0 Squad finds out about Furuta’s Quinx surgery and dastardly plots before Arima dies (also Hairu lived through the Rose Arc obvs) and confront him.

Fruit-chan, he’s such a dastard.

Yusa doesn’t know if anyone will believe him. He’s not sure he believes himself.

“What’s wrong?” Shio grins. 

Yusa motions Rikai and Shio closer to whisper in their ears. “I saw Investigator Furuta with one kakugan.”

“Are you sure?” Rikai asks sharply.

Yusa nods.

“Well.” Shio rubs his hands together. “There’s only one thing left to do.”

“Tell Arima-san?” Yusa is intimidated by his relative.

“No.” Shio sounds scandalized. “Break into his office. Steal his phone. We’ll do the investigation.”

Yusa and RIkai know that when Shio wants to be brave, there’s little they can do but follow. 

——————————————————————————-

“Fruit-chan!” Yusa and Shio tackle the investigator in a hug.

“Huh?” Furuta sounds oddly frightened. His phone has spilled out of his pocket. 

“We’re going around hugging people today,” Shio says proudly. “To show our older relatives some love.”

Furuta smiles, but he looks dead inside. He was always a loner in the garden, pining for Rize and refusing to cheer on the family. 

Rikai, meanwhile, attaches a wire to his phone as Shio babbles on about an unimportant memory. After a minute, during which Furuta’s smile grows markedly more strained, Rikai yanks the wire free and nods.

“Well, gotta go hug Hsaio!” Shio jumps back.

“She’s much scarier than you,” Yusa can’t resist adding.

But what they find on his phone makes him regret those words.

——————————————————————————-

Furuta strolls back into his office, whistling and pretending Eto doesn’t exist because he’s killed her. Yes. That’s it.

“Hi there.” Hirako lounges in his chair, boots planted on his desk.

“Pardon?”

The door swings shut behind him. Arima, flanked by Hairu and Ui, glares at him.

“Is there a problem?” Furuta tries to laugh.

“You’re much scarier than Hsaio.” Yusa looks sad as he, Rikai, and Shio crawl out from under his desk.

“Hello, brats.” Furuta smiles innocently. “I’m confused.”

Hairu holds up his medical records. 

“Those – those are sealed!” Furuta backs away. Arima blocks the door. 

“Not by flirtatious doctors.” Ui scowls as Hairu shakes her head. “Really, Souta?”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Why? It’s your real name, isn’t it?” Hirako shrugs.

“You know? And you, too?” Furuta swings around to Ui. “You’re okay with – with them?” 

“We know a lot more, clown.” Ui takes no pleasure in this. He still can’t believe Arima and Hairu and the kids are ghouls. 

Furuta lunges for the window, but Hirako catches him and drags him to the ground.

“No – no – let me go!” screams Furuta. “Please! You fuckers!”

“You’re not supposed to say that word.” Rikai is perhaps more scandalized by his cursing than his plots.

 “We’ll bring you to interrogation and we will learn everything you planned,” Arima says firmly.

Furuta knows what awaits him in interrogation. He shakes his head wildly. “You – you just went along with this – at least i did something – fuck you!”

Arima squats before Furuta as Hirako cuffs him. “I have my own plans. Always have.” 

“Then why didn’t you save us?” Despite his best efforts, Furuta’s voice cracks. 

Shio’s lips quiver. He throws himself at Furuta. “I still want to hug him!” 

Furuta scoffs, but some portion = of the kid who saved Rize must remain, because Arima and Hairu see him lean in to Shio’s embrace, ever so slightly. 

some takekaya please? even if it’s not your ship?

I will indulge in all ships for this blog, Nonny-Mouse! And, er, Takekaya is not without serious appeal.

“I gather this is how you felt after the Owl Suppression,” Hirako Take says awkwardly. Irimi Kaya is helping him and Squad Zero set up their beds in the 24th ward tunnels. The kids love her black dober mask.

Irimi eyes him. They’ve never talked about that night. 

“I remember you trying to defend the old lady.” Irimi gives Yusa a thumbs up for folding his sheets correctly. 

“I didn’t defend you.” Hirako looks away. She’s kind and gentle and fierce, and had he partnered with her at CCG, he would have asked her on a date. 

