"Kaneki, I'm so sorry dear, but you have to go to the twentieth ward!" my mom explained in a rushed and anxious manner. "It's no longer safe here at home, you have to go, please! Find the coffee shop Anteiku and stay there, they will help you. I love you so much, but I have to go now, please understand. You will be happy there, and they will help you with your transition. It will all make sense soon, my dear, just know that I love you and I will come back. For now, Kaneki, be strong. You can do this."

Consciousness suddenly flooded back into my mind as I sat up and screamed for my mother. "Mom! MOM! What do you mean? I can't do this alone! Why do you have to go? MOM!" An intense dizziness took over again, and I fell back on the bed with no strength. The only thing I felt was an intense hunger, for something completely unnatural that I couldn't pinpoint. I closed my eyes.

Once again I awoke, but no longer in a panicked state, and with a much less prevalent hunger. I mustered up all the strength I had and opened my eyes, and a bright natural light initially blinded me. My eyes focused, and I could make out what seemed to be a tidy girl's bedroom. I was quite at peace, until I realized that I didn't know where I was and that my mother, who had supported me herself since I was a child, had sent me away. Where am I now, the twentieth ward? She said something about a coffee shop… As soon as I thought about coffee, I smelt a delicious scent only identifiable as roasting coffee beans; this was surprising, because I never had a taste for coffee. The once bitter and unattractive drink now called my senses, and this was the first in a series of differences I noticed.

The growing sound of footsteps attracted my attention, and though I would have liked to turn my head and face the door, all my energy was being used to keep my eyes open. Something squeaked open, presumably the door, and I could hear sweet humming. It was a joyful, calming tune, and I so wanted to see who was creating it. A rather small girl with dazzling shoulder-length purple hair appeared in the kitchen, which I could see from my bed. She quickly darted to and fro on her light frame, and I was temporarily entranced.

The girl, who seemed to be in her teens, finally turned to head my way. It wasn't until I could see her whole face that I realized I was holding my breath in anticipation. Our eyes connected, and she seemed very startled to see me awake. The girl drew in a sharp breath, and headed towards me, as if drawn by an invisible force. Her hand reached out to caress my cheek, wide eyes open with amazement and… care? She breathed heavily, but I could catch what she quickly murmured under her breath. "You're… you're my… you're the one…"

She searched my eyes for something for a solid minute, carefully looking to judge what my reaction was to seeing her. I remained still until I felt uncomfortable, and addressed her. "Um, excuse me, miss? I have no idea who you are or where I am, and I'm pretty uncomfortable right now, could you please give me some answers?"

The purple-haired girl visibly recoiled at what I said. I could almost see something inside of her break, and her eyes displayed so much hurt that I was sure I couldn't have caused this. However, she seemed to think differently, and I saw her cautiously back away from me, as if she was desperately trying to hold herself together. She ran out of the door, and I, exhausted, resumed my previous slumber.