Ward 1, Imperial Hotel Tokyo.
Inside an elegantly decorated, relaxed private dining room.
Vela sat at the banquet.
"Do you have any questions, Akira? Go ahead, don't be nervous. Tonight is just colleagues having a heart-to-heart. I'm listening."
"Well then, Special Class Russell… what was it like performing field duties in the North American branch?"
"In North America, rather than a CCG investigator, it's closer to being a federal agent, a criminal investigator. Screening, executing, and capturing ghouls is only one of the most important responsibilities of the North American Commission of Counter Ghoul."
Resting her chin on her hand, stirring sugar cubes in her coffee with a spoon, Vela spoke calmly. "If a police-related shooting occurs nearby while you're on duty, you have to respond quickly and assist. Beyond that—robberies, homicides, anti-gang and narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, and occasionally being seconded to joint task forces with other law enforcement agencies… There's a lot. A whole mix of things."
"As for the ghouls in North America, they hide well, hide deep. Commonly, they rationalize nearby bloodshed and casualties by forming or joining gangs."
"Gang wars…"
Akira Mado nodded thoughtfully, then asked curiously: "Are they like ghoul organizations such as Aogiri Tree?"
"Of course not."
Vela shook her head with an amused smile.
She slid the now-sweetened coffee aside and picked up her dessert spoon. Scooping up a bite of ice cream topped with blueberry jam, biscuit crumbs, sugar frosting, and fruit, she took it into her mouth. After the refreshing taste passed her throat, she glanced around at her colleagues before speaking slowly.
"Although my jurisdiction could be called rich with talent—and full of messy cases, plenty involving corpses… still…"
She paused, her smile taking on a deeper meaning.
"A filthy organization that belongs only in the sewers—brazenly attacking a federal law enforcement facility, declaring war, killing hundreds upon hundreds of federal agents, and even daring to seize an administrative district of a first-tier city?"
"In the Americas, no such arrogant illegal organization would ever be allowed to exist."
Back in 2015, even as the USA first began showing signs of national decline, circumstances dictated that Congress had to bare its fangs. For the kind of havoc Aogiri Tree caused in Tokyo—replicating that in Washington? Even in far-off Hawaii or Alaska? If the sitting President and Cabinet didn't swiftly destroy them, they'd be facing impeachment themselves.
At this, Marude's eyes opened ever so slightly wider.
"Disgraceful!"
Kuroiwa crossed his arms, his breathing heavy and uneven, his face full of shame and indignation.
Yukinori Shinohara, meanwhile, simply placed a hand on the shoulder of the white-haired youth beside him—who was eating heartily—and then lifted his beer, downing the foaming drink in one gulp.
Around the round table, other investigators invited by Marude—colleagues who had worked with Vela the year before—exchanged glances.
"Ohhh… so the knife is finally bared."
Boiling gray hair stood on end like an explosion. Wearing round frameless glasses and a gray high-collar coat, Chuu Hachikawa let out a low laugh.
He pulled down his collar, revealing his scarred, disfigured face—his lips long gone, jaws twisted in a grotesque grin. The sight, as he raised his glass and took a swig, sent a shiver through the waiter delivering food.
But for the assembled ghoul investigators, it was nothing unusual.
"Careful."
The tall, broad-shouldered, black-haired, black-eyed investigator Kousuke Houji steadied the waiter's trembling tray with a hand, then silently took a spoonful of dessert for himself.
Meanwhile, a man of average build, short dark-brown hair, a forgettable face—Take Hirako—remained quiet, impassive, waiting for the dishes to be served.
"How to deal with illegal ghoul crime organizations, with Aogiri Tree at the forefront—that is the second major responsibility of my current Tokyo CCG term for 2015."
Vela fixed her gaze on the gathered investigators. Indigo eyes brimmed with pressure, with an almost invasive sharpness.
The younger First Class and lower-ranked investigators, brought by their squad leaders, all felt her gaze sweep over them.
As for the Special Class investigators who knew her well—nothing more needed to be said.
The key figures were the senior investigators who knew Vela, though not intimately.
Chuu Hachikawa, Associate Special Class Investigator.
Though he often seemed like a withdrawn, foul-mouthed, bitter man with a bad reputation among new recruits, he also had a kind side and cared for comrades—something veteran investigators all knew. During his early career, in a raid, his entire squad was wiped out protecting a civilian who had stumbled into the scene. His mentor and subordinates were killed by the "Black Dog" and its organization. That was when his personality changed drastically.
A tragic investigator, much like Kureo Mado.
