Two years ago, Tohito entered the headquarters of an organization called "Firisyp." The walls were made of iron painted white, and the area was bustling with people wearing matching navy-blue uniforms.
Tohito spoke to a man passing by.
**Tohito**: [Who's the tailor that made these clothes?]
The man smiled.
**Man**: [I don't know, but I can tell you like what they made.]
Tohito responded impatiently.
**Tohito**: [No, no, I think they should resign. They're totally unfit for this job.]
**Man**: [Wh-]
Before the man could reply, Tohito cut him off with a playful tone.
**Tohito**: [The room... uh... uh... Aiko... I don't know... Where's Aiko?]
The man's eyes widened.
**Man**: [You mean Aiko-sama? Left side, Room 27.]
Tohito grinned and continued on his way. He reached a metal door labeled "26."
**Tohito**: [Well, I guess this is it.]
He pushed the handle, and the door opened. A girl was studying, seated on a chair in the corner by a desk. She had purple hair, eyes matching her hair, and beautiful fair skin that could steal any boy's heart at first glance.
**Aiko**: [You knock before entering.]
She looked up, staring at Tohito's face.
**Aiko**: [And who are you?]
Tohito flashed a mischievous smile.
**Tohito**: [I'm your new coworker.]
**Aiko**: [Great, another idiot. I'm doomed.]
Tohito gave a genuine smile.
**Tohito**: [Look out for me, okay?]
At those words, Aiko flushed deeply and began to stammer.
**Aiko**: [I-I-I'll... t-t-try...]
- - - - - - - - -
Haru peeled the plastic off his noodle container, and the scent of half-cooked noodles filled the room. He poured the noodles into a small dish, placed the pink lid on with a *click*, and put it in the new microwave Tohito had brought. He set the timer, made himself a cup of coffee, and sat on their white couch.
As he sipped his coffee, he heard Aiko's shouts and Tohito's laughter.
**Aiko**: [If I catch you, I'll kill you!]
Tohito laughed in response.
**Tohito**: [But you're soooo slow!]
Haru gripped his cup tightly, trying not to break it. Tohito kept dodging Aiko.
**Tohito**: [Slower than I thought!]
Aiko yelled.
**Aiko**: [Shut up, idiot!]
Haru, furious, hurled his coffee cup at the wall and shouted.
**Haru**: [Shut up, both of you!]
Tohito paused, frowning briefly.
**Tohito**: [Jerk, that was my favorite cup-]
The moment Tohito stopped running, Aiko's fist slammed into his face, sending him crashing to the floor.
Tohito slowly got up.
**Tohito**: [Alright, aside from that, Aiko, what's today's mission? I remember you mentioned something about the city outskirts.]
Aiko's anger softened as she recalled the mission.
**Aiko**: [I sent you the location and details. You need to capture another member of the Dawn Covenant, but don't kill them this time.]
She paused, then continued.
**Aiko**: [Oh, and I forgot to mention, Haru's coming with you on this mission.]
Haru looked shocked.
**Haru**: [Me?]
Aiko replied in a serious tone.
**Aiko**: [Because of Tohito's masterpiece in his last mission—killing one of their members—they're probably hunting for the person responsible.]
Tohito raised his hand.
**Tohito**: [Let's go, Haru.]
Aiko said shyly.
**Aiko**: [Bring them back alive... and... take care of yourselves.]
Tohito gave a deep smile.
**Tohito**: [I'll do my best... and make us a tasty dinner by the time we're back, okay?]
Aiko smiled shyly.
**Aiko**: [Okay.]
Tohito snapped his fingers, and he and Haru appeared in an empty area in the middle of the city. The surrounding walls and ground were made of marble, giving the place a beautiful view.
Haru gave Tohito a meaningful smirk.
**Haru**: [Something going on between you and Aiko?]
Tohito replied, surprised.
**Tohito**: [What do you mean?]
Haru answered happily.
**Haru**: [You'll figure it out later, Tohito, but just know I'm really happy for you.]
Tohito's tone turned serious.
**Tohito**: [According to Aiko, this area's been completely cleared for the operation. No one's supposed to be here.]
Haru continued.
**Haru**: [So we can use our full power without worry?]
Tohito ran a hand through his messy hair.
**Tohito**: [We need to do this with minimal damage and bring the target back alive. There's just one problem.]
Haru asked, puzzled.
**Haru**: [What problem?]
Tohito answered in a cold, emotionless tone.
**Tohito**: [Instead of one person... I'm sensing the magical energy of about 67 people.]
Hearing the number, Haru's eyes widened, and his hands began to tremble.
**Haru**: [That many people, then...]
**Tohito**: [Exactly. It means our plan's already failed before it even started.]