The Strong and The Weak (Tokyo Ghoul :RE)

Chapter 12: Whimpers in Winter

            Urie had stayed late at the CCG Headquarters. Ever since the auction last month, he'd use any excuse to avoid the possibility of contact with the other Quinx. That is with the exception of Katayama, but even then, he tried to limit their interaction. She made his mind have soft thoughts, too soft for him to be familiar with. They had gone out to small eateries together on several occasions since that time they had accompanied each other to :RE, she even cooked a dinner one night at the house. It was the unfamiliar, and somewhat haunting, feelings Urie received when eating her homecooked food that made him want to distance himself.

Stepping out of the CCG building, he wasn't surprised to find that is was hellishly cold. Winter had settled in Japan, and he made sure to check the weather forecasts every morning. It was supposed to snow overnight, so Urie made sure to bring a heavier jacket and a wool scarf to work today. Still, he debated on whether or not to walk back to the Chateau or to take a short taxi ride. After a long minute of weighing the two options, he settled on walking, seeing as how it would be a suitable way to fit in extra exorcise. He could see his breath when he sighed, but Urie had never been a sensitive one to the cold. Even so, he tightened his winter jacket around his torso before finally taking steps forward to go home.

He didn't get far until he noticed something peculiar. In fact, it was only several blocks away from the CCG that something caught his peripheral attention. Even in the dark illumination of Tokyo, he would be able to catch sight of that blue-grey hair. She was in the center of an alley, large papers held under her arm as she posted one on the brick wall. If this were any more than a half of a year ago, he would have ignored it—only taking a slight interest that would fade into his sleep that same night—but things have changed immensely since the Torso investigation, and he couldn't move his feet towards ignorance anymore. He stood there for a long moment watching, thinking that the feeling of his gaze would draw her attention, but it didn't. Yami was immersed in hanging whatever poster she held so closely.

What the hell is she doing?

She was only wearing her investigator jacket, as well. No scarf, no gloves, no hat... she must be freezing. "Katayama-chan?" He decided to say her name, seeing as how she had yet to notice him. With that, her head snapped over to him; startled by his presence, she even dropped the clump of posters from under her arm. Urie entered the alley, inviting himself to approach her. "What in the world are you doing?"

"Nothing." Yami dismissed him, kneeling down to retrieve the posters that she dropped. Since Urie was getting closer, he got a glimpse of what was on them. A face, blonde hair... He shook his head of it. All the boy wanted to know was why Katayama was dressed so inappropriately for the severe weather, wandering around in the streets alone, and not even carrying a Quincke.

When she finally gathered all of the posters again, Yami looked up to Urie. The look in her eyes made it clear that she was desperate and uncomfortable with Urie's sudden appearance. "I..." she stumbled with her words and shuffled her small feet. She always felt small (quite literally so) when in front of him. "You can go home. Tell Haise-san that I'll be back a little later than normal." Turning her back away from her friend, it occurred to Urie that she truly believed that he would leave her be. Idiot... how can I leave you in a condition like this? She swung around again, more destressed than before. "Oh! And please, tell him that I'm getting a check-up. Y—You can't tell him that you saw me he—"

"What are you even saying?" Urie shook his head, looking at her as if she was crazy... and she very well was in this moment. It was infuriating to see how oblivious she was, and he couldn't help but rant. "You're out here in the dead of winter with only that thin jacket, no scarf, no gloves—not even a hat!—and no Quincke. Not to mention it's night and you're loitering around in a ghoul-infested city's alleyway! Are you asking for death?!"