Akiri woke up from his sleep as he was disturbed by the sound of the alarm playing from his phone. He reaches a hand over and shuts off the alarm before slowly getting up from his bed, letting out a tired yawn.

Just a moment later, he heard someone knocking at the door.

Akiri: Yeah?

Takina: Akiri. It is almost time that we rendezvous with Chisato

Takina's familiar voice came through the door.

Akiri: Right

He answered as he then got up from his bed, grabbed his towel and went to the bathroom to take a shower and get prepared for the day.

(Timeskip)

Currently, Akiri is walking with Takina towards the train station in the city.

The boy had a dark grey hoodie on over his plain white shirt along with a pair of dark navy blue jeans and a pair of black sneakers complete the look.

The girl next to him only had a simple grey t-shirt on and black sweatpants along with a pair of running shoes.

Once they've arrived, they see Chisato is already waiting for them while looking at her phone, standing in front of the entrance of the station.

The two promptly approached her and Takina was the first to catch her attention.

Takina: Sorry to keep you waiting

Chisato: O-Oh...

Chisato turns her head and looks at Takina's outfit, slightly surprised.

Chisato: Now that's a different look. Isn't that your shirt, Akiri?

Akiri: Yeah

She then shifts her gaze towards Akiri's outfit and she frowned as she took notice of the colour of the outfit. Or rather, the lack thereof.

Chisato: You're looking as bleak as ever... Would it kill you to wear something with colour every once in a while?

Akiri: I prefer not to stand out

Chisato: If I didn't know any better I'd mistake you for a drug dealer

Chisato stares at the two of them silently for a few seconds before smiling at them.

Chisato: You two brought your damn guns, didn't you...?

Takina: Was that wrong of me?

Akiri: It never hurts to be prepared

Chisato: Idiot. You'll be arrested if you get caught

Akiri: If

The three then promptly began to move and they're now seen walking along the sidewalk.

Chisato: So you don't even have a skirt, huh?

Takina: Only my uniform. Isn't that normal?

Chisato: Well, I guess for Lycoris. Hey, let's buy some too. I'm sure you'll look great in one

Takina: I don't know much about fashion... If you can choose for me, then...

Chisato: Really? You're okay with that?!

Chisato squealed as she grabs Takina's shoulder excitedly and she hops in complete joy.

Chisato: Alright! Now we're talking!

Takina: Did I just made a mistake?

She asked as she turns her head towards Akiri while Chisato was still running around in glee.

Akiri: Probably

He answered bluntly as Chisato came running back to them and she then stood in front of Akiri.

Chisato: Hey, Akiri. You've brought your cash card right?

Akiri: Yeah, I always have it on me. Why?

Chisato leaned slightly towards him while grinning at him.

Akiri: What? No, you can't use mine! What happened to yours?

Chisato: He he... Kusunoki blocked it a while ago...

She said, poking the tip of her fingers together.

Akiri: Use your own money then

Chisato: Please!

She puts her hands together in a pleading way.

Akiri: Buying underwear doesn't really count as work expenses

Chisato: It's not just that. We're buying clothes for her too. That counts as living necessities, right? Come on, Akiri

The boy looked at her silently for a while before letting out a defeated sigh.

Akiri: Fine...

Chisato: Alright!

The girl celebrated by pumping her fist victoriously while the boy next to her only rolled his eyes at her antics. They then continued walking, with Chisato happily leading the way with a smile on her face.

(Timeskip)

The three are now seen in a shopping mall, walking around in the women's clothes section. Chisato was leading the group as she scouted around the area for whichever outfits catches her eye.

Chisato: Which one looks better?

The blonde-haired Lycoris asked as she places a blue skirt just in front of Takina to get an idea of how she would look in them.

Chisato: Akiri. What do you think?

She switches with another skirt, a yellow one this time and she turns her head to the boy only to see that he wasn't paying attention, spacing out blankly.

Chisato: Akiri

She nudges him with her shoulder, and he finally snaps out of it.

Akiri: Huh?

Chisato: I was asking you, what do you think?

She gestures to the skirt she is holding up.

Akiri: Why are you asking me?

