Chapter 86: Live Broadcasting the 13th Ward Tragedy, Reze's Shock at the Restaurant

The first customer to arrive after opening this afternoon.

Was actually the long-unseen Takatsuki Sen.

Today she had her emerald green hair beautifully styled, particularly eye-catching. Wearing a short-sleeved knit shirt that gave off a gentle, lazy yet elegant feeling, with well-coordinated shoes.

She clearly came dressed up.

Completely different from the slightly slovenly big sister image from previous visits.

The two chatted at the bar counter.

All normal things.

Takatsuki Sen asked: "Utaha's new book is doing well. I heard she's holding book signings everywhere."

"Still some distance from you though." Hayashi shook his head.

"Not necessarily~" Takatsuki Sen smiled: "After my identity is voluntarily exposed, Takatsuki Sen might cease to exist, and Black Goat's Egg might become a banned book."

"Haha~" Hayashi couldn't help but laugh when he heard about becoming a banned book.

Takatsuki Sen looked puzzled: "What's wrong?"

"Haven't you heard that being listed as a banned book actually attracts more people to read it? Although the author Takatsuki Sen won't exist anymore, the sales will get better and better." Hayashi couldn't help but laugh.

Takatsuki Sen was stunned: "There's that possibility?"

"Absolutely. After you expose yourself, the results will actually be better."

"That's not bad either. Too bad I won't be able to get the sales money."

"You're short on money?"

"Not really."

That was right.

For Takatsuki Sen, writing books was just for interest, to write out the stories in her heart.

She wasn't doing it for money.

Aogiri Tree had plenty of money.

Takatsuki Sen sat at the bar counter, extending her hand to curl her hair while chatting with Hayashi.

Chatting away, they forgot to order something.

"Not hungry yet?" Hayashi asked: "How about something to drink first?"

"Mm." Takatsuki Sen nodded: "I want coffee."

After saying this, she looked at the ice sculptures and various decorations in the restaurant, admiring them.

"They're all beautiful. Must have taken quite a bit of effort. Much cooler now."

"Not that much effort." Hayashi nodded.

Then he began making coffee for Takatsuki Sen.

With no other customers, he used the hand grinder. He shook the machine with grinding sounds while continuing to chat with Takatsuki Sen.

After the coffee beans all turned to powder.

He started up the machine and began pouring into the cup.

During this conversation.

Hayashi suddenly thought of something: "When you voluntarily expose your Takatsuki Sen identity, would it be inappropriate for me to call you Takatsuki Sen in public? What should I call you?"

It was fine in the shop.

But if he suddenly shouted "Takatsuki Sen" outside.

Combined with the publicity, it might cause street riots.

"Hmm..." Takatsuki Sen also realized this problem.

She thought carefully, then nodded seriously: "Then you can call me Eto."

"Eto... Just Eto?"

"Mm, I don't like that surname."

That surname referred to Yoshimura, the Anteiku manager.

Takatsuki Sen could let go of past matters, but that didn't mean she had to accommodate her still-living father. She'd just treat him as a stranger from now on.

So she planned to just go by Eto. This was what her mother had named her, and probably no one else could call her by this name anyway.

Thinking of this.

As Hayashi served the coffee.

Takatsuki Sen tilted her head and casually grasped Hayashi's hand as he set it down.

"But if possible, I could also take Hayashi-kun's surname."

"..."

Hayashi opened his mouth and smiled helplessly: "That's a nice thought, but the government wouldn't be able to register your identity anyway."

In Japan, if a woman was willing to take the man's surname, that meant marriage.

This was called taking the husband's surname.

But Takatsuki Sen's identity would be finished the moment she was exposed.

Marriage? Dream on.

After hearing this, Takatsuki Sen shook her head: "That's a pity."

Then she picked up the coffee and took a sip.

Then closed her eyes to enjoy it for a moment.

"Still so delicious."

Hayashi cleaned the hand grinder: "If it's good, drink more."

Takatsuki Sen savored the coffee.

While also leaning on the bar counter, carefully observing the restaurant's new decorations.

But as she looked around.

She also noticed Kanna watching TV.

At this moment, Kanna was leaning on the sofa with Tohru, watching Detective Conan on TV.

Watching the various murder methods and solutions to murders.

The two dragons would go "Wow~" for a while.

Then "Oh~" for a while.

Anyway, they hadn't seen this kind of thing before.

Seeing the two dragons like this.

Takatsuki Sen couldn't help but smile, then turned to look at Hayashi and asked:

"Do you know about the victory declaration the CCG issued this afternoon?"

"I know about that." Hayashi nodded: "This afternoon when I was driving back, while waiting at a red light, the big TV switched to broadcast it."

"Do you think they achieved victory?"

"Haha~" Hayashi couldn't help but laugh: "Where's the victory? Did they clear out ghoul strongholds, catch operation leaders, or capture S-rank or higher ghouls?"

"If they had these achievements, why not announce them? Are they being modest?"

