplies, but she'd need to go back out in the night to do that, too. She figures she'll get this oaf settled in and comfortable before heading out again.
For some reason, she just can't, in good conscience, leave him out there on the ground. A few years back, yeah, she definitely could have. But there was something about him that made it impossible for her to do that now. ]
Better than you, apparently. [ She sends him a sidelong glance, and though the smell of liquor is making her stomach churn, she can't help but notice how close his face is to hers.
If she weren't trying so hard not to vomit, she might've been embarrassed. ]
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[He has to laugh at her mirth, grateful for her kindness. Unconsciously, the arm around her tightens slightly as he tries to match his steps with hers, although he does notice something-
She seems uncomfortable, so he immediately covers his mouth with his free hand.]
Whoa. My breath smells that bad, huh? Sorry. I'll... When we stop somewhere I'll have some water. Yeah!
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[ At the tightening of his arm around her, Touka can't help but flush slightly. The smell of the alcohol isn't so bad on its own, but as a ghoul, everything that a human consumes smells disgusting and rotten. It's not personal, Sakamoto, but let it suffice to say that she's grateful that the cafe is coming back into view.
At what he says, she snorts. ]
Just face away from me and we'll be good. [ It served a double purpose: she didn't have to be consciously aware that his face was mere inches from her's. It was a win-win! ]
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You're goin' back to the cafe? What, you live there too?
Don'tcha get tired of it?
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That cafe's pretty much my life. [ This is probably one of the most honest things she's ever said to him. ] It means a lot to me and the people I care about.
[ In more ways than one. ]
I could drag you back to a hotel if you want, princess. Our couches can't compete with actual beds.
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[But, if it was, then why was she so distraught-looking? Listless.
The way she shakes him makes him think about other things, though he quietly dismisses these thoughts. Touka is doing him a big favor, and so he shouldn't irritate her with dirty words or paltry notions.]
That's alright. I don't think I can walk too far.
["I want to stay with you."
He feels something in his gut, a stupid yearning to be close to her, to hold her hand. He feels the warmth of her body and stifles a sigh- God.
This is a real girl, huh. Not some woman behind a mask of make-up at a brothel.]
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Oi. What's with that gloominess, shitty Tatsuma?
[ She completely misreads his expression in the soft half-light provided by the streetlights, and as she mounts the steps to the cafe, she pulls him close in order to have him lean on her for support while she digs out her keys. ]
You're free to stay the night, but I expect you to help me clean whatever mess it is you're gonna make once you're awake.
[ And she fumbles with her keys, all too aware of the fact that his body is pressing against hers. ]
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