CHAPTER 2: Identities

9:00 PM

Yamamotos' Mansion

"Can I get tequila shot," he glanced at the girl beside him.

"One more please," she gulped down the second one and signaled the bar tender for another one.

"Rough night?" He asked returning his sight to watch the crowd.

She laughed "Oh, you have no idea."

Takumi looked back at her as he suddenly thought of a plan "I'm sure it will get better."

She looked up to meet his eyes and a cunning smile formed in the corner of her lips, "I think it just did,"

"What is your name?"

"Michael Smith."

"Maria," she shook his hands.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Maria," he smirked.

"We are working Takumi," Kuuga snickered in the background. He ignored his comment and focused on the attractive woman in front of him. He noted her sudden interest as she straightened her posture, exposing the daring slit on her left thigh as she leaned her frame closer to him. His pools casually looked her over as she seductively took her third drink without breaking her gaze at him, her hazel brown eyes bored into his while he watched her every move.

"What is a beautiful lady like you doing here drinking alone?" he asked suddenly feeling drawn to the mysterious lady.

"Just trying to calm my nerves," she looked at the crowd and then asked "What is a handsome gentleman like you doing here alone? Shouldn't you be accompanying your date tonight?"

"I actually came alone," Takumi replied and smirked "Shouldn't you be dancing with your date tonight?"

"I actually came alone," she flipped her hair back.

"Well if that is the case, can I dance with you?" He offered his hand.

They moved to the dance floor with the other couples swaying in-sync to the slow song, he pulled her closer to put his hands around her waist while she placed her hands on his shoulders. Takumi glanced his target once more, a couple approached Kenji and his associates. Similar to him, everyone at the party has their own agenda and one of them is to make a good impression to Kenji and become part of his elusive circle. Being part of his circle means a higher success and opportunities for their businesses that was the least of his worries, but becoming acquainted with Kenji means a higher possibility in meeting Kiro. He focused his attention back to his companion.

"So, what do you do for a living, Maria?" despite being on a mission he couldn't help but be curious of the beautiful stranger in his arms.

"I work for my father's company. He owns an exporting company and we have been trying to get Kenji to invest. How about you? You seem a little bit out of place here," He slightly raised his eyebrows at her comment, "Most of the gentlemen here are in their thirties and trying to score a deal but you don't look like you belong here,"

He chuckled, "Are you complimenting my looks?"

She tilted her head in one side and her lips curved into a grin, "Maybe,"

He paused for a second and carefully studied the woman in front of him, suddenly feeling a little bit sceptical of her interest in him, "Let's not judge a book by its cover, do I not look like I am here for an official business matter?"

"Maybe," she moved her face closer, "I don't usually judge a book by its cover but you piqued my interest," he stared at her to find any clues of insincerity but she kept a straight face and gave him a small smile. He dismissed the thought and set off to begin his plan.

"Come on, let's say hi to the host,"

They walked together and approached the host and his friends, "Hello, gentlemen. I am Michael Smith and this is my lovely date, Maria Mori," the men paused their conversation and faced the newcomers

"Sorry, I have never met you two before," Kenji shook both their hands and the other men followed suit.

"My father was one of your stockholders, I am taking his place for tonight," Takumi explained.

"Where is your father's company based?" he probed

"In England," Takumi.

"Its really an honor to be here. Thank you for inviting us," Kenji focused his attention to the woman beside him.

"Don't mention it, it's an honor to meet a beautiful lady tonight."

"You are too nice," Maria said.

"You two make a lovely couple," one of the gentlemen exclaimed.

They exchanged a quick look before responding to his comment, "Thank you," she replied.

Kenji put his arm around Takumi "You have good taste in women. You know I looked like this young man during my younger years," everyone laughed at his remark.

"I think I remember your father now, you look exactly like him," one of the older men remarked amid their light-hearted conversation. Takumi's eyes widened in surprise, his façade slightly wavered after hearing his comment.

He quickly recollected himself and politely smiled, "I hear that a lot,"

"We don't usually see a lot of young people here," the man mused out loud.

"That is true. We need more young people like you two, very driven and passionate," Kenji stated and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"Thank you, I look up to your work and it would be really nice to follow your steps one day. Would you mind giving us a few advices?" Maria asked.

"Yeah, Kenji. Share us your secrets," the man on his left chuckled.

"If I tell you, I will have to kill you," he grinned and then laughed hysterically, the rest disregarded his comment and laughed along while Takumi gave him a curtest smile in response, he knew too much to shrug off Kenji's statement as a joke.

"I am kidding. I only have one advice that is to be smart about the people you choose. It is easy for people to pull you down once you are on top. You have to find the right people that will help you grow and succeed," Takumi nodded in agreement. It appeared that Kenji found that person in Kiro's shoes.

