[WARNING]

THIS IS A TRIAL CHAPTER

This is my first attempt at transitioning to a more novel-like format. If this new structure is well-received, I will retroactively update the earlier chapters to match it. However, if it's not well-received, I may revert to my original approach.

The same thing applies to my GFL fanfic, now titled "Paths Yet Found"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guest Room, Joint JSDF-USMC Headquarters

April 2, 2028, 09:02 (2nd day of the Blood Moon 638)

Pina sat with her hands folded neatly on her lap, trying to maintain an air of dignity despite the growing anxiety in her chest. The chair she occupied was plush and firm, offering comfort without making her feel as if she'd sink into it. The smooth armrests gleamed faintly, polished to perfection, and the table before her reflected a similar level of craftsmanship. It exuded an understated elegance—functional and precise.

Bozes shifted slightly in her seat, adjusting the fabric of her attire. Her eyes wandered around the room, taking in the sterile, orderly design. There were no tapestries or grand decorations, just clean lines and subtle lighting. Even the air, cool and carefully regulated, felt deliberate—just enough to keep them alert but not uncomfortable. She shifted again, smoothing out a wrinkle in her garment, and glanced at Pina.

"This place feels strange," Bozes whispered, leaning slightly toward her princess. "It's not like a castle, but... everything here seems so exact. Even the air feels controlled."

Pina gave a small nod, her gaze lingering on the table's smooth, polished surface. "Yes. They have their way of doing things—precise, and efficient."

The silence in the room was unsettling. The hum of the air vents amplified the stillness, and the ticking of the clock sounded louder than it should have. Pina drummed her fingers lightly on the armrest, trying to keep her composure. Her thoughts swirled as she wondered what General Hazama would say—and, more importantly, what his expectations of her would be.

Bozes tapped her hand against the edge of her chair, the sound of her nail against wood sharp and deliberate. "Do you think they'll demand anything from us? Or... punish us for what happened?"

Pina exhaled slowly, willing her voice to remain steady. "I don't know. I just hope..." Her voice faltered, the weight of uncertainty dragging her words into silence.

Before she could finish, the door hissed open. Both women immediately straightened, assuming postures befitting their status. A soldier stepped inside, wearing a neatly pressed uniform that reflected the same precision as everything else in the room. His expression was polite but unreadable.

"General Hazama and Colonel Clark will see you shortly," the soldier announced, his tone measured. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Pina offered him a polite nod, though her heart was pounding. Bozes mirrored her, keeping her composure intact, though both women shared a silent look of uncertainty.

The soldier gave a final nod and exited, leaving the room again in silence.

The quiet became heavier as the door clicked shut, pressing down on them like a weight. Pina gripped the armrests of her chair a little tighter, her mind swimming with questions. Was this an opportunity to negotiate peace... or the first step toward war?

The room was filled with a heavy, unspoken tension as silence hung in the air. Suddenly, the door swung open and two middle-aged men walked in. The first man was wearing a uniform similar to the soldier who had escorted them, but more decorative. His hair showed streaks of gray at the temples, hinting at years of experience.

The second man, a bit shorter but equally imposing, sported a clean-shaven face and sharp features. He wore a uniform: a green jacket adorned with various patches, a polished brass belt buckle, and matching trousers. The uniform was complemented by a light khaki shirt and some sort of piece of cloth on his neck, along with highly polished black shoes.

The taller man stepped forward and introduced himself. "I am General Koichiro Hazama of the Japan Self-Defense Forces," he stated, his voice steady and authoritative.

The second man followed suit, offering a firm nod. "Colonel James Clarke of the United States Marine Corps," he introduced himself, his voice carrying a slight gravel that hinted at a lifetime of commanding troops.

As the introductions concluded, Pina and Bozes exchanged surprised glances, momentarily taken aback by the ordinariness of the men before them. General Hazama and Colonel Clarke carried themselves with authority, yet their demeanor felt approachable, almost too normal for the weight of their roles.

Before they could further process their impressions, a younger man stepped forward, his glasses reflecting the light overhead. "I'm Lieutenant Yanagida, General Hazama's aide," he said, adjusting his glasses slightly.

