September 22, 2042*
Natsuki: Sigh~
A new day has arrived but Natsuki wasn't feeling too well upon waking up.
Natsuki's thoughts*
(I couldn't sleep well last night...)
After discovering that half of Kaneki's soul was missing, Natsuki couldn't get the many fearful thoughts out of her head causing her to get little sleep.
(What if the rest of Kaneki's soul disappears as well—)
Natsuki: No Natsuki... Don't think about that right now, it will not help.
She was trying her best not to think about it, but unfortunately it was very difficult.
9 Minutes later~
Katsuki, Satsuki & Natsuki: Itadakumasu~
After getting out of bed, Natsuki calmed herself down for a bit before joining her parents at the table for breakfast.
Natsuki: Slurp~ Mmm~ The Udon taste so good Mom.
Katsuki: I'm glad you like it dear...
Satsuki: Hey... Natsuki is there something wrong? Are you not feeling well?
Although Natsuki also tried eating breakfast as a way to get Kaneki's condition out of her mind, her parents immediately noticed she wasn't feeling well.
Natsuki: Oh no... I'm not feeling too bad, although I... Got... Only a few hours of sleep.
Katsuki & Satsuki: WHAT?! WHY?!
Katsuki: Did you and your friends have a fight again?
Natsuki: N-No that's not the case, although I kind of wish it was...
Both Katsuki and Satsuki looked at each other with worried eyes before asking their daughter.
Katsuki & Satsuki: What happened?
With how worried her parents were for her, Natsuki took a deep breath before explaining the situation.
Natsuki: Inhale~ exhale~ Okay.
A few minutes later~
She told her parents about half of Kaneki's soul being missing which caused them to worry even more.
Satsuki: No way...
Katsuki: Kaneki-kun is missing half of his soul? How?
Natsuki: We don't know, but Yuuka suspected it must've happened on the day when this all started the day herself, Shino and Miku tried to reconcile with Kaneki.
Satsuki: What did she think?
Natsuki: Well she suspected when her actions as well as Shino's and Miku's were being manipulated, Kaneki was attacked by the person responsible which led to that happening... To be honest I'm a bit ashamed I didn't noticed half of Kaneki was missing...
Seeing how their daughter was feeling down, Katsuki and Satsuki decided.
Katsuki: Well... You should probably skip school for today.
Natsuki: Eh?
Satsuki: You can spend more time with Kaneki if it could make you feel better.
They weren't sure whether being with Kaneki would actually make Natsuki feel better, but they knew of how much he meant to Natsuki so they were willing to allow her to skip school for the time being.
And although Natsuki initially refused not wanting her to burden her parents.
Natsuki: No it's alright, I'll go I don't want to cause trouble for both of you.
But her parents insisted they were fine with it.
Satsuki: It's alright Natsuki, besides we can clearly tell you want to be with him right now.
Katsuki: Yeah, it's so obvious you want to see your boyfriend right now.
Natsuki: Boyfr—?! WE'RE NOT EVEN DATING YET!
Katsuki & Satsuki: "Yet"?
With her parents teasing, Natsuki's depressed look on her face was replaced by a flustered one.
Natsuki: Geez! Fine! I'll skip sch for today.
And even though Natsuki looked annoyed, she was thankful to her parents.
Natsuki: ...Thank you.
Katsuki & Satsuki: Smile~ No problem!
Satsuki: If you want to I could drive you there.
Natsuki: Thanks... But I want to walk there on my own...
Satsuki: Are you sure? Do you really want to go alone?
Natsuki: It's alright, besides I won't really be alone.
Natsuki then turned towards the corner of the kitchen where—
Ku-kun: Don't worry! We'll protect her in case anyone suspicious gets close!
Batta: We'll kick their butts!
Ku-kun and Batta were eating breakfast as they promised to protect Natsuki on her way back to their home.
Satsuki: You better!
Katsuki: Yeah or well turn you both into snacks.
Ku-kun and Batta did not like that joke by Natsuki's parents.
Natsuki: Hehe~
25 Minutes later~
After breakfast was done, Natsuki's parents called Querxes to notify him that Natsuki would be absent for being "sick" and needed to stay home for the day.
And after doing so they went to the front door to see their daughter off as well as the two Beast Knights protecting her.
Natsuki: I'll be going now!
Katsuki & Satsuki: Have a safe trip!
Natsuki: Bye~!
And so Natsuki began walking to Kaneki's home to visit him.
