The first few weeks were dedicated to observing and getting to know her from a distance, but as the third week approached, it was the time for some action.

From what Shuichi observed, Akemi never visit places like bars where she can meet new people, so approaching her won't be an easy task, and his plan to get to that wasn't an easy decision.

A car appeared from the end of the street. Shu walked down the road slowly as he glanced at it from the corner of his eye. With every glance he took, the car seemed to approach more, but for him, it felt like it was happening in slow motion.

His green eyes peeked one last glance to notice the car was close enough, that's when he turned to the right. This was it… his heart started pounding as adrenaline pumped through his vessels and within a second, he found himself lifted into the air before collapsing onto the concrete, shards of glass ripping through his skull and torso. Breath was knocked from him as he felt a pain searing through his body.

In the hospital, her blue eyes looked at him with concern and it was enough for him to realize she was different from the other members of the organization, their eyes were lifeless, hers where reflecting kindness.

Days have passed and a friendship was built that soon led to a first kiss. That day, Shuichi didn't text Jodie, he felt horrible not for Jodie whom he was certain he loved but for Akemi who was so sweet and truthful to him while he was taking advantage of her.

Days proceeded and turned into two months where his texts to Jodie lessened as the presence of Akemi filled his time.

"Oh, before I forget, here's your book" Akemi said handing him the book she pulled out from her purse.

"You finished it already!"

"Yes, it was very interesting I spend three hours straight reading it"

"I know, the same thing happened to me when I first started reading it"

Akemi smiled before she printed a light kiss on his lips, she then turned to open the door to the passenger seat where she was sitting.

"Don't forget about tomorrow"

"There really is no need for this, I'm too old for…"

"Shh, no one is too old for celebrating birthdays, see you tomorrow" She finally said before leaving Shu in the car alone.

His green eyes followed her for a while before looking down at the book she handed him, he reached for the glove compartment but as he was about to place it inside, he noticed something purple stuck out of it, he flipped it to see and there was a sticky note that says 'Hey, you're great person'.

Shuichi smiled as he looked at it for a minute, it was then that he realized he was starting to develop some feelings towards her but he soon brushed the thought away as he was certain he loved Jodie, at least until tomorrow came.

It was a rainy day ruining their plan to have a picnic. Instead, Akemi called him and invited him to come over to her house.

"Ta-da" she said pointing at a cake as Shu followed her inside the kitchen "I baked it myself"

"I didn't know you can do this, it smells great!"

"I hope it tastes like it smells" she smiled as she sat on one of the chairs "I prepared sandwiches for the picnic so I'm not sure what to do for lunch, any suggestions for what I should cook?"

"We'll just eat the sandwiches"

"Since we're home I should prepare an appropriate thing to eat, it's your birthday you know"

"who said we are home!"

Akemi looked at Shu with wondering eyes as he walked to the picnic basket, he grabbed it before he headed back to the living room where he placed the blanket on the floor next to the Sliding door and started unpacking the food in the basket. Akemi, on the other hand, went back to the kitchen to bring the cake, she then sat down next to him as they looked at the rain through the glass.

Time went so fast and darkness enveloped the sky as the sun went down the horizon. What Shu was avoiding for the past months was no longer avoidable, he didn't want to seem suspicious and he finally found himself dragged into it, and it changed everything.

Right after, Akemi fell asleep next to him stealing some of the warmth from his shirtless body.

Shuichi failed to sleep. He looked at her sleeping peacefully with her head on his upper arm, he reached with his free arm to her hair moving it away from her face. She looked beautiful.

His green eyes closed tightly, he turned his head to face the ceiling as Jodie crossed his mind. He thought about what just happened, that in order for his mission to be successful and for Akemi to not suspect him, he's going to have to do this again.

He was so dragged into the mission that he never took the time to think of it this way, but now that this happened, it hit him… What does Jodie think about all of this? And when she allowed him to date her, was she aware of the results?

The fact that she knew her boyfriend was dating another woman means she knew what exactly they would do on a boring evening, means that she knew she isn't the only one for him, that he's never going to be able to be by her side or to spend as much time with her he spends with Akemi.

He couldn't accept this to Jodie, he loved her… No, he loves her right now, right now as he lay next to another woman to whom he made love an hour ago. It was fine until he started getting little signs of attraction towards that woman and until this night happened, but now he wouldn't accept this for the other woman that he truly loved.

Shuichi found himself wondering how he could like Akemi as he loved Jodie! He felt guilty for it, he felt like he was cheating on her from behind her back.

After long hours of thinking, he chose the hardest decision he could've taken in being honest with himself and with Jodie. As an agent, he had to do this job without even being sure he would come back alive. He chose to break up with Jodie to prevent her all the pain he is causing her now, and might cause her in the future, because he deeply cared for her and he truly loved her.

It's been three weeks since they last met, his texts weren't enough to feed Jodie's urge to see him and his waist-length hair she adored, she never complained about it and it finally paid off with the last text she received from him asking her to meet him.

She was driving her car down the empty road as sun followed their path moving down towards the horizon in a beautiful sunset.

"you two started dating!" Jodie casually asked looking at Shu from the corner of her eye. Shuichi never discussed the progress of his mission with her but now, It was the time to tell her.

She trusted him unconditionally which is why she allowed him to date someone else for the mission, he's always been a one woman man and he's always been in love with her. Also, Shu wasn't the type to easily get close to people so whatever will happen with Akemi will only be a part of an act of Dai Moroboshi and will not affect her Shu.

"yeah, that's why we have to break this off" Shuichi said looking forward at the road unable to look her in the eye.

"Hold on a second Shu" she smiled nervously in denial to what shes just heard, except that Shu was deadly serious "you're only going out with her because of the investigation right? I don't see the need for us to separate"

"its an organization I must crush even if it requires sacrificing you" he said, green eyes on the road still. He loved her so much but this was for her best, if she were to wait for him then he might never come back, he will be gone for an indefinite period of time and might wind up dead. Jodie deserved better, better than someone who spends his nights with another woman "To be able to love two women at the same time…it's not that handy a personality" he added as he felt his muscles ache.

Shu finally gathered enough courage to look at her, she had both her hands wrapped tight on the wheel with her blue eyes wide open. It pained him, he felt a sudden urge to apologize, hug her and ask her to forget what he said but it was too late for this. He had to be strong and act coldly, she's better off hating him, then she can get the possibility to date someone new and fall in love with another man instead of waiting for him, he will be happy if she is happy even if it hurts him now.

A long silence enveloped the car as Jodie kept driving unconsciously trying to understand the words he said but she couldn't help but fail. He must love her, he has for so many years, How can he be so cold? how come he stopped loving her?

"do you love her?" she finally asked with her eyes on the road

"I don't think we should..."

"just answer me, Shu"

"I like her" he sighed after a while. 'but I love you' he was dying to tell her this but he had to be strong.

jodie finally stopped the car next to his Chevrolet pressing the brakes a little more than she should have, Shuichi turned to face her, he opened his mouth to say something but then he changed his mind and just left.

she retrieved driving and within three minutes she stopped on the side road, the tears she had been trying to fight in his presence were no longer holdable. The sobs punched through, ripping through her muscles and guts. She pressed her forehead against the wheel and began to let her heart yank in and out of her chest.

Shuichi stood with his back against his Chevrolet, he looked at the sunset as he lit up another cigarette, it was his fifth since he left Jodie's car. He inhaled deeply as the smoke sept deep into his cells but he failed to reach the comfort it used to give him, it sucks, it hurts, but it was for her best, he reminded himself before getting into his car.

four meetings done, six to go...

Until next time, luv u.