Chapter 36: Mission Compromised

Kuro and Kohaku weren't speaking to each other.

Despite having an almost sibling-like relationship, it was clear that they squabbled like a married couple at times.

If it were just this, Cloe wouldn't worry. Her best friend and her stepbrother would clear things up soon, and everything would return to normal.

Unfortunately, this time it hadn't happened that way. The [mage] wasn't about to apologize to the [esper] first, fully aware that he was, justifiably, right, even though he had exaggerated.

Meanwhile, the latter wouldn't take the first step, wanting to deny that she was in the wrong.

The tension in the [New Dawn] base could be cut with a knife.

"What should we do, Hajime?"

"I don't know. You should be the expert; you've known them for years after all. You should know what to say to bring them back together, Cloe."

Goto's step-son and Cloe were playing chess in the bunker's mess hall. The two teenagers were in crisis; they desperately needed advice from an adult. Unfortunately for them, Fumio hadn't been seen for at least two days; he had only left a note justifying his absence with a simple "I have things to do."

"Usually, they clear things up on their own, but this time... not doing anything for more than two weeks has made them too nervous." (Cloe)

"We should wait for the next mission then; I'm sure Kuro and Kohaku will be able to vent a bit." (Hajime)

"That's what worries me: what if something happens during the mission? Personal relationships are the foundation of our teamwork... I'm afraid my family won't recover from their fight."

Hajime couldn't remain impassive in front of his friend's downtrodden expression. 

A few tears slipped from the girl's amethyst violet eyes as she produced muffled sobs.

The holder of the [Grimoire] sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. The white-haired [mage] leaned against him for an embrace.

"(He's much more sensitive than I would have imagined... No, if I were in his place, and the only family I had ever known was falling apart right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything to fix it, I would be sad enough to break down in tears.)"

The duo remained still in that position for at least 15 minutes before Kohaku's best friend let go of the son of Goto.

"Do you feel better?"

"Y-yeah. Thanks, I needed to vent a bit."

"Don't mention it. And don't worry about the missions; Kohaku is super efficient when it comes to being our leader. And in the field, I've got the idiot's back covered. So everything will be fine! I promise!"

"Hajime......."

Cloe looked directly into the eyes of her teammate. The sky blue met the amethyst violet. Who knows how long the two remained entranced in each other's eyes.

She hadn't pulled away from him, unconsciously feeling safe in his arms.

While he couldn't deny that, despite her small and delicate stature (the complete opposite of his personal preferences when it came to women), Kuro's sister was indeed attractive in her own way.

"(Ever since she saved me on the first mission, I've felt like this... I must have a crush... fantastic, first Kaede's mother, and now Cloe! Is it that I subconsciously want a harem!?)"

"Hajime, I-I........"

The door to the mess hall burst open suddenly. The young [mages] were pulled from their world and slammed back into reality.

Both began to sweat nervously, as their position could easily be misinterpreted.

"(Please, don't let it be Kuro! Don't let it be Kuro! Don't let it be Kuro! Otherwise, he'll really kill me!)"

"(Please, don't let it be Kohaku-chan! I don't want her to start teasing us for........ for........... for whatever we were doing!)"

Fortunately for them, at the door stood only Fumio, who was looking at them with a complex and thoughtful expression. The silence stretched on for several seconds, which felt interminable.

"We have a mission; call the others."

Finally, their Sensei left without commenting on the scene he had witnessed.

Cloe and Hajime, both blushing and embarrassed, went to find their teammates to inform them, neither of them looking at the other for a moment as they exited the room, taking separate paths.

Twenty minutes later, the four were at Kohaku's computer station, waiting for the briefing to begin.

"Our mission will commence at 10:00 PM tonight; this man is at the center of everything."

On the central computer screen appeared the face of an adult man, around 35 years old, with a severe expression painted on his scarred face.

"He's a [mage] working for the [Black Corps], but he's not a member. We know little about him and his capabilities; the only certain thing is that his name is Ivan. But that's not important for the mission; he's not our main target—the flash drive is. It's hidden somewhere in his home."

"What's inside?" (Kohaku)

"Evidence that many members of the [White Corps] have been paid off or threatened to turn a blind eye to certain actions taken by Goto's group or his affiliates."

"So we have to break into his apartment like common thieves, look for that flash drive at random while avoiding a direct confrontation with this Ivan?" (Kuro)

"Yes, Ivan-san will leave the apartment by 10:00 PM; he has a meeting with one of the informants from the [Black Corps] in the poorer districts. While he's out, you'll have free rein. We've already checked, and his house is in a building with several apartments; fortunately, they're all empty, so you won't need to be discreet while searching the place."

With the final details given, Hajime decided to head home. 

Under the pretense of a nighttime run, he could leave for the mission around 9:00 PM, so as not to raise suspicions with his mother and little sister. If he was late, he could always use the excuse of his meeting with his imaginary girlfriend.

*****

Fumio had noticed the tension between Kuro and Kohaku, yet he didn't want to speak, knowing it wasn't the right time.

