And Then, The World Ended

Hanami Organization

Snow blankets Hokkaido, muffling sounds and cloaking the landscape in white. The biting cold grips the air, each breath visible as a cloud. A sleek black van glides through the quiet streets of Sapporo, its windows tinted against prying eyes. Inside, members of the Hanami Organization gather around a table covered with maps and digital displays, their faces taut but intent.

"Listen up," Kaito says, his voice low but commanding. He taps a finger on a screen displaying a detailed layout of the Hanami Hotel in Kyoto. "We've got eyes on our targets. They're staying at the hotel right now."

His second-in-command, Yuji, leans forward, squinting at the glowing images. "What's our plan? We can't risk drawing attention."

Kaito grins—a calculated move meant to reassure but hinting at something darker. "We create a distraction. With this snowstorm rolling in, it's perfect cover."

In another corner of the room, Mei flips through reports detailing disappearances linked to their operations. She scans names and photographs that blur together like shadows. "The locals are getting suspicious," she says. "If we don't act fast, we might lose our advantage."

"We ought to infiltrate the local cell tower, close to the hotel," Kaito responds with a wave of indifference. "Next, we'll enter the the target's room and administer the sedative through the dragon keychain."

The tension thickens as Yuji raises an eyebrow. "And what about the others? If they're in that room..."

"They won't be if we do this right," Kaito interrupts sharply.

As they finalize their plans, an alert buzzes on Yuji's phone—an incoming message from their lookout at the hotel.

"Something's off," Yuji says, glancing at Kaito.

"What do you mean?" Kaito's patience wears thin.

"The guests are being evacuated."

Kaito's smile falters momentarily before he regains composure. "No matter. We proceed as planned."

Outside, snow continues to fall heavily, creating an almost surreal stillness over Sapporo—a silence ripe for disruption. In a matter of hours, chaos will erupt beneath this tranquil facade as Hanami's true operations unfold under cover of winter's embrace.

As the meeting inside the van progresses, tension hung in the air around the table, mirroring the snowstorm raging outside. Kaito leans back in his chair, eyes glinting with ambition, while Yuji fidgets with his phone, distracted by the notifications pouring in.

A sudden clatter breaks the focus. Takumi, a new recruit and eager to prove himself, stands at the doorway, panic streched across his face.

"I— I think I messed up!" he stammers.

Kaito's patience thins. "What did you do?"

"I accidentally hit send on the emergency alert," Takumi blurts out. "It's going out as a volcanic eruption!"

The space falls quiet before bursting into turmoil. Yuji springs up, his face flushed with shock. "You fool! It won't take long for people to realize it's false information!"

Kaito's expression darkens as he processes the implications. "How far has it spread?"

"Locals are already getting notifications," Takumi replies, voice trembling. "We've lost sight of Noah."