Chapter 15
"This almost feels like they're mocking the CCG."
"It's Mr. Minato."
Among the arriving CCG investigators, a white-haired old man with a hunched posture stepped forward.
Mado Kureo.
The creator of most of Minato's quinques.
When Minato first arrived in this world, he had met this eccentric old investigator.
Despite Mado's strange personality, Minato respected him greatly.
Why?
Because Mado never charged extra money.
In fact, he often made quinques for him completely free of charge.
Where else could you find someone that generous?
The only problem was that Mado was constantly trying to recruit him into the CCG.
Minato had begun to suspect that every old man in this age group shared the same hobby.
His old martial arts master was like that.
The mysterious bus driver was like that.
And Mado Kureo was no exception.
"Mr. Mado, it's been a while."
Minato nodded politely.
Mado nodded back before walking toward the defeated Ghoul.
After examining the corpse, a sinister smile appeared on his face.
"Your methods are as brutal as ever."
Minato's strike had shattered the Ghoul's torso.
Even its kagune sac had been damaged beyond practical use.
There was no longer enough intact material to create a quinque.
The situation was almost identical to the first Ghoul Mado had seen Minato defeat years ago.
"Well, their regeneration is ridiculous."
Minato sighed helplessly.
He didn't enjoy fighting like this.
But Ghoul healing abilities were absurd.
He had even encountered one that survived after having its head severed.
It completely defied biology.
Destroy the heart.
Cut off the head.
And somehow they still recovered.
It was outrageous.
"Hehehe. Good work."
Mado nudged the corpse with his foot and turned to the investigators.
"Clean this up."
"Yes, sir!"
The surrounding investigators immediately got to work.
The Ghoul was beyond saving anyway.
Mado, however, was quite pleased.
He admired Minato's ruthless efficiency when dealing with Ghouls.
"Oh?"
His gaze shifted toward Takatsuki Sen.
"So this is the author you've been taking care of?"
"The reason you keep refusing to join the CCG?"
Mado walked over and carefully observed the petite green-haired girl.
He had tried many times to recruit Minato.
At first, Minato had shown some hesitation.
There had even been moments when Mado thought he might succeed.
But ever since Takatsuki Sen appeared, every invitation had been firmly rejected.
Naturally, Mado had investigated her.
He knew she was a famous author.
Still, that didn't stop him from glaring at her with intimidating eyes.
Unfortunately, the effort was wasted.
Takatsuki Sen wasn't frightened in the slightest.
"Hehehe."
She hugged Minato's arm possessively.
"Editor Minato belongs to me. He won't be joining your CCG."
Minato immediately gave Mado an awkward smile.
Mado silently looked between the two of them.
Then he turned around.
He wasn't blind.
The relationship between these two clearly went far beyond author and editor.
With Takatsuki Sen around, there was no chance Minato would join the CCG.
Since he already had his answer, there was no point staying any longer.
Takatsuki Sen watched Mado's departing figure.
A faint smile rested on her lips.
The moment he appeared, she had recognized him.
Years ago, during a suppression operation against her, Mado's wife had died at her hands.
And now...
The once-normal investigator had become this obsessed monster.
She even noticed the gloves he wore.
Perhaps they existed simply to keep Ghoul blood from staining his wedding ring.
What a beautiful love story.
Takatsuki Sen could see straight through him.
Her eyes held both mockery...
And envy.
"What are you staring at?"
Minato waved a hand in front of her face.
"Hm?"
Takatsuki Sen blinked.
"I was just thinking how eccentric that old man is."
"He wants to steal you away, and his manners are terrible."
"You..."
Minato lightly flicked her forehead.
"You really aren't afraid of anything."
"That's because you're here."
Takatsuki Sen answered honestly.
A direct hit.
"Uh..."
Minato looked away awkwardly.
He wasn't sure how to respond.
If he flirted back right now, he had a feeling things might head somewhere dangerous.
Since Mado had already spoken on his behalf, none of the investigators stopped them from leaving.
The two returned to their hotel.
The moment they arrived, Minato immediately booked Takatsuki Sen a separate room.
No matter how many hints she dropped...
No matter how obvious her teasing became...
Minato remained completely unmoved.
It wasn't that he didn't understand.
He understood perfectly.
That was precisely why he was being careful.
This wasn't the same as a few years ago.
And he still wasn't sure what form his feelings for Takatsuki Sen had taken.
"Phew."
Takatsuki Sen collapsed face-first onto her bed.
"What a stupid editor."
Sometimes Minato could be unbelievably stubborn.
So stubborn that she wanted to transform, pin him to the floor, and teach him a lesson personally.
After lying there for a while, she stood and walked to the window.
Her kakugan appeared.
The relaxed expression disappeared.
Coldness and madness replaced it.
She silently gazed down at the bustling streets of the 20th Ward.
The 11th Ward had already been brought under Aogiri Tree's control.
Nothing major should happen there for now.
But the 20th Ward...
Originally, she had assumed that because of her father and the fragile peace maintained here, things would remain stable.
She had been wrong.
The chaos in this ward wasn't any smaller.
It simply took a different form.
This place needed restructuring as well.
And so, Takatsuki Sen quietly decided that Aogiri Tree's next target would be the 20th Ward.
---
Chapter 19
The following day, Minato accompanied several investors on site inspections throughout the 20th Ward.
Takatsuki Sen refused to deal with the investors and remained at the hotel.
Before leaving, Minato repeatedly reminded her:
"Stay inside."
"Don't wander around."
After what happened the previous night, he hoped she would behave herself.
Unfortunately, expecting Takatsuki Sen to be obedient was impossible.
Whether it was delaying manuscripts...
Staying in one place...
Or resisting the urge to flirt with him...
She had no intention of changing.
"How about making this the first promotional venue?"
One of the investors, a pot-bellied businessman, pointed ahead.
"The student population here is huge. Takatsuki Sen is very popular among them."
"Kamii University..."
Minato narrowed his eyes.
The coincidence was almost ridiculous.
If he remembered correctly, this was Kaneki Ken's university.
"We've worked with the administration for years."
"Arrangements will be easy."
Minato nodded.
From a business perspective, the idea was solid.
Takatsuki Sen's newest novel was targeted at young readers.
Kamii University fit perfectly.
"Oh, right."
"For convenience, the university assigned a few students to guide us around."
Several students approached.
The moment Minato saw them, the corner of his mouth twitched.
When he waited outside Anteiku, he couldn't meet the person he wanted.
Yet here they practically handed him over.
Among the students stood the protagonist himself—
Kaneki Ken.
"Kaneki-kun, this is Editor Minato, Takatsuki Sen's editor."
The investor seemed familiar with him.
Kaneki's eyes immediately brightened.
After all, this was the editor of his favorite author.
Maybe he would even get a chance to meet Takatsuki Sen herself.
"Hello."
"My name is Kaneki Ken."
"Please take care of me."
Kaneki bowed politely in the standard Japanese manner.