The same day as the previous chapter at the Abandoned Hospital in Kanagawa...
What's the coordinates from the other teams? Angeline asks expectantly.
The west win team are currently closing in to the 3rd floor that's also the same for the east wing group, we're currently at the 4th floor almost closing in to the fifth floor. Donovan said calmly.
Very good, everything is going well smoothly. Angeline said arrogantly.
Let's hurry! Shinji said warily.
Don't fucking dictate me, I know that! Angeline said arrogantly.
Back into the room where Arata and Lori are being held...
I am amazed that you've seen this coming, I mean I've also anticipated that Angeline were going to do anything to save me here. Lori said sarcastically.
Given that knowledge, I have successfully created a plan to derail Granger's strategy and gave them enough time to locate and execute their plans. Arata said coldly.
Flashback, when Granger and her team are still huddling up in the side of the room before the explosion...
This is the entire scope of my plan, listen well. Arata said authoritatively.
Fine, I am listening. Lori said calmly.
"He's a bit like Angeline in terms of giving directives but their approaches and leadership styles are definitely different." Lori taught to herself.
My initial plan is to manipulate Tatsuhiro into harming me the time Granger and Spinner came back here from school. So, that they will fight buying us some time. Arata whispered coldly.
Fight? But, that didn't happen unfortunately...Also, how did you even know that it will result a fight? Lori asks curiously.
The first attempt of stirring up Tatsuhiro that I've made earlier is to gauge Granger's authority on him. The results just proves that Granger's orders to her teammates are absolute, he can't even harm me because of Granger's orders even though he's clearly enraged by my provocations. Arata whispered coldly So, if he ever instilled pain on me it will definitely enrage Granger. Arata whispered coldly That initial plan unexpectedly failed because I didn't expect that dimwit to have such patience but I know that he's committed into following Granger's orders, So I didn't got surprised that much by the outcome. Anyways, it didn't failed completely because I managed to get some valuable benefits from that failure. Arata whispered coldly.
I see, so all of that was just a farce just as I thought. Lori whispered sarcastically.
So, the next plan that I have came up is the entire conversation that I had with Granger earlier. Arata whispered coldly The reason why I have asked you earlier if you have any tracking device with you is a crucial point of the plan. Luckily, you have one behind the belt you are wearing right now and it's just convenient that they've tied your hands behind your back too...The entire coverage of our prolonged conversation has been planned by me, So that Angeline will have enough time to conduct her rescue plan. Arata whispered coldly Not just that, but to also give you enough time to reactivate your tracking device and give them a clear hint in our location. Arata said arrogantly.
So, everything you've said earlier was just a made up story? Lori whispered warily.
No, even though our conversation was planned... Everything I've said wasn't a lie, she didn't lie to me, So I have no reason to lie to her either. Arata said sincerely.
"This guy was equally or potentially even more unpredictable than Angeline. Now, I know the reason why Angeline holds him with high regards...So, this is the first man in the world who owned her respect." Lori taught to herself.
It's easy to anticipate that Angeline will definitely conduct a rescue operation at this point. Angeline doesn't want anyone else to beat her into beating me and she won't certainly feel at ease when her favorite agent is in the hands of a dangerous individual. I know her pretty well, we've been together for so long Me, Her and Shinji in the Akademiya that's why I know what step she will take. She loves surprise attacks so definitely she will do something unexpected...Arata said coldly.
Going back to the present...
Any minute now, I am sure that they'll finally find us here! Lori said calmly.
That's right, we just need to wait. Arata said authoritatively.
Suddenly the door burst open.
Arata! Shinji said warily.
What the hell?! What the hell is he doing here? Did you expect this, Arata? Lori asks warily.
Shinji, what are you doing here? It's dangerous here. Arata said coldly.
Hey, look behind you! Lori said coldly.
Granger suddenly emerges in Shinji's back out of nowhere and throws a punch on him.
Shinji almost got hit but he manage to dodge on time.
I didn't expect you to do such move. Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
Granger, here you are. Shinji said clearly enraged.
So, you've really formed a temporary alliance with Angeline as I've deduced. Granger said coldly.
Shinji enraged, charged at Granger and throws a punch at her.
