Cherry Blossoms and Suspicious Shadows
I'd changed my mind from taking a travel sabbatical to heading back to school, so I figured I should let my friends know.
I dropped the message in our old group chat with the guys after ages, and the aggro pulled instantly.
"Shouldn't have said anything? These idiots are useless anyway."
I'd just given them the heads-up out of courtesy and closed the messenger.
"Gonna need a separate ride for school... Porsche might pull too much aggro."
Do you really need to? If you're that worried, just park in a lot near school and walk.
"Yeah? Well, people drive Ferraris to school these days anyway. What's a little aggro?"
School was still a ways off, so no point stressing now.
"But what about Jacob and the others when I go to school?"
School's pretty safe inside, so just have them escort you to and from.
"Right? This ain't some sketchy country."
If they followed me inside, it'd be all over the campus forums in a heartbeat.
"I'll worry about the rest before classes start. Not even sure I'll actually go regularly."
I'd always lacked motivation for studying, and now with Athena, I had zero drive.
Let's head out for now. Staying cooped up at home isn't good for you.
Strolling through the apartment complex and admiring the blooming flowers, I suddenly felt the itch to travel.
"Athena, wanna go on a trip?"
Sounds great. Where do you want to go, Master?
"Dunno. That's what we gotta figure out."
...How about somewhere close like domestic or Japan first?
"Japan sounds good. The US trip last time was more business than vacation. Time for a proper getaway."
I tossed a poll in the team group chat asking Japan or domestic, and colorful replies poured in.
Liam's cherry blossom comment sparked a barrage of pushback from the guys about flowers being gay.
"Japan it is then. Gotta put that jet to use instead of letting it eat money in the hangar."
How many nights? A long trip might get boring quick.
"Yeah, 2 nights 3 days short and sweet?"
Perfect. When do we leave?
Not like we needed tickets, so no reason to wait.
"Tomorrow. Tokyo."
We arrived at Gimpo Business Aviation Center to a swanky lobby and an empty airport welcoming our crew.
'Second time here and it still feels off. Way quieter than Incheon.'
Airport vibe's not quite right. But beats hours of lines at Incheon.
Maybe it was the mismatch—hoodie and comfy pants in a VIP-only spot. Last time we had the place to ourselves, but now there was a group of suited foreigners. Checkout took under five minutes anyway.
Greeted the pilots and crew I hadn't seen in a while, boarded, and...
"Mm. Beats my couch at home."
Carlos stroked his seat then slapped on an eye mask and conked out.
"...Boss. Think we could fit a pool table in here?"
Liam eyed the interior seriously.
"Doubt it. Even on a charter, it's moving."
"Not during takeoff/landing. Cruising altitude?"
The pointless debate pulled in Eric and Jacob, and two hours flew by in chatter.
Exiting the private terminal gate, Japan unfolded—familiar yet different from Korea.
"Whoa... vibe's totally different."
Cherry blossom petals danced past low, neat buildings.
Liam, loving it, snapped pics on his phone. The rest scanned stoically. Ethan, thrilled, bounced holding Jacob's hand.
"Hotel first to drop bags, then regroup."
Piled into the infamous cramped Japanese taxis and headed over.
The room was a tad smaller than the US hotel but welcoming.
"Ooh, nice view."
Tokyo streets and blooming sakura outside the window.
Where for dinner, Master?
"Hm... Craving proper sushi or ramen."
Ramen? There's a famous spot nearby.
"Ramen? Hell yeah. Let's go."
Threw on a light jacket, stepped out, and Tokyo's night air brushed my cheek pleasantly. Neon signs and petals created a charm Seoul lacked.
"...Boss. People here seem kinda small?"
Carlos muttered dangerously from behind.
"That's racist, you psycho."
Liam called him out; Carlos clapped a hand over his mouth realizing.
Jacob, holding Ethan's hand, detoured to a nearby donburi spot at the kid's request.
"Catch up soon, Jacob."
Waved at the grinning father-son duo and entered what screamed local ramen joint.
"Oof... atmosphere's no joke."
Dim, aged interior packed with salarymen eating.
Late for dinner, we snagged a table for four and ordered tonkotsu ramen.
Eric, who'd griped most pre-trip, was now buzzing, eyes darting everywhere.
"I'll tag along anywhere from now on. Worth it."
Unlike glum Carlos, Eric and Liam savored the spot.
The served ramen looked different from Korea's—golden broth topped with juicy chashu.
Wondered how it'd stack up.
Enjoy your meal, Master.
Grabbed chopsticks, slurped a mouthful of noodles.
"Ooh, tasty."
Richer broth, melt-in-mouth chashu—leagues above what I'd had.
The team slurped happily too, grins all around.
After dinner, wandering Tokyo's night streets built up fatigue.
"I'm beat, heading in. Night, guys."
Left the still-energetic crew and crashed hard in my room.
"Morning already?"
Felt like I'd just closed my eyes.
You must've been tired. Slept through breakfast.
"Yeah? Others probably ate."
Yeah, Jacob sent his son off separately, others waiting for you.
Couldn't dawdle with everyone waiting.
"Sucks missing breakfast, my bad."
Quick rinse, down to lobby—Liam, Eric, Carlos in various states.
Liam especially hummed, uncharacteristically chipper.
"Boss, Akihabara today?"
Surprised he dug subculture, eyes sparkling.
"How'd you know? Was planning to grab a few things."
Cab to Akihabara—crowded streets.
'Hear a lot of Korean.'
Japan trips are hot in Korea right now.
Tokyo like this—Osaka would've been Korean-heavy.
"These two figs for me... Liam, wanna solo?"
Browsed Akihabara, snagged two figures, done.
"Wanna, but not on a job solo."
Disappointed but pro, scanned with the team.
'Next time with friends. Fun solo but missing something.'
Team was cool, but felt like work.
"...Liam. 7 o'clock, leather jacket, white male."
Carlos broke the café quiet mid-coffee.
Liam glanced, face a mix of annoyed and wary.
"What the hell's that guy doing here?"
Not dire, but not chill.
"Know him?"
"Yeah, worked with in active days."
"Who? Doesn't scream our side."
Eric sipped casually, clueless.
"CIA back then. Not a good dude."
Brain lagged.
Victor Sullivan. Ex-CIA intel op like Liam said. Now at a PE firm.
CIA... Of course on vacation.
"Bad enough to kill?"
Liam shook head.
"Nah. Dirty player, solid skills. Just surprised here."
Carlos should ham it up a bit.
Carlos rose, limped awkwardly to the bathroom.
'Ah... acting?'
Yep. Looks coincidental—his firm's crew entered Japan three days ago.
'No trouble with us?'
Nope. They haven't spotted us.
'Ruined the good mood quick.'
My fault dipping into this world, but vacation turned spy flick in a flash.