Ward 7, Ghoul Restaurant.
More precisely, an exclusive members-only restaurant for ghouls.
In Tsukiyama's words, it became a "banquet."
Byakuya and Tsukiyama had arrived at the venue—inside a luxurious hotel.
This was actually a Tsukiyama Group property, repurposed by Tsukiyama for the "Ghoul Restaurant."
Tsukiyama Group's president, Tsukiyama Mirumo, was a relatively law-abiding ghoul who doted on his only son. He basically indulged whatever Tsukiyama wanted.
"Please, Amaha-kun."
Tsukiyama opened the entrance door for Byakuya. This wasn't yet the main venue. "A dedicated attendant will see to you. I have some matters to handle first—if you'll excuse me."
He disappeared into the hotel.
[Ding! Host completed Option 3 (Accept the card and enter the "Ghoul Restaurant" venue). Reward: 50 Fusion Points!]
A female attendant wearing a white mask—likely one of the Tsukiyama family's servants hiding her ghoul identity—led Byakuya to another area.
He carried a backpack, but no one paid it any attention—including Tsukiyama.
After all, he was a university student at Kamii. Carrying a backpack wasn't unusual.
But the backpack contained only one thing: the "13's Jason" briefcase.
With this S+-rated Quinque, even against SS-rated ghouls, he wouldn't need to use his Mangekyo Sharingan or lethal jutsu. Those abilities attracted too much attention—best avoided when possible.
Byakuya was first taken to a bath, required to wash up—apparently a "banquet" rule.
Knowing full well what this meant, he said nothing and entered the bathroom. The attendant had prepared a black suit for him.
After bathing, he changed into the suit, storing his original clothes in the backpack atop the briefcase.
He was then led to an opulent reception room.
Besides himself, two others were present.
A middle-aged man who looked like a white-collar worker, and a rather heavyset middle-aged woman.
"Ah... hello."
The middle-aged man noticed Byakuya entering and greeted him immediately. "It was just two of us waiting—a bit unsettling. Good to see another young man join us."
"Hello..."
Byakuya responded expressionlessly.
These two ordinary humans had also been lured to the "Ghoul Restaurant" by various means. They still had no idea what awaited them.
"I'm an editor at Shouei Publishing for Tokyo Gourmet magazine. The name's Kobachi."
Even here, the white-collar worker handed Byakuya a business card as was customary.
Byakuya chatted with Kobachi while the middle-aged woman remained mostly silent.
After a while, another attendant arrived, pushing a cart with cookies and three cups of coffee.
"Pre-dinner refreshments. Please enjoy while you wait."
"These cookies are a bit dry and flavorless, but maybe that's what makes them feel upscale?"
Kobachi critiqued while eating.
Byakuya eyed the coffee but didn't drink—who knew if those cookies or coffee were laced with human flesh?
...
After considerable time, the attendant finally returned.
"Sorry for the wait. Please follow me now."
Byakuya was led to a spacious, eerie room—empty except for a dining table, three chairs, and a large crate of unknown contents.
The attendant then locked the heavy security door behind them.
"Ooh... not bad. Quite interesting."
Kobachi stroked his chin.
Despite the increasingly bizarre atmosphere, this guy was still thinking about "upscale experiences."
Only later did the middle-aged woman notice the door wouldn't open—and such a heavy security door was clearly abnormal.
"What does locking the door mean? We can't get out now!"
She still hadn't imagined worse scenarios.
Kobachi was even more oblivious, sitting there anticipating the fine cuisine to come.
Completely conned by this "members-only restaurant."
"Sorry for the wait, everyone. 'Dinner' is now ready."
Just then, a voice echoed from ceiling speakers.
"Here it comes!"
Kobachi thought food was about to arrive. Instead, the next announcement made him freeze.
"Tonight's 'dinner' consists of these three individuals."
As the voice finished, the ceiling began parting sideways, revealing "audience" members in various masks peering down at Byakuya's group from all around.
"The first man is an editor for Tokyo Gourmet magazine. Though he works at a desk, he exercises regularly—his firm, healthy muscles should be quite chewy. He probably never imagined he'd become part of tonight's 'dinner.' Introduced by Mr. TR."
Kobachi was stunned, his brain unable to process what was happening.
"The second woman is a plump sow. She refused to bathe, so there may be residual oil—but rest assured, she'll be thoroughly cleaned. Introduced by Mr. PG."
The middle-aged woman reacted faster, immediately screaming at the audience: "SOUTA!!"
Mr. PG—"Souta"—wore a clown mask, but beneath it was actually Furuta. He'd deliberately styled his hair messily so no one would recognize him except Byakuya.
"Hiii, Ami-chan~"
Furuta waved at the middle-aged woman cheerfully.
"You... you tricked me?! What about our marriage promise?! And what is tonight's 'dinner'...?"
The woman named Ami roared.
"Oops, sorry everyone. I shouldn't have dated a pig."
Furuta apologized to the surrounding "audience."
As Ami screamed louder, the MC was already introducing the final "dish."
"Finally, tonight's 'main course.' An incomparably exquisite delicacy—the target of Ward 20's 'Binge Eater' herself. Introduced by Mr. MM."
When Byakuya's introduction came, he'd already reached for his backpack, expression unchanged...
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