She swiftly blocked Shinji's punch with her hand.
I don't know if you are just too brave or too fool to challenge me here directly. Granger said coldly.
Shinji successfully lands an uppercut in her stomach using his other hand.
Granger groans in pain a bit.
Is that all you've got? Granger arrogantly said, throwing a kick in his stomach.
Shinji gets knocked, clutching his stomach.
Argh, damn it! Shinji said, clearly frustrated.
In fairness, I didn't expect that kind of strength in your punch. Granger said arrogantly Now, what will you do? Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
She swiftly unsheathed the Katana that she's been hiding behind her back and points the blade on Shinji's neck.
This just made my work even easier. Granger said authoritatively.
Donovan and Angeline suddenly emerged behind Granger's back pointing a gun on her head.
Put your weapon down! Donovan said authoritatively.
Hands up in this air. Angeline said coldly.
This was also a part of your plan... Angeline. Granger said coldly.
That's right, you've been trapped. Angeline said arrogantly.
You can't be so sure about that, I still have this Moron and the two captives...I still have the advantage here. Granger said authoritatively.
Angeline! Lori said enthusiastically.
Lori... you're safe! Angeline said enthusiastically Anyways, you couldn't be so sure either that you are the only one who has hostages in your hands and the one who has the significant advantage. Angeline said coldly, gesturing her team to come in.
Her team entered the room, they have both Spinner and Tatsuhiro as hostages.
Sorry, Madame! Spinner said sincerely.
Unfortunately, we got got this time. Tatsuhiro said sarcastically.
Now, Miss. Drop your weapon and put your hands up in the air. Donovan said authoritatively.
Damn you! Granger said clearly enraged.
What are you waiting for?! Untie Arata and Lori already! Angeline said authoritatively in her team.
They immediately obeyed her.
Granger puts her Katana in the ground and puts her hands up in the air.
Then she suddenly delivered a kick in Angeline's face.
Angeline immediately blocked her attack using her right arm but stumbled because of Granger's force.
"Damn it, she's so strong! I know that I won't be able to beat her in a combat fight. She isn't really just for mind games, Her strength and physical prowess is definitely a threat too! But, I have no choice but to defend myself because she's personally coming after me." Angeline taught to herself, trying to stand up.
Angeline! Granger yells coldly.
Damn it, don't fucking intervene everyone! Angeline said authoritatively.
Granger charges at her, throwing a punch at Angeline.
Angeline immediately dodged the punch and delivered a kick in Granger's stomach.
The kick lands and Granger groans in pain.
I didn't expect someone like you to have such strength! Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
Granger swiftly delivers a slap on Angeline's face with enough force to knock her in the ground.
Granger grabs Angeline forcefully in the hair.
You're in my way, you're getting in my way. Granger said coldly.
Throwing punches in Angeline's face.
After 5 punches, Angeline bite her hand.
Granger groans in pain and she lets go of Angeline.
Damn you! Fucking whore! Angeline said clearly enraged.
That hurts, you're starting to get in my nerves even more. Granger said coldly.
Angeline and Granger swiftly pulls out the guns they are hiding and points it in each other's heads.
Madame! Tatsuhiro and Spinner said in unison.
Now, would you want to put your comrades in danger? Angeline said arrogantly.
Two of Angeline's Agents points their guns on Tatsuhiro and Spinner's heads.
What to do now? Are you going to give it up? Or you'll let Tatsuhiro and Spinner life threatening situations? Angeline said coldly Drop your weapon and hands up, that's the wisest choice you can make right now. Angeline said authoritatively.
After moments of hesitation, Granger puts down her gun and puts her hands up.
I am surrendering, give me back my comrades and you can get out of here with Arata and Lori. Granger said sincerely.
This just marks the success of my rescue plan! Angeline said enthusiastically Release Tatsuhiro and Spinner. Angeline said authoritatively.
Arata and Lori are finally freed from being tied down in the chairs.
Shinji, what the hell did you do? I didn't expect you to get involved. Arata said coldly, adjusting his glasses.
Of course, I'll do anything to rescue you! Shinji said enthusiastically I am sorry, Arata...I acted in my own, I decided to form a temporary alliance with Angeline so that I can find you easier. Shinji said hesitantly.
