Days passed in a blur of quiet routines and fleeting glances. Working at Anteiku became almost second nature, and despite Touka's constant reminders of my supposed idiocy, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of comfort. Kaneki came and went, always quiet, always pensive, but something about his presence made the air feel lighter.
One evening, while I was wiping down the tables, Touka slid a cup of coffee in front of me. "You've been spacing out all day," she muttered. "Something on your mind?"
I looked at her, surprised. "Just... thinking. About everything."
She raised an eyebrow. "That's new."
I gave her a half-hearted glare, and she almost smiled. Almost.
"You've been fighting more," she noted, her tone sharper now. "You're reckless."
I hesitated. "I don't know why, but every time I feel that rush... it's like my body moves on its own. The power just flows through me."
"You'll get yourself killed if you keep relying on instincts," she snapped. "Power without control is just suicide."
Her words struck deeper than I expected. I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up. "Then teach me," I said suddenly.
Touka's eyes widened, caught off guard. "What?"
"Teach me how to fight like you do," I repeated. "If I'm going to survive in this world, I can't just hope my powers will carry me. I need to learn how to actually fight."
She hesitated, glancing away. "It's not that simple... You don't even know what you are yet."
I forced a smile. "Maybe not. But I know I'm not useless. And I'm not running away."
Silence hung between us, tension threading the air. Finally, Touka sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Fine," she muttered. "Meet me on the rooftop tonight."
As night fell, I made my way to the rooftop, my heart pounding. Touka was already there, her silhouette framed by the glow of the city lights. I approached cautiously, and she glanced over her shoulder.
"You're late," she said dryly.
"Had to make sure Yoshimura didn't need anything," I replied.
She just rolled her eyes before straightening. "First lesson—your stance. You're too rigid. Stay loose, ready to move."
We spent hours going through the basics—how to pivot, how to read your opponent's movements, how to conserve energy. Despite her harsh words, Touka's guidance was sharp and precise, never letting up. My muscles burned, sweat drenching my shirt, but I didn't complain.
Finally, as dawn painted the sky, she called for a break. We sat side by side, catching our breaths. Touka looked away, her cheeks flushed—not just from the training.
"You're not terrible," she admitted begrudgingly.
I smirked. "High praise coming from you."
She shot me a glare, but it lacked her usual venom. After a moment, she spoke softly, almost hesitant. "Why do you keep pushing yourself like this?"
The question caught me off guard. I glanced at her, debating how honest I should be. "Because... I don't want to be weak. Not in this world. Not around you."
Her eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she might punch me. But instead, she just looked at the horizon, lips pressed tightly together.
"Idiot," she whispered, though there was no real anger in it.
A new notification flashed before my eyes.
[Training Completed. Combat Proficiency increased by 8. Stamina increased by 5. Relationship Status with Touka: Improved.]
As the city came to life below us, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe surviving wasn't just about fighting. Maybe it was about finding something—or someone—worth fighting for.