Chapter 26 Journey of Gems
During our three years in college, each of us achieved remarkable success in our respective fields. These achievements were not just the result of individual effort but also because of the support and encouragement we provided to each other. It was this bond that allowed us to persevere through difficulties and uplift one another during low points, leading us to where we are today. After the girls' harrowing experience, narrowly avoiding an assault, we decided that the six of us would live together in a three-story apartment, where we could look out for one another.
After finishing her studies at Tokyo Confectionery School, Momoko, with her impeccable skills and boundless creativity in making desserts, successfully obtained qualifications as a pâtissier, baker, and confectioner. Her dessert shop, "Momoyuzuya," has now become one of the most popular shops in Tokyo. With her passion and sincerity for desserts, Momoko brings happiness and sweetness to each customer. The desserts in her shop are not only delicious but also carry a sense of warmth. She often tells me that this strength comes from the love and mutual support we share. Seeing her busy yet content, I feel a deep sense of pride. Her success is undoubtedly due to her hard work, but I also know that my support and encouragement by her side are equally important to her.
Miyako's performance at Bunka Fashion College has been astounding. She has not only won numerous awards at school but also made a name for herself at Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Show. Her designs blend Japanese style with modern aesthetics, each piece seemingly telling a story. Watching Miyako step by step onto the international stage, I realize that her dedication to fashion and her creative inspirations stem from her pure heart and dreams. Kagami is always quietly by her side. When she stays up late to prepare design drafts, he practices kendo silently next to her. Kagami's support has strengthened Miyako on her journey to pursue her dreams, adding power to her designs.
As for Kaoru, she has risen to prominence in the Women's Professional Wrestling League at an astonishing pace. Her fighting spirit and indomitable attitude make her unbeatable in the ring. She gives her all in every match, not just for victory, but to show everyone her strength. Shigeru always quietly prepares the most nutritious bento for her before her matches and cheers for her from the sidelines. Kaoru told me that Shigeru's support gives her infinite strength, allowing her to face any challenge in the ring bravely. Shigeru is always so gentle yet firm, supporting Kaoru in his own way, and their deep understanding and affection deeply move us all.
As for myself, I have worked diligently in the Law program at the University of Tokyo, passing various challenging exams and finally passing the bar exam before graduation, becoming a soon-to-be prosecutor. These years of struggle have given me a deep understanding of the meaning of justice and have strengthened my belief in upholding it. Momoko always prepares a cup of hot tea for me when I am exhausted, allowing me to feel her warmth and care amidst busy days. Her support has become my driving force, enabling me to never give up, no matter how tough the challenge.
Kagami's achievements in kendo are evident. He is the youngest 8th-dan kendo master in history, winning numerous awards in kendo competitions and becoming a legendary figure among the younger generation. He has not only broken new ground in martial arts but is also working hard to obtain various business-related certifications, fully preparing to take over the Midou family's business in the future. Kagami is always so hardworking and focused. His spirit in kendo and his humble attitude in daily life earn our admiration. Miyako often feels distressed by Kagami's hard work, but she also knows this is Kagami's dream, and she chooses to support him quietly and without regret.
Shigeru, on the other hand, has caused a stir in the literary world. Not only has he won the Naoki Prize and the Akutagawa Prize, the highest honors in Japanese literature, but many of his works have also been adapted into films and TV dramas. Shigeru's writing is exquisite, and his stories always touch people's hearts. Through his works, he depicts the beauty and cruelty of the world, love, and hatred. His novels have become classics in the hearts of many, and I understand that much of his creative inspiration comes from the interactions and support among our friends. Kaoru feels immense pride watching Shigeru win award after award, deepening the bond between them.
During these university years, as we each achieved significant success, the bond between the six of us has grown stronger over these three years. Seeing Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru shine brightly in their respective fields, as their partners, we feel immense pride and contentment. Their success makes us even more aware of how irreplaceable they are.
For me, Momoko is not just my lover but the most important partner in my life. The moment I passed the bar exam, I made up my mind that I wanted to be with Momoko for the rest of my life, to be her most solid support. This thought isn't limited to me; Kagami and Shigeru feel the same. Seeing Miyako's brilliance in the fashion world and Kaoru's dominance in the wrestling arena, they have both realized it is time to propose to the girls.
