At the rendezvous point before the start of the mission.

I look around but I do not see the person who should be meeting me here.
Isn't SAA here yet? It's already this late...
Just as that thought ran through my mind, I hear her voice.

SAA Commander, Commander, over here~

I turn to look at the source of the voice, and I am startled by her outfit.

Commander ...SAA?

SAA Yes, Commander! Don't I look good today?

SAA nimbly pirouettes before me.

Commander You look very good.
But what's with this...costume?

SAA Since I'm playing a phantom thief, I ought to look the part, right~?
Besides, a phantom thief always make her entrance in a showy outfit!
What do you think? What do you think? Doesn't it suit the role?

Commander Yes, it does... But remember, we're not just playing around. You need to be careful and fastidious while carrying out your mission.

SAA Roger, Commander. I won't disgrace my mission! Otherwise I wouldn't be able to face you!

SAA nods earnestly and performs a courtly bow before leaving.
...I hope she's taking my words seriously.

More and more people begin to gather around the jewel display area as the party goes on.

SAA That sure is a big jewel... Though, this may probably be the last time it will ever appear before the eyes of the world.
It looks very pretty indeed, but cola is much more important to me!
Let's finish this mission quickly so I can drink cola to my heart's content after I get back!

SAA begins the operation as planned.

SAA Mhm~ Let me see...where's the fire alarm...

SAA Aha, there is it!
Let's just see how sensitive it is... Uwah, it's loud!

Party Guest The fire alarm? Is there a fire? Run! It's a fire!

Venue Staff Everyone, please don't panic. Follow our directions to evacuate through the exit!

SAA Seems like most people have left the building. Guess it's about time to show my stuff and make it rain cola!

Venue Staff Please don't linger in the hall, miss...
Huh? She was here just now... Was I seeing things?

SAA Now!

SAA reveals herself from the shadows and knocks out the venue staff with a tranquilizer round.

SAA That should do it...
Wait, it looks like there's someone else here to stop me.

SAA draws her gun and points it at the only other person still standing in the hall.

SAA Wait, IDW!?
...
Hm...so that's why things were going so well.
In any case, I'm a phantom thief now!

SAA pulls her trigger.

IDW You...you're...

SAA Whew, you have frightening combat reflexes.
Unfortunately, your ability to multitask is nowhere as good as everyone else.

...

After the mission, I see SAA at a nearby meeting point.
Leaning against a wall, SAA is spaced out with a can of cola in her hand.
She seems a little tired, but is still in good spirits.

SAA Commander! Over here!

SAA waves to me as she notices my approach.

Commander Thanks for your hard work, SAA.
I know you're taking a rest...but I need to ask you about the whereabouts of the jewel.

SAA Sorry, Commander...but I don't have it.
It seems that the agents of justice took it while I was dueling IDW.

Commander I see, then I'll go ask the others later.
It seems things got kind of rough between you and IDW. Are you alright?

SAA I'm fine.
Although I wasn't able to snatch the jewel, I still won my duel with IDW! And I got some cola out of it!
Want a can, Commander?

Commander Thank you, but I'll save the cola for when I get back to base.
SAA, you look a little out of it... Are you really alright?

SAA I'm fine! I just moved around a lot today, and I did quite a bit of calculations too.
I'll be back to normal after this can of cola~

Commander And by "quite a bit of calculations", you mean...?

SAA Well...I was thinking, my mission should have been over by the time IDW showed up, right?
So I shouldn't really mind that the jewel was snatched away either...
Would you say that's correct, Commander?

Commander Oh? Why would you think that?

SAA's eyes slightly waver, but quickly settles.

SAA Why indeed... Yes! It must be thanks to the guidance of cola!

Commander ...What?

SAA It really was because of cola's guidance! Without cola, I wouldn't have been inspired like this~

Commander ...Then we'll leave it at the guidance of cola.
It's getting pretty late. Why don't you head back soon?

SAA Sure thing~ I just finished my can of cola anyway!
I might still make it for the party back at base if I return now~

Commander I'm sorry for making you all miss out on the company's anniversary celebration because of this mission.

SAA It's fine, Commander! Someone has to do it, right?
And besides...I had a lot of fun tonight. I should be thanking you for letting me take part!

SAA winks at me and removes her hat before taking a bow.

SAA I'll be going now, Commander!
Let's share a victory cola later~

I watch SAA's back fade into the end of the street.
She has always been cheerful and lively, but the look on her face this time was not one that I have seen often.
She probably sensed that something was off, but she chose to hide her doubts.

Commander So it was all due to the guidance of cola, huh...

If cola could show me a path where everyone could relate to each other sincerely and without hesitation...
Then I would chug it all down like SAA.