Kurou:
(2 days passed after I was forced out of my home. Mother said that I needed to touch grass but I never thought that she'd send me to a forest to live with my Grandparents for the whole summer break)
[When are they going to come, Grandfather Kaneki?]
Kaneki:
[Be patient, they'll be here soon. Also, lower your voice]
Kurou:
[...when?]
Kaneki stayed silent as he gazes across the open field with his scope. Kurou ignored his silent response
Few seconds of silence passed and Kurou looked at his grandfather. He's been curious as to why and how his grandfather got his large scar on the right side of his face. Regardless, he never asked since he thought it was a painful experience and it would be rude to do so.
Kaneki:
[Curious?]
Kurou:
[Ah...]
Kaneki:
[You we're staring too much. Wanna know?]
Kurou:
[... If you're okay with it, Grandfather]
Kaneki sat up as he looked at the sky. He smiled as he looks at Kurou.
Kaneki:
[It happened in this same forest a long time ago. I was about 20, 22 years old. Me and your grandmother decided to camp here for about 2 days. We we're young and we're so excited. It was the first time for us to travel together. After we set up camp, your grandmother decided to look for some firewood and suddenly... I heard a scream I never wanted to hear again.]
Kaneki's expression suddenly got dark as he looked down.
Kaneki:
[I ran as fast as I can, and I saw your grandmother bleeding profusely from the ground. Then I saw this beast above her...]
Kurou got shivers down his spine
Kaneki:
[I was frozen in fear... and it came to my mind "Run away"...]
Kurou:
[...so what did you do?]
Kaneki smiled at Kurou
Kurou:
[I shouted. I shouted the fear out of my head, I screamed at the bear as loud as I can. The bear looked at me as it rushed towards me. It tried to strike me in my face but I barely avoided it. As I fell down, it grabbed into my leg and it kept on pulling me. I instantly grabbed my knife and stabbed it right in it's neck. I knew it was shallow but the bear definitely felt the pain. It knew it wasn't worth the fight so it ran away. I dragged myself towards your grandmother, who was barely conscious. We were SO lucky that someone found us that day, otherwise we would've died.]
Kaneki slowly pulled the hems of his pants. There were large bite marks and scratches all over his legs.
Kurou looks down, nauseated at what he just saw.
Kaneki:
[And that's how I got my scar]
Kurou:
[...]
Suddenly, Kaneki spotted a large buck right below some trees.
Kaneki:
[110 yards, take your shot]
Bang!
Later that night
Kurou was silent throughout the dinner. He then looked at his grandmother.
Masuyo:
[What is it? Something you want to tell me?]
Kurou:
[Ah, Oh... nothing, I'm just glad I'm visiting you again, Grandma]
Masuyo:
[That's sweet. Anyway, you got yourself a big buck this time. I think this might be the biggest one so far]
Kaneki:
[Not big as mine...]
Masuyo:
[Kaneki...]
Kaneki:
[Although I say it is impressive. Good job kiddo]
Kurou:
[Thanks]
(Grandmother and Grandfather has been so kind to me all these years. I really can't imagine that they had an experience like that...)
[... I'll hunt it]
Masuyo:
[Hm? Hunt what?]
Kurou:
[The bear that attacked you guys]
The atmosphere suddenly got silent
Masuyo looked at Kaneki with a serious expression, then she sighed
Masuyo:
[No]
Kurou:
[Why not? I already have enough experience to hunt it.]
Masuyo:
[I said no, and besides it was years ago. The bear probably died]
Kurou:
[...]
Masuyo:
[I appreciate that you care for us but don't ever think about doing something stupid, understand?]
Kurou:
[Yes... grandmother]
Masuyo nudged Kaneki's feet then she looked at him angrily. After that, they continued eating.
Next day
Kurou:
(Grandfather and Grandmother went to a 3 day trip vacation. I decided to stay since I don't want to ruin their fun. I'm impressed that at that age they can still do things like that. After that, they put me in charge of the old store. I accepted since I really like managing things...the only problem is...)
[... it's really hot today, isn't it?]
Mikane:
[...]
Mikane nodded in response.
Kurou:
(This is so awkward...)
[... How was school?]
Mikane wrote something on her notebook then she showed it to Kurou.
"It was fun"
Kurou:
[Is that so? I'm glad]
Suddenly, Mikane looks down as she grabbed her notebook instantly.
Kurou:
(...well, you're so shy even when we were back in middle school.)
*Flashback*
???:
[Hey, why are you so silent?]
Mikane:
[...]
???:
[Hey, I'm talking to you. Can't you hear?]
Kurou:
[T-that's enough...]
???:
[Huh? I wasn't talking about you, pig!]
Mikane:
[...]
???:
[Tch! This is boring]
Suddenly, they noticed her wide notebook
???:
[What's this? Huh? Hahahah, oi! Come look at this]
Everyone gathered
???:
["My plans for today, number 1: make a friend, number 2: eat with a friend, number 3:...
They continued reading what was written inside Mikane's notebook.
???:
[Ahahaha, what's all this? Friend? How are you supposed to make a friend when you can't even speak. Look, nobody's going to befriend you]
Kurou:
[I will!]
???:
[Huh? I thought I said I wasn't talking to a pig]
Kurou stood up as he went in front of Mikane.
Kurou:
[I... I'm her friend!]
???:
[...is that so?]
Suddenly, the guy whispered right at Kurou's ear
???:
[... I'll be waiting at the back. Meet me there after school]
Kurou shivered
Later
As Kurou was about to head out, Mikane grabbed Kurou's arm.
Kurou:
[Uhm, what are you doing?]
Mikane shook her head
Kurou held her hand as he looked at her and smiled.
Kurou:
[I'll be fine...Just don't come...okay?]
Mikane looks at him with worry. Kurou brushed off Mikane's arm and heads straight towards the back of the building.
Moments later.
Kurou woke up as he was laying on the floor, totally bruised. He felt pain all over his body. Although, he felt something soft behind his head. He slowly opens his eyes and he saw Mikane. Mikane started to tear up.
Kurou noticed that he was lying on Mikane's lap. He wanted to get up but he was too weak. At that moment, Mikane slowly brushed Kurou's hair. Mikane opened her mouth and it looked like she was saying something. Kurou knew what she tried to say
"I'm sorry, Thank you"
Then Mikane smiled at him.
*End of Flashback*
Kurou:
(It's really tough having no voice, huh. After that, she transfered to another school. Only in summer break do I get to see her. )
Kurou looked at Mikane
Kurou:
(Why does she always wear such big clothes. Isn't it hot right now?)
[Aren't you hot? Why don't you take your jacket off?]
Mikane blushed, but then she nodded. She slowly takes off her jacket.
Kurou:
(B-)
[...ig]
Mikane heard what Kurou said and blushed so much as she looked at him.
Kurou:
[Ah!...no, wait!]
Mikane got flustered. She then grabbed her jacket and notebook as she ran outside.
Kurou:
[Wait! I didn't mean to!...sigh]
(Idiot! *Referring to himself*)