3RD PERSON VIEW

WEEK LATER

*CRACK*

Ryuoko: Ahhhhh...........

Ryuoko cracks her back as she walks out the door with Hinami close behind.

Hinami: Mom where are we going?

Ryuoko: Clothes shopping Hinami.

Hinami: But what about-

Ryuoko: Life here is much better. We wouldn't have to worry about danger and there is a lot of time on our hands. Now come on, *smile* I know just what you want.

Hinami: Ok!

Later

All investigators were spying on the ghouls behind a wall as Ryuoko held a shirt up for Hinami.

Amon: What do you see?

Akira: Target 723 and the daughter are....shopping for clothes? .....Why are we here again?

Amon: The ghouls left the safety of the school. Even if we're not permitted to.....kill them we need to ensure the safety of the public.

Suzuya: Right..............'They're decent though.'

Akira: And they're out the door.

Amon: Quick! Follow them!

Later

Ryuoko: 'Clothes check, books check, I wonder if I can watch movies. So many things to do but so little time!'

Hinami was skipping along the ground as they made it into an alleyway.

Hinami: Mom what should we do?

Ryuoko: *smile*!How does a movie theater sound?

Hinami: Movie?

Ryuoko: It's like watching TV but it's on a big screen in public. An hour or two-long show plays on it. I promise it'll be entertaining.

Hinami: *happy* If you say so, mom!

They walked around a corner and were about to get out when 4 people stopped at the exit of the alleyway.

Cardin: Well look what we have here.

Ryuoko: *whisper* Hinami get behind me.

The kid huddles behind her mom as she stares team CRDL down.

Ryuoko: Please move. We don't want to cause any trouble.

Cardin: Tch! You talk with Y/N right?

Ryuoko: Yes.

Cardin: Because of him, the whole school hates us! We can't even do anything without being ridiculed and to make things worse, the fucking headmaster expelled us!

Cardin and his friends then grin as Ryuoko got worried.

Cardin: Bunch of freaks. If we can't do anything to Y/N, at least we get a little payback! Once we're done with your corpse we'll take the girl. *grin* I promise we'll take good care of him-

Ryuoko: What......did you just say?

*SQUISH*

Ryuoko unleashed her kagune spreading it wide as she glared at the 4 with her kakugan, nearly causing them to shit their pants at the sight.

Ryuoko: Want to say that again?

Cardin: *sweating* Uh........

*BAM*

After a literal beat down by an angry mom

???: Thanks for the information. Enforcement and medics are on the way. Please leave the area.

*BEEP*

Ryuoko: *relieved* Thank goodness. Hinami let's go now.

They both left the alleyway leaving team CRDL unconscious on the ground with bruises and probably some broken bones.

*THUD*

Amon: I don't understand.

Suzuya: Understand what?

Amon: I,9'fused* Why didn't she kill them?

After seeing what the ghouls did for the past hours, the investigators were shocked and startled at the 'humanity' shown by them. They were still in denial about the ghouls though and were looking for proof.

Akira: Maybe they had somewhere else to go?

Amon: You don't understand! Ghouls are animals! They only cause suffering and pain wherever they go! Yet-

Mado: The actions of the mother did not match up to your expectations in any way.

Amon: No but-

Mado: Amon, you haven't relaxed a single bit since last week because you were afraid they would do something. Just go. I'll watch them alone.

Amon grits his teeth as he reluctantly walks away with Akira and Suzuya.

Mado: 'What are you Ryuoko.'

Later

Ryuoko: Did you enjoy it?

Hinami skips out of the theater entrance as Ryuoko caught up with her.

Hinami: *happy* It was fun! I like all the explosions and cool stuff!

Ryuoko: *smiles* Glad you did. Where do you want to go next?

Hinami: Uh...the park?

Ryuoko: Certainly.

Hinami: YAY!

They both walk in a random direction leaving the crowd of people at the movie entrance. On a rooftop, Mado can be seen observing them from above before making his way to them.

Mado: ..............just like Kasuka.

Later

Ryuoko can be seen sitting on a bench watching Hinami playing soccer. A random girl passed the ball and Hinami found herself in a position to kick a goal.

Random girl: Cmon! Kick it!

A boy tried to block her but missed as she raised her foot bac-

*BAM*

The ball shot past 2 of her opponents and the goalie and lifts the goal 10 meters into the air before falling.

Random boy: HOLY SHI- I mean-

Random girl: Girl you got some power in those legs. Is that your semblance?

Hinami: Well no bu-

Random boy #2: Next game I'm picking her!

Random girl #2: No we're picking he-

Random janitor: You all broke the goal goddamit. I got to fix it again.

Despite the kids' protest, the janitor carts the broken goal away as they watched him retreat into the distance.

Random kid: Aw man!

Random girl: Anyone up for some hide and seek?

Everyone: Sure!

Random girl: Hinami you want to join? It's ok if you don't want to play.

All eyes turn to her as she looks down but then looks back up.

Hinami: *smile* Ok.

Random boy: LET'S GO!

Random girl #4: She's it! Just count to 60 and try to find us!

Hinami: Huh? But-

Everyone proceeds to run away from Hinami as one boy remains standing.

Random Boy #5: Don't worry. This is a regular thing.

He then runs away to the north as Hinami begins counting with her eyes closed.

Ryuoko: *smile* 'Hmmmm.....she seems to be enjoying herself.'

Just then a shadow covers her as she turns around.

Ryuoko: What do y- Mado?

Mado: Please...call me Kureo. May I sit here?

Ryuoko moves over as Mado sits down. Things got awkward for a bit as they both stare into the distance.

*cricket noises*

Mado: So, what are you doing here Ryuoko?

Ryuoko: 'First name basis?' I'm merely taking time to explore this city Kureo with my daughter.

