Kyoto bustled with life, the streets teeming with commuters and tourists. Yet, amidst the city's vibrant atmosphere, Renjiro and his team walked like ghosts, blending seamlessly into the crowd. The towering buildings and narrow alleyways offered both opportunity and danger. Kaede's agents could be anywhere.
Renjiro led the way, his posture calm but alert. His sharp eyes scanned every face, every shadow. Aiko struggled to keep up, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her.
"Relax," Renjiro murmured without turning around. "The more tense you look, the more attention you'll draw."
"I'm trying," Aiko replied, her voice barely audible over the noise of the city.
"You're doing fine," he reassured her. "Just follow my lead."
Yukari's voice crackled in their earpieces. "I've set up a temporary surveillance hub in the hotel across the street from the meeting point. Cameras are online, and I'm monitoring Kaede's channels. No chatter about us yet, but it's only a matter of time."
"Good," Renjiro replied. "Keep us updated."
As they moved through the streets, Renjiro guided Aiko into a small café. They took a seat near the window, blending in with the other patrons. From here, they had a clear view of the meeting point—a nondescript office building across the street.
"Why are we waiting here?" Aiko asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Patience," Renjiro said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Kaede's buyer will show up soon. We need to observe before we act."
Aiko nodded, though her hands trembled slightly as she stirred her tea.
---
Meanwhile, Saito and Hana worked the perimeter, their movements coordinated and precise. Saito's tall frame made him stand out, but his demeanor was so casual that no one gave him a second glance. Hana, on the other hand, moved like a shadow, her small stature allowing her to slip through the crowd unnoticed.
"Anything on your end?" Saito asked through the comms.
"Not yet," Yukari replied. "But Kaede's people are definitely in the area. I've spotted at least three operatives near the building. They're good—minimal contact, no obvious signals."
"Keep tracking them," Hana said, her voice low. "If they're here, Kaede's not far behind."
---
As the minutes ticked by, Aiko found herself growing restless. The hum of conversation in the café felt like a distant murmur compared to the pounding of her heart.
"What happens if Kaede shows up?" she asked hesitantly.
"Then we adapt," Renjiro said simply.
Before Aiko could press further, Yukari's voice cut through the comms. "Heads up. Black SUV just pulled up to the building. Four men inside, heavily armed. I'm running facial recognition now."
Renjiro's expression hardened. "Keep us posted. Saito, Hana, stay ready."
"Always am," Saito replied.
The SUV's passengers exited the vehicle, their movements efficient and deliberate. They disappeared into the building, their faces obscured by hats and sunglasses.
"Renjiro," Yukari said, her tone urgent. "One of them is a known associate of Kaede. We've got a match. This is her buyer."
"Understood," Renjiro said. He stood, signaling for Aiko to follow.
"What are we doing?" Aiko asked, her voice trembling.
"Reconnaissance," Renjiro replied. "We need to know what they're dealing with before we make our move."
As they exited the café, the weight of the mission pressed heavily on Aiko's shoulders. She wasn't just an observer anymore—she was a part of the team, and failure wasn't an option.