“Here we go, Mr. Owl.” Hirako tugs on the leash and can’t resist using his high-pitched baby-voice. “I know you don’t like underground, but there are people who need you here.”

Kaneki, meanwhile, is too busy conversing with Tsukiyama to notice their four-legged arrival. But then Shio streaks by screaming “PUPPER!”, and Rikai and Yusa nearly trample the Centipede and the Gourmet.

“The hell?” Tsukiyama straightens up, running a hand through his hair. “Oh – oh my!”

For now the children are being children, cuddling a fluffy Shiba Inu. 

“It’s so cute!” Tsukiyama launches himself at the dog.

“Thank you, Hirako,” sobs Shio. “I love Mr. Owl. He makes me happy.”

“You named your dog Mr. Owl?” Kaneki chokes.

Hirako flushes. “Guilty.”

“It loves me!” Rikai’s face is covered in slobber, and she’s 100% okay with this.

“Look, Shio, it’s Ui!” Yusa pinches the dog’s cheeks like Hairu used to do for Ui.

Kaneki bursts out laughing. It’s the first time in a while they’ve had anything to smile about.

In the distance, Hajime peers out his cell door. Is the king laughing? 

Oh. He’s seen Hirako’s puppy before. 

He used to have one like it.

He misses it.

For a second, he imagines giving up his mission to be loved by this dog.