DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul Root A and Tokyo Ghoul:re and other products related to the TG Series are all owned by Sui Ishida, Shin Towada and Shueisha.
Please support the official release.
Chapter 11: Time to face your fears
It was a sunny day in Tokyo and I had decided to take a walk with Eto as I had promised the day prior.
Tatara had complied to once more guard the flat while we were away, even through I had voiced that there was no need to actually stay too much indoors.
"I still have to recover... and I am studying some curious newspaper."
Noticing for the first time since he had become our housemate that he was reading several old paper, I just shrugged at this research of his and focused on the main event of this day.
"Wade!"
Jumping in surprise, I stared wide-eyed at the girl.
Dressed with a long light-brown coat, a pair of dark jeans and a scarf covering her mouth and nose from the cold wind of the winter, Eto's green eyes gave away the frustration she was feeling.
"S-Sorry, was a bit distracted by some thoughts. What did you ask?"
She sighed, returning to stare forward as we continued to walk through the streets of the capital.
"You have yet to tell me where exactly are we going. Can I know where you are taking me to?"
A smile creeped on my face as I decided that revealing our important destination would spoil the pleasant mood of the morning.
"Just enjoy this nice breeze, Eto-chan! We never have the opportunity to walk around together."
The girl's stare lasted few more minutes, then she shrugged and stared at our proximity.
Her eyes landed on the small playground of the park devoid of children they were approaching near, specifically the small swing that sparked a little thirst of curiousity in her mind.
"C-Can you-?" She didn't finish the sentence, pointing at the swing, as if to avoid saying something too much embarassing.
My smile widened at the childish but quite acceptable request and I nodded at her, letting Eto pull me into the park by holding my hand.
It was one of the few things that had started to feel normal, to hold hands in public.
While I knew mine was moderated by restrain but caused by care, the Ghoul's grasp was.. clingy.
Not too much as to feel desperate but there was some concern, fear that my releasing my hand in the open would see me disappear from her life.
And while that might seem like an egoistical thought, it was actually the truth.
When her little secret was revealed and I showed that I didn't care much about what she was, Eto got more and more comfortable around me, showing worry, appreciation, jealously regarding any actions I made.
While I knew she was a good person, I also knew that deep in her heart there was a spark of madness ready to jump out at any bad moment.
If she was to find herself without me, having become her lifeline in this crazy world, I fear that not even I could stop her once she switched to that hidden side of hers.
Slowly pushing her back forward, Eto hummed happily as she enjoyed the sensation of the swing.
"Why are we going to Anteiku?"
My heart skipped a beat at the terribly accurate question but I felt more confused by her calm tone.
I would have expected a stronger reaction to the news, yet...
"I was thinking about we should visit your father."
The swing stopped moving, the small Ghoul stared at the cold grass as she digested my words.
"Why?"
I didn't reply at first, opting to sit on the other free swing.
"Your book is named 'Dear Kafka'. Why did you choose that title?"
She blinked, her green eyes showing the mental effort to try and understand where this discussion was going.
"Because it was about my father.. about the feeling I have towards him after everything."
Nodding at her, I continued to stare absently at the well-trimmed bushes in front of us.
"Do you remember when I asked you to read Kafka's works and tell me what was the glaring error in your first book?"
She groaned, remembering perfectly the confusing task. "I remember founding nothing on my own and you telling me that I was just lying. But what is the point of that in this conversation?"
I clapped my gloved hands once, removing the last sleepiness in her and getting her whole attention.
"Franz Kafka wrote his Letters... by having spoken directly to his father, differently from you. While his works could be considered experience written on paper, yours is a condemnation made by theory at best."
She looked ready to protest this critic, to say that she had proof in the form of her mother's journal but...
Eto didn't know what to say, something pushing any opposition to my words away, leaving a curious mind's mess to be showed in her face.
"I know that I'm asking you a lot by having you done this but... it's necessary. Not only for me, but for you."
The cold wind continued to send chills to our bodies and the Ghoul seemed conflicted on what should choose in this predicament.
A compromise seemed to win in her soul and she sighed. "Only once. If I'm right, I don't want to even visit this Ward ever again. Deal?"
I nodded, my smile seemingly infecting Eto's gloomy face as a beautiful, small smile bloomed in her face.
Fifteen minutes later and we were both staring at the entrance of the small café.
My hand squeezed hers softly, reminding her of my presence and support.
