Chisato: And as the day comes to a close, it is time we start the after-hours board game party!

The blonde-haired girl excitedly announces as she finished putting up the closed sign outside of the door of the café while the people seated in the main area of the building lets out a cheer.

??? #1: Didn't you say you have a deadline tomorrow?

??? #2: That has nothing to do with today

??? #3: Let's not talk about work here

Abe: Actually, I'm on duty right now

??? #4: Detective, you're such a scoundrel

??? #5: Let's get started already!

A bunch of the café's patrons are sitting around a table with a stack of cards in their hands as they were about to play a game of some kind. Kurumi is there as well, joining in with them.

Kurumi: Alright. Let's see who goes first

Chisato: Hey, Takina, why don't you join us? I can help you close out the register

She called out to the black-haired girl at the counter, working on the cash register.

Takina: I've already finished

She replied.

Takina: No miscalculations or discrepancies

??? #2: That means you're free now, right?

Abe: Takina-chan, come here and join us. Over here

Kurumi: Well, Takina?

Takina: No thank you

She replied bluntly before walking off.

Having just finished washing the dishes in the kitchen, Akiri came out wiping his hands dry with a towel and Chisato notices him and decided to call him over.

Chisato: Akiri! Over here! Come and play with us

Akiri: Not tonight, I'm tired

The boy replied as he covers up a yawn.

Akiri: I'm going to bed

Chisato: Oh, okay

Akiri: Try not to be too loud

Chisato: No promises!

He just rolled his eyes as he started to walk away. It is at that time he noticed that Mika is talking to Takina about something as she was just about to enter the changing room.

Mika: Why not join them?

Takina: Will doing so help me rejoin DA?

Her question was left unanswered as Mika could not reply. She opens the door and enters the changing room, and at that moment, in comes Chisato trying to persuade Takina to join them for their game, to which the black-haired girl refused again and shut the door on Chisato.

Akiri: Still not budging, huh?

The boy remarked as he came over.

Chisato: Yeah...

She doesn't show it, but he could tell that Chisato was disheartened by the fact that Takina is still not opening up. It didn't take long until she changed the subject.

Chisato: But it does remind me of how you used to be when you first joined us

Akiri: That was years ago. I've changed since then

Chisato: You sure did

Mika: Chisato. Have you taken care of your physical exam and fitness test?

Mika interrupted.

Chisato: Ah, no, not yet. It's a pain going all the way up on the mountains

Mika: Tomorrow's the final day. It's required to renew your license. If you want to keep working, make sure you go

Chisato: Come on, can't you just smooth things over somehow, Sensei? If you're the one asking, I'm sure Kusunoki-san would listen

At the mention of the DA commander, the door of the changing room quickly slides open, revealing Takina wearing nothing but her underwear.

Takina: You're going to see the commander?

Chisato: Whoa, idiot, your clothes!

Chisato quickly slams the door shut and glared at the two males present, both had already diverted their eyes.

A second later though, the door opens again, and they see that Takina is now dressed in her Lycoris uniform.

Takina: Please take me with you

Chisato: So quick!

She exclaimed in surprise, and Takina then started to bow her head to her.

Takina: I beg of you

The three stared at Takina before giving each other a glance and Chisato then smiled as she looked back at the bowing girl.

Chisato: Sure thing, Takina

Akiri: Well, if you're both going, I guess I'll tag along as well

Chisato: Really?

Akiri: Yeah. I want to have a few words with the commander. She's putting me on standby for way too long

Mika: I'll make some calls then

(Timeskip)

Currently, it is the next day. Chisato, Akiri and Takina are now seen aboard a train, leisurely moving along its tracks at a steady pace.

Chisato silently stares at the raindrops hitting the window as it is raining outside. Sitting next to her, Akiri is sleeping peacefully with his head resting on her shoulder.

Chisato: So, what are you planning to say to Kusunoki-san?

She asked Takina, who is staying just in front of her, writing something on her notepad.

Takina: I'm still thinking about it

She replied, not making eye contact as Chisato then reaches into her bag and pulled out a piece of candy.

Chisato: Takina, want some candy?

Takina: No thanks

Her offer was promptly declined. Chisato then unwraps the candy and was about to put it in her mouth.

Takina: You're about to get your physical done

Chisato: One can't hurt

Takina: Sugar intake can affect your blood sugar, triglyceride, liver function and other numerical readings. You should be resting like Akiri-san instead

She turns to look at the sleeping boy for a moment before giving in.

