Third person POV
Ono Nike, Kobayashi Yushin, and Goto Yuta. Yuki's three found suspects of causing chaos around the school and community. There wasn't complete proof that the three were the possible ghouls causing trouble, but this mission wasn't expected to be a one day process.

Still Yuki was pretty lucky on gaining a lead with predators easily becoming prey and coming to her. She didn't have to search and question people to find her targets.

Unfortunately, little did she know that she overestimated herself and the mission.

"Hi Fujita! My friend and I just wanted to welcome you to the class! I am Fumiko Hanaka, the female class representative! This is Melody Haruka! She's half American and she is kinda super shy!" Fumiko energetically introduced, a wide smile plastered onto her face.

Yuki hesitated, almost forgetting her undercover name, but quickly drew on a smile for the act.

"Oh, hello! As you heard, I'm Fujita Niko. Please just call me Niko!"

"Woah~! Your smile is so elegant! I think you would be the most gorgeous girl here at this school!" Fumiko gleamed. "Can I touch your hair? It looks super smooth!"

"Go ahead!" Yuki smiled. "You can also touch my hair too, Melody!"

"A-ah, o-okay... Thank you..." Melody awkwardly bowed.

"Your black hair is so much more pretty than my brown hair~! I am so jelly! What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use? Are you wearing makeup? Your skin is so clear and porcelain like! Omg! Your eyes are so beautiful!" Fumiko exclaimed.

'OMG LORD! SAVE ME FROM THIS  GIRL!' Yuki hid her annoyance.

"Th-thank you, but you flatter me too much!" Yuki sweat dropped.

"Hm~. So, have you three heard of a ghoul possibily attending our school? I read the CCG's article last night and it relates to the ghoul 'X'!" Fumiko yawned, waving her hands.

"......" Melody nodded her head, her hands fumbling with her own dirty blonde hair.

"X?" Yuki raised an eyebrow.

'Is that the ghoul's name...? I can't believe Amon and Mado didn't inform me of the ghoul's name. Their names should be one of the most important thing to know in order for an investigator to recognize their opponent.'

"Yeah! This ghoul only goes after girls and when their bodies are found, they have a large X mark over their faces or chest! The ghoul must be some perverted guy!" Fumiko scoffed.

'I didn't know this either... An 'X' mark.' Yuki perked up.

"Oh shut up Fumiko." Nike broke into the conversation, slamming his fist onto Yuki's desk to separate her from the two girls.

"Hey! How dare you interrupt our girl talk?" Fumiko pouted as Melody hid behind her from Nike's scary glare.

"Hah? Talking about ghouls is not girl talk! Plus, didn't the teacher ask for you to collect and bring all of the math notebooks, Miss Representative?" Nike smirked, waving his notebook in front of Fumiko.

"Hmph! Fine!" Fumiko stood up and harshly grabbed the notebook, turning her back away with Melody following after her. "Hey Niko, tell me if Nike bothers you, alright?"

"Hm? Sure, thanks." Yuki nodded her head.

"You shouldn't hang around with her." Nike yawned.

"And that was what a couple of other classmates told me about you, so your argument is pointless." Yuki smirked, resting her chin onto the back of her hand.

"Shut up." Nike hissed.

"Hello Niko-chan~!" Yuta jogged into the class, tackling Yuki with a warm hug with a wide smile.

"Behave yourself Yuta. You're going to make her feel uncomfortable." Yushin chuckled.

"It's fine haha. I also like to give bear hugs!" Yuki giggled.

"Your arms looks too thin to do such thing." Nike retorted, earning a solid punch from Yuki. Clearly, she proved him wrong since he crippled his way down to the floor. The two other boys whistled in amusement.

"Everyone only seems to be talking about the ghoul mishap around this school." Yuki mentioned, scanning the class with students showing each other news articles and videos of the crime.

"... Yeah. Apparently, the police can't find a lead as to who the ghoul is." Yushin said.

"It's kinda scary for me to transfer suddenly to a new school with this topic ya know? I've heard that girls of this school have been going missing and being found dead!" Yuki explained, sheepishly playing with her hair like some sweet and innocent girl. She over exaggerated her gesture with her hand to her chest, immediately laughing at herself.

"Tch! That's stupid! Those girls are just weak!" Nike scoffed, arms crossed.

"Hey! Not all girls are weak you idoit!" Yuki argued, earning a 'Fine, whatever' from Nike.

"It's quite unfortunate for girls to be the only target~!" Yuta whistled.

"Yes, it is unfortunate for such young girls to have been victims of ghouls. I believe there were ten victims found in total." Yushin said, eyes genuinely hurt which made Yuki know that he was speaking the truth.

"Ten?! I heard there were only five!" Yuki gasped, 'surprised'.

"One of victims used to sit in the seat you are sitting on right now!" Nike said.

