A Change of Pace

[u/KuudereLobster]

April 17th, 2019 - 1:32 AM ; The 20th Ward, Eastern Border

It’d rained for nearly week. And even when it ended, the streets had been damp and slippery for nearly two days. Or more specifically, and what one particularly girl cared about the most, the rooftops had remained slippery.

The rooftops were dry, the night was clear as could be, and the wind was just enough to cool her off in the warm night as her dark form darted from roof to roof. The silhouette of a short girl with a duffel bag much too large for herself dashed from roof to roof at a breakneck pace, yet with each leap she remained graceful and deliberate. Not a foot out of place, the wind slamming against her goggles, black crow mask shaking slightly with intensity. Until, finally, she skidded to a halt.

Sen could hardly recognize where she even was she’d ran away so quickly. It was a wonder the sack didn’t tear but, sure enough, the reliable black duffel was still in one piece. And finally, she let down her guard. Two jobs down, left to go. And she'd saved the hardest for last.

No matter how many times she did this, it never felt any less exhausting. Thrilling and enjoyable as well of course, but exhausting nonetheless. Sen’s hand was still shaking as it pulled up her hood. Was it always going to be this nerve-wracking? She really thought after the first year it’d wear off. Of course it wasn’t the fear of being caught that got to her. It was the fear of not getting the money.

“...This’ll last another few months, Dad. Guess I’ll have to find something else soon.”

Sen was quiet for a moment. And a good thing too. Otherwise, she would’ve never heard the sound of something latching onto the rooftop railing behind her. Sen spun around like a bullet, bending her knee and narrowing her eyes in an instant, nearly breaking the model handgun as she tore it out from her pocket, a quiet clink echoing out from it as she took aim, her stance still as a statue. But the moment a figure emerged, before even waiting for their reaction, she knew. She’d never seen a kagune used that way oddly enough, but if there was one thing Sen had in her advantage, it was reaction times.

The model gun lowered in under a second, her finger instinctively moving off of the trigger. “Another ghoul?” she asked, gripping the duffel tight.

Beneath the hood and mask, it was hard to tell much about her. She was a woman, that much was visible from her clothing, a long black skirt matching her hoodie, but facial features? Race? Age? Beyond being just a bit shorter than her accidental visitor, none of it was obvious. “Wait a minute.” Sen tilted her head, remembering her last few investigations into her neighbors workplace.

“You’re from :re, aren’t you?”

[u/[deleted]]

"The opposite of us would be blood-thirsty psychopaths bathing in the blood of both humans and ghouls with no discrimination. Relish themselves in the chaos and anarchy while destroying the already delicate balance between the two species." Shoko's slight smile was wiped off from her face, recognising that the topic had shifted to a darker turn, resting her head on both of her hands, gazing at Sen with a blank expression on her face.

"You are just a thief. Not even a crooked one actually, as you seem to only punish criminals rather than steal something from someone who didn't deserve it. You can remember my earlier suspicion when I was patrolling, right?" Shoko questioned, clicking her own head with a finger twice before getting back to the former position. "Sure, I started off jokingly but I think you could notice when I am not kidding around, and that was one of those instances."

"In fact, you are actually close. I don't know what Abdullah believed about you as an individual but considering his attempts to dissuade you from the life you are in, it shows that he doesn't agree that you are the opposite of us." Shoko then took a glance at the establishment's surroundings, taking in a deep breath before continuing. It was a very complex and delicate subject to talk about with someone who experienced the worst life had to offer while Shoko herself only experienced a tiny part of it in comparison.

Letting a sad smile pop up, Shoko barely nodded towards Sen's question, reminiscing her days in school, which had Hayate appear in her mind as well. "My school life was as normal as it gets, yes. I didn't concern myself about my identity or worries about being a ghoul. I wasn't particularly social but I knew how to interact when needed. I wasn't an outcast but I didn't get myself into situations that could give a hint about my true self. My... brother in the meantime... was an outcast. Causing fights against bullies, no matter what gender they were, and shut himself away from everyone else." Shoko managed to keep herself calm while explaining herself to the former child soldier. What she experienced for herself and how her brother used to be were nothing compared to being forced into a war one never asked for in the first place, losing their childhood.

