Chapter 110: Preparation

“Hello, I’m a reporter from NHK TV. Could you please provide an update on the current situation with the hostages?”

“I’m a reporter from TBS. How does the police plan to handle this hostage situation?”

“Could you answer, please? The public across the country is urgently awaiting specific details from the police.”

“Do you admit there was a significant oversight on the part of the police in this incident?”

“Some of the terrorists are demanding the release of a foreign prisoner. Is that person one of their accomplices?”

Seeing the large group of reporters gathered outside the hospital entrance, the police commissioner smiled wryly and said, “You can all see it. I believe by tomorrow, the whole world will know what happened here. If we mishandle this, we, the police, will lose our credibility, and this event will become a stain on our country. Colleagues, please do your best.”

“Rest assured, Chief, we will rescue the hostages successfully. Once we begin the operation, we will break in and rescue them immediately,” Ryozawa said firmly.

The police commissioner nodded and turned to another officer. “How’s the preparation coming along?”

“We’re almost ready. The snipers are already in position. We’ll do our best to cooperate with Officer Ryozawa,” the officer replied.

“Have those items been prepared?”

“Yes, I’ve secretly informed headquarters. They’ll be delivered by helicopter in about half an hour.”

“If possible, I’d rather not use this method,” the police commissioner sighed.

He turned to the officers and said, “Keep the negotiation experts working to calm the terrorists. Also, try to gather as much information as possible about the situation inside. There can be no negligence in this matter.”

“Yes, sir.”

At that moment, several people walked in from the makeshift command center.

“I’d like to know, what exactly is going on here?” an elderly man in a white shirt immediately asked as he entered.

“Good evening, Legislator Ryoyama, Legislator Hisanaga, Legislator Nagai, and Mr. Hyakuzaki,” the police commissioner said respectfully to these influential figures in the political world.

“I was having dinner at home when Legislator Nagai called and told me that terrorists had taken hundreds of people hostage at the hospital. Is that true?” the elderly man who spoke first continued to ask.

“Yes, there are indeed 25 individuals claiming to be members of the ‘July Movement’ jihadist group inside the hospital. They have taken nearly 500 people hostage. Mayor Shintaro Ishihara, Legislators Fukunaga and Nagatoshi are also in their custody. They’re demanding the release of a foreign prisoner named Marando within twelve hours and a ransom of 100 million USD,” the police commissioner explained.

“The money can be discussed, but we absolutely cannot release Marando. We’ve already promised the Americans to transfer him to New York within this week,” another congressman stated.

“How could you let more than 20 armed terrorists infiltrate Tokyo and take so many hostages? How do you expect me to explain this to the reporters?” Legislator Ryoyama said angrily.

“I apologize, this is indeed my fault. The police will rescue the hostages as soon as possible,” the police commissioner said, bowing.

“I hope your guarantee is useful,” Legislator Ryoyama said coldly.

**

“It seems those guys are quite civilized after all,” the young man suddenly said, observing the armed men patrolling around.

“Are you out of your mind? You still have the mood to praise the people who are holding us hostage?” Ryoko glared at him.

“At least they haven’t raped women or abused the hostages. If you compare them to Nazi German soldiers or Japanese soldiers during WWII, you’re actually quite lucky,” the young man scoffed.

Seeing the confused looks of the girls, the young man realized they didn’t really understand that part of history.

“Do you guys have any coins on you?” the young man suddenly asked, changing the subject.

“What for?” Ryoko asked.

“Don’t ask, just hand over all your coins.”

Ryoko weakly pulled out her wallet and tossed it to him.

After collecting the coins from the other two girls, the young man counted them—only 12, fewer than expected. But with the 6 coins from his own pocket, it should be enough.

Seeing him put all the coins in his pocket, Ryoko couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, what exactly are you planning to do with this? This amount of money can buy soda, but it’s not enough to bribe them to let us go.”

“It’s nice to see you still have a sense of humor. Good. Come closer, I’ll tell you something.”

Ryoko looked at him, then leaned in.

The other three girls looked at them in confusion as the cousins whispered to each other.

“Do you think this will work?” Ryoko asked in surprise after hearing the young man’s plan.

“In theory, it should work,” the young man replied.

“In theory, my foot. If it doesn’t work, we’re doomed,” Ryoko said bitterly.