Chisato: Fine

A moment after, they notice that the train is slowing down, indicating that they'll soon be approaching their stop.

Chisato then reached a hand over to Akiri and pinched his nose, making him unable to breathe and he shot up awake, gasping for air.

Chisato: Wakey wakey, we're here

She said with a smile while he gave her a frustrated look.

Akiri: Can't you just wake me up like a normal person?

The three of them then got up and exited the train. They are now at a train station in a small town in the countryside, away from the heavily populated city.

As they walked a few steps outside, they saw a black luxury minivan parked outside with dark-tinted windows. Standing next to a vehicle is a lady sharply dressed in a black dress, holding an umbrella to shield her from the rain.

???: We've been expecting you. Miss Nishikigi, Miss Inoue

Her gaze then landed on the sole boy.

???: Subject X. We were expecting you as well

He flinched for a split second, hearing the name he hasn't heard in a long time.

Chisato's expression changes at the mention of the name, and she looks at the lady with narrowed eyes.

Chisato: Don't call him that. His name is Akiri

She spoke with aggression clear in her voice as she glared at the lady.

Meanwhile, Takina watches them in silence, confused at Chisato's sudden change in behaviour. The usual friendly atmosphere that radiates around the blonde-haired Lycoris is gone at the drop of a hat.

Akiri: It's okay, Chisato

He reassured the blonde girl with a small smile and although with slight hesitation, Chisato ultimately decided to drop the matter.

With an unchanged demeanour, the lady turns around and entered the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

The three of them then quietly went inside as well and closed the door shut. The vehicle then promptly begins to drive off.

Takina: What was that about?

Takina asked, finally breaking the silence between them.

Akiri: It's... A long story

Chisato: ...

He looks at the girl sitting next to him and sees that she is now silently staring out the window with furrowed brows, resting her head on her hand.

Seeing that neither of them wanted to talk, Takina decided to hold any questions she have to herself.

A while later, the car had driven down a narrow road, they were far away from the town at this point as they stopped in front of a metal gate with multiple CCTV cameras around the area.

Spotting one of the cameras which is pointed at her, Chisato sticks out a tongue at it, as if knowing exactly who the person watching her from the other side is.

The gate then opens and the car continued its way.

A short moment later, the car stopped once it had reached the front entrance of a building. This is the headquarters of Direct Attack.

The door slides open, allowing the three to step out and the vehicle then drives off shortly after. Akiri, Chisato and Takina then head towards the entrance and walk inside the building.

As they stepped inside, they had to go through an identification gate. They each stepped in front of a terminal which scans their faces. Once they are identified, they're allowed to continue further.

Akiri: This is where we part, girls. I'll be heading straight to the commander's office

Takina: Is that even allowed?

Chisato: It is for him. We still need to check in though

The boy excused himself before walking off on his own, while Chisato and Takina went towards the reception desk.

(Timeskip)

Akiri is walking through the staff office, heading towards the commander's office when he then saw someone familiar standing in front with her arms crossed.

Karin: Well, well, look who finally decided to show up

The girl seemed somewhat upset about something.

Akiri: Hey, Karin

Karin: Don't "hey" me. I still haven't forgotten how you ran off from me the other day

Akiri: Sorry about that

Karin: Well, I'll forgive you on one condition

Akiri: What is it?

Karin: You have to do your physical today

His shoulders slumped as he heard that.

Akiri: Really...? I'm just here to see the commander

Karin: You've been neglecting it for a long time. I need to know if you're still in shape after all these years

He was about to argue further, but decided to hold his tongue as he then lets out a defeated sigh.

Akiri: Fine...

Karin: Alright! Off to the training facility!

With a cheerful clap, Karin began to lead Akiri away as the boy had no choice but to follow her.

(Timeskip)

They got to the training facility and they stopped once they arrived at one of the combat training areas designed to mimic an indoor environment for close-quarters combat.

Karin: You remember this place?

Akiri: Yeah... I remember it all too well...

(Flashback)

Currently, a young Akiri is seen standing completely still and quiet in the middle of the training area.

Meanwhile, up at the control room, Karin is seen working on one of the computer consoles, with a middle-aged man in a suit watching from behind her with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face.