“It’s in the past.” 

“You’ve been nothing but generous to us. We’re grateful.” Hirako nods. Their chances are long dead. 

“I’m grateful we got to meet on the same side of a battlefield for once.” Irimi knows he’s scared around her, and of course she’s angry for her dead squad. But Koma killed members of her squad once, and he’s a dear friend now. Who knows what could happen if they let themselves talk?

He’s very handsome, in the plain sort of way Irimi always craved.

“You two like dogs. You should be friends,” Shio declares. Rikai smiles mischievously. 

“Dogs?”

“I have one. Uh, er, named Mr. Owl.” Hirako pauses as a wave of guilt washes over him. “I adopted him after the operation. As a reward for surviving. Or maybe to comfort myself. I really don’t know.”

“What kind of dog?” He killed her friends. But he’s also kind. Irimi wants to know more.

“Shiba Inu.” Hirako pulls out his phone. “I have pictures.”

Irimi thinks Mr. Owl a very handsome fellow, to Hirako’s delight. 

“Why did you start a group called the Black Dogs?” Shio wonders. 

Irimi tilts her head. Her silky black hair cascades down her back. “It’s a long story.” 

“It’s bedtime,” Hirako adds sternly. 

“Tomorrow, then.” Irimi waves. She reluctantly leaves the room.

To her surprise, Hirako follows her down the hall. “I really am sorry for my actions. I – I didn’t know.”

Irimi stops, her back to him. “That’s not an excuse.”

“No,” he agrees.

“But it is an explanation.” Irimi turns around. “We should start over.”

“I concur.”

“With Mr. Owl, I think we already have.” Gathering her ferocity, she takes his face in her hands and kisses him. 

“W – what?” Hirako had no inkling she – would – she –

“I saw you looking at me tonight.” Irimi entwines her fingers with his. “Do you think there’s a chance two former enemies could sustain a relationship that works?”

“I…I want to find out.” Hirako squirms, but the pretty ghoul is smiling at him, and he realizes he couldn’t care less what she needs to survive.

He likes this woman. And she likes him, and his dog. 

Please give Hajime Hazuki some love and some friends.

My bitter murder child needs some serious love. Doctor’s orders.

Hajime tries to bite Hirako, because he’s part ghoul and loves the irony, but a blow from Rikai knocks him back.

“Ghoul,” snaps Shio, locking cuffs onto him.

He can see Mom being eaten, Dad screaming for them to kill him instead. He’s running for the window again.

“So are you!” Hajime screeches. “So are you! All of you – except Hirako! At least I’m gonna stop you all! Fuck you!” 

He screams and screams as they tighten the restraints, cutting off his circulation. Hirako searches his body and yanks the tracker out from his tongue. 

Hirako tries to herd Squad 0 away, but Yusa hesitates. “He’s really upset.” 

The door bursts open, and SS-Yotsume stands there, her emo boyfriend at her side. 

“Hajime Hazuki.” Hinami steps forward.

“Fuck you, ghoul.”

“No, that’s Ayato’s job,” Hinami says sweetly. Ayato chokes, but he made a vow of silence in exchange for accompanying her, and he’ll stick to it if it’s the last thing he does. It might be.

“Huh?” Hajime looks confused.

“Never mind!” Hirako says quickly.

Hinami sits across from Hajime. After a moment, Shio joins her, followed by Yusa and Rikai. With a sigh, Hirako finds himself sitting besides Hajime.

“We like you,” Hinami says. “Well, I do. I know what it’s like to have your parents killed.”

“Do you? Do you know what it’s like to watch them cut off your mom’s head?” shrieks Hajime.

“Yes,” she replies calmly.

“Well, she deserved it.” He scowls.

“She was a pacifist. She only at corpses. We all did.” Hinami pauses. “But I joined Aogiri for revenge anyway.”

————————————————————————-

Hajime isn’t sure why she keeps visiting him, but after a few days, he begins to realize he likes her company. She’s kind, and she’s always accompanied by Squad 0, who cheekily remind him of their adventures in the academy.

But it’s Hirako’s pat on the head one day that precipitates his tears.

“You know you’re a good kid, right? Despite the cursing?” 

He’s not a good kid. If he was, Mom and Dad wouldn’t have died, right?