"What other businesses do you think will be right for someone like me who's just starting? I am willing to do anything to make a name of my own. I don't want be my father's shadow for the rest of my life," Takumi inquired. Kenji patted his shoulder and gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Like what I said finding the right people is the key," he leaned closer to the two "I will introduce you two to my good friend, Kiro. He is very influential and can pull a few strings in this business, I am sure he will be able to help both of you," he winked at them.

Takumi's smile widened "That is great."

10:15 PM

Yamamoto's Mansion

Kanou blended in with the guards and patrolled in the garden. As soon as the other guards changed position he sneaked into the second floor. After a few try he opened the lock to Kenji's office. He quietly closed the door and made his way to the study table where his desk was located. Kanou took out his bag and connected the M140 compact processor to the desktop computer. The small device allows Hinata to unlock the security system and gain access to his files.

"I am in. Give me 10 minutes," Hinata said as a blue screen appeared on the screen of his laptop.

"We don't have enough time. 5 minutes."

"Fine," while Hinata took over Kanou snooped around for any evidences that might of any help. He went through the scattered folders and opened the drawers when he spotted a safety box located near the bookshelves. He shined the flashlight over it and studied it carefully, it doesn't only require a pass code but also a fingerprint. He took out a dactyloscopic magnifier and looked for Kenji's fingerprints that he could use to open the safe.

"Downloading the files," Hinata reported.

"Has anyone seen Kiro yet?" Yukimura asked as he walked around the main floor.

"Negative. Something seems wrong here, he is supposed to be here by now," Kuuga exclaimed.

Kanou used a small portable 3D printer to scan the fingerprints he found on the desk. While he was working on the safety box his radio emitted static sounds.

"We have intruders, search the second and first floor. Block the possible exits. Over."

He looked out the window and the guards made their way inside. He cursed silently and packed his belongings.

"Abort mission. We are compromised," He heard the footsteps getting closer to the room, he moved a table behind the door and ran to the connecting room. The door was busted open but before they could reach him, Kanou jumped off the balcony.

"I'm driving to the alley in the next street, be there in 10 minutes," he heard Hinata on the other line

With the guards running into the house, he sneaked into backyard and ran to street. Kuuga and Tora arrived at the same time and they all got into the van.

"What the hell happened?" Kuuga asked as tried to catch his breath.

Kanou grabbed the laptop and turned off their mics.

"We have a spy in the group," He looked at all his teammates.

"What are you saying?" Hinata gave him an incredulous look. After working together for six years, it wasn't the time to be suspicious of each other.

"It is not impossible. Takumi left for a month, don't you think he had something to do with this?" Tora asked

They heard gunshots coming their way and Yukimura was running towards their car.

"We are surrounded we have to leave," Kuuga yelled

"Leave. Now," Takumi ordered in the other line.

"Fucking shit," Tora yelled as Hinata slammed on the gas pedal.

Present

Takumi groaned as he put more pressure on his right arm, the gunfire was not stopping and he was being surrounded on both sides. It will only be a matter of time before he gets caught. His grip on the gun tightened, he crouched down and readied himself. His left hand reached for the elixir in his back pocket, he was not planning on getting caught alive. An engine roared from a distance and headed his way, the sound of tires screech became more audible and a van crashed past the gates and started firing at the guards. It stopped in front of Takumi and the back door swung open.

"Get in," he jumped into the back and they drove off.

"How did we get found out?" he took off his blazer and checked his wound.

The group looked at each other they didn't know what to believe anymore. Something went wrong during their mission and the only possible explanation was that someone is working for the other side.

"We think there's a spy," Kanou explained.

"What? That is impossible," Takumi furrowed his brows.

"Was there anything unusual in the field?" Hinata asked still not believing Kanou's speculation.

"None," Yukimura and Tora answered.

Takumi shook his head as he tried to think of anybody he encountered that night. He froze in his spot as he thought of the woman he met earlier, he looked up and met Tora's scrutinising eyes.

"Maria," he muttered in realization.

"Who?"

"I don't know her. I thought I could use her to get close to Kenji but it seems like I was played. She knew who I was," he looked away.

May 6, 2016

S.F.I Academy

Takumi knocked twice before entering. His team went straight to the academy after their mission to report back and to also get medical attention, they were still uncertain of what happened but one thing he was sure of was that his little friend from last night had something to do with it. His suspicion was right all along.

Tadashi looked up from his paper works and leaned back on his chair. The stern look in his eyes indicated that he has an idea of what happened during the mission.

"Reporting back from mission, Sir," Jiro's gaze was cold and unyielding, different from his calm demeanor.

"You failed," he said

His left hand formed into a fist, there was nothing in this world he hated more than failing but he knew he had to own up to his mistakes and face the consequences even if it will result to his suspension from the institute.

"I am taking all the blame. I was careless, I came in contact with a spy and my identity was recognized."

Jiro raised a brow, "Do you know who the spy was?"

"No, I have never seen her before."

Before he could continue a knock on the door interrupted them.

"Come in," Tadashi called out.

"Reporting back from mission, Sir," Takumi recognized the voice, he whipped his head back and looked at the person joining them.

"You!" they both said.