"Is it too late to transfer now? Ahaha..." Yuki joked, a sweat drop trailing down the side of her face.

"Yep! Too late~!" Yuta gave a goofy smile.

"Hey, what do you three think about ghouls?" Yuki questioned, head resting onto her raised palm with a curious expression.

"... I think ghouls are misunderstood." The three males responded simultaneously.

"Is that so..." Yuki uncertainty whispered.

"Say, wanna go to a cafe after school? Like Anteiku!" Yuta exclaimed, expression becoming brighter like a child getting all excited over a new toy or going out to get some ice cream.

"Sounds good to me. I love the smell of coffee and the atmosphere there!" Yushin grinned handsomely, making Yuki internally squeal.

"Coffee~! Coffee~!" Yuta gleamed, drool at the corner of his mouth.

"Shut up Yuta! You're so god damn loud!" Nike scoffed, annoyed. "Yo Niko! Come join us three at Anteiku!"

"M-me?" Yuki nervously questioned, thinking of as many possibilities of benefits and downfalls in her head if she does agree to go.

'If I go, I may be able to find out more to them and their relations to the mission, but it's Anteiku! I know the staff there and vice versa! Ken works there! I'll bring trouble for them and if they recognize me, it would foil my mission! Will this disguise work though?Hmm... I may be victimized tonight by them too if I agree to their invitation. Well... This is a job of a ghoul investigator.'

"Um. Who else in here is named Niko?" Nike scoffed.

"Pft, I'll go! I can't wait!" Yuki grinned, scanning the three males with her deceiving eyes.

"Well, Yuta and I will start heading back to our classes. We'll meet you two at the school gates after school." Yushin smiled, leaving with a skipping boy whose face held glee, only and ever will hold that.

"Niko... You're totally one of us now, ya know."

"What do you mean by that...?" Yuki whispered loudly enough for him to hear. Her brain was unsure of how to comprehend those words. Plus, she had only just met the three today, so why the strange choice of words?

*Ring ring*

"Nothing. I'll talk about it later, stupid~!" Nike smirked, walking away to his desk.

'.... I would tell him off sooo bad, but that would blow my cover! I go to one of the damn top universities ever!' Yuki snapped her pencil in half.

Yuki
Amon. I'll be going to Anteiku with the suspects. They invited me, so I'm assuming that I'll be victimized, but I'll need backup from you and Mado. I'll look into the case more while on this date of three. I'll try dragging them around town to find a more private place for our ambush too. Just keep an eye out on me~! ☆〜ゝ。∂

Amon
Will do. Now please just focus in class to help that brain of yours.

Yuki
You want to fight me mate?! I graduated high school! I go to one of the best darn universities ever!! Well, that is if I didn't take on this job... Poo~ I'm smart~ (ㆀ˘з˘)

There was no response after she sent her message, forcing her to groan mentally as she doodled in her notebook.

'I could guide them towards some alley way or dark street, but how will I do so? Should I say that my house is that way? How can I be so sure that they are ghouls and not delinquents?' Yuki thought, tapping her pencil to the desk.

"Hm...?" Yuki hummed quietly, her attention being drawn in.

'What's this?! Nike is taking notes?! His eyes keep going from the board to his notebook! He looks so into the lesson! Gasp! All of those otome games prove wrong to his character!' Yuki internally gasped, expression showing pure shock.

'What is this feeling? I feel this heavy chain on my heart... This is no good. I shouldn't be feeling this way on a mission!' Yuki internally sighed, barely listening to the teacher's lecture.
—————

"Waaahh! I'm so excited~! This is our first date with Niko-chan~~!" Yuta exclaimed, practically jumping within each step.

"Pft! Usually I'd think that you three would go on plenty of dates with other girls!" Yuki giggled, secretly hoping to find out if they do bring out other girls after school to determine more whether or not her suspicions were correct.

"You're actually the only girl who has joined us after school!" Yushin stated, actually shocking Yuki.

"Is that so..." Yuki awkwardly responded, shocked at how relieved she sounded.

"Ah! We're here~!" Yuta exclaimed happily, hurriedly rushing the others to go into the cafe.

'Oh dear god... Please help me! I sure do hope those in Anteiku would not recognize me!' Yuki pleaded and cried in her thoughts while trying to hide her anxiousness as she entered the coffee shop.

"Wel-...! Welcome!" Touka greeted the four, taken aback by Yuki as she entered the cafe. She didn't fully recognize the girl, but saw a strong resemblance of familiarity.

The boys nodded and greeted Touka with a known smile and seated themselves by the window. Yuki cautiously yet casually looked around the cafe secretly and outside the glass window. She internally sighed and kept a smile on the outside.

"Us three gentlemen will be paying for our drinks. So Niko, go ahead and order whatever drink you'd like." Yushin stated, smiling gently.