Then, a slightly older man with a neatly trimmed beard entered the room, exuding a commanding presence. "Lieutenant Colonel Blackburn," he introduced himself, his voice firm. "Commanding Officer of Bravo Squadron, Delta Force. I believe you're already acquainted with some of my men."

As Lieutenant Colonel Blackburn introduced himself, Bozes felt a shift in the atmosphere. "Delta Force". The elite unit Adam and those soldiers from the "US army" they mentioned being a part of.

Bozes nudged Pina, both now keenly aware of the weight behind Lieutenant Colonel Blackburn's introduction. Yet what unsettled them most was how ordinary he seemed. For the leader of the "Delta Force"—the elite unit Adam had spoken of with such reverence—Blackburn was surprisingly unremarkable in appearance and manner.

Pina exchanged a glance with Bozes, their shared skepticism unspoken. They had expected someone more imposing, someone who embodied the fearsome reputation of this "Delta Force."

Blackburn noticed Pina and Bozes eyeing him with thinly veiled curiosity. Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Caught off guard, the two women straightened in their seats. Bozes quickly shook her head, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. "No, nothing at all," she muttered, her voice slightly stiff.

Pina gave a polite, if awkward, smile. "Just... gathering our thoughts."

Blackburn gave a small, knowing smirk but didn't press further.

Yanagida cleared his throat, smoothly cutting through the awkward moment. "Let's get started, shall we?" With a gesture, he directed everyone to sit.

The group settled into their chairs as Yanagida opened a folder, his expression turning serious. "We know why you're here, and so do you." He leaned forward slightly. "This is about the incident involving Lieutenant Itami."

He paused, then fixed Bozes with a direct look. "To be clear—did Lieutenant Itami or any of his men provoke the knights?"

Bozes shifted uneasily under Yanagida's sharp gaze, her confidence faltering. "No," she murmured, shrinking slightly in her chair. "There was no provocation."

Hazama leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Then why?" His tone was calm but carried the weight of someone who demanded answers.

Pina straightened, trying to maintain her composure despite the growing tension. "The knights were already en route to Italica before Lieutenant Itami and his men even arrived in Italica and when they left," she explained, her voice measured but tinged with frustration. "They never received the message about the agreement we made. That's how it happened... they just didn't know."

Yanagida scribbled a note in the folder, his pen moving in precise strokes. "So this was a communication failure," he concluded, glancing up.

Pina gave a small, reluctant nod. "Yes. They acted on old orders, unaware the situation had changed."

Blackburn leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze shifted between Hazama and Yanagida. "So," he said, his voice calm but edged with practicality, "are your concerns settled, then?"

Clarke, sitting beside him, gave a small nod. "If the Lieutenant himself confirmed it was just a misunderstanding, that should clear things up, right?"

Hazama exhaled through his nose, his expression softening slightly. "Yes. Lieutenant Itami confirmed it to me. It seems everything points to a communication failure, nothing more."

Blackburn gave a curt nod. "Good. No sense dragging this out further, then."

Hazama gave a small nod of agreement, his stern demeanor finally easing. "It seems we've resolved what needed addressing." He glanced at Yanagida, ready to signal the end of the meeting. "Let's—"

Before he could finish, both Yanagida's and Blackburn's phones vibrated simultaneously on the table, the soft buzz cutting through the room. The two men exchanged a brief look before standing and excusing themselves.

"Pardon us," Yanagida said curtly, stepping aside to answer his phone. Blackburn gave a similar nod toward Clarke and Hazama before moving toward the door with his own phone already at his ear.

Pina and Bozes watched them leave with quiet curiosity, sensing something unexpected had just happened.

On opposite sides of the room, Yanagida and Blackburn each listened intently to the voices on the other end of their calls. The message was simple, but the words carried a heavy significance:

"They want to meet."

Both men stiffened, glancing toward each other as they absorbed the identical message, unspoken understanding passing between them.

Yanagida ended his call first and tucked the phone back into his pocket. Blackburn did the same, his sharp gaze lingering on the closed door for a moment before turning toward Yanagida.