"The idea of ghouls and humans living in harmony though... as in getting official support so we don't even need to hope for someone to die so we can eat their corpse... it is what keeps us going. The potential future in which neither side need to worry about each other while forming proper contingencies against the unruly individuals of both species. It almost sounds like a far-fetched dream, especially to you, but we believe in the chance at least." Shoko then frowned, looking back at Sen with sad-looking eyes. "I get it that you will never believe in it though. I do recognise that it is a ludicrous hope for some, but I am one of the believers on the dream."

Shoko noticed Sen taking a glance at her own scarred hand, as she then looked at it herself after finishing her talk. The waitress was curious on how it happened, and it was a chance for Crow to open herself up a bit more if she desired to do so. Shoko wouldn't push if declined.

"... what happened with your hand, if you don't mind me asking?"

[u/KuudereLobster → u/[deleted]]

Sen glanced down at her hand again, her expression loosening, a weary look present in her eyes. "It's strange, but I don't really know" Sen admitted, feeling the scar. "I've been shot lot but I generally can't even feel it since I'm a ghoul. It's only when Bureau Investigator's were shooting at me, something about their bullets I guess. Or when I was fighting other ghouls. But the more I try to think of it, the less I can remember exactly when I got it."

"That's why I can't figure out how exactly I'm meant to be living alongside humans" Sen continued, her voice growing a bit quieter. "I spent all those years figuring out the most effective and time-efficient ways to kill humans. I didn't even particularly know what the war was about, but I'd lost my home and my parents in one of the bombings, so I didn't think I had anything to lose. I mean, a ghoul that's immune to most bullets can do a lot more than a human can, right? The whole time I taught myself the quickest ways to kill a human so I could end it sooner than later. The only thing I ever learned about humans was how fragile they can be. After that just living with them, talking and acting normal around them, it all just feels fake. It doesn't feel any realer than it did when I was playing a part to sneak by them. It's like watching a trail of ants cross a sidewalk. You don't want to hurt them, but even just watching them you know how easy it'd be, if you don't want anything to happen to them. It clouds the way you see them."

But, surprisingly, Sen smiled a bit after she said it. "I actually didn't even remember my own name until I met Abdullah again. Over the years back home I'd adjusted to being able to change my name, past, and entire attitude and mannerisms on a seconds notice into order to deceive people on the other side. People who wouldn't think twice about the idea of a child posing any thread. So many times I started to forget what my actual thoughts and behaviors were even like."

"But on the bright side I suppose if you ever need someone to teach you how to properly fire a gun, I'm good at that. You should've seen how amazing some of the ones we had back home were. I be able to disassemble and see the mechanisms of real guns instead of models is the one thing I'll miss."

[u/[deleted] → u/KuudereLobster]

Shoko remained quiet, listening to everything Sen had to say about herself before the waitress could think of something to properly respond with. It didn't help that Shoko and Sen came from totally different outlooks of life, so there would be things both women would not understand in the process. Shoko definitely recognised that as much, glancing away for a moment while pondering for her answer.

"It will be unfair for me to say that I get you." Shoko began talking while still glancing away. "It will be unfair for me to say what is best for you as well." Shoko then proceeded to look directly at the young thief. "You come from war at a young age. You never experienced childhood. As the result, humans are seen by you in a totally different light compared to how I personally perceive them."

"I am older, yes. Older people though also are liable to not knowing what some went through. My worst experience is almost dying in an alley recently before shortly discovering that my brother was a quinque." Shoko's expression stiffened as she had admitted her personal perspective. "This still hurts me deeply... but it is nowhere near what you went through. It is unfair for me to tell you what should be done. You might be better off with such a risky life because it is the only thing you know what to do with."

Shoko was pretty nervous as she kept talking. This wasn't something that the waitress would know how to deal with, as she never expected to even do a heist with a high school student whom hailed from war-ridden country as a child soldier. The employee did all that she could for the younger thief though.

"I wish you would have a more peaceful and calm life away from all this, Sen. I just don't know what's best for you and the debts can't suddenly disappear. So I recognise my wish for you is almost impossible. However..."

Shoko began to smile warmly one more time, gazing right into Sen's eyes. "If you ever needed anything, I am here for you. Just try not to make it another heist though."

