Genre: Fluff
Status: Not Edited
Requested by: h-a-i-s-e

"Would you like to go to the bookstore with me?"

Words couldn't explain how gleeful you were when Kaneki had asked you that question. It was actually funny how words couldn't explain your happiness, but your insides could. Your heart pounded against your chest, your throat became dry, and the heat you felt made all of your limbs feel oddly numb. Yet, this was just how your body felt. On the outside, you plainly agreed to go with him.

Whether he asked you on a date was the only thing that confused you. You and Kaneki weren't lovers, so him asking you out on a date sounded ridiculous to you. However, that was what you thought before something unnatural happened.

You had a great time at the spacious bookstore. Spending your time with him was really entertaining. Being the shy person he was, he oddly socialized with you more than usual, and a smile never left his face ever since the two of you began the search for fascinating books.

After the two of you bought your books and received them in a paper bag, you two stopped by the café that was in the huge bookstore. Taking a seat near the exit, you set the paper bag under the table.

"I'll buy our drinks. What would you like, [Name]?"

"Cappuccino would be nice." Nodding at your response, he left the table to wait in line. When you took out your book out of the paper bag and flipped through the pages, you sensed someone on Kaneki's seat.

With your eyes leaving the black printed words and glancing at the person in front of you, a confused expression was visible on your face. "May I help you, sir?"

The stranger chuckled before he seductively whispered, "You can help me under the sheets if you know what I mean?"

Your face grimaced into a look of distaste. "What the hell?"

While you were dealing with the flirty and persistent stranger, Kaneki continued to dig his nails through the cup made out of cardboard. You didn't notice his gray eyes were piercing the man's back like millions of knives. Although he felt tremendous rage building inside of him, he wasn't brave enough to stand up for you.

At that moment, when the man decided to forcefully hold your hand, Kaneki decided to end this horrendous scene.

"So, what's someone like you doing here alone?" He purred while you tried your best to be free from his grasp.

"Excuse me." A sigh of pure relief escaped your lips when you recognized the reassuring voice. In front of you, stood Kaneki with his hand clutching the man's shoulder with a cup of coffee on the other hand.

"What do you want, scrub?" Kaneki flinched at the man's deadly tone, and his grip loosened on his shoulder.

"I w-want you to stop bothering my friend." Crap, he stuttered.

The man got up from the chair and hovered over the frightened Kaneki. "And what's a scrub like you gonna do- AHHH!" Your eyes widened at Kaneki's action.

Kaneki had purposely splashed the cappuccino on the man's face.

While the man wiped the hot substance off of his face, Kaneki took the opportunity to grab your hand and run out the exit. Running through the parking lot and hiding behind one of the cars, Kaneki held you close to him as if you were a pillow. After a long while of what seemed like safety, Kaneki worriedly focused his attention on you.

"Did he hurt you?" You shook your head, signaling that you were not in pain whatsoever.

"Thank goodness..." Kaneki closed his eyelids and slumped over like he was exhausted from that situation.

"I didn't think you would do something like that." You were still shocked that Kaneki would take an unbelievable risk just for your safety.

"I did it without thinking, but men like him are disgraceful," he sneered when he couldn't forget how the man disgustingly flirted with you. Kaneki really didn't appreciate the man's actions.

"Thank you, K-" You couldn't finish your sentence when he instantly embraced your body. His soft, black hair tickled the side of your neck and the warmth of his skin contacting yours caused your brain to completely shut down.

"As long as you're unharmed, that's the only thing that matters to me."