Pfft~

Hearing Hayashi's modest sarcasm, Takatsuki Sen also couldn't help but laugh.

Only people who blindly trusted the Japanese government would think this news represented real victory.

But anyone with sense could easily see.

They had no real achievements - striking at some ordinary ghouls could be called victory.

Playing people for fools.

With the upper levels infiltrated like this, it was already hopeless.

"Hayashi-kun really has keen insight." Takatsuki Sen nodded and sipped her coffee: "Actually, I've been displeased with these people for a long time. Other wards are already taking action."

"If we don't wake them up, we need to let ordinary people know that the CCG isn't any good either."

Clap clap clap~~~

Hearing this, Hayashi immediately started clapping.

He turned to shout at Tohru: "Tohru, I guessed right! Come listen."

Takatsuki Sen was stunned: "What?"

Kanna and Tohru paused the video.

After running over and understanding the situation.

Tohru smiled happily for a while before actively explaining:

"That's because this afternoon, Hayashi-san said that if he were you, he'd definitely find a way to slap the CCG's face and show ordinary citizens what kind of people the CCG really are."

"I think the same way. These CCG higher-ups don't treat ordinary people as human, and they're so deeply infiltrated by ghoul forces that they're basically useless."

After listening, Takatsuki Sen's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Hayashi with some surprise.

She hadn't expected Hayashi to think along the same lines as her.

But Hayashi understood her better.

"Really." Takatsuki Sen smiled and shook her head: "As expected of Hayashi-kun, you see right through me."

"Not at all."

"Then let's switch to the news channel." Takatsuki Sen checked the time: "The operation plan starts at 8 o'clock sharp. It's 7:48 now, about to begin."

"!"

Hayashi looked at Tohru.

Tohru quickly ran to the computer, searched for news livestreams, clicked in, and waited for it to start.

The current news was still broadcasting miscellaneous stories.

Occasionally mentioning ghouls and devils.

Hayashi leaned on the bar counter and asked:

"Which ward is the operation in?"

Takatsuki Sen sipped her coffee: "Ward 13."

"Oh~~~" Hayashi immediately understood.

Ward 13 was the area where Gecko had once rampaged.

The ghoul organization in white suits he used to lead had their base in Ward 13.

Now Takatsuki Sen was having her subordinates attack the CCG branch department in Ward 13.

Once this incident broke out.

The story between S-rank ghoul "Gecko" and Senior Investigator "Mado" would definitely become known to everyone.

Then public opinion would explode.

Ordinary people would go crazy cursing the CCG department.

You dare call this afternoon's little incident a victory?

They exchanged kills - did you capture S-rank ghouls or destroy ghoul strongholds?

In the end, showing off in the afternoon only to get slapped in the face at night!

"If the CCG doesn't turn red with embarrassment then, they're this." Hayashi gave a thumbs up.

Seeing Hayashi understand instantly.

Takatsuki Sen couldn't help but sigh in her heart. This manager stayed at home but seemed to know everything.

What kind of existence was this?

"Knock knock~~"

At this time.

A customer arrived at the door.

It was Kirishima Touka bringing the Fueguchi pair.

"Good evening, manager big brother~!" Fueguchi Hinami immediately waved her hand warmly.

"Good evening." Hayashi waved back: "You came at just the right time, you can watch some drama too."

"Watch what?" Kirishima Touka was puzzled.

"You'll know in a bit. What would you like to eat?"

"Hmm... I want sushi."

"What about Hinami and Ryouko?"

Hayashi called them casually.

Hinami didn't mind, but hearing herself called "Ryouko," Fueguchi Ryouko felt a bit embarrassed: "Ah... whatever Hinami wants."

Hinami looked at the menu: "Eel rice bowl!"

"Alright."

Hayashi put away the menu and was about to cook.

But then he saw another customer arrive.

Were they all coming in groups?

It was Reze, who had just gotten off work.

Reze entered and waved at Hayashi: "I'm here, manager! I want fried pork cutlet rice bowl and a drink!"

"Okay, all together."

After noting everything down, Hayashi turned to go to the kitchen to cook everything together.

Meanwhile, after the three - Kirishima Touka and the others - came in and saw the ice sculptures, they were all somewhat surprised.

Touka particularly knew these ice sculptures were real.

These two dragons were the two girls, one big and one small, currently gathered around the television watching TV.

Similarly.

When Reze was shouting at the entrance, she hadn't noticed yet.

Only when she came inside and felt the cool air did she turn her head and see the two dragon ice sculptures in the center of the hall.

In that instant.

Her body stiffened slightly.

Not because of the ice sculptures themselves, but because of the information they represented.

She still remembered something mentioned in the intelligence report.

Namely, that District 20, where she was currently located, had once experienced an incident where ghouls surrounded and attacked dragon-kind. It was said that the dragon was in a near-death state but could still sweep through countless ghouls.

If it was true, the country's combat power evaluation for dragons was: National-level.

Much higher than even City-level.

So when Reze saw these ice sculptures, her nervousness immediately spiked.

