Talk:Touka Kirishima/@comment-24.74.64.155-20160627041645/@comment-10733658-20160627114144

^ Well, I tried to explain things as simply as possible.

Clearly, her words did have some impact simply because of how Kaneki responded. He starts to tear up, and says that it was "cruel" of her to say that.

Again, remember that Kaneki himself states that "Hide" was merely part of his subconscious. Just like in the situation with "Rize", it was his own thoughts being voiced through someone that he would listen to. So every single thing that "Hide" said was something Kaneki wanted to hear, and was already thinking on some level.

That he didn't really want to die, and that there were people that needed him and were waiting for him. And who told him that, exactly? Touka did, when she used a phrase used to send a loved one off for the day. A phrase that indicates you will see that person again soon, and that you expect them to come home safely.

Kaneki is a character that has, throughout the series, longed for a home and a sense of belonging. That is one of his main struggles and themes. In that moment, Touka said exactly what he needed to hear, in that she clearly conveyed that there was a home and a family waiting for him.

That idea stuck in his mind, until it finally solidified in his subconscious calling up the image of Hide to tell him what he needed to hear.