Chapter Text
What is a Virus?
Human or Computer?
—> Computer
A Computer Virus is a piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.
Corrṵ̵̤͈p̮̪ţ̳? D̛̕̕͘e͘s̵̵̨͏̨t̶̛̕͡ǫ͘͢͢r̸̴̷҉y̕
A͉̼̮̖͍͘n̖̬̮̻͠ ͓͇U̟ͅn̺͉͎̰̬̫ḳ͖̘̹ͅn̶͉̭̟͙̱o͏̭̯̗w̠̞n̩̟̥͎̥ ͚Error ̘o̡̝̞͎c̟̬͎̤̼c͚̻̠̼͖͙͡u͈̬̺̬͇̮r̷r̤̕ȩ͍̭̻̥͚̻̙d
̢͔̟͓̠̲ͅͅ
̡ͮ̅C̉͑̑̈ͨaͣnͬ'ͤ͐t̆̄͛ ̍̆ͤ̂̚ć̸ͪͤ̓o̧m̂͘p̸̒̐̔͛̂̌̀ľ̷̈̐ͬ͌̒ẽͯ͗͡t͑̎͋ͩe̓̍̄͊ͨ the curręͣ̒n̶̈́ͣͭ̌̍t͌͘ ̾̒ͫͭ͗ͦbͨ͋̃ͭ͐̀a͌̾ͣ̌͞c̕k̃ͧ̅̽̄ ̛ͧu͟p̌
Ą̕͏ŗ҉҉͠ę͘ ̵̕̕y̧̢͝͏o̸̡̕u̴̧͘͜͠ ̴͟͡͝s͝ư̶̸̧r̶̶͘͟͢e̴͝ you want t̵̵̢o̸̶̢͟ ̛c҉̸͘o̷͘͡͞͏n̕͝t̡̢̛̕͏i͘͘͜͢͝n̨̡̛͝͡u̕҉̸͜͞e̕͜͝͞?̕͘͘͝
Cͫͥͫͮo̽̐͟͏̡n̴̨̋̏̽̋̃̓̑t̢͊ͮ̓̃̌ͯ͜͝i̇̑̂ͫͭ͑̉̑̚̕nͫͨͨ̈̈̾ͫú̶̇ͭ͡i͒͊̀ͬͫ͟nͧ̑̔͊͌̔g̓̽ͦ̈́ͮ͐ ̨̊ͪ̒́̆̈́ͨ̓̓wͣ͠i̒͒ͭ̆l̨̓̂͛̈̓̑̑͂ͧl̸͋̍͗҉ eras̨̉ͩ̌͌̚ễ̸ͣͪ̌ͧ҉ ̡ͬͫͮ̒͆̈́͋̇͞͞ă̐̒ͨͮ̚͝n̾͘y̧ͩ̑̒̂͜҉ ͒ͣ̃̀̒ͪ͂̊p̃̑ͬ͋ͣ̉ͤͥ̐r̷̷̾ͫ̌e̓́̅͋ͫͮv̶ͨ͌̆ͦ̌i̇ͮͫ̈͑̊͊͞ǫ̶ͨ̌ͥ̾̽ǘ̧́̎͋̅s͋̍͏҉ ̒ͫͧͪdͦ̆ͬ̽ͪ͛̃͞͞a̿̆ͪͪ̆̓̊̚t̡̆ͫͥ̅ͬ͝a͒̋̓̄̿̈̈̓
̶̶̨̻̻̘̯͖͖̞͙̰͎͙̝̣̘͉̯̍̈̓ͧͮ̔̅ͣͫͭͥͫ̽̈́ͧ̕E̴̹̜̺͍͉͉͍̺̰̱͂̑͂͊ͭͨ̅ͮͭ̓̓͊ͦ̅ͨ̈́̍̚͡r̷̠̖̘̱͔̭̞̰̥̞̼̙̟̥̪̞͔ͪ͌͐̓ͭ̒ͧ͛̊̈ͥͪ͝r̷̡̨͕̻̦̳̬̜̩͇̮̮͈̠̥͎͇̦̗͗̂̓͗ͦ͡o̶̧̨̖̜̖͚͕ͦ̉ͮ̒̔̓͑ͫ͊̎͟r̴̡̨̢͉̫̩͔̣̱̭̣̬̻ͣ̃̇̄ͫ̓̍̽̈́̊̋ͮ̊̑̽͝ͅͅ
A yawn broke the silence of the office room. A blond stretched his arms above his head, satisfied by the popping of his joints. Setting his arms down, he looked around, eyes still half closed. He was lucky. There was no one around. The blond slowly looked at his desk, papers scattered everywhere, the computer screen on standby mode for not having been used in a long time, and some ink printed on his cheek where he previously slept. He sighed, and knowing that he will be scolded by his colleagues for his messiness, started cleaning up his desk. After a few minutes, he got up, shut his computer and neatly left his desk for the next day. Taking his backpack and jacket, he headed out.
