"What's going on at this hour, Mr. Kuzen?"
"I'm sorry. I had no other choice."
Just as I was about to turn the page to the next chapter of the novel I've been engrossed in lately, an unexpected visitor showed up.
He hadn't come through the front door, but rather the window.
My studio apartment is on the fifth floor. If someone else saw a person climbing in through the window, they'd be surprised—but I wasn't.
If the man entering were human, I'd be shocked. But a Ghoul? Not so much.
Ghoul.
Monsters that hide within human society, indistinguishable from humans while feeding on them.
They're natural predators of humanity.
And I happen to be friends with one of those predators—albeit with a bit of an age difference…
Abu~
"Hm?"
I was so focused on the next pages of my book that I barely noticed Mr. Kuzen coming in through the window, when a babbling sound, completely out of place, reached my ears.
I looked up to see Mr. Kuzen closing the window behind him after entering the room.
His lips were pressed into a straight line, his sharp eyes reminiscent of a silent predator, fine wrinkles carved by the years. The brim of his black fedora was pulled low, and his black coat rippled in the night breeze like a crow's wings.
That was definitely the Kuzen I know.
He's much more relaxed now, but when we first met, he was even more intimidating.
Mr. Kuzen shut the window and peered outside as if surveying the scene. There was a sense of danger in his demeanor that I'd never seen before.
After a slight sigh, as if he'd decided there was no threat, he turned around. That's when I saw what he was holding in his arms.
"A baby?"
No doubt about it.
A baby with smooth skin, rosy cheeks, and an angelic face, eyes closed adorably.
"She's the child of Ukina and me."
"Oh wow! Really? Congratulations! You even had a baby with Ukina—Ukina!?!!"
I was about to genuinely congratulate them when I realized something was off and raised my voice.
"W-wait a minute! Ukina's human, right!? How is it possible for a Ghoul and a human to have a child!?"
"It's the miracle she created."
Mr. Kuzen looked down at the baby and was definitely smiling, but his eyes were full of sorrow.
Seeing that, a terrible thought crossed my mind.
I prayed it wasn't true as I spoke up.
"Mr. Kuzen… where is Ukina right now?"
"…"
"Mr. Kuzen?"
"…"
Mr. Kuzen tilted his head downward, hiding his expression.
But the way his fists clenched so tightly they trembled and looked like they might bleed spoke louder than words.
I closed the book I'd been holding and let out a deep sigh. This wasn't exactly the time for reading.
"What do you need me to do?"
"…"
"You came here because you need my help. I can't even imagine how dangerous the world around you is, but if it's something I can do, I'll help."
huff…
Mr. Kuzen took a deep breath to steady his emotions and lifted his head.
"Koma. Apart from Ukina, you're the only person who knew I was a Ghoul and still approached me. That's why I have a favor to ask of you."
Mr. Kuzen held the baby out toward me and continued speaking.
"Take care of her for me."
"No, that's impossible."
…
I waved my hand in refusal.
Mr. Kuzen looked utterly shocked—as if he hadn't expected me to refuse outright.
"What's the reason!? You said you'd help me earlier!"
"I clearly added 'if it's something I can do'! You're a student who hasn't even graduated high school yet living alone—handing me childcare as if it's some hardcore quest!!"
"You're the only one I have! The place where I was supposed to meet my former comrade Noroi has been compromised by the organization, so I can't entrust the baby to him!! To guarantee her safety, you're my only option!!"
"Don't give up!! There must be someone more reliable than a slacker like you who, on days you don't go to school, just sits in your room reading or gaming!!"
"If there was, I wouldn't be here arguing with you!!"
"Damn it!! Is having no friends something to be proud of!!"
I'm a powerless human, not even a Ghoul Investigator, yet I'm here trading barbs with a Ghoul—there's probably no one else in the world like me.
Our argument must've gotten loud, because a whining sound from the baby cut in.
Waaah…
Ugh…
…
Mr. Kuzen and I hurriedly fell silent, and as if relieved by the quiet, the baby let out gentle breaths and fell asleep again.
After making sure, I asked in a hushed voice so as not to wake her.
"…You're a really strong Ghoul, right? Is there any way you could keep her with you?"
"That's impossible… The organization's power is not to be underestimated. I can't even guarantee my own life right now."
"Ugh, what a damn world…"
I let out a curse to vent my frustration, then took the baby from Mr. Kuzen's arms.
A human baby would smell of formula, but a strange metallic tang pricked at my nose, proof that this baby was a Ghoul.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to take her?"
"Yes. From the organization's perspective, there's no connection between you and me. If I stay well-hidden, there's no way you'll be dragged into it."
"No, that's not what I mean…"
I sighed and continued.
"This child… is going to have to grow up without parents."
Her mother is dead, and her father has to live on the run with his life in danger.
Even if Mr. Kuzen returns safely, it could be years, or he might never come back at all.
"…I want you to be her parent."
"But I'm human, you know?"
"When has an ordinary human ever been friends with a Ghoul? Besides, half of this child is human too."
"Still, since she smells of blood, she'll need… 'nourishment,' right?"
"…I'm sorry."
"Fine. Starting tomorrow, I'll just Google places to kill myself."
On top of that, there was preschool education, what to do with her while I'm at school, how to hide her from my parents—just thinking about the mountain of concerns made me feel defeated already.
"What's her name?"
"Eto. It means 'may countless affections support this child.'"
"I'll try my best at that, too."
flutter
Looking relieved at my response, Mr. Kuzen let his coat flutter and moved to exit through the window.
"Hey, Mr. Kuzen. You should at least say goodbye to your child."
"…What right would I have to call myself a parent if I can't even stay by her side?"
"Do you check qualifications before you try parenting?"
"…"
At that, Mr. Kuzen hesitated for a moment, then looked back at the baby and spoke.
"I will definitely come back alive… Eto."
Whoosh!!
Then he leapt out the window and vanished into the darkness of the city.
I waved goodbye to him, and before I knew it, I snapped back to reality to see the baby staring at me with wide, bright eyes.
I stroked her cheek with my finger and said,
"I'm Takaki Koma. You're in good hands with me from now on, Eto."
Baaah~!
Eto smiled brightly in response to my words, then—
Crunch!
She bit my finger.
Then she sucked the blood oozing from the wound like it was milk.
'Right. I'll have to teach her to restrain her cannibalism first. Otherwise, I'll end up getting eaten….'