GATE: Task Force Guillotine

Chapter: 19 Confrontation

Hibiya Store, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 12:07

The parking lot hummed with the quiet buzz of conversation and the distant rumble of engines as Itami and the rest waited by the bus. Inside, Rory, Tuka, and Lelei sat chatting about the clothes they'd bought for Tuka, their voices lively and excited. Further back, Princess Pina and Bozes engaged in their own discussion, marveling at the quality of the garments sold at the store.

Outside, Itami stood with his hands in his pockets, scanning the lot with a mix of impatience and concern. His watch caught the light as he glanced down at it.

"They do realize the conference starts at 12:45, right?" he muttered, voice edged with frustration.

Caldwell, already holding a cigarette, lit it with a flick of his lighter. He took a long drag, then exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Relax, they'll be here," he said in his gravelly voice, calm despite the tension.

Tomita's eyes narrowed as he spotted two figures approaching from the far side. His hand shot up, waving.

"Over there!" he called out, pointing.

Itami let out a sigh of relief. "Finally... wait." His eyes squinted, focusing on Adam and Kuribayashi. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Are they—"

He blinked, noticing their hands still intertwined as they walked toward the group. His grin widened.

Adam and Kuribayashi strolled over, the warm breeze ruffling their clothes. They didn't seem to notice the extra attention as they kept their hands linked.

"Sorry we're late," Adam said, his voice tired but apologetic.

Itami raised an eyebrow and gestured to their joined hands. "First off..." he began, his grin growing. "Was it a meeting or a date?"

Kuribayashi's eyes went wide. Instinctively, she pulled her hand away from Adam's, her face flushing a bright red.

"Don't start," Adam muttered, his expression annoyed.

Before Itami could say anything more, Yanagida approached, cutting through the teasing with a sharp look. "Your sister—what did she say?"

Adam's face hardened slightly. "Russians and Chinese are both here. Russians want to kidnap the princess. The Chinese... still a mystery," he said, his tone steady but with an edge of tension.

Caldwell flicked the cigarette to the ground and ground it under his boot. He raised an eyebrow. "Well... looks like this won't be a standard protection gig."

Adam rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. "Maya says she's got it under control."

Caldwell shot him a doubtful look. "That's not exactly reassuring."

Itami, still grinning from the earlier exchange, raised an eyebrow. "Maya? That's your sister's name?"

Adam glanced at him with a dry look. "Yup. What did you expect her name was?"

Itami shrugged. "I don't know, I figured you'd give me her codename or something. I thought all CIA agents had one."

Adam shook his head, his tone deadpan. "First off, it's not 'agent,' it's 'officer.' Intel officer, to be exact. And why would I give you her codename? She doesn't have one... at least, not that I know of."

Itami leaned forward, intrigued. "So, she does have a codename?"

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Why are you suddenly so interested in my sister?"