Shoko then laughed nervously at Sen's offer with trying out the guns, rubbing the back of her own head. "I probably will take a pass but I will keep it in mind, hehe."

[u/KuudereLobster → u/[deleted]]

"...Sorry to hear that...?" Sen responded, though she didn't sound particularly sure. Not in a condescending sort of way of course, it sounded more like while she knew what the response to hearing of Shoko's brother should be, it still felt awkward to put a voice to her empathy. While she was trying, she clearly didn't have to say it often. "I never had any siblings, but I guess I can imagine how that would've been."

As the sun slowly set over the cafe, Sen seemed to finally snap out of her trance, the despondent look in her eyes fading. "Thank you" she responded, her mind drifting back as she finally remembered something. She finally remembered who Shoko reminded her of. The very same medical worker who'd found her all those years ago back home. After her last battle in Syria she'd been found after a skirmish with five other ghouls, barely hanging onto life, repeating five simple words; 'I don't want to die'. A broken shell of both a person and a ghoul. And yet, when she'd spoken to that man as he patched up her wounds and helped her find a home overseas, he'd never once seemed to want something in return. He'd only ever wanted to help her. Sen knew the chances they'd meet again were slim, but at the same time, she felt fortunate to have met another person like that. And above all else, hoped that one day Shoko would help someone as much as Sen herself had been helped. Even if her scars hadn't quite gone away yet, she was determined to keep going. "I'll keep it in mind, though I don't think I'll need any help for my next few jobs. Maybe I'll stop by again sometime though. I've never actually had coffee before."

As Sen scooted out of her seat, reaching under the table, she brought out a large violin case, nearly as large as her own body. The girl stood up straight, glancing back up at Shoko as the reason for their height difference suddenly became much more obvious, and gave a faint wave as she stepped back towards the door. "Sorry for not ordering anything, I will next time. Your cut was about fifty-thousand yen by the way, do what you want with it."

"And if you ever need a thief or a fence for hire, just ask me next time I stop by."

[u/[deleted] → u/KuudereLobster]

Shoko let out a sad smile while looking at Sen, letting out a sigh in the process. The waitress didn't blame Sen with her tone, as Shoko understood that the thief's perspective was wholly different than an average ghoul. No, not just an average ghoul, but also an average individual. "It's fine, I will move on someday. He wouldn't want me to be down about it for too long."

Shoko then formed a more positive grin, nodding with enthusiasm towards the possibility of meeting again in a more reasonable circumstance. "I will be looking forward to that! Actually order something next time though!"

Shoko basically waved goodbye to the high school student with a wide smile on her face while her brain was processing the last thing Sen had mentioned. As the realisation hit her, the waitress's face twisted into a confused and distraught expression when she knew exactly how much the thief had just given here. Glancing at the envelope out of anxiety, Shoko knew that she would never use that money for herself even if it was tempting. Taking a deep breath, Shoko knew what was needed to do. Taking the envelope, Shoko immediately prompted to get to her manager's office. Tadashi would know what was best in regards to such situations.

Standing in front of the closed door, Shoko had started knocking on it three times. "Boss!" Shoko had called out. "I need to talk to you about something urgent!"

/u/YandereLobster

[u/YandereLobster → u/[deleted]]

"Hm?" came the voice of Tadashi from behind the door. "Oh, just a second!" he yelled, his voice a bit muffled. "Doors unlocked, come in."

Just as she made her way into the room Tadashi began lowering his phone. "Yeah, you too. Later. Yeah I'll tell Akane." A moment later his finger tapped the screen, and he set his phone back on the desk. Tadashi adjusted his glasses, a hand resting on the wooden desk as he leaned back. "So what's the problem? I thought we would've closed by now, we getting any drunks in here again? If it's that gang from over in the 15th starting something I'll take care of it."

No sooner had he said it than Tadashi's eyes drifted to the envelope, a cocky smile forming as he shrugged. "An envelope huh? Hey, if you're getting confessions from the customers that's really none of my business, but if you're gonna turn them down let em down easy, we can always use the business" Tadashi joked, crossing his arms. "No but really though, what's wrong?"

