It Starts With a Question

Remembrance

Touka had this strange feeling inside her, which she couldn't describe. Was it happiness? Awkwardness? Was she uncomfortable? Nervous? Peaceful? Was the nausea returning? Or something else? The teen wasn't sure, but she did know that it had something to do with this rare sight.

"Onee-chan look what a pretty fish!" Hinami pointed at the water tank in front of them.

The three of them had gone to the aquarium. Kaneki had to put his wig on again, so he wouldn't attract much attention, especially if there was a chance to bump into familiar persons.

The aquarium wasn't as crowded as Touka had expected. But that made it even better for her. The blue-haired girl walked over to the tank Hinami pointed at, glanced at the funny-looking fish with the exotic colours.

"That one is known as the Amphiprioninae or clown fish." Kaneki explained.

"Why a clown fish?" The ukaku ghoul asked. Giving the fish another glance.

"It's probably because of the bright colours they come in; orange, yellow, red or black."

"It swims funny" Hinami commented as she continued to watch the fish with enthusiasm.

"Don't tell me you've read a book about fishes." The high school girl mumbled.

The half-ghoul shook his head. "It's in the booklet and on the sign." He pointed out.

Touka's cheeks became slightly rosy from embarrassment. "I see."

"Touka-chan, if you're not feeling well again, you should tell us."

"I know, I know. Stop fussing about it, I told you I'm fine already." The girl protested as she turned away from the man.

"Look, there is a seahorse!" The young ghoul exclaimed joyfully.

The older ghouls glanced at another, more smaller tank. Various seahorses swam around or clung to some sea grass or coral reef.

"Let's see what they say about those." Touka mumbled as she scanned through the sign. "Hmm, this is interesting. Males give birth to their offspring." A smirk formed across her lips as she tried to hold in a snicker. "We can learn something from those fishes."

Kaneki didn't react, for he was staring at the coral reef. Touka wondered if his mind was on something again. Something unpleasant, but she threw that thought quickly out of the window when he turned to face her with an uneasy smile. "Maybe..."

Touka knew that she wouldn't be able to see Kaneki's awkward expression anymore or the face he made when he was embarrassed or at least rarely, but she couldn't help but miss that openness of him. Even teasing him, wasn't the same anymore. "Let's look for the bigger fishes."

On the bright side, he seemed relaxed. Visiting the aquarium was like entering a different world. The ukaku ghoul had never bothered to visit the aquarium before and she didn't know why. The marine world was so different, it was as if she could wash away her worries, fears, sorrows and enjoy the rich and colourful view the tanks and fishes would give her. She was sure that Kaneki and Hinami felt the same.

The female ghoul snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand grabbing her. She blinked and saw Kaneki smiling at her gently. Eyes telling her that she was getting behind. The girl blushed and nodded a thank you as they went in the direction Hinami had gone through.

The following tank was a lot bigger and had a bigger variety of fish species including bigger ones.

"These are so pretty." Hinami exclaimed as she stared from one fish to another, admiring the various shapes and sizes. "Look at that flat one! It looks like a paper."