Marude Itsuki, Kuroiwa Iwao, Shinohara Yukinori.
These three Special Class Investigators would be leading the strategy meeting against Aogiri Tree in Ward 11.
This wasn't as simple as immediately deploying investigators to reinforce Ward 11. Meetings needed to be held first, even press conferences.
Only after establishing a concrete battle plan would the CCG launch formal operations in Ward 11.
As the CCG shifted focus to Ward 11, investigators were transferred from their original posts en masse. But they couldn't leave other areas too undermanned, so the Ward 1 Main Office spent these days frequently reassigning investigators.
Only a few wards were overlooked—especially Ward 20.
Since the "Binge Eater" had mysteriously become docile lately and "Jason" had already been eliminated by Byakuya, the Associate Special Class Investigator Houji and his Rank 2 partner Takizawa, originally assigned to Ward 20, were temporarily reassigned elsewhere.
...
The situation in Ward 11 was chaotic, affecting other areas as well.
Aogiri Tree's actions had alarmed not only humans but also ghouls.
Most of the time, ghouls were the passive party—few dared to actively attack CCG investigators.
Anteiku in Ward 20 was also closely watching developments in Ward 11.
Yoshimura and Yomo were planning to visit Ward 11 to assess the situation firsthand.
Today, an uninvited guest arrived at Anteiku.
The man wore a red suit and black leather shoes, with purple hair and handsome, refined features.
This was Tsukiyama Shuu.
Ding-a-ling—
The door chime rang as Tsukiyama pushed the door open.
Upon entering Anteiku, he spread his arms wide and inhaled deeply, eyes closed in apparent ecstasy. "Magnifique~"
Then he smiled at the servers before him, as if reuniting with old friends. "It's been too long, everyone. This place is still so reassuring."
But Touka's brow furrowed, clearly unwelcoming. Her tone was cold: "Tsukiyama... What do you want?"
This Tsukiyama was equally notorious in Ward 20 as Rize—a major troublemaker who'd caused them no fewer headaches than she had.
Unlike Rize, who'd been relatively well-behaved lately, Tsukiyama remained as self-indulgent as ever, hunting humans at will.
While Anteiku didn't encourage Ward 20 ghouls to hunt humans, they didn't actively prevent it either. They simply established rules—like a maximum of one hunt per month.
So even though Rize and Tsukiyama had caused various incidents in Ward 20, Anteiku hadn't taken action against them.
"Kirishima-san is as cold as ever. But that's part of your charm."
Tsukiyama smiled lightly.
"Disgusting. You and your pretentious act."
Touka made no attempt to hide her revulsion.
But Tsukiyama's skin was remarkably thick. Unfazed, he strolled further into the shop.
"Are these lovely ladies also new staff members?"
He'd noticed Ryouko and Hinami.
Hinami found this strange man somewhat creepy. Seeing him approach, she grew frightened.
Hinami was already quite shy around strangers. Worried that Tsukiyama—who never knew when to stop—might scare her, Touka blocked his path. "Hey, you're not just disgusting, you're interfering with our work. Leave."
"Kirishima-san is so cold."
Tsukiyama sighed slightly.
He genuinely just wanted to meet the new staff members. As a "Gourmet," he had no interest in ghouls.
He dropped by Anteiku occasionally; if nothing caught his interest, he wouldn't linger.
But just as Tsukiyama was about to leave, Byakuya and Rize arrived.
Even through the closed door, he caught an unusual scent.
No—two scents...
Tsukiyama not only faintly detected an extraordinary fragrance but also Rize's scent.
His pupils contracted sharply.
Though Rize's past actions still rankled him, what intrigued him more was who she'd brought—and why they carried such an aroma.
"Aren't you leaving?"
Seeing Tsukiyama frozen in place, Touka prodded.
"..."
Tsukiyama was in no mood to respond. His attention was fixed on the front door.
The next moment, Byakuya and Rize pushed through together.
Rize had caught Tsukiyama's scent outside, so her expression showed no surprise. Instead, she spoke with amusement: "My, if it isn't the supremely boring Tsukiyama-kun."
This wasn't their first encounter.
When Rize first arrived in Ward 20, the renowned "Binge Eater" had received an invitation from Tsukiyama to join his "exclusive gourmet club," connected to the so-called "Ghoul Restaurant."
Tsukiyama had been quite sincere at the time, but Rize not only showed disinterest—she'd thoroughly mocked him.
She'd dismissed his "high-class cuisine" as insufficient and scorned his "pretending to be upper-class while being a ghoul" as pathetic and boring.
Tsukiyama, who treated "cuisine" as his religion, had been instantly triggered. But he hadn't dared confront Rize directly...
Now, Rize's "supremely boring Tsukiyama-kun" had triggered him again, his features twisting.
But then he caught that scent. Having closed the distance to Byakuya, the aroma was now far richer than before.
Tsukiyama's expression changed faster than flipping pages—the twisted grimace instantly transformed into a radiant smile.
He'd identified the incredible fragrance as emanating from the young man beside Rize. He didn't want to show such an un-"gentlemanly" side in front of him.
This was unmistakably human, yet entirely unlike any ordinary human scent. He'd never encountered such an astonishing aroma.
But Rize had already seen through him. Her smile remained, though a flash of coldness passed through her eyes.
This boring idiot dared covet her "food"?