2019.4.27 Saturday
So, in an unexpected moment, the three of us boys decided to have a secret meeting. The venue? McDonald's. After all, with its bustling crowd, no one would pay special attention to our discussion. We ordered a pile of burgers, fries, and cola, then began this crucial discussion.
The atmosphere in McDonald's was as lively as ever, with people chatting and laughing, and children playing and chasing each other. Sitting in such an environment, the three of us looked like old friends discussing everyday topics. But in reality, our plan was far more important than these trivial matters.
I, Kagami, and Shigeru sat in a secluded corner. Normally, we are all adept in our fields, but tonight, we were unusually nervous.
I looked at Kagami and Shigeru, my fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, feeling uneasy. "Do you think we should really do this?" I asked in a low voice, a hint of hesitation in my tone.
"Of course we should," Kagami answered without hesitation, though there was a trace of nervousness in his voice. His hands were folded on the table, trying to appear calm. Usually composed in the kendo dojo, I could see his fingers trembling slightly at this moment.
"Yeah, we've prepared for so long; we can't back out now," Shigeru's voice was deep and firm. He is the best among the three of us at handling unexpected situations, but even he seemed somewhat unsure when facing this decision.
We were silent for a while, and an invisible tension seemed to hang in the air. The fries and burgers on the table remained untouched, but our focus was clearly not on the food.
"I never thought there could be something more nerve-wracking than venturing into Yomi," I said with a wry smile, my fingers sliding back and forth on the cup. Recalling the time we risked our lives entering Yomi to negotiate with Izanami for the girls we loved, we had never felt this anxious back then.
"Yeah, at that time, we had a clear goal. As long as we found Izanami and persuaded her, we could bring them back," Kagami continued, his eyes slightly flickering. "But this time is different; this is a lifetime commitment, a decision from which there is no turning back."
"Are you worried they might not agree?" Shigeru asked, though his own heart was racing, he tried to keep the conversation light.
"It's not about whether they agree or not," I shook my head. "We all know they will agree, but what I'm worried about is whether we can truly bear this responsibility."
We fell silent again, memories of these years floating in our minds. Be it achievements in our careers or deep emotions, we have gone through countless trials and tribulations to reach this moment. Because of this, we cherish these feelings even more and are even more concerned about whether we are really ready to take on this responsibility.
"Do you know?" Kagami broke the silence, a hint of a smile in his voice. "I always thought that as long as I worked hard enough, became strong enough, I could protect Miyako. But now I realize the hardest part isn't facing external threats, but how to make her truly happy."
"Yeah, we're all thinking about how to make them happy," Shigeru nodded. "But happiness isn't just about material satisfaction; it's also about emotional comfort. What we need to do is not just give them a warm home, but also become their support."
"So, this proposal isn't just a formality; it's our lifelong commitment to them," I concluded, my gaze gradually becoming determined. "No matter what the future holds, no matter what difficulties we face, we will always support and protect them."
The three of us exchanged looks, understanding that this was not just a promise to the girls, but a vow to ourselves. Although we have been through countless trials, this time is different; this decision will affect our entire lives.
"Then, what should we do?" Kagami asked, a hint of anticipation and excitement in his voice.
Shigeru smiled slightly, seemingly already having an idea. "First, we need to invite them to our families during the Obon Festival and formally propose this commitment to them. You know, they have all supported and empowered us during our most difficult times, and now it's time for us to repay them."
I nodded, the tension on my face gradually replaced by determination. "Right, we need to express our feelings and determination to them sincerely, letting them know we are willing to give them everything."
"But we need to make sure of every detail of this plan first," Kagami added. "We have to plan this carefully; we can't afford any mistakes."
We began to discuss the details of the proposal carefully, from choosing the venue to preparing the rings and how to express our intentions to the girls' families. These gems are not something we can easily acquire; we have to be well-prepared. In the end, we decided that during the Golden Week holiday, we would travel to three places: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Colombia, to dig up the finest three gems and then set them into the rings that the girls once wore as the Powerpuff Girls Z.
