Chapter Text
Raindrops hit the ground with a solid pace, bit by bit coloring the asphalt a shade darker. The clouds above had during the day gathered into a solid mass of greyness, only to let the rain start falling down just as the clock hit 4PM. Though no forecasts had predicted it, the surmise had begun spreading among the people of the city, that perhaps the rainy season had arrived.
The streets were filled with people, one by one opening their umbrellas to protect themselves from the descending droplets of water. Seen from above it could have looked like a colorful sea, moving around in waves as people rushed forward to reach their destinations.
In this sea of people, not everyone had the luck to have any shelter or barrier to keep the rain away. One of these unfortunate individuals was a young man, who was currently making his way through the crowd with a certain rush in his steps. He was wearing a simple outfit, consisting of jeans and a hoodie, that sadly enough wasn't rainproof in the least. But escaping from the rain was only half of the reason behind his hurrying, besides that he was also running late for his part-time job.
It was a Tuesday afternoon, and Kaneki Ken was working the later shift at the cafe Anteiku. It started at 4, but the manager had given him special permission to arrive a bit late, due to the circumstances. These included Kaneki's class ending the exact same time as his shift would normally be expected to start. As he couldn't exactly teleport straight from the university to the coffee shop, it had come to him being allowed to be an exception to the rule of punctuality. But he didn't want to inconvenience the manager, and his co-worker who worked the same shift, Nishio, anymore than was necessary, so he still tried his best to not be too much late. In conclusion, every single Tuesday he found himself running through the streets of Tokyo, much like today. The added troublesome factor of rain was just another obstacle in his way.
Kaneki was catching his breath slightly when he finally entered the coffee shop, hair dripping wet, though covered by his hood. The rain had grown in intensity along the way, and he certainly hadn't been prepared for it. He was lucky that he had to change into his working uniform anyway, as his casual clothes were at least as soaked as his hair.
He had entered through the back of the shop, the entrance all employees and such usually used exclusively. All along he had been staring at his feet, thinking about the soggy mess that the inside of his shoes had become, so when he looked up he was startled to see Nishio standing right in front of him staring down at him with a slightly annoyed look.
"What took you so long?" He demanded. Kaneki was used to his constantly-pissed colleague, so he wasn't especially impressed. The first time he had met him though, when he started working at the cafe, he had been kind of intimidated by the other's harsh words and condescending looks, but that was now all in the past.
"I had to take another route because of the rain," He simply replied, not seeing any point in arguing any further. He turned around to get his work clothes, but Nishio always had to have the last word, didn't he.
"To stay dry? Well that seems to have worked really fucking well, eh?" he noted. What an incredible observation, it wouldn't have come to any lesser genius to suggest that after seeing him literally dripping water from his hair. Kaneki just sighed and ignored Nishio's sarcastic comment. When he however didn't leave, he looked over his shoulder.
"Aren't there any customers out there for you to serve?"
When Kaneki finally was done changing out of his drenched clothes and was all ready to do his job, he entered the actual coffee shop only to see it completely filled with people. Most of them had probably been surprised by the rain, like Kaneki himself, but unlike him, they had immediately taken shelter inside the nearest place that was in the least dry. All the tables were filled, and Nishio was having his hands full serving them all...
Or so it should have been. With a closer look, Kaneki saw that, yes, the tables were all filled, but no, Nishio didn't seem busy at all. In fact, he seemed to be just leisurely chatting with one single customer. If it now could be called chatting, as it looked more like Nishio was shouting at the poor guy and hitting him on the head. But then again, almost all conversations with the man were like that. The other person, who was sitting alone at the table, was quite enjoying the situation though, if his totally shit-eating grin was anything to go by.
Kaneki didn't have time to pay any closer attention to the exchange, as mentioned there were several other customers waiting to be served.
"You completely ignored half of the shop," Kaneki dully said. Nishio didn't even look sorry about it.
"That guy was pissing me off okay," he said, with a tint of bitterness in his voice, "He loves annoying the shit out of me fuck him."
