Kaneki's stomach growled violently and Kaneki had figured out eventually that there was no point in trying to silence it.
He was overcome with pure frustration as he ran a hand through his hair.
Some stronger force dominated him suddenly. He began to sweat. Drool ran down his bottom lip, down to his chin.
Niku…
Niku…
Niku…
Kaneki started to tap his heel repeatedly on the carpeted floor of his room as if bopping to an unheard song.
Then both of his legs began to shake uncontrollably as he clutched his head.
Touka's voice echoed in Kaneki's mind.
You're neither ghoul or human.
A half-breed like you has no place in this world.
Then another voice. It was the exact voice of Kaneki's hunger.
Who cares if you're sitting on both sides of the fence? Neither human, nor ghoul… You're still you.
Cherish this life as a half-breed. An appetizing meal of flesh awaits you, after all.
The luscious alluring taste.
Kaneki was helpless as his hunger tightly wrapped its arms invitingly around his body.
Just one taste and you'll be instantly hooked.
It'll give any steak...a run for its money.
Kaneki let out a feral howl and crouched over the package on top of his desk. His back shook violently as he breathed rapidly.
He thought he was free of his hunger's grasp until it's arms once again wrapped around him.
Now, go on. Feast yourself on this flesh.
The arms tightened.
It's been prepared extra rare. Just for you.
Kaneki began to unwrap the package, but his consciousness stopped him just in time. He dropped the package as his phone simultaneously began to ring, displaying Hide's name.
The next day, Kaneki found himself looking everywhere at once outside the buildings of his college, Kamii University.
A fresh white medical eyepatch covered Kaneki's left eye. A large bright yellow trench coat covered his upper body, protecting him against the approaching Fall weather.
He checked his phone for any new messages from Hide. As he continued walking, he was stopped in his tracks as he caught a glimpse of a conversation between two older college girls.
"Have you ever been to the sweets shop in front of the station?"
"That place has some good stuff, right?"
Kaneki's heart dropped with an unknown form of sadness, perhaps hopelessness, as he watched one of the college girls take a bite out of her sandwich.
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A solid wall slammed into Kaneki from behind, nearly knocking the breath out of him, sending his heart into a frenzy.
"OI, KANEKI!," a familiar voice yelled into Kaneki's ear.
The person who had attacked Kaneki spun him around.
Bright hair, university jacket, green pants, a goofy grin.
It was Hide.
"How long are you gonna skip your classes, you jerk?," Hide loudly demanded. "Pay more attention to me! I'm hanging out on a limb here!"
Kaneki wasn't embarrassed by Hide's behavior more as he was ashamed of himself for not being there for his friend.
"Hide, I'm sorry," Kaneki apologized.
"Anyway, what's with the eyepatch? You making a fashion statement?," Hide quirked.
Wait, "I'm sorry?," Kaneki thought. When did I…
Hide continued, rambling, "I was so bored while you were gone that I ended up joining the school's festival committee…"
This all seems so familiar, Kaneki thought.
And then the memory flooded Kaneki's mind.
It was dark and the only light was supplied by the street lamps in front of the building he walked in front of. Little Kaneki started crying, feeling so alone, barely aware of the figure behind him.
The next day, Kaneki was walking home from school, his head hung low when suddenly…
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"OI, KANEKI!"
Someone jumped on Kaneki, wrapping their arms around him, nearly tackling him to the ground.
"How long are you going to stay cooped up in your house? Do you know how rough it is for me when you shut yourself in?"
He began to shake Kaneki by his shoulders.
"Hello? Earth to Kaneki!"
Kaneki snapped back to reality.
"Oh, Gomen nasai, what did you say?"
Hide frowned up, although Kaneki did not pay it much attention. It was not a display of serious negativity with his emotions.
"Anyway," Hide said as Kaneki followed behind. "I've gotta go see that arrogant upperclassman of mine to borrow some class material. Wanna tag along?," Hide asked despite the obvious fact that Kaneki was already walking behind him.
"Sure," Kaneki replied.
As they kept walking, Hide asked, "Kaneki, are you eating all your meals properly."
"Huh?"
Hide stopped walking, his hands still clasped behind his head.
"You're looking pretty pale. You better be eating or else you'll fall sick."
Hide's always been that type of person, Kaneki thought to himself. He has a strange way of noticing all the small things. He knows all too well how people feel inside, but acts like he doesn't know instead. If I were to throw away my humanity, would I ever be able to walk next to him again?
Hide stopped, snapping Kaneki out of his thoughts. "Are you coming or what?," he called out as he turned around.
Kaneki realized that he had not moved. He ran to catch up with Hide.
Soon afterward, Hide and Kaneki were in a building, making their way toward the room in which Hide's upperclassman was.
"I've been meaning to introduce you to him, Kaneki," Hide said.
Kaneki and Hide started their way up a staircase.
"You mean Nishio-san?," Kaneki asked.
"Yeah, him."
"I wouldn't say that he's super rude or anything like that. He's just difficult to be around."
"Here we are!," Hide said, flinging open the door. Hide had decided it was a good idea to announce himself directly after opening the door before Kaneki could let out a troubled, "Hide, at least knock."
The consequence was extremely awkward.
There was a boy sitting in an office chair, kissing her neck.
When Hide opened the door, the girl screamed and broke free, running out of the open door, although both Hide and Kaneki had seen some things they wished they hadn't.
"Nagachika, ever heard of knocking?"
"Gomen Nasai, Nishio-san," Hide apologized.
Kaneki stared at the girl until she disappeared around the corner, then walked into the room.
Kaneki instantly realized he wished he hadn't walked into the room at all.
"You know nothing ticks me off more than violation of my territory," Nishio said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
He swiveled around and that was when Kaneki finally was able to get a look at the boy.
His heart turned cold.
It was the boy from the alleyway.