"Looks like things just got complicated," Blackburn muttered, his voice low.





Mess Hall, Alnus Hill

April 2, 2028, 09:15 (2nd day of the Blood Moon 638)

The mess hall buzzed with the chatter of soldiers, the clattering of trays, and the faint hum of conversation. Third Recon and Bravo 1 occupied one of the larger tables, plates piled high with the morning's chow. The aroma of food wafted through the air, mingling with the laughter and camaraderie of the troops.

Kurata leaned forward, picking at his meal. He glanced around the table, noting the casual banter among his teammates. "Hey, does anyone know what the whole conference deal Captain Caldwell mentioned was about?"

Perez shrugged, a bemused look on his face. "Probably some dumb intergovernmental conference that won't go anywhere. You know how these things are. Just a bunch of suits talking in circles."

Just as he finished speaking, Adam seemed to materialize out of nowhere, looming behind Perez with a sharp grin. He reached out, delivering a light but firm slap to the back of Perez's head.

He settled into a seat beside Perez, still smirking as he glanced at the bewildered look on his face. "This isn't some dumb meeting, Perez," he said, shaking his head. "You need to get your head out of your ass."

Perez shot Adam a glare, rubbing the back of his head where the slap had landed. "You always gotta pop outta thin air, don't you?" he grumbled, his annoyance evident. "Swear to God, it's like you've got some kinda radar for screwing with me."

Adam leaned back in his chair, his grin unfaltering. "Nah, man, it's not a radar." He tapped the side of his temple. "It's instinct. I could feel your dumbass energy radiating from miles away. If you learned to suppress that, maybe just—maybe—I wouldn't have to keep pulling you outta trouble."

Kurata rested his elbows on the table, leaning closer. "Sergeant, you seem to know what's going on. So, what's this conference really about? Caldwell said you're going to be part of it, right?""

Adam stabbed a piece of sausage with his fork, chewing thoughtfully before answering. "From what I've heard, it's about that whole mess at Coda Village." He glanced around the table, his voice low but clear enough for his teammates to catch every word. "You know, the giant lizard we had to deal with during the evacuation."

Kurata's brow furrowed. "What about it? We got the villagers out, didn't we?"

Adam nodded slowly, setting his fork down. "Yeah, but not all of them. Civilians still died during the attack. And now the Japanese Diet and the U.S. Senate—want to pick everything apart."

Nishina leaned back in his chair, suddenly more serious. "So, they think we might have messed up?"

"Or that we didn't do enough," Adam replied, his tone steady. "Either way, they want a full report. They need to know if there's anything we could have done differently or if we followed all the proper procedures during the evacuation."

The atmosphere around the table shifted, laughter fading into contemplative silence as the reality of their responsibilities weighed heavily on them.

Kuribayashi nodded slowly, understanding the implications. "So, they're using this conference to scrutinize us? Great."

Perez shook his head, a wry smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "They wouldn't find anything. They always pull this kind of thing. The big boss here," he said, jerking his thumb toward Adam, "almost got court-martialed because people thought he shot an unarmed civilian."

Kurata's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what? What happened?"

Hill, seated at the far end of the table, leaned forward with a knowing look. "You ever hear about that incident in Syria? When an American SOF team shot a guy at a barbecue?"

Kurata blinked, sifting through memories of news reports he'd seen. "Yeah... I think I saw something about that. There were videos and everything. That was you guys?"

Hill nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah, that was us." He ran a hand over his jaw, exhaling slowly before continuing. "We were staking out a house based on intel that suggested it was the hideout of a high-value target. After hours of observation, we noticed a man outside the house who we believed to be the target's bodyguard."

Adam leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "We waited for the right moment, then moved in. But when the breach kicked off, all hell broke loose."

Hill picked up the story again, his tone flat but edged with the weight of past decisions. "We were keeping an eye on this guy, and instead of running or pulling out a weapon, he just stood there, looking like he was at a cookout or something. We didn't hesitate—we were sure he was armed. So, we shot him."

Kuwahara leaned forward, captivated by the story. "And that's what got caught on camera? Him standing there, no weapon?"

