Even during the worst of dreams, Sasaki Haise is silent.
But when Arima Kishou checks in on him, he sees tears streaming down his mentee’s cheeks.
“Hey.” Arima shoves Haise awake. “You okay?”
“Huh?” Haise blinks sleep out of his eyes. “Yes.”
“Wanna talk about it?” Arima sits at the edge of his bed. He’s curious, what life was like for this ghoul. How did the Centipede become the Centipede? What horrors exist on the ghoul side?
“I was in a room, an empty, cavernous room. A mother and a child were brought before me, and I was asked to choose who would die.” Haise resumes his silent tears. “I chose myself – but I was helpless – and they were going to die because I couldn’t choose.”
“That’s noble of you.” Arima has killed children before. This may render him worse than a ghoul. “You’re a good man, Haise.”
“I wish – I wish I knew where these dreams came from.” Haise runs a hand through his hand, and Arima has the sudden urge to confess everything, to unveil the lie.
But the truth would not comfort, and tonight comfort is what Haise needs.
Arima would love to promise that Haise will never have to choose between life again, but he will. He would love to promise to remain at Haise’s side, but he won’t.
So he promises what he can. “I’m here. I promise I won’t let anyone torture you.”
And tonight, as Haise grips his hand in thanks, that is the truth.