This seemed to be enough to break the small block she had as we closed up to the door and, entering the shop, we were hit by the warmth of the place.
Differently from the first and last time I had been in this coffee shop, there was no sight of the older man and, on his place, were a young woman and a young man.
We approached the waiters, the woman being the first to reply. "Good morning, how may I help you?"
Giving a quick glance at the distracted Eto, I decided to be the one to take charge.
"Is Yoshimura-san still working there? I remember him working there alone last time I came here."
The waitress seemed surprise at the question, then nodded. "Y-Yoshimura-san has expanded the shop, he is currently doing work on his office there." She pointed at the door on the side.
I nodded. "We are good friend of the manager and we would like to do a surprise to him.."
The waitress nodded at my words. "If so then you are free to knock at the door, Sir."
Finally I noticed Eto's hold at my hand getting stronger and we both knew it was time to face the music.
Two soft knocks and a familiar voice muttered a 'come in'.
I decided to enter the room first and I was surprised at the big but well-ordered office the manager had furnished.
"Oh! You are that client so many months ago." The old man smiled as he strayed away from the paperwork. "What are you doing here? I thought you had gotten books to write?"
I smiled at his words. "I decided to pass there again and bring someone who truly wished to meet you, Yoshimura-san."
The old Ghoul blinked in surprise, not expecting for me to bring someone he knew. "Sure but who is it-..."
His question died in the making as Eto finally entered the room, remaining quite close to me as if ready to bail out of the place by dragging me away by force.
"E-Eto?"
I blinked once and the man seemed to move at the speed of light as he approached and pulled the girl into an embrace, sobbing at her shoulder.
"F-Father?"
Tears formed in her eyes as they both kept hugging each other for few minutes and I just decided to not speak as to not interrupt their moment.
"So I was right afterall!"
Eto groaned, her hands covering her face out of shame.
"Oh c'mon! It's not like you lost something there, you actually gained someone who can fill you with the missing part of that journal."
"Why should I even need that?" Eto muttered, looking quite annoyed at this point of view. "I think I know already what my mother thought of-" "Shush!"
My finger and voice silenced her. "You are once more falling on presumtions. I thought you learned how to not be this silly."
She groaned but didn't complained any further as we reached back to our home.
As I opened the door I was greeted by the sight of Arima and Tatara looking at the entrance. "Wade-senpai."
I was about to greet back but my eyes lowered to the pink-haired child clinging at the young human's leg.
"Kohai of mine, who's that little girl?"
Few moments later and we were all sitting on the living room's table.
"So you wish for little Hairu to live here from now on?" I hummed as I considered the proposal of the young investigator. "Has she experienced-" "No. She should have but.. I remembered your words, senpai, and so I'm here asking you to take care of her from now on."
"Did you make sure you weren't followed, that we are not going to have trouble?"
The young Reaper nodded. "I did. No one would suspect me as I have faked well enough being to be easily considered a puppet to their ploy."
Then the young man patted the little girl's head. "Hairu-chan, Wade-senpai is a good person and will give you the opportunity to live a normal childhood."
The girl's hands still clinged steely at his pants. "I-I don't want to go, N-Niichan. I-I don't want to leave y-y-youuuh!"
She sobbed on his chest as Arima picked her on his arms, letting her release the sorrow.
"Arima-san will still visit, Hairu. I can assure you of that."
Her head turned, staring shyly at me as I gave her the kindest smile I had. "Y-You promise. N-Niichan, is it real?"
The glass-wearing teen nodded, giving a small smile. "Yes."
That day our mixed family gained a new little member and Eto managed to find a new theme for her next book: going back to her critics.
Thus Dropped Box was conceived as Sen Takatsuki's second book and newest masterwork.
AN
Some thoughts regarding the chapter before someone press about the particular sore spot: the reason why I didn't give a proper dialogue between Kuzen and Eto is because I felt that it was meant even in the canon to be left open to imagination and that if I try to write it I might mess up many expectations, thus ruining this big question of TG.
Hairu Ihei was conceived in the Sunlit Garden and was close to Kishou Arima prior to become a CCG Investigator. One of the most tragic characters that should have received a little bit more of characterisation in my opinion.
Lastly, this chapter was meant to be released yesterday but FF site had some issues that didn't let me login on my profile, so this is why it has been released late.
Review Q&A!
Ezeakel: Thank you!
Mystic ToMatooo: There will be a good ending.