"We have to make them feel that this is not just a ceremony but a lifelong commitment," Shigeru concluded, his eyes full of hope for the future.
Kagami and I nodded, the nervousness in our eyes gradually fading, replaced by a sense of firmness and resolve. We knew that this proposal plan would be the most important promise we could make to the girls and to each other.
"So, first..." I began, "we need to finalize each destination and our plan of action. We can't afford any slip-ups on this trip."
Kagami nodded, his brow furrowed, clearly having thought of more details. "Our first stop is Myanmar, the ruby mines in Mandalay. The quality of rubies there is top-notch, but the local security situation is not to be taken lightly."
"Exactly," Shigeru joined the discussion, his expression calm, "Next is the sapphire mines in Sri Lanka. We'll have to cross some mountainous terrain. There are many bandits and illegal miners there, which will be a challenge."
"The final stop is the emerald mines in Colombia," I added, "and this is the most dangerous. Besides the mines themselves, there are armed groups and drug traffickers there. We have to be very careful."
Kagami suddenly gave a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, I have some good news. I've decided to use the Midou family's private jet for this trip."
Upon hearing this, Shigeru and I lit up with excitement. "The Midou family's private jet?" I couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Can you really arrange that?"
"Of course," Kagami replied with a smile. "I've already discussed it with my family. They've agreed to let me use the family's private jet, and we've reported the flight plan to the relevant departments to ensure the routes are safe and discreet. This way, we can avoid the hassle of connecting flights and quickly reach each destination."
"That's great!" Shigeru excitedly slapped the table. "This way, we can significantly shorten our travel time and adjust our plans more flexibly."
"But there's still one more thing to solve," I said seriously, setting my cola aside. "We also need to borrow the rings the girls used when they were the Powerpuff Girls Z, so we can set the gems we dig up into them."
On the night after the meeting, I returned home to find Momoko sitting in the living room watching TV. I walked over and sat down gently beside her. She looked up at me, smiled sweetly, and then rested her head on my shoulder.
"Momoko, there's something I want to discuss with you," I began, slowly bringing up the topic.
"Hmm? What is it?" she asked curiously.
"Kagami, Shigeru, and I are planning a short trip during Golden Week, sort of a break for ourselves," I said cautiously, staring into her eyes to gauge her reaction.
"A short trip?" She blinked, "Sounds good. Where are you planning to go?"
"Uh… well," I replied with a deliberately mysterious smile, "It's a secret for now. I'll give you a big surprise when the time comes."
"You sneaky guy, keeping secrets from me," Momoko chuckled and playfully punched me.
"There's one more little request," I took a deep breath, my heart racing a bit. "Do you remember the ring you wore when you were a Powerpuff Girl Z? Can I borrow it for a while?"
Momoko's expression immediately turned a bit puzzled. "What do you need it for?"
"Uh… it's for a special plan during the trip," I smiled a bit awkwardly, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."
Momoko looked at me, seemingly trying to see through my thoughts. She was silent for a few seconds, then sighed. "Alright, since you say so, I'll lend it to you. But you must take good care of it; it's very important."
Hearing this, a huge weight lifted off my heart. "Don't worry, I will. Thank you, Momoko."
Meanwhile, Kagami and Shigeru also managed to borrow the rings from Miyako and Kaoru using similar excuses. Our plan proceeded smoothly; the next task was to prepare the gear and ensure every detail was foolproof.
A few days later, Golden Week finally arrived. As planned, the three of us boarded the Midou family's private jet and embarked on our adventure to find gems.
We knew that this journey would be filled with challenges and dangers, but for the sake of the girls we loved and the three rings symbolizing our love, we were determined to press on.
The plane soared in the blue sky, and I looked out the window, filled with endless anticipation. This would be the craziest adventure of our lives, but I knew that when we returned with the gems and our love, a brighter future awaited us.
At the beginning of this journey, I must admit, it far exceeded my expectations. When we boarded the Midou family's private jet, the three of us were still quite relaxed. The interior of the plane was luxurious, with soft and comfortable seats, and champagne was served. However, I knew this Golden Week holiday was not for leisure.
