Planning

"So here's the rundown," Botan said, her voice crisp as she leaned back into the worn, black leather couch in Squad Omega's base. 

To her left, Kaito struggled against the thick, gnarled vines that bound him to the cold concrete wall. His eyes blazed with frustration, his mouth twisted in a snarl as he mumbled incoherently, the words muffled by the vines wrapped around his head.

Across from them, Ryujin's face protruded from the dirt floor, his neck and shoulders submerged. His eyes narrowed, brow furrowed, as he asked, "Why isn't she trapped in something?"

A dry cough escaped his lips, sending dust particles dancing in the faint light.

Yukiko sat beside Botan, her gaze fixed intently on Botan.

Mizuki and Kuro stood like sentinels behind Akari, who sat cross-legged on a low, cushioned stool, her dark pants and jacket a stark contrast to the pale, smooth skin of her face. Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night.

Her voice was low and serious, "Continue, Botan."

Botan's words hung in the air like a challenge. "There was a murder that happened a few hours ago. I don't know if you're aware, but three high-school boys were found dead..." Her gaze locked onto Akari, then shifted to Kaito, whose eyes widened despite the vines muffling his voice.

Akari's attention snapped to Botan, her expression unreadable. Kaito's struggles paused, his eyes fixed on the squad leader.

Botan tossed a seed into the center of the room. It exploded into a tree model of the three corpses, suspended mid-air. The lifeless bodies seemed to float, their skin pale and waxen.

"These are their bodies... and they..." Botan began, but Akari interrupted, her voice low and even.

"They were drained of all blood..."

Botan nodded, her eyes never leaving Akari's face. "Exactly. But they weren't cut." The model collapsed to the ground.

Akari's gaze followed the model to the ground. She knelt, her fingers hovering above the model. Her gaze trailed from the head to the chest, then the arms, before settling on small, almost imperceptible holes.

"I see why you want me to investigate Koji..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of curiosity creeping in.

"But... Koji might be a fiend, but he doesn't use such methods," Akari continued, her eyes still fixed on the model

"He'd rather crush your body and take the blood."

Botan nodded. "Just what I thought."

Akari's gaze snapped up to Botan, understanding dawning. "Meaning..."

"It's someone else who's with him," Akari finished, her voice dripping with implication.

Botan's expression turned grim. "He's not working alone anymore."

The room fell silent, the weight of Akari's words hanging heavy. Ryujin's eyes narrowed, his face still half-buried in the dirt. Kaito's struggles resumed. Yukiko's fingers were still on the couch arm, her attention fixed on Akari.

Mizuki and Kuro stood unwavering, their faces masks of calm, but their eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.

Kaito's eyes widened, he pushed himself onto the vine trying to break free, Akari suddenly stood up, her movement sent shockwaves through the room.

She strode purposefully toward Kaito, her hand flashed in a swift arc as it connected with a sharp crack against his cheek. The sound echoed through the base, freezing everyone in place

Mizuki's eyes snapped wide, Kuro's brow furrowed, and Yukiko's lips parted in surprise. Ryujin's face, still half-buried, twisted in curiosity. Botan's expression remained neutral, but her eyes sparkled with interest..

'Kaito's rage against Koji isn't mistakable, anyone here can feel his blood lust' Akari thought, 'that's why...'

Kaito's struggles ceased, his eyes blazing with fury as he met Akari's gaze.

Then, Akari's words diffused the explosive atmosphere: "Relax... you'll get him."

'I have to do my job as a Leader...' 

'And his friend..'

Kaito's chest heaved, his rage slowly receding as Akari's calm demeanor washed over him. His eyes narrowed, focusing on her.

Akari's eyes turned to Botan's face, her expression unwavering. "Okay, so I guess you want the three of them to go undercover in the school of the dead victims, in case Koji is there planning something..."

Botan's gaze narrowed, a hint of surprise flickering across her face. "That's actually a better idea, all I wanted to do was take them along so they'd fight for me." She chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.

"Why are you only useful for murder cases?..." Akari said, and slapped her forehead echoing a sharp crack.

"I forgot how dense you actually are..." She shook her head, a wry smile twisting her lips.

"It's a talent," Botan said, flashing a peace sign over her eye.

"Shut it," Akari replied, her voice cold as ice.

Botan's grin faltered, her expression turning somber. "But why choose my team?" Akari said,

"What about yours?"

Botan stood up and walked, then paused, turning back to Akari. "They're all dead," she said, her voice low and said,

The room's collective gasp was palpable. Akari's eyes widened, shock etched on her face. "They're dead?! How?! What happened?!"

Botan's voice cracked. "I don't even know... they went on a mission and came back... it was only one person... He was bruised and battered, and he said they all died." Her eyes dropped, shame and guilt written across her features.

"And I can't send him alone on this mission... I should have mentioned something... I'm sorry."

Akari's thoughts flashed to a scene of a lifeless body haunting her mind. She sighed, the sound barely audible. "Fine, we'll help... Not like we have any choice to refuse."

'And that's how I'm here,' Kaito thought as he leaned against a school locker, his eyes scanning the empty hallway.

He let out a low sigh. 'I thought I'd never have to come back to school again...'

His gaze flicked to the clock. 'And I'm supposed to meet him any moment from now... Why is he late?'

Footsteps echoed down the hall, growing louder.

"Sorry I'm late," a voice called out.

Kaito pushed off the locker, his eyes meeting Zarek's striking white hair, styled in messy spikes. Zarek's piercing silver eyes sparkled with amusement.

"It's okay, let's just head to class, Zarek," Kaito said, his voice even.

Zarek fell into step beside Kaito. "Can't wait to blend in with the norms, huh?"

Kaito's smile was wry. "Just pretend to be interested in the lessons."

As they walked, Kaito's thoughts replayed Botan's instructions: "Your mission is to spot any anomalies in the school. I'm sensing a huge amount of something wrong in there."

Her parting words echoed in his mind: "And be careful..."

Kaito's eyes scanned the crowded hallway, his gaze sweeping over students laughing and chatting. He sighed inwardly. 'We'll win...'

Just then, a student walked past him, and then suddenly turned around. His eyes locked onto Kaito and Zarek. "Isn't that...?"