He walked down a long corridor. Windows glistened with the night lights of the city. Damn, I slept longer than I thought. The blond thought. Reaching the end of the corridor, he pressed the button to call the lift. He hated taking lifts, they were slow and this one played annoying music. Finally, the lift arrived, the blond stepped in and pushed the ‘G’ button. After that non eventful lift ride, he exited the lift and proceeded to walk to the barriers, blocking his exit. There were four stumps each lined up perfectly that only reached his stomach, each with glass in between them, like the ones you get at train stations. The blond dug out a card from his pocket and pressed the card on top of one of the barriers. A second later the lights turned from red to green, sliding the glass inside, letting the blond pass through.
“Hide!” The blond stopped and turned his head to the direction of the voice. “Come here.”
Hide walked over to the main reception, where it was occupied by one person: a young woman in her early 20s. Her copper hair was pulled back into a messy bun, her muddy brown eyes watching the computer screen.
“Yeah?” Her eyes darted to Hide, a smile appearing across her face.
“I have something for you.”
“Oh?” Hide’s eyebrow popped up, a grin sneaking its way on his face, his chocolate brown eyes lighting up. “What is it?”
“Just wait right here. It’s in the back.” The receptionist got up and moved to the back door. Hide was left alone for a few minutes before the woman came back, obviously struggling, with a big folder, papers threatening to burst out. She accidentally slammed the folder onto the desk, letting out a sigh of relief. Neither of them said a word.
“What’s this?” Hide dreaded asking, pointing to the thick folder.
“It’s for you.” She said, a smile never leaving her face.
“Yeah, no. That’s not what I was asking Sara and you know it.” Hide frowned, although both knew that it wasn’t serious.
“Seidou asked me to give to you.”
“What?!” Hide exclaimed. That bastard! Loading his work onto me!! I swear, one day I’ll kill him. Hide was now in a bitter mood. Not only does he need to carry a huge folder, but needs to complete it too. He ran a hand through his blond locks.
“I told him you wouldn’t be happy, but he insisted.”
“Wait till I tell Akira,” Hide muttered to himself.
“I’m sure Akira will do you justice.” Hide’s head snapped up, looking at Sara, embarrassed that she heard him talking to himself. He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile forming on his face.
“Yeah, if she doesn’t, I will.” Hide lifted the paper filled folder and hugged it to his chest, praying not to drop it or papers fall out.
“You know I still don’t understand why you use paper anyway. You have computers for goodness sake!” Sara crossed her arms, a pout present on her face. Hide gave out a small laugh.
“Papers aren’t hackable.”
“I know, but we live in the future now. Trees don’t have to suffer anymore.”
“I get’cha. But despite technology advancing, people have advance too. Especially with their viruses and hacking. No one’s really safe.” Hide shifted his feet, the weight of the folder already affecting him.