Hinami embraces him, and soon Squad 0 has cocooned him in a hug. 

“Do not be afraid, Hajime.” Hinami nods. “At GOAT, you are loved.” 

Koori and Hairu celebrate Halloween?

“Koori!” Hairu hurries into CCG decked out in a shimmering blue ballgown. Fairy wings flutter behind her, and a tiara crowns her hair. 

She’s so beautiful it hurts. 

“You!” Hairu gapes at him. Ui has dressed like Prince Charming, complete with a tiara that matches hers. “How did you know?”

“I made Saiko tell me your plans for Halloween. I wanted to match.” His face is as pink as her hair.

“I didn’t think you’d like dressing like a prince.” Hairu nods slyly. “It suits you.”

“I hope,” Ui says nervously. He feels silly, but Hairu is happy and that’s what he cares about.

“Let’s get into position!” 

Saiko, dressed as a witch, strides past. Police Officer Urie, Samurai Shirazu, and Cat Mutsuki follow her.  “Better watch out, Inspector Bowl Cut, or I’ll hex your girlfriend.”

“Get in position!” Hairu calls.

Even Matsuri Washuu is ready – though scowling in his stormtrooper outfit, because unbeknownst to him, Yoshitoki had already planned Darth Vader.

Arima peers out of his office. 

“Did you do it, Hirako?” Hell’s Angel Marude grins. 

“Oh, we did,” Hairu assures him, as Shiba Hirako shoves Arima out. 

Yes, his Squad managed to convince him to dress like a Roman god, complete with a toga and olive branches in his hair. 

“I can’t believe you got me to agree to this,” Arima mumbles.

“You’re brilliant,” Ui whispers to Hairu. She pecks him on the cheek.

“They’re coming!” Hairu whistles, and everyone ducks back into their respective offices.

“Trick or treat!” Shio pounds at their door.

Ui opens to see Ghost Yusa, Vampire Rikai, and Zombie Shio. “Well, well, well, you’re not ghouls, so I suppose we can let you pass.”

“But just to ensure you don’t get hungry.” Hairu dumps candy into their bags. 

When the kids move next door, Ui grabs Hairu and kisses her. He feels stupid, but he has to say it. “You’re my fairy princess.” 

Ui getting teased by his colleagues abt his crush on hairu and hairu doesnt know ui likes her

Omg this is an Uihai tsunami and I love it.

“Sooooo. What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?” Hirako sits on Ui’s desk – the nerve – and grins at Ui.

“What’s with your cheeky face?” he asks sourly.

“So grumpy. Pining away, are we?”

“What?” Ui gasps. “For who? You’re crazy!”

“Methinks thou doth protest too much.” Kiyoko Aura breezes past. 

Ui turns scarlet as all the Squad 0 kids giggle. “Who?”

Arima strolls towards them, and Shio waves him over. “Arima, Arima! Do you think Ui should buy Hairu chocolates or roses for Valentine’s Day?”

Yusa and Rikai dissolve into giggles again, and even Hirako seems taken aback.

“What?” Arima frowns. Koori and Hairu? Hairu and Koori? “Hmm, yes, I can see that.” Honestly, he rather likes the idea. “Buy her what you think she’d want.”

“How do I know?” Ui whispers.

“Ask her or her friends,” Hirako whispers back.

“What’s everyone doing here? Is there a mission to prepare for?” Hairu skips over to them. “Ui, you look red, are you okay?” 

Ui gurgles. 

“Hypothetically,” begins Hirako.

“The kids are wondering what to buy others for Valentine’s Day,” Arima interrupts. They threw Ui, he can throw them. It’s a life lesson.

“Ooh. Roses and chocolate and candlelit dinners are nice. But you know what’s best? Telling someone they like you. I think.” Hairu imagines her perfect Valentine’s Day.

When she waltzes away, the rest of Arima Squad stares at Ui. 

“Better practice that confession.” Arima turns around. “Kids, it’s practice time.”

They all stand. 

“You’re welcome,” Hirako says to a mortified Ui. 

Since you wrote about Ui confessing to Hairu, what about their first date?

Soooo much Uihai! I love it. 

“So, what do you have planned?” Hirako perches on Ui’s desk. His smirk sends shivers down Ui’s spine.

