kingkishou:

btw I haven’t seen this included in all the checkerboard posts, but the reason why it’s so prevalent in Kaneki’s memory is because there’s checkered tile on the table where he found his mom dead. 

Having it on the floor of Yamori’s room dredged up that memory. In his despair he needed an explanation. “If only mom loved me” became “I am not loveable” became “I don’t deserve love” became “I don’t need her love”(denial).

Having the checkered tile fall away is a major moment of enlightenment: that even in his “monstrous” state, he is loved, does love, and deserves it, too.