Chapter 3: Suspicions

May 5, 2016

10:50 PM

Yamamoto's Mansion

"Excuse me for a second," he smiled at them and casually walked away.

Misaki raised her brows in puzzlement as she watched her companion disappear in the crowd. It was a second later when she noticed the slight movement in the room. The securities were moving in from every direction and began blocking the entrance and exit ways. Misaki had the instinct to flee the area but decided to remain in her spot. She couldn't risk exposing her identity.

All the other guests looked around in confusion as the main lights of the room were turned on and the music was cut off. A moment later gunfire was heard coming from the outside and everyone began to panic. Misaki looked around for her team, Sakura was still standing in her post while Shizuko was missing.

"Misaki remain in your spot, we might have another company," she heard Shizuko on the other line.

Kenji stepped up on the podium and calmed everyone down, "I sincerely apologize for the commotion tonight, we didn't expect that we will have some unwanted visitors. It is nothing to worry about, everyone is safe and the security is making sure that the culprits are captured. Please remain inside until we have the situation under control. Thank you for your understanding," one of his bodyguards approached him and whispered into his ear. As he walked towards the security head he casted an eye over Misaki before moving his attention back to them.

After the commotion died down, the guests were escorted out. The number of security has doubled and their targets were nowhere to be found, it was becoming riskier so her team decided to retreat. She walked towards the waiting car and got in along with her team.

"I actually thought we were busted," Sakura said as she slumped back on the backseat.

Misaki shook her head as slipped out of her garter holster to take out her hand gun. "That guy I was with, did you guys get a good look at him?" She had a bad feeling about him.

"No. Who is he?" Sakura went to check the laptop for the pictures they've taken

"He left right when the commotion started," she couldn't shake off the feelings that he wasn't supposed to be there.

"Do you think he was just a civilian?" Shizuko asked

"I don't think so," she furrowed her eyebrows and stared at the pictures they have taken "Run a background check on him. I am sure he is not the guy he was claiming to be."

"Maybe he was trying to assassinate Kenji or Yu," Shizuko pondered.

"Whatever the case, we are so dead," Sakura groaned

-xxx-

May 6, 2016

S.F.I Academy

Misaki knocked on the door and readied herself for the punishment, they might be looking at least a few months of probation but that was the least of her concern. Her biggest worry is what it would do to their reputation, her team were still trying to prove themselves and having a record that they failed a high-level mission will be detrimental for their career.

"Come in," she took a deep breath before opening the door

She walked towards his desk, "Reporting back from mission, Sir," her eyes darted to the other man in the room. His silhouette was oddly familiar, she scrunched her forehead as she got closer to him.

He turned his head around and she met his green pools, "You!" they said in unison.

Misaki pointed a finger at him, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Who the hell are you?" he raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Well seems like you two already met," Jiro casually said. Both of them focused their attention at Jiro to find some answers.

"Takumi Usui – team leader of Team 3," he pointed at the blonde man she met at the party, "Misaki Ayuzawa - team leader of team 8," she looked back at him with her brows drawn together, "You two have a lot of explaining to do."

"What was she doing at the operation last night?"

"Both of your teams were sent last night to Kenji's event to do separate missions," he got up from his chair and walked around his table.

Misaki shook her head in frustration, "Why didn't you tell us that we had other players?" Their mission would have run smoothly without any problems if they knew what they were up against and what the situation was.

"You had different missions," Jiro sighed in frustration, "Knowing less makes it safer for both of your teams to complete the tasks and prevent anything that will put each of your teams in danger," he crossed his arms and looked at them, "But I guess I was wrong,"

"Tell me what the hell happened last night," his voice raised up.

Takumi was speechless, he glanced at the woman beside him, if she was there for a mission then someone from his team might be working for the other side. He cleared his throat and tried to set aside the thought.

"Kiro wasn't at the party. They knew we were coming, I believe that someone must have tipped them off."

"Are you suggesting that we have a spy?" Jiro's expression faltered in surprise

"Yes, Sir." Takumi clenched his fists once again, he hoped that it wasn't anyone from his team.

He cleared his throat, "What about you, Misaki?"

"Well I am sure that my team had nothing to do with this, one of his people or him must be the one responsible for the failure of the mission," Takumi scoffed after hearing her statement.

"I have been with my team for six years and I can tell you that there's no way that anyone in my team can flip sides," he turned to his right to face her, "How long have you been playing in this field? I don't think you have proven anything yet," Misaki clenched her teeth in anger.

Takumi looked back at Kenji "How sure are you that these people are trustworthy? We were the only teams at the party and somehow, we got discovered. What-" he halted to a stop as he realized what he has said. He didn't know what has gotten into him. Before he could apologize for his impulsiveness, Misaki bursted in anger and grabbed him by the collar.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" the coy and alluring woman from last night was almost unrecognizable as she held him by the collar of his shirt with eyes burning with anger and intent to hurt him

Jiro interjected right away "Stop. Both of you are dismissed, we will talk once you have cleared your heads,"

"OUT!" he yelled.

Takumi silently agreed, he pushed her aside and walked away. He wasn't in the best shape to discuss the events from last night, having the possibility that one of the people he trusts the most have betrayed him again was something he couldn't accept.

He heard footsteps following him and he stopped on his tracks, "Maybe we haven't proven ourselves yet but one thing we are proud of is our principle and loyalty," she said to him

He remained still on his spot, not daring to look back to show her his wavering confidence, "I am willing to sacrifice my life for my team. How about you? How sure are you that you can trust them?"

Takumi sighed before walking away. How well does he really know them? With his head clouded with uncertainties he headed back to their room. Everyone was seated on the dining table when he arrived. As soon as he walked in they called him over.

"Time to tell the truth, Takumi," Tora said.

Takumi lifted a brow as he took a seat, "What do you mean?" he looked at each one of them in confusion

"Are you a spy?" Tora directly asked. Everyone exchanged a look, still unsure of what to believe. Being in the same team for many years, Takumi was the last person they would doubt but because of his suspicious actions they couldn't help but question his loyalty.

Hinata interrupted them, "Let him explain first. Where did you go after our last mission?" he asked.

The look in everyone's faces showed mistrust and doubts, Takumi knew that if he wanted to get to the bottom of this he also need to be honest to them, "I went to England," he explained.

"Did you meet anyone there?" Kuuga inquired.

"No."

Hinata scoffed at his answer, "Then why did you leave without telling us?" he banged his hand on the table.

He realized couldn't keep the secret from them any longer, "To confirm that my father is alive."