“Uh –” He’s already consulted Arima and decided on a fancy chocolate bar, followed by the latest romantic comedy. But if he tells Hirako, there’s a 99% chance of Squad 0′s kids showing up with cameras. 

“Koori! I’m ready!” Hairu breezes in, dressed in a beautiful red dress and heels high enough that she might now be taller than Ui.

His face is white. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you!” Hairu leans over and takes his hands. “Bye, Hirako!”

“Have fun. Make good decisions!” Hirako can’t resist.

“Ui, you’re sweeter than this chocolate.” Hairu sips her marshmallow-filled mug. 

“Arima helped me decide,” he admits.

“Arima knows us well.” Hairu pokes his nose, leaving strawberry syrup on the tip. “Look! You’re a clown!”

Ui feigns horror. “You’ll have to execute me!”

“Noooooo, not my Koori!” Hairu gasps, and much like the chocolate surrounding them, Ui is melting inside.

The romantic comedy turns out to suck, which disappoints them both, but when they leave early they’re able to run around Tokyo together. For once, they don’t worry about ghouls and humanity fighting for survival. 

For once, they’re the only one on each other’s mind. They’re dancing alone under the starlight, in a garden they’re trespassed into.

It’s a perfect date.

Hirako tries to parent Shio, Yusa, and Rikai. Preferably with angst and fluff. Please write this before one of them dies my heart can’t take what I fear is coming.

Okay, none of the kids are allowed to die. 

“Rikai, why are you crying?” Hirako is tired and parenting is the last thing on his list of desired. 

The good news, as Arima reminded him, is that all the Squad 0 kids had such piss-poor parenting anything he fails at will still look good by comparison.

But Hirako doesn’t want to look good by comparison. He wants to be good. 

“B – because I’m having a bad memory,” sniffles Rikai. 

“Well.” Hirako settles next to Rikai, his hand on her shoulder. “It’s in the past, but sometimes it helps to talk about it. You want to?”

“We’re getting older.” Rikai clutches his hand instead of answering the question. She can’t divulge her memories, not yet. “We’re gonna die before everyone else. And I don’t want to – I don’t want to die!”

She covers her face and sobs. 

Shio is crying, too. “We’re supposed to be brave.”

“Bravery,” says Hirako softly, “means facing your fears. You know, I’m scared of dying, too.”

“You are?” Yusa gapes at him.

“Yes. And then I have to ask myself why.” Hirako shrugs. “And I’m afraid because I want my life to be worthwhile.”

“We like your life!” cries Shio.

“I know, and I’d say y life is worth it with you kids in it.”

Rikai coughs. “You mean – we’re not a burden?”

“Are you sure?” Yusa asks.

“Of course. I wouldn’t trade you all for the world.” Hirako grabs the kids and pulls them tight.

He doesn’t know how they’ll fix the aging issue, but they will. These kids deserve the world they’re fighting for. 

Hairu is sick. Ui winds up helping her.

“Kill meeeeee,” whines Hairu, staggering in to CCG.

“Honey, a C-rated ghoul could manage that,” Hirako watches her collapse into her desk chair.

On cue, Ui Koori hightails out of Arima’s office. There’s only one person who can distract him from Arima-worship, and she’s currently a mucus-y mess. “Do you have the flu?” 

“I dunno,” mumbles Hairu. “I’m dying, Koori.”

“I’ll get a thermometer!” He dashes off, and Hirako exchanges a grin with Arima, who approaches her from behind.

“’Rima.” She smiles blearily.

“Please go home.”

“Nooooooo.” She juts out her lower lip. 

“Here. I stole this from the lab. It was clean!” Ui shoves a thermometer in Hairu’s hands. “Is there something else I can do for you? Coffee? Tea? Soup?”

“Moo uh ee nish,” she says around the thermometer.

“Sorry, didn’t catch that.” Hirako smirks.

“She said soup would be nice.” Ui snatches the thermometer from her mouth. “No, Hairu! You have a high fever!”

“Home.” Arima snaps his fingers and returns to his office. There will be no questions. She will rest.

“I’ll take you home.” Ui holds out his arms. “I’ll carry you.”

“Desperate,” Hirako mutters, but he doesn’t care, because Hairu’s in his arms, mumbling deliriously about how cute he is. 

