The van from Kaiser Finance pulled away from our school as we all watch the image slowly disappear in the view from distance.
"There."
I pointed at the departing vehicle, my voice quiet but certain.
Ayane's drone already following it from the air above while we watch at the clubroom through Ayane's tablet.
"Should we follow it?"
Serika asked, uncertainty clear in her tone as she adjusted her grip on her own gun.
"We paid for that deed fair and square."
Ayane's voice carried an edge of frustration as she pulled up the payment records on her tablet.
"Three hundred thousand yen. All our savings. And they just took it and drove off saying they'd process it later."
"Nyaa... Suspicious..."
Hoshino murmured from where she leaned against the wall, eyes half open but alert in that way she had when things were serious.
"We should see where they're going."
Nonomi added gently, though her usual warmth was tempered by concern.
"Just to make sure everything is legitimate."
Sensei looked between all of us, his expression thoughtful as he processed the situation.
"If we're going to follow them, we need to be careful. Stay at a distance. Don't engage unless necessary."
I nodded, already calculating the best route to tail the van without being noticed. My survival instinct whispered warnings about the risk but also confirmed this was necessary.
We mounted our bikes and began following, keeping several car lengths back as the van wound through Kivotos's streets. The route took us away from the familiar areas, deeper into districts I had only seen on maps.
My danger sense remained active, a constant low hum of awareness as I tracked the van's movements and scanned our surroundings for threats.
The van turned down a side street and we slowed, Shiroko raising her hand in a signal to maintain distance.
That was when I heard it.
Footsteps running at full speed. Multiple sets. The sound of someone being chased.
"Please! Someone! Anyone!"
A girl's voice, desperate and scared, echoed from the alley ahead.
My survival instinct flared sharply and I turned toward the sound without thinking, my hand already moving to check my holsters.
A girl burst from the alley, her light brown twintails bouncing wildly as she ran, yellow and black ribbons barely holding them in place. Her Trinity uniform was disheveled, the large yellow ribbon askew. A Peroro mascot backpack bounced on her shoulders, grenades swinging from the zipper.
Behind her, four thugs emerged, their weapons drawn and their intentions clear.
"Give us the merchandise, Trinity brat! That limited edition Peroro set is worth a fortune!"
One of them shouted, raising what looked like a modified pistol.
I was moving before anyone could speak, my bike abandoned as I closed the distance. My guns were in my hands, my body settling into the familiar stance that gun mastery had drilled into muscle memory.
"Stop."
My voice came out flat and cold, the poker face trait keeping my expression neutral even as my heart rate increased.
The thugs paused, surprised by the sudden intervention.
The girl stumbled to a stop behind me, her breathing ragged and tears streaming down her face.
"W...who..."
"Aria, wait!"
Sensei called out but I was already committed.
Shiroko appeared at my right, her rifle ready. Serika took position on my left. Hoshino moved forward with her shield while Ayane's drone buzzed overhead and Nonomi readied her grenade launcher from the rear.
We had done this before. The formation came naturally now.
The thugs reassessed quickly, recognizing they were outmatched.
"This isn't your business, Abydos."
One of them spat, but he was already backing away.
"Leave."
Shiroko's voice carried quiet menace.
They fled, disappearing back into the alley with curses and threats that meant nothing.
I lowered my weapons but kept them ready, my danger sense still active as I scanned for additional threats.
The girl collapsed to her knees, sobbing with relief and clutching her Peroro backpack protectively.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I thought they were going to take Peroro!"
Nonomi was there immediately, helping her to her feet with gentle hands.
"It's okay now. You're safe."
"What's your name?"
Sensei asked, his tone kind but concerned.
"H...Hifumi. Ajitani Hifumi. I'm from Trinity General School."
She adjusted her backpack with trembling hands, making sure the Peroro mascot face was undamaged.
"I was just trying to buy something and they attacked me and..."
"What were you trying to buy?"
Ayane asked, her analytical mind already working through possibilities.
Hifumi's face flushed bright red and she looked down, fidgeting with her ribbon.
"I... It's nothing important. Just some... supplies."
My emotional intelligence caught the lie immediately. The way her eyes darted to her backpack. The protective stance. The flush of embarrassment rather than fear.
"Limited edition Peroro merchandise."
