One Month After Chapter 9

Things have been going according to plan. Aogiri has successfully broken into Cochlea a while back and managed to get even more ghouls to join. Our army is becoming massive. We've claimed a hideout for our members in the 11th ward, and all members wear red cloaks to signify their Aogiri presence.

Information about my novel, "Dear Kafka," arrived a week ago. Shiono told me he was successfully able to get it on the shelves. It seems to be a best-seller, as it has already sold over 50,000 copies in one week. ...I think I've done pretty good for a debut story. I can already feel the money lining my pockets!

Because of how good my debut as an upcoming novelist was, I quit my part-time job. Cash should be flowing in quickly, and I could use it to sustain Kaneki and I. My goals as a human are already complete. All I have to do is keep writing whenever I have free time.

My ghoul rating has been increased to SSS. Aogiri is probably the biggest threat to the CCG at the moment. They still barely manage to stop my rampages. At this rate, the CCG will either fall or hopelessly try to defend themselves.

The only negative about Aogiri right now, is that we only have about 3 strong members, with the rest as small fry. There are over 150 ghouls among us. I'll have to find more ghouls with power, or Aogiri will eventually collapse.

That's why I'm here, visiting an old grave of the one who raised me. Noroi.

...He died while trying to protect me. I ended up burying his body some place, with a poorly made grave.

I think my kagune's powerful enough to create life. If I manipulate it properly, I should be able to use Noroi's body as a catalyst for the kagune to become sentient. Essentially, I'll create a living kagune. With it's regenerative properties, it should be impossible for it to die.

In life, you taught me how to live in this twisted world. And now, in death, you'll continue to be able to support me in my journey. You won't retain conciousness, or remember yourself... so I think you should be called something different. From now onwards, you shall be known as... Noro.

After removing his body from the grave, I unleashed my kagune and began toying with it. Eventually, something clicked. It became... alive.

My kagune spun around and detached into his body, covering the corpse in a kakuja-like human form. It eventually emerged from the grave, standing on its own. Like controlling my own body parts, I can command Noro to whatever I tell it to do.

If I could do this to other dead bodies, Aogiri would be unstoppable. Unfortunately, my kagune is limited and using it like this further will render me extremely weak. I'll just have one super-soldier by my side.

I grabbed Noro's old mask, which was beside his body, and put it on him.

He looks... really menacing like this. The Noroi I knew was gentle, and would protect me no matter what, even if it cost his own life. The being that stood before me was nothing more than a mere pawn, a tool to be used for my own purposes. ...There really isn't a way to bring back the dead.

I brought him back to the Aogiri hideout in the 11th ward, and introduced him as another leader. I took a red cloak and put it on Noro, to conceal his kagune body.

Now... what should I do? I've done everything right so far, besides finding a candidate for the One-Eyed King. I've heard of a "binge eater" that recently abandoned home and is now wandering the streets of Tokyo, eating any appealing humans it sees. I can... maybe try to get her to join Aogiri. I'm not sure where her whereabouts are, though.

There's also a problem with my father. He made "contact" with me, if you can even call it that. During my third attack on the 2nd ward's CCG office, I was heavily wounded and on the verge of death. However, another Owl came from above and saved my life. It was my father. He was watching and came to save me. He didn't say anything, so I just tried to escape while I could.

I don't know if he truly meant to save me or not. I should probably consult him, but honestly... I really don't feel like it.

Ugh, I'll just head back to my apartment and write some stuff. There's not much to do anyway.

I walked at a brisk pace from Aogiri's headquarters to my safe haven.

You know, with my money, I can probably afford a house or something. ...I don't really feel like moving all my things, though, so I'll just keep the apartment for now. Plus, it's much easier to manage than a house.

On my way back, I smelled the scent of ripe blood. Human blood.

...Was a ghoul eating here? Perhaps I can try and tell them about Aogiri.

I turned the corner and walked into a nearby alleyway. In front of me stood a long, purple-haired female ghoul with glasses and blood drenched all over her face and clothes.

...Is this... the binge eater? I've heard that she had luscious purple hair and wore glasses. It was strange coming from another woman, but she certainly was... beautiful.

