New orders

At the sleek black conference table, Mai and Kaede were already seated, waiting.

Ren's gaze flickered over Mai for a brief moment. As always, she made a statement. Her attire was bold—a tight black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, with a dangerously high slit on one side and a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination. Long, lace gloves ran up her arms, and she wore tall heels that made her legs seem even longer. A choker adorned her neck, and her dark hair was styled to perfection, falling over one shoulder in loose waves.

Kaede, in contrast, was dressed far more simply—a dark blue blouse tucked into fitted black pants, giving her a professional but subtly intimidating look. She was poised, controlled, the complete opposite of Mai's overt confidence.

Akihiro, never one to hold his tongue, let out a low whistle as he dropped into a chair. "Damn, Mai. You sure we're not heading to a mission? You look like you're about to walk a red carpet."

Mai smirked, resting her chin on her hand as she crossed her legs. "Maybe I just like looking good. Or maybe I enjoy watching you lose focus."

Akihiro scoffed but didn't argue.

Ren took his seat across from them, his expression unreadable as he turned his attention to Takeshi.

Takeshi finally turned around, his gaze sweeping over them before he spoke.

"We have new orders."

No one was surprised.

"Your missions will take place tomorrow night," Takeshi continued. "Two separate assignments, both requiring discretion."

He turned to Ren and Kaede first.

"You two will be infiltrating the Nakamura Medical Institute in Tokyo. On the surface, it's a prestigious private hospital. Beneath it, however, lies an underground facility where classified experiments are being conducted. Your target is Dr. Yusuke Hayashi—a scientist who once worked for the Syndicate but went rogue. He's been hiding under the hospital's protection, thinking he's beyond our reach."

Ren listened intently.

"You will enter the hospital under false identities. Kaede will pose as a doctor, and Ren will pose as a patient. Once inside, you will locate the restricted access points leading to the underground facility, identify the target, and eliminate him. The mission must be executed cleanly—no unnecessary casualties, no evidence left behind."

Kaede nodded. "Understood."

"Be careful also, he has an assassin protecting him. One that was ranked almost as high as the umbra division in terms of skill, his name is Itoshi. Tread cautiously, we don't know what they have been up to for the past couple of years or how much stronger he has become so it's best to assassinate Dr. Yusuke before he finds out. Avoiding a confrontation with him will be the best chance you have. But in a case where if you do end up having to take him on I suggest Ren should be the one to fight him. As he and akihiro excel more in direct combat than any of you"

Takeshi then turned to Akihiro and Mai.

"You two will be attending a high-profile party in Osaka. Your target is Hideo Tanaka—a former Syndicate informant who defected and is now running for a political position. He possesses classified information that could expose us. Your job is to eliminate him before he becomes a problem."

Akihiro raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. We're sneaking in as waiters or security?"

Takeshi shook his head. "No. You will be entering as a couple. As husband and wife to be exact."

There was a beat of silence.

Mai's smirk widened as she turned to Akihiro. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Akihiro, on the other hand, groaned. "What the fuck."

"The Syndicate has already taken care of your false identities," Takeshi continued, ignoring Akihiro's complaint. "You'll be briefed on them tomorrow before your departure. You will blend in with the guests, locate Tanaka, and eliminate him without drawing attention. It must look like an accident."

Akihiro leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. "So let me get this straight. I have to act like I'm madly in love with Mai for an entire night?"

Mai tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Scared you'll fall for me?"

Akihiro rolled his eyes. "I'd rather fuck a cactus"

Mai chuckled. "Careful, Aki. You might end up enjoying it."

Ren ignored their banter, his mind already analyzing the details of his own mission. A hospital that wasn't what it seemed. A scientist who thought he had escaped. A dangerous assassin protecting him. There were too many variables, too many unknowns.

Takeshi's voice cut through his thoughts.

"You all have your orders. Use today to rest. Tomorrow, we move."

With that, the meeting was over.

As they stood to leave, Akihiro was still grumbling.

"Out of all the missions, I get stuck playing Mai's loving husband. Just my luck."

Mai patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, darling. I'll make sure we look very convincing."

Akihiro shot Ren a deadpan look. "Kill me."

Ren smirked slightly. "Can't. You still have a job to do."

As they walked out, Ren and Akihiro fell into step beside each other. Despite their constant rivalry, there was an unspoken understanding between them.

"You ready for this?" Akihiro asked.

Ren nodded. "Yeah. You?"

Akihiro sighed. "I guess. Though if Mai gets too into character, I might have to kill her first."

Ren let out a rare chuckle. "Try not to die before the mission starts."

Akihiro groaned. "No promises."

With that, they left the conference room, preparing themselves for what lay ahead.

Tomorrow, the game would begin.