So I wanted to share my interpretation of this photo of Touka.
I have seen a lot of talk how this is meant to foreshadow some sort of death with the almost rural cemetery in the background. However, I want to focus what it means in-light of recent chapters. (I have not seen this mentioned so apologies if it has already been done).
Touka is holding Kanekis mask from Tokyo ghoul and later, the mask he uses in Tokyo Ghoul:re. The Eye-patch.
Now masks, as well as being something that covers and hides the individuals identity, is also a metaphor for that person. The masks are used metaphorically to show that the person has something they are hiding. Their is a fundamental reason or complex that they do not open up to other people. For Kaneki, it was his abuse and neglect that led him to hide his emotions.
This led to Kaneki permanently wearing a mask, acting to the role he thinks is best to take. The Kaneki up till recently has been a lie, a projection of who he wants to be or who he sees he needs to be.
The reason he does this is he believes it is to protect others. However, as identified by both Hide and later relayed to Touka for herself to confirm, and confront Kaneki about, he does it for himself:
This ultimately became one of the reasons he met his demise in V14, at the end of Tokyo Ghoul. He did not rely on those that wanted to help.
So what does this have to do with the photo of Touka holding his mask?
Well, I believe it means just that, Touka removed his mask, she has in a way removed the facade he had always been holding up.
She is smiling back at him, ready to accept the man underneath the mask, the man she waited for.
This correlates with the most recent chapter, as by letting himself cry after receiving affection through making love, he is showing his true self and let his emotions show to her.
And this ultimately will help him get to the point of recovery.
