Shuren, Assad, and Mya made their way toward the agency's exit, the weight of the day's events still lingering in the air. The polished floors mirrored their hurried steps, silently witnessing their rush.
"We're off," Shuren announced.
As they passed the reception desk, Pixia looked up, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Where are you headed today?"
Shuren shot her a sharp look, irritation flickering at the corners of her mouth. "On a mission," she replied curtly.
Pixia tilted her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "That's adorable."
Shuren clenched her teeth just enough for a hint of her temper to show, but she took a deep breath, exhaling to regain her composure. "Yes… adorable," she said flatly, hiding her annoyance behind a practiced facade.
Pixia's gaze shifted to Assad, her playful smirk softening. "And what about him? Just tagging along with the rookie?"
For a brief moment, Shuren's expression turned icy, but she quickly relaxed, her usual calm returning. "No. He's just observing. That's it."
Pixia chuckled lightly, shrugging as if it were no big deal. "Alright then," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Off you go, little rookies. Try not to stir up too much trouble."
Assad exchanged a glance with Mya, a mix of amusement and caution in his eyes. She nodded timidly, and together they followed Shuren out of the agency, the door clicking shut behind them.
The trio hurried over to Shuren's sleek black car, which was parked just outside the agency. The city lights danced off its shiny surface, creating long, twisted shadows on the pavement.
Assad opened the other door, gesturing for Mya to get in. Assad then sat at the passenger seat and said softly, "Go on… sit on my lap."
Mya paused for a moment, then nodded, carefully climbing onto his lap with a grace that was both cautious and almost reverent. Her small hands rested gently against his chest, her eyes reflecting a mix of trust and lingering fear.
Shuren slid into the driver's seat with her usual precision, shutting the door with a soft click. Her sharp gaze met Assad's over the center console. "Did you bring the other pills?"
Assad reached into his pocket and pulled out eight small, glimmering tablets, placing them carefully on the seat next to Mya.
Shuren's expression softened just a bit as she nodded. "Good. Alright… let's get going."
With that, the engine roared to life, the tires humming against the asphalt as the car glided into the night, taking its passengers toward whatever awaited them.
As Shuren navigated through the city streets, the engine's hum filling the car, Assad's mind wandered back to her words in the office.
"Your powers…" she had said, "…are still out of control. You'll need training to manage Kaku before you can fully activate it. But that'll come after this mission. I'll need to find you a trainer."
Assad's brow furrowed, annoyance tightening his jaw. "You're talking about… Kiichi, aren't you?"
Shuren's eyes darted toward him, sharp and almost gleeful. "Oh… hell no. You're already in love with him that quickly?" Her voice dripped with incredulity and mockery. "Never knew you were on the rainbow side!"
Assad's face flushed bright red, a mix of panic and indignation. "Wait—what? No! What's wrong with you?!"
Shuren snorted, letting out a rare chuckle. "Relax, I'm just teasing you. But seriously, your face right now…" She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Assad groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I swear… one day, I'm gonna make you regret this."
Shuren glanced at her watch and then tapped her wrist communicator. A flicker of light lit up the dashboard, and Tasia's cheerful face appeared on the screen.
"Shuren! Hey! What's up?" Tasia greeted, her voice light and playful.
Shuren narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone sharp. "I need you to find a car."
"Okay! Which one?" Tasia asked, tilting her head with genuine curiosity.
Shuren turned to Mya. "Do you remember the number plate of the car?"
Mya's brow furrowed. "No... I don't."
Tasia didn't hesitate, a confident smile spreading across her face. "Already found it. Sending the location now."
Assad and Mya froze. It hadn't even been a minute since Mya admitted she couldn't remember. Shuren's lips curled into the faintest smirk as she ended the call. A notification popped up on the dashboard with the car's exact location.
Leaning back in her seat, her eyes cool and calculating, she turned toward them. "That's Tasia's gift. She can recover lost memories with just one glance. Even if the memory was completely erased—burned—gone. She can pull it back in seconds."
Assad's jaw dropped slightly, and Mya's eyes widened. "Seconds?" Mya whispered, struggling to wrap her head around it.
The car hummed along, city lights blurring past, and the tension inside grew thicker. Everyone now understood that the mission ahead wouldn't just test their strength; it would push their minds and instincts to the limit.
The car glided smoothly through the outskirts of Kurayamiya, the city lights fading behind them as they neared the location Tasia had pinpointed.
Before long, a massive mansion loomed out of the darkness, its tall gates and towering walls bathed in strategically placed floodlights. The structure was enormous, far more lavish than anything in the city. Marble columns, arched windows, and intricate detailing made it resemble a fortress rather than a home.
Assad and Mya leaned in closer, their eyes wide with disbelief. "That's… massive," Mya whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Shuren's eyes narrowed as she scanned the surroundings. "Not just massive," she murmured, her gaze darting over the gates and up to the balconies, taking in every shadow and glimmer.
There were multiple bodyguards stationed around the mansion—at least a dozen visible from where they sat. Each one held a firearm, standing tense and alert, watching for any sign of movement. Some guards patrolled in pairs along the outer walls, while others stood rigid by the gates, fingers ready on their triggers.
Shuren's lips pressed into a thin line. "They're prepared for anything. Whoever owns this place… doesn't take risks."
Assad's hands clenched on his knees, his mind racing. "All of this… just to protect a car?"
Shuren's icy gaze met his in the rearview mirror. "This isn't just any car," she replied, her tone steady and almost menacing. "It's what's inside that matters. And judging by the security… it's valuable enough for them to kill for it."
Mya shivered slightly in the back seat, gripping Assad's arm. He looked down at her, giving a reassuring squeeze, though his own eyes mirrored the tension building in the car.
Shuren checked the mirrors one last time, her expression unreadable but sharp as a knife. "Stay alert. When we get close, I need both of you to be focused. No slip-ups."
The mansion loomed larger as they approached, the gates now just a few hundred meters away. The tension in the car thickened like a storm cloud ready to burst.
Shuren's hand rested lightly on the door handle, her gaze cold and calculating. "Alright… this is it. Let's find out what we're really up against."