The ghoul turned around and looked at me, with both kakugan gleaming in the darkness.

[Eto: "...Hey. You're that "binge eater," aren't you? I don't know why nor do I care about your eating habits, but maybe you can do something productive and join me."]

She tilted her head and wore a confused look, before smiling.

[Ghoul: "...You're the leader of that group, right? The one fighting the CCG. What was it called... oh right, Aogiri something."]

The female ghoul licked the blood off of her hands and pushed up her glasses before standing on her two feet.

[Eto: "...It's Aogiri Tree. Would you like to join us? We fight for the freedom of all ghouls."]

[Ghoul: "...I'm not interested in something like that. I just want to eat. ...Humans sure are tasty, don't you agree?"]

...Of course. Someone like her doesn't care about her own kind. Selfish to the end, only caring about her own pleasure and doing anything to maintain it. ...I thought it was pathetic, but if she really wanted to keep living like that, then she's free to.

[Eto: "Well, can you at least give me your name? I'm sure this won't be the last time we meet."]

I had an uncanny feeling about her. Maybe it was the fact that she seemed strong. I noticed that she wielded a rinkaku type kagune, extremely versatile in the way it's used to kill. That kagune could be dangerous, yet she wastes its potential to keep killing humans over and over again...

The ghoul in front of me hesitated for a bit before responding.

[Ghoul: "...Rize. Rize Kamishiro."]

[Eto: "...Alright. I'll leave you alone, for now, Rize. Goodbye."]

She inspected me with curiosity.

[Rize: "Hmm... good night."]

I walked away first, and heard a couple of more munching noises before dead silence. I assumed she left soon after I did.

...How conspicuous. It's whatever, I guess. I'll just go back to doing what I was supposed to do. People don't like when I try to meddle in their business.

That reminds me, during our last encounter about a week ago, Arima told me about some guy named Akihiro Kanou. Apparently, he's a doctor that specializes in using ghouls for medicinal purposes. And... the most interesting part is that he's attempting to create artificial half-ghouls. Ghouls... like me. I guess half-ghouls are naturally stronger than normal ghouls, for some reason.

I should try and make contact with Kanou. I'm sure it'll be beneficial somehow. If I remember correctly, he worked in the CCG for a while before taking hold of his own workplace... I think it was called Kanou General Hospital. I'll come to visit some time tomorrow.

I finally got home and swung open the door.

[Eto: "I'm back!"]

Kaneki was laying on my bed, exhausted. I assumed he had just finished his homework, as he still attended school.

[Kaneki: "A-ah... welcome back."]

He stood up, embarassed to be seen on my bed.

Well, it was more like our bed. For the past 2 months, we've been sleeping together in the same bed. It's taken a while to get used to, but I guess Kaneki just still hasn't became accustomed to it yet. We still haven't made any moves, not yet, at least.

I've been out all day, so being with Kaneki is really refreshing. I decided to tell him about my day, and he told me about his. Kaneki has exams coming up, so that was why he was so exhausted when I came.

I always tell Kaneki everything. All my plans, about Aogiri, the binge eater, and Kanou. It works wonders when I need to release stress.

[Kaneki: "The binge eater... you said her name was Rize. What did she look like?"]

[Eto: "...Hmm? She had purple hair and wore glasses. ...Why? Are you interested in her or something?"]

Kaneki suddenly jumped up in response.

[Kaneki: "No! ...No, of course not. I'm just being careful, just in case something happens again. ...And the only girl I'm interested in is you, Eto. No one else."]

I was flattered by his compliments.

I just wanted to see his reaction if I said something like that. I wasn't expecting that last part, though.

[Eto: "You can be so cheesy sometimes, you know that?"]

Kaneki scratched his head and chuckled.

[Kaneki: "Well, I try my best..."]

After a long while of chatting, we decided to ready ourselves for bed.

[Eto: "Tomorrow will be another busy day for the both of us. Let's rest up so we have energy!"]

The lights were off and we both laid in bed together.

[Kaneki: "Y-yeah... Good night, Eto."]

I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

[Eto: "...Night. Love you!"]