I stated simply, remembering what the thug had shouted.
Hifumi's face went even redder and she made a small sound of distress.
"I... That's... How did you..."
"They mentioned it when they were chasing you."
Serika said gently, trying not to make Hifumi feel worse.
"You went to the black market for Peroro merchandise?"
Ayane's tone was incredulous.
Hifumi looked like she wanted to disappear into the ground.
"It's a super limited edition Peroro plushie that was only sold there and I've been saving for months and this was my only chance and I know it was dangerous but I couldn't help myself because Peroro is so important to me and..."
The words tumbled out in a rush, her gentle personality unable to withstand the pressure of being caught.
"Nyaa... That's actually kind of dedicated..."
Hoshino said with surprising approval.
"Going to the black market alone for something you love."
"Though very dangerous."
Nonomi added, still concerned.
"Did you at least get it?"
I asked, my survival instinct already calculating whether we needed to retrieve something for her.
Hifumi shook her head miserably.
"They grabbed me before I could complete the purchase. The seller still has it and probably sold it to someone else by now."
She looked genuinely heartbroken, tears welling up again.
"The van."
I said suddenly, remembering our original objective.
Everyone turned to look at me.
"We lost the van while helping her."
Shiroko's eyes widened slightly and she immediately looked down the street where the vehicle had disappeared.
"Nyaa... Can we track it?"
Hoshino asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Ayane was already working on her tablet, fingers flying across the screen.
"I got a partial plate number. Let me see if I can... Got it. Traffic camera caught it heading toward the old industrial district."
"The black market area."
Serika said quietly, her expression troubled.
"That's... that's not a good place."
Hifumi looked up, her tears forgotten as recognition crossed her face.
"The black market? That's where I was! Where the Peroro merchandise is!"
Her bright yellow eyes lit up with hope before dimming again with embarrassment.
"But I can't ask you to go there for me. You already saved me once and it's dangerous and it's just a plushie even though it's limited edition and really important but..."
Sensei looked at her thoughtfully, then at the rest of us.
"We're heading there anyway. If we can help Hifumi get what she came for while retrieving our deed, that seems efficient."
"You'd really do that?"
Hifumi's voice was small and hopeful, her kind nature clearly unused to people going out of their way for her.
"Of course."
Nonomi said warmly.
"You were brave enough to come here alone. The least we can do is help you finish what you started."
Hifumi's eyes filled with tears again but this time from gratitude.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I'll help however I can! Even though I'm not very strong or smart or anything special, I'll do my best!"
We retrieved our bikes and continued, Hifumi riding on the back of Nonomi's bike while clutching her waist with one hand and her Peroro backpack with the other.
The route to the industrial district took us through increasingly rundown areas. Buildings became more sparse, graffiti more prevalent, the general atmosphere shifting from urban bustle to something more dangerous.
My danger sense maintained its steady warning pulse, not urgent but present.
We found the van parked outside what looked like an abandoned warehouse, though the fresh tire tracks and security cameras suggested it was anything but abandoned.
"A bank."
Ayane whispered, zooming in with her tablet's camera.
"An illegal bank. Look at the armored doors, the security setup. This is a full operation."
"Our deed is in there."
I stated simply, my emotional intelligence reading the situation clearly.
"They took our money and brought the deed here instead of processing it legitimately."
"The Peroro seller was inside too."
Hifumi added quietly.
"He said he operated out of the bank's marketplace. Third floor."
"What do we do?"
Serika asked, looking to Sensei.
He was quiet for a long moment, thinking through options.
"We need that deed. It's proof of our payment for the school's land. Without it, all our money is just gone."
"We can't exactly walk in and ask for it back."
Ayane pointed out.
"Security is too tight and if this is a black market operation, they won't care about receipts or legality."
Hifumi spoke up hesitantly, her kind nature pushing through her fear.
"What if... What if we disguised ourselves? I read once that black market operations deal with all sorts of people. If we looked like we belonged there, maybe they'd let us in?"
Everyone turned to look at her.
She blushed deeply, fidgeting with her Peroro backpack straps.
"I mean, it's probably a terrible idea and I'm sure there's something wrong with it that I'm not seeing because I'm not very smart but..."
"That's actually not a bad idea."
Ayane said slowly, her analytical mind working through the possibilities.
