“Oh my god, this is awful.” Ayato hiccups as Hinami grunts.
She’s been in labor for half a day. She’s in pain. She’s in agony, actually, and he helped cause this. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine,” she says through ground teeth.
“You’re ready to push,” Kimi says.
Hinami gasps with relief, and Touka squeezes Kaneki’s hand. Kaneki, however, looks awfully pale.
Hinami-chan is going to be a mother…
He’s going to be an uncle…
Kaneki greets the floor with his face.
“Really?” Touka hauls him up. “Oh my god, Ken!”
“Get Useless outta here,” Ayato wails. He pulls out his hair, until he sees Hinami glaring at him.
Touka drags Kaneki away as Kimi encourages Hinami. Finally there’s a cry, and Ryouko is alive and in his arms.
“Here comes another.” Kimi hands Ayato baby Hikari.
“Okay, Touka, we need you,” Ayato calls, his voice cracking.
His sister and her useless husband reenter.
“If you drop either, you die,” Ayato hisses.
“Arata.” Touka takes the third baby like its a treasure. Kaneki gingerly pats its head.
“Last but not least, Daisuke.” Kimi hands an exhausted Hinami the fourth baby, named after Hinami’s father.
“Oh my god, they’re beautiful,” Hinami whispers, tears running down her face.
Ayato nods, unable to speak around the lump in his throat.
“It was worth it.” Hinami motions for Touka to hand over Arata, and for Ayato to bring the girls closer.
Ayato has to nod.
Mercy and Magic 