"Can you ride a motorcycle?"
In the underground car park, Takina Inoue walked up to a modified motorcycle and tossed a helmet to Luo Shu.
With a snap, Luo Shu caught the helmet while hesitantly asking:
"Is it okay without a licence?"
He could ride motorcycles and had a licence - but that was from China. In Japan, he'd presumably need to retake the test.
"Just being able to ride is enough."
Takina put on her helmet, her voice becoming muffled:
"For rapid movement within the city, cars aren't convenient. Motorcycles are actually more efficient."
"Of course, this convenience comes at the cost of losing a car's defensive capabilities. But considering this mission involves targeted eliminations, I recommend using motorcycles."
As she spoke, Takina stared unblinkingly at Luo Shu, apparently awaiting his response.
"Biking around? I don't mind, as long as I don't get arrested by the police again."
Luo Shu spoke as he put on his helmet and swung his leg over the blue-and-white motorbike that had been prepared by the staff.
"You agreeing is good. Now, about the next point..."
Takina Inoue paused before continuing:
"I hope we can do our utmost to eliminate suspected targets. If possible, I'd like your agreement to split up when time is pressing."
"Of course, the risks would undoubtedly be higher, but I..."
At this point, Takina's heart began to race because she knew Chisato Nishikigi would never agree to such a request.
Two-person cooperation was the minimum deployment requirement for SDS. Solo operations were strictly prohibited. What she was suggesting already pushed the limits of SDS mission protocols—if discovered, punishment was inevitable.
But the moment she thought about the countless lives at stake in Chiba Prefecture, her hesitation faded.
Just then, Luo Shu retracted the bike's kickstand with a click, casually remarking:
"I also think solo operations would be more suitable. Though I hate to admit it, my abilities seem better suited for individual reconnaissance."
On one hand, Luo Shu hadn't used wind-element sorcery much, but he clearly understood how to employ it for scouting—these insights had surfaced in his mind after his abilities advanced.
On the other hand, operating alone would make it easier for him to fabricate reports at the right moment and expose Katsuhiko Yakushiji's secrets to the SDS.
Luo Shu had already made up his mind. He could have Sharon capture the demon while using the SDS to keep Yakushiji's people occupied, allowing him to profit from the shadows.
Naturally, he now sought the perfect opportunity to leak the information plausibly.
Takina's proposal for solo cooperation couldn't have aligned better with his intentions.
"Huh? Oh... right."
Takina blinked before realising the man beside her was a Wind Adept, a master of air-current manipulation for reconnaissance among elemental spells.
In other words, while she had to cautiously infiltrate and approach targets to verify suspicions, Luo Shu only needed to reach the vicinity and disperse wind elements to survey the area. His method was not only far safer but also exponentially more efficient.
"My apologies, that was thoughtless of me."
Suddenly aware of her blunder, Takina abandoned her own motorbike and approached Luo Shu.
"From now on, I'll drive for you. Conserve your energy for target reconnaissance."
"Eh?" Luo Shu was momentarily stunned.
But Takina had already stepped closer, pressing her back and hips against him in an attempt to nudge him towards the bike's rear seat.
"What are you waiting for?" Unaware of how provocative her actions were to a man, she frowned in confusion. "Wind Art reconnaissance is highly taxing on mental energy. Ensuring you're well-rested is a priority, so it's only logical for me to handle driving duties."
"I suspect this is precisely why Mr Mika assigned me to lead this operation."
At this point, Takina Inoue added:
"Both Chisato and Mizuki are terrible drivers. Only when I'm driving will you feel more comfortable."
"...It is indeed quite comfortable."
Luo Shu felt particularly conflicted as she rubbed against him. Weren't they supposed to be acting alone?
Girl, you changed your mind way too fast!!
Hearing this, Takina Inoue urgently reminded Luo Shu: "In that case, sit properly, hold onto me tightly later, and lean back a bit. You're sticking too close."
'So you do know it's a bit tight...' Luo Shu silently complained as he adjusted his position, then watched helplessly as Takina Inoue swung her leg over and mounted the motorcycle, carrying him towards their first destination.
Resigned, Luo Shu wrapped his arms around Takina Inoue's slender yet pleasantly plump waist, his thoughts wandering:
They say it's better to cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle, but when you're the one sitting on the bicycle, it feels rather awkward...
Yet the next moment.
'Hmm, Takina's waist is really soft...'
...
In a villa within Chiba City's affluent district.
A man sat leisurely on a sofa, peeling an apple with meticulous care.
The man had a high hairline, a plump, round face with shallow wrinkles, and sported the classic 'toothbrush moustache' common among older Japanese men.
He was Katsuhiko Yakushiji - the very target behind Chiba Prefecture's military lockdown.
At this moment, Katsuhiko watched the news broadcast on the large LCD TV dominating most of the wall.
"Twenty minutes ago, the US released photos of the terrorist leader. I'll now read the relevant information."
"Katsuhiko Yakushiji, male, Yamato ethnicity, aged 71, born in Showa 25, formerly served as staff officer in a Middle Eastern organisation..."
After finishing peeling the apple, Yakushiji took a bite, juice dripping as he turned to the terrified family of four standing against the wall. Addressing the eldest woman calmly, he said:
"Rest assured, Madam Yukinoshita. The news report is fake."
As he spoke, Katsuhiko gradually curled his lips, revealing eight teeth stained with apple pulp.