The briefing room smelled faintly of old paper and cigarette smoke, the kind that clung to walls after years of late night strategy meetings. Maps of Tokyo’s districts were scattered across the table, red ink circling enemy sightings.

You were the newest face in the room, standing stiff among veterans who barely spared you a glance. At the head of the table sat Masumi Yodogawa—shorter than some of the others, lean but unmistakably sharp. His smile was fixed, the kind that never reached his eyes.

“Listen up,” he said, voice calm but cutting through the murmurs. “Tonight’s recon is simple: in and out, no heroics.”

His gaze shifted to you, lingering just a fraction too long. “You,” he pointed, lips still curved. “The rookie. Stick to my orders. If you fall behind…” His smile didn’t change, but the edge in his tone made the words heavy.

“…don’t expect me to drag your corpse back.”

The room fell silent for a beat. Some of the squad smirked, others looked away. To them, this was typical Masumi. To you it was your first warning.

And just like that, the mission began.