The Plan (1)

After Sayu's return, Allen reunited everyone, Ayaka, Ayato and Tomoki, at Ayato's office, Sayu was also there but was half asleep. Allen wasn't sure if it was due to fatigue as that was Sayu's normal state, being so awake being rare for her.

"What have you learned?" Ayato asked with curiosity and anguish.

"The information that Sayu obtained it's about the interchanges of two parties, cooperation and sponsorship of money and talents, and talks about future plans." Allen explained the letters "There are some accounts sheets describing the movements, but without more information, it became difficult to truly follow it, so little specific information could be taken from it."

"Are they from the Mia and the Hiiragi Clans?" Tomoki asked.

"The letters start from some years ago, from a lower status part that seemed to relay in the other to grow, reaching a considerable growth in last years, the sponsorship become quite profitable for both parties." Allen said "So, yes. It's most probably about the Mia Clan."

"If it's so, we can use that information to denounce the Hiiragi Clan to intrude over the Yashiro Commission, even trying to take control of it" Ayato said his idea.

"It won't work" Allen shook his head "These proofs are mere speculations. They had been wary enough to never reveal their names on it while using custom stamps for their interchange, preventing thieves from using it or someone to forge one."

"Even if we create a case to investigate, it would take time for such a low-proof statement to truly start. Moreover, I'm sure that the Hiiragi Clan is already prepared and could avoid it, perfectly feigning ignorance of it, stating us forgers and liers or simply linking the accounts to another business. In the end, these numbers could perfectly explain any business. They must keep these letters as proof to keep the hold over the Mia Clan while making sure that it was useless in other hands."

"So it's no use?" Sayu said without spirit, thinking her work has been useless.

"Of course not, Sayu" Allen tried to cheer up "This information had made sure that they are cooperating, so we must be aware of both clans. Moreover..."

"This was the last one and possibly the most important." Allen took out one of the letters "They talk about the final push and a big hit, an attack to accomplish their final objective and the date of the operation is a little over a month, on New Year's day. I think that they are trying to directly attack you for that day."

"How could they?" Ayato said confused "The New Year is one of the most important festivities and we as the Yashiro Commission in charge of culture and festivals while is true that we will be busy, we will be at the center of attention, any movement would be difficult and risky."

"That might be the usual case" Allen nodded "But this year is a little different, no?"

"The mourning" Ayato's eyes went wide "How can I not have thought about it? As our father had passed away, Ayaka and I will need to mourn his death, cleaning the previous year and preparing a bright new one. On that night, we will need to mourn him while the others of the Commission are busy with the festivities. We will be at the minimum personal and at the weakest."

"B-but!" Ayaka interjected "Now that we know when they want to attack, we can act. We can prepare a trap for their attack!" she thought.

"No" Allen shook his head "We don't know when they will attack. At the moment that the Hiiragi Clan discovered that someone had robbed this information, they won't be fool enough to follow the prepared plan. So most likely they will change the date to a later one or a sooner."

"I should have been more careful." Sayu lamented "If only a wasn't discovered, we could have the upper hand."

"Thanks to you we are aware of a possible attack, that's good enough, Sayu" Allen cheered "Now, we only need to act faster than them. For that, we will need someone more help." Allen turned over the door "Sayu, please open the door."

Sayu stood up and opened the door, nodding at Allen as Thoma entered the room, every gaze falling on him.

"Don't look so attentive, you'll make me shy" Thoma tried to cheer a little the hard environment.

"Jokes aside" Allen talked "The Hiiragi's objectives are Ayaka and Ayato so all of their movements will be under heavy surveillance, however, a simple servant without a position like Thoma would not. So Thoma will prepare an escape route over these days."

"You can count on me!" Thoma punched his chest "It need some preparations, but I have a perfect route!"

"So your plan is to escape?" Ayato asked.

"Yes. This is not a battle that can be won. Your lives are in immediate danger and we cannot win over the Hiiragi's and Mia's forces, so we will hide you in a secret location. If you don't appear for the New Year's celebration it would be considered as you have run away from your responsibilities, so you will return for them."

"But be calm" Allen grinned "Your sudden appearance will surprise them as we will extent rumors of you leaving Inazuma and running away and even if they decide to attack we will be prepared. I had already planned with other forces, we only need time."

Ayato glared intensively at Allen, but seeing his unmoved resolution, nodded, deciding to trust him "I trust you and won't ask, but when do you plan to do our little *escapade*?"

"It will be on the night that Tomoki leaves Inazuma." Allen explained "Our enemies will be wary of him, preferring to attack after he leaves Inazuma to take out the most dangerous factor. We will take advantage of that, when their attention is focused on him, that respite of him leaving Inazuma. We will be using that time for Thoma to escort you both using his escape route."

"Make people focus on one thing while you prepare the actual trick" Sayu remembered Allen's words.

"Exactly" Allen smiled.

...

At night over Ritou, a hooded person clad in black passed over the streets while hiding in the shadows. Not even an inch of skin could be seen, making impossible to know who truly was.

"STOP!" The person walked without rest until it reached the Hiiragi's manor where two guard stopped him crossing their spears "You are about to trespass the Hiiragi's territory. Identify!"

"I'm here with very information that I'm sure Lord Hiiragi would be very interested" The hooded person said taking out a letter.

"That?!" One of the guards' eyes went wide seeing the later. He quickly took it and glared at the hooded person, pointing his spear at him.

"I'm not here for a fight" The hooded person lifted his hands showing no weapon, surrendering to them "You can take the letter."

"Wait a moment." The guard said taking the letter and turning around "Watch him, make sure he doesn't escape" He whispered to his companion who quickly put up his spear, pointing the spear at the hooded man.

The guard crossed over the manor, reaching Shinsuke's office, entering after gaining permission and showing the letter.

"Where have you obtained it? Did you find the thief?" Shinsuke asked, knowing perfectly well that the letter was one of the files robbed from his office the other day by an Anemo Vision bearer.

"One man brought it. He had asked for audience, stating to have useful information for you, lord!" The guard explained.

"Let him in" Shinsuke commanded coldly, the guard nodding and returning to the entrance.

"Prepare for a possible attack" Shinsuke commanded at his own personal guards "Don't let him escape. You know what will happen if you fail me again" He threatened.

"Yes, Hiiragi-sama!" The guards said at unison.

After some minutes, the hooded person entered the office.

"So, what's the information?" Shinsuke asked while putting his elbows over the table and crossing his hands.

"Don't you want the Kamisato siblings?" The hooded person said mysteriously as he put his hand over his hood, taking it out and revealing his blond hair and green eyes.

"You are their servant, Thoma" Shinsuke glared at him, quickly recognizing him.

"At your service" Thoma made a bow, before turning again at him "I can send them just to you."