THE PLAN ;
As the plane descended, the lights of Tokyo glittered beneath them like a sea of stars. Kira pressed her forehead against the window, her breath fogging up the glass as she watched the city come to life below. This wasn't just a mission—it was the culmination of months of planning, and the anticipation hummed in her veins.
Behind her, Sasha was munching on a snack, her legs curled up in her seat as she looked out at the view. "Oh my god, Connie, look! We're finally here!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled slightly by the chips in her mouth. Connie, leaning back in his seat with his usual laid-back grin, glanced out the window.
"Yeah, Tokyo's cool, but I'm more excited to see what we get for dinner," Connie quipped, earning a playful elbow from Sasha, who rolled her eyes at him.
"Always thinking with your stomach," Jean muttered from across the aisle, arms crossed over his chest as he adjusted the collar of his ash-blonde mullet. His sharp eyes scanned the window before glancing over at Mikasa, who sat silently next to him, her expression calm but serious as ever.
Mikasa's dark, goth-inspired outfit contrasted sharply with the sleek, modern surroundings of the plane, her short bob framing her face as she folded her hands in her lap. "We have a lot to get done once we land. Stay focused," she said in her usual composed, slightly commanding tone. Jean smirked but didn't argue, knowing full well she was right.
Armin, sitting a row behind them with his ever-thoughtful expression, flipped through his tablet, eyes darting across the screen as he reviewed the mission details for the hundredth time. "Everything should go smoothly if we stick to the plan. Kira, you'll be the key at the ball tomorrow," he said, looking up at Kira, who turned from the window and nodded, her lips pressing together in a determined smile.
Eren, sitting next to her, leaned over to kiss her cheek before giving Armin a firm nod. "We've got this."
The group moved through the bustling airport with a mix of energy and focus. Sasha, still munching on snacks, was half-heartedly teasing Connie, who wheeled both their suitcases with ease, his buzzed hair catching the soft airport lighting. Eren led the way, his broad shoulders cutting through the crowd, with Kira keeping close beside him.
By the time they reached their hotel, the exhaustion from the long flight was palpable. Eren handled the check-in, his usually laid-back demeanor now focused as he spoke to the front desk in perfect Japanese, while the rest of the group lingered by the lobby. Sasha plopped down on a nearby couch, her baggy street-style clothes looking comfortably casual, while Jean stretched out beside her, his auburn-tinged hair catching the light as he rolled his eyes at Connie, who was cracking another joke about the long flight.
"Kira, you look like you're about to pass out," Sasha teased, her playful tone cutting through the tired atmosphere.
Kira smiled wearily, running a hand through her jet black blue hair , which had become a bit tousled from the journey. "I think I am," she replied, her voice light, though the fatigue was evident in her eyes.
Mikasa, leaning against a pillar in her dark outfit, gave a small nod. "Get some rest. We'll need you sharp tomorrow." Her words, though blunt, carried a tone of genuine concern.
Once Eren secured the keys, the group made their way up to the suite. The room was spacious and modern, with sleek furnishings and a panoramic view of the Tokyo skyline. Kira tossed her bag onto the bed with a sigh, her body sinking into the soft mattress as she flopped down, still fully clothed.
"Ugh, I'm so tired. I think I'm going to crash soon," she groaned, her voice muffled by the pillows.
"Same," Armin admitted, pushing his blonde hair back from his forehead as he set his tablet down and sat on the edge of his bed. His usually bright blue eyes were dim with exhaustion, though he still had a thoughtful look on his face.
Eren chuckled softly, placing his hand on Kira's back. "Go ahead. You've earned it. I've got some work to take care of," he said gently, though his green eyes held that familiar intensity whenever they were preparing for a mission.
Kira pushed herself up slightly, yawning as she grabbed her nightgown from her suitcase. She changed quickly into a soft pink gown, her hair tied up into a low bun and climbed back into bed, tucking herself in. "Goodnight, guys," she mumbled, already halfway to sleep.
Eren bent down and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Goodnight, love," he whispered, his voice tender.
The rest of the group settled in as well, though some were more restless. Sasha and Connie, sharing a room next door, could still be heard quietly arguing over who got to shower first, while Jean had already thrown himself onto his bed, his arms crossed behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. Mikasa, ever the picture of calm, was reading a book in the corner, though her sharp eyes flicked toward the door every now and then, her thoughts clearly on the mission ahead.
Later that night, after everyone had settled, Eren left the hotel room quietly. His expression was serious now, the easygoing mask he wore around the others replaced with the focused demeanor of a man on a mission. As he made his way through the Tokyo streets, the lights of the city reflected in his deep green eyes, his mind racing with thoughts of the meeting ahead.
He reached the hidden bar with ease, slipping inside and immediately spotting the contact in the corner—a man in a dark trench coat, face half-shrouded by shadows. Eren approached, his steps quiet but confident.
"You're late," the man muttered, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table. His eyes were sharp, scrutinizing Eren with every movement.
"Got held up," Eren replied curtly, sliding into the seat across from him. His tone was flat, betraying none of the tension he felt. He scanned the room quickly before his eyes landed on the envelope on the table.
The man pushed it toward him. "Everything you need for tomorrow. Just make sure your team is ready. Suna Rintaro doesn't play games."
Eren's jaw tightened, his fingers brushing over the envelope. "They'll be ready. Kira can handle herself," he said, his voice firm.
The man studied Eren for a moment, then gave a short, dismissive nod before standing. "Let's hope you're right."
Eren stayed in his seat, flipping open the envelope as the man disappeared into the shadows. Inside were the blueprints of the ballroom, lists of attendees, and, most importantly, details on Suna Rintaro's security. This was their chance. Kira would need to get close, earn his trust, and steal his ID card. It was a dangerous game, but they didn't have a choice.
