26 / 02 / 2019, 15:09 — Tuesday, Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters, Osaka.
— [EMERGENCY COMMS - EYES OF TSUKUYOMI] —
Date / Time of Records: 26 / 02 / 2019, 15:00
Sender:
RO-08-01 — Ueda Hazama
WC-17-01 — Yoshimoto Kondo
Recipient:
First Division — Kikuchi Ikuta
Second Division — Nagasawa Toshio
Third Division — Saki Narisawa
Subject:
The [Stars Diviner and Reader] of HQ has detected unrest within the areas of Daito, Higashioka, and Yao.
The disturbance has shown traces of an expanding Extraordinary Phenomenon.
The potential threat level is C-Rank, with high volatility and possibility of escalation.
Following the confirmed death of Agent Shinohara Etsuko — First Division, the Division's focus has been narrowed to several key locations within Osaka.
The following operational orders are issued and effective immediately:
Eliminate: Completely destroy the threat. Prevent regeneration, rebirth, or resurrection by all means necessary.
Contain: If elimination proves impossible, contain the phenomenon for the security and prosperity of Japan.
Retrieval: An act of retrieval of the corpse of Shinohara Etsuke.
If any agent is incapacitated or unable to act, HQ will provide direct intervention with full tactical authorization.
---
The office of the Second Division is bathed in the cold light of a fluorescent lamp. Despite the brightness, the air is tense, like static before a storm. Papers, tablets, and digital terminals litter every desk.
One officer sits at his workstation, rapidly typing commands, eyes flickering between multiple monitors.
Data streams pour endlessly, lines of code and live reports forming an indecipherable maze of information.
Another man adjusts the strap of his shoulder holster, his suit wrinkled from hours of unbroken duty.
The expression on his face is calm, too calm, concealing the silent apprehension of a soldier who's walked into too many unknowns.
Across the room, a girl methodically checks her weapon, disassembling and reassembling it, over and over again.
Each click echoes softly. Her hands don't shake, but her shoulders twitch at the slightest movement around her.
At the far end of the room, a woman sits behind a tablet, scrolling through encrypted communications with a detached gaze.
And on the couch opposite her, Aki sits quietly, hands on her knees, lost in thought.
Her golden-black eyes dimly reflected the lamplight before something began to stir within them, faint stars, slowly spinning in a spiral.
Her gaze became vacant; her consciousness had drifted far beyond the office walls.
Toshio — their Team Leader — sat across from her, unmoving. His face was worn, his expression carved from exhaustion and iron discipline. His sharp, hawk-like eyes watched her carefully, waiting for an answer that only she could give.
He recalled the title that lingered behind those starry eyes —
[Yin-Yang Eyes — Mystery Subjugation], a rare gift born under the [Heavenly Path of Celestial Way].
Even now, he didn't know what her true "Imperial Title" was during the Ancient Times. Perhaps only the Master of the Gate knew.
As he pondered, the stars in her eyes slowly dimmed, like constellations fading before dawn.
She inhaled sharply, her pale face glistening with a thin film of sweat. Aki's body trembled faintly as she came back to herself.
Her complexion was ashen, her lips colorless.
"I can't find a definite result…" she murmured, pressing a hand to her temple.
"It's like something's… obscuring the entire city. Even with star-reading, it's beyond reach."
In her mind, she could still see it — a vision of a boundless darkness cloaking Osaka. A faint light shimmered above it, but it was distant, unreachable. The veil was absolute.
"This… this isn't natural," she whispered. "It's like Osaka itself has been sealed beneath a shroud."
Toshio merely nodded, brushing off her concern with a calm that bordered on coldness.
"Even so," he said, voice level, "there's no harm in trying again."
His eyes gleamed faintly, sharp, predatory.
"The direction is clear enough. Vixen didn't die for nothing. There's a thread here… a trace we can follow."
He leaned back slightly, tone softening into something almost casual.
"Try investigating from that angle. Go through Shinohara's house, her possessions. If there's a medium, divination will be easier, right?"
Then, standing up, he smoothed his suit and surveyed the team.
"If there's nothing else, get ready. If you need anything, contact me directly."
His hand reached for the door.
"And remember, always stick together. Watch each other's backs."
Without another word, he stepped out into the corridor, leaving the office in silence.
A single beat of quiet passed before the team spoke in unison:
"Yes, Team Leader!"
When Toshio's footsteps faded, the stillness dissolved into movement again.
Aki straightened her back and clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, everyone. Are you ready?"
Hayakawa, calm and reliable as always, nodded. He checked his sidearm one last time, slid it into the holster, and exhaled through his nose.
Nakamura gave a lazy thumbs-up from behind his workstation, not bothering to turn around.
Takumi leaned back on the sofa, wearing a faint, melancholic smile. The loss of "Vixen" still lingered in his expression.
Fujimoto sat beside Nakamura, adjusting her headset. She'd be providing logistical support and remote surveillance tonight.
Reika silently stood, lifting the heavy gun case over her shoulder.
Seeing everyone ready, Aki's expression softened briefly before shifting into a composed, solemn demeanor.
"We'll divide into three teams," she said, raising three fingers.
"One — I'll go with Hayakawa. We'll visit Shinohara-san's residence and inspect her belongings for clues."
She lowered a finger.
"Two — Takumi-san and Reika-chan, you'll patrol the city. Focus on any unusual movements detected by the Third Team."
Another finger dropped.
"Three — Fujimoto-san and Nakamura-san will stay in HQ, monitoring surveillance and keeping us updated on any abnormalities."
Her hand fell back to her side. A faint shimmer of stars passed through her eyes as she added quietly,
"We act tonight. Keep comms active. Check signals every few minutes. Understood?"
"Understood!" the team responded in unison.
Hayakawa gave a curt nod. Fujimoto chuckled softly. Nakamura lifted another lazy thumbs-up without looking away from his screens.
"I will protect this young flower with all my life," Takumi said dramatically, hand over his chest.
Reika's lips curved slightly, the ice of her expression melting just enough to show a hint of amusement.
"Likewise, Takumi-san."
"Then—" Aki said lightly, stepping toward the door, "—dismissed."
And with that, the Second Division of the Osaka Extraordinary Task Force began its silent preparation — for the long, uncertain night that awaited them.