The following new year shaped a wave of new beginnings, emotional wrecks, and surprises for every one of the young generation. Fortunately for me, everything stayed the same just how I liked it. Well, almost everything.

"Kaneki, have you seen my--"

"--phone? It's sitting on the bedside table charging. You forgot to unplug it again." He rolled his eyes by the end of his sentence and I flushed in embarrassment, again. I was still (and probably always be) absent-minded and that'll probably never change like the new year.

"Oh, Dear! Can you help Grandma with her bedsheets please?"

My eyes widened, and I rushed to her side by her bedroom closet, without realizing Kaneki followed right behind.

"Oh, sorry!!" I exclaimed. "Here, let me help you." I took the bedsheets from her frail hands and gently tossed it over Grandma's bed. Kaneki immediately lend a hand, pulling the other side of the cloth and perfectly tucking it under the mattress.

She smiled in appreciation. "Thank-you, Dear. My, Kaneki, you shouldn't be doing the work--"

"--Oh, it's no worries, Mrs. G/LN (Your Grandma's last name). I'm glad I could be use of help." He gave his side of the bed a final tug. "Besides, I've had years of experience taking care of the chores around my apartment. It's cool."

Grandma walked by towards the kitchen and whispered, "You really outdid yourself, Y/N. Where on earth did you find a gentleman like him?" Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

I laughed nervously. "He found me first."

I turned back to the eye patched boy who already finished making the bed as he set the pillows properly against the bed frame.

"Hey!!" I exclaimed, rushing to his side. "I was supposed to do that!!"

"You're too slow," he answered. "It's already done."

I crossed my arms. "Hmph! Fine. But, I'm doing my own bed, okay?"

Kaneki ruffled my hair. "If you insist. I'll be watching you as you work." He smirked then exits Grandma's room.

I gasped. "Kaneki!!"

It took plenty of time for me to remove the old sheets and correctly apply a fresh set of new ones until, I was finally finished. I collapsed on my bed and sigh.

"Ahhhh... That's the life." I curled up in a ball, hugging my knees close to my chest.

That's when one side of the bed became heavy and I realized Kaneki laid down right beside me, hugging his arm around my body.

"It sure is..." he hummed close to my ear that I smiled, turning to face white-haired Kaneki, again.

I laughed and pecked his sweet lips. "I looooooooovvve yoouuu, Kaneki-san!!" I sang, my energy low and my drooping eyes gradually drifting to sleep.

"San?" He blinked. "Why the honorific? I like it when it's just Kaneki."

"I don't know..." I sighed. "Thought I'd try it out. It sounds really cute though!"

"Whatever," he muttered under his breath. "And what do you want me to call you? Chan?"

"Chan, sama, san, honey, love," I yawned. "...sweetheart, sweetie, babe... all the good stuff..." I was at the verge of falling asleep when my phone in my back pocket began to vibrate.

I swiftly turned it on and frowned scanning my eyes over a picture on Instagram of the backs of Ben and Janine holding hands as they walked out into the dusky sunset nearby what seemed to be a park.

I rolled my eyes. "Ugh. Another post of Ben with Janine."
I tugged my Kaneki much closer, hugging my leg over his tall figure. I felt his lips lightly stroking against my warm collarbone.

"He's trying to make you jealous, Y/N," Kaneki mumbled. "Just ignore the ghoul." He breathed in and his grip tightened for a bit, then release.

"I know..." I glanced back at my screen with the picture, then scrolled down to discover another one they posted yesterday. Janine was smiling gleefully as she and Ben took a selfie in front of the city lights of Tokyo. They looked as to be enjoying themselves together as a loving couple from the previous pictures I've seen. It was like they were made for each other.

They looked so happy, I thought to myself. Maybe I should listen to Grandma from all that I've witnessed; to give Ben a small chance. He seems so happy with Janine. They're together now, and he really did pass over our relationship. Hmm...

I looked down at a snoring Kaneki and kissed his head, slightly inhaling his sweet conditioner as I nestled my nose deep in his hair.

I guess I'll try to be friends with the two of them the next time we meet but, I'll try to avoid Ben and me alone in one area. Kaneki could be right. He may as well be a ghoul, I sighed. I especially wouldn't mind hanging out with Janine though. She seems like a fun girl to talk to... But first, I'll focus on what's most important. My relationship with my Kaneki.