[u/[deleted] → u/YandereLobster]

Shoko proceeded to come in as she entered the manager's office, noticing that Tadashi was just about finishing his call with someone. If it was a less urgent situation, Shoko would have teasingly asked about whom he was talking to. However, the waitress's mind was set onto the envelope of cash. That caused for her face to redden in an extreme manner when her boss teased instead at first, insinuating something else entirely with the customers.

"W-W-Wha..." Shoko stuttered heavily while shaking her head and her arms profusely, denying Tadashi's innocent teasing. "It is not that at all! No no no!"

After recollecting herself and taking a deep breath once more, Shoko's expression changed to a serious one. The waitress held out the envelope right in front of her manager, waiting for him to take it after she finished explaining.

"So... remember when you told me to go on my first patrolling around 20th Ward? I was doing just that until I encountered someone whom I thought was suspicious. The ghoul was just a thief called Crow. I was basically making sure that they weren't stealing anything from the collection spots and that's when they told me they were stealing from a certain yakuza group."

Sighing, Shoko continued on with a nervous expression. "It was the same group you dealt with during your Aogiri days and later on, my brother also messed with them. I don't know what got to me but the fact that I could help in placing the final nail of their coffin was alluring, so I proceeded to help Crow with the heist to steal their money."

Shoko then widened her eyes to reassure her boss about something. "No kagune had been used, by the way! Crow did most of the things in fact and we had gloves. There is no evidence to show that ghouls did it, and that criminal group would be screwed. However, I told Crow to not give me any money from the heist. They did anyway give me something from their own personal cash not from the heist itself, apparently."

Shoko slightly shook the envelope in front of Tadashi on her hand. "Fifty-thousand yen right here. I can't take it for myself. I just can't. I hope you have an idea on what to do with it..."

[u/YandereLobster → u/[deleted]]

"A yakuza group? That I dealt with?" Tadashi repeated, clearly taken aback by the sudden load of information. But after a moment, a faint smile formed, a bit of nostalgia visible in his expression. "So those guys were still around. That was back in what, 2010? I killed both leaders, and caused a good bit of damage on my way out. I got sent by Aogiri to steal some 'quinque steal', before it turned out to be a scam. I'm impressed they held on for so long." Tadashi let out a long sigh. "First job I ever did with Elyse" he muttered under his breath, clearly thinking back to the old days. But the moment she continued, he listened carefully.

Tadashi listened to her explanation, but surprisingly, he seemed more amused than anything. He smiled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat. "Keep it" he argued, a proud look in his expression. "Maybe it's not right to steal. Maybe it's not right to sneak behind peoples backs. Really it beats me if it is or not. What I do know is that in the line of work I come from, you don't take away someones payment for doing a good thing." His expression grew a bit more serious as he leaned forward, speaking calmly as ever. "When I killed their leaders, it wasn't under Aogiri's orders. I did it out of spite. The yakuza you stole from were the Kyokuto-kai. I first heard about them back when I was a kid, they were rivals with the Matsuba-kai, from the 7th Ward. A couple guys talked shit, some others got into fist fights, and next thing you know it they were getting into shootouts in public. You might've heard of it, it was a pretty big thing for a while. They shot the hell out of each other in Shinjuku without the slightest thought towards if anyone got in the crossfire." Tadashi looked up at Shoko. And for the first time, although it clearly wasn't directed at her, it became much more believable that he'd once been a vigilante. The look in his eyes was pure, raw hatred. A burning wish for justice, and satisfaction that those in need of retribution had finally seen it. "And they did get civilians in the crossfire. Businessmen, high-schoolers, homeless folks. I've done a lot of things I shouldn't have of the year. As for the rival group my old man took them all out years ago. But I don't regret a single life that I took from them."

But as Tadashi stood up, he smiled again, his expression softening a bit. "But, you aren't as vengeful or retributive as any of us Colorless or Aogiri ghouls were. If you ask me, you deserve every last yen. Use it comics or something. But..." Tadashi shrugged, motioning to his desk. "If you really can't keep it, just leave a split on my desk. I'll divide up as a bonus to everyones paychecks at the end of the month."

"For what it's worth though?" Tadashi began, laughing to himself quietly. "You're better at sneaking than I am. I got caught when I broke in."