He wanted to leave and sleep. As nice as Sara is, he just wanted to go. Thankfully Sara said her goodbyes and off Hide went. He exited the building and headed to the side where the bicycles were. Only his remained: a bright red one. Hide dropped the folder onto the seat, thinking of the best way to carry it. He could put it in his bag, but will it fit? Well, might as well try. He slid off his backpack and opened it. Then he grabbed the folder and shuffled it inside. Thankfully it fitted, but now his bag was puffed and heavy. Guess who’s back is gonna suffer, he bitterly thought. He really hated Seidou at that particular moment. Lazy, stupid, smug bastard, this trail of thought continued as he hopped on his bike and cycled onto the main road, heading home.
Once Hide finally reached home, he headed to his apartment door which was located on the first floor. After closing his door and locking it, he dumped his heavy backpack on the floor, sighing a relief for his poor shoulders. He then headed straight to his bedroom to grab clean pyjamas for his shower. After my relaxing shower, I will look at that stupid folder. Better now than later. Hide really didn’t want to more work, but this was what he expected from working in the CCG.
Finishing his hot, relaxing shower, Hide was dressed in a plain white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. He headed to where he left his backpack. Picking it up and strolled to his bedroom. Getting the folder out proved more difficult than it seemed, since the corners kept getting stuck inside the bag. After wrestling with the damn folder, he finally got it out and placed it on his desk.
“Now, to see what Seidou’s been neglecting.”
Boring stuff. That’s literally all it was. People’s forgotten work, or overdue reports. This folder was the mother lode of forgotten and misplaced work. No wonder Seidou didn’t want to do this. It’ll take at least a few days to even read all of this. Let alone sort everything out. Hide sighed. Might as well start somewhere. Who knows, maybe he’ll even come across a classified file. It was this thought that made him want to continue.
After what seemed like an hour, Hide stretched his arms, yawning. Maybe he should just call it a day and head to bed. Just about he was getting on his feet, he noticed a thin folder poking out. Well, one more look won’t hurt. Hide pulled out the pale-yellow folder and immediately his eyes widened. In big, red letters with a thick border around it was the word ‘Discontinued’. Hide was now intrigued. He opened the folder, finding an information sheet of one person.
“Kaneki Ken.” Hide muttered.
That was the person’s name. Next to his name was a picture of him. Black hair nicely kept and brushed. A blouse with a jumper. Nerd. His skin pale, body small and thin. Last but not least, his shy smile, lighting up his grey eyes. No, silver. He looked younger then Hide. Taking his eyes off Kaneki’s picture, he read his bio.
“Born December 20th, 1999. Male, no kidding. 169 centimetres tall. 55 kilograms. Basic info.” Hide read on, hoping to find what happened to this Kaneki person. His eyes stopped at a particular box. In the box read ‘Missing’. Damn. What the hell happened to him? He doesn’t look like a person who’d people would bother with, let alone for him to mysteriously disappear. There’s something deeper than a simple ‘Missing’, Hide knows that. Unfortunately, the paper doesn’t give much information. Hide placed the bio on the desk and looked in the folder, hoping more information would be revealed.
To say he was disappointed was an understatement. Hide found investigation reports about Kaneki. Where he lived, where he worked, where he studied, questions about his friends, etc. Everything was vague. No wonder it was discontinued. There’s practically nothing on him. Hide felt sorry for Kaneki. He probably had family and friends who cared about him and missed him. Well, there’s nothing he can do. He glanced back to the photo. He’s the same age as me. This photo was taken 3 years ago, no wonder I thought he was younger.
There was a paper stuck in between the neatly stapled papers of Kaneki. Hide carefully pulled it out, then inspected any damaged. He was surprised once more.
“Sightings of him in the 11th Ward? What?” Hide was confused. He’s alive and not missing? Then shouldn’t the case be closed and finished? No, something’s wrong. Hide could feel it. “On 2018 November 5th, sightings of what could be Kaneki Ken, involved with the dangerous group, Aogiri Tree. Crimes list the following: Murder and Cannibalism. He may be linked with the notorious Jason of the 11th Ward. Not enough evidence to link the two. The hell does that mean?!” Hide ran a hand through his golden locks. Kaneki is alive, but a criminal? Not just a low, petty one, but a big one! Linked with Aogiri? Man, what hell did happen to him? Hide, was now more awake than ever. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now.