The next day, neither show up to work. When Arima and Hirako pay them a visit, they find both at Hairu’s place, curled up on the couch watching Disney through their sniffles. 

Um, hello, hello! I read your guidelines and was wondering if I may ask for a scenario where after dinner together, Arima takes Kiyoko to a floral shop, at first she’s unsure why he chose the shop? He ends up proposing to her at the shop. After the initial surprise, Kiyoko makes a remark how the shop is fitting to select flowers for the future wedding bouquet! This ship is practically nonexistent save for a couple of fics I’ve seen, I’d be so happy to see your take on it!!

Oh my goodness, I’m learning so many new Arima ships. Of course you may ask! Bring it!

“Still sleepy?” Kiyoko grins at Arima. The evening sun filters through the streets of Tokyo, and she recognizes it as the type of scene Arima loves, the kind that helps him forget the gore of last night’s mission.

Arima laughs in response. Lat night she found him out of breath and disoriented. She know’s he’s dying, and still she enjoys his company. Kiyoko is stronger than all the Special Investigator men put together, and, to his endless delight, she knows it.

Kiyoko grabs his hands, and he knows the surprise in his pocket is right, even if he’s half in the grave.

“I have something to show you,” he murmurs.

“Lead on.” Kiyoko raises an eyebrow. There are no other men she’d follow without question.

He leads her to a small shop named Sakura’s. The perfume of roses and lilies nestles around them. There are tulips blooming on the floor and ivy crawling up the walls, and a fountain in the center. 

Kiyoko chuckles. “It’s like the paradise I dreamed of as a girl.”

“Did you dream of any other paradise?” 

Kiyoko turns around to see Arima down on one knee, holding out a sparkling diamond ring. 

He doesn’t dare breathe. She should be smart and refuse, because there’s pain in the future. But not only pain, so still he hopes.

“Well, you are a smooth one, Kishou.” Kiyoko holds out her hand, and he dares to slip the ring on.

“Thank you,” he rasps.

“Thank you, you romantic nincompoop.” Kiyoko plants a kiss on his lips. 

“Hurrah!” Hirako Take jumps out from behind the counter. Hairu’s behind him, snapping pictures, and Koori Ui holds champagne.

Kiyoko throws her head back and laughs. “Are you serious?”

“Too much?”

“I can’t have too much of you.” Kiyoko smiles slyly. “But since the owners clearly agreed to let you stage this, I think it’s only fair if we buy wedding flowers here.” 

She’s so efficient. Arima marvels. “I can’t wait to see what you choose.” 

With her, he believes the impossible. He believes life can begin even as if ends. 

But consider all of the cast with lightsabers.

Oh my word

I’ve sorted the characters according to their introductory affiliation.

Anteiku/Re Affiliates

Kaneki Ken – After inheriting a very special bright red/Darth Maul two-sided saber from the fallen Rize Kamishiro, he finds himself hunted by the Dark Side.

Nagachika Hideyoshi – His is light blue, like Luke’s. 

Yoshimura Kuzen – He’s long retired his purple lightsaber, except when he brings it out to clean up after his daughter, Darth Owl. It used to be his lover Ukina’s, from whom he learned how to wield it. 

Kamishiro Rize – She was exceptionally skilled with her two-sided saber, but is currently saber-less. 

Kirishima Touka – Hers is dark blue and she wields it well. 

Koma Enji – Green.  

Irimi Kaya – Green. This is why she and Koma first fought in the 20th ward, before Yoshimura convinced them there was room for two green sabers.

Yomo Renji – Darksaber all the way.

Kosaka Yoriko – Yellow-green, but she would rather not use it. 

Hinami Feuguchi – Yellow, two-sided, and she possesses uncanny skill. 

Nishiki Nishio – green and cracked. 

Nishino Kimi – green (this is how she met Nishiki). He then cracked her crystal by accident, and learned the power of love by her forgiveness. 

Tsukiyama Family

Tsukiyama Shuu – the gourmet’s is indigo to match his hair, and he adores it to the point that he talks to it. Still, he pines after Kaneki’s two-sided saber.

Karren von Rosewald – Servants weren’t supposed to have sabers, but Shuu bought her a rose pink one for her birthday one year. She’s loved him ever since.

