☄ 002 | Video; ID reads "Gran"

[starlinings]

[It's been a little over two months since Gran's been in this place. Maybe two exactly if we're getting technical. He's settled in, he's gotten himself signed up for school, he's started working at his jo-


Well. Sort of started working at his job. With his school and sports schedule, he's had to currently work around it in a lot of ways, and he really started emphasizing the 'part' in part-time. It didn't leave much room for training, to be honest. And the most he could really show up for was signing papers and watching videos on how to behave around kids.

He lived with kids, too. So this wasn't exactly new to him.


But now here comes the fun part. The video opens to him sitting on the steps to King Pong, paddle in hand as he idly taps it against his palm.]


So. I'm...supposed to be a Ping-Pong instructor here. I don't mind it, the kids are nice, and the staff is kind to me. But I was just wondering...


[The next part of this comes somewhat sheepishly, a hand running through his bright red hair and pulling it out of his eyes for just a moment, keeping it's shape almost immediately until he fixes it.]

...Does anyone know how to play Ping-Pong?


[He is vastly under-qualified.]

Comments

[starlinings]

[It's ok, soccer was like that back home, tbqh]

I guess I could, but I figured I'd try and reach out to someone who isn't a coworker first.

[He's...a little afraid of adult disappointment. RIP his life.]

My--[What did he even call her? The nuance of family was so much different to Aliea Academy...] Ulvida is picking me up a book with her library card. So I'm sure that'll be something to go over this weekend.

[ghoulking]

[ it's questionable if what you play can be called soccer gran............. ]


That's good. Maybe you can train with a friend, even if they don't know much about it, either. Or with you... Ulvida? [ what is a Ulvida why are aliens so difficult to understand ]

[starlinings]

[ITS SOCCER YOU PLEB.


But the mention of Ulvida gets his attention, practically sitting bolt upright at the mention.]


You know Ulvida?

[ghoulking]

[ how is that soccer have you seen soccer???????



Kaneki tilts his head ]

I don't, but you seemed lost on what to consider her. [ he said "my" and then drifted off. It could be a daemon for all he knows. ]

[starlinings]

Oh I see.

[His phrasing was pretty vague, wasn't it.]

She's...an important person to me. I'm not really sure what to call her. We lived together as long as I can remember.

[ghoulking]

She's family, then. [ very matter-of-factly said, as if it was the most clear thing to him. Because it sort of is. That's how he sees Hinami. ]

[starlinings]

Yes... in some ways. But no in others.


I have a sister. We're not blood related, but she'll always be my nee-san.


Ulvida is...I love her just as much, but it's not the same. It's slightly different.

[ghoulking]

In general, you can love people in different yet similar ways. There are many different kinds of love, just there are many different kinds of family.

[starlinings]

Mmm...I think you're right.


[Ken's explanation seems to make more sense than his own thinking, especially since he's been trying to figure out what exactly to call her. "Sister' doesn't feel right.

But the affection is just as deep.]

I suppose it's one of those things that words just can't really pinpoint.

[ghoulking]

And that's fine too. You don't really need to say "this is a mother" or "this is a father", "this is a friend" or "this is a sister". Just "family" is enough.

Hinami isn't just my sister. [ they aren't even blood related. ] Sometimes I'm her mother, but sometimes she's my mother, and she is my best friend, too. Ultimately, she is someone I'd do anything for, and when she isn't there I'll still carry her with me.

That's what family is.

[starlinings]

...I think that's said perfectly.

[It's almost relieving to hear--he can't just settle for 'sister' for her, because she wasn't that. His nee-san and Ulvida were two completely different feelings, although he held the same level of affection for both. Relationships were confusing when you were raised without a family for some of your life, and then found one in the orphanage you were raised in.]

She's family, blood related or not.