The 30-year-old knew that the two were professional enough to leave their childish quarrels for after the mission. Or at least he hoped so.

"We're off." (Hajime)

"Okay, remember kids, out there your code names are Oni and Shin. You definitely won't be fighting, but don't rule out the possibility that there could be hidden microphones, cameras, or recording devices inside that apartment." (Fumio)

"Got it." (Kuro)

The two teammates grabbed their masks and set off. At the same time, the group's leader sent her drones ahead for reconnaissance of the mission site.

Twenty minutes later, while the two teenagers were still inside the sewers, they noticed some lights ahead. Given the situation, Hajime decided to contact the group leader through his earpiece.

"Crap! Kohaku, we have a problem; it seems they're doing some work inside the sewers! Is there any way to get around them?" (Hajime)

"Hold on, let me check......."

By hacking into public safety, the [esper] found the files regarding sewer maintenance. It took her no more than 2 minutes.

"All the area further ahead is undergoing maintenance work; you can't pass through the sewers. There's no choice; follow my instructions to get out, you'll need to go over the rooftops."

"Got it." (Kuro and Hajime)

Emerging from a manhole several blocks away, Kuro and Hajime began climbing onto the roofs. 

The first was silent and quick as a snake; his fluid and precise fighting style allowed him to do parkour without much trouble. The second, however, wasn't as fortunate and tripped as soon as he reached the roof of a building.

"Did you trip?" (Kuro)

"N-no." (Hajime)

"My God, you're ridiculous! Want me to hold your hand?!" (Kuro)

"Shut it! I'm coming; go ahead!"

The two continued on their way for almost ten minutes before spotting the building they needed to reach.

"We're in position, Kohaku." (Hajime)

"Good, I've already had the drones scan the place. There's no one inside, but it's better to be cautious; there are alarms on the windows." (Kohaku)

"I'll take care of it. [Shadow Step]!" (Kuro)

Kuro merged with his shadow, which slithered along the streets of the district, unnoticed, and then climbed up to the apartment's balcony.

A small tendril made of shadows entered the lock of the window with the precision and finesse worthy of the greatest thief, Kuro opened the window without triggering any alarms, and once inside, it took him a moment to disable the security system.

"Oni, you can come in now."

"Got it, Shin."

Goto's stepson joined his teammate, ensuring he wasn't seen. Even some of Kohaku's drones followed the two.

"My drones are searching for the location of the flash drive. In the meantime, you guys check around."

"I'll take the living room." (Hajime)

"I'll start from the bedroom." (Kuro)

The two boys began searching around, not worrying about the damage they caused while busy with their mission. A quarter of an hour later, everything in the house was destroyed.

"There's nothing." (Kuro)

"Kohaku, did you find anything?" (Hajime)

"The sensors on my drones are analyzing the walls and floor...... Found it! There's a safe in the study, behind the wall to the right of the door." (Kohaku)

"I'll handle it. [Overwrite]: [Physical Enhancement]!" (Hajime)

With a small punch from the silver-haired teenager, he smashed through the reinforced concrete wall just enough to free the safe's door.

"Tsk! It's an analog lock; I can't do anything from here." (Kohaku)

"Looks like it's my turn then."

While Kuro was using his shadow magic to reach the flash drive in the safe, Fumio was monitoring the operation alongside Cloe. The former felt pride and happiness seeing his students manage a mission with such professionalism.

"(They're as capable as the other teams in the camp... and with the new addition, they'll be even better.)" (Fumio)

While the latter couldn't shake off the chill of fear running down her spine.

"(Everything is going well... then why do I feel this sensation?)" (Cloe)

In that brief moment, the wielder of the scythe opened the safe. But he found a nasty surprise.

"Damn it, it's not here!"

"What do we do now? We've been here too long. And we've run out of places to search."

"Tsk, what a waste of time!"

"Calm down, Shin!"

"How can I calm down when—"

Something—or rather someone—burst through the roof of the building, landing directly inside the study.

"Hello, my dear thieves! Which one of you dies first?!"

Kuro grabbed his weapon, but didn't realize that amidst the dust, his enemy was already attacking, while Hajime had quickly recognized the deteriorating situation. 

"Shin! Watch out!"

The [Grimoire] wielder acted as a shield for his teammate. A long, sharp metallic object pierced his chest, right where his heart should have been.

Kuro stood frozen at the scene, having to see the blood of his teammate drip onto the ground pulling him from his torpor.

"You son of a bitch! Stay away from him!"

In the meantime, Cloe, Fumio, and Kohaku had witnessed the scene from the computer monitor of the latter.

"Kuro! Grab Hajime and get out of there!" (Kohaku)

"Aomori-san, send the drones to buy them some time!" (Fumio)

While the 30-year-old and the [esper] tried to help the two boys, Kuro's stepsister remained still, paralyzed by shock.

"(Hajime..........you promised me you'd watch his back.......not that you'd die for him!)"