The clock hit noon as on schedule, class 1-A began to get up from there seats and used the rest of the school day to train. As usual, Itami was the last to leave with him separating from the rest of his class mates to train in one of the gymnasiums.
Taking a deep breath he created a fireball with his left hand while his right did have one, it was smaller. Smiling he then threw them. Both balls of fire curved and hit the same place.
Now let's see if I can make this work...
Closing his eyes he held his hands close together, forming another fire ball but he made it more dense. Putting pressure and then- Electricity. Slowly sparks of electricity danced around his right arm, slowly both affinity's began to merg. Closing his eyes tighter he focused more and more. The pressure emitting from the ball was more intense than just regular fire but -
Ting.
A buzz and a ring coming from his watch made him loose concentration, causing the ball to sizzle and scatter into air.
Damn almost
Itami checked his watches and flinched, as he read the message.
"Report to HQ at 1800 hour. Briefing."
Damn already? Time flew by so quick i completely forgot...
He was about to power the watch down when the door to the gym creaked open.
Momo stepped in, wiping her hands with a towel slung around her neck. She blinked in surprise when she spotted him.
"Oh—sorry. I didn't know anyone was using this one."
Itami looked back rolling his sleeve to hide the watch, letting the last bit of static fizzle out from his arm. "You're good. I was just finishing up."
She didn't move right away, glancing at the scorch marks along the far wall. "That looks... intense."
He gave a small shrug. "Trying something new. Didn't work."
Momo walked a few steps closer, lowering her towel. "You've been keeping to yourself a lot lately. More than usual."
"I've been busy."
She studied him for a moment, then offered a small smile. "Trying to stay ahead of the Sports Festival?"
Itami hesitated. Then responded, "Is that coming up already?"
Momo blinked. "You already forgot?"
"I've had... other things going on."
A soft hum. "Well, it's in a week. Everyone's been training nonstop. It's kind of a big deal."
"I figured. You ready for it?"
She nodded. "I've been balancing it with family obligations. Actually..." she paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I have one tonight. Some kind of formal event. Gallery thing. My parents need me to make an appearance."
"Sounds boring."
"Painfully," she said with a chuckle. "But it'll be over quick, I hope."
Itami glanced to the side than back at her, a brief moment of silence linger a bit. "Well... good luck with it."
She smiled again. "You too, with whatever you're training for."
And with that, she turned and left, leaving Itami alone with the quiet and the soft ticking of the clock.
Hopefully everything goes smoothly...
Later that evening, Itami patiently waited as the elevator took him down. The low rumbling and quite atmosphere had him tapping his foot. Checking the time he knew he was early, he had to be sure he wasn't late.
Inside, everything clicked into place.
Low lights. Clean steel. Shadow Scale's domain.
Sasuke was already there by the time Itami arrived—leaning back on a bench beside a gear rack, fiddling with the settings on his wristband. He looked up with a grin.
"You're early," he said. "Either you're learning... or really nervous."
Itami raised an eyebrow. "Both."
Sasuke stood, tossing him a compact black case. "Then let's get suited up."
Opening his locker Itami pulled out a tailored French suit, black with a red tie and white dress shirt.
"Don't question how it fits, you'll get use to it" Sasuke commented as he already has his outfit on. Although instead of a suit, it was his regular all blacked out uniform.
"Why aren't you wearing a suit?" Itami asked as he h tries to put his tie on but keeps failing.
"You'll see in a bit... here let me help" Sasuke helping Itami put on his tie but they were interrupted by Lira.
"Oh poor boy needs help tieing his shoes too?"
Lira's heels clicked as she strutted into the room, dramatic as always, dressed in a sleek wine red dress slit high on the leg, her long coat hanging lazily over one shoulder. She eyed Itami up and down with mock horror.
"Oh no," she said, drawing out the words. "Who gave the little dragon permission to wear big boy clothes?"
Itami muttered under his breath, struggling with his tie. "Didn't realize I was signing up for a fashion critique."
Lira ignored the jab, circling him like a shark. "Seriously, you clean up... decent. The sleeves are a little too long, though. Or are you just shrinking under pressure?"
Sasuke chuckled as he fixed the tie for the third time. "He's fine. Just hasn't had much practice dressing to impress."
Lira leaned in close to Sasuke's side, brushing an invisible speck off his shoulder. "Not everyone can make tactical gear look good you know."
Sasuke raised a brow. "Flirting again? That's three times today."
She smirked. "I'm pacing myself. We've got a long night ahead."
Itami side eyed the both of them, keeping his opinions to himself.
"Aw, don't pout," Lira cooed, tapping Itami lightly on the nose. "We'll get you house-trained eventually."
Before Itami could fire back, the main door hissed open with a hydraulic hiss. Kael entered first—muscles coiled in his white dress shirt that was heavily wrinkled.
Riven came next, walking like he already knew the outcome of the mission. Also in full gear.
Then came Drex.
