With Every Step

30. Closure

Donato had laughed and cried until his dying breath, and Amon had watched every second of it, unable to look away as his own tears fell unbidden. Despite the lies and the atrocities, the ignorance and the sins, Amon's childhood had been happy. And it was due to one man.

He was glad Akira and Fueguchi had assigned him to this mission, that he had gotten a chance to face Donato and come to terms with his conflicted feelings.

Amon wiped his tears away, ignoring the burning sensation in his eyes, and turned to find that Seidou was still there on the rooftop above, alongside a woman. He remained rooted to the spot, not sure whether to join them or not. The last time he saw Seidou was at Rushima Island—the lab didn't count—and there was much that Amon wanted to speak about with him, but he didn't know who the other person was.

He soon found out.

Yumitsu Tomoe, the Grave Robber ghoul. Sister of the Bin Brothers.

She waved away his apologies before he had even said them, giving him an odd look that wasn't quite as hateful as he expected. It was an awkward atmosphere, but together, the three of them travelled back to the others.

They were getting close when they heard the sounds of a large-scale battle.

"What the hell's happened now?" Seidou muttered.

Amon was worn out from his battle with Donato but worry increased his pace. Seidou and Tomoe were right beside him.

When they reached the spot, he froze in confusion. Was that the Apes and the Black Dobers...? Fighting for V? How was that possible?

There was no way he would get an explanation then, so putting away those thoughts, Amon brought out his kagune and entered the fray. Seidou jumped above him and showered the enemies with red shards, while Tomoe made use of a katana-like quinque to skewer anyone who got close enough. The fight continued fiercely until Hirako took down the one leading V's forces, after which their victory was decisive.

"Attention, all personnel. Commence retreat," the order came, loud and clear.

The tension in Amon's body left as the order was repeated. Finally, this nightmare was winding down. The completion of Eyepatch's task would be the true end of it, but Amon trusted that he would succeed.

"Amon."

The voice startled him, and he turned towards it. A welcome figure met his eyes.

"Akira."

Amon thought she would be at the CCG headquarters, but of course she wouldn't sit back and watch while everybody else risked their lives.

They smiled at each other, tired but relieved. She moved towards him, and so did he, and he wasn't sure who made the first move, but it didn't matter—his lips were pressed against hers, hot and yearning, and for a few seconds, they lost themselves in a world of only two.

Akira was here, alive and with him, and right then that was all Amon needed.