Pretend Friends. |Kaneki Ken X Reader

【Selfless devotee】|Chapter Eight

"Ah,I'm sorry...Have I perhaps,met you before..?"A sense of unease fell over them as they questioned the man standing before them.

"My name...My name is Kaneki Ken,I'm a friend of (NAME).I believe you know her?"

"Precisely...May I ask what your doing here?Visiting a relative perhaps..?"

"I'm here to see you."

"Me...?Why...?I'm sorry,I know you don't have the intentions of doing any harm but...you are merely a stranger that have a thing or two in common with."

"I know you've acknowledged something else about me though."

"...Kaneki,I'm sorry but-"

"Please let me explain!"He raised his voice slightly with a determined face."I need answers right now."

"...Very well,please,take a seat Kaneki."He did as he was told and took a seat by the patient's side."Although,I can't guarantee that I'll answer everything you ask me."Their voice seemed a bit crude as they spoke slowly.

"I am aware of that.Thank you for this though...I really appreciate it."His face almost instantly fell solemn.

"...I'll listen to whatever you have to say.Can we also take this time to get to know each other,Kaneki?It's nice to have a new person as company,although,you are the only person to visit me apart from (NAME)..."

"...How...How long have you been here...?That's..That's my first question."

"Well,I have been in out of the hospital's doors throughout for the past three years now.The longest I've stayed overnight was probably for three to for months when I was sixteen years old.I've been hospitalised many times,so many times,to the point that I have lost count.I'm sure you may be curious of how I met (NAME).It was here,actually,when I came for a minor check up."

"(NAME)..?"

"Yes,(NAME) was visiting a relative who was alive at the time.Unfortunately,they had passed away on the month of (NAME)'s birthday.I believe we were both fourteen years of age...I happened to meet her on the second day she visited the hospital.We had gotten to know each other a bit when I was waiting to be called for the checkup.(NAME) was waiting for the same relative to finish their check up and ended up staying there for a while.By the time I left the hospital (NAME) had already left a few minutes before I did...Although,by chance,we met back at our school."

"I see..."

"Does it bother you,Kaneki?"

"Bother me?N-No not at all."A soft chuckle left their lips.

"I was merely teasing you.I won't waste more time to explain.Anymore questions?"

"I was wondering if you could...tell me more about (NAME)."

"(NAME)?"Kaneki nodded to confirm.

"Hm...Where should I start...?Oh!Well,as far as I know...(NAME) was brought up by one parent and attended very academic schools.I believe (NAME) was ranked one of the highest achieving students in our school...if not the highest.(NAME) also volunteered for many things but one of her main voluntary jobs was at the local libraries.(NAME) also end up living alone because (NAME)'s father had moved to England for buisness work,where as (NAME)'s mother and step father had moved to Canada for a reason that remains unkown to me.I think (NAME) has two step sisters and an elder step-brother living in Canada too...I've met (NAME)'s mother before...I can't really say she's a friendly woman..."

"It must have been rough."

"Certainly,I'm glad (NAME) was able to pull through and still stand strong now."

"(NAME)'s...strong willed,smart,attractive and affectionate...No one can beat (NAME)."

"Haha,I agree.I owe my life to (NAME)...(NAME)'s extremely brave...and a life saver."

"...Are you okay..?You look a little drowsy."

"Yes...I'm slightly tired,however,I still have energy for another question."

"Okay,thank you,my last question is...Do you love (NAME)?"Kaneki watched as the patient's face grew sombre,their lips seemed to curve downward.

"I—"

A small tune echoed throughout the room and,as if on cue, interrupted their conversation.Kaneki's fingers wrapped around his cellphone before flipping it open.He signalled an apology directed toward the patient before excusing himself out of the room in one swift motion.After his warm presence had left the room,the patient's body shrivelled up into the coldness.They flexed their fingers before grasping a sharp-pointed pencil in their hand.The strokes of the pencil smoothly glided along the textured paper before coming to a pause.

"It seems that night has already fallen.How does the world look to you,...(NAME)?"said the patient and so, the sound of the pencil tip scratching against the rough paper started to sound again.

Meawhile,(NAME) had woken from their deep slumber groggily with a hand hanging of the edge pf the surface they laid on.Slowly,they got up wincing slightly in pain with a heavy sigh.In a blink of an eye they grabbed their cellphone and checked the time.10:37 pm.It was already this late?Once again,as always,(NAME) slipped pass the reception of the penthouse apartment (NAME) resided in.Their figure blended into the darkness as they sinked further into the abyss of the night that enveloped them openly.

Like magic,(NAME) had disappeared into thin air.

Many hours later,after completing the deeds for kept specifically for the night,(NAME) returned home.(NAME) trudged back into the reception of the penthouse apartment and on the elevator as quickly as possible.Impatiently,they waited and flew past many doors until they reached theirs.(NAME) let out a relieved sigh and flung the door wide open and stepped back inside.(NAME) tossed their coat aside and jumped straight into the shower,rinsing off the dirt and grim that was attached to their body.(NAME) threw the clothes that were worn that night into the washing machine and poured a glass of water right after.

Their cold fingers encased the edges of the glass cup and slowly lifted it towards thin pursed lips.(NAME) took one,two,three gulps of water before setting it down on the counter top of the black marble table that was followed by a clatter.Dull eyes stared out of the large framed window panes that acted as a wall that separated (NAME) and the crescent moon.Their eyes were accustomed to the moon,they took a few steps towards the windows to get a better view of the city presented before them.(NAME) scanned the streets that were covered with streaks of red going one way and streaks of white going the other way,as well as red,yellow and green blotches that submerged parts of the roads.Their eye lids grew heavy as they made their way towards the comfort of their bed.So,with a small thump (NAME) returned into a state of slumber with their eyes sealed shut.

It was as if (NAME)'s eyes were never opened in the first place.