That night, Nanami stared blankly at the food on her plate.

"Eat your food," Amon instructed.

"So," Akira said, wiping her mouth. "How was your first day of school?"

Nanami scowled at the table. "Do I have to go back tomorrow?"

Amon chuckled. "That bad?"

"The kids aren't all that nice. And the teacher made me stand in the corner."

"What did you do that made the teacher put you in the corner?" Akira asked strictly.

"Talking," Nanami muttered, picking at her food.

"Honestly, Nanami," Akira said, scolding her daughter. "You ought to learn to stop running that mouth of yours."

"Did you make any friends?" Amon asked.

"Yeah, just one. Her name's Gracie, and she's from America. She doesn't speak much Japanese."

"Well that was very nice of you to befriend her," Akira said. "What are the other kids like?"

"Well," Nanami said. "I only learned a few peoples' names. I know four girls and five boys."

"What are they like?" Amon asked.

"The girls are Keiri, Denisu, Gracie, and Teira. Keira is too fancy, Denisu is a teacher's pet, I already told you about Gracie, and Teira is a tattle tale."

"Everyone has faults, just like how you're a talker," Akira pointed out.

Nanami's shoulders sagged.

"What about the boys?" Amon asked.

Nanami wrinkled her nose. "I know Jeraru, Maishuu, Zatsu, Juuno, and Gyo."

"And what do you think of them?" Akira asked.

"I hate them all," Nanami said, scowling. "And Jeraru is really good for nothing."

"Now," Amon said. "Don't say that. Everybody's good for something."

"It's true," Akira added when Nanami just stared at her father with blank eyes.

Thoughts of the day's events and her new friends swirled through Nanami's head. Everyone's good for something.

"What about ghouls?" the young girl asked boldly.

Amon was silent.

"Even ghouls," Akira said, speaking up. "Without them, Mommy and Daddy would be out of the job."

Nanami lowered her eyes to her barely touched food. "Oh."

"Where's your necklace?" Amon asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Nanami pulled the broken piece of jewelry out of her pocket. "It broke."

"I might be able to fix it," Amon said, taking the delicate chain in his hand.

"How did you break it?" Akira asked.

"Caught it on somethin' at recess," Nanami lied.

"I see."

The rest of the meal continued in silence. When the family was done, Amon went to look over reports and Akira cleaned the kitchen. As she was washing bowls, Nanami's question dug at the female investigator.

"Nanami!" Akira called from the kitchen.

The black haired ghoul scuttled into the kitchen, a doll in each hand. "Yes Mommy?"

"That question about ghouls," Akira said, turning her eyes away from her daughter and back to the sink. "Where did that come from?"

"My mind," Nanami said, smiling. "Why?"

Akira remained expressionless. "Just curious. Run along and play now."

Nanami turned and began to toddle away when she suddenly froze and looked back over her shoulder.

"Mommy?"

Akira put the dish she was washing down and looked at her daughter. "Yes?"

"If I was a ghoul," Nanami said in a dark tone one should never hear out of a kindergartener. "I wouldn't hurt you or Daddy. I promise."

With that, the child disappeared down the hallway, leaving Akira in numb shock.