"Ugh!" Hide sighed for the nth time over his rice and curry.
He smoothed out the increasing folds between his brows. It was a hassle —the day that is. And his brows creased further when he imagined the future awaiting him in the University.
'Dammit! After the struggle I put into being a likeable character — wasted! I would've scored a girlfriend in a month or two!' He groaned and took a bite out of his spicy meal.
Looking over at Kaneki, multiple stress veins popped over his forehead. Being the main culprit of their current predicament, Kaneki was mighty lax, enjoying his sushi and coffee – a freaking odd combo, he observed – with the elegance of someone enjoying a rare cuisine.
"And why aren't you bothered at all by the mess that you put us in?!" Hide couldn't help his outburst, crushing the plastic cup holding his drink.
Kaneki, totally undeterred, put his chopsticks down and dabbed a napkin to his mouth and unhurriedly reached out for his coffee.
He marvelled at the restaurant they were in. It was bustling with various customers. The infrastructure was impressive in on itself, sporting chandeliers and a Victorian-esque theme. In conclusion, this was a place for the upper class folk, yet here they were. Two guys in their late teens, sitting amidst men and women of great value to society — surgeons, lawyers, impressive scientists and many more.
They had opt to dine away from the school's cafeteria, courtesy of Hide, who still hadn't recovered from the embarrassment he had been put through before a great audience. However, Kaneki was splendidly surprised to have been brought to a high-end restaurant. Hide had casually suggested a 'place with a decent meal' that offered better food than the University's cafeteria, despite Kamii being a top notch institution.
'A man of many surprises.' Kaneki glanced at his blond mate with a thoughtful eye.
Hide was currently rumbling on about him while grudgingly consuming his meal. When they had appeared before this magnificent restaurant, Kaneki had expected the staff to turn them away, they may be dressed well – and Hide was stupendously fashionable – but anyone could tell at first glance that they wouldn't be able to afford a meal on the menu.
Lo and Behold! The security personnel had recognized the loud blond at a glance and triggered a dialogue reminiscent of acquaintances. Apparently, Hide had worked part-time in this very restaurant, and had helped the guardsman address a swelling at one of his arms that he had taken for granted for several months. But with the hectic persuasion of Hide, he had sought medical evaluation and had passed out in the doctor's office when they relayed that he was two months away from having his arm amputated.
Ever since then, he had pledged eternal gratitude to Hide – he had his arm checked out and the doctors got rid of the tumor that had begun at his joint and tendon – thus, at their visit, he had offered to pay for both their meals!
However, as they were making their way into the dinning section, the duo had stumbled upon a beautiful but stern faced middle-aged woman who was introduced as the manager of the place. Seriously, what were the odds?! Contrary to what Kaneki had expected – to be led out and have the guardsman reprimanded in the most humiliating of ways – the manager, a Madam Koneko, had been delighted to see Hide again and even referred to him as the Golden Steward in hopes that he was back for a part-time.
Despite being turned down on the offer, Koneko had then granted them a free meal experience, anything and everything would be on the house— naturally, the generosity was extended to Kaneki.
From this short experience alone, Kaneki reevaluated his friend.
Hide—simply put, was a force to be reckoned with! His potential was massive. No exaggeration whatsoever. He was a valuable and very rare gem that was still encased in its ore. Truthfully, he was a bag of tricks yet to be unzipped. Kaneki released one of his consciousness from its delegated tasks and introduced it to another. He remade plans.
Now that he thought about it, his mind was getting congested. Being in possession of three consciousness, to the human populace, was unfathomable and would pose as a massive evolutionary upgrade to its race. Civilizations would undoubtedly advance decades into the future in half the required time. Scientists, engineers and especially surgeons, would sell a soul to have such.
Unlike while in the abyss, Kaneki found that three was not enough, as here, in a world of unpredictability, he needed more slots to accommodate his ever-increasing thoughts. Sure, learning new stuff, such as a foreign language, practicing martial arts or even indulging in the universal theories of physics, was astronomically made easier as his Intelligence was multiple leagues above human limitations, but that was the least of his worries. He needed two more consciousness to ease up the load of his current ones.
What an unsatiable being!
"-eki..ka-neki..Hey KANEKI!" he snapped out of his mind scope and stared at the blond, who was waving frantically before his face as if to garner his attention.
Now, the good thing about having multiple consciousness —
"What is it, Hide, you chocked on rice?"
Hide growled and sighed,"No, you dummy, you seemed out of it, besides, what self-respecting Japanese would choke on rice?" He scoffed.
...is that, no matter the circumstance—
"Was just ticking off the pros of the situation we found ourselves in," Kaneki raised the mug to his lips and frowned when he tasted no coffee. He waved down a staff and ordered more.
"Found?! No way, I am the victim here! You–you dragged me into this mess. And what pros?"
...you can never lose track of a thought, or forget where you left off in a conversation!
His pot of coffee arrived and Kaneki served himself a steaming mug. He took a sip and sighed – if only he could brew himself some coffee – then addressed Hide with the slight curving of his lips that the blond was getting accustomed to.
"Simple really, you just saved me a lifetime of school drama," Hide blinked at this,"Youthful slice of life isn't cut out for me. I'll be receiving lots of attention."
This was no suggestion or wishful day dreaming of a loner. Kaneki claimed such with utmost certainty, as if it were a truth that he very much expected.
Hide scoffed and finally looked at his friend— an action not so different from what he had previously been doing but this time, he took in Kaneki with a dash of new perspective.
Kaneki was dressed in – coincidentally – a turtleneck, with his being of a deep gray colour compared to Hide's outgoing scheme. The blond took note that despite his friend's unsettled, moppy, dark hair, the bangs accentuated his face in a disorderly charm. His features were chiselled, his jaw sculpted, shading off the naive expression he once possessed a month ago.
His eyes, unlike previously, whereas they were always shifty and timid, were now hawkish and indifferent, and black like obsidian. His pupils were indiscernible from the dark orbs that were his eyes.
Hide took note that, Kaneki's lips, compared to when addressing him, were frozen in an uninterested flat line. The corners were not raised anymore. He had to admit, Kaneki, to the outside world, was an unapproachable guy.
Also, now that he was having a closer look, was he growing?! Hide held his chin thoughtfully as his gaze intensified. Indeed, Kaneki was taller! If ever so slightly...no, scratch that, before, he was a short lad, barely reaching Hide's chin in height. But now, he had surpassed him, and at times, the blond found himself staring up at him!
Not leaving out the fact that he had been carried by Kaneki while at campus. Hide nodded in affirmation, his friend, was stronger now. Subtly glancing at Kaneki's frame, he realized that his shoulders were broader, and even while seated, his posture was solid.
In conclusion, Hide chalked all these changes to— 'Kaneki is working out!' Probably juicing up a bit to achieve such drastic gains, but as long as he was happy and safe, then Hide was appeased.
"And truthfully, your sacrifice to help me achieve a peaceful time in campus," Hide's ears perked up, dragging him to the present, he could already feel the smirk stretching Kaneki's lips,"Such selflessness, is a rare trait in friends these days."
Hide's previous silent administration of Kaneki crumbled. This jerk didn't deserve any of his praise!
The blond erupted into a heated argument, cussing at Kaneki with every breath, the customers perked up at the drama while the latter sat back and sipped at his coffee with an unbothered demeanor. However, if one looked closely, they would spot a smug smirk pressed against his cup.