Leaving the remaining enemy forces to the security magicians, Tatsuya and Erika returned to their group.
"No action for me…" Leo grumbled.
"Me and Tatsuya-kun handled it just fine," Erika said, smacking his back hard enough to make him wince and crouch.
Tatsuya gave Mikihiko a thumbs-up, then smiled faintly at Honoka and Airi, who looked shaken but resolute.
"Sorry, was that too intense for you, Honoka and the others?" he asked.
"No… I'm fine," Honoka said firmly.
"I was startled, but I'm okay," Airi added.
Their resolve, perhaps fueled by affection, was reassuring. Tatsuya's honest wish was for fear or hesitation to wait until they'd survived this.
"Mizuki, Kanna, and the others okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Mizuki said, forcing a smile.
"We're good," Kanna and the others nodded, their usual calm masking their understanding of the dire situation.
"How'd you bring that weapon, Erika? Too big for a bag," Tatsuya asked, shifting topics to ease their nerves.
"No way it fits like this. But…" Erika demonstrated, earning gasps.
"Impressive…" Tatsuya said.
Everyone stared, captivated by the gimmick.
"Cool, right? Shape-memory sword-stick, set for police delivery next year," Erika boasted.
"The Chiba family makes close-combat weapons too, huh?" Tatsuya noted.
"That's our main income," Erika quipped.
Their light banter helped Mizuki and the others relax.
"So, what's next?" Leo asked, eager for direction.
"We need information. This is bigger and worse than expected. Acting blindly could trap us. But…" Tatsuya trailed off.
The Magic Association's lines could provide intel. As a Yotsuba, Tatsuya could access their secure channel at the Kanto Branch in Bay Hills Tower. But reaching it through urban combat would take him ten minutes alone—impossible for Miyuki and the others.
"The VIP meeting room?" Shizuku suggested, pointing to the building they'd just left.
"VIP meeting room?" Tatsuya echoed, unaware of it, unlike the VIP lounge.
"It's for high-level meetings—ministers, economic leaders. Should have access to most intel," Shizuku explained.
"Such a room exists?" Tatsuya asked.
"It's not public," Shizuku said.
"How do you know that?" Erika asked, impressed.
Shizuku, slightly proud, slightly shy, replied, "I know the passkey and access code."
"Wow…" Honoka said.
"Her dad spoils her," Airi added.
Tatsuya nodded, unsurprised. Shizuku's father, Ushio Kitayama, would ensure such access. The room likely tapped police and coast guard communications too.
"Shizuku, lead the way," Tatsuya said.
She nodded with rare enthusiasm.
Using Shizuku's code, the VIP meeting room's monitor displayed police map data. The coastal area glowed red, danger spreading inland as they watched. Tatsuya frowned unconsciously at the worsening situation.
"Onii-sama…" Miyuki's eyes wavered with worry.
Patting her head, Tatsuya faced the group. "You know it's bad. Lingering here risks capture before the defense forces arrive. Escape's tough—land routes are cut, and transport's down."
"By sea?" Leo asked.
Tatsuya shook his head. "Unlikely. Not enough ships for everyone."
"Shelter, then?" Mikihiko suggested.
Tatsuya nodded, less confident. "Realistic, but even this sturdy building won't survive a direct blast."
"Underground passage?" Erika urged, ready to move.
"No, underground's risky. We go up," Tatsuya said.
"Why—oh, right," Erika nodded, catching on.
Tatsuya silently praised her Chiba instincts for urban combat.
"One more thing. I need a moment," he said.
"Why?" Honoka asked, trusting him implicitly.
"To destroy the demo device's data. It might be their target," Tatsuya explained.
"Right, good call," Mikihiko agreed, and all nodded.
"Shizuku, thanks. This room was a game-changer," Tatsuya said.
"Mm," Shizuku beamed, her eyes expectant.
"…Guess I owe you," Tatsuya muttered, patting her hair, ignoring the seven sharp glares piercing his back.
Note: Getting spoiled by Shizuku…
Syncing with Zhou
To align with Zhou's arc, Tatsuya's group would likely encounter him later, possibly during their escape or at a critical intel point. Zhou's involvement with the guerrillas, as hinted earlier, suggests he's orchestrating or exploiting the chaos. I've kept his thread intact for continuity, focusing on Tatsuya's strategic moves while cutting extraneous action (like Ichijo's moments) to maintain pacing. If you need Zhou's role expanded or specific details tied in, let me know!
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