National-level units in this shop?!

This appearance - wasn't it definitely dragons? Exactly the same as in the intelligence!

And the intelligence only mentioned one of them!

Who was the other one?!

That other little girl?

She was only elementary to middle school age!

Reze suddenly felt a bit numb.

Was this assassination mission even necessary anymore?

Maybe she should just run.

After all, she had no loyalty to the government.

She wasn't the kind of assassin spy raised by the government from childhood. She was someone who was captured, forced to try one after another, and finally achieved symbiosis with the Bomb Devil.

She was the Bomb Devil, and the Bomb Devil was also her.

How could this kind of assassin be loyal?

In one small shop.

First there was Makima, then two dragons.

All of them had National-level combat power.

And there was also a Chainsaw Devil somewhere unknown.

She, a Bomb Devil, was supposed to kill them all.

Huh?

Who?

Me?

I'm supposed to kill these people?

While Reze was sitting in her seat, dazed and thinking.

Hayashi timed it perfectly.

At 7:59 PM, he finished preparing all their dishes and brought them to the table.

"Everything's ready~!"

Kirishima Touka and Fueguchi Ryouko: "Thank you for the meal."

Then they immediately started eating.

Reze, snapping back to reality, quickly added "Thank you for the meal" and began eating as well.

The result - she was amazed from the very first bite.

"This is so delicious!?"

"Really?!"

Reze was first shocked and doubtful, then began devouring the food!

When had she ever eaten such good food abroad?

This was too delicious!

During that period when she was trying contracts with devils one after another, forget about eating well - being able to eat enough was already good enough. Every day she ate food that was just meant to fill her stomach!

Meat? Pitifully little.

Now, after eating the food Hayashi made.

Only one thought remained in her mind.

If she could eat these things every day, who would want to be a devil assassin?

"Nom nom nom~~"

The ravenously eating Reze actually made sounds similar to Kanna's.

Everyone looked over, then exchanged glances.

Then they all bashfully lowered their heads.

Who wasn't like this the first time they ate here?

The food was so delicious it made your toes curl.

At the same time.

Just after 8 o'clock.

While drinking coffee, Takatsuki Sen saw the news broadcast beginning.

Hayashi was leaning against the bar counter, looking down at his phone.

So she put down her coffee and reached out to tug on Hayashi's sleeve.

"Look quickly."

As Hayashi looked up.

Kirishima Touka and Fueguchi Ryouko also looked up, staring at the news in surprise, as well as at Takatsuki Sen.

Takatsuki Sen's expression remained unchanged.

On the news.

Emergency broadcast began.

"Breaking News! Breaking News!"

"Ghoul riots have occurred in District 13. A group of ghouls launched a surprise attack on the CCG branch in District 13. They are organized - repeat, these are organized ghouls!"

"CCG investigators are resisting with all their might!"

"But among this attacking group of ghouls, there appear to be several S-rank ghouls. Several investigators have already been killed!"

"We've just received word that CCG branches from other districts are rapidly coming to provide support!"

As expected, the news exploded.

In the news broadcast.

On the pitch-black night.

The CCG branch building in District 13 was engulfed in raging flames.

Around the building and on the rooftops, sounds of fighting and screams could be heard everywhere.

Some were ghouls dying.

Some were investigators dying.

But because the ghouls were planned and organized.

Moreover, Takatsuki Sen had just recently reorganized the internal structure of the Aogiri Tree organization.

So the ghouls in this operation coordinated very well.

This resulted in the scene being roughly a 7-3 split.

Ghouls 7, investigators only 3.

During the broadcast process.

Before the broadcast was even finished.

The CCG couldn't hold on anymore and began retreating in groups.

And the ghouls weren't the type to chase endlessly.

They knew when to stop.

They only pursued isolated CCG investigators for a while.

Then they also withdrew completely.

Even during their withdrawal, these attacking ghouls would take their fallen comrades' bodies with them.

Those they really couldn't carry, they would cover with clothes or throw into fires to burn.

Thus.

The broadcast time was only about half an hour.

The operation ended.

The scene became empty, with only a small number of ghoul corpses and a large number of investigator corpses.

This operation.

Could be said to be a great victory for Aogiri Tree and a great defeat for the CCG branch.

After watching, Hayashi nodded.

"Not bad organizational ability, much better than before."

When deploying troops, organization and discipline are very important issues.

For ghouls to display this kind of discipline was already quite good.

Although this might be due to Takatsuki Sen's intimidation and authority, as long as it achieved the goal, that was fine - after all, they were just ghouls!

Takatsuki Sen nodded and finished her first cup of coffee.

"Thank you for the praise. Could I trouble you for another cup, Hayashi-kun?"

"...." Hayashi fell silent: "I just finished washing the hand-ground cup. If I had known, I wouldn't have washed it. How about machine-ground instead?"

"But I like the coffee Hayashi-kun grinds by hand." Takatsuki Sen's voice was lazy.

"Alright then."

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