Hill nodded grimly. "Yeah. Some geniuses in the neighborhood were recording everything on their phone. From their angle, it looked like we smoked an unarmed civilian."

Tomita whistled low under his breath, shaking his head. "Damn. And they tried to nail you guys for that?"

Adam chuckled without humor, eyes glinting with frustration. "They were ready to throw us under the bus. We had to go through a whole investigation—lawyers, interviews, the works. It looked like the higher-ups were going to sacrifice us to keep the headlines quiet."

Hill gave a tight nod. "It took weeks of pulling together every scrap of footage and testimony to prove the guy was armed—turns out he had a pistol tucked in his waistband, but he never drew it. By the time we found out, the damage was already done. Headlines ran with the 'unarmed civilian' angle. Even after we were cleared, people didn't care about the truth."

Kurata exhaled slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. "So you guys did everything right, and it still almost ruined you."

"Welcome to the job," Adam said with a grim smile. "Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong—just whether the story makes a good headline."

Kuribayashi shook her head in frustration. "It's never about the reality on the ground, is it?"

"Nope," Adam replied, stabbing at his food with a little more force than necessary. "It's about optics. It's always about optics."

The table fell into a thoughtful silence as the gravity of Adam's words sank in. After a moment, Nishina broke the quiet, his brow furrowing in concern. "So, who's going to this conference?"

Adam glanced around the table, mentally ticking off names. "It'll be me, Itami, The Cap, General Hazama's aide Lieutenant Yanagida, Tomita, and Kuribayashi. Plus, the girls—Lelei, Rory, and Tuka."

"Wait, the girls?" Perez echoed, incredulous. "They're bringing them into this? What do they have to do with any of it?"

Adam leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "They have been involved in our operations and have witnessed what happened. Their perspectives are important for the higher-ups to hear."

Hill's brow furrowed as he mentally repeated the names, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. Suddenly, a realization hit him. "Hey, wait a minute—what about Andrew? He usually comes to these kinds of meetings. Why isn't he on the list?"

Adam's expression turned flat, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Caldwell forbade him from going. And I agreed."

"Seriously?" Hill raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What's the reason behind that?"

Adam leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Caldwell and I both thought Andrew needed to focus on taking care of Red. With everything going on, he's the one who should be handling her situation, especially with the paperwork involved."

Each member was lost in their thoughts as they contemplated the reality of Red's situation. The horrors of her past weighed heavily on them, casting a shadow over their breakfast. Kuribayashi finally broke the stillness, her voice low and thoughtful. "Do you think she's even allowed on base? I mean, with everything she's been through..."

Adam shook his head, his face relaxed despite the mood"Oh, she's fine. He just needs to register her as a refugee. Blackburn seemed okay with letting Andrew off the hook this time, even though he nearly caused a diplomatic shitshow."

A collective sigh of relief washed over the table as the weight of the situation began to lift.

Adam leaned back slightly "I'm just glad the whole thing didn't end with too many bodies. We got lucky this time, thanks to Shadow Company—though I can't say I'm thrilled about having them involved," he admitted, a frown crossing his face.

Kuwahara furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued. "But is it even legal for them to have killed those people in the first place?"

Adam shrugged, leaning forward slightly as he explained, "Graves was just following the countess's orders when he carried out the death sentence. He mentioned having a 'deal' with her, so technically, it's not illegal. Plus, even if it were, our governments wouldn't take any action against him."

Tomita still not fully understanding decided to press further. "Really? why do you think our governments wouldn't charge him? I mean, extrajudicial killings... that's a serious thing, right?"

Adam gave him a knowing smirk, leaning back in his seat. "Okay, here's some food for thought: Shadow Company, a Private Military Company made up of civilian contractors, is somehow allowed to operate in the Special Region, even though it's supposed to be restricted to civilians."

The others exchanged glances, unease creeping across their faces.

Adam continued, "They got helicopters deployed faster than the Marines, and for some reason, they were allowed to set up an office in Italica without anyone questioning it. It means not just mine but your government helped them set up shop here or turned a blind eye."

