"Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide to live by."
- Robert Francis Kennedy
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Levin POV
I listened to a child sing on the side of the street. His tone cracked every now and then, and it wasn't that balanced. But somehow his voice made me stop and listen, and I stared down at the boy.
He was shorter than some of the children I'd seen around the area, meaning he was just shorter than normal or he was younger. He wore a heavy jacket and pants, with boots.
I glanced beside where he was standing and saw a weak looking woman, who was obviously under weight and could barely move. Beside her, in the middle of the boy and where she was, was a small hat, big enough to fit around the boys head.
I made eye contact with the woman, but only for a moment, she swayed her vision away and stared at the boy, then closed her eyes.
Mimicking her, I looked at the boy singing again and closed my eyes. Calmness filled me, and I couldn't help but smile. The song he was humming I did not recognize, but it was simple and beautiful.
Sunset was on the horizon by the time the child finally stopped, slowly going into a crescendo then letting his voice die. I opened my eyes to find the boy staring at me with confusion.
"Are you hungry?" I asked the boy, kneeling down next to him. The boy nodded and glanced over at the woman, who still had her eyes closed.
Reaching into the grocery bag in my left hand, I pulled out a bag of bread and some cheese. The boys eyes sparkled at the site and jumped up in down. This sight of a little child being so overjoyed he'd jump around at the sight of food, made me laugh a bit.
"Make sure to savor it. Don't let it spoil either." I said, then dropped a ten thousand yen bill into the small hat. The boy didn't seem to notice, as he was showing the food to the woman with a smile.
I watched them closely for awhile, and wondered briefly what would've happened if me and my mother escaped back then? I probably would've never come to Tokyo. I'd still be in America somewhere.
My mother would be dead in this time, she had a lowered life expectancy, and her hair was already turning white by the time she actually died. I would be alone now.
So... is this the path to the good end I wanted?
Turning away from the boy and her mother, I call out. "I'll visit again." I said.
I heard the boy close out a thank you and see you soon. Is this my way of retribution? No, I think I just wanted to give them food. A voice like that's someday be in front of bigger crowds, hopefully.
Making a promise like that, to come back and visit them, was probably a bad idea.
I never did see that boy again, neither did I see the mother.
Kurona POV
"Where is Levin?" Asked Kaneki, who was washing his coffee cup after he'd drank from it.
"He was getting some groceries for a dish he wanted to make me." I said, folding my hands on the desk I was sitting at.
It had been three weeks since Levin came back to Re, and decided to join Goat. The plan he decided to use to take out part of V was closely drawing close.
We were all going to go through with the plan tomorrow. Apparently all the data in the pendant was all Levin needed to start making a plan. This time all of us were going.
Kaneki was alright with this, as long as Levin served in Goat afterwards from then on with zero squad. It partly makes me sad, since after this plan of his, he won't be able to see me much, him being part of zero squad meant being a guard to Kaneki, the King.
Kaneki nodded and crossed his arms, thinking. "Its almost time to pull through with his plan... are you ready?" He asked.
I nodded. Levin first told me about the plan, I was the first to learn of it. The woman that put Levin's life in a blender... I would be lying if I said I didn't want to kill her.
But with this last operation, Levin promised he'd work only under Kaneki and Goat, working towards their goal. As for me, I'll be here for him.
Just then, the door bell gave a ring, and I pulled my glance towards the door. Levin sighed as he walked in, outside was starting to hit nightfall.
"Sorry I'm late. Got caught up in some lady at the market, kept calling me names." He said, walking up to me and smiling. "We'll have to make that dish another time, there was no bread or cheese at the store."
"That's alright. Did you get me ice cream?" I asked quickly, looking at the bag he was holding. Chuckling, he plucked out a small tub of ice cream.
As I was reaching for it, he pulled it away from my grasp and walked to the back towards the fridges. "Not yet, we'll have some later." He said.
"But keep want it now." I pouted, but quickly stopped as he poked my cheek when he came back. I felt my face turn a bit hot and I looked away.
Kaneki cleared his throat, obviously feeling awkward about being in the room with us. Levin looked over at him and smirked.
"Oh, didn't see you there." Levin said, then grew serious and pointed up the stairs in the back. "Shall we get ready for the operation?" He asked.
Kaneki nodded and cleaned his hands after doing the dishes, and they both walked up the stairs. I sat there for a few moments, then stood and walked to my room. I needed rest for tomorrow.
I'm glad I did get rest, I got to dream a lot of a future with just me and Levin. Not real, but still sweet.
But I suppose that's why they call it a dream. It wasn't reality, not even close.
(And the next few chapter will be the finale. I've come a long way with this book, but I'm sad to see it go. Nonetheless I hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful day!) - MnMs171