Karin: Cameras are up and running. All systems normal. We're ready to begin, sir

The man nodded.

???: Kusunoki. Where's the girl?

He turns to look at the DA commander who is walking over to him.

Kusunoki: Don't worry, she'll be here soon. She would've gotten here earlier if your request wasn't so sudden

???: My apologies. When I read the reports about that girl, I can't help but want to test their skills against each other... What better way to compare our two elites than to have them duel it out?

Back down with the boy, he is silently wondering why would his superiors want him to take part in another training drill, not to mention a one-on-one shootout.

Karin: How are you feeling?

He heard Karin's familiar voice through the earpiece in his ear.

Boy: I still don't get why I have to waste my time doing this

Karin: It's just another assessment to test your skills. Just do as you normally do

Boy: Haven't they seen enough? I beat an entire Lycoris and Lily Bell squad just last week. Who are they gonna get that could compare to an entire squad?

Karin: The girl you're up against is different. I've seen what she can do. Word of advice, do not underestimate her

Just as she said that, they then saw a person walk up a few distances in front of him. A little girl with short blonde hair, dressed in a red Lycoris uniform.

Boy: (thoughts) A First Lycoris, huh...?

With his gaze unchanging, the boy unholstered the standard pistol used for combat training and racked the slide.

Kusunoki: We will now begin combat simulation

The commander's voice is heard from the loudspeaker as her voice echoes throughout the facility.

Kusunoki: Chisato Nishikigi against Subject X...

???: The girl who could avoid every shot against the boy who never misses... An unstoppable force meets an immovable object... I wonder who will win?

(Flashback over)

Akiri: It was the first time I ever missed a shot...

Karin: And the first time she got hit too. It was quite a day of firsts, wasn't it?

The boy didn't say anything as he just grabs a pistol from the table and started loading the magazine with bullets.

Karin: Let's just do some basic drills for now

Akiri: Alright

He said as he holstered the loaded pistol to the side of his hip.

Karin: Hope you haven't been eating too many sweets at Mika's cafe

Akiri: I didn't, thank you very much

Karin: Okay, let's get started

Akiri then puts on some hearing protection while Karin held out a shot timer. He got ready and puts his arms to the sides.

Karin: Shooter ready. Standby...

(Timeskip)

After a while, the boy had finished performing some standard combat drills. Akiri puts the empty gun down on a table nearby and takes off his hearing protection.

Karin: 12.47 seconds. Not bad

Akiri: Was that enough to convince you that I'm in shape now?

Karin: I guess so. At least it tells me that you haven't been slacking off

Chisato: Stop it, Fuki!

He heard a familiar voice shout and they looked a few distances away to see a few familiar faces near the shooting range. Chisato and Takina, along with the commander and her aide.

There were also a First Lycoris and a Second Lycoris with them as well.

He recognizes the Lycoris with the red uniform to be Fuki Harukawa, Chisato's close friend, and she appears to be talking to Takina.

Fuki: You're no longer needed here at DA. You won't be returning here

He sees that Takina looked genuinely hurt by what the brown-haired girl said.

Chisato: Fuki!

Chisato grabs hold of Fuki's collar in anger, however, Fuki doesn't seem minded by it.

Fuki: You still don't get it? Then I'll make you understand by beating you in a mock battle right now

Chisato: Oh yeah? Sounds good! Takina, let's-

Before she could finish her sentence, Takina suddenly runs off towards the door, disappearing around the corner.

Chisato: Hey, Takina!

Chisato then chased after her.

Just for a split second, Akiri saw a single tear escape from the corner of Takina's eye, and that was the final straw for him as he then started to approach the two Lycoris.

Karin: Akiri, wait!

The boy ignored her as he storms over towards the group.

???: You're gonna run away too? Looks like the hero is just another coward

Fuki: That's enough, Sakura, let them be

Akiri: Hey!

He shouted, the anger clear in his voice as he catches their attention. The usually inexpressive commander looked shocked for only a split moment as she saw the boy walking over to them.

Akiri: I don't like the tone you two were taking with my friends

Fuki: And who the hell are you?

Sakura: Probably just some nerd from Intelligence

Kusunoki: Akiri. You're not supposed to be here

The boy ignores the commander as he looks at the First Lycoris with furrowed brows, but she doesn't seem fazed at all.

Akiri: You need to apologize

She scoffs.

Fuki: Or what?