Our mission this time was to dig up the finest three gems in the world—ruby, sapphire, and emerald—to create a unique set of engagement rings for the girls we loved. Thinking of the expressions on their faces when they received these rings, our hearts were filled with both anticipation and nervousness.
Kagami utilized the private jet of the Midou family, significantly shortening our travel time. Our first stop was the ruby mines in Mandalay, Myanmar. Upon landing at Mandalay International Airport, we immediately boarded a jeep that had been arranged in advance.
2019. 4.28 Sunday Evening Mogok, Mandalay, Myanmar
The vehicle drove through the city of Mandalay and continued along the rugged mountain road toward Mogok. Known as the "City of Gems," Mogok is famous for producing the world's finest rubies, particularly the 'pigeon's blood' ruby.
However, it is also a haven for drug lords, warlords, and illegal armed groups. The terrain is treacherous, and the environment is harsh; I knew this mission would be anything but easy.
The bumpy mountain road felt like my stomach was being churned in a blender, almost turning upside down, but we knew these hardships were only the beginning. I glanced at Kagami and Shigeru beside me, and the three of us exchanged a knowing look. We all understood how crucial this mission was; failure was not an option.
By the time we arrived at the mine, it was already deep into the night. Only a few dim lights illuminated the desolate surroundings in the darkness.
Kagami quickly got out of the car, and we followed him without hesitation to an abandoned mine shaft nearby. We decided not to waste any time and began digging immediately. The rubies here are among the best 'pigeon's blood' rubies in the world, but the environment is extremely harsh and filled with hidden dangers.
The mine was eerily silent at night, with only the sound of our breathing and the echoes of hammers striking rocks resonating in the darkness.
The hardness of the rocks far exceeded our expectations, and each swing of the tool felt like my arms were weighed down with lead. But there was no time to rest; we had to extract what we needed in the shortest time possible.
After more than an hour, I suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the distance. My instincts screamed danger, but before I could react, a group of drug lords had silently surrounded us. They wore sinister smiles and held AK-47s, clearly not here for a friendly chat.
"Looks like we're not welcome," Shigeru muttered under his breath, a hint of disdain in his voice.
I nodded, but before I could react, the drug lords started firing at us without hesitation. Bullets whizzed past our heads, tearing through the night sky. We quickly took cover behind the rocks.
Kagami's eyes sharpened in an instant. He drew his katana and charged at the enemies with lightning speed.
"Don't stop! Keep digging!" Kagami shouted loudly before rushing out.
Shigeru and I didn't hesitate; we continued digging desperately. We've faced similar situations before, but this one was clearly more dangerous. The drug lords fired RPGs in our direction, the deafening explosions shaking the entire mining area. My iphone was instantly shattered into pieces by the blast's shockwave.
Just as we were about to give up, a flash of blood-red light suddenly appeared among the rocks in front of me. It was a ruby—a flawless 'pigeon's blood' ruby.
"That's it!" I exclaimed excitedly, quickly reaching out to grab the gemstone.
In the distance, Kagami was fighting the drug lords with astonishing speed. He swiftly struck one of the drug lords' throats with the hilt of his katana, causing him to collapse instantly. "Now that we have what we need, let's get out of here!" he shouted loudly.
Shigeru and I didn't dare stay any longer. We immediately grabbed the ruby and turned to retreat. Bullets and explosions rang out behind us, nearly bursting my eardrums, but we didn't care about that; we just wanted to leave this damned place as quickly as possible.
We sprinted all the way back to the car. When we finally collapsed onto the plane, every inch of our bodies was screaming with exhaustion and pain. The moment I closed my eyes, I fell into a deep sleep. This was only our first stop; there were more challenges awaiting us.
2019.4.29 Monday Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
When we arrived in Sri Lanka, there was still no time to rest. As soon as the plane landed at Ratmalana Airport, we immediately got into a rented jeep and quickly passed through the city of Colombo, heading towards the sapphire mines of Ratnapura in southern Sri Lanka. Known as the "City of Gems," Ratnapura is famous for its sapphires, particularly the renowned " Cornflower Blue Sapphire," known for their deep blue color and high transparency. Our target this time was this rare sapphire.
