Elara, still leaning against the wall, crossed her arms and gave Takumi a cold stare. "You really think it's a good idea to involve a kid in this?" she asked, her voice laced with disdain.
Takumi shrugged nonchalantly. "He's got potential. Besides, he's already in too deep to back out now."
Nobubaki bristled at her words. "I'm not a kid," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. "I can handle myself."
Elara snorted. "All I see is a weak cry baby look at how thin he is."
Takumi stepped between them, trying to defuse the tension. "Alright, enough. Let's focus on the task at hand. I need the team back "
Elara's expression softened slightly. "After what happened you think we will come back. And I don't like the idea of having a kid tagging along."
Nobubaki felt a surge of anger. "Hey, I'm not just some kid! I've seen and done things you wouldn't believe."
Takumi chuckled. "See? He's got spirit. And he's right, Elara. He's part of this now, whether he likes it or not."
Elara sighed, her gaze turning back to Takumi. "This brat."
Takumi grinned. " I need you back . I know you want to feel that dangerous adventures we had "
Elara let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples as if trying to rid herself of an inevitable headache. "Why is it so damn difficult to say no to you?" she muttered under her breath, glaring at Takumi.
Takumi just smiled, his usual cocky confidence shining through. "Because, deep down, you know you need me," he said, leaning against the wall casually.
Elara rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by his bravado. Without another word, she walked over to a far corner of the room, pressing her hand against what seemed like an ordinary section of the wall. With a soft click, a hidden door slid open, revealing a secret room behind it. Unlike the rest of the rundown apartment, the secret room was surprisingly neat and organized, with shelves lined with books, neatly folded clothes, and a faint but pleasant scent wafting from within—lavender, perhaps.
Elara stepped inside, the door closing behind her. Nobubaki took a step back, his head spinning. The room, or something in it, had triggered a sudden wave of dizziness in him. His vision blurred, and a knot of nausea twisted in his stomach. He groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Takumi noticed immediately, his eyes sharpening with concern. "You alright, kid?" he asked, pushing off the wall and moving closer to Nobubaki.
Nobubaki shook his head, trying to fight off the sensation. "I… I don't know," he mumbled, struggling to keep his balance. It felt as if the air in the apartment had shifted, growing thicker, almost suffocating.
Before Takumi could say anything else, the hidden door slid open once more, and Elara emerged. She was now wearing a sleek, dark trench coat, the fabric hanging perfectly on her frame, exuding both elegance and practicality.
Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Nobubaki, noticing his pale face and unsteady stance. "What's wrong with him?" she asked, frowning.
Takumi glanced at her. "I don't know. Is something in that room of yours"
Elara's frown deepened as she studied Nobubaki. "There's nothing harmful inin that room." She quickly moved over to Nobubaki, pressing the back of her hand against his forehead as if checking for a fever.
Nobubaki brushed her hand off. Muttering that he's okay.
Elara sighed,"Brat"
As they stepped out of the apartment, the cool evening air hit them, offering a brief moment of calm. Nobubaki was still adjusting to the lingering dizziness, his steps slightly uneven. Takumi, on the other hand, walked with an unshaken ease, his hands in his pockets, like he had all the time in the world.
Suddenly, a loud explosion tore through the air, and the apartment they had just exited erupted into flames, sending debris flying into the street. Nobubaki spun around, eyes wide with shock, his heart pounding in his chest. The force of the explosion shook the ground beneath them, the intense heat radiating even from a distance.
But Takumi? He barely flinched. His calm demeanor remained intact, as though explosions were nothing out of the ordinary for him. He continued walking, casually glancing back at the wreckage with the same bored expression he always wore. "There it goes," he said, as if commenting on the weather.
Nobubaki stood frozen, still trying to process what had just happened. "Wha—what the hell was that?" he stammered, turning to Takumi in disbelief.
Takumi shrugged. "Eh, it's her habit. You'll get used to it," he said nonchalantly, barely breaking stride.
Elara, walking ahead of them, sighed in annoyance but showed little concern. "That was bound to happen. Guess someone's onto me." She adjusted her trench coat as if an explosion wiping out her apartment was just another inconvenience. "I'll find a new place later."
Takumi sped up his pace slightly to walk beside her. "Speaking of inconvenient things," he began casually, "you wouldn't happen to know where Alexei is, would you?"
Elara gave him a sideways glance, her expression hardening. "You still looking for him after all this time?"
Takumi smirked. "Hey, he owes me a favor."
Elara rolled her eyes. "Of course he does." She hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice quieter. "Last I heard, he didn't go back to Russia after the breakup. But he's in Las Vegas now, probably mixed up in something shady. You know how he is—always onto the next scheme."