"We'd need disguises though. Something to hide our identities."
I thought about the simulations, about all the lives I had lived through other people's eyes. Tony the hacker had operated in shadows. Ella had learned fear but also learned to adapt.
"Masks."
Shiroko said quietly.
"Robbery masks. Make them think we're a gang here for business."
Shiroko looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite read, somewhere between surprise and understanding.
"Where do we get masks?"
"Here."
Shiroko started taking out masks from her bag and hand over a paper bag to Hifumi.
"Not enough mask so..."
"Alright. We get masks, we go in disguised, we retrieve our deed and help Hifumi get her merchandise, and we leave. No unnecessary risks. No engaging unless absolutely necessary."
Sensei spoke as we all nod.
Twenty minutes later we were gathered in an alley, each of us wearing colorful masks purchased from the surprisingly well stocked convenience store. Mine was blue with a pattern that reminded me of waves. Shiroko's was white and sleek. Hoshino's was pink and had cat ears. The others wore similarly bright, almost comical disguises.
Hifumi wearing a paper bag with holes for her eyes and mouth, her Peroro backpack still proudly displayed.
"If we're going to do this, we need a group name."
Ayane said, surprising everyone.
"Something that sounds legitimate enough to be taken seriously."
"Masked Mizugi Gang."
The words came out of Nonomi's mouth before I had fully thought them through, a strange combination of the swimsuit thoughts I sometimes had about summer and the current situation.
There was a moment of silence.
Then Hoshino started giggling.
"Nyaa... That's actually perfect... Sounds silly enough to be real..."
"And Hifumi should be the leader."
Shiroko added, looking at the Trinity girl who immediately went pale.
"What?! Me?! I can't be a leader! I'm just an ordinary normal school girl! I panic! I make mistakes constantly! I'm not smart or strong or anything special!"
"That's exactly why it works."
Ayane said, catching on to my thinking.
"Real criminal gangs often have reluctant leaders. It makes you seem more authentic. Plus you're from Trinity. That gives you a certain authority."
"I... I don't..."
Hifumi looked like she might cry again but Nonomi put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"We'll be right there with you. You just need to look confident. We'll handle everything else."
"You can do it, Hifumi."
Sensei added encouragingly.
"For Peroro."
I said simply, knowing what would motivate her.
Hifumi's expression changed, determination replacing fear for just a moment. Her kind nature wouldn't let her endanger us, but her love for Peroro gave her strength.
"O...Okay. I'll try. For Peroro. And for helping me when you didn't have to."
We approached the bank's entrance, our masked faces drawing immediate attention from the guards. My danger sense spiked sharply but I kept my expression neutral behind the mask, my poker face trait working overtime.
"State your business."
One guard demanded, his weapon ready but not quite aimed at us.
Hifumi stepped forward and I saw her hands trembling as she clutched her Peroro backpack straps. But when she spoke, there was unexpected strength in her voice.
"We're the... the Masked Mizugi Gang. We're here for a transaction."
The guard looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on the Peroro backpack with its hanging grenades.
"Another small time group."
He muttered to his partner.
"Alright, in you go. Third floor marketplace. Don't cause trouble."
We entered, and I felt the weight of multiple eyes tracking our movement. The interior was more professional than I expected, almost like a real bank except for the distinct lack of legal oversight and the heavily armed personnel.
My survival instinct screamed warnings but also mapped escape routes, identified threats, calculated odds.
Hifumi walked beside me, her usual nervous energy somehow channeled into focus. Every few steps she would touch her Peroro backpack as if drawing courage from it.
We took the elevator to the third floor where the marketplace sprawled out, a strange combination of legitimate looking stalls and obviously illegal operations.
"There."
Hifumi whispered, pointing to a stall with Peroro merchandise displayed prominently.
"That's where the limited edition plushie is."
But first, we needed our deed.
Ayane had done her research during our preparation. She guided us to a section with safety deposit boxes, rattling off a number that corresponded to where she had traced Kaiser Finance's deposit patterns.
A bored looking attendant led us to a private room and retrieved the box, setting it on the table before leaving us alone.
Inside were documents. Many documents. Including our deed, right on top as if it had been placed there recently.
"That's it."
Serika whispered, relief evident in her voice.
