"Mm, it suits you."
Byakuya nodded.
"Good. I needed a fresh hairstyle before the press conference."
Eto was clearly in an excellent mood today.
After all, today was an important step toward bringing down the Washuu Clan.
Afterward, Byakuya accompanied Eto to the press conference venue.
Numerous reporters had gathered, broadcasting live with professional equipment. This could also be called a new book launch event.
Eto stood on stage, with Byakuya right beside her.
"It's been a long time since the Black Goat's Egg launch that I've spoken in front of so many people. To be able to present the work I've wanted to write most—prepared over 'many years'—at such a venue, I'm truly grateful."
Eto began her opening remarks. "This will be a work that I'm betting my writing career on—betting my life as Takatsuki Sen on... But before introducing the work, I'd like to announce something about myself."
At the same time, countless viewers watched this live broadcast from their televisions.
Among them were Aogiri Tree members—Naki, Tatara, and others...
The manager and staff of :re...
And CCG investigators along with members of the Washuu Clan...
Byakuya's appearance alongside Takatsuki Sen at the press conference particularly caught CCG's attention.
"Akira... that Takatsuki-san—you've mentioned her before, haven't you?"
In the CCG headquarters break room, Kureo Mado, watching the television, asked Akira beside him.
"Mm..."
Akira nodded slightly.
Father and daughter's instincts simultaneously sensed that this press conference was no ordinary event...
Squad Zero members were also watching the broadcast.
Since Koori Ui had been promoted to Special Class and was transferred out of Squad Zero to become a leader in his own right, and since Byakuya was currently at the press conference venue, all Squad Zero members present before the television were half-humans.
"..."
Kishou Arima watched Eto on the television expressionlessly. Without question, he knew what Eto was about to do.
Just then, Eto on television announced what she wanted to reveal.
"Actually... I'm a ghoul."
On stage, Eto spoke with a faint smile. "This work was written for my compatriots—those who, like me, were mistakenly born into this world, craving flesh and blood, alone in their existence."
As she finished speaking, her right eye transformed into a kakugan, proving her ghoul identity to the world.
...
With Takatsuki Sen's ghoul identity revealed, an instant uproar erupted.
"What's going on? Takatsuki-sensei is actually a ghoul? But... one of her eyes is normal."
"So the books we've been reading... were written by a ghoul?"
"Where are the CCG investigators? Arrest her!"
"..."
Countless viewers before their televisions couldn't sit still.
"One eye..."
Seeing Eto reveal only one kakugan, Akira's expression turned to shock.
She immediately recalled the One-Eyed Owl she could never forget.
Akira's fists clenched unconsciously. She found it hard to believe, hard to accept—that woman was actually the One-Eyed Owl.
"I see... so it was her all along..."
Kureo naturally also realized that this Takatsuki-sensei Akira had befriended was the very One-Eyed Owl from years past...
At this moment, he didn't immediately think of revenge. Instead, his gaze turned to Akira with concern.
Meanwhile, Arima issued orders to the rest of Squad Zero.
"From now on, if I'm no longer around, follow Amaha Byakuya."
Arima said expressionlessly. "Regardless of the circumstances, you will absolutely obey Byakuya's commands."
"Understood."
Shio Ihei and the others nodded immediately.
"Arima-san..."
Hearing Arima speak this way, Hairu sensed something was wrong.
...
The live broadcast continued.
Though something shocking had occurred, the broadcast wasn't cut.
On the contrary, the explosive reveal had sent ratings skyrocketing—the station was even less likely to cut the feed.
The most anxious were undoubtedly the Washuu Clan, deeply worried that Eto would make certain matters public.
But even with their fastest response, they couldn't order the station to immediately cut the broadcast.
However, Eto wasn't rushing to reveal everything at once. She planned to take it slow, step by step~
While the broadcast continued, ghoul expert Ogura Hisashi happened to be airing his own program.
His show had always focused on ghoul-related topics. He was a renowned ghoul scholar.
The moment Takatsuki Sen's ghoul identity was exposed, the discussion topic immediately shifted to Takatsuki Sen.
"That was supposed to be Takatsuki-san's new book launch, right? She deliberately chose this venue to promote her new work, naturally drawing widespread media attention. But no one expected she was actually a ghoul..."
"By the way, Ogura-sensei, have you read Takatsuki-san's new work?"
During this discussion, the host asked ghoul expert Ogura Hisashi for his perspective.
"...No comment."
Ogura refused to answer directly. "Because a certain important figure warned me not to discuss that book—"
Clearly, the Washuu Clan or those with interests tied to the Washuu Clan had already read Takatsuki Sen's new work King Bileygr. They'd also discovered that the human organization Takatsuki Sen depicted was modeled on the Washuu Clan...
So this was a slide that couldn't be touched. If Ogura led viewers to realize the human organization in the book was modeled on the Washuu Clan, his life would certainly be in danger.
...
After Takatsuki Sen revealed her ghoul identity, Byakuya immediately prepared to arrest her in CCG's name.
"My beloved, right beside me, is a CCG investigator. He must be so disappointed in me right now, because I hid my ghoul identity from him..."
Eto deliberately said this before the countless media. "If I could, I would want to love someone I care about just like a human. But sadly... our kind (ghouls) being born into this world was a mistake from the start..."
Then she extended both hands toward Byakuya, assuming a posture of voluntary surrender.
"..."
In public, Byakuya said nothing. With a cold expression, he personally placed handcuffs on Eto.
...
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