Hide jumped to his computer. After impatiently waiting for his computer to switch on, he wasted no time Googling Kaneki Ken’s case. Only a few articles popped up, but none about his recent sightings. Well, ‘recent’ as you can get. Absolutely nothing. Hide looked on a few forums, hoping to gain some answers, until one caught his eye.
“New Ghoul Virus. Like that’s anything new.” A Ghoul Virus is a computer virus which infects, corrupts, control and/or destroys any electrical devices it can interact with. For some reason, only a selected few are able to possess this deadly virus and use it for their own gain. Such people should be feared, since we live in a world depended on electrical devices. Any connections to the Ghoul Virus must be eliminated. Person and computer. “Is what they told us, but nowadays it’s more of a myth than a threat.” Hide mumbled to himself. He clicked on the forum.
User2685: Apparently there’s a new Ghoul around. Is it just me or is it actually real?
User3456: You’re kidding, right? Ghouls are all around us. Yeah, I’ve heard the same thing. Apparently, this Ghoul is super powerful!
User2001: Now you’re being ridiculous. Where have you even heard such crap?
User3456: Now, now. No need to be hostile. But I have a few connections and they’re all saying the same thing. Something like, ‘Centipede’ or ‘Eyepatch’. They can’t make their minds up. But it’s more Centipede than anything else.
User2001: What connections? How can they be trusted? For all you know, they could be pulling your leg.
User2685: Centipede? I hate that bug. Too many legs.
User2001: You’re getting off topic.
User3456: I know right? I equally hate Centipedes. Anyway, getting back on topic, I did some research myself. I’m not a fool, you know. From what I gathered, Centipede is being used by Aogiri. And not only that, it appeared around the same time as that kid that disappeared. What was his name? Kan something?
User2001: Kaneki Ken, I think. It’s too much of a coincidence to be linked.
User2685: I agree. I’ve seen his picture in the news, he doesn’t look like the type to be involved with that sort of stuff. Especially Aogiri.
User3456: My, my~ You are all fools in thinking that. It’s exactly the quiet ones you got to look out for! But enough about that, supposedly he’s been sighted by the CCG. He’s being linked to Jason’s crime. Think he did it? You bet I do.
User2001: You love diving into dangerous waters. I’ve heard that too. He’s part of Aogiri now. He could be Centipede, if we’re still talking about coincidences.
User3456: Now you’re on my level! Yeah, I totally think so too. The CCG better watch their back! No, seriously. Centipede is flipping dangerous. Better stay away, cause that Ghoul can do anything. And I mean, A N Y T H I N G!!
User2001: So happy you care. ¬_¬
User3456: Aww~ Don’t be like that. Of course I care!
User2685: Why am I here. Anyway, thanks for your info. Much appreciated!!
User3456: Yeah, yeah, no worries.
Is that it? Thought Hide. Damn, this was dated 2 years ago. Can I even trust this? Centipede and Eyepatch could be the same virus, but Centipede could be a modified version of Eyepatch. Hide remembers one of his superiors talking about fighting against Eyepatch and how it was strange battle. Hide couldn’t remember the details, but he felt like he was missing something.
OK, so let’s just say hypothetically, Kaneki, the missing person, is Centipede. What exactly would he gain from using the Ghoul Virus and joining Aogiri?
None of this was making sense and it was hurting Hide’s head. He wasn’t getting any answers, so he might as well sleep on it. He switched his computer off and glanced at the report again. There seemed to be a small photo of an old, empty building. It was labelled ‘One of Aogiri’s hideouts where Kaneki was sighted.’ I know that place. It’s abandoned now. Well, I think it is. Hide smiled. A new determination was set in his mind. He’s going to that place. With or without the CCG’s help. He put all papers back into the yellow folder and placed it away from the huge lever arch folder. He made his way to his bed, as soon as his body hit the mattress, he fell asleep.