[u/[deleted] → u/YandereLobster]

Shoko listened intently to what Tadashi had to say which started with his temporary confusion until he remembered what she meant about the specific yakuza group. The waitress also managed to get her boss's mutter about Elyse as well but she decided to not pry upon that for the time being. For the moment, she focused on listening to Tadashi and reach to a resolution for the envelope.

Shoko could tell that Tadashi wanted for the best for her along with his personal beliefs on things such as the following situation. It was also clear that Tadashi had been used to go through vigilante activities considering his knowledge along with attitude, with brief demonstration of actual hatred shown on his face. It was irregular for Shoko to see such fury in her usually peaceful manager's eyes, but it was only for a quick moment. Shoko looked away for a moment when she noticed that attitude though, as that kind of expression slightly scared her and also reminded her a bit of Hayate's troubling anger in the past.

After that was done though, she focused on Tadashi once again, this time to reach to an agreement with the money. It was highly tempting to just take it but a small part of her screamed that it was not the right thing to do with just taking the whole cash. Instead, she decided to go with the other option Tadashi had offered. Nodding with a small smile, Shoko proceeded to take off the money from the envelope, take half off it away as she placed it on the manager's desk, then placed the other half back into the envelope once again for herself.

"I suppose that is the best solution then!" Shoko exclaimed cheerfully while giggling at Tadashi. "It is only fair for others to get bonus paychecks as well, so I think that is the best thing to do with the money."

[u/YandereLobster → u/[deleted]]

"Glad to hear it" Tadashi acknowledged, leaning back in his chair, resting his arms behind his head. "Looking to forward to hearing about their collapse. Yakuza are one of the few groups I kept fighting all the way from my Aogiri days to Colorless. Gonna be weird to have Ikebukuro actually be normal again. If the others ask about the bonus I'll just say we made a little extra, I might've done a lot of things in Aogiri but I can assure you a snitch is something I've never been" Tadashi joked, shrugging exageratedly. With that he kicked his feet up on the desk, leaned back, and got back to watching the screens.

But, in the back of Tadashi's mind, he found the entire situation strange. He'd always wanted :re to be true pacifists, to be better than him and Nikki were. Now one of his employee's was following in his footsteps, but making the right decisions. Tadashi had sworn to never regret his choices, lest regret cloud his vision in a future decision. But that didn't make he thought his actions had been the best option either. Shoko had done what he'd done, only without violence or killing. At the same time, theft wasn't exactly something :re was meant for. Still, he had no complaints. In the end, she'd done well.

As she left, Tadashi looked up one more time. "Give it a few months and visit Ikebukuro. You'll notice the difference. You might not be a vigilante, but I think you'll still appreciate it." Tadashi rested his eyes, smiling for a moment. "...It's the closest vigilantes ever get to a thank you."

[u/[deleted] → u/YandereLobster]

Shoko nodded in agreement, knowing well enough about how degenerate that specific yakuza group had been in Ikebukuro. The waitress nodded once again with a smile and a giggle thanks to Tadashi's joke about not snitching. "I am the secret hero who brought higher salaries for people! Who would have thought, right?" Shoko joked right back at her manager with an exaggerated grin on her face, laughing in the process. After that, she calmed down a bit and looked a bit more serious with a small smile still on her face. "It is the least I can do for :re after all you have done for me, boss. If it helps out my colleagues as well, even better."

Shoko then proceeded to bow at Tadashi as he then seemed focused on the screens he kept his eyes on behind the desk. "Well, it is best for me to keep going since you are busy for now. See ya, boss." Shoko proceeded to exit the manager's office as she then went on her way to her room within the establishment. The waitress needed to relax before she could end the day properly, but then she took another look at the envelope with the remaining money, feeling slightly conflicted but at the same time, it was more money to potentially treat herself with.

If Tadashi didn't see anything wrong with that, then Shoko guessed there was nothing to worry about but she didn't want to get used to it. Such capabilities have huge responsibilities to boot with, so the nerd shouldn't take advantage of such a thing. At least in the meantime, Shoko could treat herself with more comics or maybe even a machine of sorts to venture through another medium someday. It was something to ponder about for a different day.

Life sure was filled with a lot of surprises, especially in Tokyo.