Chisato: Come on, I need a guy's opinion on this

Akiri: Well, I think she looks fine in either of them

Chisato: Hmm...

Chisato then went and grabbed a few sets of outfits which caught her eye and she then leads Takina to a changing room to try them on.

A few moments later, the curtain opens and they saw Takina is now wearing one of the outfits Chisato gave her to try.

Chisato: Oh, nice! Try the other one on too

The curtains closed and opens again after a few minutes as Takina is now changed to a different outfit.

Chisato: This one is good as well! What do you think?

She turns her head to Akiri, who only shrugged.

Akiri: Looks good, I guess

Chisato: Here, try this one next

She handed Takina a new set of clothes and she closed the curtains and quickly got to changing. It didn't take long for the curtains to open again, and Chisato's face lit up once she saw how Takina looked in the new outfit.

Chisato: You look so cute in that! Right, Akiri?

Akiri: Y-Yeah...

Takina sheepishly glances away with a slight tint of red on her cheeks.

Takina: Thank you...

Chisato: Alright! Let's buy them

Akiri: Which one?

Chisato: All of them, of course!

Akiri: Wh-What?!

(Timeskip)

Akiri: I'm gonna get an earful from Kusunoki later on...

Currently, the three had finished paying for the new outfits and is now walking through the mall, seeing all kinds of different shops.

Akiri, being the only guy in the group, is unanimously made to carry the girl's shopping bags in his right hand.

Chisato: Hey, Takina, do you need anything else? I know a good place which sells beauty products

Akiri: Please no. You already spent more in one day than I do in a month. And we haven't even gotten what we came here for in the first place

Chisato: Oh, that's right. We're here for underwear

Akiri: You forgot?!

They then promptly move to a women's underwear store.

Akiri: You girls go ahead. I'll wait outside

Chisato: Oh? Don't wanna go in with us?

She asked with a teasing grin, and Akiri only rolled his eyes in response.

Akiri: Just don't take too long...

He then sees Chisato showing her palm to him, as if expecting him to hand her something.

He only sighed as he briefly placed the shopping bags down. He fished out his wallet from his pocket and pulled out his cash card and handed it to the girl, who accepted it with a smile.

The two girls then entered the store, leaving the boy alone outside.

He then spotted an empty bench not too far away and walked towards it. He then stopped when he noticed a jewellery store nearby and he walked towards it.

He looks through the display window to see all kinds of jewellery inside, from necklaces, bracelets and rings.

But what caught his eye is a simple gold ring with a polished, crimson-red ruby gemstone.

Akiri: ...

(Timeskip)

A few minutes passed. Akiri is sitting on a bench which is near the underwear store, waiting patiently for the girls to finish their business.

Just as he was about to look at the time on his wristwatch, he saw the girls exiting the store from the corner of his eyes and got up and approached them, carrying the shopping bags with him.

Akiri: All done?

Chisato: Yup!

She handed him another bag, and he picked it up with his other hand.

Chisato: Now, next up is what I've been waiting for. Snack time!

Akiri: Great, more things you can spend my money on...

(Timeskip)

Chisato: Framboise and Greek yoghurt ricotta Dutch baby cake, and wholegrain honeycomb butter with ginger chips, please!

Waitress: Understood

They are now seen seated just outside a restaurant with a waitress tending to them and taking their orders.

Waitress: Would that be all?

Chisato: Akiri, what do you want?

Akiri: Just a cup of coffee, please

Waitress: Right away

The waitress bowed politely before walking away.

Akiri then saw that Chisato was looking at him with a deadpan expression.

Akiri: What?

Chisato: You should've gotten yourself something to eat

Akiri: No thank you. What you ordered already sounds expensive enough

Takina: And sounds high in calories too

Chisato: Don't kill the mood. There's nothing wrong with a girl craving some sweets

Takina: I think the dorm cafeteria serves good enough meals

Chisato: Well, the chef there used to be the head chef for the Imperial Household

Takina: Is that impressive?

Chisato: Sure it is. But they never serve us any sweets. It was always sugar-fried karinto

Takina: I like their karinto, though

Chisato: That's because you transferred there just recently. Ten years of just that will have you sick of it!