I yawned, again, and closed my eyes for a good few seconds, then open when I heard a knock at the door.

"Y/N! Tell Kaneki it's time to eat now. I've prepared (the) F/D (Your favourite type of dish your Grandma, or Mom, or whoever you love makes you for dinner. Or your favourite dish in general). Y/N?"

"Okay, Grandma, I'll be there in a minute!" I called back, creating Kaneki to slowly awaken.

"Mm... Y/N...? What's going on?" He sat upright where I followed and bit my lip.

"My Grandma wants us to eat (the) F/D she made for us. You sure your stomach can handle it?"

Kaneki stayed hesitant. "I guess so. I'll only eat a little. But after the dinner, we're going back to my place." He leaned closer towards my face. "You don't mind if we have our sweet alone time, right?"

I kissed his lips one more time. "Alright," I whispered. "As long as we don't go too far. And that was just a sneak peek. There's more coming your way, just you watch!"

"Ooh. Someone's kinky," he whispered back with a smirk. "I can't wait—"

"Y/N!"

"Coming, Grandma!" I exclaimed, rushing towards the door with Kaneki trailing behind.

~***~

The [Describe the scent of your favourite dish; Sweet? Salty? Spicy?] scent of F/D wafted throughout the kitchen, and by the time the clock struck half past seven, we (excluding Kaneki who excused himself from eating too much) were stuffed.
However, the three of us continued to share stories and laughs with a piping cup of hot tea and coffee before Grandma spilled out one of the most horrifying questions known to man.

"So, Kaneki," A powerful glare grew upon her eyes and she folded her hands onto the tabletop. "Have you ever thought about what would happen when you don't wear a condom after having sex with my granddaughter?"

I choked on my tea, and Kaneki's one eye shown expanded in disbelief and terror, nosebleeding everywhere.

"GRANDMA!!" I managed to yelp in absolute disgust, blushing to the max. "Why would you ask such a thing!! We are only children!!"

"Y-Yeah!!" Kaneki agreed, his face a deep shade of red.

Grandma studied my foul expression for a second, then to Kaneki, and she laughed hysterically.

"Oh, Y/N!!" she chuckled. "You're just like your mother!!"

I raised an eyebrow, and Kaneki and I exchanged confused glances. "What are you saying—"

"--I told your mother the exact same question when she had her first real boyfriend," she explained, calming herself down. "I never knew you'd respond a similar answer. She'd be standing in her seat with rage, red across her and her boyfriend's cheeks just like you and Kaneki. An exact corban copy of your mother, Y/N. My, those were good times!"

I groaned to myself, resting my forehead upon the tabletop. "Grandmaaa. Don't ever say anything like that again, please! It's very embarrassing!" I looked up at her before continuing. "And what do you mean first real boyfriend? You didn't say anything like that when I was dating Ben."

Grandma hesitated. "Kaneki, dear, would you like some more coffee?" She immediately dropped the subject.

"Uh, n-no! I'm good!" he responded but, Grandma ended up standing from her seat as she walked over to the counter by the stove top. "You really don't have to—"

"Oh, please. It's no trouble at all!" Her frail hand clasped the instant coffee package tightly where she paused, again.

Grandma sighed in defeat. "I knew it would come to this. It's been bothering me for quite some time, but finally you found a sophisticated man," she muttered under her breath.

"Grandma, please. I don't understand," I said. "It's okay to tell us. We're both listening."

"Dear." She dropped the coffee package. "I've never told you this but, that ex-boyfriend of yours, Ben, I just couldn't officially accept him as your boyfriend during the time."

My eyes enlarged in disbelief, and she continued. "I'm sorry, Y/N. There was just something about him that I couldn't put a finger on. His attitude was very diverse from like any other man I've met. I couldn't understand what it was but, I'm sure glad that's it over."

I side-glanced at Kaneki whose fists were clenched white. I knew he was thinking about spilling the details to Grandma that Ben is a ghoul but, he seemed to control himself since we both haven't made final conclusions as to whether or not he is.

"What I said the other night, do give the poor boy a chance to speak, Y/N, but I only ask you to watch yourself. And Kaneki—"

Kaneki perked from hearing his name. "Yes?" He blinked.

