"I have to… die?"
Eto blinked in bewilderment. Hitokawa, clearly displeased that the situation had forced such words from his mouth, wore an expression as though he had just chewed on something bitter.
"To be precise, you won't actually die. However, the risk is so high that it wouldn't be strange at all if you did. That's the problem."
"...If I do this, can we save Papa?"
"For now, this is the most certain way to get Koma out of there."
"Then I'll do it."
The moment she heard it was the way to save Koma, Eto accepted the proposal without a second thought. Hitokawa's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you sure about deciding so quickly? You won't regret it?"
"Every second spent hesitating or regretting is a second wasted. What do I need to do?"
Eto's resolve was unwavering. She had often shown a maturity far beyond her years, but now, her demeanor was so detached it felt eerie. It was a subtle dissonance—a lack of visible fear—that stirred a faint sense of revulsion in Hitokawa.
He stared at her for a moment before yielding to the urgency in her gaze.
"Do you know the strategy called 𝘚𝘦𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘎𝘺𝘦𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘦𝘰?"
"'Make a sound in the east, strike in the west.' It's a classic military feint, isn't it?"
"You know your stuff. In this case, you take the role of the 'sound in the east,' and I'll be the 'strike in the west.'"
The gist was simple: Eto would cause a massive disturbance at the main entrance of the abandoned building to lure the ghouls out. In the chaos, Hitokawa would slip through the back and extract Koma. Eto listened intently, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him.
"But couldn't you be the one to do that, Mr. Hitokawa?"
"Of course I'd prefer that. Entrusting the most dangerous role to a brat like you makes me feel like scum. But I can't do it."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm a Ghoul Investigator."
Eto looked at him, puzzled at first, before a flash of realization crossed her face. A Ghoul Investigator—the natural predator of their kind. Ghouls knew their habits all too well. Investigators almost always moved in two-man cells.
If a single Dove appeared and attacked, the ghouls would immediately suspect the presence of a partner and raise their guard. In the worst-case scenario, they might conclude a full squad had arrived and flee. It wouldn't matter if they left Koma behind, but if they took him with them as they disappeared, the situation would become unsalvageable.
To ensure a clean extraction, it had to be Eto, not Hitokawa, acting as the bait. Understanding the logic, Eto let out a sigh.
"The difficulty level is quite high."
"The moment I rescue Koma, I'm calling the CCG for backup. If you don't want to end up locked in Cochlea, get out of there the second the job is done."
"Oh? Are you actually worried about me? Even though I'm a ghoul?"
"If you walked into Cochlea of your own accord, it would solve a massive headache for me. The problem is Koma wouldn't just sit still and watch. ..."
Hitokawa fell into a grim silence.
Yes, Koma was that kind of man. Just as he had saved Hitokawa from being an outcast, he was the type to descend into the depths of hell itself to pull someone back out. If Eto were imprisoned in Cochlea, Koma would exhaust every means at his disposal to free her. If he had to stain his hands with blood to do it, he surely would.
He wasn't a man who could be swayed by mere logic. Hitokawa had overlooked that fact until now. He looked down at Eto; she tilted her head back, meeting his gaze.
"...Listen, Eto. Promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"In the battle that's about to happen… don't kill anyone."
"I'd like that too, but won't the people who kidnapped Papa come at me with everything they've got once I start a riot?"
"Like I said before, if anyone needs their throat slit, I'll be the one to do it. Don't you dare cross that line. You have to go back, don't you? Back to your life with Koma."
"...!"
Eto was genuinely stunned. She never expected to hear such words from Hitokawa—the man who had denied the possibility of a relationship between humans and ghouls and had tried so hard to separate them.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I still think your relationship is dangerous. My belief that this will eventually end in tragedy hasn't changed."
"Then why...?"
"...Because after everything that happened today, I realized that trying to persuade or force you two is a fool's errand. The affection you and Koma have for each other is undeniably real. If I try to sever it by force, you'll only fight back with everything you have. Just like right now."
The Hitokawa of a few days ago would never have entertained such a thought. But the bond he had witnessed over the years, and Eto's willingness to risk her life for Koma, had forced him to reconsider.
"But there are no fairy-tale endings in this world where everyone 'lives happily ever after.' One day, something will happen that will shatter your relationship. When that day comes, I want to be there. As the one person who knows the truth about you both, I will fulfill my responsibility. That is the final line I'm willing to draw. I won't concede any further than that."
