me: HEYO~!!! WE'RE BACK WITH THE PLAYS~!! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN!!-

Kree: (kicks me out) No, let ME explain, you ignorant author.

Uni: (pushes blackboard behind Kree)

Kree: (points to blackboard with stick she got from nowhere) There are normally two types of plays: Beginning Plays and Ending Plays. Occasionally, the Idiot comes up with a random play in the middle of the f*cking chapter.

me (from trash bin): DON'T CUSS!!

Kree: (points to innocent picture of me on blackboard) Now, these Plays began when Fire was just a wee, ignorant, little writer on fanfiction.net - not that she isn't ignorant now of course. Back then, she was writing fanfictions for an anime called Gakuen Alice.

Natsume: Yo. She doesn't own GA, of course.

Kree: Would you like to take it from here, Natsume, 3rd Member of the Fire Hate Club?

me (still in the trash bin): I TOLD YOU TO DISBAND THAT!

Natsume: Sure (takes stick from Kree) My name is Natsume Hyuuga, and I'm from Gakuen Alice. I was the first character in Fire's miserable Plays. Normally, there are two characters to begin with: Fire and a main character from the series she's creating a fanfic of. Since we're already in Chapter 7 of this miserable series-

me (still calling from the trash bin): STOP CALLING MY STUFF MISERABLE!

Natsume: -it doesn't f*cking matter.-

me: STOP CUSSING ALREADY!! AND SERIOUSLY, DID YOU LOCK THIS THING? I CAN'T GET OUT!

Uni: (smirks, holding a key)

Kree: (smirks)

Natsume: -In each Play, a new character is normally gained - and only one. Normally. It's quite random and utterly pointless. Fire thinks it's funny. In some Plays, there are characters from other series, like Kree and Uni, who are OCs.

Kree and Uni: But she doesn't own us (furrows eyes)

Rage: But you're still HER characters. Don't confuse the readers.

Kree: Rage. Are you betraying the Fire Hate Club?

Rage: I'm merely on the side of intelligence, Kree. I'm not betraying the Club.

Kree: Hmph.

Kree, Uni, Rage, and Natsume: The Beginning Play is out.

me: WHAT HAVE I SAID ABOUT SAYING THAT WITHOUT ME?!! CAN YOU GET ME OUT OF HERE ALREADY?!!

Uni: (throws away key with a smirk)

-Beginning Play Out-

Ichinose Koujimaku-boss of new research line; Taiga Narino(Tester)-red hair, green eyes; Yuki Sagaru(Recorder)- blue hair, blue eyes; Ichi Koujimaku(Supervisor)-black hair, glasses, black eyes; Hashiga Koumano(Runner)-curly red hair with a tint of pink and orange that reaches his shoulders, purple eyes

Daichi (real name=Shun Tomai), Mizu (real name=Takumi Morimu), Kuki (real name=Hiroshi Sora), Kasai (real name=Michi Konaru), Jiko (real name=Kenta Hatomi), Hakai (real name=Reidon Zeto), and finally, Hidei (real name=Ryou Itsuwaru). Most of the rules were adopted from his Master, including taping every second and sending the videos to the person who mattered most to the student. For Mizu, it was his little brother, Yuu-chan (full name=Yuuki).

Yoshimura-san had intervened and stopped our brawl before it could happen. Now I had slept though, so I was in a better mood.

Now I was playing a game with Kaneki. I'd have to focus on things like this, to help Kaneki.

"Go fish."

I drew another card.

"Um.. do you have any sevens, Hide?"

"Nope. Go fish."

Unfortunately, Kaneki wasn't branching out. Shun, Takumi, Hiroshi, Michi, Kenta, Reidon, Ryou, Touka-chan, Hinami-chan, Nishio-senpai, and Yoshimura-san were all playing with us, but Kaneki hadn't asked them once.

Maybe we should play the version where you ask the group as a whole.

But I was planning Uno next.

I picked up my phone as Shun asked Takumi. No new messages.

"Hide," Kaneki interrupted Shun midway.

"Mm?" I looked up at him.

"You keep looking at your phone. Is something wrong?"

"? Ah, no, I was just checking if I had any new messages."

"Are you expecting a text from someone?"

