The team regrouped in an alley a block away from the meeting point. Yukari joined them, her laptop tucked under one arm and a tablet in her hand.
"They're in a conference room on the third floor," Yukari reported. "I hacked the building's security cameras, but there's no audio. All I can see is that they're discussing something with briefcases on the table."
"Kaede?" Hana asked.
"No sign of her yet," Yukari said, frowning. "But this meeting feels too important for her not to show up."
Renjiro nodded, his mind racing through possible scenarios. "Saito, Hana, you'll stay outside and monitor the exits. If Kaede's here, she'll have backup. We can't let them box us in."
"What about us?" Aiko asked, her voice small.
"You and I are going inside," Renjiro said.
Aiko's stomach dropped. "Inside? But—"
"No time for hesitation," Renjiro cut her off. "You've trained for this. Trust yourself."
Aiko swallowed hard and nodded.
---
The inside of the building was quiet, the air thick with tension. Renjiro and Aiko moved carefully, their footsteps silent against the carpeted floors. They reached the third floor and found a vantage point overlooking the conference room.
Inside, four men sat around the table, their postures stiff. The briefcases lay unopened, and their faces were unreadable.
"This isn't just a sale," Renjiro murmured. "They're negotiating terms."
Before Aiko could respond, movement in the hallway caught her eye. She turned just in time to see two armed guards approaching their position.
"Renjiro—" she whispered urgently.
"I see them," he said, already drawing his weapon. "Stay behind me."
The guards spotted them and immediately raised their rifles. The hallway erupted in chaos as Renjiro fired, taking down one of the guards with a single shot. The second guard ducked behind a corner, returning fire.
Aiko's heart raced as she crouched behind a metal cart, her breath coming in short gasps.
"You've got this," Renjiro said, tossing her a small pistol. "Cover me."
Aiko's hands trembled as she gripped the weapon, but she forced herself to focus. When the second guard leaned out to fire, she squeezed the trigger. The shot went wide, but it startled the guard enough for Renjiro to take him down.
"Not bad," Renjiro said, offering her a quick smile.
Aiko didn't have time to respond before the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. More guards were coming, and they were out of time.
"Let's move," Renjiro said, pulling her to her feet.
As they ran, Aiko's fear gave way to adrenaline. She wasn't sure how this would end, but one thing was certain: there was no turning back.