The vehicle bumped along the muddy jungle roads, surrounded by potential threats from venomous snakes and wild beasts. The three of us moved forward cautiously with our tools, staying vigilant without even a chance to catch our breath. Shigeru, holding a machete, led the way, quickly cutting through dense vines and bushes.
Each swing of the blade sent sweat dripping down his forehead. I followed closely, fists clenched, ready to face any sudden attacks. Kagami, at the back of the team, kept a watchful eye on our surroundings to ensure we wouldn't be ambushed from behind.
After a grueling trek, we finally reached the core of the sapphire mining area, hidden deep in the dense jungle. Before we could catch our breath, we were surrounded by a fully armed army. These men, dressed in camouflage uniforms and armed with machine guns, had a murderous look in their eyes. They were clearly not here to welcome us.
"These guys definitely aren't here to greet us, are they?!" Shigeru cursed under his breath and immediately rushed forward without hesitation.
Like an enraged beast, he knocked away an enemy's gun with a swift move and punched him squarely in the jaw, rendering him unconscious. Seeing this, I quickly joined the fray, swinging my fists with all my might, knocking down the surrounding enemies one by one. We moved with incredible speed, and our actions were precise, leaving no chance for the opponents to react.
Kagami stood in our digging area, holding his katana with a sharp gaze. Each slash of his blade was incredibly accurate, completely neutralizing the enemy's attacks. Although they had strength in numbers, they could not break through our defenses due to our teamwork. At that moment, the three of us seemed to have become an unbeatable fighting team.
Under our fierce assault, the enemy was completely driven back, and we finally got a brief moment to catch our breath. We quickly began digging, and our tools continuously struck and chipped away at the rocks.
As time ticked by, sweat dripped down our faces, and the exhaustion deepened, but our focus remained unwavering. We knew that as long as we could find that precious ' Cornflower Blue Sapphire,' all this adventure would be worth it.
After several hours of digging, my tool suddenly struck something incredibly hard, and my heart instantly started racing. "Shigeru, over here!" I called softly, and he immediately came over to help. We carefully cleared the debris around it, and with the last large rock removed, a crystal-clear blue gemstone came into view. It was a flawless ' Cornflower Blue Sapphire,' shining with the deep blue light of the ocean.
However, just as we were briefly elated by finding the gemstone, the entire mountainside suddenly began to collapse. The deafening rumble was accompanied by dirt and boulders rolling down.
We cried out in surprise and quickly reacted. I immediately grabbed Kagami and Shigeru's hands and sprinted out of the collapse zone. The ground trembled beneath our feet, and the sound of cracking boulders filled our ears. The air around us became thick with flying dust.
"Phew! That was close!" I panted heavily, forcing a smile. The three of us looked at each other and laughed. Despite being covered in mud and utterly exhausted, seeing that blue-glowing gemstone in our hands made us feel like all the hardships were worth it.
We didn't linger; we quickly retreated to the car and sped back to the plane. On the plane, we finally managed to catch our breath. Although this stop was fraught with danger, we successfully obtained the ' Cornflower Blue Sapphire.'
There were more challenges ahead, but at that moment, our hearts were filled with unyielding courage and determination.
We knew that the next and final stop would be the most dangerous—the emerald mines of Colombia. Hidden deep in the Andes Mountains, especially in the Muzo and Chivor mines, they are known for producing the world's finest emeralds. However, the mountainous regions are also filled with drug traffickers, guerrillas, and armed factions, making them death traps.
2019 5.1 Wednesday Muzo, Boyacá Department, Colombia
When we arrived in Bogotá, we continued without any rest to the Muzo Mine, known as the "Emerald Capital" for producing the best 'Muzo Emeralds.' As the vehicle drove deeper into the Andes, the sky gradually darkened, and the surrounding environment became increasingly oppressive and dangerous. The atmosphere felt like a dense cloud hovering in mid-air, making it hard to breathe.
We barely had time to start digging when a group of heavily armed drug traffickers blocked our path. Wearing camouflage uniforms and armed with rifles, they were well-trained and had a cold, ruthless look in their eyes. It was clear they did not intend to let us leave easily.
"Come on, we're not pushovers either," Kagami said with a smile, drawing his katana.
