Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

World Expo Closing Ceremony

We hope that the 22nd century will be an era of happiness for mankind. This Expo was organized with the cooperation of 34 countries and regions around the world. We can join hands. I believe that with our hands we can make the 22nd century an era of happiness. With these words, I would like to conclude my speech. Thank you very much."

Kobayashi put the paper away in his pocket and bowed deeply. Applause erupted from the audience. Next, Prime Minister Yuuma Hashida made his way to the stage. After the prime minister finished his speech, the closing ceremony proceeded to the next agenda.

"We will proceed to the handing over of the BIE flag. Please pay attention to the flag at the top of the stadium."

The announcement signaled the beginning of the musical band's movement again. Mendelssohn's "Spring Song" is played, and as it plays, the BIE flag, fluttering on the pole of the hoist stand, is slowly lowered. It is carefully folded and carried to the stage in the center of the stadium by members of the Imperial Guard in their uniforms. At the same time, President Naotaro Kobayashi, James Schulle, Chairman of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), and John Gladstone, mayor of Perth, Australia, were standing on the center stage.

"The next Expo to follow the Tokyo Expo will be held in Perth, Australia, in 2105, five years from now. And now, the BIE flag entrusted to the Tokyo Expo Association will be returned by Mister Naotaro Kobayashi, President of the Expo Association, to Mister James Schulle, Chairman of the Bureau International des Expositions."

Standing on the dais, the Guardsman handed the BIE flag to Kobayashi. Kobayashi then returned the flag to James.

"And from Mister James Schulle, the flag will be passed to the next host city, Perth, represented by Mayor John Gladstone. The theme of the Perth Expo is 'Steps Toward Peace.'"

James passed the BIE flag to John, who proudly held up the folded flag. John then entrusted the flag to a Guardsman standing nearby. After the handover ceremony, the closing ceremony was nearing its climax. The orchestra started to play again. From a quiet introduction like the morning glow, a powerful melody echoed through the stadium, announcing the beginning of a new story.

"The Tokyo World Expo will be etched in the history of mankind as the last event of the 21st century and the first of the 22nd century, the greatest celebration of mankind. I would like to look back on that historic six months with Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream, Overture.'"

Felix Mendelssohn was a 19th-century German composer. His Overture in E major, Op.21, composed in 1826, suggested the very beginning of the overture to the era of the 22nd century.

Images and events taken during the Tokyo Expo were compiled into a holographic image and projected onto the space inside the stadium. Starting with the rearranged opening ceremony, the Japan Pavilion, for which the waiting time exceeded six hours every day, the various events held throughout the venue during the Expo, the countdown to the 22nd century, and the visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan... those series of events passed through the audience as a three-dimensional digest video.

After all the images were over, the stage in the center of the stadium was turned into a brightly lit stage, and the image characters who promoted the Expo were standing on it. They waved to the audience, waiting for the curtain to close.

Finally, the closing ceremony was approaching its final program.

"His Highness the Prince will give his words."

As soon as the announcement was made, all eyes turned to the Prince, who was being projected on a giant screen. The Prince looked at the audience through the screen, smiled, and began to speak.

"I hereby express my gratitude to all those involved in this Expo, and with the hope that this Expo will remain in the memory of mankind for many years to come, I hereby declare the closing of the Tokyo World EXPO'100!"

A moment later, the audience broke into thunderous applause. And with His Highness' declaration of the closing of the Expo, confetti flew from all parts of the stadium, and a large number of fireworks were once again launched from all parts of the Expo site.

Thus, the greatest celebration of the arrival of the 22nd century, Tokyo World EXPO'100, came to an end, though it was missed by many.

. . .

Investigation Division 4 Section 7 Office, Metropolitan Police Department, Sakurada Gate, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo

Meanwhile, officers on duty were watching a live TV broadcast in the office of Tokyo MPD's Investigation Division 4 Section 7.

"So, the Expo is over," Nijo, one of the officers present, murmured regretfully.

On this particular day, there were two other officers on duty besides Nijo, Rokutani, and Juen.

"To be honest, I don't have any good memories during the Expo," Juen chuckled. He was reminiscing about the events of the past six months.

Starting with the Tokyo Expo, which opened at about the same time he was transferred here, and the Tokyo Expo terrorist attack on the opening ceremony, there were murders of Jyoen Koroki and Danji Furuya caused by the self-preservation of corrupt politicians and discrimination toward demi-humans, and then the Shinjuku serial blood loss incident by a vampire who had infiltrated human society, all of them are major events that shook the nation. There were several smaller incidents in between, but these two in particular were deeply etched in Juen's memory. In the first case, the perpetrator was missing, and in the second case, the entire thing was hidden from the public.

"But... I realized firsthand how much this Investigation Division 4 contributes to the peace of Tokyo. In a city where many races roam around, it is a bastion that protects the balance between humans and demi-humans... I am truly indebted to all of you for your support over the past six months."

"Section Chief..." Rokutani muttered.

The current section chief, Juen, came here as a semi-career officer, and his term of office was set at approximately six months. However, it was eventually extended by one month, and he will be appointed as an assistant section chief of the police station under his jurisdiction as of the end of next week. Therefore, he will not be able to work with the members of Investigation Division 4 Section 7 until next week.

Silence fell between the three of them. At that moment, an urgent call suddenly echoed throughout the police station.

"Emergency! A robbery has occurred at a convenience store in Adachi Ward Takenotsuka 2nd Block! Perpetrator took the cash register and is fleeing! One clerk is dead! The body exploded and scattered, and we suspected demi-human involvement! Investigation Divisions 1 and 4, mobilize immediately!"

"!!"

Just as the closing ceremony of the Expo is over, a new incident occurred. Juen and the others ran out of the office, holding the jackets that were hanging on the chairs.

As long as there is malice in this world, police work will never cease. To maintain the balance between humans and demi-humans, and to protect the peace of Japan, Investigation Division 4's struggle continues.