Kuribayashi frowned. "You're saying the brass wanted them here from the start?"

Adam gave a nonchalant shrug as if brushing off the weight of his theory. "It's just a theory," he said, the smirk lingering.

With that, he got up from his seat, stretching his arms overhead with a satisfied groan. "Anyway, I'm out. I'll catch you guys later."

Just as he was about to walk away, he paused and turned back toward Kuribayashi and Tomita. "Oh, almost forgot—make sure you're packed and ready. We're heading to Japan at 11. And don't forget to tell the girls, too."

Kuribayashi gave him a mock salute, though her expression remained thoughtful. "Yeah, yeah. We got it."





The Gate, Alnus Hill

April 2, 2028, 11:07 (2nd day of the Blood Moon 638)

The sun hung high in the sky as Adam and Itami stood at the Gate on Alnus Hill, both clad in their respective dress uniforms. Adam, in his crisp U.S. Army Dress Uniform with the unmistakable red dagger on his shoulder, glanced sideways at Itami, who was shifting impatiently on his feet in his JSDF uniform.

The morning sun was high, and a gentle breeze rustled the banners and flags lining the checkpoint. But Itami's mood soured with each passing minute.

He sighed heavily, glancing at his watch. "Why is everyone always late? We said eleven, right? It's already 11:07."

Adam smirked, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Hey Lieutenant Hypocrisy, remember that joint training op? You were twenty minutes late when you were still SOG. I thought they were gonna leave you behind."

Itami shot him a glare, though there was no real heat in it. "Don't remind me. I can still feel the cold water they doused me with. 'Lesson in discipline,' they said." He shivered slightly at the memory, rubbing his arms. "It was winter, too. That was borderline sadistic."

Adam chuckled. "Well, at least you learned your lesson—more or less."

Itami rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'm here on time now, aren't I?"

Just then, the low rumble of approaching vehicles caught their attention. A convoy of humvees came into view, kicking up dust as they neared the "Gate". Inside were the rest of the group—Kuribayashi, Tomita, Lelei, Rory, and Tuka.

Adam gave Itami a playful nudge. "Seven minutes late. Practically early by your standards."

Itami waved as the convoy rolled closer, and his sour mood finally lifted. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Kuribayashi and Tomita hopped out of their vehicles, both dressed casually for the day.

"Are we only seven minutes late?" Kuribayashi called out, feigning surprise.

"It's practically early by Itami's standards," Adam teased, nudging Itami with his elbow.

Itami shot him a glare, though there was no real heat in it. "Just be glad I'm not the one driving this time," he shot back, a smirk creeping onto his face.

As the girls climbed out, Tuka tugged at the thick sweater she was wearing, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Why do I have to wear such thick clothes? It's warm, isn't it?"

Itami smiled gently at her. "Well, it's spring there in Japan, but the temperatures can still drop unexpectedly. It's better to be safe than sorry. Trust me, you'll be grateful for it later."

Meanwhile, Rory stood with her halberd propped against her shoulder, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Ugh, this is so annoying. Why do I have to cover up my halberd? It's not like anyone there wouldn't know what it is."

Adam rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Because if you don't cover it up, people are going to get scared. And I'd rather not deal with that kind of panic today."

Rory huffed, clearly unconvinced. "But it's a weapon. It's supposed to look imposing!"

"And it does," Adam replied, trying to suppress a grin. "But a little mystery goes a long way. You don't want to startle anyone"

Lelei, who had been quietly observing the banter, finally spoke up, her brows slightly furrowed in thought. "How are we going to get there? Are we walking the whole way?"

Adam turned to her with a nod. "For now, yes. We'll be walking until we reach the other side of the "Gate". After that, we'll switch to vehicles. But first, we're still waiting on Lieutenant Yanagida and Captain Caldwell to pull up."

As they were chatting, two sleek sedans pulled up. Caldwell and Lieutenant Yanagida stepped out, followed by Princess Pina and her bodyguard Bozes, causing a wave of surprise among the group.

Yanagida and Caldwell exchanged glances, and Caldwell stepped forward to address Adam and Itami. "Pina and Bozes are here to meet with several government officials—both American and Japanese. This needs to stay under wraps, though. No official escort, no flashy announcements. Keep things quiet."

