The drone hovered a hundred meters up, its microphones useless against the ground noise. Chief and his team could only watch as the lookout above gave a sharp hand signal. Moments later, everyone except Jia Shuai emerged from the alley corner. They brusquely shooed away the curious students gathering nearby and dragged the bewildered Hirano Kota into the narrow side street.
What followed was a scene straight out of a cliché teen drama. Jia Shuai made his entrance as the shining hero, dispatching the "thugs" with practiced efficiency and "rescuing" the bullied Hirano. Predictable? Absolutely. Effective? Undeniably. Judging by Hirano kneeling on the pavement, tears streaming down his face in gratitude, he'd probably agree to anything Jia Shuai asked right then and there. His loyalty was bought, cheap and fast.
"Damn it!" Chief slammed his fist against his thigh, frustration boiling over. Such a golden opportunity snatched away by rivals.
"Pointless regret," Ye Yan cut in, anticipating Chief's train of thought. "That tactic requires outside help. Our squad is only four. Whoever played the villain would be permanently sidelined for the entire mission duration. The cost outweighs the gain."
Dancer nodded slowly, then frowned. "One thing puzzles me, Ye Yan. How did you know they were targeting Hirano Kota specifically? It could have been anyone."
Chief and Brawler leaned in, the same question evident on their faces.
"This 'hero saves the victim' play – awkward phrasing, but it fits – hinges on one critical factor," Ye Yan explained, his voice low and analytical. "The target must be inherently vulnerable. Let's break down the core group: Kōta Hirano is the meek otaku. Takashi Komuro has that delinquent edge, athletic. Shizuka Marikawa is safely tucked away in the infirmary. Saeko Busujima? Please. You'd need the hero to save them from her. Rei Miyamoto is glued to her powerhouse boyfriend, Kōta Hirano. Saya Takagi rides in armored cars with bodyguards – no opening there. And the little girl, Alice Maresato, doesn't appear until later in the timeline. Hirano was the only viable, accessible target. The obvious choice."
Chief groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. "Cruel fate! We all slogged through the same basic education system! How are you this sharp?"
Dancer just rolled her eyes at his theatrics. Brawler, long accustomed to Chief's antics, focused on the strategic problem. "Forget the missing Japanese team for now. That 'Alliance' leader just scored major points with a key target. What's our move? Wait for the outbreak and try to intercept them when they flee the school by bus? Like in the story?"
"Too passive. Too risky." Ye Yan shook his head. "The moment the Alliance touched Hirano, the butterfly effect kicked in. The original script? Toss it. There's no guarantee those six will make it out of Fujimi Academy alive, let alone together on that bus."
The term 'butterfly effect' resonated – famous enough from the movies. Chief, Dancer, and Brawler grasped the implication immediately.
"So, we intervene. Proactively," Ye Yan stated. "We reshape the narrative."
"Lay it out, Ye Yan. We're with you," Chief declared, his earlier frustration replaced by unwavering trust. Dancer and Brawler echoed the sentiment with firm nods. Ye Yan had earned their confidence.
"Good. My plan will likely shred the original plotline," Ye Yan warned, his gaze intense. "Parts might seem counterintuitive. I need absolute adherence. No second-guessing. No deviations."
The three members of the Ivory Mountain Chief Squad didn't hesitate. Their trust, however recklessly given, was complete.
"Time is critical. We split into three teams." Ye Yan swiftly divided the stack of US dollars. The largest portion went to Dancer. "Dancer, find a rental property. Near Fujimi Academy. Close to a main artery, but isolated. Our fallback point for the first night."
He handed the next stack to Brawler. "Brawler, hit the supermarkets. Stockpile food, water – as much as you can manage. Arrange delivery to Dancer's location. And grab detailed street maps of Shiroza City."
Chief watched, expectant, as Ye Yan counted out... three measly bills for him.
"Why the short stack?" Chief protested.
"Your task doesn't require cash." Ye Yan paused, then plucked one bill back. "Actually, two should suffice. Head to the Higashimachi Shopping Center. Remember it? Where the group meets the rookie cop, Nakamoto Mami, in the story. Your job: watch. The instant you see signs of the outbreak – chaos, violence, anything – trigger the mall's fire alarm. Scatter the crowd. Get as many people out as possible before the real nightmare starts."
Chief pocketed the two bills with a resigned sigh. "And you, Ye Yan? What's your play?"
Ye Yan's lips curved into a thin, enigmatic smile. "I need to find a... generous citizen. Borrow a few essential items."
Elsewhere...
"Ah, crap! I'm late! So late!"
A teenage boy in Fujimi Academy's distinctive black uniform pedaled furiously up the winding mountain road. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead. His eyes kept darting to his watch, panic rising with each passing second.
Suddenly, a dark shape exploded from the dense roadside brush. It slammed into the cyclist, sending him sprawling. A single, precise blow to the temple silenced his yelp. Strong hands swiftly dragged the limp form into the concealing undergrowth.
Minutes later, Ye Yan emerged. He brushed stray leaves from the now ill-fitting, rumpled black uniform jacket he wore. A frown creased his brow.
"This won't pass inspection..."
He shook his head slightly. A faint grid of blue-white light shimmered over his form for an instant. The cheap fabric seemed to ripple and reshape itself, the wrinkles vanishing, the fit becoming perfect, the fabric appearing crisp and new.
[Fujimi Academy Male Uniform] Type: Apparel (Minimal Armor) Tier: F (Basic) Level: 1 Durability: Low (3) Notes: Standard issue spring uniform for Fujimi Academy male students. Classic cut, decent fabric. The quintessential "anime protagonist" look. Barely qualifies as protective gear. Only certified due to mission infiltration requirements. A waste of valuable points otherwise.