"Vegas, huh?" Takumi murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like we're going on a little trip."
Nobubaki, still recovering from the explosion, looked between the two of them, confusion clear on his face. "Who's Alexei?"
Elara glanced back at him, her tone sharp. "A dangerous Russian on the lose."
Takumi laughed, the sound light despite the chaos behind them. "You will love him."
Nobubaki began to wonder if signing up with these people was the best idea.
The journey to Las Vegas was a whirlwind of intense travel, the trio dodging potential threats and navigating through chaos. Finally, they arrived, the bright lights of the Strip illuminating the night and casting a vibrant glow over the bustling streets.
Elara led Nobubaki and Takumi through the maze of flashy casinos and neon signs until they reached a sleek high-rise building. They ascended to a luxurious penthouse suite, where loud music thumped against the walls, and the air was thick with excitement and energy from the party inside.
As Elara pushed open the door, the scene unfolded before them: a crowd of partygoers danced and mingled, laughter mingling with the bass-heavy music. But at the center of it all stood Alexei, his striking white hair contrasting sharply against his dark, trendy attire. When he saw Takumi's face, his expression shifted from carefree to alarmed.
"No, no, no!" Alexei muttered, backing away as if he wanted to disappear.
Takumi raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "What's wrong, Alexei? Miss us?"
Before Alexei could respond, Elara stepped forward, her voice firm. "We're not here to cause trouble, but we need you back on the team. There's a lot at stake, and you know that."
The music abruptly cut off as Elara pulled out her gun and fired a warning shot into the ceiling. The loud bang echoed through the room, sending partygoers screaming and rushing for the exits, leaving only Alexei frozen in place.
"Damn it, Elara!" he shouted, panic creeping into his voice. "What are you doing?"
Elara's gaze hardened. "You know why we're here. We need you back."
Alexei glanced nervously at Takumi, who leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed and an amused smile on his face. "You think I want to get dragged back into this mess? I've moved on, and you should, too.Because of you I couldn't go back to my motheland."
Nobubaki, standing off to the side, felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The sudden shift from party atmosphere to confrontation left him feeling out of place. "They are odd"
Alexei sighed, running a hand through his white hair. "You don't understand. I'm done with this life. I've left it behind, and I don't want to get pulled back into the chaos
Alexei looked between the three of them, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "And what makes you think I'd be willing to risk my neck again? I've seen where that road leads."
"Because we're a team," Takumi said, his tone serious for the first time. "We all have a stake in this, and you're a vital part of it. You know that."
Silence hung in the air, tension thick as Alexei weighed his options. Finally, he exhaled sharply, the fight leaving him. "No, you guys are gonna leave and tonight I plan to party and get fuckedup without recognition"
"It's useless, he doesn't want to join anymore let's leave"Elara said as the left .
After a few hours of tense negotiation, Alexei still hadn't budged. The party resumed around them, music blaring and laughter filling the air, but the atmosphere felt different for the trio. Nobubaki watched as Alexei pretended not to notice them, immersed in conversation with a group of partygoers.
Takumi turned to Elara, his brow furrowed. "What's your plan? You're not one to back down easily."
Elara's lips curled into a confident smile. "I always have a plan." She surveyed the room, gauging the crowd and the situation.
Suddenly, Elara leaned closer to Alexei, her voice low but firm. "Alexei, the FBI is on their way."
Alexei froze, his casual demeanor vanishing in an instant. He rushed to the glass window, peering out at the street below. A line of black vans pulled up outside, lights flashing, while a helicopter circled overhead, casting an ominous shadow over the penthouse.
"Are you serious?" he hissed, panic seeping into his voice as he scanned the chaotic scene below. "What do they want with me?"
Elara stepped forward, her tone unwavering. "They're coming for you, and it won't just be a friendly chat. You can either join us and have a chance to escape, or you'll have to deal with them alone. Your choice."
Alexei's mind raced as he glanced back at the party, the laughter now sounding distant and hollow. "Am not going."
"ok suit yourself ," Elara added, her eyes narrowing. "But if you want to survive, you'll have to make a decision—fast. We're not here to drag you back into something you don't want."
With a heavy sigh, Alexei turned back to the window, watching the FBI agents exit their vehicles, weapons drawn and serious expressions plastered on their faces. The sight made his stomach twist.
"Fine!" he snapped, frustration evident in his tone. "I'll listen. But if this goes like the old times am done."
"Good," Elara said, her confidence returning. "Now let's move. We'll find a way out of here together."
The music played on, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing just outside, as the partygoers continued dancing, oblivious to the impending danger. The clock was ticking, and every second counted.