The days following Rize's visit were quieter, but there was an undeniable sense of tension that hung in the air. Touka had become more withdrawn, often disappearing for hours, only to return with that same unreadable expression on her face. It was as though the weight of the past had settled on her shoulders again, and I couldn't help but wonder what it was that she wasn't telling me.
I did my best to give her space, but at the same time, I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in my chest that there was something bigger at play. It wasn't just Rize. There were rumors floating around—whispers about a new faction of ghouls on the rise, one that was more organized and more dangerous than anything we'd faced before. The fear in the eyes of the other ghouls in the café was palpable, and I knew it wasn't just the usual paranoia.
Touka had always been the one who stood at the forefront of our little family, protecting Anteiku and keeping things running smoothly. But now, she seemed like a shadow of the person she once was. I hated seeing her like this, and I felt powerless. There were times when I caught her staring at the horizon, as if waiting for something—or someone—to arrive.
One night, as I was cleaning up after closing time, I found her outside, standing alone in the moonlight. Her figure was silhouetted against the dark sky, and for a moment, I thought she might have been waiting for Rize to return.
But when I approached her, I could tell she wasn't waiting for anyone. She was lost in her thoughts.
I hesitated before speaking. "Touka?"
She turned, her eyes slightly wide, as if surprised to see me. "Oh, it's you," she said, her voice softer than usual. "I didn't hear you."
I took a step closer. "You've been distant lately. I'm just worried about you."
Touka let out a deep sigh and looked away. "I know. I don't mean to shut you out, but… I've got things to sort out." She paused, her voice tightening. "Things from my past. From before Anteiku. Things I thought I could forget."
I waited for her to continue, but she stayed silent, her gaze focused on the ground.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said quietly, stepping closer until I was standing next to her. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone."
For a moment, she didn't respond. But then, just as I thought she would push me away, she took a breath and spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know if I can keep pretending to be strong. I don't know how much longer I can keep protecting everyone." Her voice cracked slightly, and I saw the vulnerability in her eyes that I had never seen before.
I didn't know what to say at first. The words seemed to stick in my throat, but I finally managed to speak. "You don't have to do it alone, Touka. We're in this together."
Her eyes softened, and for the first time in a long while, she smiled—albeit faintly. It wasn't the usual fire in her smile, but it was enough. It was enough to let me know that there was still hope.
But deep down, I knew the storm wasn't over. The darkness was still out there, waiting. And whatever this new threat was, it would only be a matter of time before it found its way to us.
[Relationship Status with Touka: Stronger.]
[Quest In Progress: Protect Anteiku from the new ghoul faction.]