The drug traffickers opened fire without hesitation, and a hail of bullets instantly tore through the air around us. The three of us quickly scattered and used the surrounding cover to avoid being hit. I charged toward one of the traffickers, leaping up with a hook punch that knocked his gun out of his hands. Then, with a swift kick to his abdomen, I sent him crashing heavily to the ground. On the other side, Shigeru swept his leg to trip another trafficker, then landed a powerful punch on his face, knocking him out completely. Meanwhile, Kagami moved like a ghost among the enemies; each swing of his katana was as fast as lightning and cut through their weapons with precision.
The three of us worked seamlessly together, gradually suppressing the enemy's firepower. Kagami's katana danced like a dragon in the sky, his gaze cold and focused, as if he had transformed into an invincible warrior. In the midst of the fierce gunfight, we slowly gained the upper hand over the traffickers, but bullets continued to whistle past our ears. Time seemed to stretch infinitely in battle, with each second feeling like a life-or-death ordeal.
Finally, after a hard-fought battle, we managed to drive off most of the enemies, and the remaining traffickers chose to retreat. We seized this brief opportunity to start digging for the emerald vein. We quickly cleared a concealed rock wall while Kagami kept watch nearby. Shigeru and I grabbed our tools and began chiseling away. Sweat dripped steadily from my forehead; I knew time was short, and we needed to extract the gemstone as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, my pick struck an exceptionally hard rock, and I felt an unusually smooth surface beneath my tool. I looked closely and saw a faint deep green glow emanating from within the rock. Shigeru and I quickly cleared the surrounding layers of rock, and as the last large stone was removed, a gem as green as jade came into view. It was a flawless Muzo emerald, radiating a rich, deep green light, like a deep, tranquil lake.
"That's our target!" Shigeru shouted excitedly. We carefully extracted the gemstone and wrapped it securely in a protective pouch.
However, the challenge was far from over. During our digging, we accidentally broke through an underground water vein. Suddenly, an icy stream of water burst from the breach, rapidly forming a powerful torrent that rushed toward us. The sudden surge knocked us off our feet, and the entire mine turned into a muddy hell in an instant.
"Grab onto something!" I shouted, struggling to stay calm, but my body was already being tossed around by the turbulent water. I saw Shigeru struggling in the current, while Kagami's hand was reaching for the rock wall. Gritting my teeth, I summoned all my strength and grabbed onto a protruding rock, feeling my shoulder suddenly weighed down as Shigeru grabbed my arm. The three of us clung to each other, trying our best not to be swept away by the water.
After a tough struggle, we finally managed to steady ourselves and clambered up onto a higher rock platform, avoiding the torrent's assault. My chest heaved violently, my heartbeat pounding in my ears like thunder, but as I gripped the emerald tightly in my hand, I knew we had survived another crisis.
"Phew! That was close!" I gasped, forcing a smile while looking at the equally exhausted Kagami and Shigeru. Despite being covered in mud and utterly worn out, seeing the deep green light emanating from the Muzo emerald in our hands made us realize that all our efforts and adventures had been worthwhile.
We quickly fled the mining area, got back in the jeep, and sped toward the airport.
When we finally made a difficult retreat from the Muzo Mine in Colombia, I had only one thought in mind: Get back home! This week of adventure had drained us completely, but knowing that the girls were waiting for us in Tokyo, we could only grit our teeth and push on.
However, just as we were eagerly anticipating our return home, a shocking piece of news came through: El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá had been taken over by terrorists, and the Midou family's private jet had nearly been hijacked!
"Damn it! Won't these bastards ever quit?!" I couldn't help but shout, the rage almost bursting from my chest. I was already exhausted, but now we had this trouble to deal with. I clenched my fists, my eyes filled with resolve. "Kagami, Shigeru, this time we don't need to hold back."
Kagami and Shigeru's eyes also became resolute. Kagami gripped his katana tightly, the blade gleaming in the sunset; Shigeru clenched his fists, veins bulging, clearly not planning to hold back.
"This time, we'll show no mercy!" Shigeru said coldly, his tone filled with intense killing intent.