Tomorrow would be an exciting day.
Hide was back in the office. A huge grin on his face and Kaneki’s folder under his arm. He might have to thank Seidou for giving him this opportunity. He almost skipped to his desk by how happy he was. When he reached the office room, he quickly tried to find one of his superiors, Koutarou Amon, or Amon, for short. He spotted the tall, muscular individual standing besides Seidou’s desk with an unimpressed face. Obviously Seidou has managed to disappoint Amon, despite it only being the morning.
“Amon-san!” Hide waved to Amon, whilst speed-walking towards him.
“Nagachika.”
“Yo! Seidou already brushing you up the wrong way?”
“Wha-”
“Seidou isn’t even doing anything,” Amon glared at the younger male. “Which is making me annoyed.”
“Ah, classic Seidou. I’ve told you, you gotta complete your work. Otherwise you’ll get a beating,” Hide sighed, leaning on Seidou’s desk in mock disappointment.
“What do you want Nagachika,” Seidou grinded his teeth.
“Nagachika? I thought we were passed the formal stage? S-E-I-D-O-U~”
“Nagachika,” Amon jumped in. The blond and brunette were not helping and Amon wanted to ease his upcoming headache. “What do you want? You came in quite happy.”
“Ah, yeah! I did,” Hide got off the desk and gestured to Amon to follow him. Amon did, walking towards Hide’s desk.
“Now,” Hide started, placing the ‘Discontinued’ folder onto his desk. “I want you to assign me a mission.”
Amon blankly looked at Hide. Hide’s whole composure was serious.
“A mission?” Amon repeated, checking if he heard correctly.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Seidou dumped his work on me-"
“I’ll give him the appropriate punishment."
“Hey-”
“-And I found something whilst investigating.” Hide opened the folder and scattered the papers and pictures on his desk. “Since you fought against Eyepatch, I thought it would be a good idea to go to you and-”
“Where did you find this?” Amon’s eyes were wide and in complete shock. His frame was even shaking a bit.
“Where? In the big folder where misplaced and forgotten paperwork is put. But that’s not important right now-”
“I won’t allow you.” What?
“What?” Hide frowned. He had all the ‘valid’ evidence, so what was wrong?
“I won’t permit you to spend the CCG’s valuable time and resources on a discontinued case.” Amon glared at Hide. Oh boy. Hide was not happy with that answer.
“Amon-san, at least let me explain why I’m-”
“Nagachika.” Hide was getting quite annoyed by getting cut off. Amon squeezed his temples, clearly not in the mood to argue. “I understand you want to find out what happened. That’s just you, but sometimes even you need to admit defeat and move on.”
What Amon said is true, but Hide felt it in his gut. He needed to go to that building and confirm it with his own eyes that it’s empty. That it’s all in his head.
“Amon-san, I understand. I really do, but,” Hide paused a bit. He then looked up and stared Amon in the eyes. “I’ll still go even if you ordered me not too.”
Amon was a bit taken back with Hide’s sudden attitude. He knew what Hide said is true. He’ll disobey an order and go do his own thing to satisfy his own mind. Amon sighed. There’s really nothing he can do. Once Hide’s hooked, there’s no stopping him. That’s a strength of his, and a weakness.
“... I’ll consider it.”
Hide’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Really?”
“Yes. But I can’t guarantee that it’ll be accepted.” Amon looked at his watched. “I’ll add a word in to Washuu-san.”
“Today? Thank you so much Amon-san!” Hide particularly threw himself on Amon, hugging the older man. Amon just stood there awkwardly, then lightly patted the blond’s back.
“Anyway, I better be off. Washuu-san doesn’t appreciate tardiness.”