Kaneki rolled his eyes inwardly, Nishio just loved being pissed, didn't he. But he was getting curious now, so he asked the question, the one he never would have thought to change his life as much as it ended up doing.
"Who was that guy anyway?"
Kaneki wasn't exactly good with new people. He tended to mess up words, not knowing what to say or how to say it. Things usually ended up awkward, and he just wanted away. Whenever making new acquaintances, he had to rely nearly completely on them to keep the conversation going. Well, unless he got to discuss books. His friend Touka could definitely testify for the fact that when Kaneki got started about his favorite author it wasn't likely that he would stop any day soon.
But he was nervous anyway, he fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt, waiting for Nishio's girlfriend's friend to arrive. Nishio had promised to introduce them, for some reason he seemed to be convinced that they would get along, though Kaneki was doubtful. He said it had something to do with 'their ability in common to completely make him lose his mind.'
Kaneki didn't know much about the guy except that they were the same age, and that he had an expressive face, framed by chin-length blond hair. He had no idea why he had agreed to this, but it was too late to back out now...
'Oh god he's coming'
"Meet Nagachika, the most self-loving shit-muncher you'll find in this part of town!"
The first thing Kaneki thought when he was standing there in front of the smiling man, was something along the lines of 'How am I ever going to get along with this guy?' He was so happy somehow, both out- and easygoing, energetic and kind. It seemed like they were complete opposites, and he couldn't see them interacting any more than he saw himself performing in front of a live audience singing 'My heart will go on.'
"Hey?" The sitting man said, his expression turning questioning. Kaneki realized he had, while agonizing about the others bright personality, ended up standing there completely silent for a long moment. The fear welled up inside him when he realized that the near-stranger was holding out his hand towards him, waiting for him to take it.
Reluctantly he reached out his own right arm, taking hold of the others hand, that was only a bit larger than his own.
"Hideyoshi Nagachika, feel free to call me Hide. Lets be friends!" The blond, Hide, said while shaking his hand enthusiastically and grinning at him. Not the same grin he showed when he teased Nishio, but more of a happy grin, one that would blind a weaker soul. Kaneki suddenly felt at ease, and perhaps it was the childish way in which Hide had introduced himself, or maybe just the general soothing voice and presence, but Kaneki found himself smiling back and saying his own name without feeling the usual awkwardness too much.
Maybe, he could actually be friends with this Hide-person.
Kaneki smiled at his phone looking at the most recent number added to his contacts, under the name Hide. The guy had really surprised him, the air around him seemed so light, it made everything so much easier and Kaneki couldn't remember when he last felt this comfortable around a person he had so recently met. Probably had barely been 3 hours, but he had stayed a while after his shift just talking to Hide. Though both the guy's sense of humor and drawing skills were quite questionable, he had managed to bring out the less shy part of Kaneki.
They had a lot to talk about, and Hide had even listened to Kaneki's rambling about books that he himself wasn't that interested in, asked questions and made Kaneki so happy by just acknowledging his words. they had spoken about their common friend, Nishio and they had laughed at his grumpy attitude. Hide had told him a lot about Kimi, whom Kaneki had only briefly met a couple of times and had explained how funny her and Nishio's interactions could be.
They had brought up subject as simple as the weather, Hide sympathetically sighing at Kaneki's story about how he was surprised by the rain last time, still amused by the fact that Kaneki had ended up walking under a gutter getting completely soaked when taking the longer and hopefully dryer route to work.
Kaneki found himself chuckling slightly as he already received a message from Hide, though only half an hour had passed since they parted. Hide was apparently the type that texted with a great amount of emoticons. Kaneki started formulating a reply, but was interrupted.
"What are you grinning about like a shitty loser?" Nishio's voice could be heard from behind him, "Did you find yourself a future boyfriend or?"
Kaneki just glared at him halfheartedly, not even bothering to blush over such a ridiculous statement. He sighed once more though, and said in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic tone, "You were right, I really think we'll get along pretty well."