They waited for a few more minutes until the waitress returns to their table with their orders and she places the food and Akiri's coffee on the table before promptly excusing herself.

Chisato: Looks amazing!

Chisato looks at the food with stars in her eyes.

Takina: Must be packed with carbohydrates...

Chisato: Takina!

She said in a scolding tone.

Chisato: There's only so many meals a person gets to eat in their lifetime

She grabs a pair of fork and knife and started digging into her meal.

Chisato: So all your meals should be tasty, fun, and full of joy!

Takina: There's nothing wrong with tasty food, but extra body fat is detrimental for a Lycoris

Chisato: I'll run to make up for it. It's worth the extra time running

She pops a slice into her mouth and squeals in delight.

Chisato: It's so good!

Akiri: Yeah, I'm sure it is for that price...

He said as he took a little sip of his hot coffee.

Chisato: Akiri

Akiri: Hm?

He turns his head to see that Chisato is holding up a piece of her food to Akiri's mouth.

Chisato: Ahh

Akiri: I can feed myse-

Before he could finish his sentence, she stuffed the food into his mouth and he is forced to chew.

Chisato: How is it?

He finally swallowed after savouring the taste for a moment.

Akiri: It's good. But don't do that again

Chisato only giggled and went back to eating while Akiri went back to enjoying his cup of coffee.

They then overheard some people speaking in a foreign language at a table behind them. They looked to see that there were two foreigners at the table, seemingly struggling to read the menu.

Akiri: Sounds like French. You're better at that than I am

He said, looking at Chisato and she only smiled before getting up and walking over to the foreigners to help them.

Meanwhile, Takina finally takes a bit out of her food and she looked genuinely impressed.

Takina: It does taste good

A few moments later, Chisato returns after having helped the foreigners with their menu and she got right back to eating.

She then notices that Akiri is staring blankly at the table, still holding his cup of coffee.

Chisato: Akiri?

The boy flinches as he hears his name being called and he immediately snaps out of his trance.

Chisato: You okay? You were spacing out again

Akiri: Y-Yeah, I'm fine. I just... Got lost in my thoughts for a moment

Chisato: What are you thinking about?

Akiri: It's nothing, don't worry about it

He quickly dismisses it as he takes another sip of his coffee while Chisato still has a worried look on her face. An idea then popped into her head.

Chisato: I know! After we're done eating, I'm taking you two to a great place

Akiri: I think I'll pass. I'll drop off your stuff at the café and-

Chisato: Come on. I promise it'll be worth it. I wanna hang out with you too, you know

She smiled reassuringly at him, and the boy looked at her in silence for a moment.

Akiri: ...Okay

(Timeskip)

Akiri is now seen on his own, storing the shopping bags he is carrying in a locker outside of an aquarium that they are visiting. Chisato and Takina had gone ahead and entered without him.

Just as he closed the locker shut, he heard his phone ring and he pulled it out to see that it was Karin.

He hesitated for a moment, thinking of the last conversation they had with each other before finally answering.

Karin: Akiri. You got a sec?

Akiri: Yeah, sure

Karin: So, I'm seeing multiple transactions made using your card. Was it stolen or something?

Akiri: No, that was me... I'm out with Chisato and Takina right now

Karin: Oh. I won't interrupt your date then. Bye!

She hung up immediately, not giving Akiri a chance to refute, and he only sighed.

Akiri: It's not a date...

He muttered as he turns and starts to walk to the entrance of the aquarium to meet back up with the girls.

As he stepped inside, something immediately catches his attention, or rather, someone in front of one of the displays.

Standing next to Takina, he saw Chisato raising her arms and waving them and he looked in confusion as he approaches the two.

Akiri: What in the world are you doing?

Chisato: I'm a spotted garden eel

She answered, still waving her arms without a care from all the stares she was getting.

Takina: People are watching. We shouldn't do things that stand out

Chisato: Hm? Why?

Takina: Why? It's because we're Lycoris

Chisato: When I'm not wearing a uniform, I'm not a Lycoris

Akiri: You don't act like a Lycoris regardless...

They moved to look at the other displays and exhibits the aquarium offers.

A few minutes of walking around later they then settled to look at a large tank filled with fish and other sea creatures.