Kaneki wriggled in my embrace.

[Kaneki: "You don't have to keep telling me that, you know. You're the one being cheesy, not me..."]

[Eto: "...Hmph, I just wanted to remind you."]

[Kaneki: "...I won't forget. I won't forget the feelings that we share. It just embarasses me that you're so lovey-dovey, especially since you're trying to cuddle with me while we sleep in the same bed."]

What, does he not want me to give him my love and affection? I guess it's a little uncomfortable for someone like Kaneki, but I'm sure he'll get used to it. It just feels unusual to have someone love you when you've never even had someone that cared in the first place.

[Eto: "...I can go further if you want me to. Is that what you want?"]

This was a bluff. I actually don't have the guts to do something like this. Knowing Kaneki, he'll either be super embarassed or come back with a witty response.

I could simply tell that he was blushing right about now, without even looking at his face.

[Kaneki: "...I wouldn't mind, but not now. Maybe later, okay?"]

Now I was the one starting to blush.

[Eto: "What do you mean by that?! You have to give me a direct answer! Yes, or no!"]

He chuckled to himself quietly.

[Kaneki: "We're just children, Eto. We shouldn't even be doing something like that in the first place."]

[Eto: "I don't really think morality matters anymore. How many hundreds of people have I killed in my lifetime? You might be pure, but as far as I know, I'm far from innocent."]

[Kaneki: "Pfft, I'm not even close to innocent. Everyone has some sort of darkness in them."]

It was true Kaneki was not entirely... pure. He was broken, lost, destroyed. He's seen so many things that has corrupted his mind, and I'm the only thing keeping him intact. If he ever lost me, the emotions he's kept hidden inside will flood, and it'll make him go mad. I won't- no, I can't let that happen. Never.

[Eto: "Yeah, but you shouldn't put yourself on the same level as me. I've killed people, ruined so many families, all for my own selfish purposes... you? You've done nothing wrong. I'm the one going to hell."]

Kaneki sighed before speaking again.

[Kaneki: "You tell me not to compare myself to you, but you're the one treating yourself unfairly. Don't put yourself below others. Just because you do something that society deems wrong, it doesn't mean that you're wrong. Sure, you've done some messed up things, but I know you're just trying to do it for the greater good."]

Kaneki recollected his thoughts.

[Kaneki: "Life is full of decisions. You'll make good ones, and you'll make bad ones. That's just how life is. It's all up to you if you think what you're doing is just. And... in your case, I know you're doing the right thing. It's not like you're evil. ...You, you've saved my life. That's a righteous thing in itself."]

He quieted himself once more.

[Kaneki: "...So if you're going to hell, then I'm coming with."]

...This is the pinnacle of happiness. I was at a loss for words. All kinds of feelings surged through me. I felt my confidence, my motivation, and everything else skyrocket 10 times the amount it was before. I've never felt this invigorated before.

I tightened my grip on Kaneki.

[Eto: "Mm..."]

I couldn't say anything for a while.

I'm conflicted. I know Kaneki means good, but I know what I have done is wrong. It's not just society, but also me, that thinks its immoral. ...But what he says is also partly correct. This is for the greater good. For the world.

I think that I... if I do what I believe is right, I won't go to hell. I'll be in paradise with Kaneki.

...Yeah, that's what I want to do.

[Eto: "...Thank you."]

I pulled Kaneki closer to me.

[Kaneki: "...Don't worry about it. This is the least I can do. You're working so much harder than me."]

He shuffled under the blankets.

[Kaneki: "...You deserve the right to be happy."]

I held him even tighter.

[Eto: "...I really wouldn't know what I'd do without you."]

I felt tears gathering in my eyes.

What'd I do to have someone like Kaneki by my side...? I used to be nothing, until I met him. Now, I feel like I'm on top of the world. It's such an intense feeling.

[Kaneki: "...Night, Eto."]

[Eto: "Y-you too..."]

The night consumed us as we drifted into the relaxation of our own minds. Like an enveloping darkness, the vision we shared became a simple reflection of our lives.

Chapter 10 ~ For Those Imperfect

END