Climax

As we closed in on the warehouse, the situation intensified. A convoy of heavily armed Yakuza members surrounded a truck, hastily loading what appeared to be crates of valuables.

(Momo) signaled for us to hold our positions behind a stack of crates, her hand up in a closed fist. We quickly spread out, taking cover.

"Alright, We've got a high-stakes situation here. Those goods are our ticket to getting back at these bastards."

"The plan?"

"What's the plan?"

Stratega (Shizuka)with her sharp eyes, assessed the situation. "They're focused on loading the truck. It's now or never. We storm in, take them down, and hijack."

Mirage (Momo)'s gaze met mine briefly. "Remember, Ryo-sama, stay close to us and follow our lead. We've got your back," she reminded me, her voice unwavering.

I nodded, gripping the handgun tightly.

Without hesitation, Mirage (Momo) gave the signal, and we burst from our cover, our guns barking in unison. Caught off guard, the Yakuza were easy targets.

"Argh!" They cried out as they fell to the ground, the surprise attack throwing them into disarray.

"Enemy attack! Fire back!" one of them shouted, and they hastily returned fire.

Meanwhile, I focused on shooting out the tires of the truck, but my aim kept faltering due to the hail of bullets coming our way.

Damn it, they're armed with assault rifles!

Seven(Nana), displaying her incredible agility, leaped onto the hood of a parked car. With a swift and deadly motion, she threw daggers at the Yakuza on the left side, causing them to drop like flies, the knives finding their mark in their heads.

Cheshire(Yukiko) and Stratega(Shizuka) maintained a steady rhythm, providing us with cover fire. Their precise shots kept the enemy pinned down.

As expected of them... Assassins had a wealth of combat experience, but we weren't fighting like assassins.

In the midst of the firefight, another group of Yakuza burst through the garage door at the front, unleashing a fresh volley of gunfire.

"Fire! Fire! Don't let them get to us!" one of the Yakuza barked, determined to hold their ground.

The situation had escalated into a chaotic firefight, and the odds were stacked against us.

The firefight ended swiftly as our skilled team of maids eliminated the Yakuza threat. Their coordination and precision were a force to be reckoned with. I, on the other hand, had been occupied with the task of shooting out the tires to prevent the enemy from escaping.

Surveying the scene, I cautiously stepped out from behind cover, warily checking for any signs of life among the fallen Yakuza.

Walking toward the back of the truck, I was puzzled.

Hadn't it been open earlier?

As I pushed open the truck's rear door, a sudden searing pain shot through my chest, and I gasped in agony.

"Ah."

My vision blurred for a moment, and I slowly turned my gaze to the man responsible for my injury.

He wore shades and had distinctive white hair, with a scar on his cheek—a face that seemed vaguely familiar.

I had been careless...

"Ryo-sama!" Momo's voice rang out, and I watched her rushing toward me.

But before she could reach me, the man threatened, "Don't move, or I'll end this brat's life." He pointed his gun menacingly at me.

"You...!" Momo's anger was evident, but before she could raise her weapon, a shot rang out, striking her arm. She cried out in pain, clutching her injured limb.

"Ugh! Ryo-sama!!" She shouted, her distress evident.

"Shut it... or I'll kill one of your friends too." The man's voice was cold and ruthless.

Other maids were also caught in the chaos. Nana and Yukiko lay bruised and unconscious nearby, and Mizuki was nowhere to be found.

"Is that all of them?" The man questioned one of his underlings.

"I think that's all of them."

Then, turning his attention back to me, the man smiled wickedly. "Take him... we're gonna need him."

Need me? What for...

"Yes, boss."

"What about the maids?" another underling asked.

"Them? Dispose of them."

"Yes."

Dispose... No... You can't... I need to move! Please...! Move!!

I struggled against the pain, and desperation driving me to try and escape, but my body refused to cooperate.

Pain still radiated from my chest as I strained to reach the handgun I had dropped. The world around me felt hazy, and every heartbeat throbbed with agony. 

With trembling hands, I finally grasped the cold, unforgiving metal of the handgun. My fingers found their place on the trigger, and I lifted the weapon, aiming it toward the man who had caused so much chaos.

As I squeezed the trigger, the report of the gunshot filled the air. The man's angry exclamation was cut short as the bullet found its mark, and he cried out in pain. 

"Son of a!"

My vision blurred as I witnessed the man, wounded but determined, raising his handgun towards me. I braced myself for what seemed like an inevitable end.

But fate had other plans.

A sudden, unexpected turn of events unfolded before me. The man's shot missed, and he staggered as a sharp pain radiated from his back. Mizuki had struck, her swift and precise action preventing my assailant from taking another shot at me.

"Reinforcements are here... Ryo-sama!" Mizuki called out to me.

Reinforcements?

  I struggled to make sense of the situation as I lay there, my strength waning.

And then, two familiar figures approached me, their presence both reassuring and surreal.

"Are you alright, Ryo-sama?" one of them asked, their voice cutting through the haze of confusion.

"Nori-san...?"

"Yeah... It's me," Nori-san confirmed, their voice laced with determination. "I'll be treating you now, but first, let's get out of here."

A wave of gratitude and relief washed over me. But as I tried to convey my concern for the others, my strength failed me, and I slipped into unconsciousness.