Kaito and Rin wandered toward a small shop tucked along the quiet village street, the evening air cool against their skin.
The seller, an elderly woman with a warm smile, handed them two chilled bottles.
"Fresh fruit drinks, made this morning."
"Perfect for a slow night like this."
Rin took his bottle gratefully, popping the cap open.
"Thanks."
He took a long sip, sighing contentedly.
"Man, that hits the spot."
He glanced around the quiet street, expression shifting back to focus.
"Still no sign of them, though."
Kaito accepted his own bottle, nodding his thanks to the seller before turning to scan the surroundings.
His eyes swept over the shadowed alleyways, the dim lantern-lit corners, the rooftops silhouetted against the darkening sky.
"They will."
He took a slow sip of his drink, patience evident in his tone.
"People like that don't just stop moving."
"Especially not with something as important as Yin still in their hands."
Rin leaned against the shop's wooden post, tilting his head back.
"You really think they'll actually show up tonight?"
Kaito's gaze remained steady, fixed on the street ahead.
"They have to resupply eventually."
"Someone running an operation that big doesn't do everything from inside their base."
Rin raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself.
"Didn't take you for the tactical type."
Kaito allowed a faint smirk.
"I used to plan operations for a living, remember?"
"Different kind of missions, but the principles are the same."
Rin chuckled, taking another sip of his drink.
"Right, right. Almost forgot about your whole..."
He gestured vaguely.
"...assassin past."
Kaito's smirk faded slightly, though he didn't seem bothered.
"Yeah."
"That."
The seller, still watching them from behind her stall, tilted her head curiously.
"You boys waiting for someone?"
Kaito glanced back at her, offering a polite, practiced smile.
"Just enjoying the evening."
The old woman chuckled knowingly, though she didn't push further, returning to arranging her fruits along the stall.
Rin leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"Think she suspects anything?"
Kaito shook his head. "Doubt it. We look like regular customers."
He took another sip, eyes still scanning the street.
"Let's just keep waiting."
The two settled into a comfortable silence, drinks in hand, blending seamlessly into the quiet rhythm of the village evening as they continued their watch.
Rin's eyes narrowed, catching sight of a figure emerging from a side alley — a man dressed in a crisp, formal scientist's uniform, briefcase in hand.
"Hey."
He nudged Kaito's arm.
"Is that our guy?"
Kaito's gaze sharpened instantly, studying the man's posture, his measured pace, the way he kept glancing over his shoulder.
"He's dressed like one, at least."
Without hesitation, Kaito tapped his collar, activating the small camera.
"Is anybody there?"
A brief crackle, then Alpha's voice came through, steady and alert.
"What is it?"
Kaito kept his eyes locked on the man, voice low.
"I think we spotted one."
Back in the meeting room, Alpha leaned forward instantly, watching the feed sharpen into focus on the man's face.
"Try to follow him closely."
"Don't lose him."
Kaito nodded, though Alpha couldn't see it.
"Understood."
He glanced toward Rin.
"Ready?"
Rin set his drink down on a nearby ledge, cracking his knuckles.
"Been ready."
Without another word, they moved.
Kaito leapt first, boots landing silently on the edge of a rooftop, Rin following right behind him, equally soundless.
They crouched low, moving in sync, tracking the man's path from above as he continued down the street, oblivious to the eyes now trailing him from the rooftops.
The man adjusted his glasses, glancing around once more before turning down a narrow side street.
Kaito's eyes tracked every movement.
"He's heading somewhere specific."
Rin smirked, keeping pace effortlessly.
"Let's find out where."
They moved swiftly across the rooftops, shadows stretching long beneath the rising moonlight, careful not to make a sound as they trailed the mysterious scientist deeper into the quiet streets of the village.
The scientist glanced around cautiously one final time before slipping into a small, unassuming shop.
Kaito and Rin crouched low along the rooftop's edge, watching closely.
Rin tilted his head; brow furrowed.
