If you asked Lancer which place he'd become most familiar with over the past half-year, he'd probably say Anteiku first, then his home and the branch office. But if you asked which place left him with the deepest impression… Well, that'd definitely be the hospital affiliated with the CCG, wouldn't it?
"Hmm... Although your injuries haven't completely healed yet, you should be able to resume normal activities without issue."
After examining Lancer's latest test results, the bespectacled doctor curiously glanced at him several times. He'd already heard colleagues gossiping about a patient repeatedly admitted with critical injuries, yet who always recovered at a speed far surpassing any doctor's expectations. Initially skeptical, the doctor became a believer once he personally took charge of Lancer's care.
"Oh, right. If you get hospitalized again, just request me directly."
"Um... I don't think I'll be coming back again."
Seeing Lancer's odd expression, the doctor awkwardly turned away. But he didn't believe Lancer's words one bit. After all, Lancer had averaged one visit per month; his next visit would probably happen sooner rather than later, right?
But Lancer, seeing the doctor's face, merely shook his head helplessly and turned to leave. He knew the man was probably interested in researching him. Actually, before even joining the CCG, Lancer had already cooperated in various examinations. Unfortunately, up until now, those tests hadn't yielded any meaningful results.
Of course, by "examinations," it really just meant blood tests, hair samples, and maybe some muscle tissue collected during surgeries. It didn't really affect him.
However, just as Lancer stepped out of the hospital, a tall figure leaning against a car caught his eye, seemingly engrossed in something he was reading. He only snapped out of it when Lancer tapped him on the shoulder.
"Lancer? You're done already? Don't you usually take over half an hour?"
"I've gotten used to it."
Lancer naturally knew what Amon was referring to—those overly enthusiastic doctors.
"Ah, right. Mado-san said he's throwing a party tonight to celebrate your recovery..."
"Our usual place?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, then first take me home so I can drop off my things."
"No problem!"
Their conversation felt casual, and even Amon Koutarou seemed especially relaxed. Though Investigators were respected, their high mortality rate intimidated many people. Amon, who'd already witnessed the deaths or severe injuries of several comrades, felt relieved seeing his friend discharged from the hospital again.
But what Amon didn't notice was that although Lancer wore a relaxed smile while chatting, his eyes had a certain fatigue and gloom beneath the surface.
Not because his injuries hadn't fully healed, but because... his time was nearly up.
That's right—having spent nearly half a month lying in the hospital, Lancer would soon have to leave. That departure was tonight, just ten short hours away.
At first, he'd been inexplicably thrown into this world, nearly losing his life soon afterward. Yet he had to admit, those "150 days" he'd initially dreaded had indeed brought countless dangers, but also a completely new experience.
A daily life entirely different from his once "ordinary" existence.
Here, he'd met his "teacher," and found true "comrades."
He'd initially joined the CCG simply to survive, but now, from the bottom of his heart, he truly accepted his life as an Investigator.
I never imagined I'd feel reluctant to leave…
Lancer had genuinely thought about whether he could stay longer—even if he eventually had to leave. At least... at least let him finish what he wanted to do!
Even if he couldn't completely resolve the Ghoul issue, at least... at least let him secure the safety of those he cared for, and those who cared for him!
But unfortunately, no matter how much he tried, this so-called "system" never reacted. There was no "guide," no "AI," just something that operated according to pre-set logic, like a truly mechanical system.
Now he'd already given up hope of staying. At this moment, the only thing left for him to consider was what he should do in these final ten hours, and what he should leave behind.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Lancer's eyes continuously flickered in thought...
At the party, Lancer acted like his usual self. Yet, at the end of the gathering, he handed a letter to Amon Koutarou, telling him, "If one day you feel it necessary, open it and have a look."
Amon was obviously confused, but Lancer merely smiled silently, gently patting him on the shoulder.
What was written inside? Quite simple—everything Lancer knew.
Details on Anteiku, information about the "Owl," and of course, information about Kaneki Ken.
If revealed, that letter could easily shake the entire CCG... no, it might even shake all of Tokyo. That was precisely why Lancer had entrusted it to Amon Koutarou. Lancer understood Amon's character clearly: put positively, he strictly kept his promises; negatively, he was stubbornly rigid. He certainly wouldn't open Lancer's letter casually.
Then why not give it to Mado Kureo instead? Was it because Lancer didn't trust him? Certainly not—this somewhat strange man was the very first person Lancer respected since entering this world. The reason he hadn't given him the letter was because of the Owl's identity. He worried that after reading it, Mado would recklessly rush off to challenge the Owl.
If handing over the letter seemed merely odd, then Lancer suddenly asking everyone for a hug before leaving was completely suspicious. In their minds, Lancer wasn't usually such an awkward or sentimental person. But it was Mado Kureo who silenced everyone's questioning looks.
Although Mado Kureo certainly couldn't know anything about the bizarre concept of a "system," his sharp intuition and careful observations had already detected something strange about Lancer half a month ago. Lancer's unusual behavior now only confirmed the suspicion he'd carried in his heart.
He knew—perhaps it was time for Lancer to leave.
Amon Koutarou had also sensed something off, yet he didn't dwell deeply on it. He simply chose to trust Lancer and, as requested, gave him a sincere hug—nothing more.
As for the final farewell with Mado Akira…
"..."
"..."
Neither spoke a word after their hug. Lancer continued feigning ignorance, while Akira continued glaring at him silently. Having known him only briefly, Akira hadn't realized how strange Lancer's behavior was—assuming he'd merely drunk too much. Yet a woman's intuition told her something about Lancer tonight wasn't quite right.
"Everyone, I'll… head back first."
Lancer accepted from Mado Kureo the Quinque that had been specially prepared by CCG's Dr. Chigyou during his hospital stay. Without even glancing at it, he smiled, waved casually at his comrades, and turned to leave without hesitation.
Sometimes, farewell didn't need many words. He didn't know if he'd ever meet them again in the future, but Lancer knew he'd never forget everything that happened over these six months—and the people he'd encountered! Never.
And at that moment, something quietly fell from the corner of Lancer's eye…
---
T/N: 4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, i was toooo lazy and slept allllllllll week sorgee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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