Hitokawa spoke in circles, but Eto understood the subtext. Something that shatters their relationship. He was talking about the moment Eto might lose control of her ghoul instincts.
No matter the cause, if Eto ever lost control, someone would die or be maimed—be it a stranger, an acquaintance, or Koma Takaki himself. Hitokawa was declaring that if that day ever came, he would be the one to personally take her head.
Even hearing that cold, razor-sharp voice—a voice devoid of any lies—Eto did not tense up. Instead, she looked at Hitokawa with the most trusting gaze she had ever offered him.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
A means to stop her if she ever strayed from her own control. That was something Eto desired as well. Especially now, having become acutely aware of the "dangerous element" slumbering within her.
"Well then, let's get moving."
Hitokawa hoisted his steel case onto his shoulder, and Eto nodded. It was then—
"Um..."
It was Shiho, the girl they had saved. She stepped toward them cautiously. Hitokawa waved his hand dismissively.
"Go home. And don't ever loiter around places like this again."
"B-But..."
Shiho hesitated, her hands clasped near her chest as if she had something more to say. At first, they thought she was worried about them entering the building. But they soon realized that wasn't it.
Between her clasped hands, a faint metallic glint could be seen. She was still clutching the handgun she had brought for revenge. She couldn't let it go.
Hitokawa's expression hardened the moment he realized. "Hey, you...!"
"Wait! Let me talk to her!"
Eto intervened, sensing that Hitokawa's temper would only complicate things. She approached Shiho gently, meeting her eyes with a soft gaze.
"The ghouls killed your mother, didn't they?"
"Uuu..."
Fat tears welled in Shiho's eyes. It was only natural. Not only had she lost her mother, but she had witnessed her in such a horrific state. It was a trauma that would haunt her for a lifetime. The only reason she was clinging to revenge, misled by a stranger, was because it was the only thing she had left to hold onto.
"Do you want to take revenge?"
A heavy nod. Eto continued, her expression solemn.
"I understand. I'll let you have your revenge."
"Hey! What the hell are you saying?!"
Hitokawa's voice rose in disbelief. This wasn't some RPG; surely she wasn't suggesting they take a powerless brat along for the raid? Hitokawa moved to protest, but Eto raised a hand to stop him. She was asking him to trust her and wait just a moment longer.
"Put all your rage and resentment toward the person who killed your mother into that gun."
"...?"
"And then, will you give that gun to me? I'll fire it at the killer for you. I promise I'll deliver your anger and resentment to him."
Eto cupped her hands and held them out to Shiho.
Perhaps it was the calm, lullaby-like quality of her voice, or the gentle warmth in her eyes. Shiho hesitated, then slowly, carefully placed the gun into Eto's hands. Eto gripped the weapon firmly.
"Thank you. Can I ask you for one more favor?"
"W-What is it?"
"Go home and pray for our safe return. If you pray hard enough, it will give us the strength we need!"
Hearing Eto's words, Shiho nodded with the gravity of someone who had been entrusted with a vital mission. She then turned and ran, heading straight for home as instructed. Once Shiho had completely vanished from sight, Eto turned back to Hitokawa and held out the handgun.
"Here, the pistol. Since I made a promise to Shiho, please make sure to put a bullet in one of their heads if you get the chance."
Hitokawa took the gun with a dazed expression, unable to hide his admiration.
"You're going to be a great mother when you grow up."
"It's a technique I learned from Papa! He uses it on me all the time."
Eto puffed out her chest proudly. Then, struck by a sudden curiosity, she tilted her head.
"By the way, how are babies made?"
"Alright! Let's go save Koma!! We've wasted too much time already!!"
Having been hit with the number one most difficult question to answer a child, Hitokawa quickly changed the subject and avoided the answer. Eto watched him go, looking confused, before calling out to his retreating back.
"Mr. Hitokawa! Wait!"
"Huh? What now?"
Eto's finger pointed toward the two corpses abandoned in the corner.
"Let's take the heads of these ghouls with us. It'll be effective for provocation."
"Are you a child or an adult? Pick one, seriously."
Even an adult wouldn't usually have such a thought. Truly, she was a child he could never quite wrap his head around.
And thus, time marched on.