"Well, I texted my friends from the CCG earlier. They haven't-"

Ding-dong~

"?" we all looked at the door. We were at our place which we had gotten recently. Kaneki, Ryou, Reidon, Kenta, Michi, Hiroshi, Takumi, Shun, and I all lived here. I stood up to get the door.

"Ah! Narino-san, Sagaru-san. You didn't reply."

"Yo," Narino-san waved, "'Hope we're not intruding?"

"Have you already started without us?" Sagaru-san inquired, trying to look over my shoulder. "I was going to reply, but Taiga arrived at my house to pick me up."

"I have a car. Yuki doesn't. By the way, don't expect Ichi to arrive, and Hashiga takes a while to get ready," Narino-san walked past me.

"Ah."

"You invited these people, Hide?" Kaneki was staring up at me as we settled in, "You do love them, don't you?"

"What? Kaneki, no. But yes, I did invite them. More people, the better. Besides, you should get used to all of these people," I dealt Narino-san and Sagaru-san cards.

"You guys already have some sets," Narino-san observed, "'Puts us at a disadvantage."

"I texted you guys when we left Anteiku. You should've had enough time."

"I had to finish up my laundry before I left, and Taiga went to my house."

"Who exactly did you invite to our house, Hide?" Ryou glared at me.

"My coworkers and ex-coworkers. This is Narino Taiga," I gestured to Narino-san and then Sagaru-san, "And this is Sagaru Yuki."

"Nice to meet you," Sagaru-san nodded his head in bow.

"Yo," Narino-san leaned back a little.

"And Narino-san, Sagaru-san, you already know Kaneki. This is Touka Kirishima, Kuzen Yoshimura, Hinami Fueguchi, Nishiki Nishio, Ryou Itsuwaru- don't call him Hidei -, {I don't think I made last names for the rest of them, so} Reidon Zeto, Kenta Hatomi, Michi Konaru, Hiroshi Sora, Takumi Morimu, and finally, Shun Tomai," I gestured to each as I said their names. "Just so we're clear, they're all ghouls."

"Of course," Narino-san nodded. Sagaru-san frowned slightly, a little uncomfortable. Narino-san noticed this and wrapped his arm around Sagaru-san's shoulders, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Sagaru-san's cheeks flushed slightly, "I-I don't need protection.. They should be gentle. They must not be dangerous if the CCG isn't apprehending them."

I glanced at the ghouls, "Um, I think you're a little confused, Sagaru-san. All of the ghouls here have the potential to be dangerous. Even little Hinami-chan. But we choose not to. Well, as long as we have a handle on our anger. Nishio-senpai over there kicked me and barfed on me once."

Sagaru-san stared in horror.

"YOU WERE AWAKE, YOU LITTLE B*TCH!"

"I consider my ability to fake unconsciousness and even foaming a talented gift," I crossed my arms.

"I can properly punish Nishio-senpai now. Should I do so, Hide?"

"No, Kaneki. We're all friends here, remember?"

"I am your pet."

"..."

"I am not on even standing with any of you."

"... Let's just play the game, Kaneki."

"Okay."

"Shun, it was your turn, right?" I turned to him.

"Auh. Takumi, threes."

"Ahg! You stealer," Takumi handed him a three.

"We're going counterclockwise," I told Narino-san and Sagaru-san.

"Gotcha."

"Okay."

The game continued.

--------------------------------------

Seido-san was the next to arrive.

"Nagachika. Did you need something?" he didn't seem very happy. He'd probably dragged his feet the entire way here.

"Noh, but we're playing Go Fish. Wanna join?"

"... Nagachika, I think you've temporarily forgotten that you're a ghoul now."

"Pshaw. Don't let that stop you from a fun game of Go Fish!"

"... Nagachika.. I would really rather if I just-"

"I am not letting you skip out on this game," I pulled him in, shutting the door behind him.

"I don't wanna play Go Fish with a bunch of ghouls!"

"And how do you know it's a bunch of ghouls?!"

Narino-san was snickering, his mouth covered by his hand.

-----------------------------------

A little while later, the doorbell rang again, and I stood up once more to get it.

Mado-san and Amon-san were outside.

"You know I'm busy. Why did you request my presence before I was even finished with work?"

