Kaneki and Touka are super worried about being parents, with Kaneki fearing that he will be like his mother and Touka fearing she will be like Arata. But when Rin and Ayato come down with the flu, they realize they had absolutely nothing to worry about, and they reminisce together on their days of taking care of their precious baby sibling.

Kaneki swallows. The baby kicks around in Touka’s stomach, and it’s cute, but he can’t be happy.

Because what if he hits him/her?

Because what if he dies soon and leaves him all alone?

Touka sees the angst on Ken’s face and sighs. They’re in a war. What if she should be arrested, and the baby grows up never knowing her? What if the baby hates her, or even feels angry, like she is angry at Arata?

“Ah-choo!” Ayato staggers into GOAT headquarters with flushes cheeks and ashen skin.

“Ayato?”

“She – she got me sick!” He points accusingly at Rin, who follows him in. She, too, is sweating and shaking.

“I didn’t know ghouls could get the flu.” Ayato’s voice rises. “It’s not fair!”

“It might not be fair, but both of you are going to bed. Right now.” Touka grabs for Ayato.

He evades her. “You can’t get the brat sick!”

“Your nephew or niece is not a brat!” Rin yells.

“I’ve got this.” Kaneki takes Rin’s arm and motions for Ayato to follow. “I’ll get Yomo involved if you put up a fight.”

Ayato hangs his head and follows the King.

“Here.” Touka pours a glass of soda for Rin and blood for Ayato. “Take these in for them, Kaneki.”

“Will do.” 

When he returns, Kaneki washes his hands immediately. He sighs. 

“You know,” says Touka, “I think we’re doing all right.” 

“Hmm?”

She laughs. “I’m remembering the days Ayato and I would get sick after Dad fed us human food. I’d be holding back his hair and comforting him. Even then, I knew hurting us wasn’t okay.” 

She glances at her husband. “You know? We’ll be okay parents.”

Kaneki swallows. “I abandoned Rin.”

“Yeah, but you’re taking care of her now.”

He smiles tentatively. “True.”

He recalls taking the blame for her mistakes, so Mom would hit him instead of her. Maybe that’s why he turned out worse than Rin. But maybe that’s also why he’ll be a successful parent.

“We’re learning, I guess.” Kaneki strokes Touka’s belly. “Baby GOAT’s gonna be okay.”

“They sure are.” Touka winks.