Yanagida nodded in agreement. "You two, along with Kuribayashi and Tomita, will act as their escorts. We'll take care of the formalities. Just make sure everything runs smoothly."

Adam crossed his arms, already slipping into his professional mindset. "VIP protection, huh? Well, not my first rodeo," he muttered, though the irritation in his voice was hard to miss. "I just hope they're not too high-maintenance."

Itami, on the other hand, shifted awkwardly. "Me? Escorting royalty? I don't know if I'm the right guy for—"

Before he could finish, Yanagida handed him an envelope thick with cash. "Consider this a bonus. Take some R&R with the girls while you're in Japan. You've earned it."

Itami folded almost immediately, tucking the envelope into his jacket pocket. "Well, when you put it like that..." he mumbled, avoiding Adam's gaze.

Adam stared at him, incredulous. "You're way too easy," he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Itami just shrugged, clearly unbothered by the jab. "Hey, I'm not about to turn down a chance for some downtime. I need it."

Meanwhile, Tomita and Kuribayashi exchanged uneasy glances. This was their first time doing bodyguard duty, and the weight of the assignment was starting to sink in.

"Relax," Adam said with a smirk, noticing their unease. "This isn't brain surgery. Just keep the VIPs safe and the bad guys as far away as possible. If anything does go sideways..." He patted the holster at his hip, grinning. "Well, that's where we come in."

Kuribayashi huffed, arms crossed. "Easy for you to say, Sir. You're used to this kind of stuff."

Tomita shifted glancing between Pina and Bozes. "Do we even know what kind of 'bad guys' to expect?"

Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "Probably none. This is just a precaution. But in this line of work, better safe than sorry."

Pina, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "You'll hardly need to worry. Bozes and I are capable of handling ourselves."

Bozes nodded firmly "Indeed. We are not helpless."

Adam smiled knowingly. "Glad to hear it. Just let us do the heavy lifting if anything goes down. No offense, Princess, but things move a little differently in our world."

Yanagida, who had been listening with a furrowed brow, suddenly interjected, snapping them back to the task at hand. "Enough joking around, everyone. It's time to get ready to cross the gate."

Caldwell nodded in agreement with Yanagida, the light banter among the team fading. "Let's keep our heads on straight," he said, leading them forward.

As they neared the checkpoint, a guard checked their IDs meticulously. Pina felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, her heart racing as they waited for clearance. The air felt charged, almost electric, as if they were on the brink of something monumental.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, the guard nodded and waved them through. "You're clear."

As they passed the checkpoint, Pina's breath caught as she saw the massive, otherworldly gate – the portal between her world and Japan. Pina stood for a moment, taking in the sight, her thoughts racing. This was it—the threshold between her kingdom and the land that had both intrigued and terrified her. On the other side of this "gate" lay Japan.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Bozes asked softly, her voice breaking through Pina's reverie.

Pina turned to her, forcing a smile. "Yes, just... thinking about what lies beyond."

As Pina and Bozes stood in awe, Itami noticed their captivated expressions and couldn't help but chuckle. "Come on, ladies. We can't just stand here gaping at it all day,"

With that, he stepped forward, leading the way toward the shimmering gate. Pina and Bozes exchanged glances, then followed closely behind, the anticipation building as they approached the portal.

As they crossed through the gate, Pina felt an odd sensation wash over her—like stepping into a warm embrace. It was surreal, a moment suspended in time. Colors intensified, and the sounds from the other side grew louder and more vibrant. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking in the feeling of the transition, then opened them to reveal a completely new world.

On the other side of the gate, the landscape transformed dramatically. Gone were the rolling hills and rustic charm of her kingdom; in their place stood towering buildings, their glass façades gleaming under the sunlight. The streets were bustling with activity, the sounds of voices mingling with the distant hum of traffic, creating a symphony of urban life.

"Welcome to Japan," Itami announced with a grin, gesturing around him. "What do you think?"