Fully geared, every piece of his armor in place. Matte black scales, reinforced plates, his helmet clipped to his belt. Silent, imposing, like the wall of a fortress.
Sasuke gave a small whistle. "Man do you live in that thing? I swear no matter the situation, your always in uniform."
Drex didn't respond. Just gave a glance that said yes, even if he didn't say it out loud.
Lira chuckled under her breath. "You're gonna scare the partygoers dressed like a walking death threat."
Drex moved toward the center table, tapping a panel on his wrist. The holoprojector began to warm up, casting pale light across their faces.
Sasuke nudged Itami lightly as they moved to sit. "Showtime. Try not to trip on the red carpet."
Lira added with a grin, "And if you do, fall dramatically. I like a good scene."
The lights dimmed. The glow of the mission brief flickered to life—clean, clinical, and sharp as a blade.
Drex voice rough but clean as metal. "Since everyone is here. Let's get this started."
Everyone took there seats as the holoprojector showed the massive layout of the estate. Then Drex spoke again.
"I'll make this short and simple, since we went over this already. Our main objective is too protect the Yaoyorozu family. They are no known risk but we operate like their is. It's masquerade themed so it will make the three of your jobs easier."
Drex than presed something on his panel as the holoprojector showed positions of the team. Red team being on the outside premises, while blue team is inside.
"We're splitting off into two teams, Blue and Red. Blue team consist of Lira, Kael, and Itami. Red teams main job is to blend in with the elite, act like one of them and make sure no danger comes close to the family. Now Itami. Your main job is protecting the heir of the family, Momo Yaoyorozu."
Lira leaned toward Itami, nudging him with her elbow. "So, you're shadowing your own vice class representative, huh? Try not to trip over your own feet when the music starts."
"Focus," Drex said sharply.
Lira held up her hands with a small smirk. "Yes, sir. No fun allowed."
Continuing, Drex added. " Keep chatter minimal. You'll check in every fifteen minutes. If we go dark... improvise. Red team will consist of the rest of the team. Me and Sasuke will be waiting in a nearby vehicle watching through cctv and Riven will be conducting overwatch from a nearby rooftop. Any questions?"
There was a brief silence before Drex continued.
"Good, you all have 5 mins to be in the cars, red team, your mask will be in the SUV, that will be your vehicle Red Team."
Everyone began to move as the each member checks themselves preparing to move. Sasuke patted Itamis back saying "First mission, feeling nervous?"
Itami let out a weak grin as a million thoughts are going to his head "Yeah.."
flashing him a grin Sasuke said "Don't sweat it, if something does happen it will be a peice of cake, you fought villains before so your halfway there."
Outside, the sun had set, casting a gold-pink hue across the convoy of matte-black SUVs lined up in the underground garage. Shadows danced across polished hoods, and engines thrummed like held breath.
Inside one of the vehicles, Itami adjusted the collar of his suit jacket, fingers twitching slightly. The fabric still felt strange—too smooth, too formal.
Lira sat across from him, legs crossed, already half lounging. Kael got into the drivers seat as Lira found the mask.
She twirled a black half-mask between her fingers—sleek, minimal, with subtle ridges like dragon scales etched into the surface.
Lira twirled the black half-mask once more, then gave a small scoff.
"Hmph. Could've at least given us something stylish. This looks like something out of a low-budget drama."
Still, she slid it on. It framed her eyes sharply, the dark ridges giving her already mischievous smirk a more dangerous edge. She turned to Itami, smirking. "Well? How do I look? On a scale of 'deadly' to 'drop-dead gorgeous,' where do I land?"
Itami glanced at her, unimpressed. "Somewhere between 'too much makeup' and 'stuck up rich girl'.'"
Kael barked a short laugh from the driver's seat. "I dunno. I think it suits you. Looks like someone I wouldn't trust at a blackjack table."
Lira leaned back, one leg bouncing as she rested her elbow on the window. "You're all just jealous it works on me." She pointed at Itami's mask still resting in his lap. "Put yours on, rookie. Gotta complete the look."
Itami held it up. It was just like hers—elegant, subtle, dragon-scale detail along the edges—but he hesitated.
"Feels weird wearing a mask when I'm already pretending to be someone else," he muttered.
Kael snorted. "Get used to it. We all wear masks on these kinds of jobs—some just hide better behind 'em."
"Some of us hide better without them," Lira added with a wink.
Itami sighed and slipped the mask on.
Lira gave a slow nod of approval. "Not bad. Still got that 'brooding loner boy' vibe, but at least now it's themed."
The SUV rolled forward, engine quiet beneath them. Drex's voice crackled through the comms.
"ETA five minutes. Final checks—stay sharp."
The mood shifted slightly, the playful edge giving way to something tighter. Focused.
Itami adjusted his cuffs, feeling the mask settle over his face like a second skin. Lira tapped a small earpiece into place. Kael rolled his shoulders, armored vest hidden beneath his tailored suit.