"That's our school's deed."
I reached for it carefully, folding it into my jacket.
"Now Peroro?"
Hifumi asked hopefully, her kind nature clearly feeling guilty for adding her personal quest to our mission.
"Now Peroro."
Nonomi confirmed with a warm smile.
We left the private room and headed to the Peroro merchandise stall. The seller, a thin man with suspicious eyes, looked up as we approached.
"The Trinity girl is back."
He said, recognition clear.
"With friends this time. Smart. Those thugs have been hanging around looking for expensive merchandise to steal."
Hifumi stepped forward, her nervousness returning now that she was so close to her goal.
"Is... Is the limited edition Peroro plushie still available?"
The seller nodded, pulling out a box from under his counter. Inside was a Peroro plushie unlike any I had seen, with special coloring and a tiny crown.
Hifumi's eyes lit up with pure joy, her entire face transforming.
"It's perfect! It's exactly what I've been dreaming about!"
"Forty thousand yen."
The seller stated.
Hifumi pulled out an envelope from her backpack, carefully counted bills clearly saved over months of careful budgeting. She handed over the money with reverent care and received the plushie in return.
The way she hugged it to her chest, tears of happiness streaming down her face, made the entire dangerous trip seem worthwhile.
"Thank you, Peroro."
She whispered to the plushie.
"I'll take care of you forever."
That was when we heard voices outside the marketplace area.
Familiar voices that made my danger sense pulse sharply.
"I'm telling you, this is the perfect opportunity! The bank is practically unguarded right now!"
A girl's voice, enthusiastic and confident.
"Aru, this is a terrible idea. We don't even have a plan."
Another voice, resigned and tired.
"The great Aru Rikuhachima doesn't need plans! We'll just walk in, take the money, and become legends!"
I moved to the edge of the marketplace and peered around the corner.
Three girls wearing their own masks stood in the hallway. The leader wore red and gestured dramatically. Behind her, one girl with pink hair looked exasperated while another seemed excited by the chaos.
"Problem Solver 68."
Hifumi whispered, having looked over my shoulder while still clutching her Peroro plushie.
"They're from Gehenna. They mean well but they always cause chaos wherever they go."
"They're planning to rob the bank."
I stated simply.
"While we're inside it."
"Nyaa... That's bad timing..."
Hoshino observed.
Sensei looked conflicted, clearly running through scenarios.
"If they start a robbery while we're here, security will lock down everything. We'll be trapped."
"We need to leave now."
Ayane said urgently.
We moved quickly but quietly, Hifumi carefully placing her new Peroro plushie in her backpack alongside the original mascot. She looked happier than I had seen her, her kind nature showing through her smile despite the danger.
We made it to the second floor when alarms started blaring.
"What?!"
The leader Aru's voice carried clearly even over the noise.
"We didn't even do anything yet!"
Apparently someone else had chosen this moment to rob the bank. Or security had detected something. Either way, the building went into lockdown.
Metal shutters slammed down over exits. Armed guards poured into hallways.
My danger sense was screaming now, mapping threats from every direction.
"This way!"
Shiroko called, having spotted a service corridor.
We ran, our masked faces now a blessing as guards couldn't identify us among the chaos. Hifumi kept pace surprisingly well, her L85A2 rifle ready in her hands despite her nervousness. Her Trinity training showed through when needed.
We burst through a fire exit and found ourselves in the bank's rear loading area. A truck was parked there, its back open and inviting.
"In!"
Sensei ordered.
We piled into the truck just as guards appeared behind us. Hoshino was the last in, rolling under the closing door with seconds to spare.
The truck started moving, apparently automated or on a preset route. We sat in darkness, breathing hard, adrenaline still pumping.
"Did everyone make it?"
Nonomi asked, her voice shaking slightly.
A quick headcount confirmed we were all present.
"The deed?"
I pulled it from my jacket, the document intact and legitimate. Our three hundred thousand yen hadn't been stolen after all, just processed through very illegal channels.
"We got it."
"And Peroro?"
Hifumi pulled out both plushies from her backpack, hugging them protectively.
"Safe and sound."
Her smile was radiant despite the circumstances.
Relief flooded through the group like a physical wave.
The truck eventually stopped near the edge of the industrial district. We exited carefully, checking for threats before removing our masks.