Mado: She looks like she's having the time of her life eh?

In the distance, Hinami can be seen peeking around a tree and catching someone trying to sneak away.

Random kid: Dang it.

Hinami: *pout* You're not getting away that easily.

Ryuoko: *sigh* Yeah she is. My daughter never had a proper interaction with someone her age. I wanted to take her out but it was too dangerous to.

Mado: You must care a lot for your daughter huh.

Ryuoko: Yeah I do. She's the flower of my life.

Ryuoko: I thought you were with your fellow investigators. Why did you come here alone?

Mado: About that I do have a few questions.

Ryuoko: I'll be happy to indulge.

Mado: What is your stance on the human and ghoul conflict?

Ryuoko: Well, I do understand that humans are afraid of ghouls. Some would kill humans for entertainment or sport and some would experiment on them. However, many ghouls wish to live a normal life, to live a life free from oppression yet the current social norm back in Tokyo does not allow that. I believe that humans and ghouls can work together to make peace.

Mado: Peace............why?

Ryuoko: Why?

Mado: If many ghouls want to live in peace why did my wife die to Eto? What did she do to deserve it?

Ryuoko: This is tricky.....from basic knowledge ghouls obtain their kakuja through cannibalization of other ghouls. I have encountered this one eyed owl but only for a split second. ....She maybe was possibly forced to kill and fight investigators and ghouls to survive. If you spent all your life killing to survive, wouldn't it make sense to kill those trying to kill you to survive?

Mado: Of course........*ponder*

Ryuoko: I don't blame your wife. She seemed like a very brave woman.

Mado: *remembering* She was always there for me and Akira..............have you killed before?

Ryuoko: Hu-

Mado: I know ghouls eat humans. But please answer this truthfully. Have you killed anyone before to eat them?

Ryuoko: No. Even if they lay dying before me I will never kill them.

Mado raises a brow, staring into Ryuoko's own eyes as she moves further to the left.

Mado: Are you sure?

Ryuoko: Yes. I let my husband hunt but after he died I went to Anteiku. They gave me human meat to survive off of.

Mado: 'Anteiku huh. The rabbit.......' So to sum it up, ghouls are just like humans wanting to live a normal life but the current social structure prevents them from doing so and forced them to act violently in retaliation and change their persona.

Ryuoko: Precisely.

Mado: Understandable. *sigh* This past week has been a bit......chaotic. I can't believe that all it took was to get transported to a different world to open my eyes to the truth.

Ryuoko: Same. I was surprised you didn't retaliate when they refused to let you and your coworkers kill me.

Mado: I was beginning to have my doubts before I came here but at least I have some closure now.

Mado: Sorry for killing your husband by the way.

Ryuoko: It's fine. I don't hold grudges.

Ryuoko: How's your daughter by the way?

Mado: Well I-

They both engage in small talk chatting casually with one another as Hinami plays tag with the kids.

Meanwhile on a nearby hill Y/N can be seen spying on them from above.

Y/N: Yes. It's a success!

Blake: Why are we spying on them?

Y/N: You wanted to follow me so you did.

Y/N: Why are you here by the way?

Blake shifts nervously in place as Y/N crosses his arms.

Y/N: Well?

Blake: *sigh* Damn it.

Y/N was taken aback when Blake wraps her arms around Y/N and kisses him although Y/N pulls back shortly after, a bit surprised at what she did.

Y/N: What was that?

Blake: I can't help it. I see you as more than just a friend Y/N.

Y/N: *grabs hips* Why didn't you say so earlier?

Blake: *blush* I-I didn't have time to talk with you before.

Y/N leans in for a kiss as they both made out with Blake's back against a tree. Reaching out, he rubs her ears causing her to purr and soften to his touch before they both separate.

Y/N: Love you too Blake.

Blake snuggles her head against Y/N's neck feeling his warmth.

*grab*

Blake: Wha- my ribbo-

Y/N: Don't. You look more beautiful this way.

Blake: *shy* Thanks.

They both sat on a concrete slab as Blake leans her head onto Y/N and Y/N wraps an arm around her waist. The sun was starting to set as they watch the kids play below.

Mado: *grin* So you two lovebirds done yet?

They both turned to find Mado and Ryuoko standing there with Hinami clapping her hands.

Blake: How did yo-

Ryuoko: Please. I already know you two were following us when I left Beacon. Ghouls have a good sense of smell you know.

Mado: Besides, it's getting late. You wouldn't want to worry your girlfriends right?

Y/N: Oh uh yeah.

They chat, walking away as everyone eventually left the park. The sun shined bright as it settles down.

???/???2: Hinami?

Later in dorms

*thud*

Amon and Akira turn around to find Mado in the doorway with a......happy expression?

Amon: Investigator Mado what happened?

Mado: *mumble* Huh. Looks like ghouls aren't much different from humans after all.

Amon:

EH?!

Akira: Wha-wht- ho- Dad are you ok?

Mado: Never been better.

Amon: M-Mado how can you say that? Ghouls are emotionless mo-

Mado: Ghouls aren't emotionless Amon. As much as I want to not admit it they can feel emotions just as a regular human can. Tar- Ryuoko cares about her daughter a lot. Takes care of her..............just like-

Akira: Mom. I know dad.

Meanwhile, Amon is having an existential crisis, seeing his mentor supporting ghouls for the first time. Mado notices this and pats his shoulder, reassuring him.

Mado: Don't think too hard about it. I'll explain everything.

Amon: *sigh* This better be good.

Amon and Akira gathered around Mado as Suzuya played on his scroll. Outside the moon shined bright upon Remnant.

???/???2: It's been so long. Hinami we'll finally meet you again.

Next Chapter: The Rabbit 18+