"Right, sorry, Mado-san, I forgot you work late. I didn't take that into account, not that I could've even if I had remembered, because I don't know your workload."

"Your message was quite vague, Nagachika. What did you need?"

"Ah, no, I don't need anything. We're playing Go Fish."

"You called us here.. for a game."

"Yep. If you don't see any value in it, I am trying to reteach Kaneki normal social skills," I walked back over and sat down, beginning to deal for two more people.

Amon-san sighed, "Akira's right; we have a lot of stuff that we could be doing.." They entered anyway and sat down to play. "I must say though, playing Go Fish with some ghouls is a first."

"Of course it is, you strict investigators," I dealt the last card.

Narino-san and Sagaru-san didn't ask Mado-san for any cards the entire game. The ghouls didn't ask either of the investigators (excluding me, Yoshimura-san, and Kaneki), but Hinami-chan seemed wary of Mado-san.

Of course, Seido-san had needed insistence to ask each time until Mado-san and Amon-san arrived. Then he just asked them.

And Touka-chan, Nishio-senpai, and Hinami-chan just wouldn't ask Seido-san either.

-------------------------

Koumano-san arrived literally two hours after I had texted him. We'd already gone through a round.

"Go Fish! My favorite," he grinned as he sat down.

"Dude, I bet you five bucks I'll win," Narino-san challenged him.

"I'll bet ten that I'LL beat YOU," Koumano-san challenged back.

"Taiga, you know Hashiga is the king of Go Fish. Take it back," Sagaru-san suggested warily.

"No. Way. I'll beat you this time, Hashiga. Ten bucks it is." Koumano-san smirked.

----------------------------

In the end, the ranking was as followed:

Mado-san

Me

Kaneki

Yoshimura-san

Yomo-san

Koumano-san

Kenta

Reidon

Ryou

Narino-san

Hinami-chan

Michi

Shun

Touka-chan

Nishio-senpai

Amon-san

Hiroshi

Takumi

Seido-san

Sagaru-san

"Strange, I texted Juuzou and Shinohara-san," I glanced at my phone once more.

"Shinohara-san is probably busy with Juuzou." {Amon}

"WHA?!! HOW WAS I BEAT?!! I DEMAND A RECOUNT! OR YOU CHEATED!" {Koumano}

"DUDE, THAT CHICK IS CLEARLY THE QUEEN OF GO FISH! AND NAGACHIKA'S THE NEW KING! AND THE NUTTY ONE, THE OLD GUY, AND THE QUIET ONE ARE GOOD TOO!" {Narino}

"Tch! I didn't beat Hide or Kaneki." {Ryou}

"Haha, I beat you, Nishiki." {Touka}

"Grrr.." {Nishio}

"That was a fun game, wasn't it?" Yoshimura-san smiled.

"You're amazing, Hide." {Kaneki}

"Wow, I beat Onee-chan." {Hinami}

"Oh come on!! How come I'm at the bottom?! And I didn't beat Mado either.."

"Pretty fun though, huh?" I stacked up the cards. "You guys wanna play Uno now?"

They all complained. Seemed like they were pretty tired.

--------------------------

We kept on having games like that after work (although sometimes some of them weren't there), and I saw real improvement in Kaneki.

Although Seido-san hadn't come once after that one time.

"? What are you doing, Takumi?" I looked over Takumi's shoulder. We recently got my computer back from the CCG (they'd looked at everything I had on it), but now Takumi was using it.

They do know it's my personal computer, right?

"None of your business," he murmured back.

"Actually, it is my business because that's MY computer you're using." He glared at me.

Regardless of his wishes, I started to read the screen.

"? Why are you on FaceMovie, Takumi?"

"Sh*t the h*ll up."

"..." I stared. My eyes saddened as I recognized the person whose profile he was on. "Takumi.. you should cut all ties. You know that. That means you shouldn't be doing this."

He gritted his teeth, "Like you're the boss of me."

"I'm not, but I am the boss of that computer, so get off. And it's a suggestion. You can choose to ignore, but you and I both know it's a fact you should hear and listen to. You could get hurt."

"Tch. It's my choice. You have no idea how much he meant to me. I'm worried about him."