Rory, Tuka, and Lelei stepped through the gate right behind Pina and Bozes, their eyes wide with wonder. As they were captivated by the sights and sounds of Tokyo, each of them paused momentarily to take in the sheer scale of the towering buildings around them.

Itami and Adam exchanged amused glances at the trio's reaction. "Cute, right?" Adam whispered, smirking.

"Definitely," Itami replied, chuckling softly.

However, Caldwell cleared his throat, bringing their moment of awe to an abrupt halt. "Alright, folks, as much as I'd love to let you all gawk at the skyline, we need to keep moving. We have a schedule to keep."

Before they could respond, a group of men in suits approached them, each exuding an air of authority. The one who seemed to be in charge, a middle-aged man with a suspicious look and an air of seriousness, stepped forward and addressed Itami directly. "Are you Lieutenant Yoji Itami and Seargent First Class Adam Woods?" he asked, his tone brusque.

Itami and Adam exchanged a glance, both sensing the same unease. Still, Itami gave a curt nod. "Yeah, that's me—Lieutenant Itami."

Adam crossed his arms casually but kept his guard up. "Sergeant First Class Adam," he confirmed with a slight head dip.

The man introduced himself. "I'm Komakado from Defense Intelligence. I've been assigned as your guide for today's meetings." His gaze swept over the group, assessing each member carefully, before returning to Itami

Itami felt skeptical as he studied Komakado. There was something about the man's cold smile and scrutinizing gaze that set off alarm bells in Itami's mind. He had encountered enough officials to recognize when someone was less than genuine.

"Defense Intelligence, huh?" Itami said, his brow furrowing slightly. "You don't strike me as the type."

The man's smile faltered just a fraction, but he quickly regained his composure. "I assure you, Lieutenant, I am exactly who I say I am."

Itami crossed his arms, feeling the weight of suspicion settle on his shoulders. "You sure you're not with PSIA?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Komakado maintained his smile, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"

"It's the way you look at me," Itami replied bluntly. "You creep me out."

Komakado's smile turned into a smirk as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I expected nothing less from the Hero of Ginza," he began, the condescension dripping from his words. "But let's not kid ourselves. Your record is rather... mediocre."

Itami raised an eyebrow, already bracing for the deluge of details he knew would follow.

"Let's start from the beginning, shall we?" Komakado continued, counting off on his fingers. "You attended a mediocre college and earned mediocre grades. During officer training, you finished nearly last, only making it to second lieutenant because one of your classmates got injured. Your commanding officer pushed you into Ranger training, and despite having a poor work ethic, you managed to scrape through."

With each point Komakado made, Itami felt a mix of irritation and resignation. It was all true. He sighed, shaking his head.

"After being transferred to Narashino as a second lieutenant, the Ginza incident occurred, and you were unexpectedly promoted to a hero with a shiny new promotion."

Komakado tilted his head slightly, studying Itami with a wry grin. "And yet, here somehow you were a part of the Special Forces Group. Honestly, it's a wonder how someone with your... colorful history managed to end up there."

Kuribayashi blinked, utterly stunned. "How... how does that even happen?!" She rubbed her temples as if the sheer illogical nature of Itami's career trajectory had short-circuited her brain. "Ranger school?! And Special Forces?"

Adam chuckled at Kuribayashi's bewildered expression, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Relax, Kuribayashi. Itami here is the living embodiment of failing upwards."

Kuribayashi groaned, still massaging her temples as if trying to make sense of the absurdity. "It makes no damn sense! How does this guy"—she gestured dramatically toward Itami—"end up in SFG? Is the universe just messing with us?"

Adam gave her a playful pat on the shoulder. "Look, some guys have the charm of sheer dumb luck. And Itami? He's a professional at it."

Itami sighed in defeat, running a hand through his hair. "You guys act like I've just stumbled through life," he muttered.

Tomita narrowed his eyes, glancing between Itami and Adam as realization struck. "So that's why you two seemed so close. You knew each other from Narashino, not just from the landing group."

Adam smirked, nodding at Tomita. "Bingo. We crossed paths twice—first when he was a ranger in the landing group, then during joint training at Narashino with the SFG. This dumbass"—he thumbed at Itami—"was still green as hell but somehow made it through"

Itami rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I may or may not have ended up on the wrong side of an exercise scenario..."

