Trouble in White

I’ve been having a tough time emotionally lately. I know I’m probably just manic, so I’ve been trying not to worry anyone...but I just feel so alone. Blair’s always here with me and she’s a lifesaver. It just feels like...emotionally, no one else is here? 

And that’s my own fault. I don’t want to bother anyone when there’s nothing that can help. I don’t want anyone to worry. I don’t want anyone to think I’m just seeking attention and pity.

KANEKI KEN

born December 20th Third Year enjoys instrumental music, literature, playing the violin dislikes centipedes, large groups, gym class does not belong to any clubs

A shy boy who seems to have no friends, Kaneki is very much an outcast in his own school. His white hair, piercings and eyepatch often put others off, thinking him the type of person you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. He’s quiet and observant, often seeing things that most people won’t. 

Even though he has no interest in showing it, Kaneki can gain proficiency in many skills, both physical and not, simply by reading books and putting it into practice, such as cooking, judo, calligraphy and foreign languages.

Despite his excellent grades, outstanding test scores and wide array of skills, Kaneki neither attends cram school nor is involved with any clubs. He’s an enigma of a presence. No one quite knows what to make of him or his soft, knowing words. He is often seen with a book in his hands and a faraway expression on his face.

What mysteries surround this troubled youth?

It seems like luck was on her side. Smiling once more, she nodded. “Indeed it was. I am here almost every day. So, it would be hard to miss someone coming by as often as myself.” The main reason she looked up from her book is, because the door opening was hard to ignore. It was loud in such a quite place. 

Nodding her head to confirm she was a first year, she blinked in confusion. Why would someone avoid him? He doesn’t seem so scary. Just like any other person. Yes, the eyepatch was a bit unique but, nothing seem creepy or would cause her to avoid him. “Of course I do. Brave enough? I would like you know, I haven’t really made any friends, nor have i talked to anyone. There is no one to really prove myself too. I am just someone who likes to talk to others about common interests.”

Option Chosen: Ask him if he’s in a club.

How would she go about asking? She didn’t want him to think she came up because, she wanted him in her club. This was hard but, it was a good tactic to learn more. “Pardon me for asking, are you in any clubs?”

          “I wondered why you looked so familiar,” he mused, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. He straightens his form, the long helix ear cuff of his left ear glinting in the light. It was a little bit of a surprise to hear that the young girl had no friends. She certainly looked and sounded sweet enough — but it was true that the library was not an optimum place for friend-making.

          “It seems those with things in common certainly do dwell together.” Before he knew it, he was taken aback by the question. A few seconds passed before his nose scrunched up in irritation. “If you’re about to recruit me to the literature club or something, I’m not interested. I looked at the clubs at the start of the year and I’m not interested.”

Oh, good. He wasn’t angry or offend with her comment. This made her relax a bit more. Being a first year, she hasn’t had the time to make friends or talk to anyone. Especially since, most of her time was spent on reading and trying to get her club up and running. It took a lot of effort to try and find others who enjoyed books as much as she did. 

“A project? Perhaps I could help you out.” She spoke out with a smile. Yet, her smile soon fell and she lifted her hands up. Watching? No. Not at all. Well, actually she was but, it was out of curiosity. She never seen someone come into the library as much as she did. What course of action should she take? She can’t deny it since she did mention, she noticed he was in the normal section he visited.

                          Chosen: Tell him the truth.

“Well, you see. I guess in a sense I have. Although, it was only because I was curious. I never seen someone come into the library as much as I have. Plus, the type of books you read are a few that I enjoy myself. I didn’t mean to come off weird or anything.” The truth was always better to say even if, it might backfire and he might become irritated with her answer. It was completely honest answer. Although, perhaps she should ask if he would join her club. If he enjoyed reading, he would probably take into consideration about her Book Club.

          “You’re not...weird. I just happen to like books very much. It was enough to catch your attention, huh?” True, he never paid much attention to the others in the library, but he knew he’d seen her at least a few times before. Plucking a book from the shelf, he took a deep breath and turned towards her once again.

          “You’re a first year, aren’t you? Mostly anybody would avoid me, but you walked right up without a care in the world. Only a naive high schooler would approach me,” he told her, tilting his head slightly. “You really want to talk about books with me? I’d figure you were just looking to prove to your friends that you’re brave enough.”

She has seen him her many time before. Being someone who was very active with reading books, she couldn’t help but, notice the other who seemed to be just as interested in books. Although, she never actually spoken to him. Her curiosity peaked every time he entered. Today was different, instead of going to the normal section, he went elsewhere. Getting up from her seat, the first year had two choices.

She chose too: Approach him and introduce herself.

This could end with him not wanting to talk but, she figured as two people who liked books, it was worth a shot. Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to not be the shy mess that she normally was. “E–excuse me. I noticed you, come here often. My name is Hinami Fueguchi. I also noticed, you are not in the normal section of the library you go too. Are you trying to read more genres?” Was that wrong of her to say? What should she do? Would her comment offend him? 

          The sudden approach and words broke his concentration, and he turned towards her with a guarded look. Oh, it was a first year — the short stature and decision to approach him was evidence enough that she was new. Most of the third years and many second years avoided him, since he was ‘creepy.’ So was she being genuine or just curious?

          “I’m Kaneki. I’m looking for a book for a project.” His exposed eyes scanned over her, brows knitting in confusion before he pressed on. “Have you been watching me?”

As much as Hide appreciated Kaneki’s concern, she knew the outcome won’t be pretty.

“Okay, fine get this.. I was making my way over here when BAM! Two people came stumbling out of a bar, fighting each other! It was crazy man! I was like dodging left and right trying to avoid them but then I tripped and did a face plant.”

Yes.. much more believable!

                              “You know, you’re kind of insulting me.                               I’m supposed to be your friend and                               you’re lying to my face.”

          He’s a quiet third year that’s often seen in the library. He takes tragedies, breezes through them, and then comes back for more. By now, one would think he had read all of the books in the library. In any case, he just seemed like the stereotypical punk bad boy.

          He’s in the library again today. He’s browsing through an entirely different genre of books, something you’d never seen him do. You spent a lot of time in the library, so you saw him there at any point in time. It’s curious why he’s suddenly looking at a different section of the library.

❝ And you were just like the moon, so lonely, so full of imperfections, but just like the moon, you shined in times of darkness. ❞