Hiraeth (A HideKane/ KaneHide multichapter fic)

Chapter 13

I do not own this story. It is written by Aellia on FanFiction.net. All credits go to her.

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"So, Flyer, huh?"

It was now late morning, and Kaneki and Hide decided to head to a coffee shop to talk about their options over quality coffee. Hide shrugged in response to Kaneki's words, leaning his head against his propped up hand. That was what the CCG had called him, but they hadn't identified the other ghoul-Kaneki-whom he had been carrying. Fortunately, in the split second glance he got of them as they flew by, Arima hadn't been able to see Kaneki's mask and label him as Centipede. Being connected to such a well-known and powerful ghoul would only make the CCG want to catch Hide more, so he was thankful his accomplice hadn't been identified.

"Kind of suits you," Kaneki said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"What makes you say that?" Hide questioned.

"When we were kids, you had a lot of energy," he explained. "You were literally the definition of bouncing off the walls-especially when you ate that one cereal, what was it? I don't even know anymore, but it gave you a sugar rush like nothing else." Kaneki chuckled as he spoke, a fond look on his face.

"Oh, I remember that! It was that American cereal they brought over here...Fruit Loops, right? I could never get enough of that stuff." He laughed, remembering how excited he would get when his parents actually let him have a bowl of the sugary nightmare. Sipping his coffee, he leaned back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head. He was trying to seem nonchalant about the fact that he was on the radar now, but, in actuality, it made him rather nervous. He could tell Kaneki felt unease as well, but didn't mention it.

Kaneki took another drink from his cup before saying, "I remember that one tim-"

"Hey, is that Nagachika? Guys, look, it is!"

Suddenly, a group of three guys appeared out of thin air next to their table, eyes wide and gaping at Hide. Unfortunately, Hide recognized them immediately. They were from his political science class in Kamii.

Shit-he had forgotten all about school.

"U-uh, hey," Hide stammered, cursing himself for stuttering. He shot Kaneki a look of distress, who was glancing from him to the group of boys and then back to him nervously. "How are ya guys?" he asked with feigned happiness.

"We should be asking you that question. We heard you went missing!" one exclaimed far too loudly for both Hide and Kaneki's liking.

"Yeah, but really he's just been playing hooky," another said, snickering.

Hide put his hands up, grinning. "You got me."

"Can we get the autograph of the guy who dropped off the face of the planet?" the third asked. "You are a celebrity now, after all."

"Celebrity?" Kaneki questioned. It was then that the group noticed him.

Turning to Kaneki, one replied, "Yeah, man! The whole campus has been talking about him! It's like that other guy who went missing-who was it again?"