By a roadside vending machine.
Luo Shu, who had just arrived, pressed the button for coffee, buying three cans in one go. He retrieved his change in coins from the slot, then crouched down to collect the three coffee cans. Without hesitation, he held one out to his right:
"How about an energy boost first?"
While Luo Shu was speaking, Takina Inoue, carrying a small black handbag and wearing a white face mask, had already approached him.
Seeing the coffee offered to her, Takina paused before reaching out to take it, though she didn't drink. Instead, she lowered her voice and said:
"Chisato is waiting for us over there. Let's go first."
"Understood."
Luo Shu pulled the tab of his can, nodded, and followed Takina into a nearby alley while sipping his drink. They ascended an external metal staircase along an apartment building, heading straight for the rooftop.
On the rooftop, Luo Shu found Chisato Nishikigi rummaging through a large backpack.
"Strange... where did my snacks go?"
"If you're talking about the chocolate bars and marinated eggs, you already finished them this morning."
Takina said this as she walked over, eyeing Chisato with confusion:
"No memory of it?"
"Eh?! I ate them already? No way!"
Chisato grabbed her hair, looking utterly dismayed.
At that moment, Luo Shu approached with his coffee and handed her a can.
"Thanks~!"
Chisato took it without hesitation, popped it open, and gulped down a mouthful:
"Ahhh~ Nothing like an iced coffee to perk you up when you're feeling sluggish~"
As she spoke, Chisato picked up a nearby telescope and casually tossed it to Luo Shu:
"Target's in the three-storey old apartment at nine o'clock. Confirmed—they're still inside resting."
"Speaking of which, Luo Shu, shouldn't you be busy? What brings you to the scene... unless..."
Chisato's expression turned teasing, her face twisting into an exaggeratedly mischievous look:
"Did you come all this way because you were worried about your old friends?"
"Relax, we've got way more mission experience than you~"
"Chisato," Takina sighed helplessly. "You should address him as Director now."
"What's the big deal?" Chisato waved her coffee can dismissively. "Luo Shu doesn't care about titles."
"Besides, what's our relationship?"
"Superior and subordinate," Takina frowned, emphasising the point.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu, observing the apartment through a specially modified telescope that used a technique to see through walls, suddenly remarked:
"You know, Takina, you were technically the woman to take my 'first time.'"
"Eh?!" Chisato's jaw dropped as she gaped at them. "No way! Since when did you two have that kind of relationship?!"
On the other side, Takina's face turned icy:
"...Director, isn't this workplace harassment?"
Luo Shu replied calmly, "It's the truth. After all, the first female body I ever saw was indeed yours, Takina."
Chisato suddenly slapped her forehead in realisation: "Ohhh, you mean that time!"
But the next second, she leapt up and grabbed Takina's arm in panic:
"Wait, Takina, don't pull out your gun!!"
"Killing your superior is a serious crime!! Not that you could actually kill him, but calm down!!"
Luo Shu turned his head to look at Takina Inoue, who was being held back by Chisato Nishikigi, and chuckled:
"Now you're not concerned about hierarchy?"
Hearing this, Takina stopped struggling and let Chisato take her gun away. Her face flushed red, whether from embarrassment or anger, resembling a ripe apple:
"Forget that memory completely! All of it!!"
"No way."
Luo Shu lowered the binoculars and turned around before asking:
"How many civilians are still in the target apartment building?"
"About six remain. Three housewives, two hungover youths, and one sick child at home."
After saying this, Chisato, who had stashed the gun away, remarked dryly:
"How awful, talking business at a time like this~"
"Though I know you're just trying to make Takina less hung up on hierarchy, that was straight-up harassment just now!"
"If you don't treat us to an ultra-luxurious high-end restaurant this time, we won't forgive you!!"
Luo Shu smiled at this: "Then let's go for premium cuisine in Ginza after this wraps up."
Chisato's eyes lit up as she asked cheerfully:
"Really? Fair warning, I won't hold back!"
"Of course it's real."
Luo Shu fiddled with his binoculars while saying:
"Since you've both transferred from Operations but haven't had a proper welcome party, we might as well combine them."
Chisato immediately crossed her arms in front of her in an X shape:
"No way! That'd mean one less free meal!"
Luo Shu blinked, then burst out laughing:
"Fine, just the two of you then."
Watching these two casually decide dinner plans mid-mission, Takina sighed helplessly.
'He feels more relaxed than before... Someone who used to be so guarded is now even teasing me... Though change was expected, this is the last kind I wanted.'
Takina sighed again before addressing the pair who were debating Ginza restaurants during an operation:
"Both of you, please focus - we're still on mission!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu and Chisato exchanged glances before turning to Takina in unison:
"Takina, any restaurant preferences?"
After a brief silence, Takina replied darkly, "...Chisato, give me back my gun."
"Kidding, kidding!" Seeing Takina's irritation, Chisato waved her hands frantically before looking at Luo Shu.
"We'll decide later then."
As he spoke, Luo Shu turned back toward the apartment building:
"Six hostages plus eight Phenex Society members... seems manageable enough."
"Let's proceed directly."
Chisato looked surprised: "Direct assault? All three of us together?"
"How would we secure the intel we need then?"
Leaning lazily against the rooftop ledge, Luo Shu replied:
"Just leave the higher-ranking ones breathing. The department has people who'll make them talk."
Chisato Nishikigi nodded at his words, then turned her head and said:
"Understood, Takina, prepare the close combat gear."
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled and said, "This time, we don't need to mobilise."
"Huh?"
Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue, who were about to retrieve weapons from their large satchels, both froze in surprise and looked at Luo Shu in astonishment.
At this moment, Luo Shu gazed cheerfully at the sky and remarked:
"The Hidden Management Department has some new things they want to try out!"
"By my calculations, they should be mobilising just about now!"
...
Inside a van, driving along the roadside.
A blonde girl with wavy hair, wearing loose long sleeves and a black rabbit-ear headband, turned to look at La Folia, who had changed into a silver bodysuit and was adjusting her firearm:
"Though it feels a bit wrong to steal Chisato and Takina's job, it seems you're ready?"
"Real combat is quite different from simulations, Your Highness."
Hearing this, La Folia holstered her gun and turned with a smile:
"Kurumi-chan, are you worried about me?"
Kurumi lazily replied: "No, I'm only concerned about whether that suit can transmit real-time data. I don't want to get scolded by the Director and Tabane Shinonono."
"Well, let's see if this equipment can withstand my power."
La Folia put on combat glasses and checked the displayed data:
"6 hostages, 8 targets?"
"I'll try to wrap this up in five minutes!"
"Is this how all princesses are - so confident?"
Kurumi muttered before pressing the door release button.
As the rear door opened, she calmly said:
"Don't die out there, Your Highness."
"Thanks for the blessing. See you soon."
With that, La Folia leapt from the moving van and vanished instantly.