I Won't Leave Again (Touken)

Final Chapter: Family

"I'm so excited. We haven't been to this beach in so long, what do you think it'll be like Ken?" Touka was practically bouncing off the walls of the train as it sped down the tracks. 

Touka and Kaneki made it a yearly tradition to visit that beach, the one where they had their first date 3 years ago. 

"I bet it still smells like seaweed. I like that smell, it's natural" 

She rolled her eyes at his lame response with a grin. It was evening and they hadn't worked today. Neither were swimmers, but they enjoyed the feeling of the sand beneath their feet and the atmosphere at night when nobody was around. It felt like they could be in their own little world, the rarity of their visits making it feel even more special. 

This time however, something would be different. Kaneki had something planned, something he had been waiting to do for a few months. He smiled.

1 month earlier

Kaneki was watching Touka serve a customer in the daily grind. Her eyes shone brighter than they had when he first met her years ago. He was happy to have made such an impact on her life and equally happy the way she had on him. Nishiki had his arms folded and snapped at him while pushing up his glasses. 

"Kaneki!" 

"Wha? Yeah?" He responded snapping out of his trance. 

"The manager wants to see you" 

"Ah... OK can you watch the shop?" 

"Just don't be all day" 

"Thanks" 

"And get your head of the clouds" 

"..." 

As he headed for the stairs, Touka glanced towards him. 

"Where is he going? it's the middle of our shift" She thought curiously, but shrugged it off returning her attention to the customer in front of her. 

"Kaneki, come on in" Yoshimura stood next to the door pointing towards a chair. Kaneki sat and immediately started thinking of his "plan" 

"....later this evening.... Kaneki?" 

He looked towards Yoshimura and blinked. 

"Yes sir?" He had completely missed whatever Yoshimura had said. 

"Kaneki... is something on your mind?" 

Kaneki went back to his thoughts and couldn't help but smile. Nobody knew at this point, but felt Yoshimura could be trusted with this secret. 

"Something is on my mind" 

"Yes?" 

"Touka" 

"..." The manager chuckled "I'm pleased you two have such a strong relationship, but if it's going to..." 

"I'm going to ask Touka to marry me..." 

Yoshimura eyes grew wide momentarily before his typical smile etched across his face. 

"I'm saving up my money for a ring. I'm planning to do it at the beach where we had our first date under the stars. I think that would be really special" 

Yoshimura still didn't say anything, but was slowly walking towards his cabinet with his back turned to Kaneki. 

"Sir?" 

After fumbling around for a bit he turned to face Kaneki; walking over to stand in front of him. He stretched out his hand. In it, a beautiful diamond ring.