During Vela's first Tokyo term in 2014, when raiding for Quinque material, she had worked with him. Having seen her combat prowess firsthand—her sensory perception rivaling, even surpassing, Arima Kisho's level—he knew she was no gilded ornament. Her cold ruthlessness toward ghouls suited his own nature, so their relationship was cordial. Though he had little patience for the rational "enforcer" philosophy—he lived as an avenger now.
Kousuke Houji.
This Associate Special Class Investigator, with slicked-back hair and two strands falling forward, had a refined, elegant bearing, his handsome face cool and restrained. Vela had only met him a few times. They had some connection, but not much. Still, he had once partnered with Kureo Mado, who had taught him Quinque skills thoroughly. Since Vela had saved Kureo Mado, and his daughter Akira had been Vela's adjutant, Kousuke's future was bound to benefit from this connection. If he survived, a smooth career path lay ahead—perhaps even a reassignment to North America one day. That connection was why he was here.
Take Hirako.
A First Class Investigator. Though his rank was lower, his record was solid. He had once worked with Vela to block a ghoul group. More importantly, he had been Arima's partner for six years—so in a sense, he was here as Arima's proxy, to welcome and acknowledge Vela's return to Tokyo as a Special Class.
"Special Class Russell…"
Akira Mado opened her mouth.
She hadn't expected the discussion to take this turn. The atmosphere had grown too heavy.
"Apologies, apologies. I'm not looking to blame anyone."
Vela lowered her hand from her chin, waving it lightly. Her bright eyes turned languid again as she picked up her dessert spoon. "Historical legacies. As the world's most populous, most developed metropolitan region, Tokyo has its own realities. I understand."
(P.S. Year 2015.)
Having set the tone, she continued smoothly: "Every country has its circumstances. Tokyo's law enforcement struggles with its dense population and narrow space. North America's investigators struggle with its vast, sparsely populated terrain."
"And your citizens… are far more cooperative with the government than our citizens back home."
Her tone turned slightly self-mocking. "Those ghouls hiding in street gangs are often surrounded by whole groups of foolish young men—duped, yet unaware. Dealing with them is what drains us the most."
Her voice carried the weariness of being beyond contempt—too tired even to curse.
"Although we investigators have the highest priority authority against ghoul crimes—in principle, no need for courts or prosecutors to sign warrants or orders—the aftermath… is a nightmare."
For once, Vela pressed a hand to her forehead, looking genuinely weary.
"If civilians get hurt or killed, the endless bickering and lawsuits begin. Hearings, consultations, press conferences—answering the media, community leaders, all their tricky questions…"
Her well-timed venting shifted the room's mood from heavy to light again.
"Oh, just imagining it gives me a headache."
Yukinori Shinohara, ever the highly empathetic, well-liked one, naturally picked up the thread.
He also cast a glance at the problem child he had brought.
The boy, Juuzou Suzuya, was busy shoving cake into his mouth, crumbs smearing his fingers and lips. Looking up with a blank, tilted-head stare, he seemed to silently ask what the issue was.
Smack!
Shinohara shut his eyes and slapped his own forehead heavily.
Even just one problem child was enough to exhaust him—so he could imagine well Vela's frustration in North America, forced to work alongside disruptive fools and reckless teammates. That feeling, he understood.
"I see now, no wonder you were so eager to transfer to Tokyo…"
Marude stroked his chin. "So that's your real plan. You're a sly one, Russell, huhuhu…"
"What are you laughing at?"
Vela shot him a look, brow raised. "Why don't you go try North America yourself? I guarantee it would leave a deep impression."
"I'll pass."
Marude shrugged. "That kind of experience? No thanks."
"You're afraid."
"Me? Afraid?" He raised his voice in challenge.
"Then in 2016, come transfer with me to North America. Just six months. With international service experience under your belt, the next Bureau Chief seat is yours for sure."
"I refuse. Going there means working under you. Who knows what thankless, impossible assignments you'd dump on me?"
"Trust me, I wouldn't—"
"I don't trust you. You nasty-tempered woman—I saw through you long ago…"
"Ha? You have the nerve to call me nasty-tempered?"
Their banter gradually stripped the room of its earlier heaviness.
Soon after, the main dishes arrived. The savory aromas set mouths watering. Cold plates, hot plates—one steaming delicacy after another was carried in. Between clinking glasses and chilled drinks, the atmosphere at the table grew lively.
Some were reserved, some loosened up, others acted as usual. Vela herself ate comfortably, carefully picking out her favorites and directing the servers with calm precision, enjoying the feast at her own pace.
Night fell.
The banquet neared its end.
