I've got plenty time at the moment so I will write as much as I can!

And, this is to make up for such large gaps in updating.

Also, I don't want to be a lousy author who at least updates 400-1000 words every month.

Honestly, I don't like this chapter. ( -~- )

Sasaki was having second thoughts about ordering a glass of water.

To be honest, he had never known if water had any effect on ghouls.

He never tried it due to a fear of puking it out.

He gulped.

'What's wrong, Sasaki-san? Would you have preferred cold water?'

Sasaki looked up.

'N-Nothing like that. It's just –wait. Didn't I tell you to just drop the honorifics?'

'Your 3 years older than me.'

'I prefer just being called 'Sasaki' and I don't have an obsession with respect. I just tend to wish I was given respect by a certain member of my squad.'

Touka hummed.

'Are you sure you want me to call you just 'Sasaki'?'

Sasaki nodded.

Touka smiled.

'Ah. By the way, Touka-san-'

Touka gave him a look.

'-Touka, I thought I'd give you a gift in return.'

Touka raised both her eyebrows.

'I thought this would've suited you well…'

Sasaki handed out a phone strap.

The thread was a beautiful cerulean blue braided with a soft, pale violet thread. At the end, there was a small bottle with a cork atop of it.

The bottle was three-quarters filled with an azure blue liquid which had gold and silver glitter of stars and circles littered in it. A small lilac flower with round petals and a thin green stalk froze in between.

Beside the bottle was a pink ceramic rabbit charm with a four leave clover at the lower right corner of it's round body.

'I know it's girly and you don't seem to be an all-girly kind of lady but I couldn't find a better charm… The music box you gave me had it's mascot as rabbit so I thought you loved rabbits and…'

'I love it.'

Sasaki looked up, shocked.

'Really?'

Touka nodded. A tantalizing sad smile on her face.

'It vaguely reminds me of my friend.'

Sasaki grinned.

'As long as you like it.'

'So… recap, you're going out on a date with the waitress from that café… And, we're going with you…?'

'Correction, not a date, her name is Touka and it's more of a 'go ahead and shop while I just bring her to a book store.'

'Why a bookstore?'

'I like books, she likes art.'

'And…?'

'Bookstores sell art stuff.'

'U-huh…'

'Whatever. Anyway, you got it team leader?'

'Yeah, yeah. Have fun on your date, Sassan.'

Sasaki frowned.

'It's not a date.'

'Whatever you say, Sassan.'

Sasaki walked over to Shirazu and handed him an envelope of money.

He then, proceeded to change his clothes.

Sasaki wore a black, long-sleeved turtle neck shirt and white pants. He wore his black dress shoes and walked out of the house with a slightly cheerful 'I'm going out!' and a wave.

Sasaki was flustered.

Touka wore a sleeveless white, lace-covered dress that reached above her knees. She wore a grey knitted cardigan with a tribal pattern which consisted of blue, violet and yellow. She also wore dark brown boots that reached the lower half of her shin.

Sasaki covered his flustered face with handkerchief, pretending to cough.

Touka smiled.

'So… what do you plan on buying?'

'Some new water colour paint, a few canvases and maybe some new brushes.'

'Okay.'

They walked in silence as they headed towards the bookstore.

'Um… So, what genres do you like, Sasaki?'

'Oh! I prefer… dark-related genres.'

'Dark-related genres?'

'Something like horror, supernatural, tragedy and the like.'

'That's rather negative, Sasaki.'

Sasaki shrugged.

'This is the store, right?'

'Yep! Here… let me open the door.'

Sasaki opened the door which signaled a small twinkling chime from the bells hanging around the knob of the glass doors.

'The art stuff is on the right. It's near the section I always check.'

Touka nodded, following him deeper into the store.

'Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to…'

Sasaki paled at the figure in front of him.

Touka, curious as to why Sasaki stopped peeked from beside him to face a pale woman with short blonde hair and a sharp gaze.

'A-Akira-san…'

Sorry for the cliffhanger! And, sorry it's rushed! X(

Reviews are much appreciated.