"So you think talking to your parent anonymously is a good answer?"

"F*ck you. She posts a lot on her feed, so I get updates about Yuu-chan. I don't say anything. I don't even like anything. I don't do anything but look."

"And if you're caught, Takumi?"

"... You already have the CCG at bay. It'll be fine."

"Takumi, if you cause problems, the deal is off."

"Hmph. I'm merely checking up on my brother. Don't I have a right to? Mom made it sound like my status had really hurt him.. I was worried if there were any effects."

"You mean if he had anything like PTSD or some other mental illness from it."

"... Not.. not that severe.. I'm sure it's not that severe, if there is any.. effect."

"... Takumi, Kaneki meant - Kaneki means," I corrected myself with a shake of my head, "-a lot to me. When I got those videos, it scared me. A lot. And I tried my best to get him back."

"What are you trying to say? You still have Kaneki, so what does it matter? You don't understand what it's like to be-" he stopped when I gave him a dark glare.

"Don't EVER say I don't know what it's like to be away from the one you love. I know that feeling well. And I know how irresistible it is to try your best to follow them, track them down. That's not what I was trying to get across. For that, you should probably look to the others. I doubt they're trying to contact the person they're closest to."

"..."

"Anyway, what I was trying to say before you interrupted me was, and I know this is hard, but, clearly the people you all were close to.. didn't really care for you. For me, it didn't matter that Kaneki was a ghoul. I was that close to him. It didn't matter - it still doesn't matter - that he's mentally unstable and needs a lot of healing and time.

"I know this is hard, but if your families didn't even try to look for you.. they clearly didn't care for you. And if they shunned you for being a ghoul - or even just for being kidnapped - then you should just forget about them because they don't care for you. It's only mutual. 'Their loss, too. You shouldn't associate with people who don't care for you. Simple matter of nature."

"... None of the people I hang around now care for me."

"... Takumi. I know maybe it doesn't feel like it, but we do value your feelings. We're the type of people you should be hanging around," I rubbed his back, "Even Kaneki. I know it really doesn't seem like it, but trust me. I know Kaneki better than anyone. And Anteiku wouldn't help you if they didn't care for you. Everyone you've been hanging around, we all care for you."

"..."

"If someone doesn't care for you - and you'll know, even if you try to deny it - then you should break it off. That is the one situation where you should break ties."

"And what about coworkers? Do your coworkers care for you?"

"... Most do, I think. I'm still alive, aren't I? But yeah, there are a few who don't care for me. In which case I don't get close to them, just as they non-verbally ask. ... Unfortunately, there are a few who don't like me anymore because of my new.. situation. But if they don't want me around.. I guess I'll just wait for them to adapt. Ghouls won't be feared or hated soon, Takumi," I put my hand on his shoulder, "We just need to wait."

"..."

"Now, will you please get off my computer?"

"..." he gave me an ill stare, but he left nonetheless.

---------------------------------

"G*D D*MN IT, KANEKI, SH*T THE F*CK UP!!"

I groaned, wrapping my pillow around my head to block out the noises.

I was so sick of this. Every d*mn night too!

Kaneki didn't appear to even hear Ryou, just continuing to rut against the life-sized doll we'd made together a few days ago. (I couldn't sleep when he was rutting against me, as if the yelling and other noises weren't annoying enough, so I'd decided to make a doll of myself with him. Luckily, Kaneki hadn't rutted against me in the middle of the night since.)

But even if he was preoccupied with something that wasn't really me, that didn't mean I still didn't lose sleep over his.. activities.

The door slammed open with an angry, sleep-deprived Ryou. He stomped over.

"SH*T. THE F*CK. UP!" Ryou yanked the covers off us both. "!!" he was alarmed when I sat up.

But what was he expecting?

HE JUST. F*CKING. TOOK. MY. BLANKET.

HE IS SO GONNA BE 'PUNISHED' FOR THAT.

-------------------------------------------

"I'm beginning to think maybe Hide and Kaneki should get their own place," the Rabbit skeptically squinted, "You guys keep coming in injured. Or at least, you do, Ryou."

"Call me Itsuwaru, you b*tch. Better yet, add an honorific. We don't know each other well," I spit out some blood.

