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“He is wonderful, Kishou, really!” The young, green haired woman laughed. “He had so much to endure, so much to suffer. It feels like he jumped right out of a novel”
Arima felt the corners of his lips pulling. He did not share Etos enthusiasm for tragedies, but her happiness and talkative behaviour always lightened up his mood.
“Ill see if he is a suitable candidate for our purpose” he replied in his usual serious tone.
“The CCG will soon attack the 20. Ward. Then I will be able to assess him first-hand.”
Eto giggled “I’m sure he will prove himself to be worthy, Kishou. Ken Kaneki, the future one-eyed King. “
The atmosphere in cochlea resembled the silence before the storm. The air was thick and seemed tense. The occasional footsteps of the guards were hectic, nervous. But the white reaper of the CCG remained unfazed.
Kishou Arima stood motionless on his post, his glance fixed and his face neutral. But his outer appearance deceived. His mind was racing, roaming restless, thinking about him.
During the last months, Haise had changed. Arima pretended not to notice, but the truth could not have been more obvious. The, formerly, strong wall between Ken Kaneki and Haise Sasaki had crumbled and turned to dust. The gears which had been created by Eto and him, Arima, were now turning, and could not be stopped anymore.
„You need a name. “Arima said, his voice bland and stern, his face vacuous.
“A name…? “Replied Prisoner 240, surprise and a hint of confusion in his expression.
“The rehabilitation program plans for you to become an investigator. We cannot call you number 240 forever. What would you like it to be? Arima said, his expression still neutral.
“A Name… Don’t others usually give names?” asked Prisoner 240. The surprise in his face had now turned into confusion completely.
“The Higher ups have said that they would leave it to you.” Arima replied, his voice imperceptibly softer. “Pick two of your favourite Kanji”
“Then Coffee… and the world” 240 said after hesitating shortly.
“So Haise“
„mmm… I like it. It sounds nice. Thank you, Arima-San. “ in Haise’s voice lay happiness, as he looked up to Arima. The older man looked back with his usual neutral expression. But if one would have looked closely, they could have recognized the spark in Arimas eyes, which had not been there before.
A squad of guards passed under the platform he was standing on. But Arima did not pay attention to them, his thoughts dwelling in the past.
Arima had supervised the “creation” of Haise Sasaki. He had trained him, had watched him grow and learn. He knew every of his little mannerism, every move of him, by heart.
In the beginning he had tried to convince himself, that his interest in Sasaki had been of pure professional nature. Eto had chosen him, and he would train him, forming him into the man he needed to be.
But Arima had grown fond of Haise. He catched himself reorganizing his schedule to make time to return the borrowed books personally, or to slide in a small stop for coffee at the chateau.
“Arima-San, your coffee is really mug-nificent” Haise snickered, voice filled with unconcealed pride about his successful pun. Contrary to his normally reserved behaviour, Arima could feel a small grin pull on the corners of his mouth.
“Thank you, that beans a lot to me” he answered, resulting in Haise bursting out with laughter and spitting his Coffee over the table. The sight was hilarious and soon Arima was laughing too, loud and sincere.
Startled by his thoughts, Arima returned his attention to the present. He noticed the small smile which had sneaked upon his face and quickly removed it, going back to his blank expression. He could not afford such displays of emotion.
His thoughts travelled to his first encounter with Kaneki, during the fight at the route V14 under the 20. Ward. The determination of the young ghoul had surprised, even impressed him. Kanekis will had been strong, but he had been no match for Arima. Still, Arima had decided to spare his life…. At least a part of it. He had inflicted intolerable pain on Kaneki, wiping out his old life and his memories in the process.
„You were right Eto” he said. “He really is special. “
„Was there ever any doubt?” asked the young ghoul. “He has this determination, right?
Arima only nodded-
“This world is just like a novel, Kishou…” she mused “and we are creating the protagonist.”
“That remains to be seen” he replied.
Arima checked his watch. 11:32 PM. The night had already fallen over cochlea. Haise would not wait much longer, he knew. Soon it would begin.
Arimas gaze wandered through cochlea, suddenly fixing on a inconspicuous door in the lower levels. His position stiffed imperceptibly and a wave of nausea came over him.
„This is our last meeting. “ He said, seemingly emotionless.
It was a futile attempt to make their parting easier.
“I… will miss you” the green haired woman said, not even trying to supress the feelings which crept into her voice. She stood up from the smack bed in her cell and looked him in the eyes. Arima returned her gaze, a small smile playing on his lips. He closed the distance between them and embraced her in his arms.
“My Story is now written” he whispered. “And I’m glad I spent it with you.”
“Me too” she answered. She rose up on her tip toes and her lips brushed softly over his in a last tender kiss. When they parted she averted her gaze.
„Kishou… He will succeed, right?” suddenly doubt in her normally confident voice.
“Of Course! “He answered.
The Sirens of the cochlea whirred in Arimas ears and pulled him out of his thoughts
“Attention Staff: Capture the Person who is continuing to open the isolation cells. Associate Special Class Haise Sasaki. I repeat: capture Haise Sasaki “
At the end of the bridge, he was standing on Squad 0 appeared, his squad. They were whispering with each other, seemingly nervous. With a side glance he noticed that Take Hirako was eyeing him but Arima did not pay attention to it. Etos words echoed through his mind
“I’m sure he will prove himself to be worthy, Kishou. Ken Kaneki, the future one-eyed King. “
Yes, Kaneki was worthy, of that Arima was sure.
And so, he made his decision.
“Squad 0, the orders which I gave remain unchanged!” he said, his voice stern and without any emotion. His gaze wandered over the young investigators, his grey eyes cold and still filled with pride. Then he turned to Hirako
„Take good care of them Take” he said, a hint of warmth in his voice. He patted him on the shoulder, an almost heartfelt gesture between the partners which had known each other for so long. They exchanged one last glance, then Arima turned away.
His thoughts which had been restless in the last hours were now at ease, making room for a pleasant void. There was only one last task to fulfil.
„Haise… I will fall so you can rise!” he whispered