"I wonder..."
"Why not just buy supplies in Haruki itself?"
"Why travel all the way out here instead?"
Kaito's eyes remained fixed on the shop entrance.
"Maybe Alpha's already got spies stationed around Haruki."
"If Sector X knows that..."
"They'd avoid buying anything locally. Too risky."
Through the earpiece, Alpha's voice crackled in, calm and precise.
"The Silent Killer is correct."
"They're avoiding anything that could draw attention."
Rin blinked, glancing at Kaito with a smirk.
"Silent Killer, huh?"
He let out a low whistle.
"Almost forgot that was your nickname."
Kaito gave a small, quiet nod, gaze still locked on the shop.
"Wasn't exactly something I chose for myself."
Rin chuckled softly. "Suits you, though."
"Silent, sharp, always watching."
Kaito's lips twitched into the faintest smirk.
"Focus."
He nodded toward the shop.
"He's not out yet."
Rin straightened, all humor fading back into sharp attentiveness.
"Right."
Both of them settled back into position, eyes locked on the entrance, waiting patiently for the scientist to reemerge.
An hour passed.
Finally, the shop door creaked open, and the scientist stepped back out, briefcase now noticeably heavier, glancing around once before ducking into a narrow alley.
Kaito's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Let's move."
He and Rin dropped from the rooftop in near-silent unison, landing softly before slipping into the alley after him.
But when they turned the corner—
Empty.
No footsteps. No movement. No trace of the man anywhere.
Kaito's jaw tightened.
"...Crap."
"We lost him."
Rin spun around, scanning every corner, every shadow.
"Where the hell did he go?"
"There's no way he just vanished into thin air—"
Kaito tapped his collar sharply.
"Alpha. We lost him."
A brief pause followed as Alpha reviewed the camera footage on his end, studying the alley carefully.
His voice came through steady, unbothered.
"Don't worry about it."
"Report back to my hotel."
Rin frowned, glancing at Kaito. "That's it? Just... come back?"
Kaito lowered his hand slowly, equally confused. "Guess so."
He took one last glance around the empty alley, uneasy.
"Something's not adding up here."
Rin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. Feels like we missed something obvious."
Reluctantly, the two of them turned, making their way back through the quiet streets, heading toward Alpha's hotel to report what little they'd managed to gather.
Back at the hotel, Saito lounged in a plush chair, Bomb sprawled across a nearby couch, while Alya tapped idly at her tablet and Fanny flipped through a small snack menu.
The door creaked open.
Kaito and Rin stepped inside, expressions weary.
Saito perked up instantly, sitting forward.
"Hey, you two!"
He glanced between them eagerly.
"Is the mission done?"
Rin shook his head, slumping onto the nearest chair.
"Nope."
He let out a tired breath.
"He escaped."
Saito's face fell slightly.
"Dang it..."
He shook his head quickly, offering a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, though."
"You two still did a great job out there."
Bomb sat up, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, tailing someone through a whole village without getting caught? That's not nothing."
Fanny nodded, setting the menu aside. "Especially against someone who clearly knows how to disappear."
Alya glanced up from her tablet; brow furrowed thoughtfully. "The fact that he vanished so cleanly is concerning, though. Could mean they have countermeasures against tracking."
Kaito sighed, dropping into a nearby seat. "Yeah. That's what worries me too."
Footsteps approached.
Alpha walked over, expression calm despite the setback.
"Don't worry."
"We'll simply try again tomorrow."
He glanced toward Kaito and Rin.
"For now, rest. You've both earned it."
Rin let out a relieved groan, leaning back into the cushions.
"Finally. Some good news."
Saito chuckled, patting Rin's shoulder. "C'mon, let's get you guys something to eat. You look exhausted."
Kaito managed a small, grateful smile. "That actually sounds great right now."
The group settled in together, the tension of the failed pursuit easing slightly as they shared a quiet, comfortable moment before preparing for whatever tomorrow's attempt might bring.