“I understand,” Hide stepped away from Amon. He watched the older man walk out of the room. Hide sighed, he really hoped he’d get it. If not, there’s always Plan B. Hide sat at his desk and switched his computer on. One can only hope.
Lunch had just finished and every worker was making their way back to their office. Hide was still at his desk, waiting anxiously for Amon’s return.
“You’ll get wrinkles for frowning that much.” A cup of coffee was placed on Hide’s desk. Hide looked up to the all familiar voice.
“Akira-san. Thank you.”
“No worries,” Akira looked at Hide. “What’s got you all worked up?”
“Just waiting for Amon.”
“About that Eyepatch case?” Hide almost got whiplash by how fast he looked at Akira.
“What?”
“You heard me,” Akira smiled a bit. Hide was left gaping like a fish. How did she know? Hide was sure he wasn’t that loud when talking to Amon. Did Amon maybe mention it to her? He wouldn’t put it past him, after all, everyone in this squad is family. Amon and Akira need to know what’s happening.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hide looked away and mumbled. Akira simply raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Funny. You usually know what I’m talking about,” Akira lowered her head so she was eye levelled to Hide. “You need to stop while you’re ahead.”
“You too?!” Surprised by the sudden outburst, Akira backed up.
“Listen Hide, I-” Akira was cut off when a door opened and a tall, built man walked through, looking unhappy. This man could only be the one and only Amon.
“Amon-san!” Hide jumped from his chair, excited to see the tall man walk towards him. Akira was glanced at Amon, her features returning to her monotone and natural self.
“Is something wrong?” Akira asked.
“No- Sort of,” Amon sighed. “Yes.”
Akira’s eyebrow perked up.
“Well? Did he accept?” Hide couldn’t contain himself. He was practically buzzing in anticipation.
Amon frowned at Hide. Apparently, whatever he was going to say, Amon didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Washuu-san approved your request.” It felt like time stood still for Hide. Washuu Yoshitoki himself approved a mission by someone as small as Hide? Well, whatever the reason behind it, Hide isn’t going to question it. He’ll go on fourth with a determined smile.
“When do I start?” Hide snapped out of his thoughts, taking a serious tone towards Amon.
“We start in two days.”
“We?”
“Yes, Washuu-san already came up with a plan best suited for the operation,” Amon laid down a few papers on Hide’s desk, finger pointing to a layout of the area in question. “Akira and I will be in the back of a van, monitoring your every move and making sure there isn’t any Aogiri members around. Since it is, after all, their base, despite it being abandoned.” Hide listened closely. Hopefully it shouldn’t get too complicated, after all, he’s only going in to check the place.
“You, Hide, will be the muscle of the operation. You simply go in, check for information and out. That’s it. If you spot any Aogiri members, you immediately make your way back to us. Understand?” Amon glared at Hide as he lifted his head. Hide smiled and nodded, accepting the terms that Amon laid out for him. Even if Hide gave his understanding, Amon was still conflicted with all of this. Nonetheless, he carried on. It was his job, after all.
“We are practically going in blind; don’t we have any blueprint or maps of the building?” Akira asked.
“None that I could find so far. I’ll keep looking though,” assured Amon. Hide silently agreed with Akira. He too didn’t like going in blind.
“Apart from that, is that the gist of whole thing?” Hide smiled.
“Yes. Tomorrow I’ll let you know the details when everything is sorted,” Amon relied, gathering the papers into the folder.
After Amon and Akira left, Hide was alone to ponder in his thoughts. Despite Washuu accepting his request to do this, Hide was suspicious. Something felt wrong and Hide couldn’t shake off this bad feeling. Well, that’s only half of what he was feeling. He was super excited too. Finally, some outdoor work, instead of sitting in the boring office and doing boring paperwork. This would be real work, and Hide couldn’t be more excited.
Hide glanced at the folder that contained Kaneki. What would I do if I did meet him? Hide wondered. He quickly brushed that idea out of his head and huffed.
I probably most definitely would die.