The late afternoon sun felt surreal after the chaos inside.
"We should get back to school."
Serika said, already thinking about normal life.
We started walking when I notice in the corner of my eye about the black color bag carried by Shiroko.
"Shiroko. That?"
I asked her as she lowered the bag and open it revealing stacks of cash.
"Nyaa... That's a lot of yen..."
Hoshino observed, peering over my shoulder.
"How did you even got this all?"
Serika asked wide eye same with Ayane that looks like she is gasping.
"Grabbed while everyone is busy."
She simply replied with a shrug as if it's the most normal thing.
For a moment, we all stared at the money. It would solve so many of our problems. Pay off debts. Fund repairs. Give us breathing room.
Hifumi looked at the money, then at her Peroro plushies, then at all of us.
"We shouldn't take it."
She said quietly, her kind nature showing through.
"It's not ours. And even though we really need money, taking it would make us actual bad people instead of just people pretending to be a gang."
I looked at her, surprised by the conviction in her voice. This girl who had risked everything for a Peroro plushie was telling us not to take money we desperately needed.
Then I remembered Hoshino's words from weeks ago, spoken during a quiet moment when she thought no one was listening.
"Do things you can be proud of. Avoid things you'll regret."
"Hifumi's right."
I said, my own voice quiet but certain.
Everyone turned to look at me.
"It's not ours. Taking it would make us actually criminals, not just people pretending to be a gang. We got what we came for. Our deed. That's enough."
Shiroko nodded immediately, understanding in her eyes.
"Fine."
Serika bit her lip but agreed.
"Yeah. We accomplished our mission. That should be enough."
"Nyaa... Someone else might need it more anyway..."
Hoshino added with her characteristic wisdom.
We left the bag near the bridge in a spot visible enough to be found but not obvious enough to attract immediate wrong attention.
As we rode our bikes back toward Abydos, the sun setting behind us, I felt something settle in my chest. Not the weight of stolen money, but the lightness of a choice made correctly.
Hifumi rode with Nonomi again, one arm around Nonomi's waist and the other carefully holding her Peroro backpack. She was humming happily, her earlier fear completely replaced by joy.
"Thank you all so much!"
She called out as we rode.
"Not just for helping me get Peroro, but for showing me what real friendship looks like! Even though I'm just an ordinary normal school girl who causes trouble, you treated me like I mattered!"
"You do matter."
Nonomi called back warmly.
"And you're braver than you think."
We parted ways at the Trinity district border. Hifumi waved enthusiastically, her Peroro plushies visible in her backpack, promising to visit Abydos soon and help us however she could.
Back at Abydos, we gathered in the clubroom. The deed sat on the table between us, proof that our school's land was secured.
"We did it."
Ayane said, touching the document with reverent fingers.
"We actually did it."
"Nyaa... Good work everyone..."
Hoshino smiled from her usual corner.
Sensei looked at each of us with an expression I was learning to recognize. Pride mixed with relief mixed with the constant concern of someone responsible for students who kept getting into dangerous situations.
"You all made good choices today. Especially about the money. I'm proud of you."
The words settled warmly in my chest, different from the adrenaline of the mission but just as significant.
My danger sense had quieted. My survival instinct confirmed we were safe. My emotional intelligence recognized the bond we had strengthened through shared experience.
I thought about the money we had left behind, wondering briefly who would find it.
Unknown to us, miles away near that same bridge, three girls from Problem Solver 68 were having a very different evening.
"I told you my instincts are never wrong!"
Aru shouted triumphantly, holding up bundled cash.
"The great Aru Rikuhachima has struck gold!"
Mutsuki sighed but smiled, already calculating how much of their debt this would cover.
"We can finally get a real office. In D.U., like you wanted."
The third member cheered, and they hurried away with their unexpected fortune, never knowing it had been left there by a masked group who chose principle over profit.
Back in our clubroom, I leaned against the wall and felt Shiroko's shoulder brush against mine. Comfortable. Familiar.
Outside, Kivotos settled into evening. Our school was still standing. Our deed was secured. Our choices had been right.
And somewhere in Trinity, Hifumi was probably introducing her new limited edition Peroro plushie to her collection, her kind heart full of gratitude for the friends who helped make her dream come true.
For now, that was enough.