Chisato: Look at that one, it's huge!

She pointed at a ray fish. Meanwhile, Takina and Akiri chose to take a seat nearby to rest.

Takina: Chisato

Chisato: Hm?

Takina: Those bullets... How long have you used them?

Chisato: What's this, all of a sudden?

She replied as she turned around and took a seat with them, slotting in between the two.

Takina: What did you use on the old radio tower operation?

Chisato: I had Sensei make it for me back then

Takina: Do you have some reason for it?

Chisato: Huh? Are you interested in me or something?

She said with a teasing grin.

Takina: More than that sea horse

Chisato: More than a spotted garden eel?

Takina: If you're gonna make fun of me, you don't have to answer

She turns her head away in a sulking manner until Chisato then answers her.

Chisato: I just don't feel good about it. I don't feel good taking someone's time from them. That's all

Takina: Feel?

Chisato: Yup. And having to feel that way because of a bad guy makes me angrier. So I beat them up just enough that they don't die

She explained while Takina listened in silence.

Chisato: Those bullets really hurts if you get hit, you know? You might be better off dead. Just ask Akiri when I shot him in that place between his legs

She said with a teasing smirk directed at the boy next to her.

Akiri: The pain lasted for a whole day, you know!

Chisato: I already said I was sorry. I aimed for your chest, but the thing is so inaccurate, I hit that place by mistake

They then heard Takina lightly chuckling to herself.

Chisato: What is it? Was my answer so weird?

Takina: No, I thought the reason would be more philanthropic. You're full of mysteries, Chisato

Chisato: A mysterious girl, huh? I see, yet another part of my charm. But I'm not as complicated as you think

Takina: What you want gets top priority?

Chisato: Oh, so you remember!

Takina: Is that why you left DA? If you didn't want to kill, you still could've done that from within DA

Chisato: Oh

Takina: Is that also just another case of "I wanted to do it"?

Chisato lowered her head as she remained silent at the question for a moment. Akiri also glanced at her knowingly, wondering if she is gonna answer.

A brief moment later, Chisato raises her head and finally replies.

Chisato: I'm looking for someone

Takina: What was that?

Chisato: There's someone I want to meet. Someone very, very important to me. I want to look for that person

She said as she reached up to her neck and pulled out her necklace from under her shirt to reveal a bronze owl pendant and she showed it to Takina.

Chisato: Do you know about this? Akiri has one too

Takina: Really?

Akiri: Can you stop telling people my secrets?

Chisato: Come on, show it to her

She completely ignored his remark and he rolled his eyes as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a bronze coin with an owl engraved on one side of it and showed it to them.

Chisato: Isn't it cool? I wish I could have mine as a bracelet

(Timeskip)

They now had moved to a table with some drinks ordered.

Meanwhile, Takina was reading through an article on her phone about the Alan Institute and she saw a photo of an owl pendant, similar to Chisato's as she compared them side by side.

Takina: This is indeed the same one

She said as she then looked at Akiri's coin before looking at Chisato.

Takina: What talents do you have?

Chisato: Can't you tell?

Chisato stood up with her drink and posed in a similar way as the swimsuit model on the poster behind her.

Takina: I know that's not it...

The blonde girl giggles as she returns to her seat.

Takina: How about you, Akiri?

Akiri: No clue

He responded, however, Takina wasn't sure whether or not he actually answered truthfully.

Chisato: Well, can you really know what your own talents are?

Takina: It'd be nice if I do

Chisato: That's exactly how it is, right?

Takina: So, did you find the person who gave you this?

She gestures to the pendant she's holding.

Chisato: Nope

Takina: Even after 10 years of searching?

She asked as she returns Chisato's pendant and Akiri's coin to them.

Chisato: Maybe I won't be able to meet him anymore...

She said as she stares sullenly at the bronze pendant in her hand before looking away.

Chisato: All I want to do is tell him thank you

Akiri: Maybe it's for the best...

Chisato: Hm? What do you mean?

Akiri: You know what they say, "never meet your heroes"

Chisato: Maybe... But I still wish I can thank him. It's the least I can do to repay him

Akiri lowered his head as his hand curled into a fist.