And as for her parents.
Katsuki: You know as worried I am for our Natsuki, I'm really happy she found someone she really loves.
Satsuki: Same here.
They were just happy to know that their daughter was in love.
A while later~
Ku-kun: Hey we can just fly back to our home right? You could ride on me too.
As Natsuki, Ku-kun and Batta were heading to the Higanbana household, Ku-kun suggested to let Natsuki ride him so they could fly to the Higanbana household.
Natsuki: No thanks, I rather walk.
But Natsuki once again refused any attempt to help her get there quickly.
Batta: Why do you want to walk back to our home anyways?
Natsuki: Well... That's why.
Ku-kun & Batta: Eh?
The three of them stopped as they looked in front of them. It was their friends the Higanbana girls, Shino, Sachi, Yuuka, Miku and Chikao.
All 5: You aren't going to school Natsuki?
The five of them were surprised upon seeing Natsuki in casual clothes.
Natsuki: Yeah I'm skipping school for today... I want to be with Kaneki since... Well I'm worried.
She gave her friends her honest reason for skipping school.
All 5: Oh.
Miku: Well in that case please take good care of him.
Sachi: Yeah, if anything happens call Ai-chan okay? She's also skipping school for today.
Natsuki: Don't worry I will.
Chikao: If Kaneki... If he somehow wakes up please tell us as well.
Natsuki: Sure. Well I'll be going now.
Shino & Yuuka: Safe travels.
And with their short exchange done, Natsuki continued her walk to the Higanbana household.
Ku-kun: Wait so you wanted to tell everyone else first?
Natsuki: Yup!
Batta: You could've just told us instead of hiding it y'know?
Natsuki: Hehe~ Sorry. Anyways I'll take your offer now Ku-kun.
Ku-kun: Alright!
Poof!
Ku-kun grew bigger allowing Natsuki and Ku-kun to climb on his pronotum.
Ku-kun: You on?
Natsuki: Yup!
Ku-kun: Good! Hold on tight! Gyugigigi~!
Spread!
Buzz~
Ku-kun: Let's go!
Swoosh!
As Ku-kun spread his wings, Natsuki held onto him tightly before Ku-kun started flying.
5 Minutes later~
Ku-kun: We're here!
After five minutes of flying Natsuki, Ku-kun and Batta had arrived at the Higanbana household.
Natsuki: Thanks Ku-kun.
Ku-kun: You're welcome.
After getting off Ku-kun, Natsuki made her way to the front door.
Ding~ Dong~
Creak~
After ringing the doorbell, Aiya came out surprised to see Natsuki.
Aiya: Natsuki-chan? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at school right now?
Natsuki: Well—
But deep down she already knew the reason.
Aiya: Well... Who am I kidding? Of course you came here for Kaneki... Come in, I just brew some tea.
Followinh Aiya's invitation, Natsuki went inside the house, took off her shoes and went to the living room and joined Aiya for some tea.
Aiya: Do you like green tea?
Natsuki: Yup.
Aiya: Alright I'll go pour you a cup.
A few minutes later~
Natsuki: Sip~ This tea is so good.
Aiya: I'm glad you enjoy it. Oh, by the way Kotori is still in her room she's waiting for the doors to shake again.
Natsuki: Oh... How is she taking the news about Kaneki's soul?
Aiya: Well Kotori's eyes are now glued to the doors, even when she goes out of her room she's watching every door for the slightest movement.
Natsuki: Oh...
Natsuki made a very concerned face once she learned Kotori is getting worse by the second.
Aiya: Well about Kaneki though, I actually noticed some movement.
Natsuki: WHAT?!
Natsuki gotten very excited upon learning that Kaneki made movement.
Aiya: Well not anything major, earlier I saw his eyes closed when I was cleaning his room and when looked back they were open again.
Natsuki: THAT'S STILL GOOD!
Aiya: Hehe~ I'm glad you're feeling a bit excited about that, sadly though it doesn't seem he is conscious yet. I tried talking to him but it was useless, he just stared at the ceiling.
Natsuki: ...
Aiya: You can go up to his room now, but could you please put a few drops of this in his eyes?
Aiya gave Natsuki a small bottle of eye drops.
Aiya: Its for moisturizing Kaneki's eyes, we don't want them to dry out after all.
Natsuki: I will
After taking the bottle of eye drops, Natsuki went up stairs and then entered Kaneki's room.
Natsuki: Hey Kaneki...