Chapter 81

Interlude: Interlude

The special investigation division is an organization that does not officially exist.

It doesn't even have a designated space for meetings or reports, and its investigators are either assigned to arbitrary departments on paper or have their public servant titles completely hidden.

These enigmatic individuals who gather from nowhere were sometimes referred to as "ghosts" by regular staff.

The ghosts were now gathered in the only archive authorized for top-secret use.

The one who broke the silence filling the archive was Kirima, standing at the center.

"Even in the recent investigation, we couldn't obtain any significant information about the Unseen God."

Katagishi and Miyaki lowered their eyes in silence. In contrast, Rokuhara shot a glance at Kirima.

"Don't glare, Rokuhara. I'm not blaming the two of them. No matter who we sent, the result would've been the same."

"I wasn't glaring."

Kirima gave a slight shrug and continued.

"The guiding principle of the special investigation division is 'recording.' That is our one and only mission. With other Territorial Divine Offenses, even if we couldn't always implement countermeasures to mitigate damage, we at least ensured they were recorded. But with the Unseen God, we haven't even managed that."

Kirima cast his gaze over the archive lined with massive records and spoke quietly.

"To break this deadlock and begin searching for the missing, we're going to change our approach to the investigation. Until now, we haven't gone on-site ourselves, but this time we will collaborate and conduct a large-scale investigation. Umemura, Esato, since you've been with us since the founding, I want you two to take the lead in the field investigation."

Umemura voiced his agreement, and Esato gave a small nod.

"You too, Rokuhara."

"Understood."

Rokuhara nodded with an unreadable expression.

"This will be a battle that puts the honor of the special investigation division on the line. Be prepared."

Kirima's voice echoed through the archive.

After leaving the archive and reaching the smoking area, Katagishi let out a deep breath as if to shake off the heavy air clinging to his body. Beside him, Miyaki laughed.

"You look awful, Katagishi."

"Of course I do."

"But isn't the timing good for finding your wife?"

"That's true, but... I ended up having to work with that Rokuhara. Honestly, I'd rather have a Territorial Divine Offense on the team."

As Katagishi lit a cigarette, a mechanical, emotionless female voice fell upon his back.

"You shouldn't say such things. They tend to come true."

Katagishi and Miyaki turned around simultaneously. A woman they had never seen before stood right behind them.

Wearing a suit and her long hair tied back, her skin and hair both pale, she gave off a faint, indistinct impression.

"Pardon me, I haven't introduced myself yet. I've just been assigned to the special investigation division. My name is Akitsu. I look forward to your guidance and support."

The woman who called herself Akitsu bowed politely. Katagishi gave a wry smile.

"Getting assigned at a time like this—what bad luck."

"No one expects luck after being assigned here."

"You're quite the rookie. Rely on your bad luck. It's your lifeline."

Akitsu raised the corners of her mouth in a dutiful smile, then turned to Miyaki.

"Nice to meet you as well, Miyaki."

"Ah, likewise... Do you know me?"

"Of course. After all, I was assigned from the same place as you, Miyaki."

"I see. Um..."

Akitsu extended her hand to the confused Miyaki. When Miyaki accepted the handshake, Akitsu grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.

"I'm one of you. In the truest sense."

Miyaki gasped. Akitsu smiled again and gently let go of her hand.

"See you at the site."

Leaving behind her cold, echoing voice, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Only Miyaki, stunned, and Katagishi, watching her with concern, remained.

Beyond the window behind them stretched the unchanging cityscape of Tokyo, as it had been for years.