"My daughter? Hinami? She's with you?"
Fueguchi Asaki's voice trembled. The mont he heard her na, emotion surged through him. There was hope, but also fear. The one who had called was still a CCG investigator.
"Yes. Here, talk to her."
Ryoma handed the phone to Hinami.
She held it carefully, copying the way Ryoma had done it.
"Dad, where are you?"
"Hina... are you safe? I've been in hiding."
Hearing her voice, Asaki felt relief wash over him. She was safe. She was still smiling.
"I'm fine! Ryoma-nii brought to the 19th Ward."
"Ryoma? You an the investigator?"
"Yeah, he's really kind. Co out, Dad. We're at your clinic right now."
Her voice was light and cheerful.
"I'll be there. Just wait for ."
...
Not even thirty minutes passed before a disheveled figure arrived at the abandoned clinic. His clothes were worn, beard unkempt, fatigue etched into his face.
"Dad!"
Hinami rushed forward.
"Wait, wait. I haven't bathed. I'm filthy," Asaki said, embarrassed.
"I don't care."
Hinami wrapped her arms around him anyway.
After a long-awaited embrace, Asaki turned to Ryoma.
"Are we safe now?"
"For the ti being," Ryoma said. "But it's better if you move to the 20th Ward. Surveillance is lightest there, and you'll be close to Ryoko and Hinami."
Asaki nodded. "You've t my wife? Is she okay?"
"She's in the safe zone of the 20th Ward. Gecko went after them once, but I took care of it."
"Gecko..."
The na sent a shiver through Asaki. Cold sweat ran down his back.
He knew Gecko's cruelty. The thought of what could have happened to his wife and daughter made him dizzy. But they were safe. That was all that mattered.
It struck him suddenly—this investigator had saved his wife, his child, and now him. All without asking for anything.
Asaki dropped to his knees.
"Dad..."
Hinami's voice wavered. She didn't want to see this, but she understood.
He didn't even get to bow fully before Ryoma caught him by the shoulders and pulled him up.
"I told you before. There's no need for this."
"But I have no way to repay you."
"You want to repay ? Start over. You're a doctor, right? Set up a small clinic in the 20th Ward. Keep your family safe."
Ryoma's voice was steady.
Even if he wanted sothing in return, Asaki couldn't offer anything Ryoma needed. What he truly wanted could only co from the system.
"I understand, investigator-san."
"Stop calling him 'investigator-san,'" Hinami interrupted. "He's Ryoma-nii."
Asaki looked surprised, then smiled.
"Then... thank you, Ryoma."
After packing up what little he had left at the clinic, Asaki left with Hinami and Ryoma. Together, they returned to the 20th Ward.
The Fueguchi family was whole again.
...
The day of the Aogiri Tree operation was drawing closer.
The 11th Ward had turned violent. Aogiri Tree no longer targeted investigators alone. They now launched full assaults on CCG branch offices.
The attack on the 11th Ward CCG base was brutal. A complete one-sided slaughter.
With the base in ruins, Aogiri left behind a skeleton force to maintain control. The rest moved freely across the other wards.
Tonight, several Aogiri operatives entered the 20th Ward.
Three ghouls, each wearing a gas mask, moved along the rooftops. They landed silently atop a streetlamp, looking out over the calm ward.
"So this is the 20th. Too peaceful."
They were used to violence. The quiet here was unnerving.
"The target is Kamishiro Rize. Get it done."
The one in front was Kazuichi Banjou, forr leader of the 11th Ward. After Aogiri crushed his territory, he submitted. The two ghouls behind him were his loyal followers.
Their mission was clear—locate the safe zone. Anteiku.
The safe zone had a reputation among ghouls, and Aogiri had obtained its coordinates. They were acting fast, hoping to move before Nico or any others made contact.
Banjou wasn't just following orders.
This mission had been handed down by Kirishima Ayato himself.
And Ayato had another reason. His sister, Kirishima Touka, was in that ward.
He didn't just want the credit.
He wanted to keep her out of what was coming.
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