Akiri: (thoughts) If only you knew the kind of man he is...

Seeing Chisato and Akiri looking so down, Takina took it upon herself to lighten the mood as she suddenly got up from her chair and walked up in front as the other two looked at her in confusion.

The black-haired Lycoris then puts her hands together and reached them out while also lifting her feet in a pose.

Takina: A fish!

She yelled and Chisato's eyes lit up in joy as she also got up to join her.

Chisato: Oh! A fish, huh?

She stood next to Takina and raised her arms above her head.

Chisato: Spotted garden eel!

The boy only looked at the two with a deadpanned expression as they had also attracted the attention of the other visitors.

Chisato: Come on, Akiri! Join us!

Akiri: No, thank you...

Chisato started to burst into laughter and Takina also joined in as she lets out a soft giggle.

Takina: It's better if you don't hide that

She said, gesturing to Chisato's necklace.

Chisato: Huh? You think so?

Takina: Yes. It looks really cute on you

Chisato: Why, you! Come on, we're off to Penguin Island next!

Chisato happily skips over to Takina.

Chisato: Akiri, you coming?

Akiri: Yeah, yeah

He just chuckled at the two's antics as he got up and joined them as they started to move.

(Timeskip)

Meanwhile, deep underground in Oshiage Station, a few men carrying huge duffle bags are seen at the train stop.

One of them seems different from the others, having messy green hair, and wearing a black coat, he looks around the area with a smile on his face.

They placed down the bags and the green-haired man took a deep breath before exhaling.

Man: I smell it... It's the bleached, sanitized, healthy smell of lies...

He reaches down and unzips one of the duffle bags.

Man: I have to balance it out!

Inside, is a PKM machine gun.

Back outside, Akiri, Chisato and Takina are seen returning back to the train station. The sun had just started to set as the sky is tinted orange.

They noticed some sort of commotion happening, a crowd had gathered a few distances away from the station gate, which is blocked with police tape with several suited men standing guard in front.

Takina: What's happening over there?

Looking around, they saw a few Third Lycoris scattered around the area, blending in with the bustling crowd and they immediately knew that something was up.

Chisato: Lycoris

Takina: There's quite a few of them too

Akiri: Weird... They're blocking access to a public area. They don't do that unless it's a large-scale operation

Chisato: Yeah...

Akiri: I'm going to check it out. You girls carry on with your shopping

He places the shopping bags he's carrying for the girls on the ground and was about to run, but Chisato stopped him by grabbing his arm.

Chisato: There's no way you can sneak past those guys. Especially with all these people around

Akiri: I'll use the other gate around the block. I'm sure it's guarded also, but at least it'll be less crowded

Chisato: Be careful, okay?

Akiri: I know

She finally lets go of his arm and he started to run off.

Chisato: Jeez, that guy...

Takina: Will he be okay?

Chisato: He'll be fine. But we have to continue on without our bag carrier now

Back underground, the men are now armed with rifles and machine guns, as a message plays from the speakers notifying them that a train is about to arrive.

Man: Here. It's almost here...

The green-haired man mutters excitedly as he lifted the PKM machine gun and pulled on the charging handle.

Man: It's about to begin...

Lights are seen coming from the dark tunnel. A train horn is heard and they could hear the train fast approaching from the tunnel.

The man cackled with laughter as he and the other men aimed their guns towards where the train will stop.

Not long after, the train emerges from the tunnel, and the men open fire, sending a barrage of bullets towards the train cars.

The volley of lead wreaks havoc, shattering the windows, and filling the train with bullet holes. Eventually, the men stopped shooting as soon as the train slowly came to a halt.

The men watched in satisfaction at their work, however, something doesn't feel quite right. The complete lack of passengers, for one.

As the train doors slowly slide open, one of the men immediately got shot out of nowhere, shocking the group.

Looking back inside the train, they find multiple young girls, similarly dressed in beige-coloured uniforms, armed with handguns, aiming at them.

Man: Oh, crap!

The girls open fire, shooting down the armed men one by one.

The green-haired man quickly ran into the cover of a concrete pillar as he saw his men being shot mercilessly, but the man was unfazed.

