17

As they moved deeper into the district, the streets grew quieter. The occasional shopkeeper setting up for the day or the distant hum of traffic from the main roads were the only sounds breaking the stillness. Despite the lack of obvious activity, there was an odd weight to the air, like the city itself was holding its breath.

Kuroya kept glancing around, his usual lazy posture a little more rigid than before. Hikaru, noticing this, raised an eyebrow. "Still feeling off?"

Kuroya didn't respond right away, but eventually muttered, "Just a weird vibe."

"That's because you're a weird guy," Kaede teased, swinging her arms as she walked ahead of the group. "You and Tsubasa are always getting spooked over nothing."

Tsubasa huffed. "Excuse me? I'm just being observant."

"You thought a mailbox was a creep-stalker-thing last week."

"It was dark! And the paint was peeling in a way that made it look- never mind."

Kaede patted his back sympathetically. "It's okay, Tsuba. Some of us just aren't built for horror movies."

"Not the point," he grumbled.

Yuna ignored them, still focused on her phone. "We'll split into two groups to cover ground faster. Hikaru, Ren, and I will take the east side. Tsubasa, Kuroya, and Kaede, you take the west."

Tsubasa immediately frowned. "Wait. Shouldn't we put at least one competent fighter per group?"

Kaede gasped dramatically. "Are you saying I'm not a competent fighter?"

"You don't have an ability."

"That's rude!"

"But it’s true."

“I’ve got it,” Kuroya spoke up.

"See?" Kaede nudged Tsubasa. "We have our scary bodyguard. You're safe."

Tsubasa sighed in defeat, but didn't argue further. If anything, he figured he should be the one watching over Kaede. Even if she acted like she had everything under control, she was still abilityless. His big brother instincts wouldn't let him slack off. Kaede shouldn't even be here. The system wasn't supposed to assign her a mission group, but it did. Maybe because her birthday was soon and she would get her ability by then.

"Meet back here in an hour," Yuna instructed. "If anything happens, message immediately. And do not engage, just report it."

With that, the group split, walking in opposite directions down the quiet streets.

***

Tsubasa's group wandered through narrow alleyways and empty roads, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. The west side of the district had an eerie atmosphere- some buildings looked abandoned, their windows dark and empty, while others had peeling posters and rusted vending machines still humming with electricity.

Kaede, completely unfazed, took the lead. "It's kinda cool, huh? Feels like we're in an urban legend."

Tsubasa shot her a look. "That is not a good thing."

"Depends on the urban legend," Kuroya muttered, eyes scanning the rooftops.

Tsubasa adjusted his glasses. "I'd rather not find out firsthand."

Kaede turned on her heel, walking backward as she grinned at them. "C'mon, live a little. Maybe we'll spot the ghost train or something."

"You mean the train that stops at a non-existent station and makes people disappear?" Tsubasa deadpanned.

"Yeah! That one!"

Tsubasa groaned. "We're so doomed."

Kuroya smirked slightly but didn't comment.

The patrol continued in relative peace, the three of them weaving through the district, scanning for anything out of the ordinary. So far, nothing seemed particularly wrong, just another quiet day in Sumida Ward.

At least, for now.