Komakado shifted his sharp gaze toward Adam, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "And you Sergeant First Class Adam," he said smoothly, his smirk returning. "I tried looking into you, but..." He trailed off, letting the unspoken conclusion hang in the air. "Let's just say the Department of Defense isn't very forthcoming."

Adam's expression didn't waver, but the way he shifted his weight slightly suggested he was getting uncomfortable.

"Maybe they just don't like nosy guys poking around," Adam replied, crossing his arms.

Komakado's smile widened, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Perhaps. But I do find it interesting—most files aren't that heavily restricted unless the person in question is involved in... unique operations."

Adam shrugged, unfazed, and tapped the red dagger insignia on his shoulder. "This should've told you all you need to know."

Komakado chuckled, clearly catching the reference to Adam's ties to Delta Force. "Ah, yes. The silent professionals. Not so silent when you're babysitting diplomats, are you?"

Adam's expression remained calm, though there was a distinct edge to his voice as he replied, "I usually am silent—unlike a certain someone leaking personal data right in front of the people it belongs to." His stare didn't waver, and the slight shift in his stance made it clear he wasn't in the mood for games.

The tension between the two men was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. Kuribayashi and Tomita exchanged uneasy glances, and even Itami, accustomed to Adam's cool demeanor, could sense that things were about to escalate if no one stepped in.

Komakado's smirk didn't falter, though the playful glint in his eyes dimmed just a little. "No harm intended," he said with mock sincerity. "We're all on the same side here, Sergeant."

Adam didn't respond, but his jaw tightened ever so slightly, the silence hanging heavy between them.

It was then that Caldwell, who had been watching the exchange from a short distance, finally decided to intervene. He stepped forward, his presence cutting through the tension like a cold breeze.

"Sergeant," Caldwell said evenly, his voice low but authoritative. "Play nice with the spooks from our allies, will you?"

Adam shot him a glance, still holding his ground, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. "Sure," he muttered, backing off with reluctant obedience.

Caldwell turned to Komakado, offering him a polite, neutral smile. "You'll have to forgive him. Us Delta guys tend to get a little... territorial when people dig around too much."

Komakado chuckled, clearly not taking it personally. "Understandable. But our people like to stay... informed."

Caldwell's smile remained polite, but his tone shifted subtly, carrying weight. Locking eyes with Komakado, he stated, "Even if you like staying informed, one thing is crystal clear: nobody messes with our own."

The warning in Caldwell's words was unmistakable. It was the tone of someone who meant every word and could back it up without hesitation.

Komakado's smile froze for a moment, the amused glint in his eye fading. He acknowledged the unspoken boundary between them, "Of course, Captain. We're all professionals here."

Caldwell gave him a polite nod, but the coldness in his gaze lingered a moment longer. "Glad we're on the same page."

As the tension eased, the atmosphere shifted, though unspoken challenges lingered.

Just then, Yanagida's voice cut through the silence."Alright, everyone, let's wrap this up. We're heading to the conference now." He gestured toward the waiting bus parked a short distance away, its engine idling softly in the background. "Let's move out. We can't keep the brass waiting."

Adam walked down the aisle toward the back, then his phone buzzed in his pocket. He paused mid-step, pulled it out, and glanced at the message. His brow furrowed instantly, and his jaw clenched tight.

"Hey, your favorite sister here. I have info regarding the people you're escorting. Let's meet. Mizutanibashi Park 11:45, Dad's orders. P.S. You should bring a +1."

Adam let out a low, frustrated exhale through his nose. "God fucking damn it," he muttered under his breath. His thumb hovered over the screen for a second before typing a short response:

"Fine. I'll Be there."

As Adam slid his phone back into his pocket, his scowl deepened. He dropped into a seat near the back, trying to push down the irritation bubbling inside him.

Kuribayashi, seated nearby, caught the shift in his expression. "What's up?" she asked, curious but casual.

Adam glanced at her, then made a quick decision. "Feel like taking a trip to the park?"