Hide sure was rough. At least when he got angry, that is.

"You don't even call me by my name- why should I call you by what you want to be called?"

"Hmph. Kirishima," I said foully. For whatever reason (maybe it was too long), I just didn't like her name. It was too long. Especially with an honorific.

"Itsuwaru. Have you asked Hide to get a different place?"

"Hmph. What we need is f*cking soundproof walls. That idiot Kaneki just keeps rutting in the middle of the night, making the most obscene noises. I already f*cking having nightmares, and his constant, real screams just make it worse."

"A different place would also fix that while Hide's working on Kaneki's behavior."

"I don't know how that idiot can sleep through all that," I scoffed. "And I d*mn sure would like to live far f*cking away from Kaneki. I asked for it in the beginning. But that idiot Hide keeps saying the CCG made it a deal that we seven have to sleep with a 'supervisor' or some sh*t. You're lucky, Rabb-Kirishima. They aren't wanting to supervise YOU."

She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think I'm not being supervised?"

"Duh, you aren't living with dipsh*t Hide."

"For your information, Itsuwaru, I live with Hinami under cameras from the CCG. The only place where you won't be seen in my house now is the bathroom, but there is a camera right in front of the bathroom. In other words, they'll know every second me or Hinami go anywhere. There are also cameras in Anteiku and the other Anteiku ghouls' houses. It's part of the deal, Itsuwaru, and if you don't like it, you can march your sassy a** right to the CCG and ask for death. I don't like this anymore than you do, but we have to deal with it. Hide is working really hard to keep us out of harm's way from the CCG. This is the best course of action."

"... Hmph. Can't I live ANYWHERE besides that f*cking house?"

"Maybe we can talk that over with Hide later. But are you comfortable with living with cameras watching your every move?"

"! ... Well.. it's better than having to wake up to Kaneki's obscene noises."

"Then yeah, I think Hide could arrange something for you. But he probably thought you guys wouldn't want to be under a camera's watch every passing moment. Anyway, get to work already. You're all healed up now." I rubbed my cheek with the back of my hand.

Still a little sore, but yeah, I'm healed from Hide's revenge.

That turd gets angry over the stupidest things.

--------------------

"You know.." {Narino}

"Hmn?" I mumbled absently.

"You have some serious bags right there, man." I slowly turned my head to him, and he gulped, quickly looking away. "Never mind."

"... Koumano-san, can I have 10 milligrams of stomach acid please?"

"Sure thing, Nagachika," Koumano-san hopped off the counter (finally) and left.

"How many times have I told him to get off the counter?" I inquired absently, returning to my work. Truth be told, I didn't f*cking need anything.

"I think it was five times today, Hide." {Kaneki}

"And it's only f*cking how long into the f*cking day?"

"Um, five minutes?"

"F*cking b*tch can't take a f*cking warning. It's dangerous to sit up there like that!" I complained.

"I know you care, Hide," Kaneki rubbed my arms. I sighed and lightly pushed him off. "?"

I stirred the ingredients in the small bowl until they were one, single liquid. I wafted the smell towards my nose, sniffing. I crinkled my nose.

"Something's still iffy."

Narino-san groaned, "Oh come on, Nagachika, we have literally been just sitting here for, like, weeks! You just keep experimenting! At this rate, I'm NEVER gonna get to do my job!"

Sagaru-san laughed nervously, "W-We'll get there, Taiga."

"He's right, be patient," I snapped, "I want to make sure this is as perfect as I can get it before I try it on anyone! If you wanna do something, make yourself useful and play a game with Kaneki or something!"

"Aw, but Hide-"

"No buts, Kaneki. You need to relearn social skills. This is a perfect chance. Get some Uno cards or something, Narino-san."

"You kidding me? Koumano's the Runner, not me." I glared at him. "Eek! O-Okay!" he ran off.

Sagaru-san chuckled a little, still clearly nervous, "N-Nagachika-san, maybe you could be a little bit kinder..? You seem stressed and tired. You ought to-"

"How the f*ck can I get sleep when they keep babbling at night, huh? Tell me that!" I snapped, and Sagaru-san went quiet. "Every, f*cking, night! G*d d*mn it!"

"I'm sorry, Hide."

