[ON HOLD?]The Reality Within

Chapter 2: Apparently

Yoshimura POV

I pick up a newspaper and read it."I see..."

"What is it, Manager?" Kaneki asked.

"It's nothing, Kaneki. Keep on practicing your movement." I replied as I put the newspaper back on the table.

The newspaper is about the incident that happened in the 24th ward last night. A building collapse resulted from a fight between a ghoul investigator and a ghoul. The ghoul is suspected to be the One-Eyed Owl...

Y/n POV

For now, I'm gonna rest for a while. Yesterday is something unexpected... I mean, I know that I've been told about a ghoul but who will think that it's actually the One-Eyed Owl!? Well, I did manage to keep my calm there.

I also heard that there's an incident that happened some days ago. An accident that befell two people. I heard that one of them manage to survive while the other died. Well, I guess it's better than none at all.

My phone buzzed when I'm deep into my thoughts. I took my phone and open it, to see a message from HQ that Arima wanted to see me. After knowing that, I get my thing and go to the HQ. Arima seems to be busy but why does he want to see me.

On my way, I bump into a high schoolboy. He got short, messy blonde hair. I realize that this boy is the person who I saw in Anteiku before.

"Sorry, sir!" He apologizes as he picks up his phone.

"No problem, kiddo. What's your name?"

"It's Hideyoshi Nagachika!" He said as he stood up.

"Cool. By the way, be careful!" I said as I keep ongoing.

The boy is confused but he just goes back to his previous activity. While I went inside the building and look for Arima.

"Oh, Sir Arima," I said when I found him sitting on a couch in a room.

"Y/n. Sorry to call you when you're busy."

"Not at all! I wasn't even doing anything."

"Is that so? Then..." He then threw a wooden katana in my direction as I catch it. "...shall we start?"

"Sure," I said as I begin to do it stance. I get the first turn, I move as fast as possible to get closer to him. When he was in range, I tried to hit him directly.

But, he suddenly disappears and strikes me from behind. I block his attack and try to tackle him but failed, which resulted in me getting defeated.

"As usual, hm? You could have attacked me by dodging it, but instead, you chose to take the risk." He said as put back the wooden sword.

"Hehe, I thought it will be useless since you probably already predicted that. By the way, you aren't just here for a spare, right?"

He sat and ask me a question that I found surprising. "I see that you have potential. Do you want to be my assistant?"

"Huh, why me?"

"As I say before, you have potential. Moreover, you fought the One-Eyed Owl and survived." He said and I sighed.

"That was just luck... But are you sure? Won't I just cause trouble for you?"

"Hm, we'll see. I'll give you time to think about this." He said as he stand up and walk out of the room.

"It will give me many benefits...but I don't think I'll be a good help. He said that he gave me time, right? I'll think about it later on." I walk out of the room and start thinking about it while going home.

On my way, I encounter some people. They turn out to be Sir Mado and Amon! They are just doing their investigation.

"Oh, we met again."

"Young Y/n. We don't have time to chat now." Sir Mado said as he and Amon walk past me. Amon managed to wave his hand when he went past me.

I got into Anteiku to drink some coffee. When I got in, I saw a child alone. She seems sad about something. I wonder where's her dad or mom.

I approach the little girl and sat beside her. She looks at me and I look back at her.

"So, what's wrong?" I ask her, but she looks on the other side, seemingly trying to avoid my question.

(Did I say anything wrong?) "Hey, cmon... At least talk to me."

"Sorry, sir. But..." She said but before she could finish her sentence, I take a look at the book that she was reading and ask her.

"So, you are reading this book. Did you understand anything?"

"N-No... I can't read." She said embarrassedly.

"I see. Then, I'll teach you!" I said proudly.

"Really?" She asked. From the look of it, she really does hope for it to be true.

"Yep," I replied. I then start teaching her several words. She looks really happy. I've never seen such a sweet face.

I spend time teaching her how to read. And soon, her mother came.

"Hinami. Oh, may I know who is this?" The lady asks me as she got closer to us.

"Oh, mom! This good man is just accompanying me!" Hinami replied as she hug her mom.

"I see..." She then faced me. "Thanks for taking care of my daughter sir."

"Ah, it's ok. I must go now, may I ask for your name?"

"My name is Ryouko Fueguchi. And this is my daughter, Hinami Fueguchi." She said.

I then take my leave out of the cafe. As I walk away, I look around. Also thinking about her and her mom. Both of them...somehow smell like ghouls. I decided to ignore that and continue walking home.

Hinami POV

I am walking back to my room with my mom.

"So, Hinami. Did he treat you well?"

"Yes! He even teaches me how to read! I can read several words in the book now. I hope he came back!"

Mom then smiles at me. "Sure honey."