It's alright, I am glad you have learned how to act on your own without my directives. At least now even without my guidance, I can finally trust you to act on your own. Arata said sincerely, looking away.
How tsundere of you! Shinji said enthusiastically.
Damn it, shut up. Arata said authoritatively, adjusting his glasses.
Angeline approaches Arata.
The next time we met, we'll be enemies in the battlefield again. For now, in this night...enjoy every last bit of the moment that we are still temporary allies. Angeline said arrogantly to Arata, with a playful smirk.
I know, thank you for saving me, Angeline. The next time we've met we're going to be enemies again. Arata said coldly, adjusting his glasses.
Arata looks at Granger.
The success of their plan is a success on my plan too. Arata said coldly, adjusting his glasses.
Everyone looks at Arata's way.
Angeline, he's the reason why you've got enough time to conduct your plan, the reactivation of my tracking device was also due to his strategy, also the reason why your plan succeeded. Lori said calmly, with a warm smile.
I see, just as I thought. Angeline said enthusiastically That's my Arata for you! Angeline said arrogantly.
You mean, everything that you've done so far was to derail my strategy? Even our conversation? Granger said coldly.
That's right. Arata said coldly.
So, you've lied to me. Granger said disappointedly.
No, I didn't I might have planned that conversation...But, I have no reason to lie to you because you didn't lied to me either. Arata said sincerely, adjusting his glasses.
"Fascinating, this man is engaging in morally ambiguous terrorism acts. But, they refused to kill even a single individual, claiming that he is fighting for a change and justice just like me... He's a really fascinating fellow." Granger taught to himself, adjusting her shades.
"I knew it, Arata is with Lori and is actively workign together while they are in captivity." Angeline taught to herself, letting out a sigh.
I am sorry, Angeline. I got abducted too because of carelessness and I even have the guts to make a temporary alliance with our adversary, Arata. Lori said calmly.
It's alright, what matters is that you're safe now! Besides, I kinda do the same too. Angeline said enthusiastically.
Angeline looks at Arata again.
Thank you for helping out my agent too, I guess. Angeline said coldly, looking away.
Not that it matters, small things. Arata said coldly, adjusting his glasses.
Let's go, Shinji! Arata said authoritatively.
Right, let's go home and have you rested already! Shinji said enthusiastically.
Arata and Shinji left.
Now that we're finally alone here... Angeline said sarcastically I won't beat around the bush anymore. Withdraw your chase on Arata and Shinji and go back to Brooklyn as soon as possible. Angeline said coldly.
I won't. You might have won now, but in the end, I will be the one who will prevail and claim their bounties. Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
In that case, we're still enemies. Angeline said arrogantly.
"I won't back down until I have finally determined if they're really punishable or not." Granger taught to herself, clenching her fists.
I won't let you get in my way on claiming their bounties and their heads. Granger said authoritatively, adjusting her shades.
I won't let you beat me into beating Arata first, I am the only one who's allowed to beat him. He's mine to beat and mine alone! Angeline said authoritatively.
Angeline and her team leaves the room.
Angeline, wait. Granger said authoritatively.
Angeline stops on her tracks.
Why are you letting us go? Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
This was just my repayment for your contributions for the case that I've solved because your actions made it easier for me back in USA. But, next time...you are not going to get out alive of this country because I won't hesitate to have you shoot out in my agents. Our next confrontation, one of us will perish. Angeline said coldly.
I got it. Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
Angeline left.
I am sorry, Madame! Spinner said sincerely.
Because of us, our strategy failed. Tatsuhiro said sarcastically.
No, as long as the two of you are safe and sound, it's alright. Granger said sincerely Besides, it's my fault too. I didn't expect Arata's actions are planned already and is made to delay our actions and pave way for Angeline to have enough time and opportunity. Granger said coldly.
It's alright, we can definitely strike a come back! Spinner said enthusiastically.
I won't make the same mistake again. Tatsuhiro said coldly.
Me neither. Granger said coldly, adjusting her shades.
So, what's our plan now? Tatsuhiro asks curiously.
We'll continue the hunt. Granger said authoritatively, adjusting her shades.