Kaneki felt contended as he saw that this pissed Nishio off even more than generally, and he realized that there might lie some truth in the reason why he had thought they would get along too. Just for extra measure, he added, "He's a really nice guy!"
One could almost see Nishio's irritation oozing from him, as he in a coolly sarcastic way stated, "You do know that they guy is gay, right?"
Kaneki felt his mood sink. He knew Nishio didn't mean to sound like he did, but he still managed to become annoyed himself. His voice was back to normal as he said, "Yeah, why?"
His response probably calmed Nishio down a little, as all he received as a reply was a grunt. Nothing more than farewells was exchanged between them that night, but by the next time they shared a shift on Saturday, everything was back to normal.
"It's nice isn't it, meeting elsewhere too than Anteiku!" Hide was ahead of him, enjoying the last rays of sunshine in the park, spreading his hands as if to gather them. He looked back at Kaneki with the by now so familiar smile.
Kaneki smiled back at him, just nodding as answer to Hide's question-like statement. He enjoyed it very much, as they usually just met up for coffee after Kaneki's shift, and this walk felt like a refreshing change to the routine that they had with the weeks passing built up.
He closed his eyes for a while just letting his feet take him forward on the road, following the sound of Hide's footsteps on the sandy road. The sound stopped, but Kaneki just assumed that Hide had stopped to wait for him and didn't bother to open his eyes. Not until he literally collided with Hide's back.
His eyes opened as quickly as the calm disappeared from his mind, and he saw Hide staring at a figure ahead of them, who seemed to be staring back. Kaneki backed off a bit, watching Hide stand there, seemingly speechless. The man in front of them wasn't quite as shocked, and was indeed the one who initiated conversation.
"Hi Hide, it's been a while!" He smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"It really has. I hope you've been well." Hide said and Kaneki noticed the same problem with his expression. He wondered what could bring such a troubled air to hang around the person whom he had since the very beginning noted to be so light. He knew he had to accept that there was still a lot he didn't know about Hide. And that's what being friends was all about, right? Learning new things about each other.
"I'm good. I trust you've been so as well?" The stranger asked. It was shocking how much his and Hide's body language were alike. They must have known each other for long. But then, why was everything so tense now?
"Yes, it's been all flowers and sunshine." Hide joked, and the stranger laughed lightly.
"Well, I'll see you around." He said, walking forward past Hide without waiting for a reply, but then stopped suddenly when he reached Kaneki. "I'm Hiroto, nice to meet you" He introduced himself and once again was gone before Kaneki could do more than quietly say his own name.
"Who was that?" Kaneki asked, tilting his head slightly to the left, as he and Hide continued their interrupted walk.
Hide smiled nonchalantly and replied "He's my ex," leaving it at that. Kaneki hummed and nodded, content with the answer. Everyone had their own pasts, and perhaps sometime in the future he would hear about this part of Hide's too.
Summer break was over since long ago, and uni was starting to take it's due with deadlines and tents colliding and fighting over Kaneki's time. He had much less time to spend with friends, and he had even started taking less shifts at Anteiku, just for the busiest time of the year.
He sat in the library, frantically reading the last book he had as study material for his essay on insect symbolism in a certain author's works. The tap on his shoulder woke him up from his intense concentration, and he was startled though he had been expecting the company. He looked up and smiled as he saw Hide doing the same. Hide was carrying a heavy-looking bag and he pulled out the chair next to Kaneki's in one long move, dumping the bag on the table and sinking into the chair.
They had agreed for a study meet, since even though they studied completely different studies, in this busy time it was a good way to spend time together anyway. It wasn't the first time, nor the last time.
Hide quietly whispered his greetings and then they both ended up sitting in silence again, concentrating on their respective studies. Sometimes Hide would comment on something or tell Kaneki a new interesting piece of fact or trivia, and Kaneki would listen and nod or smile, depending on the information, it was a great way of lightening the mood.
They often spent hours like that, just studying in silence, with occasional exchanges, and then they walked to the train station together, talking about anything that came to mind.
Because no, with Hide, Kaneki never ran out of subjects.