Awwwwww.

“I really like you.” Rize smiles. She might seem self-assured, but she’s not. She was brought up in a garden, as a human breeder for powerful ghouls, after all.

Nice men? She doesn’t trust them. 

But she wants to trust this one. He seems sweet. He’s easy to talk to. And he likes Sen Takatsuki. 

“I like you, too!” Kaneki cries, and he looks so innocent and joyous Rize lets herself feel joy, too.

He doesn’t even kiss her. He just lets her hug him and walks her home. She’s not expected to do anything for him. Rize nearly cries of happiness.

They meet up time and time again. Eventually, he confesses his upbringing, and Rize can piece together the rest. She holds him as he cries.

“What about you?” he asks, and that’s when she freezes.

But he sees her fear, and he holds her and reassures her. He doesn’t force her to answer.

That’s the first day she kisses him.

They don’t make love until nearly a year later. But when they do, Kaneki knows everything, and he’s angry for her, and he tells her she’s strong and beautiful and amazing. It doesn’t hurt that he bought her a signed copy of Takatsuki’s latest novel. 

He cries after they finish, and Rize laughs. Her joy returns. 

Every day with Kaneki is a joy.