I woke up to unfamiliar surroundings. I was lying on a soft gray couch, with a light blanket draped over my body. I groaned and rolled over. My legs ached from running and there was an uncomfortable hoarseness in the back of my throat. I tried to get up, but a pounding pain erupted in the back of my skull. I squeezed my eyes shut and clasped my hands over my ears, curling into a ball.

Gradually, the thundering in my head died down, and I gingerly swung my legs over the side of the makeshift bed and sat up, observing my surroundings.

I was in a rather plain room, the only furniture in sight being the couch and a small wooden table. The light was coming through the wide window mounted behind me.

Carefully, I stood up, walking towards the door, dully aware that I wasn't wearing shoes. But I made it outside anyway, slowly padding down the stairs, towards the lively sound of people conversing.

I stalled at the base of the stairs, peeking around the corner. The shop seemed to be pretty crowded today, in comparison - at least six customers, and three employees (that is, if Hinami counts.) I had just begun to go back the way I came until she spotted me, tugging on Kaneki's sleeve. He gently set down what he was doing and walked in my direction, saying something to Touka on the way. She shot him a look and muttered something under her breath, picking up the mug and finishing Kaneki's work.

I hid behind the corner, trying to discreetly slink away, but it was too late.

"Elini!" called Hinami. "Oh, it's okay, come on out!" I flushed red and slowly turned my head to look at them.

"Good morning," greeted Kaneki. "Feeling better?" I nod. I wasn't used to people being so nice to me. I almost preferred them being mean. It was easier to handle, in a way.

"What's wrong?" asked Kaneki. I looked away.

"It's just that..." I started, trailing off. I looked up at him. "Um... well, you... know about me, right?"

He nodded understandingly.

"And... you don't care?"

"Why would I?" Kaneki replied sincerely. "Sure, I was a bit surprised, but... after all, you're still the same person I met at this shop a few days ago, right?"

His response made my brain stop in its tracks. I opened my mouth to speak, but instead, a tear streamed down my cheek. I smiled, letting more tears fall as I sank down onto the step, frantically rubbing my eyes with my oversized sweater sleeves.

"Th-thank you," I stuttered in a small, choked-up voice. I wasn't sure if they even heard me.

Just then, Hinami sat down beside me, hesitantly placing a gentle arm on my shoulders. I shied away, then gradually warmed to her touch.

Thank you, I wanted to say again, but the words got all mixed and jumbled up in my brain, so I just shut my eyes and cried some more, until my eyes felt raw from how much I had rubbed them, until my sleeves were sopping wet.

Then out of the blue, I felt warm arms around me. I stopped crying abruptly, looking up with a startled expression. Hinami had me in a warm embrace, and a few tears streamed down her own cheeks. Hesitantly, I hugged her back, putting a hand on her back.

"I bet--" she began, her eyes shining with emotion. "I bet that n-no one has every said anything nice to you b-before..." she said, fighting back sobs.

"Not really," I replied softly.

"But I'm your friend now!" Hinami concluded. "We're your friends, so there's nothing to be sad about anymore!" she stated with resolution, tilting her head up to look at me.

I smiled gently. "You don't need to... I've never had friends before, so I... I wouldn't know how."

Just then, Kaneki emitted a small laugh. "You don't beed to know how to be friends so have a friends!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. "It doesn't work like that!"

I blushed, embarrassed. "O- oh..."

"And even if you don't know, we'll teach you!" added Hinami.

I started to smile, but it died before it reached my eyes. Suddenly memories of the previous day flooded my mind once more.

"I..." I began in a shaky whisper. "I... I really can't." I lowered my head and let my hair drape over my face again. "I can't- because I have to leave. I killed two Doves, and now they know about me. I have to leave and..." I trailed off. "And cut off all ties..."

"I'm sorry..." I finished. Guilt welled within me. Somehow, I felt like I had betrayed them, my only friends. As if... before, I hadn't cared about anyone or anything, even myself. But now, I had these people, these friends, that were a part of me- and my carelessness had cost them.

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Hey reader of this book!!! Thanks for making it this far in my terrible fanfic, I guess.

Criticism is accepted so... yeah.