Kotori: Sigh~ There's so much work to do...
After studying the findings given to her, Kotori began notifying the council and all of the worlds governments to prepare for the possible end of the world through her personal laptop.
Kotori: I'll have to look at all adoption papers that are registered for people nearby and from Osaka... I sure got so much work cut out for me.
With so many things Kotori is doing all at once from monitoring Kaneki, investigating the true identity of the perpetrator who manipulated Shino, Yuuka and Miku. To preparing the world for it's possible end.
Kotori was definitely going to struggle.
Luckily she wasn't alone.
Atsuo: Hey Kotori just focus on a different task, I'll guide the council and the governments to prepare.
Kotori: Huh?
Everyone: Eh?
Everyone in the Higanbana household were shocked upon hearing Atsuo willing to take charge in preparing the council and the world for it's end.
Kotori: Are you sure?
Atsuo: I'll manage, just focus on an easier task. Besides you've worked so much in the council for many years already, just take the somewhat easier task.
Kotori was touched hearing her father say this to her.
Kotori's thoughts*
(Even though Papa is still mad at me... He's willing to lighten my burden.)
And she accepted his help.
Kotori: Thank you, Papa. If you need any help just say so.
Atsuo: I will.
Kotori then gave her laptop to Atsuo and he began doing her work.
Atsuo: Good luck on your side, Kotori.
Kotori: Thanks. Alright then!
With her work involving the council and the world governments now handed to Atsuo.
Swoosh!
Everyone: !!!
"I'LL BEGIN LOOKING WT ADOPTION PAPERS FOR EVERY CHILD THAT WAS ADOPTED NEARBY AND OSAKA 16 YEARS AGO!"
Kotori began trying to find out the identity of the perpetrator a.k.a Demon lord Lucifer's "vessel" who was targeting Kaneki from another computer in her room.
And her first step into finding his identity: Finding all the adoption papers/records of human infants that were adopted 16 years ago.
Yuuka: Man I feel kinda guilty for doing the least work...
Chikao: It's not like we have that much to go of, but at least we found something today didn't?
Shino: Yeah Yuuka. Although I'm more concerned about Kaneki right now.
Sachi: Yeah! Even though his surgery was successful and is being monitored through Ai-chan's blood clone... I'm still worried that he could be attacked.
Yuuka: Yeah, that's right even with a clone this person seems very dangerous.
Chikao: Just who the hell is this bastard? If it wasn't that guy then who else could it be?
While Shino, Sachi, Yuuka and Chikao were talking about Kaneki and the perpetrator.
Miku: Hey Natsuki?
Natsuki: What is it?
Miku had noticed Natsuki in a deep thought ever since their meeting with Kotori was done.
Miku: You've been in deep thought since earlier, did something come to mind?
Natsuki: Oh. Yeah there actually was, I was thinking about Osaka.
Miku: Huh? Osaka? How come?
Natsuki: Well my family used to live there, as well as his family and him.
Miku understood who Natsuki was referring to but continued to ask.
Miku: Why bring that up?
Natsuki: Don't you remember? When Kaneki defeated him during their match and wanted to kill him, his parents came to save him and Kaneki looked into their memories.
Miku: Now that you mentioned it, Onii-chan did spare him after looking at their memories.
Natsuki: Yes, and one of them his Mom said "We can't have children, you're the only one we have..." If they can't have children then that could mean he's adopted.
Miku: !!!
Miku understood that Natsuki had important information.
Miku: If that's the case, then why didn't you tell Onee-chan about this? It's very important.
Natsuki: Well she did tell us that, he really was at his home when your incident with Kaneki happened. So... Even though I'm suspicious of him, I have my doubts.
Miku: But he's the only one we know who really hates Onii-chan right? If he's this "vessel" then maybe he was able to find a way to lie despite being forced to by Onee-chan.
Natsuki: Hmm...
Natsuki wasn't too sure whether Miku's assumption was right.
Natsuki: Yeah...
But she knew not telling Kotori was not a good idea.
Natsuki: Excuse me then.
She stood up from the dinner table and started walking to Kotori's room.
Aiya: Hmm? What was that about Miku?
Miku: Natsuki had thought of something, probably related to the "vessel".