"Please, I trust your protection over my granddaughter. You've really impressed me, and I believe you are a suitable choice for her." She smiled at the end of her sentence.

Kaneki nodded his head at her. "It's an honor, Mrs. G/LN. And about that question you asked earlier, I promise you I'll, um, wear the condom if you so wish."

Grandma's smile widened. "Hmm... Right after the wedding it's off, alright?"

"GRANDMA!!!"

She laughed, again.

This new year couldn't get any weirder.

~***~

After Kaneki and I helped Grandma clean up the kitchen, I told her we were going out to Kaneki's apartment since I forgot something the last time I visited.

It was strange because she shooed us away before we could even get our shoes on.

I kissed Grandma's cheek for a quick good-bye where she managed to stop me before I left the door. She handed me my small, F/C backpack.

"Here, Y/N. I packed everything you'll need to stay overnight," she whispered, a sly smirk upon her face. She may be old but, she was always young at heart.

"Grandma!" I exclaimed. "I'll be back! I won't need these things—"

"--Y/N." She glared at me, and I immediately took it from her fingers in distress.

"Good-night, Dear," was all I heard as Kaneki and I escaped from plain sight.

Kaneki walked ahead of me and we waited for the elevator to arrive. Curious as can be, I peeked inside my backpack that Grandma wanted me to bring and I immediately flushed in embarrassment discovering something I shouldn't have seen.

I bet Kaneki noticed my reddened face that he suddenly asked me what's going on.

"Nothing nothing!!" I laughed nervously, swiftly zipping my bag and hauling it over my shoulders.

He raised as eyebrow in suspicion and the elevator doors opened wide revealing what seemed to be a nightmare.

Kaneki instantly peered away, taking my small hand in his as we both squished towards the empty corner of the elevator, his back covering my entire existence.

It then became awkwardly silent.

"... So, Kaneki." His voice was raw with amusement. "You're dating Y/N now, how does it feel?"

Kaneki's back stiffened and his body leaned back against mine as if the corner could swallow us whole from this situation. He doesn't respond.

"Janine is right. You are quiet." I could hear Ben take one step towards Kaneki, and paused.

He cracked his forefinger and a devious smile curled upon his lips. "Damn. Tough guy with the eyepatch and no shit to say. Is this because Y/N is with you—"

"--This has nothing to do with Y/N," Kaneki quarreled, withholding himself from Ben. I could sense his back hum in vexation. He was afraid.

"Really now?" expressed Ben, leaning to Kaneki's eye level. "If I were you, I wouldn't be such a dickhead and utter back shi—"

"That's enough, Ben," I cried from behind Kaneki's tall figure. "Just leave us alone. Don't you have anything better to do?"

His smile widened and takes a step back, tugging his black hood over his head. "Actually, yes. I'm going out to eat, and there's no way you're stopping me."

The elevator doors opened wide and Ben waved a farewell. "By the way, Y/N, I'm still waiting when you're going to change your mind. You can always let me know anytime..." and with that he escaped out from plain sight.

Kaneki immediately clicked door closed and stopped the elevator. My eyes widened.

"Why'd you do that?" I asked.

He sighed and turned to face me. "...Y/N. I hate that guy." An inaudible snivel escaped his lips. "Too much."

I awed internally from understanding his sudden soft spot. "Hey, it's okay. I do too. But, we just have to live with it, even though we want to do something about it, we can't."

"We can," and the eye patched boy slammed his fist against the elevator button as it hummed back to life, opening the doors. "He said he has to eat right? That's where we find him and expose him as a ghoul."

I furrowed my brows. "Kaneki, I think you're overreacting. Are we really going to expose him when we both know it won't do us any good?"

He gave me an affronted glance. "What are you saying?"

"I'm just saying that, I don't know, just give him a chance at his life. He's done no harm to any of us yet. If we maybe fall back—"

"Fall back? Fall back?!" His voice increased astounded, and he squeezed my shoulders. "Y/N, Listen to yourself! You're siding with him!"

I gaped at the trembling boy, his one eye in deep, hot distress.

His look. Why is it hurting me like that?

"I..." I didn't have anything else to say but to slowly move away from Kaneki.

"Y/N..." he muttered where I hurried out the doors, leaving an ache in my abdomen and shatters of a damaged heart.