Vol. 1 Ch. 1 Ep. 13: The Masked Swimsuit Gang! Part 1

*sigh* I'm beat.

It feels like we've been walking for hours...

I'm getting too old for this kind of thing. My knees and back are killing me.

Really? How old are you again, Hoshino?

Like I said, we're all pretty much the same age!

Look over there! They're selling taiyaki!

Hey, they really are. I didn't know they had street vendors here.

Should we grab some snacks and take a break? I'm buying!

What?! Nonomi, are you gonna use your card again?!

We could always use Sensei's credit card!

No, that's okay. I really want some, so I insist.

Thank you!

*nom* *nom*

That's tasty!

Whew, perfect timing. My blood sugar was getting low.

*rustle* Haha. Thanks. Don't mind if I do.

*nom*

Oh.

You take one too, Sensei.

Sorry you're not here, Ayane. We'll bring some back for you.

Haha. That's okay, Nonomi. I have snacks with me.

See? Nothing to worry about. Let's just chow down and enjoy this.

It's strange that we haven't been able to find any leads.

About those weapons you're looking for, I mean. I'm sure they're out there, but we haven't tracked down a single clue.

There's not even a paper trail. No records of transactions, storage logs... Nothing. It's like someone's trying to hide the whole operation.

Even the corporations shouldn't be able to manipulate the Black Market to this extent.

It is pretty strange.

I don't know if I would call it strange. It's more like... Why go through all this trouble?

This is the Black Market we're talking about. Corporations typically have no trouble conducting illegal business out in the open.

For example, see that building there? That's the Black Market's infamous Stygian Bank.

The Stygian Bank?

It's one of the largest banks in the Black Market. It's said that about 15 percent of all illicit profits from Kivotos' criminal activities flow through that bank.

The proceeds from extortion, armed robbery, abductions, and so on are then used to fund illegal weapons and arms for further criminal activities.

It's a never-ending cycle.

Goodness. So the bank is just as complicit as anyone else.

Yeah. If you think about it, the bank is really a whole criminal organization unto itself.

...

That's ridiculous! Why isn't the General Student Council doing anything?!

I'm sure they have their reasons. You never know.

It looks like the real world isn't all sunshine and butterflies like we thought. I guess we were too sheltered within the safety of Abydos...

Hang on a second, everyone! There are armed forces heading your way!

...!

I don't think they've spotted you, but you should take cover just to be safe.

Th-Those are Market Guards!

Market Guards?

They act as the top enforcers for all the groups I just mentioned!

Hurry!

It just looks like they're on a routine patrol...

That looks like an armored truck full of cash they're escorting.

Hey. Look over there.

It's entering the Stygian Bank?

These are the collections from this month.

Even earlier than scheduled. Well done. Sign the transport papers here.

Of course. *scribble*

Perfect.

Well, then. Have a good day.

Open the gates. It's the cash collections for this month.

Hey. Wasn't that...?

What the heck?! That's the bank employee who takes our interest payments every month...

Hey, no kidding.

What...?

What's going on?

You're right! That's a Kaiser Loans truck!

In fact, it's the same truck that our cash payment was loaded into this morning! What is it doing at the Black Market?!

K-Kaiser Loans?!

You've heard of them, Hifumi?

That's the infamous Kaiser Corporation's loan shark company...

Infamous? Is it a criminal organization?

Not exactly. The Kaiser Corporation doesn't do anything outright illegal, but they're definitely shady. They walk the line between legitimate and criminal activities...

Kaiser's been trying to extend its reach into the Trinity district as well, and the Tea Party has been watching them like a hawk to make sure they don't cause any problems for the students.

The Tea Party... That's Trinity's student council if I remember right.

This debt you guys owe is to Kaiser Loans?

Well, technically, we weren't the ones who originally owed the debt.

It's kind of a long story. Ayane, can you get a bead on that armored truck?

One moment.

No good. I think they're working on a closed network. I can't pull anything up on them at all.

Should've known...

Come to think of it, they were very adamant about cash only. Do you think it's because...?

Our cash payments are being funneled into this Black Market bank?

So we've essentially been funding criminal activities for the Black Market this entire time?!

...

...

...

...

W-We can't say for certain yet... There isn't anything concrete to back it up. Not until we figure out where that truck is going.

Wouldn't those transport papers that employee just signed tell us?

Indeed.

Good thinking, Hifumi.

On second thought, those papers are inside the bank... We might be out of luck.

Not just any bank, the most heavily guarded bank in the entire Black Market. And it's crawling with armed guards.

If only we could find another way to get that truck's transport route. Let's see. Hmm...

No.

There's no other way.

Pardon?

It's our only option, Hoshino.

So, that's how it's going to be.

Come again?

Oh, now I get it! We're going to use THAT plan, aren't we?

Hold on. You can't be serious. You three aren't thinking what I think you're thinking...are you?

...

Was that a yes?! Seriously?!

I'm not sure I follow. What are you all talking about?

It's finally time.

*rustle*

We're gonna hit the bank.

What?!

Turns out it was the best plan after all.

Excuse me?

Yippee! Time to teach that evil bank a lesson! ☆

Th-This is a joke, right?!

This is actually happening. We're really doing this?

Because if you three are serious...

...then count me in too!

You too, Serika...?

...

*sigh* Copy that. I doubt I can talk any of you out of it at this point. Good luck. I'm sure you'll manage somehow.

Sorry, Hifumi. We don't have a mask prepared for you.

Well, I guess we can just blame Trinity for everything if we get caught.

That would be really...REALLY bad...

But I don't want you to feel left out.

This is the best we can do last-minute. Take this, Hifumi! ☆

The bag the taiyaki came in? Brilliant!

Hold on! I never agreed to...

A-Ah...

Mrrrp...

...

Perfect.

I even wrote you a number, Hifumi. You're No. 5. ☆

Whoa, it makes her look like she's our boss. What a leader.

I-I am? I mean, are we really going to hit the Stygian Bank?

Of course we are, Hifumi. Remember? We're sticking together today.

How will I explain this to the Tea Party if they ever find out?

What's to explain? We're hitting a criminal bank! We're the good guys!

Would you do us the honors, Sensei?

Yay! Let's roll! ☆

Oh, no...

*sigh* All Masked Swimsuit Gang units...

The mission is a go.