When we arrived at El Dorado International Airport, the terrorists had already turned the entire airport into a chaotic battlefield. Smoke and debris covered the ground, and gunshots and explosions echoed intermittently inside the airport. These terrorists were clearly executing a well-planned attack, controlling the key locations of the airport. Armed figures patrolled around the control tower and terminal, with gunmen searching everywhere for potential threats.
The three of us quickly surveyed the scene and noticed that the terrorists were mainly concentrated around the control tower and the tarmac, seemingly looking for specific targets. Our private jet was parked on a distant tarmac, and several terrorists were trying to approach it.
"We can't let these people continue their rampage," Kagami muttered, then charged toward the tarmac without hesitation. In a flash, he leaped forward, his katana slicing through the air like lightning. The sharp blade instantly cut two terrorists' guns in half. Kagami's speed and strength at that moment were unbelievable. Amidst the flashes of his blade, the enemies who tried to resist were cut down one by one; not a single one could withstand his onslaught.
Shigeru and I weren't far behind, charging straight into another group of terrorists. These bastards were visibly shocked; they clearly hadn't expected us to confront them head-on. I forced a cold smile and punched one of the guys holding an AK-47 right in the jaw. Before he could react, my fist had already sent him flying, landing heavily on the tarmac. I then spun around, driving my knee into another enemy's chest and pinning him to the ground.
Shigeru unleashed his full strength. Facing four or five armed terrorists, he calmly stepped forward. Seeing Shigeru's not-so-bulky figure, they underestimated him and opened fire. However, their bullets hadn't even been chambered before Shigeru knocked them out. With a swift motion, he crossed his arms, deflecting two enemies' gun barrels, and then delivered punch after punch, each one hitting a vital spot. His power was astonishing, and the terrorists he hit would cough up blood instantly, unable to fight back at all.
We used various obstacles in the fight for cover, like abandoned vehicles and ground service equipment parked beside the airport runway. Kagami swung his katana while using a nearby baggage cart for cover; his movements were as fluid as a dance amidst the flashes of his blade. Shigeru's punches cut through the air with each strike, his fighting style simple and powerful, with no unnecessary movements, relying solely on overwhelming strength to win.
The terrorists weren't completely disorganized; they started using grenades and heavier firepower to suppress us. We were forced to get closer to the plane for cover. There were some large containers and oil drums around the plane, and we maneuvered between these covers to avoid the enemy fire.
"Quick! Finish them off, and let's get back home!" I shouted, anxiety coursing through me, with only one image in my mind—going back and seeing their smiles.
As the three of us launched a fierce assault, the terrorists fell one by one. Kagami's blade swung like the wind, every slash precise; Shigeru's punches carried immense force, smashing through everything; and I let loose completely in the fight, using punches and kicks to engage with the armed foes without holding back. My fists landed on their vital points, the sound of bones breaking echoing now and then.
Our private jet was parked on a far-off tarmac, and the terrorists there were still relentlessly trying to approach the plane. The three of us immediately split up: Kagami quickly circled to the other side of the tarmac, using his agility to launch a surprise attack on the enemies, while Shigeru and I charged from the front, forming a pincer attack.
When we finally subdued the last terrorist, the entire tarmac fell into a brief silence. The ground was littered with scattered weapons and fallen enemies. We were panting heavily, but the urgency and desire in our hearts left no room for lingering.
The gunfire near the airport control tower gradually died down as well; airport security and special police forces had regained control of the situation. Looking at the devastated airport, only one thought remained in our minds—get back home.
Kagami sheathed his katana, Shigeru exhaled deeply, and I wiped the sweat from my forehead. The three of us glanced at each other and knew exactly what was on each other's minds. We didn't have any time to waste. As we boarded the Mido family's private jet again, we were all too exhausted to speak, but our hearts were filled with immense satisfaction.
"That was really intense this time," Shigeru said with a wry smile, his eyes still glimmering.
I couldn't help but smile as well. Although this adventure had been a life-and-death experience, just thinking about the girls' expressions when they receive their rings made everything worthwhile. We didn't say much more because our bodies were already at their limits. Everyone fell into a deep sleep on the plane. We knew that when we woke up, we would be back by their sides, ready to place the gemstone rings on their fingers, symbols of our love and commitment.