Chapter 14: First Mission
While we were celebrating our promotion to High Elites, a storm was quietly brewing within the Hero Organization. A small faction of heroes, for reasons unknown, had developed a deep resentment for the Elites and were plotting something disastrous. Sora, ever watchful, had received disturbing intel from a spy he had planted within the organization: they were working on a weapon capable of destroying all Elite Corporations worldwide.
The next morning, we were called to Sora's office for a confidential briefing. Everyone from our team, including the mysterious Bellarose, was present. I couldn't help but notice Xavier stealing glances at her again, his cheeks tinting pink when she glanced his way. Catching him red-handed, I smirked, making his face burn even brighter.
Sora cleared his throat, silencing our quiet side conversations. "Pay attention. This is important." His sharp, no-nonsense tone immediately got everyone to focus. "The Hero Organization has gone rogue, at least a faction of them. They're building a weapon designed to wipe out every Elite Corporation on Earth. It is imperative we stop them before they succeed."
He let the gravity of the situation sink in before continuing. "You all have been selected for this mission. I expect thorough preparation. Find the weapon, dismantle it, and bring the perpetrators back alive if possible. You leave in three days. Do not waste this time."
The room fell silent after his declaration. The weight of what he'd said loomed over us as we were dismissed to start preparing.
---
I lingered as the others filed out of the office, trying to catch up with Bellarose. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I wanted to try and build some kind of bridge between us.
"Hey!" I called after her, jogging to keep up. "Bellarose, right?"
She glanced at me but didn't stop walking. "What do you want?"
"Well," I began, trying to keep my tone light, "since we're going to be working together, I thought it'd be a good idea to get to know each other. Maybe start fresh?"
She stopped abruptly, turning to face me. Her hot pink eyes were fierce, and her expression was unreadable. "Listen, Akari," she said coolly, "just because we're on the same team doesn't mean we're friends. I suggest you focus on the mission and leave the rest alone."
Ouch. Her bluntness stung, but I refused to let it show. "Alright," I said with a small smile. "But I'm stubborn, so don't be surprised if I keep trying."
Her eyes narrowed slightly before she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there.
---
That night, I sat on my bed in the dorm, still replaying the interaction with Bellarose in my head. Cherry noticed my distracted state and plopped down beside me.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
I sighed. "It's nothing."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is this about Bellarose? Ever since the meeting, you've been acting weird."
I hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, I guess so. I just don't get her. I tried to be nice, but she brushed me off completely."
Cherry shrugged. "Not everyone warms up right away. Some people need time."
"You think so?" I asked, leaning back against the wall.
"Definitely," she said with a grin. "Besides, you're pretty hard not to like. Just give her some space, and she'll come around."
I smiled at her encouragement. "Thanks, Cherry. You always know what to say."
She winked. "Of course I do. Now get some sleep. We've got a lot to prepare for."
---
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as we got ready for the mission. Training sessions were brutal, and Asahi didn't go easy on us, even for a moment. Every session pushed us to our limits, sharpening our skills and ensuring we'd be ready for whatever lay ahead.
Between training, we spent a lot of time together as a team. Cherry and Heesung grew even closer during this time, often partnering up during sparring sessions and sharing quiet conversations when they thought no one was looking.
One afternoon, I caught Kaito watching me during a break. He quickly looked away when our eyes met, but not before I noticed the faint blush on his cheeks. It was subtle, but it made my heart skip a beat.
"Everything alright?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah," he replied, clearing his throat. "Just… making sure you're ready for what's coming."
I smiled, brushing some loose strands of hair out of my face. "I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me."
"I'm not worried," he said quickly, then hesitated. "Okay, maybe a little. But only because this is your first real mission as a High Elite. You've got a lot to prove."
"So do you," I shot back playfully. "Let's see who impresses Asahi more."
He smirked. "Challenge accepted."
---
Finally, the day of the mission arrived. We donned our uniforms, gathered our equipment, and met in the briefing room one last time before setting out.
I glanced around at my team as Sora gave us a final rundown of the mission objectives. Cherry and Heesung stood close together, their quiet bond more apparent than ever. Kaito caught my eye and gave me a small nod, his expression calm and confident. Even Bellarose seemed more focused, her cold exterior cracking ever so slightly.
This was it—the first step of our journey as High Elites. The weight of responsibility was heavy, but as I looked at my friends, I knew we could handle whatever came our way. Together, we were unstoppable.