In the 1st Ward, at the CCG Investigator Training Academy.
Five figures wearing clown masks of various designs stood atop a building.
Uta crouched at the edge of the roof, his face full of displeasure.
"As expected, this world really does love humans more. For ghouls, it's utterly disgusting..."
Nico was far less sentimental. Resting his left hand against his cheek, he lightly licked his lips.
"I heard there's an interesting man here. I wonder if he'll be able to satisfy me."
Donato Porpora quietly gazed at the buildings below, a smile curling at his lips as he spread his arms slightly.
"The final revelry. The end of the road for ghouls. Come, let us claim a little pleasure for ourselves."
...........
On a bustling street.
The giant advertising screen at the intersection refracted distorted halos of light through the drizzle.
Yoshimura Eto's deerskin boots crushed the shattered neon reflections in a puddle.
She walked down the street alongside Tatara.
Tatara held a large umbrella, shielding them from the rain.
The fine droplets pattered softly against its surface.
Neither of them wore any disguise. Tatara had also removed his red half-mask.
The crimson mask that had accompanied him for so long.
It now lay quietly in the roadside gutter, soaking alongside rotting ginkgo leaves.
"Mr. Tatara, I never thought you'd be the one to accompany me on this final stretch."
Yoshimura Eto clasped her hands behind her back as she spoke with a touch of emotion.
As she spoke, she turned to study Tatara's face with obvious curiosity.
"So, what do you think?"
Tatara asked, his brows carrying a trace of concern.
"If that guy catches you, I doubt he'll let you off easily."
For a ghoul, death was never the worst possible outcome.
Against a monster like Uesugi Ryu, there might not even be a chance to commit suicide.
The light turned green, and the two slowly crossed the street together.
Yoshimura Eto, however, remained calm.
"I'll be careful. Goodbye, Tatara-san."
"Goodbye."
Seeing her resolve, Tatara said no more. He gently handed the umbrella to her.
Under the curtain of rain, the two parted ways. Tatara turned and headed toward the 20th Ward.
The umbrella handle still retained the warmth of his hand.
The oversized umbrella looked somewhat mismatched with Yoshimura Eto's petite frame.
Holding it, she slowly entered the building nearby.
A large number of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, had already gathered there.
An RC gate had been installed at the entrance, with six investigators carrying quinques standing nearby.
Aside from staff who had already been confirmed human, all visitors had to undergo screening.
Leading them was Arima Kishou. A strange glint flashed across his face when he saw Yoshimura Eto.
"Oh, Takatsuki-sensei is here!"
"Anyone who could write such a rebellious novel is probably a ghoul."
"I heard she's never been tested before!"
Yoshimura Eto folded her umbrella. Her gaze swept lightly across the whispering crowd, and she passed through the RC gate without changing expression.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A shrill alarm immediately sounded.
The RC cell reading on the display instantly maxed out.
After flickering wildly, the numbers finally stopped at the maximum possible value of 9999.
The reporters' cameras greedily focused on Yoshimura Eto, only for the entire crowd to recoil the instant the alarm sounded.
Chaos erupted at once. Some of the more timid reporters had already turned to flee.
Things were no longer like before. With RC gates, ghouls had nowhere to hide.
Once most ghouls realized their identities had been exposed, they lashed out violently.
Although the number of exterminated ghouls had risen sharply in recent weeks, the death toll among humans had increased severalfold.
The hideous face of ghouls had left deep scars in everyone's hearts.
Arima Kishou stepped forward with the investigators behind him, blocking Yoshimura Eto's path.
Seeing his posture, Yoshimura Eto sighed helplessly and raised both hands to show she meant no harm.
Their previous cooperation had been nothing more than mutual benefit.
Now that their interests no longer aligned, becoming strangers was only natural. She was not offended.
Yoshimura Eto looked toward the reporters in the distance.
A crimson kakugan appeared in her eye, fully confirming her identity as a ghoul.
She raised a hand, red light gleaming ominously from that single scarlet eye.
"Gentlemen, weren't you looking for a big story? I am the One-Eyed Owl!"
Her lips curled into an eerie smile.
"As for the truth about the Washuu, and..."
Before she could finish, Narukami was already aimed squarely at her head.
Arima Kishou's expression was ice-cold, his eyes utterly unmoved.
"Shut. Up."
Each syllable struck like an icicle driven into concrete.
A piercing hum filled the air as brilliant yellow electricity gathered at the tip of the quinque.
If Yoshimura Eto uttered even one more word, she would be torn apart by lightning.
The existence of half-humans had not been revealed in the news, since most of them belonged to branch families of the Washuu.
If that secret came out, the half-human faction represented by Arima Kishou would be in serious trouble.
At worst, the public might demand a purge. At best, they would still face severe discrimination.
Yoshimura Eto looked at Arima Kishou's frosty face, her own smile never wavering.
There was provocation in her eyes, but also composure.
"Don't be so sensitive, Arima."
Seeing the situation under control, some of the bolder reporters surged forward like sharks scenting blood.
The foremost reporter pointed his camera directly at Yoshimura Eto, his eyes burning with urgency.
"Takatsuki-sensei, what exactly is this truth you mentioned? The public deserves to know. Please tell us!"
A nearby investigator's eyes widened.
"Hey!"
He shouted and quickly moved with several assistants to block the reporters.
Yoshimura Eto's voice carried a hint of manic amusement.
"I want to see Uesugi Ryu."
"He won't let you kill me just like that, will he?"
Arima Kishou's pupils contracted slightly. He had more or less guessed Yoshimura Eto's true objective.
Revealing the existence of half-humans would serve no purpose beyond irritating him. What she truly wanted to say was something else entirely.
Arima Kishou nodded.
"Fine."
Uesugi Ryu had been inside the venue all along.
Since Yoshimura Eto had called another press conference, he was curious what exactly she intended to do.
There was no deeper reason.
He was simply bored and wanted to watch his prey struggle one last time before dying.
Most of the reporters had already been escorted outside by investigators.
Uesugi Ryu lightly leaped down from the second floor.
He glanced at Arima Kishou, then spoke calmly.
"Arima, the Clowns attacked the CCG Investigator Training Academy in the 1st Ward. Go provide support."
Arima Kishou immediately put away his quinque and departed with several investigators.
Uesugi Ryu turned toward Yoshimura Eto, a bright smile spreading across his face.
"We meet again, Takatsuki-sensei."
The moment Yoshimura Eto saw that expression, goosebumps erupted all over her body.
Still, she showed no fear. Smiling back, she replied:
"I wonder, Director Uesugi, were you satisfied with my latest work?"