“Excuse me, what were you just saying? Could you tell us?” Tachibana Sui couldn’t help but interrupt and ask.

The young man exchanged a glance with Kurata Ryoko, who reluctantly leaned in to whisper a few words in Tachibana Sui’s ear.

After all the other girls were informed of the young man’s suggestion, they all wore surprised expressions.

“Masashi, do you think this is too risky?” Tachibana Sui glanced at the armed men standing at a distance and asked.

“This is the only way to increase our chances of survival,” the young man said calmly.

“But wouldn’t it be better to wait for the police outside to rescue us? I still think your plan is too risky,” the short-haired girl added.

“One thing is certain, the Japanese government will absolutely not agree to the terrorists’ demands. Although during the ‘Red Army’ hijacking incident over twenty years ago, the government did make the foolish decision to agree to the hijackers’ demands, this time is different. They cannot afford to lose face again. More importantly, that criminal is wanted by the Americans, so the Japanese government is even less likely to release him. Therefore, the only option the police have is to break in forcefully and eliminate those terrorists. It’s actually a reasonable action, but look at those guys. Don’t you think they’re overdressed for this hot weather?”

The girls looked confused, not fully understanding his words.

The young man whispered something into Kurata Ryoko’s ear.

“Explos…” she started to speak but was immediately silenced by the young man covering her mouth.

When the word “explosives” slipped out of her mouth, the other girls turned pale.

The young man said in a low voice, “Those people are all religious fanatics. They’d rather die with the enemy than be captured. That’s why they’re called terrorists.”

“Can that really work?” Yamaguchi Tomoko asked.

“Honestly, the chances are fifty-fifty. Right now, all we can do is wait. I believe the police will take action soon, and once things get chaotic, you just follow my instructions. Of course, if anyone prefers to stay behind, I won’t force you. After all, your life is your own.”

“But even if what you say happens, what about the guys patrolling around? They’ll probably shoot us the moment they see us moving,” Tachibana Sui asked.

“That’s why I said the chances are fifty-fifty. You’ll have to judge the situation when the time comes. If you feel safer following me, then come with me. If you’re worried, stay behind.” The young man spoke as he subconsciously reached into his pocket, feeling for the coins.

The four girls exchanged glances, but none of them spoke for a moment.

***

In the kitchen, while helping out, Rumi asked, “Kazumi, isn’t senior coming back for dinner?”

“Mm, he called earlier. He said he ran into cousin Kurata on the way, and she invited him to dinner, so he won’t be back for dinner tonight,” Kazumi replied while stir-frying the vegetables.

“I see…” Rumi sounded a little disappointed.

“Don’t worry, he should be back soon. Here, help me take this dish out.”

“Okay.” Rumi took the dish and headed to the living room.

“Rumi, you must be tired. Sit down and rest for a bit,” Rumiko, who was wiping the table, said with a smile.

“Auntie, I’m not tired. I’m just helping out. I really hope that one day I can cook as well as you and Kazumi. I don’t understand, I follow the recipe step by step, but the food never tastes right.” The kendo girl said regretfully.

“It’s okay, cooking just takes practice. When we have a holiday in a few days, I’ll teach you, alright?” Rumiko pulled her down to sit.

“Really? That would be great. Thank you, Auntie,” Rumi said happily.

After a few more words, Rumi said she wanted to go back to the kitchen to help again. Rumiko patted her small hand and let her go.

“Hey, Auntie, is something big happening? There are so many police cars,” Rumi suddenly stopped in front of the TV and asked as she looked at the screen.

“I just turned on the TV too. A reporter said some terrorists have taken hundreds of doctors, nurses, and patients hostage at a hospital. They’re currently in a standoff with the police.”

“What? Even Tokyo has this kind of thing happening?” Rumi was shocked.

“Yes, it’s quite surprising. I just hope the hostages can be rescued safely,” Rumiko said. She knew that with such a big incident, Chief Inspector Maeda Ryutaro would definitely be at the scene. She silently added, “I hope Mr. Maeda will be okay.”

Watching the chaotic scenes on the TV, for some reason, Rumi suddenly felt her heart beat irregularly.

“At least senior isn’t there. He should be having dinner with his cousin now,” Rumi thought, letting out a sigh of relief.

Remembering that she still had to help Kazumi, she quickly headed back to the kitchen.