Matsumae – the family bodyguard possesses a darksaber. It still thrills her every time she lights it.

Mirumo – passed down the indigo saber to Shuu.

Chie Hori – her tiny green saber was so delectable she and Shuu had to be friends.

Clowns

Uta – Darksaber, but with a cracked crystal. He and Yomo used to make a fierce darksaber team. 

Itori – Hers is bright pink but rarely used, unless you’re counting when she gets drunk and waves it about Helter Skelter pretending she’s a Samurai. 

Hoito Roma – She seemed to have an ordinary red saber. Instead she literally has a four-sided saber she uses for utter destruction. 

Nimura Furuta – he started the series by pushing pipes onto Rize so he could steal her lightsaber, but now that Kaneki has inherited it, he hired Kanou to make a duplicate. Someday, though, he will get the real one. 

Rio/Shikorae – is not trusted with one. Probably for the best.

Nico – pink but cracked. 

Donato Porpora – Purple, cracked.

Aogiri Tree

Kirishima Ayato – dark blue, just like Touka. *pouts*

Yamori – Sabers cauterize wounds. That’s boring. 

Tatara – Green – half of a two sided saber. 

Yoshimura Eto – Darth Owl has a fierce purple lightsaber and exceptional skill.

Noro – Darksaber. 

CCG

Amon Koutarou – Blue-white and pure. 

Takizawa Seidou – blue, but he cracked the crystal while insisting he could make his own.

Mado Akira – green. She made her own, nice and neat. 

Houji Kousuke- the second half of Tatara’s green saber is his. This is the root of their enmity. 

Mado Kureo – His fascination with lightsabers has lead him to have a collection of every color, plus every cracked version. He was missing a green one before Akira made hers. 

Marude Itsuki – It used to be yellow. Inspired by Yoshitoki, he also decorated the label. It did not turn out well, but thankfully, Juuzou Suzuya wrecked it. 

Washuu Yoshitoki – yellow. He’s decorated the label. 

Washuu Matsuri – spent half his childhood (literally half) whining for one. Now he has a yellow one and isn’t not as exciting as he hoped. 

Washuu Tsuneyoshi – He wishes it was purple, but alas, his is yellow. 

Kuriowa Takeomi – He got so good at beating ghouls up with his hands his dad was reluctant to hand down their family’s white saber. 

Kuriowa Iwao – He used to have a white saber. Now he has an orange one, because he gave the white one to Takeomi.

Aura Kiyoko – Blue and damn does she use it well.

Tanakamaru Mougan – Pink. He loves the color. 

Shinohara Yukinori – Green, “the color of life,” he used to remind Suzuya.

Hajime Hazuki – white. Someone take it away from him.

Arima Squad

Ihei Hairu – hers is lemon-colored, and she’s nicknamed it “Sunlight.”

Arima Kishou – His is ordinary light blue. But he can beat even the most powerful sabers with his technique. 

Ui Koori – His is green. Sometimes Hairu tells him they’re lemons and limes, and he enjoys this.

Take Hirako – he ordered light blue to match Arima. 

Ihei Shio – Pink. He and Yusa swapped colors. 

Arima Yusa – white. He didn’t care for the color, but Shio really wanted pink.

Souza Rikai – purple, which she’s very proud of. 

Suzuya Squad

Suzuya Juuzou – green and two-sided. He insisted on green to honor Shinohara. 

Keijin Nakarai – Yellow to match his hair.

Hanbee Abara – Darksaber. He feels silly with it.

Miyuki Mikage – Green, like his boss. 

Mizurou Tamaki – Orange

Quinx Squad

Yonebayashi Saiko – light blue, and she enjoys wielding it, because then she gets to pretend she’s someone from Feudal times. 

Shirazu Ginshi – orange, cracked, and he loved it for its imperfections. 

Urie Kuki – purple, but cracked, and the crack is growing bigger.

Mutsuki Tooru – green, and he’s determined to become as skilled as Kaneki. 

Hsaio Ching-Li – dark saber. Beware her skill.

Aura Shinsanpei – his is dark blue, and he’s either way too fierce or too timid with it. There is no middle ground.

Higemaru Touma – pink, and he likes to light it up for no reason other than he enjoys the sound.