"North America is vast. In the Midwest, in the Mexican deserts, in Canada's frozen valleys—who knows how many cannibal villages and ghoul families are hidden there? Each year, countless tourists and adventurers go missing. Finding them, scouting them, often takes far longer than the actual battles…"
"Ghoul-founded cults never truly die out. Some humans even want to become ghouls, working with them. Always, there are fools who fall for their flimsy tricks—sold out, and still helping count the money…"
"Sometimes, our jurisdiction even extends into Latin America. In Rio de Janeiro…"
The atmosphere was now completely lively, Vela casually sharing anecdotes of her enforcement work in North America.
For investigators who had only ever worked in the dense, cramped streets of Japan, it was novel and fascinating.
Especially the junior investigators seated with their squad leaders—all of them listened with rapt attention.
Finally, the banquet ended.
All present were CCG elites and senior staff—none could afford to drink themselves senseless.
"So, comrades—in 2015, live on. For the eradication of ghouls. Let's encourage one another."
Vela rose, raising her crystal glass. The blood-red wine shimmered as her wrist moved, its glow reflecting the figures of all those rising with her.
Everyone solemnly raised their glasses. "Together."
Clink.
They downed them in one go.
...
The gathering dispersed.
Each returned home. Their half-day leave was over, and the Special Class investigators, burdened with high office, had to return to duty—leaving earlier than the rest.
Vela was the last to leave the hotel. Leisurely, she tilted her head back.
Hoo—
The night breeze brushed her face, cooling her instantly.
She gazed across Tokyo: a city of lights, towering skyscrapers sleek with modernity and technology. From afar, it seemed full of hope. Up close, patches of decay lurked in shadow—just like the CCG, just like the Washuu family.
The golden glow reflected in Vela's deep eyes, which flashed with a dangerous brilliance.
She was now Special Class. The USA branch—a natural Rank-1 foreign affiliate. Along with three local Special Classes, two Associate Specials on the verge of promotion, and multiple veteran First Classes with distinguished records—once everything was ready, it would be enough to strike the Washuu legally.
Tomorrow, she would report to CCG Headquarters in Ward 1 to formalize her post. Then, she would choose a powerful division and lead her team to cut down ghouls—her official declaration of return.
They wouldn't dare sideline her with meaningless busywork.
Vela thought silently.
Aogiri Tree was only the first step. The true target of her reassignment to Tokyo was the V Organization—and the Washuu family, holders of the technology to turn humans into ghouls.
"Sp… Special Class Russell!"
"Hm?"
As Vela sank into thought, a nervous, youthful male voice called out.
Turning, she said, "Associate Special Class Fura."
Her gaze fell to the young man standing behind Kousuke Houji and Akira Mado.
The brown-haired youth stiffened as soon as Vela's eyes landed on him. Snap—he stood rigidly at attention, then bent forward into a deep ninety-degree bow.
"Hello! I am Seidou Takizawa… Second Class Investigator, CCG Headquarters. I was Akira's classmate at the Academy. I've often heard of your achievements, Ms. Russell. I'm—your fan, no, I mean… your admirer!"
Perhaps realizing that "fan" wasn't the best word to use before the solemn Vela, he quickly corrected himself.
A shy, green young man.
Here to chase an idol—or to seek encouragement?
"Hello, Seidou Takizawa, right? I've heard Akira mention you. You're a promising one. But being an investigator is no easy path. Grow up quickly. Don't die. Keep at it."
Vela smiled, nodding.
She thought no more of it. Helping him up, she gave a few words of encouragement, then exchanged a glance with Kousuke Houji, nodded, and after calling to Akira, descended the steps.
Akira bid Fura farewell, then hurried after her in her low heels.
"Special Class Russell…"
"Call me Vela in private."
"Oh."
Akira nodded. After opening the car door for Vela and slipping in after her, she hesitated before speaking: "My father didn't mean to avoid coming. He said rather than attending something flashy like this, it's better to hunt more ghouls. He's prepared many leads on S-rated and higher ghouls for you. They're all in your old office…"
She looked slightly ashamed after speaking. After all, Vela had once saved her father's life. And in terms of handling interpersonal matters, her father was… lacking.
Hearing this, Vela laughed heartily. "He understands me well. A pragmatic man—that's exactly what I need."
"Looks like I'll soon have all the gifts prepared for Dr. Kouitsu Chigyou."
"Dr. Chigyou?"
"Mm."
Vela nodded, then showed Akira the text message on her phone.
[Kouitsu Chigyou]
Message:
"Vela, you're finally back in Tokyo. Hurry, hurry, come! I've completed the fusion between your [Arata Proto] living Quinque armor and the [Ayato] S+ specimen. I've been refining and perfecting it all this time—just waiting for you to try it on…"
A graceful smile curved across Vela's lips. She turned to the driver. "Change destination—to CCG Headquarters, Ward 1."
"Yes, ma'am."