CHAPTER 98: Idle Hours

As the team of shadow operatives traversed the bustling streets of Koriyama, the air was thick with anticipation. They had spent the past hour meticulously scouring every corner of the northern part of the city, their senses sharp and their resolve unwavering. Now, with their investigation complete, they found themselves awaiting further orders, their next move dependent on the directives they would receive.

Daiki, their leader, took the lead as they walked, his presence commanding respect and authority. His words cut through the din of the city, his tone measured and authoritative as he addressed his team. "We've investigated all of the buildings," he stated matter-of-factly, his gaze scanning the faces of his companions. "We won't do anything until we receive orders."

Ryouichi, ever the inquisitive one, seized the opportunity to pose a question to their leader. With a respectful nod, Daiki granted him permission to speak, his demeanor composed as he awaited Ryouichi's inquiry.

"I've got a question to ask, leader," Ryouichi began, his voice steady as he sought clarification. Daiki, ever the stoic leader, remained attentive, his expression betraying little emotion as he listened intently.

"Permission given, speak," Daiki replied, his tone even and controlled. Ryouichi wasted no time in getting to the heart of his question, his curiosity driving him to seek answers.

"What's our most powerful division, and what is its name?" Ryouichi inquired, his words measured as he awaited Daiki's response. It was a question that had lingered in his mind, a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Daiki paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered Ryouichi's query. It was a question that had no easy answer, a topic shrouded in mystery and speculation.

"I don't remember," Daiki admitted, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration. "It's 3 divisions that could be considered the most powerful, but I don't know which of them is."

Ryouichi nodded in understanding, his curiosity sated for the moment. "Thank you, leader," he replied, his tone respectful as he acknowledged Daiki's response.

As they continued their journey through the bustling streets of Koriyama, their minds buzzed with thoughts and questions. Though the answer to Ryouichi's inquiry remained elusive, they knew that their duty as shadow operatives was clear: to protect the city and its inhabitants at all costs. And with Daiki at the helm, leading them with strength and determination, they were confident that they would rise to meet any challenge that lay ahead.

As the shadow legion continued their stroll through the streets of Koriyama, the weight of their duties hung heavy in the air. Daiki, their leader, found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting to the topic of his friend's abilities—or lack thereof. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, wishing that his friend possessed greater strength so that he could stand alongside him in his division, under his command.

"I wish my friend was more powerful so he could be in my division, under my command," Daiki mused aloud, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. It was a sentiment born out of camaraderie and loyalty, a desire to share the burden of responsibility with someone he trusted.

Ryouichi, ever curious, seized the opportunity to delve deeper into the matter, his inquisitive nature driving him to seek answers. But before he could voice his question, Daiki waved off his inquiry with a dismissive gesture.

"Never mind," Daiki interjected, his tone final as he brushed off Ryouichi's impending question. But Ryouichi, undeterred, pressed on, determined to uncover the truth.

"What's your friend's name, leader?" Ryouichi inquired, his persistence evident in his tone. Daiki hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable as he deliberated whether to indulge Ryouichi's curiosity. But before he could respond, Yuki interjected, her voice calm and rational.

"It's not something serious," Yuki interjected, her words a soothing balm to the tense atmosphere. "We won't gain anything by learning his name, Ryouichi."

Ryouichi paused, considering Yuki's words for a moment before shaking his head in disagreement. "Well, it wouldn't harm to know his name," he reasoned, his determination unwavering. "We could potentially train him and get him in this division."

Daiki sighed, the weight of his friend's shortcomings weighing heavily on his shoulders. "He doesn't have a lot of talent," Daiki admitted, his tone tinged with regret. "But since you're so persistent, I'll tell you his name. His name is Yuta."

As the shadow legion found themselves in a temporary lull, awaiting new orders, the question of how to occupy their time weighed heavily on their minds. Ryouichi, ever the proactive one, sought clarity from their leader, Daiki, on what course of action they should take next.

"What will we do until we get new orders?" Ryouichi queried, his tone tinged with a hint of restlessness. The anticipation of their next mission lingered in the air, leaving a palpable sense of unease in its wake.

Daiki's response, though blunt, offered a semblance of relief amidst the uncertainty. "Nothing," he declared simply, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. It was a stark reminder of their current predicament, a stark contrast to the constant motion and action they were accustomed to.

Ryouichi, taken aback by Daiki's curt response, sought clarification. "What?" he questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion. Surely there must be something they could do to pass the time, to stave off the encroaching boredom that threatened to engulf them.

"We can waste time by messing around," Daiki elaborated, his tone casual despite the gravity of their situation. It was a notion that Ryouichi found difficult to comprehend—how could they simply idle away their time while awaiting their next mission?

"What do you mean?" Ryouichi pressed further, his curiosity piqued by Daiki's nonchalant attitude. There had to be more to their downtime than simply "messing around," didn't there?

Daiki's response, though cryptic, offered little in the way of reassurance. "I haven't received any orders other than exorcising the spiritual beings inside Koriyama, which we already did," he explained, his words tinged with a hint of resignation. It was a sobering reminder of the finite nature of their duties, a stark contrast to the endless cycle of action and adrenaline they were accustomed to.

Ryouichi sighed, a sense of frustration gnawing at the edges of his consciousness. The prospect of idly passing the time held little appeal for him, leaving him feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

"Okay," he conceded, his tone resigned as he begrudgingly accepted their current reality. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but one that he knew he had no choice but to endure.

Yuki, ever the voice of reason, offered a suggestion that brought a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom. "We can return to Iwaki," she proposed, her words infused with a sense of optimism. It was a simple solution, yet one that held the promise of familiarity and routine in the face of uncertainty.

Daiki, however, remained hesitant, wary of leaving their post in Koriyama unattended. "We would need to be the other half of the division, too," he cautioned, his tone tinged with caution. It was a valid concern, one that Ryouichi couldn't help but acknowledge.

"We can do that," Yuki reassured him, her confidence unwavering despite the obstacles that lay ahead. It was a testament to her resilience and determination, qualities that Ryouichi couldn't help but admire.

Daiki, though reluctant, ultimately relented, recognizing the wisdom in Yuki's suggestion. "I've assigned them a mission," he revealed, his words carrying a weight of responsibility.