"Really? Are you sure? I can pay for myself."

'Plus, stop treating me so nicely! You'll only end up dying if you three are really the ghouls I'm targeting...' Yuki thought, struggling to keep up her smiling face.

"Tch! I won't mind paying this time!" Nike scoffed, arms crossed as he rolled his eyes.

"May I take your.... order?" The voice of a young male approached the four. A male with black hair and a white clothed eyepatch who looked confused as he eyed Yuki for a quick second.

'NEPWJHEIENWLWL! F*CK!' Yuki screamed in her head, sweat dropping furiously. She sighed mentally and kept her calm smile on the outside.

'It's fine! It's fine! Ken won't recognize me, right?! Haha........ Ugh! I need to be more professional!' Yuki internally slapped herself, ready to say her order.

"I'd like to have the regular iced coffee with cream and chocolate drizzle please! Oh! Also a strawberry shortcake please!" Yuki smiled, but instantly remembered that she'd usually order this drink whenever she goes to a cafe .

'... She looks exactly like Yuki in a way— This scent! It has to be Yuki! But if that is—!!!! Is she undercover....?' Kaneki panicked, facial expression crookedly awkward.

"O-of course! I'll be right back with your drinks and dessert!" Kaneki left after bowing and immediately disappeared into the kitchen with a sweating face.

"Hey... Are you sure you're alright with getting the strawberry shortcake?" Nike asked, eyebrows knitted towards the center.

"Hm? I can pay for the cake if you want." Yuki stated, hands intertwined with each other as the other two males eyed Yuki oddly.

'Why are they looking at me with concerned eyes????' Yuki nervously thought.

Kaneki shortly came back with the four coffees that the high schoolers ordered and handed Yuki her single cake. He bowed once more and quickly took a glance at Yuki before leaving back to the kitchen.

"... Touka!" Kaneki called out in a hush, holding the tray close to his chest.

"What the hell do you want?" Touka gave a long sigh, preparing a sandwich for a customer.

"Th-that girl! With the three high schoolers! That's Yuki, my sister, right?! That's her?!" Kaneki frantically and worriedly questioned.

"S-shut up! Why are you asking me if I can recognize your own twin?!" Touka scoffed. "But... That girl has to be Yuki. She shouldn't be with those three guys regardless though." Touka finished making the sandwich, teeth gritted.

"... They're ghouls too, aren't they?"

"Yeah. They go to my school. They're physically strong too. One punch from them would break your bones since you're so thin."

"I think that was unnecessary to say..." Kaneki sweat dropped. "Well... I suppose Yuki is undercover right now since she recently became a ghoul investigator...." Kaneki sorrowfully said, heart being pulled into two opposite directions.

"*Sigh*... Just get back to work..." Touka said, avoiding eye contact as she exited the kitchen with a plate in hand.

".... Yuki..." Kaneki whispered quietly, a sharp pain digging into his chest.
—————

"Waaah~! That cake was so tasty~!" Yuki grinned widely, ear to ear as she patted her stomach. "That iced coffee was the best~!" She cheered.

"Yep yep! Coffee coffee~!" Yuta cheered with Yuki as they crossed arms over each other's shoulders, skipping in circles like silly goofs.

"Oh geez. Another kid to babysit!" Nike scoffed again, rolling his eyes at how childish the two are acting. Yushin gently chuckled with his princely tone.

"*Punch* Come and catch me Nike~!" Yuta grinned, running down the street and taking a sharp turn around the corner.

"COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE SH*T!" Nike chased after Yuta as the other two slowly followed behind. But little did the group know that they weren't in a very nice neighborhood.

"Niko... Please stay with us three. It's much safer for you to stay with us and sticking with your own kind is smarter. Plus, we can use someone like you to brighten up our group. Especially Nike— He's a bit rude and rowdy, but he's been through worse than us two guys. Plus, he can be dependable and caring when it comes to us and I think you caught his interest." Yushin gave a small and thoughtful smile, watching Nike and Yuta chase each other like little ducks.

".... Wow... I just met you guys today and I made that much of an impact?" Yuki breathed in nervously, feeling a horrible sensation in her stomach.

"Of course! Your personality and humor suits perfectly for our group and you're unique. I'm really glad that you decided to join us after school."

"...... I'm also happy that I came out to join you guys too..." Yuki let a smile slip out of her mouth, naturally smiling along with the bubbling joy in her heart.

'Wait. Shit. Why. I shouldn't be feeling like this! This is a mission! Ugh! I don't feel so well... But he just thanked and appreciated me being here with them... And I smiled genuinely, meaning that I actually like it here with them... I'm horrible...' Yuki's genuine and happy smile gradually dropped to a bitter smile. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the faces of the three younger boys. She grimaced inside, feeling the sensation in her stomach worsen and crouched down.