Aiya: I see, I hope it can help Kotori though.
Miku: Yeah, same here.
In Kotori's room*
Natsuki: Can I come in?
Kotori: Oh, Natsuki-chan? Come in.
In Kotori's room, Natsuki had entered to tell Kotori what she knows while Kotori was already found many adoption papers.
Kotori: Do you need something?
Natsuki: No, I have something to tell you.
Kotori: What is it?
Natsuki: Well—
Natural told Kotori everything she said to Miku about how her and his family used to live in Osaka as well as the memories that Kaneki showed everyone during the W.S.S.F.
Kotori: I see, but I forcefully made him tell the truth... If he is the vessel then maybe there's someway he was able to lie despite being in my control? Hmm...
Kotori was now once again curious with the Itadori family, with them used to living in Osaka and the implication that Ryueki was adopted.
She began to suspect him once again.
Kotori: Thank you for telling me this, it does sound important.
Natsuki: Your welcome, happy to help well then I'll be heading home now.
Natsuki immediately left the room after telling Kotori what she needed to know.
Kotori: Alright! See you tomorrow.
With Natsuki leaving, Sachi, Yuuka, Chikao, Azusa and Emi also went home.
A little while later~
In the Mizutani household*
Natsuki: I'm home~
Katsuki & Satsuki: Welcome back.
Katsuki: How was your investigation with your friends?
Natsuki: Well we found a mural, and among other things.
Satsuki: Oh. Was it any trouble.
Natsuki: Not really... And also Kaneki had surgery a few hours ago, and Kotori-san said it was a success.
Katsuki & Satsuki: That's good!
Natsuki: Sigh~ Although we aren't sure when he's going to wake up or even wake up at all... I really miss him...
Katsuki & Satsuki: ...
Natsuki missed Kaneki so much, and her parents seeing how much they missed him reassured her.
Satsuki: It's alright, Kaneki will come back.
Katsuki: That's right! He definitely will and he'll be missing you and your friends as well.
Natsuki Smile~
Natsuki was happy hearing them reassure her.
Natsuki: Thanks Mom and Da—
Shake~!
All 3: !!!
Suddenly the doors in their home all shook before momentarily stopping.
Katsuki: Was that an earthquake?!
Satsuki: But it was only the doors.
Natsuki: ...
The entire family was confused to why the doors all shook out of nowhere and it definitely wasn't from an earthquake.
Natsuki's thoughts*
(Doors shaking...)
Natsuki blankly stared at the nearby door as she remembered her strange encounter with Kaneki's bedroom door shaking the previous night.
(...)
She didn't know what to think of it, and nothing much happened after.
September 19, 2042*
Kotori: Girls! Listen up!
It was the next day and the Higanbana girls and Kotori were on their way to school when Kotori suddenly ordered them to listen.
Sachi: What is it Ai-chan?
Natsuki: Is it something important?
Kotori: Yup! It's about Kaneki.
All 6: !!!
The Higanbana girls became excited upon hearing Kaneki's name.
All 6: Is he awake?!
Kotori: No not yet.
Kotori: No, sadly not.
All 6: Oh...
They were immediately disappointed hearing he was not awake yet.
Kotori: But I do have good news, he will be transported back home later this afternoon. So once school is over you all can see him again.
All 6: Really?
Their moods then lightened up as they now know that Kaneki's body was returning home and they can finally see him again.
Natsuki: Kaneki...
Shino: Is he doing okay?
Kotori: He is still unconscious, but other than that he is.
Yuuka: Thank goodness! Wait will he have—
Kotori: Yes. He'll have tight security, so he'll be safe.
Chikao: We can see him again... I hope just by visiting him he would wake up.
Sachi: I know! Why don't we kiss him and wake him up!
Natsuki: No way! You just want to kiss him!
Sachi: Hehe~ sorry I thought it would work since there's a few fairy tales that tells of kisses breaking curses.
Miku: Sigh~ Seriously Sachi-Oneechan?
While everyone was being very lively with the news of Kaneki coming home.
Meanwhile in Kaneki's hospital room*
"?vbqx huxje oc i'uhuxM ...uhuxM"
Kaneki was having major trouble.