The boy narrowed his eyes and at the same time, he pulled out his Sig Sauer pistol in a blink of an eye and pointed it towards the girl in front of him as the others looked in complete shock.

Karin: Akiri!

The boy pulled the trigger, firing three consecutive shots as Fuki flinched and closed her eyes shut.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw that nothing happened and the boy placed his pistol back, concealing it under his blazer.

Kusunoki: Akiri, Karin. My office. Now

The commander ordered with a sharp tone, it is clear that she wasn't pleased as to what he did.

The boy silently complied and followed Kusunoki to her office, with her aide and Karin following.

Fuki: Hmph. Missing at point-blank range. Guy was only acting tough

Sakura: Umm... Fuki-Senpai...

She sees that Sakura is pointing her finger down the shooting range. Confused, Fuki turns behind and 100 meters down the range, are three freshly made bullet holes on one of the targets, all packed within less than a millimetre of each other.

Fuki: What the...? Was that there before?

Sakura: No, I don't think so...

(Timeskip)

Kusunoki: Unbelievable... Absolutely unbelievable...

Currently, in the commander's office, Kusunoki is sitting at her desk with a hand covering her forehead. Akiri stands just in front of her with his arms crossed.

Akiri: Don't blame me, they started it

Kusunoki then looked at Karin, who is sitting on a sofa at the lounge area.

Kusunoki: Why didn't you stop him?

Karin: I tried. But you know how he is sometimes. Expert assassin or not, he's still just a kid

The commander lets out a sigh before looking back at Akiri.

Kusunoki: I'll figure out what to do with you later. Now, get out of my office

Akiri: I came here to talk to you

Kusunoki: What is it?

Akiri: How much longer are you going to keep me at the café?

Kusunoki: I told you that you're on standby until I tell you otherwise

Akiri: Standby for what? There's something you're not telling me, and I want to know what it is

The commander only stayed silent for a while. Just as Akiri was about to say more, Karin then stood up from her seat.

Karin: It was me

He turns around and looked at her, confused.

Akiri: What?

Karin: I was the one who asked the commander to put you on standby

Akiri: Why?

Karin: It's about your... Condition...

Before she could explain any further, the phone on Kusunoki's desk then started to ring and she answered it for a few moments before hanging up.

Kusunoki: I'm heading back to the training facility. They want to go on with the mock battle

She said as she got up from her seat and she walked to the door. As she reaches a hand to the door handle, she turns her head to look at Akiri and Karin.

Kusunoki: It looks like you two have a lot to talk about, so I'll leave you to it

She said to them before walking out with her aide following her.

A moment of awkward silence passed before Akiri decided to be the first to talk.

Akiri: Karin, what are you saying? I have another three years before the effects of the treatment wears off

Karin: That was just an estimate... And it was wrong

Akiri: How do you know?

Karin fell silent yet again, seemingly struggling to answer the question.

Karin: ...

(Timeskip)

Currently, Akiri, Chisato and Takina are on a train, taking them back home. Meanwhile, Chisato who is sitting next to Takina is telling the boy how the mock battle went.

Chisato: ...And then Takina comes in and punched her in the face! Can you believe that?

Akiri: Takina really did that?

Takina: I-It's nothing. Just thought I should even the score

She said as she looks away, a hint of red on her cheeks as she is somewhat embarrassed.

Chisato: And by the way, you shot right at me, didn't you?

She asked Takina.

Akiri: She did what?

Chisato: Yeah, she totally aimed her gun right at me to hit Fuki who was behind

Takina: I knew you'd dodge it

A moment later, Chisato's phone lets out a notification and she pulls it out to see a photo of Kurumi, Mika and the others at the café, playing board games.

Chisato: Oh, look at this

She showed Takina her phone. There was a message asking if the three could make it back in time to join them.

Chisato: Well, what do you say?

Akiri: I'm down. I could use something to unwind myself with

Chisato then looks at Takina with an anticipating look.

Takina: S-Sure, I guess I can try...

Chisato: Alright! Let's send a reply!

She opens up the camera app and the three of them takes a picture together before Chisato sends the photo to Mika.

Akiri then gazes out the window, seeing the sunlight shine through the dark clouds as the rain is finally settling down.

His mind slowly wanders back to the conversation he had with Karin back at the commander's office and he then lets out a long sigh.

Akiri: (thoughts) What are you hiding from me, Karin...?