"Niko, are you feeling alright? Did the cake get to you?" Yuta and Nike jogged back to the other two, surrounding Yuki with concerned eyes.

"H-huh? Cake?" Yuki questioned, disregarding that the cake would have done anything to her wellbeing.

"Yeah. I don't think that's healthy for you." Nike bluntly blurted out.

"I'm not gonna get fat you shithead." Yuki spat out, offended by his unintentional "You're gonna gain calories" statement.

"That's not what I meant!" He retorted and growled back.

"Niko... You know ghouls aren't suppose to eat human food right? You don't have to push yourself to such lengths when you're with us." Yuta wore a sincere expression that was overall just a very casual face.

*HEARTBEAT DROP*

"... E.... Eh.....?" Yuki whispered out loud, her breath hitching and her eyes wide and blank with her mouth left parted.

"Why the hell do you look so confused?!" Nike scoffed, arms crossed. "No need to hide it from us. You may have a very weird scent, but I can tell that you're not human."

"Niko... Is it that you don't your own identity?" Yushin asked, eyebrows knitted.

"I-I... I! Kyah!" Yuki bolted up, but so happened to slip on her own self and tumbled into the alleyway from her fright. (How convenient for her and the alleyway to be in perfect placement~)

"I! I don't know what you're talking about!" Yuki screamed, holding one hand over her face.

'Does that mean that they are the ghouls who have been committing these crimes?! They didn't attack me because they THINK I'm a ghoul, right?! It's them! But why?! I'm human! I'm human! They're wrong! There's no proof that I'm a ghoul! But, I can't kill them! I can't! After all of that, I just can't!'

"Niko! Chill out! You're starting to hyperventilate!" Nike shouted, grabbing Yuki by the shoulders.

'Hyperventilating?! Since when was I hyperventilating?! When did I start crying?!' Yuki screamed in her thoughts, mind jumbled in a huge mess.

"Go away... GO AWAY!" Yuki gritted her teeth, not knowing where exactly Mado and Amon was at, but she so desperately hoped for them to not be present sooner or later.

"What do you mean?! Are you pushing us away because you think we are monsters?!" Nike shouted at Yuki.

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU THREE! LEAVE AND NEVER COMMIT THOSE CRIMES AGAIN!" Yuki shouted as her eyes shook and complimented her crooked grin.

"Crimes?!" Yuta exclaimed, confused and speechless of how his image of first meeting Yuki can end up so unstable such as now.

"Ah! Niko!" Something clicked into Yushin's mind, connecting some puzzle pieces to what he can understand. "We didn't murder those high school girls! Those crimes, we didn't do! I remember you bringing up that subject and if you knew one of them—"

"Just leave... Just leave before I do something inhumane— My name is not Fujita Niko... My name is Kaneki Yuki!" Something shifted in Yuki's mind. Something clicked and slotted itself into her brain.

"Ah...!" Yuki's blood and body grew cold and her eyes dulled at the sight growing before her. A soft texture flew past her cheek.

*Splat*

"...... Y-Yuta..." Yuki touches her cheek with her shaking hands and then brought it back towards her vision.

Red.

"Yuta!" Nike and Yushin rushed to Yuta's limo body on the ground.

A pool of blood spilled onto the gray concrete with the sound of his blood squirting out of its wound. Yuta was wheezing and gasping for air as he clutched his side. However, his right arm had flown off and brush past Yuki's cheek, slamming against the wall behind her.

"Stay with me Yuta! Don't close your eyes just yet!" Yushin shouted as he ripped his sleeves to wrap around Yuta's deep wounds. "We need to get out of here right now!"

"Yuki! Come with us! It's not safe in this area right now!" Nike shouted as he tried pulling Yuki by the arm, but she refused to move.

"X..." Yuki muttered, removing Nike's grasp on her wrist.

"COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND FACE ME!" Yuki shouted fiercely, her face turning into a lion's.

"How dare you do that to Yuta...! I will kill you... I WILL KILL YOU, FUMIKO!" Yuki grabbed her school bag and eyed the shadows dangerously.

"Aw~! How'd you know it was me? Hehe~!" Fumiko revealed herself from the shadows and pulled off her black mask decorated with a red X mark, her short brown hair hovering over her shoulders.

A/N
I am SOOOOOOOOOOO VERRRYYY SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IN FOREVER! I had a HUGE writer's block on how to plan this chapter and the next couple or so! Like, I had an idea, but it wasn't enough to satisfy myself with the progress of the story since I kinda did not plan much for this story in the beginning.

I am truly sorry, but I have a better idea so far, so I am hoping to have a smoother experience of writing this story even though it's super crappy. :/

Thank you for reading though! Please comment because I could really use some feedback or thoughts!

7/12/18
(Edited (I hope))