1998!
13th Ward!
The sky was gloomy today, covered with thick, dark clouds, while a light drizzle fell intermittently.
The entire city was shrouded in a thin mist, giving everything a suffocating atmosphere.
A figure dressed in black fitted clothing and a black overcoat appeared in a narrow, dimly lit alleyway.
He was Rei Izanagi, the head of a prestigious Japanese priestly family.
Holding an expensive black oil-paper umbrella, he walked slowly through the alley, looking around as if searching for something.
Not long after, Rei Izanagi suddenly stopped.
Not far ahead, a black-haired girl wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and pleated skirt was kneeling on the ground, intently devouring the "food" in her hands, gulping it down greedily.
Especially striking were her glowing crimson Kakugan, which stood out vividly in the dim alley.
"As expected, it's Uruka!"
Rei Izanagi narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth curling upward into a smile on his pale, bloodless face.
His voice sounded listless, almost as though it belonged to someone half-dead.
Hearing someone call her name, the girl froze for a moment before blinking and looking at Rei Izanagi with a confused expression. Clearly, she was extremely surprised and puzzled by this unexpected visitor.
"How does this guy walk without making a sound?"
"I didn't even notice him until he spoke?"
One had to know that a Ghoul's hearing and sense of smell were far sharper than those of an ordinary human.
Very quickly, her heart trembled.
"Isn't he the classmate who transferred into my class a month ago?"
Although he always looked sickly at school, he not only had outstanding academic grades, but every movement he made seemed to exude a primitive yet noble aura.
At school, he even sat right next to her!
"No!"
Now was not the time to think about such things, and Uruka Minami quickly recovered from her brief shock. In an instant, a sharp killing intent flashed through her eyes.
She had been starving on her way home today. After encountering a reckless thug who had tried to harass her, she had simply pretended to comply and followed him into this secluded, deserted alleyway. Afterward, she ruthlessly dealt with the thug and used him as food.
"But who could have imagined..."
"That my feeding would be interrupted at precisely this moment."
Uruka Minami knew that if this were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable, and she would be taking an enormous risk. Therefore, no matter what, she had to eliminate the Rei Izanagi standing before her.
Even if she harbored some affection for him, she couldn't afford to hesitate.
Just as Uruka Minami was thinking this, Rei Izanagi showed no trace of fear and walked straight toward her.
He first held the oil-paper umbrella he had been carrying steadily above Uruka Minami's head, shielding her from the light drizzle falling from the sky.
Then, he slowly raised the clean white handkerchief in his other hand and, with remarkably gentle movements, wiped the blood from Uruka Minami's beautiful face.
"Uruka-san, you're very beautiful. It would be such a shame to let this lovely face get covered in blood. It really takes away from your beauty."
Rei Izanagi gently wiped the blood from Uruka Minami's cheeks with the handkerchief, muttering to himself as he did so.
At this moment, Uruka Minami was completely stunned, as though her mind had stopped functioning.
She didn't even react, let alone try to stop or dodge Rei Izanagi's intimate and completely natural gesture of wiping the blood from her face.
"Something's not right. Under normal circumstances, wouldn't an ordinary person be terrified after witnessing a Ghoul feeding?"
"How is it that Rei Izanagi not only isn't afraid, but can speak to me so calmly and even thoughtfully wipe the blood from my face?"
"Izanagi, aren't you afraid of me?"
After finally regaining her senses, Uruka Minami stared directly at Rei Izanagi and asked suspiciously.
At the same time, as though she had suddenly realized something, she took a large step backward. A faint blush instantly appeared on her originally fair face as she inadvertently noticed the handkerchief Rei Izanagi was holding.
It was the very same handkerchief she, as his classmate, had kindly given him to cover his injured knee after he accidentally fell during the school's physical fitness test.
Uruka Minami had always longed for a life like that of an ordinary human. Time spent living peacefully was precious to her, which was why she had always liked going to school. She wanted to be like an ordinary human girl, studying and having fun.
If possible, she also wanted to experience the kind of youthful, heart-fluttering romance that people had at school.
Because of this, she had developed some interest in Rei Izanagi.
However, unlike the other female classmates, she had always felt that Rei Izanagi possessed some kind of indescribable aura. But she could never figure out exactly what kind of aura it was.
Did he smell good? Did he taste good?
"Why should I be afraid? From the very first time I saw you, Uruka, I already knew you were a Ghoul."
"Besides, humans are also 'eliminating' their own kind, aren't they?"
"Survival of the fittest. That has always been the law of nature."
Rei Izanagi's lips curled into a faint smile before he gently handed the handkerchief to Uruka Minami. He really liked Uruka Minami's voice; it sounded exactly like that of Saori Hayami, a voice actress from his previous life.
Uruka Minami blinked her large eyes, accepting the handkerchief in a slightly dazed and adorable manner before tilting her head in surprise.
"Is this really the kind of thinking a human being should have?"
"Hey! Who gave you permission to hunt in my feeding ground?"
Just then, a chilling voice suddenly came from somewhere nearby.
Hearing the voice, Uruka Minami instantly snapped back to reality and hurriedly turned her head. What came into view was a male Ghoul wearing ordinary clothes and a Tengu mask.
The moment she saw him, Uruka Minami immediately recognized his identity.
His codename was Tengu, and according to the CCG's records, he was an A-Rank Ghoul.
Since Uruka Minami had always been interested in gathering various kinds of intelligence, she knew the status of nearly every Ghoul in the 13th Ward like the back of her hand.
Therefore, she naturally knew that this small area surrounding the school was the feeding ground of the Ghoul standing before her.
Although Uruka Minami was an S-Rank Ghoul in the 13th Ward, one had to understand that she was not the only Ghoul in this area. (Her original rank was A+, but due to the butterfly effect, her danger level has increased.)
Every Ghoul had their own exclusive feeding territory. If someone dared to recklessly enter another Ghoul's territory to hunt and feed, it would undoubtedly be regarded as a serious act of provocation.
It was much like wild beasts; they would never allow their own kind to casually enter their hunting grounds.
Therefore, generally speaking, Uruka Minami would not easily hunt in other Ghouls' feeding grounds; This was a tacit understanding among Ghouls, allowing them to maintain a fragile sense of peace.
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[image] Uruka Minami