The plan.

As the fight ended, we returned to the cafe to finish our meal.

As, I ate, I explained my plans to the two of them, in great detail.

"First, Aiba will get you both invitations to the I-expo. I trust you can do that, right Aiba?" I said.

"Good. Now when the preopening reception takes place, I have it on good authority that a group of villains will attack the city. In the chaos of their takeover, you both will scale the outside of the tower, via the side with emergency exits, and head for the central labs, here." I pointed to the bulge at the top of the tower, in a picture of the island, on my phone.

"Make sure to get there as soon as the villains attack starts. And don't get spotted.

Once you're in, get remote access to the security systems and disable any cameras in the area to ensure a smooth escape. Destroy any footage of you being there too. No DNA evidence either, so wear gloves and helmets. Full body coverings.

Now, open the vaults and unjam the cell towers.

Once that's done, shut all doors to the lab and lower all barriers. Make it as hard as possible to get to the lab.

Then, give a call to this number." I said, writing down Haruto's cell number on a napkin.

Aiba stuffed it in her pocket and nodded.

"Give the person the other end, the exact coordinates of your location, and empty put all the vaults except the one with the quirk amplifier.

Leave that one in. I'll use it to make sure no one looks for you guys in the post op investigation.

After getting the items, leave with the person that comes to take the haul.

And remember to close all the vaults before heading out, okay. No one can suspect anything until it's too late, understand?" I said.

"Is that all? No heroics, no demonstration? Nothing that announces our presence to the world? Like greatest thieves in the history of humanity!" Gentle asked.

"Gentle, do you want to get caught? This sort of thing will get you a life sentence at the least, and a death sentence in a couple of countries. This is no child's play! We go in quiet and get out the same. No flashy moves or grand speeches, do you get that, Gentle? Do you want to be a hero or not? If you get caught, you will never become a hero! So listen to me, and do what I say!" I chastised.

Gentle nodded solemnly.

"Great. Now, while Aiba is doing that, you'll go and capture one of the villains, any villain. Just get a mook. Don't go for a leader or bigwig. We need it to look like someone feom their own group betrayed them and stole the rest of the stuff that we'll be taking.

But make sure no one sees you do it. Aiba will help with that, by making sure the cameras are off, but even so, make sure that the villain is alone and isolated, before capturing him. Knock him out and drag him back through the portal that you escape from. After that, hand him over to the person who brought you there and go back home.

I'll mail you your share in a week's time."

"When do we leave for this mission?" Aiba asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon. The heist will be the day after. We won't meet during the heist, so don't contact me. If you see me in the tower, the policy is to ignore me. No matter what, we don't get in contact during our stay on the island. I can't be seen anywhere even close okay? Keeps the investigators guessing far longer."

They nodded in agreement, as I got up to leave.

"I'll go get ready, and I'd say so should you. See you next week, right here. Till then, ciao!" I said, and left for home.

The next day after instructing Haruto about the heist, I picked up my bag and got ready to leave only to see Himiko looking at me like a kicked puppy, with tearful eyes.

Ugh. That's so cute, it hurts.

Damnit!

I looked at her and asked.

"What happened Himiko?"

"...nothing." she replied.

This shit. Women and their cryptic fucking answers, man!

In womanspeak, 'nothing' generally means I'll resent you for this the rest of my fucking life.

I thought for a moment, before giving in.

"Fine. You and the kids can come along. Just don't cry, baby!" I said, kissing her forehead gently.

"Yay!" She cheered, running back into the bedroom and returning with two duffel bags, pre-packed for the journey.

This adorable manipulative bitch!

She planned this from the start!

I turned to my mother, who just gave a defeated nod, gesturing at Eri.

Heh! So she used Eri to get her to agree huh?

Smart!

Makes me glad to have gotten with her. At least my kid won't be dumb.

Hours later, after we boarded the plane, Eri and Haruto looked around excitedly, glued to the windows, staring amazedly at the clouds with childlike glee and fantasy, before they inevitably fell asleep, tired from the excitement.

I caressed Himiko's beautiful sleeping face, leaned on my shoulder, as I wondered if I'd be able to leave them all behind if I ever made it out of this multiversal cluster.

I shook my head. That was a thought for another day. Today though, I can delight in a caring and adorable family.