In that night, when his parents and the mister wanted to see the extent of Ahmed's skill in using weapons, a collection of weapons was placed on the table in front of him. His father smiled and said:
"Show us now, Ahmed, how you handle these tools... let's see how professional you are."
The weapons were neatly arranged: a Glock 17 pistol, an AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle, a Barrett M82 sniper rifle, and an M4 rifle.
Ahmed picked up the pistol first and stepped back. From a distance of fifty meters, he aimed at bottles lined up on the edge of the wall. In an instant, he pulled the trigger, and the glass shards scattered in the air with astonishing precision.
He then moved to the rifle, raised it steadily, and fired quick bursts that tore apart dozens of plastic bottles hanging in front of him.
Then came the sniper rifle's turn. He planted his feet on the ground, lifted the heavy Barrett M82, and looked through the scope at a target five hundred meters away. His heart was steady, his breaths were even... only one shot, to hit the exact center of the target. And with every shot, images that his father had shown him flashed in his mind, pictures of him training with Misaki, laughing next to her, or teaching her how to hold the weapon with her delicate hands.
Finally, from a distance of one thousand meters, he lay on the ground, aimed with a precision only professionals possess, and pulled the trigger... the shot hit the target as if it were a bullet of fate.
His mother, Fawzia, came forward with a proud smile and said:
"You are ready now, Ahmed... now it's time to go."
Ahmed stood up, gathered his equipment, and packed his bag. His heart was heavy with apprehension and longing. He hugged his mother first, then his father, and whispered:
"Forgive me if I make a mistake... I will return with dignity, or I will never return."
His father replied with a reassuring smile:
"You are our son, and our future leader."
Mr. Haruki led them to the black car that took them to Sana'a airport. All the way, Ahmed remained silent, thinking about the meeting that awaited him. And when the airport announced the flight time, he moved forward with hesitant steps, then remembered his mother's last words:
"Protect yourself, and protect her."
After hours of flying, the plane landed in Japan. Mr. Haruki accompanied him until they exited the gate. There, Misaki stood... her features had not changed much, her wide eyes gleaming with astonishment and confusion.
Ahmed approached slowly, shyly, as if he were a child taking his first steps. Haruki smiled and patted his shoulder, saying:
"Protect her as if she were your other half... for she is your future wife."
Mr. Haruki's gang members approached Ahmed and welcomed him warmly, as if he had been one of them for a long time. There were only three hours left before the mission began.
He sat down quietly next to Misaki and spoke to her in a low voice:
"How are you? Are you ready for this mission?"
Misaki answered him with enthusiasm, her eyes gleaming:
"Yes, I am ready with all my strength."
Then she tilted her head slightly and whispered to herself, in a voice that Ahmed did not hear:
"But... do you remember me as I remember you?"