"It's not just you! Ryou just can't f*cking deal with it!" I stirred rapidly, almost breaking my mixing tool, "I mean, G*d d*mn it, learn to ignore some things! It happens every f*cking night, the same f*cking way! Let us f*cking sleep!!"

Crack!

I looked at my bowl.

"F*cking wooden f*ck things, can't f*cking-"

"I-I'm back-"

"DON'T YOU F*CKING DARE GET ON THAT F*CKING COUNTER, YOU PIECE OF SH*T."

"."

"GET ME A PACK OF UNO!" I pointed to the door.

"O-Okay!" he ran off.

"But didn't you make Taig-" {Yuki}

Intense glare.

". Sorry," he squeaked.

-------------------------

"What was the next f*cking ingredient?"

"Um, next you had put in some RC cells?"

I looked at Sagaru-san weird. "Did I really?"

"... Yes?"

"What the f*ck?" I mumbled under my breath, "Was I trying to make something to make a ghoul eat something other than flesh or something to make a ghoul not need to f*cking eat?"

"..." Sagaru-san fidgeted awkwardly.

| / _

"Ah.. I-I'm sorry. I haven't been getting good sleep lately," I sighed, putting the bowl down.

"That much is obvi-sorry." {Narino}

"Hide, I know some ways to-"

"Stop. No, Kaneki. Just be silent, okay? Sit in the corner."

"."

"Good boy." I took a deep breath, clasping my hands behind my head. "F*ck."

"U-Um.."

"Yea?" I got a little annoyed.

"I.. I.. Maybe I could help you relax?"

"Oh, f*ck yeah, Yuki's the f*cking best at relaxing people," Narino-san so helpfully commented, but he went quiet at my glare.

I sat down in one of the chairs. "I'm sorry. Really. But I don't need help relaxing, thanks."

"Are you sure?" Sagaru-san cocked his head so very innocently, making me twitch. That look reminded me of the old, black-haired Kaneki. I gulped.

"Yeah. I'm sure," I replied. My throat was dry.

F*ck. I'm so f*cking tired. And I got a serious case of homesickness clearly.

"M-Maybe I do need a break.." my eyes softened slightly.

With those seven and Kaneki and me.. it's been really rough.

Unbeknownst to me, Narino-san's eyes glinted, and he whispered to Sagaru-san, who nodded along. He looked at Narino-san with wide eyes once he was finished speaking.

I wasn't aware that there was already a plan in motion.

-Ending Play-

me: fufufufu, do you know what they're planning? I'm sure you don't~!!

Natsume: Senseless idiot.

Kree: That she is, that she is.

me: Jerks..

Hide: umm... where am I..?

me: Hide! Welcome, Hide, welcome! Welcome to my beloved and well-known-

Kree and Uni: Pfft

me: -Ending Play! Now if you'd please excuse me (bows and chases after Kree and Uni)

Hide: Huh..

Rage: (stares)

Hide: ? Is there something on my face?

Rage: (looks away)

Hide: ? ? (confused) Well, it's nice to meet you, um..

Rage: You have no business knowing my name.

Hide: ..? Okay, Mr. You have no business knowing my name. My name is Hideyoshi Nagachika, but please, call me Hide.

Rage: ...

Hide: ...?

Rage (stoically): The Ending Play is out.

Hide: ???

-Ending Play Out-

Ichinose Koujimaku-boss of new research line; Taiga Narino(Tester)-red hair, green eyes; Yuki Sagaru(Recorder)- blue hair, blue eyes; Ichi Koujimaku(Supervisor)-black hair, glasses, black eyes; Hashiga Koumano(Runner)-curly red hair with a tint of pink and orange that reaches his shoulders, purple eyes

Daichi (real name=Shun Tomai), Mizu (real name=Takumi Morimu), Kuki (real name=Hiroshi Sora), Kasai (real name=Michi Konaru), Jiko (real name=Kenta Hatomi), Hakai (real name=Reidon Zeto), and finally, Hidei (real name=Ryou Itsuwaru). Most of the rules were adopted from his Master, including taping every second and sending the videos to the person who mattered most to the student. For Mizu, it was his little brother, Yuu-chan (full name=Yuuki).