Man: I see... So it's you guys!

He reaches under his coat and pulls out a detonator and he raises it above his head before pressing the button.

Meanwhile, just a few distances away, Akiri is running down the stairs having sneaked past the suited men guarding the entrance.

He then suddenly heard the loud sound of an explosion echoing from below as he is then hit by a gust of wind and dust.

Akiri: (thoughts) An explosion? Bombs?

Concerned, he picked up the pace going down the stairs as fast as he could.

Once he arrived, what he was greeted by is a complete tragedy. There were piles of rubble everywhere from the collapsed ceiling, it was completely dark save for a few flickering lights.

Akiri: I was too late, huh...

On the floor, were dead bodies scattered across, as well as puddles and splashes of blood everywhere. The place reeks of the smell of gunpowder and concrete dust still lingers in the air.

He saw a few Third Lycoris among the bodies, all devoid of life, decimated by the explosion.

Akiri: What the hell happened...?

He crouched down to pick up one of the many brass bullet casings scattered around and inspected it closely.

Akiri: 7.62 Soviet...

(Timeskip)

Reporter: Late afternoon yesterday, at Oshiage Station in Tokyo, an accident occurred where a subway train derailed and collided...

The next day, Akiri is sitting at the café bar, being served a cup of coffee while he is watching the news on the TV.

Reporter: Police reports say that the derailed train was a self-driven train that was out of service. No one was injured or killed by this accident

Akiri: "No one was killed", my ass...

He recalls the sight of the dead Third Lycoris at the scene, the morbid image was still vivid in his head.

Akiri: If only I was deployed there instead... Maybe all those Lycoris wouldn't have to die for it

Mika: Don't blame yourself. You don't know the operation was happening in the first place

Akiri: ...

The boy stayed silent as he lifts his cup of coffee and took a sip.

Mika: What do you think really happened?

Akiri: Terrorist attack. The shell casings are all 7.62 Soviet rounds, most likely AK rifles... There's no mistake...

He lifts his head and looked at Mika with a serious look on his face.

Akiri: The weapons used for the attack are the missing guns from the arms deal

Mizuki: Ahh! So shameless!

The whole café heard a scream coming from the back of the building.

Akiri: What in the?

A moment later, Mizuki came out and faces everyone.

Mizuki: Everyone! There's a dirty, lying traitor working at this café!

Chisato: Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Chisato came running in panic, trying to shut Mizuki up, but she was immediately grabbed by the woman who had flipped her upside down.

Mizuki: Gotcha!

Mizuki pulled Chisato's skirt up, revealing that she is wearing a pair of boxers underneath.

Chisato: Stop it! Let me go! Akiri, help me!

Akiri: Nope. Consider this your punishment for spending all my money

Chisato: Akiri!

He chuckled as Chisato was forced to stand there, showing the boxers she is wearing to all the visiting patrons.

The boy then heard the café's landline phone ringing and Mika promptly went to pick it up and answered the call.

Mika: Kusunoki?

He walked back into the kitchen to be away from all the noise, and Akiri then got up and followed him.

Mika: The guns from before?

Mika pulled out a photograph of the arms deal which they'd discovered a while back and looked at it.

Mika: Yeah, he's here. Understood

Mika then turned to look at Akiri.

Mika: The commander wants to speak with you

Akiri then walked over and Mika handed him the phone and he placed it on his ear.

Akiri: This is Akiri

Kusunoki: I assume you heard about what happened at Oshiage Station yesterday?

Akiri: It was a terror attack, wasn't it?

Kusunoki: Yes. It was also the only lead we have on the missing firearms. We've recovered all the evidence on the scene overnight, though not many...

Akiri: Did you find anything?

Kusunoki: The forensics and Intel departments are working on it. For now, we need someone to scout out some places we suspect could be their base of operations. Are you in?

Images of the dead bodies of the Third Lycoris squad flash in his mind, making him subconsciously curl his hand into a fist.

Akiri: Whoever these guys are, whatever they're planning, they need to be stopped...

Mika, being close enough to overhear the conversation, waited for his answer in suspense as a moment later, he gave a firm answer.

Akiri: ...I'm in